She heard a small cough followed by a light chuckle from Penwright. “It ought to, Petina paid quite a few bits for it,” he said, his voice sounding a bit distant to her ears as her body further slipped into a relaxed state. “It’s a Nimbusport, a furniture company run by pegasi. ‘As soft as a cloud’, I think their motto is.”

“Not quite as soft, but pretty close,” Ickle murmured distractedly.

“But regarding your question,” he continued, sitting on the floor just within leg’s reach. He gave her a small smile, one that held equal amounts of warmth and mirth. “Well, I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to it.” He leaned his head towards her, ever so slightly. “It would be rather pleasant, actually.”

Her eyes flickered open and, realizing the proximity of his face, felt her face grow slightly warmer. Her eyes drifted from Penwright’s mesmerizing blue gaze to the bookshelf behind him, spying a copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets. “It’d also make for a fun story to tell later–” at this Ickle pried herself off the heavenly armchair and aired herself to the bookshelf, her steps muffled by the thick carpet. She turned her face to him for just a moment to flicker a lopsided grin and chuckle “–like that time I used your tie as an excuse to kiss you?“

She turned back to the bookshelf, smelling faintly the scent of dust, ink, flowers, and wood cleaner, no doubt the remnants of a dutiful cleaner bringing out the deep red shine in the woodgrain. “I don’t know why ponies get so excited about kissing like that, though…” her voice was faint as she pulled the Sonnets off the shelf “it’s as common of a gesture as hugging or high-hoofing…” she noticed that this particular copy was significantly more worn-in than any of the books surrounding it and thought to herself “it appears someone in the house is a romantic! How sweet.” Careful to not bend the weak spine any further, she opened it to where the book was most relaxed, settling on Sonnet 128. “hmm..” a ponderous hum rumbled under her lips as she began reading it, trying to understand the meaning behind the olde equestrian vernacular.