The renewed sun came reluctantly to Equestria the following day. At first, it blew an angry red onto the sky as it poked over the mountains. Yet, as the morning took shape, its light subdued into a sobering orange, and by the time it reached Twilight in the Starswirl the Bearded wing, it had mellowed into a tender, gold glow.
"Hey, Alpenglow, can I ask you something?" Spike asked, swinging his feet from atop the desk where Twilight worked. The two of them were talking as they helped her study the books Discord had pulled for her. So far, there was nothing truly noteworthy (in fact, it was as if each and every book had been chosen at random), but it was still a welcome change of pace from the grueling workouts Alpenglow had put them through yesterday. As she pondered the dinner the Princess proposed for later in the week, anxiety of returning to Ponyville crept at the back of her mind, but she had high hopes that everypony would be ready by then. All they had to do was wait, and hope whatever magic the Princess had in the making would work.
Alpenglow answered with a raised eyebrow. "By all means, Spike."
"I was thinking...you were real popular back in your day, right? I mean, real popular. Like, everypony-lining-up-to-meet-you popular."
"I suppose, Spike. But if they were, I never noticed. Getting attention wasn't my job."
"But you did anyway, right? Did you have any 'admirers?'"
"I suppose it's possible, sure."
"How could you tell?"
"Spike, I'll tell you whatever you want if you ask."
"I dunno. I was just wondering- just plain old curiosity! You know how dragons are!" he joked.
Alpenglow rolled his eyes, good-naturedly. "Let's hear it, Spike."
Spike's eyes widened slightly, as if the knight's answer had been a little too obliging. Finally, the little dragon took a deep breath and asked, "How do you know if somepony like…say, a girl, likes you, but...more than a friend?"
"A friend who’s like a girl, but not a girl? What planet do these creatures come from?"
"Ok, ok, a girl."
"Like...Rarity?"
"Uhhh, that’s a good example. But I’m not saying it’s her!"
"No, no, of course not."
"So how would I know if she liked me?"
"Well, I suppose whenever you came around, your charming good looks would make her hair stand on end." Alpenglow chuckled weakly as he flicked the scales on the dragon’s head.
Spike groaned, "Come on, Alpenglow, I’m serious here."
"That's a gait I never got to walk, Spike." He took in a thoughtful breath. "But I will say this: there’s no need to rush. There will be a time, and when it comes, you’ll know. Just be confident and honest about your feelings, and if she feels the same way, the rest will fall into place- but not overnight."
"That’s it?"
"No, but the rest would be telling."
"Come on, you gotta know something!"
"It is truly mysterious, the land of the heart, and the best roads through it are the ones you pave yourself."
"Ugh. That was awful."
"Sorry, I hoped it would sound alright out loud." Alpenglow looked to Twilight. With a sympathetic smile, she shrugged. He turned back to Spike. "Well, my little squire, next time we talk, I’ll try to have something better for you. I put in a special order with the mare down in the armourer’s bay. I’m sure your friend, whoever she is, will think you cut a very gallant figure."
Spike leaned forward, expecting him to say more, but to his disappointment, Alpenglow’s only response was a knowing smile at Twilight. She grinned in return, and the three of them went back to work.