The Lady of Carousel Boutique
Tonight's the night! I can feel it from the tip of my tongue to the tip of my tail. Tonight is the night I finally get a kiss from my Lady.
Ahhhh, my Lady, why am I so enamored with you? Is it your long silky tail? Your luminous white coat? Your haughty mannerisms that let all who observe you know they can never truly be your equal? You captured my heart the very first time I laid eyes upon you.
And yet... whenever I tried to impress you, it seemed to fail, with you hardly seeming to notice me at all. But, no longer, for tonight I have the perfect plan. After tonight my friend Pinkie shall no longer have to keep the secret of my love for you.
Sundown. Time to go. This is it, I will get that kiss tonight! All preparations are complete.
Hours spent using all of Ponyvilles hot water in the bath til I gleam? Check!
My Lady's favorite treats gathered? Check!
Said treats laid out for a romantic moonlit picnic? Check!
Looking totally handsome in my top hat & tails? Check & Double Check!
Just one final detail to take care of as I walk to my Lady's home. Entering the shop of Roseluck, she takes one glance at me and knows that Romance is afoot tonight. She is more than happy to supply me with a single white rose for my lapel, and a single flawless red rose to present to my love.
. . . .
Now I stand before the door of the shop, suddenly nervous once again, imagining all that could go wrong tonight. Then I hear the voice of fair Rarity, "Thank you for shopping at Carousel Boutique, I am certain you'll be pleased with your purchase."
This is it! No time to back out now. Deep breath!
I step aside as the door opens to allow the customer to depart, though so focused am I on the task ahead I do not even notice who it was. I catch the door with my claw before it closes and quietly slip inside, catching a glimpse of a purple tail disappearing into the back room.
"Spike? Is that you? I'll be out in just a moment." Rarity says from the backroom. After what seemed an eternity, but was objectively no more than a minute, my Lady strolls through the curtain. She catches sight of me and her eyebrows raise in surprise, but I stand silent and still. She approaches and circles me, observing me from every angle. Finally she opens her mouth, but I quickly lay a finger upon her lips to silence her, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. She raises her front leg and rests it upon the arm connecting us, but does not force me to remove it. My heart sings at her touch!
Oh, why did I not figure things out much sooner? This strong, silent, mysterious approach is obviously intriguing her.
I pull back my hand and pull the red rose from my lapel and offer it to her. She sniffs at it delicately and seems pleased. I lean forward and place the rose behind her ear...she leans her cheek into my hand as I pull it back from placing the rose.
My heart is dancing with joy! The night goes as well as I could hope. I symbolically offer her my arm and she accepts, briefly interlocking hers with mine before untangling ourselves in order to walk. I lead her to the spot where I have spread out a blanket and cushions for her to enjoy a small feast. I feed her small bites of one delicacy after another with my own hand until she has had her fill.
Afterward, I take a chance and gently lean against her as we silently watch the stars and moon. I feel her tail snake around me and she gently tickles my chin with it, I am nearly overcome with joy! I turn toward her and she turns her head toward me...I can see the invitation in her eyes. I lean forward and, at long last, our lips meet! My eyes close, I feel as if I am floating.
Suddenly I feel as if I have taken flight. My eyes fly wide open in shock..a pair of giant pink arms have grabbed me and lifted me high! Nooooo! Not now! I try to force them to release me but they do not budge! Curse the accident that left me toothless!
Pinkie says "See, Rarity, two left ear flops followed by an itchy right front knee means missing pets to be found at the Ponyville Park. Aww, look, Gummy missed me so much he is giving my hoof kisses all over."
"I am not entirely convinced those are friendly kisses Pinkie, based on how we found the two of them"
"Sure they are, Gummy loves me lots. I need to get him back to Sugarcube Corner though...see you tomorrow at the Anniversary Party!"
------------ Epilogue --------------------
Rarity lifts Opalescence onto her back with a flick of magic. "It would seem as if you have a soft spot for Gummy dear Opal. Hmmm, ponies do say that pets and owners take on similar traits the longer they are together."
Rarity raises her voice. "Spike! We found her! Over here."
Spike walks up moments later. "There you are Opal, you had your momma quite worried about you." Turning to Rarity he says "What do you think she was doing way out here?"
"She was out here with Gummy, apparently having a picnic. Do you recognize the spot Spike?"
"Hmmm, there is something about..Oh! This is the spot I brought you to for a picnic the night we shared our first kiss!"
"Yes, and apparently history has repeated itself for Opal. Can you see how happy she looks?"
Spike leans in to give Rarity a loving nuzzle. "Hard to believe we've been married for eight years come tomorrow."
"Do you ever regret it Spike?"
"What!!?"
"I don't mean us.. I mean do you ever regret getting hit with that wild spell that aged you one hundred years in the Griffon War?"
"I would have gladly given up a thousand years of life to spend this time together my Lady Rarity. Of course if I were another nine hundred years older you would have had to put in much bigger doors at the boutique."
Rarity laughs. "You are always such the charmer my love, more so because I know you mean every word of that statement. Lets go home, Auntie Fluttershy is babysitting the kids tonight.. we can have our own private Anniversary party before the one Pinkie is throwing tomorrow. I could put on a fashion show for you, I have made copies of the latest designs from the Frederick's of Hollyhoof catalogue."
"In red?"
"Of course. I know ruby is your favorite."
