Chapter Nineteen
“Embracing Love Eternal”
Vinyl got me what I needed pretty quick, like she said she would (I actually got it before I told Terra what my plan for Twilight was), however Rarity seemed to be dragging her hooves and it was starting to irritate me.
It was the day before that Twilight received a message from Rarity saying that she couldn’t return to Ponyville for her birthday and that she was terribly sorry. As soon as I heard that, I knew immediately what was going on and groaned inwardly; she was gonna ruin everything I had planned, not to mention she has most likely done next to nothing on Twilight’s dress.
However, Twilight came up with the brilliant idea to surprise her by holding the party in Canterlot and that we were to leave the next morning. Just before I could head out, she pulled me into a separate room in the library.
“Hey, what’s wrong, Twi?” I asked her, to which she shuffled nervously.
“Leon, I wanted to ask…” She began “Would you… mind staying a couple of days longer in Canterlot with me?”
“You want me to meet your family.” She nodded “Of course, Twi. I’d be honored.”
A huge smile spread across Twilight’s face and she threw her arms around me and kissed me.
“Oh, thank you!” She exclaimed, crushing me in a hug “I knew you’d like to meet them, but I didn’t want to spring it on you when we got there.”
“Twi…” I said calmly “If you had told me nothing, I would’ve thought meeting your family to be a wonderful surprise. It’s a good thing you didn’t, though; you should be the only one surprised on your birthday weekend.”
Her eyes glittered with pleasure and she gave me a coy smile “Does this mean I can expect a splendid birthday present from you, Leon?”
“Maybe…” I said softly, and leaned in close to whisper in her ear, which twitched at my proximity “But before that can happen, I’ve gotta go home and make sure everything is ready, and I can’t do that while you’ve got me imprisoned in your kitchen.”
“Maybe I don’t want you to leave.” She whispered in return, rubbing her nose against mine and I shivered with pleasure at the touch “Maybe I want you to stay with me today and tomorrow we can go to the train station together.”
“How about this.” I replied, pulling back so that I could look her in her beautiful eyes “I’ll go home and make sure everything is packed and ready to go, then I’ll come back here and we can spend the day together, deal?”
“Oh alright, it’s a deal.” She said in mock disapproval “But I expect you back here immediately.”
“Be back before you even realize I’d left.”
And with one final kiss, we parted ways and I returned home to make sure everything was in order.
‘You’re just a charmer, aren’t you, Leon?’ Nica teased once I got there.
“You’ve been awfully quiet lately; something on your mind?”
‘Oh, that’s funny, considering that the only one between us with a physical brain is you.’ She replied dryly ‘But seriously, you and Twilight are getting pretty serious; neither of you are hiding the fact that you’re together and she’s taking you to see her parents soon. Next thing we know, you’ll be popping the question.’
“I think it’s a little early for that, Nica.” I said as I went upstairs to pack “Right now, I’m just focused on Twi’s birthday; everything else has been filed firmly in the ‘Deal with later’ basket.”
‘About that, you sure you’re gonna be up to the last part?’
“You’re the one in my head, Nica; you tell me.”
‘…I’d rather you talked about it.’
I stopped what I was doing and stared off into space curiously.
“I thought you were always sifting through my mind, Nica.”
She didn’t respond for a little while.
‘I’ve… stopped doing that.’ Nica said, her voice low.
“Really? You must be extremely bored if that’s the case.”
‘Allow me to rephrase; I’ve stopped looking at things that are important to you or that you wish to keep private.’
“Veronica… you’re essentially me, you’re just as privy to those thoughts as I am. If anything I value your input on them.” I said calmly, but I suddenly got an aggressive feeling from her.
‘Maybe I am, but at the same time I’m not.’ She replied forcefully ‘I shouldn’t stick my nose into things that aren’t my business.’
I stopped everything I was doing and sat on my bed.
“Veronica… what’s wrong?”
‘…It’s nothing, Leon.’
“Veronica, don’t lie to me, I can tell something’s bothering you.” I said, but all I got was stony silence.
After a moment, I sighed and went back to work, eventually finishing.
“Please don’t shut me out, Nica…” I said quietly “You’re probably the best friend I have and I’m worried about you.”
Again, more stony silence, but I got the feeling she’d wanted to say something.
I returned to the library half an hour later, and Twilight and I never left each other’s side for the rest of the afternoon (we even slept in her bed together). The next day, she sent a message to Celestia and we set out to Canterlot. Terra and the girls were confused as to why Twilight and I had suitcases but then they all broke out in knowing smiles when we said we were staying a couple of days longer.
We arrived in Canterlot and immediately set out for the room Celestia had set aside for Rarity’s use during her visit while some castle servants took Twilight and I’s luggage to a room we’d be sharing and caught the fashionista just as she was heading out.
The girls all yelled “Surprise” while she stared at all of us stunned before fainting.
Rarity was out for only a few minutes, but we had to endure Pinkie’s rambling the entire time. We only knew the fashionista had come to when Pinkie had greeted her excitedly. Rarity made a few attempts to speak, but apparently several questions were trying to shove their way out at the same time.
“Listen to ‘er.” Applejack stated with a smile “She’s so excited ta see us she can hardly talk!”
“What I mean to say is; what are you all doing here?” Rarity finally managed to say, and Twilight stepped up to the plate.
“When I got your letter saying you were stuck in Canterlot, I asked Pinkie Pie if it would be okay to move my birthday party here, so that you wouldn’t have to miss it.”
“Balloons are super easy to pack!” The party pony chimed in, pulling up a briefcase and opening it to release a small swarm of the inflatables.
“Wow…” Rarity said breathlessly “First you get me a suite at Canterlot Castle and now this? I don’t know what to say, Twilight.”
“How ‘bout you start by saying what you’re doing in the fancy get-up?” Rainbow Dash said, tugging at Rarity's dress. The fashionista slapped her hands away.
“This?” The fashionista sputtered “Uh… well, I...”
She faltered for a moment under the curious stares of her friends (and paled slightly under my disapproving glare).
“Oh, well... Opal's feeling a little under the weather so I thought I'd put on something a little sunny.” She said hurriedly, glancing at all of us “Cheers her right up!” She chuckled in an over-exaggerated manner.
“Oh, poor Opal…” Fluttershy said sympathetically (I wanted to face-palm, but I didn’t want a more obvious display of my annoyance than my glare) “Where is the sick darling?”
Fluttershy attempted to move past Rarity to go see Opalescence, but the fashionista prevented her from entering.
“Um, she’s…” Rarity began, but then grabbed the door “Please wait a moment.” And she slammed it shut.
“Anypony else think Rare’s actin’ a little… strange, today?” Applejack asked, to which there were several nods. Twilight saw my stern expression and leaned in close to me.
“Leon, do you know what’s going on with Rarity?” She asked, to which I shrugged.
“Maybe, but if it’s what I think it is, this is something she’ll have to learn the hard way.” I looked at her and smiled warmly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and squeezing lightly “Don’t worry about it, Twi; today is for you. Let trouble be far from your mind.”
She leaned in and nuzzled the side of my neck, which caused me to shiver “I’m glad you’re here, Leon…”
The other girls gave appreciative sighs save for Rainbow Dash, who made a retching sound and pointed a finger in her mouth. I also thought I heard Nica make a strange huffing sound, but I set that aside for later observation.
Rarity came back at that time and stepped aside to admit us in.
“She’s resting on the bed.” Rarity said, a false grin on her face.
Fluttershy shot past her at a speed Rainbow Dash would be proud of, while the rest of us walked calmly in. I looked around at the grand suite and saw a ponnequin set up in a separate section of the room that had a rather… simple looking dress on it.
“Is… that my dress?” Twilight asked, moving closer to examine it.
“Y-yes?” Rarity replied, hesitantly.
“It’s so… simple. So practical…” Twilight said, before spinning around and giving Rarity a radiant smile “So ME, it’s the perfect dress for my birthday party!” She grabbed the fashionista in a fierce hug “I love it!”
Rarity breathed a sigh of relief “You don’t know how glad I am to hear you say that.” She said as she casually flicked a piece of parchment with a dress design into the nearby waste bin.
“I’m so excited; I’m going to go put it on now!” Twilight said excitedly, turning to me “Coming, Leon?”
“You go on ahead, Twi, I need to talk to Rarity about something.” I replied, giving her a smile and a peck on her lips “I’ll catch up.”
And so they left once I’d managed to pry Fluttershy away from Opal by insisting that she was fine (also murmuring a sincere apology to the offended feline), though Terra did give Rarity a questioning look before leaving as well. Once they were gone, I turned a severe glare towards the fashionista, who shifted uncomfortably.
“Well… it appears you and Twilight are getting along quite nicely.” She said in an attempt to be conversational “I would love to hear the details if you-”
“Please tell me you got what I asked you for.” I said coldly, and she flinched slightly.
“Of course I did, darling, did you not think I would?” She replied, slightly defensive, and levitated a small and thin box from a nearby dresser into my hands.
I opened it and breathed a sigh of relief. Inside it was a beautiful golden locket, with a ruby and diamonds in the center cut to look like Twilight’s cutie mark. I opened the locket, even though I knew it was going to be empty.
“Thank you, Rarity.” I said, pulling out my wallet and handing her the compensation for her efforts, which she took hesitantly “I’ll be honest, I was actually a little scared that you’ve been too… distracted, to get it.”
Her ears drooped when I said that, and she looked away.
“So you are aware of my activities…” She said, her voice low “I'm truly sorry, Leon… I should’ve sent you a message saying I had it, I did not mean to worry you.”
“Its okay, Rarity, I’m now more concerned about you.” I said as I walked over to the bin and picked up the dress design “I don’t think that dress was what you’d intended to give Twilight for her birthday.”
“Yes, it’s true…” She sighed, taking the design from me and replacing it on the stand it’d been on earlier “It’s just… I’ve always wished to experience the life of the Canterlot Elite and then one thing led to another and…”
“Rarity.” I said, putting a hand on her shoulder “Whatever happens later, don’t lose sight of what’s truly important to you. Canterlot may like you now, but your friends will still love you tomorrow.”
She gave me a small smile and a light hug.
“Thank you, Leon. Twilight is truly a lucky mare to have somepony so wise and caring.” She said, and then gave a small cough “I believe we should be on our way, both of us have places to be after all.”
“Yep.” I replied with a chuckle but took one last glance at the design “For the record, Rarity, I can’t imagine Twilight wearing that many feathers. No offense.”
She giggled lightly “No, I suppose not. I really have no idea what I was thinking with that design.”
The party wasn’t for a couple more hours, so I asked one of the guards to take me to the room Twilight and I was staying in and wrapped my gift for her. I also changed into a variation of the outfit Rarity had made for me, the difference being that the shirt had longer sleeves and I did not wear the hat, glasses or gloves. Once that was done, I left the room and met up with the girls at the ballroom, which Pinkie Pie had already finished decorating with her hostile takeover (and trust me, she can get hostile when it comes to her parties). I was particularly impressed when Pinkie pulled out her infamous cannon and with a smack of her hand, decorated a table in one swift blast.
Just before I got there, I noticed a garden party going on outside and I grimaced, because Rarity was probably going to attempt to divide her time between both parties. Hell, I caught her looking longingly out a window after Twilight was done explaining how they got the ballroom.
Anyway, the birthday party was crazy and the girls were having a blast. I was fortunate to get a piece of the birthday cake before Rainbow Dash started throwing it at the others, who promptly ganged up on her and shoved what remained in her face, laughing.
It was around the time they started the conga line that I noticed Rarity slip out to the garden party. I sighed disapprovingly, but left it alone. As the party went on, I continued to watch her dart back and forth between both parties (though I missed it when she left during the piñata part because Twilight had been swinging her stick wildly while blindfolded and smacked me in my eye), making up some excuse to leave each time.
Eventually Rarity slipped up.
“Miss Rarity, why do you have a croquet mallet?” Terra asked, to which the fashionista gave her a weary look.
“What croquet mallet, darling?” Rarity replied, exhausted.
“Duh.” Rainbow said, pointing to the very obvious mallet in the fashionista’s possession “The one in your hands.”
Rarity’s eyes became instantly alert and she dropped the mallet with a nervous laugh.
“Oh, that croquet mallet!” She exclaimed “I… well, I… you know, the truth is… the truth is…”
“Were you at that other party in the garden?” Twilight asked quizzically, and I shook my head sadly.
‘Congratulations, another brilliant observation from the Stating-The-Obvious Department.’ Nica piped up, though her voice sounded somewhat flatter than normal.
Are you ready to talk? ‘… There’s nothing to talk about.’
I sighed and turned my attention back to the girls, noticing Pinkie give me a worried look. I shook my head and gave her a small smile, which she returned after a moment.
Anyway, Rarity made some sounds like she was trying to come up with a good excuse, but Twilight continued speaking.
“Rarity, I’m surprised at you.” She said, and Rarity practically threw herself at Twilight’s hooves.
“Twilight, let me explain, I-” Rarity began, but Twilight interrupted her.
“I hadn’t realized you were such a savvy business pony.” She said, and I sighed exasperated. At the same time, I got the feeling like Nica had wanted to say something, but had caught herself at the last minute.
“You must understand, I-” Rarity wailed, but then her eyes popped open and she stared at Twilight in confusion and the unicorn continued.
“All of those ponies look so posh, and with the Grand Galloping Gala coming up, I bet you could convince some of them to buy your dresses; that’s pretty smart!”
“W- why, yes!” Rarity exclaimed, relieved “I… I didn’t want you to think I was being rude, so that’s exactly the reason I didn’t tell you. O-one and only reason!” She finished with a nervous laugh, though she made a point of avoiding my gaze.
“Oh, well. You didn’t have to do that.” Twilight said with an understanding (and totally clueless) smile “You should totally go over there and mingle!”
“Twilight, you really are the best friend a pony could ask for.” Rarity said, giving Twilight a warm hug “I don’t know why I ever thought you wouldn’t understand.”
“Understand what?” Twilight asked curiously.
“Nothing. See you girls later!” Rarity said as she dashed off.
Rainbow Dash looked like she had an idea, but I beat her to it.
“One moment, Rarity.” I called out, which caused her to stop and look at me curiously “Since we’re your friends, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if we tagged along… right?”
If looks could kill, I would’ve been slain on the spot.
“Yeah, he’s got a point.” Dash said, also giving me a slightly irritated glance “C’mon, girls; let’s show ‘em how to party, Ponyville Style!”
And the girls all but stampeded out towards the garden party, with Pinkie pushing her party cannon along with her. I stopped as I reached Rarity and gave her a smug look.
“What are you planning, Leon?” She asked, narrowing her eyes threateningly at me.
“Crashing one party with another and laughing at the resulting chaos. Discord would be so proud.”
“What?! Why would you do that to me?!” Rarity exclaimed and I turned a shark-like smile to her as a loud boom came in from the garden.
“I don’t think I have time to explain, Rarity; it sounds like Pinkie has already discharged her cannon.”
“Oh no!” The fashionista gasped and ran outside, while I followed her at a leisurely pace.
It was all I could not to laugh as the girls proceeded to wreck the entire thing (save for Rarity, who just stared in absolute horror). I allowed myself an amused smile, though I winced when I saw Twilight doing a “dance” that would’ve made The Shepard look like the greatest dance move in history.
It all came to a head when a white stallion with a blue mane, tail and moustache wearing a very expensive-looking suit and a monocle in his left eye approached Twilight about her dress, and Rarity all but fell over herself to intervene. Unfortunately for her, the stallion was very insistent to learn about Twilight’s dress despite the fashionista’s attempts to divert his attention. Eventually Rarity was put on the spot when Twilight told her that she and her friends loved the dress she’d made, which got a gasp from the gathered Canterlot Elite, save for the stallion who just looked at Rarity curiously.
Though after a moment of indecision, the fashionista made me proud when she stated firmly that she did indeed know us and that we were her best friends and the most important individuals she knew, which most of the Elite scoffed at.
They stopped when the white stallion gave his approval, which garnered several orders for the dress Twilight was wearing. While all that was going on, I walked up next to the stallion to speak to him.
“Thank you for speaking up for my friends.” I said, which caused him to turn a confident smile towards me.
“Think nothing of it, good sir, what I said was the honest truth.” He replied and held out a hand which I shook firmly “I don’t believe we’ve met, my name is Fancy Pants.”
“I’m Leon, one of Rarity’s friends.” I replied smiling, then glanced at Twilight “And coltfriend of the birthday mare wearing the lovely dress.”
His smile widened and he patted my shoulder in a friendly manner.
“Well done, chap, she is a beautiful mare and I think the two of you make a positively charming couple.” He exclaimed, which began a new series of congratulations for both me and Twilight, causing both of us to blush “And I must say, your current attire makes you look quite handsome, if I do say so myself.”
“Oh, that's kind of you to say, sir.” I replied with a blush as Twilight wandered over to me.
“Please, call me ‘Fancy Pants’.” He replied cheerfully “I only go by ‘sir’ when I'm conducting business. If you don’t mind me asking, what in Celestia’s name happened to your eye, Leon?”
“Not at all, Fancy Pants.” I said with a sheepish smile “I got into a fight with a stick and lost.”
We both laughed while Twilight blushed slightly, but then Rarity managed to squeeze out from the other ponies and join us, with Fancy Pants giving an unamused look at two ponies who’d bonked their heads together when the fashionista had left.
“Uh… yes, now then.” He said, turning to Rarity “How about you introduce me to your friends?”
“With pleasure!” Rarity exclaimed, but I coughed and got all of their attention.
“Sorry, you’ll have to do that without this one.” I said, drawing Twilight in close “I have a gift to give her and it’s… a private affair, if you catch my meaning.”
“Yes, of course, my friend.” Fancy Pants replied with a smile “A gift from one’s lover requires a special setting. It was a pleasure to meet you, Leon. I pray we meet each other again soon.”
I nodded and led Twilight back into the ballroom, waving at a rather annoyed Octavia as I did. Twilight winced when she saw her and gave the cellist an apologetic smile. I picked up her present and I continued to lead her to a different part of the gardens, stopping by a still pond that reflected the evening sky. Once there, I handed the box to her.
“Oh, Leon, it looks lovely.” She said, and then carefully pulled the ribbons off and opened the lid, gasping at the contents “My Smartypants doll! But… I’ve been searching everywhere for it, how did-” but I put finger to her lips to silence her.
“Spoilers, Twi.” I replied quietly “Besides… she came up with the idea for your present; she even offered to hold it for me.”
At that she looked down at the doll and saw that its front legs were wrapped around the small box with the locket, which she also gasped at when she opened it.
“Leon… it’s beautiful…” She said, and then she hugged me gently “I love it, thank you.”
We shared a kiss then, but I broke it off before too long.
“I have one last thing to give you.” I said and removed my iPod with my portable stereo unit, plugging one into the other and setting up the track I needed “Twilight. I never usually sing for anyone, but tonight; I’ll sing only for you. I apologize in advance; I’m not really good at it.”
I then played the track (Last Night On Earth - Green Day; Vocals removed), took her hand and positioned myself to dance and she replicated my action. As we swayed gently to the music, I began to sing.
I sang and we danced, just the two of us. Nothing else existed for just those few moments and I felt as if our hearts were beating together as one.
As the music closed, we stopped and stared into each other’s eyes and I felt that she and I were the only two souls of any sort of importance on the whole planet. I placed a hand gently on her cheek and leaned in close.
“Twilight Sparkle…” I said, staring intently into her eyes “Even though it was completely unexpected, coming here has been the best the thing that could’ve ever happened to me… mostly because I met you. I love you.”
“I feel the exact same way, Leon…” She murmured “I love you, too.”
And with that, our lips connected, I felt hers part and her tongue teased my own lips, asking for entry to which I granted access and we lost ourselves in it until we had to part for air. We kissed again, but it didn’t last as long before our lips parted once more.
“Leon, do you want to… ‘retire’ for the evening?” She asked quietly, her eyes glowing softly in the evening light.
“That sounds like a great idea, Twi.” I replied with a warm smile.
I gathered up my iPod and speaker while Twilight put the doll and necklace back in the larger box, before taking my hand and teleporting us back to our room where we spent the night being…
Very intimate.