Sugarcube Corner was always a lively place during the day, and sometimes the nights were even more raucous, thanks to the seemingly never ending stream of parties. This night, the humble bakery played host to yet another wild shindig. As always, the party eventually had to come to an end. After a lengthy cleaning process, a lone pink pony took it upon herself to clean up after everyone else had gone home to recuperate. Though it was tiring, she managed to persevere and finish her task, leaving the shop clean and allowing herself the chance to finally rest.
Pushing her bedroom door open, Pinkie Pie stumbled in without even stopping to turn on a light. Her mane was a wreck, splitting in all directions, and she wore a sleepy smile, well-earned from her wild partying. Shambling to her bed, she managed to flop onto it, letting her entire body go limp. Slowly, as if in a trance, her eyes drifted to a green figure on the floor.
“It’s a shame you were too tired to party, Gummy. You should have seen Rainbow Dash’s new dance move. She cut a rug! Like, for real… It also caught fire and we had to throw it away.”
The alligator’s only response was to blink out of turn, which seemed to satisfy his caretaker.
The tired pony closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It felt like her first one since the party had begun. Her eyes popped back open and her ears perked up when the sound of music echoed from outside her window. With great effort, she gathered up her weary bones and trotted to the window to look outside.
“The sun can be harsh, and its shadows stark, but I’ll always be here with you, in the peace of dark.”
A gentle smile spread across Pinkie's muzzle. In the deserted town square, a lone unicorn sat on a bench, strumming her lyre and singing soothing music. Every night for the last couple months, Lyra set about this routine, performing for nopony in particular. Pinkie had talked to the unicorn before at the seemingly few parties and special events Lyra attended, but she never really got to learn much about her: just the three basics. Every night when the music and singing started, Pinkie wished she had more opportunities to talk with the unicorn.
Against her will, Pinkie yawned, letting her know it was time to get some shut eye.
“Good night, Lyra,” Pinkie muttered amidst a yawn as she retreated to her bed.
Mr. Cake looked up from his notebook, a skeptical gleam in his eye. “Okay, read me back what you have.”
Pinkie Inhaled for way longer than any normal pony should, her chest protruding several feet.“That’s seven bags of flour, five bags of sugar, three bags of brown sugar, three bushels of apples, and four canisters of cocoa powder!”
Mr. Cake nodded. “Thank you, Pinkie. We can handle the shop for now. Make sure you get everything, or we won’t have enough for Hearts and Hooves day.”
Pinkie saluted and lept towards the door. “I’m on it! You can count on me!” She happily trotted outside and walked around the side of Sugarcube Corner where they kept their wagon. An approaching blue streak made her stop and give a friendly wave to her new visitor.
“Heya, Pinkie Pie. What are you up to?” Rainbow Dash asked, touching down a foot or two away.
“HI, Rainbow! I was just going to get the stuff we need for all the baking tomorrow. Wanna come with?” she asked, as she jumped into the harness.
Rainbow sighed “I’d love to, but I gotta stay put. I’m waiting on the rest of weather team to get here so we can set up some showers. We gotta get some rain in before tomorrow or else we're gonna have a wet Hearts and Hooves day.”
“Awww, that's no fun. I guess I'm on my own then. If you get through in time, come find me and we'll hang out!”
“Sure thing! Later, Pinkie!”
The pink pony watched as Rainbow took off into the sky. With a sigh, she pulled on the wagon, starting her way down the road.
“I should really get going before the Cakes think I got sidetracked watching a frog again.”
Criss-crossing through town, Pinkie dutifully gathered everything on the list. With her task complete, she set about making her way back to Sugarcube Corner when a pony caught her eye.
Sitting alone at a table outside the cafe underneath a large umbrella was Lyra drinking a cup of coffee. Thinking back to last night, Pinkie decided now would be the perfect time to learn more about her. Hopping out of the wagon's harness, Pinkie walked up behind the unsuspecting unicorn and tapped her on the back.
“Hello!”
Lyra jumped in shock, nearly tipping over her drink. “Woah! What the?!”
Whirling around in her seat, Lyra smiled and clutched her chest. “You totally got me that time, Pinkie Pie.”
The pink pony beamed. “My friends say I’m the best at surprising and startling! Mind if I join you?”
Lyra motioned to the empty spot. “Sure! I mean, no, not at all! Ugh, that always confuses me.”
“Triple mocha hazelnut with extra cream?” Pinkie asked, taking the offered seat.
“Wow, how did you know just by looking?”
“Cause it’s written on the side of the cup,” Pinkie explained through a lighthearted giggle.
Lyra tapped her head with her hoof. “Well, now I just feel dumb. So, what are you doing today?”
“Not much. Just gathering the things we need for Hearts and Hooves day.”
Lyra shook her head. “Whew. I don’t envy you. It must be hard running a bakery on Hearts and Hooves day.”
“Sure, it can be, but it also makes it all worthwhile when ponies smile because we have exactly what they want. Speaking of smiles, I didn’t see you at the party last night. Nor the last party... or the party before that.”
“Probably because you were watching me from your window.”
Pinkie’s smile faded and her head, all the way up to her blue eyes, sank below the table. “You saw?”
“A good musician needs to be aware of her audience. Oh, and thanks for the cupcake the other night. The tiny parachute was a cute touch," Lyra giggled.
Pinkie’s eyes widened. “How did you know it was me?”
Lyra smiled and took a long sip of her coffee. “There aren’t many ponies that have cupcakes around all the time. Seeing as how you work at a bakery, it wasn’t too hard to guess.”
“Oh… right. You didn’t answer my question about parties though.”
“I was trying to avoid it. I don’t usually go to your parties because I don't really have a good time.”
Pinkie’s ears fell in disappointment and her eyes dimmed.
“Not to say I don’t like your parties! I do! Really!” Lyra smacked herself in the head. “I can’t believe I just said that. Way to go, Lyra! I really enjoy the birthday parties you threw for me. I… I just don’t do well with crowds. I feel like I don’t belong.”
Pinkie's ears perked up a bit “Ohhhh. I know what you mean.” Leaning in close, Pinkie Pie motioned for the unicorn to move closer as well. “Wanna hear a secret?”
“Sure!”
Giving a quick look to make sure nopony was close, Pinkie put her lips right up to Lyra’s ears. “Sometimes I feel lost at my own parties.”
“You do?” The unicorn asked, her eyes wide in astonishment.
Sitting back in her chair, Pinkie fidgeted with her hooves. “Mmmhmmm. Sometimes when I’m refilling the punch bowl, or fixing the decorations, it feels like everypony is together without me. When that happens though, I just jump back in there, and before I know it, those feelings just disappear like a dog covered in spot remover!”
Lyra nodded her head, seemingly piecing together what Pinkie had tried to explain. “So, basically, the less you think about it, the easier it is.”
“Yup! By the way, have any plans for Hearts and Hooves?”
Lyra scoffed. “Heck no. We don’t celebrate it, so to speak.”
“We?” Pinkie asked, tilting her head.
“Bon-bon and I. Every year when Hearts and Hooves comes around, we get lots of snacks and watch scary movies all night. It’s our little way of thumbing our nose at the couples trotting around like a bunch of morons.”
“That sounds fun! You do this every year?”
“Six years so far,” Lyra said proudly.
“Neato! I would ask to come along, but I’ll probably be busy making candy most of the day.”
“You of all ponies don’t have a date for Hearts and Hooves?” Lyra asked, raising her eyebrows.
Pinkie blushed. “I uhhh, haven’t really found somepony yet... but that’s okay! I can make lots of candy and cupcakes, and cordials to make other ponies smile! Anyway, I need to get back to Sugarcube Corner. It was good talking to you!”
“It sure was. We should grab coffee sometime together." Lyra offered.
Pinkie played with her hooves a moment in nervousness. “I’m not allowed to have coffee anymore. They’re still cleaning up bubblegum off the ceiling of the courthouse.”
“Oh, ummm, okay, I guess. How about a soda?"
"Count me in!"
"Cool. Then I guess I'll see you later, Pinkie Pie,” the unicorn said, waving her off.
“Later, Lyra!”
“Hmmm, hmmm, hmmmm, hmm, p’tooie!”
Pinkie smiled at her shining white teeth in the mirror. Every day, three times a day, she brushed and rinsed with mouthwash to keep her bright smile as brilliant as ever. As she washed the toothpaste down the drain, her ears perked up at the sound of music. The soothing melody lured her out of the bathroom, to the window. Tonight, just like every night, the mint green unicorn set on the park bench playing her lyre. Pinkie closed her eyes and slowly swayed back and forth to the music.
"When I sit alone and dream of your touch, my mind wanders to us, and how our love has grown so much..."
Pinkie slowly opened her eyes, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.
Wait a minute. If Lyra thinks hearts and hooves is dumb, and she doesn't have a special somepony, why does she always sing about love and mushy stuff like that?
The question gnawed at Pinkie, so much so, that she found herself missing the pleasant strumming she had grown so attached to. Shaking that pesky thought out of her head she let her jovial smile return. Pinkie always took pride in the fact that she never let simple stuff bother her like other ponies did. Just as she was about to turn away, the unicorn sitting in the bench below looked up at the open window and gave her a coy smile. Pinkie waved back just as a yawn hit.
Obeying her body's need for sleep, she crawled into her bed, enjoying the cool feel of the sheets against her warm body.
“Hearts and Hooves day tomorrow. That should be fun.”
Quiet was not an attribute many would ascribe to Pinkie Pie. Yet, more than an hour had passed without a peep from the pony. Completely lost in her work, Pinkie kneaded out the chocolate plastic and formed it piece by piece into beautiful chocolate roses.
Mrs. Cake trotted over, peering over the pink pony’s should. "Oh, Pinkie Pie, these look absolutely wonderful."
"Yup."
The motherly pony studied her employee closely, with a hint of concern. "You... you've been at this for quite awhile."
"Uh huh," Pinkie muttered, her attention clearly on her work.
"Maybe you should take a break?" Mrs. Cake suggested.
"Maybe..."
Looking around nervously, Mrs. Cake moved away from the table. "Well, I suppose I should get back to the count-"
"Woo-hoo! All done!" Pinkie screamed, causing Mrs. Cake to jump.
"Oh, uh yes. As I was saying, maybe you should take a break?"
Pinkie trotted in place enthusiastically. "Yeah! I totally need a break! My eyes were starting to cross from all of that molding. See you later, Mrs. Cake!"
Like a caged animal which had just been freed, Pinkie high-tailed it through the lobby and out the front door of the sweetshop. Like every Hearts and Hooves day, Ponyville bustled with activity. Pinkie smiled and bounced through the crowds of couples along with the singles who hadn't yet found quite the perfect gift. Despite the joyous atmosphere, It wasn't long before trouble showed it's ugly head.
Across the street, Pinkie spied Fluttershy of all ponies holding a bouquet of flowers, standing on the doorstep of Carousel Boutique. This would have been absolutely perfect... if it weren't for the fact that she had clearly lost her nerve.
"Oh, what am I doing?" The pegasus mumbled to herself. "If she doesn't like me, she might feel bad for having to tell me no. I knew this was a bad idea. I should just go home..."
Pinkie’s eyes widened.
Oh no! I have to do something, and fast!
Pinkie knew a pep talk would have little effect on the pegasus. She really only had one choice. She zoomed over to one of the side windows of the boutique, opened it, and stuck her head through the window. "Hey, Rarity!"
"Gaah!" The unicorn who had just been toiling away on her sewing machine jumped in surprise. She turned and glared at the intruder. "Pinkie Pie! What have I told you about interrupting me when I'm sewing?"
Pinkie rolled her eyes. "I know, I know, it's dangerous and stuff, but you need to go open your front door right now!" Pinkie said as she started closing the window.
"The front door? Why?"
Pinkie stuck her head through the three inch gap that was left and glared at Rarity. "Just trust me on this!" She shouted before yanking her head back through.
She galloped around the side of the boutique just in time to see Fluttershy starting to turn away, her muzzle nearly touching the ground.
"Hi, Fluttershy!" She called out.
The pegasus looked around in confusion before her eyes locked on to the pink mare. “Pinkie? Wh-what are you doing?" She asked, nervously trying to hide the flowers behind her back.
"I'm stalling you, silly."
At that moment the door flew open causing Fluttershy to squeal.
Rarity stuck her head out the door frame. "Yes, who is it?"
The unicorn's eyes fell upon the quaking mare on her doorstep and the bouquet of flowers in her hooves. Pinkie waved at Rarity and pointed to the flowers
"Fluttershy? Are... are those for me?" Rarity asked, touching a hoof to her mouth.
At this point, Fluttershy's face had turned its fifth shade of red. "I… ummm... they’re uhh… flowers..."
Rarity sauntered out of her shop, closing the gap between her and the nervous pegasus. “Yes, they are indeed flowers, and they’re very beautiful. Flowers usually mean something… special... when you give them to another pony.”
Trembling on her hooves, Fluttershy looked like she might faint at any moment. Unfortunately for her, Rarity didn’t look like she would be stopping anytime soon as she grazed her hoof along the antsy pegasus’ side.
“You, standing on my doorstep with a bouquet of flowers... it seems very suspicious. A certain unicorn might take this to mean,” Rarity leaned in close to the nervous mare, her voice just above a whisper, “that you want to be my special somepony."
Fluttershy’s eyes and wings shot open as a long high pitched squeal echoed in the back of her throat.
Rarity’s voice took on a low, sultry tone. "What a brave pony you are to confess your love in such a dramatic way. And here I was thinking this would be another lonely Hearts and Hooves day."
Pinkie waved happily. "Bye, Fluttershy!"
The pegasus continued her nervous laughter as Rarity grabbed her in a powerful magic grip. Fluttershy’s hooves fell limp as she was dragged inside the boutique.
"Do come in, Darling. We have so much to discuss."
Pinkie smiled brighter as the door slammed shut.
That was fun! I wonder what else I can do today?
With the Fluttershy/Rarity crisis averted, Pinkie resumed her jaunt through Ponyville, smiling and waving at the other ponies milling about. A ringing bell from a nearby shop caught Pinkie’s ear. She turned just in time to see Lyra walking out the general store on her hind legs, carrying a giant pile of snacks while doing her level best to maintain her balance.
“Ooooh, looks like somepony is going to be doing some really unhealthy eating tonight!” Pinkie said, licking her lips.
Lyra turned and winked. “Heck yeah! We’ll worry about the calories tomorrow!”
Pinkie giggled and walked away, her eyes wandering for anything to occupy her time. It wasn’t long before she found something in the form of a colorful streak painting the sky.
“Hey, Rainbow Dash! Down here!”
The pegasus turned abruptly and sped toward the ground. Pinkie bounced in place as Rainbow skidded to a halt in front of her.
“Hey, Pinkie, what’s up?”
“Having a funnerfic time, that’s all. Just got through making tons of candy. My hooves nearly fell asleep I was at it so long! How about you?”
“Ugh. Just keeping the weather ‘picture perfect,’ like the mayor told me to,” Rainbow grumbled, kicking a small divot in the ground.
Pinkie’s ears fell sympathetically. “Awww, that doesn’t sound like a very fun way to spend Hearts and Hooves.”
Rainbow scratched the back of her neck. “Eh, I kinda volunteered for it. I was never really interested in Hearts and Hooves, and since I’m one of the few ponies on the weather team without a date today, I thought why not? Besides, it’s the perfect excuse for showing off my flying skills. Earlier, I did a sonic rainboom and formed a heart with an arrow going through it in the sky right above the park. You should have heard the applause!” Rainbow said, puffing out her chest with pride.
“Wowee! I wish I could have seen it!”
A thought crossed Pinkie’s mind abruptly, this time not about frosting. “Hey, Rainbow. You want to come over tonight and watch scary movies for singles night?”
“Singles night? What’s that?”
“Only the greatest idea ever! Since all of the other ponies in the town have their smoochy woochy lovey dovey day, I decided we should get our own night to hang out and have some fun!I can go get snacks and soda and everything!”
Predictably, the promise of junk food and all nighters instantly captured Rainbow’s attention. “Hmmmm. It has been awhile since we pulled an all-nighter. Sure! Do you have that movie that just came out?"
Pinkie grinned. "You mean 'Murder at Canterlot High’? Yup! Haven't seen it yet. I was waiting for a stormy night with one of my awesome friends first."
"Well, I’m awesome, and I could cook up a few stormy clouds over Sugarcube Corner tonight. Sound cool?"
Pinkie stuck out her hoof and hoofbumped her friend. "Nope! Sounds awesome! I'll go get the snacks!"
"Cool! I'll catch you later then."
"Bye, Rainbow! See you later!" Pinkie bounced off as the pegasus took to the sky. She made a beeline for the store but stopped in her tracks when she saw Bon-bon walking and talking with another pony. A young stallion with a teal mane and yellow coat.
Huh. I guess Bon-Bon made a new friend. I’d love to meet him but they look like they’re talking about something super important.
Deciding that it'd be better not to dwell on the sight, she trotted into the store with a mental shopping list of her and Rainbow's favorite snacks.
“Chips?”
Pinkie tossed a bag onto the nearby table. “Check!”
“Dip?”
“Check!”
“Gumdrops, popcorn, and chocolate covered raisins?”
“Check, check, and checkerooni!”
Crumpling up her list, Rainbow tossed it toward the garbage, only to have it bounce off the rim and hit the ground. “Who says Twilight’s the only one organized around here?”
Lightning struck just outside Pinkie’s window, causing both ponies to jump. “Gee, Rainbow. You kicked up one cool storm for a scary movie.”
Wearing a dumb grin, Rainbow fell into a nearby beanbag. “You know me. I always brew up a mean storm. This singles night thing was a great idea, Pinkie.”
Pinkie Pie stepped away from the projector and jumped onto a beanbag right beside Rainbow. “Actually, it wasn’t mine. Lyra told me she and Bon-bon do this every year, and since neither of us had special someponies, I thought maybe we could too.”
A sly grin crawled across Rainbow’s muzzle. “Ha! Who would have guessed those two knew how to have a good time? I wonder what else those crazy ponies get up to.”
“Shhh! It’s starting!” Pinkie announced, her eyes glued to the screen.
After Rainbow and Pinkie Pie watched their movie, they occupied themselves with games and stories until the break of dawn. As soon as the first ray of light cracked the horizon, both ponies curled up and passed out to recuperate from their wild night.
Pinkie Pie awoke, disappointingly, only a few hours later. stretching her legs with a big yawn, she roused from the pallet she shared with Rainbow on the floor only to find herself alone. A note in sloppy hoofwriting sat on the ground for her to discover.
That was really fun. We totally have to do this again sometime. Check ya later!
Your awesome friend,
Rainbow Dash
Putting the note down, Pinkie couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. Her eyes drifted to the window.
“It’s almost noon. I know it’s my day off, but maybe I should help the Cakes with the lunch rush.”
Pinkie’s day went without incident. In fact, the shop was pretty quiet overall. Mrs. Cake chalked it up to the fact that most ponies went out the day before for Hearts and Hooves. Pinkie couldn’t quite refute this logic. In fact, she was too busy planning Rarity and Fluttershy’s “Congrats on your first date!” party to even bother offering a rebuttal.
Once the shop closed and the day’s tasks were complete, Pinkie went through her nightly rituals. Before long, she found herself trotting for bed, dressed in polka dot pajamas. Just as she was about to slip beneath her sheets, she realized something. Her smile faltered just a tad as she walked over to the window and stuck her head out.
“Huh. That’s strange. Where’s Lyra?”
The park bench where the unicorn played was empty. Only the insects of the night dared break the silence.
Walking over to her bed, Pinkie hopped in, her thoughts occasionally going back to the unicorn who was unusually absent.
Pinkie Pie trotted down the stairs and into the kitchen, still mostly asleep. She wasn't sure if it was sleep debt from her all nighter with Rainbow, or what, but she clearly didn't sleep well last night. She reached into the fridge and pulled out a leftover bouquet of chocolate roses that didn’t sell during Hearts and Hooves day. A whole dozen of them. That meant two for each of her friends, and two for herself. She resisted the urge to wolf down her own treats right then and there, deciding it would be better to wait until her friends had theirs.
"Bye, Mrs. Cake. I'm gonna go visit my friends."
"Take it easy, deary. Hope you all have fun," Mrs. Cake replied.
Pinkie walked out with a subdued grin and a slightly slower than usual pace. She had made it halfway to the library before her eyes fell upon Lyra's home.
I should see why she didn’t play last night.
Pinkie veered off course toward the rather plain home where Lyra lived. She reached out to knock on the door when she felt something like electricity run down her back. Immediately, she felt her spine tense up and go rigid. Uneasiness washed over her when she realized that this was her Pinkie sense kicking in. This one she had felt several times, each one right before discovering a friend in dire need of cheering up. Slowly, she knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Came a muffled voice from inside.
"It's me, Pinkie Pie."
Pinkie put on a very strong smile as the door swung open, hoping it would pass on to the occupant of the house. "Morning, Lyra. I hope you're having a good day."
The unicorn bore no smile, nor did she seem like she was in any eminent danger of doing so. "Just swell."
"You mind if I come in?" Pinkie could see the gears turning in the unicorn's head. She silently hoped Lyra would say yes, as if just willing it to happen would cause it to.
"Yeah, okay. Come on in." Lyra relented.
Pinkie's smile intensified as the door swung open to let her in. This was the first time she had been in Lyra's home, and she had no clue what to expect. The decor struck her as being kind of off. Here and there were a few pieces of art that seemed to exude sophistication. Everything else consisted of bright cheery colors, like the red and blue rug on the floor and the blue painted walls. As was usually the case, something shiny caught Pinkie's eye. Along the wall leading into the kitchen stood a trophy case with numerous awards. She wasted no time in darting over to get a better look.
"First place in the twenty third annual Canterlot Strings Competition. Oh! This one looks really cool! And this one says-"
"Uhhh, Pinkie, is there some reason you wanted to visit, aside from snooping through my personal life?" Lyra asked in a stark manner.
Pinkie shriveled under Lyra’s harsh glare. ”Well, there was something. How come you didn't play your lyre last night?"
Lyra sighed, obviously not pleased with where the conversation was leading.
"I didn't feel like it."
"But, you like playing and singing. You even said you do. What happened?"
Lyra sighed in defeat. "I'm upset, that's all."
"But, why? Did something happen on Hearts and Hooves day?"
Lyra flinched and turned away. "I guess you could say that. Bon-bon got a date…”
Pinkie’s eyes widened in realization. “You mean, that pony she was walking around with…”
“Yeah, that was her date, I guess. She didn’t even tell me until I had the movie set up and the snacks laid out. I can’t believe it,” Lyra muttered as she fell onto her couch. “I knew one of us might get a date one year, but I wasn’t prepared for it, I suppose. She could’ve at least warned me.”
"Oh."
Lyra nodded. "Yeah... so much for our singles night."
An idea struck the pink pony. She smiled and reached into her saddlebags pulling out the chocolate roses she had stashed and pointed it toward the depressed unicorn. “Would you like to be my special somepony?”
Lyra turned slowly to face her, an apprehensive gleam in her eyes. "Excuse me?"
"You seemed upset at not having a special somepony, and I had these chocolate roses leftover from Hearts and Hooves day that I was going to give to my friends, but I think they would be better for asking you out instead," Pinkie explained.
Lyra's face stayed in a state of shock for a moment, but it didn't stay that way long.
"Do you think I'm stupid or something? No, that's not it. You have to be the stupid one here. You think you can make everything better by just asking me out?"
Pinkie began to wilt beneath Lyra's ever increasing scowl, her ears folding on top of her head.
"You don't even know what having a special somepony means," the unicorn continued. "It's not like having a name on piece of paper reminding you to throw a party for them."
Lyra's rant faltered for a moment as tears filled her eyes. She turned away and shook her hoof dismissively. "Just go. I'm wasting my breath."
Pinkie stared at the crying mare, unsure exactly what to say.
"I'm not stupid! I know what a special somepony is and what it means to have one."
Lyra made no attempt to acknowledge her.
"Yellow, cinnamon walnut muffin, and fruit punch."
At this, Lyra finally turned back. "What?"
"Yellow is your favorite color, cinnamon walnut muffins are your favorite baked good, and your favorite drink is fruit punch," Pinkie rattled off.
"H-how do you know that?" Lyra asked, wiping her eyes.
Pinkie lowered her head. "Because you're my friend. Friends aren't just a name on a list. To truly be someone's friend, you have to know a lot about them."
Lyra turned away again, this time slower, and with a heavier expression on her face.
"I might be kind of weird, but I still mean what I say. I didn't ask you out just to make you feel better."
Lyra didn't so much as move in response.
"I should go. I'm sorry your friend wasn't there when you needed her."
Pinkie turned and walked to the door. Her Pinkie sense was right. It always was. The one thing she couldn't stand more than anything else, was that she couldn't help cheer Lyra up.
"Pinkie, wait!"
The pink pony turned, her mane half deflated.
"Why?" Lyra asked.
"Why? Why what?"
Lyra's tears had slowed, and any sign of anger had long vanished. "I mean, why did you ask me out? You said you mean what you say, so you have to have a reason."
Pinkie scratched her head a moment. "Well, your hair looks kinda like toothpaste."
The unicorn glared at her. "That's it? Really?"
"No. You're a really good singer, you're also pretty cute," Pinkie said, managing a small smile.
Lyra's eyes fell to the floor. "Cute, huh?"
"Is... is that bad? You don't like being called cute?"
The unicorn lifted her head, her eyes meeting Pinkie's. "I... I do, actually. I just thought this would be different. You know what I mean?"
Pinkie shook her head slowly, her eyes never drifting. "No?"
Lyra rubbed her neck nervously. "I thought when the time came to date somepony, I would know. I would stare at them for hours and hours, losing track of the time. Maybe they would come by one night and share their umbrella in the pouring rain. I wonder-"
Lyra's ramblings came to a halt. A blush and scowl returned to her face as Pinkie started laughing. "Hey! What's so funny? I'm trying to pour my heart out here, ya know?"
Cutting her giggling fit short, Pinkie shook her head. "I'm sorry, you just reminded me of my friend Rarity and her love books. They're always about some lovesick pony who instantly falls in love with the pony of their dreams. It's kinda funny!"
Lyra's blush deepened and her scowl vanished, replaced by a shy smile. "Heh, heh... I guess it does sound a little silly."
Pinkie leaned in close to Lyra's, her hot breath tickling the unicorn's ear. "That's okay. I like silly."
Lyra smiled as Pinkie pulled back. "I guess I wouldn't mind trying a date. Any place in mind?"
Frizzy pink locks started bouncing in every direction as Pinkie nodded furiously. "Sure! There's a place in Ponyville called Cafe Au Lait."
Lyra gasped. "Oh my goodness! I love Cafe Au Lait! They have the best crepes ever! When should we go?"
"How's about nowish?" Pinkie said, running to the door.
"Sounds good to me!"
As Lyra approached, Pinkie reached a hoof into her mane. After a second or two of digging, she pulled something long and thin out.
"I don't have any rain, but I do have an umbrella we can share if you want."
Lyra giggled and walked under the umbrella. "Sure, I'd love to."
Author's Note
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in what the ideal version of romance might be that we never see the chance when it presents itself.
Happy Valentine's day for those of you who have someone, and a rockin' singles night to those who don't. Don't party too hard, eh?
