//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Love's a Roller Coaster Ride // by The Lord Thunder //------------------------------// Starlight stroked Sunburst’s beard, giggling at it how soft it felt against her hoof, the way it swayed about like a tiny flag caught in a breeze. “Oh. W-w-well, I... I um…” Sunburst’s face suddenly flared. He centered his glasses and pushed Starlight’s hoof down. “I’m sorry, Starlight. We can’t do this. As much as I’d like to.” Regret flashed in Starlight’s eyes. “Why not?” “Let’s consider the facts. I’m a crystaller and I have important work to do in the Crystal Empire; and now that the Friendship Map is starting to send you on missions, we’ll both be busy.” Sunburst hung his head. “I just don’t see how we could make it work.” Sighing, Starlight stepped closer and lifted Sunburst’s chin with her hoof so she could look him in the eyes. “Love will find a way.” Sunbursts’ cheeks flared even brighter, and he went silent for a moment, studying Starlight carefully. “Are you saying you—” Starlight put her hoof over Sunburst’s mouth, smiling at him as she found herself swimming in the aqua blue of his eyes. Aside from her racing heart, Starlight’s world seemed at once to vanish and go silent as she closed her eyes and brought her face slowly closer to Sunburst’s. It was just the two of them now, and nothing would keep her from this moment. Nothing except for something solid tapping against her nose. Starlight’s eyes flew open at this distraction. Sunburst’s glasses had slid down the bridge of his nose as he himself leaned in to reciprocate. Her own cheeks burning, Starlight giggled, grabbed Sunburst’s glasses with her telekinesis and threw them behind her, not once taking her eyes off Sunburst’s. “Now then, where were we?” she purred. Both shut their eyes and leaned in again. Starlight sighed through her nose as she met Sunburst’s soft, warm lips. Starlight's heart flew, bliss swirling within her. She didn’t want to be anywhere else, with anypony else, or feel anything else. Rarely had she felt so safe, so happy. Starlight’s world came back into dizzy coherence after the kiss ended with a smack. Nervous flames burned in her cheeks and she wondered what must be going on in Sunbursts’ mind. His face was redder than his mane. “Wow. That, um, that was nice,” Sunburst stumbled. “I mean, really nice. I could go into greater detail, but… how did you like it?” Starlight gave Sunburst a warm smile as she snuggled up next him. She grabbed Sunbursts’ cloak with her magic and draped it around the both of them, then planted another kiss on his lips. “Does that answer your question?” she asked as she gazed into his eyes. From somewhere underneath the cloak, Sunburst wrapped a foreleg around Starlight, embracing her as they rested their heads on each other’s shoulders. “It sure does.” The two shut their eyes, their hearts fluttering as they silently enjoyed each other’s closeness. “Sunburst?” Starlight finally spoke. “Yes?” Starlight opened her mouth to reply, but choked on the words with a nervous laugh. She took a deep breath to work up her courage and tried again. “As for your earlier question, yes I do love you.” "I love you, too, Starlight." Happy tears escaped Starlight's eyes. For once, everything was right in her world. Then the warm sensation of closeness faded away. Starlight looked around to find that her world--Sunburst along with it--was melting into a dark, foggy backdrop. Starlight tuned her senses, trying to make sense of the situation. A familiar voice echoed in Starlight’s ears. “Well, that was certainly a better dream than the last one I visited.” From a low-hanging fog materialized the regal form of Princess Luna. Now things made sense. It was just a dream. Starlight drooped her ears, hanging her head with a pang of disappointment. “Right. I should have known this was too perfect.” “I waited until it was over, as I won’t tread upon an intimate dream.” Luna said. “I trust I’m not intruding?” “No," Starlight huffed. "I just wish it was that easy in real life.” Luna regarded Starlight with a gentle smile that carried an air of infinite wisdom. “Something troubles you, Starlight Glimmer. I have come to help.” Starlight twisted her hoof. “I have a date with Sunburst tomorrow, and I guess I’m a little nervous about it. I care about him and I want to be with him but I just don’t know how to tell him. Or maybe I’m just worried that we might not work out.” “I can see your dreams, but I cannot see your future,” Luna replied. “What I do know is Sunburst has equal feelings about you.” “He does?” Starlight looked up at Luna. She smiled at the remark, then the worry returned. “What should I do?” “Have fun. Enjoy your time together. Appreciate his company and the fact somepony wants to spend time with you. Most importantly, be true to yourself. That is the pony Sunburst likes. I should know, I’ve seen his dreams as well.” Luna shot Starlight a wink that suggested good possibilities. The notion brought a warm feeling in Starlight's chest, but it quickly turned to a distant pain. "What... what if he leaves me again?" Starlight paused and scratched her head, suddenly feeling the sting of those old wounds. "Oh, great. I thought I was past this. I don't know what to do!" Luna tilted her head questioningly, raising an eyebrow at Starlight. “Didn't everypony give you a second chance?” Starlight sighed, Luna’s words hitting her bluntly. “I guess you're right.” “Forgiveness works both ways, Starlight Glimmer.” Luna turned back to the foggy haze, glancing over her shoulder to offer Starlight one last knowing smile. “Everypony has forgiven you. Perhaps now it is time you forgive somepony else.” Starlight’s chest heaved with a sigh. “You’re right, Princess. I owe Sunburst another chance.” Luna nodded sagely, then vanished into the low fog from whence she came.