Twilight put on a necklace, and gave her hair a slight curl. She placed her crown atop her head, and chose a shorter, frillier, dark purple and magenta dress, that complimented her date. She applied a little bit of sparkly makeup that would glitter in the light. Meanwhile, Fizzlepop put on a light purple jacket, with Twilight’s guard emblem on the pocket. She wore a beaded blue bracelet, and applied the tiniest hint of blush. Fizzlepop was never one to wear makeup, so even wearing a little bit is a lot for her. She put a red rose with the thorns shaved off into her jacket pocket for a finishing touch. Starlight made sure that they stayed in their rooms until both ponies and the dining room were ready. Once everything was perfect, Starlight and Spike(who was also wearing a suit) got the ponies from their rooms, and had them meet at the dining room entrance. They both blushed slightly at the other’s beauty. Starlight opened the doors, and the room was illuminated perfectly, dim yet sparkly, and the place settings on the massive table were directly across from each other. Twilight noticed that Starlight had remembered her re-taught lesson about proper silverware placement, as it was perfect, and with precision. A candle was lit between the two place settings, complimenting the lighting. Spike and Starlight pulled out the crystal chairs, allowing the ponies to sit, then pushing them in towards the table. Starlight winked at Spike, then left the room. Spike grabbed two “menus”, which were really just Twilight’s fancy parchment with the food that they had in the castle listed on it, and handed them to the two ponies. Spike walked away, but only behind the doorway, as he would return soon. The two awkwardly exchanged looks, and nervously laughed.
“I must say, I’m very impressed that they were able to do all this in half an hour,” Fizzle noticed. Twilight nodded, then took a soothing breath.
“You look wonderful tonight,” Twilight complimented. Fizzle’s cheeks turned slightly redder, as she smiled.
“You look beautiful yourself, Twi,” Fizzlepop replied. Just then, Spike walked up to the table.
“May I take your drink order, ladies?” Spike asked, being as formal as he could, although it was definitely forced.
“I’ll take the sparkling cider, please,” Twilight replied.
“Make that two,” Fizzlepop added.
“Great. I’ll give you a minute to decide on food,” Spike said before sprinting off to get their drinks. The two started reading their menus. Nothing super fancy, as they weren’t expecting a fancy dinner. Spike and Twilight both really liked each other’s cook-off foods, so now they make sweet potato muffins and cauliflower bites every so often. Both items were on the ‘appetizer’ section of the menu, along with a honey and daisy salad. For entrees, the menu listed hayburgers, pancakes for dinner, pumpkin soup, and a sandwich with assorted flowers and cheese. After reading the menu, an awkward silence followed as neither of them knew what to say. Twilight tried to start a conversation.
“So..... what was your favorite part of today so far?”
“Probably seeing you fall asleep on the train. How about you?”
“When we were in the library earlier, and I was reading, and you fell asleep on me. And the picture that resulted,” Twilight giggled. “So.... I guess that means we like watching each other sleep?” Both ponies blushed, as an awkward silence followed. Finally, the two said simultaneously,
“YOU’RE JUST SO CUTE WHEN YOU SLEEP!” They blushed harder, and covered their muzzles. They broke out giggling, then Spike decided that it was time to take their orders. He placed their drinks in front of them.
“Are you ready to order?”
“Uh, yeah. I’ll have the sweet potato muffins, and a hayburger, please,” Twilight ordered.
“And for you?” Spike turned to Fizzlepop.
“I’ll have the salad, please,” Fizzle ordered.
“Will that be all?” Spike asked. The two confirmed, and Spike ran off.
“Cheers to romance?” Twilight asked.
“Cheers to romance!” The two lifted their cups, Twilight with her magic, and Fizzlepop with her hoof. They clinked them, then took a sip. “So....have any ideas for tomorrow?” Fizzlepop asked.
“I was thinking maybe we could go around and visit my friends, and hear some one-on-one- well, two advice. They might have some tips or ideas of things we can do together and bonding activities,” Twilight recommended.
“That’s a good idea,” Fizzlepop responded. “I’m also interested in seeing your magic. You seem pretty strong from what I’ve seen, and the spells you were looking at in the library were pretty advanced. Didn’t you finish one of Starswirl the Bearded’s spells to become an alicorn?”
“Yeah, kind of. I am pretty good at magic, but Starlight might actually be better. She has edited and written quite a few spells, and done some really advanced spells,”
“Twilight, I don’t want to see Starlight’s magic, I want to see yours! Because you’re you!”
“Alright, I’ll show you some of my spells,” Twilight agreed. Fizzlepop looked very excited.
“Thank you, I’m looking forward to it!” Just then, Starlight and Spike came out with the food. Spike was holding Twilight’s hayburger, and lightly blowing fire over it to keep it warm. Starlight levitated Fizzlepop’s salad and Twilight’s sweet potato muffins. They placed the food by the respective ponies.
“Do you need anything else?” Spike asked. The two looked at each other.
“I think we’re good, thanks Spike,” Twilight responded. The dragon and the unicorn walked back, staying by the doorway just in case either of them needed something. Since Fizzlepop couldn’t use utensils, Twilight had gotten her some earth pony/broken unicorn friendly utensils- utensils with a band around them to attach to a hoof. Fizzlepop attached her fork to her right hoof, and started eating her salad. Twilight started with her muffins.
“I still think my muffins are better than cauliflower bites,” Twilight giggled. The two talked, ate their food, and enjoyed each other’s company until the dinner was over. Starlight walked up to them as they left the dining room.
“How was your dinner? Was everything okay?”
“It was lovely, Starlight,” Twilight responded.
“Well.....I have an idea about a way you two can get more comfortable around each other and less awkward or forced to be romantic...”
“Oh? What’s that?” Twilight tilted her head, intrigued.
“Well.....remember the other day when you two were snuggling together? Oh, who am I kidding, of course you do, it’s what you’re together in the first place,” Starlight nervously explained. “Well, I was thinking..... that maybe it would help you feel more comfortable if you did that again, but overnight? So it has time to set in? Then you can both see each other right when you wake up, and that will help your bond as well,” Starlight was sweating, nervous on how they would react to the subject. Starlight blushed a bit as Twilight and Fizzlepop turned red.
“Oh.... uh... I mean,..... that sounds-“ Twilight took a deep breath. “Wonderful. Like a great way to end an amazing day. I mean, if you’re okay with that..” Twilight nervously replied, shifting her wings with her nerves.
“Of course I’m okay with that, I love cuddling with you,” Fizzlepop responded, still red.
“Well, then I’ll leave you to it. Goodnight!” called Starlight as she headed off to her room to get ready for bed.
“Goodnight, Twizzlepop,” Spike winked. Fizzlepop signaled him away in embarrassment, and the two headed towards Twilight’s bedroom. They parted at the doorway to allow them each to get out of their fancy attire, and ready for sleep. Once they were ready, Fizzlepop went back to Twilight’s room, and they carefully arranged themselves on the bed.
They then started cuddling as before, kissing and nuzzling each other, growing peaceful as the soothing embrace of slumber overtook them.