Black Celebrationby SonicRainboomGirlChapters1. Black Celebration2. Fly on the Windscreen3. A Question of Lust4. Sometimes1. Black CelebrationBLACK CELEBRATION The night was black. Babs Seed could hardly see her own hoofsteps as she ran through the darkness. It would have been impossible to see her pink mane in the black night, but wind whipped through it feverishly. Her eyes peered into the aphotic scenery as she ran, and she grinned. The night belonged to Babs Seed! It was a hot, windy night. The wind was ferocious and threatened to topple Babs over at any moment. The heat was intense, and it was hard to breathe. The air, however, was extremely refreshing and kept Babs running. She found it exciting to be fighting the elements. "Babs!" she heard a voice call, and the mare looked into the sky, stopping her hooves with sudden force. It was Scootaloo, flying in majestically from the skies. The swift pegasus made a quick stop in front of Babs, her brilliant wings closing instinctively. She shook out her mane and grinned at Babs, putting out a hoof. Babs bumped it with her own and gestured towards their destination. Scootaloo's eyes narrowed, accepting a challenge. Babs took a breath in, nodding, and the two rocketed towards the Cutie Mark Crusader's tree house. Their hooves pounded on the soft earth and their eyes stung slightly from the wind. The ground grew more and more worn as Scootaloo and Babs neared the old treehouse, and as they neared Apple Bloom came into sight. Apple Bloom stood on the porch of the treehouse, and she looked as she usually did. Her long red mane was braided and she wore a bright green bandanna around her neck. Nopony could actually see the color of it, but Apple Bloom almost never went without her bandanna and they all knew what color it was anyways. She wore a bow, and it whipped in the wind as much as her bangs. "Babs! Scootaloo!" Apple Bloom called, opening the door to the treehouse for them. "Wait for me!" cried another voice, higher in pitch. Sweetie Belle ran into sight, frantically trying to keep up with the athletic ponies. Sweetie Belle wasn't very good at running, and she didn't need to be. Sweetie Belle was a music addict, a singer with the voice of an angel. Her pink-and-purple swirled mane, with luscious curls, danced in the frantic wind. Babs Seed and Scootaloo quickly entered the treehouse, which was warm and bright. Sweetie Belle quickly caught up with them, and with one finalSLAMthey were all inside. The treehouse had changed from when they were foals. A lush, crimson rug carpeted the floor and the walls were covered in artwork courtesy of Apple Bloom. The scarlet-maned filly had found her cutie mark in painting and artwork in general. She was an artist at heart, and the walls of the treehouse were her canvas throughout life. Apple Bloom had lit candles, and only a few had been blown out so far. Paintings of wings and bleeding hearts surrounded them, and the whole room smelled of smoke and vanilla. The light in the treehouse was dim, and the creepy black drawings on the walls of the treehouse created a truly gothic atmosphere. Babs Seed smirked at the girls and went to the closet, pulling from it the keg of cider they had kept hidden. It was time to have a black celebration. At the end of every week, Babs, Sweetie, Bloom, and Scoots would all meet up and drink as much as they could by candlelight. They played drinking games and told stories to unwind. They drew funny pictures and talked about boys they liked. The best thing, though, is that is was always dim. They could still see eachother in the candlelight, but they liked it to be as dark as possible. That's why the called it a black celebration. It was a practice in survival, but also a routine in trust. "Cider time," Babs said, grinning. The girls knew their routine. Sweetie Belle pulled a stack of cards off of a nearby shelf, and Scootaloo pulled the glasses out from under that. Apple Bloom took a seat on the rug, and soon the girls all joined her, sitting in a tight circle. Sweetie Belle shuffled the cards and scattered them about. Apple Bloom poured cider into every glass and soon everypony had a drink in hoof. "Let's have a black celebration!" Scootaloo declared, holding her drink up. "What are we celebrating?" Sweetie Belle asked. "A black celebration tonight!" Babs chuckled and clinked her glass against Scootaloo's. "To celebrate the fact that we've seen the back of another black day!" Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom clinked their glasses with the others, and they all took a swig of acrid cider. Giggling, Sweetie Belle took the first card up. "Jack of clubs!" Sweetie Belle called. "That means stallions drink," Apple Bloom groaned. "We're off to a great start," Scootaloo muttered, and Babs laughed. "We should get some colts up in here sometime," Babs said, grinning deviously. "No WAY!" Sweetie Belle gasped, breaking into embarrassed laughter. Sweetie Belle was always shy around colts, unlike her friends. "Why not?" Babs asked, "Colts are a lot of fun." "Especially between your legs!" Scootaloo said, and Apple Bloom high-hoofed her orange friend in approval. Scootaloo picked up the next card. "10 of clubs! That's social, everypony drinks!" And everypony did. Apple Bloom picked up the next card. "King. That's a waterfall!" Apple Bloom picked up her drink, glared at it for a moment. She then took a big drink, glugging her cider down. Babs took her drink up and copied Apple Bloom, then Sweetie Belle, and finally Scootaloo. Apple Bloom could drink for a long time, and by the time she was done Sweetie Belle and Babs were gasping for air. Scootaloo drank for the longest, and that made her King. "Nice one," Sweetie Belle gasped. She liked to drink, but she liked to sip her alcohol. Babs flipped the next card over. "Six of hearts! That's an I Never. I never....kissed my cousin!" Babs declared. Apple Bloom leaned over, dragging Babs' shoulder down, and kissed her right on the lips. Babs couldn't believe that her cousin had such soft lips, and they tasted like strawberry lip-gloss. Apple Bloom was probably wearing some. Suddenly Apple Bloom snaked her tongue into Babs' mouth, and wiggled it on the roof of her mouth, tickling her unsuspecting cousin. When the kiss parted everyone broke into laughter once more. Babs was blushing and she breathed heavily. "You gotta drink, Babs!" Apple Bloom said, taking a drink herself. "You didn't have to use tongue!" Babs laughed, taking another sip of her cider. Babs admired her cousin, and even though she was younger, she really looked up to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom could carry on when all hope was gone, and in her optimistic eyes life was paradise. Sweetie Belle drew a card. "Ace!" Sweetie Belle immediately took one drink. "Four! Questions!" Scootaloo shouted, excited. This was her favorite part of any game. "Hey Babs! Why do you touch yourself?" "Why did your Mom fuck your Dad?" Babs asked her right back, evoking laughter from Apple Bloom. "Why do I hate my life?" Scootaloo asked Apple Bloom, waving a hoof in the air dramatically. "Why do I want to take you up in my arms?" Apple Bloom asked Sweetie Belle, fluttering her eyelashes coyly. "Why do you want to forget all you couldn't do today?" Sweetie Belle asked Scootaloo, putting a hoof to her forehead in fake woe. "There's nothing I couldn't do today!" Scootaloo shouted, her wings flapping excitedly. She had done it. She had lost at her own favorite game. "Damnit!" Scootaloo shouted, throwing her card to the ground. Sweetie Belle high-hoofed Apple Bloom and Babs. Apple Bloom drew an 8. "Categories. I choose... Tonight." "Apple Bloom," Babs said, looking to Sweetie Belle for the next word. "Belief!" Sweetie Belle said, putting a hoof to her heart dramatically. Scootaloo rolled her eyes, and groaned. "Ugh! Relief!" She took another sip of her drink, clearly happy to be unwinding after a tough week. The other girls could relate. They looked to Apple Bloom and she grinned at them. "Black Celebration!" she declared, lifting her drink high into the air. They all clinked glasses, drunk and happy to be in the company of good friends. "I'll drink to that!" Babs declared. And they did. 2. Fly on the WindscreenA dusty vinyl record span around on a gramophone, and Sweetie Belle adjusted her glasses as she sang along to a dark tune. Her room was warm, and the decor was pink and purple. Her sister, Rarity, had sewn the comfortable blankets on her bed. Sweetie Belle sighed, looking at the quilted sheets. Her attention was once more drawn towards the gramophone, and she continued to sing. Sweetie Belle's heart was pounding. Her head ached. She felt anxious shivers all throughout her body, hot and cold. She had thought, at first, that she was sick, but Sweetie didn't run a temperature. Her throat wasn't sore, her nostrils were clear. Her ears were fine, and they enjoyed sweet music more than ever. Sweetie Belle groaned, shutting the music off and flinging her glasses onto her side-table. She shook her curly mane and moaned again, flinging herself onto her bed. She was twitching, and her tongue explored every inch of her own mouth. Finally the doorbell rang. Apple Bloom had arrived! Sweetie Belle quickly ran downstairs, eager to leave her strange feelings behind. She flung open the door, and Apple Bloom welcomed herself inside. "Hey Sweetie!" Bloom said, nuzzling her friend's shoulder affectionately. It felt...really nice. "H-Hey Apple Bloom," Sweetie Belle said, feeling hot. Apple Bloom climbed the stairs to Sweetie's room and Sweetie Belle followed. This had become a routine. "How ya feeling?" Apple Bloom asked once they were inside Sweetie Belle's room. Sweetie wasn't sure how to answer. She didn't know what was going on, and it made her extremely uncomfortable. "Weird," Sweetie Belle replied, shaking her head in dismay. Apple Bloom took a seat on the floor and invited Sweetie Belle to as well. Sweetie took a seat next to her best friend, coughing uncomfortably. "You're pretty bright red," Apple Bloom said, winking at Sweetie Belle. Sweetie put a hoof to her face and felt it, suddenly realizing that she was blushing intensely. "Oh gosh!" Sweetie Belle gasped, shocked. "What's up?" Apple Bloom asked, clearly very curious. "I don't know!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed, feeling hopeless. Her legs twitched and Apple Bloom stared at her carefully. "Describe your symptoms," Bloom said, trying to sound professional. "I feel... I feel sad. And my heart wont stop pounding like I've run a race, and I've got this sort of head ache. There isn't really any pain but there's this... this longing. I'm not sick but-" "You've got spring fever!" Apple Bloom declared, putting a foreleg around her friend's shoulder. "I've got- what?" Sweetie Belle asked. "The twitchies. You ache and you feel restless and totally miserable. And then ya see a mighty cute looking stallion and you think damn! Ah'd like to take a bite out of that! Ya feel aggressive, filled with energy, and you grow more and more restless until..." "Until what!" Sweetie Belle demanded, stomping her hoof on the ground. "Until you get laid, of course!" Bloom laughed. "Oh..." Sweetie Belle said, looking to the ground in shame. "What, you've never felt the twitchies before?" Apple Bloom asked, looking surprised at her friend. "No, n-not really..." Sweetie Belle said shyly. The whole ordeal didn't really sound like her. She was aching, she did feel restless, and she was miserable. However, she'd never really been liked by any stallions in the way that she had liked them, and she'd never felt aggressive impulses towards them. If what Apple Bloom said was accurate, Sweetie Belle would meet a whole new side of herself. And that sounded really scary. "You're a virgin, aren't you?" Apple Bloom asked. "Of course!" Sweetie Belle squealed, taken back. She thought that her friends were only joking when they made sexual comments. "Well, Ah've got a secret for you, Sweetie," Apple Bloom started. Sweetie Belle braced herself for the worst. "I'm a virgin too. The twitchies and Ah go hoof to hoof." Sweetie Belle breathed a sigh of relief. Apple Bloom was pure. "But Ah'd like to change that. You see, Sweetie Belle, Ah'm an artist. Ah live my life lookin' for passion. My life is really borin'. There ain't no passion around for miles and miles. This is a borin' little town with borin' little ponies and Ah'm sick of it. Ah'm losin' inspiration for my art! And my art is my life! It just feels terrible. Ah'm tired of being a virgin. Ah think that sex is exactly what will fix my lack of inspiration." "But it's so dangerous!" Sweetie Belle protested, shocked at her friend's behavior. "No, Sweetie Belle, it's not." Apple Bloom shook her head, confused with her friend. "Ah mean, our parents did it. How dangerous could it be?" "There are diseases! Infections!" "There's also love. There's feeling," Apple Bloom said sadly, looking to the floor in sadness. Sweetie Belle understood. "I'll stand by you," Sweetie Belle assured her friend, giving her a tight hug. Apple Bloom nodded, looking suddenly numb. "We'll find a stallion for each of us," Apple Bloom declared as they entered town square. Sweetie Belle nodded, feeling her heart race. She scanned the crowd with her lovely green eyes, and as if it were fated she spotted two colts that she knew well. "Do you ever talk to Featherweight or Lickety Split?" Sweetie Belle asked, looking them over. Featherweight was tall and lanky with huge brown eyes and a sleek chocolate mane. Next to him stood Lickety Split, who had a rich chocolate coat, a platinum blonde mane, and big blue eyes. Lickety Split was clearly more muscular than Featherweight, and Featherweight was a bit taller than Split. "Not really..." Apple Bloom said, looking them over, "But Lickety Split is pretty cute. Aww, look! He has an ice cream cutie mark! Well, Ah'd let him put a cherry on top of me." Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. "I thought you wanted him to pop your cherry," "Well, that too," Apple Bloom said, "Mmm, whipped cream escapades." "You're so gross!" Sweetie Belle squealed, feeling her face beginning to redden already. Since Apple Bloom had mentioned it earlier that morning, she had really been paying attention to her temperature. "Ah'd let him lickety MY split. Slit. Ha!" Apple Bloom cracked her self up, giggling aloud for all to hear. "Stop it!" Sweetie Belle complained. "Nuts on top." Apple Bloom grinned at her friend, her bright green bandanna beginning to flow a little in the breeze. It wasn't tied to Bloom's neck very well, and Sweetie Belle watched it shake. Sweetie Belle groaned at Bloom's bad joke. She shook her head, focusing her eyes on Featherweight. He looked clean, and friendly. He and Lickety Split were talking, and Featherweight's smile never left his face. He had big, adorable ears that curved forward delicately. He was slender and lengthy, which Sweetie Belle actually thought was pretty cute. She had always been on the small side, and was still the shortest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She had always been attracted to taller stallions for some reason, and she wasn't sure why. She didn't have much of a history with Featherweight. He had run the school newspaper when they were small foals, and they had talked a few times. But she couldn't even remember his voice, and Sweetie Belle could remember almost anything she listened to. "Well, are we jus' gonna stand here or what?" Apple Bloom said, nudging Sweetie Belle. "Let's go," Sweetie Belle nodded, and the two ponies began to cross the street. Sweetie Belle was incredibly nervous, and she kept her head looking towards the ground for the majority of her walk over to see the two stallions. She breathed heavily, nervousy. In an instant Sweetie Belle was thrown to the hard ground, painfully, and she became suddenly aware of warmth sheltering her from the sky. She breathed heavily, the wind knocked out of her. She was disoriented, and as her vision came to focus she saw beautiful brown eyes staring into her own. Sweetie Belle stared into the eyes for a few seconds longer, entranced in their depth. She suddenly realized that there was a face attached, and it became visible as Featherweight. "Are you okay?" Featherweight asked, looking very worried. Sweetie suddenly remembered that he had a lovely tenor voice, delicate and gentle. She saw his wings fold onto his back, as they had just been out. "Uh," Sweetie Belle stuttered, not breaking her gaze. "Sorry about that," Featherweight apologized, climbing off of her, "But a carriage just blasted through and was about to hit you straight on. I got to you first, luckily. Sorry about my indecency, however." "Thank you," Sweetie Belle said, smiling at him nervously. She was definitely red now. "Of course," Featherweight replied, "injury is no fun. Not to mention death." Featherweight's words really hit Sweetie Belle hard. She could have been killed, killed as easily as a fly on a windscreen turned to splatter. It reminded her that she, and this new colt, could have been torn apart. They could still be torn apart, even that very same night. Sweetie Belle shivered. She was just a lamb for the slaughter. "Are you cold?" Featherweight asked, noticing Sweetie Belle's shivering. "A bit," Sweetie Belle lied. She still had the twitchies and she was now contemplating her mortality. It was a sick combination. "Well then, as an apology for toppling you over, why don't I take you somewhere warm," Featherweight suggested, accompanying Sweetie Belle over to the other side of the road. Apple Bloom and Lickety Split were already waiting for them, looking pretty concerned. "Are you okay?" Lickety Split asked Sweetie Belle, his wide blue eyes checking her over. "Yes, I'm fine," Sweetie Belle nervously answered, suddenly quite embarrassed. Featherweight, noticing her embarrassment, made a suggestion. "Hey, let's go out somewhere." Featherweight smiled at Sweetie Belle, and she smiled back. 3. A Question of LustRain was pouring down from the sky, soaking Sweetie Belle and covering her in mud. Her white coat was completely stained, and her curly mane was nearly straight from the weight of the water. She shivered, shaking her head and running further through the muddy feild. Sweetie had just experienced one of the greatest afternoons of her life. Only a few weeks had passed since she met Featherweight, but she felt a very real connection with him. Staring into his brown eyes she could see a reflection of herself in more ways than one. Sweetie Belle entered the Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse last, and the other girls were already sitting in a circle with cards out. They were all soaking wet, and had their drinks seated close by. The room was dark and candle-lit as usual, and it smelled like home. The other fillies turned around to look at Sweetie Belle and had different reactions. Apple Bloom smiled pleasantly at her friend and patted the ground next to her. "Take a seat, Sweetie," she beckoned. Sweetie nodded and placed herself next to Bloom. "Now!" Scootaloo declared, reaching for her first card, "let's play! Three!" Sweetie Belle poured herself a glass of cider and took three quick shots. Apple Bloom drew a card. "Three," she muttered, and the girls all drank again. Babs took a card. "Ace," she said, and they all drank. Sweetie Belle feared that she would get very drunk very quickly. Scootaloo burped abruptly and without apology. Sweetie took a card. "Queen. Girls drink." Sweetie squeezed her eyes shut and took another sip of acrid cider. She was already a bit dizzy, not one known for holding her liquor well. "We are on the road to shitfaced!" Scootaloo exclaimed, shaking her head in amazement and taking up a card. "Eight. Categories..." Scootaloo began, looking to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom nodded. "Things I did this week," Scootaloo started a chain. "Lost my virginity!" Apple Bloom declared. The game came to an abrupt halt and the girls all stared at Bloom in shock. Sweetie Belle put her drink down carefully, her eyes widening. Was Apple Bloom drunk or serious? "Congratulations!" Scootaloo leaned over and gave her friend a tight hug. Babs and Sweetie Belle exchanged a glance. Sweetie Belle wasn't sure whether or not Babs was a virgin, but she hadn't expected Apple Bloom to be so changed suddenly. It had only been a few weeks since she met Lickety Split, not long enough to know somepony well enough to fuck them, in Sweetie's opinion. She couldn't believe her ears. When Scootaloo had lost her virginity, it had been a total shock to Sweetie. They had been much younger, and Scootaloo was already on a streak. Sweetie had expected the second time this happened to be less shocking. It wasn't. "It happened just yesterday, actually," Apple Bloom bragged. "Wow, I figured you'd need to drink a lot before you were anyones. Details," Babs demanded, engrossed. Bloom chuckled and adjusted her green bandanna, then began to speak. "Well, you guys all heard that I have a coltfriend now. We were both feeling fine yesterday, and he was looking pretty great too..." Sweetie Belle listened, not a word escaping her lips. Apple Bloom had already found her passion. Had it given her artistic inspiration? Sweetie wasn't sure, and she wasn't sure if Bloom knew either. "I think I'm in love with you, Sweetie Belle..." Several more weeks had passed. Sweetie Belle and Featherweight were in her room, cuddling on top of the bed. Sitting upright, Sweetie Belle had her head on his shoulder. He had one foreleg wrapped delicately around her. She was blushing; the whole situation was so innocent. Sweetie Belle's girly bedroom had been host to their sessions of deep talking and kissing for a few weeks. They hadn't done any real touching. They hadn't even considered it, and if they had they hadn't said a word to one another. The innocence was fun. Sweetie Belle was intuitive, and not unaware to what was happening. The two ponies were nurturing real love. Sweetie Belle noted how warm Featherweight's forelegs were around her soft body. Strands of his mane rested gently against her cheek and the situation was extremely fragile. She felt like a baby in his arms. "Can you promise me something, Featherweight?" Sweetie Belle asked, kissing him on the cheek. She was thinking partially of Apple Bloom. Bloom had started bragging up how much fun it was to be rough with Lickety Split. Sweetie Belle didn't think she could handle it. "What is it?" Featherweight asked, genuinely curious. "Please, be gentle with me. With my feelings, and...well..." "Sweetie Belle, I'd never willingly do you harm," Featherweight answered plainly, absolving some of Sweetie Belle's fears. She still felt insecure. "I'm sorry for asking, I guess it's a given," Sweetie Belle sighed. She wondered why exactly she felt so nervous. She was just now learning to trust Featherweight. They hadn't known one another long. But he was still so extremely trustworthy and kind. Why didn't she feel safe? "You know, apologies are all I seem to get from you. There's no need to apologize. I want to get to know you too. I like you." Featherweight affectionately placed a kiss on Sweetie Belle's cheek and she blushed redder than ever. She smiled happily and wiggled closer to his warmth. She was being cared for, and it made her feel like a dependent foal. Still, it was a wonderful feeling. She was so used to being independent. Even her own parents didn't care anymore. "Sweetie Belle, you know..." Featherweight began, looking into her eyes, "this is a question of lust. This is a question of trust. I am not letting what we've built up crumble to dust." "You mean it?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Of course," Featherweight insisted. "Let's go out for dinner tomorrow," Sweetie Belle decided, "at someplace nice." "I'll pay!" Featherweight promised, smiling. He was always doing favors for her and it made her feel blessed. It was every time he opened the door for her. It was every gentle kiss. It was the way he held her close. It was all of those things and more that kept them together. "Well, I suppose I should take you home now," Sweetie Belle said, looking out her window and realizing that the sun was going down. Featherweight nodded and stepped off the bed. The two pale young ponies walked to her door, kissing a few times just to savor the feeling. They swaggered down the hallway and out the front door together, blushing immensely. Sweetie Belle shook out her frazzled mane and Featherweight copied her action. "Sweetie Belle!" Sweetie Belle turned around as a cry rang out. Rarity was leaning out the kitchen window slightly. "Yes, Rarity?" Sweetie called back. "Can you stop at Sugarcube Corner and pick up some bread?" Rarity asked, "We're out!" "Yes, Rarity..." Sweetie Belle replied unhappily, and began walking forward again with Featherweight. She was really tired of doing favors for her sister. She heard Rarity's window close and she sighed aloud. "What's the matter?" Featherweight asked. "I'm really tired of doing things for her. Why doesn't she do things for herself? She's a grown mare! Fully capable! No, I have to do everything for her. I wish I was out of the house already." "Do you really?" Featherweight queried, fascinated. "Yes!" Sweetie Belle replied, surprised that he didn't feel the same way. "Well, it's not that I don't agree. I like the thought of living on my own quite appealing. I simply think that letting go is a stupid mistake quite a lot of the time. Er...do you know what I mean?" Sweetie Belle thought about it. He was obviously quite a sentimental soul. "I know what you mean," she replied, reaching the end of the sidewalk. Featherweight didn't live far away from her, only a short walking distance. She put a hoof in the road, ready to cross the street, when Featherweight instinctively put a wing out in front of her. "Check," he protectively warned, clearly not wanting her to get nearly ran over again. Sweetie Belle blinked at him, grateful for his car. He knew each and every one of her weaknesses. It frightened her. "Thank you," Sweetie responded as they crossed the street together. His house was only a few buildings down now, and all that stood between them and goodbye was a white sidewalk. The two walked in silence, leaning on one another, and soon reached his front door. Sweetie Belle gave him one last kiss, a soft and sweet kiss that only lasted a few seconds. It was clearly filled with secret longing, but mostly lots of love. Featherweight leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Sweetie Belle, when I'm on my own, you know, I'd rather be home." "What do you mean?" Sweetie Belle asked, confused. "I'd rather be with you. I love you." Sweetie Belle watched as he walked inside his house, gingerly opening the front door and stepping inside. She was not letting her relationship crumble to dust. 4. SometimesBabs Seed blew her pink bangs from her eyes and turned another corner. She wanted to scream, she had so much pent up energy inside of her. For once she wished that she could just be a pegasus. For fucks sake, Celestia could make people turn into alicorns, why couldn't she make Babs a pegasus for just one day? How much she envied her friend Scootaloo, who could blast through the clouds at a moments notice. Celestia knew that Scootaloo was blasting through the clouds at that exact moment. Babs wished she could join her. Babs wished she could go to a party tonight. But...not really. Babs didn't feel like drinking or smoking or screaming or kissing or doing anything crazy like that. She was frustrated enough that she could scream, yes, but she didn't want to howl like a timberwolf. All she wanted was to be wanted for once. Babs thought, like she often did, and she observed as she always did. As the little almost-mare walked through Ponyville at night, she couldn't help but wish a million different wishes. She wondered where she was going to go in life. She'd earned her cutie mark, yes, but it could mean a million things. How was she to know? She was especially talented with growing plants, she had an incredible green hoof. She was naturally drawn to farm life, but she knew it would bore her to pieces eventually. She wanted a life filled with action and excitement. What was she to do? Babs had a secret. She always acted like Scootaloo's party-filly companion. She acted like she was just as perverted as the rest of her friends, and she tried to be fun. But Babs seed wasn't interested in sex, or cider, or "finding" herself. Babs was interested in figuring out where she was going to go, and doing it rationally. If she fell in love along the way so what. If she had some fun along the way, that wouldn't hurt. But she didn't go out of her way looking for it. Besides, fun always seemed to show up right in front of her. And it did, at that exact moment. It wasn't too late, and the town's fancy jewelry store was still open. Babs chuckled, thinking to herself that she could really use a rush. A rush always seemed to clear her head. She put her hood up over her head, disguising her bright pink mane and making her look just like everypony else. Babs entered the local jewelry store and browsed cheerfully. She didn't look suspicious, and her eyes never stared at one item for too long. Surrounding her were the town's richest and most romantic. She was the only young lady in the shop, and other ponies eyed her begrudgingly on occasion. Babs rolled her eyes and made her way inconspicuously to a little corner of the store where nopony could catch her. They hadn't seemed to recognize her, and she'd put a lot of trouble into not being noticed or looked at for too long. She looked at the little pretty pieces around her, things that she would never wear. She wanted them, so she took them. Two pearl earrings and one diamond necklace later, and Babs quietly made her way out of the store. She had pocketed the expensive jewelry, and was walking away quietly. "Well, if it isn't Babs Seed!" she heard a voice say, and turned to see a very familiar face. An ex-friend of hers, an enemy of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Diamond Tiara, the heiress of this shop, was standing in front of her in a lovely blue dress. "Uh...hi?" Babs said, mumbling. "What are you doing in here?" Diamond asked, not sounding very friendly. "I'm just checking out the shop," Babs explained. "It's awfully late, don't you think?" Diamond Tiara growled. "Your point being?" Babs challenged, standing her ground instinctively. Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes and turned around, strutting away proudly. "You can't afford anything in here," she said over her shoulder, and Babs took a step back. It was true, but it still filled her with rage. "Bitch," she said under her breath, storming away and seething. The world was such a nasty place, filled with nasty little ponies like Diamond Tiara. Sometimes she just had to question everything.
1. Black CelebrationBLACK CELEBRATION The night was black. Babs Seed could hardly see her own hoofsteps as she ran through the darkness. It would have been impossible to see her pink mane in the black night, but wind whipped through it feverishly. Her eyes peered into the aphotic scenery as she ran, and she grinned. The night belonged to Babs Seed! It was a hot, windy night. The wind was ferocious and threatened to topple Babs over at any moment. The heat was intense, and it was hard to breathe. The air, however, was extremely refreshing and kept Babs running. She found it exciting to be fighting the elements. "Babs!" she heard a voice call, and the mare looked into the sky, stopping her hooves with sudden force. It was Scootaloo, flying in majestically from the skies. The swift pegasus made a quick stop in front of Babs, her brilliant wings closing instinctively. She shook out her mane and grinned at Babs, putting out a hoof. Babs bumped it with her own and gestured towards their destination. Scootaloo's eyes narrowed, accepting a challenge. Babs took a breath in, nodding, and the two rocketed towards the Cutie Mark Crusader's tree house. Their hooves pounded on the soft earth and their eyes stung slightly from the wind. The ground grew more and more worn as Scootaloo and Babs neared the old treehouse, and as they neared Apple Bloom came into sight. Apple Bloom stood on the porch of the treehouse, and she looked as she usually did. Her long red mane was braided and she wore a bright green bandanna around her neck. Nopony could actually see the color of it, but Apple Bloom almost never went without her bandanna and they all knew what color it was anyways. She wore a bow, and it whipped in the wind as much as her bangs. "Babs! Scootaloo!" Apple Bloom called, opening the door to the treehouse for them. "Wait for me!" cried another voice, higher in pitch. Sweetie Belle ran into sight, frantically trying to keep up with the athletic ponies. Sweetie Belle wasn't very good at running, and she didn't need to be. Sweetie Belle was a music addict, a singer with the voice of an angel. Her pink-and-purple swirled mane, with luscious curls, danced in the frantic wind. Babs Seed and Scootaloo quickly entered the treehouse, which was warm and bright. Sweetie Belle quickly caught up with them, and with one finalSLAMthey were all inside. The treehouse had changed from when they were foals. A lush, crimson rug carpeted the floor and the walls were covered in artwork courtesy of Apple Bloom. The scarlet-maned filly had found her cutie mark in painting and artwork in general. She was an artist at heart, and the walls of the treehouse were her canvas throughout life. Apple Bloom had lit candles, and only a few had been blown out so far. Paintings of wings and bleeding hearts surrounded them, and the whole room smelled of smoke and vanilla. The light in the treehouse was dim, and the creepy black drawings on the walls of the treehouse created a truly gothic atmosphere. Babs Seed smirked at the girls and went to the closet, pulling from it the keg of cider they had kept hidden. It was time to have a black celebration. At the end of every week, Babs, Sweetie, Bloom, and Scoots would all meet up and drink as much as they could by candlelight. They played drinking games and told stories to unwind. They drew funny pictures and talked about boys they liked. The best thing, though, is that is was always dim. They could still see eachother in the candlelight, but they liked it to be as dark as possible. That's why the called it a black celebration. It was a practice in survival, but also a routine in trust. "Cider time," Babs said, grinning. The girls knew their routine. Sweetie Belle pulled a stack of cards off of a nearby shelf, and Scootaloo pulled the glasses out from under that. Apple Bloom took a seat on the rug, and soon the girls all joined her, sitting in a tight circle. Sweetie Belle shuffled the cards and scattered them about. Apple Bloom poured cider into every glass and soon everypony had a drink in hoof. "Let's have a black celebration!" Scootaloo declared, holding her drink up. "What are we celebrating?" Sweetie Belle asked. "A black celebration tonight!" Babs chuckled and clinked her glass against Scootaloo's. "To celebrate the fact that we've seen the back of another black day!" Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom clinked their glasses with the others, and they all took a swig of acrid cider. Giggling, Sweetie Belle took the first card up. "Jack of clubs!" Sweetie Belle called. "That means stallions drink," Apple Bloom groaned. "We're off to a great start," Scootaloo muttered, and Babs laughed. "We should get some colts up in here sometime," Babs said, grinning deviously. "No WAY!" Sweetie Belle gasped, breaking into embarrassed laughter. Sweetie Belle was always shy around colts, unlike her friends. "Why not?" Babs asked, "Colts are a lot of fun." "Especially between your legs!" Scootaloo said, and Apple Bloom high-hoofed her orange friend in approval. Scootaloo picked up the next card. "10 of clubs! That's social, everypony drinks!" And everypony did. Apple Bloom picked up the next card. "King. That's a waterfall!" Apple Bloom picked up her drink, glared at it for a moment. She then took a big drink, glugging her cider down. Babs took her drink up and copied Apple Bloom, then Sweetie Belle, and finally Scootaloo. Apple Bloom could drink for a long time, and by the time she was done Sweetie Belle and Babs were gasping for air. Scootaloo drank for the longest, and that made her King. "Nice one," Sweetie Belle gasped. She liked to drink, but she liked to sip her alcohol. Babs flipped the next card over. "Six of hearts! That's an I Never. I never....kissed my cousin!" Babs declared. Apple Bloom leaned over, dragging Babs' shoulder down, and kissed her right on the lips. Babs couldn't believe that her cousin had such soft lips, and they tasted like strawberry lip-gloss. Apple Bloom was probably wearing some. Suddenly Apple Bloom snaked her tongue into Babs' mouth, and wiggled it on the roof of her mouth, tickling her unsuspecting cousin. When the kiss parted everyone broke into laughter once more. Babs was blushing and she breathed heavily. "You gotta drink, Babs!" Apple Bloom said, taking a drink herself. "You didn't have to use tongue!" Babs laughed, taking another sip of her cider. Babs admired her cousin, and even though she was younger, she really looked up to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom could carry on when all hope was gone, and in her optimistic eyes life was paradise. Sweetie Belle drew a card. "Ace!" Sweetie Belle immediately took one drink. "Four! Questions!" Scootaloo shouted, excited. This was her favorite part of any game. "Hey Babs! Why do you touch yourself?" "Why did your Mom fuck your Dad?" Babs asked her right back, evoking laughter from Apple Bloom. "Why do I hate my life?" Scootaloo asked Apple Bloom, waving a hoof in the air dramatically. "Why do I want to take you up in my arms?" Apple Bloom asked Sweetie Belle, fluttering her eyelashes coyly. "Why do you want to forget all you couldn't do today?" Sweetie Belle asked Scootaloo, putting a hoof to her forehead in fake woe. "There's nothing I couldn't do today!" Scootaloo shouted, her wings flapping excitedly. She had done it. She had lost at her own favorite game. "Damnit!" Scootaloo shouted, throwing her card to the ground. Sweetie Belle high-hoofed Apple Bloom and Babs. Apple Bloom drew an 8. "Categories. I choose... Tonight." "Apple Bloom," Babs said, looking to Sweetie Belle for the next word. "Belief!" Sweetie Belle said, putting a hoof to her heart dramatically. Scootaloo rolled her eyes, and groaned. "Ugh! Relief!" She took another sip of her drink, clearly happy to be unwinding after a tough week. The other girls could relate. They looked to Apple Bloom and she grinned at them. "Black Celebration!" she declared, lifting her drink high into the air. They all clinked glasses, drunk and happy to be in the company of good friends. "I'll drink to that!" Babs declared. And they did.
2. Fly on the WindscreenA dusty vinyl record span around on a gramophone, and Sweetie Belle adjusted her glasses as she sang along to a dark tune. Her room was warm, and the decor was pink and purple. Her sister, Rarity, had sewn the comfortable blankets on her bed. Sweetie Belle sighed, looking at the quilted sheets. Her attention was once more drawn towards the gramophone, and she continued to sing. Sweetie Belle's heart was pounding. Her head ached. She felt anxious shivers all throughout her body, hot and cold. She had thought, at first, that she was sick, but Sweetie didn't run a temperature. Her throat wasn't sore, her nostrils were clear. Her ears were fine, and they enjoyed sweet music more than ever. Sweetie Belle groaned, shutting the music off and flinging her glasses onto her side-table. She shook her curly mane and moaned again, flinging herself onto her bed. She was twitching, and her tongue explored every inch of her own mouth. Finally the doorbell rang. Apple Bloom had arrived! Sweetie Belle quickly ran downstairs, eager to leave her strange feelings behind. She flung open the door, and Apple Bloom welcomed herself inside. "Hey Sweetie!" Bloom said, nuzzling her friend's shoulder affectionately. It felt...really nice. "H-Hey Apple Bloom," Sweetie Belle said, feeling hot. Apple Bloom climbed the stairs to Sweetie's room and Sweetie Belle followed. This had become a routine. "How ya feeling?" Apple Bloom asked once they were inside Sweetie Belle's room. Sweetie wasn't sure how to answer. She didn't know what was going on, and it made her extremely uncomfortable. "Weird," Sweetie Belle replied, shaking her head in dismay. Apple Bloom took a seat on the floor and invited Sweetie Belle to as well. Sweetie took a seat next to her best friend, coughing uncomfortably. "You're pretty bright red," Apple Bloom said, winking at Sweetie Belle. Sweetie put a hoof to her face and felt it, suddenly realizing that she was blushing intensely. "Oh gosh!" Sweetie Belle gasped, shocked. "What's up?" Apple Bloom asked, clearly very curious. "I don't know!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed, feeling hopeless. Her legs twitched and Apple Bloom stared at her carefully. "Describe your symptoms," Bloom said, trying to sound professional. "I feel... I feel sad. And my heart wont stop pounding like I've run a race, and I've got this sort of head ache. There isn't really any pain but there's this... this longing. I'm not sick but-" "You've got spring fever!" Apple Bloom declared, putting a foreleg around her friend's shoulder. "I've got- what?" Sweetie Belle asked. "The twitchies. You ache and you feel restless and totally miserable. And then ya see a mighty cute looking stallion and you think damn! Ah'd like to take a bite out of that! Ya feel aggressive, filled with energy, and you grow more and more restless until..." "Until what!" Sweetie Belle demanded, stomping her hoof on the ground. "Until you get laid, of course!" Bloom laughed. "Oh..." Sweetie Belle said, looking to the ground in shame. "What, you've never felt the twitchies before?" Apple Bloom asked, looking surprised at her friend. "No, n-not really..." Sweetie Belle said shyly. The whole ordeal didn't really sound like her. She was aching, she did feel restless, and she was miserable. However, she'd never really been liked by any stallions in the way that she had liked them, and she'd never felt aggressive impulses towards them. If what Apple Bloom said was accurate, Sweetie Belle would meet a whole new side of herself. And that sounded really scary. "You're a virgin, aren't you?" Apple Bloom asked. "Of course!" Sweetie Belle squealed, taken back. She thought that her friends were only joking when they made sexual comments. "Well, Ah've got a secret for you, Sweetie," Apple Bloom started. Sweetie Belle braced herself for the worst. "I'm a virgin too. The twitchies and Ah go hoof to hoof." Sweetie Belle breathed a sigh of relief. Apple Bloom was pure. "But Ah'd like to change that. You see, Sweetie Belle, Ah'm an artist. Ah live my life lookin' for passion. My life is really borin'. There ain't no passion around for miles and miles. This is a borin' little town with borin' little ponies and Ah'm sick of it. Ah'm losin' inspiration for my art! And my art is my life! It just feels terrible. Ah'm tired of being a virgin. Ah think that sex is exactly what will fix my lack of inspiration." "But it's so dangerous!" Sweetie Belle protested, shocked at her friend's behavior. "No, Sweetie Belle, it's not." Apple Bloom shook her head, confused with her friend. "Ah mean, our parents did it. How dangerous could it be?" "There are diseases! Infections!" "There's also love. There's feeling," Apple Bloom said sadly, looking to the floor in sadness. Sweetie Belle understood. "I'll stand by you," Sweetie Belle assured her friend, giving her a tight hug. Apple Bloom nodded, looking suddenly numb. "We'll find a stallion for each of us," Apple Bloom declared as they entered town square. Sweetie Belle nodded, feeling her heart race. She scanned the crowd with her lovely green eyes, and as if it were fated she spotted two colts that she knew well. "Do you ever talk to Featherweight or Lickety Split?" Sweetie Belle asked, looking them over. Featherweight was tall and lanky with huge brown eyes and a sleek chocolate mane. Next to him stood Lickety Split, who had a rich chocolate coat, a platinum blonde mane, and big blue eyes. Lickety Split was clearly more muscular than Featherweight, and Featherweight was a bit taller than Split. "Not really..." Apple Bloom said, looking them over, "But Lickety Split is pretty cute. Aww, look! He has an ice cream cutie mark! Well, Ah'd let him put a cherry on top of me." Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. "I thought you wanted him to pop your cherry," "Well, that too," Apple Bloom said, "Mmm, whipped cream escapades." "You're so gross!" Sweetie Belle squealed, feeling her face beginning to redden already. Since Apple Bloom had mentioned it earlier that morning, she had really been paying attention to her temperature. "Ah'd let him lickety MY split. Slit. Ha!" Apple Bloom cracked her self up, giggling aloud for all to hear. "Stop it!" Sweetie Belle complained. "Nuts on top." Apple Bloom grinned at her friend, her bright green bandanna beginning to flow a little in the breeze. It wasn't tied to Bloom's neck very well, and Sweetie Belle watched it shake. Sweetie Belle groaned at Bloom's bad joke. She shook her head, focusing her eyes on Featherweight. He looked clean, and friendly. He and Lickety Split were talking, and Featherweight's smile never left his face. He had big, adorable ears that curved forward delicately. He was slender and lengthy, which Sweetie Belle actually thought was pretty cute. She had always been on the small side, and was still the shortest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She had always been attracted to taller stallions for some reason, and she wasn't sure why. She didn't have much of a history with Featherweight. He had run the school newspaper when they were small foals, and they had talked a few times. But she couldn't even remember his voice, and Sweetie Belle could remember almost anything she listened to. "Well, are we jus' gonna stand here or what?" Apple Bloom said, nudging Sweetie Belle. "Let's go," Sweetie Belle nodded, and the two ponies began to cross the street. Sweetie Belle was incredibly nervous, and she kept her head looking towards the ground for the majority of her walk over to see the two stallions. She breathed heavily, nervousy. In an instant Sweetie Belle was thrown to the hard ground, painfully, and she became suddenly aware of warmth sheltering her from the sky. She breathed heavily, the wind knocked out of her. She was disoriented, and as her vision came to focus she saw beautiful brown eyes staring into her own. Sweetie Belle stared into the eyes for a few seconds longer, entranced in their depth. She suddenly realized that there was a face attached, and it became visible as Featherweight. "Are you okay?" Featherweight asked, looking very worried. Sweetie suddenly remembered that he had a lovely tenor voice, delicate and gentle. She saw his wings fold onto his back, as they had just been out. "Uh," Sweetie Belle stuttered, not breaking her gaze. "Sorry about that," Featherweight apologized, climbing off of her, "But a carriage just blasted through and was about to hit you straight on. I got to you first, luckily. Sorry about my indecency, however." "Thank you," Sweetie Belle said, smiling at him nervously. She was definitely red now. "Of course," Featherweight replied, "injury is no fun. Not to mention death." Featherweight's words really hit Sweetie Belle hard. She could have been killed, killed as easily as a fly on a windscreen turned to splatter. It reminded her that she, and this new colt, could have been torn apart. They could still be torn apart, even that very same night. Sweetie Belle shivered. She was just a lamb for the slaughter. "Are you cold?" Featherweight asked, noticing Sweetie Belle's shivering. "A bit," Sweetie Belle lied. She still had the twitchies and she was now contemplating her mortality. It was a sick combination. "Well then, as an apology for toppling you over, why don't I take you somewhere warm," Featherweight suggested, accompanying Sweetie Belle over to the other side of the road. Apple Bloom and Lickety Split were already waiting for them, looking pretty concerned. "Are you okay?" Lickety Split asked Sweetie Belle, his wide blue eyes checking her over. "Yes, I'm fine," Sweetie Belle nervously answered, suddenly quite embarrassed. Featherweight, noticing her embarrassment, made a suggestion. "Hey, let's go out somewhere." Featherweight smiled at Sweetie Belle, and she smiled back.
3. A Question of LustRain was pouring down from the sky, soaking Sweetie Belle and covering her in mud. Her white coat was completely stained, and her curly mane was nearly straight from the weight of the water. She shivered, shaking her head and running further through the muddy feild. Sweetie had just experienced one of the greatest afternoons of her life. Only a few weeks had passed since she met Featherweight, but she felt a very real connection with him. Staring into his brown eyes she could see a reflection of herself in more ways than one. Sweetie Belle entered the Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse last, and the other girls were already sitting in a circle with cards out. They were all soaking wet, and had their drinks seated close by. The room was dark and candle-lit as usual, and it smelled like home. The other fillies turned around to look at Sweetie Belle and had different reactions. Apple Bloom smiled pleasantly at her friend and patted the ground next to her. "Take a seat, Sweetie," she beckoned. Sweetie nodded and placed herself next to Bloom. "Now!" Scootaloo declared, reaching for her first card, "let's play! Three!" Sweetie Belle poured herself a glass of cider and took three quick shots. Apple Bloom drew a card. "Three," she muttered, and the girls all drank again. Babs took a card. "Ace," she said, and they all drank. Sweetie Belle feared that she would get very drunk very quickly. Scootaloo burped abruptly and without apology. Sweetie took a card. "Queen. Girls drink." Sweetie squeezed her eyes shut and took another sip of acrid cider. She was already a bit dizzy, not one known for holding her liquor well. "We are on the road to shitfaced!" Scootaloo exclaimed, shaking her head in amazement and taking up a card. "Eight. Categories..." Scootaloo began, looking to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom nodded. "Things I did this week," Scootaloo started a chain. "Lost my virginity!" Apple Bloom declared. The game came to an abrupt halt and the girls all stared at Bloom in shock. Sweetie Belle put her drink down carefully, her eyes widening. Was Apple Bloom drunk or serious? "Congratulations!" Scootaloo leaned over and gave her friend a tight hug. Babs and Sweetie Belle exchanged a glance. Sweetie Belle wasn't sure whether or not Babs was a virgin, but she hadn't expected Apple Bloom to be so changed suddenly. It had only been a few weeks since she met Lickety Split, not long enough to know somepony well enough to fuck them, in Sweetie's opinion. She couldn't believe her ears. When Scootaloo had lost her virginity, it had been a total shock to Sweetie. They had been much younger, and Scootaloo was already on a streak. Sweetie had expected the second time this happened to be less shocking. It wasn't. "It happened just yesterday, actually," Apple Bloom bragged. "Wow, I figured you'd need to drink a lot before you were anyones. Details," Babs demanded, engrossed. Bloom chuckled and adjusted her green bandanna, then began to speak. "Well, you guys all heard that I have a coltfriend now. We were both feeling fine yesterday, and he was looking pretty great too..." Sweetie Belle listened, not a word escaping her lips. Apple Bloom had already found her passion. Had it given her artistic inspiration? Sweetie wasn't sure, and she wasn't sure if Bloom knew either. "I think I'm in love with you, Sweetie Belle..." Several more weeks had passed. Sweetie Belle and Featherweight were in her room, cuddling on top of the bed. Sitting upright, Sweetie Belle had her head on his shoulder. He had one foreleg wrapped delicately around her. She was blushing; the whole situation was so innocent. Sweetie Belle's girly bedroom had been host to their sessions of deep talking and kissing for a few weeks. They hadn't done any real touching. They hadn't even considered it, and if they had they hadn't said a word to one another. The innocence was fun. Sweetie Belle was intuitive, and not unaware to what was happening. The two ponies were nurturing real love. Sweetie Belle noted how warm Featherweight's forelegs were around her soft body. Strands of his mane rested gently against her cheek and the situation was extremely fragile. She felt like a baby in his arms. "Can you promise me something, Featherweight?" Sweetie Belle asked, kissing him on the cheek. She was thinking partially of Apple Bloom. Bloom had started bragging up how much fun it was to be rough with Lickety Split. Sweetie Belle didn't think she could handle it. "What is it?" Featherweight asked, genuinely curious. "Please, be gentle with me. With my feelings, and...well..." "Sweetie Belle, I'd never willingly do you harm," Featherweight answered plainly, absolving some of Sweetie Belle's fears. She still felt insecure. "I'm sorry for asking, I guess it's a given," Sweetie Belle sighed. She wondered why exactly she felt so nervous. She was just now learning to trust Featherweight. They hadn't known one another long. But he was still so extremely trustworthy and kind. Why didn't she feel safe? "You know, apologies are all I seem to get from you. There's no need to apologize. I want to get to know you too. I like you." Featherweight affectionately placed a kiss on Sweetie Belle's cheek and she blushed redder than ever. She smiled happily and wiggled closer to his warmth. She was being cared for, and it made her feel like a dependent foal. Still, it was a wonderful feeling. She was so used to being independent. Even her own parents didn't care anymore. "Sweetie Belle, you know..." Featherweight began, looking into her eyes, "this is a question of lust. This is a question of trust. I am not letting what we've built up crumble to dust." "You mean it?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Of course," Featherweight insisted. "Let's go out for dinner tomorrow," Sweetie Belle decided, "at someplace nice." "I'll pay!" Featherweight promised, smiling. He was always doing favors for her and it made her feel blessed. It was every time he opened the door for her. It was every gentle kiss. It was the way he held her close. It was all of those things and more that kept them together. "Well, I suppose I should take you home now," Sweetie Belle said, looking out her window and realizing that the sun was going down. Featherweight nodded and stepped off the bed. The two pale young ponies walked to her door, kissing a few times just to savor the feeling. They swaggered down the hallway and out the front door together, blushing immensely. Sweetie Belle shook out her frazzled mane and Featherweight copied her action. "Sweetie Belle!" Sweetie Belle turned around as a cry rang out. Rarity was leaning out the kitchen window slightly. "Yes, Rarity?" Sweetie called back. "Can you stop at Sugarcube Corner and pick up some bread?" Rarity asked, "We're out!" "Yes, Rarity..." Sweetie Belle replied unhappily, and began walking forward again with Featherweight. She was really tired of doing favors for her sister. She heard Rarity's window close and she sighed aloud. "What's the matter?" Featherweight asked. "I'm really tired of doing things for her. Why doesn't she do things for herself? She's a grown mare! Fully capable! No, I have to do everything for her. I wish I was out of the house already." "Do you really?" Featherweight queried, fascinated. "Yes!" Sweetie Belle replied, surprised that he didn't feel the same way. "Well, it's not that I don't agree. I like the thought of living on my own quite appealing. I simply think that letting go is a stupid mistake quite a lot of the time. Er...do you know what I mean?" Sweetie Belle thought about it. He was obviously quite a sentimental soul. "I know what you mean," she replied, reaching the end of the sidewalk. Featherweight didn't live far away from her, only a short walking distance. She put a hoof in the road, ready to cross the street, when Featherweight instinctively put a wing out in front of her. "Check," he protectively warned, clearly not wanting her to get nearly ran over again. Sweetie Belle blinked at him, grateful for his car. He knew each and every one of her weaknesses. It frightened her. "Thank you," Sweetie responded as they crossed the street together. His house was only a few buildings down now, and all that stood between them and goodbye was a white sidewalk. The two walked in silence, leaning on one another, and soon reached his front door. Sweetie Belle gave him one last kiss, a soft and sweet kiss that only lasted a few seconds. It was clearly filled with secret longing, but mostly lots of love. Featherweight leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Sweetie Belle, when I'm on my own, you know, I'd rather be home." "What do you mean?" Sweetie Belle asked, confused. "I'd rather be with you. I love you." Sweetie Belle watched as he walked inside his house, gingerly opening the front door and stepping inside. She was not letting her relationship crumble to dust.
4. SometimesBabs Seed blew her pink bangs from her eyes and turned another corner. She wanted to scream, she had so much pent up energy inside of her. For once she wished that she could just be a pegasus. For fucks sake, Celestia could make people turn into alicorns, why couldn't she make Babs a pegasus for just one day? How much she envied her friend Scootaloo, who could blast through the clouds at a moments notice. Celestia knew that Scootaloo was blasting through the clouds at that exact moment. Babs wished she could join her. Babs wished she could go to a party tonight. But...not really. Babs didn't feel like drinking or smoking or screaming or kissing or doing anything crazy like that. She was frustrated enough that she could scream, yes, but she didn't want to howl like a timberwolf. All she wanted was to be wanted for once. Babs thought, like she often did, and she observed as she always did. As the little almost-mare walked through Ponyville at night, she couldn't help but wish a million different wishes. She wondered where she was going to go in life. She'd earned her cutie mark, yes, but it could mean a million things. How was she to know? She was especially talented with growing plants, she had an incredible green hoof. She was naturally drawn to farm life, but she knew it would bore her to pieces eventually. She wanted a life filled with action and excitement. What was she to do? Babs had a secret. She always acted like Scootaloo's party-filly companion. She acted like she was just as perverted as the rest of her friends, and she tried to be fun. But Babs seed wasn't interested in sex, or cider, or "finding" herself. Babs was interested in figuring out where she was going to go, and doing it rationally. If she fell in love along the way so what. If she had some fun along the way, that wouldn't hurt. But she didn't go out of her way looking for it. Besides, fun always seemed to show up right in front of her. And it did, at that exact moment. It wasn't too late, and the town's fancy jewelry store was still open. Babs chuckled, thinking to herself that she could really use a rush. A rush always seemed to clear her head. She put her hood up over her head, disguising her bright pink mane and making her look just like everypony else. Babs entered the local jewelry store and browsed cheerfully. She didn't look suspicious, and her eyes never stared at one item for too long. Surrounding her were the town's richest and most romantic. She was the only young lady in the shop, and other ponies eyed her begrudgingly on occasion. Babs rolled her eyes and made her way inconspicuously to a little corner of the store where nopony could catch her. They hadn't seemed to recognize her, and she'd put a lot of trouble into not being noticed or looked at for too long. She looked at the little pretty pieces around her, things that she would never wear. She wanted them, so she took them. Two pearl earrings and one diamond necklace later, and Babs quietly made her way out of the store. She had pocketed the expensive jewelry, and was walking away quietly. "Well, if it isn't Babs Seed!" she heard a voice say, and turned to see a very familiar face. An ex-friend of hers, an enemy of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Diamond Tiara, the heiress of this shop, was standing in front of her in a lovely blue dress. "Uh...hi?" Babs said, mumbling. "What are you doing in here?" Diamond asked, not sounding very friendly. "I'm just checking out the shop," Babs explained. "It's awfully late, don't you think?" Diamond Tiara growled. "Your point being?" Babs challenged, standing her ground instinctively. Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes and turned around, strutting away proudly. "You can't afford anything in here," she said over her shoulder, and Babs took a step back. It was true, but it still filled her with rage. "Bitch," she said under her breath, storming away and seething. The world was such a nasty place, filled with nasty little ponies like Diamond Tiara. Sometimes she just had to question everything.
