The Heart of Pleasure
By Haunter Rayne
Ch 106 – At the Gala part 2

There was a silence which fell over the room after Luna had stormed away. Everypony was in disbelief at what they had seen. The pleasure pony who was responsible for such a delightful evening had dared to make an approach upon one of the princesses with romantic intent. The social scandal of it all was only outdone by the fact that Rayne had also just publicly snubbed Celestia in the process. Meanwhile Twilight stood in the crowd holding a hoof over her face.

“Well… that didn’t turn out too smoothly, now did it?” Another stallion said to Rayne from behind him. Turning around he saw a pegasus standing nearby holding a pair of drinking glasses. He was about Rayne’s height and had a burnt amber coat with a red mane. “So you’re Rayne, huh?” The stranger inquired with the air of a Canterlot tone to his voice.

“And you are?” The dark stallion asked, not recognizing the pegasus without his signature armor from the show.

“Oh, forgive me. Flash Magnus, ex legionnaire of Canterlot long, long ago. Nowadays I help train the current guard and also do some work with the Wonderbolts as well.

Now Rayne knew exactly who he was speaking to as he remembered Magnus from the TV show very well. He looked the pegasus up and down trying to take measure of his attitude. Magnus wasn’t coming across as rude, but all the same, the timing of his approach was all too clear for Rayne’s liking.

“So… Princess Luna, eh?” Magnus chuckled. “And an open request of her hoof before the entire gala? Bold… very bold.” He said with a nod of respect, even if a bit mocking. “I’ll admit, not the way that I would have done it.” He added while holding up the pair of crystal glasses that he had with him. Inside was a purple beverage of some kind that seemed to bubble from within.

“And that would be?” Rayne asked while being able to smell citrus-sweet aroma.

With a smile Magnus replied, “Oh just a couple glasses of gooseberry extract and fizzied grape juice. You see, Princess Luna has a fondness for tart flavors so the bitterness of the gooseberry combined with the subtle bite of carbonation makes this one of her favorites to enjoy at social gatherings.”

It was clear that Magnus was proud to show off his familiarity to the princess. However Rayne’s charm was quick as his charming voice spoke out, “You know Magnus, I think I can see why every tale ever told about you always depicted you as a hero.” His tone sounded heartfelt and sincere, so much so that the pegasus was caught off guard giving an uneasy smile in return.

“Oh, well thank you sir. And why, may I ask, do you point that out?” The pegasus asked with genuine interest.

“Because sir, you really seem to know how to save the day.” Rayne answered with a bow.

Magnus closed his eyes and shook his head. “Oh yes, well I suppose that somepony… hey, wait a moment-” He stammered as he opened his eyes to find both the stallion as well the pair of drinks to be missing.

• Meanwhile -

“What... in the world just happened?!” Luna panted to herself as she stood alone on the balcony.

The dark blue alicorn was leaning forward against the railing looking down at the garden grounds below. The rain from Cloudsdale had not yet let up and were showering everything in a heavy downpour.

Taking deep breaths while trying to calm her nerves Luna said to herself, “He… he danced right up upon the throne. I was so sure that it was my sister he was singing to, surely not I. But… but then he-” Luna looked down at her hoof that Rayne had pulled her out onto the dance floor with. She could still remember how he held her, swinging her body to his melody but while keeping his hold gentlemanly without disgracing her.

“Oh! You silly filly-hearted mare! Get a hold of yourself!” Luna shouted, bringing her hooves up to her rosy cheeks as she realized she was smiling. “But… it was fun, dancing with him like that... Never before hath a stallion called me to dance in such a manner.” She peered out at the rain slowly becoming lost in her thoughts until she almost jumped when someone frightened her from behind.

“Wait!” Rayne yelled as the princess glared at him defensively. “Please, don’t fly away! I wanted to apologize to you.” He said in an earnest voice. Luna steadfast and neither fled nor answered him. Her gaze was scrutinizing as if trying to discern his hidden intention.

When it seemed clear that she wasn’t going to speak, Rayne walked past her and set the drinks down against the railing. “It’s been quite a night out there, huh?” He kept his gaze forward for a little while longer before daring to look beside him. But the sight of her indomitable stare made Rayne give a deep sigh before lowering his head. “I’m sorry Princess. I was impertinent and disrespectful. I had no right to approach you unannounced and take you by the hoof like that. I am sure to have embarrassed you and that shames me most of all. You must think me a vagabond and unruly.” His voice held his characteristic charm, but his apology still sounded sincere.

“And you think me the type to flee when a vagabond approaches?” She asked him suddenly, as he had almost forgotten his request that she not fly away.

“No, I don’t.” He replied and looked toward her calmly. “You princess, I believe there is nothing that you would flee in the face of.” He told her with a steady voice.

“Indeed.” She quipped back to him. “Especially impertinent stallions who dare to hold my hoof or approach me unannounced.” She replied, using his own words against him.

Rayne raised an eyebrow. “Is she teasing me?” He thought to himself. However when he looked to the expression on her face, she did not seem amused.

“I would not flee before you, this is my home. Should you dare to reach for me again I will simply have you thrown out.” She declared. But as Rayne smirked in response, that did little to alleviate her spirits. “Do my threats amuse you?!” She shouted, showing him her temper.

Rayne raised his hooves to show that he meant no disrespect. Then he leaned his elbow upon the railing to say, “I laugh because it would seem we’ve already had this conversation. In fact, it was during my last visit to Canterlot in which you also graced me with your presence.” Luna’s eyes went wide as the sudden memory of the stallion falling to the ground caused her to turn away from him.

“You’re right… and I believe our roles to now be reversed from when last we spoke.” She mumbled while facing the watered garden below.

Rayne couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but he could read the somber tone of her posture well enough. “Is that what you want? Does my presence offend the Princess? Shall I take my leave to never be seen in Canterlot again?”

To this, her sudden eye-roll was a welcomed sight to Rayne as at least now she appeared distracted from whatever dark thought had muddled her expression just a moment before. “Well I never said-”

Feeling a playful inspiration from he knew not where Rayne smirked and asked, “Are you absolutely sure Princess? Should I… throw myself over this balcony to show you how sorry I am?” He teased.

Luna scoffed and crossed her hooves. “Well it would show your sincerity I suppose.” But then her posture stiffened as she watched him place a hoof upon the railing and lift himself up. “NOOO!” She screamed, almost stepping forward to stop him before seeing Rayne simply perch himself upon the rain slicked rail in front of her.

He held himself upon the narrow beam with nothing but his agility and the mercy of the breeze to keep him from falling. He took a glance down the several story drop where nothing but a stone walkway lay below. “Just say the word princess and I’ll jump.”

Luna paused and looked at him as if he were crazy. “On my word? Just like that? With no wings you’d plummet thyself down?”

“Yes…” Rayne answered, before actually slipping a bit and having to catch himself. “… Should you wish it.”

Luna stepped away from the rail and stared at him impatiently. “Get down you fool. Come stand here and face thy princess like a proper gentlepony.” Without delay Rayne returned to safety with a bit of his mane dampened by the rain. However once he had, Rayne regretted the uneasiness she seemed to be left with when she tried to speak with him. “I never asked that you… I never again wish to see the sight of you falling like… Oh, why is this so uncomfortable for me? Forgive me Rayne, I did not mean to great your approach with such hostility. May we please start again?”

Rayne abandoned whatever playful pride had been within him and gave Luna a gentle nod. “I think that I would like that.”

Now the two smiled but in absence of their playful banter only another awkward silence was left. “So, what are those?” Luna asked while gesturing toward the crystal glasses still sitting on the ledge.

Rayne gave a smile and lifted a glass in each hoof. “Oh just a juice drink with carbonation in it. Gooseberry grape, I believe?”

Luna’s face instantly gave away her interest. “G-gooseberry? You… ahem, well I do not believe that was on the menu for the gala this evening. Does thou enjoy that sort of beverage?”

Rayne looked at the glass as if he weren’t sure about it. “Eh, I do but I’ll admit that I was a little disappointed. I don’t mind the bitter taste of tart fruit when it’s mixed with something sweet. I must confess, I had hoped it was a cran-rasberry because that would be more to my liking… but I sipped it and it wasn’t bad.” Rayne took a brief moment to scan the drink with magic for any poisons or malicious properties since he hadn’t actually given any thought as to where the drink had come from. It was a bit alcoholic but otherwise he didn’t detect anything out of place with either the drink or the glass that it was in. “May I offer the lady a beverage bittersweet, to satisfy her thirst?” He tried to say poetically.

To his pleasure Luna giggled and replied with a smile. “Oh my, you were right Rayne. You are terrible at poetry, hehe. But the lady would be happy to accept.” One of the glasses illuminated light blue and floated over to her. She closed her eyes and with graceful poise took a sip. She savored the flavor as it poured down her throat. Then for the first time since retreating to the balcony Luna smiled while seeming perfectly at ease. “Thank you, Rayne.”

“And thank you...” He whispered right back. When she looked to him curiously he explained, “Thank you for smiling, Princess. To see you happy is all that I had wished for tonight.”

Luna had to swallow hard at that statement and was now grateful to have her drink to hide behind. “Is that so? Tell me Rayne, am I the reason for you being here tonight? This entire gala, the romantic theme that I’m sure was your suggestion and not Twilight’s… Would you have me believe it all pretense for you to have the chance to speak with the mare who you previously claimed to be so beautiful?” Her tone was jovial and yet frightful. She didn’t know what to expect as she turned away from him and awaited his answer.

“Yes.” He said without hesitation. “It was all for you… and only you. The magnificence of this gala, being invited to such an affair, it all pales in comparison to getting to share a moment by your side.”

Meanwhile Luna was standing nervously with eyes wide and her throat running dry. She had completely froze, never in all her years having been put on the spot by such forward romance. Eventually Luna fought to loosen her tension, realizing that had left the stallion hanging without response.

“Ahem, yes well I-” She started to say but froze again when she looked back at him. His eyes were upon her and they were all she could focus on. He was staring at her so intently, his attention upon her every detail. The expression on his face looked so captivated, as if she were the only mare in the world to him at that moment.

Luna turned back away and screamed internally as she felt her cheeks blushing. She panicked feeling a bead of sweat run across her brow and she lifted her head up straight before casting a spell to restore the pristine appearance to her coat and mane.

“T’would not surprise me had you felt a change of heart.” Luna told him. Rayne knew she was talking about when he called her the most beautiful mare in Equestria. “It would be understandable that one could get swept up in the moment when another attempts to save thy life. But many moons have passed since then. And one would expect that when you ask a royal to dance at the gala, that you would show respect by courting thine lovelier sister first.”

Rayne didn’t hesitate. He didn’t stutter and his gaze was steady. Rayne looked deep right into Luna’s eyes as he told her, “But I did ask the lovelier sister first.”

“Rayne!” Luna balked in surprise that he’d have the audacity to say such a thing. “I hold no lack of respect for myself, but surely you jest. My older sister is far more lovely than I. To say otherwise would be-”

“Nothing short of the absolute truth.” He interrupted and then stepped right up in front of her. Luna froze, staring breathlessly as he told her, “You are remarkable Luna. Your beauty shines like a radiance that your sister cannot hold a candle to. You are by far the fairer sister… and no matter the circumstance, I would always choose you.” He said to the mare who had spent her entire existence learning to always accept coming in second place.

The weight of Rayne’s statement was not lost on the princess making her quickly step back feeling unfamiliar with how to process such a notion. “Wha- but, you can’t just…. Rayne! The absurdity of what you claim is just-”

“I don’t care about what’s proper.” Rayne laughed. When she scowled her blushing face back to him it only made him smile all the more. “I think you are beautiful, princess. And not just in appearance. You wear your heart in the open more than you know. And from what I’ve seen, the depths of that heart are like an ocean to me whose tides I desire to become lost in until I am swallowed up by the waves of your emotion.”

“RAYNE!” Luna screamed like a blushing school filly. “Cease your foolishness this instant! Thou sounds as if thine heart doth hold longing for me! Such a thing would be impossible for two ponies that hardly know each other!”

“Oh, but it’s true.” Rayne persisted. “It is all true and I mean every word. I do desire you Luna, I desire every possibility and every opportunity. I desire to see you smile... and to be the reason your lips have cause to. I wish for these arms of mine dance away with you through the night. That our hooves may carry us through the sky on a chariot of passion. I wish to be the shield against your nightmares and the pillar of your support. And more than anything… I desire to cast away your self doubt, so that you can believe in yourself in the way that I do.”

“Rayne!” Luna shouted again, shoving the stallion back away from her this time. “You cannot just walk in here and speak to me like this!” She screamed at him. Although despite her protest, Luna was visibly panting from how hard Rayne had her heart beating in her chest.

“And why not?” He challenged her. “You are as worthy of adoration and affection as any pony, aren’t you? Even as much your sister? Even more so, if you were to ask my opinion. And If my words have offended you, if you feel repulsed by my attraction to you, then set me straight. Deny my feelings for you here to my face.” Rayne boldly proclaimed, stepping back in front of her again as she attempted to turn away from him.

“Oh! Rayne, come now! What is it that you would have me say?! What is it that you want from me?!” She cried in protest. But try as she might, she could not deny to the stallion or to herself that she had never been so happy as to hear somepony finally say these things to her.

“Nothing! Everything!” He laughed as she scoffed and stomped her hoof in frustration. “Let me adore you with a thousand years of romance that you have missed out on. Let me support you like the ocean never fails to hold the reflection of the moon. For the princess who fights tirelessly for the dreams of all of Equestria, let me be the one pony who always fights for you. For the mare who asks for nothing, let me give you everything. Let us create something new that puts all over romances through time and history to shame. Oh give me...”

“Rayne, please...” She gushed with a smile on her face that was quickly spreading from ear to ear.

“Luna, give me...” Rayne repeated, now in a melodic tune, seeing her blush and bite her bottom lip as if losing her resistance against his persuasive charms.

“Give me...” He almost sang to her now as he beckoned with his arms to dance with her as she looked around nervously, checking to see if anypony were near. Then with an apprehensive nod she stepped forward for him to hold her.

-Redacted Content-

Luna gasped that he would have the nerve. Her scarlet face shook that she couldn’t do that. She smirked that she didn’t believe him for a second. He serenaded to her while they danced together arm in arm.

“Really? To build a dream on? From me? The princess of dreams? Is that supposed to be cute?” She asked him sarcastically. Without missing a beat Rayne just smiled and continued right on.

Luna groaned up to the air in exasperation. Luna just laughed but did not actually refute him.

“So that’s it? You think that you’re just going to sing me one little song and I’m just going to fall all over you like some doe-hearted country mare?” She smirked as if the idea were laughable.

He sang charmingly to her.

“Rayne, I do not need to hear about what a stallion does whilst thinking about a mare when he is alone.” She teased him. But his charming smile would not be dissuaded as he glided her gently across the balcony in his arms.

He pleaded while she exclaimed that he could not be serious. He promised as she argued that he could have any mare. Luna fell to silence, merely blushing now as she danced with him. Then she was surprised as Rayne stepped away.

She broke out into a fit of laughter as he danced before her. “Oh Rayne, what do you expect from me?! That we’ll have some magical evening and then I’ll be yours? A tale of happily ever after, just that like?”

“No, of course not.” He replied as he extended his hoof back towards her. “Only that you let me sing to you, and that it makes you smile. That and nothing more makes this whole night worth having if I can leave you with the feeling that somepony chose you first.”

Luna looked like she was glowing after hearing that. The joy that was painted across her face was as clear as the rain that fell from the sky behind them. “Yes, my smile... plus a kiss from me, or so it would seem?” She asked him playfully.

“Oh well yes, but that would surpass the very definition of a perfect night.” He said cleverly to which she screamed aloud in joyful exasperation.

When she danced back into his arms this time, Luna leaned herself in close while he held her. Her eyes narrowed, enjoying the feel of his arm enwrapping her side. “Thou wishes to know if thee hath made thy princess happy tonight?” She whispered in a low and sensual voice just beside his ear. “Well you have, Rayne.” She assured him. “Enjoy my smile for it is an honest one. This hath been a wonderful evening, and I have you to thank for it.”

Rayne bit his lip and took a deep breath of satisfaction. Then with an invigorated sense of cheer he swung her around in his arms again and continued to sing.

‘Uh huh?’ She chimed in tune with him.

‘Oh, no doubt’ She nodded along.

‘Surely.” She bit her lip trying to keep from chuckling.

‘Such romances’ She giggled.

‘Oh I believe you will’ Luna now laughed.

The princess could not believe the lengths in which this stallion would go to in order to make her smile. Her eyes bulged out when the stallion suddenly dropped to his knees and started singing up to her from the ground.

Luna gasped for him to lower his voice before the others could hear him. Quickly she pulled him back up to his hooves and then they stood face to face together. Luna blushed and looked deep into his eyes as he looked into hers. She smirked, biting her bottom lip.

She could feel his breath mixing with hers and it was by no means unpleasant feeling to her. The hairs upon the back of her neck raised nervously and Luna could not compel herself to look away from him. She softly began to hold her breath and slowly closed her eyes. Rayne watched as she leaned herself in, but before he and Luna could kiss they both jumped at a thunderous voice screaming out in fury.

“What in the name of Equestria do you two think you’re doing out here?!” Celestia bellowed. Instantly Luna broke her hold with the stallion but what really soured Rayne’s mood was seeing the guilty expression on Luna’s face. She had done nothing wrong and Rayne could not hold back his spite for Celestia having made her sister feel that she had.

“Sister, I… we were just-”

“Oh forgive me your highness.” Rayne quickly spoke over her. “You see, Luna had commented on how miserable my dancing performance had been while inside. She so generously had offered to show me the proper etiquette on-” Rayne was cut off as Celestia stomped the ground with a hoof and walked up in between her sister and him now.

“Oh I know full well who was trying to show the other what!” She growled at him. “How dare you treat my little sister, and a princess of this castle, with such disrespect?!”

“Well, really… There wasn’t that much disrespect actually-” Luna mumbled.

“Furthermore Rayne, you have made a mockery of this event which you were supposed to entertain. Not run off attempting to gallivant with Luna at the first chance you had to get her alone.”

“No sister, I was the one who-”

“Pleasure pony or no, that does not give you the right to approach a member of the throne uninvited! Nor doesn’t it make you a gentlepony sir, to take a mare by the hoof without her permission and then do as you please with her!”

“Now wait just a minute!” Luna finally spoke up. “What exactly are you accusing me to have allowed to transpire here?!” She demanded to know with an offended tone.

“Hmph.” Celestia huffed as she changed her gaze to look to her sister now. “What I’m saying is that I think thee naive sister. For you have fallen for the sweet words of one who would charm you, as is nothing more than a pleasure ponies nature to do.”

“I am not naive!” Luna bellowed. “Does thy sister truly believe that I cannot discern pretty words for the simple flattery that they are?!” Rayne frowned and turned away attempting to not take what was said in this sisterly squabble personally. “Yes, the presence of a pleasure pony can be enticing. And yes, Rayne has indeed been making wooing attempts in my direction. But just because an attempt at flattery has been made does not always mean that words spoken may necessarily be false! Yes, perhaps a lesson in ballroom etiquette may be needed, but I assure you that Rayne has treated me with nothing but elegance and class whilst sharing in my company tonight!”

"Oh? Well what is it then?!” Celestia retorted. “What did he say to you, huh? Let’s hear it. What line did he drop that would have you defend him so?” Rayne didn’t like where this was going but he held his tongue for the time being.

Luna raised her head as if defending her own honor as well as his and answered, “He told me that I was a mare worth choosing. That, he would pick me first… above any other. Above… ANY other.” She emphasized allowing Celestia to pick up on the hint on her own.

Unfortunately this only caused the princess of the sun to laugh. “THAT’S IT?! Oh Luna, you are still such a child. Of course you are worth being chosen. You are a PRINCESS! You are an alicorn of incredible magic! You hold access to the royal treasury! You live in a castle! Take your pick for an excuse! That was a LINE, Luna! And frankly not even a very good one! You are smarter than this sister. What would compel you to lose your senses so easily?”

"Because…” Luna faltered now. “In eleven hundred years, for the brief bit of it that I’ve enjoyed in Equestria, that is the first time anypony ever has.” She held the side of one arm with her opposite hoof, still savoring the feeling of being picked first despite the way in which her sister was shaming her for it.

Celestia gave a detestable glance toward Rayne as if he were some foul manipulator. Then she spoke back to Luna in a concerned, albeit condescending voice. “Oh my dear sister… Rayne is a pleasure pony. What he says isn’t true. It’s just his way. His magic tells him what it is that our hearts would most deeply seek to hear. If your true heart's desire were to bake bread then that is what his tongue would tell you, even without having known it beforehand. That is all this is, sister. A bird flies, and a snake bites, and a pleasure pony charms. It is just their nature.” Celestia declared in a voice that was attempting to be soothing, however neither Luna nor Rayne felt comforted at all by her words.

“Yes well as much as I do enjoy being objectified, I’m afraid that at this point I must interrupt.” Rayne protested with no regard for his sassiness. “Not only is it cruel in how you have just belittled your own sister, I will not stand here idly by as you-”

“Well I think that we have heard quite enough about that for now.” Celestia interruption, causing Rayne to stand infuriated as he had hardly even begun. “Rayne, if you would be so kind, Sir Magnus here shall escort you peacefully through the gala so as to not interrupt any of the other guests as you leave.” Celestia declared with a tone of finality. Following which, the burnt amber pegasus from earlier stepped around from behind Celestia and gave a piercing stare towards Rayne.

Luna’s eyes suddenly bulged out as she looked back and forth between her sister and the dark stallion. “Wait, you’re throwing him out?!” She shrieked in dismay.

“Well that all depends...” Celestia quipped as she watched the stallion carefully. “If he leaves quietly and of his own accord then that will be all that happens. But if he creates a fuss about it, then his actions will dictate if more extreme measures will have to be taken.” The weight of Celestia’s threat was heavy as she stared at the stallion, leaving the choice up to him.

Rayne just smirked and raised his head held high. He knew that arguing would neither impress Luna nor would it improve the situation he was in. “Well alright then. Let’s go.” He said with dignity and Flash Magnus led the group back out to the dance hall. Once they had returned there was a roar of applause as everypony seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves tonight. Shouts of praise for Rayne’s entertainment were sung by happy couples standing from one end of the ballroom to the other.

Rayne gave Celestia a glance and she allowed him to speak without interruption. “Thank you, thank you one and all. It has been a delight to entertain each of you this evening.” Celestia and Magnus stood at his sides while Luna hung back feeling unsatisfied that this should be the outcome of Rayne’s night.

“Wait a minute...” Applejack exclaimed as Rainbow Dash spit out her drink from beside her when they both noticed how Rayne was being flanked.

“Um, Twilight?” Starlight asked as she approached. “Why are Celestia and that old pegasus standing beside Rayne like that? Did he… wait, he’s not in trouble is he?”

“Ohhh!” Twilight fretted. “I DON’T KNOW! I was afraid that something like this would happen! But he didn’t listen to me!” She answered while wanting to help, but also feared going against her mentor in front of the eyes of half of Canterlot.

Rayne continued on as he announced, “Unfortunately it’s time that I must make my adieu. This songbird must rest his voice and save his wings to fly another day.” Immediately the crowd broke out into a disappointed sigh, all calling for an encore before they continued the party on without him.

Celestia began to chime in that she was sorry for the inconvenience to everypony. Magnus remained silent and gave Rayne no chance to signal to any friends for help. However Luna decided she would not stand around and accept the situation. With a spark from her horn she got the attention of the band. Then just as Magnus began to escort Rayne towards the door, every pony froze and Celestia snapped around enraged toward her sister as Luna’s voice filled the room.

-Redacted Content- (Even though it is heartbreaking to have to take apart this scene that fits so well. But the lyrics must be removed from the time being.)

She serenaded out with an elegance that was absolutely captivating. She sang as the band began to play in a classy and tasteful tone. She then shot a smile towards Rayne. At this point Rayne looked just as shocked as any pony did. But then he gave the smuggest of all smiles as he trotted right by Magnus and Celestia with a shrug.

The stallion’s grin was from ear to ear as the ponies cheered out when he sang. He cheered as the band had kicked up the tempo. He sang while he and Luna made their way toward each other.

The crowd seemed to cheer in approval at seeing Princess Luna reach for Rayne’s hoof just as he had reached for hers.

She sang to him. The other ponies in shouted in surprise at seeing Luna actually pressing her face together with Rayne as they danced.

Rayne held onto Luna and she held onto him as they danced. And nopony in the crowd could tell whether Rayne or Luna were the one to be smiling more.

Now the two of them were dancing for themselves, almost forgetting that there was anypony else at all in the room. The smiles on their faces were infectious as everypony was having the time of their lives watching the two of them dance. Their voices rang together in harmony as did their hooves upon the dance floor. And even as Celestia and Magnus watched on sourly, they could not deny that the joy on Luna and Rayne's faces definitely seemed to be genuine.

Luna and Rayne sang together. They shouted as they held each other. They smiled into each other’s eyes. The two smirked together.

Rayne sang, holding Luna’s chin as she echoed dreamy eyed after him.

He elated as if commenting on being in her arms.

She responded to the feeling. Luna winked back to him that she was pretty happy herself. Luna sang right alongside him again.

Then Rayne smiled as he took a step away while pointing to Luna for a little dance solo cheering.

Luna laughed as she stepped back and forth while Rayne trotted on the spot. They cared not for who was watching or even if they appeared foolish in dancing so silly. They were almost like a colt and a filly together with innocent smiles where life was simpler and merriment was all that mattered. Titles, royalty, and social affairs were of no concern. Even Twilight and her friends smiled together in laughter now considering that there may be something to what Rayne had told them after all.

Their two voices sang together again.

Rayne held Luna tightly and she held him just as firmly.

They smiled to each other.

But that was when Luna surprised them all, Rayne included.

Holding her hooves around Rayne’s neck she closed her eyes and leaned back, allowing herself to swing in Rayne’s arms while cheering. Her voice rang sweetly. Luna carried the note until jaws were dropped all around at how beautiful her voice sounded.

Rayne just smirked, never having doubted her capabilities for a moment.

Luna sang while holding onto him amorously.

Rayne bellowed while leaned up close with Luna.

They sang while leading up to a roaring applause for them both.

They each stood together smiling and huffing, feeling exhausted by the intensity of their dance. But Rayne was surprised when Luna pulled him close and then whispered while staring cautiously off toward her sister. “Okay, now. Go! Right now!” She urged him.

“W- what?” He asked her.

“I won’t have it, seeing you be thrown out of this party like some scoundrel. But if you leave on your own with my farewell then I think that I could live with.” She explained and he nodded to her before hastily trotting his way toward the door. Sure enough Magnus looked as if he desired to take his chance to escort Rayne out but Celestia stopped him seeing that there would no longer be any point.

• Outside the Gala -

Rayne stepped with urgency as he skedaddled his way outside from the castle. However despite the stallion’s efforts to leave quietly and with grace, he had a multitude of friends who cared enough about him to not let that happen. “Rayne! Wait!” He heard Twilight call out from behind. Almost immediately a dash from a rainbow zoomed in front of him blocking his path and then a rope shot out from seemingly nowhere to begin pulling him back.

“Ladies, ladies! Easy!” Rayne laughed as Rarity ran to his aid, screaming something about the delicate stitching on his attire being threatened. Rayne magicked his way out from the rope and stood on the steps of the castle to face his friends. “You’re not gonna make this easy for me, are you?”

“Not on your life buster.” Dash smirked from behind him.

“Oh, well, we don’t want to make you talk about anything you don’t really want to.” Fluttershy mumbled. “But as your friends we are all still deeply concerned.”

“Ah now cut the horseradish there and you get to spillin’ the beans, mister!” Applejack immediately demanded.

Pushing past all of them Twilight stepped up to Rayne with a look of concern and asked, “Rayne, what happened?! Are you in trouble?! How could you do that?! Did Celestia ask you to leave?! Was Luna insulted when you told her you love her?! OH! What if she said that she loves you back?!”

“TWILIGHT!” Rayne shouted to stop the mare who was becoming more and more ridiculous by the second. “Everything… is… fine!” He attempted to assure her.

There was a moment where everything was still and it was like a scene from the wild west when two gunslingers were staring at each other without moving. But a moment later Twilight freaked out even harder screaming, “HOW, can everything be fine?! You publicly announced your romantic disposition to a PRINCESS in front of everypony at the Grand Galloping Gala! Then you went chasing after her in private, doing who knows what back there, and after which you got escorted back by Celestia herself alongside Flash Magnus, former Canterlot Legionnaire! I thought you were being ARRESTED Rayne!”

Now the others rolled their eyes seeing the purple alicorn huffing out of breath from her freak out as she was so commonly known to do. But behind Twilight each of the others looked up in surprise and backed away before an unexpected voice spoke up startling the Princess of Friendship.

“Excuse me, but would you mind stepping aside please?” Luna asked elegantly as she awaited to approach where Rayne stood. Twilight straightened up as if someone had just poured ice down her tail but then she moved out of the way and all of her friends stood beside her watching.

“Hello, princess. I didn’t expect for you to follow me out after having asked me to leave.” Rayne said to her curiously.

However Luna seemed to be up to something as she turned away from him remarking, “Well let’s just say that I was disappointed in how you decided to abandon me tonight.” Instantly the stallion faltered as he had no idea what she was talking about. “Did thou truly intend to leave without giving me thy kiss you sought after this evening?”

“Oh, well, of course not Princess.” Rayne replied with a smile on his face that seemed to go on for miles. Twilight and friends stood back in the distance all staring on with jaws dropped. But it took Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Starlight together to hold Rainbow Dash back from laughing as Luna suddenly outstretched her hoof once the stallion approached.

“I’m waiting.” Luna said to the stallion with a playful smirk, knowing all too well that she had lead him on and was now teasing him.

Rayne did not disappoint as he elegantly dropped to one knee and took the princess’s hoof into his hold. With closed eyes and a gentlemanly demure, Rayne kissed Luna’s hoof with politeness and grace. Then Rayne slowly opened his eyes while looking up from his knee and said, “The honor in which you do me, I have no words to describe. Thank you Princess, I shall treasure this moment always.” Luna blushed a bit, allowing for her hoof to linger in Rayne’s touch while she looked back down at him. Her heart fluttered and her smile deepened as the two stared into each other’s eyes for a moment.

“Smooooth!” Shouted the interrupting travesty that was Pinkie Pie as all of her other friends yelled to scold her for interrupting the mood.

With a chuckle Luna nodded, “Well yes, quite. And the honor has been mine.” She said to the stallion as he returned to his hooves. “Thank you for this evening Rayne. Shall I assume for you to call upon me in the near future?” She asked him.

“You shall.” He nodded, expressing the intent for his next visit to Canterlot.

Luna smiled feeling a bit bashful now as she stepped away from him. “Good night, Rayne.” She remarked, slowly stepping back toward the castle.

“Good night, Princess.” Rayne replied, remaining right where he stood without moving an inch as he watched her leave. Luna blushed a bit harder as she looked back over her shoulder seeing the stallion still standing where she’d left him. Meanwhile Rayne just smiled, clearly savoring every last second that he could. The scene was almost comical as Luna stepped on a bit further and then scoffed at still seeing Rayne standing and waving her off. Once the princess had finally returned inside Twilight and her friends couldn’t resist rushing up to Rayne and exclaiming loudly.

“Rayne! You’re crazy! I can’t believe… that you got away with that!” Starlight laughed.

“You slick son of a gun.” Applejack chuckled. “I think you might have actually caught Luna’s interest there.”

“Are you kidding me?!” Pinkie cheered. “She was TOTALLY smitten with him!”

“Heh, yeah she was.” Dash snickered. “If she weren’t stuck trying to act all princessy then I’ll bet it would have been a REAL show.”

“Oh now Rainbow Dash,” Flutteshy admonished. “That isn’t a very nice thing to say about Luna. Yes Rayne can be very charming but let’s not jump to any conclusions.”

However one pony was looking at the stallion carefully after noticing that even though Luna had left, he still had not moved. “Rayne? Are… you okay?” Twilight asked him. She reached out a hoof to hold his shoulder but he still didn't move.

“Hold on a minute...” Rarity spoke up before waving her hoof in front of his face. Then she grabbed the stallion’s other shoulder trying to shake him but he was frozen still. “Rayne! He-llo?!” She called out.

Seven faces all crowded around to look into his eyes but after a moment Rayne finally moved as with rosy cheeks he whispered, “I got to kiss her...”

“What?” Starlight asked, not quite having heard him.

Then Rayne gushed as he bit his bottom lip and exclaimed happily. “I GOT TO KISS HER!” He cheered and jumped into the air before starting to dance around by himself in glee.

One by one all of Rayne’s friends began to either smile or blush, chuckle, or roll their eyes in response to his merriment. “It’s not like Luna was the first princess you’ve ever kissed.” Twilight remarked, but she wasn’t actually upset. But then she balked as she watched him stroll right out of the castle grounds and into the rain by himself. “Hey! Where are you going?! We never got to ask you why you are leaving the party!”

Despite her efforts to question him, the stallion gave her no response. “Just leave it alone, Twilight.” Starlight said as she stepped up beside her. “I’ve seen Rayne like this once before… It was while walking me home after one of our dates. I don’t think an army of unicorns or all the Wonderbolts together could bring that stallion down from the high that he’s feeling right now.” She chuckled.

The others all watched from the safety of the castle balcony while Rayne stepped out under the rain and danced as if he hardly even noticed. He trotted and he skipped and then he looked up at the clouds with a grin as he started humming to himself.

-Redacted Content-

He paused and splashed a little puddle on the ground with his hoof.

Rayne laughed to himself as if he couldn’t be happier. He cheered with a warmth in his eyes.

He sang up to the sky. He swayed in place remembering how wonderful it had felt to hold Luna.

He twirled himself about while letting his wet mane swing free. He shouted at the weather, still skipping along through puddles even as he was drenched from top to bottom now.

He said while approaching the castle gates. Rayne decided to stop at this point before going any farther. Memories of swaying with Luna on the dance floor had not yet released him and he gave in to the urge to close his eyes and relive his dance with the princess.

He hummed merrily to himself in the archway.

Back at the castle, Luna slowly stepped alone back out onto one of the balcony's. However, she almost fell over the edge as she stumbled at the sight of the pleasure pony dancing by himself in the rain.

“I'm happy again!” He called out and did a flip off of the archway while skipping about. Luna’s face flushed even redder than it had been before.

The stallion mused to himself. Then looking around he decided to make use of some of the stolen talents he had never tried out from all the ponies in Equestria. Unbuttoning his cravat and opening up his dress shirt Rayne slide through a puddle and started tap dancing back and forth in the splashing water.

Luna was beside herself, laughing from behind a hoof far up above from where Rayne couldn't possibly see her. She giggled thinking that Rayne looked like a little colt splashing in puddles with glee. Eventually though she did summon one of the guards and whispered calmly to him while pointing out below.

For his part Rayne had a joy in his heart the likes of which words or even song were not enough to express. First a trot, then a skip, then a series of taps, all while in between a splash and another splash. In his heart everything felt wonderful when he remembered how Luna danced with him. His hooves skipped and tap danced through the puddles as the rain fell. But all that Rayne could smell when he closed his eyes was the scent of Luna's hair as she leaned in close.

"Ahem." Came a gruff voice as a Canterlot guard stood there looking not upset but just stern at him.

Rayne looked at him and gave a shrug, not knowing how else to explain his behavior. He smiled as he explained and then gave a polite now to the guard before trotting off and disappearing, still dancing into the night.

Author's Note

So first of all I just want to say that I absolutely LOVED writing this chapter! The emotion! The passion! I was as swept away as Rayne was while going through these events. ^_^

Okay so we started things off with Flash Magnus maybe seeming a little jealous here? Remember, he and Luna could have known each other back in the day. Maybe Magnus doesn't want some young upstart to show up and start flirting with her? Oh and the gooseberry grape drink is an idea that I just came up with myself. I thought that it fit nicely.

Alright so I think I did a good job of having Luna fret to herself back and forth on the balcony. But once Rayne came up to join her there were two different teases that I threw in and I wonder how many of you got either one or both? The first was trying to make you think that Rayne would sing Let Me Show You the World from Disney's Aladdin and the other was trying to make you think I'd sing the Elephant Love Medley from Moulin Rouge. Now obviously I didn't include either even though both songs would have fit nicely for the scene. But it was more try to Rayne's style (and my heart) to go with A Kiss to Build a Dream On by Louie Armstrong. I absolutely love that song and have been waiting to finally write this chapter to use it.

Now I think I did an okay job with Celestia's reaction here. She isn't usually the type to show anger except when it comes to Luna, who seems to be her weakness. I tried to keep her upset but still remaining fair.

I certainly hope that you all had a pleasant surprise in hearing Luna sing the exact same song that Rayne just sang in the last chapter! Cheek to Cheek as sung by Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett I think is a spectacular duet. Both Luna and Lady Gaga both have such beautiful voices and I think this was the perfect choice for Luna to sing to try and help save Rayne. I was I enthralled with imagining this song being sung by Luna.

So I know that this chapter was long... It was very, very long. I really debated on whether or not I should have dropped the final scene all together with the song Singing in the Rain by Gene Kelly. But in the end I just couldn't do it. That final point of Luna and Rayne flirting with each other, the small snippets of comedy spaced all the way through... I thought it was a much more beautiful way to end the chapter than to just have Rayne run off. It really gave a better view of everypony's emotions at the end and ultimately I could not deny Rayne and Luna that kiss, haha. although for a final important point, when Rayne shouts out in the rain that he is happy again, that is him unwittingly acknowledging that he is now recovered from the ch 85 incident.