I handed the pony his carrots. He shot me a smile and headed on his way. I took my newly-received bits and placed them behind the stand with the others. I eyeballed the sizeable pile of coins behind the counter and grinned. It was only mid-morning, and I was already raking in a formidable profit. Today was already going great.

Suddenly, my ear twitched. I scanned the crowd of ponies for a familiar ruby-red mane, but I came up empty. Rose hadn't come in to work this morning, and it was starting to worry me. Sure, chances were that she was just too lazy to get out of bed this morning—Celestia knew I was guilty of doing that as well—but it just didn't sit right with me. It wasn't like Rose to skip work. Sure, if you were running your own business, you were entitled to a few personal days, but Rose wouldn't want to disappoint her regulars by not informing them in advance.

With a discontented sigh I plodded over to her stand and flipped the 'closed' sign over to 'open'. Rose had run my stand in my absence more times than I could count, so it was only fair that I returned the favor. It really wasn't much trouble—I knew her prices by heart—two bits per flower, and twenty for a bouquet of twelve. She was far too generous.

Once ponies began to notice her stand was open, they gradually flocked over one by one. All of the sales went the same way: they told me what they wanted, they paid, and I gave them the flowers. They always tried to make small talk, and I tried my best to keep up with the conversation, but my mind was elsewhere.

I was deep in thought when another pony approached. "Hello. Can I get a bouquet of orchids, please?"

My head jerked up at the sound of a familiar voice. "Written Script? What are you doing here?"

He seemed just as surprised as I did. "I could ask you the same question," he said with a laugh. "You run the carrot stand and the flower stand?"

"Nah, the flower stand is Roseluck's. I'm just running it for her while she's out."

His eye twitched slightly at the mention of her name. "So are we still on for tonight?" he asked, quickly changing the subject.

"Of course. Ten o'clock tonight at The Salt Lick, right?" I asked as I searched for his requested flowers.

"Yep."

"That'll be twenty bits," I said, handing over the flowers.

He placed the bits on the counter and took the bouquet into his mouth. With a wave of his hoof, he turned around to leave.

"Who are you getting those flowers for anyway?" I asked.

He shot me a smirk and continued on his way, leaving me answerless behind him. Was he seeing a different mare? I could've sworn that he was hitting on me last night, but maybe he really did only want to go out for a drink to catch up. I wasn't really sure.

The thought made me sad.

Either way, I was still looking forward to seeing him tonight. Plus, I had never been to The Salt Lick before, but I had read some pretty good reviews about it. Still, I was a little nervous. I wasn't a prude; I've had alcohol before. But the last time I had something to drink, it didn't exactly end well.

Just then, a baggy-eyed Rose came trotting down the road. I waved her over, and her expression visibly relaxed when she realized her stand was not unattended.

"Hey, you alright?" I asked.

She sighed. "Yeah, I just overslept is all."

I cocked my eyebrow at her, but didn't press the issue any further. She would bring it up again when she was good and ready.

"Thanks for watching over everything for me," she added.

"Not a problem," I said with a devious smirk, "my standard fee is thirty bits an hour, but for you, I can lower it to twenty-five."

She rolled her eyes. "Ha-ha, very funny. By the way, who was that stallion that was just here?"

"Oh, you mean Written Script? We're going out to get drinks later."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Why in Equestria would you want to go out with him?!"

I blinked twice in surprise. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"What do you mean, what do I mean? He's a total jerk!"

"No he's not! He is a very nice stallion."

She scowled. "He is the reason I was late today. I was rushing to get here when he bumped into me and 'accidentally' spilled his cider all over my mane! And he had the nerve to blame me for it! I had to go home and shower all over again, without so much as an apology!"

"Honestly, if you were in a rush, it sounds like you ran into him," I said, meaning every word of it. "What gives you the right to go around judging ponies all willy-nilly like that? He's a nice stallion."

"Are you siding with somepony that you just met over your best friend!?"

A cool breeze blew through the streets, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Yes."

For a moment, the silence reigned. Neither of us said anything.

"Carrot, I think that you should cancel your date with Written Script tonight. He is not a good pony."

I got up close and personal, my face inches from hers. "Who do you think you are? My mother? I'm a grown mare, Rose! If I want to go out for drinks with somepony, then I sure as hay will!"

Our yelling was attracting a crowd, but I didn't care. I was angry.

Her eye twitched and she pressed muzzle up against mine. "Fine! But don't come crying to me when you go and get your heart broken!"

I glared at her for another moment, then stormed off. I had better things to do than to sit there and be reprimanded like a teenage mare who had stayed out past curfew. I didn't know where I was going, but it didn't matter. As long as I was as far away from here as possible.

---

"Oh, yes," I moaned, "that feels so… good…"

Rarity grinned devilishly. "I knew you would enjoy yourself, Carrot Top. How about you, Fluttershy? Are you having fun?"

"O-Oh yes, R-Rarity… this… this is fantastic," she responded between gasps of pleasure.

I couldn't disagree with her. I didn't think that I had ever experienced anything quite so… exquisite before.

Rarity giggled. "Well I'm glad that you're both enjoy the spa. Aloe and Lotus are master masseuses, after all."

I couldn't help but let out another grunt as the mare—Aloe, I recalled—kneaded my back, working out any tightness with her advanced ministrations. I had never thought to go to the spa before, and now I was regretting not trying it sooner. Fluttershy said it perfectly; this was fantastic.

I sighed when I felt Aloe's expert hooves leave my back. "Would you three like some time in the mud baths?" she asked.

I pulled myself onto my feet and looked at Rarity expectantly.

"Of course, Aloe," Rarity said.

Aloe smiled. "Right this way, then." She led us down and around several different hallways, promptly stopping at a door appropriately labeled 'Mud Baths'. She left us to our own devices, heading back down the hall to tend to other customers.

After taking one look at the huge vats of brown sludge, I was immediately skeptical. I can do a massage, but purposely getting myself all muddy? That was a whole different ball game.

After watching both Rarity and Fluttershy slide into the pool, I quickly followed. The last thing I wanted was for either of them to think that I wasn't enjoying myself. The whole trip had already been much more fun than I could have imagined. And admittedly, it was a nice distraction from my fight with Rose earlier.

"Golden Harvest, darling, pray tell—what was that whole spectacle this morning about?"

"You can call me Carrot Top, Rarity. We're all friends here."

"Of course, of course, Golden," she said, completely ignoring me. "But I couldn't help but hear the commotion from all the way down by my boutique. What was going on?"

I sighed. From what I could tell, Rarity was quite the gossip hound. Not that I could blame her for wanting to know what was going on; I did make a pretty big scene of everything.

"Um, I'd also like to know…" Fluttershy added.

My ears splayed. "Well… at Pinkie's party the other day, I met a stallion," I said with a blush. It felt weird to be telling this to ponies that I wasn't all that close with. "This morning, I told Roseluck about it—"

"—and she got angry, said you shouldn't see him, and told you off?"

My eyes widened in surprise. Leave it to Rarity to dive straight into the heart of a matter with all the subtlety of a freight train.

"Oh, that is awful," Fluttershy murmured.

"Who is the stallion?" Rarity asked.

"Written Script," I answered immediately.

She stared at me contemplatively for a moment, then nodded in approval. "So why did Roseluck say she didn't like him?"

"She said, and I quote, 'Everypony in town knows he's a total jerk!' I just don't get why she was so against him. I mean, we're not even dating or anything! He just asked if I wanted to get drinks and catch up, nothing else. It's almost like she's jealous of him or something."

Rarity shot me a hollow smile. "Darling, I think that's precisely the problem."

"What do you mean? I don't see how that is a problem. Just because I'm interested in a stallion doesn't mean that she can't still be my friend."

"That is something she needs to explain to you on her own."

After giving her a confused look, I sighed. Sinking deeper into the mud, I muttered, "These last few days have been so ridiculous."

"Sorry again about your carrots, Carrot Top. I just don't know what got over Angel…" Fluttershy said.

"It's fine, Fluttershy. But I am curious—how did Angel manage to get away from your cottage in the first place?"

Rarity and Fluttershy shared a knowing look. After what could only be described as a telepathic conversation, Fluttershy said, "Well, it's kind of a long story…"

"And we would hate to bother you with our problems…" Rarity muttered.

"And it's really not our story to tell…" Fluttershy trailed off.

Wow. That was weird.

Shrugging, I said, "It's all good."

"So where are you going with Written Script tonight?" Rarity asked, changing the subject.

I smiled. "We're going to The Salt Lick. I've never been there, but I've heard it's good."

"Oh, yes, it's very lovely there," Fluttershy said. "The bartenders are very nice."

Rarity and I froze. Just how often did Fluttershy go to this bar? I never would have expected Fluttershy of all ponies to be a clubbing enthusiast. She didn't seem like a party animal.

Fluttershy, realizing what she'd just admitted to, promptly clamped a hoof over her mouth. Her face was bright red.

Rarity gaped at her. "Fluttershy! I never would have pegged you as a bar mare."

Fluttershy's blush deepened and she let out a fleeting "Eep!"

I laughed. "It's always the quiet ones."

---

I stared at the mirror. A mess of fur stared right back at me. I glanced up at the clock. It was half past nine. Only another half hour until I needed to be at The Salt Lick. With Written Script. And alcohol.

Sweet Celestia, what in Equestria was I thinking?

I frantically paced around my house, willing the time to pass more quickly. The longer I was stuck in my home waiting, the higher my chances of having a heart attack in nervous anticipation were.

I glanced up at the clock one last time. Seven seconds had passed since the last time I had checked it. My heart started beating faster.

He wouldn't mind if I got there a few minutes early, right?

---

After a bit of walking, I reached The Salt Lick. Suffice to say, it was definitely not what I was expecting. The place had neon lights strewn about and blaring music that could be heard from several blocks away. I could barely even hear myself think. Of course, that wasn't an issue because I rarely think before I do things.

Like when I agreed to come here, for example.

I couldn't dance for the life of me. And we were going to a club. Where there would be dancing. Which I cannot do.

I knew it was a stupid thing to get worked up over, but my dancing was completely and utterly atrocious. I'm just as bad as Twilight Sparkle. Maybe even worse. Sure, when it comes to plain old parties, I can bob my head in tune with the music just fine, but when there is actual dancing going on…

I was so engrossed in my own concerns that I didn't even notice Written Script approaching. He levitated a very familiar looking bouquet of orchids in front of my face.

"W-What are these for?" I asked.

"You."

The gears in my head started turning.

So he was getting the flowers for me this morning? Wow. I guess I am pretty oblivious. Roseluck was right.

I flinched at the thought of the flower pony. I didn't know why I was I freaking out so much about this. Given how she was behaving earlier, she didn't care much about me, so why should I care about her?

Resolving not to let our stupid little argument ruin my night, I took the flowers into my mouth. Pulling the door open with his magic, Written gestured for me to enter first. With a smile, I walked inside.

Immediately after entering the establishment, I felt self-conscious. Carrying flowers around a club wasn't exactly the easiest way to fit in. It was a nice of Written to get them for me, but it was going to be difficult keeping track of them all night.

Written led both of us over to the bar. After saying something to the bartender that I couldn't make sense of, he turned to me. "This… definitely isn't what I was expecting," he half-shouted, trying to be heard over the music.

"I know, right!"

"What?" he yelled.

"I said I know, right!"

He nodded. "Yeah, it is going to be a fun night!"

I nearly facehooved. I was about to try correcting him again when the bartender slid two drinks down the counter to us. One looked like plain old draft, while the other had a bright orange tint to it. Written grabbed the former, so I was left with the orange one. After eyeing it curiously, I took a hesitant sip. If the explosion of flavor that erupted on my taste buds was anything to go by, then the drink was amazing. The taste was indescribable, yet familiar.

Figuring hoof gestures would be better than trying to communicate verbally, I poked one hoof at the drink and shot him an inquisitive look.

"Carrot Cake Martini," he yelled back.

Nodding in understanding, I took another sip. My attention drifted to the bouquet of orchids sitting on the counter beside me. Orchids were my favorite type of flowers; it was very nice of Written to get this specific kind just for me. Suddenly, a random thought popped into my head. "Hey, Written, why did you get me orchids?"

"I thought they were your favorite type of flowers."

"How… how did you know?"

He shot me another one of his knowing smirks. My ears splayed. It was a tad strange that he knew my favorite type of flowers without me telling him. It was almost as weird as how he knew my name…

Suddenly, the dots connected in my mind—I had probably just mentioned it offhandedly back in Trottingham when we were younger. That would explain everything.

Written turned to me and smiled. His next three words made me shudder: "You wanna dance?"

I couldn't just say no. He was nice enough to get me flowers and a drink, so the least I could do was dance with him. With a fleeting sigh, I picked up my glass. Downing all of its contents in a matter of seconds, a devilish smile flashed across my face. "Let's do this!"

---

We left the bar and my false bravado was replaced by bashful self-consciousness. My dancing wasn't awful—it was downright terrible. I'm pretty sure that I gave a couple of ponies sprained ankles and maybe even a broken leg or two. The only reason I was aware of this was because several ponies complained to the owners; we got kicked out of the bar for 'disrupting the environment'.

Yes, that's right. My lack of dancing skills literally just got us kicked out of a bar.

Written Script said nothing. I couldn't blame him. I had no idea what I would've said to a me at that moment. Probably something stupid, if I was being honest with myself.

"You okay?" he asked.

I nodded. I didn't trust myself to speak.

"You sure?"

I sighed. "Actually… I think I'd like to go home now," I managed.

"As the lady wishes," he said with a generous bow.

I rolled my eyes and giggled. We headed down the road toward my house, a companionable silence falling over us. I looked up at the clock above town hall. It read exactly midnight. In a matter of two hours, I had successfully ruined not only my first date in months, but my chances of ever going out with Written again.

The latter saddened me more than the former.

Eventually, we reached my door step. I turned back to face Written, and he smiled at me. "I'm sorry," I muttered.

He shot me a confused look. "For what?"

"Don't you remember? I kinda-sorta just got us kicked out of a bar."

"I know! I had the time of my life!"

I let out an unladylike snort. He had the time of his life? Yeah right. "I wouldn't blame you if you never wanted to see me again after that train wreck."

"Actually, I was going to ask if you wanted to go out again sometime."

I was confused. "You're asking me out again? After everything that just happened?"

"Of course. Honest to goodness, I don't think I've ever had so much fun in my life. Those ponies had no idea what hit 'em."

I laughed sheepishly.

"Does a walk in the park tomorrow sound good to you?"

"As long as there is no dancing involved," I said.

He chuckled lightly. "I promise that there will be no more dancing from here on out."

Neither of us said anything. He got down on one knee and took my hoof into his. He kissed it, and my heart soared. "Goodnight, milady."

I might have said something in response, but I don't remember what it was. And quite frankly, I didn't care even then. Somehow I ended up back in my house, sitting on the couch.

I stared at the bouquet of orchids resting in my hooves. Written was the perfect gentlecolt. Everything he did was extremely chivalrous and sincere. His whole 'perfect stallion' act was both endearing and adorable.

I had yet to see him do a single thing wrong. He was, in every way, perfect.

The more I thought about him, the more I was becoming had a quirk. I didn't know what his was, but I was worried for the day that I found out. Unless he really didn't have any.

That worried me even more. If he was so perfect, what was stopping him from finding somepony better than me?

With a heavy heart, I pulled myself up off my sofa and up to bed. That night, I dreamed of quills, scrolls, and a certain brown-maned stallion.