//------------------------------// // Chapter Seven - The Shipping has been Doubled! // Story: An Egghead's Guide to Pick-Up-Lines // by LittleAngelStocking //------------------------------// Pinkie Pie stood at the desk in her room, quill held in her mouth, rocking on her hooves. Several ideas hit her at once, and she quickly scribbled them down onto the paper, then realizing the quill was dry, she dipped it in her ink bottle and tried again. “Hmm….” She tapped her chin, and felt something brush her leg. “Not right now, Gummy! I’m in ‘thinking mode!’” The pink party pony sat back, rubbing her temples with her hooves. “Alright, the ‘mouth-to-mouth’ didn’t work… and I accidentally gave Twi and Dash a sleep medicine, not that plant I found in the Everfree! That stuff always makes ME really happy.” She picked up a baggie of some odd plant, and sniffed it blissfully. “Ahhh…” Gummy nipped at her hoof. “Oh! I get it, you’re hungry!” Pinkie gasped. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I forgot to feed you, didn’t I?” Discarding the bag, she bounced to the closet, and pulled a bag of gator food from atop a shelf. “Here you go, little guy!” she poured it into his bowl and he eagerly started munching. “Now,” she said dramatically waving a hoof above her head. “My plans must go on!” She frowned, thinking. And she thought. And thought. And she thought some more. “This won’t do!” she stomped a hoof. “My friends are hurting, and they need to be made happy again!” “I’m gonna have to be even more stealthy… and then… WAIT!” She clapped her hooves excitedly. “I’ve got it! Yes!” She pulled a party horn out of nowhere and grinned. “Things are about to get heart-warming!” ~~~ Spike anxiously knocked on the door to Carousel Boutique, the little box held behind his back. Are my spines straight? Are my scales shiny enough? I hope I don’t have bad breath! He thought, rocking on his heels. And then the door opened, revealing Rarity; and all of his worries melted away just looking into her beautiful eyes. “Oh, hello Spike, dear. Did you need something?” There was something different about her, he noticed but didn’t dwell on it. “Uh... yeah! I um…” Think Spike! “I just came to visit! Twilight’s busy, and I was just bored. Yeah.” “Oh, yes of course.” Rarity’s expression glazed over for about a split second, but then she smiled at him. “Please, do come in.” Spike couldn’t help but wonder what was making her seem different; but he just couldn’t quite put his claw on it. He stepped in and she shut the door behind him. Finally, Spike realized why she looked different. “You’re not wearing any makeup!” Rarity blushed, turning her head away. “Oh, yes… I uh… forgot, I suppose. Been busy as a bee, lately!” she gave a nervous chuckle. “I think you look amazing!” Spike said, and Rarity gave him a sideways glance. “You do?” “Yeah!” Spike replied, “I think you look great without it!” “Oh no,” Rarity waved a hoof dismissively. “I do not – I mean, I suppose I do – but it doesn’t compare to when I wear my makeup!” “I think you look really nice,” Spike said. “Like… the ‘real’ you. Not that I thought the ‘make-up’ you was fake,” he added quickly. “Thank you, Spike.” Rarity said thoughtfully, closing an eye and placing a hoof over it. She did feel better without all that eye-shadow caking her eyelids, sometimes it was nice to just wash it off and feel natural. She’d never actually thought about it this way before. “So… are you making any dresses or something? Anything I can help with?” Spike interrupted her contemplation, and she thought for a moment. Actually, this was giving her an idea… “Idea~~~” she sang, pretty much repeating what I just told you guys. “Yes, I just got the greatest idea! Come along, Spike!” Spike eagerly followed her towards her desk, and she pulled out a piece of paper and a pencil, and started sketching down. Spike waited behind her patiently, keeping quiet so as not to interrupt her. “Yes, yes.” She murmured to herself, “Perfect! Oh, I can’t believe I’ve never thought of this before!” “What is it?” Spike asked, and she smiled at him. “Oh, you’re comment gave me the most wonderful idea!” she clapped her hooves together, azure eyes twinkling. She opened her mouth to speak again, and then stopped, giving him a funny look. “What’s that behind your back?” “Oh!” Spike took a step back, holding the little box in front of him. “It’s… it’s… for you,” he handed it to her and she took it gently in her blue levitation. “Oh, how nice!” she smiled. She opened the box, and Spike averted his eyes. Would she like it? Rarity opened the box, and her eyes grew big. “Oh my, it’s… beautiful!” she gasped. ~~~ Meanwhile, at Rainbow Dash’s house… To be continued