Did I start shipping these two because I wanted a spoopy next gen in my verse? Yes. Do I still think they’d be cute together, regardless of my need for a ridiculous amount of next gen? ABSOLUTELY
 
After the Kirins had been freed from their silence, a few decided that they wanted to travel outside their village, inspired by Autumn Blaze doing so to see Applejack in Ponyville. One of those Kirin was Fern Flare, who loved nothing more than to laugh and have a great time. She explored cities of Equestria with her small group of friends, visiting Ponyville, Manehattan, Canterlot, Vanhoover, and the Crystal Empire. The Kirins made the most of their time, seeing shows, going shopping, and enjoying city nightlife. At Fluttershy’s recommendation, their stops included each of Rarity’s Boutiques. They ran into Sassy Saddles and Inky Rose at the Canterlot Carousel, who showed the group a great time full of “modeling” dresses for each other and treating them to classic Canterlot cuisine (which was one of the best parts for Fern Flare, considering her plump nature).
 
Inky Rose found the group charming, already planning a new line of gothic clothes based off her new friends. Fern Flare and Inky seemed to connect (at least, that’s what Sassy said), with Fern chattering excitably all night with Inky intently listening, giving an occasional word of confirmation or a short sentence. The stout kirin, above all, could not stop admiring Inky’s style and regularly complimented her throughout the night, flattering the pegasus greatly. At the end of the night, when it was time for both groups to go their separate ways, Sassy teased Inky that she had spent a good portion of the evening focusing on Kirin in particular. Inky Rose’s response?
 
“What? She has good vibes.”
 
Fern Flare didn’t forget about her new friend from Canterlot, even when she returned to the Kirin Village. In order to keep that friendship, Fern started to send letters and handmade gifts to Inky Rose, only knowing the Canterlot Carousel’s address. The boutique got at least 3 letters and one package a week, only making Sassy waggle her eyebrows at her coworker, who would try to casually sneak into the back to see what Fern had sent her. Most of the time, it would be small pottery or (if Inky was really lucky) some small fashion accessory. Most of the times, Fern’s work included whatever she could find, having sent a necklace made of vines, an acorn, and some small pinecones. It was pretty terrible, but Inky couldn’t help but love how horrible it was.
 
Inky later enlisted Fern Flare and some of her Kirin buddies as models for a Canterlot Carousel, with Rarity’s hearty approval, where the boutique released a new line of nature-inspired dresses. Inky Rose even dressed up for the occasion, sporting one of Fern Flare’s handmade accessories in her own outfit. The release went off without a hitch, Fern had a chance to bounce around delighted that Inky liked the accessories she made, and the two finished off the night getting some curry from the Tasty Treat.
 
Fern Flare and Inky continued playing their back and forth game for awhile, until finally admitting their feelings for each other. Fern is Inky’s muse, and Inky Rose always manages to make Fern Flare laugh.  
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Y’all will see their kiddo on the 25th, so keep an eye out! :D