The stars in the Ponyville sky were breathtakingly beautiful. After years of living in Canterlot, where light pollution had prevented any sort of sight of the stars, Starry was awe-struck by their brightness. For the first time in a long time, she felt a chill running down her spine. It felt different from the cold coming from the air conditioning. It felt refreshing and inviting. It was as if the night sky was reaching out for her, welcoming her to a world she had too long been denied access to.

The night air was like a breath of fresh air, cool and crisp, as Starry stood on the roof of the apartment building, taking in the view. It was a bit of a dangerous place to be, but the rush of adrenaline, the wind through her mane, it felt liberating. At that moment, nothing felt like it mattered; there was only the present moment.

Starry closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It was the most peaceful she had felt in a while. She could almost feel the stars shining above her and the whole world at her hooves.

The sudden smell of smoke that filled her nose almost caught her off guard, Starry glanced up watching as the bat pony stallion lowered his head to the cigarette in his wing at took a long drag. She would have expected his wings or his leg to twitch with the sensation, but it didn't happen

She stared at him, awestruck, when her father smoked, he turned his back to her children. Stone River smoked in front of her as if he smoked in front of mares every day, and perhaps he did. The massive stallion leaned over the edge of the apartment complex, body caught by the parapet, with his nose in the air as if he were flying.

"You you miss it?" Starry asked, slowly making her way next to him and leaning to look over the edge ", Flying, I mean."

Stone River turned his eyes to her, raising his brow ever so slightly ", Sometimes I miss it. My ma always said I was flying before I was walking."

Starry nodded slightly, lancing back to the stars and closing her eyes, "My mother always told me that long legs like mine were made for running. I just didn't have anywhere to go."

"Everyone has somewhere to go-" Stone snorted with his wing held out to her ", Even if we don't realize it till later."

Starry stared at the cigarette he was offering to her. The hesitation of the young are taking the cigarette in this situation became one of conflict. She no longer had to follow her family's rules, but she was still unsure whether she wants to take the cigarette. Why was she still hesitating, when she is now free from the restrictions of her family? 

Starry began to consider the effects that smoking may have on her health, unsure whether it was worth taking the risk. She also began to weigh the potential benefits, such as the social aspects of smoking and the feeling of relaxation that it may bring.

She lit her horn and took the cigarette, observing it for a moment before lifting it to the end of her snout. Starry felt a sense of excitement and power as she took a drag of the orange and white stick. 

It is a rebellious act, a break from the rules of society, and it feels exhilarating. But the reality of smoking soon sets in. The burning sensation in her throat, the bitter aftertaste in her mouth, the smell lingering on her fur and mane. It's not exactly how she imagined it would be. She manages to convince herself that it is worth it, that the cool look and calming effect are worth the discomfort, and she felt better.

The young mare coughed as she finished her first drag on a cigarette, but this finish felt different. The smoke did not feel harsh and rough, it felt enjoyable and soothing. Starry felt a sense of pleasure and relaxation as she took another drag, enjoying the sensation of the cool smoke in her throat.

At that moment, she felt free from the stress and worries of the world and the coughing was a minor inconvenience at most. She turned the cigarette back to Stone River, whose raised brow and smirk almost caught her off guard.

"What?" She asked him curiously.

"You really are something else, you know that?" Stone River said with a chuckle, "Most people cough up a storm the first time they smoke, but look at you, enjoying it like you've done it a hundred times."

Starry couldn't help but smile. At that moment, she felt a connection with Stone River that she had never quite felt with anyone before. She turned her attention back to the stream of houses, keeping her eyes to the ground.

"Yes, well," She started, struggling to find the words ", You're not quite all I expected either."

"How's that?" Stone River asked, raising an eyebrow.

Starry could only imagine his gaze on her, how his chocolate brown eyes might be scanning her and wondering why she wasn't meeting his eye. What was she supposed to say to that? Would he be disappointed in her answer? Did she have an answer? 

Either way, Starry wanted to resolve what she had done before letting such a beautiful day end on such and awkward note.

"I'm sorry-" She muttered anxiously, rubbing one leg with her opposing hoof ", Just forget I said anything."

Stone River's wing brushed her side until the tip of the claw reached her chin, gently moving her head to meet his eye. Starry stared at him with her bright blue eyes, shuddering at the unflinching determination in his eyes.

"There is no need to be sorry, but here you are again, keeping things to yourself-" Stone River muttered, no sense of teasing in his voice.

He continued to stare into her eyes, and Starry hoped that he couldn't see the shivers running down her spine or sense the heavy uncertainty running through her body. Despite being unable to see into his mind, she felt as if he could see through hers. Despite everything, he remained patent with her.

"If I keep things to myself," She started, her voice growing quiet as her eyes fell from his ", Then I don't have to worry ponies wondering about me. I'm the Marquis' daughter who never lived up to anything. How can I have anything at this point?"

"You're Father, your Mother, none of them are here for you, Starry," Stone River replied a little too bluntly ", But you are the only one who can define your life. Don't waste it on self-pity."

Starry felt the tip of his wing claw leave her chin, his wing folding back against his side as he dropped the blunt and stamped it out with his hoof. Starry watched as the dark grey stallion turned toward the door and she followed.

Stone River spoke a truth that was hard to hear, and yet, she couldn't argue with his reasoning. Starry followed the stallion as he started through the door and back into the heart of the apartment complex. Her mind whirled as she tried to process the conversation, her cheek still warm from where his wing had brushed her. 

Where did she go from here?