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// 78 The Date 
// Story: Moonie shorts [Filly Nightmare Moon] 
// by Eighth 
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Minister Mare's cheeks glow with a rosy tint and you almost begin to feel a swell in your own cheeks when a snicker from behind the nearby bushes calls your attention. You snatch a look just in time to see the billowing mane that is reminiscent of the night sky. The name Moonie hisses in your mind as you turn back to Minister Mare with an awkward smile.

"Uh, I'm sorry about all this. It seems Moonie has been... messing about."

Minister Mare clears her throat before saying in a carefully thought out tone, "Yes, I figured as much when she led me here."

"I got swept up in a bit of a commotion myself then dropped here all of a sudden. Honestly, I'd never do this sort of thing," you state dismissively.

Then Minister Mare raises a brow and peers over her glasses to shoot you an accusing stare.

"I see," she answers flatly.

Her tone doesn't give anything away but her blush is still there so the sudden change leads you to assume you have offended her. Then your heart rings the guilt through you.

"I," you cut yourself off and take a breath as a waiter comes over with a vase of water for the flowers you were still holding, "I meant... If I were,  to say, try and get a date with you then I'd ask. Not force you during a public event, like this."

Then the two of you can feel the many eyes watching intently all around you and slowly glance around to meet all those eyes staring at you. Many of which dart back to whatever it is they are pretending to do but a small number refuse to look away, terrified they'll miss some of the juicy gossip.

"Seems half the town is here for this," you add.

"So, you are interested?"

Her words catch your attention and you find yourself the subject of her gaze as they deeply examine every flicker in your expression.

"Interested?"

"You said, if you were to ask. You didn't say you'd never or wouldn't ask. Which might be interpreted as you are interested."

"Oh, I... Uh, what I meant was," you stammer as you open your mouth a few times to speak then close it right after as words fail you. Only the sound of your heart's thundering anxiety can be found.

Suddenly, and in a rather disarming way, Minister Mare laughs.

"Sorry. That was rather mean of me, but I wanted to tease you a little to see if maybe you had a discreet hand in this."

You relax, your body almost feeling like it's unfolding as she smiles at you.

"No. This was sprung on me too."

"I can tell. But you were given some lovely flowers and chocolates."

"Yeah," you reply dizzily.

In your hand sits the heart shaped box of chocolates. You lift the lid Minister Mare leans in to inspect them. The chocolates look hand made and you find yourself wondering who it was who made it, trying to recall the events of how you got it. While Pinkie was the one to shove them in your hands, it wasn't her stall you were in front of.

"Wasn't she doing a 'Couples Ornate Cupcake Carving' stand?" You think to yourself.

It wasn't you who organised the stall with Pinkie, it was Moonie. But you recall looking the paperwork over to double check late one night as you were trying to sort Moonie's dinner then bath out while push out everyone else's forms. You click your tongue in frustration for not noticing the name then. Sure it's not exact, but you know what they're doing. They used to do it all the time when you worked at the bakery.

"Chocolate liquors, quite strong smelling too," Minister Mare states as you close the lid, "Shame. I'd have liked to have one or two, they look delicious, but I think it best not to risk it on a date. Don't you?"

"Uh, you sure?"

Then you look at Minister Mare as if for the first time. Her hair looks sleeker, the usual fringe that points out now flows down the side of her face while the ear on the other side is adorned with a Chorki Sola flower. In a way, the flower almost matches the little neckwear she always has that looks like the offspring of a scrunchie and necktie.

Mayor Mare nods, "Now, I don't know Moonie like you do but I've heard a few things and spoken to her a few times when she came to the office. But what do you think she has to gain from all this?"

You lean back a little as your eyes drift upwards in contemplation.

"It's hard to guess what she's getting. it could be anything really but we're the centre of attention here and she got us both here... Most likely what everyone else is getting in return is us."

Then all of a sudden, three ponies wander over and begin to play a love song. One has a violin, one a saxophone, the last one is singing, and over in the distance is a mare playing the piano loudly so as not to be left out. You and Minister Mare exchange looks, smile, and decide to enjoy the song.

It's a slow number, whether it's a jazzy or classical one you cannot tell. Or maybe it's the blues. Your mind wanders a bit from the lilting tune, it wanders even from you as you're not entirely sure where it takes you. But you do steal a few glances toward Minister Mare.

Then the band finishes and takes a bow to your and Minister Mare's clapping, which then leads to the entire restaurant joining in. You notice the mare with the sax blush from the applause as the stallion who plays the violin winks at you with a beaming smile. Then, they leave.

"Well... I think your guess was right on us being Moonie's side of the bargain. Still, what could she get? Is it just our awkwardness, did she take something, or?" her voice trails off as she stares out.

"Moonie is greedy and mischievous, there could be any number of things she gets in return. We'd be here all day if we tried to guess. But I do have a question."

"Yes? Ask away."

"How did you get swept up here."

"Oh, that," she giggles softly, "I was offered a little spa treatment, which I declined. But then they offered me a free hair styling and their eyes were so pleading. The second I opened my mouth to decline however, they threw themselves at my hooves to plead... So, I thought why not. Then as soon as I am out of the chair, this flower is shoved in then my face is sprayed with far too much perfume as I was pushed along to be sat here just before you arrived."

"They timed that rather nicely then."

"Yes, i thought so too."

"Which means it more than just those in this restaurant that are in on it, though I 'spose that's rather obvious."

"Yes, it would seem so."

"Would sir and madam wish to order?" interrupts an uptight waiter.

In an awkward haste, you quickly grab the menu and gaze over the wide variety of items. Many look expensive and to your horror, many look hard to pronounce.

"The chef wished you two a lovely meal and said it is all on the house," he adds.

"I'll go with the hot dogs," calls out Minister Mare.

You gaze over your menu in shock at her then look at where she gesture, the waiter. The poor stallion is wide-eyed with sheer horror. As if nothing else she could have said could have been no greater sin in this fine establishment. You quickly eye the menu once more to find something, then beam when you eyes meet your order.

"And I'll get an order of ribs and wings, extra sauce."

Now the waiter turns to you and speaks in what he must think is a composed manner but his voice quivers, "Surely sir and madam would not like something a little more... how to say--"

"Oh, a drink?" You remark as you turn to Minister Mare.

"Well, it must be a wine. Let's go with chef's recommendation. Oh, but no reds. they don't agree with me."

"And no whites either," you add as the two of you hand the menus to the waiter who slowly wanders away to try and make sense of his conundrum.

"Poor dear," Minister Mare states.

"You started it."

"Yes, well. I've always wanted to do something like that. Canterlot is filled with fine dining and every pony is so very uptight about it. Sure this is Ponyville, but it's still satisfying."

"I don't miss that about Canterlot."

"Did you used to live there?"

"Yeah," you shrug, "For a little while before I moved out here."

"I had no idea. No pony has mentioned it."

"I wouldn't expect them too. I was a fad up there for a little while. Ponies tried imitating my clothes, little bits of slang, and I was expected at every party under the Princess' sun. And then the new thing came along, thankfully."

"So, why did you move out here?"

"Well... There were lots of reasons but I can't recall what was the deciding factor... I guess, a change of scenery."

"That sounds a good a reason as any."

"What about you?"

"Oh, I've lived here all my life. Born and raised, aside from when I was sent to Canterlot Academy."

"What was that like?" You pause for a moment as Minister Mare gets embarrassed, "You're blushing. Now you have to tell me."

"No! You just, I remembered something."

"What?"

"It's embarrassing."

"Look, I promise I won't tell."

Minister mare eyes you warily until you perform the pinkie promise. Then with a deep sigh, she tells you.

"When I was at school... I was very much into... glam rock."

"What was that?" You ask genuinely as her voice was barely a whisper.

"Glam rock."

This time you hear her but you decide payback is due for the teasing she got you with earlier.

"I can't hear you properly. I'm not asking you to shout it, just clearly."

Then with a deep intake of breath, she finally says, "Glam rock."

Her blush grows to the point of encompassing her entire face. The bright red mare avoids your eye contact as you smile and try not to laugh. Though the only part of that you find funny is her intense embarrassment of it, but you're aware that if you did laugh she'd take it the wrong way.

"Nothing wrong with that," you finally manage coolly.

"Oh, but I used to wear this dress and... fishnet sleeves or stockings, and these little neck--It's just very embarrassing. A few ponies sported the look back then, because I mean, who wasn't into Ziggy Stardust at the time. But I still."

"Do you have any photos?"

"No!"

Her instant response determined to shut down the thought gives her away and you smile wryly.

"I'll stop teasing. I'd say we're even now. Still, I'd love to see it some time."

"Maybe one day," she replies with a sigh of relief that her torture is over.

"I do apologise sir and madam, it appears we are out of both of your orders. As an apology, the chef prepared this," states the uptight waiter who is now sporting a grin that suggest he has won some kind of victory.

He places down a large plate of spaghetti and meatballs. Just one, squarely between the two of you. You try to stifle a laugh as a thought of an old movie comes to mind leading you to wonder if the ponies here are waiting for that kind of scene to play out today.

"And, your wine. It is a lovely Soul Mate Rosé by the Hart of the Barossa made the early shiraz grapes to be matured in barriques from Stratusburg and blended to create a marriage of sweet and dry so as not to be too much of either."

He pours the pink liquid into two glasses before taking his leave.

"It's pink," you remark.

"Technically, we did say no white or red."

"Yes. Yet technically, pink is just white and red. So we could say they got it wrong twice."

"I think we should give it to them. Still, spaghetti and meatballs. Hardly a romantic meal, wouldn't you say?"

"You know, I think I know what they're hoping for in that regard."

She raises a brow in curiosity from behind her spectacles, so you fill her in.

"If we both end up trying to eat both ends of the same strand, our lips might meet."

"The likely hood of that."

"I know but that's my guess."

She eyes the plate before her carefully then seems to nod in agreement. And so, the two of you eat. There is little conversation to be had as you eat but then as if god himself got annoyed at the wait, the two of you end up eating the same strand. Before either of you start to eat, you catch eyes and smile.

While still holding the stand in her mouth, Minister Mare says, "So, who will be the first to back down on this."

Your eyes narrow as the two of you begin to edge closer while the piece of spaghetti gets smaller. The collective breath of the restaurant holds as two lips slowly move closer and close. You can almost feel Minister Mare's breath as your lips close. Then as there is barely a centimetre of distance, you bite and return to your seat feeling a little flustered. Though you can feel the immense disappointment from all the eyes boring into you.

"Ha, I see," Minister Mare giggles as she stares at the plate.

You look to where she is staring to see the piece of spaghetti sitting atop it, barely a centimetre long. The realisation that the two of you bit at the same time hits you, and you join in the laughter.

"No pony seems to be happy with us over that."

"Ah, well, I thought this was a date between you and I."

She blushes once more and laughs a little before the two of you finish your drinks and decide to leave the meal there.





The two of you begin to wander the streets a little, partaking a few free samples of food or watching couples play some games which always go one of two ways;  a tremendous victory resulting in the best prize or spectacular failure caused by the couples being inseparable which results in giggles.

It ends up being a nice day, one surprisingly being Moonie-less. You were expecting to see her orchestrating events or around to watch and cackle from afar.

And then you arrive at the lake at sunset after a bit of aimless walking.

"Well, isn't this romantic," Minister Mare mutters.

"Heh, it's a great view," you add.

The two of you share a glance before  a swell of awkwardness rises up inside you and you look away.

"I had a lovely day," Minister Mare warmly smiles toward the horizon.

"So did I. Definitely wasn't what I expected."

"Oh? And what were you expecting?"

"A day of wandering amongst all the couples. Checking in on things, chatting here and there, and maybe buying a sweet or two."

"So a day of being the mayor?"

You nod and Minster mare chuckles softly.

"Well, I hope you don't mind me taking you from your mayoral duties."

"Of course not."

"Then... I hope we could do something like this again sometime. It was nice spending the day with you."

"If you're ever back in town or if I'm in Canterlot, I'd love to."

As your eyes meet Minister Mare's, there is a pause. A silence that hangs in the air and builds as neither of you say anything. For a moment, your attention seems to fade out as there seems to be a connection building based on eye contact alone. And then, you break it.

"Well, I best be off. It's about time for me to cook dinner."

"Do say hi to Moonie for me, and thank her for our evening."

"Heh, yeah... I will. Take care Minister Mare."

"And you, Mayor Anon."





As you wander off, Minister Mare stays behind as a little mare steps out from the bushes.

"Well, the climax wasn't what I was expecting," mumbles Moonie as she brushes herself off, "Then again, I wouldn't have been able to keep myself from heaving if had to sit here and watch you two kiss."

"I thought you weren't going to watch?" Minister Mare asks, then as she sees you disappear from sight she turns to face Moonie.

"Well, I got something from everyone else who I got in on our little plan... Except, not you."

Her eyes narrow as Moonie beams at her.

"You never asked for anything to help me."

"Well, yes. To help you, that was from the kindness of my heart. And even my greed has limits. No, I want something so i won't tell Anon this was all your idea."

"I don't see Anon to be the type who would be too upset over me setting up the date."

"Maybe... or maybe not. If you'd rather, think of it as paying me back for all my hard work. Just hear me out. All I want is a favour."