//------------------------------// // Double Date (Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Chrysalis) // Story: The Life and Times of Everypony // by Leafdoggy //------------------------------// “Thank you again for dragging me out here, Rarity,” Twilight said. “I just get so wrapped up in work sometimes, I forget to enjoy myself.” It had taken a lot of convincing for Rarity to get Twilight out on a double date. It had taken her even more work to convince their partners that going to get food together would be a fun outing. In the end, Rarity had convinced Rainbow Dash by making it a dessert outing rather than dinner. It was late afternoon, and they were the only ponies left in the lobby of Sugarcube Corner. Even Pinkie had dipped away somewhere, leaving just the four of them in their booth in the corner. Next to Twilight, Chrysalis leaned hard on her elbow, giving their food a look of disdain. Across from her, Rainbow Dash had already finished eating, and had taken to slouching forward and resting her chin on the table. Rarity, having long since given up the idea of teaching Rainbow Dash table manners, was instead idly stroking her rainbow mane. “Oh, I am well aware of your proclivities,” Rarity said. “I take no umbrage in being the pony who keeps them in check. Although, it really should be Chrysalis.” “I mean, I try,” Chrysalis argued. “Twilight’s just very good at convincing me to stay at home with her.” “And yet she still works,” Rarity teased. “My, Chrysalis, are your charms slipping?” “You wish,” Chrysalis said. “Sorry, Rarity, but I am far from losing my position as the most striking creature in Equestria.” Rarity laughed. “Really, though,” she said after a moment, “how have you two been? I’ve been worried that taking such a heavy workload may have put some strain on your relationship.” “Says the pony who pulls all-nighters twice a week,” Rainbow Dash muttered under her breath. Rarity lightly swatted one of her ears. “Oh, we’ve been doing fine,” Twilight said. “It’s not without its bumps, of course, but it hasn’t been a major hurdle.” “It is, however, still a hurdle,” Chrysalis added. “I have been trying to get her to follow a more rigid schedule. My thought is that having a set time to stop working will keep her from putting it off.” “I really don’t think I need it,” Twilight said. “I mean, I’ve been perfectly fine so far. I’m trying, though, for her.” “Well, I’m glad to hear it all,” Rarity said. “It sounds like you two have quite the handle on things. Why, I wish Rainbow Dash was so willing to take my suggestions.” “It’s not the same thing,” Rainbow Dash argued. “Chrysalis is actually worried about Twilight. You just want me to wear hats.” Rarity huffed. “I do not. It’s getting colder out, and if you don’t wear the proper attire you could get sick! I’m trying to keep you healthy!” “Y’know,” Rainbow Dash said, “it’s kinda scary that you almost sound like you believe that.” Chrysalis coughed. “I, uh, will say that living together has helped to avoid a lot of the strain.” “Oh, for sure,” Twilight agreed. “It pretty much guarantees that we’ll get to spend at least some time together every day.” “Oh, we were just talking about that the other day!” Rarity said. “Rainbow is so insistent on staying up with me when I work late, and frankly I’m sick of finding her passed out on my sofa while I’m helping customers the next day. It would be so much easier if she just moved in, that way at least she wouldn’t have any qualms about using the bed.” “So why haven’t you?” Chrysalis asked. “Well, she keeps putting it off,” Rarity said. “I can’t get her to actually commit to it.” “Are you, um…” Twilight frowned. “Having doubts, Rainbow Dash?” “What?” Rainbow Dash sat up in shock. “Of course not! I’d love to live together.” “Then what’s the holdup?” Twilight asked. “Well, I just…” Rainbow Dash sighed and plopped her head back down on the table. “I’d miss my house.” Rarity chuckled. “Yes, that is the root of our problem. I would move in with her, but unless I sprout wings sometime soon, that’s not much of an option.” “Well, at least it’s not serious,” Twilight sighed. “What would happen with your house, anyway?” “I dunno!” Rainbow Dash said. “That’s what makes it so hard. There’s not exactly all that many pegasi in Ponyville I could give it to. I’d give it to Scootaloo, but she can’t get up to it, so unless we dragged it down to the ground… Actually, that might work.” “Except that Holiday’s not a pegasus,” Twilight said. “Scootaloo isn’t old enough to live on her own.” “Not yet,” Rainbow Dash said. “Maybe I could just keep it empty for a few years then give it to her as a birthday present once she’s old enough.” “And you’d be happy with that?” Chrysalis asked.  “I think so,” Rainbow Dash said. “Thinking about Scootaloo getting it makes me feel a lot better about losing it. Plus, I could just go bug her whenever I wanna see it.” “So does that mean you’re ready to talk about a moving day?” Rarity asked. “I mean…” Rainbow Dash hesitated for a moment. “Yeah, I guess. Gotta commit eventually.” “Ooh, I’m so excited!” Rarity wrapped a leg around Rainbow Dash and nuzzled her affectionately. “As soon as we get back, I’m redecorating my entire room to celebrate. Obviously it needs a new palette, the blue is going to throw it all off kilter, but it’ll be an adventure!” Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and leaned against Rarity. She hummed contentedly as Rarity gave her a loving squeeze. “Wow,” Chrysalis remarked, “you didn’t redecorate when I moved in.” “Yes, well, I enjoy not having holes in my walls,” Twilight said. “That’s why you have your own room.” “And here I thought you just wanted there to be somewhere to send me when you got mad.” “Oh, I have lots of reasons for the things I do,” Twilight said with a smirk. The conversation hit a lull. Silverware clinked as Twilight took a bite of the pie she’d been slowly whittling down all night. Chrysalis tapped a hoof on the floor below the table. Rainbow Dash sighed as she held in a yawn. Twilight took in a breath like she was going to say something, then changed her mind. Rarity sipped her tea. Eventually, Chrysalis decided to break the silence. “Rainbow Dash,” she said, “are you… Okay?” “Hm?” Rainbow Dash looked up at Chrysalis and raised an eyebrow. “You just seem very…” Chrysalis paused to search for the words. “Low energy,” Twilight finished for her. “Yes, that’s it,” Chrysalis said. “Oh.” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Nah, I’m fine. Just tired, I guess. And comfy.” “You guess?” Chrysalis asked. “You don’t know for sure if you’re tired?” “Should I?” Rainbow Dash asked. “What’s with the grilling?” “I’m simply being thorough,” Chrysalis told her. “I can never tell when you all are being cagey rather than genuine, so I choose to err on the side of caution.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “I’ll never get you.” “Don’t be rude,” Rarity chided. “I wasn’t! I mean, I don’t get Pinkie either, but that’s not a problem.” “Not the most flattering comparison,” Chrysalis said. “I heard that!” Pinkie shouted from the other room. They all laughed. A short, quiet laugh, but a shared one. Rarity sighed, and it turned into a yawn. “Well,” she said, “this has been truly lovely, but I fear that if we stay any longer the two of us will fall asleep, and sleeping in public is very much not what my image needs.” Rarity got up from the table, and Rainbow Dash slowly followed. They stood there a moment, Rainbow Dash leaning up against Rarity, looking half asleep, as Twilight got up to see them off. Chrysalis elected to stay seated. “Thank you again for the invite,” Twilight said. She gave Rarity a quick, tight hug. “Let us know when Rainbow Dash moves in. I’m sure Pinkie will want to throw a housewarming party.” “Well now she will,” Rainbow Dash said. “She might not have had the idea before you said anything.” “Wishful thinking,” Twilight said. She smiled wide. “Alright, I won’t hold you up any longer. Love you, girls, see you soon.” “And you as well,” Rarity replied. “Ta-ta!” She gave them a fanciful wave, then led Rainbow Dash outside. After the door clicked shut behind them, Twilight sat back down to finish her pie. First, though, she gave Chrysalis a firm hug, nuzzling her lovingly. “Thanks for coming.” Chrysalis wrapped a leg around Twilight. “Of course,” she said. “They’re my friends, too.” “Yeah, but for dessert?” Twilight chuckled. “I’m kinda shocked you’ll even come to this place. Pinkie’s liable to try to feed you something.” “Pinkie will try to feed me things whether I come to the bakery or not.” “You got that right!” There was a thump as a fluffy pink ball bounced over the back of the booth and into the seat across from Twilight and Chrysalis. It was followed by a clatter, the sound of a small plate landing in front of Chrysalid. Pinkie grinned at the couple hopefully. “I’ll find something you like eventually.” Twilight laughed, and Chrysalis sighed. “Hi, Pinkie,” Twilight said. “Hiya!” “So what have you brought me this time,” Chrysalis groaned. “I’m bringin out the big guns,” Pinkie said. “That there is Ma Pie’s Famous Key Limestone Pie. It’s named after my sister!” Chrysalis grimaced at the fluffy green substance before her. “Are there rocks in this one?” “Nah, just extract,” Pinkie said. “You would not believe how hard it is to find high quality limestone around here.” “It actually is quite good,” Twilight assured her. “Cloudy Quartz makes it better, though.” “Well, duh,” Pinkie said.  Chrysalis frowned at the dish. “Must I?” Pinkie giggled. “Yup!” “Fine,” Chrysalis sighed. She plucked a tiny piece off with her magic and slowly, hesitantly inched it upwards. She eyed it for a long moment, trying to work herself up to it, before finally just closing her eyes and chucking it into her mouth. She kept her eyes clenched tight as she chewed, and her frown only deepened. After she swallowed, she stole Twilight’s water and drained the glass. She sighed hard as the empty cup thudded onto the table. Pinkie was still grinning wide. “So? What’d ya think?” Chrysalis thought for a moment. “It was…” Another moment passed. “It was edible. Were I forced to, I could probably get used to it.” “Yes!” Pinkie shouted and jumped up in her seat, bouncing excitedly. “You hear that, Twilight?” She put her front hooves up on the table and leaned uncomfortably close to Twilight’s face. “I did it!” “Did you?” Twilight asked. She chuckled under her breath. “She didn’t say she liked it.” “Oh, pfft.” Pinkie dismissed the claim and plopped back down into the booth. “That’s just semantics.” “I’m not finishing it, though,” Chrysalis said. “Yeah, I figured,” Pinkie said. She slammed her hoof down on the edge of the plate, catapulting the pie into the air and, subsequently, into her mouth, eating it in a single bite. “No biggie.” “So why didn’t you join us tonight, Pinkie?” Twilight asked. “Oh, Fluttershy’s off at some kinda rare animals conference. I woulda gone with her, but she said there wouldn’t actually be any animals at the thing, and it would mostly be slideshows and stuff, and it sounded super boring. Anyway, I didn’t wanna be a fifth wheel.” “Fair enough,” Twilight said. “It was nice to have a quiet evening,” Chrysalis said. “Uh, no offense.” “Nah, I get it,” Pinkie told her. “Dashie didn’t look up to it, anyway.” “You think she seemed off, too?” Twilight asked. “I don’t get it. I mean, she sleeps during the day all the time. What’s the big deal?” “Well, she wasn’t sleeping,” Pinkie said. “Like, at all. You know how easy she falls asleep.” “I suppose,” Twilight said.  “Is that what you felt, too, Chrysalis?” “What? No, not at all,” Chrysalis replied. “Like I said, she just seemed quiet, and I figured it was better to ask and be wrong than not ask and be right.” “Aww.” Twilight took Chrysalis’ hoof in her own. “You’re sweet.” Chrysalis laughed. “You know, you don’t have to dig for compliments to hold my hoof.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Just take the affection.” Pinkie coughed. “Hey Twilight,” she said, “you gonna finish that pie?” Twilight looked down at the pie, then back up at Pinkie, and shrugged. “I guess not. I must not be in a pie mood.” “Well luckily, I’m always in a ‘Pie’ mood.” Pinkie laughed at her own joke and flipped the slice into her mouth. “Get it?” she asked as she chewed. “A Pie mood? Cuz I’m a Pie?” Twilight chuckled. “We get it, Pinkie.” Pinkie swallowed the snack and grinned. “Well, I gotta go clean these dishes.” She hopped over the table, sitting between the other two, and hugged them both. “See ya!” Then she scooped up all the dishes from the table and bounced off towards the kitchen. Twilight smiled at Chrysalis. “I guess we should head home.” “If you want,” Chrysalis said. She grinned back. “Or we could go lay in the park and watch the stars.” “You know what? That sounds great,” Twilight said. Then she leaned up and gave Chrysalis a soft, tender kiss. The stars had already been out for some time when they reached the empty park. The air was still, and the late autumn air surprisingly warm. Still, there was enough of a chill that, once they found a soft patch of grass, just near enough to the pond that every so often they’d hear the splash of a fish, Twilight wasted no time in pressing herself up against Chrysalis as closely as she could without sacrificing her view of the night sky. The moon was massive against the sea of stars. Its great grey surface, speckled with craters, showered Equestria in soft, caring light. Here and there a cloud drifted, dark against the black, only visible when they blocked out some other sight. Everywhere else, though, the stars twinkled brilliantly, as if they were beckoning intrepid ponies to join in their eternal dance. The couple was silent for a long moment. Twilight breathed out a sigh of comfort as she basked in Chrysalis’ warmth, feeling her chest heave gently up and down as they relaxed. Chrysalis, for her part, held Twilight close, so close that it seemed she may never let go again, and something deep inside her wished that could be the case. She stroked Twilight softly, caressing her ears and petting her mane, and at moments she thought she could almost hear Twilight purring. “Mm…” Twilight hummed as she traced her hoof in slow circles along Chrysalis’ side. “Have I ever told you about my favorite constellation?” “You’ve mentioned your favorite star,” Chrysalis replied. They spoke in hushed whispers, just loud enough to slip into the other’s ear. “Oh, that’s completely different,” Twilight said. “Sure, you can pull meaning from a star, and you know I love to, but constellations are stories. They have real, concrete histories, and all manner of associated mythologies.” “So which is your favorite?” “It’s up there,” Twilight said, pointing up near the moon. She pursed her lips when she realized pointing didn’t accomplish much, and instead she lit up her horn and traced a line in the air above them, connecting an array of stars. “There, see?” “Looks like a unicorn,” Chrysalis said. The sharp lines above them were arranged roughly in a shape like a pony’s head, complete with an incredible, long horn. It seemed to be gazing longingly at the moon. Twilight chuckled. “Yeah, without the wings it’s hard to tell it’s an alicorn. It’s meant to be Celestia.” “She gets a whole constellation? How conceited.” Twilight laughed again. “Oh, she didn’t put it there. At least, probably not. The legend says that, as Nightmare Moon was being banished, she used the last of her power to reshape the stars so that her sister would forever be forced to look upon what she had done.” “Dark,” Chrysalis said. “Is it true?” “I dunno. I haven’t asked.” “I suppose it would probably be a sore subject. Still, it mirrors the mare on the moon nicely.” Twilight nodded. “Yeah, it— Wait.” She gasped, her hoof shooting to her mouth. “Why is she there? Luna is free, the mare should be gone, she—” “Hey.” Chrysalis gave Twilight a light squeeze, and she calmed down a bit. “If something is wrong, they’ll tell you. For all we know, Luna could have done it for a party or something. There’s no use panicking about it now.” “I suppose,” Twilight said. “I just…” She tapped her hoof anxiously where it was resting on Chrysalis. “Ohh, I don’t know.” Chrysalis gave Twilight a kiss on the forehead and held her more tightly. “Besides,” she said, “we can’t leave yet. Now that I know Celestia has a constellation, I won’t be able to rest until I find you one.” “Wha- We can’t just do that,” Twilight muttered. “Watch me.” Chrysalis started drawing shapes in the air, connecting dots all over before asking Twilight’s opinion. She kept this up for a long while, chatting lightheartedly and whittling away the time, and with it Twilight’s anxiety slowly melted away. An hour later, Twilight had completely forgotten her fears, and an hour after that, her eyes were closed in a peaceful slumber as Chrysalis stroked her mane. When the door to the bakery clicked shut behind Rarity and Rainbow Dash, they found themselves alone on the dark, silent streets. Dirt and gravel crunched loudly under their hooves as they walked slowly along, each leaning on the other for support. A breeze sent a chill down their spines, and Rainbow Dash stretched out a wing and wrapped it snugly around Rarity. Rarity, in kind, found herself with her tail wrapped around Rainbow Dash’s leg, leaving the two completely intertwined. They were a few minutes into their leisurely stroll when Rarity spoke up. “So,” she whispered into Rainbow Dash’s ear, so close that Rainbow Dash could feel her breath as she spoke, “are you truly ready to move in with me?” Rainbow Dash hummed to herself for a moment. There was no way to tell whether she was deep in thought, or simply too comfortable to speak. Likely, it was a combination of both. Eventually, though, she did reply. “I wanna be. It’s just a big change.” “Oh, I know, dear,” Rarity cooed. “Change must find us all, in some fashion. It’s a big step for us both.” “You’re so chill about it, though,” Rainbow Dash said. “Like, even if you’ve never moved in with somepony before, this relationship stuff just comes naturally to you. I’m, like, the opposite. The only thing that comes naturally to me in relationships is messing them up.” “Oh, Rainbow Dash, don’t speak like that,” Rarity said. “Self deprecation doesn’t suit you, leave that to Pinkie and Fluttershy. You are awesome.” Rainbow Dash snorted, caught off guard by a sudden laugh. “Don’t say awesome, babe. It doesn’t sound right comin from you.” Rarity smiled and nuzzled Rainbow Dash. “There’s my girl.” They came up to an intersection in the street. In the distance, the Carousel Boutique came into view, lit softly against the darkness. They turned the other way. “You know it’s a front, right?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Me being so full of myself. It’s not really, like, real.” “I’m not sure I believe that,” Rarity said. “I believe that’s how it began, sure, but can you really say that now, after holding up that front for so many years, you still haven’t convinced yourself?” “Maybe I have,” Rainbow Dash said. “I dunno. I still have those thoughts from when I was a kid. That I’m not as good as I think I am, that the praise people give me is fake, but it’s hard to tell if I believe them anymore. Maybe you’re right, maybe it’s just a lie that’ll never leave my head but I know is a lie. Maybe.” “Only you could know for sure.” “So since when are you a therapist?” Rainbow Dash teased. Rarity grinned at her. “Since when are you so introspective?” “You got me there.” Rainbow Dash kissed Rarity on the cheek. “Guess we bring out the best in each other.” Before she could turn away, Rarity leaned over and kissed Rainbow Dash on the lips. “We surely do.” They walked in silence for a while. Pressed firmly together, love in every step, they strolled through the vacant town. They paid no mind to where they were going. Here and there they would make a turn, completely at random. It wasn’t important. What mattered was them, and that they were together. “Maybe Twilight could work some magic to make it so grounded ponies can use my house,” Rainbow Dash pondered after a while. Rarity chuckled. “Still thinking about that?” “Hey, it’s important to me,” Rainbow Dash said. “I think I really want Scoots to have it. She deserves it.” “It’s a lovely idea, dearest.” “I guess I’ll go talk to her aunts next chance I get,” Rainbow Dash continued. “Get their take on it.” “Perhaps you should pursue the spell first?” Rarity suggested. “That way you can present them with all of the information.” “Yeah, that makes sense.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “This isn’t, like, weird is it? Wanting to give her a whole house?” “You’ve always looked out for her,” Rarity said. “There isn’t a single pony in town who hasn’t seen how much you care about each other. Frankly, it would be weird if you didn’t pass it on to her.” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Sure. Yeah, I guess that’s a plan then. Talk to Twilight, then the aunts, and then… Well, at that point there’s no going back, is there?” “I really do want you with me,” Rarity told her. “You’re the most precious thing in the world to me.” Rainbow Dash didn’t have a response. She just nuzzled Rarity, and Rarity nuzzled her back. They walked long into the night. Mostly in silence, sometimes not, but always with love between them. High above them, in the sky that neither cared to see, the face of a mare gazed down on Equestria.