Compatibility

by mechafone

2 - To Approach A Lady

Roseluck hummed to herself happily as she made her way past the site of the old orphanage. In its place, a new school building had been erected, the very building that Cheerilee now taught at. It was both ironic and symbolic that Cheerilee's mother once ran that orphanage. School was just beginning now, and the children were all clamoring to start the day.

Today, Roseluck was making a delivery. Not five minutes ago, a young, alabaster filly on her way to school bought a white camellia and asked Roseluck to deliver it to Spark Storm's home.

Exactly five years and ten months ago today, Cheerilee discovered that her mother, two years before her death, had commissioned a home to be built for her children. Cheerilee lived well enough, so when the home was finished, she gave it away. Life in Ponyville hadn't been particularly kind to her adopted brother, Spark Storm, so the house was given to him, even with Ponyville's blessing.

As Spark Storm wasn't a constant occupant of the house, Cheerilee came to the house once a week to make sure that the house didn't gather dust. Spark cleaned up after himself, of course, and it wasn't a big house, anyway, especially after the modifications the pegasus had made to the place.

Roseluck opened the charming wooden gateway to step on the property, a gorgeous, small lot that held a house just big enough for two. The lawn was kept short and watered at least twice a week. The house itself was unimaginably plain for such an extraordinary pegasus. It was a brown and tan brick home with a fireplace, a two-story home that might've measured about fifty feet on all sides, a perfect square.

The house had a covered porch, which was made from birch and cherry stained. Above the door's right corner hung a little silver bell that held the door's key. It was a special bell made from a special magnetic metal, and only a brief electric shock could loosen the key, which was constantly magnetized and held within the confines of the bell.

Roseluck smiled appreciatively at the set up that Spark had been given, and was about to knock when she noticed an entire column of kudzu ran up from a portion of the wall and down onto the grass. She was sure it hadn't been there three days ago, and while the earth pony mare knew for a fact that kudzu didn't grow that fast, she supposed it could've been decorative, maybe...

Whatever. She raised a hoof to knock, until she heard a rustle of greenery. She glanced at the greenery beside the porch suspiciously. Plastic plants don't sound like that when it moves. Most plants don't move, either, she told herself. Suddenly she felt a tap on her left shoulder. She gasped quietly and turned to the left. Nothing. The earth pony felt a pinch on her backside. She let out a sharp shriek of indignation, dropping the camellia as she turned around. Again, nothing.

Roseluck turned to grab the fallen flower, but it was gone. As was the kudzu. Gone in an instant.

The earth pony had had enough. While she didn't know the whole story, she was one of the few ponies in town that knew a thing or two about the strange company that Spark let stay in his house when he wasn't home. Something about forest spirits or living trees or something of the like. Had she just met one? Feeling just slightly violated, Roseluck backed away from the no-longer perfectly safe and cozy burg and took off running until she was safely behind the gate.

From inside a hidden gated door located just over the area where the kudzu had disappeared, a pair of eyes watched the earth pony walking away from the house. A small smirk played over the eyes, which then brought their attention down to the white camellia clutched in a leafy vine. "Interesting," the creature mused with a soft, mature feminine voice. She turned easily inside the 2x2 vent. Having no bones made it easy for a nymph to maneuver inside small spaces.

She followed the vent that was built into the ceiling and made a beeline for the adjoining room on the second floor. Interesting thing about this "second floor" was that there was no ceiling separating the ground floor and the loft that had been created for Spark Storm's main room. It was a brick room that had been created just for him. There were no stairs. A single stone perch had been positioned just above the exiting door. One jump was all it took to make it up, then another jump across from there to land in the closed off room, available only through a single 4x4 square hole.

For the nymphs Ampelus and Orea, however, the vents were easier, which were also hidden, and had direct access to Spark's room. The older nymph, Ampelus, quietly pulled away the hidden grating leading straight down into Spark Storm's room and dropped to her soft hooves, never once making a sound. The pegasi's room was plain, but filled with furniture to entertain. Besides the full-sized bed, five large bean-bag chairs were set up around the room, as well as a desk, a mini fridge, photos of his loved ones and family, and a single window, double-paned for those cold winter nights.

Spark Storm himself was still in bed, covered with his usual quilt. Ampelus loved being the one to get the pegasus up in the morning. She adjusted the white camellia (completely unblemished despite traveling through the vents) into one of the many vines that decorated her body and slowly approached and climbed over the bed until she stood over Spark Storm, then slowly dragged the flower petal-first along Spark's cheek. "Wakey-wakey, sweetheart, you've got mail."

Spark sighed gently, a smile spreading over his face at the gentle touch. Sensing something was a little off, he opened his eyes to see Ampelus grinning at him, the flower now horizontally held in her mouth. She leaned forward and closed her eyes, only to find his hoof on her lips and an annoyed look in his eyes that turned into a yawn.

This was par for the course; ever since Ampelus met Spark Storm when he was younger, the nymph had either been trying to kill him or sleep with him. Certain events had lead up to mutual respect between them, and the killing attempts stopped. The flirting and sexual advances did not.

Spark let out another yawn and sat up sleepily. On the nights he was out in the valley and sleeping in the wild, he was alert and ready for anything. But when he came home and slept in his bed, it took him a long time to awaken fully, sometimes he'd even need coffee. "Wha..." he began, yawning again. "What's this?"

Ampelus pouted and spat the camellia down into Spark's lap. "You're replacing me, aren't you?"

Spark stared down at the flower in an absolute blank daze. "...What?"

The nymph sighed dramatically and stepped away from Spark's bed to stare out the window a few feet away. "I suppose it's all right, if it's from the white unicorn who likes to dress up. She's tough, and I can respect that."

Spark seemed to snap out of his daze at this. He glanced down at the white camellia, and he felt his heart jump in his throat. "White...white camellia? Ok, I know this, think think..." he muttered as he grasped the flower in his hoof and brought it closer to his face. He knew this, he'd been looking at the camellias just the day before. Yellow, longing. Red, in love. What was white? Patient? Waiting...? Waiting. She's waiting for me.

Spark's face took on another dazed look, but this one with a dreamy, lost look in his eyes. Already annoyed with the situation as it was, Ampelus sauntered back over to Spark and tapped him not so gently on his head. "What?" he snapped at her, torn from his thoughts. The nymph frowned and reached down to take the camellia from him, which he reached for. She stretched out a vine over her head with the flower resting in her grasp.

"You're replacing me," she repeated, a playful smirk pulling at the corners of her lips.

Spark stopped reaching for the flower and sat up in bed patiently. "That doesn't make sense. 'Replaced' isn't even a good word to use. 'Replaced' infers that you were 'there' in the first place, which you weren't."

"Oh, listen to you getting all technical! Since when did big strong Sparky get smart?" Ampelus teased, dangling the flower over Spark's head.

Spark Storm shrugged and glanced up at the item teasingly placed just within his reach. "I have a school teacher for a sister, I was bound to learn something."

This prompted Ampelus to giggle, something she hadn't done in a long time. She sighed, rolled her eyes and let Spark take the flower from her, then turned and went to make herself comfortable on one of the bean bags in the room. "Well, your maiden awaits. Might as well go and make her dreams come true."

Spark rolled his eyes as he slipped the flower behind his left ear. After patting Ampelus consolingly on the head, he made his way to the hole in the wall that was his door. He jumped across the gap to the perch over his door, then spread his wings to glide down underneath his room to step into the kitchen. He found a tall glass, filled it with water, then laid the flower to rest inside the filled glass.

The flower taken care of, Spark made his way out of his home and closed the door behind him. As he made his way to the street, he chanced a glance behind him to see if Ampelus was staring at him like she usually did whenever he left. She wasn't, which prompted a light chuckle from him. She's really broken up about this. She'll get over it, he told himself with a shrug as he headed down the street in the breezy morning air.

Halfway to Rarity's, Spark decided to take a small detour to thank Roseluck for her delivery. As he made his way towards her cart, he saw a small gathering. He spotted the botanist he was looking for, she was talking animatedly with one of their childhood friends Felicity Rose, another earth pony mare who had a penchant for gardening, but her job usually had her in Canterlot. She was one of the few ponies in town who knew all about the nymphs, as Orea often visited her and kept her company.

Felicity Rose was a beautiful mare. Her coat consisted of a dark green, though it was split halfway in various parts of her body. These areas were a lighter green. Her mane was thick and bushy, and two-toned with different shades of brown, as were her eyes. Her cutie mark was a pair of scissors with the blades open to a rose and its stem. Her tail was tastefully decorated with a single red band near the end of her tail, which was long and as bushy as her mane.

As Spark approached, the conversation hushed. Roseluck turned her head away from Spark Storm in a huff. Felicity Rose managed a very, very subdued chuckle before turning to Spark. "Spark, you should really think about getting yourself a mailbox, or a doorbell. Poor Roseluck met Ampelus today."

Spark Storm paled. He hadn't even thought about how Ampelus had come by the camellia. Now that he thought about it, he didn't have a mailbox, or a doorbell. He just wasn't home enough to warrant those kinds of things. Cheerilee usually took care of it, and he hardly ever got mail when he was home. "Oh, geez, I...I can't even...Roseluck, I'm sorry!"

Roseluck glanced at Spark, a light blush on her face as she recalled what had been done to her. "Hmph. That's the last time I ever deliver to your home!"

Spark winced slightly at her tone. He'd have to make it up to her somehow, but later. He had places to be. "I'm really, really sorry, Roseluck. But I really have to thank you for getting the flower to me. I really do appreciate it."

Roseluck managed a small smile, then threw Spark a playful glare. "Well, I guess it's all right...You'd better get going, Spark Storm. You know what that flower meant, don't you?"

"Uh...yeah," Spark replied with the faintest trace of an embarrassed blush on his face. He waved to the two mares, then took off at a brisk trot towards the Carousel Boutique.

Spark's stomach was all a-flutter as he approached Rarity's boutique. This was definitely different than the day before. He no longer had to worry about getting his intent across - now he had to keep it up. Spark paused for a moment just outside Rarity's door. What if she was waiting for more than just a visit? No, not like that, you pervert, like a date. Oh Celestia, I'm not ready for this.

Spark sighed and shook his head to remove the thoughts from his head that threatened to impede him, the taking-Rarity-around-town-thoughts, and the other ones, too.

Ok, Spark Storm, think! You're not going to just go inside and make out with her, you need a plan! The ball is in two weeks, you can't just tell her you want to take her and then leave, she'll be expecting more. Stuff...think of some stuff to do. Compliment her, check her out - slow down, idiot!

Spark sighed and brought a hoof to his face. This was turning out to be much more complicated than he thought it would be. He frowned and lowered his head until it was pressed against the door. Craaap. I am so lost. I think I'm in, but now what do I do? I've been on dates before, but this is Rarity...this is completely unfamiliar territory.

He took one last deep breath, then knocked on the door quietly. He was so nervous, that he stood there for the next two minutes wondering if she was home until he came to the realization he'd knocked too quietly. Steeling his nerves, he knocked once again, this time louder. "It's open!" came the fashionista's voice. Spark swallowed hard, then opened the door slowly and stepped inside, closing it behind him.

Rarity was quietly humming to herself as she put the finishing touches on a green dress. She glanced sideways at Spark, an amused glint in her eyes. Spark narrowed his eyes at her as he approached casually. "What? What's that look for?"

Rarity kept on a collected smile as she ever so slightly inclined her head behind him. He could very easily make out the front door out of the window. She was watching his inner turmoil the whole time. Spark felt himself redden with embarrassment. "Really, Spark. You can face hordes of beasts and monsters and Celestia knows what else with great heroics," she paused, then delicately closed the distance between them until their noses were practically touching. "...yet the idea of approaching a lady fills you with butterflies?"

Think fast, Spark. She's teasing you, tease her back, say something witty...something romantic, maybe, he thought, even as he could feel the blush from the unicorn's teasing making his ears hot. "...Only when it's you, Rarity."

This caught Rarity off-guard, and it was her turn to try to hide the blush rising up her face. Since when did Spark Storm get so cheesy? Cheesy, yet...this was Spark Storm. It fit, and it made her feel warm and happy to have him talk to her that way.

Spark tried not to grin at his victory. It came anyway, and for some reason a laugh bubbled out of his throat. Rarity glared at him playfully, but an instant later she joined in. The pair's laughter and jolly giggles filled the air of the boutique for at least a full minute. Finally, the two calmed down, and Rarity rested her eyes somewhat expectantly on Spark's.

Spark stared back down at her until he realized that he didn't want this to turn into something like an awkward teen moment. Besides, he knew what he wanted to say: "Rarity, um...I've got a few things to tell you, and...I don't think I could get it all out in one go. Honestly, I feel a little overwhelmed. It's a little hard to think standing so close to you."

Rarity blushed at Spark's romantic gushing. She was rather enjoying the attention, and although she could tell that Spark was already fuzzy-headed, she looked forward to getting him much, much more so. She leaned forward and touched their muzzles together, a touch that lasted less than a second. "Well. I think we could both use some fresh air, what say we errer about the town? I'm sure a walk could do us both some good."

Spark's heart skipped a beat at the touch. Though it was the briefest of touches he'd ever shared with her, it still sent shivers down his spine, the same way her hoof on his chest had done for him the day before. "I think I'd like the idea of getting some fresh air," He told her with a sheepish grin, starting to feel a little warm.

Rarity suddenly took on an excited look. "Oh! Parading me around at your side, I think this occasion calls for a hat." Rarity hopped once then turned right around and headed upstairs to her room.

"A hat?" Spark questioned, a slight panic starting to rise in his chest. If she was putting on an item of clothing, then this walk and talk thing might turn into a date. Was he ready for a date? He just wanted to talk!

"A hat," she called, excitement in her voice. "I shall just be a moment!"

Spark watched her disappear to the second floor, then sat down and stared at the ground apprehensively. This was definitely turning into a date. He was not ready for a date. He hadn't been ready for any of this, really. After all, this was Rarity. One did not simply drop by and casually ask Rarity to a ball, you needed to have a plan to go with it. There was more than simply hanging out with her, you had to be smart. Spark Storm was smart, but it usually depended on the situation. He'd done all right with mares in the past, but again, this was Rarity.

Spark was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't hear Rarity stepping delicately down the stairs. It was the large, round shadow on the floor that did it. He looked up to see a dazzling sight: Rarity had found herself a bright, white sun hat that had a simple, sky blue ribbon that was tied up in a bow around the top. It was so typical, so Rarity and so..."Beautiful."

Rarity beamed at the compliment. "Oh, I do like this hat, I think the ribbon-"

"No," Spark interrupted gently, a very serious look in his eyes. He reached with a hoof to lightly tip the hat up to get a better look at her eyes. "You're beautiful."

Rarity stared up at the pegasus, a little taken aback by his forward remark. She usually preferred the subtle flirting, but this? She could really learn to like it. "Th...thank you, Spark Storm," she said, her tone gentle so as not to to upset the mood. "Shall we?" She smiled patiently as she headed for the door. He followed at her side, and as they stepped out into the bright sunshine of the day, headed for wherever, Rarity leaned against Spark's side. A wing gently and slowly stretched out to cover her back, and the two strode off to have their talk, both blissfully unaware of the carriage that had parked across the grounds at Town Hall.

Author's Note:

Errer - French for wander about/to wander about