> For His Majesty
>  by CrackedInkWell
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter I: Making Plans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Even before either Celestia or Luna had sat down at their dining table to pick up the morning newspapers, both sisters already knew what one of the headlines was going to be. It was over something that they knew for well over a week since their nephew’s confession. That morning they got to see the results of the press conference that had taken place the night before.

On that morning in their private dining room that had a window that looked down upon the city. The room itself was only used by the royal family whenever they’re not called to attend any formal meals that it gave them room for privacy. Inside this room was Luna having dinner while her elder sister held a cup of rich coffee in her aura, waiting for her breakfast.  

The white alicorn lifted her copy of The Canterlot Times while a nearby chef was cooking stacks of crepes and pouring the batter over a hot frying pan. On the paper was a black-and-white photo of their nephew standing before a podium. Below him was the outline of the heads of journalists and photographers, some of them held up a hoof or their cameras. Right next to the photo on the righthoof side of the page was the following headline:



	Prince Blueblood Comes Out of the Closet.

(Canterlot, Equestria)

Last night at eight-thirty, Prince Blueblood made an announcement at a press conference that he is has come out as gay. His Majesty had taken the advice of the Princesses to come clean to Equestria of his attraction that he had hidden for the twenty-six years of his life. In doing so, the chief ambassador of Equestria has become the very first royal stallion in history to come out as homosexual. 

“Auntie Celestia said that I should tell you for my own good,” said the Prince. “She said that it’s not healthy for me to pretend to be as someone I’m not. And neither is it good as my duties as a Prince to give other nations that may in the future offer some political marriage to me to be given the wrong impression. Now that the truth is out, I do hope for you and the kingdom’s support.”

The Prince took some time for questioning by the press. From it, it is revealed that His Majesty was slowly made aware of his sexual orientation and had fully realized it when he was around fourteen or fifteen years of age. He also admitted that he had a few crushes with some of Canterlot’s aristocracy and even a few guards, but has refused to give any names.  Blueblood made it clear that he is single and doesn’t have a romantic interest as of yet.

(Blueblood, page 5.)



Celestia put down the newspaper, smiling, “I’m proud of him.” She said, “Now that he doesn’t have to hide anymore, it would be interesting what happens next for our nephew.”

“You know, while we are waiting for him,” Luna began as scooped up a spoonful of mashed potatoes. “Do you suppose that our little Blue might be expecting some male suitors now that his long-held secret is out?”

“I won’t be surprised about it; I suspect that it will be a matter of where and how.” She turned her attention towards her breakfast, a stack of rolled up crepes. “Thank you,” she nodded to the chief who gave her a bow. “Although, it would be highly unlikely that those said suitors would be of royalty – since I’m afraid that I don’t know any that comes to mind.”

As Luna picked up an orange, she mused, “Are you sure that Blueblood isn’t seeing anypony as far as you know Cel?”

“He did tell us that he wasn’t. Given that he himself doesn’t know anyone who likes other stallions, it would seem rather unlikely that he would.” She looked up at her younger sister with a raised eyebrow, “Why?”

“Do you think, that maybe, we should help him out? Play matchmaker.”

Celestia tsked, “Lu, that’s Cadance’s job.”

“So? Blueblood is twenty-six for crying out loud. How long are we going to let him go on with his life like this?” she questioned before started peeling the orange. “Don’t tell me that you aren’t the least bit curious to see who he takes on as a lover.”

“But I’m sure that he would be able to find someone eventually.”

“How do you know?” Luna raised an eyebrow. “I mean, do you remember how afraid he was just to speak to us a week ago? He wasn’t just fearful but downright terrified, so it must have taken a good amount of courage just to tell us the truth. Besides, what makes you think that now that he’s in the open that he’s immediately going to ask a stallion on a date? Frankly Cel, I see it unlikely that he would make the first move on anyone. So if he won’t do it himself, maybe we should step in?”

After the elder Princess chewed through her crepe, she responded. “I don’t know about this Luna. Maybe we shouldn’t interfere with Blueblood’s love life; after all, we don’t have a clue what he looks for in a stallion. Even if we did know, and that you are right, how do we know that he won’t reject this supposed Mr. Right that we set him up with?”

“Point taken,” while the Night Princess got to the slices of the fruit of her orange, she hummed in thought. “Maybe we can come to a compromise? Can I suggest that if our nephew hasn’t gotten a coltfriend in say… two months, then we should step in, and maybe get Princess Cadance to help assist us?”

“I’m still not entirely on board,” the Sun Princess said. “I know how much you want to help him, but I’m not sure about interfering with forcing him to have a special somepony.”

“Whoever said about forcing him? Maybe organize a little… get together, with him and several other stallions with common interests.  Have him mingle a little and see who he has an attraction towards.”

Celestia picked up her cup of coffee, “That does sound rather reasonable when you put it that way…” she thought for a moment as she sipped on her drink. “If Blueblood doesn’t say about interest in two months, then we’ll get Cadance to help us this party.”

Luna smirked, “Either way, I would like to see who he does fall for. Though knowing my nephew’s extravagant tastes, how much you’re willing to bet that he will want to go out with a… (What is that word…?) a supermodel, one that has a pleasant figure that shows his masculinity.”

“Oh Lu, of course, he wouldn’t go for the hunk. That would be too predictable.” The elder sister giggled, “I think that he would probably go for the more intellectual type.”

“Do you want to make a bet out of it?” Celestia raised an eyebrow and asked Luna what she meant. “When our nephew goes to this meeting in a room full of gay stallions, how about we make a bet to make things interesting? I would bet you: three months of me raising the sun; my moonshine cake recipe; and a vacation in Prance (paid by me) that Bluey ends up with a drop dead gorgeous stallion.”

Celestia leaned forward, “Feeling confident, are we? Very well, if this does happen, then I will be willing to bet six months raising the moon, twenty barrels of Sweet Apple whiskey and a vacation to Istallion if Blueblood takes on a stallion that has a beautiful mind.”

“Done.”


_*_


Just as Luna predicted, the Canterlot Prince had not taken an interest in a stallion. Two months after he came out, there was no word that Blueblood was seeing anyone. If anything, whenever either Princess questioned him, he told them that he hadn’t found anyone worth courting. 

So on a warm, late August afternoon, when his cousin came to visit the capital along with her husband, they invited him for tea in a shady part of the royal garden. In a small grove of trees that gently sway in the mountain breeze, a blond unicorn was just been told from his aunts of what they had in mind. As soon as they did, however, Blueblood nearly dropped the porcelain cup he was holding in his aura.

“I beg your pardon!” the Prince interjected. “You three are planning on what?”

The three princesses and an ex-captain glanced over at one another, “We just thought it would be good for you.” Cadance carefully explained, setting her cup of tea back down on the cast iron table. “It will only be a little get together to hopefully get you to open up more.”

“By that, you mean toss me into a room full of strangers in hopes that I may find a date?” Blueblood questioned, his gaze sharpening.

“You know Blue,” Shining Armor propped his chin up by a hoof. “I can’t really see why you would be against something like this. I mean, you’re really good at meeting ponies, yaks, deer, zebras, and others from all over the world. From what I can tell, none of them are asking you to find a guy right off the bat, just to get you to socialize more.”

“That’s where I have to disagree, Prince Armor.” Blueblood pointed out as he lifted his cup in his azure aura, “It’s one thing to speak to other royals and ambassadors from other nations to settle trade agreements, preventing war and try to represent the best of Equestria – it’s quite another for me to go up to a stallion to see if he would make a good suitor.” After taking a sip of his tea, he continued. “There is a reason why I have not announced to the kingdom that I’m looking for someone to court with. I don’t know if you haven’t taken notice, but I’m a prince.”

“So?” both Shining and Cadance asked simultaneously.

The blond unicorn looked over at the Princess of Love, “Do you remember what life was like before you met your husband, cousin?”

“Of course I do, why?”

“Do you remember all that never-ending parade of stallions that came knocking on your door, each holding a bouquet of flowers and a fake smile that they asked you to be their special somepony? Only in the end to find out that they’re not doing it for you, but because you were a princess?”

Cadance frowned, “So I’m assuming that the real reason why you haven’t been seeing anyone is that you’re afraid that you’ll get a line of suitors that only want you because of your position?”

“It’s true, is it not? I don’t want to take any part of this ball you’re planning on because I know that I’m going to be overwhelmed in a room full of strange stallions that only want me to be their coltfriend because of my position. So far I haven’t met one when that wasn’t the case.”

Luna put a hoof to her chin in thought, “What if none of them have to know that you are a prince?” The rest of the royal family turned to look at her, inquiring what she meant. “If you want to eliminate that possibility, then perhaps in order to conceal your identity, we could turn this ball, into an old fashioned masquerade. That way, you along with everyone there would be wearing masks and costumes – and the best part is that nopony would know who the other is. You would enter there as a blank slate.”

“In other words auntie,” Blueblood said, “this would be a glorified blind date.”

“It’s not a bad idea,” Celestia finally spoke up. “This would give you the chance to socialize with those like yourself. They don’t need to know that you’re Prince Blueblood and you can speak freely with any of them to see which one takes your fancy.”

The blond unicorn looked at all of them, his ears folded back, he had the look of uncertainty, “I don’t know about this.”

“If it helps,” Cadance said, “I would gladly write up the guest list and send out the invitations. Of course, I would have to brush off my detective skills to find any stallion that is single and has an attraction to the same gender that won’t cause you any harm. I will also try to gather those who have different interests, occupations and personalities for you to see who you like overall.” She smirked, “And if we’re lucky, perhaps you may find your special somepony at that ball.”

“Sounds like a pretty good deal to me,” Shining leaned forward. “Having to go around in a room full of potential love interests, all chosen from the Princess of Love herself does sound rather inviting now, doesn’t it?”

Blueblood frowned, “I still don’t like being set up like this.”

“We are not forcing you into finding a suitor,” Celestia pointed out. “All we ask is to mingle with other gay, bisexual or pansexual stallions that can help you open up more. It would help you in getting used to speaking with those who have some common interests. Just give it a try and we’ll see what ends up happening.”

The blond prince looked down at his reflection in the cup. It has been made clear that his aunts and cousin were only trying to help in something that he didn’t exactly feel comfortable in doing. They’ve offered up to him a plan to eliminate the possibility of any potential gold-digging stallion that would flirt his way.

‘I suppose that it would make sense,’ he thought. ‘The masquerade ball idea would level the playing field as it were. I would go around without them knowing who I am… Then again, I won’t be able to tell who they are either. Whatever their true intentions are, it would be a very big gamble. I’ll be playing date roulette with strangers that I may have never heard of. Then again, what do I have to lose in agreeing to this? Chances are, I would end up going to a party where I won’t find anyone, and they’ll be the ones in the end who’ll have to pay for it. Besides, this is Cadence that’s putting together the guest list; she has done this whole pairing up thing before. So maybe…’

“I’ll do it,” he finally said. “But only on one condition: when you send those invitations out Cadance, I do not want you to mention my name; just to cut down the chances of encountering any charlatans.”

Cadance grinned widely, “I think that can be arranged Bluey.”
> Chapter II: The Ballroom
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prince Blueblood looked into the mirror for might as well be the thousandth time – just to make sure that everything about him was perfect for a first impression. He already had everything groomed from mane to hoof and everything in-between from the hour-long bath that made his coat pristine to making sure that his breath only smelled of wintergreen mints. Not even his own costume was being overlooked by his critical eye.

‘I almost look like a museum piece,’ he thought. But in truth, that was the look he was going for. It was modeled off from the baroque Prench courts of Louis XIV three hundred years ago. The overcoat was a sapphire blue that was stitched with gold trimming and real gold buttons that lay over his white blouse. The breaches that fit over his flank held a practical use of hiding his cutie mark. As for the mask that covered his face, it was in the same color as his coat and was in the same style as his costume.

‘Maybe I should have chosen a mask that concealed more of my face?’ he wondered but shook his head. ‘It’s getting too late to change your mind as it is. But maybe I should add something so that they won’t recognize me. Only, what exactly?’ he stared into his reflection, trying to figure out what else he could do until he took notice of his flowing, golden mane. With a stroke of inspiration, his horn lit up to fetch a black, silk ribbon and tied his mane back into a ponytail. ‘It’s not much, but it would do.’

Then there was a knock on his closet door, “Blue, you ready?” it was the voice of his cousin.

“In a moment,” turning around and walking towards the door of his walk-in closet he turned to the doorknob and swung it open to reveal Princess Cadance. For a moment, he was taken aback because of what she was wearing. She was wearing a slim, red suit, a white mask that was shaped as a stallion’s muzzle and a scarlet top hat that hid most of her mane. “Hey there, you look great.”

Blueblood took a moment to look up and down at her, “A suit cousin? Is there something about yourself that you’re not telling the rest of us?”

Through her mask, Cadance rolled her eyes.  “What can I say; a suit actually does look good on me, and I can say the same with you. Which, by-the-way, you look great.”

“You know; since this ball is full of gay stallions, remind me again why you’ve decided to dress up too?”

“Because I know for a fact that there’s a good chance that you may end up needing me – I mean, you said so yourself that when it comes to these things, you don’t have a clue in what you’re doing. I’m just here to act as a wing mare whenever you need some sort of advice about this or that.”

The Prince frowned, “You’re only doing this to act as a spy for my aunts, are you?”

“…. Maybe…” she mused.

To which, Blueblood sighed, “Let’s get this over with.”

His cousin smiled, “Right this way… Monsieur,” she lowered her voice at that last word and gave a playful bow. The blond unicorn rolled his eyes as he followed her out of his apartment and down towards the ballroom. Several minutes later, they could hear casual voices of stallions along with the distant sounds of an orchestra playing. As they drew near, majestic strings from the violins and a harpsichord produced a noble theme in which the orchestra played out several variations. Though as calming as the opening baroque tune was, it did little to prepare the Prince for what he was to see.

The grand ballroom was only lit by thousands of candles and mirrors, casting the room in a soft, orange glow among a sea of masks in every shade of color and style that Blueblood could name. Simple and elaborate, plain and complex, they waltz, spun and stood for idle chat. Disguised stallions in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and as Blueblood’s ears can pick up, a rainbow of accents.

The blond unicorn turned to the Princess of Love, “How many guests did you invite?”

“If you included us,” she answered, if not rather sheepishly. “There should be a hundred-and-two guys that I’ve narrowed down from a… very… long…” Cadence was silenced with a wintery gaze from her cousin.

“And never, while you were putting all this together, did you happen to think that inventing a hundred guests for the sole reason to get me to date might be a little bit excessive?” he hissed through his teeth.

“I hope you’re not angry at me.”

The Prince sighed, “No. I’m more… apprehensive to the fact that I’m going to have to meet all these strangers. You’ve just given me too much on my plate.”

“Whoever said that you need to interview every single one? This isn’t an international mission Blue; you don’t have to meet every single guy in here. You just simply have to go around, pick out who interest you, and go talk to them. If it looks like you need help, I’ll step in to give you advice.”

“So I trust that you won’t cast a spell on me to make me fall in love with… whoever they are?”

Cadance grunted, “No. Those sorts of spells only work if both parties are in love with each other but at least a little. I can’t enhance love if it isn’t there.”

“Good to know,” the Prince looked at the ballroom. Taking in the most calming breath he could muster, he marched forward. He began to circle around the universe of a chamber, walking past the ice sculpture of a gryphon, a bar, the orchestra, the windows, and the clumps of masked stallions. For the longest time, Blueblood couldn’t decide where to start or how. ‘Why is it that even though I prefer these gentlecolts, that I only feel so awkward around them? Surely, they’re like me, are they? So it shouldn’t be hard at all. Come on Blueblood, just pick one, go up to them and say hello. Cadance is right, this should be-’

“Hey there,” a voice derailed the Prince’s train of thought. Jerking his head over to the source of the interruption, he found a yellow Earth Pony that was somewhat shorter than him.  This stallion’s costume had a western theme from the Stetson to his tall boots. Much of what he wore was black that included his vest, the overcoat that too covered his cutie mark, and even the mask that only surrounded his eyes like a bandit. The only thing the Prince could see a part of his yellow coat was his grass green eyes and a frazzled blond mane.

“Um… hello,” Blueblood replied.

“Ah’m guessin’ that you came in late?”

“Yes, I just arrived.”

“Well welcome to the party then. Ah’ve never been to one of these fancy costume parties mahself, it’s real surprisin’ that Ah got an invitation to this place at all. Guess Ah must be really lucky, huh? Anyways, you’ve jus’ missed Princess Luna welcoming us in whom she said that we’re not allowed to say our names or take off these masks until midnight. It’s kinda dumb if Y'all ask me, what’s the point of gettin’ ta know somepony if you don’t even know their name, am Ah right? Then again, it shouldn’t be a damper of havin’ some fun in a place like this with all the things ta do-”

At this point, Blueblood slowly backed away as the yellow stallion rumbled on without him noticing. ‘Well that’s one down and ninety-nine to go,’ he thought as went further into the crowd in order to conceal himself. ‘At least I’ve figured out what I don’t want, a stallion that would rather start a monologue than a conversation.’

Once the rambling stallion was out of sight, the Prince began to explore the ballroom until Cadance in drag showed up, “Any luck?” she asked in the lowest voice she could muster.

“No. I’ve just escaped from a westerner that nearly talked my poor ears off.” He glanced around as several colorful stallions passed through them, heading towards the dance floor. “I just don’t know how to start or who to start with.”

The disguised Cadance hummed, tapping her chin with a hoof, she looked around for a moment. “Why not start with him, he’s cute.” Blueblood looked over to where she was looking at and spotted a light, lime green Pegasus in Reneighsance robes of bright red and dandelion yellow by the bar. His mask had a checker pattern in the same colors of his costume that was held over his violet eyes. In a way, he looked like an old court jester from his jingle-bell hat that hid most of his straw yellow mane. However, the one concerning thing about this stallion was the near empty glass of champagne in his hoof that’s making him sway from side to side like a tree on a windy day.

“I don’t know…” Blueblood began but his cousin nudged him from behind.

“Don’t be like that, you go over there and say hello,” Cadance told him in her fake male voice.

Taking the hint, the Prince walked over towards the bar towards the court jester, “Good evening,” he began.

“H-Hey there,” the pegasus replied and almost immediately rang some alarm bells when Blueblood noticed that his speech was slurred. “You’ve… here often come?”

The blond unicorn blinked, he thought about asking if what he asked was Equestrian for a split second but went with: “What?” 

“Um…” the jester hummed as he lifted the glass to his muzzle. “This stuffs good, I’ve never had thises shampage before. Have yous tried this sexy.”

“I beg your pardon!” Blueblood tried to step back but the drunken stallion had already put a hoof around his back.

“H-Hey, not so loud,” the Pegasus purred. “Here, try sume, shey’re free. And uh, maybes you and I could finds a room somewhere.”

Acting on instinct, the blond unicorn lit up his horn to toss the unwelcomed hoof off of him. “Stop it, you’re drunk.”

The other stallion hummed as he turned to his glass, “Probably not enough.” He said as he knocked his head back and let the remaining bubbling liquid into his muzzle. As he did so, Blueblood made his escape back to Cadance.

“What happened?” she asked in that disguised voice.

“Apart of nearly getting molested by a drunk, nothing much.”

If his cousin was embarrassed, it was very difficult to tell apart of her folded back ears, “What about… him?”

“Where are you looking at? Does he seem sober?”

“Him,” she pointed to a unicorn this time, who wore a suit that was completely white from his top hat to his suite. The only real hints as to his identity apart from his silky black mane were his chocolate coat. He seemed to be talking to a charcoal black Pegasus that wore a yellow silk robe, in the fashion of the Neighponiese of the east with a dragon’s mask.

‘At least he looks promising,’ the prince thought as he navigated over towards the unicorn. ‘Hopefully this one would be sane.’ He thought before clearing his throat. “Good evening,” he began.

The unicorn craned his neck over to him, “Oh, hello.”

“May I ask what is it you two were talking about?”

“Well, what we do for a living,” he replied.

Blueblood tilted his head in confusion. “Do for a living?”

“Yeah,” the stallion in a silk robe nodded. “Like how I’m on the weather team in Ponyville and he was just telling me that he works at a chocolate place in Manehattan.”

Then it clicked to the Prince, “Oh! You mean a job.”

To this, the two stallions glanced at one another in confusion. “Uh yeah,” said the one in white. “That’s what ‘Doing for a living’ means. Speaking of which, what do you do?”

“I…” Blueblood trailed off. He surely didn’t want to give himself away when he just got to the ball. So he had to tread carefully, “I work for the government.”

“Do you?” the unicorn tilted his head. “What part?”

“I deal in international affairs, some of the time.”

“So a desk job? That doesn’t sound interesting.”

The Prince frowned, trying not to show that he’s offended. “It’s a lot of hard work.”

“I’m sure it is,” the Pegasus said passively. “If you would excuse us sir, but we would like to get back to more interesting things.”

Blueblood was both stunned and disgusted that he was being turned away so easily, ‘If either of them had an inkling of who they’re dealing with…’ He huffed and turned around to find his cousin.


_*_


Twenty minutes of going up to complete strangers to the point where he’d lost count later, Blueblood stepped outside of the ballroom frustrated. He managed to lose Princess Cadance in the crowd, the same one that has only directed to stallions that were annoying, drunk, uptight, or just plain boring to have so much of a conversation with.

‘I knew this was pointless,’ he thought as he lay his back against a column sighing. ‘What was cousin Cadance thinking when she sent for these ponies? I thought she was a master at these things and instead I got a roomful of barely tolerable commoners.’  The Prince reached up to feel his mask that he had worn for so long that he nearly forgot it was there. ‘So is this it? Is this really the best that I’m given? Of the hundred stallions that she came up with, not one of them has been worthy to have my attention. Am I destined to be alone, without having what so many others do?’

As he pondered over these thoughts, his ears picked up something. While it wasn’t noticeable from the music and the noisy crowds that nearly drown the sound out, he heard from down the hall, a piano playing a ghostly melody. ‘Who could be playing that?’ The Prince wandered, ‘and more importantly, why?’ His curiosity piqued, Blueblood got up and followed through the halls of that haunting melody.

The prince already knew that there were several music rooms inside the palace; all of them have at least one piano. Yet, he wasn’t quite sure which room this phantom song was coming from as he listed this way and that, trying to find the source. Still, his curiosity persisted; his ears guided him as the music grew louder until he found which room it came from.

With a door ajar, he saw a stallion there at the keyboard with his back turned. Whoever this was, he too was in costume with a dark overcoat with midnight purple lace and a three-corner hat with a feather sticking out. His hide was as white as the Prince’s and a tail as blue as the sky. And the music he played… it was something like in a forgotten dream from long ago, a fantasy that almost sounded like what Moztrot would have composed.

But something else stood out of Blueblood’s mind, out of all the costumes that he had seen, this one he was sure that he’d never seen in the ballroom. ‘If he really is one of the guests,’ he thought, ‘then what is he doing here?’ So he slowly pulled the door open and stepped inside.
> Chapter III: The Pianist
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“That’s Moztrot isn’t it?” the disguised Prince inquired, to which the pianist screamed in surprise. The mystery guest spun around with a hoof over his chest. By the look of him, this stranger was dressed in roughly the same time period as he was. The midnight purple mask covered the pianist’s face, showing a pair of wings over his blue eyes in that baroque style. Tied around his neck was a lilac cravat that lay over his dull grey overcoat.

“Oh! I’m terribly sorry,” the stranger replied. “I didn’t see anypony using this room and…” He took in a calming breath, “You nearly have given me a heart attack.”

Blueblood paused, “I didn’t want to interrupt but I was curious to know who was playing.” He tilted his head as he added, “Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve seen you at the ball. Especially with that voice… Trottingham isn’t it?”

The pianist now seemed a little more relaxed. “You’re not too far off. My parents are from Trottingham but I was raised here. And as to your first comment, I arrived on time, I just…” he trailed off, putting his other hoof lightly on the keys. “Well, needed some space.” He looked back at the Prince, “How long have I been in here?”

“I can’t say, I arrived late myself,” Blueblood confessed as he neared the piano. “You played very well, but I don’t recognize the tune. Is it from Moztrot? It sounded like his style.”

The stranger chuckled, “He never wrote it. This was from another composer who did live around the same time as Moztrot that has sadly been forgotten. He survived the Prench Revolution too, but much of his music is lost except for a hoofful of violin concertos, overtures and this. I believe he might have been the world’s first Zebra composer, whether that is true or not, I’m not certain.” He turned to the masked Prince. “But I’m afraid that I’m boring you, am I?”

“No. Actually compared with those other stallions I’ve spent a good twenty minutes with, you’re the first that has caught my interest.”

“But you’ve just met me.”

“At least you’ve given me a positive first impression,” he said as he sat next to the other stallion. “And like you, I’m also here because I needed some breathing room as well.”

“Oh?”

Blueblood nodded, “I don’t know if you would be interested as to why I’m here.”

“I never said that I wasn’t. Although you’ve got me curious now as to what you’ve meant by that. You too received an invitation did you?”

“In a way, yes, but more because my family has pressured me into this party,” the pianist tilted his head so Blueblood explained. “I’ve come out to them not too long ago, that I preferred male company so to speak. Fortunately or unfortunately, not only did they take it well, but they insist that I should probably find a suitable stallion for me. When I took too long to find one, they’ve talked me into going to this ball. So far, I’m having no luck on this glorified blind date with a room full of ponies that I probably don’t know. I was ready to leave until I heard you playing and wanted to see who it was. What about you?”

The pianist rubbed the sleeve of his overcoat with his hoof, “Like you, I was talked into accepting the invitation, with the intention that I might be given a second chance.”

“Now what does that mean?”

Instead of replying, the mysterious pony shook his head, “It’s a personal thing. Still, you liked what I’ve played?”

“Whatever it was, I rather liked it. On the way here, it sounded like the ghost of Moztrot himself playing. In fact,” the Prince’s eyes moved away from him. “Since I don’t exactly feel like going back to that ballroom yet, would you keep playing for a little longer?”

The pianist looked between him and the instrument, “You really want to? I… I don’t play it to an audience very often.”

“But from what I’ve heard, you’re very good. Do you want to continue that song you were playing?”

“I’m afraid that I’ve forgotten where I was in that. Perhaps I could play something else.” The blond unicorn told him that he wouldn’t mind, “Now let me think…” the pianist closed his eyes, turning his body towards the black and white keys. For a long minute, the music room was silent as the stallion with a sky blue mane sat there thinking before he placed his hooves on the keyboard. Then the stillness of the chamber was broken by a humble few notes.

Blueblood listened as the pianist added rich chords to its melody. Soft as candlelight, the pony next to him brushed the keys like a painter would with a canvas. For after several bars, the blond unicorn nearly forgotten the fact that he doesn’t even know who this stallion was, not even his name or what he looked like underneath that Istallion mask. It was oddly relaxing to have this mystery pony play for him.

“Is this Beethooven?” Blueblood asked.

“His adagio from his… first sonata,” the pianist replied as his hooves glided over the keys. “It’s not a well-known piece, how did you know?”

“I’ve heard it before. Back when I visited Prance that I heard this being played at a concert.”

“Now that’s interesting. Do you travel quite a bit?”

“I do. Mostly for government reasons, but I do get to travel when I’m needed to.”

The pianist played in, humming in thought. “Forgive me for intruding, but I’m trying to make a guess about your age. Going off by your voice I believe you must be in your… late twenties? Early Thirties?”

“Twenty-six,” he corrected him. “You?”

“Turned Thirty-eight last month, I dare say that I’m rather surprised that such a young gent like yourself has traveled in his job description. Would you please tell me about yourself and what is it that you do?”

‘How much should I give myself away?’ Blueblood thought. ‘This stallion is nice, but…’ “Why not you go first? After all, I don’t know much about you other than you can play the piano.”

The masked pianist thought for a moment until, “I have an idea, why not we play a game? Let’s play twenty questions and let's see if we could guess who the other might be.”

“Isn’t it a foal’s game?” Blueblood raised an eyebrow.

“Well, why not? We’re here to get to know complete strangers are we not? How about you go first, but you can only ask twenty questions, I’ll keep count.”

‘Not exactly what I had in mind, but at least it’s something I can work off with,’ the Prince thought before trying to think of his first question. “To begin with, do you live in Canterlot?”

“Yes.”

“Do others know you play the piano?”

The stallion hesitated, “Only a few.”

“So you don’t do this professionally?”

“No.”

“Are you well known in Canterlot?”

“I am indeed.”

Blueblood paused, ‘Okay? He can play the piano but very few know that he does. He lives in Canterlot and is influential, but not as a musician…’ Then he thought up of another question, “Are you wealthy?”

“Yes.”

“An aristocrat?”

“No.”

“But do you have servants?”

“I do.”

“Do you travel?”

The masked stallion hummed, “Not as often as I like.”

“But you have some sort of a job?”

“Yes.”

“So, does this job enables you to reach out to reach out to very many ponies?”

“Yes, and you’ve only got only ten questions left.”

The Prince blinked, “Already?”

“Yes, and that makes nine.”

“What! That wasn’t a question.”

“Oh yes, it was,” the pianist chuckled.

“But that was not intended!” he pouted. Blueblood closed his eyes and took in some soothing breaths, ‘Keep calm, you can still figure this out. First, put together what you know so far: This stallion lives in Canterlot but doesn’t travel outside of the city. He’s not one of the aristocracies but is well known and rich. He’s not a musician, yet, he is able to reach out to the commonwealth.’ Even he admitted that it was still very little to go off of, so he decided to change it to a different tactic, “Do you work in the media in some way?”

This gave the other stallion some thinking time, “In a way, yes.”

“Do you write for a newspaper or magazine?”

“No.”

Blueblood blinked, “Are you a photographer?”

“Celestia no!” he laughed, “I don’t even know how to work a camera.”

The blond unicorn grunted, “Do you at least cover something like… art?”

“Yes,” at this, the Prince’s ears perked up.

“And this wealth, do you use it in the field of art?”

“Absolutely,” the masked stallion said proudly.

“Now I think I’m getting somewhere,” Blueblood grinned, rubbing his hooves. “So… are you an artist?”

This got a reaction out of the stranger before he could finish the piece, he stopped. The blond unicorn noticed that the pianist’s ears folded back flat against his head. “No,” he finally said.

There was an awkward paused before the Prince resumed his last two questions. “Do you know other artists?”

“Yes.”

Blueblood hummed in thought. “Are you a patron of the arts in some way?”

“Yes.” The stallion next to him leaned back from his bench, “So then sir, any ideas who I am?”

‘Let’s see… He’s a wealthy patron of the arts so that would explain about that media question… Lives in Canterlot but not directly connected to the royal family… So who fits that description?’ In the back of his mind, the disguised stallion could have sworn that all of this sounded familiar. But where, and more importantly, how? The more he looked on at the eyes of this stallion, the more his subconscious was screaming the answer at him. There was something frustratingly familiar about how he described himself as if he knew who was sitting next to him.

“I give up,” Blueblood sighed, “But I could have sworn that I know you in some way.”

“Well you still have until midnight to find out,” the pianist pointed out.

“Midnight?”

“Yes, when I got here, Princess Luna told us that we were not allowed to say our names or take off these masks until after midnight.  Didn’t you… oh wait,” the stallion facedhoof, “I forgot, you said you came in late did you?” the Prince nodded. “Sorry, sometimes my own mind goes so fast that it tends to skip over some details.”

“To be fair you were playing a Beethooven piece and playing twenty questions at the same time,” Blueblood pointed it out.

“Nevertheless, that was fun,” the pianist chuckled, putting a hoof over his chin. “You know, it was quite amusing to see you get flustered.”

The Prince huffed, sticking his snout in the air, “I have no idea what you are referring to.”

“Li-er,” the masked stallion half said half sang as he got up from the bench. “Still, it’s nice for you to run into me. I was almost going to leave the ball for the same reasons that you had. Now, however…” he lifted a foreleg and stretched his hoof out to him. “If you wouldn’t mind, sir, shall we return to the ballroom that I hope I could get to know you a little better?”

Blueblood silently cursed that his mask didn’t hide his blush, “Are you… are you proposing to…” he cleared his throat, for he couldn’t believe what was about to come out of his mouth. “Go on a date, with me?”

“More along the lines of getting to know you a little better,” the pianist smirked. “Besides, if I wanted to ask you if you would be my coltfriend, I would have asked it. However, I dare say that it’s far too early to tell. So for tonight, however, I want to spend it with someone that I could have some fun with.”

For the Prince, that moment just felt surreal to him as he stretched out his hoof. It was something that only existed to him in fantasy. Only now, that daydream of having a potential partner that he wanted since his teens were standing right in front of him. While he wasn’t sure who he was, even if it would only last for this one night, Blueblood was convinced of taking this gamble as he touched the other’s hoof.

“Just to be clear,” the blond unicorn stated. “I have sure have no idea of what I’m doing from here on out.”

The pianist laughed, “Then I dare say that you’re a natural. You’ve been quite good to me so far, now come along, suddenly I feel like having a dance or two.”

What neither stallion realized as they walked out from one of the palace’s music rooms was that behind that same door they exited, a disguised alicorn in red peeked her head out. Her hoof was in her mouth that was suppressing the squee that was trying to escape. ‘Wait until they hear about this!’ she thought before she hopped back towards the ballroom once the two stallions were out of sight.
> Chapter IV: Unmasked
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blueblood looked over his shoulder for what might have been the hundredth time that evening. It was getting close to midnight, yet the blond unicorn has yet to see his cousin. Then again, he has been distracted as he slowly waltzed with his new acquaintance. He and the pianist had returned to the ballroom, hoof-in-hoof, standing on their hind legs as the sneer-drum counted time for the orchestra. All the while the two stallions practically swam around and through the mixing and colliding colors of the other guests.

“So do you play an instrument?”

“Huh?” the Prince looked back at his date for tonight and asked him to repeat the question.

“I asked if you play an instrument yourself,” the masked stallion clarified.

“The violin, or at least, I used to.” He said as he kept an ear to the beat of the music and moving his hind legs at the slow melody. “My parents encouraged me to pick it up when I was seven. But as I got older with new responsibilities, I found less and less time to practice on it. It’s probably collecting dust somewhere.”

“When did you stop?”

Blueblood shrugged, “It has been a long time ago. But I think it was… probably eighteen.”

“So that makes eleven years,” the pianist noted as he sways his partner. “Were you ever good at it?”

The masked prince made a sound that was between a laugh and a huff at the same time. “I had to be. Mother and Father had placed a good deal of expectations on me, being an only child; they wanted me to have the best of the best. You may say that I was homeschooled.”

“Really?”

The blond unicorn nodded, “I was taught on a wide range. From math to music, world history to magical science, manners to rhetoric, I had to be well versed in many things if I were to succeed. Or at least, that was my parent’s philosophy. But after they’ve passed on, and I took up more duties, I was forced to drop some subjects out of necessity. The violin was one of them.”

“Well, that’s rather a shame.” The stranger shook his head, “Such a beautiful instrument, the violin. I wish I had the time to learn it myself, but as you can see, I’m a little too old for that.”

“Maybe it’s the mask,” Blueblood pointed it out, “but you don’t seem that old to me.”

The pianist chuckled, “Why thank you kindly. Now a change is subject, just a little. Since I know this ball is for single stallions like us, I have been wondering, have you been married before?”

Blueblood blinked, “Um… no? Why do you ask?”

“I want to be upfront with you if whatever relationship we have does expand. I don’t believe that I’ve given you a proper answer as to why I’m here, have I?”

“Didn’t you say that you’re here because you were pressured into coming like I was?”

“Yes…” the Prince’s dancing partner’s ears fell backward. “Just so you know what you’re in for, I am a stallion that has been divorced for little over a decade now. My friends have persuaded me into accepting the invitation, something about giving my romantic life a second chance.”

“So I assume this is the part where I came in?”

The part of the Pianist’s mask that showed his mouth showed a smirk. “I can tell you that, so far, running into you is like… as cliché as it is, like a breath of fresh air.”

Before the blond unicorn could respond, he could have sworn that he heard a ghost of a giggle coming from behind him. He could have sworn that he saw a flash of red from his cousin, but the crowd had mixed again before he could focus.

“Are you looking for someone?” this snapped the prince’s attention to his dancing partner. “I’ve noticed that you’ve been doing that quite often since we’ve got here.”

“Sorry,” Blueblood took a quick glance away. “I was just wondering about my cousin.”

“Oh?” the masked stranger said with intrigue. “You know someone that’s here?”

“Unfortunately yes,” he frustratingly sighed. “She’s the one that’s been trying to help get me date as soon as I got-”

His dancing partner paused, “She? I thought this was more of a gentlecolt’s party.”

Blueblood blinked, “Oh! Yes, but she… well, was acting as my wingmare to help me with these sorts of things. However, she seemed to have gone missing for whatever reason.”

“So your cousin snuck in here to give you moral support I’m assuming?”

The Prince rolled his eyes, “More or less.”

They resumed dancing, “You know,” the pianist began, “the more I stay around you, the increasingly fascinating you’re becoming. I’ve known plenty of ponies in my lifetime, but never this intriguing.”

To this, the blond unicorn blushed, “How so?”

“To begin with, from what I know so far, you are a recently outed twenty-six-year-old. You’re a stallion that has a government job that requires you to travel to foreign countries. You probably know a good deal of classical music than most ponies your age, as well as a good dancer. Not only that, but your family fully supports you to the point of sending your cousin, in disguise, to act as an advisor in a roomful of stallions. And also… your mannerisms are interesting too.”

“What about them?”

The pianist spun the prince around until he held his hooves over his chest and said in his ear, “You’re not like these other guests. Well refined tastes, upright posture, and not to mention you have a costume that my friends could easily tell me that would cost a fortune.” Spinning him around again, Blueblood was now faced to face with the stallion. “Mind if I ask you a question?”

The prince gulped, “O-Of course.”

“Are you an aristocrat underneath that mask?”

“I…” he hesitated, letting the answer die from his lips. The blond unicorn could already feel his ears folding flat against his head. “Forgive me; I don’t want to give too much away just yet. Though, since it’s almost time to take these masks off, have you figured out who I am?”

The pianist hummed in thought, “I have a few theories, but each one is just as unlikely I’m afraid.”

“How so?”

“Well… To be honest, when I’ve first met you, my first guess was that you were Prince Blueblood himself, but I find that rather doubtful.”

This took the Prince by surprise, “Why is that?”

“Because you’re not the only white-coated unicorn that has a blond mane and blue eyes,” he replied. “Just because you might look like His Highness, doesn’t mean that you are. I’ve read in the papers that he isn’t looking for a suiter. And even if the Prince was here at this ball, what would be the chances of me running into him among of these other stallions? I mean, sure, I know that he came out recently too, but I still have my doubts.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “And your other theories?”

“You could be a convincing look-alike. After all, I’ve seen a few where there were some ponies that tried to impersonate me among other celebrities. If you are one, then I say that your portrayal of the prince is quite believable.” He got a flat look from his dancing partner. “Then there’s another theory, perhaps you’re some other aristocrat or wealthy bloke that I may have never heard of before that’s into stallions.”

“Like who?” the Prince questioned, his voice deadpanned.

The Pianist remained silent for a minute as they continued to dance. “Well… there’s the CEO of Moneigh Paints Inc. He’s a white unicorn, blond and blue eyes… only he’s overweight. Then there’s Stage Bright, an actor in Applewood, but he has a wife with children, so of course, that couldn’t be him… Then there’s the Duke of Fillydelphia-”

“Alright, I get your point,” Blueblood interrupted in utter annoyance. After breathing through his nostrils, he asked, “Regardless of who I really am, what do you think of me now?”

“Honestly? I believe that you’re pleasant to be around to the point that I do want to see you more often. For such a young fellow, you have plenty of things that make me intrigued to know what your life is really like. Even if we only end up as friends, nothing would make me prouder then getting to know someone like you.”

It was then that the music stopped and a bell began to chime, “It’s midnight already?” Blueblood asked as he looked over to the clock on the wall. Turning his attention back to his dancing partner, he noticed that all around him, masks and hats were coming off one by one.

“You know old sport,” the Pianist said, “I do think that this is the time that we should properly introduce ourselves.” His horn started to glow a light blue over his mask, but before he could do anything, the blond unicorn interrupted him.

“Wait, before you we do, could you make a promise?” The other stallion tilted his head. “If I show you who I am, would you please try to not be too shocked?”

“As long as you do the same with me,” to this, Blueblood agreed. Both stallions returned to all fours and backed away a little. The horn from the Pianist glowed once again, his aura capturing his mask and hat, and this time he revealed his true face. At once, the Prince almost instantly kicked himself in the flank for not recognizing him earlier. This stallion had a small, blue mustache in the Prench style; a mane that had the resemblance of pouring water; and as a final touch, this unicorn took a monocle from his pocket and put it in his left eye. “Hello, my name is Fancy Pants,” he reached up to shake his hoof, “and you good sir?”

‘Well… here it goes,’ the blond unicorn thought as he too lit up his horn. The first thing he did was to pull on the ribbon until it came undone, unleashing his flowing golden mane before he focused on his mask. But before he pulled it off, he took ahold of Fancy’s hoof and let the mask being pulled off his face. As soon as he did, he saw the other’s stallion’s jaw dropped.

“O-Oh Goddesses!” Fancy stuttered, “A-Are you really?” 

He nodded, “I am Prince Blueblood Everfree. Head Chief of the Royal Ambassadors, Guardian of Canterlot, Lord of the Moneigh Islands and the Frothy-fifth generation and fifty-second time removed nephew to their Majesties, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”

As he was saying his full title, all around him, ponies were bowing to him – except for the still shocked, slacked-jawed unicorn that he was shaking hooves with.

“T-This is… I-I mean… wow…” was all Fancy could manage to say in his bewilderment.

“Bluey I’m so proud of you!” the high pitch voice belonged to Cadance as she rushed over to give her cousin a bone-crushing hug.  “I knew you would choose him! I just knew it!”

The prince quickly lit up his horn in order to pry himself free to have oxygen re-entered his lungs. “What are you talking about?” he questioned.

Instead of answering it, the Princess in drag reached over and shook a still shell-shocked unicorn, “And you sir, you’ve just become the luckiest stallion in all of Equestria! Thank you so much for dating him!”

Fancy blinked, “What?”

“Oh! Wait until my aunts hear about this!” before anypony knew it, Cadance let her horn glow to a blinding light before she teleported out of the ballroom.

After rubbing his eyes, Blueblood turned to his date whose look still hasn’t changed except for his monocle has fallen out. “Um… are you alright?”

“I… I uh…” the older stallion shook his head, “I need air.” Immediately fulfilling his request, the Prince led his date out of the room with a hundred staring, gossiping eyes to the cool silence of the royal gardens. The two of them kept on walking until all sounds had faded away, at that point, they stopped at a lit, cascading fountain. 

Before Fancy could say a word, the first thing he did was to splash water on his face a few times before turning to the younger unicorn. “You’re him,” he began. “I mean… you’re really… him?”

“Do you want further proof?” Blueblood raised an eyebrow. “After… whatever my cousin just did?”

“I don’t think that would be necessary… Your Highness,” he added with a bow.

When the other unicorn did so, there was something within the Prince that made what he was witnessing seemed rather… wrong. Of course, he was used of having ponies below his station kneeling before him, paying silent tribute to him being a royal. Yet, with the very same pony that he had gotten to know in the past few hours, Blueblood felt somewhat disgusted by the action.

“Rise,” he said while rubbing his temples. “Mr. Pants, I can only imagine how big of a shock this is to you, but would you for just a moment not do any of that?”

“Pardon?”

“After all this time where you didn’t know who I was, to be so… (What’s the word I’m looking for…?) genuinely wonderful to this? Are you going to treat me like this after you played for me, danced and talked to me, not as a royal, but as…” He shook his head. “I knew this wouldn’t work,” he whispered.  Taking in a deep breath through his nostrils, he added, “Mr. Pants, what you have given me tonight, I shall be eternally grateful. But if you feel that you are unworthy, you may leave. If you think you can simply take advantage of me because of my position. Then I command you to leave at once. Otherwise… otherwise…” he sighed.

Fancy, after drying his face with a sleeve of his costume, looked on at him. “Now wait a minute, is this what this whole masquerade was really about?” The blond unicorn asked him what he meant. “I mean, this party was meant for you from the start, wasn’t it?”

Blueblood nodded, “It’s funny how… normal ponies treat you when they don’t have a clue who you really are.”

“I see…” there was an uncomfortable pause between them. “So… what do we do now?”

“How should I know? This has never happened to me before.” The blond unicorn rubbed his foreleg. “What about you? Do you want to stop this?”

“I don’t see a reason to.”

At this, the prince looked up wide-eyed before it morphed into suspicion, “Why?”

“Because, if tonight was anything to go off by, I dare say that I enjoyed your company,” Fancy smiled as he put his monocle back in his eye. “You sir are wonderful. If I was being told earlier that my date was the same stallion that’s notorious of breaking dozens of mares’ hearts that would turn out to be an interesting, smart, and fun to talk with – I would never believe it. I somewhat feel that even with that mask on, I think I really have gotten to know you better than anyone, have I?”

Blueblood blushed, “You wouldn’t be far off from the truth.”

“If it would be possible,” he added. “I do hope it would be possible to see you again.”

“R-Really?”

“Well, I still have things that needed to be taken care of but… hopefully soon. That is if Your Majesty permits me.”

“I… I would like that.” The Prince softly smiled, “And before you go, I want to bestow a parting gift,” he took hold of Fancy’s hoof and kissed it. “Consider as my way of saying ‘thank you.’”

Blushing, Fancy chuckled, “Yes, you’re quite welcome, Your Grace.”

“I think I need to go. Knowing Auntie Luna, she probably would like to know how my night went.”

“And I did promise my bodyguard that I would be returning to the carriage soon.” Fancy lit up his horn to put his mask back on. “Once again, thank you for this. This ball has excelled beyond all of my expectations. I bid you goodnight, my Prince.” He bowed once again before he and Blueblood went their separate ways.
> Chapter V: Betting of the Matchmakers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Even for someone who has never been inside of Canterlot Castle, it is quite easy to figure out which side belonged to which princess. The east wing’s hallways were dominated by black and blue marble, violet stain glass that depicted the constellations, nocturnal paintings that hung on the walls, and at the other side of the great hall where Blueblood was walking, was a huge double door with a crescent moon. Passing the Lunar Guards that saluted him, the Prince marched his way forward towards the doors that were opened to him to the spiral staircase towards one of his aunt’s bedrooms. After climbing up towards the top where two, high ranking officers stood guard in front of a majestic door, “Is Aunt Luna in?” the blond unicorn asked.

The one on the left nodded, “Her Highness has been expecting you.”

As he said this, the other on the right turned the knob and entered into Luna’s room for a moment before reappearing to spread the door open. “You may enter.”

Taking in a deep breath, Prince Blueblood walked inside to which not only did he found the dark blue alicorn, but also Celestia and Cadance were there. All three sat on a couch facing the door before they were a low table of popcorn, candy, and three large cups with straws in them. At first, he thought it was odd since such a setting and the display of snacks were meant for watching a film. However, given the anticipation on all three of their faces, it was instantly clear that he was the entertainment.

“So nephew…” Luna, who sat to the right of her elder sister, began as her horn levitated a bowl of popcorn. “How was the ball?”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “What are all of you doing?”	

“Oh nothing,” said Celestia, who was in the middle as she took a few sips from a straw, “We just wanted to know how things went.”

“Didn’t Princess Cadance tell you about it already?”

The Alicorn of Love, which had already taken her seat on the left, shook her head. “I didn’t tell them much, other than you have some good news that they would want to hear.”

“So come dear nephew,” Luna raised a hoof, “please do, as they say nowadays, ‘spill the beans’ for us – was this party amusing?”

Blueblood didn’t answer right away as he sat down on his hunches, forelegs crossed. “Am I being interrogated?”

“Not really,” the Sun Princess turned her attention to a bowl of jellybeans. “Interrogation would mean that we would be asking you questions in a completely different setting. We just wanted to know what happened is all since we weren’t there.” She gave a smirk and added, “Have you meet someone charming?”

“Or perhaps one that presented a nice looking hindquarters?” Luna asked with a smirk.

“Um…” the Prince looked away, trying to cover his muzzle as he felt it warming up.

“Wait, is that…?” the Night alicorn leaned forward. “By the gods it is! He’s blushing!” she squealed in delight.

“I-I am not!”

“Oh yes you are!” Cadance said/song, propping her chin on the leg of the couch, looking at the other princesses. “I tell you, it took quite a while, but when he finally found him, they just had fun for the rest of the night dancing, laughing, and getting to know each other.” She sighed, “It was so romantic.”

The Prince’s blush deepened into a crimson red, trying to hide behind the golden mane of his.

“This is good news indeed,” Celestia agreed. “So let’s get to the juicy details then. What is he like?”

“Is he handsome?” asked Luna.

“Shush!” the pink alicorn waved her free hoof. “Let him talk. We can’t get to the teasing if you two keep interrupting.”

Trying to regain whatever dignity he has, Blueblood took in a deep breath. ‘I’m not doing this,’ he thought as he stood back on all four hooves, ready to turn around. However, before he could leave, he heard the unmistakable, rapid-fire of ‘clicks’ that came from the doors. Snapping his head around, he saw in time to see Luna’s horn dimmed. He frowned, “I’m not getting out of here until I tell you about my night, am I?”

“Oh Blue, what gave you that impression?” his blue aunt asked with a smirk. “Now go on, we’re dying to know.”

With a frustrated sigh, he sat back down. “Well… I didn’t meet him at the ball itself. Rather, I found him playing one of the pianos. I asked him what he was doing all by himself and… we just started talking.” The Prince rubbed the sleeve of his costume, a soft smile on his lips. “He played the piano for me, and from there, we just started to get to know each other a little. After that, we went back into the ballroom and danced though I wish that it didn’t end so abruptly. Even before I knew who he was, he was just…” He looked up at the three amused looking alicorns. “What?”

“Keep going,” Cadance waved a hoof as she had a bowl of popcorn in her aura. “We’re getting to the good part.”

“Do you know who this prince charming of yours is, Bluey?” Celestia inquired.

He scratched the back of his head, “I think you might already know him.”

She tilted her head, “Who?”

“Have you heard of a stallion called Fancy Pants?”

“Oh…?” her face slowly brightens up, “Oh! Yes, I do know him.”

“As do I,” said Luna. “Quite a dashing fellow, isn’t he Blue? Out of all the ponies that you would have met, I didn’t think he was into stallions too.”

“Really?” Cadance deadpanned, “And none of you thought that he had a husband might have been a clue?”

Blueblood blinked, “He had a husband? Well, I knew he was divorced but… a husband?” he shook his head, “Nevermind that, how did you know about it?”

“I’m the Sherlock Hooves of Love, Blueblood,” she retorted. “I’ve done my research as a detective does in trying to find any single guys for this ball. Though, to be honest, out of all the ponies that were here tonight, I did factor in an 87% chance that you would have gone for him.”

“And yet you invited a hundred other stallions?” the Prince deadpanned.

“Like I’ve said, chance and variety,” she shrugged. “Still, I am very proud of you that you’ve gotten out of your comfort zone and finally found someone that you like. And considering it’s Fancy Pants, I say that you’ve picked out a really good choice here.” 

“I concur,” Luna agreed, “it’s good to hear that our dear nephew has gotten himself a coltfriend at last.”

“Now wait just a minute!” Blueblood objected, the flustered blush still refused to leave. “I’ve said that I just found someone that I liked. That doesn’t make him my coltfriend or anything.”

“Whoever said that you liked him?” the white alicorn asked with a smile on her face. When the blond unicorn didn’t respond, she went on. “As much as we approve of your choice in companion, I do have to ask: If given the chance, would you like to see him again?”

Here, the Prince put a hoof on the back of his head. “If only it were possible…” he said sheepishly. 

All three princesses wore a mile-long grin, “Splendid!” exclaimed Luna, turning to his older sister and niece, “Is there anything any of you would like to add now Bluely has an eye on Fancy’s firm, rounded fl-”

“AUNTIE!” Blueblood interjected, his face was completely red and his ears folded back. “You do not say things like that!”

“Oh come now,” the blue princess rolled her eyes, “At some point this night you have at least thought of it once.”

Her nephew remained silent.

“Ignore what she says,” Celestia waved a dismissive hoof. “You were attracted to him because of his personality and intelligence wasn’t it? Being the big patron for the arts in Canterlot, I do know that he’s quite clever in knowing in the fields of fashion, art, film, theater, and music that even I didn’t know about. Almost like a walking library of culture.”

“I would be lying if I said that you were wrong, Auntie Celestia,” he nodded. “Can I go now?”

Cadance sipped on her soda, “Well it is getting late, and I think we’ve pretty much covered everything that we wanted to hear from you – so goodnight Cousin Blue.”

He heard the double doors being unlocked, so he bowed to all three of them before excusing himself to bed. Once he exited Luna’s bedroom, all three alicorns turned to one another. “So… who won?” the Princess of the Night inquired.

Cadance tilted her head. “I’m sorry, won what?”

The elder alicorn sighed, “To put it simply, some time ago, we’ve made a bet on Blueblood as to what kind of stallion he would go for. I placed my bet on intelligence while Luna on looks alone. Now, however, it seemed that we’ve come to a tie. Fancy Pants is both of those things, so now what?”

Now the Princess of Love was curious, “What was the wager?”

“If I remember right,” Luna got up from the couch, “mine was giving her a three-month break of raising the sun; my moonshine cake recipe; and a paid vacation in Prance from my own purse. While she wagered to raising our moon for six months, twenty barrels of Sweet Apple whiskey and an Istallion vacation. But I guess neither of us had factored this outcome I’m afraid.”

“So wait, you two had placed a bet on my cousin to see what kinda guy he would go for?” Cadance questioned, “And neither of you had thought of inviting me into it?”

Celestia blinked, “Sorry?”

“I want to take part in this too,” she declared, “how about I throw my hat into the ring, but this time we place our bets on something else. Like…” she tapped her chin as she thought for a moment. “Like how about this: We will take turns in designing the setting of the dates that Blueblood and Fancy would go on. Try to make it as romantic as possible for them, but, whoever can make the scene and have them do an activity where they either kiss or say ‘I love you,’ will be the winner. If they happen to break up (which is rather unlikely) then nopony loses or gains anything.”

“Such a fascinating idea,” Luna tilted her head, intrigued. “But if you’re serious about this, what would you wager?”

Cadance breathed in deep through her nose, “Well…” she began. “If in the event that I lose, I would… Both raise the sun and moon for a year… give you my recipe for Hearts and Hooves punch… and I could toss in a month’s vacation to the Bahamares,” she smirked as she added, “with Twilight.”

This got both of her aunt’s attention; the two of them looked at each other with fierce competition in their eyes before turning back to their pink niece. “Done,” they said in unison.


_*_


Blueblood had been laying in his bed for over an hour, tossing and turning in hopes that sleep would overtake him. His mind was still returning to those precious few hours with Fancy. For the first time in his life, he finally met someone that didn’t bore him, nor irritated, or found any flaw that made him want to move on with someone else. 

‘It’s like I’ve finally found someone that I can have a real conversation with.’ He thought, ‘Not only that, but he was charming, intelligent, talented, se-’ he quickly shook his head. ‘Don’t get your mind into the gutter so quickly! Sure, Auntie Luna wasn’t inaccurate in how… how… perfect he was. But that’s not possible. What are the odds of me finding someone who is just right in every way? Besides, we’re not in a relationship or anything; we’ve just met after all.’ He turned to face the other side of the bed once more. ‘Though, I do wish that we could have been longer. I wish that he didn’t have to leave so soon. Perhaps, I should try to track down where in Canterlot does he live so that I… what? Ask him out on a date?’ 

His cheeks flustered as he lit up his horn to cover his head with the sheets. Soon enough, his mind was drifted off to sleep. Yet, before he did, the last thought he had been: ‘I wonder what my Aunts and cousin will do now?’
> Chapter VI: Fancy’s Summoning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

If one listened carefully as they walked down Illumination Street, a place where some of Canterlot’s elite live during the afternoon, some may get the chance to hear piano music being played. And if anypony was curious enough as to where that melody was coming from, they could trace it to an open window that was a part of a deep blue house with white bricks and a shiny copper roof. However, even if they did trace the graceful melody to which window, they would find some rather tick drapes that covered the pianist from public view.

Inside the two-story house, Fancy was alone at the piano again. This time, he was practicing a Horseshoepin waltz by candlelight. Being around two o’clock, he took this opportunity for relaxation and meditation in the best way he knew how – by the piano. In the near darkness where nopony was able to see, he lit his hooves dance between the black and white keys as his eyes watched over the sheet music that guided them. In that three-quarter time, he let whatever stresses of the day fade away in the flickering light of the candelabra.

For the stallion, it was easier to relax in near darkness, to let his daydreams be set loose on the keyboard. This time, his mind swayed back to a couple of nights ago at the palace ball. In particular, back to when he actually held Prince Blueblood in his arms. An actual prince! Something that never, in his imagination would dare conjure up something as fantastic. Someone who was young, but intelligent; dignified, yet can be easily teased; inexperienced, but still willing to learn and above all… he felt in his gut that this Prince has an interest in him.

But doubt crept into Fancy’s head, ‘What’s to say that he’s still interested in an old fart like me? After all, I’ve only met him once, so who’s to say that his feelings have changed since then?’ He gave a melancholic sigh. ‘He is still a Prince. You would think that someone like that would only demand the best, and Celestia knows that you’re not quite that. It’s not like he’s going to come by and knock on your-’ whatever train of thought that he had was suddenly derailed by the familiar ringing of his doorbell in which he immediately stopped playing.

He listened to the hoofsteps outside of the darkened room, no doubt one of the servants going to see who it was. There was the opening of the front door, followed by small talk that he came through the walls and the window as a mutter before a scampering of hooves that was headed towards him. Getting up from the piano bench, Fancy went over to open the door in time to see his bodyguard, Fleur de Lis coming up from the hallway. “Who was it?” he asked.

The slim, light pink unicorn mare that wore a proud smirk levitated a card over to him. “Guess who has just been summoned to the palace you lucky stud.”

Blinking, Fancy adjusted his monocle and took ahold of the vanilla white card and read it aloud. “‘To Fancy Pants, I hereby summon you to come into the throne room as soon as possible. I’ve already given my guards in order to give you clearance and they will escort you. We have some rather important matters to speak about – Princess Celestia.’” He looked up from the card in surprise. “Well… this is certainly unexpected.”

“A Lieutenant had given me that card,” Fleur said as he walked out into the hallway, “And not only that, but there’s a carriage waiting for you right now.”

“Must be serious then,” Fancy stopped in front of a mirror for a moment to make sure everything about him is presentable. “Any idea what this might be about?” his bodyguard giggled at the question, “What’s so funny?”

“Isn’t it obvious? A couple of days after you’ve danced with Blueblood and now Celestia herself is inviting you? I don’t think it takes a genius to figure out what for.”

The blue-maned unicorn’s cheeks took on a light pink tone. “Is it really about him?”

“What else could it be?” she brushed off his black suit.

He rechecked the card, “It’s rather vague, to say the least. I just hope I’m not in any sort of trouble.”

His bodyguard rolled her eyes. “Since you’re going to be going over to the palace, do you want me to come with you or are you fine with those guards outside?”

“Probably the former,” he put the card into his breast coat pocket. “Hopefully, I won’t be gone for too long so I won’t be late for that new exhibition. Perhaps once I’m done, I could be asked to be dropped off at the Cinder Wood Gallery, which I expect you’ll be there?”

“Of course,” she nodded. “Now come on, let’s get you going.” With that, the two of them went towards the front door where a Solar Guard with a purple plumage stood. Behind the Pegasus was a golden carriage with two guards attached, waiting for him. “Well here he is Lieutenant,” Fleur told him.

The guard saluted, after thanking her, he escorted Fancy to the carriage in which as soon as he got on, they took off. The unicorn could only watch as the streets and houses beneath him were quickly swept away with the wind blowing in his mane. Up in the air, the pegasi easily changed course towards their destination: Canterlot Castle. The flight took only a few minutes before they circled down towards the drawbridge and up towards the gilded entrance. As soon as they touched the ground did Fancy had the sense he should probably take out the guard, and hold it up for the other guards to see.

He was led by the guards up marble staircases and down hallways, through luxurious rooms and around staff and nobles. With each passing room, Fancy was starting to get increasingly nervous as they neared the very seat of power itself. Theories were being born in his head about the real reason why he was being brought here and under such security. While the likely reason of the Prince was there, he couldn’t help but wonder if there was something else. 

‘What if I’m really am in trouble?’ he wondered. ‘Have I done something so terrible that the Princess of the Sun would want to confront me? But I haven’t done anything illegal. I know I haven’t, nopony has arrested me. So if not, could it be for some other reason? Maybe it could be our next Canterlot Garden Society’s tea party that’s coming up. Yes, that seems to be the most likely explanation. Although, I do say that this is rather a first that the Princess would want to speak with me directly about this.’

“Wait here,” a guard said that snapped Fancy out of his thoughts. He realized quickly where he stood, at the grand doors of the throne room. A Solar Guard went through them for a brief moment before returning to the affluent pony. “Their Highnesses will see you now,” he said as he opened the door wide for him to enter. 

With a last minute adjustment to his monocle, Fancy stepped inside the enormous hall of light, marble, and a velvet red carpet that lead directly towards the Equestrian throne. There, on top of a platform was Celestia, and to her left was the very Prince that he had danced with mere days ago. Taking in a calming breath, the unicorn walked right down the middle until he got to the throne and bowed. “You wished to see me, Your Majesties?”

“Yes,” the Sun Princess nodded, “please rise Mr. Pants, we have something rather important to speak about.”

“So your note said. Only, I don’t quite know why exactly I’m being summoned for.”

The white alicorn looked over to her nephew with a smile, “Do you want to tell him or shall I?”

Fancy gave a confused look before Blueblood cleared his throat. “Before your arrival, my Aunt and I have been talking about my future. In particular… about my…” The blond unicorn blushed a little but tried his best to keep a straight face. “Oh, how shall I put this elegantly…? About my, romantic field that I’m sadly lacking in. You might know that I currently have never announced about me being opened for suitors for obvious reasons… That was, until that night at the ball.” This got both of Fancy’s ears to be perked up at him. “Considering that you are the only stallion that I know that hasn’t taken an interest in me solely for my station.” He was elbowed by his aunt, “And that I do enjoy speaking with you.” Another nudge, “And that I did enjoy your company,” Celestia cleared her throat. With an annoyed grunt, the Prince added, “And that I… I think I may be attracted to you, that we agreed that it’s about time that I did something that I have never done before.”

The affluent pony raised an eyebrow, “And that being?”

Blueblood breathed deeply through his nose, stood up and stepped off the platform until he was face-to-face with Fancy. “With your permission, sir, I want you to be the first stallion that I want to court with. What I’m asking, from a Prince to a Citizen – Mr. Pants, will you take on the title as Royal Consort.”

The older unicorn blinked, taking a quick glance at the Sun Princess who was putting a hoof to her smiling lips as if anticipating, he returned his gaze at the Prince for a very, very long time. “Is this really happening?” Blueblood nodded, “This is… I…” Fancy found himself at loss for words at how unbelievable all of this was to the point that he too wore a blush of his own. “Your Highness, I’m very flattered. I’m rather surprised that out of all the ponies you could have chosen, you’ve picked me?”

“Because unlike those other stallions at the ball,” the younger unicorn admitted, “You were the only one that I never considered you a bore. If you would allow me, I would like to know you better. Now, if you do agree on being my consort that would me that you would be given free access to see me, day or night as I have with you. By law, you would also be protected to make sure that nothing happens to you. Of course, this would mean that we would be able to go on dates, travel together, offer advice and would have the ability to tell me ‘no’ when you see fit. And… if in the event that you don’t want to court me, you can call it off anytime,” here, Blueblood reached for Fancy’s hooves in which he held them. “So would you let me?”

Mr. Pants thought for a moment, “On one condition: If you’re serious about dating me, then I would be free to call you anything other than ‘Prince.’”

The blond unicorn tilted his head, “Then what would you call me as?”

Fancy smirked, “How about Bluely? After all, I don’t think I could date a fellow in which I have to say Your Majesty, Highness, Your Grace, or Prince every few minutes. It would just get repetitive and would distant ourselves.”

Ignoring the giggle from behind him, Blueblood replied, “Very well, I concede to this.” Unbeknownst to the Prince but made clear by his newly made Consort, when he said this, Celestia hoof pumped into the air in her silent victory. He continued, “So… are you doing anything tonight?”

“Well, I do need to be at an exhibition that I think I won’t be able to get out of until six. After that, I should be free from there. What do you want to do?”

The Prince rubbed the back of his head, “I was thinking of dinner, only I’m not exactly sure where.”

“Oh! May I make a suggestion?” both stallions turned to Celestia who spoke up. “I know a very good Istallion restaurant that you may try to visit. It just opened up about a month ago, but I do enjoy the food they have. Il Fuoco Della Cucina, on Nebula Row it thinks it was.”

“Ah yes, I’m familiar with that place,” Fancy nodded in approval. “Excellent kinds of pasta they have, and the only place in Canterlot that serves gelato.”

“So it’s settled then,” Blueblood said, “our first date… at six.”

The blue mane unicorn chuckled, “Oh I wouldn’t say that this is our second.”

“What?”

“Our time at the ball, was that not our first?”

“No, we were just getting acquainted. You can’t have a first date without getting to know the pony first.”

“Isn’t that what dating is in a nutshell?” Fancy teased. When the Prince didn’t respond, the older unicorn added, “Nevertheless, I am looking forward to dinner. Oh, and just to return the favor,” he grabbed one of Blueblood’s hooves and kissed it. He smirked when he saw that his Highness looked a little flustered, “I’m looking forward to tonight, Bluely.”

After taking a step back, he bowed to the Royals before exiting the Throne Room. With only Celestia and Blueblood left, the two of them turned to one another. Celestia with great amusement while her nephew with a glare, “You’re enjoying this, are you?” he questioned.

“Why yes, yes I am.”
> Chapter VII: Il Fuoco Della Cucina
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Are you sure that I don’t need to give him anything?” Blueblood asked as he looked over at himself in the mirror for the hundredth time. Once again, he dabbed his forehead with a white cloth, miserably hiding his sign of nervousness that was nearly dripping, which was completely understandable to Princess Cadance since (if they didn’t count the ball that) this was her cousin’s first real date. Even when he wasn’t sweating, she could pick up settle clues such as the new white suit, the pair of diamond cufflinks, a hint of cologne, and the fact that both his mane and tail were combed for the last hour was obvious that he is disparate on making a good impression.

“I’ve kept telling you, it’s not needed when you’re so early in such a relationship.” The Princess of Love answered, putting a hoof on his shoulder. “Blue, you’ve got to relax. You’re not going to some very important summit; just going out to dinner is all. You go in, order something, and talk. Just be polite and take it from there.”

Blueblood snorted, “You make it sound so easy.”

“Then how is this different than when you were with him at the ball.”

“Besides the fact that I didn’t exactly know who it was,” he deadpanned. “That, and not knowing what he expects out of me doesn’t help at all.”

“That’s why dates had been invented, so you can get to know each other about their likes, dislikes and such. Trust me Blueblood; it’s going to be fine. I’m sure that you’re gonna have fun with Fancy.”

“But this is a real date, something that I have never done before. I don’t even know what the rules of edict are when it comes to this sort of thing. What if something goes wrong? What if Fancy finds me a bore? What if he has been replaced by a Changeling? What if-”

“What if it turns out to be a magical evening?” his cousin interrupted him.

He sighed, “I just wanted this to be perfect.”

“Blue, you can do this. I know it seems scary at first to go up to somepony like Fancy, but once you get into it, the night will be over before you know it and wish it could go on longer. Believe me, I’ve been there.”

Blueblood took in a deep breath and looked once more in the mirror. “I hope you’re right,” turning his attention over towards her he added. “Are you sure that I don’t have to get him anything? Like a jeweled encrusted rose or Zebrican chocolates? O-Or maybe a-”

“It’s not Hearts and Hooves day Blue,” she giggled. “I think you just being there will be enough.”


_*_


Twenty minutes later, Blueblood looked out the window of his palanquin. Hooves of his guards’ clip-clop on the cobblestones of Canterlot’s streets that mixed in with the onlookers of ponies they pass by. In the warm, late summer air, the Prince nervously glanced at his pocket watch as the minute hoof crept slowly towards six. As much as he tried to present himself as calm and collective, he could still feel every beat of his heart in his chest as they drew near their destination. As much as he knew that he was ready and prepared, there was still something that he felt that he overlooked, except that he didn’t know.

“We’re here, Sire,” one of the guard’s voices said as they slowed down. Looking at the window again, the Prince drank in of the building they stopped at. It was made out of striking red brick, a yellow canape stood over the entrance with both of its wood and glass doors were held open. From the windows, he saw ponies chatting away, eating the food or staring back at the unicorn. In the air, there were hints of tomatoes, freshly baked bread and basil. As Blueblood was helped out of the palanquin, he noticed an iron sign on the corner of the building that proudly displayed its name and an image of a stove on fire.

‘Am I the only one that thinks to name a restaurant that translates to ‘The Burning Kitchen,’ as a little off-putting?’ he thought for a moment before his heart nearly stopped when he looked through the windows again and spotted Fancy. He sat there at a table with a mirror overhead with a glass of water in his aura, looking at the menu. Breathing through his nose, the Prince turned to the entrance, ‘Well… here goes something.’

Of course, no sooner had he stepped right in the restaurant that had paintings of the Istallian countryside, oak tables, bright lights that hang over them did everypony in the dining room glanced over to look at him. Most stared in surprise while others in curiosity before they either bowed or raised their glasses to him as he walked towards Fancy’s table. Passing by the rows of wine racks and the speakers that were playing a slow tempo lounge music song, the first thing he said to the older unicorn was, “I hope that I haven’t been keeping you waiting.”

“For that, the fault is mine,” he replied, “I arrived early. You on the other hoof are on time. That waitress should be coming around soon so take a seat Bluely.” Blueblood did so, but as soon as he did while picking up the menu, he found himself at a loss at what to say. Fortunately, however, Fancy took the lead. “So how have you been lately?”

“Well… my Aunts and cousin have been keeping myself busy. You?”

“Just came back from a smashing exhibition. It was mostly statues that were created by a new fellow in the art world that I’m sure will make a name for…” Fancy trailed off as he noticed a trail of sweat going down the side of the Prince’s face. “Are you alright?”

Blueblood resisted the urge to rub his hooves together, “Yes, I’m fine.”

The blue-maned stallion frowned, “Come on, what’s the matter? You’re not nervous about this, are you?” When the other stallion didn’t respond, Fancy went on.  “Before I start assuming, might I hazard a guess that you’ve really never done anything like this before, have you?” His date shook his head. “Look, I can already tell that you’re probably feeling uncertain about this date. Probably hoping that this will go just right for the sake of impressing me, but could you please do me this one favor?” he nodded, “Don’t. I’m not expecting that this will go perfectly the first time around and neither should you. Now, that doesn’t mean we can’t have a nice dinner between the two of us. In fact, let’s make this easier.”

The Prince raised an eyebrow, “H-How?”

Fancy Pants stood up next to the table and offered him his hoof, “I think it’s best if we start over. Hello, my name is Fancy, and you good sir?”

As absurd as it was, it did manage to get out a laugh out of the tensed unicorn as he too stood up to shake his hoof. “Call me Blueblood. Blueblood Everfree.”

“Charmed, I’ve heard a great many things about you; would you care to dine with me?”

The Prince nodded, “I would like that.”


_*_


While the two of them sat back down at their table with the mirror overhead, Princesses Celestia and Luna were watching them from the one-way window. Nor did either unicorn notice the tiny microphone that was on the lampshade that was right over their heads. The secret observation room was dimmed and soundproofed so that the stallions would have given no second thoughts to the fact that they were being spied on. At that same moment, their attention turned to a pair of hoofsteps that parted the black curtains.

“So what did I miss?” Princess Cadance asked as she sat between her aunts.

“Nothing much is going on,” answered Luna, after setting the bowl of popcorn aside, she folded her forelegs over her withers. “They’ve just started talking, but I suppose that is expected since he just got here.” She looked over to her elder sister, “So what’s your plan here Celestia?”

“I think we might start with something simple,” she answered. “With enough patience and sleight of hoof, I think I could be able to get them to kiss.”

Cadance snorted, “On the first date? How are you going to get them to do that?”

“Can I get your order?” a waitress’s voice through the speaker. All three Princesses turned to the window and spotted the young mare with a notepad and pencil in her hoof. 

Fancy closed up his menu, “I want to get the Zucchini Linguini with a bottle of Sun Uva di Firenze. You?”

“The same,” Blueblood closed his menu, “Along with a salad on the side if you please.”

After jotting down their order and taking the menus away, Fancy started up the conversation with, “So do you go out to eat often?”

Blueblood shook his head, “Not really, personally I see it unnecessary when you grow up in a place where some of the best chefs in the country cook in the kitchens. Though, there are some rare occasions that I do go out with one of my Aunts here and there for a change in scenery. When it does happen, I’m taken to some adventure places like, for example, that tiny place not too far from here. The… Tasty Treat, I think it’s called.”

“Ah yes, I’ve heard good things coming out of that. Planning to go next Saturday myself, given that Hoity loves the curry they make.”

The blond unicorn tilted his head, “Hoity?”

“He’s a fashion critic and a friend of mine – personality wise, Hoity Toity is my bipolar opposite compared to me. For example, he prefers one night stands from local gay bars while I date the old fashion way, by trying to getting to know them first.” After taking a sip of his water, he added, “But I’m afraid that I’m getting rather off topic. What are meals like for you?”

“Usually? I tend to dine alone in my chamber where the chefs serve up a menu that I’ve listed the day before. Say that I wanted a poached egg with a fruit salad for breakfast, a gourmet hayburger with sweet potatoes fries for lunch and a lite daisy salad for dinner with a chocolate mousse on the side tomorrow, I would simply write it down and give it to the head chef so he has an idea what to make at that time. And the following day, they make what I wanted, exactly the way how I like it.”

“Do you ever eat with the Princesses?”

He shrugged, “Sometimes I do, although I personally prefer to dine with Auntie Luna.”

This got several raised eyebrows on both sides of the one-way window, Fancy tilted his head. “Why Luna?”

Blueblood looked around in the room, trying to see if anyone was listening. Then leaning forward, he whispered. “Can you keep a secret?” the blue-maned unicorn nodded. “Whenever I’m in the same room with Celestia, and that we’re eating, she will always find some way to tease me. And by that, I mean that she always finds some way to mess with me.”

“Well, what’s wrong with that? I thought that every family does that to a degree.”

The Prince shook his head, “She makes me the butt of the joke, and I hate it so much – especially after I came out. What’s worse is that she's hardly settle about her jokes. Like a month ago, I’ve ordered some doughnuts for breakfast one morning. Now I don’t know why, but she thought it would be funny to have them arranged in a… particular way. Right in front of her, I was served on a plate, a round doughnut with a long one right next to it that had custard dripping out at one end with two doughnut holes at the other. What do you think it looked like on a plate?” 

In no time, Fancy blushed, “Oh my…”

“That’s not even the worse of it, as soon as that silvery dome was lifted, Auntie Celestia said, ‘Well go on Blue, eat out. The long one is filled with extra custard.’”  Blueblood rested his hooves over his eyes. “It was so embarrassing. You know, I’ll give Auntie Luna credit that, yes, she does have a unique sense of humor too, and at least she doesn’t focus all her jokes solely on me.”

Even without looking, Celestia knew that her younger sister was giving a relishing look. “Don’t say it,” she said irritated. 

“I’m the best Aunt,” Luna teased before giggling. Just then, the waitress came back, balancing a tray. The pasta was dished out, the wine poured and the sides were placed between them. “You know what I’ve just realized,” the night alicorn observed, “is that you still haven’t told us your plan on how to get them to kiss.”

“Now be patient,” the Sun Princess replied. “We just need a window of opportunity and you’ll see how I’ll win the bet.”

“Well that’s rather vague,” Cadance raised an eyebrow. “Still doesn’t explain how you’re going to do it.”

As the two stallions started to dig into their pasta and the princesses were trying to interrogate the white alicorn, none of them took notice of a particular mare with a fedora that had a piece of paper saying “Press” stopping at the window. The unnoticed mare took a double take before she lifted up her camera and snapped a flashing picture.

Both stallions turned their heads away, thus giving Celestia the opportunity she needed. Her horn glowed, picking up a single strand of pasta from Fancy’s fork into her aura and quickly wrapped it around her nephew’s. 

“What was that?” Luna asked, “Did something flashed?”

Cadance ignored her blue aunt’s question, and looked down from the one-way window unimpressed; “Really?” she deadpanned. “That’s your plan?”

“Give it time,” the Sun princess urged as the couple returned to one another.

“You did see that flash did you?” the blond unicorn asked.

“Maybe it’s nothing,” Fancy shrugged. “But you know, you’re not the only one who has been embarrassed by family either.” He smirked, “In fact, I think I might be able to top it.”

Blueblood snorted, “Oh how? The fact that Auntie Celestia implying that I should, in common vulgar terms, ‘get laid’, what can you have that could be more embarrassing than that?”

His date laughed, “Well, before I say it, I think you should know something about my parents, in particular with my father. While I do come from a rich family from Trottingham, we were far from what you would call a ‘normal family.’ My mother had married a stallion who was a manic-depressed, schizophrenic that has been in and out of several mental hospitals. So growing up with him was very… interesting to say the least.” Fancy chuckled, “In fact, I remember that during my high school graduation, he showed up wearing fish netting stocking, a saddle, and a Solar Guard’s helmet. So obviously, either something was wrong or he was the commander of the Male Stripper’s Battalion.”

The Prince quickly covered his muzzle to prevent him from laughing. “Good heavens! That really happened?”

He nodded, “Indeed, as embarrassing as it was, it wasn’t unexpected. He had done several other countless things that had gotten him into asylums. But growing up, I dare say it was rather neat to have a parent that was insane. For example, do you know how little foals draw a picture but you can’t tell what it is? My father had so many Rorschach tests that by the time I was five he knew exactly what I drew every time.” Fancy picked up a napkin in his aura and started pointing his hoof at it and then said in a lower voice. “‘Aw, what do we have here son? Tree, doggy, sun, and oh! There’s the human that implanted the tracking device in my head. You want to feel it?’ If anything,” he added as he put the napkin back. “It was comforting to know that while I was in preschool, busy gluing macaroni to paper plates, father was in therapy was also gluing macaroni to paper plates.”

“At least we have something in common there,” Blueblood pointed out after a sip of his wine. “I’m also related to somepony that went insane a long time ago and was locked away for it.”

“Ah yes,” Fancy nodded, “Nightmare Moon. Did you ever talk to Princess Luna about the… incident?”

The blond unicorn shook his head, “I don’t it would be a good idea. She gets… agitated whenever the topic is brought up.” He shrugged, “Then again, who could blame her? I know it’s something that she isn’t proud of. Even if I did wanted to know about it, I don’t know how to or if I should. Of course, she’s completely different than what she’s been described in the stories as Nightmare, she’s eccentric but she does care about a lot of things and wants to learn about everything. But if I went up to her and said, ‘So auntie Luna, what was it like being on the moon,’ and keep pushing it, I’m afraid that I’ll end up on the moon. I think it’s best not to ask.”

In the secret room, two princesses looked over to Luna, “I don’t know if that’s heartwarming or devastating,” she commented.

“Ah! Here we go!” Celestia pointed out as both stallions raised their forks into their mouths. A long string of pasta bridged the two of them, and it didn’t take long for both of them to notice. They paused, looking between their date and the line of linguine.

“Of course you realized how incredibly clichéd this is,” the blue-maned unicorn said as Blueblood blushed. Just then another flash was seen and the two of them turned their heads just in time to see a reporter with a camera running out. “Uh-oh.”

“H-Hey!” Blueblood stood up and quickly went after the mare. “Where are you going with that camera!”

As Fancy too got up for the chase, Cadance and Luna glared at the older alicorn, “What?” she inquired, “How was I supposed to know that would happen?” 

“You know,” Luna folded her forelegs, “our nephew is right on one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“You’re not good at being subtle.”
> Chapter VIII: Of Gossip and Movie Tickets
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It wasn’t uncommon for the press, (in particular the magazines that release hasten articles about celebrities, rumors, and suspicious looking photographs) to print stories about the Royal Family. On some days, they would print about Princess Celestia’s diet habits or spread rumors about an affair involving Cadance. Of course, many of these sources that come from gossip magazines weren’t taken seriously since much of what they end up printing turns out to be false.

However, when a picture of Prince Blueblood and Fancy Pants eating from both sides of rather a long noodle, looking at one another made the front page of The Canterlot Times, did it give the Prince reason to take a spit-take of his morning coffee. The blond unicorn was his royal apartment, the unicorn quickly forgot the breakfast that he was being served on his small table to flip open the paper in sheer horror.



	
The Prince and the Royal Daddy: 

Has Blueblood Finally Taken a Suitor?
 

(Canterlot, Equestria)

Last night, our journalist photographer had taken a fascinating picture of what appears to be Prince Blueblood having an intimate moment with Art Patron, Fancy Pants (See above). The photo was taken at the Istallion restaurant, Il Fuoco Della Cucina. While it isn’t unusual for a member of the Royal Family to occasionally dine outside of the castle, especially in the case of Blueblood. What is unusual, however, is the fact that from the collective interviews from the restaurant staff was that he was seeming to be dining alone with Fancy Pants.

“At first I didn’t put much thought into it, really,” said Thyme Leaf, the waitress who had served the Prince and the Patron. “The staff was really excited to get a Royal visit to our place, you know, something to help further promote the restaurant. But now that I think about it, when I wasn’t interrupting those two with food and such, I would have to say that they were acting something like a couple… Just the way how they talked and looked at one another, they act like how couples do when they eat here.”

What was the most intriguing was the fact that Blueblood was dining alone with Fancy Pants?  As far as we know, the Patron, while he has indeed had spoken to both Princesses Celestia and Luna, there’s no mentioning about him meeting the Prince until this photo was taken. This, of course, raises several questions over the circumstances. Fancy, while he has been divorced for about a decade, he had made no mentioning about returning to the dating field – which raises the question: Why was Fancy Pants there to begin with?

If the photograph is anything to go off of, this might suggest that both stallions might be closer than what anypony had assumed. Perhaps, the outed Prince might have finally found someone that could be his possible Royal Suitor? An unheard Royal Affair? Or a possible one night stand? Confirmation on this is still left unknown, and the Royal Family has refused to comment at this time.



“Oh good Celestia,” the blond unicorn moaned, his ears folded back, cheeks made evidence of his embarrassment, and rubbed over his eyes. ‘Just what I need! Right when everything was going perfectly, this happens! I can’t believe that mare got away to show that picture on the news.’ For several minutes, he let the stillness of his chamber to make it easier to wallow in mortification. He didn’t feel like finishing his breakfast as he just felt exposed to the world… again.

Then there was a knock on his door before a guard walked in, “Your Highness,” he said, “Princess Luna wishes to speak with you.”

After taking in a deep breath, he told him to send the blue alicorn in. To which, the door was held wide to let Luna come trotting in. “We’ve just seen the news, are you doing alright dear nephew?”

He responded with a hard gaze, “How do you think I am doing?”

“Not that good I’m assuming,” she sat down across from his dining table. “We take it that you were not ready in telling the whole world about Fancy?”

Another sigh escaped her nephew’s lips. “I knew that Equestria would find out about us eventually. I mean, I do like him and all, but I was rather hoping to do that until we were certain that we’re… you know. In love. I didn’t want them to know about us until then because the last thing I wanted was to have everyone outside of these walls thinking about us that we’re only doing this for sex. Everything was going so well last night and now it’s ruined!” He folded his forelegs, pouting. “We had to spend a good fifteen minutes going after that mare with a camera only for her to get away. I mean, is a little privacy too big of a price to ask for? A quiet dinner with him in order to get to know each other turned into this.”

“Your consort has not asked to repeal the relationship, has he?”

Blueblood shook his head, “Thankfully no. We ended walking back to the restaurant with him trying to tell me not to worry about  it, that it might have been a tourist or something along those lines.” Lifting up his copy of the newspaper, he gave it a disapproved look, “I wonder if Fancy had seen this? He must be mortified by now.”

“Why not you go and see?” his aunt suggested, “After all, they know where he lives so they can simply take you to him. I would encourage it.”

The Prince raised an eyebrow, “Why are you here?”

“My reasons are twofold. The first is to check up on you and to comfort you in light of this. If you’ve read that paper, then you must know that we haven’t confirmed nor denied about the status of your relationship with Consort Fancy Pants without you saying otherwise. We think that the next time you go on a date that we should up the security in order to prevent such a thing happening again.”

“And the other?”

Luna lifted up a wing in which she held two tickets. “If you wouldn’t mind, I think I have a suggestion that you and your consort may do that is fun.”

“What are those?” the Prince lit up his horn to pick up what was on her aunt’s wing and held them close for him to see. “Movie tickets?”

“I may have pulled a few strings,” Luna admitted, “that I have rented out a theater in order to show a film. One in which it would be just you and Fancy to sit there in the dark.”

Blueblood looked took a closer look at the two sheets of paper. “‘Til Death Do Us Part’? I don’t think I ever heard of it, Auntie Luna.”

“That’s because it’s just been rediscovered. From what I know, it’s from what they called the ‘silent era.’ It’s supposed to be a romantic horror movie that was once to have thought to have been lost until recently. Actually, now that I think about it, I was told that it was considered a little too shocking at the time that it was never released in theaters. Somepony found a copy of it in a vault, along with the original score that was supposed to be played along with it.”

“So in other words, you’re giving me tickets for me and Fancy into seeing a silent movie?”

“A lost film is more like it,” his aunt pointed out. “Of course, you would probably speak to coltfriend about this. Still, I would encourage it,” she smiled as she got up, taking enjoyment of seeing her nephew’s cheeks turning red at the word ‘coltfriend’. “Now, I must be off, there are a few things I need to do before I retire to bed. Good morning, Blueblood.”

“Um… Thanks, Auntie,” he replied as he watched the blue alicorn exited from his chambers. 


_*_


“We’re here, Your Highness,” his guards set the palanquin down near the steps of the grand blue house. As he expected, standing in front of the door were two Solar Guards that flanked both sides of the peal white door. Once the door of his mode of transport was opened, the Prince stepped out and went straight for the door, pulling on the rope to ring the bell.

It didn’t take too long for it to be answered. The door swung open to reveal a familiar unicorn mare with a pink mane. “Your Grace,” she said dryly while bowing.

“Fleur,” Blueblood nodded. “What exactly are you doing here?”

“I’m your coltfriend’s bodyguard. I tend to protect him whenever he goes out.”

This made the Prince raise an eyebrow, “Funny, I didn’t see you anywhere last night.”

“Trained to hide in plain sight, remember.” She leaned against the door, “But let’s get to the point, you’re here for Fancy are you?”

“I am, is he here.”

“He’s in his study, gathering up all the things he would need today.”

“Would you allow me to come in?” Blueblood asked, and at this, she stepped aside and showed him in. The Prince didn’t exactly know what to expect as he stepped inside his suitor’s home to be like. Sure, he didn’t exactly expect it to be anywhere near the grandeur of the palace per-say. He half estimated that for somepony who is the top patron in Canterlot to be packed with grand artwork from the basement to the attic. To be stuffed with statues in the foyer, paintings in the hallways, tapestries in the dining room, stained-glass in the bedrooms, expensive hoofstiched carpets on the stairs and costumed made chandlers on the ceiling.

However, what he found was surprisingly modest. Yes, there were a few statues here and there, and paintings too. The interior has hardwood flooring, white walls, classical columns, and ceiling. There was some simplistic molding overhead and around the black, cast iron chandeliers. In this clean environment, any other color that was inside seemed to have made the paintings pop out as Fleur lead the blond unicorn through the hallways to a door.

After she knocked on it, she opened it and stuck her head in, “Guess who’s here?”

“Send him in,” he heard Fancy’s voice say. The Prince entered a grass green library in which it had a Neighponese theme from his desk to the scroll-like tapestries that hung on the wall. For a moment, Blueblood was taken aback at the number of books that surrounded the desk. The blue-maned unicorn looked up from his papers, “Oh! Bluey, what are you doing here?”

The Prince turned to the ex-royal guard, “Leave us Fleur. I want to speak to him alone.”

While she obeyed, his consort’s interest had been piqued. “Do you know her?”

“I knew her for a time.” He walked up to the desk, “She used to be in the Royal Guard some time ago, and if I remembered right, Fleur de Lis used to scare the living daylights out of everyone else.”

Fancy leaned back in his seat, “I already knew that to a point. After all, her previous occupation was a major reason I gave her the job of a bodyguard. So far, she has been doing a smashing job at it.”

This got a chuckle out of Blueblood, “When she served the crown and that she earned the title of commander, she was so good at her job to the point where it scared the guard. I mean, she’s the kind of mare that she could easily mime you with a napkin,” the look on Fancy’s face dropped, “Yes, she’s that good.”

“Well, good thing we’re friends then,” the wealthy pony commented as he rubbed the back of his head. “But back on topic, what do you come for?”

“For two reasons. The first is that I want to apologize,” Fancy tilted his head and asked what for. “The date last night ended in complete disaster, and I think it was my fault. If only I had added some more guards around that night, you and I wouldn’t end up on the front page.”

Much to the younger unicorn’s confusion, the older was laughing. “Really? That’s why you’re here? Oh Bluey, I’ve already seen it. I’m not embarrassed by it at all. Although, I did receive a telegram from a certain mare in Ponyville that I may have unintentionally broken her heart because of that article.”

Blueblood was about to ask but quickly shook his head, “No, that’s not the point I’m trying to get at. Last night’s date wasn’t perfect and all I wanted was for it to go right, you know, being our first date and all.”

“Second,” Fancy corrected him.

“We’re not doing that again!” the Prince interrupted. “The point is that I’ve made a mistake that has ended up costing us and… I feel guilty about it. So here,” he reached into his pockets and pulled out the movie tickets. “I want to make it up to you. So if you’re still interested, would you go out on a date with me again?”

The older unicorn looked at the tickets for a moment before putting a hoof over his heart, “Oh Blueblood, you don’t have to because I didn’t think that dinner last night wasn’t half bad. Sure, there was that chase, but I did have a brilliant time with you. There’s no need to apologize.”

“But it wasn’t perfect,” the Prince muttered.

“Trust me; I’ve been on dates a good deal worse than last night so that was nothing to be concerned over. But to answer your question, yes, I would love to go out with you again. May I see those tickets?” Blueblood gave the tickets to him where he adjusted his monocle. “‘Til Death Do Us Part at the Magic Lantern Theater’? While I am familiar with the theater, I don’t think I’ve heard of the movie.”

“My Auntie Luna gave me those, said that it will be a screening of a long lost silent movie that’s just been found,” he took notice that his suitor’s face had an uneasy look. “What?”

“Blueblood, while you’re here, can I ask you to do something for me?”

“And that being?”

“The next time you see Princess Luna, could you implore her not to come into my dreams again? Last night she stumbled into mine while I was in a…” he coughed into his hoof, bearing a shade of scarlet on his cheeks, “compromising position. It would be appreciated to know that she won’t enter my dreams without invitation.”

Blueblood stared at his consort for a long, silent minute. “Compromising position?”

“Trust me, old sport, the less you know, the better off you’ll be.”
> Chapter IX: Movie Night (Part 1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Magic Lantern Theater is considered to be one of Canterlot’s oldest movie cinemas. A time casual from an era of art deco, enormous seating covered in velvet, an orchestra pit, and the smell of popcorn in the air. It was the kind that nearly resembled an opera house by design from the foyer to the auditorium.

Outside of the theater, as their armed escort came to a stop, the couple looked out to a theater that proudly displayed in lights of the first screening of the newly discovered film. There was a line of moviegoers that waited to get to the ticket booth in the very front. The Prince was also grateful of noticing the Lunar Guards at the front door, checking for cameras before anyone went in.

“You know,” Fancy commented the bright headboard as he and Blueblood stepped out of the palanquin. “This is quite the crowd for a silent movie. Then again, I guess the fact that it’s obscure might contribute to the fact.”

“I do wonder what it’s about though,” the Prince said as he and his date approached the ticket booth. “Auntie Luna said it was a romantic horror film that was considered too shocking when it was made. Then again, with so much time has passed, perhaps what we’ll get will be tamed in comparison.”

“Don’t count on that just yet,” replied the elder unicorn. “There are a few silent films out there that could give a grown stallion like my nightmares. So who knows what we’ll see.”

They walked past the booth and up to the doors where a young unicorn in a red uniform stood with a hole puncher in his aura. “Tickets please,” Fancy gave them to him in which he carved a couple of holes in them. “Confections are on the left, and the theater is just up the stairs, enjoy the show.”

Giving their tickets back and walking past the guards, the couple entered a brightly lit, golden foyer that had a long glass counter the contained rows of candies. And behind the few ponies in a red uniform were the popcorn machine and soda fountains that looked like they haven’t aged outside of the building. Indeed, it almost seemed that they’ve stepped back in time.

“Popcorn sirs?” a teenage pegasus inquired in his crackling voice. “Or ice cream floats?”

Fancy was the first to approach the counter, “Why would you look at these. Daisy Cups, Caramel Bars, Twister’s Liquorish, I haven’t seen any of these since I was a colt.”

“You can get a couple with a large bowl of popcorn,” the uniformed pegasus told him. “Would you like that, sir?”

After telling Fancy that he would have only water before he let his date order whatever he wanted, Blueblood’s attention turned when he heard: “So the rumors were true after all.” Looking over his shoulder, where he found a gray Earth Pony who had a white and gray mane that was styled as a baroque wig, sunglasses, a fan for a cutie mark, and white cuffs on his forelegs.

Blueblood felt tensed up, “U-Uh… sorry?”

“You really are with sexy Pants, are you Princy?”

The blond unicorn’s first instinct was to immediately back away from that pony, only to bump into his date who turned around. “Hoity!”

“Hey there Fancy!” the gray stallion walked over to hug him, “It’s been a while hasn’t it?”

“I didn’t expect to see you here, what brought you here old sport?”

“Here on a date, he’s in the bathroom right now and he-”

“Who are you?” the Prince interrupted the conversation.

“Oh!” Fancy chuckled, “Where have my manners run off to? Blueblood, this is a friend of mine, Hoity Toity. Hoity, this is Prince Blueblood.”

“Charmed,” the gray stallion bowed a bit before turning to the older unicorn, “Now seriously Fancy, why are princes flocking over to you and not me?”

He shrugged, “You could call it dumb luck. But what about you? Who are you dating this time?”

“Somepony brand new, you know Cosmare Magazine? There’s a new photographer who has been shooting some of my latest designs. He seemed rather delicious so I thought, ‘Why not?’ and asked him out. His name is Fashion Plate by-the-way. But for the moment, I’m rather hoping that you would settle something for me?”

“That being?”

He smirked, “Is it true that you really are going out with him?” Hoity pointed at the Prince.

Blueblood glanced over at his date before Fancy could speak, he spoke up, “Mr. Pants has agreed to do some trial runs with me, for the sake of getting to know one another better.”

The gray stallion snorted, “That’s quite the mouthful to say that you are.” He took off his sunglasses for a moment and winked at Fancy, “Lucky devil. How come you get the really good ones?”

“Uh, excuse me,” a nasal voice was heard, the three of them turned to the counter where the teenager had a striped popcorn bowl with a couple of candy bars sticking out and two tall drinks. “That’ll be thirty bits please.”

“I think it's best we head to our seats,” Blueblood insisted as he used his magic to pick up the snacks. He started for the staircase before his date could get a word out of it.

“What’s gotten into him?” Hoity wondered aloud.


_*_


It took a while for Fancy to find his date that sat sulking in one of the box seats. “You know, as a rule,” he said as he walked past the curtain. “If you’re going to suddenly run off like that, the least you could do is to give me an idea where.”

Blueblood rubbed his forehead, “I know, I know. I wasn’t thinking back there.”

The older unicorn sat down next to him, “But why did you? We were having some small talk with a friend of mine then you stormed out? I don’t understand why you would do that.”

“It’s a little difficult to explain,” the Prince sighed. “I guess it’s out of force of habit. Tell me, Fancy, how long ago have you come out to everypony?”

“Since I was nineteen, why?”

“Look, what I’m trying to get at is that… I’m…” Blueblood’s ears folded back, “I’m not used to having ponies outside of family talk about… this. It’s one thing for my Aunts to chat about us, but it’s another when it’s from someone I don’t know. Growing up, I’ve learned how to conceal myself, to show others what I wanted them to show. Including my… orientation. But now with the news and your friend, do you know how naked it is to be this exposed?”

The blond unicorn felt a hoof on his back was being rubbed in circles, looking to his right, he saw his consort’s have a sober expression. “My apologies then, I didn’t know that you would be uncomfortable having everypony know about us. I assumed that since you came out-”

“No,” Blueblood interrupted, “that’s not what I’m trying to say. It’s not having others know that I prefer… ponies like us. Rather I’m not as used to hearing them speak of something so personal.”

“You just need some time to get used to it,” Fancy reached down and grabbed one of the candy bars. “Do you want one?”

The Prince grimaced, “I prefer to have something more refined than carnival fare. I, on the other hoof, am surprised that you’re the one that orders all of this.”

“There’s no shame in eating ‘carnival fare’ as you put it when they taste so good.” His date replied as he unwrapped one of the bars. “I’m willing to share if you ask.”

Soon the lights in the theater had dimmed, and in the spotlight on stage walked out a mare in a black dress. “Mares and Gentlecolts, may I have your attention, please? Before we begin our show, I want to give a quick introduction to the film and the string quartet that will be playing for us this evening.” The chatter in the theater had at this point died down, and all ears were pointed directly at the mare on stage.

“First of all, I would like to thank you all for coming out to see, what is technically the premiere of ‘Til Death Do Us Part.’ What you are about to see is a film that was made nearly a century ago but has never been released in theaters until now. It was made near the end of the silent movie era before sound was introduced, so the fact that this once lost film was not only found but has the original score for string quartet is really a once in a lifetime chance.

“This film is not only combined both romantic and horror for the first time, but it possibly might be the earliest to feature a same-sex couple – something that was considered avant-garde at the time.” There was a murmur in the audience before she continued, “Now, there were a few who said that those who worked on this movie were cursed during the production of this picture. For example, the two lead actors have met a grim fate where one had died on set while the other had mysteriously disappeared for reasons unknown. Even the composer of the score that you’re about to hear had apparently gone insane by the time he finished writing it. Perhaps, tonight we might find out why this film was banned from being released.

“And now, with the help of the Cantlerlot String Quartet, tonight the Magic Lantern proudly presents the world premiere of ‘Til Death Do Us Part.’ Please, enjoy the show.” The audience applauded as she walked off stage and four other ponies came on. They bowed before they went over toward the covered orchestra pit where four chairs and music stands sat. As they turned up, the red and gold curtain behind them was parted wide, revealing a white screen. Flipping their music sheets to the opening pages, the first violinist raised his bow and looked over to the screen, readying for the movie to start.

As soon as light from the projector materialized the title card on the screen did the quartet began its slow crawl of an opening, “‘Til Death Do Us Part. Keralight Studios. 928.” It was encircled with the white outlines of a spider’s web with skulls in the corners of the screen. For about three minutes as the quartet played an eerie opening, other title cards appeared that introduced the small cast and the legions of ponies from long ago that had a role in putting the movie together from location scout to the director. 

While the film was opening, all, except for three princesses, had their eyes on the screen. They were hidden, of course, watching from the shadows of their box seat on the other side as the couple seated. Luna looked through her opera glasses and smirked at the sight of her nephew and his coltfriend were close to one another as the spooky music was playing.

“So what’s your plan?” Princess Cadance whispered.

“I think we should start with something simple,” Luna explained quietly. “This theater and the movie playing should provide the right conditions for them to get close. If the film gets too frightening for either, the other should bring them close for the sake of comfort. Or maybe have them a good time to riff the film to the point where it could get them into the mood as if were. And if luck is on my side, then I may have them making out before the motion picture could be over.”

“Something tells me they won’t,” Celestia said in a singing voice as she rolled her eyes.

“Oh? As if your noodle idea was any better?” They were shushed from the audience and the Night Princess winced, taking a quick glance to make sure their nephew didn’t notice, luckily he didn’t.

“Auntie Celestia does have a point,” the pink alicorn in black responded. “This is hardly the kind of setting in which those two would either declare their love or even gives so much as a smooch. Then again, it could happen, but that does seem rather unlikely though – especially in a room full of ponies.”

“Ah, but in a darken room nonetheless,” Luna grinned. “Surely, those two would reason that while it’s dim and everypony’s attention is towards the screen that they could get away with it without anyone noticing.” 

“Though I still have my doubts baby sister,” the Princess of the Sun told her. 

On the screen, the film opened up on a dilapidated mansion with a crescent moon overhead. It was three stories tall with shingles missing, windows were broken, shutters long been fallen off and smashed, paint faded away to reveal the gray wood, the front door boarded up, an overgrown lawn filled with tall weeds and a long dried up fountain. The camera then backed away to show the untamed trees and bushes that stood nearby like guards until the screen came to a stop when it went through the bars of an iron gate with a “No Trespassing” sign. Complete with a padlocked gate.




Sunglass Manor. Once a lively place a century ago now stands silent. Tarnished by tragedy, this disgraced home is all forgotten and abandoned by the family that kept this place alive. But now, it remains deathly quiet, with no soul dared to enter its hallowed halls.







That was… except for one who was looking for shelter.


	

The audience watched as the camera cut to a raggedy Earth Pony in the moonlight with the wind blowing at his bearded face, teeth chattering in the cold. He held on from one of his forelegs a bindle that thrashed about in the gale. The stallion stopped for a moment, breathing into his hooves and rubbing them.




Hard Trek, a stallion that has been homeless, was walking all night. Seeking for a place to warm his icy hooves, he is cold and tired. And he wishes for a place for him to rest his head.




Eventually, the pony went up to the locked gate, examining the rusty padlock and yanking on the chain. Apparently, the links of that chain were so old that after giving it a few tugs that it came apart, allowing the stallion to push open the gate and started to make his way towards the mansion. On the screen, the homeless guy walked up to one of the broken windows and after looking around, tossed his bindle in before climbing inside. To which, the camera cut to the inside in which the audience could make out the silhouettes of a couch, armchair and a table with something on it. Out of the darkness, Hard Trek’s shadow pulled open his bindle to take out a box of matches to illuminate himself. He walked towards the table to which he found an old kerosene lamp that had some liquid in it. After lighting another match, he lit the lamp that helped brighten up what appeared to be a darkened living room.

The stallion’s ears folded back but had a look of confusion on his face. For there was a good reason, unlike the outside of the mansion, the room itself appeared to be not only clean, but the decor appeared to be what all other living rooms were two hundred years ago. In the flickering kerosene light, there was floral wallpaper, oil paintings, even a mirror that was hung in a guild frame.




“Hello! Is anypony here?”




The camera cut to a close up of him.




“I-I’m cold and lost. If anyone is in here, could you at least let me warm up in here? It’s a cold night out there.”




However, nothing seemed to happen.

While the screen showed Hidden Trek moving towards the hearth to light a fire, Fancy leaned over to Blueblood. “How do you think this is going to end?” he whispered. “Do you suppose this is a lost vampire film?”

“I hope not,” the Prince grumbled. “This would make it things way too predictable. Then again, being a silent movie, I don’t exactly have that high of an expectation out of it.”

On the screen, the homeless pony got a fire going when it cut to Trek's side as he rubbed his hooves and held them out to the flames. Behind him was a doorframe that was inky black that contrast to the bright Earth Pony that paid no mind of a figure that was taking shape. From the open double doors, an outline slowly materialized until a face appeared. It was that of a tall, pale unicorn that had a tall white collar that was held together in a black cravat, a gray vest, and a midnight dark suit. 




“Why are you here?”




This got an imitate reaction from the homeless pony, his head quickly snapped to the doorway, a hoof over his chest. Trek immediately began apologizing to the unicorn as more of him came into the light of the fire. He explained that he was cold, tired and lost that he was looking for shelter. The pony further said that he’ll leave if his host just gave him a minute to warm up a little. But even as the tall unicorn leaned over him, he put a hoof underneath his beard, looking down at the poor fellow and asked if he knew him.

Trek shook his head.




“Are you sure we haven’t met before? Your face is familiar to me. As if…”




The unicorn silently trailed off as his eyes went wide. A close up of Trek’s face was shown, his beard had faded away to reveal a young, handsome face before it blurred back to his original look. The stranger stood back in amazement. Trek tilted his head and asked if something was wrong.




“No. Nothing at all. You said that you were cold? Do you have someplace else to be?”




The camera cut to the two of them, the homeless guy’s ears fell flat against his head, glancing over to the fire.




“Go where? I have no place to go to... Mister…?”




It was here that the stranger gave a warm smile.




“Call me Mr. Glass, I’m the caretaker. And you sir, are welcomed here.”




As Mr. Glass put a hoof on the other’s shoulder, Trek sighed in relief. He seemed to thank the unicorn before he yawned, glancing over towards the old couch; the ragged stallion went over and flopped onto it. He made a hoof gesture as if asking his host if he minded, the pale unicorn shook his head. Another yawn escaped his muzzle as he curled up on the couch, wrapping his forelegs around himself, letting sleep overcame him.

Mr. Glass, as soon as it was made clear the homeless stallion was asleep, seemed to glide over to one of the arms of the couch and knelt down near his head. At first, he had a smile on his face before it dropped to worry. With a hoof, he raised it and gently stroked the poor pony’s mane as softly as he could.




“Oh my love, what have they done to you?”




When Blueblood saw that, he raised an eyebrow, “Now things are getting interesting.” He commented.
> Chapter X: Movie Night (Part 2)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The film continued with the next scene showing Hidden Trek exploring the mansion, eating an apple while peering through each room he passed. From a single take tracking shot, the camera follows the raggedy stallion from behind down the seemingly well-preserved hall, from time to time passing an open door to showroom after room. They were similar to the living room in which they all had no signs of electricity, old technology and even décor that would be considered primitive by 920’s standards. There were unlit gas lighting, floral wallpaper of tangling vines, hoof craft furniture of the highest quality, and even had to tick clocks.

In the next shot, it showed the overview of a grand foyer from the top of the staircase. If it weren’t for the obvious broken and boarded up windows, this enormous room with its black-and-white marble floor, it’s a balcony that connects the staircase and the crystal chandler, it would be easily be mistaken for a rich home in Canterlot. On the screen, Trek entered from the right, marveling at the grandeur of the room. 




“Mr. Glass? Where are you?”




A perplex look was on the homeless stallion’s face, his ears tried to listen carefully for any sign. Then suddenly, they perked up as if he heard something. The camera then followed him across the grand foyer into the other hallway to a door. There inside a library, was Mr. Glass sitting alone in the dark as he was putting a book back on one of the towering shelves. The unicorn straightens himself up as his guest entered the dimly lit room.  




“There you are. I was looking around for you in this fancy place of yours. What are you doing in here in the dark?”




The unicorn lit up his horn to pick up a feather duster. Picking up another book, he dusted the old tome for a moment before placing it back.




“I’ve been cleaning the library while you were asleep. These books are in need of dusting.”




Shrugging, Trek was about to take another bite of his apple before he paused and tried to present it to his host, to which he shook his head. The bearded stallion inquired about if the unicorn had anypony to help him, remarking how that the inside is like walking through a museum while the outside is falling apart. Mr. Glass replied that he is bound to keep the inside of the mansion preserved as long as possible, to make sure those things the way it was in its height.

Hidden Trek then went on to thank him for allowing him a place to sleep the night before, and before he could bid him farewell, Mr. Glass suddenly shot out a hoof along with a pleading look.




“Wait! Who says you have to leave? You said that you have no place to go, I can allow you a room here as well as a job if you wish.”




This seemed to have captured the raggedy stallion’s attention. His mouth moved as if to question what kind of job his host is referring to.




“I’m trying to preserve the mansion, and while I still have the wealth to do so, I can’t leave the house because I have a sickness if I’m exposed to direct sunlight. But maybe if I hire you, then perhaps you may help restore the exterior to its former glory. That way, you can live here and have a job to go along with it.”




At this point, Blueblood frowned, “I’m calling it, Mr. Glass is a vampire. That’s what it’s got to be.”

“How do you know?” Fancy inquired.

“Oh come on, he can’t go out into direct sunlight? What else could it be?”

“I’m suspecting that it could be something else. Let’s wait and see.”

On screen, Trek thanked Mr. Glass and shook his hoof. The unicorn then fetched a small chest that was filled with jewelry and told him to go into town so that he could buy food, new clothing, and to get a shave as well first before he could start on his new job. Taking the box, the homeless pony thanked him again as he rushed out of the library. The unicorn sighed happily as he returned to his work before an iris closed the scene.




“Welcome home, my dearest.”




The next scene opened up on a long, wooden table lit by candlelight. Mr. Glass sat in his seat next to Mr. Trek who was digging into his bowl of soup. Hidden had transformed from out of his rags into a nicer suit that was in the style of the 20’s. His face was shaven and cleaned, revealing a young, handsome face.

Fancy nudged his date, “Look's like you, doesn't it?” Blueblood rolled his eyes and returned to watching the screen. He noticed that while Trek was eating away, his host, however, left his bowl completely untouched. It was Mr. Glass that started the conversation.




“You look much better.”




The Earth Pony looked down at the untouched bowl and asked if he was going to eat his dinner. Mr. Glass replied that he didn’t feel hungry, much to the suspicion of his guest. At point blank range, Trek asked him if he was a vampire, thus getting his host, along with the audience chuckling. In reply, the unicorn tells him that he isn’t one, and reaffirms his claim about his condition that permits him from stepping outside of the mansion before changing the subject.




“Out of curiosity, Mr. Trek, why were you homeless to begin with? You seemed to be a nice fellow.”




Hidden’s expression changed to a guilty look as if he was hiding something. At first, he shook his head, silent expressing that he doesn’t want to share it. During this moment, there were no title cards as Trek kept on refusing, getting increasingly uncomfortable at his host’s questioning. Eventually, with a sigh, he gave in.




“Let’s just say… I was kicked out by my parents that don’t want me anymore.”







“They found out that I had a crush on somepony that they didn’t exactly approve of to stay in their home… or to give money… or to speak to again.”




The camera cut to Mr. Glass, that while there was sympathy, oddly enough, there was also hope in his eyes.




“Who was it?”




Trek eyes shifted back and forth on the screen, ears folded flat against his head. Even his hooves showed his anxiety.




“I… I rather not say, sir. Let’s just agree that the less you know, the better off you’ll be.”




His unicorn host apologized, and seeing how the former homeless guy was already finished with his meal, he offered to show him to his new room upstairs. The scene changed to a very large and very extravagant bedroom in which the two stallions entered. Mr. Glass raised a hoof and looked at his guest.




“This bedroom once belonged to the Master of the House, but now, I giving it to you with all the possessions therein.”




Of course, Hidden Trek walked deeper into the enormous chamber with astonishment. Gazing at the tall posts of the bed, the hearth that was made out of cut marble, the rows of bookshelves, the drawers that had ancient clothing, the pocket watches, and a cabinet full of aged brandy. The Earth Pony turned to Mr. Glass and while he thanked him, he inquired as to why he was being so kind to him.




“Because I like you.”




After giving a small bow, the unicorn backed away and closed the door behind him – leaving Trek all by himself inside the grand room. After shrugging, the stallion started to prepare himself for bed with the camera following him. Eventually, he got over to the bed in which he paused. There on one of the pillows, tied up in a black ribbon was a single rose. Confused, Trek picked it up, asking where the flower came from before the screen fading to black.




	Days went by, and through Mr. Glass’s wealth, Hidden Trek was able to hire enough ponies to be set to work on reconstructing Glass Manor to its former glory. Windows were replaced, wooden boards were sawed, fresh paint was applied, and the gardens outside were tamed back to the way it once was.




The camera opened up from an iris lens to show the two stallions by a refurbished window with the moon in the background. While Mr. Glass was holding up what appeared to be dusty plans from long ago, Trek was wiping his sweaty brow. He told him that the workers have made good progress in that all the broken windows have been replaced, and all the weeds that surrounded the manor have been pulled out. While his host turned employer thanked him, Hidden Trek also added something that gave the unicorn pause.




“You know, this place is very beautiful once all the weeds and mold are gone. I wonder how all of this happened that somepony would just leave this gorgeous estate to rot.”




Now this time, it was Mr. Glass’s turn to be uneasy as he rolled up the plans tightly. Of course, Hidden Trek asked what was wrong. In response, the unicorn invited him to walk with him down the halls of the mansion. As they started, there was a look on Mr. Glass’s face as if he was remembering something melancholy.




“You were right; Sunglass Manor was once the most beautiful estates in the country. Many moons ago, this place was once filled with life with its warm Hearths Warming to those lazy summers in the gardens. The stallion that had built the mansion used to be the head of a company that made exquisite glassware. They're best in the world.”




The two of them stopped for a moment in front of a portrait of a stingy looking gray stallion. The unicorn in the portrait was dressed like Mr. Glass, only he was much older and had a dark beard underneath his glasses.




“Since Sun Glass built the manor, he was the Head of the House so he and his family would spend the rest of their lives in luxury. Eventually, he and his wife had a colt that was their pride and joy. Their foal was given everything on a silver platter, where through his parents; he could have anything he wanted.”




The camera made a close-up on the unicorn with a wistful look.




“Well… almost anything. When he grew up, he like another stallion his age wanted one thing out of life. And that was love. However, no matter how many mares that came to court him, his heart never budged… None of the ladies that came were able to sway him. For a while, he thought that he would never find love… until one fateful day.”




Then in the next shot, it opened up in the grand foyer where the stallion that had a strong resemblance to the portrait came walking down the stairs down to the rows of ponies that stood at attention. From the clothing they wore, it was clear to the audience that they were servants and this was a flashback. The Master of the House went up to each one as if he were inspecting them like how a Sergeant would with his regiment.




“On the day when the mansion took on new servants for replacements, a young stallion by the name of Hard Tack came looking for work. Like you, he was homeless and he too was kicked out of his home. But he was willing to do whatever the manor had in mind for him.”




The next shot showed shadows on the wall of the elderly unicorn talking to what seemed to be an Earth Pony. For a moment, their jaws moved, a few nods until they booth shook hooves.




“The Master of the House assigned Hard Tack to be his son’s personal valet in which he would help him dress, running his baths and take care of his personal items. Yet, on that day, it was the beginning of something tragic.”




Upon the screen, both Fancy and Blueblood watched a sort of montage in which it showed the Master’s son and Hard Tack slowly began a very close relationship. In one shot, it would show the servant dressing him, then in the next, it would dissolve to them laughing, and then showing them taking a stroll through the gardens, then show one of them nursing the other back to health. A series of moments strolled through that illustrated what kind of relationship they shared.

Blueblood leaned over to his consort again, “Am I noticing that they’re not showing their faces?”

“You’re not the only one,” Fancy remarked, “They’ve either showed their shadows, them below the neck and at a distance too. Now I wonder why they would do it like this.”

On the screen, before it cut to a title card, it showed the couple’s shadows in an attic space with a large, round window casting light upon their outlines upon the floor. 




“In the matter of months, the son of the Master had done something unthinkable – something that was considered a perversion of nature itself. He and his Valet had fallen in love. It grew to a point where one could not simplify imagine life without the other. At the same time, if anypony knew of their secret, it would bring upon the family eternal shame.







“Yet, such was their love, they were willing to risk it.”




The silhouettes of the two stallions both leaned forward for a kiss in the moonlight. Yet, in this happy moment, a new light was flung open in which showed the shadow of a gasping maid.




“One night in the attic, they were caught by the head maid sharing their first kiss. Horrified, the two of them begged her not to tell anyone. However, she followed the rules of her duty and told the Master of the House.”




While the screen showed the old unicorn marching, his face furry with rage before the camera showed only his shadow and stopped before his son’s, Blueblood glanced over to his date. Looking between the obvious shouting from the father on screen and his consort, Fancy was staring at the film intently but had a rather sad look on his face. The Prince caught a glimpse of the berating father from the movie getting so angry that he slapped his son – and at the very same moment, he saw his consort reacted by quickly lifting a hoof to touch his own cheek as if he got hit.

Blueblood wrapped a foreleg around him, “Are you okay?” he whispered.

“Huh?” Fancy snapped his attention to him. “Oh sorry, yes I’m fine.”

The Prince raised an eyebrow, “Are you sure?”

“Yes yes,” his date replied hastily. “It’s nothing. Really there’s nothing wrong.”

However, from the way his consort said it, the Blond unicorn was unconvinced. There was something rather off in his answer, almost as if he was lying to him. Only, why would Fancy Pants lie?

While still not letting go of him, Blueblood returned his attention to the screen. Therein black-and-white he, along with the audience saw bucking Hard Tack out the front door by the father, silently screaming at him to never come back. The scene dissolved, returning back to Mr. Glass and Hidden Trek as they entered the grand foyer where on the staircase, the unicorn stopped to which the camera cut to the balcony on the other side.




“When Hard Tack was fired and banished from the mansion, his son became greatly depressed.”




The entire theater went silent as it showed a few seconds of the son, his head was still cut out of the frame, tying a rope onto the railing.




“On that very spot in the middle of the night, when the son was without hope for his future, without love from anyone, and without… him.







“He tied a rope around his neck, and hangs himself.”




The next shot disturbingly showed the dangling hooves of the lifeless son that overlooked the stairs before it dissolved back to Mr. Glass and Hidden Trek. The Earth Pony had a look of shock on his face while the other shook his head. 




“Some would say that his ghost still wanders these halls.”




Mr. Glass turned to the other stallion.




“And on calm nights, if you listen carefully, you might still be able to hear the beat of his shattered heart.”



> Chapter XI: Movie Night (Part 3)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Well things have certainly taken a dark turn,” Blueblood commented quietly as the film went onto the next scene. As much as the twenty-six-year-old didn’t want to admit, this silent, black-and-white film was genuinely giving him the creeps. Part of him didn’t want him to stick around as the film reel went on, yet, another part of him was curious enough to know how such a movie was going to end. It was making him rather uneasy, and he immediately wished that he had some kind of comfort food to take the edge off. In the dim light of the theater, he looked down between him and his date and spotted a few candy bars that were sticking out.

Not wanting to get Fancy’s attention, he reached down with his other hoof and plucked one of the wrapped candy bars. However, he didn’t account to the fact that the wrapping paper rustles loud enough for his consort to notice. Glancing over, he could see Fancy’s smirk in the dark. “Not a word to anypony,” the younger unicorn said darkly. The older unicorn, still wearing that prideful grin, only rolled his eyes.

“I knew you would give in eventually,” Fancy said slyly.

“Well it isn’t my fault that I’m suddenly feeling peckish,” Blueblood held his snout high. “Water wasn’t doing it for me. So it isn’t that I have a craving for childish refreshments.”

“Have you eaten a candy bar before?” the blue-maned stallion inquired. His date gave no reply. “How in the name of sanity have you gotten this far in life without having one?”

“I was raised to have refined tastes,” the Prince replied. “I’ll be only eating this just once because at the moment I don’t see anything served on a silver platter.” Using his magic, he tore open one end of the bar and took a bite out of it. In that moment of bliss on his taste buds, his only reaction was to turn to his consort, “Shut up.”

Fancy chuckled, “I didn’t say anything.”

“You were thinking,” he pouted before they returned their attention back to the screen. Apparently, the couple had missed something because, on the screen, it showed both Hidden Trek and Mr. Glass in the Master’s bedroom. It showed them sitting on the edge of the bed when the pale unicorn had just kissed the other’s cheek in which the other stallion immediately backed away, putting a hoof over where he was just been kissed.

The camera gave a close up on Trek who had a flabbergasted expression on his face, yet showed no signs of disgust. 




“M-Mr. Glass, what was that for?”




It then cut to the unicorn who in turn looked at him in disbelief, silently asking him what he meant by that. The next title card that was presented forced out several concerning “Uhh…”'s out of the audience.




“What are you talking about? You know this isn’t the first time I’ve kissed you.”




As expected, the Earth Pony on screen leaped off the bed and slowly backed away.




“Um, Mr. Glass… I like you, really, I do… But don’t you think that you’re taking all of this a little too fast?”




The unicorn frowned as he stepped forward to him, lifting a hoof up to him.




“How can you say that? Do you honestly not remember after all this time, because I haven’t? All this time, I honestly thought that I would never see you again. I thought that I was going to be left in this gilded cage alone. But now you come back and you don’t even know me – after all the time we’ve spent together?”




When Hidden Trek reinstated that he still had no idea what he was talking about, the unicorn pulled out from his breast coat pocket an old photograph. Mr. Glass, on the edge of heartbreak, held up the photograph up to the other stallion who looked at it in shock. The Earth Pony shook his head as he backed up until his flank bumped against the wall.

The screen then showed was the unicorn was holding on full display. With the date of “July 17, 874” in a grainy photograph, were two stallions that had a foreleg over each other happily on a couch. But what made it disturbing was that the couple in the photograph looked exactly like Mr. Glass and Hidden Trek in period clothing. The camera zoomed out to the unicorn that pleaded into the camera.




“Please Hard Tack, you can’t have forgotten me. After those sunny months we shared, don’t tell me that you’ve somehow come back only to fail to remember?







“All I wanted was for you to come back to me somehow. And when it looked like I’ve gotten my wish, you still don’t know who I am?"




Clearly creeped out, Trek glanced around for an escape and immediately went to tear open the curtains of a window that let the rays of sunlight come straining in. He tried to open the window, but for Mr. Glass, with panic in his eyes, rushed forward to try to stop him. However, as soon as he stepped right into the light, much to the audience’s amazement from this single shot, the unicorn became transparent as he laid a hoof on the frightened pony. His features were nearly invisible in the light of the day but became solid as he pulled Trek away from the window.

The Earth Pony stallion was horrified.




“Oh Celestia! Y-You’re dead!”




There was a struggle on the screen, with Mr. Glass tried to take a hold on him to make him listen while the other had genuine fear. Trek thrashed and kicked until he fell forward through the unicorn and made a full gallop out the door.




“Get away from me!”




Mr. Glass, with a look of desperation, not only went into a full gallop but flew out after him.




“Wait, Hard Tack! Come back! I don’t want to be left alone again!”




Out in the hallway, the audience was transfixed as the poor homeless guy was rushing down, frequently looking over his head over at the ghost that was chasing him. There was a shot of his blurry hooves, then at Trek’s frighten gaze, a few seconds of Mr. Glass calling out for him to stop, then another close up of running hooves. Suddenly, the camera cut to the grand staircase in which the Earth Pony round a corner and was about to run down the stairs when he looked over his shoulder one more time before suddenly he tripped.

The unicorn ghost had a close up in which he was yelling out in horror before it cut back to Hidden Track tumbled down the stairs before he came to a stop, motionless. Flying past the railings to the ground, Mr. Glass checked over to see if the other stallion was alright by feeling for a pulse and sat frozen to see if he was breathing. To his relief, he was. The phantom had a hoof over his heart and shook his head.




“You’re just knocked out. You scared me for a moment there.”




Mr. Glass pushed the limp stallion over onto his back, yet, he held a caressing hoof over his face.




“Why couldn’t you recognize me? Even after all these years being alone, I never once forgotten you. Hard Tack, for a long time I was convinced that I would never see your beautiful face again.”




The unicorn shook his head with tears in his eyes.




“I don’t know how or why. I don’t know if this proves recantation exists or maybe you found a way to remain young. But all I wanted was to have you back so we can be happy again. Only… how are you still alive?”




Getting up, Mr. Glass lit up his horn and with a great struggle, lifted the unconscious pony off from the ground. The screen dissolved back into the master bedroom in which he gently lowered him onto the bed. Once this was done, the unicorn started to pace around the room, explaining through title cards of his diploma. Since this other stallion was still living he could do something that the ghost can’t as he demonstrated by putting his translucent forehoof against the open space of the window. In which it wouldn’t go through as if another pane of glass was keeping him inside, thus showing that the ghost can’t leave the house.

Mr. Glass expressed his fear that when his supposed significant other wakes up, he would flee from the mansion, going to where he can’t follow. For a moment, he was uncertain at what to do until he froze with a realization; he looked on at the out cold Earth Pony before an iris lens closed the scene. 

The camera opened up with a close up of Hidden Trek’s face as his nose crinkled and his eyes batted open with the railings of the foyer behind him. Sitting upright, he came to a sudden jolt that not only was his hooves were tied, but there was a noose around his neck. He became petrified when another pair of hooves came walking into the frame.  This turned out to be the ghost who was looking down at him with an apologetic look.




“M-Mr. Glass! What’s going on!?”




The phantom knelt down, stroking Mr. Trek’s mane.




“Before anything happens, I want to apologize for what’s about to occur. But it’s the only way.







“Believe me, Hard Tack, I really, really don’t want to do this. But if we’re going to be together, I have to.”




The Earth Pony looked between him and the railing; he showed absolute terror as he tried to undo the bonds of the rope. He was shown to be crying his eyes out as he begged the ghost.




“I’M NOT HARD TACK!! Please don’t do this! I didn’t do anything to you! Let me go and I promise I won’t ever tell anypony!”




Mr. Glass held the other stallion’s face in his hooves.




“But you’re so much like him. You have his face, his dedication to hard work, his sense of humor, his humility – how could I think otherwise? After all these passing moons, I thought I was going to spend the rest of eternity alone without you.







“But now, you’ve come back to me, and once this wicked deed is done, we can start a new chapter together and go on as we have always lived. As we wanted to live. With nopony to say our love is wrong. Without anyone trying to separate us. Without living in fear of others. We can have that now.”




Hidden Trek objected.




“But… I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die!”




The ghost hugged him as he lifted himself and the frighten stallion up and standing over the railings. He stroked his mane once again as he whispered in his ear.




“You know, on this very spot I died alone. At least with yours, you’ll have me to be with you until you pass. I know this will be painful at first, but I promise you that it will be over before you know it. I won’t ever let go.”




To the horror of the gasping audience in that theater, on the screen, as the music escalated, Mr. Glass and Hidden Trek fell off from the railing and stopped at the noose tightened around the Earth Pony. Trek’s eyes bulged and his hind legs kicked in his restraints. The ghost, on the other hoof, was hugging him tightly as the other struggled to breathe. As the two of them swung around with the string quartet’s music was becoming frantic, Mr. Glass was stroking the other’s mane, whispering comforts in his ear.




“It’s almost over, just a little longer now. I promise Tack, it’s going to be okay. Just let it all go.”




Hidden Trek’s thrashing began to slow down until they became still. The ghost sighed in relief, thankful that it was all over. With a smile, he held the dangling body in his hooves.




“There we go. Hard Tack, you can come out of there now. There’s no need of you staying in that meat suit anymore.”




However, nothing happened. The unicorn’s expression fell as he had a look of concern. He tried shaking as if to wake him up. But with every passing moment, the ghost became more frantic, if not desperate.




“No… No please don’t do this to me! I know you’re in there! Come on Hard Tack, this isn’t funny!”




But no matter what he did, the stallion remained lifeless. The ghost shook his head, spectral tears forming in his eyes as he repeatedly cried out the word “no” over and over as he hugged him tightly. Even when the sun came up, the phantom still sobbed as rays of the sun made him translucent until he disappeared. Leaving the hung corpse all by itself before the camera cut to a shot of the newly restored manor as iron gates closed by itself.

When the final title card read the words, “The End,” nopony in the audience made a sound for a moment before, one by one, they gave applause. Upon the box seats, Blueblood was clinging onto his date in a near death grip. He didn’t move until Fancy had to say something, “I do believe that you can let go of me now.”

“Oh! Sorry,” the younger unicorn let go. The lights in the theater came on and the quartet on stage bowed before they made their exit. The Prince looked down to see that he had completely eaten the candy bar during the screening. “You know Fancy,” he began. “I had seen a fair share of horror movies in the past. Yet, while I’ve noticed that this… film didn’t have any jump scares, or gore or even any grotesque monsters – that ending was the most nerve-racking thing I’ve ever seen.”

“I didn’t know which was creepier,” the older unicorn replied. “The fact the ghost had murdered somepony that was similar to his coltfriend, or the fact he did it out of love.”

“Well I now that I’m going to have nightmares for a couple of weeks,” Blueblood shivered. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Right behind you,” Fancy said without a skip of a beat.

As the two stallions start to make their way out of the theater, in the shady box seat across from them, Princess Cadance was smirking at her deep blue aunt. “One movie later and they still haven’t kissed – looks like there’s still a chance for me then.”

“Now wait a minute,” Luna objected. “Since the night is still not over, I think I may have to fall back on plan B.”

This got her older sister’s attention, “What ‘plan B?’”

_*_

“Are you always this shaken up after a scary movie?” Fancy asked his date. At this point, they were in the palanquin, on their way to drop the affluent pony back to his home. Blueblood on the other hoof had been taking several nervous glances out the window and brushing locks of his mane aside.

“Huh?” he snapped his attention to his consort. “Oh uh… Not always, this is rather odd since I have seen plenty of movies that have been considered scary before. I’ve tended to keep my cool from start to finish, even at the goriest of scenes. Yet… I don’t know, that movie didn’t have any of that, and suddenly I’m feeling like a little colt that’s afraid of the boogiemare.”

“Perhaps, given the time period that was made, they had to rely heavily on atmosphere and character since this was before the talkies came along. Though I must say, especially for the special effects they had with the ghost, it did make rather convincing didn’t it. It was almost as if you were actually seeing a real one.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “Why? Do you believe in ghosts?”

His consort chuckled, “Of course not. They’re no such thing as spirits that come back from the grave to haunt us…” Fancy trailed off as he too looked out the window with a much more somber look, “Except for the ones we make for ourselves.”

“Pardon?”

Fancy snapped his attention, his ears folding back against his head. “I didn’t say anything.”

The Prince folded his forelegs, with his back against the corner of his seat, he asked, “Mr. Pants, what’s going on?” He asked what he meant, “In all my years as chief ambassador on behalf of Equestria, I’m trained to read another pony to the point where I can tell if they’re withholding something. You, sir, are doing it right now. I believe there’s something about yourself that you haven’t yet told me.” There was a tense moment of silence. Fancy rubbed his hooves together while he adjusted his monocle. When he refused to speak, the Prince then prodded him with a question based off of what he observed in the theater. “Did anypony ever hit you?”

This defiantly got a reaction out of the older unicorn. “What? No! Of course not, nopony has ever punched me before. Celestia no! What made you ask that?” he said in a joking way, yet the Prince could see that there was sweat running down the side of his head.

“I never said if you got punched,” Blueblood corrected him.

Again, Fancy was silent as if he just got caught. But before the blond unicorn could question him further, their ride had stopped before the blue brick home. “Oh what do you know!” his consort said quickly, “I really need to head off to bed. A big day tomorrow you know, I had fun we should do this again some other time good night!” With that, the older unicorn had practically leaped out of the palanquin.

Blueblood was stunned. At first in the theater, he wasn’t sure, but now he was absolutely certain: Fancy Pants was lying to him. There was no doubt in his mind about it. However, this did bring up a rather concerning question: Why would Fancy Pants need to lie to him?
> Chapter XII: Fancy’s Nightmare
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Admittingly to herself, Princess Luna was taking a rather bold risk. Despite how much experience she had with this sort of thing, there is always a chance that something might go horribly wrong. Especially when it is her nephew that’s involved that she had to approach this with the mind of a surgeon.

In the dreamscape among the ever-expanding field of stars and the seemingly endless rows of doors, Luna lit up her horn to shuffle the many gateways until she was able to find the two she had been looking for. To her right was a white door with a golden baroque trimming that she knew was Blueblood’s, and to her left was a modest blue door with a silver handle that leads to Fancy Pant’s dream. Over that blue doorway was a hanging ball of light that was glowing blood red which meant one thing: her nephew’s consort was having a very nasty nightmare.

Turning over to Blueblood’s door, she took notice that the light overhead was shining white –which meant that he was having a pleasant dream. Turning the knob on the door, she pushed her way through and found herself on a short plateau of a tall, snowy mountain. It took her a moment from the view to realizing where her nephew’s dream was taken place, on the face of Mt. Everhoof. It was then that her ears picked out the sound of hoof steps and an ice pick clanking. Cranking her neck over the edge, he found Blueblood dressed in a heavy winter coat, a rather heavy saddlebag filled to bursting with supplies and a climbing pick in one hoof.

“You know if you wanted to climb a mountain you might as well take the stairs,” the blue aunt teased, much to her nephew’s surprise.

“Auntie Lu!” Blueblood cried out, “How did you get up here?”

“I cheated, now you get up here before you slip,” her horn lit up and gently picked up the blond unicorn until he was standing on the plateau.

“Aunt Luna, what are you doing up on Mt. Everhoof?”

“I’m not on Mt. Everhoof, you’re dreaming,” the blue alicorn pointed the lone white door, “And not a bad one too if I may add, who knew that you would crave for some adventure.”

The Prince took off his snow goggles, “Why are you here?”

“Ah, right to the point then,” Luna sat down and rubbed her hooves. “First of all, please forgive me for interrupting this dream of yours, but I’m afraid that I may require your help in the matter.”

“My help?” Blueblood raised an eyebrow. “Over what?”

The Princess of the Night pointed a hoof through the open door towards the one across from him. “Do you see that door over there?” she asked. “That there, is the gateway to your consort’s dream. However, from what I can see, he’s having a terrible nightmare at this very moment.”

Blueblood went wide-eyed as he got a better look at what was across from him. “That’s… That’s Fancy’s door? His dream?” Returning his attention to his aunt, he said, “I don’t understand, why you couldn’t do something about it? I don’t know what’s in there.”

“I have a feeling that this case isn’t for me to resolve,” his aunt answered as she got up. “Besides, I do feel that this would be a great opportunity for you two to grow closer.”

“Why?”

Luna craned her neck around, “Witnessing somepony’s nightmares can reveal much about what that pony doesn’t want others to see. In night terrors, you get to see them at their most vulnerable. Not just their fears, but their insecurities, doubts, uncertainties, and the absolute truth about themselves that even they don’t want to face. I often find that the best way to heal those who are at their weakest is when they rely on the ponies they trust the most to help them. Come Blueblood, your consort needs you.”

Even as they walked out of the wintry dream, Blueblood expressed his uncertainty, “I don’t know about this Auntie. What if he’s dreaming of a monster?”

“Don’t worry,” she spread open her wings and lit up her horn, “I’ll be right there behind you. Are you ready to assist Mr. Pants in his time of need?”

Blueblood looked nervously at the door across from his. On the one hoof, he was asked to step into the nightmare of a pony that he had gone out with a few dates now. He doesn’t know him that well asides that he liked being around him. Then again… he was his consort after all. What sort of Prince would he be if he left his coltfriend in what could be in danger of some sort?

The blond unicorn crept up to the door with the malicious red light overhead. Placing his hoof on the handle, he looked behind him at Luna. “Would you please stay close to me?” she nodded. Taking in a deep breath, he turned the handle and pushed open the door.

Letting it swing open and the two Royals stepping through, they found themselves in the streets of Canterlot. Only… This version of the capital seems gloomier. All around them, the proud colors had faded from the buildings to the ponies that passed by were muted to the point where it was almost like walking into a black-and-white film. There was thick fog all around them as well to where they could only see a few yards ahead before the very air became murky.

Blueblood looked up to his aunt, “How are we supposed to find Fancy?”

“Well, we could ask around for clues,” the Night Princess went up to a stallion with a top hat. “Excuse me, good sir?”

“Oh! Your Highness,” the stranger bowed. “What brings you and your nephew out here?”

“We are looking for Mr. Fancy Pants.”

“Who?”

They blinked but Luna continued, “Fancy Pants? White unicorn. Blue mane. Rich. Patron of the Arts?”

The stallion hummed before he answered, “Sorry Princess, I’ve never heard of him,” before he walked away.

Blueblood was perplexed. How can that be? Fancy Pants was one of the most well-known ponies in the city. Where culture sprang from him because of the influence he had. He then spotted an old mare with a feathery heat going by, “Pardon me, ma’am, can I ask you a question?”

“Huh?” she blinked.

“Do you know where Fancy Pants is?”

The elderly mare took several moments to consider, “Are you referring to that patron fellow? Huh… I can barely remember. The name rings a bell, but for the life of me, I can’t recall what he looked like… or what he was a patron of. Must be nothing important.” She shrugged before she trotted off.

The Prince turned to her aunt, “What is going on? It’s like nopony around here has a clue to who he is.” Then he got an idea, “If this dream is laid out like Canterlot, then maybe we should go to his home to see if he’s there.”

“Agreed,” Luna lit up her horn, picking up her nephew, she placed him on his back. “Grab my neck,” she spread her wings. “I’m going to need you to show me where he lives.” And so, the Princess flapped her wings and they started to make their way through the fog. Of course, so thinking, they had to say low at the street level so that they would know where they were going. Blueblood helped navigate their way through the unclear streets until they came to the neighborhood where his consort lived.

Only… when they got to the address, the blue brick house wasn’t there. In its place was rubble. Broken pieces of brick, splinters, and shards of glass stuck out from what remained of its foundation. The Prince got off of Luna and looked on with shock. “What happened here…? Why is his house demolished?” He turned to her, “How are we supposed to find him now?”

“Sometimes,” she replied with a hoof tapping her chin. “In nightmares this vast, the quickest way to find the dreamer is to look for things that seemed out of place. Take notice the feel of the nightmare: it’s bleak, colorless, and if you listened carefully, quiet too. I think we need to keep our eyes and ears open for anything that sticks out from this place.”

“But that doesn’t answer where should we go from…” then his ears picked up. “Do you hear that?”

His aunt listened too. It was barely undetectable at first, almost like a whisper in the wind. However, as they concentrated, they could barely pick up the phantom notes of a piano. The Prince led the way as he listened to the ghostly music that acted as a guide down and around the streets. For several minutes, the song was still undefined, almost without rhythm or melody, but it was still there.

They listened until the music leads them to a theater, or rather, what was left of it. The sign overhead was gone, the glass on the ticket booth was smashed, and the wooden doors were close to falling off their hinges. Yet, the minor keys of the piano, although weak, was still the main source that was coming from inside.

Blueblood felt his aunt’s hoof on his shoulder, “You go ahead. I’ll be right behind you if there’s any danger.”

The blond unicorn looked at the decaying theater with uncertainty, “Come on Blue, you need to be brave.” He said to himself as he took a deep breath and marched towards the entrance where the music had become clearer. Using his magic to swing open the rotting doors, he and Luna walked into the abandoned lobby. It was just as bad as the outside if not worst with its shredded red carpet, termite-ridden counter, and peeling paint. As uneasy as the Prince was to be in this filth, he picked another sound that gave pause. Somepony was crying. So he pushed up the stairs towards the melancholic melody that was playing into the rows of spider webbed, dust-covered seats that faced the stage.

For a moment, Blueblood almost gasped as he saw what state Mr. Pants was on stage alone with a rotting piano. At the keyboard, Fancy was crying waterfalls of tears over his wrinkly, aged face. His magnificent mane had become a grayish blue, and his once sharp black suit was now replaced by a torn, patched up shirt. Even his mustache had overgrown over his face like an untamed bush. At his hind hooves were dark green bottles that strew across the stage. But that was not what gave the Prince great concern; it was what was on the piano that his heart stopped in fear. It was a box of matches and a red gallon jug of gasoline.

“Fancy?”

The stallion on stage looked up at him, and even as he froze, his hooves still kept playing his song. “Blueblood…?” he whispered as he turned back to the keyboard. “Leave me alone.”

However, Blueblood disobeyed as he drew closer to the stage. “Fancy, what happened to you? What are you doing here with… those?”

“There’s no hope.”

The younger unicorn blinked. “Excuse me?

“Everything is gone,” his consort’s voice crackled. “I lost my fortune, my home, my reputation, my friends, my parents had disowned me, and now…” he shook his head. “My Prince, please go away.”

“I don’t understand,” the blond unicorn pleaded. “What is going-”

“What do you mean you don’t understand!” Fancy snapped at him. “You were the one that didn’t want to see me again!”

Blueblood blinked, “I… what?”

“You told me yourself. No, no no, that would put it kindly, wouldn’t it? You screamed in my face that you don’t want to have anything to do with me! You were the one that said you hated me! You were the one that ripped out my heart…” it was here that he stopped playing to put his old hooves over his eyes, “Before you took on another younger love, one that I couldn’t compete with. I know there’s no way I can win you back. After all… you’re right. I’m an old, boring failure. Really, why would you want anything to do with a gassier like me?”

The Prince was stunned, “Is that what you really think of yourself?”

“Think?” Fancy laughed bitterly before he reached out for another green bottle. “I know so. Mum was impossible to convince that I would amount to anything. I was forced to divorce my last oh so caring and loving husband because he beat the living crap out of me. And now,” he uncorked the bottle and lifted up to Blueblood, “Now I’ve lost my second chance at any real happiness. I’ve just lost my own literal and metaphorical prince charming so that I can’t ever hope we would get to have a happily ever after. Cheers to the biggest failure of them all, me.”

Before the older unicorn could let the bottle reached his lips, he found an aura that belonged to the Prince held it in place. Confused, Fancy looked over to him. “Now I’m offended,” Blueblood said as he hopped onto the stage. “First thing’s first, do you really think I’m too good for you?”

“It’s true isn’t it?” Fancy questioned, “You have everything that any stallion would kill to have. You’ve got power… a castle… fine food, wines, class, culture. I thought… I had thought for a moment, that maybe that deep down, underneath that royal title is a pony that I could fall in love with and… maybe… he could love me too. But I can’t compete with that now. I’m old. Nopony remembers that I exist. I’ve wasted my life into shaping this fellow that could live up to your expectations as a coltfriend. But since I’ve lost everything… You didn’t want me anymore, like everyone else.”

The aged stallion reached for the box of matches, “In fact,” he continued, “You might say that I’m about to fulfill your wish, Your Majesty.”

“What are you talking about?” Blueblood asked nervously, looking between him and him opening up that box of matches.

“Our last meeting,” he said, “is after you told me that we were no longer coltfirends that you looked at me in the eye and said, ‘I hope that you burn.’”

Blueblood knocked the matches out of his hoof, “No! That’s not what I want and, that’s not what I think of you!”

“But you said-”

“Fancy!” The Prince barked but immediately regretted it as his consort flinched. So in a calmer but stern voice, he began, “Fancy, look at me.” Slowly, the other stallion did. “Don’t believe in any of that nonsensical garbage.”

He blinked, “What?”

“You heard me. Fancy, you do remember when we first met at the ball?”

“I do.”

“Then you might recall that I had spent hours going through a room full of stallions, but I didn’t want any of them except for you. Do you know why?” Fancy paused before he shook his head. “Out of all of them, I chose you for a reason. I found you to be intelligent, talented, has a unique taste of culture that I’m becoming more interested in, and what’s more, I can describe you as many things but failure isn’t one of them.”

Fancy looked at him for a good solid minute, “You must be mental! Either you’re completely lost all touch of reality or you’ve gone insane! No, I take that back,” he narrowed his eyes, “You must be crazy!”

“I’m telling the truth!” Blueblood yelled back, leaving an echo in the dusty auditorium. “Fancy, I really do like you! I want to go out with more dates with you because, frankly, I’ve never known anypony that is as interesting as you. I never knew anypony that has a relative that went insane that isn’t my own. I never knew anypony that even when you tease me, I still for some reason want to be with you. What’s more…” he cleared his throat, “I don’t want this relationship to end.”

His consort sniffed, “You… really?”

The Prince put a hoof to his raggedy cheek, “I don’t know what has happened to you before we’ve met, but as of now, I do want this to work out between us. I do want to have a coltfriend that isn’t annoying or a bore. For a long time, I honestly thought I could never have one… until you came. I want to be with somepony that I can be honest with and he with me.”

Fancy placed both of his hooves over the one that held his cheek. “I’m afraid that you’ll go away… like my step-fathers and my husband had. How could you promise me that I won’t lose you too?”

Blueblood paused for a moment, “I can’t,” he said honestly. “But that doesn’t mean that we should stop because of that unknown. After all, we only went out on a few dates, so I presume that it’s still too early to tell. Nevertheless, I do look forward to seeing you every time now.”

With a sniff, the older unicorn wiped the tears from his eyes, “From an old fart like me?”

“No. From an old, fascinating, talented, funny, and understanding pony like you. Even in a dream that I’m still willing to be around with.”

He blinked, “Dream?”

“Long story,” the Prince waved a hoof before looking over to the piano. He set the jug of gasoline far off to the side before asking, “Fancy, since you’re here, could you play something for me?”

“Now?”

“Why not? There’s a piano here, we’re all alone and I want to listen to you for a while.”

With a glint in his eyes and hooves reaching for the keyboard, Fancy replied: “As you wish, Bluey.” 

When Fancy began to play an old love song from the beaten up piano, Luna couldn’t help by a smile as his nephew as he put a foreleg around the stallion. Although she was disappointed that they didn’t kiss or say “I love you,” she was rather glad at how Blueblood had handled the situation. She was proud of him, but at the same time wondered if the older unicorn would do the same.


_*_


Fancy’s mind slowly came back to him as he woke up in his bed. He felt that he didn’t want to get out of it and hopes that he could return to that dream again. It started out horribly, sure, but how it ended was worth trying to fall back asleep to. Unfortunately, the ever increasing light from the window forced him to open his eyes.

“What a dream,” he muttered as he pushed the blankets off of him. Before he could roll himself out of bed, he heard a knock on the door. “Hm? Yes?”

His bedroom door cracked open when a maid stuck her face in, “Good morning Mr. Pants. I hope I wasn’t intruding.”

“I was just getting up,” he said as he stretched a foreleg. “Do we have any coffee made at this hour?”

“It’s already made,” the maid replied. “We had to make it for our guest.”

This caught his attention as he put the monocle in his eye, “Guest?”

“His Majesty Blueblood wished to have breakfast here at the house. He’s waiting downstairs for you sir.”

“Oh…” he blinked. “Well, tell him that I’ll be down soon. I still have to make myself presentable at least.”

“Yes sir,” she bowed before she closed the door behind her.
> Chapter XIII: Breakfast at Fancy’s
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the time Fancy had finished with his morning routine to step out of his room in his black housecoat did he smell a combination of cinnamon and baked bread that was coming from his dining room? He found the young Prince sitting at one end of the table with trays of cinnamon rolls, a pyramid of oranges and brewed coffee from a pot that the wealthy unicorn didn’t recognize to be his. Even the china and cups seemed to have come from someplace else.

“Good morning Fancy,” Blueblood nodded as he entered the room. “I’ve decided to not only move my breakfast from the palace to here but I thought about sharing it with you. So would you sit down? I want us to have a talk.”

“Am I in trouble?”

“Hm? Oh no, nothing of the sort,” he frowned. “But I do want to talk to you on some matters of concern.”

Fancy took his seat across from the Prince in which his hoofcolts immediately served him his cup of coffee, “I suppose this also came from the Palace too?”

Blueblood nodded, “Normally this particular brand isn’t on sale on the market and can only be served to royalty. Auntie Luna has developed a taste for it; she likes this more than I do.” Once he let his consort put in the sugar and cream to be mixed into the bitter, inky substance to being able to down a cup of it did the Prince began. “Fancy, did you dream of anything last night?”

“I did,” he replied, “Though I still wanted to know what has brought you here.”

“In a moment, do you happen to remember what has happened in that dream of yours?”

The older unicorn paused. Hesitating to answer at first, “I had gone to bed with a nightmare at first. But near the end, it did become better. I remember that you were in it.”

“Was it when you were playing the piano in a ratty theater about to set yourself on fire because I had broken up with you?”

Fancy blinked, “How did-”

“You could thank, or rather, blame my Auntie Luna for doing that,” Blueblood interrupted before he sighed. “I know she brought me into your nightmare, on behalf of her, I’m sorry. But at the same time when I saw you in such a state and heard the reasons why… I couldn’t help it but be concerned.”

At this point, the older unicorn poured another cut and quickly downed the cringing, scalding liquid down his throat. “Um… how much did you hear?”

“Plenty enough, apparently,” Blueblood lit up his horn and took one of the oranges. “So, to start off with, how come you didn’t tell me about your last husband abused you?”

For a long couple of minutes, Fancy didn’t respond. He propped a foreleg up on the table to rub his hoof against his forehead. “Blueblood, what happened was in the past.”

“Especially when you brought it up in a nightmare?” the Prince questioned.

He frowned, “You know, Your Majesty, there is a statistic that says that out of all the survivors of domestic abuse, as high as eighty percent of them never tell anypony. And among those whose ex-spouse is a well-known, respected opera singer, who is shorter and has a smaller body frame then I am – one hundred percent never tell.”

“Who was it?”

The older unicorn shook his head, “He’s out of my life and I don’t want the past to come back to haunt either of us. You don’t need to get involved with something that has been longed resolved.”

“But what did he do to you?”

Fancy sighed as he poured himself another cup. “Simply put, there’s a good reason why our marriage didn’t last two years. He was almost like my dad, in that he was a nutcase. Where I would present my argument of the case,” he said in a manner of a reasonable teacher. “His retort would invariably be to punch me in the face.” Blueblood’s jaw dropped. “Twas a ‘sugar imbalance’ he would often tell me. Every single fight after he would beat the living crap out of me was that he would come up to me saying, ‘Fancy, I’m sorry, I just had a sugar imbalance.’ At one point when he made that excuse to me, I told him, ‘No, diabetes is a sugar imbalance; you on the other hoof are a testosterone Molotov cocktail!’ right before he punched me in the face.”

“That’s horrible,” Blueblood remarked. “Did he treat you always like this?”

“Only after when we got married,” he said as his horn lit up for one of the cinnamon rolls. “You know how most ponies have a build up to anger, where you could instantly tell when a pony is getting infuriated? He had none of that. My ex-spouse had one of two personalities: either ‘I love you’ or ‘DIE YOU BLOODY BASTARD!!’” this made his coltfriend flinch when he raised his voice. “Sorry. The point was that I couldn’t tell when he was going to snap or why. I remember one time that we had a fight on Hearths Warming Eve in Trottingham while we were watching a movie on the couch. Apparently, it started because he thought that I was watching Mr. Brickhouse too intently.”

The blond unicorn raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

He chuckled, “Indeed. It wasn’t until later that while I was going through therapy, did I end up writing a poem for the sake of recovering once we got the divorce. Apparently, my doctor had me do it over something about creatively unleashing that aggression or something like that. I wrote a poem basing on what happened that night. Now how did it go…?”

Fancy hummed in thought for a moment, “Uh, I remember,” he cleared his throat and recited, “T’was the night before Hearths Warming and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for the psychopath on the couch. I looked pleadingly to my spouse, his face furry red with visions of me and Mr. Brickhouse danced in his head. With bile in my throat and no help in sight, I put on a smile, and my plot hole got tight.”

Blueblood tried to suppress a laugh as he quickly covered his mouth. “How can you put something like this in such a light-hearted way?”

“There’s more,” his consort replied. “Well, before I continued on with the poem, I’ll have you know that on that night, we were snuggled up watching the movie when in the middle of it he burst out ‘What sort of sorry sod watches this rubbish!’ Anyway,” he cleared his throat and continued on with the poem. “’This is only a movie,’ I said and turned to argue my case, but I must have an undesired look, ‘cause he punched me in the face. I picked up his watches, the gold, and silver too, and out into the street, both watches I then threw. Out the front door, he went in hot pursuit. Yes, he dashed off like Mr. Toity after a fancy golden suite. In fear for my life, I locked up the place, turned my attention towards the film, and wished I had a mace. When all of a sudden, there arose such a clatter, I sprang up from the couch to see what was the matter. I grabbed the cord and pull open the blinds, and there was my husband, quite out of his mind. My heart stopped frozen with fear as he beat on the glass with a vodka bottle, filled just about to here.”

Fancy showed a short distance between his hooves between a few inches of each other. “I knew well the window couldn’t much take it, and he was screaming, ‘UNLOCK IT YOU BASTARD, OR I SWEAR I’LL BREAK IT!’ Well I couldn’t well do that, t’was my mother’s place. So I opened the door, and he punched me in the face. So summoning my stallionhood from bottom to top, I screamed like a little mare, ‘I’M CALLING THE COPS!’”

“I don’t understand,” Blueblood piped up, “if he was treating you this badly, why did you stay with him for two years?”

“Let me give a clue,” his coltfriend replied as he finished the poem. “I was about to ring when he was standing right there, wearing those striped socks, but otherwise bare. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, wheeling me in with that, ‘You’re my big daddy’ smirk. I heard him exclaimed as he turned off the light, ‘You know this is your fault, I love you too much to fight.’”

The Prince was sickened by this, “You stayed for sex?”

Fancy rubbed his hooves in circles, his ears folded back, “What can I say? It was very… physical relationship. In more ways than one.”

“But have you tried to tell the police that you were getting punched around by that brute?”

“Oh, believe me, I tried. But remember, my spouse was shorter and had a smaller body than I, so when they came and I told them what happened, they took my statement down like I was a drunk U.F.O. abductee. I just sounded dumber and dumber with every passing word. ‘He’s has a hook that you wouldn’t believe that… well, he could really throw a punch… it’s like fighting a squeal on a sugar rush…’ In fact, our last fight I nearly spend a night in jail because of him, but they wouldn’t take me in because I was afraid of my husband. Rubbish.” He mocked bitterly before taking a sip of his coffee.

Blueblood paused in thought for a moment before asking, “Fancy, why you haven’t told me any of this before?”

“I didn’t want to give you the wrong impression,” he replied as the older unicorn grabbed an orange. “It’s not just you; I’ve been trying to keep this part of myself hidden so ponies won’t give me some unwanted attention. Doing otherwise would have caused a scandal that once gotten out can never be put back in. Can you imagine the humiliation I would have to face when everypony knows that I’ve gotten beaten by an opera singer?”

“It does make me wonder, are you afraid that I’m going to do the exact same thing to you?”

This gave his consort pause as he looked at him for what seemed like a second of eternity, “I can tell that you’re not like him. Based off of what I already know about you, you don’t have the reputation of hitting another pony, do you?”

The Prince shook his head, “I never raised a hoof to anypony. I was taught that doing so was unprincely. To do so was a sign of weakness.”

Fancy raised an eyebrow but said nothing. “Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?”

“There is,” he nodded, “I want to ask another personal question: What was your family like growing up? You’ve already mentioned about your father…”

Then it clicked to him, “Wait, did you thought that he was the one that was beating me?” Blueblood nodded. “No, Father was indeed mad, but he never laid a hoof on me. Mother was a different story, but never towards me or my siblings.”

“You have siblings?”

Fancy nodded, “Yes. An older stepsister, an older and younger brother too, however, before I can get to them, if we’re really going to have this conversation, there’s something you probably should know. My mother, as of now, has been divorced seven times – well, six actually. She told me that she wouldn’t divorce the seventh one, because she didn’t want ponies to think that she couldn’t commit.”

“I’m starting to see a pattern here,” Blueblood chuckled.

“Now, keep in mind, my mother is a great mum. Really, she is. She can be the justest, noble and most understand pony in the world when she’s sober. Drunk, however, her personality flips. When I was a child, I thought she had an alter-ego,” here the older unicorn laughed. “The most negative superhero on the planet, Anti-Mum! Wherever there is hope, she will stop it! Wherever self-esteem rears its shiny little head, she will be there to kick its testicles to the moon!”

The blond unicorn couldn’t help but laugh along too, “Sweet Luna, is that true?”

“Allow me to demonstrate,” he said playfully, and then he said in a foalish voice: “Mum! Mum! I got a B on my report card!” then immodestly switched to a falsetto voice, “But it’s not an A, isn’t it son? Now that the smile has left your face, I’m off.” Then he switched it to his normal voice, “Mother, I just graduated High School.” Back to the high voice, “But you didn’t come close to Valedictorian, did you loser?” Then he returned to his normal voice, “Mum, I just got myself my first job.” But to his intimation of his mother’s voice, “Good for you – wait a moment, something’s wrong. Oh, I know!” Here he motioned his hooves to pretend his uncorking a bottle of wine and drinking it from the bottle. “First job huh? Well you’re not a manager yet, are you dishcolt? When your confidence returns, so will I!”

Blueblood was laughing so much that he struggled to keep place in his seat as Fancy continued.

“Hey Mother, I finally made the manager,” then he switched to his mother's. “Is that so? Well, a real stallion would own his own line of work. Now leave me alone, I’m off to destroy your brother!” the unicorn then cleared his throat, “Oi, Mother, guess what? A couple of years ago, I have been using my wealth to be a patron for the arts in Canterlot where for every artist that I assist, I get some bits back. Because of this, I have become one of the most influential ponies in Equestria. And I have made more money in one month then you did all year so what do you say to that!”

Fancy then impersonated his mother as he let his moth struggle to find the words before replying to his question, “I think without me pushing you boy, you would never have made it.”

“I find it amazing that you could take something so dark and turn it into something humorous.”

“Call it my defense mechanism,” his consort shrugged.

There was a pause between the two before Blueblood resumed, “Are your parents still around?” 

He nodded, “Mother and my youngest brother live in Trottingham while my father is in a sanatorium in Fillydelphia. My older sister is in Applewood as a producer while my older brother has joined the police force in Manehattan. We’re spread out that way simply because we need to be.”

“Need to?”

“The last time the six of us were together,” Fancy replied, “Dad had plotted to kill mother with a broken bottle by drugging us. It wasn’t until later we found out that he put his medicine in the gravy and none of us woke up until three days later. So the further separated we are the better.”

Blueblood gave a low whistle, “I’ve got nothing. I mean… how am I supposed to respond to something like that?”

“I don’t think you can. So is there anything else you wanted to talk to me about.”

“Just one more thing,” the Prince sat upright in his seat, “before I head back to the palace, I want you to make a promise with me.”

“Oh?”

“That if we’re serious on growing together as a couple, I should think that for now on, we should stop trying to hide the truth about ourselves. What I saw last night from your dream was heart-wrenching. I don’t want to see you end up in such a state that you were in your nightmare. Frankly, I’m sick of being around ponies that are only facades. I don’t want that from you. Can you promise me that starting now, could you please tell me the truth of what’s really bothering you?”

Fancy closed his eyes and hummed in thought, “I will, but on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“The next time that you have a nightmare, can you have Princess Luna to come to fetch me so I may return the favor?”

Blueblood’s expression dropped, unnerved at the very idea that was being presented. It was one thing for him to see his coltfirend’s dream, but it was quite another for it to be reversed. His mind froze with horror at the idea that someone like Fancy would not only visit him in his dream but the one nightmare that always kept coming back, even with his aunt’s assistance. “If I refuse?” he questioned.

“Then I won’t keep your promise and our relationship would be put into jeopardy.”

Downing some of the coffee to put some liquid in his suddenly dry throat, the Prince agreed to the terms.

“Excellent,” his coltfriend smiled. “So is that everything?” the Prince nodded. “Now then, I’m going to be quite busy for this coming week. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get out of it until next Wednesday. However, after that, I can put in some free time for us.”

“Fair enough,” the blond unicorn got up. “I still need to get myself caught up on some matters, but I too will be looking forward to our next date.”

Just before the Prince could leave the room, his consort called out, “Blue, before you go, I wanted to say thank you, for having this talk with me.”

Smirking, Blueblood walked up to the unicorn and pulled a hoof into his, “It was a pleasure to get to know you better, old man.” He said before he kissed his hoof.

“Was that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?”

He chuckled, “I’ll let you figure that out,” with that, the Prince started to make his way out the front door and headed back to the palace.
> Chapter XIV: Mountain Air
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Several days went by and Fancy Pants did his best to return to his work as an art patron. As per usual, he started his mornings looking at the submission letters from several artists from painters to tailors that promised to be the next big thing. In the afternoons with his bodyguard by his side, he would head out to the streets of Canterlot to go to wherever the elite was on that day to get in a good word to them about this or that pony’s latest creation. This would include going to parties, fashion shows, art exhibitions, film festivals, or simply dropping by for tea in order to round up subscribers on behalf of that artist that day. By dinner time, if he were invited to dine at this or that place, he would go because it would mean that they wanted to pitch somepony that could have more of a cultural impact and a free meal. Then when evening comes around he would rest at home, sorting out his schedule for the next day.

On a Tuesday evening, he found himself invited over for dinner with his ever decadent friend, Hoity Toity. Yet, even with the delicious Prench cuisine, the old unicorn’s mind was distracted as his fashion critic of a friend yapped on about what he saw in Las Pegasus. He was thinking about what he was planning to do with Blueblood the next day. He wanted to do something with his coltfriend that would give them some excuse to get out of Canterlot. Maybe they could go towards Ponyville to have a picnic? Or perhaps go see a Bridleway show in Manehattan or Las Pegasus? Come to think of it, how much time does a Prince have for free time? 

“Equestria to Fancy, is anypony there?”

The white unicorn blinked, his friend’s voice was the one that snapped him out of his thoughts that he suddenly realized he had no idea what he was talking about. “Huh? About what?”

“I was just asking you about what did your thoughts on Coco Pommel’s new line,” Hoity clarified. “But it would seem that you were in La La Land back there.”

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry,” Fancy blushed in embarrassment. “I’m just distracted today is all.”

“You know what I’ve just noticed?” his bodyguard Fleur who sat across the table from him pointed out. “Is that you’ve been doing that a lot more this past couple of days.”

“No, I haven’t.”

The pink unicorn mare deadpanned, “You did it at the gardening party, you did it when Caesar was talking to you about getting that Modern Artist into a gallery, and you did it again when that runway was going. Clearly, something has been eating away at you.”

“Although I could hazard a guess,” Hoity grinned, “Is it about that fine coltfriend of yours?”

Fancy hesitated, “To a degree…”

The gray Earth Pony chuckled, “Oh this I’ve got to hear.” He pushed his plate aside in order for him to prop his head with his forelegs that he let them rest on the table. “I’m all ears Sexy Pants, what’s Prince Charming like? Got the chance to nail him in bed?”

“Always the subtle one, aren’t you?” the blue-maned pony said flatly. His friend gave a cocky smile as he leaned forward, both ears sticking straight up.

“Don’t be shy Fancy, we’re all adults here, so don’t spare all the hot, throbbing details.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but we’ve only have gone out on a few dates Hoity. He hasn’t made any suggestion in doing such an activity.”

Hoity frowned, “Shame. I was really hoping to hear what it’s like to get royally f-”

“I get it!” Fancy interjected. “You know, it’s not my nature to bed every bloke that I happen to run into.”

“You’re no fun,” Hoity muttered as he raised a glass.

Across the table from him, Fleur de Lis put her spoon down into her soup, “So Fancy, any ideas yet about what you and Princy are doing tomorrow?”

“I haven’t fully decided as of yet,” Fancy confessed. “But I do want to get outside of Canterlot, it doesn’t matter much to me where just so long as we do something different that isn’t in the city. The problem is, of course, is where exactly to go and what to do?”

Hoity grinned wickedly, “There’s always Las Pegasus,” he half sang.

The unicorn was tempted to telling his friend off that doing so was rather immature, if not a little too on the head. Shaking his head, he returned to his meal in thought. He really did want this next date to be different from the previous ones. Come to think of it, a dinner and a movie date was rather cliché, even by his standards. Plus, he was in the mood for something simplistic. Something that neither he nor his Prince had done as of yet. Then, the idea hit him.

“Actually,” he finally spoke, “I think I know what we’re going to do tomorrow evening.”


_*_


Hours later at home, Fancy Pants didn’t feel too tired to go to bed. He sat before the piano with the curtains drawn, and the flickering candlelight that shown upon a simple piece by Tchaicoltsky. In the soft dancing light, his hooves on the keys and his eyes following the dotted lines, he half reflected over the events of the day. As far as he was aware of, he did have everything necessary done, he has a free day tomorrow with nothing to look forward to except for his Prince… His Prince… even though he had been officially made consort to Blueblood, the idea alone was still surreal to him. He could still hardly believe that he was lucky enough to be allowed anywhere near someone like him. 

Even what’s more amazing, he doesn’t have to go out of his way to impress him. Fancy’s mind wandered back many years ago when he had to do the exact opposite when he first met… him. Back when he first meets his first husband, he tried every trick he knew to not only to get him to notice but to make just the right impression as well. He remembered the number of times he would go to the Opera House, just to see him; the time when he played for him in this very room; or all those gifts he ended up wasting until he finally popped the question.

As the Tchaicoltsky melody played out, he reflected the short time he had spent with Blueblood in which he realized that roles had been switched around. He was the one that’s trying his hardest to impress him. Not just on the dates, but for those other, simple things like the walk back to the restaurant after that photographer got away, him coming to comfort him in his nightmare, and even brought him breakfast. To Fancy, it was already made clear that the stallion did like him, but wasn’t sure if he-

A knock on the door interrupted his concentration, “Yes?” he called out.

“Telegram for you Mr. Pants,” said a maid’s voice from behind the door. Getting up from the piano bench, Fancy opened up the door and took the envelope from her. After thanking her, he tore it open and after unfolding it, began to read.



	Dear Fancy, imagine my surprise when I opened up my newspaper to see you on the front cover. Stop. I couldn’t believe my eyes that I saw you and Prince Blueblood in the picture. Stop. This has to be a fake. Stop. I don’t know what you’re trying to pull but I’m going to get to the bottom of this. Stop. That is why, as you are reading this, I’m coming straight over to Canterlot to see this for myself. Stop. Be expected to see me on Thursday morning. Stop. Signed, Mother. Stop.



The unicorn frowned, “Joy, just exactly what I need.” He sighed, “But at least she won’t be here until the day after.”


_*_


On the mountain side above Canterlot, there is a national park that was near the top of Mt. Avalon. It has been a place that is known for its icy lake and a stream that tumbles into the back of the city before it goes over its second, enormous waterfall. Being up so high, the park rested just under its natural tree line of spruce and ferns, and in some places of its hiking trails, it has open spaces that give way to a near bird’s eye view of the whole country. The hiking trails were made up of a series of boardwalks that connected the entire ring of the park like a web so that visitors can easily walk around the mountain in a full circle.

By the time that Fancy’s bodyguard, Fleur de Lis had arrived on the mountain, it was almost an hour before sunset. She was of course early, given that the Royal Guard will be the ones who will be escorting her employer and the Prince up to the park, the unicorn came to scout for the perfect observation spots. Fleur was wearing a suit that the camouflage would perfectly blend into the bushes of the park. Fortunately, there weren’t many visitors hanging around so she didn’t get too many weird looks as she taking down note of all the hiding places to make sure both stallions would be safe.

Her ears perked up when she heard a “Psst,” coming from one of the bushes. Lighting up her horn, Fleur approached the foliage with caution.

“Who’s there?” she demanded before she was surprised at the head that popped out of the bush. “Princess Cadance?”

“Let me guess,” the alicorn of Love inquired, “You’re here to spy on Fancy?” Fleur nodded. “So are we, now get in,” and she ducked back into the bush.

Confused, the bodyguard approached the bush with caution. Parting the branches, the unicorn was taken aback that there was a sort of bunker underneath that contained not only Cadance but Princesses Celestia and Luna as well that had binoculars and telescopes. Stepping down into the dugout Fleur immediately saluted, “Your Majesties, what are all of you doing here?”

“For whom do you think?” Luna asked as she looked down at a watch. “It should be almost time for them to be here.”

“You mean Prince Blueblood and Mr. Pants?”

“Bingo,” Cadance nodded as she picked up her pair of binoculars. “I still don’t see them yet.”

Fleur, with a puzzled look still frozen on her mane, turned to the pony that she had once sworn to guard. Celestia then went on to explain the situation to her, in how the three of them had made a bet in that if one of them could make a situation so romantic froth both Fancy and Blueblood that would either kiss or confess their love would be the winner. When the Solar Princess had finished explaining it to the body guard, Cadance smirked.

“I am so going to win this,” she said giddily. “Especially for what I have in mind is much more romantic then what you two had come up with.” Both alicorns looked at her and inquired what she meant. “Unlike you two, I’m sorry to say this, but you’re just going at this the wrong way. I mean, a dinner at a restaurant and a movie? Even Shining had the sense of how overdone it was.”

“Give us a break,” Luna snorted, “It’s not like we had much practice in the dating field ourselves.”

Fleur looked through the narrow opening that lends a view of a park bench and the west entrance to the park. She leaned towards the pink alicorn, “What did you have in mind?”

“Sometimes the most romantic moments are made when they are at their simplistic,” she explained. “In this case, a lone walk through the park while the sun is setting is quite good. Besides, I’ve already sent up a guy that will get them in the proper mood.” Putting the glasses over her eyes, not only did she spot the palanquin, but the cab that drove up to the gate right behind the royal escort. “Ah, and here we go.”


_*_


Fancy Pants was the first to step outside of the carriage, extending a hoof towards the inside of what he and his coltfriend had been riding in. “After you Bluey.” Another white hoof took hold as the Prince walked out of it.

“Lightline Park,” Blueblood mused. “What’s the reason you brought me here?”

“I was thinking of doing something simple, such as a midnight stroll.” The affluent unicorn took paused as he spotted another pony getting out of a taxi right behind them, “Though it does look like we won’t be entirely alone.”

Curious, the blond Prince looked over to see who was getting out of the carriage some ways from them. It was a mare that neither pony had seen before. She was an Earth Pony who had a light orange mane and a dark golden coat. She pulled out a black violin case from the taxi before thanking the driver. The violinist swung the case unto her back and walked into the park, not without acknowledging the royal presence by bowing a little.

Fancy was the first to speak, “What was that?”

“You’re asking me?” Blueblood asked in confusion. “I’ve never seen that mare in my life.”

“Huh…? That is rather peculiar. Seeing a violinist come to the park at this time,” he paused as he looked over at the setting sun. Shrugging, he added, “Oh well, can’t have everything I suppose. Shall we go in?”

Blueblood went by his consort’s side and as they went through one of the gates, the Royal Guards took their positions to keep watch of other ponies from entering the park. Once the stallions set their hooves along the nearly endless wooden planks, they began their walk while the sun painted the clouds in an orange, pinkish glow. The pine trees they passed through cast long shadows upon the ground.

Their hooves clopped underneath the wooden planks, and for a while, it was the only sound that could be heard. That was until Fancy spoke up. “So… How are you?

Blueblood let out a tired sigh, “Well… I’ve got to go to my annual visit to the Moneigh Islands soon. Just to pop in to tell them that Equestria is still with them and what not.”

“You sound like going over there would be a chore,” his consort raised an eyebrow. “After all, we are talking about the same Moneigh islands: tropical paradise; land of luaus; fantastic beac-”

“For the tourists, yes,” the blond unicorn interrupted, “But being stately, I don’t get to experience any of that.”

Fancy looked at him in disbelief, “What?”

“All it is that I show up, they have a parade, I give a speech, we have dinner and then I go. That’s it. There’s no vacation time over there, and if there was, every move I would make would be on the newspaper the next day. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound like paradise to me.”

His consort folded his ears in sympathy. “But don’t you ever get any free time?”

“Well, I’m on this date with you, am I?”

“No no,” Fancy shook his head. “I mean thank you, but that’s not what I meant. I mean, don’t you ever go somewhere or do something for the sheer enjoyment of it?”

Blueblood shook his head, “I was never brought up to have that. After all, I am a Prince, and if my parents had any reason to take me someplace, it was for educational purposes. For example, I remember that when I was sixteen, we were in Paris and we’ve spent the whole time going through the Louvre where they made me study the art and the historical context they had. Or when father brought me to Neighpon, he took me there to test out my Neighponiese, when I was fourteen. Even when those trips were within Equestria's borders, they took me around for the same reason. Take the time when I was nine; mother had us visit Manehattan, but take a wild guess for what reason.”

Fancy thought for a moment and a wide range of theories popped into his skull. They ranged from Bridleway to the Mare of Liberty, even the names of expensive restaurants. However, when he took too long to respond back, the Prince answered for him.

“The Stock Market exchange on Wall Street, I honestly wish I was making this up. When I wanted to explore Manehattan, my mom wanted me to introduce the interstices of the economy by bringing me to the chamber where stallions in suites were screaming their heads off of ‘bye’ or ‘sale’. Nine years old my Aunt’s sake!”

His consort let out a low whistle. “Wow.”

“You can say that again,” Blueblood muttered. By now, they reached on of the benches where it was facing directly towards the sun. “Wait, let us rest for a moment,” he sat down and so did his coltfriend.

Fancy inquired: “Were your parents anywhere near as bad as mine?” to this, the younger unicorn let out a snort.

“I probably had the strictest mother and father who ever lived. Ever since the day I could walk, they went straight away in teaching me how to walk regal, how to speak proper, what the rules are at the dinner table, how to count the number of servants. My parents had a schedule for me – at age five I knew every rule of manors that most adults don’t know. Between five to ten, I was taught how Equestria run. Ten to fifteen, they began teaching me probably half a dozen languages so that between the ages of fifteen to twenty I would be taught the cultures and politics of the rest of the world. The concepts of foalhood, childhood, or being a teenager was something that commoners did,” here, Blueblood chuckled. “In fact, when I was growing up, I was convinced that my parents wanted an automaton than a son.”

When he didn’t hear any response from his consort, the Prince looked over to see that he had a look of pity. “Was it really that bad?” he asked.

“I… I don’t think so. Please, take no offense when I say this, but at least they were neither mad nor…” he trailed off as he realized that he’d already stuck his hoof in his mouth. “Forgive me.”

Fancy chuckled; his eyes looked onward at the setting, golden sun. “I know what you’re going for, and I’m not offended for it. Still, as much as I’ve talked about my parents, I was beginning to get rather curious with yours.” He leaned back on the bench. “As unusual as my upbringing was, I can’t imagine having parents in which we never get to have any fun.”

“I think you’re forgetting somepony,” the Prince smirked. “At least I did have an Aunt. When I was much younger, going to visit her was always a highlight of my day. She… I don’t know, Auntie Celestia did have a way with children, especially with me. Of course, her attitude did turn since I grew up, but back than going over to see her was like Hearths Warming Eve.”

“Okay, you’ve got my attention,” his consort folded one hind leg over the other. “What good stories do you have of her?”

Blueblood blew into the wind, “Oh… where do I begin, where do I end?” he laughed. “You know, while my parents were grooming me to be a miniature adult, Celestia on the other hoof treated me what they would never dare to - like a child. It was really the only time that I could be able to play was with her. She had games, of course, that would drive my parents insane. Simple ones like when we are having dinner with her, she and I would take one thing off the table at a time until my parents noticed that their meal was under the table. And my parents would hate her for encouraging me.”

Fancy hummed, “You know, if I were in your horseshoes, I probably try to run away and live with her.”

“I actually tried that once. Come to think of it, I believe I was… I want to say twelve when I snuck out of the house with a saddlebag of everything I held value and tried to make a mad dash for the castle. At the time, I remembered that I didn’t want to go another long, boring opera that they were planning on taking me to and I had no say in the matter. So sick I was feeling that I was overall ignored that I decided to run away and head straight to the one pony that would listen to me, my Auntie.

“Needless to say, I did end up getting caught…” Here, Blueblood fell silent as the trees surrounding them. “They were so mad when I returned home. So angry that I think you could classify it as a conniption. I remember that the first thing either of them did was to take my saddlebag, slam it on the marble floor until my things were reduced to bits and pieces before handling it over to a servant to be thrown away. I think that it was father who did that. And mother…” he trailed off.

He felt a hoof on his own. “What happened?” the older unicorn asked softly.

“Just like your ex… she slapped me. Hard. Of course, I was disciplined before… only not like that. It was the only time she ever did that, mind you. But still, it hurt. After she yelled at me some more, she had me sent to my room. I think I spend the rest of the night crying. Auntie Celestia was never told about what happened that night. I don’t think she ever knew.”

“I can relate,” Fancy sighed. “As for me, whenever mother drank, her personality would flip so fast that nopony, not me, my siblings or any of her husbands could ever catch on. While Mum never once hit me, she had a way in which she could destroy your self-esteem in a matter of seconds after she had a couple of glasses of wine in her. Literally. When she’s sober, Mum would be the kind of mare that you want to invite over because of how entertaining she is. But a few red wines later, she would go straight to your weak point, and using only her words would tear you into pieces. The worst part is that her arguments are concrete, you could not present a counterargument, even if you tried. She could have a debate with the creator herself and my mother would still win.”

Blueblood shook his head, “I can’t imagine what kind of mare that would be like if I ran into her.”

“Chances are, you just might,” the Prince blinked and asked what he meant. “She is coming tomorrow morning. Something about trying to see if we are really are an item. Although, just be glad it’s her and not father,” he shuttered. “That alone would end badly.”

Both stallions fell silent. Blueblood, after checking to see that they were, indeed, alone, leaned up against his consort as they watched the dying light of the sun sink below the horizon. Little by little, the land before them grew darker with shadows from mountains, hills and distant cities cast their silhouettes like giants. They watched the sky turned from red to orange, to dark violet as the sun sunk lower before tiny lights above were being lit. For the longest time, neither stallion had any idea what to say or where to begin. That was until the Prince broke the stillness.

“Can I ask you a personal question?” Fancy told him to go ahead. “How did your parents react when they found out that you preferred stallions?”

His consort sighed, “Well… when I was nineteen, I first told father first of my little secret. At the time, he was in another lunatic asylum, but even when he was in that straight jacket, he accepted me right away – saying that he wanted to give me a hug if it weren’t for the sleeves that he was tied up in. Mum on the other hoof, I told about a year later. She was pretty angry at me, but not for the reason you’re thinking of.”

Blueblood tilted his head. “Oh?”

“She was furious at me because she told me that she just lost a bet to one of her friends.” He chuckled with a hint of embarrassment, “I later found out that the bet started when I was thirteen that her friend noticed that I preferred to be with colts over fillies and that I never had any interest in them. Mother placed a ridiculous amount of bits that I was straight but too bad that she ended up losing.”

“What happened after that?”

He shrugged, “Nothing much really. Things went back to normal, except now, they know that I’m gay. From there, I started to socialize more when at that point I was living on my own.” Fancy paused and looked over to the young Prince. “Though I assume you never once told yours?”

Blueblood shook his head, “Believe it or not when they’ve died a couple years ago… or at least, on the day that I heard the news, I felt liberated. I know it sounds completely wrong, but when I heard that they’ve died, it was like I could breathe finally. So no, they went to their graves not ever knowing. How could I tell them anyway? They had such high expectations out of me; they wanted to see me as the perfect prince. In fact, if they’re still alive, they would have forced me to marry some mare by now. If they knew I’m gay…” he trailed off, an icy shiver went down his spine. “I don’t know what would happen.” The blond unicorn smiled at him while the moon slowly rose with its blue light. “You don’t know how lucky I am that I’m able to go on a date with somepony like yourself.”

Fancy laughed again, “How do you think I feel? I couldn’t believe my luck on some days.”

Before Blueblood could respond, both he and his consort’s ears perked up as they heard the humming of a violin in the distance. While they couldn’t see where it was coming from, they already made the assumption of who it might be. After shrugging, the return watching Luna’s sky being painting over their heads.

“Horseshoepin,” the blue mustached pony hummed. “Nocturne in C-Sharp minor too… Perfect music on a night like this one.”

“Do you think you could play that?”

“I can,” Fancy mused. “You know, if it wasn’t for my stage fright for the piano, I probably had been playing at concert halls as my father had. He taught me how to play you know.”

“No, I didn’t know.”

“Oh… Well, I guess it’s a sort of dream I’ve always had. Almost like a fantasy in a way, to be up there playing while the orchestra is right there.”

“Now I’m curious,” Blueblood adjusted himself. “Why don’t you? I mean, I understand the stage fright aspect, but I’ve heard you play before and you’re quite exquisite at what you do.”

Fancy shook his head, “If only I could, but then I would hear my mother’s voice to remind me that I wouldn’t live up to what dad could do. Sure, he was crazy. But when you place him in front of a keyboard… I don’t know how he does it, but I’ve seen and heard him play so brilliantly that he could move anypony to tears. Perhaps, it’s because of his insanity that he was able to do something that I know I couldn’t.”

“I disagree,” the Prince lifted his hoof over to the other unicorn’s face. Making him turn to look at him, “After all, it was what lured me over to you.”

For a long moment, as the distant violin played on, neither stallion said a word. But Fancy, in the forelegs of a prince, felt his heart pick up the tempo in his chest. Their faces slowly drew closer, “I’m flattered… Your Majesty, I thank you for making this old gent feel wanted.”

“No. I should be thanking you, for giving me something that I thought would never happen.”

Inside Fancy Pant’s head, a little voice was screaming in sheer joy, for he knew what was about to come. “Oh? And that would be?”

“This,” the Prince closed his eyes and leaned forward. His consort too closed his eyes and began to lean closer eagerly. This was it, the moment that he now wanted. He was about to– 

“Mr. Pants!” a mare’s voice shouted, thus shattering the moment.

Fancy wasn’t sure if the scream of disappointment was coming from his head or from someplace else, but he turned to look to see who was galloping along the boardwalk. This turned out to be his maid who was completely out of breath. Both stallions quickly parted away on the bench.

“Ms. Duster?” the wealthy stallion coughed awkwardly into his hoof. “What are you doing here on this fine-”

“Somepony has broken into the house!” she cried.

“What!” Fancy stood up, a thousand question rapidly popped into his head like popcorn. “What happened? Is anypony hurt, stolen?”

“The guards tried to… fight him off,” she said, trying to get her breath back. “But he just got through the… the kitchen window… He’s still there… but he’s hurt… several guards… And he… refuses to leave… without seeing you…”

“Oh Celestia,” the older unicorn moaned before turning to his date. “I’m really sorry Bluely, but this is clearly an emergency.”

“I’ll come too,” Blueblood stood up. “I don’t want you to be in danger.”

Fancy gave a mocking snort, “Please, I’ve grown up with my mother…” he said before the three of them started galloping away.

Unbeknownst to them, Fleur slipped out of a bush, leaving behind her the muffled sounds of Princess Cadance screaming every profane word and phrase known to ponykind.


_*_


By the time that Fancy and Blueblood arrived at the blue mansion, they found not only was there a line of police surrounding his home with lines of yellow tape – but also a good chunk of both branches of the Royal Guard were there too with crossbows, teargas grenades, spears, and shields as if they were laying siege upon the house.

“Oh dear,” the older unicorn said as he and his coltfriend stepped out of the palanquin. “This is much more serious than I thought.”

“Your Highness,” a Solar Guard came up to them and saluted. “I highly suggest that you and your consort should be relocated to someplace else. There’s a dangerous pony in there.”

“What happened?” Blueblood asked.

“Since the intruder came, he was able to take out all of the guards that were safeguarding thee mansion with nothing more than a few pills and a straw. He’s been in the kitchen since he broke in and has been demanding for Fancy Pants to come to see him.”

The older unicorn didn’t say anything while his coltfriend took noticed that there was a look of dread on his face. “Is he still in there?”

“Yes, sir. Do you know him?”

“I don’t know,” Fancy told him before he went under the police line and headed towards the front door.

“Fancy wait!” Blueblood went after him. He followed his consort through the doors in which he saw him lifting a hardwood walking stick in his aura.

“Stay behind me,” the blue-maned unicorn ordered as he walked towards the kitchen. However, as soon as they got into the dining room, the doors to the kitchen were pushed open as a stallion came through, holding a chocolate covered cake in his magic. The stallion was much older than Fancy was, by the wrinkles around his blue eyes. His mane was mostly black but had streaks of silver. The coat was white and had an image of a grand piano on his flank. As soon as the older unicorn saw who was in the dining room, he smiled warmly.

“Fancy!” he said in a respectable Trottingham accent. “Long time no see!” he ended with a smile.

Blueblood saw all the color from his consort’s mane drain out of him as he looked at the third unicorn in terror.

“Dad...?” Fancy held onto the walking stick tighter.
> Chapter XV: Tempered Clavier
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Dad, how did you get out?” was the first audible thing to come out of Fancy’s mouth.

“They let me out, son,” the father told him as he placed the chocolate cake down on the table. “I’m all better now, they even gave me these.” He pulled out from his breast coat pocket a small, orange bottle with a white cap on it. Inside were some pills that only filled about three-fourths of the way. “Now that the doctors had let me go, I just want to see my kids again to see how they’re doing. You’re the first I’ve come to.”

The Prince’s consort, however, looked on with suspicion. “Is that way you’ve injured a couple of Royal Guards outside of my home?”

“They wouldn’t let me knock so what I was supposed to do?” he shrugged, and then he took notice of the blond unicorn. “Oh Fancy, where are your manners? Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend here? He looks familiar…”

Blueblood was about to approach, but was stopped by a walking stick, “You were about to get into his kill zone,” his coltfriend warned.

“Oh…” the younger unicorn stepped back and cleared his throat. “I am Prince Blueblood Everfree. But I’m afraid that I haven’t caught your name.”

Fancy’s father smiled warmly and jolly chuckled. “Quite right, (I knew your face was familiar!) My name is Tempered Clavier. I used to be a concert pianist a long time ago and as you doubt guessed it, I’m his dad.” He then pulled out a knife in which both stallions instantly jumped further backward. The elder unicorn blinked, “What? Do you want some cake? I’ve just made it myself.”

“Uh, dad,” his son, after handing it over to Blueblood, reached out for the knife with his magic. “How about you let me cut that… You didn’t put your medicine into it again, did you?”

“Of course not,” Clavier snorted, “It would overall ruin the flavor. But now you’ve mentioned it, here,” he let go of the knife. “You start cutting it while I go fetch the dishes and forks.” With that, he disappeared into the doorway of the kitchen.

Blueblood glanced over to his coltfriend, “That’s your father?”

“Indeed,” he sighed. “I certainly did not expect that he would be here. I don’t know if he’s telling the truth or not.”

“Should I summon the guards inside?”

Fancy hesitated as he thought it over. “We should wait until Fleur gets here. At least by then, we should be safe with her here. But for now, we do need to be cautious around him.”

“Then should I at least summon the Royal Taste-Tester?” his consort stared at him. “What?”

His consort blinked, “You still have one of those?”

“They’re not always needed given how rarely anypony tries to assonate the Royal Family nowadays. However, if you want, I could have him here in a few minutes so we could be doubly sure that he didn’t do anything with the cake.”

“This is my father we’re talking about, if he’s here to see me, it’s highly unlikely that he would poison me…” he looked over at the chocolate dessert. An uneasy silence came between them for a moment, “But just in case… In the meantime, could you have the guard send an emergency telegram to Dr. Mindweave in Fillydelphia to ask him if my dad has really been let out.”

As Blueblood immediately went to the front door to tell the guards to get the taste-tester, the affluent pony set about in dividing the cake, sending a telegram to a certain doctor – as well as ordering to gather some more guards to have them storm in when it was absolutely needed by a secret word. After the Prince had told them these things, he started his return to the dining room as he hears his consort and his dad set up the plates. He heard Clavier ask, “So where’s your husband now? I didn’t see you chaps when I came in.”

Fancy frowned, “You mean you haven’t heard?”

He laughed, “Son, I was inside a Loony Bin since after you two came back from your honeymoon. Being inside a mental hospital is the last place in the world to know what’s going on. Anyway, how’s Vibrato doing?”

Blueblood froze as he heard the name. ‘Wait a second,’ he thought. ‘Vibrato? He’s not talking about who I think he’s talking about?’ Instantly, the Prince’s mind pulled out from his filing cabinets that were marked under “Music” and pulled out the name of an opera singer that he saw at… the Trottingham Opera House… who was a tenor… was born with a condition that made him shorter than the average pony…  and was known for his… temper… 

His son sighed, “Dad, I haven’t been married for ten years now.”

“What,” Clavier looked at him in surprise. “Fancy, what happened? Last time I saw you two, you were such a drop dead adorable couple.”

“That doesn’t matter,” he replied as he started to dish the slices of cake. “All I can say is that things ended… messy and we’ve parted ways. For the present, I can tell you that I’m dating again. If anything, you’ve already met him.”

The father looked confused until his ears picked up as Blueblood pulled up a chair. He looked between him and his son. “You’re… You’re actually dating royalty?” Fancy nodded. Clavier gave a low whistle, “I mean, wow son… When I’ve asked you a long time ago if you found your Prince Charming I didn’t think you would take it literally.”

“It’s a long story,” the blue-maned unicorn said before changing the subject, “Dad, are we going to be expecting a shoot-out or is there going to be another bowling alley incident?”

He laughed, “Fancy. It’s fine, really, nopony is chasing me, the doctors had released me, and all I want is to see how my boy is doing.”

“Even though you probably might have sent a couple of guards to the hospital?”

“I wasn’t planning on it,” he said defensively, “but as I’ve said, they were in the way.”

By now, the Prince decided that now would be the time to enter the dining room where he sees his coltfriend dishing up slices of the chocolate cake onto the third plate. The other unicorn meanwhile had already taken his seat at the table. Clavier was already digging into the desert while his son eyed what was on his plate with suspicion. Before Blueblood could sit right next to him, however, one of the windows had suddenly exploded in which Fleur came somersaulting in.

“Ninjas!” Clavier cried as he quickly held out his fork over his head and threw it across the room over to the bodyguard. The unicorn mare, however, was able to catch the flying fork with her bare hooves before it could hit her face. She let the momentum of the pronged silverware spin and was about to return the favor when she noticed that the stallion was loading a pill into a straw.

“Blue! Duck!” Fancy cried, and without thinking twice, the Prince dove underneath the table as the father unleashed a rain of lightning-fast pills that not only flew but were expertly deflected by Fleur only using the fork. All around them, like pebbles being flung by a slingshot, the blond unicorn heard glass being broken, or bouncing off the walls, off the table and ricochet on the crystal chandler.

“Dad! Fleur! Stop!” Fancy cried out as his horn instantly grabbed both the fork and the straw. “Dad, this is my bodyguard. She’s one of the good guys.”

He blinked, “Since when did you get yourself a bodyguard?”

“The point is I have one,” his son rolled his eyes. “Dad, may I introduce to you, Fleur de Lis? Fleur de Lis, this is my father, Tempered Clavier.”

His bodyguard looked up and down at him, “Is he safe?”

The father laughed, his horn began to pick up the scattered pills while the blond prince peeks his head out from underneath the table. “Oh don’t you worry my dear! I have my medicine on me. And sorry about attacking you, you can never be too careful with all those distracting guards outside.”

“So I’ve noticed,” the mare dryly replied. Before Clavier could reply, the doorbell rang.

The pony that was at the door informed Fancy of the reply of the doctor in Fillydelphia to confirm what his father said about being released was indeed true. That and the Royal Taste-Tester had just arrived. So, after having the pony swearing an oath of risking his life for the crown, biting on a piece of cake and waited for about fifteen minutes, much to his father’s amusement, the Test-Taster left after saying that it was the best cake he ever had. Once it was deemed safe, Fancy, along with his coltfriend and bodyguard had dug in. However, that didn’t mean that he won’t keep a cautious eye on his father.


_*_


“You know,” the Prince observed. “From what Fancy has told me about you, I’m rather surprised how pleasant of a pony you are.”

His consort gambled, “I still don’t trust him.”

“He’s right you know.” Clavier commented. By now, they were in the music room and Fancy’s father was once again at the piano. Dreamlike notes echoed within the black box, a song that bounced off the walls. However, the pianist’s son, his bodyguard and coltfriend still kept their distance. From the window, the battalion of guards still kept watch from both inside and out. “Given my past, he doesn’t have any reason to trust me. What little time I did spend with him I was so mental that I would be surprised if he thought otherwise.”

Fleur put down her cup of tea onto the other end of the piano. “Sir, out of curiosity, why are you here?”

“Well, I’m here for two reasons; the first is to see my son. And the other is to ask if I could stay here for a few days before I head off to Applewood, Cloudsdale, and Manehattan for the same reason.”

Both Blueblood and his coltfriend looked at one another, “Dad, I don’t know if you could stay here.”

The eldest unicorn raises an eyebrow but kept on playing. “And why not?”

“Mum is coming tomorrow morning.”

“So?”

Fancy frowned, “Dad, the last time we were together, you attempted to kill her by chasing her with a broken bottle. Oh, not before you drugged us too.”

“You would have just gotten in the way. Besides, I didn’t want any of you or your siblings to get hurt.”

“I nearly drown in mash.”

“At least I was able to pull your face away from that and into the asparagus.”

“That’s not the point!” the blue-maned stallion paused to take a calming breath. “What is that I’m going to have to introduce Bluey to mum and I don’t need you to be around when she comes.”

Clavier chuckled, “Oh-ho! Now you two are onto nicknames, are you? Tell me, Your Highness,” he turned to the Prince with a grin. “Have either of you foalnapped the other yet?”

Blueblood was taken aback, “I beg your pardon?”

The father frowned, “I’ll take that as a no. Such a disappointment, but then again, you two are early.”

Fleur looked over to her employer, “What is he talking about?”

Before Fancy could answer, his father did it for him. “It’s a sort of family tradition, or at least, in his mother’s side. Back when I was dating her when we’re drawing closer to each other after a couple of dates, she ended up loving me so much that she tossed me into a burlap sack and had taken me to the Bahamares. Of course, I had everything from the neck down still in the bag for the whole time.” He sighed, “Oh it was the most romantic thing that she ever did. So much so, I asked her to marry me at the end of it all. If you one of you really wanted to take your relationship a step further…”

“Dad, I’m not going to foalnap a member of Royalty,” Fancy said flatly. “I’m pretty sure that I would end up in prison or execute for it.”

“Who’s to say that he wouldn’t?” Clavier tilted his head towards his coltfriend. “While I’m not attracted to stallions like yourself, I would think it would be romantic.”

“Says the pony that at one time couldn’t go near a bag of potatoes because they were saying such intimidating things,” his son deadpanned.

“They threatened to bury me headfirst into the garden.”

“So you used the crossbow on them?” Fancy raised an eyebrow.

His father rolled his eyes. “I think we’re getting off topic, so your mum is coming, so what? That doesn’t mean I can’t stay here for a few days.”

“I think what your son is concerned about,” Fleur began, “Is that he’s afraid that there might be some bitter confrontation between you and your ex. Perhaps, it would be wiser if we could get you a hotel room until you’re ready to move on.”

“Oh no, you don’t! I came here specifically to be with my son and that’s what I’m going to do! I’m staying here.”

“But I don’t know if I would be safe with you here in the house,” Fancy objected. “I don’t even know if I would feel secure sleeping under the same roof as you.”

“You could sleep at the palace,” Blueblood suggested before quickly adding, “After all, we do have guest rooms.”

Clavier chuckled, “Oh, I see where this is going.” Then his ears perked up, “Actually son, let me make you a deal. I will try to clear out in the morning so you can talk to your mother if you would spend the night with your Prince Charming.”

Fancy’s jaw dropped. “Dad!” he cheeks were turning pink, “We’re still trying to get to know each other and we’ve only gone on a couple of dates!”

“All the more reason to go,” his father amusingly huffed.

“Security-wise, it does make the most sense,” Fleur pointed out. 

With a defeated sigh, Fancy agreed. After having his valet organize his personal things to be packed for an overnight stay, he and the Prince loaded up on the palanquin and headed straight for the palace.


_*_


“So you’re allowing me to sleep anywhere I want?”

The Prince nodded as he and his consort walked down the gilded halls. “With the exception of my Aunties quarters, you’re allowed to any room in the castle. Of course, we’ll have to get up pretty early the next morning so you can meet your mother in the morning.”

Fancy hummed in thought as he looked over at the art of the paintings, tapestries and marble busts. “Where is your Royal Apartment?”

“On the next floor above us,” he paused, “Why?”

His consort, smiled, “Your Majesty, would I have the honor of staying with you for the night?”

The blond Prince stopped dead where he stood, eyes wide and trying to fight back a blush, “You’re not saying-”

“Well, we don’t have to. Grant it, our relationship is a bit early for such an activity. I can always sleep on the couch-”

“Absolute nonsense! I’m not going to let my consort sleep on the couch, my aunts would never forgive me.” The Prince huffed, “If you are going to sleep anywhere, then it must be in a bed.”

“Oh, you don’t have-”

“I am not arguing about this,” Blueblood interrupted. “Come, the stairs are this way.”

So his consort had followed his coltfriend. Down the stairs, up the black-and-white marble stairs and down another hallway until they stopped in front of double doors that bare Blueblood’s cutie mark of a compass rose. Behind the towering doors, his consort gawked at what he saw, much to the Prince’s amusement. The first striking he saw coming in was that the Titanic, white marble columns that stretched to hold up a painted dome above. Royal blue curtains drape down that only slightly hid the other room. Beyond the curtains, a bedroom in which was the size of a house had not only the king size bed complete with a canopy post, but it had antique Prench furniture from couches to tables. There was a lit fireplace that looked like could easily fit Celestia in standing up. White walls and Rococo gold decorate the corners between the corners and the ceiling. Over the fireplace, a classical painting of Commander Hurricane hung over the hearth – flying in the air with wings spread, holding a spear in his strong hooves and shining armor.

“This is your room?” Fancy questioned. “It looks like I’ve stepped inside a museum.”

“You’d be half right,” Blueblood mused. “Much of the furniture and art in here are originals, like that painting over the fireplace, that’s a real Tomane Lawrence, one of his very few historical portraits.” He smiled while his coltfriend gave a low whistle, “I take it that you approve of my room?”

“It’s incredible! This whole place is a hodge-podge of every art style I know. I can easily imagine a war over the items in this room in an auction house.”

“I’m not selling any of it any time soon.” The Prince pulled on a rope that rang a bell. In moments, a butler in a smart suit came in, “Would you call up the maids to turn down the bed, and get an extra blanket and pillow for the bed?” Before Fancy knew it, two maids came in to pull down the mountain of pillows and covers until only the sheets remained bare. At the same time, another maid came in to lay, tuck and flatten the sheets over the couch before dressing it with a blanket and a pillow.

Once all the servants were gone, Blueblood waved a hoof over to the bed. “I want you to have my bed, and I’m not taking a ‘No’ for an answer.”

“Very well,” Fancy smirked, “But do remember Bluey if you ever are feeling lonely in the middle of the night. At least you’ll know where to find me.”

A blush broke on the blond unicorn’s face, “I’ll… I’ll keep that in mind.” He coughed into his hoof, “But it’s getting late, let us retire to bed.”

In the end, Fancy had fallen asleep on Blueblood’s enormous bed while the Prince lay on the couch. He listened to the soft snores of his consort while his mind began to wander elsewhere. Before the lull of sleep overcame him, he started to wonder how much longer he could impress the older stallion from what resources he had. He knew he was lucky so far to have somepony like Fancy to be anywhere near him, but before he fell asleep, a poisonous doubt crept into his head. What if at some point he messed up?
> Chapter XVI: Blueblood’s Nightmare
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the ship’s wheel, Fancy steer the sails of the ship as it bobbed up and down among the clouds. In a blue naval overcoat, he screamed in excitement as the boat was going faster. Above him was the clearest blue sky that he’d ever seen, below and to the sides of him, he navigated through the ever-changing white as they continuously transform with every passing second. Behind him, a rather strong wind was pushing the sails further forward. Flinging the wheel counter-clockwise, he made the ship a rather sharp turn away from a wave of fluff that nearly capsized the boat. It cut through the lumps of cloud and over hills of snowy mists until he reaches a calmer sea of sky.

“That was quite maneuvering, Captain Pants,” the unicorn blinked. He looked around on the deck and by the mast, he spotted a rather tall blue alicorn in a black navy uniform. She saluted, “I beg your pardon of crashing into your dream, but your beloved consort is in need of assistance.”

Putting a loop on the ship’s wheel to keep it in place, the blue-maned unicorn to where he walked down over to her. “Why? Has something to Bluey?” Her reply came when she pointed a hoof forward. Fancy turned around to an open door that was directly underneath the navigation deck. Through it, he saw a white door with gold trimming, and above it was a ball of light that glows a deep red. “What is it?”

“That there is the doorway to my nephew’s dream. Since he helped you out last time, I think now would be the opportunity to return him the favor.”

Fancy took a few steps towards the open door but hesitated, “What sort of nightmare is he having?”

“It’s hard to say. However, I can say that he does need you right now.”

“And if he’s having a dream that has a monster chasing after him?”

“Not to worry, I’ll be in the shadows overlooking you both. If at any point where either of you is in danger, I will come.”

Facing towards Blueblood’s door, the unicorn took a moment to brace himself as he marched forward with a purpose. Lighting up his horn, he turned the handle as he entered. However, he stopped for a moment in confusion. Not because of what he was seeing, but as to where he was.

Luna made the observation as she too entered. “Interesting, we’re at the palace.” She looked up and down the halls. “But there’s nopony around. Why would he be having a nightmare here?”

“Isn’t this the floor where his apartment is?” Fancy inquired.

“It would seem so. Perhaps we should start looking from his room then.”

The unicorn agreed and the two of them walked towards the familiar gilded doors that bare Blueblood’s cutie mark. Fancy was the first to knock on the double doors, calling out his coltfriend, but there was no answer. He repeated this a few times and started to become a concern when nopony was answering it. So the Night Princess opened the doors, only to find a mirror blocking their way.

“What?” Fancy put a hoof on the glass, “Why would this be here?” In his curiosity, he leaned his head and an ear flat against the reflective surface. He heard something from behind the looking glass, only he couldn’t make out what it was. “I think he’s behind the mirror.” The unicorn looked around and spotted a marble bust on a nearby pillar. Picking it up in his aura (and finding it surprisingly heavy) he muttered “I’m sorry Blue,” before he swung it against the glass.

The first blow sends a spider’s web of cracks, a second hit made his reflection unrecognizable. But the third attempt was able to send the towering, shiny wall to come crashing down. Luna quickly lit up her horn in time before the jagged pieces could stab them as it revealed a nearly dark abyss behind the doors.

Fancy was the first to enter, carefully stepping over the broken glass upon the marble floor. Glancing over his head, he saw the Moon Princess fade into the darkness until he was unable to see her. Yet, the older unicorn pressed on. The first thing he noticed was that the foyer was much bigger than the one in reality. The second was that all the blue curtains were not only drawn, but the color had changed into black, completely blocking out the windows. The third as he lit up his horn was that the entire floor was covered in shards of broken mirrors, many of which had an empty frame hanging above, but also scraps of newspapers that lay chaotically on the checkered marble.

Curious, Fancy Pants picked up one of these papers and was immediately confused at what he saw. It was a front-page cover where there was a picture of them at the masquerade ball. But it was the headline that he found puzzling: 



Prince Missed One Too Many Steps at Ball.



He picked up another, this time he was greeted with a picture of them at the movies with a headline that read: 



Disastrous Date! Consorts Find it a Bore!



“What in Equestria?” Then picking up several at a time, Fancy got another look at the other headlines.



Prince Leaves Too Much on His Plate!





Royal Clothes Out of Date!





One Too Many Hairs out of Place!





Lost in Translation: Prince Nearly Causes War for Using Wrong Word!





Blueblood Forgets Celestia’s Birthday!





Top 10 Reasons Why Blueblood is Prince Charmless!





“I’ve Gained a 100 Pounds!” Declares Prince.





Couldn’t Tell a Van Gogh from a Child’s Painting!





“I’m Skinny as a Pole!” Blueblood Hides in Shame.





Extra: Prince Doesn’t use Dessert Fork!



Then there was one headline that made the unicorn stare at in complete disbelief. It showed him with a scowl on his face that read in big, black letters:



“We’re Finished!” Fancy Pants Breaks Up With Prince: Blueblood Brings Disgrace Upon Royal Family!



But before Fancy could read through that particular article, his ears caught something. At first, he couldn’t make it out but it was the sound of somepony muttering. But as he drew closer to the sound, keeping mind of the broken glass around, he started to make out that it was the sound of his coltfriend. He pulled back one of the black curtains in which he found the Prince’s bedroom, only it was much different than the one in reality. The walls were in a very dark purple and the Rococo trimming was gone. Over the fireplace, a new portrait hung over the fireplace of two ponies that looked over to the bed with disapproving eyes. It didn’t take long for the older unicorn to guess who those ponies were.

Like the enormous foyer, the floor was covered in broken glass and a lake of newspapers, each and everyone had a poisoned tipped verbal attack on the stallion that was frantically going through one headline after another. Fancy paused as he saw Blueblood looked like he hadn’t had sleep in years. His mane was long, tangled and in disarray, he wasn’t wearing any of his signature clean suits, and his eyes… They were bloodshot; a stream of tears stained his cheeks as he tore from one overcritical paper after another. 

“Okay, I should bathe a little less so nopony would think I care too much of my appearance.” He spoke in a whisper as he went to the next newspaper. “And work more on my Neighponse so at least those dignitaries would understand me,” then to the next, “And should have chosen a more interesting date since the lasts ones were so dull,” then the next, “Oh you stupid fool! How did I forget Princess Twilight’s graduation?” He slapped himself on the forehead. “Of course I knew I was forgetting something, you idiot! What does this one say?” He picked up another paper, “Okay, tone down on the flamboyance next time. Ponies think I’m a bigger faggot then I’m already am.”

Fancy watch on silently, completely stunned, not because of what he was hearing, but he understood what this nightmare was all about. Blueblood was consciously putting himself down over an unrealistically high standard of perfection. Even worse were all the insults that his coltfriend was giving himself that tore at his heart. “Blueblood?” he tried calling out, but the blond unicorn still kept muttering to himself, going through the papers on his bed. “Blueblood Everfree?” he said louder but still got no response. “Bluey?”

Yet, the Prince kept ignoring him. The blue-maned stallion tried to think of a way to try to get his attention and away from all that razor sharp, unfair critique that he was giving himself. He wished that he had so way to get him to notice him as he did with a piano before bumping into a grand piano. Fancy nearly jumped at the sudden object that just appeared out of nowhere, but he reminded himself that he was in a dream. Lighting up his horn, he opened the lid, uncovered the keys and hoped to Celestia that this would work.

With his back turned from the Prince, Fancy concentrated on the piece in which as soon as he raised his hooves as if to conduct an invisible orchestra, he heard stings begin solemnly before the winds that gave the empty black room a soft, moonlight glow. He was relieved that he no longer heard his consort’s muttering as he knew that this time, he was listening. Even though he didn’t see it, the old unicorn could sense that his eyes were now upon him. And he knew that he really had his attention as soon as his hooves touched the black and white ivory keys.

He heard a rustling of paper as the luring melody developed. Hooves slid off the bed and touched the floor before it came closer to the piano with every crackling glass and crunching paper step. They stopped right behind him as Fancy continued on with the romantic song. For a moment, Blueblood had hesitated to come anywhere near the bench, even when there was clearly enough room for them both.

“I hope that you’d like it,” Fancy spoke up first. “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to play to an audience but never gotten the chance to. It’s Horseshoepin’s first piano concerto, the Il Largo to be precise. I’ve managed to commit it to memory about a year ago.” He looked over his shoulder to see his coltfriend had an apologetic look on his face. With a sigh, the older unicorn moved a little to the side. “Blue, come sit with me.”

The Prince obeyed, but even as the music played on, Blueblood didn’t say anything. As if he was at loss for words as to what to say exactly – but two minutes later, he did speak up, “I’m sorry.”

Fancy raised an eyebrow, “What for?”

“I…” he ran a hoof through his messy mane. “Everything. I’m so… so sorry for not being the kind of coltfriend you wanted me to be.” He sunk his head low, “I did try to be your Prince Charming, like how Shining was to cousin Cadance, but I’m afraid that I’ve failed you in that regard. Celestia, I’ve probably have been the most clichéd coltfriend in history. What was I thinking? Dinner and a movie? How unoriginal am I? That I can’t even come up with a good-”

“Enough!” his consort cut him off. The blond Prince flinched at this, however, after taking a deep breath, Fancy continued, “Bluey, do you honestly take any, well,” he craned his head over the scattered pile of newspapers, “all of this seriously?”

“Of course I do,” he lifted a random paper into his aura. “I really need to fix this.”

“No you don’t,” his coltfriend said sternly. “Bluey, you’re taking all of this way too seriously. I mean, all of this is completely ridiculous. These papers you’ve been reading are criticizing you over the most mundane of things.”

“But I’m a Prince,” Blueblood objected. “I can’t show weakness at all. It’ll show that I’m weak; that I’m not perfect. The public won’t accept anything less than that.”

Fancy frowned, “Now who taught you that nonsense?” his coltfriend pointed at the portrait over the fireplace. He resisted the urge to facehoof, “Never mind. Look Blue, I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but everything you’ve been taught about being this self-conscious is seriously not true.”

“But-”

“Let me finish,” he cut him off. “If there’s anything I need for you to know, (and I refuse to sugarcoat this) is this: I don’t give a damn about if you’re the perfect coltfriend.”

Blueblood stared at him, “What?”

“Here, let me tell you a story about my father, one of the few lessons that I did understand. When he was first teaching me the piano, he had me playing a piece from Buch. His minuet in G Major it was. At my first recital, I was completely unprepared by the time I’ve nervously played in front of other ponies for the first time. Needless to say, I was awful. The notes clashed, they stuttered, arrived too early or too late, I had to start over several times. By the end of it all, I felt like I was ready to cry, swearing to never touch the piano again. But when my song ended, my father stood up and cheered. At first, I thought he was mocking me so I ran out of the room.”

The Prince tilted his head, “What happened next? You’re obviously practiced since then.”

Fancy nodded, “That’s true, but after I ran out, dad caught up with me and held me. I think I just broke down in how big of a failure I was that I could never be like him, a skilled concert pianist. Well, dad, as crazy as he was, had a moment of brilliance when he told me a philosophy that to this day I never forgotten. ‘The greatest works of art have a foundation of mistakes. There is no such thing as perfect anything because if there were, life would be boring. No need to improve or to rethink creatively. Fancy, even on stage when I play, there’s always a point where even I hit the wrong notes. But that doesn’t matter. As long there is a passion in you to continue, as long as you are striving to become better from each mistake you make, and as long as you live your life as if it were a masterpiece, not even you could ever hit a wrong note.’”

Blueblood pulled back his mane, “Why are you telling me this?”

“I’m trying to say, is that when it comes to having you as a coltfriend, I don’t want you to be perfect. That’s not what I’m looking for. I want to not just see what sort of things you are good at, but also the things that you’re not. Yes, I do want to see your weaknesses, your fears, your worries, your shortcomings, your limitations, because it would give me all the more reason to be privileged that I have you as somepony that I can not only help them to be happy, but also know that he will do the same back.”

The prince paused as he listened on to the music being played out by him and an invisible orchestra. Looking up, the couple saw that the darkness had now been replaced by an uncountable amount of stars and a full moon that shines down on them like a stage light. Finally, the blond unicorn spoke, “I… I still don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

“You’re still learning old sport,” Fancy grinned as he nuzzled him. “I’m not expecting you to get it right the first time around.”

“I’m amazed that even in such a mess as I am now, that you still want to be anywhere near me.”

“That’s because to my eyes, imperfection is perfection. I accept you fully as you are. Prince or not.” When the older pony didn’t hear a reply, he glanced over to see his coltfriend’s eyes were filling with tears. “Blue? Are you-” Blueblood hugged him, but not enough to cease the flow of heavenly music.

“Thank you,” he whispered. “I don’t deserve this.”

Fancy smirked, “Oh no you don’t, you are getting this and I am certainly not going to argue about it.” Blueblood pulled away. There was a pause before both stallions started giggling like school fillies. “There we are!” Mr. Pants declared, “That’s what I wanted to see!”


_*_


Fancy rubbed his eyes as he awoke into consciousness. Even though the blue curtains were drawn, he could tell from the outline of light that the sun was just barely coming up.  Slowly sitting up in the Prince’s bed, he scanned over the darkened room until his good eye fell upon the still sleeping stallion. After sluggishly getting up, he quietly walked over to Blueblood and noticed that he had a look of peace on his face.

Smiling, he craned his neck down and kissed his forehead, “It’s time to wake, My Prince.”

The younger unicorn grumbled, a foreleg reached out and it hooked around Fancy’s. “A little longer, My King,” he muttered.

For a long moment, Fancy was surprised at what he heard but end up smiling as he waited a little longer for his consort to rest.
> Chapter XVII: Anti-Mum
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy smirked, “So… ‘King’ huh?”

Blueblood blushed, “W-What?”

His consort leaned back against the cushioned seat of the palanquin. It was still early in the morning and the guards were trying to hurry back to the affluent pony’s house. “When I tried to wake you up not too long ago, you called me your King?” Fancy gave a teasing grin, “So tell me, is there something I should know?”

The younger unicorn’s ears folded flat against his head, his head turning ruby red. “It’s um… I meant it as a compliment.”

“I already figured that. If anything, I rather like it, ‘King Fancy Pants’ has a nice melodic ring to it.” He chuckled. “But I do find it rather surprising that of all the time we’ve started going out, this was the first I heard you say it. Though it does raise several questions, such as have you ever called any of your crushes Kings or am I the first?”

There was a pause between them, Blueblood still looked embarrassed. “You’re not going to drop it until I tell are you?” he shook his head. With a sigh, he confessed, “Fancy. What you did for me last night when you were really helping me, calling you a King is the highest compliment that I could ever give to a pony.”

The older unicorn still wouldn’t drop his smirk, “Oh? So I’m that special?”

“The fact that you just saw me at my lowest point, even if it was in a dream and that you didn’t run out on me… So short answer, yes. You are precious in my eyes that I can’t fully repay you, even if I tried.”

Fancy blinked, “Wow. I’m very flattered Bluey, now that leads up to the big question.” With a serious tone, he leaned forward. “Blueblood, do you love me?”

The Prince hesitated, but before he could summon up an answer, their mode of transport had stopped and settled in front of Fancy’s door. “We’re here your Highness,” a guard said as he opened the door.

“Thank you,” the younger unicorn quickly got out to which his coltfriend soon followed.

“I will be expecting an answer,” Fancy whispered. “But for now, let’s go say hello to Mum.”

“Are you sure you want me to come?”

Adjusting his monocle, he nodded, “Otherwise, she will call me a liar.” After opening the front door, they went into the dining room in which they not only found Clavier still in the house, but he was tied and gagged in a chair at one head of the table wearing an anti-magic ring on his horn. On the other with a cup of coffee in her hooves was a mare that the Prince had to do a triple take. She had a blond mane, a light rich brown coat, blue eyes, a dark purple suit with a pink turtleneck, and a tiny golden necklace.

“So when I got here not too long ago,” she said as she put down the cup of coffee. “I was expecting for you to be here to have breakfast ready since I had to spend a rather uncomfortable night on the train to get here. Not only that but when I walked through the front door, I happen to find Looney Toons here as well. Of course, my first thought is that he had escaped and buried you underneath a layer of concrete in the basement. So after making sure that he doesn’t chase me with a broken bottle, throw a bowl of acid, or about to use a flamethrower on me I had him restrained and tore up the house looking for you. It wasn’t until later that I find out that you had spent the night in the castle. So with that in mind, did I happen to miss anything?”

“Well good morning to you too Mum,” Fancy said dryly.

Blueblood looked at his consort in disbelief. “Your… Your mother is Ms. Harshwhinny!”

“While the cooks are still busy making breakfast,” she added, “how about you two sit down?” They obeyed; Harshwhinny dumped a couple spoonfuls of sugar into the mug. “You know Prince Blueblood, I was planning of trying to see you after this in hopes that I might be able to prove that those newspapers were lying as well as setting up for the next Equestria Games. So I guess while you’re here, I guess I can kill two birds with one stone.”

“Okay Mum, before you go any further,” Fancy began, “How much alcohol did you drink before breakfast?”

She rolled her eyes, “Only a glass of the usual brandy.”

Her son moaned, his hooves rubbed his forehead. “Oh joy.”

Blueblood glanced over at the bounded Clavier who tried to wave at him through the rope that was pinning him to the armrest. “Is having him tied up like that really necessary?”

“Of course it’s necessary,” Harshwhinny rolled her eyes. “Frankly, Your Highness, you don’t really know what you’re dealing with. That stallion over is mentally insane. Why on our first Hearth’s Warming he decorated the tree with stuffed cats and plastic wrap while he nailed the actress that played as Princess Platinum on the roof. Or there was the time that he stuffed Fancy here inside one of those bubble things because he didn’t want him to get infected by the bugs that would eat his eyes from the inside out. Or the time he had the interior of the house to be covered from floor to ceiling in tinfoil so that the aliens won’t pick up our thoughts.”

Her ex-husband from across the table muffled something.

“I have to agree with dad,” Fancy said. “He is taking his medication.”

His coltfriend stared at him, “How in Equestria did you understand that?”

The older unicorn gave a flat look, “I had visited him at the asylum when most of the time he would be gagged so I have to learn what he was saying with something like that on.”

His mother, however, snorted, “Oh please that’s how he gets you. He would take his pills for about a month just to trick you into a false sense of security and the next thing you know, he would be talking to the table lamps if Buch had written prophecies into his fugues. But that’s not why I’m here,” she leaned forward. “Fancy, what’s really going on between you and Prince Blueblood here?”

“He’s my Royal Consort,” the Prince answered.

However, Harshwhinny still had an unconvincing look when she turned to her son. “What did he offer you?”

Fancy’s eye twitched, “I’m not being paid like a prostitute if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Oh come on,” she rolled her eyes. “You ended up getting only one of two Princes in this country? This has to be too good to be remotely true. I don’t know if this is some elaborate hoax, but I cannot simply take what those papers say at face value. The sheer odds of that happening would be like being hit by lightning three times while winning the lottery and crawling out of a black hole – all on the same day.”

“Yet, that’s exactly what is happening,” the son folded his arms.

The mother raised an eyebrow, “Okay. Let’s say for the sake of argument that you’re right, it is true that you’re dating him. Let’s say that you’re really in love with him too, but here’s my question: How do you know that this relationship isn’t a huge mistake?”

“Excuse me?” Blueblood rose with both forehooves on the table.

“Was I talking to you?” Harshwhinny deadpanned. “If I wasn’t then I suggest you sit back down.” He did and she returned her attention to Fancy. “I mean, based off of what I’ve read so far, it’s all speculation if you two are an item. But you’ve clearly haven’t thought this out. If this relationship is indeed real, I honestly think that it’s a huge mistake.  Forget that he’s royalty for a moment and take it from a mare that has been married a lot. If your last marriage is anything to go off of, you’ll regret the day you move in together. Son, you’re going to be in for a nightmare.”

“And why is that,” her son questioned.

“Because when this goes wrong, the public is undoubtedly going to place the blame entirely on you. And you’ll be lucky to have your career recover from a disaster like that.”

“I must protest,” the Prince spoke up. “Ms. Harshwinny, I didn’t bribe your son into this.” The mare was about to open her mouth but he quickly added, “Or blackmailed. Or manipulated him. Or he promised a castle. Or even to entice him with me convincing Auntie Celestia in turning him into an Alicorn (believe me, I’ve tried). It’s all true, we are in a relationship, and we’ve been going out on several dates for crying out loud!”

For the first time, especially to Fancy’s surprise, his mother was stunned into silence. Clavier muffled into his gagged and his son smile in acknowledgment. “I agree. Bluey really is a keeper.”

Harshwinny regained her composer, “So… you’re both serious about this?” Both stallions looked at one another and nodded. Blueblood asked her if she’s against this, “Personally I don’t really care. Fancy is his own stallion so he could keep messing up until he learns his lesson.”

“And what lesson would that be?”

“Love is sacred.”

Another stunned silence. This time only her son and her ex-husband exchanged looks of disbelief. Finally, Fancy called out, “Ms. Kettle! Bring up the whiskey; we’ve just witnessed the first sign of the apocalypse!”

“Oh quit being a wussy,” his mother said.

“Really Mum?” her son raised an eyebrow. “Which of your seven marriages do you considered sacred?”

“Hey, I never left any of them, especially fruit loops over here,” she waved a hoof towards her ex across the table. “All of them left me. He marched out over a bar tab, your third step-father nearly bankrupt us, and the fifth one left your brother with me. And yet, I stayed with them anyway because you don’t leave your spouse. Look, son, having a relationship is like a cutie mark in that once you got it, it’s permanent. If you can’t live with a ball and chain on your flank you shouldn’t have gotten it in the first place.” She took another sip of her coffee when she muttered, “You should have learned that by now after the last one beaten you a pulp.”

There was a commotion coming from the other end of the table. Clavier was fighting against the ropes, trying to rock the chair from side to side as if he was on fire. But this was not out of pain. No. This was out of rage as he was screaming into his gag.

Blueblood frowned, “Okay, I had enough of this.” He said as he lit up his horn to undo the gag from coltfriend’s father’s mouth.

“I don’t think you should-” Fancy quickly began but was cut off when the oldest unicorn screamed his head off.

“HE DID WHAT?! HE BEATEN FANCY!!! WHERE’S THAT LOW-LIFE POMPOUS FOP OF SCUM?! I WANNA RIP THOSE VOCAL CHORDS OUT OF HIS-” that was as far as he got before his son quickly put the gag back on.

The blue-maned unicorn suddenly got up and went over to his raving father, “Dad! Dad! Listen to me; I haven’t seen my ex for ten years. I’m fine dad. Really, I am. I’ve moved on. Dad, calm down.”

But he wouldn’t. Servants and guards were called in to have Clavier removed and taken to a secure place until he was able to calm down. Once the father was removed, Harshwhinny downed her last cup of coffee before the servants brought in breakfast.

“Well then, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way,” she said turning to the Prince. “About the next Equestria Games…”
> Chapter XVIII: Shanghaied
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later that day, after speaking with his consort’s mother, Blueblood was in deep thought. Alone from his balcony, he gazed up at the stars that his Aunt Luna had long put out. He was thinking about their next date and he wanted to do something to top the previous ones. Of course, as generic as the others were, it should be easy for him to top in theory. In practice, however, he found it to be difficult. Not because he can’t think of a thing for them to do – quite the opposite – he had too many things on his mind.

“Maybe we could go see a show in Manehattan… Or maybe have a couple of miles worth of beaches all to ourselves… No… Maybe I can spend the day in Marerakesh, the food over there is good…” he hummed, “But what if he doesn’t like spicy food? Sweet Luna this is hard!”

“We weren’t aware that was a phrase,” the blond Prince nearly jumped out of his skin and has his skeleton hug a flying buttress-like a cat. He quickly located the voice of his aunt as she was balancing on the railings with her wings spread open. “Forgive me nephew, but I couldn’t help but notice that your light is still on.” She hopped down from it, “Is there something troubling you?”

Blueblood regained his composer and straightened out his mane. “It’s nothing serious Auntie Luna. I just have some things on my mind.”

“Oh?”

“Don’t you have to be somewhere right now?”

She shook her head, “I’ve already dismissed Night Court and my hunting doesn’t begin in another hour. So I’ve got plenty of time on my hooves, as they say, I’m all ears.” The dark alicorn sat down on her haunches. “Though, I could take a guess in saying that it might involve a certain white unicorn that isn’t in the Crystal Empire?”

Her nephew rubbed the back of his neck. “Is it that obvious?”

“Tis only a guess, but a good one at that,” she answered.

Blueblood glanced over at the twinkling lights of the night sky once more. “I’ve been thinking of what to do for our next date.”

“Oh-ho!” Luna grinned, “Well I’ve got plenty of su-”

“I want to do this on my own,” the Prince interrupted. “The last three dates only came from you, and none of them were from me. I want to plan out this next one all by myself without anypony’s help. This time, I want our next date to be something creative, unexpected if necessary. No, if we’re going out again, I want it to leave an unforgettable impression on him, something worthy for my consort to show how…” he trailed off as he looked over at his smiling aunt.

“To show him, what?” the blue Princess asked with amusement.

Blueblood hesitated, for several minutes, but he and Luna stood off in silence. Knowing his aunt, she will not go away once her curiosity was piqued. He knew that even if he tried to get her to go away, he will be visited by her in his dreams. Finally, the Prince looked around the walls of the palace, above and below to be absolutely sure that they were out of earshot from any other pony.

“Auntie Lu,” he began quietly, taking a deep breath through his nostrils, Blueblood looked into the Moon Princess’s eyes. “The following conversation never happened.”

“Ooh, it’s that serious. Alright, I promise by our moon that we will never speak about this to our sister, nor to anyone else.”

Blueblood hesitated, “Oh… it’s like I’m coming out all over again,” he moaned. “Alright Auntie, I… I think, for the first time…” his cheeks gotten redder with every passing word. “I think I might be truly be falling in love… with Fancy Pants.”

Without any given warning, two constricting forelegs were crushing his lungs and his ears went ringing as he heard a very loud and piercing squee from Luna. “OH BLUEBLOOD, NEPHEW OF MINE!” she said in her Canterlot Voice to wake up a neighboring cemetery up, “WE ART SO PROUD OF THEE!!” Releasing the unicorn that longed for air, she added, “Oh! Oh! Have you told him about this yet?”

“Auntie! Keep it down!” he hissed, “I’m not ready to have it being shouted to the whole world if he doesn’t.”

“Oh…” she laughed embarrassingly, “Sorry. But this is great news nonetheless! Bluey, how long have you realized this?”

“Since this morning,” he muttered. “But in any case, right now I’m trying to think of a way to make our next date as memorable as possible.  Something that would be in an environment that I could tell him in – but the question is how? How am I able to do it?” Luna opened her mouth but was quickly filled by Blueblood’s hoof, “Without your help.”

“Aw come on Bluey,” his aunt whined.

“No no! I need to do this in a way that…” he trailed off. A memory came back to him from what Clavier had mentioned last night. From that, combined with what he told his consort from the previous date, an idea took form. It was bold but risky. Romantic but would risk the wrath of the Royal family. It was spontaneous but juvenile of the very concept. If anything, he nearly brushed it off because of how insane of an idea it was. So crazy… it might just work.

“Nephew?” Luna waved a hoof in front of his face, “Are you there?”

Shaking his head back into reality and thinking quickly, he decided to set his plan into action. “Yes. Yes, Auntie Lu… Since you’re here, may I ask if you or anypony is going to use one of the royal airships?”

She tilted her head to the side, “No to my knowledge, why?”

“I want to borrow one of the newer ones, at least for a day. Starting tomorrow?”

“And where exactly are you planning on going?”

Blueblood gave an amused smile, “Oh… no place in particular… But as of now, I have plenty of work to do.”


_*_


Fancy Pants looked up from his newspaper when he heard the doorbell rang. Curious, he got up from his desk and went to one of the study’s windows. Opening it up so he could stick his head out, he saw on the front steps his coltfriend. However, this scene put him off as he noticed that the Prince’s mode of transportation or his usual line of guards were nowhere to be seen.

“Bluey? What are you doing here?”

The blond unicorn turned, “Oh, there you are,” he said giving an anxious glance. “Could you step out here for a moment? I want to talk to you.”

“Right now? I’m going to be going to work in-”

“I-It’s important. Please.”

Fancy told him to wait as he shut the window and walked over to the front door that was being answered by a servant. The old unicorn dismissed her as he stepped outside. “Alright I’m listening, but could you make this quick? I’m expected to be at Upper Crust’s mansion for morning tea.” He paused as he noticed the Prince was looking over his shoulder as if he was being followed. “Is something wrong?”

“What?” Blueblood snapped back at him. “Oh no… Not nearly… I-I came here to ask you two questions.”

Fancy raised an eyebrow, “Okay? And those being?”

“If you were given the chance to go anywhere in the world, right now, where would you want to be?”

“Like a holiday or something?” his younger coltfriend nodded. “Well… I heard that the Moneigh Islands are pleasant this time of year.”

The Prince nodded, “I see… and as for the other…” he rubbed a hoof over his foreleg, “Fancy, can you forgive me?”

He blinked, “Pardon?”

“I mean, I was to do something that’s considered… questionable. That I’ve done something that isn’t exactly considered legal by any means where even my aunts might get upset over. Would you still forgive me?” he then quickly added hastily, “Please answer it quickly.”

Fancy blinked, “Are you in tro-”

“Please answer it!”

Although taken aback, the blue-maned unicorn replied, “Of course I forgive you, but what exactly am I forgiving you for?”

Blueblood wrapped Fancy in an embrace and whispered in his ear, “I really am sorry for what I’m about to do.”

“Do what?”

Taking in a deep breath, he replied, “Normally I don’t do this, but by royal decree, I order that you, Fancy Pants, to take some time off. You are hereby forbidden to work for the minimum of a week. And you are to spend that time with me.”

Fancy pushed away from him, “Now wait a minute Bluey. I know you mean well, but I still have much on my plate as it is.”

“Not anymore,” with that, the younger unicorn lit up his horn.

Ding!

Before he knew what was happening, Fancy quickly found himself being enveloped in something as he and the Prince were lifted off the ground. A moment later, he realized that they were somehow caught in a fishing net, being pulled right up into the sky. In sheer panic, he clawed at the netting.

“What’s going on!” the older unicorn shouted.

“I am sorry Fancy,” Blueblood said, “I’ve decided to foalnap you.”

“WHAT!”

“I said I was sorry!”

The Prince’s consort looked down at the street that was growing smaller underneath him. “But you can’t! I told you to have places to go, things to do, ponies to meet!”

“That’s already being taken care of,” Blueblood looked up.

“HAVE YOU GONE MENTAL?!” Fancy erupted. “Why in Equestria would you do such a thing?”

Before the Prince could answer, a shadow came over them. His consort looked up at the airship they were being pulled up towards. The balloon in which the ship was being held up was indigo that had a silver, Fleur de Lis pattern with wings spreading outward like a bat. The haul was in the purest white where in some places had windows that looked out. And at the very rear of the boat were still propellers that were set for their getaway.

Their netting was hoisted up over to the side by a wench, and by the time it was lifted over to the deck level, Fancy found that the rope was being cranked by sailors. Like fish, they were pulled on board and dumped on the wooden floor. “Your Majesty, Consort Fancy Pants,” one of the sailors said, “Welcome aboard to E.A.S. Compass Rose.”

Once freed, the older unicorn looked over the railings to see that he was quite high above the mountainous city. “Take me back!” he demanded. “None of you have any right to-”

“Where to Your Grace?” one of the sailors that pulled them asked Blueblood.

“To the Moneigh Islands and fast before my Aunts know that I’m gone.”

Fancy’s jaw hit the floor, “You haven’t told the Princesses where you’re going?” He grabbed his coltfriend’s shoulders, “Blueblood! What is wrong with you!”

“Now before you get angry-”

“You’re a bit too late for that!”

The Prince flinched as the propellers start to rotate faster, driving the ship away from the city. “Please, at least let me explain.”

“Yes, please do,” his consort’s face twisted up into a scowl. “I would like to know why you’ve suddenly decided to Shanghai me.”

“Captain on deck!” a voice cried out. The sailors in uniform immediately stopped what they were doing and saluted as up from the lower levels underneath the wheel of the ship came a black pegasus in green. Medals dangled from his chest underneath his thundercloud beard. Fancy caught a glimpse of his cutie mark which was white spiral lines that made it look like a gust of wind. The stallion came up to them.

“Welcome aboard sir, and Mr. Pants,” he tipped his hat. “I’m captain Wind Current.”

“Sir, I demand you take me back,” Fancy told him, still crossed. “I didn’t agree to come along on this voyage in the first place.”

“No can do,” he shook his head. “My crew maybe under my authority, but as of now, the Prince has more command of this then I do. So I’m afraid that I can’t let you off without him saying so.”

The affluent looked on in a mix of disbelief and rage. He turned both of them on the Prince, “This is outrageous!”

Blueblood took several steps back. “Fancy, I think you really need to calm-” that was as far as he got before he felt a sharp pain against his cheek that had the force to lose his standing on the moving airship. By the time he put a hoof to his face, he quickly realized what just happened. Even his consort just as swiftly realized what he just has done.

He had slapped his coltfriend in the face.

Eyes from the crew were upon the older stallion, many were unsure what exactly to do. There was a shock, as well as an overwhelming disapproval that was aimed directly at Fancy. However, the blue-maned unicorn didn’t focus on them. Instead, his eyes were on the Prince. He saw pain, betrayal, even heartbreak that was swelling up in those tears.

“Blue,” Fancy softly began, his heart is filled with regret. “I didn’t mean to. Oh, Celestia, I’m sorry-” He was cut off when he heard the first of many sobs from the younger unicorn. Even when he tried to comfort him, his coltfriend backed away. And before he could take another step forward, he felt two hooves lay upon him.

“Take him to the brig,” the captain ordered. Two sailors restrained the older stallion as they dragged him below to the lower levels of the ship. While this was going on, he further ordered to have the Prince be taken towards the Royal Quarters. But before this could be done, he asked, “Your Majesty, do you wish for us to turn around?”

Even in his tears, Blueblood shook his head. “S-Set a c-course,” he croaked in his sadness, “t-towards t-t-the Mon-neigh Isl-l-lands.” The captain nodded, and the blond unicorn was shown to the grand room at the head of the ship.
> Chapter XIX: The Runaways
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

There have been times when Fancy had felt an overwhelming sense of regret; times when he has proven himself once again of how big of an idiot he really was. Sure, he had done stupid things when he was a colt, a teenager, and a husband, that he had wished he could go back to fix them. Like getting drunk for the first time, challenging his mother to a hoof fight, and saying “I do” to a spouse that was psychotic. In a sort of holding cell at the near back of the airship, Fancy could do nothing but sit on that hard wooden bench at horror for what he had just done.

He had slapped his coltfriend, the Prince Blueblood in the face. Hard. Essentially, he had done the very thing that his last spouse had done during those awful years of his marriage. What was worst, he had an immediate response of pain in the eyes of the younger stallion. While he won’t deny that what the Prince was doing is wrong, his response to it was inexcusable.

‘Great way to end a relationship idiot!’ Fancy heard his inner critic say as he was hunched over, hooves over his eyes and his monocle hanging out. ‘Just when it looked like he was going to go ahead and explain the madness to you, you’ve hit him so hard that he fell over. Way to go loser! Can’t wait to see how your career, and possibly your life will end. Guess you’ve should have listened to Anti-Mum while you still had a chance!’

In truth, Fancy wasn’t interested in keeping track how long he was being held there. He sighed, knowing that he deserved this. The old stallion thought that the next time he might be able to see Blueblood again might very well be his last.

“Hey you,” the older unicorn looked up to see one of the sailors. “His Highness wants to see you now.” So after he unlocked the barred door of his cell and warned him of “No funny business,” the sailor escorted Fancy through the bowels of the ship. He passed by rooms that held the crew’s quarters with rows of bunk beds, a dining hall that had one long table that was being held by ropes from the ceiling, a kitchen with cooks hard at work, a library, a small projection room, and the quarters of officers of the ship. The further towards the ship’s front he got, the more ornate it became until the sailor stopped at a flight of stairs that lead to a door. “Go on, up you go,” the sailor nudged him up the steps until the unicorn took the hint.

Fancy climbed up the stairs and paused as he was a step away from the door. In all the times of his life, he never felt as nervous as he stood what might be a breakup from the stallion that he got to know. He noticed that it was quiet on the other side and he didn’t hear any weeping, which probably meant that the Prince had probably calmed down. With a shaky hoof, he gave it a few knocks.

“Enter,” said Blueblood, his voice melancholy.

The affluent pony used his magic to turn the knob in which he stepped into the most luxurious room of the whole airship. Windows that made the hull was so large that it not only gave a tremendous view at the sky and the clouds, but it also showed the landscape of a fleeting Equestria below. The open space was almost like a house without walls in which it housed not only a bed with two nightstands that flanked on both sides, but it had a couch, a couple of dark green padded armchairs, a dining table, a grand piano, a bookshelf that held both books and film canisters, a telescope, a bathtub that sank through the floor, a film projector pointed at a white wall, an open closet of various clothing along with a folding screen, and with Blueblood himself that had his back turned, looking forward at the very front of the ship.

Fancy silently approached the Prince, but even as he got close, he could not bring himself to stand side-by-side with him. Sinking to his hunches just behind him, and head sank low; the first thing to come out of his mouth was a soft, “I’m sorry.”

Now for the first time since he entered, Blueblood craned his neck over. The older unicorn cringed at the sight of the bruise on his cheek. “No. I think that between the two of us, I should be the one apologizing.”

“Bluey, stop. I was the one that has hurt you, something that I promised I would never do and I did it.” With ears folded backward, Fancy added, “Look, if you’ve decided to break up with me, I understand and deserve it.”

The Prince was taken aback by this. “Break up wit-” he shook his head, “No! That’s not what I want! If anything, after all the planning that I had made from last night, all the preparations that were made for this literal get-away, I have failed to surprise you with my intentions, so that slap was justified.”

His coltfriend looked on at him baffled, “Justif- Slapping you across the face is never justified Bluey! You didn’t deserve it when I got angry, this is my fault and nopony else’s.” Fancy bowed his head in shame, covering his eyes with a foreleg. “Blueblood… I’m so sorry…”

Silently, the younger unicorn got up from his vantage point to nuzzle his coltfriend before embracing him. “And you thought that I had been hard on myself,” he chuckled. “Fancy, I’m not angry at you, if it's anypony’s to blame it’s my stupidity for overlooking how you would realistically be taken away. While it did hurt,” he raised a hoof to his bruised cheek, “I should have seen this coming. So I forgive you.”

A sniff was heard from the blue-maned pony, “Why did you foalnapped me in the first place?”

“You could say that your father provided some inspiration,” Blueblood rubbed the back of his head. “Do you recall how he told how your mother foalnapped him and taken him to the Bahamares?”

“So you were given an idea from a pony that’s a manic-depressed, schizophrenic?” Fancy deadpanned.

“I thought he said it was a family tradition on your mother’s side?”

His older coltfriend let out an annoyed sigh, “To a degree, it kinda is. But when I asked Mum about it, she told me that it was an ancient form of a marriage proposal. In which, in theory, that if you love a pony so much, then you would toss that pony inside a sack and being carried away without anypony else noticing. Of course, the tradition was eventually dropped over time for obvious reasons.”

“Oh…” the Prince flushed. “Well… this is certainly awkward… good thing I didn’t follow the whole tradition to the letter.”

“Huh?”

“Well you see, truth be told I have spent all night between drinking coffee and planning out this scheme, but at the same time, I have sent letters informing your bodyguard to your servants, and even your friend… Hoity I think that you will be gone for a week. It came with the same royal decree that I have given you. So in theory, you shouldn’t have to worry about anything in Canterlot. Of course… the only thing that I couldn’t figure out, was how exactly to break it to you.”

Fancy blinked… then blinked again, “So, you already went ahead, and told them that I was going to be foalnapped in advance – without consulting me on the matter?”

“The point I’m trying to make is that you are already taken care of. I mean, your things are right here, I’ve cleared away your schedule for the week, persuaded whoever you needed to meet to hold off until after this is over. Like I’ve said, I’ve thought of everything… except how to break it to you.”

The Prince’s coltfriend folded his forelegs, “You know, there is a romantic way of foalnapping and there’s doing it the wrong way. I would think to have me in a net and being dragged up here was certainly the wrong way.”

“Hey, cut me some slack, I did say at the very beginning that I’ve never had a coltfriend before. I hardly know what I’m doing; besides, unlike our previous dates, I’m making this up as I go. If anything,” Blueblood stepped away; his attention was towards the large windows. “I’m doing something that I personally wanted to do since I was a teenager, but never gotten the chance to do it until now.”

“What? Foalnapping?”

The blond Prince chuckled, “No. I mean to get away from court life. To get away from the dull procession of ambassadors, paperwork, and Canterlot in general. In a way, I want to for once just run away from it all and go do something spontaneous. And to do it with the very pony that I care about the most,” he craned his neck over, smiling at Fancy. “I hope that even you would understand what I’m proposing here.”

Although he didn’t want to admit it, Fancy Pants actually did. As… discourteous as the Prince’s method actually was, he did sympathize with him. He too had thoughts of escaping the monotonous machine that was Canterlot. He at times daydreamed of getting away from it all and go to someplace new, exotic even, where he could have some fun. As juvenile as Blueblood’s plan actually was, he knows now that it was done out of the best intention. However, one thing did stick out of his mind. “Do the Princesses know?”

Blueblood shook his head, “They know that I’m borrowing this airship, but I left out as to where and when we’ll be back. Of course, I’m going to be in very serious trouble by the time we get back. But as long as you’re here with me, I think it’s going to be worth it.”

The older unicorn sighed and joined the Prince’s side. “I can safely say that we’re both screwed up in our own way. Not to say that it’s a bad thing, if anything, I prefer it.” Fancy looked at his coltfriend, his face turning somber, “Though seriously, the next time you’ve suddenly decided to foalnap me against my will, try to warn me.”

“How would that qualify as foalnapping if I told you ahead of time?” The Prince caught a glimpse of the South Luna Sea in the distance. “So, are you up for a week at the Moneigh Islands?”

“Well… since you’ve already cleared my schedule for the week… and I’ve never set hoof on the Moneigh Islands before…” he smirked, “I guess I got nothing better to do.”


_*_


Celestia marched into her sister’s chambers. In her aura, she held a wooden spoon and the largest soup pot the royal kitchens had. Being past four o’clock in the afternoon, Luna was still asleep; snoring away and completely unaware at the crossed white alicorn. The Sun Princess held the pot upside down over the younger’s head and without ceremony, banged upon the pot until Luna awoke with a jerk.

“Ah! What!” she immediately snapped upright. After blinking a few times, her vision came into view of her older sister who had a scowl on her face. “Cel? What time is it?” she asked groggily.

“It’s nearly a quarter till five and nopony knows where our nephew has gone to.”

“What?” Luna rubbed her eyes. “I thought he was going to use one of the airships for a day.”

“I already know that, but any idea where he went to?”

“Of course I do, he’s…” the blue alicorn’s mind was blank. She certainly recalled the conversation she had with her nephew from last night and asking to borrow one of the airships, certainly. But for the life of her, she couldn’t remember exactly where he was going. “I don’t know. However, I do think that wherever he’s gone to, he had taken his consort along with him. Why? What’s going on?”

Celestia set aside the source of Luna’s rude awakening. “I was told from this morning that Blueblood was going out and won’t be back until three. But since he hasn’t returned, and nopony in the castle has any idea where he is, we’re starting to get rather worried if something has happened to him.”

“Did you try to see if he’s gone to Fancy’s?”

“Cadance already did, but from what she could make it out from the servants is that he just went along with him. But again, even they have no idea where.”

Though Luna’s mind groggily started to turn the gears, she was starting to put the pieces of this particular puzzle together. Blueblood asking to borrow airship plus Fancy has gone with him, plus lied about where he was going to equals, “Are you implying that Bluey has run away?”
> Chapter XX: Rolling Down to Old Maui
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two days later, the Compass Rose flew past Equestrian borders and over the ever stretching sea towards the Moneigh Islands. The blimp sailed through the ocean of clouds and over the body of water underneath them until by noon, the shouts of “Land Ho!” were cried out as a string of islands came into view. Of course, the Prince and his consort did have a good look at the very dark green dots that increased in size as they drew near thanks to the telescope. For Blueblood, it was a sight that he had seen a dozen times on official business. But for Fancy who was looking through the spyglass, he was memorized.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” the older unicorn commented. From the eyepiece, he saw towering mountains and flat valleys of green that were sticking out from the flat blue. By the coastline, he did spot signs of civilization, but further inland among all the islands was covered in jungle green. “So those mountains are volcanoes are they?”

“Do you see the big island where we’re going to?” Blueblood asked. “I know for certain that one is still active, but at least it’s not the violent type. The rest you see are extinct.”

The blue-maned unicorn adjusted the telescope, “I don’t see any smoke.”

“Then it means there’s no eruption today,” the young Prince pulled his consort away from the spyglass. “Come, we must get ready to make our entrance.” Up on deck, sailors were scrambling to getting ready to port the ship. Fancy took notice that a cannon was brought up on board but it was aimed at the opposite direction of the island. When he inquired what it was for, Blueblood replied, “It’s a sort of sailing tradition. Whenever someone important comes to port anywhere at sea, the sailors fire a cannon in order to alert the townsponies that royalty has arrived. Oh, and you probably want to cover your ears for this part.”

The older stallion turned as he saw one of the sailors held a lit wick at the end of a pole. Upon instinct, Fancy covered his ears with his hooves and prepared himself for the flame to touch the powder. As soon as it did, instantly a deafening roaring thunder shook the air, its echoes ran across the sky. Of course, the blue-maned unicorn immediately jumped when the sound went right through his body.

“Celestia!” he flinched. “What’s the point of that? Giving the locals heart attacks?”

His coltfriend laughed, “Think of it as our grand entrance. Well that, and scaring the mayor out of his wits.”

“It’s effective in that regard, I’ll give you that,” Fancy replied as he tried to recompose himself. 

“In all honesty, I’m rather curious as what the mayor on the main island will do now that I’m here,” he smirked as he leaned over the railing. “He’s not expecting me to come until next week. Oh, I can’t wait to see what he will pull in the next couple of minutes.”

“So what exactly are we going to do here?” his consort asked.

Blueblood gave an amused look before nuzzling him, “Now now, be patient. The real fun starts as soon as we land.”

Fancy saw as the ship was slowly descending towards the harbor of the rows of buildings and houses that encompassed the whole coastline. As they got closer, he saw more details of the main island such as its white and gold beaches, the thin trails of smoke from fire pits, and a crowd that was gathering around towards the bay that the airship was about to dock.

Hot air was let out, and the sailors helped guide the vessel down gently into the water next to the dock. Ropes were tied; gangplanks were lowered, and before the Prince and his consort could step off, a fanfare of trumpets was sounded as they walked down. A line of policeponies held back the crowd of curious onlookers, and at the bottom of the gangplank was an old dark brown stallion with a blond, pulled back mane wearing a blue flowery button up shirt. He was flanked with several mares in grass skirts holding a long necklace of red native flowers.

“My Lord Blueblood,” the old stallion said with a smile. “Aloha.”

“Aloha Mayor Nalu Nui,” Blueblood bowed his head respectively, to which one of the mares came up to place the flower necklace around his neck. “I see that you’re doing better the last time we’ve met.”

He laughed, “I keep telling you, it was only a cold. Though color me surprised to see that you’ve come early – none of us were expecting you until next week.” Nui turned his attention to the stallion that was next to the Prince. “And who is this? A friend of yours?”

Blueblood shook his head, “No Mayor Nalu, this here is somepony that I’ve taken up as my Royal Consort, Fancy Pants.” He leaned over to whisper in his ear, “Say Aloha. It’s their greeting.”

He blinked, “Ah, well aloha sir,” the old stallion rose to shake his hoof to which as the mayor shook it, another mare with a similar flower necklace placed it around his. “Uh, what is this?”

“We call them Lei’s.” The old stallion explained, “It is a sign of affection when one comes to our islands.” He turned his attention back to the Prince, “Your Lordship, you still haven’t given me a reason why you’ve come so early.”

“Well,” Blueblood wrapped a hoof around Fancy’s shoulders. “I wanted to treat my consort out with something that would be worthy of a Prince. In short, we’re not here on official business, but more along the lines of leisure on these islands. To have some fun for a week together – of course, I will stay a little longer for our original scheduled visit. But for now, if it won’t be too inconvenient, I want to explore with Fancy of what these islands have to offer.”

Mayor Nalu was silent for a moment before asking, “My Lord, did you get married recently?”

“Wait- No!” the younger unicorn blushed. “T-That’s not- why would you say that?”

“Forgive me, but the way I’m seeing it and given the news that the island had received some months ago… I’m sorry Lord Blueblood; I assumed that this was your husband.”

Fancy chuckled, “Oh no. Though I can see the misunderstanding, truth be told, we’ve been dating for a while. Bluey here is just spoiling me.”

“Ohh…” the mayor nodded, “Okay. Now that makes sense. I must say, that his Lordship has chosen wisely. The weather should be perfect for the week and these islands are indeed both beautiful and offer plenty to do. Now then,” he turned to the Prince. “Would you and your consort liked to be escorted towards your residence?”

“Certainly, have everything I and Fancy own be taken there; I want to spend a nice stroll on the beach with him.”


_*_


Fancy Pants has been to a few beaches before, many were crowded with ponies, crying foals and shredded seashells, seaweed, and slimy twigs that covered every square inch of sand. However, as he let his younger coltfriend lean upon him as they walked side by side; he found it surreal that they were there on what he thought was the true, ideal beach. To their left were the gentle blue and green waves of the sea that perfumed the air in its sea salt. Straight ahead of them was sand that was powdery, golden and flawlessly perfect. Even with the seashells that stuck out, the sand wasn’t too hot; rather it was perfect to walk upon. To their right, were palms, tropical vegetation, and local bird calls. And above them was a blue sky that had a few stray clouds that glided among the ocean breeze.

“I'm surprised how warm the water is,” Fancy commented as the waves lapped up and around their hooves. “With other beaches, I’ve been to, it’s always freezing cold. But here, it’s like I’m walking through bath water.”

“To be fair, there are warm currents that surround the islands,” Blueblood pointed out. “After all, there’s a good reason why this is the birthplace of surfing.”

“I know, I mean just look at that,” Fancy waved a hoof over towards the waves that rise with a curl and collapse underneath its own weight. “How can you not want to try to ride on those?”

“Maybe we could take surfing lessons,” the blond unicorn snickered.

“Oh heavens no, I’m a little too out of shape to be swimming that far out to sea.”

“Really? I would think that you would do fine among the tumbling waves – old sport.”

Fancy chuckled, “A change in subject, do you have any ideas what we would be doing here? I mean, being here is nice, but what are your plans for the rest of the week?”

“Again, I have no idea.” He smiled, “It’s kinda exciting really. This is the most amount of freedom I’ve ever heard, but I have no clue what to do once our things get settled in at my estate.”

“While I am curious to see what an estate of yours look like, I do think we should at least figure out what we’ll be doing.”

Blueblood snorted, “I’ll be shocked if we find out that we won’t. The mayor is right, after all, there are plenty of things to do on these islands such as surfing, volcano watching, luaus, festivals, movie theaters, it all comes down to what we’re in the mood for.”

“Like a strip club?”

The young Prince was taken aback by surprise, “F-Fancy!” he exclaimed with a blush.

His consort laughed, “I’m just playing with you,” Fancy chuckled for a moment, but took noticed how Blueblood remained silent. Once he calmed down, he inquired: “Bluey, can I ask you a personal question?”

“What?”

“I know you’re twenty-six and what not, but have you ever been in a strip club?” his coltfriend shyly shook his head. “Really? Never?”

“Not once.”

Another chuckle, this time Fancy patted him on the back, “Perhaps sometime we should find one where the entertainers are all male…” Blueblood’s blush intensified. “Come to think of it… Blue, another and even more personal question, have you ever gone to bed with anypony?”

Blueblood hesitated.

This got an encouraging nuzzle from the older unicorn. “Come on dear chap. You can tell me, I promise I won’t get angry. After all, I was once young too you know.”

The Prince looked around the coastline, trying to double check to see that they were truly alone. “Promise me that you won’t tell my Aunts about this?”

“Of course, I’ll keep it confidential.”

Blueblood breathed in deeply, his face still red, “To answer your question: yes I have. But only once,” he added the last part quickly.

“Oh-ho!” Fancy snickered, “Okay, now you’ve gotten me curious.” He sat down in the shade of a palm. “So how did this happened?”

“You’re not angry about this? That I’m not a… well…”

“I would honestly be more surprised if you were a virgin. However, I don’t mind at all, though I am rather intrigued.”

Blueblood sat down next to his consort, his back against the bark of the palm, looking up skyward. “Okay… About three years ago, you know, when I was still in the closet, I had developed a crush. It was with one of my personal guards. Sure, I had a hoofful of crushes before mind you, but he…” he shook his head, half smiling. “I don’t exactly know how to describe it, but I could somehow tell that he was different. Over the following weeks, since he had been assigned to me, I just felt attracted to him. I confess Fancy, that I did have dreams about him. It had gotten to the point that I had to do something about it.”

“That understandable,” Fancy Pants nodded.

“Well… One night after some party or other, my personal guard escorted me back to my room. I noticed that he seemed different because he just wouldn’t make eye contact all the way up there. It was like he had something important on his mind so when we got to my apartment, I asked him about it. Well… he had difficulty putting it into words so he showed me… by kissing me.”

“Is this the part where he confessed that he loved you?” his consort smirked.

Blueblood, still flustered, replied softly. “Well… yes. And I told him that I liked him back. After that, as they say, one thing led to another and… you can guess the rest.”

“So what happened after that, between you and the guard?”

“Out of the blue, he was relocated. Sent off to the Crystal Empire where we broke up…” here, the young Prince stayed silent for a very long time. He listened to the bird calls, the laughing of the water and the gentle rustle of the vegetation. “I guess you can say that I was quite heartbroken after that. I stayed in my room for four days and refused to come out until I stopped crying.”

Fancy didn’t say anything but only nuzzled him and held his hoof. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“No,” the blond unicorn shook his head. “I ended up learning something. In that, if you’re ever going to give up your own body to somepony else, it has to be done as a sign of absolute trust. That you are willing to fully give yourself physically and mentally in the arms of a stallion that won’t break that said trust.” He turned to his consort, “Am I making any sense?”

“Perfectly,” he stood up, helping him up also. “You know, we’ve been together for… what? About a month or so? And yet, I do trust you Blueblood.”

“R-Really?”

With a smirk, Fancy said, “Quite. If you ever feel that way to the point where you trust me into undergoing such a… amusing activity, all you have to do is ask.”

Blueblood could practically feel his heartbeat banging at his rib cage, “I’ll… I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Though seriously,” they started to resume their walk. “I may be in my thirties, but I do feel young being around you.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes… in fact,” he grinned wickedly, and as he felt the seawater come up to his hoof, he splashed it onto Blueblood. “Tag! You're it!”

“HEY!" the Prince squealed. But instead of trying to dry himself from getting his white suit from getting wet, he went in pursuit of his galloping coltfriend.
> Chapter XXI: To Walk Through Fire
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile in Canterlot, nopony still didn’t have a clue where either Prince Blueblood or Fancy Pants had gone to. The three Princesses and contacted as many towns and cities as they could in order to get some sort of clue as to their whereabouts. Slowly, they gathered up clues from eyewitnesses that said they saw the airship, most of them pointed toward the direction of the South Luna Sea.

“That just makes things even more complicated,” Celestia moaned as she rubbed her temples. Before her on a bulletin board was a map of Equestria that had red pins sticking out of it that formed a thick trail from Canterlot toward the coast of Applewood. She had spent the last few days trying to pinpoint where her nephew had gone to, but at this point, she seemed to run into a dead end with the limited piles of telegrams.

The door to her study went open in which a pink alicorn walked in. “I’m guessing you still haven’t figured out where those two had gone to?”

Celestia shook her head. “Unfortunately,” she sighed, pulling her hooves down and stared at the map. “It’s just not like Bluey to just up and vanish like that. Running away is one thing but to foalnap his consort? What in Equestria had compelled him to do something like that?”

“It’s hard to say at this point when we don’t know all the answers,” Cadance levitated another telegram onto the desk. “I had tried to have some of the ambassador’s contact their countries within the South Luna Sea, and so far it’s still coming up as blank.”

“So what’s this?” the Sun Princess picked up the yellow square envelope. She tore it open, pulled out the message and began reading. “'Your Royal Majesty, stop. I’m happy to report that His Lordship, Prince Blueblood has arrived safely on our happy islands… stop…'” Her eyes went wide as she continued reading. “'At the time I am sending this telegraph, his and his consort’s things are being moved into his property for the next two weeks, stop. It is indeed a surprise that they have chosen our islands for a surprise holiday, but just so you know, we are taking care of them, stop. We are honored for his Lordship to be with us, stop. Your humble subject, Mayor Nalu Nui.'” She looked from the telegram with a sigh of relief. “Oh good, at least we now know where they are.”

“The Moneigh Islands…” the Princess of Love mused. “Okay, but why have they suddenly decided to go there without telling us?”

“Perhaps I can answer that,” a yawning voice said. The two royals turned to find Princess Luna entering the room with a mug of bitterly black coffee. “I was going to tell you earlier but then you had me send out into finding our nephew. Anyways, I do have some very important news to finally share,” she took a sip from her cup. “The good news is that Bluey has told me that he’s in love with his consort.”

Both the Sun and the Princess of Love froze. “Does Fancy know?” Cadance inquired.

“No. Or at least, that’s what he told me last. He said that he wanted to find the perfect way of telling him that. So now hearing that he’s at the Moneigh Islands, I think it’s pretty obvious how he plans to do it.”

Celestia leaned forward from her seat, “That does raise the question: what do we do now?”

“By the looks of it,” Cadance said, “we have one of two choices to make. Either we leave those two lovebirds alone and hope for the best, or we could all go to the islands and continue on with our bet.”

The three alicorns looked at one another for a brief moment before all three unanimously declared with one voice, “Islands!”


_*_


On a beach underneath a starry dome, the Islanders were invited by Prince Blueblood for them to throw a luau for his consort. Fancy agreed for this because he never been nor seen one before, and the locals were eager to show them. As soon as word got out, a few temporary simple huts made out of bamboo, hemp rope, and palm leaves were constructed. And by nightfall, torches and a bonfire was lit on the beach, warming inviting ponies to the island feast.

Fancy himself didn’t know what to expect from a real luau. He didn’t know what sort of expectations to bring by the time he and his coltfriend followed the line of lit torches along the beach. The older stallion was blown away at not just the crowd that had gathered, but sheer quantities of food they brought too. On a table underneath one of the huts were a wide range of tropical fruits from rows of papayas, to the forest of bananas, pyramids of oranges and limes to mounds of steamy rice, from trays of unknown desserts wrapped in banana, leaves to the kegs of beer – the blue-maned unicorn was thankful that they didn’t have dinner up to that point. 

Apart from the food, Fancy Pants witnessed a competition of entertainment by the bonfire. Native drums beat out the ocean’s rhythm for the hula dancers; the stallions that performed tricks with lit staffs; and younger ponies performed a mix of dance and martial arts. Combined with the flickering light of the bonfire and the torches, shadows moved about wildly upon the sand.

“Aloha My Lord!” the couple quickly located the source of the voice that came from the Mayor of the Islands. He was holding a sliced coconut with a straw in it. “Have you tried the poi? They’ve made it really sweet this time.”

“We just got here Mayor,” Blueblood replied. “And luckily for you, we haven’t eaten since we got here.”

The older stallion chuckled, “Got distracted?”

“In a sense,” Fancy answered. “But thank you for putting all of this together on such short notice.”

He laughed, “Trust me, this is nothing, you should be around Hearths Warming. Now those are so much fun. But away, don’t mind me, eat something and enjoy the party.”

One piling up mountains of food onto their plates later, Blueblood and Fancy sat in one of the huts, their feast sat beside them on the bamboo planks. They watched the entertainment as grass skirts shook, stallions twirl circles of fire, and there was even a group of ponies that were playing limbo. The older unicorn finished munching on a piece of pineapple when he commented, “You know, this somewhat reminds me of my college years.”

“How so?” the Prince inquired as he held up a coconut.

“Well, you have to understand that back then, when I went to Manehattan University for a couple of years that for the most part the students were mostly focused on school work. However, between semesters or around holidays, they would throw parties like this that depending on what the occasion was can get pretty wild. And I mean that by every definition of the word, especially when those said students invent all sorts of games and bets.” Fancy took another bite of pineapple before continuing. “I never told anypony this, but when my Frat found out that I’m gay, they immediately invented a game that if one of the guys happened to lose at something or got the lowest score or whatever, that stallion has to have sex with me.”

The blond unicorn’s eyes went wide, “Wait, really?”

His consort nodded, “It’s how I lost my virginity – to a straight bloke too. But I’m afraid that I’m getting off track. What I’m trying to get at is that in college, not all parties that I attended were about drunkenness and being a nymphomaniac. Sometimes the activities we did were started as a dare. Take this one time when I was dared to use my magic to help me walk on water. Needless to say, I keep falling into the pool,” he chuckled as he notices Fancy’s expression. It had a look of longing. “I assume that you haven’t done anything like that?”

“Besides of pulling pranks with Auntie Celestia, you could say that I never really was a teenager.” Blueblood shrugged, “When my parents were alive like I said, I had to grow up pretty fast. So much so, that I had to learn how to be mature before I was fourteen. I was never allowed to do anything stupid or dangerous,” he snorted, “Couldn’t even if I wanted to.”

Fancy looked around the luau and spotted something strange, after telling his coltfriend that he would be right back, he got up to investigate. Over by the bonfire, using some very long shovels, ponies started to scoop up the still burning coals from the pit and created a long, inferno black line. “Excuse me, sir,” he asked one of the stallions, “what is it that you’re doing?”

“We’re setting out for firewalking,” was the reply. “It’s a kinda a rite of passage for us, there’s a couple of foals that have just come of age and we’re prepping this ahead of time.”

“Maybe you should give it a try,” another native with a shovel suggested.

Fancy was taken aback, “Wait a moment! Isn’t this dangerous?”

“Sure, if you do it incorrectly.” The pony he was speaking with scooped up another shovelful of burning coals. “But there is a trick to all of this; that as long as you tread lightly and don’t think of what you’re stepping on, you should be fine.”

The affluent pony snorted, “Especially when you are walking on red hot coals?”

“Hey it works,” the other stallion said.

Finding it preposterous, Fancy returned to the Prince and he asked him what he was doing. In turn, he told him how they’re setting a path off the fire for ponies to walk on as a sort of rite of passage. “I understand that it must be some sort of tradition but this is ludicrous. Walking on fire, did anypony account for somepony’s hooves getting burned?”

Blueblood eyed the ponies that were paving the trail of fire. “I don’t know… Have you noticed there’s no ambulance or a first aid box anywhere? Maybe there is a safe way of doing this.”

“I don’t buy it.”

The more he watched those ponies laying down those coals in the sand, the more curious the blond unicorn became. “Let’s watch this rite of passage.”

Several minutes later, the entertainment had stopped and ponies from the luau had gathered around the flamed road were at one end were a group of young ponies that looked like they just received their cutie marks. The mayor of the Islands stood behind them, patting the young ones on the back. “Fellow Islanders,” he said. “Tonight we hold a special occasion, apart of our surprise visit from his Lordship Blueblood; we also celebrate the coming of age of these ponies. As a tradition, as soon as they received their cutie marks, they are set to prove their maturity by walking across these burning coals. If they walk through without getting their hooves burned, they will be recognized as adults on these islands. To which, I will reward them with the mark of maturity, by giving them the lei of the sea.”

The mayor held up several necklaces in which were made out of various sea shells with a sand dollar in the middle. He placed all of them around his neck and began walking forward. “Remember children,” he said, “the path to adulthood may be difficult to walk through. But the important thing that you need to do to get across,” as soon as the elderly stallion set hoof on the coals, Fancy gasped but was quickly astonished as the mayor walked on as if not realizing what he’s stepping on. “Is that you need to have a cool mind, and the determination to go forward at a pace where you won’t get burned.” At the other end of the trail, he looked down at his hooves to show that he wasn’t harmed. Turning around towards the group of fillies and colts, he said, “If you are brave enough, walk through this trail as I have.”

For a solid few minutes, the children were uncertain at the scarlet, glowing path that lay before them. Words of encouragement were heard towards them until, finally, an Earth Pony filly began walking forward. Fancy and Blueblood tensed as they saw those little hooves touched the chard road, yet, she kept on walking calmly but quickly until she reached the other side. Cheers rang out as Mayor Nalu placed the lei around her neck.

One by one, the foals walked over the coals and all of them came out without their hooves getting burnt. When the last pony that endured the rite of passage had crossed it, the Mayor of the Islands turned to the audience. “And now, I invite anypony who is visiting these isles to step forward and walk down this path as well.”

There were murmurs in the crowd at first until a white hoof raises in the air, “I’ll do it!” To Fancy’s horror, it was Blueblood that volunteered.

“Blue! What are you doing?” his coltfriend questioned in a hushed whisper.

“Remember when I said that I never did anything so stupid and risky?”

“But you’re going to get burned!”

“They walked through it,” the Prince pointed at the recently turned adults. “And yet they came out of it okay. I want to do this.”	

“I won’t let you,” Fancy went around him until he stood face to face with him.

Blueblood glanced between him and the glowing path. “Or… Maybe you can join me.”

His consort blinked, “What?”

“If you walk beside me, we would either get burned together or walk out just fine. I’ve studied how these children got out of there, and all we have to do is not to kick up the layer of ash, walk normally so that we don’t stomp into the coals and we’ll be fine.” He craned his neck forward, “Please, I think I know what I’m doing. But do you trust me?”

The older unicorn looked nervously at the trail that was so hot that he could feel the heat coming off of it from a yard away. However, he saw that his Prince was confident and as nervous as he was, he knew that there was truth in what Blueblood has said. “Alright. But we get burned; I’m blaming you for it.”

“Fair enough,” the Prince and his consort went up to the beginning of the inferno trail where it was so hot that they began to sweat. There were cheers from the crowd that offered them encouragement. But before anything could happen, the younger unicorn leaned up to his coltfriend, “Just keep by my side, and don’t look at the ground.”

As much as Fancy was internally screaming in fear of what he was about to do, he heard his mother’s voice telling in to ‘Quit being a wussy,’ and started walking with Blueblood. Even though he knew exactly what he was walking on, the older unicorn kept his eyes on the pony right next to him as they walked across, step by step over the heat. He tried not to think that his hooves might be getting third-degree burns, but he was concerned about his prince above all else. And before they knew it, they were on the other side with cheers erupting louder than ever.

Both stallions looked at their hooves to find that apart of a layer of gray ash, they were not burned. The mayor then proceeded to lay the seashell necklaces over them, “Congratulations sirs! You two just walked through fire.”

Fancy looked behind at the still burning coals. “That… That was incredible thing I've ever done in my life!”

“I know right!”  Blueblood hopped in place like a joyful little colt, but then just as quickly regained his composer by coughing into his hoof. “What I mean to say is… that was new.” He sheepishly smiled at his consort, “Thank you for doing it with me.”

“That was the most mental thing that I’ve ever done,” the blue-maned stallion adjusted his monocle. “Do you want to go do it again?”

“Tartarus yes!”
> Chapter XXII: The Art of Sandcastles
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Several hours later on another beach, a bright flash of light illuminated the sands for just a moment before three shadows darted off into the bushes. Seeing that they were alone, the Lunar Princess was the first to poke her head out, “Are you sure this is the right place?”

Two more heads stuck out, “This is the main island, so they should be around somewhere.” Celestia rechecked their supplies. “If I’m correct, our nephew and his consort should be somewhere around here.”

“So what do we do now?” Cadance inquired.

Luna was the first to step out of the bush, if it weren’t for the blue moonlight, it would have been difficult in seeing the alicorn who she, like her sister and niece, wore black spandex clothing. The Night Princess slipped on her black ski mask that not only covered her head, but it stuffed her nocturnal mane as well. “Perhaps we ought to start looking,” she suggested as her horn glowed to slip on the night vision goggles. “Our best bet is to fly high and start circling the island.”

“We should start heading towards Blueblood’s estate,” the elder sister agreed as she too put on her mask and goggles. “It would be a good place to start.”

Cadance followed suit, and with the two sisters, she spread her wings and took off. Against the black sky, they blended into where if anypony were to look up, they wouldn’t notice it so easily. Like ghosts, they glide over the coastline undetected until they spotted the flickering lights on Blueblood’s estate. The three hidden Princesses glided down, not towards the obvious party, but to the bamboo mansion that lay inland. Of course, there were guards that surround the property; however, they didn’t need to go through the front door.

Celestia landed them behind the estate to which she proceeded to stomp on the sandy ground. “Auntie Celie?” Cadance inquired, “What are you doing?”

“This place was built after these islanders made me Empress,” she stomped over to a boulder. “Which means, like all other palaces, there’s a secret passageway that was made in the case for emergencies,” then she stomped closer to a palm tree. “Now if only I could just-” then her hooves hit something hollow. “Here it is!” Her horn glowed to which the sand was dug away until it revealed an ancient trapdoor. With a pull on the rusty chain, it creaks open to a flight of stairs. “After you,” she waved a hoof to her younger sister.

The three alicorns lit up their horns and walked through the passageway underneath the property. Dust and mildew perfumed the dark air while ancient palm posts and wooden planks upheld the earth overhead. They walked on for a minute or two until they came across another flight of stairs that lead upwards. They dimmed their horns as soon they saw thin cracks of light from the floorboards above.

But before Luna could push on the planks, they suddenly heard a door being opened, followed by two sets of hoofsteps. “My Aunt will never believe that we just walked over red hot coals,” they immediately recognized to be the voice of their nephew.

“I can’t believe how amazing it was just to do it,” Fancy’s voice replied as the hoofsteps walked over the Princesses heads. “That really was smashing, brilliant even to know just how to do that. I dare say that has to be the greatest party I’ve been to in years.”

“It easily beats all the galas that I’ve had the miserable privilege of being a part of.” There was the sound of them hopping on a couch. “So, what do you want to do tomorrow?”

There was a pause before the Prince’s consort replied, “I think that for tomorrow, we ought to spend the day at the beach. Just the two of us.”

“But didn’t we already do that?”

“No. We walked on the beach. I was thinking of doing much more like go scuba diving; go water skiing, or perhaps compete for best sand castles.”

“Sandcastles? Really?” Blueblood chuckled.

“I’m serious. It’s not really a day at the beach unless you try to build one, or burry somepony up to their necks in sand.”

“You know for a thirty-eight-year-old, you’ve suddenly gained the mentality of a little colt.”

“What? Have you ever made one when you were younger?”

“Well… no.”

“To be fair though, I haven’t made one since I was a child, so we’re even.”

“So, just a day on the beach?”

“Pretty much, yes,” Fancy grunted as if he were stretching his legs. “Well now, I think it’s about time we head off to bed… I say Bluey, where am I going to sleep?”

“Anywhere you want,” the sound of two stallions getting up from the couch was heard along with even more hoofsteps. “My usual room is right over there in case you get lonely.”

His coltfriend chuckled, “Actually, I prefer to have my own room for tonight. So shall we head off to the beach, say… after breakfast?”

“Of course. Goodnight Fancy.”

“Goodnight Blue.” After a few more hoofsteps overhead and closing of some more doors, the three princesses retreated out through the underground tunnel and out into the open air.

Celestia pulled off her ski mask, “I think we need to step up for tomorrow.”

“How’s that?” Luna inquired, following her sister’s example.

“Cadance was right if any of us are going to win our bet, we’ll have to get creative to make it as romantic as possible. Perhaps instead of just waiting to do it one date at a time, we should do something different.”

“Like what Auntie?” Cadance asked.

Celestia smirked, “I have an idea, how about we raise the stakes? Now that we know that Bluey is in love with Fancy, how about we create a situation in which gives him the perfect opportunity to have him tell him just that? But,” the solar alicorn raise a hoof, “we’ll have to do it, by midnight tomorrow. And whoever can accomplish that, will be the winner of the bet!”

The pink alicorn was taken aback, “Whoa, whoa there! By tomorrow at midnight? I may be good but that is just pushing it. Besides, what would any of you have Bluey do that would have him do something like that?”

“I have to concur,” said Luna. “It wouldn’t be a challenge if one didn’t have to think on their hooves. Perhaps we should still take turns, in that if one plan fails we switch it to the next princess.”

“In that case,” Celestia sat on her haunches, a hoof to her chin. “I do believe that it’s my turn.”


_*_


The next morning, Blueblood looked out on the deserted beach of his estate. He was impressed in not only how quickly those temporary huts were taken down and removed, but how cleanly the pickup was. No doubt the tide had washed away what remaining evidence of the luau, leaving no trace of ever being one. The mile-long stretch of white sand was smooth in either direction with clear, blue sea approaching and receiving in their waves. Behind the blond unicorn, tropical birds gossiped and the warm breeze gently pushed the thin clouds above them.

“So what would you like to do first?” The Prince looked to his right where Fancy was also admiring the view.

“We just ate breakfast so swimming is out of the question for the time being,” Blueblood thought aloud. “So what was it that you said about last night? About sandcastles?”

“Ah! That’s right, as I recall, you never made one.”

The blond unicorn shrugged, “I don’t know how they’re made, to be honest.”

“How about I show you? Sure, it has been a long time but I do remember how. We just need a shovel, a bucket and plenty of wet sand.”

Blueblood looked behind him at the guards who stood nearby with spears in hoof. “Lads, could one of you go fetch a shovel and a bucket?”

“Right away your highness,” one of the guards saluted before flying off to the estate.

While the three stallions started to walk upon the still cool sand of the morning with Fancy explaining the art of sandcastles to the prince, three mares watched from a distance. Between the foliage of the island and sand of the sea, there was a thin crack that faced the ocean. Celestia was careful to make sure that the glasses of the binoculars weren’t in the sun’s morning light.

“So what’s the plan here sister?” the lunar alicorn asked. “Or are you making this one up as you go?”

The Sun Princess glanced over to Luna and Cadance, “I do have a plan, and it’s a very simple one at best.” She looked out again to see the pegasus guard returning to the beach with some shovels and a few buckets. “Since it looks like they’ll be making sandcastles, I just need to give Bluey a nudge in helping out his coltfriend.”

Cadance raised an eyebrow, “And how would that help either confessing his love or kiss him?”

“Just you watch.”

The two other princesses returned their attention towards the beach in which an argument broke out between the consort and the guards about who should be shoveling the wet sand. It would only take for Blueblood to get fed up and, grabbing one of the shovels, went ahead and did it himself. After some instruction from Fancy about compressing the wet sand, the bucket was quickly filled and carried off towards the drier parts of the beach. After it was dumped upside and thankfully remained solid when it came out, the process was repeated. From one bucket full of sand, a layer emerged, and then another, then another, one stacked on top of the other that the cylinder bricks were stacked upon. Out from the ground, a sort of cube was constructed within an hour.

“Towel,” the blond prince extended a hoof out to one of the guards who immediately gave him one to wipe the sweat off of his brow. “Okay Fancy, you got us building this… now what?”

“Now is where the real fun comes in,” the older unicorn lit up his horn and focused one corner of the sandy cube in which he used his aura to carve out a castle spire. “The key is to be delicate as you sculpt out whatever you want this sandcastle to look like. Otherwise, if you’re not careful, it could fall on itself.”

“So how would I do that?” the Prince looked up at the block of powdery earth. “In fact, where do I start?”

“Just start from the top and work your way down,” Fancy started to walk over onto the other side. “How about this, I’ll work on this half while you do the same with yours. Create what you want with it.”

While his consort began work on his half, carving away at the sand, Blueblood sat in his hunches, putting a hoof to his chin in thought. He stared at it for a minute or two before an idea popped into his head and he began to carve. Out of the still wet material, the younger unicorn’s horn carved out a fantasy in which he saw onion domes and cone-like spires, a roof, walls, sunken archways for windows, balconies, columns, even tiny statues of gryphons that looked down from the rooftops.

The Princesses watched as their fellow royal created a castle that looked like an alternative version of the palace. When Blueblood stood back, satisfied, he walked over to see what his consort had created so far. As soon as he blond unicorn’s back was turned, Celestia sprang into action. Streams of wet sand from the shoreline floated and she quickly sculpted some additional features before placing a series of them in those arched windows. 

“I didn’t think it was that bad,” Blueblood said as he and Fancy began to round over to the other side.

“No, I messed up,” the blue-maned unicorn shook his head. “I just got carried away with the façade of my side that those balconies collapsed on itself. So then, let’s see what you’ve made.” As they rounded the corner, Fancy’s eyes widen to where his monocle fell out. “My Blueblood… I think you have a gift.” He craned his head closer to the archways, “Look at the detail of these statues in here.”

“Huh?” the Prince took a closer look. There he saw not only miniature figures of himself, but also Fancy Pants as well. Confused, he started to notice that each one in those arches played out like a scene in a story… their story. In the first window, it showed them in the very costumes that they wore at the ball. The next showed them eating pasta at a table with a very thin string of sand that connection between him and his consort’s mouths. The next was at the movies, and in the next showed them sitting at a park bench. “Where did these come from?”

“I think this is rather sweet of you,” Fancy mused.

Blueblood turned to his coltfriend, “But I didn’t make these.” He then noticed at the lowest levels near his hooves, there were more sculptresses in those arches as well. However, they were not figurines of them, but rather symbols. One that had the shape of an eye, another that had a heart, the letter “U” and… The Prince’s face went red as he saw a tiny bust of Fancy Pants in the last arch. Quickly deducing what these symbols were saying, and out of panic, Blueblood slashed his magic across the base of the sand castle in which it tumbled down.

“Blue!” Fancy stepped back from the falling avalanche of sand, “What was that for?”

“It didn’t look right!” the blond prince quickly said, praying to every deity he knows that his coltfriend didn’t notice.

“Well, that didn’t mean you had to destroy it all,” Fancy sighed. “Oh well… At least we still got the whole day. So is there anything else you want to do today? I don’t think it’s quite yet lunchtime.”

While the Prince thought it over, he thought he heard among the crashing waves the sound of Auntie Celestia cursing up a storm. However, a quick look over the beach, he didn’t see anything out of the ordinary so he dismissed it. “Well… There’s this new fad among the islanders that I’ve heard some time back. But I’m not sure if it’s still in practice. Although, we could go and see.”
> Chapter XXIII: Zip Lines and Cutie Marks
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the Island of Maui, where the tree line ends and the black rock of the volcano begins, a line of ponies wait on the wooden staircase that leads to a pole that has a thick, black wireline that runs down a “V” shaped valley. Ponies from locals to tourists zoom down the wire, screaming with excitement as they fly over the canopy of the jungle below – while it was a continuous line, it zig-zag along the tops of the open cliff side towards the endpoint on the golden beach. At the very foot of this staircase were two boxes; one for helmets and the other for the black straps that visitors adjust to fit their size so that they wouldn’t fall off the wire.

Not surprisingly, this line was made up of Earth Ponies or Unicorns that waited to zip through the trees and to feel the rush of that sea air as they go down. At the very top, a gruff looking stallion helped ponies getting themselves hooked onto the metal wire before they either jump or being nudged off, sending them screaming down like the top of a roller coaster. 

For Blueblood and Fancy, as they drove up to the beginning of the zip line from their chariot, the realization of the height that ponies were being held off the ground was more than nerve-racking. The older unicorn gulped as he said to his blond prince, “It seems like an awfully long way down.”

“Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad,” replied Blueblood as he got out of the chariot, followed by his consort. “After all, I heard many good things coming out of this zip line thing.” A piercing scream was heard as a merely gained momentum as she went down the wire. “Perhaps it’ll be fast, I mean, just look how quickly they’re moving.”

Fancy gulped, “It sort of reminds me of that one roller coaster in Applewood, said to be the tallest in the world. My bodyguard dared me to go on it, and I swear that I could have seen Cloudsdale before quickly going downhill. This, however…” he gave a nervous glance at the screaming ponies that zip along the black line. “There’s nothing to hold you up except for a hook on those harnesses.”

The Prince lit up his horn to take one of the helmets that looked like would fit him. However, seeing that it was sweaty on the inside, he had a guard bring him a cloth to wipe it with. “You’ve got to admit, it does look rather fun. It would be like walking on coals again. This is a favorite activity for the Islanders after all. So perhaps we should go and see why for ourselves.”

“Well…” Fancy gulped, “I do suppose you have a point.” He lit up his horn to pick up one of the twisted harnesses, “Although, could somepony help me with this?”

After some fiddling around, the guards helped both stallions with the leg hoops and tightening the harnesses on them; the two of them began their ascent to the top of the wooden staircase. Seeing who it was, the ponies in line allowed them to skip ahead until they were at the top. There they found at the head of the line was a young, Earth Pony colt that had no cutie mark. He was charcoal black with a hay colored mane and had a nervous look as he allowed the pony behind him take his place. When that pony was hooked up by the stallion and jumped off, the colt looked over to Blueblood. “Uh… how about you go.”

“Kid,” the rugged looking stallion rolled his eyes. “You’ve been doing this for half-an-hour now. Are you going to get on or not?”

“I-I will,” he went around the blond unicorn and nudged him forward. “Just have him go first.”

“Hey!” Blueblood instantly walked forward and craned his head back around, “No touching the Royal flank!”

The affluent unicorn was going to comment but quickly dismissed it for being too easy. He instead sorts out to ask, “What’s the problem here?”

“He’s too scared of going down,” the stallion with a five o’clock shadow answered. “I don’t know what his deal is, he came up here but he’s just so nervous going down that he’s letting everypony pass him.”

“Hey, I’m not ready yet,” the colt objected. “I’m just… gotta get over this.”

“That’s what you’ve been saying since you got here.”

“Excuse me, young trotter,” Fancy spoke up. “If I may ask, why are you here?”

“Because… Luna told me to.”

This got the Prince’s attention. Setting his consort and the colt aside so that the line behind them can continue, Blueblood inquired, “Princess Luna told you?”

He nodded, “No… Kinda… She didn’t force me to, it’s something that I wanted to do but I’m rather afraid of heights.” The colt pawed at the planks.

Blueblood tilted his head, “I’m confused. Why would you want to do the very thing that you’re afraid of?”

“Because,” the young pony replied, “the way that these ponies go down looks like they’re having a lot of fun as it seems that they could really fly, you know? I’ve seen how fast they could go, almost like hummingbirds. It’s something that I really wanted to do but…” he gulped. “But being up this high when you’re suspended by a hook… it’s really scary. I just wish that I was brave enough to do it.”

“You know you don’t have to,” Fancy told the little colt.

“But I came all the way up here; I can’t just turn around when I’ve made it up to this point.”

The Prince hummed in thought, “What do you mean by ‘brave’? Or rather, how do you define it as?”

Blinking, the yellow colt replied, “That you’re not afraid of anything?”

Blueblood frowned, “No. That’s the definition of stupidity. Being brave is about doing something that while it does scare you; you still have the willpower to do it. Now that doesn’t mean that you just forget the risk involved, but one does have to weigh them to see if it’s even worthy of taking said risk because that’s the smart thing to do. However, if you do see that the risk is worth the end result, in this case, hooking yourself to that line and going down, nopony is here to stop you. If not, you can always walk down the mountain.”

When the colt didn’t respond, the couple turned to the gruff looking stallion in which the Prince lifted a foreleg to Fancy, “After yo-”

“Wait!” the yellow foal went up. “Can uh… Can I go first?”

“Finally,” the stallion sighed as he picked him up and proceeded to hook onto the wire. After giving his harness a tug, making double sure that it was secure, he let him go. “Enjoy the ride.” And with that, the colt went sliding down the line. “Next.”

The older unicorn was the first to hook himself onto the line before the Prince. By the time Blueblood was hooked on, he galloped off the platform and let gravity do all the work. Like a falling bird, he glided over trees that only went faster underneath him. The sea air blew at a hurricane force as the wire-guided him through the open air, through branches, and around trees with G forces pulling at him. While he couldn’t see it, the Prince’s perfectly long, blond mane was being blown back like a flag. Above him, pegasi guards flew over, carefully keeping an eye on both the Prince and his Royal Consort.

For both stallions, it really was something like a roller coaster without rails as they cut through the air above the jungle canopy. A deafening roar of the breeze was the only thing that either of them could hear above their adrenaline-fueled screams. With everything swiftly passing them by, before they knew it, they were at the end as the cable changed its angle upward, thereby slowing them down until they reached the beach.

The first thing to greet both stallions was a mattress in which they bounced off. There was a mare to unhook them in time for the next screaming pony to come crashing in. Blueblood immediately went searching for his coltfriend, in which it didn’t take too long to hind and begin snickering. Fancy’s blue mane and tail had traveled so fast, that every hair was pulled back behind his head like a porcupine.

“You should see yourself,” the Prince commented between his guffawing.

However, when Fancy Pants took notice, he too began laughing, “Oh wow. You look like a pinhead.”

On instinct, Blueblood felt his mane. Quickly turning towards one of the guards that just landed, he ordered to “Get me my combing brush number forty-three, now!” With that, one of the Solar Guard immediately took off. Meanwhile, the Prince tried to immediately try to bring his mane back down with a hoof when a piercing, joyful scream was heard.

The two stallions quickly located it came from the little yellow colt that rushed over to them, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” he squealed as he hugged Fancy then Blueblood.

“W-What did we do!” the blond unicorn asked as he pried the foal off of him.

“I got my cutie mark!” he cheered. “You’ve helped me get my cutie mark, look!” Turning to his side, there on his flank was an image of a thick black line with a pony happily screaming hooked onto it. Almost instantly it was clear that what he and his consort were looking at was a pony on a zip line. “Thank you so much for that! I thought I would never get it.”

The Prince rubbed the back of his head, “I guess it was nothing…” he blinked as he realized something. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’ve got your name.”

“Lele Kaula.”

“Okay, Lele, you don’t have to thank me, I didn’t really do anything.”

“But you did!” the young colt protested. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have the willpower to just go for it. And because of you, I finally have my cutie mark. Again, thank you so much!” He hugged the unicorn’s foreleg once more before running off, “I can’t wait to tell mom and dad about this!”

Blueblood blinked, turning to his consort he asked, “What just happened?”

“You did something noble,” the older unicorn nuzzled under his chin. “I must say, I’m proud of you for doing that.”

“All I did was telling him what bravery was,” Blueblood shrugged.

“But it helped to get that child’s cutie mark that should be accounted for something. I’m impressed that you’ve shown your selfless side to other ponies like that. In a way, I think it’s rather sweet.”

“Oh…?” the Prince felt a blush and pulled back his mane. He and his consort started to walk away from the zip line. “You think so?”

“Anypony can see that. It’s the first that I’ve seen you do it for somepony that isn’t me. You should probably do that more often.”

“What does that mean?”

“I think it’s a good habit to pick up on.”

Blueblood snorted, “Doesn’t being chief ambassador to Equestria count as anything?” he muttered.

“Of course it does.” He patted the Prince on the back, “Don’t get the wrong impression Bluey, I’m not saying that you aren’t capable of being nice. I mean, you’ve already shown me that. Rather, I’m suggesting that you ought to pick up the habit more often. Not that I’m expecting you to do so overnight, of course. Just something that comes with time.”

“I suppose I could improve in that regard,” Blueblood hummed. As they were walking away from the crowd, the pegasus guard returned with one of his brushes. “Thank you,” he immediately sat down underneath a palm tree and went to brush his mane back to normal. “Would you want to borrow mine when I’m done, Fancy? It looks like you might need this.”

“That would help, thank you,” he sat next to him. “Still, I got to handle it to you, that was fun.”

“I know, that must have been the fastest mode of transport I ever been on.” He chuckled as he pulled his mane down. “If my parents were alive to see me do that, they probably would have a conniption and a heart attack.”

“Let’s not forget your Aunts, how would they react that we not only zip lined but had walked over coals too?”

Blueblood hummed in thought, “More likely than not… Auntie Luna would probably whine about how come I didn’t invite her into having all the fun.”

Fancy laughed, much to the younger unicorn’s amusement. In all the time that he had spent with his consort, he adored the musical like chortle that came from him. There was some sort of magic in that very sound in which despite how much of a mess both of them really were, none of that really mattered when somepony like him was nearby. “Uh, Blueblood?”

“Huh? The Prince snapped back into reality.

“Sorry, but you’ve just dozed off for a moment there.”

“Oh uh…” he coughed into his hoof. “Yes…” Another awkward silence, underneath a swaying palm, only the sound of waves provided the still moment. Blueblood took a moment to calculate if now was the right time to tell his consort something that had been on his mind before they came to the Islands. “Fancy?”

“Hm?”

Yet, Blueblood found his throat to be dry. The very concept he wanted to bring up choked him. Worst still, the older unicorn is expecting to hear something out of him. “How are you enjoying yourself,” he finally asked.

“Personally, I think I had enough adventure for one afternoon. Maybe we could do something more relaxing for the rest of the day?”

“Sure…” the blond Prince had finished straighten out his mane. “Fancy, would you mind if I did yours?” he asked, with the brush still in his aura.

“None at all.”


_*_


Meanwhile, within the canopy of the jungle, a nightly alicorn huffed in frustration, “We were sure it would work…” she uttered.

Cadance raised an eyebrow. In the near upper parts of the trees, Luna had somehow managed to conjure up a sort of nest that was made up of broken branches, palm leaves, and vines in a very short amount of time. The Princess of Love was going to ask how she managed to do this so quickly, but all of that faded away when they first noticed her cousin and his coltfriend going up to the head of the zip line. Putting her binoculars down, she inquired, “And what exactly was your plan again?”

Luna pouted, “I had this idea in which once Blueblood helps out a foal while his consort watched, it might have given him to relax enough to actually say something to him.”

“At least you indirectly helped a foal to get his cutie mark,” Celestia remarked, but her younger sister grumbled.

“So… I’m guessing it’s my turn then,” Cadance inquired her aunts and they nodded. “I think that given what I know from my last turn, especially from Fancy’s side, I think I have a much more stable, foal-proof plan that will work.”

“That being?” the Solar alicorn asked.

Cadance took out from underneath her wing a flier that advertised for an open mic night. “I believe that this is the key to winning this bet once and for all.”

Luna gave an unconvinced look, “What? You’re going to have Bluey do stand-up comedy?”

With a smirk, she shook her head and lit up her horn. “Just you wait,” and with that, she teleported the flyer over to the beach where her cousin and coltfriend were.


_*_


“I think I’m running out of ideas,” Blueblood confessed as he brushed Fancy’s mane, trying to get it untangled.

“You said so yourself,” the older unicorn pointed out, “That these islands should have plenty of things to do.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t help narrow down what we could do. I just wish that something would hit me.” As if a reply from the universe, he felt a piece of paper being slapped against the back of his head. A nearby guard immediately took hold of it to examine what the paper advertised. “What is it?”

“It’s an ad for an open mic night on another island.” The Solar Pegasus guard replied.

“Which one?”

“Molokai, Your Grace.”

“Let me see that,” the flyer was handed over to him. The Prince read through how at a place called “The Friendly Maiden,” it is opening its stage for anypony for a maximum of ten minutes to tell jokes, sing, play their piano, da… It was then that Blueblood got an idea. “You know…” he mused to his coltfriend, “The Island of Molokai is roughly about half-an-hour away from here and this open mic thing isn’t to open until eight. So do you want to go over and have dinner there? I know a few good places to eat from.”

“As long as it’s relaxing, I won’t complain,” Fancy Pants replied.
> Chapter XXIV: Le Cygne in G Major
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had taken the couple less than an hour to get to the Island of Molokai thanks to their airship. But despite how much smaller it was compared to the big island, it proved to be a challenge to locate “The Friendly Maiden.” Eventually, it took a good deal of time before anypony asked the locals to point out where this restaurant was, but they did manage to find it. As it turned out, they passed by it five times as it looked just like the other buildings nearby. The bamboo structure had a faded sign that had been long worn down by the elements, which explained a good deal why none of them saw it beforehoof.

Yet, once inside, the area was somewhat packed by both natives and tourists. The place was brightly lit by neon, vintage light bulbs, and small spotlights that illuminated the empty stage that had a lone microphone standing and a piano. Over by the bar, a few ponies behind the counter were busy mixing sophisticated cocktails and liquors. Over by the tables, carefully hoofcrafted meals that were being served up on expensive china plates were being devoured.

But before the Prince and his Royal Consort could be taken to their tables by a waitress, Blueblood heard nature’s call as he excused himself to use the toilet. Of course, two guards followed closely behind as the white unicorn pushed on the colt’s bathroom door. Like the rest of the restaurant, even the bathrooms had the same island theme with its use of bamboo, native plants and sea debris from rope to a ship’s wheel that decorated the stalls. What the Prince didn’t know as soon as he walked right in, that somepony came up from behind him and stuffed a hoof in his mouth.

In a muffled panic, he tried to get his guards to help but was confused as he noticed that while they were indeed in the restroom, they didn’t so much as object as he was being gagged. He heard a “Shush,” behind him before he sensed a muzzle come close to his ear and whispered, “The walls have ears Blue… fallow me.”

He was essentially pushed to the largest open stall at the very corner and was shoved in before his unseen attacker closed and locked the door behind him. Spinning around, Blueblood blinked, “Prince Shining?” he asked in bewilderment.

Even underneath the bad black-and-white rock makeup and purple wig, it was unmistakably the other Prince by his shield cutie mark. “Yeah yeah I know. But keep your voice down,” he told him in a hushed voice.

“Okay, two questions: What are you doing here, and why are you wearing that?”

“In a nutshell,” Prince Armor deadpanned, “Cadance made me do it. She’s basically holding my rare edition Ogres and Oubliettes hostage in that if I don’t do this, she’ll wreck it.”

The blond Prince raised an eyebrow, “By making you dress up like a cosplayer off of Maretallica?”

“It’s either this or having me in a diaper with cardboard wings and carrying around a bow with one of those heart-shaped arrowheads. But I’m getting off topic,” Shining looked over his head; his ears scanned the silence of the restroom. “Look, I don’t have much time so I’ll get straight to the point: except for my sister, the other Princesses are following you.”

Blueblood felt a chill going down his spine, “W-What? How did they find me so soon?”

“That’s beside the point,” the badly dressed rock imitator waved his hooves. “Look, those three are not going to leave you or your coltfriend alone until they win their bet.”

“Bet?” The blond unicorn blinked, “What bet?”

“Basically, they made a bet that whoever could set up a situation where either of you kisses or say ‘I love you’ is the winner.” Shining stared at the other Prince, “So I’m guessing that you haven’t been told?” 

He shook his head. “No, this is news to me,” he then folded his forelegs with a crossed expression, “So I’m guessing that you have some stalk in all of this?”

“Look, personally, I just want to go home. The reason I’m being dragged out all the way out here is so to help you guys end this thing once and for all. And uh… I was told that it was going to be easy.”

“How so?”

“Luna said that you do have feelings for Fancy.”

Blueblood blushed heavily, but his embarrassment was quickly replaced by anger, “She told you!” he hissed, “I made her promise that she won’t tell a soul!”

“Hey, don’t get angry at me, I was dragged into all this kicking and screaming.” Armor sighed, “Look Blue, now that you know, it’s really important that you go out there and say something to him. And thanks to Cadie, I’m going to help you out with that.”

“How do you being disguised in something so ridiculous is going to help me in any way?” he questioned.

“It’s open mic night at this place, right?” the other Prince explained. “And your coltfriend plays the piano but hasn’t gotten the chance to perform in front of an audience, am I right so far?”

Blueblood was about to ask how he knew that, but then quickly remembered that his aunts and cousin were involved. That meant that they somehow gained intelligence about them somehow without them knowing it. After making a quick note to scold all three of them, he inquired, “And…?”

“Well, I’m supposed to go up there to give the world’s worst rock ballet ever performed to which I would be booed off the stage. After that, it should give Fancy the confidence to get up there and play something for you.” When he saw the look on Blueblood’s face, he quickly added, “Yeah I know, it’s corny but if you managed to pull it off, I would go home. Look, I promise that if you at least convince him to go ahead and play something then at least say those three little words, I’ll make sure that my wife and the Princesses will leave you two alone.”

“But do you realize how hard it is to do that?” the blond prince gulped. “I’ve been trying to find the right moment to do just that, but I just can’t.”

“Oh, believe me, I do,” Shining chuckled. “Trust me; I remembered what it was like when I told Candance that I loved her for the first time. Yeah, I know it’s scary that you don’t know if they feel the same way. But from what I told,” he adjusted his ill-fitted wig, “there’s a pretty good chance that Fancy does like you the same way back.”

Before Blueblood could say anything further, there was a knock on the restroom door, “Shining? Are you close to being ready?” it was undoubtedly the voice of Shining Armor’s wife. 

“I’ve got to go,” the prince in semi-drag unlocked the stall door and headed towards the exit. “All you’ve got to do is to get your coltfriend onto that stage and say something to him. Good luck dude.” Shining waved for one of the guards to step aside in which, after he did, he opened the door wide enough to get out without showing who else was in there. “Yeah hon, I think I’m ready to go,” and with that, he slipped out of the bathroom.

After taking care of himself, a couple of minutes later, the blond unicorn exited the restroom to search for his consort. Thankfully it didn’t take long for him to find as an obvious Solar Guard stood by next to the booth that Fancy was sitting. He was looking through the menu when he looked up. “The waitress was here earlier, but I told her to come back later until you got here.”

“Thank you,” Blueblood sat right across from him and held the menu in his aura. Quickly selecting what he wanted, he took the time to scan the restaurant floor. Sure, there were ponies that were looking at them curiously, but he paid no attention to them. Thanks to that bathroom incident, he now knows that both of his aunts plus his cousin were here. The question of course was where? His paranoia peered at dark corners, at suspiciously overdressed ponies that he couldn’t see through, and at those that had the hint of coat colors that had any resemblance to the princesses.

“Blue? Is everything alright?”

“Huh?” the Prince snapped his attention towards Fancy Pants. He repeated his question. “Yes, everything is fine…”

The Royal Consort raised an eyebrow, “Blue, what’s going on? I mean, bringing me here – this doesn’t seem to be like you at all.”

“We were going off from that flier, remember?”

“Yes, but this seems rather… (How should I elegantly say this…?) Run down. Almost like a cheap tourist trap that doesn’t go with your refined tastes. So what is going on?”

Blueblood sighed, “There is much reason, but one of them is that, as small as it maybe, I want to help you out with something.”

Fancy raised an eyebrow, “And that being?”

“Do you remember when you told me that you had this dream about being a concert pianist but you couldn’t go through with it?”

His coltfriend froze. “Wait, why?”

Before the Prince could say anything, a voice came onto the loudspeakers, “Hello mares and gentlecolts, welcome once again to our open mic night at ‘The Friendly Maiden’. That’s right; we are opening our stage up to you to entertain the guests for a maximum of ten minutes. As of right now, the stage is free for you to play music, sing a song, do stand-up comedy, read a poem you’ve written or simply do a bit of improv, it’s all open to you. So come on up if you think you have something good.”

A moment later, the restaurant darkened and the lights on the stage lit up, and almost immediately, a pony was pushed right up to the very center of it all. He still had on the ridiculous makeup, wig and a green electric guitar. Blueblood saw from the corner of his eye that his consort was rubbing his eyes. “Is that Prince Shining Armor in drag?”

“Hello Molokai!” the other Prince shouted into the microphone, scratching the ears over the loudspeakers. “Are you all ready to rock?!” What followed for the next three minutes could only be described as Discord in musical form. Every carnal sin in regards to music was committed at a rapid-fire pace from the voice being sung off key to the guitar not keeping in time with the “song.” Clarity was shattered, crescendos were on every note, and malicious chords shook the very glass of the restaurant. Through the garbled lyrics and the inexperienced melodies, the unfortunate audience covered their ears, shouted at the musical demon, threw whatever they had at him, or all of the above.  

In the longest three minutes of anypony’s life, the husband to the Princess of Love was given a chorus of “boo’s.” Thankfully taking the hint, Shining took a bow despite the guests were throwing salad at him before rushing off stage.

“I think my ears are bleeding,” Fancy commented as he checked his ears.

“That was the most revolting display I’ve ever witnessed,” Blueblood agreed. Mummers rang out in the restaurant, the air seemed to have been soured the audience’s expectations. A few minutes later, ponies one by one came up and while they were far better than the first performance, they weren’t what anyone would call great. Unpolished comedians told their jokes, local musicians played their songs, but the guests seemed rather bored.

“You know Blue,” the blue-maned unicorn muttered, “I dare say that this is terrible.”

Both eyebrows on the Blueblood’s forehead went up. He realized that if there is an opportunity to possibly tell Fancy and getting rid of his family members in one go, this was it. “You know, nopony has touched that piano since we got here… So why not give it a try?”

Fancy stared at him for several minutes, “Pardon?”

“Yes. Why not you go up there and play something.”

“Uh…” his consort froze up as he looked nervously around the restaurant floor. “Bluey, I don’t think I can.”

“Why not? After what I’ve heard from you since we’ve started dating, you played Beethooven, Buch, Liszt and Horseshoepin better than any interoperation that I’ve ever heard. Celestia, you have more talent than everypony on this island combined!” He reached across the table and took hold of his consort’s hooves. “Fancy Pants, you said so yourself that you dream of being a sort of concert pianist, well, while this isn’t exactly Carneghie Hall, but it’s a start. You can’t hide what you have simply because of some bad experience.”

Fancy shook his head, a look of uneasiness plastered on his face, “You don’t understand what you’re asking. What if I mess up horribly? All I know from the piano comes from classical music; I know I’m going to bore everypony to sleep. Blueblood, I’m not my father, he’s the one that knows how to handle this sort of thing.”

“Then don’t do it for any of them,” the blond Prince frowned. “Besides, didn’t somepony once tell me that imperfection is perfection? Fancy, don’t do this because they’re listening or watching. Rather, do it for me – like you did when we’ve first met. And when you did it again in our dreams, you played for me poetry without words. In fact,” he looked over his shoulder, “Do you know why I never asked you to do anything redundant like write love letters, or give me roses or any of that sort?” his coltfriend shook his head. “That was because I could instantly tell how much you care about me through the music you played. There are few out there nowadays in which anyone plays with passion, and you sir, are one of those few.”

The Royal Consort moved his hooves away and placed one of them over his heart. “Do you mean that?”

“Fancy, if it would help, I will come on stage along with you. Nopony would dare be over critical if I’m up there right by you. So I must ask, would you play for me? You chose the music, and the only pony in this place that is worth listening to it will be me.”

Looking out onto the empty stage at the untouched piano, Fancy downed his drink before getting up. Blueblood followed him as they navigated around the tables and the guests that at this point weren’t paying any attention. After stepping onto the low platform, the blue-maned unicorn lit up his horn to open the lid and let his hoof play a scale to test out the instrument’s sound. Nodding, Fancy nervously sat down on the bench as his coltfriend sat right next to him.

Eyes shut, he breathed in deeply several times. But the older unicorn still felt anxious as he knows that there were eyes of strangers watching, waiting for him to do something. His forehooves felt stiff and cold, as if they refused to move. Then, Fancy felt something on his back. Opening his eyes, he saw it was the Prince’s hoof that was rubbing over the back of his black suit. He also saw Blueblood, smiling. His ears stood up at attention.

It took several minutes, but when he was finally able to raise his hooves despite the continuous murmur in the crowd, he let it touch the keys. Fancy pulled out from his mind the sheet music of a song that he had practiced. One that he memorized it by heart because it brought back to his recovery from his divorce, but this time, instead to be out of heartbreak, it was revised for the sake of affection.

Lower keys gently rippled like water from a pond, painting an imaginary world of graceful water fowl. From the higher keys, a simple, quiet, graceful, but powerful melody emerged like a lone swan. A ballet without dance, a poem without words being played out on the instrument that, Fancy did his best to remember that this song was not meant for anypony except for the one that’s sitting next to him. With every passing bar, with every note, those worries slowly melted away as he had his Prince’s full attention. For all he cared, he could end up with a choir of “Boo’s” as far as he’s concerned, all of that is worthless compared to the audience of one.

Fancy Pants was pouring his heart out over the keys, as if the very sound of love was there in every single note. Settle changes in key and crescendo was dictated with his passion that he refused to slow it down for anyone. The once healing melody was now an unstoppable force that not even the reminder that his father was the better pianist slowed him down. For the first time to his ears, the music was in and of itself a masterpiece. There was no inner critic that was screaming how badly he was messing up, nor reminders from his mother that it wasn’t good enough, and even his fears of being judged out in the open air was muted. All that mattered was that Blueblood was listening. 

In that dark world where all they could see was what the spotlights have illuminated, the Prince felt that this was the most perfect place in the world. It was only him with his hoof on the back of his coltfriend playing the piano. A song that seemed to be straight from the heavens reverberated off the darkness of the restaurant that most of the voices have died down. Out of all the things that they had done together, Blueblood thought that this, right here, was the definition of romantic. There was no need to impress, no dinners, or movies, or walks through the park, but it was just them and a piano. Not just that, but seeing his coltfriend fulfill his dream of playing in front of an audience, regardless how small, was absolutely worth it. He had made the very pony that he valued above anyone else happy.

Silently, as the swan theme returned, the younger unicorn nuzzled his consort. The sweet melody slowly grew to its dramatic moment when everything, including time had slowed down along with the cords. Silence ruled in that space where nothing, no whispers nor clanking of china were heard in the restaurant as the song of eternity was reaching its conclusion. It was perfect as Fancy’s hooves played out the song ready for its departure. Gracefully spreading out its wings and began to fly out of the mirror like pond and out into the moonlight night. Yet, even the song seemed heartbroken that it had to leave this sanctuary and out into the cold, as if in that crescendo, the very notes were crying. However, with a noble downplay, Fancy pressed on with a quiet determination that no matter what may come, he must see to it to the end. Taking in one last breath, the pianist played out the ripple of water as softly as he could until he reached the final chords to let it echo out into the darkness. 

Fancy was pulled back into reality as he heard the clopping of hooves from the Prince, quickly followed by the restaurant’s guests and staff. Taking his hooves off the keys, the older stallion stood up and went over towards the edge of the small stage to face the audience that was truly listening. Humbled, he took one step back and bowed.

Blueblood leads him back to their booth, “That was perfect,” he whispered as they sat back down, but this time, the Prince sat right next to him. “Didn’t I tell you that you could do it?”

“Yes old sport, I supposed you did,” he rubbed one of his forelegs.

The blond unicorn knew that as of right now, this was the very moment that he had been waiting for. “Fancy, can I tell you something, I mean, after listening to that, I think it’s about time.”

His consort twisted a confused look.

“Fancy,” Blueblood gulped. “Do you remember not too long ago when you’ve asked that if I… loved you?” He nodded. “Well… Truth be told, I have been thinking very heard on the issue and, after some plenty of self-reflection, I believe it’s about time that I finally given you an answer to your question.”

The older unicorn quickly realized where this was going, “Oh? And what is your answer?”

Blueblood hesitated at first as he looked at him in those sea blue eyes. “Fancy Pants… I…” he nervously gulped. “I uh…”

A chuckle was heard, “My Prince,” Fancy said with a smile and a glint in his eyes despite the darken restaurant, “Repeat after me.”

“Um… okay?” the blond unicorn blinked, almost feeling like he was being taught again by his parents.

“Fancy, after going out with these dates with you, I think I like you more than just a friend.” Taking notice of how wide his coltfriend’s eyes were getting and the blush that was developing, Blueblood repeated it back to him. “And, what’s more, I think that I’m in love with you.”

Breathing through his nose, the younger pony repeated, “And… what’s more… I-I think, that I’m in… love… with you…” Before the Prince could even think, he felt a quick peck on his lips before practically gasping what just occurred.

Fancy smiled at him. “I know.”

Before Blueblood could respond, a deafening cry coming from the kitchen exploded to where the restaurant collapsed with: “ABOUT BUCKING TIME!!!”  The last thought that was going through the Prince’s head before the jungle roof collapsed on his head, was that he recognized the Canterlot Voice to be his cousin’s.
> Chapter XXV: Hospital Visitors
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prince Blueblood woke up with a head-splitting headache with voices in his ears. The hodge-podge of sound blended, fuzzy at first, but as he listened further, his brain began to realize he knew those voices. However, due to the unpleasant pain that felt like his first hangover all over again, he found it difficult to concentrate. Moving his forelegs, he felt the unmistakable feel of a cheap blanket, thus forcing his eyes to open so he could see where he was.

The first thing he saw was a window that had the endless sea. After looking down at the bed, the I.V. tube that was sticking out of his foreleg, and the light green divider he quickly deduced that he was in a hospital on the main Island. And those voices that he was hearing became clearer to which he realized that what he was listening to was laughter.

“I can’t believe that actually happened to you,” the blond prince instantly recognized it to be the voice of his cousin. “How did that happened?”

“Well,” Fancy’s voice was heard. “You have to remember that I was in college at the time. It was a huge beach party where all the other Fraternities were there so of course right away we’ve started drinking and everypony started pairing up except for me. Oh, and we were burning up a telegraph pole.” Blueblood heard the laughter of his aunts, “To this day, I have no clue who stole it, but I’m pretty sure that in any country that it’s pretty high on the drunk theft scale.

“So I started walking about with a can of beer in my aura when I tripped on a blanket. I was so drunk that I remembered thinking, ‘Who in Tartarus brings a blanket to the beach.’ And at this point, the fire was right here to which my next thought was, ‘Huh, that’s close to my face.’ Then I see my forehooves in the embers that I exclaimed,” then Fancy screamed before continuing. “The next thing I knew, somepony saw me fall into the bonfire and rushed over, grabbed my shirt collar and throws me into the sand. Then, my drunken friends proceeded to stomp me out.”

The Prince tried to light up his horn but hissed in pain, hooves clenched over to his horn, in which he noticed for the first time that there were bandages on his head. A familiar golden glow covered the dividing screen to be pulled aside. There was both of his aunts, his cousins along with her husband and his coltfriend that too was lying in a similar hospital bed. He noticed that Fancy’s hind leg was cocooned in a cast. 

“Bluey, you’ve finally come to,” this came from the night Princess in which she nuzzled him.

“Finally?” Blueblood questioned, “How long was I out for? In fact, what happened?”

An uneasy laugh was heard that the Prince quickly identified to be his cousin. “Yeah… about that… That was my fault. You have been knocked out for two days give-or-take. I didn’t know that the structure of that restaurant you were in didn’t exactly have adequate building materials.”

Things began to click in the blond unicorn’s mind; he remembered what Prince Shining had told what was really going on. “Oh yes, thank you for reminding me, Cadance. So whose idea was it to place a bet on me and my consort?”

All three Princesses turned pale, even Celestia which while the Prince did find it impressive since she is already white; he was still focused on the fact that they influenced his dating experience behind his back. They looked at one another before his Solar Aunt replied, “How long have you known?”

“Roughly around the time that I ran into Prince Shining in drag in the restroom,” he said deadpanned.

“No I wasn’t,” the other Prince objected.

“You were in makeup and wearing a wig.”

“She made me,” he pointed at the pink mare.

“But it was all for a good cause,” Cadance said.

Blueblood sat up in his bed. “For what? In case none of you have noticed, I’m doing pretty well with wooing my consort on my own, thank you very much. We were doing fine until the ceiling fell on my head or he had broken his leg.”

“To be fair,” Fancy added, “he is right about this you know – none of you shouldn’t manipulate our dates for the sake of your bet; it’s rather unbecoming of all of you as Equestrian Royalty.”

Shining snorted, “Believe it or not, both of you got off easy. I mean, when Cadie and I started dating, Celestia had betted with the Captain of the Royal Guard at the time that I might sleep with her before our wedding.”

All eyes turned to the Solar alicorn, “What? When you have a job as monotonous for over a thousand years, you too would want some excitement every now and then. Besides,” she folded her forelegs proudly, “I did win in the end.”

Her nephew’s jaw dropped, he was about to ask what was on his mind but quickly shook the thought, “I don’t want to know. Anyway, is that the reason why you’ve done this with me and Fancy? Out of entertainment?”

“Truthfully,” Luna admitted, “it was an aspect of it, but we did it out of good intentions Bluey. We do want to for not only to be happy but to be with a stallion that will love you. Yes, I’ll be the first to admit that this is somewhat extreme to a degree, but we did manipulate behind the scenes so that you’ll find pure joy, openly and without shame. I mean, after how we’ve noticed when you came out to us, how afraid you were, we still want to support you with all the power we have.”

“But it doesn’t make it any less wrong Auntie Luna,” Blueblood sighed and put a hoof to his bandaged forehead. “Just so that I know, what exactly did you bet on and who won?”

“I did,” Cadance smirked. “As of now, they owe me and my husband twenty barrels of Sweet Apple whiskey, Auntie Lu’s famous recipe for Moonshine Cake, and paid vacations to Prance and Istaly.”

The blond Prince folded his forelegs, “You know, this is still pretty upsetting that the three of you would do this behind our backs. It’s one thing to bet on something, but it’s downright deceitful when you stick your snouts into something that, frankly, is our own personal business – even if it’s done with good intentions. Now, would you please leave us before any of you start another bet?”

His cousin quickly got an idea, “Ooh! How about how long it’ll take for them to get engaged?”

“OUT!” Blueblood shouted as he pointed a hoof towards the door. “All of you get out!”

They followed suit, all three Princesses and a husband walked out of the hospital room, closing the door behind them.

“You know,” Fancy began, “I think I would go too, but my leg is preventing me from moving at the moment.”

His coltfriend sighed, “No… Fancy, I’m so sorry for all of this.” He paused when he heard his consort laughing, “What?”

“Forgive me, but compared to my family, this is nothing.” He waved a hoof. “At least we didn’t have Dad with a sniper crossbow that has been following us, aiming at your head.”

Blueblood blinked, “That actually happened?”

“Well, that… and Mum used to send ponies to spy on us… and by spies I mean my siblings.”

“Why? What did they do? Did they place a bet on when you got married to your last husband?”

The older unicorn snorted, “I wish! Why they-” a crash cut off whatever Fancy was going to say. There was a tremendous commotion that was coming from outside of the door to their hospital room. Shouting, clanging of metal and a stampede of hooves were rushing quickly towards where they were before the door flung opened. It was a pegasus stallion that was wearing blue police uniform. “Found him! He’s in here!” Stepping inside, the Prince got a good look at the officer. He had a gray coat, a strong complexion, and had blue eyes with a blond mane that reminded him of Ms. Harshwhinny.

As soon as he stepped through, so did Fancy’s parents and a few other ponies that Blueblood didn’t recognize. One was a unicorn mare that seemed to be older than his consort that was a chocolate brown, a solid black mane that was tied up in a bun, wearing a suit. And by Harshwhinny’s side was a younger, pudgy looking Earth pony stallion that was royal blue with a ghostly white mane.

Glancing over to his consort, Blueblood saw how all the color had drained from his face, “What are all of you doing here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” the police officer walked over towards Fancy, “We just heard that you got hurt. Of course, I would have come sooner to check up on my little brother…” he tilted his head towards the group of ponies that came in. “But they’ve heard about it too.”

“Fancy,” Clavier, Fancy’s father rushed over to his bedside. “We came as soon as we heard, are you alright? Did anyone have you signed up to harvest your kidneys?”

“Who are they?” Blueblood spoke up what was on his mind.

“Oh, right,” his coltfriend cleared his throat. “My Prince, you’ve already met my parents. These here, are my brothers and sister.” He narrowed his eyes, “The same ones that promised that we wouldn’t all be in the same room at the same time after that dinner incident. Come to think of it, how did any of you know I was here?”

“You do know that news travels by telegraph, right?” the mare in the sharply dressed suit answered in a deadpanned tone, “Especially when they’ve laid an underwater line between here and Equestria.”

“Oh…” Fancy facehoofed. “Well then Blue, since the family is here, I might as well introduce you to them. The mare that just spoke is the eldest, my sister Keen Eye, the producer that I told you about a while back.” He waved a hoof towards the police officer, “Hoof Cuff is the second oldest and he works for the Manehattan P.D. and that over by Mum, is my step-brother, Mangeur Difficile, he’s a food critic.” He then coughed in his hoof, “Family, this is my official coltfriend, Prince Blueblood Everfree.”

The Prince watched as all three siblings took a quadruple take as they realized who the pony in the other bed really was, to which all three dropped to the floor while the parents simply took a polite bow. Blueblood turned to his consort, “So should I be worried now that all your family is in one place, in a hospital room no less?”

“No need to worry, Your Majesty,” Hoof Cuff rose, along with his siblings. “I’m a well-trained police officer. So you should be safe.”

However, it didn’t make it any less secure when Fancy’s father snickered, “Oh, as if that ever helped anyone.”

This got an icy glare from his ex-wife. “Look, we just came in here to see if he’s alright. We each got a telegram saying that you’re in a hospital on the Moneigh Islands so we want to see if you’re dead or not.”

“Wow,” Fancy replied, his voice annoyed. “Thanks, mum.”

The youngest sibling raised a hoof, “Okay, first of all, since when did you get a member of Royalty as a coltfriend? Because this is news to me,” and so, the couple retold their story to them. They told them how they met at the masked ball, to the dates, their time on the islands up to finding out that the Princesses had placed a bet on them. Once they were through explaining as much as they could to them, Fancy’s youngest stepbrother asked, “Oh… so if you and Prince Blueblood get hitched, would that mean that’ll make us royalty?”

All three siblings plus two parents turned all their attention towards Fancy, thus making the Prince’s consort quite uncomfortable. “Why are all of you looking at me like that?”
> Chapter XXVI: Family Reunion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hoof cuff was the first to act as he waltzed over to the Prince’s bedside. “You know, Your Highness, I do have to say that you’ve got yourself a good catch with my little brother.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “Thank you?”

Ms. Harshwhinny walked over to the other side of the bed and asked, “So have you given any thoughts to marriage yet?”

“Mum!” Fancy sat straight up in his bed. “We are not doing that yet!”

“We’ve been going courting for a few months,” the Prince pointed out. “And I just was able to tell him that I loved him, isn’t this way too soon?”

Keen Eye snorted, “Not exactly. Fancy over here married his last husband in a month after they meet. So really, this shouldn’t exactly be an issue.”

“But this time being a Royal wedding,” The pudgy brother mused. “I could be the beginning of a new chapter for everyone here, and not just Fancy.”

“I know right?” the officer remarked, “As exciting as policing is on some days, I guess I wouldn’t mind being called ‘Duke Hoof Cuff’.”

“Not to mention getting a better home that would make our mansion look like a mobile home in a trailer park by comparison,” Harshwhinny agreed. 

The older sister scoot over to where her injured brother was. “So what do you say, Fancy? I would like to retire early from that horrible job in Applewood.”

Her brother glared suspiciously at her, “I thought you said that you liked your job.”

“Not if you have to cater to psychos every day,” she turned to her dad that as across from her, “No offense.”

Clavier rolled his eyes, “None taken.”

“I mean come on Fancy,” Keen turned her attention towards her younger brother. “It’s pretty much a win-win-win here. Blueblood can be with the guy that loves you. You can be spending the rest of your aging life with a hot looking guy. And we get benefits because we’re related.”

“Now, wait a minute,” the Prince objected. “I don’t think that’s how it works.” Five pairs of eyes gazed at him, all asking what he meant by that. “Look, even if we do end up getting married, my property and wealth would indeed be shared by him along with his with me. However, I personally cannot upgrade his title above Royal Consort without the consent of all the Princesses and Prince Shining Armor. Which means, none of you would be made official aristocrats without all my Aunts, cousin, her husband had Princess Twilight’s given consent.”

“With all due respect, Your Grace,” the younger brother of his consort began. “But aren’t you very good at diplomatic skills? Surely, even you could at least convince the Royal family into giving him some other title than just consort. Maybe it doesn’t have to be Prince per-say, but at least something as modest like ‘Count’ would be an honor for him and the family as well.”

Fancy frowned, “What benefit would I gain? In case you- OW!” he shifted his hind legs, along with the cast that had kept his shattered leg within it. “In case all of you had forgotten,” he continued, “I’m already doing very well with my system of being a patron for the art. Besides the fact that I’m living quite comfortably, ponies in Canterlot consider me the top critic in regard to culture over there. So what would be so different if I happen to marry a Prince?”

The hospital room became silent; however, the stillness was broken by Fancy’s mother who was frowning at her son. “By Celestia, you really are an idiot. Don’t you realize what we’re trying to do for you? And for us as well? This is a once in a lifetime chance to kick start an aristocratic dynasty.”

“I won’t have it!” Blueblood objected. “Clearly, none of you have any idea what any of you are asking.”

“Oh quit being a wussy,” Ms. Harshwhinny stomped her hoof.

“HEY!” Fancy’s voice thundered in the small room. Sitting straight up, he first moved one hindleg then the other. Despite the sharp pain that was radiating from his cast, he let it dangle off the hospital bed, glaring at his whole family. “Leave, all of you,” he said through his teeth.

“Says who?” his older brother inquired.

“Me,” Fancy responded. “How dare all of you come waltzing in, going from checking up to see how we’re doing to plotting a power grab through the stallion I love. I have been manipulated by my ex-husband before, and I’ll be forever damned if I let anypony, especially all of you, to do the same. Never, in all my years have I heard such selfishness coming from any of you, especially you mum! I cannot believe that you would use our family’s ultimate insult upon a member of the Equestrian Crown!”

His mother raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What exactly are you going to do if we refuse to leave? In case you haven’t noticed, your leg is broken, so it’s not like you could do anything about it.”

Blueblood was just about ready to call upon the guard to have the family remove. However, before he could do anything about, with fire in his eyes, his consort did the unthinkable. Letting his hind hooves touch the floor, he stood up. Even when half of his weight was sending shocking pains in his hoof, Fancy held a look of determination with a tear running down his cheek. “DON’T, EVER, tell me, what I can, or can’t do.”

Fancy felt that his bandaged hoof was walking on shattered glass with each, labored step. “If it means that I will have to remove each and every one of you by force, I will. Get the Tartarus out, all of you are dead to me.”

Tempered Clavier, who hadn’t spoken for a long time, finally broken his silence, “Wait, are you giving up on your family?”

His son narrowed his eyes, “You know what? Stay on the island, get off the island, I don’t care. Do you all want to hear it? You are a horrible family. What’s more? I don’t think I’m going to miss any of you. Now, get out.”

Blueblood saw the looks of betrayal and heartbreak on his consort sibling’s faces, including his mother’s. The father, however, his face brightened up, eyes glistening with pride as he shouts joyfully, “THERE YOU GO FANCY! I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!”

Whatever determination his son had, he finally buckled under the weight and collapsed on the floor. The Prince sprang out from his bed, taking the I.V. tube down along with him. And both stallions had one thing on their minds, “What?”

The insane stallion went over to help his son help. “Oh Fancy, I’m so proud of you! You’ve finally gotten over the whole ‘they’re my family’ crap, and realized that we’re just a bunch of psychotics.”

“HEY!” Fancy’s siblings cried out in unison.

But their protests went ignored as he asked his son if he was alright. With a nod from his son, Clavier sighed, “Oh thank Celestia,” he turned to his ex-wife. “Do you think he’ll stop worrying about any of us and finally start taking better care of himself?”

“Well apart of wishing he would bring my silverware back,” Harshwhinny narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know how easily I’m going to forgive you for cutting all of us off.”

Blueblood cleared his throat, “You all do realize that I have the authority to write up restraining orders, right?” Nopony answered. “I can see from now that all of you have a choice. You can leave the hospital peacefully and never come near us again, or I can call the guards and have them escort you off the island.” The prince narrowed his eyes, “Choose wisely.”

To his consort’s relief, the family did leave, only his father bid him goodbye before he too exited the room. Doctors came in to put them back in their beds and give Fancy some more painkillers. Finally, after they too left, the room was still.

“I’m so sorry that you got to witness that,” Fancy said at last.

Blueblood shook his head, “Don’t be. I admit I had been curious to see what your family was like, and now I see why you don’t want them to be in the same room together.” He looked over to the bed next to him. “You know, it’s rather amazing that despite being raised by those… (pardon the term) savages, you ended up being the most normal out of the bunch.”

His consort sighed, “I know… it’s a miracle really that even though I have been raised by Anti-Mum with her line of husbands that I didn’t turn out to be dysfunctional.”

“Well, to be fair, both of our families are certainly that to a degree. After all, we can’t forget Aunt Luna.”

“Personally, I prefer having being raised by Nightmare Moon over her any day.”

The Prince raised an eyebrow, “Being related to a pony that almost brought eternal night?”

“At least it gives me something to brag about.”

Both stallions chuckled. 

“In all seriousness,” said Blueblood. “Don’t ever let Auntie Luna catch you saying that. She’s still sensitive about that sort of thing.” This got Fancy curious and asked him if he ever inquired her about Nightmare Moon. “I did once,” he confessed. “It was on a night that I had a touch of insomnia that I went up to her and asked her about her past. Now, you must keep in mind that compared to Auntie Celestia, Luna is one of those ponies that would gladly listen to what I have to say. But when I asked… she was so embarrassed about it. I don’t know if she finds it easier to talk about it since that Tantibus incident, but I could hardly get a word out of her.”

“To be fair, if I did something just as foolish, I probably would try to avoid talking about it as much as I could.”

“Like you did with your last husband?”

Silence. Neither stallion spoke as the hoofsteps outside of their room walked by their door. Finally, Fancy asked, “Bluey, do you remember that movie we watched sometime back? That creepy silent film?”

“What about it?”

“I know this might sound ridiculous, but… I was just thinking,” he gulped. “Now that it’s clear that we do love each other… Do you think it might be possible that I might end up hurting you… because I love you?”

This gave his coltfriend a confused look, “What? Is this about the time you hit me?”

“No, no it’s not that,” the older unicorn shook his head. “Do you recall how that movie ended? When that ghost revealed himself and had mistaken that poor fellow to be his coltfriend from long ago, that he still loved him. And when the bloke got scared, he tried running out, but in the end, the ghost ended up hanging him in hopes that they would be together forever.”

“How could I forget?” icy shivers went down the Prince’s spine.

Fancy sighed as he looked straight up at the ceiling. “Blueblood, tell me this honestly, do you think that I would do something similar to you. That I would love you so much that… that I might end up doing something harmful, or worst… like how my ex-spouse did?”

“You haven’t hurt me since that-”

“I’m not talking about the past,” his consort interrupted. “I’m referring to the future. Here, let’s pretend that we do end up more than just coltfriends, but as… husbands. Let’s say that I would do something that ends up hurting you, be it your respectability, your finances or…” he paused for a long time. “You. What if I turn out to be abusive and you can’t get out of it? Like how that ghost in that movie had strangled the poor fellow out of love, what if I do the exact same thing and not even know it?”

Blueblood snorted, “Well, it’s a good thing I have one thing that normal stallions don’t.”

“And what’s that?”

“Guards that would give their lives to protect me,” he smirked. “Fancy Pants, I don’t really know how things will go from here. Maybe we will one day get married, maybe we won’t. Or perhaps one of us could die before the other.”

Fancy deadpanned, “Gee, thanks for making me feel older than I already do.”

“What I’m trying to get at,” Blueblood continued. “Is that regardless of what goes on in the future, I’m going to make the most of it by enjoying life with you. How could I not? Running into you is the best thing to happen to me.” The Prince flop his head onto the pillow. “Still, I wish there’s some way I could make this up to you. With the Princesses spying on us and your family trying to get us hitched.”

His consort shook his head, “No, I should be the one doing that. After all, after to put up with them, perhaps I should do something for you… Except I’m completely out of ideas.”

However, the Prince did. An idea popped into his head that made his heart beat with warm blood, heating his cheeks. Glancing at the only window into the room, he got up to close the curtains. His coltfriend noticed this. After asking what he was doing, the blond unicorn went over to lock the door before walking forward towards Fancy’s bed.

“Do you remember a few days ago, that if I ever felt that I trust you absolutely that we might… you know.”

“Oh?” At first, his consort didn’t understand, but then it clicked to him. “Oh!” He sat up in his seat, “Seriously?”

Face blushing red, Blueblood closed the paper curtain around the older unicorn’s bed. “After what I saw, how you stood up to them… literally, that I not only found it rather touching, but I don’t think that anypony outside of my guards would do the same in your condition to undergo so much pain.” He climbed on the bed and lay next to him. “Fancy, I know this is rather… unorthodox, but I do trust you. Fully. And I do mean what I say that I want to repay you somehow.”

Although blushing as well, Fancy looked at his hind leg that was still in a cast. “I don’t think I’ll be able to do much, given my current condition.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to anyway,” he gave a soft smile. “But, do you trust me enough to do this?”

His answer came when he kissed him on the lips. “Alright. Only on one condition.”

Blueblood kissed back, this time it was on his coltfriend’s neck. “Anything.”

“Whatever you do to me, I’ll have to do so in return when I’m well once more.”

With another kiss on his chest, the blond unicorn muttered, “Deal,” and proceeded to lay a trail of kisses lower, and lower.
> Chapter XXVII: The Concert.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Truth be told, ever since Prince Blueblood had woken up in a hospital bed, the Princesses did make one last bet on their nephew: and that was to see when, as well as whom will pop the question. This time, they would interfere with neither his nor his consort’s love life. Even before both stallions returned from the Moneigh Islands, all three returned to their business as Royals, but this time had placed down a wager as to when it’ll happen.

Cadance thought that “Fancy would most likely propose to the Bluey within six months.”

Luna smirked in saying “I think that it would happen within two years. I have heard ponies getting married within that period of time.” And when asked who would propose first, she too assumes that it would be Fancy.

As for the Solar Alicorn, she placed her bets that “It would take over two years. Love like that needs plenty of time. And I think that when it does happen, it would be Blueblood that will propose.”

Since the trip to the islands, it was undoubtedly that both stallions had increasingly grown closer. Of course, Blueblood was called away sometimes for diplomatic reasons, to where he was carried away to Neighpon or Yakyakistan. While Fancy Pants returned to his job as a patron for Canterlot. Though, that wasn’t to say that neither stallion had time to see one another. If anything, servants from either the palace or at the wealthy stallion’s home have a tendency of raising a few eyebrows whenever they hear some unusual noises coming behind locked doors.

As months went by, Fancy was the one to give the Prince some breathing room to “foalnap” him. He would send out a range of particular dates, then out of nowhere, he’d be spirited away on board the airship to be taken with his lover to anyplace he desired. Anywhere he wanted, from the sands of Saddle Arabia to the snows of Himalamas, he explored them with his blond Prince at his side. With each date trip, Blueblood watched as the older stallion seemed almost youthful with these adventures. 

It would seem as if time ran right by as weeks and months rush by. Seasons and holidays came and went, and the Princesses have waited to hear news on their nephew. The day after six months, Cadance was furious, but it was a relief to the celestial Princesses. Yet, on the couple, they waited.

For the longest time, nothing had happened for two-and-a-half years. No news of their status in their relationship, until one night in a theater. Fancy and the Prince stood offstage in the wings. The older unicorn studied the last minute reading the manuscript while Blueblood had a hoof rested on his back. “Are you sure you feel ready?”

His coltfriend replied with a nervous chuckle. “I have been practicing this piece for a year, you think that I might be ready by now…” he trailed off as his ear listened to the muttering off an audience. Fancy’s mind nearly had forgotten all the complicated notes as it was nearly been drowned out by the enormous but unmistakable chorus of a huge mob of a curious audience.  “Everypony I know is out there. This is the first time I’ve played to a crowd this big.”

“Not to worry,” Blueblood cooed. “I made sure that the lights are bright enough that you shouldn’t be able to see what’s out there. All you’ll be able to see is black.”

“That doesn’t mean that I won’t be able to hear them,” his consort replied. The curtain was open, and the only thing that he could see on the stage was a lonely black piano with a musician finishing his piece. “Are you sure that piano is tuned?”

Rolling his eyes, the Prince replied, “Don’t worry, you’re not going to play on that piano. And before you ask, the answer is yes, it’s tuned perfectly. Fancy, you’re going to do fine.”

He looked at his coltfriend in confusion, “I’m not going to be playing on that?”

Blueblood kissed his forehead. “It’s a surprise. But in all sincerity, this is going to go over great.”

“But I’m the final act,” he said as he took a handkerchief to wipe off the sweat. “It’s bad enough that I’m playing Horseshoepin’s masterpiece, but I have to play it in front of everyone I know. So of course, I have to put up enough pressure as it is.”

Fancy felt his coltfriend rub his back. “You know, I have heard that piece before, played many times by different pianist. Yet, out of all of them,” Blueblood smiled, “your interpretation is the most heartfelt out of all of them. In a way, it’s like Horseshoepin had come back to life and started playing once more.”

“Makes me wish that I had the composer himself playing instead of me,” he muttered. The older unicorn felt through his pockets, double checking to see that his gift to his Prince was still there. “You are coming on stage with me? Aren’t you?”

“Of course,” Blueblood nodded, “I’ll be with you from the first to the last note. No matter what happens tonight, I’ll be with you to make this dream of yours come true.”

“Too bad reality is crashing itself in.”

“Fancy, look at me for a second,” his consort did so and immediately get a kiss on the lips. No matter how many times either did so, it still was able to make either stallion freeze the moment in each other’s warmth. Worry seemed to erode away while stilling the mind before the Prince pulled away. “Feel better?”

His blue maned consort wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his hoof. “A little, but I think it’ll help.” Then he heard the final chords ring out to applause. On stage, the pianist got up from his seat and bowed before exiting. Taking in a deep breath, Fancy said, “Here we go.” And with his coltfriend by his side, they walked into the spotlight together.

The stage lights, while indeed shining a brilliant, blinding light overhead, wasn’t quite enough for the older unicorn to see the outline of rows upon rows of ponies. Yet, to his coltfriend’s credit, he couldn’t distinguish who was who in that full house. Fancy followed the blond Prince to the upper, center stage was a microphone stood. Blueblood, wearing a smile ever since they came on, cleared his throat and spoke into the device.

“Mares and Gentlecolts, on behalf of the theater, we thank you for coming to the Pianists for Orphans Charity Concert. As we are drawing to a close, we have something special prepared as the final performance. Not only will you be hearing Fancy Pants performing to an audience this large for the first time, but I have arranged it to make this occasion special for the both of us.” 

As Blueblood spoke, Fancy took notice of a couple of strong looking ponies had come on stage to push the black piano aside.

“In fact, Fancy will be playing on a different, but nevertheless, still valuable piano. One that has been carefully been transported from all the way from a specific museum in Prance. It has been well tuned for this occasion, as well as this final piece.”

Out from the curtains, those same ponies pushed on another piano. Only this time, it was made entirely out of wood and had a much older design as it was wheeled over towards the bench. The lid was carefully propped up, revealing the strings underneath.

The Prince turned to his consort, “Fancy, this piano you’re seeing, is considered a sort of national treasure to the ponies of Prance, and for good reason. That, right there, is the very same instrument, in which Horseshoepin had composed many of his words, and even played on up to the day he died.”

Fancy’s jaw dropped, “Wait! Are you… is that really…?”

Blueblood nodded as he spoke into the microphone, “You are given the privilege to be the very few ponies to play on Horseshoepin’s favorite fortepiano.”

In shock, he dropped his copy of the sheet music, placed his hooves over his muzzle and shook his head. “Oh no… No, Bluey, you’re way too kind but… I can’t.”

Distending himself from the microphone, the Prince said, “Yes you can.”

“But… But this is Horseshoepin’s piano. His piano! I don’t know if I should even touch it.”

“It’s not going to disintegrate if you do,” he deadpanned. “Fancy, I wouldn’t have to go through the trouble of convincing the Prench government to bring that piano over here if I didn’t think you could do it. And I know that you can.” He returned to the microphone. “Now, for the final piece for tonight will be Horseshoepin’s Ballade in G minor.”

Picking up his sheet music, Fancy and Blueblood sat down, side-by-side on the bench at the cream ivory keys that waited to be played. The older unicorn took a moment to take out his handkerchief again to dry off the sweat that was running down his forehead. It was all too surreal that his coltfriend had brought out the old composer’s piano for him to play on. In front of the elate of Canterlot no less! He felt the Prince’s hoof on his back, and before he could turn to him, Blueblood was whispered in his ear, “Forget everypony here and focus on no one but me.”

Fancy waited until the auditorium was quiet, which made it easier to pretend that they weren’t listening. In that silence, he focused on nopony except for the Prince that was next to him that had placed the sheet music on the old wooden stand and flipped open to the first page. The blue-maned unicorn took in a deep breath and tried to remember that he isn’t playing for nopony else, but him. Like how he did on the Moneigh Islands.

Reaching up to lightly touch the right cord of keys, Fancy took in a deep breath, pressed down on the sound peddle, and let out a deep, rich set of chords. His hooves climbed up the black and white keys like the opening of a great dance until he reached the upper, lonely keys. Bars of hesitation echoed out from the wooden sound box of an instrument before the base keys slowed the melody further until for a moment, it would seem that time had stopped before it started up again as a sort of dance.

Out from the haunted piano, a slow waltz came quietly back to life. Fancy took care to grace his hooves over the master’s keyboard, letting certain hammered strings ring out into the abyss of the darken theater. Fuzzy sounds and blurry memories came out from the sheet music. Both Prince and consort sat there to reflect their time as the music flew and spun around them like snow in a breeze. It would seemed as if all the little and big moments that had lead them here didn’t seem too long at all. 

From the waltzing beat, they recalled the dances they’ve shared ever since the night they first met. A hodgepodge of memories from their first encounter to the ballrooms of foreign palaces twirled around them with the image of the other in their hooves. From former holiday balls to being alone in a room with a phonograph, like the music that went to a crescendo, they too saw with their imagination how they spun like dust devils. Grace notes and elegance twisted around in the darkness as the piano got louder, almost as if the very notes threatened to break the ancient piano at any moment.

But when the theme changed from a waltz to a sort of childlike carnival, Blueblood watched on as he kept one eye on the music sheet and the other on Fancy’s hooves that glide about the keyboard, even as he sped up. Every note he listened to was perfect in timing and form. Although he knew that his consort could do it, he couldn’t help but enjoy the ride of it to watch him play. In fact, as he listened to that development of that second melody, he recalled the dates that he had the most fun that he ever had in his life. Doing things that didn’t seem possible before, taking more risks that made the two of them feel alive. From dizzying roller-coaster to cruising down jungle rivers, it was as if the music had brought back their surprised dates all at once.

Yet, in this carnival of sound, intimate, romantic sounds were heard from the lower notes that softly reflected their blooming romance. If anything, it was the sound of a miracle to the both of them; something that started unexpectedly, down right impossible became real with every passing bar. Sure, they would admit to the other that it wasn’t what they expected it, but neither would have it any other way. For them, in that grand crescendo, it declared that because the other is imperfect, that to their eyes, their love was perfect.


_*_


It was unbelievable that by the time that Fancy had played out the final chords that it was over. To him, it only seemed like a second ago since he began, but now, in the darkness of the auditorium, an avalanche of applause came roaring and tumbling down. Hooves feeling sore, feeling like he did complex gymnastics on his two forehooves, he was sweating underneath the bright stage lights as he got up. Peering out at the stomping silhouettes, cheering out in yells, bravo’s and whistles, a tearful smile crept on Fancy’s face as he bowed.

Glancing over at his coltfriend, he too was applauding in his own way, clopping his hooves respectively. A smile graced his face. One look at him, and the older unicorn knew one thing: it was time.

After the other pianists came on stage to take one last bow together, Fancy took his Prince’s hoof and pulls him backstage. Over and around tables of sets and props, the older unicorn lead Blueblood to a backroom in which he closed the door behind him, “So, how did I do?”

The younger stallion kissed him, “Incredible, as always. I just knew you would play perfectly on Horseshoepin’s original piano.”

“Yes, I mean to ask, how in the world did you get your hooves on it?”

Blueblood rubbed the back of his neck. “When you’ve known the ambassador of Prance for so long, especially when you are on good terms, you’d be surprised of what sort of favors we ask each other. Of course, asking for a particular piano did take some convincing on my part, but still, it was exciting to hear you play on what the composer wrote on as his working desk.”

“Such a beautiful sound though,” Fancy replied. “Still, it was incredible for having me playing on it. Thank you, Bluey.”

“Anything for you,” the Prince smiled. However, he noticed his consort’s hesitation. “Is something wrong?”

“Huh?” the blue mane unicorn snapped back into reality. “Oh no, nothing at all it’s just…” Blueblood watched his hesitation and asked what was going on. With a sigh, he responded, “I think you might want to sit down for this.” He did so, Fancy reached out and took hold of his hooves into his own. “Blue, I know this is rather unorthodox for a commoner to ask you. So, I guess I have to do this professionally as to give you a… proposition.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “A rather unusual way to do so. But I’m listening.”

Clearing his throat, he continued, “Prince Blueblood Everfree, I humbly asked to present a petition on behalf of myself and the elite of Canterlot to humbly ask that you, my Prince, to take on this commoner…” Fancy gulped before continuing, “To be your… husband. I ask you, Your Majesty, to take me as to be your lawfully, wedded spouse. I on my part will promise will do more than to swear my loyalty, but to love and cherish you, as the pony you are. While I do not wish to gain the title of Prince or any other, I do hope that I shall spend the rest of my days with you.”

He saw his coltfriend growing blush on his face. “Fancy…? Is this some weird way of proposing to me?”

“In a way,” his consort shrugged. “So, to show that I’m am serious,” he let go a hoof and reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a little black velvet box.

Taking it into his magic, he opened it up to find a golden ring with an opal stone in the center that was encompassed with sapphires. The Prince smiled, “It’s perfect.”

Fancy smiled, “So my Prince, to you accept my petition?”

“You know, an old fashion ‘Will you marry me’ would be sufficient and to the point.”

“But to a Prince that has a taste of the dramatic? Where the fun would be if I didn’t?”

Rolling his eyes but with a smirk he shook his head. “Very well, I’ll play along.” Clearing his throat, he craned his neck up to a regal stance. “Fancy Pants, my Royal Consort, I accept your petition.” He was immediately tackled with a hug. 

“Thank you, Bluey…” Fancy said in his ear, “I hope that this time, I’ve made the right choice.”

“And I think we already did.” Blueblood smiled.
> Chapter XXVIII: The Wedding March.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had taken several months’ worth of planning and an argument from the Princesses on who would be doing the ceremony to lead them up to this day. However, the day of the wedding between Prince Blueblood and Fancy Pants had come into fruition. It was decided that instead of having the ceremony be taken place in the castle gardens or the throne room, or even in the space where his cousin got married in, nor would it be taken place in the Palace Ballroom. Instead, it was held in the very music room in which they’ve met. The couple reasoned that they might as well begin their lives as a married couple in the place where they have begun to know each other. 

The Music room was crowded with ponies from Fancy’s well-dressed relatives, friends of the Canterlot elite, to some of the ambassadors that Blueblood had worked with. Guards in their polished armor stood at attention at the edge of the cramped space, keeping an eye on the guests and the ten pony bands that waited for their cue to play. At the front, the Solar Princess stood at the very center of a platform in her full regal entire. She spied at a particular row, where she spotted Princess Twilight, her brother, Cadance, Spike and King Thorax. Grant it, Celestia didn’t expect that the Changeling King would come to the wedding of a Prince that he barely knew, all she knew was that the young Drake had invited him to the event. 

The room waited until a single, Solar Guard came into the room and walked down the thin aisle to whisper to Celestia that both stallions are ready. After thanking him, she cleared her throat and spread her wings, “Would all rise for the grooms?” The room stood up as the music doors opened, cueing for the tiny orchestra to begin. The first thing was heard was a drum beat, like that at the beginning of a military march before a baroque violin began the melody. 

Fancy was the first to enter, walking side-by-side with his father. Of course, it was rather astonishing for the blue-maned unicorn to have his mad pianist parent to assist him to walk down the aisle with him; yet, Fancy stuck to tradition a chosen a family member to do so. Out of all the family he knew, he trusted his father for the task because he was at least remorseful for what had happened all those years ago on the Island. 

Fancy Pants was in the very costume that he first met his prince. He walked in with a dark overcoat with midnight purple lace and a three-corner hat with a feather sticking out. The midnight purple mask covered the groom’s face, showing a pair of wings over his blue eyes in that baroque style. Tied around his neck was a lilac cravat that lay over his dull grey overcoat. A single red rose stuck out from his breast coat pocket. Each step he took was calm but had a hint of nervousness. 

His father took notice, “Cold hooves already?” he whispered. 

“I’m not planning on bailing when I’ve come so far.” 

“You’re shaking a little,” Clavier pointed out. “Are you really that nervous?” 

“Maybe just a little,” his son admitted. “I’m hoping that I’m making the right decision this time.” 

Looking up ahead to judge how far away they were from Celestia, his father answered, “The Prince seems like a nice enough stallion. Not the kind that would smack you around. However, I still stand by what I said that if he does hurt you, tell me immediately.” 

“I know,” Fancy nodded as they were at the point where his father stopped to hug him before taking his seat, leaving his son before the Sun Princess. And as keeping up with tradition, he didn’t dare look behind him as his soon-to-be spouse entered the room.  

Blueblood marched down the aisle with the Night Princess. His overcoat was a sapphire blue that was stitched with gold trimming and real gold buttons that lay over his white blouse. The breaches that fit over his flank held a practical use of hiding his cutie mark. As for the mask that covered his face, it was in the same color as his coat and was in the same style as his costume. He even had his mane tied back in a ponytail that was held there by a silk ribbon. 

“I can’t believe this is really happening,” he muttered to his aunt. 

“Have courage, my nephew,” Luna replied. “This is the right thing to do.” 

“Easier said than done,” the Prince glanced around at the ponies they were passing. “I just hope this goes right.” 

“Nothing is burning yet, so that’s a good sign.” She added, “So don’t you fret, Prince Charming, go up there and marry that Fancy Pants. I promise it will be alright.” 

They stopped just behind his consort; Luna gave her nephew a smile, nod, and a hug before she too took her seat. Walking up and tapping him on the shoulder, the older unicorn looked over, smiling at him. Silently, he held out a hoof to him in which Blueblood gladly accepted and took a step towards his Solar aunt. 

Celestia cleared her throat, “Mares and Gentlecolts, citizens and dignitaries, subjects and royals, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage between my nephew, Prince Blueblood Everfree and Fancy Pants. Some of us are here for our fellow Prince, who has, at last, come out of his shell from an insecure stallion uncertain about how any of us would react to who he is to become a happier individual. We are here because he has shown to his consort that not only happiness is possible, but it can be regained after such hardship. 

“We are also here for Fancy Pants, who with his experience, patience and willingness to take on a few risks, is able to help our dear nephew embrace himself for who he is as a stallion. His selflessness has forged a bond between himself and the pony that he had thought was unreachable. This very moment is proof that he has achieved it. 

“So with that in mind, is there any reason why these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace.” 

Silence. Apart from a few coughs here and there, nopony dared speak. 

The Sun Princess continued as she turned to the grooms, “This is the time to exchange your vows.” 

Two stallions looked at one another. “Do you want to go first?” Fancy asked. 

Nodding, Blueblood cleared his throat. “Fancy, if I was told a couple of years ago that I would be coming out due to an… incident with Sir Spike, then have my aunts throw a party that would help me find the stallion that I would marry, I would never believe it. For the longest time, I was convinced that I wouldn’t ever have the grace of meeting somepony like you. That falling in love was never going to happen, that I would have to remain content of being alone… Until I heard you play in this very room. Ever since that night, I began to believe in miracles. Each time I encountered you, I saw firsthoof of the unbelievable things that I thought would never happen to me, did happen. You saw past my mask, and my title. You saw me at my most vulnerable and help made me strong. And you have taught me a lot of what it is to be in love. For these reasons, I will be your Prince Charming, while not perfect; I will strive each and every day to show how deeply I care about you. I will stop my duties to listen to your concerns. To sacrifice the crown, so you can be safe. And I will value your overall wealth, land and power. From this day on, I am yours.” 

“That was lovely,” his aunt smiled before turning to the other pony. 

“Bluey… I have a confession to make. Growing up in my family, I’ve learned that normal ponies can live with happiness, while screwed up ponies will try to destroy it. Mum, as you know, has been married seven times. So until I was ten, I honestly thought that stallions were rent to own.” This got a chuckle from the guests. “In truth, all I ever wanted out of a marriage was… well… the perfect match. I wanted to be with somepony that I could carry a conversation for hours and not realize that it has been that long. I sought after a pony that was cultured yet, was still willing to learn. When I first thought I had it, turned out that I rushed into my decision too quickly and ended up paying the price. Years later, when I met you I thought it would be a temporary thing. But… after the first month we started dating, I realized something. That this… this wasn’t an act. This is who you actually were. As time went by, it further proved to me that… I have found him, the perfect spouse. My Prince, this is my vow: From the moment I awake to the second I go asleep, I will feel younger whenever I’m around you. I will give you hope as you did with me. I will honor, cherish and do everything in my power to uphold you as long as I live. From this day on, I am yours.” 

After Celestia instructed them to exchange rings to be placed on the other’s horn, she turned to the unicorn in the lilac mask. “Fancy Pants, do you take my nephew, Prince Blueblood Everfree to be your lawful wedded spouse: to willingly give him comfort when there is pain; to give love when there is fear; to give him happiness when there is misery; to give your life, to protect him; to give your voice, to hear his; to give your mind, to understand his; and to be give your body, to him?” 

He nodded, “I do.” 

She turned to the blond Prince. “And do you take Fancy Pants also to be your lawful wedded spouse: to willingly give him comfort when there is pain; to give love when there is fear; to give him happiness when there is misery; to give your life, to protect him; to give your voice, to hear his; to give your mind, to understand his; and to be give your body, to him?” 

“Yes, I will.” 

Celestia smiled once more, “By the powers invested by myself, my sister and the Kingdom of Equestria, I hereby pronounce you, husband and stallion.” After she closed them, she further instructed. “You may remove the masks, and kiss your spouse.” 

Both unicorns lit up their horns and undo their masks to be set aside so that they could gaze upon the other’s face before they kissed. 


 _*_ 


Much to Blueblood’s relief, the wedding went off pretty well. In the Ballroom, where the reception was held, it was now in full swing. In front of him and his husband, they watched the guests dining from tables of white and blue cloths, gulping down gallons of champagne and wines. Dinner was served upon trays of silver, on plates of china, foods were brought up from a wide range of flavors from savory to spicy, sweet and crunchy – absolutely nothing was excluded from the magnificent feast. 

The Prince and his spouse sat at the end of the ballroom by the massive windows that looked out to an orange sky. He and Fancy sat at the end of a long table with their families. Or at least, only Tempered Clavier that sat next to his son. Both of his Aunts sat next to him, making small talk with some of the ponies that came up to either talk to them or congratulate the new couple. 

“Uh, hey Blueblood,” a crackly voice said, thus making the Prince looked up from his meal to see Spike the dragon. “Long time no see.” 

“Sir Spike, is it me or have you grown quite a bit?” 

Indeed, the drake that he had that… Gala incident had grown a little taller. He was about the size of a stallion and has lost much of his baby fat. Like the ponies in the room, he too wore a black suit with a red bow tie. Spike rubbed the back of his collar. “Yeah, I’m undergoing a kind of growth spurt now that I’m going into puberty and all.” 

“I see,” the Prince nodded. 

Fancy smiled at him, “Great to see you old sport, how are things with you now?” 

“I’m still helping Twi out here and there.” Spike said, “I just wanna come swing by and say my congrats to you guys.” 

“Thank you,” Blueblood replied before turning to Fancy, “Did you know that he’s the one that had helped me to come out in the first place?” 

“Really now?” Inquired his spouse, “How so?” 

“Well…” Spike began, “To make a long story short, a couple of his personal guards wanted to get back at him for being mistreated so at the Grand Galloping Gala they’ve slipped love poison into his drink and he was the first guy that he saw and he starts to woo me.” A pink blush appeared on his scaly cheeks. “After that, it did help both of us figure out a few things and gave him the motivation to come out to Celestia and Luna.” 

“So in other words,” the blue-maned unicorn pointed out. “If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be married.” 

“Essentially yes,” the young drake nodded. 

“Well for that, thank you, Spike, for bringing us together.” 

He waved a claw, “Ah, it’s nothing really. I just happened to be in his line of sight at the time.” 

The blond Prince leaned forward, “I’m curious, between then and now, have you found anypony special as of late?” 

“U-Um…” Spike’s blush deepened. “N-Not exactly,” he looked over his shoulder at the Changeling King that engaged with a conversation with one of his subjects. “Although, between you and me… I got suspicious that somepony just might, but I’m not entirely sure as of late.” 

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “You mean with King Thorax?” 

He nodded. “I’m not one-hundred percent sure, but I can’t exactly tell if he’s just being nice to me or flirting.” The couple asked what he meant. “Well, most of the time we’ve been communicating through letters and maybe it’s the paranoid side of me, but some of the things he wrote whenever he compliments me may have double meanings. And if he does come to visit, aside from the box of gems he gives me, he sticks by me like a bodyguard even when I’m talking to friends. It’s like he’s trying to protect me when there’s no reason to. Then again, we have been friends for a while now and it might be his way of showing that. I could be misinterpreting for all I know.” 

“Spike,” Fancy waved him closer. The young dragon leaned in forward and he spoke softly. “If I may advise you here, I say don’t assume what is going on between you and King Thorax. Maybe he has a crush on you or it's just friendship. Yet, either way, I would be cautious about this if I were you. Unless he tells you outright, make sure you got all your facts straight and don’t do anything drastic if you still have some doubt within you.” 

“So what should I do?” 

“Take what’s going on with a grain of salt,” the blue-maned unicorn said. “If it turns out that he does have feelings for you then make it clear on where you stand on the matter. And if it’s only a Changeling custom, then simply adapt to it when he has good intentions. Either way, do be careful not to hurt or offend him.” 

The young drake nodded before he looked back at Thorax who was looking in his directions. “I guess that makes sense.” Returning his attention towards the newlyweds, he straightens up. “I hope things go over well with you two.” 

“And I do hope the same can be said with your new coltfriend,” Blueblood teased. He and his spouse witnessed as his head turned into a giant cherry. 

“He’s not my-” Spike quickly caught on what he was about to say but stopped himself. “I mean, we’re not in a relationship.” 

“Yet,” Fancy smirked.  

Spike turned around and walked away. 

A while later, Celestia stood up and tapped her glass with a spoon to get everypony’s attention. “Everyone, I do believe that this is the time to give the newlyweds their wedding presents.” 

“Oh!” Fancy’s father jumped out of his seat, “I nearly forgot.” Turning to his son he told him, “I’ll be right back, I need to get yours up here.” Clavier hastily rushed out of the ballroom as some of the guests got out of their seats to present their gifts to the couple. 

The presents they’ve received in hill pile ranged from rare bottles of wines and liquors to chariots, paintings to antique china sets and nearly everything in between. Yet, as Fancy pointed out, his father still hadn’t returned. “What in Equestria is he doing?” he wondered aloud. 

“Maybe he misplaced his gift,” Blueblood shrugged. 

As if a reply from the universe, the doors to the Ballroom burst open with a grinning Clavier, and in his aura, he dragged a burlap sack with something moving around inside. Of course, this gotten looks from the other guests as he passed by, but he didn’t seem to care. “Sorry for taking so long my boy.” He said, “My present wasn’t cooperating all that well on the way.” 

A grave look came upon Fancy’s face as he stood up from the table, “Dad, what did you do?” 

“Nothing as of yet,” he said as he propped the lump before the table. After undoing the knot at the mouth of the bag, a stallion’s head with a crossed look in his eyes and a sock gagged his muzzle. 

Upon seeing who it was, Clavier’s son glared at him, “Father…” he began in a warning tone. “What is… he doing here? You do know that I had placed a restraining order on him?” 

“That’s actually a good question,” Blueblood added, “What sense of bringing Vibrato, his ex-husband, doing at our wedding?” 

“Well,” Fancy’s dad began. “Do you remember a while back when your mother revealed that this barbarian had abused you in the past?” They told him that they did. “Well, since that this day was coming up; I was struggling to figure out what to get you. Then I happened to remember what this low-life bastard of a peacock had done, so I had this wonderful idea of a gift for you.” He smiled as he took out from his pocket a syringe needle. “How about I round him up, inject him with some good old fashion hydrophobic acid and you two can watch him melt. That way, he’ll never be able to hurt you ever again.” He ended it with a gleeful smile, much to the horror of the pony in the bag. 

The Ex wasn’t the only one that was alarmed. Everypony within earshot had heard it, even the Princesses. Acting upon instinct, Fancy was the first to respond as he quickly lit up his horn to grab the syringe out of his father’s magic. With an uneasy laugh, he trotted around and hugged him and his ex-husband out of the room. “Ha-Ha! Hilarious dad! This is gotta be the best joke you’ve ever come up with.” Just as he got them out of the room, he stuck his head out again, “Please excuse us for a minute.” 

Blueblood looked over to his side of the table to see that the whole Royal Family, including Princess Twilight and her brother, were staring at him wide-eyed. “I’ll be right back as well,” he said as he too got up to leave. Thankfully for him (and several other guards), he quickly located his husband from the shouting that was coming from a nearby room. 

“Pardon my Equestrian but WHAT THE LIVING BUCK DAD!? Out of all the things I specifically told you NOT to do so you may come to my wedding, you did it anyway!” 

“Give me a break,” Fancy’s father replied. “I ran out of ideas of what to get for you blokes for your wedding day.” 

“And a public execution is the best you could come up with?” 

Blueblood pushed opened the door to find his spouse and his father in the middle of a small drawing room where the pony was still in the sack. “Mr. Clavier, except for your attempt to murder Vibrato, is there any other reason why you brought him here?” 

“He hurt my son,” the old pianist responded, pointing an accusing hoof at him. “He abused him during the two years that I could not help him. And I’ll be forever damned that I’m going to let him get away with it.” 

Fancy grunted, “I’ve already put a restraining order on him since we got a divorced dad.” 

“No excuse for him to have him slap you around for two years.” He pulled the foalnapped pony to his side. “Besides, he had misled all of us, tricking us into thinking that he was a good pony, and I had failed to protect you from psychopaths like him.” 

“Mr. Clavier,” Blueblood raised a hoof. “Stop and think what you’re doing. I know you have good intentions, but injecting him with acid won’t do anypony good. Grant it, I do not like it any more than you do, but if you do kill him, we’ll be forced to lock you up for good.” 

“Dad,” Fancy interjected, “Please, let him go.” 

The father looked at both newlyweds before returning his attention to the bounded pony. With a sigh, he undid the gag. Vibrato glared up at his ex-husband, “I didn’t think I would end up here.” 

Fancy frowned as his dad helped him out of the bag. Blueblood could now fully see the opera singer. He was shorter than his husband, with a well-kept mane of antique gold with a light brown coat. The cutie mark was a microphone. His spouse looked at his ex’s magenta eyes, “To be fair, I didn’t expect for you to come.” 

“So I’ve noticed.” The opera singer glanced over to the Prince. He snorted, “I’ve always known that you’ll go after the younger ones.” 

“Don’t you even start. That restraining order is still in place, now would you leave before I call the guards to arrest you for violating it?” 

“Your insane dad made me break it you unobservant idiot,” Vibrato growled, to which Fancy stepped back. “I didn’t even want to come here in the first place. I could be home right now having tea but no! Your schizo father had to foalnap me, take me out of Trottingham to here so he could murder me.” 

“Vibrato,” Fancy started, “You really ought to calm d-” 

Before he could finish, a bonfire erupted from the shorter stallion’s eyes and immediately raised a hoof. Fancy braced himself for the impact, but it never came. Instead, he saw that hoof being held back in the air in his Prince’s aura before he was suddenly flung over backward to the marble floor. With the hoof still in Blueblood’s magic, he was dragged over to him. 

“Don’t, you, EVER, hurt him again,” the blond said through his teeth. “I know that Trottingham isn’t in our domain, but you are in Equestria. You are still submitted by our laws. And attempting to harm a member of the Royal family, be it by blood or marriage is an act of treason.” All the color in Vibrato’s face drained away. “As of right now, there are three things that are preventing me from outright killing you. Firstly, it’s my and Fancy’s wedding day. Secondly, the whole Royal Family, including Princesses Celestia and Luna are in the next room – so if I kill you, they’ll scold me. And third, I’m wearing the very clothing that we’ve first met so I don’t want to get any blood on it.” 

After clearing his throat, he said. “However, the three of us will turn a blind eye to give you just enough time to get out of Canterlot. This will be for your final warning: if either of us sees you again, I will not be so merciful. Now, on behalf of my husband,” Blueblood narrowed his eyes, “Get, out.” 

The opera singer rolled over so he could stand on his four hooves. He started to make his way out of the room before he stopped to look over his shoulder, “Fancy,” he said. “Let’s see how long this one will last.” And with that, he left. 

Returning his attention to the blue-maned unicorn, Blueblood said, “I can see why you’ve left him.” 


 _*_ 


The Prince looked out to Canterlot one last time as the train speed away from it. His nightly aunt was already busy raising the moon and placing the stars in the sky. Blueblood felt the wind rush pass on the caboose, watching the dark trees rushing past him and the tracks swishing underneath his hooves. 

Among the noise of the clicking and clacking of the train, he heard the door behind him being slid open. He craned his neck over to see his husband… not coltfriend, but his husband in the doorway to their cart. Fancy was wearing his evening robe with a couple glasses of bourbon in his aura. 

“Are you coming to bed?” he asked. Blueblood nodded and reentered into the cart in which he’ll be best able to hear him. 

In truth, this very train and even the railcar was his cousin’s wedding gift. The very same one, as far as he knew, was the very same that was used on her and Shining’s honeymoon. From its white carpet, the bright red blankets and pillows on the bed, the dark wooden walls that had shelves and cabinets of their things, and even the art-deco ceiling of creamy white and blue – it was indeed a rather nice space for two. Plus, it had plenty of soundproof spells so that when the door behind him closed, they couldn’t hear the constant noise of the tracks. 

The Prince took hold of the glass with the amber liquid in his magic, “So are you still angry at your father?” 

Fancy sighed, “In a way, but not as much. Of course, I’ll forgive him later but for now, I’m still in disbelief that he would bring him along.” 

“At least it was a wonderful wedding; you’ve got to admit that.” 

“It was a good deal more regal than my last one by a long shot,” his husband chuckled. “With all being said and done Bluey, I am rather proud of you for how you handled the situation with my ex.” 

The blond unicorn rubbed the back of his neck. “I just didn’t want to see you get hurt… again…” 

An awkward paused hovered above them as the two stallions sat side by side on the bed. They did shake a little from the constant bumping of the railroad. Finally, the older pony spoke up. 

“Do you think that he’s right?” 

“Who?” 

“Vibrato,” he clarified. “He said that he wanted to see how long I’ll last with you… Speaking from somepony with experience, it has caused a clouding doubt over us.” 

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “Don’t tell me that you believe that we’ll get divorced too in the future, do you?” 

“All I’m saying is that I’m hoping that I’m wrong… because I wanted to be proven wrong,” Fancy looked at his prince in his blue eyes. “I’m just hoping that I’ve made the right choice.” 

The younger husband wrapped his forelegs around him. “I believe that you did. We’ve been dating for years, and you wouldn’t think that we wouldn’t agree into such a commitment if we doubted that we couldn’t, right?” 

“And if we’ve misjudged?” 

Letting go, he replied, “Come on Fancy, the reality is that we’re not the perfect couple. And I don’t think that we’ll ever be as such. Yet, as you’ve taught me, if you can’t embrace it, you’ll never be satisfied with what you’ve got. And what I got, right here and now, is my ultimate dream stallion that loves as Blueblood, not the Prince.” 

His husband nuzzled him. “Thanks for that. It has been such a long day,” he then gave a cocky grin, “on the other hoof, we both know how to end this properly. Don’t we?” 

The Prince chuckled, with a blush on his cheeks. “So then,” he held up his glass. “To a new chapter in our lives.” 

“And to a brighter future,” Fancy clank his glass against his.