Chapter 8
 
>You hand the chosen card to pony, who studies it with an unshakable curiosity.
>After a few minutes of glancing, he lets you take it.
>A few days have passed since the entire Trixie ordeal, and everything seems pretty much normal.
>You had to submit your special cuff for it to be examined.
>No problem, you never really had any other use for it.
>Still back to your old job, a simple party entertainer.
>No matter how far you go or how much money you make, you’ll always enjoy magic.
>Even in a land where actual magic exists, some flock to see you perform.
>Perhaps they appreciate the effort?
>Whatever it might be, you try not to think on it too much.
>You have a job, and that is all that matters.
>Speaking of which, you are getting more and more requests from many ponies around the city.
>Looks like word got out, and you have been very busy.
>You had very little time to spend with Fleur, her absence in many parties making it worse.
>She seemed awfully inclined to see you more, given that she suddenly showed up at your door with her bags.
>Fleur barged in immediately, and claimed a room for herself.
>You would’ve inquired her, but she then mentioned her work of her own and left.
>It happened so fast that you barely had a moment to react.
>Your fingers slip once, and a few cards fall out of the deck.
>You smile and apologize, and bend over to pick up the dropped cards.
>The pony doesn’t seem to mind, and you mentally slap yourself.
>Focus, focus, focus.
>That’s all you need.
>You proceed with your tricks, blocking out any other thoughts.
>Quick and precise, the cards easily dance with your fingers, something you’ve done since you bothered to remember.
>The rest of the trick goes on without a hitch, with you gathering some minor applause.
>You take a short break, treating yourself with a drink.
>”Well, well, well, look who is here?” A voice calls you from the back.
“I haven’t seen you around for a while.” You get on your heels and turn. “Prince Blueblood.”
>”Yes yes, hello and how do you do and whatnot.” He quickly dismisses the greetings.
“What were you up to, prince? You certainly were a shadow ever since I was challenged by that Trixie mare.”
>”I… Had my own agenda, and I attended some parties- too. Your insistence on jumping from one place to another did not help.”
>You shrug, and offer him a drink.
“Drink?”
>”Ew, not yours.”
“And I thought we were friends, prince.”
>”Alright, cut with the prince crap.” He suddenly seems serious.
>The bartender has the chance to toss a small drink at Blueblood’s way, which he grabs with relative ease.
>”You consider us… Friends, right?” He asks.
“I suppose we are?” You try to stay careful.
>”Right, right, and friends… Listen to friends, right?”
“I sincerely hope you’re not going to ask for my hand in marriage.”
>”You’d wish. Anyway, I finally have decisive proof that that skank of yours is up to something bad.”
>You groan loudly.
“Is this about Fleur again?”
>”Yes, yes, whatever her name may be, she is up to something, listen!”
“What do you have against her anyway?”
>”That… does not matter. What matters is- I- the all knowing prince, getting your sorry hide out of the fire.”
>You laugh it off, not wanting to get into that conversation again.
>What you had with Fleur… You’re quite not sure, actually.
>There was a moment or two, but she didn’t even try to make a big deal out of it, and nor should you.
>You were still going to ask her about her sudden appearance, but you’d get to that later.
>Right now, you had a few bored ponies mulling about.
>Quickly downing your drink, you say your farewells with Blueblood.
>”Remember what I said, Anonymous- you must be cautious!”
>Okay, dad.
>Rest of the night goes on uneventfully, you going around, doing some tricks, the works.
>You chatted with Blueblood again, but this time the two of you avoided the general topic of Fleur.
>You insisted very much so.
>Instead, the two of you threw each other stories and happenings in your own worlds.
>Blueblood seemed to have some sort of business on Ponyville, deliberately planning out every detail of his move.
>He also mentioned some pony and her less-than-usual lover.
>She must be a real Rarity for Blueblood to be so invested in her.
>You talked about the challenge, the hours you put into the trick, so on and so forth.
>And of course, throughout the night, Blueblood deflected incoming mares with such proficiency you’d think he’s sporting.
 
>Or interested in the same gender.
 
>The event goes by quickly, and you find yourself walking back home.
>You button your coat, and pocket your already cold hands.
>You blow out a breath, seeing the small wispy mist forming in front of you.
>Your shoes clack to the stone floor underneath, whilst crushing the snow on it.
>You hear few clops behind you.
>Looks like a few ponies actually walk around at this hour.
>Or this weather.
>The clopping comes louder and faster.
>You instinctively turn around to see the pony behind you, only to see an empty street.
>You look around more, hoping that you are not being fooled.
>Finally, you decide to drop the thought and move on.
>”Hello!” A pony stands right in front of you.
>The rather poor lighting made it impossible to make out who it was.
“Can I help you?” You ask, squinting your eyes to at least try to tell who it was.
>”Yes, you could help me by taking me out to someplace nice.”
>That voice.
“Fleur?” You ask.
>”Of course, now come, I already have a good place spotted out.”
“This late?”
>”This late.”
>Fleur leads you to some random restaurant, expecting you to pay for the ‘dinner’.
>It’s almost eleven, but you’d suppose you’d oblige.
>Perhaps maybe then you’ll have the chance to ask her about what on earth was going on.
 
>The place seems modest enough, a single hearth on the centre of the room.
>You spot a few patrons here and there, but the building is mostly empty.
>”What shall we get?” Fleur asks, while taking a seat for herself.
“Anything.” You reply flatly.
>Fleur lets out a chuckle, looking over the menu.
>”You might regret that…”
“Alright, what are you playing at?” You blurt out.
>”I thought we were eating, not playing.”
“Seriously.”
>”Then let us be.”
“First off; of all the places in the city, why here?”
>”I like the atmosphere.”
“Atmosphere? You come to eat in a restaurant, not for atmosphere.”
>”And ponies come to you to see magic, not a trickery.”
“I’ve heard the same with you.”
>”Excuse me?” Fleur suddenly explodes.
>A few stares are tossed around the building, most of them converging on the two of you.
>Fleur drops the menu and immediately heads for the door.
>The waiter passes you a confused glance, to which you can only do the same.
>Grabbing your coat, you head after her, right into the cold, snowing night.
 
“Wait up!” You call after her, barely having time to put on your coat.
>The cold immediately sets on you, the wind washing over your body.
>You let out a short sprint across the white-blanketed ground.
>You manage to reach her shoulder, and stop her in place.
>Fleur pauses in place, but stays quiet.
“What’s going on?” You ask. “Look, if it’s something that I said-“
>”Of course it’s something you said!” She shouts, turning to you. ”It’s what everypony says…”
>You let go of her and straighten up.
>You honestly have nothing to say, should you apologize? Or should you inquire?
>Instead of doing anything that comes to your mind, you simply stand out here, blowing out warm breaths.
>”Let’s get home.” Fleur says coldly, taking the lead.
>You follow without a word, somewhat relived that this issue is at least avoided.
>But seeing how she exploded like that, your curiosity only grows slightly.
>Perhaps; thoughts, thoughts, thoughts.
>The path home is uneventful, even with the dreadful air that hung between the two of you.
>You wordlessly push the door open, and enter your home.
>Taking a match readied on a stand by the door, you light a lamp nearby.
>The room lights up dimly, just enough for you to make out the details.
>You proceed to light the next lamp, and so on.
>You go to your bedroom to change to more comfortable attire, while leaving Fleur to her own devices.
>You actually decide to have a warm shower first, for some reason you craved it so much.
>Once that was done, you head towards the study and light up the fireplace.
>Placing a few chopped wood in, you begin to kindle the fire.
>The fire grows big enough, and you cease to pay attention to it.
>You rub your cold hands in front of it, warming it.
>Still waiting for some part of your hair dry, you slump on the chair right by the fireplace.
>Feeling something under you, you stand up to find a neatly (now ruined) folded edition of today’s newspaper.
>Looks like Mrs. Sweep left it there for you.
>Acting as your house keeper, she was more of a shadow in your home, you were always out, and she only preferred to work during the day.
>Of course, that did not deter any sort of communication the two of you share.
>She complained about your eating habits, and you questioned her girth.
>All in good spirit of course.
>You’d often ask her about your ideas and how it sounded, and she would tell you to ask the ‘professionals’.
>However, that did not stop her from questioning your fashion any chance she got.
>Have you mentioned how she tries to change your eating habits?
>But still, her company was welcome.
>It’s not like you were the most out-going type.
>For some reason you’d rather not frequent the bars or the- ugh- clubs.
>What are you, twenty?
>Anywho, great to know Mrs. Sweep and everything.
>Your mind then wanders to another occupant in your home.
>Fleur de Lis.
>You try pushing the thought aside and focus on the newspaper.
>The tiny words barely register in your mind, the flickering fire not helping.
>With your eyes strained, you groan and place it on the arm of the chair.
>You let out a long sigh.
>Maybe you could get some coffee to keep yourself company.
>It’s too early to sleep, but you have nothing to do.
>Maybe some tea?
>You hear a knock on the door, and the creak of it opening.
>You peek from your chair, already knowing what pony it would be.
>Surprise, surprise, it’s Fleur.
 
http://youtu.be/Red3R17FlUQ
>”I- uhm, may I come in?” She asks, with an air of uncertainty.
“Of course, have a seat.” You say, rising from yours.
>She enters the study with caution, looking left to right.
>She drags a chair next to yours and sits on it.
>”Mmm, it’s warm here.” She comments.
“Mmhmm.” You say, as you return to your seat.
>A moment of silence hangs between the two of you, the only noise in the room being the flicker of the fire.
“So, what brings a mare like you to a place like this?” You joke.
>”Oh please, you can do better than that.” She replies, a small smile etched on her face.
“You need a smile, it looks better on you.”
>”Oh Celestia you need work.”
“Hey, not my fault you’re not half intoxicated when you are hearing this.”
>”Mmm, I heard such words compare to poetry when under that effect.”
“Now you’re getting it.” You say, reaching down your chair.
>And from it, you remove a bottle of wine.
>Fleur raises a brow, looking over the drink.
“A drink?” You ask, already reaching for the cork.
>”D-do you keep your wine under your chair?”
“You mean the others don’t?” You feign surprise.
 
>The world spins as you fall onto the soft bed.
>You bounce a bit, and your vision barely focuses on anything.
>Only the moonlight illuminates your room, albeit very slightly.
>You still pick up the movements in the darkness, and its approach towards you.
>A white hoof lands to your left, and then another flanks you to the right.
>A certain mare begins to close in on you, her movements jerky and sluggish.
>She drops unceremoniously on you, her hooves giving out at the same time.
“You know, when I said we should try to get along? This isn’t exactly what I had in mind.”
>”Remember the thing about alcohol and perspectives?”
“Pers- huh?”
>”Neither do I.”
>Fleur’s face finally comes to view, her ivory features by the moonlight.
>You can also notice her flushed cheeks.
>Her eyes glisten in the light, as it focuses on you.
>She leans close and snugly sets herself on your chest.
>With a draw of breath, she asks you one last thing;
 
>”Maybe we can forget that we are different for once?”