An unsuspected colt seems to have a crush on Sweetie Belle.
There's been a rumour floating around the school for a while. A colt has a crush on Sweetie Belle. Naturally, she's psyched for it. The possibility of a coltfriend? How can this possibly be bad?
As it turns out, the colt in question is Snails, and he's not exactly the most likable colt around. He's not what Sweetie Belle was expecting either, nor is he her type. Not by a long shot. But because of Apple Bloom's and Scootaloo's tiredness with her bragging about the mysterious colt, she winds up going on a date with him without a choice in the matter.
Well, this probably can't end well. Or can it? Nope. Probably won't.
Snails. Why'd it have to be Snails? I hate Snails.
On a bright and sunny school day, three school fillies sat at a bench on their break. The morning lesson on how to properly look after soil and plants was admittedly boring, but informative anyway. Scootaloo had a squinted look the entire time through, Apple Bloom kept still to attention, hanging on every word, while Sweetie Belle was more focused on the rumour surrounding her. She wouldn’t keep going on about it.
But that’s all it was. A rumour, a speculation, nothing more. It didn’t prevent her from scoping out all of her classmates though. She was curious, and even psyched up for a potential coltfriend. Why hadn’t he made his move yet? Couldn’t he tell she was eager for some sort of relationship?
“Who are you checking out this time?” Scootaloo asked without paying attention. She could tell just by Sweetie Belle’s silence that she was doing it again. She hadn't ever counted the times the process repeated.
Apple Bloom followed Sweetie Belle’s line of sight, checking out the colt at the back of the small field. “She’s staring at Pipsqueak,” she pointed out.
“I—I’m not staring!” Sweetie Belle replied with haste. Her red cheeks proved her point otherwise.
“Really?” Scootaloo asked, her grin turning smug. “I heard he still likes to dress up as a pirate.”
“...And he’s got a nice accent,” Sweetie Belle added. Her eyelids drooped a little, like she was imagining some made-up fantasy involving her and a pirate colt. She sighed dreamily.
“You’re blushing again,” Apple Bloom commented with a snigger, tapping Sweetie Belle on her shoulder to get her out of her personal paradise.
Sweetie Belle shook her head, getting out of her thoughts. “I am? Sorry. I’m just so excited for my future coltfriend! Why won’t he come and ask me out already?”
Scootaloo’s gaze turned deadpan. “It’s only a rumour. We don’t even know if there is a colt that likes you.”
“Don’t say that!” Sweetie Belle backfired, temporarily going back to her dreamy thoughts involving her and her possible non-existent coltfriend.
Scootaloo exhaled, rubbing her face with her hoof. Too many times had she put up with a similar conversation. “Why don’t you just go over and ask everyone if they have a crush on you? That'll sort this whole situation out.”
Sweetie Belle instantly twisted towards Scootaloo. She wore a frown. “What?! No! I can’t do that! He has to come over to me! Rarity always says to wait for the perfect stallion, or colt in my case. He needs to ‘woo’ me, as Rarity would say.”
Apple Bloom cocked her eyebrow. “No offense Sweetie Belle, but maybe your sister could be wrong in this case. She’s older and more experienced than all of us. Besides, I wouldn't imagine colts our age are into 'wooing' others.”
Sweetie Belle vigorously shook her head. “No no no, she’s always right. The colt has to make the first move. Only then will I decide what to do.” She widened her grin, revealing her teeth, satisfied at her statement. Her mind was stable. Nothing would change her views.
Apple Bloom wiped her temple with a hoof, mentally arguing at how asinine the idea sounded. When she looked at Scootaloo, a similar expression was shared. She was likely thinking the same thing. “If you say so...” she said without enthusiasm.
The girls conversed about a variety of topics for a few minutes, not keeping an eye on the time. Potential cutie mark ideas, sister gossip, and something that kept getting recycled: Sweetie Belle’s possible coltfriend. She was a little unsure of why Apple Bloom and Scootaloo praised the school bell when it rang. But lunch was over regardless, and she had to go back to the afternoon learning.
* * *
Sweetie Belle zoned out for the entire class, locked in her endless fantasies with the colts from her school. Cheerilee was discussing how to take proper management and care of a garden, the second phase of her gardening lesson, something that everypony paid attention to.
Minus Sweetie Belle, who used the excuse of a lack of a garden at the Boutique to slack off and disguise herself as a damsel, who had to be rescued from brave Rumble and his injured wing from battle.
She hadn’t even realised the time flowing by, but the bell ringing shook her away from her musing.
Sweetie Belle exited the school sluggishly, a little bit behind the other crusaders. They were kind enough to stop and wait once they got to an open space outside. “Wow, was that interesting or what?” Apple Bloom asked, her tone full of glee and excitement.
“Only because you live on a farm,” Scootaloo replied matter-of-factly.
“So what? A farm is not a garden!” Apple Bloom fired back, giving Scootaloo a brief leer.
“Then what’s the difference?” Scootaloo asked with keen interest. She turned to Sweetie Belle. “Sweetie Belle, what do you think?”
Sweetie Belle didn’t react for a few seconds. After Scootaloo waved her hoof in front of her face, Sweetie Belle snapped to attention. “Sorry, what? I think wings are nice...”
Both of the other fillies groaned. “Wings? Were you paying attention at all?” Sweetie Belle’s sheepish smile told the girls everything they needed to know.
“Are you still going on about this rumour? How many times have we heard this?” Apple Bloom turned to Scootaloo, who nodded in accord.
“It’s getting a little old.” She sighed. “I’m happy for you Sweetie Belle, really I am. But this isn’t exactly healthy. You’re not paying attention to anything. All you’re focused on is this mysterious colt, who we’re not even sure exists!”
Sweetie Belle’s ears fell down, a small whimper escaping from her mouth. She felt dejected from the slightly harsh words, but she knew deep inside it was true. While she thoroughly enjoyed her little fantasy adventures, more than others knew, Scootaloo raised a valid point.
“You’re... you’re right. I’m sorry.” She brought back her smile, putting away any signs of weakness she could. If it made her friends uncomfortable, she’d do it for them.
“Great!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “So, what crusading should we do today?”
Scootaloo instantly lit up like a flashlight, hovering a little in the air with her tiny wings. “Oh! Oh! How about we try water skiing?”
Both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom exchanged uncomfortable looks between them. “That uh... that could work I suppose...” Sweetie Belle mumbled.
“Er... yeah,” Apple Bloom added, still unconfident about the notion.
Scootaloo rolled her eyes, knowing full well how the others felt about her idea, eager as they sounded. She would have happily given it a shot, but obviously she won’t get the chance to. Unless Rainbow Dash wanted to give it a try sometime. “Fine, fine,” she said, admitting her little defeat. “Let’s go into town or something.”
The three fillies started off at a leisurely pace after Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom murmured. It was just after school, so that opened up plenty of doors for opportunities. Many things to do, various activities to partake in. Usually, it was the highlight of their day.
But Sweetie Belle couldn’t shake the feeling, that, even though she might be over-thinking things, there was a colt that fancied her. She never thought too highly of herself like Rarity did, but she had a sixth sense like her sister. She could tell a colt loved her charms and wit. She knew it! After all, what wasn’t there to love about her?
She was a great hugger. But nopony ever asked her for one, except for her sister. That was always a rarity. But her coltfriend would be sure to give her all the hugs she wanted!
Her smile grew as the trio merrily continued on their way. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo engaged in some light-hearted conversation, likely possible crusading tactics to earn their cutie marks. She only half paid attention to what was going on around her, but her gentle walking stopped when she noticed the two other fillies had halted and turned back. Putting her full attention into the situation, she heard a calling out for the three of them.
Sweetie Belle cranked her head around to spot two colts coming up to the three of them. They looked hesitant, like they weren’t sure of their actions. They were easily recognisable. Snips and Snails, the two colts that were, without a doubt, two of the more idiotic colts of their class. She despised them a little, especially the basis of Snails’ talent. Snails? What did that entail?
They were still her friends, so she would be glad to hang out with them given the occupation and situation. They were always eye-rollers though, a little dense in the intelligence department. She didn’t envy them, though she felt bad about their status of being the lowest in the class.
Or rather, Snails was. Snips was only third bottom, barely above Diamond Tiara. She always loved to remember that fact.
The pair of colts panted a little from their seemingly brisk run. Why they came over to them, Sweetie Belle didn’t know.
“Hey... girls...” Snips uttered in slight fatigue, wheezing.
“Snips? Snails? What is it?” Scootaloo offered her hoof to the pair to try and ease them from their exhaustion, but Snips denied the assistance with a wave.
“We’re here on a matter of grave importance,” Snips claimed. At the three stares he was being received that clearly told him to tell them, he continued. “We’re here regarding that rumour.”
Sweetie Belle’s eyes sparkled up. Instantly, she had thoughts and ideas that the rumour was true. She would happily bounce around Ponyville if Snips confirmed it. Featherweight? Rumble? She was excited, and she paid no attention to the dull look Apple Bloom shot her from her bubbly outburst.
“Yes? What is it?” Sweetie Belle asked, getting a little close for comfort. She wanted confirmation, and she wanted it now!
Snips and Snails exchanged a look, both of them nodding. “You see... it’s true.”
Sweetie Belle exploded inside. She couldn’t transfer her mental partying to a physical force, but she looked over the moon anyway. A few squeaks came out of her unintentionally, her hooves bouncing in place on the ground.
Apple Bloom’s and Scootaloo’s mouths were agape. “So... it’s true,” Apple Bloom mumbled with her eyes still wide open.
“I knew it!” Sweetie Belle yelled, shaking Apple Bloom violently, overly caused by tremendous joy. “I told you! This is great!”
“So who is it?” Scootaloo asked the pair, actually rather curious herself.
Snails pawed at the ground, still not saying a word. “Well... that’s kind of why we’re here,” Snips said, giving Snails an almost glaring look.
Sweetie Belle didn’t know how to continue. She was so charged up full of joy that she could prance anywhere she wanted, but she remained silent for Snips to carry on.
“To tell you the truth,” the small colt sheepishly said, raising his hoof and pointing it to his ‘partner’, “It’s Snails.”
Sweetie Belle’s face went cold. She locked her hooves in place, one of her eyes partaking in a little twitching session. Had she... did she just hear that right? The colt that would sweep her off her hooves and rescue her from the dangers... was Snails? The most idiotic colt in the class? He wasn’t particularly a good looker either. And the snail cutie mark!
No... No... It couldn’t be true.
Sweetie Belle’s pupils shifted to the side when she heard something. She saw Apple Bloom, who was holding her mouth with her hoof, her cheeks puffed out with little shades of red. She checked her other side, Scootaloo not having an appropriate reaction.
Snips formed a frown. He nudged Snails hard with his hoof, making an indication to move forward. The lanky colt obliged tentatively, taking a few steps towards Sweetie Belle. Her ears fell down for the second time that day.
“So...” he muttered, blushing already.
Sweetie Belle produced an abrupt whiny voice. She felt a flush coming to her cheeks, but she didn’t want to do anything. She couldn’t. She was still having a hard time believing the truth. Why did it have to be Snails, of all colts?
“Would you be willing to go on a date?” he asked with hesitation. He must have seemed too embarrassed to think rationally. Snips nudged him again. “Oh yeah, with me?”
Another whine escaped from Sweetie Belle. She was tensing up, unaware of what to do. She wasn’t fond of him, but he seemed to be going to so much effort. Never mind the fact her fantasies were utter garbage now, how could she deal with rejecting Snails? She tried to open her mouth and say the words, but all that came out was a lowly whisper that said, “I’ll... be right back.”
As quickly as she could, Sweetie Belle bolted behind a nearby house, out of sight from the rest of the group. She propped herself up against the wall, finally panting and releasing everything. Her chest weaved furiously with her breathing, almost at the rate of hyperventilating. She had to take a few gulps to balance herself.
She heard the clopping of hooves gaining on her position. Within just a few seconds, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom emerged around the corner. Scootaloo still seemed like she saw a ghost, while Apple Bloom lost it. Her hooves expelled from her mouth, the guffaw revealing itself. She fell over onto her back, lost in her fit of chortling.
Sweetie Belle shot a glare of daggers at Apple Bloom, but the filly paid it no attention. She even slammed her hoof on the ground a few times from how priceless she believed the scenario was.
“I can’t believe this!” Sweetie Belle yelled, sitting down with a thump and crossing her hooves together. She furrowed her brow. “Out of all the colts, it had to be Snails?!”
“I have to say, I didn’t see this coming,” Scootaloo said, still looking away from the scene.
Sweetie Belle sunk her head into her hooves and groaned. “Why Snails? I can’t date him! I don’t even like him.”
“Ooh,” Scootaloo exclaimed with a squint, air audible through her teeth in a raspy sound. “That’s a bit harsh don’t you think? I’m not his greatest fan either, that goes to Rainbow Dash, but he’s not that bad.”
“But... a date! With him! I don’t want to date him!” Sweetie Belle huffed. She took notice of Apple Bloom’s shaking body. “You’re not helping by the way!”
Apple Bloom stopped in her charade, wiping a small tear from her eye. It took her a few moments to calm down, but she wore a sly grin. “Sorry.”
Sweetie Belle grunted. “What am I going to do? I can’t say yes to him. I don’t want to date him.”
Scootaloo closed the gap between them a little, raising her eyebrow. “Didn’t you say you wanted this coltfriend? You haven’t stopped talking about it for weeks.”
“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle hollered, “But not Snails! Anyone but Snails! ...And maybe Snips, but that’s beside the point!”
Scootaloo sighed. “I do see your point. I wouldn’t want to date him either, but to think he’s felt this way towards you for weeks.”
Sweetie Belle thought about it. Her body shuddered, her eyes squinting a little.
“I think you should go for it.”
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both faced Apple Bloom within a second. “What?!” they shouted in perfect synchronisation, though Sweetie Belle’s voice contained more venom and force.
“This could be a good experience for you. It’ll introduce you to the dating scene. Give it a few days or weeks and then break it off. You’ll get a good idea of what dating a colt is like in that time.”
“Hey,” Scootaloo chimed, seeming to agree with Apple Bloom, “That’s right. Who knows? You might get your cutie mark at the same time!” She beamed a smile.
Sweetie Belle’s jaw was wide open. She shook her head to rid herself of the nasty ideas. “You seem to be forgetting that this is Snails we’re talking about here. I don’t want to date him in the first place. That’s a major problem and flaw in your genius plan.”
Apple Bloom shrugged. “Then just pretend.”
Sweetie Belle turned her head with a growl. “No,” she stated with a stern tone.
Scootaloo pondered for a moment, tapping her chin with her hoof. Her lips puckered a little as she mused ideas. “Well... he did just ask for a date...”
Sweetie Belle’s head creaked around to face Scootaloo at a frightening pace. It was painfully slow, the action sending a shiver right down the pegasus’ spine. She only received a glare, as well as a look that said, “Explain.”
“Granted, it might be awkward, but this could just be a one-time thing. No one says you have to go out with him. It’s just one date. Just let him have that and move on.”
“But... I don’t want to,” Sweetie Belle whined. “It’s Snails!”
“We know,” Apple Bloom stated, giving Sweetie Belle a deadpan look. “You’ve only used that argument about five times already.”
“But that’s the point!” Sweetie Belle backfired.
“Just do it.” Scootaloo said softly, gently poking Sweetie Belle. “Go on. We won’t laugh or anything. Just one date?”
Sweetie Belle softened up a little at Scootaloo’s calming voice and light-hearted smile. It got to her, putting a smile on her face for a brief moment. It was a touching moment.
But then she remembered the colt she’d be on a date with would be Snails.
Sweetie Belle’s demeanour rapidly inverted itself, going back to her grouchy mood. “No.”
Scootaloo took her hoof away from Sweetie Belle and sighed loudly. She gave Apple Bloom a look. The earth filly knew what she was getting at, and rose up on her legs. “Too bad. You’re doing it anyway.”
Sweetie Belle turned to face Scootaloo with a puzzled look. “What?”
Scootaloo made a gesture with her hoof, and before Sweetie Belle knew what was happening, her entire weight was being pushed. Her head twisted right away. Apple Bloom was struggling a little to push her around the corner. She bit her lip, her hooves trying to fight against it. “No! You can’t make me!”
Scootaloo went up beside Sweetie Belle. “I know this seems harsh, but consider this a little payback from all this coltfriend junk you’ve been telling us these weeks. Besides, this will do you some good. We’re doing this for your benefit.”
Sweetie Belle growled when Scootaloo picked up the upper portion of her body. She tried to struggle in the tight grip, her body only wobbling as a result. “Please!” she pleaded. “Don’t! Not Snails! Please don’t!”
“Too late,” Scootaloo replied without turning around. “I’m sorry Sweetie Belle, but you will go on this date. It’s just one date. It won’t harm you.”
Sweetie Belle gave up in her escape attempts. Her body became more limp and lax as she accepted her defeat. The two colts came into her field of vision. She cringed.
Snails seemed on edge. Snips was comforting him a bit. If Sweetie Belle guessed, Snails was nervous and tense. Rarity told her that a few stallions were always nervous before making a move. It was normal.
Sweetie Belle was released in front of the colts. A little grunt came out of her when her weight dropped, and Scootaloo and Apple Bloom stood right behind her to prevent a form of escape. She looked up at the lanky colt with a sheepish smile.
Snails’ lips trembled. He was trying to say something, but nothing happened. Snips shook his head in disappointment, and walked beside him. “So, what do you think?”
Sweetie Belle swallowed. She wanted to decline so badly, but for some reason, as she saw him towering over her with his slink and tall body, she couldn’t formulate anything audible, except for a little whimper.
“W—Well...” she begun, rubbing and sliding a hoof on top of another as she stared at the ground. “I... I—“
“Yes,” called Scootaloo.
Sweetie Belle frantically turned her head to face Scootaloo, who gave her a specific look that showed she meant it. She wouldn’t be getting out of this, and she could tell just by looking into Scootaloo's eyes.. She hung her head low in defeat.
Snails didn’t say anything either, but when Sweetie Belle finally brought herself to look at him, he was ecstatic. Snips had to tug at him just to keep him in control. “Great,” he said for Snails. “How about tonight?”
Sweetie Belle’s mouth opened to object to the entire thing, but Apple Bloom cut her off. “That’ll be fine. You know where to pick her up right?”
“Yes.”
“What time?” Scootaloo asked.
Snips curled a bit of his lip as he gazed at Snails. “Hmm... how about seven?”
“Seven sounds good," Apple Bloom confirmed.
Sweetie Belle quit trying to interject into the conversation. The only thought that was swimming through her mind was one that constantly said, “Oh Celestia why?”
A slight chuckle came out of Snails as Snips took him away. He must have been jumping for joy that he snagged a date with Sweetie Belle.
Sweetie Belle however, felt like she could curl up and die. She didn’t fight anything as Scootaloo and Apple Bloom comforted her with their words. She didn’t pay attention to anything they said to her as she laid lump on the ground, or even when she was trudging back to the Boutique, lost in her mind to see her knight in shining armour turning out to be Snails.
The bell chiming of Carousel Boutique was both good and bad to Sweetie Belle. On the one side, she was home in her sanctuary.
On the other hoof, she entered said sanctuary with two other fillies. She could have just twisted around and told them to buck off, but knowing Rarity, she’d get scorned for being disrespectful to house guests.
They were her closest friends after all, and their inane chatter going on whilst she contemplated her situation was a distraction. Just a distraction. She had to focus on more important matters, such as, how to get out of her supposed ‘date’ with Snails.
It didn’t take long for Rarity to come happily trotting from another room to check out who had entered. As soon as she saw the possible patrons, instead being met with the three recognisable fillies, her mood brightened. A loss of a potential customer was admittedly bad, but her little sister would never steer her the wrong way.
“Sweetie Belle,” she called out as she made her way across the foyer. “You’re home! How was school?”
Sweetie Belle looked off to the side and huffed. School was fine for the most part, especially a pirate saving her from Captain Flashbeard Sentry, the dreaded pegasus pirate of the vast seas. She enjoyed that, but other than listening to Cheerilee explaining how to take care of petunias, she didn’t find anything remotely good.
And she knew precisely why Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were with her, even following her to her home. The accursed date she’s supposed to be going on... they wouldn’t let her get out of it for any reason. Knowing them, they’ll probably tell Rarity at the first opportunity that presents itself.
“Not interesting,” Sweetie Belle mumbled.
“Sweetie Belle’s going on a date!” Scootaloo shouted from her side. Upon looking around at the pegasus, Sweetie Belle quickly saw that Scootaloo was thrilled at her statement.
Rarity raised her eyebrow at the group. “I beg your pardon?”
Sweetie Belle wanted to jump in right then and dismiss everything, but she couldn’t, not with two others by her side.
“Yeah! He’s coming by at seven!” Apple Bloom added.
Rarity looked down at Sweetie Belle, who was attempting to hide her eyes from view. “Sweetie Belle?”
“I-I don’t want to!” she replied, dreading her current situation. She was half-expecting Rarity to yell at her for dating at such a young age, but instead, Rarity walked over to her and placed her hoof on her shoulder in a caring manner, no force whatsoever.
“Is this true?” she asked calmly. Whether she was fighting back any sign of annoyance, Sweetie Belle couldn’t tell. If she was wearing some sort of mask, Rarity wore it well.
“Yeah it’s true,” Scootaloo replied for her.
“But I don’t want to go on this date, Rarity!” Sweetie Belle protested, hoping her sister would show some sign of sympathy.
Rarity’s warm smile increased. “Nonsense Sweetie Belle, you can’t turn down this opportunity.”
Sweetie Belle’s mouth fell agape. “What! You’re not mad or anything?!”
“Mad? Why would I be mad?” Rarity chuckled. “I’m ecstatic! Just think, my little sister on the dating scene!” She removed her hooves from Sweetie Belle and seemed to wander off with her eyes. Her eyelids dropped a little as she let out a blissful sigh.
Sweetie Belle wanted to argue. She wanted to do something to get out of it, but when she looked at Rarity, and remembered how much Rarity constantly went on about dating, she didn’t see a plausible solution. Rarity was on the other side. “But...”
“Now now,” Rarity said, coming back to reality. “What time is the gentlecolt coming around again?”
“Seven,” Apple Bloom said, making sure that that information made its way to Rarity.
Rarity took a brief glance at the clock in the foyer. “Seven? That gives us plentiful time to get ready! Come along Sweetie Belle, we must get you ready for your date.” Without giving a chance for Sweetie Belle to do anything, Rarity grabbed her little sister’s hoof with her own and pulled her through the Boutique. “Oh yes, I think I may have something that would be perfect for you.”
Sweetie Belle whimpered as she felt herself being dragged to what she could think was a torture chamber, or rather, Rarity’s dressing room. She didn’t want to get into anything. She didn’t want to do anything. She needed some excuse.
“Oh, but what about my dinner?” she asked with hopeful eyes. Anything to get out of it...
Rarity shook her head. “Tut-tut Sweetie Belle, have you not paid attention to anything I’ve said to you? What does a couple do on a first date?”
Sweetie Belle quickly figured it out. “Oh...”
“Mhmm,” Rarity said. “Exactly, you needn’t worry about dinner. I’m sure he will have picked out the most fabulous restaurant for you to dine at.” She paused as she scouted her room, ready to put Sweetie Belle’s preparations in gear. “Actually... I wouldn’t have imagined you’d be going to a restaurant.” She waved her hoof in the air. “Nevertheless! I think he would have come up with something, otherwise this date will end in complete disaster!”
Sweetie Belle stared at the ground as she rotated her hoof along it. It was the only entertaining thing for her to do. If she attempted to flee, Rarity would likely ask where she’d be going. But she couldn't help and wonder, just what did Snails plan exactly?
Panting could be heard as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo dashed their way into the room the two unicorns were in. “So, what’s the plan?” Scootaloo asked with exhilaration. She wanted the details of what Sweetie Belle was going to not only be dressed up in, but Rarity’s takes on ideas.
“With the time allotted, my estimations giving me a few hours, I shall create and put together something spectacular for Sweetie Belle,” Rarity replied as she continued to gather materials.
“But don’t you have to make designs for clients?” Sweetie Belle asked, chuffed that she came up with another excuse. Yes, that was a good one.
Rarity turned and walked up to Sweetie Belle. “What, and miss out on making something extra special for my sister to wear on her very first date? Not a chance!” She lowered herself to Sweetie Belle’s level, rubbing her cheeks with her hooves. “You’re going to be the most adorable date ever,” she said, putting on a cute, captivating voice.
Sweetie Belle quickly frowned and groaned. She wasn’t a kid, is what she would usually respond with. But she knew Rarity like the back of her hoof. Rarity set herself to a task, and she saw it through until the end. She referred to it as 'The Zone'.
“Could we help?” Apple Bloom asked, smug. She wanted to try and lap it up to Sweetie Belle, but she was honestly pleased for her at the same time.
Rarity paused in her small scavenger hunt to imagine the possible damage that would come out of little assistants. She scrunched up her muzzle. “Uhh... I think I’ll be fine by myself, thank you. This could take a while, so feel free to go home if you’d like girls.”
Sweetie Belle wanted to go home. But then she realised that she was home.
Scootaloo and Apple Bloom exchanged a few looks between each other. “Applejack won’t mind me being late,” Apple Bloom said.
“Yeah, and Rainbow Dash won’t care what time I go home,” Scootaloo said, putting forth her side.
“What?” Rarity replied, taking time away from her magic conjuring. “Doesn’t care? That’s irresponsible.”
Scootaloo shrugged. “Eh, she’s cool.”
“Well rest assured I shall be having a little personal chat with Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said, strictly emphasising the chat portion of her sentence.
Sweetie Belle glanced at Scootaloo with a complacent grin, as if to say, “Yeah, my sister just shot you down. Deal with it.”
Scootaloo narrowed her eyes in response, fighting back with a leer. Rainbow Dash wouldn’t scold her for anything.
“Actually girls,” Rarity said as she brought forth a giant pile of materials. “Maybe it would be best for you to go home. This will take a while and I wouldn’t want any of you to go without dinner. I can’t cook anything for you, I’m afraid.”
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo played with their lips as they thought about it. They gave Sweetie Belle a certain look before they seemed to agree telepathically on their decision.
“Sorry girls,” Rarity continued. “Come back just before seven and you can get a sneak peek okay?”
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo didn’t need anything more than that. “Sure!” Both of the fillies giggled amongst themselves as they scampered from the scene, and presumably the Boutique, just imagining what design Sweetie Belle would have been put in. They couldn’t wait.
“Rarity,” Sweetie Belle whined to get the attention of her sister. She didn't know waht to follow-up with.
“How did this all begin?” Rarity replied, intent on focusing on whipping something up.
“What?”
“This date. Tell me Sweetie, how did you catch the attention of this colt?” She stopped. “It is a colt, isn’t it?”
“Yeah...” Sweetie Belle mumbled as her eyes rolled around.
Rarity sighed in relief, placing a hoof on her chest. She avoided an awkward conversation there. Not to mean she was homophobic, but the conversation would have taken a turn if Sweetie Belle ‘came out’ in that moment.
“So indulge me as I work my magic,” Rarity continued, activating her horn. A variety of objects flew around, all of them surrounded by a magical aura, floating around in circles like a carousel itself. Her head kept twisting and turning as she decided mentally on what to put together.
Sweetie Belle sat down on her rump, exhaling. Rarity was in 'The Zone'. “Well, it all started with a rumour.”
“A rumour?” Rarity replied, bringing forth a few select objects. She was multi-tasking like usual. She looked like she was in deep concentration, but she could still handle a conversation with her little sister at the same time.
“Yeah...” Sweetie Belle admitted, rubbing the back of her head. “A colt has had a crush on me for some time.”
“Really? For how long?”
“A few weeks...”
“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity said at a higher volume, Sweetie Belle freezing. “Why didn’t you tell me? I could have planned something special, maybe give you pointers on how to court him properly.”
“It was just a rumour!” Sweetie Belle replied. “I liked to believe it was true, but I never knew. Until today now obviously. But you always told me that the colt had to make the first move.”
Rarity puckered her lips. “Yes, I suppose so,” she said in a monotone voice. “But still, I could have assisted you, given you tips for when this day came. It has now though, and I have to say, I’m so excited! My little sister, waltzing out on her first date.” She sighed as she imagined the romance and magic.
Sweetie Belle would have shared in her sister’s moment of bliss, except for the defining trait of her date. It was Snails. She didn’t get romance or magic out of him. Magic maybe, because he’s a unicorn, but certainly not coltfriend material.
“So who is the lucky colt then?” Rarity asked with high anticipation, bringing forth a pair of scissors, ready to start snipping at a cloth.
* * *
For several hours, Sweetie Belle was locked in what she might have conisdered her own personal hellhole. She described her date, while at the same time, not revealing who the date was.
Somehow, Sweetie Belle managed to linger around the topic while keeping the name a secret. She managed to come out with ‘unicorn’ and 'lanky’. Rarity agreed and even liked the anonymity, preferring to see a surprise arrival rather than being spoiled. She held high hopes, and she couldn’t wait, which only made Sweetie Belle tenser.
As time had gone on, the dress had inched towards completion with each second. It was finally done, but now that it had and Rarity had to meet the date, Sweetie Belle was afraid. What would Rarity think after putting in so much hard work, only to see who was taking her one and only sister out?
Sweetie Belle waited ambiguously in the foyer next to Rarity, who was anxious. She played with her hooves to try and take her mind off things, but to no avail. The never-ending ticking of the little hand on the clock brought her one step closer towards the inevitable end.
She jumped when the doorbell rang. Immediately, she hid behind a chair so that anyone at the door wouldn’t be about to see her in their vision.
Rarity arched an eyebrow at the suspicious behaviour, but happily trotted over towards the front door anyway. It was time to meet the lovely colt who would be taking Sweetie Belle out. Oh, how much fun they’ll have, she mused. The endless possibilities. The spark. Perhaps even a first kiss, or was she being too precedent?
Sweetie Belle hid completely as Rarity opened up the door. The older sister presented herself in the doorway with as much grace as possible, fully really to welcome the date.
But it wasn’t Sweetie Belle’s date. Outside stood two grinning fillies, immediately recognisable. Her demeanour changed fast, rolling her eyes. “Come on in girls,” she said with very little enthusiasm. The moment was anticlimactic, and she had to readjust herself to her previous state of mind.
Sweetie Belle still wanted to cover up as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo bolted towards her to check her out. “Hey Sweetie Belle,” Scootaloo said, holding her grin.
Sweetie Belle attempted to curl up, holding back as much of the alluring dress as possible. She whimpered as she tried to hide her blush.
“Are you ready?” Apple Bloom asked with a big amount of glee.
“I-I...” Sweetie Belle stammered, unable to say a word.
“Come on girls, that’s enough,” Rarity interjected. “We’ve just spent the last number of hours putting together her wonderful figure. Gorgeous, isn’t she? Such a dainty little thing.”
Both of the two fillies agreed without a doubt, nodding their heads.
“And I just know Sweetie Belle will be a little star tonight.” Rarity walked over towards Sweetie Belle, offering her assistance out of her small hiding spot. “Remember what we’ve talked about. Remember how to act delicately. Maintain your dignity. If he is a true gentlecolt, act like a lady. Okay?”
“Yes Rarity,” Sweetie Belle agreed like it was a prerequisite.
Rarity stroked at Sweetie Belle’s forehead. “Oh, I can’t believe this. My little sister on her first date.” She instantly jumped up full of joy and clapped her hooves together with a squee when the doorbell rang. “Oh he’s here, he’s here!”
As Rarity hummed to herself, preparing herself thoroughly to introduce the date to her household, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom converged on Sweetie Belle. “Does Rarity know who your date is?” Scootaloo asked suspiciously, her eyebrows placed in a manner that made her look like a detective.
Sweetie Belle could only shake her head.
“You’ve got to tell her!” Apple Bloom hissed, keeping her volume down. “And you’ve got to do it now!”
“Too late,” Scootaloo said as she pointed towards the opening door.
When Rarity opened the door, she expected a well-attired, good-looking—possibly even handsome—character with charm and a divine personality from first glance. Did he have an older brother too?
She was met with Snails, a colt with the opposite expectations that Rarity wanted in its entirety. He wore a little tuxedo. Bless his heart, Rarity thought. But why was he here?
“Hello there, can I help you?” Rarity asked the colt. She peeked past his standing posture and around outside, hoping to see Sweetie Belle’s date somewhere. It turned out barren, much to her dismay.
“Hi Miss Rarity,” he replied with his signature voice. The tone alone sent Rarity into a sense of dread.
“Hello... you...”
“Is Sweetie Belle ready?”
“Ready? Ready for wha—“
Sweetie Belle felt her impending doom wash over her as Rarity slowly creaked her head towards her. Her irises were shrunk so much that they couldn’t be made out. Two huge white blobs took up the space for her eyeballs.
“Sweetie Belle? Could I possibly talk with you in private please?” Rarity asked calmly. She gave her sister a stare that was to say, “Now,” and trotted off into the next room.
Swallowing what she could muster, Sweetie Belle slugged her way towards the direction of Rarity, all the while Apple Bloom and Scootaloo watched on. They knew they wouldn’t be able to interfere, so there was a better option: entertain Snails, however that would work.
“Sweetie Belle? Explain please,” Rarity said as her little sister appeared through the door.
Sweetie Belle shuffled with her hooves. “I... I wanted to tell you Rarity, but I was afraid you would do something.”
“Do something? Sweetie, you should have told me. I wouldn't have been one to judge.” She sighed. “So... he’s your date...”
Sweetie Belle continued to fiddle with her hooves, facing the floor. “Yeah... his name is Snails.”
Rarity held back everything she could to say anything imputable about a colt with the name Snails. She had seen him before, the memories coming back to her. Not the brightest of the bunch, or even much of a looker. A voice that made her shudder with disgust too.
Actually, was there anything remotely congenial about him? Her fears led her to believe that he wasn't a suitable candidate for her little sister.
Rarity sighed when she put everything together, like she was brewing it in a cauldron. So many hours were spent on designing something so fancy for Sweetie Belle, the exhaustion wearing thin. She lost motivation to even cook anything. And then Snails was standing right at her door.
Rarity sauntered over towards Sweetie Belle. “Dear, do you even want to go on this date?”
“I told you no earlier,” Sweetie Belle replied. “But you didn’t pay attention.”
Rarity scrunched her lip as she placed a hoof over it. “Oh my. Sweetie, I’m so sorry. I should have listened to you more. Once I get 'into it', I don't seem to stop.” She sighed. “It’s a bit late to back out now though.”
Sweetie Belle only nodded her head, like she had known that fact from the beginning. No words had to be spoken, rather expressing everything through her body movements.
How was she such a terrible sister? Rarity wanted to know.
Rarity watched in worry as her younger sister made her way towards Snails and started talking with him. It wasn’t long—only a few minutes—before the pair left the Boutique, Sweetie Belle calling to her that she’d be back later.
With haste after the door shut, Rarity ran into the foyer towards the two other fillies. “Girls, I have a request.”
The girls were intrigued. “I’d like you, in the most surreptitious manner possible, to follow them and make sure Sweetie Belle has a splendid evening. I’m not asking you to spy, per se, rather keep an eye on my little sister. Could you possibly do that?” She presented a sheepish smile.
Scootaloo frowned. “I don’t know...”
“Well sure Rarity!” Apple Bloom said chirpily. Why she was so eager to follow them both, nopony knew.
“Oh thank you girls!” Rarity thanked the pair before turning around and trotting away. “Please make sure it all goes smoothly.”
“What are you doing?!” Scootaloo hissed at Apple Bloom when Rarity was out of their vicinity, whispering.
Apple Bloom’s grin turned devious. “We can’t pass this up now can we? Snails on a date? This is bound to be fun to watch.”
Ponyville was rarely much of a spectacle on the average day. Streets were empty for the most part; some could even say it’s barren. But this wasn’t any ordinary day. Sweetie Belle was on her first date! Or more fittingly, an awkward silent walk through the town, which appropriately enough, was also quiet. It was past seven, perfect timing to be out in the open. No ponies around to see her? Brilliant.
When she glanced at her date from the corner of her eyes, not fully making eye contact, he didn’t seem half-bad. Nervous, sure, probably even shaking in his slender bones, but he wasn’t what she was expecting. She kept asking herself: Why her?
Snails remained silent throughout their quiet sauntering, and Sweetie Belle knew for a fact it was nerves. He was jittery, but perhaps he wasn’t as scared as she assumed. Although his physical exterior showed signs of anxiety, he maintained a brave face. Though she wouldn’t be surprised if that came to pass.
The tuxedo he wore looked a bit cute on him too. It really brought out the gentlecolt in him.
Amidst the silence, both in the background as well as the lovebirds, the gentle breeze flew by unbothered. It wasn’t much, nor did it carry a frigid gale. Sweetie Belle was grateful for this lack of dull weather. A run-in with bad weather, such as rain or sleet, and there she’d bolt back to the Boutique. Awkward dinner conversations with Rarity and Snails would ensue if that happened.
Rarity... Sweetie Belle wondered what her sister was doing. Back at the Boutique, likely preparing some meal that was bound to be better than hers.
Actually, what was going to happen? She had a lack of details, no thanks to Mr McSilence next to her. Snails was leading her... somewhere, and it certainly wasn’t a restaurant. He didn’t seem the type to organise such an event. She was partially thankful for that too; a larger crowd meant more attention.
She could see the newspaper headlines now: Sweetie Belle and Snails: Ponyville’s Newest Young Couple?
Another source and reason for Diamond Tiara to torment her if she got her grubby hooves on that.
Sweetie Belle hadn’t realised that she had growled unknowingly as she pictured the pink filly laughing it up. Thankfully, Snails either hadn’t noticed, or ignored it.
A few minutes passed, awkward friendly expressions occurring at every point. But at long last, they reach the supposed destination. Sweetie Belle grimaced.
It was Ponyville’s public park. Sweetie Belle figured it out fast. Snails wouldn’t ever afford restaurant prices, but a liable substitute was to go somewhere secluded.
Mostly secluded anyway. While for the most part, it was bare, but a few other kids remained around. Sweetie Belle partially hoped they’d go home soon.
Snails lead his date over towards a small park bench, fully layered out with an assortment of treats. Not fancy treats like Rarity would expect, but rather, friendly treats that would suit a lunch-time snack. That... was different.
But when Sweetie Belle saw how it was set up, she was certainly shocked. There was enough for numerous parties, more than she expected to indulge on. From the smell alone, she grasped a smile. The small lust her body expelled in the form of her mouth was telling her how inviting it was. She had a few questions though, mostly regarding how Snails prepared it and how it wasn’t all cold.
“Can I take your seat?” Snails politely asked, offering his hoof at the bench.
Unfortunately, his politeness was in vain, because the bench didn’t pull out. She saw him tugging at the wood, grunting as he tried to pull it out. A little giggled escaped her.
Sweetie Belle lightly tapped Snails a few times, stopping him in his bench destruction. “It’s okay Snails. Thank you though.” She walked past him, lifting up her dress and easing herself up onto the bench. She noticed a little blush coming over him as he did the same on the opposite end. “Wow,” she exclaimed, her eyes taking another gaze at all the food. “How did you do all of this?”
Snails picked up a few items in front of him and placed them on a plate that was already set up. “Snips helped me,” he admitted.
Sweetie Belle tilted her head. Snips? Musing over it, it didn’t sound unbelievable. Neither one of them was spotted without the other. The smaller one was the one to actually ask Sweetie Belle out for Snails too.
It sounded plausible in her eyes. But whether Snails lacked the intellect to set up anything remotely romantic himself, or if the job went half and half, she couldn’t decipher. It was well set up though, that was given.
Curious, while also ambiguous, Sweetie Belle picked up a few snacks and planted them on her plate. She twiddled with one of them, more interested in the texture and wondering what the flavour was like than her actual date. She knew she shouldn’t have thought that, but she couldn't help it.
He gorged on his supposed dinner. If Rarity were present, that’d be the end and she’d have bailed. More appropriately actually, Rarity would have likely quit within two minutes.
But for some reason, Sweetie Belle didn't mind the act of gluttony, even finding it a little admirable. If she had to guess, it was because she was familiar with his ways. It was nothing new to her; he was usually a pig.
He lacked appropriate manners for a date. She knew this, and she knew they wouldn’t ever work. She didn’t see anything, by definition, attractive about him, impressive as he might seem. He went to great lengths sure, and he prepared a date like a colt—or stallion, in Rarity’s case—but love wasn’t in bloom. And in some possible way, Sweetie Belle believed Snails knew the same thing. He might have snagged her on a date, and he might have a crush on her—which she was still unsure on how to feel about—but at least he could try.
He had his merits, but in the end, he wouldn’t succeed. Sweetie Belle knew she’d have to shoot him down sometime. The sooner the better was a different battle to face. Humour the colt or flat-out reject him?
“So...” Sweetie Belle muttered loudly with intention, attempting to make conversation. “Anything you would like to... maybe, talk about?” she squinted an eye, unsure of everything in its entirety.
“No, not really,” Snails replied, licking off traces of crumbs around his mouth.
Sweetie Belle let out a small chuckle, looking around her nervously. As she saw it, the awkward levels had blown through the theoretical ceiling. Puckering her lips, she rested her head onto one of her forelegs, her eyes gazing towards the side.
Even the park and the other kids were more invigorating to look at. If only one of the bountiful colts were Rumble. Rumble my prince, rescue me from my demise.
Sweetie Belle sighed, as once again, her eyes trailed towards the landscape. She set sights on a nearby bush that after a few seconds, rustled unlike any rustle. Her eyebrow quirked up, knowing something was off.
First off, a bush didn’t move by itself. Second, she could swear there somepony behind it.
“Excuse me for a second,” she said as she left the bench, not actually caring if Snails noticed. He was far too engrossed in his food. Like a stealthy ninja stalking its prey, Sweetie Belle did her best to converge on the bush as silently as possible. Closer inspection after a few steps confirmed that a conversation was going on around it.
Normally, she wasn’t one to stalk, but a little excitement she just couldn’t deny—anything to liven up her date. Scuttling along the ground, she leapt around the confines of the bush with great agility, shouting, “Hyah!”
The two fillies that were arguing halted immediately. Apple Bloom even jumped when Sweetie Belle surprised them.
The unicorn was quick to interrogate them. “What are you doing here?” she asked, briskly walking towards them, intent on getting answers.
Scootaloo nervously rubbed the back of her head as her body remained in its current position: absolutely flat on her back, likely from an a scuffle with Apple Bloom. “H-Hey Sweetie Belle. Fancy meeting you here...”
“You didn’t answer my question,” Sweetie Belle said matter-of-factly, staring down the pegasus with her leering eyes.
“Yeah, about that... You see, we were kind of... Rarity asked us to watch you.”
“What!” Sweetie Belle squeaked, “Why?”
“Shh!” Scootaloo hissed behind her hoof, getting up from the ground. “She asked that we keep an eye on you. I don’t think she’s fond of Snails.”
Sweetie Belle didn’t reply.
“Yeah,” Apple Bloom agreed, joining into the small huddle. “And it looks like you’re hitting it off well.”
Sweetie Belle dipped her head, as if to say, “Really?”
Apple Bloom glanced left and right before she tip-toed towards Sweetie Belle. “So, have you kissed him yet?”
“What?” Sweetie Belle shot back. “No! Of course not!”
“You should,” Apple Bloom replied with a mischievous grin.
Sweetie Belle imagined it and imagined it hard. Him and her... kissing. “Eww,” she said under her breath, wincing. It only grossed her out more when she noticed Apple Bloom making pretend kissing noises with her hooves.
“So what’s your plan?” Scootaloo asked, stealing a glance out from the bush to make sure Snails hadn’t moved.
Sweetie Belle joined Scootaloo in the small camp-out, scouting Snails’ activity. “I don’t know. He doesn’t talk about anything. He doesn’t behave properly. If Rarity saw him, he’d be the definition of uncouth.”
Apple Bloom joined on the other side of Sweetie Belle. “Does he even know you’re here right now, watching him?”
“No.”
“Well you can’t just run away,” Scootaloo said. “There’s nothing you’d be able to explain.”
“Why are you defending me?” Sweetie Belle asked. “You made me do this in the first place!”
Scootaloo gave Sweetie Belle a small glare. “Yeah, because you wouldn’t shut up about Featherweight and your dreams to preen his feathers!”
“What’s wrong with a little fantasy?”
“When the pony having the fantasies shares them with her friends endlessly, then it gets annoying!”
“Girls, hush!” Apple Bloom interjected, nudging Sweetie Belle. When she knew she had their attention, she continued. “You’ve got to go back over there Sweetie Belle. Snails will suspect something if you don’t.”
Sweetie Belle dipped her head a bit. “I know, but he’s so boring.”
“You going to have to,” Scootaloo said. “Take one for us.”
Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and sighed. Surrendering her fate, she started to walk back towards the bench. “Enjoy watching the awkwardness,” she said without turning around. "Or go home."
Scootaloo and Apple Bloom exchanged a few looks.
Sweetie Belle gingerly climbed back onto the bench, coming into eyesight for the one and only Snails, who had somehow finished his decadent food and was doing... absolutely nothing, as if he was a ragdoll.
“Sorry about that,” Sweetie Belle said, forcing a smile. “I had to... do something... over there.”
“It’s okay,” Snails dismissed, still doing nothing.
Sweetie Belle’s eyes moved for a bit before she let out a nervous chuckle. “Haha yes...”
“Snips, now's a good time!” Snails called out.
Sweetie Belle froze at the sudden name calling, not to mention the volume. Snips? Her mouth opened to begin asking what was going to happen, but before words emerged, the small unicorn appeared from a corner, wearing a tuxedo and a top hat. Her first thought was one of pure befuddlement; just what was he doing here?
But when Snips pulled out a small instrument, she pieced it together. “Uh-oh...” she mumbled as Snips began to play a violin. Terribly.
It wasn’t long before all of the attention was drawn towards Sweetie Belle and her attempts of hiding, as countless numbers of eyes pierced right at her as Snips played slow, soulful music.
* * *
Worst. Date. Ever!
That experience might have put Sweetie Belle off dating for a while, or maybe even forever! Rarity was... Rarity’s advice sucked! What kind of talk was she saying about waiting for the right guy? Had Rarity even been on a date before?
The walk back home was long and tedious in Sweetie Belle’s eyes, just as when she had left. At least her haven was soon in her grasp. That’s all she wanted, her sanctuary, but one thing remained.
Dumping Snails.
When they had finally reached the Boutique—Sweetie Belle making sure they weren't being tailed from two certain fillies, Snails came to a grinding halt, and Sweetie Belle stood in front of her door. “So uh... this was fun?” she asked with little anticipation.
“Yeah,” Snails agreed.
Sweetie Belle played with her lips for a few seconds before she sighed. The time had come. “Listen Snails, I don’t know how to say this.” He only blinked his eyes. “I’m sorry to say this, but the thing is... I’m not interested.”
Snails remained unreactive for a short while. “That’s okay,” he reassured her with a somewhat normal face. He didn’t seem distraught in the slightest, which only confused Sweetie Belle.
“It is?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he replied plainly. “I picked that up during our date. You weren’t interested and I could tell. I don’t get why you didn’t tell me.”
“Sorry?” she replied, quirking an eyebrow.
“Sweetie Belle, I had fun, but this can’t work. I hope we can remain friends.” And with that, Snails turned around and walked away. “I’ll see you at school.” The way his dull voice expressed everything didn’t even elicit any form of anger or hatred. He didn’t seem disappointed in the slightest.
“Did I... Did I just dump him?” Sweetie Belle raised a hoof to her chin to contemplate what just transpired. A few seconds went by before Sweetie Belle realised the truth, and proceeded to jump in joy. She could only do it once, for the little condition known as fatigue shook her legs.
As Sweetie Belle turned and trotted into her humble home without a care in the world, two things crossed her mind.
The first was that she got off scot free and that there’d be no more dates with Snails.
The second caused her to halt in her merry trot, the realisation striking her just like a chord. “Wait a minute... Did he just dump me?!”
Sweetie Belle loathed the following day. Cheerliee moved on to daffodils, which didn’t peak her interest. Worthless plants as she saw them, but the continuous glances she received during their lecture is what got her down.
Like yesterday, she sat at a bench, only this time more groggily. It wasn’t even Rarity’s bombardment of questions that got her weary. She was just miserable.
Dumped by Snails. She couldn’t believe it.
Scootaloo didn’t lap it up. No, the pegasus was more sympathetic towards Sweetie Belle’s zombie-esque demeanour.
Apple Bloom on the other hand, proceeded to make a smart remark with every opportunity that presented itself. A snarky comment or a one-liner to put forth her ‘opinion’ or ‘thoughts’ on the matter. She knew it was wrong, evidenced by the many glares she received, but it was a little rich for her to pass up.
Sweetie Belle remained unclear on the dating front. Her heart hadn’t exactly been crushed, not even close, but the experience still lingered in her mouth. And it was a rotten taste.
“Hey, cheer up,” Scootaloo said softly, rubbing Sweetie Belle’s back affectionately. “You’ve still got your pride.”
“I guess,” mumbled Sweetie Belle.
“Yeah! You can always look forward to our crusading!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, checking out the scenery. Their classmates were pretty active.
“I guess,” Sweetie Belle repeated.
“So you and Snails didn’t work out. You rejected him—“
“He dumped me, actually,” Sweetie Belle corrected her, putting great emphasis on her hatred of the fact.
Scootaloo raised an eyebrow. “What? Seriously?” She mulled it over for a bit. “Okay, yeah, that kind of sucks.”
Sweetie Belle groaned, planting her head flat on the bench, hiding her face. “Kill me.” The words came out disfigured, mostly because Sweetie Belle’s lips were touching wood.
“Oh, come on,” Apple Bloom protested, “You’re overreacting. Snails hasn’t said anything about it.”
It may not have been much, but it brought Sweetie Belle out of her stupor. She haltingly lifted her head upwards. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She went back to her more-known position: resting her head on a leg. “I can still fantasise about my dream coltfriend. So it didn’t work out with Snails, I can still pretend Rumble’s my prince.”
Apple Bloom groaned while Scootaloo smacked her head with her hoof. “Have you not learnt anything?” Scootaloo whined. “I would have thought this Snails business might have told you something.”
“I can dream, can’t I?” Sweetie Belle replied, taking great pride in her thoughts.
“So... We’re going through this again?” Apple Bloom asked, wincing.
Scootaloo sighed when she spotted Sweetie Belle gazing dreamily across the playground with half-lidded eyes. “I guess so.”
* * *
The seas were tough and raging. Boats fought hard just to survive in the storm. Pipsqueak’s had taken a bombardment of cannon fire; it was on its last legs, if boats had them.
The brave, young colt had ventured far to save her, and at last, he swung across to the dreaded pirate ship: The Waifu Larcener
The captain of the vessel, Captain Flashbeard Sentry, growled when he spotted the pesky colt aboard his ship. Drawing his broad blade, he spared no time in preparing a special welcome for his guest.
Pipsqueak only vaguely managed to rip out his weapon of choice to protect himself, before the power of Captain Flashbeard Sentry’s blade caught him.
The two became locked in a feisty duel of meshing steel, the clangs of metal clinking with every collision. Swing after swing, thrust after thrust, their battle proceeded for minutes as the furious waves crashed against the side of the boat. Drops grazed them, soaking them, but was unimportant.
“Hand her over!” The colt demanded.
Flashbeard Sentry locked his blade with Pipsqueak’s, entering the two of them in a duel of strength. “Never,” he replied. “You’ll never have Sweetie Belle.”
Pipsqueak growled with a deep frown, putting all of his power into a forward thrust. Flashbeard Sentry jumped back to dodge the attack. He snarled as he lunged forward.
The battle went on for ages, likely hitting an hour. Both swordsmen were weakened by their common enemy: fatigue. But Pipsqueak didn’t give up! He would fight until his last breath to save Sweetie Belle.
It was a miraculous victory for Pipsqueak after an endless onslaught of flurry strikes. The Captain was down and unconscious. Pipsqueak would deal with him later.
Mustering whatever energy he had left, Pipsqueak scaled the ship until he found Sweetie Belle, whom he freed from her binds. Immediately, he was met with a bear hug.
“Oh Pipsqueak, thank you!”
* * *
“Thank you, thank you!” Sweetie Belle squealed at the bench, holding herself in a private hug. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom inched away from her a little, a little frightened for her health.
“Is she... okay?” Apple Bloom asked, watching Sweetie Belle kissing her own hooves.
Scootaloo dipped her head on her hoof, taking a sigh. “I wish.”
