With Somnambula having more or less decided on the time and place for him, Stygian rushed to prepare himself for not only the first date with a friend (a close friend at that) but also the first date he had ever gone on. As a scholar, the only company he'd had were books and the occasional pony he conversed with.
But books could only get you so far in life. There was no book on how to plan and carry out the perfect first date (or if there was Stygian had never heard of it). So the scholar turned reclusive author knew that he would have to go it alone. With Somnambula as his date, all bets were off as to how things would go.
That didn't mean he didn't still consult a few books for general advice, because he did. Books were his first friend after all, and they had guided Stygian through many a crisis before.
As for Somnamubla, she went about her day as if nothing out of the ordinary had transpired. "It's funny how mysterious life turns out sometimes," She thought to herself with a smile. "Certainly I would not have imagined that upon my return from limbo, I would find myself on a date with Stygian of all ponies. Though he certainly seems very eager to please me. A trait I find most admirable."
The hours ticked by faster than Somnambula had expected them to and far faster than poor Stygian would've liked them to. Soon it was sunset, and the appointed start time for the date drew near.
With her work finished for the day, Somnambula flew to the outskirts of her village to greet Stygian. From the air she easily spotted him and landed effortlessly with a flap of her wings. The mare chuckled when she saw that her suitor for the evening had traded in that brown cloak he always wore, for a lightly tailored black jacket and tie.
"Miss Somnambula," The stallion spoke in the most formal tone he could muster. "I hope you will allow me the honor of accompanying you for the evening."
Somnambula smiled, she couldn't resist a teasing remark. "Lose that overly stuffy voice and I'm all yours, Stygian. There's no need for such formalities, we know each other well enough."
Stygian struggled not to blush in embarrassment. "V-very well then," Then he noticed that Somnambula was still wearing that white tunic and headdress that she always wore, and he couldn't help but comment. "Are you sure you don't want to put on something a little bit nicer?"
"Oh, I was not aware our date was fancy dress only," Somnambula chuckled. "I thought it'd be best if I came as I was. No need to make such a big production out of it all. It's just a simple night out between two friends, hoping to be something more."
"How is she always so optimistic and unphased by things?" Stygian thought to himself as he carefully put a hoof around Somnambula.
Stygian led Somnambula to a hilltop not far from the village, where he had set up a small table with a lone, flickering candle for light. "I wasn't sure what you liked, so I consulted some cook books and made a few recipes that are supposed to be really popular in your village."
The pegasus mare smiled. "Dinner is dinner, no matter if it is a meal in a tavern or at a table on a hill. I had no idea you knew how to cook, Stygian."
"Sort of had to learn how in order to survive in my life of solitude," Stygian explained as he sat down in the seat at the opposite end of the table from Somnambula. "I know it's probably not as grand as anything you're used to eating, but I hope it's alright."
"You kidding? All those stuffy new places are not to my liking at all," Somnambula protested. "I much prefer the foods of old, from the days of Hisan," A sigh of longing escaped her lips as she commented. "A lot has changed in my village since his time. I almost didn't recognize it the first time I came back. To think that ponies worship me like a deity, it's certainly a lot to take in."
Stygian felt a pang of guilt take hold in his stomach. He tried his best not to let it show. "Great, now I've gone and accidentally reminded her of the pony she may or may not have had feelings for in her time. Stygian, can't you ever do anything right?!" He mentally scolded himself.
Aside from that little "slip-up" though, dinner went off without a hitch for both involved. Somnambula was quite impressed by the food Stygian had made for her. "Tastes like it was made by an expert. Even the tiniest of details was perfectly captured. Not one pinch more or less of salt or spice to be found anywhere."
"Well, I'm glad you think that way, Somnambula. I can't begin to tell you how difficult it was to measure out the ingredients so they were just right," Stygian smiled, before noticing what appeared to be a small smudge on the mare's right cheek. "Forgive me for being so blunt, Somnambula. But you have something on your face." He told her.
"Oh? I do?" Somnambula seemed to comment in surprise, before she noticed the smudge and giggled. "Seems I enjoyed myself a bit too much. It can't be helped though." She quickly moved her tongue to lick the smudge off, much to Stygian's surprise.
The former scholar could hardly believe what he had just seen. "Somnambula, I would've gladly wiped that away for you."
The pegasus mare just grinned, leaning back in her chair. "Oh, but what would be the fun in that? Honestly, Stygian, you worry so much about the silliest of things. Though I suppose that's why I like you so much."
Stygian gulped. "When you say 'like', do you mean as a friend?"
Somnambula happily shook her head. "Stygian, why do you continue to doubt yourself? I was expecting a simple date with a friend, not another session of my motivational speaking. Are you worried that my heart belongs to another?"
Stygian reluctantly nodded in confirmation. And Somnambula looked him square in the eyes as she told him. "I already told you, it is pointless to speculate whether or not Prince Hisan and I might have ever worked out. He is gone, and I miss him dearly."
"I don't want you to think I'm trying to replace him. You must blame me at least a little for preventing you from being with him." The unicorn glumly confessed.
The pegasus with a lovely coat of light scarlet sighed, shaking her head once more. "Stygian. Do you mean to tell me that you still blame yourself for the events of over a thousand years ago?" When she got a confirming nod, Somnambula was quick to reply. "I meant it when I said that I don't hold the Pony of Shadows debacle against you. There are things we both could've done to resolve it in a better way."
"But-" Stygian began, only to be silenced.
"Hisan's death is something I have made peace with, even though it still grieves me to this day that our time together was so short," Somnambula continued. "Even as I was paying my respects to him this morning though, I understood that he was gone and is never coming back. He wouldn't want me to be sad forever though, Prince Hisan would want me to go on living and be happy with somepony else. If he were here now, or at least if his spirit were, I'm sure he would be telling us the same. So do you see? The past is set in stone, Hisan and I obviously cannot be together now. But I intend to make the most of the time I still have in this world and enjoy myself. And for now, that includes your company."
Stygian struggled to wipe a lone tear from his eyes. "Oh Somnambula, you're way too good for me. You deserve somepony better!"
"Oh hush now, Stygian. You mustn't sell yourself so short!" Somnambula firmly insisted. "It's just like all those times you kept repeating you were but a scholar and not a hero. The mere fact that you were willing to seek out others to defend your village when you could not, makes you a hero in my eyes. And the fact that you would go to all this length for me, even if you yourself don't seem to believe we could work, is proof that there is something between us in my eyes. And that's good enough for me."
"You really mean that?" Stygian questioned.
With a smile, Somnambula flew over and embraced Stygian. "You'd better believe it, Stygian. It's clear to me that we belong together, no matter what others might think."
"But... but... how would we make things work? I'm not sure I'm ready to move into your village just yet." Stygian protested.
"Details to be worked out at a later date and time. For now though, let us enjoy the night sky as Princess Luna brings it forth for us," Somnambula suggested. "And I hope you won't mind if I nuzzle into you a little for warmth."
Stygian felt his cheeks grow ever so faintly warm. "Oh, I wouldn't mind that at all. In fact, I'd quite like it. You truly are a pony on a whole different level, Somnambula. But that's just what I like about you."