Gilda pulled into the driveway and cut the engine. She sat there, looking up at the house.
And sat there.
And sat there.
And sat there.
Tonight was a big night. Tonight, she was supposed to meet Twilight Sparkle's family. The good news was that she had been able to get there without getting hit by another car again. The bad news was that she now had no excuse to get out of it. She did not want to get hit by a car or anything like that, of course, but she would not be too disappointed if something happened that made the dinner get cancelled.
Leaning forward, she looked at the place. It was a nice, typical middle-class home. Two stories tall, fake shutters, green grass. It would be easy to imagine a little white picket fence around it, and a middle-aged man pushing a lawnmower around it on Saturday. Even the cars looked like typical middle-class cars.
Actually, one of them looked familiar. Had it been... Gilda shook her head and dismissed the thought. They worked on dozens of cars a day, and there had to be more than one black Chevrolet Cruze in the entire city. Besides, she did not meet the owner or even work on it. And that was even if it were the same car, or if there had even been one there.
Gilda stepped out of her car and straightened up, running her hand down the front. She wore a wine-red dress shirt, buttoned all the way up, with a dark blue neck-tie. A black vest and slacks completed the outfit. The soles of black dress shoes tapped against the concrete of the driveway as she made her way up toward the front door.
As she made her way up the driveway, several of the neighbors watched the tall, muscular, well-dressed woman. Three women suddenly found themselves questioning their sexuality, and at least one young man developed a fetish for women in dress suits.
When Gilda pressed the door bell, she heard someone running.
"Shining!" a voice called out.
There was a loud thump.
"Cadance!" another called out.
Several seconds passed before the door opened. Twilight looked at her and froze, eyes going wide and mouth hanging open.
"Wow," she gasped out.
"Glad you like it," Gilda said, smirking. Reaching out, she placed her hand on Twilight's jaw, and gently pushed it shut. "Now, are you going to invite me in and introduce me, or stand there and fantasize?"
Twilight Sparkle's jaw snapped shut as a blush formed on her cheeks.
"Right, right," she cried out. Taking a step back, she held the door open. "Come in. Come in."
Gilda followed Twilight into the house, looking around as she went. There was nothing really noticeable about the foyer, but as she went further in, she found pictures on the wall and several awards. Among them was a picture of Twilight at six or seven years old with a big grin on her face standing next to a table with a volcano on it.
"You made a paper mache volcano?" Gilda asked as she looked at the picture.
"No," Twilight answered. "It was actually a low conductivity, high thermal resistant ceramic composite compound. I needed something capable of withstanding the seven-hundred degree temperatures."
"Seven... hundred... degrees?" Gilda asked, staring at Twilight with wide eyes. "Why did you need something that hot?"
"For the quartz, feldspar, and mica. They were the stones I could find with the lowest melting point."
"Wait!" Gilda held up a hand. "Wait." Her brow furrowed. "Are you telling me... you made a model volcano... that had... actual lava?" She turned to look at the picture again.
"Well, I don't think I would go that far," Twilight replied. "I didn't quite have enough time to create the heat needed for actual molten magma while having a containment system that could also withstand the heat without melting or combusting as well. As such, I had to use stones which had the lower melting points."
"Ended up being disqualified when her volcano erupted and set the gymnasium on fire," an older feminine voice said.
Gilda turned toward the voice and stopped, staring at Twilight's mother. The skin and hair color were different, but the similarities were unmistakable.
Every muscle in Gilda's body tensed as a knot of fear suddenly formed in her stomach. She stood up as straight as she could, ankles together and arms at her side.
"Nice to meet you, ma'am," she said, still standing at attention.
Twilight's mother let out a small snicker as she waved a hand.
"At ease there. And please, call me 'Velvet.'"
A warm, gentle hand took a hold of Gilda's, giving a comforting squeeze. Some of the tension eased from her body, and she felt the knot loosen in her stomach, but her legs were still unwilling to listen to her, knees locked in place. Although, when Twilight stepped forward and pulled her, she was able to follow.
"As we've already established, that's my mom, Twilight Velvet," Twilight Sparkle said. "That's my father, Night Light --"
Twilight's father stood up from his chair, putting on a friendly smile. He was of average height and had the middle aged spread. He had thick rimmed glasses, just like his daughter, and the smile reached his yellow eyes. He looked like someone who probably smiled a lot.
Gilda felt an old pain she had not felt so strongly in a long time. Seeing Twilight's father made her miss her own. He smiled a lot as well. Especially when it came to her. Some times, she wondered if it had been genuine, if it would reach his eyes they way it reached Night Light's, or if it was an act put on for her. How would he feel about meeting Twilight? How happy would he be to see his daughter happy? Her grandfather was a great man, and Gilda loved him, but it just was not the same.
"-- my brother, Shining Armor, and his girlfriend who was also my dean at Crystal Prep and it's current principal, Cadance --"
On the living room floor was a young man in his twenties, a woman sitting on his back. The man had a similar build to his father, although with slightly more muscle and less fat, someone who kept in shape for some reason or other. He had white skin and short hair with a mix of blue colors to it. While Twilight looked a lot like her mother, Shining was definitely the child of the couple.
The woman sitting on his back had hints of make-up and wore a blouse. Her red lips were pulled into a gentle smile, and her pink eyes were welcoming. She seemed friendly enough but Gilda found herself uncomfortable with Cadance. The memories of all the trouble she caused middle to high school, all the upset teachers, and all the trips to the principal's office she had taken. Especially after she had gotten in numerous fights and had pretty much developed a reputation as a troublemaker. Reactions had ranged from understanding and condescending to threatening.
"-- and you know Spike already."
The small dog looked up from his pillow, tail wagging slightly behind him.
"Yeah," Gilda said as she reached into her pocket. "Which reminds me..." She pulled a bone shaped biscuit out of her pocket, holding it up.
"TREAT!" Spike cried out. Jumping up from his pillow, he ran across the room to come to a stop just short of Gilda and stood up on his hind legs. The instant Gilda let the biscuit go, he jumped up in the air and caught it, gobbling down the treat before he even reached the ground.
"Twilight's told us much about you," said Night Light. "Although... she never explained how you met."
From the corner of her eye, Gilda saw Twilight tense, her eyes going wide and her jaw snapping shut. Her hands came up in front of her, squeezing together they way she did at times when nervous. Really, Gilda could not honestly blame her. "I met my girlfriend when she was participating in an underground fight club for money," was not what most parents would want to hear. Considering the type of girl Twilight was, and the fact that her brother was dating a high school principal, and this was a very middle-class looking home, it seemed that the parents would be extra disapproving of such an idea.
This would be a good way to end it, a part of her thought. Just tell them the truth. They may act nice until dinner is over, or they might just kick you out now. Either way, they would push for Twilight to be with you, and maybe she'll find someone better for her.
Except that would mean hurting Twilight, and that was something that she wanted to put off for as long as possible.
"Rainbow Dash introduced us," stated Gilda. "I was... working at an amateur fighting event for some extra money, and had invited Dash. She had brought her friends along, including Twilight, and introduced us to each other."
Judging from the look on Twilight's face, Gilda probably should have come up with something more fictionalized. Maybe not mentioning any sort of fighting at all.
"Well, dinner should be about ready," Twilight Velvet stated. "Twily, Shining, would you mind helping me in the kitchen?"
Twilight gave Gilda one more glance before stepping away and heading toward the kitchen with her mother. Shining Armor was let up and brushed himself off as he followed them.
"Come on," Night Light said, motioning. "The dining room's this way."
As Gilda started to follow, a gentle hand gripped her arm, getting her attention. She turned, finding herself face to face with Cadance. Up close, she looked like she could have been a supermodel instead of a school faculty member: small chin, soft jaw, heart-shaped face, big eyes, small, slightly up-turned nose that had never been broken, and full lips with a cupid's bow on the top.
"Don't worry," she said softly as she led Gilda towards the dining room. "They trust Twilight and her friends. Even if only half of what Twilight has told us is true, they're going to love you."
"Thanks," Gilda responded, but honestly did not find it so hard to believe. It was easy for her to say seeing as she was a classically beautiful woman, who was well-educated, and had a decent job in education. Probably grew up in a house just like this, with loving, successful parents as well. Meanwhile, Gilda was the poor kid from the wrong side of town. The type that a girl like Cadance would make fun of for wearing the wrong shoes, or no make-up or something.
At the sight of the table, Gilda felt a little bit of relief. There was only one set of utensils, so she did not have to try and figure out which fork or spoon she was supposed to use. No tablecloth had been set, but there were place mats. As she sat down, her eyes glanced over the polished wood. Not far from her was a spot that had some scratch marks over.
She ran a finger across the spot. What had happened there? Twilight drawing? Shining learning to write?
"Twilight tells me you're a mechanic," said Night Light.
"Yes, sir," Gilda replied. "Silver Service Center." She leaned forward. "Have you heard of it?"
Night Light chuckled.
"Heard of it?"
He looked back toward the kitchen, watching as his family came in with food and beverages.
"Velvet actually took her car there not too long ago."
"Really?"
"Turns out the drive belt broke," Velvet explained. "At the time, all I knew was that the check engine and battery lights had come on. Was worried I wouldn't make it to our regular mechanic."
Gilda watched the mother as she set the food down. Nothing she could pick up from Velvet gave the impression she was hiding something about the visit.
"Was it the black Chevy Cruze I saw outside?" she asked.
There was a coughing sound from Cadance.
"No," answered Velvet. "I think you're talking about Cadance's car. Mine is a Ford Expedition, and it's in the garage."
Gilda shifted to look at Cadance, who was looking away and seemed to have brighter cheeks than earlier.
Well that's unexpected.
*****
After dinner, dessert, and some more questions about her past and home life, Gilda thanked the family for having her and said good-bye. As she left, Twilight Sparkle joined her, offering to walk her out to the car.
It was a cool and cloudy night as they left the house. The stars were hidden behind a curtain of dark gray. Cool damp air caressed their skin as they walked, perhaps the subtlest breeze blowing against them. The ground beneath them was dry, but the air felt and smelled heavy with rain. It had not started yet, but it would, and very soon.
As soon as they stepped off the porch, Gilda quickly undid her tie and unbuttoned her dress shirt down to the vest. She could not wait to get home and out of the fancy clothes. There was a favorite tee shirt and ripped jeans waiting for her.
"So, how did I do?" she asked. "Think I performed the part well?"
"It's not a part," Twilight stated. "It was just meeting my parents so they could get to know you a little first hand." She moved closer, pressing against Gilda. "And you did fine." Lifting herself up, she kissed Gilda on the lips.
Gilda closed her eyes as she leaned forward, returning the kiss. Her arms wrapped around Twilight, pulling the smaller girl closer to her.
The kiss broke as Twilight took a step back. Not enough to break free of Gilda's hug, but enough that they were not pressed so close together. A fresh blush formed on her cheeks as they looked at each other.
"Before you go, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about," Twilight said. Taking a deep breath, she straightened up as much as she could.
"My parents are going to be out of town on vacation this weekend, which means I will have the place to myself." She shifted, looking away. "And..." She cleared her throat. "I... I was thinking..." She looked down at her feet. "...that maybe... you... would... want to... staythenightwithme..."
Gilda could not help but burst out laughing. The pouting scowl on Twilight's face ended up making her laugh all the harder.
"What's so funny?' asked Twilight.
"I'm sorry," Gilda said as the snickering subsided. "But you're still cute when you're embarrassed and get all shy."
She cleared her throat.
"In all seriousness though, if you're trying to say what I think you are, are you sure you want to?"
Several seconds passed as Twilight shifted, moving toward and away from Gilda.
"...No," she finally answered. "I'm not sure." Moving forward, she pressed against the taller girl. "Physical intimacy isn't something I've really put much thought into before. I mean, yeah, I've had crushes and thought about it a little when I was younger, but never in any serious way."
Taking a breath, she pressed her face to Gilda's chest.
"I'm not sure if I'm ready, but I am curious, and want to give it a try."
Gilda looked down at Twilight pressed against her, feeling the warmth of her cheek against her cleavage. She wrapped one arm around Twilight's waist as she brought the other up to her back, rubbing gently.
"Well, if you're willing, I'm up for it."
"Very romantic," Twilight huffed, rolling her eyes.
"I mean it, though." Gilda pulled Twilight back slightly, looking her in the eye. "We can hang out and spend the night together, just the two of us. If you still want to sleep together, we can." She held up a finger. "But if you change your mind, get scared, or decide you're not ready, let me know. We could just have a fun time alone, or even invite the other girls if you want."
"Thanks," Twilight said genuinely, and smiled.
Gilda leaned down and kissed Twilight's forehead.
A moment that was interrupted as the rain started.