"...I must admit, Zephry," remarked rarity. "This mane therapy thing of yours is truly magnificent."
"Your mane is certainly telling me that you've been feeling stressed out," the green Pegasus replied. "And, please, call me, Zeph,"
***
"Smitten, are we?" Nish Pony as he watched how Spike had remained totally fixated on Rarity.
"Huh?" he gasped as he fumbled about in his chair upon being snapped out of his thoughts. "What?"
The orange Unicorn adjusted his rose-tinted glasses and smiled.
"You know," he said. "Just because she's a pony and you're a dragon doesn't mean you two can't be a couple someday."
Spike's eyes widened.
"Umm," he blushed. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, Spike," Nish stated. "I don't even need these glasses to know your feelings."
"Huh?" wondered the purple dragon.
"Do you know what my Cutie Mark stands for?" asked Nish.
The emerald-eyed dragon looked at the grey elephant head on the flank of the Unicorn.
"No," he said. "I've never seen anything like your Cutie Mark before."
"Between you and me," grinned Nish. "It's because I learned to appreciate everything about every pony."
"Hmm," thought Spike. "Wouldn't your Cutie Mark be something a little more... well... like a star, or heart, or heart within a star, or something like that?"
"You're still a little young," stated Nish. "However, I can tell you that appreciating all that makes a pony a pony is what got me my mark."
"Okay," said Spike.
"I should also tell you," said Nish. "I do know of 'Spike - The Brave and glorious'."
Spike felt himself smile.
"It's kind of nice to hear that outside of the Crystal Empire," he remarked.
"The Crystal Empire is lucky to have you as role model," added Nish. "A dragon with such accolades is yet another reason that I made my home there with Quacky Pants."
"Really?" asked spike.
"Really," said Nish. "I also should tell you how you and I have a bit more in common than you may think."
"How's that?" wondered the dragon.
Nish nodded and smiled.
"Does the name 'Thorax', or 'Crystal Hoof' ring a bell?"
"Oh, yeah!" cheered Spike. "He's my changeling friend!"
"He and I got talking in front of your statue the other day and he told me all about how you helped him become accepted as part of the Crystal Empire," stated Nish. "You certainly have a gift for bringing out acceptance and understanding in ponies."
"...," Spike didn't know what to say, but was definitely feeling quite proud of himself.
"Do you see these glasses?" asked Nish.
"How could I not," commented spike. "You're always adjusting them like they don't fit on your muzzle."
"Well," said Nish as he got even closer to the young dragon. "I actually don't need glasses. These are special glasses I used my magic on to create using a particular crystal I discovered while out-and-about in the Crystal Empire."
"Oh!" awed Spike. "So, uh, what do they do?"
"You could say they amplify my talents," replied Nish. "Have you ever heard of 'Rose Tinted Glass'?"
Spike pondered, but nothing came to mind.
"'Rose tinted Glass' is a saying used to describe one who only sees the world as they wish it to be seen," stated Nish. "However, through my magic, I use these particular glasses to help me better see what makes other ponies feel special."
"Really?" asked Spike. "That's amazing."
"When I look at you with them on, I can tell how you worry about wearing filly clothing," Nish said softly.
Spike gulped and fidgeted with his claws while his cheeks flushed red.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of," stated Nish. "Actually, Rarity finds stallions in mare clothing quite attractive."
"Uh...," Spike said as his jaw dropped. "She does?"
"Yep," the fashion Unicorn stated. "But don't worry, I won't tell any pony."
"Phew," sighed Spike with relief.
"We live in an amazing time," stated Nish. "A time when love, acceptance, and tolerance are beginning to all come into bloom all thanks to your friends, the royal family of the Crystal Empire, and, of course, you."
Spike retook his seat to watch as Zephyr finished Rarity's mane therapy.
"Happy to play my part," he said. He may not have completely understood all that Nish had shared with him, but he always did feel at his best when he knew he was being helpful to others.