Ponyville's public library and home to local librarian, Twilight Sparkle and her assistant Spike.  The library hosts a plethora of topics, tomes, books, and scrolls with a wealth of literary knowledge.  Twilight Sparkle's own studious nature has only improved the capacity of the library as it now features a wide array of meteorological equipment, scientific devices, and magical research materials.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:32, Sat 14 Apr 2012.

It was a bright and beautiful new day in Ponyville. The sun was up, the birds were chirping, and Applejack was pulling her closed-up apple cart away from the Orchard. She turned off the route to the market, though, and left thee cart a  few paces back from the library door, as she trotted over, and lightly rapped a hoof on the wood door in the tree.

It was a bright and beautiful new day in Ponyville... which meant Twilight Sparkle wasn't awake yet.

For a Pony who glorified the Sun Princess as much as she did, Twilight had never been in the habit of rising with the dawn like some of the more hard-working Ponies in Ponyville.  She was more prone to pulling late-night study sessions or getting absorbed in a captivating book without realizing the midnight hours were marching on around her, then sleeping half the day away as a result.  Spike was no better -- the dragon went to bed early and slept as late as he could, but at least he had the justification of being a baby and needing all his rest.

It took a few knocks and minutes of waiting before Applejack would get any reply.  At first she'd hear some grumbling and shuffling about, the bang of something being knocked over, and finally hooves coming down a staircase.  A moment later the door to the library would glow faintly with a familiar violet aura and swing smoothly open to reveal the slightly bed-headed Librarian on the other side.

"Mnn?  Oh, g'morning Applejack." Twilight hid a wide yawn behind her hoof.  "How are you today?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:16, Tue 17 Apr 2012.

Outside, Applejack's expression at the series of sounds shifted, curiosity at why the door was unopened, puzzlement..  concern at the crashing about... then  a forced grin, as she realized she'd woken them up.  As Twilight opened the door, she trotted inside. "Ah. G'mornin' Twilight." Applejack turned, and tossed open the flap on one of her saddlebags, revealing a book - Applebloom and the girls had borrowed it a few weeks ago, on one of their escapades. "Ah was in town, so ah thought ah'd drop this off fer Apple Bloom."

She put the book on a table, and turned to Twilight. She did have this look like she'd done something she was sorry for about her, but she just couldn't hid that feeling guilty about inconveniencing somepony else. "Ah hope I didn't wake ya'll up too early. Ah'm on the way to sell some apples at the market."

"Oh~!  My copy of 'Boiling Hearts: A Study of Hearts and Hooves Tradition'!  I'd forgotten that the girls had borrowed that one."  Twilight followed her friend back inside, her sleepy eyes automatically scanning the shelves to see where the suitable gap would be.  Spike had just re-shelved everything the night before, so it was no problem finding the right spot.  The book lifted from the table AJ had left it on in a magical glow and floated over to be slid back into its proper place soundly.

"Don't worry about waking me, AJ.  I should've been up by now anyway... besides, I appreciate you taking the time to return that book.  That was really thoughtful of you." the unicorn smiled as she lit her horn once more to float her mane brush down from upstairs to tidy up her appearance.  "Though if you're going to the market, do you think I could come along?  I needed to do some shopping anyway."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:16, Tue 17 Apr 2012.

"Well, sure. Ah'd never turn down good company." She said, and took a minute to glance over the library shelves. She felt a little intimidated by all of the knowledge accumulated there like a gigantic wall of ... knowing things. Sometimes, so much information could be too much. She had no idea how Twilight handled all these books, but that was what made her friend special. Applejack - she didn't even know where she might begin to look for a book she might like. "Ah'll wait, if ya wanna go get ready."

"Thanks, I'll just be a moment." Twilight chirped before she cantered off back upstairs with her mane brush hurriedly following behind her.

In all honesty, Twilight wouldn't understand somepony being intimidated by the wealth of knowledge gathered on those shelves.  She looked upon the vast collections of books and tomes she had, or the even more expansive archives housed in Canterlot, and it practically made her salivate more than one of Pinkie's delicious creations would.  The gathered stories, experiences, and lessons of countless beings from all across Equestria and beyond, the theoretical musings of great minds through the ages, philosophical essays, historical records, even good old casual fiction... what wasn't there to love~?!

On the other hoof though, Twilight mused over her early-rising friend already bringing apples to market.  To already be carrying them off, it meant AJ had probably been up for hours already and working hard at her morning chores.  The unicorn looked over herself in the mirror and couldn't help but frown a bit.  She was slim and fine, which was quite the contrast to her farmer friend -- Applejack naturally had the subtle muscle that came from manual labor and carried it well.  While AJ felt intimidated by the scholarly endeavors, Twilight felt a tad jealous over her friend's strength and reliability.

"Ah well... to each their own."  Twilight shrugged as she finished preparing herself for the outing.  Ignoring Spike's snoring in the background, she hovered her saddlebags over onto her flanks and headed back downstairs.  "Alright, all set~!"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:17, Tue 17 Apr 2012.

Applejack gave a bit of a grin. "Ah, Twilight." she was still at the book-wall when she came back, but the look on her face showed a kind of cluelessness, like she'd been staring at the titles, and not really reading them.  Ah, well.  She wasn't cut out for books anyway, but maybe like Rainbow, there'd be somethin' she would like in the world of books. It'd be something to ask Twilight about... Later, she reminded herself.

Twilight still had her bedmane, but Applejack wsn't much of one to comment on others' looks. Still... she should probably mention it. "Hay, Twilight." She lifted he rhat with one hoof when she caught her attention, and settled it back on her head. She wasn't quite sure what words to use, but maybe that would work.

Twilight lifted a brow curiously as she found Applejack passing the time in front of a portion of the collection she had, glancing over to skim the titles.  That section was dedicated to historical records about the self-aggregating communities of Gryphons and studies on traditional migration rituals.  A fascinating topic, but not one she would have pegged AJ for being interested in.  Perhaps her interest had been piqued by encountering that Gryphon chef during the baking competition they'd attended in Canterlot a few weeks ago?

Of course, before she could make mention, the Unicorn was reminded of the state of her mane.  She blinked curiously and crossed her eyes as she looked upward, realizing she was still a bit of a mess.  "Ah... heh..." once more her brush swung down to actually do its job, not allowing her to get distracted before her mane could be smoothed down.  In a few moments she had her bangs straight and streaks organized like they should be.  "There.  Now I'm ready."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:17, Tue 17 Apr 2012.

"heh heh.. There ya go..." she added encouragingly, and trotted briskly out the door, and back to her apple cart.

Actually, she stopped dead, half through the Library door. "Uh, Twilight. Ah' didn't bring mah cart inside, fer some reason, did I?" she asked, and trotted out into the open, to give her friend room to join her.  The spot where the cart had been sitting behind Applejack when Twilight had let her in was empty, now.

With her brush floated over to the nearby desk at the center of the library floor, Twilight trotted along after her friend... only to end up bumping into her from behind with a sharp 'oomph!' as the sturdier pony stopped short.  Darn Earth Ponies and their gravitational stability!  That felt like walking into a wall.

"Huh?  Your apple cart?  No... I was half-asleep, but even I would've noticed that coming through the front door."  Twilight said as she rubbed her snout gingerly.  She slipped outside herself and looked around, curiously peering about to see where the cart could have gone off to.  She looked to the grassy ground to try and spot any tracks leading away.  "You didn't forget to set the wheel brake, did you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:17, Tue 17 Apr 2012.

"Woaah no. Ah learned mah lesson on that a long time ago." Applejack replied. She did think back though. she was pretty sure she'd set it, but it wasn't something she distinctly remembered one way or the other. What stuck out in her mind was the commotion inside the library after she'd knocked.

"Ah'm sure I set it.." she said, and trotted over, leaning down and eying the dirt for anything disturbed.

Sure enough, as the two ponies set about investigating the grasses around the Library, they'd find tracks.  There were Applejack's tracks and the cart wheel lines leading up the way to where she'd left it.  Another set of hoof prints ran along the ground as well until they crossed paths with the original set.  Where the wheel tracks left off there were divots in the ground -- it looked as though the cart had been turned in place -- and apparently run off behind another set of hooves.

Based on the evidence, somepony had taken Applejack's cart!  But the real problem was that the fine grass and earth that surrounded the Library only went of for a short while before it transitioned into Ponyville's paved streets.  While the two could track the initial direction of the cart thief, beyond that the trail went cold.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:50, Sun 15 Apr 2012.

"Uh-oh... from the looks of things, it looks like somepony un-set your brake." Twilight grimaced as she spied the cart tracks headed away from her home apparently under the locomotion of some unknown pony.  She raised a hoof to point off in the direction the cart had been dragged away in, but there was no sign of anypony about to even ask if they'd seen anything.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:17, Tue 17 Apr 2012.

Applejack felt rather hurt, but it also seemed... rather unusual. Everpony in town generally looked up to her. Her cart was known. Somepony just taking it didn't make any sense. "Yeah. Ah dunno who would've done it, though. Looks like they went straight inta' town with it. Ya still up to visitin' the market, Twilight? Ah could use your help to find out what's goin' on here."

Confident in her friend's aid, Applejack trotted from grass to paved stones, hooves clicking lightly.

Moving to Ponyville Town Square
This message was last edited by the player at 00:41, Mon 16 Apr 2012.

"Of course!  Let's dig up some clues."  Twilight gave her friend a reassuring nod as the two of them took off in pursuit of the missing apple cart.  Part of her wished Pinkie was around so that she could wear that nifty detective's hat again... ah well.

--> Exit to Ponyville Town Square
This message was last edited by the player at 14:18, Tue 17 Apr 2012.

In from Ponyville Schoolhouse, Afternoon

Applejack smiled to Mei Mei as she led the honorary Apple along through town. She pointed out a few buildings to her, Sugarcube Corner, Rarity's Boutique, and then there was Branches and Books. As they arrived, she paused and pointed ahoof up to the balcony with Twilight's telescopes and astronomy gear out on it, open to the air with no particular storm scheduled by the weather ponies. "Have a look up there."

Surely, Twilight had only the very best equipment. "Ya' ready to go in? Even if she ain't here yet, ya' can meet Spike. Ya' ever met a Dragon?"

<<< FROM: Ponyville Schoolhouse

Xing Ming's mouth opened slightly as they approached the tree library. "Oh... wow..." she murmured at the sight of the huge telescope peeking through the branches. She quickly followed Applejack to the building door, her eyes only pulled away from the great telescope when Applejack mentioned a dragon. "A... A real dragon...?!" she gasped, her eyes wide as saucers. "Oh... No, I've... I've never seen one. But oh, how I would like to!"

Applejack grinned at the girl, as she went wide-eyed.  Her 'Big Sister' put a hoof around her, and laughed. "Well, you're about to. Mei mei..." She paused and glanced down at her with a bemused but lighthearted smile. "Welcome ta' Ponyville!"

Applejack moved on to the library door, knocked a couple of times, and then turned to have a glance about the street and yard while waiting.

<-- Enter from Town Square with Honey Sweets and Rainbow Dash

Twilight came trotting up the way with her friends in tow and a string of parcels floating above her head, held aloft by her magical efforts.  Home was just a few moments beyond the next string of houses and she was eager to pop in and talk to Spike about the evening.  He'd surely be excited to hear about Princess Luna's arrival~!

"Oh, looks like they beat us here."  the unicorn observed as she spotted Applejack and Xing already at her hearth.

Spike had slept in and was still behind on his chores, so he was busy reshelving two great armfuls of books when he heard the knock at the door. When he leaned forward and opened the door, he lost hold of the stack of books and collapsed into a pile on the floor. He poked out of the top of the pile and waved. "Oh! Hi, Applejack! Hi, somepony else! Please excuse the mess! And by 'excuse' I mean 'don't tell Twilight!'"

It was right about then that Spike noticed Twilight Sparkle coming up behind Applejack. "Oh! Hi, Twilight! We were just talking about you!" He grins and tries to act innocent.

<-- Enter from Town Square

"Wow. They don't make buildings like this where I am from." Honey said as he followed Twilight up to the great tree house.
"Hay Applejack, Hay Xing. Hay there fellow." Honey said when he got close enough to see the small dragon laying in the door. "I'm Honey." He said with a big and jolly smile.

Xing's eyes grew as wide as saucers at the sight of Spike, and the greeting she had for Twilight died in her throat. It was very reminiscent of Flutteryshy's first meeting of Spike, as a matter of fact, her narrow blue eyes fixated on him with almost a hungry, excited expression. "Oh... Oh, wow! A real life dragon!" she breathed out, her voice no bigger than a whisper. "N-Nihao, um, Spike. I'm... I'm Xing Ming... Oh, my goodness, a real life dragon!" She giggled in pleasure. "How fortunate for me to meet a real dragon this year! In the Chineighs zodiac, it's the year of the dragon, you see." She was practically dancing on the tips of her hooves. "Zhe shi jingren! Zhen long!"* she squealed in Chineighs. "You were right, Jei Jei, Ponyville is amazing!"

*This is amazing! A real dragon!
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Tue 08 May 2012.

Spike hops up on the pile of books and offers hoofshakes to Xing and Honey. "Nice to meet you two! Let me know if I can help you find anything! Wow, I didn't know there was a whole year for dragons!" He looks back at Twilight and puts on his winningest smile, with just a little nervousness in his eyes. "Did you hear that, Twilight? This year's the year to be nice to your favorite dragon and forgive him for not getting his chores done on time!"

Applejack laughed lightly, and turned about at her friend's arrival. "Hay there, Twilight. Guess we did beat 'ya here." she chimed. "Ya'll doin' alright?  There's some big news  'round town. Ya' hear?  Princess Luna's gonna' be doin' a Moon Raising."

Twilight seemed mildly perturbed over the state of the library as she ambled in with the rest of the bunch, but she couldn't fault Spike too much.  It was mostly her own mess, after all.  Yet another late-night study sesson come and gone, and the heaps of books strewn about were the casualties of the war for knowledge.

"That's not quite how it works, Spike.  But if you're looking for niceties, then there's always leftovers -- Granny Smith's home cooking." Twilight giggled softly as she magicked the parcels she was carrying over to the center table, all packed full of fresh apple treats still warm from lunch.  She often went out without Spike, so she always liked to bring him something back to make up for it.

"Honey and Xing Ming both just moved into town, Spike.  Xing will be staying with the Apples." the unicorn explained her guests with a kindly gesture.  When Applejack mentioned the moon raising, Twilight nodded in reply.  "Yeah, we ran into Zecora on the way here and she mentioned it.  I wasn't expecting Luna to be in town all a sudden.  Do you think Princess Celestia even knows about it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:46, Tue 08 May 2012.

"Ah'm sure everything is fine." Applejack waved a hoof, then trotted out of anypony's way if she was blocking the door.  She helped Spike gather up a couple of the books and put them on one of the tables. "Hay, Twi, you got any of those Star-Farmin' books Xing was talkin' about earlier..." She rubbed her hoof to he rhat atop her head for a moment. Hopefully. she'd be able to understand what Twilight picked out for her. Glancing at the wall with the prospect of reading made it feel ten trees tall.

"Wow, thanks, Twilight!"

Spike clears the books off a nearby table and starts digging in to a parcel full of goodies. "Mm, I haven't gotten any mail about it. You think Princess Celestia would let us know if she knew it was happening. But then, she can be funny about that kind of thing. Maybe we should let her know, just in case?"

"Wait wait wait. There are no way you can get a message all the way to Canterlot at this time of the day, and having to send it to Celestia is much harder." Honey said with a disbelieving look on his face. She might know Celestia but this is just over the top. He thought to himself. "And if Princess Luna is in town wouldn't it be better to ask her if Celestia knows about it?"

"That's actually not a bad idea, Spike." Twilight agreed as she hovered over a quill and parchment.  Normally it was Spike's duty to 'take a note', but he looked so happy stuffing his face with treats that she'd leave him to it for the moment.  Besides, she had a Friendship Report bubbling around in the back of her mind that would need dictating later, so that would more than make up for it.  When Honey expressed incredulity over the situation, Twilight just giggled softly and shrugged.

"Well, you see, I'm Princess Celestia's protege at the very least." the purple unicorn explained as she wrote, multitasking easily.  "It's my responsibility to study the Magic of Friendship and report my findings to her regularly, though we're pretty close pen-pals too.  She taught Spike a spell for the sake of communication at long range."

The little dragon would have the opportunity to display said skill as Twilight finished her quick letter and rolled it up, binding the parchment with a conjured seal.  It was ready to go as soon as he had a moment to blow it away.

"Honestly, Princess Celestia practically raised me as a second mother while I was in her tutelage back in Canterlot.  And now that my big brother, Shining Armor, is married to her niece Princess Cadence, that makes me Princess Celestia and Luna's niece-in-law.  Wait... does that mean I'm technically royalty now?  I never actually stopped to look at it too hard." she mulled aloud.  She was already tempted to try and pull down a familial tree chart to begin plotting the ancestry lines, but thought better of it for the moment.  That could wait until later.

"Hay, Twi, you got any of those Star-Farmin' books Xing was talkin' about earlier..."

"Hehe... right over here, AJ." she giggled as she cantered over and hovered a few tomes from down off a high shelf for Xing to peruse.  One in particular was packed full of loose pages that had been added in somewhat haphazardly, laced with all sorts of unique notes and observations based on astrological research.  "This is a really good one -- it's got an absolutely captivating essay set on the seasonal migration and hibernation patterns of Ursa Majors."

Of course, then that raised the question of what sort of book Applejack would like.  Rainbow Dash was easy to pick for -- being a new reader and easily bored with more heavy-texted works, Daring Do was the perfect starting place to get her into reading.  Speaking of which, Twilight was careful to take a moment in her pondering and point Rainbow Dash over to the row that held the adventure stories where she could find the newest release fresh at the end.  Back to point - Applejack was a tougher customer.  She was an experienced reader, but Twilight didn't want to crush her under heavy terminology.  While by no means dumb, AJ didn't really seem the sort to appreciate particularly verbose explorations into a topic...

"Let's see... for you?  Did you have anything you were in the mood for?  Light comedy, historical discussion, mystery novels, agricultural studies, soft romance...?" she quizzed as various books came floating off the shelves to circle overhead in her magical grasp.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:39, Tue 08 May 2012.

As Twilight mused about being royalty, Applejack laughed a little. "Aww, Twilight.  Don't ya' know there's more t' bein' royal than blood and family?" She patted a hoof on her shoulder, then looked where twilight pointed along the shelves.  The first book she indicated, with all the extra pages, looked so intimidating. Then Twilight looked over to the Daring Do books, interest sparked by the cover art. But she wante dsomethin' that'd help the farm out.

Twilight looked between them, a little intimidated.

"Well... Ah would like somethin' that might be useful on tha' farm. I mean. But ah'd love to talk Daring Do with RD some, too. Ahhh.." She put a hoof to her lip, and looked to Twilight. "That's wht ah thought ah'd ask you. Yer' the book expert, right, yer highness?" she chimed, the last bit in a playful tease.

"Honestly, I'd be more concerned over the varying sociopolitical ramifications brought on by the constant state of fluidity the lower noble class is caught up in.  The last thing I need is a wealthy industrialist or débutante trying to curry court favor through some off-hoof hope that I'm a direct link to the Princesses.  Or even worse if that sort of thing horned in on any of your guys' lives." Twilight rambled on at length, obviously annoyed by the idea she was proposing.  While the upper tiers of Equestrian rulership were peaceful, the lower ones... well, those could get pretty messy as nobles and the wealthy elite kept themselves locked in a constant class-war for no reason other than their own sense of prestige and boredom.

"Anyway, light reading... hmmm..."  the librarian mused as she sorted through a few books quickly, flipping their pages about to skim past the topics in a practiced manner.  She presented a few different books in short order.  "Well, how about we start with familiar territory?  This one is a practical guide focusing on standard and non-standard irrigation methods for large-scale farming plots.  This one is a spare copy of the newest Daring Do novel -- don't worry, they're pretty episodic, so continuity is an afterthought." she suggested eagerly, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed over the idea of spreading the joys of reading.  "Ooh, and this one is great too~!  I've read it eighty-seven times now; it's an exploitative essay discussing the merits of industrialization verses magical-technological development.  Purely tongue in cheek, of course -- the author is a riot~!"

<<< FROM: Sugarcube Corner

"Well, I'm afraid that would only solve half the problem, Quill," said Widget to his assistant as they walked up to the library. "Sure, I could invent something to grind them down, but pony stomachs aren't nearly as hearty as dragon stomachs. That, I'm afraid, I don't think, there's much that can be done about. Gemstones, even in dust form, would cut right through our soft insides... Ponies just aren't meant for such a diet. Though you have given me an interesting idea for an invention for ponies who lose their teeth due to age or whatever... A pair of clockwork teeth to chew your food for you... How convenient would that be?"

Pondering this idea for a pair of wind-up metal teeth that would chew your food for you, Widget knocked at the library door. Though it was a public library, it was also somepony's home, and it was only basic manners to knock first. "I hope Twilight's home," he mumbled to himself. He knew Spike would be there, and while he liked Spike just fine, he wanted to see Twilight in person, even if every time he did, he acted like a bit of a foal. He shifted slightly about in a nervous fashion; he always did around Twilight...
This message was last edited by the player at 16:27, Tue 08 May 2012.

Finally pulling her eyes away from Spike at the mention of books for her, Xing turned to Twilight as she pulled down the heavy tombs from the higher shelves. This was more her style, her idea of a great way to spend an afternoon... quiet study with a big heavy book and a cup of buckwheat tea. "Ooh... Yes... this is just... just what I was looking for," said Xing happily as she began flicking through pages eagerly. "Positional relation of constellations by latitude and longitude... the effects of extinguished stars... the movements of the planets and comets... positions of nebulae and galactic bands... the draw of star magic by star and position... Oh, this is excellent..."

She actually settled down on the floor and began to read while Twilight tried to pick a book out for Applejack, her blue eyes moving rapidly and hungrily over the loose pages, though she had stacked them neatly inside so they wouldn't get out of order. "I read that essay," she said, without looking up. "Mama wasn't happy... that I'd read it. She said I was... too young to understand... but I thought the author, Mr. Swift... was a genius..."

[Enter from... Sugarcube Corner]

The young dragon was walking alongside Widget Whatsits, carefully carrying a basket containing some treats from Sugarcube Corner, although missing one cookie, and some of the sugar-cubes were also mysteriously absent.

"We'd have to find some older ponies without teeth to try it on, and, um, well, the not being able to eat gems," Quill yawned by way of punctuation, "means more for those that do! You are missing out though! It's.."

While Widget knocked on the door, Quill rescued another cookie from it's imprisonment within the basket, cramming the whole thing in to his mouth. While it was probably the most ungainly way possible to eat the cookie, it did conveniently deliver much needed sugar to the dragon, who was starting to sway a little on the spot. Looking up to his new employer, he noticed the odd manner in which he was shifting about.

"Is.. um, boss? Are.. are you okay?"

Applejack beamed at Ming as she took to the complex book and settled to the floor to read. She glanced back at Twilight. "Ah...  think ah could try out those first two books?" she asked. That essay sounded pretty intimidating, then Applejack felt a little ridiculous as even Ming revealed that she'd read it.

"An' ah guess that last one could work, too. If ya' don't mind me checkin' out three at once, Twilight."

When Xing piped up mentioning her thoughts on the author of the essay and her grasp of the various astrological studies far too advanced for a filly her age, Twilight absolutely beamed.  Yes, Xing coming to town was a good thing.  They were going to be best friends and have star-gazing sleepovers and discuss magical theory and this was going to be the best thing ever.  Was this how Pinkie Pie felt all the time?  She internalized a giddy squeal and added 'thank Granny Smith' to her mental checklist of things to do.

"By all means, AJ.  Feel free to check out as many as you like, so long as they all make it back here in one piece."  Twilight stacked the books and placed them in front of Applejack with a grin.  Then the door knocked, which piqued her curiosity.  Today really was getting busy again... "I'll get it."

The door glowed softly and swung open, revealing the sorceress herself on one side and a somewhat battered looking inventor on the other.  "Oh~!  Good afternoon, Widget.  It's nice to see you again~." she smiled brightly but was promptly drawn to the sight of the small dragon at his side... wearing a tie of all things?  "Ah... who's your friend?"

---> From Town Square

As the newcomers arrived, Rainbow Dash seemed to pay them little mind. She was too concentrated on finding the newest Daring Do novel! "Hay, Twilight, where the hay did you file this thing? I can never make sense of the system here... isn't it alphabetical?" she scratched her head in confusion. "Oh hey, uh, Wedgie was it? Wow, you've got a dragon too! This town's just going all nutty!"

I can never make sense of the system here... isn't it alphabetical?

Before she could stop herself, Twilight actually laughed aloud at such a thing.  She'd totally revamped the library's cataloging system from alphabetical soon after she'd moved in permanently to town and had begun expanding the stock to include a much broader variety of topics and languages.  She was quick to bite her lip and silence that sort of expression, bashfully clearing her throat instead.  "Ah... no.  The Daring Do serials are on the eighth shelf, second row from the top.  You can't miss them."  she pointed out quickly.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Tue 08 May 2012.

"Boss? Do you need some tea? I can run back and get you som-"

As the door to the library swung open, he tried quickly to do a couple of things at once - adjusting his tie, shifting the weight of the basket, brush himself down of the remains of the cookie, yawn, rub his eyes and stretch a little. He managed to succeed in the yawning part, and the stretching sort of came naturally after that, but the crumbs and the slightly askew tie would have to be dealt with later.

"My friend here is Widget, he's an... oh, sorry," Quill smiled nervously up at Twilight before taking a few steps to his left, trying to position himself so that he'd be somewhat obscured by Widget.

"What?" Widget asked Quill, looking back at his assistant with a surprised expression. "Of course I'm okay... Do I not look okay? Why? What's wrong?" However, the beginning of his panic attack that he didn't look alright was interrupted by the door opening. He turned to look with a slightly startled expression, and all at once, Widget seemed to changed. His anxious expression blossomed into a sincere but slightly nervous smile, his eyes softened, and while his legs stopped fidgeting back and forth, his knees locked and his body got more tense.

"H-Hello, Twilight... It's good to see you too," he said in a surprisingly mellow tone. "I'm glad you're in today."

There was a pause when she mentioned who his friend was; he hadn't even looked down. "Who?" he asked when her question finally penetrated his brain and his mouth caught up, and he looked down. "Oh! E-Excuse me... Quill, this is Twilight Sparkle. Twilight, this is Quill. He's new in town, all the way from Canterlot. I've just hired him to be my assistant at the shop."

Now that his head was back together, he looked around the library at the other ponies inside. "Hello, Applejack, Rainbow Dash..." His expression slightly soured when Rainbow called him 'Wedgie'. "Widget. My name's Widget," he mumbled darkly.

Twilight blinked in mild surprise at the mention of Quill and her brows drew together as she felt something nagging at her mind.  She knew that name... Quill... Quill...

"Ah~!  Now I remember: you worked at the Royal Archives, right?  I heard there was another Dragon besides Spike living there, but I don't believe we've ever met." the unicorn turned her smile on Quill and offered out a hoof.  "Nice to meet you~!"

With introductions out of the way, she looked back and forth between the two curiously.  She never knew why Widget always seemed to antsy around her and simply passed it off as one of his many eccentricities.  "Was there something I could do for either of you?"

Feeling a bit relieved that the introduction wasn't quite as terrifying as he feared it probably would be, Quill happily shook the offered hoof, smiling with relief.

"No, I... um, well, I mean, yes, I did work at the Royal Archives and... no, we never got to meet, but I've hard all about you! With the.. um, actually," he yawned again, letting go of Twilight's hoof as he covers his mouth, "I think the boss needs some help with, um, I think there's some.."

He stood up as tall as he could, trying to whisper up towards Twilight.

"...I think there's something wrong with Boss's legs, I think it could be the bones, is.. is there a book on that?"

Widget, however, was once again completely oblivious to anything else around him. He didn't seem to notice Quill whispering to Twilight about his leg at all. "Help me with...?" he asked, and once more, his brain caught up a bit slowly. "Oh yes! I was wondering..."

He paused for a minute, suddenly extremely aware of everyone else around them for the first time. ~Don't wuss out, Widget! This is the perfect opportunity!~ he thought, steeling himself.

"I was wondering if you..."

~Do it...!~

"If you would happen to..."

~DO IT!!!~

"I was wondering if you... would happen to... h-have a book available about... lunar magical effects on animation spells," he finally finished.

~You are so pathetic...~

"The moon rising tonight that everyone's talking about... I was hoping to show Princess Luna one of my prototypes. One of my other ones, of course, haha..." He moved the battered wings a bit lamely, trying his best to ignore his brain, which wasn't as easy as you might think. "But I've never tested them at night before. I want to make sure everything will go alright."

"Come on in.  I'm sure we can find something for you." the unicorn invited the both inside.  She quickly leaned close to Quill and whispered back -- "Upstairs, northern most shelf, second to last row: 'Pony Biology and Degenerative Conditions."

Twilight was entirely unaware of Widget mentally tormenting himself at the time as she cantered along with a swish of her tail, happy to have her library so full of knowledge-seeking people.  She set to skimming her shelves, pondering over what title to suggest for the absent-minded inventor.  "Though just to be careful, I wouldn't advise trying any new inventions out during the Moon Raising, Widget.  If I know how edgy Royal Guards can be -- and I do -- then they're probably not going to be very happy with any airborne demonstrations while Luna is doing her thing.  I mean, what if you crashed again?"

With her stack of books, Applejack turned to wave a hoof to the new arrivals, then trotted over to sit with Rainbow Dash. She watched Widget and the new dragon with curiosity, then glanced over RD's shoulder at the latest Daring Do book. "Ah'm gonna read through the first one later, ah think. Ah got a lot to read, an' work to do, so ah hope ah'll find the time."

"Oh... No... no new inventions... No new spells... I'm just... double-checking calculations... to make sure they'll work fine at night... that's all." He was shifting again nervously, his fragile confidence around girls, and Twilight particular, still in little pieces. "The basic spell is sound. I know better than to tempt Canterlot guards." He paused, watching her look through books. "Um... Are you going to the moonrise? Of course you are, everyone is, eheh... Right?"

"I'll be back in a moment, boss, don't worry about a thing!"

He offered a friendly and very, very gentle pat to the leg of Widget, taking extra care because of his "condition" before setting the basket on one arm and beginning to navigate his way through the library. While he was still obviously looking for the section Twilight had helpfully pointed out, the lure of basically every book on the shelf was perhaps just a little bit too strong.

Quill managed to get no more than a couple of steps away from the side of Widget before he stopped and looked at a shelf of books.

"That's.. that's On The Trot! And, and that's The Hitchhiker's Guide to Equestria and.."

Leaving the basket on the floor, he began to pull out books from their place on the shelves, setting them down in a neat stack on the floor. Yes, Pony Biology and Degenerative Conditions would simply have to wait.

Wow... How can a pony be so smart and so oblivus at the same time? Honey thought to himself as he watched the conversasion between Twilight and Widget.

Better save him while time is. "Hay! My name is Honey. I am new in town!" Honey said as he walked up to Widget with a hoof stretched forward to him.

Quill only getting as far as a few paces along before his intellectual curiosity got the better of him was flat out adorable and it made Twilight giggle brightly at the sight of it.  She didn't mind one bit.  Dragons may have been pretty frightening once they got bigger, but when they were still like Spike and Quill, they were just too cute for words.

"I didn't even know about the Moon Raising until just a little while ago, but there's no way I'd miss out on it.  Besides, it'd be nice to have a chance to hang out with Princess Luna again.  Would you like me to introduce you to her?" Twilight mentioned as she pulled a few books off the shelves, pondered them, then slid them back into place apparently dissatisfied with the contents.  "It's probably going to be packed to the gills at Town Square, so I'll probably just stay here and watch from my balcony.  I'd be happy for the company if you'd like to join me."

It was about then that Honey stepped up with his friendly mannerisms.  Twilight felt a little bad about not introducing him sooner and moved to amend that particular faux pas.  "Right, Honey Sweets, meet Widget Whatsits.  Honey just moved to town and is staying with The Apples for the moment.  Widget is Ponyville's resident inventor and repair-pony."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:54, Tue 08 May 2012.

"Oh... Oh, my, yes, I would love that!" he said, surprised and very pleased at the prospect of getting to actually meet Princess Luna in person. The idea of meeting someone like Princess Luna in person, to show her his invention right up front, was an amazing prospect! And what good it could do for his inventing career... He might even be able to afford to lay off the repair jobs and focus on the actual inventing part. That would just be amazing...!

"Oh, well, hello there, Honey," he said cheerily, giving the colt a hoofshake and a friendly smile. "Welcome to Ponyville. I hope you have a good time here."

He turned to watch Twilight for a second. He felt a hot blush come to his face when she invited him to keep her company during the moonrising, to watch from her balcony. He couldn't help but to stammer a bit, and finally, a smile came to his face. "Well, I would love to come and keep you company... A big crowd like that, I shouldn't take a pair of metal wings into, anyway. Inventor's responsibility, right? Um, provided, of course, we would still get to meet the Princess..."

He smiled weakly and gave a small cough. He felt like this could definitely be a chance to salvage his stumble. "Uh... Are you expecting... um... anyone else? To come up and keep you company, I mean?" he asked in a nervous tone.

"The actual raising of the Moon won't take long at all, so I imagine Princess Luna would have some free time afterward.  We can talk to her then if she's available." Twilight explained without concern.  She'd become fairly good friends with Luna following Nightmare Night, so she wasn't worried about being able to find a way to spend time with her somehow.

"Uh... Are you expecting... um... anyone else? To come up and keep you company, I mean?"

"I only just thought up the idea, so no.  I guess it'd just be the two of us.  Unless anypony else wants to join too?" she asked, looking around the library.  She doubted young ones like Spike and Quill could stay awake long enough past moon rise to enjoy the evening.  Xing Ming was a likely candidate, but no doubt she'd be excited to try and see the event at ground-zero like everypony else.  The same for Honey too, likely.  Applejack would probably have her stand to deal with since other merchants were going to be setting up shop to try and make Bits off the crowd, and Rainbow Dash... well, she was a wild card, really.  Regardless, the invitation was open to anypony who wanted to join them.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:50, Tue 08 May 2012.

~This is your second chance. Just ignore everyone else! You got this! Don't you dare blow it this time!~

"W-Well..." he said, the blush in his cheeks getting darker, "to be honest with you... I would..." He took in a soft breath, causing a gentle pause in his speech.

~Come oooon...~

"I would love..."

~DO IT, WHATSITS!~

"I would love to spend the evening with you... and... just... you."

There was a very pregnant pause, and he smiled, trying to look confident and not overly awkward. "I-If that'd be alright with you, of course."

By the time the offer was made, Quill had already assembled two piles of around half a dozen books each, and it looked like he was working on a third pile. A lone copy of "On The Origin Of The Ponies" suggested that a fourth pile probably was on the cards as well.

"Well, if... if the boss is going, I should probably go too," he looked over at Widget, adding somewhat sadly, "especially with the boss in his condition."

Nodding to himself as if the matter is settled, he pulled out another book and added it to the first pile, which now stood at about the same height as he did.

Applejack flinched and glanced up from reading over Rainbow Dash's shoulder at Widget's tumbling question.  Her own cheeks went a hint shaded, as she was a ground zero witness for somepony asking one of her friends on such a date. She wasn't quite sure that Twilight would spot that for what it was, the mare could be socially awkward.   Applejack didn't look all that unsettled, just a little awkward, and put her nose in one of her own books.

But she was paying attention, in case her friend needed an emotional support of some sort. A support didn't come much more sturdy than her, after all. She did give Rainbow a slight glance, curious to see if she'd picked up on it, or been too engrossed in reading to hear it.

She recalled that same stumbling, shy reaction from her school days, when a colt would ask her out. It could be as tough on the filly as it could on him, though. Some ponies didn't handle outright shocks so well.

Rogue Heart. He was smooth when he was younger... and she, a bit more naive. She'd flipped a bit when he'd asked her on a date. And she'd agreed. Though, now, she couldn't figure him out. She was a wiser pony in the ways of romance, though, and she didn't want to see either of the two getting hurt.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:18, Tue 08 May 2012.

Spike took down Twilight's message to Princess Celestia, rolled it up, and blew a puff of green flame at it. Instantly it turned into a trail of green smoke and flew out the window toward Canterlot. He proudly demonstrates to Honey and Xing, "Dragon-mail! When it absolutely, positively, has to be there in five seconds!"

Spike then navigated the crowded library and resumed his duties reshelving books and taking notes for Twilight Sparkle. He talked as he worked. "What's a moon-rising, anyway? And how can it happen in Ponyville? The moon's way up in- huh?" At that moment he bumped into Quill and realized there was another dragon in the room. "Oh... uh... hi! Excuse me, but I couldn't help but notice that you're, uh, you know..."

Quill almost dropped his book as Spike bumped in to him and, with rather wide eyes, he looked at Spike. As with most of his first encounters with new people today, he was at a loss for something intelligent to say, and instead clutched the book tightly in front of him. Just, you know, in case.

"I'm... um, yes, I am. Ah. Um..." he felt himself tense up a little and looked over at the basket, which still contained a flask of tea and a single cookie, "..I'll split the cookie with you, and, um. I'm... Quill. And... you're a, um, too!"

As far as introductions go, it wasn't his best, but the whole thing had rather taken him by surprise.

Xing had, at long last, looked up from her book as Spike demonstrated his Dragon-mail spell, and gasped with astonishment, watching the string of green smoke drift swiftly out of the open window, and out across the sky toward Canterlot castle. "Oh... that was... so cool!" she breathed, clapping her hooves together. It was only then that she saw Quill, and her jaw just dropped wide open.

"Another... another..." She took in a deep, trembling breath, and all her shyness, and her interesting book, were entirely forgotten. She literally leaped at the two dragons, her eyes wide. "Oh wow! Two dragons?! I can't believe it! This really is the year of the dragon! Um... Hi! I'm Xing Ming," she said to Quill, positively beaming with pleasure.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:57, Tue 08 May 2012.

Applejack would either be relieved or further concerned as the point Widget was getting at soared so far above Twilight's head that it never even risked dinging her horn.  She just canted her head to the side and gave a kindly smile.

"Sure, that's fine by me." the unicorn replied simply.  Stuttered speech, shortness of breath, jitters, flushed face... Widget's general health must have been more poor than she thought.  No wonder Quill was concerned.  Still, there was nothing a quiet evening couldn't fix if it was just nerves that was bothering him.  Maybe he was just nervous about meeting Luna?  "Ooh, I wonder if there's time to stop by Sugarcube Corner and get some snacks for tonight?  Or maybe the Summer Song Cafe?  They have great teas."

As Xing Ming introduced herself, Quill glanced up at her with an expression that was a mixture of panic and exhaustion. His clutch on the book grew a little bit tighter and, feeling himself tense up, he began to worry that he'd caught the same thing that was affecting Widget.

"I'm Quill. It's a pleasure to meet you Xing Ming. Would you like some of the cookie too?"

"Oh, it's so good to meet you, Quill," she gushed happily, so obviously pleased to be in the presence of two adorable dragons. Today really was her lucky day. "Oh... Oh, yes, sure," she said to the offer of a cookie. It didn't look like any kind of cookie she'd had before, and after eating all the new food she'd had at Sweet Apple Acres, she was eager to taste more Equestrian food.

"Oh, it's fine, I perfectly understand, you don't have to explai-... Oh wait, what? It's okay?" Widget seemed frankly startled by her answered. "That... that'd be great! Uh, oh, don't worry about that, I'll hop by the shops on my way back over." He seemed to be quite oblivious to Twilight's obliviousness as to the intent of his question to spent the evening alone with her. "I'll be back in a little while with it all, then. What kind of tea do you like?"

He glanced around. "Quill? Time to go... Hey, don't eat that!" he warned Ming, giving Quill a bit of a sharp look. "Ponies can't eat gemstones, remember? They could get really hurt."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:27, Tue 08 May 2012.

Applejack had been about to chime in on the subject of gemstones as well. Thankfully, Widget was clearheaded enough to catch it too, or maybe just running on an adrenaline high. She glanced briefly to Twilight, then chimed to Ming. "It's alright. You'll be able to get some tonight, ah'm sure. Ah'll give you and Apple Bloom some bits for anything ya like. Tonight's a celebration, after all!" Applejack chimed.

She stayed in her seat by Rainbow Dash for the moment, then looked back down at the agricultural book. She at least found some of the listed topics familiar.. maybe that'd be a good way to begin, at least. Start with somethin' she knew about and expand on it.

Moving very, very slowly, Quill nudged the basket containing the last of the cookies over towards Xing Ming, while somehow managing to keep the rest of his body more or less perfectly still. The solitary cookie was covered with a fluffy, cream coating upon which slivers of emerald were scattered, catching the light and looking rather pretty, although perhaps a tiny bit inedible for ponies.

"There's some tea in the flask too," Quill added, looking quite frightened, "and the sugar is in the little packet behind the flask."

As Widget reminded him about the gemstones thing, and that it was time to be leaving, Quill burst into a run, leaving behind the basket and the piles of books he'd been pulling out from the shelves. By the time he arrived at Widget's side, he was having some problems catching his breath.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:34, Tue 08 May 2012.

As Spike looked over the pony Quill was following, he got the impression that Widget seemed to be trying to ask Twilight out on a date. That worked for him - having a special gentle-stallion in her life might mean Twilight would spend fewer late nights studying with long pages of notes to dictate and her pet owl mysteriously absent again. He shook Quill's hand enthusiastically. "I know, right? We should hang out some time over a few donuts, if it's all right with your friend, of course. I've got so many questions! How'd you get here? Did the Princess give you to someone as an egg, too? Well, I guess those are the only questions, but wow!"

"We can meet up tomorrow," Quill quickly called out to Spike, before pointing over at the basket he'd left behind, "and help yourself to the cookie! The tea's probably still warm! I'll try and bring some more next time!"

Twilight peered over the goody basket that Quill was generously offering and shared the look of mild panic that Widget had.  While they were surely tasty treats for a Dragon, they were less than healthy as far as Ponies were concerned.  The tea in particular caught her eye as she magicked it up from the basket and popped the lid to look inside.

"Huh... sapphire dust.  Yeah, that's all yours, Spike.  It'd kill a pony to drink that." Twilight said as she capped the mug again and set it back down in the basket.  Good thing they'd caught that before anything bad could happen.  She looked back to Widget with an understanding smile.  "Anything you want to bring is fine, though my favorite is lemongrass tea.  I can brew it here.  Just... ah... hold the gem shards?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:40, Tue 08 May 2012.

Spike needs little encouragement to start snacking on the mineral-rich tea and cookies. "Mm, thanks, Twilight! That all worked out for the best! Do you think that Quill grew up with other dragons? I've seen that inventor pony around, but I never saw Quill before. And it would explain why he didn't know how ponies are picky about not eating rocks." Spike took a big crunch out of a gem adorning the center of a thumbprint cookie. "I could help teach him about pony culture and stuff!"

Xing licked her lips, prepared to take a bite of tasty cookie, but looked startled when both Widget and Twilight warned her not to eat them, shocked to hear that the glimmering pieces were actual gemstones in the frosting, and not sugar crystal. "Oh... Uh... right. Thanks, Jei Jei," she said to Applejack with a smile. She supposed it made sense that treats for dragons would have gemstone bits in them, but she had been far too excited to think about such a thing at the moment. "This day... sure is exciting," she said with a little shy smile. She'd met so many different ponies, two dragons, and a princess was coming to town, to do the first official moon rising celebration in Equestrian history. This was just a great day!!

Dash had flown up to the shelf Twilight spoke of and had spent the last minutes reading, and not really paying attention to what was going on. Rainbow Dash finally spoke up, making a face. "Seriously! A cliff hanger ending? Are they even allowed to do that? What happened to the ruby staff?! And that emerald thingy?" Rainbow Dash complained, having skipped all the way to the last chapter, being impatient as always. "Still, I suppose I will actually read the whole thing. Oh, and sorry for getting your name wrong, Widget." She added the last part as an aside. She was going to say it before, but she got reading and lost track of the conversation. "Huh. Seems everypony is going to this moon raising in pairs or something." She was surprised that Widget had asked Twilight to go, and stifled a chuckle at their shy banter. "Hey, AJ, what are you reading?" she asked, before flying up to get yet another Daring Do book. She would be doing some serious reading later on.

OOC: SOrry, do something for a couple hours and you miss so much! Hope I got it all.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 23:14, Tue 08 May 2012.

"It's... uhh... a thang. A farm thang." she said, and then showed her the Daring Do book. RD had already read that one. "Gonna be readin' this too, ah guess. Like ah said, when ah can find the time."

Rainbow Dash grinned when she saw the Daring Do book that Applejack was going to borrow. "I didn't know you liked Daring Do!" she giggled a little. "I'd be so glad to discuss it with you after you read it. That one is one of my favourite of the series." she stacked up the books she was taking and put them in a bag to take later. "So, what are you doing for the Moon Raising? Operating an apple stand or something I assume?" she asked.

"Did you get the book you wanted?" he asked his assistant as Quill came to his side, although he himself seemed to have completely forgotten his own book request, which never had been selected during their conversation. It didn't seem all that important anymore. He had better things to concern himself with than his wings, and to be honest, that in and of itself was something that had not been done since he had come to Ponyville. "I don't mean to pull you away, but we have to get you all settled before the moon-rising. You should have plenty of time to hang out with Spike soon," he said with a somewhat apologetic tone to Quill.

"It was good to meet you, Honey, Xing Ming. Welcome to Ponyville. Come by the shop if you ever need anything, my door is always open. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Spike, it was good to see you..." He smiled with a more confident air, and bowed his head slightly to Twilight. "Twilight... See you tonight then." He nodded to his assistant, and with his head held high, he moved out of the library, and made his way to his shop on the other side of town, a high and dreamy expression on his face. One wouldn't be surprised if he started flying even with no working wings.

>>> TO: Widget Whatsits Wondrous Works

"Eyup." She grinned. "Can't have everypony else out sellin' but me. Though, it's been a bit of a surprise. Supply might be a bit low. So, ah guess we'll see."

Applejack restacked her books, and slid them into her saddlebag. "Ah should probably get back to the farm to help everypony get ready. What about you, RD?" she paused, and glanced over at Twilight. She wasn't gonna leave without giving her a heads up, at least.

"I'll get the book tomorrow, plus, it.. means I get to visit the library again," Quill smiled sleepily, content that fetching the books he wanted will give him a perfect excuse to take a break from work and get to have some food with Spike. With a wave, he wished goodnight to the occupants of the library and, as Widget left, he quickly waved over to Twilight.

"Make sure that he doesn't hurt his legs later, please! If.. if you can bring it up with him, that'd be, um, kind of helpful!"

He waved again, and bolted out the door, trying to catch up with Widget.

[Exit to... Widget Whatsits Wondrous Works]

Rainbow Dash shrugged with a soft sigh. "I'm not sure. I guess I'll just be watching the raising on my own in that case. You have plans, Twilight has somepony to go with, I guess I'm the only one without plans." she chuckled, though maybe a little sadly. "I'll definitely be there though. I'll be sure to stop by and give your cart some business... well, a lot of business. You know how much I like to snack at festivals." She smiled.

"Now ya' know I wouldn't charge ya' for a snack, RD. Though.. with all that you eat, ah'd have to make somethin'" Applejack laughed and put a hoof on her shoulder. "Tell ya' what. Soon as I finish, ah'll come find ya'."

"Bye~!  See you in a while!"  Twilight called after Widget as he and Quill left.  Such a nice stallion, he was.  Though she worried a bit for his health now... and they'd forgotten their books!  Oh well -- Widget would be coming back soon anyway, so it was no problem.

"If you're all getting ready to go, then have fun.  And enjoy your books too." Twilight wished them all well as they discussed their plans for the evening.  She was intent on sticking indoors for a bit, especially after all the running around she'd done that day.  "Spike, did you want to go to the event?  If you're feeling rested enough, I can give you some Bits so you can go have fun."

"Yeah, I will see you all there. Hey, Twilight, I totally didn't expect Widget to ask you out like that!" she chuckled and took her books, flying up to drop them off at her cloud house.

Exits --->

Rainbow Dash's parting comment took Twilight a bit by surprise, but she just gave a soft 'pbbb~!' from her lip in disregard and laughed.  "Geeze... that Dash.  Widget didn't ask me out."  she giggled at the notion.

Applejack watched Rainbow rush out, then walked over to Twilight. "Ahh.. Sugar cube.  Ah think yer the only pony who didn't see that.  Can't speak for the dragons, though." she said softly.  "Ah remember what it looks like when a colt's tryin' to work up the courage to say somethin' like that." she said comfortingly. "Ah mean, ya' did hear'em say he wanted t'be alone with ya, right?" she asked, pointedly.

"Uhm, What about me? I wouldn't destroy the mood for you two, but I don't have anywhere better to go and it ain't like I know that many ponies around here yet." Honey said with a smile on his lips to twilight who still had no idea she was going on a date. "Where are the moon-rising even going to be?" He said out in the room.

Spike grins and nods, never one to refuse a little walking-around money. "Sure, Twilight! It's a festival, right? It sounds like fun! And don't worry, I'll give you and your new friend Widget a little private time!"

Spike smirks and winks at Rainbow Dash. "Yeah, he totally asked her out. I saw the whole thing! Hey... if this is the sort of thing you can ask people out to, do you think, uh... do you think Rarity would be interested...?"

"Honey," said Xing with a smile. "Why don't you... come with us? With... me and Applebloom and her friends? I-I mean... if you aren't too old... to hang out with us... or something..."

"Oh come on, it's not like that at all.  It's not as though..." Twilight started to offer a rebuttal, but the earnest looks on both Applejack and Honey's faces made her doubt herself.

"I mean, he didn't..." she trailed off as she thought hard about how Widget had been behaving earlier.  Spike's comment finished her off.  The color slowly drained from her face only to immediately rise back up again as a dark blush burned from behind her coat.  "He... I..."

Outside, the Library looked like a peaceful enough place.  And it was, normally speaking.  But that wasn't counting the precise moment a panicked scream echoed out of the place loudly enough to shake the branches and send nesting birds airborne to escape the din.

Back inside, Twilight had switched gears from calmly bemused to full-blown nuclear meltdown panic amazingly fast.  She looked about ready to drill a hole in the floor where she stood as she cantered rapidly in place, eyes wide and distraught.  "I didn't know he was... I couldn't... I've never been on a... GAH~!" she squealed as her horn flared up and she teleported away, instantly snapping into existence up on the second floor overlook.

"I've got to cancel!  I can't go on a date!  But... no, that would hurt his feelings... but I don't like him!  I mean, I do like him, but I don't know if I like him like him!  Do I?  Could I?  I mean, yeah, Widget is smart and witty and creative and handso-o-ohmigoshwhatamIgoingtodo?!" she snapped out of reality again and spontaneously appeared right up in Applejack's business, grabbing her friend tightly around the shoulders.  "Help me!"  she squeaked pitifully.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:27, Wed 09 May 2012.

Spike was surprised and confused by Twilight's sudden panic. He thought she was just being coy with Widget when he made his suggestion. Sad-eyed, he offered her solace. "It's okay, Twilight! Just about everypony goes on dates when they get old enough, so it should be easy for a super-smartie like you! Hey, maybe there are some books about it!" Spike hopped out of his chair, dug through the pile of still-unshelved books, and returned with a small stack of Mane Austen novels. "How about these?"

Applejack glanced back across the room, and raised a hoof to her head. "Ahh.. Hay, Spike. Go see if Rarity will go with ya?" she suggested. "Or hang out with Quill, or somethin'?  Mei mei,  head back to the farm with Honey, tell'em ah'm on my way, and get Big Mac to give you three some bits for yer outin'. An have fun.  Ah gotta..." She paused, as if on cue, Twilight blinked into being, clinging to her. "...take care a' this..." she finished, face smushed to Twilight's.

Applejack brought her hooves up, strong and stable, and put one on each of Twilight's shoulder. She met her eyes, just like that day years back when they'd become friends. "Twilight, ah'm here. Everythin's gonna be fine. Just take a breath..." she coached, and had her hold it for a moment before exhaling.

"Good." Applejack pushed just a bit, to nudge Twilight into planting her flank in one spot, then let go of her. "Just take a sec to calm down, Twi." she said. "Ya' can't do anything if ya don't clear yer' head."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:45, Wed 09 May 2012.

"Aww... Okay. See you guys at the festival." Spike took the hint from Applejack and headed for the door to give Applejack and Twilight some time for girl-talk. He took a copy of Horse Sense and Horse Sensibility with him, for research. "Hmm... if Twilight's brother married a princess, does that make me landed gentry? I'm gonna say that it does..."

---> to Ponyville Business District - Ponyville Spa
This message was last edited by the player at 03:04, Wed 09 May 2012.

"Sure Xing! You can never be too old to make new friends." Honey said with a relieved. "A festival is also a good way to meet new ponies I guess. I have never been at a festival before."

"You take good care of her right?" Honey said on his way out to Applejack with a worried voice.

--> Exit to Sweet apple acress(Sorry. Forgot it. Will never happen again!)
This message was last edited by the player at 03:15, Wed 09 May 2012.

Xing seemed surprised by Twilight's reaction on finding out she had a date. To be honest, though, she didn't think she'd be able to take it any better to find herself suddenly in a date... Thankfully, Widget seemed like a nice guy...

"Okay... I hope... everything works out..." She looked at Spike, and grinned. "I hope... that you will be... at the moon rising..." she said, then turned to Honey. "Come on... lets get back... to Sweet Apple Acres... and get ready... Bye, Twilight..." With that, she obeyed Applejack and made her way out of the library, with the book she had been reading magicked up onto her back.

>>> TO: Sweet Apple Acres once Honey is ready

Twilight was still very much in a fit as everypony else filed out, leaving her alone with Applejack.  The calm mare's order to breathe was met with compliance -- Twilight took in a Pinkie Pie-quality GAAAAASP inhalation and held it, eyes still darting about in panic, then practically deflated when it wheezed back out of her.  She slumped back with little guidance and dropped her star-spangled rump straight to the floor.

"You're right... you're right.  I just need to think.  I can handle this." Twilight tried to get her heart rate down from 'hummingbird' setting long enough to sort her thoughts out.  "This is easy.  All I have to do is travel back in time and stop myself from agreeing.  I know it didn't work out right last time, but I think I've got it figured out now."

Thankfully even as spooked as she was, Twilight seemed to recognize just how bad an idea that sort of thing was and groaned out.  She buried her face against Applejack's chest, relying on her to be the strong, level-headed pony she usually was.  "Oooh... what am I going to do?!  How did I not notice what he was asking?!  I'm smarter than this!"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:37, Wed 09 May 2012.

Applejack let her gush and vent for a moment, then put a hoof around her when Twilight closed the distance to cling to her like she was drowning.  A hoof went around her neck, gently.  "C'mon now, Twilight." She coached. "First time some colt asked me out, Ah flipped mah hat... not quite this much."  She held onto her for a minute, and paused to think. "Awright, so he's comin' over with some some stuff for the two of ya'... An' yer gonna watch the moon-raisin' from the balcony." she put a hoof to her lip. "Ah got a few ideas. If ya don't wanna be alone, ah'll send Apple Bloom and the girls up to watch. They won't see as well down here anyway?" She suggested. "An then, if ya wanna get away, ya' can always come down an' see me. Ah'll set up my cart where ah can see yer' balcony, and you just gimme a sign or somethin' if ya need help?" she offered.

Giving a completely unprepared mare dating advice was really difficult. "Maybe ya should just tell'em ya didn't realize it was supposed to be a date? But.. gentler.. ahh.." She said. "Horse apples. This ain't an easy problem, Twi. Ah guess it really all comes down to what you wanna do this evening. What do you want out of the night? Just 'cause it's you an' him don't mean anything... has ta' happen, ya' know?"

It was clear that AJ was rather out of her element already, but doing her best to be there for Twilight. But she still wasn't quite sure what Twilight wanted  to do in this case, and she was gushing suggestions.

Aj herself paused to take a calming breath, and smiled at her. "But datin' a colt don't have to ruin a friendship or be uncomfortable. Ah'll bet he's as jumpy as you are... but also thrilled that ya' said yes. Ah think if yer honest with yerself and with him, everything'll turn out alright."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:05, Wed 09 May 2012.

Despite all her strength and intelligence, Twilight was not a pony who dealt with stress well.  Unfamiliar situations always rocked her back on her hooves and she needed time to regroup before she could even begin to confront the issue, but thankfully Applejack was there to keep her calm.  She gazed up at her friend with wide, watery eyes, though soon enough they turned down as she dropped her head in thought and genuine consideration over what she'd been saying.

"You don't have to do anything like that, Applejack.  I know Widget.  He's a really nice guy and he would never do anything... untoward..." her voice was more stable as she started working things out one step at a time, mentally laying the brickwork for a decision.  "Objectively speaking, there's no reason for me to turn him down.  I like Widget and I'm not adverse to the idea of exploratory dating or the development of progressive friendships with stallions.  It's just... I wasn't expecting this..."

The unicorn cast her eyes around the library in some vain hope that there'd be something on the shelves that could help her.  Rarely did her vast accumulation of knowledge fail to deliver, but she knew too well already that there was no manual or essay she could rely on.  Her ears flattened back atop her head.  "I didn't know he was even interested at all.  I mean, what if I've given him the wrong idea?  What if something goes wrong?"

Applejack was relieved to hear Twilight starting to switch over to working it out rationally.  She nudged her upstairs gently, and put a hoof to her lips. "Well... Ah ain't noticed anything. You are a pretty awesome mare, though." she complimented. "Ah guess maybe he just saw that?" she suggested.

She paused,  and then added, with a pointed hoof. "Just meet'em at the door with a smile, an' come up here and sit and talk to'em. He's a friend, so just treat'em like a friend.  Ya don't have to feel obligated to do any more than that." she said. "That is all ya' really agreed to. If he misunderstood, then ya just gently tell'em how ya feel and ah bet you a bushel of apples he'd understand." she said brightly.

AJ glanced out to the balcony. "Ya' want a hoof to help ya' get ready? Ah ain't Rarity, but I ain't gonna abandon ya." she said brightly.

Between Applejack's sage advice and comforting words, Twilight was feeling much better.  She even managed to smile as she was guided upstairs toward her room... she did need to get ready, after all.  Especially since she'd worked herself up into a bit of a mess in just that brief freakout she'd gone through.

"Thanks Applejack... though honestly, I feel like a silly pony now.  It's good to know I can always rely on you." she sighed as she considered herself in her vanity mirror.  "I should be okay though.  I don't think I'll need--"

Twilight had just begun to levitate her mane brush up when her horn flared and the aura around the item brightened considerably.  It rattled in place and then shot straight up, blasting a small hole clean through the roof as the brush was sent careening into low Earth orbit.  The unicorn wilted a bit and immediately ceased her use of magic, looking equal parts shocked and embarrassed.

"Ah... w-well, maybe a little help wouldn't hurt." she chuckled.  Apparently her nerves weren't quite steady yet.

"Awright then." Applejack stared up at the hole the brush had made, then glanced back down at the table. She grabbed up a different, smaller brush, and moved about to Twilight's side to help brush out her mane and straighten it. "Ya' probably don't need to overdo it, ah think. Simple and comfortable will help yer' nerves best ah think. Mane down?" she asked. All she could probably do was toss it in a braid or something simple, though she'd do what she had to.  She went on to tend to Twilight's tail while waiting on her decisions, working out a tangle.

"Mane up.  Do you know how to do a bun?" she asked hopefully.  The unicorn planned on getting some of her telescopes set up... assuming she didn't accidentally destroy them in the process... and didn't want her mane getting in the way.  Once AJ had finished with her tail she plunked herself down again to let the pony resume work on her mane.

"Should I wear anything?  I mean, you're supposed to get dressed up on d-aa-- friendly gatherings with friends, right?" she had trouble straight up stating the situation she was in.  She looked up to her friend through the reflection in her mirror.  "What did you do the first time?"

"Ah've don'em before, but a bit messy. If ya gimme a few minutes..." she said, and leane din, working at Twilight's hair. It was hardly the most effortless hair job, and there was just a slight bit of tugging, but nothing malicious as the farm pony's rough hooves tried to make her presentable. A grin crossed her face as she managed the style, and worked to tidy it up. After some more delicate work, she'd held up a mirror to the back of Twilight's head so Twilight could see herself in the vanity mirror. The bun was mostly whole, but the light pink streak of hair she had had been fanned out and worked into some random-looking swirls through the darker mane, bunched at the back of her head.

The execution wasn't flawless, but this was Applejack's handiwork. "Ah rekon that's about the best hair style ah'v ever done." she said, proudly. "Try an' keep the magic on the down low tonight. Ya don't wanna explode him." she laughed a little. "Ya look good, Twi." She paused.

"What ah did? Well...  Ya know Rogue Heart, right?" she said, awkwardly. "That layabout didn't used to be such a layabout. He was mah first date, ah guess." she confessed. "We went to the fair together. Bobbin' for apples, ferris wheel, ah won him a plush toy..." She was always the athletic one she recalled.

"An then there were the fireworks..." she said. "Ah didn't dress up fancy, just a bandana 'round mah neck. But yeah... He did gimme' a kiss during the fireworks. If ah had to guess.. if Widget is wantin' to kiss y', an works up the nerve,it'd be durin' the moon rasin' itself, or at the end of the night."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:55, Wed 09 May 2012.

Twilight kept admirably still while her mane was done up, though it did feel a little odd having some other pony do it for her.  Aside from trips to the Spa, nopony ever did her mane since she was foalsat by Princess Cadence so many year ago... and frankly, given how overwhelmed she was just then, Twilight really was feeling like a foal again.

"Wow... that... actually looks really good, AJ.  Thanks~!" Twilight was genuinely impressed by the job done as she tilted her head to and fro to examine the styling.  She fell silent again as the story of her friend's first date rolled by.  Rogue Heart?  Really?  The unicorn seemed both surprised and confused by that -- she knew the guy tended to get around when it came to romance, but she never thought Applejack of all ponies would ever go for him.  He was a good guy at heart and surprisingly sharp-witted, but he never applied himself to anything... that sort of shiftless attitude seemed like oil and water against someone as salt-of-the-earth as Applejack.

"I never would have thought it.  You never seemed like the sort of pony to be interested in that kind of 'devil may care' attitude.  But I guess Rogue Heart is pretty popular..." Twilight murmured as she sorted through her vanity's drawers a bit.  She wasn't sure about dressing up too much... clothes were rarely her style in any case.  They were distracting and she usually didn't bother with anything more than a scarf or walking cloak; utility over fashion.  Still, she felt she was missing something.  The unicorn pulled out a pair of thin-rimmed black glasses and set them atop her snout, giving a considerate look before smiling in approval.  Yes, that helped.

"An then there were the fireworks..." Applejack said. "Ah didn't dress up fancy, just a bandana 'round mah neck. But yeah... He did gimme' a kiss during the fireworks. If ah had to guess.. if Widget is wantin' to kiss y', an works up the nerve,it'd be durin' the moon rasin' itself, or at the end of the night."

And just like that, all the calm Applejack had worked into Twilight evaporated as her face glowed brighter than the stars in her Cutie Mark.  Her horn reflexively lit up and downstairs something exploded with a loud bang and the tinkling of plaster.  So much for her globe...

"K-k-kiss?!" she whimpered, looking like she could either faint or start causing further spontaneous combustion, one way or the other.

"Ah was taken by surprise when he asked me." she said, and raised a hoof awkwardly. "And... uh... Like ah said. He's really changed. Ah dunno quite what it was, but he just seemed ta... Give up on everythin, one day. I couldn't stand 'em after that."

Applejack flinched at the explosive sound, and quickly put a hoof on her shoulder. "Woah, there, missy." she drawled, cantering around to face her directly. "He is askin' ya on a date. An' ah don't think Widget would be pushy about it.." she put a hoof around her shoulder, and nudged her back into a seated position. She paused. "Ya ain't ever gotten kissed before?" she ventured. "Ah mean, 'cept by your parents an' all?"

"My parents and brother, but they're family.  Princess Cadence, as a placebo effect whenever I hurt myself as a foal.  Princess Celestia, though only once atop my head... b-but never by a st-st-stallion!" Twilight squeaked in terror and started to hyperventilate again.  However, she was quick to try and reign herself in before she worked herself into another tizzy.  Deep breaths.  Calm.  Good chi in, bad chi out...

"Hah... hoo... okay..." she panted, one hoof on Applejack's shoulder for support and the other clutched to her chest.  "Okay... I can... I can handle this.  It's not that big a deal.  Widget probably wouldn't even be that forward in the first place, so there's nothing to worry about.  Even if he did want a k-k-ki...kiss... then it's just a kiss.  Just a kiss.  Just... my first kiss.  With a stallion.  On my first date.  Alone, in my home, under the Moon... ohmigoshIcan'tbreathe..."

So much for staying calm...
This message was last edited by the player at 17:39, Wed 09 May 2012.

Applejack bit her lip a bit, watching Twilight's reaction. "Err... Sugar cube?" AJ wanted to say that all that hooey about first kisses was bunk, but everypony deserved the dream at first, she guessed. Hers had felt world-shattering at the time, but having grown up and over it, AJ didn't remember it nearly as fondly, and she didn't feel put out havin' lost it to... well... That Pony.

"Ah think yer' frettin' a bit much." She said, and rubbed her back with her hoof. "If he comes close for a kiss, ya' can tell. Trust me. Every filly can sense when she's about ta be kissed." she said softly. "An' if ya don't want one, just... back up just a lil'. Ya don't even really have to say anything, ah guess... Just.. kinda show that ya don't wanna kiss. Widget ain't pushy, like ya' said. If it's easier, ah know he'd settle for a kiss on the cheek or even a hoof." she held her hand up, and grinned a little, tossing in a bit of playful throwback teasing to try and break Twilight's stress. "Yer' highness~" she held her free hoof out to twilight like some pompous royal expecting a kiss on it.

Twilight listened in silence, once more stuck trying to keep herself from going light headed over her growing internal worries.  As always, Applejack was a voice of reason and she latched onto it, using her reassurances to calm herself down again.  Okay, this had to stop... she couldn't go flying off the handle at every little thing.  Applejack wasn't going to be around all evening and she'd make an absolute foal of herself in front of Widget if she freaked out again.

"Right.  You're right.  I can just lean away.  He'll understand.  Just be calm, breathe, and don't explode him or set him on fire." Twilight reaffirmed her feelings with that very important mantra.  Yes, it would be very rude and leave a bad impression to ignite her date.  Applejack's efforts at lightheartedness got a nervous laugh from the unicorn as she eased a bit, already feeling a tension in her shoulders building up that would require a visit to the Spa to get rid of.

"Alright, I get it..." she giggled softly and gave a deep sigh.  "Thanks."

"Anytime, Sugarcube." Applejack put both hooves around her, then grinned. "Mah little Twilight, all grown up." The farmpony teased at wiping a tear off her cheek. "Jus' remember. Ya' can have a good time an still feel comfortable. Widget doesn't wanna' distress ya'. If anythin' makes you uncomfortable, jus' let him know gently, and he'll let up. An if ya need me, ah'll be sellin' apples 'till ah'm out. Ah'll try and sell somewhere ah can see the balcony, if ya need me." she said.

"But ah gotta find Rainbow after ah get done, like ah said." She reassured. "But ah'll be as close as ah can for ya."

Twilight appreciated the hug and returned it in full, but then pushed Applejack away with a smirking huff at the bit of teasing added on.  "Hardy har har.  We're the same age, you know." she rolled her eyes.  Readjusting her glasses, she gave a sigh.  "I'll be okay.  I just need to keep my mind from running away with me... but if nothing else, I teleport better when I'm stressed.  Only minor burn-damage in those cases.  Just... don't be too surprised if I wink up somewhere nearby tonight, okay?"

"Yer always welcome to drop in on me, Twi." she chimed, and gave one mor ehug. "Ah' better get goin'. Ah got a cart to haul!" she said,and darted down the stairs,, grabbing her bag of books... and pausing to look at the exploded globe's smoking remains. "Err.. .ya' might wanna sweep this up?" she called upstairs, before making her swift exit.

To Sweet Apple Acres

"Yeah, I'll take care of that..." Twilight grimaced at the ruins of her globe.  Darn... she liked that one too.  She'd have to try and mend it when she was feeling more confident in her magic not flaring out of control again.  She walked Applejack to the door and waved goodbye before shutting it in her wake, resting against it, and trying not to panic once more.

"Celestia help me..." she groaned before setting about to gathering the smoking remains scattered across the Library.  Finally alone with her thoughts, Twilight mused in silence as she cleaned the place up.  A bit of repetitive labor calmed her mind even if it was Spike's chores... but hey, why not?  She was on auto pilot as she shelved books and tidied up, dusting here and sweeping there.

Dating... she'd never really given it much consideration before.  Like she told Applejack; she wasn't against the idea, but it just hadn't come up in her life.  She was always so busy and threw herself fully into both her studies and obligation to Princess Celestia.  If romance was a natural progression from friendship, then it only made sense to her that she would pursue it once she finished studying friendship itself... which she now realized was likely never going to happen.  Besides, there was something particularly un-scholarly about romance.  It was distracting, complicated, emotionally draining...

...but then she thought of her big brother, Shining Armor.  He and Princess Cadence were so happy.  Her parents as well -- those two had been together for so many years.  The Cakes were a great couple as well.  There were lots of ponies in town with stable relationships and even more just dating to explore the field.  She'd always dismissed it out of hoof... just like she had friendship, at first.  It took being forced into interactions with the ponies who would become her dearest friends to realize just how much she was missing out on in life by shunning companionship.  Was this the same?  Was she turning down something that could potentially enrich her life so much just because she was scared of it?

Her thoughts turned to Widget.  He was such a nice guy... always scatterbrained and smiling, lost in his work.  The two of them got along so well and she always figured it was because they had such similar natures.  Consumed by academia, she thought, not even realizing the idle grin that spread across her lips as she mulled over thoughts of him.  Had he always had feelings for her?  Had they developed over time as they became friends?  If so, when did he realize them?  What was the turning point in their interactions that she'd overlooked?  Did she have any feelings for him?  Could she?  How was she supposed to know if they were there or not?  Applejack seemed so sure that there would be some sort of instinctive response...

The unicorn's mind drifted back to that fateful night in the Castle of The Two Sisters so many years ago.  She stood before Nightmare Moon with no options left, the Elements of Harmony seemingly destroyed, and the fate of the world hanging in the balance.  When she'd heard her friends' voices calling to her, even in the depths of despair... she knew.  There was that little spark that gleamed deep inside her and it told her all she needed to understand about friendship.  The memory warmed Twilight and she smiled, trusting that same sort of spark would return when it came to further affairs of the heart.

Rising from her reverie, Twilight looked around and realized she'd cleaned the entire library.  She hadn't even noticed that at some point she'd begun reflexively using magic again, and without disastrous results!  The whole place was in ship shape as she stood with a feather duster floating beside her head, though it magically vanished away, de-conjured as her concentration fluctuated.

"Well... I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm going to try." she reaffirmed to nopony but herself.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:03, Thu 10 May 2012.

<<< FROM: The Moonrising at Town Square

Widget paused by the door and took a deep breath to try and ease himself. He shifted his head back and forth slightly to crack his neck and loosen up the tight muscles in his shoulders, before he at last straightened his back, and reached forward to knock his hoof against the door. ~Just be confident... be yourself... and everything will be fine. I hope.~

When the door knocked, Twilight knew it was time.  She hurried up but hesitated in actually opening just yet.  No, she needed a moment.

Mane: bound back yet attractively messy?  Check.
Glasses: intellectual but slid down far enough to be precisely 'jaunty'?  Check.
Lights: too bright... let's just dim those a little.... perfect!  Check.
Music: no, no music... there will be music from the event.  Don't bother.  Check.

"Okay, this is it.  You can do this." the unicorn whispered to herself as she braced for the big moment.  "You're Princess Celestia's star pupil.  You're, like, the third most magically powerful pony alive.  You've saved the world twice, fought off monsters and eldritch abominations, helped preserve the safety of the entire nation from soul-sucking Changelings, and have traveled through time.  You spent a week as a caped superhero." she rose a little more proudly as she psyched herself up, brimming with sudden confidence.  "I'm the Element of Magic.  I am Twilight-bucking-Sparkle, and I can do this!"

With that Twilight lit her horn, opened the door wide to find Widget on the other side, and immediately quailed bashfully enough to give Fluttershy a run for her money.

"Hi...~" she squeaked as the swelling brass band in her head tapered out with a pitiful trill.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:17, Thu 10 May 2012.

When Twilight opened the door, Widget nearly startled as if he hadn't just knocked and should have been expecting it. He felt heat creep into his face again, but he smiled; that part, he couldn't help. "H-Hi," he replied, in a similar high tone. His bright blue eyes behind red oval glasses brushed over her, taking in the changes she had made; the bound back, attractively messy mane and tail, the glasses he hadn't seen before perched on her nose... and she looked somehow different in this low light. Usually the library was very bright, the better to read book titles by. That, and he wasn't sure if he had ever seen her quite this shy before.

"Wow, Twilight... you look fantastic," he said without stumble, somehow without realizing he had said anything at all, eyes back on her face. A gentle blue glow came to his horn, and from the basket at his feet rose up the single pink rose, which he presented to her with an admittedly shy smile. "For you."

"Th-thanks.  You look h-handsome as well." she returned the compliment a beat later as she forced the gears in her head to continue turning.  It wasn't a hollow flattery either -- her eyes drifted across him in the same moment he'd taken to look her over, each intellectual appraising the other simultaneously.  He'd gone all the way back home to tidy himself up for her?

She squeaked in surprise as she was presented with a rose.  That also took her a moment to process as she swallowed and very gently flexed her magic.  ~Don't set it on fire.  Don't set it on fire.  Don't set it on fire.~ she mentally commanded herself.  Thankfully her willpower remained strong enough that she could control her magic and lifted the bloom from Widget's telekinetic hold into her own.  "Thank you..." she managed in a small voice as she took a moment to smell the flower's soft aroma.  Don't eat it yet.  That would be rude.  Save it for later.

It took another moment of standing awkwardly in the doorway before Twilight realized what she was doing and hurriedly stepped aside.  "P-please, come in~!  I'm sorry the place is such a mess -- I just lost all track of time last night while I was studying." she rambled quite erroneously.  The place was in flawless condition due to her auto-pilot cleaning earlier.

His smile had grown slightly awkward as he stood in the doorway for that moment, but at last, as Twilight moved aside, he relaxed a bit. "Thanks," Widget said, moving into the familiar library and glancing quickly around. He came here almost three times every week to study up on spells and mechanics for his repair and invention, so he was certainly no stranger to it, and he was pretty sure that he had never in his time in Ponyville seen it so spotless. It seemed off, though... She had changed something. It nagged at him for a short time as he looked into the corner where the globe had been, but when Twilight closed the door behind him, he abandoned the thought, and turned his attention to her once again. He decided, upon setting his eyes on her again, that whatever might be off didn't matter at the moment.

"I'm afraid I couldn't make due on that lemongrass tea I promised. For some strange reason, the Summer Song Cafe was closed already by the time I got there. But I did get apple cinnamon tea, though. I hope that's alright." The more he talked, the more confident he felt, even as he broke the bad news about the tea flavor. Rogue Heart and Applejack had done a great job of giving him a huge boost to confidence, as had Twilight's reaction to both his arrival and his pink petaled gift. Twilight knew what this was, that much was obvious, and was here, had allowed him in, looking just as nervous (but being about a Googolplex cuter in the process) as he felt. A slight heat crept into his face once more when he realized that, for the first time, she might actually realize how cute he thought she was. After all, if she hadn't been expecting to be asked out, she likely hadn't had any idea of his attraction.

"I was nearly late; sorry for that. I lost track of the time preparing these... May I?" he asked, pulling his wings off his back with magic for the time being and making to set them down near the front door, though he did not set them down until given permission. He wouldn't need them until after the moonrising, when Princess Luna would be able to mingle and Twilight would take him out to meet her. They had plenty of time until then, and on the narrow balcony, they'd only be in the way. Not to mention sort of heavy.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:16, Fri 11 May 2012.

"Don't worry about it... I'm sure Merriweather probably just took Meadow Lark into Town Square for the night.  They're both from Canterlot Castle, after all -- I doubt she'd let this sort of chance go to waste." Twilight didn't mind the lack of her favorite tea one bit -- she was too caught up in getting herself back to a semblance of comfort as she hovered the rose over into a nearby vase.

At the question over his metal wings, Twilight gave a nod and gestured to grant him permission.  Once they were set down though she curiously trotted over and lifted one of the wings with a hoof to see how its mechanism shifted.  "Huh... you changed the structure since last time.  These ones are much lighter than model 54-B.  Did you figure out how to accommodate for tail winds yet?" she asked.  She was genuinely curious about his creations (especially since she helped advise on many of them during the development phases) and hoped that a familiar topic would help settle them both.  Now that she was looking for the signs, she realized Widget had some of that nervous energy the others had seen in him before.

Widget was gentle as he placed them on the ground and let them sit still on their own, watching as Twilight made her way over. He was genuinely and delightedly surprised when she noticed the weight difference in the last model she had handled some months ago, and seemed to take genuine interest in his passion.

"I did change the structure. I started studying birds and pegasus wings a lot more closely," he explained as he came up to stand beside her as she looked over his wings. "In previous models, such as the 22-0 and the 48-A's, I think those were the last ones you got close to before the 54-B's, I was more concerned with stability than performance, so they were a solid metal structure all the way through. However, the bones of birds and pegasi are hollow - that's how they are able to fly so easily. The weight is much more manageable than a solid structure. So once I had the actual mechanics and building design down, I started using hollow metal framework to compensate for the weight. These are my 60-C model, the first I made with hollow aluminum alloy, and the first I was really able to get any good speed on.

"As for the tailwind, I think I'm getting more control over that, but that's coming with practice. From everything I've read, pegasi tailbones are slightly longer and wider than earth ponies or unicorn... Who knew I'd have to read so many medical books for this?" he injected with a chuckle. "The wider tail works as an aerofoil, and allows them to handle tailwinds better. When in flight, I find that my tail moves a lot on its own, like I'm compensating for balance. For pegasi, it's all part of the learning to fly process - it becomes second nature. Once my design is more finalized, I will likely install an attachment to sit behind the wing joint, here," he touched his hoof to the strap where the two wings would touch the flank, "to act as compensation for the wider tail, and allow better control.

"Though to be honest with you, I was presented with a set of new blueprints today that are remarkable. I'm going to start planning a whole new design, using inertia rather than magic. Wind-up, if you will, so that earth ponies will be able to use them, too. If I apply all I have learned from my previous designs, I estimate I'll have a working prototype within the month." He beamed, obviously very excited about the prospects.

There was a small pause, and he suddenly looked very sheepish, though his smile remained. "I'm sorry, I just talked your ears right off, didn't I? That's me, I suppose. Get me on something I find interesting, and it's hard to shut me up." The very last thing he wanted to do was to bore her with nothing but talk of his work, even if it was very fascinating to him!

Despite how long-winded Widget had gone, not once had Twilight faded out of the talk.  She remained attentive and, perhaps more importantly, comprehended everything he went over.  Many times when he got rambling on other ponies would just sort of tune him out until he finished, but Twilight took it all in stride.  When he apologized for his wandering mouth she seemed genuinely surprised for a moment as she tried to figure out exactly what was so wrong about it.

"C'mon, you've known me how long?  I do the exact same thing." she laughed.  It was quite true too -- Twilight had a habit of flexing her vocabulary more often than not.  Likewise, most ponies had learned to tune her out when she got into particularly challenging topics.  Why wasn't everypony as excited about functional thermodynamics as she was?  "Honestly, the fact that you're so passionate about your work is something I've always admired in you."

Twilight hadn't even realized she'd complimented him just then as she only spoke her true feelings on the matter without thought.  The unicorn turned aside and hovered up the basket of treats he'd brought with him, smiling with interest at the contents.  However, she picked out the package of apple-cinnamon tea and started for the kitchen.

"You know, if you wanted to get some hoofs-on experience with flight, I know a few different Wing Spells.  The first time I tried it out, it was pretty hard on me, but I've improved since then.  It's a major transmutation spell that gives a pony functional wings." she chatted as she began magicking her way about the kitchen, setting a pot of water to boil on the stove top.  "At first all I could do was Flutter wings, but I've figured out a few different variations since then.  I bet I could get you into a good impression of an Alicorn.  It might give you some helpful insight with your development."

Hearing that from Twilight caused an unexpected warmth to spread from the tip of Widget's nose to the very tips of his back hooves, and made him smile almost in a serene fashion. The fact that Twilight Sparkle admired anything in him was a big boost to his confidence, and made him very happy indeed, on a level he had not been happy on for a very long time. "Well... that's... very kind of you to say, Twilight," he said in a soft tone, following her toward the kitchen. "But let's be honest here. What you talk about is actually interesting to everypony. To hear somepony so knowledgeable in magical theorem and practical application, who has studied in the royal libraries at will, who has worked so close with Princess Celestia, and is so powerful in the art of magic as to be named her star pupil, is like poetry. Somepony would have to be mad to not want to listen to you." Similar to Twilight's compliments to the inventor, Widget didn't seem to have realized the compliment he had given her. It was truth to him.

He watched her put the tea on and pondered her offer, albeit briefly. It had never occurred to him before, to have magic wings in place of mechanical ones for flight training. Of course, while he had known Twilight was very powerful, he hadn't known she had studied up on spells to give other ponies wings... "I would definitely like that," he said enthusiastically. "Flight training without risk of ruining my prototypes... I'm tired of having to start building from scratch when something goes really wrong with them. If it isn't too much trouble for you, it'd be fantastic, and really help out my research."

Twilight's ears drooped down and a bright blush lit her cheeks as Widget sang her praises.  She pawed bashfully at the floor -- was he just flattering her to be nice?  That's what dates did, right?  They complimented each other.  But... no, she'd always known Widget to be genuine and didn't even think he was capable of speaking empty words.  That warmed her in a similar manner as she idly chewed on her lower lip in thought.

"Mad?  Well, if that's the case, then I guess my original appraisal of Ponyville was right: 'All the ponies in this town are crazy!'" she quoted herself from oh so long ago and felt rather foolish for having carried such an opinion in the first place.  "Really, nopony actually likes hearing me go on.  I lecture.  I can't help it sometimes... most ponies need to rely on Spike to translate for me once I get going.  Even my best friends glaze over after a few moments.  Except for Pinkie Pie, and that's sort of disturbing to be honest."

The mention of crashing brought on a concern.  Widget was prone to ending up face-down in solid objects pretty often... if he was going to be crashing with his mechanical wings, how much more worse would it be with magical ones?  The last thing she wanted was to give him new bones to break.  "Actually, about that... have you ever thought about using a wind tunnel?  The air pressure currents in certain parts of Ghastly Gorge are pretty intense.  It might be safer for you if you tethered yourself to a control point and used those wind tunnels for low-altitude flight tests.  That way you can figure out if it's going to even maintain stability in the first place without... well... y'know..."

Twilight whistled and made a 'crash and burn' sound in the back of her throat.  She didn't mean anything by it though and smiled awkwardly for the suggestion.  "But... um... whatever you want to do is fine.  I'd be happy to help whenever I can." she did her best Fluttershy impression once more.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Fri 11 May 2012.

"Well, I like to hear you go on," said Widget a bit fervently, almost a little defensively on her behalf. "I think, if you weren't so talented on the practical side of magic, you would have made a great teacher of it. There aren't many ponies I can bounce my ideas off of, you know. Rogue tries, but he doesn't really get a lot of the intricate scientific detail. Most other ponies don't have time or patience to try, they get that fuzzy glazed look you were talking about your friends getting. I suppose we both have the same problem in that way. Same as you, Pinkie Pie gets a lot of it, though. She's... interesting. But I sure do like her style. It helps with my creativity." He smiled at her, more sincerely, softer, as he got back on topic. "I guess that's one reason I like you so much, Twilight; I don't know many ponies who know what I'm talking about, but you, you're way smarter than me." He chuckled and looked a bit shy.

Her suggestion of Ghastly Gorge gave him pause. Widget was a homebody, he always had been, testing near other ponies for both the spectacle value and for his own safety. In recent months, as his prototypes had advanced and evolved, his experiments had gotten more volatile and dangerous, and not just for him. Just that morning, what would have happened if somepony had been at that fruit stand he had crashed into? He could have hurt somepony, and badly too.

"I think that's a brilliant idea, Twilight," he said in a bright tone. "I was just thinking this morning, after my crash, I needed to look for somewhere more secluded, where I wouldn't endanger anypony else. If I can help keep myself from danger, that's a big bonus, too. I wouldn't care for another broken shoulder..." he added, remembering an injury of a few years ago when he had first started that had, to date, been his worst, and most painful. "If you're free some afternoon this week, I'd appreciate your help with that."

"I'm pretty sure Pinkie Pie is some kind of savant, but it's really difficult to study her.  Trust me, I've tried." Twilight rolled her eyes and fixed her glasses a bit higher up on her muzzle.  As Widget once more laid on the compliments she blushed darker and looked away from him to hide her embarrassment.  "Don't you think you're laying it on a bit thick, Widget?  But... well, I know what you mean.  That's why I always enjoy talking with you when you come in bustling with a new invention or some question that's been rattling around in your head.  You keep up with me.  It's challenging, in the good way.  I'm sure you of all ponies can appreciate how important that is."

Twilight Sparkle was a smart pony.  Too smart for her own good in some cases, but that was beside the point.  While she never considered herself to be superior to anypony due to her intellect, she was well aware that she tended to lap others in the brains department.  Some ponies graciously tried to keep pace with her but most just didn't bother with the effort.  She'd given Applejack headaches before with some of her lecturing.  But Widget?  Not once had she ever needed to worry about him not understanding her.  She'd gone off on ten-minute tangents about abstract theories that would have put other ponies to sleep only to have him pipe up with an insightful comment or thought-provoking question at the end of it.  And, in all fairness, she did just the same for him too.

Between her own thoughts on the matter and her lingering fluster from being complimented, Twilight's ears were ringing.  Oh, wait, no, that was the tea kettle going off.  She snapped back to reality and quickly lifted the kettle lid, setting the tea satchel inside to steep.  "Um... so, did you want to head up to the balcony now?  It doesn't sound like things are really under way down in Town Square yet..."

"I guess... thats just my nerves... Sorry," Widget muttered, suddenly feeling self aware. He'd been being truthful, but he supposed that letting everything he thought out at once wasn't a good idea. He figured, now that his nervousness and attempts to flatter had likely done more damage than good, he had better calm down before he blow the whole thing. It was bad enough that he was bantering with himself whether or not Twilight even wanted to be here with him, or if she hadn't cancelled just to spare his feelings. Unfortunately, it was impossible to know without ruining the night or hurting Twilight's feelings, and he'd jump into Ghastly Gorge without his Daedelus Device before doing either.

Her next words, however, made him feel even better than she had before. That compliment meant more to him than perhaps she knew. She saw him as an intellectial equal. Enjoyed talking with him about his ideas as much as her own, even when even other intellectuals saw them as wasted or useless talent. He didn't blush this time, but he did smile a soft, gentle smile. "I do understand... and thank you," he replied quietly. His resolve was strengthened now; no matter what happened tonight, whether the date worked out or not, in the end, he would always be her friend. They'd both go crazy otherwise

He hadn't noticed the tea kettle whistling either, until she had pulled off the lid to seep the tea in the boiling water. "Hmm. I think so, yes, if you are ready. We can get your telescope properly positioned and have a bite to eat before the rise. I wasn't sure if you'd had supper yet - I didnt find the time myself - so I got enough snacks to hopefully satisfy both our appetites."

"The only meal I've had today was lunch, actually.  My morning was... ah... a little hectic." Twilight couldn't help but laugh a bit over it now that it was all over.  As the two ponies gathered what they needed to camp out a bit upstairs, she told him of her day.  The wild goose chase all over town for a missing apple cart, getting caught in a rivalry between the local police officer and a private detective, and all the new ponies they'd run into.  She spoke very highly of Xing Ming, the Chineighs filly staying the Apples as well -- Twilight saw lots of promise in that little pony.

Up they'd go through a dense branch tunnel that led to the uppermost platform at the top of the tree.  That was where Twilight always set up for stargazing -- it was the highest spot in town besides Town Hall and the Clock Tower, though neither of those were suited to be an observatory platform.  The piping tea kettle, a few mugs, and Widget's basket of treats orbited her head as she led the way, not noticing that she almost swished her companion in the face with her tail on the way up the narrow staircase.

"It looks like the weather team did a good job.  Not a cloud in the sky." Twilight observed as she stepped up onto the platform and laid out their refreshments.  At one end of the overhang was one of her many telescopes, which she quickly set to checking the lens calibrations on.

"You did have a very interesting morning," said Widget brightly and with amusement laced in his words as he followed her up the narrow staircase, watching the teapot out of habit. All too often, even with the best unicorn magic, it could jostle and spill a few drops of scalding hot water on a pony's flank, and that was pleasant for no one. "I never really understood rivalry between law enforcement departments. I mean, I guess the private detective isn't public law enforcement strictly speaking like a police officer, but he still works on the law's side. I can understand it between members of nobility - they who garner the best repose with the Princesses could, in theory, sway a lot of their decisions in their favor." He wrinkled his nose at the idea. He had no love of politics...

"There certainly are a lot of new ponies in Ponyville... I wonder why they've all come so suddenly. Well, no matter. The more, the merrier," he concluded with a smile. "That filly, Xing Ming, sounds like she'll have a happy home here. Not many families have as much love to give as the Apples."

He sat down and poured their tea for them as Twilight set about calibrating the telescope, glancing up at the deep blue sky that was spotless above them. "Yes, they did. It's amazing what Rainbow Dash and the rest of the weather team can do in a short time. It was all cloudy just this morning." Widget had to wonder if laziness was a pegasus trait, as he drew similarities between Rogue Heart and Rainbow Dash in his mind...

"Oh! I had wanted to ask you before," he said, looking up as she came back from the telescope to sit beside him. "Have you read the latest Unicorn Quarterly from Canterlot yet? It just came out this week. Apparently, there was a notebook discovered near Roam that throws the authenticity of the first amniomorphic spell creation. Some experts are claiming that the notes aren't from Starswirl the Bearded, but from Clover the Clever."

While Widget's eyes were up on the sky, Twilight quickly peered downward instead.  Her gaze swept the distant Town Square and, from among the multicolored crowd, spotted the familiar sign of Applejack's cart.  Oh, thank goodness... while things were going well so far and she felt no need for rescue, it was good to know that her friends were still nearby just in case.  The knowledge put her more at ease.

"Really?  Wow, I hadn't heard about it yet.  But that does make a lot of sense, given the relationship those two had." Twilight observed as she moved to settle down at Widget's side.  She kept a fair distance from him for the moment, laying their food and drinks between the two of them.  Yes, that was a safe buffer zone.  "A lot of Clover's early work got credited to Starswirl, and vice versa with a lot of his later musings.  Their writing style and even horn-penmanship were very similar after spending so long in each others tutelage.  Though Clover had a habit of chewing on her quill whenever she wrote for long periods of time, so a lot of her scripting has a blunted drag as opposed to Starswirl's more fluid gestures.  Plus he liked to eat while he was thinking, which is why so many of his old scrolls have damage on them from dripped sauces and vegetable fiber." she giggled at the thought and rolled her eyes.  "Can you imagine what a mess his beard must have been some days?"

The way Twilight was talking about such ancient writings indicated that she'd seen them in person, and likely at length in order to have such understanding of the creators' habits.  But those were all national treasures!  Of course, with it came the realization that given Twilight's standing with the Princess, it was only natural that she got greater opportunities at studying material that would otherwise be kept behind closed doors from the rest of the world.  She spoke so glibly on the topic too... either she didn't quite realize what a major privilege she had, or it had just be second nature for so long that it didn't occur to her any longer.

"Ooh, that reminds me!  There's been some exciting new writings coming out of Stalliongrad discussing social reforms.  After all the upheaval they've been going through for the past few decades since the Industrial-Magic Revolution, they've really been making huge leaps and bounds." Twilight was a pony of many topics and chatted easily as she plucked up a blueberry muffin from the basket and offered it to Widget first.  "A lot of their new standards are modeled after Equestrian law, most of which was established back during the founding of the nation.  I always find it humbling that other groups of ponies hold Equestria in such high regard as to emulate us."

Widget broke out the butter for both of their muffins as Twilight settled down on the other side of the food, listening interestedly on her thoughts of Starswirl the Bearded and Clover the Clever. He couldn't help but be a bit envious, as any academic interested in the origins of magic would be; both Clover the Clever and Starswirl the Bearded were founding members of both magic in the art form it was today, and in the very history of Equestria's founding. They both existed in what was Equestria now before even Celestia and Luna had, and Twilight had, in her previous life at Canterlot castle, been aloud to peruse the original works, thousands of years old, at her leisure. What he wouldn't give just to look at a few of those old scrolls...

"I hope he knew a good self grooming spell. Actually, with a beard like his, he had to have known one, or probably invented one. Otherwise, everything he wrote would have been illegible." He sniggered at the thought. "You know, there are a few conspiracy theorists out there who think that Starswirl the Bearded and Clover the Clever were actually the same pony," he said in a slightly low tone, though he was grinning, obviously thinking it was a preposterous concept. "That Starswirl 'invented' Clover to extend his own legacy and influence. The use the similarities in their writings and penmanship as hallmarks of their proof to the theory, along with the lack of evidence that Starswirl and Clover were actually ever noted together in public. I suppose the theory could have merit, if it wasn't so well documented when both passed away, years apart from each other, on opposite sides of Equestria."

He looked thoughtful as he took the blueberry muffin and nodded his thanks, cutting it to spread butter on the still warm inside before offering her the knife to do the same. "I hadn't read those writings from Stalliongard, no," he admitted. His life was so busy with invention, he could barely keep up on basic magic news, and didn't find much time for politics or social studies or economics. He was no stranger to them, of course, but he found time to keep updated lacking these days. "It's interesting that they are choosing Equestria as a model for their reform. It's true that Equestria is a great nation, and we are all very lucky to be here. But I can't help but feel a little concern. Equestria hasn't always been peaceful, not by a long shot, and it's prosperity makes it a target as much as a sanction. I hope they learn from our mistakes."

Taking a bite of muffin, he considered for a few more moments before speaking again. "Do you know if they are going to request aid from Equestria's nobility in their reform? I desperately hope not... As fair as our princesses are as rulers, I'm of the opinion that the current hierarchy is in desperate need of weeding out. Too many 'old money' ponies with too many 'old money' ideas serving as advisers. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are wise and kind and fearsome in their defense of Equestria and its ponies, but the ponies who make the every-day decisions, the mundane and, in some cases, most important ones, are so far out of touch with the real world, they've practically forgotten how to make a decision based on what is needed and not what they want for themselves." He didn't seem disgusted; more disappointed. Equestria and its subjects deserved better than that.

"I admit, I don't know much about Stalliongard... What was it like before?" he asked curiously.

Twilight took her time in carefully splitting her blueberry muffin down the middle to get the perfect surface ratio to spread precisely the right amount of butter across, letting it settle for an approximate period of time to reach the optimal 'lightly melted' stage where the muffin would just begin to soak up the semi-liquid.  Growing up, Twilight had never really had too great a fondness for sweets, but ever since she'd come to Ponyville, she didn't know how she could live without ponies like The Apples or The Cakes and their cooking.  She took a bite of the warm, chewy muffin and practically melted as much as the butter had, momentarily giving in to the sheer, unadulterated bliss of that tangy snack to squirm in place and smile despite her full cheeks.

"Mmm... mb?" Twilight murmured around her mouthful before swallowing.  "Well, I might be inclined to buy into some of those conspiracy theories myself despite that, but there's too much evidence to the contrary.  Starswirl and Clover both have very clearly documented familial lines going through the generations that still thrive to this day.  Besides, if you read up on most of the vocal conspirators making those sort of claims, they tend to have their own agendas." she shrugged and hovered up her mug of tea to gingerly sip at the hot beverage, sighing with satisfaction at how well the sharp, savory flavor complimented the milder snack foods.  The Cakes' baking, Applejack's tea, a historical event playing out before her eyes, and wonderful company to share it all with.  Could life get any better?

That thought surprised Twilight a moment after it crossed her mind.  She realized too late that she'd completely relaxed without even knowing it.  All the tension in her attitude had evaporated away and she was simply able to enjoy Widget's company without qualm.  Now she felt sillier than ever, really.  Applejack had been right -- she got all worked up over nothing.  And yet... was this really how it was supposed to be going?  Twilight was acutely aware that there was a marked difference in the natures of Friendship and Romance.  Right now she just felt the same way with Widget that she would with any other of her friends...

"I admit, I don't know much about Stalliongard... What was it like before?" Widget asked curiously.

"Hmm?" Twilight was pulled out of her thoughts.  She'd been half-listening and quickly recovered the information she'd gleaned while in thought.  The pony could read multiple books at once, so multitasking a conversation and inner monologue wasn't difficult for her.  "Oh, well, Stalliongrad's had a rather sordid history, to be frank.  They were one of the few standing communities to deny the rule of Princess Celestia and Luna following its establishment hundreds of years ago.  The region they live in is constantly plagued by storms and harsh winters that even their Pegasi can't keep up with, though nopony really knows why that is.  According to some records, part of their dismissal of the royal leadership was that they felt Princess Celestia should have used her power to make the region a paradise, but didn't.  There's a lot of debate over that whole matter and it's never really been resolved.  I've asked the Princess about it myself before, but she was cryptic to say the least."

Twilight took another bite of her muffin and mused for a moment of idle chewing.  Politics were a fascinating topic, but it tended to be rather heavy and deeply involved.  There were so many intricacies and diversions.  Exactly the sort of stuff Widget disliked about the direction of Equestrian upper crust, actually.  "So, they bucked the crown and established their own form of government.  It started out on the premise of equality and support for everypony, but the government got corrupted pretty quickly as some unscrupulous sorts came into power and turned it into an imperial dynasty.  The class and caste systems that developed from that were ghoulish..." she sighed and continued at length.  "So there were wars.  Lots of wars.  One form of government would be overthrown and replaced, only to fall to the same vices and be usurped by another group.  It was horrible... so many lives, pony and otherwise, destroyed..."

The notion seemed to weigh heavily on Twilight as she looked out over the happy, noisy gathering of Ponyville down below.  Equestria really was blessed to have it so well.  While they had their own dangers to face, it was often easy to forget just how fortunate they were compared to other parts of the world.  "But things have changed in recent years, thankfully.  A movement for education got a lot of momentum behind it and the country underwent a major techno-magical revolution that helped them catch up and even surpass other parts of the world.  Now with that helping to stabilize the country, the non-ruling classes are banding together to try and push through reforms to the social standards without resulting in another civil war.  It looks like they're finally learning from past mistakes."

Despite all the claims otherwise from Widget, Twilight suddenly became very aware of how much she'd been chatting away.  She blushed a bit and rubbed her foreleg in a sheepish gesture.  "Geeze, listen to me go.  I'm sorry -- foreign politics and history aren't the best sort of conversation for a romantic evening..."

While Twilight talked at length about the issues that had been plaguing Stalliongard for so long, Widget listened interestedly and chewed slowly on his delicious muffin. He was the opposite of her in the sense of sweets. When he had been younger, he could have eaten more cupcakes and candies than Pinkie Pie could now, but he had always been so active and running around and working hard with the practical elements of his mother's work that even then he had been unusually thin and lanky, though much taller than the rest of his peers. Now though, he still had a bit of a sweet tooth, but usually preferred milder or tart sweets like fruit muffins, tarts, fresh popped corn with butter and salt, or his favorite treat of all, apple preserves on toasted cinnamon raisin bread. He sipped his tea, finding it to his liking, even though he usually drank coffee.

"I never was one for international social studies," he admitted when Twilight informed him that the events of Stalliongard were fairly famous. "I had been noting in news publications of their dramatic increase of academic standards and studies of science and magic, but I didn't know about the political problems. I'd heard about fighting, but when all that was going on a few years ago, I... well, I had my own problems and wasn't really paying attention to anything else in the world." He paused here to gather himself for a moment, sipping softly at his tea. The fighting had taken place four or five years ago - not at all the best time in Widget's young life. It was not something he wanted to think about tonight, though. He rarely thought about it at all anymore. His life was different now. Better. He had his work, his study, and his friends. Life was good. The past didn't matter anymore.

Twilight's apology drew him out of his quiet revelry, and he turned to her in small surprise. "Please, don't be sorry," he replied. "I think it's just fine conversation. That's what a date is all about, after all - two ponies alone, talking about things they find interesting, getting to know each other better. Heavy the subjects may be, but they are definitely interesting and engaging to both of us. That's what really matters."

His smile grew a little wider, almost playful. "Though if you wanted to talk about something more of what the average pony might call 'date appropriate', I wouldn't say no. I'd like very much to know more about you, if you are willing to share."

"The developments in academia and politics are pretty strongly intertwined there.  If it weren't for the revolution, they'd still be at each others' throats over a useless throne." Twilight shrugged.

"When my friends and I all became the holders of the Elements of Harmony, I took a much larger interest in world studies.  I didn't know what would be asked of us... for a while I thought we might be sent all over Equestria as some sort of peacekeeping force, but that hasn't been the case." the mare continued with a faintly wistful voice.  "I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing, really.  But I'm happy with the life I have.  I guess it's not our place to interfere with other communities.  It'd be irresponsible of us."

When Widget joked about turning the topics to more personal 'date appropriate' levels, Twilight blushed darkly and looked away.  He wanted to know more about her?  But what sort of things?  Was he really interested or just making chit-chat?  But he'd apparently had feelings toward her for some time, and she admittedly was curious about him as well.  But what to talk about?  What sort of topics and secrets and--

FWOOM~!

Twilight yelped softly as her muffin spontaneously burst into flames.  She quickly blew it out and got herself back into focus, still blushing though more out of embarrassment than anything else.  "Ah... heh... I like them toasted." she excused herself and took another slightly crispier bite.  Hey, that actually was pretty good~!

"Um... well, I'm not sure how to start, really.  Quid pro quo?  You ask a question, I answer, then continue until we're bored of each other?"

The spontaneous combustion of Twilight's muffin surprised Widget, to put it mildly, the stallion jerking slightly back away from the dangerous baked good and watching it as Twilight quickly blew the flames out and looked embarrassed. He relaxed quickly though, and gave a small, comfortable laugh. "I see. Just a bit of warning next time," he said, amused and deciding it was best to say nothing more on it.

Her reception to his suggestion, however, was promising, and he nodded to her suggestion. "If that were the case, I don't think you'd ever stop talking," he chuckled. "I could think of a lot to ask you. But to start... Hmm... I'm actually curious about your family. You don't talk all that much about them. I heard a little in passing when I was in the library, but well, I didn't want to eavesdrop. Why don't you tell me a bit more about them?" Naturally, he knew that she had a brother and he had married Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and about what had happened with the Changelings, but that was all he knew; no more than what the newspapers had printed.

Twilight flushed again over the compliment given, but thankfully managed to not explode anything that time around.  "My family?  Well, I'm not sure there's really much to tell...

Let's see... my family's always been from Canterlot, for starters.  There's my parents, Night Light and Twilight Velvet.  They're both Unicorns.  Of course there's my big brother Shining Armor and now my new sister-in-law, Princess Cadence.  All of them are so wonderful... they've all supported me since I was just a filly, helping me and cheering me on.  My head spins every time I think about all the Bits my dad poured into buying me enough books to fill my room with twice over." Twilight mused as she mentally trimmed her family tree for important members.  She had a few aunts, uncles, and cousins as well, but figured it would be best to leave them unmentioned since she didn't want to drag out any needless details.  "Since the wedding, I'm Princess Celestia and Luna's niece-in-law as well, so there's that.  And of course there's Spike~.  I've known him since I was just a filly -- as part of my entrance into Princess Celestia's school for gifted unicorns, I hatched him from an egg.  Admittedly we have a sort of odd relationship... I've never been clear if I'm like his mother, sister, or employer sometimes.  But we love each other all the same."

The lavender unicorn mulled on the matter for a little, quietly sipping her tea as she thought.  "I miss my family sometimes, to be honest.  Ever since I moved to Ponyville I've stopped spending as much time with them.  I write my parents often, but it's really been too long since I've visited.  I didn't even know my brother was getting married in the first place... but there were some circumstances surrounding that." she rolled her eyes with that vast understatement.  "Maybe I should invite them all here for once... it'd be nice to have them come around and see what I've made of my life since Canterlot."

Twilight thought for a moment about what to ask Widget in return.  Naturally the first knee-jerk response was to return the question back his way and ask about his family, but she knew about the accident that had taken his mother's life.  Not wanting to touch on a raw nerve, she took a different route instead.  "I've always wondered about your Cutie Mark.  There's got to be a story there~."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:53, Sat 12 May 2012.

With his own family so small, or nonexistent as it were, Widget always found interest in the families of others. He often wondered if life would have been so much different if he'd had siblings growing up, someone to lean on or to lean on him when things got difficult. He smiled, though, imagining young Twilight pouring hungrily over books with somehow even more voraciousness than she did now, desperate to prove her intelligence to be accepted into the school for gifted unicorns. "You're lucky your parents cared so much about your studies," he said with a small nod, and a slightly wry smile.

He glanced back to his cutie mark, examining, not for the first time, the three silvery-grey cog wheels that had been imprinted on him magically what felt like eons ago. So much had happened in his life since he had gotten it, and he smiled fondly at the memories of how he had received it.

"Well, ever since I was young, I've always wanted to follow in my mother's hoofsteps, and she always encouraged the creativity that she inspired in me. From the time I was old enough to tell the difference between a screwdriver and a ratchet, I was her 'assistant' in her workshop for as long as she could stand my questions. Heh, my father though, he had other plans for his only son." He smirked slightly. "My dad, Rocksteady, was a member of the royal guard, a big, thick set stallion that would have given Big Macintosh a run for his money. I had always been sort of thin and scrawny and 'too tall for my hide', he'd always say. He wanted me to be a guard. 'It's honorable, hard work that will make you a real stallion,' he'd said."

Rolling his eyes, he took a sip of tea before continuing. "He enrolled me in a program called The Royal Cadets as soon as I was old enough. You've probably heard of them. They're like guards in training, but for the really young, maybe a little bit older than your friend Xing Ming. Oh, how I despised it. I know it's honorable and good work, something to be proud of, but it was definitely not what I wanted out of life. But still, I tried my best... My father had never been proud of me before. I wanted him to be. I really, really wanted his approval. I was an only child, their legacy."

"A year or two went by, and every day that passed, I hated the cadets more and more. What was worse, was that they started hating me. I was so clumsy. Well, I guess I still am. Imagine me, learning guard duty, falling into marching lines and carrying flags and stuff like that. I tripped the whole line at least once a day." He snickered at the memories, obviously cherishing them despite hating the program so much.

"Well, one day, I heard that the Royal Equestrian Science Fair was going to be taking place in Canterlot that year. I barely had time to sleep as it was, what with cadets, school, and still trying to help my mother as best I could. But I wanted to enter it so badly... I wanted to prove to myself that I really did have what it takes, that I was meant for more than guard duty. So, I made time. I don't think I slept for the three months leading up to the science fair. I had always wanted a pet, but father wouldn't have it, so I had started to make my own. I studied all sorts of animation magic, experimented and pushed myself, even though I was so young and didn't even have a cutie mark. I built dozens of prototypes and models, until finally, it eventually became my very first version of Tik-Tok, my automaton clockwork pet bird. It could fly around and chirp clock chimes, and even understand basic commands. There wasn't anything like it anywhere, at least as far as I know.

"Little did I know that Princess Celestia, and subsequently her guard, would be visiting the exhibition hall. I think my dad was just as surprised to see me there as I was to see him. Princess Celestia just adored Tik-Tok, called him 'the most adorable, and likely cleanest, bird in Equestria'. I won the science fair, but I knew I was in trouble. My father had seen me, knew I had cut the cadets to come to the science fair. I worried all the rest of the day while I waited at home for him to come."

He chuckled softly. "When he came home, he didn't even scold me. He said he was happy that I had made such an impression on the princess, that I had at last done what I knew I wanted to do, what would make me happy. That he was proud of me. I'd never felt more happy than I had in that moment. I knew then that I always wanted to invent new things. That it's what made me happy. And with that, there was a flash of light, and here they were." He gestured to the gears on his flank with another fond smile.

He turned to her, pouring himself another cup of tea with his magic and offering to top off her cup as well. "However, I was too old to be accepted into the academy of the gifted. So, I stayed in public school. I learned what I needed to know on the practical side from my mother, and read about spells on my own. Having never been to the magic academy, I'm curious... What was it like there? And on that same line, what's it like, to be Celestia's protege?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Sun 13 May 2012.

Twilight listened with interest as Widget told such a story, her eyes bright and curious.  As he spoke she tended to other matters -- gently re-heating the tea as it started to cool with a flicker of magic, starting into the vanilla confetti cupcakes since that frosting looked far too tempting to pass up on, and such.  Yet not once did it seem she ever tuned him out; he had her full attention otherwise as she emoted along with his story; smiling here, giving plaintive quirks of her brow there, giggling along with him...

"I'm glad that all worked out well with your father.  I guess parents really do only want what's best for their kids, huh?" the pony mused with a soft, fond smile as she thought of her own parents back in Canterlot.  She fell silent when he asked her of past experiences.  That needed some pondering as she thought back to try and condense essentially her entire life down into a few eloquent statements.  Prior to coming to Ponyville, her studies were everything to her... it was literally her whole life in that concept.

"The day I became Celestia's protege... it was the same day I enrolled, met Spike, and got my Cutie Mark.  Any one of those is a big deal but to have them occur simultaneously?  It was a bit overwhelming.  Thrilling though.  I was so happy it took me days to finally calm down and get that smile to ease off my face."  Twilight giggled gently as she remembered bouncing around the Princess in glee.  "It was like a dream.  Learning directly from Princess Celestia, spending so much time with her... I still remember that first lesson.  Everything she said had this profound meaning to it and I was just left stunned by it all... she was, in the literal definition of the word, glorious.  It needed a few weeks to finally really settle in and let me realize what sort of situation I'd come into though.  How much of an honor it was, and the sort of responsibilities I carried, the opportunities open to me..." she hesitated mid-breath, eyes shifting about unfocused as she tried to find the words.

"And then the nightmares started."  she breathed out.

"Literal nightmares, I mean.  I was only a filly but I quickly realized the position I was in.  Princess Celestia doesn't take proteges.  I'm the first, or at least the only one she's ever felt fit to reveal.  I was told over and over that I had more magical potential than anypony in the entire school.  The stress got to be so bad that some nights I could hardly sleep, and then when I did, I'd have the terrible nightmares that would wake me up in a blind panic.  It started to weigh on me pretty hard.  At first I just grit my teeth and soldiered on through -- I thought if I just endured, I'd be able to beat back all that fear and anxiety.  I didn't tell anyone; not even Princess Celestia.  I just put my nose into my books and never looked back up again." Twilight shrugged.  "I always loved studying and learning -- it was my first passion, so it came easy for me to just shut out everything else and focus solely on my work.  I barely even noticed I was growing up since I measured my life in scholastic grade years rather than birthdays.  But all that pressure... it never went away.  No matter how much I learned, how far I reached, and how high I excelled beyond everyone else in the Academy... I was terrified."

The unicorn once more lapsed into silence as she stared down into her tea, seeing her reflection in the surface of the drink.  As she spoke her voice had softened to almost a whisper.  When she spoke of facts and statements, she had a strong, confident manner of vocalizing, but when she drifted along into the less-certain realms of emotions and introspective thought, she lost a lot of that bravado while vulnerabilities slowly emerged.

She finally raised her eyes and looked up to Widget, her gaze shifting about his face as though unable to decide if she should look him in the eye.  "I still haven't really gotten over it either, though it makes me embarrassed to say.  I was always so scared of failing and disappointing everypony who believed in me and supported me.  My family... Spike... Princess Celestia.  I still freak out sometimes." she winced as she remembered the first time she was ever 'tardy' just earlier the previous year.  However, the unicorn bucked up as she drew in a deep, reaffirming breath.  "But!  I know better now.  I've learned so much from my friends and from Ponyville.  Looking back on how I've acted in the past, I'm actually ashamed.  But it makes me value what I have now and renders it all the more precious to me."

"I suppose they do," Widget agreed with a soft nod. To an extent anyway... but he had wisely kept his mouth closed in that regard. His father had not exactly been a father when he had needed him the most, but Widget had gotten over his anger and resentment, for the most part, and had been left with only questions that would have no answers, and likely never would. The conversation and tone of the evening would not be tarnished by dreary memories of what his father had done to himself and to Widget when times had gotten rough.

Instead, he was happy to focus on Twilight's story of her good fortune in her youth. Her obvious pleasure in her memories made him feel warm as he watched her talk so enthusiastically, mimicking her earlier movement toward the basket and fishing out his own vanilla cupcake from its wicker depths. With his magic, he pulled the cupcake into manageable pieces and ate it bite by bite like that, careful not to get crumbs on her balcony. She'd been quite right, that frosting with those multicolored sprinkles was to die for...

However, when she mentioned her nightmares in that exhaled breath, Widget paused mid-chew, surprised and in moderate concern, though he did not interrupt her. He swallowed the bite in his mouth, but did not take another one, listening to her intently and with sympathy growing in his features. He had honestly never thought of that before... of how much stress and burden a blessing the likes of which Twilight had received could be on a filly that young, and he felt a little ashamed. He had always only thought about what opportunities had been lost to him, and not what stress and strains somepony who had received so many might feel.

When she lapsed into silence, staring into her cup of tea, and then seemed unable or unwilling to look into his eyes, admitting to her own lack of self control when it came to stressful situations, he just looked at her with that gentle sympathy. He wanted to say something, but there was nothing to say. It didn't matter, though, as she soon assured him, and herself, that she had learned from her past. He smiled at that. He respected that in her, that she was able to learn from her mistakes and continue to grow, despite her entitlements and privileges. Somehow, it made him admire her all the more.

"I promise I'm not trying to flatter you," he said with a soft chuckle, "but I don't think anypony could ever be disappointed in you, Twilight. After everything you've accomplished, and you've still got so much life to live. Already, you've done more in your life than most ponies could ever dream of doing in ten lives, and that's the hard truth of it. You truly are remarkable." His smile grew, and he hoped she would look into his eyes as he looked into hers, his expression gentle and kind. "I'm glad you've learned from the past. But don't be embarrassed or ashamed of choices made in the past. My mother used to always say that she learned a lot more from her mistakes than she ever did from her successes. And I say, never have regrets, because every decision, good or poor, will allow you to make better choices next time." He nodded, obviously in fervent belief of what he had stated.

"I promise I'm not trying to flatter you,"

"Uh-oh..." Twilight smirked softly, giving a little extra teasing from her last observation over how readily he complimented her.  But despite that she listened in considerate silence as he said his peace.  A sound observation, she conceded.  It'd taken her some time to learn that it was alright to make mistakes and even when you let someone down, it could be made better if you took the time to honestly remedy the situation.

She still had other questions she wanted to ask.  Twilight found as she spoke more with Widget that she found him genuinely intriguing.  Earlier in their friendship she'd been content to just scratch the surface of interaction and spend most of the focus on his fascinating research, but now she found herself curious to learn more of him directly.  What drove his sense of creativity to this day?  Why the obsession with flight?  His hopes, his aspirations... yet with so many topics in mind, only one question really prodded at her thoughts, demanding her attention.

"Widget?" she started hesitantly, not quite sure how to broach the issue.  "Why me?"

It was obvious what she meant by that as she lifted her gaze to his and held it.  Why did he like her?  Why did he ask her out?  What inspired that affection in him that made him want to push their friendship into something else; something more?  Her expression was mixed; curious yet reluctant, hopeful... and, while she hated to admit it, even a little scared.

Despite how intent, nervous, even slightly frightened, Twilight looked when she asked that pivotal question of the stallion, Widget couldn't help but to smile shyly, though with some amusement clear in his eyes. There was a pause as he gathered himself, preparing to answer the question. "Again, not flattery... This is how I feel." He took in a trembling breath, and steeled himself to answer without quelling under the embarrassment of answering such a loaded question.

"You are, without exception, the most phenomenal pony I have ever had the pleasure of meeting," he started. "Beyond the obvious attractions - your magical power, academic prowess, and your raw potential that still exists despite all that you have already done in your life - you are one of the most kindhearted ponies I know. You are always there for your friends whenever they need you, whatever it is they need. You listen to ponies, really listen to them, not just nod your head, and you're interested in what they have to say. Nopony else in Ponyville, nopony else anywhere, wants to understand me or my work. When you first came to Ponyville, I was still fairly new here, but when I started seeing you almost every day when I came to the library for my research, it was impossible to not pay attention to you. To watch you continue to grow as you studied the magic of friendship. You have braved dangers that most ponies twice your age and size would quell at with the kind of unbridled fearless determination that poets write about."

By now, Widget was flushed hot in the face with embarrassment at speaking how he really felt about her, about how he had felt for a while now. It was not easy for him to say these things out loud, but she looked so eager to know, he couldn't hold anything back. Despite the embarrassment that was obvious, he did not look away from her; he couldn't bare to. "On top of all that, you are, without question, the most beautiful mare I have ever laid my eyes on." His smile grew slightly wider. "Why you? How could I not, Twilight?"

Through all that, Twilight listened.  It had been her question and despite how embarrassing the answer was, she wanted to hear it.  Not even halfway through Widget's reply her cheeks were glowing so brightly that they tinted her face into a shade similar to neon magenta, but she remained as calm as she could until he was finished.

"...please wait here just a moment." Twilight asked flatly.  Before Widget could even reply the unicorn simply winked out of existence, snapping away in a little flicker of magic.  Perhaps not the reaction he'd been hoping for.  Maybe he had said too much?  Was she not ready for the knowledge she asked for?  And why was there a giant plume of fire shooting out of that mountain top several miles outside of town?  There weren't any volcanoes or wild dragons in the area...

A few moments later, Twilight reappeared looking more under control and just a little charred at the very tips of her tail.  Despite smelling faintly of sulfur she just smiled softly and settled back down again at Widget's side.  "Thank you." she said with faint wisps of smoke trailing up from the sides of her mouth.  Whether it was for his patience or his compliments was anyone's guess.  "Look, Widget, I'm going to be totally honest with you.  When you asked me out this afternoon, I didn't realize it.  I thought you were just wanting to spend time with me under normal conditions like we usually do.  I had no idea about your feelings toward me."

Widget didn't have much romantic experience either, but anypony could detect when a conversation was possible turning toward an unhappy direction.  But Twilight herself didn't seem so sure of where she was going yet.  "I haven't been interested in dating.  It never really crossed my mind at all... so when I realized what was happening, I admittedly spazzed teensy bit..."

Were the mane brush currently orbiting through the upper stratosphere capable of sentient thought, it would find that comment to be a dramatic understatement.

"...but I decided that I wanted to try.  The more I thought about it, I came to the realization that maybe there's something to this romance thing.  The more I thought about you in particular, the more I realized I wanted to... um... well, this is my first date, so, yeah." it was obvious she had no line of thought she was following and was simply pulling up what she was feeling.  "So, I don't know how any of this works.  And as horrifying a thought as it is, I can't find the answers in a book either.  What... what do you want from me?  Are you looking for a fling?  A girlfriend?  More?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:33, Sun 13 May 2012.

Watching the fireball raise in the distance upon Twilight's hasty retreat via magic made Widget's ears slightly droop, but they perked again when Twilight reappeared and sat down at his side, looking as calm as ever. His eyes followed the light wisp of smoke as it trailed from her mouth, then came back down to her face. It was true that he had little experience with dating; he had only been on one date before, when he was still in secondary school, the year before he graduated. It had been a silly thing, unimportant in the long run, puppy love that made young ponies act like complete foals. But he was intuitive enough to sense Twilight's urgency and the uneasy tone their conversation had taken.

He listened to what she had to say without interruption, as she confessed what he had already known, how she had reacted to it, and how she was beginning to feel about him specifically. Sensing a chance to turn the unease around when she pleaded to know his intention, he swallowed, and allowed any more inhibitions to flow away. Now was the time to be honest and open if ever there was one.

"It isn't your fault that you didn't know how I felt; that blame lays squarely on me. I was too cowardly to tell you, too weak to ask you on a date before now. I don't know what happened today, why today was so much different, but I knew I wanted to ask you today more than I ever had. I... I know you didn't know I exactly had asked... Well, I didn't at the time. When I went to get the sweets at Sugarcube Corner, I met Rogue Heart along the way. I told him what had happened, and he's pretty intuitive when it comes to dating... He knew right away by how you had reacted that you didn't know. I sort of freaked out myself... I was horrified, thinking I had mislead you or tricked you by accident into agreeing to something that you weren't aware of. I was ready to cancel right away, but Rogue talked me out of that. He said that, because Applejack had heard me ask, she would know, and with her being so honest and a good friend of yours, you would, too... and if you hadn't cancelled, that you were okay with it. Or, at least open to it. So I took a chance and came. I didn't tell you that I knew because everything was going so well, and I didn't want to break the mood."

He glanced slightly down. He felt a bit bad about having not told her now, but at the same time, he didn't regret it. It likely would have ruined the mood to have brought it up at the time, and now that she had admitted to it, it was easier to let out. His eyes came back to her face, that final and most important question still ringing in his ears.

"I want whatever you can give me, Twilight," he answered. "If something comes from this date, that would be wonderful. I would love to be your boyfriend... and from there, we'd see where it would take us. But if you don't feel anything, if all you wanted to be was friends, that'd be okay too." He smiled. "After tonight, no matter what happens, I can say I finally had the courage to try, and I can be happy with that."

With Widget's side of things explained, Twilight couldn't help but sigh and shake her head with a rueful little smile.  The two of them were equally hopeless in these sort of situations.  Still, it all had been working out well.  They each had friends to look out for them and their own evening had been going swimmingly, even with all the nervousness that kept rising to the surface in her case.

"The truth is, I don't know what I can offer, Widget.  I decided I was ready to try going on a date with you, but that's as far as I've been able to gauge so far." she explained.  "I'm no good when it comes to this sort of thing.  Applejack told me I would 'just know' and I've experienced something kind of like that in the past... I have some idea of what to expect, I guess?  Ugh... I just... I've rushed into things before and it's always come back to bite me in the haunch.  When I asked you before... I was sort of hoping there was some specific 'trigger event' in the past that inspired your feelings about me, so that I could test it and maybe recreate the scenario myself to see... but I guess that's not how this sort of thing works, is it?"

Twilight shifted about nervously where she laid, her eyes drifting down to her empty tea cup for a long, quiet moment of contemplation.  Every now and then she'd start to open her mouth as if to say something but then reconsider and fall silent again.  There were so many variables in the situation.  So many unknown factors, so many questions without answers... she didn't have any solid ground to stand on.  So what else could she do but just say what she felt and hope it worked?

"So... what I do know in all this: I like you, Widget.  While I freaked out at first, I'm happy I decided to go through with this.  I don't know how dates are supposed to go, but I've genuinely enjoyed myself so far." she continued softly.  The unicorn shuffled a bit in place before gently scooting over, moving herself closer to Widget until their sides were just lightly touching and they could feel the warmth from each others' bodies.  "In fact, I'd say there's only one thing about this evening that has disappointed me: you failed to get that lemongrass tea you promised me."

Twilight looked up to her date and managed as wry a smile her nervous manner could pull up just then.  "So... to make up for that, I think we should go to the Summer Song Cafe tomorrow and get some.  Does that sound suitable for a second date?"

Widget gently nodded softly in confirmation when Twilight stated that romance generally just didn't work like that, a small smile remaining on his face as he watched and listened to her. He couldn't help but echo that rueful expression; they were both very lucky to have friends who knew more than they did in the matters of dating, otherwise they both would have had a much less enjoyable evening.

He watched her as she tried to speak several times but stopped, waiting patiently for her to gather herself and say her peace. When she finally did speak, however, her words made Widget's blush come back in force, and his smile grew slightly shy, pleasure swelling inside him both in hearing that she had enjoyed herself, and that she liked him. It felt like a dream, hearing her say that...

His breath caught in his throat and color rose high in his cheeks as he watched her breach the barrier she herself had established, moving to sit close enough to where they were touching. Her warmth, he found, was extremely comfortable, and when she looked up at him and spoke those wonderful, beautiful words, he let out his breath slowly, the tension in his body melting away, even as his heart continued to flutter. He thought a moment that he might be dreaming; Twilight Sparkle, asking him out on a date? It was oh, so good, too good to be true... "Oh my, yes... that sounds wonderful, Twilight," he said in a clear but somewhat dreamy tone. "I'd love to have lunch at the Summer Song with you tomorrow..."

Twilight Sparkle didn't know the first thing about romance.  But earlier on in life, she didn't know about friendship either.  It took facing a challenging situation, coming into interaction with others, and finally a whole lot of learning to even begin to grasp the concept.  Even now she was still finding out new things about herself and her friends.  Romance, she felt, must be the same way.  Like any relationship it would take time and effort to see if it would bear fruit, but even if nothing was to come of it, the attempt was just as worthwhile.

But as she laid there with Widget in the setting sun, looking up at him quietly, she felt happy.  All the noise down below in the neighboring plaza seemed so distant as she could focus on nothing but the shy, dreamy smile he wore... that he was so pleased just with spending time with her and the idea of going out again tomorrow.  It was so calming and serene a moment that Twilight didn't even notice a soft flutter of warmth deep in her chest that hadn't quite been there before.

"I think it's starting..." the unicorn was drawn from the moment as spotlights beamed out over the plaza.  Though reluctant to move, she forced herself to her hooves and quickly hurried over to her telescope, pointing it downward and peering through the eyepiece as she aimed and focused the lens.  They could see well enough from their vantage, but an enhanced viewpoint was necessary to get the fine details.  "Yeah, that's them!  Oh, Luna looks gorgeous~!  And... hey, Rarity is with her!  And Merriweather!" she quickly waved Widget over with a hoof to come take a look for himself.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Mon 14 May 2012.

It was easy to see why Widget was so lost in the peace and tranquility of the moment, listening to the sound of his heart and the soft breath in his chest, feeling the warmth and slight movement from Twilight as they sat so close to one another. He wasn't quite sure when they had gone from sitting to lying down, their front hooves folded comfortably beneath them, but it didn't much matter, either. The sun drew lower in the sky, unnoticed by the two ponies who were content to watch each other, and let the warmth within their hearts flicker and grow.

He watched her get up and move to the telescope, looking slightly perplexed. "What is?" he asked blankly. That classic absentmindedness only lasted a few seconds, before his brain kicked in with a snap of realization. "Oh! Right!" He stood up, much less embarrassed than one might have expected him to be for forgetting something like the moon-rising, and went to her side to peer over the edge, then looking down into the eyepiece of the telescope as she invited him to. "Oh my! Princess Luna looks great! She looks a lot more relaxed than she did on Nightmare Night... Yes, I see Rarity and Merriweather with her. Well, Rarity I could see... She could make anypony look their best, and it seems the Princess is no exception. But why Merriweather?" He asked more himself than Twilight as he pulled away from the telescope so she could look, content to peer over the balcony.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:47, Mon 14 May 2012.

"Before Merriweather moved to Ponyville, she was a Royal Guard.  I used to see her around Canterlot all the time back when I used to live there, patrolling the streets and going out on campaigns for the guard service.  She's about as straight-laced as they come." Twilight exposited  "She's been retired for a while now though.  From the looks of things, she's doing crowd control down there.  Her special talent is for protecting others -- hence the force fields -- so it makes sense.  But if they're taking volunteers to help out with all this, then it makes me wonder just how short notice this whole thing was.  Do you think Luna doesn't have a full guard detail with her?"

Twilight had sent word to Princess Celestia about Luna's visit earlier but had never received a reply.  Well, actually, she might have gotten word back and Spike was simply too preoccupied at the moment to deliver the message to her.  Ah well.  Princess Celestia was a busy pony.  Everything seemed to be under control, so she didn't worry about it.

"I'd know that music anywhere too... that sounds like Lyra.  But who's singing?" Twilight wanted to check and nudged at Widget's side so that she could take another look.  Her curiosity was such that she didn't quite notice the way she brushed cheeks with him, nudging so close so that she could turn the eye piece her way and redirect the telescope further ahead toward Town Hall.  "Huh... another bat-pony.  She's not a guard though, that's for certain.  Maybe she's one of Luna's entourage?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:44, Mon 14 May 2012.

"Really?" said Widget, startled. That surprised him very much, actually. Being in the Cadets and with his father a ranking member, if Merriweather had been so important in the guard, he must have seen her at some point. Though, to be quite honest, unless she was directly involved with the Cadets or worked directly with his father for an extended period of time, he probably wouldn't have taken much notice of any individuals within the ranks. Despite thinking he was made for 'more' than guard duty, Widget was very aware of how vital a service the royal guard provided, and would never fault a pony for being good at such a task. Celestia knew he'd be terrible at it. "This whole affair, as exciting as it is, did seem rather hastily cobbled together... I would be surprised if she did have a full guard detail, at least one big enough for this kind of gathering."

When Twilight offered him another peek into the telescope, but she herself was still there, their cheeks brushing against one another, Widget definitely noticed, and the heat from his blush would be hard to miss. However, he did his best to focus on the task at hand, and examined the bad-winged pony that was singing on stage along side the famous harpist, Lyra. "I know her," he said. "That's Moonsong. She lives here in Ponyville, but she hasn't been here for very long. She doesn't come out all that often... usually at night. I've only spoken to her once or twice, but she seems to be a very nice pony. Little shy, but nice nonetheless. I guess I know now why she's called Moonsong... Her voice is beautiful."

Twilight lapsed into silence as the real meat of the show began.  Despite the distance Luna's voice carried extremely well and even the two of them were able to hear her as if she were right there on the balcony.  From their higher vantage point they had a much different look at the whole display -- from the ascension of Princess Luna herself, to the flurry of fireflies that went upward from somewhere within the crowd, to the raucous cheering that boomed out from Town Square with a deafening roar.  Twilight herself was gleefully cantering in place, all smiles with delight for Luna's success.

Widget, on the other hoof, was standing still, staring out over the edge of the balcony to watch the Princess as she put on such an impressive display of powerful magic. Drawing the moon up into the sky and causing the whole area to glow with that lovely silver hue that only the moon could provide, Widget felt his smile growing wider and wider, despite how still he stood. "Amazing," he breathed as he took in the spectacle before them. He felt humbled, and very privileged, to see this, the first public moonrising of their princess.

However, he felt his eyes tugging away from Princess Luna and the scene she put on, and he looked at Twilight dancing with excitement in place beside him. She looked so lovely in the glow of the moonlight, the silvery strings of light reflecting off her soft and shiny hair and in her wide, excited eyes. His heart seized in his chest, and he was taken by a sudden and intense urge to lean in and...

No. Not now. Not yet. The night was still young, their hearts and emotions still raw from their honest and heartfelt discussion only a few moments ago. He would know when the time was right, if it came that evening, but it wasn't now. He merely smiled for a little while longer at her, before turning back to the display that Princess Luna put on for them. "I hope this becomes a yearly thing, like the Summer Sun Festival," he said.

"That would be pretty great~!  Could you imagine what would... what... oh holy buck, what is that?" Twilight seemed excited at first but immediately had a look crossed between bemusement and panic as Pinkie Pie appeared straddling a giant cannon.  Part of her immediately went into 'danger mode' as she thought she might have to teleport over there and do some damage control before things got out of hoof, but it was all over too quick with a boom and a flurry of confetti.

"I... did not see that coming." the unicorn blinked in shock as she looked over at Widget haplessly.

Quite different from Twilight's look of panic, Widget had burst into peals of laughter at the sight of Pinkie Pie with the giant 'party cannon' down below, and looked in no way concerned as it went off, and showered the entire area with silver and purple confetti. "I agree with you there, I can definitely say I didn't see that one coming," he said once his laughter had calmed down, wiping a tear from his eye and smiling brightly at Twilight. "But then again, when it comes to Pinkie Pie, you never do." He looked back down at the crowd below, stifling further chuckles with effort. "If that mare does anything right, it's make people feel happy. Look how happy Luna looks with her reception..."

He looked back to his date, his smile having turned into something like a smirk. "Why so panicked, Twilight? Even though you didn't see it coming, you can't say you're surprised. That's just... Pinkie."

Twilight backed away from the edge of the balcony and dropped down onto her rump, sighing and shaking her head.  Her glasses were slid off long enough for her to rub at the bridge of her snout as if expecting a headache.  "Don't get me wrong -- Pinkie Pie is one of my best friends.  But she's also capable of shooting my blood pressure straight through the ceiling sometimes.  'Expect the unexpected' only allows a pony to cope for so much."

It was that aforementioned tension coming back, apparently.  Twilight still held on to a lot of old habits when it came to behaviors and judgments; to that day she was learning more on how to handle relationships with her friends.  It meant when something startling like that happened, her first knee-jerk reaction was to get ready to 'fix' whatever the perceived problem was.  She knew she could trust Pinkie Pie not to do anything risky, especially with so many other ponies around... but then again, that was a really big cannon...

Twilight looked down over the crowds below.  Even given the bright array of colors the population had, she could still easily spot Pinkie Pie as a particularly saturated bundle of energy ricocheting around near Applejack's cart.  Widget was right.  Pinkie was happy as always, Luna was positively beaming, the whole town was relaxed... the only one who had gotten stressed out was Twilight herself.  It left her feeling terribly silly.  The mare sighed, rocked back on her haunches, and let out a bright, relieved laugh into the night sky.

"Rarity was right -- I really do need to learn how to relax.  Widget, did you want to try and go down into the festival?  Or... w-would you rather stay here?  We've still got some tea and snacks left..." there was a subtle, hopeful lift in Twilight's tone at that last part, but she didn't want to keep Widget in place if he'd rather be off exploring the party.

When Twilight pulled off her glasses and looked like she was starting to tense up and stress out, Widget cocked his head slightly, though his smirk didn't fade. Watching her talk her way through it, and at last let out that laugh, Widget relaxed and laughed again as well, happy that Twilight had calmed down when she had seen how pleased and calm everypony below them, including Princess Luna was. "There's no such thing as 'getting used' to Pinkie's antics. Expect the unexpected doesn't even begin to explain what it's like with that filly," he concurred.

Her question of whether he wanted to stay or go down was met with a slight blush, his mind already made, but he smiled teasingly anyway. "Well, there's still a lot of ponies down there... It'd be pretty crowded..." he said in a somewhat lazy tone, before chuckling and moving to sit down next to her, using magic to fill up both their tea mugs again from the kettle. "I think I'd like to stay right here a while. Good tea, good food, and good company." He pulled the tart that Mrs. Cake had put into his basket, still slightly blushing. Mrs. Cake, she's so thoughtful, he thought to himself as he set the plated tart near their cups between them, all too aware that it was full of apple jam, his favorite.

"Don't I know it.  It's like she's always coming up with some new trick each time I see her.  She's quite the anomaly, but I love her all the same." Twilight gigged softly as she settled down once more, getting cozy close beside him.  She'd returned to resting with their bodies just lightly in contact with one another, which was particularly helpful since the air had begun to cool since sun down.

"Luna really did an amazing job tonight.  I've never seen so many stars in the sky..." she sighed fondly at the display overhead.  She was tempted to get her telescope into gear to examine them... but... nah, she was way too cozy right where she was.  They'd be there all night anyway.  For now she was just content to relax with Widget and sip her tea, vastly enjoying his quiet presence more than she ever would a raucous block party.

Widget let out a happy sigh as Twilight settled down beside him, his eyes raised up to the stars to admire all the new ones Princess Luna had put out for the evening, as he magically broke the tart in half clean down the middle and casually began to pop pieces of the delicious flaky treat into his mouth. The sound of the crowd once more was draining away as he basked in Twilight's company and enjoyed the warmth of her form near him. Even though they were surrounded by hundreds of others just out of sight, it felt like they were alone in the world. It was wonderful and warm and intimate rather than lonely.

In the soft, glimmering quiet of the star and moon light, Widget could think of no better place he could be in the world. On nights like this when he did not have his work to engross him or his friends to play games with, while admittedly very rare, he would often look at the stars and think about the past, wonder about his choices. But tonight, there was nothing else but Twilight to take up his every thought.

"If you could travel to anywhere in the world," he asked her softly between bites of apple tart, "where would you want to go?"

Twilight mulled on that question for a moment as she was obviously weighing in on some sort of mental checklist.  She did seem like the sort who would have cataloged what other ponies would just set as idle daydreams...

"Hm... well, I've always been interested in seeing more of the world.  Neighpon, Shanghay, the Gryphon Archipelago, the long-lost Dream Valley..." she counted off just a few locations that sprang to mind, all of which had deep academic relevance.  Obviously not leisure trips at their core, but someone like her would no doubt find immense personal satisfaction in being able to study a strange culture as much as some other pony might get from lounging on a sunny beach.

The unicorn smirked softly as a piece of the tart lifted for Widget's mouth and quickly leaned in, snatching it from the air and chomping it down swiftly.  "Mmn... but, if you mean at this precise moment?  I think I'm good right here." she grinned fondly.  "How about you?  Somepony doesn't ask a question like that unless they've got somewhere they dream of visiting."

Nodding to each name in agreement as Twilight listed them, Widget admitted he could see the merit behind each named city for its academic value. They were places of beauty and such history and learning, and he'd like to go for the reasons Twilight likely wanted. They were places of culture so different from Equestria, and though he himself had never been anywhere but inside Equestria, he did wish he was a little more experienced and cultured in the world. Meeting Xing Ming that day had made him wish that even more; she was barely seven or eight years old, already knowing what she wanted to do with her life, and traveling to different countries. Hopefully, she'd know how privileged she was later in life.

When Twilight hopped up and snatched the bit of tart he was carrying to his mouth out of midair, he startled slightly and looked down at her, a playful grin coming to his mouth as his eyes glimmered in amusement behind his red-framed oval glasses. "I think I'm with you on that one," he agreed to her comment about the immediate, finding it in him to wink at her.

"Actually, I'm a huge modern history fan, believe it or not. Nothing I've really studied, per say, but it's definitely a hobby of mine. Not earlier than Equestria's magical-industrial revolution, but the past few centuries where we've made such huge strides scientifically and socially as a culture are fascinating to me. I would actually love to go to a little town in Caneighda called Moose Jaw. Supposedly, they've recently discovered a series of tunnels under the town that were used during prohibition in Equestria, for that short time when Princess Celestia banned all fermented beverages for the 'moral well-being of her subjects'. Obviously, it was repealed shortly after due to riots and petitions, but during that time, gangsters of all kinds made a living with bootlegged drinks made in that country and smuggled in. The most famous gangster of all was, of course, Al Capony, and that's where he made his home away from home and stored a lot of his supply. There were loads others throughout Equestria like that, but he was the most famous."

He gave a small, embarrassed shrug as he pulled off another bite of tart, paused, and instead offered it to her. "I should have paid more attention to the Stalliongard happenings; it was, after all, history in the making. But I suppose I will have to suffice with reading more on it later."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:43, Wed 16 May 2012.

"It's not surprising you didn't hear more about it.  There's been an effort to censor information getting out of the region by those against the reforms, so it's not easy to get news.  The majority of ponies don't even know anything is going on over there... not that they'd have need to, really.  Being aware of the rest of the world is important, but I can't blame anyone for just focusing on their own little slice of life either.  Especially given limited long-range communication options." Twilight shrugged.  She opened her mouth for that delicious bit of tart without thinking... it wasn't until she was busy savoring the sweet flavor and crisp, flaky crust did it occur to her that she was letting Widget feed her.  Another blush late to the party lit her cheeks, though she rolled with it rather than locking up like she had before; her magic cleaved off a small portion of the tart and offered it to the stallion in return.

"It's actually really nice having somepony to talk to about this sort of thing.  Most don't find international policy or history, be it modern or ancient, worth learning at all.  Did you know most of the foals in town didn't even know about the founding of Ponyville?  Their own hometown." she seemed quite annoyed that anyone could have such a lack of interest in knowledge.  "Remember that pony group I tried to start up to teach about general history?"

That had been a small amount of disaster, really.  Twilight had gone to a lot of trouble getting a study group planned to further the expanded learning of ponies all over town... and only three or four showed up, and one of them was only there by accident.  Plus she'd gotten into hot water with Cheerilee who thought she was critiquing the schoolteacher's ability to educate the kids in town.  That made for an awkward few days.  Twilight couldn't help but pout a bit over the memory and wondered if it would be worth trying again... maybe if she got Applejack to supply refreshments?

"Still... why don't you travel, Widget?  I know repairs and everything keep you busy around town, but surely you've got the Bits to make a few trips?  Caneighda isn't all that far away compared to some places." she asked curiously.

"Of course I remember. I was one of the three who showed up on purpose," said Widget with a small smirk. He had noticed her blush, but ignored it this time, letting himself feel more relaxed when she repaid the favor. Taking the bit of tart happily and letting the tart apple flavor settle on his tongue with a satisfied expression, he sighed with pleasure and settled back down on the balcony, obviously in no hurry to be anywhere but right here. "I think Cheerilee overreacted. Just because it isn't in the basic education curriculum doesn't mean it's not worth learning or teaching. And it's not like she has unlimited time to teach every young pony everything. Though I'll admit, it is disappointing that they don't even know about the founding of their town. Small town it may be, but it's history isn't any less important than the founding of Canterlot, in my opinion; in fact, to them, it should be even more important. This is their home."

Her question as to why he didn't travel gained only silence at first as Widget milled it over, swallowing the bit of tart but didn't offer her another bite. Some of the brightness had left his eyes, though his smile didn't fade. "A few reasons," he replied at last. "First of which, it's not fun to travel all alone. I have no family, no friends who'd be interested in traveling to where I'd want to go. I'm sure Rogue would love to come with me, but he'd want to go to Las Pegasus or something. Definitely not my taste in destination." He chuckled softly at the thought of himself among the neon lights and the bells and whistles of the city of sin. "If I had somepony who was interested in what I'd like to see, well, I'd definitely consider it... Bits aren't a problem. Mom left everything to me. I'm set for a good while there." He spoke with slight embarrassment to that means. Widget was a simple pony who found happiness in simple things, like inventing, friends, study, and music. Money meant little more to him than a means to an end, and he didn't like to talk about exactly how much he had if he could help it.

"Second... Well... It's complicated." He shifted slightly, and sighed. It wasn't that he didn't want to tell her; on the contrary, it would feel good to get this off his chest, and he couldn't picture anypony else he would even want to tell. Not even Rogue, his closest brony, knew anything of this. "The truth of it is... I'm waiting for my father to come back."

It was almost like it was painful to admit, the look of sour shame coming to his face as he looked down at the bit of tart crust he magicked in front of him and began to crumble bit by bit. "After my mom was injured, my dad didn't handle it very well. He started to spiral downward... stopped doing everything. He didn't go to work. He didn't even visit Mom. He just stayed at home. He wouldn't even eat unless I reminded him to. He became the kid, and I the adult, especially those last few months.

"The day after Mom finally died, he disappeared without going to see her, without a word to me that he was going. He's listed as a deserter in Canterlot. No pony has any idea where he went. After I buried her, I... I couldn't stay in Canterlot. I left and came to a little town where I could study in peace. Ponyville. But I left a message for him, if he ever came back. To find me here. What if he comes looking for me one day and I'm gone?"

He smiled humorlessly. "That sounds sort of silly, doesn't it? I don't know if he's alive or dead... if he's ever coming back, if he even remembers me, or Mom. And I'm still hopeful he'll come looking for me." He let the bits of crumbled crust drift away on the soft breeze, sighing as he looked back at Twilight. He smiled again at her. "I'll go one day. When I can convince myself he's not coming. It's just... hard sometimes. But... well, life is too short to be spent waiting for something that isn't going to happen. It's just convincing myself of that that's proving most difficult."

"Which I do appreciate~!"  Twilight laughed as she recalled Widget's presence at her failed historical gathering.

The conversation soon turned heavy though.  At first Twilight listened courteously, but as the stallion's musings became more and more emotional, her ears drooped down in concern.  She'd wanted to avoid sensitive topics and had blindly walked right into one.  With no idea such a thing would trigger a wash of dark thoughts in her date, Twilight was left mentally floundering as she tried to figure out what to say.  Gah... ponies like Applejack and Rarity were always so much better at this sort of thing!

She thought of how she'd feel to lose her parents and the very notion made her ache inside.  As much as she wanted to, she couldn't truly understand where Widget was coming from with his feelings.  She'd nearly lost her big brother to Queen Chrysalis, but was that comparable to a death of a parent and then abandonment of another?  It was too much to try and wrap her head around so quickly.  "Widget..." she tried to think of something, anything, to say to comfort him... but nothing came to her.  What could be said to be of any help?  Telling him to get over his father would be cruel.  Encouraging him to seek the stallion out himself could be just as disastrous.  How was one supposed to get closure when attempting it could go so wrong?

With no words to speak, Twilight simply leaned over and rested her head gently at Widget's neck, giving him a nuzzle and trying to offer what comfort she could simply by being there for him.  She didn't think it was enough, but it was all she could do.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:45, Thu 17 May 2012.

Widget didn't really know what to expect when he had finished his tail of earlier life. It wasn't a pleasant story, by any means, but he felt relieved when he had finished with it, like a weight he didn't even know was there had been lifted from his shoulders. Rogue had never really been interested in his life before Ponyville, and he hadn't been all that interested in Rogues. Colts were just like that, really; they didn't talk much about the past or about their feelings. Twilight was Widget's greatest filly friend, but as he had been pining over her for some time now, the last thing he wanted to do was risk pushing her away by talking about his past.

The death of his mother was rather well reported, at least in Canterlot; the explosion had done a great deal of damage to a few of the spindly towers, and a few other ponies in the vicinity had received minor injuries. Likewise, his father's disappearance was anything but hushed up. On the contrary, the disappearance of a Canterlot Royal Guard, who knew detailed layout of the palace and Canterlot itself, the guard routines, and defense measures of Equestria, was considered high security risk, and heavy measures had been made by the Equestrian military to find him, to no avail. With the loss of both of his parents being such media magnets, how could he have bared to stayed in Canterlot, never mind the memories that he had left there?

He was lucky they had not followed him here to Ponyville, and that even though news was freely published throughout Equestria of both the loss of a great developer and an Equestrian royal guard, no one had, as of yet, made the connection with Widget. He liked it better that way. It had given him time to fill his mind and his life with better things, given him a means to go on without dwelling on the pain of his past, and look forward to what the future would hold for him.

When Twilight leaned in and nuzzled against his neck, he was a little surprised to say the least. Part of him had expected her to lapse into an awkward silence, another part expected her to suggest that he leave, and another part expected her to try and say something comforting, the last thing he wanted her to try and do. But that quiet contact, that gentle nuzzle against his neck, filled his heart with a soft and very different warmth than before. It was a great comfort to him, just to have her there, and know that she understood.

He leaned down and gently brushed his cheek against her hair in a returned nuzzle, still smiling gently. "Thank you, Twilight," he said quietly to her. "It's alright... I'm alright." His voice, though soft, was strong and reassuring. With friends like her and Rogue, his work and his study, and so many other good and bright things in his life, he would be alright. He was already so much better than he ever thought he would ever be again, and the future only looked brighter from here.

He stayed nuzzled against her like that for a long time. It had been a very long time since he had been embraced or nuzzled like this, beyond a tight squeeze from Pinkie Pie or a wing buffet from Rogue or one of his other friends. It felt like she was giving him strength just from being there with him, and he felt... there wasn't any other word for it, but good. Just good.

"I didn't mean to bring the mood down, again," he said softly at last, slightly pulling away in case she wanted to move into a more comfortable position. "Tonight should be happy. I won't talk about sad things anymore, I promise. Though... Ah... I would appreciate it, if you wouldn't mention all that to anypony... I mean, what happened to my parents isn't exactly secret or anything, but nopony in Ponyville so far has made the connection. I'd rather it stay that way. I don't want sympathy, you know?" He gave a small chuckle. "It felt... better than I thought it would to talk about it, though. Thank you for letting me."

For a long while Twilight just stayed rested against Widget, having no desire to move away from him.  Earlier that evening she'd been completely spazzing out over the idea of just being with him in the same room, yet here she was cozied at his side without a care in the world.  Further, it felt good.  That unfamiliar warmth in her chest flared up again subtly when he nuzzled his cheek atop her head and she couldn't help but press back against him fondly.  It was the first time she'd ever received such a show of affection from a stallion and, remarkably, nothing was exploding!  She counted that as progress.

"Traditionally speaking, I've had trouble with keeping secrets in the past, but I'll do my best." Twilight assured Widget softly.  As he drew away from her she sat up a bit, self-consciously brushing a hoof over her mane as she realized how long she'd been laying against him.  Had she made him uncomfortable?  Was she being too forward?  "That said though, I'm glad you trusted me enough to tell me something like that.  It couldn't have been easy.  But I'll always have an ear to lend you if you need it."

The stallion merely smiled at her as he watched her straighten out her purple and pink hair, slightly mussed from where he had leaned down to nuzzle her, obviously not concerned about his 'secret'. It wasn't a secret, not really... He just didn't want ponies to make the connection, if he could help it. The fewer who did, the better. "Thank you, Twilight," he said softly when she assured him that she would always have an open ear to him. "I didn't really know how much it would mean to me, hearing a friend say that and mean it. It means a lot." He leaned down and gave the side of her neck one last affectionate nuzzle, before leaning back his head for a moment slightly in a stretch. It hadn't been easy to talk about, no. But in a way, he knew it was the healthiest thing he could have done, airing that old wound to someone he knew would not use it against him.

"I already promised. No more sad topics." He looked down at her again as he checked their teacups, and split the last of the tea in the pot between them, setting the empty pot to the side out of the way. He cocked his ear slightly to the balcony. He could tell the crowd was still thick, and he didn't want to go down yet, anyway. He was perfectly content where he was and who he was with. "Hope your throat's not sore yet. There's still lots I want to know." He winked with a smile, popping another piece of tart into his mouth as the sadness of the moment faded away, and his pleasure at being in her company returned in full force.

"I know you're a student of Princess Celestia and plan to be one for a long time. But do you have any ambitions past that of being a professional student? I mean, do you want to invent new spells one day? Or, perhaps master older or maybe even forgotten magics? Or maybe even current magic simplification or advancement? Not that there's anything wrong with being a lifelong study, of course, if that's what truly makes you the happiest."

Twilight welcomed the shift in discussion, though the question posed to her was one that left her lost in consideration for quite some time.  She finished off the last of her tea before she'd managed to get her thoughts organized enough to speak with any degree of authority.

"Well, that is something I've had to give a lot of thought to.  During my entire scholastic career back in Canterlot I was looking at all sorts of potential applications for my education to be poured into.  The problem was that they were all so interesting, I couldn't pick just one." she giggled sheepishly.  One of the best parts about her date was that she didn't have to worry about sounding like an 'egghead' in front of him.  "I've dabbled all over so far.  I've made a few spells of my own, as well as revised older ones using the expanded understanding we have of magic and science these days.  It's really helped fill in the gaps to make some more classic enchantments far more efficient and enduring.  It also helps that I've got a bit of a knack for copying spells -- I can generally produce a reasonable facsimile of a spell just by seeing it once, or reading a suitably detailed instruction set.  Just sorta comes naturally... but, well..."

Twilight glanced back at her flank to where her star burst Cutie Mark rested.  Seeing as how her special talent was 'Magic' itself, it should very well be that such endeavors came naturally to her.  As far as unicorns went, she'd won the Cutie Mark Lottery.

"I do wish some of my own spells were a bit more useful though.  Cantrips are one thing, but there's one of those for everything these days -- nothing new to create since it's all been done.  I tried my hoof at major spells, but I'm the only one powerful enough to cast them." she rolled her eyes at that.  "Like my Fail Safe Spell?  I made that one based off a modified disenchantment used to break magical curses.  My version flat-out negates magic in a given radius and forces any magically altered states to revert to their original format... which also makes it a pretty dangerous weapon, so I can't actually publish it."

The unicorn seemed particularly annoyed over such a thing but continued anyway.  "I'm not really sure where I want to go in life, to be honest.  A big part of me wants to stay with education forever and try becoming a professor at Canterlot Academy.  I could mentor young minds just like Princess Celestia has done for me... but..." she hesitated as something obviously bothered her.  "Well... how much do you know about the Elements of Harmony?"

Widget listened with genuine interest as Twilight explained her rather uncommon but, to him, enviable predicament about what to do with the rest of her life. The vast majority of ponies had at least a bare minimum idea of what they were meant to do, what they were happy doing, when their cutie mark appeared, be it as narrow as being a great flyer like Rainbow Dash or great bakers like Mr. and Mrs. Cake, to as broad as making people happy like Pinkie Pie or invention like Widget. It was hard to fathom how difficult it would be to decide on a path to follow when your talent was magic itself. Everything to do in Equestria, from food growth and weather to education and innovation, all had to to with magic. Where most ponies, at worse, had a highway to follow, Twilight didn't even have a road map.

He was impressed that she had already invented new spells on her own, especially ones so powerful. He had known she was strong, it was one of the many things that had attracted him to to her in the first place, but it was hard to wrap his head around the idea of anypony beyond the princesses being that strong. "Electromagic Pulse spell... Fascinating... I bet it could be quite useful, for terms of public defense, I mean. Imagine if the royal guard knew about the EMP spell, they'd have had a better time dealing with those Changelings," he said thoughtfully.

He considered the question for a moment, then gave a sort of helpless shrug. "There isn't much known about them," he said honestly. "They were mentioned in the story of Nightmare Moon as how Princess Celestia contained her in the moon. It's public knowledge, of course, that they were used again to defeat Nightmare Moon the second time, and Discord, and that you and your friends are their wielders. What they are, exactly... What they do... I don't know that. I don't think anypony does, except for the Princesses, and their wielders, of course." He cocked his head slightly, curious as to what this had to do with what Twilight's course of profession later in life.

"Electromagic Pulses just interfere and negate energy fields generated my magical effects, causing them to fail.  That's the principle behind static anti-magic formations.  My Fail Safe spell didn't work that way -- it was designed to actively revert magical effects, not just cancel them out entirely.  To undo the damage caused rather than just halting its effects.  The first field test didn't work out so well, but considering I was up against Discord, that's not surprising.  Though I did manage to get it working when I combined it with a stable force field spell.  It blocked out his telekinesis and undid a spot of chaos he'd placed on Ponyville, but the Elements of Harmony took care of the rest afterward." Twilight explained.  The topic came right back around to the Elements again and she used it to segue into what she'd originally addressed.

"It's one thing to have options available to you for your future and not be able to decide on them.  'Overwhelmed with opportunity' is the saying, right?  But... the thing is, I'm not so sure I actually have any options any more." she sighed.  Widget had said 'no more sad topics' and she agreed with it... this wasn't so much sad as it was difficult.  "I don't know much about how the Elements work.  Nopony really does.  They're... beyond complete understanding as far as I can figure.  The Elements chose my friends and I to carry them and we've used them to protect Equestria twice now."

The lavender mare rubbed her brow softly with her hoof as she vented a little frustration on the matter.  "What if that means there's some sort of greater destiny in store for us?  What if there's a bigger picture, some grand cosmic plan, that says I don't get a choice in what I do with my life?  I mean, what's even involved in being an Element bearer?  Princess Celestia and Luna used to carry them and they each run half the celestial bodies in existence and control the entirety of Equestria!  Are the six of us going to have that sort of responsibility in the future?  Do we even get a say in it, one way or the other?

"It's just... there are so many variables.  Too many, in fact.  It's another instance where no amount of studying helps and it's pretty overwhelming." she sighed.  "I wonder if any of the other girls ever think about things like this?  I've never asked... it worries me that if I do, it wouldn't have occurred to them and all I'd be doing was heaping unnecessary stress on their lives.  I just wish I had a better grasp on it all."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:58, Thu 17 May 2012.

"Ah. My mistake," he said, slightly flushing. That had been a silly mistake to make, but perhaps he was just out of practice. It's not like he got to talk about a lot of magical theory and practical application these days. Her comments that followed his attention forward again, and he looked a little bit uncomfortable as she voiced her concerns. He hadn't thought of all that, but to be fair, he didn't exactly understand how the Elements of Harmony worked, just like no pony seemed to know.

"I don't think you're bound to this, not like you're worried about, Twilight," he said after a few moments of silence, used to gather his thoughts. "A gift that ponies have, one beyond our magic and understanding of science, is our free will. Some ponies believe everypony has their own destiny, one they can't escape. One written for each of us in the stars, that manifests in our cutie marks, what we are predetermined to be good at. But I don't think that's it. Yes, we have cutie marks, but I am of strong belief that we choose our cutie marks subconsciously, that we decide what makes us happy, and the magic within all of us, every pony, manifests into that decision when it has been made." He glanced back at his own cutie mark, his expression softening into a smile, before looking back at Twilight. "I decided that inventing is what makes me happy. Only after I decided that did my cutie mark appear."

He pondered for a few more seconds. This was a difficult subject to talk about, as so little was known about the Elements of Harmony and how they worked. All he could do was offer what he thought, and hope it brought her comfort. "I think that the Element chose you, because it knew you would answer its call willingly," he said. "There have been a lot of ponies throughout history who had incredible magic prowess, both very good and very evil. Nightmare Moon was not the first threat to Equestria, nor was Equestria in a constant state of peace and harmony during her imprisonment. But the Elements were never called on, never awoke to anyone who was not Princess Celestia or Princess Luna. Not until you and your friends were called upon by them." He leaned slightly in. "Even if you weren't the Element of Magic, even if your friends weren't the other Elements, would you still try to help if a shadow fell over Equestria? Would you still risk yourself to do what you could to help Celestia and others?"

He already knew the answer, just like he knew Twilight would. Of course she would do her best to help. That's the kind of pony she was. Good at heart, unselfish and uncompromising, determined and fierce in her fervor to protect the innocent and the sanctity of Equestria. That was why she had been chosen. "If you are so concerned, I really think you should talk to Princess Celestia about it. She of anypony would know about the Elements. You are her star pupil. She will make time for you."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Thu 17 May 2012.

Twilight crossed her forelegs one over the other and laid her head down atop them.  He was right in some cases.  Even if she wasn't an Element bearer, Twilight was the sort of pony who would rush to help others so long as she had the capacity to do so.  Plus she'd already learned her lesson about fretting over an uncertain future... she wasn't about to go and cause herself that sort of grief again.  Widget's reassurances brought a measure of comfort along with them, but it was apparent from Twilight's expression that her concerns were not all washed away so easily.

With no reply to give and no clear resolution to be gained, Twilight simply changed the subject.  "So, you and Quill, huh?  Did you see how great Spike was and just had to have a Dragon of your own?" she asked with her tone softly joking.

Sensing her desire to change the subject, Widget relinquished and said nothing more about it. He would have liked to discuss more philosophical matters with her, but they seemed a little too close to home. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her. "Heheh, no, nothing like that. Well, I suppose a little bit like that... It was a fluke, actually." He settled back more comfortably, breaking up the rest of his half of the tart to eat in bits. "I had been looking for an assistant on the lowdown, just to help me at the shop and get organized. He came into Sugarcube Corner, without luggage or bits to pay for food. He said he'd worked at Canterlot archives, and I thought he had would be a good fit for the job."

He looked back to her, looking a bit nervous. "Only problem is, I really have no idea to take care of a baby dragon. Uh... Do you have any tips...?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:15, Fri 18 May 2012.

Twilight closed her dark eyes for a moment of focus and lit her horn, casting a glow of magic across her features and mane.  For a few seconds nothing seemed to happen at all until a thick, messily bound manuscript came floating up the staircase behind them and plopped itself down in front of Widget.  It was a new work from the looks of it, unlike most of what filled Twilight's library, and her penmanship was all over it.  Though it lacked a title of any sort, leafing through it would render hundreds of pages of detailed notes, analyses, diagrams, independent theories, and drafting notes referencing other related works.

"Everything I know about Dragons -- a work in progress."  Twilight stated as she let her magic fade off with a flicker.  "A while ago Spike started having questions about his place in the world and we read literally every book in the Library trying to find any information about Dragons that we could.  It turns out that ponies don't really know a lot on the subject.  So I thought it prudent to compile everything I've learned about Spike from direct contact over the years and explanations from Princess Celestia since she raised him as a hatchling.  It's not wholly comprehensive, but Quill is a similar breed of Dragon as Spike, so the information should hold true for the most part."

Widget watched as the book was carried through the air in the glow of purple magic, and dropped in front of him on the balcony, his eyes following it from the stairs to the deck. His own blue glow lit up as he pulled open the cover of the heavy tomb, surprised that she had taken such thorough and diligent notes in such a short amount of time. It hadn't been that long ago when Spike had had his desire to 'find himself', he remembered that the dragon, Twilight, and a few of the girls had left to follow him during it. "Wow Twilight... This looks great," he said as he shifted through a few papers.

"Dietary habits... sleeping arrangements and preferences... Behavioral habits through age, so far of course... This looks like everything I need. I mean, I know I 'hired' Quill to me my assistant, but... he IS a baby dragon. I won't pretend I don't know it'll be a responsibility. But he looked like he needed the help and I wasn't about to turn him away." He looked up and smiled brightly. "Thanks a lot, Twilight. You're a lifesaver."

He moved slightly forward to kiss her cheek in thanks, the tiniest of brushes against her cheek, over as quickly as it had started, and it was only after he pulled away that he seemed to realize what he had done. A look of surprise at himself came ovre him as a hot flush came over his cheeks, and leaned quickly down, turning back down to the book. The movement had come so natural to him, he hadn't even noticed until it was too late. He hoped, hard, that she wouldn't freak out on his accidental advancement... and definitely hoped she wouldn't burst him into flames like that poor muffin earlier.

"Do..." He cleared his throat as he at last looked up. "Do you know what's the name of Spike's breed? He does look a lot like Quill. Maybe they're the same."

"Well, I just hope it helps.  Plus I made it out of burn-proof parchment, so you don't have to worry about Quill acci--" Twilight had begun to explain when Widget kissed her.  It was just a small gesture, quick and light, on the cheek.  Friendly... chaste, even.  But it surprised her just as much as it had him, leaving the unicorn staring blankly straight ahead wide-eyed.  Incidentally, Widget didn't catch fire... instead, Twilight herself did.  Her dark mane and tail both lifted upward as if caught by a breeze and ignited into crackling flames, bursting from the tidy bun to leap and arch off her body wildly for a few seconds.  She didn't even seem to notice -- she was too busy blankly staring off while those fires roiled off her, though after a bit they quenched themselves with a soft 'whoomph!' sound, resulting in her mane and tail returning to normal and dropping back down no worse for the wear.

"Ah... no, I don't know the proper name.  There hasn't been much formal study into the different breeds of Dragons to reach that point yet." she continued right where she'd left off, though her voice was a little strained.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:46, Fri 18 May 2012.

Widget's ears tilted back against her head as Twilight's bright flames reflected off of his glasses, unable to look or move away as he looked on in awe as she burned away in silence. It was as fascinating as it was frightening, honestly. His pupils had shrunk behind his red rimmed glasses as he watched in silence, leaning back to avoid being burned, and was privately glad that the book was fire-proof.

"Right. I'll ask Quill if he knows his own breed later then," he mumbled, shuffling slightly once she stopped resembling a sparkler. He moved closer again when he was sure she wasn't about to burst into flames again, looking at her more than the book. "Are you feeling alright? You look a little flushed," he asked as tactfully as possibly. This would give her opportunity to ask him to leave with the excuse that she wasn't feeling well, if the situation had become too much for her. As much as he wanted to stay with her for the rest of the night, now more than ever, he wouldn't blame her for wanting the night to end where it was.

"I'm fine!" Twilight immediately chimed in, just a tad too loudly and too quickly.  She realized what she sounded like and took a second to take a deep breath, forcing herself back under control before she spoke again.  When she did her tone was even.  "I'm fine.  I... I just wasn't expecting that, is all.  Nopony but family has ever... I mean..."

Twilight was all flushed in the cheeks yet again and squirmed where she sat, obviously uncomfortable but perhaps not for the reason Widget feared.  That earlier shyness was coming back as she wriggled in place with a sudden surge of nervous energy making it hard for her to be still.  "Why... did you do that?"  she asked.  To her merit it wasn't an angry or demanding sort of 'why' like she sort she might level toward Pinkie Pie after a particularly disastrous expression of mirth; it was a simple, curious question that she felt needed to be asked.

Widget felt that familiar nervous energy as well, his ears still back and brows slightly pressed down as he tried to relax and talk rationally. "It was an accident," he said at once to her question in an apologetic tone, but then seemed to cringe, and immediately retracted. "I mean, obviously it wasn't an accident that it happened, it was just an accident that I did it. I mean, I didn't mean to... Uh, I mean, yes, I did mean to... I mean... Hyn..." He leaned down slightly, his chin resting on his hooves for a moment as he tried to gather his thoughts, eyes closed and taking several deep breaths to calm himself down. After a few seconds and calming breaths, he did indeed raise him head back up again, exhaling before opening his eyes.

"I don't know why," he said softly, obviously more calm. "I suppose... I've just wanted to for so long... it just happened. I didn't even think about it." He looked at her, ears still back. "I'm sorry if I startled or offended you. It wasn't my intent. That's definitely not what I wanted your first kiss... our first kiss... to be like."

"It was an accident," Widget started, sounding like he was ready to start gushing apologies.  Twilight visibly flinched at that and her ears dropped back.  Honestly, it surprised her how much that stung all a sudden.  He seemed just as confused on the matter as she was and so Twilight withheld any other action until he'd had a chance to sort his own thoughts out, though it was hard keeping her feelings under wraps just then.

Come on Twilight, just relax... breathe.  You've read plenty of those silly romance novels; there's always a hot-headed mare who goes nuts over these sort of things and causes problems.  Don't be that mare.  Nopony likes that mare. she mentally ordered herself as she steadied her breathing.

"No, I wasn't offended... I didn't... um..." she tried for an explanation of her own.  How did she feel about it?  Her thoughts were still all jumbled up.  "It was... it was..."  Nice?  Sweet?  Appealing?  Exciting?  "...unexpected.  I mean, I just loaned you a manuscript.  That's not the sort of thing ponies kiss each other over.  A friendly 'thank you' or maybe a shake of the hoof, sure..."

She hadn't noticed at first, but her breathing rate had starting climbing again and she'd sped up her tempo as she spoke.  No!  Whoa now!  Stop that!  "B-besides, you kissed me.  For it to actually be 'our first kiss' we would both have to kiss each other, logically.  That just stands to reason." she felt like she was rambling... which she was.

Her expression, that visible flinch, made his heart ache in an unexpected way. Why had she looked so put out, her ears back and face drawn? His mind and heart were both so confused, he felt like he was spiraling and quickly getting dizzy. As Twilight lapsed into silence to gather herself, Widget did the same, taking deep, calming breaths. She didn't seem upset, not like he thought she would; a good sign (he hoped). Finally, when she spoke, Widget let out his breath and at last turned to look at her again. That same feeling gripped his heart and stomach as it had during the moonrise, and this time, it wouldn't let go.

"Right... Right. You're quite right, of course," agreed Widget, nodding firmly. "Well, I think we should look at the whole thing with a little more logic... After all, we're both academics. Logic and reason is what we do best, right?" His throat tried to squeeze shut as embarrassment at what he was about to say gripped him, but it was too late to turn back now. "So, let's discuss this like reasonable ponies. N-No need to be embarrassed or worry about insulting each other. Let's just be frank and honest. Do... Do you want... Would you prefer your... maybe our... first kiss to be logical, calm and controlled? Or would you rather it be romantic, spontaneous and surprising?"

Despite a firm appreciation for cooperative logic and reasonable thinking, Twilight wasn't listening to Widget's work-through of their current problem.  She was absorbed in her own thoughts, buzzing through a mental checklist a mile a minute.  Her thought process was actually quite organized by anypony's standards, but it sure felt rushed and chaotic to her...

Okay Twilight, work this through... just take it one factor at a time.
Widget has officially made the first move.  Check.
Do you feel upset?  Yes.
Because of the kiss?  No.
Because he apologized for it?  Yes.  The realization that there had been a brief notion of that he didn't want to have kissed her made Twilight ache again, and she quickly filed away that feeling under related evidence.

Alright, so the logical conclusion is that you liked the kiss.  Check.
But now because of how you reacted, you're both waffling and the evening is in danger of being spoiled.

Okay, so Miss Twilight-bucking-Sparkle; what are you going to do about it?

Widget was still going.  "Let's just be frank and honest. Do... Do you want... Would you prefer your... maybe our... first kiss to be logical, calm and controlled? Or would you rather it be roma--"

That was as far as the stallion got before Twilight suddenly lifted her head and leaned in, cutting him off mid-word as she caught him in a full lip-lock.  Somewhere in the back of her mind, she was completely freaking right the hay out, but it was set aside in lieu of keeping her focus on the moment.  Like the pony herself the kiss was awkward and inexperienced, but held a barely contained excitement with it.  Twilight kept it going perhaps just a moment or two too long before she pulled back, feeling like her heart was trying to escape out her chest with how powerfully it was beating.

"So... that happened." was all she could come up with after a moment.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:50, Sat 19 May 2012.

Naturally, that had been the very last thing that Widget had expected. He would have been less surprised if a killer whale had swam past their open balcony and asked when the next train to Trottingham was leaving, and if he could borrow change for a phone call to Neptune. There was a single solitary second when Twilight made that first and so important contact when everything that was, everything he knew, shattered like so much glass and rained down, leaving him with nothing existing in the world but him and her. The stars, the tree house, their empty tea cups, the hundreds of ponies below, all the knowledge in Widget's head, all disappeared into oblivion.

Quickly though, his brain filled up again, as if someone had turned on a spout full blast. But it certainly wasn't full of what it had been before. Though he couldn't hear anything at all except a loud buzzing, every other sense he possessed was focused on the gorgeous mare who had shocked the usually unending source of talk into utter silence. His gaze was full of her lovely face, her perfect silky hair, soft lavender coat and eyes so violet and deep, he could so easily get lost in them. The feel of her against him, body to body as she had leaned in to kiss him, the texture of her kiss upon him, made his entire body tingle. The scent of her, like new parchment and fresh grass and drying ink, and a distinct, underlying scent of a mare so close to him, fogged his mind to even the scent of gunpowder from Pinkie's cannon, which had become strong up until then. And the taste... the taste of Twilight's kiss was better than any sweet, any savory; the best flavor in Equestria... in the world.

He wasn't sure when he had pressed back. He wasn't really conscious of anything for those few moments the kiss lasted, except for the fireworks that fired in his brain and his heart pounding like a drum in his ears. But too soon, far too soon, Twilight had pulled away, and Widget was left with his mouth slightly ajar from the residual shock. He realized right away that this was not the state he wanted to be in, and even as his heart swelled with pleasure and happiness at what had transpired, he felt a sharp and selfish pain. It had ended far, far too soon.

He couldn't even speak again, so insistent was that sharpness, and so, Widget quickly returned the favor Twilight had given him. He leaned down and pressed his mouth to hers, with the same inexperience and the same fervor and excitement that she had displayed to him, maybe even moreso now that she had lit the fire in his heart. Those few moments passed in a second and a lifetime as he savored her, imprinting this time, this perfect moment, into his heart and his mind.

It was only after a long moment that he pulled back from the kiss, but remained very close indeed. That sharp pain of their separation was still there, but his mind had caught up a little bit, at the very least. "As did that," he replied, his voice hoarse and soft.

For all the stress and tension and freak outs Twilight was prone to, particularly during that evening alone, she found it incredibly difficult to remember what exactly she'd been so worked up over.  She vaguely recalled being in a blind panic over the idea of kissing... but why?  Kissing was awesome.  The unicorn was left gasping softly, flushed in the cheeks when Widget finally pulled away a second time.  Her eyes hung half-lidded and unfocused.  She felt so light-headed and warm...

...very warm, actually.

Wait, why did it smell like something was burning?

Twilight's eyes lifted upward and she groaned as she realized she'd caught fire once more.  For a second time that evening her mane and tail had flared into an inferno, crackling away brightly enough to illuminate the entire balcony.  It was a good thing they were on the very highest point, else she may have set her home ablaze on accident.  Her normally lavender coat had turned a pale shade of off-white and even her dark eyes had shifted, glowing red even as they rolled softly in annoyance.

"Horsefeathers..." she groaned as she ran her hooves back over her head, smoothing down the flames.  They snuffed out with a light waft of smoke rising up from her, forced to revert back to normal.  Her coloration shifted back down to her usual darker hues quickly enough, though she looked a little singed for her trouble.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:16, Sat 19 May 2012.

Somehow, the moment was barely even interrupted by the introduction of flame to Twilight's person. Widget only smiled and gave a lighthearted chuckle of amusement, watching her put out the flames with a sort of patient interest. Once the flames were out, he reached up and gently brushed a bit of soot off of her cheek with the first joint of his hoof, never looking away from her.

The thought of meeting Princess Luna that evening had entirely left his head. Being there with Twilight, spending time with her, was way more important than meeting any princess. He wanted to stay here to watch the sun up, too; being here on this balcony was just too perfect."You alright?" he asked, still chuckling as he watched the black smudge leave her purple coat under his gentle ministration. "It's encouraging to know I get you fired up, though," he added, amused.

"Ouch... and I thought you said you liked me."  Twilight winced at Widget's play on words, casting him a teasing glare.  She shook her head to send a flutter of soot and char off herself.  "It's a reflexive expulsion of magical energy due to emotionally-related build-up.  Some ponies do that -- Rainbow Dash emits light, I spontaneously combust, Luna causes lightning storms... that sort of thing."

It didn't always occur to Twilight how fast she was to go into 'lecture mode', especially when she was nervous.  Concentrating on facts and figures helped her cope with stress most of the time, so explaining things worked like a sort of mantra to keep her mind focused rather than running wild with her feelings.  She shut her trap and put her energy back toward what really needed paying attention to just then.  Her lips still tingled softly...

"Okay, I sort of feel like that went a whole lot faster than I originally planned.  Not bad though!  Not in a bad way."  she quickly held up a hoof to clarify.  "I enjoyed that... actually, I really enjoyed that, which surprises me... but I don't have any experience in this sort of thing.  Was that too fast?  I know I've heard something about waiting until second or third dates when it comes to kissing, but I've also known you for a long time now, so it's not like you're a blind date or something like that.  Do previous casual outings qualify as standing experience for romantic endeavors?  I mean, it would presumably make sense that--"

Aaaa~nd she was back rambling again, too full of nervous energy to stop herself.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:43, Sat 19 May 2012.

"Aw, it wasn't that bad," he laughed at her teasing glare. "Okay, maybe it was." He snickered slightly, nodding in understanding. "I've never had that happen to me. But then again, Rainbow Dash, Princess Luna, and you are all particularly strong for your breeds." He shrugged slightly; it was unimportant to the current situation at hoof, and he noted her get quiet about it quickly, anyway.

When Twilight started to ramble, as both of them seemed to have a knack of doing in unsure situations, Widget listened for a short time. Soon enough though, he raised his hoof to interrupted her, though he was smiling that soft smile again, his tone kind but firm. "Twilight, Twilight...  Just stop a second. Look... I'm certainly no expert in relationships. But I am certain of one thing. This feels good. We feel good. More than good, we feel right. I don't care what some other pony, any other pony thinks is the right and the wrong way to go about relationships. And I don't think we should even worry about it until it doesn't feel right anymore."

He reached out and slid his arm around her shoulders, holding himself close to her and still smiling down at her, as he was quite a bit taller, leaning down to give her another kiss, soft and quick this time to try and quell any unsure feelings she might still have. "We can slow down if you'd feel more comfortable. Whatever feels right for us is right for us. I'm positive of that much."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:09, Sun 20 May 2012.

Despite her concerns and ever-present fretting, Twilight forced herself to take a breath and calm down.  It wasn't easy for her either.  She was the sort who just had to tackle a problem and work it into submission rather than just 'going with the flow' like other ponies were capable of doing.  So when confronting something as vague and fluid as a romantic relationship without any sort of prior experience or foundation?  It left her feeling rather adrift.

"Sorry... I'm just antsy whenever there's a topic I can't pull out a book and research on.  This is going to take some getting used to." she sighed.  But then Widget set a foreleg over her shoulders, drew her close, and gave her another kiss.  The gesture and closeness was reassuring... even though Widget could feel a somewhat worrisome flare of heat roil off her body as her hair began to shimmer again, she seemed to be growing accustomed to the affection and didn't ignite that time.

For a few moments the unicorn was left to ponder and obviously seemed to be trying to figure out something else to say.  She still had concerns and questions and just so much running through her mind that it was hard to make sense of it all.  But then she looked back up to Widget and it gave her reason to smile softly.  She was worrying too much, she admitted.  Thus deciding there was nothing worth saying just then, Twilight simply lifted her head up to take another quick kiss from her date's lips and then cozy in against him, resting her head on his shoulder comfortably.  There were certainly worse ways to spend an evening...

Once more, it seemed that a long amount of time passed in a short span as Widget and his date sat cuddled up beneath the stars, enjoying each others presence in quiet happiness of passing stars above and passing party below. A lot of ponies were filtering out and going back home; they had work or their foals had school come the morning. This made the area below quieter, and let them hear the music more clearly than before. It wasn't necessarily Widget's taste, but he could probably dance to it.

The announcement by Princess Luna, which was loud enough to echo from the square using her Royal Canterlot Voice© and be clearly heard by both Twilight and Widget, caused the inventor to raise his head in surprise. If it was late enough for Princess Luna to want to retire, it was much later than he thought. "Oh, my, it's very late indeed," he said, not looking at his watch, thinking that would be rude. Widget was an academic, and as such, he was usually up with the sun to begin his day's round of work. He was rarely up this late, and yet he only barely felt the tug of tired against his mind, so full of other and more pleasant things to worry about sleep much.

"As much as I hate to, I think it's about time for me to head home," he said with obvious regret. But he had to be responsible. Quill would need help and direction come the morning to start his new job, and he himself would need a good sleep if he was going to be anything but totally scatterbrained at their date the next afternoon. He pulled his arm from around her grudgingly, and stood up beside her, taking one last look up at the sky, before focusing on her instead.

Once more Twilight found herself rather surprised as just how disappointed she was.  She'd been comfy... the idea of Widget leaving so soon (it had only been, what, a few hours?) left her pouting a bit... and then both nervous yet excited that his leaving made her sad... and then curious if that was the proper emotional response given the situation... and then--

Shut up for a second, brain.  He's looking at us! Twilight scolded herself as she began to internally ramble again.

"Oh... alright then.  How about I walk you back to the workshop?" she suggested as she rose to her own hooves, taking a moment to stretch out.

"I'd like that very much," he confirmed, arching his back slightly and giving his tail a slight shake as he got himself comfortable on his hooves. Once she was up, he gathered up the mugs and tea cups along with his basket and the book on dragons Twilight had retrieved for him, carrying them magically down the windy staircase to put away on her kitchen counter near the sink. "Spike is out quite late, isn't he? I thought he'd be asleep by now - he is, after all, a baby dragon. And Quill could hardly keep his eyes open by the time I got him back to the shop, the poor fellow."

He chuckled fondly at the memory as he set the book down inside the basket carefully, and retrieved his wings from near the door where he had placed them. With an expertise brought on by endless practice, he slipped the wings on securely to his back, sliding the straps around his body and legs. "Perhaps tomorrow afternoon, if you have time, we can go and see Princess Luna. She said she'd be here for a few days, at least. Have you seen her since she arrived in Ponyville? If I remember, she is very fond of you, especially after last Nightmare Night." As he spoke, he made his way to the door, waiting for her to follow.

>>> TO: Widget Whatsits' Wondrous Works

"There's no need to worry about Spike.  He can take care of himself, plus I imagine he's probably off having fun in Town Square.  Get enough sugar in him and he can run around all night long."  Twilight rolled her eyes a bit, knowing Spike was going to be absolutely useless the next day while he power napped to make up for his lost Z's.  Not that she could blame him, really... she slept in late herself all the time.

Twilight followed Widget along downstairs, helping with the load here and there rather than just leaving him to do all the tidying up himself.  Once he had his wings back on she opened the door for him and the two headed out back into the cool night.  The sounds of the party seemed more distant as there were more buildings in the way at ground level; she was glad she'd decided to refrain from joining for more than one reason.  It was too busy for her tastes, plus she'd ended up having a much better evening as a result.

"I haven't seen Luna personally today at all.  I didn't even know she'd come to town, but I'm sure she'll be happy to have more friends visit her while she's here.  You can't blame her for being busy, after all." she shrugged idly as she cantered along down the cobblestone road.

--> Twilight exits to Widget Whatsits' Wondrous Works

-Day 2 Start!-

Knock knock knock knock~!

No... oh Celestia, why?

Twilight Sparkle was not a morning person.  No, despite her abject love for the solar Princess she tended to be more in tune with Luna as she became more active during the night.  Studying late into the evening and burning the midnight oil in pursuit of knowledge was one of her favorite things in life.  That said, when she did eventually find her way into bed, she needed all the sleep she could get before the rest of the world came to drag her out into wakefulness.  Back in Canterlot she'd been able to sleep in all she liked since her studies and classes were all geared toward later in the day.  But the majority of Ponyville rose with the sun or soon after...

As the knocking at her front door continued despite her valiant effort to ignore it, Twilight was forced to drag her sorry rump out of bed.  Mussed and disheveled, she staggered sleepily downstairs and opened the door by hoof rather than using her magic -- it was saying something when even she was too groggy to do something remotely.  Cheerilee stood on the other side looking far too bright and chipper for how hard she'd been partying the other evening.  The schoolmare blinked at the sight of Twilight and expressed some concern over her state.

"What." Twilight deadpanned.  She never meant to be rude, but when yanked out of a dead slumber... well...

"Ah... good morning, Twilight Sparkle~!" the teacher chirped brightly but immediately had to lower her voice when Twilight flinched from the overt levels of cheerfulness coming at her.  "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to wake you, but I came by for those new copies of the Young Reader textbooks you ordered for me.  They have arrived by now, right?"

The unicorn just grunted and gave a tilt of her head to invite Cheerilee in, still trying to yawn and grumble her way into wakefulness.  The aforementioned stack of books sat bound in chord off to the side and she finally flexed her magic to float them upward onto Cheerilee's back.  Despite her slender appearance the teacher was still an Earth Pony, so she could handle the hefty weight settled onto her without issue.  Balance was another matter entirely though as she awkwardly swayed from side to side keeping the tall pile of books steady.

"Oh my... I should have brought a wagon.  I hate to ask, but do you think you could help me out a little more?" Cheerilee winced.  Twilight just sighed and abandoned any hopes she may have had about getting back into bed with a roll of her eyes.

"Yeah, sure... just give me a second to clean up..."

--> Twilight and Cheerilee exit to Ponyville Schoolhouse
This message was last edited by the player at 15:09, Wed 30 May 2012.

Spike woke up late again, but this time is was more of a blissful awakening than a panicked one. He had succeeded at completing his first-ever date, and it had ended in something other than total disaster. This was good enough for him. He mulled about the library, sliding around on the stepladders, catching up on all the reshelving and bookkeeping that he'd failed to get around to yesterday. He was a little disappointed that Twilight was already out and couldn't be asked about her own recent romantic overture, but it could wait, he supposed. That reminded him - he should see if he can find that other dragon again! Once he had the library looking neat and tidy, he hung up the "Back in 5 minutes" sign on the front door and stepped out into town.

exit to Widget Whatsis' Wondrous Works

--> Entering from Summer Song Cafe

Twilight had spent a lot of time going back and forth from her home as of late, but she never minded it too much.  The walk back through town was refreshing and it gave her a chance to say hello to the ponies who had managed to wake up at a reasonable hour like she'd been forced to.  Too many times she buried herself in her books and didn't properly socialize even after becoming far more open with the general community... old habits died really hard.  She wanted to give Applejack the chance to get some air too and hopefully settle her nerves.

"Spike, I'm back~!  I brought you some... oh..." Twilight called out to her assistant once she and AJ entered the tree house, though she halted as she caught sight of the momentarily overlooked sign on the opened door.  A quick listen proved there was nopony else in the Library as the only other sounds were that of a particular owl and phoenix chick snoozing in the upstairs loft.  "I guess he's gone out.  Well, no matter.  Go ahead and make yourself comfortable, AJ." she urged her friend as she trotted off to go stash the food she'd brought for Spike in the icebox.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:29, Sun 10 June 2012.

The fresh air had done a number of good things for Applejack's tension. Namely, much of it was thoroughly dissolved now, though her head still ached. She plopped down at Twilight's invitation, and covered her eyes with her hooves, shutting them and rubbing her forehead.  Nhhh...

"Thank ya' kindly, Twi. Ya' know.. ah'm pretty worried about RD's little contest thing... She ain't the type to back down on somethin' like this, once she's decided to do it. Ah don't want'er ta' get herself hurt."

"Me either.  I guess I came off too harsh before, but I didn't want to see her make a fool of herself or end up in a bad situation.  I mean, I don't know anything about dating and even I can see that holding a physical competition for it could go all kinds of wrong." Twilight added once she'd returned from the kitchen.  Her horn lit up as she moved to sit herself down at the island table at the center of the library and floated a particular book from off the shelf.

"This actually kind of reminds me of a story I read once.  Let's see... ah~!  'Prince Dashing and the Hearts Race'.  Dashing?  Huh... apropo." she'd forgotten the specific name of the tale and shrugged it off.  She flipped through the pages to skim the story.  "It's an old foal's parable about being careful what you wish for; an arrogant Prince sought to marry and held a competition to pick who his bride would be.  He didn't care about his wife-to-be's nature beyond making sure she was 'the best in the land'.  All the mares of the land joined the race, but ultimately the Prince was stuck having to marry a nasty nag who cheated her way to the lead and later caused a war once she became a Princess.  Not exactly a happy ending, but you know how grim those old stories always are."

Twilight sighed as she idled over the book and its illustration of the Prince overseeing the race for his affections.  "I don't think there's anyone in Ponyville like that, but I don't think Rainbow Dash even considered the implications of what she was doing.  Heck, part of me wants to enter just to try and win and spare her some misery... but that might look bad, especially considering Widget..." she muttered more to herself at that last part.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Mon 11 June 2012.

Applejack lent an ear to the story. It was the first time she'd ever heard it - she didn't actually get so many silly foals tales, but this one made some sense as summarized by Twilight Sparkle.  As Twilight continued on though, mulling about entering in order to spare Rainbow, her eyes widened. "Twi~! That's brilliant. You can't enter, yer' right.. but Ain't nothin' stoppin' me." she said. "Ah mean.. ya' think it'd be fine if ah did? Ah know it ain't gonna be an easy task, but ah'll do my best. Fer' Rainbow." she said, and nodded firmly.

"Well, you certainly would be a top contender... there's hardly anypony besides Rainbow Dash herself that can compete with you when it comes to physical activity.  And knowing her, the competition is mostly going to be physical." Twilight rolled her eyes on that notion.  She did have an objection to the matter and raised a hoof in warning.  "But remember, this is a contest to become Rainbow Dash's special somepony.  So if you go and enter yourself, that's going to project a certain image about you and your feelings toward her.  I'm sure she'll understand if we explain things to her, but we should really keep that in mind in case she got the wrong idea."

All the business about romance and dating had Twilight reconsidering a lot of her recent experiences.  She'd been totally dumb to Widget's interest in her but, now that she knew his feelings, could review her past experiences with him taking that knowledge into consideration.  She felt silly having missed it when he'd been very apparent in many cases... but all the same, she couldn't help but apply that same sort of new viewpoint to other situations outside her own.  She recalled that look Rainbow Dash gave Applejack earlier at the cafe...

"...um... at the risk of putting my hoof in my mouth again; that would be the wrong idea, right?  I mean, I know you two are really close, but...?" she let that hang as an open-ended question.

Applejack nodded, and raised a hoof as Twilight began. "Ah' course. If it's mostly physical, ah don't see which of 'er friends would be as suited ta' snaping her out of this than me." she blinked, then paused. She hadn't said it with an arrogant tone, but a matter-of-fact one.

But Twilight's continued words brought a confused blink to her face, and she gawked uncertainly at Twilight.

"But remember, this is a contest to become Rainbow Dash's special somepony.  So if you go and enter yourself, that's going to project a certain image about you and your feelings toward her.  I'm sure she'll understand if we explain things to her, but we should really keep that in mind in case she got the wrong idea."

"Huh?" Applejack stared at her in momentary confusion. "Ah don't get it, ah'm just tryin' ta help... err..." she blinked. Certain... image... her feelings toward... Rainbow Dash? Applejack went about as red as one of her apples in the cheeks.

"Oh... uhhh... hehe... Well, buck me..." She reached a hoof up, and fussed with her hat, lowering her head.  Her first reaction was to deny it, vehemently. RD was a friend, and a good one, but... "Yeah, ain't nothin' like that goin' on, Twi. But ah ain't going to let just anypony win'er, either. She deserves better'n that!" she argued, put a hoof down, vehemently.

Twi had seen Applejack angry before, and she could recognize it again. Applejack didn't rage, she got outright stubborn, and refused to back down. Just why was she so angry about this, even Applejack didn't seem to know.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:36, Mon 11 June 2012.

"Alright, I just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page.  Goodness knows we've had enough misunderstandings in the past that could have been fixed with a few minutes of preventative conversation."  the unicorn shook her mane.  She'd been guilty of that more than a few times before, after all.  Still, it was good that they had a plan of action to follow.  Now if only taking care of things would be as easy as planning them was.  Twilight reached over and patted Applejack fondly on the shoulder.  "In any case, I think Rainbow Dash is lucky to have somepony like you looking out for her.  I guess it's only proper that anypony who wants to date Rainbow has to go through you first, huh?"

Applejack bit her lip at Twilight's words, and she nodded firmly. "Ah.. Ah ain't sayin' she shouldn't date, ah just don't want 'er to make a mistake and picksomepony fer the wrong reasons.. and..." she groaned a bit, and sat back, letting out a breath. "Ah dunno, Twi. It's like she ain't learned nothin', either from her pet contest, or from mah mess with Rogue, or anythin'." she shook her head. "She's just bein' a foal about this, and ah just can't stand it!"

She glanced up, a sheepish, awkward smile. "Ah think ah'm overreactin', Twi. Ah am, ain't I?"

"I think we both overreacted a little." Twilight admitted with a shrug.  "Still, even though making wise choices has never really been Rainbow's strong point, I can sort of see why she'd do something this drastic.  Well, obviously it's not drastic from her point of view... but, you know what I mean.  I never realized she was feeling lonely.  These sort of feelings can make a pony do some crazy things, I guess."

Applejack shrugged. "Maybe it's mah fault. We got in a fight last night after we left. But we already apologized an' everything. We made up." she put a hoof to her head and slid her hat off. "Ah guess ah should just enter, an' do whatever it takes ta' win, an' maybe she'll see she ain't alone...?" she said, glancing at Twilight, then blinked, seeming to realize. "Ah.. ah mean. that she's got friends she can count on..." she uttered hastily, cheeks reddening a hint once more.

"Mm-hmm..." Twilight hummed in reply with a somewhat suspicious look on her face.  She'd been willing to take Applejack's previous refusals at face value before, but with how much she was flustering and stuttering over herself, it was difficult for her not to suspect there was more than her farmer friend was willing to admit.  "AJ, are you sure there's nothing else bothering you?  You know you can tell me anything."

"It's just a real mess of a day so far, Twi. Rogue leaves me holdin' tha bag, Dash is doin' this... thing..." Putting it that way... it wasn't so much, but Applejack felt like it was.  "Maybe ah just missed out on too much sleep last night. Ya' think?" She shut her eyes, and took a deep breath. "Ah jus' hope this ain't because we had a spat last night. Ah feel like  that an' all the other ponies on their dates  might'a just set her off." She scuffed a hoof on the floor. "Horse apples... ya' hear me? Ah bet it's the lack a' sleep. Ya' know how bad that went fer me last time."

With the mention of 'all the other ponies on dates', despite her concern for Applejack, Twilight couldn't help but glance over her shoulder up the stairwell that led to her exterior observatory platform.  Memories of the night before came back to her and she didn't even realize the way she'd started grinning.  Would it be too much to dress up for a second date?  Or would just casual-as-usual be best?  The cafe was a nice place but it was hardly fancy after all.  Would Widget wear something different?  He looked really nice in those frames last night...

Ah!  No, focus!  Applejack!  "Well, that's a lot for anypony to handle, let alone be sideswiped with out of the blue." She sympathized.  "As for Rainbow Dash, we can't dismiss her feelings.  But we can be there for her to make sure everything goes as best it can.  But what did you two argue about anyway?  It might offer some insight about what she's thinking right now."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:11, Mon 11 June 2012.

She frowned, at that. The argument had been so petty and frustrating... She'd regretted it the instant it was done, but hadn't been able to apologize right away.  she motioned to Twilight. "Would ya' mind awful much if ah kin have me a glass a' water, Twi?" she ventured, then went on to detail the situation.

"Well.. uhh... we had a bit of a contest  after ah left the apple stall - all right near the Library, ya understand.. anyway, RD won, but she was real nice, and even flew me up onto a roof to watch the moon raisin. She flew me off to the farm after that." she  rubbed a hoof  up along the side of her head, a warm glow still on her cheeks, residual, but not fading like before.  "It was actually... a lotta fun, flyin, with just her holdin' me up."

She let out a sigh. "We landed off on one of the sheds, an' RD asked me about Rogue. She'd seen'em and me in the square... He was helpin' Widget get ready fer' yer date." she chimed. "An' hangin out for him like ah was hangin' out fer you, ah guess." she shrugged her shoulders. "Anyway, ah didn't wanna talk about 'em... and she wouldn't let up on askin. So ah just stormed off, ah guess, an' let her go visit the Princess on 'er own." She frowned, heavily. It helped to talk about it, but.. it still hurt. Why'd she been so insensitive?

"Ah regretted it as soon as she flew away, a'course...  but ah couldn't catch her, if I'da tried." she sighed. "Ah just went and crashed in the loft a' the barn. Woke up somtime in tha middle of the night and got back ta' bed, but ah didn't sleep easy, ah guess."

Applejack seemed more at ease as she spilled her night to Twilight, and with a glass of water in hand, she took a drink to calm her nerves. "Ah jus' wish ah hadn't been so cold to 'er..."

Twilight took her time in getting the glass of water for Applejack -- she figured the mare needed the moment to gather her thoughts and let her have the time.  Soon enough a cool drink was hovered her way in a glow of magic and, with that done, Twilight settled to listen patiently to what had transpired.  Part of her actually felt a little bad that she hadn't noticed anything going on down below in the Town Square even with a telescope... she'd been too caught up with Widget even though her friends were watching out for her all the while.

"Well, Rainbow never has been one to know when to back off a subject." she muttered.  "But she probably didn't realize she'd upset you that much, or was just trying to give you a chance to talk things out.  I can understand how you feel though... I wouldn't want to talk about that sort of thing either were it me."

With Applejack's voiced regrets, Twilight moved to sit closer and offered another considerate limb to curl about her shoulders.  Just as she'd been there to give Twilight advice and comfort the night before, so too would Twilight offer her the same boon.  "So you think this whole contest thing was because you and Rainbow got into that spat?"

The arm about her  did wonders to soothe, if not solve the problems. Applejack leaned on her friend, and shoo her head. "Ah can't say.  Ah mean, it don't seem all that related. But.. eh... could be... Maybe ah'm just blamin' mahself."

The farmpony shook her head. "But it ain't mah fault. So ah should quit." she smiled at Twilight. "Right, Twi? Focus on fixin' it instead of why it's happenin'." she said. "An' thank ya, Twi. Talkin' about last night made me feel better." she said. "A bit, anyway."

"Precisely~!  Dwelling on things is just going to get you down and that's not going to resolve anything.  But we'll get all this worked out, I promise.  I'll be sure to back you and Rainbow both all the way~!" Twilight reassured her friend with a fond nuzzle cheek-to-cheek.

With the reassuring contact, Applejack seemed to perk up significantly. "Mhm...  Ah'll enter, if ah can't talk RD outta this. Simple as that. Ah ain't gonna let her get herse'f hurt by somepony. An' like ya' said - you can help with spreadin' the word about RH."

SHe went quiet a moment, and put a hoof to her lip. Yeah. she felt much better. A yawn came out, covered up. "Ah probly' need a nap, ah think."

"It's a long walk back to Sweet Apple Acres for that.  Go ahead and use my bed." Twilight offered.  Thankfully she'd had the presence of mind to make her bed when she'd been forced to go along that morning with Cheerilee, so her room wasn't a disaster area aside from a few piles of books here and there.

Applejack threw a hoof around Twilight. "Thank ya, Twi." she chimed, and got to her feet. "And congratulations on yer second date. Ah'll crash now so ah can get mah nap done." She got to her hooves and gave a long and languid stretch. Yeah, she needed that nap real bad.

Yawning, she started up the stairs, and about for the spare bed she'd had to share with Rarity that night they had to crash here because of that big scheduled storm they'd gotten caught in.

"Heh... sleep well." Twilight couldn't help but blush and grin over the mention of her second date.  She honestly had no idea how distracting romance could be... well, she had a notion, sure, but to actually get into it was a whole other matter.  It seemed like no matter what she was doing, thoughts of Widget and her plans kept finding ways to interject themselves on her.

As Applejack headed upstairs, she'd find a distinct lack of a second bed.  That bed set had been conjured by Twilight on the spot that one evening, just like she'd done for Widget last night as well.  But she had said that Applejack could use her bed... and at that point, any soft surface was tempting enough.  Even Spike's basket looked pretty enticing despite its small size.

By the time she got up the stairs the prospect of hitting the hay again was so inviting she just dropped onto the bed and rolled over once, and then she was gone. Twi would find her hat, left downstairs and on the table. The farmpony dropped off to sleep pretty quickly.

-Time shift to Day 2; Afternoon-

Twilight had to hold off a giggle at how quickly the sound of snoring came out from the bedroom loft.  AJ really did need a bit of rest, it seemed.  The unicorn sighed in worry over her friend -- she really had a lot to deal with at the moment.  Some sleep would do her well and it'd be easier to face problems with a rested body and refreshed mind.  In the meantime Twilight settled down to read in the library proper, all too happy to pass away the day with her nose in a good book.  She was keenly aware of the passage of time though.

Soon enough the afternoon rolled in.  The unicorn tried not to fret too much and silently magicked down items from her bedroom, not wanting to disturb Applejack's slumber while she got ready.  She didn't know much about styling but didn't want to go on a date looking like she always did, so she borrowed a page from AJ's book and bound her mane up in a ponytail.  She kept the band higher though closer to the nape of her neck.  Nothing fancy, but she thought it was cute, so it would have to do.  With that done the mare quickly snagged some paper and a quill to jot down a note that she left beside Applejack's stetson on the central library table.

~Applejack,

I didn't want to wake you, but I needed to head out to meet Widget before I was late for our date.  I'll be at the Summer Song Cafe if you need me.  Feel free to take all the time you like in the Library -- rest, read, and relax.  Help yourself to my fridge too if you get hungry.

Your friend,

Twilight Sparkle.~

With that message drafted, Twilight smiled and hurried out the door, glad to feel that a sense of eager excitement at the prospect of a date had replaced that previous sense of mounting panic instead.

--> Twilight exits to Summer Song Cafe

About half an hour or so after Twilight left, APplejack rolled over, and yawned. Stretching, yawning, and drifting back to consciousness had her groggy and dazed, but she realized quickly where she was. Stumbling to her hooves, the drained mare looked at her reflection... She trotted on to the kitchen, and ran a small sink full of water, before plunging her face into it. The whole of her flinched at the cold impact, as it shot her awake and her head came up, mane dripping. She let out a relieved sigh, and rubed her eyes, trotting on for Twilight's room again, to collect her hat, and now she spotted the note. That was right, Twilight had her second date.

Applejack grinned proudly, and took a seat on the edge of the bed to straightened things out, then trotted downstairs. Se went back to the kitchen , as Twilight had said, to help herself to a snack, which she carried into the library and fished out a spare copy of the Daring Do book Twi had let her take home - but she hadn't had a chance to crack it open yet, she Applejack started on the first few pages, while she ate.

The door opened and a pair of ponies stepped in. "Good afternoon," Ava grinned, waving a hoof.

As the door opened, Applejack looked up, and wiped her lips with a hoof, laying the Daring Do book pages down to hold her spot. She was rather getting into the first chapter when the two turned up. "Uhh... Howdy, there." She gave a nod, and pushed her stetson back up on her mane. "Ya'll lookin' fer Twilight?"

"Well, I certainly wouldn't say no to meeting her, but I was mostly looking for a book," Ava laughed. "I'm Ava, and this is Atom."

<-- Pinkie Pie enters from Rogue Heart's Apartment.  Rapidly.

No sooner has Ava managed to make her introductions did she hear the sound of tromping hooves.  She and Atom would barely have time to acknowledge a dull pink blur of motion before it barreled straight through them, knocking them aside like bowling pins on a 7-10 Split.  It didn't even stop either until it crashed into the far wall, rattling the whole tree and sending many books toppling down from the shelves.  Pinkie Pie staggered back woozy but no worse for the wear... at least, not in the usual sense.  Applejack would certainly recognize her friend's state -- it wasn't often her coat lost its luster and her mane drooped down into a flat hang like it was then.  The last time that had happened had been on her birthday the year before and oh, what a mess that had been...

"TWILIGHT~!  Emergency!" she squealed, reared up on her back legs while her forelegs pedaled about in the air.  Of course, Twilight was nowhere to be found.  Applejack proved to be the next best thing (or at least the next nearest) and would immediately end up sporting a Pinkie Pie backpack as the weeping party pony hurled herself atop her friend, blubbering up a storm.  "AJ!  I...!  And then...!  Waffles!  But, no...!  He didn't...!  And... and... uuuwwaaaaaaaaa~!" it was hard to understand her normally, but when she was in full sob mode?  Ugh...

Applejack was about to greet them, more properly, and even try to help them find what they were looking for, but when the Pinkie Torpedo hit. As books collapsed from the shelves, Applejack face hoofed.. but then, she had greater concerns. She held up Pinkie easily, and as she bawled, Applejack glanced to make sure Ava and Atom were alright. "Uhh... Ya'll help yerselves.. Ah'll try an' see ta' Pinkie..." she said.

She really.. really didn't know how books were sorted anyway... Carrying Pinkie out of the main library room, she shrugged the sobbing pony with the deflated mane off he rback and onto a chair, and stepped in front of her, putting a hoof on each of her front shoulders, then drew her into a hug, rubbing her back.

"Shhh, Pinkie... shhh... What's got ya'll fretty, sugar cube?" - She barely caught one word in the chaos before.

The blue mare shook herself as she reoriented to be more-or-less right-side-up. Finding a pair of glasses near her hoof, she levitated them to her face, only to wind up even more googly-eyed than before. "I think these are your glasses, Atom."

Atom grimaced as his world also went further out of focus. "Yes, yes they are. Trade ya."

"Much better," Ava nodded as the library came back into focus. "You okay, Atom?" she asked, getting to her hooves and dusting herself off.

"Fine," he nodded, standing. "How about you, Avi?"

"A bruise or two, maybe - nothing serious," she assured him. She looked to where AJ had gone with the pink mare, hoping that Pinkie Pie was all right.

"Do they shelve by Dewey Decimal or Library of Canterlot here?" Atom asked.

"Neither - looks like it's all sectioned, then alphabetical," Ava said, stepping up to the shelf. "I'd be surprised to see Library of Canterlot here - you usually only see it at large academic institutions and, well - the Canterlot Archives."

"Alphabetical? Well, that should make it easy," Atom grinned. "Should probably get those reshelved first, though," he observed, waving a hoof at where Pinkie had knocked the entirety of the D, E, F, and G fiction sections to the floor.

"Right," Ava laughed. "Come on - it shouldn't be too bad with two of us." Horns a-glowing, the two unicorns happily set about re-alphabetizing and re-shelving the books.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:56, Thu 21 June 2012.

Pinkie Pie was not a subtle pony by any means.  She never did anything halfway and her friends had long since come to understand that she didn't have emotional shades so much as she did 'stages'.  It was all or nothing.  When she was happy, the world was a bright and cheerful place where the sun sparkled and she could drag everypony in town into a rousing musical number about how great life was.  When she was angry, she vented neigh on apocalyptic wrath the likes of which would haunt a pony's nightmares for weeks to come, assuming they even survived the initial outburst.

But just then?  As she sat sniffling and miserable to the point that even a best friend's embrace did nothing to console her?  The worst thing one could ever fear to see was a sad Pinkie Pie, because when she pitched into the dumps, there was no light left in her world.  She hated being sad... nothing ever came of sadness, and all she wanted was to smile again, but her aching heart just wouldn't let her.

"I... I went to go take Rogue Heart breakfast.  We always have breakfast together!  I made extra waffles just for him 'cause I know h-he never eats right... but... but he's... he's not..." Pinkie managed to keep control of herself enough to choke that much out and it was likely all Applejack needed to hear.  Twilight had mentioned before that Pinkie might take it hard, but this was something else.  "He's gone!  His house is all locked up and dark and there's sheets everywhere and why would he do this?!  I'm his friend, but he didn't even say anything!  I know sometimes ponies need to move away or go do other things, but why didn't he at least say goodbye?!  I thought he cared more than that..."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:30, Tue 19 June 2012.

Clinging to the distraught pink pony, Applejack felt her heart jump up into her throat. She really didn't have any answers, not to the questions Pinkie was asking, but she had to try and help her friend... no matter the cost, after all. That bucking jerk! It was alright to throw her into a state of chaos, but to upset Pinkie... the only thing worse would be upsetting Fluttershy, and part of her started to boil at her idiot ex's behavior.

Worse, Applejack knew he was gone but... "P... Pinkie, hon... " she said, trying to be soothing in tone, her hoof brushing down that deflated mane... that was the worst of all the signs, right there... This was crushing enough to drain Pinkie of all her joy and hope. Being the one saddled with breaking the news just made Applejack feel sick.

"Ah know he left town this mornin'. He stopped by tha' farm ta' say goodbye, ah guess." she shrugged both shoulders, and hung her head. "Ah couldn't stop'em... ah think he finally decided he wanted to go find who he was." she said, and hugged her tighter. "Ah told'em he' better write..." she said softly, and hung her head, closing her eyes, arms about Pinkie. How would she react? Applejack had given up trying to predict... All Pinkie could recognize was that she had a sense of being betrayed... how could Applejack right that?

"He.. jus' said he didn't wanna make long an' painful goodbyes...." - so he made long, painful conversations for Applejack about why he left, like this one... Buckin' hay...

There were a number of different reactions Pinkie could have taken to Applejack's confession that she knew Rogue had left, and that he'd at least said goodbye to her if nopony else.  Heck, at least half of them would have been justified too.  But Pinkie Pie wasn't a selfish pony -- her entire world revolved around making sure others were happy, so she recognized when someone else was hurting too.  She didn't hold anything against Applejack... well, except for herself, as she hugged her tighter.

"He.. jus' said he didn't wanna make long an' painful goodbyes...."

"But this is worse!  I hate saying goodbye too, but at least you can make sure everything's okay when you have to leave!  And everypony knows you're going to be alright..." the normally fluffy mare's voice was muffled against AJ's shoulder as she held her close. "Doesn't he know how much this hurts?"

Applejack nodded, and hugged her tight. "Ah think he'll be fine, Pinkie... Ah just think he didn't wanna see anypony get upset over him leavin'..." she said softly. "Ah know it hurt him ta' do it, too.." she said, reassuringly. "But ah'm sure we'll see 'em again." she said, and smiled  brightly, giving Pinkie's nose a nudge up. The farmpony then grinned a bit. "And then ya' can throw'em a biiiig welcome back party, right Pinkie?" she prompted her.

Having to say long goodbyes were never fun for anypony be they leaving or staying behind, but to Pinkie, it was worse not saying anything at all.  That was an even longer goodbye made worse by the sting of betrayal.  Saying goodbye to a friend was awful, but how was leaving them hanging in the wind abandoned any better?  Every one of Pinkie Pie's friends were so very precious to her... the idea that Rogue Heart could just turn his back and leave without a word felt like a knife to the gut.

Still... Applejack made sense.  The down-to-earth farmer was always an anchor for her friends; even when everything was going crazy, she never seemed to get quite as phased by it all.  She was just better at coping with it, Pinkie figured.  And as much as it hurt to think of a friend leaving, there was something to be said for the joy that could be felt of that person coming back home again.  It wasn't like he was gone for good, right?

"And then ya' can throw'em a biiiig welcome back party, right Pinkie?" Applejack prompted.

"W-with balloons and streamers?" she sniffled in return.  She somehow managed a weak half-smile despite how morose she still was.  Moping wasn't going to do her any good... she needed to shake it off and AJ's reassurances were quite a boon in that regard.

Applejack saw her recovering smile, and held her tight. "Eyup.  And Games and Cake, too." she reassured her, then gently leaned back, at hooves-length in front of her now. She nodded. "Ah know it ain't an easy thang, butya' just gotta trust'em ta' do what's best fer' him." she said softly. "An' ah did send him off with a sack full of apples, so, he ain't gonna starve fer breakfast..." She blinked... Really? Pinkie was freaking out about breakfast, this late in the day?

"There we go - ah, wait one more Daring Do novel that slid over under the table," Atom laughed, retrieving it and levitating it over to Ava.

"Daring Do and the Temple of Zantor," Ava said, reading the title. "I think Poppy was reading this one a couple of weeks ago." She slid it into place with the other Daring Do stories and grinned in satisfaction. "Much better," she nodded. She'd worked in the campus library as an undergrad and was completely at home around shelves and shelves of books.

"Yep. What was that book you needed again, Avi?"

"Erlenmeyer's Caustics, Cations, and Combustions - an Original Oratory on Organic and Inorganic Chemical Synthesis," she replied. "Let's see - nonfiction is over here, B... C... Canterlot Castle - A Complete History... Care and Keeping of Cats... Ah, here we go - Caustics, Cations, and Combustions," she said happily, betting the book down from the shelf.

"Wish the school library would do it this way," Atom laughed. "I hate Library of Canterlot."

"You and everypony else," Ava laughed. "But trust me - no you don't. Me, I love Library of Canterlot. I know a lot of ponies don't, but it really is the most efficient way of organizing a library of that size, even if it is less intuitive for most ponies than Dewey Decimal. If they tried to go alphabetical at Pranceton, the entire library staff would go mad inside of an hour. Dewey is good for moderate sized libraries - I know the Canterlot Regional Public Library uses it, and I think the Fillydelphia Public Library does as well. Hayvard, Dartmare, Roan, and Corneigh all use Library of Canterlot just like Pranceton and the Royal Archives. But an alphabetical system is the most intuitive for a small town library like this, and here, it really does make the most sense."

Atom just laughed. "Avi, I sometimes wonder why you didn't go into library science."

The blue mare managed, with some effort, to keep a straight face. "Because it doesn't turn pretty colors, and you can't blow anything up with it," she replied, deadpan, before breaking down in a fit of the giggles.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:21, Wed 20 June 2012.

It was hard to tell exactly how long Pinkie Pie had been running around in a panic over Rogue's disappearance, though given how late he tended to sleep into the day with his lazy attitude, it was entirely likely he was accustomed to having breakfast right before lunchtime.  It hardly mattered by that point though.  Pinkie sniffed quietly and rubbed her eyes with her fetlocks, though getting rid of all those tears wasn't easy.  Still, she did her best to keep a stiff upper lip.

"Thanks Applejack..." she said as she leaned in to catch her friend in another hug.  That time it was out of gratitude rather than needing a shoulder to cry on.  She released it soon enough and gave another smile that had a little more heart to it.  Pinkie wasn't quite okay yet, but she would get there in her own time.  "But... what about you?  I mean, I know you and Rogue Heart had, like, a thing before when you were kids..."

Applejack almost flinched when the sniffling Pinkie brought up her past. She turned a bit pinkie herself, and awkwardly fussed with her stetson. "Ah... Ah'm doin' fine. That's actually why ah ain't so worried about'em..." she said. "He seemed ta' know what he was doin, when he left this morning... well... aside from not bein' sure where he was goin'"

Applejack closed her eyes for a moment, and shrugged her shoulders. She sat down, heavily. "He an' I always talked about runnin' off ta'gether an gettin' out of Ponyville." She let the story go half-untold for the moment, but Pinkie already knew about her visit to Manehatten and subsequent return.

Pinkie Pie shifted a bit to rest beside Applejack and give her a gentle, querying look.  While normally quite the motor mouth, she could be a pretty good listener too and put herself there for Applejack if she wanted to go on.  She didn't press on the matter though and would back off all the same if AJ didn't feel like talking.  If nothing else, she already knew a lot of it from Rogue Heart since the two of them spent so much time together.  Most of their interactions were all fun and games but there had been a few more vulnerable moments shared here and there.

She shrugged. "When we were foals, 'afore ah left Ponyville,"she glanced up to the door to the other room, and gave it a slight kick, sending it closed. "We were close, yeah. But after he decided ta' treat me like an idiot, ah just left without'em." she said, with a mild boil as she recalled how he'd treated her.

"So, ah guess he finally decided he was gonna go find himself." She answered, and kicked a hoof at the floor. "Ah ain't mad, ah think it's great... Ah just wish  he'd not left it ta me to tell everypony. Makin' me look like this..."

Applejack just gave her head a vigorous shake. "Buck me~ Ah gotta get mah mind offa this. Ain't no reason to be moping." She got to her feet. "Hay, Pinkie.. you seen Rainbow's sign out in the square?"

Pinkie Pie couldn't judge what had gone on in the past.  Those times were far and long away.  She did wish that Rogue and Applejack could have gotten along better through the years though... did AJ know just how lonesome Rogue got?  It was one of the traits that drew Pinkie to him in the first place -- she was eager to be his friend regardless, but there were some ponies who really needed a friend more than others sometimes.  Still... she couldn't blame AJ for being mad either given the position she was left in.

A change of topic seemed like a good idea and the party pony instead moved down that conversational chain.  It sounded like AJ had enough of talking about Rouge Heart already.  "A sign?  Nuh-uh.  Did Dashie make an announcement or something?  Or is she having a yard sale?  'Cause that'd be pretty tough to manage since she doesn't have a yard." just a bit of that classic Pinkie rambling edged its way back into the conversation as she got up to her hooves as well.

Applejack gave an incredulous ear flop and looked at her with a fairly deadpan serious look. "The Filly is throwing a contest fer ponies, and the winner gets ta' date her. Really." She said, disapproval in her tone. "Ah mean, we've done this before, ain't we? And ah don't wanna be unsupportive or leave 'er unhappy, but... this just ain't a good idea, if ya ask me."

For a moment, Pinkie remained completely still and silent, only blinking in response to the news.  She seemed quite passive, though Applejack had a rather peculiar sight to enjoy as it appeared that some sort of miniature explosion occurred inside the pony -- her coat suddenly flared up back to its usual bright saturation and her mane and tail both poomphed out wildly with a sound akin to a confetti popper going off.

"You don't say?" she kept a solid poker face, through the rest of her wasn't doing such a good job at hiding a returned rush of glee.  She didn't even seem to notice that her fluffy tail was wagging about like a dog's.  Well, at least she was back to normal...
This message was last edited by the player at 16:54, Thu 21 June 2012.

Applejack breathed a sigh of relief as her friend erupted back to normal, and she gave her a light hug. "Eyup. Ah do say." she said. "Ah wanna do somethin' about all this... Twi thinks it's a bad idea too, but RD won't call it off..."

Applejack considered what she'd spoken of with Twilight... Entering the contest for Rainbow's own good... and what it'd look like. Her cheeks pinked a little as she tried to think over the topic. "Ahh..  Ah was... thinkin about competin', ta' try and win so she doesn't end up datin' somepony who ain't good enough for 'er... but ah was wonderin' if you'd have any ideas?"

"Well, if you're gonna enter, the competition's gonna be really steep... 'cause you're gonna have to beat me too~!" Pinkie Pie chirped as she bounced in place with her usual springy manner returning in full.  She reared back and clapped her hooves to her face, swirling and swaying about happily.  "I had no idea Dashie wanted to start looking for a special somepony~!  First Twilight, and now this?  Eeeee~!  This is gonna be so much fun~!"

"P.. Pinkie?" Applejack began, and then narrowed her eyes. If Pinkie was going to get in her way, then... "Ah really think yer' missin' the point, Pinkie." She groaned, finding her efforts to talk her into helping lost on the mare, but at least she was feeling better. Feeling a bit more determined with some competition, Applejack opened the door back to the library, and gave her a friendly nudge back to the main Library.

--> From: Sweet Apple Acres

As if on cue, Shai Ni pokes her head into the library before entering happily, a most definite spring in her step and song in her heart.  As joy is attracted to joy, she finds herself bouncing happily in a very Pinkie-ish manner towards, well, Applejack and Pinkie Pie, although she is not aware of it herself.  As she trots past them towards the bookshelf, she is heard to be singing quietly, "Joyous day... glorious day... tomorrow will be a most wonderful date... my very first date..."

It appears that she has been singing like this since she left Sweet Apple Acres.

Pinkie Pie entirely missed the point of what Applejack was concerned over and, frankly, couldn't have been happier because of it.  Rainbow Dash may not have been making a particularly wise choice of action, but when it came down to it, Pinkie Pie wasn't the best pony to talk to for wise choices either.  She giggled and bounded out of the room, skipping right past Shai Ni in a mirrored gait.

"Joyous day... glorious day... tomorrow will be a most wonderful date... my very first date..." the unicorn sang quietly.  Pinkie Pie, however, was not a quiet mare.  She picked up on Shai Ni's tune and caught her by the hooves, bringing her into a playful spin on the spot.

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
Joyous day~!
Glorious day~!
'Cause hearts and hooves are on the way~!

It's that special time of year,
when all the ponies laugh and cheer~!
A time to play and dance together~!
To be together for-ever and ever~!

Joyous day~!
Glorious day~!
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫

Pinkie Pie let go of Shai Ni after spinning her into a twirl and bounced away, landing nimbly on the tall rolling ladder against one of the many bookshelves.  It slid along on its wheels to let her hang upside down off the rungs and drop herself eye-level between Atom and Ava.  She reached out and caught them both about the shoulders to pull them in to a fond hug with her in the middle.

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
When you've got somepony by your side,
the world is bright and cheery~!
They know your heart and know your dreams,
and you can count! on! them! when things get dreary~!

Even if somepony has to leave,
it'll be okay.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder~!
And they'll come trotting back someday~!

They'll be back one--
Joyous day~!
Glorious day~!
'Cause hearts and hooves are on the way~!

So take a chance~! Let's tempt fate~!
Let's all dance, so grab a date~!
We'll swing and sing, love and laugh~!
It's worth the risk so take a chance~!

Joyous day~!
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫

The last leg of Pinkie's song was spent bounding around the library from place to place, sweeping up any pony she could grab a hold of to twirl about.  It was a good way for her to cope with Rogue leaving, sure, but wasn't she getting a little out of hand?

Spotting the glowing Shai Ni, Applejack at once felt happy, but also a bit overwhelmed. Whatever love bug that had burrowed in and infected Ponyville like this was really starting to grate her nerves.  As Pinkie Pie bounded into song, her lyrical tunes and vivacious style dominated the room.

Applejack was grateful she'd not been swept up into it herself - her heart wasn't in such a joyful mood, and as she watched, she could only shake her head with baffled frustration.

With the slow, steady trot of a pony who didn't want to draw too much attention to herself, she stubbornly settled her Stetson on her head and started for the door.  As Pinkie Pie bounded about for her last verse, and brought it to its conclusion, her final lyrics were cut off by a resounding, solid wood slamming sound. The shelves rattled slightly, and a few books dropped off them as the library door was bucked shut with a full force back kick.

Breaking into a cold trot, Applejack departed the Library, unsure what was bothering her most. She was pretty sure it wasn't Rogue anymore. But now where could she go? Twilight was on her Date, Rainbow was ... who knew?

The options started to narrow down, and she turned her steps toward Rarity's boutique, leaving a clearly outline trail of hoof tracks behind her solid steps.

Exit toward the Carousel Boutique
This message was last edited by the player at 18:23, Thu 21 June 2012.

"Waaaaa~h!"

Shai Ni is most definitely not expecting Pinkie Pie to break into song, but after the first spin, she finds herself smiling and enjoying the event as it comes.  Of course, when she's sent into a twirl, she spins a bit too much and ends up stopping just short of a bookshelf with her eyes spinning and her hooves stumbling here and there before she shakes her head and resumes her smile at the song.  Pinkie certainly is contagious with enthusiastic happiness.

At the end of the song, Shai Ni is about to politely cheer for Pinkie's performance when the door slams loudly and a book falls from the shelf and bounces off of her head.  "Ow," she says quietly before turning to look at the door and wonder what has Applejack so upset as to behave in such a way.  With a gasp, Shai Ni trots over to Pinkie and asks worriedly, "You do not suppose she is upset because I am going on a date with her brother, do you?"

Pinkie flinched as the door slammed shut in Applejack's wake.  "Was it something I said?" she blinked cluelessly.

When Shai Ni sidled up with her concern in mind, Pinkie shook her head and shrugged.  "Nah, I don't think that's it at all.  AJ's kinda having a rough time of it right now and--" she stopped on the spot and instantly swung around to grab Shai Ni by the cheeks.  "Wait, you and Big Mac?!  Eeeeee~!  Ooh~!  An exotic, mysterious beauty and a stoic, hard-working farmer!  This is the stuff bodice-busters are made of~!"

Pinkie ceased squishing the unicorn's cheeks long enough to catch her in another hug and bounced in place happily, all too giddy for others' romantic successes or potential.  "Hmm... MacNi?  Shaintosh?  BigShai?  BigNi?  No... huh, this is gonna take some work..."

A face of confusion, pure and simple.  This is the face Shai Ni has as Pinkie squeezes her cheeks and then bounces, trying to come up with a 'shipname.  "Yes... he has agreed to go on a date with me," she acknowledges, blushing from Pinkie's description of herself, then tilts her head to the side and finds herself suggesting, despite all rational thought telling her not to get involved, "... MacNitosh?"

She honestly has no idea why she is suggesting such a thing, or what she is suggesting such a thing for, but Pinkie is happy and it is very difficult not to get caught up in her activities.

Contagious as Pinkie's enthusiasm was, Ava and Atom had gotten caught up in her song, and were displaying a skill that somepony might possibly have expected out of Atom, but definitely not out of Ava - Lindy Hooves swing dancing. As the song finished, Atom bowed to his partner, a big grin on his face.

Ava jumped as the door slammed - she'd always been rather sensitive to loud noises. Horn glowing, she began picking up all of the fallen books and putting them back on the shelves. "I hope she's all right," she observed, glancing back over her shoulder at the door.

"No no no, it's gotta be a portmanteau of two names with each individual part used only once.  Bonus points if it's a play on words too.  There's a certain rule to this kind of thing." Pinkie lectured in a serious manner, as if the naming of ships was a very important thing indeed.  "But then we've got the problem of your name sounding like Fluttershy's... Shai and Shy... that could cause some confusion..."

Apparently it was an important matter, if only to Pinkie Pie herself, as she plunked herself down on the floor and tapped at her head to think on the subject.

Still confused (as it is a natural reaction to Pinkie Pie at times), Shai Ni walks around Pinkie and stops at her left side before tilting her head to look at the pink Earth Pony sideways.  "There is a problem with myself and Miss Fluttershy?  Does she wish to date Mister Big Macintosh, too?" she asks, completely unable to follow the Pinkie Logic Train.

"What about ToshNi?" Atom suggested. "No confusion there, and it has a bit of a ring to it."

"ToshNi?  No... it's not bad, but it doesn't flow right."  Pinkie Pie pressed her hooves into either side of her head and rubbed them about to try and stimulate her facilities, hoping for a burst of inspiration.  Some candy would help out a lot, she mused.  "No, there's nothing wrong with you and Fluttershy.  I don't think anypony has a problem with her~!  Ooh!  Ooh!  FlutterShai~!  No... that doesn't make any sense aloud.  How about ShaiShy?  That sounds cute~!  Shai Ni: go date Fluttershy instead~!" Pinkie ordered with an impish grin.

Shai Ni continues to be confused as Pinkie rambles on with her 4th Dimensional Train of Thought, and then suddenly blushes brightly at the pink pony's suggestion.  "D-d-d-date Miss Fluttershy?" she stammers, as if the thought has not only never occurred to her, but just feels completely alien.  There is, however, absolutely no disgust in her voice, but instead shock and confusion aplenty.  "Y-y-you mean she does not have a... what is the term... Special Somepony already?  I would have thought there would be a line of suitors at her doorstep."

"Who, Fluttershy?  Nah... well, there are sometimes, but she just gets spooked and hides under her sofa.  Sometimes I worry about that pony." Pinkie Pie sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, shaking her head sagely.  "She's got that whole 'filly next door' sort of pretty going on that a lot of ponies like, but she's way too bashful to get into the dating scene.  Then again, I don't know if she likes mares... you asking her out might put her into a coma... hmm..."

Gasping, Shai Ni replies, "I would not wish to put her into a coma!  That would be horrible!"  Then, finally realizing that the subject matter is silly, the Chineighs unicorn's expression begins to return to normal, and she hesitantly asks, "Miss Pinkie Pie... if I may ask... what is it, exactly, that Equestrian ponies do on dates?  For example... specific activities?  All I have learned so far is that participants are supposed to do things that are fun, but surely there are more traditional events within a date."

People like Fung Shui and Twilight Sparkle took Pinkie Pie seriously.  They learned, to varying degrees, that taking a chaos engine on hooves like her seriously was a swift and efficient way to hurt one's brain.  Shai Ni thankfully managed to dodge such a fate by realizing that Pinkie was just playing around with her suggestions and rolled with the punches instead.

"It depends on the pony, I guess.  I mean, you should really do stuff that you'd both enjoy, especially if it's something you can do together~!" Pinkie Pie hopped up and bounced on the spot a few times.  "Like going to the park~!  Or sharing something yummy~!  Or seeing a show~!  Or going dancing~!  Lemmee think... the White Tail Woods are a nice place for couples, but it's not as pretty this time of year as it is in autumn."

Pinkie actually showed a bit of wisdom in pausing her pondering to refer to an actual couple in the library just then -- Atom and Ava.  "Avatom~!  What do you two do on dates?"

"Occasionally we'll get out dancing or to a play, or something," Atom grinned. "But we sit around playing chess or trivial pursuit just as often."

Ava nodded. "We enjoy cooking together, too - Atom makes the most amazing zucchini bread I have ever laid eyes on."

Atom laughed, blushing a bit. "You flatter me, Avi," he grinned.

Pulling out a parchment and quill with her magic, Shai Ni begins taking notes in a very serious manner.  "Dancing... see a play... chess... trivial pursuit... cooking," she mutters aloud before looking up and asking, as if it was not embarrassing at all, "Where does the kissing come in?  I have been assured it is a core dating tradition."

"Whenever you both want it to come in," Atom told her.

Shai Ni scribbles something down before looking back up at Atom and asking, "When it comes to kissing, are there signs to look for or steps to take?  Also, what should one wear?  Are dates formal or casual events?"  So many questions, she has, and so few answers.  So far, she has pretty much written down the advice word-for-word completely devoid of context on her little pad, so the results will either be horribly wrong, incredibly entertaining, or perhaps even a bit of both.

Big Macintosh really had no idea what he was getting into when he agreed to go on a date with the Chineighs pony.

From Ponyville School House

The sound of gently buzzing wings could be heard as the fillies approached to collect the wagon they had left there earlier in the week. Hopping off her scooter Scoots began the process of hooking everything up. "Your helmets should still be in there. I don't have one for you Silver so you're going to have to run alongside the wagon." Scoots said as she finished up the hook up.

"Dates are as formal or as casual as you both want them to be," Ava told Shai. "What you want to wear pretty much depends on what you're doing. Gala dresses are not recommended if you're going bowling, for instance," she giggled.

"This coming from the mare who may or may not actually own so much as a skirt," Atom teased.

"Hey! I've got a skirt!" Ava laughed. "My kilt, remember?"

"Avi... that's not a skirt. Which is a good thing, because I think the mental image of your Uncle Pearford in a skirt just broke my brain," he laughed. Craning his neck around a bit, as Ava was taller and standing a bit to the side, he planted a light kiss on her lips - nothing too dramatic, as they had company.

So many things to learn, and so little time!  There will be much research involved in this subject, yes indeed.  Shai Ni is beginning to be thankful for that long rest earlier, as it will allow her to stay up later tonight in order to do more research in the library, should Twilight Sparkle allow it.  If not, she will simply borrow as much research material as possible and- OH!  Surely Lotus and Aloe know about such things!  And their regular clients, Fluttershy and Rarity, well... Pinkie Pie said Fluttershy is not so experienced, but Rarity, now there surely is a mare in the know!

Nodding as she takes notes, Shai Ni adds a note to herself in the side about ponies to ask before the day is done.  So far, it says, "Miss Rarity, Miss Aloe, Miss Lotus," and there is plenty of room for more names.  She thinks for a second before adding "Mister Widgit Whatsis" to the list, as surely the stallion who has caught Twilight's eye (and heart) would know a thing or two about dating!  Then, she quickly adds "Mister and Missus Cake," for a couple as happy as them must be full of knowledge on the subject.  After all, they are happily married.  Also added is "Wise Granny Smith," for a pony's elders are one of the best sources of wisdom and lore.

Finally, she realizes something, looks up, and asks all those in the room, "What is a 'kilt'?"

"It's a traditional outfit from the Scottish Haylands," Atom explained. "Ava's family is originally from Kenmareneigh in the Haylands. It looks kinda like a pleated plaid skirt, but it's actually a bit more complicated than that."

"It's actually wrapped around, rather than having a sewn side seam," Ava nodded. "It's actually traditionally worn by stallions, although mares wear them these days too - mares' kilts tend to be much longer, though I prefer the stallion length, since if I'm wearing the kilt, I'm usually playing bagpipes, and stallion's length are much less cumbersome for that. If I want full length, I usually just go traditional all the way and wear the arisaidh." She grinned, horn a-glowing. "One sec..." Scanning the shelves, she found the book she sought - Cultural Traditions of Equestria and Surrounding Lands. "Here we go - knew it was one of the fallen ones that I'd put back." Taking it down, she flipped it open and showed Shai Ni the picture of a stallion in full Hayland regalia. "That's a kilt," she said, pointing.

<-- Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Silver Spoon enter from Schoolhouse

It didn't take long at all for the fillies to make it to the Library from their school.  Sweet Apple Acres wasn't far from the schoolhouse in the first place, but they'd need Scootaloo's scooter and wagon if they were going to be hauling anything around with their upcoming project.  The girls all clambered up into the wagon and got their helmets set, though the Pegasus' mention to Silver Spoon had the filly aghast.

"Run alongside?!  How is that fair?  I'll get all sweaty!" she protested with a stomp of her hoof. "Besides, how am I supposed to keep up with a scooter?"

"Are y'an Earth Pony or a snail?  Scoots is fast, but it ain't that bad." Applebloom griped as she plunked her helmet onto her head.

"Come on girls, let's get along.  Here Silver -- you can have my spot.  I'll run." Sweetie Belle played peacemaker again as she gave up her seat in the wagon.  The other filly seemed momentarily suspicious but took the helmet all the same and climbed up aboard.

"Just don't drive too recklessly, alright?" she grumbled.  "Ugh... this thing is going to ruin my mane..."

While Ava, Atom, and Shai Ni all took to their conversation, Pinkie Pie was busy with her own affairs.  The bouncy pony hopped about from shelf to shelf, peering at the contents one after another.  Every now and then she'd pluck out a book and flip through it.  Some were taken down, others were put back.  Eventually she had a tidy little heap of books balanced atop her head and leaped back over to the other ponies with an impressive bit of balance since she didn't drop a single one.

"Shai Ni~!  Here you go!  These have got everything you could ever wanna know about Equestrian Romance~!"  she chirped happily as she dropped the books down on the floor.  There was a reason most of those books had been tucked away on the high shelves where young ponies couldn't reach them.  They were all over-dramatic romance novellas; the aforementioned 'bodice busters' quite aptly named since most of the covers featured illustrations of melodramatic couples of ponies posing with one another, manes blowing in the wind and any clothing the two might have been wearing practically falling off their bodies.

Scoots was surprised when Sweetie Belle gave up her seat and helmet to Silver but figured that it was pretty normal for the kindest member of their trio to do that. Taking a few deep breaths and stretching her wings a bit she prepared herself for the haul to Sweet Apple Acres. Even though she made it look easy hauling around a wagon and several fillies was actually really hard work. "Alright girls! Next stop Sweet Apple Acres and then Cutie Marks!" She declared and powered up her wings to A reasonable speed so that it would be easier for her friend to keep pace.

To Sweet Apple Acres--->

Looking at the picture with great interest, Shai Ni is about to ask another question when Pinkie Pie arrives with a great heap of books that surely are tame enough for the romance newbie's sensibilities.  With the sudden thud of books beside her, Shai Ni turns to look at the pile of books, then at the pink Earth Pony, and smiles in appreciation.

"Thank you very much, Miss Pinkie Pie.  I shall start researching immediately."

Her horn glows as she levitates the books and walks over to a reading alcove before sitting down and opening the first book, skimming through the contents.

Reading a bit aloud, Shai Ni smiles as she says, "Then he leaned over her and whispered into her ear, 'My love, I will bring you the most amazing of things.'  She giggled as he... oh.  Oh my.  Oh my."

She then starts turning a bright red, and her face literally begins to glow out of embarrassment.

"It... it is so... descriptive... i-is this... normal?"

Ava facehoofed. "Pinkie... those were bodice-buster romance novels, weren't they?" Craning her neck around to read the title of the one Shai was holding, she groaned. "Oooh, yeah - I accidentally got my hooves on that one as a foal in the library once," she snickered wryly. "Shai, those are, well, fiction. They can be fun to read, and some ponies fantasize about having a relationship like that, but it doesn't usually work like that."

Atom tried hard to keep a straight face, and failed. "You got hold of At the Precipice of Forever as a foal? Wow. I'll bet your mother was just thrilled about that," he snickered.

"Believe me, you have no idea," Ava replied, rolling her eyes. "Inquisitive foal plus adult romance novel equals... a lot of questions. Most of them beginning with either 'Mommy, what does this mean' or 'why,'" she giggled.

"The basic biological aspects are accurate, of course," Atom said, nodding towards the book. "But the conversation is... rather more romanticized than how it would usually go. And the stuff in that book probably isn't first date material," he added. "In all honesty, Shai Ni, the best advice I can give you is to just be yourself - that's what any stallion worth dating is attracted to," he smiled.

Sweetie Belle followed in her big sister's hoof steps when it came to generous behavior.  While Silver Spoon wasn't sure that any of this was going to end well, she did at least appreciate the small gestures... though Applebloom sure didn't seem happy to have one of the local bullies sharing space with her.

"Alright girls! Next stop Sweet Apple Acres and then Cutie Marks!"

"Well, we're certainly going to get to one of those..." the bespectacled filly rolled her eyes, though the speed at which Scootaloo accelerated made her yelp and grab hold of Applebloom for support.

--> And the three exit right back out again for Sweet Apple Acres
This message was last edited by the player at 20:06, Sun 24 June 2012.

"What's wrong with those?  She was asking about stuff like kissing, so I thought it'd work out just fine~!  Plus Chineighs ideals about romance are waaaa~y different than Equestrian, so it's good to get a new frame of reference on the whole thing, right?" Pinkie didn't quite seem to understand the potential consequences of giving the rather literal-minded Shai Ni such tawdry reading material.

"Though... well, Big Mac is a pretty traditional sorta guy.  Real down-to-earth." she added after a beat.  "I don't think you're gonna have to worry about kissing or anything too soon, Shai."

Still brightly glowing, Shai Ni floats the book back onto the pile and asks, "Do... do you all mean that?  That... that is not how they usually go?  And... it is not expected to happen on the... first date?"  Sure, Twilight has caught on fire a few times when overly embarrassed or enraged, but Shai Ni's glowing is entirely new - and likely due to a similar effect.  Thankfully, the assurance that the contents of the novel she was just reading are not standard fare for a date, especially a first date or with Big Macintosh in general, help her calm down considerably to the point that she is no longer literally glowing with embarrassment, and it is now just her cheeks once again.

Looking a bit ashamed, either for having read such things or for her mistaken conclusions, the blushing unicorn asks, "... What do you mean by... first date?  Are there different levels of date?"

"To some extent," Atom nodded. "Avi and I kind of skipped a few steps because we were best friends even as foals - we've known each other for as long as we can remember. But usually there's a period of just enjoying each other's company while you get to know each other better. Just relax, do something you both enjoy, and have a nice evening together."

Ava nodded. "It's not that there's anything wrong with those books - there isn't. They can be a lot of fun to read. But while the tawdry stuff can be fun with someone you're that close to, they're not exactly likely scenarios for a first date." She snickered. "Also, kissing like they do in THOSE books triggers my gag reflex something awful," she giggled. "Atom's right, Shai Ni - just relax and have a nice evening."

Slowly nodding, Shai Ni takes some more notes, this time in her native language, likely elaborating on what she has just learned about dating... and what she has learned she has not learned about dating.  It appears to be rather extensive for such a thing, especially the latter, but there are many, many strokes, so she could just be writing "Dates = Confusing" and nobody would be the wiser.  After a good ten or so seconds of scribbling with the levitating paper and quill, Shai Ni looks up and asks, without a single hint that she is joking whatsoever, "What is... kissing?"

Either she never learned the word in Equestrian, or she is completely innocent about the concept.  One can only hope it is the former.

Atom smirked. "This," he grinned, leaning over and kissing Ava on the lips - definitely not the torrid sort of case described in graphic detail in yon stack of tawdry bodice busters, but definitely more than just a slight peck.

Ava blushed a bit, but while easily embarassed, she clearly was not upset with her stallionfriend in the slightest - she just hadn't expected to be put on the spot in front of somepony else with no warning. "You show-off," she teased, giggling and nudging him in the flank with her back hoof before kissing him back.

"What? She asked, and that was a lot more straight forward than finding a dictionary," he smirked.

"Staright forward, or just forward?" Ava giggled. "As if you wouldn't take any excuse."

"Avi, I need no excuse," he laughed, kissing her again, on the cheek this time.

Shai Ni stares in wonder at the show of affection before the synapses in her brain fire off with the act she is familiar with back home.  "Oooooooooooooooh!  That is kissing!  Back home, that is a show of affection reserved for somepony's... ah," she says, pausing for a moment before continuing, "I think I have a better idea of what a 'date' is now.  Is kissing only done on lips, or is another other part of the body allowed as well?  Such as the cheek, or the forehead?"  She is no longer blushing, as growing up with her parents let her see such things as kissing on a regular basis (not to mention being kissed goodnight when she was a young filly).

Ava nodded. "Cheeks and foreheads are fine - probably more likely than lips on a first date. A guy who's a bit of a traditional gentlestallion might kiss a mare on the fetlock, too - just above the hoof," she added, as Atom took it upon himself to demonstrate the latter - as he'd said, he needed no excuse.

"Uh-huh~!  There's all kinds of kissing too~!  A kiss for every mood and every relation~!"  Pinkie Pie chimed in as she hopped over beside Atom to cant her head in close and bat her eyelashes, tickling his cheek with them.  "There's butterfly kisses--"

With a quick swish she slid over to Ava's side and grabbed her chin, drawing her in close to rub their noses together playfully.  "--and there's Eskimo kisses..."

Next she bounded up onto central desk in the library where a large carving of a horse head bust sat, which she snagged in her hooves and reared back.  The party pony soundly headbutted the carving with a sharp 'whack!' of her noggin', leaving her dizzily swaying about as a result.  "--that's a Glasgow Kiss, but it's not really very romantic unless you're a Ram..." she explained shakily as she dropped off the desk with a thump but immediately bounced back onto her hooves all the same.

"And, of course, there's French Kisses too~!" she giggled as she hopped over to Shai Ni.  Before the more sensible Atom or Ava could do anything to stop her, Pinkie took Shai Ni by the shoulders, dipped her back, and planted a deep kiss right on her lips with an exaggerated 'Mmmmm~wah~!' sound.  Unsurprisingly, it turned out Pinkie Pie tasted quite strongly of sugar.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:32, Mon 25 June 2012.

Shai Ni watches with fascination as Atom demonstrates the gentlestallionly greeting to a mare with Ava, then her fascination turns a bit less inspired and more like she is watching a train wreck as Pinkie Pie moves to demonstrate the various times of kisses.  At first, she giggles at the butterfly and eskimo kiss demonstrations, then winces at the Glasgow kiss.

"Thank you, I think that is en-mmmmmmmmMMMMmmmmMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm~" she begins to say before finding herself bent backwards and kissed deeply by the (overly) friendly Earth Pony.  Strange feelings are mixing in Shai Ni's heart.  On one hoof, she knows that she is not attracted to mares in such a fashion, and so this experience is weirding her out rather strongly.  On the other hoof, Pinkie Pie is definitely no beginner, and aside from the sweet taste, the technique is certainly enjoyable, if a bit... sudden for the poor, romantically inexperienced Chineighs unicorn.  Also, she's glowing again.  Brighter than before.  It is noticeably brighter inside the library than it is outside, and the light coming from the embarrassed mare is beaming through the windows.

When she is finally allowed to breathe once again, Shai Ni gasps and pants, her face a brilliant crimson, then looks at Pinkie Pie for several seconds before saying, "That... that was... I..."

I do not like mares, do I?  I have never felt attracted to them like I have to stallions, but... but that kiss... is there a way to erase my doubts? she thinks before spotting Atom out of the corner of her eye.  Blinking out of existence in Pinkie's arms, she reappears inches from Atom's face and stammers, "I-I-I am confused!  I need you to kiss me!"

Ava gave Atom a barely perceptible nod - she had no need to be territorial or possessive; she knew perfectly well that her stallionfriend was head-over-hooves in love with her, and she with him. His alleviating Shai's confusion would do nothing to change that. Besides, with her gag reflex, he almost never got to french kiss a mare, and she'd wound up accidentally biting his tongue more than once when he'd tried - let the guy have a little fun.

"Um, okay," Atom nodded, clearly more surprised than anything else. Leaning over, he kissed Shai on the lips - his french kiss was considerably less dramatic than Pinkie's, but he wasn't half-bad at it.

Still glowing brightly, Shai Ni very, very slowly pulls back from the kiss and immediately looks down at her hooves, coming to several realizations at once.  Firstly, she is indeed attracted to stallions, not mares.  Secondly, she finds herself wanting to try again.  Thirdly, she gave her first kiss to Pinkie Pie.

She gave her first kiss to Pinkie Pie.

In order to prevent herself from completely freaking out, Shai Ni forcefully shunts certain thoughts into the back of her mind to freak out about later as she says quietly, "... Thank you.  That was... lovely."  Even with her forcing some of the more extreme thoughts out of her mind, Shai Ni is clearly close to her breaking point from sheer embarrassment.

There wasn't much sacred to Pinkie Pie.  While ponies like Shai Ni and Twilight held some sense of treasure to their 'first kisses', she never really understood that concept and invested no merit in it.  What did it matter if it was the first kiss or the hundredth?  If it felt good and made ponies happy, who cared?

"Heeeee~!  This is way more fun than I usually have in the Library~!" the party pony giggled.  She'd produced a pair of dark sunglasses from nowhere in particular and had them on over her smiling blue eyes to block out the raw illumination Shai Ni was putting out.  "Though come to think of it, how come Twilight's not here?  And why was Applejack here instead?  And what're you guys all doing here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Tue 26 June 2012.

"Well, we came here to find a book," Ava said, indicating the copy of Cations, Caustics, and Combustions which she'd retrieved from the shelf.

Thoroughly embarrassed, and thankful for the attention shift, Shai Ni begins inching away from the other ponies before speeding up to a very slow walk towards the books she had been recommended by Pinkie Pie.  Eventually, she makes it over to them, and carefully levitates them over to the ledger where Twilight Sparkle records book checkouts.  Very, very carefully, Shai Ni writes the titles of each book and notes that they are being checked out by herself, with a note saying it is for research (and recommended by Pinkie Pie).  She is not lying, and she will be able to read them... without others around... underneath several blackout sheets so she does not keep all of Ponyville awake with her glowing embarrassment.

She would leave, but she's still glowing rather brightly, and that will attract more attention than she wants.  Which is to say, it will attract attention period.

"Well, I came over 'cause I was sad about Rogue Heart, but it looks like my frowns jumped ship to Applejack instead.  Seems like everypony's been kinda odd lately, huh?  OOH!  I KNOW!" Pinkie squealed as she hopped up on her hind legs and flailed her forelegs about wildly.  "I'll throw a big fun party that'll help get everypony outta their weird funks~!  Hm... themed?  Maybe... costume party?  Those are always lots of fun~!  I wonder if I've got time to get a hold of Vinyl Scratch again..."

[From - Ponyville Business District - Widget Whatsis' Wondrous Works]

With his hands full of a ledger-book, which Quill swore somehow got heavier on the journey between the workshop and the library, the young dragon awkwardly pushed the door to the library open with an elbow. Fortunately, the book did provide quite a convenient thing to hide behind and, with it raised up so as to cover as much of him as possible, Quill remained somewhat hidden behind the book. In the end, it was a choice between hiding his top half and his bottom half, and the top half had won out. Quill's tail, feet and stomach would simply have to fend for themselves.

"Um, I was wonderi-" Quill peered over the top of the book at the small group that had assembled in the library, "-oh, is there a queue?"

"Nope, no queue," Ava assured Quill.

"Well, except over there," Atom laughed, pointing a hoof at the 'Q' section of the shelves. "Whatchya lookin' for?"

While Atom went right into his easy friendly banter, Ava stepped over to Shai Ni and the library ledger, both to sign out Caustics, Cations, and Combustions and to give Shai a reassuring smile. She was herself rather shy, and quite naive about social interactions - it was only with Atom's help that she was improving. "You okay, Shai Ni?" she asked.

Atom's joke about the queue managed to sail over Quill's head and, nervously, he took a few steps in to the library proper, lowering the ledger enough that he could get a slightly better look around.

"Um, an answer to the four hundred and ninety five problem, I guess a book on mathematics, I guess that'd be under M for-" the young dragon stopped as the joke about the queue boomeranged back around and caught him, "I get it! No, I mean, I thought, there was... a, no, never mind, um. Four hundred and ninety five. I need a book about that number."

"Do you have the title?" Atom asked. "Or the author?" It seemed a rather random subject for a book...

"Well, um, no, I'm.. um, it's, can, um, ah, let me show you the problem, then you can help me find the book that's got the answer in, or at least where to start!"

Quill marched over to Atom and laid the ledger down carefully on the ground in front of the unicorn, flipping the book around so that he'd be able to read the pages a little more easily. Opening the book up to the first page, Quill indicated a row of numbers down one side as he read aloud.

"See? Two hundred and eighteen, eight hundred and twenty one, one hundred and twenty eight, six hundred and ninety three, nine hundred and sixty three, three hundred and sixty nine," the dragon paused to take a breath before he carried on, "five hundred and ninety four, nine hundred and fifty four, four hundred and ninety five! It always gets to four hundred and ninety five. Or six thousand and seventy four, but that's only for the bigger numbers."

He stared up at Atom hopefully, as if reeling off the list of numbers was explanation enough as to his problem.

"I'm good with numbers - let's have a look," Atom nodded. "What are these numbers from? They're not likely to mean much of anything without context."

"Well, the two hundred and eighteen is the number of lug nuts Widget ordered two weeks ago, so if you arrange those numbers from biggest to smallest, you get eight hundred and twenty one, then you subtract the numbers smallest to biggest, so that's," Quill peered at the book thoughtfully, his tongue poking out one side of his mouth, as nothing helps you concentrate more on a problem than that, "eight hundred and twenty one, minus one hundred and twenty eight, you get six hundred and ninety three. Then if you do the same thing to that number, you get five hundred and ninety four, then you do it again, and- bam! Four hundred and ninety five! It's the same with the one hundred and forty five different gears Widget has."

Pulling his gaze away from the book of numbers, he looked up at Atom somewhat skeptically.

"Um, I'm Quill, thanks for the help, good-with-numbers-pony."

Pinkie Pie had been rather amused by both Shai Ni's antics and Quill's appearance.  But all the talk of numbers has her pondering as hard as her ponderously pondering ponderer could ponder.

"Well, what about the seven-hundred and eighty one sprockets he has lined up in the workshop?  Or the five-hundred and seventy three shingles on his roof?  Or the one-hundred and fourteen steps it takes to get from his workshop to the flower stand down the way?" she piped in curiously.

"Seven hundred and eighty one, eight hundred and seventy one minus one hundred and seventy eight is six hundred and ninety three..." Quill's voice descended in to a quiet mumble as he counted numbers on his claws, before looking from Pinkie Pie to Atom, "...and that comes to four hundred and ninety five again! Even the sprockets are in on this, and, Widget's not here, so I can't ask him, I mean, he'd know, um, about this, I'm sure, why else would he make sure all the things work out to four hundred and ninety five?"

Atom shrugged. "My guess would be that he just likes the underlying sense of order. It's a crazy world out there that doesn't always make a lot of sense, and some folks just find a little grounding and comfort in a regular pattern like that. I'm Atom, by the way," he added, grinning.

"Hiiiiiiiiii~"

Shai Ni remains still, hoping that she will calm down, stop glowing, and be able to leave the library.  Obviously, however, Avagadra is not a mare who is entirely dependent upon motion to see things, as she finds Shai Ni rather easily.  Please don't do anything, please don't do anything, please don't do anything, please don't do anything, the eastern unicorn pleads in her mind as she spots Ava approaching.  Luckily for her, Ava complies with her silent pleading and simply shows concern in a manner that appears to be... empathetic?

Very carefully, Shai sits down and tries to hide her face with her hooves as she replies, "... I am so ashamed and embarrassed.  I only wished to know about the tradition known as a 'date', but I made poor Miss Applejack so nervous, and I am sure I made Miss Twilight Sparkle nervous as well, and then I come here and end up a-a-asking... t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-to... k-k-k-kiss... y-your Special Somepony... and... and Miss Pinkie Pie kissed me... a-and it was my first kiss... and now I am telling my woes to somepony I have never met before and my ancestors must truly be ashamed of me now..."

So, the short answer is... No, Shai Ni is not okay.

"Nice to, um, meet you, Atom! I guess I'll need a book on mathematics and pony psychology," he offered a claw up to Atom, although his eyes inevitably drifted over towards Shai Ni, although he could only make out a few of the words she was saying - something about dates, and ancestors? Lowering his voice to a whisper, he stood up on his toes so he could be heard by Atom.

"What happened to the yellow unicorn with the pretty hair? Is today a bad date? Should we check a calendar?"

"Equestrian isn't her first language, and she was having some translational difficulties," Atom answered Quill, sparing the details for Shai's sake - the poor mare was already embarrassed enough. "It happens. No need to consult the calendar. I spent a term studying in Stalliongrad, and had a few translational mishaps myself," he chuckled.

Ava gently put a hoof around the poor mare's shoulders. "Don't worry - everypony will understand. Making sense of other cultures can lead to a few misunderstandings, and doing it in a second language can only add to that. I'm sure nopony is upset with you - it happens. And we all need a friendly ear sometimes," she smiled.

Slowly lifting her head, Shai Ni looks up at Avagadra before smiling faintly, closing her eyes, and resting her head on the taller pony's shoulder (being careful, of course, not to spear Ava with her horn).  As the glow of her body slowly fades to be a normal blush instead, the small pony replies, "Thank you so much, Miss.  I... you have been so helpful, and I do not even know your name.  I... I heard your special somepony call you 'Avi', but I am not sure if that is your name or... something that only he gets to call you, so I am... hesitant... to use it without permission."

"That must be pretty diffi-" Quill cut himself short, thinking that it probably wasn't helping the yellow unicorn to be talking about her like that and, as he finally managed to pull his eyes back to looking up at Atom, the dragon cleared his throat with a cough.

"So, um, books, I'm... um, going to get some," he bent down to scoop back up the ledger book, "maybe something like Ponies & Their Symbols for the Widget problem, and, um, some... um, well, I'm still no closer on the numbers front, but that can wait."

Carrying the ledger over towards the P section, Quill began to remove from the shelf almost every book he could find that was even vaguely relating to psychology. A few were left on the shelves after a cursory inspection, but the pile of books was still steadily growing.