//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 : First Date Jitters // Story: Kindness and Loyalty // by frenettek314 //------------------------------// It seemed like another quiet day in Ponyville, the trees were positively shimmering with sunshine, the birds were chirping a beautiful song as they flew through the open skies, everything seemed perfect. "I HAVE TO WHAT?!?!?!" The key word here being SEEMED. "Scoots, when you're in a relationship with somepony, you have to go out and do stuff together. You can't just say you're in a relationship and be done with it" Rainbow Dash affirmed. Those words spoken by her idol made Scootaloo's entire body turn pale white upon realization, her hooves shaking wobbly, barely able to keep her up. "Yeah... but... a d-date" Scootaloo stammered, obviously terrified with the situation that had currently made itself present. Fluttershy displayed a brief look of pity as she could relate to the young filly's dilemma, obviously quite the reserved pegasus, she was used to feelings of anxiety and nervousness. "Scootaloo, I know how you feel. I remember I was nervous when I first asked Rainbow out and look where we are now" Fluttershy said in hopes of trying to relax the still shivering filly. Scootaloo did stop shaking, however, to only give a sort of sarcastic glare to the two older ponies in front of her. "You two were humiliated on your first date, and only proceeded to have a 'date' after Fluttershy knocked someone out" she said nonchalantly. Both older pegasi proceeded to blush upon the blatant fact, and both failed to make eye contact with the young filly. Finally, Rainbow had enough time to format a somewhat stammered response. "Y-yeah. Well.... uh... don't worry about that. Most first dates don't turn out like ours...." Rainbow hesitated as she rubbed her hoof to the back of her shoulder, Fluttershy still silent with a shade of red on her face. "But look at how happy we are now. Don't you want that too?" Rainbow finally asked with regained confidence, Fluttershy finally calming down upon agreeing with Rainbow's comeback. "W...well.... Yeah, I guess I do" Scootaloo resumed her stammering, nervous disposition. "But what if it doesn't?" Fluttershy finally decided to step up to the plate, seeing the opportunity to provide wisdom to the young filly. "Remember what we said when you were nervous about asking Sweetie out?" "It's three strikes you're out?" Scootaloo asked, obviously confused. "What? No. Just do what your heart says. Don't be afraid to take chances. I took a chance with Rainbow" Fluttershy reassured. Rainbow's face flashed a light red, rubbing her hoof to her shoulder again as she openly admitted, "To be fair, lots of ponies take chances on me" . "Awwww... Rainbow. We love you" Fluttershy and Scootaloo replied in unison. "Alright, commence the group hug" demanded Rainbow as the other two pegasi followed orders. Upon release from the hug, Scootaloo finally asked with a look of slight worry and confusion, "But what do I exactly do on a date?" "You can invite Sweetie to dinner here. It'll be perfect" assured Fluttershy, Rainbow nodding in agreement. "Yeah.... yeah! Dinner will be perfect!" Scootaloo approved of the idea. "I'll play it smooth"........ The Next Day...... "Scootaloo, are you trying to ask me something? Because you've been sputtering and twitching for 20 minutes now..." commented Sweetie Belle as she was obviously concerned with the young pegasi's behavior. "Y....yeah.... well.... you see... dfujbvnfkvndkniencncincjenopnopjnodncn....." Scootaloo shook like a malfunctioning toy. Meanwhile, Fluttershy, Rainbow and Rarity were unfortunately watching Scootaloo's failed attempts at asking the unicorn out through the schoolyard's fabled green bush - big enough for three apparently. Rainbow couldn't watch, the display was just 20% too cringe-worthy. Fluttershy looked like she was ready to throw up, startled posture and wincing included. Rarity could only facehoof at the two fillies, wondering how things were EVER supposed to work out. Something needed to be done. "GFJFVMFJGDFMELM uh... FDJBVFKVFVKRFNVMRK.... fgRFJVrkvr nvolfmccofmo294rejrinf" Scootaloo stammered, as Sweetie Belle could only watch with worry and pity. "Do you need a doctor or..... a priest?" "Yes... yes she probably does" Rainbow whispered, unbeknownst to the fillies. "Which one?" Rarity asked. "Yes" Rainbow could only respond to Rarity's question. Suddenly before Scootaloo could try and desperately fail to ask Sweetie Belle out, a loud scream emerged in the middle of where the two fillies were standing. "AH, WILL YOU JUST ASK HER OUT ALREADY?!?!?!?!?!?!?" "Rainbow finally came out of hiding and approached the source of the scream to question her motives. "Pinkie Pie!!!! What are you doing?!" "What? I'm just trying to move this story along" Pinkie Pie said in defense. "Story? Wh---" Rainbow paused in frustration. "Never mind... Just... let me handle it from here....." "You haven't really done a good job so far if it took 20 minutes for you to do so" Pinkie proclaimed. "GO!" Rainbow yelled. Meanwhile, Scootaloo blushed upon Pinkie's recap of her situation, causing Sweetie to finally realize what was going on. "Are... are you asking me out... on a date?" Sweetie asked with a genuine smile and blush on her face. "Hmmhmm" Scootaloo nodded, unable to say anything else. "Awwww...." Sweetie's eyes began watering. "That's so sweet". "How about tomorrow at 6? Sound good?" Rainbow stepped in for Scootaloo, not wanting to see the young filly sputter out of control again. "It's a date." Sweetie nodded as she walked off to go to the classroom, Scootaloo needing a minute to catch her breath. "Told you I could play it smooth" spoke Scootaloo in an over-confident charisma. Meanwhile, Rarity was still behind the bush, head in her hooves as she couldn't stand what just happened. "Well, she's a mini Rainbow Dash" she muttered, Fluttershy silently nodding, Rainbow unaware. The Next Evening...... "Are you sure I look ok?" Scootaloo nervously asked, sweat drooping from her face. She wore a beautiful little orange dress with purple floral patterns on it, her hair done in a proper bun and curl . "I already told you 653 times, you're fine.... and trust me, I've counted" Rainbow tiredly assured. Suddenly the door bell rang. Scootaloo swiftly opened the door frame, revealing Sweetie in a beautiful white silky dress, her hair with long curls. Rarity was obviously a master fashionista. "DFHNDGCGBSGSRFEGDFSWFERGVWEVSRFEWFB" Scootaloo sputtered before impulsively slamming the door shut on Sweetie. "SCOOTALOO! WHAT THE HECK?!?!" Rainbow yelled at complete and utter shock. "H----help me." Scootaloo whispered, looking at Rainbow for guidance and leadership. Rainbow heavily sighed. "Don't worry kid. I can help you". Rainbow decided to open the door this time, Sweetie still there with a look of confusion at what had just transpired. "Come on in. I'll be happy to show you to your table" Rainbow spieled in a horrifically fake French accent. Sweetie giggled at the absurdity, obviously curious as to the dinner plan. "Why, of course" Sweetie responded with a fake snooty tone. Rainbow delivered Sweetie to the kitchen where Scootaloo looked like she wanted to hide under the table. Rainbow mentally noted, "Huh. Maybe Scoots isn't so 'out there' as I think she is" before pulling the chair out for Sweetie. "Here read this. Relax." Rainbow whispered, passing a little white sheet of paper to Scootaloo before quickly leaving the room. With little choice at actual words coming out, Scootaloo decided to just robotically read the writing Rainbow gave her. "To Buy : Milk, Eggs, Flour......" Rainbow quickly flew back to the room, snatching the piece of paper that was obviously a shopping list before replacing it with a new one. She quickly exited the room again, with a shade of red on her face. Before Scootaloo could attempt to read the new note, Sweetie swiftly interrupted with a quick snarky comment that would be more appropriate for the orange pegasus. "Let me guess. You're extremely nervous that this isn't going to go well" Sweetie blatantly asked. "Me too, actually" Sweetie admitted with a slight blush on her face. "Wait, you mean, you too?" Scootaloo questioned in surprise, her first actual words towards Sweetie that day. "Yeah, we're such good friends that I"........ "....didn't want to ruin it" both fillies answered at the same time before laughing. "I can't believe this, we were both nervous the whole time?" questioned Scootaloo. "Yeah, it's pretty silly" Sweetie affirmed with laughter. "But not as silly as you" Scootaloo replied with her quick-witted comeback. Scootaloo and Sweetie then proceeded to laugh at the sheer coincidence in their situation, their nerves finally released from their little heads. Soon, however, Fluttershy came out with two plates of Spaghetti; it looked heavenly with oodles of noodles and a savory thin coating of sauce, driving the two fillies' stomachs roaring with hunger. "Dinner is served" Fluttershy wittingly announced before walking back towards the kitchen with Rainbow so they could get a private peek of the romance. "Shall we?" Scootaloo asked to the young unicorn. "Let's" Sweetie agreed as the two fillies began eating and making small private conversation, Scootaloo no longer afraid of any consequences. From the kitchen, Rainbow and Fluttershy were on their own date as both older pegasi couldn't help but become teary-eyed with glee upon the events that were transpiring. "She's growing up" Fluttershy chokingly stated, with a huge grin on her face "Yeah, that's my Scoots" Rainbow proclaimed as the two couples ate and laughed the night away.