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// Chapter 17: Butterfly and Dragonfly 
// Story: Of Men and Insects 
// by VeganSpyro97 
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Allan​ ​once​ ​again​ ​found​ ​himself​ ​trapped​ ​in​ ​the​ ​waking​ ​nightmare​ ​of​ ​being...well,​ ​a​ ​mare.​ ​He wouldn’t​ ​dare​ ​disobey​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​condition​ ​that​ ​he​ ​send​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​date​ ​as​ ​a​ ​female,​ ​not​ ​with Princess​ ​Twilight​ ​and​ ​all​ ​their​ ​friends​ ​on​ ​his​ ​case.
The​ ​familiar​ ​surroundings​ ​of​ ​Rarity’s​ ​Boutique​ ​were​ ​of​ ​no​ ​comfort,​ ​due​ ​to​ ​the​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​they were​ ​the​ ​source​ ​of​ ​his​ ​current​ ​predicament.
After​ ​Applejack​ ​had​ ​quite​ ​firmly​ ​made​ ​her​ ​position​ ​on​ ​his​ ​escape​ ​attempt​ ​known,​ ​she​ ​had dragged​ ​him​ ​through​ ​town,​ ​drawing​ ​the​ ​gaze​ ​of​ ​every​ ​single​ ​pony​ ​they​ ​passed,​ ​brought​ ​him​ ​right​ ​up to​ ​Rarity’s​ ​door,​ ​and​ ​made​ ​him​ ​explain​ ​everything,​ ​including​ ​the​ ​conditions​ ​Fluttershy​ ​had​ ​laid​ ​down for​ ​the​ ​date.
He​ ​wished​ ​the​ ​fashionista​ ​hadn’t​ ​been​ ​so​ ​happy about it.
So​ ​now,​ ​Allan​ ​was​ ​sitting​ ​in​ ​the​ ​middle​ ​of​ ​Rarity’s​ ​inspiration​ ​room,​ ​in​ ​a​ ​disguise​ ​not​ ​too dissimilar​ ​to​ ​the​ ​‘Cinnamon’​ ​form​ ​she​ ​had​ ​taken​ ​during​ ​Trixie’s​ ​show.​ ​While​ ​she​ ​was​ ​nowhere​ ​near​ ​so ‘drop​ ​dead​ ​sexy’​ ​as​ ​the​ ​female​ ​Pony,​ ​‘Cinnamon’​ ​had​ ​been,​ ​‘Allie’​ ​the​ ​Changeling​ ​was​ ​still​ ​no​ ​slouch in​ ​the​ ​looks​ ​department.​ ​Like​ ​his​ ​usual,​ ​male​ ​self,​ ​she​ ​was​ ​tall,​ ​but​ ​also​ ​slender,​ ​with​ ​a​ ​hint​ ​of​ ​muscle beneath​ ​the​ ​soft​ ​chitin​ ​of​ ​her​ ​legs.​ ​Her​ ​bronze​ ​shell​ ​was​ ​of​ ​a​ ​brighter​ ​hue​ ​than​ ​normal,​ ​and​ ​her lashed​ ​eyes​ ​were​ ​currently​ ​framed​ ​by​ ​generously​ ​applied​ ​mascara,​ ​donated​ ​by​ ​Rarity.
Various​ ​bolts​ ​of​ ​blue​ ​cloth​ ​were​ ​draped​ ​over​ ​Allie’s​ ​back,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​find​ ​the​ ​right​ ​tone​ ​for​ ​the design​ ​Rarity​ ​was​ ​attempting​ ​to​ ​create.​ ​While​ ​she​ ​had​ ​never​ ​dealt​ ​with​ ​this​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​colour​ ​pallet before,​ ​she​ ​had​ ​relished​ ​the​ ​creativity​ ​necessary​ ​to​ ​make​ ​it​ ​work,​ ​and​ ​had​ ​come​ ​up​ ​with​ ​a​ ​solution that​ ​would​ ​fit.
“Hold​ ​still​ ​darling!”​ ​Rarity​ ​chastised​ ​her​ ​for​ ​reaching​ ​up​ ​to​ ​scratch​ ​her​ ​nose.​ ​“I​ ​can’t​ ​decide on​ ​a​ ​colour​ ​if​ ​you​ ​keep​ ​casting​ ​shadows​ ​over​ ​them.”
Allie​ ​snorted.​ ​“What?​ ​As​ ​if​ ​it’s​ ​my​ ​fault​ ​you​ ​‘couldn’t​ ​help​ ​yourself’.​ ​You​ ​put​ ​me​ ​up​ ​here,​ ​you suffer​ ​the​ ​consequences​ ​of​ ​restricting​ ​my​ ​movement​ ​for​ ​three​ ​hours.”​ ​Allie​ ​did​ ​admit,​ ​she​ ​was​ ​kinda digging​ ​the​ ​voice.​ ​Kind​ ​of….​ ​Lara​ ​Croft-ish.​ ​Tough​ ​but​ ​also​ ​capable​ ​of​ ​gentleness​ ​and​ ​seductiveness. Sophisticated,​ ​yet,​ ​rough.​ ​A​ ​sort​ ​of,​ ​romantic​ ​badass,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​will.​ ​Not​ ​that​ ​she’d​ ​want​ ​to​ ​stay​ ​like​ ​this just​ ​because​ ​she’d​ ​nailed​ ​the​ ​vocals,​ ​of​ ​course.
“Landsakes,​ ​just​ ​stop​ ​fidgetin’​ ​”​ ​Applejack​ ​groaned.​ ​“I’m​ ​not​ ​even​ ​the​ ​one​ ​up​ ​on​ ​the​ ​podium, and​ ​it’s​ ​painful​ ​just​ ​watchin’!”
“I​ ​heartily​ ​agree,​ ​Applejack.”​ ​Rarity​ ​conceded.
“You​ ​try​ ​switching​ ​genders​ ​and​ ​see​ ​how​ ​you​ ​like​ ​it!”​ ​Allie​ ​snapped​ ​back,​ ​irritated.​ ​“All​ ​this​ ​is completely​ ​out​ ​of​ ​my​ ​comfort​ ​zone​ ​in​ ​the​ ​worst​ ​ways!”
The​ ​two​ ​mares​ ​exchanged​ ​chuckles,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​pity​ ​in​ ​their​ ​eyes​ ​was​ ​plain​ ​to​ ​see.​ ​“Allie,​ ​just​ ​sit still,and​ ​it’ll​ ​be​ ​over​ ​quicker.”​ ​Rarity’s​ ​words​ ​were​ ​absolutely​ ​meaningless​ ​after​ ​several​ ​repetitions.
“You​ ​said​ ​that​ ​an​ ​hour​ ​ago!”​ ​Allie​ ​protested,​ ​as​ ​Rarity​ ​started​ ​removing​ ​all​ ​the​ ​bolts​ ​of​ ​cloth she​ ​had​ ​decided​ ​against,​ ​and​ ​brought​ ​out​ ​a​ ​collection​ ​of​ ​jewelry.​ ​“And​ ​no!​ ​I​ ​am​ ​not​ ​wearing​ ​earrings! I’ve​ ​never​ ​had​ ​my-”​ ​A​ ​sharp​ ​pain​ ​in​ ​her​ ​right​ ​ear​ ​interrupted​ ​her.​ ​“Ow!​ ​Jesus​ ​Rares!”
Rarity​ ​laughed.​ ​“Your​ ​human​ ​expressions​ ​are​ ​so​ ​funny,​ ​dear.​ ​Now,​ ​hold​ ​still​ ​for​ ​the​ ​other one.”
Allie​ ​clapped​ ​her​ ​hooves​ ​over​ ​her​ ​ears.​ ​“Jeez,​ ​no!​ ​No​ ​no,​ ​and​ ​no​ ​again!​ ​I​ ​am​ ​not​ ​wearing earrings,​ ​or​ ​necklaces,​ ​or​ ​any​ ​other​ ​accessories!​ ​You​ ​can’t​ ​make​ ​me-eeep!”
Rarity’s​ ​magic​ ​yanked​ ​Allie​ ​forward,​ ​so​ ​that​ ​their​ ​muzzles​ ​were​ ​practically​ ​touching.​ ​Her​ ​eyes were​ ​narrowed​ ​to​ ​thin​ ​slices​ ​of​ ​diamond​ ​blue,​ ​and​ ​her​ ​muzzle​ ​was​ ​scrunched.​ ​“Allie.​ ​You​ ​will​ ​let​ ​me finish​ ​this​ ​ensemble,​ ​or​ ​I​ ​shall​ ​force​ ​you​ ​to​ ​sit​ ​there​ ​for​ ​a​ ​thousand​ ​more,​ ​just​ ​like​ ​it!​ ​Each​ ​one​ ​more embarrassing​ ​than​ ​the​ ​next!”
Allie​ ​just​ ​let​ ​out​ ​a​ ​quiet​ ​meep,​ ​completely​ ​frozen​ ​at​ ​the​ ​sudden​ ​display​ ​of​ ​hostility​ ​from Rarity.​ ​‘Note​ ​to​ ​self.’​ ​Allie​ ​thought.​ ​‘Never​ ​get​ ​Rarity​ ​upset​ ​about​ ​fashion.​ ​Ever.’
“Good.”​ ​Rarity​ ​withdrew,​ ​her​ ​tone​ ​pleasant​ ​once​ ​more.​ ​“Now,​ ​your​ ​ear​ ​please.”
Quite​ ​some​ ​time​ ​later,​ ​Allie​ ​stood,​ ​clad​ ​in​ ​the​ ​finished​ ​product,​ ​examining​ ​herself​ ​in​ ​the mirror.​ ​Rarity​ ​and​ ​Applejack​ ​stood​ ​close​ ​by,​ ​one​ ​beaming,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​other​ ​with​ ​her​ ​head​ ​cocked​ ​to​ ​one side.​ ​The​ ​changeling​ ​critically​ ​eyed​ ​the​ ​dress,​ ​which​ ​was​ ​simpler​ ​and​ ​less​ ​formal​ ​than​ ​Rarity’s​ ​usual wares,​ ​but​ ​still​ ​contained​ ​the​ ​same​ ​level​ ​of​ ​care​ ​and​ ​attention​ ​as​ ​any​ ​other.
It​ ​was​ ​a​ ​two​ ​piece​ ​dress​ ​that​ ​consisted​ ​of​ ​a​ ​bright​ ​blue​ ​waistcoat​ ​that​ ​was​ ​highlighted​ ​with white,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​blue​ ​and​ ​white​ ​ruffle​ ​dress​ ​that​ ​resembled​ ​an​ ​old​ ​fashioned​ ​bustle.​ ​The​ ​waistcoat’s arms​ ​covered​ ​most​ ​of​ ​her​ ​forelegs,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​dress​ ​hid​ ​most​ ​of​ ​her​ ​rear.​ ​The​ ​earrings​ ​were​ sapphires,​ ​to​ ​match​ ​the​ ​colour​ ​theme.
“Weeeeeeeellll?”​ ​Rarity​ ​queried​ ​sidling​ ​up​ ​beside​ ​her.​ ​“What​ ​do​ ​you​ ​think?”
Allie​ ​didn’t​ ​really​ ​know​ ​what​ ​to​ ​say.​ ​The​ ​changeling​ ​in​ ​the​ ​mirror​ ​was​ ​a​ ​stranger,​ ​a​ ​female stranger,​ ​and​ ​seemed​ ​to​ ​be​ ​at​ ​least​ ​good​ ​looking…..for​ ​a​ ​sparkly​ ​bug​ ​pony.​ ​Despite​ ​all​ ​of​ ​Rarity’s​ ​best efforts,​ ​all​ ​Allie​ ​could​ ​see​ ​was​ ​some​ ​strange​ ​girl​ ​in​ ​a​ ​strange​ ​dress.
Of​ ​course,​ ​she​ ​couldn’t​ ​say​ ​that.
“It’s​ ​wonderful.​ ​Thank​ ​you.”
Applejack’s​ ​eyebrow​ ​raised,​ ​ever​ ​so​ ​slightly,​ ​but​ ​Rarity​ ​was​ ​delighted.
“Oh​ ​darling,​ ​I’m​ ​so​ ​glad​ ​you​ ​like​ ​it!​ ​And​ ​I’m​ ​certain​ ​that​ ​a​ ​particular​ ​pegasus​ ​will​ ​love​ ​it​ ​just​ ​as much!”
If​ ​only...
“Alright​ ​then!​ ​Go​ ​on​ ​out​ ​there,​ ​and​ ​have​ ​a​ ​great​ ​night​ ​with​ ​Fluttershy!​ ​And​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you come​ ​back​ ​tomorrow​ ​and​ ​tell​ ​us​ ​​everything​!”
Rarity’s​ ​demands​ ​were​ ​something​ ​Allan​ ​had​ ​grown​ ​accustomed​ ​to​ ​from​ ​working​ ​in​ ​the boutique,​ ​so​ ​hearing​ ​this​ ​was​ ​pretty​ ​much​ ​par​ ​for​ ​the​ ​course.
“A-lright​ ​Rarity.”​ ​Her​ ​voice​ ​broke​ ​a​ ​little​ ​as​ ​she​ ​said​ ​it.​ ​“I​ ​promise,​ ​I’ll​ ​give​ ​you​ ​all​ ​the….um, juicy​ ​details.”
Rarity​ ​bundled​ ​the​ ​two​ ​friends​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​door,​ ​her​ ​excitement​ ​palpable.​ ​When​ ​the​ ​door​ ​was shut,​ ​and​ ​Rarity’s​ ​voice​ ​had​ ​vanished​ ​into​ ​the​ ​boutique’s​ ​depths,​ ​AJ​ ​turned​ ​to​ ​Allie,​ ​a​ ​frown​ ​creasing the​ ​corners​ ​of​ ​her​ ​mouth.
“So​ ​what’s​ ​wrong​ ​with​ ​the​ ​dress?”​ ​She​ ​asked,​ ​bluntly.
Allie​ ​lowered​ ​her​ ​head.​ ​“There’s​ ​nothing​ ​wrong​ ​with​ ​the​ ​​dress​,​ ​Applejack.”
AJ’s​ ​eyebrow​ ​raised​ ​again.
Allie​ ​turned​ ​away,​ ​walking​ ​slowly​ ​down​ ​the​ ​path.​ ​Applejack​ ​quickly​ ​followed.​ ​“I​ ​couldn’t​ ​say anything​ ​about​ ​it​ ​to​ ​Rarity,​ ​or​ ​I’d​ ​never​ ​hear​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​it,​ ​but…..”​ ​She​ ​paused,​ ​looking​ ​up​ ​at​ ​the​ ​sky. “The​ ​problem​ ​is​ ​me.”
“What​ ​do​ ​ya​ ​mean?”​ ​Applejack​ ​said,​ ​her​ ​voice​ ​softer.
“When​ ​I​ ​looked​ ​in​ ​that​ ​mirror,​ ​it​ ​wasn’t​ ​me​ ​I​ ​saw.​ ​Whenever​ ​I​ ​look​ ​in​ ​a​ ​mirror,​ ​I​ ​keep​ ​hoping to​ ​see​ ​my​ ​own​ ​face.​ ​My​ ​human​ ​face.​ ​I​ ​always​ ​told​ ​myself​ ​that​ ​anything​ ​to​ ​do​ ​with​ ​love,​ ​I’d​ ​be​ ​myself for,​ ​and​ ​now,​ ​all​ ​I​ ​ever​ ​see​ ​is​ ​a​ ​stranger.​ ​I​ ​could​ ​shapeshift​ ​into​ ​the​ ​most​ ​beautiful​ ​mare,​ ​or​ ​handsome stallion,​ ​with​ ​the​ ​most​ ​extravagant,​ ​sublime​ ​outfit​ ​ever,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​wouldn’t​ ​make​ ​a​ ​lick​ ​of​ ​difference​ ​to what​ ​I​ ​saw​ ​back​ ​there.​ ​It’s​ ​not​ ​me.”
Applejack​ ​didn’t​ ​know​ ​what​ ​to​ ​say,​ ​but​ ​she​ ​had​ ​to​ ​say​ ​something.​ ​She​ ​blurted​ ​it​ ​out​ ​before she​ ​even​ ​knew​ ​what​ ​she​ ​was​ ​saying.
“After​ ​mah​ ​parents…..left…..I​ ​ran​ ​away​ ​from​ ​the​ ​farm,​ ​and​ ​tried​ ​to​ ​live​ ​a​ ​life​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city, despite​ ​how​ ​wrong​ ​it​ ​felt.​ ​Ah​ ​lied​ ​to​ ​myself,​ ​even​ ​when​ ​it​ ​felt​ ​terrible.”​ ​Allie​ ​stared​ ​at​ ​her.​ ​This​ ​wasn’t something​ ​Applejack​ ​had​ ​ever​ ​talked​ ​about​ ​before…​ ​not​ ​with​ ​him...or​ ​her.​ ​“I​ ​kept​ ​tryin’​ ​to​ ​lie.​ ​I gussied​ ​up​ ​mah​ ​words​ ​and​ ​wore​ ​fancy​ ​clothes,​ ​and​ ​acted​ ​like​ ​ah​ ​was​ ​born​ ​for​ ​city​ ​life….on​ ​the​ ​inside though,​ ​nuthin’​ ​felt​ ​right.​ ​Then,​ ​Rainbow​ ​Dash​ ​performed​ ​her​ ​first​ ​sonic​ ​rainboom,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​light​ ​it
produced​ ​drew​ ​mah​ ​eye​ ​right​ ​to​ ​Sweet​ ​Apple​ ​Acres,​ ​and​ ​I​ ​just​ ​​knew​,​ ​that​ ​it​ ​was​ ​time​ ​to​ ​go​ ​home.​ ​Ah got​ ​mah​ ​cutie​ ​mark​ ​that​ ​day,​ ​and​ ​I​ ​ain’t​ ​looked​ ​back​ ​since.”​ ​Applejack​ ​adjusted​ ​her​ ​hat,​ ​and then…..pulled​ ​off​ ​Allie’s​ ​dress.​ ​“Ah understand, sugarcube, honest. Be​ ​yourself.​ ​Tell​ ​her​ ​the​ ​truth.​ ​She​ ​won’t​ ​mind.”
Allie​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​her​ ​dumbly​ ​for​ ​a​ ​second,​ ​before​ ​AJ​ ​groaned,​ ​and​ ​took​ ​matters​ ​into​ ​her​ ​own hooves. “Just​ ​go​ ​ya​ ​fool!”​ ​She​ ​grabbed​ ​the​ ​startled​ ​changeling​ ​around​ ​her​ ​barrel,​ ​lifted​ ​her​ ​off​ ​the floor,​ ​spun​ ​about,​ ​and​ ​tossed​ ​her​ ​in​ ​the​ ​direction​ ​of​ ​the​ ​restaurant​ ​that​ ​Allie​ ​was​ ​taking​ ​Fluttershy​ ​to for​ ​the​ ​night.
The​ ​suddenness​ ​of​ ​the​ ​action ​was​ ​more​ ​than​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​elicit​ ​a​ ​yelp​ ​from​ ​Allie,​ ​who,​ ​quite​ ​by accident​ ​and​ ​reflex,​ ​shifted​ ​back​ ​to​ ​normal,​ ​and​ ​attempted​ ​to​ ​stop​ ​himself​ ​from​ ​crashing​ ​painfully down​ ​on​ ​the​ ​ground,​ ​only​ ​to​ ​find​ ​that​ ​he​ ​had​ ​done​ ​so​ ​too​ ​late.
“Ow…”

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Fluttershy​ ​stood,​ ​waiting​ ​for​ ​Allan​ ​outside​ ​the​ ​local​ ​diner,​ ​​The​ ​Hay​ ​Burger​,​ ​dressed​ ​in​ ​a simple​ ​skirt​ ​and​ ​petticoat​ ​that​ ​Rarity​ ​had​ ​made​ ​for​ ​her​ ​several​ ​years​ ​ago.​ ​She​ ​liked​ ​the​ ​nice​ ​browns and​ ​greens​ ​Rarity​ ​had​ ​used,​ ​despite​ ​how​ ​often​ ​fashion​ ​turned​ ​away​ ​from​ ​those​ ​hues​ ​for​ ​being​ ​‘bland and​ ​boring’.
Allan​ ​hadn’t​ ​turned​ ​up​ ​yet,​ ​and​ ​Fluttershy​ ​was​ ​getting​ ​a​ ​little​ ​worried.​ ​What​ ​could​ ​be​ ​taking so​ ​long?​ ​He​ ​had​ ​said​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​her​ ​here​ ​at​ ​nine,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​was​ ​already​ ​quarter​ ​past.​ ​She​ ​flicked​ ​her​ ​hair back​ ​from​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​with​ ​a​ ​hoof,​ ​wondering​ ​why​ ​the​ ​butterfly​ ​shaped​ ​clip​ ​in​ ​her​ ​mane​ ​wasn’t​ ​doing it’s​ ​job.
“Mind​ ​if​ ​I​ ​join​ ​you?”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​gasped,​ ​and​ ​whirled​ ​around​ ​to​ ​face​ ​the​ ​source​ ​of​ ​the​ ​voice.
Allan​ ​stood​ ​there,​ ​wearing​ ​the​ ​same​ ​blue​ ​waistcoat​ ​that​ ​he​ ​had​ ​worn​ ​to​ ​Canterlot ​underneath​ ​his suit​ ​jacket, which was currently absent.
“You-​ ​you’re​ ​not….”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​stumbled​ ​over​ ​her​ ​words​ ​as​ ​she​ ​tried​ ​to​ ​calm​ ​herself​ ​down.
“I…​ ​I​ ​just…..”​ ​Allan​ ​left​ ​the​ ​words​ ​hanging​ ​for​ ​a​ ​moment​ ​as​ ​he​ ​carefully​ ​selected​ ​his​ ​next words.​ ​“I​ ​couldn’t.​ ​I​ ​couldn’t​ ​do​ ​this​ ​as​ ​someone​ ​else.”​ ​He​ ​said​ ​simply.​ ​“It​ ​felt​ ​wrong.”
“Uh...oh….”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​lowered​ ​her​ ​head.​ ​“I’m​ ​sorry​ ​if​ ​I​ ​upset​ ​you…..”
A​ ​hoof​ ​lifted​ ​her​ ​chin​ ​up,​ ​granting​ ​a​ ​good​ ​look​ ​at​ ​Alan's​ ​smiling​ ​face.​ ​“Hey,​ ​none​ ​of​ ​that​ ​now. We’re​ ​here​ ​on​ ​a​ ​date.​ ​We’re​ ​gonna​ ​get​ ​some​ ​food,​ ​hang​ ​out,​ ​and​ ​then,​ ​I’ve​ ​got​ ​something​ ​special planned​ ​if​ ​you’re​ ​up​ ​for​ ​it.”
“I….oh...​ ​what​ ​do​ ​you​ ​mean​ ​by….?”
Allan​ ​tilted​ ​his​ ​head,​ ​before​ ​he​ ​realized​ ​what​ ​she​ ​meant.​ ​“What…?​ ​Oh,​ ​geez,​ ​no.​ ​Nothing​ ​like that!​ ​It’s​ ​a​ ​first​ ​date!​ ​You​ ​don’t​ ​ask​ ​for​ ​that​ ​on​ ​a​ ​first​ ​date,​ ​ever.”
“Oh,​ ​that’s​ ​a​ ​relief.​ ​I​ ​thought​ ​that​ ​sounded​ ​a​ ​little​ ​weird.”
“Well,​ ​it’s​ ​not.​ ​I’ve​ ​been​ ​learning​ ​a​ ​new​ ​spell​ ​from​ ​Princess​ ​Luna​ ​and​ ​Twilight.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​you’ll like​ ​it.”​ ​He​ ​coughed,​ ​and​ ​added:​ ​“Well,​ ​​hope​​ ​you’ll​ ​like​ ​it.”
“Okay.​ ​Shall​ ​we​ ​go​ ​inside?”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​glanced​ ​around,​ ​face​ ​reddening.​ ​“We’re​ ​drawing stares.”
True​ ​enough,​ ​the​ ​sight​ ​of​ ​an​ ​undisguised,​ ​bizarre​ ​bug​ ​pony,​ ​and​ ​Ponyville’s​ ​resident​ ​shy​ ​mare going​ ​on​ ​a​ ​date​ ​was​ ​strange​ ​enough​ ​even​ ​for​ ​this​ ​town,​ ​and​ ​quite​ ​a​ ​few​ ​ponies​ ​still​ ​about​ ​at​ ​that time​ ​were​ ​unable​ ​to​ ​tear​ ​their​ ​eyes​ ​away.
Allan​ ​blanched,​ ​and​ ​quickly​ ​turned​ ​to​ ​go​ ​inside.​ ​“Y-yeah,​ ​let’s​ ​go​ ​in.”
The​ ​inside​ ​of​ ​​The​ ​Hay​ ​Burger​​ ​was​ ​reminiscent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​average​ ​earth​ ​fast​ ​food​ ​joint,​ ​only,​ ​with the​ ​tables,​ ​chairs​ ​and​ ​floors​ ​being​ ​made​ ​predominantly​ ​of​ ​wood. Allan​ ​joined​ ​the​ ​back​ ​of​ ​the​ ​order​ ​line,​ ​doing​ ​his​ ​absolute​ ​best​ ​to​ ​ignore​ ​the​ ​continued surveillance​ ​that​ ​he​ ​and​ ​his​ ​date​ ​were​ ​under.​ ​A​ ​hoof​ ​poking​ ​gently​ ​on​ ​his​ ​side​ ​turned​ ​his​ ​head​ ​back
to​ ​look​ ​at​ ​Fluttershy.
“So,​ ​you​ ​were​ ​a​ ​little​ ​late..?”​ ​She​ ​prompted.​ ​So​ ​she​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​know​ ​why?​ ​Eh,​ ​no​ ​harm​ ​in telling​ ​her​ ​that.
“I​ ​kinda​ ​was​ ​going​ ​to​ ​do​ ​as​ ​you​ ​asked,​ ​but​ ​changed​ ​my​ ​mind​ ​last​ ​minute​ ​and​ ​had​ ​to​ ​rush back​ ​to​ ​get​ ​my​ ​waistcoat.​ ​I​ ​wasn’t​ ​going​ ​to​ ​come​ ​without​ ​wearing​ ​something​ ​special,​ ​now​ ​was​ ​I?”
Fluttershy​ ​smiled.​ ​How​ ​nice​ ​of​ ​him!​ ​He​ ​clearly​ ​put​ ​some​ ​effort​ ​into​ ​this​ ​date.
“So,​ ​what​ ​are​ ​you​ ​going​ ​to​ ​have?​ ​Allan​ ​asked.​ ​“My​ ​treat.”
“Oh...”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​never​ ​usually​ ​ate​ ​out​ ​much,​ ​and​ ​she​ ​never​ ​usually​ ​ate​ ​much​ ​when​ ​she​ ​did. A​ ​little​ ​salad​ ​was​ ​normal​ ​for​ ​her,​ ​but….since​ ​he​ ​was​ ​being​ ​generous…..​ ​“I​ ​think​ ​I’ll​ ​go​ ​with​ ​a​ ​hay burger,​ ​a​ ​side​ ​of​ ​hay​ ​fries,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​medium​ ​sized​ ​drink​ ​to​ ​go​ ​with​ ​it.”
Allan​ ​beamed​ ​at​ ​her.​ ​“Nice!​ ​I​ ​think​ ​I’ll​ ​go​ ​for​ ​the​ ​extra​ ​burger​ ​and​ ​hay​ ​fries​ ​combo.​ ​It​ ​looks quite​ ​good!”
The​ ​stallion​ ​behind​ ​the​ ​counter​ ​had​ ​a​ ​little​ ​trouble​ ​keeping​ ​himself​ ​from​ ​freaking​ ​out,​ ​which was​ ​made​ ​easier​ ​by​ ​seeing​ ​how​ ​nervous,​ ​and​ ​polite,​ ​the​ ​two​ ​were​ ​as​ ​they​ ​placed​ ​their​ ​orders.
“....and​ ​it’ll​ ​all​ ​be​ ​to​ ​go,​ ​please.”​ ​Allan​ ​finished.
“To​ ​go?”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​asked.​ ​“We’re​ ​not​ ​staying?”
“Nah,​ ​I​ ​told​ ​you​ ​I​ ​had​ ​something​ ​in​ ​mind,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​requires​ ​being​ ​outside​ ​anyway,​ ​so​ ​I​ ​thought we’d​ ​find​ ​a​ ​nice​ ​spot​ ​in​ ​the​ ​park.”​ ​Allan​ ​explained,​ ​as​ ​the​ ​counter​ ​pony​ ​went​ ​about​ ​constructing​ ​their meals,​ ​muttering​ ​to​ ​himself​ ​as​ ​he​ ​did​ ​so.
“So​ ​what​ ​are​ ​you…”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​trailed​ ​off​ ​as​ ​she​ ​noticed​ ​something​ ​behind​ ​Allan.​ ​A​ ​highly suspicious,​ ​definitely-not-her-friends-spying-on-her-date,​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​thing.​ ​“I’ll​ ​be​ ​right​ ​back.”
“Oh,​ ​uh,​ ​okay!​ ​I’ll​ ​pick​ ​up​ ​the​ ​order!”​ ​Allan​ ​said,​ ​cheerfully,​ ​thankfully​ ​unaware​ ​of​ ​the​ ​nosy intrusion​ ​on​ ​their​ ​privacy.
Fluttershy​ ​picked​ ​her​ ​way​ ​casually​ ​across​ ​the​ ​diner,​ ​as​ ​if​ ​going​ ​to​ ​the​ ​bathroom,​ ​before turning​ ​to​ ​face​ ​her​ ​hilariously​ ​poorly​ ​disguised​ ​friends​ ​sitting​ ​in​ ​a​ ​corner​ ​booth.
“What​ ​are​ ​you​ ​girls​ ​doing?”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​found​ ​herself​ ​hissing​ ​like​ ​a​ ​snake,​ ​possibly​ ​for​ ​the​ ​first time.​ ​“This​ ​is​ ​really​ ​rude!”
“Girls?​ ​What​ ​girls?​ ​There’s​ ​no​ ​girls​ ​here!”​ ​Said​ ​the​ ​mare​ ​that​ ​was​ ​obviously​ ​Twilight​ ​wearing a​ ​wide​ ​brimmed​ ​hat,​ ​a​ ​pair​ ​of​ ​glasses,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​fake​ ​mustache.​ ​The​ ​poor​ ​attempt​ ​at​ ​a​ ​stallions​ ​voice topped​ ​off​ ​the​ ​dopey​ ​disguise.​ ​“Just​ ​some​ ​stallions​ ​out​ ​for​ ​a​ ​fun​ ​night!​ ​Yeah,​ ​totally​ ​stallions,​ ​eheh!”
Fluttershy​ ​glared​ ​at​ ​her.
“Indeed,​ ​we​ ​don’t​ ​even​ ​know​ ​you,​ ​miss….uh….”​ ​Rarity​ ​pretended,​ ​dressed​ ​in​ ​a​ ​top​ ​hat, monocle,​ ​and​ ​once​ ​again,​ ​fake​ ​mustache.​ ​Her​ ​masculine​ ​voice​ ​barely​ ​soundēd​ ​any​ ​different​ ​to​ ​her normal​ ​one.​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​eye​ ​twitched.
“Come​ ​on​ ​Flu-​ ​I​ ​mean,​ ​uh,​ ​miss-​ ​uh,​ ​Butterfly.”​ ​Rainbow​ ​was​ ​by​ ​far​ ​the​ ​worst​ ​disguise,​ ​with​ ​a white​ ​wig,​ ​and​ ​big​ ​black​ ​sunglasses​ ​with​ ​pink​ ​lenses,​ ​coupled​ ​with​ ​a​ ​hilariously​ ​oversized​ ​and​ ​baggy stallion’s​ ​suit​ ​jacket.​ ​“We’ve,​ ​uh-​ ​never​ ​met​ ​before.”
Fluttershy​ ​responded​ ​by​ ​knocking​ ​Rainbow’s​ ​wig​ ​off.
“Hey!​ ​What​ ​gives!”​ ​Rainbow​ ​exclaimed.
Fluttershy​ ​felt​ ​furious.​ ​They​ ​couldn’t​ ​just​ ​wait​ ​until​ ​tomorrow,​ ​when​ ​she​ ​could​ ​tell​ ​them​ ​what happened?​ ​No,​ ​they​ ​had​ ​to​ ​spy​ ​on​ ​her!​ ​On​ ​her​ ​first​ ​real​ ​date​ ​since​ ​Big​ ​Mac?​ ​No!​ ​Not​ ​today!
“Girls.”​ ​She​ ​gritted​ ​her​ ​teeth​ ​as​ ​she​ ​spoke.​ ​“I​ ​appreciate​ ​how​ ​much​ ​you​ ​care​ ​about​ ​me,​ ​but this​ ​is​ ​not​ ​something​ ​you​ ​can​ ​do.”
“We’re​ ​not​ ​here​ ​to​ ​get​ ​in​ ​the​ ​way!”​ ​Twilight​ ​protested.​ ​“We’re​ ​just​ ​worried​ ​about​ ​you​ ​and Allan!”
“Yeah,​ ​you​ ​guys​ ​get​ ​along​ ​really​ ​great!​ ​We​ ​just….” 
“Wanted​ ​to​ ​be​ ​here​ ​to​ ​support​ ​you​ ​so​ ​things​ ​don’t​ ​go​ ​wrong.”​ ​Rarity​ ​supplied.​ ​“We​ ​know​ ​it’s inappropriate,​ ​but​ ​we​ ​care​ ​about​ ​you​ ​too​ ​much​ ​to​ ​see​ ​you​ ​two​ ​end​ ​up​ ​falling​ ​out​ ​if​ ​this little...experience​ ​goes​ ​poorly.”
Fluttershy​ ​put​ ​a​ ​hoof​ ​to​ ​her​ ​face.​ ​As​ ​much​ ​as​ ​she​ ​loved​ ​her​ ​friends,​ ​they​ ​sometimes​ ​pulled stunts​ ​that​ ​were​ ​simply​ ​too​ ​much.​ ​This​ ​was​ ​going​ ​to​ ​be​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​ones​ ​she​ ​would​ ​file​ ​away​ ​as​ ​being what​ ​was​ ​referred​ ​to​ ​as:​ ​bad​ ​form.​ ​“Just​ ​stay​ ​out​ ​of​ ​sight​ ​until​ ​we​ ​leave,​ ​please.”
With​ ​shameful​ ​nods,​ ​the​ ​Alicorn,​ ​Unicorn​ ​and​ ​Pegasus​ ​agreed.
Fluttershy​ ​didn’t​ ​wait​ ​for​ ​them​ ​to​ ​say​ ​anything​ ​else,​ ​instead,​ ​she​ ​pivoted​ ​about​ ​on​ ​her hooves,​ ​and​ ​marched​ ​back​ ​over​ ​to​ ​Allan,​ ​who​ ​was​ ​graciously​ ​thanking​ ​the​ ​counter​ ​pony​ ​for​ ​the meals​ ​he​ ​now​ ​held.
“Hey.”​ ​He​ ​greeted,​ ​with​ ​that​ ​same,​ ​warm,​ ​goofy​ ​smile​ ​that​ ​made​ ​her​ ​want​ ​to​ ​smile​ ​too.​ ​So she​ ​did.​ ​It​ ​felt​ ​nice,​ ​being​ ​able​ ​to​ ​relax​ ​around​ ​somepony​ ​other​ ​than​ ​her​ ​friends.​ ​Not​ ​that​ ​he​ ​wasn’t​ ​a friend,​ ​of​ ​course,​ ​she​ ​just​ ​meant​ ​somepony​ ​other​ ​than​ ​the​ ​five-no,​ ​six​ ​mares​ ​and​ ​the​ ​baby​ ​dragon who​ ​were​ ​her​ ​closest​ ​companions.​ ​Sure,​ ​she​ ​was​ ​friends​ ​with​ ​other​ ​ponies,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​girls​ ​were special.​ ​Even​ ​Starlight,​ ​who​ ​had​ ​only​ ​recently​ ​joined​ ​the​ ​group.
“So,​ ​ready​ ​to​ ​go​ ​find​ ​a​ ​nice​ ​spot​ ​in​ ​the​ ​park?”​ ​Allan​ ​äsked,​ ​brightly.​ ​“I​ ​promise​ ​quite​ ​a​ ​show.”
She​ ​ignored​ ​the​ ​stares​ ​around​ ​her​ ​for​ ​once.​ ​She​ ​ignored​ ​the​ ​voice​ ​inside​ ​that​ ​told​ ​her​ ​to​ ​hide behind​ ​her​ ​mane,​ ​ignored​ ​the​ ​normal​ ​anxiety​ ​she​ ​normally​ ​had​ ​to​ ​deal​ ​with​ ​whenever​ ​she​ ​went​ ​out. 
“I’d​ ​love​ ​to.”​ ​His​ ​beaming​ ​grin​ ​was​ ​one​ ​of​ ​excited​ ​exuberance,​ ​making​ ​him​ ​seem​ ​like​ ​a​ ​young colt.​ ​Fluttershy​ ​guessed​ ​that,​ ​in​ ​many​ ​ways,​ ​he​ ​was.​ ​His​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​knowledge​ ​about​ ​Equestria​ ​and​ ​the rest​ ​of​ ​Equus​ ​made​ ​him​ ​ignorant​ ​like​ ​the​ ​young,​ ​while​ ​his​ ​energy,​ ​and​ ​willingness​ ​to​ ​adapt,​ ​to​ ​try​ ​to accept​ ​this​ ​strange​ ​world,​ ​was​ ​rather​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​the​ ​coping​ ​strategies​ ​of​ ​the​ ​young​ ​as​ ​well.
“Well​ ​then,​ ​let’s​ ​get​ ​going….or​ ​did​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​go​ ​talk​ ​to​ ​our​ ​friends​ ​again?”​ ​He​ ​asked,​ ​eyes glittering​ ​with​ ​mischief.
“You​ ​knew​ ​they​ ​were​ ​there?!”​ ​She​ ​squeaked,​ ​eyes​ ​wide.
Allan​ ​snorted.​ ​“How​ ​could​ ​I​ ​not?​ ​Those​ ​disguises​ ​make​ ​them​ ​stand​ ​out​ ​more.”​ ​He​ ​paused, sniffing​ ​the​ ​air.​ ​“I​ ​can​ ​literally​ ​taste​ ​the​ ​shame.​ ​Blech.”
Emotivores.​ ​Hardest​ ​creeatures​ ​to​ ​fool​ ​in​ ​all​ ​of​ ​creation,​ ​second​ ​only​ ​to​ ​telepaths​ ​and​ ​the omnipotent.​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​ear​ ​folded​ ​back,​ ​and​ ​she​ ​bit​ ​back​ ​a​ ​chuckle.​ ​Of​ ​course​ ​Allan​ ​had​ ​noticed.​ ​He was​ ​far​ ​too​ ​observant​ ​not​ ​to​ ​have​ ​noticed.
“So​ ​what​ ​drew​ ​your​ ​attention​ ​to​ ​them?”​ ​She​ ​asked.
“It​ ​could​ ​have​ ​been​ ​the​ ​familiar​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​Dash’s​ ​overinflated​ ​ego.”​ ​Allan​ ​quipped.​ ​“Or​ ​maybe the​ ​beautiful​ ​girl​ ​who​ ​was​ ​standing​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​them​ ​earlier.”
The​ ​blush​ ​that​ ​developed​ ​on​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​cheeks​ ​was​ ​certainly​ ​worth​ ​the​ ​effort​ ​to​ ​come​ ​up with​ ​such​ ​a​ ​cheesy​ ​line,​ ​but​ ​that’s​ ​what​ ​dates​ ​were​ ​for.
“Alright​ ​then.”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​stammered​ ​out,​ ​quickly​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​divert​ ​Allan's​ ​attention.​ ​“Where shall​ ​we​ ​go​ ​sit​ ​and​ ​eat?”
“I’m​ ​letting​ ​you​ ​choose.​ ​I​ ​arranged​ ​everything​ ​else,​ ​and​ ​it’s​ ​a​ ​little​ ​inconsiderate​ ​not​ ​to​ ​let you​ ​have​ ​a​ ​say.”
That​ ​was​ ​nice.​ ​Where​ ​to​ ​go​ ​though,​ ​where​ ​to​ ​go…..​ ​Oh!
“There’s​ ​a​ ​really​ ​nice​ ​spot​ ​by​ ​the​ ​local​ ​pond.​ ​We​ ​could​ ​go​ ​there.”
Allan​ ​nodded.​ ​“Sounds​ ​lovely.​ ​I​ ​hope​ ​there’s​ ​ducks.”​ ​He​ grinned​ ​at​ ​her.​ ​“I​ ​like​ ​ducks.”
She​ ​giggled.​ ​“So​ ​do​ ​I.”

**************


“So​ ​what’s​ ​this​ ​show​ ​you​ ​promised?“​ ​Fluttershy​ ​asked.
The​ ​spot​ ​by​ ​the​ ​pond​ ​was​ ​gorgeous,​ ​with​ ​tall​ ​reeds,​ ​a​ ​few​ ​cat-tail​ ​plants,​ ​a​ ​great​ ​view​ ​of​ ​the water​ ​and​ ​the​ ​moon,​ ​and​ ​perfectly​ ​framed​ ​by​ ​a​ ​thick​ ​copse​ ​of​ ​trees,​ ​perfect​ ​for​ ​maintaining​ ​a​ ​little privacy,​ ​though​ ​Allan​ ​was​ ​certain​ ​that​ ​Rainbow​ ​Dash​ ​was​ ​still​ ​watching​ ​them.​ ​Oh​ ​well,​ ​getting​ ​two out​ ​of​ ​three​ ​to​ ​leave​ ​wasn’t​ ​too​ ​bad.
“I’ve​ ​been​ ​practicing​ ​non-stop​ ​since​ ​the​ ​hospital.”​ ​Allan​ ​admitted.​ ​“It​ ​slowed​ ​my​ ​recovery, but​ ​I​ ​think​ ​it’ll​ ​be​ ​worth​ ​it.​ ​I​ ​just​ ​hope​ ​you​ ​like​ ​what​ ​I’ll​ ​show​ ​you.”
His​ ​horn​ ​began​ ​to​ ​glow,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​closed​ ​his​ ​eyes.​ ​He​ ​focused​ ​on​ ​a​ ​particular​ ​set​ ​of​ ​memories, bringing​ ​them​ ​to​ ​the​ ​forefront​ ​of​ ​his​ ​mind,​ ​and​ ​channeling​ ​them​ ​into​ ​the​ ​spell.​ ​​ ​In​ ​the​ ​air,​ ​just​ ​above the​ ​lake,​ ​a​ ​light​ ​appeared,​ ​filing​ ​out​ ​into​ ​a​ ​large​ ​rectangle​ ​shape.​ ​A​ ​series​ ​of​ ​letters​ ​appeared, accompanied​ ​by​ ​a​ ​simple​ ​tune,​ ​as​ ​the​ ​letters​ ​turned​ ​from​ ​one​ ​colour​ ​to​ ​another.
“Get​ ​ready.”​ ​Allan​ ​said​ ​with​ ​a​ ​happy​ ​grin,​ ​settling​ ​down​ ​on​ ​the​ ​grass,​ ​wing​ ​extended​ ​for​ ​her as​ ​she​ ​moved​ ​to​ ​join​ ​him.
​ ​	A​ ​new​ ​set​ ​of​ ​words​ ​appeared​ ​in​ ​simple,​ ​bluey-green​ ​text​ ​that​ ​read:
“A​ ​long​ ​time​ ​ago,​ ​in​ ​a​ ​galaxy​ ​far,​ ​far​ ​away….”

***************


Fluttershy​ ​gasped​ ​at​ ​the​ ​image​ ​before​ ​her.​ ​She​ ​didn’t​ ​understand​ ​just​ ​how​ ​it​ ​was​ ​possible, but​ ​she​ ​was​ ​seeing​ ​a​ ​​planet​,​ ​one​ ​completely​ ​different​ ​to​ ​her​ ​own,​ ​appear​ ​in​ ​​ ​the​ ​projection.​ ​Was​ ​this that​ ​Tatooey​ ​place​ ​the​ ​opening​ ​text​ ​had​ ​mentioned?
Another​ ​gasp​ ​worked​ ​it’s​ ​way​ ​out​ ​of​ ​her​ ​muzzle​ ​as​ ​a​ ​strange​ ​shape​ ​burst​ ​into​ ​frame accompanied​ ​by​ ​strange​ ​sounds​ ​and​ ​explosions.​ ​Flashes​ ​of​ ​light​ ​lit​ ​up​ ​the​ ​image​ ​at​ ​intervals,​ ​before​ ​a second​ ​shape​ ​appeared,​ ​chasing​ ​after​ ​the​ ​first.
Then,​ ​there​ ​was​ ​a​ ​strange,​ ​shiny​ ​gold​ ​figure​ ​walking​ ​about​ ​on​ ​two,​ ​stiff​ ​legs,​ ​and​ ​another figure​ ​that​ ​was​ ​shorted,​ ​and​ ​moved​ ​on​ ​wheels.​ ​They​ ​were​ ​obviously​ ​metal,​ ​but​ ​how​ ​were​ ​they…​ ​oh, the​ ​metal​ ​one​ ​was​ ​talking.​ ​Princess?​ ​No​ ​escape?​ ​That​ ​sounded​ ​bad.​ ​Oh​ ​dear,​ ​they​ ​were​ ​being boarded?​ ​Those​ ​shapes​ ​were​ ​kinds​ ​of…​ ​space​ ​ship?
Those​ ​new​ ​figures…​ ​their​ ​clothes​ ​were​ ​strange,​ ​and​ ​they​ ​had​ ​silly​ ​hats.​ ​But​ ​they​ ​lookes​ ​so… scared.​ ​Scared​ ​but​ ​brave​ ​and​ ​determined.​ ​Then​ ​the​ ​bizarre​ ​door​ ​at​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​corridor​ ​exploded, and​ ​more​ ​of​ ​the​ ​strange​ ​humans​ ​entered,​ ​wearing​ ​weird,​ ​all​ ​white,​ ​shiny​ ​clothes​ ​that​ ​hid​ ​their​ ​faces.
They​ ​were​ ​killing​ ​each​ ​other!​ ​Oh​ ​no!​ ​Couldn’t​ ​they​ ​just​ ​get….oh…..​ ​Oh,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​scary.​ ​The​ ​tall, black​ ​clothed….man.​ ​He​ ​had​ ​such​ ​a​ ​deep​ ​voice.​ ​Fluttershy​ ​decided​ ​she​ ​did​ ​not​ ​like​ ​this​ ​human.​ ​He was​ ​bad.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​mean.​ ​“No,​ ​mister​ ​meanie!​ ​You​ ​can’t​ ​have​ ​those​ ​plans!​ ​You​ ​didn’t​ ​say​ ​please!”
Allan​ ​burst​ ​out​ ​laughing​ ​beside​ ​her.

****************


The​ ​credits​ ​rolled​ ​sometime​ ​later,​ ​a​ ​list​ ​of​ ​actors​ ​names​ ​that​ ​meant​ ​nothing​ ​to​ ​her.
“So​ ​none​ ​of​ ​that​ ​was​ ​real,​ ​right?”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​asked,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​clarify.​ ​“It​ ​was​ ​just​ ​a​ ​story?”
“Just​ ​a​ ​story.​ ​A​ ​well​ ​told​ ​story.”​ ​Allan​ ​confirmed.​ ​“What​ ​did​ ​you​ ​think​ ​of​ ​it?”
“It​ ​was….violent….and​ ​scary​ ​at​ ​times….but…..”​ ​She​ ​turned​ ​to​ ​stare​ ​at​ ​him.​ ​“Is​ ​there​ ​a sequel?”
Alan's​ ​grin​ ​grew.​ ​“Several,​ ​actually.​ ​Those​ ​a​ ​great.​ ​And​ ​there​ ​are​ ​some​ ​prequals,​ ​but​ ​those aren’t​ ​so​ ​good.”
Fluttershy​ ​lowered​ ​her​ ​eyes,​ ​and​ ​looked​ ​up​ ​at​ ​him​ ​meekly​ ​through​ ​her​ ​eyelashes.
“Could….could​ ​we​ ​watch​ ​them?​ ​I…​ ​really​ ​enjoyed​ ​it.”
“I’d​ ​hoped​ ​you’d​ ​say​ ​that.”​ ​Allan​ ​smiled.​ ​“I’m​ ​a​ ​big​ ​fan​ ​of​ ​this​ ​series.”
“I​ ​could​ ​tell.​ ​You​ ​were​ ​mouthing​ ​every​ ​word.”
Alan's​ ​face​ ​went​ ​red.​ ​“I​ ​was​ ​not!”
“You​ ​were​ ​too!​ ​When​ ​Vader​ ​said….”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​cleared​ ​her​ ​throat,​ ​and​ ​used​ ​her​ ​now​ ​empty soda​ ​cup​ ​to​ ​make​ ​her​ ​voice​ ​echo-ey.​ ​“The​ ​force​ ​is​ ​strong​ ​with​ ​this​ ​one.​ ​You​ ​almost​ ​stood​ ​up​ ​to​ ​say​ ​it! I​ ​felt​ ​all​ ​your​ ​muscles​ ​tense!”
Allan​ ​tried​ ​to​ ​protest,​ ​but​ ​Fluttershy​ ​responded​ ​by​ ​flicking​ ​her​ ​crumpled​ ​up​ ​napkin​ ​at​ ​him, where​ ​it​ ​bounced​ ​off​ ​his​ ​surprised​ ​muzzle.
“Anyway.”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​said,​ ​changing​ ​the​ ​subject.​ ​“I​ ​had​ ​fun​ ​tonight.​ ​Thank​ ​you.”
Allan​ ​smiled.​ ​“Why,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​my​ ​pleasure,​ ​darlin’.​ ​Ah​ ​had​ ​a​ ​wonderful​ ​night​ ​mahself.”​ ​He​ ​said, letting​ ​his​ ​voice​ ​slip​ ​into​ ​the​ ​same​ ​country​ ​drawl​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Apple​ ​family​ ​spoke​ ​with.
Fluttershy​ ​giggled.​ ​“Stop​ ​it.​ ​That’s​ ​not​ ​fair!​ ​It’s​ ​too​ ​funny​ ​hearing​ ​you​ ​talk​ ​like​ ​my​ ​friends!”
“Really?”​ ​Allan's​ ​voice​ ​turned​ ​scratchy,​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​Dash’s.​ ​“Awesome!”
Fluttershy’s​ ​hooves​ ​clapped​ ​over​ ​her​ ​muzzle​ ​as​ ​she​ ​tried​ ​not​ ​to​ ​let​ ​herself​ ​laugh.
“Oh,​ ​but​ ​darling!​ ​You​ ​simply​ ​shouldn’t​ ​cover​ ​your​ ​mouth​ ​like​ ​that,​ ​it’s​ ​bad​ ​for​ ​your​ ​coat!”
Uncontrolled​ ​giggles​ ​rolled​ ​around​ ​her​ ​hooves.
“Oh!​ ​Are​ ​you​ ​playing​ ​peekaboo?​ ​Can​ ​I​ ​play?​ ​Can​ ​I?​ ​Can​ ​I?”
Her​ ​shoulders​ ​started​ ​shaking.
“You​ ​know,​ ​recent​ ​scientific​ ​studies​ ​show​ ​that​ ​laughter​ ​is​ ​the​ ​best​ ​medicine​ ​after​ ​all.​ ​Patients who​ ​were​ ​kept​ ​happy​ ​and​ ​entertained​ ​showed…”
Fluttershy​ ​burst​ ​out​ ​laughing​ ​at​ ​the​ ​spot​ ​on​ ​impression​ ​of​ ​Twilight,​ ​down​ ​to​ ​the​ ​lecturing, matter-of-fact​ ​tone​ ​and​ ​the​ ​way​ ​she​ ​held​ ​out​ ​her​ ​hoof​ ​as​ ​she​ ​taught.
Allan​ ​grinned.​ ​Tonight​ ​had​ ​been​ ​good.​ ​Even​ ​with​ ​Twilight​ ​and​ ​co.​ ​spying​ ​on​ ​them.
Unfortunately,​ ​with​ ​the​ ​movie​ ​done,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​cool​ ​night​ ​air​ ​closing​ ​in,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​time​ ​to​ ​go​ ​back​ ​home.
“Well,​ ​my​ ​lady.”​ ​He​ ​said,​ ​stretching​ ​out​ ​one​ ​gossamer​ ​wing​ ​as​ ​if​ ​he​ ​were​ ​extending​ ​a​ ​hand.
“Would​ ​you​ ​allow​ ​me​ ​to​ ​escort​ ​you​ ​safely​ ​home?”
Fluttershy​ ​suppressed​ ​her​ ​laughter​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​give​ ​a​ ​thankful:​ ​“Yes​ ​please.”
The​ ​two​ ​walked​ ​side​ ​by​ ​side,​ ​pressed​ ​together​ ​slightly​ ​for​ ​warmth​ ​in​ ​the​ ​chill​ ​night​ ​air,​ ​while Fluttershy​ ​chatted​ ​softly​ ​away​ ​about​ ​how​ ​the​ ​conjured​ ​movie​ ​had​ ​been​ ​a​ ​lovely,​ ​if​ ​strange, experience.​ ​She​ ​asked​ ​him​ ​about​ ​the​ ​special​ ​effects,​ ​how​ ​they​ ​had​ ​managed​ ​to​ ​convincingly​ ​pull​ ​off the​ ​look​ ​of​ ​space,​ ​and​ ​more.​ ​Allan​ ​happily​ ​answered​ ​every​ ​question​ ​he​ ​could,​ ​and​ ​laughed​ ​aloud​ ​at Fluttershy​ ​attempting​ ​to​ ​do​ ​impressions​ ​of​ ​the​ ​heroes​ ​and​ ​villains​ ​alike.
“I​ ​especially​ ​liked​ ​Princess​ ​Leia.”​ ​She​ ​beamed.​ ​“She​ ​was​ ​confident,​ ​and​ ​assertive!​ ​I​ ​wish​ ​I could​ ​be​ ​like​ ​her.”
Allan​ ​laughed​ ​and​ ​shook​ ​his​ ​head.​ ​“Nah.​ ​Don’t​ ​change​ ​that​ ​much.​ ​It​ ​wouldn’t​ ​be​ ​good​ ​if​ ​you became​ ​like​ ​her.”
“Why​ ​not?”​ ​Flutters​ ​asked,​ ​tilting​ ​her​ ​head​ ​to​ ​gaze​ ​up​ ​at​ ​him.
“Because​ ​then​ ​you​ ​wouldn’t​ ​you.​ ​And​ ​I​ ​like​ ​you​ ​the​ ​way​ ​you​ ​are.”
Fluttershy​ ​stopped,​ ​eyes​ ​wide​ ​and​ ​staring​ ​at​ ​him.
He​ ​stopped​ ​too,​ ​hooves​ ​tapping​ ​lightly​ ​down​ ​amid​ ​the​ ​fallen​ ​leaves​ ​that​ ​covered​ ​the​ ​path​ ​to the​ ​cottage.​ ​“What?”
“I​ ​don’t​ ​think​ ​anypony​ ​ever​ ​actually​ ​told​ ​me​ ​that….​ ​Besides​ ​the​ ​girls!”​ ​She​ ​quickly​ ​amended. “That’s​ ​really​ ​nice​ ​of​ ​you​ ​to​ ​say.”
Allan​ ​turned​ ​to​ ​her,​ ​smiling​ ​again.​ ​“Nah.​ ​I’m​ ​just​ ​ahead​ ​of​ ​the​ ​curve.​ ​Everypony​ ​should​ ​tell you​ ​just​ ​how​ ​amazing​ ​you​ ​are.”
“Amazing?”​ ​She​ ​stammered​ ​a​ ​little.​ ​“You​ ​think​ ​I’m​ ​amazing?”
“Yeah.​ ​From​ ​what​ ​you​ ​lot​ ​have​ ​told​ ​me,​ ​you​ ​were​ ​so​ ​shy​ ​it​ ​was​ ​practically​ ​keeping​ ​you​ ​a prisoner​ ​in​ ​your​ ​own​ ​home!​ ​Now​ ​look​ ​at​ ​you!​ ​You’ve​ ​stared​ ​down​ ​dragons,​ ​attended​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​party without​ ​freaking​ ​out,​ ​stood​ ​up​ ​to​ ​a​ ​misguided​ ​Minotaur,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​dangerous​ ​Draconequus​ ​who​ ​you made​ ​one​ ​of​ ​your​ ​best​ ​friends!​ ​I’d​ ​say​ ​that’s​ ​amazing.”
“You​ ​think​ ​I’m​ ​amazing?”​ ​She​ a​sked​ ​again,​ ​dumbfounded.
“Yes.”​ ​The​ ​sincerity​ ​in​ ​his​ ​reply​ ​made​ ​her​ ​heart​ ​flutter.
“Really,​ ​really?”
“Yes,​ ​really​ ​really.”​ ​He​ ​said,​ ​huffing​ ​a​ ​little.​ ​“Are​ ​you​ ​seriously​ ​going​ ​to​ ​tell​ ​me​ ​that​ ​you’ve never​ ​even​ ​considered​ ​just​ ​how​ ​amazing​ ​you​ ​ar-”
Allan​ ​never​ ​finished​ ​that​ ​sentence,​ ​as​ ​something​ ​warm​ ​and​ ​slightly​ ​moist​ ​suddenly​ ​pressed up​ ​against​ ​his​ ​cheek,​ ​and​ ​his​ ​mind​ ​was​ ​flooded​ ​by​ ​an​ ​overwhelming​ ​surge​ ​of​ ​affection,​ ​before​ ​it​ ​was suddenly​ ​gone,​ ​as​ ​Fluttershy​ ​trotted​ ​happily​ ​down​ ​the​ ​path​ ​ahead,​ ​humming​ ​to​ ​herself.
Allan​ ​stayed​ ​stock​ ​still,​ ​before​ ​he​ ​lifted​ ​his​ ​hoof​ ​up​ ​to​ ​his​ ​cheek​ ​and​ ​felt​ ​the​ ​spot​ ​where Fluttershy​ ​had​ ​just​ ​kissed​ ​him.
“I’m​ ​in​ ​love​ ​with​ ​her….”​ ​He​ ​mumbled,​ ​giddily.


*******************


“So,​ ​how​ ​is​ ​Allan​ ​doing?”​ ​Twilight​ ​asked,​ ​early​ ​the​ ​next​ ​morning.
The​ ​elements​ ​all​ ​sat​ ​around​ ​the​ ​Cutie-Map,​ ​perched​ ​atop​ ​their​ ​thrones​ ​while​ ​Starlight​ ​and Spike​ ​sat​ ​close​ ​by,​ ​eagerly​ ​listening​ ​in.
The​ ​pony​ ​under​ ​scrutiny​ ​at​ ​the​ ​moment​ ​was​ ​the​ ​pegasus​ ​that​ ​none​ ​of​ ​her​ ​friends​ ​had thought​ ​would​ ​want​ ​to​ ​date​ ​anypony​ ​again,​ ​after​ ​her​ ​unfortunate​ ​date​ ​with​ ​Big​ ​Macintosh.​ ​She​ ​was rosy​ ​cheeked,​ ​and​ ​her​ ​expression​ ​when​ ​she​ ​had​ ​arrived​ ​had​ ​been​ ​one​ ​of​ ​pure​ ​happiness,​ ​pure happiness​ ​that​ ​nopony​ ​had​ ​seen​ ​from​ ​her​ ​in​ ​literal​ ​years.
Fluttershy​ ​ran​ ​her​ ​hooves​ ​over​ ​her​ ​mane,​ ​making​ ​the​ ​long​ ​curls​ ​tumble​ ​over​ ​and​ ​over​ ​her dainty​ ​limbs​ ​in​ ​a​ ​rush​ ​of​ ​pale​ ​rose.
“Oh,​ ​um,​ ​he’s​ ​doing​ ​great.”​ ​She​ ​said,​ ​her​ ​voice​ ​betraying​ ​just​ ​how​ ​distant​ ​and​ ​far​ ​off​ ​her thoughts​ ​were.​ ​“We​ ​had​ ​fun​ ​last​ ​night.”
The​ ​snickers​ ​of​ ​her​ ​friends​ ​were​ ​lost​ ​on​ ​her,​ ​as​ ​she​ ​continued​ ​to​ ​tumble​ ​her​ ​pink​ ​curls​ ​over her​ ​hooves,​ ​humming​ ​the​ ​tune​ ​of​ ​an​ ​old​ ​lullaby​ ​her​ ​parents​ ​had​ ​used​ ​to​ ​sing​ ​to​ ​her.
“So​ ​you​ ​had…​ ​fun,​ ​last​ ​night?”​ ​Rainbow​ ​asked​ ​between​ ​giggles.
“Hmm?​ ​? Oh​ ​yes.​ ​We​ ​had​ ​a​ ​good​ ​night.”
“Anything…​ ​erm….​ ​anything​ ​happen,​ ​Sugarcube?”
“I​ ​kissed​ ​him.”
Rarity,​ ​who​ ​had​ ​thus​ ​far​ ​maintained​ ​her​ ​image​ ​of​ ​self​ ​control​ ​by​ ​drinking​ ​tea,​ ​spat​ ​out​ ​the hot​ ​beverage​ ​in​ ​an​ ​enormous​ ​cone​ ​of​ ​spray,​ ​drenching​ ​Pinkie,​ ​before​ ​slamming​ ​the​ ​cup​ ​down​ ​on​ ​the table,​ ​and​ ​squealing:​ ​“​YOU​ ​KISSED​ ​HIM!?!?​”
“Oh….”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​was​ ​summoned​ ​out​ ​of​ ​her​ ​dazed​ ​state​ ​by​ ​the​ ​sudden​ ​raised​ ​volume. “....Yes?”
“What​ ​do​ ​you​ ​mean…..Yes?”​ ​Rarity​ ​demanded.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​in​ ​full​ ​on​ ​matchmaking​ ​mode,​ ​and nothing​ ​short​ ​of​ ​Celestia​ ​dropping​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​sky,​ ​while​ ​riding​ ​a​ ​huge,​ ​armoured​ ​dragon​ ​could​ ​stop her.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​even​ ​half​ ​sprawled​ ​over​ ​the​ ​map​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​get​ ​closer​ ​to​ ​her​ ​“Did​ ​you​ ​kiss​ ​Allan​ ​or not?”
“Oh...um,​ ​​I​ ​did….​”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​quietly​ ​admitted,​ ​her​ ​volume​ ​going​ ​down​ ​just​ ​a​ ​little.
“Weeell?​ ​How​ ​was​ ​it​ ​darling?​ ​Did​ ​you​ ​go​ ​for​ ​Prench​ ​kiss?”
“Oh,​ ​well,​ ​actually…..”
“Did​ ​he​ ​kiss​ ​back?​ ​Or​ ​did​ ​you​ ​surprise​ ​him​ ​with​ ​it?”​ ​Twilight​ ​intervened,​ ​quickly​ ​pulling​ ​Rarity away​ ​from​ ​Fluttershy.
“Rarity,​ ​I’m​ ​sure​ ​that​ ​Fluttershy​ ​doesn’t​ ​want​ ​to​ ​tell​ ​us​ ​every​ ​little​ ​detail.”​ ​Twilight​ ​chided​ ​the white​ ​unicorn,​ ​even​ ​as​ ​she​ ​fought​ ​her​ ​own​ ​desire​ ​to​ ​start​ ​asking​ ​questions.​ ​From​ ​the​ ​eyewitness accounts,​ ​the​ ​night​ ​had​ ​gone​ ​very​ ​well,​ ​despite​ ​the​ ​revelation​ ​of​ ​Allan's​ ​species​ ​making​ ​some​ ​ponies uncomfortable.​ ​He​ ​had​ ​apparently​ ​performed​ ​the​ ​memory​ ​projection​ ​spell​ ​flawlessly,​ ​which​ ​was remarkable​ ​for​ ​somepony​ ​who​ ​had​ ​only​ ​had​ ​three​ ​days​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​it.
“So...what​ ​did​ ​you​ ​two​ ​get​ ​up​ ​to,​ ​if​ ​ya​ ​don’t ​mind​ ​me​ ​askin’?”​ ​Applejack​ ​asked,​ ​polite​ ​but hopeful.
Fluttershy​ ​smiled.​ ​“He​ ​used​ ​a​ ​spell​ ​to​ ​project​ ​a​ ​movie​ ​he’d​ ​seen​ ​on​ ​earth​ ​into​ ​the​ ​air​ ​so​ ​we could​ ​watch​ ​it​ ​together.​ ​You’d​ ​have​ ​liked​ ​it​ ​Dash.​ ​There​ ​was​ ​action,​ ​and​ ​cool​ ​heroes,​ ​and​ ​death defying​ ​bravery!”
“That​ ​does​ ​sound​ ​pretty​ ​awesome.”
“So​ ​what​ ​did​ ​the​ ​humans​ ​look​ ​like?”​ ​Twilight​ ​asked,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​gently​ ​nudge​ ​Fluttershy​ ​into talking.
“Oh,​ ​on​ ​their​ ​own,​ ​without​ ​clothes,​ ​I​ ​guess​ ​they’d​ ​have​ ​looked​ ​a​ ​little​ ​plain,​ ​like​ ​big,​ ​hairless monkeys.”
Rainbow​ ​snickered.​ ​“That’d​ ​look​ ​weird.”
“With​ ​clothes,​ ​they​ ​seemed​ ​kind​ ​of….stylish….in​ ​a​ ​weird,​ ​futuristic​ ​way.”
“It’s​ ​set​ ​in​ ​the​ ​future?​ ​Ah​ ​probably​ ​wouldn’t​ ​like​ ​it​ ​much​ ​then.”​ ​Applejack​ ​reasoned.
“”The​ ​main​ ​character​ ​grew​ ​up​ ​on​ ​a​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​farm.”
“Really?”​ ​Applejack​ ​instantly​ ​perked​ ​up.
Fluttershy​ ​smiled​ ​happily,​ ​glad​ ​to​ ​share​ ​a​ ​story​ ​with​ ​her​ ​friends.​ ​She​ ​settled​ ​down,​ ​and​ ​began with​ ​the​ ​same​ ​words​ ​she​ ​had​ ​heard​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​night.
“A​ ​long​ ​time​ ​ago……”

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