He exited the library and began making his way to the town centre, the rapid sound of hoof steps behind him made him pause and turn around, only to see a flustered Twilight Sparkle panting before him.
“Twilight? Are you alright?” A thousand thoughts flurried through his mind at what could possibly have her in such a rush, to reach him no less.
“I need to,” she was breathing really heavily, clearly her preparation and the lessons learned for the Running of the Leaves some time ago had left her, “I nee-, can you give me a minute please? Thanks...” He gave her a minute or so to catch her breath, her blush growing wider all the time, leaving rosy red cheeks in its wake. “Sorry, but I really need to talk to you about something. Is that okay, is this a bad time?”
“No time like the present I suppose.” Oh God what is it.
“Can you come back to the library with me? I really don’t think this is the best place to, uhm, to discuss the topic at hoof.”
“Which is?”
“Like I said, the library, please?” She gave him the eyes. She’s learning.
Definitely not good.
“Sure... This sounds kind of urgent, so let’s just get going then.”
They made their way back to the library, bombarded by the sights and sounds of a lively market town, though it was the awkward silence that hung in the air like a disease that seemed to persist and prevail above all else, at least to the two of them. Not even the sound of Pinkie’s party cannon firing off nearby, coating some unfortunate soul in assorted party goods, managed to penetrate the silence that reigned. At last they made it to the library, and as expected there was neither person nor pony alike within.
This is all a little foreboding. Not a happy bunny.
He entered the library and Twilight motioned him to go and sit on the couch as she closed the door behind them and proceeded to lock it, which he thought completely unnecessary due to the fact that during his stay here he had not seen a single pony excluding Twilight’s close friends ever come in. Although by the sound of it the upcoming conversation may not be fit for even their ears, and may be rather embarrassing for him should one of them walk in, or burst through the window in Rainbow’s case.
“I’m really sorry to drag you away from, well from whatever it is you were doing, I’m sure it was important but I just can’t wait any longer.” Oh bloody hell, please don’t be what I think it is. “I need to get it off my chest.” It is isn’t it. He was looking down at the floor nervously, not wanting to meet her eyes, it was clear both were nervous as Twilight’s right foreleg was trembling somewhat, and he noticed what appeared to be a conscious effort to still it. “We’ve known each other for quite a while, and I think we can say our friendship has bloomed and flourished over time, right? Well... Well that just isn’t how I see this anymore, there’s something more between us, I know it!” Oh God it is. “When I see you out and about around Ponyville, I don’t just see a good friend anymore, I see and I feel something more, something deeper. It wasn’t love at first sight, it wasn’t something that suddenly clicked into place and released these things I never even dreamed of feeling, it was a gradual and steady change, and that’s what’s important isn't it? The journey?” Gone was the nervousness from before, the words flowed like a raging river, raw and unconstrained, showing the depths of her emotions.
“It’s like reading a book, how you start off with some words on a page, and then you engage with them, with the characters and with the story, before you ultimately become lost in the words and the worlds they tell of. It’s not that I suddenly loved you, it’s that I’ve come to love you, and I value that so much more, and I can’t help but think that you feel this too. The looks we share,” Pardon? What looks, I don’t share any particular looks with you. “that time at La Bouche du Cheval with the spaghetti,” That was an accident! We weren’t even sharing a meal! “so many little things, little pieces of a jigsaw puzzle coming together and culminating in this big picture in all of its splendour. I know I’m rambling on, trust me I know, but I can’t help but feel this way. I suppose it’s time for the killer question,” she visibly gulped as she quickly composed herself, “will you be my coltfriend?”
Holy moly, how did I not notice this? If she just asked me straight off the bat this would be a lot less daunting.
He was just as nervous as she was, he really did like Twilight, though in a purely platonic way, he really didn’t want to break her heart, it’d be like shooting a baby. “Twilight, I’m terribly, terribly sorry but I just don’t think this could work o-”
“It’s because we’re a different species isn’t it! It’s not a problem I swear, Equestria has no laws against interspecies relationships as long as both are sapient, and it’s actually quite common.”
“Twilight, that’s n-”
“In fact, a recent survey showed that an average of 42% of the population of Equestria have engaged in some form of interspecies relationship or intimacy!” Oh Twilight, always falling back on the numbers. “And despite Ponyville being a rural area, it’s generally open and friendly to these kinds of things, well if you exclude Zecora but she didn’t help herself wearing that hood.”
“That’s not the prob-”
“Really it’s not a problem at all, we can be together! I know it’s probably your cultural background and your upbringing holding you back, but we can overcome that together one step at a time, we just need to take the initiative and ease into it, after all Equestria is your home now so you’ll need to keep on adapting, you said humans were good at that, right?”
She’s getting frantic now, what do I do. I wasn’t prepared for this. I may never have been a believer, but Lord Almighty, I wish you to strike me down this instant. Nothing. Damn you. This is going to kill her, it’s the nail in the coffin.
“Twilight! I, I’m, how can I say this. It’s not the species barrier, it’s you. Ponies are cute and friendly and I could easily see myself in a relationship with one, but that one pony just isn’t you.” Her face dropped faster than a lead balloon. “I hate to say it, I hate it so much because of how close we are, but you’re just not my type.” Fluttershy on the other hand... Bad time.
“What is your type? I can change, I’m adaptable like you too!”
“No Twilight, I don’t want you to have to make that sacrifice, always stay true to yourself and you’ll find the right way forward eventually.” Tears began to well up in her eyes, glistening in the sunlight pouring through the windows. “I know what I’m saying now isn’t making this feel any better, but I have to be honest.” Sweet Jesus what have I done, I have to get out. “I’ll give you some space and some time to mull it all over, goodbye.” He made a swift break for the door, quickly unlocking it. The last things he heard before running the hell out of there was a soft whisper followed by light sobbing from a clearly inconsolable lavender mare.
“Please don’t leave...”
But it was all too late for her.
And for him, the Equestrian life clearly wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.
Author's Note
Even I didn't see this story going this way. It was supposed to be something lighthearted and actually comical, guess that's dead in the water. Anyway, a little something to try and get me into writing again, as I said in the description please point out any errors, especially ones I persistently make. Also, should this have the romance tag? I'm debating it but I'm going with it for now. Anyway, thanks for giving this a shot!
