Sand Gust almost felt like a spy in one of those thriller books his older sister read. He should probably calm down. Then again wouldn't anypony be nervous in this situation? Snowdrift was probably being fitted for her new gown this very moment. She'd appear in front of so many candidates, him being just one among dozens. Dear Celestia he hoped he was picked.

The crystal should help. He knew it'd win over any of the noble ponies watching, but it had to win Snowdrift over. Still he wish he knew anything about her to get her something more personal. What could he do though? It's not like he could go up to her mother Princess Luna and ask.

Could he? No other candidates had to have tried that before. Though maybe he didn't have to go that high up? Skyla was a princess and even one of the daughters to the Princess of Love. Or was it the princess of Family? Regardless she was friends with Snowdrift. Maybe she could help?

Only problem, he had no idea where she was staying. Well he was a guard, perhaps there was information in the barracks? It was a better idea then anything else he could think of.

He had just turned a corner when he almost ran straight into a white mare, both barely catching themselves in time.

"Watch where you're going guard!" She shrieked gazing at him with annoyance. Oh great it was the newly Princess Bluebelle. Wow she was rather pretty. Given his sister had went from stallion to mare, that part didn't really freak him out so much, however now that she was his own age was different. His infatuation with Snowdrift aside, he couldn't help having a few dirty thoughts about this mare. Thankfully he was able to keep them at bay.

"S-sorry Princess." He stammered trying to get past. Pretty or not, this was still Blueblood deep down inside, and he was never very fun to be around.

"Yes well given your nervousness you must be humbled being in the presence of such a beautiful princess like myself, so I suppose it's only natural to make mistakes. Very well you may gaze upon me." Bluebelle practically sang as she held herself up in the most 'princessly' way she could. Yep, still Blueblood in there. Oh well, best to just go along with it and get out of here.

"I'd uh love to your highness but I really must be going..."

Bluebelle frowned at that. "I'm giving you a gift guard, what am I not dazzling enough for you?"

He wanted to tell her no, but he dared not see her reaction to that. It was a shame really. If she wasn't acting to stuck up as she had when Blueblood, she'd actually be quite the package. Just like Snowdrift was. Kind, beautiful, such a wonderful smile...

"Hello? Equestria to guard!" Bluebelle snapped as Sand Gust realized he had been staring into space. "What are you even doing over here anyway? And what's that glowing in your bag? Are you bringing in something dangerous?"

With a horrible start, Sand Gust felt the crystal egg float out of his saddle bag in the grip of Bluebelle's magic. Damn it! He knew he should have splurged for the ones that had anti theft magic woven in!

"H-Hey! give that back!" He made a desperate swipe with his hooves at it, but the princess just raised it higher out of his grasp.

"Oh my this is rather exquisite isn't it?" She said as she turned it this way and that. "And why, may I ask, would a lowly guard like you have something like this?"

"P-Please Princess I have to deliver that." He said slowly. Bluebelle here was really beginning to piss him off, but guard training almost specifically trained you to keep calm in situations like this. Thank the stars for that.

"Deliver it to whom now?" She sighed. "Snowdrift am I correct?"

Sand Gust was actually shocked. She had guessed it that easily? "H-How did-"

"Oh please, I may look like a teenage filly, but I was once a grown stallion. I know all about courting and the idealistic dreams of young colts. What else would you have this for on the night of her birthday?"

He couldn't really argue with that. He'd have to keep her origins in mind for the future.

"I see, well then if I could just have that back then." Stuck up or not, he doubted Bluebelle would steal from him. Blueblood had a reputation of being a bit of a jerk, but he never outright broke the law.

"In a minute, I'm admiring it!" She snapped back, moving away from him. Gah, he didn't have time for this! Gritting his teeth, he followed after her.

"Princess I beseech you, I have to get ready-"

"For what? Join the candidates for this stupid little "best friend" contest? What a laugh. Ever since that changeling queen pretended to be Cadance, each princess was trained to defend themselves. Even I, despite being a stallion have to partake in these lessons, and yet we still do this personal guard nonsense? For what purpose?!" Before he had a chance to reply Bluebelle whirled on him.

"Furthermore, what makes you think that YOU have a chance at the position? You a new recruit? How would you protect her hmm?"

"I-I mean..." Damn it why couldn't he speak? "I just wanted..."

"Wanted what? To ogle her all day? Get in line loser, so does every other silly colt here tonight, and some of them have nobility on their side. You probably stand some chance with Snowdrift being like that Skyla in they appreciate the 'little ponies' more then most ponies I brushed manes with, but I doubt it'll be enough. Even with your little trinket here."

Sand Gust didn't see how Bluebelle brought the crystal in front of her face right then, her eyes beginning to glaze over as she stared at the beautiful swirling colors. All he could think about was how angry he felt. How dare she judge him like that? She was only acting so high and mighty because of her status, one he was quickly seeing she didn't deserve.

"You know what Bluebelle," He said practically spitting out her name. "Why don't you-"

Author's Note

Finish his sentence! "Why don't you-"

Choice A: "-just blow me?"

Choice B: "-go get yourself laid by a 'silly colt' as you put it? You clearly need it." (She'll go off and find a colt.)

Choice C: "-go get yourself laid by a 'silly colt' as you put it? You clearly want it." (Hey, come to think of it. Sand Gust is a 'silly colt')

Choice D: "-take a note from the mares around you? It's sad when the maids are better ponies then you. Maybe you should become one of them for a while!"

https://strawpoll.com/ybdwc6he

FUN FACT: If we chose Fancy Pants, there was an option to have him become a mare. Too bad we didn't pick it. :(

(As always, if you see a mistake, let me know!)