The Day of Love

by Rose Quill

Starfall: Twilight and Rarity

I hopped over the railing of the landing and spread my wings as the clock tower continued to ring out the fact that it was four in the afternoon.

“Spike!” I called out as I landed and began looking around. “Spiiiike! Where is the gift I got for Rarity?” I could feel panic rising, I had gotten wrapped up in reading and lost track of time. I barely had the time now to sneak over to the salon to get a fresh manestyle done for the Hearts and Hooves Day dinner I had planned with Rarity weeks ago. And now I was running late and the gift was missing and…

“It’s right there, Twilight,” Spike said as he came out into the foyer, pointing at the main gate. “I put it there so you wouldn’t forget it.”

I looked over and saw a box sitting on the table I had set there to catch mail dropped through the slot. It was wrapped in a soft pinkish paper with a purple and white bow on top. I eyed the dragon.

“I don’t remember wrapping it,” I said as I stared at him.

“You didn’t,” he said as he came over and gave me a quick hug. “I did. Happy Hearts and Hooves day, Twilight.”

“Thanks, Spike,” I said. “What are you doing tonight? Want me to bring anything back?”

“Nah,” he replied. “I’m actually getting together with the Crusaders and running an O&O game for them. Babs is supposed to be visiting and Apple Bloom wanted to take her mind off of things.”

I smiled and turned to leave, but paused for a minute and glanced at the dragon. “Are you sure you’re ok with this, Spike?” I asked. “Me and Rarity, that is?”

He looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Yeah, of course,” he replied. “I still think Rarity is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen, but…” he paused for a moment. “I’m starting to recognize that it was just an infatuation. I still like to help her out when she asks, but she’s just as much a friend to me as Fluttershy is. And you make her happy, just like she makes you happy. That’s much more important to me.”

I sniffed for a moment. “Thanks, Spike,” I whispered before racing out the door. I was ten minutes late, but making sure I was still on good terms with my oldest friend was important.

---

I slowly strode into the restaurant, eyes roving over the multitude of ponies celebrating this special day. I couldn’t help but smile as I took in the sight. Despite all the differences, days like this made you remember what was important in life. I stepped aside to allow a Unicorn with a dusty orange coat and his smiling Pegasus date to leave and wandered inside to look for a certain purple mane in the sea of colors.

I didn’t see it, for some reason. I didn’t even see an empty table, which was odd. I had made the reservations days ago. I knew that Rarity would sometimes be what she called ‘fashionably late’ - which made no sense to me at all - but there should have been a table free.

I walked over to the hostess stand and waited for the pony to return. The one that came over was new, as I didn’t immediately recognize her. “Hi, sorry about your wait.” She paused and smiled as she adjusted her pince-nez. “Just one?” she asked, lifting a menu with a teal aura.

“Ah, no,” I began. “I’m actually supposed to have a reservation, but I don’t see any tables available and it was supposed to be for now.”

The mare consulted a bit of paper on the stand, taking longer than the usual mare did. How new was this filly?

“No, I’m afraid all parties are seated where they are supposed to be,” the hostess replied, a lock of teal and purple falling down in front of her ears. “Maybe you are mistaken?”

“But I know I made reservations!” I said, frowning before continuing to myself. “I told Rarity about this weeks ago!”

The mare’s green eyes glittered. “Ah,” she said. “You didn’t mention who you were meeting. She arrived a little earlier as was escorted to the table she reserved. If you would follow me?”

I trailed behind the strange mare, blinking. Why had Rarity made a reservation here after I told her I had done so?

The hostess led me to the bay doors that led out to the bistro tables on a balcony. I looked at the mare in confusion, they were usually closed during the winter.

“Your server will be with you shortly,” she whispered and drifted backwards out of my sight. I took hold of the doorknob with my magic and turned to thank her, but I couldn’t spot her in the crowded restaurant. She must have been blocked by some of the standing patrons.

The door slid open and instead of a cold breeze, warmth slid over me with a slight hint of cherries and oak. I saw a small chiminea burning in the corner of the balcony and a slight shimmer of magic over it and the only table set out. A few roses sat in a vase mixed with several lavender sprigs and white lilies. I stepped out and saw that some flutes had already been filled and placed by the table settings.

“Do you like it, darling?” the silky voice of Rarity slid out, revealing the Unicorn standing by the door. “I do hope you forgive me for changing your reservation, but I thought that this might be a slightly more appropriate setting for tonight.”

“Well, I do appreciate the effort,” I nodded. “But why exactly does this make it more appropriate?”

She held a pristine and well done hoof to her chest and gave me a sly look.

“Why, Twilight Sparkle,” she cooed. “Does this mean that you don’t know what tonight is?”

I frowned. “It’s Hearts and Hooves Day,” I told her, confused. “That’s why we’re here tonight, isn’t it?”

She started laughing as she leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek. “Oh, this is delicious,” she giggled as she went and sat down, lifting her menu in her cornflower aura. “I finally have one over you, and this will be perfect!”

Sitting, I frowned at the mare. “What is it, Rarity?” I asked, confused.

“All in good time, Twilight,” she whispered from behind her menu. “Didn’t we agree not to exchange gifts until after dinner?”

Sighing, I lifted my menu and began picking out my meal. I knew there was no budging her on this until the matter was at hand.

But the occasional chuckle or giggles that drifted out during our meal didn’t help.

---

“Ah, that was simply delightful,” Rarity sighed as we moved to a bench near the chiminea to finish our drinks. “This establishment serves simply the best Prench food.”

“They do,” I agreed as she snuggled up against me. Even with the warmth from the small fire next to us, I slid a wing over her, hearing another contented sigh slip from her lips. I smiled. It had been a great meal with even better company. A box with a purple and white bow lifted into the air in my magic. “Happy Hearts and Hooves Day, Rarity.”

She took the package in her magic and pulled the bow off, her glee slipping out in her excited squeal. Inside the box was a small, elegantly made comb that melded our two cutie marks, one of the five smaller stars replaced with the center gem of hers.

“Oh, Twilight,” she whispered. “This is simply marvelous. Wherever did you get this made?”

“There’s a craftsman in Saddle Row,” I explained as she slid it into her mane. “He normally doesn’t do customs, but there are benefits to being a Princess at times.”

She examined her reflection in her cider flute. “I should say so,” she agreed. The clock tower began to chime again, signaling the arrival of nine at night. “Close your eyes, dear, and I’ll get your present ready.”

As my eyes slid shut, I couldn’t help but be curious as to what exactly she had up her sleeve. I hadn’t noticed a box or anything on the balcony besides mine. Did she have it hidden? Or was it something she was doing that involved her?

My wings twitched as I felt my face heat up at that thought. Of course not.

“Ok, Twilight, open your eyes.”

Rarity was the first thing I saw, standing by the railing. She motioned me over, and I went to join her.

“Ok,” she said, turning her face and pointed out to the mild glitter of Ponyville lake. “Just watch.”

I was about to ask why when lights began flashing through the sky. Streaking stars filled Luna’s night with a display of brilliance and color, and the view was doubled as they flew over the lake. I watched in awe at the display. I turned to Rarity slightly, not willing to ignore the shower.

“Did you ask Luna for this?” I asked.

The fashionista shook her head with a smile that suggested that she was entirely pleased with herself. “Not at all, Twilight,” she cooed, sliding up to me. “You really think after being together for as long as we have that I wouldn’t pick up a few ideas of what you enjoy? This shower was planned to fall tonight. It’s why I asked to have the table out here set up, so we could share it.” She batted her eyes at me. “Though I find the thought that you were so wrapped up in spending time with me you forgot that there was supposed to be a meteor shower tonight rather charming.”

I looked at the sky again, then at Rarity.

“Did you actually know about this the whole time?”

The purple mane swirled slightly as she nodded. “And it was better than anything I could have found in a store,” she whispered into my ear.

I pulled her close and kissed her just below her horn before sliding my wing over her again. I kept watching the stars fall, but every now and again, I would watch their reflection in her shining eyes.

As we left, she leaned in close and whispered in my ear again, a mischievous smile on her lips.

“So, what went through your mind that caused your wings to twitch and blush earlier?”

Her giggle cut through my groan as we entered my castle.

Author's Note:

I will admit to a couple of guest stars here. See if you can figure out who they are