The restaurant Rarity had chosen wasn’t as fancy as any of Canterlot’s. It wasn’t even the fanciest in Ponyville. It was, however, Rarity’s favorite that didn’t employ a close friend. Their waitress, a turquoise Pegasus, had already taken their orders.
She still could not stop smiling. She was on a date, a legitimate date, with Fancy Pants himself. She was still in a fit of disbelief.
“Here you are!” Their waitress announced, placing the plates in front of them. “Would you like anything else?”
“I think we’re good,” Rarity answered.
“Enjoy your meal!” she said before whisking off to another table.
Rarity watched carefully as Fancy Pants picked up a fork in his magic before spearing it into his salad. She watched his face as he chewed, looking for signs of what he was thinking. When he smiled and happily picked up another forkful, she let go of the breath she wasn’t aware she was holding.
“Something on your mind?” he asked as she ate a forkful of her own meal.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” she assured. “I just, well, I wanted to know what you thought of the food.”
“Afraid I’ll dismiss it due to it not being my usual level?” He said, smirk apparent.
“It’s not that I expect you to be rude about it, but I-” she backpedaled.
“You’re used to Canterlot ponies dismissing anything not as ‘elite’ as they are,” he said. “There are quite a few exceptions.”
“I know,” she sighed. “You, of course, Fleur, Twilight and her family, most of the Royal Family. Really, most of Canterlot can be more open-minded once somepony knocks some sense into them. Ponyville has its exceptions as well, you know. We’re known for friendliness, but we do have a few ponies as bad as Canterlot’s worst. It’s just, sometimes ponies aren’t who they seem to be.”
“First impressions aren’t always indicative of a pony’s true self,” he agreed.
He was smirking again. Rarity knew he was referring to their first meetings, the lies she told, the disastrous garden party. She avoided eye contact and stared at her salad.
“I really am sorry about lying to you back then,” she said.
“You’ve already apologized a few times,” Fancy Pants said. “And I heard that your friend Applejack gave you a thorough lecture.”
“That’s one word for it,” she said. “I still have no idea what I was thinking with all that, or what I would say when someone finally called me out. I just-“
“You wanted us to like you,” he finished for her, “and you didn’t know if it was you we’d like. I do find it interesting though. After getting our attention with the fact that you were staying in the castle, you never mentioned any of your real accomplishments. No mention of you and your friends being the Elements of Harmony and saving Equestria twice or how you know the Princesses, not a word about that dragon you helped relocate, never even brought up other big name ponies like Hoity Toity or Photo Finish.”
“My own achievements didn’t seem like much,” she said, pushing her salad around the plate. “And I wasn’t going to use what they had done to push myself forward. It seems insane now, but I felt so desperate that I, well, you know how it went.”
“If we’re being truly honest here,” he said, “then I must tell you something. I knew the whole time you weren’t telling the truth.”
“What!” she exclaimed, her face turning bright red in embarrassment. “W-why didn’t you call me out in the first place?”
“Because I knew who you were,” he answered. “While, even today, not everypony knows you on sight, those who were up to date on major events like that could tell. You told me your name and that you were staying at the castle, which was enough for me to know about your adventures as an Element of Harmony. An Element of Harmony would not lie without an incredible guilt. I knew you were a good pony at heart, and I wanted to give you the chance to show it for what it truly is.”
“Not many ponies are given a second chance,” she said.
“I’m glad I did,” he said. “If I hadn’t, I would not have met the true you, and we would not be here on this date.”
She was grinning like an idiot again. She used to think couples looked silly when they did that; the dopey smiles throughout the meal, laughing at simple jokes that aren’t truly funny, things of that sort. It made a bit more sense to her, now that she was part of one of those couples. They were only interrupted by their waitress, refilling their drinks and asking if they needed anything more.
With their time running short, their meal was finished and paid for. They headed through the building and out the door. Fancy Pants was just beginning to ask which way to go when somepony called out to them.
“Wait a minute! Sir!” it was the waitress, the turquoise Pegasus.
“Is something the matter?” he asked her.
“I think you might have used the wrong Bits,” she answered. “Er, for my tip. There was a hundred Bit coin on the table. Surely you must have gotten the wrong coin from your wallet.”
“No, that is the correct one,” he said. “You were an excellent waitress.”
“I-I, well, but,” she stammered. “Thank you, but I can’t accept this much! It’s way more than your bill was!”
“I insist,” he said. “You deserve it.”
”Are you sure?” she asked again. He nodded. “Thank you. Thank you so much!”
The mare thanked him again before hurrying back into the restaurant. As if nothing happened, he looked to Rarity once more, asking which way to go.
“That was incredibly generous of you,” Rarity said, leading him down the correct road.
“Well, you are the expert!” Fancy Pants replied, smirking again.
“Quite true,” she laughed. “Still, that’s going to help her an awful lot.”
“Do you know her?” he asked.
“Sort of,” she answered. “Her name’s April Showers. Living in a town like Ponyville, well, you know everyone. I might not know each one’s likes, dislikes, and favorite party food like Pinkie Pie does, but I know their names, their families, their usual friend circles, where they work. You can tell when they’re having a bad day. It’s incredibly difficult to live here and not learn things like that. It’s even more difficult to live here without everypony in town knowing it about you.”
“You weren’t kidding when you said everypony would notice if you went without makeup,” he said. “Canterlot is much different. Most ponies could go their entire lives not knowing the name of the stallion they pass on the street every morning. At what point do you think they’ll be talking about us?”
“If I know Pinkie Pie,” she began, “then when I come back I’m getting a ‘congratulations on your first date with Fancy Pants’ party. She’d throw it earlier, but it would interrupt the date. By the time we get on the train to Canterlot, the entire town will know exactly what has happened today.”
“That system must be great for emergencies,” he said.
“Were it an emergency,” she said, “it would take less than half an hour. It’s closer to twenty minutes if you don’t count the time it takes to get to Fluttershy or the Apple family who live on the outskirts.”
“Incredible!” he exclaimed.
“If I’m correct,” she began, “since we passed Berry Punch’s bar on the way to eat, she has already gone to pick up her daughter, gossiped about us with Cheerilee, and managed to let both students and parents eavesdrop on them.”
Sure enough, Rarity spotted the two mares as soon as the school was in sight. Berry saw them as well, and turned Cheerilee’s attention towards them before giving a friendly wave. She spotted Berry’s daughter, Ruby, playing with Sweetie Belle’s group, about eleven foals running around in some kind of game.
They arrived just in time to see Alula trip and send them all rolling into a big pile of limbs. Sweetie Belle, who was luckily near the top of the pile, made eye contact with Rarity and gave an embarrassed wave before pulling herself up. She said quick goodbye, saying that she’d see them all in half an hour, and ran over to them.
“Hi, Rarity! Good afternoon, Mr. Fancy Pants!” she greeted. Judging by her grin and the fact that she didn’t question why Fancy Pants was there, Rarity could guess that she eavesdropped on Berry Punch as well.
“You seem to be having fun,” she said. “Are all of you going to that sleepover tonight?”
“Not exactly,” she said. “Well, we’re all going, but the boys can’t stay the night, and Dinky has a doctor appointment in the morning so she has to go home too.”
“You did tell Redheart exactly how many of you are coming?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah!” she answered. “Well, Scootaloo did. I think. She knows it’s more than usual because we made sure to bring Diamond Tiara, and if we bring Diamond we have to bring Silver Spoon.”
Rarity resisted the thought to roll her eyes at how unprepared Redheart probably was for tonight. Instead, she focused on the pink filly still running through the grass, the large white bandage still on her cheek. She shuddered at the memory of that small filly walking into her shop with that gash on her face.
“How is the dear doing?” she asked.
“As best as she can,” Sweetie Belle answered, shoulders drooping. “Diamond’s been staying out with us as long as she can before going home.”
“It’s only for a little longer,” she sighed. “Come on, let’s get your stuff and take you over to Redheart.”
Sweetie nodded before trotting down the road toward the Carousel Boutique, hop in her step. Rarity took one last glance to the field before following after.
“If I may intrude,” Fancy Pants began, startling her. She had nearly forgotten he was there. “May I ask what all that is about?”
“It’s not exactly something to discuss on a date,” she admitted. “Really, if Sweetie hadn’t mentioned it, I would never had brought it up and-“
“It’s quite alright,” he said, giving her cheek an affectionate nuzzle. “As much as I’d like to help, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. It’s just, I see how worried and scared it makes you and your sister, and if there’s anything I can do, I’d like to do it.”
“Thanks for that,” she said. “I’ll tell you about it after the date, or at least at a time when I can sit you down and give all the details.”
“Rarity! You’re going so slow!” Sweetie Belle yelled from the door to the boutique.
“Run up and make sure you have everything!” she shouted back.
Sweetie Belle was getting much better with her magic. By the time Rarity and Fancy Pants reached the door, she had already levitated most of her stuff to the ground level.
“You’re getting better at that!” Rarity complimented. “Less than a year ago you could barely lift a broom!”
“I can lift Applebloom now!” she exclaimed, bringing the last item. Seeing the worried expression on her face she added, “I don’t lift her more than a foot off the ground! She’ll be fine!”
“That’s better,” she agreed. “But try not to levitate ponies unless you need to, alright? I wouldn’t want your grip to slip and hurt her. ”
“Okay,” she nodded. She sheepishly turned to Fancy Pants. “Sorry about this. If I were better at magic you wouldn’t have to pause your date. Then Rarity wouldn’t have to help me get all this over to Scootaloo’s.”
“No trouble at all,” he assured her with a smile. “I did surprise your sister with this date, after all.”
Rarity smiled and began picking up items in her magic. She took stock of what all Sweetie was bringing; her sleeping bag, a small stuffed dragon, another sleeping bag, a box of what looked to be craft supplies and Twilight’s old sleepover idea book. She reached out with her magic and grabbed her emergency overnight bag for herself while she was at it. Fancy Pant’s golden magic enveloped the boardgames and pillows and such that she hadn’t already picked up.
“Oh, you don’t have to get those if you don’t want to!” she said.
“I wouldn’t be a very good date if I let you carry all this alone,” he said.
“If you insist,” she relented.
After locking up the boutique, it was only a short trip to Redheart’s home. It would have been a short trip to anywhere in Ponyville, but she only lived a few streets over. Sweetie Belle had hurried and knocked on the door, letting Redheart open the door by the time the two of them caught up.
“Hi miss Redheart!” Sweetie Belle said before bolting past her get to Scootaloo.
“Hello Sweetie,” she replied, slightly exasperated.
“Hello, Redheart,” Rarity said.
“Good afternoon,” she greeted back. Seeing Fancy Pants, she tilted her head in confusion. “I’m sorry, sir, I don’t believe we’ve met?”
“I don’t believe we have,” he agreed. “I am Fancy Pants.”
“So you’re Fancy Pants” she said, grinning. “Rarity’s told me a bit about you, all good things of course. My name’s Redheart, by the way.”
“Well, miss Redheart, that’s good to hear!” he chuckled. “After all, I am her date for the night.”
“Really?” she looked back and forth between the two of them.
“Yes, we’re heading up to Canterlot after we drop off Sweetie’s stuff,” Rarity said nodding to the items still in their magical grip.
“Oh, yes,” she said, remembering that there was a reason they were here. “Er, just put them by the couch there.”
“Thank you, darling,” she said, keeping only her own bag. “By the way, I’m not sure if Scootaloo actually mentioned exactly how many of her friends are coming over.”
“Oh no,” she sighed, bringing her hoof to her face. “How many?”
“According to Sweetie only seven will be spending the night,” she said. “But you will have three colts and Dinky with them until curfew. Are you alright with that? If it’s too much we can help figure out other arrangements.”
“No, no it’s good,” she said. “I’m just going to run into the market and buy a few more snacks for them. If the hospital calls me in for emergency work tonight I’ll get Cheerilee or Berry to watch them. Thanks. And enjoy your date!”
“We will!” Rarity and Fancy Pants replied as they left.
They were only a house down before Redheart had grabbed her wallet and hurried past them to the market.
“She was nice,” Fancy Pants remarked.
“She’s one of the kindest ponies I know,” Rarity said. “Unless you are bothering her patients. She has a death glare that will make even Pinkie Pie be quiet for a moment.”
Fancy Pants remembered enough about Pinkie Pie to laugh just as hard as Rarity did. The townsponies probably thought they looked ridiculous, laughing loudly in the street like that. Neither of them cared.
“You look beautiful when you laugh,” Fancy Pants comlimented.
“Thank you,” she said with the last of her giggles.
It was all too soon before they were on the train to a wondrous night in Canterlot.