//------------------------------// // Chapter 27: Preparing // Story: A Shadow Brought to Light // by k12314 //------------------------------// CHAPTER 27 STUPID WRITERS BLOCK! It was SO HARD to write this... BUT! I did it for you guys. ENJOY! "So... Pinks... Uh..." I was trying to strike up a conversation or SOMETHING, but the whole "marriage" thing was still eating at me. "Yeeeeeees?" She leaned in really close to me. "Erm... I- Uh, I mean, you- I don't know. Listen, I think I'm gonna go hang out with Twilight or Rarity or somepony today. Do you mind at all?" Pinks shook her head. "They're your friends too, right? Why would I mind? Go ahead. I'll just play with Pumpkin and Pound today." I smiled a bit. I loved those little foals. It still amazes me that they could fly or use magic at their age. I headed off, and decided to go see Rarity first. "Rarity's the real romanticist, isn't she? She could help me with all this marriage stuff... Yeah, that's a good idea... Why the heck didn't I think of this sooner?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Knock knock knock "Hey, Rarity? It's me, Shadow." I heard some shuffling, and then the door opened to reveal a very disheveled looking Rarity. "Woah, sorry, didn't mean to interrupt your work." She shook her head, and smiled, while she patted her mane down in spots where it was sticking up. "No no, it's fine, Darling! Is there something you needed?" She motioned for me to sit down on the couch with her. "Well, something's been bugging me lately. It's about Pinks." Rarity beamed at this. "Oh, do you need help with a romantic date? Or maybe some advice on places to take her? OH! Maybe you need some help with spicing up your love life?" I blushed deeply. "Nonono... You see, Mrs. Cake said something about marriage-" Rarity gasped, and shoved me into her workshop. She started taking measurements, going through cloth, and flipping through pages in her design book. "Uh... Rarity?" "Hush, Darling! I'm making your tuxedo!" I felt all of the blood in me drain, and I went from jet black, to grey. "Wh-Wh-Why...?" "Because you're getting married, of course! It's going to be wonderful! I can plan the whole thing for you. It'll be extravagant! It'll be in the Canterlot Gardens, you'll be wearing a lovely tuxedo, and Pinkie will be in a beautiful dress. And when you both say 'I do' you'll push the veil out of your way, and then-" I fell over. The whole room was spinning. "Shadow! Are you OK?" "No, I'm not... I actually wanted to ask you if it's the right thing to do... I mean... I love her, yes, but I just don't know if it's time." Rarity picked me up, and stared me straight in the eyes. "Now you listen here, mister. No matter what ANYPONY says, you can marry her any time you want. You love each other, and marriage is the final step to fulfilling that love. I am your friend, and I say go for it!" She gave me a warm, almost motherly smile, and I smiled back. "You know... You're right. It's just, my mind is telling me it's too soon. I've only been here for a little under two months now..." "And that's plenty of time, Darling! I've seen two ponies fall in love and get married in much shorter periods of time than that! I personally think you two have been taking it slowly! Now hold still, I need to finish these measurements." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Thanks Rarity! And thanks for agreeing to plan everything as well. You're a good friend." Rarity gave me a hug. "Think nothing of it, Shadow. Friends help other friends, and that's all there is to it. Now, try and find a good hiding spot for that tux, heavens knows that Pinkie will find it otherwise." I nodded, and trotted off back to Sugarcube Corner. I'd made my decision. I was going to marry Pinks. But not too soon. I wanted the right moment to pop the question. "Maybe if we go to that spot outside of town, that cliff that overlooks the ocean. That's pretty romantic. And when the sun starts setting, I can pull out the ring, and say- Wait... The ring." I'd overlooked one major detail. "Where the heck am I gonna get the money for a ring?!" And there goes the neighborhood. "I wonder if Twilight could help me. I couldn't ask Rarity for a RING. Twilight could probably transform something useless into a ring... Yeah, that's a good idea... I'm talking to myself." Oh old habits, how I hate you so. I made my way to the Library, but I saw Twilight walking out of Quills and Sofas with Spike. "Hey, Twilight! Perfect timing, I was wondering if you could help me." "Of course, Shadow. What is it you need?" "Well..." I scraped my hoof on the ground a bit. "I was wondering if you had a spell that could transform things into other things. Like, turn useless junk into jewelry." Twilight put her hoof on her chin, but Spike snapped his fingers. "Yeah! I remember she turned a bunch of junk I had on me into a tuxedo! She could probably turn something into jewelry. Right, Twilight?" Twilight smiled and nodded. "What do you need, Shadow? I'm sure I can make it." I felt myself go red again, and looked at the ground in front of me. "I want... A ring." I mumbled so low that nopony could have heard me. "What was that?" Twilight turned her head so that one of her ears was closer to me. "I need a ring." Twilight leaned back, and pondered this for a second, but Spike gave me a friendly wink and thumbs up. "Why do you need a ring?" I stared at Twilight, and Spike slapped his forehead with his claw. (Faceclaw?) "I plan on proposing to Pinks." Twilight stumbled a bit, but regained her composure. "Oh... I see... Well, I'll get right on that. See you later, Shadow." She trotted away, and Spike waved to me, and I waved back. "Sorted. Now, to wait for the ring, and then the perfect moment..."