//------------------------------// // Intro: Out to Lunch // Story: Friendship is Failure #21: Is it Love? // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// INTRO It was a few days before Hearts and Hooves Day, and Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends were all visiting the Crystal Empire, having been invited by Princess Cadance to personally attend and assist with the annual Hearts and Hooves set up. Pinkie Pie couldn’t stop squealing as she helped with all the decorations. “EEE-HEE-HEE… I love Hearts and Hooves Day. It’s my favorite holiday!” Rainbow Dash pointed out “They’re ALL you’re favorite.” Pinkie could only smile with glee. Applejack was making plans for a baked good stands, including Heart-Shaped apple pies, Heart-Shaped apple tarts, even apple crumble in heart-shaped pans. Fluttershy and Rarity were setting up pretty souvenirs-- bird nests with pink ribbons with hearts decorated around them, flowers and valentines they had written and published for ponies and creatures to buy for their sweeties… Angel was even in charge of writing cute little messages on candied hearts like… “I Luv U” “Sweet Baby” “Be Mine.” As for Spike, he was with Twilight and Cadance at an outdoor café. He was feeling rather nervous. He had saved up for months upon months, and even traded away some of his own personal jewels, to buy a special gift-- A heart-shaped fire ruby on a silver necklace, which he intended for Rarity, to match the one with the gold necklace he had given her on his birthday. He could just picture it now… There he was in a flashy and blurry scape, down on his knee and passing her the gift. She was flattered with it, and he would ask, “Rarity, would you be my special some-pony on this wonder Hearts and Hooves day?” And she would respond, “Oh, Spikey-Wikey… of course I shall.” They would gaze into each other’s eyes and their faces would slowly move closer, and their lips were about to touch… …When Twilight called to him, “Spike!” snapped him out of his trance. “Are you going to order or what?” The waitress was waiting patiently with her pen and pad. Her nametag read “Sun Rae” she was a bright yellow Unicorn mare. She had a long and curly brown mane, and her Cutie Mark was that of a daisy with a shining sun above it. Her pastimes and hobbies included gardening and flower arranging, but this job as a waitress was just to make extra cash. Spike placed his order and Sun excused herself. Cadance giggled and Spike felt embarrassed. For a change of subject he thanked Cadance for inviting him to lunch with her and Twilight. “No problem.” said Cadance, “I needed a break from my royal duties, Shining Armor insisted.” She gave one of those looks where he practically begged her to take time off. Twilight and spike snickered. “Besides, this place is the best in the entire Crystal Empire. It’s strictly V.I.P, reserved only for royalty or famous ponies, where they can gather without being disturbed by hyperactive crowds.” Twilight knew the feeling too well. Ever since she became Princess of Friendship, ponies would ask for her autograph, children would send her pictures they had drawn as gifts, and she got loads of fan-mail, as well as requests to help with friendship problems. She still wished her other friends had come with them, but they all were fine with it, insisting she and Cadance spend sisterly-time with one another, despite Spike’s presence. Just then, there was a small trumpet fanfare playing to get everyone’s attention. “What’s happening now?” asked Twilight. Cadance smirked and answered “It’s time for the entertainment.” “That explains what the stage and piano is for back there.” said Spike. A pony greeter stepped onto the stage and spoke into the microphone, but in a civil and calm voice, rather than extreme excitement. “Good Afternoon… Ladies and Stallions, I proudly present our guest, that great musician and songwriter, Strings.” The crowd seemed excited, and Sun turned back towards the stage in shock and surprise, but it was Cadance and Twilight who seemed the most excited. They were barely able to contain the urge to scream like giddy groupies. “Who…?” Spike asked which made the ladies gasp in shock! “Don’t tell you’ve never heard of Strings?” Twilight asked. “He’s one of the greatest music artists in all of Equestria. I had forgotten he lived here in the empire.” That’s when Strings came out onto the stage. He was a light red Pegasus with a short yellow mane, wearing a green sweater, a white scarf, even his Cutie Mark was that of multi-colored musical notes on chord. The crowds applauded to him, and he gave a bow, but Twilight seemed to note his rather forced looking smile, with hints of sadness behind it. Strings looked up from his bow, and he looked over at Twilight’s table, preferably near Sun as she stood by Cadance, and his eyes widened softly. Sun blushed and hid her face behind her writing pad, but smiled lovingly, which didn’t go unnoticed by the other three at the table. As for Sun she peeked up over her pad, and rolled her eyes to something in her apron pocket.