Marathon

Hop yawned again and scooted closer to Umbra. She laid her head on his chest and listened to his strong heart beat and slow breaths. The sounds lulled her into sleep with her hoofs around his body, and the warmth radiating off his body warmed hers up as she slept. It was perfect for her, and she hopped it was perfect for him as well.

Hop smiled at Umbra. Ironically Hop loved to brew tea, which only added to her liking of him. She didnt want to believe it, not yet, but she thought she was falling in love with him. Still looking at him she wrapped her hoofs around his neck and locked lips again. While doing so she accidentally knocked them both over to the ground. Hop looked up at him apologetically with a smile, then yawned.

After a few minutes of walking Hop found a place she was content with. A nice soft patch of grass under a tree that seemed to create the perfect amount of shade from the high noon sun. She yawned and sat down waiting for Umbra to join her under the tree. She was happy that they had met, and she giggled at his fur which seemed to make him look like one of Raritys fluffy coats she makes sometimes.

Hop swam to the edge after Umbra had gotten out. She splashed more water on him for his comment, "No. I dont think youre going to have to." She said with a grin and got out, shaking herself off as well. Hop didnt worry about her mane as it always curled back up naturally. She went up to Umbra and nuzzled him lightly in the direction she was heading to.

Hop was taken back by Eves reaction what she had said. Putting down the cup Little Hop patted Eves back. "Its ok. I know this is hard for you, but you have to realize how much you meant to her. I wouldnt go running to her though, not right now. Shes been a litte...angry recently." Hop let out a sigh. "You know what...lets change the subject. I didnt come here to make you go on a guilt trip and i honestly dont want to talk about it anyways."

After what seemed like forever Hop ended the kiss and looked at Umbra, her breath heavy with excitment. They floated for a minute until Hop spoke up. "You wana..go look around." She said her heart beating hard against her chest. She began to giggle when the fish swam so close they brushed up against her and went around her whole body. She pecked Umbra once more before escaping his grasp and floated on her back.

(OOC: sorry for the late reply)Hop nodded her head in confirmation. "Yep. She constantly wears a rose behind her ear..." She stopped noticing Eve was doing the same thing. "And i can see where she got it from. Ive even tried to get her with some colts...and..mares. But if she starts to like them she blows them off. She devoted to you. I think a few times she left saying she was going to your place, but i dont think she ever did." Hop finished her drink and looked at Eve. "Did she ever stop by?"

Hop let out a short laugh as Umbra fell through the water and came back up looking embarrassed. She then swam closer to him leaning her head on his, looking him in the eyes. "Nope...i guess not." She then pressed her lips to his again, remembering to breath this time.(Sometimes i think faster than i type)

Hop smiled, almost ammused that Eve didnt recognize her. "Im Stacys friend, Little hop. We've only met once before a while back." Hop looked Eve up and down examining her, "I can see why Stacy took to you, but dont get me wrong. Her obsession with you gets a little annoying some times. Some days youre all she ever talks about. But i want to thank you. She hasnt drank anything alcoholic since you two met on that cruise. Now that i think about it, she is practically her old self now." Hop stopped realizing the subject was a little touchy remembering what happened. "But i know what youre saying. Ive bumbed into the twins once or twice in ponyville." (Is it alright if i say she has met descant and the twins?)

Hop smiled when he put a hoof on her cheek and blushed. She was glad he was having a great time, but she could tell he was having a hard time restraining himself. She was about to say something but he caught her off guard as she felt his lips touch hers. Hop quickly pulled away and looked at him with surprise, her face flushed red. Her heart was racing again and after a few seconds she kissed him. She released the kiss after a moment to breath as she had forgoten to do so, and looked at Umbra, smiling uncontrollably.

"Youre a little out of your element, dont you think?" Hop asked Eve quietly so the others wouldnt hear. They probably didnt know about Eve being known as the 'Crazy girl who talks to flowers'. Hop sipped at her drink some more and looked over at Eve with a curious expression.

Hop noticed a Umbra began to lean in closer. Her heart began to race and her breath a little shaky. But then he pulled away...Hop was dissapointed but hid it. She smiled at him, "i am...you seem to be as well. Porbably not as much as you would like..." She said refering to him almost kissing her, "But none the less, i am." Her voice was kind and cheerful. Eve was throwing a great party and Umbra...Umbra was only making it better.

As Little Hop sipped at her punch, she watched as the group playing twister comically maneuvered around each other. She found it rather entertaining watching the group. Hop then noticed somepony she knew. Evergreen. Hop was surprised to see her here. She had never really talked with Eve before but Hop has had the chance to chat a little with Descant, Rag, and Tag. So she knew this really wasnt Eves type of thing and wondered why she was here in the first place.

This was perfect. Floating in the pool with fish nibbling at you and Umbra swimming in circles around Hop, giggling like a filly at sugarcube corner. "Well...thats a good question Umbra. I dont know anyone who dislikes me." With that she folded her wings and slowly descended into the pool. She could feel the pressure change as she went deeper. After a few seconds she jetted forward with flap of her wings. She could feel the fish swimming next to her as one occasionally brushed up against her coat. Again she came up for air right in front of Umbra, she smiled at him with delight as she was having a great time.

Hop yelped in surprise when Umbra splashed her. She pushed her wet mane out of her face and laughed. "Yeah im getting." She said as she jumped into the pool. The water felt nice as she sped through the water like...a fish of some sort. She came up for air and laid on her back, extending her wings so she could float. She giggled as she felt the small fish nibble on her back and wings.

Little hop nodded as she followed Umbra to the pool. She then realized he was about to fall in. "Umbra, youre about to...." Right then he fell in and Hop couldnt help but laugh. She rushed over to see if he was alright. Still giggling she asked, "Umbra, are you alright?"

Hop let out a sigh of relief. "Well i hear that Eve has a pool with some live fish if you want to take a dip?" She asked happy to see that he was willing to do what she wanted. He was turning out really great..maybe she shouldnt have ended that kiss. She was tempted to try and kiss him again but refrained from doing so.

Now Hop was the nervous one. "D-dance? Are you sure? Im sure there are other things than dancing." She said trying to convince him away from it as she was starting to panic a little. Hop had never danced before. She usualy sat in the open fields drinking tea or reading a book. Thats all she had ever done. Her eyes were darting from place to place looking for anything to draw Umbra away from the dance floor.

Just as soon as the kiss began, Hop ended it. She realized just how quickly thing were escilating. Hop looked at Umbra with a worried expression hopping that she didnt hirt his feelings. "Im sorry Umbra, i didnt want to do that...not this early on. You understand..dont you?" She asked her voice flooded with worry and regret.

Hop listened intently to Umbra as she walked around him, getting a good look at evey angle. When he asked about her she didnt know where to start. "Oh, well, i am Ponyvilles number one therapist. I started at a young age and found it to be my calling. Im usualy not this talkative. Most of the time im a 'mute' but today seems to be diferent." She said as she sat down in front of Umbra. "You know youre a lot more attractive when youre like this although the whole being shy thing was pretty cute." Hop looked into Umbras blue eyes and leaned in towards him. (OOC: im back so green light to proceed)

"Well its certainly nice to meet you." Her voice filled with excitement. He was defiantly worth it! She motioned him to sit down. She couldnt believe that she actually liked him. She had never thought about dating because of her work. She knew what an obsession with somepony could cause. It was one of her most common types of cases she had to deal with. But...he was worth it!

Hops ears perked up at his voice. Instead of studdering he actually spoke as if they had knowen eachother for years. She was pleased that her therapeutic tactics were working as they usualy did. With a smile, she nodded her head, "Well yes. Many of them lack what i really want unfortunatly. But dont get me wrong, alot of them are well mannered as they come from manehatten and Canterlot." She said as a matter of fact.

Hop pondered the question a second. She didnt know what she wanted him to do, she had never dated before and now Umbra all of a sudden seemed to take to her. She ended the hug and looked him over. In just a few minutes his confidence had already improved. Hop looked into his eyes. She could see the sparkle in them when he looked at her, and they way he held them steady told her he would do anything. There was also a slight determination in them. Breaking the gaze she smiled, approving of him. He was something...and she liked him. Though she wouldnt consider him being her special somepony just yet. "You know, you have a lot of potential. You...just need to learn to bring out that confidence and determination is all. Once youve done that, THEN, i just might consider you. There are plenty more stallions who would want to be my special somepony." The last part was a lie. But she used it to merely give him a push, to make him feel like he was fighting for something. In this case, her love. Although Hop was starting to take to him as well, she still wanted to see if he would fight for her should the time come.

With a sad expression, Hop looked at him. She felt pity for the poor thing. Hop let out a small sigh and put a hoof on his shoulder. "Come on, i didnt mean to make you feel bad. I understand that you like me, but...if you really want me youre going to have to do better than that." She said lifting up his eyes to meet her.

Hop stopped in her tracks. She looked at the stallion with surprise writen on her face. She didnt know what to do as she looked around to see if anypony was around, but found no one except Umbra. "Uh.......what...was that for?" She didnt need to ask it. She knew exactly why, but she felt like she needed him to say it for some reason.