//------------------------------// // Twilight and the Ape: Round 2/Flowers, Tuxedos, and lots of nervous sweating // Story: Peace at Last Side Stories: Back in Neighpon // by Prince_Staghorn //------------------------------// Neighponese After a night's sleep following the previous day of ape harassing, chain chomp dodging^, date planning, and sibling bonding, the sun rose brightly over the city again. Twilight had slept fitfully due to some guilt over her actions in the library. But was it really wrong to speak up if you thought it was unfair? No, it wasn't. However, poking direct insults at the cause of it was. Twilight knew she should have behaved better. After all, apes had very unique cultures^^, and tended to be non-violent until pushed too far^^^. It was just... something about apes rubbed her the wrong way. There was that one incident with the Orang-utan diplomat in Canterlot where she had lost her temper... Celestia hadn't been happy to have had to go through weeks of re-negotiating the rubber trade between Equestria and the Orang Islands^^^^. Maybe it was because of all those history tomes she read when she was little. Specifically, the First Shetlantean War... Many years ago, Little Twilight^^^^^ had perused a large tome in the middle of the library. Though she had been a serious studier, she had also still at that age when foals are enchanted by old stories and myths. However, this story had been a little... violent. When the first of the earth pony colonists had touched Shetlantis' shore, they found a partially untamed wilderness, full of unique life forms, many of them dangerous. However, none compared to the island's first inhabitants. They were tall, two-legged primates without tails. they had only a scant covering of hair, and flat, ape-like faces. Their ears were small and pointed, and their limbs long.+ From there, it described a bloody war that had Twilight unable to sleep for weeks.++ Twilight had made up her mind, though. Today, she would go to the library and apologize. * "Well, I also apologize," the xing-xing said. "My behavior was... less than professional." He extended a wrinkly hand. Twilight put her hoof in it and shook. The ape then held out something. "And here is your library card." Twilight grinned excitedly, thanked the ape, then went to find the books she had been intent on reading. *** Red had made up his mind. Today, he would go to Hope and ask her out. He had found a nice tuxedo, a bouquet of orchids, and lots of antiperspirant deodorant. LOTS of antiperspirant deodorant. Not that it really seemed to be working, as he was still sweating quite profusely, not to mention shaking as he slowly knocked on the door to Hope's room.. Even with her mane a fluffy mess of bedhead, wearing a disheveled nightgown, Red still found her beautiful. Carefully transferring the flowers from mouth to hoof he held them out to her. He was a Night Guard, trained to remain stoic in the line of duty, always vigilant, always precise, always serious. You can do this! He opened his mouth... "PrincessHopewouldyouliketogoonadatewithme?" He mentally facehoofed. Smooth. Hope, for her part, cocked her head slightly to the side. "Say again?" Red took a deep breath. "Princess Hope. Would you do me the honor of going on a date tonight?" Silence. It seemed to drag on forever before she swept him up in a hug and kissed his cheek. "I'd be happy to! How does seven sound?" Red nodded happily, a dumb smile on his face thanks to the fact Hope had kissed him. "Great! See you then!" Hope closed the door. Then she peeked out. "And just Hope is fine." She smiled and closed the door again. Red flapped the tips of his wings, smiling happily as he floated down the hallway. It wasn't long before a large crowd had gathered behind him. Stag appeared, brandishing a newspaper at the changelings, who quickly dispersed. "Geez, it's not like they haven't eaten already," he muttered. With that, he followed Red, eating the good emotions emanating from the stallion himself. Royalty ate first, after all.