//------------------------------// // A Special Night, Part 1 // Story: Sunburst's Weekend Off // by milesprower06 //------------------------------// "Wahoo!!!" Starlight gave a cheer as she released her hold on the rope swing and fell into the swimming hole with a splash, not to mention giving Sunburst's top half a generous helping as well. 'Well, that settles it. You definitely win best rope swing dive." Sunburst said, brushing his soaked bangs out of his eyes. "Do we have time to go for another round? How long do you need to get everything in order for whatever you have planned for tonight?" Starlight asked. "Actually, we have almost all the time in the world, because Twilight assured me that it would take no planning whatsoever on my part. I asked Twilight what I could do to give this weekend a special ending, and whoever she got in touch with told her they'd handle everything, and to have us just enjoy ourselves today. I guess it'll be more in my hooves when you come up for a date in the Crystal Empire." "Oh, alright then," Starlight replied, starting a backstroke. "I guess this means we're both in for a surprise tonight!" "Yep, I guess so." Sunburst said, and making sure Starlight didn't see him smirk, he brought a hoof up just below the lake's surface, and sent a wave of water splashing on top of his floating date, who wasn't expecting the splash attack, and momentarily sunk and came back up out of her stroke. "Surprised yet?" Sunburst asked, unable to contain his snickering. "Oh, it is on." Starlight said, as she brought her own hoof back, preparing for her retaliation. The pair of unicorns spent the better part of an hour in the water, and only came out when their hooves started to prune up. From there, Starlight took them to the rear of the castle to introduce him to her hobby of flying kites. Meanwhile, Cadance was also enjoying her day off as well, reclining by the fountain on the roof of the castle, next to her sister-in-law. "So you aren't zipping about making sure their night is going to be perfect? That's not like you." "Yeah, but I can make this my weekend off too. Besides, they said they'd handle all of it. Just told me to tell them to wear informal attire. Rarity's touching up the first dress she made for Starlight, and Sunburst's cloak will suffice just fine. All he needs is a comb through his mane." Twilight said, getting a giggle out of Cadance. "Well now, if you've got the afternoon and night free, let's not let that go to waste. Girl's night out!" Cadance exclaimed. Twilight smirked. "Oh no. You came down here with Shining and Flurry, and as tempting as it sounds to dump those two on each other for a night, that's not really fair to them. We'll have dinner together!" The Princess of Friendship told her guest for the weekend. "You're no fun, you know that? Alright then, got anything in mind for after?" "Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do. Has Spike ever told you about a game called 'Ogres and Oubliettes'?" Starlight stood in one of the castle's dressing rooms, looking at herself in a triple full-length mirror. She wore the first dress Rarity had made for her after she accepted Twilight's offer of apprenticeship; a black short-sleeved silk dress that was adorned with white sapphires on the back. As the three beautiful mares in the mirrors stared back at her, she felt herself on pins and needles yet again. Spending the last day-and-a-half with Sunburst had calmed her nerves somewhat, but now that she was just moments away from departing for what was going to be a very special evening, she was becoming a bit anxious. The whole affair was meant to be a surprise, since Twilight had told the two of them absolutely nothing about what was to come except the requested dress code. She couldn't help but wonder what her teacher had done; who had she written to, and what could they have put together for her and Sunburst in under 24 hours? She double checked her mane, took a deep breath, and stepped off the platform in front of the mirrors, and exited the dressing room. She carefully trotted down the hallway to the main foyer, keeping her pace so she wouldn't trip herself up in the silk. Turning the last corner, she came into the main hall, and saw Sunburst waiting with Cadance and Twilight, and they all looked up at her. Sunburst in particular looked like he had held in a gasp. She descended the stairs to the marble floor, and walked up to her date. "You... You look absolutely beautiful, Starlight." Sunburst said, trying not to stammer. His mane had been neatly combed, and his teal mage's cloak had been very recently ironed. "Not bad yourself, handsome." She replied, positively beaming. "Well, we're right on schedule, so I hope you two are ready. Your chariot awaits." Twilight announced, beckoning them to the front doors of the castle. They walked side by side, with Twilight and Cadance behind them. As they closed in on the front entrance, Twilight opened the doors, and waiting at the bottom of the steps, was indeed, an elegant, and curiously unhitched chariot. Sunburst fought through his surprise, and started down the steps first, to arrive at the chariot and open the door for his date. Starlight smiled at him with a blush, then stepped inside followed by Sunburst. The interior was quite roomy, red velvet cushioned seats were on both sides, with more than enough space for two ponies. Once they got situated next to each other, the Princesses of Friendship and Love came up to the door. "Alright, have a great evening, you two." Cadance told them. Cadance's horn glowed, and her magical aura gently closed the chariot door. Twilight's horn glowed much brighter, and it's aura enveloped the entire chariot. The glow intensified, and with a flash of light, the chariot containing Starlight and Sunburst vanished into thin air.