The next morning, Maud Pie was walking around Ponyville. Despite having a blank expression on her face, she was feeling excited, to see Mudbriar, again. She didn't know where Mudbriar lived, which made Maud stop and realize she didn't know where she was going. She was usually a practical thinker, but her mind had been distracted, due to new feelings she was developing.

Maud Pie had remembered, that Mudbriar lived near the area, where Dr. Hooves was selling rocks. She started walking by that area and comes across a small cafe. Maud looked at the cafe and noticed that it had a pile of rocks, underneath a plant. The plant was supposed to be the thing, that got the customers' attention. However, Maud was distracted by the rocks, so she opened the door and went into the cafe.

After getting inside, Maud Pie started gazing at the looks, while having a plain expression on her face. Some of the customers saw her staring at the rocks and felt weirded-out. However, one of the customers walked up to Maud and tapped her shoulder. Maud turned around and saw that the customer was Mudbriar. Maud felt surprised, but happy, as well. Mudbriar had looked gloomy, until Maud arrived, which made him smile. Maud said, "Hi, Mudbriar."

Mudbriar replied, "Hi, Maud." He gave her a cup of coffee and said, "I was expecting you to come by, eventually."

Maud felt confused, while asking, "Why did you think I would come here? We didn't make plans, to meet here. I didn't even know this cafe existed, until a few minutes ago."

Mudbriar explained, "I go to this cafe, often. I figured you would feel tempted, to pay a visit, because of the rocks."

Maud said, "If that's the case, why didn't you just ask me, to come here?"

Mudbriar replied, "I'm afraid I didn't think of that. I was a bit distracted."

Maud said, "Distracted?"

Mudbriar replied, "Um, yes. It's hard to describe it, but for some reason, I can't think properly, when I'm around you." He paused and said, "That was probably a bad way, of wording myself. It's not like you make me dumber or anything." He put his hoof over his face, while saying, "Technically, I'm a very dignified, mature pony. However, if you thought otherwise, I wouldn't blame you. I'm afraid I haven't been myself, since last night."

Maud shyly replied, "Actually, I know how you feel. I feel the same. I've been acting a bit different since I met you."

Mudbriar jokingly said, "Maybe we're allergic to each-other."

Maud replied, "Or maybe we're each-other's antidote."

Maud and Mudbriar sat down and started drinking coffee. Maud looked behind her and continued staring at the rocks. The rocks were a bit small. Although Maud was impressed by big rocks, she also liked small rocks. She thought they were cute.

Mudbriar noticed how distracted Maud was, by the rocks, so he jokingly said, "It seems like you might want to have coffee with the rocks, rather than me."

Maud turned around and replied, "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I get distracted, by my rock hobby."

Mudbriar responded, "Well, I'm not going to act like I'm any better. If there were a bunch of sticks, in this cafe, I'd be looking at them."

Maud said, "I suppose I would lose, if I entered a beauty contest, because you'd vote for the sticks."

Mudbriar replied, "No, I'd choose you."

Maud started blushing, which was something she rarely did. She said, "Wow, that's really sweet of you. However, I was kidding. I'd never enter a beauty contest. I think those contests are bad. They give special attention, to the winner, while making the other contestants feel ugly."

Mudbriar replied, "Technically, all contestants are beautiful."

Maud almost dropped a bit of coffee, on her frock. She felt relieved, that the coffee landed on the floor, rather than her outfit. Maud said, "Thank goodness, that my outfit didn't get a stain."

Mudbriar replied, "That outfit still looks lovely, on you."

Maud said, "So does your outfit."

Mudbriar replied, "You do know, that I don't wear an outfit, right?"

Maud shyly said, "Oh, right."

Mudbriar said, "So, what do you do, for a living?"

Maud replied, "I put a lot of work, into my parents' rock farm. I also write poetry, on the side."

Mudbriar said, "Oh, really? I write poetry, too. I'd love to hear one of your poems."

Maud started digging around her frock's pockets, before grabbing a piece of paper, that had one of her poems. She looked at Mudbriar, while saying, "I love rocks. You can't wear them, as if they were socks, but they have gorgeous locks. I found a bunch of rocks, at the docks. That's something you shouldn't mock. I like hawks. Let's have a nice talk. Don't eat that chalk. It tastes like a rock, which isn't something to gawk."

Even though Maud's poem was random and nonsensical, Mudbriar felt impressed. He said, "What a powerful poem, Maud."

Maud said, "Thank you. I believe there's a meaningful story, in my poem. Speaking of poems, I'd like to hear one of yours."

Mudbriar replied, "Okay." He paused and said, "I love sticks. They're something you shouldn't lick. I did met someone, who tried to lick a stick, named Rick. He was a prick. He became sick. He was someone, that I wanted to kick. Technically, his name was Mick. If he was in a softball game, he isn't someone you'd pick."

Maud said, "Wow, that was a great poem."

Mudbriar felt proud of himself, while saying, "Technically, Rick is a real pony. He's not somebody, that I'm a big fan of, but he did serve as an inspiration, for that poem."

Maud replied, "I'm glad to hear that. That was a beautiful poem."

Mudbriar responded, "Why, thank you. Maud, I'm starting to realize, that we have so many similar attributes. We both dislike expressing our emotions and we both like finding collectibles and writing beautiful poetry."

Maud said, "Yeah, we have all the same interests."

Mudbriar replied, "Technically, that's not true. I like sticks, while you like rocks."

Maud sighed and responded, "I suppose that's true."

Mudbriar said, "However, that isn't a bad thing. Our different interests can make things more interesting for our relationship."

Maud said, "Relationship?"

Mudbriar nervously replied, "Well, relationship might not be the best word, to describe the bond we have. I just thought that -"

Before Mudbriar could finish talking, Maud said, "Please, hold that thought. Boulder's trying to tell me something." Mudbriar watched Maud pull Boulder, out of her frock and begin talking to it. Even though Boulder looked like an inanimate object, Maud appeared to be listening to Boulder.

Maud gently placed Boulder on the table and looked at Mudbriar, while saying, "I'm sorry. Boulder was getting anxious, to say something. Most ponies think I'm weird, for talking to him, but Boulder's my pet and I really like him. I hope you don't think I'm weird, too."

Mudbriar replied, "I don't. In fact, I want you to meet my pet." Mudbriar put a stick on the table and said, "This is my pet, Twiggy."

Maud said, "Wow, what a lovely pet. You're very lucky."

Mudbriar replied, "So are you."

Maud and Mudbriar continued drinking their coffee, while talking. They kept sharing various hobbies and habits and they realized they had several things, in-common. Maud had never met another pony, who was more like her, than Mudbriar. Although it was hard to tell, from her blank expression, Maud tended to feel a bit awkward and uncomfortable, around ponies she wasn't related to. However, when she was with Mudbriar, she felt differently. She still felt awkward, but she also felt happy. She felt like Mudbriar was her equal.

After they finished drinking their coffee, Maud looked at a nearby clock and saw that it was 10:30 a.m. She said, "I better get going, soon."

Mudbriar replied, "I understand, but technically, I wish I could spend more time with you."

Maud said, "I have to visit my sister and the rock farm, but after that, I think I'll be free."

Mudbriar replied, "Then perhaps I'll see you, later."

Maud said, "I'd like that."

Mudbriar said, "Technically, I like you."

Maud paused and said, "What?"

Mudbriar nervously smiled and replied, "I'm deeply sorry, Maud. I don't know why I said that. I guess I just couldn't let you leave, before telling you that."

Maud smiled back and responded, "I like you, too."

Mudbriar felt relieved, while saying, "That's good. Otherwise, this would be awkward. Well, I suppose this is awkward, regardless."

Maud and Mudbriar stared at one another, while wondering how they should say goodbye? Should they hug? Should one of them kiss the other, on the cheek? What would be too affectionate and what would be too casual?

Eventually, Maud and Mudbriar touched hoofs. Since ponies didn't have hands, touching hoofs was the closest thing they had, to holding hands. Maud looked more cheerful, than she usually was, while saying, "I think I'll see you, later."

Mudbriar replied, "I look forward to that, my dear rock."

Maud responded, "Thank you, my sweet stick."

Maud and Mudbriar considered things, like rocks and sticks, to be good candidates, for affectionate nicknames. Most ponies would think that was weird, but they were too happy, to care about that.

Maud Pie stepped out of the cafe and started walking to the Sugarcube Corner. Maud was feeling distracted, by her feelings, which made her walk less carefully, than usual. This led to her bumping into Princess Twilight Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle's crown fell off her head.

Filthy Rich walked by and saw the crown, that had landed on the ground. He picked it up and had a sneaky smile on his face, while saying, "Wow, I'm betting this is worth a lot of money."

Maud took the crown and replied, "This belongs to a friend of mine."

Filthy Rich looked embarrassed, while saying, "My apologies. I wasn't aware of that. However, if your friend is willing to sell that crown, let me know."

Maud put the crown on Twilight's head and said, "I'm sorry, about that. I wasn't being careful, while walking."

Twilight Sparkle replied, "Don't worry about it, Maud. I wasn't being that careful, either. Pinkie Pie has some new cupcakes, that she wants me to try and I was distracted, because I'm really hungry."

Maud said, "Oh, I was about to visit Pinkie Pie."

Twilight Sparkle took a close look, at Maud's face and noticed she was smiling. Twilight had seen Maud smile, before, but it was a very rare sight and Twilight hadn't seen Maud smile, to this extent. She asked, "What's going on?"

Maud asked, "What do you mean?"

Twilight Sparkle said, "You just look really happy. I hope this doesn't sound wrong, but I'm not used to you looking happy."

Maud replied, "That's true. I guess I don't really express a lot of emotions, with my face. It's just something, that I don't really like doing."

Twilight Sparkle smiled, while saying, "Well, you seem to be very expressive, this morning. Something good has happened, hasn't it?"

Maud tried to stop smiling, while replying, "You could say that."

Twilight Sparkle looked amused, while saying, "I've never seen you act like this, before."

Maud tried to change the conversation, by saying, "Shouldn't we start walking to the bakery? We both want to see Pinkie and you're starving."

Twilight Sparkle replied, "That's true. We can talk, while walking to the bakery."

Maud felt tempted, to walk away from Twilight, but she figured that would be rude, so she walked next to Twilight. Maud was feeling weird. She had become used to feeling calm, reserved and serious, all the time. Her mood was changing and she was struggling to keep up, with all the new emotions she was feeling.

Twilight Sparkle looked at Maud, while saying, "So, what's going on?"

Maud replied, "You probably don't want to know that. You're the Princess of Friendship. You have much more important and interesting things, to discuss."

Twilight Sparkle said, "Actually, I'm tired of hearing about my job and the castle. I want to know more, about you. What's up?"

Maud said, "Um, it's nothing, that you need to worry about."

Twilight Sparkle nudged Maud and replied, "You can trust me."

Maud said, "I went to a rock show, last night."

Twilight Sparkle asked, "Did you go to a rock concert?"

Maud shook her head and said, "A rock show is different, than a rock concert. It's an auction, for valuable rocks."

Twilight Sparkle replied, "Oh, then I guess it's no wonder, why you're feeling so chipper. You must of purchased several rocks."

Maud said, "I did and I was excited, at first. However, the rocks weren't rare or valuable. I was tricked."

Twilight Sparkle raised an eyebrow and replied, "Well, you something to be awfully cheerful, despite that."

Maud shyly said, "I made a new friend."

Twilight Sparkle replied, "Aww, that's nice. What's her name?"

Maud said, "Technically, it's a guy. His name is Mudbriar."

Twilight Sparkle said, "Oh, is he good friend?"

Maud smiled, while replying, "Yes he is."

Twilight Sparkle was starting to piece together, what was going on. She asked, "Is he good-looking?"

Maud replied, "Best-looking pony, in all of Equestria. Also, the smartest and most sophisticated."

Twilight Sparkle said, "Oh, Maud."

Maud asked, "What?"

Twilight Sparkle said, "Sounds like you've got a big crush on Mudbriar."

Maud wasn't the type of pony, who liked to lie, so she said, "I suppose that's true."

Twilight Sparkle replied, "This must be a big day, for you. Pinkie Pie's going to be thrilled, when she finds out."

Maud said, "I'm not sure it's a good idea, to tell Pinkie."

Twilight Sparkle looked confused, while asking, "Why not?"

Maud explained, "A long time ago, when Pinkie and I were young fillies, we both thought that romance was gross. Pinkie suggested we remain single, forever, I thought it sounded like a good idea, at the time. On Valentine's Day, we developed a tradition, where we'd buy valentines and throw rocks at the valentines. It represented the fact, that Valentine's Day doesn't rock."

Twilight Sparkle raised an eyebrow, while replying, "That's quite the peculiar tradition. Anyways, I'm sure Pinkie wouldn't mind, that you started liking romance."

Maud stopped walking and said, "Don't misquote me. I never said I started liking romance."

Twilight Sparkle replied, "Well, you did admit, that you have developed a crush."

Maud said, "Mudbriar and I just met, last night. We're still in the early part of our relationship, so it's hard to define the bond we have. I think it's safe to say, that we're not being romantic, yet."

A few seconds later, Mudbriar ran up to Maud and said, "Maud."

Maud asked, "How did you find me?"

Mudbriar said, "I smelt your charmingly-rocky fragrance."

Maud asked, "What's going on?"

Mudbriar sighed and said, "When we were saying goodbye, I didn't give you the type of goodbye, that I wanted to. I was scared, but I don't want my shyness to stop me, anymore."

Maud replied, "I know how you feel."

Mudbriar said, "So, would it be alright if I -"

Maud knew what Mudbriar was going to ask, so she said, "Yes." Maud and Mudbriar started kissing each-other. Twilight looked away.

After the kiss was over, Maud and Mudbriar were both blushing. Maud said, "Well, I suppose I'll see you, later."

Mudbriar replied, "Sounds wonderful."

After Mudbriar left, Maud and Twilight continued walking to the bakery. Twilight Sparkle looked at Maud, while saying, "I think that little incident proves you're starting to like romance."

Maud replied, "It was just a kiss."

Twilight Sparkle said, "Just a kiss? A kiss is one of the most romantic gestures, of all time."

Maud replied, "Not necessarily. I kiss Pinkie and my sisters, all the time."

Twilight Sparkle said, "That's true, but it's not like you kiss ponies, that you aren't related to."

Maud said, "Actually, I've kissed plenty of my friends."

Twilight Sparkle looked surprised, while asking, "Really?"

Maud said, "I prefer expressing my affection, without words."

Twilight Sparkle said, "That's nice and all, but you did call Mudbriar the handsomest and smartest pony, in all of Equestria."

Maud nervously replied, "I don't know why I said that."

Twilight Sparkle responded, "You said that, because you really like him."

Maud said, "I do. He's a hunk."

Twilight Sparkle replied, "I highly disagree, but I respect your opinion." She put her hoof on Maud's shoulder and said, "Pinkie's your sister and your closest friend. I don't think she'd mind, if she knew you developed a crush. If anything, I think she'd be happy."

Maud asked, "Really?"

Twilight Sparkle nodded and said, "Pinkie wants you to be happy. You don't need to be afraid. Just be honest."

Maud replied, "I suppose I could do that. Thank you, for the advice."

Twilight Sparkle responded, "It is my responsibility, considering I'm the Princess of Friendship."

A few minutes later, Maud and Twilight walked into the Sugarcube Corner. Mr. Cake, Mrs. Cake and Pinkie were working, when they entered. Pinkie saw them and quickly bounced to them, while saying, "I'm being visited by my sister and Twilight at the same time? What an exciting combo."

Twilight Sparkle replied, "I've been interested in trying those cupcakes."

Pinkie Pie heard Twilight's stomach growl, before saying, "I'll get you some of those cupcakes, right now."

Pinkie Pie started getting-out the cupcakes, while looking at Maud and asking, "How was the rock show?"

Maud explained, "I didn't get the rocks, that I wanted, but I did meet a new guy."

Pinkie said, "Oh, a new friend?"

Maud replied, "Actually, I have a crush on him."

Pinkie Pie was so surprised, that she accidentally flung the cupcakes across the bakery and screamed, "What?!"