Chapter 2: A Romantic Evening
“...And I'll even get Trixie to come and put on a show! It's going to be so awesome!” Pinkie screamed at Twilight through one of the video screens projected by her leg-computer, “I can't believe you're getting married!”
“I know. I'm still jittery! Just look!” To prove her point, she raised her shaking left hoof.
“I'm happy for you Twilie,” Shining Armor said from a second screen. “I hate to admit it, but he's a darn fine stal... man.”
Pinkie gasped, “He's a stalman? Oh-my-gosh! Why didn't you tell me he's a stalman? This changes everything! What's a stalman?”
“Pinkie... never change,” Twilight laughed.
After explaining why Shining called him a “stal-man” for five minutes, Cadence took the datapad from her husband.
“Twilight, I'm so happy for you. Let's just hope your wedding goes better than ours.”
“Yeah, last thing I need is a bunch of assholes crashing the party,” Twilight quipped.
“Hey! I can hear you!” said an unseen, but familiar voice.
“I know you can, Ruby. That's why I said it. Talk to me, will you?” Twilight chuckled at her changeling friend. She knew Ruby would be in the Crystal Empire seeing as she worked as Cadence's personal assistant.
Few would have guessed after the young alicorn’s crashed wedding that Equestria and the very changelings that attacked would end up being close allies, but after what was supposed to be a raid on the discovered subterranean city it could be seen the attack was a last resort to save a dying race. The images of the dead and dying would haunt Luna and those that followed her for decades to come. Ruby Heart was one of many changelings that sought employment among the ponies. After an encounter with Twilight Sparkle, she was introduced to the pink alicorn and was surprised that there wasn’t the slightest grudge held. After several years, Ruby, Cadence, and Twilight had become friends. She had even spoken at the Funeral held for Twilight after her presumed death.
“I'd rather not.”
Twilight didn't expect that reaction, “Are you mad at me? I was joking.”
“That's not it.”
“Oh, come on, Ruby,” Cadence giggled, “Come say hi.”
“I don't want to,” said the changeling.
“I'll dock your pay,” Cadence threatened with a teasing tone.
Ruby sighed, “I should have never brought you that cake when you were in the caves.”
The bug-like pony stepped in front of the camera. Twilight barely stifled her laugh. The black mare had on excessive amounts of bright red lipstick and rouge in little circle, with bright green eye shadow, and her mane tied up in an enormous red ribbon above her head. If that wasn’t bad enough, the glitter covering her from head to tail was utterly ridiculous. She looked like cheap baby doll
“I lost a bet,” she deadpanned. “I hate you all.” With that, she skulked away.
“Cadence... you're evil,” Twilight gave up trying to hold her mirth in and let it all out.
“I know,” she replied, “Blame aunt Celestia. She taught me well.”
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“Earth pony magic is very different from unicorn and pegasus magic,” Twilight addressed the professors, “As we've discussed, Unicorn magic is purely active. It does nothing until the unicorn chooses to cast a spell, barring a magic surge. Pegasus magic is semi-active. Their flying activates without thought, but their weather control and storm creation must be activated.
“Earth pony magic, on the other hoof, is always 'on' as it were. Their magic is constantly flowing into any plants they are near. Earth ponies can direct the majority of the magic, in a way, by simply caring more for certain plants. Because they are constantly expending magical energy, and contrary to common myths among non-equine races, earth ponies have the largest reserve of mana of the three races.”
Twilight looked at the clock. “Well, that's all the time I have for now. Submit any questions to my in-box and I'll address them to the best of my ability tomorrow. Thank you for your time.”
“No, thank you, Miss Sparkle,” the head of the biology department, a rather short Avivan man with dull yellow feathers, said with a smile. “This has been the most interesting lecture I've yet to attend.”
“Thank you, Doctor Ilim. It's my first time lecturing a group of professors.”
“Well, I never would have guessed. You're a natural. Miss Sparkle, I know you requested all questions to be submitted in written form, but can I have just one quick question?”
“Alright, a quick one,” Twilight chuckled, “I have a date with my fiancé, and I don't want to be late.”
“Alright,” the Avivan scholar cleared his throat, “You spoke of unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies, but I am curious about your own race. You haven't even mentioned its name.”
“I used to be a unicorn, but now...” Twilight gave a sad smile. “I'm a Nightmare.”
The man wanted to inquire as to her meaning, but could tell it was a sore spot for her. Twilight still missed being a true unicorn. Yeah, her magic, the most important thing about being a unicorn to her, was the same, but she didn't feel like herself. Not to mention she had developed a bit of a temper.
Twilight excused herself and headed out the door she tried not thinking about what she was, but now she couldn't do anything but. She still hoped for a way to reverse her transformation, but knew it was likely impossible. She would have continued to brood, but her mood was lifted when she herself was. Curt scooped up the dragon-winged pony in a tight hug.
“You look like you could use this,” he said. “Did it not go well?”
Twilight sighed. “It went great. It's just that I was asked about 'my race'. He didn't know, but it still kind of hurts to think about.”
“Twilight,” Curt said sternly, “we've been over this. You're still a unicorn, just with cool features.”
Twilight nuzzled him. “You're so good to me. What did I do to deserve you?”
Curt laughed. “You were a smart, fun, sexy little pony, that's what. Not to mention you saved my ass a few times.”
“You saved my ass plenty, too.” Twilight gave him a peck on the cheek. “Let's get going.”
“Good idea,” Curt agreed. “You want to learn to drive?”
Twilight's grin was answer enough.
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After a quick trip to the Dupree family home to get changed, they finally arrived at Tulio's, the finest Ithkan cuisine in the Sol system. Twilight was hoping to meet the owner, as she had never met an Ithkan. She had read the amphibious race were telepathic, lacking vocal cords, and wanted to see for herself.
The carhop opened the door for the mare and she stepped out, turning a few heads. She wore a lovely black formal dress with a slit along the skirt that showed her cutie mark with every other step, accented by the silver slippers on each hoof. Her mane was too short to do much with, so she just used a little gel. Rarity had given her the idea to adorn her wings with tiny amethysts to make them glitter.
One interesting side effect to her transformation was improved hearing. Twilight couldn't figure out why, but it was true. That being said, she could hear some of the comments of the people nearby.
“Ain't that one of them magic horses?” said one of the carhops. Twilight didn't know whether to be amused or offended by that one.
“Isn't that Miss Twilight Sparkle? She's a war hero,” an older gentleman commented.
“They probably only helped so they can take over the galaxy,” a young woman scoffed.
“Quite the looker, that one,” Twilight didn't see who said it, but she blushed all the same.
“That man is dating a horse? Disgusting.” Twilight wanted to hit that guy.
A mixture of comments, some good, some not so much, followed her as her fiancé lead her into the restaurant. A server led them to their reserved table, near the stage. The place was famous for not just its food, but the amazing shows that included everything from music, to plays. As Twilight had never had much opportunity to see human theater, she was excited to see some.
Twilight and Curt accepted their menus and thanked the man as they took their seats. The mare looked at the options for a little bit before giggling, “I have no idea what any of this is.”
Curt smiled. “It's mostly seafood. I recommend the grilled umini with tal sauce.”
“Okay, I'll get that with a club salad.” Twilight touched her choice, the digital menu sending her order to the kitchen, and set it aside.
“I'm going to get the redunu,” Curt decided. Putting down his menu, he struck up a conversation, “So, any interesting moments?”
Twilight chuckled. “One of them asked me how our eyes fit in or heads.”
“I still think eye plates are weird,” Curt shuddered, remembering the lengthy explanation on the disk-like shape of pony eyes, and the way the iris and pupil moves within.
“Well, tough, because that's what your future wife has,” Twilight said with a little squee. She was still giddy about the engagement.
“So, I was thinking,” Curt changed the subject, “that we could have the wedding on Avol.”
Twilight perked up at that. “Really? Are you sure?”
Curt nodded, “It'll be easier for my friends and family to go there than for yours to come to Earth. Most of my family have ships of their own and can pick up whoever doesn’t. I think the only ponies that have a ship is that Fancy Pants guy, the princesses, and you.”
The little Nightmare barely kept herself from lunging over the table and throwing her hooves around her man, “You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you, honey.”
“Anything for my beautiful Nightmare.”
Their food came shortly after, and Curt was right in his recommendation. The umini was amazing, and the stolen bit of Curt's redunu was a bit spicy for her taste but still quite good. About half way through the meal, the entertainment took the stage.
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” said the man in the tux, “Prepare yourselves for the most amazing feats you have ever seen as I, the Amazing Alexander, dazzle you with the impossible!”
Curt grinned, “Oh, wow. A magic show.”
Twilight looked at Curt curiously. She had read about human's 'magic', just smoke and mirrors, but was interested in how they give the illusion of magic. She wondered if he knew this guy was going to be here, but dismissed it. She never really showed that much interest for him to make a point of setting it up. Both of their seats were arranged so they could watch while eating, so that's what she did.
The couple continued their meals, until the show began. The very first trick had both Twilight and Curt staring, completely dumbstruck. It wasn't because the trick was so spectacular, it was rather simple. It wasn't because they couldn't figure out how he did it, they could see exactly how he did it. It was that he was doing it at all that had their brains failing.
This was no illusion. The fire held in the human's hands was real, true magic.
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One of the most important things to know is one of the most immediate differences you'll be subject to; the need to wear clothing in public. On most Alliance worlds, public decency laws state that all sapient beings must cover their genitalia and reproductive organs with garments of some kind. This law is the result of most Alliance races having a deeply rooted nudity taboo.
Remember that, although it seems weird to us, this has been a part of most cultures for thousands of years. We need to express our understanding of others' cultures and abide their laws. However, most worlds in korg space have no such laws and allow public nudity, and various ship captains may allow you to go about “in the raw”, as it's often called. Remember to verify the rules with a ship's officer when boarding.
I, for one, have developed a liking to casual clothing. It allows another medium for self expression and can be fun with clothing like novelty shirts with humorous phrases or images, or a unique style of skirt. I know not everyone will grow to enjoy it as I have, but I believe many of you would if you let yourself.