Clementine and Slip Wing stare out the window of the train, seeing the shine of the crystal kingdom getting closer and closer, and their excitement raises by the second, knowing that it won’t be long now until they are able to set hoof on the beautiful kingdom once more. It’s been months since they last visited Dawning Shield in his own home, and even longer when they went together.
Normally, they would arrive separately, but not this time. This is also the first time they are able to go without the supervision of their parents, though Matt and Applejack did demand Slip Wing to swear that he would do whatever possible to keep Clementine safe on their journey.
Slip Wing didn’t have to think very hard about the oath, making the famous Pinkie Swear without accidentally poking his eye in the process.
What makes this visit particularly special, is that Clementine and Slip Wing will finally be able to meet his friend, Allotrope; a pony and changeling hybrid whom Dawning Shield couldn’t stop talking about during their thirteenth birthday party. The Prince spun tales of a kind and gentle spirit, who he loved to spend time with whenever possible; but she was also extremely shy, to the point where she wouldn’t go outside into the city unless cloaked.
Slip Wing and Clementine could tell right away that their friend has found himself admiring this unique creature in more ways than one, and even teased him for it, but the Prince could not deny his feelings for her, despite his hesitance on telling her directly.
“We’re here!” Clementine says enthusiastically, hopping off her seat and barreling towards the door.
“Slow down, Clem!” Slip Wing calls out with a laugh. Even with his strong wings, the Pegasus has trouble keeping up with the Earth Pony.
The two collect their bags and hop off the train as if it was going to start moving again, nearly running into the Train Conductor in the process. He notices them quickly, able to get out of their way before they could possibly do some harm. He calls out with gasps and noises of struggling balance, but he keeps his hoofing.
“Sorry!” Slip Wing calls back to him.
“No worries!” The Conductor waves, “Everything’s fine over here!” His smile soon disappears when a unicorn stallion carrying a slurpee cup walks into him, splashing the drink over his uniform. The two exchange an awkward glance, before the Conductor delivers a well timed “Really?”
The friends barrel their way into the kingdom, bypassing all the sights and sounds. They’ve been to the Crystal Empire enough times to know that if there was something new in the color or architecture of the kingdom, they would know immediately. The new addition resides within the castle, where Dawning Shield is no doubt waiting for them with great anticipation.
The young Prince waits in the halls outside of Allotrope’s room, patiently tapping his hoof on the crystal floor for her to come out. He knocked on her door five minutes ago, asking if she was ready. Allotrope replied with the standard issue “one second,” but one second soon became three hundred seconds. Nevertheless, Dawning Shield stayed; not getting angry or frustrated with his timid friend.
“Allie?” Dawning Shield called out politely, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” Allotrope answers from behind the door. She’s incredibly close to the door, that Dawning feels like she’s right in front of him. “I’m just…I don’t know…”
Dawning, using his magic, slightly opens the door to see a glimpse of Allotrope standing mere inches away. She gasps, stepping backwards into her dark room. However, no protest from her for Dawning opening the door, so he persists, opening it up fully to see her dimly lit room, with seldom lighting.
Despite her dark coat, seeing Allotrope in the room was quite easy for the Prince, and he steps in with gentle and friendly intentions, stepping closer to her blushing face and darting eyes.
“Allie…what’s wrong?”
“Nothing…” she looks back at him briefly, “Oh, you don’t believe me, don’t you?”
“Slightly.” Dawning smirks. “It’s okay to be nervous, but Clementine and Slip are going to love you. I guarantee it.”
“But…what if they don’t?” Allotrope says quietly. “They haven’t seen somepony like me. What if…they hate me?”
“Allie…” Dawning shakes his head. “It’s been a year since you came here, and you’re STILL worried about this?”
“I can’t help it. I’m so…different.”
“Everypony you’ve come into contact with has said nothing but good things about you. Besides, Queen Chrysalis has visited this place many times, and is good friends with Clementine’s Mother and Father. They think very highly of her.”
“But, she’s not a hybrid like myself, and the ponies that like me here consists of your parents, Guards, and other castle staff.”
“So? Many is better than none at all. Don’t think so negatively, Allie.” Dawning places a hoof on her shoulder, nearly hesitating before doing so. “Everpony here loves you, and my friends will too.”
“Everypony loves me?” A small glimmer of hope in Allotrope’s eyes goes off. “Does…does that mean…YOU…love me?”
“I…” Dawning Shield’s cheeks go red at the question. Now he’s the nervous one. “I mean…Umm…” he scratches the back of his mane. “I…love you as much as the next pony does. I…I love you like my parents do.”
“That’s…so wonderful.” Allotrope beams, lurching forward and giving Dawning a hug. Unbeknownst to her, Dawning Shield has now become as red as a tomato, not feeling this embrace from her in a long while, and the warmth from her coat and gentle breathing has made him more than a little flustered.
In truth, the Prince loves her more than just as a mere friend, but even a colt as regal as he is, is not immune to feelings of nervousness and lacking in confidence. He’s never asked her of the extent of her changeling genes; if she can feel that he loves her in a romantic way, and not platonic. Instead, he has told himself that she cannot sense how he truly feels, and believes wholeheartedly that he is correct in his assumption.
Slip Wing and Clementine valiantly charge at the door to the Crystal Castle, with a lone guard named Flash Sentry standing at the stairway leading to the massive door. Noticing the rapidly approaching foals, he stands in the way of their progress, not breaking his look of pride in his duty.
The two friend screech to a halt in front of Flash Sentry, and instantly bounce around excitedly, explaining their situation to the unemotive crystal pony. To them, they are being as articulate as possible. To the Guard…
“ASDFGHJKLKJHGFDSWEDRUIJKOLPOKJHGFCDXFVGBHJNKLOIUYTRFGIKLODAWNINGSHIELD!” Was all he got. Only the tail end utterance of the Prince’s name caught his attention.
“Wait a minute, slow down!” Flash Sentry breaks his silence and cool. “One of you please say something, preferably in a language that I can understand.”
Clementine and Slip look at each other, confused at the Guard’s request. They shrug and both step up to say something. They look back, realizing that both of them stepped forward. Clementine holds a hoof out, Slip holds his wing out.
Rock, Paper, Scissors, shoot.
Clementine has rock, Slip has paper.
The two stare, with Clementine grimacing that they even played the game in the first place, as she has no choice but to summon rock one hundred percent of the time. If only she was a unicorn.
Slip steps up to Flash.
“Apologies for the rabble rousing, good stallion.” Slip attempts to sound like a well-spoken pony. “But my friend and I have a prior engagement with Prince Dawning Shield, and his ward Allotrope.”
“Please…don’t try to sound regal ever again.” Flash says bluntly. “Still, the Prince did mention that you two would be coming. Slip Wing and Clementine, I presume?”
“Yes indeed, good Stallion.” Slip responds.
“Please, stop. You can talk to me normally. You may pass.” the Guard steps aside. “Welcome to the Crystal Castle.”
“Cool. Thanks, dude.” Slip nods, trotting up the stairs.
Clementine stays behind, walking up to the Guard. She holds back a snicker, before…
“Mah dear Guard. Y’all look mighty parched. Would ya mind if ah brought ya a spot of honey tea?”
Flash Sentry glares at her for her attempt to sound like a prim and proper pony. After a couple of long and slightly suspenseful seconds of a stare down, a smile creeps upon his face.
“Oh, darn it. I can’t stay mad at that accent.” He shakes his head. “No, thank you Ma’am, I’m good.”
Clementine giggles, going up the stairs to reunite with a surprised Slip Wing.
“How did you get him to smile like that?”
“It’s all in the good ol’ southern drawl, mah friend. Never fails.” she says proudly, trotting past his smiling expression.
“No, it does not.” Slip says, impressed.
The two friends get inside the castle. It’s marvelous architecture and shiny walls are old news, much like the kingdom itself. They look around the lobby to find their friend and their new potential friend, but all they see are other Guards standing at attention or walking the halls in their militarized and organized manner, with some taking the time to welcomingly nod at the arriving guests.
“Ya think we’re a bit early?” Clementine asks.
Just then, Dawning Shield appears at the top of the steps, smiling at seeing his two friends. Slip sees him first, poking Clementine on the shoulder to signal that he sees Dawning Shield. The little farmpony looks up and beams at the sight of seeing her friend once again.
“Dawnin’!” Clementine calls out, “Hey!”
The Guards standing by the staircase bow to their Prince, who gestures for them to stand, as he continues to be not used to such an act done towards him. With a flick of his hoof, the Guards are at ease, and move away to other locations and tasks. Once they are out of sight, Dawning Shield is able to put his attention on the new arrivals.
“Wow…very Princely.” Slip Wing jests.
“Yeah, it was something Mom taught me.” Dawning Shield chuckles. “It’s so good to see you guys. How was the trip?”
“It was good; it’s always good!” Clementine sounds impatient. “So, come on! Show me the pretty pony!”
The blush Dawning Shield displayed when talking to Allotrope earlier comes back with a vengeance, as out of the sight of the foals is Allotrope, waiting in the halls for Dawning to give her the signal to arrive. Allotrope feels flattered at the utterance, with a cutely giggle leaving her mouth, and catching the attention of the embarrassed Dawning Shield, whose heart bounces upon hearing her light laugh.
With a clearing of the throat, Dawning lifts up a hoof, signaling Allotrope to come forwards to introduce herself.
“I present to you…Miss Allotrope.” Dawning Shield bows, as Allotrope appears in their field of vision.
Dawning’s tales of her beauty were undersold for the two friends, as they both dropped their jaws at the perfect mix between pony and changeling. Everything that can be beautiful about each species put together into one flawless being. Allotrope puts on her best smile, but she also slightly turns her head away in nervousness, causing her mane to cover half her face, which only makes her even more desirable to everypony in the room.
Her eyes glide over to the gulping Dawning Shield, as she is seemingly unaware of the attraction he has for her.
“You told them I was pretty?” she whispers.
“Y-yeah. I di-did.”
“You’re too kind.” She smiles her fang baring smile, which only makes the Prince’s heart flutter even further; just about increasing his risk of an imminent heart attack. It also doesn’t help matter that Allotrope has now realized her mane is on half her face, and she slowly pushes it back around her ear.
Clementine is in awe of her looks, but a slight hint of jealously crosses her face, when she turns to see Slip Wing attempting to collect his jaw from the castle floor. That sight stung more than she thought it would.
Allotrope and dawning Shield walk down the steps together in unison, stopping at the now composed Clementine and Slip Wing, who have regressed from being distracted by beauty, and more like normal pony folk who are there for a regular visit.
“Hello.” Allotrope speaks for the first time to them; with the two instantly catching on that her voice is very much similar to a changeling’s manner of speech, with her voice sounding like two ponies talking at once. Very alien, but very alluring. “Dawning has told much about you two. I am honored to be in your presence.” She takes a bow.
Slip and Clementine look at each other, wondering if they should do the same. Cautiously, the two bow with her in respect, and the three raise their heads simultaneously.
“Dawn has told a lot about you, too.” Clementine says, “We wished we saw ya at the party.”
“Yes, I…” Allotrope blushed, “I wasn’t sure how the others would take to me. Judging how you two have reacted, however, I guess it would have been fine.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” Clementine chuckles, giving Slip a friendly prod. “We’ve never seen anythin’ like ya, and ah mean that in a good way.”
“I can tell.” Allotrope looks over at Slip; her eyes seemingly scanning him up and down. “Slip, there’s no need to be nervous around me. It is I who should be nervous around you two.”
“Nervous…me? No…I….” he glances over at Clementine, noting her raised right eyebrow. “Not nervous at all.” The Pegasus regains his composure well. “You shouldn’t be nervous either, Allotrope. As Dawning Shield’s best friends, it is our duty to show you what it’s like being friends with Clem and I.” With a heightened sense of confidence, Slip wraps a foreleg around Clementine, pulling her to his side in an embrace-like manner. “We hope that you are up for the experience.”
“Yeah…” Clementine says, before whispering “So soft…”
“I see…” Allotrope giggles again, “Well, who am I to decline such a potentially wonderful experience?” she turns to Dawning Shield. “Lead the way, Dawning Shield.”
Dawning Shield struts past her, beckoning her and his friends to follow suit. He turns his head to them, smiling at the day ahead for them. Dawning opens the door, and the light shines into the castle, brightening the already sparkling decor of the palace.
“Wait…” Allotrope stops them, running up the stairs out of sight. Seconds pass, and Allotrope returns with a cloak on, hiding most of her appearance. “Okay, I’m ready.
Dawning Shield feels compelled to tell her to take the cloak off, and remind her that she is with friends. However, he stops himself, not wanting to put any pressure on her.
The group walks down the steps of the castle, and head towards the train station.
“Today…we go to Neighagra Falls.” he finally says after minutes of silence.
“WOOHOO!” Clementine jumps for joy at the news. “Time fer some good ol’ fashioned swimmin’! Good thing, too, this heat is killin’ me!”
“Swimming?” Allotrope wonders. “But…I don’t have a bathing suit.”
“What do we need bathing suits for?” asks Clementine, but she then notes the concern on Allotropes face. “Then again, ah guess it can’t hurt ta get some on the way to the station.”
“No problem.” Dawning is undeterred by the detour. “There’s a good shop over on Diamondback Street.”
Dawning Shield and Slip Wing wait outside the store Sports Kingdom; a shop dedicated to all kinds of popular spots, but the one that is most important today is swimming. The Pegasus and the Prince have already bought their respective swim trunks, so all that’s left is for Clementine and Allotrope to make their selections.
The two catch up on current events, which runs out fairly quickly, as it’s only been a month since they last saw each other. Ten minutes becomes twenty, as they continue to wait for the mares to emerge with their desired clothing.
“What’s taking them so long?” Slip wonders.
“There’s mares, dude. They always take forever when it comes to clothes. Even swimsuits.”
“I know that, but…it’s a swimsuit. All it has to do is cover the body, that’s all. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, or be outfitted with flashing lights.”
“You can’t blame them for wanting a specific style. Then there’s also size. Maybe they’ll find one they like, but it’s too big, or too small.”
“That’s true. Having a really small swimsuit can be uncomfortable. Constricting movement…compressing the coat and skin….” Slip’s mind begins to wander towards some unexpected places. “…showing off things they don’t want to show off…yet…”
The two stand in silence, as they look off in different directions, staring off into space and other parts unknown. Passerby’s look on at the two colts, standing wordlessly outside the store, looking more like statues than living, breathing stallions.
Inside the store, Clementine and Allotrope are in the dressing room area, inside their separate stalls that are next to each other. Grunts of effort and struggle are heard inside Clementine stall, while Allotrope tries on her potential suits with relative ease.
The hybrid looks at herself in the mirror, as she wears a green swimsuit that matches her eyes. It’s a pleasing and flattering suit that causes the young mare to smirk in appreciation, before disappointment settles in at the small stack of other, just as impressive selection of outfits.
Allotrope hears Clementine smack herself against the wall, eliciting another groan of frustration.
“Gosh darn it!” Clementine is heard.
“Are you okay in there. Clementine?”
“Yeah. Ah just…ah keep getting suits that are too tight. They’re hard to put on, and almost impossible ta take off! Ya have it easy, with yer magic and all.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Allotrope giggles. “There’s still so much I have to learn. Cadance has been helping me with some more complicated spells. At my old home, I didn’t have much use for magic, other than picking berries.”
“How are ya likin’ it at the castle?” Clementine steers clear of asking Allotrope about her family, as Dawning gave her the story that her parents are gone. “Everypony treatin’ ya okay?”
“Oh, yes. They’ve all been so wonderful. Cadance and Shining Armor have been very welcoming to me. Although, I wished there was more to do. I wanted to work with the servants; cleaning up the castle, or even cooking; I’m a very good cook. But, they wouldn’t let me. They told me that I was a resident, not a worker.”
“Why did ya want ta work at the castle?”
“Dawning saved my life. Without him, I wouldn’t be here. I wanted to repay him; work for him to make up for the burden.”
“Burden? Dawnin’ doesn’t think of ya as a burden. He thinks the world of ya.”
“I know. All he asked of me was to be his friend. Truth be told, I feel happy just being around him.” Allotrope smiles at the memories of being with Dawning. “Just seeing him makes me feel stronger, like I could do anything.”
“Uh-oh. Does somepony have a crush?” Clementine asks teasingly.
“A crush? What is that? A type of drink?”
“No, silly. A crush is when yer in loovvvve…..” she ups the ante on the teasing.
“Oh…” Allotrope blushes at the thought. “I…I guess when you put it that way…yes…I am in love with him.”
“Yes!” Clementine shouts in celebration. “Does he know?”
“No.” she shakes her head, even though Clementine can’t see it. “He can’t know. Not ever.”
“Wait…” Clementine ceases her little happy dance, getting closer to the wall to listen in. “What do ya mean he can’t know?”
“I…” Allotrope shakes her head in disbelief that she’s telling somepony that she’s just met her biggest secret. “He’s…royalty. He’s regal. He’s handsome. He deserves somepony like that.”
“Handsome? Ah think Dawnin’ is inta mares.”
“You know what I mean, Clementine.” Allotrope gets serious in tone. “He deserves somepony that’s like him. A mare that is royalty. I’m not that. The things ponies will say; I can’t put him through that displeasure. I can only be his friend, and nothing more than that.”
“But…”
“Please, Clementine. Don’t tell Dawning I said this. He wouldn’t understand.”
“Allie…” Clementine is close. She wants to tell her that Dawning is obviously in love with her; she could tell whenever Dawning spoke of her at the birthday party. Nothing would make him happier than to find that the changeling hybrid he has cared for during the past year also has romantic feelings for him. However… “Okay. Yer secret is safe with me.” Clementine resigns herself to keeping Allotrope’s secret.
“Thank you.” Allotrope smiles and nods an unseen nod. She looks back at herself in the mirror, noting the swimsuit once more. “I think I found a good suit.”
Outside, Dawning Shield and Slip Wing continue to stand in silence, until Allotrope and Clementine finally exit the store, with their bags on their waist straps. They notice the colts being unresponsive to their arrival.
“Um…hello?” Clementine says after seconds of quiet.
Dawning and Slip flinch out of their minds to see the mares staring right at them. The two immediately begin clearing their throats, brushing their manes back, and attempting – and failing – to act well composed and cool.
“Oh, hey.” Slip speaks. “We were just…um…”
“Staring at the clouds.” Dawning chimes in.
“Yeah! We were staring at the clouds to see if they looked like anything. Um…” Slip spots a peculiar cloud in the sky. “See? Look! That cloud looks like a taco!”
“Really?” Clementine looks up at the cloud. It certainly does look like a taco. “Wow, yer right. But, no more time for games. We gotta catch the train to Rainbow Falls!”
“Okay, let’s go!” Dawning says with enthusiasm.
The two mares walk on ahead, as Dawning and Slip look at each other and then hoof bump to celebrate their victory in fooling the unaware Allotrope and Clementine.
The trip over to Rainbow Falls was an uneventful one, with the friends discussing future events, such as Clementine and Slip Wing starting high school soon, and the classes that they will attend. They express their disappointment that the only class they share together is Physical Education, which they assume will be a cakewalk, as they consider themselves to be in top physical condition for their age.
The train makes its timely stop at the fabled falls, and the friends gallop out to head for one of the many lakes that populate the land. It doesn’t take long for them to find a lake that looks not only clean and majestic, but also lacking in other ponies that could spoil their fun.
Clementine and Allotrope walk away to put on their bathing suits, while Slip and Dawning get into their trunks quickly. The mares on the other hoof, take a total of five minutes to get dressed, which confuse the colts, as it took all of five seconds for them to get ready.
Finally, Clementine emerges from the bushes, wearing a red swimsuit that covers everything but her forelegs and back legs. It’s a good fit for her, and easy to move around in.
“Oh hey, I forgot you came with us.” Slip teases.
“Hey, even a mare like me needs ta look good.” Her boastfulness turns to a blush, when she asks “Do…do ah look good?” timidly.
“As good as you can look in a bathing suit.” Slip chuckles.
“Where’s Allotrope?” Dawning wonders.
“She was right next to me.” Clementine notices that Allotrope is still hiding in the bushes. “Allie, come on out of there!”
“I think this might be a mistake.” Allotrope calls out.
“Careful! There are poisonous bugs in those bushes!” Clementine jests, but…
“AHHH! NO!” Allotrope comes jumping out in a fright, revealing that she had chosen the form fitting green swimsuit. Dawning’s eyes widen to a near impossible degree, as Allotrope shakes her mane and tail around to rid herself of the nonexistent bugs. “Are there any on me? Get them off!”
“No, yer fine. Thanks for coming out, though.”
“What?” Allotrope looks to see Slip standing before her with a smirk. “Oh, sorry. That was embarrassing of me.”
“No. That’s okay.” Slip laughs it off. “You two chose well. No wonder it took a long time.”
“You like them?” Allotrope blushes, so does Clementine. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure.”
“What do you think, Daw—“ Slip notices that Dawning Shield isn’t next to him. “Dawning?” Slip looks around, trying to find where Dawning went off to. Looking to the lake, he finds Dawning already inside, with only his head visible, as the rest of him is submerged. “Dawning! You jumped in without us?”
“Huh?” Dawning is broken from an unknown trance. “Oh, umm…I wanted to test the water. Didn’t want it to be too hot or cold for you guys.”
“But it’s summer! It still would have been cold!”
“Yeah, usually. But…” his eyes dart, “It could have been different. Plus, there could have been a monster here, and I wanted to take care of it!”
“Now yer just makin’ things up!” Clementine laughs. “Geronimo!” she dives into the water with a loud and massive splash. Dawning swims away from her to avoid her bumping into him during her resurface. “This water’s great! Come on in, y’all!”
Slip and Allotrope look at each other with a smile and a nod, and they jump in laughing. Hitting the water simultaneously, the splash they create is much bigger than Clementine’s, with the small wave hitting the young farmpony, who laughs at being splashed.
Dawning Shield is still a few feet away from them.
The other three swim around, relaxing in the cold water, finding the temperature a comfortable contrast to the hot summer day. Slip uses his wings to perform backstrokes, as he lays on the water with a look of content and a smile.
Clementine tries to help Allotrope get used to being with friends, occasionally splashing her with water in a playful manner. The hybrid yelps at the sudden onset of water on her face, but she soon realizes what is happening. With an expression of mischief, she splashes Clementine back, and the two start to get into a splash fight, causing the two mares to giggle throughout their rambunctious roughhousing.
Dawning Shield is still a few feet away from them.
The prince soon joins in on the fun after a few minutes of floating by his lonesome, and they all play around for an hour; bouncing an inflatable ball that Slip brought, or playing a game of Marco Polo, which Clementine learned from her father.
Other ponies came by, but their visit was short lived, as the friends’ wild shenanigans was more than enough to drive them to a more peaceful part of the falls.
The sun starts to set on the falls, as Clementine and Allotrope relax in the water, looking up at the beautiful sky with a sense of peace on their faces. Bird and Pegasi soar through the sky, as the blue sky turns a dim orange, signifying the approach of dusk.
Slip Wing and Dawning Shield lay down on a hill by the shore, watching the mares in the water.
“We should do this more often.” Slip says.
“Agreed. A perfect end to the summer, if I do say so myself. So…what do you think of Allotrope?”
“She’s great.” Slip nods. “You told us that she’d be a bit shy, so that was no problem. Still, see seemed to get out of that shell pretty quickly.”
“That’s good to hear. I was a little worried.”
“How come?”
“You know, I wasn’t sure how she would feel going outside; especially to the falls. She never left the castle without her cloak. Now, there she is; relaxing in the water out in the open.”
“Her cloak is still in those bushes though.” Slip gestures to the nearby shrubs.
“Yeah, but foal steps.” Slip laughs. “I just want her to be comfortable.” Dawning stares upon Allotrope, and his smile soon begins to descend into one of longing. “I want her to be happy, Slip. I’ve never met anypony like her.”
“Dude, I know.”
“What?”
“It’s really not that hard to figure out that you love her. Especially the way you talk about her. Plus, when she came out in that bathing suit, you immediately dived into the water. You can’t hide what was really going on.”
“Oh.” Dawning blushes. “Sorry. I didn’t know what came over me.”
“Well, when a stallion is attracted to a mare, sometimes he…”
“Stop! I know THAT!” Dawning shoves Slip with a hoof. “I meant…”
“You don’t need to say any more. I don’t even want to think about it.” Slip chortles. “But, are you going to tell her?”
“I want to. I really do. But, I don’t know how she’s going to react.”
“What do you mean? A prince telling a mare that he loves her? That’s like every mare’s dream!”
“But she’s not any mare. She always looks down on herself; never thinks she’s better, but lower than the average pony. I’ve tried my best to tell her how special she is, but she still manages to convince herself that she’s inferior. She’s even tried to relegate herself to being a maid in the castle! I don’t want her to do that. I want her to…be with me.”
“Wow, you have it bad.”
“If I tell her, she might reject the notion; telling me that she’s not worthy of being in such a relationship. Maybe later down the line, but now…I can’t.” Dawning looks over at Slip with pleading eyes. “You won’t say anything, right?”
“Of course not.” Slip promises, doing a subtle variation of the Pinkie Swear. “I won’t say a thing. You can trust me.”
“Thanks, Slip.” Dawning goes back to relaxing.
Slip nods, understanding Dawning’s situation all too well. He looks back at the two mares in the water. Specifically…he looks at Clementine. Her expression of calm and peace warms his chest, as the rising moon creeps up behind the mountains, shining down on the farmpony. His small smile soon recedes, becoming much like Dawning’s when he was watching Allotrope.
“Dawning…you know that I love Clementine…right?”
“Dude, I know.”