//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Afternoon Fun // by GhostRider1996 //------------------------------// After a short walk, Sweetie Belle found herself at the Golden Oak Library, where Twilight Sparkle lived. She entered the library and accidentally bumped into Spike, the baby dragon who lives with Twilight. “Ooof! Oh, hi, Sweetie Belle! What bring you here?” Spike greeted, politely. “Hello, Spike,” Sweetie Belle replied. “I’m sorry for bumping into you. I was looking for Twilight. I’d like to spend some time with her. Do you know where she is?” “She’s upstairs,” Spike answered with a chuckle. “Reading a book, I suspect. I’m on my way to Canterlot, right now. Princess Celestia has some work for me. Catch you later!” Sweetie Belle giggled, thanked him, and went upstairs to find Twilight exactly how Spike said she’d be: on her bed, reading a book. “Hi, Twilight,” she called out, catching the mare’s attention. “Oh! Hi, Sweetie Belle. I didn’t hear you come in. Spike’s already on his way, I presume?” Twilight asked. Sweetie Belle nodded in affirmation, then she noticed Twilight didn’t seem as cheerful as she usually is. “Are you okay, Twilight? You seem sad for some reason,” she asked with concern for her friend. The older unicorn gave her a sad smile. “I’ve just had a really busy week. And… for some reason, reading isn’t helping like it usually does. And, with most of my friends being out of town, including Spike, I’m at a loss for what to do,” she sighed, hanging her head slightly as she did so. “Is that so”? Sweetie asked. “I’m in a similar pickle. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo are out of town, too. That’s why I came to see you.” Then she gasped and her eyes widened as her lips spread into a wide grin. She had an idea! “Hey, Twilight! I just had an idea that might be able to help you.” Sweetie Belle stated. Twilight’s ears perked up at this, and she turned to give the filly her full attention. “Well… first, let me ask you,” Sweetie said. “Ask me what?” Twilight said, curious as to what the filly had in mind. “Are you ticklish anywhere?” Sweetie asked, a smug grin spread across her face. The question made Twilight’s breath hitch momentarily. Deciding to answer with the truth, she gulped and chuckled nervously, an embarrassed blush appearing on her cheeks. “Y-yes, Sweetie Belle. I… I am. Umm… w-why do you ask?” She spoke honestly. Sweetie Belle smiled. “Well, sometimes when one of us Crusaders is feeling down, a good tickle session usually cheers us all up. Rarity even tickles me, sometimes, when I’m feeling sad. It always makes me feel better. I think it’ll help you relax and brighten your mood. What do you say?” Sweetie explained. Twilight took a moment to consider the filly’s suggestion. Sweetie Belle had a point. She’d seen her friend, Pinkie Pie, tickle ponies before, and had even received some tickling from the party pony. She’d even been tickled during her fillyhood. Her parents, Princess Cadance, and brother all took advantage of the fact that she was ticklish. Even Princess Celestia herself had had some fun with it. And every experience had been a pleasant one that left everypony happy in the end, Twilight especially. Although, nowadays, she was embarrassed to admit it around anypony other than her brother, Shining Armor. But she wasn’t exactly sure why. Twilight looked down at Sweetie’s pleading expression. She smiled. “Well… I suppose that could be fun. What have I got to lose? Let’s do it!” She answered “Yay!” Sweetie Belle cheered. “I promise. You’ll love every minute of it.”