//------------------------------// // Chapter Nineteen - They Come With Pictures Now?! // Story: A Daughter and her Dragon // by Level Dasher //------------------------------// Opening her eyes to the dawning light spilling between the curtains on the eastern wall, Cotton bolted upright. Looking nervously at her bed-head in the mirror across her room, she immediately rushed over to the vanity underneath. She ran a hairbrush through her mane and glanced at her wardrobe reflected in the mirror. “At least I don’t have to worry about picking out a dress.” Looking at the rest of her body, she grimaced. “But I definitely need to wash up.” Putting the brush down and opening her door, she cantered to the restroom. Standing in front of the ajar door, Cotton looked down and said, “Ugh, maybe I should ask one of the attendants to give me a hoof today. Having somepony else help freshen me up like Mother Matron used to would be so—” “Um… Miss Cotton?” A blue unicorn mare in a frilly, white headband holding a wet rag in her aura opened the restroom door. Cotton’s head whipped up. “Oh! Dawn! Good morning. Sorry, I know I’m not usually up this early on weekends. I can come back when you’re done.” “Oh no, Miss Cotton, it’s alright,” Dawn responded. “I just finished. The rumor mill says today is a big day for you!” Cotton’s face flushed. “Yes, it is. Wow, word gets around fast in the castle, doesn’t it?” “I’m afraid so, Miss,” Dawn said with a slight giggle. “Actually, I… heard you at the door just now.” Cotton’s face reddened further, then Dawn continued, “If you’d like—” “Oh, no!” Cotton interrupted instinctively, waving a hoof. “I couldn’t ask you to—” “Really, Miss Cotton, it wouldn’t be any trouble,” Dawn replied. “Please, don’t feel like you’re imposing. Cleaning is my job, after all, whether it’s a floor or a pony.” “A-are you sure?” Cotton asked. When Dawn nodded, Cotton rubbed the back of her mane and said, “Y’know, I could use some help reaching that spot between my wings…” Ж “Aahhhhhhhhh…” Cotton let out a content sigh as she sat in front of her vanity mirror once again, running her hairbrush through her now only slightly damp mane. “That was heavenly.” Her hooves practically sparkled, and her coat was spotless, while her scars were prominently on display for all to see. When a knock at her door sounded, Cotton called, “Come in!” “So…” Spike stuck his head through the door. “…Dawn says you’ve started the grooming process already. That soon, huh? You haven’t even had breakfast yet.” Cotton shrugged. “I needed a wash. Now I just need to keep myself clean. I might have to go for another one later if I feel dirty,” she said, still brushing her mane. Spike smirked. “Hopefully you won’t be as dirty as your mind.” Cotton chuckled. “Hey, those guards totally had it coming after what they said! Besides, you having ‘the talk’ with me right afterwards didn’t really help matters.” “I’ll give you that,” Spike said. “They did have it coming. And yes, I know the timing wasn’t great, but better late than never, right?” “I guess, but it wasn’t necessary,” Cotton replied. “I learned all that stuff in Sex Ed, and Mother Matron had ‘the talk’ with me when I was eleven.” Spike smacked his face into the floor. “Why didn’t you tell me instead of letting me make a fool of myself?” he asked. “Well, I’ve heard giving ‘the talk’ is kind of a ‘parent thing,’ so I figured I’d let you do it and decided to just suffer through it,” Cotton answered. “You actually did a great job,” she added with a smile. A voice came from outside Cotton’s room. “Oh my, Twilight, there seems to be a scaly rump blocking the doorway.” Celestia. “Oh fine, just let me ask her if she wants company,” Spike called into the hall. He turned to Cotton and asked, “We can talk about necessity later. For now, can your aunts come in? They’ll zap my rear if you say no.” Cotton giggled. “Sure, let ‘em in.” Spike pulled his head out of the doorway. “There, happy?” “Very much so,” Celestia answered, walking through Cotton’s door, Twilight following her. Spike stuck his head back into the room as well. “Oh, don’t you look nice and clean!” Celestia said to Cotton, grasping the hairbrush in her aura and running it through Cotton’s tail. “Did somepony assist you this morning for once? I know you usually don’t like asking for help.” “Yes, Dawn gave me a hoof,” Cotton replied, humming quietly under her breath. “Ah, no wonder Squeaky Clean came for me instead,” Celestia said. When Cotton looked down and let out a sigh, Celestia ceased her brushing. “It’s not a problem, Cotton. All the attendants are as skilled as any of the others.” “It’s not that. But I am sorry if Dawn is your usual helper, Auntie,” Cotton replied. “Then what is it, Cotton?” Twilight asked. “Everything okay?” “I dunno,” Cotton responded. “I mean… I’m not worried about being clean or wearing a nice dress… I just… I don’t know what to do.” She looked at her aunts briefly, then turned to Spike. “Dad, you’re a guy. What do boys like on dates?” Spike shook his head in the doorway as best he could without destroying the wall. “Sweetie, don’t think about it that way. It isn’t just about what he likes; your first date should be about both of you discovering how you click, what you have in common—and hopefully that’ll lead to a second, possibly third date, and so on. Besides, Steadclaw loves you for who you are. Just be yourself.” “That sounds pretty legit,” Cotton said. “Auntie Tia, what do you think?” Celestia smiled. “Your father is quite correct, Cotton. However, considering the way you teens talk to each other nowadays, I would also suggest that you be polite. Just don’t be different than your usual self. As your father said, Steadclaw loves you for who you are.” Cotton smiled back at her. Turning to Twilight, she asked, “Aunt Twilight? Any extra words of wisdom?” “Apparently,” Twilight started, casting a sidelong glare at Celestia, “my teen years weren’t the statistical norm, so maybe I’m not the pony to ask.” Celestia held a smug smile, but said nothing. Cotton glanced between the two of them and smirked at their exchange of expressions. “I agree with what your dad said, though—be yourself. I don’t think Steadclaw would want to see you any other way.” “Sounds good to me,” Cotton said. “Why don’t we go eat?” “I think that’s a splendid idea,” Celestia said. “Let’s go see what the chefs have prepared. Luna’s probably waiting for us.” Ж “Ah, there ye are,” Luna said, as Cotton, Celestia, Twilight, and Spike approached the dining room table. “We feared We would need to begin Our meal in solitude.” “Sorry, Aunt Luna,” Cotton responded, “we were just chatting.” “About wha—why Cotton, thou lookest marvelous! Prepared for thy rendezvous tonight before thy first meal of the day? We believe two hours prior would have been sufficient time.” Cotton blushed. “I dunno. I guess I’m just a little… nervousited, as Aunt Pinkie would say.” “And thou hast every right to be,” Luna replied with a smile, as the chefs set plates down in front of each of the new arrivals. “Luna, do you have any words of advice for Cotton? That’s what we were talking about,” Spike said, digging into a bowl of gems. “We shall assume that ‘be thyself’ has already been covered,” Luna replied. At the nods, Luna frowned. “Unfortunately, that is all the wisdom We have to share at the moment. Apologies, Cotton.” “It’s okay, Aunt Luna. I think I’ll be alright,” Cotton responded. “Come speak with Us later. Perhaps We will have thought of something else by then,” Luna said. “We shall have awoken to raise the moon before thou leavest.” “Um, if you don’t mind my asking, Aunt Luna, how would you think of ideas while you’re asleep?” Cotton asked. “Our dreams have provided Us with a bounty of ideas in the past. Thou wouldst be surprised,” Luna replied, taking a bite of her salad. “I’ll take your word for it,” Cotton said, as Twilight and Celestia exchanged worried glances. Ж After having already primped and preened herself early in the morning, Cotton tried to find an activity to keep herself in the same condition. The farrier, Reverent Brogue, took her measurements for her regalia shoes. Much to her father’s and aunt’s pride, she decided to finish her research essay. “You cited all your sources, right?” “Aunt Twilight, you already looked the whole thing over and told me everything looked perfect,” Cotton sighed with exasperation. “Besides, the only sources I needed were you and my dad.” “Well, you know I always like to triple-check everything,” Twilight said, carefully reading Cotton’s paper. Looking at the last page, Twilight added, “Good, you cited the interviews properly. Great job! Now you can take tomorrow off without worrying about your homework.” “Thanks, Aunt Twilight. Wow, Dad was right—I did get off easy with this paper.” Cotton smiled, then looked at the clock. “Y’know, he’s gonna be here soon. Thanks for all your help, Aunt Twilight. I’m just gonna go preen my wings one more time,” she said, walking out the library door. “Whatever you want to do, Cotton,” Twilight called, “but you look perfect to me.” On the way to the restroom, Cotton saw Luna poke her head out of her room with a yawn. “Cotton, We wish to speak with thee,” Luna said. “Aunt Luna, it’s alright, don’t worry about more advice. He’s gonna be here soon anyway; I’m just gonna go preen my wings one more time.” “Please, Cotton. Give Us just a moment of thy time before thy suitor appears. Besides, thou still lookest marvelous.” Cotton let out a sigh with a blush. “Okay. Did one of your dreams give you any ideas?” Luna’s eyes darted about. “Thou couldst say that. Come, enter Our chamber.” As Cotton walked into Luna’s room, she found an unexpected guest. “Aunt Cadance! What are you—nevermind, I’m pretty sure I know.” Cadance chuckled. “Cotton, you should know I’m the first to ask when it comes to matters of love. Why am I only hearing about this date now?” “I’m sorry, Aunt Cadance. I felt like coming to you would be like… cheating,” Cotton replied. “Not at all,” Cadance said, smirking. “All’s fair in love and war.” She inspected Cotton. “It looks like you’ve done a wonderful job of prepping yourself. Come on, stand up straight.” Cotton shifted her posture. “Flare out those wings.” Cotton did as she was told, and Cadance nodded at the display. Waving her hoof in a circle, Cadance said, “Let’s get a full view.” Cotton tittered and walked in a small circle, her mane flopping over her face as she came to a halt. Cadance smiled. “You look spectacular, Cotton.” Cotton blushed. “Thanks, Aunt Cadance.” “There’s just one thing…” “Huh? What’s that?” Cotton asked. “This Steadclaw likes seeing your scars, doesn’t he?” Cotton nodded pensively. “Well, your mane keeps covering your cheek. Let’s try this…” Cadance lifted Cotton’s mane in her aura, then a golden, crystal-embedded hairclip appeared in her hoof. “Woah, Aunt Cadance! The hairclip isn't a bad idea, but Auntie Tia told me I shouldn’t be different,” Cotton said. “Oh please, a different hairstyle isn’t the same as being different,” Cadance said. “I guarantee you that Rarity would have absolutely condoned this.” “Well, okay, but the jewelry is a bit much,” Cotton replied. Cadance pouted. “Fine, spoilsport. Let’s see…” Cadance took a look at Cotton’s eye, then replaced the hairclip with a simpler one that matched the color. “That better?” Cotton smiled. “Much. Thanks.” Cadance slipped Cotton’s mane through the clip, then repeated the process on her other side. After checking for stray strands, Cadance let down her aura and nodded, satisfied. Cotton looked around for only a moment before she spotted a mirror on Luna’s wall. “Wow, I never thought I’d be doing this with my mane,” Cotton said, “but it looks great! He’s gonna love it!” “We agree,” Luna said. “Now, We have something for thee as well, dear Cotton.” “What’s up, Aunt Luna? I don’t have much more time.” “Well, thou art old enough to be dating…” She lit her horn and levitated a stack of papers to rest in front of Cotton’s hooves. “…so thou art clearly old enough to be… satisfied.” Cotton looked in horror at the magazines her aunt had set in front of her. “If thou—” “Aunt Luna! Geez, you’re as bad as my dad! This is only our first date!” Cotton cried. “We understand that, Cotton,” Luna replied, “but…er, Cadenza?” Cadance nodded. “If it hasn’t happened already, being with him may make you feel… different,” she said. “Sometimes when we’re around those we love, we start feeling certain… urges that—” “Aunt Cadance!” Cotton pinned her ears down with her hooves. “Please, I don’t need to hear this right now! We’re just going to a casual dinner, seeing a stupid movie one of my friends recommended, and then he’s dropping me off at home. We figured the first date should be easy. Thanks, but I think I’ll save Cosmoponitan for another time.” Cadance shrugged. “Alright, don’t listen to the Princess of Love,” Cadance said with a smirk. “And We shall keep these in Our possession, but thou mayest always access them,” Luna said, levitating the magazines into a corner. Cotton let out a sigh. “Thanks, Aunt Luna. And Aunt Cadance, when we’re ready to take that next step, I’ll ask for you. How’s that?” “Fair enough,” Cadance responded. “I’m just trying to make sure you’re prepared.” “Prepared for—nevermind,” Cotton replied. Just then, they all heard a loud knock from the main hall. Cotton gasped, “That’s him!” and went flying out of the room. Ж Luna turned over in her bed, her ears perking up at the sound of her early alarm. After shutting the alarm off, she thought back to her time in slumber… but no ideas stuck out at her. Grumbling, she looked at the books she had prepared as her backup plan, and decided to get a second opinion. After casting a soundproofing spell on her room, she lit her horn and sent a short telepathic message. Moments later, Princess Cadance teleported into her room. “What’s the problem, Aunt Luna? What kind of dilemma have you gotten yourself into this time?” Cadance asked. Luna snorted. “We wish to give advice to thy cousin Cotton. Her father, Tia, and Twilight already appear to have done so, but We are lacking ideas.” Cadance cocked a brow. “Advice on what?” Luna began, “Tonight is her first date with—” “WHAT?” Cadance cried. She smacked her head a few times. “Shoot, my senses must be out of whack.” Luna shook her head. “Anyway, dost thou have any ideas or advice? We thought of giving her Our old satisfaction tomes…” “Your what?” Cadance asked. “Thou knowest—tomes for assistance in satisfaction. We believe Cotton is old enough.” “Ooooooooooh,” Cadance responded in understanding. Scratching her chin, she said, “Well, I think you’re on the right track, Aunt Luna, but those dusty old books aren’t really going to help. I’ll be right back.” In a flash, Cadance vanished. Luna scowled. “We see nothing wrong with our old tomes. Ponies have not changed so much since Our youth.” Cadance reappeared with a stack of magazines in her aura, which she promptly dropped at Luna’s hooves with a smirk. “These should help if she needs ‘em.” Luna’s eyes widened and her mouth went agape as she flipped through each magazine in turn. Looking up at her niece, she cried, “They come with pictures now?!” Ж Stopping momentarily in front of a mirror in the upper-level hallway, Cotton checked her coat, scars, wings, and new hairstyle. Smiling to herself, she said, “He’s gonna love this.” When she reached the top of the stairway, she found her father going for the door. “Daddy, wait! I’ll get it!” As Cotton galloped down the stairs, Spike chuckled, “Alright, slow down! Can’t have you tripping down the stairway, can we?” Cotton slowed to a trot, then reached the main level. “That’s better. Now then…” Spike backed away from the door and motioned to it with his claw. Cotton smiled, then took a deep breath and pulled hard to swing the massive doors open. There stood Steadclaw, his plumage finely preened and his head feathers slicked back, holding a small bouquet of roses. At the sight of each other, both their faces turned the same color as the flowers. “I know we said casual, but y’know… first date and all…” Steadclaw said, offering Cotton the roses. As Cotton reached for the flowers, she flinched when she caught sight of the stems. “Umm…” “Why don’t I take those for you, sweetie?” Spike grasped the roses between his talons. “I can have them dethorned and put in your room for you before you get home.” Cotton looked up at him and smiled. “Thanks, Daddy.” Then she walked out to Steadclaw and kissed him on the cheek. “And thank you. That was really sweet.” “You’re welcome,” Steadclaw said with a blush. “Sorry, I kinda forgot about the thorns. The mare at the florist’s didn’t seem to have any trouble picking them up with her mouth.” “Oh, that was probably Rosebud. Yeah, she’s got jaws of steel.” Cotton licked her lips around her muzzle. “Blegh, you’ll never catch me doing that.” Steadclaw chuckled. “I don’t blame you. Hey, I like the hairdo.” He lightly brushed a talon against Cotton’s scarred cheek. “It really brings out your features.” “Thanks,” Cotton replied, blushing. “It was my aunt’s idea.” “You ready to go?” “Mhm,” she answered. “Just a second, you two,” Spike said, dropping the roses into a vase, “Where exactly are you planning on going?” Before Cotton had a chance to groan, Steadclaw replied, “The Haybale, Sir, then we’re catching a seven-thirty movie.” “What movie, and how long is it?” “Ugh, we’re seeing ‘Oblivious’, Dad. Can we go?” Cotton complained. “How long is it?” Spike repeated. “It’s about an hour and a half, Sir,” Steadclaw said. “Yeah, I’m subjecting him to a filly flick,” Cotton added with a smirk. “Oh, you poor soul,” Spike said to Steadclaw, shaking his head. “I wish you the best of luck.” His eyes narrowed sharply as his voice rose. “You’re to be back by nine-thirty.” Steadclaw snapped into a salute. “Yes Sir!” Cotton groaned, “Daaaaaaaaad!” “Fine. Ten o’clock. No later. And call me ‘Spike’!” Ж “And thank you. That was really sweet.” “Oh, roses are so clichè,” Cadance said, leaning over Luna’s balcony, “but I have to admit, they usually work.” “Indeed,” Luna responded. “‘Tis a gesture that many mares dream of. We’ve seen it firsthoof.” “I can believe it.” “You’re to be back by nine-thirty.” “Ha! And there’s the curfew,” Cadance said. “Not bad for a first date.” “Fine. Ten o’clock. No later. And call me 'Spike'!” “Hey, kudos for the leniency, Spike.” Cadance watched as Cotton and Steadclaw walked from the front doors and headed toward town. “If it’s really one of those stupid filly flicks, they’ll have plenty of time together in the movie to get things going.” Luna looked away from the railing and pointed a sly eye at Cadance. “Perhaps we ought to… give them a hoof, if necessary?” Cadance smirked. “We’re going to follow them, aren’t we?” Luna returned the smirk. “Most certainly.”