Yoshimon1 said:
We probably should go to bed early today if we want to properly enjoy the whole festival tomorrow. Let's wish the two a good night and head... well, we could directly head home with Basket for that bit of alone time~ like Moon suggested. But if he'd prefer some additional company, we also could go visit Charm, tell her about our adventure and have a nice evening together~.

With the sun long set, and the chill of night starting to creep in, you decide to call it a day. You wish the bat ponies a good night, and bid them farewell.

Agarica: "You too! Thanks again for everythin'!"

After waiting for Apple Basket to gather his belongings from Moonflower's tent, you leave Starfalls Town with the satisfaction of another day's work well done.

As you begin to make your way westward, you ask the colt whether he'd prefer to go straight to your house, or to look for some extra company in town first.

Apple Basket: "Uh, extra company?"

You nod, and explain that with your quest now over, you were thinking about inviting Crystal Charm to spend the evening with the two of you.

Apple Basket: "I dunno if I'm readin' you right, and — don't get me wrong, she seems like a nice gal and all —, but uh, she looks like she could be my ma."

You can't help but chuckle at that realization, yet concede his point; aside from the unicorn nearing twice his age, they both share similar coat and eye colours. With that in mind, you decide to spare the poor colt that awkwardness.

Apple Basket: "Heh... still, we've got time, so I reckon we can at least stop by for a chat."

You agree to that, and soon reach the entrance to Hoofington. You find the marketplace more spacious than ever, every stall having been moved aside to form a colourful barrier around the town square.

Even now, most ponies are still out and about, either chatting about the morrow, or putting some finishing touches to their work. Among them, you catch sight of Crystal Charm, who seems to be cutting some gemstones by lamplight.

Crystal Charm: "Blazer, Basket! Welcome back. How are the bat ponies?"

You tell Crystal Charm about Moonflower's ritual of ascension, and the surprise visit from Princess Luna.

Crystal Charm: "All's well that ends well, huh? Though you could argue that this is more of a new start than an end. How about you two?"

You tell her that you have the evening to yourselves, and decided to pay her a visit on your way home.

Apple Basket: "Are these gems for the festival?"

Crystal Charm: "They are! I'm doing a collaboration with Stable Timber this year, our local carpenter.

While her event involves crafting miniature boats capable of carrying small rocks, mine is about cutting raw gemstones into nice little trinkets, and then enchanting them with an Everlight spell.

Then, after dusk, we'll be hosting a miniature boat race around Mare Tail's Lake, and each one will be carrying a glowing trinket. So just in case, I've been making a few spare trinkets for those without their own."

Apple Basket: "That sounds real nice!"

Crystal Charm: "I know, I can't wait to see it, myself! From what I hear, this is going to be our busiest festival yet. Speaking of busy, we've barely had any time to talk since you came back from your trip."

You nod, but express that you don't mean to distract her from her work.

Crystal Charm: "Oh, the only work I have left to do is lapidary, and that's practically muscle memory at this point. I'd love to hear all about your adventures, if you don't mind the noise."

You reply that you don't mind at all, and along with your companion, you begin to regale Crystal Charm with the tales of your exploits, starting with your arrival in the port city of Amblerta...

For the better part of the hour, Crystal Charm listens to your and Apple Basket's recounting of your journey, taking the occasional break from her cutting and polishing to ask a few interested questions, or to fully immerse herself in the more intense parts of it — whether suspenseful or romantic.

As your tale catches up to the present day, you conclude with the night's events, and Crystal Charm takes a moment to finish her last piece before speaking up.

Crystal Charm: "At the very least, that explains the blue hair. Heheh... the rest sounds mostly out of this world to me. If anything, you're a master of your craft, Blazer. I'm just not sure which one that is."

You suggest that your special talent is to quickly become intimate with both places and ponies! Not dogs, though. Dogs are decidedly not your best friend.

Crystal Charm: "Fair enough! Now, what time was it? Oh, eight already! Well, it's been lovely, but I haven't had dinner yet, and Diamond's probably waiting for me at home, so I'd best run along. Thanks for keeping me company, you two!"

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