Chapter 3 - The Date

It was Saturday morning. Dusk had woken up a few minutes earlier than usual. He trotted downstairs into the kitchen and prepared his breakfast.

"Crunchy Oats. Quite possibly the best breakfast cereal on the bucking planet," Dusk thought as he levitated the box out of the pantry. He poured himself a bowl and began to eat.

While he munched on his cereal, Dusk contemplated how he should go about this date. Should he wear something, like a vest? There were many ponies around Manehattan that wore vests and hats. Perhaps that was too fancy? Dusk was only a teenager, after all. Perhaps he should get Petal a gift? No, they were just friends, there was no need for that, was there?

Dusk finished his cereal, his mind swimming with many questions about his current dilemma.

"Maybe I should ask dad about this?" Dusk thought.

Almost as if Dusk's father had read his son's thoughts, Dusk's dad trotted down the stairs, alert as ever. This would have been odd for anypony other than Dusk. His dad had served in the guard before he married Dusk's mum and settled down in Manehattan.

"Good morning, Dusk," Dusk's dad said.

"Morning dad," Dusk replied.

Dusk's dad was a large, light grey unicorn with ruby red eyes. He always looked critical, unless he was laughing. He hardly ever smiled, but Dusk knew that was because of what he had seen and done. His mane was the same colour as Dusk's, but his father had managed to conquer it. His mane was cut short, reminiscent of his days as a guard. His tail, however, was as unkempt as Dusk's. He had a large scar down the left side of his chest, a reminder of what he had given to keep Equestria safe.

"Are you ready for our training session today, son?" Dusk's dad asked.

"Uhm, I can't today, dad. I'm going to have lunch with a mare from my school," Dusk replied.

Dusk's dad looked genuinely shocked.

"A mare from school, eh? Is my little soldier finally growing up?" Dusk's dad asked, laughing.

"Shut up, dad, you sound like mum," Dusk replied, grinning broadly.

"Well, I'll let you spend some time with your mare friend today, but don't assume that I'll let you off training so easily next time," Dusk's dad said, grinning.

"Thanks, dad. You know I look forward to training," Dusk replied.

"I know, son, I look forward to it too," Dusk's dad said.

"I'm gonna go get ready," Dusk said, trotting up the stairs to his room.

"But it's only eight o'clock!" Dusk's dad called after him.

"I know, I wanna pick some stuff up from the market!" Dusk called back.

Dusk trotted down Mane street, looking in the store windows, trying to pass some time, and also trying to answer some of the many questions he had. It was now 10:00 am, and Dusk was anxious to get this date over with. They weren't really his thing. In fact, social interactions on the whole were awkward for him, the very fact that Dusk had friends was odd. Having so much experience with bullies, Dusk found it hard to trust many ponies, it was more or less easy to begin a friendship, but complete trust was an issue. It always had been. It was probably going to be a while before Dusk felt he could confide many secrets with anypony. Almost hypocritically, Dusk felt that he could trust Petal and her friends. He didn't know why this was the case. Dusk's dad had told him to trust his instincts. They could save his life one day.

Dusk suddenly had a brilliant idea. He had tried to make friends after Jet left, but when he told them about how he earned his cutie mark, and how that magical outburst could very well have killed Jet, they often turned their backs on Dusk, fearful that he may accidentally kill them in an act of 'loyalty'. This was the perfect test for Petal. If she truly was a good friend, she wouldn't turn her back on him if he told her that story.

But then again, Petal obviously had feelings for him. Love is blind, they say, and maybe she wouldn't even notice that Jet could have been killed. Either way, it was worth a shot and it was the only way Dusk could prove if she a mare worth keeping.

Something shining in the window of a store caught Dusk's eye. A small smile appeared on his face as he walked into the store.

Dusk turned down 2nd street and spied the 'cute cafe' Petal had mentioned on Monday. 'Dandelions and Driftwood' was printed in large letters above the door of the little cafe.

"Interesting name for a cafe," Dusk thought.

Dusk walked down the street towards the cafe. He was ten minutes early, enough time to get a table for two.

He entered the main door of the cafe and waited at the counter in front. A brown, glum looking, mare walked up to the counter.

"Welcome to Dandelions and Driftwood," she said in a rather drab tone.

"I'd like to get a table for two, thanks," Dusk said.

"Inside or outside, sir?" the mare questioned.

"Uhm, outside is fine, thanks," Dusk replied.

"Right this way, sir," the mare said, grabbing two menus and leading Dusk to a table outside.

"Thankyou," Dusk said.

Dusk sat at the table and pretended to read the menu while he waited for Petal. The menu items were high quality, and very expensive. Dusk wasn't sure if he could afford any of this, he only had about 30 bits on him. At least the drinks were cheap; lemonade was only 2 bits. Dusk went through the menu, and found the lunch section. It was full of gourmet dishes that any high class pony would eat. They were all too expensive for Dusk though. His budget now at 28 bits, 26 if he ordered another drink, Dusk looked through the lunch items for the cheapest, and simplest, dish. He spied a dandelion salad with an apple vinaigrette for only 12 bits. His order made up, Dusk closed the menu and placed it down on the table.

As he placed the menu on the table, he spied Petal trotting down the other end of 2nd street. Dusk smiled a little. He hadn't even known her for that long, but she still seemed to brighten up his day. This was certainly something Dusk wouldn't have expected from an average mare.

Petal saw him waiting at the table and instantly blushed.

"Hey, Dusk!" she called out. "I hope I'm not late!"

"Haha, no, you're right on time," Dusk replied, smiling.

Petal sat down across from him, and began making idle chat.

"How are you, Dusk?" she asked.

"Not bad, kinda hungry though," Dusk replied.

Petal giggled and said, "I know what I'm gonna order, I've been here so many times, what about you?"

"I looked through the menu while I waited for you. I was ten minutes early," Dusk replied, smiling.

He called the waiter over.

"What would you like to order, sir, ma'am?" the waiter asked.

"I'll have the dandelion salad with apple vinaigrette, and a lemonade," Dusk said.

"I'll have the poppy seed and daisy sandwich, with apple juice, thanks," Petal said.

"Certainly, allow me to take your menus," the waiter said, scribbling down their orders.

"Dandelion salad?" Petal asked, a quizzical expression on her face.

"Eh, my dad always told me to eat healthy, that, and I can't afford anything else," Dusk said shamefully.

"Oh, I would have thought you were a little richer, living in Manehattan and all," Petal said.

"Yeah, well, my dad has a crappy desk job. He was honourably discharged from the guard due to injuries, and was placed here with a two bit job," Dusk said. "We earn enough to live by, and my dad gave me 50 bits to spend today. I don't want to spend it all, though."

"Alright then," Petal said, an understanding look on her face.

It didn't seem like she minded, but Dusk wasn't so sure. She was a Manehattanite at heart, Dusk was more down to earth.

"So, tell me about yourself, Petal," Dusk said.

"There really isn't much to tell, to be honest. I was born and raised here, went to the primary school in east Manehattan. I'm not really that interesting," Petal said, a hint of sadness in her tone.

"You don't have to be interesting, you know," Dusk said, a warm smile on his face.

That seemed to perk Petal up a bit. She smiled, and blushed a little.

"What about you," Petal asked. "You said your dad was in the guard once, what was that like?"

"I don't know really. He was discharged before I was born. He settled down in Manehattan with my mum after that, and they had me," Dusk said. "He still keeps up a military style training regime, though. I started training with him when I was about 8, I think."

"Is it hard, the training?" Petal asked.

"Eh, you get used to it. Usually I'm either reading or training. Dad says I should keep my fitness levels up and stay healthy," Dusk said. "You're actually chewing into one of my training sessions at the moment. You should feel flattered."

Petal giggled and said with a cheeky smile, "Oh, trust me, I do."

Dusk was put off a little by the flirtatious comment, but put on a weak smile anyway.

"What do you do in your spare time?" Dusk asked.

"Not much, really. If I'm not hanging out with my friends, I'm usually just sleeping," Petal replied.

"Sounds fun," Dusk said sarcastically.

The waiter returned with their meals, interrupting their chat. He placed the food on the table, alongside the drinks.

"Thanks, mate," Dusk said, and tipped him.

Dusk drank some of his lemonade while he watched Petal eat her sandwich. It was interesting, watching an earth pony eat a sandwich. She picked it up in her hooves and took a bite, some of the filling falling out onto the plate. Petal was a beautiful rose pink mare, with a pastel green mane. She had rose pink highlights running through her mane and tail, both of which were masterfully styled. She had light emerald eyes that shined in the sunlight. She was quite good looking, and Dusk felt slightly attracted to her.

"What?" Petal asked, noticing Dusk watching her.

"Oh, I've just never seen an earth pony eat a sandwich before," Dusk said, smiling a little.

Petal giggled and returned to her sandwich while dusk levitated a piece of salad to his mouth. The flavour was amazing. The vinaigrette complemented the salad perfectly, and it drove Dusk's tastebuds insane.

"This is possibly the best tasting salad on this planet," Dusk said.

"They make good food here," Petal replied.

"Amen to that," Dusk said, returning to his salad.

He attempted to pace himself, wanting the experience to last forever, but all good things must come to an end and Dusk had soon finished the salad and was left with half a glass of lemonade. He finished the lemonade as Petal finished her sandwich.

"They sure do make great food here. I don't think I've eaten something so tasty," Dusk said.

"This is one of the better cafes around Manehattan, I eat here a lot," Petal said.

The waiter returned a final time and took their empty dishes.

"Would you like the desert menu, sir, ma'am?" he inquired.

"I'll give it a miss, thanks," Dusk said.

"Me too," Petal said.

"I'll bring the bill out," the waiter said.

"Who's paying?" Dusk asked, anxious. He could only just afford his own meal.

"We'll split it. You said yourself that you can barely afford your meal," Petal said, smiling.

The waiter returned with the bill and placed it on the table.

"You can pay at the counter," he said, and went to serve another table.

Dusk looked at the bill. 55 bits. Not too bad, but Dusk couldn't afford it.

"It's 55 bits. I have 30, I'll pay for that," Dusk said.

"You don't have to," Petal said.

"I know, but I want to," Dusk said, smiling.

Petal gave him 25 bits and Dusk took the bill to the counter and paid the cashier. He walked back to the table.

"Now what?" Dusk asked.

"Well..." Petal said. "You could walk me home."

"Righto, you direct," Dusk said, smiling.

Dusk and Petal walked side by side down Hay street, talking about stuff. Nothing specific, really, just, stuff.

"Hey, you said your dad gave you 50 bits to spend today, but when you paid the bill, you said you only had 30," Petal said suddenly.

"Yeah, I bought something down on Mane street before lunch. It's nothing important," Dusk replied.

"Oh, what'd you buy?" Petal asked.

"Just a little brooch. It's really nothing," Dusk said.

"Oh, alright then," Petal said, knowing that pressing him would get her nowhere. "On another topic, how did you get your cutie mark?"

"My cutie mark? I'd rather not tell you," Dusk said.

"Oh, come on, tell me!" Petal said, smiling.

Dusk suddenly remembered the plan he had cooked up that morning, and said, "Alright then, if you really want to know,"

"I got it back in primary school. I had this friend who was new to the school. I saw him getting bullied and rescued him and we became friends after that. We talked for a bit and then I left him on his own while I went to the cafeteria. When I got back, he was being pummelled by a huge earth pony. In my rage, I released an explosive magical burst, knocking the bully flat and sending my friend flying. I did quite a bit of damage to the building we were in, too." Dusk explained. "I rushed my friend to the school nurse, and the nurse told me that if it wasn't for me, my friend probably would have died. After the nurse said that, I got my cutie mark. The irony is, my magical outburst was probably more likely to kill him than that bully."

This last addition caused Petal to recoil a little in fear. Dusk suddenly became scared himself. Was she gonna leave him here, knowing that his magic could kill her?

"That's amazing. Your friend must be one lucky pony," Petal said. "Could your magic really have killed him?"

"Yeah, my dad told me that that kind of spell had a 10% target survival rate. Luckily both the bully and my friend survived," Dusk replied.

Petal's display of fear seemed to have no repercussions, as she said, "Well, at least I know you can protect your friends."

Dusk was almost shocked, but he had expected it from her.

"When I told that story to other ponies, they just turned their backs on me, and never talked to me again," Dusk said.

"Really? Sure it might be a little confronting, but really?" Petal asked.

"Yeah. You're the first pony who hasn't run off," Dusk said. "Thank you."

Petal smiled warmly and said, "You're my friend, Dusk. Friends don't leave each other behind."

Dusk hugged her. He almost ran into her as he did so. Petal squirmed for a second, but then surrendered, hugging him back.

"You have no idea how long it's been since someone has said anything like that to me," Dusk said, almost crying.

Petal had absolutely no idea what to say to this. She just hugged him. She had fantasized about this ever since she first laid eyes on him, and she tried to make it last as long as possible.

Dusk suddenly stopped hugging her and looked away.

"I'm really sorry. God, I've only known you for two days, and I'm already hugging you. This must be really awkward, I'm so sorry," Dusk apologised, not making eye contact.

Petal just stood there, mildly confused at Dusk's sudden mood swing.

"It's not that bad. I've wanted to hug you since I first saw you," Petal said, giggling.

Wrong move. Dusk just turned his head even more, not in the mood to be flirted with.

"Come one," Dusk mumbled, and began walking again.

They walked the rest of the way to her house in silence, Dusk looking straight ahead, Petal only talking when she needed to direct Dusk.

They arrived in front of Petal's house, a large cottage in the richer side of the suburbs. Petal opened the front gate and was about to walk through when Dusk stopped her.

"Petal, wait. I-" Dusk began.

"No, don't apologise, Dusk," Petal cut him off. "I shouldn't have said that back there, you obviously really meant what you said, I shouldn't have taken it so lightly."

Dusk opened his mouth, thought for a bit, and then closed it. He then levitated a small golden clasp out of his bit pouch. It was a small hair clip, in the shape of a daisy. He levitated it up to Petal's mane and slid it in snugly.

"Thanks," Dusk said, staring at nothing in particular. "Thanks for being my friend."

He then turned and walked back the way he had came, leaving Petal standing at the gate, wondering if he would ever want to speak to her again.

Author's Note

Third chapter now, people seem to be liking this. I guess I should ask you guys to go like my Facebook page :)
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