“Well, something’s got you in a good mood today, Yang,” Gilda noted as we started getting ready for Monday. “Mind telling me?”

“I went on a date with Shamrock yesterday,” I happily told her as I started setting chairs down at their tables. “And it was great. He’s a gentleman through and through, lets me use his wing as a blanket on demand, and he seems to really like me for who I am, even without my fame.”

“I bet he likes you for your fame, too.”

“Name someone who wouldn’t.”

“. . . Eh, fair point.”

A moment later, there were some knocks on the front door. “I got it, Gilda.” I was humming a happy little tune as I made my way to the door. “I’m sorry, but we’re not-” I stopped and smiled when I saw who was there. “Hey, Shamrock. What’s up?”

“I just thought I’d come by and see how you were doing after yesterday’s. . . Confusing events,” he said.

“I’m doing well. Worked a few things out last night regarding us.” I opted not to tell him that I had some help from Luna with the issues, even if she was mostly just there for me to talk at instead of with. “You?”

Shamrock got a sheepish expression and rubbed the back of his head a bit. “I thought about us, too. And I think we might have gone a bit too fast yesterday. Just, straight to a formal restaurant like that, you know?”

I thought about what he said for a bit, and realized I hadn’t considered that part very much. Why we didn’t do something more normal first, like a simple trip to Sugarcube Corner, escaped me. “Yeah, I may have gotten a bit ahead of myself on that choice. It turned out well, but now that you mention it, it was a bit fast.”

“Maybe we could do something simpler this week? Like going for a walk?”

“We could.” I spared a moment to look back, and saw Gilda close to having all the chairs down. “As much as I’d like to talk more, I really need to get busy over here. Feel free to come by for a bite. Goodbye.”

“For now.”

As I closed the door and went back in, I couldn’t help but immediately start reevaluating the relationship again. “He’s nice, but he’s older. Older enough that it’s weird. I mean, mentally, we’re the sameish age, but. . . Nope, none of that right now. Carne Den comes first.”

Business, just like the food that was being made nigh constantly, was very good. Rarely was there a full minute of quiet in the kitchen. The best part though, was that I was back to my normal level of focus on the job. Even when Shamrock crossed my mind, it wasn't for long.

Nothing interesting happened until I was relaxing in the break room with a well done steak and garlic mashed potatoes for supper when Cloverleaf came in. "Letter for you, Yang."

"Hm?" I set my utensils down and accepted the letter. As he left to go back to the dining area, I briefly looked the envelope over, blank save for my name on the front. I opened it and read the message within.

My dear Yang Xiao Long,

I hate to tell you this, but I'm afraid I have to leave Ponyville for a while. Not because of any laws or summons, but the realization that, in my excitement and haste to be with you, I haven't bothered to spend time with my family back in the Griffon Empire, especially now that I'm free from Gaston's iron rule.

I will be sure to tell my family about you when I see them. They are going to love you and what you did for the Empire, I just know it. Since I'm planning on being with them at least until winter, there will be plenty of time to tell the few stories I have.

I enjoyed every bit of time we spent together, make no mistake. Even the awkward talk on the train. I only wish I could have told you about my departure personally, since I've spent too much time thinking about what to say instead of just asking to talk with you. Chances are that I'm already on the train out of Ponyville by the time you read this.

Maybe when I get back, we can go on that walk.

Sincerely, Shamrock Blackbeak.

I set the letter aside and took a slow breath to calm myself. "That idiot. He could have just gotten a ticket for any trip out that he wanted. I'd have even helped him out. All he would have had to do was ask.

"Then again, we've been busy today, and a long goodbye would have slowed down everything. Maybe it's better that way." I cut off a piece of steak, scooped up some of the mashed potatoes, and chewed on it and my thoughts for a bit. "I guess it's back to normal, then. Tonight, Path of Blossoms."

I was wearing the kimono and laying down on my bed after work, finally having a chance to work through the feelings I had over Shamrock's sudden departure, the letter setting on my nightstand. Mixed in with the pain from learning he was leaving via letter, there was simple sadness that he was gone, and also an odd bit of relief that he was gone. "Well, if nothing else, I'm comfy and things are peaceful."

Out in Ghastly Gorge, deep beneath the ground, something started moving. Rocks started falling as the ground softly shook. Purple sludge started seeping towards the surface, foul and noxious. The quarry eels retreated further into their holes, digging further away to escape what was coming.

In the silence that fell as the wildlife left, the gorge truly became ghastly. Only the occasional falling rock broke the silence, a silence that warned of something dangerous.

Author's Notes:

Things are getting back towards normal now, and something big looms not on the horizon, but under the ground.