//------------------------------// // The Idea // Story: Spike's Practice Date // by Silver Topaz //------------------------------// Spike sat in a chair he was in the room Twilight usually uses to study, he was reading a book that Twilight gave him the book was about dating tips, Spike got comfortable on the chair he just finished the book and turned to Twilight she was busy writing something probably another friendship lesson for Starlight.Spike waited for her to finish and once she did Spike spoke "Twilight are you sure this is going to help me on an actual date?". Twilight looked at Spike since his last birthday he has been talking about finally asking Rarity on a date because in his own words he was not only ready but he looked ready, Spike was as tall as Twilight now and he had wings but besides that he really didn't look any different. Twilight let out an angry sigh "Spike that book was written by somepony with a lot of experience in the subject of dating" Spike looked at her with a unconvinced looked but Twilight ignored it "so trust me when I tell that if it's in that book then it must be right". Spike still looked unsure he doesn't want to look like he's trying to hard it might make Rarity think he's desperate or something "I don't know Twilight" Spike looked at the book in his claw and read the title "One Hundred Things You Should Do On a Date" Spike didn't trust this book the title was so unprofessional and the picture of the pony who wrote it looked like a scientist so he probably applied science to the whole thing. "Look Spike I haven't been on a date" Twilight pointed at herself. "I know that what's your point" Spike said jokingly but all that did was earn him a glare from Twilight. "As I was saying I haven't dated before but if you asked me you should just do an experiment" Twilight looked at Spike who looked confused. "An experiment Twilight this guy probably did an experiment and I'm still not convinced that he knew what he was talking about" Spike looked at Twilight who looked like she was thinking and apparently she came up with something. "I just came up with the perfect plan Spike" Twilight was excited she was even rubbing her hooves together, Spike however just looked at her waiting for what she had to say "Spike how about you go on a date" Twilight looked at Spike excitement filling her eyes while Spike just didn't look impressed. Spike put a claw to his face "Twilight why do you think we're having this conversation". Twilight shook her head "Spike I don't mean go ask Rarity on a date I mean have a practice date" Spike looked back at Twilight with a weird look the plan sounded weird but it could still work. Spike got up from his chair and ran towards Twilight grabbing her in a hug while jumping up and down, Twilight was surprised by Spike's strength yes he was bigger and she wasn't that heavy but he still didn't have any muscles so the fact that he could pick her up stilled impressed Twilight, "maybe I should ask Ember about this" Twilight thought. Spike finally put Twilight down he looked at her his eyes filled with excitement "Twilight can you go with me on the practice date" Twilight gained a small blush on her face and shook her head. "Spike you know any other time I would say yes but maybe you should ask one of our friends" Twilight said her voice sounding like she was nervous, Spike apparently didn't notice and just sighed. "Fine I'll ask one of our friends" with that Spike left the room. Spike was walking through the castle he was near the exit when he spotted Starlight "hey Starlight are you lost again?". "Oh no Spike I'm actually starting to get the hang of moving around this place" Starlight said her voice sounding happy. "Well I'm glad although I am going to miss you getting lost you actually looked cute when your lost" Spike said he passed Starlight and made his way outside spreading his wings and taking off not noticing Starlight blushing. "Did he say I looked cute" Starlight looked towards the direction that Spike left and started walking in the opposite direction. Starlight walked towards Twilight's room she was curious as to why Spike left in such a hurry and she knew Twilight would know, Spike's words were still on her mind "he thinks I'm cute" she said to no one saying those words actually caused her blush to return to her face "what's wrong with me it was just a compliment nothing more calm yourself Starlight". Starlight kept walking towards Twilight's room she had to admit that she found Spike cute but they were only friends "it must be because of that because were friends that I'm getting like this" Starlight was satisfied with that but went back to looking confused, she didn't feel like that towards her other friends not even Sunburst so why was she blushing. Starlight thought more and more about it even though she was friends with Twilight and her friends she didn't really felt like she was friends with them they all had their group and suddenly she appears, just because of that she felt like her only friends here in Ponyville were Twilight and Spike. Starlight had to admit that between Twilight and Spike she was more close to Spike, he helped her when she was lost, he didn't mind having to cook for her, he would talk to her when she was feeling sad or insecure, and more importantly he pushed her and gave her courage when she renewed her friendship with Sunburst, Spike was there to push her on in a time that she just wanted to run away. Starlight finally made it to Twilight's room when she stepped in she saw that Twilight was reading she made her way towards Twilight and slightly touched her shoulder. Twilight was surprised by the sudden contact but calmed down once she realized it was Starlight "oh Starlight you scared me what can I help you with". "Hi Twilight I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you" Starlight said sounding really sorry about what she did Twilight gave her a sign that everything was fine which prompted Starlight to continue "I just wanted to ask why Spike seemed in such a hurry to get somewhere". "Oh that you see Spike wanted to ask out Rarity" "Oh" Starlight said her voice filled with sadness something that didn't go unnoticed by Twilight. "Are you okay Starlight?" Twilight asked sounding really concerned about her her friend. "I'm fine Twilight please continue" Twilight was still worried about her friend but decided not you push it if something bad was happening she knew Starlight would have told her. "Well as I said Spike wanted to ask Rarity out on a date but he was worried that he wouldn't make a good first impression so I told him to have a practice date" Starlight thought about that it sounded so weird why would anypony do that she didn't have much time to think as Twilight started talking again "he already asked me and I couldn't go so now he is going to ask the others if they could go if he's lucky maybe one of them will say yes". "Yeah maybe they will" Starlight said her voice still sounded a little sad but there was something else,"well that's all I wanted to know so I'll leave you alone" Starlight started making her way out of Twilight's room when Twilight's voice stopped her. "Starlight if there is something wrong you can tell me". Starlight turned around to face Twilight "don't worry Twilight I'm fine" anypony who listened to that could tell that she was lying Applejack could come up with better lies, Twilight again decided not to push her if there was something wrong Starlight would just tell her. "Well if you ever need to talk just know that I'm here to listen and to help if I can". "Thank you Twilight" Starlight made her way out of the room and started making her way towards her own room still thinking about what she heard, Spike was going to go on a date with one of the others even if it was still practice it was still a date. Starlight didn't know why she feeling like that Spike was only her friend nothing more right she should actually be happy that he's doing this, Starlight wanted to be happy for her friend but for some reason she couldn't and she didn't know why, was she jealous no she couldn't be Spike was only her friend and nothing else. Starlight finally made it to her room she closed the door behind her and sat on the ground. She wanted to know why she felt like this but she didn't know why, she was sad and for some reason she was jealous of Rarity "why does Spike like her so much" Starlight said to herself and the words that Twilight told her earlier came back "he already asked me but i couldn't go so now he's going to ask the others" Starlight thought about that and she felt a tear going down her face "why didn't he ask me?". Spike was flying around not knowing which of his friends to ask first. Spike finally made his decision he flew in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres to ask Applejack if she could go on a practice date with him, not knowing that today things were about to change?.