//------------------------------// // Good Vibes Again // Story: Building Blocks // by BirdyTheEarthPony //------------------------------// Chapter Twelve Good Vibes Again Dash and I continued to go to the gym daily for a few weeks, I was starting to look quite strong and my size had added to the intimidating presence I put off to ponies who didn’t know me. My forehead now held a scar that ran right above my left eye and I had a divot near my back where I had been stabbed. I still had not found my cutie mark but that never really bothered me. Rainbow Dash soon was so fast that she couldn’t take speed training anymore and was going to start on strength training with me today. I still had not talked to Nurse Redheart but I wanted to sometime soon. I woke up feeling invigorated and ready to take on the day. Today was the day Rainbow Dash was going to start working out with Chestnut and I, and I was excited to have a workout partner finally. I saw Twilight had already left to go deliver tickets to the Grand Gala to our other friends. She had left one for me to give to Rainbow Dash when I met up with her. Stepping outside of the library I spotted Dash playing with the mailbox like she usually was, “Hi Dash, Twilight gave me your ticket to the Gala thing or whatever to give you. Here” I handed her the fancy looking ticket. She put the ticket away, “You know we get invited to this every year and I am kind of tired of just going with my friends. I mean, yea their great and all but, it’s just getting old; somepony new needs to go with me!” My heart gave a flutter; surely she was talking about me! I had spent almost every day with her and I had definitely bonded with her more than any other pony. Wait......did I like her? I did like her; my tastes had changed. When I first arrived here I never even thought about anypony in a way other than a friend. But now I realized I had changed. I couldn’t remember any girls from my past life…and right now; right here in this moment walking next to Rainbow Dash, I didn’t care. “You alright Ethan? You seem kinda…I don’t know, nervous or something.” She pushed me a bit “Prolly just nervous about how bad I am going to make you look today when we work out together!” “Uh...Y-yea, I bet you are...is...I mean are going to!” I looked away from her, hiding my blush. She just gave me a strange look and walked on. What the hell was that Ethan? I had always been good with girls but now I was tripping over my words like a dumbstruck colt. I had known Rainbow for a long time now, but in the last few seconds I can barely even talk to her! I was glad that we were at the gym now though. I could always trust on Chestnut to help me out with problems that I had. He would always listen and give sound advice. We walked up to where Chestnut stood, nodding to greet him. “Hey you two, Ready to work out this morning?” We were the only ones in the gym at this hour, but he decided to go ahead and start our workout. I was excited to have a workout partner for once. I looked forward to talking with Dash about the workout when we had finished, grilling her on how hard it was. But instead when we got to the workout portion I found myself doing most of it by myself. Chestnut spent the entire time supervising Rainbow Dash, making sure she knew the lifts and had the correct weight on each set. I didn’t mind, I knew the entire workout and was doing all of it at high enough weight to get a good workout but not kill myself if something went wrong. I was doing my last workout of the day when Chestnut walked over to me, “Alright that’s enough for today. Time to get some lunch!” As he turned around I stopped him. “Hey Chestnut…I have a question I kinda want to ask you.” He turned, “Sure kid, you can ask me anything you want” he put his hoof on my shoulder. “Well…There is this pony that I like… Kind of a new feeling came up and I don’t know what I should do.” Laughing, he teased “Never got lovey-dovey eyes before? I figured you’d have at least had a crush before. Anyway it’s really easy! All you gotta do is be yourself. Just walk up to the pony you like and don’t change a damn thing about what you do.” He flicked my muzzle. “Just don’t sweat it. Now I have to go meet somepony for lunch.” I nodded and watched as he left the gym. I decided that I just had to suck it up and tell Dash that I wanted to go to the Gala with her. There I would ask her to be my marefriend. It wouldn’t be too awkward; she has to see it coming already! I stepped outside of the gym and looked around for Rainbow Dash, who was nowhere to be found. She must have left to get to her house already, probably to take an afternoon nap on account of being so tired. She wasn’t as tough as she looked after all! I still wanted to talk to her but I decided that this would give me some time to figure out what to do with the rest of my money, seeing as I only had around 2,000 bits left. I had never went back to work for Applejack, when I got out of the hospital the last time they were already done with this harvest and wouldn’t need my help for some time. I didn’t want to work at the hospital for sure and I really didn’t have the skill or hooves to work with Pinkie or Rarity. Twilight didn’t need help from anypony and Rainbow Dash trained with me. Fluttershy probably wouldnt really trust me, we had spent barely any time together anyways. I walked to the First Bank of Ponyville and spoke to the teller pony behind the first window that I saw. She gave me a friendly nod as I asked to open an account; I filled out the necessary paperwork and soon deposited most of my bits. I only kept 500 out for food and other things that I might need. I decided I needed another source of income soon before I was broke. I ate a small lunch and headed towards the library to ask Twilight when the answer came right up to me. I saw Chestnut smiling and walking up to me, “So kid I was just reminded that the Gala is coming up soon and I have a question for ya.” I nodded, “What is it?” “Well you know the Gala is quite a big thing, and I was thinking that I could use some help this year in keeping ponies out. You want to work the Gala with me? You look pretty intimidating now and I bet you could hold your own, it nets a pretty big sum of bits too.” “Oh yea! That’s pretty sweet; I was just saying I needed a few more bits. You sure I can do it?” He nodded, “It’s easy, and after that I bet you could get a steady job at any club in Equestria “ I was eager for the Gala now, I could stand outside and whenever everypony was in I could head inside and be there…with Rainbow Dash. Not only did I have a chance with Dash now, I also had a job opportunity that was promising and sounded fun. Maybe from there I could be a personal bodyguard or something along those lines! “Then sign me up!” I shook Chestnuts hoof excitedly “When and what do we have to do?” “We just stand at the door and let ponies on the list in and ones that aren’t we ask to step away. But I won’t be there the entire time; I have a date actually planned for the Gala. I will just help you for the first few minutes until my date arrives and then let you have it. This of course means you get the entire paycheck.” My mouth fell agape, “But…but that means I’ll have to d-do it by myself?” “Well yes, but I think you can handle it no problem. I already told Princess Celestia that you would be the bouncer and she was fine with it.” He patted my back before he walked off, “I’ll watch out for you kid, don’t worry.” Wow was all that I could say or even think. Not only had I just gotten a job and a way to ask Rainbow Dash out. I had just been personally approved by none other than Princess Celestia herself! I gave an excited jump, drawing looks from nearby ponies who walked away from me hastily. Chestnut trusted me, and that meant a lot to me. He treated me like his son…and I treated him like a…..like a…father. I had a father figure that I could trust with my feelings and emotions. I was happy knowing that my financial future was sealed and that I have a father figure to help me when I needed it. Maybe what I was looking for was in Ponyville and I wouldn’t have to search much at all. I still wanted to know my real father and mother but I would be happy just having someone to support me for the time being. It was still midday and I was completely stumped as to what I should do. Dash was asleep. I didn’t need to search for a job anymore and I couldn’t hang out with Chestnut; he seemed busy with his date. I thought about my newfound father figure and had a wondrous idea. “Maybe I think….I think I’m ready to talk things out with Nurse Redheart….” Subconsciously I had already been walking towards the hospital. I walked into the hospital and spotted Nurse Redheart immediately, sitting behind the main counter and looking at me, speechless. I walked behind the counter and took her up in a hug. She returned the hug and we said nothing for a long time. “I’m…I’m sorry Ethan…” she buried her head into my neck. I pulled her tighter, “its okay…I’m sorry too…sorry that what I said was harsh and that I was a burden for so long. It’s okay that you said the things you did, and I understand why you said them” She looked me sincere in the eyes, “That letter that you left me did more than you will ever know Ethan…More than you can even imagine.” Our moment was soon interrupted by the hospital doors bursting open with a pair of blue ponies carrying another in on a stretcher, looking green with a sharp looking limb sticking through one of her hooves. I winced at this sight, knowing that had to hurt. I let go of Nurse Redheart, winking “Looks like your skills are needed.” She smiled “Thank you Ethan, you are always welcome here.” then walked off to care for the other injured pony. When I walked out of that hospital I felt like a Pegasus. I wanted to just take flight and fly right into heaven. Up until now I had never had this much go so good for me all at once. I had a job, a father figure, a soon to be marefriend, an open friendship with my caretaker, and I still had a great group of friends. It was only beginning to get dark outside and I didn’t really want to head back to Twilight’s library yet…Maybe I should go find Rainbow Dash and just invite her to the Gala. As if on cue she landed right next to me, “You look extra happy, what’s the deal? I mean I’m not saying you can’t look happy it’s just…you know. “ “Oh not much, I just made peace with Nurse Redheart, Got a job bouncing THE GRAND GALA, and some….other things!” I gave a giant cheesy grin, expecting a laugh. “Wow, congrats on that. What other things are you talking about.” She eyed me with a curious grin. “I just was thinking about asking somepony to the Gala now that I’m going, and I think I know who I am going to ask is all.” I looked terribly sheepish, so bad even I could tell. “Really?! Me to, I was going to ask this somepony I kinda just met awhile back. I was going to ask Celestia for an extra ticket but I just found out today that he won’t need one!” she gave an excited yelp, making my ears ring. I couldn’t hide my happiness, she had just described me perfectly and I had played this game before. It was a for-sure thing that we both were going to ask the other to the Gala, it just depended on who said the others name first. I was never too good at this game and was especially good at making the girl come out first. I set my plans into motion immediately. “So….who is this lucky ‘somepony’ who will get to attend the Gala with a grand mare such as you?” She blushed, “Aww stop it Ethan! I can’t tell you his name because it will be a surprise! All I can say is that he is dedicated to always getting better, strong and athletic; just like me, and an all around great pony!” her eyes gave off dreamy looks in every direction, everywhere but me. She wouldn’t make eye contact with me. She had to be too embarrassed to just say it, so much that she couldn’t look at me without being obvious. We walked for some time, each of us happy and oddly silent. When I slept that night my dreams were filled with me and Dash at the Gala, hoof in hoof. The next few days went by faster than usual. Chestnut continued to work out with Rainbow Dash and I was left alone most of the time. Dash had stopped seeing me as much during the day but I figured it was her just preparing for the Gala. I had to be fitted for the usual Gala bouncer attire; a black tuxedo with a black bowtie, a pair of pants that didn’t fit well at all, and my favorite part was the headset I would wear to talk to Chestnut during the Gala incase I had any problems outside and needed help. Other than that everypony else was too busy getting ready for the Gala which was now only one day away. Soon, it was the day of the Gala. We all loaded on the train to Canterlot and took our seats, I sat away from my usual group of friends to talk with Chestnut before the big event. “Now kid, if they are on the list, greet them nicely, shake their hoof and wish them a good time. You don’t have to scare anypony off….just be able to if the situation arises.” I nodded my head, shaking slightly from my building nerves. I stole a glance at Rainbow Dash who looked absolutely stunning. Her mane was shining and her coat was glorious…. My stare only lasted a second as Chestnut snapped me back to reality, “So remember, NO. Ab-so-lut-ely No drunk ponies, even if they are on the list. Ask them to leave politely and if they don’t, and end up attacking you, take em’ down!” He gave me a pat on the back, “You’ll do fine kid…. No need to be so nervous..” Truth be told, the job was not making me nervous one bit. But as the hours drew closer I grew more and more nervous about asking Rainbow Dash out. I felt like I was about to ask someone out for the first time all over again; which in this case was true. As the train was about ten minutes from Canterlot we started to get our attire on. I squeezed into my tight tuxedo, choking bowtie and all. Chestnut and I looked like twins… he had the exact same thing that I was wearing on. Rainbow Dash wore a long flowing dress that hugged her curves tightly, making her seem absolutely extravagant. At this point I lost it; I looked like a…well, a bouncer. She, on the other hoof, looked like a princess and I was about to ask her out. I excused myself and took to the bathroom, where I promptly threw up. Finally the time had come. I stood by the entrance, long list in hoof, Chestnut giving me the few last tips that he could. Luckily they were first to enter, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Chestnut and then Rainbow Dash, who looked at me before she went in, cutting me a smile “Good Luck Ethan!” she winked and flew in, catching up with Chestnut before the doors closed shut. I turned around and saw the line had already begun to form. Ten ponies, all in their bests, stood waiting on me to let them in. A light purple Earth Pony walked up to me first, eying me with a nervously. “Uh..Uhm…B-Berry Punch sir!” I flipped through the pages and saw her name, marked it off, and took her ticket. “Have a wonderful time Miss Punch!” I smiled charismatically at her and let her through. That was easy enough I thought. If only everypony is just like her, then everything will be fine. The line had now grown to twice the size and I had many ponies left to check. My earpiece crackled and then I heard Chestnuts voice loud and clear, “Everything okay kid?” I pressed the small button near my chest, activating my speaker, “Everything is going fine! Enjoy yourself and good luck with your date.” He chuckled, “You too kid, you too.” This night was going to be a long night; a long, but glorious night.