Compatibility

"Wow...That's ermm quite a get-up.." Thunderlane murmured nervously. He had been told that their dinner was casual, so he wore only a blue bow tie. The flabbergasted pegasus had thought that he was overdressed. He had thought wrong.

"Well, yes my spectacular, authentic, original, peacock feather gown, is quite a 'get up', as it 'twere. Rarity's polished hooves made little quotation marks in the air.

"Get up" humph this gown is incredible. Now how can I have a scandalous affair with a stallion who cannot appreciate an ensemble such as this one? She complained to herself. Rarity was unsure of why Twilight would ever find her "compatible" with such a brute.

"I'm sorry, that was rude of me, you look stunning Miss Rarity." Sweat poured down Thunderlane's muzzle. "I just fear that I am somewhat underdressed." He glanced nervously at his lackluster tie. It was his second best bow tie, so why did it look so pitiful to him now? So lost in thought was he, that he did not see the outlandish grin that was devouring the dignified demeanor that Rarity had maintained until that point.

"Well I just so happen to have some dashing new designs in my stallion's fashion line, Colt Couture. I'm sure we can find something in your size." She batted her perfect eyelashes his way expectantly.

"I-I umm.." His voice trailed off as he stared straight into her eyes.

Why is she staring at me? Her eyes are gorgeous. Blue. My tie is blue. I'm wearing my tie for our date tonight. DATE, YOU'RE  ON A DATE!!! Snap out of it Thunderlane say something.

"Umm y-yes." He wasn't sure if she had even asked him a yes or no question.

Rarity's grin widened, as impossible as that seems, and she lead her entranced suitor into her workroom at Carousel Boutique .

%%%%

"There!!! You look simply marvelous darling! Lavender complements your coat handsomely." Rarity circled the blushing pegasus, scrutinizing the outfit she had chosen for him. When she was satisfied with her work she smiled up at him."Now, would such a dapper gentlecolt mind terribly, if I were to dispose of this garish tie. Blue is simply not your color, dear. Thunderlane winced inwardly, but smiled and nodded. If she thought the tie was "garish" then their was no reason that he should cling to it. He looked at the platinum watch that she had clasped around his hoof. It was 7:45.

"Excuse me, Miss Rarity, but I think we missed our dinner reservations. We were supposed to be at the café at 7:15." He gulped and ran a hoof through his silver mane.

"Ohh good heavens!" Rarity cried "You must think I have no manners at all. Here, you've been lovely all evening, and I must have gotten carried away. Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE WORST POSSIBLE THING!!!" Tears welled in her eyes as she stared at her hooves dejectedly.

"Now Rarity, it's no skin off my flank, I'll enjoy your company reservations, or no." He lifted her chin with his hooves and kissed her softly on the cheek. The snow-white mare's cheeks flushed pink and she wrapped him in a tight hug. "Whadd'ya say we head over to my place for some daisy sandwiches. It's just across the plaza." He beamed at her reassuringly. "It is hardly the Grand Galloping Gala," he teased,"So we should probably leave these masterpieces behind." The ebony stallion gestured awkwardly at his ostentatious "get-up". Rarity blushed once more.

%%%%

Three hours later found them asleep on his sofa, a full night of Daring Do movies behind them. Rarity snuggled into Thunderlane's chest, and nuzzled him affectionately. He sighed groggily and smiled at the beautiful mare next to him.

"What time is it?" The unicorn asked with a most unladylike yawn.

"Nearly 11:00," Thunderlane's reply was accompanied by a yawn of his own."I've got 5 A.M. weather duty tomorrow morning, so I really ought to hit the hay. You're welcome to stay, I-I mean if you want to." He stood up off of the tattered couch in a futile attempt to hide the scarlet hew of his cheeks.

Come now Rarity dear, get a hold of yourself. It is only the first date after all and you are a lady of elegance and class. So why do I want to say yes? Oh, he is expecting a response, isn't he?

"I umm.. I .. Yes." The ivory mare's shocked expression mirrored the stunned look in her companion's eyes. She stumbled off of the couch as gracefully as she could, and followed Thunderlane to the bedroom. Fidgeting nervously, she climbed onto the lumpy mattress and slid under the tattered orange quilt that adorned it.

"Do you have a favorite side?" The pegasus stallion asked as he preened his wings. The blush had not faded from his cheeks yet. "O-of the bed.. You know to sleep in..."

"N-no I suppose not." Sapphire eyes glanced nervously around the room, as Rarity tried to figure out what to make of the awkward situation she faced. "I'm so sorry dear. I'm just unsure of your intentions. No no no, that came out wrong. What I meant waMMPH!!" She was silenced by a warm muzzle pressed against her own. In an instant Rarity's confusion melted away. She kissed back. It was all so clear now; she didn't want to stop, she didn't want to be civil, she didn't want to sleep. Lost in each other, Thunderlane and Rarity forgot about weather duty, garden parties, tornadoes, and the fact that Rumble was sleeping in the next room. It may not have been perfect. It probably wouldn't last forever. But from 12:00 to 3:45 A.M, they were in love.

%%%%

Rumble groaned as he rolled over in bed and shoved a pillow over his face.

"If I fall asleep in class tomorrow, then I'm telling Miss Cheerilee to put Thunderlane in detention." The tiny pegasus colt fell asleep plotting his epic revenge on his brother. Blissful dreams of pillowcases full of frosting danced in his head as he slept. Thunderlane would pay for this one.