//------------------------------// // Best Laid Plans // Story: Sunburst's Weekend Off // by milesprower06 //------------------------------// A few minutes later, Sunburst and Starlight met the Princesses outside the castle library, and went in separate directions, this time with separate mentors. Sunburst and Twilight went into the library, and Starlight and Cadance walked back out to the foyer, talking as they went. "Don't get me wrong, your highness. I'm very excited at the potential of this... Date. Excited and nervous. I'm most nervous about it going very well." Starlight told the Crystal Princess of Love. "Why do you say that?" "Well, Sunburst is your Royal Crystaller, and will be for years to come. Not to mention I'm the student of the Princess of Friendship down here in Ponyville. That's quite some distance, and not one that can be traversed frequently enough for a stable relationship, right? How would we ever get to see each other enough?" Cadance nodded in understanding. "That's a very valid concern to have, and it would have more weight if we were dealing with somepony else. But Twilight has told me of your sheer magical ability. Are you really saying that your abilities are beyond transporting yourself to the Crystal Empire in an instant, once a week, or several times a week, or even once a day?" Cadance asked, smiling over at Starlight. "So this relationship would be built on my transportation spells? That doesn't seem fair to... Normal relationships." "First of all, 'normal' is subjective. Second, I've seen long distance relationships work all the time with faithful ponies. And third, if your magical abilities can strengthen your relationship, why shouldn't you use them to that end?" Starlight fell silent, seeing Cadance's argument. "So, what next?" She asked the Princess. "Next, let's take a breather from all this excitement, and go see how my husband is doing with my daughter. You can relax for a few moments, because he asked you to dinner. The next part is on him." "By the way, how did you and Shining Armor meet?" Princess Twilight Sparkle sat somewhat patiently at the east side of the library's round table, as she tried her best to wait quietly as Sunburst frantically flipped through her copy of A Traveler's Guide to Ponyville: Revised Edition. "I really should have thought about this some more," Sunburst began as he continued turning pages. "I don't know her favorite foods, activities... I was all like 'Hey I like you, let's eat!' Ugh..." He groaned in frustration, letting the book fall back onto the table. "Well, before we run off and get Cadance once more," Twilight started, not wanting to be pushed aside again, "Think about what you want to say through your date." "What do you mean?" "It doesn't have to be about favorite food; how would you go any place new that way? Part of going out could be seeing new places, trying a restaurant you haven't been to before. Or, if you want to more than sit at a table and talk while your food is prepped by others, maybe do something simple here. Cook together." "Hm... Combining the arcane and culinary arts..." The alarm bells in Twilight's head began to go off. "Orrrrr, maybe, you know, leave as much magic out as possible." She quickly interjected, recalling that Starlight's two food-based exploits didn't turn out so well; Mrs. Cake feared for her livelihood and got a magical instantly-baked cake on the head for her trouble, and baking with Pinkie... She was sure there were still some corners of the castle kitchen caked with grease and flour. Sunburst returned to the tourist's guidebook on the table in front of him. Perhaps if he concentrated on it hard enough it would reveal its long lost secrets to him of the perfect first date. "Another thing I have to figure out, tonight or tomorrow? We're here for the weekend." "Why not both? Something different both nights. According to Cadance, you've been absolved of all responsibilities for these two days. So for all intents and purposes, you are 'off.' Why not make the entire weekend your first date?" The Princess of Friendship was going to have to stop answering Sunburst's questions with more questions, otherwise she was going to drive the crystaller insane, because now he was out of the restaurant section and now flipping through the entertainment section. Finally, Twilight took a firm, magical grasp on the book and snatched it away. "There are some things you can't get from a book. Sunburst, this first date isn't going to be perfect, no matter how much you want to plan it out. Take a deep breath." Sunburst did just that, and awaited more of Twilight's instructions. "Since you asked her out, the ball's in your court, and I've found that you learn the most about Ponyville by taking a walk through town. It's not even noon yet, so go for a late morning walk and figure out where you'd like to take her. It'll help you clear your mind; you two are obviously still frazzled. Then come back, and maybe start your date with daffodil and daisy sandwiches for lunch." Sunburst nodded. "Thanks, Princess Twilight. I guess I am being a bit of a basket case here. Alright, I'll take an hour and see what's around town." "Sounds like a good idea. And when you get back, I'll see if I can have some suggestions for activities for the two of you. You are not by any means required to take them. Just go and unwind a bit." Sunburst departed with a nod, leaving Twilight to go after Cadance and her student. "If I know Starlight, she'll want examples to back up experience... Probably asking her how she met my dork of a big brother..."