Sooner than the two wandering mares expected, the night started to fall. The full moon rising slowly as the princesses in Canterlot stepped out onto their balconies and used their magic to move the solar entities.

Starry smiled as the moon moved, only looking away when Plaket nudged her side ", You went all starry-eyed their girl-"

"I always do when the moon rises-" Starry chuckled, tipping her head down ", I could always see Princess Despina's balcony from my bedroom window, and when I was a little filly, I used to wave and yell to get her attention. It drove my neighbors insane."

Plaket laughed and Starry snickered along with her, igniting her horn in a pale blue as the darkness settled over the streets. It was much brighter at night in Canterlot, with street lights on every corner. Ponyville didn't have as many, and the lights were faint until one was standing right under them, so the mares picked up pace as the darkness surrounded them.

"I'm really glad we got to get to know each other-" Plaket said with a slight pant and they cantered down the streets ", It's nice to know more ponies in the complex."

"I'm glad we hung out too-" Starry smiled at the deep midnight blue mare ", It's nice to have a real friend."

Plaket smiled as they finally reached the apartment complex, pushing open the big glass doors and giggling as the door hit the rears on the way in. Starry hadn't giggled in what felt like years, leaning against Plaket as she did and shaking her head at how foolish she was acting, but how much she didn't care.

"Oh!" Plaket suddenly started, reaching for her saddlebag and removing a small bag ", Consider this a 'Welcome to Ponyville gift'!"

Starry took the bag that was handed to her, peering in between the paper when she noticed the charm she had been staring at in the jewelry stand. The lion charm roared back at her, topaz glimmering in the eye socket. The unicorn mare looked up, unexpected tears forming in her eyes. If Starry had the wings of a pegasus, she would have wrapped one around Plaket in a hug and not let go. She might have if it weren't for Plaket glancing at the wall and gasping at the clock on the center wall.

"Oh, biscuits-" She muttered, tapping a hoof against the floor ", I didn't realize how late it was. I got to get to bed-"

Plaket turned her attention to Starry with a smile ", I had a great day today. We should do this again very soon."

Starry couldn't help but let a smile cross her face ", I'd love that. Thank you Plaket."

"Thank you, Starry-" Plaket grinned back, wrapping a hoof around her neck and pulling her into a hug that Starry hadn't expected. Starry almost started but quickly returned the hug before Plaket pulled away and started up to her apartment. Starry felt her hooves moving before she could control herself, excited tapping against the floor rang in her ears before she burst into a sprint up the stairs and to Stone River's apartment.

She burst through the unlocked door with a grin on her face, hooves tapping against the wood floors of the apartment.

Stone River glanced up, a book splayed out in front of him on the kitchen counter. He raised a brow at the tapping of hooves and the overly excited unicorn in his foyer, almost smirking at the joy on her face. "Good day, I assume?"

"Yes!" Starry squeaked excitedly as she flopped herself onto the couch ", Goodness! It was just wonderful and friendly and I have a FRIEND."

The mare set the bag on the floor next to the couch and let out a sigh as she relaxed. Starry heard a chuckle from across the room and when she looked up, she saw Stone smiling at her, really smiling. Not a sneer, not a smirk, not something fake.

"You're acting like a filly who just got her cutiemark-" He chuckled with a shake of his head ", Have you eaten yet? Leftovers from dinner are in the fridge."

Starry shook her head, grin still plastered on her face ", No- No- I couldn't eat."

Stone rolled his eyes, shifting the teapot onto the stove and turning the heat down to a low simmer, "What'd you two do today?"

"Shopping-" Starry beamed, leaning on the couch and resting her head on her forelegs ", And we went to that Hayburger place. I'd never had a hayburger before and we walked around the parks and talked and-"

"Alright, Alright-" Stone snorted digging in a bowl and removing a pack of cigarettes ", I'm going to the roof, you want to come?"

Starry paused, tipping her head to the side curiously, "The roof?"

"Yeah-" He chuckled slightly, flipping the pack open with the tip of his wing and setting the cigarette behind his long fluffed ear ", I'm taking a smoke break."

Starry gulped, hesitation stiffening her bones before she stood and nodded. It wouldn't hurt to walk with him but after that small thought in the market and the charm that settled in the bag that made her think that thought in the first place...

"Yeah..." She muttered slightly ", Sure. I don't think I've been up there yet."

Stone smiled and started toward the door, holding it open for Starry with one of his hind legs. She followed the bat pony stallion down the empty and dark halls of the complex, up the stairs with the bright fluorescent lights, and to the top floor of the building.

Stars blinked down at Starry when the door opened and the stallion held it open for her. She hadn't expected a breathtaking view like that in a place like Ponyville. In Canterlot, one could always see the stars, but it was hard to see them in the lights. But with the dimness of Ponyville, Starry could see clearly for the first time in years.