//------------------------------// // Rich in Flowers, Unlucky in Love // Story: Serendipity: An Odd Pairings Anthology // by applezombi //------------------------------// He was not a conventionally attractive pony. “Hello.  I need a bouquet.” Daisy wasn’t very busy.  Few ponies were out in the market due to the overcast sky.  Rose and Lily were both in the greenhouse, prepping for a large wedding order. “You’re in the right place for it!” Daisy said cheerfully.  “What’s the bouquet for?” He was short and thin, though he didn’t look unhealthy.  His mane cut was strange, with flat front bangs.  It felt oddly anachronistic; some kind of fashion throwback. But his appearance wasn’t off-putting, and his voice was intriguing.  He had an accent she couldn’t quite place; not really a Trottingham one, but something else.   She wanted to hear more of it. “Oh, well, I suppose it is for this mare.” “A mare, huh?  Your marefriend?” “N-no.  Well, not yet.  But I hope she’ll let me court her.  I’m going to bring her flowers and then ask if she has any regard for me.” There it was again.  A sense that there was something slightly odd about this stallion, something oddly out of place.  Who said ‘court’ any longer?  Or used ‘regard’ in that way? Daisy found it irresistibly mysterious. “Who?  I know most of the ponies in town.” “Ah.  It is Starlight Glimmer.  She has shown me great kindness in the past, and I hold her in high esteem.  I do hope that she shall return my affection.” “Well, let’s get you going on a bouquet, then!” Daisy said.  “You’re going to want something that will complement her mane and her coat.  Let me show you some options.” The lure of a mystery fades if it’s not at the forefront of your mind.  Daisy didn’t think of the pony for several weeks, until once again he showed up while she was tending the cart by herself. “Greetings.  I need to purchase a white rose.” “Oh, it’s you!” Daisy said brightly.  “Is the rose for Starlight?  How’d things go?” She regretted asking as soon as she saw his face fall.  But then he sighed, and gave a gentle smile. “Twas not to be, sadly.  Though I believe we shall always be friends, romance is not in our cards.” She liked the way he spoke. “Who is the rose for, then?” “Ah.  Well, while I am unfamiliar with traditional courting trends, Starlight graciously helped to arrange something for me called a ‘blind date’.  I shall be meeting a mystery pony, someone named ‘Cheerilee’.  I am to arrive at Cafe Hay, and signal my presence with the rose.” “Oh, a blind date?  They can be fun!” Daisy said with a laugh.  “And Cheerilee is—” “Hold!” the stallion said.  “Please do not, as they say, ‘spoil the surprise’.  That would ruin the purpose of the blind date.” “Oh!  Of course,” Daisy said.  “Just one white rose?  Okay.  But if things go well, I’ll bet you’ll be right back for more,” she said winking. “One can only hope,” he replied wistfully.  “I never thought it would be this difficult to find romance.  I suppose I am just luckless.” “You can’t think that way,” Daisy scolded as she wrapped clear floral paper around the outside of the rose stem.  “Just because you haven’t found somepony yet doesn’t mean there’s not mares out there that would love to go out with you.” Like Daisy.  Her heart thudded at the sudden intrusive thought. Down girl.  He’s a customer.  And you don’t even know his name yet. “Here you are, and good luck.  I’m sure you’ll have fun,” she said with another smile.  “By the way, I know most of the ponies in town but I’ve never met you.  What’s your name?” “Oh, I am not from Ponyville.  I make my abode in Canterlot, and just keep getting drawn back here for ill-conceived attempts at romance.”  He held out a hoof.  “My name is Stygian.” “Stygian.  That’s a nice name.  I’m Daisy.” And now she knew his name. “Somepony has a crush.” “Rose, I don’t…” “Oh, can it, Daisy.  You do.  You know how Pinkie Pie has a Pinkie sense?  I have a crush sense.” “You’re making that up, there’s no way…” “You can’t lie me, Daisy.  Okay, maybe I don’t really have a crush sense, but I know all the signs.” This time it was Lily’s turn to run the register while Rose and Daisy worked in the greenhouse.  Rarity had ordered several dozen bundles of lavender. “The signs?” “You’re staring off into space and sighing, with a dumb smile on your muzzle.  And I caught you doodling in your journal with hearts around his name.” “You read my journal?” Daisy shrieked, dropping the blossoms she’d been wrapping. Rose gaped at her. “N-no.  I was kidding, you know I would never.  Celestia’s sake, did you really do that?” “N-no comment,” Daisy stammered, hastily ducking down to pick up the lavender stems.  “Besides, it can’t really be a crush if I barely know the pony.  He doesn’t even live here.  He just comes to Ponyville to… to buy flowers and get romantically rejected.” “You’re exaggerating.” “I’m not!” Daisy said.  “He seems so sweet, and he takes rejection so well.  First it was Starlight, then he went on a pair of dates with Cheerilee before they decided not to go any further.  And just yesterday he came back for another bouquet.  This one was for Rarity.” Rose flinched.  “He doesn’t stand a chance.” “You don’t even know him!  He’s a sweetheart, and the way he talks is so…” “...so what?” “I don’t know.  It’s formal and old, and his accent is adorable.” “But,” Rose noted.  “It’s Rarity.  This pony would have to be an absolute Adonis in order to meet her standards.  How’s this hapless stallion in the looks department?” “He’s…” Daisy hesitated, and Rose let out a chuckle.  “Hey!  Don’t be rude.  He’s… unique looking.” “Uh huh,” Rose said with a raised eyebrow.  “And what does he do for a living?” “I… don’t know.  Something in Canterlot.” “So maybe he’s rich enough for Rarity to pay attention.” “It sounded like they’ve met before.  Maybe he has a chance with her.”  Daisy didn’t know why she was defending his chances with Rarity.   “Do you want him to?” Rose asked. “No!” she said instantly, then colored as Rose smirked.  “I mean, yes.  He seems so nice.  He deserves somepony nice, too.” “Like a down-to-earth flower girl?” “Shut up, Rose.  Like I said, he’s a customer.  I’ve never run into him outside of work.” “Well, what’s his name at least?” “Stygian.” “Stygian the author?” Rose sounded impressed.  “Maybe he does have a chance with Rarity.” “He’s an author?” Daisy finished her bundle of lavender, tying it with a piece of jute and a fancy bow.  “What does he write?” “Memoirs about his life.  Daisy, you should read them.  He’s led an… interesting life. He’s written three.” “Oh!” She had to get her hooves on those memoirs.  Anything to unlock the mystery of the poor stallion with the odd accent, strange vocabulary, and bad luck in love.  “Yes, can I please?” “Careful, girl.  That sounded eager,” Rose teased.  Daisy rolled her eyes. “Like I said, he’s a customer, so off limits.  Still, it can’t hurt to learn more about him, right?” “...he formed the Pillars!  And knows the Elements!  And he’s met the princesses!  All of them.” “Daisy.” “He’s over a thousand years old, and he knows more about magic than half of the professors at Celestia’s school!  The reason he sounds so different is because he learned to talk practically before the wheel was invented.” “Daisy…” “Can you imagine the stories he has to tell!  Trapped in limbo for a thousand years!  Possessed by the Pony of Shadows!  Consumed by, and then overcoming, his own inner darkness!  He’s like… a wounded soul in need of a perfect mare to heal him!  It’s just like…” “DAISY!” “...yes, Rose?” “I know.  I’ve read the books already.  Besides, we’re here.” They were, in fact, at the castle.  The crystal walls of the Castle of Friendship glinted in the mid-afternoon sun.  Rose moved up the steps while Daisy unhitched the wagon full of lavender bundles.   Rose pulled the bell. “We’re really going to have to find a way to help you run into him outside of work.  So you can finally ask him out like a normal, sane pony.” “But he’s so out of my league.  And he’s just asked Rarity out.” Knowing the mystery hadn’t helped.  In fact, it made things worse.  Now she knew just exactly how special he was, and exactly how far above her he was, too.  She tried not to fiddle her hooves in agitation while she and Rose waited. “You know that doesn’t matter, Daisy.  Just…” The large doors opened with a groan of the hinges, surrounded in a blue aura of magic. “Daisy!  Rose!  So glad you could accommodate my order at the last second.” Rarity’s presence, of course, interrupted just at the right dramatic moment.  She pranced out of the castle and lifted the entire order in her magic all at once. “Of course, Rarity,” Rose said.  “Anything for one of our best customers.  What is it for?  A date?” Daisy’s heart thudded in her chest. “A d-date?” Rarity stammered.  “Why would you think that?” Rarity was flushed.  Her mane was out of sorts, like she’d been obsessing about something.  Anypony who spent any amount of time about Rarity had seen it before. Something inside of Daisy felt stretched.  Like it was about to snap.  If Rarity was getting this flustered, then… “Well,” Rose said, glancing back and forth between Daisy and Rarity.  Even she looked worried.  “There’s the fact that you just ordered an entire cartload of flowers.  And there’s your mane and your coat.” “O-oh, I have a spa appointment later, to take care of this disaster,” Rarity said, letting out a nervous chuckle. The stretching thing inside of Daisy bent and trembled.  She had to look away. “Because you want to look your best for your date?”  Her voice trembled. “Well, if you must know,” Rarity gushed.  “Yes.  Lavender is her favorite, after all, and…” “Her?” Daisy’s head shot up, eyes wide with surprise.  She exchanged a shocked glance with Rose. “Now, can you two keep a secret?  I know that this may be the juiciest gossip Ponyville has heard in ages, but I promised her I’d keep things low-key.”  “You have our promise,” Rose said, still wide-eyed.  Daisy’s heart pounded, this time with hope, not fear. “Yes, well, of course you have always been allies in the noble cause of romance,” Rarity said with a bit of a giggle.  “But, as long as you can keep quiet about it, I’ll let you know.  Tonight I am playing host to…”  she lowered her voice conspiratorially.  “...the Princess of the Moon herself.  Her Royal Highness, Princess Luna, has graciously accepted my invitation for a quiet date in the castle.” Rose grinned widely.  “Really!  Well, good for you, Miss Rarity.  I hope it goes well.  And you’ll have to tell us all about it later.  If you can.” Daisy nodded dumbly. “I will, I will!” Rarity gushed.  “But I can’t stay and talk now, I’ve got so much to set up!  And the spa, too!  Thanks again, and you can just charge my account.” “Will do, Rarity,” Rose said, eyeing Daisy with a smirk.  “This is excellent news.” Maybe not for Stygian.  But Daisy couldn’t help but feel a thrill of hope. “I’ll catch up with you both after it’s all done,” Rarity said, as she floated the flowers inside.  “Wish me luck!” And with that she closed the door. Daisy and Rose were left alone, with Rose smiling broadly and Daisy…suddenly full of butterflies. “Poor Stygian,” she said. “...what?” Rose asked.  “That’s your takeaway here?” “Well, if she’s going out with Princess Luna, that means… Rarity rejected him.  Another rejection.” “Well, it just means we’ll have to find a way to make sure that you meet him outside of work.” “Rose, are you scheming something weird?” “Well…” Rose said coyly, then turned down the path back to town. “Rose, I know that voice.  You’re planning something.  I swear to Celestia, if you plan something crazy, I’ll…” “You’ll what, Daisy?  Thank me when everything turns out perfectly and you finally get to ask out your crush?” “Rose, don’t you dare!” But there had not been enough time for scheming.  Spring was their busiest season; between Mare’s Day, various festivals and holidays, and the ever-popular outdoor wedding rush, there was little room for romance. Daisy didn’t mind too much; it kept her mind off of the fact that she still had no idea how to appropriately and officially meet Stygian outside of work. Or if she even wanted to try. But every time she thought of him, she thought of all the things she’d read in his book.  That, and the desperate, hopeful look in his eye every time he came to their flower cart to get a new bouquet for his next doomed romantic attempt. It was truly impressive how resilient he was in the face of so many setbacks.  Endearing, really. “Daisy!  You’re doing it again!” Lily sounded annoyed.  Daisy shook her head and refocused on the line from their stall, extending all the way across the market. “Doing it again? “Sighing and staring dumbly off into space.  Can’t you focus on the customers?” Lily hissed. “Give her a break,” Rose said from behind them, as she arranged bundles, pots, and bouquets.  “She’s caught a bit of a bug.” And then giggled. “Right,” Lily rolled her eyes, but smiled.  “Lovesickness is a recognized medical diagnosis, is it?” “Quiet, you two,” Daisy muttered, turning from them to the next customer in line.  “Yes, how can…” It was him. “Ah.  H-hello, Miss Daisy.  I find myself in need of a boutonniere.” “Oh.  So…” her brain felt like scrambled eggs.  “...um.  How did, er, your thing with Rarity go?” She felt, rather than saw, Rose flinch beside her.  Of course Daisy already knew how it went.  But Stygian didn’t know she knew.  And she didn’t want to— “Not…n-not ideally,” he said, and Daisy’s heart broke a little at the way his ears drooped.  “But!”  His smile was a bit forced, but he perked back up.  “I’m not giving up.  There’s something called a ‘speed dating’ event.  Allegedly a large number of us are paired at random and have five minutes to interact, before a timer rings, and all the stallions switch places.” Stygian shrugged, looking uncomfortable. “Honestly, I do not see the attraction.  You modern ponies and your traditions seem so strange to me sometimes, but if it helps me find love…” “The way you never give up is really great,” Daisy said in a rush.  “I really love that about you!  I mean, uh—” “Speed-dating is a waste of time,” Rose said, and Daisy stared at her in panic.  “What you really need to do is open your eyes, Mister Stygian, and notice the wonderful mares all around you that would be perfectly willing to be with a stallion like you.” “I wish I could, miss,” Stygian said sadly.  “But I don’t think here’s many mares out looking for a scrawny failed supervillain, are you?” “You’d be surprised,” Rose muttered. “S-so!  What do you want on your boutonniere?” Daisy stammered. “I do not know what would suit me best,” he admitted.  “I shall rely on the advice of the expert.” “Daisy!” Rose hissed, gripping Daisy’s shoulder with a hoof and pulling her to the back of the stall.  “I need to talk to you.  Now.” “But—” “Now, Daisy.” With a yank, she pulled Daisy a few feet away, while Stygian looked on with confusion. “Ask him out.  I’m tired of seeing you moping and pining, and you both deserve somepony nice.  Besides, he gets flushed whenever he comes to the shop, and whenever he chats with you.” “But it’s inappropriate workplace behavior to—” “AAARRGG!  Fine!  You’ve forced my hoof.  Daisy!  As of this second, you’re FIRED!” “WHAT!” Daisy shrieked. “...for ten minutes.  Then you’ll get your job back, at ten bits an hour.” “But you pay me nine now, what…” “FIRED, Daisy.  As of this second, and for the next six hundred seconds after, you are not an employee, and are not bound by any policies or ethical standards that may or may not require you to maintain a professional distance between you and any customers you might have a hopeless infatuation for.  And if any customers within the sound of my voice who had, for reasons of propriety and a polite respect for professional boundaries, had never considered asking a gorgeous and single mare like Daisy here out on a date, please know that she is now available for asking.” The assembled customers stared in confusion and shock.  Stygian looked like he’d been struck with a two-by-four. Daisy stared, mouth open. Stygian stared back. “Um…” “Well, I should think…” “Maybe, uh…” “Perhaps we could…” “OH FOR CELESTIA’S SAKE, YOU’RE BOTH TERRIBLE!” Rose shrieked.  “Here!” She thrust a boutonniere in Stygian’s frozen hoof.  It was a red carnation, with greenery and baby’s breath. “Wear this, and a nice suit coat.  Skip your speed dating waste of time, and meet Daisy at Cafe Hay.  Six o’clock tonight.  Got it?” “Y-yes, Miss Scary Flower Lady.” “And you!” Rose rounded on Daisy.  “You’ll get off work an hour early to go get ready.  I’ll call ahead to let the spa know you’ll be coming, and make sure to bring your blue dress, it goes well with your green eyes.  Besides, Stygian will love it.  THERE.  You’re going out on a date, and we can all stop sitting around and waiting for you to figure yourselves out and get on with our lives.  Any objections?” Daisy and Stygian stared at each other.  Slowly he started to smile. “None from me.” Daisy gulped. “M-me neither.” “That’s settled, then,” Rose said with a snort.  “Good.”