“Thanks for coming over to help me, guys! I dunno if I could handle all of this baking by myself! It’s sooooo nice to have some extra hooves in the kitchen! Cause, you know I can't just spawn hooves... Oooooh! Put some extra cinnamon in that! More sugar! More more more!!”
Sweetie Belle laughed in delight, nudging Apple Bloom with her flour-dusted flank. The fillies were helping the overworked Cake family prepare sweets for the Winter Solstice Ball. It was to be the longest night of the year, and the few hours of daylight had to be used wisely. In contrast with the wild and informal Summer Solstice party, Luna’s was a much more formal affair, at least in dress. It was too cold to party outside, so the whole event was to be held in the grand town hall. Rarity was already there, hurrying up with decorations, and most likely doing last-minute dress alterations on the spot. Sweetie Belle had felt bad that she was unable to be of any help to her, but over the fourteen years of her life, she knew it was best to leave it to Rarity. Seeing her sister dejected in the corner was pricking at Rarity’s conscience so she sent her to Sugarcube corner after seeing the Cakes drag in some sweets to set up early.
Sweetie Belle glanced over at Pinkie Pie, who was humming one of her many songs as she poured brownie batter into a tin and set it to bake.
“You see, Mr and Mrs. Cake went to the town hall to set up the sweets that are already baked, so they left me here to keep an eye on the place! Thank you both so much!” Pinkie Pie ran all over the kitchen, pouring vanilla, cinnamon and other things into the massive number of labeled bowls spread about. Apple Bloom was stirring some of them, trying to keep pace with Pinkie’s add-ons. She had originally come just to deliver apples, but couldn't find it in herself to leave Pinkie to manage the baking by herself. Sweetie Belle had arrived moments later, giving her more incentive to stay.
As Apple Bloom mixed after Pinkie, Sweetie Belle was busy following the recipes. However, that didn't mean they couldn't talk.
“So Apple Bloom, that colt you met, did he ask you to the dance?” Sweetie Belle asked between bowls. Apple Bloom gave a flighty giggle, her lips curling into a playful grin.
“Why yes he did! He did it all fancy like too. Brought me a flower, though it was half-eaten... It was nice he thought of it though!” Apple Bloom poured some batter into a pan for Pinkie to shove into another oven.
“Oh you little ponies have dates! How cute!! Oh I was sooooo busy baking that I couldn't even find a date! But I’ll probably find a nice stallion to dance with at the party... Oh Sweetie Belle, who’s your date?” Pinkie Pie shoved her face into Sweetie Belle’s, some how managing to frost a cake at the same time. Sweetie Belle cringed. She didn't want to think about dates. The past month with Show Tail made her heart ache. He always nuzzled her nose in a way that made her feel fuzzy and strange, and over time, whenever she saw him, her heart panged harder and harder. Even Sweetie Belle could see that her crush was getting out of hand. He was always so sweet to her, more so than she had ever seen him with Scootaloo. Perhaps he was simply more comfortable with her than Scootaloo. What ever it was, it left parasprites in her stomach.
“Sweeeeeeeeeeeeetie Belle!! Do you have a daaaaaaaaaaaate?” Pinkie Pie was in her ear. She must have spaced out. Apple Bloom was right next to Sweetie Belle now, nudging her rump to bring her back to earth.
“No I don't... Why?”
“Well, Scootaloo does. Show Tail asked her and she said yes and...”
“What?!” Apple Bloom cringed at the ear-splitting cry. She turned to Sweetie Belle, who had a morbid look on her face. “But I like him! Why didn't he ask me?!” Sweetie Belle suddenly turned into Rarity, her lip forming her sister’s signature pout. She snapped back to normal, taking a moment to realize what she had done.
“You... like Show... Tail? Sweetie Belle, why didn't you tell me!?” Apple Bloom looked almost offended. Sweetie Belle cringed at Apple Bloom’s disbelief. She hadn't really meant to blurt it out. She just couldn't believe that Scootaloo had agreed to go with him as a date. It didn't even seem to be Scootaloo like behavior. “Well um... you see, he asked Scoots if she was going and she said yes, so they're kinda going together, but more like... friends. Besides, she’s not very very fond of him. She’s jealous of his skills...” Apple Bloom trailed off, glancing at Sweetie Belle awkwardly. Sweetie felt she had blurted out her feelings for no reason. “Should we tell Scootaloo?”
“No. He likes her, remember? I’d be so embarrassed if she knew I liked him. You have to prom...” Sweetie was cut off by Pinkie Pie.
“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!! Remember, telling a secret is the fastest way to lose a friend...”
“Foreverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!” All three of them screamed at the top of their lungs. Pinkie giggled for a bit.
“Pinkie Pie, you're all grown an’ such. What was your first crush like?” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked at the pink pony hopefully. She may have been Pinkie, but she was older, and most likely had some form of useful advice, even if it was in Pinkie Code.
“My first crush was a rock.”
The fillies stared at Pinkie Pie in shock, till she started to snort and giggle. They exhaled in relief once they realised she was kidding. She quickly reassured them that he was indeed a real colt, and after some gentle prodding, she recalled the tale as they worked.
When I was just a little filly on the rock farm, we were very careful with the rocks. We spent most of our time with rocks! Rotating them, cleaning them, selling them... We had rocks on the brain! Except not really, cause that would hurt...
But that’s not the point! You see, I did go to school, my sisters and I. There were other rock farmers in the area, along with dirt farmers and other earth-based jobs. The families around there didn't want us to go to the local Ponyville school, so they decided to homeschool us all. Every day, all of us little foals would sit in the local schoolhouse and learn all about rocks and dirt and whatever. Shale, marble, sandstone, granite... If it was a rock, we knew about it. I was the second-best in the class. I remembered almost everything. Well, there were only about ten of us anyway.
There was this one pony that I really liked! Colossus Strudel. We called him Seuss. He was the most wonderful chestnut brown, and had the nicest mane ever! He always kept it combed, and he was always so very serious. I liked that in a colt! He was also part of the Strudel Family, our top rock farming competitors! But I guess that was part of why I liked him so much. He was dangerous, new, and forbidden, so to speak. He liked me too, after some rocky persuasion!
“I like... pink quartz.” He said to me one day, and gave me a high quality chunk of it. I still have it to this day. It’s soooo pretty. “I really like... pink.” He said in a very matter of factoid way. It was from that moment on, I began to formulate my Pinkieness. He made me so happy, on the inside at least. It was amazing! We spent every possible moment together. We snuck out at night to go find rocks in the meadows. It was the only time I really remembered smiling... It was wonderful. I can remember the first time he kissed me. We had just found another piece of pink quartz, though not as high quality as the last one. He said that he actually really liked it, since it was like a heart, but not like a heaaaart. You know, the drawing, not the creepy blood pumpy one. We were so little, and all he knew was that you kissed people you really liked. So he kissed me!
“My mom says that you kiss people you really like, and you give them special things. So...”
I think my hair puffed up a little bit due to that...
However, after I got my cutie mark, just few weeks later, it all changed. I threw another party, this time inviting all the foals in my class, and their families. It turns out that the reason why the Strudels and the Pies were such competitors was because the wives were sisters! I was in fact in love with my cousin! We were just so embarrassed, and happy that none of the other foals knew that we liked each other. During the party, we snuck out, and he kissed me one more time or two time. Maybe three or more, I forget.
“This would be strange. I apologize wholly. Pinkie... I just felt I should kiss you one last time, before we halt this affair.” I nodded slowly, feeling just as sad as when I was alone on the farm.
Pinkie. He always did call me Pinkie. I loved hearing him call me Pinkie...
“Oh Pinkie Pie! It must have been horrible realizing you liked your cousin!” Sweetie Belle stirred the latest batter of cupcakes, sniffling miserably. “Do you still keep in contact?” Apple Bloom nodded as she pulled a batch of cupcakes out of the oven. Pinkie stopped frosting and nodded vigorously. Splattering some of the frosting on the floor and ceiling.
“Yeah! All the time! We send letter to each other like crazy. In fact, he’s coming to Ponyville to celebrate Winter Solstice... Oh my I have to get ready... I have to look pretty, and Rarity fixed me a pretty new dress and...” Pinkie Pie continued talking to herself about what she had to do. Apple Bloom turned towards Sweetie Belle slyly.
“So... Show Tail huh...” Sweetie Belle glared at Apple Bloom with a vengeance. She sighed, realizing that she had nothing to be angry about. She had one of her best friends to talk to about her crush. Maybe this night would end well.
---
Sweetie Belle finally arrived at home as the sun began to set. She glanced around the fully lit room, racks of dresses and suits now decimated and empty. She smiled to herself, knowing that Rarity would be pleased with herself. She snapped back to the world once she thought of her sister. She glanced around in a panic before noticing a white horn buried underneath a pile of fabric.
Yet again, her sister was napping, probably hiding from any last minute dress seekers. Sweetie Belle couldn't help but laugh, walking over to nudge her sister. Rarity spazzed, limbs flailing wildly as she awoke. She screamed something about dresses before coming to her senses.
“Oh... You’re back! I suppose had fun, right? Good. Did you remember to give Apple Bloom her Solstice present? You got her those paints, didn't you? What did she give you?” Rarity shook off the piles of warm fabric, trotting off to the closet. Sweetie Belle nodded merrily, explaining that Apple Bloom got her some pens with musical notes on them, and Scootaloo had gotten her some music sheets. Sweetie Belle had been giving out gifts to her classmates and other ponies all day after she had left Pinkie’s. Finding everypony had been heard, but at least her backpacks were now full of treats, trinkets and other gifts. She quickly remembered that she needed to pack Show Tail’s gift, the one pony she had purposely left for last.
Mostly out of Pinkie’s request.
If you like him so much, you should give him his present dressed up all fancy, at the party!
“Oh Sweetie Belle, I have your dress!” Rarity had a proud smile on her lips as she came back with the gown. “I made this after staring at my gala dress, that horrendous affair. I would very much like to teach that Prince Cakeface how to behave. I suppose he would be better with some manners... But no matter! Here you are darling.” She waved her creation with great gusto.
The slightly heavy looking gown was a powdery and dusty blue underneath a gauzy sparkled layer of translucent material. Once Sweetie Belle put it on, it stopped just above her hooves, an asymmetrical edge slightly gracing her hooves with a magical looking haze. Her sleeves were made of the same translucent material, gem dusted and draped over her shoulders in a bell shape. Sweetie Belle smiled brightly, twirling around in a circle for a bit.
“Oh big sis, thank you so much! It’s beautiful!” Rarity glowed with some pride, quickly summoning some gem dust to dust Sweetie Belle’s cheeks. “You're going to be there, right? Please tell me that you will...” Rarity smiled gently at her sister, nodding her head gently.
“Why of course. But I won’t always be by your side. You're growing up darling. You must learn to sparkle like the gem you are.” Rarity couldn't help but smile broadly. If only their parents could see them now... She dusted her own cheeks with the gem dust, her heart thumping hard, but in a good way. Her little sister looked so happy with herself as she twirled around in the mirror. Rarity took a moment to put a curl her sister’s hair and put more of the sparkling dust in it. Rarity had also gotten ready, her dress a little black dress. It hugged her body and fell to the floor, barely above the ground. She had designed it to be the more daring and sensual copy of what she had made for Sweetie Belle. As she looked herself over, she could agree that she had in fact, done it well, maybe too well.
She had to thank Pinkie for the gem dust.
“Come on Rarity! The party’s probably already started!”
And right she was.
The town hall was bustling with fancily dressed ponies all dancing and partying. It was a dimly lit affair, mostly relying on the full moon and stars to light the room. Sparsely laid about candles added a gentle touch of mystery. The drapes and tapestries were all a powerful yet soothing navy blue, all embroidered with the sharpest white. They were decorated with seemingly meaningless yet beautiful swirls that depicted the stars and night. Rarity had indeed outdone herself.
“Now, Sweetie Belle, go have fun. I’m going to find the girls.”
Sweetie Belle shivered, trying to figure out what to do next after Rarity trotted off. She decided that finding her friends would be her first priority. It wasn't too hard to find Apple Bloom, dressed in a pale yellow dress with puffy sleeves and black stitches. She was sitting by one of the windows, oddly close to...
“Snails?! Snails is your hardware pony?!” Sweetie Belle couldn't believe her eyes. He was the last pony she could have thought of. Snails laughed in his typically goofy manner, nuzzling Apple Bloom’s cheek affectionately. She shrugged, laughing. Snips had a look of annoyance on his face, which quickly melted away. He looked genuinely happy for his best friend. He pulled on his suit bow tie with a nod to himself. He seemed to be assuring himself that everything was fine. Apple Bloom had quickly explained that his slowness had made him great at picking out matching color palettes that never failed, and that he worked at the store part time on the weekends. She had gone in looking for a new color scheme for the clubhouse, and left with something different.
“You look so pretty Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom gushed once she finished her story, standing up to hug one of her best friends. Sweetie Belle assured herself that with this hug, and that cute story, this would indeed be a great night. She glanced around excitedly, happy to see all of the ponies enjoying themselves, dancing to the music. She knew the first thing she had to do. That was to find Pinkie Pie.
Lucky for her, it wasn't too hard.
Pinkie was standing in a rather dark corner of the town hall with a large suited stallion, one that could compete with Big Mac in size. He was a chestnut brown, a familiar color that seemed to stick out in her head. His eyes never seemed to leave Pinkie Pie in her simple grey dress. She looked embarrassed, yet happy, with her eyes trained downwards. She didn't seem to want to look the stallion in the eye, and was giggling softly. Her eyes were flickering everywhere, and she seemed very nervous.
“Sweetie Belle!”
Pinkie was hopping over to her with a typical grin on her face. The stallion behind her was obviously annoyed as he followed her silently.
“This is Seuss, my big cousin! He makes statues for a living.” Pinkie was indeed nervous. Sweetie Belle could in fact read the general annoyance on Seuss’ face. He gave her a sympathetic look, begging her to have Pinkie to himself. Sweetie Belle blushed. So this was the fabulous Colossus that she had been in so in love with. As Sweetie Belle said her polite hellos, it didn't take her long to realize that they were still very much in love with each other. She blushed a bit before cleverly smiling.
“Oh Pinkie Pie, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have to find Show Tail. See you!”
“You can do it Sweetie Belle. I believe in you. Go get your colt.” Pinkie whispered to her before she went back to the main party. She stood up tall, proud of herself for encouraging young love. She suddenly felt something warm touch her ear, causing a shiver to run down her spine.
“Pinkie. She may be a foal, but she seems to be a very clever filly.”
She stood as still as a Cockatrice victim, only her lip trembling.
“Seuss. We... you know that. Besides, we’re family, you know that I don’t...”
“Then why are you wearing my favorite color? A bit... dull for Pinkie, is it not?”
Pinkie Pie paused, unsure of how to continue. The grey dress, though stylish, was very much against typical Pinkie style. Her friends had exclaimed in shock, and pretty much everypony else was simply confused. She had all told them she had her reasons. Her body feel inexplicably warm and tingly, and her chest was tight.
“Pinkamina Diane Pie, you haven't seen me in person in years, and you wear this? And you expect me not to think something?” Pinkie turned her head slowly to meet her eyes with Seuss, a nearly pitch black pair of eyes gave her a matter of fact face. He had used her real name. He was quite serious and she couldn't bring herself to speak. She shook her head slightly instead of saying a word. He smiled, quite satisfied with himself. Pinkie smiled back, nodding shyly.
“Shall we go somewhere more... private, my dear Pinkie?”
Sweetie Belle giggled to herself as she watched them leave. Chalk up another tally to making this Solstice amazing. She scanned the floor from the snack table, trying to find one particular pony. How hard could it possibly be to find that glowing tail in all this mess? She stood there for a few minutes, and was very much on the urge of giving up. She could see Apple Bloom with Snails, dancing coyly, containing her obvious excitement. She could spot other foals, classmate or not, dressed to the nines, but not a single Show Tail. Sweetie Belle spotted something on the other side of the room.
She noticed that somepony was waving at her.. A pony that looked very strange with a well combed mane, one that had a brilliant tail... She couldn't help the smile that broke out on her face. Show Tail was waving at her, calling her over. This was indeed going to be he the best night of her life. He looked so handsome dressed up, making her even more sure that tonight was going to be the greatest. She was just about to walk over and say something. Something, anything but preferably witty and charming. Then came Scootaloo.
And she said something witty and charming. She made him laugh. She was making him smile. She was the whole reason he was enjoying himself. She was being everything she wanted to be without even trying. Sweetie Belle cringed slightly, trying to keep her composure. He looked so happy. So happy, and without her. She couldn’t seem to stand it. All this dressing up, the sparkle, the glitter, the lone perfect curl, it seemed to be all for nothing. Sweetie Belle flushed, every cell in her body telling her to just leave. There was nothing that was keeping her here anymore. Her very happy night had been shattered already. She looked down at the present with dismay. What could she possibly do now?
I can never be better than Scootaloo...
Sweetie Belle was angry with herself. How could she of let it go so far? Rarity had warned her to be careful, to not allow herself to make the crush develop. Had she listened? No. How could she? All the nuzzling, sweet words and his general kind demeanor had made her like him more and more. She could compare it to soaring though the sky, as if she had those beautiful wings Rarity had. Then she decided to fly too close to the sun, and she was falling. However, there was nopony to catch her, nopony to save her, and nopony to care.
She found herself walking out the door in order to save herself embarrassment. She may have never been quick on the draw, but this time she wouldn't hesitate. Sweetie Belle knew that if she stuck around to watch, she would only feel worse. He was the prince, Scootaloo was the princess, and she was left alone in the cold, figuratively and literally. She looked up to the sparking sky, a cold breeze whipping across her face with a vengeance, as if to reprimand her. She couldn't tell if it was for leaving, falling for him though she shouldn't have, or for just being Sweetie Belle, but she didn't care either way. This was the worst night ever.
The couples that had dared to go outside to watch the twinkling stars were not of much help.
“Belle! Somepony told me that you went outside! I’ve been looking for you.”
Show Tail. She whipped around to see the prince had left his princess for the pauper. She couldn't understand why he had left the presence of Scootaloo. He came closer to her, smiling and pulling something out. She didn't understand what was going on. Why wasn't he inside with Scootaloo, showing her with the attention he normally had to pry from her? It just didn't make any sense. What was that in his mouth, a Solstice present? From him? She shuffled in her spot, unsure of what to do next. She stared at the present in his mouth blankly. It was a necklace.
“Is that for... me?”
He nodded vigorously, putting the bell shaped pendant on her. She felt like a princess again, if only for that moment. The beautiful clear glass pendant chimed in the wind, lifting her spirits. She indeed felt like a princess, and there was no other word that seemed to fit. Sweetie Belle couldn't remember much after that. She could vaguely recall giving Show Tail his present, and how he had hugged her in delight.
“Sweetie Belle, do you like it?” She nodded trying to avoid saying something stupid. “Good. I thought it was perfect for you!” He stopped abruptly, causing an awkwardly pregnant pause. He couldn't figure out what to say now. He swallowed hard. He never had this problem with Scootaloo. Granted, Scootaloo did not look anywhere near as pretty as Sweetie Belle tonight. She looked like an ephemeral ghost of beauty that was gracing his presence for this one night. She sparkled, she glowed, and she was captivating. So much so that it couldn't help but make his wings pop. He blushed, quietly remembering the quick attempt to scare lesson on pegasi sexuality Pica had given him when she found out he liked Scootaloo. He silently cursed his wings and tried to find a way to bring her attention from his wings.
That way out was sticking his head into the snow.
It was an act of sheer desperation, and it seemed to do the trick. His wings shuddered and snapped back to his body in an effort to keep him warm. He smirked in victory for a moment.
“Show Tail…? What are you doing?”
He totally forgot about her. He popped his head back out, giving Sweetie Belle the gift of another bit of awkward silence. Sticking his head into the snow again would probably bring about the same result. He shook his head the best he could without splattering her. There were very few things he could think of that would make the moment less awkward. At least his wings were listening to him. He caught himself staring at her again, shaking his now damp head again to bring himself back to earth.
“Belle, you want to sit here and watch the stars? I hear that Luna might make a meteor shower.”
“But... I thought you asked Scootaloo here as a date...?” She asked tentatively, looking him dead on for an answer. He shuffled on the porch of the town hall, shame painting his face.
“I wanted to... but I chickened out and only asked her if she was going... I just couldn't, you know? She’s just so... Scootaloo.” He puffed up his cheeks and stomped a hoof on the ground. His frustration was getting the best of him again and this was not the time to let it control him. He grit his teeth, trying not to let his self projected anger ruin what could possibly be a good night after all. He forced his eyes shut, and tried once again to count down to one. This mind, riddled with self mocking thoughts, slowly began to calm down with every number.
“Show Tail?” He snapped his head up, glancing at the filly next to him. She looked concerned. Oh heavens, he hated making ponies upset. He calmed down, taking advantage of her confusion to trot over and sit next to her. She flushed at his body touching hers, the warmth radiating to her very core. She looked up at the dreamy eyed peagsus, her heart thumping so hard she was sure he could feel it. Show Tail nudged her cheek gently, motioning her to look up at the sky. Luna’s meteor shower was now streaking across the sky. Show Tail nosed her cheek again to make sure he had her attention.
“Sit with me and watch the shooting stars.”