The Mystery of Romance in the Air (1x1 between Rainbow Eclipse and FortyTwo42)

[Rainbow Eclipse 3,927]

OOC

 

@@FortyTwo42,

 

'I wonder what adventures Shadowhide has gotten herself into recently...' Aero Wind mused to himself as he perched his fuzzy rear on a cafe chair. He picked up the menu and surveyed it. To be honest, he wasn't really sure of what to pick. Each option of food had the ability to satisfy his hunger... but he wasn't sure what to pick.

 

'Shadowhide would know what she wanted; she's an expert at mystery-solving,' he thought with a smile.

Edited November 2, 2014 by Rainbow Eclipse

[FortyTwo42 1,287]

@@Rainbow Eclipse,

 

Shadowhide didn't take long to decide what she wanted. It seemed she just skimmed through the menu to be sure of all the options, but immediately knew what the best one for her was. She went to the counter to place her order. 'Hot chocolate and two blueberry muffins,' she said as she gave them the bits to pay for it.

[Rainbow Eclipse 3,927]

@@FortyTwo42,

 

Aero Wind was just about to pick any random salad from the Salad section of the menu, when he heard Shadowhide's voice place an order at the counter. He looked up from the menu to greet her. "Shadowhide! Fancy seeing you here," he called over to her. "Why don't you take a seat?"

[FortyTwo42 1,287]

@@Rainbow Eclipse,

 

Shadowhide was pleasantly surprised by the sound of Aero's voice, and she turned to see him sitting at a table near her. 'Hello, Aero,' Shadowhide replied, giving him a quick smile. She accepted his offer and sat down across from him. 'What are you having?'

[Rainbow Eclipse 3,927]

@@FortyTwo42,

 

Aero put a hoof to his chin as he inspected the menu quickly again.

 

'I sure hope I'm not this indecisive if Celestia ever entrusts me with deciding the best course of action when Equestria is in danger...'

 

"I'll just go for a salad. It's not like I'm starving," he said. "And you?" he asked, smiling.

Edited November 2, 2014 by Rainbow Eclipse

[FortyTwo42 1,287]

@@Rainbow Eclipse,

 

'I already ordered,' Shadowhide replied. She quickly glanced at the counter to make sure they're still working on it, then turned back to Aero 'I'm having a hot chocolate and two blueberry muffins.'

 

'So, have you made any advancements in your research lately? I heard you're currently working on something very interesting.'

[Rainbow Eclipse 3,927]

@@FortyTwo42,

 

"That's correct," replied Aero. "My colleagues and I have been researching a way to resize clouds to modify the amount of water we can obtain from them."

 

"Perhaps when we're finished up here, I can take you back to the station and show you the test machine?" he suggested.

[FortyTwo42 1,287]

@@Rainbow Eclipse,

 

Shadowhide nodded to Aero. 'Sounds good.'

 

By now, Shadowhide's order was ready, so she collected her hot chocolate and blueberry muffins and brought them back to the table. She then looked over to Aero's empty half of the table. 'You haven't forgotten to order, have you?'

[Rainbow Eclipse 3,927]

@@FortyTwo42,

 

Aero Wind's ears shot up in realisation. "Darn! Thanks for the reminder, Shadowhide," he said to his companion. Conveniently, a waitress appeared next to their table. Aero randomly chose a salad, to which the waitress nodded, and left to go prepare the food.

[FortyTwo42 1,287]

@@Rainbow Eclipse,

 

Shadowhide simply watched as Aero ordered his food and the waiter left to prepare it. Sure, he can be a bit forgetful sometimes, but it was still a little odd for him to enter a cafe and not order anything. Better make sure he's fine. 'You seem more scatterbrained than usual recently. Is anything troubling you?'

[Rainbow Eclipse 3,927]

@@FortyTwo42,

 

"...I got up too early this morning," said Aero Wind.

 

There. That should be believable enough. Even for a detective, "I got up early" should be rather passable. The last thing Aero wanted to do was say what the real case was. That he had recently been finding Shadowhide cute.

[FortyTwo42 1,287]

@@Rainbow Eclipse,

 

That answer seemed a little too dismissive and generic, so Shadowhide still remained a little suspicious. Aero seems to be forgetting that Shadowhide knows him too well for him to easily lie out of this. Well, whatever, it's not important. He might just be having an off day. Shadowhide gave a simple nod, so they could move onto another topic. Maybe Shadowhide will even manage to admit that recently, she's been finding Aero cute.

 

On that note, Shadowhide remembered she had a gift for Aero. She didn't expect to run into Aero today, but it as good a time as any to give it to him. 'I have something for you,' she said as she reached into her saddlebags, and then handed a book to Aero. 'It's a book of chess problems. I have a copy of it too. I thought we could challenge each other to see who can solve the most problems from this book.'

[Rainbow Eclipse 3,927]

@@FortyTwo42,

 

Aero's eyes lit up at Shadowhide's idea. Being a science fanatic, he was also quite enthusiastic when it came to puzzles and brain-teasers.

 

"Sounds great!" he said.

 

Just then, his order arrived.

 

'Okay, Aero, if you want to interest a mare, you gotta know how to eat.'

 

He took unusually slow and small bites.

[FortyTwo42 1,287]

@@Rainbow Eclipse,

 

Now those were some unusually slow and small bites Aero was making. Perhaps Shadowhide's earlier concerns about Aero's behaviour were justified. There's always something a little off about what Aero's doing today. As Aero's friend, Shadowhide knew very well how Aero tends to keep his problems to himself. If she wants him to open up, she better be forceful about it.

 

She put down her food, and looked directly at Aero. 'I don't buy it. Something's troubling you. Tell me what's wrong.'

[Rainbow Eclipse 3,927]

@@FortyTwo42,

 

'Horseapples! What am I supposed to tell her?'

 

"Nothing! At all!" rebutted Aero, his cheeks going a subtle tint of red. "I mean, why would you suggest that? I'm perfectly content with my life as it is!" he went on.

 

"So... you gonna eat that?" he asked Shadowhide, attempting to shift the topic.

[FortyTwo42 1,287]

@@Rainbow Eclipse,

 

Perhaps forceful wasn't the best approach this time. But that doesn't mean Shadowhide's going to let up just yet. She just needs to try a different approach.

 

Shadowhide didn't move and was still looking at Aero, but her gaze seemed to be less intense now. 'Aero, remember that time some of your expensive research equipment was stolen? You were too ashamed to admit it, but I could tell something was bothering you. And when I finally got you to tell me, I could help you track the thief down and get your stuff back. That was a much better outcome than just keeping it to yourself and not doing anything. So, whatever the issue is this time, Aero, it'll be easier for both of us if you tell me what's wrong now.'

[Rainbow Eclipse 3,927]

@@FortyTwo42,

 

"Yes, and I appreciate your help. Thank you very much, Shadowhide," Aero Wind rethanked his friend. Were it not for Shadowhide, he would have hit a dead end a long time ago. "I'd tell you what's wrong, but thing is, there's nothing to tell," he said.

 

'Being persistent, huh? Two can play at that game,' he mused to himself.

[FortyTwo42 1,287]

@@Rainbow Eclipse,

 

He's still not mentioning what's wrong. Doesn't sound like she'll be able to get any information out him this way. It actually sounds like he's starting to get annoyed by the constant pressing. 'Alright, I'll stop asking for now. However, if there really is a problem, and you're ready to tell me, you know where to find me. But I encourage you to tell me anything that's on your mind sooner rather than later.'

 

Shadowhide then continued eating her blueberry muffins. She'll enjoy Aero's company for now. Then it's time for plan B: Investigating Aero's recent actions to find out what the problem is. She doesn't have a case right now, so it'll be a good way to both keep her investigating skills sharp and help her friend.

[Rainbow Eclipse 3,927]

@@FortyTwo42,

 

Good. Shadowhide had gotten off his flank. Still, might be a good idea to monitor his behaviour just in case he got her suspicions up again.

 

He ate his salad at his normal pace that he and everypony who spent time with him were used to. Not too fast, not too slow.