//------------------------------// // [BONUS]: Starlight Glimmer (et al.) // Story: Mane 6 Mistletoe Simulator // by CategoricalGrant //------------------------------// Starlight Glimmer stands outside of your door, her new sweeping manestyle whipping in the wind. When she notices you, she flashes you a strained smile. “Hey! Happy Hearth’s Warming.” She turns around and looks over her shoulder furtively. “C-can I come in quickly?” “Yeah Starlight, happy Hearth’s Warming!” you step aside and let her into your home. She scurries in quickly and slams the door with a fairly significant degree of force. “Thanks for letting me hang out here instead of going to the town Hearth’s Warming Party.” Your eyes widen slightly as you realize why she’s acting so skittish. “Ah, they expected you to make an appearance, eh?” Starlight rolled her eyes and let out a deep sigh. “Yeah. The problem is those parties are so exhausting! I already have to go to the one we throw at the castle, so why do I have to go to this one?” “And, uh, you’re also here because you want to see me, right?” “Uh, yeah! Of course!” She says, awkwardly beaming at you. “That’s why I’m here and didn’t, y’know, flee the town.” “Mmhmm,” you hum skeptically. “Well, regardless, I’m glad you could make it.” “I am too! Let’s just enjoy a nice, quiet, and inconspicuous evening,” she insists, using her magic to close your window blinds. Scrunching up your muzzle at her paranoia, you wave a hoof towards the couch. “I’ll go get your present,” you tell her. “Do you want some hot cocoa?” “Yes please!” After fetching everything, you trot back into the living room and plop down next to Starlight on the couch, transferring the hot cocoa into her magical aura. She takes one look at it and her muzzle scrunches up in surprise. “Only one marshmallow?” You furrow your brow. “You want more?” “N-no. I just, know, was just saying,” she replies in a tone which implies she was definitely doing more than just saying. “Anyway, why don’t you open your present first?” She transfers a flat rectangular box into your grasp. It’s not wrapped. You pry it open to reveal a purple and sea-foam green scarf, the same colors as her mane. “Oh...neat!” She groans a little bit. “You hate it, don’t you?” “N-no, it’s great!” you force out. “I’m just not usually a...uh...scarf pony.” Her magic aura surrounds the scarf and wraps it tightly around your neck. “Well, now you are,” she informs you teasingly. It’s a soft scarf, but your neck is now hot and you feel like a poser. You show her an unnatural, toothy grin. “How do I look?” Starlight covers her mouth and giggles. “I think you look fashionable.” She places her hoof on the top of your couch and leans on it casually. “Speaking of that, I noticed that you have some mistletoe up. When were you planning on kissing me?” That news startles you. “Huh?” Looking up, it does indeed appear that you left mistletoe up from the party you threw awhile back. “Oh, sorry about that. That wasn’t meant for you,” you scramble in defense. Starlight’s ears fall, although the change in elevation is so small that it’s almost imperceptible. “O-oh. Well, I mean, we could do it anyway. It is Hearth’s Warming, and all…” Your face begins to heat up. “I-I...yeah, I guess we could.” Starlight freezes. “A-alright. Yeah. S-so, we just, kinda like…” Her face starts moving towards yours. “Like, like this?” “I-I think so, yeah,” you comment, moving your muzzle toward hers. Your lips meet somewhat awkwardly, and stay effectively static for the next two seconds. At that point, a series of obnoxiously loud knocks happen at your door. Instinctively, Starlight and you simultaneously break the kiss and pull your muzzles away from each other. “Starlight!” A loud cry is heard from outside. “STARLIGHT!” “Oh shoot,” Starlight hisses quietly. “Be quiet!” “Is that Twilight?” you ask, somewhat curious to see how badly Starlight would be scolded. “No, it's somepony even worse!” “STARLIGHT! I KNOW YOU’RE IN THERE! YOU LEFT ME OUT TO DRY!” Starlight quickly stands up and whips her head around. “Do you have a back door?” “No I don’t,” you inform her coldly, Starlight’s machinations leaving you feeling unappreciated. “How about you face the music?” The knocking continues, aggravating you to the point where you simply walk over and unlock the door. “STARLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAH!” screeches a blue unicorn clad in a garish cape and wizard hat as the door swings open and she falls into your entryway, flat on her face. “Aha!” she screeches, pointing a hoof at Starlight from her prone position. “How dare you!” “Thanks a lot,” Starlight spits at you. You shrug and walk back to the couch, sitting down as Trixie closes the distance between herself and Starlight. “You said I wouldn’t have to go to the town party alone, and yet there I was, without my best friend and feeling like a complete awkward sideshow! Starlight sighs. “Look, Trixie, I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t go and-” “And who the heck is that!?” Trixie shouts, interrupting Starlight’s defense. “Is he supposed to be more important than Trixie to you!?” “Why is it that you get so jealous?” Starlight aggressively questions back. “I’m allowed to have other friends, you know!” “Not if their friendship is more important to you than Trixie’s temporary happiness!” Trixie scowls at you, but then appears to notice the mistletoe. “No. No! Did you kiss him!?” “Uh...maybe?” Starlight answers, cringing slightly. “You know the rule is that mares have to approve of their friends’ romantic choices! This is not fair!” Trixie childishly stomps a hoof on the floor. “Well, do you want to kiss him?” Starlight asks cheekishly, her eyes lighting up with mischievous intent. Trixie scoffs. “Hardly!” she walks over toward you and scowls. “I don’t even know this pony!” Lighting up her horn, Starlight’s magic aura surrounds Trixie’s head, as well as your own. “Come on, Trixie. As you said, I didn’t ask for your permission before I kissed him. It’s only natural. I kissed him, you want revenge. It isn’t the first time, Trixie. Remember what you told me about Thorax, and the changelings?” “What does that have to do with anything!?” Trixie whines pitifully, flailing her hooves in a futile attempt to escape Starlight’s grasp. Keeping your muzzle stationary like an anvil, Starlight uses her magic to press Trixie against you in a kiss. Instinctively, Trixies hooves wrap tightly around your neck as yours hold her midsection close; peeking out at the kiss you see that Trixie’s eyelids are closed tightly and a blush covers her face. While you’re not certain due to the confusion of the situation, you almost swear you can feel her actively kissing you back. Finally, Starlight's horn dulls and Trixie pulls away...a second or two later. “Blegh! Disgusting!" Trixie wipes her mouth with a hoof. "I am so super mad at you right now, Starlight,” Trixie hisses. “Now let’s go to the party!” Trixie angrily adjusts her wizard hat and begins trotting toward the front door. “Ahhh, alright,” Starlight reluctantly acquiesces. “But...are you sure you don’t want to stay and give him another kiss?” “Y-yes!” Trixie stammers, her face bright red. “I don’t care if I ever see him again!” she declares indignantly while she surreptitiously uses her magic to tuck her magician’s business card into the space between your new scarf and your neck. “Now let’s go!” “Alright, see you later, I guess,” Starlight says, waving a hoof at you before following Trixie out into the snow and shutting the door. You sit silently on the couch for a number of moments as you collect your thoughts. “You know, I’m starting to think Starlight has a little bit of a manipulative, authoritarian streak,” you say to nopony in particular.