It seemed that I had found myself in a rather strange situation.
There I was, sat in a Ponyville restaurant, with Pinkie sat opposite me. She had kept up a massive grin ever since we both sat down. We had chosen a seat outside the restaurant interior, although I would have preferred to eat in. Not that I was embarrassed being with Pinkie, no no, but if one of her friends saw us, I knew I’d have to answer a lot of questions.
I had placed a napkin around my collar, as to protect my suit from any accidental spillages. Pinkie wasn’t so... careful. Currently she was playing with her knife and fork, which meant that the conversation had run a bit dry.
I wasn’t worried though; I was a great conversationalist. I cleared my throat before speaking. “So, Pinkie, how is life here?”
I heard the clatter of cutlery on the table as Pinkie looked up at me. “It’s super duper fan dabby dozy! Everyday I wake up, feed my pet, Gummy, then I go and say good morning to the Cake twins--oh my gosh, they’re soooo cute, you have to see them! Anyway, then I go downstairs and--”
She talked on about her daily life, even as a waiter came to bring us our soup. I gave the stallion a polite smile, before he walked off, looking bewildered. Pinkie didn’t even notice.
“Then at some point I usually see Dashie and we go out pranking or something!” I didn’t think she was going to stop, which left me in a dilemma; I didn’t want to be so rude that I interrupt her, yet I could not sit by and let her soup get cold.
“Twilight’s library has loads of good books so sometimes I go there and get a book out! Once, I got this awesome joke book filled with really ‘punny’ jokes!” Pinkie giggled, with a little snort, and I took my chance.
“Pinkie Pie, our soup has arrived.” I gestured at her bowl and she blinked, looking down at it.
“Oh! When did that happen?!” she asked, a little confused.
I cracked a smile. “A couple of minutes ago, my dear.”
“Righto! Let’s tuck in then!” And with that, she proceeded to grab the bowl and pour the soup into her mouth. I was a little less direct, drinking with a spoon, watching her in awe.
Pinkie was so different from any other mare, or indeed anything that I had encountered before. Was she oblivious to this, or did she embrace her uniqueness? I didn’t know her well enough to answer that question, but...
Well, I have to admit, I was enjoying her difference; it was keeping me on my hooves.
Pinkie was done with her meal in seconds. “Done! Mmm, that was good!” She slammed the bowl on the table, making me flinch a little. I looked at her and laughed quietly.
She tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. “What’s so funny?”
I pointed at her mouth with my spoon. “You seem to have acquired a beard.” Indeed, her mouth was covered in tomato soup, which she quickly licked off. My eyes widened as she stuck her tongue out--it was rather big.
I focused back on my meal. With Pinkie finished, I didn’t want to keep her waiting for too long. I dipped my spoon into the soup, brought it to my mouth and blew over it softly.
Pinkie tapped the table, looking around. Then, she brightened up, peering at something in the distance and waving a hoof. “Rarity! Over here!”
Unfortunately, the moment she yelled that I, soup was currently in my mouth. I fought the urge to spit it out in pure shock and instead swallowed hastily. Perhaps a bit too much, as I nearly choked.
I followed Pinkie’s gaze and sure enough, Rarity was standing there, looking back at us. She looked as wonderful and refined as she had when I met her in Canterlot, perhaps even more so. As she approached us, I could see that she was wearing slightly more makeup than normal.
She stopped at our table, glancing at the two of us. Her mouth went agape slightly as her wide eyes took everything in.
I kept my composure, greeting her with a friendly smile. “Hello, Rarity. Lovely to see you again.”
That snapped her out of it. She blinked and turned to me. “Oh, um, indeed it is! It has been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Quite.” I glanced to my soup. It seemed like I would have to let it go cold. “How are you?”
“I am well. How are you...” She stole a glance at Pinkie, still looking surprised. “...two?”
“I’m great! No, more than great--fantastic! Fancy Pants invited me out for dinner!” Pinkie chirped, beaming.
There were many traps I could’ve fallen to with my answer. I didn’t want Rarity to suspect that Pinkie and I were a couple, but I didn’t want to offend Pinkie either. Furthermore, I had to answer quickly lest I arouse suspicion.
“I am fine, Rarity. Enjoying this lovely dinner with Pinkie,” I answered, nodding once.
“So I see. Am I interrupting?” Rarity asked, looking a little bit skeptical.
“No no--”
“Nope! You can even join us, if you want!” Pinkie cried, patting the grass next to her.
Well, this just became more awkward.
Despite that, I didn’t allow my politeness to falter. I got off my seat cushion and placed it under Rarity before she sat down. She gave me a polite nod as a thanks.
“So,” she began, “might I ask how this came about?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but Pinkie had already beaten me to the punch. “Weeeeeeell, Fancy Pants came to Ponyville and was looking a bit lonely, so I came and gave him a cupcake which he really enjoyed! Then we did some walkin’ ‘n’ talkin’ like good friends do, but then he surprised me by inviting me out on a date and here we are!”
I wish she had let me explain, but no matter; it was done now. Rarity did a double take at me and I would’ve responded to her quicker, but my situation was a tricky one. I was used to the careful balancing act that sometimes occurred in the social graces, however, I was handling two entirely different mares here.
“Indeed. A harmless date as...” Think of the right word, Fancy Pants. “... companions often do.”
“I see,” Rarity said, her face now neutral--that told me that she was probably still settling on a conclusion. Her next words proved that much. She looked between us and uttered, “I’m intruding, aren’t I?”
Pinkie answered again, which made things easier this time. “No, you silly-filly! Why would I invite you to join us if you were?” She beamed at Rarity, who returned a less exaggerated smile.
Rarity then turned to me once again. “If I might be so forward, why have you come to Ponyville today? I’m sure you realise what day it is.” She didn’t take her eyes off me for a moment, meaning that she wanted an answer from me that was more definite. Pinkie was also staring at me, leaning over the table.
I was beginning to tire of this interrogation, but I kept calm nonetheless. “For the sake of curiosity, my dear.” Pinkie leant back at those last two words and glanced at Rarity. I mentally berated myself for my first mistake, although I knew it was an easily amendable one.
Rarity nodded, smiling gently. “I hope you’ve enjoyed your time here. Ponyville isn’t as glamorous as Canterlot, but I find it has a certain, rustic charm.” Her smile turned into a smirk and she leant towards me very slightly.
Thankfully, Pinkie couldn’t read the signs (she was too busy staring at me), but I could; I now had two mares vying for my attention--the exact thing I was trying to get away from. Perhaps this dinner wasn’t such a great idea after all.
Even if it was nice.
I needed a distraction and fortunately, restaurants provided the perfect excuses. I called over a waiter and asked for my bill. The waiter, a rather bored looking fellow, gave me an unimpressed look and gestured to my meal.
“Fancy Pants, you’ve barely eaten anything,” Rarity commented, her voice laced with concern.
“It wasn’t quite to my tastes, regrettably,” I replied, nodding at her. I then spoke to Pinkie, in order to maintain balance. “However, it has not dampened the enjoyable time I have spent here.” Pinkie grinned, letting out a sound that I can only describe as a ‘squee’.
The waiter shrugged and gave us the bill, which I happily paid for. I could see Pinkie squirming as I gave the stallion the required bits.
“You are here on my invitation, so I insist that I pay,” I said, giving our waiter an extra tip. He suddenly became more enthusiastic, and trotted off happily.
“Uh, okay,” Pinkie replied, looking a little unsure, her eyebrows raised and her head at a slight angle. I assumed that she was so used to giving, that being on the receiving end of a gift was a little unnatural for her. Hm. That’s a very admirable quality.
It was also somewhat... endearing? Yes, endearing, seeing her like that.
I looked up and saw that the sun was beginning its descent to make way for Luna’s glorious moon. I sighed and stood up--time to return home.
Pinkie was poking my side, looking up at me with her rather beautiful eyes. “What’s wrong?”
Aah. So she had picked up on my regret. And her question was genuine. I could tell from her voice; it was gentler than it ever had been.
“Regrettably, I have to return to Canterlot now.” Both Pinkie’s and Rarity’s ears fell back, although the former was much more noticeable. “Regardless, I had a lovely time with you both.” I took their hooves in my own, one at a time, and kissed them gently. The two mares giggled at the gesture, again, Pinkie much more apparent.
I didn’t want to leave, truly, but this was only meant to be a one day excursion. If I was gone for any longer, it would spell chaos for my social life in Canterlot. Everything would go to Tartarus and nopony is prepared for that.
“Well, it was lovely seeing you again. I’ll have to visit you sometime.” Rarity blinked, realizing how forward she was being. She let out a little awkward laugh. “That is, if you’ll have me, of course.”
I gave her a little bow. I honestly wouldn’t mind seeing Rarity again; she was sophisticated, yet some of that Ponyville charm had rubbed off on her. “It would be my honor, my dear.”
Rarity nodded and began to turn away. “I look forward to it. Until next we meet.” And with that, she set off, but not before giving me a sly smile and showing off her body a little bit. She was showing interest, bless her, but she would need to do much more to win my heart. That is, if she was even trying to.
“Bye Rarity!” Pinkie waved after her friend enthusiastically, then paused, turning to me. “And, uh, you too, I guess.” She rubbed one foreleg over the other, smiling sheepishly. If she was trying to not look endearing, then she was failing horribly.
“Perhaps you would look to accompany me to the station?” I offered, and found myself in Pinkie’s vice grip a mere second later.
“Yes!” Pinkie shouted, squeezing me harder. The air in my lungs was quickly pushed out and my monocle almost fell off.
I took a huge effort to form a coherent sentence, let alone a single word, but somehow I managed. “Erm... Pinkie?”
Pinkie blinked in realization, then quickly let go of me. “Oh! Sorry!”
“Not to worry, Pinkie,” I replied gently, giving her a friendly smile. Despite the near suffocation, her hug felt... nice. Genuine. Warm.
It wasn’t like I had experienced hugs before. Nobles who knew each other fairly well often greeted each other with them. But those were merely a formality--they lacked heart.
And Pinkie was full of it, it seemed.
“Now, let us go,” I announced, beginning to walk slowly away from the restaurant, Pinkie right by my side.
As the sun makes way for the moon, it tends to paint a stunning vista in the sky. In Canterlot, it was difficult to see, what with various towers and such in the way. But in Ponyville? It was like I had acquired a free seat to the greatest art exhibition on Equestria.
The sky was streaked with a brilliant orange, a few fluffy clouds dotting the skyscape. Black silhouettes of birds went across, flying to their nests no doubt. Couples were taking notice of the gorgeous view, resting against each other. Pinkie and I might have stopped to take it all in, but I had to get back to Canterlot.
We went by in silence, which was odd... but also nice. It was a companionable silence and I didn’t think Pinkie was capable of such. Yet again, she had surprised me.
In what felt like almost an instant--far too short for my liking--we had arrived at the station. I bought my ticket, ignoring the stares from onlookers waiting for their trains.
I stood on the platform, Pinkie next to me. She was staring at the tracks, looking a little forlorn. Hm... I didn’t think that this goodbye would be that hard for her.
“Thank you for the wonderful time, Pinkie,” I said, “you are always welcome in Canterlot.”
Her tail began twitching and she looked up to me, excited. “Really?!”
I let out a quiet chuckle. “Really.”
Then Pinkie did the oddest thing. She jumped into the air, cheering, and just... hovered there for longer than should have been possible. I tried looking for invisible wings, or hidden wires holding her up but... nothing.
Then she decided to set herself down--I assumed that it was her choice and not some unknown force controlling her. Once she had calmed down (well, as much as Pinkie Pie could calm down), I began to make my inquiry. “Pinkie... just how did you do that?”
“Do what?” she asked, her grin never vanishing from her face.
I gestured to the space above her. “The, erm, floaty thing?” Pinkie stared at me for a few seconds, silent. For a moment, I was worried that I had broken her by pointing out one of her illogical ways.
“I dunno!” she finally answered, giving me a big shrug.
“I see...” I looked back down the tracks, but kept an eye on Pinkie just in case.
“Do you like Canterlot? ‘Cause I really really like Ponyville, but Canterlot is pretty cool as well!” Pinkie stopped, rubbing her chin. “Sometimes. I think that some of the ponies there are kinda boring.” She blinked and was grovelling underneath me in an instant. “Not you, though! You’re really fun!”
I smirked and gave her a helping hoof up. “No need to apologize, Pinkie.” I lowered my voice slightly. “I find myself agreeing with you, actually.”
Pinkie’s ears twitched once. “Oh? Why’s that?”
“Because it is the truth,” I replied, nodding to her.
Pinkie scratched her head. “That makes sense. I mean, there’s just some things that are, and others that aren’t.” Her wording was a little confusing, but I assumed she was talking about universal truths.
Only a few minutes later did my train arrive, screeching to a halt along the tracks. The conductor pony stepped out of one of the doors, keeping an eye on passengers boarding and disembarking.
Pinkie and I looked at each other and... I’m not too sure even now, but I think we shared a mutual understanding of sorts. We both knew that this was it.
I gently took her hoof in my own, kissing it. “It’s been lovely, Pinkie. Truly. I would like to do this again, sometime.”
It was hard to tell because of her coat color, but I think she was blushing. “Yeah, we gotta meet up again soon! Maybe in Canterlot?” She gave me a hopeful smile.
“I’ve already said, my dear, that you are always welcome there.” I looked back at the train--time to go. “Now, I’m afraid I simply cannot delay any longer.” I let go of her hoof and the smile on her face fell very slightly. I stepped towards the train, never taking my eyes off her. “Until next we meet, Pinkie Pie!”
Pinkie took in a deep breath. “Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!” Then she started waving erratically, a gesture which I returned, although in a much more restrained manner.
I then stepped inside fully, the doors closing behind me. Already, I could feel the burdens of my Canterlot life coming back to me. I took a seat next to a window and spotted Pinkie, still waving at me. It took her a little while to find me again, but she managed.
The train started moving and Pinkie began to get further away. Despite that, I’ll never forget the look at her face; sad, yet hopeful at the same time. When she disappeared from sight, I sighed and reclined against my seat. Hopefully--no, surely--we would meet again.
Hm... I wonder how much it would cost to have a summer home in Ponyville?
Routine resumed the moment I got off the train.
My entourage of servants greeted me more than enough times and ushered me to my carriage. The ride to my manor wasn’t very long, and as I stepped out of the carriage, I felt a mix of joy and regret to be back.
Canterlot is a crowded city, but my residence has its own space--a big, impressive white building in the middle of a sizeable green space, flowers dotting the landscape. The area was surrounded with impressive iron gates, but I had them sprayed white so they wouldn’t look so intimidating.
I went up the front path, gardeners greeting me as I went. I smiled back at them, giving them compliments on a job well done. My butler, Greymane, was waiting for me outside the double, wooden doors, leaning by one of the huge pillars that were on the walls of my abode. Upon seeing me, he straightened up and gave me a salute.
“Stand down, Greymane,” I said, smiling. He instantly relaxed, walking by my side as we entered my home. Everything from the gleaming white walls, to the red carpet that led up the stairs, was spotless. As always.
“Good to know that you haven’t slacked off in my absence.” I chuckled, giving Greymane a good pat on the back for his efforts.
“Thank you, sir. Shall I prepare arrangements for tonight's meal?" he asked. Come to think of it, I was a little starved from hardly touching that soup.
"That would be most lovely, Greymane." With my approval, he waved at another stallion, who scurried off towards the kitchen.
Greymane’s horn then glowed and from his black suit’s pocket, came a little notepad. He flicked through it, murmuring quietly, until he smacked a steel blue hoof on the correct page. “Here we go! Just a reminder that Blueblood’s party is coming up--tomorrow, in fact.”
Aah yes. That little shindig. It was a good thing I went to Ponyville to wind down.
“Very good, Greymane. I’ll decide on what to wear, in that case.” I waved him off and headed up the stairs. It took a little while to get my room, but once I got there, I let out a somewhat frustrated sigh.
Blueblood is so... insufferable. The complete opposite to a noble like myself. The biggest problem is that I have to act nice around him. He is one of the few nobles whose power rivals my own.
Oh, and this little party of his wasn’t for his birthday either. It was just for attention. I had to turn up, just so I wouldn’t offend him and risk my own position.
Granted, I never forgot the time I beat him at fencing. Good times. For me, at least.
I glanced around the room, everything prim and proper. Even the stacks of papers on my desk in the corner were tidily stacked, much to my slight annoyance. My servants had the best of intentions and they worked hard, but sometimes I liked a little mess in my work space. It gave it a little bit of character.
I walked past my royal blue, double bed, which always felt a little big for me. My grand, wooden wardrobe stood there, all my best suits within. I opened it up and looked at my selection. Suits of all colors, styles... and something new...?
I blinked, spotting something very bright deeper in the wardrobe, obscured by my other outfits. I pushed them aside to find something I’d never expect.
“Hi, Fancy Pants!”
A second later, I was on the floor, shocked out of my mind and staring into those blue eyes looking down at me.