“…Okay,” Gallus said, stretching his wings and letting out a sharp crack. “I think that’s everything. What do you think, Silver?”
After giving it some thought, she tapped an item on the paper with her pen and muttered, “I’m still on the fence about the Ponyville Clock Tower.”
“Still?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “I thought you said you’d enjoy going there?”
“And I would,” Silver affirmed earnestly. “Patty’s always talked about how amazing a history that place has, and I would love to know more about it.” Her smile drooped slightly as she explained, “But I am a little worried it’d take longer than expected…”
“Hmm? I suppose that could be a risk,” he recognized after reexamining his copy of the schedule. “Plus, if we didn’t go, we’d get more time to prepare for the restaurant.”
“Which is certainly something I can get behind.”
“Me too. So do you think we should cut it then?”
“I do,” Silver said, watching as he crossed out the item. “I’d love to tour the place someday, but I’d much rather have the extra time to get ready.”
“Fair enough. Besides, we can always visit it some other time,” Gallus proposed as he reread the schedule, quintuple-checking for any errors. Upon finding none, he placed the book back into his bag and murmured, “Saturday… Just a few more days, and we’ll finally be on our second date.”
“It only took us nearly half a year,” Silver whined sardonically. She then rubbed her shoulder and anxiously asked, “Do you think everything will be okay this weekend?”
“Yeah. I think so.”“…What if everything doesn’t go as perfectly as you planned?”
Gallus was quiet for a moment before answering, “I can’t expect perfection. Not from myself and certainly not from the world. But it’s okay if not everything goes smoothly,” he said, giving her a dreamy smile. “As long as you and I get to spend time together? That’s all I could ever ask for.”
“Likewise,” Silverstream said, planting a small kiss upon his cheek. “Although, there is one other thing I think we needed to talk about.”
“Sure, what?”
“The restaurant,” she tentatively mumbled, instantly eradicating his smile.
“Ughhh,” Gallus groaned, rubbing his tired eyes. “Silver, we’ve been over this…”
“I know we have, but—”
“But nothing!” he interrupted. “I told you I’ve got enough Bits for it.”
“Okay, okay!” Silver clicked her beak indignantly and added, “You could at least tell me how much you think it’ll cost, you know.”
“Why? So you could try to reimburse me?”
“Yeah.”
“No! No, you don’t need to do that! Why would you even think you did?”
“Because I remember what you told Smolder that night… About how you were trying to save up your Bits, and—”
“Silverstream, for the last time, I don’t want you to pay for the meal!” he decreed sternly. “And when exactly are you going to let that thing I said go?”
“Uh? Never,” she deadpanned. “Why would I not feel mad about the fact I had to find out second-talon you were having financial struggles?”
“I wouldn’t exactly call it ‘financial struggles,’” Gallus grumbled, rolling his eyes.
“I still could have helped you pay for it!” she insisted.
“Forgive me for not wanting to ask you for Bits on our second date!”
“Oh, I do! That’s not even something you should feel guilty for in the first place.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. But getting back on topic? What I don’t like is that you never told me about it at all,” Silverstream explained, frowning. “I mean, would you have ever talked to me about it?”
“I-I don’t know,” he admitted guiltily.
“Wow,” she sighed.
“Look,” Gallus resumed, taking a deep breath to calm himself. “I’m sorry I never told you about the Bits being a problem. I just didn’t want you to worry. Nor seem like I couldn’t provide…”
“You know I would never have cared about something like that,” she assured in a softer tone.
“Yeah, well? I do. I know I should feel comfortable asking for help if I ever need it, but… I just hate needing help sometimes.”
Silver took his talon into hers and assuaged, “I know. And it’s okay to feel that way, Gallus, but you can’t hide problems like that. Not from me. At least? I don’t want you to. Okay?”
Gallus gave her a small smile and promised, “I won’t.”
“Thank you!” she sang, pulling him into a warm hug. “And don’t you worry, I promise not to hide problems like that either.”
He hugged her back, teasing, “You better not.”
Silver giggled and leaned back, lamenting, “I really do wish you had told me though. I probably wouldn’t have been so impatient to go on our second date if you had,” she laughed.
“Heh-heh, yeah… Sorry.”
“I already said I forgive you.”
“And I wanted to say it again,” Gallus said, chuckling at her bemused sigh. Eventually, his laughter turned to a thoughtful hum. “You know? I think we just had our first major fight,” he realized.
“Really?” Silver asked, wincing slightly.
“Yeah. … All things considered? It was pretty good.”
“You think it was ‘good’ that we fought!?”
“Well, we didn’t yell, nothing was thrown, and we came to a mutual understanding,” Gallus listed off, smiling. “Trust me, as a former resident of Griffonstone, that is the ultimate cosmic sign!”
“O-Okay?” Silver stuttered, uncertain. “Of what though?”
“That we’re awesome together,” he answered without skipping a beat.“…Darn it,” she cursed, hanging her head in defeat. “Every time. Every time I think I’m catching up, you go ahead and out-sweet me again.”
“Hey, if I’m not always out-sweeting ya, then I’m not doing my job as your boyfriend right.”
“Good point.”
“Heh-heh-heh. Happy First Fight, Silver,” he joked.
“Happy First Fight, Gallus,” she joked back. “But, uh? Let’s try not having anymore fights in the future? I don’t like fighting with you…”
“Only hugs, snuggles, and kisses then? Okay. I can do that.”
“Yay,” Silverstream tittered, hugging him and resting her head against his neck with a sigh. “This is nice.”
“Hugging me?”
“Being with you,” she clarified, softly nuzzling him. “Planning out our date, making jokes, and yes! Hugging you too.”
“I think it’s nice too,” he crooned, returning the nuzzle.
…
…
…
“Do you think they heard all of that?” Silver whispered, casting her eyes downward.
“I don’t know; let me check,” Gallus replied, sticking his head over the edge of the cloud they sat upon. “Hey, Scoop! Patty! You two enjoying the show!?” he shouted.
Both mares yelped in fright and dashed away into the crowded streets below.
“Aughhh!” Silver groaned, face-clawing. “You would think now that we’re finally about to go on our date, the others would give us some privacy!”
“Or after I had to scrounge up a cloud so we could get some privacy,” Gallus growled, turning back to Silver. “Then again, it’s Scoop. We should know better than to expect her to care about privacy.”
“True. But Patty should definitely know better! … You don’t think either of them will try to…?”
“Spy on our date? Eh? I’m not sure about Patty, but Scoop’s definitely going to do that.”
“Wonderful. Ah well, at least our second date will be well-documented for all to see,” she remarked, crossing her talons.
“Did you want it to be?”
“Well, certainly not by Scoop!”
“In that case, you have nothing to fear. I’ve already made plans to take care of her,” Gallus said conspiratorially. “As well as anycreature else that tries to intrude on our date.”
“Okaaay,” Silverstream sighed, looking rather unamused. “What did you do?”
“Called in a favor with the others. Smolder was especially keen on helping us out.”
“Aww, that’s so nice of them. And nice of you too,” Silver added, playfully poking his shoulder. “Of course? This means you and I owe them all quite a few ‘Thank you’ muffins.”
“Understood, milady.”
“Hee-hee! … So? I guess this means we’re finally ready for Saturday?”
“I guess we are,” he attested, sneaking in another quick kiss and earning a blush.
“Eeeee!” she squealed excitedly. “I can’t wait!”
***
“Can you feel the sunshine!? Does it brighten up your—” Smack!
“Yes, I can feel the sunshine,” Gallus groused as he sat up. “Seriously, when did that song get licensed for the radio?” he wondered, scratching his neck.
…
“Today is the day,” he reminded himself, awakening almost immediately by the terrified pounding in his chest. Gallus closed his eyes and let out a slow sigh. “Everything will be okay… In fact? Everything will be amazing!” he sang optimistically. “Hee-hee-hee!”
With a delighted twinkle in his eye, Gallus sprung up from his bed and dashed about, completing his daily routine as quickly as possible. Once he was presentable, Gallus paused and stared into his picture-filled, macaroni mirror.
A bright-eyed, healthy-looking griffon smiled back at him.
“We are going to have so much fun!” Gallus celebrated, practically skipping over to his door. He then opened it and spotted Silverstream exiting her own room at the same time. “Silverstream?”
“Huh? Oh, good morning, Gallus,” she greeted, rushing over enthusiastically and sneaking him a hug. “Great timing! I think the others have already gone down for breakfast.”
“Good to hear,” he said, hugging her back. Upon letting go, he added, “I wanted to go over the schedule with ‘em one more time anyway.”
“That. But we could also—and bear with me on this one—all have breakfast together?”
“Yeah, that too,” Gallus agreed, smirking as she rolled her eyes. He then offered her his talon and asked, “Shall we?”
She tittered, gratefully taking it and muttering, “Ever the charmer, eh?”
“If you’ll let me?”
“Always,” she said, snuggling up to him as they continued down the hallway.
Eventually, they reached the cafeteria wherein rested four other creatures waiting for them…
“Okay, good, you guys are all here,” Gallus acknowledged as he and Silver approached their table. “That’s even more convenient,” he rejoiced, shooting a wink at Silver.
“We’re here physically, yes,” Smolder grumbled, sipping at her coffee. “Mentally? Ehhh, we’ll have to get back to you on that.”
“Agreed,” Sandbar deadpanned, yawning loudly. “I know today’s your date and all, but how are you two even awake this early? And on a Saturday, no less!”
“I don’t see you asking how your girlfriend’s able to stay awake?” Gallus fired back, sitting beside Silverstream. “Or Ocellus for that matter.”
“Because Yona’s the best at everything she does,” he complimented, earning a happy grin from the yak. “As for Ocellus? Frankly, I’m convinced she has some ‘perpetual awakeness’ spell.”
“Should I tell him, or…?” Gallus asked Ocellus.
“Tell me what? Wait! You do have a spell for that, don’t you?”
Ocellus gave Sandbar a blunt stare and answered, “Yes, but I don’t really care for it. Creatures do need rest after all.”
“You mind giving Sandbar and I a shot of it?” Smolder asked, glaring at her drink. “Because I don’t think this stuff’s working.”
“No,” she said curtly. “You’ll both have to settle for waking up the natural way.”
“You are cruel, Ocellus! Cruel, I say!” Sandbar wailed melodramatically.
“What Sandbar really mean to say,” Yona said, putting her hoof over his muzzle. “Is Yona and friends are happy to help Gallus and Silverstream. Even if it mean getting up earlier than usual.”
“Right, Yona,” Gallus said, chuckling. “I’m sure that’s exactly what he meant. But if it helps, I am sorry for asking you guys to get up so early.”
“It’s no problem, Gallus,” Ocellus placated, directing a disapproving look to the sleepy stallion and dragon. “Besides, I made sure to go to bed early just in case.”
“Oh, shut up, Ocellus,” Smolder moaned, finishing off her coffee. “Sarcasm aside, we’re all awake, and we’re all here,” she assured, giving the pair an eager smile. “What’s the plan, Gallus?”
Gallus nodded and began, “Okay, you all know the schedule, right?”
“First is breakfast, then it’s a few rounds of bowling, and then you two are off to that Spearhead guy’s art exhibit, right?” Sandbar questioned, resting his head in his hooves.
“Uh-huh!” Silverstream confirmed giddily. “I cannot wait for that last one; it’s been way too long since I’ve been to Spearhead’s Gallery,” she said, giving Gallus a grateful smile.
“I didn’t even know he had an actual gallery,” Ocellus confessed. “Wasn’t it just a temporary thing?”
“Oh, it was,” Sandbar confirmed. “But ponies really liked his art and funded a whole gallery for it, my dad included. Royal Guards gotta help out Royal Guards, after all,” he boasted proudly.
“I just can’t believe you two are really going bowling for your second date,” Smolder jibed.
“How many times do I have tell everycreature bowling can be romantic?” Silver mumbled.
“Yona agree; bowling tons of fun,” she vouched, shooting an expectant look at Sandbar.
“Already have a weekend planned for it,” he said, eliciting an excited squee.
“Afterward,” Gallus interjected. “We’ll stop for lunch at the Hay Burger joint. And lastly, we’ll cap off the first half of the date by taking a lovely stroll through the park.”
“Wait, what about…?” Ocellus began, looking rather confused. She then blinked and said, “That’s right! I almost forgot you two decided against visiting the Clock Tower.”
“Yona think that a shame,” she said, sighing sadly. “Patty and Vellum always say Ponyville Clock Tower have interesting lore.”
“Try ‘snooze-inducing.’ I couldn’t even last ten minutes when Gallus and I checked the place out.”
“Sandbar, that just shows you are in serious need of better tastes,” Ocellus rebuked lightly. “I will never understand how anycreature could find complex architectural history boring.”
“Easy. Make ‘em watch a documentary on the subject with you.”
“…Shut up, Smolder.”
As the others all snickered, Silverstream elaborated, “Gallus and I both wanted to check it out, but we figured it would be better to save that for a later date. That way, we could have more time to prepare for the restaurant,” she ended, hiding a nervous gulp.
“Ooh, Yona think that great idea!” Yona squealed, clapping energetically. “Yona gonna need extra time working on Silver’s mane,” she added so quietly only Smolder and Sandbar heard her.
“We did too. Speaking of the restaurant? You still have our attire ready to go, right, Yona?”
“Gallus need not even ask; Yona has everything ready for everycreature.”
“Good to know. Because once we’re done, we plan to stop by the Carousel Boutique.”
“And after Gallus picks up his suit, I’ll stay behind so you can help me into my dress,” Silverstream finished explaining. “And with everything else,” she added, examining her talons.
“Of course,” Smolder began casually. “And while you two are actually enjoying your date, the rest of us will be keeping tabs on you guys, correct?”
“Bingo. Which reminds me,” Gallus uttered, turning his attention to the earth pony. “Sandy?”
“Don’t worry, dude,” he said, patting his saddlebag. “I borrowed my sister’s toy radios. I owe her a tea party now, but whatever. They got fresh batteries and a range the size of Ponyville.”
“That’ll certainly make my job easier,” Ocellus proclaimed. “Just to double-check, you want me to remain incognito throughout the date and keep everycreature informed of what’s going on, right?”
“And teleport away any unwanted date-crashers. If you can, that is.”
“Anyone specific?”
“Aside from Scoop, Patty, and Shimmy Shake? Anycreature you think would disrupt the date.”
“Professor Rarity?”
“Professor Rarity,” he echoed in agreement, sparking a round of laughter among the group.
“Was there anycreature else you had in mind?” Ocellus inquired after quieting down.
“Well…?” Gallus murmured, tapping his chin in thought. “Nah, no way would he show up. Hmm? Hey, Silver? Do we need to worry about your cousin?”
“Skystar? No, I haven’t sent—I-I mean!” Silver cleared her throat, stating, “I haven’t written my family at all about today.”
“In that case, I can’t think of anycreature else who’d be a problem.”
“Alrighty then. I’ll make sure to keep my eyes open,” Ocellus promised.
“Please do, Ocellus,” Gallus practically begged. “Seriously, we’re counting on you guys!”
“Don’t worry, Gallus,” Smolder said, giving him a claws-up. “The last thing we’re going to do is let anycreature screw this up for you two. Promise.”
“Thank you! I’m sorry we have to ask this of all of you, but…” Silver apologized quietly.
“Silverstream need not fear; Yona and friends will make sure Gallus and Silver’s date absolute BEST!” she vowed, drawing out a relieved smile.
“Heh. I really can’t thank you guys enough for all of your help,” Gallus said gratefully. “Both for helping me figure out what to do for the date and agreeing to keep an eye on things.”
“Like we would ever leave you hanging, dude,” Sandbar scoffed.
“Sandbar correct. Friends would never leave Gallus or Silver to fend for themselves,” Yona swore firmly. “Especially considering how much date mean to both.”
“That does raise the question though,” Ocellus uncertainly spoke up. “What if—despite our best efforts—the date still gets interrupted by someone?”
“Oh, I can think of one thing we’ll do to ‘em,” Smolder said, pointedly showing off her claws.
“It’ll be okay, Ocellus,” Silver answered, glancing at Gallus once more. “We both know not everything can be perfect.”
“Yeah,” Gallus concurred. “We can’t be afraid something screwy will happen. Not when the most important thing is spending time together,” he concluded, smiling warmly.
“That’s deep,” Sandbar commented, earning five equally judgmental stares. “What?”
“Nothing,” Yona said, holding his hoof. “Yona just glad to know friends think that.”
“I am too,” Gallus said, laughing weakly. “Took me long enough to get that through my head, but better late than never, right?”
“Yeah, yeah…” Smolder chortled, rolling her eyes. “But, um? Is it okay if we pull some favors of our own? Because knowing the ponies in this town, we’re going to need back-up. And a lot of it!”
“Already thought of that,” he replied. “When Silver and I are ready to go on our date, meet up with Headmare Starlight. She agreed to help us out too, so I already got her up to speed.”
“Thank goodness! Let’s just hope she’ll be enough.”
“Uh, Smolder?” Sandbar piped up. “You do remember Headmare Starlight can banish Discord, right?”
“Yeah, but he’s still Discord. And he’s far from the only creature we need to worry about.”
Silver shivered and pleaded, “Please don’t put that thought in my head. The last thing I need to worry about right now is if he’ll finally try to get revenge on us for stuffing him inside that trunk.”
“If he tries, we’ll just stuff him back into it,” Gallus said, draping a comforting wing around her.
Ocellus bit her lip and tentatively asked, “Are you two ready for tonight then?”
“Yes,” he answered adamantly. “I know I certainly am.”
“Hee-hee!” Silverstream giggled, reclining against his shoulder. “I am too. After all, I finally get to go on a second date with the sweetest creature in the school,” she bragged, grinning victoriously when she noticed him blush. “And that’s something I’m always ready for.”
“Yona feel same way about Sandbar,” she stated, planting a quick kiss on his glowing cheek.
Ocellus and Smolder glanced at each other, frowning uncomfortably at their friends’ displays of affection. “You know?” the latter whispered behind her claw. “It wouldn’t be so bad if they weren’t so corny about the whole thing.”
“At least it’s genuine,” Ocellus murmured back, shrugging.
“Why thank you, Ocellus!” Sandbar cheered, his tone dry. “It means a lot to have the mind-reader say we really love each other. Not like we could know that ourselves, or anything…”
“It’s not mind-reading!”
“Close enough.”
Ocellus just pouted.
“Heh-heh. Thank you again for helping us with everything today,” Gallus said once more. “We really appreciate it, guys.”
“No worries, Gallus,” Smolder began confidently. “It’s about time you two have some fun for once, and we’re not gonna let anyone or anything ruin it!”
Gallus smiled tearfully, whispering, “Thank you, Smolder.”
“You’re welcome. You two just make sure you do have a good time, alright?”
“Oh, we will!” Silver sang, barely able to contain her excitement. “We will!”
***
Roughly half an hour later, Gallus and Silverstream stood outside the Ponyville Bowling Alley, listening to the cacophonous thunder of crashing pins echo to them from within.
“You know something, Silver?” Gallus eventually muttered.
“What?” she responded, giving him a bright smile.
“This is a bowling alley,” he stated, gulping fearfully as he stared at the building before them.
“Yep. It totally is.”
“And we’re here on our second date so we can spend time together as a couple.”
“Hee-hee-hee, I know that too,” Silver cheered, flapping her wings eagerly.
“And it’s not like we haven’t spent time together like this before.”
“Obviously. This is our second date after all.”
“Yeah. Plus, we’ve helped save Equestria from near-destruction twice. Twice!” he emphasized, combing his headcrest nervously. “I mean, compared to that, this is…”
“Absolutely terrifying?” Silverstream guessed, receiving a nod. “Oh, good, it’s not just me!” she gasped. “I-I know I shouldn’t be nervous… We both planned this. We both want this. And we both know we’re gonna have fun today. So, what do I have to be nervous about?” she ended, giving him a shaky smile.
“That we’ll be interrupted again?” Gallus suggested.
“Well, that’s certainly one thing I’m worried about. You’re afraid of that too, huh?”
“A little, but I trust the others to keep that from happening. I think… I think what I’m worried about is that today won’t be as amazing as we expect it to be,” he theorized, pawing at the ground warily.
“Oh. So then, you’re still scared everything won’t be perfect?” Silver inquired, wincing.
“No, no! It’s not that; it’s…” Gallus sighed and looked her in the eye. “I think I’ve just hyped this whole thing up in my head too much, you know?” He gestured to the bowling alley and acknowledged, “We’re on a date, not going to some meeting with royalty or something.”
She snorted. “And yet, this is a lot scarier than that. Unless we’re talking about Auntie Novo, in which case? N-No, she’s worse; she is so much worse!” Silver exclaimed, laughing along with Gallus.
“Ha-ha-haaa! Yeah. Yeah… But this? This isn’t something serious like that. This is a date. Nothing more, nothing less,” Gallus concluded serenely.
“Ohhh no! It’s a little bit more than that,” she argued, grinning slyly. “It’s a date with you! That makes it far more special.”
“I think you mean it’s a date with you,” he retorted. “Which means it’s the most special thing in the world.”
“Hmm,” she hummed, glancing back at the entrance. “You’re not wrong though. About our date, silly!” Silver corrected before he could make a joke. “We did make it out to be too big a deal. So, if it’s okay with you? Can we keep everything simple, going forward?” she requested. “Please?”
“Of course,” Gallus promised, nuzzling her warmly. “Do you want to call today off? Maybe figure out something better to do?”
“Are you crazy!?” she shrieked indignantly. “No way! I have been waiting to go on another proper date with you for months, buddy, and you ain’t getting out of it that easily!”
“Okay, okay, okay!” he yelped, holding his claws up defensively. “Just asking…”
“Well, thank you for asking. It was very considerate,” Silver huffed, stifling another giggle. “But you and I are having this date! No amount of nerves is gonna stop me from having a good time with you.”
“Nor me with you.”
“Good. … So? Are you ready to knock down some pins with a big, heavy ball, milord?” she inquired, extending a talon in invitation.
Gallus happily took her talon and said, “Lead the way, milady.”
Despite both Scoop and Smolder’s assurances of the contrary, bowling was an absolute blast. There wasn’t much else to say about it; they both simply had some good, clean fun as they constantly tried to one-up each other.
“Yes!” Silver laughed, dancing triumphantly. “Who’s the champion!? I’m the champion!”
“Yeah, yeah…” Gallus grumbled, unable to stay too annoyed by his newest loss. “You can laugh all you want, but I’m winning the next one.”
“Mhmm. Right. Keep telling yourself that.”
“I plan on it.”
While they waited for the pins to be reset for the next game, Silver frowned and quietly asked, “You’re not letting me win, are you?”
“Nope, you’re just that good,” he answered honestly.
“Aww! Thanks, Gallus. Sorry I’m whooping your flank,” she apologized, trying and failing to suppress her grin. “I know you don’t like losing.”
“No one does. But truthfully, I don’t mind.”
“Even if you’ve lost four games in a row?”
“…You don’t have to rub it in my face,” Gallus pouted, much to her amusement. “I’m just happy to be spending time with you. No amount of losing can ruin that.”
“Alright. Be sure to tell me if that changes though. If you do, maybe I’ll let you win at least one game before we leave,” Silver taunted smugly. “Maybe.”
“Ha. Ha. Ha,” Gallus chuckled dryly. “Eh, even if I can’t win against you at bowling, at least we both know you can’t win against me in chess,” he challenged, winking playfully.
“That’s because no one can,” she whined, frowning when he snickered. “Not even Ocellus.”
“November can,” he revealed.
“Seriously!?”
“There’s a reason I finally stopped calling him ‘September Tempest.’”
“Wow! That’s… That’s impressive.”
“Yeah, I know,” Gallus said, standing up as the pins finished resetting. “It’s a shame he quit Chess Club; the dude can wield a rook as well as you can a brush. Or a bowling ball, apparently.”
“Hey, I can’t help it if I’m just better at this than you are,” Silverstream gloated with a smirk.
“For now.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
“Alright, now just for that, I am going to win the next game!”
“In your dreams!”
“Oh! It! Is! On!”
Some time later, the pair found themselves exiting the bowling alley and making their way toward Spearhead’s Art Gallery, followed discreetly by their disguised friends.
The many sculptures and paintings were as much a sight to behold as the overjoyed hippogriff delightedly darting among them all.
Gallus tried valiantly to keep up with her but eventually conceded defeat. Thankfully, Silver quickly noticed and slowed down to match his pace, smiling apologetically as she muttered, “Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Gallus said kindly. “It was cute.”
“Aww,” she cooed, blushing. “Thanks. You’re cute too.”
“I know. But we both know you’re cuter.”
“Yeah, I guess I am.”
“Heh-heh-heh. … It’s nice to see you’re having fun.”
“Oh, I am! I’m having so much fun!”
“I’m glad,” he said, giving her cheek a soft kiss that she cheerfully returned.
“I am too. Now, let’s go! I heard Lighthoof donated that sculpture of hers to Spearhead’s Gallery, and I remember how mesmerized you were by it,” she laughed, leading him forward.
“I wasn’t that mesmerized,” he protested, unable to hide his smile as he followed after her.
“I had to drag you away from it!”
“Like I had to drag you away from a certain mountain of blueberry rock candy?”
“Oh, hush up!”
“No, I like talking to you.”
“Hee-hee, I like talking to you too.”
Over an hour was spent perusing the amazing works of the former Royal Guard, and both of them would have been perfectly happy to spend many more hours exploring further. However, they ultimately-yet-reluctantly decided to depart, lest they deviate even more from the schedule.
Shortly thereafter, the pair tucked themselves into a corner booth at the local Hay Burger after having ordered a quick lunch…
“So?” Gallus began, dipping a cluster of his fries into some ketchup. “We both agree we’re going back there at some point, right?”
“Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!” Silver chirped excitedly, drinking her soda pop. “Sea kelp, I can’t believe there were so many new exhibits. Like—” She paused to bite into her sandwich. After swallowing, she continued, “—I know it’s been a long time since I last visited, but just…wow!”
Gallus simply nodded, opting to finish off his burger.
After a stretch of silence, filled only with the ambient sounds of the other diners, Silver remarked, “You know? I think I finally get why Princess Twilight liked this place so much.”
“Because the fries are godly?” Gallus guessed, eating some more of the aforementioned item.
“Well, that. And…?” She trailed off, trying to find the right words to express herself. “It’s nice.”
“Oh yeah. This actually used to be my ‘weekend treat’ spot,” he divulged, eating the last of his meal. “If I had the Bits, I’d stop here on the weekend and grab a bite. Nothing special, but it was better than everything Griffonstone had to offer.”
Silverstream bit down to keep herself from offering to pay for the meal again. After succeeding at that, she added, “Yeah, that’s it! Twilight loved this place for that.”
“That it was better than Griffonstone? I hate to break it to you, Silver, but that’s not exactly a hard thing to do.”
“No, not that. I think she enjoyed this place because it wasn’t anything special.” Silver blinked and shyly elaborated, “Don’t get me wrong, the food here is amazing! But… It’s simple.” She gestured around herself and acknowledged, “It’s nowhere near as formal as other places.”
“Yeah, I can understand that,” Gallus agreed, sipping at his drink while thinking. “Given all the attention she gets for being a princess, I bet she was ecstatic to have some places she could go where nopony would really care.”
“Oh yeah,” she groaned, rubbing her neck awkwardly. “I can definitely sympathize with that.”
“Considering you’re a princess too, that’s a given.”
“How many times do I have to tell you Skystar is the princess?”
“I don’t know. But every time you do, I’ll just say you’re a princess to me.”
Silver blushed, grinning as she said, “Thank you. But? While I may not be a princess, I’m not exactly a stranger to overly extravagant events.”
“The ‘Glad To Be A Hippogriff Festival’?” he speculated. “You did say your brother hated that thing.”
“That’s because of Terramar’s whole ‘hippogriff-or-seapony’ issue,” she explained, finishing off her sandwich. “Thankfully, he got that sorted out. As for me? Nope. I’m as proud to be a hippogriff as I am to be a seapony,” Silver avowed. “…But the Royal Balls? Those are a different story.”
“Ooh! Do tell,” Gallus encouraged, wiping off his beak with a napkin.
“Not much to tell, actually,” she said, shrugging as she distractedly stirred her drink. “The ones I attended happened before the Storm King attacked, so I was pretty young. My memories are mostly of me and Starry making a mess of everything,” Silverstream reminisced. “Trust me, the last thing you ever want a kid to deal with is sheer, absolute boredom.”
“That’s just common sense. Any notable boredom-alleviating attempts I should know of?”
“Well? Auntie Novo did say we once set fire to the Harmonizing Heights. But I’m, like, thirty-three percent sure she was exaggerating,” she confessed nonchalantly.
“Only thirty-three!?”
“You’d be amazed at the kind of chaos Skystar can unleash if she’s bored enough,” Silver warned ominously. “She’s done things crazy enough to make Discord blush.”
“…I find myself suddenly wishing to meet your cousin,” Gallus admitted bluntly.
“U-Uh, let’s try t-to save that for the future,” she worriedly stammered, trying to look anywhere but at Gallus. “If you want to meet her, you’ll have to go to Seaquestria, and… Well…?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not exactly eager to be turned into a catfish anytime soon.”
Silver blinked and tittered faintly. “Really, Gallus? A catfish? Really?”
“Hey, Spike got turned into a pufferfish, and he was a dragon! What do you expect a griffon like me to be turned into, a manta ray?”
“Oh please, you wouldn’t turn into that, you’d be a…” She suddenly paused and hummed. “Actually, you know what? I’ll get to back you on that.”
“Please do,” Gallus pleaded. “No offense, but if you ever ask me to visit Seaquestria, I don’t want to be turned into a catfish.”
“Oh? And what would you want to be turned into then?”
“A Ghost Leviathan, duh.”
Silverstream simply snickered.
Her giggles brought a smile to his beak, but soon Gallus hummed in thought. “…Did you want to do that?” he slowly inquired, tilting his head curiously.
“Hmm? Do what?”
“Visit your home together,” Gallus clarified, making her freeze up in alarm. “I mean, I know I sound a little hypocritical since I didn’t want you visiting my old home, but…?”
“W-Well, that I understand completely,” she stated, drinking the last of her soda pop as she worked to steady her heartbeat.
“Thank you. But still? I like to think Mount Aris and Seaquestria are both infinitely better places than Griffonstone. Plus, you did say your parents wanted to know more about me,” he hesitantly finished.
“You want to meet my parents?”
“Yeah. They’re your family after all. The least I can do is try to get to know ‘em, right?”
Silverstream was silent for a full minute until she finally whispered, “Gallus? That’s really sweet of you, but could we please not talk about this?”
“Uh, s-sure!” Gallus said, startled. “No worries, sorry.”
“Don’t— Don’t apologize,” she implored, running a talon through her mane. “You didn’t say anything wrong; in fact, I would absolutely love for all of you to get to know each other too,” Silver said, causing him to breath a quiet sigh of relief. “I-I’m just not ready for that discussion. So, can we please just enjoy our date today? And talk about Mom and Dad some other time?”
“Of course,” he answered, placing his talon over hers comfortingly. “Are you okay?”
“Mhmm. I’m okay, Gallus,” she said, feeling significantly allayed. “Don’t worry.”
“Alright…”
An awkward silence fell across the table as they both attempted to figure out what to say next. In the end, Silver succeeded, asking, “Are, uh, are you ready to leave?”
“I am if you are.”
“I am indeed.”
“Gotcha! Let me clean this up, and we’ll head out,” he said, gathering up their collective trash and dumping it. Once Gallus returned, he offered her a talon which she gleefully accepted. “Shall we?”
“Yes, let’s!”
A slight chill lingered in the air as they leisurely proceeded through the park, but it was easily combated by their matching scarves, courtesy of Yona. Of course, Silverstream wasn’t exactly going to let the opportunity pass her by, so she soon put a wing around Gallus and drew him closer.
Gallus immediately returned the gesture, smiling as he guessed, “Cold?”
“Eh, could be worse,” she replied, thinking back to the blizzard she and Smolder had braved. “But a little more warmth is always appreciated.”
“As is the snuggling, I assume?”
Silver merely giggled blissfully. “Yep! Smolder isn’t the only one who appreciates some extra cuddle time, you know.”
“Wait! Smolder likes cuddling!?”
“You didn’t hear that from me,” she said, whistling innocently.
“W-What!?” Gallus yelped, succumbing to a round of raucous laughter. “Oh, I am going to tease her so much after today!”
“And I’m certain she’ll tease you right back about taking me bowling.”
“True, but you wanted me to take you bowling.”
“She’s still gonna tease you anyway,” Silver countered smartly.
“Yeah, she probably will,” Gallus acknowledged, hanging his head in defeat. “Let’s just hope she doesn’t rat me out to Shimmy Shake. Otherwise, she’ll tell the whole school, and I’ll be forever known as the griffon who took his girlfriend bowling for their second date.”
“But you are the griffon who took his girlfriend bowling for their second date.”
“I know, but I don’t want the whole school knowing about it,” he complained, combing his headcrest. “I got a reputation to uphold.”
“Uh-huh. And what reputation is that, pray tell?”
“‘Gallus, the cool and mysterious griffon from a distant land!’” Gallus recited theatrically. “‘Gaze and behold as he saves Equestria three times over, stars in every play he participates in, and aces every last quiz his teachers shove under his beak, even Professor Applejack’s!’” he boasted, raising his head proudly. “‘Truly! He is the coolest!’”
“Except for the fact he only helped save Equestria twice,” she pointed out.
“…Why do you gotta ruin my bragging like that, Silver?” Gallus whined, eliciting another giggle from the hippogriff.
The pair spent another half hour enjoying their relaxing stroll through the park, simply enjoying each other’s company. Unfortunately, after having trotted along the same path thrice, they both decided to leave the park and proceed to the next activity…
Preparing for the restaurant.
“Okay, now remember,” Gallus began as the Carousel Boutique slowly came into view. “The reservation isn’t until six, but we meet up at the school at five-thirty.”
“I remember,” Silverstream reassured, silently waving to the dragon and yak waiting by the Boutique’s doors. “And I certainly won’t be late.”
“Neither will I,” he promised as they finally reached their destination. “Hey, Smolder. Hey, Yona. How are you doing?”
“Fine and dandy,” Smolder answered on both of their behalf.
“Any problems?”
“Friends not need to worry about that right now,” Yona rebuked sternly. “Friends should focus on having good time today. And is Yona correct in suspecting friends are having good time?”
“We’re having a fantastic time!” Silverstream rejoiced.
“Good to hear,” Smolder said, smirking neutrally. “By the way? Yona left your suit with Sandbar back at the school. Didn’t want to risk Silver being spoiled or something.”
“Thank you,” Gallus said, giving the yak a grateful smile.
“Yona not need thanks; Yona just glad Yona thought of that before friends returned.”
“I am too, not gonna lie,” Silver mumbled. After a moment of mutual silence, she coughed and asked, “If you two don’t mind, could Gallus and I say goodbye real quick?”
Smolder and Yona shared a knowing grin, and the latter swiftly trotted back into Rarity’s abode, cooing, “Absolutely! Come on, Smolder.”
“I’m coming; I’m coming,” she chuckled, following after the yak. “You two take all the time you need.”
“Thank you, Smolder,” Gallus deadpanned as she closed the door behind her. He then sighed in exasperation and moaned, “We are so doomed after tonight.”
“Oh, who cares? Spending time together is totally worth it!” Silver sang.
“Yeah. Yeah, it is,” he agreed, nodding happily. “Now, are you going to be okay?”
“Of course. I can handle a bit of friendly teasing,” she swore. “How about you?”
“I’ll be fine too.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” She then timidly pawed at the ground before adding, “I’ve had a wonderful time so far, Gallus. Thank you.”
“Nah, you don’t need to thank me. At least, not until after we’ve finished the date. Then you can give me all the thanks in the world for being such an amazing boyfriend,” Gallus proclaimed blithely.
“And you can give me all the thanks in the world for being such a patient girlfriend,” she fired back, cocking an eyebrow.
“‘Tis only fair, milady,” he replied, bowing melodramatically.
“Meh, just a little bit. Just— Just a teeny, little bit,” Silver concurred, grinning.
After sharing a small laugh, Gallus sighed and said, “I really did have a good time, Silver.”
“I did too!” she shouted, hopping joyously. “I don’t know what it is, but it’s like everything just seems…better! When I experience it with you!”
“I feel the same way,” he said, giving her a light nuzzle.
“Hee-hee-hee!” Silverstream tittered, nuzzling him back. “Ooh, I can’t wait until tonight!”
“Neither can I. Honestly, I’m half-regretting not scheduling the reservation for an earlier time.”
“Nope! Nope! Nope, I am very much glad for the extra prep time,” she said, brushing her mane out of her eye. “Even if the extra time spent having dinner with you would have been nice too.”
“Well, obviously! I’m well-known for being an excellent dinner conversationalist.”
“We’ll see, sweetie. We’ll see.”
“I guess we will,” he agreed, blushing.
“Five-thirty?” Silver asked one last time.
“Five-thirty.”
“Right. And you have your suit ready to go?”
“I do. You have your dress?”
“Oh yeah!”
“I bet you look really beautiful in it,” Gallus commented, giving her a loving smile.
“I do; I really, really do!” she rejoiced, already eagerly anticipating his reaction to it. “I bet you look super handsome in your suit too.”
“Indeed I do. As for how handsome? You’ll just have to wait and find out,” he teased.
“Yet another reason I can’t wait!”
“Same.” Gallus then looked up at something behind her and snorted. “I better start heading off; Yona and Smolder are grinning at us.”
“I’m sure they are. And I’m also sure Sandbar and Ocellus are waiting for you too.”
“Probably. I’ll see you tonight.”
“See you tonight. But…? Before you go?” Silverstream leaned in, giving him another kiss to his cheek. “Hee-hee! I wanted to give you that.”
“Another kiss?” he asked, blushing even more. “Why, Silver, that’s so kind of you! Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. Besides, I like kissing you,” she confided sweetly.
Gallus gave her another kiss as well, murmuring, “I like kissing you too. Now, I really do need to start getting ready…”
“I do too,” she grumbled, disappointed. “You go have fun.”
“I’ll have more fun when I’m back with you.”
“Likewise.”
He smiled and said, “See you later, Silverstream.”
“See you later, Gallus,” she replied, waving as he departed back toward the School of Friendship, a noticeable bounce in his step.
Silver then turned around and entered the Boutique, closing the door behind her and leaning against it. Oh! My! Gosh! That was so much fun! she thought, giggling rapturously as Smolder and Yona both approached her.
“Silverstream seem happy,” the latter acknowledged. “Yona glad friend having fun.”
“It has been wonderful so far!” Silver celebrated. “Thank you so much for helping us today. … But seriously, h-has Scoop, or Discord, or—”
“Hey! No! Don’t think about that, Silverstream,” Smolder ordered. “That drama can wait until later. For now, the important thing is if you and Gallus are having fun? And I take it you are?”
“Yes!”
“Good to hear.” She hesitated for a moment before asking, “On that note? How is Gallus doing? He acing the date, or—”
“Oh no! Don’t you go there either,” Silver warned coolly. “We can gossip all day tomorrow, but for tonight, I have a dinner I need to get ready for.”
“Dang it,” she whispered, crossing her claws in mock-indignation.
“Yona told Smolder,” she said smugly. “But friend not listen.”
“Hush up, Yona.”
“Hee-hee-hee. Now!” Yona resumed in a decidedly professional tone. “Does Silverstream wish to wait and relax for some time, or does friend want Yona and Smolder to help her freshen up now?”
“Give me ten minutes, and I’ll be good to go.”
“Understood.”
***
“Goodness gracious, Silver,” Smolder angrily groaned. “Why is your mane so humongous?”
“Because I like it that way,” Silver explained, flinching when she felt Smolder tug at it. “Ow! And for the record, I told you girls I didn’t mind keeping my mane un-braided.”
Smolder and Yona both gave her equally disgusted frowns.
“What?”
“Silver? Honey?” Yona calmly began despite her pained grin. “Free-flowing mane not go with friend’s dress. Professor Rarity would say similar.”
“I know I would look better with my mane braided, but if it’s giving you two trouble, you can leave it alone. I doubt Gallus would care.” I certainly don’t; I look beautiful either way!
“That’s not the point, Silver,” Smolder bemoaned, fiddling with another strand of her mane. “We are not gonna let you settle for ‘okay’ when we can help make you look your very best.”
“Yona agree,” she said, taking out her makeup kit.
“Okay, okay,” Silverstream conceded, unable to hide her smile. “Thank you again, girls.”
“You’re welcome. Now hold still, I think I’ve almost got it… Annnd, there we go! All done.”
Finally, she thought, relieved.
“Let Yona see,” she said, looking over Smolder’s shoulder. Yona then nodded approvingly and confirmed, “Braid indeed finished. Good job, Smolder.”
“Thanks. I’m just glad you mentioned something; I’d hate to see you handle her mess of a mane without these bad boys,” Smolder teased, brandishing her claws proudly.
“Oh, shut up and let me see!” Silver barked, turning to regard herself in the mirror. Whoa. Okay, I take back what I said before; I look way better now, she admired. “Wow!”
“Told ya.”
“So, does Silverstream like mane?”
“I love it, girls! Thank you! Sorry for all of my whining,” she apologized sheepishly.
“Pfft, forget about it,” Smolder brushed aside. “I’m not exactly the gentlest of creatures. … Not gonna lie though: I’m glad I don’t have a mane. Dealing with one every day sounds like a nightmare.”
“Try being yak,” Yona retorted, flourishing her own braids. “Yona need to re-braid mane every morning so Yona not trip every five seconds.”
“Yikes! Sorry, Yona.”
“No apology necessary. Yona love working on mane, so Yona not mind too much.”
“Regardless, if you ever need some help, just ask. I’d be happy to lend a claw. Literally.”
“We both would,” Silverstream enthusiastically concurred.
“Hee-hee, thank you,” Yona said cheerfully. “But Yona think friends should focus on readying Silverstream for dinner right now.”
“Fair enough. But you better come and ask us for help after tonight,” Smolder firmly insisted.
“Friend not need to worry, Yona will,” she promised, sorting through her hoof polish. “Now! With friend’s mane done, Yona think it time for talons. Does Silver have any preferences?”
“Uhhh? Oh boy,” she moaned, tapping her talon nervously. “Preferences, preferences…? Um? No, not really,” Silver answered unabashedly. “I love every color.”
“Gee, that really narrows it down,” Smolder sneered as she trotted up to Yona’s side.
“Oh, hush.”
“Whatever. Alright, let me see what we got here,” she muttered, taking a look at the available options. “Okay, we definitely don’t want those; they clash with the dress. How about seafoam green?”
“Great color for Silverstream, but Yona think friends should find something better. What Smolder think of crimson?”
“Eh, it’s a little too generic,” Smolder denounced, frowning. “But I suppose it’ll work if we don’t find anything else. Do think any of the blues would be good?”
“For dinner at fancy pony restaurant?”
“Indigo could work, couldn’t it? Or what about turquoise?”
“Hmm?” Yona looked Silver over before shaking her head. “Turquoise could work, but indigo not good color for her.”
“Excuse you, Yona, I’d look stellar in any color!”
“That might be what Gallus thinks, but Yona and I luckily know better.”
You suck, Smolder, Silverstream jokingly grumbled to herself.
“Anyway,” Yona continued on. “What Smolder think of purples?”
“Well, the shade of lavender you’ve got is way too close to Silver’s coat color,” she criticized. “And I’m not sure about the magenta. Ooh! Lush orchid! Score! What do you think, Yona?”
Yona held the colored bottle up to Silver, humming thoughtfully. She then grinned and announced, “Yona think this good. What Silverstream think?”
Silver took the bottle and compared to both her claws and dress. “I think…? It’s perfect.”
“Silver certain now?” Yona asked, taking the polish back from her.
“Positive.”
“Alright then. Let Yona just uncork this and—”
Before she could finish, a loud knocking echoed through the Boutique. All three of them turned to the front doors, spotting a silhouette behind the drawn shades. After a minute, they knocked again.
“Do they not see the ‘Closed’ sign?” Silver inquired, raising an eyebrow.
“Eh, just ignore ‘em,” Smolder advised. “I’m sure they’ll go away in a minute or two.”
As soon as she said that, the door shook with another urgent knocking.
“Or they’ll just keep knocking ‘cause they’re too dumb to read a sign,” she said, face-clawing.
“That’s not Professor Rarity, is it?” Silverstream asked nervously.
“Nah, we got her locked up in Professor Applejack’s barn.”
“Oh. Wait, what?”
“Friends not worry,” Yona interjected, placing the polish aside. “Yona will go tell creature Boutique closed. Yona sure they’ll understand.”
I certainly hope so, Silver thought, befuddled. As mean as it sounds, I really want to finish getting ready. Maybe they just wanted to ask Professor Rarity about an order or something?
After opening the door, Yona began saying, “Yona sorry, but Carousel Boutique is—” She then stopped mid-sentence upon discovering just who it was standing in the doorway.
“Let me guess: Closed?”
Silverstream froze, only vaguely remembering that voice. It… It can’t be…?
Grandpa Gruff then nudged open the door a little more and focused his good eye on the stunned hippogriff standing inside. “And for good reason, Ah see!”
“W-Wait a minute,” Smolder began, exchanging a quick look with Silver. “Isn’t that…?”
Silver’s shocked expression morphed into a grimace as she coldly proclaimed, “Mr. Gruff, I presume?” So? Now you show up, huh?
“Indeed Ah am,” he confirmed, striding past the shell-shocked Yona and into the Boutique. “And am Ah right in presumin’ you’re the girly Gallus fancies? Silverstream?”
“I am.”
“Good. Ah’ve been meanin’ to talk to you all week. But, uh?” He chuckled drolly. “Gilda ain’t exactly the easiest griffon to escape from. Oh, here’s this by the way,” Gruff said, pulling one of Sandbar’s radios from under his wing and tossing it onto a nearby chair. “That changelin’ friend of yours needs to work on ‘er stealth.”
“Ocellus!? What did you do to her!?” Smolder growled, stepping between him and Silver.
“What do you think Ah did? Ah talked to her,” Gruff answered plainly. “Gave her quite the fright though; she’s a shy one. And a smart one too,” he complimented. “She almost caught me in that spell of hers. Too bad Ah saw it comin’ a mile away.”
“Yeah, well? Spell or no spell, you’re not welcome here!” Smolder declared, cracking her knuckles as Yona trotted up to her side. “Now get out before I throw you out.”
“Ordinarily, Ah’d love to see you try, but Ah ain’t here to start anythin’ today,” Gruff clarified truthfully. “Ah’m just here to get to know a certain somegriff more.”
“Tough! Get your wrinkly, old rear out of here! NOW!”
“Hmph! Well, you’re a friendly bunch,” he jibed, stifling a wheezing cough.
Before Smolder had a chance to react to that, Silver bluntly asked, “Why are you here?”
“Simple. Gallus sent me a letter, sayin’ he was finally goin’ on a date with his girlfriend soon,” he explained. “So Ah thought Ah’d stop by. You know? To meet the girl he’s fallen for…”
And not to spend time with him? “Actually, our date is today.”
“Today!?” Gruff echoed, eyes widening. He then looked away uncomfortably, mumbling, “Whoops. That certainly explains the other girl’s panic at least.”
“Yes, and friends helping Silverstream get ready,” Yona stated, instinctively lowering her horns at him. “So Yona would appreciate if Mr. Gruff leave before he upset friends further.”
“Ah already said Ah ain’t here to upset anyone.”
“Too late for that!” Smolder snapped as smoke billowed from her nostrils yet again.
“Mah apologies then. But Ah really would like to talk to you if Ah could,” he said, returning his gaze to Silverstream. “Ah’m sure you can spare five minutes?”
You’re not leaving until you get your way, are you? Silver wondered, narrowing her eyes angrily.
As if hearing her thoughts, Gruff shook his head slightly, communicating, No, Ah ain’t.
Fine then. If that’s the game you want to play… “You can go, girls. I’ve got this.”
“Wait, what?” Smolder blurted out, staring at Silver as if she had gone insane. “Silver, you don’t have to talk to this mother—” She coughed and course-corrected, “This idiot!”
“I know. But I want to.” It’s about time I had a “chat” with him anyway.
Though not nearly convinced, Smolder took a deep breath and relented, “Alright then. But if he starts upsetting you, you call for us. We’ll get rid of him,” she threatened, clenching her claws.
Gruff snorted.
Smolder bared her fangs, but Yona gently nudged her forward, murmuring, “Come on, Smolder. Let’s go.” She then looked back at Silver and asked, “Will Silverstream be alright?”
“Yep,” she said, never taking her eyes off the elderly griffon. “Promise.”
Yona and Smolder then reluctantly disappeared into the back room, leaving Silverstream and Grandpa Gruff alone to glare daggers at each other.
Slowly, Gruff moved closer to where she stood, looking her over as a chef would a meal. It made Silver feel decidedly uncomfortable, but she refused to let it show.
“So,” he finally began, stopping and staring her directly in the eye. “You’re the infamous Silverstream, eh? Hmm. That photo Gallus carries around don’t do you justice.”
Silverstream blinked and uncertainly murmured, “Thank you?”
“Don’t mention it. Anywho, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Gruff said, extending a talon.
Silverstream stared at the offered claw for a moment before hesitantly shaking it. “Nice to meet you too,” she politely professed.
“Gallus has told me good things about you.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“That you’re sweet, talented; artistic…” he listed off. “You know? That sorta thing.”
Aww, he said that? Silver contemplated, smiling blissfully. “That was very nice of him,” she said, feeling her joy diminish somewhat upon returning her attention to Gruff.
“Yeah, it was. The boy really knows how to pick his friends.”
“What can I say? We love him; we care about him… We’re there for him.”
Gruff grinned. “Huh. Gallus never mentioned you had some sass too.”
Silver winced somewhat, reminding herself, Gallus and Gruff made up, Silver, so don’t pick a fight. That isn’t the right thing to do.
“Ah suppose Ah can’t blame you for bein’ annoyed though,” Gruff resumed before she could say anything. “What with me poppin’ up outta nowhere and all.”
If you were going to show up, it should be to Gallus, she desperately wanted to say. “It is certainly odd.” And more than a little uncomfortable.
“Yeah, sorry again for that,” he apologized; although, Silver doubted he meant it. “But you understand, Ah’m sure. Wouldn’t want that boy’s heart gettin’ crushed, would we?”
“And just what do you mean by that!?” Silver asked, outraged.
“Exactly what Ah said. Ah don’t want him gettin’ hurt, so Ah want to make sure he won’t be.”
“So…what? You think I would hurt him?”
Gruff’s expression was entirely unreadable.
Silver breathed slowly, trying to calm her building anger down. “Fine. Feel free to ask whatever you want then. But before you do?” she preemptively interrupted. “Mind if I ask you something first?”
“It’s only fair, Ah suppose.”
Darn right, it’s fair! “Why are you here? And not with Gallus?”
“That’s a… That’s a good question, missy,” Gruff commended, somewhat caught off-guard. “See, Ah’m not that boy’s father.”
“But you are his guardian,” Silver argued bluntly.
“Which means Ah’m responsible for him, yes. But Ah’m his guardian, not his dad.”
“He wishes you would be. You know that, right?”
“…Ah do,” he confessed, anxiously adjusting his fez.
And yet, you still won’t— Silverstream shut down that thought and said, “I know you two don’t exactly have the greatest relationship…”
“That’s puttin’ it mildly.”
“Maybe. But I also know you and Gallus made up,” she decreed, a tinge of hope returning to her voice. “Didn’t you?”
“That we did,” he attested, allowing a faint grin to grace his face for all of a second.
Phew. “Glad to hear it. But if that’s the case, why are you talking to me?” Silver reiterated, tilting her head in confusion. “Wouldn’t you rather be spending time with Gallus?”
Gruff was silent for a minute, but he soon elaborated, “Look, Ah ain’t his dad. And Ah won’t ever pretend to be. Ah won’t deny Ah care about him, but Gallus ain’t mah kid.”
Silver tried not to let her disappointment show but failed miserably. “Yeah… I guess he isn’t.”
“No, he isn’t,” Gruff echoed somberly. “Gallus don’t need mah approval, and he certainly don’t need mah advice. Ah mean, look at me! Do Ah look Ah can give good advice?”
Silver grinned and joked, “You can regarding hat choices.”
Gruff laughed heartily. “Okay, Ah’ll give ya that. But hey! Everycreature oughta know you can’t go wrong with a fez.”
“I know. I’ve been meaning to buy myself one, but I can never find one I like,” she lamented.
“You could always get that yak friend of yours to make ya one,” he suggested, shrugging. “Ah reckon she’d enjoy tryin’ her hoof at it.”
“Heh-heh. Thanks. Maybe I will.”
…
“Ah’m guessin’ you’re not happy with mah answer?” Gruff soon continued.
“No. No, I’m not,” Silverstream said, frowning sternly. “Gallus wanted you to be there for him, but all you did was ignore him! I know you two are trying to work things out now, but…?”
“Eh, it’s fine. Ah wasn’t exactly winnin’ any awards with how Ah treated him,” Gruff admitted, shaking a cramp out of his wing. “You can hate me all you want; Ah get it.”
“I don’t hate you!” she protested, repulsed by the notion. “I mean? I don’t like that you never visited Gallus when he asked you to.” Silver paused before smiling slightly, saying, “But? You’re here now. You’re at least trying to be there for him more.”
“Even if Ah am a few years too late,” he quietly groused.
“Well, better late than never,” she cheered. “That’s what I think anyway.”
“Really?” Gruff scoffed. “Ya honestly believe that?”
“Meh, depends on the context. But regarding you? … Yeah. Yeah, I do.”
Grandpa Gruff looked genuinely shocked by that statement, instinctively taking a step back. “Heh-heh,” he laughed shortly. “Gallus wasn’t kiddin’ when he said you were kind.”
Silver looked away, unable to hide her faint blush.
“In any case, Ah reckon Ah’ll just ask mah question and get out of your mane.”
“Thank you. As ‘interesting’ as it is talking to you? I really would like to finish getting ready,” she said sheepishly. “So, uh? Go ahead and ask whatever you want. I have nothing to hide.”
“Okay then.?” Gruff hesitated only a second longer before finally asking, “Why do you love Gallus?”
“What?” Silver muttered, freezing as her mind struggled to process his inquiry. “I’m sorry, what?” she repeated, torn between annoyance and confusion.
“Ah asked why you love Gallus. You know, what drew you to him? What you like most about him? Nothing more to it than that,” he ended nonchalantly.
“Oh.” I totally thought that was a trick question. Guess not. “Well, that’s easy! Gallus is sweet.”
“‘Sweet’? That it?”
“Uh, well?” Silver squirmed self-consciously. “He’s also charming, has a fantastic sense of humor, and have you ever been hugged by him?” she asked, sighing merrily. “Oh, his hugs are just the best!”
“You love him ‘cause he’s witty, charming, and hugs you a lot, huh?”
“W-Well? Yes?” She flinched back fearfully upon seeing how furious that answer seemed to make him. “I mean, I love Gallus for who he is,” Silver clarified. “And he’s witty, charming, and hugs me a lot. And I love that about him.”
Gruff’s glare lessened somewhat as he hummed pensively. “So you love Gallus for who he is?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Mm. That’s rather wise of you,” he praised cordially. “But Ah do wonder…? Does that mean you love his flaws too?”
“‘Flaws’?” Does he mean what I think he does? “What ‘flaws’ are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what Ah’m talkin’ about,” Gruff deadpanned, trotting toward Yona’s makeup kit and looking at its contents rather than her. “How he bottles up his feelin’s? How he’s almost as stubborn as Ah am? His need for mah validation?” he snarled grimly.
“Gallus doesn’t bottle up his feelings!”
“Anymore,” he emphasized without turning around. “But he used to. Right?”
“I— You— That’s not—” Silver fell silent, hanging her head ashamedly as she admitted, “You’re not…wrong. But Gallus has worked hard to get over that problem! And he has gotten over it!”
“For now, yeah. But issues like that?” Gruff clicked his beak. “They don’t go away forever, you know? No matter how many times you learn not to do it; sometimes, you just can’t help but stagnate.”
“That may be what you believe, but I have faith in Gallus!” she declared with renewed vigor. “And I believe he won’t ever hide his feelings again.” Not like he did before.
“Why do you think that? ‘Cause he promised you he wouldn’t?”
“He did, but that’s not the point,” she retorted, stomping her talon down. “The point is I trust him. And I refuse to be paranoid he’d do something like that again.”
“But you were paranoid once,” Gruff accused, finally returning his full attention to her.
For a full minute, Silver stood there in a petrified stupor. H-How did he…? No. Oh no, he didn’t! “Wh-What makes you say that?”
“You’re a clever hippogriff.”
He did. “Gallus?”
“What can I say?” Gruff shrugged. “He really loves talking about you.”
“That was one thing I wish he hadn’t talked about,” she bemoaned, flicking her tail nervously.
“Oh, Ah’m glad he did,” he murmured strangely. Gruff then smirked and boasted, “But don’t get so bent outta shape about it. If Ah were you, Ah’d be happy he’s so willin’ to talk about that. Means he appreciates you in spite of your flaws too.”
Silverstream’s mind flashed back to the day after their play. How, after confessing to him how paranoid she had been, all Gallus had done was reassure her it was okay. Just as he had during the Smolder fiasco.
He doesn’t even need to be here, and he’s still out-sweeting me, she laughed, feeling a euphoric warmth spread through her chest. And Gruff wonders why I love him.
“Of course,” the elderly griffon continued, snapping her out of her daydreaming. “It’s not like you were wrong to be paranoid. From what Ah hear, he was far worse off quite a ways back.”
“Y-Yeah. It— It was pretty bad,” Silver remembered, her mood souring again. “Luckily, Gallus is a lot better now!” she exulted optimistically. “I really do trust he’ll never be like that again.”
“And if he is?”
“Then I’ll just help him through it again,” she readily vowed.
“Like ya did on your first date?”
Something in his tone sent a shiver down her spine, but Silver ignored it, answering, “Yes.”
“Huh. Well? Can’t fault ya for wantin’ to make him happy.”
There’s a “But” coming, isn’t there? Silver predicted.
Sure enough, Gruff coughed and bluntly stated, “But Ah can fault ya for doin’ it at the expense of yourself.”
Wait… What? Silverstream thought, completely dumbstruck. Massaging her forehead, she slowly said, “I’m a little confused. What exactly do you mean by that?”
“You tell me. You’re the one who ran yourself ragged, frettin’ over whether he was happy or not,” he remarked, cocking an eyebrow.
Oh. So that’s what this is about. “Look, I was paranoid for a while; I won’t deny that,” she confessed, ashamed. “But I’m not like that anymore either. Gallus and I are happy; our friends are happy; and everything is back to normal again!” she celebrated, breathing a sigh of relief.
“Yeah, for now. But how long will that last, Ah wonder?”
“Hopefully forever.”
“Oh? And how do you think that’s gonna happen?” Gruff inquired, lightly rapping his talons on the floor. “Life ain’t simple, kiddo; there’s always gonna be another bad day just as there’s always gonna be another good one. What’ll you do when the bad ones come?”
“You mean…? What will I do if Gallus gets upset again?” Silver asked, raising a talon to her chest defensively.
“Gallus, that dragon pal of yours; anycreature you call a friend, really,” he clarified.
“W-Well, I’d help them out then too.”
“Ohhh, Ah can already tell you and Gabby would get along,” Gruff sneered, noticeably frustrated by her answer. “Silverstream? Kiddo? Are you still paranoid?”
“What!? No! I already told you I’m not!”
“You can believe you’re doin’ one thing when you’re really doin’ somethin’ else, ya know,” he countered. “Ah know that from experience.”
“Your point being?”
“Kiddo, how far would you be willin’ to go to make sure Gallus ain’t ever sad again?”
“Wh-What kind of question is that!?” she demanded angrily. “Are you saying I shouldn’t try to help Gallus when he’s upset!?”
“Not if you end up hurtin’ yourself again in the process.”
Silverstream went dead silent for a moment, but soon, she scowled and swore, “I will always be there for Gallus. And if he ever needs help, I will never hesitate to do everything I can to help him.”
“And you think that’s noble, do you?” Gruff questioned, slowly circling her.
“Gallus is my friend!” Silver hollered, turning around to keep him in her sights. “If he’s upset then I’m going to help him however I can!”
“Even at the cost of your own happiness?”
“I already told you I’m not paranoid anymore!”
“And Ah already told you! You were afraid once,” he stated, glaring at her suspiciously. “What’s stoppin’ ya from bein’ afraid again?”
“The fact I trust Gallus!”
“How exactly is trustin’ he won’t break down again gonna stop ya from worryin’ your head off if he ever does?” he countered.
“I-I— You—” Silver stuttered, having no answer for that. She then shook her head and claimed, “That doesn’t matter because I’m not afraid now.”
“Ah can see that,” Gruff acknowledged casually. “You genuinely do seem happy, kiddo. But Ah can’t help but suspect that’s because things ain’t goin’ so badly for you right now.”
“Am I supposed to feel guilty for being happy?” she sneered.
“Grover’s Treasure! No!” he bellowed, shaking his head fervently. “Silverstream, you deserve to be happy just as much as Gallus does!”
“Then why are you trying to convince me I’m still paranoid?”
“‘Cause Ah’m worried for you, kiddo.” Before Silver could even try to contest that claim, Gruff added, “The last time one of your friends was upset, you were a blubberin’ mess.”
“No, I wasn’t! Sure, I was paranoid Gallus wasn’t okay, but I wasn’t ‘blubbering.’”
“Ah wasn’t talkin’ about when Gallus was upset.”
He’s talking about when Smolder was, she realized, looking down. “I-I was upset then too, yes.”
“Kiddo, you called yourself a terrible friend! Even Ah was shocked when he told me about that line.”
Ugh! Why, did you tell him these things, Gallus? “A-Admittedly, that wasn’t my best moment.”
“And what was your ‘best moment’? Spendin’ your days fearin’ somethin’ll happen to screw Gallus up again? Walkin’ on eggshells around him so you don’t accidentally upset ‘im? Always makin’ sure he’s happy before all else? Come on, kiddo, that can’t be what you want for yourself?”
Silver took a second to recollect her courage. “No. I was wrong to act like that, and I didn’t like being so afraid. But I was not wrong to worry about Gallus,” she asserted.
“Ah didn’t say ya were,” Gruff said, taking a calm step toward her. “The problem was you were hurtin’ yourself frettin’ over keepin’ him happy. Or are you gonna try to deny that too?”
“N-No. But that was so long ago! And Gallus and I are both happier now!” she proclaimed. “He— He hasn’t degraded himself in months.”
“And if he does start doin’ that again? What if, after one seriously messed up day, Gallus goes back to square one? You’d be terrified then, wouldn’t ya?” he alleged, narrowing his eyes inquiringly.
“That— That’s not true!” she yelled, nervously backing away from him. I-I’m not worried about that anymore! Besides! “G-Gallus is okay now! He wouldn’t just stop being okay because—”
“Kiddo, you’ve got a changelin’ out there, ready to teleport away whatever poor sod she thinks might intrude on your precious date. Pray tell, why’s that?”
“Because we… We…” We wanted it to be perfect, Silverstream couldn’t bring herself to answer. But no. It wasn’t just that. “Because we were afraid our date would be interrupted.”
“And why were you afraid of that?”
“You don’t have to string me along, Mr. Gruff; I get it.”
“Do you? Do you really?” he asked, his tone softening. “Silverstream? You’re his girlfriend.”
“Yes, I am,” she agreed proudly. “Your point?”
Gruff took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Where do you see yourself in forty years?” he suddenly asked. “Gallus said you were considerin’ bein’ a Wonderbolt? Or how ‘bout an artist?”
Getting really tired of these out-of-nowhere, trick questions. “I haven’t decided yet.”
“And that ain’t anythin’ to be ashamed of,” he comforted. “You’ll figure it out. Ah only ask ‘cause Ah want to know… Wherever you are, or whatever you’re doing…?” Gruff continued, stepping closer toward her. “Will he be there with you?”
“Huh?”
Ignoring her, Gruff pressed on, “‘Cause Gallus certainly wants you there with him. Now, he ain’t decided what he wants yet either, as far as Ah know. But regardless of whatever he chooses to be, that boy hopes you’ll be right there by his side. Can you say the same about him?” he pondered coldly.
“Silverstream?” Scoop’s voice replayed in her mind. “When you two get married, can I be one of your bridesmaids?”
“SCOOP!”
“What? What did I say?”
“Scoop, I’m not— We’re not— I— Could we…? Is that a possibility? … Scoop, that’s not something either of us have considered yet.”
“Not according to Shimmy Shake.”
“…Tell me what you mean right now!”
“Remember how Shimmy asked to borrow some of the letters Princess Cadence sent Gallus?”
“Yeah?”
“Have you reached the Sixty-eighth and Sixty-ninth, yet?”
And those letters were on…! Oh geez! Silver shivered in realization. That’s why Gruff came to me and not Gallus! He wanted to know about… But that…would mean… She gulped, hearing the violent drumming of her heart in her ear. Has Gallus really been considering—
“Well? You’ve been thinkin’ for a while now,” Gruff called out, once again ripping her away from her tumultuous thoughts. “What’s your answer?”
“I-I-I would c-certainly hope he’d be,” she reflexively responded.
“Really!?” he squawked, utterly shocked. “Even if it might mean you’ll spend all your days, treadin’ lightly for fear you—or someone else—would upset him?”
“That wouldn’t be the case.”
“And if it were?”
“It wouldn’t be!” she shrieked, trying to steady her breathing. “He would be okay.”
“‘He’? Not ‘We’?”
“What difference does it make!?”
“Depends on you, kiddo,” Gruff stressed, swishing his tail impatiently. “Would you seriously strap yourself to his side forever…? Just so you can make sure he’s always happy?”
“I’m his friend! Friends help each other!”
“Except this ain’t about friendship,” he refuted. “This is about a whole different kind of bond of love. So, tell me… Would you really do it?”
Silver didn’t answer.
He blinked. “E-Even if it might mean you’ll always be paranoid somethin’ll go wrong?”
Silver still didn’t answer.
Gruff scoffed, looking utterly disgusted. “No, Silverstream. That— That ain’t right.”
“But—”
“Don’t you ‘but’ me!” he shouted, spreading his wings and towering over her menacingly. After folding them back to his side, Gruff commanded, “Now you listen here, and you listen good! You will not do that to yourself; is that clear!? Ah don’t care if ya love Gallus, or not! If—for whatever reason—you find that you’re unhappy with him…? You get out,” he ordered, scowling sternly. “No questions. No regrets. You. Get. Out.”
You— You monster! “So basically…? You want me to leave him?” Silver asked, her fury temporarily blocking out everything else. “Like his parents left him!? Like you left him!?”
“Don’t you go comparing yourself to me!”
“Why!? Worried I’d make you look bad!?”
“Gallus ain’t your responsibility, Silverstream!” he roared resolutely, succumbing to a coughing fit immediately afterward.
Silence filled the Boutique as Gruff worked to catch his breath and Silver mulled over his words. Once he regained his voice, however, Gruff slowly resumed, “Kiddo? Ah know next to nothin’ about love. But if there’s one thing Ah do know about it? It’s that love ain’t some glorified reward for having wit and charm or for saving some princess,” he advised.
“I’m not a princess,” Silver protested out of habit.
“You are to him, ain’t ya?”
“Y-Yes,” she admitted, recalling her earlier conversation with Gallus.
“Exactly.” He afforded her a chance to recover before requesting, “Silverstream? Look at me.” Once she did so, he elaborated, “Love ain’t that. Love—True love!—is when creatures are at their happiest when they’re together. Now, Gallus? Ah know Gallus. And even if Ah didn’t, it’s peckin’ obvious he’s the happiest he’s ever been in a long time.”
“But you?” Gruff shook his head solemnly. “Ah don’t know you. Ah don’t know what you see in him, or why you’re so peckin’ determined to make sure he’s okay. Could be love,” he suggested, nodding. “Could be that you’re just that kind-hearted. Probably both.”
Gruff placed a surprisingly gently talon on her shoulder and rambled on, “But you see? Ah don’t know which is the case. ‘Cause Ah don’t know you. So tell me, Silverstream?” he whispered, leaning closer until all she could see was his eyes. “Do. You. Love. Gallus?”
“Yes,” Silver immediately answered. “Yes, I do.”
“…Alright. I believe you,” he said, taking a step back. “But I do want you to think about this. Think about everything you’ve ever thought or felt since you and he got together, good and bad. Joy and fear. And you figure out if you really are at your happiest when you’re with him.”
Silver laughed quietly, arguing, “I don’t need to. I already know I’m happiest when I’m with him. I know I love him,” she said, wiping away a small tear. “And Gallus loves me too.”
“That he does.”
Silverstream smiled a little at that; unfortunately, it instantly disappeared when Gruff continued.
“Still, kiddo. You need to figure these things out and figure them out soon. Otherwise, you’ll just be setting yourself up for disaster,” he warned, sounding almost sad.
“And why exactly do you think that?” she asked, genuinely curious.
After some hesitation, Gruff explained, “Silver? Ah’ve been around for a long time. Ah’ve seen plenty of creatures—griffons and otherwise—get all ‘twinkly-eyed’ for each other. And then some two decades later? They…fall apart.” He huffed angrily, whispering to himself, “And whenever that happens, it’s usually their kids that end up payin’ the price for it.”
Silver jerked back, realizing exactly who he was talking about. She then let out a terrified sigh, wondering, “And what makes you think that would apply to us?”
“Because life ain’t a fairy tail,” he answered wisely. “You don’t get to just say you love each other and live happily ever after.”
“Why not?” Silver whimpered in a cracked voice. “After everything! The Storm King, Cozy Glow; Sombra…! After all of the panicking, paranoia, and everything else…!” She wiped her eyes again, declaring, “We deserve to be happy!”
“Yes. Yes, you do. Not just Gallus. But you too, Silverstream. You deserve to be happy too.”
“And I am,” Silver said, struggling to remain calm. “I am happy with him!”
“Ah’m glad to hear that, Silver,” Gruff said, giving her pause. He then smiled softly, continuing, “If bein’ with him makes you happy? Then you go ahead and be with him. … But if you think there’s a chance—however small!—that your life’ll be nothin’ but worry and paranoia…?”
Gruff shrugged, finishing, “Ah speak for everycreature when Ah say not one single, livin’ bein’ in all of Equestria would want that for you. Least of all, Gallus.”
Silver looked away, struggling to sort through the armada of thoughts now raging in her mind. Before she could come up with any answers, however, Gruff apologized, “Ah’m sorry, Silverstream.”
“For what? Coming here and upsetting me!?” she snapped, wishing she had let Smolder throw him out. “A little late to apologize for that!”
“Bein’ late seems to be a runnin’ trend with me, Ah noticed,” he recognized, frowning awkwardly. “But Ah really don’t mean to make ya any more paranoid than you already were.”
“Also, a little late for that.”
“Yeah, well…? Ah really am sorry,” he mumbled forlornly. “Ah don’t mean to scare ya. Ah just don’t want to see Gallus get hurt again. Nor you,” Gruff said, tipping his fez to her.
“Thank you for being concerned at least,” she muttered, managing a tiny smile.
“Heh,” he snorted. “Anyway? Sorry again for intrudin’ on your dinner preparations. And, uh? Ah hope you two have a nice date. … Bye.”
And with that, Gruff abruptly exited the Boutique, leaving Silverstream to sit there in a confused stupor. She then sniffled and slid a talon down her face, wondering, Ohhh, what am I going to do?
***
Outside the Friendship School’s windows, the sun had finally begun to sink past the horizon, bathing the town of Ponyville in a majestic orange glow.
Most of the student body had long-since departed back to their dorms to either study or relax, but quite a few remained scattered about the halls, merely going about their business.
One group in particular, however, stood in the main foyer, anticipating the arrival of a certain hippogriff, dragon, and yak. And for the better part of half an hour, one of them had been pacing back and forth across the carpet, attempting to keep his growing unease at bay…
Eventually, Sandbar cracked and finally spoke up, “Uh, Gallus? You okay there, dude?”
“Yep.”
“You sure? You’ve been pacing for a while now?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“You, uh, want anything, or—”
“I’m fine, Sandy!”
After receiving a skeptical look from the earth pony, Ocellus asked, “Are you sure you’re okay, Gallus? You seem really worried.”
Gallus came to a stop and rounded on them, exclaiming, “You know what? Yeah, I am worried, Ocellus! And you guys know exactly why!”
“I-I’m sure Grandpa Gruff isn’t going to actually do anything,” she assuaged.
“Yeah! Besides, Smolder and Yona are there,” Sandbar reminded them both. “So if he was going to mess with Silver, they’d have tossed him out in a heartbeat.”
“You guys don’t know Gramps,” Gallus groaned, trotting back over to them and collapsing in the adjacent chair. “The guy has a way of worming his way into everycreature’s head…”
“Sorry I didn’t stop him,” Ocellus apologized, unable to meet his gaze.
He sighed wearily, protesting, “No, no. It’s okay, Ocellus. I should have known better than to send him that letter in the first place.”
“Seriously, Gallus, don’t worry,” Sandbar pleaded. “Everything will be fine. You two love each other; there’s absolutely nothing he could say that would change that.”
“Sandbar’s not wrong,” Ocellus agreed meekly. “I don’t have to be a mind-reader to know how much you and Silver love each other,” she said, shooting him an encouraging wink.
“Doesn’t hurt that you are though, right?”
Ocellus merely pouted, much to Sandbar’s mirth.
Gallus held a talon to his chest, inhaling deeply, and extended it outward, exhaling slowly. He then smiled serenely, accepting, “Yeah, you guys are right.”
“Everything has been amazing so far!” he celebrated, holding in an elated giggle. “Gramps showing up might have been unexpected, but like Silver and I discussed? Today didn’t have to be perfect; we just had to have fun together. And we have. … I’m not letting him take that away from us,” he vowed.
“Good to hear,” Ocellus chirped, buzzing her wings happily. “Although? It would probably be best not to bring the subject up tonight.”
“Oh, peck no! That’d be a horrible—”
Before Gallus could finish talking, Sandbar’s bag gave off a loud shrill of static. He swiftly searched through it, pulling out a small radio and pressing the button. “Yona? Smolder?”
“Sandbar? That you?” came the mildly muffled voice of the dragon. “Do you read me?”
“Yeah, we read you,” he confirmed while Gallus practically petrified in his chair. “You girls okay?”
“Yep. We’re finally done and on our way; you guys good?”
“Aside from Gallus trying his best to wear holes in the school’s carpet?” Sandbar joked, shooting the irritated griffon a sly grin. “We’re good.”
“Great. We’ll be there in a few minutes. See you soon.”
“See ya,” he replied, turning the radio off. “Whelp? Looks like it’s time…”
After repeating his breathing exercise thrice more, Gallus stood up and nervously straightened his tie. “D-Do I look okay? Is my breath alright? Should I eat another mint?”
“Dude, you had three of ‘em,” Sandbar deadpanned. “And you look cool. Just relax; everything will be fine,” he soothed, giving his shoulder a reassuring pat.
Gallus nodded, chanting, “Everything will be fine. Everything will be fine…”
“Yes, it will,” Ocellus corroborated comfortingly. “Remember Kindness Lesson Forty-eight.”
“‘Have confidence in all that you do,’” they both recited. “‘Whether in the face of judgment and persecution, or acceptance and encouragement… Have confidence. Both in yourself and for yourself.’”
“Geez, it’s no wonder you guys won the Science Fair,” Sandbar said, chuckling impishly at their exasperation. “Eh, whatever. You totally deserved to win.”
“Oh, we definitely did,” Gallus affirmed, offering his talon. After bumping it, Ocellus concluded, “And we’re happy we won.”
“I’m happy you two did too. Even if I am still bummed I didn’t even get third.”
“Aww, cheer up, Sandy,” Gallus encouraged. “You’ll always have next year.”
“You know it!” Sandbar then frowned and commented, “Speaking of next year? Were you planning to take Silver there next Hearth’s Warming too?”
“Depends on what she wants to do,” he replied, sounding disappointed. “Seriously, I can’t believe we missed it! All that practice and for nothing,” Gallus grumbled, stretching out a back leg.
“I wouldn’t say it was for nothing. You and she can still do it at a different venue, you know.”
“At where, the Hay Cafe?”
“I don’t know, maybe? They have open mic night; you two could dance then,” Sandbar suggested. “You’d even be able to select whatever song you wanted.”
“True,” Gallus conceded, smiling a little.
“‘Open mic night’? ‘Dance’? What are you two talking about?” Ocellus suddenly inquired, staring at them in befuddlement.
Gallus and Sandbar both froze, remembering she was in the room.
“Wait!” she squealed, beginning to hop excitedly. “Don’t tell me!? Gallus, did you learn how to—”
Before either she could finish her question or they could come up with a suitable cover story, the doors to the school opened.
Gallus snapped to attention immediately while both Sandbar and Ocellus yelped, hurriedly racing to his side. Smolder then peeked her head through the door, spotted Gallus and smirked. She then stepped aside and theatrically announced, “I present unto you: Silverstream!”
Time froze for Gallus as Silver entered, shooting a timid glance at Smolder before looking at him and freezing as well.
A gorgeous, soft yellow dress flowed from her neck and down along her back, stopping just shy of reaching both the floor and her polished hooves and talons. Her mane was done in a braid that hung down her left side, and a faint layer of makeup highlighted her lustrous violet eyes.
Slowly, Gallus and Silver approached each other, stopping just within talon’s reach and continuing to gaze over each other in sheer wonder.
Yona then came into the school herself, joining the others as they simply sat there and happily observed their awestruck friends.
After swallowing nervously, Silverstream smiled and asked, “So…? How do I look?”
“Like an angel,” Gallus breathed, unable to tear his eyes away from her. “H-How about me?”
She smirked, answering, “Snazzy, dapper, and ten levels of suave.”
He snickered, supposing, “I probably should have seen that coming.”
“Hee-hee-hee! You look amazing, Gallus,” Silver said happily.
“Yeah!” Smolder roared, walking up and giving Gallus light jab. “You clean up great, dude. Silver’s a lucky girl, am I right?”
“I like to think I’m the lucky one,” he shot back, still smiling at Silver lovingly.
“I’d say you’re both lucky,” Sandbar weighed in casually. “After all, both of your outfits are from Yona,” he added, sneaking the yak a gentle kiss.
Yona kissed him back, swearing, “Yona happy for friends. Luck or no, Gallus and Silverstream deserve each other.”
“You also deserve to have a good night out,” Ocellus interjected after checking the clock. “If you two are ready, your reservation starts in about twenty minutes.”
“Thank you, Ocellus,” Silverstream said, managing to look away from Gallus. “Thank you, all of you! For everything…”
“We wouldn’t do anything less, Silver,” Smolder promised, winking. “Now! You two get your flanks down to that restaurant and have some fun,” she ordered, gently pushing them forward.
“We will; we will!” Gallus swore, chuckling. “Stop shoving us!”
“Get yourselves moving, and I won’t have to.”
“Heh-heh-heh.” He then held his talon up to Silver, asking, “You ready?”
A look of worry briefly flashed across her face as she stared at his talon. Almost immediately after it disappeared, Silverstream smiled and took hold of it, saying, “Yes. I am.”
Unfortunately, before anyone could do or say anything, a new, far more sinister voice rang throughout the hall, “Well, well, well… If it isn’t my two favorite lovebirds.”
Everyone slowly turned their heads to see Discord leaning against the door with Starlight Glimmer standing by his side.
“Hey, everycreature,” she greeted as if the deranged draconequus weren’t standing right next to her. “Sorry for the interruption.”
“Uhhh…” Gallus groaned, holding a wing over the trembling Silver protectively. “Hi?”
Shaking her head clear, Smolder cut to the chase, demanding, “Headmare Starlight, what is he doing here!?”
“Not to cause chaos, I assure you,” she said, giving him a steely look. “Right, Dissy-Cordy?”
Discord leaned away from her, shuddering fearfully as he exclaimed, “And risk suffering another one of your lessons!? Nooo thank you!”
“In that case, why are you here?” Gallus asked angrily.
“Simple. You see, this is my last chance for a cameo, so I figured I’d make the best of—”
“Discord!” Starlight barked, ignoring the red smoke trailing from her horn.
“Just because Pinkie Pie breaks the fourth wall on a regular basis, doesn’t mean I can’t do it myself, you know!” he argued.
“Just get to the point!”
“Okay, okay! Fine,” he pouted, returning his attention to Gallus and Silver. “Look, I wanted to apologize for that ‘Drama Club’ snafu a few chapters back,” Discord admitted, timidly tapping his paw and claw. “I had the best of intentions, but…? Starlight made it very clear that didn’t justify anything.”
“No, it didn’t,” Silverstream mumbled, terrified.
“And you thought the best time to say this was before Silver and I went to dinner?” Gallus asked, raising an eyebrow indignantly. “On our second date?”
Discord rubbed his shoulder, grinning awkwardly as he said, “Well? Like I said, this was my last chance for a cameo, and I figured…? Agh, you know what? Forget the jokes! I’m. Sorry,” he said with not a hint of sarcasm or reluctance. “I didn’t mean to upset you so much that day. Either of you,” Discord said, looking directly at Silver. “And yes, I know this is a bad time for it, but… I’m sorry.”
Gallus gaped, sharing a shocked glance with the others before turning back to Discord. He coughed uncomfortably and said, “W-Well? Thank you for your apology, Discord. I forgive you.”
Discord blinked, deadpanning, “Really?”
“Yep. Don’t get me wrong, I’d appreciate it if you never did anything like that again!” he snarled. Gallus then dropped his glare and confirmed, “But yes. I forgive you.”
“Wow. That was… That was a lot easier than I thought it would be.”
“Friendship usually is,” Starlight said, giving him a satisfied smile. “Now, are you going to show them the other part of your apology?”
“Hmm? Oh, yes, that,” Discord said, snapping his paw.
With needlessly dramatic fanfare, the front doors opened and a long red carpet rolled into the school, stopping at Gallus and Silver’s talons. Awaiting them outside was a pristine, golden carriage hooked up to bright purple mare with spirals for eyes. Said mare spotted them and eagerly waved.
Gallus hesitantly waved back, asking, “Uh…? Is that for us?”
“Well, you two can hardly be expected to walk to the restaurant!” Discord declared, smirking slyly. “For all of your planning, I’m surprised you never accounted for that, griffon-boy.”
Gallus blushed as Yona and Ocellus both hid their grins. Sandbar, meanwhile, nonchalantly acknowledged, “Huh. We totally did forget about that, didn’t we?”
“Sandbar?” Smolder groaned.
“Shut up?”
“Yes.”
“Gotcha.”
“And don’t worry,” Starlight added, giving Gallus and Silver a confident nod. “Discord made sure the ride will be as normal as possible. Correct?”
Discord sighed, falling into one of Rarity’s fainting couches as he assured, “Yes. Against my better judgment, I didn’t include any surprises.”
“You better not have,” she grumbled.
“I didn’t.” He then looked himself over, making sure he wasn’t fading away while bemoaning, “It’s maddening, but you two have had enough surprises for a lifetime.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Silver agreed weakly. After giving Gallus a small smile, she tentatively trotted up to Discord and said, “Thank you, Discord. … Sorry for locking you up in that box.”
“No, I deserved it,” he admitted, shrugging. “Although, I am deeply offended you didn’t take the opportunity to make a ‘What’s in the Box?’ joke.”
Silverstream tittered.
“Oh, by the way?” Discord said, standing back up and addressing Gallus. “Spike finally finished setting up his next campaign.”
“He did!? Yes!” Gallus cheered, pumping a talon. “Took him long enough. Edith has been getting impatient, and Silver and I can’t just keep giving her marshmallows as compensation.”
“We do need to get her a better snacking food,” Silver concurred.
“Yes, well? Don’t expect too much,” Discord warned, squinting at the set of papers he suddenly had now. “Apparently, the big bad is some weirdo named ‘Blackout Shade.’”
“Wait, seriously!?” Gallus scoffed disbelievingly. “No way that’s a character Spike came up with. That sounds like one of Lighthoof’s characters. Or better yet, Shimmy’s.”
“I can vouch for that,” Smolder piped up. “Let me guess: Red and black color scheme?”
“Dark gray and scarlet,” Discord corrected, folding the scrip into an origami swan. It then flew away into the night as he divulged, “Spike was quite specific about that.”
“Eh, whatever. It’s still gonna be fun.”
“Indeed it will, griffon-boy. Indeed it will.” Discord then clapped loudly and declared, “With all that out of the way, it’s high-time you both got to that dinner of yours!”
“I guess it is,” Gallus agreed, meeting Silver’s gaze. “You okay?”
Once again, a hint of trepidation twinkled in her eye for a split second. Silverstream then smiled and said, “I am. Are you?”
“Absolutely,” he confirmed, planting a small kiss on her cheek. Gallus then proclaimed, “Thank you again, everycreature, for all of your help.”
“It’s our pleasure, Gallus,” Ocellus said, bowing her head slightly.
“Friends happy to help,” Yona sang, grinning widely.
“You both just make sure to have a great time,” Sandbar cheered brightly.
“What they said,” Smolder laughed, nodding to the other three. “Go have fun, you two.”
“We will,” Gallus promised softly. “Are you ready, Silverstream?”
“Yes,” she replied, nodding calmly. “I am.”
“Would you two quit stalling,” Discord sneered, waving his talon impatiently. “This chapter’s already exceeded fifteen thousand words; cut the audience some slack, for goodness’ sake.”
“Uh? Sure thing,” Gallus said, rolling his eyes. “Shall we?”
“Let’s go,” Silverstream said, smiling eagerly.
Together, they trotted down the carpet and into the carriage. Upon the door closing, the purple mare blew a raspberry and dashed forward, carrying the duo onward.
“Whelp! That’s my cameo over with,” Discord yawned, stretching his back and letting loose a small series of cracks. “If you need me? I’ll be on the other half of Equestria, spying on their date where Glimmy-Glammy can’t stop me,” he announced evilly. “Toodles!”
In an uncharacteristically unceremonious flash, Discord was gone.
…
Starlight let out a disgruntled sigh and groaned, “Moving on!” She then trotted to the others, continuing, “Gather up, everycreature; I’m gonna teleport us there.”
“Hold on, Headmare,” Sandbar requested, turning to Yona. “What did Gruff say to Silver?”
Smolder and Yona shared an uncomfortable glance before the latter mumbled, “W-Well…?”
“We’ll talk about that after we get into position,” Starlight interrupted, charging up her horn. “Besides, I already have Applejack and Rainbow looking for him now.”
“Good! Because that guys needs a good kick in the beak!” Smolder grumbled furiously.
“I know. Now, hold on!”
One bright turquoise flash later, and the main hall was empty once again.