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// A Pleasant Day 
// Story: Spike's Greatest Endeavor 
// by Troyjan 
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Rarity continued to observe the view before her. The tops of the buildings of Ponyville to the Southwest were visible in the horizon. On the opposite side of the horizon were and the city walls of Canterlot to the Northeast. The tree lines of the Everfree Forest were visible all the way in the South. Surrounding the tallest spot in the valley, were all the lower peaks and hill tops. In the skies directly above were large, white, fluffy clouds, pushed along the sky on a comfortably cool and refreshing breeze. In all her years, Rarity had not seen any sight quite like the one before her. The scene seemed fantastical to her, almost as if it were taken from a majestic painting. Beneath Rarity’s hooves was a small patch of dark green grass, atop a soft layer of topsoil that clung atop the mountain’s peak. Complimenting the blades of grass in the dirt were the light violet flower pedals of wild lilacs. Rarity could certainly see that it was a nice spot. Perhaps it was almost worth the walk from her home that had taken over an hour. Looking around at the scenery again and taking it in once more, the atmosphere sort of felt comfortable to Rarity, possibly even romantic.
Spike squatted down, carefully placed the heavy basket down on the grass, and let a loud sight of relief. His back and neck loudly cracked as he stretched and decompressed his entire spine. Then Spike unfolded the red and white checkered blanket, placing it down at the very center of the space.
“Allow me,” offered Rarity, as she eyed up the large basket Spike had placed down. She used her magic to telekinetically lift it off the ground, but the basket instead stayed in place. Rarity tried applying more magic, but the stubborn object did not budge. Trying once more, Rarity exerted her magic strength to nearly full force, and managed to lift the densely packed container just barely off the grass. With great care, she slowly moved it towards her on the blanket, and placed it down.
“My, that is heavy,” commented Rarity. “Spike, how in Equestria did you carry this thing all the way up here? You must be exhausted.”
“Nah, it was nothing. I’ve carried more than this many times before, such as when I go with you to shop for clothing materials,” boasted Spike. “Although, I will admit, the walk took longer than I expected. I guess I got so used to flying everywhere, that I forgot how long it takes to walk to places.”
“Well, I for one must agree with the notion that little expedition of yours was certainly a long walk,” said Rarity, as politely as possible.
“Well, it’s not very often that I have the chance to get out and go to places like these. Whenever I do, I might as well make the most of it. And since you were coming long, I thought I’d make it special.”
“I suppose I see your reasoning. Still, you didn’t need to take us all the way out here. The fields back home would have done just fine,” voiced Rarity, as she lowered her body to allow her saddle bags to slide off her back. Placing them aside, she laid down on the edge of the picknick blanket. “But now that we’ve settled down, would you mind getting us started.”
“Ah yes, I was just about to do so Rarity,” said Spike as he opened the lid of the basket. He first grabbed the three small trays that Rarity had given him, and placed them down. Then Spike took out several plates, glasses, and two placemats with sets of silverware that he had taken from the kitchens of Canterlot Castle. After that, he began to take out numerous trays and containers of food, along with a tall glass pitcher of water. Finally, Spike took out a small vase, and placed it atop the basket between them. Rarity was both impressed and mystified with just how much stuff Spike had managed to fit into such a compact space.
“I was goanna bring a table, some chairs, and some candles, but I felt that they might have been too excessive. That, and I would have needed to bring them up in a separate trip.”
“That’s certainly all right Spike. I was just expecting a modest lunch, nothing more.”
Rarity’s attention turned to the small vase that sat between her and Spike. It was plain looking and oddly shaped. It seemed to be some sort of strange decoration.
“Then is there anything I could start you with first Rarity?,” asked Spike as he placed a plate down in front of her.
“I could certainly use a glass of cold water right now. I am utterly parched.”
Spike poured two glasses of slightly cooled water, which had warmed significantly during its trip, and passed one of the glasses to Rarity. “I could certainly use some water right now too,” said Spike, picking up the other glass. “Is there anything you would like to try first,” asked Spike, gesturing to the assortment of dishes that he had packed and now had spread out.
Rarity took a sip of her water. “Oh, Spike, you made so much,” said Rarity, glossing over the considerable assortment. “Where did you learn to make all these different dishes?”
“I got some practice making Twilight’s meals over the years, and I had a lot of ideas. I didn’t know what you wanted, so I just made a bunch of dishes that I usually make for Twilight. This way, you can choose from whatever you prefer, and I can just pack the rest for later. For today, I brought a wildflower and spinach salad, seasoned radishes, wheat meal, barley stew, omelets, banana bread, some oat sandwiches of my own…”
“An omelet sounds lovely right now,” said Rarity.
“Certainly,” answered Spike, as he lifted one of the ceramic containers, along with a large serving fork, and placed a sizeable omelet onto Rarity’s plate.
Rarity used her magic to lift her fork and knife from her placemat, cut a piece of her omelet, and took the first bite. She tasted a balanced, and properly seasoned omelet. It was completely standard and ordinary, and otherwise unnoteworthy. Across from her, Spike had put most of the small oat sandwiches that she made onto his own plate, and quicky scarfed one down. After remembering his manners, Spike waited a moment before he reached for another one of the sandwiches, and then began to slowly eat it in small, slow bites.
“Gee, I hardly eaten since yesterday. These are delicious Rarity!”
“It’s a simple dish that I make for myself for lunch from time to time. I’m glad you like them.”
“You have good culinary skills. Is there any artform that you haven’t mastered yet, Rarity?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say I have mastery in the culinary arts, I just try to have refined tastes,” Rarity responded. “And while I do appreciate you saying such nice things, excessive flattery can come off as indecent or impersonal. Not that I particularly mind Spike, I just thought I should let you know for your own sake,” explained Rarity.
“I think I understand Rarity,” said Spike, as he slowly dug into the ample pile of food on his plate. After a pause, he looked up at the sky. “These clouds are making some nice shade. I felt that it was getting just a bit too warm earlier. But now, this breezes feels just right.”
“I must concur, what absolutely lovely weather we are having right now,” added Rarity, as she slowly finished her omelet. “I never would have known that a meal atop a mountain top could be so relaxing. But I must ask, however did you find out about this place?”
“Oh, I discovered this place a while back when I went flying w-,” answered Spike, before immediately clenching his jaw. He had found this particular mountain top during one of his flights with his friend Gabby. Even now, Spike remembered the griffon’s smile in vivid detail, and was unable to clear the image from his thoughts. Had things been different, it was entirely possible that he could have taken Gabby on this picnic instead of Rarity. That was an uncomfortable thought.
“Spike are you alright?,” inquired Rarity.
Spike shook his head. “Oh, right, as I was saying… I discovered this place when I was first practicing flying on my own, a long time ago. I needed a convenient place to land, and found this place,” answered Spike, cautious to not mention Gabby’s name. He knew that he could not afford to introduce any further complications.
“Hmmm,” contemplated Rarity. “I always wondered what it would feel like to be able to fly all on my own, without any other creature’s assistance.”
“Can’t you unicorns lift yourself into the air with your magic? I think Twilight did that once before former Princess Celestia made her an alicorn.”
“Oh, that is something that’s very difficult to do. If I were to try it, I would not be able to float very fast, or keep myself up for very long. It would hardly be the same as flying. No, I am curious to know what it’s like to truly fly like a pegasi, or in your case, as a dragon. What do you see, what do you feel, and how do you manage moving at such high speeds and altitudes?”
“I admit, I don’t have the words to describe all that. It’s one of those things that you just have to experience to understand for yourself. Although, once you mastered it, flying really isn’t that special. Maybe someday, and somehow, you can experience what it’s like to fly on your own too.”
“That’s certainly some optimistic thinking.”
“Oh, I just got a great idea!,” exclaimed Spike. “Perhaps Twilight or some-creature else could use a spell that temporarily grants you wings. Then we could fly around together. I’ve seen Discord do something similar where he would summon various kinds of animal wings onto younger unicorns and earth ponies, and watch them take to the skies.”
“Well, that certainty sounds fun and all, but also a tad impractical. Even if proper flight were easy and did not require extensive practice, I imagine it would be rather burdensome to ask Twilight, or, heavens forbid, Discord, to grant me wings. Although, I do admit, the idea does seem spectacular.”
“I agree. Imagine if Twilight had the power to make you an alicorn. You would have your own permanent set of wings. That would sure be something, wouldn’t it.”
“Even if Twilight did have that power, surely it would be irresponsible of her to ascend any pony she pleases to the status of an alicorn.”
Spike though about what Rarity said and took a long look at her. “I can certainly picture you as an alicorn Rarity.”
“You can?,” said Rarity inquisitively.
“Yeah. You would have majestic wings with long white feathers. But besides that, and maybe having a taller frame, I say that you almost look like an Alicorn already, Rarity. With your long, neat mane, your fine white hair, your clean hooves, and your deep blue eyes, you’re already the very image of equestrian royalty. In fact, I’d dare say that as an alicorn, you’d look finer than even Celestia herself.”
A pink blush temporally formed over Rarity’s face. “Spike, I already told you that you shouldn’t flatter me like that,” said Rarity, lowering the brim of her hat and moving her hoof in front of her mouth in an attempt to obscure her smile. This wasn’t the first time Rarity fantasized about herself as a princess, and it certainly wasn’t an unpleasant concept. Spike certainty agreed with her on that.
“Whoops, sorry about that.”
“No need to apologize Spike. Just try to remember that for later.”
“Will do,” answered Spike. He then looked down at Rarity’s almost empty plate.
“Is there anything else you would like?”