For some reason, Twilight had been locked up in her room, and wouldn’t let Spike in. Knocking on the door once more, he wondered what she was doing.
“Uh Twilight? Are you sure you’re ok? I-I could cancel my date if you really want.” The offer was false, Spike would have to be incredibly worried to cancel it. However, it was simply polite to offer.
“I’ll be fine Spike, I’m going to see the doctor about it today. I just don’t want you to catch it, in case it’s contagious.” Lying was not something Twilight liked to do, but she didn’t want to be the cause of a second cancellation. Besides, the doctor would know the problem, so there was no point worrying Spike.
“Well… If you’re sure…” Pausing, Spike hesitated, glancing to his packed bag.
“Yep! Have fun Spike. And good luck!” Diving into her bed, Twilight pulled the blanket around her body. Just in case Spike decided to open the door anyway.
“Well, okay then. Goodbye…” Biting his lip as he picked up his bags, Spike shook away his worry. Twilight was a smart pony, if there was a problem, she wouldn’t hide it.
“Have fun!” Heaving a sigh of relief as she heard the dragon walking away, Twilight threw the blanket into one corner, and looked to the bed of feathers that had been created just from that movement.
“I’m sure everything’s fine,” she spoke to herself reassuringly.
Adjusting his tie, Spike checked his suit for any creases. Knocking on Rarity’s door, he smiled at the memory of ordering the suit. Rarity had made it a perfect fit, as always. Breathing in, he presented the flowers to the door, and waited for it to open.
“Just a minute, I’m putting my face on!” Calling down her reply, Rarity checked her bags, making sure she had an outfit for every day. Most of them weren’t all that special, excluding one that was for the dinner. Today, she was wearing a simple buttercup dress with a sun hat. Fashionable, and great for traveling in.
Opening the door, Rarity flicked her hair and fluttered her eyes, taking the roses and giving them a graceful sniff. Looking down to Spike, she gave a warm smile, and took a single bite from the bouquet.
“My favorite once again. And out of season too, how did you ever accomplish this?” Stepping outside, Rarity locked the door, placing a note on it.
“Roseluck saved them for me, I want this weekend to be perfect.” Stepping back, Spike began walking side by side with Rarity to the train station, nervous beyond compare.
“Well, you’re certainly dressed to impress. I’m amazed I never once considered you wanted that made for me.” Giving a chuckle, Rarity noticed the nervous laugh of Spike as he scratched the back of his head.
“Well, you were likely more focused on the fact you were making clothes for a dragon. You get very into your work.” Giving a warm smile, Spike noticed the raised eyebrow, and panicked slightly.
“Uh! T-That’s not a bad thing, I mean it like you get very into it and it’s amazing that you can be so absorbed in...your work.” Looking down, Spike twiddled his thumbs, and bit his lip.
“No need to be so nervous Spike, I know what you meant.” Chuckling, Rarity loved the timidness of Spike. It was so different from how he normally was. Sure, a lovestruck dragon was a sight on it’s own, but Rarity couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen anypony so nervous around her.
‘Come to think of it, my last time trying to date was Blueblood.’ Hiding her grimace, Rarity watched as Spike paid for their tickets.
’Has Spike always been such a gentlecolt?’ Taking a seat, Rarity looked at Spike as he sat down. It was obvious he was trying to think of conversation topics. Rarity looked out the window, waiting to see what topic he decided on.
“So hows your latest garment going? I noticed you’ve been very secretive about it.” Topic chosen, Spike showed his interest, and waited for a response. Raising an eyebrow, Rarity gave a sly smile, and returned to looking out the window. She had taught him well.
“Well, I finished it just in time for our weekend. So that means you’ll be seeing it very soon.” Watching as the train left the station, she turned her attention to Spike.
“Well I can’t wait, I’m sure it will be almost as beautiful as you.” Giving a warm smile, Spike simply took in Rarity.
“Well played Spike. Well played.” Chuckling, Rarity waited only seconds before Spike launched into another topic.
“So did you hear about Coco Pommel’s new fashion line?”
Arriving in Canterlot, Rarity was shocked as Spike led them toward a hotel right beside the Castle. It was vibrant, flashy, and fancy. And it must have cost a fortune to book places for. Spike swiftly walked up to the counter, paying for their rooms, and taking the key. Following him upstairs, Rarity breathed in sharply, rushing toward the balcony overlooking Canterlot.
“It would have been too easy for me to get us rooms in the castle, but the fanciest hotels are right around it, so I choose this one. Is it okay?” Worried slightly, Spike placed their bags, that he had been carrying, on the table. Walking out to join Rarity on the balcony, he whistled, admiring the view.
“Oh Spike, this is...amazing.” While Rarity didn’t want to admit it, this was one of the most romantic things anypony had done for her. But to say it would give Spike false hope, something she couldn’t afford.
“Then I have succeeded in giving you a view that perfectly compliments you. I mean, you’re so more amazing that it brings into focus just how amazing you are by contrast.” Turning around, Spike opened his bags, pulling out a list of shops and stores along with restaurants. Glancing back, Rarity binked at how nonchalant he was after saying such things.
“Oh Spike…” Accidentally speaking aloud, Rarity watched as Spike pulled out a rose and placed it in his suit. Turning, he paused, and looked down once more. Holding out the papers, Rarity took them, going over the extensive list of places they could visit.
“We can have dinner here tonight, as our reservations are for tomorrow. Or you can pick any of these locations. There’s also plenty of jewelry and clothing shops in the area if you want to spend some time shopping before we eat.” Waiting patiently, Spike smiled. Glancing to the list, Rarity decided to test Spike once more.
“You know what Spike? You decide where we go. I’m sure you’ll pick the perfect locations for our evening.” Holding out the papers, Rarity watched as Spike shook his head.
“Rarity, my evening is perfect as long as it’s by your side. This weekend is about making it as perfect for you as being beside you is to me. I couldn’t possibly pick for you.” Completely open eyes, sincere response, Spike was telling the truth. Sighing, Rarity looked over the many places, wishing, not for the first time, that Spike was a pony.
“Alright, let’s go eat, and then shop for the rest of the night.”
“Your order?” Looking to the strange couple, the waiter made no comment. Ordering swiftly, Spike looked to Rarity.
“I’ll have whatever he’s having,” was her reply. Surprised, Spike glanced to the menu, and began to stutter about possibly changing his order. A white hoof gently pressed down on his mouth.
“That will be all Waiter,” she spoke, watching the waiter leave. After another moment, she removed her hoof.
“But Rarity, there were many more expensive dishes that you could have ordered. What about that dish that you said is your favorite not five minutes ago?” Pointing to the menu, Spike scratched his head.
“Well, I want to see if we have similar tastes. And what you ordered sounds interesting.” Winking, Rarity wondered just what clothes she should get while in Canterlot. Of course, she had no idea Spike was planning on buying every single one he was allowed for her.
“If you’re sure,” replied Spike, striking up conversation as they waited for the meal. Upon arriving, he picked up the utensils, using knowledge imprinted on him by Rarity to eat with as much grace as he could muster.
“Spike, we need to talk…” There was no point in delaying it, Rarity had decided. With how much work Spike was putting into making her night as perfect as possible, sooner would be better than later. Pausing in his meal, Spike placed his utensils down.
“Spike, this will never work. Us. Us will never work.” Placing a hoof on his shoulder, Rarity felt guilty for having to do this.
“What? Why? Is it the meal? I can order you something else!” Raising a claw to bring the waiter back over, Spike watched as Rarity pushed it back down gently.
“Spike, I’m a pony, you're a dragon. We’re too different. It could never work.” It was the truth. Rarity knew that while she wasn’t planning on having kids, it was something she wanted open. A Princess had to continue the bloodline, after all.
“That doesn’t stop Mules from being born,” muttered Spike under his breath. Blinking, he stood up on the chair, leaning over the table towards Rarity.
"Rarity, what's the real reason." Narrowing his eyes, Spike waited. Grimacing, Rarity sighed, closing her eyes.
"Spike, you're just a kid..." Looking away, Rarity felt guilty immediately after saying it. It was true, but after Twilight and Spike's fight, she didn't want to cause more conflict. Spike sat back down.
"A kid huh, so you think that too," he sighed, looking down to his claw.
"You know Rarity, I'm only a few years younger than Twilight." Looking at her seriously in the eyes, Spike wondered how long they had seen him as such.
"Yes, but how young in dragon years Spike?" Looking away, Rarity shifted in her seat as she messed with her hair.
"..." Spike looked at Rarity, and closed his eyes, giving a sigh. Standing up, he pulled out the money to pay for their meal, counting it out.
"I guess I should have expected such an answer. Enjoy your meal. I'll return to Ponyville in the morning so you can enjoy your weekend in privacy." Turning, Spike began to leave. Watching him go, Rarity noticed the slight smudging of his makeup as he rubbed his eye.
"Wait." Rarity held out a hoof, grabbing Spike by the shoulder. To see Spike using makeup just like she had shown him only further added to how far he was willing to go for her. Didn’t everypony deserve a chance? Rarity picked up her fork, and took a bite of her food. It was delicious, how had she never tried this before?
“Alright Spike, one chance. But don’t think for one second I’m going easy on you.” Pointing her fork at him, Rarity raised an eyebrow. Breathing in, Spike broke out into a smile that Rarity had seen only a few times. One time being when she had said yes.
“Of course not! Oh Rarity, thank you so much! I’ll prove to you I can treat you right. I will make this weekend the most perfect night of your life, or die trying!” Determined, Spike once more picked up his utensils, and began eating. Chuckling, Rarity admired how adorable Spike was as he tried to keep himself from devouring the entire dish in one bite.
’I really hope I don’t regret this decision’
“Well Miss Sparkle, the results of your physical are inconclusive. Your symptoms don’t match any common Pegasus disease. As such, we are going to take blood and urine samples, and send them to Canterlot to get it tested. I would advise planning a trip to see them sooner rather than later.” Placing the clipboard on the table, the doctor brought his hooves together in contemplation.
“How long will the samples take to get there?” Worry painted over her face, Twilight looked to her wing, where only a few feathers remained. It was like a triangle of skin with a claw on the end. One part of her mind found it fascinating to see what her wing looked like without feathers. The other part was more worried about why.
“Two to three days. I’d like to wrap a bandage around your waist and bind your wings for safety, unless you have any objections.” Standing up, the doctor opened up a cabinet, removing a large roll of bandage. Glancing down, Twilight sighed, biting her lip.
“No objections, go ahead doctor.” Standing still, Twilight winced as the bandage was wrapped tightly around her waist. Keeping her breathing regular, she ignored the instinctive desire to take a deep breath and loosen the bandages. Stepping back, the doctor gave an encouraging smile.
“I will call the Canterlot Hospital and tell them to expect you.”