//------------------------------// // And the Evening of Exquisiteness. // Story: The Warlock // by JediWyrm //------------------------------// Hearts Shadow put away some equipment as he finished his current stage of his experiment. Leaving his lab he placed his security spells over it to keep people from entering and potentially causing problems. He proceeded down the hallway towards the room granted to him. Upon arrival he noticed the little box next to the door had some mail in it. Floating it out let him see that it was the latest in his correspondence with Rarity. Shadow opened it to discover she had agreed on the date he set to make good on his promise of an elegant evening to her. A small smile spread on his face as he began to make plans for that day. Hearts Shadow approached the train station knowing that the train was scheduled to arrive a few moments hence. He took a brief second to ensure his jacket was properly arranged. Shortly after doing so he heard the train's engine as it pulled ever closer to the station. A quick summary of his plans for the rest of the day occupied his mind until the train had come to s complete stop. Rarity departed the train and made her way over to Shadow. "Hello there Darling." She said once she got close enough. "Good day to you Rarity. I hope the trip over here was enjoyable." He replied, stepping to one side gesturing for her to accompany alongside him. They began to walk away from the station. Rarity trotted along next to Shadow, letting her eyes roam over him, admiring the effort he had put in to manage his appearance. Though she felt his mane could've used a bit more work. "I notice a lack of a certain accoutrement. How is Beaky doing?" Rarity inquired. "He is doing well. Oddly Celestia seems to enjoy trading quips with him so he is keeping her company while she handles the paperwork that her station tends to generate." Shadow answered. "So what all is on our agenda for our little date?" She asked. "First we shall enjoy a stroll through the fashion district. There is a play tonight that I have tickets and I figured you might want an appropriate dress for the occasion. The duration of the play is such that the intermission includes a dinner." Shadow remarked with a smirk. "Shopping and a show, you sure know how to give a mare a good time." Rarity said laughingly. A casual stroll through Canterlot found them perusing the multiple dress shops as Rarity searched for a fitting outfit. They chatted over small things and Hearts Shadow ended up learning quite a bit about both modern fashion and what the current trends are. Once they entered the fourth store Rarity found a simple elegant dress that matched the simplicity of his jacket and complimented his colour scheme. Shadow paid for the dress and as they walked through more of the shopping district to spend the time until the play is scheduled to start. They grabbed a light snack and headed towards the castle to place her purchases and get ready for the play. "So Twilight mentioned that one of my ancestors has some connection to you." Rarity said as she floated her shopping bags along behind her. "Yes. Giving Heart. She took care of me for a time whilst I was a foal. Sadly she died shortly thereafter though I did keep in touch with her sister and her descendants. I was even able to meet her grandchild, Giving Heart's grandniece prior to my imprisonment." Shadow explained. "It's nice that you kept in touch, especially since it is letting me get a lovely evening out of it." Rarity replied. Arriving at the castle they separated so as to tend to their appearances for the night. Hearts Shadow escorted Rarity through the entrance to the theatre. The play's name was proudly displayed on the outside of the building. "The Magic Flute. Quite an oldie of a play. I guess that makes sense since my escort is an oldie of a pony." Rarity giggled, giving Shadow a light bump to show the insincerity of her comment. "As I was checking out some of the more, heh, modern plays out there I saw that this one was being performed. It happens to be one of my favorites as well. Plus the play will give us something to chat about over the dinner." Shadow said. Rarity gave a small smile as they proceeded to the box where their seats awaited. Upon arrival she saw that the box was one of the closer ones, granting an easy and full view of the stage. "Well I guess I don't need these to just see the stage." She joked, holding up a small pair of fancy binoculars. Shadow grinned at her as they took their seats, and began chatting about the play. Rarity informing him about some of the actors and some of their prestigious roles in the past. As they enjoyed dinner they enjoyed a discussion as well. "I always do love a play with an intriguing villain." Rarity remarked. "It is usually said that the villain should be one of the most interesting characters. Though I do like that you find myself intriguing." Shadow said, before taking a bit of the gourmet meal before him. "So you are trying to claim that the villain is based off of you?" Rarity smirked. Finishing his bite Shadow replied, "More than claiming. I was friends with the playwright. He did exaggerate some things though that is understandable. I even played the role in the first production of the play. That was definitely an experience." "Right, for a moment there I forgot you are old enough that such a claim could easily be true." Rarity said, taking a close look at her dinner partner. "Age is but a number. I'm sure that Celestia has countless characters based off of her, not even counting the ones that are directly based of her." Shadow stated. They finished their meal, and started on dessert with Rarity listening to Shadow talk of the playwright and entertaining her with some of his adventures. The moon and stars were beautiful as they walked through the city at night. A discussion on the second half of the play filled their walk. The guards at the castle let them enter as they approached. Shadow escorted Rarity all the way to her room. "Tonight was most exquisite. I'm glad that you turned out to be every bit the gentlestallion I took you for when we first met. Was beside myself when Twilight informed me of a dreaded and feared warlock was loose and that you were he. Although I must say, you probably could've done more with your mane, but I do know that short manes don't have many stylistic choices." Rarity confessed. "Well, I am glad to have lived up to your original expectations. I did what I could with my mane, but there is only so much I can easily do. Anymore than this and I would've risked having it all revert to how it was." He said. "I know that sometimes manes can be difficult to get under control, but a good salon trip can usually fix most anything." She remarked. "Ahh. 'Tis my nature that is the problem. I have restorative immortality. Any change to me is simply undone unless I use several spells. Good for injuries as my body would revert to the point before having suffered it, so if I want to do a permanent change I have to do more than just cut or lengthen my mane and tail. Luckily I keep to my own fashion rather than keep up with the trends that are ever in flux." Shadow explained. "That seems dreadful. I think that is just too high a cost for immortality." She joked. "Well I shall let you get some rest so that you can be refreshed for your journey home tomorrow." Shadow said, giving Rarity a quick hug before trotting off towards his own room.