Time for some shameless flirtingggg~

There was something very clear about joining a royal’s court. Everyone’s going to know that you’re new. And with everyone trying to meet the newest scribe to Luna’s council, the only thing Blue Moon wanted to do was hide in the library and get lost in the stacks, desperate to check out all the books that were unique to Canterlot’s Castle Library. He had managed to slip past all the other court members who were keen on introducing themselves and trying to learn his life story. He had spent all week being prodded with questions like:

'You came from the Crystal Empire? Were you born there? Who are your parents? Oh, friends of Queen Cadence? Your family must be pretty well off, huh? Would you like to meet my son/daughter and see if you two hit it off?'

And now he gladly disappeared into the library, with his head shoved in every book he could get his hooves on. Hours seem to pass in minutes and he felt enthralled by all the new tomes around him. Moony occasionally heard a pony wandering quietly through the stacks, either to put away books or browse before leaving, until someone made a bee-line for the stallion and started talking, taking no care to the “quiet voices in the library” rule.

“So you’re the new scribe.”

Blue Moon tilted his head up, glancing at the creature in front of him. A mare, with mane and tail perfectly coiffed, was eyeing him brazenly with a flirtatious grin stretched across her muzzle. He tilted his head, his eyes landing on the page in front of him and then back to her face before giving a polite smile.

“Um, yes. That’s me. Nice to meet you.”

Calliope giggled softly, looking around to the piles of books in the corner before gluing her gaze back to him once more. He hadn’t furthered the conversation by asking for her name, so she took it upon herself to carry the conversation.

“My name is Calliope, daughter of King Thorax and Duke Blueblood… The whole court’s been absolutely buzzing about you, hm? I’ve heard many interesting things, Blue Moon.” Her voice nearly dripped with sugary sweetness as she circled him once, as if intent on drawing his eye. Blue Moon glanced up from his book every few seconds or so, but only because he was trying to not be rude.

“Really?” He asked, only half-listening to her as she spoke. “Interesting things? I doubt I’m very interesting compared to everyone else around here.” His eyes squinted as he tried to make out a word on a page, lifting the book closer to his face.

Calliope didn’t seem to notice his disinterest in small talk, or perhaps she was far too interested in herself to notice she was basically talking to a brick wall. “Well, I would love to learn more about you. Perhaps you can invite me to dinner tonight and we can get to know each other better.”

It was clear, to Calliope at least, that because of being one of the most eligible high-society mares in Canterlot, he would snap up her offer immediately. After all, mares and stallions alike lined up around the block at a chance for dinner with her. So why would this handsome stallion be any different?

“Oh, no thank you.” Moony gave another kind smile, his eyes once again roaming his book after rejecting her offer. “I’ve got plenty of work to do here and I’m already planning on ordering some food later so I can stay here late. But that’s very kind of you, it’s nice to know I’ll have a friend around court once I catch up on my reading.”

The mare was absolutely stunned by his response. No? The last time she had heard that word was from a nanny that took care of her. Calliope’s carefully crafted and alluring visage fell for a moment as she tried to right herself. How could he not tell that she was flirting with him? And how could he be more interested in some dusty book than her?

She cleared her throat, once again putting on a charming smile, forcing herself to not falter. “Well, I’ll let you get back to your…reading…then.”

As Calliope walked away, he looked up and grinned, probably happy to have some quiet. “It was nice to meet you!” He waved in farewell, sure to whisper to avoid bothering anyone else in the library. Moony turned back to the stack of books in the corner, flipping through a few volumes at once.

On her way out of the library, Calliope spotted her brother closer to the entrance, hovering a book down from the shelf. It was clear Acanthus knew what she had been doing and he gave her a devilish grin, already giving her grief.

“Done trying to seduce the new scribe, Calli?” He snorted.

Calliope frowned, giving her brother a dark glare. “Oh, shut up.”