//------------------------------// // Chapter 27- Flirting // Story: My immortal phoenix. // by Lieral //------------------------------// “Okay, Spike, I’m ready,” Twilight said with as much confidence as she could muster. “Tell me the score,” Twilight Sparkle finally decided (After a big push from Rarity) that she was going to steal her actual roommate’s heart. And, of course, it would not be Twilight Sparkle if she did not manage to make a list out of this situation. Her list is actually very simple this time. Every single time she tries to court Sunset Shimmer and is successful in her task is a positive score for her. But every time she receives some kind of retort that leaves her speechless, blushing or with her plans shattered is a positive score for the red-haired. “…” Spike gave a quick look at the paper he was holding with his left paw while holding a pen with his right one. “You seriously don’t want me to answer that,” “Spike, I already told you that if I’m doing it then I’m doing it right,” Twilight proudly stuffed her chest. “And if I’m doing it right then I need numbers. Now, tell me. I’m not scared at all,” “Okay, then” Spike sighed. “Twilight Sparkle: 0 Points; Sunset Shimmer: 17 Points,” Twilight’s left eye trembled a little behind her characteristic glasses. “You were right… I don’t want to know,” “Told ya,” Spike shrugged. “It’s actually really impressive. She may have zero romantic experience, but every single time you tried to advance she always find a way to flirt back… Without being aware of that,” “UGH,” Twilight hid her face with a pillow. “I KNOW! How is that even POSSIBLE?” “Don’t ask me, I’m just a dog but even I can see she is flirting back,” Spike put down his list and cleared his throat. “Hey, Sunset, There's a new park here, are you free?,” He faked his owner’s voice. “For you, I‘m free for the rest of my life,” Twilight answered faking Sunset’s voice. “This can’t be an accident, can it?” Spike just lifted his right eyebrow. “What about this one: Hey Sunset, what do you keep doing all day besides looking good?” “Nothing relevant, I play video games, watch some movies and wait for you to come back to make my day better... UGH, SOMEONE KILL ME, I CAN’T COMPETE WITH THAT,” Twilight barely could keep herself from yelling. “You know what I think,” Spike throw the pen away. “You can’t. She’s too oblivious, not to say naïve, and not only you can’t compete with her natural skills but if everything stays this way your heart will blow far before you have any result… And you’re not really good at flirting. We need to call for outside help,” “…” Twilight stared the dog with distrust. “What kind of outside help are we talking about?” “Well, girls, I think I already let pretty clear why I called you here,” Twilight walked in front of her couch back and forth with her hands behind her back and wearing the posture of a general. “I honestly thank you for finding time in your busy day to come and see me for such a silly reason,” “Silly?” Cadence asked. She is wearing a pink dress and despite her belly finally showing some signs of pregnancy she still manages to look gorgeous in it. “I’ve been trying to convince you to do that ever since I meet that girl,” “I admit I did not notice with the same speed, but quite frankly, helping my friend in love is always a top priority for me,” Rarity drank some tea while scratching Spike’s ear with her free hand. Spike, on the other hand, seem strangely with his head on clouds, something that took Twilight’s attention since he did not act like that when she does the same thing. “Hum, I can’t lie to say I’m not surprised, but I’m always glad to help,” Fluttershy also drank some tea. She is a gorgeous girl with long pink hair and yellow skin, and her green and discreet dress somehow make her looks even prettier than she already is. “And even better… This is going to be so FUN,” Pinkie Pie ate her popcorn. She had not been invited for this meeting technically, but this is still part of Twilight’s plan. She knew Pinkie is going to show up when she needed… She’s Pinkie Pie after all. “I don’t know if it is going to be fun for me,” Twilight sighed. “Since Rarity and I talked at the bar I’ve been trying to… What is the word? To court her,” Her face is already getting hotter by now so she stopped walking. “But I found out this is going to be far harder than I thought,” “I never thought I was going to see my little girl trying to court someone else,” Cadence wiped a fake tear from her left eye. “I’m so proud,” “CADENCE,” Twilight massage her temples with her hands. “NOT HELPING,” “It’s alright Twilight,” Fluttershy put a hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “We’re going to help you. Even if I have no idea how come she doesn’t catch any of your signs, I mean, who’s so naïve?” Twilight opened one of her eyes and looked at Rarity that had one of her temples trembling dangerously and is holding her cup with so much force that it was shaking and almost letting everything out. “I. Can. Not. Imagine. This. Feeling,” “Well, I think the first step is to have a diagnostic. How bad is the situation?” Cadence asked. “Yeah,” Pinkie agreed. “Where’s Sunset anyway?” “She’s in our room playing Zelda,” Twilight said with her face finally coming back to normal. “I think we’re safe here,” “Hum, I think she’s coming,” Fluttershy said dragging everyone’s attention toward the door that was slowly opening. Sunset Shimmer left the room scratching the back of her head. “Damn, that thing is getting harder,” She said and finally noticed the many girls in the room. “Oh, am I interrupting something?” “Not at all, Darling,” Rarity smiled. “It is a pleasure to see you again,” “Hello, Rarity, Cadence, Pinkie,” She looked at the only girl left and noticed that despite being oddly familiar she never had met her before. “Hum, hello. My name is Fluttershy,” The pink-haired girl said. “And I heard your name is Sunset Shimmer, right?” “Yes, I am,” She greeted her with a nod. “I’m sorry, but I just want to take a snack. You girls can go back to what you were doing,” She walked away and disappeared into the kitchen. “That’s the perfect chance,” Cadence said mischievously. “Perfect chance for what?” Twilight asked. “Chance for us to see how bad things are,” Pinkie ate some ice cream. “Exactly! Fluttershy, please sit here. And Twilight, when that girl crosses that door you will have to flirt with her,” Rarity demanded. “What? Now? I can’t find a good flirt in such a small time,” “She’s back,” Fluttershy said and everyone assumed their best poker face… Pinkie Pie also had five cards up and a pair of sunglasses for some reason. Sunset walked back from the kitchen throwing an apple to the air and catching it repeatedly. Twilight’s eyes widened in despair, she had no idea what to do, but she knew she was not going anywhere without a fight. “Hum… Hey Sunset,” “What’s up?” Sunset asked without stopping her walking. “Did you know I think there is something even hotter than the sun in this room?” Her face was definitely a good candidate. “Don’t look at the mirror too much or you will get a sunburn,” Sunset gave a bite in her apple and went back to her room. Everyone stared the now closed door with their mouth wide open while Twilight hid her face behind her hands but this time her head was literally smoking. “She’s good,” Pinkie Pie could not help but say. “And score for Sunset Shimmer,” Spike said checking his list. “Again,” “Wait a minute,” Rarity asked. “That cannot be an accident. She definitely flirts back,” “Wait another minute,” Fluttershy said. “Did Spike just talk?” The entire room fell in silence for a whole minute. “I think I have some explaining to do…” “Okay, let me put this straight,” Rarity took a deep breath. “The reason you did not go to any of our meetings for three months is that you were opening a portal to another world,” “And there you met this girl that is actually immortal, strong, tortured, powerful and had even forgotten how to feel any emotion and then invited her to live with you,” Fluttershy finished. Twilight stared the floor with much interest. Luckily Sunset always plays the video game with headphones on, because she felt horrible for telling almost everything about her. Of course, she had not said anything about Midnight Sparkle (That part is hard to understand even for her) but she hates, even more, to lie to her friends. And honestly, she is not that worried about that. She knows her friends far too well to predict how they will react to all of that now, and how much worse it would be if she took longer to tell. “And while we were in her world Spike fell in a magical place and learned how to talk,” “Hum,” Rarity blinked a few times. “Okay, now I see why you think she actually does not know she is flirting back. And if half of what you say is true then I have to agree that she probably has no idea what flirting is actually like,” “Didn’t that make things harder for us?” Fluttershy asked. “It definitely does for me…” Twilight commented as Pinkie put a hand on her shoulder with a solemn expression and the room fell in silence. Someone cleared her throat. “Okay, girls,” Cadence stood up with confidence. “I know we’re in a bad spot for a good start, but we have to fight back! Spike/talking dog I just learned that talks, tell us the actual score,” “For the second time today: You don’t want me to answer that,” He answered with a blank expression while thinking about Cadence’s poor attempt to pretend she did not know he talks before. “Spike, we can’t do this without numbers,” Cadence complained. “Please, don’t make him say it…” Twilight pleaded with a low voice. “Hey, Twilight, it can’t be that bad,” Fluttershy tried to comfort her friend. “What?” Spike grinned. “It can’t be that bad? Come on, you girls have no idea what you’re getting into,” “We would if you tell us the scores,” Cadence rolled her eyes. “Alright then,” Spike shrugged and took his small list. Twilight Sparkle: 0 Points; Sunset Shimmer: 18 Points,” Twilight’s face lit again as everyone around tried to process the new data, even Pinkie Pie was seriously thinking about the subject. “We… Huh… Should probably have not asked,” Fluttershy admit. The room fell in silence again. Everyone seems to be lost in their own line of thought processing and analyzing the best approach for the said situation. Spike observed every girl from bellow with interest before looking at the list/score again. “Okay, that is it,” Rarity stomped hard once. “We have to make other tests,” “Huh… What kind of test are we talking about?” Fluttershy asked taking her hair away from her eyes. “I am still not convinced it is ALL an accident,” Rarity said matter-of-factly. “What I suggest will not please you, Darling, but I think it is a necessary measure,” “And what will you suggest?” Pinkie asked. “This time WE will be trying to court her,” “Said what now?” Spike asked. “It is ridiculously clear that she is flirting back, be it an accident or not,” Rarity walked until she is standing in front of everyone. “So we HAVE to be sure. Each of us four will try on our own way to flirt with her, and if she flirts back then it is all an accident and she is actually just absurdly talented on the subject. But, if she did not flirt back then we are sure that she is trying to court you just as much as you are trying to court her,” “Okay, this will be fun,” Pinkie grinned. “Hum, do we really have to?” Fluttershy asked. “I agree,” Cadence stood up from the couch. “I may be married now, but I earned the nickname of Princess of Love in college, I’m in” “Honestly I don’t think we have anything to lose now,” Twilight sighed. “Let’s do this your way,” “…” Spike observed the determination in each girl’s eyes. He took his pen and started to write silently. “Sunset Shimmer, can you come here just for little a minute?” Rarity called the girl that was peacefully playing her game. “I’m still not sure this is a good idea,” Fluttershy said only loud enough for Spike to hear as the door to the other room opens. “Someone called me?” The main star of the show asked. “Yes, my Darling,” Rarity walked toward the other girl and stood just a little away from her, but this little space was perfect to see the difference in each girl’s height. Sunset is a few inches taller than Rarity. “Do you need anything?” Sunset asked gently. “I would be glad to help,” “Honestly, I do not need anything,” Rarity smiled and blinked once. “But I am so ashamed that our only contact was in my boutique that I want to fix this tiny detail,” She gave a step closer. “We should properly meet each other, do you not think too?” “Hum, sure,” Sunset scratched the back of her head as everyone watches in silence. “You want a fresh start, right?” “That is exactly right,” Rarity offered her left hand. “My name is Rarity Belle, it is an enormous pleasure to meet such a gorgeous woman as yourself,” Sunset did not even hesitate. She took Rarity’s left hand in her own and slowly brought it up to her lips and kissed it with elegance. “It is all my pleasure, my fair lady,” She smiled and put her other hand above her own chest. “And I must say that even during a lifetime I will not forget such divine eyes,” “Huh… I…” Rarity blushed dumbfounded as everyone watches the scene waiting for some kind of reaction… Except for Fluttershy and Spike, but their deadly glare was completely ignored by the charming red-haired. And for some reason Cadence put her phone up. “I wanted to… You know… What were you doing anyway?” It was a desperate attempt to keep her head on the game. “Oh, please,” Sunset gave a step forward forcing Rarity to give a step back with her face getting redder with each passing second. “It was nothing more than a distraction,” She approached her face to Rarity. “It was just a necessary tool so I would not get lost in the blue of your eyes forever,” Everyone stared the pair with their mouth comically open but no one dared to say a word to cut the silence that reigns now. Spike lifts both his list and pen. Sunset smiled one more time seductively and slowly let go of the purple-haired hand. “Now, if you excuse me, princess, I have to defeat a giant boss to prove to myself I am strong enough to stay away from you for a few minutes,” She turned her back and waved goodbye with her hand before closing the door again. Cadence was the first one to react and put her phone down slowly. She blinked twice trying to remember the whole scene. “Rarity, you can put your hand down now,” Rarity stared the wooden door which Sunset had just disappeared with wide eyes and mouth, but more importantly, as Cadence had just said her hand was still stopped where Sunset had left it as a very decent proof that her brain actually stopped working for a few seconds. “What… Just… Happened?” She asked with a long pause between each word. “That’s simple,” Spike said. “You lost this round… Badly,” He looked at his growing list with interest. Twilight Sparkle: 0 Points; Sunset Shimmer: 19 Points; Rarity Belle: 0 Points “Okay, I think it’s our turn now,” Pinkie Pie stretched her neck. “Right, Fluttershy,” After a small discussion, the small group decided to change even more their approach. Inside Twilight’s apartment is definitely a familiar ground for Sunset, so now, everyone is walking on a big and Green Park filled with many people and animals and Spike is walking ahead trying to keep the red-haired busy while the other five girls discuss. “You two are going to strike together?” Cadence asked. “That’s something I want to see,” A smile crossed her face as she pulled her phone from her purse. “Well, being honest, neither Rarity nor I had a good result while working alone,” Twilight said scratching the back of her head. “I hate it, but I have to agree,” Rarity sighed. “She completely destroyed our chances,” “Really, I haven’t noticed,” Cadence shrugged. “Now, you two go ahead and make us proud,” “I’m still not really sure about that,” “ROGER, MA’AM,” Pinkie Pie passed a hand above Fluttershy’s shoulders and dragged her toward Sunset Shimmer and Spike. “Hey, Sunset,” “Huh? Hello, Pinkie, may I help you?” “Huh, actually, we just wanted to stay with you for a while,” Fluttershy finally managed to walk on her own again and put her sweetest smile. “Yeah, I mean, you’re amazing, who wouldn’t want to spend some time with you?” Pinkie gave spike a discreet sign that he is dismissed. He nodded and walked slowly so he could catch up with the other group. “Did someone here bring my list?” He asked. “I was trying to keep her busy so I forgot,” “It’s with me,” Twilight said as a cute giggle came from Fluttershy up ahead. “Your favorite pen too,” “Thanks, I think I’ll need it sooner than later,” He looked ahead and saw Sunset taking Fluttershy’s hand much to the girl’s embarrassment and walking side by side with her while talking with Pinkie. Spike narrowed his eye… Sunset is not really a touching person usually, is she? “Come on, you should try Mr. Cake’s cupcakes, it’s so delicious you wouldn’t believe, here,” Pinkie Pie offered a cupcake to both Sunset and Fluttershy. “Oh, I’m SO sorry, I just brought one! Guess you two will have to share,” “Oh, classic,” Cadence was observing the entire scene from the camera of her cellphone. “I had no idea Pinkie Pie was actually really good at this while also respecting the old methods… This girl is actually a genius too,” “Wait a minute there,” Rarity finally noticed the phone. “Are you recording everything?” “Yes, I rather do things with data, you know,” Cadence did not care about Rarity’s concern. “I recorded your try too, just so you know,” “YOU WHAT?” Rarity blushed furiously. “Hey, new data at 12:00,” Spike confidently said and dragged everyone’s attention toward the rest of the group. “Hey, Fluttershy, there’s something on your face,” Pinkie pointed toward her friend’s left cheek. “Worry not,” Sunset giggle and before Fluttershy could clean her own face she kissed her check to take away the sweet from her face with a single movement. Fluttershy became far redder than Sunset’s hair as Pinkie watched the scene surprised as Sunset, on the other hand, kept walking dragging both girls without a care in the world. "I do not know what is sweeter, the cupcake, or you two," The last group stopped walking while observing the cute and unbelievable scene in front of their eyes. “Aaaaaaand I think the classic backfired,” Cadence finally lowered her phone as Spike wrote down the recent events. Twilight Sparkle: 0 Points; Sunset Shimmer: 21 Points; Rarity Belle: 0 Points; Fluttershy: 0 Points; Pinkie Pie: 0 Points “Okay, girls,” Now Cadence is walking back and forth in front of the wooden bench of the park with the posture of a general. Sunset is busy trying to buy some Ice cream for everyone with Spike as her only company. “As sad as it sounds I think it is proved that Sunset, despite being a very good flirt, is not doing that with romantic intentions,” “I honestly don’t know what to feel about this,” Twilight admitted. “Hum… She’s really good, I think,” Fluttershy added. “Undoubtedly,” Rarity observed the far duo. “I hope all your recording serve us something tonight, or else all we did today was for the sole purpose of looking pathetic,” “Yeah, I can’t believe she used my cupcake against us,” Pinkie complained. “Girls, FOCUS,” Cadence stopped walking. “Right now we have only a few minutes to create the perfect plan to court her,” “Hum, I thought it was all because we wanted to prove she was not flirting with Twilight, and… Didn’t we already have the answer?” Fluttershy lifts her hand just enough to be noticed. “Fluttershy, this is not about a simple test anymore,” Rarity looked at the distant girl with fire in her eyes. “NOW. THIS. IS. WAR!” “That’s exactly right,” Cadence’s eyes are a perfect match for Rarity’s. “That girl is destroying our pride as flirtatious. We CANNOT LOOSE,” “YEEEAH,” Pinkie lift her hand closed in a fist and a party cannon exploded from behind her. “If I can’t flirt with her then there’s no point trying to flirt with Applejack too,” Everyone turned their gaze toward Pinkie Pie surprised. “Said what now, angel?" Rarity asked. Meanwhile, on the other side of the park… “Sunset Shimmer, we have to talk,” Spike and Sunset sat side by side on another wooden bench. “Sure,” Sunset lick a little of her ice cream. “Go ahead,” “Just between us, do you know what you’re doing?” He asked with his own ice cream, luckily the park is mostly empty so no one is watching them. She gave him a side glance and a ghost of a smile crossed her face. “What could you be talking about?” “Okay, let’s change the question,” Spike took a deep breath. “Do you know what ‘flirting’ is?” Sunset closed her eyes and sighed once before opening her eyes again. “Spike, how old do you think I am?” “…” Spike stared the red-haired for a few seconds. “That’s a captious question, isn’t it?” Sunset giggled. “Well, let’s change my question… Do you think I can be alive for more than half of a million years and NOT know what is like to flirt with someone?” Spike’s mouth opened in surprise. “You… Did you know all along? You had been flirting with Twilight for more than a week? If so, why it seems you’re flirting with everyone else?” “Calm down Little one,” Sunset almost laughed out loud. “It was not always on purpose. The first time she flirts with me I really had no idea I flirt back, I just answered her question honestly, but after that, it was clear you two were trying to get something from me, so, I decided it would be fun to play along,” “What about today?” He asked as the girl lick her ice cream again. “I have a good hearing,” She shrugged. “I heard when you guys were talking about Twilight’s flirting skills and decided it was a good idea to give them a demonstration. After that, I thought I could enjoy my game, after all, I’m almost reaching the boss inside Lord Jabu Jabu, but they started to talk about how THEY want to test me… Well, I don’t like losing,” Spike smiled. “You are a very cruel person, Sunset Shimmer,” “That is not entirely wrong,” Sunset smiled too. “Hey, I know Twilight and you very well by now, so tell me, did you two have a score or something like that?” He took his list in his paw. “You bet,” He looked at everyone else. “But I think they are creating some kind of master plan to court you now… Don’t you want to crush them before knowing?” Sunset finally laughed out loud. “Let’s give them a few more minutes to prepare,” She licked her ice cream again. “If we’re doing this, we’re doing it right,” “Yes, my fair lady,” Spike got into the game.