The Ember Date

I have been so exited for days now! I'm finally on a date! I don't think I have ever been on a date before, either! And with the nicest boy you could imagine. I have secretly had a crush on him, so this is perfect!

His name is Olive Starlight, and like I say, he is the sweetest boy I know. He tends to be quiet, and shy most of the time, but I find it cute. And when he gets comfortable, he is sweet, funny and, well, interesting. I don't know why, but he is. Most girls my age would go for the more strong looking, loudmouth kind of guy.

He asked me out to a date when we were coming out of Flight School for the holiday. We had been quite talkative to each other that day in class, so he must have finally plucked up the courage. It was the end of the day, and we were in the corridor to the exit with a few other Pegasi.

"Oh, uhh, Ember?"

I didn't hear him, so he says my name just a little louder, not wanting to draw attention to himself and get embarrassed.

"Ember...?"

"Who said that?" I say, turning around.

In response, he puts his hoof in the air, only to then pull it back down and look at the floor.

I trot over to him, as his rose red cheeks only get redder.

"What is it Olive?"

"Oh, I was wondering if you wanted to, y'know, go out some time. With me. On a...date?" He quietly says, looking at me, then back at the ground.

A voice interrupted us.

"Hey guys, it's Olive!"

Two Pegasi walk up to him.

"Are you still talking to her?" The first pony says.

"Yeah?"

"Hang on, are you asking for a date?"

Olive just stared at the pony, trying to piece together an answer.

"Oh, well...I...y'know...I...uhh...yeah?"

"I never would have guessed. Olive Starlight on a date...even asking for a date..."

They walked toward the exit after that. Olive seemed more confident than before, head held high, smiling. Until he heard one of the two say

"Not a chance."

His mood dropped, just like his ears had. He was staring back at the ground.

"Nevermind. I just wanted to ask, that's all."

"Yeah! I will go on a date with you! It will be fun!"

His eyes raised.

"You will?" He says, voice breaking. He clears his throat, then continues. "I mean...you WILL?"

"Yeah! I have never been on a date before!"

The Pegasus was lost for words, gazing at me with his dark gray eyes.

"So...when do you want to date?" I ask.

"Oh, right, sorry. How about...next Tuesday? If that's ok with you, like..."

"Sounds perfect!"

Well, it's next Tuesday.

My parents are so exited to see him, too! Well, mum is, but my dads a bit more defensive over me. I'm just going to keep him as far away as possible from the both of them though, I don't want mum to freak him out, or dad to give him a lecture on...whatever it is that dads give lectures on.

While getting ready, mum walks in to my room.

"I'm so proud of you! My little Ember finally on a date!" She says, trying to hold back her childish exitement.

My mane has been brushed, and I was wearing my favourite (and only) necklace. It is a small, silver chain with a cut emerald in the middle. I was going to sell it, because it would never have any use. I'm so glad I didn't.

I spin around to se my mum, speechless over my appearance.

"Tah da! What do you think?" I ask.

"You look amazing, Ember! Your wearing the necklace, too!"

"I thought I would get some use out of it."

Suddenly, a knock can be heard from the door. I almost fainted in shock that he actually turned up, rather than what I assumed he would do, and not turn up because 'pony pox'. He is a shy pony, after all.

Before my dad got the chance to answer the door, I dart down the stairs in a bit of an unnecessary panic.

I open the door to see him, almost fainting again. Before he even said anything, he was shaking like a leaf. This must be his first date, too!

"Ember!" His voice breaks, so he puts his hoof over his mouth. "Sorry..." Voice slightly muffled.

I giggled at his awkwardness. "Don't be, It's fine!"

"So...shall we?" Olive says, trying to retain some dignity.

"Lead the way." I reply, to which he gives out an awkward, yet humble smile.

The sun was setting, and gave us a sky of purple and orange. The clouds nearest to the sun were black, and casted shadows on the land. Between the gaps of the enormous clouds, beams of sunlight shone through, beholding a truly beautiful sky.

"The sky looks...well, wonderful! The other Pegasi really know how to put together a relaxing sight." He says.

"They do! It sets a bit of a mood, don't you think?"

"Definitely. It's romant-" he cuts himself short. "I mean, uhh...I see you aren't waring your wings. Did they break?"

"No, they are good. I thought they might make me look...well..."

"Well what?" He innocently asks.

"...weird, or different. I wouldn't want to look strange on my first date."

"Your wings make you weird?"

"Yeah. Everypony in the town stares at me if I wear them. Like im a criminal, or something."

"I don't think they are weird. I think they look beautiful on you. I mean, how couldn't robot wings look good?"

"Your just saying that..."

"Different can be beautiful. In fact, it usually is." Olive finishes.

Great, now im blushing. The red tinted cheeks now match my red mane. I think Olive smiled at that remark.

As the sun sets further, the war of colour in the sky between orange and purple had subsided, and a few streaks of orange mostly engulfed by purple remained. The view catches both of our attention, so we sit down with a small gap between us and embrace it.

"I was thinking, maybe we could get some food once the sun sets. The dark of night probably wont be as good as this."

As a fan of the night, I reply "Well, this is a good view..."

The sun completely sinks behind the horizon, as a speck of green flashes above it.

"Did...did you just see..." I stumble for words.

"The green above the sun? Yeah, I did. That doesn't happen very often. I have seen it a few times though, and whenever I do see it, it reminds me of the first time I saw it. I was fishing, over there." He points over to another little settlement not far away from us.

"What does it remind you of?"

"Me? I don't know. I have never seen anything like it."

There was a short pause.

"It kind of reminds me of you, too. That dash of green in your mane, with all the cherry red."

Our eyes met for a few seconds, only for Starlight to look back toward the ground. I sit a bit closer to him, trying to 'up' his courage on what I assume is his first date. He moves a bit closer too. I rest my head upon his shoulder.

"Your mane is cute, too. It matches with your eyes...just like the green matches with mine..." I say, my voice becoming affectionate.

He was trying to find words, but, probably in fear of messing up, said nothing. Just watched as the light faded from the sky.