1000 Years Ago,
“Thank you for the compliment,” she said, “But there is no need for it, really.”
“But for an angel like you there is every need, my beauty,” Ash said.
“Okay, now I know that you’re just trying to flirt with me,”
“Yes, so I am, what of it exactly?”
“Nothing, but I do wish to be entertained,”
“Ah yes, of course, this is a festival, is it not? I shall be your court jester, the fool, the comedian, anything for you,” he said.
“Very well then, prove it first, make me laugh, that is your task,”
“As you wish,” he said trying to think of something to make her laugh again.
But Ash couldn't come up with anything, “I’ve got nothing,” he said.
“Then leave me, please,” she said as she started to walk away from him very slowly and dramatically.
“No, wait, I can think of something- just give me one second- and you’ll see-,”
Midsentence he was interrupted three times by tripping over various random things that were left in the street for some strange reason that he couldn't possibly ever contemplate right now. “Ouch,” he said getting up from the ground.
“Oh, are you okay?” Rachel said slowly walking back to him.
“Yes, I’m fine, it’s just a scratch, nothing too bad, especially for a Royal Guard.”
She glanced up at him, “Wait, you’re a part of the royal guard?”
“Yes, I am,” Ash said trying to puff his chest out for her.
She giggled again, “You already look handsome enough, there’s no need to try impressing me,”
“Ah, but isn't there?” I’m sure that every stallion has asked you out by now…”
She shook her head, “No, not everypony, you’re the exception so far.”
“Am I, really?”
“No, sure I’ve been asked out before, but the love never really lasted for that long, I just gave up eventually, nopony was worth my time.”
“Wow, that’s a very negative way to look at life you know.”
She sighed, “Yes, I know that, but I’m always ready and willing to start it again.”
“Good, because I have a very important question to ask you.”
“Yes?”
“How old are you?”
She blinked in surprise, “Well, that was a bit rather direct now, wasn't it?”
“Just answer the question, please,” Ash said.
“I’m 23, and you?”
“The exact same, favorite color?”
“That would be blue of course,”
“Yes, of course, I see, same here, any other favorites?”
“Wait long enough and I'll tell you.”
“Very well then, I will wait however long that I need to.”
He did, but he would be waiting for a very, very long time indeed, but while he waited they kept on talking as the night went on.
Eventually Ash even had the courage to ask her to a dance, and she said yes.
They danced together as the night wore on, and they enjoyed that they spent together. Afterwards Rachel leaned in to his ear, quietly thanked him for the time that they had spent together, including the dance, and then kissed him on the cheek. He left the dance that night with a big bright smile on his face.
“Well, it certainly looks like you got lucky,” Silver said to him once they got back home again.
“Ah, just shut up and go to bed.”
Silver did so, and as Ash slept thoughts of Elara entered his mind.