Shadow's Six Elements

Shipfic Chapter 4

Shadow stepped out of the steamy shower, and looked at himself in the mirror. Face fungus? Nope. Blemishes? Nope. Hair? He gave it a quick glide with his hoof, slicking it back, and after a second, it popped back into place like a toaster. Hair? Check. He was finally ready for his date with Rarity!

It had taken him almost an hour of agonizing and pacing on how to ask such an attractive mare to go on a date with him. He’d always been an awkward sort, and didn’t rightly know how to ask anypony out on a date. But he’d done it, and she accepted! Checking himself over once more, He donned his tie and gentlepony’s collar. He’d only ever worn it once, and that was at the Gala last year. He made it a point to not be seen, though. He was never one for fancy gatherings, and just happened to buy a ticket off of somepony.

Levitating a bouquet of purple lilac and white lilies, he left his domicile, a silly grin plastered upon his face. The sun was just setting, tinting the horizon a brilliant purple and orange. He made his way to Rarity’s, and when he arrived, gently rapped on the door with a hoof. The door was encased in a sky blue aura, and swung inward to reveal an astonishing in a brilliant satin dress, midnight blue, with silver thread embroidery upon the skirt, in the shape of her cutie mark. Shadow’s mouth was agape.

“Judging by your face, good sir, you like the dress?” she asked with a small, ladylike chuckle. “It took me hours to perfect it, you know. I started working on it right after you left, and only just finished it. I hope it’s not too formal. I would look simply appalling.

Oh my Celestia, are those for me, Shadow?” She asked him. All he could do was nod. She gently lifted the flowers from his magical aura, and placed them into a sterling silver vase on one of the decorative tables within the Boutique’s walls.

“We’d better get a move on, Shadow. Your reservation is for 8, right?” Rarity asked the beauty-struck Stallion.

“Eight?” He checked the clock on the wall. It was nearly 7:30. “Shall we go?” Shadow finally popped out of his stupor.

“I’d be delighted.” The pair left, walking closely, laughing and discussing the day’s events when they finally arrived at “Le Petit Filly”, one of the newer, nicer restaurants in town.

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Silver Flatware and Crystal Wine and Drinking glasses dotted the two dozen or so tables of the small, luxurious restaurant. Brass doorknobs, handles, and rails were about, inset with brilliant black gemstones the size of a golf ball. Marble countertops were where most of the elegance came from, but there were polished granite tables the color of gray smoke, flecked with bits of quartz and some sort of black specks. The tables were set upon brass legs, and ornate wooden chairs were set about, two and four to a table. The chairs were pleasantly stuffed, but not overmuch, and they were upholstered in red satin.

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Here and there, formally dressed couples were eating or conversing, and there appeared to be a late dinner meeting for some of the bank’s upper hierarchy.

The pair approached a marble pedestal whereupon a brass lamp was sitting. A Radiant white greeting colt smiled at them warmly.

“Reservation name, Sir and Lady?” He asked the couple in a posh Manehattan accent.

“Mr. Shadow Foot, party of two, private booth.” Shadow announced confidently. It took him almost a week’s pay to reserve the table, but with a mare of such good standings, you simply had to go all out.

Making small grunts as the colt consulted the book in front of him, he found their reservation.

“Ah, yes. Table Eighteen. A very private table, I assure you.” The colt tipped Shadow a wink and led the pair to their seats.

After they’d settled into their overstuffed chairs, the pair was greeted by a young colt, maybe only eighteen years of age, in a white button down shirt, wearing black slacks and a black vest.

“Care to order, Sir and Madam?” He asked, tipping his head in a nod of respect.

“Just a pair of menus, please. And bring some water and bread if you don’t mind.” Shadow asked of the young stallion.

“Certainly, sir. I’ll be back shortly.” The Waitcolt slid away from the table, nearly gliding.

“Oh, Shadow. You’ve certainly outdone yourself. I hope this didn’t set you back too much. I’m not below a common restaurant, I’ll have you know.” Rarity said with her typical grace and elegance. At the thought of the cost, Shadow blushed profusely, and thanked Luna his coat was red.

“No, not at all, Miss Rarity. I understand you’re a mare of refined taste, so I felt this would be the perfect setting for a nice evening.”

“Please, Shadow. Just Rarity.” She chuckled at him warmly. He noticed how her bright blue eyes sparkled under the dim lighting of the restaurant, and almost got lost in them.

“I’m sorry. It’s the first time I’ve been in such a formal place. I grew up as a farm pony. This kind of thing wasn’t common in my homeland. I learned most of my manners and etiquette from books.” Shadow said with a slight chuckle, which eased up his nerves.

“Really now? I wouldn’t be able to tell. They’re so very polished.” Rarity complimented him, and he felt the warmth in his cheeks again.

“There was a nice old mare that used to invite us over for dinner sometimes. She was of the refined sort, so she made sure at least the colts and fillies in my family knew how to behave properly in a formal setting. She taught my sisters how to be proper ladies, also, but it never really stuck. They liked mud wrestling and applebucking more than any mare should. But that’s why I loved them. They turned me tough since I’m the youngest of 6. Growing up with two older brothers made them as tough as anypony.”

“Really? They sound like they might enjoy some time with Applejack and her brother, Big Mac.” She continued the conversation, for she didn’t want it to end, it was surprisingly rustic for such a setting. Talking about wrestling and applebucking where you usually discussed politics, laws, and other such things. Rarity wasn’t above getting a little dirty sometimes. She even enjoyed it once in a while, but she would never tell her friends so. She had a reputation to uphold.

“How about you? What type of family did you come from?” Shadow asked, interested to know a little more about Rarity. At this prompt, she thought for a moment.

“Well, my mother was a seamstress just like me. She began teaching me all I know since I was Sweetie’s age. My father was a Jeweler, who crafted many beautiful things. He even had a hoof in designing the Princesses’ respective regalia. I had always liked beautiful things that shone or glinted, but I could also see the potential in a bolt of fabric or spool of thread.” At this, she took a sip of the spring water that had since been served to their table.

“Once I earned my cutie mark for gem hunting, I began to incorporate the natural beauty of those gems into my fabrics, and hence, my shop was born. I also draw inspiration from the personalities of my clientele. You’ve seen my work in the girls’ gala dresses.” She finished with a satisfied hum.

“Yes I have, and they’re simply amazing. Each one of them is a work of art. I would be honored to possess something of that magnificence, though less dressy and more stallion-esque” He chuckled at his bad joke.

“Well, why don’t you stop into the shop sometime? It’s rare to have a male model besides Spike, and even rarer to find one with such a great form, if you don’t mind my saying. You seem to have everything where it belongs. Some stallions are too tall, or too short, or fidgety. That makes getting anything done quite difficult. Even though you’re of a larger Draft Stallion body type, I’m sure I can work out something for you, dear.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him.

“Sounds like a good idea to me.” Shadow chuckled. By this time, almost 30 minutes had passed, and it was time to order.

“Ready to order, Sir or Madam?” A tawny colored stallion with black hair asked them.

“I’d like a Garden Salad, please. No radishes, extra carrots.” Shadow foot answered. “With a glass of cider, please. Light on the dressing.”

“Certainly Sir. And for Madam?” The stallion asked, turning to Rarity, now.

“Oh, that sounds lovely. I’ll have the same, but add a few daisy stems and tomatoes. With a glass of red wine, if that’s alright?” Rarity finished her order.

“Very well, then. I’ll be back with your orders shortly.” The stallion then swept off, moving along to the next table.

“Well, wasn’t he a pleasant sort?” Rarity spoke up. “It’s rare to find such gracious waiters. Many of them are of a less than friendly disposition.”

“That’s for certain. The other afternoon, a waiter nearly spilled pineapple juice on me because he was in a hurry to serve his last table and go home. How horrible is that?” Shadow continued.

“That stuff doesn’t come out of the fur easily, either. I’ve been covered in mud before, and that comes cleaner than most fruit juices. Surely that’s something. A water and sugar based beverage being harder to clean than mud?” Rarity laughed.

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The conversation continued pleasantly along, and before they knew it, it was close to 10pm. The candles upon their table had all but sputtered out. Just then, another, different waiter approached their table.

“Sir and Madam, I’m afraid we’ll be closing shortly. Please pay your check and be on your way. I really hate to chase such kind and gracious guests away, but it is rather late.” The waiter finished his statement and waited.

“Late you say? What exact time is it, good sir?” Shadow asked.

“A quarter to ten, sir.” Shadow blinked. Where had the night gone?

“Thank you kindly. I guess we’ll be on our way, Rarity?”

Stifling a yawn, Rarity silently agreed. After Shadow had paid and properly tipped their waiter, they left, barely awake, but content.

The night didn’t set Shadow back as far as he thought. As he walked Rarity back home, the two reminisced over how well the night had gone. Too soon, they arrived at the door of Rarity’s boutique. Standing upon the moonlit threshold, Shadow once again got lost in Rarity’s eyes, and before they knew it, they were kissing, slowly and gently, on the doorstep. Their lips parted with a small *pop* noise.

“Thank you for a wonderful evening, Shadow. You are a true Gentlecolt among Stallions.” Rarity told him as their lips parted.

Shadow blinked, blushed, and then grinned in that order. “Thank you, Rarity, For accepting my invitation. The night went over a lot better than I feared it would. Maybe we’ll do it again, sometime?” Shadow half asked, half stated.

“Any time at all, good sir.” Rarity said, finally entering her domicile. With a last glance at her date for the evening, she closed and locked her door with a small click.

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Shadow grinned, even wider and stupider than before. His date had went over incredibly well, even without one of the best kisses he had ever received in his life. He trotted home, humming a silly, happy tune to himself, basking in the beauty of Luna’s night. Tomorrow, he had been given the day off from the farmwork. Having a unicorn around made the work a lot easier, and they were able to harvest a little over half of the acre they were working on.

Once he arrived home, Shadow laid down in his bed, and finally felt the day’s events hitting him. He was asleep almost instantly, lost in dreamland once more.