Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The next day you entered the bookstore with a spring in your step. Maybe it was the fact that you succeeded in your goal in starting over with Moon Dancer, or it was the anticipation of what was to come. There was a little worry though with the promise you made to Moon the day before, how you were going to help her be more social and happier.

“Hey there!” Tinkle Shine said as she greeted you at the door, “How was yesterday?”

“Good I think. I met Moon Dancer, and while she wasn’t happy to see me at first especially where she worked, she accepted going with me to a café just to talk.”

“And how did your talk go?”

“It was like old times,” you said, “back before we were just friends and not…”

You didn’t finish but Twinkle knew what you were going to say, “And not before I fell in love and then messed everything up.”

“Well I’m glad to hear that you’re getting to know each other again. Maybe things won’t be as awkward when she enters this shop again. I’m kidding, but I’m really happy that you two are off to a good start. Did you two plan when you would meet next?”

“Yeah, we did, next Saturday,” you said as you happy expression changed to worry, “but I think I did something?”

“Did what? You’re not thinking about skipping out, are you?”

“No, I’m still interested in meeting her. It’s just that I think I bit off more than I can chew with a promise I made to her.”

“What promise was that?” Twinkle said leaning in as if to hear a secret.

“I felt bad that I might have been the cause for why Moon Dancer doesn’t see anypony or make new friends or just have fun. So I kind of promised that I would help her. The problem is, I don’t know where to start! I mean I’m not trying to change everything about her, but you’ve seen her. She looks like a hermit or a crazy cat lady rather than the pony we all grew up with!”

“Yeah, you’re right about that,” Twinkle said as she began counting the money in the register for the morning, “I’ve been trying to help her for months, trying to take her shopping, to the movies, even a club, but she didn’t want to do anything like that! She just cared about her work, this bookstore, and her home, that’s it.”

“Yeah, I got that same feeling too. I feel bad asking you this, but can you help me with things I can do with her, maybe something that will help her come out of her shell?”

“As I said, most things I tried didn’t work, but you seem to have an in with her, so maybe it’ll work for you. First thing’s first, you don’t want to overwhelm her with trying to do a dozen things during the day. You’ll overwhelm both of you, and it won’t be fun anymore.”

“Yeah, I was thinking about that myself,” you said.

“Next, I don’t think taking her to a club would work yet, but hold onto that idea for later. How about you start small, something that she would like?”

“Well, she likes books and learning things, and more books.”

“Wait, I got it! Make the first day with her a learning day! First take her to a museum, like the Science one or the History one. It doesn’t matter as I think she’ll like any of them. That will make her feel comfortable and she won’t have to worry about being in huge crowds. Then you get some lunch and get to another museum. If you two are up to it, get dinner, and then if you’re up to it, I have one thing more you can try.”

“What’s that?”

“Remember Professor Nebula?”

“Yeah, he was the Astronomy teacher, right?”

“Exactly, and he has a public stargazing event coming up on the outskirts of Canterlot. If you two feel up to it, then why not go there?”

“Sounds like I have my day planned out. Thank you so much Twinkle Shine! I couldn’t have done it without you. I was at a total loss.”

“I’m glad to help,” the unicorn mare replied, “I want to help her too be a better friend to you and to Minuette.”

“Did somepony call my name?” a voice was suddenly heard in the entrance of the bookstore. You clanked at your watch and noticed that the store was open and Minuette was your first customer. You felt a cold sweat running down your forehead. What if she heard your plans? Would she try to stop you from meeting Moon Dancer? You wondered what exactly she could do besides follow you everywhere you went.

“Oh hi there Minuette,” Twinkle shine said as she tried faking like nothing was out of the ordinary, “We were talking about the fact that we haven’t met up much lately and we should hang out sometime, like for lunch or dinner. You know, just like old times.”

The blue manned mare stared at you for a moment as you hoped the ruse worked. Finally her face relaxed into a smile as Minuette gave a sigh.

“Yeah, sorry about not meeting you sooner. Life has been very busy, although I did meet you earlier, right?” she said looking at you.

“Oh yes, I remember,” you said as that was more of an interrogation than a meal with a longtime friend.

“Anyway, I’d love to. How about this Saturday?” Minuette said.

“Err… actually I have some plans that day.”

“Oh, what plans?”

“Um…this sounds embarrassing, but I still have a lot to do with getting the apartment together. Plus I need some furniture.”

“Yeah, he told me,” Twinkle said trying to back you up, “It’s my fault that I’ve been keeping him here a lot. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Nope. So sorry Minuette. Maybe another time.”

“Alright, another time,” the unicorn responded with a shrug, “Anyway, I need to check out to see if the new Daring Do book is in.”

“I’d be happy to help you,” Twinkle Shine said, “Follow me.”

The store owner led Minuette towards the new books area, but you noticed that she turned towards you and gave a little nod as if to say that the ruse worked and that you were ready to meet with Moon Dancer.