"Elusive? I need to talk to you." Dusk knocked on the door of the Canterlot Boutique. Today was the day he was going to give his approval. He heard some bustling behind the door, and it opened, revealing just the pony he wanted to talk to.
"Hello, Dusk! Come in, come in! You know, I must say Barbara has been very helpful lately. She really is deserving of the title Number One Assistant!" Elusive chattered on.
"Yeah, about her." Dusk said. "Elusive, we have to talk." He said seriously. Elusive looked at him. There were a couple of customers in the shop, so the unicorn ushered his friend to the back.
"Dusk Shine?"
"Elusive. These past few weeks you and Barbara have developed a romance, yes?"
Elusive nodded.
"I just want to say. You have my approval to take her to the dance. And… if this turns out to be you just using her, then--"
"Dusk, I would never!" Elusive said. "Barbara is my one true love! My gem, if you will."
"Good. Because I'll make you regret it if you hurt her." Dusk said.
"Eheheh, I wouldn't dream of it!" The unicorn said nervously.
"She's like my little sister. I just don't want her to get hurt."
"Well you don't have to worry. I'll keep her safe." Elusive said. Dusk smiled. They walked back to the front door. "I made her a dress you know."
"She told me." Dusk smiled. "Thank you."
"It was no trouble! This is rather off topic but, have you noticed Apple Jack has been acting strange?"
"Yeah. You noticed too? He came to the castle asking for Barbs, but I told him she was with you, and then he looked all upset." Dusk said. "I wondered what it was about, but before I could ask if he was alright, he had already run off."
"That's the strangest thing! He was at the Boutique a couple of weeks ago, asking for Barbara as well. He was all flustered. Well whatever's troubling him, I hope he's sorted it out by now." Elusive said.
"Yeah, I haven't seen him since." Dusk added. "Well, we'll see him at the dance. Did you know Berry has a date now?"
"No! Who is the lucky mare?"
"Panini came back to town, specifically looking for him, it seems! Anyways with a bit of matchmaking, I finally got Berry to brave up and ask her, and she said yes! It was quite the scene."
Elusive chuckled. "Well I'm glad! Congratulations to him!"
The two stallions gossiped for a while, before Dusk headed back to the castle.