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730241__safe_artist-colon-silence_oc_oc-colon-amber_oc-colon-amber+grain_oc-colon-america+pony_oc+only_amber+and+maple_gun_m16_-fwslash-mlp-fwslash-_mo.png
Occupied Equestria - Forward
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.153333
153336
Dark Star fights against CRT in the school system continues along his path to ensure a future for his and his race's children. Iron conducts a salvage operation finds and recovers hidden treasure. Amber is learning how to exploit simps establishes relationships in her new town. Spark harbors multiple terrorist continues helping Wellspring and the wolf tribe. Silver acts as a step father for unwanted foals gives back to the community at the orphanage. All of this and more
1345 replies and 28 files omitted.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7022d09
?
No.154230
154231
>>154199
Silver smiles at him.

"Be sure to rest and relax, then. Great War is over, you deserve it."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154231
154232
>>154230
"Well, it uh, it hasn't... really been that easy, really."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7022d09
?
No.154232
154233
>>154231
Silver tilts his head at the veteran.
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154233
154234
>>154232
“Glad to see you’re handling it so well”
He says
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7022d09
?
No.154234
154235
>>154233
"I will admit, I have had many, many years to learn how to handle things like this. Having friends and loved ones helps."
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154235
154236
>>154234
“Yeah….” He sort of trails off
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7022d09
?
No.154236
154239
>>154235
"...Not many friends?"
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154239
154241
>>154236
“It’s not been that stable… Not every one came back. Many have moved, especially after the revolt last fall. And those who never went, don’t understand…”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7022d09
?
No.154241
154242
>>154239
"Well, it is never too late to start."

Silver extends a forehoof across the table in an offer of a hoofshake.
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154242
154243
>>154241
He looks at the hoof, and smiles. He shakes his hoof.

Frizzle’s shake is at once encompassing yet weak, and he moves his foreleg rather far up and down. He doesn’t last long in the shake before breaking it to put his hoof down, and shift weight to that leg.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7022d09
?
No.154243
154244
>>154242
"Heh...sorry."
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154244
154245
>>154243
Now he smiles awkwardly.

“Nice to see you…”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7022d09
?
No.154245
154246
>>154244
"It is good to see you too, Frizzle."
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154246
154247
>>154245
He nods, and starts to move away.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7022d09
?
No.154247
154248
>>154246
Silver turns to White Orchid.

"Well, that was nice. Not every day I get to meet another veteran, much less one I knew during War."
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154248
154249
>>154247
“Who was he, exactly?” He asks
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7022d09
?
No.154249
154250
>>154248
"He was soldier I trained during War, one of many."
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154250
154251
>>154249
He tilts his head
“You fought in the war… and you trained soldiers?”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7022d09
?
No.154251
154252
>>154250
Silver nods his head.

"I was Sargent in Equestrian Army."
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154252
154253
>>154251
He brightens up, and his blue eyes widen. He sits there looking at silver for several moments, before saying

“My father was in the army. He was a, uh… I don’t think he was a sergeant.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7022d09
?
No.154253
154255
>>154252
Silver smiles at the colt.

"All Equestrian soldiers are great, no matter their rank."
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154255
154256
>>154253
He only nods, looking at awe at Silver. Then,

“I didn’t know you were a sergeant.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7022d09
?
No.154256
154257
>>154255
"There are many things you do not know about me yet, little one."

He takes another bite of his burger.

"Maybe as we spend more time together you will learn, yes?"
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154257
154258
>>154256
“Yeah!” He says enthusiastically. His burger, half eaten, is now neglected as he continues to watch Silver.

“Uh, what else will you tell me?”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7022d09
?
No.154258
154978
>>154257
"Well, I have been across much of Equestria, from Redheart to Ponyville, Vale to Manehattan. This is first time I have been in Baltimare, however."
Amber Sunset
1c43d54
?
No.154259
154260
I can play a bit if you want; if you want to schedule a different time for my part, that's fine too.
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154260
154261
>>154259
wave wave wave

Amber was last seen staring into, well, the sunset, from a seaside restaurant on the peninsula.
Amber Sunset
e385869
?
No.154261
154262
Crab.jpg
>>154260
>pic related, some time ago at least
"Gee, ain't the view grand? Is it a spot everypony from around here knows about?"
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154262
154263
>>154261
Kek

He replies

“Don’t know. Haven’t asked everypony.” He smiles for a moment as if that were funny,

“I went here on a family visit once, six years ago. I remembered it.”
Amber Sunset
2f17508
?
No.154263
154264
>>154262
Something seems to click. "It must be significant to you then. I hadn't realized that, but thank you." Amber smiles gently at him.
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154264
154265
>>154263
He smiles back, albeit a little labored.

“It was. We came down here as a little trip while my dad was doing something in the city. I think it had something to do with the Union. And we had a picnic. My father joined later. I remember the wind was kind of cold and my little sister wanted a candy, but we didn’t have any and that annoyed my mom. My dad mentioned the thing about the Pirates while he was talking to my my brother. I thought it was neat.”
Amber Sunset
2f17508
?
No.154265
154266
>>154264
"Quite a leisurely trip then, and a good place for it." She reaches across the table to touch his foreleg. "Thank you for taking me here."
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154266
154267
>>154265
He blushes, and his ears go down. He doesn’t move his forelegs, but sits there with a smile that seems almost embarrassed, but at least is genuine.

“Thank you… I… wanted to create new memories.”

The waitress comes with the drinks. Hot chocolate for Amber
Amber Sunset
7384cc9
?
No.154267
154268 154269
>>154266
"I can tell you, the first memories I'll have of Baltimare will be very nice. A bit of a rocky start, but I feel almost at home now." She thanks the waitress and takes a sip of the delicious hot beverage.
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154268
154269 154270
>>154267
“Oh I’ll remember your first two nights as a hostess” he says. “I’ll remember them for a very long time.”

He pauses for a moment.
“But the only thing rocky about today is the cliffs.”
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154269
>>154267
>>154268
He adds:

“Uh… what are you getting?”
He looks down at the menu
Amber Sunset
7384cc9
?
No.154270
154271
>>154268
"I suppose they're memorable…" though she thinks to herself, What did he mean by this?

"Clam chowder sounds appealin'."
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154271
154272
>>154270
“Chowder sounds nice” he says. “I think I’ll go with that too.”
Amber Sunset
b4d5e2d
?
No.154272
154273
>>154271
Amber asks, "Have you had that before? Can't really get it inland, so it's new to me."
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154273
154274
>>154272
“Well, not with clam, but creamy chowder, yes.”
Amber Sunset
b4d5e2d
?
No.154274
154275
>>154273
"Alright, let's get that then…"

Casually, she asks, "What about pies? Do you like them?"
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154275
154276
>>154274
“Pies are good. I like pies” he adds
Amber Sunset
b4d5e2d
?
No.154276
154279
>>154275
"We got peach cobblers for special occasions. We didn't grow peaches ourselves but there were a couple of farms a few miles down the road which we could buy from. So juicy and delicious!"
Amber Sunset
b4d5e2d
?
No.154277
154279
Also, I can't recommend enough reading Mine Were of Trouble by Peter Kemp. Not only is it a detailed and engaging account of the Spanish Civil War from the Nationalist side, but it shows a window of life in that tumultuous time and is well-written.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154279
154280
>>154276
“Your mom would make peach cobbler?!” He sounds kind of surprised.

“The best we got was apple pie. There was a friend though who had tangerine trees. I loved to pick those, and eat them.”

>>154277
Neat! I’ve read the fictional “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and Orwell’s “Homage to Catalonia,” but nothing on the Nationalist side.
Amber Sunset
b4d5e2d
?
No.154280
154281
>>154279
It also explains how the Republicans had the advantage in propaganda which sadly affects public perception of the war even up to now.

"It's about what you have around. I remember we used to have a lot more fruits and vegetables brought in by rail.
Sadly that stopped with the war...

Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154281
154282
>>154280
Sadly yes, most sources are from the “”””””Republican”””””” side

“Yeah….” He pauses for more than a moment

“I miss strawberries”
Amber Sunset
3bcbdf9
?
No.154282
154283
>>154281
Was babysitting, am back
"When the season was right we would go out and pick wild strawberries. They are very tasty but I haven't seen any around here." She sips more of the hot chocolate.
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154283
154284
>>154282
I was helping give a mock interview to my friend’s cousin

“Strawberries grow wild?!?!?””
Amber Sunset
3bcbdf9
?
No.154284
154285
>>154283
"Mhm, you bet they do! They grow just about anywhere that's sunny. Not as big as the strawberries you might find grown, but still luscious and delicious."
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154285
154286
>>154284
“I’d love strawberries. You can buy them I know, but they are so expensive. Now you tell me they are free and everywhere?”

He shakes his head.

The waitress comes, and takes their orders.
Amber Sunset
f105e57
?
No.154286
154287
>>154285
"Technically, ehhhh, no."

When the waitress comes, Amber states, "Two clam chowders, please!"
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154287
154288
>>154286
She smiles.

“Two clam chowders.” She looks to Mustard. “And what will you be having?”

Mustard:
“Uh, one of those clam chowders.”

The waitress does not write down the orders, but takes metal note
Amber Sunset
f105e57
?
No.154288
154289
>>154287
"That's two for both of us. One each." She smiles awkwardly at the waitress.

She turns back to Mustard once the waitress is gone. "It gets pretty dark during the night in the cities. What neighborhoods are good to keep away from then?"
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154289
154290
>>154288
“The closer you are to water, the worse it is. By the bay is worst. It’s also not great to be by the river. There are parts of Red Heart the police pass by, and the New Marelanders won’t go to. Cowtown isn’t all that much better. East side is marginally better than that. Then the riverside, and the city center. Colton Hill and the north aren't that bad.”
Amber Sunset
f105e57
?
No.154290
154291
>>154289
She thinks back to when she toured the coast on her first day, and is thankful all that was during the day. She scowls with concern.
"Thank you, I'll be careful to stay clear of the waterside."
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154291
154292
>>154290
“Are you here alone?” He asks
Amber Sunset
e70c896
?
No.154292
154293
>>154291
Nodding, she answers, "I thought it was pretty clear…. Yes, it's just me, myself and I here, having gotten off the train a few days ago and haven found a drafty little apartment.
But it still ain't all that bad."
She smiles reassuringly.
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154293
154294
>>154292
“How can you afford that?” He asks
Amber Sunset
e70c896
?
No.154294
154295
>>154293
Grimacing, she replies, "Barely. I took out a heavy loan just to not sleep in the streets, which I repaid only just today."
Anonymous
86c09c9
?
No.154295
154296
>>154294
“How’d you pay it back?” He asks
Amber Sunset
e70c896
?
No.154296
154297
>>154295
"I got some income which paid it off in full," she says, stiffly-lipped, shifting in her seat a bit uncomfortably.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154297
154298
>>154296
He shakes his head, and blinks twice

"What?"
Amber Sunset
e70c896
?
No.154298
154299
>>154297
"Nuthin', it's not worth mentioning…." she says hurriedly. "Ever had eggnog before? Maybe some has been kept around since Hearth's Warming…or maybe it'll be served again at Winter Wrap Up."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154299
154300
>>154298
Mustard Trim's eyes are wide, his forelegs limp on the table, and his smile fades to a frown as he relaxes backwards in his seat, his brain working overtime to speculate as to precisely how a 17 year old female with no evident extraordinary skills or special schooling, could earn an "income" sufficiently large so as to pay off a "heavy loan" "just a few days after getting off the train," and has done all of this away from father and mother, in an economy teetering on hyperinflation. He speculates as to whether what means such a girl has to such an income, is compatible with his image of Amber as idealized in his mind.

He doesn't seem interested in much else
Amber Sunset
e70c896
?
No.154300
154301
>>154299
Clearly, she won one of those scratch-off ticket games.

"…I ain't ever had it, but I heard it's thick, creamy, and sweet. No wonder it's considered good for holidays…" she rambles on. Clearly she's worried about whether his speculation might touch on what she actually did. However, she is also oblivious to his own worry.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154301
154302
1970B62E-DEEF-4C7F-BBB8-CE666FFC613D.png
>>154300
Thick, creamy, and sweet sources of income

If his mane caught on fire, it would not be any more apparent than his worry right now.
Amber Sunset
0de4239
?
No.154302
154303
>>154301
Oh darn, he clearly knows what I did for Dark Denizen… she thinks to herself.

After a pregnant silence she finally leans forward and asks in a whisper, "Have you ever had to do something for somepony you really needed to get by, but while going through it you just can't back out despite second thoughts?"
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154303
154304
2356058.png
>>154302
He very slightly shakes his head
Amber Sunset
0de4239
?
No.154304
154305
>>154303
She folds her ears down, looking a little ashamed. "Well, last night I had to do that, after meeting you at the club. I can't tell you exactly what I did because I was sworn to secrecy, but I promise I didn't hurt anypony." She looks around awkwardly, her neck bowed. "I hope you don't think the worse of me for it…."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154305
154306
>>154304
His ears fold down

"You went there to=" He licks his lips, as his mouth seems incredibly dry

"You were there to have sex for money"
Amber Sunset
0de4239
?
No.154306
154307
ConfusedFilly.png
>>154305
Her shame is instantly replaced with confusion. "What? No, I had that drink."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154307
154308
>>154306
"You were drugged first?" He asked
Amber Sunset
0de4239
?
No.154308
154309
>>154307
“No? Maybe I was a tiny bit tipsy, but I was in a sound mind."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154309
154310
>>154308
"So you were sober for it" He says
Amber Sunset
0de4239
?
No.154310
154311
>>154309
"I had to be, otherwise I wouldn't likely be able to get away," she answers in a hushed tone. "I was hardly ever in such danger like I was through that night."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154311
154312
>>154310
"What do you mean 'get hurt' and 'get away'?"
He says sharply, loudly, almost exasperated.
Amber Sunset
cd373ee
?
No.154312
154313
>>154311
Her ears fold down, as she looks unhappily off to the side slightly. "I had to do something for ponies I didn't at all like. I didn't think it was so bad at first, but as it went on, if I refused not only would I be threatened, but I could have been imprisoned as well."
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154313
154314
>>154312
“But like….” And then in a suppressed voice “what did they do to you?
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154314
154315
>>154313
"I had to go to a place with lots of ponies who would have captured me, and retrieve a piece of paper without them noticing," she says flatly.
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154315
154316
>>154314
“What” he says flatly. Whatever answer he was expecting, it didn’t involve a combination of a game of tag and a scavenger hunt.

“But like… what did they do to you?”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154316
154317
>>154315
"Well, I'm uninjured, except for my pride…" she leans forward, and talks in a low voice. "I had to kiss a stallion…actually, the stallion kissed me…to not be too suspicious. I feel disgusted by that."
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154317
154318
>>154316
Goddamn it Amber. Just lie and accuse your boyfriend of flirting with the waitress like a normal filly]
Whereas in the past 30 seconds he was close to the table, almost hunched over it, he now slumps back in his seat

“Paper…….?” He trails off

“What else?”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154318
154319
>>154317
kek
"That's all, honest! It was really that one little thing, which they wanted a lot and in short order. Why are you questioning me like this? You really got your britches in a twist," she answers, the corners of her eyes glistening with tears.
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154319
154320
>>154318
Amber reclaims strategic initiative with her counter attack

“Uh…. Well I just, I was just concerned if maybe…”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154320
154321
>>154319
"You really thought I was a horrible pony? You were so nice to me, but now it seems like you actually hate me." She looks about to cry.
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154321
154323
>>154320
“No, no no. That’s not what I meant. That’s not what I meant….”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154323
154324
>>154321
spam reee
"You said I was a low-down criminal, a mare who would do anything for money…. She covers her right eye and her lips curl as she starts to sob.
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154324
154325
>>154323
“No no no no no I don’t think that if you, I don’t!”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154325
154326
>>154324
"Then how could you say such things about me?" she cries.
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154326
154327
>>154325
“No no. I didn’t say anything hurtful. I just. I don’t see how you could pay that much money with just a hostess job.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154327
154328
>>154326
"I didn't," she says, sniffling. "But I didn't do anything immoral either. It was just a retrieval errand."
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154328
154329
>>154327
“You didn’t…” his eyes dart away, and he says in a low tone of voice,

”Do, uh, sexual things for money?”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154329
154330
>>154328
She looks more confused than anything. "Do what kind of things?"
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154330
154331
>>154329
He sits there, himself nigh teary eyed

“You didn’t, uh…” he leans over the table, and for an extended period of time, seems entirely unable to think of the word he was looking for. He remains in that state, desperately searching through his mind’s dictionary, looking for that specific word. After the passage of some time, he leans even closer, evidently to speak to Amber in confidence

”Have to handle a stallion’s… you know”

He makes some kind of gesture that is hard to interpret, though it isn’t clear Amber wants to understand it
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154331
154332
>>154330
Amber is still bewildered and doesn't quite know what to make out from what he's saying, wondering if he means a wallet–implying she's a pickpocket–or some other possession. However, even someone so in the dark can understand the concept of jealousy.

"I didn't touch any stallion," she says, frowning.
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154332
154333
>>154331
From Amber’s periphery, a new form enters. It’s the pink mare. She moves in in smooth, deliberate, relatively slow movements, and places a bowl of chowder before Amber. Amber can see her fairly well. Her coat is a lemonade pink, and her mane is blonde, carefully tied into two braided pony tails with small red ribbons. Her tail is much the same, nearly long enough to touch the floor. She tilts her head into Amber’s direction, and makes contact with her fuchsia eyes. She suppresses a facial expression. In a wordless movement, she leans back, and then rotates her body in a seedless motion to lean in and place another bowl of chowder before Mustard Trim. By the movement of Mustard’s eyes, she must make eye contact with him, and by the movement of her cheeks, she must have made some facial expression towards him. She then moves back, and momentarily stands besides the couple, making quick glancing looks to each of the two.

She smiles in the way a car bird surely must when it sees an animal falling and dying in the desert, or how a lioness looks at a wounded gazelle that has fallen behind the herd. She turns, and carefully trots off.
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154333
154334
>>154332
Amber neglects to thank this mare, preoccupied with thoughts regarding this uncomfortable conversation, but her eyes follow even as the waitress leaves. Whereas before she got the sense of polite, if not kind, hospitality, now there is a vague feeling of hostility.

"What kind of face did she make at you?" she asks Mustard suspiciously.
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154334
154335
>>154333
“I’m sorry” he says
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154335
154336
>>154334
The young mare sitting across from him is at a loss for words, but her eyes soften in response. The chowder in front of her offers an enticing escape, so she tentatively tries it. Even as she does so, though, she continues to glance at Mustard with pleading indigo eyes.
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154336
154337
>>154335
“I mean that’s what she looked like she would say. Sympathy.”

He blinks, abs looks Amber in the eyes.

He looks down at his empty glass.

“She didn’t get more more tea. I should have asked her for more tea.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154337
154338
>>154336
"I suppose…."

She slouches down and rests her head on the table, trying to discern what he really thinks.

"You still don't believe I'm a bad pony, do you? I wouldn't do anything to make you feel betrayed or hurt."
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154338
154339
>>154337
“I just… You seem so sweet. So nice. So… innocent.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154339
154340
>>154338
"…And I got connected with unsavory ponies who got me to do something for them, so I seem like a scoundrel because of that." She continues, "But it wasn't anything major, I don't plan to go back to them, and I certainly didn't touch anypony. I hope I didn't taint your view of me forever because of it."
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154340
154341
>>154339
“I don’t want you to not be that innocent little reminder of… of older times.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154341
154342
>>154340
"What do you mean by, 'older times'?"
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154342
154343
>>154341
“Before the War. Before Baltimare.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154343
154344
>>154342
Nodding, she replies, "I wish we could turn back time…to the good ol' days."
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154344
154345
>>154343
“Are you a virgin?” He asks in as direct a manner as it is possible to answer that question.
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154345
154346
>>154344
Looking at him quizzically, but oddly enough not embarrassed, she answers, "I am, I think…except I got kissed out of nowhere last night. I didn't ask for it at all, but it was that or gettin' in serious trouble." She makes a disgusted expression.
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154346
154347
>>154345
He leans in.

Alright, +0 modifier here we go!
Sense motive [1d20+0 = 14] (for the last answer). Roll bluff if necessary

“You think?”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154347
154348
>>154346
Though some amount of doubt can always exist, and obviously many details about that mysterious night are being left out, it doesn't seem likely she's lying or would be able to lie that convincingly.
"Well it was a romantic kind of kiss–but there were no romantic feelings at all!–and you ain't supposed to have that sort of kiss unless you intend to marry. So that might mean I ain't a virgin, I'm not sure how exactly it's counted."
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154348
154349
Spoilered
Spoilered
>>154347
He looks at her wordlessly, and eventually gives an awkward smile.

He looks down at the chowder, picks up a spoon, and places if in the chowder. His smile stops

“That would have bothered me all night. For as long as I knew you.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154349
154350
>>154348
She doesn't quite know how to respond. "Oh…I guess I hadn't thought about it that much." She stares at her own bowl of slimy soup. "Um, are you one too? A virgin. Maybe the word doesn't apply to colts…" she trails off, unsure if she's probing too much. No, if he asks me a question I can ask the same in turn, she reasons and reassures herself.
Anonymous
395cd66
?
No.154350
154351
>>154349
There is something resembling a smile, though he does not make eye contact

“I’m flattered that you think the question needs to be asked.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154351
154352
>>154350
Now she's thoroughly befuddled. "What do you mean by that?"
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154352
154353
>>154351
He shakes his head
“I mean, you already know the answer.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154353
154354
>>154352
"I'm guessin' yes, but why are you flattered? Didn't seem very flattering when you asked me that."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154354
154355
>>154353
“Well, it’s different, for a colt than a filly. Especially a filly as adorable as you.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154355
154356
>>154354
"How is it different? We're the same age."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154356
154357
>>154355
“Well… I mean… yeah, we’re a little young, but, it’s really hard for a colt, but it’s no effort at all for a filly.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154357
154358
>>154356
"How is it harder for a colt than for a filly to get a kiss? There are more fillies in the city than colts."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154358
154359
>>154357
“I mean, well, you have to get a filly to notice you, you have to get them to like you, you have to take them to nice places and all of that stuff, and then after all of that, you still may not get a kiss.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154359
154360
>>154358
She mulls this over in her head. "I suppose so…but how will a colt want a filly to notice and like him so he'll take her to nice places? What if she wants to go to those nice places but nopony will take her there, even if she notices colts?"
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154360
154361
>>154359
“Well…. I suppose she should let him know.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154361
154362
>>154360
"Does that really work? I haven't dated much–or at all–really and I don't know many ponies who have."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154362
154363
>>154361
He blinks
“I don’t know. I’ve never dated a colt. Or tried to.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154363
154364
>>154362
At first she pulls her head back with an expression amounting to "are you kidding me?" Then she bursts out laughing. "What a ridiculous topic this all is! I never talked about this stuff with folks back home."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154364
154365
>>154363
He gives a smile, and it’s one of the more authentic smiles he’s given in a while

“How does it feel?”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154365
154366
>>154364
Her own smile is a little more strained. "If you're not putting me on the spot…it's alright."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154366
154367
>>154365
His expression is concerned.

“I mean being away from your home. Being on your own.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154367
154368
>>154366
She becomes more relaxed. "I miss a warmer home, and here there are lots of strange creatures that put me on edge. But I'm able to go to many places I only read about in books, whenever and wherever I want. It's not easy looking after myself, but if life was easy it wouldn't be the same, would it?"
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154368
154369
>>154367
Did Amber just answer "it's alright" to "how does it feel to date a colt?"

"No... no it's not." He pauses for a moment

"I don't really think my mom is going to like me being out late, or spending money. But what is she going to do?" Another pause

"I am free"
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154369
154370
>>154368
The conversation they've been having, in particular
"Your ma doesn't approve of you dating fillies?" she asks, smirking.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154370
154371
>>154369
He blushes, and the question halts him for a moment. Only a moment

"More the money thing. And the being out thing. "
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154371
154372
>>154370
She giggles. "Well, you needn't worry. I've read of what 'fast mares' are like and I'm not the type to buy a new shawl every fortnight. And I can keep you safe from bandits," she says with a playful wink.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154372
154373
>>154371
Something in his expression implies that he was not expecting her to say these things.

"Say what now?"
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154373
154374
>>154372
"Like in the stories. A colt becomes rich and too big for his britches, dates mares who spend too much money, and goes broke, but he learns humility and becomes a better pony. And I imagine your ma is concerned about safety at night, but it's safer to be together in the dark."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154374
154375
>>154373
"Heh" he smiles. But then he says

"Wait. You still want to go forward with things?"
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154375
154376
>>154374
"Mhm," she nods with a small smile. "You're a good colt at heart, even if you…jump to conclusions. I like being around you, I feel you deserve more of a chance."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154376
154377
>>154375
His ears go down, and he pulls his lips back in a very toothy smile. His eyes are wide open, and he makes eye contact for several seconds. He does not say anything, breaks eye contact, and quickly takes one, then two more spoonful's of the soup.
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154377
154378
>>154376
Amber likewise starts eating the thick and unfamiliar soup, which hopefully is still warm.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154378
154379
>>154377
Amber has allowed it to cool a bit. The chowder has a relatively large amount of cream, and fairly large potato chunks.

Yes, there are crackers, albeit only a few.

The waitress returns, and there is a brief interaction where Mustard Trim asks for more tea.
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154379
154380
Spoilered
>>154378
Did they both order tea, or was it tea for Mustard, hot chocolate for Amber? I thought both got hot coco, but if both have tea in addition then Amber will ask for more too.

"This 'chowder' is pretty good," she says in between bites. "I wasn't sure what to expect, but it's good and hearty, though very different from the soups I had back home."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154380
154381
>>154379
So maybe I'm mistaken, but it's been my understanding this entire time that Mustard ordered sweat sweet tea, and Amber ordered Hot Chocolate

"Thi- ith not bahd" Mustard Trim does not wait to swallow before replying.

But then he swallows, and asks
"What did you have back home?"
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154381
154382
>>154380
You're probably right. It's a minor detail not worth jotting a note down or searching back for

"We had more basic vegetable soups like carrot & parsnip soup, which was certainly delicious, but we had no seafood and needed to be sparing with milk, so something like this clam chowder just wasn't possible." She takes another spoonful and relishes the taste and texture of what must be a delicacy to her.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154382
154383
>>154381
He uses a spoon to cut the potato. For Amber, the soup is a bit more on the liquid side. The potatoes are soft, however.

"We had carrot. Onion too. I guess we had a little more cheese and cream. Store bought."
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154383
154384
>>154382
The soup is quite delightful. "I can hardly imagine getting everything you eat and live by from a store. I'm guessin' it actually is an easier life."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154384
154385
>>154383
"I don't really know. It's the only life I've ever lived. My dad worked at the paper mill. My mom did try to grow a few things in a garden though."
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154385
154386
>>154384
"Farming's tough. You've got to work your keister off for months to make sure you don't starve the next year. Then it's only a couple of things that can be grown–in our case wheat–so we need to take it to market and trade for other goods we need. And that's if nothing bad happens, like blight or hail or just a bad harvest," she says solemnly.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154386
154387
>>154385
He looks up to ask the following:
“And what if something bad happens?”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154387
154388
>>154386
She looks tight-lipped off into the air. "We tighten our belts, try to have enough to live by, and send somepony off to contribute from elsewhere."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154388
154389
>>154387
"That's how it is now" he nearly mumbles, looking away

"It could be like that sometimes when there were labor disputes. When there was a long strike, or some other problem."
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154389
154390
>>154388
"Oh…I can't say I know much about those affairs, except from the occasional newspaper brought home."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154390
154392
>>154389
He looks up at her
"Wow. You really were isolated, weren't you?"
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154392
154393
>>154390
She shrugs and is looking back at her soup. "It ain't many miles away compared to someplace like Whinnyapolis, but the closest train station was far enough that we'd go there only on special trips. And it ain't exactly a proper town either, more of a hamlet or just a cluster of farms."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154393
154394
>>154392
"I guess that's sort of like Blackwater. Well, we wouldn't really leave it, I mean. We had a grocer, about two restaurants, a Reform and a Celestialist church. You could call it a small town. There were two mills and a couple fishing docks that employed everypony."
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154394
154395
>>154393
She brightens up hearing about it, eating some more chowder. "Mmh–that sounds like a cozy town. Everypony knows each other, but you also have a bunch of comforts. Were you also able to get new horseshoes and clothes there too?"
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154395
154396
>>154394
“Yeah. It was pretty nice. There was a small clothing store we could buy at least the colt’s clothing at. If you wanted anything special, you had to further away. We had a town farrier, so horseshoes we could get.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154396
154397
>>154395
"Shucks, now I'm wishing my family lived there," she says with a smile. "Why'd you ever move anyhow?"
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154397
154398
>>154396
His ears fall down.

“…. My mom needed a job. So we moved to Baltimare.”
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154398
154399
>>154397
She nods, taking another spoonful. "Such is life, but you seem to be making the best of it. I like your jacket by the way, it makes you look more bold," she says with a warm smile.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154399
154400
>>154398
"Hehe" He smiles, clearly flattered

"I like your outfit too. It really fits you, even if it is a little warm for the weather."
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154400
154401
>>154399
What Amber is wearing is a wool dress, colored midnight blue with tiny, light blue stars scattered about and frills on the shoulders, neckline and skirt. The sleeve comes down to her knee while the hem of the dress reaches her fetlocks. It's a good couple of decades out of date and looks anachronistic on such a young mare. "Gee, thanks. It's originally my ma's dress and she gave it to me to wear here. I prefer my summer dress but it ain't summer." She smiles playfully.

"You know during the day I work at a clothing store? It's Miss High Sewn's shoppe, west of Union Station. It ain't much, but we get a load of interesting customers coming in. The other day there was this really big ol' unicorn with a fluffy coat of hair, looked like he had been through a lot. He bought a skimpy red dress and weird expensive underwear, but not for a pony he knew–for a griffon! He was swinging around old bits like they were nuthin', buying a real fur coat too." She giggles, blushing slightly. "Said he was some sort of adventurer and invited me to come join him sometime if I didn't mind danger."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154401
154402
>>154400
He smiles at the dress
"Yep. Perfectly you."

The clothing store
"You mentioned it earlier."
He smiles at the talk of the unicorn buying fancy mare's clothing

Until she mentions the griffin. He pulls his lips back in disgust.

And then he lightly frowns at the last part
"Is that what you want?"
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154402
154403
>>154401
She appears to give it a bit of thought. "Nuh-uh. Not because I'm afraid of danger, but because any old coot who's romancing griffons must've been bonked on the head one too many times," she says with a light laugh.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154403
154404
>>154402
"Heh heh" He laughs with her, but has no immediate response
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154404
154405
>>154403
She's just about finished with the clam chowder now. It's mostly likely night as well. "Thank you for takin' me here, even if there were some…accusations…."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154405
154406
>>154404
"What?" His ears pop up

"No no noooo"
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154406
154407
>>154405
Speaking up, she says, "It's all sorted out, no need to worry 'bout it now."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154407
154408
>>154406
He is left silent for a moment. He sets the spoon down in his bowl, making a clanking sound.

As if summoned, the pink filly appears, and asks
"Anything else I can get for you?"
Amber Sunset
20db43b
?
No.154408
154409
>>154407
Amber beams happily at the waitress, not just as an expression of her own feelings but almost in defiance of the humiliating pity this filly was communicating earlier. "No, all's swell and right." She takes a refreshing gulp of the sweet hot chocolate, inadvertently leaving some on her white muzzle.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154409
154410
>>154408
"Uh, I'll take the bill" he says

He looks over and giggles at the hot cholate on her nose
Amber Sunset
3ac7818
?
No.154410
154411
>>154409
"Aw, thank you, Mustard."

Initially bemused by his giggling, she notices the hot chocolate and tries reaching up with her tongue.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154411
154412
>>154410
He looks over at the frankly adorable display, and has a smirk on his face. He leans over and...

lick

He licks her face in a very quick lick and run.
Amber Sunset
3ac7818
?
No.154412
154413
>>154411
The yellow-orange mare blushes, initially surprised at the intimate action, but then giggles. "Thank you~."

Settling down a bit, she asks, "Are you ready to go, or would you like to stay a few more minutes?"
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154413
154414
>>154412
"Just waiting on her to come back with the bill" he says
Amber Sunset
3ac7818
?
No.154414
154415
>>154413
"Oh, of course," she says, embarrassed at not knowing how restaurants work. She doesn't say anything further, hoping he'll be the one to break the awkward silence.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154415
154416
>>154414
"Do you want to go home?" He asks
Amber Sunset
3ac7818
?
No.154416
154417
>>154415
"Mhm, unless if you'd like to go somewhere else," she says with a friendly smile.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154417
154418
>>154416
The waitress arrives with the bill, and places it before Mustard Trim. She turns and smiles to him, and moves one of her ponytail braids. He looks up to her, and tilts his head before mouthing a word, it looks like "what?" He looks down the bill, and she moves off. He takes a moment to do math, and places several paper notes and a few coins on the table.

He turns to Amber and says "Okay"
Amber Sunset
3ac7818
?
No.154418
154419
>>154417
Amber's happy mood is spoiled by the entrance of the blonde pink mare. Something roils within her as she sees this intruder subtly flirt with her date. Something about this contender, perhaps her more lithe form, or her greater emphasis on grooming as displayed by her braids, makes her concerned yet thankful that Mustard hasn't shown any interest. Nonetheless, doubts have already been sown. Perhaps I should do my mane differently to look less plain? she thinks to herself. Or I could make it up in a different ability.…

She makes sure she leaves nothing behind before getting out of the booth and walking with Mustard to the door of the little diner. It doesn't occur to her to wait for him to open it for her, instead taking the initiative and exiting into the chilly dark night.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154419
154420
>>154418
Mustard attempts the race to the door, but fails. As they leave, the pink mare rushes up to the couple with an "Oh!" She approaches Mustard - whether that was her intent, or merely a happenstance because Amber was further ahead, and asks him "Would you like me to call a taxi?"

Mustard turns back, and stands in silent contemplation for a few seconds. Perhaps these are the decisive few seconds that place him behind Amber.

"Uh, not now. But thank you" He says, and walks out the door.

He rejoins Amber, cantering up to her, trying to regain the lead.
"She seemed really nice" He says
Amber Sunset
3ac7818
?
No.154420
154421
>>154419
"Mmm, well I don't think they get many customers this time of year, so she's probably happy to see anypony. Also, I think she liked you."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154421
154422
>>154420
"Yeah... they probably don't... What."
Amber Sunset
3ac7818
?
No.154422
154423
>>154421
"I saw her making eyes at you, and the way she interposed herself when we were having trouble…she definitely thought she could make off with you and leave me sittin' there."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154423
154424
>>154422
He looks right at Amber, and is silent for a few seconds. The he moves a foreleg up and goes "pfft!" with a waving motion.

"She's just being friendly" He starts to walk along the road.

"It's not like she was trying to make out with me or anything"
He looks down, and his ears go down
Amber Sunset
3ac7818
?
No.154424
154425
>>154423
"Make out? What do you mean?" she asks, evidently unaware of the urban parlance.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154425
154426
>>154424
"I went and saw you last night at club Maurice after our shift. You left, and so I left and went home. It happened then, didn't it? With that stallion."
Amber Sunset
3ac7818
?
No.154426
154427
>>154425
Despite the soup and hot chocolate, her mouth suddenly feels a bit dry. "Um, yes…it wasn't anywhere near the club, but somewhere else. That stallion was helping me get the paper, but I had to pretend to be his marefriend." She scrunches her snout remembering that encounter.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154427
154428
>>154426
Should have gotten another drink, like a sweat tea, Amber
But you can't really undo the past

"What" He turns to her
"Is that what that was about? He wanted a girlfriend for the night or something? Like to show his parents?"
Amber Sunset
3ac7818
?
No.154428
154429
>>154427
"Something like that. His colleagues, actually. I suppose it was smart, 'cuz I would have been looked at funny otherwise, but it was still gross."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154429
154430
>>154428
"I can't say it doesn't hurt"

Mustard Trim wears his jacket with the collar high on his neck. There is a fairly strong wind blowing in from the sea, and while wind is warmer than the still, inland air, the wind chill makes the night cold.

The sun has set completely, and Amber can see out into the ocean and the night sky. Clouds move along the horizon, but the gibbous moon gives a dim light along the grassy asphalt road and the grey and black rock cliffs. There are more stars in the night sky than can be seen in Baltimare with its street lights, automobile headlights, and chemical plant flares. Almost as many as can be seen back home. A couple lights of what must be ships can be seen moving in the distance.

"I don't want to go back" Mustard says. "I would rather walk along the road. Along these cliffs for a while."

A cloud moves in front of the moon and dims the light for a minute.
Amber Sunset
cd373ee
?
No.154430
154431
>>154429
"I'm sorry…" she says slowly.

Although her dress and winter fur serve to warm her, she leans up against him as they walk along, her woolen skirt rubbing against his bare flank. They are side by side, though she is slightly shorter than him, and she takes in the sights, sounds and smells of the tranquil cliffside.

"Me too…it's about as good as the sunset was, and I can't imagine anypony I'd rather be with here."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154431
154432
>>154430
He moves to press against her in kind, and rubs his jacket against her shoulders. The cloud moves, and the area is illuminated by the moonlight once again. He moves a little further away from the roadway, and up the hillside to walk along the grass towards brush and trees, looking over the cliffs and the sea. The air smells of saltwater, a refreshing change from the diesel fumes, chemical plant smells, and coal soot of Baltimare.

He leans his head in, and tries to rub it against the top of her head
Amber Sunset
cd373ee
?
No.154432
154433
>>154431
Amber imbibes the cool, refreshing air, breathing in with her nose and exhaling audibly with her mouth. Meanwhile, she lowers her head to comfortably let his chin rest on top, with the ends of her auburn hairs dragging through the grass.

"Where are we headed?" she asks. There's no concern in her voice–this is practically paradise and her spirits are uplifted, almost giddily, by being so close to her special somepony.
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154433
154434
>>154432
He attempts to rub the bottom of his chin and neck against her mane and ears, though this is nigh impossible while still walking. He settles for a few cheek rubs.

"Headed? We're not headed anywhere at all."
Amber Sunset
cd373ee
?
No.154434
154435
>>154433
She sighs with contentment. "That sounds just fine to me."
Anonymous
a287f29
?
No.154435
154436
>>154434
"Want to race?" He asks excitedly
Amber Sunset
d88db7c
?
No.154436
>>154435
Smirking back, she answers, "I'm up for it."

"Wait," she quickly adds, fiddling with the buttons on her dress. "Don't want to get this dirty." Though it takes an annoyingly long time with hooves and in partial darkness, she finally doffs it and puts it in a reasonably dry place, perhaps a tree branch. Mustard can get a better view of her tail and of her stocky frame, accentuated by slightly longer fur length. "Now you're on!" she yells excitedly.