Chapters Rarity dates Prince Nightshade
To the depths of Canterlot
Author's Note
NOTE: This story takes place in the same AU as my Rise of the Elements stories. Obviously reading them would help, but really you don't need to. There are various things that might make more sense if you have, or hints of certain things, but there isn't anything actually important to this story that isn't explained in it somewhere.
To the depths of Canterlot
It was a dark and dour room in the bowels of the castle. Twilight clearly was telling the truth about the cleaning spell as despite an unmistakable look of disrepair there was no dust whatsoever. Not that I had much doubt but it was interesting to see for myself that Canterlot would simply remain clean because Celestia enchanted it thusly. I was so thankful to Twilight for teaching me some basic cleaning spells, but an automatically clean city is a different level entirely. Applejack's family member, one Carmel Apple, a mare with a sticky messy mane I was sorely tempted to do something about, but I didn't want to get distracted, had led Applejack and I down here.
She had closed the door behind her and then he stepped out of the shadows. In the end this whole thing could be somewhat silly but I was just so curious. He was built much like Chrysalis, but more masculine. Not quite as masculine as I would have suspected, but masculine enough. Unlike that horrid Queen that ruined the wedding earlier, he had a dark blue mane and sky blue eyes. Yes they were a bit odd to say the least, but the effect was striking. Also less green is almost always better, not always, but nearly so. He was a prince loyal to Luna that tried to stop this whole thing, with help from Applejack for reasons I'm still not sure of.
"So why exactly did you even let me find you?" asked Applejack
"Hmm, oh no my hive is a touch mad at me right now, so they happily had Cara lead you here for a bit of revenge. Such is the price of allowing as much freedom as possible."
"Your ma ain't the same way, is she?" Applejack drawled
"Not as far as I know, but perhaps she's changed more in 1000 years than I think. Now I think it's time you introduce me properly to your lovely companion."
AJ rolled her eyes. "Ah know ya know that's Rarity."
I tried to push her aside, but brick walls have more give. Clearly the upper limit for earth pony strength and resilience is very impressive. Instead I gracefully surrendered to that possibility, and simply stepped around her. Nightshade took my hoof in his and gave it a kiss. I let out a titter of just the right intensity, pitch, and length.
"Oh my, so a true gentle stallion as well as an exotic prince. Please don't mind Applejack, she is well mannered when she tries, but is almost as bad as Rainbow. I am Rarity, Countess of Manehattan, and rising fashion star."
"And I am Prince Atropa Beladona, leader of the Canterlot hive, though over the years we've spread though much of Equestria."
Applejack groaned. "So you really did come with me fer exactly why ah thought ya did, and the small talk was just a bonus."
"Oh come now Applejack. Think about it."
I certainly had. It was clear Luna was aware of and trusted him, as did Cadence. Though I suppose Cadence trusting Chrysalis resulted in this whole mess so perhaps I should focus on Luna's good judgement in this matter instead. Applejack also seemed to trust him to some degree. He is a prince, and so far all evidence points to him behaving as a proper prince should, though I must be careful not to get my hopes too high. Then there is the shapeshifting.
"An exotic prince that defied his mother to serve the crown of a foreign nation, and he is not only gorgeous in a strange sort of way, but should be able to take the shape of any stallion that one could dream of."
"Oh I can do more than that." Then Nightshade was copying Luna. "And of course one must never forget that we changelings can alter ourselves to fit an outfit."
"Oh of course not. It all just seems so intriguing." I gasped "Oh and you are fey as well. The wonderful mystery of it all. Still, you actually have some gender issues, correct? A tendency to stay in female for notable lengths of time?"
"Yes, though in my case that's more of an issue of being indecisive than what you're thinking of. We aren't like ponies you see."
"Hmmm…"
It was something to think about. Something that I hadn't picked up on upstairs, only that Shinning found him annoying and he seemed to be a long time ally to Equestria, very much unlike his mother. I summoned a little rug with a flash and sat down on it. I really could never thank Twilight enough for her lessons. So far it was only fabric and other fashion related objects, but summoning items was terribly useful and there wasn't much else I could think to summon. So there were numerous further questions to ask, but now wasn't the time.
So what do I know now? First positive, if he's comfortable in mare forms I could put him in dresses. First con, it's not clear how awkward that would actually be, and if he likes wearing dresses as a stallion that could be a problem. Though whether that's true or not can't be determined at a glance, and if he does so only in private I'm not entirely sure I would care. Second pro he is a prince and if I chose to marry him I would be a princess. Con, I'm not entirely sure if being princess of the changelings might not come with some unwanted issues. Despite the stories I read I have some understanding of how the fey really work and know any involvement with them can be dangerous. It's why I greatly worry for Fluttershy even if in truth it's the fey entire that should worry about her.
"Since ah'm guessing she's going to be busy a while now, how about we focus on why ah came here in the first place."
"I can still hear you know." I said "Just because I am considering important matters does not render me deaf."
"Oh, er…" Applejack looked at the ground
"No matter, now feel free to stop talking to me so I may better concentrate."
"I was honest with you." Nightshade said "I still don't entirely understand mother's actions, but that may have even been the point. It was the last thing I expected her to do."
"So she did it. What about Fluttershy, could she have really…"
"Stopped it from the beginning? I doubt it. Mother would surely try to weasel out of things. She's been planing this, at least in part, for 1000 years. She manipulated things to last exactly how long she wanted to."
The idea of the fey is one I've liked for some time. Having those wonderful wings, as troublesome as they were in the end, made me feel like fairy princess. Quite a few of my romances work with the idea of a mortal being swept into the world of the fey with all that brings. The highest of society, the highest and oldest of magic, and strange customs abound. And of course passion from all involved, including very often estranged lovers. Yes, I suppose being fey is both a pro and con, terribly romantic, but not terribly safe.
"Is Fluttershy really right about…"
"The injuries? Yes, the way this plan works is you attack and cause confusion. Then you run the ponies into the hooves of another. Sometimes as a replaced love, sometimes as a new pony identity to forge the bonds of love in a stressful time."
"Then how come this is the first time ah heard of changelings?"
"Because it's never done like this. It's risky enough as is, faking an attack from a mysterious enemy force, rogue griffins is most common, but anything can work really."
"So yer saying this attack was two kinds of wrong?"
"Yes. She did loot the treasury, but didn't take much, just some old changeling etchings, and old crown, and three magical artifacts."
"Etchings?" I asked
He smiled. "Yes, though you might find the process a touch disgusting changeling saliva is notably acidic. We've gotten very good with its use over the years. As nature is the most common subject the works were only suspicious in their style."
Disgusting, yet practical. If cleaned properly it would be silly to complain as there are more than a few processes in the fashion industry that use less than savory ingredients. Perfume most of all. Some things it is best to simply not dwell on.
"So yer ma took back some art that was hers anyway?"
"Not really. In fact one of the etchings was my own creation, but mother can be more sentimental that I tend to give her credit, so perhaps it's innocent enough."
An artist? Possibly not a good one, but he is likely to at least appreciate other art. That certainly is a pro. Though I suppose his method is disgusting, so that gets to be a con, though a minor one.
"And the crown?" I asked
"Unimportant as far as I know. It is pretty, but there are countless more in the treasury. It may hold some importance to a past identity I'm not aware of, but it was listed as simply being found in a field long ago."
They kept talking but the mention of crown brought something else to mind and I mostly blocked them out as they talked about missing items. He is at least 1000 years old and has a large group of subjects under his dominion. The exact numbers and how much they might contribute to his wealth are unclear, but it's unlikely for him to be remotely poor. Even if he is not truly wealthy it would make sense for him to have access to the finer things. There are too many questions there for clear pros or cons, but there are certainly possibilities. Then something Prince Nightshade said focused my attention again.
"She may have also taken any number of objects from private collections, as we've had numerous missing item reports, but as of now their validity is hard to determine."
I sighed. "Some nobles have no class and are claiming various objects as stolen for insurance money." I shook her head. "Shameless."
"Yes, and it makes our job much harder." He replied
"And what is that exactly?" I asked, the tiniest hint of smile on my face "You are not in the military yet…"
"I work in intelligence of course."
She laughed, and with a flash was in male pony form. He was tall as Celestia and twice as gorgeous. Maybe a little too gorgeous and not even handsome for some, but I decided I most certainly liked it. His pink coat was a hideous shade of neon pink. His mane and tail were blue and black and flowed marvelously.
"I'm quite good at disguises you see."
"I do." I stood and the rug vanished with a second flash, back where it belonged. "So on top of it all a spy too."
I smiled. It was really just too much. There were problems. There were questions I needed answers too, but I'd gone on dates with stallions with far less promise with less information. With Blueblood I found that all my information was wrong, but had I not been blinded by my own foolishness I would have known that. Hopefully I am not making the same mistake again. Still, risk is unavoidable in life. I still can't say I know how much the matter of gender will matter, but is not part of dating finding out more about your potential partner? And with one risk, why not another? I smiled
"There is a play I wish to see. The premiere will be two Moondays from now. Show up promptly, I trust to you discover the time and place."
Then I walked off. I imagine both of them were staring. If Nightshade wasn't looking directly at my hips I was completely wasting my time walking off so slowly and with such emphasis. Though I suppose some stallions focus on the motion of the tail more, don't they? It was a bold move, and one that could backfire easily. I certainly never set a date without explaining the details before, but oh the impact of that statement. Now lets see if he actually shows up. If nothing else I shall still see a wonderful play in Canterlot wearing a fabulous dress.
Rarity dates Prince Nightshade
"No"
He blinked. Not only was he still that same awful neon pink, but he was wearing a suit an atrocious shade of pea soup green that simply should not exist at all, much less be an acceptable color for a suit. I like the cut and overall style, I think it was even a Hoity Toity original, though it could just be part of his showcase. I looked around. We were outside the theatre, and there was no obvious place we could go to get some time alone. While he and I both knew changelings would soon be entering Equestrian society officially, for the moment the somewhat distressing number of changelings in the country was a secret. He gave me a winning smile.
"I am more than willing to help fix things if possible, but unlike my subjects, I can't read your mind."
"You read their minds?"
"Rarely. It's rather rude. Granted with the web to some degree everyone is reading everyone's mind, but that's not the same as what royals can do."
"Interesting can you…" Then I shook my head, focusing on what is truly important. "No, we must focus. We have to do something about that look, away from prying eyes. If it was just the suit I could fix it here, but it's more than that."
"Hmm, well apparently it's good I came early to find you already waiting. Come on, follow me."
I then followed him around the side of the theatre to a side entrance. The cast entrance specifically. I was about to ask him what he planned to do when Shifting Sand opened the door a very large stern stallion was guarding. The Unicorn stallion wasn't the most handsome fellow to ever grace the stage, but his singing voice was perfect, and there was no actor better. Also while his light tan coat and mane various shades of brown was somewhat boring it was stylish in an understated way. It fit his name certainly.
"Let them in Wally. They're guests."
"You know…"
Then I stopped, realizing several things, and kept quiet for a time. No one spoke once we were inside. Both stallions walked with confidence eventually reaching Shifting Sands private dressing room. He then immediately left.
"He's a changeling?"
"Yes, and always has been. We're just naturally good at acting, and finding love is easy. If the adoration of the masses doesn't work finding a pony that loves you for your work is not hard. It's not eros, but it's filling enough."
"But he…"
"Yes, all sorts of little details. All lies. However I do plan to respect his privacy, so while I have some truly monumental gossip about him, we can't discuss it."
I gave him my third best puppy dog eyes. Can't go all out unless it's truly important after all. "Are you sure you can't tell me?"
"Maybe a little, but if you truly wish to see the play he's in perhaps we should move on to what exactly I've done wrong."
"Colors. The more I see of the suit the more I approve of the design, but how you convinced Hoity Toity to make something in that color I'll never understand."
"A large quantity of rum."
"I would think you'd need at least Vodka. Now lets see, first change your coat to black. It's certainly your color, and while it is suspicious, that will hardly matter soon."
"True enough."
Then he was black, with pink and blue hair. Not only was the pink still terrible, but the combination reminded me of Bon Bon, or maybe more to the point Sweetie Drops. Then I had a thought.
"How many hives are there exactly? The ones causing Applejack's family trouble were yellow, you are blue, and Bon Bon's double is pink."
He laughed. "I have no idea. I know how many brothers and sisters I had a thousand years ago, but now? Only mother knows. She's very random about that sort of thing."
"Yes, anyway, lose the pink, it bothers me and doesn't really fit you besides." I then sighed. "Or does it?"
"Ah, you mean my issues with gender? Yes, you should have simply asked for some more information before this date. I have no clear gender, but it also means I don't care."
"So male or female, it doesn’t matter in any way to you?"
He shook his head. "Oh there is one way. Stallions have never interested me in any way besides being one. I have always been one to seek out the beauty of mares, and nothing else. So lets try just blue."
It was far too plain. As a changeling the look works very well, but he really should have a two-tone mane. Three might be too much. I then realized I was smiling. I was essentially choosing the colors for my stallion myself. I then noticed he was also slightly shorter than me, not much, but it was there.
"Dark forest green with the blue. Also match my height."
"I thought I did?"
"Clearly you are using my old measurements. That horrid business with Fluttershy and the hat was not my best moment but I did get a little growth spurt out of it."
He nodded and already looked much better. Next came the suit. On a whim I tried pink, but even more subdued it was still a crime against fashion. Then I tried light grey with salmon trim. He made it work. I nodded.
"Ah, much better. Might assume you know what time it is?"
"You may, as I do."
"Do I have time for one more question?"
"One more at least, though if there is nothing else we should get moving."
"Very well. Can you really be comfortable as a pony because…" I paused "How do I best put this?"
He laughed. "Because you hate the holes?"
"No, more I wish to, play with you, so to speak. However it would be truly wrong of me to do such if you aren't comfortable."
"I doubt it's just that, but don't worry, it matters not. Our disguise is more than just a normal transformation because we truly become what we appear to be, even magically to some extent, though affinities and power remain the same."
"So while you might appear to have pegasus magic, you really don't have a great deal of air and would have trouble manipulating clouds."
"We have a little, but that is in fact a perfect example. We can fly and walk on clouds, but we are no pegasi. Change is part of who we are, but so is holding that change for long periods of time. It bothers us in no way."
"Does that mean that you will stay male simply because I want you too?"
"Of course. Though if you ever change your mind, or simply wish to experiment, I can oblige you with no fuss. As I said, I am a lover of mares regardless." He smiled
I blushed. "Oh now that is just a touch forward don't you think?"
"Of course, but personally I believe there is far too much backward in the world. Still I really should respect your feelings. It's been some time since I've been on a real date rather than only trying something less serious."
"That seems odd, I mean don't you need…"
"There are all sorts of love Lady Rarity. If nothing else I have the love of my people."
"I thought changelings can't…"
"It is not that we can't, it's that it all goes the same place so it matters not. Despite the impression mother might give one changelings can love just fine, it's just you can't refill a pool with the water that's already in it."
"So does that mean that some changelings…"
"And unless we want to miss the curtain, it's time to go." He walked to the door, and held it open. "After you my lady."
I smiled. I suppose we have time. Dinner would better. Then I realized I hadn't reserved a restaurant. At worst Donut Joe's would at least be a good for talking, but I wasn't sure there was any other establishment in the city that would be available. Perhaps he has made some arrangements, but that seems too much to hope for. This is truly a silly oversight on my part.
Rarity dates Prince Nightshade
So far everything had been perfect. A wonderful play, a chance to talk to the cast after the play, and the restaurant he brought us too was amazing. Well at least getting us a table was, considering the circumstances it may have far more acclaim than it deserves. It was just a single green hair, but I had crinkled my nose at the sight because I had just fished it out of my soup. For a time I just sat there with it in my magic looking at it. The only question was what extent to complain. On the one hoof I certainly felt like making a scene, but this was date, so perhaps I should be more restrained. I decided the proper thing was to ask Nightshade his thoughts, but he was gone.
"I said there is a hair in my date's soup." He yelled "Do you understand me now?"
"Sir…"
I looked up to see Nightshade put a hoof to his head "Oh the horror of it, just sitting there in her soup, befouling it with it's horrid toxins."
"Toxins?" asked the waiter
"I expected better of this establishment. Oh what a horrid day this is. Woe is me for this terrible misfortune that has befallen my lovely companion."
I smiled. I could have easily handled it myself of course, but a true gentlestallion will act for his lady, regardless of need. I was soon at his side hair and soup now within the grip of my magic. After all there is defending your lady, and then there is refusing to stand up for yourself. I placed both down on the not entirely empty serving cart beside him. Based on the full looking plates of food he was in the process of delivering food to others.
"You will correct this issue I am sure. I suggest you do it quickly, but do not do it at others expense. Unless of course there are other dishes with such problems, in which case slow service would be a favor."
The waiter gulped. "Yes mam. Right away mam." He then ran off
"Ooo, very good. So, what did you think? I know you liked it, but would it have been better if I reigned myself in some more, or truly let loose with let my penchant for drama?" He then smiled
"You, know?"
He walked back to our table. "One of my special skills of course. Very useful in the spy business, let me tell you."
"Ah, because just as without smell we would have trouble finding food to eat, or at least our ancestors would, all animals must have a way to find food."
"It's interesting you say our ancestors there, but in the end it seems likely even if the connection is further back than it seems. However obviously you understand that isn't a good discussion for now. The important part is you understand the idea."
Empathy. To find love one must know love. There are other ways to detect it, but clearly a magical one would be most to the point, so direct magical empathy. I then suddenly had a great deal of questions to ask but no idea how to ask. I'm sure he's had countless discussions in half code, but I'm hardly a spy and don't have any real experience beyond some silly stories that I know can't be that accurate. Just one example being how wrong they get Celestia. Not just based on reality, but compared to other books in the same series. But then I realized he mentioned he was a spy.
"So Mr. Nightshade, you're a spy yes? What do you know about changelings?"
He laughed. "Oh, I guess they are a big topic of conversation, aren't they?"
"Oh yes, and of course will become even bigger soon as we both know."
He smiled. "Knowing the princess personally has its perks, doesn't it?"
I nodded. "Oh yes. Now good sir I really must know about…"
"Oh I can't tell you anything much of course. Very top secret, or common knowledge I certainly can't answer any suspicious questions."
I blinked. I then looked around. We hadn't been talking too loud, but of course that little issue with the soup meant everyone was watching us, even if most tired to hide it. Those close enough, were listening. I also realized what he meant by suspicious. I wanted to ask about the empathy but if I did that now it would be very suspicious and as far as most of Equestria knew, it's city was free of changelings. I just sighed, and decided a topic change was in order.
"So, what exactly do you know about fashion?"
"I know good fashion when I see it, but as you've found have the color sense of a blind pony. I rather like that at times, but I'm willing to change a great deal I don't care about when it comes to something I do."
"Ah, but we barely know each other and…"
"And you already care about me. So lets see how far that can go."
I blushed a little and was trying to think of something to say, but the waiter was returning with a bowl of soup and a pony in a chef's had with his head hung low. I decided at least for the moment, I would rather focus on that.
Rarity dates Prince Nightshade
It was a wonderful day and not even the dustiness of the acres could bother me. Especially since I know had my dust repelling spell. There are times when it doesn't seem worth it trying to learn from Twilight, she's certainly happy enough but for me it is trying. But then she teaches me something truly marvelous and all is forgiven. I was smiling widely, but Applejack frowned slightly and raised an eyebrow.
"Sugarcube, why exactly are you gushing to me about yer date. Ah mean…"
"Well I can't help it of course. He is just such a gem of a stallion. Perfect manners, a fascinating job, the title of course, and then being a changeling. There were some obvious pluses there, but they're really a fascinating people."
"Ah guess. I'm still not too fond of them, even though Nightshade helped me get rid of that there infestation down south. I'm really thankful to him for that, but…"
"You don't like a race that's more or less designed to lie."
"It ain't just that. That stallion ain't gonna betray Equestria, but he sure as hay might leave a trail of broken hearts behind him."
"And, what exactly are you basing that on?"
Applejack blinked, then looked into my eyes. "That's why yer here, ain't it? You want the dirt on him and the only one you know that got any?"
"Yes and no. I am curious if you know anything I don't, but I doubt it. Truthfully I've told all the girls. Fluttershy is happy for me, as is Dash I believe. Though all she said was, he seems cool."
"Yea, that could mean a lot, but Dash seems to like the idea he's been loyal to Equestria all this time. Course we figured this out after talking over why she seemed to have no problem with him unlike the other changelings."
"Ah. Twilight was also happy for me, but went into a rant about expectations for dating and romance so quickly, and a dour mood change to go with it, that I'm not entirely sure."
"Sounds to me more like she is happy for you, but maybe ain't happy for herself, or is and somepony else is making her think she shouldn’t be. Don't pay it no mind."
I nodded. "Of course." Then I sighed "Pinkie is clearly happy for me, however I had a harrowing time convincing her not to throw me a Rarity did it party."
"When you said did it do ya mean…"
"I mean in just those words, did it. I still don't know for certain what she meant, but eventually I convinced her that while, had a date, would be appropriate I didn't want a celebration for that either."
"And that worked."
"I promised she could be in charge of our wedding."
"Yep, that would do it. So did ya?"
"Did I what?"
"Yah know, do it."
I glared at her. "I am a lady."
She smirked. "That ain't really an answer sugarcube."
I tired to glare at her harder, but I wasn't sure that was possible. "Yes. It. Is."
Applejack just laughed. "Still ain't, but ah guess ah know the answer well enough, don't ah? She laughed. "That there is just one more reason I ain't ever been no lady."
I calmed down a bit. I was half tempted to ask, even as inappropriate as it was. My curiosity helped me quickly calm down. I looked around, searching for big brothers that should not hear me discussing such matters, and little sisters much the same for very different reasons. I then realized it was more than just Applejack's little sister that might be around, but saw no one. But before I could decide for certain to say something Applejack spoke up.
"Wait a tick sugarcube, you did make sure to tell Pinkie that's only if you get married right. Remember that whole thing when Berry promised Pinkie could do her wedding."
"That worked out rather well in the end. I mean you can see the love in their eyes, and they both clearly love their foal."
"True enough, so ah guess that's a yes you made sure."
"No, I wanted her to get started even if we haven't set a date."
Applejack just stared at me. I was very confused. She looked so utterly shocked, but I couldn't for the life of me think why.
Rarity dates Prince Nightshade
To the Asylum via the Boutique?
I had a very impressive inhibitor on my horn and was chained to the floor of the boutique. It was also a horribly ugly thing I was glad I couldn’t see right now. The manacles were heavy actually quite comfy, lined with a nice material. I tried not to think too much about why Twilight knew such a spell. Of course even more impressive was I was burning though the inhibitor with little effort, despite my best estimate putting it above what I thought unicorns were capable of, or Twilight when she first came to town. Needless to say I no longer counted her even if she doesn't have wings yet. It's just a matter of time and why the princesses seem to disagree I have no idea.
Next to me was dear Nightshade. He wasn't restrained in any obvious way, in his natural changeling form. I still wasn't fond of the holes, but I did always like tall stallions and really the colors are nice. He was just sitting on a cushion. A few times he had stood to move toward me, but he then stopped, ears pinning back as he cringed, as if there was horrible noise only he could hear. Then he would look at me longingly and return to his seat. How did it come to this?
"Rarity, are you even listening?"
Twilight was taking the lead, with Applejack acting as her second. Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Pinkie were here to support them but I don't think the three of them felt quite so strongly, albeit for different reasons. Fluttershy was worried about me moving too fast, but felt this was taking things too far. Pinkie was being surprisingly reasonable and decided since we're both happy it's fine, but less surprisingly didn't see why she should attempt to remove my restraints, or try to convince Applejack and Twilight to stop. Rainbow seemed entirely apathetic about the whole thing and from what I can tell only helped because she thought this would be funny.
"Twilight, I am listening just fine. You are the one that is not."
"I'm am sorry Lady Sparkle, but I must agree with my love. You have been nothing but rude, and completely refused to listen to a word we've said."
"One date." Said Twilight "You can not get married after one date. That's ridiculous."
"It ain't like it's a real complicated idea to get sugarcube."
"I just worry about you." Added Fluttershy
"Hmmm, does baking muffins with love really make them food for changelings?"
"There can be small traces of love in a well made item, food or otherwise, but not enough to feed off of. However we are fond of sweet things. Just go heavy on the sugar."
"You know for some reason most ponies ask me to go light on the sugar, I never have understood that. I mean…"
"Pinkie, for the last time, we are trying to stop the wedding."
"Oh silly filly, I know that, I just know you're going to fail."
Everyone stared at Pinkie. Honestly even I wasn't sure of that. I certainly had no plans to do so at the moment, but when Twilight puts her mind to something most often it gets done. Dash groaned.
"Ugh, this is boring. Look just let them get married, then just have Celestia zap it out of existence." Dash looked up. "Or whatever the paperwork equivalent of zap is."
"Rubber stamp maybe?" Twilight put her hoof on her chin. "You know I've never thought of it before but there probably is a paperwork equivalent of zap, but I'm not entirely sure what it is."
Applejack rolled her eyes. "Focus Sugarcube."
"Right." Twilight nodded and turned to Rainbow "Dash how do you know about that law, assuming its real. I think it is, but I'm not sure."
"Not what ah meant."
"Oh, mom had to do that once. I mean he was all like marry me or die and had this long speech explaining what he'd do, but she just said sure, and then got Celestia to blast the marriage apart once we were both safe. He shouldn't have been so surprised."
"True enough." I added "You are talking about an annulment, correct?"
"Maybe? I think it's more like some super annulment with a different name, but I forget why it's different and what the name is."
"Because you weren't actually paying attention at the time." Twilight then sighed
"Duh, I mean it's not like it was important or anything."
Applejack sighed. "So could you explain why you want to do this dang fool thing Rarity? It don't make no sense."
I turned to Nightshade. "Oh it makes perfect sense Applejack. He is everything I ever truly wanted in a stallion, even the things I didn't even know to want."
"Really now, and ya'all figured this out all from one date?"
"Why would it take longer?" asked Nightshade "You can't understand because you've never been so lucky. You haven't yet met that one stallion that truly completes you. That stallion that makes every day brighter, and every night darker." He then blinked
"That doesn't make any sense." Said Twilight "Just like none of this makes sense."
"Why are you so sure it should?" asked Nightshade "I certainly think it doesn't"
I felt my eyes begin to tear up "You don't?"
"As I said my love, why should it? Love isn't logical. It's an emotion, but not something you truly choose. Hate is the same that's what makes it so dangerous. There are ways to avoid either, but you can't really choose to love, you simply do."
I swooned.
"Ugh, gag me." Said Rainbow
"That was terribly rude." Said my noble Nightshade.
"That doesn't really make sense. I mean I can choose to hate. I do hate your mother for instance because she tried to ruin my brother's wedding and…"
"Everything else. Yes, but in the end you didn't really choose it. You certainly can say you did, and acting as if you hate someone is easy, but truly hating them? Their can be reasons for it, but hate is free of that process as love. That is why you must welcome in love whenever it comes, for only it can banish hate."
"The annoying thing Twi is they ain't lying about nothing."
"That just means their both crazy." Said Twilight
"Duh, they're in love, of course they're crazy."
Everyone else stared at Pinkie. She was being incredibly sensible. This suddenly worried me. I suppose the phrase is crazy in love for a reason after all. It's not as if we didn't know this wasn't a somewhat extreme course of action, we just felt it was worth taking. I then flared my horn one more time with the simple and surprisingly powerful spell I have been casting all this time. I'm still amazed at the increase of raw power I've come to possess. Compared to Twilight I still feel insignificant, but compared to any other unicorn things are much better. Thus everyone ended up in dresses when the horrid thing on my horn burned out with a shower of sparks and a pop. Oddly it didn't feel that hot, merely warm. I then quickly cast a spell to unlock the chains.
Twilight sighed "I guess that's it then."
"Sugarcube, just cause she got out don't mean you can't put her back in."
"Actually darling the rules about restraining unicorns, for their own good…" I scoffed "…are quite clear. You would be outright breaking the law if you went further. Also it's terribly rude."
"Wait, you mean like there's a not rude way to tie somepony up?" asked Dash, somehow already out of her dress.
"Obviously." I rolled my eyes
Twilight sighed. "Honestly unicorns have come up with proper etiquette for everything. This is actually one of the less silly things as it serves a clear purpose. In this case we've reached a threshold where I would have to risk permanent damage to keep her properly restrained. Obviously I don't want to go that far."
"Course from what you been telling me even permanent harm ain't so permanent for the lot of us no more."
"Actually I really just meant you and Pinkie, though I guess it might be possible for the rest of us too. That just makes it worse really."
"Come on Fluttershy, rescind your order to Nightshade and so we can leave."
"Oh so sorry my white perfection, but sadly she gave no such order, merely told my subjects where this event was taking place."
I blinked, then turned to him. "And you cannot stop them?"
"I can, and mother would have no qualms about doing such a thing, but I told them I would be no tyrant, and will stand by it, no matter the cost." His eyes began to water, and he looked away "I am so sorry my love, but duty must come first."
"I understand. Oh crewel fate, why must…
Dash let out an unladylike inarticulate yell. "Come on, enough of that. Fix it Twi."
Twilight predictably blinked and looked at Dash as if she were mad. "What?"
"You're good at this sort of thing, since they're clearly going be all lovey dovey stupid and not budge we need to compromise."
Twilight stared for a moment, then smiled. "Why Rainbow Dash that is a surprisingly mature and thoughtful solution. What do you suggest?"
"Suggest? I dunno, you're the egghead. That's why I said you should fix it. Duh."
"Right." Twilight's ears briefly folded back. "Okay, lets see." She turned to Nightshade and I "Obviously you don't want to stop the wedding, while we think you need to at least date more before you make such a decision."
"But Twilight, if we don't start planning right away we may miss our window. We simply must…"
"Okay, so that sounds like the solution is fairly easy, if odd. You simply have to set the date many months in advance, and you date in the interim."
"Hmmm, a winter wedding would be an excuse to wear fur." I said
"Fur?" asked Fluttershy
"Fake of course darling." I turned to Nightshade. "What do you think?"
"Luna was always fond of winter, and I was thinking we could get married under the moonlight. It would be even better in winter."
I frowned. "But also colder."
"Oh that's hardly an issue, even if we do go with an outside venue. Warming the area is a simple task for my changelings, and they'll come around once they're convinced you haven't case some strange spell on me to make me love you."
"Spell? That's why they're nervous?"
"Yes, it's terribly silly of them, but they'll see in time, trust me."
"Okay, problem solved. I'm gone."
And she was. There wasn't even a gust of wind, the door to my shop was simply open and Rainbow gone. Pinkie hugged the two of us, it wasn't the first time today, and once when I was in chains. She muttered something about happiness, but honestly she was talking so fast it was hard to make out. Then suddenly she gasped.
"Omigosh, you are going to let me help, right? I mean I have to at least do your reception. I'll make sure it's super duper fancy even if it's not fun, even thought that's super hard and…"
I summoned a plush muffin into her mouth I had created for just this purpose. "Yes of course, and while I think I'll be in charge of the decorations myself, you may certianly help me with that as well."
"And remember, we also will have a largish army of ponies to help once they are convinced I have truly fallen head over heels in love with you."
I nodded "Yes that…"
"This is going to end badly, isn't it?" interrupted Twilight
I gave her a short glare, but said nothing
"Ah dunno sugarcube, love moves fast sometimes. My folks got hitched after just a month of knowing each other. Though ah course they didn't do no fancy wedding, they just got granny to marry them."
"She's qualified for that?" asked Twilight
"That and more sugarcube. Way I figure it even if all they do is plan Rarity's fancy pants dream wedding they'll get to know each other real well."
"By the way did I ever tell you…"
"Yes." Fluttershy, Twilight, and Applejack said at he same time
"I'm sorry." Added Fluttershy
"Ya'll have gabbed on a whole lot about yer dream wedding sugarcube. I imagine there isn't a single one of us that doesn't know all about what you want."
"Hmm, yea, strict limit on the balloons. That's a must."
We then all stared at Pinkie. Not because she seemed to have simply eaten the stuffed muffin, it wouldn’t be the first time, and her comment wasn't too surprising. It was certainly odd, but not surprising. It was the incredibly serious and calm look on her face. I had seen it before, but not often. It was always, disquieting.
"Right, parties are serious business." Said Twilight
"I need my catalogs." Then pinkie was gone in a blur.
"Uh, I guess it will be okay." Fluttershy wouldn't look up at me. "I mean, we can always change our mind if things still look bad and do something more later right?"
"Of course, but obviously that won't be required. Our love shall never fade."
"Unless Luna is wrong about the immortality." Said Nightshade "Which I doubt."
"Ah reckon that's it for now then. Ah got work to do, so I'll see ya later."
"I need to go talk to Princess Celestia." She looked toward me eyes going wide. "On a completely unrelated matter of course."
Twilight then vanished. Applejack let out a little laugh and left. That just left Fluttershy who slowly made her way over to us.
"Well that could have gone better." I said
"Considering the last wedding related disaster I was involved in, hmm, well second to last if you count mother's meddling, ended with me being beheaded I think it went very well." He then laughed.
"Ah yes, I suppose that is an issue. When we say eternal, it most likely truly is."
He nodded "Yes, I imagine you still aren't used to the idea of not being mortal, are you. Don't worry my jewel, I will be here to help always."
Then Fluttershy gave me a brief hug, and moved on to Nightshade. I thought she was going to hug him, but instead she looked him strait in the eyes. She smiled.
"If you hurt her in any way, you will regret it for the rest of eternity."
Then she left. For a long time there was nothing but silence. Finally Nightshade collapsed on the floor, legs splaying out, shivering lightly.
"Maybe it's just me but somehow the pleasant tone and lack of hesitation made that all the more terrifying."
"Oh my, was that actually the stare and…"
"No my dear, just words. No magic of any sort. Merely a reminder that Lady Fluttershy has terrifying power and will, despite much evidence that suggests otherwise."
I smiled "Yes, she is a velvet covered steel boot, isn't she? But your worry is of course ridiculous. You would have hurt me either emotionally or physically. I am more than capable of insuring you do neither."
"I could argue the capable, to a degree, at the moment, but in time yes, I certainly would have no hope at either. Though obviously I would not want to. So, lets get to work."
Then he was standing, and with a blue flash of flame a perfect copy of me save cutie mark. I was about to ask him what he was thinking, but then I had it. I smiled. I have a wedding dress to make, and obviously it would be far easier with a proper model.
"You truly understand me my darling."
"And you my princess, accept me faults and all. Truly there can be no act more generous than that."
We both laughed. Sometimes you simply know. There is no force that could ever hope to draw us apart. And if I'm being foolish as long as I go though with it I will still be a princess who enjoyed a lavish wedding. However in truth the other thing that really bothers me at all is those holes. Everything else is certainly a bit unsettling, but it gives him a sort of feral nobility. But the holes just add nothing. Still, after Blueblood I realized that letting physical features take highest priority can only result in tears. I was tempted to kiss him, but that would be Narcissism on top of kissing a mare so instead I simply gave him a hug and smiled. I found my handsome noble prince, and now know the noble part is far more important.