A Study in Friendship and Romance

Chapter 10

You waited outside the café, this time armed with a plan for the day and that Twinkle Shine approved of trying to reconnect with Moon Dancer. There was still the worry that Moon Dancer might not show up for your day with her. The possibility of Minuette showing up in any of your locations you wished to be with her was even worse a scenario. It wasn’t that you thought that one pony could do much to prevent you from seeing Moon Dancer, although Minuette could convince your ex-girlfriend that seeing you again was not in her best interests, unraveling any of the plans you had to reconnect.

As more time passed waiting for Moon Dancer, you began to worry that this event would not take place. Perhaps the meeting a few days before was as far as you’d get, the two of you being just mere acquaintances and nothing more. Just when you were about to leave, you saw her walking towards you through the crowd. It was like that moment you saw her again reminding you this time of the night you saw her, only this time she looked interested in seeing you. Although she tried to hide it behind the veneer of her blank expression, she looked happy to accompany you on whatever plan you had for the day. Trust had remained with her after all these years of you not staying in touch and her animosity of what you had done. What struck you as interesting was that Moon Dancer took some lengths to accepting your offer by dressing the part. Her mane and tail, although still the typical straight style you’ve seen her have for as long as you could remember, was devoid of the look you saw her sporting where she looked like she rolled out of bed. The clothing she wore wasn’t the frumpy unattractive look she had before by actually normal in a skirt and blouse, and although you would not admit it, she actually looked sexy in it like the cute nerd way.

“There you are,” you said flashing a smile as Moon Dancer joined you. “I was wondering if you were having second thoughts.”

“We may have had a rocky reunion, but I’d never forget a promise,” Moon said as although she meant no malice in her words they reminded you of how you got into this mess to begin with. “I was getting ready for this day actually. I really haven’t dressed up like this much and wanted to try something different.”

“So I see,” you said while trying not to sound like you were examining her too much.

“I look ok, right?”

“Relax, you look fine. Besides that, you didn’t have to dress up for me or this event.”

“I didn’t actually,” Moon Dancer replied, “I did it for me as I said. But I thank you for being honest for how I look. Anyway, have you decided on this mystery day of ours together?”

“I think so,” you said, “and I felt like today will be your day where we can spend time in places you would like. And by these places I don’t mean the library or the book store.”

“Oh? And what places do you think I like?” Moon said as her interest seemed peaked.

“Well, how about we keep this a mystery,” you said, “Think of this as a little test of trust. I trusted that you would want to meet me, and now I’m asking you to trust me that I made the right decision where to go. So, will you trust my plan and follow me?”

Moon Dancer hesitated for a moment, not entirely ready to give up all control that the mare carefully guarded in her life and put her faith in somepony who wronged her. But soon her expression changed to that of surrender.

“I accept your trust,” she said, “but don’t try anything funny with where you plan to take me or do with me.”

“Deal, now follow me,” you said, but before you could go she took your hand. It felt so nice to have this simple embrace and sign of connection between the two of you, and although you tried not to read much into this you felt like things were off to a great start. You led her from the familiar streets where the book store and library sat, through places where you ventured with her when the two of you were in college. It was different now revisiting old haunts, but looking at Moon Dancer you could see that she looked fondly upon this place rather than disappointed. As you rounded the last intersection, there stood a massive building designed to be some ancient temple complete with columns and a grand staircase leading to the entryway and a bas relief displaying aspects of history like conflict, progress, and time.

“The History Museum,” Moon Dancer remarked, “I haven’t been here in years.”

“Well, it’s time that you see it again as this is our first stop.”

You watched Moon Dancer’s normally expressionless face change to one of joy like a colt going to an amusement park. Without warning she grabbed your hand and literally pulled you up the stairs and through the doors of the museum. Admittedly it was a great museum, one that you enjoyed visiting before and now. You enthusiasm, however, was easily overshadowed by Moon Dancer who after quickly bringing you to the museum spent a lengthy time in each room chronicling a certain time or theme in history, often pointing out something she’d think you needed to see. You didn’t mind as this was meant to be her day, and whether your plans would be carried out completely or not was not a major issue.

“That was great!” Moon Dancer exclaimed with a passion that you hadn’t seen since reconnecting with her, “I’m glad you thought about coming here.”

“I’m glad that you agreed to come,” you said as the two of you exited the museum, “You seemed to like the exhibit on the early formations of Equestria.”

“Definitely, and I could barely pry you away from the one about the war between the Princesses and King Sombra. Guess we both learned something new about the world we live in.”

“And about each other,” you said to which Moon Dancer nodded in agreement. So far things were going well between the two of you, and you could feel the bonds of friendship growing stronger like a rope becoming thicker. With each moment of joy, however, there was a fear that somehow you would through your words or actions ruin the great chance. There wasn’t yet the feeling that you were at the point that you built your trust with her enough to make simple errors in judgment not monumental. When that time would be and how you could reach that point in trust was something you could only guess. The only thing you could do was to proceed as it was an hope that Moon Dancer was still trusting in the end.

“Hey, are you ok?” Moon said with a concerned look on her face.

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine,” you said. “Why do you ask?”

“You went silent for a moment, like you were deep in thought. You’re not having second thoughts about this day, are you?”

“No, of course not. It’s just that I’m happy to be with you, and I don’t want to screw this up, like, you know, before.”

“Hey, I’m sorry that I was harsh on you for not taking me to the dance a few years ago. You’re a good friend, and I haven’t forgotten about it even after all these years. Yeah, things are strange with the two of us getting back together, but I’m here to make it an effort, not to judge you or to assume that this won’t work.”

“Thanks, Moon Dancer,” you said feeling better with her words.

“You’re welcome. Now I think we’re due to go somewhere to eat. You have somewhere in mind?”

“I do,” you said.

“Then lead the way!”

You took Moon by the hand and led her away from the museum and down the street. Unbeknownst to the two of you, somepony was watching the events played out, following behind with a look of cautiousness.