Learning Love

“That night was a week ago today, and every night I've repeated that exact same dream. But it doesn't just feel the same every time. It gets better. More excitement, more happiness when I wake up. I just want it to stop. I want something real, not a repeat of something fake every night. Why won't this dream leave me alone? Is Luna doing this? Why?..”

Vahkii heads downstairs, to see Vinyl asleep on a bed of pillows with a bunch of papers around her, some crumpled, some in a neat pile. He doesn't turn on any lights for her, as she must be tired after writing all night long when he went to bed early. But Vahkii is hungry, having just woke up, and heads into the kitchen to start up a breakfast. He feels a smile from thinking about Vinyl's reaction to him if she were to wake up with a breakfast in bed.

He starts cooking some pancakes, looking for something special to add. Rummaging through some cupboards, he finds a bottle of syrup that says it's from Sweet Apple Acres.

“I didn't know that Applejack made syrup. Don't they just have apple trees? Oh well, I do remember this. Vinyl gave it to me for my birthday after what was probably our longest laugh together, now that I think about it.”

–-

While he cooks the pancakes, Vahkii's mind drifts off again. He reminisces to a time about half a year ago when they were both eating pancakes one morning, and Vahkii was just eating like he just got off hibernation. Vinyl thought it was funny how many he ate, and told him that he was gonna gain a lot of weight if he didn't stop. Vahkii stood up on his hind hooves and puffed out his stomach, while making a ravenous face, mouth still full of pancakes.

Vinyl started to laugh uncontrollably for about a minute when Vahkii couldn't resist and joined in. He nearly choked a few times because he was still eating as he laughed,.. And then he did.

It took Vinyl a second to figure out that he was honestly choking, and then panicked. She didn't know what to do or how to help. She cant lift him, and her magic isn't strong enough for much more than her mix table. She started trying to do CPR like she's seen the nurse do countless times. She manages to get the pancakes unstuck from his throat, but he still can't breathe. She goes to use her snout and breathe into his as a last resort. Nothing.

But she keeps trying. After a couple times, he starts breathing, but it's very faint. She feels so relieved at this. Just to help, she keeps going for just another minute. He starts to breathe normally, and awakens from his shock.

He felt everything, it was like he was asleep during that time. He felt like that could have counted as his first kiss if he wanted to, but Vinyl would disagree. “Just something I could do to help save you” Then he realizes, she saved his life that day. He had never thought about what would happen if she didn't perform CPR. His mind is so focused on romance he only thought about how to count that as his first kiss.

–-

As he comes back into reality, he notices hes made an abundance of pancakes on accident. He was thinking and cooking and not counting how many he had made. He floats out a table, plates, and the pancakes with his magic. The clinking of the plates on the table woke up Vinyl, but it took her a few minutes to actually get up.

“You're actually making pancakes again after what happened?” Vinyl said scratching her eyes.

“Yeah, and I had something I guess I never said before.” Vahkii said looking straight at her with a serious face.

“Like what? That I should be sorry for making fun of your weight with pancakes? Haha..”

“No, something I never said. I never said thank you for saving my when I did choke.”

“Oh is that it? If I needed you to say that I would've made a point about it a long time ago. S'all good.”

“Okay, but now, I have something new to talk to you about. Ever since last week, I've been having the same dream every single night.”

“Okay, what's it about?”

“Well, I guess I can only label it as starting a love life for myself. And it's with Rarity. And after the first time I had that dream, I woke up and found this.”

He floated the note from Luna over to Vinyl.

“That's a lot to cover in three sentences. Why don't we eat, and you can have some time to take your mind off of this, and then we'll talk about it?”

“If that's what you want to do, then sure.”

They continue eating quietly, but they won't be able to finish every one of the pancakes. When they both appear done, Vahkii takes the plates and table back into the kitchen, and puts the pancakes in the fridge. When he comes back out into his living room, Vinyl had the crumpled up papers cleaned, and the neat ones were packed away, with a new stack of paper sitting next to her, and her mix table turned on.

“Where were we last night? I went to bed and you stayed up down here for a bit? I miss any work from the genius?” Vahkii was still only halfway through the door when he asked.

“Nah, I just went through what we did and got rid of the stupid ideas. What kind of song do you wanna make today?” Vinyl replied, still fixing the settings on her turntables.

“Well with the moods I've been in, a love song sounds like fun.” Vahkii said, starting an uneasy smile.

“If that's what you want, but then tomorrow we get to make my song. Kay?” Vinyl said

“Sounds good to me.”

“What kind of beat are you looking for? Slow, normal or fast?”

“Starting slow, but it will pick up after the first verse. And it needs a good drop.”

“So like that first song we made with a drop? I know you probly want a new beat and not the same at that song but that kind of style?”

“Yes! That would work perfect if it was like that!”

“I'll start mixing it if you can get your lyrics done.”

“Sounds good, sounds good.”

The lyrics easily flowed into Vahkii's head, like they were writing themselves onto the page. He made it specifically for Rarity, for when he was going to sing to her outside his dreams. He had made the lyrics, edited them, and finalized them very fast, Vinyl was still working on the drop for the song. He decided to day dream for a bit, as he can control these, unlike his night time dreams that stay the same. He didn't get too far into his thoughts when Vinyl was rocking him back and forth to get up.

“So Vahkii, you wanted to know what I think about your dream and this note? Well I think I can help you with what's going on, but if you already got this much figured out, that's all I got.”

“Hm.? Oh, yeah. I have no idea what's going on.”

“Well, Luna is the princess of the night, and she's about fast paced love, while Celestia is the princess of the day, and is about serious love.”

“Wait, wait, how do you even know that?” Vahkii interrupted, shaking his head wondering what she was even saying.

“You know I chill with Twilight a lot, right? Remember her fiasco with Luna? That's why she's with Cherilee right now. Well, during that time, I found out a lot about the two princesses. You can even write to her by thinking of her while holding the note at night.”

Vahkii's jaw dropped slightly in disbelief. “What!? How have I known none of this for so long? I feel so left out now.”

“I'm sorry man, I was kind of secretive about that while it was going on because Twilight asked me to be.”

“Oh, well you've never lied to me before and you're not laughing saying that you're kidding yet, so you really sound like all of that is serious.”

“Of course it is. I wouldn't lie to you, especially on something so serious. I'm tryna help you.”

“But next point, I think your dreams are giving some kind of mind signals to Luna, or she's reading your dreams or something, you'd just have to ask how she knows. But anyway, she said she's showing you what you could have if you do some stuff right. That's the part I don't know about. Again, if you asked her or wrote to her, she'd probably be happy to tell you. That's all I got.”

“And that is a lot to think about all at once.” Vahkii lowered his head a little. “But thanks, all of it helps.”

“Do you wanna grab a small snack for lunch? I have to go practice the songs we made last night and this one we just made for later.”

“Yeah, where'd you have in mind?”

“We get discounts at Horsia's now. And we never actually eat there, just drink really. You wanna try their menu?”

“Sounds good to me.”

Vinyl packed up her stuff and then both of them left Vahkii's house. On the way to Horsia's they stopped at Vinyl's house to drop her stuff off, then continued to the bar. He wasn't too hungry because of all the pancakes he ate, but he still ate a small sandwich. His mind was all over putting his new song into that dream he kept having. After they finished eating, Vinyl went home to practice, and Vahkii went home alone, not sure what to do.

He laid down on his bed, just thinking. Thinking about the song, Rarity, his dreams,.. Luna...

“Vinyl said I can,.. write to her. And my dreams are somehow telling her that I want romance. That must be some real powerful magic. I mean she is an alicorn, and a princess, I shouldn't expect less. But what will I have to do correctly? And how long until one of these things happens? Or did one already today? No, nothing romantic happened,.. right? It was just Vinyl.”

Lost in his thoughts, that just keep going in circles, he eventually falls asleep. It was only mid-evening when he fell asleep. But when he woke up it was dusk. He didn't have to open his eyes to know the light from outside had faded.

But somepony else was here in his room. He was scared to open his eyes, his bed cushion was sunk in a bit to his side as if some big pony was there. He occasionally heard the sound of a page turning in a book. Just hearing a book turning calms him, as it narrows down who could be there.

When he does open his eye to peek, he sees the dark blue alicorn, Princess Luna herself, in his bed. Shocked and a little frightened, he screamed a little and jumped back, falling off of the bed again.

Luna finished reading what she was and closed the book, and now looked over at Vahkii, raising an eyebrow. “Well, I had come here to answer your questions. But if you are scared of me, I can,. Leave.?”

“No, no please don't, umm, Luna? I mean, princess!” Vahkii let out in a panicked voice, bowing his head slightly towards her.

“Please Vahkii, I am royalty but this is a visit from me to you. You don't need to be so formal, and it's just us two here. You may call me by just Luna.”

“Umm, okay. Luna.?”

“Yes, onto what I'm here for. I must go raise the moon soon, so I'll make my instructions quick and simple for you. That dream I keep giving you at night is what can happen soon in the future, and everything that you felt in that dream is a real feeling, with real emotions behind them. But as for my note, on what you must do correctly, that is the difficult task. I am sorry for being so vague in that note, I had little time to write it. But what you must do, is simple. You must do the right thing. I know that you have asked around a lot about what Rarity wants in her significant other. There's nothing wrong with that, but don't act too far into what she wants, and still be yourself. Twilight tried to change, and be different because of me, and she ended up unhappy.”

“So all you want me to do is be myself? And that dream will come true?” Vahkii said.

“As simple as it sounds, the task itself may be challenging. If you mess up too many times, you will be likely to lose Rarity's interest in you. However, the farther you succeed, the more tolerance you'll gain, even you should know that. It happens on a friend level every day.”

“Yeah, I understand, thank you. But should I try to do what happened in the dream? Or just make her a friend? The dream seems fast paced but I don't want to chicken out of going at the right speed.”

“If it is a relationship you seek, then you will have to find that pace on your own. I agree you should make her your friend first, and then discuss further matters with her personally. If all you want is a good time, go as fast as she'll let you.”

“A, good time?”

“Yes, just a night to have that kind of fun. But a relationship you would slowly build, and then do that frequently. I'm sorry that this is all I can help you with for tonight, I must go raise the moon. But I will come back, and you can write to me whenever you wish, however I sleep during the day mind you. Just take what I say seriously, and try your best. You have to experience it to learn, all I can provide is advice on how to get the best experience you can. I am here to help you, so please do not shun my words, even if they seem to do more bad than good at times. With that, I must be off. Have a good night Vahkii.”

“Yeah,.. good night,. Luna.”

Luna walked into a shadow in his room, and disappeared there. He was alone again. The sun was nearly set completely, and now she would be raising the moon for the night.

“I didn't really have plans tonight, right? I wasn't going anywhere, with anyone. I should just go to bed early to be up tomorrow for Vinyl. Yeah, I'll just do that...”

But as if on cue, there was a knock at his door. Vahkii went downstairs and opened his door, to see Vinyl waiting outside.

“S'up Vahkii, you wanna chill? I got my practice done and I'm free for the whole night.”

“Well, I was just gonna go to bed. Maybe not tonight?”

He opened the door the rest of the way, and saw there was another pony standing next to Vinyl. Rarity is standing there. Vahkii's jaw started to drop when he just blurted out “Sure, where are we hangin'?”

“We could go wherever you and Rarity both wanna go. I'm good with going anywhere.”

“Well,” Rarity starts talking “I have been going to Horsia's recently. That is one of the only, acceptable, bars in Ponyville.”

“I'm not DJ-ing tonight, so we could go for some food and drinks.”

“Yeah!” Vahkii started, and paused for a second. “We could do that, just the three of us?”

“Well Vahkii, I have been friends with Vinyl here for quite some time now. She says you're the mastermind behind most of her music. I kind of wanted to meet you.” Rarity says, then turning her head so that she looks up at him through the top corners of her eyes.

“No I understand that sounds wonderful! When are we going?” Vahkii said, now getting excited.

“We can go now, and if I need to I can leave the two of you to yourselves.” Vinyl winked at Vahkii.

“Okay, Luna said to be myself, but I can still be what she likes to a certain limit. So, be chivalrous and elegant, but keep it cool. Sounds good to me.”

–-

The three were at Horsia's as if they normally would, except there was no music. Just a restaurant with a bar tonight. Rarity seemed slightly uncomfortable already. Vahkii had made a point to grab every door for her and Vinyl on the way here, and pushed piles of snow out of their path, even though they could have easily walked around. She just hopes he's being real, which hardly anypony ever does for her. They all fake their personality to try to impress her. But she can see right through that now. Vahkii, is different though, he seems nice, and she hopes he really is.

The night passes by and they just converse about a few different things. Rarity starts to get Vahkii talking about his music and how he helps Vinyl. Vinyl does talk every now and then, she leaves most of it to Vahkii. Then, he turns the conversation around on Rarity, asking what she does.

Rarity starts off and explains her fashion career, and that she's busy all the time. But she does, in a shy voice, add that she would love to spend time as friends when she's free. Sorry that Vahkii has so much free time and she Rarity, she wraps up the conversation asking if tomorrow night Vahkii is free.

“Of course. I'll probably be here with Vinyl, as she has a show. However, if you want to come, you'd be welcome to join me. Unless, you had another idea?”

“It's whatever you want. I'm very interested in your music, and I'd love to hear you sing. Your casual talking voice is intriguing by itself.” Rarity finished the last sentence by giving him an enticing look. Not the seductive one from his dreams, but close.

“Yeah” started Vinyl, talking for the first time in a bit now. “I think you guys could meet here and follow where the night takes you. But the bars closing soon, and I'm gonna head home. See you guys later!”

“No it's okay. We should all go and just meet up tomorrow night. I have, some plans I procrastinated to come here with you. I'll go too now.”

Vahkii, now sort of disappointed they couldn’t keep talking, “Okay, we'll do that.”

The three got up and moved towards the exit door. Vahkii ran up once again to grab the door but Rarity stopped him.

“You know, we are not incapable of opening a door for ourselves.”

“Well, of course. I jus-”

“If you are doing these chivalrous things to try to be nice to me or impress me instead of out of chivalry it will get me annoyed at you more than anything. You seem like a different person when trying to be nice like this. The way you talk contradicts how you seem when being “chivalrous” for me.”

Vinyl walks up to Vahkii and whispers in his ear, “I'll wait outside for you.”

He keeps looking at Rarity, not knowing what to say. “I'm sorry. I just really want you to like me, but I'm only being half of myself. I'm just trying to be nice and still be myself.”

“You are nice when you're yourself. But now you seem like a third person.” Rarity lowers her head and looks up at him with raised eyebrows.

“No, this is the real me, like when we were talking. Don't worry, I'll just keep it this way, it's easier and more natural.”

“Okay, well just so you know you're not the first to try to be like that. Most ponies just don't understand. I do like chivalrous colts, but when you make yourself fake from it, I can''t do anything but dislike it. None have succeeded to become my coltfriend my being fake.”

“When did I say I wanted a relationship, Rarity? Now you're assuming. You wouldn't be too far off though. Next time we chill, it'll be like this.”

“Did I really just say that? Not too far off...how cheesy...”

“Well, if you wanted to make tomorrow night a date, Vahkii, we could try that out.” Rarity smiled and nodded as she finished saying that.

“Okay, it's a deal. And I wouldn't want to keep you from that work you said you had. I'll meet you here tomorrow evening?”

“Sure thing! And if you want to grab a door next time, don't pose while you do it. That's really what gave it away.” And with that she walked out laughing and went down the road towards her house.

Vahkii walked outside into the cold night. It was dark, and no lights were on, like normal. Vinyl came up to him and said he did fine with how he handled that, but he needs to work on some stuff so that is doesn't happen again. She invites him to stay at her house tonight to talk about that. He agrees and they head off towards her house.

As they go inside, Octavia is sitting at the kitchen table, drinking her coffee. It was early morning and they haven't gone to bed yet. They need to be waking up in a few hours.

“Well you guys stayed out quite late. Is, he, staying.. here?” Octavia asked Vinyl, raising one eyebrow.

“Yep” she replied. “We'll be asleep in a few minutes anyway. I have a pillow bed he can use.”

And he followed her upstairs. He's known Octavia for awhile, but they've never really gotten to know each other. Just room mates with Vinyl. Up in Vinyl's room, she throws about ten pillows into a pile on the floor, and climbs up on her bed.

“You can arrange them however you're comfy. Now, we really need to sleep so I'll keep this short. You were over-chivalrous, obviously. You're never like that. You have manners, you use them, but don't go overboard like that. Mares hate it, just being straight up with you. However you did handle her accusation perfectly, and she seemed impressed as she walked away, with a smile on her face, and her eyes closed like an excited little school filly.”

“Wow, really? That's funny. She can be too cute sometimes. I did realize what I was doing, only I realized it after it happened.”

“That's not uncommon. Having a crush on somepony can have that effect. You just wanted to make her happy, which is perfectly fine. But you do have to watch so that you don't accidentally ruin it. So, I give you a 'B' on your first time hanging out. Since I was there, it wasn't really a date. That's tomorrow, just you two, by yourselves. Now let's sleep so we can write our song tomorrow and have you awake for your date.”

“You've never lectured me before, haha. But yes, I am really tired now. Good night, Vinyl.”

“Yup, just tryna help you. Night.”

–-