[Moth] Gypsy's Song - 2.2

>Actias decided that speaking with Bell for a little while would be a good idea.
>She glanced back to the tents briefly, looking for any sign of Acteus being awake, despite him literally just entering his tent.
>The obnoxiously loud snores from his tent gave her the go ahead.
>Bell sat by the wood and rocks, still striking his stones together, trying to get the fire to spark.
>Actias sat down beside him and watched as he caught a spark onto the wood.
>It began to smolder and glow.
>The stallion leaned toward the smoking wood and blew gently on it, causing it to glow brighter and ignite.
>"Got it."
>He sat back to admire his work, completely unaware of Actias's presence.
"Excellent work."
>Bell sucked wind, expertly suppressing a girlish yelp as Actias caught him by surprise.
"Startled?"
>"Not at all."
>In the brief silence, Actias could hear Bell's heart thudding heavily in his chest.
"Oh, just as expected from such a brave pony."
>She giggled teasingly as he frowned.
>"It's rarely a good thing to let your guard down."
"Hmm, yes. I suppose it would."
>Actias looked up at the fire with a sigh.
"Are you sure you are okay with sleeping out here?"
>"Yeah, why?"
>She shrugged shortly, shaking her head with a slight frown.
"I want to make sure you are comfortable. I have already interfered with your routine as it is."
>"Are you asking me to sleep with you?"
>Actias raised her brow for a second, but quickly furrowed it and shook her head in disgust.
"Absolutely not! Do you take me for some mare of the night?"
>"I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry, I just kind of... I dunno, you seem lonely."
>He rubbed the back of his head before gliding his hoof over his cheek.
>"I've been friends with your brother for a while. I trust him, and he trusts me. Out of respect for him, I wouldn't do anything undue to you."
>They sat quietly for a little while, watching the flames dance before them.

"You are right."
>"About what?"
"Being lonely. I grew up in Treble Town. I have lived there my entire life. Ponies I have known for years have come and gone, and I have always been afraid that, in the end, it would just be me."
>She took a deep breath and sighed, the flames cowering at her breath.
"I had a friend. A very, very good friend. He allowed me to stay with him, and even gave me his home. We never had a... romantic relationship. We were strictly platonic."
>She smiled as she imagined that tall, bipedal creature.
"He was good to me. He taught me about music, and he taught me to sing. I suppose he saw a raw talent in me that I never knew was there."
>"What happened to him?"
"He met an old friend in Canterlot, shortly after we finished our assignments from the Musician's Guild. They... left together. He left me everything he had in Treble Town."
>"That's a shame."
"He meant the world to me, and I do not know where he has gone."
>A tear started to roll down her cheek, but was caught by Bell's hoof.
>Actias looked up at him with a faint smile.
>He wrinkled his nose at her and turned away.
>"Well, maybe some day you'll find someone to replace him."
"He is irreplaceable. However, I do hope that I will find someone to be alone with, together."
>"You'll find someone. You're famous, right? Gotta have a lot of fans, especially males, that would kill to be with you."
"I would not want someone that only wants me for my fame. It is quite difficult going out in public when everyone knows your name."
>"I wouldn't know."
>Actias gave an elated chuckle.
"You said gypsies were celebrities amongst the caravans."
>"Something I avoid with due diligence."
"For what purpose?"
>"Lady, I haven't even told Acteus."
"Very well. Perhaps in due time?"
>"Doubt it."
>They fell silent once more.

>A cool night breeze blew over the field, tearing at the flames before them.
>Bell shivered as he blocked the wind from Actias.
>She smiled and scooted closer to him.
"It is a tad chilly out. Are you sure you will be okay out here?"
>The stallion hesitated to answer.
>"You're very persistent."
"I wish to make sure my brother's friend is not inconvenienced."
>"You come off as very promiscuous. Sorry if I'm hesitant to oblige."
"I can assure you, promiscuous I am not. Cold is cold, and the warm embrace of another is always a pleasure, be it friend or lover."
>"Strictly platonic."
"Strictly. After all, we hardly know one another. And if you respect my brother as you say you do, then I trust you to not try anything."
>"I'm more worried about you trying something."
"Only with a lover that I trust with all my heart. And, though I trust you on principle of being my brother's friend, you are not my lover."
>Bell sighed softly as he looked over the flames.
>"I'm sorry, I don't think we should."
"Very chivalrous. I admire that."
>Actias stood and started to walk over to her tent.
>"Are you going to sleep?"
"Not yet."
>"Done talking to me?"
"Mhm."
>Bell sighed as she entered the tent.
>He took a stray stick up and started poking at the fire until it began to die down.
>Left with only the stars in the sky as his light, he laid down upon the grass and looked up.
>Not at the stars, but at Actias's face.
>He nearly jumped out of his skin, and, once again, sucked air to suppress his girlish squeal.
>"You should walk heavier. You might kill someone, being so light-hoofed."
>She just smiled and scooted the bed roll beside him.
>"Oh, you really are done talking to me."
>Actias shrugged, laid down on her side, and covered herself with the bed roll's blanket.
"I will be right here if you change your mind."

>Bell smiled uncomfortably, but nodded in agreement.
>"O-okay."
>Actias lifted to blanket and held her hoof out so he could climb into her embrace.
>Bell rolled over to face away from her and scooted backwards into her arms.
>She covered the both of them and snuggled into his back as she hugged him close.
"There is no need to be scared, Bell. I will not bite."
>He held one of her hooves with his own and just stared at it, a little bit of fear and adrenaline coursing through him.
>"Yeah... You're right."
>He hugged her hoof to his chest and closed his eyes.
>She smiled into the back of his neck fluff.
>Neither of them knew they were being watched.
>Two blue-green eyes, accented by a wide smile, gazed at them from afar.
>Acteus chuckled softly and lowered the flap of his tent.
>"About time someone started breaking that grump out of his shell."