> Fast, But Not Too Much
>  by TheHooligan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
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With a long sigh a lone gray mare took a glance at the empty room, her eyes drifted to the various instruments that sat untouched on the center stage. The music hall much like herself had seen better days, ponies just didn't enjoy classical music as much as they used too, and the band had for the most part gone their separate ways. The only one who still came here was the raven maned earth pony who would show up every morning to dust off the instruments left behind, and then play her precious cello for hours on end. 

After taking a few minutes to make sure every instrument on stage was dust free and in working order, the cellist took another long look off the stage and towards the now empty seats that spanned before her. She imagined that the whole room was filled with expectant, and eager ponies all waiting with barely contained excitement for her to begin playing. Joining the imaginary crowd were all her band mates who separated from the audience so they could accompany her on the brightly lit stage. With a nod to her fellow musicians Octavia began to draw her bow across the strings of the large cello. 

Once again the sound of a lone cello echoed throughout the large room, ran down the hallways, and escaped out the music hall entrance into the streets of Canterlot. A beautiful sound that most ponies in the area had grown accustomed too, all except one visitor.

Spike speculated that even in a dragon's lifespan he'd never be able to comprehend how it was possible for mares to spend so much time staring through shop windows, gawking at things they wouldn't even buy. Window shopping was probably invented just to vex dragons, and Spike wondered if perhaps all dragon greed related incidents in pony populations could be linked to the horrid activity.

His best friend, and older sister figure had been summoned by her mentor to Canterlot for a casual visit, and some how it had morphed to wandering around the many stores, and shops that dotted the capital city. Thinking back the teenage dragon wished he had chosen to stay home, and sort books instead of deciding to accompany the lavender mare on her errands. Somewhere a pony had just accidentally dropped a box full of glass figurines, and Spike covered his ears as he was forced to hear the entire ordeal. 

"Are you alright Spike?" Twilight had noticed Spike's look of discomfort, and she immediately forgot about the newest issue of Daring Do that was tempting her on the other side of the glass. She had been planning on buying something for all her friends back in Ponyville while she was in Canterlot visiting princess Celestia. Watching her assistant place his hands over his ears she quickly deduced the problem and started to feel quite guilty. 

Though having cleared the awkward stage of life known as draconic puberty years ago, there was still the left over side effect or two. He had grown a bit almost to the same height as when Twilight first took notice of that 'greed' episode he had undergone years before. His current discomfort could be blamed on how he wasn't in full control of his heightened hearing, things that you typically couldn't hear from across the room blared loudly into his ear drums. A crowded place like Canterlot was probably similar to being blasted point blank by one of Vinyl Scratches many sound systems to the teenage dragon.

"You know Spike, I can always pick out gifts for the girls another time. I don't want you to have to suffer just because of me." The concern in Twilight's voice struck a cord in Spike's heart, and he knew he wasn't going to allow her to postpone her task just for his sake. With a thankful smile Spike came up with a compromise in his head.

"It's alright Twi you don't have to worry over me, I'll just go for a stroll and maybe hangout somewhere a little less noisy." The lavender unicorn was about to object to the idea of Spike wondering off alone, but a determined glint in the dragon's eyes put an end to any argument she might have concocted. He had stopped being a baby a long time ago, and didn't require any coddling, end of debate. With a defeated sigh Twilight nuzzled her little brother affectionately, and had him swear to meet her back at this exact spot in three hours. With an embarrassed eye roll brought on by Twilight's mothering, Spike agreed and walked off leaving the unicorn to stand there watching him for a few moments. "They grown up so fast."

A Few Minutes Later:

Spike growled irritably as the surrounding cacophony of sounds droned into his ears unceasingly. It never had occurred to him just how much noise ponies could make just going about their daily lives, perhaps that was just because Canterlot was soo much bigger, and densely populated that Ponyville was thus leading to a higher concentration of sound. Either way he was being driven to the brink of insanity, that is until a new sound made it's presence known in his ears.

It was faint barely louder than a whisper in comparison to the other noises that berated his sense of hearing, but it held a steady rhythm that had singled it out. Spike was now stopped in his tracks as oddly enough he found himself trying to zero in on this newcomer, it was strangely soothing and the more he concentrated on it the quieter all the other racket became. His draconic ears perking up, and suddenly angling to his left Spike quickly turned and began to move.

Down several streets, and through a few alleyways Spike continued to make way toward the origin of this pleasing tone. He was close that much he could tell, he could now identify the sound as being musical in origin and it had grown louder than when he had first noticed it. He was familiar with it, but unable to name it perhaps something he had listened to years ago. His ears were finally at peace, and that drove the young dragon more to so find what was producing such a beautiful sound. Taking another turn Spike found himself in front of a large building, large font engraved into a stone sign standing beside it.

"Canterlot Music Hall" 

Without any hesitation Spike made his way into the building, and down the hallways, the wonderful notes singing in his ears, and guiding him. Now that Spike was so close to the ear pleasing ground zero he started to notice that despite how beautiful it sounded, the music seemed a tad bit sad, or in better words...lonely.

At the end of the hallway Spike was walking down a large set of wooden doors stood slightly ajar, and within the end of his journey. Taking a moment to gather his courage Spike reached out and gripped the handle to the door opening it as carefully as one could to avoid making a disturbance. Peering inside the purple dragon was met with the sight of a large room filled with empty chairs, a few balconies, and in the far center a large stage. 

A lone pony stood in the middle of the stage, a bow in one hoof which played masterfully across the strings of a large cello that was held by the other hoof with the utmost care. A long mane as black as coal cascaded from the ponies head down her back, the mare's greyish fur contrasting perfectly with the dark brown of the instrument. From where he stood watching Spike recognized the calm dignity that this pony held about her, even as oblivious as she was to his presence this mare played as if she was performing in front of a live audience never faltering or even opening her eyes.

Spike would have been perfectly happily just watching this unknown mare play in silence for as long as he could, but eventually the music stopped and he was overcome with the sudden desire to applaud. And much to his, and the cellist surprise he did just that.

This had been a better session than usual for Octavia, of course she and her band had been perfectly in sync as always, but oddly enough the clapping of the adoring audience seemed much more real. Octavia would have dismissed it as her imagination getting the better of her if not for the smiling dragon that greeted her when she finally lifted her eyelids. With a startled squeak she nearly dropped her beloved cello, and for a painful few seconds completely lost her usual aura of composed dignity. An awkward silence filled the room as the dragon stopped clapping, and a questioning glare grew on Octavia's face.

"S-Sorry about that, I didn't mean to scare you...er I mean startle you." With the music gone and the mare's attention now centered on him, Spike suddenly found himself losing any explanation that might have saved his scaled hide. The apology hadn't seemed to help much and the continued glaring was making him quite uncomfortable, having nothing else to use he decided to just go for broke. 

"It's just...that sound you were making...It was so beautiful, I-I just had to know where it was coming from." 

Octavia smiled inwardly, sure she wasn't keen on somepony or in this case some dragon watching her play without her consent, but at least he was sorry and had complimented her. Plus now that she was thinking about it, one real life spectator was better than a imaginary audience. Her glare lessened and she started tuning her instrument just for something to do as she contemplated what to do with the young dragon before her.

"Can I hear some more?" Spike's voice came out less manly than he would have appreciated, but he was already sorely missing the enchanting music the cellist made. Luckily she seemed to be thinking it over as she tuned her instrument with a thoughtful expression, Spike figured introducing himself might smooth out the awkwardness of if all, and tip the scales in his favor.

"My names Spike by the way, I promise I won't be a bother miss...umm." 

Octavia raised a dubious eyebrow in the dragon's direction, and a small smile grew across her face. He was trying to make things less weird, and at least for the time being she could humor him. Tapping her left hind hoof against the stage to get his attention she pointed the bow toward her cello case to show the gold colored letters that were etched into the case.

"Oh so your name is Octavia, well then it's nice to meet you miss Octavia." Feeling more comfortable Spike walked closer to the stage until Octavia nodded her head in the direction of the first row. Getting the hint he quickly took a seat, and stared up towards the mare with an expectant smile. Octavia couldn't help but feel a tingle of giddiness it had been too long for her liking since the last time she had someone to perform for, and she wondered if things were finally going to start looking up. 

Deciding to play the first thing that popped in her head Octavia set into her playing position, and began the first few notes to an old favorite of hers. The cello strings immediately began to sing as the bow ran along them in slow but professional movements, and Spike's eyelids drooped dreamily as his hearing was once again lost in the sea of music. With a goofy smile on his face Spike let out a content sigh as he continued to listen, even the spines along his back seemed to droop into a relaxed state.

Octavia having noticed Spike's obvious enjoyment glowed with pride, no pony that she had ever known could have boasted about playing well enough to appease a dragon's taste in music. She closed her eyes and briefly wondered if perhaps there might be some untapped fan base for classical music in the dragon population. As she thought about the possibilities, and continued playing her sole spectator was suddenly brought out of his music induced dream state. He couldn't help but notice that the notes she played seemed to fit perfectly with something he had heard before, but it was missing something. With a glance around the stage Spike's eyes came across a instrument he knew well, and he suddenly came up with a interesting idea.

A sound of movement caused Octavia's ears to perk up, but she paid the noise no mind as she was to far into her playing to pay the rest of the world any mind. A moment later a alarming thought flashed through her mind, and instantly Octavia looked to where the dragon was sitting happily just a minute ago. Her pupils shrank as she realized that the spot was now very vacant, and the dragon no where else to be seen among the audience seats. A heart that had been swelling with pride now stopped for a whole second, and purple eyes turned glassy and downcast. Her first audience in months had already grown bored and left.

Then suddenly a new sound came to life just a few paces beside her, as it filled the room, and echoed from one equine ear to the other Octavia swiveled her head around to set her eyes on something she'd never forget for the rest of her days. A dragon was playing the piano, no not just hitting keys like a first timer, but actually playing it like somepony who had been practicing for as long as she had with her cello. 

Spike turned his head away from the brown grand piano to smirk at the now dumbstruck mare beside him. "You know this piece sounds much better with a piano and a cello instead of just one of the two. Should have figured you played a little Neighthoven, he's one of my favorite composers."  

Years of practice in keeping her expressions in check, and making sure she always kept a calm demeanor about herself was suddenly equivalent to nothing as Octavia's mouth hung open in shock. In front of her was a DRAGON that PLAYED PIANO, and apparently LISTENED TO NEIGHTHOVEN. All of the sudden thoughts and questions swirled around in her head like a tornado beating against the inside of her skull repeatedly, until they merged into a single sound that escaped with ease from her open mouth.

"Meep!" 

And with that all of Octavia's thoughts were brought back to order, and her mind reverted from that momentarily unhinged state. After a few eerily long seconds had passed the earth pony came to realize just how non composed she probably looked at that moment. In a desperate attempt to save what tiny fragments of dignity she still had Octavia closed her mouth, and turned around abruptly to hide the crimson blush that was spreading across her face. 

"If it's any consolation, I'm the only piano playing dragon that I know too." Spike played a few more keys absentmindedly slightly wishing that he had just stayed seated instead of acting on the sudden idea to play along. "Just kinda figured you might like having some pony or in my case some dragon to play with. Sorry." Out of the corner of his eyes Spike noticed the gray mare nod her head slightly, whether she was nodding to the first statement, or the second he wasn't sure though. This whole situation would probably be easier if she talked more, but he was getting the feeling that she wasn't a words kind of pony.

Meanwhile Octavia was currently regaining her preferred sense of self, with the blush now fading away she could at least look in his direction without feeling ridiculous. What he had said had actually made her feel a bit better, and now that she was done being awestruck by a the sight of an instrument playing dragon the gray mare actually wanted to take him up on that offer to play a duet instead of a solo. Taking in a quiet breath of air Octavia turned to the purple dragon and tapped her bow against the cello. 

The sound of tapping gaining his attention Spike smiled softly as he noticed that Octavia's calm collected expression had returned, and that she pointed one hoof toward the piano. Oddly enough he felt like he understood some strange unspoken message, they would dismiss the incident that had occurred moments ago, and now they were going to continue playing where she had left off. As his claws swiftly yet gently danced across the piano keys Spike's smile broadened, it had been a while since he had enjoyed playing the piano this much. 

If the young draconian had turned his head away from the piano, he might have noticed that Octavia's smile was just as large as his own. It had been a long time since she had played with an pianist, and she would have to admit that Spike was playing his part just as well as she was. It felt real nice not having to play alone, and before either one knew it they had whittled hours away just playing together.

"Alright now that was fun!" Octavia nodded in agreement flashing a small smile that had been on her face since they had first started playing. "Ok so stop me if this sounds ridiculous, but how about we try doing Brohemian Rhapony." Spike laughed as the cellist raised her eyebrow dubiously in reply, some how not talking at all made her funnier than half the ponies he knew.  

Despite his mirth Spike couldn't help but feel like he was forgetting something. He scratched his head in frustration, whatever it was it must have been pretty important. Octavia watched with mild interest as she began tuning the strings to her cello again until finally Spike recalled something Twilight had told him a bit ago, he was supposed to meet up with her in a few hours. 

"Oh Horseapples!" The outburst was so loud, and sudden that Octavia almost broke one of her strings. She turned to glare at the dragon when she found her personal space being invaded, and her ears bombarded with questions. "HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN PLAYING?! WHAT TIME IS IT?!! PLEASE TELL ME YOU HAVE A CLOCK! Ouch!"

Spike's frantic shouting was cut off by a sudden whacking on his scaled snout, after rubbing the sore spot for a moment his eyes looked to Octavia who stood glaring at him with one hoof on her hip, and the other holding her bow with a dangerous aura. Message received, no breaching of the personal bubble even in times of crisis. 

"Ok I deserved that, but is there any chance you have a clock around here?" Octavia rolled her eyes and continued to leer at the dragon for a moment more before finally pointing a hoof toward the door that Spike had first entered through. Right above the door hung a clock, and much to his horror Spike took notice that he was officially ten minutes late. 

"Manure! Dang Octavia I gotta go, I was supposed to meet up with Twilight ten minutes ago." In a flash Spike was off the stage, and racing toward the doors. Right as he was halfway out the door, a sudden sound stopped him in his tracks.

"W-Wait!"

For a brief moment Spike was about to blame his imagination, but as he turned around back toward the stage he immediately knew what he had heard was real. Standing at the edge of the stage with large eyes, and a hoof covering her mouth as if she too had a hard time believing she had said anything stood Octavia. No more words escaped her lips, but Spike instantly understood. Everything from her stance, the worried look that formed on her face, and even the slight wavering in that composed air she kept about herself said the same thing to him without sound. She was worried that he wouldn't come back, and that she might have to go back to playing alone. 

"It's ok you don't have to say anything, I promise I'll be back." Spike turned back around, but right before he walked out into the hallway he said one more thing. "Same time next week, and next time lets play a love song." 

And with that Spike sped down the hallways, and out of the building making a mad dash back to where he was sure a worried sick Twilight was waiting for him.

Back in the music hall Octavia stared at the doorway for a few minutes, with no one else there she was able to let out a long sigh of relief. She couldn't believe that she had been terrified by the prospect of never seeing that dragon again, in just a few short hours he had filled a void that had been dogging her for some time. Trotting back to her cello Octavia began packing her things, true she was cutting her practice a bit short today but she could let it pass. As she moved the cello case off the stage she couldn't help but think back to what Spike had said right before leaving. He had said that they would play a love song.

Octavia snorted to herself trying to play it off as him just wanting something cheesy to say before exiting. Course it didn't help that she remembered that the very song she was playing when he had wondered in to begin with was in fact a bit of a love song. Romance had always been one of her favorite Aclopalyptica songs.

End Of Chapter:


> Chapter 2
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Chapter 2:

Spike the dragon meant well.

Those words should be kept well in mind when you take into account the many shenanigans the young drake had gotten himself into throughout his life. Sure, he had a knack for pulling a few pranks, possessed a sarcastic personality at times, and had at one time grew into a gargantuan beast that caused a wee bit of havoc in Ponyville for a short period. But not with any real malicious intent, or any sinister goals, it's just sometimes we can all get a little caught in the moment. (Excluding a foiled attempt to frame an owl for fake rodent murder.)

As he cracked his scaled knuckles and prepared for a favorite little number of his, Spike took notice of a less than enthusiastic mare in his peripherals. He had gotten to know her long enough to pick up on the fact that this wasn't the kind of thing she had in mind when she had first silently asked him to perform with her again. She had boundaries that she didn't like crossed, an image that she focused hard on maintaining, and rules that the mare tried to follow.

If you've ever had the fortune to meet, and get to know a dragon you would learn quickly that rules, and boundaries don't sit well with them. So with a slightly mischievous glint in his emerald eyes, Spike's fingers glided to their destined places among the various keys of the piano. The humble and quite auditorium was suddenly filled with the sound of a piano riff. As he played the riff a second time Spike's small grin started to spread wider as he noticed his company's left ear twitch slightly. After a third time his face was contorted to a full toothy smile, the small glare he felt burning into the back of his head was plenty of evidence that she knew the exact song he planned on making her listen too. As he came to terms with the straight fact that this would end with her slightly irritated with him, Spike decided to add on to the rare spectacle that is watching a dragon play the piano.

As the words to timeless classic escaped from his lips, I ask that all of you keep in mind that Spike the dragon truly meant well.

“Just take those old records off the shelf, I'll sit and listen to ‘em by myself.”

If it was feasibly possible, that irate glare he knew she was giving him intensified even more so. Turning his head around to make eye contact with the gray pony, Spike couldn’t help but notice mulberry irises flashing with disapproval as they met with his own. Irises that sat in eyes now narrowed as the mare decided she didn't like the way her fellow music enthusiast was now looking at her.

“Today's music ain't got the same soul, I like that old time rock ‘n’ roll!” And with that last uttered lyric Spike leaned slightly toward the now suspicious cello player. Making no audible sound that could be heard above the piano's notes, and the dragon's excellent on key singing, a scaled tail made it's move.

The music was only overtaken by a surprised *squeak* for the slightest of seconds before the young dragon found himself sharing his seat with a red faced mare. Any attempt the pony might have made at escape was cut short by the purple tail that held her in place akin to a drunk friend's arm around your shoulder as he drinks merrily. Her outraged glare did little to halt Spike's smiling face, and his happy singing.

“Don't try to take me to a disco, you'll never even get me out on the floor.” Honestly Spike loved all kinds of music, but his compatriot could do with a little stepping out of her comfort zone. “In ten minutes I'll be late for the door, I like that old time rock ‘n’ roll!” As he swayed with the music Spike's scaled form leaned into his friend's now still body, he couldn't image anypony not enjoying themselves in this situation.

Would you believe me if I said a very particular pony was not enjoying the situation she now found herself in the slightest?

Well perhaps that's a bit of an exaggeration, the truth is Octavia didn't completely hate the scenario that had sprung on her, and that was where the problem laid. It was hard to believe that it had been five weeks since Spike had first walked in on her practicing, it felt more like nearly 222 days had gone by. Admittedly the dark maned mare found herself looking forward to the day that her lone practicing was replaced by the duets they played together, as well as the extra help he had been providing. Being a librarian’s assistant Spike couldn't keep himself from offering his aid with cleaning, and maintaining the music room. The extra help meant less work for Octavia, more time for music, and of course getting to hear the drake's interesting view of the world. Despite his teenage years Spike held a wisdom that rarely occurred in youth in the same stage of life as he was, and easily held conversation with Octavia whenever she was in a speaking mood (something that had been occurring more than usual).

Of course that's where the problem was when you got down to it. Octavia was a mare that had been raised to stand on a pedestal carved from dignity, refinement, and had to this point maintained a belief that others should be kept at a arms distance physically and emotionally. And yet despite the pedestal she struggled to stay firmly placed upon, despite how proper mares her age were supposed to behave in situations placed before them, she constantly found herself losing her composure around this dragon. She thought of him more often than was appropriate, she spoke to him more than any other creature, she couldn't even look into his eyes for more than a few seconds without her heart skipping a beat. She was a composed adult mare that radiated dignity...and she was crushing on him like a school filly.

That couldn't have been truer than at this moment, as she was sure the blush on her face clashed horribly with the color of her fur. Now she was trapped sitting next to him while he continued to sing on completely oblivious to the effects his close proximity was having on her. Octavia would have glared at Spike as hard as she could if the firm, yet gentle grip of his tail wasn't making her heat up unbearably, as well as him leaning into her.

“I reminisce about the days of old, with that old time rock ‘n’ roll!” As Spike began to play a mad piano solo a second pair of hands..err hooves began to tap keys erratically most likely in an attempt to catch his attention. His claws still dancing across the appropriate keys Spike turned his focus to his peeved looking musical assistant. “Having fun?”

Instead of replying Octavia opted for hitting the same keys as Spike, hoping to squash his clawed fingers under her hooves. A harder task than initially expected, since her unwillingness to bring any actual harm to the instrument aided Spike's already speedy playing.

“Oh fine, have it your way then.” With a final sweep across the keyboard with his left hand Spike ended the song, and his tail lifted off of the unamused mare. Despite having his musical styling prematurely ended, Spike's face still glowed with humor as he locked eyes with a sour looking Octavia. “Happy now?”

“...”

With a grin Spike rolled his eyes as Octavia continued to scowl even as she moved from next to him to put some distance between them. He knew that the hole he had dug for himself was only going to get deeper with his continued amusement, but seeing a normally mature, and dignified mare pout in such a manner was just too much. “Okay, so perhaps that wasn't exactly 'Whispers Of Time' but it could be argued that the two songs are similar.”

“.........!” Perhaps not, but Octavia probably should have expected the imaginative dragon to pull something like this. He possessed a rebellious tint sprinkled with a bit of spontaneity, a trait that she found irksome yet at the same time irritatingly alluring. Standing next to her dependable cello, the gray mare decided that her scaled friend could do with some quiet time.

“The cold shoulder routine, possibly Octavia's most effective weapon.” Taking note that she had turned away from him completely, Spike stifled a renegade chuckle that threatened to express just how funny this situation had become to him. Who wouldn't find the idea of a dragon being punished with a time out by the hooves of a musician humorous? It worked effectively since Spike could admit that the idea of Octavia being silently upset with him was less than pleasing, but he also knew how to rectify the situation. Irritated with him or not, Octavia wasn't immune to a little bribery and groveling. “Okay, how much dusting am I going to have to do to get back on your good side?”

Octavia didn't even bat an eyelash as she tuned her cello, and inspected her hooves. She wasn't going to let him get off easy this time, maybe then he'd learn his lesson.

“What if I tune all of the instruments, and dust the entire room?” Spike's smirk dropped a bit as what was usually his ace in the hole was completely disregarded. His tail tapped against the floor as he wondered just what it was going to take to get back in his friends good graces.

Pretending to look around the room with complete disinterest, Octavia spared a glance at the young dragon. Now it was time for her amusement as she noticed Spike's visible discomfort, she failed to suppress the small smile that was forming on her face. The thought that he cared enough about being in her good favor was actually flattering, so she would have to make sure her demands weren't too outrageous. As she pondered on just making Spike sweat it out a bit more before finally just taking him up on his offer, a sudden growling cut off her train of thought. In an instant Octavia was glad that her expression wasn't easily visible to the purple dragon as she realized that her stomach was voicing it's troubles to all that would listen.

Spike was sure he hadn't imagined the noise that seemed to originate from his friend. He noticed that Octavia had stopped for a second as the groan of an empty tummy echoed within the large room. The gears in his head turned rapidly as he thought up a possible solution to his punishment, it was just crazy enough to work. “You know, a bite to eat sure does sound good right now.”

Octavia's focus seemed to stay targeted on the cello she now refused to turn away from.

“Maybe I could possibly treat you to lunch...if you're interested?” Spike's grin returned as he noticed not one, but both gray ears twitch for a moment. He had his solution, but now he was presented with wondering just how much it was going to cost him. “Maybe that sandwich shop down the street, I hear they're doing a special on side orders.”

A uninterested snort came as Spike's only reply, Octavia wasn't going to be bought off with hayfries. Though free food in any form was nice, a mare had to have her standards when it came to negotiating.

With a sigh Spike decided that he was going to need to bust out the big guns. Knowing he was going to miss the bits he was about to spend, the young dragon spoke the name of a place that nopony could turn down. “How about we go to Pony Joe's?”

Proper mares may not willing to give ground for some hayfries, but Pony Joe's was a complete different story. Joe didn't just make donuts, he crafted frosting covered masterpieces in the form of rings. The pastries there were so good that there was a well believed rumor that the goddess of the sun herself had called forth an investigation concerning just what the skilled unicorn was putting into the food he served. So with all the restraint that she could muster Octavia finally turned to face Spike, and simply said. “I suppose that will do.”

And just like that Spike was out of the doghouse, and found himself walking down Canterlot's streets with a gray mare in tow. As they walked side by side toward their destination, it dawned on Spike that this was the first time that he and Octavia had been anywhere outside of the music hall together. He couldn't help but grin as he wondered if that meant they would possibly do this kind of thing more often.

Octavia herself was much too caught up with pondering on just what to have the drake purchase for her to realize how close the two were as they walked together. Any random passerby could make the mistake of thinking that they were childhood friends, or possibly even a couple. Thankfully if any ponies did assume such a thing, they kept their thoughts to themselves, and merely smiled as they passed the merry duo.

It wasn't long before Spike was now holding the door open for the gray mare, who smiled in appreciation and offered a quiet “Thank you.” The divine smell of well made caffeinated drinks, and freshly baked donuts wafted into both newcomer's nostrils. The serene look that Spike and Octavia shared having reached their destination was only interrupted by a mare's voice.

“Welcome to Pony Joe's! What can I get for you?”

Spike had been expecting to hear Joe's gruff salutation, or even a casual “Sup Spike!” from Joe's easygoing son Bean, who he had named after his younger brother that had passed away. Behind the counter stood neither Joe or his son, but instead a dark forest green unicorn with a green mane that was a few shades lighter than the rest of her which was kept in place with a red scrunchie. Though it was weird seeing a pony other than Joe or Bean working behind the counter, Spike figured she must have been hired to help around the shop. Feeling a second gaze on him, Spike turned his head to see Octavia glancing at him with an odd look. It suddenly dawned upon him that he hadn't asked his companion what she had wanted yet.

“So...what did you want me to get you anyways?” Not the smoothest way to ask, but Octavia didn't seem to mind as she looked over the different specials Pony Joe's was advertising on a bulletin that hung above the green mare's head.

“I'll have a french vanilla cappuccino with whipped cream, and a drizzle of caramel.” Spike had expected Octavia to merely point out what she wanted, or somehow use him as a messenger when it came to placing her order. So it came as quite the surprise hearing the gray mare speak so calmly, and clearly to somepony besides himself. “I'll take a Ursa paw as well with the cinnamon and sugar icing.”

With a nod the green unicorn pressed a few button on the cash register, then looked up toward Octavia with a questioning expression. “Do you want the Ursa Minor paw, or the Ursa Major paw?”

Taking note that the major was a few bits more, Octavia took a quick glance toward Spike before a small grin spread on her face. “I think I'd like to give the Ursa Major a try.”

After tapping a few buttons the register beeped, and the green mare smiled brightly before holding her left hoof out toward her customer. “That'll be five bits, ma’am.”

At that Octavia merely motioned toward the purple dragon standing next to her. “He'll be paying for my order, don't worry he's a good tipper.” The extended hoof immediately moved toward Spike who after a second began grumbling to himself as he procured the necessary bits. “I'll go find a seat while you place your own.”

Now being left at the counter with the still unnamed unicorn, Spike just asked for a mocha breve as well as a few cake donuts with maple frosting.

“That'll be two bits, handsome, I'll go get your orders started real quick.” And with that the green pony pranced past the door leading to the kitchen leaving Spike to ponder where Joe had found such a nice mare to work for him. Ever since getting married Joe had made it clear that he wanted his little shop to stay a family business, which is how Bean found himself either in the kitchen, or behind the counter instead of running amok with his young friends.

A minute later the mare returned though she had an apologetic expression on her face. “I'm sorry to say that we're fresh out mocha, is there anything else that you would like instead?”

“Oh really? Well I don't really know about the rest of the stuff here, is there anything that you would recommend miss....”

“It's Cream, Irish Cream. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Mister Dragon, and I can honestly say that the caramel macchiato is totally out of this world.”

While he thought over the mentioned beverage, Spike failed to notice that Irish had leaned over the counter a bit in an attempt to catch his eye. “You can call me Spike, miss Cream, and I'll take you up on that macchiato if it's as good as you say.”

Irish's face brightened considerably after hearing Spike state his name. “You wouldn't happen to be the same Spike that Uncle Joe talks about every now and then, would you?”

Spike's expression turned to confused, he wasn't aware that Joe had any nieces or nephews running around. Sure he knew that Joe had a younger sister, but last he heard she was just now expecting and this mare must have been around his age. “Most likely, I didn't know that Joe had any family working here besides Bean.”

“I'm Hazelnut's niece, since step-uncle Joe is taking her out for their twelve year anniversary I'm stepping in for him. So if you're the same Spike that Joe talks about, that means you know the Princess right?” Irish's appreciating gaze was now starting to catch Spike's attention as he suddenly felt his face heating up.

“Yeah, you could say that, Celestia pretty much raised me since I was hatched.” Spike nearly face-palmed having remembered that Joe's wife Hazelnut had been more than happy to help with the coffee shop. Of course she would have some family members willing to lend a hoof if asked.

“Wow, really?! It must have been nice getting to live in the castle, and pretty much being royalty as a kid.” Spike attempted to avoid eye contact with the blue-eyed unicorn that was practically falling over the counter as she leaned toward him.

“I wouldn't say royalty, it was certainly nice though.” Feeling a familiar glare on the back of his head Spike realized that Octavia was still waiting for him to return with their food. “Ummm, I probably shouldn’t keep my friend waiting, so how's that order of hers coming along?”

“Ohmygoodness! I completely spaced that! Sorry I'll be right back!” In a flash Irish ran back into the kitchen , and the sound of kitchen appliances being messed with reached Spike's ears. After only a minute Irish returned with a steaming cappuccino floating alongside her, as well as a freshly made Ursa claw. “Here's her food, Spike, you can leave the two bits on the counter and I'll just bring your order to you once it's finished.”

After thanking Irish, Spike took the two items in his claws and used his tail to leave the two bits for his order along with an extra two bits for a tip. After sending a wink his way Irish ran back into the kitchen promising that the macchiato would be worth the wait. Spike turned around to see Octavia seated at a booth across the room, he was hoping to be met with an approving smile.

Not so much.

As she watched the green maned unicorn shamelessly flirt with Spike, Octavia refused to believe that the frown slowly forming on her face was due to jealousy. It's not like that tart was even Spike's type....right? Noticing that the two's conversation had gone on longer than was necessary to buy some crummy donuts, Octavia decided that she didn't care. If Spike wanted to make goo goo eyes with some random unicorn he just met in a donut shop that was fine with her. The only reason she was now trying to burn a hole in the back of his head with her eyes was because she was tired of waiting for her darn Ursa claw. “Should have bought something more expensive.”


As Spike finally headed to the booth she had picked, it occurred to Octavia that she might be acting a bit silly. It's not like they were a couple or anything, and they had only really known each other for a handful of weeks. Though she barely toned down the scowl she set on the approaching dragon, Octavia decided that being upset with Spike wasn't going to make her feel any better.

“Heheh, sorry for the wait, Irish kinda forgot your order for a moment there.” Spike scratched the back of his head sheepishly after setting Octavia's consumables before her, taking a seat himself across the table. As he eyed Octavia's delicious looking Ursa claw, he was completely unaware of the sour look that crossed the mare's face the moment he mentioned the green unicorn's name.

And now he was on a first name basis with this stranger. Whether being upset with Spike was going to make her feel better or not, Octavia quickly snatched the Ursa claw between her hooves and bit into the warm dough viciously. It was considered unladylike for a mare to imagine she was biting the head off somepony she didn't think well of, but what other ponies didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them.

“That Ursa claw sure does look good, it better be considering how much it cost.” Spike's obvious mock annoyance was answered with a small growl, and the mare’s continued mauling of the unfortunate pastry. For some reason Spike couldn't help but think that somehow he had ended up back in the doghouse. As he tried to work out a reason to how he had managed that without even knowing, Irish re-entered the room and made her way toward the odd looking couple.

“Here's that macchiato I promised you, sweetie!” Before thanking Irish, Spike couldn't help but notice how Octavia's eyes narrowed toward the green unicorn, and she gave the Ursa claw another fierce bite.

“Thanks Irish, it looks like my friend here is really enjoying her food so I'm sure I'll enjoy mine.” As he spoke Spike watched Octavia roll her eyes, and give the cappuccino a bigger sip than she probably should have. Whether the hot drink burned her tongue or not was a mystery to the drake as she went right back to tearing into the lump in front of her, all the while keeping a piercing glare on the oblivious unicorn.

Irish giggled in reply, and instead of heading straight back to her post, she gave a wink toward Spike before finally making her way back to the counter. The wink had caused Octavia to take a particularly fearsome looking bite out of what was left of the horribly mauled baked good.

As he watched Octavia finish off what remained of her lunch a sudden realization struck him so hard that he nearly dropped his first donut. Seeing the the terse way that she had ordered her food, the sudden funk that she seemed stuck in, and the way that she had glared daggers at Irish. Spike had to fight off the urge to strike himself on the head for being so completely ignorant, it was no wonder that Twilight had once told him that his understanding of mares was equivalent to the number of books within the library that she still hadn't read. The odd situation that Spike found himself in was actually his fault in every sense, he was so busy enjoying the trip to Joe's and making a new friend that he was blind to Octavia's issue.

Octavia was socially awkward, and him dragging her out in public like this was probably upsetting her. It was just like how Twilight had acted when they had first arrived in Ponyville, running around with no clue how to act around all the ponies being so friendly to her. When Spike first met Octavia he had bumbled into a pony's personal sanctuary from the city of strangers outside, and by some miracle he had befriended her when others had failed. And here he was chatting away with random unicorns ignorant to the fact that Octavia was uncomfortable, and possibly in fear of losing her friend. As all the pieces fell into place Spike's mind instantly formulated a solution to his dilemma.

Taking a large gulp from her now lukewarm cappuccino Octavia hadn't noticed that her scaled friend had moved from his current spot to sit right next to her, that is until she felt an arm drape itself around her shoulders. The physical contact nearly caused her to spew french vanilla all over the table if she hadn't kept herself in check, though that left her sitting still as a statue with puffed out cheeks as she made eye contact with a beaming Spike. “...!”

“Octavia I am truly sorry.”

“..?” Swallowing down the still present caffeinated beverage Octavia wasn't sure what to be bothered with first. Spike's intrusion into her personal bubble once again, the levels of embarrassment she felt from being face to face with a mouth full of coffee, or the apology brought on by seemingly nothing.

“I'm serious, I dragged you here without even taking your feelings into consideration. A true friend would have noticed that something has been bothering you since we left the music hall.” Taking note of the confused expression on the mare's face, Spike continued on intent to fix the problem he had created. “So how about you give me a chance to redo this whole scenario, this time without me botching the whole thing up?”

“R-redo?” Octavia had finally found her voice, but it seemed the best she could muster was a single worded reply. She figured that now was the time to enlighten the young dragon that she was over what had been bugging her, before things got out of hoof.

“You heard me right, we'll go somewhere else to eat together.”

Or he could say that, and the powers that be could lead a certain earth pony to reach the wrong conclusion. “Did he just ask.....?!” A sudden light-headed feeling came over Octavia and it took all that she had to resist squeaking in surprise. Logically he must have meant it in a different way, logically she should turn down the offer since she felt a dozen butterflies suddenly doing sonic rainbooms within her now fed stomach.

“So Octavia will you accept my apology and allow me to take you to eat sometime?” So caught up in trying to repair the imaginary damage he had done, Spike's brain didn't register the implications that would surely rise from his question.

Staring wide eyed at Spike like a doe in caught in the headlights, Octavia's could only nod slowly despite what logic dictated. Calm dignity had fled the scene once Spike had put his arm around her like a good friend, and proper brain function seemed to be down for maintenance.

“Apology accepted....and it’s a d-date.”


End of Chapter:
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Chapter 3:

“Apology accepted... and it’s a d-date.”

It felt like it had only been yesterday since the flustered musician had found herself completely blindsided by a date proposal brought on by young dragon’s misunderstanding, and her own less than ladylike behavior. No wait it had been a sincere attempt at an unnecessary apology coupled with a request to have a ‘do over’ in regards to her friend taking her somewhere to eat. It had been Octavia’s own personal misinterpretation, and an unintentional use of her words that turned what was probably just a friendly gesture into something more ...complicated.

If the calendar on her small fridge was to be trusted, then that whole mess had taken place a week ago.

Eyes widening at the realization that she had an important place to be, as well as an important person to meet up with the less than chatty mare scarcely had time to lock up her apartment as she flied out the door. Galloping down the street at the kind of pace that didn’t suit her usual dignified demeanor it struck Octavia how odd it was that the ‘incident’ felt like it had only occurred a day ago, and yet an entire week had passed in a kind of blur.

Had she just been so anxious that the musician failed to pay attention to the rest of her week? Was she looking forward to this ‘date’ to such a degree or had she been dreading it so highly that the universe felt it humorous to fast-forward the last seven days? Questions like these wrestled about within the mare’s mind while at the same time a multitude of emotions bubbled just beneath the surface of what she hoped was still a neutral expression.

“Octavia! Get it together, it’s only a friendly outing to an eatery with an associate ...that happens to play music just like you..and just happens to be kind of handsome.” Slowing her run down to a more reserved trot; Octavia allowed herself to take in a deep mind clearing breath of fresh air, and gently exhale as she continued to make way toward her destination. All seemed to be back in relative order now that the grey furred mare had slowed her proverbial roll ...well until she opened her mulberry eyes.

Plastered on the window of a somewhat ritzy beauty product store was an ad poster that Octavia was quite sure hadn’t been there the day before: Planning to woo yourself a scaled hunk of dragon meat? Make sure to buy a vial of ‘treasure’, this gem based fragrance will make him want to hoard you all to himself. The timing was uncanny.

“ .....maybe it wouldn’t hurt to...” Shaking her head Octavia was quick to pass the store before the coincidence became too much to resist. Taking a sharp turn down the block Octavia found herself nearly bowling over a familiar face in the form of her old classmate. Before Octavia could utter forth a sincere apology the aquamarine mare looked up at her and her small frown turned into a large grin.

“Octavia! Wow fancy running into you here.” Though the two mares rarely saw one another due in part to living in different places these days the old classmates could honestly say that they had a bit of a rapport between them.

“Good evening Lyra how hav-”

“Sooo... is it true?” Excitable as Octavia vividly remembered Lyra didn’t seem to notice that she had interrupted the grey furred mare with her question. An incredibly vague question Octavia was quick to notice.

“Is what true?” Though the musician had somewhere she had to be being rude to an old friend wasn’t on her to do list; plus the somewhat mischievous knowing grin that was creeping onto Lyra’s face was a little too ominous to ignore.

“Oh c’mon Tavi you don’t have to play dumb with me. I heard a certain mare has been painting Canterlot red alongside one particularly musically talented drake.”

“.....!” Though only a small *meep* had escaped past the somewhat speechless Octavia the stunned look on her face only seemed to further amuse the lyre playing unicorn in front of her.

“You know you’ll have to tell me all the juicy details Tavi. Didn’t imagine you’d be the… Hey! where ya goin?”

Face turning a deep red from Lyra’s accusation Octavia’s mindset had jumped from being polite to ‘I gotta get out of here ASAP’. As the cello playing mare passed her surprised friend Octavia could clearly hear Lyra let out a small giggle.

“Ohhh I get it! Ok Tavi don’t let me keep ya from your date.”

The now rushing mare would have turned around to loudly ask how Lyra knew about Octavia’s ‘date’ with Spike if she wasn’t now so intent on reaching the music hall. Now back to a rushed gallop Octavia quickly put a block between her and where she bumped into her old friend, made a right turn, and just another block away she could see her home away from home. The only thing laying between the cellist and Canterlot Music Hall was the elderly face of yet another pony Octavia knew.

Midway between where Octavia stood and the music hall that she desperately wished to reach stood a toffee colored pegasus with a chocolate mane, and a bag full of flowers of differing nature. Common name Abigail Sweethooves by most but to friends the elder mare preferred to just go by ‘Abby’, she was actually a neighbor of Octavia’s back at her shared apartment, and one of the nicest ponies you’d probably meet this side of Canterlot.

Squinting at the approaching pony-shaped blur through her thick glasses Abigail waved a hoof toward Octavia once the mare’s signature color scheme sparked a flame of familiarity. “Octavia is that you dearie?”

Slowing her pace to a slow walk out of respect for the kind mare hailing her, Octavia offered a small smile as she neared the brown coated pegasus. “Hello there miss Sweethooves nice seeing you today.”

“Wish I could say the same dearie, these confounded glasses must be broke.” Raising a wing to open her bag of flowers Abigail pulled out a tulip to chew on before fixing another knowing smile to the now rushed looking musician. “Oh but don’t let an old mare slow ya down, you look like you have somewhere to be. And remember what I said last time we had tea, you’re certainly allowed to call me Abby. Miss Sweethooves makes me feel old.” Giggling at herself the old mare scooted a little to the side, and motioned for Octavia to pass her.

As she passed by Abigail the now on the move again earth pony flashed a grateful smile in the pegasus’s direction glad to have nearly reached her goal.

“It does an old gal’s heart good to finally see you settling down. Had a bet going with that roommate of yours and mister Harriman about whether you’d ever find yourself a nice colt.” Feeling the joints in her wings ache a tiny bit Abigail flapped them a few times before continuing on her way; completely oblivious to the now stock still mare behind her.

“What the hay is going on around here?!” Feeling thoroughly weirded out Octavia ran as fast as her hooves could carry her the rest of the way to the music hall, past it’s large doors, down the hallway, and finally to the door that led to where she and Spike often played together. As she placed a hoof onto the final barrier between her sanctuary and herself the sound of piano keys singing drifted into her ears.

‘Bum dum bum dum dum. Bum dum bum dum bum dum.’

Somewhat alarmed Octavia pushed open the door to set her sights on a particular drake playing away at the piano in the middle of the stage.

‘Bum dum bum dum dum. Bum dum bum dum bum dum.’

Trotting toward the stage Octavia couldn’t help but find it odd that Spike seemed oblivious to her entrance. The young dragon had once explained to the grey mare that his ears had moments of extreme sensitivity, and her arrival hadn’t been a quiet one. “Oh am I happy to see you, today’s been kinda ...peculiar.”

‘Bum dum bum dum bum. Bum dum bum dum bum dum.’ Continuing to play as if he hadn’t even heard the female voice that he always seemed so interested in listening too, Spike’s form remained in place even as Octavia came to stand next to him.

“Um S-spike are you ok.” Just as Octavia reached her left hoof out to poke the playing drake, Spike’s head whipped around to set his emerald eyes onto the startled mare.

“Oh, what a night! Late December back in sixty-three.” Before the mare could react the drake grasped the offered hoof with his tail, and pulled her to sit by his side whilst he continued to sing. “What a very special time for me. As I remember what a night.”

Accustomed enough to Spike’s antics, Octavia managed to stifle the *meep* that wanted to escape past her lips as once again her personal space was invaded via singing dragon. “S-spike this really isn’t the time fo-”

In one fluid movement Spike had jumped from his sitting position, and now stood beside Octavia with a taloned finger pointed in her direction. “Oh, what a night! You know I didn’t even know your name, but I was never gonna be the same.” Grabbing Octavia softly by the shoulders, Spike twirled the now blushing mare once then gently placed her next to him before winking in her direction. “What a lady, what a night.”

“S-spike w-what a-a-are you-” Now stuttering, and face more crimson than it had even been before Octavia scarcely had the cognitive function to back-peddle away or to ponder how the piano was still being played. 

Scooping the mare in his arms so that he could successfully dip her, Spike waggled his scaled brow at the now wide eyed musician. “Oh I, got a funny feelin’ when I walked in the room. And I, as I recall it ended much too soon.”

If it hadn’t been before, now was certainly a perfect time for the out of her element to *meep* in surprise. This was all proceeding MUCH too fast for her poor dignified brain to properly process, leading to something akin to a small swoon to overtake Octavia.

As Spike began to utter the next verse in his song a sudden loud voice ripped through the music hall. 

“Whoa whoa whoa! Who the hay swoons anymore?!”

And just like that Octavia was out of the drake’s gentle hold, out of the music hall, and back at her apartment with her roommate raising an eyebrow in her direction.

One Vinyl Scratch aka the infamous DJ Pon-3 sat across her small kitchen table from a now wide-eyed Octavia as she stifled the urge to chuckle at her friend’s expression. Normally she’d still be flat out unconscious either in her bed, the couch, or sometimes just wherever depending on how hard she was crashing from the previous night’s events but a frightened shriek from her roommate had roused the unicorn from her sleep. Finding her usually stoic roommate worriedly attempting to make a new pot of coffee as well as the ‘disheveled’ look she had about her, Vinyl had in her own way politely voiced concern for her roommate. “Yo Tavi, what the hay?”

Octavia had at first refused to say anything other than a tired “...Just an odd dream.” but if nothing else Vinyl was persistent, and after some ‘calm negotiating’ she had convinced the earth pony to share the contents of the nightmare that had her on edge. The result so far was the kind of thing that Vinyl would expect from some poorly written romantic comedy; humorous coming from Octavia of all mares, but nothing worth being terrified over.

“T-that’s part of my point Vinyl, swooning isn’t something that I can recall doing before in my life, and now I’m doing it in my dreams.” Allowing the small red tint in her face to die down at the unicorn’s interruption, Octavia brought a hoof to her head to rub her temple. “Bizarre behavior such as that is completely unbecoming of me, and inappropriately thinking of a fellow hobbyist like this is bad news.”

“I wouldn’t really dub that dreamt up show tune as inappropriate Tavi. It’s not like you dreamed about rolling around on top of the piano together.”

“Vinyl Scratch!”

“What?!”

Rolling her eyes at the unicorn’s ‘choice of words’ Octavia sighed loudly as she stared down at her half finished cup of coffee. “I’d prefer if we didn’t talk about me and Spike in that manner.”

“So he has a name!” A small grin formed on Vinyl’s face as she watched her roommate suddenly go stiff at her reply. While Vinyl had caught on to the fact that her friend was definitely seeing ‘someone’ once every week the grey furred mare had been tight lipped about the whole subject.

“.......”

Grin spreading more so from Octavia’s sudden decision to ‘clam up’ Vinyl couldn’t resist poking a little more fun at her no nonsense roommate. “You know …for the longest time I was starting to think that maybe you were just some giant asexual amoeba that happened to be shaped like a pony.” Resting her head on her hooves as she leaned forward Vinyl sent a wink toward her now crimson faced friend. “It’s good to hear that there’s something out there that ‘tunes your cello’.”

“Vinyl!”

Now fully laughing at Octavia’s outraged expression Vinyl cautiously jumped back as the offended mare sent a glare her way that could freeze a hot tub. “Oh lighten up Tavi.” Quick to do damage control before her teasing caused Octavia to completely shut her out of the topic, Vinyl scurried over to the mare’s side and embraced her in a small hug. “I’m just messin with ya, but you totally have to admit that I have a point.”

“...which would be?” Mulberry eyes now narrowed at the cheshire grin that Vinyl proudly wore on her face Octavia couldn’t decide whether to hear the unicorn out...or to throw out the DJ’s records as punishment.

“You totally have the hots for this guy, and it’s probably safe to say that anyone willing to put up with your special brand of ‘fun-loving excitement’ once every week probably has a soft spot for you too.” Much to Vinyl’s amusement Octavia’s narrowed leer instantly morphed into a unsure glance in the opposite direction.

“.....but-”

“No buts you!” Bringing a hoof to ruffle the earth pony’s mane Vinyl detached herself from the hug so that she could try looking Octavia in the face. “Girl I know you. You hardly ever have anything to say unless it’s about that boring genre that you call music, or when you’re yelling at me. You’re always acting so down in the dumps because classical is dead good riddance, and now you’re all rosy cheeked to trot down to the music hall every week.” Nodding her white furred head at her own words Vinyl leaned into whisper into her friend’s ear. “You’ve got it bad Tavi.”

With a groan Octavia nudged the white furred unicorn out of her personal space, ears flattening against her head in irritation at the implication. “I do not ‘got it bad’ thank you very much, I just-”

“Hang around the guy weekly, experience romantic-esque dreams about him, and accepted a date proposal.” Making way toward the shared fridge Vinyl smirked to herself as she felt a certain mare glare in her direction, chances were that her prudish friend was more off-put by being interrupted then anything else.

 “I-it’s n-not like that, you’re just misreading my situation… also stop interrupting m-”

“Oh it certainly is!” Stifling a laugh from the agitated sigh from her roommate, Vinyl opened the fridge to gaze upon it’s stark emptiness. *sigh* “Any chance your musical boy toy might be willing to buy us some groceries?”

From her place at the table Octavia’s left mulberry eye twitched profoundly from the unicorn’s ‘boy toy’ remark. “Vinyl will you please drop this romance nonsense, any infatuation I may briefly have regarding… Spike is purely based on our shared interest.” The cellist had hoped that perhaps her roommate had gotten enough sick amusement from her ordeal, and would retreat from the subject. Sadly this was not to be.

“Well fine then I guess you don’t like him.” Closing the door to the fridge Vinyl smirked as she heard Octavia quietly sigh in relief. “So since he’s on the market, what’re the chances he’d like to spend some time with a unicorn who knows how to party?”

“What?!”

Vinyl could scarcely keep the laughter that threatened to billow forth in check as Octavia whipped an outraged expression in her direction. “Well I do like spending time with a stallion who knows how to make some music, and since you don’t like him then I’ll take a swing at him.”

“......!” The outraged expression shifted to a silent glare that could freeze ice as Octavia briefly imaged Vinyl introducing herself to Spike, drowning him in romantic advances, and eventually …corrupting him with that horrid dub-step.

Admittedly shivering from the angered intensity within her friends eyes, Vinyl refused to back down. “Don’t give me that look Tavi; since you don’t like him that means he’s fair game.”

“..........” The DJ’s remark reminded Octavia of the less than subtle flirtations that the mare from the coffee shop had made toward Spike. A hot flare of possessiveness sprang up within the usually quiet cellist, and before she knew it Octavia was in front of Vinyl staring the mare down. “Spike is *not* fair game.”

Hook. Line. And Sinker.

“And why is that?”

“...Because I …um.” Whether on purpose or not Octavia’s roommate had sufficiently asked the one question that could take the fire out of the cellist’s eyes. No longer feeling quite so righteous, or furious Octavia backed up a step at about the same time that Vinyl finally let a cheshire smile spread across her face.

“Because maybe you *do* like him?”

“...........”

“Cmon Tavi just admit it; not like there’s anything wrong with liking a stallion you know.” Not one to lose her momentum when she was on a roll, Vinyl quickly placed herself next to her friend as she continued to speak. “You’ve already got a date set up with the guy so there’s nothing wrong with testing the waters a little.”

“.........” From her position Vinyl could barely see Octavia silently mutter a few words as if she was talking more to herself than the unicorn.

“Wanna run that by me again?”

“.....I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to…” Maybe it was the lack of proper sleep, or perhaps Vinyl’s unending picking at the subject had finally run Octavia’s defenses ragged but like it or not the cellist couldn’t help but be curious.

“That’s the spirit!” Giving Octavia a big personal space invading hug, Vinyl’s eyes sparkled behind her signature shades. “This’ll be great! You put the moves on this guy, he ends up having a hot friend with lots of money, and then maybe we can get something to eat around here.”

Rolling her eyes at Vinyl’s ‘priority list’ a blush formed on Octavia’s face as she realized that perhaps she was a bit… unprepared for her date’. “So how do I… test the waters?” The moment that the last word left her lips Octavia felt a chill down her spine as she noticed Vinyl’s large smile turn devious.

“Ohoho don’t you worry about that my little high class prude. Big sis Vinyl Scratch is gonna take you under her wing.” A twinge of amusement spread throughout the unicorn as she noticed Octavia look incredibly unsure. “First things first …what’re you gonna wear?”





As you now know dear reader our female protagonist had naught but one night to prepare for the dinner she was now committed to attend. Our favorite purple drake on the other hand had gone about things in a different way. 

(Nearly a day after the question had been asked)

The word date didn’t really sink in until long after Spike had offered the arrangement, and surprisingly enough Octavia had accepted. Then after finishing their snack, the pair headed back to the auditorium, and as Spike casually padded his way back to the castle it all finally sunk in. As he whistled a carefree tune, and pondered the small hesitance his companion had displayed when she accepted his offer for a redo the wires in his brain finally let out a small spark of intelligence.

“Wait a minute..... date?” The dragon came to an abrupt halt just outside of a ‘Hospitable Loan and Trust’ his slitted pupils shrank, and for some reason Spike had a hard time breathing. “DATE?!!” The outburst from Spike had been so sudden and loud that it caused a few nearby ponies to cast odd looks, and give a very wide berth to the freaked out dragon. 

Spike had come to the terrifying conclusion that he had just asked out his fellow musical enthusiast, and she had accepted. Not that there was anything wrong with the gray furred mare, in fact there was something incredibly right about her. The way her raven hair seemed to shimmer under the lights of the auditorium, the alluring shade of light purple that made up her eyes, the list went on and on really. Spike actually felt blessed that he hadn’t managed to make a fool out of himself in front of the cellist like he had on several occasions during his crush on a certain white furred unicorn.

And now he was presented with the opportunity to botch things up with a nice mare that probably didn’t even see him in a romantical light, a matter made worse thanks to Spike’s lack of experience regarding how dates were conducted. Sure he had that thing for Rarity for a good while, but even Spike came to realize that it was a one-sided love affair, and that the most datelike thing the two had ever done was spend the day in the unicorn’s boutique making dresses. Spike considered perhaps just turning around and setting things straight with the cellist or, as cowardly as it sounded, coming up with an excuse to not go, but as he made to turn around an alternative began to make itself known. Whether Octavia considered this a date or not… she had accepted, and that was something worth pondering over.

“In the least I can try to show her a good time, maybe it’ll go really well and...” Shaking his head to halt the train of thoughts from venturing any further into ‘more than just friends’ territory Spike righted his path and continued toward the castle. Expecting romantic feelings to just spring up just because of a nice date-err hanging out session was a bit silly, it’s not like he was living in some cheesy romance story written by some C-list fanboy. “That would be ridiculous.”

Laughing at the absurdity of his thoughts, Spike made a note to swing that one by Twilight, she’d get a good laugh from it. And then an idea wormed it’s way into Spike’s mind, simplistic in nature yet making complete sense. Here he was trying to figure out how to impress a mare, when he had not only his older sister Twilight, but all his friends in ponyville to help him out. Considering the number of ponies he knew there was a fair probability that at least one of them had some solid advice to give regarding his dilemma. Making a mental list of the best candidates to go to once he returned home Spike picked up the pace toward the royal castle with a noticeable spring in his step. “This will be easy!”

Truth be told it had not been easy.

In wasn’t so much that ponies lacked any interest in helping the drake, though it’s worth mentioning that he had yet to ask for any help to begin with. No, it had been more that after a night’s sleep, and a train ride back to Ponyville Spike had managed to nearly convince himself that failure was inevitable. Octavia was a beautiful mare who probably only tolerated his antics due to her wont for musical companionship, and maybe out of respect for his mediocre talent with a piano. This was the kind of thinking that had at first subtly pounced upon then continued to hammer away at Spike’s resolve until he reached the train station feeling like his mission had melted away into a lost cause.

Even with all the advice in the world Spike hardly knew where to focus his efforts; simply put he lacked a plan, and wasn’t in the state of mind to conceive one. With a gloomy expression Spike dragged his feet as he made his way past the first few buildings that made up the outskirts of Ponyville. “Where’s a professional in these kinds of things when you need one?”

“Here’s PINKIE!”

Spike stifled a surprised yelp as the sight of central Ponyville was suddenly eclipsed by vibrant pink, and a familiar giggle filled the air. 

“Got you again Spikey, you know for a big, scary… butinagoodway dragon you’re awfully easy to sneak up on.” With big bright eyes of sapphire Ponyville’s resident professional party thrower Pinkie Pie smiled as brightly as she could while standing in front of her bestest dragon friend.

“Good to see you too Pinkie Pie.” Though her ability to show up nearly anywhere, and her knack for rampant spontaneity threw Spike for a loop, it was impossible to stay in low spirits when the pink mare’s happy nature was so contagious. Taking a step past his earth pony friend Spike started to head down Ponyville’s main street taking note that said mare began to follow albeit in her typical manner of pronking before matching pace alongside him.

“Did ya have fun in Canterlot?”

“Always do.”

“So what’s her name?”

“...Huh?”

Using a portion of her limitless reservoir of excitable energy Pinkie Pie bounced high enough to go over the dragon’s head then gracefully hop at an angle to block Spike’s path. “The name of your very special somepony silly willy!”

“W-What!?” Pinkie’s unexpected reply caused Spike to stumble, and nearly fall over himself. “What makes you think I have a special somepony?”

“Being the helpful pony that I am, I decided to ask around to see if anyone wanted any relationship advice, but then I remembered how you’ve been suddenly going to Canterlot for the past couple of weeks and it just ‘clicked’.”

Hopping around Spike as he regained his footing Pinkie hummed happily to herself before stopping by the dragon’s side. "How did you know abou-"

“Combos.”

“Combos?”

“I woke up this morning and immediately my tail curled up like one of A.J.’s piggies, then my nose started to itch, and finally I couldn’t stop myself from gyrating like those ponies at the club the Cakes don’t want me going to.” To further her point Pinkie’s tail started to curl and uncurl, she started rubbing her nose with her left hoof, and much to Spike’s embarrassment the pink earth pony began to move her backside in a less than classy manner.

“Errr Pinkie as interesting as that is what does that have to do with anything?” Attempting to hide a small blush that began to spread on his face, Spike willed his eyes to look everywhere but towards the still dancing mare. 

“Curling tail, itchy nose, and shakin’ my flank means there’s love in the air, didn’t you read that combo book I got you for your birthday?” Spike thanked his luck that hardly anypony was within sight, and ones that were paid no attention to the unintentional show that Pinkie was putting on.

“Umm is there any chance you can stop that now… I think I get your point.” Spike’s blush intensified from his friend giggling in response though she did cease her dancing.

“Ohh fine, guess I shouldn’t be getting you riled up when you got your sights on some other mare.” Pinkie Pie giggled again when she noticed Spike’s eyes narrow slightly, though his face retained it’s blush, and it took a few seconds before he’d stop staring at the ground. “Now quit being a subject changer, and tell me her name.”

“...Pinkie why do you want to know so bad?” Spike was aware of the party pony’s vast curiosity, but she rarely pried into anyone else’s business unless it related to parties, sweets, and excuses to wear a funny disguise.

“Friends help friends silly, and Pinkie Pie isn’t just the go to mare for parties, I’m also a part-time love doctor.” Pinkie shook her tail a bit until a stethoscope, and a pink clipboard fell out. Gathering up the objects Pinkie quickly began jotting notes while placing the stethoscope around her neck.

“Pinkie I-” Spike’s sentence was cut short as the pink mare pressed a hoof against his lips, and shook her head rapidly.

“It’s Doctor Pinkie Pie while you’re my patient… or Love Doctor P, sometimes Doc if you want to be less formal, and I guess Doctor Pinkamena when filling out any paperwork.” The near seriousness of Pinkie’s voice was undermined by her large smile, and the fact that her stethoscope had managed to get lost within her mane.

“Ok Love Doctor P, how do you plan on helping me out then?” Whether he liked it or not Spike was smart enough to know that his pink friend wasn’t going to let the subject go until she felt that he’d been helped enough, or at least until something more interesting happened by.

“Up up up, all will be revealed in due time my dear patient. First, we need to make a trip to my office.” Before Spike could utter a proper protest, Pinkie Pie was already behind him and pushing the young dragon toward an all too familiar bakery.

Within a few minutes Spike found himself seated within a strangely empty Sugarcube Corner, as Pinkie Pie sat across from him cross-legged and rubbing an imaginary goatee under her chin. While the drake had been sitting down Pinkie Pie had also set down a three-sided nameplate of sorts. The side facing him read out ‘Dr. Pinkamena Diane Pie’, and while he couldn’t see the one that was face down, he caught a small glimpse at the other side which read ‘Private Investigator Pinkie’. Right as Spike became fed up with the stalling, and neared sharing his thoughts with the silent mare, Pinkie fixed her bright blue eyes onto the drake and spoke first.

“Now then. ‘Spike’ is it?” 

Rolling his eyes at Pinkie’s antics, Spike drummed his fingers on the table between them, while he rested his head onto his left hand, the whole thing earning a giggle from the mare. “Last time I checked that would be my name doc.” Whether she detected Spike’s less than amused tone of voice or not, Pinkie jotted something down onto the pink clipboard a bit before looking back to her patient.

“I see, now this marefriend of yours... what does she like to do for fun?

“Well, she likes to play music.”

“Like that thing you do with the piano?”

“Right, except she’s more into cellos.”

“I see… hmmmm.” After giving an imaginary beard a few pondering strokes Pinkie Pie jotted a few more notes onto her clipboard, then after a giggle she cast an appraising glance toward Spike.

“What?”

“Have you taken this marefriend of yours anywhere fun yet?”

“Well the last time we hung out I took her to Joe’s, but I think she might have issues with meeting new ponies.”

“Hmmm.” Looking back toward her notes Pinkie chewed on her pen for a few moments before writing a few more things down.

Spike wringed his tail subconsciously as it dawned upon him that even though he and Pinkie Pie had gone somewhere more private than the busy streets of Ponyville, Sugar Cube Corner certainly wasn’t known for it’s lack of business. “Uhh doc? Perhaps this isn’t the best place to discuss-”

“Don’t you worry your handsome scaled head about that Spike.” As if sensing the cause of her patient’s discomfort right off the bat Pinkie pointed a hoof at the bakery’s entrance where hanging on a bit of string was humble ‘closed’ or ‘open’ sign. The sign had been turned so that the words ‘open’ faced the pair which prompted Spike to raise an eyebrow at his pink friend.

“You flipped the sign?”

“Uh huh! And with the Cakes out until the evening rush we’ll have this whole place to ourselves without any prying eyes.” Seeing Spike visibly relax in his chair Pinkie Pie gave her notes another look over before clearing her throat. “Now then...”

Despite what the poofy haired earth pony had said about the two of them having privacy, a third party had noticed the ‘closed’ sign and instead of heading home decided to investigate. It wasn’t in the mare’s nature to pry into other’s business, but curiosity certainly was. So now thanks to the knowledge shared with her from Pinkie Pie about the unlocked door in the back the fastest flier in Ponyville was now silently hiding in the kitchen while her ears picked up some interesting tidbits of conversation.

“Since she’s a classy mare you might want to take her out to a place where the ponies like to dress fancy, and they serve those glasses of water that look like just plain ol’ water, but for some reason it tastes really, really good.” Rainbow had no problem recognizing the voice of one of her closest friends, though it was strange hearing her give advice on places to take mares out to dinner.

“You think she’d like that kind of place?” Now things had certainly gotten interesting, the unmistakable sound of Ponyville’s only resident dragon caused the pegasus’s ears to perk up slightly. For the last few weeks Spike had been making scheduled trips to Canterlot by himself, and Twilight had been unusually tight lipped when asked about the subject.

“Personally I’d prefer a place where you can eat until your belly feels ready to burst, but apparently a bunch of ponies don’t consider that ‘refined’.” After a few moments of what sounded like a pen or a quill quickly rubbing on a paper’s surface Rainbow Dash heard the distinct sound of hooves skipping across the shop’s floor. “Just make sure you’re super duper subtle about it, mares like a good surprise.”

Having heard enough Rainbow Dash quickly made herself scarce before her snooping could be discovered. Once she had quietly closed the back door behind her Rainbow Dash shot into the sky like a bullet, and made her way to a certain unicorn’s house, surely Ponyville’s resident fashionista would be interested in knowing that her not so secret admirer was planning to pay her a visit.

After skipping over to the counter Pinkie Pie was quick to lift the glass case that protected a few choice cupcakes within. Turning back toward a contemplative Spike, the mare brought over the plate that the icing covered creations had been sitting upon and offered it to her patient. “Have a cupcake Spike we have a lot of planning to do.”

A few blocks down, across the street, and past the town square sat the workplace, and home, of the embodiment of generosity. Stepping past a few ponyquins with a few strands of silk in her normally well kept hair, a sewing kit levitating behind her, and a sewing machine left idling on a table to the side, Rarity the unicorn wracked her brain over her newest step in revolutionizing the world of fashion. True her current vision was bold ...perhaps even risky, but in her field of expertise a true follower of the lost and ancient arts of fashion had to be willing to give everything she had in pursuit of the perfect evening gown.

“Just a bit more here, and perhaps a little less there and...” Across the room a table laden with bolts of cloth, and a dozen or so different sewing pins began to glow as their master willed them to float toward her and assist with her project. Due to her concentration being split between so many different objects Rarity had to let out a very unladylike grunt of exhaustion as the gathered items floated around her purple maned head. Years of having an eager young drake on hoof to help gather her things while she concentrated on the more intricate parts had spoiled the mare, and now doing everything herself had become slightly taxing.

She had been glad to see her young gentle-drake begin opting to help others from time to time instead of solely spending his free time in her presence, but for the last few weeks he’d been even scarcer than usual. Though she was unbothered by the drake’s lack of attendance to begin with, Rarity couldn’t help but find her boutique slightly less cozy now that there was a lack of scaled hands to move things, sincere compliments to boost her morale, and a pair of green eyes to snatch glances at her when they thought she wouldn't notice.

Raising a needle with a bright green thread attached to it, Rarity inwardly scolded herself at falling into a silly ‘you don’t know what you have until it’s gone’ style of thinking. She could admit to missing the little tyke that had grown into quite the specimen before her very eyes, she could even fess up to missing the feeling that came with being the constant center of a someone’s attentions, but she had much more self respect than to mope about just because a valued friend suddenly had a life of his own.

At least that’s what she told herself.

Perhaps the real root of the problem was that without Spike around the alabaster unicorn had become so much more aware of how bored she had become. Ponyville had it’s share of interesting ‘phenomenon’, but things as a whole had settled down a great deal over the past few years. With a helper that had started to become more and more prodigiously charming as the days went by, and the intriguing circle of friends that the fashionista kept close she certainly hadn’t wanted for any more ‘spice’ in her life… but now even though the passion for fashion was as strong as ever Rarity could quietly admit to herself that she could go for another adventure.

After taking a moment to settle her thoughts and compose herself Rarity returned to the task at hoof. Squinting her blue eyes in concentration the white furred unicorn carefully, and slowly willed the needle closer to the exact spot on the dress that floated before her. One wrong move, one slight miscalculation and the whole thing would go from a priceless wonder of the fashion world to an expensive work of cloth that would have to sit in her windows until it caught some passerby's eye.

“Just a little… closer... now.” The needle was now just a few centimeters from it’s intended target when a very loud and quite familiar tomboyish voice pierced the silence.

“Hey Rarity!” It would seem that someone had taken up granting wishes, though their timing could use some work.

At the exact moment that Rainbow Dash barged into the boutique, Rarity let out a surprised gasp, and her magically guided needle missed… by alot. Instead of landing near the collar where the unicorn planned to weave an intricate design, the needle and thread instead pierced through the spot where some unlucky pony's vocal cord would have sat. Her work, the imaginary pony wearing the gown, and most definitely her mood that had been steadily improving had been unequivocally assassinated.

“Hey Rarity! Wait until you hear this, guess who’s ....uhh you ok there?” Unaware of the multiple crimes against fashion she had forced her friend to commit as well as the slight manic twitching of Rarity’s left eye, the blue pegasus hovered about the room while she tried not to chuckle at the cloth filled mess of a mane that dominated the unicorn’s head.

“Why hello there Rainbow Dash.... I’m fine ...thank you for asking.” Taking a moment to stifle the series of horrible things she planned on doing to the rainbow maned mare for her interruption, Rarity let out a long drawn out sigh as she let the floating items that orbited her gently descend to the floor. After spending a minute to rid her mane of any lingering pieces of fabric, Rarity magically curled her locks back into their usual position and once she was satisfied with her image she turned toward her impatiently waiting guest. “Now what is it that you wanted to tell me dear.”

Throwing her forelegs out Rainbow Dash flew closer to Rarity until they nearly touched noses. “It’s Spike! He’s talking to Pinkie Pie about taking you out on some kind of date.”

Rarity’s face turned a slight red both due to having her personal space invaded by her rambunctious friend, as well as at the notion of her handsome no longer little helper asking her out for the first time in a good while. It was uncanny that the moment she started to wish for a little excitement Rainbow Dash of all messengers would be the one to invite herself in. Perhaps if she hadn’t found herself starting to fall into a rut of sorts she’d be able to formulate an appropriate response to the news presented to her. For the moment her mind was drawing blanks.

“So are ya gonna say yes when he asks?” Folding her wings back against her sides Rainbow Dash landed on the floor beside her friend the entire time wearing a large smirk. Unknown to the blue pegasus Rarity’s train of thought had returned, but had been cut down the middle by a sharp fork in the tracks that diverted to either ‘Merely Platonic Friendsville’, and ‘New Enterprising Options-city’. One route tried to convince her that the professional thing to do was to politely decline such a forward invitation, the other cleverly sought to entice the mare’s romantical side with fictional romance story covers.     

Shaking her head slightly to rid her thoughts of all of the romance novel induced cliches that began to run rampant through her brain, Rarity shot the blue pegasus a disapproving look. “Spike and I have a purely professional relationship Rainbow Dash, and while I’m flattered that he still thinks of me in a such a way I can’t stand the idea of leading the poor dear on just for an evening of catching up and sweets at Sugarcube Corner.” Having said that the mare could feel herself believing that keeping things ‘as they were’ regarding the amorous dragon was probably the best option.  

Rolling her eyes at the unicorn’s posh way of saying “Not gonna happen.” Rainbow Dash nudged her friend slightly with her right forelimb. “You sure about that Rarity? Sounded like Spike was planning something big, which would explain why he’s been running up to Canterlot so often.”

The blue pegasus words had a reaction, whether they were intended or not. While she normally deplored rifling through the affairs of others, Rarity couldn’t deny having an interest in Spike’s weekly trips. Sure he was a prince of sorts… but he’d become uncharastically secretive about his reasons for visiting Canterlot. A small part of the unicorn was giddy at the presumption that such intrigue was for her sake, and it grew when Rarity started to ponder the scale of his endeavors…. Gears turning within her brain Rarity began to nibble on her lower lip a bit as she weighed her options, a sight that didn’t go unnoticed by her guest.

“Well perhaps a friendly date ......couldn’t hurt.”

“That’s the spirit, plus who knows you might even end up falling in wuuuv.” Once again entering the unicorn’s personal space Rainbow Dash laughed to herself between making fake kissy noises.

Rolling her eyes at Rainbow’s antics Rarity’s horn glowed faintly for one second, and the next moment the guffawing pegasus was suddenly ambushed by a legion of torn dresses. “Darling must you always act so crass?” Watching the growling winged mare thrash about under the pile of fabric, Rarity emitted a giggle before turning back to her work. 

“Ha ha very funny.” From underneath the fabric Rainbow Dash struggled and grunted, before finally bucking the entire pile off of herself. Feeling that she had done her duty as one of Rarity’s friends the pegasus trotted toward the door before her magenta eyes noticed something out the window, and she quickly back-trotted toward Rarity. “Uh oh! Guess who’s headed this way.”

As he walked to his next destination Spike couldn’t help but still be impressed with Pinkie Pie’s utter brilliance. In the span of just a few dozen minutes the pink mare had given him locations, names, and activities that all helped give him the blueprints to create the perfect night out. While she had been willing to help him out every step of the way Pinkie Pie wasn’t the least bit offended when Spike opted to work out the finer details himself. He’d see if he could pull some strings in Canterlot, would take Pinkie’s advice regarding a few establishments, and to tie it all together he knew a mare who’d happily set him up with an appropriate wardrobe for the occasion.

“Good reliable Rarity.”

“Oh dear.” It dawned on the marshmallow unicorn that even though she was undoubtedly looking as flawless as ever… the boutique was looking rather ...askew. Thinking quickly Rarity’s horn glowed brightly as she levitated the sheets of fabric, her seamstress supplies, and one whining blue pegasus all into the other room. A few seconds later a rapping on her door alerted Rarity to Spike’s arrival; an anxious energy began to overcome the unicorn as she sang out to the door. “Comiiing!”

Within another moment Rarity willed the door open, and cast a faux expression of surprise when her azure eyes fell upon the expected drake. “Oh now this is quite the treat! It’s been too long since you’ve visited Spike.”

“H-Hey there Rarity.” Despite his mission, and the subtle way his feelings had shifted regarding the fashionista, Spike would be hard pressed to forego his fondness for the mare that greeted him with a soft smile. The same smile that made his heart flutter and his smile shift into a dopey grin in the past. Now instead such responses felt reserved for the slight upturns of the lip that he sought out from another.

“How’ve you been dear?” Turning around Rarity beckoned the dragon inside her boutique while she tried to rein herself in; she couldn’t allow herself to appear too eager. “I hope you can forgive me for allowing my home to become such a mess.”

“I’ve been great actually, and as far as I can see your boutique is as wonderful as always.” Spike scratched is chin thoughtfully as he recalled how clean the white unicorn always strived to keep her home. Sure her workroom might get a little ‘disorganized’ but he had always been happy to help get even that into shape. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around more often lately.”

“Oh parrish the thought Spikey-wikey, I know you’ve been busy for the past couple of weeks, and it would be garrish of me to hog you all to myself.” Seeing that Spike was preoccupied with gazing around the main room, Rarity quickly opened the door she had flung near everything into so that she could shush a grumbling Rainbow Dash who had began to nudge open said door.

It made Spike smile to be reminded why it was Rarity who had become the avatar of Generosity, as well as one of the core reasons he had first fallen for her. Always forgiving, understanding, and charitable whether it be with her friendship or her time. It put a great amount of heart into Spike regarding his mission, and the possibilities that may come of it if he was successful. He liked to think that Octavia would get along great with his friends, but perhaps he was getting ahead of himself.

“It is really great to see you again Rarity, but I have to admit that I didn’t just come here to say hi.”

Hearing those words Rarity quickly turned around, and shut the door behind her; if one strained their ear enough they might have heard a mumbled curse or two emitting from the other side of the door. “Oh really?” Fighting hard to keep her expression to that of warm surprise instead of giving way to excited expectation Rarity took a few steps toward her scaled visitor.

“Yes, you see I know this might be somewhat… unexpected but I have to ask something of you.” Spike felt a sliver of nervousness run through him as he pondered if such a request out of nowhere would inconvenience his dear friend. Surely she had her hooves full with work, and her own projects in fashion. Maybe expecting her to put things on hold just to assist him was a bit rude of him.

“You do?” Caught up in the moment of it all Rarity fluttered her eyelashes at Spike as she leaned in. “Spike I can honestly say that at this moment you could ask anything of me, and I would be delighted to accept.”

Thud the sound of Rainbow rolling over in her fabric grave.

And just like that Spike’s spirits were restored. Of course Rarity of all ponies would be happy to help, it was in her nature, and part of what made her such an amazing friend. “Thank you Rarity! You have no idea how great that is too hear! Honestly I don’t know what I’d do if…”

Rarity interrupted Spike with a small giggle; his good mood being so infectious that she couldn’t help herself. “Anything for my Spikey-Wikey.”

Overcome with emotion Spike swept up the unicorn in a soft hug, prompting a small blush from her before he continued to speak. “With you, and Pinkie Pie’s help this date will go without a hitch!”

“Pinkie Pie?” The unicorn’s overall positive feeling had to give a little way so that she could comprehend Spike’s words.

“Oh yeah, you see Pinkie Pie is helping me too. She came up with some really good ideas, and I knew that you’re the only one to come to for the right outfit.” Spike still quite happy with himself had no idea that Rarity’s expression of giddiness was melting to one of complete confusion.

“She’s helping with… right outfit… Come again dearie?” An ominous feeling was beginning to settle over the mare as Spike set the mare down, and walked a few steps back toward the door.

With everything falling into place so well Spike knew that time was of the essence. He’d need to run home so he could get ahold of some parchment, and send a letter to his mother, Celestia, and check in on Twilight who was probably just dying to try and figure out what he’d been up too. “Sorry Rarity in a bit of a hurry, but the short summary is that I have a date with a mare from Canterlot next week, and I want to make it really special. Thank you again for agreeing to help me with figuring out what to wear, you really are the best!”

And with that Spike was out the door and quickly padding toward the library in a state of undefeatable goodwill.

Rarity on the other hoof stared blankly after the retreating figure, her left eye twitching slightly as she slowly began to truly comprehend what had just taken place. The door behind her flung upon as a one wide-eyed pegasus ungraciously fell to the floor. “Whoa didn’t see that coming.”

End of Chapter 3: