Chapter Eight – The Date Shall Be Doubled
T and Nidra exited the castle and headed towards the gate where Claire and Illusion were waiting for them. Their eyes widened as they looked at Nidra's dress. “Where'd you get THAT, Nidra?” Claire asked as she walked around her.
“M-My mother had it.” Nidra answered as she watched Claire examine her.
“I love it!” Claire spoke as she held the necklace, “Where did she get such a dress?” Nidra looked down and stared at the ground. T and Claire looked at her in confusion. Nidra then inhaled and then exhaled. “It wasn't given for her first date.” she confessed, keeping her gaze at the ground.
“Then who gave it to her?” T asked as he lifted her head. Nidra sighed. “Your mother, Rarity.” Claire let go of the necklace and put the hoof to her mouth. T looked at her and hugged her. “Something tells me that mom wanted you to be with me after Annie died.” he said as he wiped a tear.
“Must be.” Nidra agreed as she hugged back and rubbed his back.
“Are we going or not guys?” Illusion chimed in as he stood at the gate.
“Coming!” Claire spoke back as she wiped a few tears. They met with Illusion and walked off together. As they started to leave, Nidra noticed her mother watching them and waved to her. She just walked in. Nidra knew that she was troubled but didn't mind. Right now, she's going on her first date. With her best and only friends.
They walked along and looked at the various restaurants as they tried to find the newest restaurant, La Cavalla Bianca, or The White Mare. “There it is,” Illusion noted as he pointed a pawed hoof to a large white building, “Quite a long line.” He sighed but then Nidra coughed lightly. Illusion facehoofed when he realized that they don't have to wait in it. As they went to the door, ponies started to talk to each other about the sudden appearance of Celestia's son and Luna's daughter. “Welcome to La Cavalla Bianca, Prince Illusion and Princess Nidra!” a pony greeted as they entered, “How many on our opening night?”
“Four.” T answered. The pony jumped back as he finally notice Turquoise. “Is that a kirin?” he asked. Then Claire gave a light cough. “Two?” he noted. Illusion nodded. “Right this way then.” the pony started to lead them through the building to the second floor which was an elegantly decorated dining area. Claire breathed in as she felt the pleasant breeze against her scales and mane. “You're table.” the pony gestured them to a table in the center surrounded by four cushions.
They all sat around the table as a waitress brought them menus. For T and Claire, they were given special menus for dragons and kirin. “I am Sunshine Melody and I'll be your waitress for tonight. Might I interest you in some of our fine wine?” the mare asked as she held a notepad and quill in her magic's grasp.
She was a fine mare, roughly around her twenties or thirties, with a golden mane and a bright yellow coat. What was really interesting about her was that one eye was blue while the other was green. He cutie mark was an eighth note with the bottom part as a sun. “Yes, three glasses of the Berry Punch Raspberry wine and one water please.” Illusion ordered. Burst wrote it down and nodded. Before she left, she notice T in the Royal Guard armor. “Nice armor.” she commented as she came back to the table.
“Thanks.” T replied as he fixed it a little, “Little tight but it'll do.”
“Are you in the Guard?”
“No.” he answered back, “Princess Luna and a guard named Night Shade gave it to me.”
“I swear,” she huffed, “He spends a lot of time in that darned blacksmith. Seriously.”
“You know Night Shade?” he asked.
“Know him?” she scoffed, “We've been dating for thirteen years!” She hid a small smile as she laughed lightly. “Princess?” she started, “Your wings.” Nidra's face changed color as she realized what had happened.
“Don't mind it.” T smiled, “She's like that whenever I put on the armor or even move it.” Nidra's cheeks puffed as T smiled at her..
“Well, I best be getting your drinks now.” Melody smiled as she walked off. They chatted a little before Sunshine came back with a wine bottle, three wine glasses, and a cup of iced water. “Who's the water for?” she asked. Claire raised a hoof. “Why do you want water?” Melody asked as she set the wine glasses down.
“One, I'm a light weight when it comes to any alcohol,” Claire began to answer, “And two is just a little lower.” Sunshine donned an expression of confusion as she tilted her head. Illusion gestured her over and whispered that Claire was pregnant. “SHE'S-!” Melody got cut off by a hoof to her mouth.
“Try to keep quiet about it.” Illusion glared, “We don't want the paparazzi finding out early.” Illusion did the motions of a Pinkie Promise and she copied and poured the wine in the glasses. “What would you like to eat?” she asked as she held up the notepad again. They placed their orders and waited a few minutes and Golden came back with their orders.
They ate a little but decided to take off, leaving a tip, of course. “So good to be away from there.” T sighed, “It's too posh for my taste.”
“I have to agree with you there, bro.” Claire agreed as they walked away from the restaurant.
“Anypony in the mood for a few drinks at the Drunken Apple?” Illusion asked.
“I'm in.” T answered, “I'll go easy this time.”
“Better.” Nidra scowled, “I don't want to get shards from your scales again. It was a real pain in the flank the first time.”
“I'll join but I'm still going with water.” Claire smiled. The others rolled their eyes because they all know why now.
They entered the bar and saw Bar Shot talking with another pony whom T recognized as, “Night Shade!” he waved him over to join them.
“T.” Shade nodded as he headed for them, “I have to say, the armor looks good on you.”
“Thanks!” he accepted, “Oh, Night Shade, this is my sister, Crystal Clarity.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Like wise.” Claire nodded.
“Prince Illusion, Princess Nidra, nice to meet you tonight.” Shade nodded at them.
“Please drop the formalities while we're out and about.” Nidra requested, “Out here, we're friends!” Shade nodded as Shot brought two mugs of cider, a martini, and a glass of water. They talked a little until Illusion and Claire decide to bring up the news. “Now, Shade.” Illusion began as he set down his mug.
“Hm?” Shade acknowledged as he drank some of his mug.
“You can't overreact or tell anypony else.”
“Alright.” Shade agreed, “Shoot.” Illusion gripped Claire's hoof under the table and looked at him. Shade's expression didn't change. “Claire's pregnant.” Illusion stated flatly. Shade's eyes widened.
“Con-grat-u-lations.” he emphasized.
“Thanks.” Claire smiled as she downed her water. Then they talked a little more.
After a while, they decided to head back to the castle. They said their goodbyes and went to their separate rooms. T let the drunken Nidra slide off his back and she wiggled a little as she slid into the covers. T positioned himself near the window, knowing what was going to happen in the morning, and started to drift when Nidra called his name. “Yes, Nidra?” he called back.
“Y-Y-You're so......big and and and green......” she slurred as T rolled his eyes. Nidra snickered a little before rolling over and falling asleep. As T drifted off, his thoughts were swarmed with the outcomes of him and Nidra dating and decided on one thing......
…..to marry his last living female friend.