One Year Later
It was in the Canterlot Royal Gardens that the reception for Princess Twilight Sparkle and Duchess Rainbow Dash (a title was required)was held. All of their friends and family were in attendance, while a few even had jobs for the occasion; Pinkie was in charge of the reception, Applejack provided the food, and Vinyl, Octavia, and Sweetie Belle provided the music for the event.
The singer was honored to do this free of charge; she wouldn’t accept payment from friends and was not in need of bits ever since her career took off. ‘A Heart Denied’ was a huge success, appealing to all couples though it was more popular amongst couples that had at least one pegasus in it. It was the most requested song whenever she performed at weddings; she refused to give up the opportunity to see love first-hoof, even if she didn’t earn the bits for singing at the weddings. Sweetie would always have the couple of the hour choose when the song will be played rather than the choice belong to anypony else. True to their word, Vinyl and Octavia composed the background for ‘A Heart Denied’, free of charge. Sweetie felt that she was truly happy and content, qualities she shared with her lover.
Scootaloo would not have missed this event for the world; how could she miss the wedding of her idol, honorary sister, and mare instrumental in launching Scootaloo into the spotlight? After that unforgettable night, Rainbow Dash had gotten a hold of her agents, requesting that they arranged for Scootaloo to be the opener for the Wonderbolts shows. Ponies now got to see the Super Nova and the Big Bang before every performance; it got to the point where they came just to see her and the Wonderbolts were just a nice bonus. Rainbow Dash didn’t care that she had to share the spotlight, she was happy with what she had. Scootaloo decided to keep her position as Weather Team Captain, though her salary went to charities that helped with orphans. Her only regret in all of this was that she and Sweetie Belle waited for so long before getting together; they could have had true happiness sooner.
When Sweetie Belle finished her song, she was given a break to enjoy the celebration; she headed towards her pegasus, who wasn’t standing too far away from the stage.
“Hey beautiful; you were great up there, as always!” Scootaloo said after they shared a quick kiss, a familiar smirk adorning her face. She was wearing a specially designed dress made by Rarity. It was similar to Rainbow’s aerodynamic dress that she wore to the Gala, except the color scheme was purple with orange and lacked the head piece. She was asked to perform the Big Bang for when the newly married couple had their first kiss, thus requiring this particular dress. She would have worn something simpler but Rarity would have none of it; she had considered ignoring Rarity’s command, but one comment from Sweetie Belle ensured that it would be worn this evening. Like I could say no to her.
“You always say that, but thanks. I still think you look fantastic in that dress.” Sweetie blushed as she said this, still not used to all the praise from her marefriend. Her own dress was more suited for this event; more elegantly designed than Scootaloo’s practical attire; it was pink with purple and its design was not too simple as to look bland but not too extravagant to upstage the newly weds’ or Rarity’s. Flustering each other had become a small game between the two and so it was Sweetie’s turn to try and gain the advantage. “Though I think it would look better at the foot of our bed.” She suggested in a low whisper, her eyes half-lidded; causing the desired effect.
“I-uh-um…” Scootaloo stuttered uselessly, blushing madly. She was finally able to control her wings and find her tongue after a few moments and tried to change the subject. “Hey, why don’t we go mingle for a little bit; I think I saw Apple Bloom earlier.” Sweetie Belle smiled and followed her lover’s lead, smirking mentally.
1:1 tied, I wonder who will win tonight?
It didn’t take long to find their moping friend; it wasn’t surprising that she would be depressed, it had not been the best year for Apple Bloom financially. She claimed it all started when she lost a bet to Pinkie Pie and learning, along with many other ponies, that one does not simply bet against Pinkie Pie. Granny Smith’s gambling habits weren’t helping matters; she was spending more bits than Apple Bloom could put into the account. She had also learned from Discord that Luna had wanted to build a nightclub with Apple Bloom as the architect, but that opportunity evaporated when Luna lost her bet. No, not surprising at all really.
What was surprising was her company.
“Cheer up, Apple Bloom! When you’ve completed the contract with Diamond Tiara, you’ll be back to earning bits like before,” Silver Spoon comforted her friend, a friendly smile adorning her face. “And maybe Princess Luna might decide to go through with her nightclub, you never know!” Scoots and Sweetie still weren’t quite sure how one of their tormentors from fillyhood had become friends with their fellow crusader, but they came to accept it; the glasses wearing mare had a way of cheering up the architect most of the time. It just took more effort sometimes.
“Well Ah’d be done with the contract if that brat would stop rejectin’ every single one of my designs! Ah worked hard on those dammit!!” This is how Apple Bloom was ever since she started working for Diamond Tiara; though she no longer went out of her way to put ponies down, she still antagonized others to no end. Apple Bloom would admit that the only good parts of the job were Silver Spoon and the promised bits she would receive upon completion of the project.
“I know you worked hard on those designs; and if it helps, I thought they looked fantastic. Unfortunately, our employer doesn’t share my tastes.” Spoon said reassuringly, nopony noticing her shifting eyes. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle didn’t know that their former bullies had a falling out, and Apple Bloom was only aware of when Silver Spoon stopped referring to Diamond Tiara as a ‘friend’ and started calling her ‘our employer’ for reasons unknown.
“You mean she has no taste. Bloom, all of your designs are amazing, don’t let some snob tell ya otherwise!” Scoots exclaimed in her usual excitable manner.
“Yeah, if she doesn’t like what you come up with, then she isn’t worth your time. Honestly, you should just quit.” Sweetie Belle would have gone on but was distracted by the panicked look on Silver Spoon. I wonder why she looks worried. Before she could contemplate the reason for panic, Apple Bloom decided to speak.
“Nah, Ah can’t quit; Ah need the bits. Besides while I’m working for her she is giving me a salary; it isn’t enough to get me back to where I was, but it’s enough to live with some comfort. Hopefully Granny will get back from Las Pegasus soon; this is gettin’ outta hoof.”
“And if you needed to, you could live with me while you’re working on this project.” Silver Spoon suggested with a slight blush on her face.
“Thanks for the offer, but Ah doubt that will be necessary, Silver.” Bloom responded with a small blush of her own, much to her friends’ confusion. She turned to face them before shooing them away. “Why don’t y’all go and enjoy yerselves rather than listenin’ to me wollowin’ in self pity; there are plenty of other ponies tah see.”
The couple wished them well before departing to find other guests to mingle with. Their search brought them face-to-face with an excited baker; far too close for the couple’s comfort.
“Hey girls! Isn’t this the bestest best best wedding reception you ever been to? You two should try the cake before I eat it all. So are you having fun? Huhhuhuhuh?” The bouncing Pinkie Pie was almost too much for the two to handle.
“Yeah, we’re having fun, Pinkie. Who else is here that we can talk to?” Scoots asked as she draped a wing over her singer, much to Sweetie’s enjoyment. She could never get enough of her feathery blanket; in fact she can’t sleep without it, though the stuntmare didn’t mind that at all.
Pinkie Pie thought for a moment, which for some reason required that she balance on her tail, before answering. “Well the author wants you to talk to Rarity and AJ then Scratchy and Tavi, followed by Twi and Dashie. He wants to show off the next few stories by having you two talk to those couples.” Pinkie smiled wide as she finished, certain that she earned that cookie for a job well done.
The couple nodded before walking away from their strange friend; still confused but used to this sort of thing. Once she was sure they were out of earshot, Scootaloo decided ask her marefriend a serious question.
“Do you ever wonder what Pinkie is?”
“DON’T SAY THAT OUT LOUD!” Sweetie Belle tried to warn, but it was too late. Their path was blocked by a pink obstacle as it began to bounce and sing.
“The wonderful thing about Pinkies
Is Pinkies are wonderful things
Their tops are made of rubbah
Their bottoms are made of springs
They’re bouncy trouncy flouncy pouncy
Fun fun fun fun fun
But the most wonderful thing about Pinkies
Is that IIIIIIIIIII’MMMM the only one!”
Thank Celestia for that. Never before in the history of Equestria have so many ponies shared the exact same thought. By the time the couple regained their senses, Pinkie Pie was already at the food table, ready to pounce on unsuspecting treats; they decided to continue their journey without doing anything that could possibly summon the pink menace.
They found Rarity and Applejack sitting at a table not too far from the stage, where Vinyl and Octavia were currently playing. The married couple were in mid conversation when Rarity noticed the condition of Scootaloo’s dress.
“Darling, do you know how long I worked on that dress? Now it’s dirty and wrinkled and...Is it burned at the hem?”
“Well I am on fire when I perform the Big Bang. If you want me to wear a nice dress when I perform that trick, you’re gonna hafta make it fireproof.” Scootaloo responded with some slight annoyance; Rarity had talked her ear off for an hour about how to take care of the dress. She was prepared to get another lecture when Applejack saved her from impending doom.
“Aw, give her a break, sugarcube. It’s not like she knew she was going to singe the dress or that she did it intentionally. Besides, working with fireproof materials will be a new experience for ya.” Applejack tried to calm her wife with words and by rubbing behind her ear, her weak spot. The ploy worked perfectly.
“Alright, Jackie dear; I shall not delve further into the matter. I’ll just make a new one some other time.” She stated calmly before turning to her sister. “You better not ruin your dress at least; there shouldn’t be any cause for it to be ruined.”
“Oh don’t worry, I have no intention of ruining this dress…” Sweetie Belle said sweetly before she smirked. “...Until tonight,” she finished with a low whisper to Scootaloo.
Pomf.
2:1 my lead, Sweetie Belle thought, you have to step up your game, love.
Rarity gave her sister a furious glare while Applejack chuckled at Scootaloo’s expression.
Upon her recovery Scootaloo decided it was time to move on to the musicians; she had no idea why but she didn’t want to disrupt the schedule laid out by Pinkie Pie. Vinyl and Octavia were taking a well deserved break from providing the entertainment, the music continuing on a specific playlist. Vinyl noticed the younger couple first.
“‘Sup Sweets? Scoots? Enjoying the party? I know you’re both enjoying MY music at least.” Vinyl was wearing her usual shades and a loose red neck tie; she had directed her last comment to Octavia, though the young couple knew it was just in jest.
“Please, you could hardly call that noise music. It sounds like you recorded a carriage collision.” When she finished her retort she pecked her marefriend on the cheek, silently calling for an end to the pseudo-hostilities. “I do hope you two are having a fun time.” She said to the pair after she finished showering Vinyl with affection.
“Yeah, we’re having fun; though the real fun starts later tonight.” Sweetie answered with an evil smirk. Scootaloo blushed furiously as the musicians laughed. 3:1 match point. This is almost disappointing Scoots. Maybe I should lay off and let her get a point.
“Oh, jeez, her face is turning the same color red as my eyes. Ha.” Vinyl lacked the same grace as Octavia or even the subtlety of Applejack, and rolled on the floor in laughter while Octavia was able stifle her own laughter. When she calmed down she decided to scold her protege.
“Sweetie Belle, save that for the bedroom; that is hardly appropriate for current company. Besides you’ll break the poor dear if you keep it up.”
“Alright, alright. We still have to offer our congratulations to the happy couple anyways; see you later.” Sweetie Belle spoke for the two of them, since Scootaloo was still muttering to herself.
They arrived at their last destination of the evening. The newlyweds were wearing complimenting wedding gowns, just like their personalities; each wore a necklace with the other’s feather hanging from it like a charm. The two looked exhausted but they also couldn’t have been happier as they sat next to one another. Sweetie was about to speak when Scootaloo dragged her feathers along her marefriend’s side, causing her to gasp and blush furiously. 3:2, now you’re playing dirty. I like that. Scootaloo wasn’t completely defenseless against Sweetie’s advances; she knew that the singer’s sides were very sensitive, especially to feathery appendages. Scoots took the opportunity to speak to the newlyweds as Sweetie tried to recover.
“Congratulations Princess Twilight; Congrats’ Dash.” Scootaloo began, but was interrupted by one of the brides.
“That’s Duchess Rainbow Dash, Squirt; and don’t you forget it!” Dash said in mock annoyance, before getting whacked in the head by her new wife’s hoof.
“Be nice, or ‘first night’ doesn’t happen tonight.” Twilight warned coldly before smiling warmly at the couple. “Thank you both for coming, I hope you are enjoying yourselves? Scootaloo, I must say that trick was fantastic.” Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle nodded their agreement.
“It was nothin’, but thanks.” The stuntmare smiled sheepishly before whispering to her lover. “I could show you some sweet tricks later on tonight.”
A sparking horn was added to the blushing from before. Ooohh cheeky, I like this. It’s 3:3, deuce; and I’m sorry babe, but I’m going to win this. The newlyweds both chuckled at this display as they were reminded of the early years of the relationship.
“Get a room you two; there are little fillies and colts here, ya know.” Rainbow said in a tone she hoped was stern, but it came out as amused. She was so pleased to see Scootaloo so happy; everything felt right with the world.
With that Sweetie had to return to the stage to continue singing.
-GWG-
Soon the reception began to wrap up; all that was left to do was to throw the bouquet and one last dance while the married couple made their way home. Twilight turned her back to a small gathering of mares and tossed the flowers over her shoulder; before it could reach them it was halted by an electric blue aura. It floated over to a blushing Octavia while Vinyl wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. With the last of the wedding features out of the way, the musicians began to play the last song of the night.
“May I have this dance, madam?” Sweetie asked her lover while bowing before her.
“When did you become the colt in this relationship?”
“When I kissed you first a year ago.” Sweetie Belle answered as they headed to the dance floor together. When they got into position, the singer tried to gain the advantage. “And after this you and I can have our own little ‘tango’.” She said the last word in the low whisper that she perfected over the past year; she grinned as she observed her work.
“Eep,” was the only response Scootaloo could utter before the song began.
Hehe, advantage: Sweetie Belle. One more point and I win.
The song didn’t really matter to them; the young couple danced to their own music. Both mares were lost in each other’s eyes as they swayed back and forth. They felt as though they couldn’t be happier than they were right now; just embracing their one true love. They kissed deeply as they sensed that the song was coming to an end. Scootaloo had her eyes closed as she was kissing, but Sweetie’s were slightly open, just enough to see the approaching wing. Trying that again, love? Well, I can play dirty, too. Sweetie Belle pulled out of the kiss only to bring her muzzle to Scootaloo’s neck, nibbling where the neck connected to the jaw; Scootaloo’s response was somewhere between a sharp gasp and a pleasured moan as she nearly collapsed in Sweetie’s arms.
Game. Set. Match. Time to collect my prize. The flustered pegasus tried to regain her footing, but the singer would have none of that. Sweetie Belle lifted her Scootaloo in her magic as she guided her back to their hotel; both mares knew they wouldn’t get much sleep tonight and they were looking forward to it.
Fin