don't put my hand next to you

[rewritethis]

[There's really nothing special about the date or anything else today, as far as Ed is concerned - it's just a reasonably sunny afternoon after a spate of showers, which makes it as opportune a time as any to go pick up a few supplies.

And why is he knocking on this door before he heads off to do just that (and it is knocking, not hammering)? Well, it wasn't too far out of the way.

She's probably not even in, right? Probably off with her friends, doing... well, who knows what she might be doing on a day when even a sane person would have a legitimate excuse to randomly break into song, provided they were about five years old? Heh, she's hopeless.]

Comments

[elementofloyalty]

Try it sometimes. I wanna see it.

[Ha ha, herd. She's going along with him, smiling still; the awkwardness from before is completely forgotten. Once they get inside, she offers a friendly wave to the proprietor before zipping over to the brush section, examining the selections with a keen eye.]

Anything that'll make it easier for you I should look for?

[rewritethis]

Easier? The simpler the better.

[Hanging back a little, he casts an eye over the shelf as he absently starts untying his braid. ... Does he look like a hairbrush expert?!]

But they all look about the same to me.

[elementofloyalty]

Okay, well, these are metal in a solid base, so they'll be the sturdiest.

[She scoops two brushes off the shelf, not one to delay and dither after all, and heads for the register.]

[rewritethis]

Yeah, that works.

[While she's paying, he finishes tying his hair back up and pauses to surreptitiously glance at a nearby mirror on his way out. ...No, the ponytail looks the same as it ever does.]

[elementofloyalty]

[She stuffs her purchases in her saddlebag, then comes over to look at him.]

Hey, you did it! Come on!

[Rainbow grabs his arm and starts to tug him outside.]

[rewritethis]

[Ed finds himself tugged.]

Hey, I'm just showing you it doesn't make a difference. [The ponytail certainly makes his hair look longer compared to the braid, though, even if in both it falls well past his shoulders.

He holds out the hand that doesn't currently have a pony on it.] More importantly, give me those before I change my mind.

[elementofloyalty]

Oh yeah? I bet it does.

[She digs the bag back out of her saddlepack and passes it to him -- with her teeth, because her forelegs are busy tugging him out still.]

[rewritethis]

You bet? You can see it doesn't!

[It's a little awkward trying to take a brush out when he pretty much has to balance the bag against his elbow to avoid dropping either it or his drink - especially since she happens to be on his left arm, and so he needs to look at where he's fumbling - but by the time they're out on the street he's managed to extract one, and is inspecting it.]

Yeah, should be fine... Okay, let's find somewhere to lay these out.

[elementofloyalty]

Sure, right over here.

[She lets go of him finally, but only so she can lead the way to the other side of the street that borders the ocean, and is consequently less traveled for the fact.]

[rewritethis]

[Good enough. Ed follows her over and, kneeling, sets both brushes down on the paving.]

Here we go. [Clap!

The noise and burst of light earn both of them a number of wary looks from passersby... although not too many more than Rainbow was attracting by herself, honestly. In any case, Ed isn't paying attention just yet.

He picks up the single, plain-looking brush in front of him and turns it over. If you don't look at the bristles, it's only slightly bigger than one of the original brushes, but its weight belies what went into making it.]

How's this?

[elementofloyalty]

[Rainbow snags it in her teeth, then flips her tail forward to run it through the hair. She pulls it through a few strokes contemplatively, then tosses the brush into her bag with a brilliant grin.]

It's perfect! You rock, Ed.

[rewritethis]

[He beams right back.] Why sound so surprised? This is me we're talking about.

[As he straightens up, though, he catches the eye of one of said passersby, which tempers his smile a little.]

Anyway, c'mon. If they're out of the right kind of oil again by the time we get there, I'm blaming you.

[elementofloyalty]

And so modest. Truly a perfect gentleman.

[This is so far over the line of 'outrageous hypocrisy' it's just pure audacity.]

Sure, let's go. But you know, if you were really in a hurry, they were a lot less likely to run out of brushes than oil.

[She starts walking, her four-legged pace surprisingly compatible with his two-legged one after all the time she's spent in Garden, and more specifically, hanging out with him.]

[rewritethis]

Well, don't turn around and say I didn't warn you.

[No, he's not actually hurrying. It's nice out, okay? Although the sea breeze might mess up his hair again before long.]

Besides, it's like I'm always telling Al - modesty only means as much as you want to let it.

[elementofloyalty]

Exactly! Why pretend you're not awesome when you are? Oh, and speaking of awesome, the ponytail was a lot more dramatic when you were doing alchemy. Don't ask me why, it just was.

[rewritethis]

[He gives her a sidelong look as he raises a hand to it.] Wear one yourself if you like it that much.

[elementofloyalty]

I can't do alchemy.

[She says this as if it's completely obvious.]

Besides, you wouldn't even notice, would you? It barely occurs to you I HAVE a mane!

[rewritethis]

[This sidelong look seems like it's going to last a while.] Why do I need to notice? You're the only one who's talking about it.

[elementofloyalty]

You're the only one here, so who else should I be mentioning this to?

[She laughs, and then, because she can, bolts into the sky to slash back and forth, leaving a rainbow wake as she spins through a few rolls. She's back on the ground with him a moment later.]

Be honest. Is this whole trip a trick to lead me to a surprise party?

[rewritethis]

[Ed freezes. His ponytail does not flare up, but it's clearly trying its best.

After a moment, he realises that's sort of a giveaway, and carries on walking.]

A party? What for?

[It's a bit late for him to be especially convincing, but apart from that, this is what he sounds like when he's putting some effort into his nonplussed act for once.]

[elementofloyalty]

Oh-HO! So it IS! Don't worry, Ed, I'll play the perfectly surprised pegasus. I won't tell anypony I figured you out.

[She winks broadly at him, grinning.]

[rewritethis]

[So his acting isn't quite good enough for a career change. Whatever. He frowns.] Dream on. Do I look like I give a damn about parties? And for what it's worth, I figured you'd already be in one.

[elementofloyalty]

You got to me early. Of course, I'm sure Pinkie Pie has something cooked up, but I also figured you probably wouldn't have anything to do with that.

[The idea of the two of them working together on a surprise party boggled the mind.]

[rewritethis]

[The look on his face at the mention of Pinkie is more succinct an answer than words could possibly be.]

Well, if you think you're gonna miss out on something, you could head back. You just said polish, right?

[elementofloyalty]

[Yep.]

Yeah, for my Blaster Edge. I try to keep it looking in good shape. I like to get it from the junk shop, but if you know a better place?