Her Starry Sky

Well after that day at the market with Pipsqueak you basically returned home and hid inside your house. Sure was a lot better than entering the town and facing the eyes of everyone looking at you and speaking to their friends in their hushed tones that you were on that date with Luna. Sure the news was old by this time, days old now that you thought on it, but a curse had come from hiding in your home for days. If you were to emerge someone was going to notice and then it would start all back up again. At the very least you got away from it all by working the graveyard shift at the hospital since everyone was asleep and didn't ask you questions. A few of the staff asked you every now and then but you avoided them the best you could. Still the fact that the whole town knew you had gone on a date with Princess Luna was practically knocking your brain around. The very thing you didn't want to happen happened and now you were paying for it. Why did you let Twilight drag you into that?

Wait, that's actual knocking!

You sit up from your bed and listen as again you hear another loud knock at your door. Dare you answer it? Was it a reporter? Or reporters? You didn't want to know as you laid back down and hoped they would go away when a gruff voice brought you back up.

“Royal Guard! Answer the door.”

“Royal Guard?!” you yell

You hop out of bed in just a raggedy old shirt you sleep in and underwear and rush to the door. No time to change if the freaking Guard is right outside! You tell yourself was you practically tear the door from it's hinges. Wait what if they're escorting Luna?

“Are you Gray Flame?” asks a Guard

Of course these aren't any normal guards, that would be too easy! These are the dark armored, pale skinned, and scary looking Lunar Royal Guards. Bat wings, piercing eye on the front, threatening yellow actual eyes, a full foot taller than you, muscular to a fault, and worse was they were each holding a spear. They look down at you with quizzical yet stern looks at your choice of dress. Meanwhile, looking as if you were starring death in the face, you manage to nod yes robotically, one could hear the metal squeaking as you did.

“Alright you two break it up. Give the kid a heart attack here!” said a voice from behind

The two guards separate to reveal a normal Royal Guard walk up and look you over. This one is somewhat shorter and less intimidating; sporting a pair of normal wings and looking as if he didn't want to be here. You can see some of his hair under his helmet yet he outranked the other two Lunar Guards by the way he acted and how they acted to him in return. He raised a eyebrow seeing you in your underwear and just shook his head as he grabbed a scroll from his belt.

Probably should have put some pants on.

"Sergeant Armet. Royal Guard."

"I'm, I'm, I'm Gray Flame." you respond nervously

“Alright Gray Flame.” he says as he unfolds the scroll, “Princess Luna requests your presence at the Cafe de la Gallop”

He cocks a eyebrow up and turns to one of the Lunar Guards: “Where the heck is that place at?”

The Lunar Guard just shrugs. The Guard shakes his head and goes back into reading: “The date Wait, date!? Is scheduled for this Friday at Eight PM, no later, although arriving early would show taste. Do you accept the invitation?”

All three look to you for answers as you stand there, now as pale as the Lunar Guards who stand there before you.

“Look sir, I don't have all day. Yes or no?” grunts the Royal Guard

Any day now moron!“Y-y-yes! I accept!” you yell out What did I just say?

The Guard gives a smile and pulls back the scroll: “Then you are to dress in formal attire as etiquette dictates for the society of Canterlot and as a honored guest of Princess Luna you will be given proper treatment as tradition dictates.”

“Is th-that all?” you ask nervously

“Actually there's a lot more to this going into all sorts of details and the restaurants own rules and conditions and this is posh garbage I don't have time for.”

This is the strangest Guard I've ever encountered.

He rolls the scroll up and hands it to you: “Look, show up in a good suit or vest, don't be late, and it's Princess Luna we're talking here. No one is going to question why you're there or expect you to abide by any rules. Just dress nice. As for arriving in Canterlot, you can walk, take the train, get Twilight to help because I think she's in on this, or fly if you're up to it. Clear?”

“Crystal, sir!” you respond still somewhat terrified by the others gaze

“Alright then. Let's get out of here you two! Got a long flight ahead of us!”

“Yes Sergeant Armet!” the two respond as he walks away

You close the door and stand there for a moment until you fall over.

***

You come to as your door knocks again. You don't know how long you've been out, but it seems to have been for sometime.

“It's open!” you call out

The door opens and in bursts Twilight and Rarity in tow. Twilight is the first to speak in a panicked and hyper voice giving it away she knows what's up.

“Gray! We just got word from Celestia! Luna wants a-oh my!”

You look up at them both to see them red in the face and you raise a eyebrow as to why. Following their gaze down to your waist, and what's sticking out of your underwear fully erect and ready.

“Oh shit!” you start

Rarity faints and Twilight stands there her mouth quivering at the sight she sees. She tries to look away but try as she might she is frozen. You try and move yourself, but shocked by the fact that both of them have just witnessed your pride out is a bit nerve wracking. What's worse is the simple fact that this is twice now with Twilight. You muster what you can with your strength and rigidly shake your arm.

Move dumbass!

With all the strength you can muster you jump up and bound up the stairs as fast as you can. You know where your pants are and you quickly grab them and throw them on. You poke your head out of your room and see Twilight still standing there with a horrified look on her face. You awkwardly make your way down the stairs as Twilight starts to recover. There is some unnatural silence in the air, not helped by the fact Rarity lay passed out on your floor. Looking around nervously you finally break the ice cold silence.

“Now we're even.”

Twilight narrows her eyes as she shoots a dark look your way. Sure you know the circumstances are way different, but better than having her hang that over your head.

“Never speak of this!” she hisses

You nod as Rarity groans and starts to wake up.

“Oh, what happened?”

“You hit your head on the way in.” you and Twilight lie

“Oh. Well, that was certainly better than the horrible awful dream I just had! Now then, onto business!”

She instantly has a measuring tape around you looking at it closely as she measure you up.

“I take it you found out huh?” you ask to them both

“I got a letter from Celesita just a few minutes ago. Wait, how do you know?”

“I had a message from the Royal Guards. They came by awhile ago.”

“Oh. Well, I got Rarity and she is more than willing to help make a suitable outfit for you to wear to the date in Canterlot.”

“Yes! This is going to be one of my finer works for stallions and for you to show it off on a date with Luna!”

She squeals with laughter as she begins writing down the measurements on a paper. She then began inspecting you all over again and wrapped the tape around your neck tightening it to a chocking point. You scramble for it to relieve the pressure and allow air when your arms are suddenly out up like tree branches.

“It's only temporary darling. Keep your arms upright please!”

Finally the agonizing pain is over and she releases the bind on your neck. You gasp for breath as she drapes the tape over her shoulders and goes through her notes.

“Yes, shouldn't take me more than a day to complete along with all my other work. I'll put it on your tab and of course give you that discount."

“I have a tab?” you ask

“You do now. Come by later and I'll show you my design!”

She walks out with the notes in front of her face leaving just you and Twilight.

“Now what? Thing ain't until Friday, and it's, actually what day is it?” you ask Twilight

“Tuesday. Now there is one more thing we need to get you prepared for.” she says with a focused look

“What?” Seriously, what else could I possibly need to learn?

“Well, if you're going to Canterlot, you need to learn proper etiquette for such a place.”

Oh come on! Not that!

“I know, some proper etiquette. My parents and my roommate taught me-”

“When was the last time you actually used it?” asked Twilight as she folded her arms

Good question. “Well, I don't exactly remember.”

“Exactly. Now, I can give you a book to read, several actually, but I think having it taught to you first hand is also just as good.”

“Who in this town knows that outside Rarity, or Filthy Rich? I ain't going to him!”

“No, there is one more who knows it, whether she likes it or not. Come on!”

You try and protest but she grabs your arm and drags you out of the house, closing it behind you and locking it with her magic.

No chance in hiding in my house anymore.

Thankfully she drags you outside of town and it becomes blatantly obvious that you aren't going to town. In fact you're skirting around it to the outskirts where you make out the barn of the Apple family.

“The Apples? What in Equestria are going there for?” you ask

“Why do you think? We just talked about this back at your place!”

“But they're farmers! I thought they hated all the hooey of high life or what-not!”

Just as you finished there comes a giant rainbow explosion that knocks you both off your feet and into the air. You suddenly find yourself crashing upside down in a tree covered in branches. You fall and land on a larger branch and hang on for dear life. You look down to see how high up you are only to see Twilight on her head back against the tree.

“Nice panties.” you comment Wouldn't have figured her to wear pink

She quickly covers herself and you suddenly feel funny. You levitate into the air with a pink glow and are brought down to her level.

“You keep this up I swear!”

“It's not my fault!” Not that I mind

She narrows her eyes at you and with a blink of her eyes you fall to the ground with a thud. Twilight stands up and brushes herself off while you wipe the branches off from your shirt. You look over to see the rainbow mushroom cloud rising into the air.

“How many barns does that farmer need destroyed?” you ask

“Later! Come on!”

She again drags you, albeit now you have your feet in the dirt. You suddenly see a small flash below them and your feet floating in midair toward the farm. You round another corner to find Rainbow Dash wrecking the remains of a barn with Applejack off herding pigs into a newer model barn. The two of you walk, and float, up to them as Rainbow Dash pokes her head out of the wreckage and debris.

“Hey Twilight, and Gray Flame! What's up!?”

“We need Applejack's help.” states Twilight

“Applejack!” you yell out

“Yellow!” she says from the new Pig barn

They all look you as you return a angered look to Twilight even as you realize you're still floating.

“Uh, I can I go down now.” you ask

“Oh, sorry!”

You land on your feet, nearly falling over. Once adjusted you return your angered look to Twilight as Applejack walks up.

“No offense to you Applejack, but how is she going to help me be fancy!?”

“Huh?” asked Rainbow Dash while Applejack walked up

“Applejack has experience in these matters believe it or not. Outside Rarity she's the one to go to for this situation right now unless you want the whole town knowing again.” explained Twilight

“Ah have experience in what now?” asked Applejack

“According to Twilight proper dinner and high society etiquette.” you tell her

With that Rainbow Dash starts laughing and falls back into the wood howling still. You give a shrug while Applejack looks around nervously as if she knew something. Twilight is about to say something when Rainbow ops her head back out.

“Applejack knowing high life!? She's knows as much about fancy as I do fashion!”

It is then you remembered your mail a few days ago: "Oh yeah, dash I have your Vogue magazine."

Rainbow goes red in the face while the other two look at her confused.

"My mother got it for me I swear!" she tries to defend herself

“Still, I wouldn't say that she doesn't know fancy Rainbow Dash.” remarks Twilight, “I remember someone saying when they were younger they wanted to live the sophisticated life and not on a muddy old farm?”

Applejack's eyes shifted around as even Rainbow Dash gave her a quizzical look.

“Actually, yeah! Now that I think on it, I do remember you saying that!” says Dash, relieved the spotlight's off her

You ponder to the back of your memories and remember her tale of traveling all the way to Manehatten, which might be the most sophisticated city outside Canterlot.

“Well, uh, ah might of back when ah was younger, but that was years ago Twi! Ah don't remember all the stuff mah Aunt and Uncle taught me.”

“Well that's perfect because I got two books here and Gray Flame here has some knowledge when he was younger and I'm sure you two together along with the books can remember something.”

She hands both of you a book on dinning and proper manners. You open it up and see a flurry of words and pictures that leaves you scratching your head while Applejack has to turn it sideways just to understand it. Rainbow looks at you both just as confused and pokes Twilight on the shoulder.

“Uh, why does Gray Flame need help anyway?”

“Huh, oh he's going on another date with Princess Luna.” she returns with a smile

“What!? Really! That's awesome! She actually wanted to go on a second one!?” yelled rainbow Dash

“Apparently. It hasn't even been a week yet.” you mutter

Applejack meanwhile flips through the books, which might as well be written in another language as far as she was concerned: “Ah don't know Twi. This here is a awful lot ta learn and well-”

“You two have until Friday. Which means the rest of the day, all of tomorrow and most of Thursday. Friday I guess you can brush up your learned skills with a review before he heads out.” she instructs Applejack

“If Ya'll say so. Come on Gray Flame let's get this darn fancy froo-froo up-tight hooey out of the way and over with!” she grunts as she walks off still trying to read the book Twilight gave her

“Hey, I don't like it any more than you do!” you follow

“Hey! What about me? Can't I do anything?” asked rainbow Dash climbing out of the wreckage

Twilight looks to Rainbow Dash as she brushes the dust off her jacket when she starts to gets an idea: “Hmm, well, there might actually be something you can do!”

X*X*X*X*X

“Don't worry sister. I'm sure it will go fine.” Celestia spoke as she tried to comfort her sister

They fell on deaf ears as Luna walked back and forth around the room sweating and rambling on and on; a nervous wreck about her second date. Celestia could only look on worried and scared for her sister. When she got back that night from her date she was so happy and enthusiastic. Then as time went on she started to question herself and the date entirely. That was exactly what Celestia feared the most, and tried her best to make sure Luna didn't go down that road, but now it was too late. It was her that suggested the date to her little sister, and to make it easier on Luna had it take place in Canterlot so she would feel a bit more at ease. Still, ti didn't help that Luna was practically in a panic by now!

“He was so intimidated by last time, and I wasn't even trying!” she yelled

“Well look at it from his perspective. It's not every day a common citizen of Equestria goes on a date with a Princess.”

“Yes sister, but how do I know if he even liked me!?”

“Trust me sister. Was it not Twilight who set this up for you the first time?”

Luna gave her sister for talking like she did: “Yes, it was dear Twilight who set it up the first time. That I thank her for”

“Twilight knew what she was doing, and from your first reaction when you came home that night, you seemed to like him.”

“Yes but did he like me, sister?”

“You got word from the Guards. He said yes to the second date.”

“I know he said yes, but what if it was because he was nervous? Saying no to a offer from a royal princess? Especially me? Not to mention sending the Guards to announce it may have pushed him further!”

“Yes, probably should have let Twilight know first.” Celestia remarked in hindsight

Luna slumped over a window and looked out down to Ponyville. She was a nervous wreck, a mix of depression, anxiety, to a small degree fear. she gave a sigh as Celestia walked up behind her and placed a hand on her little sisters shoulder.

“Do you remember what he told you that night?”

“What?”

“Didn't he say he would love to be your friend?”

“Yes.” replied Luna

“Then what is there to worry about? He is already your friend. Now you just got to make him special. I've already told Twilight and I'm sure she's helping him right now getting read, and I'm sure he is as excited about it as you are.”

“If you say so. Tia, are you sure it will be alright?”

“I'm positive.” Celestia smiled

Even with her warm smile it didn't seem to help Luna as she slumped off the window sill and walked away. Celestia watched with a heavy heart as her sister walked off towards her chambers there came a knock at the door to the front of the throne room. Standing there were two Lunar Guards and a single Royal Guard.

“Permission to enter your highness?” asked the Royal Guard

“Yes. Come in.” she ordered

The Guard motioned for the other two and they quickly walked up to the throne and bowed before her. Each took a knee lowering their heads in respect for the Princess of the Sun as she looked over them with a special mission for them.

I am sorry I have to do this sister “Rise Guards.”

The three slowly stood up, being sure as to not raise their heads until completely standing. Celestia stepped off her throne and walked down to them as they stood alert at attention. The Royal Guard Sergeant, leader of them, saluted and began to speak.

“Your Majesty! Sergeant Wadring Armet,” he spoke bringing his arm over his chest, “Corporal Midnight Ire, and Private Starry Right, at your service your Highness.”

“At ease Sergeant. Do you all know why you called you in here?”

“Your majesty I assume it has something to do with that one colt who is going on a date with Luna?” asked the Corporal

“Yes. My sister is very nervous and I want you to make sure that nothing goes wrong on this date. You are the only three in the Guard outside the captains that know of when and where this date is going to take place. This, I am instructing you to make sure that everything runs smoothly and no one interferes with it. Private, Corporal. You will be Luna's chauffeurs. Sergeant, the reason I have you and not another Lunar Guard is so you can be in the Cafe acting as the security for that night. Make sure Luna and her date enjoy the night alone and nothing else!”

“Your Highness, you can count on us!” said the Sergeant

“Perfect. You may be dismissed!”

The Guards saluted and walked out as Celestia looked to where her sister walked out. She was certain nothing was going to happen to this date and that her sister was finally going to find someone special to call her friend.

X*X*X*X*X

“You mean to tell me theres a way to place the silverware and plates on the table!?” you cry out in amazement

You give the book a disgusted look as Applejack leans over and looks at the page showing a diagram of where to place every thing on the table. She rolls her eyes at it and gives a huff of discouragement.

“Uh-huh. Also, make sure your silverware never touch the table again after you use them. That was one thing I had problems with. Even though they never had any dang food to eat.” commented Applejack as she read over her own book

"Who thought that up!? That's ridiculous!"

Applejack can only give you a shrug in response. For the past hour you two have been sitting in the Apples living room reading over the two books and trying to help you remember and learn about proper table manners. So far, it hadn't gone too well. it mainly had been what had just transpired. She or you would read something aloud and the other would remember the rule, or both of you would look on in surprise.

“Well, look here's eating rules. That should be a simple start.” you say as you turn away from the picture

Applejack puts her's down and leans over to your's as you both read it aloud.

“Never talk with your mouth open, huh? oh full.” you say

“Well that's obvious. Scoop food away form you? What kinda dumb rule is that!?” she continues

“Pace my eating? What?” you add on

Applejack gives a grunt of anger and throws the book down on the table. She adjust her hat all the while trying to relieve some frustration at having to remember all this and at the same time teach you as well. Didn't help that both of you thought this was a huge waste of time, although she was more vocal about it then you were.

“Twi do we have to read these darn things? You know I ain't much of the fancy type!”

Twilight and Rainbow Dash meanwhile had been looking out a window across the room the whole time. Rainbow kept starring out the window while Twilight turned to answer.

“Applejack, you're the only one I know and can trust outside Rarity to help in this situation!”

“Ya'll came from Canterlot! I mean, yer the student of Princess Celestia! Don't you know somethin' about all this?”

“I was her student. There's a difference.”

“Ah whatever. Stupid book and snooty rules. Don't be loud while eating.” she told you

“I figured that as much.” you grunt

You glance up again to see Twilight and Rainbow Dash starring out the window again and by now you're getting curious as to what they're doing. After ten minutes of glancing from the book to the window where the two stood your curiosity growing. They were just starring out the window not saying a word. At one point they started to grow excited, only to lose it moments later. This was followed by Applebloom passing by the window not too long after. You nudge Applejack with your elbow and point to the two, and her own suspicion arouses as well. Eventually neither of you can stand it and you give Applejack the honors with a motion of your hands. she happily obliges.

“Just what are ya doin' lookin out mah window anyway?” she asked

Rainbow dash was quick to answer although her gaze never leaving the window: “Waiting for Fluttersy.”

“Why are ya waitin on Fluttershy?”

“She's going to help out as well.” answered Twilight

“What? Am I supposed to give Luna a pet? I thought that was if she was hosting a dinner and I don't think pet's are a good gift on a second date.”

“No, she and Rainbow Dash are going to make sure nothing goes wrong!” explained Twilight

That sounds like a idea that could go horribly wrong!

“Rainbow and Fluttershy? How in tarnation are they gonna do that?”

“I know the owner of the restaurant they're going to eat at. Trust me I know what I'm doing!”

“If you say so.” you respond somehwat nervous