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private The Bird and the Axe


Nothing&NoOne

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//Link to OOC: http://mlpforums.com/topic/42452-ebony-nightingale-and-iron-bass-the-bird-and-the-axe/#entry1006323

This is a private rp between Ballistic456 and I. This rp doesn't effect the rps that the ponies in it are already involved in. (both are dead anyway, but still.)

I apologize for this wall of text, Ballistic. ^_^ //

 

My dear Ebony,

Your presence is requested at the Canterlot Festival of Music. You shall oversee the events and be the Royal representative. Cutter will escort you as a personal guard, for your safety and the safety of others.

Have a good time!

~Princess Celestia

 

Ebony Nightingale lowered the letter, the parchment tinted red from her magic. She put it on her desk and walked over to the window, sighing. Of course Celestia would want her to attend..but why not Luna? Or Celestia herself? She scowled at her reflection, the snowy weather outside melting in with her image in the window. She heard a knock at her door and turned her head. "Yes?"

 

A unicorn stallion opened the doors with his magic and entered silently. He stood tall, clearly proud in his guard uniform, and looked at her by the window.  "Miss, I take it you got Princess Celestia's letter?" He said to her in a strong voice, staying near the door.

 

Ebony nodded to him and turned back to the window. "Why can't she go herself, Cutter?" She mused, trying to keep her eyes on a single snowflake as they floated to the ground outside.

 

The stallion, named Alfred Cutter, thought jokingly for a moment. He'd become her personal guard many years before, mainly from the feeling that he owed her something. He was much older then she was, not a senior, but old enough to retire whenever he wanted to, yet he kept a slightly good spirit, and treated her like a neice. "Probably because you're the 'Princess of Song', miss. Please get ready, we must leave soon. The festival starts in a few hours, but Princess Celestia wants you to make sure the setup is going properly as well."

 

Ebony turned her head and frowned at him. "And that makes ME the one who has to go?" She said jokingly back. She walked to her mirror and stepped into her shoes, then levitated her tiara onto her head. She pulled a red scarf with a black song note on the bottom out of a drawer, and wrapped it around her neck.

 

Cutter smirked. "Indeed it does." He led her out of the room and outside, talking with her casually about what she should do, and what she shouldn't do, and how to make a good impression.

 

Ebony flicked her head to the side, getting her mane away from her eye. She greeted and smiled at ranom ponies that they passed, the snow and decorations putting her in a good mood.

 

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Ebony continued walking and extending greeting as they went. She turned her head up to the sky and watched as snowflakes fluttered past her, then opened her mouth and caught a snowflake on her tongue, smiling slightly to herself.

 

Cutter looked at her. "Please remain professional, Princess. We're representing Princess Celestia." he said to her, fixing his helmet and badge with his magic.

 

Ebony glanced at him. "Do lighten up, Alfred." she replied. She looked down as 2 fillies ran behind her, using her as a shield. A few snowballs landed in front of her, and a group of young ponies emerged from behind a snowbank. "What's all this, then?" Ebony asked, looking at the fillies hiding behind her.

 

"We're outnumbered!" The fillies squealed, using Ebony's tail to hide their eyes. Ebony smirked and pulled a few bits from under her scarf. "Go get some hot chocolate, all of you." she gave the bits to one of the fillies, and the other little ponies walked over. They dropped their snowballs and started running to a cafe nearby, yelling various thank yous over their shoulders.

 

"Thank you, Princess!"

Edited by Princess Nightingale
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Ebony and Cutter kept walking. "That was very nice of you, Princess. " he said, nodding approvingly.

 

Ebony glanced at him. "As long as everyone is happy. " she murmured.

 

Cutter sighed and looked away.

 

"Would they be proud, do you think? Would they be happy?"

 

He shook his head, the memory disappearing. "Yes...happy." He mumbled. He sighed and looked around, his eyes resting on a couple with a young filly running in front of them. He smiled slightly. He wondered how everything would be if that night never happened. He glanced at Ebony.

'Just like her..' he thought, watching how her composure was and how she held her head, as well as how she treated ponies she didn't even know. Detached, but kind.

 

Ebony looked up as she saw a tall stallion stop at the corner and gaze around. She stopped beside him and followed his gaze. "They do a good job of decorating, don't they?" she mused, looking at the Christmas lights criss-crossing around lamp posts and buildings. She shivered slightly again and sighed quietly and contently, then looked up at the stallion.

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Ebony looked back to the town as well. "No, I'm just here to...oversee the events. Should be fun though, I love music. " she murmured, glancing up at him again. 'How cold he must be. ' she thought, looking away again. She watched ponies walk by, considering his height compared to theirs. She made a thoughtful noise and looked up at the streetlight.

 

Cutter hung back a bit, watching her interact with the tall stallion. He looked at his cutie mark, his eyes resting on the crossed axes.

 

"Father, what's your cutie mark? Why do the song notes cross under the shield?"

 

He closed his eyes and looked away. He turned more towards where everything was being setup, and opened his eyes again. He sighed and looked at the blinking lights in the window of a shop. Hearths Warming brought even those with the coldest of hearts into the warmth, bonding them with others. He looked up towards the castle, and saw the silhouette of Princess Celestia standing in front of a window, looking out over the city. He smiled to himself and stood a bit taller, then looked back at Ebony.

 

Ebony drew her eyes away from the light and looked at the stallion, glancing at his cutie mark before looking to his eyes. "You're in the show, I presume?" she asked quietly, as if a loud noise would interrupt the peacefulness of the muffling snow.

Edited by Princess Nightingale
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Ebony blinked a couple times, her eyes going up, momentarily unaware of the crown on her head. She made a little "oh" sound and laughed quietly. "It's quite alright, don't worry. I wanted to go out without it, but somepony wouldn't let me. " she said, glancing over to where Alfred was standing. She shook her head, smirking, and looked back at the stallion. "No worries. Please, I prefer to be treated as a regular pony.." she trailed off, giggling. She bowed her head slightly, then looked back up at him. "Princess Nightingale. Call me Ebony. " she grinned up at him, uncaring about the proper posture she was supposed to be parading around in.

 

Alfred looked over, and nearly face-hoofed when she asked the stallion to call her by her first name, and even more so when she grinned. 'Representing Celestia herself....you should only be addressed as a Princess while in Canterlot.' he thought to himself. He'd have to lecture her, again...he sighed. He studied the stallion, scowling slightly. How would you not notice that she was royalty? How-..Alfred stopped his thoughts.

 

"As long as everyone is happy.."

 

Alfred smiled slightly. 'At least he's polite..' He turned his gaze back to the road. How hard it was to find, nowadays. He looked around, his eyes stopping on a snow pony, covered with a new layer of white snow.

 

 

 

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Ebony half smiled. "It's ok, I don't bite." She tilted her head slightly and raised an eyebrow at him, pretty much feeling the fear radiating from him. She giggled and straightened up, her eyes closing as she grinned agian. "Hello, Iron Bass." She opened her eyes again and looked into his, her mane and scarf slightly blowing in the air from the slight breeze. She studied his eyes, drawing the image of him from memory of seeing him for a few minutes before, as well as what she could see in his eyes. Tall, he could easily look into the eyes of Celestia without moving his head. A dark shade of grey with a slightly pale blue mane, and steely eyes.

 

Cutter glanced over, his eyes widening slightly. He quickly looked away and stood taller, making himself look official and important.  'Don't embarass yourself again, please....' He muttered in his mind, the thought aimed at Ebony. If only he could forget the garden party incident..

 

"Well I don't know, Alfred! How in the name of Celestia was I supposed to know that fire and flowers don't-......nevermind."

 

He groaned inwardly.

 

Ebony saw his eyes change as he relaxed, and she half-smiled, a bit apologetically. "No one ever is, it's alright." She murmured, looking towards the setup. "...Octavia and I used to be in an advanced music class together, she plays very well."

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Ebony smiled slightly. 'Someone with a love for music, as well as polite, and can play music.' She thought to herself, glancing up at Iron again. "I love all the different types of music. Rock, classical...I'm a vocalist, but I've always wanted to learn to play and instrument." she mused, singing a few notes quietly, almost silently as they blended in with the wind.

 

Cutter looked over as another guard trotted up to him. He nodded to him, and they stood in silence for a few moments. The snow flakes spiraled around them, and the wind blew, but they remained un-phased. They stood tall, each a mirror image of the other, the representation of Celestia herself, and everything she stood for.

 

The other guard looked over at him, his face expressionless like most of the other guards. "A letter addressed to Miss Nightingale showed up. It said that the package she ordered would be a few days late." Cutter glanced at him. "I'm sure it'll be fine. She's a bit more...calm about it all now." he murmured, turning his head to look at Ebony.

 

Ebony inhaled slowly, breathing in the sweet scent. She lifted her head very slightly and closed her eyes, feeling warmth on her ears.

Edited by Princess Nightingale
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  • 3 weeks later...
(edited)

Ebony turned her head to him and smiled. She bowed her head back, raising her front hoof slightly off the ground. "It was a pleausre meeting you as well, Iron Bass. I look forward to seeing your band in the show." She turned her head back to the streets and tried focusing her eyes on single snowflakes as they drifted past her.

 

Cutter nodded to the other guard, dismissing him. He walked over to Ebony and watched her gaze at the snowflakes, though her eyes seemed lost somewhere else.

 

"I'll catch you a snowflake, mother! The prettiest one!"

 

Cutter smiled slightly. "We should continue on, Princess."

 

Ebony's eyes snapped back into focus and she looked at him. "Ah...yes. We should." She turned with him and they continued down the streets.

 

Cutter glanced at her. "Princess-"

 

"I know what you're going to say, Cutter. I don't care." She cut him off, keeping her eyes ahead. "I'm still professional. I just hate that everyone is afraid of royalty."

 

Cutter sighed. "Princess, you can't let just the subjects call you by your first name. They should only call you 'Princess', or 'Miss Nightingale', or 'Princess Nightingale'-"

 

"Subjects." She said sharply, stopping this time. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, then looked at him angrily. "I don't want subjects, Alfred. I want ponies who'll talk to me because they want to, not because it's proper. I want friends."

 

His eyes hardened, but with sympathy. "I know things have been hard since-..." He trailed off, and she narrowed her eyes. "I know things are hard. But try focusing on the task at hand...at least for today. Please, Ebony."

 

Ebony's eyes softened, and she looked away, unable to look into his eyes any longer. "Fine. Just for today."
 

Edited by Princess Nightingale
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(edited)

Ebony applauded as Octavia left the stage. She'd heard the song before; Octavia visited the castle often, to play at high society events. Ebony had joined her a few times, mainly by request rather than an actual desire to go.

 

Cutter stood beside her, solid as stone as the crowd around him rippled with applause. He and Ebony were in the front row, with a few Noble ponies, including Fancypants, who were calmly enjoying the show. When the rock band got onstage, Fancypants addressed the two of them. "Interesting choice for the music festival, hmm?"

 

Cutter glanced at him, his eyes agreeing. He remembered his initial surprise when Celestia had gladly agreed to the band; a variety, as she said. She wanted it to be fun, and variety would stir the stuck-up ponies up, as she had said. Cutter remembered her laugh as she said it, feeling guilty about judging her subjects, unknowing how happy it'd make them if she knew them by name.

 

"I think they're a good choice. Everyone around here is very stuck up when it comes to music." Ebony said, turning her gaze back to the stage.

 

Fancypants looked at her in surprise, and Cutter stiffened. "Princess?"

 

Ebony kept her eyes on the band, listening to how the notes mingled with the others. "I sing my share of rock music, Sir. Just because I'm a Princess doesn't mean I don't enjoy the style of different music." She sniffed, feeling like she should be sticking up for the band and its members. She kept her eyes on Iron through most of the performance. She'd always been mesmerized by ponies who could play instruments; she always preferred to have her hooves free, and to sing.

 

Ebony turned her head to look at Fancypants, setting her jaw, almost challenging him to say otherwise. He merely smiled and looked at the stage. Ebony smirked to herself and looked back also, letting herself become lost in the music and cheers of the ponies around her.

Edited by Princess Nightingale
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Ebony stayed in her sea of music, only to be pulled out of it by Cutter as he grumbled about rock music."Come on, Cutter. Have some fun." She smirked at him, raising one of her eyebrows slightly.

 

Cutter sighed and shook his head. "I'm on duty. Even if I wasn't, I doubt I'd be enjoying myself." He straightened his helmet and badge, muttering under his breath.

 

Ebony shook her head, giving up, and looked back up as the pegasus in the band started hoof-bumping ponies in the front row. When he kissed the pony next to her, she brought her hoof to her mouth and laughed, her eyes revealing the amusement that her hoof was hiding.

 

Cutter, who was, needless to say, disgusted, took Ebony's leg and pulled her a few inches away from them. He glanced at Fancy Pants, who was laughing as well, and exhaled. Am I the only sane one here?

 

Ebony put her leg back to the ground and looked at Cutter. "Lighten up, Alfred." She smiled at him and giggled, turning her head back to the stage. As her eyes moved, she locked eyes with one of the band members. Iron!

 

She grinned and waved back at him while Cutter was looking away. She giggled as the pegasus started yelling. So full of energy, all of them. She didn't have energy to smile sometimes, and here these ponies are bringing life back into Canterlot.

 

Cutter glanced up when he heard that it was the last song, noticing the eye contact between Ebony and one of the band members. The one she was talking to earlier..the one who she let her call by her first name. He let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.

 

"I want her to sing after, Alfred. Ponies are forgetting she exists. All she does is stay in her room all day..I worry. She's reminding me of what Luna was like when it all started. Detatched. Singing brings her joy."

 

He opened his eyes, the words of Celestia slightly echoing through his mind. He looked at Ebony; she seemed in a good mood. Surely she wouldn't mind singing for everyone after the last act. He shifted his weight. He probably should've told her, at least gave her a song to sing...time to calm down after he told her, as she'd probably refuse.

 

Cutter shook his head, clearing his thoughts. It'd be fine.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Ebony applauded with all the other ponies when they finished, laughing as fire exploded from around the stage. She glanced at Fancypants, who was also laughing, mainly from her reaction. She looked at Cutter, who was frowning at her, his eyes hitting her with words that he couldn't say out loud. Ebony stuck her tongue out at him and winked, then looked back up at the stage. Cutter bristled and took her hoof, pulling her away from the crowd and slightly backstage. "Ebony, I have to talk to you."

 

"Ebony, please calm down-" Cutter said, pushing himself against the wall, away from her. His helmet was crooked, despite his attempts to fix it, and was avoiding her eyes.

 

"I'm not singing! Why did you tell them I was singing?!" Ebony yelled at him, her eyes wild. "You know I hate singing for crowds-"

 

"Ebony, Princess Celestia is worried about you-"

 

"So I have to sing?! This..no...no." She turned away, flicking her tail. She looked at the ground, biting her lip.

 

"I don't want to have to tell the crowd that you won't be singing.." He took a few steps towards her, fixing his helmet warily.

 

She turned her head to him, half scowling, half smirking. "So why don't you sing for them, Cutter?"

 

Cutter blinked a couple times. "I'M not the Princess of Song." He curtsied to her, meeting her glare. He sighed when she looked away and straightened up again. "..Your mother would've loved to hear you sing."

 

Her eyes looked around slowly. "She'd love to sing too." She murmured.

 

"Ebony, chin up when you sing, darling."

"Mother, how do you sing so well?"

"I think about what makes me happy, dearest. There's a difference between singing and..putting your heart into it."

"Heart?"

"...Sometimes bad things happen, and it's hard to smile. But..even if you find it hard to be happy, sing. Sing to make others happy, Ebony.."

 

Cutter studied her as her eyes went still. He looked around, peeking out onto the stage as well as into the crowd. They all seemed to be waiting for something. He looked back at her, and reached a hoof out to her. "Ebony?"

 

She sighed deeply and hung her head for a few seconds. "..Which song?"

Edited by Princess Nightingale
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  • 2 weeks later...
(edited)

Ebony walked onto the stage, glancing back at Cutter before she addressed the audience. She was surprised for a second when everypony looked up at her, until she made the mental note, 'yes, you're still wearing your crown.' She breathed out quietly and raised her voice, yet it was still quiet enough to show no desire for forced attention.

 

"Hello, everypony. I'd like to thank all of you, as well as all the acts we had today, for attending what has been a fabulous Music Festival." She looked at the wings of the stage, indicating the other acts. "It's been a lovely day, and it has transitioned into a beautiful evening. Before you all go on your way," she paused again, a shorter one, and took a breath. "I'd be delighted if you'd listen to the song that I have for you. " She stopped again and looked amongst the crowd; no one moved. "Feel free to join me at any time, if you know it.." She trailed off.

 

Ebony closed her eyes for a few seconds, lifting her head slightly, then began to sing.

"City sidewalks, busy sidewalks

Dressed in holiday style

In the air

There's a feeling

of Christmas..."

 

Cutter stayed in the wings of the stage, partially leaning against a big clump of curtain. He half smiled slightly when she started singing.

 

"Children laughing

People passing

Meeting smile after smile

and on every street corner you'll hear..

 

Silver bells, silver bells..

It's Christmas time in the city

Ring-a-ling, hear them sing

Soon it will be Christmas day..."

 

Cutter sighed quietly. A few groups of ponies in the crowd ha started singing along with her, but there was an obvious difference in their voices. The groups were singing cheerfully, while Ebony was dragging the notes out slightly, almost making the song sound sorrowful.

 

"Strings of street lights

Even stop lights

Blink a bright red and green

As the shoppers rush

home with their treasures...

 

Hear the snow crunch

See the kids bunch

This is Santa's big scene

And above all this bustle

You'll hear.."

 

At this point, pretty much the entire crowd was singing along with her. Cutter could still hear the slight sorrow in her voice, but she was smiling. She was meeting eyes with random ponies in the crowd and smiling at them, the voices of all the ponies one loud and harmonious sound. When she reached the final verse, however, the crowd slowly died out, and Ebony's voice took over.

 

"Silver bells, silver bells..

It's Christmas time in the city..

Ring-a-ling, hear them sing..

Soon it will be Christmas day.."

 

Ebony sustained the last note, bringing back the slight tone of sadness. When she finished, she bowed to the crowd. "Thank you..for singing with me. " she straightened up again, and the crowd applauded. She bowed her head to them, smiling and blushing slightly, then took her leave. She stopped beside Cutter once she was out of the crowds sight and let out a deep sigh.

 

Cutter half smiled. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"

 

Ebony looked up at him an smirked. "I still think you should've sung for them." She giggled quietly, and they started walking back, away from the stage.

Edited by Princess Nightingale
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  • 4 weeks later...

Ebony looked up when and smiled when she saw Iron Bass walking towards her. She stopped and looked up at him, giggling slightly and blushing from the compliment. "Thank you..I much enjoyed your performance as well, it was delightfully energetic." She glanced at Cutter and moved a bit closer to Iron. "And, again, call me Ebony. Dot worry about formality with me." She smirked slightly and winked at him, then flicked her head to get her mane slightly away from her other eye.

 

Cutter stayed quiet as the stallion walked to her, inspecting his tone and awkward movements. He half smiled to himself and glanced at Ebony, who was clearly taken by the stallion's compliment. He met Ebony's gaze when she told him to call her Ebony..again..and chuckled under his breath. "Do as you wish Princess, I am merely here to guard you." He bowed his head to her slightly, then looked at Iron. "I'd admire his formality if I were you." He adjusted his helmet with his magic and looked to the street.

 

Ebony laughed quietly and looked back to Iron. "There, see? Don't worry about it." She levitated her crown off her head and stepped out of her shoes, then placed them all in front of Cutter. "I feel no more need for them tonight, Alfred. Leave me be about it, alright?"

 

Cutter levitated the items of the ground. "Yes, Princess. I trust you won't be back too late?"

 

Ebony smirked at him. "Yes. A search party won't be necessary."

 

Cutter chuckled and walked away, muttering "we'll see." Under his breath.

 

Ebony let out a huge sigh and fixed her scarf. "You play your instrument astoundingly well, Iron." She looked up at him partially through the sentence and smiled. She looked into his steely eyes, meeting his staring gaze, and stared back, the warmth of happiness still alight in her eyes.

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Ebony's ears pricked up in surprise when the Pegasus stepped out. She raised an eyebrow slightly, more curious than anything else. She laughed quietly when he recognized her, murmuring a quiet "charmed" under her breath, amusement in her voice.

 

She looked up to Iron when he addressed the Pegasus, taking in his horrified expression. She looked back to the Pegasus, now known to her as Barney, when he indicated her with his hoof. She glanced away, blushing slightly, but looked up again when he left and shouted over his shoulder.

 

Ebony half smirked and called after him. "I suppose we have that in common, then!" She laughed quietly after a few seconds and looked up at Iron, still blushing slightly. "You and I are alike, it seems." She grinned at him, leaning her head a bit to the right, letting her mane cover her one eye again.

 

She looked at the ground and giggled quietly again. "Sorry. Now.." She straightened up again, looking at the snow covered street. "Mm..I'm in the mood for a warm beverage. How about you, Iron Bass? You may join me, if you wish." She looked back up at him and half smiled.

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Ebony walked quietly beside Iron. She glanced up at him, noticing his hanging head. She bit her lip and looked away, her mane creating a curtain between them.

 

She was torn. She could say something, but it didn't feel like her place to ask. At the same time, she didn't want him to feel bad in any way. But-

 

Ebony stopped suddenly when she heard a crunch under her hoof and looked down. The snow had crunched differently; she lifted her hoof from the snow, revealing pieces of a broken teacup, a smudge of her blood on one of the shards. She set her hoof down again, the glassy crunch sounding again, and her head hung down, her eyes staring into the snow.

 

She tried her best to push against the piece of the carriage, her small hooves crushing the glass she was scrabbling against, the crunching filling her ears.

 

"Mother-"

 

"Sweetie.."

 

"I can't-..it's too heavy.."

 

The filly tried pushing on the carriage again, more glass crunching around her.

 

"Mommy.."

 

She sobbed once quietly, her tiny head hanging. The tears rolled off her face and onto the ground, a few tiny droplets hitting the glass shards.

 

Ebony blinked, a few tears escaping her eyes. They rolled off her face and fell silently into the snow.

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//no worries, you do a good job with it//

 

Ebony blinked the watery glaze away from her eyes and looked up at him. "It's..a few stores down, actually." She looked away from him and indicated with her head, her mane falling in front of her eye again. She stopped beside the door to the cafe and pulled the door open with her magic, raising a hoof and letting Iron enter first.

 

She stepped in the cafe after him, pulling the door shut as she did so, the chill from outside wrapping around her legs for a few seconds, as if trying to attach itself to her before the warmth of the cafe took over.

 

Ebony looked around. A cute little cafe; cozy with weathered brick walls, dark hardwood flooring, no 2 chairs alike or any matching tables; purposely, of course. It added to the uniqueness of the cafe, as well as the staff, who picked everything out for a reason. For example, one of the chairs was wooden and plush, stationed beside a small table that had an old map of Equestria under the glass; an interesting thing to gaze upon while one sipped their tea.

 

Ebony looked to the pony at the counter, who'd perked up instantly when they walked in. Apart from a pony cleaning the tables, she was alone, and had been waiting for someone to walk in for at least 20 minutes. Ebony smiled and dipped her head, and got a grin and a wave in return.

 

"Hello, Ebony!" The brown unicorn waved a hoof over her head, the grin still alight in her pale green eyes. Her golden brown mane bobbed around her shoulders as she leaned on the counter towards them.

 

Maple Harvest was a master in her trade, making the most delicious beverages, sneaking Maple Syrup into coffee for those she knew would enjoy it. If anypony would ever gain 2 cutie marks, it'd be Maple; she grew up on a Maple farm, and earned her cutie mark there for her freaky ability to make the sweetest syrup. She met Half Bean, now her husband, at the Canterlot Desserts competiton, who's Mochas and Chocolate Coffee Bean cake had blown her away. She stayed in Canterlot with him, and discovered a freaky knowledge for coffee products. The 2 now ran a cafe together, becoming known for its sweet pastry and astounding drinks.

 

"Good evening, Maple. Quiet night?" Ebony asked, walking to the counter, beckoning Iron with her.

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Maple groaned loudly. "So quiet. How was the festival?" She asked, wiping the counter down with a slightly damp cloth. She glanced at Iron and looked back at Ebony, raising an eyebrow and smirking.

 

Ebony laughed quietly. "It was delightful. Cutter made me sing, but..eh." She shrugged, raising an eyebrow back at her.

 

Maple giggled. "Well, you are the Princess of Song for a reason." She winked at her and put the cloth away. "Can I get you and your stallion friend a beverage? And perhaps some cake, as well?" She asked, noting how Iron was gazing at the pastries displayed on the counter.

 

Ebony looked at Iron and smiled, also glancing at the assorted cakes and pastries. "That sounds delightful. I'll have..a mocha and.." She made a thoughtful noise and scanned the chalkboard menu. "..A slice of the chocolate coffee bean cake."

 

Half Bean, still wiping down tables, looked up at the mention of his signature dish. "Always a good choice!" He grinned at her and continued working away.

 

Ebony laughed quietly and looked up at Iron. "Get whatever you want, Iron Bass." She smiled at him, and looked back to Maple, who had started to prepare the drink, as well as get a piece of cake neatly onto a plate using her magic. Maple looked up and looked over her shoulder to where her husband was. "Would you like a cup of coffee, Bean?"

 

Half Bean glanced up, pausing for only a second. "Oh, just a half for me."

 

Maple smirked and got another cup out. She turned to Iron and smiled. "What would you like?"

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(edited)

Maple smiled. "You got it." She pulled out a teapot and assorted teas, as well as a single teacup. She put them all on a slightly worn wooden tray, then levitated a small pitcher of milk onto it as well. She cut a slice of the cake and set it down gently on a plate, then placed it beside the empty teacup on the tray. She put Ebony's cake on the tray as well, then turned back to the various coffee machines. "Find a seat somewhere, I'll bring this over once your coffee is ready and the water is boiled." She called over her shoulder.

 

Ebony dipped her head to Iron in response, and lifted a hoof slightly as Maple addressed them. She turned her head away and looked around the cafe, her eyes settling on the plush chairs beside the frosted window near the front of the cafe. "Window seats sound good to you?" She asked, looking back up at him.

 

Maple glanced over at the 2 of them and half smiled slightly to herself. "Iron Bass, you go make yourself comfortable. I have..business to discuss with the princess." She shooed him away in a friendly manner, and gave Ebony a look when he was far enough away. "You have explaining to do, princess."

 

Ebony blinked, then laughed quietly. "Oh, Maple. "Princess"?"

 

Maple stuck her tongue out at her and poured the boiling water into the teapot. "That's not what I mean. Since when do you go for coffee with someone that isn't yourself?"

 

Ebony pouted in defense. "I've gone with Cutter before."

 

"Exactly." Maple smirked, glancing over at Iron. "Music festival?"

 

Ebony sighed and nodded. "You know I love music."

 

Maple grinned triumphantly, and ruffled Ebony's mane. "Did you lure him along with your sweet, sweet voice?" She asked in a sing-song voice, batting her eyelashes.

 

Ebony laughed and pushed her away gently. "Oh, please. I ditched Cutter and asked if he wanted to come along. There's no luring or witchcraft here." She smirked back, stepping back from the counter. Maple laughed and turned back to the mocha she was making, humming quietly to herself.

 

Ebony shook her head to herself and walked to the table Iron was sitting at. "..We can sit somewhere else, if you wish." She said, a bit hesitantly.

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Ebony smiled at him and sat across from him at the table. She held her head up with one of her hooves and gazed out the window. "I really love winter." She mused quietly, shivering slightly from the sight of the snowy street. She blinked and found herself looking at Iron's reflection in the window. Into his eyes, no less. She closed her eyes, scolding herself in her mind.

 

You're not some love struck filly. You're a princess. He probably just came along to be polite. 'Nothing much to take interest in with you anyway.

 

But his eyes.. she thought to herself. They didn't seem restless to leave. Either that or she couldn't read emotions as well as she used to.

 

Ebony sighed quietly and opened her eyes, shifting from his reflection to Iron himself. "What do you think of Canterlot, Iron Bass?"

 

Maple set the mocha down on the tray and levitated it off the counter. She trotted over to the table and set the tray down in the middle, the teapot facing Iron, the coffee facing Ebony. "Here you are. If you need anything else, just ask." She smiled and trotted back to the counter, going into the back to start preparation for the next day.

 

Ebony's horn lit up with her red magic and levitated the mocha off the tray. She closed her eyes and took a small sip, her slightly tense position relaxing from the warm drink. She exhaled fainty as she placed the drink on the table, bringing a napkin to her mouth and wiping the coffee off her lips. She opened her eyes again and looked at Iron. "Is it everything it's all set up to be?"

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(edited)

Ebony half smiled back. "It's a lovely city to live in. It can be a bit big and..lonely, but it's beautiful here." She laughed quietly and took another sip of her coffee. "It'll be nice when Spring and Summer come. The Summer Sun Celebration, meteor showers, more festivals.." She trailed off, looking down at her coffee. 'The Gala.' She thought to herself.

 

The short maned filly looked at the mare sitting opposite to her. "Mother, why are we going to Canterlot?"

The mare smiled at her. "We're going to the Grand Galloping Gala, dearest. Princess Celestia insisted that we make an appearance."

The filly perked up. "Did you bring my red dress?"

"Of course."

"Yay!" The filly cried out, grinning widely.

The mare leaned on the stallion beside her.

 

"The best night ever.."

 

Cutter gazed at the portraits above him, his eyes hard. He sighed and took his helmet off, bowing his head, a few lamps the only light in the hallway. It was in a part of the castle that wasn't visited often, and was only lit if someone came along to look at the portraits along the walls. Usually the windows let lots of light in, but the snow had darkened the sky, the light from the street lamp not reaching far enough to light the hall.

 

Cutter levitated the lamp by his hoof off the ground, the light casting onto the portraits. He looked at the eyes of the mare, his eyes softening slightly and his voice quiet. "You would've loved it."

 

Ebony blinked a few times, bringing the cup back to her mouth. "It's all quite..nice." She murmured, taking another sip. "...What's it like? Traveling around to play music?" She asked, looking back into his eyes as she set the cup down.

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Ebony took another sip of her coffee as he spoke. She blinked when he looked away momentarily, taking note of the shaky breath he took afterwards. She half smiled when he said it was like an adventure. He must see so much..towns, cities, forests, rivers..everything.

 

Her half smile faltered when he mentioned her title. Her eyes dropped from his, and she stuttered when she spoke. "I.."

 

Cutter's eyes shifted to the stallion's portrait. He looked to the dark red eyes and half smiled. He saluted the portrait, then sighed and stared into the painted eyes.

 

"Sir?"

The tall stallion looked to the guard who spoke to him. "Yes?"

"Packing up, I see." The guard removed his helmet.

The stallion smiled and nodded his head once. "Indeed. Should be fun..she'll get to see Canterlot at its best."

"Will she meet the Princess?"

"Yes. I thought it'd be a good chance for her to meet the Princess."

"Send her my regards, sir." The guard dipped his head.

"Of course, my friend."

 

Cutter levitated his helmet back onto his head, turned, and made his way back down the hallway quietly.

 

"Little one..I wish we were meeting under better circumstances.."

 

Ebony shook her head slightly. "I..no, I find interest in it." She looked back up and into his eyes, smiling apologetically. "Being a Princess isn't much fun." She shrugged and looked out the window. "Can't really go anywhere unless it's for some sort of "royal business". I mainly stay in the castle, there's nothing much for me to do." She laughed quietly and looked back to him. "Traveling sounds delightful.." She trailed off, and her eyes drifted away from his again. She blinked and looked back up at him. "I'm sure you'll make it big soon. It seemed everyone loved your performance." She smiled, lifting her half empty mug to her mouth again.

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  • 2 weeks later...
(edited)

Ebony's eyes slipped from his again, levitating her coffe mug off the table. It hovered for a few seconds until she put it down, then she looked up ag him again. "Canterlot is a wonderful place for study. I don't recall much of it, but I used to live in Trottingham before Princess Celestia invited me to stay in Canterlot. My parents taught me to be "a proper Princess" there." Her voice shifted to an accent different from her own, (basically Rarity's) and she sat straight and lifted her head slightly, closing her eyes and lifting a hoof above the table. "A Princess always wears her crown. She stays in the company of guards and other royals. She only responds if one calls her "Princess" or "Miss". "

 

She flicked her hoof and opened her eyes again. "A Princess stays in proper posture and doesn't hide behind her mane." Her voice faded back to normal on the last sentence, smiling slightly to herself. She relaxed again, the stiff posture disappearing. "I always got scolded for how I had my mane." She said quietly, flicking her mane away from her eye.

 

 

Cutter knocked quietly on the door, and entered when he heard the gentle "come in" from behind the doors. He walked in and shut the doors behind him again with his magic, and bowed. "Princess."

 

Celestia bowed her head to him and smiled. "Hello Cutter. How did the festival go?"

 

Cutter lifted his head again and offered a polite smile back. "It was good, Princess. Got her to sing, at least."

 

Celestia let out a thoughtful noise, and looked outside. "Good." She was silent for a few moments, watching the snow sail past the frosted frames. "..Which song?"

 

 

Ebony sighed and shook her head to herself, levitating the cup to her lips and sipping the coffee. "Canterlot is a good place to study though. Celestia involves herself, if she can help it. She loves helping out when she can." She murmured, setting the cup on the table once more. She looked out the window as well, though rather stared past the window rather than through it.

Edited by Princess Nightingale
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  • 4 weeks later...
(edited)

Ebony's eyes snapped back into reality when he spoke, the rusted gears in her mind turning slowly. She blinked a couple times and looked over at him, her eyes throwing question marks at him.

 

Beautiful? Her?

 

"I-I.." She stammered, breaking it off into a nervous laugh. She blushed profusely, bowing her head slightly so her mane covered her one eye. She bit her lip and looked back up at him, her cheeks still ablaze with a rosy hue.

 

"You think I'm beautiful?.."

 

She'd never been called beautiful before. Not just her in general. Not just as she was.

If her mane was up, she'd get a "Your mane looks beautiful like that."

If she wore something to bring out the colour of her eyes, she'd get a "Your eyes look beautiful with that colour, Miss."

If she wore a dress for any reason, she'd get a "That dress is beautiful on you, Princess."

 

But never just a straight out "You're beautiful."

 

 

Cutter turned his gaze out the window as well. "Silver Bells, Princess."

 

Celestia smiled. "Did everypony like it?"

 

"Started a sing-a-long."

 

She laughed quietly and turned away from the window. "Good." She looked into Cutter's eyes, and her smile softened a bit. "I miss them too."

 

 

Ebony let out another quiet, nervous laugh, and closed her eyes, her cheeks still red. She opened her eyes after a few seconds and looked up at him, smiling shyly. "Thank you.."

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Ebony blinked again, then giggled. She smiled at his "yes"s, taken by the compliment. She brought a hoof to her cheek, feeling the slight warmth from her blushing, and she giggled again.

 

"Uncalled for indeed. Making me blush, how awfully rude." She laughed, closing her eyes and turning her head away from him. She coughed a couple times, trying to get the stupid grin off her face, and turned to him again. "My apologies..that was rude." She cleared her throat and shook herself, though she was still blushing.

 

"And please, don't apologize. You have nothing to apologize for." She half smiled at him gently, her eyes looking into his.

 

How intrigued she was. This stallion, which she met only that day, had given her quite an interesting reaction. From just 1 sentence.

Not even that. Part of a sentence.

 

Her half smile grew into a full one. She looked away again, laughing quietly, trying to compose herself. "I'm sorry, I-" she bit her lip and used her hoof to brush her mane fully away from her eye. She scolded herself in her mind. 'Get a hold of yourself, you idiot.'

 

'It's just words.'

'Awfully kind ones..'

 

She looked back to him and smiled apologetically. "Sorry. And Cutter was right." She levitated her coffee to her mouth again, taking a drawn out sip. "I do admire your formality, though it's unnecessary. Don't apologize for a compliment." She put the cup down and smiled at him again.

 

"You're very handsome as well, if I may." Her smile turned into a playful smirk. "And for that, I'm not sorry."

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Ebony half smiled as she raised her cup to her mouth again. "Oh, I don't agree either. I do thank you for the compliment, but.." She laughed quietly and drank the rest of her coffee, setting the empty mug down gently. "I don't really have any traits that actually belong to me." She said a bit quietly.

 

And that was true, in her mind. She did like her mane; only because it was exactly like her mother's. Her mother was beautiful.

She liked her coat colour; only because it was like her father's. He was handsome.

 

Her parents were specimens of beauty. She just saw herself as exactly what she was; their child. She was a combination of the 2 of them, taking their traits as her own.

 

But she didn't think it made herself beautiful. The traits weren't hers. They belonged to her parents.

She only had her eyes.

 

 

"Where is she now?"

 

Cutter frowned slightly. "In the city still, I believe. She took off with some stallion."

 

Celestia smiled. "Why so grim? That's a good thing."

 

"For now."

 

 

Ebony looked out the window. The snow was coming down heavily; she couldn't see very far down the street. "My my." She murmured. "I love winter, don't get me wrong. I love the snow also, but..it's a bit of an inconvenience sometimes."

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