"Dude, she's gunna be so mad,” Party Favor said, glaring at Double Diamond as the stallion packed the last part of his plan.
“Party, trust me. I know what I'm doing,” he replied. “It'll be hilarious.”
The unicorn groaned and sat down on the couch of Double Diamond's small home.
“I just have a bad feeling about all of this.”
Equestria is a massive place. Sure, there's the royal Canterlot, the bustling Manehattan and the ever-important Ponyville that seems to make the news with it's infamous Elements of Harmony and Princess Twilight, but not every area of this mystical land is filled with important ponies whose fate determines the country's life or death. But, it's often easy to forget that there are little towns that hide from the public eye with their own personalities, talents and drama.
One of these ponies that was visiting one such tiny town, was a mare that went by the name of Starlight Glimmer. And she was about to have a very bad day.
It started just like any other. She rose from bed when she felt like it, but it wasn't late enough to make her feel groggy and irritable for the rest of the day. She groomed her velvet smooth coat and somehow managed to tame her beast of a mane in just under 10 minutes. Not that there wasn't any groaning, angry mutters, or words she'd rather nopony else heard uttered in the process, but rather that her hair was managing to stay in her new hairstyle from after 'the incident'. After a quick brush of the teeth and a quick examination in the mirror, Starlight knew she was ready for the day.
She trotted down the stairs of her humble home, humming a little tune as she did. Would she have toast today? Perhaps a muffin? Or would cereal go best with coffee while reading the morning paper? Starlight moved to her front door, claimed her paper and went back inside, tossing the light reading onto her kitchen table. After a quick inspection of her, almost empty, cabinets, she opted for an apple. Sitting down at her usual morning spot, she opened the paper without much attention.
Then, of course, there was the coffee. The hot, bitter liquid that provided that sweet embrace of life. It's smell was rejuvenating all on it's own. She took a deep whiff of the aroma, and took a drink of her morning elixir while moving her attention to the paper's headline.
“Starlight Confesses Eternal, Undying Love for Night Glider.”
Then spews her drink on the pages instantly.
“WHAT THE!?!” she screamed, setting the coffee down and bringing the paper to her eyes. “WHO! WHAT?”
Her eyes immediately scanned the article as it details how Starlight and Night Glider recently entered an exclusive relationship after having their secret, torrid love affair. Neither Starlight nor Night Glider were available for comment, as they were suspected to be holed up in Night Glider's home, aggressively holding hooves. Those who could claim pictures or video of further public displays of affection would be rewarded by the writers of the paper. Much to her dismay, there was no writer credited to the front-page article. Starlight threw the paper across the room in anger.
“WHY? Why would they do this?! Isn't there already enough drama in this stupid town? Instead, the paper has to print lies in order to sell copies?!” she yelled to her cottage, rising from her feet and pacing the small kitchen.
Now what was she supposed to do? She had to go to the market today, stop at the library, and deliver a agenda to Night Glider too! Knowing this town, they probably all even knew by now and would do almost anything for a few bits.
Anything.
Her appetite ruined, Starlight downed her coffee and sighed. She stared at the paper, lying in a heap against a wall of her kitchen. She had a few choices. She could try to avoid all of the drama that would be generated from this article, bask in it and play along, or try to just debunk it. That is, if anypony would be willing to listen.
Perhaps, it would just be best to get everything out of the way as fast as possible.
Grabbing her saddlebag, which already had Night Glider's agenda and her bits for the market, she moved to her front door and paused with her hoof on the handle.
“Here goes nothing,” she said.
With a deep breath, she pulled the door open and closed it behind her.
“Heya, Starlight,” said a familiar male voice. Starlight instantly groaned.
“Hey, Double Diamond,” she replied, turning to face her guest.
As she turned, she found herself face to face with the the leader of the town. His eyes were half-lidded and he wore a mischievous smile.
“What's up?” Starlight said.
“Well, I'm sure you saw the paper today,” he said. “Just thought I'd come by and... oh, I dunno. Discuss current events?”
Starlight glared at the red stallion with an intensity that could melt ice in seconds. She then turned away and set off towards the market.
“Soooo, does that mean it's true?” Double Diamond said.
“You know very, very well that it's not true,” Starlight said.
“That's what somepony would say if it were actually true,” he retorted.
“It's not.”
“Oh really?”
“I don't have time for this today,” Starlight said, turning on the spot. “I'm not going to entertain some silly gossip article that clearly has no foundation to back itself on. Now, if you can excuse me, I have to purchase groceries.”
Without another word, she turned towards the marketplace as Double Diamond simply smiled.
“Hiya Starlight!”
“Oh, hey Sugar Belle!” Starlight said, handing the mare at the apple stall several bits. “What's up?”
“Oh, nothing,” the pink mare replied. “I just wanted to congratulate you on the good news is all!”
Starlight suddenly found herself curious. Sure, other ponies had been stopping her all day and asked when her and Night Glider began seeing each other, and a few even asked how good Night was in the sack. Each were given the same answer. An angry, piercing stare. Although, when The Tailor didn't quite get the hint... well. She should have a bruise for awhile.
“Good news?” she replied. “What good news?”
“Why, the engagement of course!” Sugar Belle replied. “I was so happy to hear that-”
“OH GOD NOT YOU TOO!” Starlight screamed. “WHY?”
“Wait, wha-”
Starlight's eyebrow twitched as she mentally broke. She stared daggers at Sugar Belle.
“Who told you that?!” Starlight growled.
“Starlight's engaged?” questioned the ponies in the market in hushed tones, watching the commotion unfold.
“Well, nopony really,” Sugar Belle said slyly. “I just figured that since the two of you must have been involved in secret for such a long time, that it would just make sense.”
“SO YOU JUST MADE IT UP?”
“Well, kinda-”
“THEN YOU ARE MAKING IT WORSE!” Starlight said.
“Well, I mean. It kiiinda makes sense.”
Starlight groaned and stormed out of the market. Sugar Belle eagerly followed behind, keeping up with the black mare's swift pace.
“Does this mean I don't get to be the best mare?” Sugar Belle asked.
Starlight turned around and glared at Sugar Belle.
“Night Glider and I are not a thing. We never were a thing. We won't BE a THING. I just want everyone in this town to use a little bit of sense and realize that not everything you see or hear is true!”
Sugar Belle looked at her with a blank expression and tilted her head.
“So, you mean, Night is just... joking around?”
Starlight's pupils dilated. She never considered how Night Glider was treating this news.
“What?”
“Yeah, Night Glider has been going around, talking about how the two of you are the OTP of this town and that your star-crossed love affair-”
But Sugar Belle didn't get to finish as Starlight turned on the spot and darted to Night Glider's home.
'What was Night Glider doing?!' Starlight thought. 'Now they'll never hear the end of this!'
As she neared, she saw Night Glider standing outside, talking to somepony. Except, it didn't register who it was until she neared. It was Double Diamond, surely here to cause havoc once more.
“Oh! Hey, Starlight!” Night Glider called as she mare slid to a halt beside the two ponies.
“Dawww, it's so cute,” Double Diamond said in a voice that could have been used to talk to a baby animal.
“Night Glider, what in the world are you doing?” Starlight asked, short of breath.
“Oh, don't worry babe. I'm not flirting,” Night Glider said teasingly.
“STOP THAT!” she replied.
“Oh, is that too much for in public?” Night asked.
“Daww, the two of you are so cute together,” Double Diamond said.
“YOU STOP THAT TOO!”
“Hey guys!” Sugar Belle said, finally catching up.
“Oooh! Just in time, they are having a lover's quarrel,” Double Diamond said to her.
“WE ARE NOT LOVERS?!” Starlight said.
“That's not what you said two nights a-”
“Night Glider STOP. WHY?!” Starlight interjected.
The three looked at her intently and Starlight could feel the spotlight pointing down on her. The three ponies had her in a corner. The wide smiles on their faces showed that they were enjoying every step of this game. That's when it dawned on her. They were just -trying- to get under skin. If she didn't react, they wouldn't get what they wanted.
Starlight sighed and reached into her saddlebag, grabbing the agenda for the April 15th festival.
Wait a moment. April. Today was April 1st.
Starlight smiled to herself. This was a big April Fools prank. And if that's the case. What if she did the one thing they didn't expect.
Play along.
A smile curled on Starlight's face as she handed the agenda to the shorter, dark blue mare.
“Here you go, babe,” Starlight said sensually.
Sugar Belle gasped. Double Diamond's eyes dilated. Night Glider smiled and reached out to take the agenda with a shaking hoof, but before she could take it, Starlight pulled her close, with half lidded eyes. A smile curled on Starlight's face.
All she did was push her lips to Night Glider's and everything else came naturally. Starlight relished her triumph. None of them must have expected this. They thought they could pull a fast one on her, get her all frustrated and get the reaction they wanted. Not today.
Then, she pulled away, a small trail of saliva connecting her and Night Glider's lips as she smiled.
“That better?” Starlight asked.
Silence fell as Night Glider looked to Double Diamond. Double Diamond looked to Sugar Belle. Sugar Belle looked to Night Glider. Then the three looked at Starlight.
“OHMYGOD. Party! TELL ME YOU GOT THAT!” Double Diamond yelled at a set of bushes at he next house.
A stallion dawned in full camoflage popped out of the bushes with a video camera.
“Got it!” he called.
“WAIT WHAT?” Starlight yelled.
“Confused, yet?” Double Diamond asked, as Night Glider wiped her mouth.
“I thought that this was all a big prank?!” Starlight replied.
“It was. The paper was fake, only delivered to your house. Some of the people in the town knew of the prank, but were just supposed to pester you about it. But, we expected you to figure it out. It wasn't supposed to be hard. Especially when Night plays along. We wanted you to think all just to annoy you. Hoping that you played along. Honestly, we didn't know what would happen when you played along, but-”
“I'd have preserved whatever did happen,” Party Favor said, joining up with the group and handing the video recorder to Double Diamond.
Starlight's mouth hung open, staring at the proud group.
“S-so. Now that's...”
“On tape,” said Sugar Belle.
Starlight remained quiet, feeling vulnerable and played.
“Don't worry, nopony's gunna see it,” Night said. “That'd just be cruel.”
Starlight looked at each of the ponies, and sat down looking at the ground.
“Welp, you got me,” Starlight said, a mild hurt in her voice. “I suppose I kinda dug my own grave.”
She chuckled, but the group got quiet. Double Diamond looked to the other three and shrugged, while Party cast him a dirty look.
“Hey, uh. Are you okay?” Double Diamond asked.
“Yeah. I'm fine. I just think I need a little bit to cool down,” Starlight said, standing up and making her way home.
Starlight suddenly felt tired. Relieved, but tired. The entire town didn't think that she was having some sort of crazy affair with Night Glider. Which was good. Very good. All of this was sure to die down and just disappear and it'll be a thing of the past.
She smiled and raised her head as she approached her home. She had to give credit to Double Diamond. He played her perfectly. In the end, all she could blame was herself for falling for it. She shook her head and a smile curved on her face, feeling silly for what she did.
She opened the door and went into the comfort of her home. Her eyes moved to the paper that was tossed in a corner and lie still on the floor. She looked away and sighed, making her way up the stairs to her bedroom. Her mind was both filled with thousands of thoughts at once and absolutely nothing.
'It was silly. All of this was silly.'
She went into her room and plopped back into her bed, taking a deep breath and letting the comfort of the mattress gently massage away the aches her body felt.
'It was a great prank.'
She sighed and turned to her side, her tired eyes looking to the other side of her cold, empty bed.
'They really got me.'
She closed her eyes and raised a hoof to her lips. She could still remember what her gentle lips felt like. The taste of her mouth, the way her tongue danced with Night's. It was something like out of her dreams. Starlight's heart fluttered.
'How were they supposed to know?'
She pulled her hoof away and stared at the wall of her room, hoping it would provide her some sort of comfort, but it remained silent. The world felt cold and oppressive. She knew they didn't mean anything by it. They couldn't have.
She couldn't have known. Night couldn't have known how Starlight felt.
Starlight sat up on her bed, still staring at the wall.
'But she could. What am I doing?'
Without a moment to spare, Starlight darted back out of her home and back to Night's house. There wasn't a better time than now. Her heart was raw. She put herself on the line. She acted upon what she really, actually felt and played their game. Night had to feel the sincerity in her actions. Night had to see that it wasn't just a game for Starlight.
Maybe... it didn't have to just be a prank.
She approached Night's home, leaped up the steps and rapped on the door three times. The time it took for her to answer the door felt like an eternity. However, she heard hoofsteps on the other side of the door. Starlight's heart pounded. She felt butterflies in her stomach as her mind suddenly went blank. The door opened,
To reveal a dark, copper red pegasus stallion, with a wide smile.
“Heya, Starlight. What's up?”
“Orion?” Starlight weakly asked, as Night Glider moved into the doorway.
“Oh! Hey. Didn't expect to see you back so soon, Starlight. Is something wrong?” Night Glider asked.
Starlight's heart thumped in her chest as she looked between the stallion and the mare.
“I'm sure you met Orion before,” Night said. “We met a few nights ago and, well.”
Starlight could feel an icy knife pass through her stomach as she watched Night Glider giggle and take a step closer to the stallion as he looked down at her with caring, possessive eyes.
“I, uh. Just wanted to make sure that you still had the agenda,” Starlight lied.
“Oh! Yeah! I do,” Night replied.
“Good. Uhm, well, I should be going then,” she said, trying to keep her voice from cracking and trying to hide an expression of pain.
“Alright then. See ya, Starlight,” Night Glider said.
“Nice meeting you,” Orion said.
“Yeah,” she said to the stallion. “Nice meeting you.”
Starlight walked slowly home, a new tear from her chest hemorrhaging. She tried her best to smile and keep trudging forward, but she couldn't stop thinking about her.
'She'll be happy now.'
She remembered the way that Night looked into her eyes as she brought her close.
'It probably wouldn't have worked anyway.'
Her lips were so soft.
'Besides, she wouldn't want to ruin their friendship.'
Starlight wondered what it would be like to hold Night in her arms.
With a sharp turn, Starlight changed her destination.
“Oh, hey-”
“Give me the tape,” Starlight said to Double Diamond, after he opened the door to his home.
“What? Wh-”
“Give. Me. It. Now,” she growled, acid dripping from her words.
Double Diamond took a step back from the mare and went inside his home, coming back with a simple VHS tape.
Starlight took it, then slammed it in his face.
Starlight stepped into her home once again, tape in mouth. She moved to her television, and put the tape into the VCR. With a strained smile, she pressed rewind. Turning away, she moved to her kitchen and grabbed the paper, lying in a heap in the corner. She picked it up, sat it on her table and folded it carefully, trying to smooth out the wrinkles. Luckily, the coffee hadn't ruined all the words, and the fake front page picture of Night Glider being wrapped in Starlight's hooves was still intact.
With a light click, the VCR stopped rewinding. Starlight moved to her couch, paper in mouth, and sat down. Picking up her remote, she pressed play.
The picture lit into the screen as it showed Starlight running up to Night Glider and Double Diamond, with Sugar Belle following behind. Most of what was said was muffled, due to the distance of the camera, but it zoomed in carefully, to have herself and Night Glider in the center of the picture. She watched herself go from frustrated, to calm. Then, hold out the agenda for Night Glider to take. Starlight raised a hoof to her lips once more.
She watched herself pull Night Glider in, and lock her lips onto the unsuspecting mare. She could feel her body hurt. The edges of her eyes grew hazy as she watched herself pull away from Night. Starlight paused the TV and sighed, looking to the floor.
Why was she doing this? She knew it would only hurt her to watch it. Night Glider would never be hers. She never should be hers. It was just the way things worked.
Things just get complicated if you ever get involved with your best friends, no matter how much you feel like you understood them, or how much you cared about them, or if you dreamed about them late into the nights, rolling over and expecting them to be there, but only feeling the cold, empty bedsheet beside her.
No, it was better this way.
She stood up, and moved to the window of her home and looked outside at the sunny day.
Outside, in the beautiful summer day without a cloud in the sky, was Night Glider, walking with her new stallion. Night looked to her with a smile and waved. Starlight wore a weak smile and waved back. The mare then looked away, resting her head on Orion.
Starlight watched the two walk away, then stepped away, closing the blinds.
The floor felt unexpectedly wet against her hooves as she wiped her face. She stepped to the VCR and hovered her hoof over the eject button. But instead, hit rewind.