A new day dawns upon the seaside city of Fillydelphia. The sun shines brightly in the fair blue skies, and beams through the blinds of late morning sleepers. You wake up after a good night's sleep, snuggled up warmly in Moonflower's loving grasp.

Moonflower: "Mornin'!"

You greet your bat pony friend with her usual hugs and kisses, then stretch yourself awake and slide out of bed. After enjoying one last quick shower together before setting out to sea, you leave the wet room feeling rejuvenated and ready to start the day.

You equip Star Hairpin and Blue Cloak of Feather Fall.

You dress yourself, then leave your room and take the staircase down to the ground floor. You find Honourshine sitting at the back of the lounge — nose already deep in a book —, and greet her as you approach.

Honourshine: "There you are. Let's start with breakfast, hm?"

You thank her for waiting for you, and she joins you on your way to the counter. Your party orders the house special; large plates of honey-soaked waffles with scrambled eggs, with a side of blueberries, strawberries and banana slices, and a glass of iced coffee topped with whipped cream.

Once the food is served, you thank the innkeeper, and eagerly begin to eat. Between two bites, you ask Honourshine what she was reading.

Honourshine: "A book on what we know of the Kirin Empire."

You ask if she has learned anything.

Honourshine: "Mostly social customs. For example, it is considered improper to levitate an object with magic when giving it to or taking it from someone else. It is also seen as indecent to wear clothes indoors. That sort of thing."

Moonflower: "Ooh, good to know! Anythin' about flirtin' for Blazer?"

Honourshine: "Good question. From what I was able to piece together, most Kirin follow strict rules similar to traditional unicorn courtship."

Moonflower: "Whassat mean?"

Honourshine: "In short, it's a subtle and lengthy process — not the kind of dance Blaze is particularly good at."

Moonflower: "I dunno, he's kinda lengthy! Heehee..."

Honourshine rolls her eyes at that, but you are glad to see her smile at your expense nonetheless.

Moonflower: "S'that a unicorn thing, though? Midgard only had unicorns, but it wasn't super different from here."

Honourshine: "Mhm. Traditional customs go back thousands of years, long before the founding of Equestria. Each of the three tribes had its own set of rules for courting.

Earth ponies were traditionally casual and neighbourly. The majority of them lived on vast farmlands, so during the heated seasons, it was common courtesy to offer a helping hoof wherever it was needed.

Pegasi reserved that kind of affection for members of their units only; they felt that having close relationships with each other increased trust and reliability among the group, and prevented distractions while afield.

As for unicorns, they made a complicated game of it with hundreds of unwritten rules to follow, and where ponies were only allowed one courting partner at a time. Needless to say, it was designed with cheating in mind, and they entertained themselves through the gossip and drama that came of it."

You remark that some of those things aren't so different now, especially with earth ponies.

Honourshine: "Well, all of those customs merged into what we know today; casual matchings, group activities, dates and weddings... they all have roots in tradition. And if Midgard was founded by Equestrian unicorns, then it is these modern customs that must have followed."

Moonflower: "Ohh, got'cha! That makes more sense now. Bat ponies are kinda the same, too."

Honourshine: "So it seems. I suppose they were around during the early years of Equestria, so they must have been influenced at the time."

With all that said, you insist that you have learned your lesson from trying to flirt with dogs: if the Kirin do not respond to your natural charms, then you will have to learn a different approach!

Honourshine: "Try not to get yourself banished from the Empire, hm?"

You grin sheepishly, and promise that you won't be any trouble. Small talk bounces around the table while you finish the last of your plate, and down the rest of your beverage. You feel stuffed. Phew!

As you prepare to leave the inn, you begin to think of where to go first. You consider that you have a lead on Dirt Flaxen's old bandmates somewhere in Fillydelphia, but no information on where exactly to find them.

HINT

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