The sun’s embrace warmed the depth of my heart as I lightly cantering around the park without purpose, an equally light smile on my face. Lyra’s melancholic yet cheerful music hung in the background, swirling turquoise running along the air, serenading and narrating the midmorning of everypony milling about in the park.
“You need a marefriend, dear.”
My smile faltered as my mom’s ‘advice’ resurfaced. Stopping at one of the many benches in the park, I couldn’t help but to sigh and note the lack of the usual mares gossiping about. Usually there would be at least a group of two, laughing and giggling about the most recent rumors. Not that I was complanining, of course. As much as entertaining the gossips were, it could be disturbing at times.
Celestia knows I didn’t need to know a dragon’s ejaculation could fill up a whole bathroom.
“Oh, well.” I mumbled as I leaned back on my seat, making myself comfortable. After moments staring at the blue nothings, I opted to close my eyes and savor the delicious sound Lyra was producing. It helped in drowning my mom’s overbearing advice, and I hoped it would awaken my muse to write a good book.
Minutes of peace later, a familiar ‘sproing' sound that reminded me of bedsprings, or perhaps, trampoline made my ears twitch. The melancholy in Lyra’s lyre lessened for some mysterious reason, increasing its cheerfulness, turning it into a sort of jaunty tune. Opening my eyes, I couldn’t help but to blink at the sight of Ponyville’s famous party planner hopping around with that peculiar grin of hers.
Suddenly, as if somepony had cast a freezing spell on her, she froze on a mid-hop. Four years ago, I had asked myself questions regarding the abuse of Physics that Pinkie had done, but I didn’t voice it, of course. Nopony did. The ex-unicorn Twilight Sparkle did and it nearly made her a hydra’s chow. The popular saying ‘What happens in Las Pegasus stays in Las Pegasus’ would be more fitting if ‘Ponyville’ replaced ‘Las Pegasus’.
Then, as if aware of my thoughts, Pinkie’s head turned to me, blue eyes transforming me into a frozen ugly duckling upon contact. As an impromptu stare showdown between Pinkie and I, I swore that Lyra’s music had died down. I felt my eyes water, and I blinked. The moment I opened my eyes, I was staring at the blue deep pools that was Pinkie’s eyes.
I screamed, my heart soared through my chest as I flailed my hooves about. Pressing my back to the bench, I felt my vision tilt, and then flip as I fell back from the bench. Of course, as luck would have it, I fell on my head, before rolling to my back.
I groaned and winced in pain. A tiny yelp escaped me as I gingerly touched swelling bruise on my forehead. Thank Celestia I’m an Earth Pony and not a Unicorn. There are plenty of theories on how much pain a Unicorn would feel when their horn got damaged, and none of them are pleasant.
“Oh my gosh!” I felt a pair of hooves pulled me off the ground, and I was attacked with Pink. “Are you okay?”
Blinking, I leveled my eyes from her mane and to her eyes. Then I blinked once more, and absentmindedly I noted Lyra’s music was back, but this time it was a slow purple tune. I blinked again, and a thought came unbidden from my mind. She’s beautiful.
Now that I was in a closer proximity with Pinkie, I could definitely see the beauty in her. Not that she was ugly in the first place, quite the opposite, actually. Only this time, that beauty wasn’t a beauty like Rarity’s. It was the sort of beauty that was only one of a kind. The kind of beauty that would make the most horrible pony into the prime example of what a pony should be.
“Really, Quill,” she sighed, her wrinkles sagging even more. “Don’t you care about your mother? I’m not asking much. Hay, you don’t need to give a proper funeral for this old pile of bones. I just want to see that spark that your father had when he first met his love in your eyes.”
Was this what she meant by that ‘spark’? Nevertheless, my body took control as I felt a blush forming on both cheeks, and my hoof went slack. “I-I’m fine.”
Her beautiful breath-taking eyes narrowed at my forehead, and I fidgeted at the sudden scrutiny I received. “You don’t look so fine to me.”
I swallowed the knot in my throat as I forced a laugh out. “R-really, I’m fine!” As to prove my point, I put a hoof over my bruise, only to pull it back with a hiss.
Disobeying the Laws of Physics and Biology, Pinkie’s neck extended until it was centimeters away from my head. “You’re fine. Your head is not.”
I was undecided whether she was being mocking or serious. As it was, I took the latter of the two. “Hehe,” I scratched the back of my head. “Thank you?”
“Confessing right away is the best way to do it.” She ‘advised’, her brown bony hoof resting on her sagging chin. “It’s what your father did. Though you should be careful on how you say it.”
Gulping, I felt a new knot forming on my throat. Deep breath, Soothing Coffee, deep breath. In the case Pinkie rejected my... confession, then look at the positive side. Mom would step egging me, I would stay forever virgin until I got desperate and hired a whore, and hopefully the pain and despair would be enough motivation for my Muse. True, I didn’t want to write some overly dark story, but I got to make do with what I was given.
Crushing the knot, I took a deep long breath. “Say,” I finally said. Pinkie’s neck snapped suddenly in place, producing a whiplash sound. “Can I take you to a dinner tonight?”
She blinked, and then tilted her head. “Is that a date?”
I closed my eyes, and nodded. “Yep.”
I waited. I waited after what felt like hours. From the back of my eyelids, I felt myself faint. Heart drumming faster than it should, my head swimming in a pool of thick goo, and I had no doubt I would immediately pass out if somepony shouted at my ears.
“Sure.”
I snapped my eyes open. “What?” I blurted out, both disbelief and relief fighting each other for a place in my voice. “Just like that?”
She nodded her head at that, a bright smile on her face. “Well, yeah. I mean, we’re just going for a date right? Getting to know each other—though I already know a lot about you— and if we fit, we could take it to the next level.” She paused, looking contemplative for a moment. “Or at least, that’s what Maud and Father told me.”
I was about to ask the ‘though I already know a lot about you’ part, before I stopped myself. Perhaps that was a question for another day and in another time. “Well,” a chuckle escaped me. “I suppose you’re right.”
She nodded, and we stared at each other. Awkward silence—for me, at least— hung over both of us. I was the one who broke said silence with a look over the side and a cough over my hoof. “So, it’s a date, then?”
I felt something whizzed by me, and my head shot towards the empty spot that used to be Pinkie’s.
“It is.”
I ‘eep’ed at the sudden whisper wafting into my ear. The moment I looked to the side, Pinkie was already gone. Back at the empty spot, Pinkie hadn’t returned.
“Pick me up at Sugarcube Corner in the evening!”
My ears perked, and I turned around, watching Pinkie bouncing away from the park. There was a goofy grin on her face as she turned for a moment, waving her pink hoof at me, before she disappeared from my view.
Turning around, I realized Lyra’s music was back. Looking at her, I could only see a completely innocent look on her face. I sighed, before a smile filled my visage. “Well,” I muttered happily as I made my way to find a good restaurant. “That happened.”
()_()_()
Standing before the Sugarcube Corner’s door, I couldn’t help but shuffle uncomfortably. Up close, the door was like an imposing pony-eating door. I felt an itch on my left ear, and I glanced over my shoulder, then back at the door. Perhaps it was just my anxiety, but it felt like I was being watched.
I fidgeted once more as I struggled to straighten my brown tie. In any other places like Canterlot and Manehattan, taking somepony to a date with something like this would get you a slap to the face, or a quick rejection. A beat down if you’re very unlucky. But I wasn’t in either of those places. I was in Ponyville, and Ponyville allowed for this kind of dress code.
That said, I had previously debated to myself whether I should wear a hat or not. I opted not to, of course.
I checked for my breath. I had probably brushed it more times than the local dentist had recommended, but that was far from my problem. An itch on my left ear, and I glanced over my shoulder again, only to see nothing on the street. I swore there was somepony there.
Shaking my thought, I tried to remember my plan for—oh, who was I kidding. I was stalling, and I knew it, and it was all I could do for my legs to stop trembling from nervousness. Perhaps the dozen or so cups of coffee I took earlier didn’t help.
I took a deep gulp of air. “Come on, Quill, you could do this!” I whispered to myself. “Just knock, and then Pinkie will be there. You’ll have some fun, talk about each other. If it doesn’t go well, then you’d brood for a week, and write a story. If it goes well, then be happy.”
Taking another gulp of air, I forced a smile on my face. Stiffly, I knocked the dangerous looking door. And almost immediately, as if it was expected, the entry to Sugarcube Corner slammed open, revealing stony-faced Mr. Cake standing over the threshold, a wooden rolling pin on his mouth.
For a very, very brief moment, I pondered if I could go home. But I crushed that thought immediately. I wasn’t a coward, and I wasn’t going to back down because I was scared. I tried to kept my face flat—something I was told to be good at— and offered a smile on Mr. Cake. “Good evening, Mr. Cake.”
He acknowledged me with his own way: With a very sharp glare. I almost flinched. His yellow, lanky hoof went back inside the bakery-slash-cafe, and then at me, followed after to his rolling pin. He made a beating gesture with his hoof, before pointing it at me.
It took a moment for me to understand what he was trying to say, but when I did, I gave the stallion a shaky smile. “Hehe,” an anxious laugh bubbled forth from my lips. “Don’t worry about it, Mr. Cake.”
A curious thought came to me: Is Pinkie even Mr. Cake’s daughter? No, she’s not. That much, I was sure of. But I knew that they’re family. From what I had heard from those gossiping mares, Pinkie had lived with the Cakes since the first time she had moved in Ponyville. I supposed, Pinkie would’ve grown in on them that she’s practically an honorary member of the Cake family.
Mr. Cake gave me a one hard look, before nodding satisfyingly, and gave my shoulder a hard pat—a little bit too hard. Spitting out the rolling pin between his forelegs, he looked over his shoulder, and shouted, “Pinkie, your date’s here!”
There was a ‘whooshing’ sound, and I had to close my eyes when I saw pink dusts threatening to cosmeticize my face. Peeking through the slits of my eyes, I was given the privilege of laying my eyes on Pinkie Pie standing brightly with a bright grin before me. Wearing nothing.
Well, not completely nothing. There was a pink and white stripped scarf, emanating happy fuzzy feelings around her neck. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect from Pinkie Pie, but I supposed I should’ve expected this one. An extravagant pony, Pinkie may be, she’s not Rarity. And besides, we were in Ponyville.
I took a step back, nervousness overflowing, before I placed a heavier lid on it. “Hey, Pinkie,” I greeted, stiffly. “You look beautiful, Pinkie—not that you’re usually not,” I added quickly, much to her growing smile. “I think it’s the scarf.”
She giggled, waving a hoof dismissively. “And you look very dashing, Quill. I think it’s the tie.” She winked, and I blushed.
Trying my hardest to flush the blush away, I offered her my hoof and my best smile—Celestia, I hope I don’t look like a fool. “Shall we?”
She nodded, taking my hoof, and sidled up to my side. I blushed as the scent of bubblegum wafted from her hair, teasing my nose like a drunken mare. “We shall!”
Taking a deep breath, blushing as I smelled her wonderfully scented fluffy mane, I was about to escort her to the restaurant I had booked. Before I had the chance of doing so, Pinkie had started moving. It took me a moment of following her before I realized she was dragging me.
“Enjoy your night, Sweetie!” Mr. Cake called from behind us, and I could imagine the cruel smirk on his face as I was dragged away, trying to struggle out of Pinkie’s vice grip—how?— and simply resigned my fate after it was proven futile.
()_()_()
Twenty minutes—or maybe it’s thirty minutes?— later, and I still found myself being dragged by Pinkie. I had given up trying to lead her to turn left and right or around as she kept trotting forward and simply enjoyed the night; its black canvass shone with its round masterpiece, and adorned with glittery stars around it.
“Pinkie,” I asked, smiling lightly as I felt our furs touching, sharing warmth in the cold night. “Where are we going?”
She let out a giggle. “It’s a surprise.”
I stayed quiet for a while. My eyes lingered to a restaurant as we passed it by, ignoring the itching on my left ear. It’s just anxiety, I told myself. “I booked a table there.” I absentmindedly told her.
I almost tripped to the ground when Pinkie suddenly halted. Glancing back, I saw her looking at the restaurant, Paragon, a newly opened restaurant a week after Twilight Sparkle became a princess. Unfortunately, what with the dozens of new restaurants that opened suddenly, it wasn’t exactly a bustling business. Dim lights pierced through the windows, and I could make out silhouettes of several ponies working in there.
“Really?”
I glanced away from the restaurant and back to her. There was a soft, apologetic smile on her face. “What?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry,” she murmured softly before she started to walk again, me by her side. I was about to ask her why, but she continued, “I should’ve considered that you already made a plan before I made my plan for my first date.” She glanced at me, and my hurt was struck once again by those beautiful eyes. “Maybe next time?”
I blinked. “Next time?” I mouthed.
The bright smile returned once more, and she nodded. “Next time.” She confirmed.
“But that would—“
She cut me off by putting a hoof over my lips. Startled, I looked up to her, a blush already forming on both cheeks. “I have a good feeling about this.” She winked, and I felt my left ear itch as she turned back to the road, her humming replaced the silent air around us.
I didn’t know how long we passed several buildings. Ponyville had grown since the ascension of Princess Twilight Sparkle. From the newly paved roads, the added buildings, and even the small land expansion it got. I suppose becoming the domain of the Princess of Magic has its advantage, usual monsters aside.
Before long, I saw the buildings transitioned into green plains, the few lantern posts lighting Ponyville replaced by the moon and its stars, and the well-worn road turned into soft ground of green grasses. It took me a moment to realize I was outside of Ponyville.
Unhearing of my inner realization, Pinkie led me to climb one of the many hill, and I noted the tree standing at the top. A cold breeze wafted through, and we shivered together. If I had known I would go here for my first date, I would’ve worn something warmer.
Reaching at the top of the hill, I saw a checker patterned red and white blanket lay on the green grass, under the tree’s branches and leaves. A picnic basket put on top, and two cushions placed against each other. But what caught my eyes was something else.
Princess Twilight Sparkle’s castle stood vigilant in the horizon, casting a beautiful glimmer from the reflection of the moon, becoming the veritable pillar of rainbow. Within Ponyville, the castle never shone this way. It was mostly just there, imposing and casting dark shadows over those unfortunates living near it.
But here, outside of Ponyville, I could see its beauty.
“What do you think?” I heard Pinkie said beside me, her voice soft as we stood there, gazing at the castle.
“It’s beautiful.” I whispered out, and was I a lesser stallion; I would’ve shed a tear right then and there. “Is this what you wanted to show me?”
She leaned to me, our body pressing against each other. She nodded. “Uh huh.”
I glanced at Ponyville. It wasn’t far from here, but it was pretty far from Sugarcube Corner. “It’s worth it.”
“I know.”
I didn’t know why I did it, perhaps instinct, but I did what I thought was proper. The fur on our neck met each other as I leaned my head to her, and I nuzzled her. She accepted it, thankfully. And after what felt like an eternity of bliss, we broke off.
A blush quickly took over my face, and I heard her giggle. Once more, Pinkie’s exuberance proved to be infectious, and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling as we sat on the reserved cushions.
“Did you do this just by yourself?” I asked, curious as I peeked into the basket. Neatly cut sandwiches, various cakes, and a bottle of punch fit snuggly in there. It looked delicious.
“Oh yeah!” she nodded excitedly. “This my first for planning a first date. Usually I do parties, and usually they’re for everypony...” she trailed off for a moment, looking almost hesitant, before suddenly returning to her normal self. “And never for me. This is something new,” she gave me a glance. “I hope it’s not bad?”
Catching her look, I gave her an apologetic shrug. “I wouldn’t know,” I admitted. “The closest thing I have for a date is from those romance novels that I rarely read.”
“Aww.”
I giggled. Couldn’t help myself. “At least this one is a special one, right?”
She nodded after a moment of pondering. Opening the basket, she took out the contents out in the open. Soon, the picnic blanket was filled with various sorts of food; from hay sandwich, to clover sandwich and from baked goods like cupcakes to muffins.
“They all look good,” I told her, gulping the saliva that pooled within my mouth.
“Thank you,” she giggled. “You don’t know how long I was looking for a good first date dinner! Rarity told me something fancy, and Dashie told me to bring something filling, and I just mix them up and over and down!”
I felt my left ear itch again, and I had to mentally slap my hoof to prevent it from scratching. I glanced behind me, and still, there was nopony there. Shrugging mentally, I chuckled lightly. “These all look tasty,”
I was about to taste one egg sandwich before a sudden sound entered the otherwise silent atmosphere. It was a familiar noise, music to be exact, and my eyes bulged as I looked up to see the source of said noise, sitting on the roots of the tree.
“Lyra?!”
She gave me a smile, waving a hoof at me, before continuing her lyre.
I looked at Pinkie, and I saw the largest grin I had seen placed on her face. “What.”
She giggled. “Rarity told me that music is always important for a date, just like in a party. I asked Lyra since she’s the only one not too busy.”
No surprise there. Lyra was never busy. Or at least, not explicitly busy. She spent almost the entirety of her days playing in the park, usually alone, usually accompanied by Bon Bon leaning her head against her shoulder.
I felt another itch, but I ignored it as I nodded my head. “Yeah, music is important. And I’m sure Lyra needs to do something other than playing in the park.” I said wistfully.
I heard a choking noise and a twang on the lyre, before it continued. Pinkie and I laughed, and we ate the prepared food. Small talks were engaged, and we shared several things for each other as Lyra played in the background. Stuffs I never knew of Pinkie, and stuffs I hoped she never knew of me.
Nearing to the end of the dinner, I felt my left ear’s itch increasing, and I frowned as my hoof went to scratch it. Every scratch, only made it itchier, but I couldn’t stop from scratching it. I growled under my throat.
“What’s wrong?”
Pinkie gave me a concerned stare, and I grimaced. “It’s nothing.” I lied. It was itchier than usual, but I forced my hoof down back to the ground.
She gave me a look that said she didn’t believe me. “Really?”
I nodded seriously, my left ear twitched to get rid of the itch by itself. “Really.”
She raised her brow, and leaned forward. “Really, really?”
I resorted in splaying my ear to the back, scrapping it against my head as I nodded again. “Really, really.”
“Really, really, really?”
I twitched, the itch just got worse despite my effort to quell it. I sighed in resignation as my hoof went up to scratch it. Shaking my head, I said, “No, not really. It just got so itchy. Usually, it’s not this worse.”
She blinked, her eyes narrowed at the castle, made a strange gesture with her hoof, and the itch suddenly died down.
“Uhh, what?” I blinked, letting my hoof down. “What did you do?”
She gave me a smile, and leaned forward until I could feel her breath warming my face. Then she pecked my lips.
So startled was I, that my hooves flailed about, and I fell on my back. “W-what?” I blushed. “W-what?!”
I heard a giggle, two giggles, and a pink voice whispered into my head. “Secret.”
I groaned and angled my head to look at the smiling pony by my side. A thought came to me as I stared at her infectious expression. “Does this mean we’re a pair?”
She giggled, and nodded her head. “Yep.”
“Well,” I said, feeling a goofy smile forming as I turned to the moon. “Next one’s my plan.”