Equis Art Online II

"This isn't a good idea, Twilight."

Twilight sighed. After summoning her friends (and telling them about the date) Rarity was less than pleased with the idea. That was the fifth time she had been told that it was a bad idea.

"Rarity, I can't stand it either. BUT I think It might actually do some good for him."

"HOW CAN IT DO GOOD? He was a complete moron to me!" Rarity said, shocked. "YOU KNOW!"

"But not to ME. He might act different towards a princess. I outrank him in social status. Besides, if anything goes wrong, Aries will be there."

Rarity gave Twilight a look that said simply "Remember the Gala?"

Twilight sighed.

"Yes, I do remember what happened at the Gala. Blueblood did say in the papers that he will give credit where credit is due."

"AND he also said that Kirito and his friends were dangerous and should have been locked up!"

As Twilight and Rarity continued to argue, Kirito looked over at Rainbow.

"Has it always been this bad?"

"Never this bad. Blueblood was a complete and utter jerk to Rares the last time they met."

"How big of a jerk?"

"Don't ask."

Kirito sighed and walked back upstairs. The group looked up at him from their card game.

"They still arguing?" Sinon said, drawing a card. "They've been at it for thirty minutes now!"

"Yeah. I know it sucks, but I think everything could go nicely. Twilight briefed me on Equestria's Titles of Nobility law of 1685, and she technically outranks her, based on the fact that she rules a kingdom."

"Then why isn't Blueballs an Alicorn then?" Leafa asked.

"Because he's not a direct descendant of Celestia. He is her nephew, but he's like medium distance relative."

"Wouldn't it be funny if that Blueblood pony actually..." Klein started

DING-DONG!

"Showed up." Aries said, finishing Klein's sentence.

"We'll get it." Kirito said, and Aries nodded. As they walked downstairs, Twilight opened the door to reveal a cloaked pony.

"Prince Blueblood. Come on in. Can't say I was expecting you." Twilight said with mock respect.

"How'd you know it was me, Princess?" Blueblood said, walking in and taking off his cloak.

"I got your letter." Twilight said as she waved Blueblood's reply in his face. "You didn't say you would show up early."

"Sorry about that. I hope I didn't interrupt anything. So, I have everything reserved and ready. I just came to confirm with you." he said, eyeing Rarity like a piece of roadkill, to which Rarity huffed.

"Fine. I already have my dress picked, so I could say I'm ready." Twilight said, breaking the tension.

"Alright. I will pick you and your guardian up at six sharp. I'll teleport us to the restaurant, so we can arrive on schedule for our reservations at seven, Princess."

"Thank you. I must say, you are being...surprisingly pleasant with me. No real formalities."

"I did look into the law you mentioned in your letter." Blueblood said. "You are in fact, correct. I was rather embarrassed to find that out."

"Like the time Yuuki kicked your ass?" Aries joked, to which Kirito nodded.

Blueblood glared at Aries, and then he turned to Twilight.

"I can presume that's your guardian?" Blueblood asked.

"You presumed correctly." Twilight said.

"I see. I had best get going. See you at six sharp."

Blueblood bowed, and in a flash, he was gone.

"That was unexpected." Rarity said, a little shocked.

"Big time." Twilight said.

"Twi? Can I talk to you for a sec?" Aries asked, and he pulled her into a corner.

"Something's up. I just know it."

"What do you mean?"

"Remember three weeks ago? How he treated us? I think that sort of thing doesn't go away without a fight. It's like a poison knife. You think the stab wound is bad, but the poison makes it worse."

"What does a poisoned knife have to do with this?"

"It means that's what happened to him. Yuuki kicked his ass, and insulted him in front of everyone. The ass kicking was the knife. The insults were the poison. Something is wrong here. From what I know, he's usually pretty uptight and fastidious about everything. Now, he's suddenly so casual? That, to me, makes no sense whatsoever."

"Yeah. I can see your point." Twilight said, thinking.

"I think he's gonna do something stupid tonight, so I wanna ask that do have a few...let's say...precautions in place."

"Go ahead."

"One. Keep an eye on your drink. A lot of things can dissolve in water, poison or drugs included. It it looks, smells, or tastes funny to you, don't. drink. it. PERIOD. Two. Don't turn your back on him at any moment. Simply put, watch him at all times. Three. If something is offered to you "on the house" or the like, don't accept it. And keep not accepting, especially if they're pushing it. Four. Be on your guard. If the situation feels unsafe or uncomfortable at all, for any reason, don't hesitate to call me over, or leave. Five. Don't accept gifts that can be eaten or drunk. They could be laced with something."

"Sounds fine." Twilight said.

"Okay. One more thing. WATCH. YOUR. BACK. If anything seems out of place, it most likely is." Aries said.

"Fine! Can we be done now?" Twilight asked.

"Alright. Just remember what I told you." Aries said, walking off to rejoin Kirito. As Twilight thought about what she had been told, Blueblood walked towards his private Train. He smiled to himself.

"It took some convincing, but everything is going smoothly." He thought. As he entered his booth, he looked at the small vial he had been given.

"It's showtime." He said, before lying back on his bed, his mind awash will malice.