Nyctophobia

Chapters

Prologue
A letter for Soarin
The Perfect Gifts
Photogenic Kisses
The ugly Green beast
Ultimatum
To Break or Make
Courage is power
System Overload?
The Dress
Maskless

Prologue

Prologue:

She looked out through the jagged hole in the darkly coloured storm cloud house, watching. Watching the streaks of electrified smoke streaking across the sky. The Wonderbolts, out to practice their routines and have friendly competitions with each other.

She could name every one.

But she only ever watched one. He made her heart flutter almost painfully in her chest. Even if she hadn’t seen him outside his flight suit, the tight fit didn’t leave much to the imagination. Not that it mattered.

He’ll never even look at you twice...

She longed to run her bone white hoof through his deep blue mane, feel his light blue coat on hers, have him run his hoof through her rough-and-tumble mane, the ash gray and black that it was. But she knew it’d never happen.

This isn’t a fairytale Grin; you know it’ll never happen...

Skeleton Grin sat in that darkened cloud house, a letter she had written earlier sitting on the decrepit old table, watching Soarin the Wonderbolt practice.

But I have to try...

A letter for Soarin

Chapter one: A letter for Soarin.

“Can I get this letter delivered?”

The bone white Pegasus standing at Ponyville post office was obviously uncomfortable and, despite it being a warm day, wore a scarf around her neck that travelled up to her mouth, a cape that hid the majority of her body and a broad brimmed hat that was tilted over her eyes. The mare she was talking to was grey, nice enough, but had very strange eyes that didn’t face the same direction.

“Sure! I’ll just need a bit and I can deliver it for you!”

Skeleton Grin almost smiled and she rummaged around in a small bag she’d brought just for this occasion. This is it. This is the day she finally sent that damned letter to him. She paid the mare, who immediately took flight, almost forgetting about the letter.

“Woops! Don’t want to forget this!”

She picked it up and smiled in a ditzy manner.

“So who’s it too? I can’t read very well, my eyes don’t work too good in focusing!”

Skeleton Grin gulped and tried to speak confidently.

“Just, give it to one of the Wonderbolts, they’ll know who it’s for...”

“Oooookay!!”

With that, the Ditzy mare flew off, dropping a letter as she did so. Grin sighed.

“Well... that’s that. No turning back now Grin, I hope you know what you’re doing.”

She looked around to make sure nopony had seen her, and scampered away, only being noticed by a lavender unicorn who, upon second glance, decided her mind had played tricks on her.

~*~

In Cloudsdale, a certain blue Wonderbolt was trying desperately to relax. It was strange. Whenever he had a show, or a race, or anything in front of a large crowd, he always felt his most confident before and during the event, then virtually collapsed afterwards. He couldn’t let the others see though. Celestia forbid that ever happened. He reached for his crystal goblet of apple schnapps.

Another bad habit Soarin. You’re going to end up with a gut if you keep this up.

Not that he cared so much at the moment. His most recent marefriend, a young model, had ditched him, claiming him to be “boring and self centred”. That was after he’d spent all his bits on her. He hadn’t had a good apple pie in weeks. His flight suit lay in a crumpled heap on the floor. He really should wash it, but it was secondary to him at the moment.

Dammit, what I wouldn’t give for alone time.

Almost as though on cue, his thoughts were interrupted by a VERY loud knock on his door, followed by a soft “pomph” as the cloud collapsed in on itself. He swung himself around to behold Firestreak in his doorway, looking very sheepish.

“Whoah, Soarin I am so sorry. I didn’t realise that your architecture was so fragile!”

Soarin simply sighed and gestured for the stallion to enter, which he did.

“What is it Fire? Can’t you see I’m occupied?”

“Occupied? Soar, you’re drinking Apple Schnapps.”

“Precisely. What is it?”

Firestreak shook his head and shrugged.

“Whatever Soar. You’ve got a letter. Delivered by some mare with weird eyes. Kinda cute she was.”

He held out the letter, which Soarin took and looked at curiously. It was rolled up, like a scroll and, when he tilted it, a black rose bud fell out from the empty space. Firestreak looked at it curiously as Soarin picked it up and looked at it. It was a pretty thing, a deep velvety black and the thorns had been neatly and expertly trimmed off of it.

“Wow Soar, looks like you have an admirer. Another one anyway.”

“Yeah... but none of them have sent me a black rose bud before...”

He looked at the scroll and was taken aback by the care that had been taken in rolling it up perfectly, the velvety black ribbon used to keep it closed beautifully tied in a bow. He carefully pulled the knot loose and the unrolled the letter. His eyes widened as he read. Firestreak looked curious.

“Well, what does it say Soar?”

Soarin smiled and read out loud.

“To Soarin

I’m not very good at this, so I’ll try to keep it short, and not waste your time.
I’ve watched your practice sessions for a while now, I’m sorry if that’s creepy... but I simply don’t have the bits to attend any shows.

I wanted you to know that I think I’m in love with you... Not that you’d really find that difficult to imagine. I mean, you probably have millions of letters saying the same thing every day.

My love for you is like that rose bud. It’s beautiful on its’ own already, but given time, love and care, it can blossom into something even more beautiful.

With love...”

Firestreak waited impatiently.

“With love... who?”

Soarin looked up.

“it doesn’t say, all it has is a picture of a kinda creepy smiley face. Check it.”

Soarin showed Firestreak the letter, revealing spidery handwriting and a small grin under the last two words. The teeth in it were pointed and its’ eyes were coloured black. Firestreak clucked his tongue in annoyance.

“Huh, well that’s annoying.”

“What?”

“Well, without a name, you can’t track your little admirer down.”

Soarin pondered that for a moment.

“Well, perhaps she doesn’t want to be found because she’s afraid that I’ll reject her?”

“That’s plausible.”

Soarin and Firestreak both nodded thoughtfully. It was the only thing they could think of that was potentially true. There was a long moment of silence before Firestreak grinned.

“Wonder if she’s sexy?”

Soarin looked at him incredulously.

“Fire! Is that all you can think of right now?”

The white stallion nodded.

“Pretty much. I mean come on; if she’s got writing like that she’s probably high born, upper class. And they’re normally hot!”

Soarin smiled wryly and looked at his Apple Schnapps. He found he suddenly didn’t want it and turned back to Firestreak.

“Not one word to Spitfire.”

“Agreed.”

“Not one word about what colts?”

The two stallions looked over at the doorway in shock to reveal a very amused looking Spitfire looking in on them.

“C-C-C-Captain! We uh, That is...”

Soarin and FIrestreak spluttered, to the amusement of Spitfire, who walked over to Firestreak, pushed him into a couch and proceeded to sit beside him, cuddling him close and kissing his cheek. The two had been going out for a month or two now, and Spitfire seemed much more relaxed.

“Come on Firestreak, you can tell me... What’s with the black rose bud in Soarins’ hoof?”

Soarin looked at the rose bud he didn’t realise he was still holding and threw it onto his desk, where it landed besides the semi-curled scroll.

This is going to be fun...

~*~

It was dark, but that’s the way she liked it. Dark, scary and dangerous.

As dangerous as clouds can be.

She was back in the dilapidated old house made of storm clouds. The clouds did nothing to keep out the cold, so she was still wearing her scarf and cape. Skeleton Grin shivered as a breeze infiltrated under her cape.

Why is it cold tonight of all nights?

It had been hours since she’d sent the letter. She was expecting no reply at all, but she was hoping for one in maybe a week. She couldn’t get him off her mind.

Celestia, please, give this pony one wish? Just one?

Skeleton Grin looked to the heavens sadly, a tear falling from her eyes, still covered by a hat.

If you won’t let me have my chance with my love, please, give me a place where I’m accepted... So I can at least live with others.

It had been so long since she’d slept in a real bed that she hadn’t made, it was scary. And not the kind of scary she liked. Her cutie mark was still covered by her cape. What she did, she did the best and she enjoyed, but others were not so forgiving, and her strange appearance made her tolerated at best.

She fell asleep shivering.

~*~

Soarin was writing a note. At five past midnight. By the light of a single candle. A half eaten pie sat on the desk next to him and Firestreak and Spitfire were on his bed, sweaty and asleep. On a cold night like this, Soarin KNEW what had made them so sweaty. But he didn’t mind.

He preferred his couch anyway.

What do I say!? It’s been so long, and that was so touching... Nothing like the other letters, proclaiming their everlasting love to me and how much they adore me. No, this was much more personal. Much less... fanfilly-ish and more mature. I haven’t sent a letter in-

He cut off the train of thought and smiled softly.

Ah, Soarin. You old romantic you.

He began his letter, his writing not as spidery, but no less graceful. He may not have written one of these in a while, but he knew how to write.

“To my most sincere admirer.

I thank you most graciously for the beautiful rose, it is sitting at the head of my desk where I can gaze upon its’ beauty each and every day and make sure it stays alive and blooming.

I’m sad that you have not given me a name upon which to call you, it makes it difficult to send a reply. I’m afraid I have no gift suitable as a return gift. Obviously I cannot send you pie, that is too material and disappears too quickly. I cannot give you a rose, as it would seem unoriginal. And so, in a fit of desperation, I send you all I can and beg of you your name.

Sincerely;
Soarin”

As an extra flair for authenticity, he not only wrote his name, but signed the parchment as well. Taking extreme care, he cut a lock of his mane and put it within the scroll, which he rolled up tightly and secured with a royal blue ribbon. It was nothing compared to the admirers’ handiwork, but it would do. He smiled and plucked a feather from his wing and slid it into the knot in the ribbon.

There, I hope that’s enough

He yawned and looked at the time.

By Luna, look at the time! I’ll mail it in the morning.

With that, Soarin trotted over to his couch and flopped onto it. The last thing he heard before he fell asleep was hushed whispers from his room and a low sigh.

The Perfect Gifts

Chapter 2: The perfect gifts

“MAAAAAAIIIIIILLL!!!”

Skeleton almost fell straight through the floor of the cloud house, before recovering and looking up in alarm just to see a well wrapped scroll thwack her in the face. A flurry of wings later and the mailmare was gone. Grin frowned and looked at it, then caught her breath as her heart raced.

It has one of his feathers on it!

She carefully removed the feather and admired it. Palest blue, pristinely neat... Everything she ever expected. It was... it was...

Beautiful

The only word she could think of to describe it and it felt woefully inadequate. She carefully took off the royal blue ribbon, tying it to her hoof so as not to lose it. Opening the scroll, she gasped and grabbed his second gift.

A lock of his mane.

Could it be... it is! Oh my... He sent me some of his mane!

She brought in to her nose and smelled it, and practically melted.

Oh yes... So good...

Suddenly feeling guilty, Skeleton Grin looked around to make sure nopony had caught her, then smelled it again. All caring for the letter had vanished at that moment.

She might as well have been in heaven.

After almost twenty minutes of just cuddling this piece of his mane, she remembered the letter and snatched it up, ribbon on her wrist, hair clutched tightly in one hoof. She giggled a little as she read the part concerning potentially sending her pie.

That’s such a Soarin-esque gift!

Her eyes widened under her hat as she finished reading it.

He wants to know my name... Soarin WANTS to know my name!

She almost cried out in delight right there, but a worried frown creased her face after a moment.

Oh Celestia, I can’t give him my name... what if he comes to see me?

Sure, she moved around a lot, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t find her. He is a Wonderbolt after all. She looked at the parchment again, and fully unrolled it, then started and stared.

He’s signed it! Soarin the Wonderbolt has signed it! With his signature!

There was no doubt now that Soarin had wrote this. She just about dropped the letter, another sheaf of paper floating down. Curious, she picked it up.

Another letter... from who?

She began to read.

“To Soarins’ admirer.

It’s good to see him getting mail again and accepting it. I don’t know what you wrote miss, but it worked.

I’d hazard a guess that you’re another big fan? Soarin used to have many, then he started simply throwing the letters out.
Please step carefully, Soarin just went through a break up and it wouldn’t be wise to aggravate the matter.

Oh, and fly hard and fast!
Spitfire”

Grin blinked a few times, before casually tossing the letter over her shoulder. Getting a letter from Spitfire was nice and all, but Soarins’ letter was what was important to her. She cuddled the feather, scroll and lock of his mane adoringly to her chest, content to simply revel that he’d replied so quickly and with such thoughtful gifts.

~*~

“Soarin! Get your head in the game!”

He barely registered what was said before snapping back to reality, swerving to avoid a cloud pillar he was seconds from hitting. Cursing himself, he pulled a tight hairpin turn and stopped in front of Echo Fleetfoot, who didn’t look impressed, even through her goggles.

“Soarin, you need to focus! Stop daydreaming. I don’t know what’s gotten into you today.”

Soarin nodded and forced a smile.

“Sorry Echo, I guess I was thinking too hard.”

The slight mare shook her head and set off on the course again. Soarin looked around nervously, then resumed the training session. The part of his admirers’ letter concerning her watching his training got him thinking that she must be nearby, and had been considering various places around the track that she could have been hiding. He had to right himself before he ran into Spitfire a moment later, who looked at him and gave a knowing smile.

At least she won’t tell anypony just yet.

When he’d gone to mail the letter earlier that morning, he’d been told that Firestreak had sent it for him. It was easier that way. Especially since that’s who the mailmare had given the previous letter to. He’d accepted that graciously, still a little disappointed. But it was true, it was easier for Derpy, as he’d come to understand was the mailmares’ name, to find the sender if the recipient gave the letter to her.

“LOOKOUT!”

Soarin snapped back to reality in time to just narrowly avoid crashing into Firestreak, who was laughing too hard to listen to Soarins’ hasty apologies. Spitfire was trying to hide a smile, and the other team mates simply looked at him in confusion.

~*~

Skeleton Grin caught her breath as she watched Soarin narrowly avoid crashing, breathing a sigh of relief as he dodged it.

Stop tempting fate so much my Soarin... you’re going to hurt yourself.

She glanced over at the sheafs of parchment on the decrepit old table. She’d been considering writing a return letter and sending it that day, but she honestly had no clue what to write about. Or how to repay him for his gifts.

His wonderful, thoughtful gifts!

She looked back up at the stadium to see the Wonderbolts leaving, going into the locker rooms for their showers and such. A stroke of inspiration struck her and she rushed over to the parchment and started writing. At the conclusion of the letter, she took a sharp pair of scissors, one of her few possessions, and snipped off a lock of her own mane, rolling it up within the scroll. Once more, it was pristinely tied with a ribbon, looking just perfect.

Alright Grin, you do this, you do it now, before you lose your nerve.

With that, she opened her owl-like silent wings, and flew towards the stadium.

~*~

They were leaving. But that’s precisely what she wanted. She watched as one by one the team left, and she named them in her head.

Spitfire, Firestreak, Echo, Fleetfoot, Misty, Rapidfire, Lightning Streak, High Winds, IceWind... No Soarin? Perfect!

Before the door to the locker rooms could close, Skeleton Grin slipped inside, her scroll in her mouth. She could hear the shower going, and she resisted the urge to peek. Trotting along, she counted the lockers, stopping at a very specific one.

Soarins’ locker!

She smiled, then shook her head.

No, not quite personal enough.

Instead, she slipped silently over to the showers and dropped the letter outside the door, then picked it up again and put it on the nearby sink. As an afterthought, she plucked out a feather of her own, soft as it was, and slipped it into the knot the same way Soarin had. As she was walking past the shower door, she couldn’t help herself.

Oh... what’s one little peek..? Can’t hurt, right?

With that she peeked into the shower, blushing furiously soon after and rushing out of the locker room.

~*~

In the shower, Soarin was humming softly. He enjoyed long showers, always had. It felt better when he was with somepony else, but that was okay. His mane, normally spiking down his neck, lay flat, plastered across his pale blue coat. His tail didn’t fare much better, hanging heavily on the floor. His feathers, oiled as they were, merely let the water slide off them, leaving small dewdrops of water clinging to them. Couple that with the lighting, which was dim, He wasn’t hard to looks at. Some would go so far to say he was hard NOT to look at.

As he sat, he reminisced upon the days’ events. The several crashes he’d almost gotten into, the thoughts about returning to getting pie every now and then.

I love me some good pie...

He hadn’t thought of buying pie since He started going steady with his ex. She liked him fit and thin.

Lithe...

The thought flitted through his head with a dejected tone to it. He’s had some good time with that mare. He smiled softly at another thought.

But I have a new somepony to chase now, and I’ll catch her if I can.

He frowned.

Hold up, who said I was going to chase her?

Shaking his head, he chuckled to himself softly.

You always were a sucker for romantics. Your Book collection shows that.

With that thought, he turned his shower off, shook himself a bit, the get rid of most of the moisture, then trotted out. What he saw surprised him.

His towel was gone. It had been replaced with an old, dark blue one that radiated high class. The stitching, the designs on it, the gold edging.

Holy wow... That’s a towel!

He took it, and noted the way the design was a gold embossed ‘S’.

Guess it’s for me.

Out of a whim, he sniffed at it, to see if it was shop bought. What he smelled almost staggered him.

Woah, this was hoof woven! And the scent... delicious!

The scent of strawberries and cream was not one Soarin took lightly, in fact it was probably the only one that he took more seriously than Apple Cinnamon, and he wrapped the towel around his waist with care, wiping his hooves on the matt to dry them, he walked his way over to the sink, where a scroll with an ash grey feather awaited him. The feather was soft to the touch and almost... fluffy.

I guess she got my message huh?

Taking the feather out of the knot, he pulled at the knot gently, letting it undo itself. The first thing he noticed was the lock of hair. Ash grey, like the feather, but with a black running through it as well. Looking around to make doubly sure he was alone, Soarin brought the lock up to his nose and inhaled deeply. The scent of Strawberries and cream was much stronger in this piece of his admirers’ mane than it was on the towel. He smiled and put the hair next to the feather which, now that he looked at it, had a black tip. He then started to read the letter.

“My dearest Soarin

It brings my heart great joy that you replied so quickly, and that you loved my present. I was overwhelmed when you sent me a message so quickly, and with such wonderful gifts. I had no way of repaying you for them, so I did the best I could under the circumstances. I do hope you like the towel, it took me years to make and I used it a few times, but not for anything except the occasional drying, I do hope it doesn’t smell, I had it washed before I brought it in...

On the topic of my name, I’m afraid that I cannot tell you. Please understand, it’s nothing personal and I really, Really wish I could... but I’m too afraid of what might happen.

I delivered this letter personally; I really hope you don’t mind. I had to sneak into the locker room to do so, so none of the other Wonderbolts would have a chance to read this.

Please thank Spitfire for her message, and request that she doesn’t send me any more. Again, it’s nothing personal, but if I start receiving two letters per delivery, I’m not sure what ponies will think. In fact, I’ve come up with a solution.

If you would be so kind as to leave your replies on the doorstep of your Locker room each night, I can pick them up without trouble.

Thank you so much.

All my love.”

Once more, instead of a name was the strange smile again. Soarin felt a stab of disappointment, followed by his heart soaring.

She was here, in the locker room!

It was an interesting predicament really, but he smiled and, taking the gifts with him a well as he note, he made his way to his locker, rummaging through it to find a small jewellery box his ex had given him. The one gift she’d paid for. He tossed the cheap jewellery that was in it over his shoulder nonchalantly and carefully tied the lock of her mane in a knot to prevent it spreading too much and put both it and the feather into the padded box, closing the lid and latching it afterwards. He took a spare piece of parchment out of his locker, a quill and some ink and began to write his reply, trying to imagine what the Pegasus mare talking to him through such mysterious terms looked like.

Photogenic Kisses

Chapter 3: Photogenic kisses

That night, Skeleton Grin cautiously approached the Locker rooms. The scroll was there, she could see it, but she didn’t want to be jumped. Looking around, she silently glided over to the scroll, grabbed it, and flew off to her decrepit house.

That was harder than I thought...

Safe in her house, where nopony minus the nice mailmare knew she lived, she opened the scroll in excitement. A photograph fell out, snatched quickly out of the air by and eager hoof. Skeleton gasped.

Oh my, it’s him!

The picture was of Soarin, out of his uniform, blowing a kiss to the camera. She almost fainted right there.

He’s blowing me a kiss!

She put the picture carefully into a box she’d made herself out of the purest white clouds. Inside it also was the feather and the lock of mane, tied in a knot. Closing it carefully, she started reading his letter.

“My adoring admirer

I would like to start by thanking you for such a princely gift. The towel is lovely and no, it doesn’t smell. At least, not unpleasant. At least now I know what you smell like, and what your mane is like. And the feather was the perfect touch. You must be beautiful, for nopony could have such soft feathers and beautiful mane and scent like this unless they were absolutely stunning.

Although I know you will not tell me, I would dearly love to know your name and meet you sometime, if not only to discuss things over a nice dinner.

I eagerly await your reply.

Sincerely
Soarin.”

By the time she had finished, Grin was blushing furiously. She’d forgotten that he’d get her scent as well from that lock of her mane, but somehow, deep down, she was glad for it.

He... He likes my feathers...

She almost skipped for joy, but stopped herself and looked at the box that held the small gifts from Soarin. She opened it quickly and took out the lock of his mane, bringing it to her nose and inhaling deeply. The now familiar smell of cinnamon and coconut filled her nostril and she smiled dreamily. Putting the knotted hair back, she picked up the photo and smiled.

“I will meet you someday my Soarin... and I hope it will be soon...”

She kissed the photo gently and put it back in the cloud box, latching it when it was closed. This called for an immediate reply. As such, she got out her parchment. She didn’t have much left now, and began to write in her spidery text.

~*~

Soarin dreamed....

It was dark, and a face haunted him. A face with sharp, pointed teeth and eyes darker than the night. It scared him, but at the same time excited him somehow. It was all so mysterious, yet the face didn’t seem malicious, only mischievous and somehow oh-so-familiar. He saw the black rose on a white backdrop, fully bloomed and sparkling with dewdrops, the lock of long hair, the soft feather...

He woke up with a start as his alarm clock went off. He’d set it to half past five in the morning so he could beat the rest of his team to the locker rooms. As such, he had a rushed breakfast, made sure he had everything, which was basically only the key to the locker room, and bolted.

It didn’t take him long to reach to stadium. As he went to unlock the locker room, he noticed the scroll on the clouds.

Duh Soarin, the room itself is locked.

Feeling rather foolish, he picked up the scroll and went into the locker room, shutting himself in his private part of the small room. There was no gift this time, and Soarins’ heart fell.

Did I do something wrong? Was the picture too much? Oh by Celestia I hope not!

“My Dearest Soarin.

Many heartfelt thanks for the lovely photo, I shall cherish it always. Unfortunately, I could find no suitable gift for you, save for a spell that I discovered from a kind lavender unicorn mare and her friend, a white unicorn mare. Lovely ponies... I didn’t stay long enough to catch their names.

I never do if I can help it.

When you reach the bottom of this scroll, there’s a small symbol on the bottom. Please, press it. And please, do not dispose of this note, as this gift can be used repeatedly.

You were right in believing that I would not reveal my name, and I apologise with all my soul for it. There’s only so much I can do...

With all my love and affection...”

Once again, the curious little face was there and suddenly he recognized the face from his dreams.

It was you... Oh you sneaky little minx!

He chuckled goodnaturedly and unrolled the scroll to the bottom, noting the small symbol. Curious, he pressed it gently and smoke started eddying from the parchment, forming into the head of a beautiful mare. He couldn’t see any details, the eyes, skin, mane, it was all white, but it was beautiful regardless. It was also asleep.

“What the hay...”

The sleeping head jerked up, startlingly realistic, then saw him and smiled shyly. He smiled back as the head got closer, then he started to get worried.

“Uh, excuse me, miss, I don’t quite und-“

His voice was cut off as the head drew ever closer, its’ formless eyes closing...

~*~

Back in the decrepit house, Skeleton Grin leaned forward, eyes closed, head tilted to the left and kissed the smoky apparition of Soarin before her. He seemed to understand about two seconds into the kiss what this was and was determined, it seemed, to get as much out of the kiss as possible.

Oh Celestia, I’m kissing Soarin!

It was amazing. She felt bolts of lightning shooting up her spine, her legs went weak, but she stubbornly remained standing, kissing the disembodied head of Soarin desperately. She couldn’t help herself, it was simply addictive.

She didn’t want it to end.

~*~

Sneaky little...

Soarin was loving it. He might not know her name, where she lived, or even the details of how she looked, but she seemed quite content to kiss him, and he was fine with that. Which sort of worried him, since he knew he really probably shouldn’t be doing this. He knew his team-mates would be there in another few minutes, but again he didn’t care.

For now, it was just him, and her.

It lasted thirteen minutes. Thirteen full minutes they kissed, before the ghostly apparition regretfully drew her lips from his and spoke. The voice was scratchy and didn’t stay on the same pitch at all, like a really faulty radio.

“This is my gift to you. I love you Soarin...”

Just as Soarin was about to answer, and he didn’t know how he was going to, it just started to come out, the apparition kissed him softly again, nuzzled under his chin and was gone, smoke dissipating in the air.

~*~

Skelton Grin sighed as she watched the smoke dissipate.

I can’t believe I just did that...

It wasn’t that she regretted it. Far from it. it felt phenomenal, being able to kiss her crush, even if it wasn’t technically face to face. She wished it had been for longer, but the unicorns who performed the spell for her, the lovely mares of purple and white, had warned her it was only a fifteen minute session.

And that’s meant for communication? They did say it wasn’t looked into due to flaws...

Well, either way, she was glad for the spell masking her voice. Made her harder to track down. It was almost time for the training session to begin. Skeleton did a double check. At the spot she always lay when watching the team and, more specifically, Soarin, was her little box, a pair of binoculars, not that she needed them, and a small bag of assorted snacks.

That was her steady diet.

She couldn’t afford anything else, and so the snacks were her staple diet now. The small amount of bits she got per week for the bare essentials paid for them.

Time for another round of wondrous flying!

The ugly Green beast

Chapter 4: The ugly green beast.

Soarin must have flown the best few laps of his life that day. He seemed to have boundless energy and euphoria. Nothing could have dragged down his mood. Nothing. The rest of the team noticed this, but only two could guess at the potential cause and even come remotely close. The obstacles seemed to move out of the way on their own, as though he need not dodge them, but they would dodge him.

He didn’t have a care in the world.

Looping, twirling, corkscrews, barrel rolls... All the simple stuff he did as he was flying normally. As they moved onto the more complex tricks, he seemed to focus more than before.

“Soarin! Nice, try not to show us up too much in the next show huh?”

It was Echo talking, as it normally was, and Soarin grinned.

“No way Echo, We work as a team, as part of a whole! You know that!”

Echo couldn’t help but laugh as the two of them took a breather. The rest of the team kept going, practicing, training.
Preparing for the next big show.

~*~

Skeleton saw it all, and couldn’t help but feel an odd sense of pride for Soarin.

That’s right my Soarin, Fly hard and fast.

When she saw him quit the field with Echo her heart jumped into her throat. She didn’t mean to feel jealous, or threatened, but she did. Echo spending time with her Soarin, whilst all Grin could do is send letters... It didn’t seem fair.

What are they saying...?

Skeleton may have had keen ears, but not even her ears could hear things from that far away. So she had to sit and watch as the two chatted, laughed and generally had a good time.

That could have been you Grin... That could have been you

It was at that point that Grin almost had a heart attack as Echo Fleetfoot kissed Soarin on the cheek.

Oh Celestia no....

She slumped, a feeling of defeat in her bones as he reciprocated the motion, no matter how much she tried to convince herself it was a move among friends, and she couldn’t shake a feeling of depression sneaking up on her.

What if... what if...

She couldn’t keep watching, it was too much. She knew she shouldn’t feel how she did, but she couldn’t help it.
She collapsed next to her box, scrabbled to remove the photograph of Soarin, blowing the camera a kiss as he was, and cuddled it to her chest, crying herself to sleep.

~*~

“Oh...”

Soarin smiled apologetically at Echo.

“Sorry Echo, but I just... I don’t want to get into any sort of serious relationship after just being dumped... it just... it doesn’t seem right...”

This was a massive lie. Quite frankly, there was nothing he wanted more than to feel loved again, to be able to sleep with a warm mare to cuddle innocently, to be able to shower with somepony else. But Echo was not on the list of possibilities. In fact, there was only one.

And he’d never even met her before.

Echo smiled at Soarin.

“That’s okay Soarin, I understand. It’s perfectly alright.”

She leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. A motion that he reciprocated. The pair chatted about a thing or two afterwards, Soarin deftly side-stepping the whole ‘fan mail’ issue, letting Echo tell him about the irritation of having a million letters a day purely telling her how much they love her, nodding sagely. After this, the two got back up and kept practicing, They couldn’t just stop any time soon...

The big show was getting ever closer.

~*~

Soarin dropped the letter off at the foot of the locker room door, on schedule, after everypony else had left, and he didn’t wait. He knew he could, but if she, whoever she was, didn’t want him to see her yet, he’d respect her wishes. Skeleton watched him leave, tear tracks hidden by her combination of hat and scarf, the cape she wore obscuring her torso. She ghosted up, took the letter, and flew back to her abode.

Home sweet home... for now

Grin looked at the letter she’d placed on the broken table the moment she’d returned. She was terrified of the content of the letter, could almost feel the rejection, the sour taste in her mouth was definitely not helping. She found herself shivering, terrified of what was written on the latest scroll.

You’re not going to find out until you open it Grin...

Taking a deep breath, the nervous mare took the scroll up, undid the beautifully knotted ribbon holding it closed, and unfurled it, beginning to read.

My dearest Admirer.

First and foremost, I must say that your previous gift to me was absolutely amazing. I don’t know where you got your hooves on a spell like that, nor who these two mares you got it from are but I am glad you did.

I know you don’t want us to meet yet, and that I believe is your prerogative, however I have enclosed a way for you to see me up close without needing to sneak around, not that I don’t find the concept of that thrilling in a way.

Once more, I beg of you your name, which I may at least refer to you as something other than a generic “admirer”. I know you won’t give it, but I will continue asking each and every time.

With love:
Soarin”

She stared dumbly at the letter, gobsmacked.

With love... With love... With love.... With love.... With... Love....

Those two words reverberate around her head like the bass at a rave echoes around the room. Her heart soared and she went light headed.

Did he actually write that... or are you just dreaming Grin!?

She double checked it, Triple checked it, quadruple checked it. It never changed.

He DID write it!

Dumbstruck, she unrolled the scroll as far as she could. Stapled to the bottom, yes, Stapled, was a bright red ticket.
A ticket to the next show, located in Cloudsdales’ cloudosseum.

Oh my goodness.... A ticket to the show!

Her eyes nearly fell out of her head as she read where it was.

VIP box!? As in, the VIP box with the princesses!? And the who’s who of Cloudsale and well, pretty much anywhere and everywhere!? Oh goodness... Don’t faint Grin..

She was hyperventilating something terrible. She needed air, but she couldn’t seem to get it, it was almost frustrating, if not for the ticket she held in front of her. She could barely think, but there was one thing she knew.

She was going to Cloudsdale.

Then the memory of his quitting the field with Fleetfoot hit her full in the face and her exultation died down and the smile fell from her face.

But... what about...?

~*~

Soarin arrived at the locker room at five in the morning to find Spitfire and Firestreak there already, smiling, Spitfire holding the scroll in one hoof.

“Expecting a letter Soarin?”

Soarin smiled and took the scroll from Spitfire.

“Yes, in fact I am. Thank you.”

Firestreak couldn’t help but chuckle under his breath at the two as the three went into the locker room. Spitfire was visibly excited.

“So? What’s it say? Tell me everything, I want to know. Are you two meeting yet?”

Soarin laughed.

“Calm down Spitfire, I still don’t even know her name, so of course we aren’t meeting yet.”

Firestreak tapped Soarin on the shoulder lightly.

“I’ve noticed the towel. Now you can’t tell me you went out to get that, because I haven’t seen its like before, not even in Canterlot.”

“You’re right, it was a gift from her.”

“Thought so. Now how bout explaining to me why I had to clean up a heap of cheap jewellery from my locker?”

Soarin stammered at that one.

“Uh.. I uh.... spring cleaning! Yeah, that uh... old jewellery box that she who will not be named got me? Well, I threw it out, uh, I wasn’t exactly happy.”

Firestreak was obviously not persuaded, but he let it be. Spitfire was about to talk, but a nudge from Firestreak shut her up. There was silence for a while before Spitfire spoke up.

“So, have you sent her anything yet?”

Soarin blushed lightly.

“Well, I sent her a photo... And a ticket.”

“A ticket? As in, to the next show?”

Soarin nodded and Spitfire couldn’t help but smile.

“Awwww! That’s so cute!”

Firestreak frowned.

“Where at?”

Soarin smiled.

“The VIP booth. The BIG VIP booth.”

Spitfire gasped.

“With the big shots?”

Soarin nodded. Firestreak grinned.

“Oh you sly dog.”

Spitfire looked between the two smiling stallions, confused.

“What? What?”

Streak looked at Spitfire, still grinning.

“Easy. Everypony who is important will be in that booth, and we’ve seen them all before. Now all we do is look for the one who is out of place, and we’ll know precisely who she is.”

“Exactly!”

Spitfire looked confused for a second, then understanding dawned on her face.

“Oh! I get it! That... that’s pretty smart actually.”

“Ha, thanks Spitfire.”

“So!? What’s it say?”

Soarins’ attention was brought back to the note from his admirer and he took the ribbon off of the rolled up parchment and unrolled it. He was instantly aware of his two team mates looking over his shoulder as he read out loud.

“My Dearest Soarin.

I cannot even begin to describe how happy I am to have received a ticket to the Cloudsdale show. It’s a dream come true, and that you gave me such a distinguished seat makes it even better. Thank you so much, I swear to you I will be there.
I cannot thank you enough for such a wonderful, thoughtful and amazing gift, and nothing I have could possibly allow me to describe how happy this has made me feel.

With all my love and affection
S.G.”

“S.G....”

Soarins’ face creased into a frown, then a happy smile as he realised.

“Initials... She gave me her initials!”

Firestreak thumped Soarin on the shoulder and Spitfire laughed happily.

“There you go mate! Now you only have to pick through the million or so mares with the initials of S.G. rather than the billions out there!”

Soarin found himself laughing at his fellow Wonderbolts’ humour.

“So true! So true!”

“Hold up colts, there’s a P.S.”

Soarin looked as Spitfire unrolled the scroll a little more and his heart fell as he read it.

“P.S. I will not be writing any letters for a time, as I need to arrange travel for myself to the proper areas of Cloudsdale. I’m so sorry if this makes you feel bad... Oh what am I saying? You have Echo Fleetfoot to keep you company... Love you Soarin!”

At the mention of Echo Soarin felt his heart freeze.

She’d seen that...

“Jeez, that’s a bit harsh...”

Soarin felt two pairs of eyes questioning him and he sighed.

“Last practice, Echo Fleetfoot... When we went to rest, Echo came up to me and asked me out on a date.”

Spitfire gasped.

“You? I always...”

A harsh look from Firestreak made her quiet again and Soarin swallowed his nervousness down.

“She must have seen her kiss my cheek and me return that and assumed the worst...”

Firestreak sighed.

“Typical fillyish behaviour.”

There was a resounding CRACK as Spitfire slapped Firestreak across the face and looked at him angrily.

“What’s that supposed to mean!?”

Firestreak cowered away.

“Jeez Spitty, I didn’t mean anything about you! You’re not a typical filly!”

“Is that so? W-“

“Will you two quit it!?”

The pair looked at Soarin, he looked irritated in his own right.

“I’m trying to figure something out here, go someplace else and bicker will you? I need some time... I’m going home.”

The two previously arguing ponies looked at him in shock.

“Now!? Right before the performance?” Spitfire looked almost horrified.

“Oh please, we have a week before we’re there. Gimme a break.”

With that Soarin took the jewellery box from his locker, slammed the locker shut, making the two Wonderbolts who were staying wince, and left. Spitfire looked at Firestreak.

“Woah... think we annoyed him?”

Firestreak, still staring after Soarin, nodded sagely.

“Guess so...”

He looked at Spitfire and smiled.

“You know, I really didn’t mean to offend you...”

Spitfire giggled and put her hoof to his lips.

“You talk too much...”

Ultimatum

Chapter 5: Ultimatum

(Bit of an author's note since none of you have met Gray yet. Gray Lapis is a unicorn stallion who stars as the main character in the tale ' A Rare Moment', which has not been put up on here as of yet and for this I apologise. I just really want to get this story up here because i'm actually quite proud of it.

Skeleton was NOT comfortable.

Not comfortable at all on the ground.

But on the ground she was, in a quaint little town she came to know as ‘Ponyville’.

This is where those two nice mares live... If I can find them...

She walked past a trio of fillies muttering among themselves and one of them looked up, a big bow in her mane.

“Hey Miss! Why are ya wearin’ a scarf an’ cape in this weather? It’s too hot fer ‘em!”

The other two looked over at her immediately and Skeleton Grin could feel her face heating up. She thanked Celestia fervently for the scarf concealing her face.

“I wear it because I like it...”

One of the fillies, a white one with lovely two tone hair, smiled.

“Well it IS a nice scarf after all!”

“Pfft, Nice Shmice! It’s too hot!”

The little orange Pegasus filly zoomed up to Skeleton, making her take a step back fearfully.

“You really should take it off! Don’t want you getting sick!”

The other two fillies tried to get over to Scootaloo before she tried to rip the scarf off the horrified mare, yelling at her, telling her to stop.

Skelton Grin covered her face with her hooves as the scarf was ripped from her face and neck, peering out from the large hat on her head.

She needed that scarf, but it was too far away.

Too far... three fillies...

She could do it.

She grinned under her hooves.

It had been too long....

With a strangled roar, Skeleton Grin knocked off her hat and bared her teeth, her eyes, now revealed as a fleuro orange, seeming to burn with a malicious fire, her teeth sharp and pointed. Her wings snapped open, one of them only half way and in such a way that it seemed that it was only partially there, as though part of it was just... Gone!

The three fillies screamed in abject terror and bolted, nothing but streaks against the road. Skeleton Grin gave off an evil cackle, and then looked around. Noting nopony else in the area, she replaced her hat and scarf, and casually kept walking, her stride notably bouncier.

~*~

“Oh my dear! You looks fabulous!”

Rarity smiled at her latest customer. Not much more needed to be said. There was a fast transaction and a mare walked away happy with a new dress, and Rarity got a few bits richer. There was a nervous knock at her door and Rarity smiled.

“Another customer! It’s open, please come in!”

A mare wearing absolute black vestments, black cape, black scarf and a black hat, the latter two of which covered her face, stepped nervously into the boutique.

“Hello Darling! Welcome to... Wait, I know you! Oh yes! You were the lovely mare who asked about that spell Twilight gave you, of course!”

Skeleton Grin nodded slightly and closed the door behind her.

“I’m sorry to bother you miss... but is there someplace we can talk... alone?”

“Alone? We’re alone now are we not?”

“No... I mean... private... where nopony else can see or hear us...”

Rarity arched an eyebrow theatrically.

“I suppose we can adjourn to my workshop, yes. This way please!”

The two mares made their way to Raritys’ workshop, the door being firmly closed and locked behind them.

“Now dear, what is it I can help you with?”

~*~

“Oh dear! Deary, whatever happened to you? Where did you get all these?”

Skeleton Grin, for the first time in a long time, was willingly showing her body to somepony. It was littered with scars of varying shapes and sizes. The largest was one her hind leg, left. It stretched all the way from thigh to hoof, a pale white scar. She covered her mouth with her hoof and spoke.

“H..Here and there...”

“Darling, don’t beat about the bush, If somepony in Ponyville is mistreating you-“

“Oh no... it’s nothing like that!”

“Well you should let somepony know what happened! Scars like these don’t simply appear one day young lady.”

Grin stood through the fashionistas intense observations of her dimunitive frame, scars and various other details concerning her mane and tail before she finally got to her face.

“Now Darling. What is it you want to change? Apart from the scars, you’re a beautiful mare."

Skeleton Grin took a deep breath through her nostrils.

Alright... This is it... Now you get thrown out, like always...

First she opened her eyes. Rarity gasped.

“Darling! Such brilliant irises! Whyever do you hide them? Gray! Come look at this beautiful mares’ eyes!”

Skeleton felt a flash of confusion followed by panic as a grey stallion with black hair walked into the room.

“I’m sorry? What did you say love?”

“Look! This lovely mares’ eyes! Aren’t they the most beautiful eyes in all of Equestria!?”

At that instant Gray Lapis locked eyes with Skeleton Grin.

“Wow... you’re right dear... aren’t they stunning!”

Skeleton blinked in surprise. She’d been running from ponies all her life because of their reaction to her peculiar physical traits, and here two were saying her eyes, the hidden eyes that seemed to glow in the night, were beautiful!

I must be dreaming... wake up Grin, Wake up.

“Oh, you would look positively gorgeous in black darling!”

“Sugar, she wears black. Or so I would gather, unless that cloak in the corner is yours.”

“Oh hush Gray, let me think!”

“C..C..Can we um... I don’t mean to be rude... but... W..We were having a private consultation..?”

“Oh, of course miss, I meant no disrespect or harm. I’ll leave you two be now. Play nice.”

Gray left the room, closing the door behind him as Rarity looked at Grin critically.

“Darling, you’re still wearing your scarf.”

Skeleton sighed.

This is going to be a long day...

~*~

Nopony had seen Soarin for three days. He’d hidden himself away in his home and hadn’t answered to any knocking, regardless how insistent they were. All of his team mates had tried, and then refused to let Fleetfoot try at all, at Spitfire and Firestreaks’ behest. This frustrated Fleetfoot to no end. In the end, determined to find out why, She went out of her way late one night to go see him.

The same night that Skeleton Grin got back and was going to drop off a letter.

Fleetfoot arrived at the secluded stallions’ house without issue and knocked on the door.

“Go away!”

“Soarin, it’s Fleet, let me in. I want to talk to you.”

“.... I don’t want to talk right now.”

“Please, they’re trying to ban me from seeing you altogether, let me in.”

There was a pause before a scuffle and the sound of a key grating in a lock before Soarin opened the door.

“Come in.. you of all ponies should probably deserve to know why.”

~*~

Skeleton watched in horror as Fleetfoot entered the house.

It can’t be... Oh come on Grin, you knew it was coming... He’s too good for you and you and he both know it... Go home Grin... just... Go home...

Tears in her eyes, she hurled the tightly rolled scroll in the direction of his house and fled, leaving a trail of tears that quickly soaked into the clouds below.

~*~

“See, I’ve started getting letters from a mare. Now, normally you know I’d simply get rid of them, but this one is different.”

Fleetfoot sat on the couch, looking up at Soarin as he paced restlessly, explaining his predicament.

“The first letter I received from her came with a black rose bud, which is now flowering in the vase on my desk.”

Sure enough, as Fleetfoot looked at the desk the first thing that caught her attention was a beautiful black rose in full bloom.

“Naturally, I sent her a letter back. She never includes her name, instead this strange little smiley face with pointy teeth and angular black eyes. The next letter she delivered by hoof, on her own. That contained a lock of her hair and a feather from her wing, both ash gray, along with my new towel which I’m sure you’ve seen me using.”

This much was true, everypony in the locker room had seen him use the towel, and at some point, wondered where it had come from.

“I wanted to know who she was... but she wouldn’t tell me. I sent her another letter with a photo of me in it and she was over the moon about it.”

Tactfully, he overstepped the letter with the spell, not wanting to freak Echo out.

“After that she sent another letter detailing just how appreciative she was of the photo and I got an idea. I bought a ticket for the box, as in the VIP box, to our next performance. The same ponies end up in there every year, so if she shows up, which she promised she would, I’d know her in a moment. But.... her next letter...”

He sighed sadly and trudged over to his desk, retrieved the letter and tossed it to Fleetfoot.

“Read it yourself... you’ll see what I mean. It’s the only letter where she gave me a hint as to her name...”

“Well it can’t be that bad then...”

Echo unrolled the scroll and began to read.

“... It seems fine to me.”

“Read the PS Echo...”

Frowning, she unrolled the note more and her eyes went wide as she finished reading.

“Oh dear...”

Soarin nodded sadly.

“Yeah... I really thought I had a chance with this one Echo...”

“Who says you still don’t?”

As Soarin went to reply, there was a muffled sound of paper striking cloud and Soarin rushed to the door, opening it quickly and looking out, then returning with a scroll, tightly wound, tied with a grey ribbon.

“It’s... another one from her...”

“How do you know?”

“The ribbon...”

Echo watched him stare at the scroll for a time.

“Well open it already!”

“I...I can’t. What if..”

“Oh for petes’ sake give it here!”

Echo snatched the note out of his less than strong grip and undid the ribbon. Opening it, she began to read out loud.

“To Soarin.

I suppose I can’t address you as I normally would anymore, since you have a fillyfriend. I hope the pair of you are happy in there, safe and warm from the elements in each others’ arms... It’s not like I was working up the courage and coming over right now to reveal myself.

I’ll have you know that I’m still going to be at the performance, but NOT in the seat allocated on the damn ticket you sent me... I will be trading it to somepony else in favour for a lesser ticket. Recognise me then.

That’s right, I knew the plan. I’m not stupid Soarin. I’m sorry... I’m not normally like this, but... leading me on this whole time when you and Miss Fleetfoot..? I’m sorry, but that’s simply unethical!

Have fun with her! And Miss Fleetfoot, who is undoubtedly hearing this right now, I don’t blame you.

Your former biggest fan.
S.G.”

To Break or Make

Chapter 6: To Break or Make.

“Oh Celestia... I’ve ruined it all...”

Soarin collapsed onto the floor, sobbing. The letter had hit him harder than he thought it would... as though...

As though I actually loved her... But that can’t be right... I haven’t even met the mare yet....
So Why can’t I stop crying!?

“Soarin...?”

Sniffling sadly, Soarin looked up, his eyes puffy.

“What is it Echo..?”

“There’s a lot of scribble near the top, like she erased the last message and re-wrote this one.”

“Uh huh... probably after you entered.”

Echo looked at the pitiful stallion collapsed on his own floor with a mixture of pity, sorrow and guilt.

“You really like this mare don’t you?”

“Well... I haven’t even met her but... yes...I really do...”

Echo got up, walked over to Soarin and smacked Soarin in the back of the head.

“Pull yourself together Soarin!”

“Ow! Echo!”

He rubbed the back of his head which he was pretty sure now had a lump the size of his head on now.

“Jeez Echo, that hurt!”

“You’re not crying anymore are you?”

Soarin paused.

“I... guess not.”

“Now. Soarin. You like this mare, yes?”

“Well... yeah.”

“Then don’t give up! Give her another letter, explain what’s really happening!”

“You... you really think that’d help?”

Echo shrugged.

“Might take a bit of persuasion, but it’d work with me, why not for her?”

Soarin sat, silent. Echo watched him for any possible signs he may exhibit for agreeing or disagreeing to what she said. After a time, Soarin smiled.

“You’re right Echo. I can’t give up simply because of one little mishap. I’ll explain everything.”

“That’s the Soarin I know. Now, you writing?”

“Of course.”

~*~

Skeleton was crying.

He already had Fleetfoot... He didn’t need me... He never did!

The storm clouds underneath her crackled as her tears hit them.

He was leading you on Skeleton Grin...

“No... S..Soarin would never...”

You saw it with your own eyes. He’s with Fleetfoot.

“No! No,no,no NO! That can’t be right!”

But you know it is... And there’s nothing you can do about it.

The thunderclouds beneath her rattled of a bolt of lightning, hitting the ground with a tremendous boom. Skeleton didn’t even notice.

“I... I’ll see if he leaves a message.... Y..Yeah... m... maybe it’s just a big misunderstanding..?”

Oh that’s precious, you’re actually hoping it is! How do you know he’s telling you the truth?

“I...I have to trust him...”

Trust a stallion you’ve never met? Oh that’s rich, that’s really rich! Falling for them is one thing Freak, But trusting them? You don’t know him! You THINK you know him!

“Sh..shutup... H...He’s my Soarin... he’d never...”

Silly little foal.

She burst into tears again, her thoughts against her. It had been like this for as long as she could remember, always her mind against her.

Why would he want a freak like you anyway? Look at you. Scars litter your body, your eyes are such a gaudy disgusting colour!

“M..Miss Rarity said my eyes were lovely...”

Miss Rarity? Ha! She’s PAID to say that you stupid filly!

“But....”

Even if that was the case, There’s a reason you hide your mouth little filly. Now whatever would he want with that?

“W...Why are you always against me..?”

It’s because of me we’ve survived!

“It’s because of you I’m afraid...”

It’s because of me you are still alive and walking!

There was a lull in the almost silent conversation. Skeleton was the only one in the house. Her scarf was on, but that was the extent of it. She was crying at her treasure box. It sat closed and locked, as usual. She sniffled.

“But... it’s because of-“

No! It wasn’t me who gave you your scars! Or your face! Or anything!

“Uh, you alright there miss?”

Skeleton started at the unexpected voice and looked around, her eyes almost seeming to glow.

“Wh..Who’s there!? W..Where are you!?”

“Jeez, calm down filly, I’m making sure you’re alright. These are storm clouds you’re on.”

“I...I know that! Show yourself..! Or go away...”

Another pony to say you’re a freak Grinny!

“shutup” she murmured in response.

“Alright! Here I come!”

All at once a blur of multicolours landed in the house through a hole in the ceiling. Skeleton squeaked in fear and shock as it came to a standstill, revealing a cyan Pegasus with hair as though it was made of liquid rainbow itself.

“Rainbow Dash! In th-“

She stopped as she realised Skeleton was cowering in a corner.

“Oh, gee sorry. Didn’t mean to scare ya.”

The first thing she noticed about the mare in front of her was her eyes.

“Hey wow, those have got to be the COOLEST eyes I have EVER seen!”

“M...My... eyes..?”

“Yeah! Are those natural?”

Skeleton blinked repeatedly in surprise and mentally thanked Luna for the dark night.

“Yeah... I was born with them this way...”

“Sweet! I’ll bet you could almost see in the dark with those!”

“Um... not really...”

Rainbow smiled.

“Hey, relax! I don’t bite!”

“Y..You’re really loud...”

“Oh, sorry about that. Guess you’re a little like Fluttershy.”

“F...Flutter...shy?”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

“You must be new here. Fluttershy! Timid mare, lives by Everfree, nice cottage, lots of animals though.”

Skeleton shrugged and Rainbow nodded.

“yep, you’re new! That’s okay. How long you been here?”

“Um... about three weeks now...”

“Three weeks! How come I never see you around? Better, how come Pinkie hasn’t thrown you a party yet?”

Skeleton merely blinked. All this was new to her.

“I don’t... go... down there often...”

“Huh, go figure! Whaddaya eat then?”

“Oh... um...”

She glanced over to another box. Rainbow, noting this, trotted over to it and opened it, peering inside.

“Potato crisps..? That’s it?”

“P..Pretty much... it’s all I can afford on my support pay...”

“Support... Oh darn, you’re jobless?”

She nodded. Rainbow sighed.

“That won’t do. Sticking around for long?”

“Well... I’m going to Cloudsdale to see the Wonderbolt show...”

“YOU’RE going TOO!?”

Skeleton squeaked at the sudden loudness and flinched away as Rainbow zoomed up to her.

“Oh boy! Where are you sitting? Maybe we can sit next to each other! Oh, I can’t WAIT for it! Two days! Only two days now!”

“Um... Two sleeps..”

Rainbow tossed a hoof negligibly.

“Same difference! I’m TOTALLY looking forward to it! Oh, and you still haven’t told me where you’re sitting!”

“Um... well... I have a ticket..for the VIP booth..”

She stopped as she realised Rainbow was staring at her, mouth virtually on the ground.

“You... have a ticket... t...to...”

Skeleton rushed on.

“B..But I don’t want it anymore and Iwaswonderingmaybeifyouhaveanormalticket?”

Rainbow blinked, processing what was just said whilst at the same time trying not to look into the endearing eyes of Skeleton Grin, who looked desperate.

“Wait, you don’t want that ticket? Are you insane!? That’s like, the best seat in the house! You sit with the Princesses for crying out loud! And you don’t want it?”

Skeleton shook her head adamantly.

“No...I don’t want it... Do you?”

“Whoah, are you offering me one of these?”

“Yes...F..For your normal ticket... please?”

“I don’t know lady, my friends probably won’t be very happy if I ditch them...”

“Please! I’m begging you! Y..Your friends won’t mind...I promise!”

Rainbow seemed to be seriously considering the proposal.

“You’re sure they won’t mind?”

“I’m positive... please...”

Rainbow smiled widely.

“Alright! I’d LOVE to!”

Skeleton smiled gently under her scarf.

And so it begins... little Skeleton.

~*~

“There! Done!”

Soarin finished his letter with a dramatic flourish and rolled it up. Fleetfoot had long since left, confident he knew what he was doing.

I owe so much to her. Thank you Echo.

He knew one thing. He was delivering this in person. No way was he going to simply leave it there in the cold where it could be mistaken for a lifeless piece of parchment with no true feelings in it.

No, this time it’s my turn to deliver.

~*~

Thus Soarin ended up standing in the cold at the entrance to the Cloudosseum locker rooms. He hadn’t thought to bring a jacket, or a coat, or anything. It was a spur of the moment thing.

Celestia it’s cold tonight...

Shivering, he started rubbing his forearm with the opposite hoof.

I hope she comes by soon... I really want to get this sorted. Not to mention it’s bloody cold!

He was just thinking this when he heard a very faint flap of feathers. At first he thought it was just his imagination, until he saw a black figure land on the clouds quite close to him. It was looking straight down, so it hadn’t seen him yet. He saw no hair.

No wait...

There, a loose strand.

She’s here...

She turned instinctively and headed for the lockers, mumbling something. Soarin made his move.

“Excuse me miss? Are you the elusive S.G?”

~*~

Skeleton froze at the sound of the voice.

That voice...

She looked up slowly and almost jumped back in shock. He was standing right in front of her!

Oh Celestia, this cannot be happening...

“Please... Hear me out.”

~*~

“There’s been a terrible misunderstanding! Please, let me explain!”

Soarin took a tentative step forward, his tone pleading. The black figure before him took a half step, revealing one bone white forehoof.

“I’m sorry...I really am! But I’m not going out with Echo... I never was! That time you saw her kiss my cheek and me hers, that was her asking me out on a date and me rejecting it!”

The entity cocked its head. Soarin nodded and pressed on, taking another step forward.

“Please, it’s true!”

“And... her entering your house... when nopony else could?”

He smiled inwardly. She’d spoken to him, and that was a good sign. Her voice had a sophisticated accent to it and it was smooth.

“She came to comfort me. I let her in because I believed she deserved to know why I was out of it at the moment... Your letter hit me hard Miss... I didn’t mean to give you that impression, but it was wrong.”

He took one more step and took the exposed hoof in both of his.

“I really didn’t mean to lead to this... please, you were going to reveal yourself to me tonight...”

He lifted one hoof from hers and up to her face, of which he could see very little, and stroked her cheek, noting the feel of silky fabric.

She’s hiding under a scarf..?

~*~

Skeleton was in shock. Soarin was here, talking to her in person, out of his flightsuit, telling her that she’d been wrong.

He isn’t going out with Echo...

The realisation brought both joy and sorrow to her.

How could I have been so cruel..?

“Please... I didn’t mean to hurt you... let me see your face at least..?”

Skeleton considered the request, then gently pulled down her scarf and took off her shades, opening her bright orange eyes for him to see.

“Please... don’t run away my Soarin...”

He smiled softly.

“Why would I run from such beauty?”

In the darkness, he couldn’t see her teeth, which was just as well. Or so Skeleton surmised. Even so, hearing those words sent her heart soaring.

He... he thinks...

“Please, I have this for you as well...”

He held out the scroll, tied meticulously with a blue ribbon. She took it gently, then looked up at him.

”Thank you... Soarin...”

“Please... tell me your name?”

Skeleton giggled a little, leaned forward and gently kissed his cheek, then spread her wings and started flying away. Soarin called out in distress.

“Please... A name, any name?”

She smiled in mid air, turning as she replaced her scarf.

“Call me Grin...”

With that, she turned and flew away. He tried to keep track of her, but her wingbeats were silent and she was too difficult to see in her black vestments.

~*~

“Grin...”

He finally had a name for her, from her and she’d given it to him face to face!

That’ll be the G in the initials... then what is the S?

Courage is power

Chapter 7: Courage is power.

The day of the show. The locker room, the suit, the hype, the confidence. It was something Soarin was intimately familiar with. The anxiety and disappointment from knowing his secret admirer was out, in that crowd, that very day and he was incapable of Identifying her was not familiar.

Dammit Soarin, get your head in the game! You can’t go out like this.

“Soarin? You okay?”

Soarin looked up straight into the eyes of Spitfire.

“What? Oh, yes. I am.”

“You sure? You’re shaking.”

Soarin blinked and looked at his hoof. She was right, he was shaking.

“Oh... that... uh, yeah, yeah I’m fine.

Spitfire sat down and frowned in concern.

“Soarin, what’s wrong? Is the mare still bothering you?”

“What? Oh... in a way I guess... She’s coming today, but... She’s not in the seat, and she knows that Echo and I aren’t together... but...”

“but?”

“Well, I won’t be able to find her!”

Spitfire chuckled lightly.

“You should be more worried about impressing her.”

Soarin blinked in confusion.

“Impressing her?”

“Yeah! Pulling everything off perfectly so she likes you even more! The more she likes you, the more chance there is of her revealing herself to you completely!”

Soarin thought about this for a moment then smiled.

“Hey! You’re right! We’ve got a show to do, and I’ve a mare to impress!”

Feeling much more confident, he trotted over to the door. Firestreak sat next to Spitfire.

“That isn’t how it works you know...”

Spitfire nodded sadly.

“I know Streak. But I had to get his head in the game, and that was the only way to do it.”

Firestreak sighed.

“Well, in this case, I hope it’s an exception and it does precisely what you said it does instead of the opposite.”

“Me too Streak.”

~*~

Grin was excited beyond belief. Here she was, Her! In the Cloudosseum! To watch the Wonderbolts! To watch her Soarin!

Ohmygosh, this is a dream come true!

She sat next to the lavender unicorn she’d met quite some time ago.

Cloud walk spell I’d wager.

She knew the only pony of the group that would recognise her though was Rarity, having outfitted her as she is. Her normally ash grey mane and tail was a deep purple, like the fashionistas’, Her coat was a rich gold colour and her feathers had been dyed the same colour. Her eyes were ice blue and her teeth, most surprising, were neat and perfectly normal.
The perfect disguise.

Her cutie mark had also been made invisible, courtesy of Raritys’ expertise. Fortunately, the dye wouldn’t last any more than thirty-six hours. As much as she appreciated the disguise, she missed her own colours. Despite her appearance, she still avoided contact as much as possible.

“It was really nice of you to give Rainbow your VIP ticket miss.”

It took Skeleton a moment to realise the lavender mare was talking to her and she smiled nervously.

“Oh... yes. Well, I didn’t really want to be up with all those upper class snobs anyway.”

The nice mare giggled a little.

“I know what you mean. The princesses are nice though. But I hear a few important matters came up and they couldn’t attend today’s show. A pity. They sent us these tickets, but they couldn’t see it themselves.”

“Oh... That’s nice of them.”

“Isn’t it? Oh! Look! Here they come now!”

The lavender mare reached into a saddlebag she was carrying and brought up a quill, ink and parchment, which she then proceeded to levitate with magic. Skeleton frowned in confusion.

“What..?”

Twilight laughed softly.

“Sorry, but it’s a habit of mine to take notes now. Blame the princess.”

~*~

Soarin must have flown the best routine of his life that day. The oohing and aahing from the crowd, which normally brought him a sense of pride, fell upon deaf ears as he focused completely on the routine.

I have to impress her, I have to impress her...

Left, Right, straight up, vertically down, precisely 35.829 degrees angle to the left... Precision, speed, aerial eye candy, he did it all perfectly.

Spitfire was very impressed.

So, incidentally, was Skeleton Grin.

~*~

Skeleton filed out of the stadium with everypony else, her disguise firmly in place. There was a crowd around a small stand. On closer inspection she realised it was the Wonderbolts signing shirts, for a price of course. She giggled at the crowd and trotted over nervously. Her disguise made her feel much more confident as she approached, and her heart skipped a beat when she realised Soarin was there.

Ohmygosh, I could get a signed shirt as well...

The price was something else though, and she didn’t have the money. She sighed.

Well, it was a good thought...

She saw the energetic blue mare from the other night zooming over to the stand as she turned and walked away.

~*~

Soarin was walking home in high spirits. Yes, Walking. Occasionally he signed somepony’s jacket or shirt or book or something, but that mattered little to him. He simply pranced along. He took a picture or two as well. Signed them while he was at it.

Lots of fillies and colts went home happy that day.

I flew my best routine today. I’m sure she was impressed. Even Spitfire was impressed, and that’s no mean feat.

He went around a little known shortcut through an alley. That place always gave him the creeps. He didn’t know why, but it did.

Just a silly feeling. It’s natural!

Yes, it was the best performance of his life. And he had the feeling he’d never see himself performing that well again. He smiled as he reached his house and saw the familiar scene of a small, rolled up scroll tied with silvery grey ribbon.
The first thing he did was sit on his own doorstep and read the letter eagerly in the fading light.

“My dearest Soarin.

You flew so well today you took my breath away. I’m so proud of you. I’m sorry... for how I reacted to your close friendship with miss Fleetfoot... It was unwarranted and wrong on my right, my dearest apologies.

It was a dream come true to be in the stadium today, watching you and your team perform. A dream I’d wanted to see fulfilled for a very long time. If there is any way I can thank you... please tell me in your reply to this letter.

I love you Soarin...
S.Grin.”

Soarin smiled, an inkling of a rather hopelessly romantic idea formulating in his head.

“Oh miss Grin... there is a way you can thank me~”

~*~

Skeleton woke up to find a scroll in front of her nose. She frowned, before noting a bright blue Pegasus with a colourful mane and tail taking off from her dilapidated house. Next to it was a white shirt. She sat up, stretching luxuriously.

Oh dear... I’m still on a high from yesterday...

She looked first at the shirt, then picked up the scroll and unrolled it, beginning to read.

“Miss Grin.

Firstly, thank you so much for the appreciation and praise. It means quite a lot to me. It means so much more than I can put into words. As it is, I do believe there IS a way you can repay me for making your dream come true.

However... it is liable to take you out of your comfort zone... way out of your comfort zone. So I need to know if you’re willing to before I tell you what I would like... please decide quickly, I haven’t got a long time before I cannot ask you due to short time.

I have come to understand that you don’t have much money. Such as you could not afford the shirts being signed after the show. You can thank your friend Rainbow Dash for this one.

With all my affection.
Soarin.”

Skeleton giggled softly and looked at the shirt folded neatly on the floor.

“Oh Soarin... You shouldn’t have!”

She slowly unfolded the shirt. It was just her size. It was decorated with the Wonderbolt logo and was signed by each and every one of the Wonderbolts.

“wow...”

It was admired for only a moment before she slipped it on, marvelling at the fit.

It fits..! It’s a little big but... it fits!

Her thoughts strayed back to his letter, about a way to repay him, but it’d take her out of her comfort zone.

My comfort zone... That’s so small, simply going outside is out of my comfort zone! That’s... kind of sad.

She frowned, torn between her promise, and not wanting to stray too far from her path of comfort. It was difficult. She didn’t know which she should hold closer.

Your comfort zone is the only thing that’s kept you alive Skeleton... You know that...

“I...I know... But... Soarin wants...I promised Soarin I’d do what he wanted to repay him.”

You know he’ll just rip you away from your comfort zone more Skeleton... to the point where he’d get you in big trouble... You know it’s true.

“But... Soarin...”

But nothing! It’s too risky! You shouldn’t do it. You KNOW you shouldn’t.

“But... I promised..”

No. No more excuses! You’re NOT doing it!

Skeleton Grin swallowed sadly, beginning to despair. The voice in her head was strong... so strong... There was so much she wanted... so much to lose... and yet...

“No.”

What are you quacking about now?

“I’m going to do it. To hay with you. Go away! I’m NOT giving this stallion up!”

You would betray me? I’m the only one who loves you! The ONLY one! Who’s kept you alive for all these years?

“Well that’s about to change...”

Skeleton scowled, still talking to herself.

“I’m not putting up with you any longer! This is MY life! I will live it however I see fit! You have no say!”

You DARE to talk to ME like that? Me? The one who has kept you alive all these years?

“You were needed then. Not anymore you aren’t. You will stay out of my life!”

No! You can’t... You cannot just g-

Just like that, the voice vanished. Banished from the mind of Skeleton Grin. She frowned, determined, and whipped out a piece of paper and began to scribble down a return note.

System Overload?

Chapter 8: System overload?

“My Dearest Soarin.

I have thought about your concerns. They are very justified, as simply stepping outside is outside my comfort zone. I will not say why. Perhaps someday you will find out? I hope so. And I know you do too.

Returning to the issue at hoof, I would love to hear your proposition and promise that I will, no matter what it is, see it through to the end. I will not give into some silly fears. I love you too much for that Soarin.

So please, send your proposal to me and I shall do my absolute best to look my best for you. And I will do this because I have been scared away too many times before. I will not let myself cower out of this now.

It is my hope that you like my appearance, though my judgment says otherwise. But I shall speak no more on the subject.

Take from this only that I shall do whatever it is you wish me to do in order to thank you.

With all my love and affections
Skeleton Grin.”

“Skeleton Grin...”

Soarin sat, deep in thought. It was a day off for the Wonderbolts, going about normal lives for a change. It was a welcome change in routine. Soarin sat at his house, drinking a crystal glass of Cider imported, so he was told, straight from Sweet Apple Acres. He did like Cider, and he’d heard that Sweet Apple Acres made the best and, despite it not being the real season for Cider, he’d paid them a great deal of bits to make him a keg of it special. They’d done so. Or that’s what the big red pony told him. He smiled slightly at the name.

“Miss Skeleton Grin huh...?”

He chuckled.

“No wonder you signed at first with a silly little smile. You were hinting at your name.”

He would finally meet his match. Or, that’s how he thought of her. He found it somewhat amusing that despite only having met her once, and even that was pushing the boundaries, he’d fallen for the romantic, slightly jealous and mysterious mare.

I hope she meant what she wrote... There’s no turning back now...

He looked over at his final gift to the lovely mare before he met her and smiled.

No turning back at all....

~*~

Skeleton was waiting impatiently for nightfall. It was only midday, but she was already practically jumping out of her skin in nervous anticipation. Tonight was the night she found out what she could do to thank him. No doubt it was to meet him, maybe over a nice dinner?

Oh, that would be nice... and so utterly romantic!

She shivered at the very thought of it. It filled her with delight as a million and one more scenarios popped into her head, bouncing around without any signs of stopping.

Ooooh.... I’m so excited I could just pop!

“Hey! Mare with the awesome eyes!”

Skeleton almost flipped out in surprise and spun around. She’d lost her hat in Cloudsdale at some point, she couldn’t remember when. Most like after she’d fled from Soarins’ house. So her hood was, once more, over her head. Her face was completely obscured, as usual. What she saw was Rainbow Dash, standing with a big smile on her face and a letter.

“Mail for you. Soarin told me to deliver it directly. So, here ya go!”

She put the letter down and turned to leave.

Skeleton Grin didn’t know what made her do it. She couldn’t fathom why she did it, nor what possessed her to do it.

She rushed over to Rainbow and gave her a hug.

“Guh! Jeez filly, give a mare some warning will ya?”

Skeleton simply hugged her, from behind, with everything she had.

“Thank... you... For the shirt...”

Rainbow looked sheepish and more than a little embarrassed.

“Oh, that? Huh, nah, no need. It’s the least I could do for that ticket you gave me.”

“Still... thank you.”

“Heh... Anytime squirt.”

A familiar spunky voice with a hint of heartbreak floated up from the ground.

“I thought I was squirt!?”

Rainbow sighed.

“You ARE squirt Scoots, you’re just MY Squirt okay?”

There was a moment of silence, then an excited and euphoric ‘Yippee!’ was heard as Scootaloo rejoiced. Rainbow smiled.

“Ah... that kid. Thinking of adopting her as a kid sister y’know? She’s so much like me it’s not even funny anymore. Still needs to learn a thing or two about flying though.”

Skeleton had let go by this point and was nervously fixing her clothing. She smiled, then remembered her scarf was still on and nodded sagely. Rainbow sighed.

“Guess I’ll be going now. Oh, and you never gave me your name.”

Skeleton frowned, a small set of scenarios rushing through her head before shrugging.

Aw what the hay... can’t hurt.

“Grin... My name is Skeleton Grin.”

Rainbows’ smile widened.

“Well then! Nice to meet a new friend. I’m Rainbow. Rainbow Dash. I’ll catch you later Grin!”

With that the blue Pegasus was gone, a streak of rainbow colours all that was left.

~*~

“My Dearest Skeleton Grin.

It’s a great pleasure to finally know your name. It’s beautiful and mysterious both. Almost as mysterious as not knowing your name. I thank you for giving me this honour.

On the note of your acceptance to my concerned inquiry, You will understand what my Request is after opening the second envelope inside this one. I’m sorry it’s not a scroll this time, but certain precautions must always be made about things like this.

I do hope with all my heart you will accept, as it would be the perfect thank you under your specifications.

Your loving admirer.
Soarin.”

Your loving... admirer?

Skeleton stared at the last part.

He... admires me? That’s strange...

She shrugged and looked inside the hastily opened envelop to find another. She frowned and plucked it out of its nest and opened it carefully. Her jaw dropped to the floor when she saw the all too fabled shine of a very well known ticket.

Dumbstruck, she took another small note out, still shaking from the shock.

“Yes... That’s right Miss Grin. I would hope that you understand. I paid for this myself, so I didn’t call in any favours. This is straight from me, to you. Please... I would have you meet me at the entrance to the maze if you wouldn’t mind... And no matter what you dress like, you will always be beautiful to me.

Soarin.”

The Dress

Chapter 9: The Dress.

Skeleton was once more on the ground. Incredibly uncomfortable, very nervous. Heading straight for the only building she’d ever been to in all of Ponyville.

The Carousel Boutique.

She was tightly wrapped up in her heavy clothing, all in black. Black scarf, black shades, black cloak with hood... and the silver skull clasp holding the cloak on her shoulders. She tried to stick to the shadows as much as she could, but it was difficult in such an open town. Of course she was noticed by a few ponies, two of them walking together, almost touching. One with purple shades, one with a violin case on her back. Neither of them ever even turned their heads.

Oh Celestia, help me... this is so not my thing... so not my thing... Why the hay am I down here again? Oh right... Soarin.

She was so distracted by her thoughts that she ran headfirst into the door of the boutique. Whilst she sat, rubbing her head, involuntary tears springing into her eyes, the door to the boutique opened suddenly and Gray Lapis looked out in alarm.

“Who?”

When he saw Skeleton on the round, rubbing her head, a tear leaking out of one eye, he frowned in concern and rushed her inside.

~*~

“Why do you want a suit Soarin? You’ve never had a suit.”

Soarin rolled his eyes at Firestreaks’ comment.

“Fire, if I’m meeting this mare, I’m going to meet her looking my best. That means having a damn fine suit. Money I have, status I have. But I need the style. She likes me for me, but I’ll be damned if I’m not going to look my best for the mare who loves me on our first official date.”

Firestreak rolled his eyes as Spitfire, just next to Streak, giggled.

“Awwww, that’s so romantic! Streak, take notes. This stallion is going someplace.”

Firestreak looked incredulously at Spitfire.

“Spit, I’m NOT buying a suit! I don’t do suits.”

Spitfire pouted.

“Fine. If you say so. I’m very disappointed though.”

Soarin was admiring a set of suits in a specialised, very expensive, very prestigious clothing store.

“Guys, focus please. Should I go the blue, or the black?”

“Soar, seriously? Not blue man, go with the black. Blue just... it doesn’t work man. You know, you still haven’t told us when or where.”

“No, and I don’t plan to.”

Spitfire went to speak.

“B-“

“No, I’m not. I won’t have you there ruining it for me. This is my date, not yours.”

“Awww... but Soarin..”

“Not a chance Spitfire....”

He smiled and took a silky black coat off the rack.

“I think this is perfect. What do you two think?”

Firestreak didn’t even bother to look at it.

“Yeah, looks great Soarin.”

Spitfire gasped and clapped excitedly.

“It’s perfect! You’ll look stunning in that!”

She looked at Firestreak irritably.

“If I saw you wearing that Soarin, I’d ask you out in a heartbeat.”

Firestreak rolled his eyes.

“No, I’m not buying a suit.”

Soarin was already paying for the suit.

~*~

“Darling! Whatever happened to you?”

Skeleton was sitting in Raritys’ kitchen with a slight bruise on her head, courtesy of walking into the door.

“I w..was walking and s...sort of walked into y...your door...”

She sniffled sadly, more tears welling up in her eyes.

“Miss Rarity... it hurts...”

“Shhhh... It’s okay darling.”

She pulled the white mare into a gentle hug and stroked her head carefully.

“I’ll get Gray to make you a drink of hot coco okay? That always makes me feel better.”

Skeleton sniffled again and hugged the mare back.

“W..Why aren’t you afraid of me..?”

Rarity looked at her in surprise.

“Scared? Don’t be silly darling! Why would I be scared?”

“W..W..Well because of my looks... a...and..”

Rarity scoffed.

“Oh Dear, we learned a long time ago not to judge by appearances. You can ask our friend Zecora if you want clarification.”

“Z..Zecora..?”

“Yes Darling, our Zebra friend. Gray! Could you make our friend here a hot coco? She looks like she needs one.”

Skeletons’ heart almost skipped a beat.

Did she just..? No... she couldn’t have said that! But then...

“E..Excuse me... d...did you just call me a... friend...?”

Rarity looked at her again, this time confused.

“But of course! What else would I call a friend?”

Oh Sweet Celestia and Luna... she... she thinks of me as a friend... a... a friend...

Skeleton, already hugging Rarity, couldn’t help but squeeze the pearly white mare tightly and bury her face in the soft fur of the unicorns’ coat. Rarity was even more confused at the gesture.

“Darling! Whatever is it?”

“I...I have a friend...~”

~*~

Soarin looked at himself critically in the mirror. He was wearing his new suit, and was trying to decide how to have his mane. He didn’t want to meet this mare with a birds nest instead of a mane, like his normal style, and was having trouble getting the right look for it.

Come on Soarin, it’s just hair. How difficult could it possibly be?

~*~

“Darling, the most important part is the hair! Your mane must be perfect!”

Rarity was now styling Skeletons’ mane, Skeleton herself sipping from a mug that Gray had brought her not two minutes ago full of hot chocolate. Her tears had abated and she had a slight smile to her features, like a young foal in Sugarcube corner with a pocketful of money.

“It has to suit the dress, which I’ll make you soon. Oh yes, the dress must suit you as well! I really do think you’d look amazing in black Darling, so I’ll make it a black dress. Oh, but don’t think it’ll be only black! Oh no, can’t make the ponies lose interest too quickly. Not that I’m saying they will dear, I’m just trying to think of every contingency. Oh my, to make another one of those dresses is a dream come true really!”

~*~

“Stuff it! I’ll just leave my mane as it was! Sheesh.”

Soarin was hanging the suit he’d just been wearing back up in a closet full of... well... nothing. He didn’t buy clothing often, if at all. He’d just given up trying to figure out his mane style for the day. It was too hard.

“If she loves me as she says she does, she’ll accept my normal mane. I hope. I mean, this isn’t exactly a night out at a takeout place. Not exactly getting food to go... if any at all.”

He sighed in frustration.

Calm down Soarin, it’ll all work out. No point getting worked up about it all. It’ll all be just fine. If you just calm down. Besides. She loves you remember? It’ll be fine.

~*~

“oh my... It’s... it’s beautiful!”

Skeleton stared at herself in the mirrors around her. The dress, which Rarity had made in record time, was currently covering her scars and the rest of her body. Her wings were outside the dress and had light black silk weaved through them in a style reminiscent of Princess Luna's current fashion, leaving them free to move and basically be shown off. The feathers occupying said wings were fluffy, straight and impeccably clean.

“Of course it’s beautiful darling! I made it!”

Skeleton let her expression turn worried.

“But... I don’t know if I can afford this miss Rarity...”

“Oh don’t be silly darling! Consider it yours! You need to look your best for this, I know.”

“R..Really..?”

“Of course Darling! Can’t have you pay for something so critical to your big night!”

Skeleton blushed and smiled.

“Thank you...”

Maskless

Epilogue: Maskless.

Skeleton arrived at the Canterlot castle three days later, evening. Her carriage was dark, mysterious and gothic. Tickets exchanged hooves, she met the princess quickly and left twice as quickly, terrified of the status and lots of ponies around her. She quickly made her way out of the castle, avoiding as many guests as possible and looked around for the maze. It was difficult to miss. She ruffled her wings, her mane bouncing as she began to fly

~*~

Soarin waited nervously at the entrance to the Canterlot maze, his mane spiked back in its’ normal style, his suit wrinkle free and perfectly clean.

Calm down Soarin... She’ll be here soon. She said she would.

He nodded to himself, pacing slowly. As a result, his back was turned when Skeleton landed behind him and took a nervous step forward, her bright orange eyes wide.

“Soarin..?”

Soarin froze and turned slowly, his heart beating frantically.

“Skeleton Grin?”

He gasped as he beheld her, standing nervously in front of him.

By Celestia...

Her dress was long, black and silver in colour. Think of an old masquerade ball. The dresses worn back in those days? Yeah. That’s what she was basically wearing. The dress was mainly black, intricate silver designs stitched into it with such care it was as though they were bolts of silvery magic. Her mane fell in bouncy curls around her face, framing it perfectly in the way only Rarity could do.

“Soarin... I...”

She blushed nervously.

“I told you I’d be here...”

Soarin nodded, smiling.

“Yes... you did.”

The two slowly approached each other, Soarin in his suit, Grin in her dress. Soarin was smiling nervously, Skeleton was blushing.

No going back now Grin... He knows your name and what you look like... oh Celestia he looks so handsome...

Soarins’ mind was in an uproar of its’ own.

Holy Celestia she’s beautiful... Oh Luna, I feel so underdressed. Oh jeez, what do I do!?

The two stood directly in front of each other, both of their hearts beating frantically in their chests, as though they were going to bust out of their bony cages and embrace each other there and then.

Oh Celestia...

By Luna...

The moon was out in the sky as the two wordlessly gazed at each other, blue eyes meeting orange. The two sat for what seemed an eternity before Soarin leaned forward and pulled her into an embrace.

“Skeleton Grin...”

“Y..Yes Soarin..?”

“I..”

He frowned.

No Soarin... that’s simply... It won’t do. Show her, don’t tell her. If there’s anything you’ve learned about her, it’s that showing her something works best.

“Soarin..?”

He smiled and made a small amount of room between the pair, gazing into her eyes.

“S..Soarin..?”

For the first time, under the pale moonlight at the annual Grand Galloping Gala held at Canterlot Castle, Skeleton Grin was kissed by the one she loved. Face to face, no magic involved.

Never in her life had she felt so amazingly happy.