//------------------------------// // VI: Who Will Love Me As I Am? // Story: Adorkable Love // by Einhander //------------------------------// Adorkable Love By Einhander Chapter 6: Who Will Love Me As I Am? Edited by: TheLastBrunnenG Twilight paced back and forth, muttering and asking questions to no pony in particular. She would walk a few steps, look around with wary eyes, and then take a few steps in another direction. Even though she had been to the Carousel Boutique hundreds of times, she looked lost. Rarity watched her pace and tried to think of a plan. It was too late to pre-empt the spiral; Twilight was already in full-tilt mode. It was now a question of how to get her back on solid ground. Usually, this is where Spike would shine (or more recently, Cheerilee) but Spike was not only gone, he was the cause of Twilight’s anxiety. Incomplete thoughts tumbled out of Twilight's mouth, “He always leaves a note; he didn’t leave a note… Maybe I made him…. chased him away? Last time he went to the cave, but he’s been getting along fine with Owlowiscious… but I-“ “Twilight, I think you really need to calm yourself,” said Rarity, “There’s no reason to think Spike’s run away or anything like that.” Twilight turned to Rarity, unconvinced. “Has he said anything? I wasn’t listening enough? Not enough breaks?” “Twilight, trust me. Spike is not mad at you. I’ve been spending much of the last 24 hours with him, and he never once mentioned being cross with you.” She hesitated, then added, “Quite the opposite, actually.” Rarity's words did not calm her, as Twilight's left eye began to twitch. “But if he’s not mad at me, where did he, I thought he’d be here, he’s not here. Oh no, in danger, maybe?” she said, then began pacing faster, “Who? Trixie? No, she’d come after me, and she’s not mad at me anymore… Sombra is banished, Discord, no, Discord is in prison, but I did testify against… no, he wouldn’t, he’d come after me, or-” “Twilight, really-“ “What if he went sleepwalking? Or if he’s in the Everfree trying to get food for his phoenix? Celestia, he could have run into the cockatrice! He could be a stone statue! We have to go!” She began heading for the door, “We have to-“ “Twilight Sparkle!” A blue aura enveloped Twilight and prevented her from reaching the door. Rarity walked slowly towards her, gritting her teeth as she concentrated on her magic spell. Twilight was fighting Rarity with all of her strength, but oddly enough, not with her own magic. “Take… a moment…,” growled Rarity, straining her magic as far as it would go, “And realize… how… crazy you sound!” Twilight finally used a flash of magic and broke Rarity’s spell, sending her friend to the ground and herself back into a dress rack which fell on top of the vanity mirror. The mirror shattered, sending glass all over the floor. There was a moment of silence as both ponies lay on the ground panting, worn out from the impromptu magic duel. Finally Twilight lifted her head, and saw the mess on the floor and cried out. Rarity turned to look at her friend. “Look what you’ve done,” said Rarity, still trying to catch her breath, “Seven years bad luck.” Twilight started to sniffle, and Rarity smiled weakly. “Oh, Twilight, really, I was just kidd-” It was too late. Twilight put her head in her hooves and started to cry, full-body sobs, as she crumpled back on to the floor. Rarity sighed, trudging over to comfort her friend. This meant neither of them noticed a rope made of bedsheets appear outside the western window, nor did they see Sweetie Belle or hear her little grunts of effort as she made her way down the rope and disappeared from view. “Here, let me help you up,” Rarity said. Twilight accepted the hoof, and looked around at the mess. “I’ll pay for the mirror,” she said, quietly. “It’s just a mirror. I order them in bulk, ever since my sister declared herself a Cutie Mark Crusader. Now, Twilight, what’s wrong?” asked Rarity. Twilight opened her mouth and Rarity interrupted, “And don’t say it’s because Spike left without leaving a note! Spike’s a young dragon who makes mistakes, and you can scold him later but you have no reason to think he’s run off or in danger.” Twilight nodded miserably, “I know. I’m worried, but you’re right.” “So what is it, darling? And what is this about Cheerilee getting in trouble? Here, have a seat, I’m making us some tea,” said Rarity. She glanced toward the kitchen and frowned, admitting, “I only have Saddle Grey, if that’s acceptable.” Twilight shrugged, and Rarity went to make tea. As she filled the kettle with water and turned on the stove, she began to worry. The only thing scarier than freak-out Twilight was giving-up-hope Twilight, and while they were out of the spiral stage, this wasn’t where she wanted to land. She returned to the foyer, finding Twilight had not moved from her seat. The tears were still falling, but they were fewer and quieter, and it looked like the sobbing fit had passed. “It’ll take a moment for the kettle to boil,” said Rarity, sitting across from her friend. “Now, we are going to talk about this. What is going on?” Twilight didn’t speak immediately. Rarity stared at her patiently, and when Twilight realized no more words were coming, she looked away and said, “I guess it started yesterday, when Cheerilee came over. You and Spike left, and we were talking…” “I thought you two were getting along splendidly. Did something happen?” “No. Well, yes. It’s complicated.” Rarity used all of her powers as the element of generosity prevent her eyes from rolling. “That has more meanings nowadays than you imagine, dear. What I mean is, did she do something to upset you? Or you her?” “Well, no, actually. We—at least, I—had a wonderful time. We had more in common than I would have thought, and we talked about books, about Ponyville, about our upbringing, about Pinkie being Pinkie… about spit takes.” “Spit takes? Really?” Twilight shrugged, “It just came up.” “So you had a wonderful afternoon with a friend! What’s so wrong about that?” “We lost track of time and, one of her students—Sweetie Belle’s friend, Scootaloo—came and was looking for her. Cheerilee had just come on her lunch break and didn’t realize how long she’d been, and the little filly was upset because they’d been left alone… one of the other foals, that awful Diamond Tiara, had declared ‘martial law’ and had staged a coup to take over the classroom- why are you laughing?” Rarity tried to stop giggling, “I’m sorry darling, I know you're upset but come now, that is funny.” Twilight stared at her, stone faced. “I admit, I don’t know the rest of the story, but it’s… objectively funny. That little beast declaring herself Queen of the classroom? I can just picture it.” Twilight remained expressionless, and Rarity swallowed hard and realized she’d gone too far. The tea kettle started whistling in the next room. “Tea’s up!” said Rarity with forced cheerfulness, and she ran out of the room and away from Twilight’s gaze. As Rarity poured the tea, she shuddered. This wasn’t going well. Courage, darling, your friend needs you, her brain scolded her. She returned with the tea, and magically floated the cup and saucer over to Twilight. “Milk? Sugar? Honey?” she offered, and Twilight shrugged again. For reasons she would not be able to explain later, this was the final straw. Rarity looked her friend in the eye and announced, “Twilight Sparkle, we have had tea too many times to count, and you’ve never turned down sugar in your tea, not once. Are you telling me that whatever this business is, it’s caused you to lose your sense of self? That suddenly, you drink your tea without sugar?” Rarity sniffed, “Well, I just don’t know what to say. This is a strange, sad day indeed.” Twilight muttered something underneath her breath. “What was that?” “Two sugars, please,” Twilight whispered. “That’s better. Two sugars it is,” said Rarity as she levitated the spoon and jar over, and gave her friend two spoonfuls. “Shall I mix it for you?” Twilight shook her head, and began stirring the tea with her hoof. 90% of the time she would do it magically, but Rarity let that go, claiming the small victory in getting her to drink her tea properly. “Very well, so Scootaloo was upset and Diamond Tiara was being a royal pain. Then what?” Twilight sipped her tea, and said, “They left, and I told Cheerilee that I was sorry and that she could come anytime to visit, that friends were always welcome to visit… that was it, she left, and I went and ran some errands.“ She glanced at Rarity, “Then I found you and Spike in the bushes, which I still-“ “Yes yes, bushes and sketches, I was there,” Rarity waved her hoof, wanting to get off the subject, “What happened after?” “I did what you asked, I went to her house to give her the book, and your sister was there with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, they were there to give her all these other gifts. Even though they were the ones left without a teacher, they felt bad for her.” Rarity frowned. “I’m not following you.” “Cheerilee had to call the parents of the two students who caused all the problems, and instead of the parents being upset with their foals, they blamed her for all the trouble.” Twilight started shaking again, her voice choking up, “Can you imagine? The kids said they just tore into her, Rarity. Called her all of these nasty things. And it was all because of me.” “I don’t see how this is your fault, dear.” “I do. I can very clearly see a series of events that happen because I asked her to stay at the library, and a series of events where I didn’t. Where I didn’t talk her ear off about stupid things and she doesn’t get in trouble and doesn’t get yelled at and maybe fired, or at the very least isn’t sad because of me.” “Twilight…” “And then I think that she’d have been better off if she’d never met me…” Rarity took a huge breath, trying to stay calm. “That’s not true.” "I saw her through the window of her own house, Rarity. She was so sad. All alone in her house. She’s known for cheerfulness, and she was devastated. Because of me. And my heart just… broke. I felt so down, I thought my mane and coat would go gray. That's how low I was.” There was a silence. Rarity sipped her tea, and said quietly, “Go on.” “I came home. Spike was asleep in his chair, he must have been waiting up for me. I barely had the strength to carry him upstairs and put him to bed.” Twilight started tearing up again, “I watched him sleep for a bit, then I spent the next few hours staring at the stars. When I woke, Spike was gone." Rarity floated a napkin over to her friend. "Here, darling. You're a mess." Twilight blew her nose and dried her tears. Rarity cringed on the inside, but smiled on the outside and said, "There we are. Now, you know Spike is going to be fine, yes?" Twilight nodded. "I know. But one day he will be gone, you know? I always knew that, but today it just hit home. One day he’s going to go off. Not because of anything I do or say, but because he's growing up. He's going to go out on his own, and of course, that's what he should do. But what do I do then?" Rarity poured more her tea, listening and trying not to convey any particular opinion. Twilight was edging back towards sense, but it was heavy stuff. "What will any of us do? If you were given the chance to open a shop in Canterlot, wouldn't you go? If Rainbow is offered a slot on the Wonderbolts, wouldn't she regret it if she didn't take it? Wouldn’t we tell her to go?” “Yes, I suppose so. We all have our dreams, and Ponyville isn’t exactly where I see myself forever.” Twilight nodded grimly. “And as for Fluttershy and Pinkie, I'm not sure what their dreams are, but you just said it: the six of us can't stay together forever. It could just as easily be me that's called back to Canterlot, I keep getting the feeling that Celestia has something ominous planned, involving me. And if I go, who comes with me? Do I just start over?" "Nothing lasts forever, dear. But I would think a simple move to Canterlot wouldn’t mean the end of our friendship. Or any of our friendships. I mean, really, we’ve saved the world together, Twilight.” Rarity paused, then added, “Three times, actually, between Nightmare Moon and Discord and the changelings. Maybe four times if you count the Crystal Empire. That isn’t something you forget." Twilight stared into her tea, her expression one of resigned doom. "I think about these things from time to time; I used to think about them endlessly. You know why I never tried to make friends in Canterlot? Because I thought friendships faded but scholarship endured. Now I find that I can't remember quite what I studied like I could before, but I remember everything with you girls. And I don't know what I'd do without you, or without Spike.” Rarity sighed, “You’d make new friends, dear, and keep in touch with old.” “That’s just it, Rarity!” said Twilight, her words getting faster again, “I thought I did yesterday. I spend time with this wonderful pony, Cheerilee, and then I ruin her day. I may have ruined her career." “I hardly think-“ “Do you know the odds against us all becoming friends? It took a thousand year old legend coming to life for me to look past myself and accept your help, all of your friendships,” she said, her eye starting to twitch again, “and if it wasn’t for that, I would have come and gone from Ponyville, never to return.” Rarity tried to sip from her tea cup, only to find it empty. So was the kettle. Curses, I’m unarmed… “Then when I try again, I try to make a new friend, and it blows up faster than the Grand Galloping Gala!” Twilight started tearing up, "I've made mistakes in Ponyville, with all of you. I've tried to learn when I've hurt my friends. But why is it that I feel this pain, this weight in my heart when I think of Cheerilee’s sadness? Why do I feel so bad because of what might happen to her?” Twilight dropped her head on the table, sniffling, “Why can't I stop thinking that one day I'm going to be alone again?” Rarity looked at her friend. She wasn't going to get a better opening than this. Taking a long breath, she asked: "Twilight, I want you to be honest with me and not be offended when I ask this question.” Twilight looked up. “Have you ever been in love?" Twilight blinked. Whatever question she was expecting, they wasn't it. "Well, of course, I love all you girls, and Spike..." Rarity shook her head. "Not BPFF love. Not like you love Spike or your brother. Love love. Special somepony love." Twilight thought about it, and slowly shook her head. "No, it's... no.” Rarity ventured onward. "Well, the things you're talking about... fear of being alone, that awful feeling when somepony is sad that you care about, losing track of time when being with somepony... I'm pretty sure that's what ponies mean when they talk about love. Not wanting to be alone, wanting to care for somepony when they’re sad, be willing to do anything for them. That's love." Twilight opened her mouth, then closed it and turned away. She was confused and sad. Rarity said, “You’ve never felt that before?” Twilight swallowed and muttered, “It’s never come up. I guess." "Come now, Twilight, you may be a scholar and a librarian, but you were also a filly once, and fillies become mares, and the transition is … awkward, for lack of a better word. This has never crossed your mind? Finding a special somepony? A stallion to send you flowers, or a telegram?" There was a pause. Rarity decided to gamble. "Or a mare, perhaps?" The change in gender did not seem to faze Twilight, as she shrugged. "It just never seemed relevant." "Relevant? What a clinical word for a wondrous thing! Why isn't it relevant?" Twilight looked back at her. "Who would love me as I am?" Time had stood still for Spike ever since Cheerilee had asked her deceptively simple question: what Twilight had told Spike about her feelings. It was an easy enough question, if Spike knew the answer. Which he very much did not. As a last resort, he had asked his brain to return to solve this puzzle: She looks she's going to cry. Help me! Relax, brother. We got this, said his brain, which took over for his mouth and said: "Well she told me about the book, that she was going over to give you the book. So unless some other ponies dropped off a book AND flowers the same color as Twilight's coat..." Cheerilee dared a small smile. "They're Purple Night Flowers. Very rare,” her smile now unfurled into a full on grin, “And they're my favorite." Spike (and his brain) were impressed. "Flowers and a book, eh?" "And chocolates. And a card. Signed by her." She giggled. "I feel like a little filly." Chocolates and a card? Who needs you and Rarity? Twilight's on fire! said Spike's brain. "That's great, Cheerilee! Did you two talk at all?" She shook her head. "No, she must have rung the doorbell and left, but at my door was the card, the book, the candy and," she tilted her head, showing off the flower, “This." Spike's smile dropped a bit. "So she didn't say anything, huh? "No, but the card was signed by her. She has no idea how much I needed good news yesterday. I can't wait to tell her." Spike’ brain was shouting at him, Danger! Something's off! Equestria to Spike! He frowned and tried to ignore it. Cheerilee noticed his face, and she became small again. "I think I've said too much." "No, no! It's not that! I'm just surprised, that's all." "Surprised?" "Yeah this all sounds pretty darn cool and smooth, and I mean, I love Twilight, but she's not smooth OR cool." Cheerilee relaxed a little. "You don't mind, then?" "Mind?" asked Spike, "Are you kidding? I think you two will be a great couple! You like books, she lives in a library, what's not to like? I mean, not that you're dating yet, at least I don't think you are, but COME ON, she got you rare flowers! That's gotta be a good sign!" Cheerilee smiled softly, "Things really have changed..." Spike was confused, "Changed? Huh?" "Once upon a time, somepony like you wouldn't be happy for somepony like me feeling the way I do." Spike blinked. "Why? Because you're both mares?" Cheerilee held her breath, and nodded. Spike shook his head. "That's just stupid. Some ponies are just dumb. Besides, I'm not somepony. I'm a dragon, remember?" Cheerilee laughed, "So you are!" Well played, said Spike's brain. Why thank you, replied Spike. Don’t get cocky. "And I think this is your donut arriving here." Zecora's nephew came carrying a pot of coffee and the fanciest donut Spike had ever seen: chocolate frosted with chocolate sprinkles covered in vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce, more chocolate sprinkles and a cherry on top. "Here is your super fancy donut, you have my permission to go nuts." "Thanks! That was super quick! Hey, are you Zecora's nephew?" "That I am, how do you do, I am Zozo, nice to meet you." He poured them more coffee, and then turned to the pony next to them, "and for you, here is some more Joe, But Please Mr. Cake, take my advice and have no more." "I'll tell you when I've had enough!" snapped the pony, clutching his coffee. Zozo shrugged and went back to the kitchen. Spike squinted at the jittering orange pony. "Mr. Cake?" he hazarded. "Hello there Spike isn't it a nice day yes I think so COFFEE," said Mr. Cake, taking a giant sip. Spike and Cheerilee exchanged a look. Mr. Cake was now shaking so much that the mug he was cradling began to spill slightly. Spike shrugged and broke off a piece of his donut, when suddenly there was the sound of distant "Whee-" And a pink blur tore through street next to the café like a rocket. The speed of the pink torpedo caused the coffee cups to rattle, and blew Spike's donut plate right into his face, complete with the ala and the mode. "What was THAT?" asked Cheerilee. "MMffffgghh," said Spike. "Oh Spike!" giggled Cheerilee, "Oh I'm so sorry. Your treat!" Spike took the plate off his face, and managed to clean all off the desert off with a few well-timed tongue maneuvers. "Hey, no harm, no foul," he licked his claws clean, then asked "But seriously, what was that?" "That was Pinkie Pie." Mr. Cake said, in a kind of far off, distant voice. "That's what she does now." Cheerilee and Spike exchanged looks again. Finally, Spike said “Go on…” "She got a delivery yesterday from some blue fool who didn't know what he was doing." "I don't understand, how- oooooh. Blue Bonnet?" said Spike. "Blue...? Oh! The trampolines!" gasped Cheerilee. "The trampolines," muttered Mr. Cake. There was a "wheeeeeee" in the distance, and this time all three held onto their cups of coffee. But wherever Pinkie was going, it wasn’t close enough to cause more disaster. "The past 24 hours have been all bouncing, babies, quacking and whee-ing," muttered Mr. Cake. "So," said Spike, "uh... How are you holding up?" "I've convinced myself that sleep is thing that other ponies need, but not me." He stopped, his eyelids very heavy. Mr. Cake started leaning to one side, and Spike exchanged a worried glance with Cheerilee. As Cake tilted toward the point of no return, Cheerilee stepped forward to catch him. But he opened his eyes with a start and shook his head, righting himself. "Also, I've had about, oh, twenty cups of coffee today. And I think- I’m not 100%, but I’m pretty sure- that I can travel through time." There was a pause. "So I've got that going for me, which is nice." Neither Cheerilee nor Spike quite knew what to say. Suddenly, Mr. Cake started looking around wildly. "What... what was that? Did you hear that?" Cheerilee frowned, "I didn't hear anything-" "Ssh! Ssh! Listen!" said Mr. Cake, who paused and whispered, "...the wind!" Then he ran off screaming, knocking over his table and causing general pandemonium. Zozo walked out of the inside of the café, and shook his head. “What a dip, moreover, he didn’t leave a tip!” The zebra then went back inside with a huff. Finally, Spike spoke: "You know, this town has just gotten so much more surreal in the past 24 hours. And if I had to, you know, quantify that surreal-ness? “ He took a sip of coffee. ”About 20% more surreal." Time stopped for Rarity. She was afraid that she had already given away too much, been prodding to hard to get Twilight in the right mindset. Now, suddenly, she had opened up a whole different catalogue of problems. “Who could love you, Twilight? Are you joking?” “No,” said Twilight. “I’m not.” “Oh dear oh dear, my dear,” said Rarity, stumbling over her words, “Really now. Do you even know the colts and fillies who were trying to get your attention on Hearts and Hooves day?” Twilight shook her head, “They were after the prize pupil of the Princess, the pony who took down Nightmare and Discord. They don't know me.” “Well, not if you don’t give them a chance!” “Rainbow Dash has got my number, Rarity: egghead. I’m an egghead. And I’m not good at fitting in, I’m not good at noticing other ponies are upset. I don’t know if you remember my first Winter Wrap Up-“ “When you organized it, got us on schedule for the first time ever, and then were given the town's only tri-color vest?” said Rarity, eyes skeptical, “Yes, a grand disaster all around.” “I meant the part where I was hiding in the bushes because I’d gotten Applejack so mad she didn’t even want to speak to me.” Rarity hesitated. “Ah. No, I didn’t know about that.” Twilight shook her head, “Well, I did. And I almost caused you to have a breakdown. And it’s happened again and again, not just with you ponies, I almost ruined my brother’s wedding.” “He was about to marry a changeling, dear. You saved the kingdom. Again.” “But I didn’t know that for sure! And I almost lost my family over it, not to mention my friends.” “I don’t see what this has to do with not being to find a special somepony.” Twilight was getting frustrated. “Family has to stick by family. And I was the first pony Spike saw out of his eggshell, so of course he follows me. I’m lucky enough to have you girls in my life. But what pony would be able to see past all of my issues, my hang-ups, my selfishness, my… awkwardness, I suppose.” Rarity tried to keep her poker face, and said, “You might be surprised.” Twilight shook her head, “I don’t think so. I just don’t think about it, Rarity. I’ve always actively kept that book unopened. Because…” “What?” “Because even if there was such a pony, even if they did love me, I’d just hurt them.” Rarity was shocked. “Hurt them?” “I’ll say something stupid or careless, I’ll miss an important day or event, I’ll be so buried in my books and studying that I’ll lose them. And hurt them.” Twilight looked sadly at her friend, “Or they’ll hurt me.” Rarity stood up. She knew when she was beaten, and she was no match for Twilight’s deeply thought out insecurities. She was in over her head, and Operation Adorkable was dead as far as she was concerned. There was only one thing left to do: “Let’s go find Spike.” “What?” “All of this girl talk hasn’t gotten us any closer to finding our dear friend!” Well, let’s go find him. Will that make you feel better?” Twilight finally smiled, “I guess so.” “Well, then hop to it!” said Rarity. “Yes, ma’am!” said Twilight, standing and stretching. Rarity magically grabbed her shoulder bag and went to open the door. Then, Twilight said, “Rarity?” Rarity paused, and turned to her friend. Twilight was blushing slightly, “Thank you for… well, just thank you. I think I needed to just say a lot of that out loud. But I didn’t know if anypony would understand.” “Twilight, you can tell me anything,” said Rarity. “That’s what friends are for. Now, let’s go find our dragon friend.” “Let’s!” said Twilight, “And maybe we’ll see Cheerilee too.” Rarity stood in the open door frame, putting on her already exhausted poker face once more. “Cheerilee?” she asked. “Yes, I hope we run into her… I still need to apologize for earlier.” Rarity managed a weak smile, “Yes, dear, of course. Sweetie Belle! We're going out, I'll be back in a bit!" And they walked out, completely oblivious to the fact that Sweetie Belle was long gone. It was many cups of coffee later. Spike and Cheerilee had talked and talked and talked, first about Twilight, then about the cutie mark crusaders, and then the conversation switched to Rarity. Cheerilee had switched to decaf, but Spike hadn’t. Zozo was an efficient and quick waiter, and he poured with a heavy hoof. “No, you don’t understand!” said Spike excitedly, “She’s just the most beautiful, awesomest pony in the world!” “I think I get the picture,” laughed Cheerilee. “No you don’t! She once defeated an entire army of Diamond Dogs just by being a lady! She’s just so kind, so gorgeous, so talented so… so….” “Amazing?” asked Cheerilee. “Yes! Exactly!” said Spike. “See? You understand.” Zozo came up to the table. “Another cup of java, my dragon friend?” Spike smiled and offered his mug, although he was so jittery that it was shaking in his claw. Zozo arched an eyebrow and said, “Although perhaps not, as it might send you ‘round the bend.” “I’ll tell you when I’ve had enough!” Cheerilee mouthed the word ‘decaf’ to Zozo, who nodded and quickly produced a different pot of coffee. Spike gladly accepted the coffee, unaware of the switch. He took a swig and said, “Another amazing thing about Rarity? She-“ "Spike? Cheerilee?" said a quiet, familiar voice. Both of them turned, and saw Twilight, exhausted but smiling with relief at both of them; and Rarity, a frozen grin on her face, trying to keep herself together. Cheerilee felt her heart swell up on seeing Twilight. She opened her mouth to speak and- “Twilight how ya doing great day isn’t it? Coffee? We got lots!” said Spike. Twilight chuckled, “I’m glad to see you’re okay- wait. How many cups of coffee have you had? “How many in a pot?” asked Spike, “I’ve had several pots.” “Oh dear. Spike, you’ll be up for hours.” “And how!” said Spike cheerfully, taking a big swig of coffee. “Hi Rarity!” “Spike…” said Rarity, her face still in a frozen grin. “Hey, hey, Twilight! Rarity!” said Spike jovially, “Have a seat, have some coffee! Have a donut, have sprinkles on the donut, they’ve got EVERYTHING here!” “Um,” said Twilight, turning to Cheerilee, “Do you have a minute?” “Of course.” Twilight glanced at Rarity, who said brightly, "Yes! Spike! Let's let them talk." Spike groaned. "Aww-" "RightnowSpikerightnowcomewithmerightnow. Rightnow. Youtwohaveagoodchatnow-" and with that, she hauled Spike away by the snout, who was complaining all the way. "Definitely 20% more surreal..." muttered Cheerilee. Twilight had a seat, clearly deep in thought, trying to find the words. Cheerilee smiled. "Well, I'm certainly glad to see you again." Twilight offered, "I-I'm certainly glad to see you, as well." Cheerilee titled her head ever so slightly, trying not to blush. Twilight said, "You have a flower in your hair." Cheerilee giggled, "It appears that I do." There was a pause. Cheerilee said "So..." “I’m so sorry, Cheerilee!” blurted Twilight. “Sorry?” asked Cheerilee, “For what?” “I got you in trouble, and I’m so sorry. Please tell me you didn’t get fired! If so, I’ll help you get another job! I swear it! I’ll write you the best recommendation later, and the Princess will-“ “Twilight, Twilight, calm down. Everything’s fine. I’m fine. No one’s been fired.” Twilight exhaled, and put her hand in her hoof, “Oh thank Celestia. I’ve been up all night worrying.” Cheerilee was moved. “Really? About me?” “Of course! I mean, I just couldn’t handle it. You’re such a good teacher, and I couldn’t live with myself if you couldn’t teach because of me!” Cheerilee felt her cheeks blush, which, thankfully for her, was hard to see due to her coat color. She said quietly, “It wasn’t your fault… I wanted to stay.” Twilight shook her head, “I should have asked how long your break was. I want to make it up to you. How can I make it up to you?” Cheerilee was trying to be coy, but while she was talented at many things, acting wasn’t one of them. “Oh, I think you’ve already made it up to me, but maybe I can think of some…thing.” Twilight shook her head, “The book wasn’t enough.” “It was so much more than just the book,” Cheerilee purred. At least, in her head it was purring, to Twilight it sounded like a product of a sore throat. Twilight looked at her, puzzled. “Well yes, it is more than just a book, it’s a classic, but-“ “Spend the day with me!” blurted out Cheerilee, who suddenly recoiled after she said it. “I’m sorry?” asked Twilight. It was too late to retreat. Cheerilee said, “You don’t have to make it up to me, but if you want to make it up to me, let’s spend the day together.” She took the flower out of her mane, and stared at it, “It’s my day off, and while hanging out with Spike was fun, I’d… there’s no pony I’d rather spend the day with than you.” She looked up. “If, you know. You’re not busy.” Twilight smiled brightly, her guilt about yesterday evaporating. “Deal! What would you like to do?” Cheerilee could barely breathe. “Oh, it doesn’t really matter. I’d do anything with you.” “Anything?” Twilight asked with a wicked smile. At least, in her head it was a wicked smile, to Cheerilee it looked like a Twilight was posing for a school portrait. “Well,” said Cheerilee, “I’d rather not go to a… rodeo, or something like that. Big Mac dragged me to one, and, well.” She paused. “I mean, if you really want to, I guess-“ Twilight laughed heartily, “Oh dear. Cheerilee, you have noooooothing to worry about from me when it comes to sporting events.” Rarity had dragged Spike a good house length away from the café, and behind a building before letting him go, and all the way he was crying “Ow!” until the word lost all meaning. "Twilight nearly had a breakdown because of you this morning! I hope you're happy!" "Of course I'm not happy! My snout REALLY hurts!" “We have to abort, Spike, and I mean now,” hissed Rarity. “What are you talking about? Abort? What does that even mean?” “I mean Adorkable is over, do you understand?” “Over? Why over? It’s going great! Twilight didn’t just get Cheerilee the book, she got flowers, candy, a card-“ “That’s just it, Spike! She didn’t! Sweetie Belle and her friends did, and signed Twilight’s name!” Spike blinked. “But, that’s impossible. Cheerilee told me, there was a knock at her door and all these presents turned up-“ “Let me guess, with a card signed by Twilight?” Spike nodded, and Rarity groaned. “Spike, Scootaloo got Twilight to sign the card with the promise that they’d all sign the card… but then they just left it as is.” Spike scratched his head, “Scootaloo? What? You’ve lost me.” Rarity leaned in very close to Spike, and said through gritted teeth, “Twilight told me she thinks it was a group gift, and Cheerilee told you that she thinks it was all from Twilight, right?” Spike nodded. “She really does have a crush on Twilight. She’s over the moon right now.” “Which means Cheerilee thinks Twilight ALSO has a crush on her, and guess what? You were right, she doesn’t have a crush on anypony. She’s got a lot of… issues that need to be addressed before she can be in a relationship with a pony.” Spike gulped. “Uh oh.” “Yes, dear! We have uh oh! Confirmed uh oh! They’re both walking into a trap where the only guaranteed result is heartbreak!” Spike felt the caffeine crash hit him all at once; he staggered backwards, leaning up against the wall. “Oh no. What do we do?” “We need to get them separated immediately, right away.” She led Spike back around the corner, “Then, I don’t know what. You take Cheerilee and I’ll keep Twilight away from her, and-“ Twilight was gone. Cheerilee was gone. There was no pony at their table, which had already been bussed by Zozo. He waved at Spike, yelling, “Miss Cheerilee had a message, my dragon friend! She says thanks for the company, and the coffee was on her in the end!” Spike and Rarity stared at the Zebra, who went back to cleaning. Eventually, Spike said, “And that's why Twilight tells me, you always leave a note." Rarity sighed, "Oh Spike, what do we do now?" "Well. I have enough gems to get us on the 3:10 to Appleloosa. We can start over there, and send apology letters by the pony express until this blows over.” Rarity shook her head, “No. There’s only one thing left to do. You said it yourself, when the going gets tough, the tough get Pinkie." Spike sighed, “What can she do for us now?" "What she does routinely. The impossible. Have you seen her today?” Spike thought about the question. “In a sense? Yes.” Applejack had been running for at least an hour, first to the Golden Oaks Library (no answer), then to Sugarcube Corner (only a shell-shocked Mrs. Cake,) then got halfway to Fluttershy's house before she turned around (too many ducks), then to Rarity's boutique (no answer), before she finally ended up at Rainbow Dash's cloud, and then realized that she had no plan on how to get up there. She leaned against a tree, staring up at the cloud condo and the rainbow waterfall that came down from it. She felt lost. Maybe this was all in her head. Maybe not. But if nothin' was going on, why couldn't she find anypony? Then she thought she heard some light sobbing. She looked around, and found a sniffling Blue Bonnet, sitting by one of the rainbow pools. Her eyes narrowed. "Hey. Hey!" she snorted, "I got a bone to pick with you, mister!" "Hey... hey miss Jack... miss Apple." he said, clutching a package with shaking hooves. "You got some explainin' to do, Mr. Bonnet, if that is your real name." "I don't even know anymore..." said the blue stallion, rolling his head. "Who are all of these 'packages' comin’ from?" asked Applejack. "Who? I don't even know who to give them to!" "What are you blubberin’ about?" Applejack demanded, then she got closer and sniffed, "Have you been drinking?" Blue Bonnet offered up the package. "Help me...." The address was right- Rainbow Dash's cloud condo- but the delivery section said: 18 1 18 9 20 25 "What does it mean?" pleaded Bonnet. Suddenly a voice called out: "Hey youuuu ggguyyysssss!" They both looked up. Above them was a crazed Rainbow Dash, goggles still strapped to the top part of her head, eyes bloodshot and filled with glee. ' "Who wants to bet I can ride the rainbow?!" she yelled. "What?" shouted Applejack. "I do!" said Blue Bonnet. "Awesome!" screamed Dash, "Ten bits says I stick the landing!" "Rainbow Dash, don't you dare-" But she was already off the cloud and onto the liquid rainbow... …which meant she was in freefall, as rainbows are not clouds, and Dash realized that too late, spinning out of control… …and then Blue Bonnet started pointing at the pool next to him, shouting , “Aim for this one! This one!” Dash somehow was able to angle her descent, and promptly came crashing down into the pool Bonnet picked, splashing everypony and everything around them. Silence reigned after the initial splash. Applejack stared at the pool, horrified. Bonnet held his breath. Finally, Dash surfaced, staggering up out of the pool. Goggles still on her head, Dash smiled and croaked, "Best... day.... ever,” and then she fell backwards and passed out. Applejack ran over, concerned but then relieved as it was clear Dash was sleeping soundly in the sand. She was a victim of exhaustion and not head trauma. Applejack then looked around at all the other pools around herself and Bonnet, and realized that all of them, all but the one Dash was in, were far too shallow to support her fall. Applejack turned to Blue Bonnet, “How did ya’ll know which pool to pick?” Blue Bonnet looked at her with sad, drunken eyes. He said, “I’m lucky, you see.” Applejack returned his gaze, and finally cracked a smile at the stallion. Then Blue Bonnet threw up.