//------------------------------// // Summer // Story: Four Seasons // by Extradimensional Alien //------------------------------// Four Seasons: Summer "Hey, Flash!" Sunset exclaimed jovially as she came up to him. Flash looked at her and marveled at her beauty. She was dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans (as it was a warm summer day), but that fact could not diminish the effect of butterflies in the stomach. Taking the risk at the graduates' reunion party was definitely worth it, he thought. "Hi, Sunset," he replied, wrapping her into a hug. "How have you been?" "So and so; it's a little crazy in the lab right now. Twilight thinks she's on the verge of a breakthrough, and now my primary job is to make sure she does not get any more coffee than it is healthy to consume, and sleeps properly." Flash laughed. "Sounds like her alright. Are she and Timber doing well?" "Yep. What about you? How's the training going on?" "Hard, but I manage, no way I'm gonna drop out of this." "So where are you going to take me today?" Sunset asked. "You mentioned only that it would be at six p.m., and nothing else." "It's a surprise. But since you asked, there's actually another place I must drive you to beforehand." "And that is?" "Carousel Boutique. There's actually another surprise waiting for you, something of a... preparation for our date, shall we say." "It's one p.m. now, though. Do you think Rarity will hold me there for that long?" Sunset's face gained a skeptical expression. "I know it's Rarity we're talking about, but still..." "Well, let's just say that the surprise waiting for you there consists of... several things." "OK, is being secretive taught in that academy or is it a natural talent of yours?" Sunset put hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow. "No comment. It's nothing malicious, I promise," Flash raised his hand as a sign of honesty. "OK then, so shall we be on our way then?" "Of course," Flash opened the door of his car and helped Sunset sit inside. Once she was inside, he took the driver's seat, and took off in the direction of Carousel Boutique. "Sunset, Flash, darlings, so good to see you!" Rarity hugged both of them as she opened the door. "Likewise, Rarity," Sunset responded. "Hello, Rarity," Flash replied with a polite smile. "Is the item Sierra Delta ready?" "Item Sierra Delta?" Sunset repeated, dumbfounded. "Flash, now I definitely think that the special forces training has a strange effect on you. Before I know it, I might also be referred to by some codename, or our dates may be called "operations", or... OK, never mind. Just... this item is not gonna hurt me, is it?" "Of course not, darling!" Rarity interrupted. "Flash just wanted to give you a gift, and he asked me to keep a secret. And the "Sierra Delta" part is something I actually asked him to think of, as a way to refer to the surprise that awaits for you here." "That said, what are you going to do in the meantime, Flash?" the fiery-haired girl asked her boyfriend. "There are some vital last-minute preparations and check-ups I must do, plus the local commandant wanted to see me regarding some military-related matters, so I've got to get that out of the way too. Trust me, you don't want him calling me and screaming at me like a drill sergeant." "OK then, see you later. Don't be late." "Would not think of it," Flash gave Sunset a brief kiss on the lips, and turned to leave. "See you later, Sunset. Bye, Rarity!" "Bye, Flash!" the fashionista replied. As the door closed after him, she grabbed Sunset's hands. "Come on, I must show you the surprise he asked me to prepare..." "Oh wow," Sunset gasped, looking at the mirror. "What do you say, darling?" "Did he really ask you to make me a dress? I know you charge less compared too others, but still..." "Don't worry, darling, I gave him a good discount." "And how did you even get my measurements? No, wait... I remembered, you asked me to help you a couple of months ago..." "Yes, that was an excuse I needed." "Well, I don't know. All this intrigue and mystery..." "Sunset, do you think it was not worth it?" "...you're right, it was." "So how do you find the dress?" Sunset gave herself a look-over in the mirror. The dress she was wearing was a custom-made (as was expected from Rarity) light-violet cocktail dress that went slightly below her knees. She turned around and looked at herself from various angles; the dress snugged her figure perfectly, accentuating the curves of her body, and leaving her cleavage visible to a perfect extent - alluring, yet not too revealing so as to be considered indecent and scandalous. "It is as if my chest and hips look bigger and my waist thinner." "That's how it is supposed to work, darling. So do you like it?" "It's great! Thank you very much, Rarity!" "Thank your boyfriend, not me, that was his idea in the first place." "Probably, but it would be bad of me to dismiss the seamstress' skill." "Well if you put it that way, I'll take some credit. But Flash deserves the most of it. He patiently waited while I drew the designs and adjusted them according to his wishes. He wanted, and I quote, "that Sunset would feel like a princess in it", end quote." "Well, mission accomplished, then," Sunset smiled again. "I do feel like a princess while wearing this dress. Speaking of which, what are we going to do while Flash is busy with the preparations?" "Well, I have something else that he left behind," with these words, Rarity took out a small cardboard envelope from a drawer, and held it out to Sunset. Intrigued, the fiery haired girl took it and opened it. The first thing she saw was a hand-written note. It said: Sunset, I know you had wanted to visit the Golden Bubble Spa in a while, but felt that it was very pricey. Fear not, for your boyfriend has a fellow serviceman whose uncle works there, and he helped me secure a gold-tier pass for you, which I put into the same envelope as this note. I hope this will ease all your worries and wash away all your troubles before our date. Kisses, Your boyfriend, Flash Sentry P.S. Rarity also have one, so you can gossip together before our date, I know you missed your friends :) and don't pretend you girls don't gossip, I know better :D "Prat," Sunset chuckled as she read the postscriptum and showed it to Rarity, "but he's got it right, though." "Oh please," Rarity responded with a huff, "while I do think your boyfriend is a fine gentleman, I do not think he is aware that we ladies do not gossip. We simply exchange knowledge about our mutual acquaintances." "Po-ta-to, to-mah-to." Reaching into the envelope again, Sunset took out a small cardboard rectangle - and it indeed was a gold-tier pass to Golden Bubble Spa, which entitled her to top-level service in the VIP suite, as well as a plethora of extra services. "Wow, I... I almost can't believe that. I only mentioned it in passing, and yet he remembered it..." "What can I say? You are lucky to have a boyfriend like him," Rarity responded. "Good thing that you two decided to give it another try after the graduates' reunion. To be honest, I always thought of you as a good couple, even before the... ahem... your "phase" before Fall Formal." "I couldn't believe you haven't tried to get him for yourself after we broke up." "I'm afraid I was too... hesitant, considering what happened at Spring Fling. I couldn't believe that you did not exact vengeance on him for breaking up." "I wanted to, but then I got the crown, and that kinda became... insignificant. Plus, he was smart enough not to have anything too embarrassing lying around, so I would actually need to work on that." "Alright, enough reminiscing, let's go to the spa!" Golden Bubble Spa was as luxurious and high-class as Sunset imagined it to be. When she and Rarity presented their passes at the entrance, they were almost immediately led into the VIP area by two girls who introduced themselves as Aloe and Lotus, and asked what kind of services did they want. Rarity (who, to Sunset's surprise, knew Aloe and Lotus) quickly explained that Sunset had a date coming (much to her chagrin), and both girls gasped as if the news rocked their world. Sunset barely resisted rolling her eyes. However, the girls were expert workers, as she learned a little later. After a round of massage, Sunset's muscles already felt more relaxed and rejuvenated, and the steamy bath seemed to ease all of her worries. The fiery-haired girl felt a rush of affection for her boyfriend. As Aloe was working on her fingernails, she engaged in small talk with Rarity. The indigo-haired fashionista, romance fan as she was, had questions about the romance between Sunset and Flash. "I don't even know how to describe it, Rarity. I mean, we did rekindle our friendship after Camp Everfree, but I never thought we would get together as a couple again, especially on the first day we saw each other in years." "But do you regret it?" "I don't, but a part of me still doesn't believe this is not a dream. Flash does his best to be a good boyfriend, despite still being in active service. Heck, he still remembers some little things I liked from the... first time we dated. It's as if we... just took a long, long break, and then continued from where we stopped." "Well, I daresay you two were one of the sweetest couples, and I honestly expected you two to get back together after Camp Everfree." "Well, that didn't happen." "Indeed. But the bond you formed lasted through the years. You are a lucky girl, darling." "Well, thanks. So how are you and the other girls doing on the love angle?" For the rest of the time spent in the spa, while Aloe and Lotus did their best to prepare Sunset for her date, two friends exchanged knowledge about their mutual acquaintances... or, to put it simply and in Flash's terms, gossiping. "So how do I look?" Sunset smiled as she stood in front of Flash as he arrived to take her to their date. She was wearing the violet cocktail dress he had ordered for her with high-heel shoes of the same colour, and carried a small purse. Her hair was expertly groomed, and she had a small amount of makeup applied, only enough to accentuate her cheeks and eyelashes (Aloe insisted that she did not need much makeup, and she decided not to argue). For several seconds, Flash could not find his words. For someone else, it seemed as if Sunset did not change much from usual, even after her spa visit. But since he was dating her, he looked not only at the most visible changes. Sunset's posture was much more relaxed, and as he could guess, her body language was a lot less terse as well, now that she had a chance to let go of her stress from her work. "Wow. Sunset... you look absolutely, positively, undoubtedly amazing," he finally breathed out as soon as he got over himself. The fiery-haired girl blushed. "Flatterer." "Am not. I am only stating the truth as best as I can, because no modern vocabulary can properly describe your beauty." Sunset could swear she heard Rarity squee from behind. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, she told Flash: "Well I'll say that you look quite handsome too. I like the suit. And I sense some good fragrance there. Charm No. 9 brand, I believe?" "Hit the spot. Shall we proceed to our date, then?" Flash offered his arm. "Lead the way, my fine gentleman," Sunset took the offered arm. "Bye, Rarity!" "Have fun, darlings!" "And we're here!" Flash stopped the car at the parking lot of a large restaurant. "The Gourmet Castle Restaurant?" Sunset almost lost her jaw. While she recovered, Flash left the car and opened the door for her, offering a hand. As she took it, she continued, "I can't believe it! This is, like, one of the most prestigious restaurants in Canterlot City!" "Well, now you can, because that's the surprise I had in mind for you," Flash smiled. "Wow, Flash, if you wanted me to feel like a princess, you definitely did it - even overdid it, because right now, I'm feeling like a queen." "Anything for my princess," Flash smiled. They linked hands and went to the entrance. The attendant greeted them with a polite smile. "Good evening!" "Good evening. Reservation for six p.m. under the name "Sentry", please," Flash said, showing his ID. The attendant glanced at the card and returned it. "Of course, sir. Please come in, the waiter will show you to your table," he said, letting them pass. Indeed, their waiter was inside, and after asking for their names, he led them to the small round table for two persons in a secluded corner. The hall where the table was located was dimly lit, with a small number of people inside, and there were two candles on the table, already alit. Flash held out a chair for Sunset as she sat down. Once he sat himself, the waiter placed a menu for each and stood ready to take their order. After some deliberation, Flash and Sunset made their choices, and the waiter left them. "I'm a little curious, how did you learn of this place?" Sunset asked Flash. "On the grapevine. Apparently, the owner sometimes hosts days where military personnel can have a discount or even eat for free. Does this to honour his son who was killed in action. Today is one of these days where a soldier and his date can have a meal with a hefty discount, so you need not worry about my wallet - as I'm sure you do." "Am I that obvious?" "Sunset, we're dating right now, I can tell that it worries you." "Perceptive of you." "Look, I'll be honest - I can't say I can do all of this every day for you. But if I can, why shouldn't I?" "You're too sweet. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to date you." "I think I can also stake a claim at being lucky enough to date a princess like you," Flash gave her a roguish smile. "Oh stop it!" Sunset exclaimed, blushing. "Or I'll have too much of an ego boost." Both of them laughed. "Still... thanks for bringing me here. And for the dress. I was... very happy that you arranged this for me," the fiery-haired girl said. "Anything to see you smile," Flash replied. Before they knew it, their ordered meals arrived, and they proceeded to dig in. Some time later, Flash and Sunset found themselves in the latter's apartment (Flash, playing the role of a gentleman, accompanied Sunset home), discussing the day. "The cuisine was great, Flash, thanks for bringning me there," Sunset smiled at him. "Thank you for being with me," he smiled. "Say, when do you have to report back to the base tomorrow?" "I have to be there by 9 a.m., why do you ask?" "Oh, nothing..." Sunset intertwined her arms around his neck, smiling coyly, and kissed him passionately - more passionately than usual... The next morning, they woke up in the same bed, clothes strewn around the room haphazardly, as the morning sun shone upon them. It was summer, the season of joy. And joy was what they experienced as they loved each other.