Rarity looked at Twilight’s saddlebags, placed on a work table at Canterlot Boutique as the alicorn left to, ahem, powder her nose before the big date. Fastened shut as they were, the corner of a box slightly poked outside the top. From the size, shape, and texture, it was no doubt a jewelry box.
It had to be a ring! It was definitely a ring, right? Four months of dating was faster than she might have expected from Twilight, but one also must consider their time as friends. And honestly, what else could it contain?
Rarity waited a few seconds then enveloped the saddlebag in magic. She quickly unfastened it and pulled out the box.
The unicorn softly said, “Now Rarity, you’re just checking to manage your expectations. It would be terrible for Twilight if you reacted more to a cereal box ring than the actual proposal. And if it’s an amazing ring, then you’ll spare Twilight of your heaving sounds when truly surprised. No matter what, I’ll give her a performance she’ll remember forever.”
The box slowly opened.
Rarity shook her head. “Oh but Rarity, must you really spoil Twilight’s surprise? She went out of her way to—”
The box sprang open, revealing its contents.
Rarity yelped and squeezed her eyes shut. “No, Rarity, don’t look! You mustn’t!”
She opened one eye.
The box contained a brown acorn.
“Hmm.”
With an eyebrow raised, Rarity levitated the acorn and examined it. It looked like an acorn. She sniffed. It smelled like an acorn. She licked it. Well, she wasn’t quite sure what uncooked acorn shells tasted like, but that was probably it. Was the ring inside, perhaps?
Hoofsteps approached, and in a panic, Rarity closed the box and returned it to the saddlebag.
Twilight walked into the room with a smile. “Alright, I’m ready to go. Shall we head out?”
Rarity nodded as Twilight put on her saddlebags. “Absolutely! I’m looking forward to—”
Her eyes darted to the side of her head, where she still held the acorn. Thinking quickly, she shoved it in her mouth.
Twilight turned to her with a raised eyebrow. Rarity simply smiled and nodded. Shrugging, Twilight stepped through the Carousel Boutique door and pulled out a list. “First of all, we’re going to see Trixie’s show in front of city hall.”
“Twixie’s schwow?” Rarity spat out the acorn and levitated it behind her right before Twilight saw. “I mean, Trixie’s show? I’ve grown fond enough of her since she reformed, but that hardly seems like the most romantic spot. Not for a special day like this.”
Twilight blinked. “Special day? What do you mean? There’s nothing special! Unless you mean how it’s been 125 days since our first date, in which case, yes, that’s a pretty special number. It’s five cubed, after all.” She shifted her eyes.
“Oh, darling, no, I didn’t mean anything by that! I simply meant any day with you is special.” She fluttered her eyelashes.
Twilight rolled her eyes. “I feel like I should be worried you pulled that line out already.” She then smiled. “In any case, I can guarantee you’ll enjoy Trixie’s show. I hear she has something amazing planned. Now let’s go, so we can get good seats.”
“Actually, dear, hold on a second!” Rarity looked around, then used her magic to put on a cream-colored sun hat with a blue ribbon. “There! How do I look?”
“As always, you look amazing.” Twilight put a hoof to her chest. “Shall I compose a sonnet to describe you now?”
Rarity giggled and waved her off. “No need, every moment with you is like a love poem. Now go on, like you said, we’ve dawdled long enough.”
Twilight nodded and stepped outside. Once she was out of sight, Rarity quickly shook her spit off the acorn and shoved it under her hat. She trotted out to join her marefriend and greeted her with an innocent smile.
They walked together in silence, enjoying the afternoon sun. Impromptu as it was, the sun hat was definitely the right choice. They made a turn and the sun was directly in front of them, making Twilight squint a bit. Rarity leaned her head against Twilight’s, so her hat cast shadow over one eye. “Need some help, darling?”
Twilight blushed lightly. “Thanks, Rarity. Maybe we can share your hat for now.”
Using magic, Twilight lifted up the hat and placed it in front of them, shading both of their eyes. Rarity felt the acorn shifting in her hair. She cringed, and right as it started to fall, she held it in place with her magic.
A blue glow reflecting off the hat’s underside, Twilight looked at Rarity with bemusement. “What are you using magic on?”
“Well, uh—”
A scream came from down the road. “Twilight, Rarity, HEEEELP!”
Pinkie Pie skidded to a stop in front of them, the alicorn and unicorn lifting a hoof in surprise. Before either could react, Pinkie said, “It’s Trixie’s show! The one with the wink wink say no more!” She loudly winked twice to demonstrate. “Well, you know, the manticore, and the hula hoop, and, well, just follow me!”
Pinkie immediately zoomed away. Twilight looked at Rarity and shrugged. They ran after Pinkie, Rarity taking care to return her hat to her head and adjust the acorn. She sighed, thankful that Ponyville’s crises would be helpful for once. If nothing else, it should distract Twilight enough to return the acorn to its box.