Lonely Love has confessed her love to many, but this is the first time she's confessed to a princess
Lonely Love has always had a magical ability to 'see' love. After the incident involving the illegal 'Want it, Need it' spell, Lonely Love was brought on to be Twilight's student, and for the first time, Lonely could see that someone was in love with her. Now she has to tell that someone that she likes her back. She definitely isn't prepared for Twilight's response.
Lonely Love paced across the throne room in her mentor’s castle. She had put her note book down to pace, as writing while waiting seemed impossible. She forced herself to breathe. She was doing this. She’d done it over a hundred times before so why was she freaking out now? Well, when she confessed her love to others before she was never too attached. Sure it sucked, but it’s not like the world ended. However, she’d never confessed to someone she really didn’t want to lose before. She’d never confessed to a princess before.
She’d been Twilight’s student since she’d been arrested. It was a very merciful punishment, considering that this punishment had finally allowed her dreams to come true. For the first time in her life, her ability to see love wasn’t a curse. Because, for the first time, somepony was in love with her.
She adjusted her mane and scarf for the third time that morning. She glanced back at her tail to make sure it hadn’t gotten tangled in her pacing. She tried to force herself to breathe again as she thought of what to say to the mare of her dreams.
“Twilight.” the green unicorn started, talking to herself as she moved around the room, “I’ve been.. No..” she mumbled, “Ever since the day we met I..” she sighed, how should she word it? “Twilight, I need to tell you something-”
“Tell me what?”
“AAAH!” She jumped and turned to see the alicorn in question. “Did I say Twilight?” her voice went up an octiv. “I didn’t mean Twilight I meant…” She scanned the room, “The table! I needed to tell the table something. I was… making a joke.. To myself...” she lied.
“..What was the joke?” Twilight tilted her head as she stepped closer. By the stars, she's adorable.
Lonely felt herself blush as she looked away, “Uuuh.. I forgot?”
There was a silent moment before Twilight shrugged, “Okay.”
Lonely breathed out a sigh of relief. “So what are you doing here?” she asked.
“I was looking for you.” She smiled and Lonely’s heart pounded as she saw that look in Twilight’s eyes and heard that sound in Twilight’s voice. Every time she saw or heard that she became more certain of one thing; Twilight is in love with her. Lonely had always been able to tell when a pony loved another. There was this glimmer in their eyes, a charming ring in their voice, a wonderful thing reserved for other ponies, never her. Until now. Now she had somepony who might actually accept her confession. Lonely was forced to snap out of her giddy thoughts as she listened to the alicorn. “I needed to tell you something.”
“..Yes?” Lonely said, barely able to hide her goofy grin.
“I have to cancel our magic lessons today.” She said sadly, “Something came up with the students and I’ll have to spend most of my time over there at the school… But um, Starlight said she had a spell she could show you and that she was going to invite you to a cafe... It had something to do with food...”
What should she have expected? Not a confession, of course not that. Though she longed for those words of affirmation, she knew that she’d have to be the one to say them. She dreamed of the day when she be asked out to a beautiful party with fancy dresses and chocolate cake. Where she could cling onto another pony's arm and cuddle up to their side till her heart's contempt. But that wasn't going to happen. She had no school dances anymore to expect invites too and she only just now finally found somepony to love her. She would have to be the one to find the right words to tell her love, and she desperately wanted to, but it was so hard.
Lonely, only slightly disappointed, spoke with a smile, “It’s okay, there’s always tomorrow. For now, I’ll settle with a ‘food spell.’”
Twilight nodded. They stared at each other smiling for a moment that felt like forever, though it clearly wasn’t that long. “Well- I better um, go do that stuff.” Twilight said, suddenly turning around.
“Oh uh, yeah.” Lonely said as she watched the mare walk away from her. Twilight was about to step through the door and Lonely could barely breathe let alone keep her voice to herself. “Twilight, wait-” She covered her mouth with a hoof, she hadn’t meant to say anything.
“Yes?” the Princess turned and began slowly trotting back, a curious expression on her cute little face.
Lonely blushed, she coughed, trying to hide said blush. She failed. “I um..” she began, unable to look at Twilight, “It’s..” what was she going to say? ‘It’s nothing’? Well that’d be the biggest lie of the century. “I..” she looked at Twilight’s eyes. Her beautiful eyes, filled with love. They were practically hearts as she looked at her. “I like you.” Lonely was able to say it whilst distracted by the love in Twilight’s eyes. And then she realized what she said and blushed hard. She couldn't breathe. She couldn’t think. She could barely see straight.
“..I’m..” Twilight said distractedly, blushing almost as hard as Lonely was, “I’m sorry.” she spat out quickly as she turned and ran out the door.
Lonely sat down, staring at the door as her heart beat out of her chest. It all happened so quickly to the point that she’d barely processed it. Was she just turned down? Was she wrong about Twilight’s love? What if she was thinking of somepony else? It was certainly possible that somehow, every time Twilight looked at her, she was in fact thinking of someone else. Though it wasn't likely. Did using the want need it spell warp Lonely's ability? She shuttered at the possibility. Her talent was matchmaking, she didn't know how she could possibly fulfill her cutie mark if she'd lost her sense.
She had no idea how much time passed before Starlight Glimmer trotted into the room and then stopped in her tracks. “..You okay?”
“..Huh?” Lonely said numbly, “Oh, yes.. I think I just ruined my life.”
“What?” Starlight laughed awkwardly.
“Nothing,” Lonely shook her head before standing and trotting to her friend, “Twilight said something about you teaching me a spell?”
“Oh? Yes I-”
“Let’s go.” Lonely started her trot without checking to see if Starlight was coming. There was pretty much only one cafe in Ponyville so it’s not like she’d need directions. She probably could’ve left the castle in a much more subtle manner but she wanted to learn this spell quickly. Perhaps if she was learning, she wouldn’t think about the mistake she just made. She felt so stupid, she fought to keep her ears from pressing against her head and her eyes from watering. She tried desperately to instead focus on the spell she was going to learn as Starlight caught up with her and wordlessly trotted alongside her.
They’d reached the cafe and sat, ordering their meals with one extra dish that would be the subject of the spell. Lonely was blatantly distracted, though she’d never admit why. The poor food used for practice was but a harmless daisy sandwich. Starlight pushed it towards Lonely once they'd both finished their meal.
"Alright, and what is your favorite desert?" Starlight asked.
"Hm, chocolate cake."
"Perfect," Starlight replied.
Lonely was given instructions that she barely managed to register, her mind instead choosing to focus on the confusing look of love she saw in Twilight's eyes moments before she ran away. Lonely casted the spell when prompted and only then was she snapped out of her thoughts. Both of the mares covered their noses at the sudden stench.
"Blegh," Starlight jokingly gagged, "Don't worry, just try again."
That she did, to much of the same success. Sweet Celestia, no wonder Twilight responded as she did. Twilight's whole thing was magic, she'd be so disappointed to see her student failing so bad. Lonely genuinely did try to learn the spell, the best she could in her state. But trying is not always enough.
“It’s nothing to beat yourself up about.” Starlight said encouragingly, “This spell isn’t the easiest.”
“Yuh huh.” Lonely spoke. Defeated by the spell that she failed to cast a dozen times by this point. She rested her chin on the mushroom table and stared off into the distance.
“Well, It’s not like it’s supposed to be this hard.” Starlight continued, mostly to herself, “It is more on the tricky side but it’s one that most unicorns can learn if they try, no matter their talent…” She kept talking about the spell’s nature, but Lonely wasn’t listening.
The barely eaten daisy sandwich sat next to her resting head caused her to not want breath through her nose. She had taken a bite just to see if she the spell had worked on the taste and not the smell, she regretted it instantly. It still smelled nasty and she'd bet it's taste the same. The spell apparently was meant to change any food’s flavor without hindering it’s healthiness. So this daisy sandwich was supposed to taste like chocolate cake. However, it tasted more like a chocolate cake after that chocolate cake passed through somepony, definitely not her favorite.
“What I mean is, it just seems like you’re not focusing on the spell.” Starlight finished her explanation.
“Yeah..” Lonely sadly agreed. She was absolutely right, she had to fight to keep Twilight’s cute blush and rushed apology from echoing in her head. Oh, how she felt like an idiot.
“Okay,” Starlight started, “Sit up, give it another try.” Lonely wearily lifted her head from the table, “Good, now, take a deep breath, spark your horn and feel it. Really feel it, resonate the spell in your mind, imagine the taste, the sweetness of the rich chocolate and cast it.”
Lonely did try to cast the spell, but when all the reaction she got from the sandwich was another gust of foul odor she slammed her hooves on the table, “That’s it!” she shouted, only realizing after a few silent seconds that everypony in the cafe had turned to look at her. She felt her face heat up and slumped down in embarrassment but she shook it off quickly enough. “I’m sorry,” She apologized to her friend, “I just... I can’t focus today,"
"Is everything alright?" Apparently the student counselor in Starlight kicked in a bit.
"Yeah, it's fine. Thank you for trying to teach me.” She stood and turned, grimacing as she realized that some poor waiter would have to clean up her failed spell. A part of her wished that they hadn't already paid, so she could've left a bigger tip.
“Where are you going?” Starlight asked.
“Back to the castle.” Lonely began to walk home. Twilight still wouldn't be back yet, maybe she could hide in her room for the rest of the day and not interact with the alicorn until tomorrow.
“No- Wait.. I..” Starlight called out, causing Lonely to turn around and raise an eyebrow at her, she figured the pony was about to say something to try and encourage Lonely to try again but she got distracted as her eyes shifted from Lonely’s eyes to somepony else’s, “Hey Pinkie!” she smiled.
Lonely turned to see the pink mare hopping towards her, “Hi girls!” She called, "Twilight said I might find you here!"
"Well, she was right." Starlight replied.
"That's super duper perfect!! Cause if you two aren't busy, I need your help with something kinda very important!” She smiled as she stopped in front of their table.
Lonely shrugged, “Sure,” she spoke, “We’re not making any progress here.” she gestured at her failed project with a laugh.
Starlight sighed in defeat, “I guess that’s true, but uhm...” She hummed, “I’m sorry Pinkie, I promised Twilight that I’d go help her with the school once I taught Lonely the spell- or I guess failed to teach the spell.” She laughed that awkward laugh she did when she was trying to make sure no pony got mad at her. Of course, Pinkie wouldn’t get mad at her but Lonely understood Starlight’s uneasiness with turning down a friend when that friend needs help.
“That’s fine! A promise is a promise!” Pinkie grinned, “Lonely and I can do it!” She swung her arm around Lonely in a sort of half hug, causing Lonely to let out her own awkward chuckle.
“You two have fun.” Starlight smiled as she started her trot to the school.
The green unicorn very quickly realized that she had agreed to something even though she didn't know what. “So,” Lonely started once the other unicorn was out of sight, “What is ‘it’ exactly?”
“Foal sitting and cake baking!” she explained, "Mr. and Mrs. Cake are heading out today so I need to watch the twins but I also have a super special order due today and not even I can do both at once."
“Oh.” Lonely said, “Well,” She shrugged, “I’m not really good at either of those things but I can try.”
“That’s the spirit!” Pinkie chirped and started bouncing in the direction of Sugarcube Corner. Lonely shook her head at Pinkie's energy, she let out a sigh and turned to follow the bouncing mare's lead.
Sugar Cube Corner typically had the aroma of whatever baked good Pinkie or the Cakes were working on. This time there wasn't any particularly strong scent, just the vague scent of sugar and sweets, like it was waiting for somepony to start baking.
"Ah, Pinkie and Lonely!" Mrs. Cake greeted them as they entered, "Perfect timing!" She said as she set down the filly she was holding.
"Yes, we must be going now." Mr. Cake confirmed, ruffling the mane on top of Pound Cake's head.
Lovely smiled at the sight, she wasn't one for foal sitting but she did think they were adorable, "Where are you guys heading?" She asked.
"Oh, uh…" Mr. Cake looked to her.
Mrs. Cake quickly cut in, "I'm sorry dear, we don't have time to chat right now, the train leaves in a few minutes." She spoke, ushering her husband to the door, "Good bye!" She called with a smile.
"Bye!!" Pinkie chirped.
"Bye..." Lonely tried to sound cheerful but was distracted by the obvious weirdness that just occurred, once the couple had gone she spoke again, "So where were they going?"
"I dunno." Pinkie said cheerfully as she started getting out ingredients.
"Huh." Lonely pondered, "I wonder why they were acting like that." She trotted over to the foals who had started entertaining themselves with a stuffed animal.
"Oh I do know that." Pinkie said, "They both are planning to do some type of surprise romantic thing for each other, they don’t get to do that much with twins and the baking and all. So, I actually don't know where they'll end up being that they both have different plans!" She giggled.
Lonely laughed a little as well, "Wow, that's cute." She said.
"Mm-hmm" Pinkie hummed in agreement as she started getting out the ingredients for whatever order she needed done.
Soon enough the bakery was filled with the scent of vanilla and chocolate as Pinkie baked a marbled cake. It was rather strange that Pinkie seemed more indecisive than normal. "The order wasn't very specific." Was her excuse, “So hmm..” she hummed as Lonely felt herself being levitated off the ground.
She quickly turned her attention from Pinkie to Pumpkin as she realized that the filly was the reason Lonely no longer felt the floor beneath her hooves.
"Red velvet or chocolate?"
“Uh..” Lonely spoke, twisting around to try and defend herself from the ginger filly who was also mid air thanks to her magic, “You know ponies better,” the mare stated, “Just do whatever they’d prefer.”
“I’ve never baked for this pony before.” Pinkie huffed, “And I would do what I’d prefer, but I’ve heard sometimes my tastes are a little unconventional.” She snickered.
“Well, I can’t deny that.” Lonely laughed. The levitation holding her was suddenly cut off as Pound slammed into his sister. Lonely rushed to catch both of them, unable to balance herself in the process, she crashed onto the floor. In her grasp was the two foals, now giggling at her tumble.
“Lonely?”
“Chocolate.” Lonely huffed, now dreading her task of watching over the foals.
Pinkie actually ended up asking plenty of things from Lonely. "Two tiers or three?" "Sprinkles or no sprinkles?" "Pink and green or purple and green? Or pink, green and purple?!"
Pumpkin teleported, Pound flew, Lonely tried to keep up with them but instead returned to the ground defeated, panting after a long disastrous chase.
"How do you entertain them?" She gasped, begging for advice from Pinkie, "They aren't interested in any toy or game I come up with!"
Pinkie giggled, "Those two are always so full of energy! You just gotta match their level!"
"Match their energy level?" Lonely asked, "I don't think that possible, not for me at least."
Lonely covered her face in her hooves for a moment, a moment she instantly regretted. The small amount of relaxation it gave had brought her memories back to the castle, and her stupid confession. She quickly stood to attempt to wrangle the foals once again, until a loud thud came muffled from outside. Both her and Pinkie flinched, the twins stopped tugging on a toy they weren’t willing to share with each other. They all turned toward the door, curious to the source of the sound.
“I’m practically finished.” Pinkie broke the silence, she glanced at the clock before turning back to Lonely, “Let’s go and check out what in Equestria that was!” She walked over and scooped up the foals, following Lonely to the door.
Lonely pushed the door open to see a pony lying on the ground, her wagon’s wheel having broken and caused all her apples to tumble onto the ground, “Applejack?” Lonely called out.
“Oh uh.” The farm pony stood and brushed some dirt off her chest, “Sorry ‘bout the racket, my wheel just..” She glanced at it, “Gave way.” she said, “This wagon here is pretty old, so ah can’t say ah’m surprised.”
Applejack locked eyes with Pinkie and then Lonely. Pinkie quickly turned to Lonely, “I think she might be a bit resilient to asking for help,” she snickered.
“Oh! I can help,” she looked to the pink pony beside her, “If you can handle the twins on your own.”
“Sure can!” Pinkie replied, “I just gotta do a few finishing touches on the cake and then we can play a game!” She smiled, causing the two foals to squeal excitedly.
“Mm-hmm! See ya later!” Pinkie turned and brought the kids back into the building.
Lonely trotted over to the wheel, it looked completely shattered, “Wow,” Her eyebrows furrowed, “This must’ve been really old.”
“Eeyup.” Applejack replied, undoing the harness off herself. “I thought she would make it a few more trips, but I guess she thought otherwise.”
Lonely levitated a few bigger pieces and tried to adhere them with her magic, but it wasn’t sturdy. After a moment her crude wheel fell apart once again, “I’m sorry...”
“Oh nah, it’s fine, sugarcube.” Applejack smiled and then sighed, beginning to gather the fallen apples, “..Ah.. normally wouldn’t ask this but it’d be an awful lot of work to get a new cart from the farm just to get the apples and then bring ‘em back so... Would you mind helping a bit more?”
“Not at all!” she spoke, “I could levitate the corner with the messed up wheel as you pull it? And I can get the apples for you.” She turned to levitate her friend’s spilled cargo off the ground.
“That’ll work! Thanks.” Applejack smiled, she slid herself back into the harness and fiddled with the buckle for a moment.
Lonely set the apples in the cart and quickly grabbed the wheel-less corner in her magic grasp. She didn’t have the strongest levitation but she could do this much without much of a problem. She nodded at Applejack and the earth pony started toward the barn, Lonely trotting just behind her, keeping an eye on the cart.
They came upon the farm soon enough, each tree they passed sprouted vibrant red apples, making Lonely hungry just at the sight of them.
“Thanks again for helpin’, Lonely.” Applejack said as she stopped the cart and unbuckled the harness.
Lonely pushed a nearby bale of hay under the corner she was holding up before setting it down on top of it, “No problem.” She smiled, she rubbed her horn with the back of her hoof, it felt a bit worn from the lifting but not painful.
Applejack trotted around the cart picked up a basket of apples. From the looks of it, Applejack was returning from the market in town. Though it was a bit early to close up shop, Lonely didn’t know enough about apple sales to know if it’d be normal to close her stall early. She picked up one of the baskets in her magic grasp, following Applejack’s lead and setting it down next to the earth pony’s.
With a few trips back and forth the apples were all moved out of the cart and after a bit of Applejack’s analysis, the few bad ones that got bruised and damaged during the cart’s accident were discarded.
“Uh..” Applejack glanced up at the sky, Lonely did as well it seemed a bit past midday, “How’d ya like to join me inside?” she asked, “I uh, wanna get a snack before I get on to buckin, you wanna tart?”
Lonely thought for a moment, a part of her wanted to get back to the castle before Twilight did. The idea of hiding in her room until tomorrow seemed more appealing the more she remembered her confession.
“Just a quick one?” Applejack offered, snapping Lonely out of her thoughts.
She had no excuse to get herself back to the castle so she gave in, it was about lunchtime anyway and the Apple family's tarts were always delicious, “A tart sounds good, thanks.” She smiled weakly, hoping that Applejack didn’t see inner turmoil.
She apparently hadn’t, as Applejack turned quickly and trotted up to her door. She opened it and gestured for the unicorn to go in, “The tart’s are on the counter, Ah’ll be there in a jiffy.” She said as she shut the door too quickly for Lonely to object.
Lonely shrugged after a moment, “Weird.” She mumbled.
She wandered towards the counter and sure enough, there was a pile of tarts. She lifted one with her magic and took a bite; delicious as expected.
The door creaked open behind her as she took another bite. She glanced at the noise’s direction to see Applejack smiling awkwardly, “Sorry ‘bout that.”
“Oh, it’s no big deal,” Lonely said before finishing off her tart, “What was that about anyway?”
“Uhh..” Applejack glanced to the side, “Outhouse.”
“Ah,” Lonely spoke, “Well, I guess when you gotta go, you gotta go.” She looked back to the tarts, “Hey, could I have a second?”
“Eeyup.” Applejack confirmed, trotting towards Lonely to grab a tart of her own.
They sat at the table and each nibbled on their tarts for a silent few moments, “So..” Applejack started, “Nice weather we’re havin’?” she said awkwardly.
“Uh, yeah.” Lonely spoke, meeting Applejack’s level of awkwardness.
Neither pony had anything to say for a while, until Lonely stood, “Right.” she said, breaking the silence, “Thank you for the tart, I’m going to head out.” She should still be able to reach the castle before Twilight finished at the school if she left now, assuming Twilight was staying until all the classes were over atleast.
Applejack stood quickly, “Ya sure ya don’t wanna third?”
“Oh no, two’s enough, thanks again though.” She smiled, stepping to the door.
Applejack followed close behind, “Ah well, I could cook you up something else?” she sounded a bit uptight.
Something small clicked in her head, “Did you happen to see Twilight today?” Lonely asked.
“Uh, no. No. What makes ya say that?” she stepped in front of Lonely, blocking the unicorn from the door.
Lonely kept walking forward, forcing Applejack back, “It’s just that something happened today...” She tried not to let her thoughts dwell on the ‘something’ that had happened, “I was wondering if Twilight told you?” Could Twilight have asked Applejack to make sure Lonely was feeling okay after being rejected?
“No, what happened?” Applejack seemed to relax, not the relieved kind of relax, but the distracted kind. She seemed to actually not know.
Lonely felt herself relax as well, she shook her head, “It’s nothing. I’m asking because, and I mean no offense, but you’re acting weird.” she stated, “Is everything okay?”
And instantly, the earth pony looked stressed again, “I- Uh-”
There was a knock at the door.
Applejack let out the breath she was holding and turned to open it.
“Ang..” A pegasus painted, “Angel bunny..” She took a breath, “He’s hungry.. I’m out.. Of apples..”
The rabbit in question jumped off of Fluttershy’s back, an angry expression on his face.
“Ah see that.” Applejack replied, “Well, Ah have some to spare.”
“Oh, thank you!” She smiled and then looked over to the unicorn, “Lonely! I didn’t see you there. Would you like tea?”
“I.. what- wait.” Lonely looked to the floor as she processed all that just happened. Applejack was acting weird, really weird, but she hadn’t known about her confession. Then why was she trying to pamper Lonely with food? Were the tarts a new recipe and she was just too embarrassed to ask her to properly taste test them? No, that made no sense. She sighed and looked up to Fluttershy.
Right, Fluttershy. The pegasus seemed to have completely caught her breath now. Lonely had met Angel a few times, he was a sassy little bunny who was always able to get Fluttershy to do what he wanted, even fly all the way to Sweet Apple Acres in a rush for him.
And Fluttershy offered tea. “That’s a bit strange to offer out of no where.” Lonely said, mostly to herself but the pegasus heard.
“It's just that something came up and Discord couldn’t make it but I already have the tea party set up- or well,” she glanced down at the angry bunny, “Almost set up, no apples yet.” She giggled, “So I figured I’d invite you and Applejack since I’m here.”
Applejack trotted back with three apples to put in Fluttershy’s bag, “Sorry, sugarcube, them apples ain’t gon’ buck themselves.” She joked.
“Alright then, another time?” Fluttershy smiled, seeing Applejack nod before turning to Lonely, “And how about you?”
“I..” She wanted to go back to the castle before Twilight got back. Applejack didn’t know about the confession and thus Fluttershy probably didn’t know either, so if she said she needed to go back, she’d have to explain everything. She didn’t want to explain everything though. She focused on conjuring up any lie that’d get her back but nothing came to mind. She sighed in defeat, “Tea sounds nice.”
“Oh, good!” Fluttershy said sweetly, apparently not seeing Lonely's apprehension.
The two said their goodbyes to Applejack and headed out.
They trotted to Fluttershy’s cottage silently for a few minutes. They had some small talk when the silence overstayed its welcome. They didn't talk about anything too monumental, just about how Fluttershy had a few injured creatures she didn't want leave alone for long, and the fact that Lonely's mane was a bit disheveled. Luckily the talk was significantly less awkward than talking to Applejack.
“Do you know if anything’s going on with Applejack?” Lonely eventually asked.
“Hmm, no? Why do you ask?” Fluttershy responded.
“She was just... Acting weird, I guess.” She said, “It’s probably nothing.”
“Sometimes ponies do act unusual, but it's often over nothing.” Fluttershy said, “Though I’m sure if something was actually wrong, she would have told us.”
The cottage was warm and comforting, it smelled surprisingly nice considering the number of critters that lived there.
Just as Fluttershy had said, the tea party was all set up, complete with cucumber sandwiches and cups already in position. “I’ll go get the water boiling.” Fluttershy said and excused herself from the living room.
Lonely sat down in front of one of the teacups, waiting patiently for the mare to return. She flicked her ear as she tried to ignore the sound of Angel practically devouring an apple.
She took the moment to tame her pink mane, it'd gotten to be a bit of a mess after having taken care of the twins and moved all those apples. She understood now why Applejack always had her hair tied back, though she continued to not understand Pinkie Pie’s hair. Though she doubted anypony understood Pinkie’s hair. Did Pinkie even understand Pinkie's hair? She shook her head to rid herself of the thought for it could easily turn into a rabbit hole of conspiracy.
Just as she was adjusting her scarf, Fluttershy trotted back into the room, humming to herself and a few birds that flew around her.
"So," She spoke, taking a seat across from Lonely, "How has your day been?"
Lonely supposed this was normal tea party talk, she also supposed that anything she said would be significantly less interesting than anything Discord would say. "Well," She could lie, as you probably are supposed to do when you're asked the question. She could just say that it was good and then turn the question back onto the pegasus, who would reply with something similar and then they'd carry on with the conversation. If she were to lie, she wouldn't need to get into the morning's embarrassing situation and the dire circumstances that will come when she sees Twilight again.
"Bad?" Fluttershy asked weakly.
Lonely hardly noticed that she'd zoned out, she blinked to refocus herself, "No.. Yes, well, bad is a strong word. More like one.. bad thing and," She paused, thinking of to describe the other events of her day, "A hoof full of busywork?"
"I guess you're trying to keep your mind off of the 'bad thing?'"
"Yes." Lonely sighed and looked down to stare at her hooves. Her eyebrows furrowed after a short moment of pondering, "I'm not sure if busywork is the right word. It's distracting and I am glad to be distracted but.. I don't know." She turned her attention back to the yellow mare, "Starlight tried to teach me a spell, then I helped Pinkie Pie with the twins, and then I helped Applejack with a broken cart, and now I'm here."
"Oh my, that is a lot of busywork." Fluttershy said.
"It is." she confirmed, "And yet I didn't initiate any of it."
"I don't think it's that uncommon though." Fluttershy replied, "Twilight normally teaches you but I'm not surprised that Starlight would take over a for a bit."
"I guess."
"And Pinkie does have to take care of the twins quite often, in my opinion, she doesn't ask for help often enough." She continued.
"I.. Yeah.." Lonely rubbed the back of her neck, feeling sheepish that she was looking so deep into what was probably nothing.
"Though," Fluttershy giggled, "I fully agree that it's unusual for Applejack to ask for help. Maybe she's just really busy today?"
"Maybe, she was acting weird, maybe she'd just stressed over work." Lonely nodded, "I'm sorry, I guess I just haven't been thinking right since the.."
"Bad thing?"
"Yes." She laughed awkwardly. She took a sip of tea, then allowed herself to get distracted by two squirrels playfully chasing each other through the living room.
"Well, I'm sorry to say but, I'm a bit curious over what the bad thing is." Fluttershy said, "Though you don't have to tell me if it's too personal." She smiled sweetly.
"I guess it is," Lonely spoke. She watched as a ferret joined the two squirrels in their play. "But, basically, I.." She took a long sip of her tea, her eyes still trailing on the critters. It hurt so much to think about, or even consider saying out loud. She felt so stupid. "Told Twilight I liked her." It came out as little more than a whisper but Fluttershy heard.
And Lonely knew Fluttershy heard when she turned to see the pegasus' wings stiff and shaking as a hoof covered her mouth. She was choking on her drink.
"Are you okay?" Lonely's embarrassment quickly turned to concern for her friend.
"I-I'm fine." She cleared her throat after a bit of coughing and wiped a tear that formed in her eye from swallowing the drink wrong, "Just surprised. I uh, didn't know you liked her like that."
"Yeah." Lonely's ears folded back, "And I thought she liked me, I've always been able to tell that sort of thing."
"I assume it's something like my stare," Fluttershy commented on the unicorn's ability, they'd touched on it before but Twilight was the only one who had asked scientific questions on it, the other's just accepted it and moved on. Fluttershy had a thoughtful frown as she thought of her own strange power, "It doesn't always work as planned."
Lonely nodded, "I guess there's always room for error for these types of things."
Fluttershy pressed her lips together, "So she turned you down?"
"I think so, it was a bit spontaneous, she didn't give me an actual response but I can take a hint." Lonely laughed at her failure.
"Maybe she was just surprised," Fluttershy offered, "I know I was just now."
"Ah, it's okay," She shrugged away the thought, she knew her friend was only saying it to be nice, "I'll move on quick enough, I always do."
Fluttershy looked a bit sad at that, maybe she was a hopeless romantic just like Lonely, or maybe she just really doesn't understand the number of times Lonely had said the phrase 'I like you.' "I wouldn't give up so soon." Fluttershy tried to cheer Lonely up.
"She apologized and left without saying anything else." Her ears drooped a bit at the memory, "She just doesn't like me like that and that's fine. I'll find somepony else to crush on and the cycle will continue." What started a sigh turned into a morbid giggle as a thought occurred to her, "If she wasn't an alicorn, I'd have probably used some dark love magic on her, but I doubt would've worked anyway." It was true, she even thought about doing so a few times, but she didn't want to mess with an alicorn's resistance to spells again and she doubted Twilight would be as kind with her punishment as she was last time.
Lonely was drawn away from her thoughts when she saw the poorly hidden discomfort on Fluttershy's face, "Oh." Was all the tea party's host said.
"I-I was joking!" Lonely lied quickly, it seemed to make Fluttershy relax, "I've already been arrested once, I've learned my lesson." She laughed.
She hadn't learned her lesson. She learned a lesson, and that lesson was that one should not do dark magic in the public area nearby a princess' castle. It certainly wasn't the lesson she was intended to learn from the experience.
But Fluttershy seemed to believe her as she giggled, "Sorry, I got worried for a moment." She took a sip, making sure not to choke on this one, "Now, you know Twilight." She started, "She starts, well, 'Twilighting' sometimes, often over the smallest of stresses, and I'd say a pony confessing their love to her would give her a bit to stress over."
Lonely nodded, "I suppose."
"And maybe she-"
A sudden, uppity pattern of a knock interrupted her and Lonely wasn't sure whether she should praise or curse the knocker for doing so.
"I'll go get that." Fluttershy stood and trotted to the door.
It opened to reveal a pale unicorn, "Oh, Fluttershy, Dearest, I've run into a bit of a problem." Rarity said before they'd even greeted each other properly.
Lonely swallowed the last of her tea and then got up to talk Rarity as well, "Hi." She spoke from behind Fluttershy.
"Lonely! I expected Discord, honestly, but this is lovely surprise!" She said as Fluttershy gesture her in. She stepped through the doorway. "If it were Discord then it'd be quite a bit harder to convince him to let me borrow Fluttershy."
"What's wrong, Rarity?" Fluttershy asked the mare.
Rarity turned to her, "Darling, it's simply dreadful! I've got to get a dress order down tonight and, for whatever reason, the fabric and the manikin aren't agreeing." She shook her head in disappointment as if the two objects were her rowdy foals, "I thought that it might go smoother if the manikin was a living, breathing model. So, of course the first pony that came to mind was you, Dear."
"I don't mind helping but, well there's a few critter's here I'd like to keep an eye on..." She said, glancing to bird who slept in her nest, dawning a white bandage wrapped around her wing. Lonely didn't notice her before, but she wasn't surprised being that Fluttershy almost always kept the injured creatures in her cottage, "And I already left them alone once today."
"I see..." Rarity said, likely trying to figure out a way to get Fluttershy to help her anyway, "Now that I think of it, there's another problem."
"There is?" Lonely tilted her head curiously.
"Yes, I- Well, I was in such a rush that I forgot something rather important, one of the dresses has to have a tight fit around the waste with no room for wings..." She rubbed her chin as she attempted to find a solution.
Lonely stifled a sigh and completely gave up hope at any attempt to get to the castle before Twilight did, she slowly raised a hoof, "I can help."
"Oh!" Rarity gasped, "Thank you, Lonely! You're a life saver!"
"I'm glad it all worked out." Fluttershy smiled, "But, Lonely... what I was saying before..." She glanced at Rarity, who seemed confused by Fluttershy's sudden tone shift, "I think you should tell Rarity what you told me, she's better at giving advice for this sort of thing."
"My, whatever's the matter?" Rarity turned her attention back to Lonely who proceeded to swallow hard as she was backed into a figurative corner.
"This morning," she succumbed to the fact that she'd have to tell Rarity now, "I told Twilight that I liked her." She traced a circle into the ground with the tip of her hoof.
"You did what?" Rarity blinked in shock, Lonely shrugged instead of responding. Fluttershy cleared her throat and nudged Rarity with her wing, "Oh- Oh, I'm sorry, it's just that I was helping Twilight with the school earlier. Pinkie, Applejack, and Fluttershy, of course, were busy so I had to cover for them but I still had enough time to talk to Twilight and.." She shook her head to stop herself from rambling, "I just thought she would've told me."
"I guess not." Lonely mumbled, "It doesn't matter though, she turned me down, I'll move o-"
"She did what!?" Rarity gasped, raising her hoof to her forehead and falling into Fluttershy, who had to rush to catch her.
"She turned me down." Confirmed the lonely unicorn.
"My poor romantic heart! You put you're love out there! Confessing your most secretive and loveliest feelings to your one and only! And she turned you down?" Rarity swooned dramatically.
"You're not helping."
"Rarity." Fluttershy seconded Lonely, "Listen, we don't know if Twilight turned her down."
Lonely rolled her eyes at Fluttershy's false hope, "She apologized and left, what else is that supposed to mean?"
"That she's sorry she needs a moment to compose herself before she makes her own declaration of love?" Rarity said weakly. Lonely just stared at her and raised her eyebrows at the fellow hopeless romantic's desperateness. "Oh, fine, I see you're point." Rarity sighed.
Fluttershy giggled, "Why don't you give Lonely some advice while you're working on the dresses?"
"I would love too!" Rarity turned towards the door.
Lonely followed, "I guess you're forgetting that I got my cutie mark from match making?" she asked, "I know stuff."
"No, darling, of course not." She opening the door with her magic and stepped out, "I suppose you're forgetting that I have succeeded in getting dates before."
She stepped out the doorway, "Touché." She said, glancing back to Fluttershy, "Thank you for inviting me, the tea was delicious."
"Oh, I'm glad you liked it." Fluttershy said softly, "Good bye."
"See ya." Lonely called over her shoulder as Fluttershy shut her door.
Rarity trotted with a hum, "If I were an extremely nervous princess, how would I be wooed?" She said.
"Not by a student, that's for sure." Lonely kicked a rock as she followed Rarity.
"We don't know that. What exactly happened?" She glanced back and slowed her pace to walk side by side with Lonely.
The green unicorn huffed out a breath before telling the story. She stared at the ground and let her hooves drag as she spoke of how she quite possibly ruined her own life, which she honestly should've expected from herself at this point.
"Don't be dramatic, Darling!" Rarity gasped, "If there really is no hope for romance, you'll certainly stay friends. At the very least, you'll still be her student."
"But what if she doesn't want that? I made things awkward, I screwed everything up, I wouldn't be surprised if she just wasn't comfortable teaching me any new spells ever again."
"Dear, you're still talking about Twilight, right?" Rarity asked, "When has she ever not wanted to explain spells to somepony, especially if there's some complicated history involved?"
"There's almost always complicated history involved." she huffed with an eye roll.
It wasn't long before they came upon Carousel Boutique. Rarity quickly ushered Lonely towards the two dresses she seemed to be working on.
"These are lovely," Lonely gasped at their detailed designs, she knew a bit about fashion due to her old roommate, Sky Beam. One was pink and magenta layered over each other with a few ruffles that traveled over the manikin's flank. The under layer was a dark blue, as were few of the accents, like the sash that tied around the waist and the embroidered hearts. It was a beautiful dress. Lonely made a mental note to commission something similar from Rarity if she ever had a fancy event to go to.
The other was wonderful as well. With dark blue and purple layered fabrics, as well as light pink accents. Despite the differing colors, it was clearly made to match and compliment the other. However the ruffles were swapped out for a much lighter fabric and the hearts were swapped for stars. This one, unlike the other, had a more closed back with no space for wings.
"What do you think of them?" Rarity asked.
"They gorgeous." Lonely spoke, still mesmerized with the designs, "Who are they for?"
Rarity hummed and smiled, "Two ponies in love, though I've sworn to secrecy on who they are exactly."
Lonely nodded, "I supposed it's a gift from the one mare to the other." she smiled sadly, "It must be nice."
"Now, now, Darling." Rarity shook her head as she walked up to the blue one and started taking it off with her magic, "You mustn't get jealous, we shall figure out exactly how win Twilight's heart." She levitated the dress over to Lonely, who took it wordlessly, "Do be careful, there are a few pins in there." She said and Lonely took it behind the foldable screen to change.
"Will do." She said, tossing her scarf on top of the screen.
She stepped out to reveal herself in the dress. She looked in front of a mirror, seeing that Rarity was right, the dress seemed to look even better when on a pony and not a manikin. She carefully trotted toward Rarity, who now dawned her glasses and a pin cushion on her hoof.
"I just need to sew a couple things in place." Rarity mumbled, slowly putting a thread through the eye of her needle, "Just hold still." Lonely did as she was told. The fashionista stepped around her, sewing things and removing pins. "So, how to woo Twilight..." She said, tying a knot in her tread, "Is it possible that she didn't realize you meant like like?"
"Judging by her response, she realized." Lonely spoke.
"Hmm.." There was a long pause from Rarity as she focused on some bit of the dress, "Maybe you should try again, this time get flowers and chocolates and wear a nice, pretty dress like this one?"
"Is this you just trying to get me to buy a dress?" Lonely jokingly asked.
"Of course not, Darling, it'd be free of charge due to the extremely special occasion."
Lonely did want the dress, what mare wouldn't? Well, Applejack maybe, but she wasn't Applejack. However, she'd have to confess again. If the first one didn't ruin her life, this one would.
"Tempting, but no." She sighed.
Time passed in between each idea and question as Rarity put most of her attention into the dress. At some point she switched out her needle for a bigger one and started on embroidery 'touch ups' on the other dress.
"Wouldn't you normally do the embroidery before sewing everything together?" Lonely asked.
"Well, yes, it is bit tricky to do this way, but it's better now then never." she huffed back, likely a bit annoyed at her past self for not embroidering sooner.
Rarity eventually finished with the other dress and quickly stepped to Lonely again. Stepping around the dress with a needle gripped in her levitation. Lonely was a bit grateful that she'd stopped giving her advice and started putting all of her attention to the dress. She mumbled quietly as she worked quickly and precisely, completely enveloped in her art.
"And done." She breathed after having just finished the details on Lonely's chest. A bit of a proud smile showed on her face.
"Cool, can I see it?" Lonely started turning towards the mirror.
"Oh! No! Um.." Rarity spoke, "I'm sorry, if you were to see the symbol, you'd know who it was for." She apologized.
"Oh, okay then. If your done, I'd better get going-"
"I'm not done!" Rarity gasped.
"But you said..?" Lonely tilted her head.
"Yes, yes, but I forgot something." She fiddled with the dress.
"And that is?" Lonely's eyebrow furrowed. Why was it that Rarity was reminding her so much of how Applejack was earlier?
"Um.." Rarity hummed, trying to look busy as she circled the dress and adjusted things that didn't seem to make any difference.
"Rarity?" Lonely asked cautiously, "Who are the dresses for?"
"Why, Darling, I already told you I've been sworn to secrecy." Rarity laughed and readjusted the glasses that sat atop her head.
"Right..." Lonely said, "I'm sorry, I'd better get going, I haven't eaten dinner yet." She lifted a hoof and started fidgeting with one straps to get it off.
Her hoof was stopped by a blue aura, "No! Dear, please, I'm almost done."
Lonely stared at the white unicorn. She wasn't lying, was she? She was acting just like how Applejack was, which was suspicious. But why would she? Was it possible that all of Lonely's friends lied to her today?
Lonely focused on everything that happened today. Starlight taught her a food spell. She blinked in realization; Starlight had stopped her from going back to the castle. Then Pinkie took over and then Applejack broke her wagon. Her wheel was absolutely demolished, not like how one would normally break. It was almost like a pony had bucked it- more than that; crashed into it.
Lonely shook her head, she didn't want to think about it anymore, she just needed to know why they were so determined to keep her away, "I'm going to take off the dress." she stated.
"Keep it! It's yours!" Rarity practically tripped over herself to grab Lonely's hoof that had once again reached up to unlatch a button.
Lonely froze "But what about the order?"
"I can make another" Rarity smiled.
"It was due tonight." Lonely stepped back.
"Er- I lied." Rarity glance to her window quickly before looking back.
"You lied?" Lonely winced, she was lying this whole time, wasn't she? They all were.
"This one is yours, Darling, it just looks to good on you." Rarity wasn't even looking at her, she'd stepped closer to the window, looking up to the sky.
"Well, who gets the other?"
"RAINBOW DASH!"
"Rainbow Dash?" Lonely gasped.
Rarity whipped her head around to meet Lonely's eyes, "Oh yes- its Rainbow's" she gave a weak smiled.
"Who was this dress for?!" Lonely said, gesturing to her new dress.
Rarity's gaze had already returned to the sky, "Uh.. me!" She looked to Lonely again.
"You?" Lonely raised a brow.
"Yes." She nodded.
"You're in love with Rainbow Dash?"
"You're in love with me?" Rainbow Dash yelled, causing Lonely to jump. When did this pegasus get here? Lonely had barely noticed that the boutique's door had opened let alone that a colorfully maned pony had entered.
"Yes! Darling, now take your dress and go!" Rarity levitated the pink dress off the manikin and shoved it into Rainbow's arms.
Rainbow Dash's shocked expression faded quickly, "Oh! Right!" she said, spreading her wings and taking off out the still open door.
Lonely eyed the place where Rainbow Dash was moments ago, she felt her breathing quicken, though she tried to stop it and think rationally. She looked to Rarity, who was keeping up a clearly fake smile. Something was wrong, something was off. She did something stupid in the morning and then all of Twilight's friends proceeded to distract her the rest of the day. Why were they keeping her away? "I'm going now." she stated.
"Now, Dear, I-"
Lonely turned out the open door of the Carousal Boutique and ran with all her might. She pushed her hooves against the ground harder when she heard Rarity's hoof steps following her. She was grateful that the dress was fairly short, otherwise she would've tripped.
"Please stop! Please!" Rarity called, closing the distance between them, "Slow down for the dress' sake at least!"
At the sound of wings flapping against the cold night hair, Lonely looked up to see Rainbow Dash, she'd returned from wherever she was storing 'her' dress, "Wait!" She flew in closer to Lonely, "Wait a moment!" The unicorn only continued her gallop wordlessly, causing the pegasus to give a frustrated, "Ugh!" before zooming off again.
Lonely watched Rainbow carefully as she left, she flew fast, but Lonely was able to see that she was flying towards Twilight's castle. When Lonely looked back to Rarity, she saw that the mare was next to her. Both of them were out breath and slowing down. Lonely grimaced at the implications of why Rarity was trying so hard to keep her from the castle, "Why were you distracting me? You did know about the confession, didn't you?"
"Lonely, I swear I didn't!" she pressed.
Before she had a chance to rebuttable Rarity's words, she heard a voice from above. "Distract her!" Rainbow called as she dropped Spike in front of Lonely. She came to a halt instantly while her breath hitched in her throat. Luckily the small dragon was able to spread his wing and save himself from the ground. Rainbow zoomed around Lonely and swooped up Rarity princess style, "C'mere, 'Babe'"
Lonely shook her head as Rainbow Dash flew off, Rarity definitely lied about them being a thing, she looked to the only one left, "What in Equestria is going on, Spike?!"
"Nothing!" He put his claws up in defense.
Lonely ignored him, desperate for a real answer, "Is Twilight kicking me out? Did I make things to awkward? Does she hate me!?"
"What? No! Why would she ever?" Spike asked.
Lonely felt tears stinging her eyes, she turned to the castle and galloped with all the energy she had left, "Because!" She cried, "I'm in love with her! and I ruined everything! And now she hates me!"
"She doesn't!"
"She does! Why else would she want me gone?!" she sobbed.
"She doesn't want you gone! She just.. Wanted you away."
Lonely shot him a stern glance, slowing her pace to a stop as she came upon the door. She tried to catch her breath before she opened it but didn't have that time too. Rainbow Dash appeared yet again, pushing the door open to grab Spike before ducking back in and letting the door close behind them.
And then Lonely was alone. She wiped the tears off of her cheeks. She shouldn't be sad, she should be angry. She'd been lied to all day, she had the right to know why. With a new sense of determination, the unicorn stepped through the door and shut it behind her.
"What is going on!" She called, her voice echoed through the halls, "Hello?"
Her ear twitched at the clack of a distant door closing. She turned to follow the sound, "Why have you kept me out all day?" She trotted down the hallway, listening closely to see where the others hid, "What was the point of all these distractions? Why do you all keep lying to me?" Her voice was getting quieter with every word. She spoke to herself more than to her hidden 'friends.'
She heard shuffling again, pinpointing the exact door they were hiding behind, she stepped closer, "Do you want me to leave?" Her eyes stung with fresh tears forming.
She was met with silence, complete silence. She could open the door but she couldn't, she didn't have the strength anymore. She sat on her haunches, starring at the door as tears blurred her vision and then spilled out, tumbling off her cheeks and onto the shiny floor of the castle.
Lonely didn't know how long she was there, gently sobbing, to quiet for those beyond the door to hear. Twilight didn't want to see her again, at least that was probably the case. Lonely had no one but herself to blame, perhaps whens she cast Want It Need It on herself, she broke her own ability. Perhaps she misunderstood every kind gesture Twilight had ever given her. Perhaps she was an even bigger idiot than she ever thought herself to be. She didn't care anymore whether Twilight turned her down or not, she just wanted to still be friends. Though that seemed impossible considering everything.
Lonely practically jumped when the door opened a crack, "Lonely, Darling, aren't you- Oh my." Rarity gasped at Lonely's pitiful appearance. She stepped toward Lonely, levitating a napkin from the other room to her and then shutting the door, "Lonely, what's wrong?"
"You already know." Her voice shook. Rarity carefully dabbed her face with napkin, "Twilight is.. I don't know, she's mad or just thinks it'd be to awkward to be around me." She swallowed, trying to stop crying, "I ruined everything, I'm so stupid, I-"
"You aren't stupid, you're in love." Rarity stated.
Lonely let out a weak laugh, "Doesn't being in love make you stupid?"
"I suppose so, but not in this case, you did nothing stupid." Rarity lowered the napkin to Lonely's nose. Lonely took it with her own magic and blew. "Now." Rarity breathed, "Yes, Twilight has been avoiding you today." She said, making it feel as though Lonely had been with a dagger as her own dreaded thoughts were confirmed, "But!" She interrupted Lonely's self pity, "It had nothing to do with your confession."
"How do you know?" Lonely bitterly asked.
"Because, Darling, I didn't know it happened, none of the girls did." Rarity said, "Do you really think that all of us would be able to cancel our plans to distract you on such short notice?"
"So this was all already planned?" Lonely tilted her head, "But why?"
"Hmm, I wonder." Rarity turned suddenly, "Well Darling, please come in when you are ready." Without another word, she opened the door just wide enough to slip in before closing it.
She tried to force herself to breathe as she was once again left completely alone. She stared at the door, willing herself to step toward it. She didn't push it open until she heard sudden voices, at least three practically yelling. Her ears pinned back at the sound but her curiosity eventually won. She pushed the door open.
Twilight rushed to her, "Are you okay?! Rarity said you were crying but I shouldn't go out to check on you and I..."
She trailed off as she stared at Lonely and Lonely stared back. The unicorn's eyes were wide and her mouth hung slightly agape. Twilight wore the most beautiful dress, Lonely had seen it only moments ago before running to the castle and yet the dress seemed completely different with a pony wearing it, and a very pretty pony at that. The flowing bits accented her frame wonderfully and the colors of the dress balanced perfectly with the princess' mane, coat, and eyes. "What's.. going on?" She asked numbly, forcing her eyes away once she realized what she was doing. She looked nowhere in particular, just anywhere that wasn't Twilight.
"I'm sorry." Twilight breathed, drawing Lonely's eyes back to hers, "I was surprised this morning, I didn't know how else to respond but.." She stared at her hooves, she raised a hoof to her chest and focused on her words, "I mean, I didn't say things right, I just ran and I'm..." She scoffed at herself and dropped her hoof, "What I'm trying to say is-"
She was cut off by Lonely's gasp. She'd finally looked at the embroidery on the alicorn's chest. It was a heart, broken in half, with a small 'x' in the center. It was undoubtedly Lonely's cutie mark. Lonely quickly looked down to her own chest, something she somehow managed to not do the entire time since Rarity had finished the embroidery.
On her chest was an unmistakable star with six points, surrounded by five smaller stars. Lonely looked back to Twilight. She knew what this should mean, or at least what she hoped it meant, but she desperately didn't want to get her hopes up. She'd done that once today and it didn't turn out well. Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times in her search for words. "What?" She eventually said, desperate for confirmation of the obvious.
Twilight's eyes were so full of love. There was a wonderful ringing in her voice, "I like you too." she said.
"Oh." All the relief hit her at once and Lonely broke down right there. Too much had happened that day, her emotions felt as though they had motion sickness. She could do nothing but cry and smile and laugh at herself for crying.
"What's wrong?" Twilight's ear flopped back as she quickly closed the short distance between the two.
"Nothing." Lonely bit her lip to try and stop herself from crying further, "I'm happy." She rubbed her eyes, "I'm so," she breathed, "So happy."
Twilight sat and pulled her into a hug, resting her muzzle on Lonely's shoulder, "I don't think I did this right." She admitted quietly.
Lonely melted into the embrace, she sighed, "Maybe not," She looked out into the room, it had balloons, confetti and Pinkie's cake. It streamers of pink and purple, star shaped lanterns floated and lit the room. The decorations could rival the most elaborate Heart's and Hooves day's celebration. It was wonderful, it surely was going to be memorable, it was every bit of the confession Lonely had always dreamed somepony would give her. "But, I think it's perfect." she said in awe.
She begrudgingly pulled away from Twilight and wiped the last few tears from her eyes. The two mares stared at each other in bliss for countless moments before being cut off.
"Eh-hem." Rarity cleared her throat.
Lonely blushed as she realized they had company. Obviously, they had company but she'd managed to forget for a moment. Rarity was there, standing amongst everyone else who'd helped distract her that day.
Pinkie jumped up suddenly, "Welcome to the 'Twilight's Grand Romantic Gesture for Her Very Special Somepony' party!" She cheered.
The rest of the guests cheered back with 'Yay's and 'Woo's and two rather larger explosions went of and covered the room with more confetti.
Lonely shook her head a bit to get off the confetti that decided to land on her muzzle. Twilight stood and offered her a hoof, which she gladly took. Together, they walked further into the room to e swooned over Rarity and served cake by Pinkie. Lonely heard Fluttershy giggle when Twilight, very awkwardly, wrapped a wing around her and Lonely couldn't help but smile.
Today was horrible. It was the best day of her life. And she laughed at it with Twilight later that night, when the party had ended and they took to falling asleep in each other's arms.
