The Ember Date

by The Carbon Spark

Rating: everyone
Tags: Romance
Length: 2867

When Ember Sparks was in flight school, she had a crush on a certain somepony. What she didn't know, however, is that he felt the same way to her. He invites her to a date, but will the awkward stallion make a mess of things?

Cover art by: CookieDo

The younger Ember Sparks wasn't familiar with love life, seeing as she hasn't had a long lasting one, so when the opportunity arises for a date (from whom-other than her crush) she isn't hesitant. The stallion who offers the date, however, is shy, and not the best talker. Will his nerves ruin the night?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-05-07 19:22:27 UTC

Part One- Not the Best Talker

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.

Part Two- Remember your First

We sat for a few more minutes, until our stomach's simultaneously growled. I thought the butterflies, which we both definitely had, would be enough to keep food out of thought. I gave out a quiet giggle at the coincidence, followed by him doing the same.

We made our way through the town to find a restaurant. The night hadn't been planned as such, I suppose, but I didn't mind. I kind of expected it from Starlight, and when I asked, he said it would 'keep us both guessing'.

We did get to a fancy diner in the end. Completely empty of anypony, and about to close. Olive quickly runs over to the owner and makes a deal.

I stand over be the doorway, as my date talked to the restaurant owner in a hushed voice, looking over to me at the end, smiling.

It worked. We sat in the middle of the diner and ordered away.

"What do we have here? A date, I presume?" The waiter questions.

I didn't expect a sarcastic answer from Starlight, but that would have been funny.

"Yeah. Just a date." He bluntly replies.

"Very well. Your orders will be here shortly."

I put my hoof across the middle of the table to hold Starlights hoof. Unfortunately, he doesn't get the gesture, and assumes I'm passing him something. So he just looks at my hoof, confused and head tilted slightly.

"Hehe, no silly. I want to hold your hoof."

His face lightens up. "Oh, heh, I knew that! Of course!"

We hold each others hooves, staring into each others eyes. Probably a task for Olive, he seems to have a hard time doing that. The adoring smiles on both of our faces grew for one another, as the flickering candle gave brief, satisfying touches of warmth, and set the lighting perfectly. Beside it, a thin glass vase, quarter full with water and a freshly picked, red thornless rose.

"Starlight, this is really different of you. I thought you always kept to yourself."

"I thought so too. This is a surprise for both of us."

"I assumed you were so shy. Never would I expect to see you on a date...and with me, too."

He smiles.

"I really like you, Olive."

He looks at the table with blushed cheeks, "Well, I aim to please." then back at me.

"Your food, Madam." The waiter says. "And your food, Sir."

"Thank you. Well, enjoy then!" Starlight says.

We tuck into the food. It's quite amusing watching Olive try to eat in an orderly manner, taking small bites of his food and slowly chewing them. I did the same, but understandably.

The food was exquisite. It always has been, and tonight was no exception.

"Wow, I never thought somepony could make a simple sandwich taste that good!" Olive awkwardly remarks.

"You haven't been here before, have you?"

"No, and do I regret it." He says, voice cracking a little.

"I used to come here occasionally as a fillie. But in those days, I has no idea how..." Our eyes meet again. "...romantic...it was...how romantic you are..."

"...there is only one thing that could make you look any more...beautiful..." He remarks, oddly for him. He must have finally got completely comfortable.

Olive takes the red rose out of the vase, dries the end with his folded napkin, and puts it on my ear. My heart exploded for him after that. You could probably see heart shapes in replace of my irises.

"Perfect." He quietly says to himself, as his wings raise and expand.

I could feel the muscles of my back and sides tense. If I had wings, they would have done exactly what Olives had. Would that have been a sign of affection? Or...love entirely? I should have brought my mech wings with me. This thought was not at all distracting, though, I was lost in his tranquil gaze, topped off with his strong, admirable wings. His deep gray mesmerizing eyes, staring into me. He is just amazing.

"...I have never felt feelings like this...for anypony else, Ember..."

"Me...neither..."

The bill was paid, we exited gleefully to find a spot on a hill, underneath the all consuming view of the stars.

The view was as good, if not better than at dusk. Even for night time, the view all around us was just sublime. Although, my attention was with a different kind of Starlight.

"Did...did I mention this was my first date?" Affectionately asks Olive.

"...I can't remember. It's been a long night...but...it's been the best night...of my life..." I reply, sitting down.

"Well..." He sits down next to me "...I aim to please..."

We lean closer. I'm getting that feeling of my muscles tensing again.

Our eyes are half shut, heads slightly tilted either side, and then, our lips meet, like the many times our eyes had. A loud *fwoosh* is heard, Starlights wings had opened faster than last time. He wraps his front legs around me, bringing our heads closer together. The rose falls falls from my ear. We fall back, giving out a slight *umph* from me, but we carry on regardless. His front legs are now either side of my shoulder, and I had mine wrapped around him. His shy-side had completely evaporated into thin air. He gently falls beside me, still with our lips together. We were both holding each other, making out so to speak, as the white moonlight shone down upon us. My hind leg crosses over both of his. Minutes pass, and eventually we hold onto each others shoulders, finally open our eyes, and lovingly stare at one another.

"...that was...amazing...I...love you, Stalight..."

"...I...I love you too, Ember..."

We take a much more formal kiss, and look up to the night sky. The clouds had all departed from earlier, making the night crystal clear. As we embrace, the stars become all the more mesmerizing. With the warm feel of Olives fur, abstracting the gentle chill of the night, the dark, twinkling sky above, and the memories of a wonderful date with an amazing stallion for a lifetime, I was over the moon. We must have been there for ages, in awe at each other.

The sound of our extremely paced, relaxes breathing was interrupted.

"...do you ever wonder what could be out there...?" Olive asks.

"You mean...out in the stars?"

"Yeah. Call me weird, but when I can, I always look up at the night sky and think about that. It's so...I can't even explain."

"I think I understand. I love the night. It's much more relaxing than the day, where everypony is out doing something."

"I just love to look. At the night that is, heh. But like I say, what if there is somepony else is out somewhere in the vast open space we call...well, space. Maybe they could be thinking these exact same things, explaining them to somepony like...like you."

I guess the saying 'those who talk the least think the most' is true. But on the other hand, who knew having deep thoughts could be so...attractive?

"Sorry, was I boring you? I can't help it som-"

"No. No you weren't."

He smiles, and quietly says

"...that's ok then."

"...when you said before...that my wings were beautiful...that was...the sweetest thing anypony has ever said to me..."

He turns his head to face me.

"...and...and I really meant it, too..." He replies, the awkward side of him slightly prevailing.

"...I can tell..."

I face him.

"...I...have always been attracted to you, Starlight..."

The tips of our noses touch, and gently nuzzle. That must have looked adorable. Another sign of love? These things are all to new to me.

We sit back up, and his wings extend. Olive takes his front leg from around by shoulder, and replaces it with his wing. The warmth from it was so soothing, and his feathers were soft, fluffed up from having being kept by his sides on the ground. My back and sides had gotten sensitive from the muscles reacting with my emotions, making the touch of his longest feathers, stretching down my back quite ticklish. Unintentional, but cute that he did it.

"...St-stop it Olive!" I say, gleefully laughing.

He reacted confused. "Stop what?"

"...stop...tickling me!" I say, trying to holding back more laughter.

He didn't realise what he was doing. "But I'm not!"

Water fell from the corner of my eyes, and I couldn't stop giggling.

"St-...oh Celestia...st-stop...!"

"I swear! I'm not doing any...oh right..."

He returns his wing to his side.

"...sorry..." He says, giving out an embarrassed smile.

I wipe the tears of joy from my eyes. The innocence of his reaction made it all the more funny.

"I forgot about that spot being sensitive..."

I didn't say anything, I just caught my breath.

"...you look...kinda cute when you get tickled..." He says, chuckling at the end.

"...you look cute when your embarrassed..."

After some more cute-talking, Starlight walks me home. I really enjoyed having him as a friend, but I thinks it's going to be a thousand times better as a lover. The only thing? The whole Flight School probably knows about Starlight asking me for a date, thanks to those two Pegasi who saw him. Word tends to spread quick in this town, after all, it is a small place. I wonder what questions may arise when we get back from the holiday...

But for now, all is perfect. He, is perfect.