//------------------------------// // Party // Story: Dragon Re-Quest // by Tatsurou //------------------------------// 'Dina wasn't sure how Pinkie managed to throw her a successful surprise party, despite being informed well ahead of time of the exact time and location of the party, and journeying there specifically for the party. Maybe it was Pinkie's exuberance in shouting "SURPRISE!" Maybe it was the fact that the entire town was there to welcome her. Maybe it was the fact that Pinkie had somehow managed to comfortable contain the entire town in the main room of Sugar Cube Corner without spatial manipulation magic, while still leaving room for everyone to move about and mingle. Or maybe it was the fact that Pinkie somehow already knew what her favorite gemstone flavors were. One thing was certain: 'Dina was surprised. As she walked around and mingled, she internally sorted the guests into six groups in her mind: Pinks, Drags, Gawkers, Strutters, Crashers, and Kids. The Pinks were those who - like Pinkie Pie herself - knew that she was new in town, and were there specifically to make her feel as welcome as possible. The most notable amongst this group - besides Pinkie herself - was the DJ she had gotten for the party, one Vinyl Scratch. Vinyl had taken time away from spinning the tables to make sure 'Dina was enjoying herself, and to ask what she thought of the music. She had to admit, 'dubstep' was certainly a new experience for her, and what she'd heard so far was enjoyable. The Drags, as she dubbed them, were those who didn't really enjoy this sort of party, but got dragged into attending, either by friends, significant others, or family members. Octavia - who Vinyl had introduced 'Dina to - was firmly in this camp. 'Dina recognized this about her, and beyond a few pleasantries, decided to leave her alone for now. She could always seek her out later for conversation if she so desired. The Gawkers were those who heard about someone new, and decided to come check her out and see what she was like. She didn't get much chance to interact with anyone from this group, as they mostly found good places to pony watch and stayed there. The impressions she got from seeing them ranged everywhere from cautiously welcoming to guarded hostility. She put this out of her mind, though, figuring that no one here would be an actual threat to her. The Strutters - as she termed them - were there to show off. They ranged from a few stallions who tried to look subtly wise, to mares deliberately positioning themselves in flattering positions, and all the way to one pony who constantly shouted "Yeah!" as he flexed to show off his muscles, while trying to draw attention away from his tiny wings. He had introduced himself as Bulk Biceps, but said she could call him Snowflake. There are certainly some unique characters around here, she had thought to herself as they parted ways and she sought others to mingle with. The Crashers were those who would be crashing the party, if not for a fact that this was a Pinkie Pie Party, which apparently meant everyone was invited. They didn't care what the party was for, just that it was a party and that was enough reason to be there. A few of this group actually looked like they were drunk or high, despite the total absence of drugs or alcohol at the party. The Kids made up everyone at the party under 14. Internally, this group could be further delineated in the same way the adults had been, but the variations were harder to notice as they were all overcome by the standard childish enthusiasm in the presence of loud music, free food, games, and ample amounts of sugar. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were a plain example of this group, and Pinkie frequently had to stop them from doing something crazy. ...this would have been more reassuring if Pinkie had been shouting "No! No!" instead of "Me first! Me first!" Finding a large selection of flavors to try - both gem based and otherwise - 'Dina did her best to sample all of them. She found particular delight in the flavor identified to her as 'chocolate'. She'd never tasted anything so good, and the only gem remotely close in flavor was obsidian, which she'd only ever gotten to taste once. She probably broke a few dining etiquette rules indulging in chocolate, but she didn't think so. She only got a few eye rolls and chuckles after all, and weren't you supposed to drink from a fountain? All in all, she was enjoying her first party ever...until she mentioned that to Pinkie. The gasp that followed was all the warning 'Dina needed to know she'd said the wrong thing at the wrong time. "Your first party ever?" Pinkie cried, plainly shocked beyond belief. "But what about birthdays, and holidays, and family reunions, and Blue Moons, and Solstices and Equinoxes and-" "Parties just aren't a part of dragon culture," she interrupted, again feeling this was the wrong thing to see, as Pinkie's shock became determination. "That is a deficiency I must correct! Imagine going through life without parties?! Don't you worry your head, I'll make sure your time in Ponyville is more than full enough of parties to make up for all the ones you missed!" Pinkie gasped. "Starting with your very first birthday party! When's your birthday? What's your favorite color? What's-" 'Dina held up a claw in desperation. "Perhaps you could follow Twilight's example and give me a questionnaire to answer?" Pinkie let out a loud gasp and dashed off. 'Dina shuddered internally. She hoped Pinkie wouldn't go to over the top in parties for her, though that seemed a vain hope even now. She decided to put it out of her mind and enjoy herself for now. Besides, something else was happening that caught her eye. Rarity seemed to have experience drawing eyes at parties. Today was no exception. Everyone at the party - especially those who were part of the group 'Dina had dubbed Strutters. Her wardrobe was still her standard fashionable, but with certain modifications that readily drew the eye and made her intentions plain. Her tight fitting, dark blue blouse had a bit wider neckline, and the plunge of the neckline was much more daring, giving a much greater than normal view of her cleavage and - if one was daring enough to stare - a slight hint of her pale purple bra. Her black skirt was long, fit snugly around her hips, and the slit up the side went much higher than normal, allowing a much clearer peek at her well shaped legs, which was only accentuated by her high heels. Always before, her wardrobe shouted for others to see her and pay attention to her, and would have a message to share. Today, the message was clear: she was on the prowl. What stallions dared approach her were politely but quickly brushed aside. The mares who approached her - other than her closest friends - were greeted in a friendly manner, and she then excused herself. She looked around, searching for one individual in particular...and when she found him, went right to his side. "Hello, Spike," she said calmly. Spike looked up, blinking in shock at first at hearing her call him by name without the usual nickname, and then in awe at her subtly altered appearance. "R-Rarity!" he stammered. "You look amazing!" She smiled at him. "Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself." This was clearly making conversation, as Spike hadn't changed out of his day clothes before coming to the party. She sat down beside him. "Spike...can we talk for a bit?" "Sure," he replied, making room for her. "Umm...why aren't you calling me-" "That's part of what we need to talk about," she interrupted. She sat for a time, gathering her thoughts. "I admit I've been...taking you - and your feelings - for granted these past few years. You've probably noticed, when you weren't...swooning." Spike nodded. "Yeah, I noticed." His voice was even, neither judgmental nor forgiving. He clearly wanted to know where she was going with this. "It wasn't for the reasons some of our friends thought...and likely not for the reasons you thought, either." She took a glass of punch from the nearby table and took a sip. "You know that I've long searched for the perfect gentle stallion, dreaming he would be a prince or noble or a important political figure, someone who would sweep me off my hooves and whisk me away to a life of luxury and adventure." She chuckled. "A childish dream that I've had a hard time letting go of. But after having it dashed several times - Blueblood was an ass, Fancy Pants was already married, and Trenderhoof...well, the less said about that debacle, the better - I've begun to rethink it. You see, while it sounds wonderful, it would mean giving up the life I have. The friends I know, the business I'm so passionate about..." She chuckled. "Between all that and the adventures we go on as a group to save Equestria, I already have a life of excitement, adventure, and luxury. But I still want a true gentle stallion to be my special somepony...but it would need to be one who could accept and support the life I choose to live. It took me a long time to realize all I was looking for could be found, not in a gentle stallion, but in a gentle drake." As Spike looked excited, Rarity held up her hand. "And this is why I haven't acted on your feelings for me. Because as perfect as you would be for me....there are many questions that need to be answered before anything can happen between us. Would we work out as a couple? Would romance put a strain on our friendship, or my friendship with the other girls, Twilight especially? All this I might consider risking, if not for one question that is of greatest importance...would a romance between us be what's best for you? "And that is a question to which I don't know the answer." She stared into her drink for a time. Spike spoke up. "Rarity...I..." He hung his head. "I want to say that it would be, I really do. For so many years I've hoped, dreamed...but now..." He shook his head. "I'm learning so much about myself - as a dragon, and as Spike - that I don't even know me anymore. How can I answer that?" "I know, Spike," Rarity replied. "That's why I never acted on your feelings...took them for granted. I thought I would have plenty of time to think things through, figure out the answers...but that's not the case. Letting all that time slip by was a mistake, and now I need to act." Spike blushed. "Rarity...I..." "That's why I'm not calling you Spikey-Wikey," she said. Spike's eyes started to waver. "Because I need to see you as more than the cute little dragon boy who is always so eager to help. And you need to see me as more than Lady Rarity, the idealized mare you have had a crush on for so long." She took another sip, as Spike's eyes showed confusion and hope. "We need to get to know each other all over again, explicitly in the light of courtship. At the same time, 'Dina has already shown she intends to court you. So I want you to promise me something." She put a finger to his lips before he could speak. "And hear the promise first. Don't just agree to anything." Spike nodded. "Alright. W-what is it?" The white unicorn smiled gently. "Give both of us an equal chance. Let us both show you what we have to offer, along with anyone else that might show interest...and then choose what is best for you. I know I had my chance to claim you without competition and squandered it. For now, we will each seek to win your affections, and I want you to promise me that foremost in your mind when you make your choice will be your heart and your future." Spike blinked, and then slowly nodded. "Alright...but..." He swallowed, unable to say any more. Rarity cupped his cheek gently. "Don't worry...no matter what happens, I won't hold it against you. And when it's all over, you'll still always be my little Spikey-Wikey." She gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "I want what's best for you to be what decides this. Promise?" Spike thought for a time, then nodded. "Cross my heart," he said, making the motions, "hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Rarity smiled broadly. "Thank you, Spike. Now that we've settled that, how about we go help make 'Dina feel welcome?" Smiling, Spike stood up, offering his hand to help Rarity to her hooves. Having witnessed and heard the entire exchange, 'Dina couldn't help but smile. Seems she really does live up to her Element, she thought to herself. She stood up slowly, preparing to go meet them. I don't mind a little competition, she thought silently, especially a friendly one. And the prize is certainly worth it. She chuckled as she joined the two, pulling them both into a hug that deliberately squished Spike's face into a double dose of cleavage. She looked forward to seeing how he dealt with being the prize in a mare fight. ...she idly wondered if he preferred mud, oil, or jello. She made a mental note to ask him at some point.