//------------------------------// // Revelations Long In The Making // Story: A Glittering Future // by Jest //------------------------------// Glitter Scale tugged nervously at the hem of her dull green dress while at the same time chewing on her lip. Both actions were bad habits she had either recently gained in the case of the lip biting, or acquired a number of years ago when it came to tugging on her clothes. It had gotten so bad at that point that her entire ensemble was now crooked, making her even more nervous than before. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Gallus asked, the gryphon eying his date curiously from across the bright red table they both sat at. Glitter Scale winced and forcefully put both of her hands at her sides. “I’m fine. Really,” she lied. The gryphon merely raised an eyebrow, and gestured to his date’s plate. “Then why haven't you touched your ruby sapphire sundae? It's your favorite.” The dragon glanced down at the swiftly melting confection, and though the sight would usually make her stomach rumble, today it did nothing for her. “I’m just, not quite as hungry as I first thought. After all we just had that big meal and I…” her voice trailed off, her shoulders slumping. “The first time we came here you ate twice as much as me and still had dessert,” Galus remarked. “Is it the food?” “No,” Glitter Scale murmured. “The service?” Glitter Scale shook her head. Galus smiled softly, and extended a clawed hand across the table. “Come on, bring it in.” Glitter Scale blushed, and laid her own hand in his, squeezing back when the gryphon clutched her hand tightly. “Thank you,” Glitter Scale whispered. “You know it's kind of embarrassing. Usually I’m the confident one.” “I don't know. The guys back at base have finally stopped calling me a doormat so I feel like I might be rivalling you soon,” Galus replied. Glitter Scale chuckled. “You are not a doormat. You just care about people.” “As do you,” Galus exclaimed. “Which is why you sometimes get worked up over things that have yet to happen. I blame that on your parent though, Twilight can be rather neurotic at times.” “Yes they can,” Glitter Scale admitted. “So, are you going to tell me what's going on or are we going to spend the rest of our anniversary date in silence?” Galus continued. “Just give me a moment okay?” Glitter Scale stated. Galus nodded, and retracted his hand. “Take all the time you need. I’m going to try and figure out how to eat this fancy cake without upsetting the waiter again.” Glitter Scale smiled as she pulled out the pocket mirror Rarity had gifted her years ago. Peering within she looked back at her reflection, her gaze immediately landing on the slight damage her makeup had taken. Thankfully she wore very little of the stuff, and after applying another layer of lipstick, as well as remedying a stray eyelash she was more or less good as new. She was about to put away the mirror when she stopped, and looked herself over one last time. Gone was the portly young dragon whose only feature was how round she was. Now she was an adult, with proportions to match, and a slight bust the sight of which made her proud for some reason. She still had some masculine qualities, but her femininity was always on full display. A fact she relished immensely. With one final sigh, Glitter Scale put away the mirror, and straightened her shoulders like how Rarity had taught her. “There was something I wanted to tell you tonight,” Glitter Scale stated. Galus winced. “It's not serious is it?” “It's not about you, or us if that's what your thinking,” Glitter Scale hastily added. “Rather it's just about me.” “Go on,” Galus encouraged. Glitter Scale sighed, and laced her fingers together before setting her hands on the table before her. “I wasn't always a girl. There I said it and before we get any further I understand if you may not want to continue our relationship.” The distant murmur of the restaurant filled the void their conversation would have. “You know you mimic Celestia whenever you get serious,” Gallus pointed out. The dragon frowned. “This is serious though.” “Oh it is, and I’m fine with it,” Galus shrugged. “I sort of figured it out a while ago anyway.” “Bwuh?” Glitter Scale muttered, her serious facade falling away. “But I thought you said you didn't pay attention to what happened in Equestria before attending Twilight’s school.” “Oh I didn't, but you were the famous Spike,” Galus exclaimed. “Not only did I receive intelligence briefings about you and your friends but I also found one of the old decommissioned statues of you in the crystal empire.” Glitter Scale frowned. “They aren't still trying to get the old ones put back up are they?” “Nah,” Galus remarked. “It was just in a supply basement. Apparently someone wanted to put it in a museum as they made it before donating it to the state. Cadance wasn't having it though, and now there is this whole legal thing about it.” “So it might be put back up,” Glitter Scale inferred, raising an eyebrow. “Nah, the case is apparently pretty open and shut. The guy is just putting on airs to drum up support for the northern sun which is a newspaper he apparently owns,” Galus finished. “The tabloid?” Glitter Scale inquired. Galus chuckled. “Don't let him catch you saying that.” Glitter Scale shook her head. “I think were getting off topic. You really don't mind?” Galus shrugged once again. “Why would I? I’m only attracted to girls, and you’re a girl. It would be like if I declared that my house was a boat because the planks used to be on a galleon.” “That isn't the best metaphor I’ve ever heard. Nor the worst for that matter,” Glitter Scale remarked. “Sorry about that. You know I’m not the best with words,” Galus offered, the male giving his date a weak smile. “Well that's good I suppose,” Glitter Scale murmured, only to frown. “You really don't mind me keeping this from you all this time?” “I figured you had a good reason for keeping it a secret as long as you have,” Galus remarked, pushing a forkful of cake around his plate. “You know me, I’m a patient guy.” “True, you didn't even kiss me until our fourth date,” Glitter Scale stated with a slight smirk. Galus blushed, and scratched the back of his neck. “Even then you had to be the one to kiss me.” Glitter Scale’s smile grew wider still. “You werent half bad for a first timer.” “I’ve had a good teacher since then,” Gallus murmured, his blush growing slightly. “Maybe Twilight is right and I should become a teacher. After all the teaching part was quite-” Glitter Scale licked her lips. “-enjoyable.” Galus gulped. “So. Uh, I assume that this revelation has something to do with that support group you’ve been going to for as long as I’ve known you?” Glitter Scale giggled, and leaned back in her chair. “It has. I’m surprised you never asked about it very much. My last boyfriend was slightly less polite about the matter.” “I remember hearing about Rumble’s little outburst,” Galus remarked, his tone lowering. The dragon sighed. “He wasn't bad. The guy just couldn't let things go however.” Galus nodded. “Right, so do you want to talk about it by chance? No pressure if you don't though.” “Actually it would be kind of nice too,” Glitter Scale remarked, taking a bite of her mostly soupy dessert. “Ever since I moved out of Twilight’s house I haven't had the chance to talk about them very much.” “Is any of this a secret? You wouldn't be outing them would you?” Galus inquired, scratching his head. “Sorry I’m not sure how this all works.” “Nah, they are all out. Just don't go mentioning it to others. It should be up to them to tell their partners,” Glitter Scale explained. “Anyway, where to begin?” “Why not talk about who these friends of yours are?” Galuss offered. “Well there's Fluttershy who had already transitioned before everything,” Glitter Scale began. “She joined the support group after realizing how much the whole event had shaken her.” “How is she doing by the way? I heard she finally popped the question to Rainbow Dash,” Gallus pressed, taking another bite of his cake. Glitter Scale giggled. “Oh yeah thats right. They had both bought rings but Rainbow Dash was so paranoid about ruining things that she didn't actually bring up the question until Fluttershy was already about to.” “That is adorable,” Galus remarked. “I know right?” Glitter Scale sighed. “Big Mac is doing really well. She chose to keep the same name but has really embraced her more feminine side.” “Wait, she was a he?” Gallus scratched his neck. “I never would have assumed.” “Well when you pop out three foals people tend to assume you’re a girl,” Glitter Scale retorted. Galus chuckled and shook his head. “It's not that. She's just so… girly? Like, I’ve never not seen her wearing a dress, and I know she always wears at least some makeup.” “Are you saying I should be more like her?” Glitter Scale teased, smirking in an exaggerated fashion to ensure her date didn't misinterpret the barb as a serious insult. “Nah, you’re plenty girly. Besides, confidence shouldn't be a gender specific thing anyway,” Gallus explained. “Good answer cutie,” Glitter Scale replied. Gallus blushed. “So, the others?” “Redheart and Big Macintosh actually met at the support group, and I’ve gotten to know him fairly well. He’s going back to become a doctor you know? I think he realized that Big Macintosh wants more kids,” Glitter Scale continued. “Can't support them all on a nurse’s pay cheque?” Gallus inquired. “It's not that. Big Macintosh still helps at the farm, and they live on the property, but Redheart wants to be able to set up all their kids for college,” Glitter Scale smiled faintly. “It's actually kind of adorable.” “It sounds like it,” Galus added. “One of the flower trio was a part of the group for a bit but after marrying her girlfriends she stopped showing up. Not like that's a bad thing mind you. At least now I don't feel quite so bad for always forgetting her name,” Glitter Scale admitted. “The flower trio does roll off the tongue a lot easier,” Gallus remarked. “It sure does,” Glitter Scale stated, scooping up the last of her ice cream and swallowing it down. “The rest still go on occasion. Glitter Shell and I tease one another for stealing the other’s name but it's all in good fun. Snips even joined lately, though she did things the hard way.” “Better late than never though right?” Gallus offered. “True, and she's a lot happier now,” Glitter Scale replied. “Speaking of which. You wouldn't believe how much of a pain Diamond Crown used to be before the wave happened,” Glitter Scale exclaimed, leaning closer. “They were grade A jerk material before it all went down.” “Wait really? Stoner Crown used to be well… not the most chillaxed pony I’ve ever met?” Galus asked in an incredulous tone. Glitter Scale giggled and shook her head. “Nope! In fact he used to be the school bully before switching genders, and eventually asking out her best friend.” “I guess all the stress of not being in the right body had to come out some way,” Gallus remarked. “Not like that excuses his behavior before,” Glitter Scale added pointedly, jabbing her spoon at the gryphon. “Of course not. I’ve just figured that usually when people lash out they do so not because of hatred but rather some other precipitating factor,” Galus explained. “Very true,” Glitter Scale admitted. “So, how did the rest of your friends take it?” Gallus inquired before sipping at what little white wine remained in his glass. “I would be here all day if I talked about the cutie mark crusaders,” Glitter Scale began. “So I’ll save you the gossip and say that things were muddy for a bit before they realized their feelings for one another as well as reconciling their gender identity.” The dragon threw back the last of her wine in a single gulp. “Twilight realized she was non binary. Rarity has been exploring her masculine side more often, though is quite happy with her gender. Rainbow Dash has days she's feeling more stalliony, and others where she doesn't. Applejack remained unchanged, unbothered and completely unperturbed by the entire experience.” “And Pinkie Pie?” Gallus inquired. “I feel like I already know the answer, but I also feel like you enjoy talking about them.” “They are wonderful ponies,” Glitter Scale remarked, her expression becoming whistfull. “Pinkie Pie realized she liked who she was, but didn't enjoy finding out about how the genders view one another. After the wave was dealt with she came out as aesexual.” “Her and Twilight make a good pair,” Gallus exclaimed. “They both have a certain chaotic energy that seems to get nullified when they are around one another,” Glitter Scale remarked. “That's great to hear. It feels like you all came out of it better for the experience even if there were some bumps along the way,” Gallus continued. “We did didn't we?” Glitter Scale murmured. “You ended up dating me didn't you? That means you got at least some sense,” Gallus exclaimed in a slightly silly tone. “True,” Glitter Scale stated, gently taking the other creature’s claws in her own. “This past year has been wonderful by the way. I don't think I’ve ever felt so wanted, respected, and genuinely appreciated before.” Gallus smiled, the gryphon wanting to look away, but refusing to do just that. “And I’ve never felt so accepted and understood by someone before.” Without another word they leaned across the table, their fingers interlocking tightly before their lips followed suit a second later. The embrace lasted nearly a minute, with both parties only parting from one another after they had gotten a good taste of their partner. When they sat back down once more their fingers remained knitted together and their gaze never left each other’s eyes. “Happy anniversary Glitter Scale,” “Happy anniversary Gallus,”