//------------------------------// // Chapter 23 // Story: Pinning the Heart // by Random_User //------------------------------// Starlight Glimmer shut the door on the top water tank and secured it with a padlock. “The Great and Powerful Trixie is now sealed inside!” she declared to us in the audience. She hopped from the top of the tank to the outdoor stage’s wooden floor and put her hoof on a lever that extended from the side of the tank. “Let’s see if the Great and Powerful Trixie can escape!” Starlight flipped the level, and water rushed into the tank. Trixie thrashed against the restraints holding her to the bottom of the tank. As the water level went above her head, Trixie’s hat floated away from her and sunk to the bottom of the tank. Long moments passed, and Trixie did not appear to make any progress in freeing herself. “I don’t think she’s going to get loose!” Dinky said, clinging to Turner. “Shouldn’t we do something?!” Crystal Hoof asked Muffins. From behind us, Sunburst assured them, “She’s got this.” “You sure?” Noi asked with concern in her voice. Sunburst nodded. “Yep, give her a second more, and...” Trixie freed her limbs from the chains and bindings that had held them. With a quick motion, she removed the magic limiter that she had around her horn. With the flash of a teleportation spell, and an accompanying volley of fireworks, Trixie appeared outside the tank. We in the crowd applauded her with a standing ovation, cheering and stomping the ground. “The Great and Powerful Trixie thanks you all for coming!” Trixie said and took a bow. Starlight turned her head toward the tank. Her horn glowed, and Trixie’s hat appeared in front of her and remained hovering in the air in an aura of Starlight’s magic. “Thank you, my lovely assistant.” After returning to standing and taking her hat from Starlight’s magic, Trixie swept her wet mane back in a practiced manner. “Trixie will be available to give autographs to her admirers in fifteen minutes. Trixie must get her coat and mane presentable first, before gracing everypony with her presence.” “Is she always like that?” Star asked, as the crowd dispersed from the outdoor stage. Sunrburst nodded with a smirk of a smile. “Pretty much.” “Notice she didn’t shake her mane out,” Coco teased, giving looks to Crystal Hoof, Star, and me. “Her mane doesn’t look like wet lint plastered to her head,” I protested. “She’s missing out on the fun of it too,” Star said. “She might shake it once she gets back stage,” Crystal Hoof conjectured. “Knowing her, she just might,” Sunburst said with a grin. Starlight, joining us after coming from the stage, asked, “Did everypony enjoy the show?” “It was great!” Dinky, Noi, and Star said at the same time. Pinch giggled at them and then told Starlight, “Ditto!” Rumble shook his head. “I can’t believe you missed it, guys.” Star looked at him, confused. “What do you mean?” Rumble stood on his hind legs, threw his forelegs wide in dramatic fashion and declared, “it was a great and powerful show!” After we all stopped laughing, Dinky asked, “Miss Glimmer, can we ask you and Mister Sunburst a favor?” Starlight gave Dinky a smile. “Sure.” “Could you help us talk to Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance to see if we can have Crystal Hoof for a while longer?” “I don’t know,” Starlight said and glanced at Sunburst. “You think they will part with him much more today?” she asked in a joking tone. “Flurry could be the real issue,” Sunburst said. “She hasn’t gotten to see Th-” He shook his head and then tapped his temple with a hoof. “Crystal Hoof, I mean, all day. She can get fussy, if she doesn’t.” “Crystal, Sunburst, you have incoming!” Shining Armor called from the roped off royal seating section. Crystal Hoof grinned. “Speaking of Flurry, he she comes.” He held out his forelegs and caught Princess Flurry when she flew to him. He smiled and held her against his chest. “Hello, Flurry.” Flurry clung to Crystal Hoof and made soft fussing noises. Crystal Hoof nuzzled the top of her head. “I missed you too, but you know you’re not supposed to do that.” “Piña, down girl,” Pinch said, smiling, as Piña moved closer to the hugging pair. “I can’t help it!” Piña said. “She’s so cute.” Flurry turned her head toward Piña still clinging to Crystal Hoof as if determined not to let him go. “This could be an issue for your plans,” Sunburst said to Dinky. “When she gets this clingy, things tend to turn sour if you try to separate her from whoever she has a hold of.” Dinky’s ears fell. “Oh. I guess we can’t have him and her both, can we?” “I doubt it,” Sunburst said. Piña moved closer to Flurry and held out her hoof to the alicorn filly. “I won’t take you from him, but I wanted to say hello again.” Flurry smiled, touched hooves with Piña, and made friendly foal’s noises. “She remembers you,” Crystal Hoof said. “She likes you.” Piña smiled. “I’m glad. I like her too.” “Flurry, what have we told you about flying off without permission?” Cadance scolded as she and Shining Armor walked up. Flurry gave a whine, hid her face against Crystal Hoof’s shoulder, and held onto him with a possessive hug. “Looks like you’re right, Mister Sunburst.” Dinky said, looking glum. “I don’t think she’s going to let him go.” Cadance looked at Dinky. “What do you mean?” “Princess, I have a problem you can help me with,” Crystal Hoof said, looking down to Flurry. Flurry peeked up at Crystal Hoof with one eye. “My new friend, Dinky, wants to braid my mane for the Celebration as part of a group event. Do you think your mom and dad would help me figure out how we can arrange for that to happen?” Flurry relaxed in Crystal Hoof’s hold and looked towards Cadance and Shining Armor. Crystal Hoof and Dinky joined Flurry in looking at the royal couple with expectant expressions and pleading eyes. Cadance smiled as she sighed. “That’s not fair, having all three of you look at us like that.” “Where was this ‘group event’ supposed to happen?” Shining Armor asked with a hint of a smile. “At my boutique,” Rarity told him. “There will be several ponies gathering there to get ready for the Celebration.” “I think we need to consult one other pony about this, before we decide.” Shining turned towards the royal section and waved. “Twily, can we talk to you for a second?” “Sure!” Twilight responded and trotted over. “What’s going on?” “We have a bit of a friendship issue here,” Shining told her and then explained the situation. “Oh, I see,” Twilight said, after Shining Armor finished, and smiled at Dinky. “You’re trying to make him feel welcome.” Dinky smiled and nodded. “I didn’t mean to cause trouble when I offered to braid his mane, but I don’t think we’ll get Flurry to let him go.” Flurry, as if understanding Dinky’s words, hugged herself tight to Crystal Hoof. “We have two options,” Shining said. “We can have them come to the castle to prepare with us, or we can go with them.” Cadance nodded. “I would agree, but we’ve promised Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and your parents that we would help them get ready.” Crystal Hoof’s and Star’s ears went up and their gazes followed Cadance's eyes as she looked towards Starlight and Sunburst. “Or, we could send Starlight and Sunburst with them.” Cadance gave the pair a knowing smile. “I’m sure they would enjoy braiding each other’s manes too.” Starlight and Sunburst blushed and glanced at each other. “Do you ever braid Princess Cadance’s mane?” Dinky asked Shining. Shining grinned and nodded. “Whenever I can. I am going to tonight, if we have time.” “You really are a prince,” Dinky said with adoration. “Would you like me to braid your mane?” Sunburst asked Starlight. “I’ve been studying various styles, but I haven’t practiced.” He blushed as he told her, “It would be like back when we were foals and I helped you get your mane into pigtails.” Starlight smiled at him. “I didn’t think you would remember that.” Sunburst gave her a bashful smile. “You were the only friend I would have ever felt comfortable doing something like that with, and I enjoyed doing it.” “Awwww,” Star said. He ducked down when everypony looked towards him. “Sorry, I thought they were cute.” Dinky giggled. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a colt say anything was ‘cute’ like that.” Star’s ears fell. “I guess I’m different for a colt.” Pinch bumped shoulders with Star. “There is nothing wrong with saying what you did. I think it’s great you feel comfortable saying something like that.” A small gasp came from Flurry. She looked up to Crystal Hoof and then back to Star. She pointed a hoof at Star and gave a series of excited babbles. “You’ve a bright filly!” Crystal Hoof smiled at Flurry and touched his nose to hers. “Yes, he and I are from the same kingdom.” Flurry turned and waved her forelegs at Star as if seeing him for the first time. “She doesn’t mind?” Star asked Princess Cadance, while waving back to Flurry. “Not at all,” Cadance told him. “She doesn’t care what kind of pony anypony is. You should see her when Luna brings members of her guard to visit. There’s one guard in particular that if she doesn’t get to say hello to she gets grumpy.” Cadance’s ears perked up, and she smiled slyly as she looked towards Sassy. “Speaking of him, Sassy, have you found somepony to go to the Celebration with?” Sassy shook her head. “Not yet, I haven’t. The candidates you pointed out to me were nice, but there wasn’t much of a spark.” She snorted. “Or other mares got to them first, as I found out with three of them.” “So that’s why you have been wandering off from us all day,” I said. “Don’t sound so judgmental.“ Sassy gave me a look. “Since Coco won’t share you, and Rarity won’t share Thunderlane, I’ve been doing what I can to find my own date for the Celebration on very short notice.” I held up my hooves. “I didn’t mean it like that. I thought you were off having a good time on your own.” Sassy sighed. “While the process has been fun, and having permission to flirt with her guards from the Princess of Love herself has made things wonderfully unique, it still stings a bit that I can’t find a Crystal Guard who would be my escort tonight.” “Then we’ll have to try guards from another princess.“ Cadance grinned. “I’ll have to ask permission to borrow him, but I think I have an idea on who you should meet. He’s been busy with other aspects of the Celebration, or I would have introduced you sooner.” “Cady, what are you up to?” Shining Armor asked her with a raised eyebrow. “What I love to do,” she said and kissed his nose, “making connections like yours and mine.” Shining chuckled and then touched horns with Cadance. “I won’t fuss about something like that, knowing how much I love you.” Dinky gave a light squeal and hugged Pinch. Pinch gave Dinky a look. “You were making fun of Star for being open about his feelings, and now you’re hugging me because of something he said?” she said and pointed a hoof at Shining Armor. Dinky put her nose in the air. “It’s different. Shining Armor’s a stallion. They’re married, and he’s supporting her in her calling, not just being mushy.” “There’s nothing wrong with being mushy now and then,” Pinch insisted. “What if Star said something like that to you?” “I would think it was nice, but I don’t think that would ever happen.” Dinky, still holding onto Pinch, leaned so she could get a clear view of Star and grinned at him. “He’s only said nice things about you, as far as I know, and there was that whole ‘silent confession’ thing too.” Cadance’s and Twilight’s ears perked up and their eyes went to Star, who looked sheepish and ducked down again. Pinch blushed. “Dinky!” “I still want to know about this ‘silent confession’ of his,” Piña muttered. “I’ll be right back,” Cadance declared, sounding as if she was fighting back a giggle. “How has the afternoon gone for you, Star?” Twilight asked, almost keeping the mirth out of her voice. “Are you getting to know Ponyville better?” Star nodded. “I am. It’s been wonderful.” “What about the ponies here?” Cadance asked. “They’re wonderful too. They’re really caring. They’ve looked out for me just like Cranky and Matilda have.” Rumble looked around as if trying to spot somepony in the crowd. “Speaking of them, I haven’t seen them all day.” “They are serving as ambassadors to the delegation of donkeys visiting for the Celebration on Celestia’s and my behalf,” Luna explained as she, Cadance, and a Lunar Guard approached. “Since they could not perform their duties and attend to young Star, we made him Pinch’s ward for the day.” Flurry cooed and waved a hoof towards the Lunar Guard. The Lunar Guard smiled. “Hello again, Princess,” he greeted her. He approached her and lowered his head so Flurry could touch his nose with a hoof. “I’m glad to see you too.” “I am pleased that your fondness for my niece remains,” Luna told the guard. “While protecting her is your primary concern, know that Cadance has asked that Flurry not be the only pony who you give attention to this evening.” Not turning his head, the Lunar Guard looked towards Sassy. His eyes widened with recognition. “Hello again, Silent Wing,” Sassy greeted the Lunar Guard and smiled. “I was beginning to think my sleep deprived mind had made you up.” The Lunar Guard grinned. “I’m real.” “You two have met before, I take it,” Rarity said. Sassy nodded. “He and I met at an all-night cafe in Canterlot, after one of my late nights at the shop, around two months back. He bought me a coffee and ended up paying for my dinner.” “I never thought I would ever have been glad to have a late night until that one,” Silent said, letting Flurry rub the bridge of his nose with a hoof. Sassy turned her eyes back to Silent. “How could you have a ‘late night?’ I thought bat ponies were nocturnal.” Flurry stretched, reached with her hoof, stroked one of Silent’s tufted ear tips, and giggled. Silent leaned forward and tilted his head so Flurry did not have to stretch so far in Crystal Hoof’s hold. “Most of us are, but I’m a member of a liaison team between the Lunar Guard, the Crystal Guard, and the Royal Guard. Thanks to having to fit in with their schedules, I’m diurnal now.” Cadance glanced at Luna. “Did you know that they had met before?” Luna, with a smirk, nodded. “I knew.” “So that’s why you smiled like you did when I mentioned their names,” Cadance said. Luna raised an amused eyebrow. “Recall, young usurper, I was the Princess of Love before your ancestors many times removed drew breath.” Star looked to Pinch and whispered, “Is she serious?” Pinch nodded. “That’s why terms like ‘moonstruck’ and ‘acting like a mooncalf’ are around. Ponies related falling in love with Princess Luna back then.” “How sweet!” Sassy said to Silent. “You talked about me to Luna.” Silent gave her a nervous grin. “To be honest, I haven’t talked to Princess Luna about you.” Sassy tilted her head. “Then how did she know that you and I have met?” “I monitor the dreams of my guards with utmost diligence to ensure that the Nightmares are not attempting to influence them,” Luna said. Sassy gave Silent a curious, pleased look. “Has somepony been dreaming of me?” “I have,” Silent admitted with a blush. “That evening would have been wasted, but it turned into something memorable thanks to our… unexpected shared dinner.” “Date,” Noi teased Silent. “It’s called a date.” “How many times has he dreamed of me and in what kind of setting?” Sassy asked Luna. “I am honor bound not to speak of the details I encounter in another pony’s dreams, unless given leave to by the dreamer.” Luna’s smile turned teasing. “I will say you must have made quite the impression on him.” “She did,” Silent confessed, his eyes meeting Sassy’s. “Few non-bat ponies would have been as welcoming, much less have shared dinner with me.” “Their loss,” Sassy said. “Not too many ponies are into mares taller than they are, no matter what tribe they come from.” Silent grinned. “Their loss.” Cadance giggled and tapped her fore-hooves together. Luna’s expression turned serious. “Silent Wing, you are to assist Crystal Hoof, Starlight, and Sunburst in guarding Flurry. At the end of your allotted shift, you are to escort Miss Sassy Saddles to the Celebration.” “Yes, Princess, it will be an honor,” Silent answered and bowed. Flurry fussed until Silent returned to his previous position and allowed her to continue stroking his ear. “Flurry, let Miss Sassy have Silent this evening,” Cadance said. “You’re already holding onto Crystal Hoof as it is.” “She’s fine. He’s got two ears, one for her,” Sassy said and sashayed to stand close to Silent. She gave Silent’s free ear a stroke from its base to its tip that was most parts caress. “And one for me.” Rarity gasped. “Sassy!” “Oh wow,” Star said, watching Silent’s reaction to Sassy’s touch. “I didn’t know ponies could blush like that.” “You turned close to the same color during your ‘silent confession’,” Dinky teased Star and giggled. Piña gave Star a look. “He’s blushing a bit himself right now.” “Sassy, there are foals present!” Rarity said, as Sassy gave Silent’s ear another tamer stroke. “At least she didn’t nibble his ear,” I pointed out. “That would have traumatized them.” Rarity gave me a withering look. “Now I see why Flurry is enjoying this,” Sassy said, giving another stroke to Silent’s ear. “His coat is cashmere soft and the tufts of his ears are like silk.” Twilight fidgeted and looked toward Celestia, who was still in the royal section talking with a dapper stallion who was wearing a monocle. “I know, Twilight, we have a schedule to keep,” Cadance said. “As do we,” Rarity said. “We need to go, if everypony wants to be their best for the Celebration.” Twilight sighed. “I had planned to keep things as informal as possible.” “Let us have our frivolities,” Luna said. “Not often is a new princess ascended. Such an event should be marked with full pageantry, including appropriate attire.” She turned and gestured with a wing. “Come; let us not Sister waiting. She is near Twilight’s equal in becoming distraught at the possibility of being late.” “I’m not that bad!” Twilight said, trotting to keep up with Luna’s longer strides. “Yes you are, and you know it,” Shining said, as Cadance and he followed them. Cadance glanced over her shoulder and warned Sassy, “Luna will want him back, at some point, and in functional condition.” Sassy grinned. “That leaves me a lot of room to play with.” “You are in so much trouble,” Rumble whispered to Silent. “Maybe.” Silent gave Rumble a grin. “You only live once, though, and she looks like the good kind of trouble.” “Oh, they’ll be perfect together,” Pinch said to nopony in particular. “I hope so,” Sassy said and let her hoof linger on Silent’s ear. “I enjoyed that evening.” “I’ll do my best to make sure this one is just as enjoyable,” Silent promised. “Everypony, drop your prize bags at home, pick up what you’ll need for tonight, and then come to my boutique.” Still looking at Sassy and Silent, Rarity smiled. “I have a feeling our get together will be the start of an unforgettable evening for us all.” ***** “Now tuck that strand under like this,” Coco said and motioned with her hoof in the air in front of her. Star, biting his lip in concentration, did as Coco instructed and tucked one strand of Pinch’s tail under another. Barrel, who was sitting at my right side, chuckled as Berry approached. “You two are in for it now.” Berry bumped her shoulder to mine after she sat down beside me. “Talk.” “About?” She bumped her shoulder against mine again. “You know.” “Wait a minute,” Sassy said and sat down close to Coco. “I don’t want to miss a word of this.” “Leave poor Pin alone,” Muffins said, pausing in her braiding of Turner’s mane. “He’s already blushing.” “He cooked me a delicious meal and served me the perfect wine,” Coco said, while showing Star’s next step in the braiding process with more hoof motions. “What did you make her?” Piña asked, pausing in her braiding of Rumble’s mane. “Baked stuffed acorn squash with a salad and bread,” I answered. “No dessert?!” Piña asked in disbelief. “We had some cake from Sugar Cube Corner for dessert,” I added. “I didn’t list it with the others, since I didn’t make it.” “Did you give her the presents?” Pinch asked, remaining still for Star. I nodded. “I did.” “And they were?” Rarity prompted. “A crystal ewe wool blanket, a very nice brush set for my coat, mane, and tail, a grooming mitt, oil for my coat, and...” Coco gave Rarity a coy smile and blushed. “A few other things we’ll discuss later.” “So that’s why your coat was so soft this morning,” Rumble said to Coco. “He groomed you.” Noi looked up from her work on Rumble’s tail in shock. “It’s not like it sounds!” Rumble told her, looking panicked. “Piña told me to hug her.” Piña nodded. “It’s true. I told him to hug her, and Coco’s coat was extra soft.” “Very good!” Coco complimented, after Star finished the portion of Pinch’s tail he had been working on. “She looks wonderful.” “She does.” Rarity said and used her magic to float a mirror to Coco. “You did well, especially for a first attempt, Star.” Coco held the mirror so Pinch could see her mane. “Oh, wow.” She turned her head one way and then the other and smiled. “It looks great.” She turned as if to look behind her, but stopped partway. “Can I look at my tail now?” “Sure,” Star told her. Pinch finished her turn and arced her tail so she could see it. “I hope you like it,” Star told her. “It’s wonderful.” Pinch gave Star an appreciative smile. “Thank you.” Flurry wiggled in Crystal Hoof’s forelegs and made happy noises. “Yes, everypony is having a good time.” He touched her nose to hers. “This has been a great day, and we’re not even through yet.” Flurry giggled and batted at one of Crystal Hoof’s braids. “Don’t play with those too much,” Dinky said to the princess in a kind tone. “He’s supposed to wear them to the Celebration.” “You three did a wonderful job too,” Coco praised, as Rumble got to his hooves. “We learned from the best,” Noi told her. Rumble looked towards Piña, appearing disappointed with himself. “I just wish we could do something special for Piña.” “You already did.” She reached back and touched one of the bands holding her mane in a ponytail. “I’m glad you like them, but I don’t think they’re enough for tonight.” “I know what you mean,” Noi said and stood by Rumble. “It doesn’t feel right that we have our manes and tails done up and you don’t.” “I have an idea,” Barrel said. “I’ll show you two something that I used to do to Berry’s mane and tail when we were going out, if she’ll agree to it.” He turned to Rarity. “Could we borrow four more bands and some ribbon? If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could we have a pair of scissors too?” Rarity raised an intrigued eyebrow, nodded, and stepped into the back of the shop. “Barrel, are you thinking about doing what I think you are?” Berry said. Barrel gave her a tender smile. “Yes, I am. Would you mind me using you as a demonstration?” “Not at all,” Berry said. Barrel poked me in the shoulder. “You. Move.” “Gotcha,” I said and moved to sit by Coco. Rarity returned holding a selection of ribbons and bands in her magic. “I’m curious to see what you have planned.” “Piña, which color do you like best?” Barrel asked. Piña pointed a hoof. “That one, it matches my hairbands.” Barrel took the ribbon from Rarity’s magic and looked to his wife. “Berry?” Berry’s eyes had a spark in them, as she answered, “The wine red bands and ribbon, please.” “Piña, sit by your sister,” Barrel said. “Rumble, Noi, come sit by me.” Barrel put Berry’s mane into a ponytail with the bands. He did a series of quick measurements using his nose and his forehooves with the ribbon, cut lengths from both, and then made another cut to the strands he had taken from the rolls. “Follow what I do. Since this is the first time you two have done this, pass the ribbon to each other as we go over and under.” “Got it!” Noi said. “Ready,” Rumble said with a smile. The rest of us watched in quiet fascination as Barrel took Noi and Rumble through the steps of weaving and wrapping the ribbons around Piña’s mane and tail as he showed the steps on Berry’s. The result of their efforts, which took a much shorter time than I would have guessed, made elegant lacings of ribbon that mimicked the lines of true braids around Berry’s and Piña’s manes and tails. “My, my,” Rarity said with approval. “You two look lovely.” “Really?” Piña asked. “You do,” Coco said and held up Rarity’s mirror for Piña. “See?” “Oh, wow!” Piña said and hugged Rumble and Noi. “Thank you!” She turned to Berry. “Did you know he knew how to do this?” “I did.” Berry said and looked up at her husband. “He hasn’t done it in a long time, though.” “I wanted to do this the other night, when everypony was braiding manes, but we didn’t have the lace or ribbon for it,” Barrel said. “I thought about bringing the stuff for you too, but I didn’t know if you would want to anymore.” Berry’s ears shot up and her eyes widened as Barrel kissed her. “Barrel!” Rarity protested. “You’re just as bad as Sassy and Coco!” “I didn’t do anything!” Coco said and then blushed. “Tonight, anyway.” “Don’t fuss, he’s being sweet,” Sassy said. “Rumble and Star can learn a thing or two about being romantic from him too.” Barrel broke the kiss. “I will always want to do things like this with you.” “I didn’t know you had a tender side and talents like that, Barrel,” Thunderlane said, sounding like he was half kidding and half admiring what Barrel had done. “You’ve never even hinted at it before.” Barrel hugged Berry to him, who kissed his cheek and snuggled against him. “It’s a side of me that’s reserved for my girls.” “I get to hug him too!” Piña said and hugged Barrel. “Thank you!” Barrel leaned and nuzzled the top of Piña’s head. “You’re welcome.” “What is this called?” Noi asked, touching the ribbon around Piña’s mane with a hoof. “I think the style is called a laced ponytail,” Barrel said. “That’s right,” Sunburst said. “There are all kinds of variations of the style in the Empire.” He adjusted his glasses and smiled. “I think it could be called a ribboned pony tail this time, though, considering he didn’t use the traditional lace or lacings.” Piña let go of Barrel and then pointed a hoof towards Coco and me. “We still don’t know what else happened with Coco and Pin.” “Drat,” I said in a less than serious tone, “I thought Barrel’s distraction was enough for everypony to forget about us.” “Nope,” Berry said. “I was about to bring it up, if she hadn’t.” “I used the brushes on her and then braided her mane and tail in the same style she’s wearing them,” I told Piña. “While I pampered Coco, she and I talked about our relationship and where we wanted things to go.” I glanced at Coco. She smirked, and we both sat still, neither of us saying a word. The fillies looked at me with intense eyes until Dinky’s patience cracked. She hopped up and down and asked, “Where are things going?!” “Our courtship is over, and now we have a year for one of us to either break things off or ask the other to marry us,” Coco answered. Pinch squealed with happiness and hugged Coco. “So when’s the wedding, Pin?” Barrel asked with a grin. “My sister is getting married next month,” I responded in a cheery tone, gaining me a snort from Barrel. “I didn’t know ponies here had formal courtship rituals.” Star looked to Crystal Hoof. “Did you?” Crystal Hoof shook his head. “They’re not formal formal anymore,” Pinch said, letting go of Coco. “But some ponies consider following them a nice romantic gesture.” “Wait a minute,” Star said. “Miss Coco, Pin braided your mane and tail as part of your courtship, right?” Coco smiled and nodded. “He did.” Star looked uneasy. “Is braiding manes always considered a romantic gesture?” “Not always, but it’s also not something that casual acquaintances do for each other either,” Coco told him. Star relaxed a little, but when he met Pinch’s eye he blushed and his nerves seemed to return. “Worried you’ve sent the wrong signal?” Noi asked him. Star nodded, still looking at Pinch. “Or are you worried about sending the right one a little too fast?” Sassy teased. “That reminds me, I still want to hear about this ‘silent confession’ you gave her,” Piña told Star. “So do I,” Berry said in a tone that caused both Pinch and Star to look nervous. “That will have to wait,” Muffins said and patted Turner on the back. “Now that’ everypony’s manes are done, it’s time for the guys to leave so we mares can finish up what we need to do.” “You’re kicking us out?” Turner asked, giving her a surprised look. “We are,” Rarity said. “There are some things, such as putting on their attire and applying finishing beauty touches, ladies should do only in the presence of other mares.” “What about Flurry?” Sunburst said. “If you haven’t noticed, she’s a filly,” Starlight joked. “She can stay with us. She’ll be safe.” “What about Silent?” Sunburst asked. “He’s a guy, he’s out,” Starlight stated. Sunburst looked unsure. “He’s supposed to be guarding Flurry, though. We don’t want him to get into trouble.” “His shift as a guard was up thirty minutes ago,” Sassy said. “He’s serving as my escort now.” “Not that she’s paying attention to that kind of thing,” Thunderlane said and chuckled. Piña approached Flurry, who seemed content in Crystal Hoof’s forelegs. “Flurry, can my friends and I have you for a while so the guys can leave and the mares can get ready?” She reached out a hoof which the princess took with both of hers. “We would like to have you to ourselves for a bit too.” Flurry laughed and wriggled in Crystal Hoof’s grasp. “I think that’s a yes,” Crystal Hoof said, and passed Flurry to Piña. Piña smiled and cuddled Flurry. “Thank you.” “We’ll make sure she’s okay,” Starlight assured Sunburst. “You don’t have to worry.” Turner snorted. “Berry and Muffins will be with them. An ursa major couldn’t get to Flurry with them around.” “That’s right,” Berry said with confidence. “Now, all boys, no matter your age, out,” Muffins commanded and waved us towards the door with her wings. “Let us pick up our suits at least!” Turner mock protested. We colts and stallions gathered our belongings and filed out the door. Barrel stuck his nose in the air, grinned, and told Rarity, “I’ve been thrown out of better establishments!” Rarity arched an eyebrow. “That you’ve been thrown out of places, I’ll believe. That they were nicer than my boutique, I have serious doubts.” “You’re right on both, Rarity!” Berry called. Barrel gave a grunt. “And she’s supposed to be on my side.” “We’ll pick you gentlecolts up at Pin’s in a few minutes,” Rarity told us, grinned, and then shut the boutique’s door. “Well, I guess it’s to my place then,” I told my fellows. “Where’s your place?” Star asked. “This way,” I said and pointed a hoof. “Follow me, I’ll show you.” Star did not follow me as much as he stuck to my side. “So, what kingdom are you from, Star?” Rumble asked. Star tensed. “He’s from a kingdom called Märchen,” Sunburst supplied. “It’s a much smaller kingdom, compared to Equestria.” “Oh.” Rumble looked puzzled. “I think I’ve heard of it before, but can’t remember much about it.” “There’s not much of a reason for anypony no involved in diplomatic relations to know about it,” Sunburst told him. “They don’t trade with us too much because of their different culture and dietary needs.” “Have you been having fun today?” I asked Star. Star smiled and nodded. “Tons! I like how everypony comes together to get things done and then enjoy things.” Rumble’s steps drifted him towards Silent. Rumble acted cool, but it was obvious he was interested in the bat pony by the way he would sneak glances at him. Silent gave Rumble a sideways look and a smile. “Never seen a bat pony up close?” Rumble shook his head. “I’m glad you’re curious rather than freaked out.” Silent turned his head towards Rumble, blinked his cat-like eyes and wiggled his tufted ears. “Some ponies find the differences unsettling.” “Nah, they’re cool.” Rumble nodded towards Silent’s wings. “Flying with membranes has to be way different than flying with feathers.” Silent grinned. “You sound like one of the Shadow Bolts’ recruits. She keeps asking me to meet up with her so she can do comparative studies of pegasus and bat pony wings and flight attributes.” “Has she conducted any ‘studies’ Sassy needs to be jealous of?” Barrel kidded. Silent snorted. “No. That cadet is all business. She keeps talking about encouraging ‘mixed member task forces for greater operational efficiencies’ and ‘higher degrees of operational flexibility with varying team member physiological attributes.’ “ Silent chuckled. “She’s a great flier, but I think she would be better suited in strategic command.” “Here we are,” I announced and nodded towards my shop. Once we approached the storefront, I opened the store’s front door for my guests. “The changing room is on the left,” I told them, as we walked in and I used my magic to turn on the lights. “I will need to go get my dress uniform from my tent,” Silent said. “If I don’t make it back before you set off for the castle, I will see you there.” Silent turned, took a few steps out the door, and leaped into the air for his takeoff. Rumble leaned forward, his ears perked, as if straining to hear something. “What is it?” I asked. “Not a sound.” He looked up to me, wide eyed. “Even with flapping his wings for takeoff, there wasn’t a sound.” “Seems he lives up to his name,” Thunderlane said. “I knew bat ponies were quiet fliers, but I had no clue they could be that quiet.” “I’ll go first,” Barrel said. “It won’t take me long,” he assured and trotted off to the shop’s changing room. “I don’t think I’ve gotten to tell you thank you for the show today,” Star told Thunderlane. “You’re welcome,” Thunderlane said and gave a slight bow. “How often do you do shows?” “About once every two weeks,” Thunderlane said, returning to standing. “We’ve done three in a week before, but that’s unusual. I was sore as all get out after that week, let me tell you.” Rumble chuckled. “He stayed on the couch more than usual, that’s for sure.” “Done!” Barrel announced, as he wove his way back to us through the racks. “Go ahead, Lane,” I said. “I’ll be quick, but not that fast,” Thunderlane said and headed toward the changing room. “Pin, give me a look over,” Barrel said. “Did I miss anything?” I did a quick trot around Barrel. “Everything looks good to me.” Barrel raised his chin. “Did I get the tie right?” I looked the tie’s knot over and nodded. “You’re fine. It’s nice and even.” Barrel nodded and snorted in relief. “Good.” Crystal Hoof tilted his head. “What’s making you nervous about how you look?” “I don’t get to go to these kinds of fancy shindigs that often. Supply wine for them, yes, going to them, no. I don’t want to disappoint Berry by looking as if I don’t know how to dress myself.” “You look great,” Star said. “You have nothing to worry about.” “Buttering him up?” Rumble said, giving Star a light elbow. Star looked at Rumble, one of his ears at an angle. “What do you mean?” “It’s always a good idea to get on the good side of the father of the filly you’re interested in,” Barrel said in an over serious tone. “But it will take more than words if you want to convince me you’ll do right by my little girl.” Star’s ears pinned back in worry. “That’s not at all what I was trying to do, Sir!” Barrel laughed and patted Star on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. I know.” He let his hoof linger on Star’s shoulder. “I also know you are interested in my girl the way you’ve been acting around her.” Star swallowed and nodded. “She’s amazing.” Barrel’s eyebrows went up. “What did I miss?” Thunderlane said, as he returned. He looked at Barrel’s hoof on Star’s shoulder and then gave Barrel a look. “Everything all right?” “I was telling him what I think of Pinch,” Star said. Thunderlane snorted. “You’re brave.” “He’s honest and has backbone.” Barrel’s gave a chuckle that rumbled from his center. “We’ll see how brave he is when he talks to Berry and Piña.” Thunderlane flinched. “I don’t envy you on that one,” he told Star. “Go change, Pin,” Turner said and poked me in the shoulder with a hoof. “I will only take a moment, so I will go last.” “I’ll be right back.” I trotted off to the changing room and pulled on my shirt. I smiled into the mirror, as I finished the knot on Coco’s bow tie and made sure it was even. “Today was not at all what I had envisioned, but it’s been fun,” I told the mirror. “I hope this evening goes as well.” After pulling on my jacket and pinning a flower from Coco’s and my date onto my collar, I returned to my friends. “Be back in a tick,” Turner said and headed off to the changing room. “Who were you talking to?” Star asked. “I was talking to me.” Thunderlane leaned close to Star. “He lived alone for too long. It addled his brain.” “He’s not living alone now,” Barrel pointed out. He looked at me and grinned. “How’s that going?” I could not help but smile. “So far, it’s been wonderful.” “Speaking of living arrangements, I’m curious about something,” Crystal Hoof said. “Princess Cadance has told me that polyamorous relationships are not uncommon in Equestra, particularly among mares.” “That is true,” Sunburst said. “All right, gents,” Turner said, as he walked out of the changing room. “I believe we are ready.” “That was fast,” Star said. Turner gave him a wink. “You just have to know how to manage your time to get things done.” Crystal Hoof seemed to ponder something for a second. “Do you think Rumble being the only one in the group involved in a multiple partner relationship is a good reflection of the overall ratio of stallions in polyamorous relationships?” We stallions looked at each other and then to Rumble, who gave us an awkward grin. “I don’t know if he counts.” Thunderlane gave Rumble an older brother’s knowing look. “What he’s told me the three of them are ‘training partners’ and not ‘special someponies.’ ” Star laughed. “Riiiight.” A knock came on the door. “Thank Celestia,” Rumble whispered. “If that’s Silent, he’s quiet and quick,” I said, before going to the door and opening it. “Hello, Uncle Pin,” Pinch said, not looking me in the eye. “Hello,” I returned. “Is everything okay?” Pinch did not look up, but I thought I saw a hint of a smile on her face. “They gossiped, and we heard everything.” Trying to sound calmer than I felt, I asked, “They did?” “I had to cover Flurry’s ears, it got so bad,” Piña said, looking down at the Princess in her forelegs. Dinky giggled. “We’ll never be able to look at you the same way again.” I felt the blood rush to my cheeks as I imagined all the things said in front of the girls. “Don’t believe them!” Coco said, her face a wonderful shade of red. “Sassy put them up to this!” “Judging by his face and yours, we have a lot to talk about,” Sassy said. “We’ll need to set aside a future date for a mares-only night at my place, so little ears won’t be around,” Rarity said. “Notice we aren’t invited,” Dinky said to Pinch and Piña. “We’ll just have to have a filly’s night of our own on the same night,” Piña said. Dinky giggled. “I wonder what kind of stuff Noi will tell us about your ‘exercise’ routines then.” Piña’s mouth fell open, and she blushed to her ear tips. “We don’t do anything like that!” After smothering a laugh, I asked, “Speaking of Noi, where is she?” “She had to go help our class,” Piña said. “We’ll be meeting up with her once we get to the Celebration.” “You’re blocking the door,” Barrel told me and gave my backside a push. I stepped out of the way, and my friends exited the store. “Now I see why he didn’t move. Such beauty stunned him,” Thunderlane said. “You ladies look wonderful.” He grinned at Rarity. “Though, I have to say, there is one of you who is drawing my attention more than the others.” “Thank you,” Rarity said. I shut and locked the store’s entrance. “What about Silent?” Sassy’s ears fell. “He didn’t have to leave did he?” “He’s right there,” Crystal Hoof said and pointed a hoof upwards. Silent drifted down and landed close to Sassy. “Hello again.” He smiled. “You look stunning.” “And you look even more handsome in your uniform.” Sassy reached and touched Silent’s collar with a hoof. “Luna has good taste.” “Thank you,” Silent said. His wings flexed with the first movements of folding. “Mister Silent, please don’t put away your wings!” Dinky said and trotted over Silent. “I’ve always wondered what bat pony wings look like up close.” Silent blushed, still holding his wings out. “I shouldn’t. Not like this at least.” Dinky tilted her head. “Why not?” Silent looked to Muffins as if pleading for help. “Among flying ponies what he is doing is a courting display,” Muffins said, after stopping her giggles. “If he keeps holding his wings like that for too long, he is being too forward.” “Oh!” Dinky looked to Silent and blushed. “Sorry about that. They are nice wings, though.” “They are,” Sassy commented, making a show of inspecting Silent’s wingspan. “Perhaps, I’ll find out what a hug from them feels like at some point tonight,” she said in a flirtatious tone. Silent, his blush more prominent, folded his wings against his sides and looked to Dinky. “I’ll let you and Rumble look at them later.” Piña held up a hoof. “Can Noi and I see them too?” “You all can,” Silent told her, giving the foals a sweeping look that included them all. Pinch’s ears went up, and she grinned. Star looked at her and smiled. “Somepony just had an idea.” “Miss Sassy, can we borrow him for a bit tonight?” Pinch asked. “I bet our class and the other foals would love to see him up close.” “Only if I get to come along and have fun too,” Sassy said. “We’re a package deal.” Silent’s eyes widened and gave Sassy a nervous grin. “I’m not sure if there would be enough bat pony to go around for that many foals, if there was just me for the class.” “I think we can make this work, Pinch,” Starlight said. “All we have to do is ask to borrow guards from each of the princesses so we get a good mix for the students to see. If we want to put leverage on them, all we have to do is tell Twilight it’s for ‘educational purposes’ and she’ll make sure we get them.” Sunburst chuckled. “I’m sure Princess Cadance wouldn’t mind having a guard or two borrowed.” “Could we get Shining Armor?” Dinky asked, sounding as if she was trying to sound calm. “He’s the Captain of the Guard, so he counts, right?” “We can try,” Starlight said. “Let’s go!” Dinky said and walked towards the castle at a brisk pace. “We’re right behind you!” Noi said, as she and the other foals took off after Dinky. Piña grinned down at Flurry as she trotted past me. “Looks like we might get you and your Dad.” Flurry giggled and clung to Piña’s neck. “Wait!” Muffins called after the foals. “Some of us are in dresses and can’t go that fast!” Sunburst called after them, “You have Flurry too!” “Come on, Silent,” Thunderlane said. “I don’t know if we can keep them out of trouble, but we can catch up to them at least.” Silent grinned and nodded. He and Thunderlane then took to the air after the foals. “Looks like Star is fitting in just fine,” Sunburst said to Crystal Hoof. “I’m glad,” Crystal Hoof said, sounding contemplative. “There’s just one bridge that he will have to cross now, and it won't be easy for him.” Sunburst patted Crystal Hoof on the back. “You did it.” “With Spike’s help,” Crystal Hoof acknowledged. "If it hadn’t been for him, I don’t think I could have done it.” “Star has Pinch,” Rarity said. “He also has a group of friends I’m sure who will support him.” “What are you talking about?” I asked. Rarity smiled in a way that showed she was enjoying the fact my curiosity had been stirred. “Patience, Pin, all will be revealed soon enough.” “Not if we don’t get moving, it won’t be,” Berry said and walked after the foals. “I don’t know who’s worse at stirring up trouble, my daughter or my sister.” Barrel caught up to her and walked at her side. “They’re about even, but each has their own flare.” Sassy giggled as the rest of us followed Berry and Barrel. “I’ll say this for Ponyville, it’s never dull.”