//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Ah nuts... // Story: The Mare to Heart // by Veridian Phantom //------------------------------// After about a 5 minute walk. Well, in your terms it's walk, in Rainbow's terms it's snails pace. So after about a 5 minute “walk” you finally reach a... Tree? Well Rainbow Dash flew up to the door of the massive tree and knocked on it pretty casually. After about 5 seconds you hear a voice from within. “Come in!” says the voice. You slowly walk in, although you know it's a public library, you had heard that the librarian live here, so as to not upset her you walk in with grace. However forgetting to look where your going you trip over a book that was on the ground. “Aw, darn.” You grunted. “You okay uhm...” The voice asked, probably inquiring your name. “Name's Thunder Dash” You replied slowly getting back onto your hooves “Well i'm Twilight Sparkle, I run this library. I have any and all books to suit anypony's needs.” She was smiling madly, it's clear she likes books. Who else would work here everyday? “And i'm Spike!” A small voice to your left spoke up. “Gah!” You screamed in surprise. Your heart was racing at a mile a minute. “Oh sorry about that. Didn't mean to scare you.” Replied the small dragon. “I-i-it's alright, you j-just scared me a little.” You were studdering from the scare, not sure why you were you think back and find a memory of watching a late night horror film. Wait, what's a film? You thought to yourself. Rainbow Dash and Twilight were roaring with laughter at how scared you got. Finally calming down after what was about a tsunami of laughter, they trotted over to greet you. “Spike, mind going to make us some tea?” The purple mare asked with a friendly and warm tone. “Yes ma'am” Spike saluted and waddled off into the kitchen. “Now then, is there anything you came here for Rainbow?” Twilight was anxious to talk about her books, seems like she didn't have anyone who shared the same interest in books as her. “Thunder is new-ish in town and he doesn't have any friends, so i'm showing him around and getting him to meet my friends. And you.” Twilight takes a quick glance at the clock on the wall above the kitchen. “Wow look at the time, we must be going to Sugarcube Corner if we're to make the party on time. You coming Spike?” “Yeah be there in a sec!” You hear him yell from the kitchen, although he sounded a little distrau- “Woah-oah!” CRASH “Spike! What did you do?!” Twilight yelled. “I tripped over one of your books. You really should keep this place more tidy, instead of throwing books around when you're done, try putting them back?” Spike was annoyed at her level of cleanliness. “Spike you're my number one assistant, and as my number one assistant you should know that it's one of your chores, to keep this place clean and hazard free. Now then we really must be going to the party, wouldn't want to keep everypony waiting.” “Well whatever, I don't feel like going to some froo-frooey Hearts and Hooves day party anyway.” “Suit yourself Spike. Just remember to do your chores.” Spike ran upstairs and headed for what appeared to be a bedroom. He's probably going to slack off and go to bed you thought. Sure enough in a few short seconds you heard light snoring coming from upstairs. You turn around to go head out the door, Rainbow Dash of course wanting to be first flew out the door like a bullet. You followed her outside and shortly after Twilight followed, using her magic to close shut the door. It was a nice walk, all of you heading to Sugarcube Corner, in silence. You feel like you should say something just to make conversation. But sometimes it's best to walk in silence, just being in someones presence can speak a whole lot more than words or conversation ever could. After a short walk, seeing as Sugarcube Corner isn't far from the library you see party banners and streamers and balloons and a- What the hay is that? A Cannon? At a party? Just as you were about to ask what a cannon was doing at the party the pink mare you met at the farm came out and hit the button on the cannon, and almost immediately a whole bunch of streamers, balloons, and party confetti flew out of the cannon, masquerading the place with party decorations. “Hey Pinkie Pie!” Rainbow was waving a hoof to her friend. “Oh hey Rainbow, Thunder, and Twilight. Are you just super duper fantabulificly excited for today's party? We have balloons, streamers, music, cake, cupcakes, muffins and soda! And of course everyone who's anyone in town came to celebrate the holiday! And lastly the Cakes' themselves!” Pinkie Pie was speaking at a mile-a-minute, and giggling like a mad pony. There was very little you could do to actually follow what she was saying at this point. Her friends seemed to be able to follow easily as they were nodding there heads at points, and giggling as well, maybe they just got used to her? As you got into the shop you looked around and noted the large spaces accompanied with tables, chairs, and whatever else Pinkie mentioned. This was the usual party spot by the looks of things. You saw that almost the entire town had shown up, small town sure, but everyone showed up. Everyone must really like Pinkie Pie's parties. Not knowing what you should do, you follow Rainbow Dash over to where the rest of her friends were. Everyone was there, Applejack, Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, and of course Pinkie Pie. But where was Rarity? She wasn't with them, and now that you think about it, you haven't seen her all day, and Rainbow Dash was acting sheepish when you mentioned her. Not even a few seconds after the realization she wasn't there, guess who shows up? “I'm here~” The white mare was standing sideways in the doorway to show off her dress, which was extravagant. You couldn't help but stare. The dress was full cab, purple, with wavey lavender lines streaming down the length of the dress, it has a few gems put into a small diamond pattern, exactly like her cutie mark. You've probably been staring too long, because at that point Rarity took notice of you and blushed, it was a light blush so it wasn't very visible, but because you've been staring long, you noticed. You cock your head to the side and lightly flush as well. As usual, Pinkie Pie bolted right up to her, and brought her over to you and her friends. At this point you were starting to get nervous. But why? Why am I getting nervous? You thought, hurriedly your mind got to work at thinking of something to say. Rarity finally got over to you, and yup. You were still flabberghasted, and staring. “Is something the matter Thunder?” She tilted her head sideways a little, with a worried look to her face. “I u-um, I-You look amazing Rarity.” You cringe afraid that she might react badly having just met yesterday. She flushed red, “Oh thank you, do you like my dress?” She was pawing at the ground, or rather, the floor. Rarity's friends aren't exactly the quietest, except Fluttershy, it was easy to hear them giggling to themselves, it was obviously because they've never seen Rarity blush before at another stallion, or make a dress just to impress them. You stood there looking dumbfounded, staring at her. Quick think of something to say... COME ON! “Uhm, I t-take it you don't have a special somepony?” “Sadly yes. But I was kind of hop-” Just as she was interrupted, the doors to the shop burst open as a tall white stallion appeared in the doorway, he had a tuxedo on and a horn protruding from his head, his mane was blue and wavey, and his Cutie Mark was of three crowns with the jewels in them much like Rarity's. “Sorry I'm late everyone, it's hard to escape those stuffy nobles sometimes.” Said the stallion. Rarity was standing in awe as to who she was looking at, you couldn't figure out what was going on, but everyone was standing there staring. It's like the princess walked in or something. But clearly the princess wasn't a stallion, so it wasn't her. He himself stood in the doorway staring at Rarity, it's like it became a stare down all of a sudden! “Oh my gosh, i-i-it's Fancypants!” Rarity declared. “WHAT?!?” You and Rainbow screamed.