//------------------------------// // Chapter 19: Gift Wrapped // Story: Into the Black: A Mare's Tale // by shirotora //------------------------------// “Rider...” Cadence echoed, “So these callsigns are earned. They're kind of like a cutie mark that someone else gives you.” Twilight chuckled, “I never thought about it like that, but yes. It commemorates an important achievement, or reflects your personality. Take Debby's callsign, Firefly. She was on a mission to escort some civilians that were escaping an invasion. Before the first of the transports even left the atmosphere, she was hit hard. Despite the damage, she continued fighting off the Dratali, shooting down a dozen of them. The sight of her fighter on fire, but still kicking ass was how she earned not only her callsign, but also her place with the Griffins. Curt, though, got his after a particular night of drinking left him bare ass naked, hanging from a department store window. That's why he's Fool.” Twilight lit up another cigarette before continuing, “This brings us to a very memorable day for me. Two weeks after we were told of our assignment was a very important holiday. It was the human equivalent of Hearth's Warming... Christmas...” --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Twilight let out a loud yawn as she stretched her limbs. Her morning routine was the same as always: wake up, shower, brush teeth, clean/maintain leg, and get dressed. Her day stopped being normal right about here. The moment she opened her door she was met with a rather surprising sight. Her teammates threw a bunch of glittering tinsel in her face and yelled all at once, “Merry Christmas!” “Gah!” Twilight jumped back, startled, “What the hell guys?!” “It's Christmas,” Seth smiled. “It's our little Twilie's first Christmas,” Curt said in a cutsie wootsie voice, pinching the unicorn's cheek. Curt's hand was wrapped in a lavender aura and twisted around causing him to go to one knee and yelp at the discomfort. “First of all, do that again and I start breaking fingers.” Twilight scolded him, “Second, the only one who gets to call me 'Twilie' is my brother.” “Yes ma'am, can I have my hand back now?” Curt begged. “I foresee great pain in your future, Curt,” Seth said with an amused smile. “Christmas...” Twilight mused, “I read a little about it. It's humanity’s oldest holiday. One about peace, love, and presents. I didn't realize it was today.” Debby smiled and said, “Yep, and you're coming with us to a Christmas party, that's an order.” Twilight chuckled, “Well if it's an order, I guess I have no choice.” “You'll enjoy yourself, trust me,” Debby smiled, “Besides, you've been through a lot in the past... how long has it been?” “Four months, six days,” Twilight stated, “And it hasn't been all bad. Having millions of libraries worth of information in an object smaller than most books is something I never thought possible. Meeting All of you guys makes it a bit better. I mean, Curt, you're a pain in the flank, but you always make me laugh at your stupidity. Seth, you're one one of the nicest people I've meet. Debby... you honestly make me miss Rainbow Dash, seriously, it's scary how similar you are. Aden, I love learning all about the way tech works with you. Raak...” She got a dreamy look in her eyes, “I love you... sparring!” She added the last part a little forcefully, “I love sparring with you, hehehe.” Both she and Raak glanced around awkwardly, not wanting to look the other in the face. Curt barely held back his mirth. He didn't want to invoke the wrath of two beings that could turn him inside out (one of them literally). Thankfully, Seth decided to break the tension and change the subject, “So, the party starts at 18:00 in the rec room.” “Right! Right...” Twilight jumped on the new topic, “18:00, got it. I'll be there.” “So,” Debby interjected, “You guys go on ahead and get our grub.” The others headed to the galley to get their breakfast leaving the ladies to themselves. “Stupid, stupid, stupid!” Twilight berated herself when they were alone, “I can't believe I just said that! Now he probably knows I like him and things are just going to be weird between us.” “Calm down, Twilight,” Debby said, placing a hand on the pony's shoulder, “To tell you the truth, he already knows. Hell half the crew does by now.” “But,” Twilight gave her friend a hurt look, “You said you wouldn't tell.” “I didn't,” Debby explained, “You're just not very subtle. You know, with the doe eyes, dreamy smiles, and stammering every time you talk to him.” The half Aviva took a seat on the bed. “Do... do I really act like that?” Twilight asked as she joined her friend. Debby nodded, “I guess now I know how Spike felt when he found out everyone knew about his crush. What am I going to do? I hate this. I can't focus whenever he's around. You know more about this kind of thing, what can I do?” “You could get him to sleep with you,” Debby said nonchalantly. Twilight's eyes widened and her face became beet red, “Wh, wh, what? I, I, I d, don't think... Ahaha...” “You asked,” Debby said, “I'm not sure what ponies think about interracial relationships, but it's quite common in the Alliance. I'm not the only one with two different races in my family tree. Raak's grandmother was human.” “I didn't know that,” Twilight said, “So, I'm the only one of us without human ancestry? That's kind of strange. Well it's rare for ponies to have a relationship with anyone other than another pony, but it's not looked down upon. In fact Gilda, a griffin friend of Rainbow Dash, is married to a pegasus named Thunder Lane.” “So what's the problem?” Debby asked, a hint impatience showing. “Because...” Twilight's blush returned, “I've never done it before.” “Well then,” Debby stood up and grinned, “My Christmas present to you is to get you laid!” --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- “Oh, Goddess,” Shining facehoofed, “Tell me you didn't. Please, Twilie, tell me you didn't actually sleep with him.” “Are you kidding?!” Rainbow Dash jumped in, “Tell me you did! You did didn't you. That's why you're so much more laid back than before. How was it?” “Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. You'll have to wait until I get to that part.” Twilight chuckled and incinerated the butt of the cigarette she just finished, “So, skipping past breakfast, polishing my armor, lunch, and a couple hours of getting ready with Debby, and we come to the party...” --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Debby gave Twilight one more look over. The tomboyish officer had a friend of hers from medical help get the purple unicorn ready (seeing as she really didn't know fashion). Twilight wore a simple form fitting black dress. It turned out Debby purchased it a week ago and had planned on giving it to her for Christmas anyway. Now, though, there was a reason to wear it. “Lookin' good Pony Girl,” Debby said as she brushed a bit of dust from Twilight's shoulder, “You ready for the best night of your life?” “No, but I doubt I ever will be so let's just go,” Twilight said nervously. She was thankful her mane was so short because otherwise there would have been a few strands out of place from how nervous she was. Am I really going to do this? She thought to herself as she was ushered into the lounge. I'm going to a party with the intent of seducing a guy. “Wow, Twi,” Curt looked at her with wide eyes, “You look nice.” “Oh, thanks,” Twilight said with a blush. “Watch out. A cute girl like you might find herself having to beat the guys off herself with a stick,” Seth added. “Oh stop, I'm not that pretty,” Twilight waved a hoof at them, “I mean, I'm purple.” “Lavender,” Curt corrected. Twilight gave him a deadpan stare, “Lavender is a shade of purple, dumb ass. Still, No one likes dark colors. All the stallions want a mare that's white, yellow, pink... a light color.” “Well they're retarded,” Debby stated, “Raak, could you please tell her she's attractive.” The silver furred warrior was sitting in the corner talking to a human woman. He smiled at the woman, as Twilight fought the urge to throw herself out the nearest airlock. He approached the group with a smile that seemed rather forced. “Yes, Twilight, you are attractive,” he said. Twilight felt like her heart was going to explode. He just called her attractive. “Wouldn't you want to tap that?” Debby asked, much to Twilight's mortification. Raak sighed, “So that's what this is about. Twilight may I speak with you in private for a moment?” She just nodded and followed him out of the lounge and into a deserted portion of the hallway. He squatted down with his back on the wall to look the pony in the eye. “Alright,” he began, “I know you have feelings for me and I'm honored that you would see me as a potential mate, but surely you know we can never truly be together?” “I, I know,” Twilight stared at the floor, “Debby told me about...” She trailed off, unable to mention it. “Yes,” a glimmer of a tear formed in his eye, “So you know your pursuit of me is futile.” Tears were starting to fall down Twilight's face, “Then just give me one night. That's all.” He had to turn away from her, “Twilight, you're a good friend... But I just can't think of you in that light. I'm sorry, but I have no more desire to sleep with you as I do with Debby or Curt. I'm sorry.” With that he stood up and left the mare alone to her thoughts. She sat there quietly crying until the sound of footsteps brought her out of her thoughts. She looked over as Curt sat down beside her. He didn't say anything. He just sat there staring at the wall, waiting. Twilight finally found her voice, “I really am stupid.” “If that's true, then what does that say about the rest of us?” Curt said, “After all, you're the smartest person I know.” “I can't believe I was planning on sleeping with him,” Twilight admitted, “How the hell was that going to help?” “Debby told us,” He lit up a cigarette, the smoke being instantly sucked into a filter vent, “Debby's a cool chick and all, but never take any advice from her on relationships.” Twilight laughed despite herself, “No kidding. I'm even more stressed out than before this stupid party.” “Well you know,” Curt let the cigarette hang in his mouth while he reached around behind him, “We could...” He was cut off by a purple light pulling the tobacco product from his mouth. It floated from his mouth to Twilight's, “Um... You remember what happened last time you did that?” “Fuck it,” Twilight said as she inhaled the smoke, trying not to cough. She released the cloud and coughed a bit, “I'm told these calm the nerves, and my nerves really need calming.” “You do know those aren't healthy, right?” The sniper asked. “With the rate things are going, I'll probably be dead before it has a chance to do anything,” replied his lavender friend, “Besides, I'm too upset to care.” “Alright,” he said hesitantly, “I take it you're not going back in?” Twilight shook her head, “Well then, let's have our own party.” Curt pulled out a bottle of tequila and a pair of shot glasses. Twilight looked at the bottle, “Why not,” Twilight took another drag on the cigarette and coughed a little, “What's the worst that can happen?” --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Twilight laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. Half a million thoughts raced through her head along with a headache. She always heard that ponies forget what happens when they're drunk, but she didn't forget anything. She remembered everything from the first shot. “Um... Twilight?” Said a voice beside her, “Did we really just..?” Apparently Curt remembered too. “Uh-huh.”