//------------------------------// // Maskless // Story: Nyctophobia // by Valorousspectre //------------------------------// Epilogue: Maskless. Skeleton arrived at the Canterlot castle three days later, evening. Her carriage was dark, mysterious and gothic. Tickets exchanged hooves, she met the princess quickly and left twice as quickly, terrified of the status and lots of ponies around her. She quickly made her way out of the castle, avoiding as many guests as possible and looked around for the maze. It was difficult to miss. She ruffled her wings, her mane bouncing as she began to fly ~*~ Soarin waited nervously at the entrance to the Canterlot maze, his mane spiked back in its’ normal style, his suit wrinkle free and perfectly clean. Calm down Soarin... She’ll be here soon. She said she would. He nodded to himself, pacing slowly. As a result, his back was turned when Skeleton landed behind him and took a nervous step forward, her bright orange eyes wide. “Soarin..?” Soarin froze and turned slowly, his heart beating frantically. “Skeleton Grin?” He gasped as he beheld her, standing nervously in front of him. By Celestia... Her dress was long, black and silver in colour. Think of an old masquerade ball. The dresses worn back in those days? Yeah. That’s what she was basically wearing. The dress was mainly black, intricate silver designs stitched into it with such care it was as though they were bolts of silvery magic. Her mane fell in bouncy curls around her face, framing it perfectly in the way only Rarity could do. “Soarin... I...” She blushed nervously. “I told you I’d be here...” Soarin nodded, smiling. “Yes... you did.” The two slowly approached each other, Soarin in his suit, Grin in her dress. Soarin was smiling nervously, Skeleton was blushing. No going back now Grin... He knows your name and what you look like... oh Celestia he looks so handsome... Soarins’ mind was in an uproar of its’ own. Holy Celestia she’s beautiful... Oh Luna, I feel so underdressed. Oh jeez, what do I do!? The two stood directly in front of each other, both of their hearts beating frantically in their chests, as though they were going to bust out of their bony cages and embrace each other there and then. Oh Celestia... By Luna... The moon was out in the sky as the two wordlessly gazed at each other, blue eyes meeting orange. The two sat for what seemed an eternity before Soarin leaned forward and pulled her into an embrace. “Skeleton Grin...” “Y..Yes Soarin..?” “I..” He frowned. No Soarin... that’s simply... It won’t do. Show her, don’t tell her. If there’s anything you’ve learned about her, it’s that showing her something works best. “Soarin..?” He smiled and made a small amount of room between the pair, gazing into her eyes. “S..Soarin..?” For the first time, under the pale moonlight at the annual Grand Galloping Gala held at Canterlot Castle, Skeleton Grin was kissed by the one she loved. Face to face, no magic involved. Never in her life had she felt so amazingly happy.