Date Night

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The week passed as usual and it was Friday once again, but unlike any other Friday Twilight didn’t pack her saddlebags with her usual fair. Tonight she stood in front of one of her mirrors looking over herself in the dress Rarity had made.

Rarity did tell me yesterday that I should wear this. Twilight mused to herself.

We look great, if you ask me. Midnight commented.

I didn’t, but thank you anyway. Twilight smugly smiled.

Careful Twilight, your vanity is showing.

Twilight giggled at that statement, but it was short lived as she heard a knocking at her bedroom door.

“Twilight darling, are you ready?” Rarity called from the closed door.

“Yes, Rarity. I will be out in a minute.” Twilight responded.

Show time. This should be fun, but what’s with the bit purse? Midnight inquired as Twilight picked up her bit purse.

I am not sure what to expect, so better safe then sorry. Twilight commented as she headed to the bedroom door.

Let me guess, a can of mace is in there?

You know me too well. Twilight chuckled.

I should. I am you, remember. Midnight joked, causing Twilight to continue her laughing fit as she opened her bedroom door.

“What’s so funny, darling?” Rarity asked.

“Just a nervousness, I think.” Twilight commented as she took note of Rarity’s dress. The dress was two-toned pink: a light pink for Rarity’s upper half, and a darker pink for her lower. The dress was paired with a necklace made of gold with a purple crystal and a tiara also made of gold.

“Well darling, what do you think?” Rarity inquired, as she noticed Twilight was staring.

Twilight tried to respond but was unable, she was taken in by Rarity’s beauty. She opened her mouth over and over but no words came out.

Faust! You are messing this up. Here let me……

“Sorry, Rarity. I was mesmerized by your beauty. I say even a goddess would be awestruck by such a sight.” Midnight’s words came flowing elegantly out of Twilight’s mouth.

“My, I must say I never thought you too be one for flattery, Twilight.” Rarity blushed.

“It’s not flattery when it’s true.” Midnight’s smiled greedily, lavishing in the white mares adoration.

“Well darling, on that note, let us depart for the evening.” Rarity stated as she headed for the door.

“Right behind you.” Twilight said as she followed Rarity, before calling out to the rest of the girls that the two were heading out. Laying it a bit thick, don’t you think, Midnight? Twilight thought to her inner self.

Well, you weren’t doing anything and blowing it. Sorry if I felt you needed help. Plus, you and I both know that was exactly what you were thinking .

“So Rarity, how are we getting to Ponyville? You never said how exactly.” Twilight asked, ignoring Midnight, as she and Rarity made it out the front door and onto the sidewalk. The sun is going down now, I wonder how we’re getting to Ponyville. Twilight thought to herself

“Oh, silly me. It’s simple darling, I called for a “taxi”. It should be here any moment now.” Rarity replied, while keeping an eye on the road for the “taxi” to come. After a few minutes of waiting, the two mares noticed a very long and elegant looking carriage pull up.

“Here it is, my dear.” Rarity stated as she moved her right fore hoof out in a swiping motion ending with her right fore hoof pointing out towards the vehicle and her head slightly bowed.

“You call this a taxi? More like limousine to me.” Twilight exclaimed.

“Too much?” Rarity inquired. I might have gone a bit overboard. She thought to herself.

“N-no, no. It’s fine. Just surprised is all.” Twilight tried to alleviate any concern Rarity had.

Got to give Rarity props, not even I would have thought of that as a first date surprise. Midnight said awestruck.

“I do recall you saying this restaurant was found to be upscale and fancy by some ponies, so I suppose a limousine would be appropriate.” Twilight continued.

“Indeed I did, shall we be off darling?” Rarity said as she stepped up to the limousine and opened to the door for Twilight.

“Thank you, Rarity. Yes, let’s be off now.” Twilight giggled as she stepped into the limousine. Twilight found the interior of the limousine to be what she expected, spacious with comfy padded couches lining the sides of the carriage, shag carpeting and mood lights built into the roof. Twilight sat down on one of the couches followed shortly by Rarity, the limousine started to move seconds after Rarity took her seat.

Here we go. Midnight said with a twinge of excitement as the limousine rolled along its path.

The ride to the restaurant took around twenty minutes and in that time Twilight only asked Rarity more about the restaurant they were going to. As the limousine pulled up to the restaurant, Twilight noticed the establishment had an outdoor patio area with tables and chairs all under an awning, and the perimeter outlined will simple hedges,

“Simple but aesthetically pleasing, no?” Rarity commented as she noticed where Twilight’s gaze had gone.

“Indeed it is.” Twilight supplied.

Fancy place. This should be fun. Midnight commented.

“Let us be on our way then.” Rarity said as the limousine door opened, and the lovely couple walked out.

As the two mares stepped into the establishment. Rarity lead Twilight past the garden arch and stopped at a velvet rope gate.

“Greetings Madams, I am Earl Grey, do you have reservations for the evening?” the unicorn male standing behind the maitre’ d stand inquired with a smile, as Rarity and Twilight approached.

“Yes, we do. The reservation should be under Rarity Grace.” Rarity replied.

Earl Grey lifted the reservation book and flipped a few pages, then said, “Ah, here we are: Rarity Grace, party of two.” He put down the reservation book and turn towards the door, “If you would, follow me.” Rarity and Twilight followed behind as Earl Grey showed them to their table. As they walked into the restaurant, Twilight noticed that it had a carpet that was a red velvet and the tables and chairs were wooden but stained in a color that she could not name but clearly complemented the carpet very well, with the lighting in the restaurant dimmed pleasantly.

This lighting is intentionally low to induce romantic feelings, and the decor is not bad, if not for the fact it is clearly from some cheesy romance film. I think Rares here is trying to get us into the mood. Midnight commented, Twilight however did not retort for she knew Midnight’s explanation made sense. Eventually, Rarity and Twilight were lead to an empty table and were seated.

“A waiter will be with you shortly.” Earl Grey stated then left to return to the maitre’d stand. Rarity and Twilight were left to their own devices, a short but awkward silence had formed between the two.

Say something already! This silence is pissing me off. Midnight chidded.

“This is a lovely place.” Twilight commented.

“Oh... Yes it is. To be frank,I never truly understood why my parents brought me here when I was younger. I always got a sense that this place was more for romantic dinners than a family night out, but the times were good and the food even more so.” Rarity explained.

“To be honest, this is the first time I have been in this kind of restaurant.” Twilight sighed.

“Oh? Realy? Didn’t your parents take you out when you were younger?” Rarity inquired.

“They did, but never this fancy.” Twilight hastily supplied.

“May I ask why? You told us you lived in Canterlot before moving to Townsville, and Canterlot has many restaurants of higher class than this establishment.” Rarity asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Ugh…..I hate talking about this, but despite what everypony thinks of Canterlot, not all families are super rich in that city. My parents had to work hoof and horn just to get by. Hell, I might not have made it into high school had fate not smiled on me when I was younger.” Twilight sighed, a distant look in her eyes had formed as she said the last sentence.

Rarity was about to ask what Twilight had meant when the waiter showed up. After ordering two orders of angel hair pasta with side salads. Rarity had the opportunity to ask her question.

“Darling, may I ask what your childhood was like? Your previous statement has me curious, and let us be frank here, you never really liked to talk about your past with me or the girls for that matter.” Rarity said with a glint of curiosity in her eyes but also much compassion in them as well.

Walked right into that one. Midnight sighed while facehooving inside Twilight’s mind.

Yep, really dug my grave this time. Twilight thought as she mental prepared herself for this ordeal. “Fine, I will tell you, but in return you must tell me when and why you started to get infatuated with me.” Twilight said.

“That seems fair. So where do you wish to begin?” Rarity stated.

“Well, my family could have probably been considered lower- middle class at the time of my birth. Dad, worked as an astronomer, and Mom was basically an editor for a book publishing company. Basically, it all added up to not making a lot of money, so we didn’t live in a fancy house or even a decent apartment. My family was living in a one room apartment when I was born.” Twilight stated, as she took a small break in her story, she saw the shocked look on Rarity’s face.

Clearly, that shattered some perception of Canterlot she had. Midnight commented solemnly.

“Anyway, it was tough, but we managed. The financial problems didn’t start to hit home for me till after I got out of middle school. It was the summer, just after I got out of middle school, my parents wanted to talk to me about something. It turned out my dad had been fired from his job and Mom’s job wasn’t enough to pay the bills and send me to school. So at that point I was thinking, ‘Crud, this sucks.’ But then my parents tell me about the Princess’ After School Program for Exceptional Ponies. I know what you are thinking, how is this going to help. It turns out the Program has a sub-program that helps underprivileged ponies get either the education they need or helps families that struggle with money pay for school. Now, you think it would be easy to get the help, but it wasn’t. I had to pass a test to get in.” Twilight stated, a slight hint of fear coming into her voice as she said ‘test.’

“Oh my….” Rarity stated in what was in Twilight’s opinion an excellent Fluttershy impression.

“Yeah, turns out that even if you are underprivileged, the Program still looks for what they called ‘exceptional,’ anyway my test was to hatch a dragon’s egg.” Twilight stated with a sigh.

Yeah, that was one big twist they pulled on us. Still gives us shrivers, doesn’t it Twi? Midnight dryly chuckled, trying to keep down the anxiety from the memories.

“A dragon’s egg? Really? They made you do that!” Rarity was nearly floored by that comment.

“Yeah…. And it wasn’t a walk in the park either. As you know, most foals don’t get their cutie marks till after elementary or mid way through middle school. I was a late bloomer as they say. So there I was in the test chamber, no cutie mark, and was trying to hatch that egg. I tried everything I could think of. Nothing, not even a scratch on the egg. I was about to give up, when some loud crash emanated from the hallway, turns out a science teacher was moving some equipment and it just happened to fall outside the test chamber we were in.” Twilight let out a sigh before continuing.

“Anyway that crash startled me, and in a way that is what jump started my magic, before that my magic wasn’t as strong, but that shock caused me to pump out adrenaline and super charged my magic. Unfortunately, I couldn’t control it... so, my parents who were present at the time, got turned into potted plants, and the examiners were levitated and the egg hatched only for the newborn dragon to get a magic induced growth spurt.” Twilight paused.

“What happened next?” Rarity inquired when Twilight paused.

“Oh….Yeah…. Both the princesses showed up. Turns out they felt the magic output I was putting out and came to investigate. After they calmed me down, and reverted everything to how it was, they asked if I wanted to be their student, they said I had a great gift for magic. Anyway that’s how I got my cutie mark and became the protege of the princesses.” Twilight smiled.

“What was that like? If I may ask, being their protege and all.” Rarity inquired, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“It was interesting. Princess Celestia had me constantly studying magic and the theories behind those magics. She was also quite fond of pushing my magical limits. But with Princess Luna, she taught me how to have fun. She took me to concerts and movies when ever we had free time, she even taught me how to sing and play a few instruments. She also taught me much about the night sky and the different constellations. All in all, it was hard work, but at the same time partying as equally hard. Of course, my family eventually moved to Townsville mid junior year of high school, and I couldn’t keep being tutored by them, but I still talk to them, just not as often.” Twilight had a broken smile at the end of that sentence.

“Oh… I see, it must have been tough to leave all that behind.” Rarity sighed slightly depressed by what she had heard.

“It was, but I made new friends none the less, in the end.” Twilight smiled.

“Indeed, How about I answer your question now?” Rarity asked with a smile.

“That sounds good.” Twilight smiled.

“Well, I first started having romantic feelings for you around…” Rarity started but stopped when the waiter returned with their meals.

“Anything else, madams?” The waiter asked.

“A bottle of white wine and two glasses.” Twilight said.

“Right away, madam.” The waiter bowed and left to get the drink.

“White wine?” Rarity inquired.

“It goes good with this pasta.” Twilight supplied with a knowing smile.

“If you say so. Anyway, as I was saying. It was shortly after the horrid affair with that criminal group and that brute of a science teacher. I was shocked by the lengths you went to just to save me, and I guess I felt like I owed you something. Eventually as time went on, it changed from repaying a debt that I was feeling to something akin to a crush. Looking back at all the times I wanted us to hang out either just the two of us or with our friends, was me subconsciously wanting to be closer to you. Eventually, I realised this crush was something more. I was in love and wanted to be with you.” Rarity paused for a moment then sighed.

“However, whenever I tried to get together with you, you would have something to study at the time and pushed me away. I felt hurt every time I saw you, secluding yourself in your studies, with no pony around and not even wanting anypony around you. It hurt me to see you isolate yourself. Of course, I now understand you study and do your best when alone, but still, it hurt to see you so alone.” Rarity paused once more.

“And I admit, it hurt the most when you pushed me away all those times I offered to help you study. But then again, when it comes to academics, your best work is done on your own. I guess all those times I asked you if you needed help was my failed attempts to get to know you better. Even though we were friends there were still things you hid, and even now you still hide things from me and our friends, so that too is a reason I love you. You are smart, kind, loyal, beautiful but still have an air of mystery to you, Twilight, and I wish to know all your secrets.” Rarity ended with a sly, almost seductive smile.

Twi, what the hell did you do to get this mare this obsessed with you? Midnight asked with a bit of fear in her voice.

Apparently, just being my self. Twilight replied in a stunned tone. “Rarity, I- I really don’t know what to say except ‘wow.’ Not that I don’t appreciate you telling me this, b-but it is just a ‘wow moment.’ The way you just described me, I honestly can’t see it.” Twilight stuttered.

Rarity responded by trying to suppress a fit of giggles before calming down enough to say: “I’m sorry darling, but that stunned expression of yours is quite priceless. I never thought I would see the day when somepony would leave you speechless. Let alone, that pony would be me.”

She has a point. No pony has ever gotten the drop on us, until now of course. Midnight commented, having shaken off the shock of the situation.

Twilight gave a quick shake and sighing to calm herself, Twilight said: “Indeed you did, not many ponies can claim that as an achievement.” Twilight let out a little laugh, and was delighted as Rarity decided to laugh as well. The two were roaring with guffaws, completely caught up in their own inside joke, at least until the waiter coughed to get their attention.

“Anything else madams?” the waiter asked as he placed the bottle of wine and two glasses on the table..

“Nothing at the moment, thank you.” Twilight giggled as she tried to stifle her laughter. The waiter bowed and left the mares to their devices.

“Might I suggest a toast darling?” Rarity asked as she levitated the wine bottle and glasses.

“Why not.” Twilight inquired as she received a filled glass of wine.

“A toast, to a wonderful date and hopefully many more to come.” Rarity toasted.

What do you think Twi, anymore dates in the future? Midnight asked rhetorically, for she already knew the answer.

“I will toast to that.” Twilight responded while lifting her glass to take a sip. Indeed, Midnight, I do see more dates in the future.

For the rest of the night, Rarity and Twilight talked about how classes were going and other events in their college life. Eventually the meal came to an end.

“Tonight was fun, thank you Rarity.” Twilight stated just before finishing off the last drop of wine in her glass.

“Thank you darling. I had hoped tonight would have been to your liking. And I hope I made a good impression on you.” Rarity smiled warmly.

“You did Rarity, that you did, but to be honest I doubt one date will change my mind so easily. Perhaps another one in the future will sway my thinking.” Twilight grinned, knowing full well Rarity would take it as a challenge.

When did you get so mischievous? Midnight asked rhetorically.

Since, always, we just never been in a situation when it was needed. Now lets hear Rarity’s response. Twilight retorted.

“Yes, darling I do believe what you say has merit.” Rarity replied calmly. Oh! It is on now Twilight, just you wait. I will have you begging to be my marefriend in no time flat.

As the two mares were having their conversation, the waiter had returned, offering the final curtain call for their stay. “Madams, will you be having dessert or shall I fetch you your check?” The waiter inquired.

“The check, please and thank you.” Rarity gave a smile.

“Right away, madam.” the waiter bowed and left to retrieve the check.

Once the waiter was out of sight, Rarity said: “ I got the check covered.”

“I’d hope so, after all, you asked me out.” Twilight joked.

“I’d plan to anyway.” Rarity winked.

A few moments later, the waiter returned with the check, and took his leave with a bow as he left to check on other guests.

“What’s the bill like?” Twilight asked as Rarity picked up the check to see what she owed.

“Hum… Lets see, around 20 bits each for our pasta, and the bottle of white wine we had was at 45 bits. So in total 85 bits.” Rarity read the check, she then got out her bit purse and placed the bits on the check. “Shall we be off darling?” Rarity inquired.

“Yes, I believe we shall.” Twilight responded.

As she and Rarity got up from their seats, the waiter returned to retrieve the check and bits, he bowed to the mares as they left. Once they left the building, they thanked the maitre'd and went on their way.

“The night sky is beautiful tonight.” Twilight stated as she looked up to the night sky, the two had been in the restaurant long enough for the moon to rise a decent amount and the stars were shining bright.

“Indeed, and so are you.” Rarity flirted.

“Don’t let Princess Luna hear you say that, she really doesn’t like it when somepony outdoes her night sky.” Twilight joked, the two of them shared a laugh as they continued to walk to the sidewalk.

“Hey Rarity, when is the limousine returning?” Twilight inquired when they reached the edge of the sidewalk.

Taking a small pocket watch out of her bit purse, Rarity stated: “In about five minutes, we finished dinner right on time.”

“Okay. And thank you for a wonderful dinner.” Twilight smiled.

“No, thank you for giving me the chance.” Rarity slyly grinned.

There was a small silence between the two, neither could think of anything else to say at that moment, when Twilight noticed a couple coming their way. Must be date night for more couples tonight. Twilight thought

Twi, we may have a problem here. Midnight panicked.

What’s wrong, Midnight? Twilight too was starting to panic as well. I never seen you panic like this.

Take a good look at that couple.

What are you ta- OH! Damn! This is bad. Very bad!!!

Yep…. It just had to be them.

Why tonight, why did it have to be Zippy and Zecora’s date night. Twilight was inwardly panicky but outwardly was calm.

“Ey! Zecora is dat Twi I see?” Twilight could hear her Samarean friend asking his date.

“I do believe, for my eyes they do not deceive.” Zecora responded.

“Ey! Twi! Ey!” Zippy called out, waving his hand as he and Zecora walked up to the mares.

“Oh my, Zippy! Funny running into you here.” Rarity smiled to the minotaur.

“Rarity?! Wat ya doin here, sista?” Zippy asked.

“Well, Zippy, I took your advice and asked my crush out.” Rarity blushed a bit.

“Den why is Twi her-- Oh! Twi da one dat took ya heart.” Zippy ended with a laugh.

“Yes, Zippy. It was very surprising, especially for me.” Twilight said slightly bemused by her Samarean friends antics.

“Sorry sista, but dis be funny as hell, I never thought ya be on a date.” Zippy tried to collect himself.

“True love I can see. Best of luck to both of thee.” Zecora nodded slightly towards Rarity and Twilight. Zecora then turned to Zippy and said: “Come love, we must not be late. Remember my dear, we are on a dinner date.”

“Ya right me love. Nice seein ya again sistas.” Zippy said as he and Zecora made their way to the restaurant.

Once Zippy and Zecora were out of hearing distance, Rarity said: “What a nice couple they make.”

“That they do.” Twilight concurred.

“So, how did you meet them?” Rarity inquired.

You had to know that was coming. Midnight interjected.

That I did. Twilight let out a sigh before she said: “I met Zecora at a fundraiser a few years back, it was just before moving to Townsville and well, Princess Celestia thought it would be a good idea for me to get to know some of the city leaders. Anyway the entire event was some what boring but I did get to meet Zecora and the Mayor. I really don’t know them all to well, we are more of acquaintances, if anything.”

“And Zippy?” Rarity raised an eyebrow.

“Would you believe me if I said it was at a rock concert? Yeah, just a few weeks after high school graduation, I get a call from Princess Luna and she wanted to celebrate my graduation with a rock concert. Anyway, I said yes and literally two nights later we are at the Canterlot Stadium, Princess Luna and I were in disguises, I changed my coloration and Princess Luna made herself look like a midnight blue pegasus, now the reason for those disguises was simple: Princess Luna hates the paparazzi.” Twilight paused for a moment.

“Anyway,” Twilight started up again. “I remember we were waiting in line for snacks when out of no where two ponies got into some sort of argument which derailed into an all out brawl with everypony present at the time involved. I never found out the reason behind it, but it doesn’t matter now. Princess Luna and I tried our best not to get involved, but that failed horribly, we soon found ourselves surrounded by ponies looking for a fight, luckily the princess and I had a few self defense lessons so we could have taken them. However we never got the chance. As soon as they descended on us this massive blur plowed into half of the attackers, which caused the other half to freeze.” Twilight paused again but this time to take a look at Rarity’s shocked expression.

“Heres the best part,” Twilight continued. “The blur turned out to be a male minotaur, and he just stared at the remaining assailants with a look that could kill and that was all it took for them to get the message to back off. After that security calmed everything down, however the event was canceled because of the fight, and as Princess Luna and I were leaving, we ran into the minotaur again and said our thanks, which lead to a long conversation which resulted in the princess and I revealing our true selves to the minotaur and the minotaur introducing himself as Zippy Eats.” Twilight explained.

You know, I remember it differently. I recall it was Lulu that started the brawl, after some punk tried to hit on her, and it was Zippy, who was volunteering as a security guard, that broke up the fight. Midnight commented.

Well, my version is better, plus I don’t think Rarity wants to hear how I had to bail Lulu out of jail that night or how we had to explain it to Tia. Twilight snapped back. “Anyway that’s how we met.” Twilight finished.

“I must say that you have lived a very interesting life darling.” Rarity commented. Curious how Twilight knows two people that Midnight Glimmer knows as well. Rarity thought to herself.

“In a way, yes, yes I have.” Twilight concurred.

A few moments after their conversation ended, the limousine had returned. The two stepped into the limousine, and the ride back to the dorm that followed was some what silent as both mares were contemplating how the night went for them.

Once back at the dorm, just outside the main doorway Twilight broke the silence and said: “Thank you for a wonderful evening Rarity.”

“I should be thanking you for taking a chance on this.” Rarity responded with a smile.

“Well, I am glad I did.” Twilight smiled back.

“So….Same time next week?” Rarity bashfully asked.

“Uh…. Let me talk to my boss next week and I can give you a better schedule that will work for me.” Twilight stated as she rubbed the back of her head with an embarrassed smile on her face.

“Well whatever happens, we will make it work.” Rarity assured.

“We better get inside, it is late, plus I think I see Pinkie spying on us.” Twilight said as she pointed to the dorm’s window, there a pink pony was watching them suddenly left having been spotted. Twilight and Rarity shared a laugh at their friend’s antics before heading up to their dorm, where they immediately went to bed after the night they had. They both knew that tomorrow would bring many questions from their friends.
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Author's Note

Okay it is finally up, sorry it took so long, real life was being unreasonable

thanks again to my editor Sam Cole for taking the time to edit this

Questions, Comments and other stuff you like to say down below, till next time loyal readers