Chapter 5
“The Date”
The day went on as any normal school day would. I took directions from a student that looked bizarrely like Vinyl to where Sugarcube Corner is in this world. I’ll admit, I was a little nervous as I walked to where the ice cream shop was but, I was happy, Twilight and I were starting to come together.
I hope I don’t screw this up.
Sugarcube Corner in this world wasn’t as extravagant as it was back home. Here, it was a simple, square ice cream shop. It was sort of like the ones you see in big cities back home. I stepped through the door and saw the place was not huge but still cosy, a few tables along the sides of the place in front of the counter, and a comfortable looking green couch by one of the windows. I saw a human counterpart to Mrs. Cake serving ice cream and milkshakes to the various patrons from behind a rather small service area. Guess ice cream, milkshakes, and… Is that coffee? I guess the various things they serve here doesn’t need as much floor space.
Most of the patrons here were kids from Canterlot High. I saw Lyra and Bon Bon once again at a table together. Man, even their human counterparts are inseparable. I saw another table of four people all with newspapers and magazines with hair that looked suspiciously like my friends. Totally not spying on us huh?
I looked and saw Twilight was sitting alone at her table, an untouched milkshake in front of her. I’m guessing she bout it and her stomach realized it’s doing backflips at the very thought of being in the same room as me. Or, is that just me with her?
I walked over, ignoring my friends who are totally not spying on us, just to be clear, and took a seat in front of her. She smiled and said, “Ah, good to see you Private.”
“Sorry I’m a little late,” I said, “I had to take Tailspin home and had to practically fight off my mother with a stick before she put me into one of her goofy outfits.”
Twilight stifled a giggle and replied, “She just cares about you Private, at least that’s what I got from my unintentional meeting with her.”
I gave a smile and said, “Yeah, Tailspin was getting a telling to from her today.”
“About him pining for Scootaloo?” She asked with a grin.
“You ran into her huh?” I said.
“Yep,” She replied, “she was kind of freaking out that a boy was acting like a gentleman to her. She takes after Rainbow a little too well.”
“They’ll work it out eventually,” I said.
“Anyways, can I get Mrs. Cake to fix you a milkshake?”
My stomach growling answered that.
____________________________________________________
It’s not going to work.
You sound sooo confident.
Forgive me Promy for believing that my descendent is not some love struck floozy.
You still won’t believe it’s genuine?
I’m going to stand right here and make sure you will not influence Private.
...you really think I influenced him?
You tried to pull this stunt with Nocturne a thousand years ago. Nearly drove the guard mad.
This is different.
In what way?
Look at me, am I using any magic on him?
No…
I never did Izanami, you can check since we’re connected. You can sense in his heart that the love he feels for her is real.
….
Why don’t you want to believe me?
Because...it would actually make things far more complicated…
Izzy…?
Just, let’s watch them make fools out of one another, we have nothing better to do.
Shall I get the popcorn?
Don’t try to develop Evona’s sense of humor. There is only one like her every generation for a good reason.
___________________________________________________________
Twilight and I spent most of the afternoon together in that ice cream shop. Twilight would talk about what books she’s read, the horrors of certain classes, and the various other problems a teenager would have.
Me, I spent most of it talking about my family, the fact I want to be a detective when I grow up, (despite being one) and books as well. I impressed Twilight a little with my knowledge. Google certainly helps you find answers quickly.
All in all, it felt like I was on a first date with her again. I was happy, and found myself remembering all the little things I liked about Twilight. The way she smiled, how she would tilt her head a little when thinking hard, and just her.
“Private?” Twilight said, breaking my train of thought.
“Yeah?” I asked, setting aside my finished milkshake.
“Uh, this is going to sound crazy,” She said, looking down.
“Believe me Twilight, I’ve heard some crazy things,” I said.
She let out a breath and looked into my eyes, “Just, Private, do you, believe in soulmates?”
“Soulmates?” I said as I tilted my head.
“I know it sounds crazy but,” She sighs. “Rarity told me about Soulmates one time. That, somehow, somewhere, there’s somebody for everyone. After Flash, she said that he just wasn’t the one. I hope I’m not creeping you out.” She smiled nervously.
“No,” I interjected, “It’s, actually kind of cool.”
“Cool?” She asked.
“You know, it’s nice to think that somebody is made for you,” I said. “Do you believe her?”
“I don’t know,” She said, looking down. “I’m not one who usually believes in metaphysical stuff, but, when I’m with you, everything just makes sense, you know? I feel…” She blushed prettily and said nervously, “Like we belong...”
How I wish I could just tell her. Tell her I’m her husband. Tell her I love her more than life itself. That’d I do anything for her. But, I knew she’d freak out. She’d probably have me sent to a crazy house. I can’t rightly spend thirty moons in a padded cell.
“Private, even with this,” She said, looking at me earnestly, “could we, just take things slowly? I did come from a bad break up and…”
“You don’t want me to just be the guy who picks at leftovers,” I said for her.
“I guess that’s one way of putting it,” She said, laying her hands on the table.
“Twi,” I gently put a hand on hers and said, “I’ll wait, as long as you need.”
I have thirty moons in here, I just had to get her to take me to the spring fling and win that crown. I had time for a little courtship as Rarity would say.
Twilight smiled, blushed a little and her fingers entwined with mine. Gosh, they were such amazing appendages. Look at all hands can do, no wonder Lyra’s obsessed with humans.
I looked at Twilight, and for a moment, we just sat there, holding hands and looking into each others eyes. It felt...like I was falling in love with Twi all over again…
____________________________________________________
Perspective: Applejack
“Well ah’ll be.” Ah said as Ah peeked over mah newspaper at Priv and Twi.
“Uggh, Egghead love.” Rainbow said, rolling her eyes as she peeked out from behind her sports magazine. “It’s so, sappy.”
“Don’t worry Dashie, everything will turn out great for them,” Pinkie interjected. “Once they are together, they’ll go on dates, then when they really love each other they’ll get married! When they get married I’ll throw them a getting married party! When they have little Twilie and Privy’s I’ll throw them tons of...oh my gosh I am party set for life with these two.” she let out a quiet squee.
“Where’s Flutters? I thought she was going to tag along,” Rainbow asked.
“‘Parrently, Big Mac finally got tha courage to ask her out,” Ah said. “That big ole softy left tha farm with flowers an’ everythin’.”
Rares was lookin’ over at Private and Twilight, lookin mighty like she’s figruin’ out if an apple is a red delicious or a golden delicious. “What’s eatin you Rares?” Ah asked.
“Private knew that Big Macintosh and Fluttershy would hit it off,” Rarity said.
“Dude, that’s like impossible.” Rainbow said. “You can’t just look at two people and know they are made for each other.”
“Yet, he did.” Rarity said. “He even got them talking without the use of Winona. They were talking about chickens of all things.”
“So you think that Private is psychic too?” Pinkie interjected.
“No, I doubt that,” Rarity said, “but something else is going on here, I am not about to let him keep a secret for long.”
Oh boy, Rares is on him like a bloodhound. Well, it was nice knowin’ him Ah guess.
__________________________________________________________
Perspective: Private
I don’t know how long Twilight and I sat there like that. But, I strayed from those beautiful violet eyes for a minute to see the sun was starting to go down over the horizon. I tentatively let go of Twilight hands, breaking her out of the trance and said, “We, should probably get going.”
She looked out the window and said, “Wow, time does fly. I hope Mom and Dad aren’t freaking out.”
I smiled, got up out of my chair, left some money dad gave me on the counter and said, “I’ll take ya home.”
“I’d,” She said with a smile. “I’d really like that.”
With that, we both headed for the door. Before I knew it, I was walking down the street, Twilight’s hand in mine.
______________________________________________________
Convinced yet?
….
Izzy talk to me…
I was so sure…
Hmm?
I was so sure you had him under some kind of spell. That, his love was never true. That you forced him to fall in love with her to get to me. But...when he was with her...I felt nothing from you. No spell, no charm, no enchantment, nothing.
I wasn’t lying when I said his love is genuine.
And...I was so swift to judge you…
Izzy…
Stop calling me that…
I can’t help it, you are, and always will be my best friend. The one who protected and cared for me when I was just a child. Izzy I missed you, do the years spent in that grove count for nothing?
Do the years spent with Aria count for nothing?
….
You haven’t spoken to her have you?
No…not since...the battle…
Promy…
What am I supposed to say to her?
If she truly loves you, then she will understand.
You say that, yet…
I thought your element was Hope, Promy
It is…
Than, you put hope in them, put hope in yourself that you can become better for it.
Izzy…
This doesn’t change what happened fourteen hundred years ago. But, it’s a start.
__________________________________________________________
Perspective: Private Eye
The stars are out, the moon shined down on us, and quite honestly, it was the most beautiful night I’ve ever experienced. Okay, well maybe I’m exaggerating, but walking Twilight home, hand-in-hand, is turning out to be quite the experience. Street lamps make it safer than one would think, and we keep to the sidewalks. Thankfully this neighborhood has little traffic, anyway. I was wishing this time could last much longer, but all too quickly we reach Twilight’s house.
It wasn’t as big as my house. I don’t think any other house on this street is as big as my house. What did Dad do, have it built? It was still nice, though. Cosy two-storey, with nice trim, and a nice yard. I couldn’t really tell what color it was, thanks to it being dark, but it was relatively light colored with darker trim. Oh, wait, the siding by the porch light is light blue. Light blue, with a darker blue trim. Nice. Two cars in the driveway, and a nice path that lead to the front door.
“It’s, not as nice as your place,” Twilight admitted.
“I like it, it looks homey,” I replied with a smile.
“Right, we probably shouldn’t be holding hands like this in front of the house,” Twilight said, a little worriedly.
“Why’s that?” I asked.
“Well, you see, my big brother is visiting today.” She explained.
Aww crap…
“He is kind of protective, but luckily Cadence is probably there to hold his leash,” She said with a nervous smile.
“In other words, he’s probably going to kick my ass,” I groaned helplessly.
Shining why must you be the thing that scares me shitless in every universe?
The door opened and I let go of Twilight’s hand quickly. Out stepped a tall, muscular human male with white skin, messy blue hair and a smile on his face. “Twilie!” he cried as he walked over to her. In the light I saw he was wearing long cargo pants, a black shirt with his cutie mark in the bottom corner of the front.
Twilight smiled widely and went to hug her big brother. After the hug broke he looked down at his little sister, “We were going to head out, glad I could catch you before we did.”
“I know you're busy with the police force and all,” Twilight said, smiling at him, “but it’s good to see you anyways. Any time with my BBBFF is time well spent.”
Shining Armor smiled and then, his eyes fell on me. Slowly, he turned back to his sister. “Twilie, care to explain why a boy is in our front yard?”
“Shining!” Twilight yelled.
I tried to be as friendly as possible even though my legs were shaking under me. “Uh, I’m Private, I just moved here a couple days ago. Twilight and I are friends.”
“Friends huh?” Shining said, crossing his arms.
“Shining Armor Sparkle!” A female voice cried. “You’d better not do anything to that boy!”
“Cady!” Shining yelled.
“No buts, love,” I watched as Cadence stepped out of the house. She looked, pretty. She had pink skin, long tri colored hair that curled at the ends. She was wearing a white blouse with her crystal heart cutie mark at the center and a blue skirt. She was also wearing pinkish purple boots.
She was also holding a small human...Skyla?
“Cadence!” Twilight said in delight.
Cadence smiled and walked over to us. “It’s good to see my favorite sister-in-law in the whole world. Skyla’s been wanting to see her aunt again.”
Skyla, a small human with pink skin, curly periwinkle and gold curls, and wearing baby clothes giggled and reached out for Twilight. Twilight went aww and said, “Hello there Skyla, it’s so good to see you.”
“Aunty!” Skyla said as Twilight took her.
“Yes, I’m happy to see you too, big girl,” She said, hugging Skyla.
Wow...even as a human Skyla is freaking adorable.
“And who’s your friend here Twilight?” Cadence asked, looking at me.
“Oh, this is Private,” Twilight said, gesturing to me. “He moved in a few houses down. He’s a new student at my school. He was walking me home.”
“That better be all he was doing,” Shining said, giving me a side glance.
I may or may not have screamed internally like a little girl at that point.
“Priv!” Skyla suddenly cried. She reached over towards me.
“Hmm?” I said.
“Seems Skyla wants to get to know you,” Cadence said, taking her daughter from Twilight and walking over to me.
I’ve never held a human babe before, so I tried to imitate Cadence’s way of holding her. I gently took Skyla in my arms and held her. She cooed and babbled happily, then hugged me sweetly.
Yep, this is Skyla alright.
“Skyla likes him, Shiny,” Cadence said with a smile. “I think he’s a keeper.”
“Yeah, Skyla didn’t like the last guy at all,” Shining Armor said thoughtfully.
I looked at Skyla and her big blue eyes looked back at me. “You don’t think I’m a jerk do you?”
“NnnMmm,” Skyla said, shaking her head.
“Goes to show I should trust my niece’s judgement a bit more,” Twilight mused. “You’re pretty good with her Private.”
“I’ve always been good with kids,” I said. “Comes from my mom being a teacher and looking after Tailspin.”
“Well, maybe you’re not such a bad guy.” Shining Armor said with a smile.
“Don’t worry about my husband,” Cadence said, “She has this habit of thinking that his sister is still eight years old.”
“It’s called being a kind and caring sibling, Cady,” Shining Armor said with a sigh.
“Here,” I said, holding Skyla out to Cadence. “I think her mom should hang on to her.”
“Come here you little princess,” Cadence said, taking Skyla back into her arms.
Again, I totally called her being a great mom.
“We should get going, Shining,” Cadence said. “It’s almost Skyla’s bedtime.”
“But what ab-” Shining tried to say, before his wife dragged him by the ear towards the car.
“Your sister is a responsible young lady, she can hang out with a boy. The world will not end if your sister starts dating, Shining Armor,” Cadence said as they both went into the car.
As they drove away, Twilight turned to me. “Shining is really a good guy, just protective, especially with…”
“Flash?” I asked.
“Yeah…” She said, looking down for a minute.
“Hey, if I had a sister like you, I’d probably act the same,” I admitted.
Both of us laughed for a minute. Then, a silence fell over us as we simply looked on one another. I don’t know what convinced me this was a good idea. But...I just…
I reached up a hand and put it on Twilight’s cheek. She started blushing the moment I got close enough to touch her. She stood there, stiff as a board as I looked at her.
________________________________________________________
The moment of truth…
I hope they…
Are you actually invested in them?
Well I’m not about to wish my descendent to break poor Private’s heart.
So, you believe it’s genuine.
Look at them Promy, there’s no magic at work here except the strongest magic of all.
Love?
No Promy, True Love.
________________________________________________________
Slowly, but surely, she covered my hand with hers. Her violet eyes gazed at me, confusion, longing, nervousness, all swirled in her eyes until finally resting on...trust.
“Twi,” I said, feeling my own cheeks burning. “I know, you wanted to take things slow...but…”
“But…?” She said, her voice a little weak.
I gulped and said, “I just, think you’re the most amazing girl I’ve ever met...and I…”
I felt Twilight's hand leave mine, and go to rest on my shoulders. She was about a head shorter than I was, so she had to pull herself up. I felt her lips deliver our first kiss as humans. It was only the faintest brush of the lips, but it felt like the best in the world.
She looked into my eyes for a long time, there were no words that could come out of my mouth...then…
We pulled each other into an embrace and kissed full on the lips. I held her to me and she clinged to me as well. We stole air from one another, not wanting it to stop. I couldn’t explain why, but, I felt for a minute we were back home in Equestria. I even felt my hand get a little..flat…
Twilight and I broke away from one another after a minute. We stood apart from one another, blushing furiously. Twilight was the first to speak up, “I’m sorry, I just didn’t know what came over me…”
“It’s okay,” I said, rubbing my arm with a hand, “It was amazing.”
“I’d, I’d better go…” Twilight said, backing towards her house.
I watched her step on the front porch and said, “Twi!”
“Yes Private?” She asked, nervously looking back at me.
“See you tomorrow?” I asked.
She smiled, a blush on her cheeks as she said, “Yes, I’ll look forward to it. Private, thanks for coming here.”
I’d go anywhere for you Twilight…
I waved goodbye and watched her enter her house. I felt light as a feather as I walked home, smiling like a total idiot.
But, that one kiss, I felt her love…
She...did she know who she was kissing…?
___________________________________________________
True love, huh?
The most powerful magic of all.
Well of course you would know a thing or two about magic.
You don’t get to be the first Element of Magic without picking up a few things.
So what now?
Now, Twilight will start to know...just who her new boyfriend is…
______________________________________________________
Perspective: Twilight Sparkle
Oh my GOSH! We kissed! We seriously kissed! We kissed, and it… It was magical. I never felt that way when I was with Flash. Not even once. Now my very first kiss with Private… And it’s as if we’ve been together for… Well for a while. Is this what falling in love feels like?
Spike was barking at my feet and I picked him up, carrying him with me up to my room. I wasn’t going to talk to mom and dad about this. Dad would want to know when I’m going to visit Private’s parents. Mom would gush over the fact her little baby is growing up and make sooo many embarrassing comments.
I went into my room. My bookcases took up most of my wallspace. Star maps took up what’s left. Most teenagers have posters of sports stars, or teen idols. I never saw the point. I sighed happily, and flopped back on my star-decorated comforter.
Spike was heading for his basket during the night. My thoughts were on Private. I felt my lips where we kissed and I couldn’t help but wonder…
How did I know to do that? I was only going to give him a little peck then I lost myself. I mean, is this like what Cadence says about true love? But...something about it seemed so familiar…
I got up, went over to the vanity and looked at myself. I don’t understand it. I’ve only known Private for a couple of days. Yet, it feels like I’ve known him for a lifetime. This is too wi…
Hmm?
I looked on my vanity and saw something I didn’t notice before. I picked it up, it was a lockett. It was very pretty, with an amethyst shaped into a heart. Hmm, no way to open it by the looks of it. But, I don’t know, I really liked it for some reason…
I looked at the mirror, and held the lockett up to my neck. Hmm, it did look good on me…
I blinked and when I opened my eyes…
Private was standing there...behind me...but he wasn’t human...he was…
A pony...and so was I….?
He was putting the lockett on me…?
I shook my head and looked in the mirror again. I only saw my lone reflection. How? Why? Am I going crazy?
I looked down at the lockett, and held it to my chest. That good feeling returned and I sat on my bed with it. Whatever this lockett is...it had something to do with Private….
I’m going to find out just how that is...