He kissed me.
Her excitement was nearly unbearable.
And I kissed him! I can’t believe it...
Spring Glory was standing in her room, surrounded by her favorite flowers. She had watched Archaic Smile fly away—and heard his joyous hoot—and stared into the distance even after he had faded into the horizon. The moment of intimacy they had shared was playing over and over in her mind; she giggled, noting how romantic it had been. Never in her wildest dreams had she hoped for a relationship so dreamy.
I’ve got to get ready for that party, she thought.
Most of her effort was spent brushing and styling her grassy, green mane; she brushed her bangs until they were soft and smooth, and tied the rest of her mane back in a loose ponytail. She retrieved a fragrant, yellow flower similar to the one she had worn during her date with Archaic Smile and placed it in her hair. Lastly, she tied the exotic scarf Archaic Smile had given to her securely around her neck.
After she was finished, Spring Glory brewed some tea with leftover herbs and relaxed on a small couch she’d brought from Manehattan. The party started in a half hour, and she didn’t really feel like arriving early.
He kissed me.
She spent the remainder of her time mulling over her relationship with Archaic Smile; it had developed so quickly—I hope I haven’t rushed him, she thought—and she could only imagine what possibilities were before them.
Is this why I came to Ponyville? she wondered. It makes me happy... and I think it makes him happy, too. He needs me...
She checked the clock. The party was about to start, so she hopped off the bed and went outside, magically locking the door behind her.
Being with Arc is right for both of us, Spring Glory concluded as she headed towards Sugarcube Corner. Seeing that Archaic Smile was absent when she arrived, she waited outside. Shortly, he appeared in the sky and glided down, landing skillfully on the ground in front of her. Immediately, she could tell he was very nervous—he had that frightened look in his eyes again—yet he also seemed excited to see her.
“Glory,” he said hesitantly, “about earlier... h-how do you feel?”
“You fumbled a bit,” she said, “but you’re such a romantic stallion, I was almost tripping over my own hooves afterwards.”
“R-really?”
“Almost,” she giggled.
“You’re not upset?”
“Of course not, Arc.”
“Okay,” he sighed. “I was just worried...”
The two ponies were now standing very close to each other, the light from Sugarcube Corner casting warm, reddish shadows across their bodies. Spring Glory nuzzled Archaic Smile’s cheek, and the two walked to the building’s entrance.
“So... I f-fumbled?” Archaic Smile asked before they entered, sounding disappointed.
“Don’t worry,” Spring Glory reassured. “We both did. Everypony does on their first kiss.”
Archaic Smile nodded, and they entered the bustling Sugarcube Corner together.
“I s-should let you kn-know... I g-get very nervous in groups like th-this,” Archaic Smile murmured.
“I’ll be right beside you,” Spring Glory said. “I promise.”
I’ll take care of you, she thought.
It didn’t take very long before Pinkie Pie appeared—seemingly from nowhere—to greet them. She ushered the two into the room where most of the guests had gathered, then disappeared to greet more ponies. Spring Glory noticed that Archaic Smile was fidgeting, and she could tell he was searching for a nook he could vanish into.
“Arc,” she said, and he looked directly at her in helplessness. “It’s okay.”
“Spring Glory!” called a pony; it was Rarity, who approached the two along with another mare wearing a cowboy hat. “How delightful to see you here,” Rarity said.
“Rarity! It’s nice to see you, too,” Spring Glory replied.
Rarity leaned forward so only Spring Glory could hear her. “Is he the one?” she asked.
“Yes, this is him,” Spring Glory said, looking at Archaic Smile and grinning. Confused, he shrunk under the gazes of the three mares. Just before the situation was about to become awkward, Rarity gestured towards the mare wearing the cowboy hat.
“This is Applejack. Applejack, this is Spring Glory and her—”
“Ah can introduce mahself, Rarity,” Applejack spouted. She passionately shook hooves with Spring Glory, grinning widely. “Applejack’s mah name, apple-buckin’s mah game. Nice to meet y’all!”
“It’s a pleasure, Applejack,” Spring Glory said. She glanced at Archaic Smile, who was managing a feeble, somewhat strained smile.
Rarity pulled Spring Glory away from the other two, a glint of interest in her eyes. “So, how as it?” she whispered in Glory’s ear.
“It went very well,” Spring Glory answered.
“Did he like the saddle I gave you?” Rarity asked. “You must tell me.”
“Yes, I think so.” Spring Glory was watching Arc nod and smile—to the best of his ability—as Applejack enthusiastically spoke about an apple farm. “Rarity,” she whispered, “we had lunch together earlier today, and afterwards... he kissed me.”
Rarity gasped, eyes wide and bright as pearls. “He kissed you?”
Spring Glory nodded, an excited grin of her face.
“So soon? Your date was just yesterday,” Rarity exclaimed, “and you’ve only lived in Ponyville for a week!”
“I know,” Spring Glory said. “He’s so sweet, though! I can’t help it.”
“I would have never guessed,” Rarity said. “He’s always hidden away up in that cottage.”
“He just needs to be given a chance,” Spring Glory murmured.
Rarity nodded, and together they returned to Archaic Smile and Applejack; Arc looked very uncomfortable, and he seemed very relieved to have Glory by his side again.
“You’ve been livin’ here for four years, and you still haven’t tried mah apples?” Applejack asked Archaic Smile, astonished.
“N-n-no,” Archaic Smile stammered.
Applejack looked at Spring Glory. “You come down to Sweet Apple Acres soon, and we Apples will give you a real Ponyville welcomin’. Bring this one with you, too,” she said, gesturing towards Archaic Smile.
“That’s a very kind offer,” Spring Glory said. “Thank you, Applejack.”
“You are mighty welcome, partner.”
“Applejack, why don’t we go say hello to Twilight?” Rarity asked.
“Right behind you,” Applejack said, and the two disappeared amongst the crowd of giggling ponies.
“They’re so nice,” Spring Glory noted. She saw Archaic Smile frowning discontentedly. “Hey, Arc? Are you okay?”
He nodded without a word. Spring Glory nudged him gently, attempting to comfort him at least a little bit.
“Hey, everypony,” shouted Pinkie Pie over the hubbub. “Presents!”
The crowd of ponies gathered to where Pinkie had revealed a tower of wrapped boxed and bags—apparently, one for each pony—and Pinkie began tossing them out to every guest. Ponies were pushing and shoving against each other, cheering to Pinkie Pie for a gift.
Spring Glory and Archaic Smile were caught right in the middle of the excitement, and a stream of ponies broke between the two. Spring Glory had no choice but to move forward with all of the eager ponies until she received a present—and one for Archaic Smile—and was able to slip free from the group. She sifted through the cheerful ponies, searching for her companion. After confirming he was not in the room any longer, she slid out the back door and soon caught a glimpse of him in the dark, nighttime shadow of the building.
“Arc,” she called, approaching the pegasus.
He didn’t look towards her; he was staring directly ahead and breathing very quickly—hyperventilating, Spring Glory realized.
“Arc, what’s wrong?”
He looked at her this time, but still said nothing. The sheer trepidation in his eyes was shocking to Spring Glory, reminding her of how a child looks after a terrifying nightmare. There seemed to be only one option.
“I’ll take you home, okay?”
He could only continue to stare at her with fear and remorse.
“...Wait here, Arc. I’ll be right back,” Spring Glory said. She dashed back into Sugarcube Corner and quickly spotted Rarity’s bright, lustrous mane within the crowd.
“Rarity!” she called, pulling the unicorn away from the party. “I need your help.”
“What is it, dear?” Rarity asked, concerned.
“Archaic Smile is... having trouble,” Glory answered. “I want to take him home, but I don’t know where his house is. Do you?”
“Of course! I shall lead the way,” Rarity said dutifully.
Spring Glory, followed by Rarity, returned to where Archaic Smile was hiding. He seemed to have calmed down a bit, breathing much less strenuously, but he still wasn’t able to find his voice. He cowered at the sight of Rarity, but Glory was able to reassure him that he didn’t need to fear her.
“Arc, Rarity is going to lead us home,” Spring Glory said.
He wouldn’t follow.
“Will he be okay?” Rarity asked.
“I think so,” Glory said. She took the silvery scarf and tied it around hers and Archaic Smile’s necks, like she had on the night of their date in the park. She coaxed him into walking with her, and together they followed Rarity towards Archaic Smile’s cottage outside of Ponyville. When they reached the base of his hill, Archaic Smile slipped out from the scarf and flew up to the cottage, leaving both Spring Glory and Rarity with concerned expressions.
“Thank you. Rarity,” Spring Glory said.
“Go to him,” Rarity told Spring Glory.
The two unicorns nodded and went their separate ways. When Spring Glory reached the top of the hill, she found the door to Archaic Smile’s cottage ajar. Once inside, she immediately felt out of place; the building was unfamiliar, and she could barely see a thing in the dim moonlight.
“Archaic Smile?” she called.
There was no response. After much fumbling, Spring Glory managed to find a light. She carefully proceeded up the staircase, only to find a shut door at the top.
“Arc?” she said, lightly knocking on the door with a hoof.
Nothing.
“I’m here for you,” she cooed.
She waited in silence on the tiny landing in front of the door, hoping for an answer she knew wasn’t coming. The thought of opening the door with magic crossed her mind, but she decided that it would be unwise. Eventually, the nervous tension and distress she’d been holding back broke free, and she began crying.
“I’ll wait... I’ll wait all night if I have to,” she sniffled.
As the tears rolled down her cheeks, Spring Glory grew tired, and she laid down in front of the door. For a moment, she could hear the sound of sobbing—similar to her own—through the door.
“Archaic Smile,” she wept, “I’m going to take care of you.”
Spring Glory rested her head on the floor near the door, still teary-eyed, and allowed herself to drift off. Outside, the eerie sounds from the nearby Everfree Forest intensified; they crept into Spring Glory’s mind, and she dreamed of horrible creatures without names. She was running, running from something she couldn’t even see, until she could run no more, and when she finally turned to face the monster, her fear turned to joy, for it was the very pegasus she had fallen for.