Sunset made her way back to Ponyville, on her way to the Castle of Friendship where Twilight had given both Starlight and herself rooms. Even though time felt like it had stopped for her a couple of times already, it now seemed to be flying along, hastening the hour of her date.
As she trudged past the Carousel Boutique, she was intercepted by a prim white unicorn who stuck her head out of the door and called cheerfully.
“Oh, Darling!” she fussed, “Starlight came by to see me earlier. I’m so happy for the pair of you! She was so terribly upset after the news from Trixie, and I’m just so glad you’re going to be there for her …”
“Rarity …” Sunset tried to interrupt, “It’s not quite like that …”
“Tsk, tsk, dear” clucked the fashionista, dragging her friend into the Boutique, ”I’ve only had a couple of hours to pull something together for your special date; I do hope you like it!”
Up on the stage at the focal point of the shop was a mannequin bedecked with a stunning purple cape with a red and gold flame design counterpointed by a black mesh overlay around the top. It wasn’t just beautiful, it was out of this world.
“Of course, I’ve had to make my best guess at your size darling” tutted Rarity, scrutinising Sunset up and down through her trademark red rimmed glasses “But I don’t think I’m too far out. Do try it on won’t you?”
Sunset was being railroaded, but Rarity had dropped all of her paying work to design and run up this most wonderful creation especially for her, so she hadn’t got the heart to say anything that would make her seem ungrateful.
It fitted perfectly, although Rarity still found little details to fuss over and made a series of minute adjustments before hustling her friend in front of a full length mirror. She caught sight of herself and gasped, Rarity truly was as good as her reputation; it was glamorous enough to rival even the best outfits worn by the Princesses at the most regal functions.
Rarity tilted her head to one side, resting her chin on her forehoof, clearly dissatisfied by some detail. Suddenly she trotted over to a chest and lifted the lid to reveal a treasure trove of accessories picking out a black choker with a large red ruby at the front. She held it up, admiring the gem’s lustre and cooing gently as it sparkled in the light, before nodding her approval and carrying it in her magic to her friend, affixing it around her neck.
“Per-fec-tion!” she crooned, and Sunset had to agree.
“There you go, darling” she continued, standing back to admire her hoofwork, “She won’t be able to resist you now.”
“But …” Sunset began, but was hushed down immediately.
“No need to thank me darling” Rarity chipped in, looking her friend earnestly in the eye, “I am so pleased you were there to help poor Starlight. She was totally devastated by the news and I was so worried about her; we all were, but thankfully you were the right mare in the right place at the right time.”
It would be next to impossible to say what she wanted to now. Rarity was clearly very concerned for Starlight and had made it clear how much she and her friends had all been worrying about her.
“Um, Rarity ...” she tried for one last time to correct the misunderstanding that was mushrooming out of control.
“Tsk, tsk, I simply refuse to accept a single bit” tutted Rarity, flashing her beautiful deep blue eyes, “Just make sure that Starlight is happy, and that will be payment enough.”
“Thank you Rarity” conceded Sunset, totally trapped, “You really are most generous.”
She left the boutique with her new cape bagged up to protect it from any dirt, but also more importantly, to ensure that it was not seen by anypony in advance of the date, and by anypony, Rarity had clearly meant Starlight. The shadows were lengthening as the sun had begun its final descent towards the horizon, and she knew that time was fast approaching for her to prepare for her evening with Starlight; or date, as her friends had all clearly come to think of it.
Whatever her expectations were of the evening, she knew she had to make an effort for Starlight’s sake, and stopped by Daisy, Lily and Rose for a floral bouquet. Rose happened to be the one to serve her and enquired who it was for, so she could match the flowers accordingly. When she replied that it was for Starlight, Daisy and Lily emerged from the shop to breathe a romantic “aaah” in unison at the prospect, much to Sunset’s mounting embarrassment.
When she eventually headed back to the castle, Rarity and Pinkie were stood on the balcony watching her approach.
“Ooh look” said Pinkie, “It’s Sunset.”
Rarity turned her head to see the sun sinking below the horizon and commented wryly, “It’s time for Starlight to come out.”
“She came out a long time ago, silly” quipped Pinkie.
As Sunset entered the castle she was greeted warmly by everypony she met, all six of the Element Bearers somehow managing to intercept her individually on her way to her room to extend their good wishes, all clearly under the belief that the night would end with the initials SS and SG being emblazoned on each other’s hearts.
As a point of principle, none had any axe to grind with the choice of partner anypony within their group chose. However, although none would ever say it openly, they would all agree privately that whilst Trixie was a changed pony, she wasn’t the most stable of influences, and they all preferred Sunset as Starlight’s potential long-term partner. The only one who wouldn’t have agreed was Sunset.
She opened the door to her room, dropped her bags and fell face first onto her bed letting out another groan. Everypony seemed to be under completely the wrong impression, and the longer it went on, the harder it would be to break away from. However, time was against her and she quickly showered and changed into her stunning new cape, took up her bouquet and headed down to the main entrance hall of the castle to await her date.
Twilight just happened to casually pass by while she waited, dressed to her best.
“Wow Sunset!” she exclaimed, “You look absolutely beautiful tonight.”
“Thanks Twilight” she replied, “But to tell the truth I’m a little worried …”
“Of course you are” replied Twilight, smiling happily, “I know you’ve only just come through the portal and haven’t got any bits, so please take this.”
“Wha … what’s that?” she asked.
“A purse, with more than enough bits to cover the meal and anything you want to do afterwards” she added with a wink.
“Oh thanks, but that’s not what I meant …” began Sunset before she caught sight of Twilight’s jaw hanging open as she looked over her shoulder. Sunset turned her head and followed her eyes until she saw what Twilight had seen; Starlight Glimmer was coming down the stairs wearing a stunning deep indigo cape decorated with aquamarine diamonds and a choker similar to her own, but with a brilliant diamond in the middle.
She looked beautiful.
Sunset caught her breath. She had never imagined that any mare could look so good. Starlight looked like a dream, but the smile on her face was fragile and she had clearly pushed herself as far as her failing courage would allow. She stopped on a middle stair, desperate for acceptance and poised to run away if she was rejected.
Sunset knew there was no way she could back out now; to turn her down now would break her heart, and she couldn’t do that. For the first time she stopped trying to find ways to back out, but prepared to take an open-minded view and go along for the ride; they were only going out for dinner after all.
“Starlight” she said, moving forward to meet her, “You look wonderful. Please accept these flowers as a small gift.”
Starlight looked at the finely presented bouquet, taking in the fusion of purple and aquamarine flowers that complemented her mane and the red and yellow ones that matched Sunset’s. It was a perfectly composed and deeply meaningful floral arrangement. She lifted her head up to meet Sunset’s gaze and their eyes met.
“Thank you” she replied, a little bashfully, “I wasn’t expecting anything, so I have nothing for you.”
“The pleasure of your company will be enough” reassured Sunset, “You want to put them in water or bring them with you?”
“Oh, I can do that” chipped in Twilight, “If you want …”
“Yes. That would be nice. Thank you Twilight” replied her protégé.
“Oh, one more thing” added Twilight, “There’s a chariot outside. Save your new clothes from getting dirty. Princess Celestia kinda offered it to you for the evening …”
“Oh, so she knows too, does she?” probed Sunset pointedly.
“Maybe …?” replied Twilight awkwardly.
“Looks like you’ve thought of everything” said Starlight appreciatively, “Thank you so much.”
Sunset turned to her date, “You ready?”
Starlight looked at her with a shy smile on her face and Sunset could have sworn she saw a blush forming on her cheeks. She didn’t say anything, but her eyes sparkled, and she just gave a gentle nod.
The two beautifully dressed ponies walked across the hall floor in perfect step and Twilight looked after them, shedding a little tear, that if anypony had asked would argue that it wasn’t a tear at all, but liquid pride.