//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Pinning the Heart // by Random_User //------------------------------// Chapter 5: Rose Luck passed my change to me. “There you go.” I tucked the bits in my saddlebags. “Thank you for helping me double check I was getting the right ones.” Rose gave me an encouraging smile. “I’m sure she will love them and the message. Good luck.” “Thanks, Rose. I’m going to need it.” As I made my way through the market, I felt the eyes of several ponies linger on me. It was not unusual for me to make an early morning run for supplies, but my carrying a bouquet was a novelty. I sighed, knowing the news of me buying flowers would be all around Ponyville by dinner. I returned home and put the flowers in the refrigerator in my apartment. Afterward putting the flowers away, I went about my normal routine to prepare for the day. As I put the last vest on display, I looked around the storefront and smiled. “The shop’s almost back to normal,” I said to myself. My ear turned towards the back of the shop as Coco worked the lock and entered the shop. “Good morning!” “Good morning!” Coco called back. “How was last night?” “Things went well. Gossip was swapped, bragging was done, and we made it back home under our own power.” Coco giggled as she stepped into the storefront. “Barrel was in a good mood when he came home last night. He greeted Berry with quite a kiss.” “That’s somewhat how they got together,” I said. “Barrel had a good amount of liquid courage in him when he made his first pass at Berry.” “She told me about that last night, after she tucked Pinch in for bed. Barrel is a bit rowdy, but he’s sweet, it shows he loves ‘his ladies’ too.” I picked up my feather duster and went over a display with it. “What did you ladies do?” “We had takeout from The Grazing Meadow, played a board game, and talked. Berry and Pinch had Piña Colada over. The fillies were so cute. They asked me all sorts of questions about living in Manehattan and being in fashion. I didn’t realize that Piña was Berry’s sister until she told me about her and Berry winning the Sisterhood Social.” “Pina is another reason that Berry and I get along so well. Piña was a shock to her parents like I was to mine.” I gave a slight bow to her. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.” I stepped into the back of the shop to put up my cleaning supplies. I fumbled the duster as I was putting it back on its shelf and sprinkled dust on myself. I did what I could not to sneeze, but, to my chagrin, could not suppress it. “Was that you?” Coco asked. I grabbed a clean cloth and wiped the dust off of my coat and face. “Sorry about that. I have a weird sneeze.” She giggled. “I thought it was cute.” “That’s a kind description.” I returned to the storefront. “I think the sneeze blew my train of thought right out of my head. Where was I?” Coco pulled the store’s receipt book from the cash register and put it on the counter. “You were telling me about how Piña made your friendship with Berry stronger.” “That’s right.” I bopped the side of my head with a hoof and continued, “Berry helped raise Piña along with Pinch. I’ve tried to help by giving Berry and her parents insight from the perspective of a ‘surprise’ foal.” “I bet she’s loved to pieces, as sweet as she is.” “We all adore her. Pinch is a wonderful filly too.” I walked to the store’s front door and flipped the sign to ‘open’. Before I took three steps from the door, somepony walked through the door. “I need your help,” Thunderlane said, as he came into the shop. He had a suit bag slung over his back and an uncharacteristic serious look. “Are you all right?” “Yes, no, horse apples, I don’t know. I know you’re busy, but I’ve put myself in a tailspin and you’re the only pony I know that I can talk to it about.” “I can always make time to help a friend. Coco and I have made a good bit of headway on the order backlog too, so don’t worry about that.” Thunderlane’s ears perked up. “Is she here?” “I’m here,” Coco said and waved from the counter. Thunderlane slapped a hoof to his forehead. “I am a mess. I didn’t even see you.” “You were distracted.” Coco stepped from around the counter. “What can we do to help?” “I need my suit adjusted. During this morning’s practice briefing, Spitfire told us the Wonderbolts are going to put on a performance at an event that’s still hush-hush. We’re going to get tickets to the event, plus one for each of us. She said we were to all find somepony to go with us or she would shave our manes and tails and make us do wing ups till our wings fell off.” “That seems on the extreme side,” I said. “She doesn’t want for any of us to disappoint Princess Celestia by not using our tickets. She also told us we were not to give them away. We have to choose somepony we know and trust to bring with us to cut down on the possibility of some of our top fans getting upset about not getting a ticket.” Thunderlane looked down and tapped his hooves together. “I’m going to ask Rarity if she would like to go.” “I’m sure she would love to,” Coco said. “All you have to do is ask her.” I held out a hoof to him. “Give me your suit. I’ll put in the back and get my file on you.” “I told you to look out for the quiet ones,” Thunderlane said to Coco as he gave me his suit bag. “I bet he has a file for everypony in Ponyville.” “You’re mistaking me for Pinkie.” I made my way to the back of the shop. I could hear snippets of Coco’s and Thunderlane’s conversation while I put away Thunderlane’s suit and retrieved his file, but could not hear them well enough to know what they were discussing. As I walked back into the storefront, Thunderlane pointed a hoof at me and said, “And it’s all his fault.” I blinked in surprise. “I would defend myself, but I’m not sure what I’m being accused of.” “Last night, while lying in bed alone, I realized that I’m just as bad as you about talking to the mare I have a crush on.” I felt my cheeks warm, but I tried to act as if his words had not impacted me. “I take it Rarity’s the mare you’re having trouble talking to.” Thunderlane sighed. “I know I walk around like I’m all that and a bag of chips, but she’s so far above me it scares me to even talk to her.” I tapped him on the shoulder with the folder. “Lane, don’t’ put yourself down. You’re a Wonderbolt, a hardworking stallion, and a great older brother to Rumble.” I readied my measuring tape. “Hold still. I need to update your measurements.” “Thanks, Pin.” He looked to Coco. “I’m going to invite her to the… event, no matter what. I want to know if I would waste her time and mine asking her if she would like to see me after that to see if something could grow between us.” “Well,” Coco put a foreleg across her chest, rested her elbow in one hoof and put her free hoof to her chin, “what do you know about Rarity? Not Rarity the Element of Generosity or Rarity the fashionista, but Rarity the mare.” “She can be a perfectionist who demands the best of herself. In everything she does she aims to shine and help others shine too. She can be pushy, but I think she acts that way because she feels that her ideas are going to help somepony.” I finished writing the measurements I had taken down. “Foreleg out,” I told him. Thunderlane obliged. “She’s also a romantic looking for the highest quality stallion.” He paused and swallowed. “I’m not sure if I fit what she’s looking for.” “Leg down, chin up,” I said. Putting my measuring tape around his neck, I told him, “Your measurements have changed.” I removed my tape from his neck. “If she’s looking for somepony athletic, you fit the bill.” He grinned. “I can thank the Wonderbolt’s training routine for that. When I tried my suit on, I could tell that I had put on muscle and lost weight. It was too tight in spots and too loose in others.” “Rarity’s told me about you,” Coco said, giving Thunderlane a kind smile. “You’re the stallion that saved her when she fell from the Wonderbolt’s training grounds.” Thunderlane rubbed the back of his neck with a hoof. “Yeah, that was me.” “That made quite an impression on her.” “It did for me too. When she hugged me, that’s when the crush started.” Coco tilted her head, which made me smile at how cute she was, and asked Thunderlane, “You can tell that was the exact time?” “I’ll admit; Rarity has always drawn my eye. When she hugged me, it was genuine and strong. It lit something in me. As we flew back to the training grounds, I thought about all the things she does: maretial arts, adventuring, singing with the Ponytones, and volunteering around town. I realized how special a mare she is then, and my admiration for her has grown every time I hear about the latest thing she has accomplished.” “Do you want to know she said about you?” Coco asked him. Thunderlane gave an unsure nod. “She told me you were like a knight out of the old stories, saving the damsel in distress.” Coco’s demeanor changed and she mimicked Rarity: “There he was, a handsome, strong, kind stallion, holding me safe.” She put a hoof over her chest and looked wistful. “I was sure he could hear my heart beating. For a second, I thought I saw a spark in his eyes when he looked at me, but he’s never said anything.” She sighed and put a hoof to her cheek, just as Rarity would. “Coco, why can’t I ever get a stallion like that to be interested in me? All I seem to find are self-absorbed princes and egotistical prats.” Thunderlane applauded her. “Whoa. Pin was right, you are good at that.” Coco blushed and returned to her normal self. “Thank you.” “She said that,” Thunderlane said, a small, hopeful smile on his lips. “That’s great, but what if we want it to be long term?” He motioned a hoof towards me. “Look at him. He’s everything she could have wanted, and they never even got off the ground. What chance do I have to give her what she wants?” I finished recording the last of the measurements I needed. “A much better chance I ever would have, that’s for sure.” “But you’re in the same profession.” He tapped the floor with a hoof. “You’re from Canterlot.” He gave the floor another tap. “You have connections out the kazoo.” Tap. “You two have been friends for the longest.” Tap. I shook my head. “That’s not enough. A long term relationship is a symbiosis between two ponies. Loving partners shield each other from the daily grind and are there to bolster each other through tough times. When the good times come, they enhance each other’s joy by sharing it. They have to give themselves to their partner without judgment and without reservation. I could not be what Rarity needs in a partner. She needs someone who could help her lift her career and her social status. While I haven’t burned any bridges, I didn’t have the connections she needed and wanted. I didn’t want to get dragged back into the Canterlot scheming either.” I closed the folder and smiled. “You, on the other hoof, can give all of that and more to her.” Thunderlane looked at me as if I had lost my mind. “How am I supposed to do that? I don’t know one thing about fashion or have those kinds of connections. I can’t even sew.” “You don’t have to. As a Wonderbolt you are a famous athlete that gets to rub shoulders with the elite of Equestria. Through your fame and position, she can enhance her business by going to and hosting events with you. In turn, you can spread the Wonderbolt’s name, and help out more ponies like you enjoy by attending the various charity events she does. I would be shocked if she didn’t ask you to model her clothes at charity auctions.” I grinned at him. “As much as you like to preen and strut, I’m sure you would love it.” “You have the look for it,” Coco said, nodding in agreement. “It would help both of your careers, and she would love all the attention she would get from being involved with a Wonderbolt.” He looked to her with vulnerable eyes. “You think so? You think I could do all that for her?” “Would you like to?” “Yes,” he said with conviction. “Then I know you can.” Coco patted him on the shoulder. “She’s been waiting for a stallion like you. Like Pin said, you would benefit each other being together and you both admire each other in your own ways. If you two give it a chance, I’m sure you two will go together professionally and romantically like hoof and glove.” “Thank you.” He put a hoof over Coco’s, lifted it from his shoulder, and gave it a light kiss. “Thank you so much.” “You’re welcome.” He turned and grinned. “I’m not going to kiss you, even on the hoof.” Thunderlane caught me in a hug, before I could dodge. “You get a hug, though. Thanks. I didn’t realize you were a philosopher on love.” My forelegs trapped, I gave his lower back a weak pat. “You’re welcome.” The shop’s bell rang, and Filthy Rich stepped in. He paused and his eyebrows rose as he looked at Thunderlane and me. “Do I even want to know what is going on?” Thunderlane let go of me as if I had turned red hot. “I was thanking him for helping me. I gave Coco’s hoof a kiss, so I gave him a hug so he wouldn’t get jealous.” “I guess that makes sense,” Rich said, giving Thunderlane an unconvinced look. “I hate to do this, but I’ve got to fly,” Thunderlane said. “I’m on rotation for the weather team this afternoon, and I’ve still got errands to run. If I’m late, Rainbow will have my tail.” He shook hooves with Rich, before heading out the door. “Take care, sir.” “You too!” Rich told him as the shop’s door closed. “How did the trip go?” I asked Rich. “It was going well, right up to the point I opened my big mouth to your parents.” “What do you mean?” “I was at a function for business owners in Canterlot when I ran into your folks.” Rich adjusted his tie as if it were making him uncomfortable. “When you came up in the discussion, they said they were worried since they hadn’t heard from you in a while. I told them you were fine and that your business was going well enough you were having trouble keeping up with orders.” “There’s nothing wrong with what you told them. It’s all true.” “To help them not worry I also mentioned that you had hired an assistant recommended by Rarity.” “Oh.” I gave as nonchalant of a shrug as I could. “That’s not a secret. She and I take turns working the front.” “After they found out I had met her, they asked me what kind of mare she was. When I answered, they said they wanted to meet her.” I closed my eyes and let my head fall back. “Of course they would.” “They asked me to tell you they would come to visit as soon as they could get a clear spot on their calendar and train tickets. I feel terrible that I’m the one that prompted all of this.” I looked back at Rich. “The last time I got a letter from them, they hinted they might be coming. They sped up their time table is all. Knowing how fast Canterlot and Ponyville gossip travels, they would have found out from another source.” I patted him on the back. “I’m glad they found out from you. Who knows what rumors they would have gotten from anypony else.” Rich turned to Coco and bowed to her. “I am sorry for bringing up your name to them too.” She waved his words away. “Mister Rich, it’s fine. I don’t mind at all.” Rich gave her a searching look. “Has Pin told you about them?” “He has.” “I will give it to you straight.” Rich gave my chest a light thump. “This stallion is one of the best ponies to come out of that city. Most of them have their noses stuck so far up in the air they can’t see where they’re walking. They don’t care for ponies from outside Canterlot. They put up with ponies like me because I bring them business. If it weren’t for that some of them wouldn’t so much as give me the time of day.” Coco looked uneasy. “His parents didn’t sound that bad.” “They aren’t, but they still have their moments. They have an odd relationship with Pin too. They love him, but they can pull some of the daftest things I have seen to try and ‘help’ him. I’ve felt bad about setting what I have into motion, and I wanted to warn you about them.” “You don’t have to feel bad at all. You were trying to help Pin’s parents not worry about him.” He gave Coco a bow. “You’re both too kind.” As he raised his head he asked, “Has there been any news from Rarity?” Coco shook her head. “Not a word.” “I have heard nothing from her either,” I added. “She’s supposed to be coming back this afternoon.” “I hope her trip went well. There is nothing like being miserable while traveling.” Rich gave us both a nod. “Thank you for being so understanding. You two take care and don’t work too hard.” “You too, Rich,” I told him and held the door open for him. After closing the door behind him, I sighed. “At least we’ve been forewarned.” “I’m sure it won’t be that bad,” Coco said, half chiding me. “It won’t be, if it’s just them. If they bring Satin with them then all bets are off.” I smiled at her as I was struck with inspiration. “This isn’t how I planned it, but since you got the news you’re going to be meeting my parents sometime soon, I think a slight change in timing is appropriate.” She gave me a curious look. “What do you mean?” “I want to give you something. It’s up in my apartment.” I put out a bell and a sign that read ‘For Service Please Ring Bell’ on the counter. “Would you mind following me up?” “Not at all.” I led her out of the storefront. As we went down the short hall and ascended the stairs, my heart pounded. When I led her into the kitchen she tilted her head in the way that made me smile. The feeling I got seeing her as cute and lovely as she was at that moment strengthened my resolve to see my gamble through. I opened the refrigerator and took out the flowers. She gave a soft gasp when they came into her view. I held them out to her. “Coco, I have feelings for you that go beyond our professional relationship and our friendship. I realize by doing this I am jeopardizing both, but I wanted you to know.” She took the flowers from my hooves, her expression one of surprise. “If you are uncomfortable with the thought of me having a romantic interest in you, please tell me. It will not offend me and will never bring the subject up again. I want you to enjoy the flowers, no matter what you decide.” “These are wonderful. Thank you.” She looked up from the bouquet and gave me a smile. “You know the language of flowers.” “Not all that well, I’ll admit. I had to ask Rose to double check their meanings for me.” “Let’s see if I remember them right.” Coco touched a hoof to each flower as she named them: “White carnations for a pure love. Peonies for a growing love toward somepony new. A white rose for good beginnings.” Coco met my eyes with hers as she named the last flower. “A lavender rose for love at first sight.” “You did make quite an impression on me. Enough of one for me to give Berry the details she needed to work her magic.” She tittered at my words. “When you first saw me, you looked like you were ready to panic.” I swallowed and nodded. “It was because I had made a thoughtless error. It terrified me that what I had done would hurt the feelings of a beautiful mare I didn’t even know.” “Rarity told me about the workstation, when I asked her what had caused you to lockup when you saw me later that evening.” “I-” Coco put a hoof over my lips, before I could say anything. “She also explained to my why you panicked. I know you aren’t like the other unicorns from Canterlot. That you were so upset over something I wouldn’t have given a second thought to proves it.” She removed her hoof from my mouth and gave my nose a light tap. “I like you’re complimenting me without worrying about it.” I smiled with elation and relief. “I would happy to give you many more, if I get your permission.” “You are welcome to give me as many as you want.” She blushed and gave me a shy smile. “I liked the message of the flowers. I would like to see if we can build a relationship beyond business and friendship too.” Her smile shifted to being mischievous. “More than what we have developed already, I should say.” My ears went up in surprise. “You silly pony, after all the kindness you’ve shown and the things you’ve done for me how could I not have feelings for you?” “I had hoped that you telling me to relax and you calling me handsome when you adjusted my bow tie meant what I thought it did, but I wasn’t sure.” “I noticed that bow tie never made it back to the shelf.” “It’s special, just like the mare that made it, so I kept it.” She raised an eyebrow and teased, “Are you planning to keep me too?” “I want to invite you to stay as for however long you would like.” I looked into her blue eyes.“The longer you’ve been here and the more I have gotten to know you the longer I have hoped you would stay, but I would never keep you here.” She gave me a smile that made me feel warm. She sniffed the flowers and told me, “You’re making me want to stay a very long time.” I smiled back. “I’m glad.” ***** I closed the shop’s ledger and then put it and a bag of bits in the safe under the counter. As I stood up, the store’s door opened with energy. “We’re back, and I’ve been inspired!” Rarity announced. “Welcome back!” I responded. “I take it the trip went well.” “It was fabulous! Sweetie and I got to spend a lot of quality time together and I had the most marvelous idea.” “What was that?” “I’m going to open up another shop!” As I took a moment to let her announcement set in, her eyes went to the vase of flowers on the counter. “Those are beautiful and they have such a wonderful scent.” She approached the counter and reached out a hoof to touch a blossom. Coco stepped from the back and into the storefront. “I thought I heard your voice, Rarity. How did the trip go?” “It was wonderful. I can’t wait to tell you both all about it.” She smiled at Coco. “These were a wonderful idea, darling. They look wonderful here on the counter and they smell divine.” “I didn’t get them,” Coco said. Rarity gave me a look. “I’ve never known you to display flowers in your shop. Has our dear Coco been influencing you?” “She has. The flowers were for her.” “What?” Rarity looked back to the flowers and studied them for a moment. “I can’t believe I missed it! They’re a message of a hopeful start to a relationship. I must be suffering train lag.” “You’re better at remembering their meanings than I am,” I complemented. “These are fresh too,” Rarity noted. “I got them this morning.” Rarity smiled in a way that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “I hope you two don’t have dinner plans. You will tell me all about whats been going on. I have to tell you about Sweetie and my trip too.” I looked at Coco and asked, “I think she gave us a command more than an invitation, don’t you?” Coco nodded. “It sounded like it.” “There is one teensy little problem, though,” Rarity said. “I don’t have reservations for anywhere, so our options are limited with as crowded as things get nowadays.” “We could eat here. I went to the market this morning and resupplied. I’d be happy to cook.” “That is an option,” Rarity said with a hint of uncertainty. “That’s a wonderful idea,” Coco said. “Pin is a great cook and I’m sure you need a break from being crammed into places with a lot of loud ponies. I‘m sure you could use some home cooking to, with all the traveling you’ve been doing. Rarity paused and then asked, “He’s cooked for you?” “He’s made most of my lunches, since I’ve been here.” I smiled with unease at the look Rarity gave me. “Really now?” Rarity asked, as her eyebrow rose. To change the subject, I asked, “Would Sweetie like to join us again?” “She’s at Mother and Father’s. I’m sure they are doting on her and listening to her tell all about our trip. It’s kind of you to ask about her, though. You made her night the other night when you brought the sparkling wine for her.” Rarity’s smile changed again and the hairs on the back of my neck returned to standing. “Did you happen to get wine while you were out this morning?” Sisters, if she’s thinking what I think she’s thinking, Coco and I will need your intervention, I silently pleaded. “No, I didn’t,” I admitted. “Coco, darling, would you like to come with me to pick up a bottle or two? I know just the place. If we head there right now, we’ll make it before the shop closes.” “I would be glad to go,” Coco looked to me, “unless you would like help closing the shop.” I shook my head. “Thank you, but I’ve got it. If you two are going where I think you’re going, please ask Berry if she, Barrel, and Pinch would like to come over too.” “You know me too well,” Rarity said, with a self-satisfied smile. “We’ll be back before too long, darling.” I followed them to the front of the shop. “Tell Berry hello for me.” “We will,” Rarity assured. Coco looked over her shoulder, gave me a smile, and shrugged her shoulders as they left. I shut the door behind them and flipped the store’s sign to ‘closed’. I shook my head and chuckled as I turned back to finish closing up the store.