//------------------------------// // Unexpected Love - Ch. 5 // Story: Two Lives Becoming One // by manuccia //------------------------------// It was the night of the winter gala and Soarin’ has arrived in Ponyville to get his date. As he flew over the quiet town, he noticed the light covering of snow of the ground as he touched down in front of the Carousel Boutique. Soarin’ lightly knocked on the door. He quickly ran a hoof through his mane. “You can come in,” a pony called from inside the boutique. Soarin’ made his way inside the small ornate shop. A pure white unicorn emerged from a back room to greet the stallion. “Twilight will be out in a moment, just some finishing touches,” Rarity said heading back in the work room. Soarin’ trotted in and sat in a small waiting area. He looked into a nearby mirror and inspected his blue Wonderbolts dress uniform. He checked to make sure his rank and EWS lightning bolt insignia were properly placed and spaced. ‘Ok, when Twilight gets done getting ready, we head out and get on our chariot to Canterlot.’ Soarin’ had rented a chariot to take them to the gala. Soarin’ replayed the night's plan in his head. ‘First, take chariot to Canterlot with Twilight. At the gala when I ask Twilight to dance, bow to her and offer her my largest feather.’ He looked down at his left wing and the largest one had a small notch made in it. It was a Pegasus tradition to offer a feather to one’s love as a sign of their love. Spitfire spent an entire evening teaching him how properly to prepare the feather to be plucked. ‘After the gala, I take Twilight to the Sun and Moon and eat with Princess Cadence and her husband. I need to make sure I am a perfect gentlecolt, so I make a good impression for Twilight’s brother. Finally, we take the chariot home to Ponyville, and that will be Twilight’s perfect night.’ The door to the work room slowly opened. Out of it came a lavender unicorn. She was wearing a purple gown with a light purple sash running down the back and in front was on her dress was her cutie mark. “Well, Soarin’… what do you think?” Twilight asked. “Twilight… You look absolutely beautiful,” Soarin’ said staring into the mare’s shimmering purple eyes. Soarin’ trotted over to Twilight. “You really mean that Soarin’,” Twilight ask blushing at the attention Soarin’ was giving her. Soarin’ began to nuzzle Twilight’s cheek. “You’re the most beautiful mare in all Equestria, and I’m lucky to be your coltfriend,” Soarin’ said affectionately. “I’m the lucky one, Soarin’,” the studious mare said nuzzling him back. “You look great too.” “Come on Twilight, let’s get going.” Twilight said her good byes to Rarity and the two ponies made their way into the center of town. ‘Ok, there should be a golden chariot here.’ Soarin’ began to look around the town commons and finally spotted his ride to Canterlot. ‘Yes, that’s our chariot.’ Soarin’ then watched another couple get on their chariot. ‘No, no,no… That’s our chariot, what I am going to do…’ Soarin’ tried to hide his panic because he didn’t want Twilight to worry. ‘Wait, The Friendship Express has another line going to Canterlot today, we can catch that.’ “Soarin’ where are we going?” Twilight asked with curiosity. “We are going to the train station,” Soarin’ answered slyly. “We’re taking the Friendship Express to Canterlot?” Twilight asked. “Uh, yes… I hear the view from the train is amazing this time of year,” Soarin’ stated. ‘It would’ve been better if we were on our chariot.’ The two ponies continued through Ponyville. Ponies were buzzing around town preparing for Ponyville’s winter solstice celebration, but Twilight didn’t care. The only pony she cared about was the stallion walking next to her. Twilight looked over her partner as they made their way to Ponyville Station. While Twilight said that she wasn’t interested in romance before she met Soarin’, that didn’t mean she didn’t take a peek into a few romances novels. She studied his wind swept mane and powerful, yet graceful wings; she would never tell anypony this, but one could say that she was a sucker for pegasi. Twilight looked into Soarin’s eyes, and smiled. After a few minutes of walking, the train station was in view. “Ok, Twilight I’ll go get our tickets,” Soarin’ said heading to the ticket counter. “Hello, I would like two tickets to Canterlot,” Soarin’ asked the grey earth pony sitting behind the counter. “Yes sir, that will be 20 bits,” the grey pony said. Soarin’ gave the salespony his bit and took the two tickets in his mouth. “The Last train to Canterlot is boarding now.” Soarin’ and Twilight made their way on board and took their seats. The train soon left for the glorious capital city of Canterlot. Neither Soarin’ nor Twilight knew what to say, so they decided to simple enjoy each other’s company and the view of the snow covered mountains. As the gilded domes of Canterlot castle came into view, Twilight turned to her coltfriend and saw a nervous look plastered on his face. “Soarin’ are you ok?” Twilight asked. “You look nervous.” “What, I’m fine,” Soarin’ lied. Twilight continued to gaze at Soarin’. “Ok, ok I am a little nervous,” Soarin’ confessed. “It’s just that you are the first mare I’ve ever dated and I want this night to be perfect for you, Twilight.” “I’m kind of nervous too,” Twilight assured. What Twilight didn’t tell Soarin’ was that she was up all night pacing, worrying about her upcoming date, and little does Twilight know the hundred laps Soarin’ did around Cloudsdale was not purely for athletic conditioning. “What are our plans for tonight?” Twilight asked realizing that she hadn’t asked yet and that hasn’t been worrying about the lack of schedule for the night. “When we get to Canterlot we are going to enjoy the gala and watch Princess Luna raise the moon, then I am taking you out to dinner at the Sun and Moon and there is a surprise waiting for you there,” Soarin’ explained. “A surprise, what is it?” “You’ll find out when we get to dinner,” Soarin’ chuckled. “Ok… Are we staying in the city for the night?” Twilight asked. Soarin’ was confused. ‘I’m going to be taking you back to your home in Ponyville and after wishing you a good night, I was going to fly back to Cloudsdale,’ Soarin’ thought. Then he realized that they were on the Friendship Express and the last line to Canterlot for the night, which meant the last line to Ponyville, would leave shortly after they arrive. “That’s a surprise as well,” Soarin’ lied. “Now arriving: Canterlot Station,” the conductor announced as the train came to a halt. “That’s our stop, Twilight,” Soarin’ said. The ponies made their way off the train and into the bustling city. Canterlot was alive with activity: colts and fillies running along the streets playing and ponies setting up decorations for the first celebration of the year’s longest night. The fallen snow only added to the beauty of Canterlot’s architecture. Soarin’ and Twilight trotted through central Canterlot towards the royal castle and the gala; as they approached the castle they saw a plethora of carriages and chariots arriving and dropping couples off for the night’s celebration. As they entered the castle, at the top of the grand staircase stood the princess of the night, Princess Luna greeting arriving ponies. “Good evening, Princess,” Twilight greeted as both her and Soarin’ bowed. “I glad you came, Twilight Sparkle, to celebrate our… I mean my night,” Luna said. “I see you brought a stallion with you.” “Yes, this is Soarin’, he’s my coltfriend,” Twilight explained. “I wish you both a wonderful evening,” Luna said as the couple made their way to the ballroom. As the two ponies entered the ornate ballroom filled with the lyrical sounds of the performing ensemble, Twilight found herself instinctively leaning into Soarin’. The studious mare found herself in a state of pure bliss; enjoying the comfort of Soarin’ soft, light blue coat. The two ponies stopped at the edge of the dance floor. Soarin’ looked down at the mare standing next to him and smiled. “Hey, Soarin’ I am going to get some punch,” Twilight said. “I’ll get it, Twilight,” Soarin’ said. Soarin’ knew that he had to be a gentlecolt. “It’s ok, Soarin’,” the lavender mare said. “It will be easier for me to get, you know… magic,” Twilight said pointing to her horn. Soarin’ agreed and watched Twilight trot off the refreshment’s table. ‘Ok, when Twilight gets back I’ll ask her to dance,’ Soarin’ thought as he went over the courting ritual in his head. ‘First, bow to Twilight and flare my wings. Then I will find and pluck the my largest feather and offer to Twilight, and finally I will ask her to dance.’ As Soarin’ was waiting for his marefriend to return, he heard two stallions talking behind him. He turned to see to unicorns talking to each other. ‘Just two stuck-up unicorns,’ Soarin’ thought. “Did you hear, some unicorn mare brought a Pegasus as a date,” Soarin’ heard one of the unicorns say. Against his better judgment, Soarin’ decided to listen in. “I don’t care about the love life of some backwater unicorn,” the second stallion said. “No, this mare is the personal student of Princess Celestia,” the first unicorn explained. “What!?!” The second stallion exclaimed. “I know it’s a shame to the crown.” “Someone should tell the princess, so she can end that travesty of a relationship.” “Agreed…” Soarin’ couldn’t stand ponies like that. He felt his anger growing and decided to walk away before he did something he regretted. He saw the ponies giving him dirty looks while they were arriving at the gala. He didn’t care about what they said about him, but when they insult Twilight, that sent him near the edge. He tried to calm himself down, when he saw Twilight approaching. “Hey, Soarin’.” Twilight said. “Are you ok, Soarin’?” Twilight asked noticing his demeanor. “I fine, Twilight,” Soarin’ reassured Twilight. ‘Ok Soarin’, it’s time.’ Soarin’ turned to Twilight. He bowed down to the mare, while fully extending his wings. He looked up at Twilight and saw her eyes wind as saucers and mouth hung open. Soarin’ chuckled to himself, realizing that Twilight probable isn’t familiar with pegasi traditions. He turned to his right wing and found the largest feather. He grabbed the feather with his mouth and began to tug at it. ‘Why isn’t this feather coming out?’ He was worried, Spitfire said that a small tug should be all. He gave a harder tug and strong wave of pain rippled through his wing. ‘Spitfire said it wouldn’t hurt… Wait this is my right wing.’ Soarin’ thought as he realized the feather he prepared was on his left wing. He turned to his left wing and found his feather. The feather came out with ease and he offered it his mare. “Twilight, may I have the honor of this dance?” he asked as he placed the feather behind her ear. On the other side of the ballroom, a unicorn couple was standing. A dark blue stallion and a grey mare. “Oh, Crescent where is Twilight?” The mare asked. “I heard she was going to be here.” “I don’t know Star, but I’m sure we’ll…” Crescent had finally found his daughter on the other side of the room, but surprised him was the stallion bowing to her. “What, did you find Twilight?” Star asked looking around for Twilight. Crescent felt his breathing begin to grow heavy with his anger. “Yeah, but I’m more interested in that colt.” “What colt?” “The one trying to court our daughter,” Twilight’s father said, his anger obvious. “Oh, that colt,” Twilight’s mother stated seeing Twilight. “Calm down, Crescent. Last time I talked to Twilight she said she wasn’t interested in dating,” Star said trying to calm her husband. “Good, then she’ll tell that punk to buzz off.” “Come on, Crescent let’s go see our daughter,” Star said trotting towards Twilight. Twilight her hooves wrapped around Soarin’ and rested her head in his shoulder as they danced. They both were happy to be in the comfort of each other’s company. Soarin’ took in a heavy sniff of Twilight’s mane. “I love the scent of your mane. It smells like lilacs,” Soarin’ said. Twilight blushed at Soarin’ complement. “Your mane smells nice too, it smells like clouds,” she said. “I wonder why,” Soarin’ chuckled, both ponies were gracefully moving around the dance floor. “Maybe it’s because you always have your head in the clouds,” Twilight explained. “It’s hard not to when I’m dancing with a beautiful mare,” Soarin’ said. A furious blush spread across her face. “Soarin’, you’re making me blush,” she said heading her face in Soarin’s mane. “I love you, Twilight,” Soarin’ admitted. Twilight pulled her head out his mane and looked into his eyes, and he had small caring smile on his face. “I think I love you too, Soarin’.” Soarin’ looked back into Twilight purple eyes. ‘I’m so happy right now, here with Twilight this is the best night of my life.’ Soarin’ began to move is head down towards Twilight’s and their lips met in a short sweat kiss. Soarin’ pulled his head back and saw a look of shock on Twilight’s face. Soarin’ cursed at himself, he knew they both agreed to take this slow. “I’m sorry Twilight, I-I-I…” Soarin’ was interrupted by Twilight’s lips smashing against his. ‘Oh my, Twilight is kissing me.’ Soarin’ returned the kiss and their heads began to move in a synchronous dance. A wave of bliss overcame both ponies and the rest of the world blacked out to them. After what seemed like an eternity to Soarin’, he felt a pairs of strong hooves wrap around his neck. Before Soarin’ could react he felt the hooves pull him out of his embrace and turn him around. He found a dark blue unicorn stallion standing in front of him, his eyebrows furled in anger. “You better have a good explanation to why you have your grubby hooves all over my daughter.”