[Moth] Gypsy's Song - 2.3

>Actias awoke, just after the crack of dawn.
>She was mildly surprised to find Bell still laying with her.
>Still holding her hoof, he now faced her, stroking her hoof with his own.
"Lost in your thoughts?"
>Bell just idly shook his head as he stopped dragging his hoof over hers.
>"A bit, yeah."
>He let go of her hoof and rolled out from under the blanket.
>"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
"You did not. I quite enjoyed it."
>Bell smiled and nodded before walking away.
>Actias watched until he started breaking her tent down.
>She sighed and folded her blanket and rolled the bed roll back up.
>Acteus's tent collapsed from within as she walked by.
>He crawled out from beneath the cloth and started to fold it while humming to himself.
>"Morning, sis! Sleep well?"
"Yes. And yourself?"
>"Like a baby! How about Bell? Did he sleep okay?"
"I believe he did."
>"I'd hope so. I've never seen him let anyone sleep anywhere near him."
"Hm?"
>"I don't know why, it's just how he's always been. Any time there's more than just the two of us, he'll go sleep out under the stars. Dunno why."
"That is peculiar. How long have you two known each other?"
>"When did I leave Treble Town? I joined his caravan, but we ended up splitting from them not even a week later. I don't think the two of us have ever been that far apart since then."
"Never out of each other's sight?"
>"Nope. Got each other's backs. You know... I don't think he's ever actually run off to be with anyone..."
"You are his only friend?"
>"I... I don't know. That's a good question! Hey Bell!"
>"What?"
>"How many friends do you have?"
>"One."
>"Is it me?"
>"... Yes."
>Acteus turned to his sister and smiled.
>"It's me."
>Actias looked past her brother to watch Bell fold the tent cloth up.
>Bell seemed to be such a sweet and gentle stallion, despite his... rough exterior and disposition.
>He came off as quite the lady killer during their first meeting.

>Though, last night, he seemed a bit... shy and reserved.
>She tilted her head in thought.
>"Something on your mind?"
"No, not really. We will be ready to depart soon, yes?"
>"Yup! Just gotta get the tents folded and throw in the cart."
"Excellent."
>She carried her bed roll to the cart and tied it to the side.
>Bell trotted past her with the second tent's cloth and metal sticks.
>"Go ahead and climb in. We'll just be a minute."
"Bell, wait."
>He stopped as soon as he turned from her and sighed.
"Did I... overstep, last night?"
>"No."
"Acteus said he had never seen you with another pony before."
>Bell grumbled to himself.
>"Please, don't worry about it. You're fine, I enjoyed last night. It was-"
>Acteus threw all of his things into the cart and yelled abruptly.
>"Okay, let's go!"
>Bell and Actias stared at him for a moment as he smiled and started hitching himself into the cart.
>"Sorry, Actias. There are things I haven't told anyone. Acteus is... extremely perceptive, despite his carefree demeanor."
"I will leave it alone, I guess."
>"Thank you. Maybe some day."
"Maybe."
>Actias climbed into the cart as Bell hitched himself in.
>It started to move as the two ponies pulled it toward Ponyville.
>"Hey, Actias! You should sing a song to pass the time!"
"Do you have a song in mind?"
>"Hmmm. Bell?"
>"Not a one."
>"You don't know any gypsie songs?"
>"I do, but I don't think your sister would know any of them. Besides, we need instruments for those."
"How about I just save my voice for the celebration?"
>"Aw... okay."
>Acteus fell silent and started to look around at the fields they passed.

>They reached the outskirts of Ponyville right around noon.
>From where they stopped, they had a clear view of the central market square.
>It still bustled with the mid-day crowd.
>"Well, we made good time. Did you want to look around, Actias?"
"Yes, actually. We can stay here over night, leave early in the morning, and head to our next destination, right?"
>"Right. We have about four hours until sun-down. So, where do you want to go first?"