"Good Morning Twi."
"M-Morning YAWN"
"How's my loverly one this morning"
"Giggle Loverly one? Seriously?"
"You try coming up with cute nicknames while cooking delicious food."
"It does smell good doesn't it?"
"Yeah, but nothing will top the taste of last night though."
"Last night? What do you mean?"
"I think it started somewhere here..."
"Hey, pay att-mmmph"
"Stove's off... Maybe we should just have part two here."
"Here? In the kitchen?
"I wouldn't want to waste any time."
"Eep, b-but what if Spike comes back?"
"Then stop wasting time..."
"Ah! Eep! Not there! Oh, oooh!
Twilight awoke in her reading chair, a book tightly hugged to her midriff. She blinked a couple of times trying to realize what had just occurred.
"Oh no... It's getting worse..." she commented to herself. A knock came to the door.
Gah! Shining Armor and Cadence were supposed to be coming today! she ran upstairs to get changed before zipping back down by the time the second round of knocks were finished.
"Hello," she began opening the door and stood shocked to see that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna both accompanied her brother and his wife. "Oh Princess Celestia, Princess Luna! I didn't know you would be arriving too!"
"We wanted to surprise both you and Star Dusk. May we come in?" said Celestia smiling.
"Of course, Of course!! Come in everyone." Thank goodness I went and changed first.
"Where is he anyway?" asked Shining Armor as everyone took seats that Twilight had levitated out.
"Who? Star Dusk? He's over at Vinyl's and Octavia's again."
"You sound disappointed." said Cadence leading Twilight to an obvious topic.
"No, nothing like that. He enjoys learning music with Octavia. She even let him start to write his own music after we got back from the Crystal Empire."
"Considering that was six months ago, you probably listen to it all the time!"
There was an uncomfortable pause. Luna broke the silence.
"He does allow you to listen to his work, right?"
"I... uh... I've never asked him to. I don't really want to intrude on his hobby, he can have fun with it without having me to listen and critique or whatever."
"But if you guys are together you should be sharing each other's accomplishments." said Cadence with the air of a mentor in the subject.
Another silence.
"You guys are together right?"
"You haven't sent us any letters on the subject of your relationship since your return to Ponyville." said Celestia.
"I was also interested to see where Star Dusk would be on this topic." added Luna.
"So Shining Armor, how's the Crystal Empire?" Twilight tried to deflect.
"Oh no, I'm staying out of the girl talk here. Don't go dragging me down into it."
Twilight's eyes fleeted from person to person looking for a way out. The Princesses seemed intent on getting the information they desired and Shining Armor kept his eyes on the door, probably hoping for Star Dusk to enter and taking him from the 'girl talk'.
"sigh Nothing's happened, we're not really 'together' or anything."
"Why?" asked Cadence.
"Well,"
The door suddenly slammed wide open causing everyone to turn around.
"Hey there Ponyville Library! WHAT UP!?" yelled an enthusiastic Vinyl Scratch, wearing her trademark magenta sunglasses along with white jeans and tank top with two bridged eighth notes in the center of the chest. "Oh. I didn't know the Princesses were here." she finished uncharacteristically quiet as she fell to one knee.
Thank Celestia. She can actually be respectful. From outside the door came Star Dusk's voice.
"Vinyl wait! I think I changed my mind! Don't go and- oh." he quickly dropped to one knee beside her. "I thought our guests were Princess Cadence and Shining Armor."
"Nice to see you back on two feet!" said Shining Armor getting up.
"We came as a surprise visit. Seemed like it worked well." said Luna. "You both can get up."
As soon as they rose, Star Dusk went back to his conversation, "So yeah, I don't think I wanna do it anymore."
Everyone in the room froze and looked at them save for Twilight.
"Aw don't be like that, man. What your able to do with those fingers is like magic."
"Please don't phrase it like that." said Octavia as she walked in the door, bowing low for a moment to show respect to the royalty present. She wore a simple oxford shirt with pink bowtie and grey slacks.
"Okay, maaybe not as magic as Tavi's but...."
"Vinyl! The Princesses?" Octavia nodded her head in the direction of the seated company.
"Right, Right. Sorry 'bout that." Apologized Vinyl, bowing her head slightly before returning to the conversation. "But for serious dude, you need to do this. You're better than you think you are. Ain't that right Tavi?"
"As much as I hate agreeing with Vinyl so much, she's right Star Dusk. While your music is not to my tastes, it does have its own unique charm, much like her's does. And you can't have the same two people critique your work and expect to improve as an artist. You have to have different points of view to see where you need improvement."
"So, Star Dusk," began Princess Luna loudly, "When did you start getting into music? You haven't relayed anything about that in your letters."
Star Dusk froze in place. Even without turning, everyone could tell he was sweating bullets trying to think of an answer.
"He...... wanted... to surprise you!" said Vinyl spinning him around and draping her arm across his shoulders. "That's why we're telling him to perform with me at my next concert."
"Concert?" asked Twilight, her brow twitching slightly.
"Yeah!" continued Vinyl. "It's gonna be here in Ponyville in about three months. When I was scheduling it I thought about having him be an opener, but I heard his more recent work with Tavi and thought 'What the heck, we'll do a proper co-headliner concert'. I was thinking DJ-PON3 and THE H3R0. Hero spelled with a three and zero by the way. It's gonna be awesome!" she finished, wrapping her arm around his neck and hugging him in a headlock of sorts.
Twilight got up, liberated Star Dusk from the lock, and placed him behind her.
"Don't you think that co-headlining with a major known artist is a bit too much to pile on someone who hasn't performed in front of a crowd before?"
"While I would agree with you in theory," answered Octavia, "His talent and dedication to the craft has improved him leaps and bounds since he started learning with me. It probably would help more if there was more pressure on him."
"Or it could cause a major melt down and he'll never perform again."
"Wait a sec," Vinyl said stepping in, "What kind of guy do you think he is? He's not some kind of namby-pamby mamma's boy. You were with him when he saved the Crystal Empire for Celestia's sake."
"Now I'm not saying he shouldn't perform, I'm just saying maybe don't heap so much pressure on his first performance."
"Yeah, I know that. That's why I'm having him start at home, with people who already know him."
"Well that could be true or that could make it worse. Some people care more when it's people they know."
"Again, are we talking about the same guy? Your making him sound like a little kid who can't take a little heat!"
"And your making assumptions on how he'll react based on criteria that is irrelevant to this kind of performance!"
"What the heck are you talking about?"
"Girls!" interrupted Celestia, drawing all the attention to her. "We'll let him decide when he returns."
"Returns?" both of them said in unison.
Star Dusk had taken the opportunity that Shining Armor wanted and ducked out with him during the argument. Octavia seemed to have stepped away as well.
"Alright, it's better that way anyway." said Vinyl as she crossed her arms behind her head looking out the door. "Lemme know when he gets back." She walked out the door and back to her place. Twilight shut the door and returned to her seat.
"I'm sorry you hand to see that..." She said embarrassedly. "I haven't been able to control myself when it comes to him lately."
"Oh Twilight, that just shows that you care about him." Reassured Cadence.
"I don't know. In retrospect, I think I come across as over protective. Like I'm his mother or something." She replied.
"Then ask him out already! Then it would be like you staking your claim on the man!" Suggested Cadence.
"I would normally agree," inserted Luna, "however Star Dusk has never shown any interest in courting before. It might be better to see if that stance has changed before asking."
"Speaking from experience?" Asked her elder sister. Luna blushed and looked off to the side.
"Oh Princess Luna, I didn't know you had felt that way about-"
"That ship sailed a long time ago. Like I said, he had no interest in courting at the time so.... Yeah..."
The four fell silent for a while each one trying to find a new topic or a way to get back on topic without mentioning Luna's attempt. Twilight was curious however, and she could not keep it to herself for much longer.
"Princess Luna, when did you ask him?" Luna, thankfully for Twilight, seemed to consider her question and not be offended.
"Correct me if I'm wrong sister, but I believe it was one year after his mission with mother and father?"
"That sounds about right."
"He had been so sullen. I was hoping to be able to cheer him up, but alas.."
"Wait, Princess Celestia, how did you know when? Was it because it was before his request?"
"What request?" asked Luna intrigued.
"You mean you forgot?" Asked Celestia.
"Wait," interrupted Cadence. "Can we start from square one? I think you girls left me behind about the time you mentioned he was as old as you two."
"Okay, I'll recap what I know. Princess Celestia and Luna, if you could please fill in when appropriate?"
The two sisters nodded, both very interested to see where their shared memory of him went astray.
Star Dusk had been assigned as Princess Luna's personal guard soon after graduation from the academy of the guard. Top marks in almost everything except diplomacy and literature which was odd. Celestia's personal guard had been a woman, Sparkling Gauntlet,with top marks across the board and was valedictorian. Had she not been tapped for that duty, she would have defiantly been captain of a platoon easily. So having a guard that was less than that for her sister had initially disappointed Celestia. But she would not go against her parents decision.
Her feelings on the matter had shifted once she saw how much Luna enjoyed his company. Sparky, as Celestia had taken to call her guard, was all business. Star Dusk on the other hand had a very human and interpersonal relationship with Luna which seemed to betray the grades he had gotten in diplomacy. He had easily become the favorite of the two protectors although that did not seem to affect Sparky in anyway.
One day there was disturbing reports of Equestrian citizens being attacked along the border with the badlands. Celestia and Luna still couldn't fathom why their parents had gone to deal with the problem and not sent a regiment of guards to look into it. As a measure of showing their leadership skills as well as worry over the situation, the Princesses sent their personal guards as escorts citing that they were the best of the best and thus were more than qualified.
It was a full month before there was any sign of progress. The attacks died down slowly and stopped entirely. Then a week after that, Star Dusk stumbled back onto the castle grounds, heavily wounded and whispering apologies. Later that day, the royal council declared that both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had inherited the crown and would rule jointly like their parents before them.
None of the council would fill them in on the details of the demise of their parents and for a time would not even allow them to visit Star Dusk. It wasn't until Luna demanded that he return to his post, seven months after his return, as should have been his duty that they could see him again, a very changed man from the one that left. He reminded Celestia of Sparky which of course caused her to worry since he had been so different from her.
Two months back on the job and Luna had become worried. She had realized she loved the way he was before. She began to get close to him, embarrass him, and otherwise flirt with him to get a glimpse of the old guard she had fallen for. She saw she could temporarily force the old version of him return with her actions and three months into it she had asked him to court her. He had stood there for a long moment, worrying Luna. He took a deep breath and gently let her down, letting her know that it was highly inappropriate for a guard of his standing to be courting her. Of course she pointed that if his qualifications were the criteria, then he was the most suitable of all the men in the world to court her. He apologized once more and walked away.
Unbeknownst to Luna, he walked directly to Celestia for a very important and personal request. He wanted her to erase a specific memory in order to stop worrying Princess Luna. Now this had intrigued Celestia. What was in his memory that he willing to forget to let her sister be happy? She agreed with the condition that she saw what the memory was. At first he had argued that she shouldn't see the memory as she would change her opinion of him. She told him there was two reasons for the condition, first was that she had to know what the memory was in order to lock it away, second was that she needed to know how much she had to lock it down, whether it was just forgetting certain details or the entire thing.
He relented and allowed her to see the memory.
Celestia stopped her discourse and brought her hand to her chin pensively. Twilight had heard up to this point before so she was unaware of any other details and Luna did not know of this exchange at all so it was up to Celestia to fill this gap.
"I'm not so sure I should share this memory..."
"You can't stop there!" said Cadence who had become extremely engrossed in the story. "It's like almost at the climax I bet!"
"And you had shared to this point last time with us when we first brought him back. Please Princess?"
"Sister, this could be very important."
"Memories are personal things, the only reason I saw it was-"
"We know!" The three others interrupted.
"And it's not all important to Star Dusk's current condition since even he doesn't remember the event." she finished.
They all let out an exasperated sigh.
"Sister, you cannot be serious! This is very important! It could explain a lot of things from the time in which-"
"I thought you said that was all in the past?"
"But if I could-" Luna put her hand to lips, stopping herself and slowly looking at Twilight, who had realised just a moment before she did, now kicking forlornly at the floor.
"Twilight Sparkle, I do not have any intention of-"
The door opened, interrupting the conversation, and Octavia walked in.
"There is something you all should hear." she said motioning everyone to follow her.
They all arrived at the edge of town. Octavia stopped them all a ways from the tree where Shining Armor was sitting. Star Dusk seemed to be just arriving as well. He was setting up some musical equipment. Octavia joined the gentlemen and took a seat.
"Alright, let's hear it." He said.
"It's a work in progress alright? It's not all too good and-"
"Let me be the judge, go for it." Star Dusk inhaled and started the first chords on his guitar.
Change my attempt good intentions
The other instruments behind him, another guitar, an electric bass guitar, and a set of drums, began playing under his magical influence.
Crouched,
over,
you were not there,
living in fear,
But signs,
were not,
really that scarce,
obvious tears,
But I,
will not,
hide you through this,
I want you to help,
And please,
see,
the bleeding heart perched on my shirt
Twilight wondered where in the world this came from. It was a very interesting song, but unlike the ones that Vinyl or even Octavia had written where it seemed to suit their personalities, it seemed very uncharacteristic of him. Especially when she considered her first encounter with his music on the train to the Crystal Empire.
Die,
withdraw,
hide in cold sweat,
quivering lips ignore,
remorse,
naming a kid,
living Wasteland
This time,
you've tried,
all that you can,
it's turning you red
Change my attempt good intentions
Should I?
Could I?
Here we are with your obsession
Should I?
Could I?
Crowned,
hopeless,
the article read,
"Living Wasteland",
This time,
you've tried,
all that you can,
it's turning you red
Star Dusk's expression changed from on of concentration to one of pain and sadness
But I,
will not,
hide you through this,
I want you to help
Change my attempt good intentions
Should I?
Could I?
Here we are with your obsession
Should I?
Could I?
"This was nothing like the first song he proposed to me." said Octavia loudly over the music so all could hear. "But it was much better, more from the heart." Another change in expression, this time to anger.
Heave the silver,
hollow sliver,
piercing through another victim
Turn and tremble,
be judgmental,
ignorant to all the symbols
Blind the face,
with beauty paste,
eventually you'll one day know
His face seemed more pained than before from this point.
Change my attempt good intentions,
Limbs tied,
skin tight,
Self-inflicted his perdition,
Should I?
Could I?
Change my attempt good intentions
Should I?
Could I?
Should I?
Could I?
All the instruments slowly lowered themselves back to rest and Star Dusk found it very difficult to meet Shining Armor's eyes.
"The first half still needs work." said Octavia standing up.
"I was thinking that too." added Shining Armor. "But it probably had more to do with the fact that you looked out of it for the first part."
"That's why I'm not ready for a concert. I really don't-"
"Musically and lyrically, you're fine. It's just performance skill that you lack. What if you did a small concert for your friends and us?" suggested Octavia
"W-what? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, there's no way I can do that! I'm no where near ready."
"Then," said Shining Armor, "how about doing a little at a time? Let's start with doing a full set, three songs or so, and then add one person to the crowd until you get really comfortable. Kinda like practicing fighting multiple opponents."
"That sounds perfect." agreed Octavia, "That way we can see if is just nerves that you shake off as the full set rolls on and then crowd size issues. That should belay even Twilight Sparkle's worries." Twilight blushed hearing the shot at her worries.
"I'm gonna have to go tonight but I'll defiantly be here for the full concert." said Shining Armor getting up.
"We should get back to the library before he notices us here." suggested Celestia, and the other three followed her lead.
"I wonder where that song came from, especially if Octavia says it seems to be coming from the heart..." said Cadence once they came in to the library.
"It did seem very out of character. Nothing like the person we know now." commented Luna.
"And nothing like the first song he wrote..." finished Twilight.
"I thought you haven't heard his work?" questioned Luna.
"Oh, it was a real work in progress and kinda based on that old lullaby that goes like..." Twilight hummed a couple bars, "I don't even remember how it went, but it was obviously different from that song."
"Twilight," began Celestia who had been unusually quiet until this point. "Has he been having any dreams or nightmares?"
"Uhh," Twilight was thrown by the off topic question, "Not that I know of... Why do you ask?"
Celestia once again took a pensive look on her face.
"Sister?"
"I'll ask him after hearing the song without being hidden." she settled with herself. The others looked at each other in confusion.
Three months later and Twilight was pacing. Star Dusk had been doing a number of these private concerts but she was never invited. At this point the concert was going to be in a week and everyone she knew had already properly heard a preview. Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Bon Bon, Lyra, Cherilee, and even Derpy had been invited.
"What the heck, I thought we were supposed to be close friends! Why am I the only one not going?! I mean I know that I'm not supposed to know about the sessions but when all my friends disappear for fifteen or so minutes, you would think it'd be too obvious at this point. Argh!!"
She heard her friends exiting Vinyl and Octavia's house chatting away. As if hearing about it like this isn't obvious either...
"So Hero, where do wanna go eat?" came AJ's voice.
"You girls really don't have to treat me to anything."
"Aw, come on. It's the least we can do after all the free concerts!" said Pinkie who was shushed collectively.
"Twilight's not supposed to know about this, Pinkie. You know that." Said Fluttershy quietly and if it wasn't for the fact Twilight had her ear to the door she would have missed it.
"By the way, why is it that you don't want Twilight to know?" Pinkie asked who was again shushed.
"I'll tell you but let's go away from the library. That way we can talk without worry."
Twilight grit her teeth then ran to her bookshelves searching for a specific spell.
Where is it, where is it.... AH HA! Spy Spells Specifically Suited for Swiping Secrets, I knew I still had this copy laying around. She flipped through the book and found the spell she wanted and casted it. Then she ran to the mirror and saw...
"Nothing! No one here! Perfect... now to find out what the heck they're hiding from me..."
She found them outside of The Daisy Flower restaurant. Chatting away like I don't exist. she thought jealously. Well now that I really don't exist, let's get to business.
"Wow, I didn't think Twilight would be that protective of you." laughed Rainbow Dash.
"I mean, I was worried about it at the time," continued Star Dusk, "but I have a feeling that she would still be against the co-headliner thing. I'm kinda looking forward to it thanks to everyone so to have her try to convince me otherwise would.. suck."
Twilight heart sunk. Was I really that nosy? I-I just thought that he would do well with... ohh....
"One thing darling, why didn't the set contain a love song?" asked Rarity.
"Well, Octavia thought I should write what I've experienced or felt from the heart so..."
"Ya mean ya never even liked somebody?" asked Applejack.
"Well you guys and the Princesses have been my only really good friends-"
"Oh why not, darling? Being in love is the most wonderful feeling in the world!!"
"Oh come on Rarity, you mean it's great to have crushes. You've never had anything returned."
"Well for your information Rainbow Dash, Fancypants and I have been corresponding regularly since I met him in Canterlot... what a year and a half ago?"
"Really Rarity? That's wonderful." congratulated Fluttershy.
"So you really never had a special somebody?" asked Pinkie Pie again.
"sigh No Pinkie I-"
"What about now! Anybody you feel really close to?"
"I... I don't know... maybe?"
"Ooh, who is she?" joined Rarity
"Wait, no. I-"
"How long have you know her?"
"I-"
"Where did you meet?"
"She-"
"Is it a 'forever' kind of relationship?"
"RARITY! Let him answer, girl." interrupted Applejack.
"Oh, sorry... Go ahead."
"Well, I'm not even sure if I like her like her. I don't know what that kind of feeling is like."
"Have you ever read any romance novels?" asked Fluttershy.
"I'm not big on fiction liturature."
That explains his grades in literature in the academy.
"Alright then, do as I say and let's find out." said Rarity taking charge, "Close your eyes and imagine her."
Star Dusk rolled his eyes and stared at Rarity, "Are you serious?"
"DO IT!" she yelled and he complied. "Do you see her?"
"Sure."
"Okay, what do you feel like?"
"That's a very subjective question Rarity."
"Answer it."
"sigh Okay, I feel... I dunno.... normal."
"Rarity, if he doesn't know what love is how can he-"
"Shush Rainbow. Now imagine her captured by some dastardly villain!"
Once again he opened his eyes, "Seriously?"
"Do... It...." she intimidated and he followed the direction. "How do you feel?"
"Rarity is this really necessary?" he asked.
"Hero, come now. We're trying to see if you have some one special."
"Rarity, let me handle this."
"You Rainbow Dash? Really?"
"Hey, some of the action books I read unfortunately has some really sappy stuff in it. I can't help it! I tried to skip over it but I would keep missing important stuff and-"
"Come off it Rainbow, I saw you giggling and mentioning something like 'Oh Silvermane, I wish you were real.'" said Applejack teasing her causing a deep red blush from Rainbow.
"Dash, if you're gonna take over, can we get this over with?" asked Star Dusk impatiently.
"Oh, sure. So you still have her in mind right?"
"Yeah..."
"So imagine her caught from behind and some evil-"
"Wait, that was the same as me!"
"You need more detail for it to hit closer to home Rarity. Anyway, imagine her captured with the bad guy's arm across her throat."
Star Dusk still made no motion.
"I guess he doesn't-"
"Hold on there Fluttershy, I'm not done. Now imagine her getting stabbed in the stomach."
"Wait a sec Dash-" Star Dusk quickly grabbed the table edge in reflex nearly causing all the drinks to tip over and causing everyone to blink.
"But I bet he would do that for any one of his friends." finished Applejack.
"Yeah, if I see a friend in danger I would jump immediately." he said relaxing.
"Alright then Hero, you can safely say you don't like me like me, right?" she said confidently.
"Yeah, you're a good friend Dash but I don't feel anything special. It would be like dating my sister or something"
"You didn't need to put that much detail..." she said with a little hurt in her voice.
Did Rainbow just... No, it probably was just insulting. That's what's written on her face. 'What I'm not good enough to date?' Always competitive Rainbow Dash.
"Anyway, imagine me in that same situation." Star Dusk did twitch in reflex but nothing on the level of the first move. "And there you go. You can open your eyes."
"I didn't realize that she meant that much to me." he said opening his eyes slowly.
"Soooooooo, who is she!" asked Rarity excitedly.
"What? No, definatly no. I'm not gonna do that."
"What?" they all said collectively.
If he's discovered who he likes.... I have to know. It should be between me, Vinyl, and Princess Luna.
"That's not fair." complained Pinkie.
"Hey, I just figured it out. What makes you think I'm gonna spill everything when I'm still sorting things out."
"Then will you answer yes or no questions?" plugged Rarity.
"Maybe?"
That opened up the floodgates.
"Do we know her?" asked Fluttershy.
"I-I would think so."
"Is she younger or older than you?" asked Rarity.
"Isn't everyone technically younger than me?"
"So it's not Princess Celestia." she concluded.
"Wait, you thought I could have-"
"What's her cutie mark?" asked Pinkie Pie.
"That's not a yes or no question and that would imply I've seen her naked."
"Have you seen her naked?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"NO!"
"Come now girls, let's ask questions to narrow the field." suggested Rarity.
"She ain't anyone of us right?" asked Applejack.
"No."
"No she's not or no she is?" clarified Rarity.
"No no no."
"Does she teach you?" asked Fluttershy.
"Kind of?"
"Great job, Fluttershy!" said Pinkie Pie, "That narrows it down to... Princess Luna, Vinyl, and Octavia!"
Twilight's heart hit rock bottom. Of course.... He lives with me after all. I must be like a sister or roommate. I was an idiot.
"Still includes Twilight too." pointed out Rarity perking Twilight's ear.
"How d'ya figure?" asked Applejack.
"Well we all have been teaching Star Dusk here about friendship right?"
"Yeah and he said that we weren't the one." reiterated Rainbow.
"Yes, but Twilight is not with us is she?"
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Thank you sooooo much Rarity!! she thought, her heart making more than a full recovery.
"Well I think you've all asked enough questions. It's already bad enough that you've made me so nervous she's gonna be at the real concert."
"Ooh, ooh! That means it can't be Octavia or Vinyl since they've been at the practice sets!" said Pinkie excitedly.
"Good one Pinkie!" said Rainbow Dash slapping her on the back. "That narrows it down to Twilight and Princess Luna!"
Star Dusk now looked exasperated. He probably hadn't expected them to whittle down the list so quickly. The food then arrived at the table.
"Okay, I think I'm just gonna eat so I stop digging myself into a hole..." he said taking the first bite of his sandwich.
"Aww, c'mon. It can't be all that bad. You've already handled a pretty good crowd." reassured Applejack.
"Yeah, and it's not like she's gonna be judging your songs. She'll enjoy them just like we did." added Rainbow.
Star Dusk sunk into his seat.
"O-oh girls, I need to use the ladies room. Why don't we all go together?" asked Rarity. Applejack and Rainbow were the only two not starting to move.
"No thanks, already went before-" Rainbow noticed Rarity giving a signal to follow her. "I mean, might as well let out before refilling. Am I right?"
"Please not when I'm eating..." complained Star Dusk.
"Aw, don't be such a wuss."
"Well, be back soon! Don't go anywhere!"
Twilight ran into an indecision. Should she stay and talk to Star Dusk, or should she see what Rarity wanted to talk to the girls about in private. She decided on the former and released the invisibility spell.
Act natural Twilight, like you haven't heard a thing...
"Hey there! I haven't seen you all day." she said approaching him. Star Dusk was visibly startled and started beating on his chest and drinking water.
"I... Hey there Twilight, I didn't expect to see you out of the library today." he said worriedly.
"Yeah well I needed some fresh air." she replied sitting at the table. "So what have you been up to? Besides lunch, with five people?" she said suspiciously.
"O-oh, Pinkie, AJ, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Dash happened to walk by right as I got here. They're using the restroom right now."
"Oh, what a coincidence. I wish I had run into you all earlier too so we could all have fun together." she said with heavy implication.
"Yeah... It was a strange co... How does Pinkie put it? Co-wink-y-dink?"
Twilight could not keep a straight face and burst out laughing. Watching Star Dusk quote any unfamiliar term for the first time was hilarious.
"Y-Yeah, that does sound like something she'd say."
"We're back!" said Rarity in a sing song voice. They all then noticed Twilight at the table and froze.
"O-Oh hey there Twi." said Applejack nervously as they all took their seats, Rainbow grabbing an extra one.
"What a happy coincidence...." said Rarity.
"I know, right?"
"H-Hero just finished telling us that he has a concert coming up!" said Rainbow Dash. Obviously they wanted to talk about his music again without mentioning the private concerts with Twilight there.
"Yeah I know." she began, "Are you feeling more ready now?" That's it Twilight. Just don't be over protective. Be nice and understanding.
"Yeah, much more than three months ago."
"Great, that's just great!"
"Well, we were wondering if there will be any love songs in your repertoire, dear." started Rarity.
"Well, not really." he answered simply.
"I bet you can't even right a love song." stabbed Rainbow.
"Like you care if I have a love song in there or not, Dash. Or are you that deep into the romance novels?" Star Dusk's words were back to normal. No hint of something awkward.
"I am not! I just think you might understand your feelings better if you tried."
"Dash!" scolded Applejack.
"A-Anyway, if you can do that then we'll quit bothering you on it."
"Wait," cut in Twilight, "You want him to write a song within a week on a topic he's not all that familiar with?"
"Umm, yes?" answered Fluttershy.
"That's so ridiculous. He can't do something like that in that amount of time!"
"Wait a second there Twilight." cut in Star Dusk, "What makes you think I can't do it?"
"It's just too little time." she answered meekly. I did it AGAIN! ARGH!!
He took a deep breath, "Okay, I'll try. If I can't finish it in time, then I won't perform it. Nice and clean cut."
"Ooh, Ooh! If you do write one, make sure it's got more hints in it!" added Pinkie Pie.
"Now that's enough Pinkie." chided Rarity.
"Hints?" asked Twilight pretending not to know.
"Oh yeah! You weren't here! Well Hero here has someone he likes and we were trying to guess and-"
"PINKIE!" the other five scolded.
"Oops..."
"Is that right?" Twilight asked turning to Star Dusk. He was pensive, very deep in thought.
"...and this life.... I think I have something. Thanks for the lunch girls. I'll see you all at the concert!"
"Wait, Star Dusk!" called Twilight after him.
"He'll be fine, Twilight. Let him grow a little." Rarity said.
"So I do act like a mother." she pouted.
"Just relax a bit. He'll be more receptive after the concert, I'm sure of it." Rarity supported.
"That right! Twilight likes Hero!" remembered Pinkie, garnering collective groans from the others. "Oh, we're really gonna have to see this love song now! I can't wait for this concert!!!"
"Your not the only one." said an apprehensive Twilight.
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Song: Wasteland
Orginally performed by: 10 Years
Written by: Jesse Hasek, Ryan Johnson, Matt Wantland, Brian Vodinh
Label: Universal Records