Twilight led Luna to Cherry Blossom's, a rather high-end yet casual establishment near the center of town. It was a charming, ivy-covered little building with an intricately painted sign over its doorframe. The sign bore a bright red cherry and was surrounded by peach rose petals.
"Do you like fruit?" Twilight asked Luna.
Luna allowed herself a small smile. "Of course. I like it very much," she replied.
"Well, then you're going to love this place," Twilight said. "Their food is amazing. It probably helps that they carefully hand-pick everything they use."
As Twilight pulled the door open to let them in, Luna stepped inside. After Twilight had trotted in beside her, they were greeted by a mustached waiter who said, "Good evening, mada-"
But upon seeing Luna he fell to his knees, crying, "Your Highness!"
"Rise," Luna said.
The waiter stood and looked over at Twilight. "Are you with her?"
"Yes," Twilight replied.
"Well then, I suggest you follow me, Your Majesty," he said with another bow. He led the two Mares to a table covered by a fine silk cloth in a private room. "The Very Important Pony room for the Princess and her companion, Miss Twilight Sparkle," he said with a small smile.
Twilight blushed a little, and Luna said, "Thank you."
"I will be back with your menus," the waiter said, and with another bow he left them alone together.
Luna gazed expectantly at Twilight. Twilight took a seat, but still Luna gazed at her. Twilight shrank away a little and chuckled nervously, and after a few moments Luna said, "Have you... never done this before?"
"Um... not really," Twilight said, giggling.
Luna blinked. "I find that a little hard to believe," she said.
Twilight's blush intensified. She'd never expected to receive so many compliments, especially not from Princess Luna.
Luna gazed at Twilight a while longer, then smiled. It seemed she'd have to take the lead; though she wasn't yet accustomed to contemporary courting rituals, she imagined that it was still expected to converse. Luckily, she'd known Twilight long enough and had heard enough about her that she knew exactly what to discuss.
"So," Luna said, "Tell me about the books you've been reading."
Twilight jerked her head up. "Huh?"
"Tell me what you've been reading about," Luna repeated pleasantly.
Twilight nodded shyly. "O-okay. Well, I've been studying a little potion-making lately..."
Luna nodded. "Yes, go on."
As Twilight began to describe the concoction for restoring an antique item's original glory that she had recently learned, Luna responded with understanding and genuine fascination. In a few minutes Twilight had fallen into a comfortable rhythm of conversation with Luna; their conversation soon drifted into books that the both of them had read, and Twilight was delighted to meet someone who had also studied and comprehended the ancient classics she'd read.
"What did you think of The Sapphire Spring?" Twilight asked.
Luna chuckled. "It was very much a product of its time. Songbird did little more than write down what she grew up believing."
Twilight laughed. "Yeah. I'd always thought it was a little overrated."
"Excuse me," said their waiter, and they turned to him. "May I take your orders?" he asked.
"Of course," Luna replied. "I'll have the apple cobbler, I think."
"I'll have the watermelon yogurt bowl," Twilight said.
The waiter nodded. "Very well. Would you like any drinks?"
"Cider, please," Luna said.
"Same," added Twilight.
The waiter nodded and left them alone. They soon got their orders, and Luna was greatly impressed; though she'd tasted finer dishes in her vast lifetime, the cobbler she was eating wasn't far behind them in quality.
Luna and Twilight talked more, but soon dusk began to fall and Twilight yawned tiredly. "I think I'd better be going home soon," she said.
Luna frowned slightly. "You're tired, then?" she said.
Twilight nodded.
"Well, I'm not tired at all," Luna said.
"Well, you've been sleeping all day," Twilight pointed out.
Luna smiled. "Yes, I suppose I have."
As they stood up, Luna said, "Would you like me to accompany you back to your home?"
Twilight smiled and nodded. "Yes, thank you."
They exited the restaurant and began walking to Twilight's library. Twilight found the quiet journey peaceful and relaxing.
When they arrived at Twilight's home, Luna said, "May I ask that we take another outing together soon?"
Twilight grinned. "Yes, I would love to."
Luna smiled. "May I go out with you at nightfall the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes," Twilight said. "What do you have in mind?"
"I simply wish to travel with you," Luna replied. "You might be surprised how rewarding a simple walk under the stars can be."
"That sounds wonderful," Twilight said.
With a nod, Luna turned and walked back to Sugar Cube Corner.
As Twilight entered her home, she was grinning enormously. She found Spike reading a comic book, and when he heard the door open he turned to her and said, "Oh, hey, Twilight!"
"Hey, Spike," Twilight replied cheerfully.
"How was it?" Spike asked.
"It was wonderful."
"What did you guys do?"
"I went and ate with Luna."
"...That's it? You just ate with her?"
"Just ate and talked, yeah."
"So that was... a date?"
Twilight blushed and laughed happily. "Yes, I guess it was!"
Spike stuck his tongue out in disgust. "Gross! I don't wanna hear anymore about it!"
Twilight trotted up to her bead and laid across it, smiling softly. "That's alright. I'm sure Rarity will wanna hear all about it tomorrow..."