//------------------------------// // The Date (Part 1) // Story: Notes of Love // by Evowizard25 //------------------------------// *Frederic* I did my best to keep myself calm. I really, truthfully did. I kept telling myself I had everything under control like a respectful stallion should. I showered, put on a fresh tie and suit, the works. Honestly, I kept thinking to myself I should wear one of my newer tuxedos or something, but this was the first date….At an highly esteemed restaurant. I didn’t need to be so spiff and span…Right? ‘Well, look on the bright side. It’s not like I need to worry too much about what I wear. I mean, it is a prench restaurant.’ So here I was, standing outside the building. A lot of ponies would say it’s no big deal, but it is. It’s no secret that we Germanes and the prench weren’t on…speaking terms with each other. While I wasn’t one to judge a people by their nationality, I was still wary of eating here. ‘Prench food isn’t the most edible.’ Still, I had to put on a ‘brave face’, as the common ponies say. ‘Is that it, or did I mess up the phrase?’ I didn’t really feel like wasting my time figuring that one out. I had more important matters to attend to at the present moment. Steeling myself, I trotted inside. Upon entering, it looked like a decent enough establishment. Gustav Le Grande was certainly putting his utmost best effort into his restaurant. The air was calm and lively, with voices speaking at leisure from within. There were, of course, some prench incenses that made my muzzle twitch in apprehension. I wasn’t too fond of the smells, but they weren’t that prevalent, so I chose to ignore them. Whatever insecurities I felt, I stomped them down. This was my path to happiness. My enlightenment in the way of romance. ‘I can see it now. I shall be standing at the altar, awaiting my grandiose, happy future.  My parents crying tears of joy, awaiting their future grandchild. Just one of course. I don’t think I could handle having several. I’d probably pull my mane out. Beauty Bass will no doubt be crying in the back like an infant, wishing she’d never broke my heart. And Pinkie Pie…She’ll be looking lovely as ever in wedding gown, heading towards me at the altar. And then, we’ll pledge our undying love for one another. I shall pull up her veil, revealing those exquisite eyes of hers…Eyes I could get used to, lost in. We’ll lean ever closer, lips puckered…Oh those so kissable lips.’ “Monsieur, I would like to inform you that I’m straight,” a prench, male voice broke me out of my reverie. Realizing too late that I had fallen into a delusional daydream, I opened my eyes to see the pompous prench orderly behind the booth. I knew he was prench because he was pretty much twice my size, easily comparable to Saddle Arabians or deer in build. He was jerking backwards, avoiding my apparent kiss. Blushing in embarrassment and shame, I tried to compose myself. “I apologize, my mind was somewhere else.” “Oh, I know so, monsieur,” the prench stallion rolled his eyes. His tone made me frown. “What’s with the tone?” “What tone?” He asked. “I don’t have any tone.” I clenched my teeth. Truth be told, I really wanted to call him out on his rude behavior, but I dare not. The prench are a race of highly powerful, pompous, unicorns. So, I bit down on my comeback and sighed. “Look, I just came here to politely request a booth for me and my date.” “So when shall he be arriving?” The prench stallion picked up a feathered pen and lazily opened the book. “She,” I said through clenched teeth. “She will be coming shortly.” The prench stallion bowed his head. “I am sorry, monsieur. I falsely assumed your preference.” “Thank you,” I breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Maybe this won’t be so bad afterall.’ “So, about the booth?” “I am sorry, but we’re booked for tonight,” the stallion told me. “If you’d like, I could try and schedule you for next week.” I frowned. “What?” “We’re booked for tonight, monsieur,” the stallion said. “I can try and…” “I heard you the first time,” I cut him off. “Look, unless you want a problem on your hooves, it’s best you open up a booth.” “Why?” “Firstly, I am none other than Frederic Horseshoepin, renowned pianist,” the stallion wasn’t impressed. I smirked at my next thought and puffed out my chest in pride. “And my date is one of the Elements of Harmony, the lovely Pinkie Pie.” The prench stallion just stared at me for a moment. At first, I thought he was in awe of my luck. I mean, who else could say that they were dating a national hero? Of course, he surprised me. He laughed. “An element bearer?” He wiped away a few tears of laughter with a hoofkerchief he held in his magic. “Monsieur, you are a riot.” ‘How dare he insinuate that I’m a liar,’ I glared at him, but the stallion was too busy laughing at me to notice. “Are you always this informal with your clients?” “Oh heavens no,” the stallion said. “You’re just a humorous exception…Germane.” ‘Oh that’s it!’ Before I could snap at him, another voice spoke up. “Is there a problem here?” The lovely voice of Miss Rarity spoke up. Turning around, my jaw nearly touched the ground. Miss Rarity was wearing a simple, but stunning light blue dress that glittered in the light. Sparkling blue, glass shoes adorned her hooves. Yet, even with her stunning but simply appearance, she wasn’t the mare to catch my eyes. No, it was Pinkie. I couldn’t believe it, but here she was in her stunning glory. She was wearing a form fitting red dress that left nothing to the imagination. Well, she’s normally naked anyways, but that’s beside the point. A dark pink hairband held her normally puffy mane together and red glass slippers adorned her hooves. ‘Did it get hotter in here all of a sudden?’ I couldn’t help but pull on my suit’s neck, trying to relieve a little pressure. “Bonjour Mademoiselle Rarity,” the prench stallion quickly bowed his head in respect, his tone excitable. “It is lovely to see you again.” “The same could be said of you, Antonin,” Rarity didn’t seem as pleased with the stallion as he was with her. “But please answer my question. Is there a problem here?” She eyed the pair. I could see Antonin starting to sweat and look around nervously. “Of course not, mademoiselle. We here of ‘Gustave’s Spécialités’ would never allow a problem to inconvenience our beloved customers.” He sent me a pleading expression. “Isn’t that right, Monsieur Frederic?” I really wanted to chew him out right then and there. Expose him for the little dumkopf that he is, but no. I wasn’t going to do that. I’m not a mean pony, nor did I want to look like one in front of Pinkie. So I sighed. “That’s right.” “Yay for no problems,” Pinkie cheered, bouncing up to me. “Are you ready for our date? Huh, huh, huh?” “Errr…” I was still taken aback by her hyper attitude…and her disdain for personal space. ‘Though being only a couple inches apart isn’t so bad.’ “Yes.” “Yay!” Pinkie bounced into the restaurant. “Last one there is a rotten cupcake.” Antonin made a motion to stop her, but stopped himself instead when he caught sight of Rarity’s glare. “I have a booth already set up for the pair,” Rarity told him. “You can check your logs if you wish.” “No, mademoiselle,” Antonin shook his head. “I shall take your word for it.” Rarity smiled, heading after her friend. “Thank you, Antonin. I believe Gustave shall hear of your…kindness.” Antonin hung his head in shame. “Oui, mademoiselle.” I smirked as I went inside. I caught the glare that Antonin was giving me. “Guten Tag, Antonin.” With that, I left him to silently mumble under his breath. I felt a little empowered with leaving the prench stallion in such a state. I know it’s mean spirited, but hay everyone can be insensitive from time to time. It didn’t take me long to find Pinkie Pie. She was rocking back and forth in her seat, barely controlling her jubilation. I chuckled. “Excited?” Pinkie Pie nodded. “Of course I am, silly. This is my first date after all.” “I’m seriously surprised to hear that,” I really was. “Surely, stallions would flock to such a beauty such as yourself.” “Stallions don’t flock, silly,” Pinkie giggled. “Birds do.” I rolled my eyes and smiled. It was a cute joke. “But to answer your question,” she shrugged. “Sometimes. Most of the stallions in Ponyville treat me like a sister, so it might feel a bit odd for them. Others…” She frowned. “Kind of get sick of my spontaneity.” “Sick of it?” I raised an eyebrow. “But you’re Pinkie Pie, the Element of Laughter. Surely they knew what they were getting into.” Pinkie shrugged once more. “Guess I’m a little too much to handle for some ponies.” She waved her arm about. “But that’s alright. My mom says that’ll take a special stallion to handle me.” I nodded. “True.” ‘A special stallion indeed. I do so hope I know what I’m getting myself into…Actually, strike that. I have no clue what I’m getting myself into. Isn’t love grand?’ “Now that you’ve asked a question,” Pinkie spoke up, breaking my thoughts. “It’s my turn.” I saw no harm in answering anything she asked. “I see no harm. Fire away then.” Pinkie Pie saluted. “Aye, aye, captain.” She giggled again. I just couldn’t get enough of the noise. It was like listening to the perfect note. “Why were you so mopey, dopey before?” I blinked in confusion. I was prepared to deal with any question, most assuredly, but that? No, not a clue. I couldn’t help but look away with lowered ears as stray images flittered about my mind. Why did mere thoughts of her bring such confusion? ‘She broke my heart! I should hate her...But she’s my childhood friend. She didn’t want to hurt me…LIES!’  My head hurt just thinking about it. “Frederic?” I heard Pinkie say. The worried tone she carried snapped me out of my stupor. Her large eyes shown with concern. “Is everything alright?” “Yes,” I nodded quickly, hoping she wouldn’t press me. “If I said something…brought up some bad memories,” Pinkie’s voice trailed off. Her ears were splayed back and she looked defeated. “No, no, no, no,” I shook my head vehemently. “Nothing like that. I was just so worked up about my next performance is all.” “Really? Huh, I thought somepony as super awesomely talented as you wouldn’t have that problem.” I gave her a beaming smile. I was really glad to get off the ‘Beauty Brass’ subject. “Well, it’s true. I’m a nervous wreck sometimes.” “That’s a relief,” Pinkie smiled. “For a second there, I thought you were having inner turmoil over your feelings about a friend/ex-lover.” I…I had nothing to say to that. ‘How the hay…?’ “But I guess I was wrong,” Pinkie giggled. “But being a nervous wreck isn’t something to cry over. I get nervous and saddy waddy too.” “Oh, and what do you do to combat those feelings?” “Combat them?” Pinkie tilted her head in confusion. “Why would I do that? I don’t want to hurt anyone. I just go throw a party or hang out with one of my friends. A simple friendly smile will brighten up my day, really.” “Yes, quite,” I smiled. “I too enjoy bringing joy to ponies. It’s part of the reason I perform. It makes my heart soar to see my notes bring elation out from my audience.” “Ooh, ooh,” Pinkie bounced up and down in her seat, excitedly. “That’s my favorite part of musicals.” “Speaking of which, who taught you?” “Who taught me what?” Pinkie asked. “How to sing? My mom. She’s an awesomely,” she threw her arms out wide and pushed her chair back. “Stupendous singer. I keep asking her why her talent wasn’t singing, or why she didn’t join a quartet and travel the world, secretly fighting bad guys on the side. She told me she never had the time and liked it on the farm. That and she’s a pacifist.” Again, the mare before me rendered me speechless with her words. ‘I’m noticing a trend.’ “No,” I shook my head. “Your music.” “My granny,” Pinkie gave me a look of nostalgia. “She was the best at everything: parties, singing, dancing. You name it, she could do it. She taught me everything she knew.” “She sounds like a superb mare,” I said with a smile. I noticed the waiter coming up to our table. ‘Finally.’ “I’d love to meet her.” “And she’d love to meet you,” Pinkie leaned over to whisper in his ear. “Be careful. She’s full of surprises.” “I’ll keep that in mind,” I turned my head to greet the waiter. Thankfully, he was a regular earth pony, so I didn’t have to crane my head skyward in order to talk to him muzzle to muzzle. He hoofed over a pair of menus to us. “Hello, I am Cultured Tone. I shall be your waiter for tonight.” Unlike the prench stallion up in front, this pony’s accent was as small as my own. I was a bit thankful for that. “Hi Culture,” Pinkie waved at him. “I’m Pinkie Pie and this is Frederic. He’s the bestest pianist ever!” I blushed a little bit from the praise. “Nein, I’m not that good.” “And modest too,” Pinkie giggled. Cultured Tone rolled his eyes. “Would you like for me to give you some time alone,” when I raised an eyebrow he continued. “To let you think over your orders, of course.” I shook my head in answer. “Hmm,” I quickly glanced over to choices and sighed. It’s no secret that I really don’t care for prench food. Not because of its source. No, I just don’t care for it. “I’ll have a small salad and a glass of water.” Cultured Tone nodded and wrote it down. “And for you, mademoiselle?” I looked over at Pinkie to see her flipping the menu this way and that. She honestly looked confused. I scolded myself. The menu was in prench, so of course she would. I personally know enough prench to get by in a small conversation and whatnot. “Do you want me to read it for you?” Pinkie shook her head. “Nopey nope, I’ve got this.” She put down her menu. “I’ll have the Charlotte à la Framboise with a glass of milk.” Cultured raised an eyebrow. “You just want desert? At this hour?” “Desert est un plat à tout moment, monsieur.” Pinkie said in a firm, no nonsense tone. My eyes turned into saucers as I stared at her in shock. ‘Did she…? But I…’ Cultured bowed his head. “Bien sûr,” he took the menus and headed off. “I shall be back shortly with your orders.” “Merci pour nous attendre,” Pinkie called after him. When she turned to see my shocked expression, she asked “What’s wrong?” I shook myself out of my stupor. “You spoke prench.” “Well of course I did, silly,” Pinkie smiled. “How?” Pinkie gave me a serious expression. “Listen, I am a party pony. I have to bring my A game at all times and that includes international parties. I mean, how awkward would it be if I threw a party in equish for a prench speaking pony? Really awkward, I tell you that. So, I spent a lot of time reading how to speak other languages. I got bored, so I found those awesomely spectacular audio books. And I was like, ‘this is the best thing ever. Now I can throw a party in prench’. But I didn’t stop there. I kept learning and learning and now I know pretty much every language in the world…Well, I hope I do. I don’t want to go on an adventure and meet some ponies I can’t understand. Not that I don’t want to meet them. I’m sure their great and they deserve to smile, but I can’t throw them a proper enjoyable party if they don’t understand it. Though everyone can enjoy games, no matter the language, so it isn’t a real loss entirely.” I had a hard time catching up to her long winded, perky, and fast paced speech. Thankfully, I got the gist. “That does make a lot of sense. You are a mare of many talents.” Pinkie’s smile widened. “The more talents, the better the parties. That’s what Granny Pie always says. Well, that and hot sauce goes great with everything and it totally does.” She reached into her mane and pulled out a bottle right then and there and placed it on the table. “That’s why I brought his little beaut.” “For what? Are you going to be ordering something else?” Pinkie Pie shook her head. “Nope, this is for my desert.” I tried to stop the bile that reached my throat. “Hot sauce? On your desert?” Pinkie nodded. “You should really try it sometime. It’s stupendous!” She threw her hooves back dramatically and somehow, confetti shot out from behind her. “Eh, I think I’ll pass,” I really, really didn’t want to even think about the combination. Watching her eat it was going to be torture enough. ‘I’m going to have to get used to all of hers quirks if I wish to pursue her.’ Pinkie shrugged. “Your loss.” Wanting to get my thoughts away from hot sauce, I decided to bring up another topic. “So, how is Ponyville? I heard it was a nice, quaint village.” “Pretty much,” Pinkie tapped her chin. “If you also count the giant, flesh eating monsters popping up every now again. Evil gods and daemons trying to conquer. Magic spells that go horribly wrong and cause ponies to change form. Clone rampages. I could go on and on.” “Really?” I sat staring at her. Just staring. I know I’ve heard quite a few stories about how odd Ponyville is, but I thought it was just exaggeration. Now….Not so much. Pinkie Pie nodded exuberantly. “Oh yeah, but luckily nopony died…On screen.” Frederic sighed. “That’s good….Wait, what?” Pinkie put a hoof to her mouth and giggled. “Joking.” I couldn’t help but let out a snort of amusement and smile at her. “You are something else, Pinkie. You truly are.” “Thank you,” Pinkie beamed.