Another day of Equis came. The citizens of Equis were walking around town as the Gala crept ever closer. Storm was near the forge in the castle as he was seen with Fluttershy and Shenran. The teen blacksmith was working while the girl was petting Pig.
"What a cute little guy," said Fluttershy as she rubbed the animal's head perched on Storm's shoulder.
"Yeah, I met this guy a few days back. Figured you'd know what this is," stated Storm.
"That's easy. It's a fruit bat," said Shenran as both looked at the blacksmith. As steam rose, he put a sizzling piece of metal in a bucket of water. "They have the best vision known to man. Not to mention sharp teeth that allow it to penetrate the skin of the fruits. They also have very long tongues that unroll when they are feeding. When they aren't eating, the tongue rolls back up. It is tucked away internally around the rib cage rather than remaining in the mouth."
Both Storm and Fluttershy were surprised by the knowledge that Shenran said. For the girl, she couldn't help but blush at seeing the boy was knowledgeable when it came to animals.
"Didn't expect you to know what it was," said Storm to his friend.
"When I was learning to be a blacksmith from my father, we had to deal with some who would live in our shack. They're not dangerous; if anything, they help take out mosquitos."
"So, shouldn't he be nocturnal or some shit? Come to think of it, shouldn't Twiligt's owl also be the same?" asked Storm as he did find it odd that the bat was awake during the day, like the princess' pet was at times.
"Bats are usually active from dusk to dawn, unlike us humans. But generally, they don't do much if awake during the day. Kind of like Owlowiscious. Just make sure he's not around Aj's orchard." said Fluttershy.
"Well, anyways. I came by to see if you wanted to accompany Twilight and me. After that massive rainstorm pouring all night, some debris blocked some roads. So Twilight is leading some guards to supervise the cleaning." said Storm.
"I appreciate you asking me, but I think I'll pass," said Fluttershy as she glanced back at Shenran.
"You sure?" asked the Jedi Knight.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of Fluttershy. Plus, I had plans to take her into town." said Shenran as he petted Pig, who was nearby and oinked.
While Shenran didn't see it due to Fluttershy having her back turned to the teen. She was blushing at the fact that she would get to spend the day with Shenran.
"Well, I need to get going. Twilight's waiting for me," said Storm as he started to walk and waved goodbye to his friends. The Jedi informed Sonar that he would come back as the bat flew.
Soon the Jedi met with the princess as they approached the stable. They each got on their horses and met with the guards. After a bit of a ride, they arrived at the location as both Jedi and the guards got to work. The sky was grey as it seemed the rain from last night was just the beginning, as heading toward the Jedi was another storm. Thankfully, the guards followed Twilight's instructions to provide the countermeasures. Soon it was done, as the princess ordered the men to return to the castle while she and Storm finished.
"Sparky, hurry up!" said Storm as he could see the clouds rolling in.
"Need to do one final thing. Got it," said Twilight as she finished. "Alright, let's go!"
The princess and Jedi made their horses run as they began to race along the track. Knowing they wouldn't outrun the storm, the girl suggested they take shelter in one of the nearby cottages she and her family-owned. The pair made it just as drops of water began to splash on them. Their clothes started to get wet as they put their rides in the nearby stable before racing to the door and entering.
"Close call," said Storm as he leaned over with Twilight.
A sudden bolt of lightning, accompanied by a thunder boom, lit up the area.
"Too close," said Twilight.
The princess then approached the fireplace and turned it on. As the Jedi Knights sighed, the flames lit the small house, providing heat and light.
"So, how'd you know about this place?" asked Storm.
"This is one of the many cottages my parents own," the girl responded.
"Gees, how rich are you?!!" shouted Storm.
"Why does that matter?" asked Twilight as she blushed a hard red while looking away from her partner.
Before the boy could press the matter even further, there was a knock. Both Jedi looked at each other as if they were surprised. Based on what was happening outside, it didn't seem like anybody would be out and about in this torrential downpour. That made it suspicious as they cautiously approached the door, their hands near their lightsabers in case of a fight. Twilight grabbed the handle and opened the door. It revealed pair of familiar people, both looking like they'd rather be without the other.
"Applejack? Rarity? What are you-nevermind," Twilight said, before shaking her head, "Come in, it's pretty bad out there."
"Thanks, Twilight," said the farm gal as she and Rarity entered, with Twilight closing the door behind them.
"We're so grateful to have found shelter," said Rarity.
"No problem, but what are you two doing out here?" asked the princess.
"We'd rather not talk about it!" shouted both girls as the princess decided not to press the issue further.
Rarity then noticed that Storm was also present. She looked at him and then at Twilight as her face lit up with a mischievous grin.
"Oh?~ Well, goodness, if I'd known you and Storm were spending time together, I wouldn't have suggested your cottage, Twilight," she teased, already backing out the door, "Come along, Applejack. We should leave these two alone."
Applejack sent Rarity a confused look, seemingly uncomprehending her tone of voice.
"What the hell are you talkin' about?!" she asked, causing Rarity to grimace, "Anyways, thank ya kindly fer yer hospitality, Twilight," she added, only for Rarity to stop her.
"If you're going to ignore the mood, at least don't ignore proper manners," she said before glancing down, eyeing Applejack's muddy shoes with unconcealed distaste, "Do wash up before coming in."
Applejack looked down before growling, "If I gotta spend one more minute with that girl, I swear..."
Storm heard her mumble before she stepped back outside.
"I think I better go help Aj," said the boy as he stepped outside.
Twilight Sparkle and Rarity looked on as Storm worked his way outside to help Applejack.
"Some storm, huh?" Twilight asked cheerfully.
"Oh yes, it is like him to be a gentleman for someone," Rarity nodded with a frown.
"Oh no, I meant the weather. I hope you and Applejack don't have any trouble getting home."
"It may indeed be a problem," Rarity said, noting the heavy downpour. "I hope us being here isn't a problem."
"Not at all! It'd be nice to have some company," Twilight said before her eyes widened, and her face blossomed into a wide smile, "We can have a slumber party! I've always wanted one of those. And since Storm's here, maybe we should include him too!"
Naturally, Rarity had nothing against the idea of a slumber party with Twilight, being they were friends. But a certain someone almost made the idea sound… a little less appealing.
"Oh! Uh, goodness," Rarity replied with a nervous chuckle. "Uh, I believe I have another engagement scheduled for this evening that completely slipped my mind until now. Ah, silly me, I can't possibly stay here all night – with Applejack."
Rarity looked out the window as Storm used the garden hose to wash Applejack's shoes and hands off… only to have trouble getting the water to flow and accidentally spray her face in the struggle to get the hose to cooperate.
"Blah! Blech!" Applejack sputtered, clearing her throat. "Y'all did that on purpose!"
"Sorry, Applejack!" Storm apologized. "Sheesh, gimme a break."
"I get it's Twilight's house and all, but Rarity goes actin' up as if it's her own place. Urgh… sometimes she burns me up!"
"And what did Rarity do to make you so mad?"
"You want the short or long version?"
Meanwhile, Rarity's insistence on not participating in a sleepover fell on deaf ears. Having not heard a single word her friend said, Twilight searched the shelves and presented Rarity with a single book.
"Slumber 101: All you've Ever Wanted to Know About Slumber Parties But Were Afraid To Ask," Rarity read aloud.
"My own personal copy," Twilight said excitedly. "It's a fantastic reference guide. You should see the table of contents. I've been waiting for a chance to use it, and today is the day! This is going to be so great."
Rarity could only give a sheepish smile for all the excitement Twilight displayed (If the excitable hoof clapping didn't give it away). Now and then, Rarity glanced toward Applejack outside.
"Yes, uh, great," Rarity nervously laughed.
It wasn't much longer before Applejack and Storm arrived inside. Applejack's shoes were still wet, but they were now clean. She felt pleased as she took them off and turned. What she saw before made her gasp. Storm looked toward where Applejack was gawking and shared the same expression. Rarity and Twilight were sitting upon some pillows, brushing some form of mint-green goop on each other's faces.
"What did we walk into?" Storm asked rhetorically.
"Now wait just a goll-darn minute. Ya make me wash the mud off my boots and hands, but it's okay for y'all to have mud all over yer faces?"
"Silly!" Rarity retorted snootily. "This is called a mud mask. It's to refresh and rejuvenate your complexion."
"We're giving each other makeovers! Eee-hee!" Twilight squealed with delight. "We have to do it. It says so in this book."
"Book?" Storm questioned.
Twilight used her Force power to bring the book towards Applejack and Storm, the two reading the cover simultaneously.
"Slumber 101: All you've Ever Wanted to Know About Slumber Parties But Were Afraid To Ask," Storm read aloud.
The boy didn't know what was more embarrassing. The fact that the book was in the library or the fact that it said copy of the book was her own personal copy. He looked over at the princess as he could see a smile on her face. Honestly. All of that enthusiasm for something as small as this. He... supposed it was cute, at least. But man, did it prove another reason he was right about the girl being a giant nerd.
"Well, as nice as that sounds, I'm afraid I'll have to sit out," Storm said, causing Twilight to frown.
"What? But-but, it'll be fun!" she protested, gazing at him with shining eyes, even with a little pout through the mud mask.
Storm shook his head, "Fun it may be, but I'm sure you can have just as much fun with those two as you would with all three of us," he countered, before frowning, "I just... wouldn't feel comfortable being the only male here. It almost feels like I'm intruding, really," he admitted.
"What?" Twilight asked before her eyes widened in understanding, "No! No, no, no! You're not intruding at all! I promise!" but Storm shook his head at her insistence.
"Say what you will," he said, already turning and walking off, "I appreciate the attempt, Sparky, but I'd feel much more comfortable just laying off to the side," he jumped up into the little alcove above, not missing the way her eyes lit up.
"Are you sure?" asked Twilight.
"Positive, you girls, just do your thing and pretend I'm not here," Storm stated flatly as he turned on his side to look out the window and watch the raindrops hit against the glass.
Twilight stared at him for a minute but eventually sighed and nodded.
"Fine. But... let us know if you feel like you're willing to join, okay?" the princess asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Storm chuckled but nodded.
"Of course."
Rarity watched the exchange with sparkling eyes, looking for all the world like she was watching a particularly interesting soap opera, obviously not wishing for it to end. Storm wasn't sure how he felt about the analogy, but it could be worse. Twilight looked back at Applejack as the farm girl went pale. Like Rarity, she had nothing against slumber parties nor having one with Twilight. It was, moreover, a slumber party… with Rarity.
"Oh, well, wouldja lookit the time?" she asked, smiling weakly, "I'm, uh, powerfully late fer something, uh... important. G'night!" the country gal shouted, bolted for the door.
A flash of lightning, followed by a crack of thunder, startled the farm girl into rushing back, looking embarrassed.
"Ya know, I might jus' sit here fer a spell."
"Hooray! Slumber party!" Twilight cheered like a little girl, causing Storm to snicker slightly. His snickers only increased in volume when Rarity all but smacked Applejack with a handful of the mud mask she'd finished applying to herself, only this time she deigned to add a pair of cucumbers over the girl's eyes.
"What in the name's-what're these for?" Rarity scoffed at her.
“To reduce the puffiness around one’s eyes, of course,” Rarity said with a sigh.
“Wait, seriously?” Storm asked when he heard that. “Huh… I thought they were just for presentation.”
"Puffiness, shmuffiness! That's good eatin'!" the country gal replied, greedily licking away the cucumbers and eating them in one smooth motion of her tongue, which both surprised and disgusted the boy in the room. A bright giggle caught the room's attention before he or Rarity could respond.
"Isn't this fun?" Twilight muttered, eagerly reading through the book, "We'll do everything by the book, then my first slumber party will be fun!"
"You heard that, Applejack?" Rarity whispered harshly, though Storm was more than capable of hearing them, even so far away, "You wouldn't want to ruin Twilight's very first slumber party, now would you?"
"'Course not!" the country girl hissed back, "An' I reckon you wouldn't either,"
"So, do we have an agreement?"
"Eeyup," Applejack answered, punctuating her statement by holding out her hand. But not before spitting on it, of course.
"Ugh," Rarity nearly hacked, "That's-ugh. There's uncouth, and there's just plain rude!"
“You know, there’s fussy, ‘n there’s just plain getting on my damn nerves!” Applejack answered irritably.
“Fortunately, I can get along with anybody,” Rarity said indignantly. “No matter how difficult she may be.”
“Oh yeah?” Applejack glared. “Well, I’m the ‘get-alonin-est’ person you’re ever gonna meet.”
“That’s not even a word,” Rarity pointed out.
“Rarity does have a point,” Storm spoke up. “It’s even marked as a….”
Applejack and Rarity glared at Storm, causing him to chuckle and back away.
“Uh… like I said, I’m staying out of this one….”
Obviously, the two of them had some issues with the other. It likely stemmed from their different lifestyles if Storm read the situation correctly. Rarity's high society expectations clashed heavily with Applejack's down-to-earth mannerisms. They'd never get along unless the two of them realized how different they were and accepted the other for it. The Jedi Knight was brought out of his thoughts when Twilight sprang up between the two girls, looking chipper.
"This is going to be the best slumber party ever! Yay!" the princess cheered, wrapping her arms around them excitedly.
"Yay," the two girls chorused in the same deadpan tone.
Storm snickered. Tonight might be more entertaining than he thought.
Storm had returned to watching the rain, but it didn't stop him from paying attention to the girls as they had fun. The next activity had them all putting mane curlers into their hair, something Storm was certain the farm girl wasn't comfortable with. While Twilight and Rarity didn't appear to have any trouble with their hair, it was clear that Rarity paid much more attention to Applejack's discomfort than anything else. And it seemed she was enjoying it, too.
"So? How are you getting along there, Applejack?" Rarity asked teasingly, eyeing her blonde friend, who was busy glaring at the curlers in her hair or trying to.
"Jus' dandy, Rarity," Applejack growled through her teeth, sending her cocky friend a heated glare from the corner of her eye.
Twilight, still oblivious, just laughed and eagerly checked off something from her book, "This is amazing! Make-overs. Check!" she squealed before removing the curlers from her hair. The others did the same.
"Ooh! It says here we have to tell ghost stories!" the princess read happily, breaking the Jedi Knight from his train of thought.
"Oh, I will!" Applejack volunteered immediately, sending the three other individuals in the room a sly grin, "How about I tell y'all the story about the prissy ghost?" she asked, "The ghost who drove everybody crazy with her unnecessary neatness! Ooooooooohhhhooooh!!" the girl finished with a matte look directed at Rarity, the object of her story almost painfully obvious, "I'm sure y'all are familiar with that one, eh, Rarity?" she asked, driving the nail home.
"Never heard of it, but I have a much better one," the designer challenged. Storm sighed, already knowing where this was headed, "It's the horrifying story of the messy, inconsiderate ghost! Who irritated everybody within a hundred miles! Ooooohhhh!"
"That ain't a real story; you made it up!" Applejack snapped,
"It's a ghost story. Most of them are made up, idiot," Storm growled from his little nook.
"I suppose you got a better story then, Jedi?" taunted Aj.
Storm smirked before he jumped down. He took Aj's challenge and approached them.
"Oh, I got a story. It just might be a little hardcore," smirked the boy.
"I ain't scared of shit. So get on with it?" ushered Applejack, not even asking Rarity for her response.
“All right, all right… let me think,” Storm pondered, clearing his throat. “The air was cold… the night skies black over the city. Many of the citizens slept on high alert (Or not at all), the rest rioting the streets due to the horrific events of….”
“Umm, Storm?” Twilight interrupted. “Maybe you shouldn’t tell that story for a sleepover.”
“But I barely even started!” Storm moaned. “Besides, it’s the only scary story I know.”
“And it was very generous of you to offer it. But we want to give a light scare for our friends, not fill their heads with nightmares.”
“Oh please… like anything else could be scarier than that," scoffed the fashionista.
*KA-BOOM!*
The lights suddenly went out, accompanied by yet another crash of thunder from outside. A moment passed in the dark, where Storm idly watched Twilight plant herself between the startled girls, holding a lantern before turning it on.
"I've got one!" she cheered before her voice went low, likely an attempt to set the mood, "It's called... the Legend of the Headless Horse."
*CRACK*
The thunder crashed again. Sending both girls to now grab a hold onto Storm as they were on edge. The boy held a calm look as the princess began to tell her tale.
“It was a dark and stormy night, just like this one,” Twilight began. “And four people were having a slumber party, just like this one….”
Another lightning flash appeared, displaying the howling rain and the outside of the tree house. By then, Storm sat frozen while Applejack and Rarity trembled from each side. It also didn't help that the girls dug their nails into his skin as he felt pain. Twilight was just near the end of her ghost story.
“… And just when the last person thought she was safe….” Twilight continued in a low voice. “There, standing right behind her, just inches away, was – The Headless Horse!”
A gasp escaped Applejack’s and Rarity’s lips completely unison before another thunder clash sent them screaming. Twilight reappeared with a blanket over her head, making her look headless. Applejack and Rarity screamed as the two girls held the Jedi in terror. Twilight merely smiled as she rushed back to her book and switched the lights.
“Ghost story, check,” Twilight said aloud.
"Girls, let go of me!!" shouted Storm as he could feel both of them suffocating him by how hard they were squeezing.
Applejack and Rarity were stunned until they realized they were holding each other… specifically holding onto Storm. Their nails dug into his skin as they saw the slight pain on the boy's face. He turned to both girls with an awkward look until they roughly pulled away and sent him rolling backward on the floor.
"I'm surprised you weren't scared, darling," said Rarity.
"I've faced scarier shit than just some bedtime story. Plus, it's kinda hard to be scared when you're feeling pain and have two girls all up on you!" glared the boy to his companions as they couldn't help but turn red while looking away.
Twilight soon reappeared between them.
"Now, who wants s’mores?” Twilight offered.
The others were excited, but Storm was confused.
What the hell is a s'more?
Twilight had taken notice of his confusion, and after some prodding, he revealed that he'd never heard of these... s'mores before. All three girls had been stunned at the admission, even Twilight, much to his surprise, and they had all but dragged him into the kitchen, where Rarity was showing him and the princess how to properly make a s'more.
"Now, take one marshmallow and place it on top of the chocolate, making sure it's centered. That's important; then, place the last, perfectly square graham cracker on the top... There we go," she said, placing the newly made treat atop the plate, where several others already lay.
Storm eyed the little desserts, confused. Given the things he's seen Pinkie make, these s'mores seemed... tame in comparison.
"Now ya jus' eat 'em," Applejack interjected, before diving down towards the s'mores, only for Rarity to snatch it away at the last second, causing Applejack to slam her face into the table.
"Now, now, Applejack. You can make your own," Rarity admonished, gently sliding the s'more-laden plate in front of Storm and Twilight, "In fact, why don't we do so while these two, ah, share?~" she added, smiling, before she grabbed the farm girl, none-too-gently at that, and dragged her back to the fireplace with the bag of marshmallows in her hand.
Twilight watched as Rarity and the not-quite-willing Applejack left the kitchen, leaving her alone with Storm, the boy who seemed just as uninformed about slumber parties as she was. Then again, she knew what s'mores were while he didn't. She watched idly as Storm carefully picked up one of the s'mores, his hands moving so delicately he might as well have been handling glass. The expression on his face when he bit into the treat was... underwhelming, to be honest. Then again, s'mores weren't complicated or fancy, so she hadn't been expecting too much. At the very least, he seemed in a better mood than before. She cleared her throat, catching his attention.
"So... how do you like the s'mores?"
"Okay!" Twilight cheered, checking off something from her list, "S'mores are done, so the next item on our list iiiiissss...! Truth or Dare!" she announced, turning to the three individuals behind her.
After they had finished off the s'mores, with Twilight enjoying them significantly more than Storm, she had practically stronghanded him into participating in the rest of the events. Well, he said stronghanded, but, really, she had pouted at him.
"Oh, well, I dare Applejack to do something neatly and carefully for a change," Rarity snapped, eyeing Applejack with distaste.
Applejack scowled, "Oh yeah? Well, I dare Rarity ta lighten up, an' stop obsessin' over every. Last. Little. Detail. Fer a change," she challenged.
"Well, I think the 'truth' of the matter is that somebody could stand to pay a little more attention to detail."
"An' I think the 'truth' is that somebody oughta quit with her fussin', so the rest of us can get things done!"
"Umm... I don't think that's how the game is supposed to work," Twilight said, looking through her book curiously, "You're supposed to give an honest answer to any question or do whatever anybody dares you to do," she said, before turning back to the girls with a bright smile, only for it to fall when she noticed they were still glaring at each other.
"Well, I dare Rarity ta step outside an' let her precious hair get ruined again!" Applejack dared, grinning victoriously while also getting Rarity to gasp.
"You have to! It's the rule," Twilight cut in before Rarity could object.
"HA!" responded Aj with a smug smile.
"... Fine," Rarity snapped petulantly before trotting towards the door. Storm watched on with interest as the fashion-savvy girl did as she dared.
After a minute or so of hearing her yelping from outside, Rarity finally stepped back in, slamming the door behind her, even as she shivered violently, still dripping wet. Applejack laughed at her friend's misfortune, although it quickly died when the sopping wet girl behind advanced on her in a manner very similar to Storm during the fashion show.
"I dare Applejack to play dress up!" she declared with an almost manic grin, "In a fru-fru, glittery, lacy outfit!" she said, "Specifically this one!" she said, revealing a pink and blue dress that Storm was certain wouldn't look out of place in an opera.
Applejack's jaw dropped at the sight of the dress before she directed a heated glare at the overly-happy designer beside her, before grudgingly taking the dress and stomping upstairs.
"Umm... okay?" Twilight muttered as she trotted over to Storm before taking a seat, "Well, I guess since they're busy, why don't you and I play?" she asked the boy. The teen shrugged in response but didn't disagree.
"Fine. You start," said the Jedi Knight, turning to face her before his eyes narrowed.
"Okay... truth or dare?" she asked, her mind already beginning to run.
"Truth," he responded immediately.
"What's your favorite activity?" the princess asked instantly, leaning forward with a twinkle in her eye.
"That's a rather... odd question," Storm noted calmly.
Twilight just smiled, "I know, but... according to the book, truth or dare is supposed to be a little more... risqué. But..." the princess looked away from him, eyeing the excited-looking Rarity, whose eyes had yet to leave the stairwell where Applejack disappeared, "I can't bring myself to think of anything that might offend somebody," she admitted, looking back at him, her smile brightening, "Besides, we're friends, Storm," her cheeks reddened slightly, "You're a powerful Jedi Knight, you're willing to stand for what you believe in," she narrowed her eyes at him when she said that, "but apart from that, I don't know you," she laughed, although it sounded a bit hollow, "I don't really know a lot about any of my friends when I think about it," she shook her head, "So I'd really like to start getting to know all of you! Sooner rather than later," her face suddenly took on a haunted expression, "I... I don't want to lose any of you."
Storm stared at her, barely comprehending. Twilight Sparkle, a girl who'd spent nearly her entire life wrapped up in books and scrolls, with nary a thought for friendship or anything related. Now, here she was, staring at him with those hopeful eyes, wanting to get to know him better. His chest felt warm. But.... how to answer?
"Well... I suppose I enjoy reading," he said hesitantly.
He inwardly cursed. Reading? Really? Was that all he could truly think of that wasn't fighting?
"... I'm also rather fond of working," added Storm, with Twilight tilting her head.
"Working? You mean like exercising?" said the princess.
"Not... well, sort of," he admitted. It was times like these that he really wished he had more hobbies. "A-anyways, truth or dare?" he asked. Twilight tilted her head, a thoughtful look on her face.
"Truth," responded the girl.
"Alright, how rich are you?" asked Storm.
"I knew you would ask that," muttered Twilight as she looked away while clutching her arm with her face turning red.
For the girl, it wasn't the fact that she was rich that bothered her; it moreso about her partner. For Twilight, she felt like it would change Storm's opinion about her. The princess sighed as she approached the boy and whispered into his ear. Storm's eyes widened at hearing Twilight's answer as he looked at her. The girl was making herself small as she was afraid of what the boy would now think of her by what she told him. But he didn't; instead, he held a straight face.
"Moving on, it's your turn!" shouted Twilight as she wanted to move on from this awkward silence while keeping that red on her cheeks.
"Fine," said the boy as he noticed a s'more on the plate in front of her.
"Okay, here’s a ‘truth’ question… why did you give me that ribbon?"
Storm had just taken a bite when he choked at the mention of the question. He spat out crumbs and bits of chocolate onto the floor as he tried to clear his throat.
“Uh…” Storm sputtered nervously. “Well, that is to say… if we’re being honest, I just—”
A sudden laughing caught their attention, however, and drew their gazes over to Applejack. The orange girl had returned, now wearing the gaudy dress Rarity had picked out for her.
"I take it yer happy 'bout this?" Applejack asked, narrowing her eyes at the laughing diva.
"Yes. Very."
"I dare ya ta enter the next rodeo that comes ta town!"
"Um, girls?" said Twilight.
"Oh? Well, I dare you not to enter the next rodeo that comes to town!"
"Girls, it's my turn," stated the princess.
"I dare ya not ta comb yer hair a hundred times before bed!"
"Applejack?"
"I dare you to comb your hair just ONCE!"
"R-Rarity?"
"You know what, forget my turn," Twilight muttered, "C'mon, girls, Storm, let's just do something else," she said, already levitating her book over to her. She scanned it for a moment before pulling away, confused, "What the heck's a 'pillow fight'?"
"Pillow fight?" Rarity asked, before scoffing, "Please, I am not participating in something so cru-AGH!" she was abruptly cut off when a pillow crashed into her face. It peeled away a moment later, revealing a ticked-off girl whose eyes were busy twitching.
"Oh... it. Is. ON!" the fashionista declared before throwing the pillow that hit her straight towards the farmer girl.
Storm and Twilight watched on in interest and amusement as the apple girl retaliated, kicking an entire stack of pillows back at the white girl, who, in return, returned fire.
"Oooohhh!" Twilight lit up in realization, "Pillow. Fight. Fun!" she said before Storm abruptly pulled her back, just as a pair of pillows collided mid-air where her head had been.
Twilight let out a sheepish chuckle before thanking the boy. Storm sighed.
"Why don't you two settle down for a bit?" he suggested.
"I will if she will!" Applejack yelled, jumping over a pillow.
"She started it!" Rarity defended, catching a few pillows. Storm growled.
"I don't care who started it; I'll end it if you two don't stop!" he snapped, snatching a pillow out of the air. However, that statement fell on deaf ears.
The boy then put both his hands out. Rarity and Applejack were frozen in place as Storm used the Force on both of them. Both girls looked at the Jedi Knight and saw his unhappy face as they were scared. Knowing that they couldn't move from his grip, and if he wanted to, he could snap them in half at just the slightest touch. Storm was broken from his thoughts when he felt Twilight prod him in the side. He turned to her, his expression softening slightly at the honestly confused/worried look on the girl's face.
"W-why don't we all just turn in for the night?"
Storm gave a soft sigh as he forced the bed into place. The four had relocated to the room upstairs, although they had to stop and haul a second bed frame and mattress from the attic into her room. It had been made even more aggravating when it was just him and Applejack doing all the work, although given Rarity's mannerisms and Twilight's focus on the book, he supposed he couldn't be surprised. He heard Applejack sigh beside him once they finished moving the bed.
"Mind tellin' me what's with you and Rarity?" he asked, turning to her. Applejack huffed, but it quickly morphed into a sigh.
"I jus' don't get that girl," she began, "Always fussin' around with the littlest details. Never botherin' ta see the practical side'a things," Storm frowned, even as he raised an eyebrow.
"What brought this on?" he asked. Applejack shook her head.
"I've always been thinkin' 'bout it," she admitted, "Guess it jus' reared its head earlier today. I was breakin' off some tree branches in my orchard from last night's downpour. I asked Rarity for some help, and she was puttin' them back on, even fixin' up the leaves ta make them look all pretty. She was supposed ta be tearin' them down. Still, instead, she was too busy workin' on makin' everythin' look all nice and pretty that she wasn't even thinkin' about what could happen if one of those branches came tumblin' down 'cause this darn storm and hurt somebody!"
She had started rather calmly, but as she spoke, her breathing had started picking up, and Storm could see that this issue, as small as it was, had been building up for a long time, just like she said. By the end, she was panting rather hard, with a furious glint in her eyes. It faded abruptly, alongside a heavy sigh, before the girl plopped back onto her hind.
Storm sighed, but after deliberating for a moment, he gave Applejack a gentle push. It seemed the meaning of the push wasn't lost on her, as Applejack chuckled before returning the favor though her shove was a little rougher than his. The door to the room opened abruptly, revealing the two other individuals. Although Storm noticed, they were... different from before. Rarity, who'd been in a rather foul mood, was practically skipping into the room, a bright but mischievous smile lighting up her features. Twilight, however, was beet red and seemed to be having trouble meeting the eyes of the other occupants.
"A-alright, girls!" Twilight began, having shaken her head to rid herself of whatever had been plaguing her, "And Storm. It's been fun, but it's time we get to sleep," she said.
"Indeed," Rarity agreed.
"Fine."
"Eeyup."
"So..." Twilight trailed off, her eyes darting between the two only beds and her three house guests, "Uhh... how should we split up?" she asked.
Storm stiffened minutely and began to back away.
"I'll just sleep on the floor... or the couch," he said, already almost to the door, only for it to slam shut due to Twilight using the Force.
"No!" Twilight vehemently denied it, already dragging him back over with the Force, startling the boy, "You're my guest, and as the host, I can't let any of my guests just sleep on the floor!" she said before sending a discreet glance to the book she had laying next to her bed, "Besides, the book clearly states that everybody should have a sleeping bag... although none of us have those, so a bed will have to do!"
Rarity spoke up, "Hold on, wouldn't that mean that we'd have to share?" she asked before her eyes lit up and darted over to Storm with a sparkle that he didn't like seeing, for some reason.
Twilight flushed, "W-well, yeah, I suppose..." she murmured, idly cupping her chin.
Applejack shrugged, "Storm an' I can share. Mac an' I used ta have ta sleep in the same bed when we were kids, so I don't mind," she said diplomatically, and Storm found himself nodding along.
Storm's only issue was that he'd be stuck in the same room as Rarity and Applejack all night. Hopefully, their arguing would get toned down, if only for his and Twilight's sake.
"Well, I suppose that solves that, right, Rarity?" Twilight asked, already sliding underneath her covers, the dark blue fabric dotted with starbursts similar to her royal crest mark.
"Of course," Rarity said, although it seemed subdued for some reason. And, oddly enough, she was taking her time marching over to the bed, her eyes fervently darting over to the other pair, the orange half of the duo already in bed.
Come on, Rarity, think! This is the perfect opportunity to push those two together! So why does Applejack have to go and ruin it?!
This was precisely why she just couldn't stand that girl. Practical this! Practical that! Yes, practicality might be wonderful, but there was a time and place for everything! Applejack didn't seem to understand that the practical solution wasn't always the best. Or even the smart one. Like sharing a bed with Storm so that she and Twilight wouldn't have to feel uncomfortable. Yes, she'd admit it was a lovely idea, one that, had she not been intent on keeping those two together, she would've been perfectly content with.
But because that girl didn't take the time to see the little details that her practicality wouldn't let her see, she was ruining a perfect chance to spark a little romance between Storm and Twilight! Though, it did bring a thought to mind.
Why was she so... interested in this?
Was it the romantic in her? Was it her completely healthy interest in romance novels that just made her want to see one play out in front of her? Or was it her trying to cope with her own heartbreak involving the Jedi Knight?
Twilight, the dear, was a little genius. She was easily the smartest girl she'd ever met, but, at the same time, she could be a little bit of a dunce. A socially inept dunce, at that. She didn't seem to understand the concept of body language much, if at all. She and Applejack had been at each other's throats the whole night, yet Twilight didn't seem to pick up on it until Storm was ready to step in during the pillow fight. So it wasn't very difficult to pick up on what the princess was thinking. Why Twilight practically wore her heart on her sleeve!
Anyhow, it was because of this lack of filter that she seemed to possess that Rarity was able to tell that Twilight felt a little "something" for the boy. Perhaps it was the beginnings of a crush, or perhaps it was nothing more than Twilight being rather naïve and not understanding how to act around a boy her age. It wasn't impossible. But still, Rarity had seen that little "something," and she couldn't help it!
There was nothing more romantic than mutual attraction, after all.
The fashionista couldn't read Storm as well as her friend; she couldn't read him at all! Or at least, she was sure of it. Yes, she had spotted him looking confused before, even worried. But Rarity had this feeling. This... tingling in her gut-her instincts she knew-that was telling her that it was all fake. She didn't know why, but after all her years climbing the social ladder, she'd learned to trust her gut, and she would. Storm was a master actor. Even better than she, herself, was. And yet... It seemed to fade just a little around Twilight. And not only that but being around Storm seemed to give Twilight just a bit of a confidence boost. She wanted them to be happy with their lives and, from the looks of it, they would make each other happy.
So... How to get them together?
IDEEEAAA!~
Of course, her idea would mean she'd have to share a bed with that girl, but... She wasn't generous for nothing, now was she?
"Oh, Twilight!~" Rarity sang, having stopped just before getting under the sheets with the other girl.
Storm had also stopped as well upon hearing the mischievous tone in her voice, having just pulled the covers up to slide beneath them, and looked on, wondering what the girl was planning to do now.
"Yes, Rarity?" Twilight asked, looking just as nervous as he was beginning to feel. Rarity cocked a hip to the side and placed a hand on her chin, obviously trying to look like she was deep in thought.
"Well, I was thinking... Applejack and I haven't been getting along at all since you, oh so graciously, invited us into your home, yes?"
"Umm... yes, I noticed," Rarity giggled and clapped her hands together.
"Wonderful!" she gushed with a bright smile, then innocently tilted her head to the side, "So, I was thinking. Wouldn't it be best if Applejack and I shared a bed for the night? After all, it would be remiss to go to bed angry at each other, right?"
Storm's jaw nearly dropped in surprise, though Twilight's jaw did drop, as she lacked the same control as him. Storm had to fight the urge to growl at the alabaster girl instead of settling for a heated glare as she happily jogged over to him, even sending him a cheeky grin as she plucked the bed sheets from his hand with her own.
Well?" she asked him, not-so-subtly bumping his side with her own, sending him stumbling a step closer to Twilight, "Go on, it's time for bed after all."
"You evil son of a bitch!" mouthed Storm to Rarity as the girl smiled.
He was definitely going to get her back for this... But, as of right now, he couldn't. Grinding his teeth together, he made his way over to the shell-shocked princess, who had finally appeared to realize what Rarity and Applejack sharing a bed meant for the two of them. Even if he didn't care about sharing a bed with anyone, Twilight's obvious embarrassment made him uncomfortable with the whole thing. Luckily for Storm, he wasn't one to let his nerves show, so he slid right underneath the blankets next to Twilight without any obvious issue.
Twilight was on the verge of panicking. Not that she could be blamed, of course. After all, two friends had been fighting in front of her all day today, she'd had to deal with trying, and failing, to ask another one of her friends about himself, and now she had to deal with sharing a bed...
With a boy!
It didn't bother her much to share a bed with Rarity. After all, they were both girls. Even Applejack wouldn't bother her much, but Storm? She didn't know how to deal with that. Her brain, usually filled to the brim with complex arrays, long but efficient, mathematical formulas designed to gauge the amount of ambient energy it would take to fuel an active capacitor, had gone completely blank as the familiar male slid into the bed.
Right. Next. To her.
She could feel his weight depress the mattress beside her and smell the chocolate on his breath. She could see his brown hazel eyes peering straight into her own amethyst orbs.
Was it warm in here, or was it just her?
"You okay, Sparky?" the familiar masculine tone washed over her ears, calming her beating heart and even cooling her burning cheeks, directly contrasting to his presence.
"I-I'm fine," she stammered, closing her eyes as she gently buried her head into her pillow. It felt strange to have somebody right beside her in her own bed. But, she'd admit that it wasn't unpleasant.
"... If you're uncomfortable, I can leave, you know?" he asked. She cracked her eyes open, finding Storm lying there, looking concerned, their noses only a few inches apart. She shook her head, doing her best to keep from rocking the bed with the motion.
"N-no. It's fine," the princess whispered, fidgeting a little, before she gently curled up, "It's... it's nice," she admitted, feeling her face heat up at the confession. That seemed to surprise the usually blank boy, and a soft grin appeared on his face.
"Really?" he asked, his voice taking on a similar tone to Rarity's not too long ago, "You enjoy being in bed with a random stranger?" he asked.
Twilight's face burned at the jab, and before she could stop herself, she found her hand colliding with his shoulder, which honestly hurt Twilight more than it hurt him.
"D-don't say stuff like that!" she whispered furiously, not missing the way he smirked at her, or her heart rate picked up at sight.
Honestly, this boy was going to be the death of her!
It had taken some time, but Storm and Twilight managed to fall into a gentle slumber. Unsurprisingly, their unconscious bodies had drifted closer, leading to a slightly awkward awakening when both teens noticed their position upon waking. Twilight had cuddled into his chest while Storm somehow wrapped his arm around her, adding a distinct layer of intimacy that hadn't been there before. Of course, any feeling of awkwardness the two had shared was swiftly beaten to the side by their irritation upon realizing what had woken them.
"Keep your muddy hands away from me!"
"Mah hands ain't muddy; ya'll know that!"
"Yes, well, they were! There might still be a little on them!"
"There ain't! See?"
"Ewww!"
There was silence for a moment, and Storm and Twilight started redirecting their attention back to their issue, but it was interrupted again.
"Oh, now who's bein' inconsiderate?"
"Ohhh! I have to remake the bed, so the blanket's right! Get up!"
"Ah! Hey!"
Twilight gave a low growl from her position but otherwise buried her head further into his chest, likely attempting to block out Rarity and Applejack's constant arguing. Storm attempted to do the same. Try as he might, however, he could still faintly hear the two of them arguing, their voices taking on a muffled tone as they started an impromptu game of tug-of-war. Eventually, his patience started to wear down dangerously thin, but before he could voice his thoughts, Twilight beat him to it.
"ENOUGH!" she shouted, having shot up, tearing herself out of Storm's limbs without a second thought, "You two need to quit arguing!" she snapped, glaring furiously at the two girls, who had frozen, wide-eyed at their normally quiet friend's anger.
Of course, Twilight ruined the effect by shoving "Slumber Parties 101" in their faces.
"It says here that a successful slumber party requires everyone to 'have fun!', and thanks to you two, I can't check that off!" she shouted, crossing her arms with a huff.
"W-well, I've been tryin' mah hardest ta get along!"
"No, I'm the one who's been trying my best,"
"No, me!"
"No, me!"
"No, me!"
"No, me!"
"Shut the fuck up, you two!" Storm snarled, sitting up violently. Safe to say, both girls were now more scared of the boy as they didn't want to succumb to his Force powers again.
"Storm's right," Twilight began, "I hope you two are happy. You've ruined my very first slumber party! The makeovers, the s'mores, the pillow fight! Can anything else go wrong?"
The sound of something being struck by lightning echoed from right outside the window, punctuated by a bright flash of light.
"... You just had to ask..." Storm muttered, slinking out of bed and over to the window alongside Rarity and Applejack.
The two girls gasped at the sight. The lightning had struck a tall tree right next to the cottage. Oddly enough, the lightning had struck it more towards the middle of the tree than the top, and it had burned away a good portion of the trunk, leaving the heavy wind to push the weakened tree precariously towards the roof of the stable where the horses were.
"Damn," Storm growled, pushing open the window.
"What in the world are you doing?!" Rarity asked, backing away from the onslaught of rain now being let into the room.
"I'm jumping out. What does it look like?" Storm asked, but he had already jumped before she could answer.
"I gotta help Storm," she said, marching back up to the window. She pulled out some rope from her hat.
With practiced ease, the cowgirl flung her lasso up into the air, already twirling it like a pro, before snapping it out the window, snagging the tall tree around its middle, surprising the Jedi who was trying to shove it down between the buildings.
"Applejack, don't-!"
"That's how ya get it done, Rarity!" she interrupted before yanking hard on the rope.
A moment later, Applejack turned to Rarity with a smug look on her face, but it was quickly wiped away by the wide-eyed looks on both of the girl's faces, prompting her to turn back around. Applejack let out a surprised yelp and stumbled backward in surprise when her nose brushed against some leaves, the tree having been stopped just before crashing through the house. Twilight and Rarity both moved forward; the shock had left their systems rather quickly, and they glanced out the window, finding Storm underneath the tree, having caught it in the nick of time with his hand thrust out.
"Grr... someone slap that son of bitch for me, will ya?!" he growled, already pushing the tree away from the cottage, "Honestly, how the hell did she not notice she was pulling a collapsing tree right on top of her?!" he shouted over the wind.
"Hehe, sorry?" the country gal laughed sheepishly at the dark looks her two friends were throwing her.
"This is why it's important to pay attention to detail, Applejack," Rarity admonished, feeling a hint of glee at getting to tell the girl off, especially after her last comment, "If you had bothered actually to look like Storm and I, you would've realized that you were about to ruin Twilight's house!"
Meanwhile, Twilight was busy leafing through her book, wondering exactly where "outside maintenance" came into play.
Storm sighed, letting the tree fall safely to the ground with a notable thud. He shook his head, landing on the burned stump left behind by the lightning strike, letting his breathing calm and his heart rate drop. Seeing Applejack do something that stupid had nearly gotten him to panic. Really, how could anyone be that blind? He would've thought that, as a member of the Apple Family and someone who worked with trees, she would've known the number one rule when cutting down a tree.
A tree falls the way it leans.
Apparently not. Maybe it shouldn't surprise the Jedi. The Apples took good care of their trees, and, in all honesty, Macintosh was likely the one who dealt with cutting trees down, given his status as the elder sibling. Whatever. There was still one issue he had to solve.
He made it back to Twilight's bedroom window, shutting it gently behind him, but his appearance caused all conversation in the room to cease. His gaze snapped up, focusing immediately on the two trouble girls, Rarity and Applejack.
"You two, front and center. Now!" the Jedi Knight ordered, his tone demanding absolute obedience. They seemed to catch on, as they did as ordered immediately. The two girls glared at each other before Applejack spoke up.
"Well... like I said earlier, Rarity here is too busy lookin' at all the little details that she won't see the big picture," Applejack stated,
"And I believe that Applejack is much too focused on paying attention to certain details... like watching where a tree is about to fall," Rarity said, muttering that last part to herself.
"Right," Storm said, before taking a deep breath, "You're both idiots."
That seemed to have startled the two girls, who each sent him a rather affronted expression, and likely would've started to scold him had he not held up a hand.
"Let me finish, you lot," he snapped before straightening his back, "Listen, you two. You're both right, and, at the same time, you're both wrong," he began calmly, "The idea of looking at the little details and focusing on the big picture should be the same. You can't just do one and forget the other, otherwise things like that-" he gestured to the blackened remains of the tree outside, "will happen more often. You have to find the happy medium between the two, or else you'll be in for a very difficult life, get it?"
"Got it," they muttered, looking down at their feet.
"Good."
After scolding the two girls a little more, they ended up talking to each other, an event that Storm was too happy to tune out in favor of checking up on Twilight, who had yet to pull her nose out of her book. They ended up making up rather quickly, making the boy wonder why the argument seemed to affect them so badly in the first place. But as it was, the two of them got along pretty well after that. But it wasn't going to last, as the sun finally decided it was time to rise, marking the end of their little sleepover, with Storm starting to head downstairs.
"Leaving already?" a voice asked, causing Storm to pause in front of the door. He turned around, finding all three girls watching him, each looking put off. Regardless, he nodded.
"Yeah, seems things are okay, so you don't need me to be a bother," said the Jedi Knight.
"Well, you don't have to leave just yet," Rarity said, smiling slightly.
"Yeah, we've got some time ta play a few games, don't ya think?" Applejack added.
"After all, I can't exactly check off 'Have fun' without all of us, right?" Twilight finally asked, smiling shyly as she held up her book, gently tapping it with a quill.
Storm sighed but, after a moment, smirked.
"Fine."
Twilight smiled gently, watching as Storm gave the two blindfolded girls directions through a little book maze she'd helped build. It was a nice feeling to spend time with her friends. Even if Storm had been a little more distant than usual during the whole thing, he seemed to have loosened up now that morning had come around.
"What are you doing, Sparky?" asked Storm as he saw the princess writing something down in her personal notebook.
"Something I learned today," said Twilight as she read aloud to the boy what she wrote down. "I've always thought that two peoples whose personalities were worlds apart could never get along. But, today, I've learned that if you embrace those differences, you'd be surprised to find that you could be close friends after all! My friends Applejack and Rarity helped me learn that.'" she muttered softly before looking at her friends, stifling a laugh when she saw that Applejack had somehow ended up buried beneath a tower of books.
"A lesson that applies to us when we first met, right?" smiled the Jedi Knight to the princess.
"Right," said Twilight as she, too, returned the smile. She leaped forward and embraced Storm as the boy was caught off guard. "Thank you for making this a great slumber party."
The boy stood there as he processed the princess hugging him. She buried her head into his chest as he looked down at her. Storm then wrapped his arms around her as he placed his chin on top of Twilight's head, as he sighed.
"You're welcome, princess," said Storm softly as he held the girl with a smile on her face while still in his arms.