//------------------------------// // Matters of the Heart // Story: Brand New Dusk // by AlphatheGriffin17 //------------------------------// "Well, that was certainly an... interesting day," Dusk remarked, as he went to get his saddlebag from the peg. "I suppose you could say that, if you call being turned to stone for hours interesting," Twilight giggled. "At least we know how it feels to be a statue," Dusk pointed out lightly. "Even better, no pigeons happened to be passing by." "Dusk! That's disgusting!" "What? It's the truth and you know it." They both fell about laughing at that. It was the late evening now and they had both come back from Fluttershy's after having some tea and cake, where Dusk had taken down the letter for the lesson about friendship for the day, learned by both Fluttershy and Rarity: don't bite off more than you can chew. In Fluttershy's case, it had been assuming that she could be just as good with kids as with animals. In Rarity's, it was filling out a massive order for capes to Trottingham. A valuable lesson for them all. However, he and Twilight had learned quite a different lesson: never ever underestimate the dangers of the Everfree Forest. The day had started pleasantly enough. They'd both went along to Zecora's, who greeted them warmly into her home. Dusk had noted, with interest, the decor she had from her home, various masks of different meanings and her exceptional skills as a herbalist. Drinking her herbal tea, Dusk had told her how he'd come to be friends with the girls, a tale which she was quite intrigued by and even demonstrated his unique power, which she took an even greater interest in, though she knew about as much about why he could do it as the rest of them did: nothing. Even so, Dusk had enjoyed the day there, more because he was with Twilight than anything else. At one point, Zecora remarked how they made 'quite a couple', at which, flushing furiously, they insisted they were just friends. The zebra had apologised for her mistake, but there was still a hint of a smile as she did. When evening began to settle, they'd thanked her for her hospitality and started off home. They headed back together, just talking about whatever they felt like, enjoying each other's company. A few times, they'd drifted close to each other without even realising it. It was only after their sides brushed together that they noticed and gave each other space. Yet... Dusk didn't really mind how close she got but... he couldn't figure out why. Before he could, danger had chosen to rear its ugly head, in the form of a cockatrice that caught them unawares. Without really thinking, Dusk had pushed Twilight aside when he saw it coming and had been turned to stone. Despite his efforts though, the chicken-snake had got her too and they'd been frozen in stone for quite a while. Fortunately, Fluttershy happened upon them and, using a power known only as 'The Stare', forced the cockatrice to release them from stone. She'd had to tell them all of this back at her house, as they couldn't really remember much of anything. They'd just blacked out after being frozen. "It was scary though, seeing you being turned to stone, I mean," she added. "If Fluttershy hadn't been looking for the Crusaders... we might never have been found." "Let's not dwell on what has been, but remain in the now and look towards the future," Dusk remarked. "You are just full of those pearls of wisdom, aren't you?" she noted with a smile. "It seems like you always know just what to say, to make me feel better." "I wouldn't be much of a good friend if I didn't, now would I?" He returned her smile. "We just need to learn our lesson in future: keep a better eye out for cockatrices." They let out a fresh bout of laughter at that. "Speaking of lessons, I think it was a valuable one that Fluttershy and Rarity learned today." "I couldn't agree more. It seems like everyday, there's a new lesson to be learned about friendship's magic." "Indeed yes." All of a sudden, she gave a little laugh. "Hey, I've just realised something." "What?" "You and I are both learning about the magic of friendship," she pointed out. "You and I have never had friends before, so we're both benefitting from the lessons when we discover them. I can't believe I never noticed that before!" "Hey... yes, you're right!" His grin grew wider at the revelation of this knowledge. "Except... you have a head start on the lessons, so that's hardly fair." "Oh yeah..." She gave a nervous chuckle. "Well... at least you're here now. Who knows, maybe you can catch up sometime on what you've missed." "Maybe..." He shrugged and tipped his hat to her. "Anyway, it's getting late. Goodnight, Twilight. See you tomorrow." "Oh. Right, yes..." Was it just him, or did she sound disappointed that he had to leave? "Goodnight Dusk, sleep well. Oh wait, just one more thing." He halted and looked back. "You know those stones you have at your home?" Dusk cast his mind back to the last time she'd asked him that, all the way back in winter... "Dusk, can I ask you something?" Twilight inquired, as he sipped on his punch and nodded. "What's with these... rocks here?" He looked at where she pointed. She was referring to a set of pebbles, five of them no bigger than a cherry, rested on his windowsill. They were jet black except for a tiny patch of colour on them, varying in size and jaggedness for each of them. He could understand her curiosity. "They're nothing really, I found them on little wanderings that I do," he explained to her. "I just happened to see them and I felt kind of... compelled to keep them." "How come?" she asked, picking up one and examining it. "I don't really know... they just seemed interesting," he told her. "I know, it sounds silly..." "Not really, to each their own, after all," she said brightly, putting it back. "Do you just display them here?" "Pretty much, yes. Sorry, I know it's not incredibly intriguing..." "I suppose not. But... maybe we can find a use for them, perhaps?" "Use?" He raised an eyebrow. "Use how? Fire them from a catapult?" "No, nothing like that," she giggled. "I'll think about it and get back to you on it. Come on, let's get back to the party..." "I do yes. I actually found another one, recently." He dared to ask: "Why, have you found a 'use' for them?" "I think I have yes," she replied happily. "Bring them here tomorrow, and I'll show you." She then looked shyly away. "Anyway... I'll let you get home. Sleep well..." "You too." He gave her one last smile, before stepping out into the night and making his way home. His mind was now analyzing the last few seconds, so he slowed his pace to reduce chances of bumping into something... or somepony. Had Twilight really been disappointed that he had to go home for the evening, or was it just him thinking that? Was she always like that when he had to go home, and he just hadn't noticed until today, or was it something that had only just started today? Twilight enjoyed his company, and he enjoyed hers, that much he could be sure about. They had lots in common, after all: they'd both lived in Canterlot, attended Celestia's school, were both intelligent and well read, reasonably skilled in magic (In his case anyway), shared the same company of friends, had never had friends before, read Daring Do, it was an extensive list of common interests that they shared. How could he have ever doubted that they wouldn't be the best of friends? And yet... Dusk had been realising that, ever since that little mentioning that Fluttershy had made on their walk, he enjoyed Twilight's company far more than what might be expected from a friend. When he was around her, he felt something that he didn't when he was with any of the others. Twilight had made it clear to her views on... this particular matter but... could he really be falling for her? As he crossed a bridge, a heavy rumble bought him out of his meanderings. He looked up to see black clouds blotting out the stars, forked lightning shooting across the sky. The rain fell hard and fast, forcing him to run and take cover under a nearby tree. Just his luck... he wasn't even close to home and he would be soaked before he got there. "Dusk! Dusk, is that you?" He turned to see that the Carousel Boutique, not too far away. Rarity was at the door, frantically signalling to hurry over. "Quick, in here! Hurry!" Realising he didn't have many other options, he hurried back into the rain and dived through the open door, feeling the warmth of the Boutique from the cold of the rain that had lashed against him. He heard the door slam shut, and hooves help him back onto his own. "Oh my Dusk, you poor dear! You're absolutely soaking!" He felt a warm aura surround him, as Rarity cast a spell to dry him off. "Whatever were you doing, out in that horrible storm?" "I was just caught out in it... my own fault, really I forgot they'd planned one for tonight." He paused to wring out his hat, flicked it and placed it smartly back on his head. "Thanks for the save, you didn't have to..." "Don't be silly, I couldn't just leave any friend of mine in a storm like that and not do something about it." She checked him over. "Are you quite dry? Hat all wrung out?" "Yes, I'm fine. Thanks again..." He gave her a grateful smile. "I suppose I was just lucky that I happened to be passing the home of Ponyville's most generous pony." "Oh you..." She tittered a little. "Well, it's really no trouble. This storm is only going to last for an hour. You can stay in here, nice and dry, until it passes, then head off home." "Are... are you sure?" "Of course, of course, it's really no trouble. I shall be glad of a little company." She set off for the kitchen. "Now, come along. We can have a nice cup of tea and a chat, just like we did when you first visited." "I'm touched you remembered," remarked Dusk, waiting by the same seat as he did last time, while Rarity boiled the water. He had only really just started being friends with the girls, so they could still surprise him with these unexpected acts of kindness. It was hard to believe that, a while ago, he had no friends and didn't think he ever would. Hard to believe... Holding out her cushion for her and sitting himself down, Dusk was the first to initiate conversation: "So, you managed to get all of those capes finished for the buyers in Trottingham?" "Oh yes, you cannot imagine what a relief that was." She poured them some tea, stirred it and continued: "Yes, it took so long to finish, what with the time it took to make more gold silk, then to weave it into the fabric... well, let's just say I'm glad to be done with the whole business." "I can see that," he noted with a smile. "Just don't take on that much work again, and you'll be fine." "I couldn't agree more," she nodded. "I haven't felt so stressed than when I was designing my friend's dresses for the Gala. What a ghastly fiasco that was!" "It couldn't have been that bad, you're a master of the needle and thread." "That's nice of you to say so, but imagine this." She spread her hooves out before her. "Not only do you have to design six, orginal, stunning gowns for six different ponies, but you also have to alter them with every single tiny little addition that they bring forward because they're not happy with them until, eventually, the finished results are... well, quite frankly, ridiculous. I mean, Pinkie wanted streamers on her dress. Streamers!" "Wow..." Dusk sipped his tea thoughtfully. "That would be tough, even for you. Still, it all turned out fine, right?" "Oh yes, indeed... thankfully," she added, then smiling at Dusk. "I'm just glad that your suit turned out well, Dusk. I'd quite forgotten how much simple it is, designing clothes for the gent. I did my best to try and make it... you. You did like it?" "Rarity, you did a wonderful job and I'm very grateful to you, as I've said," he assured her. "I think it matches me perfectly." "That's what I thought, but it is kind of you to say so," she said, fluttering her lashes at him. "Yes, I wanted yours to be simple and modest, but also make it so you stand out a little in the crowd, to make it sparkle like your wonderful puppets. And it had to match your hat, darling, I simply cannot picture you these days without it. So, I gave you 'gangster' style look, simple and smart, but also dashing and refined, adding shine to the pinstripes and tie." "I thought I recognised the style," noted Dusk. "I thought it really suited me just fine. Thanks again. What about the others? I haven't seen their outfits yet. Would you like to tell me about them?" "Of course! Well, there's Applejack's, I 'spruced up' her old work duds, quite simple really..." He let her carry on in her monologue about the design and thought process she went through for each of the girls gowns. He marvelled at how easy it was to talk to her, and the others, now, compared to months ago, when he would be pausing and stuttering all of the time. Just one of the changes they'd bought about in him that he was thankful for. After a while, Dusk found himself drifting back into his mind, as he began to wonder about something... he had not yet seen Twilight in her Gala dress... how did it look on her? Did it fit her and increase her beauty? What did she think of his own suit? How did she- "Dusk? Hello? Equestria to Dusk?" He blinked as he snapped out of his thoughts, Rarity looking at him curiously. "Oh! Um... sorry, Rarity... I was um... lost in thought, I guess..." He felt rather guilty that he'd stopped listening to her. "You are quite a deep thinker, aren't you?" she said, with interest. "Care to share your thoughts with the common folk?" "It's um... nothing important..." He thought quickly, to change the subject. "You um... mentioned that er... you wanted to meet somepony at the Gala?" "Oh, Dusk! Not just somepony... him..." Her eyes glazed over, as she gave a deep sigh. "Um... 'him'?" Dusk didn't quite follow. She obviously meant somepony she had affection for, that was obvious. "Yes... the most handsome, eligible unicorn stallion in Equestria... the nephew of Princess Celestia, Prince Blueblood..." Rarity looked as though she would faint from the very mention of his name. "Blueblood?" Dusk said without realising. "I know him, well saw him in passing..." "You've seen him?" She looked at Dusk as if he had just flown in through her window, to tell her that she was actually lost Canterlot royalty. "Tell me, what's he like? Is he every bit as dashing as they say he is?" 'Dashing' was hardly the first word he'd use to describe the Prince. He was certainly good-looking, he'd say that much, but it seemed that he had to sacrifice any manners for those looks. He remembered when he saw him... He'd been carrying a large pile of books for studying, back in Canterlot. He'd just reached the door, when it suddenly burst open and hit him, causing him to drop them all on the floor. Dusk had just started to pick them all up, when the Prince strutted through like he owned the place. He'd glanced down at Dusk, but didn't even stop to ask if he was okay or to help him, even apologise. He'd just walked straight on, leaving Dusk in a heap of books, fuming slightly. But... maybe he would be different with Rarity, if they met. He decided not to enlighten her with that incident, instead saying. "I can't really say, it was just in passing. Let's say that he's everything that you may hope him to be..." "Wonderful... soon enough, my love," she murmured, sighing again. Then, she shook her head and smiled. "But enough about my romantic fantasies. What about you, darling?" "What about me... what?" "Dusk, how can you even say that? A young, handsome and remarkable unicorn such as yourself, there must be somepony that you harbour affections for? Or, perhaps, one who already has her on you?" Blushing heavily from those compliments, Dusk's brain went into overload. She knew, she had to! He would have to tell her now, there was no other way out of this. Should he tell her? Was he even sure about how he felt? Perhaps distract her from it... No... just tell her. Who knows, perhaps she could offer an opinion... or just laugh and tell him this would be a waste of time. "Well... I suppose that er... there is... somepony." He whipped his head up. "If I do say, you have to promise not to tell anypony, okay? Keep it between us... for now?" "Of course, you have my word. Now, go on..." "Okay... now I'm not too sure myself yet... anyway..." He took a deep breath and calmed his nerves. "I think that I... have feelings for... Twilight Sparkle." He hurried this last bit, diverting his gaze elsewhere. There. He'd said it. He'd admitted it to somepony. When he dared to look back, he saw that Rarity was still smiling, more warmly now though. "I thought so," she said knowingly. "W-w-what?" "What you just said," she clarified. "You and Twilight do have a lot in common, spend a lot of time together. I thought that, if anypony would have your affection, it would be her." She smiled even more warmly. "B-b-but... I'm not sure if I do... feel that way, about her..." he went on pathetically. "I mean... I don't know..." "Well, let's see then," said Rarity. "Do you often find your thoughts drift to her?" "Um... quite a bit, I guess..." "Do you often pass glances at her, one might say, even stare?" "Um... perhaps..." "Do you enjoy her company, to the point that it's almost difficult to think of leaving her side?" "...Yes..." "Then, there is no doubt about it," she said confidently, still smiling. "Personally, I think that the two of you would make a very cute couple." "That's um... nice of you to say so. But," he added sadly, "she thinks romance is a waste of time... chasing after somepony who may not even return your feelings... I don't think I have much of a chance..." "I don't think so dear. From what Twilight told us, she thought much the same of friendship once upon a time. Now look at her. I'm sure that, in time, she would start to look at romance in much the same light. It may take some time, but she will." "But... how will I know if she even feels the same way?" "Most times, you can't. But that's the thrill of love, not quite knowing but that elation you feel when you realise they do feel the same..." She sighed again. "There's nothing else like it..." Dusk nodded at this. "So... you think I might... have a chance with her?" "I don't think you will, I know you will," she said confidently. "We'll keep this between us, as I promised, but if there is anyway I can help at all, don't hesitate to ask." "Okay... thank you, Rarity." There was one thing he felt he should ask. "Is there anything do you think I should do, you know... to show Twilight how I feel?" "Dusk, quite frankly, you've been doing all of the right things so far," she informed him. "You two are already close friends, you share much of the same interests. You seem to go out of your way for her, can make conversation easily... oh, and the flowers, that was a wonderful gesture. I'm sure she was grateful for those." "She was, yes... so, should I just... keep doing what I'm doing?" "Yes, do. One thing that scares a girl off is moving too quickly. Take it nice and slowly, pay her the occasional compliment on her appearance or her work. You do that, I'm sure you'll succeed. After all, you have me helping you." "Right... I'll bear that in mind." He shyly returned Rarity's smile. At least she was being supportive of his feelings. Now he admitted it, he felt quite sure that his feelings for Twilight went beyond friendship. "Oh, look! The storm's passed." Dusk looked to see that the rain had indeed stopped. "I suppose all of our talk of romance chased the clouds away." "Perhaps it did..." He finished his tea, then stood up to go. "Well, I'd better get home. I've kept you long enough. Thanks again Rarity... for everything." "It was no trouble at all," she assured, showing him to the door. "Just remember, anything I can do, just say the word." "Right..." Despite the heat that flooded to his face, he returned her smile. "Goodnight, Rarity." And he left the Carousel Boutique, setting off home once more, in considerably happier spirits, and of lighter mind, than he ever had been. It seemed daunting, almost terrifying, what he now hoped to achieve. But then again, so had making friends. He would be patient and wait... for now.