//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Hearts and Hooves Day // Story: The Sparkle of his Eye // by Silentpegasus //------------------------------// Chapter 5 Hearts and Hooves Day Ink and Twilight made their way through the busy streets of Ponyville. The lavender mare kept blushing as she walked next to the dark stallion who kept his eyes forward to hide his own red cheeks. Twilight looked around and saw the other ponies laughing together. The mare let out a disappointed sigh and continued to walk down the road in silence. “Want some lunch?” Ink asked. Twilight felt her heart stop in surprise. “S-sure.” “You okay Twi? You seem kind of...off.” He asked as he raised an eyebrow. “Y-yeah. I’m just hungry.” She said with a fake laugh. Ink shrugged and the two unicorns made their way into the pastry shop. The two unicorns sat down as a familiar pink mare walked up to them with a smile on her face and two glasses of water balancing on top of her head. “Hey guys. Happy Hearts and Hooves Day! What can I get ya?” She asked as she gave them a glass of water. “Same to you Pinkie, I’ll have a daffodil sandwich and some hay fries.” Twilight said with a smile. “Likewise.” Ink said as he closed his menu. “Okay, I’ll have those ready for you in just a second.” The pink mare said as she made her way back into the kitchen. Ink and Twilight avoided eye contact and sipped their drinks in silence. “It’s Hearts and Hooves Day?” Ink said as he broke the silence. “Yeah, I almost forgot myself.” Twilight said as she sipped her water. Pinkie returned with their sandwiches and left the two unicorns alone with each other. Twilight kept glancing up at the stallion and started to blush. The two unicorns trotted outside the establishment as they finished their food. Ink let out a sigh and looked at the lavender mare. “Hey Twilight, are you doing anything tonight?” The mare felt her cheeks flare up at the stallions question. “N-no. Why?” “I was just wondering, if you’re not too busy that is if you wanted to have dinner with me.” Ink closed his eyes and waited for the expected rejection. Twilight’s jaw dropped and she felt her heart increase it’s speed ten fold. Ink held his head low and let out a sigh. “Forget it. I understand if you don’t want-” “NO! I’d love to have dinner with you!” She blurted out. Ink ‘looked’ at the mare in surprise and smiled. “Okay....I’ll pick you up at six then.” He said as he started to walk down the road, leaving the purple mare stunned in the street. Twilight snapped back to reality as she felt a hoof touch her shoulder. She looked to her left to see Applejack looking at her in confusion. “You okay sugar cube? Ya look kinda woozy.” She said with a raised eyebrow. “I’m fine.” She said with a massive grin on her face. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ink made his way into Carousel Boutique where a familiar white mare was sewing away at her work table. She looked up and smiled at the dark stallion. “Morning Ink, how can I help you?” “I need a suit. Nothing special just something quick and easy.” He said as he trotted over to the mare. “Not a problem.” She said as she withdrew her measuring tape and wrapped it around the stallions body. “Might I ask why you need a suit?” “I have a date tonight and I don’t own any formal attire.” He said as he raised his right hoof for the mare who had a massive smile on her face. “Oh how wonderful! Who’s the lucky mare?” “Twilight.” He said with a blush. Rarity started to giggle and hop in place. “Oh you two are so cute together. I was wondering when you’d ask her out.” She said as she held up the fabric. “What color do you want?” Ink gritted his teeth and gulped. Buck me. Fabric color; the one thing I can’t see with this spell. He thought as he let out a sigh. “Doesn’t matter, you’re the fashion expert.” He said with a smile. “Oh that’s sweet of you to say, but this is your suit. I want your opinion.” “I don’t know. I’ve never paid attention to how I look.” He said as he rolled his eyes. “Why not?” Mostly because I’m blind and I can’t look in a mirror. “I never really cared, until now that is.” He said in a nervous tone. “I’m sure what ever you pick is fine.” He said as he felt his forehead beginning to sweat. “Mind if I use the restroom?” “Go ahead. Down the hall third door on the left.” She said as she pointed towards her staircase. Ink gave her a nod and hurried up the stairs. As the dark stallion walked past the mare Rarity looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Ink found the bathroom and quickly made his horn flare. A headset with a microphone appeared around his head. “Hey Vinyl. You there?” A small static noise filled the headset. Hey what’s up? You only use this when you’re in trouble. “I am. I’m at Carousel Boutique with Rarity and she wants my opinion on the suit she’s making me.” Why do you need a suit? “I have a date tonight with Twilight.” Oh you guys are so cute together. “That’s beside the point, I need ya over here fast! I’m not sure how much longer I can keep stalling. Where are you right now?” I’m leaving Sugar Cube Corner now I’ll be there in a few minutes. “Please make it quick.” He said as the headset vanished. Ink let out a sigh. He wiped his forehead and closed his eyes. Several images flashed into his mind and he let out a small yelp. He turned on the sink and splashed the cold water over his face and started to pant heavily. “Ink? Are you alright in there?” Rarity asked as she knocked on the door. “Yeah, I’m fine I just need a minute.” He said as he wiped the bloodied tears from his eyes. He waited until he heard the mares walk back down stairs. He let out another sigh and washed his face with the warm water. He took a final breath and put on a fake smile. As the dark stallion trotted downstairs the door opened to reveal Vinyl with a smile on her face. “Thanks for coming Vi. This is really important to me.” “Don’t sweat it.” She said as she rubbed his head. The two walked back into the sewing room where Rarity had laid out a number of suits. “Hello Vinyl. What brings you here?” “Ink asked me to help him pick something out. He has very lousy taste when it comes to fashion.” She said with a laugh. “Very well. I have a few suits laid out for you to try on Ink.” She said as they trotted over to the table. “What do you think?” She asked as she looked at the two unicorns. “I think he’ll go with the black with white trim and the red bow tie.” She said with a smile. Rarity looked at Ink who gave her a reassuring nod. “Bow ties are cool.” He said with a smile. “Very well, there’s a try on room just down the hall.” Rarity said as she pointed with her hoof. Ink nodded and levitated the clothes as he walked down the hall. As the dark stallion moved out of range Rarity looked at Vinyl with a concerned look on her face. “Vinyl can I talk to you for a moment?” “Sure what’s up?” “It’s about Ink. I think theres something wrong with him.” She said in a hushed tone. Vinyl gulped and adverted her eyes. “What do you mean?” “I don’t know. But I think I heard him scream, I’m not trying to be nosy. I’m just worried about Twilight, this is her first date after all.” “Same can be said for Ink.” “Really? I thought that mares would swoon over him because of his profession.” Rarity said in surprise. “Yeah, Ink never dated. I’m surprised that he and Twilight are going out. It’s nice to see him finally enjoying himself.” She said as she let out a happy sigh. “What do you mean ‘finally’ enjoying himself?” She asked as she raised an eyebrow. Vinyl felt sweat beginning to form on her forehead at the question. “Look Rarity, it’s not my place to tell Ink’s life story. I’ll just say that he’s had a hard life and he deserves some happiness.” She said in a low tone. Rarity put a hoof on the mares shoulder and gave her a smile. “I understand. I won’t pry.” Rarity said with a smile. Vinyl looked over and smiled at the dark stallion in the suit. “How do I look?” He said as he faced the mares. “Great! That suit looks good on you. Nice work Rarity.” Vinyl said with a smile. “Just doing my job.” Ink summoned a small coin pouch and paid the mare for the suit. “Thank you darling, come again if you need anything in the fashion department.” She said as the unicorns walked out of the boutique. As they walked away Vinyl looked at the stallion with a worried look in her eye. “What’s up?” “Ink be honest with me. Are you getting flashes again?” Ink bit his lip and let out a sigh. “Yes, only a few and nothing too bad.” “Have you seen ‘it’ yet?” “No and I hope I never do.” He said in a low tone. Vinyl put a hoof on his shoulder and held back tears “You okay?” “Yeah. I just need to lie down for a bit.” He said as he walked away from the mare. Vinyl let out a sigh and started to trot in the opposite direction. The dark stallion made his way into his home and hung the new suit on the door. He laid down on the bed and let sleep take hold. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back in town Twilight had just finished explaining her conversation with ink to Applejack who had a massive grin on her face. “I’m real happy for ya Twilight. Ink seems like a good stallion.” “I know but I’m really nervous! This is my first date! What if I do something stupid or I say the wrong thing or-” “Settle down there sugar cube. I’m sure you’ll be fine.” She said as the lavender mares mane started to go haywire. “Granted I’m no expert on relationships but we both know somepony who is.” She said with a grin. Twilight took a deep breath as the two ponies made their way inside the boutique. “Hello welcome to...Oh Twilight, Applejack! What brings you two here?” She said in a happy tone “Twi needs a fancy get up for her date tonight.” Applejack said as she pointed to the lavender mare. “Some advice would be helpful as well.” “You’re in luck dear, Ink left here fifteen minutes ago with one of my best suits.” She said as she withdrew a tape measure and began taking measurements from the mare. “Did he say anything about where he’s taking me?” Twilight asked in a nervous tone. “No, I didn’t ask.” She said as she levitated some fabric over to her work bench. “He was acting strange though.” She said as she started up her sewing machine. “How so?” Twilight asked. “I don’t know he just seemed off somehow.” “He was probably nervous about tonight.” Applejack said with a reassuring smile. “I don’t know Applejack. He seemed out of focus and I’m not sure about this next bit, but I think I heard him crying while he was here.” The mares looked at her in confusion as she shrugged. “Vinyl said he’d had a hard life. I didn’t ask why. It’s not my business.” “From what Ink has told me that sounds accurate.” Twilight added. The mares looked at her with a concerned look on their faces. “Ink said he had a rough life and I’m not going to force him to tell me things he doesn’t want to talk about.” “I understand completely darling. He’ll tell us when he’s ready.” She said as she started to stitch the fabric. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ink made his way through the halls of the large school with a cloak on and his head held low. He ran his hoof over the lockers until he felt the familiar number plate. He ran the lock through his hooves and unlatched the lock and withdrew his books. After he closed the locker a familiar white filly trotted up next to him with a weak smile on her face. “Hey Ink, how are you feeling?” The colt remained silent as he kept his head hidden. The two made their way into the art room and sat in the back of the class away from the other ponies. “Okay my little ponies, lets stop chatting and get to work.” The teacher said in a sweet tone. Her gaze then shifted to the white filly and the hooded colt. “Ink you know how I feel about hoods in my-” She was cut off as the black colt trotted up to her and handed her a note. The teacher took the note from the young colt and put a hoof to her mouth in surprise as she read the message. “Oh..I see as you were then.” She said as she held back tears. As Ink made his way back to his seat one of the other colts got up and pointed at him. “Why does he get special treatment?” He protested. “Sit down Lightning.” “But-” “Sit down or you spend two hours in detention after class.” The teacher said in a cold tone. The colt sat back in his seat and cast a nasty look at the two ponies. Ink levitated his quill and started drawing a semi circle. Ink sat with Vinyl at a lunch table in the corner of the room. Vinyl got to her hooves and got on the lunch line. Ink let out a sigh and pulled his hood tighter over his head. Ink heard three ponies come up behind him and slammed his face into the table. Ink let out a cry of pain as Lightning and his two goons laughed at his state. One on the colts hit the floor as Vinyl bashed him over the head with a metal lunch tray. “Back off!” She yelled. The Pegasus Colt landed a punch to Vinyl’s face causing her sunglasses to shatter. Vinyl quickly got to her hooves and took a defensive stance. Ink began to recover from the attack only to be stopped by a blue hoof connecting with his face. Lighting delivered a quick blow to Vinyls gut causing the mare to throw up. The red Pegasus trotted over to the black unicorn who was on the ground in pain. “Let’s see what you’re hiding under there.” He said as he began to rip the hood off the colt’s jacket. “No, please don’t!” Ink pleaded. The Pegasus heard a satisfying rip and heard a collected gasp from the crowd that had formed around them. He looked at their faces in confusion. Some were shocked, others had tears in their eyes and some refused to look. Lighting looked back at the black colt to see that he had a bloodied bandage wrapped over his eyes. Four teacher burst into the room and broke up the crowd. Ink remained frozen in shock as the teachers took the three colts away. Vinyl slowly got to her hooves and hurried over to the stunned colt. Ink could feel tears running down his face as the white filly hugged him tightly. A tall brown Pegasus stallion walked over to them and let out a sigh. “Vinyl I think you should take Ink home. I called your parent’s and they’re on their way over. Do you need to see the nurse?” He said as he put a hoof on her shoulder. “No, I’m fine.” She said as she walked the dark colt out of the room and into the office. “Thanks Principle Quill.” As the two small ponies waited in the office the brown stallion sat at his desk across from a white Earth pony stallion and a pink Unicorn mare who had tears in their eyes. “I’m so sorry that this happened. I can honestly tell you that the three colts responsible will be expelled and I’ve filed a report with the MPD, they’re scheduled to be taken to Manehattan Juvenile Corrections Facility.” The brown stallion said in a calm tone.The two parents let out a sigh of relief at the news. “I know that Ink is now in your care and I think it would be best for everyone if the teachers home school him.” “No, that would only make him feel worse.” The mare said with a sniffle. “I understand this is a very difficult time for you all. I think it’s best to take him home and take a few days off. Granted I don’t know the full story and I probably don’t want to.” He said in a low tone. “The teachers will understand. Make sure Vinyl stays with Ink, he needs a friend now more than ever.” The two ponies nodded and shook the brown Pegasus’s hoof. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ink’s eyes shot open as he panted heavily and felt a river of sweat form on his forehead. He wiped the sweat off his face and felt the familiar red tears run down his face. He quickly went into the shower and turned on the water. The dark stallion felt the warm water wash over his body taking the sweat and blood filled tears with it. Ink sat in the shower and waited until the red tears had washed away and were swept down the drain. As he walked out of the bathroom the clock rang, he sent out another pulse and saw it was 5:45pm. Ink made his way into his room and threw on the suit Rarity had made him earlier that day. After he donned the suit he walked over to a black case and withdrew a pair of clear, wire rim glasses. As he put the glasses over his face the glass showed a pair of crystal blue eyes. He blinked twice and let out a sigh. He walked out of his house and back onto the busy street. The dark stallion stopped in front of Vinyls house and knocked on the door. The white mare smiled at him. She then saw the crystal blue eyes behind the pair of glasses. “Those still work?” “I don’t know you tell me.” The stallion blinked and the blue eyes followed the gesture. “Yeah, I’m surprised the illusion still works after all this time.” She said as she looked at the stallion. “Shouldn’t you be picking up Twilight?” “That’s why I’m here. I know that her friends are curious about me, I hate to ask this of you but-” “You want me to run interference right?” She asked as she raised an eyebrow. “Yeah.” “No problem.” She said with a smile. “Thanks Vi. I gotta go get Twilight. We’ll be at the Blue Rose restaurant." He said with a smile. Ink quickly made his way towards the massive library. As he approached the tree he let out a sigh. Ink knocked on the door and felt his jaw hit the ground as he ‘looked’ at Twilight in a stunning dress. “I’m sorry. I must have the wrong house. I’m supposed to be meeting my date here, have you seen her?” He said with a smug grin on his face. Twilight giggled and looked at his attire. “Very funny. How do I look?” She asked with a blush on her face. Ink’s right eye twitched at the question. “You look great.” He said with a smile on his face. “Really? I was starting to get a little paranoid that you wouldn’t like it.” She said as she let out a sigh of relief. “Nonsense. You look amazing.” He said as he focused his pulse to outline the fabric of the dress. “Shall we?” He said as he offered the mare his hoof. Twilight happily grabbed it and the two made their way through the dark streets of Ponyville. “So where are we going?” “The Blue Rose.” He said with a smile “But that place is super exclusive! How did you get a table there?” She said in surprise. “The manager owes me a favor.” He said with a smirk. “What favor?” “He’s an old client and I dropped the price of his wife’s self portrait for him. He’s been looking to pay me back ever since.” The two spent the rest of the way in silence until they arrived at a bright blue building with two stone pony sculptures out in front. The dark stallion trotted up to the front desk and was greeted by a bright green mare with a smile on her face. “Good evening sir. Do you have a reservation?” “Yes, it’s under Ink Blot.” The mare withdrew a clip board and scanned the list. “Oh here you are table for two? Private booth?” “That’s the one.” He said with a smile. The mare grabbed two menu’s and led the two unicorns outside to a private table. “Thank you ma’am.” “No problem, should I start you off with some water?” “That’d be great.” He said with a smile. Ink sent out another pulse and noticed that Twilight was looking at him. “What’s up?” “I just realized, this is the first time I’ve seen your eyes.” Ink felt his stomach jump into his chest cavity. “Y-yeah. I only wear these when I’m doing something important.” “You should wear them more often. You have beautiful eyes.” Oh Celestia this mare is killing me! “Thanks, but I prefer my sunglasses. My eyes are really sensitive to light and the sunglasses help filter it out.” He lied. “Oh, thanks for making the sacrifice.” She said with a smile. A tall red unicorn stallion wearing a suit. “Ink how is everything?” He asked in a kind voice. “Just fine Sparkler. How’s the wife?” “Wonderful, we’re expecting a foal in three months.” “That’s great, I’m happy for you. Send my regards to Lilly.” He said as the stallion trotted away from the two Unicorns. “Who was that?” “The manager.” He said as the waitress came back with their water. “Are we ready to order?” She asked as she withdrew a note pad. “Yes, I’ll have the dandelion salad with a side of cucumber.” Twilight said with a smile. “Okay, and for you sir?” “I’ll have the hay pasta with a side of carrots.” He said as he handed the waitress the menu’s. “Okay that should be ready soon.” She said as she trotted away from the couple. Twilight looked at him in shock. “What?” “You told me that you couldn’t read normal writing.” “I can’t.” “Then how did you see that menu?” She asked as Ink took a sip of water from his glass. “I sent a little bit of my magic through the menu that made the letters turn into braille. The I use my pulse to outline it and presto I can read.” He said with a smile. “That’s amazing! Can I see it?” “Sure got a quill and paper?” Twilight nodded and summoned the items next to her. She scribbled a quick message and levitated it over to the stallion. Ink took the message in his hooves and sent a small pulse of magic through it. The letters began to rearrange themselves into dots and became hard to the touch. Ink ran his hoof over the message and smiled. I’m having a good time. “I’m having a good time too.” He said as he handed her the parchment. Twilight looked in amazement as the dots transformed back into the letters. “The parchment has to have physical contact with me in order for it to work.” “Well, I guess I don’t have to worry about you permanently changing my books.” She said with a smile. “I only use it for simple things like reading a menu or a small report. I prefer to listen to everything else.” He said as their food arrived. Ink sent out another pulse and saw three outlines hiding in the bushes ten yards away. Rainbow, Rarity and Pinkie had ducked into a nearby bush and leaned their heads out trying to hear the two unicorns. “Ow! Pinkie you’re stepping on my hoof!” Rarity complained. “Oops. Sorry Rarity.” She said with a smile. “Shhh! I can’t hear what they’re saying.” Rainbow said as she tried to listen closer. “What are they saying?” Rarity asked. “Ahem!” The three mares jumped at the noise. They turned around to see Vinyl and Applejack staring at them with frowns on their faces. “Oh hey guys what brings you here?” Rainbow asked with a nervous grin on her face. “I can ask you three the same thing.” Vinyl said as she eyed the mares. “Ah can’t believe ya’ll would intrude on Twi’s date like this.” Applejack said as her eyes narrowed. “We were just curious and I wanted to see how the date is going.” Pinkie said with a weak grin. “Yeah and I bet you’re curious too.” Rainbow said in an accusing tone. Applejack then withdrew a rope she had wrapped around her tail. “Listen sugar cube we can do this the easy way or the hard way.” She said as she put one end in her mouth. Rainbow tried to take off from the ground but was caught by the farmers’ lasso. Applejack pulled the Pegasus back onto the ground and hog tied her. “Thanks for the help AJ.” Vinyl said as she nudged the other two mares away from the restaurant. “No problem, ah figured Rainbow and Rarity would do something like this.” She said as she dragged the cyan mare behind her who struggled in her restraints. The white unicorn looked over and saw Ink smile and nod at her. Vinyl let out a sigh and walked with the other mares away from the establishment. Ink and Twilight had finished their meal and walked out of the fancy restaurant with smiles on their faces. “Wow that food was amazing.” “Yeah this place is really great.” He said with a smile. As they approached the library Twilight had a massive blush on her face. She reached for the door and let out a grumble when the knob wouldn’t turn. “What’s wrong?” “It’s locked and my key is inside.” She said with a sigh. “That all?” He said as he summoned a small ball of clay and pressed it against the lock. His horn flared and the clay shifted into a key which started to turn. Ink twisted the knob and opened the door for the lavender mare. Twilight looked in amazement as he removed the clay and made it vanish. “Like a charm I haven’t needed a house key in years.” “Thank you kind sir.” Twilight said as she stepped inside. Ink took a deep breath and gathered his courage. “Hey Twilight.” He said ina nervous tone. “Yes?” She asked as she smiled at him. At that moment every doubt and bad memory came rushing back to Ink’s mind and he began to panic. “I-I just wanted to say that I had a really good time tonight.” He said as he tried to block out the memories. “Me too. Would you like to...I don’t know do this again tomorrow maybe?” She said with a bright blush on her face. “Yes, I’d love to.” He said with a smile. Ink started to turn around to head home, but stopped when he felt a pair of hooves grab his face and a pair of lips met his. Ink’s eyes shrank and returned the gesture. Twilight broke the kiss and smiled back at him. “First kiss?” The mare nodded with bright blushing cheeks. “Mine too. I’ll see ya tomorrow then.” He said as he gave her a peck on the cheek. Twilight went back inside the library and giggled to herself. Ink stormed into his home and slammed the door shut. He took his glasses and threw them on the coffee table. Ink tore off his suit and made his way into the bathroom. He opened the medicine cabinet behind the mirror and withdrew a small bottle of pills. He took one and closed the cabinets’ door. He ‘looked’ at himself in the mirror and slammed his right hoof into the surface, shattering it. He sat on the ground and let out a sigh. “I’m such a bucking coward.” He said as he felt his hoof beginning to bleed. He quickly disinfected it and wrapped it with a few bandages. He made his way down stairs into the studio and looked over at the black safe against the wall. The dark stallion out stretched his hoof and touched the dial. He quickly withdrew his hoof and made his way back upstairs and laid down to rest.