//------------------------------// // Mall Attempts // Story: How to Fluster your Bacon Horse // by JustNewHere //------------------------------// Twilight breathed a sigh in relief as she focused on the house of cards she was almost done with. It was finally the weekend and while surprisingly not in the mood for any of her side projects (the horror, she knows) she searched online for something mundane she could do as an activity instead and came up with this. Granted, not the preferred method of spending her free time but after dealing with the stress these past few days, she decided on something different to break the tension, and what better way than to construct the city of Canterlot out of cards? Spike, from his position on the bed pushed to the side to make room for the miniature city, stared with a mixed sense of concern and amusement. Stretching and yawning, he blinked before whispering as not to startle his human. “Uh, Twilight?” The purple girl nodded, smiled when she finished constructing the mall, before finally turning to her companion. “Yes, Spike?” She toyed with the joker card in her grasp, mulling where to put it without letting her perfectly constructed creation collapse. “You seem…tense these past few days, and I was wondering if there’s anything I could do to help!” He wagged his tail as he smiled. “Oh, I could fetch some blueprints from your lab!” He smiled wider. “Or get you a book from Mom’s library? I could always do that.” Twilight’s heart warmed at the gesture. “Thanks Spike, but I don’t think it’ll be that easy.” She gave up on looking where she could place the extra piece in before she trudged towards her bed and laid down. Spike padded forward to nuzzle her. “Well, what can I do then? Tell me and I’ll do it Twilight!” “Unless you know how to make Sunset blush using pick-up lines or get me any closer to actually getting her to be my girlfriend, I’m all ears,” Twilight stared at her ceiling, never imagining to be in such a slumped state over some girl, of all things. Granted, she never expected a lot of things to turn out the way they did but this took the cake for her. Alone with her dog, on a Saturday afternoon, building an impressive replica of the city she’s living in, and looking up dejected at her room’s ceiling, Twilight just thought sad music playing in the background might complete the picture of a hopelessly lovestruck teen. Spike, for his part, stared at his friend for a good minute before jumping down on the bed and exiting the room. Twilight didn’t mind, as she was used to it by now, alone…alone and sad. Amethyst eyes rolled before a groan escaped their owner’s mouth. “Gah, I’m hopeless.” She glared at the ceiling once again. “Stupid, sexy Sunset.” A sound of a collar clinking signaled the return of the canine where he proceeded to jump back on the bed and with a book in his mouth. Raising her brow, Twilight read, “’Dummies Guide for Pick-up lines: Every response for a scenario’ You got me a guidebook?” Spike shrugged. “You always taught me that when in doubt, pick up a book.” He pointed at the paperback. “It might solve your problem since that’s what’s bothering you, right?” Twilight stared at the tome once more before she shook her head. “I appreciate it Spike but if I had any chances of succeeding, I would have done so by now!” She waved it in the air. “This isn’t something I can just solve by reading.” Spike recoiled. “Whoa, she really did a number on you, huh? It usually doesn’t take much to make you doubt books, no, scratch that. You never doubted the help of a good book.” “Well, I’m starting now,” Twilight huffed as she dropped the tome. “I’ve learned a lot of things these past few days and the summary of it is to not get my hopes up.” She glared dejectedly at the smiling image of the girl in the picture frame beside her nightstand. “We can’t be anything more, period.” The dog remained silent before padding forward and hugging his human. “I don’t think it’s hopeless. I mean, sure you can’t be mates, but is that really a good reason to be so sad about?” “Sunset, first of all, has been your friend since the very beginning!” Spike proclaimed, then he held up another paw. “And besides from your number one assistant, she’s the only one who gets you out of the rest of the girls.” At the girl’s raised brow, he rolled his own eyes before he conceded. “Yes, even if I have to choose and hate to admit it, Sunset understands you more than me.” He added, “Still don’t get why no one can explain the strange smell on you once every month” before he glanced at his friend, who seemed to be contemplating his words. “You don’t have to be sad because Sunset is still your friend. Nothing will change and I don’t think it’s all that bad.” She had been really worked up ever since this whole thing started, and maybe the bet was indeed stacked against her. She was sure with a little probing and flashing the right kind of pleading eyes she learned from Pinkie, she could get her friends to watch that documentary even without winning. Her gaze then fell to the picture of the seven of them, zeroing in on the redhead. But stopping now, throwing in the towel, after everything so far? A sense of determination fueled her as she got up, not caring how the cards collapsed from the movement. “But I think it’s bad, Spike.” She turned to the dog. “I just don’t think it’s alright for us to remain exactly where we are, in an endless state between best friends or potential lovers, because...” Amethyst orbs briefly flashed cyan with a sense of confidence, “I want to be more, and I won’t rest until we are.” “B-but then you’ll just be even more sad!” Spike supplied just as Twilight scanned the pages of the book before getting up to grab her phone. “I don’t like it when you’re sad Twilight.” Eyes blazing with fire, they died down upon seeing the compassion in canine ones. “Oh Spike, I really love how much you care and you’re right. Being sad sucks on all the scientific ways, but it’s only because I forgot what I’m really after.” She grinned and began texting. Hi, I know you're busy today, but can you add me to your to-do list? She allowed her heart to beat erratically but for now, she embraced the adrenaline as she turned with a manic gleam that Spike came to dread from time to time. “Spike, bring me my coat and my purse,” she thrusted both her hands in the air as she cackled, “and bring me my police officer costume!” Erratic hands swiped and opened drawers until shaky purple fingers lifted a pair of handcuffs, making Twilight's smile turn from manic to devilish. “Got one, Rarity-made, police officer costume hidden way behind the deep recesses of your lab,” Spike said after plopping down with a grunt. A slow turning of the girl’s head unnerved the canine but before he could offer brewing her some relaxing herbal tea or calling her brother, Twilight let out a cackle. The sound of the notification signaling a text message cut her laugh short and Twilight, in mad scientist mode, lifted her phone to read. Sure, I’m always open to hang out with you Twi, and I could use help with some errands. The deranged air of confidence fizzled like a balloon as Twilight hurriedly typed, Wait, that’s not what Another notification ring sounded, and then Sunset’s second message read. Let’s meet at the mall later, k? Twilight stared at her phone for a good few minutes before she huffed and rubbed her hands together spazzingly. “No matter, a simple set back for my ingenious plan!” Spike stared, worried, on the side. “Soon, soon my dear heheheh,” Twilight caressed the redhead on the photo, “you will be mine.” Twilight fought to stare at anything other than the beautiful redhead in front of her. She cursed the universe and even Murphy’s law for being the one responsible for her precarious situation. She should have known all, and she meant all plans regarding any certain former unicorn would meet with endless ramifications. Like here, her current bane was the lacy black Valencia’s Secrets branded undergarment being held up in front of her by her crush. The redhead’s exemplary obliviousness was border-lining maddening as she gazed at the purple fire hydrant with a hopeful look as she alternative between articles of clothing. “I mean, black is always great but I was thinking a new color for my wardrobe.” Sunset then held up option number two that also befuddled the senses of one purple scientist. Twilight forced herself to look at the lacy and see through purple delicates next, but her mind couldn’t help but conjure multiple wishful notions that Sunset chose that specific item because it bares a striking similarity to her skin. And she meant that literally. When Twilight shakily raised a hand towards the thing, her limb may have not existed at all with how much it blended perfectly but she forced herself to take the item and throw it away. Never mind the surprised look from her crush and annoyed expression from a clerk, Twilight was glad it wasn’t in her line of sight anymore. With a recovering cough, Twilight aptly pointed to the black lace. “Black,” she swallowed, “black suits you just fine.” Sunset bit her lip, causing an action that she still did not seem to notice as Twilight hurried to wipe the blood off her nose, “Are you sure you’re fine with helping me? You look sick.” “I-I just forgot to eat lunch and got a little winded, but I’ll be fine.” Twilight waved a hand in dismissal. Her brows furrowed into concern, Sunset gazed at her friend before declaring, “Alright but we’re heading to the food court when I'm all done. You need to stop forgetting to eat Twilight.” She entered the changing rooms. “And you need to stop being ignorant before I die of an aneurysm, but we can’t always get what we want, can we?” Twilight muttered. Sunset’s voice carried over the sound of clothes shuffling. “What was that?” “Nothing!” Twilight replied with a cheery smile before it dropped into a sigh. She wasn’t lying when she said she skipped a meal, but she didn’t really notice until she started being snippy. She took a deep breath, remembering the exercises Cady taught her. She managed to reach a level of calm long enough to not shoot the snickering clerk that passed by her a glare. Twilight huffed before it was replaced with a satisfied smile when the same employee shrieked as the mannequins 'somehow' came alive and smacked her on the head. That annoyance gone, Twilight decided checking the guidebook she brought with her again. If it did say it had every line for every scenario then she was sure she could find something she could use while in a clothing store. She flipped it open and went to the clothing category, immediately scanning each line. A moment letter, Sunset emerged wearing a deep red shirt along with the words ‘Caution: Angry Horse’ printed on it. The redhead modeled with a small smile. “You think this 50% off shirt looks good on me?” Twilight forced her brain to answer as she took in the beauty before her until she coughed and replied, “Maybe.” Then pulling up her memory files, she knew just the right line to go with it. Doing another attempt of finger guns, she tried to mask her awkwardness with a grin, “But I think it’ll look great on you 100% off.” The girl waited in anticipation, proud of herself since she didn’t stutter this time. Sunset frowned, marring her beautiful features. “That’s terrible, Twilight.” Everyone in the store outlet simultaneously put a finger in their ear to clean it out, while others looked around, as they all swore they heard something that broke like glass. As Twilight slowly tried to pick up the pieces of what once her heart, Sunset patted the nerd on the head. “So terrible.” “Yes, I got that already!” Twilight tearfully and mentally shouted while on the outside she feigned a nervous smile. “Terrible. They’re trying to run a business here,” Sunset continued with a chuckle then playfully tugging at the dark blue strands once again, “they can’t just give these things for free, you know?” Twilight blinked before she let out a laugh that she hoped didn’t sound too fake. “Right, because this is a clothing store so they have to sell clothes.” “Right,” said the redhead with a nod before she smirked, “but going by what you said, I can get this shirt has your stamp of approval.” “Yeah,” screeched Twilight as she frantically waved her hand, the same hand with a rising urge to slap something. Preferably, an oblivious former unicorn. “You look great, you should get it.” Sunset grinned, wagging a playful finger. “I knew it was worth bringing you along.” She went back to the changing room. “I’ll try not to take that long though, we still need to fill your belly with something to eat.” “Right, right…” Attempt number two came in the form of passing by the mall’s security, which in turn, caused her to remember a line from the guidebook. Folding her hands behind her, Twilight slyly leaned forward to the redhead who was looking over the assortment of games. “I’m going to have to get a security guard,” she announced with a smirk, but before she could say “Because you’re trying to steal my heart”, a real one came over with a concerned, “Yes miss?” Eyes shrinking into pinpricks, Twilight waved her away with a giggle and then sighed in relief when Sunset didn’t seem to see the embarassing exchange as she paid for her new game. “Did you know this mall has a movie theater? I just saw a preview of our life together. Looks pretty good!” Twilight started as she saw one of the posters hanging on the walls. Sunset raised a brow. “I haven’t seen that movie, but it sounds like romance to me.” She shrugged. Twilight just stared, unimpressed. “But sure, we can see it. Might be something the girls will like too.” Sunset lit up when she saw a pretzel stand. “Sweet, let me go get us some then one more stop before the food court.” They passed by the fountain, causing Twilight to sigh before she said, “I just tossed a penny into the fountain, want to make my wish come true?” Sunset frowned, rubbing her head while she allowed Twilight to lean against her arm that was holding the shopping bags. “Geez, fine, I guess we can go to the food court now. You really are grumpy when you’re hungry, huh?” Twilight groaned louder. Twilight decided the guidebook was useless as she banged her head on the table. Her companion left to go find her something to eat while she stayed with the bags. “Stupid. Sexy. Redhead.” She said through each thump on the plastic table. She sighed, her frustration now drained for the time being. A moment passed before she rubbed at the spot with a wince. She decided to might as well focus on another activity, one that might not induce brain impairment, and then began people watching. As she looked around, four college-age girls caught her eye. Amethyst orbs widened immediately before their shouted, “Minuette?! Moon Dancer?!” At the sound of their names, the aforementioned two stopped as they stared. Twilight then spotted the other two girls behind the first pair, “Lemon Hearts? And Twinkleshine? You all are here?!” “Twilight Sparkle?” the four girls asked in unison. Before anyone could say something else, the girl with red hair and purple streaks rushed forward and hugged the surprised scientist. “I can’t believe it! It is you!” She squealed before pulling away with a large grin, “How have you been? Am I right when I told you you’ll eventually find some friends? I mean, I saw the videos and you looked like you’re doing well, and with your own squad too!” Her voice seemed to have snapped the three other girls into focus. The blue one approached with a larger smile, practically jumping in her place due to excitement. “I can’t believe this! I’ve been dying to ask this for a long time but now you’re here,” she playfully poked the girl as they all took the vacant spots. “You have to tell me how you girls did the effects?” Twilight managed a blink before she let out a slow, “E-Effects?” Lemon Hearts, the yellow girl, waved a hand as she supplied, “You know, the ears and tail? I mean, we saw your music video too.” Twinkleshine added, “and it seemed the usually high-strung students from CPA are settling down, huh?” “Girls, focus!” Minuette mockingly scolded before leaning towards Twilight. “Tell me, I’ve been trying to incorporate those effects in some of my side projects but for the life of me I just can’t.” “Settle down, babe,” Moon Dancer said with a light chuckle, side hugging the excitable girl before turning to the still shocked Twilight. “Sorry, this is a lot to take in huh? Even though we never heard from you again, we just thought you forgot all about us or just busy with your friends.” Twilight swallowed before dumbly nodding. “H-how are you girls here? Last I heard, you were on a bus heading to Everton dormitories.” Lemon Hearts chuckled, fiddling with her hair. “Y-Yeah, that was kind of a dick move for us, huh? We didn’t realize we left you with the wolves until it was too late.” Twinkleshine frowned, looking down. “When we tried talking to Principal Cinch about it, she only said it wouldn’t look good if graduates of CPA back out from ‘one of the prestigious colleges that would only cater to the best’ and as alumni, we should take that as the highest honor.” Moon Dancer continued, “We thought with your smarts you’ll be with us the next year, but we found out from Dean- sorry- Principal Cadence that you decided to transfer to Canterlot High instead.” “Ooh…” “We really didn’t mean to leave you, but hey, it all worked out in the end, right?” Minuette supplied as she placed her elbows on the table and leaned her chin on top of her hands, “I don’t think it’s really appropriate for a freshman girl to hang out with seniors anyway.” “I-I guess not if you say it like that,” Twilight conceded but she still frowned. “A warning would have been nice though. You four were the only people I could call friends at that time.” The annoyed expression morphed into confusion when the four women exchanged glances. “What?” It was Twinkleshine who spoke up, raising her brows. “Twilight, we left you a note. All of us did.” “T-That can’t be right, I didn’t get anything.” They all squeaked when Moon Dancer suddenly slammed a hand on the table, getting startled glances from other customers, but the bespectacled college student paid them no mind. Turning to meet Twilight’s eyes, she scowled. “We gave them to Cinch.” She then shook her head. “No wonder now, she must have thrown them away.” Lemon Hearts raised a hand. “Hey now, that woman wasn’t the nicest person around, but she wouldn’t actually do that.” Her unsure gaze turned to the others, “Right?” Twilight looked down at her hands before admitting, “S-She did blackmail me into competing in the Friendship Games…” “Howdy Sunset, what can I get for ya?” Applejack, decked in her employee uniform, said to a contemplative redhead. “Hey AJ, and I still don’t know. Can’t really choose for some reason,” answered the girl with a frown, arms crossed as she looked like she was trying to solve a very difficult puzzle. Raising her brow, the farmer shot her co-worker, Bulk Biceps, a look before he got the message and opened the other register beside the blonde. When seeing the new line, the person behind the redhead shifted to the largely muscled person. The regulars followed after. They knew the routine by now when they saw this particular redhead, and they thanked the blonde ever since for developing an alternative way for them to get their drinks without waiting for hours for Sunset to make-up her mind. Applejack shot the bulky man a grateful thanks before turning to her friend with the patience of a saint. Honestly, she didn’t mind the long hour wait to take the girl’s order if it meant a break from the hustle and bustle that came from the daily grind. Still, this time she could sense that vegetarian shakes weren’t on Sunset’s mind right now. Before she could voice her thoughts out, a loud collective shout of “SHE DID WHAT?!” stopped her, causing her and Sunset to seek out the source until they found Twilight with four other strangers. A surge of protectiveness suddenly took hold of Sunset but before she could analyze and take notice, her feet were already bringing her to the direction of the bespectacled girl. Applejack watched her go, confused momentarily taking up her expression before it was replaced with a small smile. “Shoot, there might be hope after all.” She turned to her larger co-worker. “Hold down the fort for a sec, I gotta send a text.” Bulk Biceps nodded understandingly. He, too, had witnessed the action that could be even considered a miracle in the eyes of the Canterlot High students. They were all painfully aware about the thing going on between certain eggheads, after all. “Oooh, shush, shush. cute redhead, 12 o clock.” Twinkleshine murmured, effectively stopping Moon Dancer’s tirade of proper professionalism and insistence on tracking down the former principal if only so she can glare at her pink haired friend. Lemon Hearts turned to look, coyly smiling. “Oh, she is. Nine over ten, I’ll say.” Minuette rolled her eyes with an amused grin, while Moon Dancer muttered a deadpanned, “Really?” At the two’s seriousness, she groaned. “Can we get back to the Cinch problem here?” Twilight blinked at that before nervously giggling. She was about to voice out how she didn’t need her old friend to defend her anymore since the former principal was already dealt with, but the arrival of Sunset’s voice stopped her before she could. “Twilight, are they bothering you?” “Sunset!” Twilight squeaked, turning around in her chair to face her friend before her brain caught up with what the redhead said. She hurriedly waved her hands at the others. “Oh no. These are just my old friends. They used to be seniors at CPA, and my lab partners.” Sunset blinked, unconscious protective stance that she was presenting now deflating into a friendlier version. “Oh, uh, okay then…" The redhead smiled. "Hi there, I'm Sunset.” When the reply she got was two girls gasping out loud, however, she raised a brow. “Wait, Sunset? Like Sunset Shimmer?” Uneasy, cyan eyes found amethyst before they too offered a look of confusion. Sunset turned back to the duo with a hesitant, “Yes? How come you know who I am?” Lemon Hearts squealed. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. It really is her!” Twinkleshine provided a more thorough explanation when she saw the confusion on the younger girls, “you’re only, like, the hottest fencer trending right now.” “Canterlot Fencing Tournament, champion of CHS?” Minuette spoke up, eyes widening in awe with her girlfriend doing the same. “I can’t believe we didn’t recognize you from the video, and to think I replayed it for hours!” Sunset blushed. “U-Uh…” “You beat our very own, which was a real shocker because Sunfire is our best, and I mean the best, at Everton.” Lemon Hearts gushed as she stood up with her hands clasped together, taking up the space on Sunset’s left. “So aside from foil, what other swords do you use?” “Uh,” Sunset stammered but when she looked to the purple girl for helpm all she got was a playful smirk and a ‘go on’ gesture. She turned back to the eager college student. “Sabre and the épée, but I mostly handle the foil.” Twinkleshine’s eyes shined like her namesake as she stood on the redhead’s right. “Oh my gosh, so you can wield three? That’s amazing! Sunfire does too, but she’s really focused on foil now because of you, huh?” “I-I guess?” Sunset supplied with a shrug, now uncomfortable at the intense looks. As Minuette joined in with another question, this time regarding the girl’s dance music video, Moon Dancer simply shook her head and took the seat next to the purple scientist. Seeing the unmistakable gleam in amethyst eyes, one where Moon Dancer knew was the same gleam in her own eyes whenever she looked at Minuette, the older of the two let out another giggle. This was, of course, heard by Twilight who then looked at her, puzzled. “What?” “Twilight, you never told us you were dating the girl who beat our team.” The girl froze when Moon Dancer finished her sentence. It was a good thing that the redhead was currently preoccupied with three college age girls asking her questions, but Twilight guessed, with the girl’s track record of not paying attention to anything remotely romantic potential, that it wouldn’t have made a difference. Still, she was not prepared to have this conversation with her old friend so soon. Fighting down her blush, Twilight snorted with a mix of self-deprecation and nervousness. “N-No, she’s not- we’re not together.” Moon Dancer blinked. She eyed the stammering redhead overwhelmed with the onslaught of inquiries, then back to the blushing girl. “You sure? Because it looks like- “I’m at the pining stage,” Twilight cut in with an exasperated wave of her hand, “but Ms. Incognizant over there doesn’t seem to be in the right state of mind yet.” At the other’s incredulous look, Twilight proceeded to tell the other bespectacled girl everything. Once Twilight finished, Moon Dancer nearly twisted her neck from whiplash. “You serious, girl?” Amethyst eyes rolled before their owner huffed in response. The college student simply leaned back against her chair, looking like somebody told her she was pregnant via asexual reproduction. Massaging her temples, Moon Dancer let out another, “Really? I mean, I know I’m not one to talk but that, that is a whole kind of level.” “Which I’m unfortunate enough to crush on hard,” said Twilight, frowning a bit. “Don’t remind me.” “Are you sure there’s no one else?” Moon Dancer offered, not liking the other's sudden change of mood. “I mean, it’s better than waiting for this one to grow a pair for you. Her brain might not have even graduated to puberty yet.” Twilight furrowed her brows, sadness changing to protectiveness. “Okay, that was border lining on mean, Moon Dancer. Romantically impaired or not, she’s still my friend.” Raising her hands in defense, the college redhead conceded, “Fine, fine, but I just worry for you.” “I appreciate it, really, but aside from teenage frustration, I’ll be okay.” An errant thought came to mind forcing Twilight to wince and groan. “But if I had to use it as a last resort, I might end up just laying naked on a hotel bed for her to really get it.” “And if she still doesn’t realize how much you want her, give me a call,” Moon Dancer stated with a teasing grin. “I’m not above slapping bitches from time to time.” “Moon Dancer!” Twilight scolded, drawing a laugh from the older girl. “What? I mean it. College does that, I’ll tell ya.” A smile replaced the mock frown she had on, as long forgotten warmth returned. Not being able to stop herself, Twilight surged forward and hug her friend. It was safe to say that out of the four seniors, Moon Dancer was the closest one she could call a best friend at her time in CPA and while distance did grow, she found she could still count on her ‘Spectacle Sister/former Lab partner’ to cheer her up and have her back. “Thanks, Dance-Dance.” The older girl chuckled, returning the hug. “No problem, Little Spark.”