It was still raining hard when Stormflower's train reached the station. She got off and walked towards the ticket counter to buy another ticket for the later train. Edgar Cross got off too and walked by.

"It was really nice meeting you, Ms. Stormflower," he said. "Where are you off to from here?"

"I'm going to visit my little sister. I haven't seen her in a while," Stormflower replied.

"Cherish your loved ones, dearie. Because sometimes they can just disappear."

Stormflower nodded and Edgar Cross disappeared into the waterlogged town.

She bought a ticket for the three o'clock train and found an empty seat on the platform. She pulled out a piece of candy from her bag and began munching on it when an orange stallion walked up to her.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" he asked.

"Not at all," Stormflower replied. She scooted a little bit to the left and the stallion sat down at the right end of the bench.

"It's...Stormflower isn't it? The author of 1001 Ways to Keep Your Plants from Dying?"

"Yes. That's me."

"I've never read your books before. My sister's the one with the green hoof in the family."

Stormflower chuckled and finished eating her piece of candy.

"So what type of work do you do?" asked Stormflower. Her eyes trailed down to his cutie mark, which was that of an open book, and then back to her own, which was that of a flower surrounded by thunderclouds.

"I don't have a job at the moment. I just read...a lot."

"Ever considered becoming an author?"

"Nah. I can't write for shit...oh...pardon the language."

"I don't mind."

"Huh. I do wish to become a teacher one day."

"Well why don't you try to become one right now?"

"I'm horrible with foals. Every foal I've come across either attacks or insults me."

"Maybe you need to practice being around foals more often."

"Maybe. My name's Joan by the way. Joan Silver."

"Nice to meet you, Joan Silver."

"So. Where are you off to now?"

"I'm going to visit my little sister."

"Oh. Where does she live?"

"Now why should I tell you that, Mr. Silver? I've only just met you."

"True. Can I at least know her name?"

"Her name's Rainbow Dash."

"Hmm...Rainbow Dash. That name certainly does sound familiar."

"Yeah. So where are you off to?"

"I'm traveling to the town of Ponyville to meet up with an old friend of mine."

"Huh. That's funny."

"Why is it funny?"

"Oh...uh...no reason."

"That's where Rainbow Dash lives, isn't it?"

"Yeah...maybe."

The two ponies laughed and leaned back in their seats.

"Are you going to be busy during your time in Ponyville?" Joan asked.

"Possibly. I'm not sure about what kind of schedule my sister has planned for me," Stormflower replied.

"Well, when you've found some free time, why don't you look me up? I'll be staying in the Hay and Stay Hotel."

"Hmm, tempting. I'll have to think about it."

"You do that. Well have a nice day, Ms. Stormflower. I'm going to go and get something to eat before the train gets here."

The orange pony stood up, bowed to Stormflower with a smirk, and walked away. Stormflower smiled and sat back in her seat. She then closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Yes, the future seemed very bright.