//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: The art of courtship (properly edited) // Story: Somepony to Love // by Jet Storm //------------------------------// "Here you go deary, one Pinkie Pie Special." "Thank you, Mrs Cake!" Scootaloo grinned as her mouth watered at the sight and smell of the delicious dessert. Not waiting for anypony, she faceplanted into the cupcake, as per the instructions given underneath. "Here's your apple tart," said the baker handing the plate in front of Apple Bloom, before placing the other in front of Sweetie Belle, "And your coconut lemon slice. Spike, I'm sorry but we are out of ruby red cupcakes at the moment. Mr Cake has offered to get some if you want. Are you sure we couldn't get anything whilst you wait? Some chocolate milk, perhaps?" "No," Spike answered loudly, waving his arms profusely startling the poor baker. The memory of Zecora's potion and the aftermath were still fresh in his mind. Upon realizing his rude behavior, however, he cleared his throat. "Sorry, no it's fine. I'll just have a jade muffin. Thank you." Mrs Baker nodded her head having accepted the apology and walked back into the kitchen. When she was out of sight, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom looked at the desserts and then each other. Without a second hesitation, they switched plates correcting Mrs Baker mistake. Sweetie Belle was now enjoying the sweet apple tart whilst Apple Bloom was savoring that sweet, sour and almost sherbet like flavor of the lemon slice. The meeting had been moved from the clubhouse to Sugarcube after Scootaloo's persistent reminding her friends of their promise to make up for the earlier teasing. Much to Spike's initial hesitance about the public setting, they agreed to the change in venue. After all, they were hungry too. Mrs Cake returned with a bright jade green muffin on her serving tray, "and here you go Spike, the last jade muffin." Spikes eyes widened at the delicious treat before him. For such a sour and bitter day, it was nice to change that with a sweet treat. "Thanks, Mrs Cake." "If you kids need anything just gives me a call, I'll be at the counter." "Thank you, Mrs Cake," the Cutie Mark Crusaders respond in unison. Mrs Cake smiled and nodded once more, before returning to the sweet shop counter. Spike took a quick glance at his cupcake, before looking at the girls enjoying theirs. He took a moment to appreciate them and smiled kindly. "Hey girls, I want to say thanks. It means a lot that you are helping me out like that." "Of course, Spike," Sweetie Belle responded. "Yeah, I mean what are friends for?" Scootaloo grinned winking at Spike, pink frosting just on the corners of her mouth. "So anypony have any ideas?" asked Apple Bloom, before taking another bite, moving back to the business at hoof. "I'm not sure," Spike said sadly. "I thought being direct would work, but she outright rejected me." "He should play it cool, like Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo suggested imitating a heroic pose and throwing a few air punches. "Everypony loves a hero." "Hmmm ... Rarity isn't like that at all though," Sweetie Belle replied, shaking her head. "She's more into guys like Tenderhoof. The mature, sophisticated, worldly, gentlecolt types. You know your typical Prince Charming." "Yeah that worked for her last time, y'all remember," Apple Bloom chuckled, remembering Rarity's failed attempts at garnishing Tenderhoof's attention and affection despite his own infatuations with her sister, Applejack. "So we have to make him more like dad then?" asked Scootaloo cringing at the thought. "No, no, no. Not that old," Sweetie Belle laughed. "Any other ideas?" "Well Applejack always said that honesty is the best policy," Apple Bloom said to herself, tapping a hoof to her chin. "Yeah but that didn't work," Scootaloo added incredulously. "She rejected him outright, remember?" "Ah was tryin to think out loud, Scoots" Apple Bloom retorted, annoyed that her train of thought had been interrupted. "Gees, Ah was going to suggest somethin else." Spike groaned audibly before the girls broke out in another squabble. At hearing Scootaloo's words, his confession and the events thereafter were brought to the forefront of his attention. Loathing himself at his embarrassment and stab at his pride, Spike excused himself from the table, wanting a moment to gather himself. "Hey guys, I'm just going to the bathroom to wash up," he said sadly. "Oh okay, Spike," Sweetie Belle answered, watching the dragon intently as he left. She continued to stare at the dragon's direction for a few seconds longer even after he had long disappeared from view. "Gee, I hope he’s okay." This act of worry had not gone unnoticed by Apple Bloom, who raised a questioning glance at her friend. "So Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom began, wiping mouth with a napkin. "Ummm ... yeah?" Sweetie Belle answered looking back at her plate and taking the final bite of her tart. "So how do yah feel about Spike?" she asked flatly. Sweetie Belle choked. To say she was surprised was a gross understatement. She hit her chest, struggling to breath, desperately attempting to dislodge the last piece that was stuck in her throat. Scootaloo's ears perked up at Apple Bloom’s question and more so due to Sweetie Belle's reaction. "Yeah I'm curious too," Scootaloo added. Sweetie Belle grabbed the glass of water beside her and drank, successfully clearing her airway. "What are you on about?" she asks angrily, taken aback by the sudden question. Her cheeks begin blushing hard. "Ah'm talking about you and Spike," she repeated once more grinning, enjoying her friend's flustered state. "So do you have any feelings for him?" Scootaloo teased nudging the white unicorn in the side. "H-he's just a friend," said Sweetie Belle protesting at the though and brushing her mane back. Before her friends could probe any further, a figurative lifeline was thrown in the form of two familiar ponies each carrying their own load of heavy books and newspapers respectfully. "Hey Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon," Sweetie Belle beckoned them over, attempting to change the subject. "What bring you girls here?" Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon glanced in the direction of Sweetie Belle waving her hoof with the other crusaders. "Oh hey girls. Diamond Tiara and I are doing some light reading," said Silver Spoon pointing her hoof to the heavy books that were in her saddlebag. "Our fathers have an important meeting in Manehattan, and they have invited us to come along with him." Whilst Silver Spoon couldn't contain her excitement; Diamond Tiara couldn't hide her displeasure. "Daddy and Mommy want me to read these newspapers and books about the pony economy. He says I need to brush up so that I can better mingle with their friends," said Diamond Tiara disinterested. "They want me to show their business partners how mature and business-like I am." "So why don't you tell them?" asked Scootaloo. "Oh don't worry, I'm working on it," Diamond Tiara replied gesturing to the others that she's got it covered. Before going any further, she glanced at Silver Spoon and then at the Crusaders. Placing a hoof behind her head, she blushed acting, unlike her usual confident self. "I'm not really interested in these sorts of things." Silver Spoon nodded, as the others watched in confusion. "Since I lost the student election, I realized that I could do some real good," she finishes before playfully nudging Silver Spoon's side and winking back at the Crusaders, "with the help of my friends, of course." Silver Spoon nodded cheerily, beaming a smile at the three girls. "The playground is only the start! We want to do other community projects that many ponies can enjoy." "I know my ability to get ponies to do what I want would certainly make the family business stronger, but I'm thinking of becoming a lobbyist or politician instead." "Diamond Tiara for President again?" Apple Bloom joked causing all the fillies to giggle at the inside joke. Diamond Tiara wiped a joyful tear from her eye, before looking seriously at the girls, and then Silver Spoon. "We both learned more about each other and our friendship, thanks to you three." "Well it was thanks to you as well, Diamond Tiara that we found our Cutie Marks and discovered our special talent," said Scootaloo. A late realization dawned on Diamond Tiara, as she noticed the four plates for three ponies. "Actually what bring you girls here? Are you here to help another pony?" Scootaloo and Apple Bloom nod their heads in unison. "Yeah, we're here helping Spike get Rarity to fall for him," answered Scootaloo. "That is unless Sweetie Belle has something she wants to say?" Apple Bloom asked, a coy smile and suggestive look forming on her face. "Oh, and there he is," squeaked Sweetie Belle, ignoring her friends as she saw the purple and green dragon. "Hey Spike!" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo giggled to themselves as the blush returned to Sweetie Belle's cheeks. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon smiled knowingly at each other as they too watched the dragon make his way back. "Is there anything we can do to help?" asked Silver Spoon. "Nah, it's cool, we got this," Scootaloo replied confidently. "If we think of somethin, we’ll give you a holla." says Apple Bloom. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon nodded and walked back to the counter to place their order as Spike returned to his seat. "Hello Spike," the two said in unison and interrupting Spike's train of thought. "Hey guys," Spike replies waving to them as they make their leave. "So you girls think of any other ideas?" "Well, Spike, before Scoots interrupted -," Apple Bloom began throwing a quick annoyed glance at the orange pegasus before continuing "- Ah thought we could help yah become a romantic like, like one of them gentlecolts from them fairy tales." "Yeah, Rarity loves all those romantic stories," added Sweetie Belle. "She mostly reads crime mystery novels, but I know she also enjoys reading the odd romance novel when she's alone in the house." "Like dancing, and music, and flowers," Scootaloo added daydreaming away. Truthfully, Scootaloo loved those romantic stories too, not that she'd want to admit it too much. Realizing her moment of weakness she chastised herself at what her hero, Rainbow Dash, might have thought. "Not that I like that sort of thing," she added protecting her tomboyish ego. "Become one of those good old fashion lover boys, Granny Smith keeps goin on about!" Apple Bloom said loudly. "I don't know ..." Spike began, but before he could protest, the girls begin to sing: You can dim the lights, and sing her songs full of sad things. You can do the tango just for two Try to serenade and gently play On her heart strings Be a Valentino that's what you'll do Ooh love, Ooh lover boy What're doing tonight, hey boy Set your alarm turn on that charm And become a good old fashioned lover boy (Scootaloo puts her head on Spike's chest.) Ooh let me feel you heartbeat (Grow faster faster) Ooh can you feel that love heat Come on and sit on that hooot~ seat of love (Apple Bloom push Scootaloo onto his lap as she mocks the behaviour of a love-struck mare.) And tell her how you feel after all (wink) I like for you and I to go dancing? Say the word your wish is my command (Getting off Spike, the girls continue dancing) Ooh love Ooh lover boy What're doing tonight? hey boy Write her letter, feel much better And use your fancy patter as you talk to her Dining at the Ritz, you'll meet at nine precisely (One two three four five six seven eight nine) You'll pay her bill, she'll drink her wine Riding back in style in a carriage will do quite nicely Just take me back home that should be fine (Come on and do it) Ooh love Ooh lover boy What're you doing tonight hey boy Everything's alright just hold on tight That's because I'll become a good old fashioned lover boy The three girls finished, huffing as they watch the dragon's mood lighten filling with a new found sense of hope and confidence. "So what do yah think then?" asked Apple Bloom. "Oh I’m pretty sure, I can handle being romantic, but," Spike paused for a moment reflecting on their earlier conversation, "you said that she likes the mature, worldly, gentlecolt type, right? Well, what do we talk about then?" Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom all looked back at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon as they enjoyed an apple pie between them. They smiled to each other, as they come to the same idea. "Do you know much about the pony economy?"