Handyman in Equestria CH 7

>Luna trots to your side as the two of you make your way out of the garden and into the city streets.
>It was a bit of a walk to the amphitheater, but at least you had some interesting company.
>Once again, you take in the charm of the night sky.
>The moon is exceptionally beautiful tonight, large and bright.
“You do good work, Luna.”
>Your gaze is fixed at the sky.  She looks to the moon and blushes at the compliment.
>”Thank you, Anon.  I take a great deal of pride in my night.  Only right it fit such an occasion.”
>She must have been more stoked for the concert than you thought.
“Well, it'll go well with the concert, for sure.”
>”Right...  The concert.  I've been excited, to say the least.”
>Seems the blush is getting a little more noticeable.
“Yeah.  Me, too.  Let's just try to avoid any more meteor showers though, alright?”
>A sly wink is sent her way, but goes unnoticed as Luna winces at the comment.
>The pace slows for a second.
>”About that, Anon...”
>...Did you just goof?
>”I wanted to apologize for my conduct the other night.  It's not like me to be so cavalier with somep0ny.”
>You cock an eyebrow at this development, recalling the light gags she pulled on you in the garden when you met her.
>”It's not often I get company during my normal duties.  I may have been... a bit enthusiastic...”
>That's putting it mildly, darlin'.
“No worries, Luna.  Work had been getting to me, too.  It's all good.”
>You plop a hand on the back of her neck briefly, sensing a slight jerk from your date.
>She soon relaxes, returning to her original pace.
>Her face starts to glow with a wide smile, her eyes large and directed right at you.
>”Thank you, Anon.”
>Man this mare was something.  She definitely had something to her these other ponies didn't.
>Still, best not to get ahead of yourself.  It was just a concert after all.
>By now, the two of you have reached the city circle.
>You were making great time.  At this rate, you would get to the amphitheater with plenty of time to spare.
>A detour wouldn't be uncalled for.
“Hey, Luna.  Wanna stop somewhere for a drink?  We got plenty of time before the show starts.”
>Luna looks up to you quizzically before a slight grin appears.
>”I'd like that, Anon.  What did you have in mind?”
“I know this tavern close by.  Let's grab a quick drink until it gets closer to show time.”
>”Lead the way, Anon.”

>It takes no time at all before the two of you are in front of Barley's tavern.
>You open the door and wave Luna in, like the gentleman you were, following in tow.
>Seems the place is a little slower than usual.  Probably because of the show.
>Barley takes quick notice of his high profile customer, taking on a shocked expression.
>”G-good evening your Highness.  Welcome.  Is there anything I can...”
>Seems he finally notices you, too.  You'd be hurt if you weren't walking in with royalty.
“Luna, this is Barley.  Best bartender in the city.”
>Barley's gaze is now one of absolute shock.  He darts back and forth between the two of you as you take your seats at the bar.
>”It's nice to meet you, Mr. Barley.”
>”L-likewise...”
“So how's things?”
>It takes a second before he calms down enough to respond.
>”Fine...  Uhh.  What can I get you?”
“I'll take a mug of cider.”
>”Do you have a wine list?”
>Barley ducks under the counter for a second before producing a modest list of reds and whites.
>Luna ponders over the menu before a spark comes to her eye.
>”May I have a a glass of the Chateaus Warmblood, please?”
>You double take.  Did this mare just order the most expensive wine in the tavern on you?
>Good job taking those extra bits, you suppose.
>”Of course.  Right away, your majesty.”
>Barley scampers off to fill the order.  Luna turns her attention back to you.
>”Please excuse me, Anon.  I need to use the little filly's room.
>Luna hops from the chair and makes her way to the back of the tavern, drawing the attention of every pony in the joint.
>Once she's inside, dozens of eyeballs shift over to you.
>Maybe you hadn't thought this out all the way...
>Barley is back almost immediately, sliding a mug your way and placing the wine glass in front of Luna's chair.
>”Uhh... Anon?”
“Restroom.”
>”That's not what I'm talking about.
>Of course, you knew that, but you really weren't looking forward to the third degree.
>”What are you doing bringing Princess Luna into my tavern?”
>You look at him with an eyebrow raised, pulling a cigarette out and lighting it on the nearby lamp.
“What's the problem?  We're just grabbing a drink before that concert tonight.”
>Barley's jaw almost hits the counter top.
>”You're going on a date with Princess Luna?”
“Not so loud, asshole!”
>You case the tavern, trying to gauge how many ponies heard Barley's outburst.
>”Starswirl's beard, Anon.  How the hell did you manage this?”
“Carefully, so stop spazzing on me, will ya?”
>Barley absorbs the situation as a shit eating grin comes across his face.
>”Glad to see you're starting to listen to me, kid.”
“Fuck you Barley”
>You take a hearty swill, shaking off the comment.
>Luna reemerges from the restroom and rejoins you at the bar.
>”Please excuse me for making you wait.”
“Not at all.  Drink up.”
>The two of you smile warmly as you raise your glasses for a quick toast.  You notice Barley down the bar, still giving you that fucking grin...
>'I swear to god, Barley...'
>You take a long drag from your cigarette in attempts to unrustle your jimmies.
>”I wasn't aware you smoked, Anon.”
>The comment jostles you a little.
“Oh, my bad.  Old habits.”
>You motion to put the cigarette out.
>”It's not an issue, Anon.  I was simply making an observation.
>Pausing, you look back to Luna with a raised eyebrow.
>She takes another light sip, her large blue eyes staying stuck to you.
>They really were beautiful.
“Yeah...  Well the coffee in Equestria has never been to my liking, so these keep me going most of the time.”
>”Ah, I see.  I've never been a fan of coffee, myself.  It tends to keep me up into the daylight hours.”
>The irony of the comment is not lost on you, as you smile in response.
”So what's your drink of choice.”
>”I prefer wine above most options.  I find it compliments a quiet night quite well.”
>Well well well.  Seems Luna is a bit of a lush.  You wonder if she was a little better at holding hers than Dash.
>”And what of yourself, Anon.”
“I prefer whiskey.  Keeps me warm.”
>”Eugh...”
>You pause, looking at Luna with a puzzled look.
“Not a fan?”
>Luna winces a little.
>”It brings back... unfortunate memories from fillyhood.
>A wry smile comes across your face.
“Care to explain?”
>”Not a chance, Anonymous.”
“You're no fun...”
>She chuckles as she blushes slightly.
>”Let's just say I'll be sticking to wine.”
>She takes another sip.
“Fair enough.”
>You take a glance at the clock.  Seems like it was getting to be around that time.
“Hey, we better get moving.  You ready?”
>She nods before finishing her glass.
>You take the mug and finish the contents, waving Barley over for the check.
>”Please feel free to charge the castle, Mr. Barley.”
>Oh, fuck that.  Not on your watch.”
“I got it Luna.”
>She turns to your with a surprised look.
>”Anon, you don't have to...”
“The lady never pays.  I got it.  What do I owe you, Barley.”
>Barley smiles cheerily.
>”On the house, kid.  It was a pleasure serving you, Highness.”
“You sure?”
>Barley shoots you a wink.
>This fucking guy... You love this guy!
>“You two enjoy your evening.  Feel free to stop in any time.”
>”Thank you, Mr. Barley.  I will be sure to do so.  Shall we be off, Anon?”
“Sure.  Thanks again, Barley.”
>Barley waves a hoof in the air as the two of you take your leave.
>The night air meets your face as you direct Luna back to the amphitheater.
>”That was lovely, Anon.  Thank you for the suggestion.  It's not often I get to frequent such an establishment.”
“No problem.  Let me know if you ever feel like stopping in.”
>”Very well.”
>She smiles heartily before blushing again.
>”And... Please don't hesitate to come to the castle if you wish to sample our stock.  We have an impressive selection.
>Getting hammered with Luna?  She's really twisting your arm.
“That sounds good.  I can't wait to hear more of these stories from when you were younger.”
>She blushes a little harder, trotting closely next to you.
>You feel her brush up against you occasionally as the two of you continue towards the amphitheater.
>Surely she wasn't tipsy already...
“You feeling alright, Luna?”
>She looks up to you smiling widely.
>”Of course, Anon.”
>Huh...

>After a brief walk, you finally arrive at the amphitheater.
>There was a pretty decent crowd to see Lyra play.  Seems she's gotten quite the following from her days of playing the taverns in Canterlot.
>You find some open seats toward the top of the amphitheater.  The view is really something to behold.
>The moon is placed directly behind the stage, almost like a backdrop.
“Damn, Luna... You don't fuck around, do you.”
>She giggles, taking a seat close to you on the bench seating.
>”Thank you for the compliment, Anonymous.”
>After a brief period, you notice Lura taking the stage.
>Ponies stomp their hooves an shout in anticipation for the music to start.  Luna takes on a grin, marking her own enthusiasm.
>You pick yourself up from the seat, drawing Luna's attention.
>Placing two fingers in your mouth, you blow out a deafening whistle.
>Seems it did the trick.  Lyra takes notice of you in the stands, her tell tale playful smile beaming.
>You sit back down, happy in the knowledge that Bon Bon wouldn't have anything to harp on you for a while.
>Luna is looking at you with a certain look of surprise.  A few of the ponies around you do as well.
>You bring your hand to your front, wiggling your fingers.
“Human thing.”
>She chortles at you, turning her attention back to the stage.
>Lyra prepares herself and her instrument as the theater grows quiet.
>With an enthusiastic strum, she begins to play.
>Seems she's leading off with that son she played at your workshop.
>She's playing it well, too.
>If anything, she's playing it even better than she did before.  She's been practicing hard, it seems.
>The song rings with a playful bounce, as ponies start to clop their hooves together to the rhythm.
>You and Luna join along.
>Occasionally, the two of you shoot glances at each other, gaze meeting from time to time.
>Luna was really having a good time, her mood becoming more and more infectious as the song goes on.
>By now, Lyra has the crowd in the palm of her... hoof...  however that phrase goes.
>After some time, she finishes the song with a flamboyant strum, causing the amphitheater to erupt in a ruckus.
>You and Luna clap and clop respectively.
>”She's amazing.”
“Right?”
>”You said you knew her, right?  Would you mind introducing me afterwards?”
“For sure.  Lyra will be stoked you came.”
>”Wonderful!”
>The crowd settles as Lyra starts the rest of her set.
>The rest of the performance is just as incredible as the beginning.  Each song carrying Lyra's carefree spirit.
>After a couple songs, however, something catches your attention.
>Your side has a warmth to it that the other didn't.
>Out of the corner of your eye, you notice that Luna seems to be leaning on you.
>Her attention remains on Lyra's performance, smiling a nodding to the rhythm.
>You sit there, almost motionless for a moment, taking in the situation.
>...
>Welp, no going back now.
>You move your arm around Luna's back, havering your hand over Luna's shoulder for a moment.
>As it makes it's landing, you feel Luna fidget slightly, looking at you with a slight look of shock.
>After a brief pause, she smiles weakly, blushing heavily.
>She turns her attention back to the stage, resting her head against your shoulder.
>Achievement Unlocked.
>A serious feeling of joy washes over you.  Seems Barley knew what he was talking about, after all.
>Still, you're not sure if Luna was open to the idea of taking this anywhere...
>Fuck it.  It's a conversation for another day.
>For now, it's just you and Luna listening to one hell of a performance.
>That's plenty.

>Eventually, Lyra finishes her final song, standing and bowing to an extremely grateful audience.
>Seems she knocked this one out of the park.
>Luna, now out of your arm, begins clopping intensely.
>You join her in applause as the crowd stands.
>Lyra takes a final bow before skipping off the stage.
>”That was incredible!”
“You aint kidding! She's gotten a lot better.”
>The applause continues for some time before eventually settling down.
>Ponies start to file out of the amphitheater, comments of accolades are heard left, right and center.
>You and Luna start to rise from your seats as well.
>As you start to make your way for the stairs, Luna places a hoof on your hand.
>”Anon?”
>She's looking at you with a sort of nervous smile.
>”Thank you...  I... had a lovely time.”
>Fucking adorable...
>You tussle her mane a little.
“Glad you could make it.”
>She giggles at the display.
>”So, will you be able to introduce me?”
“As unnecessary as an introduction would be for someone like you, I can definitely do so.”
>She trots to your side as the two of you make your way down.
>The two of you head for the back of the stage, a few ponies are helping break down the equipment.
>You notice Lyra, apparently taking a few compliments on her performance from some ponies from the audience.
>Once they leave, you call out to Lyra.
>”Hey Lyra!  Hell of a show!”
>Lyra turns in an instant, her big, golden eyes beam at the site of you.
>She trots over to you with an enthusiastic bounce.
>”Thanks, Anon!  It's great that you could make it!”
“Wouldn't have missed it.  Hey, Lyra.  This is Luna.  She saw the show and wanted to meet you.”
>”It was an extremely impressive performance.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, Ms. Lyra.”
>Lyra takes on a shocked expression, bowing immediately.
>”Th-thank you, Highness.  I'm glad you enjoyed the show.”
>”No need to stand on formalities.  If anything, I should be thanking you for your music.”
>”Thanks...”
>She picks her head back up, blushing intensely.  She was obviously proud.
“So is Bon Bon around?”
>”She left already.  She came by as soon as the show was over to say 'hi', but had to get back home.”
“She knows I came, right?”
>She grins.
>”Yeah.  You're good.”
>Nice.
>”She said she was looking for you earlier before the show started.  Where were you, anyway?”
“Yeah... me and Luna decided to stop for a quick drink before the show got started.”
>Lyra's smile vanishes almost instantly.”
>”You two came together?”
>Luna chimes in quickly.
>”Indeed.  Anonymous was kind enough to invite me to your performance the other day.”
“So hey, if you're free, do you want to stop by Barley's for a quick drink before we call it a night?”
>”I would love to ask you about how you started your music career.”
>Lyra begins to take on a sullen expression, her eyes tearing only slightly.
>”Ugh... Sorry...  I.  I can't.   I... gotta go do something.”
>She turns from the two of you, making a hasty retreat.
>The two of you stand there, a little surprised at this turn of events.
>What the hell was that about?