//------------------------------// // A Meeting of Suitors // Story: Growing Pains // by Bluecatcinema //------------------------------// After talking to the grown-ups about her problem proved fruitless, Mist decided to discuss it with those closer to her age. To that end, she had gathered Miracle, Vito, Pureblood, and Hurricane, and explained her situation to them. "...And so, I have to choose between two colts, whom I have equal feelings for. I came to you guys because... believe it or not, your parents were no help at all." She told them. "Yikes..." Miracle gulped. "I'm not sure... daddy never told me any fairy tales that had a mare choose between two colts." "What about that story about the two sisters from the city of 'Arendelle'?" Hurricane asked. "One of them had to choose between a rugged mountainpony and a prince..." "That doesn't really work, because the prince turned out to be a meanie, leaving only one choice." Miracle replied. "Does Luxury happen to be anything like 'Hans' by any chance, Mist?" "No." Mist shook her head. "Rats." Miracle frowned. "Well, if I were you, Aunt Misty, I'd go with the guy who gives you the most stuff." Vito declared. "Vito, that's a bad reason to love somepony." Miracle admonished him. "What?" Vito said defensively. "Mist should be with somepony who can give whatever her heart desires... besides, who would only pick somepony for just 'love'?" "Let's see. Uncle Shine, Uncle Gothic, Uncle Flash, Uncle Shining, Uncle Caboose and his brothers... our own father?!" Pureblood listed. "Kids, we're getting off topic here... again." Mist sighed. "Could you four tell me who you think I should pick?" "Simple. Luxury, because he's rich, famous, and wears suits." Vito smirked. "Though I wouldn't put it like that, I have to agree with him." Pureblood nodded. "Luxury is an intelligent stallion, making him the best choice." "Well, I think she should pick Blue." Miracle countered. "I mean, he saved Mist that one time. Daddy always told me that a pony who saves your life is often your one true love." "Yeah, if you're in a fairytale." Vito snorted. "I would had picked Blue too, if he hadn't decided to waste his life and be a bartender..." "And don't forget that Luxury defended Mist's honor." Pureblood added. "A pony can save anypony's life, because it's the right thing to do, but only a pony who defends another pony shows that he truly cares about them. I know because our father protected mother all those years ago." "What about you, Hurricane, who would you pick?" Vito asked. "Uh... I don't know..." Hurricane said, shuffling her hooves. "Pick Luxury, Hurry." Vito declared. "Your dad is a unicorn, and he's awesome!" "No, you should pick Blue." Miracle stepped in. "Your mom is Daring Do, one of the coolest pegasi around!" "So true." Hurricane said smugly. Don't try and trick her into agreeing with you, cuz!" Pureblood growled. "I'm not trying to trick her." Miracle huffed. "And I'm definitely not trying to force her, like your 'unicorns are so great' brother!" "I'm not forcing anypony." Vito smirked. "I'm just reminding her of how great Unicorns are." "Are you saying I can't think for myself?" Hurricane asked Miracle. "No, I'm not." Miracle replied. "You're thinking it though, aren't you?" Hurricane glared. "No, I swear!" Miracle insisted. "Well then, I'm with you." Hurricane smiled. "Mist should be with Blue." "Nuh-uh, she should be with Luxury!" Vito growled. "For once, Vito's right." Pureblood nodded. "Luxury, all the way." "Blue!" The girls yelled. "Luxury!" The boys yelled back. "Blue!" The girls chorused. "Luxury!" The boys growled. Mist groaned heavily. Just then, Constell entered the room. "What's going on here?" Constell asked. "I've been asking for help about the Luxury/Blue Blazes situation." Mist explained. "But Shine and the others were no help... "So your alternative was to go to four kids who don't even know where foals come from, let alone love?" Constell raised an eyebrow. "I know where foals come from!" Hurricane held up her hoof. This wasn't exactly true; Caboose had had an awkward talk with her at one point when she asked it out of the blue. Needless to say, it involved Caboose using metaphors that made no sense to a normal pony. "Focus, Hurricane!" Vito snapped. "Oh..." Mist covered her face in shame, realizing what she was doing. "I just don't know..." "How about we talk somewhere else..." Constell suggested. "Sure." Mist nodded. They exited the room, leaving the others to their argument. They made their way to a garden, sitting at a table on the porch. "I just don't know what to do, Constell." Mist sighed. "It's such a mess." "Come on, it's not that bad." Constell said soothingly. "Let me give you some sisterly advice: Have a good hard think about which of those colts you can really depend on." "Gee, thanks." Mist frowned. "I'm sure it'll all work out." Constell smiled. "But it's gotta be you who does the working out. Just stick with it. You'll figure something out." "I'll try..." Mist sighed. "Atta girl." Constell smiled. Mist thought over her problem for a while, before hitting on an idea. She wrote two letters, and sent them to Luxury and Blue. The next day, at noon, Luxury was waiting at a table at a cafe, waiting for Mist, who had asked him to come here. He pulled out a pocket watch, checking to see if he was on time... when suddenly, he noticed a blue pegasi taking a seat at his table. "Oh, excuse me, sir. I was saving the seat for somepony..." He declared. "Really?" Blue Blazes asked. "I was told to wait at this exact table. What about you?" "Wait, are you sure?" Luxury asked. "Because I was told to wait here as well..." "That's odd..." Blue looked at Luxury. "Wait, I know you... you're the rich boy son of Fancypants, right?" "That is correct." Luxury nodded. "Have you heard of him?" "No." Blue chuckled. "I know because you have the hottest mom in all of Equestria: Fleur De Lis. I have to say props, man, she's beautiful." "Why, thank you..." Luxury said, a little awkwardly. "And I take it that you're the son of Soarin and Spitfire?" "Guilty." Blue nodded. "Hmph, then may I say that your mother has been... well, one of my personal favorite mares to think about." He immediately frowned. "Not to say-" "Relax." Blue smirked. "You're not the first stallion, probably won't be the last." "I see..." Luxury nodded. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but what brings you here to my neck of the woods?" "A special filly of mine asked me to meet her here." Blue smiles. "You?" "Same here." Luxury beamed. "I don't mean to boast, but the mare I'm meeting is beautiful..." "So is mine." Blue interjected. "My mare has to be one of the coolest girls around. She's smart..." "Kind..." Luxury sighed. "Sassy..." Blue chuckled. "Enjoys literature..." Luxury continued. "Enjoys old TV shows..." Blue added. "Has the wings of an angel..." Luxury crooned. "The shiniest of golden eyes..." Blue murmured. "And dang, does she have one beautiful blue flank..." They said together. They suddenly paused, as they glanced at each other with uncertainty. "Wait a minute... are we talking about the same filly here?" Luxury frowned. "I don't know." Blue frowned back. "This mare of yours... does she happens to be a light blue pegasi with black mane and golden eyes and a rain-drop cutie mark?" "Yes... and does your mare happen to be the little sister of a certain husband to a certain alicorn of the sun?" Luxury asked specifically. The two gaped, as they came to the same conclusion. "Are you dating my girl-?" They said in unison. "Hey, guys..." The two colts turned, and saw Mist standing there, nervous. "MIST?!" They gasped. "Hello." Mist waved awkwardly. "What's going on here, Mist?!" Blue frowned. "Are you cheatin' on me?" "You?" Luxury sniffed. "I'm pretty sure I knew her first." "Yeah, right!" Blue snorted. "Tell 'im, Mist!" "I'm sorry about this, guys." Mist sighed. "The truth is, I met you both on the same night. And believe it or not, I feel the same way about both of you... which is the real problem." "You like... both of us?" Blue asked. "Yes." Mist nodded. "I never wanted to hurt either of you, but you at least deserve to know the truth. And the truth is... I honestly don't know which of you I really want to be with." "Mist..." Luxury murmured. "I'm sorry." Mist sniffed. "Please don't hate me." "What are you talkin' about?" Blue smiled. "I could never hate you." "Me neither." Luxury agreed. "This is a harrowing situation, but it's not really your fault." "Yep." Blue nodded. "The heart wants what it wants. Seems like yours hasn't quite decided yet. I for one, am willin' to wait to find out." "As am I." Luxury agreed. "Because you are a girl worth waiting for." "Took the words right of my mouth, richy." Blue nodded. "But try to figure it out while we're still young, 'kay?" "Wow." Mist smiled, her eyes tearing up. "You're both so wonderful. What did I ever do to deserve either of you?" "Just being you." Luxury kissed Mist's hoof. "No doubt." Blue kissed the other one. That evening, Mist attempted to put together a pros and cons list regarding Luxury and Blue, but was struggling. It wasn't easy, trying to ascertain what about them could truly be considered a "pro" or "con". "Brilliant idea, Mist." She sniffed, her eyes tearing over with frustration, "Great grandpa Mosby never had this problem…" At that moment, a Unicorn guard entered in the room. "Everything okay in here, lady Mist?" He asked. "Everything's fine, guard." Mist sighed. "Get back to your patrol, please." "I have a better idea." The guard shut the door. "What are you-" Mist started, stopping when the guard's eyes glowed green. Green flame enveloped the guard, leaving behind a very large, very nasty looking Changeling in it's place. It was about as big as captain Iron Hooves, and scars were laden over it's carapace. "Now, the fun beginzz..." He sneered.