//------------------------------// // 58. The Third Date // Story: The Only Mark That Matters // by CocktailOlive //------------------------------// Radish dangled blindfolded and helpless ten stories above Canterlot’s skyline. “Light? I’m getting nervous.” “We’re almost there. Keep your blindfold on.” Light Fantastic released her grip on him. He felt his hooves make contact with a solid ceramic surface. By his estimation, she had set him down on a rooftop that had to have been one of Canterlot’s tallest. “Okay, now you can look.” He took off the blindfold and blinked. He was on a roof, all right, but of what building he couldn’t tell- they were completely surrounded by a dense cloud on all sides. Light Fantastic had spread out a quilt ahead of time and prepared a bottle of sparkling dandelion wine on ice. “Light, what is this place?” “One of the old side towers on the South Wall.” “What? No one’s allowed on top of the wall towers.” “Why do you think I put this cloud around it? No one will see us.” “An unauthorized cloud? That’s even more suspicious.” “Nah, it’s already a cloudy day. Nopony’s going to notice one more.” “If I get caught up here-” “I know. Feels exciting, doesn’t it? Why, Celestia herself could land right here at any moment and say, ‘Radish, how dare you sit on top of this old building that nopony cares about? To the dungeons with you!’” “We don’t have dungeons.” “Then where does she chain guys down to drip candle wax on them?” “I wish I knew.” Light popped open the wine and poured them both a glass. They leaned against the short wall surrounding the roof, and sipped. “This is nice. I’ve never been in a cloud before," said Radish. “Yeah, it helps to just block out the world with a big fluffy haze every once in a while.” “Thanks for setting all this up.” They shared the wine, chatting and laughing about all that had happened since the last time they had seen each other. After a while, Light scooted close to Radish. “So… I uh, don’t know how they do it on the Southern Plains, but in Canterlot, there’s kind of this rule about third dates.” He leaned in closer to her. “I know the rule.” “But we don’t have to, if you’re not comfortable with it.” “Why wouldn’t I be comfortable with it?” “It’s just… are you really okay with someone who’s not Celestia? Aren’t you worried you’re breaking with destiny or something?” Radish draped his hooves over her shoulders, gazing into her eyes. “Light, I spent most of my life thinking of nothing but her. But she told me herself it’s never going to happen. And ever since you and I met, I’ve thought of nothing but you instead. Celestia is my boss, my princess, and my friend. But she’s not my destiny. Destiny can jump off this tower.” “Oh. Wow. That’s a lot to hear.” She let herself fall onto her back, pulling him down with her. She wrapped her hooves around the back of his neck and held him close. “You know, it kind of feels like I’m stealing you from her. Taking the princess’s personal boytoy right out from under her.” “If you like that fantasy, by all means.” “What kind of fantasy do you like?” “Let’s find out. Together.” “You’re such a dork.” They drew their muzzles close together. “Hey! Who’s up there?” bellowed a furious voice. They froze. Radish looked down at Light, fear in his eyes. A City Watch pegasus had found their cloud. “This is an unsanctioned cloud in a restricted area! Come out with your hooves up!” Light whispered to Radish, “I can get rid of him.” Radish shook his head. “I’ll take the blame. Just slip away,” he whispered back. Light smiled. She pointed to her cutie mark, a prism separating a beam of light into a spectrum of colors. “Don’t you want to know how I got this? Check out the light fantastic, babe.” “You have to the count of three, then I’m taking this cloud down and anypony inside!” shouted the watchpony. Light spread her wings and flew a tight circle across the inner wall of the cloud, scraping moisture off and coating herself with a body-clinging robe of shimmering vapor. “One!” Light then tilted her wings and caught the sunlight on her feathers. The light spread and surged through her cloud robe, turning it into a blindingly iridescent dress. Radish shielded his eyes and looked away. “Two!” She then plunged her hooves into the surrounding cloud, and the shine leapt into it. The entire sky over the south wall blazed with searingly bright multicolored light. “Thr- aah!” shouted the watchpony. He fell back and rubbed his eyes. He held up a hoof to shield his vision, trying to see the cloud-topped tower, which now shone like a disco lighthouse. “A prism pulsar? That’s it! You’re toast!” He spun a tight loop in the air and flung a miniature tornado at the shimmering cloud. It dragged the cloud off into the horizon, leaving an empty tower roof. He flew over to inspect it, seeing only a blanket with a spilled bottle of wine. “Ugh, gross, a love nest.” Radish and Light crouched behind a boulder on Canterlot’s outskirts, hearts racing. Radish peeked out. “He’s gone.” “Woah, I’ve never actually cheesed it from the City Watch before,” said Light, proudly. Radish took her hooves in his. “That was incredible.” She pulled him close. “Stick with me, babe, you’ll see a lot of incredible thi-mmmphh!” She was interrupted by Radish pressing his lips against hers. She wrapped her wings around him. He lowered her to the ground. They broke the kiss, panting. “Light…” “Rad…” “Are you…?” “Yes. You?” “Yes.” Radish patrolled through the bright halls of the royal palace, humming to himself. Princess Celestia came out from a side door. “Oh, good morning, lieutenant,” she said. “Good morning, princess!” said Radish, a bit too loudly. “My, you seem chipper today.” “It must be the weather. It’s so nice out.” “Indeed. I love it when the air gets crisp and cool like this.” “It makes outdoor activities so much more invigorating, doesn’t it?” Radish said, looking out the tall windows to the mountain beyond the city. “Oh? What kind of outdoor activities have you been partaking in?” Radish froze. “Uh… picnics.” “Ah, how pleasant. Well, enjoy the sun.” “We will. I mean, I will.” She walked off. Radish watched her leave, then went along his way.