Friendship is Magic; Love is Confusing

by Phil the Time Wizard

Rating: everyone
Tags: Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy, Romance, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle
Length: 14778

A bored Twilight seeks to understand love and ends up finding it in the most surprising of places.

This is another fic I originally published to deviantART about a year ago. Like An Entwining of Hearts, it was then posted to Equestria Daily in October.

It's a two shot somewhat comedic shipping fic, focusing in on the Twilight/Pinkie ship. The basic plot is that Twilight gets bored and ends up reading a dating guide. Not knowing much on the subject, she starts to go around look for a date. Pinkie eventually gets involved.

Published 2012-07-05 16:34:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-07-05 16:34:01 UTC

Part 1

Friendship is Magic; Love is Confusing

Part 1 of 2

Twilight Sparkle gave a long sigh as she sat peering over a tall stack of books in her library home one day. She was bored. She had absolutely nothing planned and none of her usual books were keeping her attention. To make it even worse, Spike was off to Canterlot for a couple days again, so there wasn't even anyone to talk to. Not very long ago she would have relished the solitude as a chance to get some serious reading done, but after coming to Ponyville and making so many great friends now it just felt kind of lonely.

Still, she was sure she could find at least some book to keep her interested. There just had to be something. If the usual stuff wasn't working, maybe she just needed to look at something different, something she hadn't read before? This was a library after all; there were still a lot of books she had never read on a lot of topics she still didn't know anything about. Moving languidly to her shelves, Twilight stared blankly ahead for a moment.

"Hmm..." she started, as she stared at the books. A lot of them looked pretty familiar. She pulled a couple out, only to recognize them by their titles as things she had already read. Eventually, she reached the end of a particular shelf. There, resting almost hidden between two taller, thicker books was a fairly thin book she could say with certainty that she didn't recognize at all. With her magic, she very slowly pulled it out from the shelf.

Her eyes found the title on the front. She read it aloud, "The Secrets of Dating: A Young Mare's Guide to Romance."

The unicorn frowned and pushed the book back a little, intent on just leaving it there. A growing curiosity suddenly then hit her. This was certainly a subject she knew literally nothing about. Unsure of what she was doing, she forced a weak smile before letting out a prolonged sigh. Quietly she then opened the book's front cover and began to read the text slowly.

"Romance is an important part of any young mare's life. This book serves as the ultimate guide to romance, telling you everything you could ever want to know about making sure that first date and all those after it go absolutely perfectly," Twilight read aloud with little enthusiasm.

Though unconvinced upon first reading them, after looking over the words a second time they started to make the pony think. She had never been on a date before; she couldn't even remember being asked on one. If this book was right and it was such an important part of a young mare's life, was she missing out on something? Maybe this really was something worth investigating? Twilight was not a romantic like Rarity or Spike; she had never even really given the idea of romance all that much thought. She'd go so far as to admit she lacked a fundamental understanding of it. That said, she was all for trying new things. That's what her time in Ponyville was for, after all. A good experiment would be the perfect thing to keep away the boredom anyway.

She began to read the first chapter of the book entitled "Finding a Date". The text described certain qualities a young mare should look for in a potential date, how to approach somepony for a date and how to respond when one is asked on a date. Since she hadn't been approached yet, Twilight doubted somepony would just suddenly ask her now. If she was really going to do this, she would have to find somepony to ask herself. After considering it just a moment more, the unicorn decided to leave her library, eager to get the experiment started.

By the time she was outside, it hit her that she had absolutely no idea where to even start. Various ponies were passing by outside the library; Twilight looked desperately from face to face. She had been in Ponyville for a number of seasons now, but she was still a relative newcomer. Though most of these faces were at least familiar to her, she really didn't know a lot of these ponies very well.

The book seemed to be written from the perspective that the one being asked was already an acquaintance of some sort, but Twilight wasn't sure most of these ponies qualified as even that. For several moments she stood outside her door, pondering who to ask. Surely she knew some nice stallions who would be willing to go out with her. She began to think on just that subject, but the number of names that came to mind were quite few.

"Well... there's Big Macintosh..." Twilight muttered. "But I really don't know him too well... a-and..." She hung her head and sighed. "This is going to be awkward..."

The number of male options really was small. Aside from Spike, obviously, there just weren't many males in Ponyville Twilight was especially close to. Applejack's older brother really was probably the best bet, and even with him she could hardly remember a single really worthwhile conversation they had shared. Wouldn't it be weird then to approach him? Twilight wasn't really sure. She'd consider it, but surely there had to be other options somewhere.

She looked around some more, her eyes going from face to face, hoping to see something she was missing. Pretty much all she was seeing was other mares. She hadn't ever noticed it too much, but the Ponyville population really wasn't very evenly split between the sexes. Twilight gave an even longer sigh than before and rolled her eyes. If she wanted to conduct a proper experiment, she was going to need a lot more options than she was seeing.

"This would sure be easier if it didn't have to be a stallion..." she said under her breath as she shook her head all but in defeat.

It was then, that out of the corner of her eyes she caught sight of two somewhat familiar faces. Two young mares, an earth pony with a cream coat and blue and pink mane and a unicorn with a mild green coat and pale blue mane, were walking by in stride with each other. They seemed to trot almost too close to one another, and pleasant smiles graced both their faces. Seeing them look so happy together like that, a certain idea crossed Twilight's mind.

"Maybe..." Twilight started as she observed closely. "Maybe it doesn't have to be a stallion after all..." She nodded rigidly. "I'll consult the guide!"

The unicorn excitedly went back inside and grabbed the dating guide. Quickly she skimmed through the first chapter once more. It did seem to be written with a stallion in mind from the pronouns used, but it didn't say as much in specific terms. Twilight wasn't entirely sure, but she figured it could still work. Maybe. If not, she'd just make it work. One must be adaptable when conducting an experiment, after all. To further ensure her success, she decided she'd just take the guide with her this time as a reference.

Leaving her home for a second time, Twilight began to walk slowly down the street. As she did this, she brought the book before her and began to glance it over once again. She still wasn't sure who to ask, even if it not necessarily having to be a stallion opened up a lot more options. She read the section on qualities to look for in a partner, intent on finding some sort of clue. "A mare should look for somepony strong and dependable; somepony she knows she'll always be able to count on when things get tough," it said. Twilight nodded as she considered just who she knew who qualified.

"Hey, Twilight! Whatcha up to?" a familiar voice suddenly called to her from behind and above. Twilight turned her head. When she found Rainbow Dash hovering in the air there, she offered her a warm smile.

"Hi Rainbow Dash," she said. "I was just...." Trailing off, the unicorn looked down and read the line in her book again. Her eyes lit up. Dash was perfect! There was really no pony more dependable than her. She shut the book forcefully and nodded several times. "I was just looking for you, actually!"

"Oh?" Dash started, smirking. "Something only the best young flier in all of Equestria can handle? Go ahead and hit me with it, Twilight!"

Twilight glanced at her book again. The text read, "the best way to ask somepony out is to just be direct and ask them. You're not going to get anywhere if you're too shy." Twilight nodded. She could do this!

"Whatcha read--" Dash started, flying in closer. Twilight quickly slammed the book shut and hid it behind her, blushing from embarrassment as she did so

"Rainbow Dash," she said, giving a sudden bold nod. "I want you to go on a date with me!"

Dash stopped in her tracks. She stared at the unicorn for a long while, a dumb look on her face. She was silent for a moment, then she just started laughing. She laughed uncontrollably until there were tears in her eyes from laughing too hard. Twilight just stared at her, wondering just what she had done wrong.

"So..." she started awkwardly, forcing a smile. "Is that a yes?"

"Bahahahahaha! Twilight...." Dash continued to laugh madly. "That has to be the funniest thing I've ever heard...."

"Umm... yeah..." said Twilight, pulling out the book. She looked for a section about how to respond when your prospective partner laughs uncontrollably in your face, but she wasn't finding anything.

"The Secrets of--" Dash began to read the title of the book. Her incessant laughter reached a new peak. "Twilight, you nerd... this is just too much..."

"Hey! I'm being serious here," Twilight spoke desperately, feeling humiliated. "Do you want to go out with me or not?"

Dash laughed some more. "This is too good! Tell me this is some sort of prank? Who put you up to this? Pinkie Pie?"

"Nopony put me up to this, Dash! I just want to try it..." said Twilight as she began madly skimming the book some more. "I mean... it sounds fun..." She gave her own forced laugh.

"So let me get this straight," Dash's eyes went wide. "You randomly started reading some book about dating, decided to wander around Ponynville following it blindly, ran into me and just decided it would be a good idea to ask me on a date?"

"Yeah, pretty much," the unicorn said, nodding quietly. "Why?"

Dash exploded with laughter again. Through her giggling, she spoke, "And you don't see how ridiculous that is?"

"N-no..." the other pony started. "The book said somepony like you--"

"'The book said'--!" Dash laughed hard some more. "This really is just too much... I mean... I knew you could be clueless, but this"

"Look, Dash can you tell me just what's wrong with it or not?" demanded Twilight, now frustrated.

Dash snickered uncontrollably. "Give me a moment..." she barely managed to get out.

The pegasus pony then began to laugh madly once more. She laughed and laughed and Twilight's embarrassed blush only grew and grew. Finally, she had had enough being laughed at. Whatever answers Dash might have weren't worth waiting through this for.

"Uh... well, forget I asked, Dash. I'll just go ask somepony else then," Twilight said with considerable awkwardness. Without another word, the unicorn then bolted away as quick as she could, feeling somewhat humiliated and defeated, still hearing laughter in the distance.

When she was sure Dash was far away and not coming after her, Twilight brought the book to her face again and gave a heavy sigh of relief. Something had obviously gone fundamentally wrong. Twilight wasn't sure what exactly. Dash probably just wasn't the right sort of pony to ask after all. That didn't mean this experiment was over; she just needed to try again. She was positive she would find a partner to experience this dating concept with if she kept looking.

She started to peruse the book intently once more. Returning to the sections on qualities she should be looking for, she read, "consider your future with this pony. If possible, he should be somepony who is hard working and reliable. Honest, down to earth personalities, though maybe not as immediately alluring in the beginning are often more ideal if you're looking for something long ter--"

Twilight's reading was interrupted suddenly as she ran forcefully into something. She fell backwards, her book falling on the ground. A number of small, hard objects then fell on top of her head one after the other, leaving her dizzy.

"Umm... Twilight..." a very familiar voice spoke to her from nearby. "I'm thinkin' it really ain't so great an idea to be readin' and walkin' at the same time..."

"Oh... Applejack," Twilight started after shaking her head rapidly to regain her senses. As she became more aware, she realized it was Applejack's sales stall she had walked right into. Apples were piled high in a basket beside the pony, some of which had fallen off and landed on Twilight's head at the impact. The sweet smell of apples and apple pastries filled the air. "Ah... yeah..." She gave an awkward laugh. "I'm sorry, Applejack... I was just..."

"Ah, it's fine, Twilight. I know how you get with those there books," Applejack said with a warm chuckle. "Ya just gotta keep at least one eye on the road or there's sure to be trouble."

"I'll keep that in mind," said Twilight with a hint of embarrassment. "Thanks!"

"Ain't no problem at all!" Applejack returned the smile. "Care to buy an apple?" she added, waving a hoof toward what she was selling proudly.

It was at this moment that it hit Twilight. She remembered what she had just read. "Hard working", "reliable", "down to earth"? The book was clearly describing Applejack this time! It was perfect!

"Yes!" Twilight cheered, feeling like she had finally gotten somewhere.

"Great. That'll be two bits," Applejack started, picking up a rather plump red apple from her basket.

"N-no, that... wasn't what I meant...," Twilight spoke, blushing awkwardly as she was offered the fruit. "I'm sorry."

"You don't want an apple then?" Applejack asked, looking quite confused now.

"Er... well... not really..." Twilight muttered, now feeling kind of bad.

"Then what was all that about?" Applejack tilted her head slightly as she stared at the unicorn curiously.

"Applejack," Twilight started suddenly in a strong voice, ready to get to the point. "Will you go on a date with me?"

Applejack blinked repeatedly then took a step backward. She narrowed her eyes and stared at the other pony, looking utterly confused. "Beg your pardon?"

"Will you go on a date with me?" Twilight repeated, much less firmly than before.

"I thought that's what you said..." Applejack said, irritation appearing clearly on her face.

"Well...?" Twilight started, gulping.

"Er... Twilight..." Applejack gave an awkward, forced laugh. "What the hay are you askin' that for...?"

Twilight looked away from her friend and then downward. Her eyes met the book on the ground. Applejack's eyes followed her to it. She frowned in clear disapproval at what she saw.

"A Young Mare's Guide to..." she read from the cover in near disgust. "Listen here, Twilight. It's about time you learned somethin' important!" Applejack's voice grew increasingly intense.

"Um... yeah?" asked Twilight, forcing her own awkward laugh and smile, a little scared to see her friend becoming angry with her.

"Your books are just dandy for learnin' about some things," the hard working pony started with some harshness in her tone. "There are just some things you can't be learnin' from no book."

"But this book seems pretty informative," Twilight countered with a nod. It was well written and Twilight was pretty sure she had already learned a lot from it.

"Twilight, you dang silly pony..." Applejack said like it should be entirely obvious, shaking her head as she did. "This just ain't how you do it right!"

Twilight was hopelessly confused. At least Applejack wasn't laughing in her face. She wasn't doing it right? She was doing what the book said. All indications were that she was conducting this experiment properly. Yet this was the second pony who was questioning her methods. Just where could she possibly be going wrong?

"How do I do it right then?!" Twilight demanded, desperate for an answer.

"Twilight, I really shouldn't even have to answer that question," Applejack responded with a small groan.

"It's something obvious then?" Twilight asked, looking up as she considered it. The only thing that came to mind was the stallion variable. Maybe it wasn't something she could be flexible on after all? Twilight nodded. That had to be it. "Oh, I think I understand."

"Do ya?" Applejack gave a short, unconvinced chuckle. "Somehow I reckon you don't..."

"No, I got it," said Twilight nodding once more. "So, Applejack... you wouldn't happen to know where Big Macintosh is?"

"B-Big Macintosh?" Applejack started in disbelief. "What the hay does my brother have to do with any of this?"

"That's my problem, right? I shouldn't be asking another mare," said Twilight, confident it was the correct answer.

"That ain't it at all, Twilight!" Applejack started, stomping her hooves. "You're entitled to date whoever you darn well please. Ain't nopony worth his salt gonna judge you on something like that!"

"Really?" The unicorn was surprised yet pleased to hear this. "That's great then." She then looked down. "But what am I doing wrong?"

"Darn near everything," Applejack remarked, rolling her eyes. "Just hang this one up before you embarrass yourself any further, Twilight. Trust me, you'll be thankin' me in the end."

"I guess that's a no to the date, then?" Twilight started, opening her eyes a little wider.

Applejack gave a long sigh. "Did you hear what I just said?!" she asked, frustrated.

"Fine... I got it. I'll just be leaving then..." said Twilight with a nervous laugh, grabbing her book and slipping off. Applejack glared after her, all the while shaking her head.

Still completely lost as to what she was doing wrong, Twilight trotted quickly away from Applejack's store. The earth pony had told her to give up, but Twilight Sparkle was not a pony who liked to quit mid-experiment. No, that was unreasonable. She'd just try somepony else. She'd get the proper response out of someone, she was sure. That's how experiments worked.

Eager to keep things moving, the unicorn opened the book and began to read a little more from it. "You want to look for somepony who can connect to you emotionally. A little sensitivity and kindness can go a long way." Twilight nodded and lowered her book. She blinked quickly. Fluttershy was right in front of her, playing with a small cat, a smile on her face. Twilight smiled. What a wonderful coincidence! This time, the book was clearly talking about the very pony who had appeared right in front of her.

"Hey, Fluttershy," said Twilight as she approached the meek pegasus. Fluttershy glanced at her. "What's up?"

"Oh, hi Twilight," the pegasus pony said in a soft voice. "I was just playing with this little guy." She giggled sweetly and smiled at the cat. "I'm watching over him for his owner."

"I see," said Twilight, nodding. There really was nopony more kind and sensitive than this one. "That's really great!"

"So what about you, Twilight?" asked Fluttershy, tilting her head in curiosity as she stared at Twilight.

Twilight thought about how exactly she should ask Fluttershy to go on a date with her. It seemed a little harder to just come out with it than it had been with the other two. The book had said to be direct when asking, but Twilight knew she was going to have to be a little softer with this pony. She looked down and coughed.

"Um...." She spoke in a low, reserved voice. "There's something I'd like to ask you, Fluttershy..."

"Yes, Twilight?" Fluttershy started, nodding very softly.

"W-well... er..." Twilight stuttered, wondering if she should even say it. Just as she was about to back away, her resolve suddenly kicked in and she stepped forward. "Will you go on a date with me?"

Fluttershy's face seemed to instantly pale in shock. Her whole body shook noticeably a little and then she made some high, indistinguishable sounds. Twilight wondered then if perhaps she hadn't made a mistake. She took a step back, looked at the ground and then at the other pony, not sure what to make of this reaction.

"I... er...." Twilight started with an uneasy laugh, having no clue what to say. Flutttershy said almost nothing for about a minute. Twilight began to wonder if she had broken her somehow.

"I'm very flattered that you feel that way about me, Twilight... " Fluttershy finally managed to stiffly reply in a very quiet, very strained voice, her face reddened by a deep blush. "But I'm just not sure I can think about you like that...."

"Oh..." said Twilight with a sigh. "Alright then. Guess I'll go ask somepony else."

"Ask somepony else?" Fluttershy started, clearly confused by these words, looking a little panicked.

"Yeah," Twilight replied, pulling her book out and opening it. "I'm sure I'll find somepony who will say yes..."

"Oh...!" Fluttershy exclaimed as she stared at the dating guide book Twilight was reading. "Umm... Twilight..."

"Yeah?" Twilight responded.

"That's not how you..." Fluttershy's voice was quiet from the start, but it trailed off to impossibly high squeaks that Twilight couldn't make out. "You see, when you ask a pony out on a date you're supposed to..." the unicorn strained herself to hear what the other was saying, but she could still only pick up so much. "And if you don't.... then it just doesn't work."

"I'm sorry, Fluttershy," said Twilight. "I didn't quite get all of that.

"Oh, well I was just saying how you can't ask a pony on a..." Twilight frowned. Fluttershy was speaking much too softly again. "You see, romance is... If you don't.... then it's just not going to work."

"Could you maybe speak a little louder?" Twilight asked with a forced grin, sorry to have to make the request.

Fluttershy spoke entirely in inaudible squeaks this time, her face becoming entirely red as she did. Twilight stared at her for several moments, not sure how to respond. She desperately wanted answers, but trying to force them out of Fluttershy didn't feel like the right solution.

"Okay, Fluttershy. I think I understand now," Twilight lied, still forcing a smile. "Thanks for the help."

"Umm... are you sure you got it?" Fluttershy asked, looking Twilight in the eye, seemingly unconvinced.

"Yeah, thanks!" Twilight nodded. "Sorry to trouble you."

"Umm... it's quite alright, Twilight," Fluttershy meekly replied, still looking remarkably uneasy. "I'm just glad I could help you."

"Y-yeah... help. You were certainly that, Fluttershy," said Twilight with a clueless smile as she began to walk away slowly. "So... umm... see ya later, I guess."

"You too, Twilight," Fluttershy called back, some awkwardness still in her voice, waving her hoof at her friend.

As she walked away from yet another good friend, Twilight gave a long sigh. Another attempt to find a date had ended strangely. Twilight tried to piece together the few words she had been able to pick up out of what Fluttershy had said, but she just couldn't make any sense of them. Just what was she doing wrong? She was just following what the book said. Was there something important she was missing? Applejack had said it didn't matter, but maybe the part about them being a stallion was important after all?

Sighing in defeat, she decided she would try just one more time. If it failed this time, she would hang this experiment up and do a little more research. That settled in her head, she started to read her book again. Once more, she consulted the section about qualities to look for in a date, eager to find out who she should ask next: "It's always a plus if the pony your after is a real romantic. A little charm can go a really long way. Likewise, no young mare should ever be ashamed to let simple style and good looks sway her decisions."

Twilight nodded. This section undoubtably pointed to Rarity! Her next target decided, Twilight began to trot quickly ahead in the direction of Carousel Boutique. It didn't take very long before the familiar dress shop was in Twilight's sights. She approached it readily and knocked at the door. After a few moments, it swung open. Rarity appeared, greeting her fellow unicorn with an inviting smile.

"Ah, Twilight, do please come in," she said in a warm voice.

"Thanks," said Twilight as she walked through the door, Rarity closing it behind her. "I hope I'm not disturbing anything."

"No, no. Don't worry about that. Work is light today. I have more than enough time for a visit from a friend," Rarity replied with a simple shaker of her head.

"Great!" Twilight smiled.

"Now then." Rarity gave a steady nod. "What can I do for you today, Twilight?" she asked, looking quite eager. "You want to order a dress?" With almost too excitement in her eyes she then added, "Or maybe you just want another makeover!"

"I... uh... no, that's not it today," said Twilight, blushing and backing away quickly. Rarity could be a little much sometimes.

"Oh?" said Rarity, tilting her head. "That really is too bad." The stylish unicorn gave a short sigh. "So what did you come to me for today?"

"Well... actually..." Twilight started, feeling a little nervous. There was something a little more intimidating about asking out Rarity for some reason. "There was something I wanted to ask you, Rarity," she struggled to add, her voice quivering with uncertainty.

"Go on," Rarity urged, nodding her head.

"Would you go on a date with me?" Twilight asked, finally finding her courage.

Rarity's eyes widened in surprise. Unlike the others, she was hardly stunned though. She hardly missed a beat before starting to speak. "My word, Twilight... I do question why you might suddenly propose such a thing?"

"Well... I just wanted to try it..." said Twilight giving a nod. She then raised the dating book to where Rarity could see it. "This book says it's important..."

Rarity examined the book and quickly shook her head in disdain. "Twilight, I must say this rubbish is simply beneath you."

"What?" said Twilight, surprised by this reaction. "That book is really no good then?" She hung her head. "That must be why all the others reacted so strangely."

"The others?" Rarity started, fear appearing suddenly in her eyes. "Please tell me you didn't ask all of our other friends on dates too, Twilight?"

"I did." Twilight nodded. "I asked Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy."

Rarity shook her head and frowned deeply. "And how did that go?" she asked, rolling her eyes, looking as if she already knew the answer.

"Dash laughed at me, AJ was kind of frustrated, and Fluttershy... she just seemed really shocked and awkward about it all..." said Twilight, forcing a grin as she recalled the peculiar reactions.

"As they all should have, Twilight. This really is quite ridiculous," Rarity said, shaking her head yet again.

"Is that book so wrong?" Twilight protested, still incredibly confused.

"Some of the things written it are probably pretty good, I'd have to read it myself to find out," said Rarity evenly. "But you see, Twilight, that's really not the point. It's the very idea of this book that's the problem."

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked, desperate for an answer.

"It just doesn't work like that, Twilight. Romance is not something a pony should need a guide for. It's something that needn't be studied and analyzed. It's something that just happens..." Rarity explained in a low, effortless voice.

"Ah... I understand..." Twilight said, laughing awkwardly. In truth, she was more confused than ever.

"Do you? Something tells me you don't understand it at all..." said Rarity, actually sounding kind of troubled. "That you would ask out your friends based solely on what some book says.... It really does seem to say you don't know what romance even is."

"But that's why I wanted to find out!" Twilight declared, nodding. "It's just like when we had that sleepover with Applejack. New experiences can never be a bad thing. And the best way to understand something is to try it for yourself."

"There are some key differences between this and that, Twilight," said Rarity, shaking her head. "This kind of dating isn't just some activity you do to have fun. It's rooted in love."

"Love?" Twilight questioned, not entirely sure she was following what the other unicorn was saying

"Yes, Twilight," said Rarity. "To put it simply, a pony would have to be completely crazy to agree to go on a date with you without love being there."

"Oh..." said Twilight, trying to think up a solution. Her eyes lit up as a thought hit her. If love was what was needed, all she needed to do was fall in love. It was that--

"And don't think you can just suddenly force yourself to fall in love, Twilight. It doesn't work like that," Rarity started suddenly, as if she had read the other unicorn's mind. "It's just not something that can be forced."

"Alright then..." said Twilight, hanging her head in defeat. "Guess I've taken this as far as I possibly can..." She gave a long sigh. "Thanks for cluing me in, Rarity..."

"It was my pleasure, Twilight. I'd hate for my friend to stay so misguided." Rarity flipped her hair proudly.

"I guess I should probably leave you to your work then," Twilight said, giving a weak smirk as she started to back away.

"Nonsense! Please, Twilight, stay as long as you please!" Rarity insisted. "I really do have a dress that I think you would look just perfect in!"

"I'd really love to...." Twilight glanced upward as she backed up even more. "But... uh... I just remembered I have stuff to do. Lots of serious stuff."

"Oh? Stuff?" Rarity said, showing curiosity at the nondescript word.

"Yep. Stuff!" said Twilight with several successive nods. "Important stuff..."

"You don't truly have a thing to do today, do you Twilight?" Rarity asked, seeing right through the other pony's act. Twilight gave an awkward laugh and blushed profusely.

"Er... I do... I do...." Twilight tried desperately to think of something. Eventually she gave the first excuse that popped into her head. As it was, her mind went to the one close friend she hadn't seen that day. "I promised Pinkie Pie that I'd spend time with her today."

"Oh, is that so?" said Rarity, looking as if she didn't completely buy it. "Well, if you must then.... Carry on."

"See ya later, Rarity," said Twilight as she turned to leave.

"Yes. Do come again, Twilight," Rarity said with a nod to her. Twilight hurried out the door.

She gave a sigh of relief, knowing she had just narrowly escaped an endless dress up session. As much as she valued Rarity's company, and as much as she genuinely really liked the dresses Rarity would have her wear, she wasn't in the mood for that today, especially not after embarrassing herself in front of Rarity and everypony else. Besides, even after hearing what she had from the other unicorn, curiosity still had its hold on her. Perhaps more than before even, she wanted desperately to understand romance and dating.

Twilight began to consider her next course of action. She'd return home to find more and better resources. She hated not understanding something. Her library surely had many books to consult. She'd be able to unravel the bigger picture in no time, starting with finding out just how to fall in love.

Collecting her dating book and her confidence, she stepped away from Carousel Boutique. She didn't manage but three steps from the door, when from out of virtually nowhere, something very pink hopped spontaneously into her path.

"Hi, Twilight!" cheered Pinkie Pie, her eyes illuminated with excitement as she jumped up and down next to the other pony.

"Oh... hey, Pinkie..." said Twilight, smiling at the pony.

"I'm all ready," said Pinkie with an overly enthusiastic nod.

"Ready?" Twilight questioned, completely confused. "Ready for what?"

"Hanging out with you," Pinkie Pie eagerly answered. "Like you told Rarity!"

Twilight was stunned. "Pinkie... you heard that?" she started with a gasp. "You were eavesdropping...."

"Nope!" Pinkie replied firmly, still wearing a grin.

"Then how did you know?" asked Twilight, even more confused than before.

"My back left hoof tapped seven times, then I sneezed twice," said Pinkie in an explanatory voice, like this made everything completely clear.

"What does that mean?" asked Twilight, rolling her eyes a little.

"Duh! It means Twilight Sparkle said she would spend time with me, silly," Pinkie said, laughing at the unicorn. "Everypony knows that!"

Twilight just stared at her odd friend for a while unsure what to even think, much less say. She had given up trying to question things like this when it came to this pony. "Um... okay... Pinkie..."

"So what are we going to do first, Twilight?" asked the earth pony eagerly, her smile becoming even wider.

"Er... well... I was going to do some research..." said Twilight dismissively, hoping her friend would take the hint.

"That sounds boring," said Pinkie jumping suddenly toward Twilight. "I think we should play a game instead!"

"Pinkie... I really don't--" Twilight started in a low voice, backing up.

"Quick! Guess what I'm thinking about, Twilight!" Pinkie cut the other pony off to shout, her body becoming rigid as she looked Twilight in the eye.

"Uh... cupcakes," the unicorn guessed, rolling her eyes and giving a reluctant sigh.

"Nope!" Pinkie called out immediately

"Balloons?" said Twilight, glancing at her friend's cutie mark for inspiration.

"Nope!" the other pony repeated, shaking her head repeatedly.

"Parties?"

"That's not it either!"

"Pinkie... I really don't--" Twilight started, now entirely fed up with the game.

"I'll give you one hint," said Pinkie, nodding as she continued to smile happily. "It's a pony!"

"Fluttershy?" said Twilight reluctantly, giving a heavy sigh.

"Nope."

"Rainbow Dash? Applejack? Rarity?" said Twilight in quick succession.

"No, no and no," answered Pinkie Pie, just as quickly.

"Mr. or Mrs. Cake?" Twilight next guessed, thinking about the other ponies Pinkie knew.

"Not right," chimed Pinkie Pie.

"Princess Celestia?" Twilight guessed next, thinking now about ponies that she knew.

"Nope!" the pink pony called out once more.

"I give up!" said Twilight, tired of guessing. "Who are you thinking about?"

Pinkie tilted her head slightly and smiled. After a moment of thought, she simply said, "I forgot."

"Pinkie, that's--!" Twilight started, showing signs of anger.

"That was fun!" Pinkie Pie suddenly shouted out. "What do you want to do now, Twilight...?"

Twilight shook her head, honestly hoping her friend would just slow down for a second. "What I want to do is--"

"Oh! Oh! I know," said Pinkie bouncing up and down.

"Yes, Pinkie Pie...?" Twilight asked, giving a long, frustrated sigh.

"We should go see what Rainbow Dash is doing!" said Pinkie, nodding several times.

Twilight smiled deviously. If she could dump Pinkie off on somepony else, she'd be free to go do her research. "Okay, Pinkie," she said. "Let's go find her..."

"Goodie! Rainbow Dash is always fun," said Pinkie Pie with one of her brightest smiles yet. "Of course you're really fun too, Twilight."

"Thanks," the unicorn said, suddenly feeling a little sorry about what she had just thought. Pinkie could be a little annoying sometimes, but Twilight really did value her as a friend.

Still, Twilight had started this experiment and she was committed to seeing it through. She was going to uncover the mysteries of this world of dating and romance she couldn't seem to penetrate, no matter what it took. She couldn't let Pinkie Pie get in the way of that. To get a head start, she began to read the dating book again as she walked. Rarity said this book wouldn't help her, but Twilight was positive at least some of its contents might prove helpful.

"Whatcha reading?" Pinkie Pie excitedly questioned, her head popping up between Twilight and the book.

"A book," said Twilight with an amused roll of her eyes.

Pinkie giggled. "You're funny, Twilight. Of course it's a book!" Pinkie examined the pages. "What book is it?"

"It's about dates," said Twilight in a low voice, kind of ashamed to be admitting it.

"Oh!" said Pinkie, nodding excitedly. "I've had those before. They're kind of tasty."

Twilight stared at her friend for a moment completely confused. Then slowly, she figured out in her head what Pinkie was getting at. "No, Pinkie. I don't mean that kind of date..."

"You don't?" Pinkie twisted her head almost too much, clearly surprised. "Then what?" she demanded.

"I mean like... you know... when..." Twilight suddenly became very embarrassed. She didn't understand why. This was Pinkie Pie she was talking to after all. "When two ponies go out together..."

"Oh! That kind of date!" Pinkie Pie started, her eyes becoming wide. "Why you reading about that, Twilight?"

"I'm just curious..." Twilight admitted with a blush. "I don't know anything about this sort of thing... and when there's something I don't know about... I kind of like to figure it out."

"I see, I see!" Pinkie said with several exuberant nods. "I think that's really cool!"

"You do?" Twilight asked, a little surprised.

"Yep, yep!" Pinkie Pie continued nodding. "Say, Twilight, have I ever told you the story of the time I threw that absolutely amazing anniversary party for Mr. and Mrs. Cake?"

"No, you haven't," Twilight shook her head, actually interested in hearing a story which might relate to the subject of romance.

"Well...." Pinkie started, taking a deep breath. "You see, I really, really love Mr. and Mrs. Cake since they let me stay at Sugarcube Corner and watch out for me and give me all the yummy, scrumptious, super-tasty cakes and sweets I could ever, ever want. So one time I wanted to do something super extra special, you know, to pay them back. So I was like, 'what can I do?' And then I was like, 'I don't know. What should I do?' Then suddenly it hit me! I'd throw them the most super exciting fun party ever and it would be awesome!" Pinkie spoke a mile a minute, leaving Twilight momentarily stunned.

"I see... so..." Twilight finally managed, completely unsure where the story was going.

"So, I wanted the party to be a surprise since surprise parties are super, super fun. And I wanted it to be for a special occasion, so I waited and I remembered they were having their anniversary and so I decided to throw the party the day after that since I was sure they probably wanted to be alone actually on their anniversary since that just seems right, but on the day after I was sure they'd be happy to have a party so I decided that would be when I scheduled the party, so I scheduled the party," Pinkie bounced and smiled as she continued her story. "And then I made a whole bunch of cakes and cupcakes and other sweet stuff in secret while they weren't around and hid them for the party, and I was really proud of it all and I was sure this was going to be the best party ever!"

"Yeah, so what happened?" Twilight asked, by now used to the impossible rate at which words were spilling from the excitable earth pony's mouth.

"I invited everyone. I invited Rarity and Rainbow Dash and Applejack and Big Macintosh and Granny Smith and Cheerilee and Flower Wishes and Caramel and Mr. Breezy and Ditzy Doo and the Mayor and lots and lots of other ponies. So then when the party came, it was like everypony in Ponyville was there! Of course this wasn't true since someponies couldn't make it, but I understood since sometimes not everypony can make it and it still felt like everypony was there at the party except the ones that weren't, but I'm sure you know what I mean. And so we all surprised Mr. and Mrs. Cake and they were both really, really happy and surprised that I had prepared such a totally super awesome party all by myself. But then something happened..."

"Yes?" Twilight questioned, still waiting for the pay off.

"I accidentally tripped and dropped a whole tray of cupcakes," said Pinkie, giving a little jump, her expression becoming intense. "They fell on the floor, but I decided to eat them all anyways since they still looked good to me."

"Okay...." Twilight started, tilting her head, confused. "Then what?"

"We all had a super fun time and everypony was really happy," Pinkie said, her voice finally slowing down.

"Alright..." Twilight spoke. "What does any of that have to do with dating or romance?"

"Not really anything," said Pinkie, stopping to think. "Weren't you listening? It was about me throwing a super awesome party!"

"I see...." Twilight gave a weak laugh. "Then why did you tell me it?"

"Because you said you hadn't heard it before, you silly filly," said Pinkie giddily, giggling as she did.

Twilight just stared at her, deeply confused and alarmed. Then she started to laugh. Wasn't she used to this by now? This was just how Pinkie Pie was. "You sure are a crazy pony, Pinkie Pie..."

Pinkie Pie just continued to giggle happily and smile at her friend. Twilight's eyes suddenly widened. Rarity's words returned to her: "To put it simply, a pony would have to be completely crazy to agree to go on a date with you without love being there." Maybe this would work then? Surely firsthand experience was still the best way for her to figure this dating thing out. With a certifiably crazy pony like Pinkie Pie, it just might work.

She glanced back in her book. There weren't any passages about hyperactivity, sweets obsession, compulsive party-throwing and general insanity being good qualities to look for in a potential date. There was a single line mentioning that a good sense of humor could be important, but that was the only thing she saw that said Pinkie Pie to her. Twilight shook her head and stowed the book away. Regardless of all that, this might just be her one and only chance. She had to take it.

"Pinkie Pie," said Twilight suddenly, stepping forward.

"Yeah?" Pinkie started, smiling and turning toward Twilight.

"Would you go on a date with me?" Twilight asked, completely unafraid.

Pinkie looked taken aback for a moment. Then her eyes lit up. She smiled wider than Twilight had ever seen. "Oh my Celestia, yes, yes, yes! I'd really, really like that a whole bunch!"

"Really?" Twilight started, a little surprised.

"Yep, yep! It makes me super happy that you'd ask me, Twilight," said Pinkie with a healthy bounce, actually blushing a little.

"Well... alright then," said Twilight, smiling, glad to finally be getting somewhere. "Let's meet up tonight."

"Okay!" said Pinkie Pie eagerly.

"Awesome. See you then, Pinkie...." Twilight began to walk away.

"Bye, Twilight! This is going to be fun..." responded the earth pony, still looking deeply excited as they parted.

Twilight began to trot back home. She'd use the time before her date with Pinkie to read a little more. She still didn't know very much about dating. She had only read the first chapter of her dating book and wasn't even very sure what you did on a date. By the time the sun set that day, she'd be an expert.

Scarcely an hour later, inside her library, Twlight put down The Secrets of Dating, having read it in its entirety. She stared ahead blankly, unsure of what she had just read. The last few chapters had been about certain... activities... ponies were supposed to do after they had dated for a while.

Twilight wasn't sure what to think about this. It confused her. Sure, she had heard about such things before; she wasn't that sheltered. Yet to read about it being described in such terms... and as such an integral part of the dating process... she just wasn't sure what to think. It did say these things weren't supposed to happen ideally on the first date, but just the thought of doing such things with Pinkie Pie made her feel very funny.

This was just an experiment though. She was only taking this so far, just to increase her understanding of the subject. Then again... this was definitely a part of it she had absolutely no experience with. Pinkie Pie had seemed legitimately excited too. Twilight didn't know how far the pink pony wanted to take this. She didn't know how far she wanted to take this. She didn't know anything.

A little scared, Twilight rested her head on her desk. She didn't feel like reading anymore. She wondered if she really had made a terrible mistake. She sighed as she briefly considered canceling the date. Her thoughts then turned to the brightness of Pinkie Pie's smile.

"No... I started this," said Twilight to herself. "I'll see it through... no matter where it leads..."

That decided, Twilight glanced at her clock. In just a few hours she supposed she'd finally have her answers. That was if the anxiety didn't kill her first.

Part 2

Friendship is Magic; Love is Confusing

Part Two of Two

Pinkie Pie was grinning from ear to ear as she bounced excitedly in her room within Sugarcube Corner. Twilight Sparkle was taking her on a date. She had never been on a real date before, but it sounded super fun, especially since it was Twilight and she was such a great pony. Pinkie just couldn't wait.

Suddenly, Pinkie decided she was hungry. Her head bouncing from side to side, she left her room and went downstairs. She saw some tasty looking pink cupcakes resting on a tray on a table. She threw three of them in her mouth all at once and gulped them down with a smile. They were super delicious. Pinkie's whole body quivered as she enjoyed the amazing flavor.

"Enjoying yourself, Pinkie?" Mrs. Cake, who was standing nearby, asked with an awkward laugh as she watched the pink pony. Pinkie glanced at her.

"Yep, yep! These are super tasty!" Pinkie cheered, bouncing toward her caretaker.

"That's nice, dearie..." said the older mare. "But you really should know to ask before you--"

"Oh! Oh! did you know?" Pinkie suddenly started, cutting Mrs. Cake off. "I'm so excited. Guess what's happening tonight?"

"I... er... I don't know, Pinkie." Mrs. Cake forced a smile. "What is happening tonight? Another par--"

"I'm going on a date!" Pinkie announced gleefully.

Mrs. Cake stared ahead in disbelief upon hearing this. "Wha... Really? You... on a date, Pinkie...?"

"Yeah! Isn't that like the best thing ever?" Pinkie said with excess excitement.

"Oh... well..." Mrs. Cake seemed to be at something of a loss for words. "Just who would--"

"I've never been on a date before," said Pinkie, cutting the other pony off again. "What's it like?"

"Oh... well... it's been a while since Mr. Cake and I were young..." said Mrs. Cake with a fond smile on her face. "But it was really great... Those first few dates were kind of awkward and we were both more than a little nervous, but that's what made it so fun and romantic. It didn't take very long before I knew I was completely in love."

Pinkie smiled and giggled. It sounded wonderful to her. Pinkie had always wanted to experience real, deep love. If it could be with a super amazing pony like Twilight Sparkle, that really would be the best ever. "This is going to be so awesome..." she giggled happily to herself.

"Well, I'm very happy for you, Pinkie..." said Mrs. Cake fondly, nodding at the young mare. "I hope everything goes just as well for you as it did for me."

"Thanks!" Pinkie replied, nodding energetically.

"So..." Mrs. Cake tentatively started. "Who is this nice pony who asked you out?"

"Oh," said Pinkie, smiling. "It's Twilight!"

Mrs. Cake was completely taken aback. "Twilight? Y-you mean your friend Twilight Sparkle?" she asked, her smile becoming forced again.

"Yup! That's right! She's like the coolest pony ever!" said Pinkie with a big smile. "I'm so excited."

"Ah... um... that's nice, dearie..." Mrs. Cake looked down, clearly unsure how to react to this.

Pinkie bobbed her head up and down a bit then looked up. "Yup! I think I'm going to go have fun until it's time to meet Twilight."

"Alright, Pinkie..." said Mrs. Cake, still at something of a loss. "You do that..."

Pinkie nodded and grabbed some more cupcakes. She stuffed them in her mouth as she began to bounce away.

"Pinkie.... you know those are supposed to be for the customers...." Mrs. Cake said through a deep sigh.

"Sorry, Mrs. Cake, but I'm hungry..." Pinkie said while still chewing. "And these are just too good to resist!"

Pinkie merrily bounced away as the older mare sighed yet again, shaking her head. The pink pony emerged from the cake shop and looked around. She tilted her head, pondering just how to spend the time remaining until her date. It was then that she happened to see Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy walking down the street, talking to each other. Giddily, she jumped toward them.

"Hi, hi!" Pinkie called out loudly. A startled Fluttershy let out a scream and backed up rapidly into a wall. Even Rainbow Dash seemed taken aback by the suddenness of Pinkie's appearance.

"Oh... uh... Pinkie Pie..." Dash said, collecting herself. "You really probably shouldn't do that..."

"Ah... it's just Pinkie..." Fluttershy said, taking a step forward and opening her eyes. "I... er..."

"So how are you guys doing? I'm doing great myself. I'm really happy. I have super awesome stuff planned for tonight that makes me super excited," said Pinkie rapidly while the others stared.

"That's... uh... very nice, Pinkie..." said Fluttershy in a kind voice, looking away.

"You aren't planning another party, are you, Pinkie?" asked Dash, rolling her eyes.

"Nope! Guess again!" Pinkie giggled.

"You've got some great prank planned?" Dash asked with a snicker.

Pinkie tilted her head and paused for a moment. She then loudly shouted, "Nope!" Fluttershy squirmed again at the sudden outburst.

"I really have no idea then..." Dash said, shrugging. Fluttershy gave a nod in agreement.

"I'm going on a date!" Pinkie Pie cheerfully announced while her friends stared in disbelief.

"Uh... r-really?" Fluttershy asked, looking entirely unsure how to react.

"Who would ask you out on a--" Rainbow Dash started with some laughter. She cut herself off as her eyes flew wide open. "No..." she said in a slow voice. "It can't be..."

"It isn't with Twilight Sparkle... is it?" Fluttershy asked quietly, looking nervous.

"Oh wow, Fluttershy! you're an amazing guesser!" Pinkie gleefully started. "How did you know?"

"Um... she kind of asked me too..." Fluttershy said, looking away.

"Whoa really?" Dash suddenly started. "That nerd... Just who didn't she ask?"

"Wait... you mean... you too?" Fluttershy looked at the other pegasus, surprised to hear this.

"Yeah..." said Dash with a hard laugh. "Funniest thing I heard all day."

"Twilight really asked you guys too?" Pinkie asked, her spirits falling more than her persisting smile let on. "Does that mean this is some kind of group date?"

"I don't think so..." said Fluttershy in a mild voice. "I turned Twilight down...." She averted her eyes and added, "I'm actually surprised you'd say yes..."

"I still can't believe that pony was even serious..." Dash shook her head vigorously.

Pinkie's smile fell a little. "But Twilight is a really great pony... Why would you guys refuse her like that?" she asked slowly.

"She's a really nice friend..." said Fluttershy looking down. "But dating usually means something more than just that.... and I really don't think Twilight understood that..."

"You don't think?" Dash snorted and started laugh some more. "You did see that ridiculous book she was hauling around, right? That unicorn is so lost..."

"Yeah... " Fluttershy said in a tentative voice. "I gave her a very thorough explanation about that too... but apparently it wasn't enough..." The meek pegasus sighed.

"I'm not surprised!" Dash continued to chuckle at Twilight's expense. "That pony has her head so stuck in those books of hers you can read the words off her face!"

Fluttershy gave her own mild giggle. "Dash..." she eventually said, shaking her head in disapproval. "That's not nice..."

Pinkie stared at her friends, not sure what to think. Twilight had asked them out before her? Now they were being kind of mean to Twilight. It didn't really connect to her and it made her feel bad. Yet she supposed that it didn't really matter. She was going on a date with Twilight and it was going to be super fun. That was the important part. She wasn't about to let these mean ponies bring her down.

"Hmmph!" Pinkie stepped forward, causing the other two to look at her again. "Well, me and Twilight are going to have a super fun time together! Then you'll be sorry it wasn't you instead!"

"Alright, Pinkie..." said Dash, still trying to hold off laughter. "Be sure to tell us about it..."

"Yeah..." said Fluttershy, nodding.

"I will!" Pinkie said with intensity. "And you'll be so jealous!"

"Heh... you two really just might be perfect for each other..." said Dash with a persisting chuckle.

"That's right!" said Pinkie with a firm nod.

"Well... h-have fun then..." Fluttershy spoke in a quiet voice.

"I will... " Pinkie said with determination, bouncing ahead. "You'll see!"

Pinkie Pie continued bouncing away from the pegasi, still able to hear Dash laughing at her. She blocked it out as she moved ahead. After a few minutes of bouncing along, she found something to take her mind off the whole conversation. A whole bunch of tasty, juicy apples were sitting there right there in her sights. She suddenly felt hungry again. Eagerly she bounded ahead, coming to a halt before the basket of apples. She grabbed one and popped it into her mouth whole, eating it messily.

"Uhmm..." started somepony nearby, giving a loud cough. Pinkie looked up to see Applejack standing there next to the apples, a stern look on her face.

"Oh! Hi, Applejack! Didn't see you there," she cheerfully greeted the other earth pony.

"You do intend to pay for that, don't ya, Pinkie Pie?" asked Applejack, glaring at the other.

"Pay for what?" asked Pinkie, looking around.

"The apple you just ate!" Applejack shouted out, raising her hoof at the other pony.

"What apple?" asked Pinkie, tilting her head, looking for an apple.

"The one already in your stomach," Applejack coldly replied with a huff.

"Aw, come on... what's one apple between friends?" Pinkie cheerfully replied, snickering.

"Fine... " Applejack relented, still in a stern voice. "Just make sure ya don't make this a habit."

Pinkie just stared at her friend. Then her eyes shot open and she began to speak about something entirely different. "Oh, hey, Applejack! You'll never guess what happened to me today!"

Applejack rolled her eyes. She then gave a long, heavy sigh. "What happened then, Pinkie Pie?" she asked.

"Twilight Sparkle asked me out on a date!" the pink pony cheered, clapping her hooves together excitedly.

"She didn't..." Applejack muttered, her eyes narrowing.

"Yep! She did. I bet you're jealous! I have a date with Twilight Sparkle!" Pinkie excitedly spoke, smiling.

"Hate to break it to you, but that silly pony asked me too..." Applejack said shaking her head.

Pinkie's smile momentarily fell again, shocked to hear this. She looked down. "Really?" she asked.

Applejack just nodded. "For such a smart pony Twilight can sure be a might bit stupid at times..."

Pinkie gasped. "That's mean!" she said, shocked to hear Applejack say something like that.

"Pinkie..." said Applejack. "I ain't trying to be mean about nothin'. It's just that pony don't always get it. She spent far too long all too herself in Canterlot. The princess sent her to learn about the world and she still has a lot of learnin' to do..."

"Whatever, meanie!" Pinkie childishly responded, shutting out what the other was saying.

"And Twilight really ain't gettin' nothin' out of you leadin' her along," said Applejack, shaking her head. "I told her to give this up... but apparently that pony weren't in a listenin' mood!"

"Meanie!" Pinkie repeated, pointing her hoof in accusation.

Applejack was now clearly frustrated with Pinkie's antics. She narrowed her eyes and frowned. "Believe me, Pinkie. I can show ya mean if that's what you want. This ain't it."

"Hmmph!" Pinkie huffed. "I'm not listening to somepony so mean!"

"Fine," said Applejack coldly. "Then why don't you mosey right along. I got actual customers I should be attendin' to..." the apple farmer turned her head.

"Fine with me!" Pinkie started, jumping away from Applejack's store. "Meanie!" she called back one more time before darting speedily off.

Pinkie was still a little mad as she continued to bounce away. She thought it was because of Applejack's grumpy attitude; however, it was something else she kept returning to in her head that was getting to her even more than that. Twilight had asked three other ponies out before asking Pinkie. For some reason, that made her kind of sad. Twilight had asked her out, but she was beginning to question just how special she was to the unicorn.

She needed something to keep happy. She was still going out with Twilight. Twilight was still fun. The two of them were bound to have a super great time anyway. Nothing else mattered. Pinkie was just having a hard time believing that. She needed a distraction. She needed something to help her get excited about the date again. Looking around, she suddenly spotted Carousel Boutique. That was it! She'd get some super cute clothes from Rarity to wear on the date! It would take her mind off everything, not to mention it was sure to impress Twilight.

The bounce restored to her step, Pinkie quickly moved toward the familiar dress shop. Approaching the building, she threw the door open suddenly and jumped inside. Rarity, standing nearby, stared at her a moment before speaking.

"Oh, hello there, Pinkie Pie," she said in a quiet voice. "Have you come to play around today?"

"Nope!" said Pinkie with a firm nod. "Today, I am here as a customer!"

"Really?!" Rarity spoke in disbelief. "Y-you don't say?"

"Yep!" Pinkie chimed.

"Well... wonderful!" said Rarity, smiling and nodding. "You wish for me to fashion you a fabulous dress then?"

"No... I don't have time for all that..." said Pinkie, shaking her head. "I'm looking for something already made. Something super cute that's bound to impress, but is not too formal..."

"Oh," said Rarity, nodding as she considered the words. She still didn't seem to believe this serious request was coming from Pinkie Pie. "And this dress is something for you then, Pinkie?"

"It sure is!" Pinkie assured cheerfully.

"I believe I have something in mind that would be just perfect for you!" said Rarity, a creative spark appearing in her eyes. A moment later she darted off.

"Great!" Pinkie eagerly called after her.

"And here we are, darling!" Rarity said, returning almost too quickly with a cute pink dress.

"Oh, awesome!" Pinkie smiled fully. "I just know this is going to be perfect."

"Of course! Nothing short of perfection is ever acceptable to an artist such as I," the unicorn responded with energy as she moved toward the other pony with her chosen clothes. "But if you don't mind me asking, just what's the occasion?"

"I'm going on a date!" Pinkie squealed. Rarity blinked several times, looking even more completely shocked than before.

"You don't say?" The unicorn laughed mildly. "I must say I am pleasantly surprised. I never really saw you as the dating sort of pony, Pinkie Pie."

"I've never gone on a date before," said Pinkie, tilting her head. "That's part of why I'm excited."

"Part?" Rarity started. "What might be the other part then?"

"The other part is the pony I'm going with!" Pinkie nodded excitedly.

"Oh, is it somepony I know per chance?" Rarity questioned with curiosity.

"Yep!" said Pinkie, giving a playful jump. "Twilight Sparkle!"

"Oh..." the excitement left Rarity's voice entirely as she hung her head and sighed. She even dropped the dress she was still holding up. "So this is all about that then?"

"All about what?" Pinkie was deeply confused.

"Twilight asked you out and you accepted?" the unicorn asked in a very low voice.

"That's right," said Pinkie, a smile still worn on her face.

"I suppose you're both on the same page then..." Rarity said, shaking her head. "I want you to listen to me, Pinkie Pie. Going out with a friend to do something fun is fine and completely harmless. But when you start to call it dating... there are different connotations and expectations... I'm not sure you and Twilight understand that..."

"I think I understand that just fine," said Pinkie after thinking it over for a moment. "Dating is all about love!"

"Yes," said Rarity, nodding. "That is exactly right. Now ask yourself, Pinkie. Do you truly love Twilight Sparkle?"

"Of course I do, silly!" Pinkie replied without even thinking about it.

Rarity sighed. "Right. She is a very close friend to you, of course you love her. But, Pinkie Pie, there are different types of love in this world..."

"I know that!" Pinkie closed her eyes and nodded several times. "There's love shared between families, love shared between friends and then there's the kind of love Mr. and Mrs. Cake have for each other."

"Exactly!" Rarity responded. "And Pinkie, in most cases dating typically does entail that third kind."

"Yeah," said the earth pony, unfazed by what the other was saying. "I know."

"You simply can't mean to say that you actually do like Twilight like that?" Rarity asked, suddenly taken aback.

"Well, I don't think so... not yet at least," said Pinkie after thinking it over. "But I really want to feel something like that. And I already like Twilight a whole lot. That's why I said yes when she asked me! I'd like to have that kind of love with Twilight."

Rarity was silent for a while. Eventually she spoke very slowly. "My word...! You honestly have your heart wide open for Twilight then...?"

Pinkie just nodded. "Yep!"

"Oh..." Rarity started in a very heavy voice. "This is... this is bad..."

"What's bad?" Pinkie found herself once more confused.

"This might a touch difficult to hear, Pinkie," Rarity said slowly, looking rather nervous. "But I do fear you and Twilight may be going into this date with entirely different expectations...."

"Expectations?" Pinkie questioned, not following what the other was saying. "What do you mean?"

"You seem to have a reasonable understanding," said Rarity shaking her head. She sighed. "Twilight, on the other hand, truly doesn't have a clue."

"Huh?" Pinkie just blinked.

"Twilight doesn't understand what it means to date somepony," said Rarity, finding a steady voice. "She's just blindly following the words dictated to her in some book she's found."

"But she still asked me out. That means--" Pinkie started, still smiling happily, unconcerned by what Rarity was saying.

"She asked me out too," Rarity cut the other off to say.

"What? Seriously?" Pinkie questioned, her smile falling. This made four...

"She doesn't care in the slightest who it is, Pinkie. She doesn't understand that that should be the most important part," said Rarity shaking her head. "She has simply been asking everypony she possibly can, hoping somepony would say yes. You were the only one who did just that."

"I don't believe that," Pinkie replied firmly, shaking her head in denial.

"Do trust me on this, Pinkie. I've been asked out on numerous dates over the years. I know the sorts of things that should be there, and it was all lacking with that pony." Rarity's voice became heavy.

"But..." Pinkie started but wasn't entirely sure what to say.

"To put it in the most simple terms I can, Pinkie, Twilight has no special feelings for you and is not at all interested in developing any," said the unicorn, steadily. "She's just using you for the sake of some experiment on dating because she doesn't know any better."

Pinkie blinked several times before this set in. Then suddenly it did just that. All at once, her mane and tail deflated, becoming perfectly straight and flat. Her smile flipped on itself, becoming a deep frown. Her whole body all at once seemed to become very heavy as a wave of negativity seemed to overtake her all at once.

"Wow... Pinkie... what happened to your..." Rarity stared in shock, lifting a hoof to Pinkie's mane.

Pinkie turned around and began to trudge off without a word to the unicorn, a dour expression locked on her face.

"I-I'm sorry..." Rarity called out to the other, clearly concerned. "I truly shouldn't have been so needlessly blunt..."

Pinkie gave no response and didn't even turn around as she left the shop and the unicorn behind, slamming the door shut as she did. She trotted very slowly through town, her mind completely numb. In that state, she didn't recognize any of the faces she passed by. If anypony called out to her, she didn't hear it. She was locked in her own dark place and nopony was going to get through to her.

Slowly, she found her way back to Sugarcube Corner, slamming its door shut behind her as well. While moving toward the stairs, she crossed the tray of cupcakes from before. She grabbed the tray and slid its entire contents into her mouth. The taste was sweet, but it left Pinkie bitter. Even so many cupcakes could do nothing to ease her pain. She threw the metal tray to the ground, causing a huge bang as the metal hit the floor. Mrs. Cake came rushing toward her.

"Is something the matter, dearie?" she asked as she approached Pinkie, fear clear in her voice.

Pinkie Pie just turned her head and scowled at her caretaker, who promptly backed up into a nearby wall. Traversing the stares, the pink pony returned to her room. She slammed the door and locked it behind her. She threw herself on her bed and let the thoughts spin in her head.

She had been so genuinely happy. She was a pony in love with the idea of love. Twilight was one of her most favorite ponies ever. Being asked out by Twilight had filled her with so much joy and hope. Now, in just a matter of hours, that had all been crushed. To crash down from such an incredible height to such a horrible low was unbearably painful for her. She hated it. It made her feel so very alone.

Time passed slowly as Pinkie sunk gradually deeper and deeper into her world of misery. She began to feel alienated from everypony she knew. She didn't need her friends. She could survive without them. She could find new friends. She didn't need Twilight's love. She could find a much better lover than her! She just needed to look. Quickly she twisted her head all around, looking at every corner of her room.

She stood up and moved toward a potted plant sitting on a table nearby. "You love me, don't you, Mr. Plantington?" she asked, her voice dark and heavy.

"Of course, Pinkie," Mr. Plantington replied in a suave voice. "I love you more than that pony Twilight Sparkle ever could..."

Pinkie nodded, satisfied. "Yeah. Who needs that pony when I have you." She stepped forward and began hugging the plant.

"Oh Pinkie Pie, you are the most wonderful pony in all of Ponyville," Mr. Plantington said as Pinkie hugged him, "I love you so much."

"Mr. Plantington..." Pinkie said through a romantic sigh.

"Pinkie!" a voice suddenly called from the door. Pinkie recognized it immediately as Mrs. Cake.

"I'm busy!" she called back in a curt voice, snarling a little.

"Pinkie..." Mrs. Cake said. "I don't know what happened... but your friend Twilight Sparkle is here for you now... she's waiting...."

"Tell her to go away!" Pinkie shouted harshly. "We're through! I don't need her anymore!" Pinkie hugged the potted plant some more. "I've already moved on to better things!"

Mrs. Cake didn't reply. Instead, after a few moments, Twilight herself suddenly teleported into her room. She stared at Pinkie very confused for a moment.

"Pinkie, what in Equestria are you doing?" she asked as she stared at the earth pony still hugging the plant.

"Go away! I don't want to see you!" Pinkie shouted, glaring at the pony as she hugged the plant some more. "I'm perfectly happy with Mr. Plantington!"

"That's right!" said Mr. Plantington. "My love is more than enough for Pinkie Pie! You're not needed here!"

"Pinkie... this is getting really weird..." said Twilight, staring in fear and confusion at her friend and the plant. "Come on... you're worrying Mrs. Cake..."

"No!" called Pinkie angrily while wearing a scowl.

"You don't want to go out with me anymore?" Twilight asked, concern in her expression.

"What are you talking about?!" Pinkie shouted. "You never wanted to go out with me at all!"

"Pinkie..." Twilight hung her head. "If I didn't want to, why would I have asked?"

"Because you're a big stupid meanie!" Pinkie harshly answered. "I don't matter to you. I bet you don't even really like me..."

"Pinkie..." Twilight spoke in a strong voice. "Of course I like you. You're my friend..."

"Then why did you ask everypony else before me?" Pinkie questioned. "Not that that matters! You weren't actually interested in any of us!"

"Pinkie Pie..." Twilight started, staring at her friend. "I did something wrong didn't I? I'm sorry. I really do still want to do this if you will--"

"Liar!" Pinkie shouted. "You don't even understand what dating somepony leads to, do you?"

"Leads to?" Twilight started, her face suddenly becoming very flush. She looked down. "Yeah... I know about that..." she said with an intense nervousness.

"And you're saying you can actually see me and you like that?" Pinkie asked, staring at the unicorn very scrupulously.

"Oh... um..." Twilight spoke apprehensively, giving a loud cough as she fidgeted. "I... er... I'm still not sure how comfortable I am with that kind of stuff... I-I mean..."

Pinkie shook her head, feeling once again hurt. Rarity was right! This pony couldn't see the two of them actually in love after all; she had just said it herself. "You're horrible, Twilight!"

"Pinkie...? What do you..." Twilight was completely confused.

Pinkie wouldn't hear it. She didn't care anymore. She just wanted to be away from this mean pony. She moved toward the door and opened it quickly. Then she just began to run. She ran past Mrs. Cake and away from Sugarcube Corner. She ran and ran and didn't stop running. She couldn't stop. Ponyville flew by quickly as she sped down its streets. In no time at all, she was at the very edges of town.

The Everfree forest was in sight. There she was sure she could be alone. She slowed down as she approached the forest. She stood still at it's edge for a moment, not sure what she was waiting for. She then took a very reluctant step forward.

"Pinkie Pie, wait!" a voice called after her. It was Twilight Sparkle. The unicorn had chased after her. Pinkie Pie really wasn't sure why.

"Why are you here?!" she screamed, taking another step toward the forest.

"What do you mean, why? I'm seriously scared here," said Twilight, coming near the other. "I don't know what's gotten you like this, but please... just come back to us..."

"You honestly mean to say you don't know?" Pinkie started in utter disbelief.

"That's right, Pinkie. I don't know," said Twilight in a soft voice.

"We're not friends anymore!" Pinkie said taking several steps forward, not wanting to hear it. "Just leave me alone!"

"Fine!" Twilight shouted out, suddenly looking incredibly vulnerable. "We can do those things... right now if you want... I'll let you do anything you want to me if it's so important...." Some tears left her eyes. "Just please come back to us... come back to me..."

Pinkie just stared at the other pony. She tilted her head in curiosity, studying Twilight. Her tears, her red face, her vulnerable posture, her shivering body... Pinkie didn't get any of it. She appeared to be a very odd combination of flustered, distressed and defeated. Pinkie stared at her confounded for almost an entire minute. Then, suddenly, it connected.

"You didn't take it like that..." she said, shaking her head, thinking back to Twilight's answer to her question about what dating leads to. "You did, didn't you?" She looked down and shook her head even more. "Rarity was right. You really are clueless..."

"What... what are you waiting for?" Twilight asked, gulping, looking so very timid. "I'm ready. If it's so important... We can... right here..."

"When I asked if you knew what dating lead to, I wasn't talking about the physical things, Twilight," said Pinkie, not believing she had to say. Just what kind of pony did Twilight think she was?

"You weren't?" Twilight started, shocked. "But--!"

"Of course not!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I was talking about the emotional things it leads to..." Pinkie looked down. "I was asking if you could see us actually being in love... and when you said you weren't comfortable with it..."

"Pinkie..." Twilight's eyes widened upon hearing this. She spoke in a very heavy voice, "is that... is that right?"

"Yeah," said Pinkie, offering a soft nod.

"I see..." Twilight said, her face somehow becoming even redder.. "I'm sorry I didn't understand... I really shouldn't have jumped to conclusions like that based on what I read..."

"Yeah." Pinkie's voice was still cold. Twilight had caused her a lot of pain. "You shouldn't have."

"I didn't mean to hurt you..." said Twilight in a soft voice, glancing downward.

"Didn't you?" Pinkie accused in a harsh voice. "You still asked me out on a date just for the sake of some stupid experiment!"

Twilight's eyes widened as she stood silent for a moment. Eventually, in a quiet voice she spoke. "This is really stupid, isn't it?" She paused a moment and sighed. "I didn't even want to do it at first... but I became curious and I didn't even stop to think about what I was really doing..."

"Saying it doesn't change anything, you know?" said Pinkie tersely, not feeling much sympathy for the other pony. "What you did was just terrible, Twilight Sparkle!"

"I've learned lots of things just by reading books and conducting analytical experiments based on them," Twilight spoke in a heavy voice. "But that isn't always right approach... especially when it involves the most sensitive feelings of the people I care about most." Twilight shook her head and took a step forward. "Rainbow Dash was right to laugh in my face. This was just stupid... and callous of me... I hope you'll be able to forgive me."

"It's kind of too late for all that," said Pinkie slowly. Part of her wanted to forgive Twilight. Part of her just couldn't. Not after all this.

"Please, Pinkie..." the unicorn suddenly sounded desperate. More tears left her eyes. "When you said you weren't my friend anymore, I realized just how important you are to me... I was honestly willing to give you anything you wanted... and even now... I..." Twilight trailed off and took a step forward, still crying. "You're irreplaceable to me, Pinkie. Please... just come back with me..."

"Do you honestly, truly mean that deep in your heart, Twilight Sparkle?" Pinkie asked, staring at her friend, gravely serious.

"Of course I do," said Twilight firmly. She stared at Pinkie with hopeful eyes. "I swear it."

"Really?" Pinkie started. Twilight was beginning to seem sincere, but Pinkie still wasn't sure she could trust her.

"C-cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Twilight gave a soft nod and the appropriate hand gestures. Pinkie's expression evened out and a small smile even appeared. The Pinkie Pie swear just couldn't be made lightly. Finally she was convinced.

Pinkie then suddenly felt an electric wave surge throughout her body, spreading to every inch. All at once she leapt into the air. Her mane suddenly exploded out into its usual pink puffiness. A smile then appeared on her face once more.

"Okay. We can be friends again then," said Pinkie nodding and bouncing toward Twilight. The unicorn smiled brightly, even if she looked a little shocked by the sudden transformation.

"Pinkie Pie... I'm so glad..." she said stepping forward to bring the other into a deep hug.

Pinkie was alarmed by how warm Twilight was on that cool night. She could still see a few tears in the unicorn's eyes. She felt touched deep down. All of it made her feel kind of funny. She hugged Twilight back, smiling fondly as she did.

"Let's go back," the unicorn suggested after a few moments, bringing the hug to an end. "Mrs. Cake is still worried..."

"Wait..." said Pinkie in a quiet voice. "There's still something...."

"Yeah?" Twilight spoke, looking her friend in the eyes.

"It's about the date." Pinkie widened her smile.

"Forget it," said Twilight. "It was silly of me to even ask. Especially with how it ended up hurting you."

"Alright," said the earth pony, nodding. After a few seconds, she spoke again. "So... Twilight...?"

"Yeah?" Twilight started, not sure what to expect.

"Will you go out with me?" Pinkie asked in a direct voice, not breaking eye contact.

Twilight seemed taken aback at first. She didn't respond for about half a minute. Then she just smiled. "I'd absolutely love to."

"You would?" Pinkie asked with glee in her voice.

"Of course," said Twilight. "You're kind of silly and sometimes really confusing. But it's always fun having you around. With you there, I'm always able to find it in me to smile. You mean so much to me; of course I'd go out with you."

The strange feelings continued to run through Pinkie's body as she stepped toward Twilight. She wondered then if perhaps her feelings for this pony already ran deeper than she had thought. She looked Twilight in the eye. All at once, she could just feel her answer. In the emotional extremes of that night, it had become crystal clear to her. The strong feelings inside her now were just not something she could deny.

"Twilight...?" Pinkie spoke, getting even closer to the other pony, who seemed to tense up once more.

"Yes, Pinkie?" the unicorn questioned, her voice gentle.

"My heart just fluttered really fast in my chest six times in a row," said Pinkie in a very serious voice.

"Oh? Is that one of your Pinkie Sense things?" Twilight gave a soft laugh as she looked at the other pony.

"Yeah." Pinkie just nodded quietly.

"So what's this one mean?" asked Twilight, a faint blush appearing on her face.

"It means I love you," said Pinkie simply. She knew it to be true, too. Even without an actual date, she could tell. She loved Twilight so much already. That's why all of this had been so painful for her.

"I-I... see..." Twilight said, looking at first unsure of what to say. An entire array of emotions proceeded to cross Twilight's face before she seemed to settle on a solemn content. The unicorn smiled and closed her eyes, dropping her guard entirely "The offer still stands. For being such a jerk to you... you can do whatever you want to me..."

Pinkie smiled fondly. She didn't waste a second. She took the last few steps forward and pressed her lips to Twilight's. The other pony kissed her back very softly and tentatively at first, but gradually growing more passionate. It wasn't a very long kiss, but for Pinkie Pie it was ultimately satisfying. When it was over, she felt like she could just sing. For once in her life, she resisted that urge.

"Did you like that?" Pinkie asked, as she stepped back and looked at Twilight.

"Yeah..." the other pony said, blushing cutely. "It was nice."

"It's already pretty late," said Pinkie looking up at the now darkened sky. "How about we save our first real date for tomorrow?"

"Okay..." said Twilight, still looking really shy.

"Let's go back," Pinkie suggested with a nod.

"Yeah...." The unicorn simply smiled a fond smile.

The two of them began to walk back toward Ponyville. They moved slowly and with little distance between them. Pinkie had to say it felt really nice.

"I remembered!" she said suddenly, perking up.

"Remembered? Remembered what?" asked Twilight, curious.

"You remember earlier today when we played that game where i had you guess what I as thinking of and you guessed a bunch of stuff and it was all wrong then I told you it was a pony and you guessed a bunch of ponies and I said they were all wrong and then you just asked what I was thinking of and then I told you I forgot?" Pinkie said all at once, not stopping for breath.

"Yeah... I remember..." said Twilight, giving a pleasant laugh at Pinkie's familiar behavior.

"Well, I remembered what pony I was thinking about!" said Pinkie cheerfully.

"Oh?" Twilight started.

"It was you, Twilight Sparkle!" said Pinkie cheerfully. "My favorite pony ever."

"I see..." said the unicorn. "How exactly did you forget then? I mean you were right there talking to me..."

"I forgot," Pinkie said after thinking about it a moment.

Twilight just laughed loudly and shook her head. Pinkie smiled and gave a single joyful bounce ahead before falling back and matching pace with Twilight. The two of them continued back slowly, nearly flank to flank.

"It's great to have you back." Twilight wore a smile as she greeted the familiar face she hadn't seen in days. Spike had returned from Canterlot. Twilight was happy to see him again.

"Yeah," said Spike. "It's always good to go back, but I do start to miss you guys after a while."

"We all missed you too, Spike," said Twilight, nodding cheerfully.

"So what did I miss? Anything important?" the young dragon asked as he took a seat in the library.

"Maybe a few small things...." Twilight coughed and looked downward. It had been two days now since Pinkie had confessed to her. They had indeed gone out the next night, and though it was kind of a silly time, it had been fun. Though not as intense as the emotional night before, Twilight had definitely felt her affection for Pinkie grow. She was certainly intending to keep pursuing it.

"Well," said Spike, nodding. "You got any scrolls for me to send to Princess Celestia?"

"Er..." Twilight started. "There is one...."

"Cool. I'll send that for you right away," said Spike readily.

"Well... okay..." said Twilight, blushing as she retrieved an already prepared scroll. She handed it to the dragon.

"Let's see..." Spike said with a laugh as he began to unfurl it.

"Wait... no... this one's private..." Twilight spoke, her face becoming a deep red.

"Oh, I gotta see this..." the dragon mischievously started, fully opening the scroll all at once. Twilight almost ripped it to pieces, but stopped herself. Hiding things from Spike wasn't going to help her any.

"Fine... you can read it..." she said with a defeated sigh, looking away.

"Dear Princess Celesita," Spike started to read the letter. "Today I learned about something different from friendship. It's something that comes from the same wonderful place, but is deeper and just as beautiful. That's right, today I began to understand love. It's something very special. It's something surprising that comes from where you'd least expect it. It's something that is just all around confusing sometimes. Yet at it's heart, it's just tender and fulfilling when it's finally allowed to connect. Like friendship, it's something I hope to explore even more in the future. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

Spike put down the letter slowly. Twilight stared at her dragon companion with an awkward smile, waiting for a response.

"What did I just read?" Spike exclaimed suddenly, in shock, feigning like it made him sick.

"Just send it..." Twilight said, hanging her head, feeling a little ashamed.

"If you insist..." Spike said, rolling the scroll back up and then breathing his fire onto it, sending it to the princess. "But seriously, since when are you some swooning, starry-eyed romantic?"

"I-I..." Twilight started. A sudden knock on the door then cut her off. Twilight nodded and then went to go answer it. She found Rarity standing there at the door. "Ah, Rarity..."

"Hello, Twilight," the other unicorn spoke, a worried look on her face as she steeped in. "I was in the area and I just thought I'd..."

"Rarity...." Spike swooned romantically, stars appearing in his eyes as he gazed upon the unicorn. Twilight had to giggle at the obvious irony.

"Oh, hello Spike," Rarity said, nodding to the dragon. "Welcome back..."

"You're here because of what happened the other day, aren't you?" asked Twilight, smiling at her friend's concern.

"That transparent, I suppose...?" Rarity hung her head. "I wonder if it isn't Pinkie Pie I should be checking up on instead..."

"We're both fine." Twilight smiled. "More than fine, actually. Everything ended up really good for us both."

"Really? You don't say...?" Rarity questioned, obviously surprised to hear this.

"Yeah..." said Twilight. "You gave me some good advice back there... I was just too stubborn to listen to it completely..." She smiled and nodded. "But sometimes mistakes can bring things out in the open that wouldn't have been there otherwise."

"I must say I'm now curious," said Rarity, taken aback by this response. "You mean to say this whole mess actually worked itself out?"

"More than work itself out...." said Twilight, smiling timidly. "Things between me and Pinkie... they're better than they were before..."

"You don't say?" Rarity started, completely shocked.

"Wait..." Spike spoke up, seeming to have finally associated the letter he had just sent with the conversation at hand. "You and Pinkie Pie?!" he exclaimed.

Twilight forced a smile and a laugh, not sure how to say it exactly. Suddenly then she didn't have to. The door flung wildly open and a certain pink pony popped into the room with a cheerful grin.

"Twilight!" Pinkie Pie called out happily. She looked around. "And Spike and Rarity too!"

"Oh, hello there, Pinkie Pie..." said Rarity, nodding. She looked at Pinkie and then back to Twilight. After a moment's pause, she continued. "I must say I'm surprised... but I suppose I really am happy things worked out so well for you..."

"Thanks a bunch!" said Pinkie bouncing forward. "So, Twilight. You ready for another date tonight?"

"Yeah," said Twilight, smiling affectionately. "I'm looking forward to it."

"This is really serious..." Spike commented in disbelief. "Not some elaborate Pinkie Pie prank?"

"Of course not, silly," Pinkie Pie started with a giggled. "Rainbow Dash and Applejack didn't believe me either..."

"It really is just a little unbelievable..." Rarity admitted, looking downward. "But if you're both happy, that's what matters, I suppose."

"Yeah," said Twilight in agreement. "Right, Spike?"

The dragon seemed unable to articulate any sort of response. Twilight smiled. She could see this as being something that might take some time to get used to for her friends, especially if it did develop into something even deeper. Still, she was happy and Pinkie was happy. That was more than enough for her.