//------------------------------// // I Don't Think You're Ready for This... // Story: Spark Notes // by Sharp Spark //------------------------------// A lot of poets wax romantic about love at first sight, but I had never even thought twice about the concept before I caught sight of her at the Grand Galloping Gala. I understood then. A moment of pure awe hit me, causing my jaw to go slack and my chest seem as if it would burst under the tumultuous feeling swelling within. I had been in the middle of a conversation with Fancy Pants, talking about the minutiae of his new investments in some berry orchards down south, and the vision of loveliness that had crossed my gaze and captured my heart left me speechless and staring. Fancy, model of the modern gentlestallion that he was, simply smiled when he saw where my gaze was directed, and ambled off to get another drink. I was left alone with the hammering of my heart. It wasn’t the fashionable apparel or even those tantalizing green curves that had struck me so severely, I think. It was an aura of perfect presence. A projection of complete contentment and the harmony of living wholly in the present. Able to accept life no matter what may come, willing to enjoy every last bit of being alive – but not ostentatiously, no. Not Pinkie Pie exuberance, but a calm, restrained happiness that lifted my spirits just to watch. She was beautiful, body and soul. She was currently preoccupied with Fluttershy, and I could only watch her for so long, lest by staring into the sun I risked burning out my eyes. I retreated to a table piled with canapés, sneaking the odd glance as I tried to determine the best way to introduce myself. I would need an opportune moment, and I began to work up my courage. Of course, I am sure you are aware of how the rest of that night unfolded. By the end of the whole matter, it really felt far too gauche to simply stroll up and introduce myself. I did not think she was in the mood to much appreciate my presence. First impressions are paramount, as my father was fond of saying. It would be a tragedy for our first encounter to be awkward, or for her to believe I was not taking her seriously or worse, pitying her. So the next day, after a long and restless night of thinking about my options, I paid an old friend a visit. Discord is certainly not who many people would ever desire as a friend, but we have always gotten along well. We actually met after his first escape from stone, when he visited Ponyville to turn it upside down in a flurry of chaos. It is somewhat embarrassing to admit, but as he teleported here and there, looking for townsponies to torment, he actually caught me, well… in flagrante delicious, as it were. I expected the worst, but he was evidently amused by the entire situation, giving me nothing more than a hearty hoofshake and a tip of a hat before being on his way. Once he had been more officially reformed by Fluttershy, we bumped into one another again on the streets of Ponyville. He recalled our previous meeting and invited me to his weekly poker night, along with Pinkie Pie and a blue-coated mare who seems to think she’s a dog. Of course, I found that poker night usually referred to either swordfights using fireplace pokers, and/or planning for the construction of an elaborate device to prod Twilight Sparkle in the back of the head whenever she’s studying, but between my time in my college’s fencing club and a general idea of how physics actually work, I think I’ve made quite a contribution. And sometimes we play cards, too. Regardless, the point is I knew Discord well enough to ask a rather delicate favor. So after I had taken the familiar trek out to his house – second right after the bottomless pit, then left at the bog of eternal stench, watch for the occasional grappleglorp, etc. – I stood there at his door, shuffling my hooves. Despite my normal confidence and aplomb, even the idea of her truly made me feel like a nervous colt with a schoolyard crush once again. Finally I made my decision, unable to stall any more. Discord opened the door, and I courteously knocked on it. “Why, my friend!” he said, grinning widely. “What a pleasant surprise to see you here. Oh, do tell me there’s some horrific emergency that you need my help with.” “Not exactly,” I said. An eyebrow arched. “Then perhaps the problem is that Ponyville is too boring? Don’t worry, I’m certain I can whip up a suitably stupendous catastrophe. I am always happy to assist.” I shook my head gravely. “I’m afraid this matter is personal. I… I was wondering if you could introduce me to a friend of yours.” The ever-present mirth drained from Discord’s face. “Fluttershy?” he said, in an entirely casual manner that nonetheless sent chills down my spine. “No, no.” I waved a hoof. “I already know her. I mean…” “Oh?” He blinked. “Oh. Ohhh.” His eyes lit up, literally, as two bulbs of light replaced his pupils. I rubbed one hoof against the other leg. “I mean, if… if you think she’d be fine with that. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being silly. Maybe—” Discord stretched one big paw out to wrap around my shoulders, and then snapped the fingers of his other hand. In an instant, we were somewhere else entirely. I glanced around, head spinning slightly, to find that it was a hallway in an modern-looking apartment building. Out the window I could see a skyline – Manehattan? It certainly wasn’t where I was expecting her to live. “Are you sure this is right?” I whispered. Discord was already knocking on the door. I hastily raised one hoof to slick my mane back. “Wait,” I said. “Do I look okay? Should I have gotten flowers?” The door creaked open, cutting off my thoughts. There she was. She was even more beautiful without the top hat and bowtie. I gasped out a breath. “Oh, Smooze,” Discord said. “I do hope we’re not bothering you. There’s a pony who is simply dying to make your acquaintance. I’m delighted to introduce you to my good friend, Hugh Jelly.”