Mist recovered from her cold quickly, though her conflicting feelings for the two colts remained.
"What should I do, Constell?" She asked her confidante. "I like them both. How could I possibly choose?"
"That's a toughie." Constell mused. "From what you've told me, they both seem very nice. You'd be well off ending up with either one."
"Not the answer I was looking for." Mist grumbled.
"Well I'm sorry, but I've never been in this situation before." Constell declared. "Poor you, having two great colts to choose from."
"Okay, I get it." Mist sighed. "But you're the only one I can talk to."
"Well, as far I can tell, there is no easy answer." Constell sighed. "You're going to have to look into your heart, and choose for yourself."
At that point, Caboose came by.
"Two more letters for you, Mist." He declared. "Somepony's popular, isn't she?"
Mist opened one letter after the other, her face falling after reading them both.
"What is it?" Constell asked.
"Luxury and Blue." Mist gulped. "They both want me to come over to their places."
"Not at the same time?!" Constell gasped.
"No... but they want me to come by tomorrow, so it'll still be a stretch." Mist sighed. "I suppose I could go to Luxury's in the morning, and Blue's in the afternoon..."
"Good luck with that." Constell declared.
After sending off replies to her twin beaus, Mist endured a sleepless night, worrying if something would go wrong on one or both visits. After breakfast the next morning, she rushed off, with a hasty explanation.
"Going to see Luxury - bye!" She called.
"Bye." Shine chuckled.
Luxury lived in a mansion on the west side of Canterlot. Mist landed outside the door, and knocked. The door was answered by Fancypants.
"Well, good morning, young lady!" He smiled. "Would I be correct in assuming you are the lovely young mare who has caught my son's eye?"
"Yes, you would." Mist nodded.
"Please, come in!" Fancypants declared. "Luxury is in the study with his mother."
Mist followed Fancypants to the study, where Luxury was waiting.
"Hello, Mist." He smiled.
"Hi, Lux." Mist beamed.
"There she is." Fleur smiled. "Such a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Thank you." Mist nodded.
"Well done to you, son." Fancypants smiled. "Wooing a royal!"
"How could he not?" Fleur beamed. "He has his father's charm."
"You know, we'd suspected Luxury had a lady friend, but he didn't tell until just yesterday." Fancypants declared.
"Only because I didn't want you interfering, father." Luxury sighed.
"Interfering?" Fancypants laughed. "Me? I would just give you some pointers. Like how to charm your lady friend. I would've gladly given you some extra allowance to get her some gifts."
"Money doesn't matter." Luxury sighed. "And neither do gifts. I wanted Mist to like me for who I am, not what I have."
"Even so, I imagine a spiffy suit wouldn't have hurt." Fleur smiled. "You have an entire wardrobe full of suits that you hardly ever wear. Perhaps you could try some on for Mist?"
"That's not necessary." Mist declared.
"You don't know what you're missing." Fleur giggled. "He looks so handsome in a suit!"
"Mother..." Luxury cringed.
"I'll get us something to drink." Fancypants declared. "Care to join me, dear?"
"Oui" Fleur nodded. "Let's give these darlings some time alone."
As his parents left the room, Luxury turned to Mist.
"Sorry about this." He apologized. "My parents can be a tad... overbearing at times. They seem to think I need their help with everything."
"Well, at least they care enough to want to help." Mist noted.
"I know." Luxury sighed. "I just wish they'd lay off a little, though. I'll never get to where I really want to be with them breathing down my neck."
"And where is it you want to be?" Mist asked.
"I'd like to be a lawyer." Luxury declared. "To defend those in need, that's my dream job."
"I'm sure you'd be great at it." Mist beamed.
Fancypants and Fleur returned, carrying platter with glasses of liquid.
"Here we are." Fancypants smiled. "Drinks all around!"
"Thank you, sir." Mist smiled.
"No need for that." Fancypants declared. "Just Fancypants will do. Who knows? The way things are going, one day, you might be calling me 'dad'!"
"Father!" Luxury cringed, "Mist and I are just hanging out together!"
"So, I hear you're princess Twilight's personal student." Fleur told Mist.
"Yes, I am." Mist nodded.
"A most lovely mare." Fancypants nodded. "I met her before her ascension. Absolutely charming she was, just like you."
"Thanks." Mist smiled. "I like to think I take after her."
After sharing more drinks and light conversation, Mist stood up to leave.
"It's been great getting to know you, but I have to get back to the castle." She declared.
"We simply must do this again sometime." Fancypants smiled.
"Yes, we really must." Fleur agreed.
"Let me show you out." Luxury offered.
As they reached the front door, Luxury turned to Mist.
"Thanks for coming." He smiled.
"No problem." Mist nodded.
Luxury suddenly leaned forward and kissed Mist on the lips.
"Oh, wow..." Mist sighed.
"See you soon." Luxury smiled.
"Yeah, soon..." Mist repeated.
Mist returned to the castle for lunch, a little dizzier then when she'd left.
"So, how was it?" Shine asked at the table.
"Fine." Mist declared. "But I can't stay. I'm going over to Blue's later."
"Really?" Shine asked.
"Yeah, so?" Mist shrugged.
"Nothing." Shine chuckled.
After dinner, Mist rushed out again.
"Wow... I still can't believe my sister is crushing on two different stallions." Shine told Caboose. "I thought stuff like that only happened in cliché romance movies and novels."
"Yeah." Caboose nodded. "But since this is happening, I took the liberty of ordering something."
Caboose pulled out a box.
"What?" Shine asked.
"Team T-shirts." Caboose smiled. "I think I could easily make a profit selling shirts that say 'Team Luxury' and 'Team Blue Blazes'. Get the fans pumping."
"What fans?" Shine asked.
"The ones reading this fic." Caboose opened up the box. "They're probably getting ready to vote who they want for Mist, so here's the shirts for..." He looked at the shirts. "Oh no!"
"What?" Shine asked, immediately concerned.
"They gave me the wrong team shirts!" Caboose held up two shirts, which said 'Team Edward' and 'Team Jacob'.
"Edward and Jacob? Who are those ponies?" Shine frowned.
"You don't want to know, Prince." Caboose stuffed the shirts back in. "It's something that's best not brought up again."
Twilight came in.
"Hey, you two, what are you doing?" She asked.
"Oh, hey Twilight-" Shine smiled.
"Don't bring IT UP!" Caboose yelled.
Mist made her way to the Wonderbolts academy, where Blue and his parents resided. She touched down on the landing strip. She was immediately awed by all the Wonderbolts and trainees. She began exploring around the academy, hoping to find Blue, as he was not specific as to where to meet her. She eventually came to the training field, where she saw a rainbow and a blue streak pass over head.
"Whoa..." She gasped as two streaks flew through the sky created various shapes from their trails, and did numerous tricks. She was immediately awed by such a display.
"No, no, and no!" A loud voice boomed. "Rainbow, Thunder, front and center!"
Mist looked down, and saw Blue, wearing a military uniform. She noticed that he looked rather cute in a uniform, despite the fierce glare he had. The two ponies landed in front of Blue, a bit worn out. It was Rainbow Flash and Thunder Storm, the son and daughter of Rainbow Dash and Thunder Clap.
"What seems to be the problem, coach?" Rainbow asked.
"Yeah. I thought we nailed it on the last part!" Thunder added.
"Where do I even begin?" Blue snorted. "First off, you guys were an inch too close to each other on the entrance, Rainbow's corkscrew lasted only four seconds instead of five, and Thunder, I don't know what mare's flank you were thinking of, but I can't have your head in the gutters when you're supposed to draw the shape of Celestia's sun!"
"Give us a break, sir!" Rainbow groaned. "We've been at this for three hours!"
"Not all of us can pull off tricks on the fly!" Thunder moaned.
"Ain't that a bunch of bull-crud." Blue sneered. "Your mother is Rainbow Dash for crying out loud! Must I tell you how many records she broke when she became a Wonderbolt? The same number as the times she broke the freakin' sound barrier! Now get your flanks back out there and do it again!"
Rainbow and Thunder groaned as they took off again. Blue sighed as he rubbed his head.
"Well, I thought they were wonderful." Mist smiled.
Blue turned around and froze, as he saw Mist.
"Mist!" He gasped. "When did you get here?!"
"About five minutes ago." Mist giggled. "You weren't all clear on where to meet you."
"Oh...right." Blue blushed. "How much did you see?"
"Enough to know that you really take Wonderbolts business quite seriously." Mist noted.
"You can thank my mom for that." Blue declared. "According to my dad, I got her 'heightened sense of authority' while I got his 'looks and charm'."
"That I can understand... but I must say... I do like a pony in uniform." Mist smiled.
Blue blushed even more.
"Let's go meet the folks, huh?" He offered. "They're over in the staff quarters."
They made their way to the main house of the staff quarters area, where Spitfire and Soarin' were waiting.
"Mom, dad, this is Mist." Blue introduced.
"Hello." Mist waved.
"Well, look at you." Soarin smiled. "That's my boy, snagging a looker like you! It's in the genes, I tell ya!"
"I'm proud you're found yourself a girl, son." Spitfire declared.
"Thanks, guys." Blue chuckled.
"Blue told me a lot about you two. May I say that I am such a huge fan of the Wonderbolts. Ever since I was a filly." Mist smiled.
"You may." Soarin nodded. "Remind me to give ya an autograph."
"Maybe later, dad." Blue Blazes shrugged it off.
"You're one lucky girl, alright." Spitfire continued. "Being the marefriend of the future captain of the Wonderbolts. With my son, you can't be in better hooves."
The moment Spitfire said those words, Blue Blazes cast a wary glance at his mother.
"Mom…we've been through this." Blue mumbled.
"Been through what?" Mist asked.
Spitfire returned with a wary glance of her own.
"Oh, it's nothing, Mist." Spitfire shrugged. "It's just a phase that Blue is going through."
"It's not a phase, mom!" Blue snapped. "It's me wanting to do something with my life!"
"Hey, why don't we all get something to drink?" Soarin suggested, looking a bit frightened. "We happen to have a case of that one stallion's-"
"Oh?" Spitfire challenged. "Opening a bar in Canterlot, just so you can sling suds around? Sure, that's doing something with your life."
"What's going on here?" Mist asked, getting just as wary as Soarin.
"I'll tell ya what's going on here." Spitfire growled. "My son, the shoe-in for future captain of Wonderbolts, decided right out of the blue that he didn't want to be captain. He just wants to buy that one tavern in Canterlot that shut down a year back and open up his own bar."
"Oh, and being a Wonderbolt is so great?" Blue Blazes rebutted. "Forced to go all around Equestria just to fly around in circles to entertain a bunch of ponies who had nothing better to do!" He glanced at Mist. "No offense." He glared back at Spitfire. "Look, mom, I'm okay with practicing aerial maneuvers and teaching trainees…but I just want to slow down and kick back in life."
"But being a Wonderbolt is in your blood!" Spitfire snarled. "Your father and I met at this academy! You have raw talent rushing through your veins, and you want to waste it helping ponies get drunk?"
"Oh, were you thinking that when you tried to replace my dad with Rainbow Dash back at the rallies in Rainbow Falls?" Her son challenged.
"Don't you dare bring that up!" Spitfire snapped. "That was twenty five years ago! And your father forgave me, right, Soarin?!" She glared daggers at Soarin.
"I'm staying out of this." Soarin stepped back. He glanced at Mist, and whispered. "You should, too."
"For your information, mom, I didn't ask to be a Wonderbolt! I didn't ask to have Wonderbolts parents! You just expected me to be one, just like that!" Blue yelled.
"Don't you take that tone with me, young colt!" Spitfire said hotly, "I'm your mother and commanding officer!"
"Really?" Blue Blazes asked sarcastically, "All my life, I got the feeling you were my drill sergeant!"
"Why you…" Spitfire clenched her jaw, trying to stifle curses to throw at her son, before she let out a groan. "I need some air!"
"Same here!" Blue Blazes growled. "I don't have to take this!"
The mother and son stormed out separate doors, leaving Mist and Soarin standing there in silence.
"Yikes... do they do this often?" Mist asked.
"Oh no... it's just Spitfire being too proud for her own good. Ever since our son told us he wanted to leave the family business…the two have been butting heads." Soarin' sighed.
"So you approve of Blue going off on his own?" Mist inquired.
"Of course I do." Soarin nodded. "Blue's his own stallion, with his own dreams. Unfortunately, he takes after his mother: proud and stubborn."
"Oh… well, I see the resemblances." Mist quipped.
"His good looks and charms, he got from me." Soarin added in with a smile. It should faded as Soarin sighed, "But I should try to talk to Spitfire. Could you get Blue?"
"Um, sure..." Mist nodded.
Mist slowly walked outside, where Blue was sitting. He had untied his tie which hung limply around his neck. He had a frustrated scowl on his face.
"Blue?" Mist asked.
Blue Blazes looked back and noticed Mist
"Oh, Mist... I'm sorry you had to see that." He sighed.
"Trust me, I've seen many spats like that before back at Canterlot. You should had seen Caboose when he had that crazy persona of his…" Mist smiled. "For now, I'm just worried about you..."
"It's fine." Blue declared. "My mom just hadn't gotten used to the fact that her son wants to be a bartender. Doesn't bode well with a family full of Wonderbolts."
"Oh come on, Blue, you know your mom just wants what's best for you." Mist told him.
"Yeah... but so do I!" Blue blurted out. "And honestly, me and her have different ideas as to what is best for me. She just doesn't understand..."
"Well, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be a bartender instead of a Wonderbolt?" Mist asked.
"It's complicated." Blue sighed. "It's not that I don't like being a Wonderbolt… but it's not a life I want to live. Because as a Wonderbolt, ponies will only say I got to be one because my parents are Wonderbolts, not of my own caliber. All I really want is to live a life that isn't in the fast lane and… dare I say it, more 'down to earth'."
"Oh…" Mist replied.
Blue sighed.
"Sorry…I know when you met me, you were hoping for a handsome stallion in a uniform…"
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with you wanting to be different." Mist defended. "A bartender is not a bad occupation. It's nothing like being a Wonderbolt, sure, but it can be a fulfilling life. Besides…" Mist cast a wry smirk. "It would be nice to own a place…'where everypony knows your name'."
"Oh-ho, so Ms. Bookworm enjoys oldies but goodies shows too?" Blue smiled.
"My foster dad, Big Red loves his old shows. 'Cheers' being one of them. I know he would love the idea of you opening a bar." Mist smirked.
"Heh." Blue chuckles…before frowning, "If only my mom would just understand…"
"I'm sure she will." Mist put a hoof on his shoulder. "Just give her time…she's bound to come around eventually."
"I hope so." He sighed. "Sorry about this, Mist. This visit isn't turning out the way I hoped."
"That's okay." Mist smiled. "I'm just glad to be here with you."
"Thanks." Blue smiled, placing his hooves on her shoulders. "You're the best."
In one swift move, Blue pulled Mist forward, pressing his lips against hers.
"Wow..." Mist sighed.
"Exactly what I was aiming for." Blue chuckled. "Well, I guess I'd better go try and smooth things over with mom. You gonna be okay, heading back on your own?"
"Sure am." Mist giggled, even though Blue hadn't said anything funny. "Bye."
"Bye, pretty filly." Blue winked.
As Mist flew back to Canterlot, she realized that, once again, her feelings for the two colts were exactly the same.
'Oh no.' She thought. 'I think I'm in love with both of them!'