After a visit from Cadance and Shining Armor, Twilight realizes how little she understands romantic love and decides to do -what else?- some research. But she has to learn a lot quicker than she expected, for Princess Celestia has invited Twilight and her friends to a Hearts and Hooves Gala- and they're expected to bring dates!
What follows is a chaotic set of events in which hearts are broken, crushes are acted upon, cakes explode, and the very foundation of the Mane 6 is rocked to its core.
My first fic, so don't expect any spectacular writing. I've got a vague idea of the relationships, but things may change, as I'm trying to let things be organic. Assume nothing.
Chapters (22)
I enjoyed this first bit. I enjoy stuff the most when I have something a bit exciting at the end of the chpter, even if you have to take a bit away from the middle of it. But that is just me.
As long Spike ends up with Rainbow Dash, I will promote this story on the official mlpforums.
I like it! Off to a good start. Seems quite in character of Twilight to research what love is. Haha!
Keep it up! I shall follow. You deserve a moustache: 
Sounds like a typical Twilight. can't wait to see more.
I have to admit. Love is really confusing. But sometimes it could be understandable though.
An excellent start. Glad to see both a "Romance" and a "Comedy" tag. Comedic romance is the best type of romance.
Hooray, always fun when Twilight is researching some. And Comedy + Romance. One my favorite combinations. Good setup, wish two chapters had been posted though, left me kind of wanting.
I needs moar
Great start. Can't wait to read more.
good story. Can't wait to read the next.
I can't wait for more! This is really well written, it's in the exact same style as the show. I can't wait to see how it progresses!
ARRRGGG
Loved the 'Baby don't hurt me, no more' reference; struggled to contain my laughter.
Awesome chapter. Can't wait to read the next one.
Chapter title made me think of this:
Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
... I'm a real downer sometimes.
*Insert hateful comment here*
(Sees title)
(badly) #What is love?#
If the next chapter is just a hyperlink to Nopony Loves Twilight Sparkle, I shall simply die of laughter.
Yay! I finally understand what irony is!
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This. I swear when i saw the chapter titled 'What is love?' I kept singing 'Baby don't hurt me. Don't hurt me. No more...'
I love this! Please continue.
Awesome, I can't wait for the next chapter!
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gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs1/3449076_o.gif
And yes, I had the exact same reaction
I'd vote Doctor Whooves if he wasn't paired with derpy
Want me to decide what pairing I think it necessary? Reply me back for an answer.
Chapter 2, second paragraph -- "natty" means looking sharp, dapper, crisply dressed.
Other than that, though, fun story, looking forward to more!
hmmm i'm quite intrigued by this, i wonder who you will have everypony paired up with, should be interesting especially with the given mare to stallion ratio in mlp
oh i hope you update this soon
maybe twilight should ask trixie
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Whoops. Thanks for catching that; it personally sounds like the exact opposite of "dapper". But I've changed it now, so it should be fine.
I was expecting no less than
"Baby don't hurt me, no more,"
The use of words expressing something oother than their literal intention! Now that. Is. Irony!
Judging from Twilight's reaction, I'm going to go out on a limb a guess there's no TwiLuna... oh well, I'll read anyway.
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I would love to see that!
I can't wait for more!
Suddenly I remember a line from Family Guy: "Whatever they're paying you I'll double it! I'll give you money, women... men?
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Well, they do both have the last name Hooves in the fandom, so they're either married or related (in some states they could be both).
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True. Then again, I wonder what Riversong has to say about that...
Let the games begins.
Very nice, my friend. I'll be watching this one.
The title and premise are very similar to 'Friendship is Magic, Love is Confusing' by Phil the Time Wizard, which is already on here. Kinda fishy.
Octavia eh? But she already has Vinyl, right guys?
I love this story.
Although, I have no idea if cynicality is a word.
Twitavia, huh? Eh, I've heard weirder.
Constructive criticism you want, constructive criticism you shall have.
Firstly: Your chapters are criminally short. You're barely averaging 1k words per, the bare minimum requirement for the site. Not enough happens, or things happens too quickly, to make these chapters really have an impact; it makes it feel like you're rushing through the fic, and that would be a real shame, because it's a good plot concept and I'd hate to see it wasted by being poorly handled. Take your time and do more than the bare minimum.
Secondly: Your writing style is humorous, but too flippant for my tastes. Dial back the randomness and get in Twilight's head more. It's HER fic, let us know what SHE'S thinking, rather than telling us what YOU think WE'RE supposed to think about her. Breaking the 4th wall is fine, once in a while, for Pinkie Pie, but it should never happen in your narration, as with your repeatedly reminding the audience that Twilight doesn't understand irony.
(Speaking of which, to quote Bender from Futurama, "That's not ironic, that's just coincidental." It's a common misconception in pop culture that tweaks the nerves of grammar nerds and English majors like myself. For reference, irony is in fact defined as "The use of words expressing something other than their literal intention.")
Thirdly, your Celestia voice in her letter to Twilight irked me. She doesn't need to remind Twilight that H&H Day is in ten days, I'm sure Twilight knows that perfectly well for herself, let HER tell us how soon it is. Furthermore in a formal invitation like that Celestia would - and SHOULD - have expressed merely that invitees are expected to bring dates and leave it at that, rather than calling attention to the fact that they will not be allowed to attend otherwise. It's rude for Celestia to point it out and we can come to that conclusion ourselves anyway.
Finally, stop opening chapters with variations on "It was a normal day in Ponyville." It is the worst, most horribly cliché opening line ever to have existed and one of the most common offenders of the old "Show, don't tell" idiom.
As you can see, most of these criticisms are from a technical and stylistic standpoint. Your grasp of the characters is largely spot on and you have a good framework of an idea. I'd mostly just like to see more detail and less hurrying on to the next plot point.
Hope that gives you some thoughts to work with, and happy writing.
-CG
... cynicality (is that a word?)
No, but "cynicism" sure is!
Also, as the chapter title is roughly in line with my previous comment, I shall roughly follow through with my stated course of action, that being to sort-of-but-not-quite die of laughter.
That word count.
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I'm liking where this is going
Well done mate, an excellent first chapter.
I prefer OctaScratch shipping but this could be good.
It will go wrong. I mean, Twilight is already halfway to lesson zero's level of stress, so she's bound to make things awkward.
Also, OctaScratch fanboys will cause a riot over that particular pairing.