Autumn Race

The excitement in the autumn air was electric as ponies gathered from every corner of Equestria to take part in the annual Running of the Leaves.  Sounds of joy and life were in abundance as mares and stallions socialized with one another, catching up on life and the sound of laughter seemed to echo off the trees.  Save for a few drifting leaves, the trees still wore their fall colors - gold, crimson and orange, warm and vibrant in hue.  It was almost a shame that the beautiful leaves had to be taken down, but with winter coming, it was necessary.

There was an impressive turnout this year, easily twice as large as the previous Running of the Leaves, with dozens of ponies standing about.  They came in all colors and shades of the rainbow, stretching and preparing themselves to race.

Bright Eyes stood off to the edge of the crowd, quietly watching the others, wearing her usual wide smile as she observed.  She was glad she had made the decision to come, even if she had yet to spot a certain familiar ash-colored pony.  She had decided to run without her glasses - knowing her, she would only end up smashing them and lost in the woods, so it was better not to tempt fate.  Instead, she was wearing special sunglasses, recently purchased after working a week at Ponyville's Town Hall.  They helped her vision so that she wouldn't be crashing into other ponies or trees along the race's long route.

Once more in the natural domain of the pegasi, Aero had just passed over Ponyville and was currently looking down towards Whitetail Woods. The fiery spectrum of autumnal colour below him was quite stunning. The breeze was often cool enough for sustained flight but with hints of warmth dwindling from the summer. They were part of the reasons it was his favourite time of the year.

A collection of ponies in the distance caught his attention, revealing the starting line for the Running of the Leaves. Spotting a safe area to land, Aero descended with casual ease. His hooves touched down lightly on the ground as his wings folded neatly against his sides. Without missing a beat, he began to walk towards the registration stall to get his number.

Scanning around him, he imagined that Bright Eyes would likely already be here. At least he hoped so. The thought had come to him that she may have changed her mind and decided against attending. He still wasn't pleased with how their last encounter had ended. With hindsight, Aero would have made himself stay longer but once again, his own doubts had gotten the best of him.

For now, he set aside the need to chastise his actions. He was here for fun, whether Bright Eyes turned up or not.

Finally, Bright Eyes spied the pegasus through the throngs of colorful ponies, his gray coat standing out among the vibrant shades of many of the others awaiting the race.

"Aero!"  She called out to the stallion as the trotted over, still grinning.  She had already over-analyzed their last encounter and while she wasn't entirely sure what to make of it, the mare was pleased to see him again, and her expression showed it.  She looked at him over the rims of her darkened glasses. "You made it just in time."

The event's announcer was calling everypony's attention, preparing to start the race, and the blue pony's face was lit up with excitement.  "I've been practicing," she announced with an air of (mostly feigned) confidence, lowering herself into a starting position, as she had seen others do.  It was hard for Bright to envision herself as an athlete in any shape or form, but hey, she was going to give it her best shot.

As the stallion behind the desk passed Aero his number tag - 88 - he heard a familiar voice amongst the crowd of ponies call his name. The pegasus turned to spot Bright Eyes coming over to him. His head tiled sideways, interested at the sight of her sunglasses. It stood to reason that she might have a pair of subscription sunglasses but she looked a little strange in them, as if they were censoring her cheery demeanour. Despite this, it was inherently apparent that Bright Eyes was her usual, happy self.

"Hello Bright. Good to see you again," he replied earnestly, returning her smile with one of his own.

He had no time to say anything else as the announcement was made for the racers to take their positions. Aero took up his starting point beside Bright, giving a grin as she psyched herself up.

"You'll do fine. Like I said, it's not really a race," his words reassured her, before his face changed to a teasing expression, "So I wouldn't be too worried about stuck behind me the whole time."

"It's good to see you, as well," she responded honestly, without a hint of her previously held bashfulness.  But there was no change for further small talk.  As he attempted to reassure her - while also extending a challenge - the pale blue unicorn couldn't contain a bright laugh, her eyes brows arching above her darkened lenses.

"Oh," she said with a challenging tone to her own voice.  "It most certainly is a race."  Even if it was her race to lose, she would do her best.  She cast him a final grin.  "No wings, no magic.  Right?" Bright Eyes wasn't going to try to beat all of the ponies gathered there - there had to be close to a hundred by now.  Just Aero.

The voice of the announcer brought every pony's attention to the starting line:  "Is every pony ready?  Take your positions!  Set?"  The starting bell seemed to echo through the auburn-painted forest.  "Go!"  And with that, a sound like thunder rose up from the path as hundreds of hooves stormed forward down the path.  Bright didn't bother to look back.  The moment the bell was rung, she was off as fast as her legs could carry her, expression determined and downright happy to be taking part in the Ponyville tradition.

A competitive grin took to Aero's muzzle.  It appeared Bright Eyes was more than happy to take him on in this non-competitive competitive race. He didn't break focus from the announcer's impending countdown, as Bright seemed to accept his challenge and state the rules.

He nodded in agreement. "Right."

He kept his wings pressed against his sides. It was almost instinctual to use them when he thought about racing and speed but today was about running. Aero's ears suddenly swivelled to catch the announcer's first call. His body hunkered down into a starting position; legs spread and knees bent.

On "Go," the assortment of ponies shot off from the starting line. Aero kept himself at a slower pace at first to give himself space and assess each pony's speed. To his surprise, Bright shot off alarmingly quickly. Clearly she was willing to put him through his paces. His eyes narrowed, the hungry smile of a challenged competitor growing on his lips.

At the back, Aero could see the leaves falling from their branches as the ponies shook them from the trees. An ocean of golden brown tumbled around him as he poured on some speed. At a decent gallop, he fell in line behind Bright, keeping firmly on her tail.

In the distance, the speaker's voice announced what was transpiring - "The ponies are rounding the first turn!  Dashing Hooves takes an early lead!"  Bright Eyes smirked.  She didn't know the stallion or mare at the front of the stampede, but it sounded as if they were born to run.  How appropriate.

She was certain Aero was just behind her, since she didn't see a streak of gray vanishing into the dust in front of her as the fastest ponies charged ahead.  No looking back now.  Her internal dialogue coached her:  Don't fall. For the love of Celestia, do not fall, Bright Eyes.  There will be no falling allowed today.

She could see the splash of warm colors from the corner of her eyes as the leaves quaked and cascaded from the gnarled tree branches, but Bright wasn't there to observe (though it was tempting).  Her muscles were just beginning to warm up - Three years of traveling meant that the unicorn mare was stronger than she looked, and evidently, more fit than even she had anticipated as her breaths grew deeper with exertion.

The race was progressing at a decent pace for Aero. With every step he could feel the rumble of the earth as the runners shook the ground. Even if he preferred to fly, the atmosphere was ecstatic, like an electric charge was in the air. Looking around him only revealed that every pony seemed to be smiling or matching the same challenging grin that he wore.

He spied the pony in the lead some distance away. That would be some effort to catch up with them. For now, Aero was intending to pace himself slowly. Facts spiralled out out his mind from past exercising and reading. Running a long race was largely about endurance. There was no point in burning out early but instead to save your sprint to the end. Aero judged that his current speed was maintainable. Besides, he didn't feel like dashing off into the wind.

He pulled up alongside Bright, casting her a glance as he mainly focused on the path ahead.

"Oh, fancy seeing you here," he joked, between breaths, "How are you doing?"

Her tireless mind continued to coach Bright Eyes as she ran, recalling books she had read about the Running of the Leaves, and ones about running in general, trying to remember all the tips and secrets offered.  She focused on her breathing as the leaders passed the half-way mark, and she could barely see a spot of gray on her peripheral vision.  She cast him a sideways smile. She called out with a laugh, "Not bad, eh?"

Her pace was beginning to slow, but barely, and she was still at it and running - and there were dozens of ponies that had fallen behind the racing pair, whether through early exhaustion or because they were slowing to admire the scenery.  As this was the first time in her life that Bright Eyes was ever ahead in a spport or sport-like setting, she was naturally exuberant to have made it this far without much difficulty.  The excitement of the event gave her much needed energy to continue on.

Still, she knew it was a long race, and if Aero Dynamic was really interested in finishing near the top, he wouldn't do so hanging in the middle of the pack with Bright.  Still not averting her gaze from the path before her, she called out again over the rumble of many hooves.  "You can go on ahead if you want to."

It was great satisfaction that Aero noticed the pack of ponies ahead starting to thin out. The race was starting to best them, as several had began to show signs of heavy breathing and were severely slowing down. Aero himself was starting to feel the usual burn of his muscles in action but nothing that he wasn't used to. Most of his work required him to trek across Equestria hauling all sorts cargo with him and he liked to exercise regularly. While he wasn't an athlete, he was certainly in the running for a good place in this race.

Hearing Bright Eyes speak made him raise an eyebrow. He found it a nice gesture that she was comfortable with him running on to complete the race in a higher position. For a moment, he genuinely considered it. It would definitely be fun to try and come out first; he was a naturally competitive pony after all.

However, as he looked over to Bright, he didn't feel like leaving her behind. He got the sense that the race meant more to her than it meant to him. He couldn't see any real reason for it, but he just got the sense of it. Careful Aero, remember what happened last time you went on gut feelings?
Ignoring the incessant pessimistic voice in the back of his head, Aero smiled at her, not bothering to look ahead.

"No, that's alright. I think I'd prefer to run it with you."

Each of her limbs began to feel as if they were on fire as her muscles strained and worked, and there was a burning in her lungs, but she felt like a pony possessed, determined as she was to finish what she had started. The rising dust and raining leaves surrounded the pair on all sides and the sounds of laughter were contagious. Bright Eyes decided this was far better than just watching from the sidelines.

Still, she was vaguely aware even in the moment that the Running of the Leaves wouldn't have been as much fun without Aero by her side and their looming "competition," and she was silently happy when he decided to finish the race with her instead of with the real competitors where he most likely would should have been. Among the ranks of Dashing Hooves and others with names like Dusty Trails close behind. She finally pulled her stare from the path to flash him a grateful smile.

With a final determined snort, she inhaled a gulp of air and charged forward as the sound of spectators cheering near the finish line could faintly be heard above the sound of the racers, rising into a distinct roar with every long stride as the winners claimed their victories. Bright Eyes was thrilled just to still be on her hooves as they came closer to the excited crowd gathered there to see the race's end.

The finishing line loomed over the distant horizon, approaching quickly towards them. It had seemed only moments ago that they had started the Running of the Leaves and already the end as in sight. The euphoria of ponies cheering from the finish was carried across the wind as Aero raced forwards. He caught Bright's smile, the brilliantly cheerful grin of some pony enraptured by the moment.

Aero followed her lead to push extra hard, legs pumping faster as they neared the finish line. One last burst of speed seemed to come from both of them as they passed some of their slower competition. The white line was a blur as it skipped beneath them, marking the end of the run. Aero slowed down gently to a trot, circling a few times to allow the runner's high to die down.

"That was...that was...fun," he said finally struggling for words not due to tiredness but as he tried to comprehend the last few minutes.

Bright Eyes soaked in the moment as her little blue hooves carried her across the finish line - maybe not first place, but it still felt like a win with Aero Dynamic close at her side.  It was rather nice to have strangers cheering them on.  Ponyville was a lovely place and its residents lovely, as well, and she didn't even think to notice who technically crossed the white line first, her or Aero.  Somehow, by then, it didn't matter anymore.

Stopping, however, presented something of an issue.  While Aero knew how to ease out of a run, Bright's hooves instead pressed hard into the earth abruptly, nearly sending her somersaulting straight into her stallion friend.  She was able to stop herself from crashing into him with whatever strength she had lefts in her limbs.  "Fun," she echoed, legs shaky beneath her.  "I can't believe-" she began between labored breaths.  "I can't believe I didn't fall in the dust halfway through, to be perfectly honest."  She couldn't help but laugh in spite of herself, the excitement of the experience keeping her on her hooves, only a little wobbly. "And I've no doubt you could have won the whole thing, Aero Dynamic! Even without your wings, you are impressive."

Aero was momentarily alarmed as Bright seemed to stop rather sharply in a way that convinced him that she was going to topple over. Thankfully she caught herself, saving him from trying to leap to her rescue, or more likely to leapt into by her. Judging by her appearance, she seemed to be managing the excursion rather well. He tried not to shy away too much when she commented on his ability in the race.

"Thanks, but I'm not sure about that," he replied modestly, although he knew there was some truth to her point.

He caught sight of several ponies distributing water to the runners. A mare approached him, levitating cups of water. With a "Thanks," he she placed a couple of drinks on his outstretched wing and wordlessly offered one to Bright Eyes.

Aero couldn't help but return to gently ribbing her. "I have to say, for a pony who spends her time sitting under the stars, you managed very well."

"I'm fairly confident," she stated with a nod.  "You probably could have gone twice as long." That she was able to remain on her hooves was a miracle, the adrenaline still pumping.  The last ponies of the race were crossing the finish line, and the energy was nearly intoxicating.  Too bad every day couldn't be like this.

She accepted the water he offered via magic, and it levitated before her as she gulped it down hurriedly.  "Thank you." The cup crumpled before her, and was then cast aside into a nearby trash bin.

The blue mare laughed when he extended a compliment of his own.  "I won't be able to walk tomorrow.  If only I had wings," she lamented with a pained expression, only partially in jest because really, it would be quite convenient.  She was tired, but in a good way - it made up for those old schoolyard memories of teasing because she was better at book reports than kickball.  Her comment reminded her of something. "Actually, I found a spell at the Ponyville library that allows the non-winged among us to walk on clouds.  Why should you pegasi have all the fun?"

Aero ruffled his wings at the mention of flying, his feathers itching to spread out. He allowed his wings to unfurl a little and catch the soft blow of the autumn breeze, the same wind that was lightly carrying away the golden leaves of the trees. He slowly drank his cup of water as he admired once again the scenery around him.

He was surprised when Bright Eyes mentioned the spell for cloud walking. He knew he had mentioned it beforehand but it was astounding that she had found it so fast. Then again, the unicorn mare was a scholar of sorts so that would explain it...

"You unicorns are full of surprises, aren't you? Well you can keep your magic," he replied, playfully giving her horn a light tap with a hoof. "Trust me, I've tried it and I'd much rather keep my wings."

She was looking off into the direction they had just traveled, where the trees look profoundly different - bare branches like limbs reaching out toward the fall sun, hanging lazy in the azure sky. "Oh?  What sort of magic did you try?  It just takes a bit of pracice," she teased. "I've had a bit of free time on my hooves lately.  Been staying in Ponyville to work at the town hall," she explained in brief.  Nothing of interest to anyone else, she presumed.

Despite her aching legs, Bright Eyes couldn't resist the draw back into the woods.  She wanted to examine the fallen leaves, listen to the satisfying crunch beneath her as she walked. "Can you stay around for a while, or will you be departing suddenly again?"  He question alluded to their last visit - brief, but intense.  But there was still a playful quality in her voice.  Just a stroll through the leaves now littering the dirt path.

"Just levitation really. Or I tried to anyway. It was only for a short time," explained Aero, thinking back to the event not that long ago where he found himself in the wishing well predicament. "Suffice to say, I encountered some interesting magic and spent the day as a unicorn. Like I said, I'll keep my wings."

Without comment, he followed Bright Eyes' lead back through the woods. He too inspected the new appearance of the landscape they had just run through. The foliage was now gone, replaced by a nest of branches overheard that crossed and split across the blue sky like cracked glass. It almost seemed too much of a sudden change from what it had been just this morning.

He was taken aback by Bright's reminder of their last meeting. Aero still felt rather awkward about how he had ended that evening. His hoof rubbed the back of his neck in a bashful manner as his gaze averted from the unicorn.

"I can stay. I just...had to get back last night. I'm in no rush today," he stated matter-of-factly. It was situations like this where Aero felt he was at his weakest. He wasn't too sure he to tactfully tread around social minefields. He took a moment to think carefully of his next few sentences, meticulously crafting them in his mind and pushing aside any other thoughts he may be having. "It wasn't that I didn't want to stay. It was...nice being there."

The picture of Aero with a horn that conjured up in her mind made the mare laugh out loud.  He wouldn't be Aero Dynamic as a unicorn or an earth pony, but she imagined it was an interesting sight. "That's hard to imagine.  I would have liked to have seen that.  I'm sure you made a lovely unicorn," she joked, nudging him gently with a front hoof.  Conversing and laughing with him seemed as natural as breathing.  Again, Bright Eyes was struck by the feeling that she had known him a great while longer than the brief moments they had spent together.

"It's alright.  You don't really have to explain."  Her eyes turned from the carpet of scarlet and gold leaves to the stallion at her side again, searching briefly for some hidden emotion lurking in his features as he had spoken of not wanting to leave that night. "I wasn't mad, still not."  Confused maybe, certainly disappointed, but not mad.  She smiled in her bright, reassuring way, unwilling to spoil the day.  "Plus, you stayed by me today when you didn't have to.  That made a nice race a truly memorable one for me."

Close by, a group of fillies and colts were playing in the fallen leaves, leaping into piles twice their size and laughing, thoroughly entertained by the remnants of the race.  Bright Eyes paused in her steps to watch briefly.  She appreciated that foals were so eager to have fun and didn't care who was watching.  They expressed their joy so fearlessly, when adults always seemed to feel the need to subdue their emotions.

Aero smiled a little as Bright laughed about his tale of exploring a life with magic. He wasn't sure exactly how lovely of a unicorn he had been. All he could remember thinking at the time was how strange it was to have an appendage sticking out from his head. Not to mention all the times he'd knocked it against something by accident.

He was glad that she seemed nonchalant about his abrupt departure the other night. The very fact that she said she wasn't mad made Aero mentally sigh with relief. Moreover, it was especially pleasing to hear that she considered today to be memorable for her. He certainly felt he would remember it as well.

As the mare beside him stopped, so did Aero. He followed her gaze to the nearby group of children. Seeing the fillies and colts playing in the fallen leaves brought back memories. Laughing and chatting to friends in class. Soaring, dodging and diving in games of tag in the playground. These were times long gone, replace with the world of were life called for at least some level of responsibility.

"Makes you want to be young again, doesn't it?" Aero commented, "To be so carefree and innocent."

Aero had fallen conspicuously silent for a long, lingering minute, and Bright Eyes didn't feel the need to fill the quiet.  The scene before them was like a painting from a book, picturesque and quaint, and the pale blue mare felt a rare sense of tranquility that could be so elusive on ordinary days.  It was nice to have someone to share it with, for once, and now she was satisfied knowing that he wouldn't suddenly take off into the sky.

Bright Eyes knew her walking companion would probably be happier flying instead of strolling, but she appreciated that he was willing to walk for a while longer when he didn't really have to.  She mused internally how different her life would be if she had been born with wings instead of her magical inclinations.  She stubbornly ignored the gnawing burn in her legs.  Tomorrow, she would rest, but she wanted today to last longer.

"I was an only child, so I spent a lot of time on my own," she commented quietly.  A filly had noticed the grown-ups and she smiled, waving a little pink hoof in the air in greeting.  Bright returned the gesture, smiling.  "What about you?  Did you grow up with brothers or sisters up there in Cloudsdale?"

With a calm serenity, Aero felt at happy to simply stand and watch the world go by. Pony watching was a habit of his, something he did in his own time. It gave him moments to think and reflect on his events in his life. Right now, whilst surrounded by the picturesque woods amongst the company of Bright Eyes, he was simply content.

It was moments of peace like this that he lived for.

He noticed a filly waving towards them, which Aero responded to with a brief smile and nod, as he listened to Bright talk. He was for some reason surprised that she was an only child. He would have thought someone with her personality would have grown up from being surrounded by close siblings to bounce off of and grow up with.

"Same. They both worked a lot and thought they wouldn't be able to care for more than just me," Aero stated matter-of-factly.

As she often spent time alone, she had always been a fan of pony watching, herself.  For now, aside from the momentary attention given to the little pink foal, her attention had been pulled away from the fallen foliage, and she was now taken by watching Aero - discreetly, of course, and from the corner of a baby blue eye.  He was an interesting pony, she had decided, and simply standing in silence with him was an odd comfort to the ever-wandering unicorn, though she couldn't deduce why it could be.

Somehow, she was also surprised to learn that Aero had grown up without any siblings, but then, she was beginning to learn that the unlikely pair had more in common that met the eye - apart from the obvious biological differences between the mare and the stallion.

When he mentioned that his parents were often busy at their occupations, Bright Eyes offered a knowing nod.  "So did mine.  And, to be truthful, they were already rather old to be first-time parents when I arrived.  What sort of work do your parents do?  Sometimes it was a little lonely," she admitted, as she had a sneaking suspicion that he could relate.  "I had plenty of time to read, which suited me fine.  You probably had a lot of time to hone your flying skills."  It was merely a guess, as imagining Aero Dynamic as a young, energetic gray colt was rather adorable for the mare.

The quiet was almost idillic. It was only pierced by the cries of the playing children. If anything, it was a harmony of joy that accompanied the sounds of nature surrounding them. Aero's eyes closed for a few moments to enjoy the moment before Bright spoke up.

Aero was a little reluctant to talk about his parents. However, the alternative was to halt the conversation in the same way he had the other night, which he deemed as much worse. He compromised with the solution of answering her but keeping it concise. He couldn't find it in himself to open up to anyone again. He needed time.

"My father works in the weather factory as Head of Cloud Distribution. My mother's retired, but she worked as a night guard. She was normally around in the day although she'd usually be too tired to do much," he told her, looking away from Bright and back to the children. His usually flat tone took on a slightly softer edge as he chuckled a little at the similarities of their past. "In fact, she'd often read to me. Tales of pegasus warriors and heroes."

Aero's head shook to break himself out of the moment, his brown mane tossing from side to side. His forehoof rose to comb it back as he spoke up, a slight crack in his voice to begin with.

"What about you? What do your parents do?"

Bright Eyes could notice a faint different in the stallion's voice after she had asked the question, but he answered nonetheless.  She had no qualms about speaking of her family, and she did so with a smile.  "My father taught and gave lectures, but he's retired.  My mother has always worked in a laboratory or an observatory, trying to fuse magic and science in new ways.  I'm sure all of this is very surprising, given how I turned out."

She wondered if pegasi stories were very different from the ones she had been raised on - but then, her parents' subject choice was undeniably strange, no matter their species.  "I got to hear stories about long-dead ponies and civilizations - you know, the usual fairy tales."  She smirked ironically.  Maybe she hadn't been much of a foal even when she was one, she pondered, with the old stories her peers more than other fillies her age.  Her lips pursed in a pensive manner as she considered this new thought.