How young do you think am I?
The Grand-Galloping Gala. It’s the most esteemed event of the year. Only the most elite guests are invited. Noble families, celebrities, and top-rated professionals from all over the world. This was the best time to make relationships and other deals among the privileged within their packed schedule.
Dusk Shine and his family go yearly as one of Canterlot’s elite families, but he doesn’t enjoy it much. It’s a formality at most for him and other groups. Celestia sent him three tickets this year. One for Spike, himself, and a plus one. The extra ticket was labeled ‘Dusk Shine’s Guest’. He rolled his eyes, likely one of Celestia’s jokes to excite the guests. Who was the lucky mare that caught Celestia’s student’s eye?
Applejack was right beside him when the letter came. She jumped at the chance, telling him how the GGG would drastically skyrocket her family’s financial situation by selling her treats. Dusk Shine was about to offer it to her when Rainbow Dash crashed in and detailed her dreams of joining the Wonderbolts. The two mares arm-wrestled for it while Dusk Shine and Spike went for food.
They thought that was the end of it. They can’t be more wrong. Pinkie Pie wanted to enjoy the festivities. Fluttershy desired to see Celestia’s personal garden. Rarity pleaded to see her ‘true love,’ Prince Blueblood. It started small with simple favors like cleaning up the library, making him food, or doing other niche tasks. However, an oil-soaked rag was tossed into the fire. Everyone in Ponyville wanted the extra ticket.
Dusk Shine and Spike did the only thing they could do in this situation. Run.
Both thought they were safe in their home, only for their friends to be top on one of the shelves. DID THEY GO THROUGH THE WINDOW?! Dusk Shine expressed his frustrations about choosing which one until Spike suggested that they could ask for extra tickets. Dusk Shine smacked his forehead. Why didn’t he think of that before? Spike chuckled, shaking his head as he wrote a letter to Celestia.
“Yes, I can meet my true love, Prince Blueblood,” Rarity sighed with a gentle smile.
“You have a better chance marrying egghead here,” Rainbow Dash joked, motioning to Dusk Shine.
“I don’t want people claiming that I was robbing the cradle,” Rarity scoffed at the suggestion.
“Robbing the cradle?” Dusk Shine questioned, raising his brow at Rarity’s answer. “I’m probably the youngest out of all of us, but I’m not that young,” He chuckled as their silence grew.
“Well, darling,” Rarity hesitated, pondering how to answer this. It’s not the first time a young colt expressed interest in her, but this was the personal student of Celestia, making it a more delicate situation. One wrong word or tone can ruin everything.
“Well, what?” Dusk Shine probed, motioning his hands for her to continue.
“She’s trying to say you’re mature for your age,” Applejack interjected, answering for the business owner.
“Mature for my . . . ?” Dusk Shine muttered, sharing a look with Spike. He examined his attire. Dusk Shine preferred the smart casual vibe, but now that he’s looking at it from another perspective. It almost had a school uniform aesthetic. He wore sleek black slacks with a purple sweater vest over his light blue buttoned up shirt. “How young do you think I am?!”
“16,” Rarity answered straightforwardly. He was still legal, but she wouldn’t be caught dead with something half her age. If Dusk Shine were a few years older, it wouldn’t be much of a problem.
“I was going with freshly turned 18 this year before you moved here,” Applejack added with a shrug. He’s the Princess’ student, a fully recognized adult living independently for the first time.
“WHAT?!” Dusk Shine shouted with astonished eyes. “That was so far off,” He gripped the side of his head. Did he really look that young? “It wasn’t even close. Was that at the younger or middle end of the spectrum?” Dusk Shine asked, motioning his hands to demonstrate his point. 16?! Are they serious?!
“So you’re like 14 or 15,” Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy chimed in.
“WHAT?!!!!!” Dusk Shine shrieked, taking a deep inhale. “I’m not in my teens,” He covered his face while laughing at the situation's absurdity.
“OH! Really?”
“I’m almost in my forties,” Dusk Shine answered straightforwardly with a smile, raising a finger.
“HUH?!” They shouted, alarmed by the reveal. He’s older than all of them, but he looks younger than them. However, that would make a lot of sense. His magical process combined his innate sense of leadership and responsibility. That came from someone who endured through life.
“Sweet Celestia, you have incredible genes,” Rarity marveled as they nodded to agree. She’s aware of his stellar hygiene routine. It’s expected from one of Canterlot’s elite always to look presentable.
“Well, so do you, Rarity,” Dusk Shine remarked with a smirk. “You can be in your forties or fifties for all I know, and you have mares half your age wishing they look as amazing as you,” He praised, making her cheeks blazed crimson. There’s no deception in his words. Rarity is one of the most gorgeous women he has ever seen. There’s no shortage of them in Canterlot but Rarity was something else. She can easily compete with some of the other socialites and models.
“That would make a lot of sense,”
“I knew it,”
“WHAT YOU MEAN THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE OR YOU KNEW IT?!” Dusk Shine yelled with widened eyes, ending the charade, startling them with his sudden outburst. “I’m 22! What the fuck?!” He truthfully answered, pointing to himself. Spike pulled his graduation yearbook and flipped through several pages. “Lyra Heartstrings and I went to the same school. We graduated together before she moved here,” Dusk Shine explained the relationship between him and the musician, highlighting their photos together.
“OH DAMN! You’re a baby,” Pinkie Pie gasped, covering her mouth to hide her smirk as some of them started to laugh. She can’t talk as well since she’s also around the same age. He, being 22, was placed in the younger half of their group along with Rainbow Dash and herself. Fluttershy blankly stared at her.
“WHAT?!” Dusk Shine’s voice hitched to higher octaves. A baby?! “Spike’s a baby, at least in dragon years,” He elaborated, pointing to the purple dragon.
“Hey,” Spike countered, feeling slightly embarrassed. Dragons easily live for hundreds to thousands of years.
“He’s slightly older than the CMC, but he has a few years until he goes through his first molting, depending on his species,” Dusk Shine mentioned, as there’s little information about baby and juvenile dragons.
“That’s when I’ll get my wings?” Spike beamed, eager to fly like the real dragons. It’s getting weird to be on Dusk Shine’s shoulders constantly.
“Hopefully, on your birthday,” Dusk Shine predicted. Spike’s hatch day was a few months after the Gala.
“Don’t worry, I’ll teach you,” Rainbow Dash boasted, highlighting her flying skills.
“Sweet,” Spike grinned before burping. A letter with a royal seal appeared from the emerald flame. It’s from the princess. “Dear Dusk Shine. Of course, asking for extra tickets isn’t too much trouble. They’re your friends and fellow bearers of the Elements of Harmony. I’m eager to meet them all again. Here’s the extra tickets as requested,” He read the message, holding up five extra tickets. The mares rushed in and snatched them from his claw. They all cheered. They’re going to the Grand Galloping Gala! Dusk Shine raised his brow at the number. 5 tickets? It should’ve been four.
“PS. I was excited to see which one of these lovely mares would be your special guest for the Gala. Still, I didn’t want to create confusion among them explaining the replacement extra ticket. You spoke highly about all of them in your letters to me,” Spike announced Celestia’s words.
“...HUH?!” The ladies exclaimed but couldn’t hide their smiles from him. He mentioned them in his letters to the Princess?!
“Yes, I understand that I sent you to Ponyville to learn about Friendship, which you are performing excellently as always. As Cadance once said, Love is just an advanced form of Friendship,” Spike continued to read the massage. They wondered who’s Cadance.
“Of course she said that,” Dusk Shine rolled his eyes, hearing his former babysitter’s words. Ever since he moved to Ponyville, she’s been asking him about his love life or when he can start one without the social pressure of Canterlot.
“PSS. If such events occur, given you’re relatively young and inexperienced with such encounters, please use protection-” Spike continued, his brow wrinkled in astonishment at the upcoming words.
“Okay, that’s enough,” Dusk Shine grumbled with scarlet cheeks, taking the scroll away from him and using his magic to send it upstairs. Spike nodded to agree. Of course, Celestia uses this chance to pull one of her jokes. His family sent him a care package for similar reasons. His mother, father, and brother gave him a quick lecture about it. Like he needed it. The Royal Library has tons of resources for that. Both males' stomachs growled, causing them to smile sheepishly. It’s been a long day.
“Let’s head out to eat this time,” Spike considered as he didn’t feel like cooking today. Several restaurants should still be open by now.
“Deal,” Dusk Shine obliged as both fist bumped. “Do you girls wish to join . . . me?” He asked, slipping into a more formal accent. His words paused, observing all of their expressions.
Each had a varying blush and/or smile as if they were pleased to hear the letter. Rainbow Dash remained in the air, flapping her wings as she avoided his gaze but still had a slight grin. Applejack used her hat to cover her face yet had a broad smile. Fluttershy was the last one attempting to mask her expression, but her eyes couldn’t hide the glimmering stars in them. Pinkie Pie had a subtle beam and gazed at him with half-lidded eyes. That look sent chills across Dusk Shine’s skin, but he wasn’t in danger. All he knew was that Pinkie Pie had plans for a special party for two. Rarity’s blush simply intensified, keeping her composure.
“Think we should write another letter to Celestia?” Spike whispered. The sun began to set, enabling Luna to reclaim her nightly authority.
“I think she knows already,” Dusk Shine replied.
Rarity approached first, clearing her throat to gain his attention. “I can make time for a quick dinner. How about you girls?” She grinned, detailing a coded expression. They all agreed with a smirk, tucking their tickets away.
“Shall we?” Dusk Shine offered his arm, habitually reverting to his noble upbringing.
“Oh, what a gentleman,” Rarity cooed, securely hooking his arm. She glanced over her shoulder with a smug look.
“Too slow,” The fashion lover mouthed. Age before beauty but fortunately, she has both.
“Come on, smartypants, the night is still young,” Pinkie Pie cheered, taking his other arm. She slyly stuck her tongue out at Rarity. The matron pouted before letting it slide as they began to exit the tree. Each gave their opinions on what they wanted to eat as a group.
The Gala was months away. They all knew it was going to be the best night ever!