1787 replies and 33 files omitted.
>>153098"There is not anything I could do, is there?"
>>153099“You’ve done so much already. We really can’t express enough how grateful we are.”
>>153100"Well, alright."
He smiles at Sister Marery.
"Thank you for all of your help. I need to check on my friend and make sure he is doing okay."
>>153101She looks up towards him.
“Very well. Nice to see you today.”
>>153102"As it was wonderful seeing you."
He bows to the nun, and returns to the orphanage building. Not knowing where Mala and Mint Marine are, he looks where Mint came from originally.
Perhaps I can make it tomorrow.
>>153103Best guess - back to the room
>>153110Yay!
>>153111Then that is where Silver goes.
>>153112A rust brown colt sits outside of the room. Looking into the room - a larger room with multiple beds and a pile of objects on the floor by a bed - is Mint Marine standing with a book opened and propped up on the bed by magic, and Mala sitting in a somewhat awkward looking way, hunched over and looking at the book.
>>153113Silver looks at the rust-brown colt.
"Is something wrong, little one?"
>>153114The colt sits down, just out of line of sight from the bed at the end of the dorm hall, though he leans over to look in. His hindquarters are on the floor, and his hooves in front of him. His ears are down.
He raises his hoof, and points inside.
“That”
>>153115Silver looks over at Mint and Mala enjoying each other's company, and smiles warmly. He looks over at the colt again.
"What is so wrong with that?"
>>153116He thrusts his hoof forward, to reemphasize his point
>>153117"It is just Mint Marine and Mala reading story together."
>>153118“The big one growled at me” he says, repositioning himself back, then placing his foreleg up again and waving it.
>>153119Silver raises an eyebrow.
"Was there something you were doing?"
>>153120“I was just in the room on my bed, and they came in, and the big one growled at me.”
>>153121"Hmm...let me ask him why."
Silver steps into the room, knocking a hoof against the door to announce his presense.
>>153122Mala turns his head to the door, raising it, and pointing his triangular ears and brown eyes to the door. Mint Marine follows in a slower movement, his muzzle following the turning of his eyes with a slight delay.
>>153124Mint Marine:
“Yes, I was showing him my books on fishes and sea monsters.”
>>152530>>153126Hello!"Well, uh... I'm thinking I will go into construction. I mean, in adding flourishes on walls and wooden surfaces like moldings and friezes. Maybe wall paper and such."
>>153125Silver smiles, and looks at Mala.
"So, what is with colt outside of room?"
>>153128"Yes, I can work with wood. That's actually what I got my cutie mark for."
>>153129Mala turns his head, and looks down. He does not answer
>>153130She turns curiously to him, leaning her head on her hoof.
"When did you get it?" >>153131I was a little colt. Rather small. I think I was around nine or so. Neighbors had just moved in next door. Well, down the road. This was in the woods, so the house was a little further away, but anyways, it was the closest house. And it was brand new. They just built it. And, well, they were still building it. My dad was helping them to finish it. And a part of that was cutting the millwork. Wainscot and moldings. And I was conscripted into helping. You see the size of the panels and the moldings wouldn't be exactly what they needed to be, so you'd have to cut them to make them smaller. So I was there to help holding them. And measure them. And then I was allowed to help cut it. Not that they really wanted me to use a saw, but they couldn't really stop me. And so I cut a piece. And another. And I helped glue them in. And when the final piece of molding was placed in their new living room, I got my cutie mark."
>>153133Mala still does not answer.
>>153132Amber grins at her friend.
"It feels good to make something with your own hooves, doesn't it? I bet it's much better than being a waiter. Your folks must've been proud of you that day." >>153134Silver looks at Mint Marine for an answer.
>>153136"They were. My dad was proud. My older brother, I think he was jealous. My mom was kind of upset I was using the saw."
>>153136"I..." His ears go down. "That colt has been trying to use and take my toys and stuff and he complains that I have it and he doesn't. So I told the gnoll, and he scared the colt off."
>>153137She chuckles then forms a mischievous look on her face.
"So when are you asking her out?" >>153138He pulls his lips back, and blinks
"What?"
>>153139Her smirk only grows more pronounced.
"You know, Ms. Lick. When will you two be going on a date? She's a bit older, but that shouldn't stop her, 'specially considering you've got talent and personality on your side." >>153137Silver looks back at where the rust-brown colt is hiding.
"Is this true?"
>>153140“Oh” he makes a motion tilting his head, and a smile. “Saltlick. I think she’s looking for stallions who are out of school. And I’m not really looking to date her.”
>>153142"Awww," she says, with a clearly fake frown.
"You'd be such a good match. Well, you never know, she might take a liking to you." >>153143His smile is wide and toothy. “Oh… she’s alright, but, heh, I’m not into her.”
>>153141The rust colored colt is only barely peeking in.
“He growled.”
>>153144"Were you trying to take Mint's things without his permission?"
>>153145“Play with. Why does he have so many toys? I didn’t get any.”
>>153146"You know you could have just asked Mint if you could play with them."
>>153147“But he won’t let me. And why does he have them?”
>>153149He blushes, turns away, and raises his left hoof and brings it down in a batting action. “Heh heh. She’s cute and all. But, well… there’s cuter out there.”
>>153152She rubs her neck a bit awkwardly,
"I mean, you don't want to mess up or say the wrong thing, so why not try first with Saltlick? That way, you know if you're sayin' the right thing or need to change anything up if you meet another mare you like." >>153153The concept is novel, and its presentation unexpected, as Mustard Trim does not reply, but rather sits in silent contemplation, eyes moving about.
>>153154"I play with the toys, and they can break them, or place them on the floor and they can get stepped on or lost."
>>153156“Why do you ask?”
Using a hoof, he scoots himself closer to Amber, and moves his head closer to hers
“Did she say something?”
>>153158He takes a moment, and turns his head to look directly into Amber's eyes. He scoots a little further back and places himself once again in the middle of his chair. He places each hoof down to his sides, as if to brace himself.
"What I want to know is if..." he looks away, and then back to her. "You'd be interested." He stops and briefly sticks his tongue out, as if to wet dry lips.
"In me. For, for real, I mean." He looks into her eyes, breaks eye contact, and then looks back.
Her heart had an inkling of it ever since last night, but it still catches her by surprise. Her mouth ajar, a reddish tinge spreads over her cheeks under her widened indigo eyes.
"I, I uh, I mean–" she babbles, before breathing in and out. "Yes, I would be…actually, I already was." Her mouth forms into a shy smile. "You're a really cute colt and when you showed up at the nightclub for me, I was touched you'd check on me when you barely knew who I was. Oh, uh, I was just teasin' ya about Saltlick. Though she's a nice mare, I wouldn't be surprised if you really did like like her."
>>153161He smiles very widely, and he uses his hooves to push himself up in his seat to sitting upright. His tail moves underneath him.
"I like you."
He says, sharply and quickly.
"You're really sweet. And cute. And adorable>"
>>153162Amber reciprocates his position, letting her towel fall to cover only her lower body. Her coat is still damp but has mostly dried off, with tufts sticking together.
She looks forward bashfully.
"T-thanks, y-you too…." She stays silent for just a moment.
"Shucks, colts don't like being called adorable. You're uh…brave instead, is that alright?" She turns back to grin at him.
>>153163Mustard Trim remains entirely uncovered, still looking pretty damp. He now sits upright in his seat.
“Heh heh, thanks… I don’t think I’ve really been called that much before….”
He looks away, and then back to her
“So um… do you… want a formal date?”
He moves his right hoof up towards the back of his head, and begins to show teeth in his smile
>>153164"Sure. To tell you the truth, I ain't ever been on a date before. I wouldn't mind going on one with a feller like yourself." She continues to smile softly at him.
>>153165He gets up, and stands next to the chair
“I…. Haven’t really either. Where would you like to go?”
>>153166She also stands and starts folding her towel to put it away.
"I'm still new to town, so the only places I know of are where we work and Club Maurice." >>153167“Heh heh, there more places. It’s a big town.”
>>153169He looks up, and about.
“Uh… I’ll think of something.” He says
“You, um, like exploring?”
His tail is visibly moving back and forth, and his lips, sometimes closed, and sometimes exposing teeth, remain firmly pulled back.
>>153170His anticipation seems to rub off on her, as she likewise shakes her auburn tail and looks intently at him.
"You bet your rump I do." >>153171“Heh heh heh. I can, I can take you to a fancy restaraunt if you want but um, um, I think my mother might get mad if I spend all of my money on that and not buying the groceries. We can go to the movies, or to the theater if you like that. Or we can go somewhere else. Maybe to the cliffs, or someplace if you want to explore more literally.”
>>153173He audibly sighs looking relieved. Then he moves his head closer, examining her reaction skeptically. Then he seems surprised.
“Well…. There’s the cliffs. The old fort out by the water. The shot tower. Uh…”
>>153175“Oh really? The one at Locust Promintory, or the one at the harbor mouth? The shot tower is this old, really tall building. It was used to make lead for guns, or something. Anyways, that’s by the river.”
>>153177“Hmmm… Where did you hear about that ‘Club Maurice,’ anyways? I didn’t really take you got the type to go places like that.”
>>153178"Well, uh…" she mutters with a sudden nervousness.
"I was actually invited. I had to go there to help with something. It wasn't really important." >>153179“Oh, okay. Yeah, I didn’t think you were a regular. So… you want to stay here for now, or….”
>>153180She shakes her head, her mane flying about.
"Not unless you do. I had a good swim and I'm happy about that." >>153181“Uh, sure. So… where to next?”
>>153183“Sure!” He says. He finally picks up a towel, and attempts to dry himself more with it.
>>153185“Heh, yeah. Although I’ll get wet again. And have to dry off again.”
He starts to walk towards the showers on the other side.
>>153186Amber walks alongside him and takes a shower stall next to him.
>>153187He turns the the lever-valve on the shower and lets the water flow over him. The process undoes many minutes of drying off, much to his evident dismay. He finishes, and attempts to dry himself with a towel.
>>153188Amber does the same, trying to run water through her mane and tail to get the chlorine out. When she's satisfied, she turns off the shower and shakes her body before grabbing a towel.
>>153189He looks over to her, still giddy and smiling, evidently entertained by her slightly fluffier appearance as she attempts to dry off.
>>153190Her winter coat adds a bit of fluff, though not as much as with certain ponies. She grins and also looks Mustard over before turning to grab her clothes.
>>153191“I think we might be moist for a while. It could be very cold.” He says
>>153192Amber nods.
"My dress is wool so I'll be warm enough. Are you going to be alright?" she asks as she dons the apparel.
>>153193“Uh…” he looks at his own jacket, which is thinner than hers.
“I’ll be fine.”
>>153194She frowns, but she had left behind her cloak and doesn't have anything to give.
"If you say so," she replies.
"Are you ready to go?" she asks, when she's put on her dress and saddlebags.
>>153195“Sure.” He says
“So… Where do you want to go?”
>>153196Blinking with a blank look on her face, she replies,
"I'm not sure. If I can't decide, will you?" >>153155"Hmm. Well, they are your toys to play with, but I think it would be good idea to place trust in other foals. Maybe you can find common interest."
>>153197“Of course.” He says, putting on his jacket. “Just making sure.”
>>153198“Common interests?! Like what?”
>>153199"Well, you like sea and marine biology. You could find pony who is also interested those things."
>>153202“But there isn’t…” he trails off
>>153204"...anypony who is interested in marine biology?"
Busier than I thought. I will try again next weekend.
Still holding out home for some time this week.
>>153216Hopes>>153209No u!
>>153207"They don't like to talk about the different taxonomies, and the oceanic zones..."
>>153218But u 2
"What about other aspects of ocean? Like your favorite marine monsters."
>>153219“But that’s like, the only thing that interests anyone. Except fish you can catch, I guess.”
>>153220"You can use it as way to pull others into learning about ocean. Teach what they find interesting at first, and slowly expand over time."
>>153221He looks up at Silver, and blinks
“But what if it ends there, and they instead want to talk about war, or sports, or whatever else?”
>>153222"Friendship is two-way street, too. Maybe you could find something you like that they also like."
Hoping to play whenever it's convenient for you
Daily reminder (You) are a cute pony.
Things have not been easy to balance here at the end of the year. It is taking a while to get things in order.
(You) are still a cute pony.
>>153256But u 2
Silver looks back towards where the brown colt is hiding.
"What interests you, little one?"
>>153257"I would play with the toys. If I had them. I like tag and playing soldier and things with the other colts."
>>153258Silver chuckles.
"Well, yes, those are things you
like, but what interests you? In same way that marine biology interests Mint Marine, what interests you?"
>>153259He blinks
"Well... I like the paints we use in arts and crafts..."
>>153260Silver turns to Mint Marine, now.
"What about you? Think you could be interested in painting as well?"
>>153261Mint:
"Well..."
Brown colt:
"No. Not painting. The paints. The solvent and the mixes and things like that."
>>153262"Oh! Well, I still imagine those interests intersect. There are lots of dyes and paint materials that can be gotten from sea and sea creatures, yes?"
>>153263“I mean… yes? There’s a purple dye from sea snails.”
>>153264"There is that, and with as wonderous as sea is I imagine there is much else that could be used."
>>153265The brown colt:
“Squid ink?”
Ming marine:
“Uh… I’m not sure that’s useful for real ink.”
Brown colt:
“But what is it?”
Mint marine:
“Well it’s something the squid makes to get away from predators.”
Brown colt:
“But
what is it?”
Mint Marine:
“Uh… I’m not really sure.”
>>153266Silver smiles.
"Maybe there is book here that has answer?"
>>153267"Uh... Maybe. I don't think I have a book with that though."
>>153268"Does orphanage have library?"
>>153269"A few books in a play room downstairs. But not that much."
>>153270"Hmm...is there nearby library, then?"
>>153273Hello!
Dark Star's last act was to discuss with Blue Skies what horrors lie beyond the veil of the infinite darkness.
>>153272"Hmmm...well, maybe that is something we should find out soon."
>>153275Mint Marine has a small smile, and his tail moves back and forth twice
>>153277Checked
Dark Star Strokes Her mane
>>153279She slowly rubs her head against him, leaning a bit more into him, and pressing against his fur.
>>153278"Anyways, you both understand what I am getting at, yes? In friendship you can find ways your interest may intersect, and have opportunities to share some of yours while also learning about theirs."
>>153281"Yes..." Mint Marine says. Both colts are silent, and look at Silver
The brown colt blinks
"But I want to play with his toys"
Mint Marine
"Get your own toys!
The brown colt:
"I can't!"
>>153286Dark Star Walks over to it,looks over at Blue and pats the seat next to him.
>>153287She turns her head and watches him walk to the loveseat. Only when he signals for her to come over does she stand up, leave her seat at the table, and walk over towards the fur-dyed Dark Star. She curls her tail, and sits next to him
>>153282"Colts, settle down please."
>>153288He Puts his arm around Her,pulling her Tightly against him
>>153290She turns her head to his, smiling widely with a look of definite pleasure.
>>153289They look towards Silver, and scrunch
>>153291He Turns on the Radio, As he snuggles Her
>>153292Turning on the radio, the first station is off for the night, but a turn of the dial turns the radio to jazz... then another turn takes it to a slow song with a female single.
She leans her head against him, and rubs her muzzle against his fur.
>>153291Silver first address the brown colt.
"What is your name, by way?"
>>153294"Caramel Glaze" He answers
>>153293He Rubs his muzzle against her face,nuzzling her
Sorry i was gone so long,the microwave broke >>153296AwwwShe pulls her muzzle up, to rub it against his.
She purrs, and opens her eyes to meet his
>>153297He strokes her mane as they nuzzle
"This is exactly what i needed after a long day"
>>153298As they nuzzle, her chest and shoulders lean onto him, letting his body support her weight. Her eyes remain closed, and she says nothing, simply preferring to press against him.
>>153299He kisses her Cheek and Pulls her against him tighter
>>153300She pulls her lips back in a big, almost malign smile, opening her eyes half way to meet his at an angle. Dark Star is able to pull her body against his; soft, short fur with a slim body underneath.
>>153301He Smiles back at Her, Cuddling her tightly as he relaxes,listening to the radio
>>153295"Alright Caramel Glaze. In future, you should ask Mint Marine if you can play with his toys since they were bought specifically for him and he owns them, promise that you will take care of them, and act on your promise."
He turns around to address Mint.
"And while they are your toys and you may do as you please with them, it may be good idea to let trustworthy other foals play with them and trust them to take care of them. You could play with them as well."
>>153302She lays her head on his shoulder. The music plays softly, singing fondly of love, if perhaps a bit too sentimentally.
She moves herself to lean just a little bit more into him, and to lower her head on his body a little more.
>>153303Caramel:
"Okay..."
Mint Marine:
"Okay..."
>>153304He Sighs Happily
"If This was my last moment,i'd be okay with that."
>>153304"Now, can you come in and you both can apologize in each other, Caramel Glaze? I promise Mala will not growl at you."
>>153305Her body inches a little lower every few seconds, as she starts to lay across his lap. She says to him somewhat playfully
"Don't say that! You'll curse the moment."
>>153306Caramel Glaze slowly enters the room at Silver's command. He stares at Mala as he does so, and Mala reciprocates. The colt seems to be genuinely afraid of the gnoll, and it isn't hard to see why. Mala is the size of an adult stallion.
Caramel
"o-okay... I'm sorry..."
He averts his gaze
>>153307He Laughs Softly at Her Words and says back Equally as Playfully As he Continues Stroking her mane
"Yea You're right,I'd miss you too much if i bit it."
>>153307Silver trots over to Caramel, and pats his back.
"It is okay, little one. Mala is not so scary, especially when you get to know him. He is true friend to me, and I am not so scary, yes?"
>>153308She moves her muzzle to rub into his lower chest and belly
"Now how are you going to miss me if you bit it?"
>>153309Caramel Glaze looks upwards, into Silver's eyes in contemplation of Silver's question. He does not answer, but lowers his head.
>>153310He smiles at him as he contemplates. Overall, Silver is a big, fluffy, friendly stallion.
"You can say hello to him if you wish."
>>153311He is indeed very big, bigger than Mala, and bigger than any mare in the convent. Above all, he is an adult who has taken the initiative to order him around.
Caramel Glaze looks over to Mala. Evidently, he does not wish to say hello.
>>153312He gives the colt a couple more soft back pats.
>>153310"Well,Id Miss you. Everything About you,My Baby Blue."
He Scratches her Ears as her Looks Down and Smiles at Her
>>153313And he is pat. His fur is rather course, and his mane is trimmed short. His eyes are wide open.
>>153314She moves further down, arriving at what seems to be her final destination on his lap. She turns her head so that she looks up at him. She takes in his complements with a smug, satisfied smile, and her ear twitches and eye closes at his scratches.
Smiling playfully, she asks
"But how will you miss me if you're dead?"
>>153315He Smiles again Continuing scratching her ears in between stroking her mane
"You Know i'd Find a way.Even if i would have to fight celestia herself"
>>153315Silver tilts his head at the colt.
"What is wrong?"
>>153316She smiles, looks straight ahead - which at her angle is onto her bed - and stretches out her left hoof in an action like bating the air.
"I know what you mean. Trapped there forever in the well of souls, unable to experience anything, with nothing but your memories of times gone by. That is one more reason why we must take every moment that comes to us." Without turning her head, she turns her eyes up
"So let's let savor the moment"
>>153317"Um...." He doesn't say much
>>153319The colt nods, looking up at Silver
>>153318"Savor the moment?" He Grins
"What did you have in mind?"
>>153320"Okay. So, what do you want to do, Caramel? They are holding play here at orphanage if you did not know. Maybe you could get onto backstage crew to work with paints and such."
>>153237Sorry about that. Fortunately I've gotten things in order.
>>153200Mustard Trim hesitates for a moment, as he fits on the jacket and heads down the hall. He stops again at the door, then opens it and walks through. It isn't especially cold outside, nor is it especially windy. All the same, the wind and cold make contact with their wet fur. Mustard Trim makes an uncertain expression, as he looks back to hold the door open for her.
>>153321She turns herself over so that she is on her back, looking up at Dark Star. She grins
"Something...
savory. It's your moment, after all."
>>153322"I made part" he says "A part of the costumes and the paint."
>>153324Amber continues past him, giving him a reassuring smile despite the chill.
>>153325"There's a-" he makes a rather strange sound as he evidently shivers while trying to speak
"There's a pretty decent restaurant around here. If you're hungry."
>>153326"I ain't especially hungry, even after a swim like that…" She seems better adjusted to the cold.
"But it's gettin' on to dinner time and I wouldn't mind heading there." >>153327"Oh.... um... unless you, would like to do something else first."
>>153330"Well, uh... How long have you been in this city? Have you been to the cliffs? Or... you like music, don't you? We could go to the theater. Whether it's for performance or a motion picture."
>>153331She considers this closely.
The theater is awfully tempting, but I don't want him to spend money when it's not a special occasion.…"Let's go to the cliffs. I have an itch to explore." >>153332"Sure" he says.
The wind blows, and he shivers.
"It's - it's a long way from here. Let's take a taxi."