//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 (Starry Night) // Story: Living and Dying in Equestria // by TwilightsmyMare //------------------------------// As nervous as I was about being introduced to Celestia at the end of the month I trusted Twilight and tried my best to put it out of my mind. There were still plenty of ponies who needed my help, though I was sure to check with Twilight everyday to see if she needed my assistance first. Some days she did, I was a bit worried that Spike might be annoyed with my taking up any of his share of Twilights attention. But when I asked him about it he explained that any time I took to do his job was more time he could spend with Rarity. So he didn't mind just as long as I remembered HE was the number one assistant. About halfway through the week Spike came to me to ask a favour. He and Twilight were travelling to Fillydelphia by train to get a new load of books and he had forgotten that he had promised Rarity that he would go with her to gather gems. I said I would be more then happy to help out Rarity if he needed, but wouldn't he be happier if he helped her and I went with Twilight? He had thought of that but they had decided it would be better not to shock another town with the sudden appearance of a human. Made sense. I accompanied them to the train station bidding them a safe journey then headed to Carousel Boutique. As I approached I found Rarity waiting, a cart strapped to her back with a shovel and pick resting inside. "Milady Rarity surely I could pull that for you?" I asked with a bow. She smiled back giving me a little curtsey in return. "Nonsense darling. The digging is the difficult part. I am more then happy to do the detection and transport. You’re the one doing me a favour, remember?” I laughed and she led the way out of town to the north. After a couple of hours of walking we came to a mountainous region. "Lets start here shall we darling?" She asked with a smile, her horn glowing light blue faintly. "There." She pointed to a spot on the ground and I got to work, after digging a few feet I came upon a small deposit of gems. Just lying there! Not embedded in rock or anything. She levitated them into the cart giving them a quick glance and then we moved on. She found gems all over the place; some in rocks that I needed to break open with the pickaxe but most simply buried a few feet under the earth. Around midday we stopped for a rest and to have a bite to eat. "Milady Rarity why are there so many gems just lying around? It seems odd to me." Rarity turned to me with a smile. "Well as Twilight explained it to me, young dragons before they set themselves up a permanent lair often bury gems with the intention of reclaiming them later. They have quite a lust for treasure, you know? They eat gemstones as well though I am not certain if they need too, or they just like the taste. At any rate, they tend to get distracted easily and often never return for them. Which is quite fortunate for us darling." As we traveled to another location we discussed the gems and how she used them in her fashions. "Do you have a favourite type of gem?" I asked. "Oh of cource. My little Spikey Wikey gave me the most beautiful ruby once; it is my favourite gem and type of gemstone. All my friends have their own favourites too of cource. And I'm sure to incorporate them into outfits I make for them." "I see... Uh... What type of gem does Twilight prefer?" I asked nonchalantly. She looked at me over her shoulder with a slight smile. "Why I believe her favourite is the Star Sapphire dear. Quite rare but beautiful." "I see... Well perhaps if you come across one... I mean, I could earn it somehow? It... It would be a nice present for her. You know for all she's done for me." Rarity just looked at me a moment, the look in her eyes unreadable. "Of cource my dear. That would be a thoughtful gift; I will keep my eyes open." We worked throughout the rest of the day filling her cart to the brim. I was dead tired upon our return to Ponyville, as I dropped Rarity off at her home I asked a small favour which she graciously granted. A small bag of gems at my hip I returned to the library flopping down on the couch exhausted as soon as I entered. Twilight and Spike were staying the night in Fillydelphia so I was on my own. I made a simple dinner and after cleaning up went up to bed and read a short while, I placed my small bounty of gems under my mattress and with a glance at Twilights empty bed I settled down into a restless sleep. I awoke early the next morning, the sun shining through the window. I shook the cobwebs out of my head, I hadn't slept too well. You never realise how quickly you get used to little things when you sleep. Twilights soft breathing, even Spikes little snores and grunts. I got dressed and had a quick breakfast before heading down to the train station. Twilight and Spike were coming in early and I wanted to be there to meet them. I arrived just before the train pulled up, Twilight and Spike exited the train, waved to me and headed to the baggage car. I caught up to them there. "I'm glad your here Rick. Twilight went a little crazy with the books." Spike teased. "Spike! They were all very reasonably priced." "Oh yeah? Tell him how much money you have left." "Well... None." She said slightly embarrassed. I laughed and helped unload a seemingly endless amount of books into Spikes little red wagon. By the time we were done it was loaded almost five feet high and was a bit wobbly. I got Spike to sit on top and steady it as I dragged it back to the library. Twilight skipping along merrily beside us. "Ooh... I can't wait to shelve them! I can't wait to read them! So much fun!" I smiled at her enthusiasm and excitement, too cute. The rest of the day was a whirlwind of shelving and unshelving, making room and setting aside the books she just couldn't wait to read. That night we were all exhausted but Twilight still brought a couple of books to bed with her and fell asleep reading them. I lay down to sleep contently. I awoke early again the next morning, I quietly snuck downstairs and got a bowl and came back up. I retrieved my small bag of gems and poured them into the bowl then walked over to Spike's bed. "Spike..." I whispered. A grunt my only reply, I waved the gems by his nose causing him to lick his chops hungrily. "Wha...!?" He awoke suddenly. "Here you go Spike, breakfast in bed." I said with a grin. "Alright! Thanks man!" He dug right in crunching up the games one at a time. I sat back on my bed and looked over to find Twilight awake and watching me, a small smile on her face. "Well, look who's the big softie." I blushed slightly embarrassed and shrugged. "Maybe so. And what would you like for breakfast Twi?" Together we went down and had a nice breakfast before I headed out to see who needed help today. As I walked into town Rainbow Dash swooped down out of the sky and landed in front of me. "Hey!" "Hi Dash. How are you?" "Not bad. I hear you’re helping everypony." "Just making myself useful. Do you need a hand with something?" "Well ya. Normally I'd get Applejack to help but she's busy." "I'd be more then happy to help Dash. What do you need?" She led me over to her home, a floating house on a cloud with rainbows coming out of it. Amazing and quite fitting. "Ya see I need to train harder so I'll be ready to audition for the Wonderbolts!" "Are you sure Dash? I mean Twilight already says that your one of the best flyers in Equestria..." Dash turned and shot me a look. "One of the best!? I have to be THE best! How else will they ever accept me?!" I held up my hands in supplication. "Ok, ok. So what do you need help with?" "A good old fashion tug of war." She indicated to a length of rope nearby. "AJ and I are pretty competitive you know? So it’s always a challenge. Builds up my endurance. Think you’re up for it?" She said with a grin. "I'll do my best Dash." We looped the rope around her chest and I wrapped it around my waist gripping it tightly with both hands. "Ready?" She asked. "Anytime." "Three, two, one!" With that she heaved forward mightily, I was taken completely by surprise. I had braced myself, but she was far stronger then I had anticipated and I was pulled forward off my feet almost immediately and sent sprawling in the dust. Dash rolled her eyes and looked at me. "You do know you’re supposed to pull right?" I got up dusting myself off. "Ha, ha. You're stronger then you look Dash. Those four legs give you a lot of traction. Ok let’s try this again." We got in place again, this time I threw myself backward as hard as I could and even made it a step or two before she pulled me off my feet. Again and again I tried, hardly managing to get the upper hand for more then a few moments before she pulled me over repeatedly. By late afternoon I was exhausted and Dash was even sweating a little. "Sorry I'm not more of a challenge Dash." I gasped catching my breath. "You didn't do too badly." She said with a condescending smile. "Anyhow that’s probably enough for today. Twilight would be mad at me if I broke you." She laughed. "Thanks for the thought. See you later Dash." I dragged myself back to the library; Twilight and Spike were apparently out so I went to the washroom and undressed to have a shower. I was dust and dirt covered from head to foot. I cleaned off my clothes as well as I could then had a long and hot relaxing shower, by the time I exited I almost felt human again. Wrapping a towel around myself I grabbed my suit and left the bathroom to go and change. As I exited the washroom I stopped suddenly, Twilight was back. A couple of bags at her feet. And she was staring right at me... "Ah! Sorry Twi. I didn't realise you were back..." I said embarrassed. She blushed fetchingly and turned away. "Sorry! I just went to get a few supplies for tonight." I quickly made my way upstairs. "What’s happening tonight?" I called down the stairs. "It's the perfect night for stargazing. The skies will be clear and the stars will be very visible. You... You don't want to come, do you?" I looked down from above. "Of cource I do! Who all is coming?" She looked slightly embarrassed by the question. "Oh. Just you and me... My friends aren't really interested in it, if it’s not a comet shower or something like that. And Spike will be asleep of cource." She said with a small smile. Finally dressed I began heading down the stairs. "Just you and me then Twi." "Really? You still want to come?" "Of cource. Why wouldn't I?" I asked. "Well... It’s kind of boring, and with nopony else there..." I laughed lightly. "I think it'll be fine Twi." She smiled up at me. I helped her gather up what she would need tonight, books and scrolls. Ink and parchment for her notes as well as some snacks. We walked out of town to a small hillock as the sun went down and the stars came out. She studied the constellations and made notes of their positions and any changes she could see. As the night progressed we stopped to have some snacks, the evening had gotten a bit chilly with a slight breeze. I noticed Twilight shivering slightly and took off my jacket and put it over her shoulders. "Oh... Thank you." She said with a slight blush. She worked some more taking down notes and looking through her small telescope. Even with my coat on her she still seemed to be shivering, steeling myself I moved closer beside her and tentatively put my arm around her. She stiffened slightly and I was about to back off but then she leaned against me with a sigh. We laid back on the grass, my arm still around her as she pointed out the constellations to me, describing their history and significance. Eventually we just lay there quietly; I began humming a song that was stuck in my head as I enjoyed her presence beside me. "What is that?" She asked. "Hmm? Oh just an old song I know, sorry it’s been bouncing around in my head for the past few weeks." "Would... Would you sing it for me?" "I don’t know Twi; I'm really not a good singer..." "Please?" She looked at me in the moonlight, her beautiful eyes luminescent. "Ok." I cleared my throat and tried to remember the lyrics clearly. Wise men say only fools rush in. But I can't help falling in love with you. Shall I stay? Would it be a sin? For I can't help falling in love with you. Like a river flows, slowly to the sea. Darling so you know. Some things are meant to be. Take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can't help falling in love with you. Like a river flows surely to the sea. Darling so it goes. Some things are meant to be. Take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can't help falling in love with you. For I can't help falling in love with you... I finished, feeling embarrassed at my no doubt poor performance I looked down at Twilight to find her staring up at me her eyes filled with tears. "That was beautiful." "All the credit goes to Elvis Presley." I grinned. "Who was he?" "Well he was a very famous singer." I explained. "Was?" "Oh. Yes he died just after I was born." "He was old then?" "No, not that old fourtysomething I think. Middle aged." "What happened?" "Oh just the lifestyle. In a way it was good, because of his early death he lives on in people’s memory as a great singer." "Forty is middle-aged? Are human lives so short?" "I guess that’s a way to look at it. The average life expectancy is about eighty. What about ponies?" "Well the Earth ponies have the shortest, usually about a hundred years. Then the Pegasus about one hundred and fifty years." "And the Unicorns?" I asked. "Usually about five hundred... There are exceptions to each of cource; Granny Smith is almost a hundred and fifty years old and still going strong. Unicorns strong in magic usually live longer as well. Starswirl the Bearded lived to be almost fifteen hundred years old!" "Wow. I hope you live that long Twi." "Me too, there’s so much to learn... But, my friends..." I squeezed her tightly. "You'll be with them their whole lives Twi. What could be better then that?" She snuggled against me laying her head on my chest. "What about you?" "Me? I'll be long since passed away." I felt her stiffen against me and squeezed her again. "Hey it’s alright. That’s just the way life goes. I know I'll remember my time here to my dying day though." "I don't want you to go." What did she mean by that? Did she want me to stay in Equestria? No... She must just be sad I wouldn't live very long. "I don't want to go either." I said giving her a squeeze. We laid there looking at the infinite cosmos; I could feel her heart beating against my chest. Soon her breathing softened as she fell asleep. I remained awake staring at her. Well... There’s nothing I can do. I'm in love. You can't be in love with a horse! My mind chastised me. A pony. I reminded myself. And why not? She's beautiful, intelligent, funny... Everything I've ever wanted in a woman... I had to admit to myself the fact she was a pony didn't even matter to me anymore. But... What chance did I have? I would make the most of the time we had together. What else could I do?