I hope I didn't sound too eager when I volunteered to be Princess Cadance's escort to Ponyville. The boys in the corps give me enough guff as it is. How can they understand? They don't know what it's like.
I'll never forget the first time I saw her, when she walked into the Crystal Palace. I used to laugh at the guys who talked about falling for a mare at first sight. Never in a million years did I think the same thing would happen to me. To say I was struck dumb at her beauty would be an understatement. Maybe it wasn't her beauty that entranced me. Maybe it was the way she walked, still trotting down that line between peasant and princess.
She looked so nervous.
I made sure my introduction was flawless, perfectly enunciated. Maybe if I did it perfectly, it would comfort her somewhat.
I thought she looked at me then... but that must have been my imagination.
What wasn't my imagination was the moment when, three days later, she bumped into me in the corridor. I managed to keep my cool, to offer a witty remark, and walk past her. I could feel her eyes on me as I walked away.
It was obvious to everybody I noticed her.
It was shocking to me that she noticed me at all.
Princess Cadance told me about it later. She insinuated that Princess Twilight might have a crush on me. She also hinted that she would do her best to arrange for me to meet her properly the next time she came to visit.
Time always slows to a crawl when you have something wonderful to look forward to.
I kept waiting for her to return to the Crystal Empire after that, but I waited in vain. There are important things she must attend to, I assured myself. She is a princess after all.
Plus there was that whole business with the Everfree Forest and the sacrifice of the Elements of Harmony.
And what chance did I have, really, with a princess?
But then... Prince Shining Armour was a guard like me, and he still ended up with Princess Cadance.
It's thoughts like that that keep me going, that remind me that maybe there is a chance after all.
When Princess Cadance announced that she needed two escorts to Ponyville, my hoof was the first in the air. I heard the snickers from those around me, but I didn't care. Here was my chance to see her again.
I was of course chosen alongside strong Amethyst. I was glad for that. The crystal pony was one of those who detested gossip, and I knew that he wouldn't pester me the whole train ride about my pipe dreams and lofty ambitions.
The train seemed to crawl from station to station. Time moved slower and slower the closer we got to Ponyville. I began to doubt I would ever see the modest little village and would just be forced to endure this endless stretch of track for all time.
Ah! There it was!
This was the moment I'd been waiting for. Amethyst and I took our places on either side of Princess Cadance as the train ground to a stop. The doors opened, all three of us stepped out...
There she was.
A vision of purple loveliness, the widest smile on her face... just as I'd remembered her.
Did she remember me?
Greetings were exchanged between the two princesses. I made ready to introduce myself. I opened my mouth, wet my lips...
Princess Cadance's nod signaled us to return to the train, to return to the Crystal Empire.
I turned, but I stole one final look back, vainly hoping that she would meet my eyes once again. I knew that if our eyes met, I could tell her everything I felt with just one look.
There! Was that contact? I wasn't sure. I had no time to look again. I boarded the train. The doors shut behind me and the great crystal locomotive began to roll once more.
With a sigh, I collapsed onto my chair and closed my eyes.
There she was, her lovely face hiding behind my eyelids. Just as I'd seen her. Just as I would remember her.
I had volunteered for this long ride because I knew I would see her, even if it were just a glimpse.
Just a glimpse is all I got.
But somehow... I knew that just a glimpse would be enough.
Until we met again.
Author's Note
This may or may not have been written while angry at all the ridiculous Flash Sentry hate.
I think he'd be a cool guy if we just got to know him.
“Of all the impertinent, impolite… just downright rude things for a stallion to do!” Rarity raged, her magic casting another mannequin at the boutique’s wall in frustration.
Spike ducked the flying projectile just in time to avoid it before it collided with the wall and exploded into splinters. The diminutive dragon raised his arms in a warding off gesture. “Rarity, please calm down. Is this really something to freak out about?”
He regretted the words the instant they left his mouth.
Rarity’s eyes fixed on him, the air almost blistering with the power of her fury. “I am NOT freaking out.” She screamed. “Although I have every right to if I wish. This isn’t the first time that this no good, feather-brained… PEGASUS has stood me up.” She began to advance on the dragon that was starting to look for escape routes. “I have spent LITERAL HOURS dolling myself up for him, and what does he do? HE SENDS A CANCELLATION MESSAGE WITH HIS LITTLE BROTHER!” The intricate gown Rarity had chosen for her date with Thunderlane began to flare around her hooves. “All things considered, I think I’m taking this rather well. But, if you really wish to see me ‘freak out,’ then by all means; allow me to indulge you.”
Spike looked on in growing horror as the magic from her horn glowed brighter. The boutique’s walls began to push outwards from the tremendous pressure inside. He waved his arms frantically. “No no no! That’s not what I meant at all. I meant that there’s no reason you should be reacting this way to being stood up by Thunderlane.”
Rarity’s building magic wave faded and she stared at him in confusion. “What?”
Spike breathed a sigh of relief before continuing. “I mean, how many times is this Rarity? How many times has he stood you up or cancelled at the last minute?”
“I don’t… I don’t know. I don’t keep count.”
“It’s five. This is the fifth time he’s done something like this.”
“How did you…”
“You give him chance after chance after chance and what does he do? He throws it right back in your face.” Spike could feel his own anger and frustration growing. “He doesn’t seem to grasp how lucky he is that you keep forgiving him. All he does is take you for granted and I… it takes all I’ve got to stop myself from taking a deep breath and roasting him right there on the spot!”
“Spike…”
“And he’s not the only one! Blueblood was the first, but at least you saw through him pretty quick. But do you remember Blues?”
“Of course, but I…”
“He should’ve had the guts to tell you about that colt-friend of his in Las Pegasus. But did he? No! He lead you on for MONTHS before telling you! All these stallions keep using and abusing your trust and kindness and I just sit there and watch and I…” He saw the tears in her eyes and stopped. “Rarity?”
She sniffed. “You’re right, Spike. You’re absolutely right.” She began to cry, the carefully done make-up on her face running down in small rivers of misery. “I just…” She couldn’t continue.
Spike rushed to the corner and grabbed a rag before sliding to a stop in front of the mare he’d fallen for. “Rarity, please don’t cry.” He gently raised the rag towards her face, but she pushed it away. Unsure what to do, Spike started saying whatever popped into his head. “Lift up your head.”
She looked at him, revealing the mess her face had become.
Spike couldn’t suppress the chuckle at how ridiculous she looked. “Wash off that mascara. Here, take this towel, wipe that lipstick away.”
Rarity sniffed as he carefully wiped the wasted make-up from her face, careful to avoid getting any on her dress.
“Show me your face, clean as the morning.” He smiled at her natural beauty and rubbed a hand down her cheek. “I know things were bad, but now… they’re okay.”
Rarity unconsciously rubbed her cheek against his palm as something occurred to her. “Spike? Did you just rhyme?”
Their position suddenly evident to the small dragon, his purple cheeks became the color of angry storm clouds. “I, uh, I need to go!” He was gone before the mare could say another word, the boutique door swaying gently behind him.
Rarity stared after him, her mind racing. She’d always known of the small reptile’s affections for her, but she’d never realized…
She remembered his selfless deeds, his kind acts, his wonderful gifts, the way he seemed to always be there when all the other stallions treated her wrong…
She touched a hoof to her cheek, still warm from his touch. She smiled.
Maybe the right stallion had been right in front of her this whole time.
And maybe he wasn't a stallion at all.
She trotted over, shut the door, and made for her bedroom. There were plans to attend to. Along the way, she banished any and all thoughts regarding Blueblood, Blues, Thunderlane, and all the other stallions who had treated her wrong over the years. Now she realized they were always the wrong choice.
And suddenly Spikey seemed to be the most perfect choice of them all.
Author's Note
This was originally a prize for one of my contests.
It's worth noting that while 'Just a Glimpse' is not part of my continuity... technically THIS is.
