When We Danced

by ulquiorra1

Chapter II - The 'Date'

Spike

I had just finished telling Twilight of my previous interactions at Rarity's while re-shelving a small pile of books. If I wasn't feeling as good as I had been, I would have been hurt by the surprised reaction Twilight had given me upon hearing this. After the well deserving congratulations I was given for my unending hard work, Twilight then asked what it was I had planned for my special afternoon. I then came to the realization only then in the middle of the quiet library that I would be eating out with Rarity, this being nothing unusual except for the fact that we would be alone...

'Alone.'

The word was at the same time strongly desired as well as being feared more than anything encountered in one's life. Time spent trying to grasp Rarity's attention in the past had not been thought out to this point. 'Alone' then, meant nothing. Now, however, 'alone' delved far deeper than thought would allow at one time. Seeing as how forethought held no concern in previous attempts, it only made sense that it also would not matter for this most recent attempt. You can sure be naive at times, Spike.

I had no plan. Well, actually, I did. Only problem with this plan was the 'nearly' impossible probability that she would say yes. How lucky that this was the one time that chance favored me over any other day?

Actually, I was far more than lucky. Despite being surrounded by the many bindings filled with the many intellectual words inscribed upon their many pages, I doubt any would hold the proper synonym to be used in place of my odd amount of luck.

Twilight's hoof suddenly became apparent after waving past my face several times. When noticing my return to Equestria, Twilight then repeated her long, ignored question. I guess I had answered her only in thought. I then, verbally, replied that we would be going to eat. Being ever-so analytical, Twilight asked what exactly we would be eating. I then told her the same thing Rarity told me; It would be nothing fancy. Once again, I was asked exactly what that entailed.

Great. I had no idea what a good date meal would be for something non-fancy. I didn't know what a good meal would be for a fancy date, for that matter. It would have probably been a better idea to work out the details before leaving the boutique. Details, however, were the last thing on my previously stupefied thoughts.

So much for grasping Rarity's attention, or affection, if I can't even eat together with her successfully. There was simply too much that could go wrong, I mean what if...

I was drawn back to Equestria once again by another lavender hoof struggling to maintain its waving position in front of my eyes. Looking down at the amused mare, she said that I should just make something for Rarity, that being a far more romantic idea. Cooking wasn't exactly my forte when it had this much riding on it turning out good.

Along with some over dramatic eye rolling, I was reminded that I was 'surrounded by the best weapons in the world, books, and I should arm myself.'

I asked Twilight why she referred to the books as weapons but she said that I obviously didn't get what she was referencing and left the room while wishing me the best of luck.

Well, Twilight did have a good point with being surrounded by information to help me out. All I needed to do was find the right book, or two, and follow its professionally written contents step by step. I began to look around until I wandered over to the 'C' books. Thankfully we just finished re-shelving and everything was in order. I sure could use all the help I could get at this moment, even if it was just convenient help. I ran a scaled hand across the titles until I found one. 'Cooking for Beginners' was an accurate title.

I began to skim through the different pictures of food and recipes but found nothing eye grabbing. I doubt any of these would really 'wow' a date. Actually, quite a few of these look like familiar meals that Twilight fixes.

Sliding the slightly worn cover back into its place, a couple of books to its right shifted and toppled onto a few others. As I corrected them I noticed that they all had the word 'Cooking' on their spine. After those five were replaced upright I looked on the next shelf below it.

I cut myself off as I realized that I had quite a handful of books to look through. Glancing down the rest of the shelf I noticed one... four... seven...

Eleven more books?! Why in all of Equestria does Twilight have so many cooking books? Recounting, I found a small book in between two monster sized tomes. Not counting my first read, there were twenty-three more to go through. That is, assuming I don't find a suitable recipe for the most beautiful, generous, fantastic mare in this world to eat...

So twenty-three more books it is then...

I may need to send a letter to reschedule. Way to be gentledrake, Spike. Of course, I never did specify when the date would be either. Tomorrow 'is' later, I suppose.

Rarity

As I brought myself back to a more level headed state, I walked over to the door and flipped the slightly cocked sign over. Being closed for the rest of the day sounded rather nice anyway. I can catch up on a few design sketches, think about Spike, get a few repairs done to that magenta dress with the frayed collar, check on supply inventory, think about what Spike would be planning for the evening, maybe even find something proper to wear later. Oh! I know just the-

No, that wouldn't do. Simply too flashy. Maybe I should just-

Looking around I had wandered into a closet rather than my work room. Not a wardrobe-like closet. A cleaning supply/ broom closet. Apparently something has gotten into my head and made me a little lost in my own place. Whatever it is, hopefully it will be gone so I can focus more on Spike later...

I mean, work, not...

Whatever. Turning back, I made my way into my inspiration room as to finish up a design or two in order to pass some time on a 'free' day. Rather than starting on a sketch that should have probably been done already, I decided to instead finish up a piece I had been caught up on. It needed something else as to keep it from appearing so plain... I just couldn't figure out what it was.

Sliding open a distant drawer to my left I levitated a fresh quill over to my desk while grabbing a half empty inkwell in-hoof from a much closer shelf. Seating my flank abruptly in front of my desk, I had begun to dip the quill and let my ideas flow.

The bare area near the rump would apparently need to wait even longer. Well, onto a base color for the upper body then. It would have to go smoothly with the pale-yellow underlining currently in place around the front edges and collar. Pulling a small stack of fabric samples over to the desk, I began to levitate them in between my muzzle and the parchment one by one, checking on their compatibility.

Ah! Perfect! Setting the rest of the samples into a hastily set pile on either side of my being, I held the fabric's place in the air as I brought the quill down and neatly outlined a portion of the torso and neck where the color would lay, draped over this thin mare receiving the garment. Setting the quill's tip back into the well, I brought a similar colored chalk piece down to the parchment and quickly filled the lines full of the light shade of violet. Just like that I knew what to place along the back. With a few measured scribbles down the side of the dress' outline, I scratched down a few notes with the quill and lifted it back to see how it all looked together in its fini-

Green gems were meant to line both sides of the light violet dress, accompanied by a pale yellow undertone...

Those were the same colors as Sp-

Okay on to the next part of my day then. Maybe I just need to walk around for a bit. Clearing my head should do the trick. Before leaving the room, I glanced back at the design abandoned on the desk top. Walking back over to it I studied it a bit more.

It is a cute design, I have to say. Maybe my head doesn't 'really' need to be cleared. I might even embrace the look for a new line. 'Dragonesque!' Something along those lines anyway. Maybe some fiery red patterns or golden treasure based linings. Rainbow Dash would probably agree with some of the cooler designs, even. Another Spike based design could even come from his dazzling, green colored flame. Especially around the collar, it would look absolutely fabulous! Oh I could see it now! So many designs I should get started with at least some notes and simple ske-

All at once I brought my hoof up to my mouth. My face was burning as I dropped the nearly used up quill next to the 'previously' blank parchment roll. I wasn't sure what to make of what I had written or drawn here...

During my brainstorming session, I was still holding the quill in my magic. With my thoughts running so quickly, I suppose I just subconsciously started to write with it. Only thing is that I didn't know what my subconscious was thinking until now. I had drawn hearts all over the blank canvas, each varying in size and shape in between various scribbles. The larger ones however were drawn much neater with letters written within their curled outlines.

I'm not positive whether to tell myself to 'get a grip' or what! I'm not truly this infatuated with somepony, am I? No I'm not. I'm this infatuated with 'Spike.' If I'm not mistaken, my ears had also begun to heat up a little by this point.

I've never thought of somepony that's a friend as more than anything than just a friend though.

'You're thinking of 'Spike' who's a friend as more than just a friend right now...'

It's just weird though! Why is it just Spike out of nowhere?

'It's Spike because he looks and acts far more mature and attractive now.'

Well... No. All of my other friends look attractive! So why don't I act all head over hooves for any of them, huh? Explain that!

'None of them are Spike, now are they?'

I... Well... Just... Why can't I explain this weird feeling!

'It was never real until now. Before it was just infatuation. Looks like you've matured as well, Rarity.'

It's just frustrating though... Why now..?

Letting out a small sigh, I wiped away the undeveloped tear ready to fall down my face from the overload of mixed feelings. I wasn't really sure what to do now. There wasn't a task I could complete without getting completely sidetracked. Just thinking about the 'distractions' only made me feel... Worse? No. Indifferent, maybe? No, confused is the word I'm after. Instead of doing either, sitting still in front of my desk, scratching at my parchment with a heavy hoof seemed like a far better idea.

Maybe I should have thought about Spike's proposition a little before rushing into it like I did. I couldn't help but let a tiny smile slip at the thought of myself acting so foalish. He didn't seem to care that I looked like a nervous mess, though.

With a small, quick exhale out of my nose, (ladies don't 'snort'), I started thinking a bit more.

Maybe I should send a letter to reschedule our date...

Way to be a true lady, Rarity. I suppose Tomorrow doesn't sound too bad. It will allow me the rest of my day off to think. Tomorrow is later anyway.

Isn't it?

To Be Continued...