//------------------------------// // This Date Aria [Romance] // Story: Half-Hour Horses // by HoofAndQuill //------------------------------// (The prompt: Reimagine one of the songs from the show as having been sung by a different character in a different context.) (I am not a lyricist, so sorry for all the broken meter, lackluster rhyming, and weird enjambment.) Pinkie Pie trudged down the main road of Ponyville, in her cake-stained dress left over from the Gala a year previous, next to a nervously smiling if slightly disappointed Twilight Sparkle. She had just been so happy! She hadn't meant to bump into the table at Sugarcube Corner, and now their pre-dinner snack had been ruined! This date was going to be perfect The kind of date that a princess like her deserves... But instead of eating cake it slid clear off of Twilight's plate Seems disaster is really all that I can serve. Twilight Sparkle sighed and thanked the maitre-d politely. It hardly mattered anyway, she had only realized after getting to the restaurant that she had no money on her regardless. Everything was going wrong, the beautiful dress that Rarity had made for her was stained in chocolate, the restaurant had no tables left, and even though Pinkie was still smiling, there was a desperate, faked edge to it that absolutely broke Twilight's heart. This date was going to be perfect The kind of date that my best friend of all deserves. But my reservation's gone and I left my bits at home And new problems, it seems, appear around each curve. Pinkie Pie bounced alongside Twilight as they walked through town, going from restaurant to restaurant. Hearts and Hooves Day meant that all of them were crowded, and the ones that weren't still didn't really want to give them free food. Pinkie wasn't even hungry anymore, because with each step and each giggling joke she told, Twilight's miserable expression just got more and more miserable. I could care less about my dress I wouldn't dare to hurt this mare Well, I guess at least she knows I care Though I'd hoped to woo a princess I found that even my best Isn't good enough to keep her smiling now No I can not make her smile Her every movement is denial But her happiness is all I want! The night was waning on, and there weren't many places left for the two mares to have dinner. The books, most books on the subject anyway, had expressly shown that dinner dates were supposed to have dinners! Everything was wrong about this, from spilling the cake that Pinkie had so carefully and lovingly put together, to the lost reservations, and all the nervousness and tension around going on this date seemed awfully well-deserved as everything came crashing down around her. I must find a place before it's too late Should I use my royal rights? Well, it might help save the night I just wanted to prove to her That no pony could outdo her and that I'll love and cherish her forevermore All I need's to make her laugh and all I want's to make this right! Oh Celestia, just help me through this night! -- Pinkie Pie leaned against Twilight as they sat together on the small hill outside of Ponyville. Dinner had been two of her emergency cupcakes, (only a day old!) that were hidden in the schoolhouse for depressed filly emergencies. It wasn't filling, but they'd eaten them together, and it was fun in a silly way. Pinkie nuzzled against Twilight's mane, and the princess giggled despite her previously sad expression. Twilight looked at Pinkie, and suddenly realized that despite all the mess and failure of this date, Pinkie was still smiling. Twilight let herself laugh, and felt a smile cross her own lips. Pinkie Pie, in return smiled all the brighter and hugged Twilight tightly against her warm, soft coat. Pinkie Pie almost hummed to herself in happy triumph. Finally her smile lights up the night! Oh yeah, you've done it Pinkie Pie! Twilight's eyes shined as she looked into Pinkie Pie's. Oh the dinner didn't take But what difference does that make? From now I will be- Pinkie Pie kissed Twilight Sparkle's nose. "Mine! All mine!" The two mares burst into happy, giggling laughter together.