//------------------------------// // Confirmation // Story: Sweet, Solemn, Sad // by Shingo //------------------------------// A small flickering flame on a candle made its way towards a clubhouse on a secluded part of Sweet Apple Acres. Holding onto a candleholder was a dark orange earth pony filly with a two toned pink mane and tail. On her head was a turquoise nightcap hanging over her mane while a sleepy expression painted her face. The filly yawned as she opened the clubhouse’s door. Inside a white unicorn filly with a purple and pink mane sitting down and looking as if she was vibrating. Beside her was a plastic mug with steam rising out of it. “Sweetie Belle,” the earth pony grumbled. “I hope this is important because I don’t like being woken up at three in the morning.” Sweetie Belle looked up. She smiled and spoke faster than the earth pony could understand. A white blur ran around the earth pony while still speaking. “Slow down would ya?” Sweetie Belle stopped in front of the filly, still vibrating in her place. “Sorry, Babs,” she struggled to say. “I didn’t realize that I was talking so fast. It’s just that I was getting tired so I decided to drink that thing that Rarity drinks in the morning to help wake her up. It tasted awful at first butthenIstartedfeelinghappyandhyperand…” Babs blew her nightcap and mane out of her eyes. “You’re doing it again,” Babs deadpanned. Sweetie Belle placed a hoof to her mouth. “What’s this about?” “Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.” “What about them?” “Have you noticed anything weird about their behaviour?” “Define weird.” Sweetie Belle returned to her spot in the clubhouse as Babs joined her. She sipped from the mug, a satisfied sigh coming from her. “Just weird,” Sweetie Belle said. “Specifically, their behaviour around each other.” “You mean how whenever we’re Crusading with things that involve contact that they always ‘accidentally’ come into contact with each other?” Babs asked. “Or how Apple Bloom always sighs a special sigh for whenever Scootaloo leaves for the day? Or how Scootaloo’s wings twitch whenever she catches sight of Apple Bloom’s smile?” Sweetie Belle’s jaw dropped. “Yeah, I notice these things, so what? I thought I could do a Crusade within a Crusade by being really observant. Hasn’t worked yet though.” “Yes!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed. “I’m not seeing things because I’ve been reading too many romance books! Do you know what this means?” “That romance books are making you see things that aren’t really there?” “No! Well, yes. But it means something else!” Sweetie Belle grabbed Bab’s face. The former’s eyes were bloodshot with a deranged look in them while the latter cowered from her. “It means that Apple Bloom and Scootaloo like each other.” “Two questions,” Babs said, pushing Sweetie Belle back. “First: how long have you slept tonight?” “I haven’t. Why do you ask?” “No reason.” Babs rolled her eyes. “Second: so what?” “So what?!” Sweetie Belle shrieked. “So what? You’re asking me so what if they like each other? It’s Apple Bloom and Scootaloo together! Do you have any idea how adorable that is?! I mean if they’re this cute when they’re not even involved with each other can you even imagine how cute they’ll be once they’re a couple?!” She brought her hooves over a grin stretching across her face. “Oh my gosh, that’s just adorable! I can’t!” “Can’t what?” “That’s not important!” Sweetie Belle became a blur once more. When she stood still, a piece of parchment and a quill sat in front of her. “What is is that we get them together as fast as possible. And we might even get our Cutie Marks in matchmaking.” Babs yawned. “That sounds like a plan, but can it wait until morning?” “No!” Sweetie Belle quickly scratched along the parchment. “We have to get as many plans created as possible.” Babs walked to a nearby chest. She opened it up, pulled out a pillow, and returned to her spot beside Sweetie Belle. She laid her head down and blew out her candle. “Here’s an idea,” she said, eyes slowly closing. “You plan this out and I sleep. Then when you fall asleep, I’ll plan. If you’re okay with this, say nothing.” Sweetie Belle ignored Babs in favour of her writing. “Great.” Babs closed her eyes and drifted off into slumber. Her sleep was relatively peaceful with the occasional sip and mumble waking her up. After what felt like thirty minutes to Babs, she heard a thud against the wooden floor. Snoring followed soon after allowing both Crusaders to sleep.