//------------------------------// // 45. The Best Night Ever - To Find // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// Rarity passed some other gala-goers when she saw her target: A big white and well-fit unicorn stallion with a golden mane and tail, wearing a fancy lapel and blue bowtie, his cutie-mark a compass rose, stepping outside. She squealed excitably as she started to follow him, “Hurry Rarity… Oh, but not too fast. But don't wanna lose him... WAIT! Have to play it cool. Oh, but don't be cold! I can't lose him, I can't! He's everything I imagined!” She stepped outside to the gardens, and saw him, Prince Blueblood looking dashing as he stepped into a cloistered area. “Even better than I imagined.” Rarity muttered in desire, not noticing somepony watch her. This observer then noticed a blue light shining through her dress where her cutie-mark was, and she smiled. “A match!” Rarity peered around, wondering where her prince had gone, and curious as to why he was out here, Just where is he? Strange that he would go so out of the way, what is it that’s out here that is more important than the gala inside? “What am I doing with these imbeciles?” Rarity squeaked but closed her mouth as she looked ahead and saw some bushes. Carefully, she peeked out and saw Blueblood, looking irritated as he paced around a stone bench beneath a tree next to a rosebush. “‘Oh hello Prince Blueblood, such an honor to meet you, you’re sooo much more handsome in person,’” Blueblood said in a falsetto voice before scoffing. “A bunch of dim-witted mares or wretched gem-diggers, harpies the whole lot of them! Coming onto me, expecting some kind of fairy-tale prince, who will sweep them off their hooves, marry them and they get a happy ever after?! And then all those annoying business-ponies, kissing up and expecting me to invest in their schemes or give them a loan they’ll never pay back?! Ergh! If Auntie Celestia hadn’t…!” Rarity could not believe what she was hearing, this was her prince?! The pony she’d envisioned for so long, poking hole after hole into her theoretical dream of love at first sight, as she heard him speak ill of mares seeking his eye and business-ponies with shady offers and deals, and it sounded like Blueblood had numerous yet unfortunate experiences with both. She was so taken back that she didn’t see the twig. *Snap* “Who goes there?!” Blueblood yelled, looking in her direction. Realizing she’d been caught, Rarity sighed and parted the bushes with her aura as she stepped forward. “My name is Rarity, and… my apologies, I… didn’t know anypony was out here.” Blueblood’s raised brow was all the evidence she needed to realize he did not believe her little fib. Starting to sweat a bit, Rarity looked from each corners of her eyes when she noticed the rosebush and looked at one in particular. “Oh my, what a lovely rose!” “Madam, I strongly advise you go back to the gala,” Blueblood scoffed, “for I am not in the mood to deal with another mare looking for her prince charming!” “But good sir, that’s not-” Rarity tried to say, but Blueblood yelled, “Go away!!” Rarity shied back, and turned around, tears starting to well up in her eyes, unable to believe it – Her dream prince had rejected her, her perfect night at the Grand Galloping Gala was not to be. Blueblood turned so as not to watch the mare leave, too full of anger and hurt but he did for a fact feel a twinge of guilt. But they didn’t realize it as somepony had been watching the whole exchange and realized the time had come to act, her horn flaring with magic, and the whole scene slowed in time. The observer stepped from the darkness and looked to Rarity. “Rarity, don’t give up so easily! You and Blueblood can be… but only if you let go of what you think you are looking for in romance. Only then will you find that which will truly make you happy. Blueblood is afraid you’re like all the other ponies he’s opened himself up to, the ones who hurt him. You have to reassure him.” She then turned to Blueblood. “And Bluey… I know why you’re like this, and I’m sorry that your last few romances didn’t work out. Those ponies wanted a prince, not you yourself so you’re afraid of having your heart broken again, to take that risk. But you must realize, that love, real and sincere, is worth the risk. Rarity is real, and her generosity and compassion await your discovery!” The observer sighed, knowing her time was almost up. “Remember, life is short, you two, so… Have a better one together.” She vanished, as did the spell, time resuming its natural pace, as both Rarity and Blueblood halted, feeling bewildered but the words had hit home as they slowly turned to face each other. “Um, Rarity, is it?” Blueblood asked, looking nervous. “Yes…?” Rarity looked hopeful, Blueblood now the one sweating. “I… wish to apologize, I am… unworthy of my title if I do not give you a chance, so would you… that is…” Blueblood was flabbergasted when Rarity had an idea, She took the rose she’d noted earlier and used her magic to shorten the stem and remove the thorns before placing it onto Blueblood’s lapel, to his confusion. “You know, this rose goes very well with your eyes.” And in that moment, the two unicorns looked into the other’s eyes and saw something worthwhile. “Miss Rarity, would you do me the honor of being my date tonight at the gala?” “Prince Blueblood, the honor would be mine,” Rarity smiled as they made their way back.