//------------------------------// // Descent to Madness... // Story: To Love A Non-Brony // by The Forgotten Host //------------------------------// It was the day after TD asked me out. It was all I could think about the rest of the day. What angle was he working on? What nefarious plot did he have in mind? Time would tell. TD left after and booked a room in a Canterlot hotel. Luna was not what one might call enthusiastic about this whole situation considering the fact her sister was being courted by the same being that had a poor history with Equestrian Royalty. Luna always was the overprotective type. The next day, after setting the moon, she didn’t leave my side. She accompanied me to breakfast, lunch and even my office where I did the most dreaded part of my vigorous routine: paperwork. Normally, I hated this part of my schedule more than Day Court. However, today I could make an exception. It was the best way I could keep my mind off my date with TD. “Is it time?” asked Luna as I put a hoof stamp on the last of the plethora of documents. I swear, if I get another request from Blueblood to lower nobility taxes, banishment to the moon is the last thing he should worry about. I magically floated the denied tax reform document on a shelf and glimpsed at the wall. “There’s still three minutes and fourteen seconds before five o’clock.” Luna raised an eyebrow. “That was rather--” “Accurate? I know. I’ve been counting every second after TD left the castle,” I interrupted. “Should thou not be busy preparing for the date?” “I do not think that would be necessary.” I smirked. “If I’m lucky, he’ll find that offensive and call off the date.” “And what about the media? What if they spot you with TD? I highly doubt the public would take your outing with an inter-dimensional species very likely.” “Do not fret, dear sister. I had planned every obstacle out before the time of reckoning. The only thing I haven’t tackled is what TD is conspiring for our date.” Luna was about to say something else but was interrupted by a stern knocking on the door. “You may enter,” I called out. The door opened and in walked a maid, Cob Web, if I remember her name correctly. She bowed before speaking. “Your majesty, the human from yesterday has arrived.” It was time. My sight fell on Luna who watched me sympathetically. “If you don’t want to be a part of this, I could always ‘take care’ of him.” I mused for a second but denied it. “No, sister,” I said as I put a hoof on her shoulder. “This must be done.” She gave me an assuring smile and a nod before saying “Good luck.” I walked out of the door to my inevitable fate. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * There he was waiting in the dining area waiting next to the unnecessarily long dining table. He was wearing the same suit he wore in the Grand Galloping Gala. He still had that unsure look on his face. In one hand, he was holding a heart shaped box of chocolates, and in the other hand, a bouquet of roses. I always was intrigued with how humans used their hands. I wonder how useful would they be in bedro- No! No. Professionalism, Celestia. Professionalism. I walked into the dining room doing my best to shake the putrid thoughts off my mind. “Good afternoon, TD. Are you ready for our date?” “Yeah, so…” He rubbed his temples. “Here. These are for you.” “Thank you, TD,” I fumblingly replied. He handed me the box of chocolates and bouquet of roses which I floated towards myself using my horn and ran a quick magical scan on them just in case. His ‘gifts’ seemed to be normal, but I couldn’t be too careful. There was an awkward silence that he thankfully broke. “We should get going” he gestured towards the door. “Oh yes! Of course, but before that...” I forced some magic into my horn and enveloped myself in a golden aura. TD squinted because of the light. When the aura faded, I was pleased to find myself in my pegasus form with a white coat and pink mane and tail. My head hardly came up to his chest. I remember that one time I used this form to get out of the castle to take a break from work only to be kidnapped by a bunch of bandits and almost start a nationwide crisis. Good times... “I’ll have to disguise myself to prevent media attention,” I said before looking up at TD. “Unless you have a problem with that.” He tilted his head examining my new body before shaking his head. “Let’s just go. We don’t want to be late” I raised an eyebrow, “Late? Late for what? ” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * “I have to say TD. Bringing a member of royalty to a downtown place like Doughnut Joe’s was a very bold move.” As I scanned through the various danishes. We were sitting next to the window. It was a clear sunny evening, and watching my little ponies go by not knowing they were so close to their princess was a little amusing. TD fixed his gaze from the menu towards me. “What, you don’t like it?” He seemed a little ill at ease. “No, I like it. Being a princess and all, I have to keep away from the simpler things in life to deal with all the complexities of royalty.” “Well I know you have a sweet tooth, and I’m guessing being a princess means you don’t come to places like these very often.” “No, but honestly,” I turned to the next page of the menu, “I’d prefer common cuisine like this over my royal chef’s cooking any day.” After a few more minutes, Doughnut Joe arrived and we gave him our orders. I ordered slice of chocolate cake with a cup of tea while TD ordered a fruit danish with a side of coffee. So far the date was turning out to be normal, which was I must admit, enjoyable, which further escalated my tension. The moment I stepped out of the castle, I waited for the worst to happen. Yet, it never came. If his plan was to psychologically torture me, it was working. It was time to ask what was in my mind. “So TD, what’s with the change of heart? At the Gala you were ready to kill me and today you’re taking me out for a date. What’s the occasion?” TD leaned against his seat and crossed his arms behind his head. “No occasion. I just woke up one day and thought I was taking my grudge against you too far. Hating someone this much isn’t very healthy. So I decided to bury the hatchet.” I stared at him curiously. “Really?” I asked, more than a little skeptic at his sudden forgiving attitude. “Really! I mean, how long did you honestly expect me to hate you so much?” “A lot longer than this,” I half joked. “But that still doesn’t explain the date.” “The date was a sign of good intentions. I mean what I say, trust me.” He smiled. This was the first time I ever saw TD smile wholeheartedly. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It was… magnificent. His smile made me feel protected, like Equestria itself was facing annihilation and there was no more hope left for anypony. Yet, no harm could fall on me because by my side was a brave knight of the highest order, protecting me from the worst to come. It was sweet, it was welcoming, it made me feel warm inside and above all, it was contagious. I felt my lips curl into a smile. I must say if he was a stallion, he would be... No, Tia! Restrain yourself. Doughnut Joe came just then and gave us our orders. Thank Faust. TD cleared his throat to get my attention. He raised his mug in front of me. “To new beginnings, Celestia.” I levitated my cup close to his. I was still skeptical about this sudden change of heart but still smiled. “To new beginnings. Honestly, I don't know why I was so worked up about this date.” Our cups made contact with a satisfying ‘clink’ sound. … WHY IN THE NAME OF MOTHER FAUST DID I JUST TELL HIM THAT?! TD raised an eyebrow. “Worked up?" I gulped and looked away. I couldn’t bear the embarrassment. I was so angry at myself (and TD for the heck of it). “After you left, my sister and I were more than a little anxious about this date.” “Why?” “TD, you are one of the only beings known to ponykind who has ever openly hated me and Luna. You obviously aren't evil. But your out of nowhere request to take me out put us on high alert.” “That so?” “It sounds odd, but yes.” ... “So" he couldn't help but chuckle "What do you think I would have done to you?” I smirked sarcastically. “Snark me to death possibly.” “I see. Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm not planning to usurp you and your sister just yet.” We shared a laugh before realization struck me and I stared at him as he wiped the tears of his eyes, confused. Why was TD acting this way? This was not the TD I knew. He was polite, cheerful and forgiving. He was basically the opposite of the TD from the Gala. And I loved it. I loved everything about this new TD. Then I came to a horrifying realization. This date was turning out to be the best date I had in what feels like eternity and I was trying my level best not to enjoy it. One side of my head told me to let go of all my worries and relax and dare I say, have fun. But the smarter part of me denied it and told me to be vigilant at all times. It told me not to trust TD, not to succumb to his nefarious plans. I had to fight it. I had to stay headstrong I had to… I had to… … To Tartarus with that side of me. I released a breath that I did not even know I was holding back, and TD and I had a nice conversation about a topic none of us could care less about. Thinking back, I still don’t remember what we talked about. All I remember was we were chatting and smiling. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The date continued perfectly after that. TD somehow obtained two tickets to the Phantomare of the Opera. They weren’t front row seats, but the fact that he obtained these tickets was a feat itself. Even Luna and I have a hard time getting tickets without pulling a couple of strings. The play was breathtaking, and all the ponies were watching the performance in awe all the while my attention was fixed on TD, who apparently fell asleep after the first fifteen minutes of the play. He looked so peaceful in his sleep, so calm. He was cute! I might just hug him like a- STOP, Celestia! STOP! Why was this happening to me? Was I honestly falling for TD? No… I was just… enjoying the date! That’s it! Just then I spotted TD’s hand on the hoof-rest of the seat. I gently placed my hoof on it and took delight in the rest of the performance. Yes! Just enjoying the rest of the date. When the play ended, I nudged TD awake. He jolted up and almost fell off his seat as I giggled at his goofy behavior. “What’s next?” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A simple walk in the park was not what I expected, but then again, it was very enjoyable. We talked some more and laughed some more, all the while savoring each other’s company. It was precisely ten o’clock and Luna had given me the courtesy of setting the sun and lifting the moon. As I saw my sister’s calm luminous orb in the sky, I realized how late it had gotten. Luna was probably worried about me. I turned my attention towards TD who was enjoying the sight of the moon himself. Maybe a few more minutes… After another half an hour of strolling and chatting later, TD took me to the entrance of the castle. I thanked him for the wonderful date and we parted ways. I was wrong. This was the best date of my life.