//------------------------------// // Sonata No. 2 - 3rd Movement: Andante // Story: Le Prince et le Menteur // by CrackedInkWell //------------------------------// It has been a week since their trip to the spa, and throughout Equestria, much of the leaves have given way from green to golds, oranges, and reds. With colorful autumn settling in with the air getting cooler and October just around the corner, Luna was making plans for her favorite holiday of the year. In her chambers with push pinboards, each was being held together with notes and colored string, thinking methodically of what the upcoming Nightmare Night festival is going to look like. Even though it was early September, she was plotting out everything from the food, to the carnival games, and even the special effects for the haunted house attraction that, admittingly, she was trying to figure out how to tone it down a touch. Then, just when she was deciding between a clown holding a single red balloon or an eldritch god at the end of a hallway, one of her guards came in. “Beg your pardon for the intrusion, but Prince Blueblood wishes an audience with you.” Setting her pile of notes and pins aside, she told the guard to let her nephew in. Blueblood entered through the starry doors, taking notices of the boards and string that weaved about the room like a spider’s web.  “I’m sorry auntie Luna, I didn’t realize you were busy.” “Tis alright, I appreciate the break away from this.” “What is all of this for?” “It’s for the Nightmare Night festival in Ponyville. I’m determined to make this one more glorious than last year’s. Having the fun be doubled, as it were by my own design. However, to plot out every single thing is maddening, so your timing is most appreciated.” She lit up her horn to bring out a dark purple pillow for her nephew to sit on. “Would you like anything? Tea or coffee perhaps?” “Coffee at ten at night?” “It helps to keep one’s mind focused and alert into the long hours. Any college student would know that. Still, could I get you anything?” “No thank you, auntie. But I’ve come here because, well…” He took a deep breath. “Do you remember several months ago that you said that if I needed help from you, I could ask for it?” “Oh!” Luna excitedly clopped her hooves together. “At last! It is about time that you came asking for my assistance! So, what shall it be? The perfect gift of your coltfriend’s dreams? A list of aphrodisiacs? Maybe a lifetime membership to a strip club?” Blueblood, “Why would I… You know what, never mind.” He shook his head. “No, I didn’t come here for any of those things. Rather, this is more of a personal matter that I hope you could lend a hoof it.” “A personal matter?” Luna tilted her head. “Isn’t Cadance still around?” “She is, and I’ve already talked to her about it, but she said that for this to be pulled off, then I would need the ties and resources you have to make this perfect.” “I don’t understand? Making what perfect?” Looking over his shoulder to be absolutely sure that no one would be listening, he leaned forward and quietly said, “I’ve decided I’m going to make Langue my official royal consort.” Luna gasped happily, “Why nephew! This is indeed wonderful news!” “Yes yes,” Blueblood tried to hush her, “I know how monumental this is - I’m very much aware of that - but please listen to me. I need your help in providing the right atmosphere to spring that question upon him. But I want this moment to be perfect, can you help me? That is,” he eyed the boards all around, “if this isn’t asking too much of you as of now.” “Tis no burden on me, of course, I will help make this the most magical of nights! However, before we begin, I do want to ask what is the status of the relationship?” “Well, I will say that all things considered, these past few months have been the happiest of my life.” “And Langue?” “Well, he is opening up to me more and more each day. He’s still getting used to me being intimate with him, but I can safely say we’ve made tremendous progress.” “Oh good, good,” Luna nodded. “With that said, I get this impression like he wants to tell me something really important but he doesn’t have the confidence to come out and say it. I believe, auntie, he might be wanting to ask me to be his coltfriend. Well,” Blueblood laughed, “just imagine his surprise when I ask him first.” “Indeed.” Luna agreed, “But first thing’s first! I must know, when are you planning to ask him?” “Friday, unless it’s too soon then I could-” “As in this Friday?” she interrupted and he nodded. Luna hummed in thought for a moment, “While I would hope to have more time, I think this could still be pulled off. I will not promise you any miracles, but perhaps you could help me see what you have in mind and I will see what I can do.” For nearly an hour, Blueblood sketched out a scenario of how he would ask Langue the question. He painted a scene under the stars while a full orchestra plays sweet classical music. He pictured a meal with a dance; all leading to him declaring his undying love in the best way he knows how. Yet, Luna had to ask Blueblood several questions about Langue such as what music he likes, choice in meal, and even the location of where all of this would occur. Despite being last minute for Luna, her mind was ticking and grinding away for ideas to construct the perfect moment.  Then, by looking out the window, she noticed a building among Canterlot’s skyline and the inspiration sang out to her.  Tonight was the night, Langue knew, was that he would finally pony up and tell the truth. At this point, there wasn’t much of a choice. He could either continue to lie, have Fleur blackmail him until it all blows up in his face. Or, he could set Blueblood down, and as carefully as possible, lend on that he was a con-pony that had a change of heart. He wasn’t unaware that he could easily lose his position as baron, have Canterlot have a conniption over him, and in the best case scenario - he might be banished from the country.  On that Friday night, Blueblood had treated him to dinner at a fine dining restaurant. If Langue was being honest, he wasn’t paying much attention to anything. He spent most of the time trying to figure out what in the world he was going to say to him. Of course, he waited patiently to have the opportunity for the conversation to be given room for the, “Listen Blueblood, you’re a good stallion but you shouldn’t see me anymore because I don’t want to con you anymore,” speech. Yet, it was nearly impossible as the prince was in a good mood and he didn’t exactly want to spoil it. After they left the restaurant, they walked out into the cool autumn air. Since Blueblood hadn’t called for their palanquin, it meant that they weren’t going to go far.  “So… where are we going now?” Langue asked. “There’s a reserved spot at the Music Hall not too far from here that I have something special in mind.” “The Opera House? Are we going there for a concert or-” “No.” Langue blinked. “Then… what are we doing?” “You’ll see,” Blueblood said with an excited tone to his voice.  They walked a block towards the tall, white marble building of colossal white columns, golden pegasi statues with lyres, and capped with a stained-glass dome. Over on the sides were red banners with maple leaves that advertised the autumn ball that was going on. At first, Langue assumed that the prince was bringing him to the ball - but no! As soon as they entered through its doors, instead of going towards where the party was, Blueblood instead went for the elevator where he pressed the button towards the roof.  Langue was perplexed. What was the prince doing? Why were they going to the roof? It couldn’t be for dinner because they’ve already eaten. Maybe he wanted to go see the stars from the roof? But if that’s true, then why not do it at his home as they’ve done plenty of times in the past? With a ding from the elevator, the doors opened up to an unexpected scene. On the flat roof near the great glass dome, it was lit up by lines of grapevines. The floor was sprinkled in maple leaves of orange, red, and yellow. As they walked out, they saw a table of desserts from sugar cookies in leaf shapes, to the pumpkin cake, the chocolate fountain, and even the tub of cinnamon ice cream that floated in a tub of ice. And turning to face the city, they got a view of Canterlot and the castle that was all aglow while overhead, the stars, and moon seemed brighter than ever. It was like stepping inside of a painting that the artist took years to craft out the stunning beauty to get just right.  Looking over to Blueblood, Langue saw that he had a wide smile. “Do you like it?” “Did you…” Langue walked over to the dessert table at the range of treats. From candy that was in bright, autumn colors, to the chocolate souffle that was sprinkled in powdered sugar - it was all clear that this took a lot of planning. “.... Did you arrange all of this?” “Well, to be fair, I had my auntie Luna put all of this together. Oh! And here,” Blueblood trotted over to the side of the dome where he unhooked a piece of the glass where the sound of a full orchestra played out. “Now, it’s all perfect!” Langue paused, it didn’t take a detective to deduce what was going on around him. A highly romantic setting, expensive desserts, an orchestra, and the fact that Blueblood said that this was meant to be a “special surprise.” Not only was he seeing some major red flags, but he thought: ‘He’s going to ask me to marry him… I didn’t think I would be this good at seducing. This is a new record.’  Which only makes what he has to say so much harder. Nevertheless, at least to Langue, it was now or never. Blueblood turned to him as the orchestra struck up the beat of a waltz. “You know,” he said, “I don’t know if I ever asked you this before but… do you know how to dance?” “Um… so-so…” Going up to Langue, Blueblood held up a hoof. “Would you dance with me?” Gulping, Langue took his hoof, “If you don’t mind, why not take the lead?” “Very well.” With both stallions getting up to their hindlegs, Langue took hold of Blueblood’s shoulder while he, his waist. At first, they swayed, finding the right rhythm to start on, and then, they began. It took a few minutes for Langue to understand the pattern, but once he figured it out, the two danced in a circle while the violins, the snare-drum, and winds swelled into a crescendo.  As they continued to dance, Blueblood spotted something in the sky. A blue cloud hovered nearby with a Luna-size pony watching overhead. Another round and the light from the dome made it clear that it was, indeed, his nightly aunt. Then another round and Blueblood noticed that she held up a sign that read: “You’re doing great, nephew!” “What are you looking at?” Langue asked. “Oh uh,” Blueblood cleared his throat, “I thought I saw a shooting star. Or at least, the tail-end of it. Disappointing really, I could have made a wish.” “And what would you wish for?” Langue felt Blueblood’s hoof around his waist constrict to where they were chest to chest, eye to eye. “That this moment would last forever.” Taking in a deep breath, Langue had to do it now while he still could. “Moi Prince, what is all of this for?” “What?” “Come on, you don’t just ask anyone to dance on the rooftop of a music hall with dessert, music, and the night sky just for anything.” “Hm, true. I do have something I wanted to ask you. Something that I have given a good amount of thought into.” Langue gulped. “And… that would be… what?” “Well, first of all, I must inform you that you are no longer a Baron.” They stopped dancing. “What? Moi Prince, have I upset you?” “No no, nothing like that. You’re not in trouble. Quite the opposite, really.” Langue blinked, “I don’t understand. If I’m no longer Baron, then why am I being stripped of my title?” “To elevate you to a new one. Can you guess what that would be?” “I…” Langue’s eyes shifted, “Viscount?” “No.” “Count?” Blueblood shook his head. “Marquis?” “Getting warmer.” Langue blinked, “Duke?” “Almost…” “.... But, Majesté, what other title are you giving me?” “One that I’ve never given to anyone. Something that only us royals could give.” Blueblood noticed movement in Luna’s cloud, this time she scribbled on a piece of cardboard that says: “Just ask him already!” The prince saw his beloved’s eyes growing wide. “Now, wait a minute, Your Highness, is it wise to give me a new title so soon? What I mean is I don’t believe I’ve done anything to earn… whatever it is you want to give me. I’m undeserving of it.” “Oh Langue, you may not see it, but I think you have more than earned it. I cannot describe how liberating it is to finally be myself around someone so understanding. After spending years hiding away my identity, of not being able to find someone that is on the same level as I; not to mention you opening my eyes to the simpler joys in life - you don’t give yourself enough credit.” “Well, maybe to you. But I don’t think you would give as much praise if you knew the pony I was.” “Then allow me to praise the pony you are now.” Blueblood’s hoof slipped away from Langue’s to caress his face. “Which is why, Langue d’Argent, I want to do something that I never asked a single soul before. Something that I never found worthy enough to ask.” “But Moi Prince-” “Langue, would you be my consort?” Langue blinked, “Pardon?” “In plain Equestrian, I’m asking you if you would be my equal - maybe not exactly prince, but for you to be my official coltfriend. Say yes, and your worries will melt away, and we can begin together on the journey to eternal bliss.” With a blush, Blueblood asked, “So, will you be my official consort?” The music had by then finished with ponies applauding the orchestra. Yet, upon the roof, Langue froze. He saw his opportunity to get out of this relationship - yet the path to freedom was that of barbed wire. Because although he knew exactly what to say, he knew how much pain this was going to cause to someone he knew was undeserving of it. It was probably the hardest decision he has ever made in his life. When the orchestra started up another waltz, he broke away from Blueblood and made his choice. “I… I can’t do this anymore.” “What?” “Stop. Just… s'il te plaît, I can’t do this to you anymore.” “But… Langue.” “This will only end badly. Forgive me, Your Highness, but you must stop seeing me. I’m no good. I’m not everything you think I am.” He could see it happening in Blueblood’s eyes as he was tearing up. “Langue, wait.” “You have to let me go. Don’t ever come near me anymore. I’m sorry. But I think we should stop seeing each other. I think you’re a good stallion, Blueblood, I don’t deserve you - you need someone better than me. As much as I don’t want to say this, it has to be said. Prince Blueblood, I bid you adieu.” That was it. He had done it. Langue had to look away as Blueblood was on the verge of crying - now he would face the fallout for his actions. Yet, he told himself, this was for the best. Hopefully, he might have gotten out of this okay, he just needs to distance himself from him so he could go home and- “Langue, wait!” Blueblood rushed over to him. “I said we’re done-” Langue felt his head being yanked and turned. And before he realized what was going on, Blueblood was face to face with him. No, more than that. He was very close to his face. As in, lips touching close. It took Langue to realize what was going on - Blueblood was kissing him for the first time. Not on the cheeks, not under the chin or necking him either. This was the first time that either of them had kissed. Out of everything in the past several months since he got to know the prince - that moment was the most disturbing to Langue. Not because he found it gross, nor the fact that this sudden violation of personal space just occurred out of nowhere. Nor was it that time had slowed down to a crawl from this unexpected shock. No. It wasn’t any of those. Rather, what he found disturbing was that not only he didn’t try to fight back; not only did he surrender to the kiss; but it was the first time in his life that he ever kissed anyone and felt that this was how it was supposed to be done. A sense of being complete.  It was like he was falling through an unexpected trap door where he would gasp in shock if he could. He was tumbling, terrifyingly, into a hurricane of emotions that swirled and collided at the same time. Fear, joy, shame, liberation, dread, hope. It was experiencing every positive and negative emotion that bounced off one another. The sense that none of this should be happening and yet… that falling sensation of wanting to kiss back grew as a sweet temptation.  One that he gave in. And when a moment of clarity came to Langue’s head, he pulled away. “Que suis-je en train de faire!? (What am I doing!?)” He shouted in terror.  For Blueblood, it came as a slap in the face - but not out of betrayal. What hit him was that in this desperate moment where he hoped that maybe Langue would change his mind - he saw in his eyes something he never thought he would see. Langue was afraid.  Langue tried to trash out from the prince’s embrace. “Let go! Let go!” Langue shrieked as if he was trying to get out of the grip of a hideous monster. And yet, moment by moment, that terror gave way to something else. Tears rolled down from Langue’s face. “I-I can’t… I-I’m not… This isn’t…”  Blueblood held him in his arms. Langue’s head crying on his shoulder. While this was certainly not the reaction he expected or hoped for. There were so many questions about what just happened that the prince didn’t know where to start. Except, just to hold him there like a foal that had lost his parents. One hoof to hold him and the other to stroke his mane. Looking up to the cloud, he could tell by the look of his aunt that even she didn’t see any of this coming.  However, Blueblood waited. He didn’t know how long as the orchestra below went from piece to piece that he lost count. He waited until Langue was calm enough to say something without bursting into tears. Yet, for this pitiful stallion, Blueblood would wait for eternity if he had to.  But eventually, Langue's sobs subsided into silence. Blueblood didn’t expect to know what he was going to say next. However, he had a feeling. “I lied.” Blueblood blinked. “Pardon?” Langue pulled away so he could look the prince in the eye. “Moi Prince… I don’t exactly know where to start, but I have been lying to you for months now… and I know I don’t deserve you.” “What are you talking about?” “Sire, I told you so many lies. Like when I told you that I’m gay… well… that is what I believed before I met you. Even with all the flatteries, I didn’t expect that… I would be…” he swallowed. “Kissing you back… I don’t know why I did it… I shouldn’t have liked it but… I-I don’t know what is going on.” “So… you’re straight?” “.... I don’t know anymore… I don’t know what is going on with me anymore...” Blueblood kissed his forehead, “Believe it or not,” he said, wiping his tears. “I have been here before.” Langue swallowed, “What are you talking about?” “Well…” the prince took a deep breath. Lighting his horn, he took a cup from the dessert table to fill it with hot chocolate before handing it to Langue. “Storytime. Although before I say anything, you should have some of this first.” Taking the cup, Langue sipped the rich chocolate. “Once upon a time,” Blueblood began, “I had just reserved my cutie mark. By then I was somewhat of a late bloomer so I should have been about… eleven, twelve years old? Anyway, I was at the age where I was starting to enter puberty and I was told about the birds and the bees. You know, when a stallion has feelings for a mare, that sort of thing. On top of that, the colts at my age were trying to grow up to the macho type yet… I knew that for whatever reason… it didn’t click.  “Not just that whenever a pretty mare was pointed out to me and I had no idea what they were getting excited about, but I even wondered why I didn’t latch onto the traditional male role that I was expected to do. If anything, I was even teased and mocked for being a bit more effeminate than colts my age.  “At the time, I found the whole ordeal confusing. I was supposed to be this and not that, so how I’m not? How come when those wanted to join the guard that I found more enjoyment from gardens, paintings, or the occasional poem? How come I felt funny when a handsome stallion walked by that mare… Well, less so? “Then when I heard about what homosexuality was… I’ve grown up thinking that it was somehow a bad thing because the colts around me said it was. As much as I tried to distance myself from it… during my teen years, I was more afraid than maybe I was. And if I say… I got aroused in the locker room for staring at someone for too long… Well, you could imagine why I never bought any of this up to my family - because it was all so frightening of what they might do if they even suspected that I was. “That, and it didn’t help that I heard about these ghastly horror stories of how shortly a pony comes out gay that they were thrown out of their homes… or worse. Being so high up in the aristocracy, I was terrified of what might happen to me if anyone learned that I had a different taste in company. And to top it all off, I was even arranged to be married to a mare that I felt no connection for by my parents… you could only imagine how much anxiety I had. “Then, by tragedy or by luck, my parents passed away before I could be married off. Which in hindsight saved me from a lifetime of lies and misery. But even then… It did take me along, a long time before I came to face the truth about who I was, and even longer to just say it outright. Even with all those mares that tried to date me… I didn’t dare to tell them that the real reason why I don’t want to be around them is simply that they didn’t appeal to me. Instead, I had to be horrid so they wouldn’t have any reason to see me at all.” He put a hoof on his shoulder and looked him in the eye. “The reason why I’m telling you this is because when I said that I never felt happier, or freer in my life - that was no lie. Until I met you, I couldn’t connect with anyone on an emotional level like you have. At first, I didn’t know what to do as… you are the first stallion that has come forward saying that they were interested in me. You have taught me not to be afraid of showing someone that you care for - that you love them. Even when you said you didn’t feel attracted to me at first… are you now?” Langue didn’t look him in the eye. “I have been in your horseshoes, Langue. I know how scary, confusing, and anxiety-driven this all is. Trust me, I’ve been there. And if I could somehow go back and tell my younger self anything, it would be this.” He cupped his cheek and made him look in the eye. And Blueblood looked back into those teary eyes. “There is nothing wrong with you. There never has. I know you feel alone with these feelings - but you’re not. There are those out there that will welcome you as you are with open hooves. And while all of this may seem scary and threatens to swallow you whole, remember, courage isn’t about being afraid of nothing. It’s about being scared yet determined to do what is right, to be who you are, and go forward with it. You are not alone.” Swallowing, Langue backed up a step to sip his cup. “Yet… I have lied to you. Are you not angry at me?” “Depends, did you lie to harm me… or protect?” “.... To harm… at first. I thought you were the snotty, uptight, uncaring aristocrat. A monster, or so I was told. I was going to take advantage of you for being such but… the unexpected happened.” “And what was that?” “I got to know you… and you’re not worth being harmed by ponies like me.” After blowing on his hot chocolate and downing some, he added. “But I have a feeling I have more to explain, do I?” Humming, Blueblood replied. “We will, first thing tomorrow. But for now, I don’t think that scolding you when you are at your lowest is not the wisest idea.” Swallowing nervously, Langue asked, “Then… what are you going to do?” “Well first, now that we’ve broken ground, I could do this.” He thrust his head forward and planted a kiss on the lips. This time, it was more gentle. More forgiving in how tender it was. Yet, it only lasted for a moment. “Also, I was thinking… you've never been inside my chambers, have you?” Langue raised an eyebrow, “Are you asking to do what we normally do, or-” “Well, you said so yourself, to get to that level, it requires certain steps to get to that point. And I can safely say, we’re not there yet.” With a smirk, Blueblood added, “On the other hoof, that doesn’t mean that we couldn’t cuddle and kiss.” “.... That is the worst pickup line I’ve ever heard.” “It’s not a pickup line.” From the glass dome, the orchestra began a new waltz. “Still, I don’t want tonight to go to waste. While we will talk about what you said earlier; for now,” he offered him a hoof. “We haven’t finished our dance, have we?” Looking between him and his hoof, Langue downed the rest of the hot chocolate and set it aside. There was so much that Langue could say. Yet, given the circumstances, he didn’t find one that would make any difference. So, getting on his hind hooves along with the prince, they resumed their dance. After they danced and took some of the desserts with them, the two stallions now turned towards Canterlot Castle. For Langue, this was a new experience as he had never been inside the prince’s personal chambers before. Yet, it was almost what he expected it to be. A whole floor of the castle resembled that of the rooms of the Palace of Versailles. One of gold molding, mirrored walls, crystal chandeliers, murals on the ceiling - and even the bedroom was dripping top to bottom in baroque style embroidery, gold, and tassels.  Even the candlelight that flickered around the room, bathing in a golden glow was like being inside an old oil painting. The only thing to stand out from all of this was the phonograph that played a slow serenade of violins. All the while, even in a room that was worth Equestria’s whole treasury, he held in his hooves something more valuable. Since their first kiss, Langue had been shocked by it. Yet, on the way to the palace, with Blueblood being this merciful towards someone like him, it was all he could think about. So when the prince showed him inside his chambers, all Langue wanted was to perhaps have him do it again.  Fortunately, he didn’t have to ask. As soon as Blueblood kissed him on the lips again. Now taking their time to go longer and longer, it became apparent to Langue that what he experienced on the roof of the Opera House was no accident. This time, with the prince’s reassurance, the fear and shame had faded away with every kiss until it was clear that there was one thing that Langue wanted above anything else. It didn’t matter if none of this made sense or not - only that relieving pleasure of mercy itself on his lips to lick his sin clean. Where he expected wrathful retribution, here, at least for the night, he was seduced into the realm of forgiveness. Lips and tongues danced from one maw to the other and back again, even when they tumbled onto the bed, neither skipped a beat. Hooves cradling the other, running through the other's mane and even prodding through their collars. Yet, in this dance, Blueblood pulled away to remark. “I think it’s rude to go further than this.” “Huh?” “I mean, given the circumstances, I don’t want to press this further if I don’t know what I might do with you tomorrow.” Langue’s ears folded flat against his head. “I understand. But do you wish to stop?” “Kissing you? No. But to go further than that… I don’t think I’m ready for that yet… and maybe neither are you.” He nodded, “Je connais. (I know.)”  “Truth be told… I don’t know where we’ll be tomorrow. And if I decide that we should separate,” the prince said, holding the back of Langue’s head. “I want to always remember how for even one night - I was able to be vulnerable to somepony. Without judgments. Without regrets. To fall asleep kissing the closest stallion that I would call my equal, a soulmate.” Langue didn’t reply. “I have a feeling that after all, we went through tonight, you don’t want to be left alone. For all you’ve done for me the past few months, it’s the least I could do.” Blueblood said with a kiss.  And Langue kissed back. By the time they had fallen asleep, neither stallion was paying attention to how they got under the sheets - nor did they notice how long they shared this intimate moment until they lulled to sleep. Although neither had fully removed their clothes - for Langue this was the first time that he had been emotionally naked before someone else. That where he feared he would be shamed or mocked for being this exposed, now that he let out his biggest secret to Blueblood - all it did was to draw him closer.  By the time he fell asleep, the only fear he had was how he was going to explain everything to the prince from here on out.