Playing Pretend

It was worse than writer’s block, like a brick sitting on his chest that he couldn’t lift. Spike paced the floor of his room back and forth as he contemplated how to word his letter to Celestia. He pictured her in his mind, standing before him. Envisioning her in his room, she stood and smiled back, flashing her gorgeous teeth as she placed her hands on her hips.

“Okay... I can do this... I can do this...” Spike took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

*Dear Celestia...*

He shook his head and crumbled up the paper before tossing it away. “Too formal...”

*Hey, Celestia...*

The dragon growled with frustration and crumbled the second piece of paper. She was expecting him to write her with fully fleshed-out plans for a date. If he couldn’t follow through with such an agrivatingly simple task, what would that reveal about him? Spike readied another piece of paper and inked his quill.

*Celestia...*

His writing hand paused as he figured out how to move forward. “One step at a time, Spike... Come on...”

*... I enjoyed spending time with you last night, even though I never really got to enjoy the dinner you prepared. Anyway, you wanted to know more about my plans this weekend, and I want them to involve you. There’s a new show playing at the Ponyville Cinema, and I’d like you to see it with me.

-Eagerly awaiting your response, Spike*

Spike held the parchment in his hands and looked over his writing one last time. Then, he rolled it up and held the paper against his lips.

After the brief moment of silence, he blew a wave of green fire, and the letter vanished into thin air. After jumping that hurdle, Spike fell back on his bed. Celestia wouldn’t respond right away. Being the busy princess she was, he figured she probably had all kinds of royal business to conclude before she could make time for him.

Just as his eyes closed, however, he felt a stir in his chest. The feeling of mild discomfort climbed up his throat until he belched fire, and from the flame, a rolled parchment fell onto his chest. Spike pulled the string holding the scroll together and tore into the letter.

*My dear Spike,

I am flattered at your suggestion, and I just might take you up on that, but I have a counter proposal. We could meet much sooner, as my sister and I are coming to Ponyville tonight to meet with Princess Twilight on official business at the Festival of Laughter hosted by Pinkie Pie and Starlight Glimmer. Luna and I should conclude our business with Twilight rather quickly, and I’d be a very happy mare if you took me to the festival.

-Yours, Princess Celestia*

Spike read the letter again and again before putting it by his side and letting out a sign. “The Festival of Laughter... Why didn’t I think of that?”

Amidst all of the excitement, he’d lost the ability to think rationally and analyze his situation in order to act accordingly. The upcoming festival would be the perfect place to show Celestia a good time. There would be music, food, games, and endless opportunities for them to have fun together.

Spike got up from his bed and made his way towards the door, leaving the letter behind. As he opened the door, he came face to face with Twilight Sparkle who had her fist raised like she was about to knock. “Oh, uh... Twilight! Hi...”

The princess smiled kindly and lowered her arm. She looked refreshed, well rested, and ready to complete any challenge the new day threw at her. “Good morning, Spike... I just wanted to thank you for what you did last night. It was really sweet of you.”

Then, she leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on his cheek, startling the young dragon. When she pulled away, her eyes met his, and Spike saw something in her gaze sparkle. The two of them stood in silence before Twilight let out a half-hearted chuckle and cleared her throat. “Now, come on, and let’s get some breakfast going. We have a long day ahead of us helping Pinkie Pie prepare for the festival tonight.”

Spike absentmindedly rubbed his cheek as he glanced back into his room, at the letter sitting on his bed. “The Festival of Laughter, right...”

Twilight’s gaze shifted from him to something inside his room, the letter on his bed. Not wanting her to pry into his personal dealings with Princess Celestia, he quickly closed the door behind him. “What was that, Spike?”

The dragon shrugged, thinking the best course of action was to play innocent. “What was ‘what’, Twilight?”

She looked like she wanted to say more, openening her mouth ever so slightly, but all that came out was a long breath of air as she shook her head. “Nothing... I’m just a little hungrier than I thought, I guess.” She reached out and grabbed Spike’s hand. “Let’s hurry to the kitchen. Starlight is already working on breakfast, and I don’t want her to think she’s eating alone this morning.”

Spike nodded his head and followed her down the corridor leading to the kitchen. Looking around at the walls, he found it amusing how different the place looked during the day. There were no long shadows, nor was there the sensation that he was being watched by a predatory Princess Luna. Together, with his outstretched hand being pulled by Twilight’s, they made their way through the palace to the kitchen.

Suddenly, a wave of intoxicating aromas hit his nose, and Spike’s mouth began to water. Then, there was the sound of a sizzleing pan popping with hot oil and grease that got louder with every he took. It all came to a head when he and Twilight stepped into the kitchen.

Starlight was preparing breakfast alright... She hummed softly to herself, and her hips swayed from side to side as she danced from the fridge to the stove top where several strips of bacon were frying in a castiron pan. When the mare turned around to reach for a vial of salt sitting in the island, she spotted him and Twilight. “Oh, good! You’re here... The food’s almost ready, so sit tight for just a few minutes, alright?”

Twilight looked at Spike and fired him a sweet look before letting his hand go. She then joined Starlight by the stove, leaving him by the door. Waiting wasn’t going to be easy for the hungry dragon. The delicious smell of cooking food made his stomach growl something awful.

Starlight set the heat on the bacon to low and bagan gathering eggs to crack. As she broke the first egg beside the bacon, the mare turned and glanced at Spike over her shoulder. “So, are the two of you ready for the festival tonight? Pinkie Pie and I have been working hard on preparations all this week.”

Twilight beamed at her and nodded her head. “Of course, Starlight. It’ll be nice to get out and see everypony enjoying themselves around town.” The princess leaned back and placed her hands on the counter behind her. “I will be a little late to the party though... There’s a few things I have to discuss with Celestia and Luna.”

Starlight raised an eyebrow at her. “The princesses are coming here? Why wasn’t I told? The festival could require an entirely new theme, now...” Twilight waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry about a thing, Starlight. They’re not coming for the festival, though I’m sure they’re welcome to stay and enjoy it when we’re done here at the palace...” Spike caught Twilight looking at him. “Isn’t that right, Spike?”

The question caught the dragon off guard. Twilight couldn’t have known about his developing relationship with Princess Celestia... Could she? Regardless, he had to say something. The longer he took to respond, the more suspicios he might look. “Um... Yeah, of course... I’m sure Celestia will want to stay for a little while and see Ponyville for herself during the festival...”

That seemed to put Starlight at ease, and it even put a smile on her face. “Alright... I just hope she doesn’t have high expectations...”

Spike exhausted a long sigh. “Yeah, me too...”

Twilight’s ears twitched, and she frowned as she glanced in his direction. The dragon grinned back at her meekly, silently hoping she hadn’t heard him, but Twilight didn’t say anything. Instead, she turned her gaze to the stove, but the look of contemplation on her face persisted, putting Spike more and more in a state of restless. The only thing he wanted to think about was Celestia and spending time with her, but chore of keeping their relationship to themselves was proving harder than he thought.

***Up Next: A Barside Kiss***