The Heart of Pleasure
By Haunter Rayne
Ch 117 - Perseverance Rewarded?

A brilliant amber hoof struck hard against the punching bag. "You are absolutely certain? There can be no doubt?" A frustrated stallion asked before kicking the bag again.

Three different pegasi were gathered within the Canterlot castle armory. Weapon sets hung decoratively around the room while helmets and shields were stacked neatly into their places. In the corner a surplus of training equipment was housed which included a double weight punching bag hanging from the ceiling.

"Sir! It is more than just your new position. Since your return you have been like a friend to all of the troops here. You have the respect and the trust of everypony in the Canterlot Guard." The soldier told him with a sense of honor carrying through his voice.

Meanwhile the mare in the room gave a whistle at the obvious hero-worship being presented between the two stallions. Magnus merely rolled his eyes at this though before resuming his jabbing into the punching bag which Spitfire was holding for him.

Resuming now with his previous message, the guard spoke up to say, "It was unmistakable. Over a dozen guards witnessed it. The stallion from Ponyville arrived early at the castle and after waiting on the princess for most of the day they left together, alone, with the announced intentions for a date. And well, there's also the matter of what Luna said about him." The guard added, seeming nervous as to whether he should even be mentioning that part.

"What is it? What did she say about Rayne?" He asked while turning away from the punching bag trying his hardest to keep his frustrations in check.

"Well Luna, she… well she was yelling at Celestia about how much she likes him." He answered uncomfortably. "Those were her exact words. That she likes him. She was rather screaming it, in fact." He muttered, not wishing to say more.

As the others looked on, Magnus was so tense that his feathers were almost bristling and he looked like he would explode at any minute. But then the pegasus just raised his head and took a deep breath before appearing to calm down. Instead of yelling he just gave a sudden powerful kick to the punching bag sending Spitfire who had been holding the bag for him careening back onto the floor. "Ooookay, that hurt…" She grunted while holding her stomach.

"Sir, I-" The guard began with a look of surprise. "I know that you have had your sights on the princess and I just thought you should know. But I-"

"No no, please." Magnus interrupted while now holding a reserved tone. "I'm sorry for losing my temper. And you have done no wrong here." Meanwhile Spitfire sat on the floor raising an eyebrow wondering where her apology was. "I appreciate you telling me and I promise not to react poorly in response to this news. But if that is all then I would appreciate it if you would leave me to my thoughts."

At once the guard saluted him and made his way to the door. Then just as he did so Spitfire stood herself up and came walking around to place her hoof on Magnus' shoulder. "Eshh! So, you've got another stallion moving in on your girl huh? That's tough. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes right now."

"Oh come on." He griped, shrugging away from her and taking a few steps forward. "Who's side are you even on? I haven't forgotten how you stood up for him back at the gala you know." He remarked.

"Side? I'm not on anypony's side about this." She exclaimed before taking a few jabs at the punching bag herself. "All I did back then was give the fella a fighting chance. I mean come on. You are THE Flash Magnus after all. I never really thought that Rayne stood a chance with the princess. But Rainbow Dash is chummy with him… so I figured I'd let him try us luck as a favor to her." Stepping away from the bag she softened her tone as she walked over to him again. "But you I have gotten to know, and you're a pretty good guy. I just don't want to see this tear you down."

"I'm fine. I… I think I'm done with exercising for the day." He remarked shortly.

"I'll say." She laughed. "You've got a back kick that could knock out a minotaur." She chuckled while flinching at her abdomen.

Turning to offer her an apologetic glance they both shared a chuckle together. Then Magnus softened his attitude and smiled at her. "Come on, let's get some air." He suggested and she nodded.

• -

A few minutes later they were both standing upon a rampart of the castle looking down over the courtyard below.

"I knew she had been distant but I attributed that to her royal duties. I definitely hadn't believed it might have been because she was already making time for somepony else." Magnus sighed and lowered his head.

Resting her hooves against the railing Spitfire said, "Yup, it's a tough situation. You haven't even had a date with the princess yet and somehow this stallion from a farming town has already found his way into her affections." Then she gave a stretch and secretly eyed his demeanor from behind her arm before turning around to sit on the ledge. "So what are you going to do?"

Glancing over with a sigh he replied, "I'm not really sure. I wasn't prepared for anything like this to happen. I'll admit I was overconfident, with her being a princess. I expected that I would be the only one vying for her attention. But whereas I had offered her a political union for the benefit of the citizens; he has undoubtedly been romancing her for the sheer interest of just being with her." He lamented.

"Whoa whoa. Hold on a minute." Spitfire exclaimed. "Now I know you bought her flowers and asked her to dinner and stuff. But did you really ask the princess to marry you without even bothering to make things romantic for her?" She almost shouted before slapping her hoof to her forehead. "Well no wonder she's opening herself up to the affections of another stallion. You're practically driving her into somepony else's hooves." She told him.

"You think so?" He asked, quirking his head to the side and staring at her.

"T'ch, Magnus I'd rather die alone than find myself in a loveless marriage, believe me. I mean do you even like Princess Luna? Is it only about the politics to you?" Spitfire asked him.

"Well no, of course not." Magnus tried to reassure her but didn't sound very confident. "She's definitely a beautiful mare. She's headstrong and gracious of heart. Luna would make a wonderful companion for anypony to be with regardless of her royal standing."

"And have you told Luna that you feel like this?" Spitfire argued, getting into his face with her point.

"Oh... well, maybe not in so many words." He admitted. "I just assumed there would be time for that. Once we were finally out to dinner together. Or during outings wherever we may find ourselves. I felt that flattery would have it's place once we were finally alone together."

"And what if Luna wants more than that? Think about it Magnus, you big dolt! Sure you both missed out on a thousand years of Equestria together. But for you and it flashed by in the blink of an eye. However when Luna was banished up to the moon… I don't think it was the same for her. I'm pretty sure she was self aware during all that time. I imagine it was probably pretty lonely. And if that had happened to me, I wouldn't want a relationship with somepony who also made me feel just as lonely to be with." She explained to him before looking off towards the horizon.

"Oh my gosh, you're right." Magnus gasped in realization. "I've been going about this all wrong. Here I was assuming that I would be Luna's only choice for companionship but I hadn't been giving her any reason to really want me!" He shouted as he started thinking back over all the things he'd done for her.

"Mhm." Spitfire sassed teasingly.

"What I should have been doing is looking at Luna as a mare and aspiring to what her heart wants, instead of treating her solely as a princess who would abide by what her duties would expect of her." He cheered with a sense of new found purpose.

"You know, when you say it that way it really makes you sound like you had been a real douchebag." She remarked without sympathy. The stallion frowned at her in response but she raised a hoof to show she wasn't done. "But as long as you've finally pulled your head out of your flank then that's what matters now, probably." She added while still looking off into the distance. "It's just a shame that you're only realizing this now when there's somepony else who's been respecting Luna as an individual all along."

"Yes, that does present a problem." Magnus frowned.

"I mean, by her own words she's already said she likes the guy. By all accounts you've already missed your chance." She announced matter-of-factly.

"That does put me in a rather poor-" He tried but she didn't even let him finish.

"Some ponies would call that a hopeless situation, you know. If you'd even dare to think about still trying to marry this princess then you'd really have to consider your chances. Some would call it impossible. You'd be out of luck a hundred to one at trying to come back from this loss and rescue this situation that you're in." She baited while waiting for the thick headed stallion to realize she was leading him on. "Why I'd say that fighting dragons would be easier than recovering her from who has her now." After that she waited a moment until eventually his eyes lit up in excitement. "There we go." She said to herself with a smirk.

"Well I'll tell you what Spitfire, I've fought against dragons before and I succeeded in coming out on top! I've never been one to shy away from fighting the odds and facing a new challenge in my life sounds like a grand adventure if it means making Luna my wife!"

"Oh yes, whoo hoo." Spitfire said almost mockingly while slow-clapping her hooves. "Way to go, I'm so proud of you."

Ignoring her antics Magnus raised his hoof in confidence. "Oh yes! I'm back in this game now. I'm going to romance Luna and show her that I can treat her properly! Why I won't stop until she feels like the most appreciated mare in Equestria!" He declared as if psyching himself up for battle.

"Oh yes, you get her tiger!" Spitfire cheered as she started bold faced laughing. But then she looked up in surprise as she realized Magnus had started running away. "H-HEY! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!" She called out after him.

"I KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DOOOO!" He shouted while continuing to charge off ahead and ignoring how many of the guards stared at him in confusion.

"Heh, go get her you big idiot." Spitfire laughed and then leapt down from the ledge to take off into the air towards Cloudsdale.

• A Few Hours Later -

Dark hooves reached up to stretch as an elegant mare was rising herself from her sleep. Licking her lips to moisten her mouth Luna sat herself up while pulling away her luxurious sheets. However what she didn't expect was to see a wafting of color sitting casually at her vanity table. "T-Tia? What are you doing here sister?" She asked, sounding perplexed.

The graceful white alicorn smiled kindly to her sister, taking her time to respond as if there were no urgency. However the bitter tone she used nonetheless left her sibling feeling otherwise. "It would seem that we have a situation, Luna." She explained and made no attempts to move as her younger sibling got up out of bed.

"What is it? What has happened?" Luna asked while looking at her sister seriously.

"Mmm, it would seem that your love life becomes more immoderate by the day." Celestia mused, candidly.

"What has happened?!" Luna inquired with a heavier tone now while feeling her tensions rise.

"Follow me…" Celestia instructed while Luna rushed to brush her mane out before quickly following after her sister.

• -

Celestia stepped leisurely while guiding them up to the castle rampants. There the two sisters stood beside one another to fulfill their duties of lowering the sun and raising the moon. After which, Celestia turned to rest her hooves against the stone barrier while looking out over the central courtyard below.

"Look down there and tell me what you see." She instructed while maintaining an air of patience about her.

Stepping over to the ledge the younger princess looked down and observed the situation below. "Well I see the castle courtyard sister." She answered in confusion. "I see a guard or two patrolling around and… wait, who is that sitting over by-" However that was when Luna froze and glanced back to her sister in disbelief. "Oh no!"

"Yes." Celestia mused a bit sarcastically.

"Not him too!" Luna sighed.

"Him too." Celestia replied, struggling hard to not appear as amused by the situation as she was. "Flash Magnus sits in waiting for you, and if I'm not mistaken, in the very same chair that another suitor recently sat in as well."

"Nooooo…." Luna pouted as she slouched down against the stone slab. Then without raising herself up Luna peeked an eye back up to her sister and asked, "All day?"

"All day." Celestia nodded while fighting not to giggle. "It would appear that Sir Magnus has heard about his romantic rivals' recent exploits and is attempting to follow suit in some display of competition with him. Or so it would seem." She explained while looking down at the pegasus waiting below.

With a sigh Luna picked herself up and gave a discouraged glance toward her sister. But then she trotted down the steps towards where the pegasus waited, sitting in a chair near the edge of the open courtyard. "Magnus, what art thou doing?" She asked him uneasily, feeling almost afraid of what his answer might be.

"Princess… Luna." He started suddenly but then eased into a calmer tone. "Please, before you say anything, allow me to apologize for this dramatic display. But I knew that if nothing else, this would grab your attention."

To this Luna gave a rather sour expression, sitting back upon her hind end while crossing her hooves showing she was not in the least bit amused. "You have it." She cast at him impatiently.

Magnus grimaced and cleared his throat uneasily. But then mustering up his courage he surprised her when he said, "I have come to release you from any obligation that I've put you under."

Instantly Luna's ears perked as her eyes spread wide. Her hooves lowered as if completely forgetting about being cross with him as she whispered, "Magnus… what are you saying?"

Lowering his ears and sitting to bring his front hooves together he said, "Luna, sweet Luna. When I proposed to you I admit that I had been foolhardy at the time to assume you had no other suitors to contend with. But I can see that you have found somepony else with whose company you clearly seem to enjoy more than mine."

"Magnus…" Luna said disheartenedly but did not speak further when he gave a pleading look for her not to interrupt.

"I understand in hindsight how I might have come across. I approached you as a princess, as a member of the governing body that rules our land when I proposed. But I see now that my mistake was not appealing to you just as a mare. That what you are wanting is to be seen for yourself and for your own beauty, and not for the title of which you represent." The stallion now had Luna paralyzed as she realized she had never actually considered what it was she wanted and found herself captivated by his insight. "But I never meant to make you feel that I would not be there for you personally if we married. Yes I focused on the social and political benefits. But the Luna who I know, that heartstrong little filly who rose to meet her older sister's grace and rule by her side, is a pony that is courageous, and brave, and beautiful. She is a pony who I would have deeply enjoyed spending a life with, in hopes that she could also be courageous for me just as I would have been for her."

"...Magnus." Luna responded tenderly.

"Your happiness was always included in what I desired. It was never only about the politics. And that was my mistake for not having stated that more clearly from the beginning." He admitted to her somberly. "So that is why, if you have truly found somepony else that makes you happy then the only honorable thing for me to do is to renounce my offer for engagement and step aside." And as he said so, the symbolism was not lost on Luna as he looked back towards the chair which Rayne had sat in and stepped himself out from blocking her view of it.

Now Luna was at a loss for how to respond to the situation. She didn't know whether to accept his renouncement or to reprimand him for being so dramatic about the whole thing. But the one thing she was sure of was how inextricably guilty she felt after hearing what he had to say. "Magnus, I…" She faltered as she struggled to think about how to respond to him. "Magnus I feel that the castle courtyard is no place to openly discuss matters of the heart." Then she lowered her head while outstretching her hoof courteously toward him. "Would you please do me the honor of having dinner with me tonight?" She asked him.

After wiping what seemed to be a flabbergasted look off his face Magnus smiled and nodded back to the princess. "Why… yes. It would be a pleasure." He said with confidence.

Standing back up now Luna gave a glance to her sister who nodded from the ramparts and stepped away to turn in for the evening, knowing there would be no need to wait up for them. Then while giving a flick of her horn Luna produced a parchment with a small quill which floated above. "Magnus, what exactly was the name of that restaurant which you invited me to once before? The fancy one in Manehattan."

Looking genuinely surprised now Magnus trotted in place for a bit before answering, "I believe it was…"

"Psst, the Cantering Cook…!"

"The Cantering Cook!" Magnus shouted before mouthing a thank you to a random guard passing by from behind while on patrol.

"Mmm, very well." She answered before glancing at the parchment and scribbling a message along. "To the reception of the Cantering Cook, I, Princess Luna, heredo request a table for two this evening. Please provide adequate seating for myself and one guest, and understand that the nature visit is to be a romantic one. Exclusivity and privacy need not be accounted for so long as other patrons do not interrupt our evening. If you would be available to accept my request then please respond in haste and expect our arrival imminently." Then after marking her signature she teleported the parchment away.

Magnus however just stood there trying to make sure he was not smiling too wide. "Luna I don't know what to s-" He began but she raised a hoof for him to be patient. It wasn't long at all before magic flickered from her horn and a return message appeared within her hooves.

"Mmm. It would seem that they accept." Luna said before turning to the stallion with a smile. Then batting her eyes at him a bit she stepped forward and placed a hoof upon his chest while offering a demure expression upon her face. "Are you ready to go?"

"O-f, ahem, of course!" He choked out before smiling nervously.

• -

The restaurant was definitely prepared to set the mood for when the two of them arrived. Lavish streams of red velvet with black satin ties hung all around. And upon every table sat a romantic candle lit scene with plates set out for two. Furthermore, since the establishment was also constructed at the top of a skyscraper, the cool night sky looked down upon the seating arrangements from the stars overhead.

As Magnus and Luna teleported into the main lobby the stallion looked around and whistled at the fanciful décor. "Wow, what a place." He said in awe but then straightened up somewhat alarmed as they were promptly approached by the host for the evening.

"Ah, your highness. It is a pleasure to serve you tonight. We have your table ready and I assure you that your dinner will not be disturbed. And is this your plus one?" A handsome blue stallion asked while standing before them in uniform to the other servers.

After he spoke Magnus quickly took notice of how busy the restaurant actually was. Eyes peered in their direction from all around as the shocked faces from ponies took notice that a princess would be dining with them tonight. However the ex-legionnaire decided to follow Luna's lead as she did not seem to be bothered by the attention at all.

"Yes, that is correct. And by all means, it is a pleasure to be served at the Cantering Cook." She announced just slightly louder than necessary while putting emphasis on name dropping the restaurant in a favorable tone. As was expected, hushed whispers spread from all around that a princess was stating her public approval of the restaurant.

A few minutes later the two of them were seated at a table near the corner of the balcony while the only two adjoining tables were purposely left empty. Luna crossed her hooves elegantly and spoke to Magnus with a smile. "Please, feel free to order whatever you'd like. One of the benefits of being a princess is that publicly endorsing a franchise not only draws in more business for them, but we as royalty may give a modest tax break to a company if we so choose. So any expense from our meal this evening will merely be deducted from that arrangement." She articulated to him.

"Heh, and I assume part of that would include being observed dining at the actual establishment." Magnus commented as every pony in the restaurant was trying to pretend that they weren't watching the two of them.

"Something to get used to if you still intend to pursue a relationship with me, Magnus." She commented lightly before looking up as their waitress approached the table. She had a gray coat but a light purple mane with brilliant yellow eyes. Luna thought she appeared a bit young for her position but the waitress held herself with poise even despite her visible nervousness for serving royalty.

"Hello there, my name is Lilac Pinache and I will be serving you tonight. I have brought you both your waters as well as the wine menu for the evening. And I can take your orders once you are ready, there is no rush at all. Tonight's specialty is seasoned roasted vegetables topped with a cucumber sauce marinade."

Luna struggled to control her grimace as that hardly sounded appetizing with the sauce that it came with. However Magnus chimed in with excitement before she had a chance to respond. "Oh well that definitely sounds delightful. Why don't you put us down for two of those?" He insisted while having missed the reaction on Luna's face.

"Ahem… do you have any fresh fruit perhaps?" Luna asked, quickly speaking up for herself.

"Certainly!" The waitress answered before also saying, "I can most definitely add that to your order for you. I'll get these into the kitchen for you right away." She announced before turning and leaving. Luna immediately raised her hoof to object but it was too late as their eager server had already departed.

• A Short Time Later -

"Oh, no! Haha! Of course I wasn't okay with it. His hat was the most hideous thing I had ever seen!" Luna laughed as she and Magnus reminisced over their dinner together.

"I seem to remember Mistmane requesting to check Starswirl over for poisons or mind control substances when he stated that he actually liked that old thing." Magnus added and Luna had to bring a napkin up to cover her face when she started choking from laughing so hard. However she waved that she was okay when the restaurant staff stared at her with concern.

"So Sir Magnus… how art thou settling into thy new position?" She asked while attempting to steer the conversation away from herself.

Setting his hooves upon the table Magnus leaned himself back in his chair and said, "Oh fine, just fine. It is an honorable role and it allows me to continue to do what I love. The work is much easier compared to the legion as Equestria is no longer in a state of expansion as it was before." He tried to sound reassuring but she knew there was more to come. "But to be honest it is still an adjustment because there is far more about Equestria that is different than what there is that's the same."

"And sometimes you worry that other ponies will forget you are from a different time and will just expect you to catch up with modern traditions immediately." Luna interjected.

"Exactly!" Magnus agreed. "You see, this is what I was talking about for why I think we would do so well together. We both can understand what it's like for each other in a way that no other pony can." The pegasus suggested.

Although Luna hesitated, smiling back at him but all the same lowering her ears. "Yes, well… we'll just have to see about that."

• -

"Princess? Hello…? ...Luna?!" Magnus called out. The alicorn jumped in her seat from where she had been zoning out, rolling a half eaten strawberry back and forth on her plate with a fork. "What is the matter? You spaced out on me there and you've hardly touched the greens that were ordered."

Luna faltered for a moment while offering her date an unease smile. "Oh, please do excuse me. I… simply seem to be off my palette tonight." She explained. "Perhaps the special was not the best choice for me tonight and the fruit, well…"

"Was it not served fresh? Did you find the food here not up to quality?" Magnus inquired while hastily raising a hoof to flag down a server until Luna rushed to stop him.

"No! No, please. The food quality is fine. It is… just as I'd expect it to be." She trailed off again almost into a mumble. Sitting in silence again Luna's mind wandered to having recently eaten food of a far richer quality. However as the silence grew even she became aware of it. Looking back across the table now she saw her date sitting patiently and it caused her heart to soften. "Magnus…"

"Yes, prin-" He said, eager to respond. However it caught him off guard when she suddenly reached her hoof across the table toward him. It was disarming how sweetly she was smiling at him. When he reached out for her hoof it brought a warmth to his cheeks at how firmly she held onto it. "What's all this all of a su-"

"Thank you." She said to him demurely. "Thank you for all of this." She repeated while gesturing around them. "You have been so very kind and more than patient with me thus far. This restaurant was a very romantic choice and I want you to know that I have been enjoying myself tonight. Even if… I have not been thoughtful enough to show it." She said, accounting for her actions bashfully.

Magnus did not seem afraid to show his relief to hear that. "Then all my efforts were worth it if they have provided you with a pleasant evening." He said happily. But Luna shook her head while she held onto his hoof.

"It has been more than pleasant, Magnus." She said to him gratefully. "You have been kind, and made every attempt to be thoughtful. You have shown your perseverance and determination. Thou hast giveth to me everything that a mare could ask for. And if you would continue to show that level of devotion towards being united, well then I would be a fool to think your offer is one to turn a blind eye toward." She said to him sweetly.

"Luna, does that mean?!" Magnus cheered excitedly.

"Mmm, at ease soldier." She giggled a bit. "You're still quite some ways off if you expect to be hearing bells in thy future. But what it means is that your request is not without merit to me." She responded affectionately but diplomatically. "You are a fine stallion sir and what I am meaning is to give you the reassurance that I do not take you lightly."

"Do I intimidate you, princess?" Magnus asked while trying to interpret her true feelings.

"No, that is not what I'm saying." Luna told him before frowning as discussing her emotions had never been her strong suit. "I feel… well anymare would naturally be smitten at all of this." She began while gesturing her free hoof to the romantic atmosphere around them.

"Smitten?" Magnus smiled, being surprised in her choice of words.

"You are a very direct kind of pony, even for a soldier. When you want something it is clear that hesitation is not in your nature. Admittedly I could see how that could be perceived as intimidating. But I am not one to cower and nor will I be frightened off merely by somepony who possesses the trait of too much honesty, let's say. What I am trying to express is that your boldness is appreciated."

"Boldness…" Magnus answered while contemplating her words. Meanwhile he raised his chin as he squeezed her hoof and she in turn held it tighter. The smile that spread across her lips seemed to tell him all that he needed to know.

"Yes, indeed. Confidence is a very attractive trait and you have shown it in abundance. Now, as you know we find ourselves in a complicated state seeing as-" However the princess did not get to finish her statement as she was taken by surprise when Magnus pulled her forward by her hoof and leaned across the table to kiss her lips.

…

"SMACK!"

The resounding ring of Luna's hoof across his cheek somehow echoed across the restaurant even with no walls in the outdoor patio to bounce the sound. Immediately gasps came from every watching eye in response to what had just happened. Furthermore from somewhere a picture flash was taken right at that moment as if somepony had been standing ready for it. Immediately two of the restaurant staff pounced upon a pair of ponies seated at a table in a corner but in the scuffle a pegasus managed to worm his way free and leap over the banister to fly off into the night.

Back at the table however, the two sat as if frozen for a moment with Luna's hoof still raised and Magnus' face stricken to the side. "You dare?! And just when I was complimenting thee?!" The alicorn shouted before placing both hooves upon the table and standing. "That is NOT what I meant by thy boldness! And I will have thee know that others who might aim to appreciate my hoof more than you would never act so brazenly as if to force me." She snapped, allowing her emotions to make her tongue sharper than her wit.

Then after standing from the table and turning her back to him she heard the pegasus say, "So it is decided then? Do you outright deny me, and my desire to stand beside you?" Magnus asked with the tone of finality heavy in his voice.

Now Luna's attitude broke as she realized this was it. This was the turning point for all three of them if she allowed it to be, and if she decided that her malice to be what swayed her decision for them in the end. "No, Magnus." She whispered softly and turned to face him once more. "No, I have not decided to reject you. Yet nor do I feel ready to accept your offer… or Rayne's for that matter."

Magnus sat there and took his time before he responded to her now. He did not immediately protest. Nor did he speak up defensively for his pride. Instead he took a deep breath and looked at the princess calmly. "I understand." He told her. "I apologize if you felt taken advantage of in this situation, that was not my intent. And despite it not being the answer I was hoping for tonight, I shall allow a lady her time to make a decision on her own." He responded candidly.

Biting her lip in frustration now Luna stomped at how difficult this was becoming to deal with. However all the same she turned from Magnus for a final time and spoke no more to him as she walked away from the table. As she approached, a stallion appeared who seemed to be the manager of the restaurant. She dismissively gave a glance to where two waiters seemed to be holding an undercover reporter down upon the floor until authorities could arrive. "Your service this evening has been exemplary. Please do not allow my date's behavior tonight to cause you worry, for I intend to leave a spectacular review for your establishment." Then after dropping an abundant sum of bits into his hooves she walked to the lobby before teleporting herself from the restaurant.

• Back in Canterlot Castle -

After teleporting in upon her balcony Luna wasted no time in shutting her drapes to her room with a huff. Then in haste she stepped to her door where the two bat-pony night guard straightened up not having known she'd returned. "I am not to be disturbed! Is that clear?" She ordered.

"Yes your highness!" They shouted. Then feeling satisfied Luna slammed her door.

Stepping back to her bed Luna paced her room once, then twice, before picking up a throw pillow and hurling it to her bed. "Rraaaugghh!" Standing in an almost combative pose Luna shouted, "Why must all this be so difficult?! Why cannot courtship be easy when getting to know somepony is supposed to be fun?!"

Then after tossing herself down to her bed Luna grasped at the very same pillow as self-doubt over her actions began to overcome her. Anger beset her due to what Magnus had done, yet shame crippled her mood realizing how she must have embarrassed him in public and doubting herself if she had overreacted.

And despite all of it, her panicked emotions left her with only one desire that she could not pull her mind away from no matter how hard she tried. "Why does this evening only make me want to seek his comfort all the more?" She asked why scrunching up her face almost petulantly against her own emotions.

After fighting and losing the battle against her own desires Luna rose from bed and procured a parchment with a quill from her night stand. Inking her message simply she wrote, "I desire to see you… Luna." And then enclosed the letter in an envelope before concentrating hard. "Please… find Rayne." Then she teleported the letter away.

A few minutes later Luna stepped out from her bathroom, teeth brushed and feeling refreshed. However as she stood about her room wondering about how'd spend the rest of her evening before sunrise she was taken by great surprise when her horn glowed and a letter dropped into her hooves.

"What?! No, no, no! This can't be from him! What time is it? What would Rayne be doing awake at this hour?!" She fretted while taking the letter to her bed to sit down before opening it.

However the nervous mare's blood ran cold with panic as she read the simple words, "How soon do you need to see me? I can be there now, if you'd want me to be?" Luna almost dropped the letter as she caught herself actually considering this. She embarrassed herself as she looked to her mattress and imagined what if she did invite him over tonight? She contemplated accepting, while telling no one of his presence. Then she gasped, bringing her hooves to her lips as she questioned herself. "Do I want that?" She said aloud, feeling a yearning between her legs.

Straightening herself up and securing control of herself for now she inked in response, "Tomorrow night, if you would be free? Please take me away from it all, from being a princess and the roles that I am forced to play. I am in need of a distraction, and rather desperately so. And while I do not care what it is exactly that we do, I feel myself wanting to do it by your side. I_ miss you Rayne. Good night." She nervously wrote, accidentally smudging the document as she wrote the final line. Then as quickly as she could she enclosed the letter in the envelope and teleported it away before she could change her mind. Although it was not without screaming in embarrassed terror after doing so.

• Only a few minutes later -

Spike had barely even registered that his bedroom door had opened as he lay sleeping in his bed. However as a large dark hoof began gently prodding him awake his departure from sleep was one that could not be avoided.

"Hng, what is it? Huh, Rayne? What are you doing in my room? And why are you waking me up?" He yawned without moving to where he lay.

"Spike, I'm sorry for waking you but I need your help and it's very important." Rayne whispered urgently. "If I were to ask you if you knew what 'movies' are, would you have any idea what I was talking about?"

Spike's sour demeanor did not improve as he just stared up at Rayne and blinked. "Look, I know I'm still short. But come on, despite my height I'm NOT a baby anymore. You don't have to wake me up just to ask me a bunch of stupid questions." Then he turned to roll away in bed.

However Rayne wasn't going to accept that as an answer so he reached out and rolled Spike back to face him. "Come on, I'm being serious. I'm asking as a friend." He insisted.

Giving an exasperated sigh Spike sat up. "Alright so, movies… big moving pictures on a white screens with a soundtrack playing from behind, yeah I know what movies are." He answered sarcastically. "Happy now?"

However Rayne just sat his rear upon the floor and asked, "And what would you say if I told you that this stallion here before you has never seen one before?"

Author's Note

Okay so every dog has his day and Magnus finally got his date. Who picked up on the noticable differences between how Magnus behaves from Rayne. Both have good intentions but go about it in very different ways.

Okay so for the references, The Cantering Cook was depicted in the show in season six, episode three. And Lilac Panache was just an OC I created for this scene.