//------------------------------// // L64 // Story: A little loopy. // by FaelaArts //------------------------------// Sweetie glanced to her Cutie Mark, pursing her lip. Over the past few Loops, its pattern had kept changing and changing. And now? Sweetie looked to the five notes surrounding a single note in the center. For some reason, the notes were forming the same pattern of a Cutie Mark she recognized despite the difference. ‘Okay, my Mark kinda looks like Twilight’s now. That’s freaky, and scary, but there’s not much I can do about it. Moving on.’ Packing her saddlebags, Sweetie wrote a small letter and attached it to Twilight’s Looping note, informing her of the plan for this Loop. Breathing in, Sweetie descended the stairs, and shoved Rarity’s Looping note into her face as well. Informing her sister of the plan, Sweetie easily smoothed it over enough for Rarity to accept, despite the task. Blinking, a note appeared from Twilight, informing Sweetie that Applejack had begrudgingly agreed to her plan. Smiling, she rubbed her hooves together, and set to work constructing a quick Lemonade stand. “You know Celestia, I’ve been considering going down to see Princess Twilight and her friends in Ponyville.” Luna took a bite of her lunch, looking to her sister with sparkling eyes. Really, despite her misgivings over Nightmare Night, Luna would love an opportunity to properly get to know the town. “I think that is a wonderful idea. I shall join you, granted I manage to finish the paperwork early that day. What day should we-Oh, speak of the Princess.” Celestia blinked as a scroll appeared in front of her, and opened it. Taking a bit of her own food, she skimmed it, and gulped. Choking for a moment, she swallowed it down, guzzling water as she coughed. Recovered, she held it out to her curious sister. “Dear Princess Celestia. Today me and my friends learned that we can take our destiny into our own hooves.-Oh that is wonderful for them- We have done so by trusting the services of a Matchmaker? -that has moved to our village? -What the- So we are all very happy, and are considering marriage within the month to our new special someponies!?-Sister, what do we do?” Celestia stood up, and looked evenly at her sister. “Pack your saddlebags Luna, you’re getting to visit Ponyville right now. We leave first thing Wednesday.” Turning, Celestia dived toward the throne, beginning to tackle her duties so she could spare the visit. If she was lucky, what she didn’t do today, Tuesday, she could leave till her return. “I really must thank you Matchmaker. Not only have you given me a wonderful evening for the both of us, you did so out of your own pocket. I’ll admit, I actually had fun.” The mare glanced lovingly toward the sheepish stallion, and the hooded pony nodded. The two held out a bag of bits, and the pony shook her head. Money was no use to her when she could just rob a bank. A Chariot landed in the distance, and five ponies went out to greet the two arriving. Sweetie watched from underneath her cloak, a feral grin masterfully hidden under her clothes. Rarity was a master, making Sweetie not only adult-sized, but snug too. Sweetie waited as the group chatted excitedly to the Princesses. “I’m telling you, I have never been happier since I left my fate to the Matchmaker. Did you know she does fortunes too? She can accurately predict any problems you will have for the future. She said her radar only affect the current town or residence though, so it probably won’t help you. But even-” Twilight talked vividly as the five led the two to Sweetie. “So I hear you are pairing up my little ponies, and they are...happy?” Celestia tilted her head, having mixed feelings about this entire case. If it was true, then she couldn’t just deny her ponies a service that would help them. If it was false, she could reveal it as so, leaving the ponies to solve their own problems instead of trusting somepony else. “Indeed I am,” spoke a high pitched voice. Celestia frowned, it almost sounded like a filly. Shaking her thoughts away, she glanced to Luna, whom shrugged. Well, the best way to prove it was via testing. “If you are indeed what you say you are, then you will have no objections to us testing that theory?” Celestia watched the hooded stranger nod, and she turned around. Picking out a random couple, she quietly asked them about their relationship. “I honestly was skeptical, but with Twilight and the other Elements backing it, I thought it worth a shot. And I have never been happier.” The stallion nuzzled his mare, and the two walked away. Celestia frowned, and sighed. It did indeed look like her ponies were happy. What right did she have to forbid them from it? “Sister, if I may…?” Luna stepped forward, and Celestia stepped back. Leaning down, Luna narrowed her eyes. “If thou are-you are as good as you say. Provide me with a special somepony.” Luna knew this was impossible. After all, she wasn’t going to date somepony who would die in a century. It would only lead to her heartbreak in the end. “Well your options are Twilight and Celestia,” the Matchmaker spoke softly. Blinking, Luna reared back, wings flaring. For a moment, she considered herself being mocked, but when Twilight stepped between them, the voice explained. “You’re long lived right? And you need somepony whom will give you the attention you deserve. Twilight has always been an avid stargazer, and she might turn out to be as long lived as you, considering her talent is magic. As for Celestia, you two may have had problems in the past, but now you two are closer than ever. And don’t worry about the sister thing, you can always abolish that later.” Sweating slightly, Sweetie wondered if they would buy it. Pulling out a bag of bits, she placed it on the table. “As I am a giving pony, I will even pay for the first date. If you are dissatisfied, come to me and prove me to be a fraud. But I think my track record speaks for itself.” Nodding once, she saw Luna considering it. Glancing to her sister, she bit her lip. Celestia glared, and Luna knew her sister wasn’t willing to ever go there. So that left Twilight. “Very well, I shall test your ability.” Luna turned to Twilight, who had pulled out a large list. “Great, shall I pencil us in for seven tomorrow?” Twilight smiled at her note, before noticing Luna’s shocked gaze. Shrugging, she smiled sheepishly. “Uh, as the Elements of Magic, I understand friendship very well. That means a lot of ponies are...compatible with me.” Twilight glanced to her friends, all of whom were casually glancing away. “Urg,” growled Luna, gritting her teeth. “Fine, see you then.” Luna stormed toward Twilight’s castle, where they had already agreed to be staying. Celestia followed, and Sweetie smiled. The next day went exactly as planned. “So, how did it go?” Raising her hood slightly, she looked to Luna and Celestia. Both were sharing surprised glances. “Uh, good. We have chosen to have a followup meeting within a month.” Luna had to admit, this service was good. Glancing to her sister, she wondered if Celestia would pluck up the courage to ask. But, after a moment, they both said goodbye, and went to meet with the chariot. Stepping up, they waved goodbye to the Elements. Taking into the sky, Luna watched as a small filly crawled out of the Matchmaker, watching the clothes slump to the floor. ’Huh,’ was all she could think in response.