//------------------------------// // 322. The Mane Attraction - Part 2 // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// Following Big Mac and Fluttershy's example, the rest of the volunteers (except for Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich) decided to take a break. While most went home, Midnight had asked Twilight out to lunch at the local cafe, and though she'd tried to decline, citing she thought she'd go over a list for possible emergencies or necessary deviations to make in preparation for the concert, Midnight had insisted. At the cafe, they'd ordered a pasta lunch from Savoir Faire, but then came the awkward silence. "So, uh... are you looking forward to the show?" asked Midnight, trying to engage. "Yes, I'm sure it will be exciting," Twilight replied in a less-than-enthusiastic manner, finding it hard to meet Midnight's eyes. ... ... ... "Alright, this has to stop," Midnight sighed, Twilight finally looking at him, not understanding. "Twilight... it's been two months. I agreed to give you time and space to come to terms with what happened, but this is... it's becoming... painful!" "Midnight, I-" Twilight tried to say, only for Midnight to raise a hoof. "Please let me finish... Twilight, I understand that learning about what me and Celestia did with the Brotherhood was different from watching us pass judgement upon somepony. I've done things I'm not proud of in the Brotherhood, and I appreciate that part of you that looks for the good and the positive in the world. "But real life is... messy. It's not neat and tidy like a well-organized library or a thoroughly-researched report. It's like... like a research paper full of errors, whether in spelling or facts, and sometimes... the only answer to making it work is to cut something out." Midnight's metaphors seemed to click with Twilight, and at first she opened her mouth to respond, only to say nothing as she took a moment to consider. "...If she asked you to obstruct justice, would you do it?" she finally asked. "How do you mean?" "Midnight, I know that I... Well, it's not a bad thing to look for the good in others and give them second chances if they do wrong," Twilight explained, "I know what I said to you in the hospital after... well, after Chryalis's second attack on Canterlot concerning Aurora Boreala. What I mean is... "Have you and the Brotherhood ever... interfered with a criminal case that led to an innocent being implicated?" "Never," Midnight said solemnly in such a way that Twilight almost instantly believed him, "The Brotherhood was founded to protect the innocent and punish the guilty whom the law cannot touch because of technicalities or other such red tape. To foil criminals and hurt innocents in the process would be against everything the Brotherhood stands for. "Has Celestia given me orders that bothered me? I'd be lying if I said no, but she always gave me permission to handle the mission as I see fit, and if she hadn't, if she'd given me direct orders to do things that i can't help but feel are wrong... Either I'd have dissolved the Brotherhood altogether and refused or I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I'd submitted to her will." "I see..." Twilight said and again silence resumed. Midnight sighed, knowing that Twilight was still apprehensive... when they heard an excited, "BIG BROTHER AND SISTER!!!" They looked down the way and saw Twinken hurrying towards them as fast as his hooves could carry him, his telepathy-inhibiting talisman bouncing off his chest with every running step. Very quickly, both alicorns put up a positive look of having a good time as Twinken hurried up to them, and Twilight asked, "Hey there, Twinken, what's got you so excited?" "Well, you know how Countess Coloratura is singing for the concert tomorrow night?" Twinken asked, his brother and sister-in-law both nodding, "Well, today, she came over to our school where she said that some of us are gonna get the chance to sing with her onstage during her performance!" "That sounds awesome, you and the Crusaders gonna try out?" asked Midnight. "Yeah, and even if we don't win, I'll be happy for whoever in my class does get to sing with her," Twinken replied with an adorable smile (that was just a teeny bit scary because of his fangs). "Even if we don't win, at least we'll have tried. I mean, where would we all be if you guys hadn't tried?" "What do you mean, Twinken?" asked Twilight. "You know, the way you've always faced everything that came your guys' way," Twinken explained, "and no matter what, by relying on each other and believing in each other, you always came through. Like that very first night when you stood side by side to stop Nightmare Moon, or you helped each other to find the will you needed to beat Discord! "The Magic of Friendship's helped you to overcome everything you faced, and because of that you've gotten us all through thick and thin." Then Twinken hopped up and hugged them both, causing them both to blush a bit but smile as well, as they returned the hug and let Twinken down. "Anyway, I'm heading over to Button's house. He has this boss he wants some help beating on one of his favorite games. Seeya!" They watched Twinken hurry off, and then looked at each other... before scooting closer together, Midnight wrapping his wing around his Twily's shoulders. "How is it kids have a knack for saying things that need to be heard?" asked Twilight with a warm look in her eyes as she gazed up at her husband. "Eh, they haven't grown up yet," Midnight retorted, causing them both to chuckle and then lick their lips to see Savoir Faire returning with their order, a big heaping bowl of spaghetti and wheatballs with a salad drizzled with Prench dressing, and iced tea for Twilight and colt cola for Midnight. In their house, Big Macintosh and Fluttershy were passionately at work preparing a nursery for their baby. Macintosh had already made a cradle from some apple wood and Fluttershy had knitted a baby blanket, and now they were painting the nursery walls. Mac had tried to convince Fluttershy to let him handle it, worried about the paint fumes, but Fluttershy had insisted it would be fine as long as they kept the door and window open. On the wall she was working, Fluttershy was painting a flowery meadow with all sorts of cute little critters frisking about in play whereas on Mac's wall, he was painting a bright sunrise peering over a hill covered with apple trees. Ah hope everything works out... Big Mac thought as he continued to dot the apples on each tree with his paintbrush. To be honest, he just wasn't sure whether he was ready to be a dad. He was a simple farmer and that was the size of it. Ah mean, sure, Ah married th' love o' muh life, he continued to think, Ah'm one o' th' Elements o' Harmony, Ah've helped take down all sorts o' bad'uns, now Ah'm a thunderatin' Knight and... By this point, Mac's tension deflated a bit but only because he mentally realized that at this point he was practically whining about his own accomplishments. But bein' a pa is somethin' else entirely! he insisted to himself. Her husband's anxiety did not escape Fluttershy as she peered over her shoulder and noticed how wound up he looked. Giving it a thought, she had an idea as she rubbed her growing baby bump, Looks like Daddy needs a little pick-me-up. Setting her paintbrush down, she stood up and very lightly stepped over to Macintosh, nuzzling up against his side. "You okay?" Sighing before giving his `Shy a demure smile, Macintosh replied, "Ah'm fine, Ah... well, `Shy, this is... It's gonna be a mighty big change" - he reached down and gently placed his hoof over Fluttershy's belly - "after this lil' one comes along." "I know, isn't it exciting?" Fluttershy smiled widely yet maintained her soft and delicate volume, which made Big Mac chuckle... until he heard her say, "After all, it's such a... big step, becoming parents an' all..." Big Mac gave Fluttershy a closer look and saw she was shaking, her smile was quivering, as though she were forcing it and then... the faraway stare! "Uh, `Shy?" "What if this was a mistake?" uttered Fluttershy in a low tone that teetered towards the edge, a soft yet dangerous hint that she was on the verge of freaking out! "What if something happens to the baby before its even born? What if I make a mistake and hurt the baby before I give birth? What if I'm in an impossible situation when my water breaks and can't get to the hospital in time?! What if we're not ready- Oh Mackie!!! What if we're bad parents?!?!" "Now you hold jus' one apple-pickin' minute!" Macintosh made sure his `Shy was looking him straight in the eyes as he declared, "Wer' not gonna be perfect. Things might happen beyond our control. But tha' don' matter. Wha' matters is how much love n' care we give our foal. Tha' we be there for him or her, no matter what, show our foal how much they're loved, how much we support `em, an' taking th' time every single day t' jus' enjoy those days t' come as we watch our child grow up happy an' healthy. "So no more o' tha' kinda talk! Yer gonna be a wonderful mama, an' Ah'll do muh absolute very best t' be a good daddy. Ah'll provide fer our fam'ly, always make time fer fam'ly, an' Ah'll..." By now, Big Mac had just noticed the cheeky smile on his `Shy's face before it dawned on him. Likewise, Fluttershy giggled at the look on her husband's face before she asked, "See what I did there?" "Eeyup," Big Mac sighed before smiling, finding himself suddenly relaxed before he rubbed his nose to his `Shy's and asked, "How'd you get so smart?" "Well, foalsitting for the Crusaders and little Discord certainly helped," replied Fluttershy and they both laughed again before she said, "Why don't we rest a bit? I'm getting a little tired of the smell of paint." "Sounds good," Big Mac chuckled and they went to their living room to cuddle. "Hmmm, what about Hay-waii?" Blueblood mused aloud as he poured over his favorite map of Equestria, "White sandy beaches, tropical sunshine, primping and pampering around the clock?" "Mmm, let's call that our default honeymoon venture," Rarity responded as she was trying to brainstorm her next masterpiece of the textile arts. "As heavenly as it sounds, dear, I find myself inclined towards a honeymoon of a more... unusual location." Recently wed, Blueblood and Rarity were in the boutique, now trying to plan out their honeymoon, which they hadn't even started on given their rather impromptu wedding ceremony. Of course neither of them had even spared a thought to their honeymoon until Rainbow Dash had asked them not two weeks ago. "What about San Fransiscolt?" suggested Blueblood. "We could tour the city in their famous Cable Coaches. Or perhaps Trottingham!" "Hmm..." Rarity started to look distant, is when Blueblood looked up from his map and noticed his wife. "Rarity?" he came over and nuzzled up against her, "Is something wrong?" "Well nothing's wrong, per se," Rarity replied, trying to find the right words. "It's... well, Macintosh and Fluttershy, Shining Armor and Cadance, even Princess Celestia and Prince Sombra! They're all going to be parents in the near future, so... a great deal of changes lie ahead of us." "Rarity, do you...?" Blueblood let the unfinished question hang in the air. "What?! Me? Oh no-no-no-no, Blueblood!" Rarity waved her hoof, "We've only been husband and wife for two months, I am simply not ready to be a mother!" "But...?" Blueblood pressed, knowing there was more to it. "But... well, I suppose..." Rarity took a deep breath, "They way Fluttershy has been simply aglow, she hasn't even given birth yet and motherhood already seems to agree with her. Then there's the idea of having a foal..." "So... you're not ready and yet you find yourself appealed to the role of motherhood," Blueblood smiled softly as he hugged his muse from behind, and the way his wife snuggled up to his embrace and then peered up at him with those limpid pools of blue was all the answer he needed. "Rarity, you are the most amazing mare I know." "Oh?" Rarity raised a brow and couldn't help but ask with a giggle, "How so?" "For as long as I've known you, you've shown yourself to be a driven, ambitious, and task-oriented mare," Blueblood started off, "You started your own successful business, made a name for yourself, and you've begun to branch your business out. I know you're already planning to open another store besides Canterlot Carousel, and I support you 100%. "But for all your success and your dreams of a lifestyle posh and lavish, you've never lost sight of who you are or what's important. Sure, you sometimes needed a little help to keep your hooves on the ground, but the fact that your friends cared enough to help you from going astray just shows how special you are and how important your friendship is to them. "What I'm getting at, Rarity, is if you want to be a mother one day, then let's talk! We don't have to rush things and we'll decide together when we are ready, to start our family." "Oh Blueblood," Rarity sighed, lovingly nuzzling against her stallion, "How is it you always know what to say?" "I don't," Blueblood responded, Rarity looking at him before he said, "I just try and... say what's in my heart." "Oh...!" Rarity pulled her stallion close and gave him a passionate kiss, and Blueblood fell into it, as husband and wife began to make out while their horns lit up, locking the door and windows and turning the 'open' sign outside over to 'closed'. "That... was awesome, Soarin," sighed Rainbow Dash as she propped her head up with her hoof, looking at her stallion as they lied in bed. "I'm glad you think so, Dashie," Soarin panted as he sat up, "because after a... workout like that, I've got quite a case of the munchies. Wanna go grab a bite at the Hayburger or something?" "Actually, Soar..." Rainbow Dash hesitated, and to Soarin that was a rare occurrence. He waited patiently as Rainbow sat up as well and took a moment to consider what she was going to say, before taking a deep breath. "Well... it's just, lately, y'know, after what happened in Canterlot? That whole conspiracy, and then throwing together a quick wedding for Rarity and Blueblood..." "Dashie, do you...?" Soarin didn't dare finish the question. "Well, Soar, you know I love you and I've gotten used to being mushy with you," Rainbow Dash leaned her head against Soarin's shoulder, "Marriage though... I have to admit it, there's a part of me that... wants to tie the knot but at the same time there's something about it that just..." "I know what you mean," Soarin said in an understanding way as he wrapped his wing around his Dashie's shoulders, "but there's no rush! After all, a lot's been going on lately, and before long we're gonna get called back into our daily grinds. I bet it won't be long before you're an official Wonderbolt and Midnight and I are gonna be busy organizing the Silverbolts." Rainbow Dash smiled up softly at him and though there yet remained some disappointment that she and Soarin would not fly together in the Wonderblt uniform, she'd let it go. After all, what good would it do to hold onto a silly grudge? "I know you were a little begrudged by Midnight's decision," Soarin went on, "but you'll be a great addition to the Wonderbolts. Who knows? Maybe one day, you'll succeed Spitfire as captain." "Heheh, maybe..." Rainbow Dash replied though she found herself surprised with herself that the idea of one day being captain of the Wonderbolts seemed... a little daunting to her. Shoving that aside, she pulled Soarin into another kiss, and when they parted momentarily, he chuckled, "Opposites do attract," before they took a moment to cuddle. Lunch could wait. "...an' then, she said we'd gone in different directions," sighed Applejack as she sat against a post of her farm's fence. "Ah'm glad t' see she ain't lost sight o' herself, but she's jus' not seein' wha's right in front o' her!" "Well, AJ, Coloratura's worked with him so long I take it that Svengallop hides that rotten side of himself from her," responded Thunderlane, as he leaned onto the railing of the fence, resting his chin on his crossed fetlocks. "And because he's helped her rise to stardom, maybe she just feels she owes Svengallop her trust or something." "Ah dunno, Thunder, Ah... it's still a load o' rotten apples!" Applejack insisted, "He's obviously one o' them bigwig agents who take advantage o' their clients who're just too starstruck t' see otherwise." "It's not exactly the same, but I can relate," Thunderlane shrugged, and when Applejack looked up at him, he explained, "After it was just me and Rumble, I had to work my tail off to prove I could take care of him and go to school at the same time! My first job was at a coffee shop, and I worked really hard to get a pay raise, but my manager gave the raise to the new barista just because she was pretty... I wanted to douse the jerk with hot coffee but I needed the job... "It wasn't easy, Applejack, but I had to work so hard to keep social workers from splitting me and Rumble apart." "Oh sugarcube," Applejack stood up and gave Thunderlane a warm nuzzle, "Ah gotta say, Ah really respect th' workin' stallion, especially when he does it fer fam'ly." "Do you... respect the working stallion enough to, maybe... go on a date?" Thunderlane asked with a hesitant smile. Applejack smiled back but before she could answer- "APPLEJACK!!" "WE NEED APPLES!!!" Pinkie and Cheese came hurrying up the path, both of them looking quite frantic and almost worried to the point of being labeled physically ill. "What's got you all in a hurry?" Thunderlane asked. "Svengallop demanded 500 apples peeled and cored by tomorrow or he'd pull Coloratura out of the show," Cheese said, gasping for breath before collasping. "What he said..." Pinkie panted. "Ah knew it!" Applejack growled, "An' Ah betcha tha' even if'n ya didn't get tha' Svengallop all o' those apples an' his other demands take care of by then he couldn' follow through on his threat. `Cuz Rara would never pull outta performance fer charity." "He's manipulating her but she's just not seeing it," Thunderlane added before giving Applejack a sneaky look, "but if she did see it..." "Ya read mah mind, sugarcube," Applejack smirked, "gather `round, y'all. We gots us a louse of an agent t' unmask..."