Enchantè

                                                            Diplomacy

“Mom! Dad. This is a surprise. What are you both doing here?”

Before his father could speak, his mother said, “We were worried about you.” Looking him over, she added, “You haven’t been eating well. Let’s go inside. We can talk there, and I can get you a real meal.” Giving her husband a ‘not now’ look, she and Lorewise followed their son into his home.

Pawise immediately tried straightening up the place, but his Mom shooed him to a seat, sat her husband down across from him and said, “Now you boys talk nice. I’m going to go see if this son of ours has anything decent in his kitchen I can prepare for us.” Giving them both a warning glare, she added, “Talk. Nice.”

Father and son silently sat across from each other, each looking anywhere but in the eyes. Finally Pawise said, “Soooo…how was the trip?”

“Fine.”

“That’s good. See much of Ponyville yet?”

“We just got here.”

Pawise tapped one hoof on the floor, trying to keep his temper in check. “I really like it here.”

“I’m sure you do.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just what I said: you like it here.”

They both got to their feet, and were about to unload on each other, when Willow walked back into the room and said, “Just as I thought: nothing good in there!” Nudging her son to the door, she said, “Let’s go do some shopping. We can go to that nice bake shop you were telling us about.” Turning to her husband, she gave him a soft kiss and said, “We won’t be gone long.” Before he could reply, she and Pawise made their way out the door.

The evening air had a nice springtime aroma to it, and all around them the various shops and restaurants were just lighting their lamps, casting a soothing glow. A few other ponies were out and about, doing some late night shopping and dining. The night was clear. The moon was waxing high overhead, competing with the stars for loveliness, in stark contrast with Pawise’s conflicting emotions.

“Thanks Mom,” he said, as they walked along.

“Whatever for, dear?” she asked.

Pawise turned to her. “You know.”

Willow returned his look. “Your Father loves you very much, son.”

Pawise stared ahead as he walked. “Yes, but he doesn’t like me.”

An expression of sadness crossed her face. “You two don’t like each other.”

They arrived at the Sugarcube Corner bakery just as another pony was walking out with a bag of sweet pastries in her mouth. “Goo' eve' ing!” she managed.

Pawise smiled. “Good evening, Carrot Top.” Willow smiled at her as they went inside. Pinkie was helping one other customer when she looked up and saw Pawise and Willow.

“Oh, HELLO!” she said. “You must be Pawise’s Mom! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! AND to Ponyville!”

Willow raised one eyebrow. “Now, how did you know I’m his mother?”

Pinkie took a deep breath and said, “Well he looks just like you and Pawise doesn’t have any sisters and I’ve never seen you before so you must have come in on the last train because you and your husband Lorewise are worried about your son and we’re (GASP) having a party tomorrow for him and it will be SUPER nice ‘cause it’s going to be at Applejack’s farm and oh please please PLEASE won’t you come?”

Willow’s mouth hung open, but Pawise grinned and said, “This is Pinkie Pie, Mom.”

“Pleased…pleased to meet you,” she said.

“I’ll be right with you!” Pinkie said as she turned back to her customer.

“Let’s go have a seat,” Pawise said as he and she made their way over to a table.

“How did she know all that?” she asked as they sat down.

“I probably mentioned your names once to her a few days ago. Pinkie remembers anything and everything she hears.”

Willow looked over at her. “I’m not sure I like being able to be read so easily by a stranger.”

“She doesn’t mean any harm. Pinkie is the one-pony welcome party for Ponyville.”

“Speaking of that, what is this party she mentioned?”

Pawise sighed and grinned self-consciously at the memory. “We had an…interesting first meeting when I arrived here, and then she and Applejack decided to throw me a welcome party.”

“Applejack. That’s the pony who gave you those apples you didn’t share?” She smiled at him.

Pawise’s cheeks flamed red as he placed one hoof behind his head. “Yeah…she’s good that way!”

Willow laughed. “I’m just teasing you, son! At least I know you had one good meal!”

Pinkie bounced over and said, “What can I get you two?! We have pound cakes, muffins, OOO! You should try those with fresh butter! Apple pies, doughnuts, what will it be?”

“It all sounds wonderful, dear,” said Willow. "A dozen blueberry muffins would be delightful.”

“Oki doki loki!” said Pinkie as she went to fill their order.

“That’s to go, dear,” Willow called after her.

Pawise looked crestfallen. “Do we have to go back so soon?”

“We can’t keep your father waiting, son.”

Pawise looked angry. “I just don’t feel like arguing with him.”

“It doesn’t have to be an argument, son. We, your father and I, just want what’s best for you.”

“I’m not a foal, Mom. I like it here: everypony is friendly, the Everfree Forest is captivating, and I may have found my soul mate.”

Willow sighed. “That’s what concerns your father and me the most, son.” She held up a hoof to forestall his protest. “I don’t care if she’s a pegasus or a griffon, I just need to know if she feels the same way about you.”

Pawise looked down. “I don’t know. I haven’t told her how much she means to me.” Willow reached across the table and patted his hoof, while they both lapsed into silence.

Pinkie came cautiously over to the table. “Is…is everything alright here?”

Pawise summoned up a weak smile. “Yes of course, Pinkie. Four bits?”

Pinkie said, “No, it’s on me.”

“Thank you dear,” said Willow as she got to her feet. “We’ll certainly come to your party.”

Pinkie’s face lit up like a light bulb. “That’s great! Eight o'clock tomorrow evening at Applejack’s! Formal attire optional!” She rushed forward and gave Willow a big hug, and as she did she whispered, “Fluttershy likes him very much.”

Willow was at first startled, but then gave Pinkie a look of gratitude. She hugged her back and whispered, “thank you.”

Lorewise had just about reached the end of his patience, and was starting out the door, when the two returned. His wife was carrying a big bag of what smelled like outstanding warm muffins with butter. His son didn’t meet his gaze.

“You two were certainly gone long enough. Are those muffins?”

Willow placed them on the table and went to get some clean plates. “Yes,” she called from the kitchen. “Have a seat, I’ll serve them up.”

Pawise and his Dad resumed their former places as his Mom returned with three plates and some butter knives, then busied herself making sure everything was just so. For the next few minutes there was nothing but the sound of their chewing.

Finally Pawise said, “Let’s hear it, Dad. Just don’t think you’re going to change my mind about anything.”

Pawise wasn’t ready for his Dad’s question. “Is she important to you?”

Pawise took a moment to regain his composure. He’d been braced for an onslaught, and had been marshalling his arguments, but this response surprised him. “Yes. Yes she is.”

His father nodded. “Then she’s important to me. When can we meet her?”

Now Pawise was completely taken aback. “I…I guess at the party tomorrow night.”

“What party?” Lorewise looked at his wife.

“His friends are throwing him a welcome party tomorrow night. I said we’d be there.”

Lorewise looked back at his son. “Then we must honor our engagements. What time is it?”

“Eight o'clock. Formal attire they said, but we don’t have to.”

“Nonsense,” replied his father, “Formal attire will be fine.”

“Are you sure, Dad? It’s probably not going to be like a party back home.”

Lorewise smiled. “We’ll manage. And don’t worry; I won’t embarrass you.”

Touched by his Dad’s concern, Pawise said, “Dad? I…I don’t know if she loves me. And at this point I’m scared to find out.” His face showed such wretchedness it pierced Lorewise like a knife.

“Look at me, Son. Never, ever allow fear to have mastery. If she’s worthy of you, she will at the very least be honest with you. And that’s all one can ask.” Turning to his wife, he said, “These are really good. Where did you get them?”

With that the conversation turned to Ponyville, and Pawise told them everything that happened to him, all the ponies he’d met and befriended, his first date with Fluttershy, everything but his first kiss. That he kept to himself.

After a few hours his Dad stood and said, “We’ll be at our room at the Inn. Let’s meet in the morning, say seven o'clock? You can show us this town you like so much. And if these muffins are any indication,” he added, “then perhaps there’s more to this place than meets the eye.”

Pawise stared at his Dad in disbelief. Finally he said, “Dad? I have to say I thought you were against everything I’m doing.”

His father fixed his gaze on him. “I am. But I remember what it was like when I was your age. Your ‘muffin trip’ allowed me some time to think, as I’ve no doubt your mother intended.” Here he turned and looked at his wife, who’s eyes were wide and innocent. He turned back to his son. “Just do one thing for me: if you do have any serious doubts, do not keep them from your mother and me.” He reached out and gave his son’s shoulder a pat. “See you in the morning.”

“Wait,” said Pawise. “Let me walk you to your room.”

He shook his head. “We know the way. You get some sleep.” His mother came forward and planted a kiss on his cheek.

“Thanks Mom,” he told her.

“Good night, sweetheart.”