One Quiet, Perfect Day Among the Noise (Closed, Icy)

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

 

Wind Dancer nodded through her blush as Sky told her that they could save the flying toys for the music video for the track. Honestly that sounded like a lot of fun if not very dangerous. A hard plastic toy flying at seventy miles an hour would really hurt if she got smacked with it! Although she couldn't deny that her thoughts were more on what Kick beat had just said. She knew that the tabloids were running about them but she never really paid attention to it until now. Of course there would also be the rumors and thoughts of others that they would be intimate at this point. She admitted the thought had crossed her mind, but that was a conversation for later, and once she was certain that he was truly the one for her. Oh, who was she fooling, she'd already made her decision on that or they wouldn't be on their... fifth.... sixth.... seventh date after the bistro? More than that if you counted all the times she let him crash with her! Perhaps the next time, she'll suggest skipping the sleeping bags.

 

Kick Beat then spoke up again with a small laugh. "Naw man, just cuz you a pacifist, don't mean you can't have passion. Look at me man. I've already made it big, yet I swing out here in da lobbies and da streets. It ain't my time to shine no more, that's for all the new ponies like you and Miss Windy here. I'm far beyond a pacifist anymore, but I still have that passion and drive for music. Don't tell me you ain't got the same passion for each otha, cause I can see it in your eyes. Shoot man, you two are so perfect for each other that even the tabs have noticed it. Everything they write talks about how much happier you been," he said more towards Wind at the end before looking back to Sky. "And she was already a pretty happy pony, let me tell ya. So for ponies to be able to tell that she's even happier, you must be doing somethin special and right by her. And I'm sure that you've been happier too. Not many ponies knew who you were until that Mareage performance a couple months ago when y'all set up your first date."

 

"You were there for that?" Windy asked, her face still quite red from the line of conversation. As much as she admired the praise, sometimes Kick had a habit of laying it on her pretty hard.

 

"I been to every single one. You're my girl man. I watched you grow and dance in the parks. Once Bit came out and started helping you, I knew something special was going to happen. I didn't know that that performance was going to become a weekly thing, or that you were gonna draw the monster crowds that you do. Ain't no way I was gonna miss what was probably the biggest show of your life to that point. But listen here man, I've held you two lovebirds long enough. When you produce ol Bonk's album Tell 'im ol' Kick Beat said what up. Sure he'll be happy to hear that," he said with a smile before excusing himself to return to his act, waiting for the temp to drop a bit to go back outside.

 

Wind couldn't help but give a sheepish smile to Sky. "Well... I can't exactly say that I was expecting that kind of conversation to come from him. He's usually not so forward about things..." she said still quite a bit rosy cheeked. "What should we do now?"

[Blueblood]

"I... think I understand you."  Sky spoke hesitantly; despite Kick Beat's casual attitude so far, the pegasus still remained keenly aware of their relative status in the music game.  He didn't want to think of himself as the sort of pony who argued with those more knowledgeable than himself, rather than learning from them.  Nevertheless, the urge to expression within him, the part that would let him be nothing but an artist, would not remain still without his point having gotten across.  "But to me, passion doesn't mean constantly measuring myself against other artists.  It means the long, quiet nights where I forget to sleep or eat because I haven't yet made real what I dreamed about last week.  And the reason I call myself a pacifist is that I think I'm doing it right, and others ought to do so as well.  Competition ultimately means imitation, that's why so much popular music sounds the same.  Ponies try for years, only to end up as either inferior or superior versions of somepony else.  I'd much rather we all called a cease fire, if only to figure out who we all really are.  You can't be the best version of yourself if what you're trying to surpass is somepony else."

 

He was deep into the point, only to be brought up short by Kick's comments about them as a couple.  He hadn't known at the time the importance of the first show he'd ever seen Wind Dancer at, as far as he knew, that was her life.  He learned about her past later, but it was different.  Kick had known the mare that Sky had only seen in photographs.  Still blushing, he took his leave with a, "Oh, I'll be sure to, thanks."

 

He settled back as the performance resumed, taking some time to think before he answered Wind's Question.  His mind was going far beyond their date.  Everypony around them seemed to say so much about how happy he had made her, which was gratifying, and how happy she seemed to make him, which was true.  Not to mention they were able to gel well creatively, which boded well for future collaborations.  Truth be told, Sky could not imagine any better possibility for a marefriend, or any lifelong partner.

 

So why, after coming to so certain a conclusion about a decision that would have lifetime ramifications, could he not think of a way to pass the next hour?

 

"Umm... you know what?  Surprise me.  I don't know this place well, what's neat one thing that you know around here that almost nopony else does?"

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

Wind couldn't help but smile a small bit at sky as he talked about them being themselves through music. In a way, they were both right. An individual should strive to be the best that they can be and the group needs to be cohesive and somewhat competitive. That was really just pony nature. As it was though she was still trying to get her internal emotions to calm down. She hasn't really been thinking about what other had been thinking about her relationship with Sky because nopony really brought it up to her. Considering how the press is usually all over celebrity relationships and they were mostly leaving them alone about it spoke wonders about things. Not that she cared what anyone else thought of her relationships in the first place but the peace surrounding them was definitely appreciated.

 

And then the question came that... She really want prepared for. One near thing around here that nopony else really did? Most of the time when she wasn't performing or running some of her errands she would just go to the park and lightly dance or just sit under the trees, but in a black dress even in the shade that would be much too hot to do today. Otherwise everything else that she did for her enjoyment was usually in the evening or completely under the cover of night. "Honestly, during the day I'm not terribly sure. I've either been training, performing, or running errands to make sure things are ready for said performances. Otherwise most of my entertainment comes in the evening usually. I'll either go to the park to relax and unwind, much like the night that we met. On some of the warmer nights, I'll fly up in to the clouds where it's nice and cool and spend a while stargazing. Not to mention, Las Pegasus is quite the sight at night looking down on it from above. As for something that we can do now that many ponies won't already be doing... Well, we could always head downtown to Maremont Street and take a walk around there. That is a famous attraction here, but it's more popular in the evening because of the magical lighting, so it should be less crowded. But there's plenty of shops and antique stalls along the way and lots of interesting butts of history for the city as well. Most of them predate the strip," she said with a smile. She actually hadn't been down that way in a while so would be nice to take a walk there again.

[Blueblood]

"Oh, I see.  You know, if I'd known that, I probably would have set our date in the evening, then.  Usually my day consists of writing, recording, practicing, and catching up on lost sleep.  But an evening spent just hanging out on a cloud with you, looking either at the skybound or earthbound lights... that sounds like a good time to me."  Sky laughed softly, stretching out a wing to lay it across Wind's withers.  The gesture was a little hesitant at first, but at any sign of approval would transform into a more confident embrace.  "But for now, Maremont sounds nice.  I hadn't actually fixed where we were going to eat, either, so that's a good place to find somewhere, yeah?"

 

Fortified by that resolve, the stallion was able to once again face the desert sun.  It had begun to pass the noontime zenith, and the lengthening shadows of the buildings provided incrementally more relieving shade with each passing minute.  Yet, the crowds had not come to claim the covered territory as of the pair's arrival.  The architecture here was telling; the glass and steel of Modern Los Pegasus was less in evidence, with more buildings either being genuine adobe brick, or at least aping the look to keep the overall aesthetic consistent.  That said, no shopfront facing a walking street was ever absent of glass, and there were plenty of tan-framed panes, opening on an artful display of wares.  The first that caught Sky's eye was the sand art, with colored grains carefully poured into a glass jar in layers, in order to make a picture.  Simple pictures, perhaps, but nonetheless beautiful ones.

"That," He said, pointing at one jar displaying a cowpony galloping against a sunset, "Had to have been invented by someone stuck inside on a hot day.  You have to be very bored to be that patient; it's how I learned to play the guitar."

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

Wind Dancer smiled to Sky as he told her that if he had known that she was more of a night pony herself, he would have planned more of what they were doing in the evening. That his day usually consisted of writing recording, practicing, very similar to her own. He added an evening gazing upon either the earthbound or skybound lights sounded like a good time to him. "Well, we do still have that concert to go to tonight, which is why I presumed that most everything was scheduled during the day. Plus it's nice to have a full day where we can just spend time with each other and be ourselves," she said walking next to him. When she felt him drape a wing over her she smiled. She could feel the hesitation at first but when she leaned into it, she felt the hold strengthen. She nodded when he said that it would be a good place to try to find something to eat as well. That he didn't really have one place planned over another for them to eat at. "Indeed! plenty of places down there to choose from, The 4 Queens have a pretty good buffet in it," she smiled as the sun bore down on them as they waled.

 

Thankfully the tallness of the building was helping to provide a tiny bit of cover, but with it being the noontime hour the sun was almost directly overhead of everything. Thankfully Sky's wing had kept her black dress out of the majority of the sun as they waled so that it wasn't cooking her alive. As it was, they made their way down town without too much of an issue, and much like she was hoping, Maremont was much less crowded than it was in the evening since the magical lights over the top of the street weren't visible because of the sun, but at the same point, the overhanging shield also filtered a lot of the sun, making it noticeably cooler underneath of it as they walked. The first thing anypony would notice though upon getting to Maremont though was the older structure of the buildings. Everything here was old, and while most have gone through some renovations so that they could keep or improve structural integrity, they still kept the antique asthetic.

 

When they passed by one of the sand jar artists, they paused for a moment and Sky pointed at them. They were all really well done and quite beautiful to look at but she couldn't help but giggle at that statement. "I know right? It's amazing how many things a pony can learn to do just because they were bored. Now I can't help but try to think of the look on everypony's face when the first pony tried to dance looked like. Though I suppose that would be true for any first of it's kind. Myself, I have a tendency to fall asleep when I get bored, or get overly relaxed. I think that's because of my life style and everything I'm always wanting and needed to do, I don't always get the sleep that I'm supposed to," she said softly as a light growl came from her stomach, causing her to blush a bit and smile sheepishly.

[Blueblood]

Sky had to admit Wind Dancer was right; it was nice to have the full day to themselves, especially how the near future would likely see fewer opportunities.  Once Sky finished his LP, he'd have to hit the touring circuit.  The better the album did, the more likely that would take him away from Los Pegasus for a while.  His first shows would be here, but after that?  Not even Equestria might be the limit.

 

*Let's not let future troubles spoil a perfect today.*  The stallion clamped down on those thoughts as the two of them perused the sand art.  "Oh, I feel you about sleep."  Sky replied with a rueful chuckle.  "It's not so much lifestyle for me, though.  I always had trouble sleeping, even as a little colt.  Always found myself with a lot of time on my hooves, and not much to fill it with, up in Cloudsdale. Wonderbolts aside, its very much a factory town, not much in the way of culture or entertainment.  In a way, that forced me to make my own.  In a city like this, though..."  He made a gesture, out from the Maremont back towards the strip.  "It feels like a pony doesn't have to be bored if they don't want to.  It's a good place for an artist to go to... but a place they seem unlikely to come from, you know?"

 

His high high-flying thoughts were interrupted and brought back to earth by the grumbling of Wind Dancer's stomach.  "Heh, I guess we should continue this talk over food, huh?  You said the Four Queens was good, right?  I think I see the sign for it right up there."

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

Wind Dancer nodded when Sky said that they could continue their conversation over food and they started walking towards The 4 Queens. It was one of only a couple full fledged casinos that was actually on Maremont street, the namesake casino of the street being the other, and it didn't take long for them to get to it. She continued their conversation as they walked though. "Ah yes, Cloudsdale. I wish I could say that I have fond memories of that place. The only fond memories from there though are my parents. We left at an early age though so I don't remember too much of anything else about it actually. With me having limited to no flight at times my parents decided it was too big of a risk to stay there so we moved ground based. We lived in Canterlot for a bit and I got enough strength back in my wing that I was able to at least attend flight school and learn how to use my wings the best that I could," she started with a smile.

 

At the comments about bordeom and this bing a place where artists tend to go rather than start, she nodded. "Yeah, although at the same point that's part of the problem here as well. Ponies get bored, they go to the casino and start gambling. The continue to do so because they have nothing better to do, and it causes a lot of financial strain on them when they can't pay other bills that need to be paid. It's actually fairly easy for a resident to get bored though. Like, from a tourist standpoint, everything here is amazing. Living here though? Things start losing their luster after a bit and become just another thing that's here. Not that things aren't ever fun, just... not really sure how to describe it," she started.

 

"I will say it is very hard for an artist to get their start here most of the time. Golden is the exception to the rule in that she will give almost anyone a chance, even a lot of unprovens, and the Mareage is still one of the more reputable performance venues here. But unless they know ponies in the industry or happen to be in the right place at the right time, it's not unheard of for many aspiring artists going unnoticed here until they've started playing in other cities. Most of them will venture south to Fillydelphia to try to get started there."

 

By this point they had not only reached the casino but had already made it over to where the buffet was. She could already smell all the different entrees that they had prepared sizzling away. "Hey there! Welcome to The Full House Buffet, how man..." she started after finishing a brief conversation with a co-worker before looking up and getting a good view of whom she was dealing with before letting out a giddy squee. "Ohmygosh!Ohmygosh!Ohmygosh! It's You!!!" she said before pausing for a second to regain her composure taking a deep breath. "My apologies... it's not often we get many celebrity performers here anymore. Most of them prefer all the new fancier places on the strip..."

 

"Indeed they do! and that's precisely why were here. Looking for just a bit of personal time as they say. Well, as much personal time as ponies like us are allowed to have anyway," Wind Dancer commented.

 

"I would say that I know the feeling, but I wouldn't even be close in comparison, but I at least can feel what you're saying. Just you and you significant other then? We'll make sure that you're able to enjoy your meals in peace. If there's anything out on the buffet or you don't see your favorite dishes let us know and we'll get it out as soon as we can!" The hostess said with a smile as she seated them.

[Blueblood]

True to his word, Sky would have mostly kept silent throughout Windy's talking, saving the conversation to happen over food.  He couldn't help but remark on the fact that they both hailed from the same town, ultimately.  "So I guess we can add two names to list of artists who come out of a place like Cloudsdale.  I used to wonder if it wasn't arrogance on all our parts that we didn't stay to make the town one of art, but then, being as dull as a blank canvas is what made so many become artists in the first place.  I think perhaps it's best that places be themselves, and that we change or move.  I certainly wouldn't want Los Pegasus to be any less of what it is, even if I find overwhelming half the time."

 

Entering the Buffet, Sky found himself a little surprised to be targeted by "Sudden celebrity realization."  This buffet had an atmosphere similar to one back home, even though the selection was vastly more expansive.  Being left behind by the tourist traps gave the place a sense that it was for locals and their families, and the slightly behind-times decor of dark wood only served to emphasize the atmosphere.  But this wasn't the Cloud Street Family Restaurant, and he wasn't just a normal pony anymore, apparently.  Though, in a place like this, they could still pretend, if only for a little while.    "I think we'll be fine.  I've never seen seafood this far from a coast before!"  That said, fish wasn't always so popular among a mostly vegetarian population, and seaweed was an acquired taste.  One which Sky had acquired, though, mostly from a fascination with Neighpon when he was younger.  In fact, there were quite a lot of Eastern-themed dishes piling his first plate as the pair finally took their table together.

Hold 

"I can see why you like this place.  I don't think either of us want to live in the bright lights all the time.  There's some I know who do, and therefore would never even bother with this buffet."  He took a piece of sesame-flavored seaweed and bit down with relish.  "Of course, that means they always end up either here or in Manehattan, waiting tables and scrabbling for performance slots, always trying to make it big, to get their one shot.  I mean, I'm not gonna say they're wrong, some ponies do win the lottery.  I mean, I was lucky enough to meet you, right?"  He laughed, still amazed at how much had come from happenstance.  "But that's not how it normally works.  You've got to play your hometown venues, pay your touring dues.  Hold your shows in places where you're the most interesting thing that's happened all month.  You ever thought about doing that?  Just going on the road, taking your show to Heartland towns and out of the way places?"

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

Wind Dancer smiled and nodded to the hostess as they were seated and then was quick to find all the different array of noodles that were on the buffet and piled them up. If there was one thing that Sky would learn about her from this trip, it was that she loved noodles... a lot... She sat across from him with her plate that looked like a small hill, bordering on a mountain of Long Noodles. She was quick to note that Sky had also found the eastern portion of the buffet, though had a lot less noodles. "Now that you mention it, from what little bit I remember from Cloudsdale, it is rather bland. All I remember is white and sky. As you said though, would make a good canvas for somepony to do something with. I left because it just wasn't safe for me there anymore. Physically right after the accident and mentally once I left flight school," she commented, taking a bite from her noodles.

 

"I know right? This place has a much more homie feel for it, and you can tell that everything here is catered more towards families. Yes they are a casino, but they have a lot here for the whole family to do. That and their food here is just as delicious as anywhere else in town and you don't have to pay the fancy Strip Prices for it. Much more affordable for those who just work here to get by," she added.

 

Listening to Sky talk about how so many end up in Manehatten or here waiting tables waiting on their next big chance to perform, she couldn't help but nod in agreement. "I've noticed that myself. Too many make this their sole destination and get discouraged when they can't get any time because they are competing with big acts. I know for a fact that Golden Bit won't schedule anything within 4 hours of one of my shows regardless of what venue I'm dancing at that night because she doesn't think anyone else has a chance of drawing a crowd, or against bands like Imagine Ponies, and Shinehoof, both were here not too long ago doing their tours," she replied before hearing Sky ask her about her own touring. She couldn't help but smile and blush a bit at his winning the lottery comment, using their meeting as the example.

 

"Oh, I used to tour all the time. I had my own wagon and everything, but just moving and performing while fun, was often quite dangerous getting from place to place because I had to walk and most of the time I was alone, and the performances usually netted enough for me to be able to get something to eat in the town that I was staying at. I didn't become the famous dancer that I was until... well, until Golden Bit fixed my my wing and I could do all the stuff that you've seen me do. I was finally able to unleash my full potential and everything skyrocketed. That's kinda the reason I stay in the area anymore. I have a contract with the Mareage, at least for another couple years. I might start doing a few tours though again in the future. I've gotten a few invitations from Long Kong, Manehatten, Canterlot, and Baltimare. I'd be afraid to do anything in Canterlot though. It is on a mountain and I would rather not do anything that could damage the supports at all. I'm sure we could set a few things up to perform in other towns along the way," she said with a smile before munching on more noodles.

[Blueblood]

Sky found himself both amused and interested in the relative similarity of their plate pilings.  "Mind if we swap samples?"  He offered, using his wings to dexterously manipulate a pair of chopsticks to pull a piece of sashimi from his plate, offering it to Windy in exchange for some of her noodles.

 

As the conversation continued, Sky began to wonder, "I suppose the next question would be, do you feel you could go back to Cloudsdale now?"  A few of seconds of reflection on his own question, however, caused him to issue a retraction, "That might not be safe for the town, actually; if you're worried about Canterlot's stability, Cloudsdale is probably a no-go for a venue.  Though, they probably have to have high-wind protocols.  I remember... something about the jet stream from flight school, I think."  He gave her a slightly sheepish look over the pair of plates.  "Shows what classes I was daydreaming in, huh?"

 

"Anyway, I'd love to travel the world with you, when the opportunity arises.  Don't mind staying here in the meantime, though.  Be a long time before we ran out of things to do, and even doing nothing together wouldn't be so bad, you know?"

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

Wind Dancer didn't mind a taste swap at all as she mimicked his actions with a hefty grab of noodles for him as she munched on the seaweed. "Oh, that's really good," she said after she had swallowed. "Nice and tangy and full of flavor," she smiled letting him eat the noodles before digging back in herself although at this point there wasn't much left in her plate. Another trip to the buffet was in her future. 

 

She listened as Sky spoke again about Cloudsdale asking if she felt comfortable going back now before adding that it personally want the best idea anyway. Not that it wouldn't be safe for her, but it wouldn't be safe for the town! She couldn't help but laugh at that. "Indeed. After my accident they put a lot more strict wind ordinances up. After all, it was a rogue super storm that somepony lost control of that caused the accident in the first place. But I think you're right. I would probably disperse every cloud in the city. Then it could be called Winddale!" She laughed before revisiting the buffet and returning with another plate of noodles, although in different sauces this time. "And don't feel bad. I'm a dancer, not a scholar. I never did talk well to long lectured schooling. I learn by doing not reading."

 

When he said that he would love to tour with her when the opportunity arose to do so, but also said that he was content to stay here with her in the mean time. That they would at least always have something to do here and even doing nothing can be fun once in a while. "Indeed. Plus, I can think of a few other things that we could do to occupy ourselves with at times as well," she said with a playful wink. "In all seriousness though, I would appreciate that. I can really deny anymore that... The nights you haven't started with me I've started feeling more and more lonely without you. A couple nights I've thought about going to your house but I knew you'd probably be busy," she said with a smile blushing a bit. 

[Blueblood]

It was impressive how quickly Wind Dancer put away all those noodles.  Of course, her chosen profession was nothing if not extremely calorie-intensive.  Sky accompanied her for a second run, though this time it consisted of mostly fruits and sweets for him; two plates was about his limit at a buffet.  "You know, I get that.  I never took any music lessons; well, not from teachers.  I saved up my allowance for a correspondence course when I was young, and taught myself how to build a synthesizer out of old parts from my dad's workshop.  It was just when a lot of magi-crystal devices were coming on the market and, well, movers weren't always delicate in their handling.  There were a lot of spare parts hanging around in Cloudsdale to work with."  A soft smile played about his features as he remembered those earlier days.  "Ponies usually don't need school for anything they actually want to learn, though what nopony tells you is that you still get graded.  An audience's applause feels better than any 'A' I ever got!"  And silence hurt worse than any 'F', but no need to bring down the conversation with undue negativity.

 

As he took a bite of pineapple, he tried to keep himself from choking at seeing the wink.  By now, Windy would have known that Sky Sailing was a very innocent stallion, though by no means ignorant of implications.  Swallowing, with a bit of juice to wash it down, he took a deep breath.  "I'm never so busy that I wouldn't want to see you around.  Music sounds better when shared, after all."  Pausing for a moment, he asked, "After the concert tonight, did you... want me to stay over?"

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

 

"Same with me," Wind started when Sky started talking about how he didn't really take any sort of lessons, at least not from teachers and used his own bits to start saving and building things out of stuff that they had around. She also nodded to the statement that ponies didn't need schooling for things they actually wanted to learn. "I myself have never taken a single dance lesson in my life. Now some choreography lessons, a little bit, but that was more learning how to transcribe my dances to paper. For the most part a dance is good as long as everything flows together and the style of dance matches the music. You can't really do a high energy salsa or electronica dance for a waltz or tango style piece. Not only will it look out of place, but it's hard to match up beats that way to," she smiled. "Although I will say I probably had it a lot easier than you did leaning how to do stuff. After all, being a dancer I never had to build any of my sound devices."

 

She couldn't help but smile warmly though when he told her that he was never so busy that he wouldn't enjoy her company. That made her quite happy to hear. She nodded when he said that music sounded better when it was shared. "And your music already sounds good to begin with," she smiled. When she heard him ask about starting with her again tonight she smiled and nodded before a thought crossed her mind that made her blush a bit. "I would love for you to spend there night tonight after the concert. Perhaps we could even forgo the separate sleeping bags this time," she said with a warm smile.

[Blueblood]

Choreography was one of the great mysteries of dance to Sky; the basic idea of matching the motion of limbs to the rhythm of music was intuitive enough for him.  Even the head-bobbing he did while piecing together a track might even count, in a technical way.  But the art of composition in three dimensional space?  Four, if one counted time.  "Yeah, transcription is a bit of a a pain, sometimes.  But you can't always trust your memory, so the staffs and sheets it is.  At least, for me.  I don't know how you'd write down hoof position, flight, and poses in something that wasn't a comic book!"

 

He laughed a bit, taking up the last bite of pineapple.  It just... felt right, being with her.  As if they paired as well as their respective art forms.  Smiling at the compliment, the stallion was even able to take up her invitation with only a minor blush.  "Then it would be my honor to accompany you home."  Finishing up his drink, he stacked his plates together for when the waitress came back to pick them up.  "Did you get enough to eat?  We're not in any hurry, its just that there's only so much room in my stomach!  My art's not nearly as calorie-intensive as yours, Windy."

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

 

Wind Dancer joined in the laugh that Sky has when he mentioned that he imagined choreograph looking almost like a comic book, with how the flight, the poses and the hoof position was all laid out. "Yeah, you're actually a lot closer to what a dance score looks like than you would believe. Color them, add a couple villains, they could probably sell if I could actually draw anything better than a stick pony. And I can draw a mean stick pony, let me tell ya," she giggled a bit delighted that he would be returning to her apartment with her tonight. 

 

As she slurped up the last bit of noodles off of her plate, she nodded when Sky asked if she had gotten enough to eat. "Yup! I'm craving some ice cream, but there's a better spot on Maremont for that. Not saying they have bad ice cream here, it's quite delicious and because it's a buffet you can build it as big as you want. The down side is it's a buffet. You can't take it with you, and we still have plenty of the street to walk before we have to head back for the concert. It's the one at the Mareage right?"

[Blueblood]

Sky was surprised his joking remark was so close to the truth; it actually got him thinking about a possible gift he could give, provided he got into contact with some comic book artists that could draw something more than a stick pony... "Hm, I'd like to see some of your scores, then, when we come back to the apartment."  Maybe he could persuade her to let him borrow one, for reference...

 

"Well, I wouldn't say I have room for a buffet-sized dessert, but ice cream on the way sounds lovely!"  He was smiling widely now, laying some bits on the table as a tip for their waitress as he exited the booth.  "It wouldn't happen to be one of those places owned by Ice Storm, right?  I have been trying to do a little research on the movers and shakers here, lately.  And yes, the Concert is at the Mareage.  Got the tickets right here."  He patted the inside pocket of his nebula jacket, the first gift from her to him.

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

"Sure thing!" Wind said with a smile when Sky asked about possibly looking at some of her scores. Most of the time dancers were hesitant in letting others see what they were working on, but at the end of the day that were all dancing for the public. Once a dance was performed, everything was in the open for all to see anyway. That and she knew that Sky wouldn't do anything to jeopardize anything of hers like that or her trust. "Hope you aren't expecting to much though, cause like I said, I can't draw," she smiled as they paid and made their way out.

 

It seemed that some dessert want entirely it off the question for Sky either as he said that some Ice cream sounded good and inquired about the stall being one of Miss Ice Storm's. Wind dance shook her head. "No, at least I don't think it is. Believe it out not Ice Storm is a new player here in LP, The Fire and Ice had only been open for about a year or two, but she's already made quite a name for it, mirroring some of the strategies explored by her neighbors. That said, I know that she also owns and operates the ice cream stall inside her casino. She's actually down there quite often. Honestly with running the casino and her store it wouldn't surprise me at all if she hasn't even found it that this part of the city exists yet," she smiled as they stopped back it into the awning covered street. 

 

"Let's see... If I remembered correctly..." she started. "The ice cream stall was down this way just past the swirling fountains. Word of warning though the fountains can be unpredictable and the shoot up in different spots of the sidewalk around there as well. If you're standing by a hole in the ground, your not safe from a wet surprise," she finished with a smile.

[Blueblood]

"Oh, I guess that makes two of us, then."  Sky replied to hearing that Ice Storm was fairly new in getting herself established.  "She didn't seem like the sort of mare that would take long in finding out, though.  To start from an ice-cream stall and go to a high-rise casino?  You can't do that without a 'good nose for the winds,' as they all used to say in Cloudsdale. Not that a lot of breezes blow though here."  He spread his wings and flapped a bit; the air was still and hot on the Maremont.  Even with his talent, there was nothing for Sky Sailing to gain lift from.  It wasn't really surprising for him to hear, then, that the citizens had devised alternate means of cooling themselves.

 

Unfortunately, the heat and stillness led him to daydream as they walked along towards the fountains.  Thus, the pegasus never saw the hole he walked right over....

 

*FSHHH!*
"AWP- glub!"

 

The sudden spray caught him right under his barrel, just to the front of his hips.  The force was sufficient to send him along in a dance of his own, considerably more comic than those Windy had choreographed.  At least the audience of colts and fillies playing in the fountain under the afternoon sun appreciated the show!

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

 

Wind nodded when Sky said that Ice seemed like the kind that wouldn't take long to figure out things that were in an area. That she wouldn't be able to go from a small dessert store to a high-rise casino without a good nose for the wind. "That or being in the right place at the right time. I heard that she either inherited or was gifted the land that she built on. Being right next to the Mareage, that's prime real estate there because she's going to get a lot of traffic from there, The Excoltaber, The Buccaneer Bay, and The Great Sphinx. As long as she listens to those around her she'll be there for a while," she smiled. 

 

As they continued their walk the afternoon heat was starting to get to them again, Sky a bit moreso. She herself was actually starting to break a sweat as they started to approach the fountains. Her eyes shot wide open though as she felt a blast or water from next to get and the shock sending Sky into a dance. One that almost instinctively she started mimicking to make sure he didn't hurt himself if he fell. At the very least she was able to make everything at least look like it was planned giving some of the fillies and other ponies some entertainment in the process. "Goodness, you okay? I felt the splash from that!" She asked through a slight laugh at the situation. At the very least she was a decent bit cooler now. 

[Blueblood]

While Wind dancer's attempt to steady him was definitely welcomed by Sky Sailing, it might well have complicated matters beyond a simple stumble.  Her impromptu dance, as with all other dances of hers, kicked up a breeze in the formerly still are of the Maremont.  Sky's wings being the senstive sails that they were, caught the sudden gust and went airborne through the fountain mists.  It took a good minute or two to get all settled down, by which time the stallion was rendered fully alert, and, thankfully, cooled down quite a bit.  

 

"Huh, phew, yeah, I'm fine.  Only my pride would be hurt, if ma hadn't warned be against having one!"  He returned a laugh.  The incident was amusing enough, so much so that, unbeknownst to both of them, several discrete photos had been taken of their extemporaneous performance, and would appear on the inner pages of a tabloid, with the header, 'Los Pegasus' newest celebrity couple make a splash!'  Well, it couldn't all be scandalous gossip, and you needed to fill those pages somehow...

 

"Oh hey, is that the place you were talking about?"  Sky pointed at the storefront they had just landed beside, shaded by awnings in the colors of the Itailian flag, the sign in front boasting about its world-famous ice creams and ices.

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

 

Wind smiled as everything started to calm down with Sky telling her that the only thing that was hurt would have been his pride if his mom hasn't warned him about having one. She couldn't help but laugh lightly as she gave him a gentle nuzzle. She could already see the headlines for this, though it did give her a thought. Perhaps she could do a performance down here one night. Of course if she did there would have to be a pattern to how the fountains went off and she didn't know who was actually the pony to ask if that was possible. That would be something for another visit down here though. 

 

When Sky pointed out the ice cream stall and asked if that was the one that she was talking about, she nodded. "Yup!! They got a pretty decent selection of treats as well! I like their triple chocolate delight, though most find it to be a little bit too rich as they use a good amount of dark chocolate in it," she said with a smile. "That being said, what's your favorite ice cream?" she asked as they walked into the shop.

[Blueblood]

"I never actually had much ice cream, growing up."  Sky admitted as he walked with Wind Dancer into the shop.  "Milk was expensive in Cloudsdale, but ice was practically free.  You could get snow cones made from actual snow, too.  Popsicles, too, were very popular in the summer.  I actually worked in a freezer storage, for a little while, before I finally left." 

 

The store itself was decorated in the tile and style of many decades ago; it actually reminded Sky Sailing of the pictures of the 'sock hop' they had both seen in the museum earlier.  The board of flavors was written in chalk, as there was a rotating selection along with the classic flavors.  Even with that limitation on the selection, though, he still looked a little boggled at all the options available.  "Um, I guess I'll take... Strawberry Avalanche?"  He pointed at the 'Special Flavor of the Day'.4

 

The clerk at the front smiled.  "Oh yes, that one's quite good!  Cup or cone?"

 

"Well, we're going to eat it on the way, so... cone, I think."  With smile and nod, the clerk slid a rack full of cones over to the tub where the deeply pink confection was held.  Taking a scoop with one hoof out of the warm water, she dexterously deposited the ice cream into the crispy waffle, before pulling it out with a practiced gesture and hoofing it into the grip of Sky's wing.  

"And for the lady?"  She asked, her eyes alighting on Wind Dancer.

 

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

 

"Huh, I never really thought about milk being a commodity for the ground, but I suppose it that getting it up to Cloudsdale would be hard considering there aren't any cows up there. They can't walk on clouds and even if they could, not sure what they would eat," Wind Dancer acknowledged as Sky mentioned that milk was expensive in Cloudsdale. He said that ice was practically free though, and their snow cones were made with real snow. "Sounds like you would love Ice Storm's parlor then inside her casino. She herself is a powerful Ice mage and she turns water into snow before she puts it into her cones. And she only uses fruit juices to flavor. None of that natural flavors that are close type thing. Another thing I like about this place as well," she said as they made their way up to the counter and the clerk greeted them. Sky ordered one of their Strawberry Avalanches, which was a good pick. That wasn't saying much though because there really wasn't a bad pick from this place.

 

She herself also liked the aesthetics here. Just like at the buffet it was obvious that this store was catering to more of the family market than the tourist market. Natrually they'd serve any customer that came up, family or tourist because bits were bits, but it was just homier. When she made her way up to the counter and the clerk looked at her she could see the same look in her eyes as they connected who she was, but she still maintained her composure asking what she was wanting. "I'll take one of your Triple Chocolate Delights please," she smiled.

 

"Sure thing!" the clerk pony smiled as she dipped her a scoop as well. "I'm presuming you'll take a cone as well?" the clerk asked electing a nod from Wind Dancer. Once on the cone she carefully gripped it in her own wing before paying them for the ice cream and then heading back onto the street.

 

"Well, shall we continue the trek back up Maremont and then back down to the strip? By the time we get back to the Mareage it won't be too terribly long before the concert," Windy asked Sky with a smile, more than willing to eat her ice cream on the way.

[Blueblood]

"I'll definitely have to give hers a try, then.  Most of what we got in Cloudsdale was syrup rather than juice; it travels better.  Though, I have to say, I was actually a little disappointed that real raspberries were not, in fact, electric blue."  Sky lowered his voice to a whisper.  "Don't tell her, but I kind of prefer that flavor to actual raspberries."  Blushing a bit at the shameful admission, he took a lick from his cone.  One look at his face revealed that for strawberries, at least, Sky Sailing was a convert to the natural flavor!

 

"Sure, let's go!"  He nodded.  One good thing about being a pegasus is that one could hold ice cream and walk at the same time.  Unicorns could too, though it was by no means as easy as it looked to carry and balance a cone in magic while walking.  A bit less awkward than earth ponies, at least.  The concert was still not until sunset, so the couple could afford to be leisurely in their pace.  While the sun still lit the sky, the air was just starting to cool from the 'siesta hour' as some from Mexicolt would say.  

"Better go around the fountains this time.  Don't want a sudden spray cause us to drop these!"  He laughed, humming a silly little tune as they went along.  

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

"I can understand why honestly. Blue raspberry is a lot sweeter than normal raspberries. They actual have kind of a bittersweet taste to them. Which is because they have so much sugar that their bitterness is amplified. Just like how eating an orange and then eating sometime sweet, the sweet taste sour. Same concept," Wind said in response to Sky saying that he actually preferred the blue raspberry flavor over that of real ones. "But I can definitely say you won't be disappointed with hers. They are quite delicious, and she makes all her ice creams the same way. Fun fact, in the stores that she personally runs herself, she doesn't have a single frozen ingredient in the shop. She makes everything from scratch right in front of the customer," she smiled. 

 

Wind grabbed her ice cream from the store and they made their way back outside. The temperature was already starting to drop a bit. One if the signature features of a dessert. Really hot doing the day, but that heat prevented cloud formation. That meant all of the heat dissipated at night. It wasn't night time yet, but you could already tell that the peak of the day had passed. She couldn't help but giggle a bit when Sky suggested walking around the fountains to avoid any surprises this time and to avoid dropping their ice cream. "That sounds like a great idea, even if the crowd enjoyed a quick impromptu dance. As least things are starting to cool off a bit," she smiled as the continued their walk, happily lapping at her ice cream along the way.