{Betty}
I got home from my Death Walker training, which I was beginning to find fun lately, mostly because of the powers I've been developing. My favorite Death Walker ability is being able to use my darkness powers and combining them with my glass powers to make bullets. From what Scarlett told me during training, if I feel an attack coming, I need to let it out, because it could do more harm than good.
Scarlett's also been teaching me to do something called 'the bubble of silence.’ It’s supposed to help you figure out where your enemies are, so you find the intended target that you're looking for. I seem to be getting the hang of it, I'm sure I'll get better at it. The main reason why 'the bubble of silence' is difficult to learn is because you have to do it with your eyes closed and you need to focus on what's going on around you.
When I got home, I called out, "Fluttershy, I'm home!"
"Oh good Betty you're home," said Fluttershy. She paused when she got near me and gagged. "Yuck, Betty you stink!"
I laughed. "I just got home from my Death Walker training, so of course I stink!"
"Well, I guess it's a good thing you stink because I would like it if you get cleaned to get ready with the outfit I picked out for you because Discord, Norman, you, and I are going out for dinner. But not a family dinner because there's an extra person in the group. You'll be sitting at another table with him." Fluttershy said.
"Do I have to wear a dress?" I asked.
"Yes, the restaurant we're going to is a formal sit down restaurant." Fluttershy answered. "Don't worry, the dress has a long skirt so you'll be comfortable in it."
I raised an eyebrow and gave her a skeptical look. "You wouldn't happen to be setting me up on a date would you?"
Fluttershy gave a nervous laugh. "No, it's just a friendly dinner, that's all."
"Then why am I sitting at another table?"
"Because I think it would be nice for you to make another friend." Fluttershy said. "With everything that's been going on lately, the more friends you have, the better."
I rolled my eyes. "Okay fine, I'll go on this 'friendly dinner' so I can make a new 'friend' if it'll make you happy. If Silver's the one that you want me to get to know, I'm running as far as away from that restaurant as fast as my wings can take me."
Fluttershy snorted. "No it's not Silver. I know good and well you don't like him and I would never try to have you make a friend with somepony like him. But go ahead and get ready for me please."
And so, I did as I was told and got ready for this 'friendly dinner' that Fluttershy wants me to go on.
* * *
When we arrived at the restaurant, it was just like what Fluttershy said. The restaurant was a formal sit down restaurant. So yeah, you would have to be dressed formally or you would get turned away. It was interesting because I had never been to a restaurant like this before. I looked over at Norman to see he had the same reaction I did.
Fluttershy giggled. "I know what you're both thinking and this is a high-end restaurant. If you know who's who, a reservation is easier to get. Since I know the princess personally, I can get in with no trouble at all."
Fluttershy went over to the hostess and smiled at her. She smiled back. "Your reservation Ms?"
"Oh yes," responded Fluttershy, "one reservation for the Shy Family, a table of three." she pointed to me, "Ms. Jewel's reservation is under Dae Royal."
The hostess nodded. "Sure, no problem."
"Don't worry Betty, our table will be right behind yours." Fluttershy said.
I rolled my eyes. "That's nice Fluttershy, but I don't think I need a chaperone."
We rounded the corner to our tables and I paused when I saw him. He was the guy dressed in the same black clothes that he had on at my gotcha day party. I remember him because he could barely say hi to me for some reason.
"What is it?" Norman said.
"He's that weirdo who could barely say hi to me at my gotcha day party." I stated.
Norman snorted. "That's not very nice Betty."
"What? I'm just stating the facts, that's all." I replied.
"It's okay Betty, he's just shy." Fluttershy said.
"Yeah, socially awkward shy." I mumbled.
Are you just going to stand there and stare at me? Why don't you come over and take a seat? I heard a voice in my head say. I paused when I heard that and looked to see Dae looking over at me. Yes it's me Dae having a conversation with you in your head. Let's just say it's a special talent of mine.
Oh. I thought.
I was snapped out of my conversation with Dae inside my head when Discord cleared his throat. "Would you stop staring at him and go sit down Betty?"
"Huh? Oh!" I said with a start.
Fluttershy giggled. "You're curious about him, aren't you Betty?"
"Maybe," I said while frowning, "what makes you think that?"
"Every time you're curious about something you tilt your head and your right ear twitches." Fluttershy said.
"I do that?" I asked.
"Uh-huh." Fluttershy nodded.
She got behind me and nudged me forward with her snout. "Go on, sit down and talk to him."
"Okay fine! Pushy much?" I said.
Fluttershy was right, I was curious mostly because Dae just seemed so weird to me and I wanted to figure out why. So I went over and Dae got up and pulled out my chair and helped me get seated like a perfect gentleman.
"I have a question for you?" I asked.
Dae smiled. "What might that be?"
"Why are you such a weirdo?" I said.
Dae snorted, "Well, that's an interesting opening line in a conversation. So I'm a weirdo huh? And why do you think that?"
"Because you pulled the 'oh gee would you look at the time' move. Anyone that does that for an introduction is a weirdo in my book." I replied.
"I oh see." Dae said. "I don't know why I did that. My apologies."
"I have an idea as to why you did that."
"Why?" Dae asked.
"Because you were too much of a chicken to talk to me."
"No, I actually did have something to take care of." Dae said.
I could tell he was lying because of the look on his face. He shifted his gaze away from me for a split second.
I raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh, yeah I can tell when someone's lying and I read you like a book and we've only known each other for two minutes. Okay then, I challenge you."
Dae tilted his head. "To what?"
"If you can talk to me without using the 'look at the time' move or anything like that," I said, "I'll take back what I said about you being a chicken, but you're still under the weirdo category."
Dae chuckled. "Okay fine, challenge accepted!"
Right when Dae said that, I was finally able to pin down where that creepy presence that's been following me around was coming from. I looked at him because for some reason I can figure out what's what when it comes down to sensing these types of things.
It's you! I thought.
It's me what? Dae thought.
You're that dark creepy presence that's been following me around lately! I thought.
Yeah you're right, Dae confessed in his thoughts, it was me. I didn't announce myself to you because I figured distance was best at the time.
Huh. I thought. I thought it was interesting to me because even though Dae had been stalking me. I respected the fact that he didn't announce himself, unlike my other stalkers who harassed me for a date on a daily basis. It started happening shortly after I beat Marble at a race. You know what I find interesting is that you're the only stalker I've had that didn't announce himself and ask me on a date on a daily basis.
Uh, Betty? Dae thought.
What? I thought.
Maybe we should have our conversation out loud. People are starting to stare. Dae thought.
Oh. I thought.
So that's what we did, and after we ate our food, we continued our conversation. Turns out, Dae's not that bad, but he's still weird. He's actually kind and compassionate. He really wants what's best for others and he was mostly concerned about me for some reason. Dae looked at the time and he sighed. He seemed reluctant about ending our conversation. "Well, I guess it's time for our conversation to end. We should go now."
I chuckled. "A conversation needs to end sooner or later."
"Yeah, do you mind if I walk you to the door?" Dae asked.
"Sure, that's fine." I said.
Dae walked to the door and once we were outside, without warning, he kissed me. I backed off in surprise. "Yeah that confirms your weirdness."
Dae blushed and looked away. "Oops, ah sorry about that."
"Okay, then why did you just kiss a total stranger?" I asked.
"Ah, well," Dae cleared his throat, "would you like to talk to me again? It doesn't have to be in this setting though. We could just hang out?"
Still curious about why Dae is such a weirdo, I figured why not. "Sure, we can do that. I still want to figure out why you're such a weirdo anyway."
Dae snorted. "Okay, works for me. I can be your research subject. I don't mind that at all."
I nodded. Once Dae left, Fluttershy, Discord and Norman came up to me laughing.
"What?" I said.
"We saw that Betty," Discord teased, "what a perfect way to end a first date."
"I knew it!" I said. "Fluttershy said it was going to be a 'friendly dinner' so that I could make a new 'friend."
"Did you say that Fluttershy? Oh, you naughty liar you!" Discord asked.
Fluttershy grinned as if she were proud of herself. "Yup!"
Discord smiled. "Now where on earth did you learn to lie like that?"
"You can thank Starlight Glimmer for that," said Fluttershy, "sometimes withholding information can be kind. Especially when you're helping out a friend."
Norman was having field day with this because he couldn't stop laughing.
I rolled my eyes. "That's not funny, Norman!"
It looked like Norman forced himself to be composed enough to speak. "Yeah, it's funny! That was a 'friendly dinner' alright! So Discord, when are you going to show Dae, Betty's baby pictures?"
"Really Norman!" I growled. "Could you be any more immature?"
"He's just teasing Betty." Fluttershy laughed.
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah I noticed that."
Norman had a goofy grin on his face. I knew he was going to make another immature joke. "Don't even think about it Norman!"
"What, I was just thinking how cute you two would be together." Norman teased. "The next thing you know you'll be married and have a couple of kids together."
I did a facepalm and groaned. "Whatever, let's just go home."
Norman was really starting to get on my nerves when we walked home because he couldn't stop laughing through the entire walk.
* * *
{Norman}
The next day after Betty's 'friendly dinner' with Dae, it was my day off. I knew Betty would be doing her Death Walker training, so I decided to stop by the training arena to watch.
When I went over there, I saw Betty's friend, Mystic Diamond sitting on the bleachers munching on an apple. She smiled when she saw me. "Hey Norman, how's it going? Are you here to watch Betty train too?"
I nodded. "Uh-huh, it's my day off so I figured I'd stop by to watch."
I took my spot on the bleachers next to Mystic Diamond and she passed a basket of fruit to me. "Go ahead, you can have some."
"Okay thanks." I said. I took an apple from the basket and took a bite of it. "So what's Betty working on today?"
"She's working on developing her powers with a technique called 'the bubble of silence." Mystic Diamond answered. "And she's developed another Death Walker ability, fire power just today!"
"Really?" I said. "How many does she have now?"
"Darkness, light, glass and now fire," said Mystic Diamond, "there are nine Death Walker abilities in total: darkness, glass, fire, wind, water, earth, iron fist, light and copper blade. Betty developed her darkness and glass powers just by burping."
"Well, I'm glad she didn't do that on her 'friendly dinner' the other day or she would've destroyed the whole restaurant." I chuckled.
Mystic Diamond raised an eyebrow. "Friendly dinner? You know that's a roundabout way of saying it's a date, right?"
"I know, the guy kissed Betty at the end of it." I said.
Mystic Diamond smiled. "Does Betty like him?"
I shrugged. "It's hard to tell. That was their first 'friendly dinner,' but I do know Betty thinks he's a weirdo."
"Who was it?" Mystic Diamond said.
"Some guy by the name of Dae Royal." I answered.
"I know about him," said Mystic Diamond, "he's one of Betty's more respectable stalkers."
I raised an eyebrow. "Respectable stalker?"
"Oh yeah, considering he didn't announce himself and constantly ask her out on a date like all the other stalkers do." Mystic Diamond said.
"Oh." I turned my attention to Betty training. She was standing still in the middle of a small ring. Scarlett was standing off to the side swinging a silver watch.
"Hey there." I heard Fluttershy say. I turned around to see Fluttershy, Discord, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie sitting behind me. Slowly, other people and ponies gathered to watch Betty train.
Gee, I thought, I didn't realize Betty's training would be a circus today.
"I sure know how to draw a crowd, don't I?" Rainbow Dash said proudly.
Fluttershy rolled her eyes. "Honestly Rainbow Dash, Death Walker training is serious business! I know because I'm a Death Walker. It's not a spectator sport. But, the family and a few friends coming to watch is fine. And a-"
Fluttershy closed her eyes, then opened them and sniffed the air. "One, two, three, four- I think Scarlett has lost her mind!"
"What? Why?" I said.
"She's having Betty fight 65 enemies today! I mean, I know Betty can do it. But my goodness!" Fluttershy exclaimed.
Discord smiled and pointed at Betty with his eagle talon. "Oh yeah, she can do it! She's already taken down ten of them!"
"Ha!" Rainbow Dash chuckled. "Awesome! Just look at her go!"
I turned my attention to Betty fighting. I watched in awe as the enemies came at Betty one by one. A couple of times it looked like Betty was done for. But that wasn't the case as she easily escaped the enemies that advanced towards her by breathing fire as if she were a dragon. One of her attacks looked like she was able to shoot bullets out of her mouth. A couple of her enemies got some small cuts when they got hit by Betty's attack. Then, I noticed something. She was fighting with her eyes closed!
Woa! I thought. Now that's cool!
I didn't realize how much time had passed until Betty defeated the last enemy. I looked at the time and it was only two minutes past the time I had arrived here. Betty opened her eyes and stared up at the bleachers in horror as she saw the crowd of people and ponies watching her train. She was about to walk away and it looked like her muscles tensed up, like she was being electrocuted. I could tell by the look on her face that she was trying to fight whatever pain she was in. Eventually, she fell over and passed out.
* * *
Fluttershy panicked when she saw Betty pass out and quickly flew over to her so fast, it looked like a knee-jerk reaction.
Meanwhile, I ran over to Betty as fast as I could while screaming. "What happened?"
Discord sighed and he looked angry because he was scowling. "Another power surge."
I paused. "Uh, power surge?"
"It's when someone's magic spikes and it gets out of control. Betty's first power surge happened after her first summons to the Land of the Dead. In Betty's case, her powers have only gotten stronger with every power surge she's had. Don't worry, she'll be okay. I can sense her powers have gotten stronger again. She just needs to rest and she'll be good as new." Discord explained.
Even with Discord's reassurance, I still felt worried about Betty.
* * *
{Dae}
Oh crap! I thought. I really hate it when Betty has her power surges. Unfortunately, I can't be there for her every second of the day.
I was sitting in my office trying so hard to finish my paperwork for today. Feeling worried about Betty, paperwork was taking longer than usual. What made matters worse is, this wasn't even the hard part of my daily royal duties. I still couldn't believe I kissed Betty at the end of our 'friendly dinner' that Fluttershy helped me set up. I find it funny that Betty thinks I'm some sort of weirdo, but that's fine because I can use that as an excuse to get to know her while she gets to know me.
Finally, I admitted defeat and gave up on my paperwork. I figured I could get back to it later. As soon as I went to my chambers and sat down on the bed, there was a knock on the door.
I rolled my eyes and thought, I hope Parada doesn't have another marriage proposal from the princess with her. I'm not in the mood for this now.
I answered the door, facepalmed and groaned as Parada handed me another marriage proposal letter from Princess Twilight. "You know something Parada? I'm not even going to respond this time. Do me a favor and return that to sender."
Parada chuckled. "Okay your highness. So how did your 'friendly dinner' go?"
I smiled. "Surprisingly, it went well! Of course, Betty thinks I'm a weirdo because of what happened at her gotcha day party and then I kissed at the end of our 'friendly dinner' so that confirms it! I'm a weirdo to her! But she does want to talk with me again. She wants to figure out why I'm a weirdo."
Parada snorted. "I think you're a little weird and everyone else does because you're not as ruthless as your father was when he was ruling over Hell. I guess he saw something special in you to give you the throne. If she were here right now, I'd wish her good luck on trying to figure out why you're so weird."
"Ha, ha Parada." I said.
To me, it didn't matter what Parada said, I'm going to keep Betty guessing as to why I'm so weird to her.