One Bolt, Many Questions

by Boltsinger

Surprise Surprise!

Pinkie Pie bounded through Ponyville, her saddlebags hanging at her sides. She had just gotten the most abso-posi-wonder-riffic news in the history of abso-posi-wonder-riffic news! Twilight was done solving the friendship problem in Las Pegasus, and was coming home! But that’s not the best part!

The best part? She wasn’t coming home alone! She found Boltsinger there, and they were coming back together! So, now, it was time for a big welcome home party! So this party pony’s mission was clear: she needed to throw the best party EVER! Or at least the best party ever so far. Pinkie was certain her next party would be even better.

The time frame wasn’t a very big one, but Pinkie had made great parties in less time, and this time she had info on the ones she was throwing this shindig together for! She had the guest list, which was everypony, she knew what each of the target ponies likes, which let her double up on cake, ice cream, balloons, and games! She was glad they both liked dancing, and was sure to talk to DJ PON-3 about coming by to offer her skills, and she got a shiny new disco ball balanced on the tip of her mane as she proceeded. She bounced into the Castle, where Spike and Starlight were already setting up decorations all over. Pinkie looked on at the venue with a determined giggle, throwing the disco ball into the air and giving it a playful buck. The ball flew through the air, landing perfectly on a hanger that had already been set up. From there, the party pony zoomed around the room, a grand venue quickly took shape.

---

“So, is Pinkie gonna do what I think she’ll do?” Boltsinger asked as he and Twilight got off the train.

“Of course!” Twilight replied with a laugh. “At least try to act surprised.”

“So, fly into the air and make a huge gust of wind that sends everypony flying into the wall?” The stallion suggested. Twilight stopped in her tracks, looking at her friend like he was insane. “Or just looking excited?”

Twilight chuckled to herself as she trotted back alongside him. “Just look excited. Although there will probably be more than just six ponies waiting this time.”

“Noted.” He said, giving a relaxed nod. His pace slowed, looking at the castle in the distance, then at the castle’s owner.

The Alicorn looked back at the Pegasus. “You okay?”

Boltsinger looked longingly at the crystal castle, taking long, deep breaths. “Just a bit… I dunno how to put it.” He caught up with the mare he walked with. “I’m just a little dumbfounded. Gotta get used to seeing this place again, you know?”

The Princess smiled, offering a wing in comfort. “I think I understand.” She pondered the idea for herself as they walked. “There’s a difference between the idea of coming back, and actually doing it. Although, you were only gone for five days.”

“Five days that felt like forever.” The stallion clarified. “Days sometimes blur together when I fly.” He continued toward the castle. “Plus, well, you know about what I was thinking during that period. It wasn’t pretty.” He took the wing Twilight had extended, breathing deeply as he looked her in the eye. “I’m just glad a friend came along to snap me out of my funk.”

“Sometimes we all need a friend to help us sort out our feelings.” She informed him, leaning in close as they walked.

“Speaking from experience?” Boltsinger wondered.

“Something like that.” Twilight confirmed, thinking about how Cadence had helped her.

---

Inside the castle, all was dark. Pinkie and the others were waiting excitedly in clever hiding spots. All the decorations are in place, everypony was here, and all the treats were ready. It was perfect. Now she just needed to do the hardest thing ever.

Wait.

Lucky for Pinkie, the waiting wouldn’t be much longer. The door to the castle cracked open, letting out a teensey bit of sunlight. The party pony began to rumble on the inside, her grin covering the entirety of her muzzle. Slowly but surely, the door opened, Twilight and Boltsinger trotting in happily.

“SURPRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISE!!!” Pinkie shouted, jumping prematurely out of her hiding place. She landed on her knees, sliding forward like a dancer on a stage in front of the arriving ponies.

Twilight and Boltsinger were conversing while walking surprisingly close together. They were intently focused on each other, not looking at anything that happened around them. They trotted past Pinkie, who looked back at them quizzicaly. The other ponies in the room came out of their hiding places, following the arrivals through the halls as they proceeded to their rooms of residence. Finally, they stopped, Boltsinger turning to his door.

As he lifted his hoof to the doorknob, something felt off. He could have sworn there were several pairs of eyes focused on him. “Wait a second…” He started, turning to look the way he came.

There stood every friend he had made in Ponyville, all smiling as they looked between him and Twilight. Pinkie jumped over to the front of the gathering, standing on her hind legs and spreading her forelegs wide with confetti and streamers flying every which-way as she did so.

“SURPRISE!!!” The ponies in the crowd yelled, several of them raising a foreleg, and all of them smiling.

Boltsinger’s jaw dropped. He turned back to Twilight, pointing a hoof, alternating between her and the gathering before them. Twilight followed suit, looking at the crowd. She blushed as Rarity shot her a knowing glance.

Boltsinger hung his head, attempting to hide his embarrassment from everypony. “I had a feeling there would be a party…” He looked over at Pinkie. “... Surprise?” He repeated, shrugging with a shy grin.

“You’re telling me!” Pinkie affirmed. “Who’d have thought you’d be so focused on each other that you didn’t see any of the decorations or ponies or cakes or disco balls or any of the other party stuff?” she put her forelegs around Twilight and Boltsinger’s necks, pulling them close. “You two must really like each other!”

The Princess and the Pegasus backed up, red in the face as they sheepishly grinned. Twilight walked over to address the group that stared at them.

“All right, everypony! Let’s party!” She announced, wings playfully flared as she extended a foreleg dramatically.

The crowd cheered and ran to the foyer, where DJ PON-3 started up what Pinkie described as “sick beats”. There were red and white balloons everywhere, and a large section of the floor was treated with dancing ponies in mind. Tables lined the walls, with Apple treats, pear treats, and confections by the Cakes along with enormous bowls of punch. Boltsinger made his way around the room, greeting and thanking all of the ponies that came for showing up. Eventually, he trotted over to Pinkie.

“I really appreciate the party, Pinkie.” He said with a smile. “But… I don’t wanna make a speech. Better to just let everypony enjoy themselves. I’m happy enough to be home.”

Pinkie smiled and brought Boltsinger in for the tightest hug he’d ever felt in his life. He found it fairly hard to breathe. “Aww! You’re welcome!” She loosened her grip slightly. “We’re glad you’re home, too.” She pulled him out onto the dance floor, spinning him rapidly. “Now let’s dance!” She shouted as the stallion’s spinning suddenly stopped. His eyes wobbled a little as he spotted Pinkie dancing like a goofball, Twilight joining in soon after. Boltsinger smiled, turned to DJ PON-3 with a nod, and properly joined in.

---

After the party had died down, Twilight and Boltsinger found themselves in the hall again. He opened his door, waving as he went in. He sat on the floor, looking around the room.

“Bolt?” Twilight called from the hall. The Pegasus turned back to see her in the doorway. “Can I… talk to you?”

Boltsinger patted the floor next to him with his hoof. Twilight took the cue and placed her rump down next to his. “What’s up?” The stallion inquired.

Twilight took a few moments to compose herself and find her words. “It’s about what happened at the Gala.”

Boltsinger’s ears drooped as he lowered his head. “I see…” he took a look at the window. “I definitely wasn’t expecting to see my brother th--”

“Not about that.” She interrupted. “It’s about…” she closed her eyes and found the words once more. “It’s about what we were talking about before that happened. While we were dancing…?” She clarified, looking at the floor.

Boltsinger’s mouth made a perfect little ‘O’ shape, his face turning red. He looked at the floor as well. “Ah… um… What about it?”

Twilight turned her head, looking at Boltsinger. He looked at her in turn. “Did you… mean what you said?”

Boltsinger let out a heavy sigh. “I-I-I did…” he admitted, averting his gaze. “I was being honest…” He flared his wings, looking at the mare again. “B-b-but you d-don’t have to go anywhere with that! My feelings are just silly. No reason to take them seriously!” He got up and walked to the window, opening it up and leaning on the sill. “I’m just a regular pony, after all…” He looked back at her. “And you… you are a Princess! You could do a whole lot better than somepony like me.”

Twilight stood up, her wings spread. “You’re right. I am a Princess.” She began. Boltsinger let out a sad smile at the proclamation. “The Princess of Friendship.” She took a spot beside the stallion at the window, putting a wing around him. “It’s my job to take everypony’s feelings seriously.” She looked out at the view, deep in thought. “But, I will admit, these kinds of feelings aren’t something I’m too familiar with.” She turned to face him. “Cadence was able to help me sort out a lot of my feelings about it. But I want to respect yours, as well.”

Boltsinger took in the view before him, letting out a heavy breath. “I… I don’t know what my feelings are right now…” He turned to face her. “No matter what, I want us to be friends first.” He placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Beyond that… can you give me some time?”

Twilight offered a warm smile and a nod in response. “Of course.” She said. From there, she leaned forward, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

The stallion stood there, seemingly frozen in place. “Y-yeah…” He nodded at her, closing the window with a flap of the wings. “See you tomorrow…”

Twilight smiled. “Good night!” She waved a wing, walking out the door.

Boltsinger walked to his bed, falling in with a sudden ‘plop’. He lay there on his side, lifting a hoof. “Good night!” He called out, closing his eyes.

Author's Note:

I know... short. But I found it meaningful as-is.

Comments

[f0st3r21]

“I really appreciate the party, Pinkie.” He said with a smile. “ But … I don’t wanna make a speech. Better to just let everypony enjoy themselves. I’m happy enough to be home.”

I don’t think she said anything about a speech… maybe he just assumes those things happen?