Tiempo de Valsby FALGChaptersFeelingsSuitsBack to where we started fromCatching upEncounterDidn't tell you beforePrologue - ExpectationsTiempo de valsFeelingsFlare here friends, let me tell you this third part of my story. It's been three months since I arrived Ponyville with my brother, the last being two the most important. Just because of that mare. To be honest, I seriously can't figure out how I feel about Fluttershy; I mean, we HAVE been dating for two months now, but I feel them like going out with a friend, since we never talked again about "love" (of any kind) after I realised and told what my second cutie mark meant. It was some kind of indirect confession, because I have strong feelings for her. But I don't want to misunderstand what she makes me feel. Do I love her? Or just, like her a lot? Because there is a big difference between them. That's the most usual question that crosses my mind everytime I see her, or think about her. "What's the big deal? You'll eventually dump her sometime." Plaid told me when I confessed him this situation. "But I don't want that to happen! I never wanted that to happen with none of my ex-marefriends!" "You got over all of them, why would this time be any different?" "I don't know." "So? There you go! If you don't know how much different can it be, then it can't be different." he assured me. "It's not that easy, you don't know it because you never experienced it fully." "And you do know?" I took a moment before answering. "Not really. But I do know something for sure. I feel like I felt with my other marefriends when I'm near her, but there is also something else I can't clearly describe." My brother sighed, and said. "Well, if I didn't know you any better, I could say that you are in love." "But how do I know that? Many people describe the feelings one passes through when they are in love, but so far I never felt butterflies in my tummy." "Well, maybe you feel it different than most describe it." he suggested. "Or maybe I'm just too afraid of commitment." I thought out loud. He walked to my bed and sat down, we kept silent for a while until he spoke again. "Remember that one time you told me 'we only fear what we don't know'? I don't know when you heard that, and I don't really care. But maybe you can think of that, and put your thoughts together; maybe you'll find it easier." he paused "Look at me, I was afraid of making patches for a job, just afraid that the customers wouldn't like them, and now I have commisions!" he finished with a smile. I simply looked at him, and he patted my shoulder. "If you really love her (if it happens that you do), maybe you'll find commitment a bit easier after a while." he finished. "Thanks dude, you can cheer up a pony if you put your mind in it." "Nah, that's not my style." he said while walking away. I got out of the house for another walk around Ponyville; it was a sunny day, only a few clouds adorned the sky. At this point, it has become a habit for me to meet Fluttershy in the park. Sometimes I thought if it was mere routine or something else. I watched her play with her animal friends from time to time, while I rested my back on a tree, and every now and then she came to me to talk a little. But everytime I made some kind of approach to her, she quickly changed subject, and I had to deal with it. I am a friend, I can't be anything more than that, I always thought to myself. "Did you say something?" "AH! N-no nothing!" I replied, looks like I also said that out loud. She then kept playing with her friends. While I just reposed for a nap. I woke up a few hours later, the sky was becoming darker, with tones of orange. Fluttershy was still in the same place, her animals weren't with her anymore though; maybe they went to her house I thought. I shook her a little to wake her, but to no avail. So I thought of something else. With the maximum care I was able to achieve, I gently placed her on my back, horizontally from my body. And carefully I walked to her house. I knew where she lived, but I never got the opportunity to see her house on the inside. As I entered the cottage and lighted up a bulb, a few animals could be seen running and flying around the place. It was like her house had life itself. After some time admiring it's beauty, I gently placed Fluttershy on a sofa near the entrance door. She cuddled herself and I put a blanket over her I luckily found on the same sofa. As I turned to leave, I couldn't avoid looking at her; maybe I was in a trance, I don't know, but I walked towards her and gently kissed her on the forehead. I turned around again, only to find a white bunny with a serious face, tapping his foot rapidly. "I don't know if you can understand me, but please, don't tell her about that." I pleaded. He only crossed his arms, so I just kept walking and finally got out of the cottage. "Flare, you are so screwed." I said to myself. SuitsThe next day, mail arrived at my house, besides the work I normally got asigned there was also a letter from my dad. I called my brother to come read it with me. "Dear Flare and Plaid: How are things out there in Ponyville? Pretty good I suppose. As you may know by now, the Grand Galloping Gala is becoming nearer to date; and as you surely believe, we're invited too." "Why do we have to go to that dumb gala anyway? It's just too boring. Good thing last year got messed up, we were able to leave early." Plaid interrupted. "I do believe too that the gala is a bit of boring, but we have to because we are the sons of a former Captain of the Royal Army." I answered. And kept reading: "The Gala will be celebrated in less than a month from now, so I suggest you come to Canterlot before the day 21 of the current, most likely a half week before; if you agree, you can stay some time in Canterlot after the gala, before parting again to Ponyville. Hope you reply soon guys. Dad." I put the letter on the table of the living room. "What are you going to wear for the Gala?" I asked my brother. "I don't really mind, the same grey bow I used last year should be fine." he replied. "Haven't you considered of wearing a full suit? You know, with vest?" "Nah, I like to keep it simple." "Hey you know what? Why don't you come with me?" I suggested him while walking out of the house. "Where?" he asked. "Just come with me ok? Maybe you would like a suit after you meet her." "Meet who?" "One of the best designers in Equestria." I answered. And with that we parted off. A little bell chimed when we entered the Carousel Boutique, followed by a voice. "Welcome to Carousel Boutique, how... Flare! Fancy you coming here!" Rarity said while noticing me. "Hey there Rarity, I came with my brother to request you something." I told the unicorn. "Of course, how may I help you gentlecolts?" "We need suits for an elegant occasion." "YOU need that, I'm going only with that bow." Plaid interrupted. "May I know to what festivity were you invited?" Rarity asked. "Oh it's the Gala, the Grand Galloping Gala." I answered. "WHAT?! Nonononono I can't let you go to that festivity with just a bow dear... uh..." "Plaid." my brother told her. "Yes! Sorry, but I simply can't let you go to the Gala without my help!" Rarity insisted. "Really, thanks but I..." "Give her a shot, maybe you'll like it." I whispered him. "Ugh, fine, just stop bothering me." he whispered back "Fine, I want a suit too, but nothing too flamboyant, keep it as simple as you can." "Of course, I won't do anything you don't like. Give me some time to find my measuring tapes." she said while walking away. After a while she came back with her tapes, and called me first. "Can I know how you were invited to the gala dear?" Rarity asked while measuring me. "Well my father is a former Captain of the Royal Army. Now he trains the recruits, so he still has some contact with the Royalty." I explained. "Oh is that so? How many times did you attend the gala?" she asked with curiosity. "Pretty much since I was born, because my father was the Captain at that time." "So you attended last year?" "Yeah, but the gala ended early for some trouble." "Is that so? Do tell, what happened?" she asked. "Apparently there was a group that made some kind of ravaging in the festivity. My father's friends said that they were some kind of misf- errr, maladjusting ponies or something." I said, when talking to Rarity is used to use some elegant words every now and then. "Oh what a shame darling." she said with a hint of nervousness. "It's not that big a deal, just because of one year messed up, doesn't mean that such a festivity has to be cancelled." "I couldn't agree more." she said. "Well, I'm done with measuring you, do you want something special for your suit?" "No thanks, only keep it like this." I told her showing a pic in a catalog she handed me before. "Sure, as you wish. Please call your brother now." With that walked away of the rounded pillar on a side of the Boutique, and called my brother. My brother looked deeply at the catalog, he didn't see anything he liked so he asked Rarity for a simple black vest, he would add the bow to it, Rarity insisted on adding something else but in the end she obliged. While measuring my brother, the door of the place was opened. "Welcome to my boutique, I'll be with you in a minute!" Rarity greeted by reaction. "It's just me Twilight." the purple unicorn said. "Oh Twilight! What do you need dear?" Rarity asked still measuring my brother. "I came by to give you something." Twilight said and she looked at me "Hi Flare!" "Hey there Twilight, fancy meeting you here. What's up?" "Nothing much, I just wanted to give Rarity this..." she was about to show me something but Rarity stopped her in a hurry. "Oh Twilight, it's not good mannered that you show other people what will you give to a friend of yours." "But..." "No 'buts', please wait in my room Twilight." Rarity ordered. "Well, okay, nice to see you Flare." she said while walking upstairs. "Likewise." I simply answered. After some other minutes, Rarity finished measuring my brother. "Are you sure you don't want me to do something else to your suit Plaid?" Rarity asked while we were leaving. "I am sure, but thanks anyway." "When will our suits be done Rarity?" I asked. "When is the gala going to be celebrated?" she asked back. "The 21st of this month." Plaid and I responded at the same time. "In that case, I'll have the suits done in three days from now." "So soon? Are you sure?" I asked "Darling, you are looking at one of the best designers ever. I guarantee that if you come in three days from now, your suits will be done." she assured us. "Well okay, we'll come back in three days." I said. We left the Boutique and I told my brother. "Told you it was worth it." "Yeah, I guess you are right. but I ain't buying something I don't like." "You heard her, she won't do anything you won't like. You can be sure of that." Back to where we started fromThe next day I returned to the boutique to ask Rarity about the spending budget. Luckily we had enough funds to pay what each ordered. I was surprised that we haven't used the emergency chest yet. I also told Fluttershy that I was invited to the gala. "If my father allowed my brother to not go, I'd definitely invite you to go with me." I told her time after time. "Oh thanks Flare, but you wouldn't have to." she only replied. "So! I'd do it because I want to." I asked her what she'd do at the gala if invited. She replied that she'd spend the time with the animals and the plants in the gardens. "You don't take nature out of your head, do you?" She only giggled at that. Two days later I went to the boutique with my brother. To see if Rarity did finish our suits. Turned out she actually managed to. "So, what do you think gentlecolts?" "It looks awesome Rarity, thanks!" I told her while looking at my suit. "How about you dear Plaid?" the unicorn asked giving a look to my brother. He was still looking at his suit, though there was nothing much to see, it was a sleeveless vest with folds on the neck area. "Well, it is pretty nice, simple, and not many aggregations, I like it." Plaid said. "Glad you like it dear." Rarity replied. We tested the suits, to see if they fitted us. And so they were, so we paid Rarity and then left. "Told ya' it was worth it." I told my brother on our way to the house. "Yeah, I guess you're right." he simply answered. A week later we started packing a bunch of our stuff in cases, for when we go to Canterlot. I debated with my brother about staying there for some time and he agreed, and the gala was coming in a week and half. "When will we part?" Plaid asked. "Maybe tomorrow or the day after, I'm going to write a letter to dad to make him know." He nodded, and I started writing. I finished the letter and headed to the post office to deliver it. After that I decided to tell Fluttershy that I'd be leaving Ponyville soon, so I headed to her house. "For how long will you be there?" she asked. "Maybe a week or so, that depends on what my brother wants to do." "I thought you were the older one." she pointed. "I am, but I never do any decisions including others unless everypony agrees with them." I explained. "I'll be sure to write to you from Canterlot." "Oh you don't have to do that Flare, it's okay." "I will do it anyways." "Please stop." she cut me off "You'll just waste your time." she finished looking away. My heart started pounding again and I took a step back. "Flare sorry I--" "Don't. It's fine." I said. I turned around and headed to my house, a tear escaped from my eye. "You finally did it Flare, you managed to be a nuisance, good work." I told myself angrily. Two more days passed until my brother and I went to the train station; I looked around many times because I secretly had the hope of Fluttershy to come and say goodbye. But it wasn't such a big deal anyway, "I'll see her again in a week or so" I told myself. But I couldn't help it. Fluttershy was welded to my brain. We entered the train when it whistled. And a few minutes later we left the station towards Canterlot. After a while, my brother asked me: "Are you still thinking of that mare? Get over it Flare." "I can't, I really really can't." I told him through my front legs crossed in front of me, laying down on the bed. "What do you mean 'you can't'? You got over all of the mares you've been with, why not her?" "Because this is different! She is somepony completely different to others!" "You always said that about the other ones, and you got over them." "BUT I CAN'T GET OVER FLUTTERSHY!" I shouted at him crying. I covered my head with my legs and sobbed for a while, falling asleep in the process. When I woke up it was nightfall, my brother was reading the only book he ever read, and that he liked. "Did you ever thought of reading something besides 'Zombie Island'?" I asked him. "Oh you're awake. Nah, I never wanted to read something else." he responded. I turned around, facing up, looking at the bottom of the bed above me, thinking, exploring my thoughts. "You feel any better?" my brother called. "Oh, yeah yeah I do." "But you are not okay, are you?" I sighed. "No, I'm not." He put the book aside. "Are you still thinking about that mare? Why does it bother you so much?" "If I knew why it does I would have told you by now. Don't you think?" I told him. "Don't you have any idea why?" "I actually do have an idea, but I can't say for sure by now." "Why is that?" "Because at some point, things may happen, and eventually I'll figure out better." I explained. "Flaring, this feelings you got over that pony went like crazy after your coma. Why don't you think what happened in your 'dream' and figure it out?" he suggested "That's the problem, because I never fully know until somepony tells me, I can't make a decision or figure something on my own. And besides, you didn't believe in my dream." I told him. "What I didn't believe is that in your dream you asked Twilight to watch over me, while in the real world it did happen. It's too unlikely to be even coincidence." he paused "But's that's not the point! Doubt gnaws you, put your thoughts in order and keep on!" A silence took over the room before I spoke again. "I don't know, I can't get her out of my head." I said while covering my eyes. My brother did a long sigh. "I don't know what else to tell you then." he said while laying down on the bed. I looked outside and it was night time, I stargazed for a while before falling asleep again. Catching upWe arrived to Canterlot before midday, my father was awaiting us at the station and helped us with the cases. "Hey dad." I greeted "Hi Flare, nice to see you." he replied. He turned to my brother. "Long time no see Plaid, how's it going?" "Fine I guess." he simply said. We then headed home. In the house we installed ourselves in the room where we lived before we moved out. It was in the same conditions (maybe more clean) as when we left it. I headed to the living room and sat on the sofa in front of the TV. I reposed for a while, it was early, so I slept for another while. I woke up two hours later, my father was making lunch. "Don't you have to work today?" I asked him from the sofa. "What? Oh, no, I took the day off; I told Princess Celestia that you would be coming, she was mighty kind for letting me stay with you guys." Some minutes later he called us for lunch, and we went to the table. "So tell me, what's new in your lives?" dad asked us both. "Not much in mine." Plaid answered. "It wouldn't surprise me now. How about you Flare, how are you after that coma?" he asked again. As you should have figured out, I told my father of the coma and the dream I had (and how my cutie mark changed). I took a train to Canterlot the hour after Fluttershy took me to my house. I also acquainted my dad about our lives until that moment, so there wasn't much to speak of. Coming back to the dream, I didn't miss any detail, I also told him about my kiss with Fluttershy, but I never told him how she looked, just to prevent he tries to do something to help: it's not a good idea. "I'm fine, luckily I recovered my top condition a week later." "I'm assuming you'll be coming to the barracks someday." he said " 'Someday' is saying too little." I joked. After lunch I went for a walk around Canterlot. Everything was exactly as before, and now I had two reasons for saying so: it wasn't a dream, and 4 months had passed since I left, almost half a year. I know it may sound selfish on my part to take a walk when my dad took a day off because of us. But he had to catch up with my brother's life too, so I better don't disturb them. I decided to go to the barracks. I went back home and grabbed my weapons, and headed there. It was like always, soldiers training in dummies here and there. The spinning dummies were always left alone, what a waste. Something I skipped to mention before (besides that the barracks had no ceiling, making it outdoors), is that inside the barracks was a loitering and resting room on a side of the barracks, that was the place where usually the Captain was found when not training, and occasionally a few soldiers that weren't resting inside. When I saw that Shining wasn't outside, I looked in that room, and eventually found him sitting on a chair talking with a few of his soldiers. So I called him. "Flare! How are you friend?" he asked while coming to greet me. "I'm fine, how about you, how was your honeymoon?" I asked back. "Great just great, I..." he started "...wouldn't change it for the world." I finished. He looked at me confused. "Yeah, how did...?" I simply showed him my cutie mark. "We got a lot of talk to do Shining." "So the dream was not completely a lie." I finished. "Let me guess this straight, you get robbed, and a week later you get a new cutie mark because of a dream?" he asked. "Saying 'dream' is a bit of an understatement, I would call it 'realization'." I suggested. "Well, you got that right. But I still can't believe how did you knew what I'd say about my honeymoon." "Oh I actually didn't really know, the truth is that that was how what I imagined you would say about it. I didn't meet you yesterday Shining; I know everything you told me about yourself." I said smiling. "Yeah, yeah you do." he said a bit nervous. "What's the problem?" "Oh nothing! Don't worry." "Well okay." "Say, how did it turn out that you beat me?" he asked. "Oh well, maybe some kind of secret desire to not be a loser, I don't know." I answered. "So, you think you can defeat me?" "Please don't take it personally." "No no! Really, I'm asking seriously dude." I thought for a while. "I don't know, but I'm more akin to the idea that it won't happen even I put my soul while training." "But you are not sure, are you?" Shining asked again. "Exactly, I'm not sure. I'm not sure if I can, or if I can't." We remained silent for another moment. "Well, you know? If you want to, I'd be more than happy to have a combat with you." he said "You're not serious." "I am serious Flare, you are right that you never fought the way you wanted. So why not? Besides anypony could die the next day." "That brings my mood up way high Shining." I mocked. "Anytime." he joked back. I left the barracks and went home, on the way looking at the castle, seeing the preparatives almost ready for the Gala. When I entered home I found my dad talking on the phone. He hung up and I asked who he was talking to. "Oh I was just renting a carriage to take us to the castle for the Gala." "Can I use the phone?" I asked him. He nodded and hoofed it to me. I dialed Fluttershy's number, and waited. But I had no answer. I tried a few more times but to no avail. So I hung up the phone a bit dissapointed. "You alright Flare?" dad asked. "Yeah, I'm okay." "It's that mare isn't it?" "Yeah it is, but I don't want to talk now, maybe later or when I feel to." He accepted and I went to my room, and laid down on my former bed. "You're going to sleep again?" Plaid asked. "No, I just need to keep calm, so I'm laying down for a while, maybe until dinner." My brother didn't say another word and focused again on his work. EncounterSome days later, the Gala was officially being celebrated. I went with both my dad and brother in the carriage he rented, it was roofless, so we had the breeze of the night keeping us fresh. Well, maybe only me, because I was the one using a full suit. Dad only had a neckwear like mine, he took off his favorite blue jacket this day; Plaid on the other hoof did come to the Gala with the vest Rarity made for him, adding the bow before mentioned. It was a silent trip, both the way in the carriage and the walking to the castle. When we got there, there was a big row greeting the Princess and entering the gala. "Hey Flare." my brother called me. "Yea what's up?" "Remember when we got here last year, that an assistant greeted us, next to Princess Celestia?" he asked. "Yeah, what about it?" "Well, I was thinking, isn't that assistant actually that librarian friend of yours?" "Who, Twilight?" "Yeah, that one." "Well, I don't know. She COULD be, after all she is the princess' protégé." I theorized. "The princess' what?" "Let's just keep it at 'personal student'." I suggested "Yeah that makes more sense." Plaid agreed. The row moved from time to time, sometimes it took seconds to move again, and in others it barely stopped. When we were reaching the top of the stairs, I tried to look at the assistant next to the Princess, and when we finally were the first in the row I finally saw that purple unicorn. I first bowed to the Princess, and then shook the hoof of Twilight who was wearing a dress filled with stars. "So it was you that I greeted last year." I told her. "Hehe, yeah. It's strange that I didn't recognize you when you arrived to Ponyville, not everypony has scars like yours Flare." she said smiling. "Let's keep talking later once you are finished with greeting the guests." I said. "Sure, absolutely." Then my dad, brother and I entered the castle, into the Grand Galloping Gala. A few changes were made from last year, the orchestra was now much bigger. Its platform was completely filled with new members including those that played last year. There were other changes I can't recall now, so I'll just keep telling the story. I looked around to see if I found anypony that I knew, but none of them was at first sight; I separated from my dad and my brother to "explore", like I always called it. I only found these high-class ponies that were always invited to the gala, some of them were familiar to me, because of renown or because they were friends of my family. Some time passed, and a tall stallion with light blue mane and moustache came to greet me. He adjusted his monocle as he looked me up and down. "Hello Mr. Fancypants." I greeted "Hello there Flare. Boy have you grown quite a bunch." he greeted back. Fancypants is the most important pony in all Canterlot besides the Princesses. He and my dad are old friends, they met during his time as Captain. Fancypants asked my dad for help about something very serious, I don't what it was because he never told me. But after that, Fancy proclaimed that he would be in eternal debt with my father; so I can only assume it had to do with something too important. I never asked again about the subject. I haven't seen the stallion in a few years, he did knew I moved to Ponyville though, because my dad told him. "Well thanks mister." I replied. "What's going on in your life, now that you moved to Ponyville?" he asked. "Well, I have become friends with a group of mares, they are all very friendly back there in Ponyville. One of them is the one that greets the guests upon arrival." I pointed. "Oh yes, Twilight Sparkle, quite a pony she is." "Do you know her?" "Of course, I met her friends too this last year at the Canterlot garden party I was hosting. Well, I only invited one of them to begin with, but I assume that if you know that group of friends, you know who was the one I invited." "I could guess it was miss Rarity?" "Exactly" Fancypants paused looking behind me "Speaking of the queen of Rome, there she is!" I looked back and saw Rarity with a stunning dark pink and yellow stripes on the edges, with a golden tiara. "Hello Mr Fancypants." she greeted the stallion and then looked at me "Well hi Flare, mighty nice to see you here!" "Likewise Rarity." "So tell me, how do you two know each other?" Rarity asked us both. "Well, his father helped me with something very important some years ago." Fancy replied. "Wait, didn't you tell me your father was in the army?" Rarity asked. "He was the Captain of the Royal Guard back then." I explained. "Oh I see, looks like your father was a very thoughtful stallion." she complimented. "It was his duty, then again, he was always happy to help in any way, pretty much like me." I said. "I can see that." Rarity replied. "Do you know where your father is? I'd like to greet him." Fancy asked me. "I really don't know, but if you look around you'll surely find him." I answered. "I will do that, I'll be right back." he said while walking away. I turned to Rarity: "I should have been the one to say 'mighty nice to see you' to you." I joked. "I didn't know you were coming to the gala." "Oh I just started coming last year, Twilight had invitations for all of us." she explained. "Wow great, being the Princess' personal student does have some benefits." "Indeed, I was excited about how the gala could be. But it wasn't much as I expected it." "You're talking about last year right?" "Of course, however, I hope tonight gives a better impression." "You and me both." I pointed. "Wait, 'all of you'?" I remembered. "What about that?" she asked back. "Is Fluttershy here too?!" I asked impatient, grabbing Rarity by the shoulders. "Easy Flare! Please let go first." she said, and I obeyed "Much obliged." "I'm sorry." "Don't worry Flare, I understand your situation with Fluttershy. She told me much about you." My ears perked up. "She did? What did she say?" "I promised to keep that a secret Flare, sorry. Besides it's not right that you ask me what she said, ask her instead." "You think it's worth it? I mean, we haven't dismissed properly the last time we saw each other." "I am aware of that, and I'm sure she is willing to make things up too." Rarity paused thinking "But how did that happen?" "Well I told her that I'd be going to Canterlot, and write to her from there, and she told me I'd waste my time. I am sure I pissed her after insisting too much." "Anything else?" "She was uncomfortable, taking into account how she said it." Rarity thought for a while. "Well, you should know by now her personality; she is shy above belief, so she will feel uncomfortable when pressured too much. But I'm absolutely sure she doesn't hate you." "You think?" "I know Fluttershy, she wouldn't hate nopony." she assured. "Well, thanks, you make me feel better." "Nonetheless, you should still search for her, you two need to talk." "Definitely. Thanks a lot Rarity!" I said while trotting away. She just smiled. On the way, I ran into Fancypants again. "Oh Flare, I was about to come again with you." "I'm deeply sorry Mr. Fancypants, but there is somepony I have to find!" I said behind me while going away. Leaving a confused stallion. Didn't tell you beforeOnce outside, she walked in front of me for a while, why didn't I fasten my pace to be on her side? Was I still afraid or something? But we had our heads on the shoulder of the other. Those were my thoughts back then. She finally stopped in front of a fence, and she flapped her wings to sit on it, I did the same. We kept silence for a long time, well, at least it was long for me. But when I looked at her she had a smile on her face, looking at the sky. "What are we doing here?" I finally asked. "There are a few things we haven't told each other. I'd like to mention a few of them tonight" she responded without taking her eyes out of the stars. "Yeah? Like what?" "You tell me." "I'm sorry Fluttershy but I don't understand what are you trying to tell me." "You didn't tell me everything about your one-week dream after we got robbed." she said looking at me with aneutral face. "What? I told you eveything about my dream, why do you think I haven't?" "Because I didn't do it either." she responded, looking again at the stars. "What?" I asked again. "Well, I haven't told you everything that happened while you were passed out." she explained. "How is that?" "Do you remember what the board said about you in day one? During night time?" More colour on the cheeks. "Yeah? What about it?" I asked a bit nervous. "Well, I kind of am related to that reaction." "Fluttershy, I... like you" "H-how are you related to that reaction Fluttershy?" "Well..." "It's just that you're too beautiful Fluttershy." Fluttershy's point of view: Fluttershy was in Flare's room, it was late out there, but she promised herself she'd watch over him until he woke up. She only left the hospital to take care of her animals. But she slept every night in his room. "Can you hear me Flare?" Fluttershy asked him. Maybe she was going crazy she thought, to talk to an unconcious pony. "You know? They say that ponies that are unconcious are able to hear what others talk around him or her." He didn't respond. "Maybe I can try now. Well, here we go." "We know each other for just some time now, and despite that, I feel great near you, I can't realize why, but it's true. You don't have to fight two colts at the same time to prove yourself to me, but you still fought those robbers to protect me. I can't believe my life and my well-being means so much to a pony." She sighed, trying to relieve her nervousness. "Now, I'm just afraid we would not be able to share more time together. The doctors still say that you'll wake up in a week or so. But I can't get used to the idea that this is nothing to worry about." She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath before continuing, tears welling up in her eyes. "I don't know what I'd do if something happens to you. We only know each other for just a month but you made such a huge impact in my life, that I can't deny it." "I love you... Flare." And with that, she kissed Flare's inert lips. After a while, Fluttershy saw something different on his face, she saw colour. And quickly ran out to get a nurse. She told the nurse what she saw, but she kept to herself one detail. There was also a small grin on his face. Back to Flare: I couldn't believe what I was hearing, she loves me? "I didn't tell you before because I didn't want to ruin what we had; I mean, and what if the feelings weren't reciprocal? I wouldn't know what to do." Fluttershy explained. I just looked at her agape. I couldn't believe I made such a huge impact on her. "Well, since we are being honest, I'll confess my side of the story now." I said, and explained about what happened in my dream, during the train; but now I didn't skip the kiss, and I also told her that at the "supposed" next day, we woke up next to each other, covered with a blanket we shared. "I also didn't tell you before because I didn't want to ruin our frienship too. But everyday it was harder for me, because I didn't see you as a friend anymore." I explained "And with each day that passed that I've tried to flirt with you, and that you rejected, I was losing hope that maybe we could be coltfriends sometime." "So, do you forgive me for not being honest to you from the beginning?" she asked. "You don't have to apologize for that, sometimes you have to keep those feelings to yourself until the time comes." "You think?" "Absolutely, things have to build up before saying anything, well, that's my theory anyway." I said laughing a little. She giggled too, and we stayed hugging for a while, looking at the sky. When we got off of the fence, Fluttershy said: "I want to thank you for asking me to dance Flare, it was a beautiful time." "If you wanna know, I wanted to dance that song with my special somepony. I'm really happy it was you Fluttershy." I replied while stroking her cheek. "There is something I want to give you." she said, and looked through her dress looking for something. I waited a bit, and she finally grabbed something with her hoof and showed it to me, it was something yellow. "Um, forgive my silly question, but what is that?" "It's pegasi custom that, when they molt their feathers, they keep the first, so they can give it to their special somepony. It's a symbol of love and affection." "This is... your first molted feather?" "Yes, since you were coming here to the gala, I wanted to take this chance, as I wouldn't find any better one than this." "Do you accept it?" I looked the feather for a while, it was smaller than her actual ones. After looking the feather, I finally said: "I do." And with that she handed me the feather; the second she touched my hoof, I grabbed hers to secure it to mine. I drew nearer to her, closing the gap between us a bunch; I could feel her breath as she looked at me with those eyes of hers. And as we closed our eyes, our lips met, for the second time. It was like I felt it in my dream. I heard some flapping and I opened my eyes to see, Fluttershy was unwillingly fluttering her wings during our kiss. She only gave me a sheepish smile, but I just giggled. I put her feather in my chest pocket, and told her: "Wanna stay here for another while?" "Absolutely." Then I approached some bushes with flowers, and picked up a dark red carnation, and put it in her left ear. "Now, carnations don't have as much value as a feather, but I didn't want to be left behind." I joked "Though dark red carnations have the same meaning: Deep love and affection." She approached me for a hug, and whispered: "I love you Flare." Now, fully aware of my feelings, I said: "I love you too Fluttershy." Prologue - Expectations"So, what do you think we'll find in Ponyville?" asked the older brother. "Pretty much what the booklets and newspapers talk about it." the younger said. "But don't you have a little imagination? Don't you expect something besides that?" "Not really." The rest of their trip to their new home went silent, both started to get busy with their things to pass time, until the night came. "What do YOU think we'll find in Ponyville?" the younger asked finally. "Well, hopefully a group of friends to hang out with." the older replied. "But you aren't looking for just friends, am I right?" The older kept silent for a while. "You are both right and wrong." he said. "How am I both?" "Because I always look for something else than friends, but I'm starting to think I haven't got what it takes to last more than a few months." "Oh come on, mares like you for no reason, well besides being handsome and pretty. Why do they even end a relationship with you?" "Maybe because I give them a reason to like me?" "That doesn't make any sense." "Do you have a better answer?" "Uh, no." "Neither do I, brother. So I'm sticking with that." Half hour later, they both laid back to sleep, until the younger one asked out of curiosity. "Haven't you tried to figure out a better answer?" "Tsk, it's something I do always." the older answered. "And all this time you haven't come up with anything." "The truth is that, whenever I get too close to an answer, it slips away again." Some minutes passed, and the younger kept asking. "You won't give up will ya'?" The older took a deep breath before replying. "Nope." "You know you are only hurting yourself." "I know that, but a warrior never gives up." The younger only turned to face away from his brother. "You and your stupid expressions..." he sighed. Tiempo de valsI don't remember how much I looked around the castle to find Fluttershy, but I assume it was thirty minutes (more or less). I switched my pace between trotting and running, not very convenient if you have a full suit. When I was starting to run out of breath, I decided to stop looking, "I'll eventually find her" I told myself. I went to the bar to have a little drink, to refreshen me for a bit, but as I directed there a familiar shape was sitting in a stool, with a mane flowing gracefully below it. There she was. I approached her calmly, trying to regain my breath, and finally tapped her shoulder once my breathing was normal again. "Hey there." I greeted. She looked at me and coughed with her drink out of surprise. "Oh here we go again." was the first thing that crossed my mind while throwing my eyes around annoyed. After she regained her breathing, I checked her dress. A long green skirt reaching her hind hooves, decorated with some kind of light blue belt and flowers. She had a green collar, with a cyan butterfly to fasten it. Her ears were the exactly the same as the butterfly of the neckwear. And her front hooves had shoes that seemed to be entangling her legs like a plant. Authors note: Her dress is exactly the same as in "The Best Night Ever". I would have came up with another dress but I don't know anything about fashion, and I'd have to back up its description with an image. "Wow, you look... amazing." I could barely say. "Oh thank you, you really think so?" she asked. "You know me well enough to know the answer, Shy." She smiled at that. "How have you been? We haven't talked in a while." she asked lightly. "Well, to be honest, I haven't been completely fine lately." I told her after some silence. "Oh gosh, why?" she asked again. I looked away, maybe she didn't get my feelings for her. Or she didn't catch them, but I was sure I made them a bit explicit at some point or another. "Well, for starters because we didn't dismiss each other properly the last time we were together, and I want to apologize for that." "Oh no Flare, I am the one to apologize for reacting like that. You didn't know I'd be coming to the gala too, I wanted to keep it a secret but it turned out worse than expected." she apologized. "Really? Well that makes me feel better, honestly." "But... I do want to make it up for you." Suddenly an idea popped into my head, just as the current music was finishing. "I know what you can do. Wait here." I told her. I approached the director of the orchestra, and whispered something to him, while slipping a few bits on his pocket and a piece of paper, he simply agreed nodding. I then asked where the singer was, so he pointed towards him for me to find. I approached him with another paper, and agreed like the director. Then I trotted over to Fluttershy. "Come with me." I said while grabbing her by a hoof and taking her to the dancing area. I felt like my heart was about to jump out of my ribcage again. But did not hesitate. Just as we took a place in the dancing area, a song started, with a medieval-like overture. "Flare, I'm not good at dancing in pairs." she said. "Me neither, but I don't care as long as it is with you, Fluttershy." We stood on our hindlegs, I grabbed her by the waist with my right hoof, and closed my eyes for a while. Just as the real music started, I opened them. We moved calmly, but secure, trying not to get in anypony's way. When the song reached the singing, I sang along: "Time of waltz, it’s time that goes back where the usual thing we do is to start where the world stands and watches you turn around it’s time to love and bond. Time of waltz, it’s time to feel and say without speak, and listen with no hear a silence that breaks in the air a violin it is time to live. Kiss me in this time of waltz one two three one two three do not stop dancing now. Make this time of waltz one two three one two three to never end, now. Time of waltz, time to travel above the sun, beneath the sea not knowing if I lead you or get carried away. Not real time for me. Time of waltz, time to embrace the passion you love and make it twist and rise like a violent hurricane it’s time in twisting wreath. Kiss me in this time of waltz one two three one two three do not stop dancing now. Make this time of waltz one two three one two three to never end, now." I made her spin a few times, and we moved a bit faster as the music went on. I could feel she was having a good time, she looked at me deeply everytime, not out of fear, but because I kept staring at her too. "Kiss me in this time of waltz one two three one two three do not stop dancing now. Make this time of waltz one two three one two three to never end, now. Time of waltz that we use both two drawing on the floor of an old lounge with three dance steps, a love story is formed it’s time and in the end my time for you it is." We moved faster and faster, I was amazed that she was able to keep on the pace. I couldn't help but smile at her joyfully. Twists, lines, there wasn't a pattern, we just did what we felt; and by now our heads were resting on the shoulder of the other. The music finally ended, and the dancing ponies were all clopping their hooves at the orchestra. Fluttershy and I followed suit. And after that I bowed to her. "Flare?" "I'm sorry if this makes you uncomfortable, but I can't thank you with words Fluttershy. I just can't." I said while raising my head. She just looked at me for a while, before saying anything: "Well, but you wouldn't mind to come with me outside?" "Not at all."
FeelingsFlare here friends, let me tell you this third part of my story. It's been three months since I arrived Ponyville with my brother, the last being two the most important. Just because of that mare. To be honest, I seriously can't figure out how I feel about Fluttershy; I mean, we HAVE been dating for two months now, but I feel them like going out with a friend, since we never talked again about "love" (of any kind) after I realised and told what my second cutie mark meant. It was some kind of indirect confession, because I have strong feelings for her. But I don't want to misunderstand what she makes me feel. Do I love her? Or just, like her a lot? Because there is a big difference between them. That's the most usual question that crosses my mind everytime I see her, or think about her. "What's the big deal? You'll eventually dump her sometime." Plaid told me when I confessed him this situation. "But I don't want that to happen! I never wanted that to happen with none of my ex-marefriends!" "You got over all of them, why would this time be any different?" "I don't know." "So? There you go! If you don't know how much different can it be, then it can't be different." he assured me. "It's not that easy, you don't know it because you never experienced it fully." "And you do know?" I took a moment before answering. "Not really. But I do know something for sure. I feel like I felt with my other marefriends when I'm near her, but there is also something else I can't clearly describe." My brother sighed, and said. "Well, if I didn't know you any better, I could say that you are in love." "But how do I know that? Many people describe the feelings one passes through when they are in love, but so far I never felt butterflies in my tummy." "Well, maybe you feel it different than most describe it." he suggested. "Or maybe I'm just too afraid of commitment." I thought out loud. He walked to my bed and sat down, we kept silent for a while until he spoke again. "Remember that one time you told me 'we only fear what we don't know'? I don't know when you heard that, and I don't really care. But maybe you can think of that, and put your thoughts together; maybe you'll find it easier." he paused "Look at me, I was afraid of making patches for a job, just afraid that the customers wouldn't like them, and now I have commisions!" he finished with a smile. I simply looked at him, and he patted my shoulder. "If you really love her (if it happens that you do), maybe you'll find commitment a bit easier after a while." he finished. "Thanks dude, you can cheer up a pony if you put your mind in it." "Nah, that's not my style." he said while walking away. I got out of the house for another walk around Ponyville; it was a sunny day, only a few clouds adorned the sky. At this point, it has become a habit for me to meet Fluttershy in the park. Sometimes I thought if it was mere routine or something else. I watched her play with her animal friends from time to time, while I rested my back on a tree, and every now and then she came to me to talk a little. But everytime I made some kind of approach to her, she quickly changed subject, and I had to deal with it. I am a friend, I can't be anything more than that, I always thought to myself. "Did you say something?" "AH! N-no nothing!" I replied, looks like I also said that out loud. She then kept playing with her friends. While I just reposed for a nap. I woke up a few hours later, the sky was becoming darker, with tones of orange. Fluttershy was still in the same place, her animals weren't with her anymore though; maybe they went to her house I thought. I shook her a little to wake her, but to no avail. So I thought of something else. With the maximum care I was able to achieve, I gently placed her on my back, horizontally from my body. And carefully I walked to her house. I knew where she lived, but I never got the opportunity to see her house on the inside. As I entered the cottage and lighted up a bulb, a few animals could be seen running and flying around the place. It was like her house had life itself. After some time admiring it's beauty, I gently placed Fluttershy on a sofa near the entrance door. She cuddled herself and I put a blanket over her I luckily found on the same sofa. As I turned to leave, I couldn't avoid looking at her; maybe I was in a trance, I don't know, but I walked towards her and gently kissed her on the forehead. I turned around again, only to find a white bunny with a serious face, tapping his foot rapidly. "I don't know if you can understand me, but please, don't tell her about that." I pleaded. He only crossed his arms, so I just kept walking and finally got out of the cottage. "Flare, you are so screwed." I said to myself.
SuitsThe next day, mail arrived at my house, besides the work I normally got asigned there was also a letter from my dad. I called my brother to come read it with me. "Dear Flare and Plaid: How are things out there in Ponyville? Pretty good I suppose. As you may know by now, the Grand Galloping Gala is becoming nearer to date; and as you surely believe, we're invited too." "Why do we have to go to that dumb gala anyway? It's just too boring. Good thing last year got messed up, we were able to leave early." Plaid interrupted. "I do believe too that the gala is a bit of boring, but we have to because we are the sons of a former Captain of the Royal Army." I answered. And kept reading: "The Gala will be celebrated in less than a month from now, so I suggest you come to Canterlot before the day 21 of the current, most likely a half week before; if you agree, you can stay some time in Canterlot after the gala, before parting again to Ponyville. Hope you reply soon guys. Dad." I put the letter on the table of the living room. "What are you going to wear for the Gala?" I asked my brother. "I don't really mind, the same grey bow I used last year should be fine." he replied. "Haven't you considered of wearing a full suit? You know, with vest?" "Nah, I like to keep it simple." "Hey you know what? Why don't you come with me?" I suggested him while walking out of the house. "Where?" he asked. "Just come with me ok? Maybe you would like a suit after you meet her." "Meet who?" "One of the best designers in Equestria." I answered. And with that we parted off. A little bell chimed when we entered the Carousel Boutique, followed by a voice. "Welcome to Carousel Boutique, how... Flare! Fancy you coming here!" Rarity said while noticing me. "Hey there Rarity, I came with my brother to request you something." I told the unicorn. "Of course, how may I help you gentlecolts?" "We need suits for an elegant occasion." "YOU need that, I'm going only with that bow." Plaid interrupted. "May I know to what festivity were you invited?" Rarity asked. "Oh it's the Gala, the Grand Galloping Gala." I answered. "WHAT?! Nonononono I can't let you go to that festivity with just a bow dear... uh..." "Plaid." my brother told her. "Yes! Sorry, but I simply can't let you go to the Gala without my help!" Rarity insisted. "Really, thanks but I..." "Give her a shot, maybe you'll like it." I whispered him. "Ugh, fine, just stop bothering me." he whispered back "Fine, I want a suit too, but nothing too flamboyant, keep it as simple as you can." "Of course, I won't do anything you don't like. Give me some time to find my measuring tapes." she said while walking away. After a while she came back with her tapes, and called me first. "Can I know how you were invited to the gala dear?" Rarity asked while measuring me. "Well my father is a former Captain of the Royal Army. Now he trains the recruits, so he still has some contact with the Royalty." I explained. "Oh is that so? How many times did you attend the gala?" she asked with curiosity. "Pretty much since I was born, because my father was the Captain at that time." "So you attended last year?" "Yeah, but the gala ended early for some trouble." "Is that so? Do tell, what happened?" she asked. "Apparently there was a group that made some kind of ravaging in the festivity. My father's friends said that they were some kind of misf- errr, maladjusting ponies or something." I said, when talking to Rarity is used to use some elegant words every now and then. "Oh what a shame darling." she said with a hint of nervousness. "It's not that big a deal, just because of one year messed up, doesn't mean that such a festivity has to be cancelled." "I couldn't agree more." she said. "Well, I'm done with measuring you, do you want something special for your suit?" "No thanks, only keep it like this." I told her showing a pic in a catalog she handed me before. "Sure, as you wish. Please call your brother now." With that walked away of the rounded pillar on a side of the Boutique, and called my brother. My brother looked deeply at the catalog, he didn't see anything he liked so he asked Rarity for a simple black vest, he would add the bow to it, Rarity insisted on adding something else but in the end she obliged. While measuring my brother, the door of the place was opened. "Welcome to my boutique, I'll be with you in a minute!" Rarity greeted by reaction. "It's just me Twilight." the purple unicorn said. "Oh Twilight! What do you need dear?" Rarity asked still measuring my brother. "I came by to give you something." Twilight said and she looked at me "Hi Flare!" "Hey there Twilight, fancy meeting you here. What's up?" "Nothing much, I just wanted to give Rarity this..." she was about to show me something but Rarity stopped her in a hurry. "Oh Twilight, it's not good mannered that you show other people what will you give to a friend of yours." "But..." "No 'buts', please wait in my room Twilight." Rarity ordered. "Well, okay, nice to see you Flare." she said while walking upstairs. "Likewise." I simply answered. After some other minutes, Rarity finished measuring my brother. "Are you sure you don't want me to do something else to your suit Plaid?" Rarity asked while we were leaving. "I am sure, but thanks anyway." "When will our suits be done Rarity?" I asked. "When is the gala going to be celebrated?" she asked back. "The 21st of this month." Plaid and I responded at the same time. "In that case, I'll have the suits done in three days from now." "So soon? Are you sure?" I asked "Darling, you are looking at one of the best designers ever. I guarantee that if you come in three days from now, your suits will be done." she assured us. "Well okay, we'll come back in three days." I said. We left the Boutique and I told my brother. "Told you it was worth it." "Yeah, I guess you are right. but I ain't buying something I don't like." "You heard her, she won't do anything you won't like. You can be sure of that."
Back to where we started fromThe next day I returned to the boutique to ask Rarity about the spending budget. Luckily we had enough funds to pay what each ordered. I was surprised that we haven't used the emergency chest yet. I also told Fluttershy that I was invited to the gala. "If my father allowed my brother to not go, I'd definitely invite you to go with me." I told her time after time. "Oh thanks Flare, but you wouldn't have to." she only replied. "So! I'd do it because I want to." I asked her what she'd do at the gala if invited. She replied that she'd spend the time with the animals and the plants in the gardens. "You don't take nature out of your head, do you?" She only giggled at that. Two days later I went to the boutique with my brother. To see if Rarity did finish our suits. Turned out she actually managed to. "So, what do you think gentlecolts?" "It looks awesome Rarity, thanks!" I told her while looking at my suit. "How about you dear Plaid?" the unicorn asked giving a look to my brother. He was still looking at his suit, though there was nothing much to see, it was a sleeveless vest with folds on the neck area. "Well, it is pretty nice, simple, and not many aggregations, I like it." Plaid said. "Glad you like it dear." Rarity replied. We tested the suits, to see if they fitted us. And so they were, so we paid Rarity and then left. "Told ya' it was worth it." I told my brother on our way to the house. "Yeah, I guess you're right." he simply answered. A week later we started packing a bunch of our stuff in cases, for when we go to Canterlot. I debated with my brother about staying there for some time and he agreed, and the gala was coming in a week and half. "When will we part?" Plaid asked. "Maybe tomorrow or the day after, I'm going to write a letter to dad to make him know." He nodded, and I started writing. I finished the letter and headed to the post office to deliver it. After that I decided to tell Fluttershy that I'd be leaving Ponyville soon, so I headed to her house. "For how long will you be there?" she asked. "Maybe a week or so, that depends on what my brother wants to do." "I thought you were the older one." she pointed. "I am, but I never do any decisions including others unless everypony agrees with them." I explained. "I'll be sure to write to you from Canterlot." "Oh you don't have to do that Flare, it's okay." "I will do it anyways." "Please stop." she cut me off "You'll just waste your time." she finished looking away. My heart started pounding again and I took a step back. "Flare sorry I--" "Don't. It's fine." I said. I turned around and headed to my house, a tear escaped from my eye. "You finally did it Flare, you managed to be a nuisance, good work." I told myself angrily. Two more days passed until my brother and I went to the train station; I looked around many times because I secretly had the hope of Fluttershy to come and say goodbye. But it wasn't such a big deal anyway, "I'll see her again in a week or so" I told myself. But I couldn't help it. Fluttershy was welded to my brain. We entered the train when it whistled. And a few minutes later we left the station towards Canterlot. After a while, my brother asked me: "Are you still thinking of that mare? Get over it Flare." "I can't, I really really can't." I told him through my front legs crossed in front of me, laying down on the bed. "What do you mean 'you can't'? You got over all of the mares you've been with, why not her?" "Because this is different! She is somepony completely different to others!" "You always said that about the other ones, and you got over them." "BUT I CAN'T GET OVER FLUTTERSHY!" I shouted at him crying. I covered my head with my legs and sobbed for a while, falling asleep in the process. When I woke up it was nightfall, my brother was reading the only book he ever read, and that he liked. "Did you ever thought of reading something besides 'Zombie Island'?" I asked him. "Oh you're awake. Nah, I never wanted to read something else." he responded. I turned around, facing up, looking at the bottom of the bed above me, thinking, exploring my thoughts. "You feel any better?" my brother called. "Oh, yeah yeah I do." "But you are not okay, are you?" I sighed. "No, I'm not." He put the book aside. "Are you still thinking about that mare? Why does it bother you so much?" "If I knew why it does I would have told you by now. Don't you think?" I told him. "Don't you have any idea why?" "I actually do have an idea, but I can't say for sure by now." "Why is that?" "Because at some point, things may happen, and eventually I'll figure out better." I explained. "Flaring, this feelings you got over that pony went like crazy after your coma. Why don't you think what happened in your 'dream' and figure it out?" he suggested "That's the problem, because I never fully know until somepony tells me, I can't make a decision or figure something on my own. And besides, you didn't believe in my dream." I told him. "What I didn't believe is that in your dream you asked Twilight to watch over me, while in the real world it did happen. It's too unlikely to be even coincidence." he paused "But's that's not the point! Doubt gnaws you, put your thoughts in order and keep on!" A silence took over the room before I spoke again. "I don't know, I can't get her out of my head." I said while covering my eyes. My brother did a long sigh. "I don't know what else to tell you then." he said while laying down on the bed. I looked outside and it was night time, I stargazed for a while before falling asleep again.
Catching upWe arrived to Canterlot before midday, my father was awaiting us at the station and helped us with the cases. "Hey dad." I greeted "Hi Flare, nice to see you." he replied. He turned to my brother. "Long time no see Plaid, how's it going?" "Fine I guess." he simply said. We then headed home. In the house we installed ourselves in the room where we lived before we moved out. It was in the same conditions (maybe more clean) as when we left it. I headed to the living room and sat on the sofa in front of the TV. I reposed for a while, it was early, so I slept for another while. I woke up two hours later, my father was making lunch. "Don't you have to work today?" I asked him from the sofa. "What? Oh, no, I took the day off; I told Princess Celestia that you would be coming, she was mighty kind for letting me stay with you guys." Some minutes later he called us for lunch, and we went to the table. "So tell me, what's new in your lives?" dad asked us both. "Not much in mine." Plaid answered. "It wouldn't surprise me now. How about you Flare, how are you after that coma?" he asked again. As you should have figured out, I told my father of the coma and the dream I had (and how my cutie mark changed). I took a train to Canterlot the hour after Fluttershy took me to my house. I also acquainted my dad about our lives until that moment, so there wasn't much to speak of. Coming back to the dream, I didn't miss any detail, I also told him about my kiss with Fluttershy, but I never told him how she looked, just to prevent he tries to do something to help: it's not a good idea. "I'm fine, luckily I recovered my top condition a week later." "I'm assuming you'll be coming to the barracks someday." he said " 'Someday' is saying too little." I joked. After lunch I went for a walk around Canterlot. Everything was exactly as before, and now I had two reasons for saying so: it wasn't a dream, and 4 months had passed since I left, almost half a year. I know it may sound selfish on my part to take a walk when my dad took a day off because of us. But he had to catch up with my brother's life too, so I better don't disturb them. I decided to go to the barracks. I went back home and grabbed my weapons, and headed there. It was like always, soldiers training in dummies here and there. The spinning dummies were always left alone, what a waste. Something I skipped to mention before (besides that the barracks had no ceiling, making it outdoors), is that inside the barracks was a loitering and resting room on a side of the barracks, that was the place where usually the Captain was found when not training, and occasionally a few soldiers that weren't resting inside. When I saw that Shining wasn't outside, I looked in that room, and eventually found him sitting on a chair talking with a few of his soldiers. So I called him. "Flare! How are you friend?" he asked while coming to greet me. "I'm fine, how about you, how was your honeymoon?" I asked back. "Great just great, I..." he started "...wouldn't change it for the world." I finished. He looked at me confused. "Yeah, how did...?" I simply showed him my cutie mark. "We got a lot of talk to do Shining." "So the dream was not completely a lie." I finished. "Let me guess this straight, you get robbed, and a week later you get a new cutie mark because of a dream?" he asked. "Saying 'dream' is a bit of an understatement, I would call it 'realization'." I suggested. "Well, you got that right. But I still can't believe how did you knew what I'd say about my honeymoon." "Oh I actually didn't really know, the truth is that that was how what I imagined you would say about it. I didn't meet you yesterday Shining; I know everything you told me about yourself." I said smiling. "Yeah, yeah you do." he said a bit nervous. "What's the problem?" "Oh nothing! Don't worry." "Well okay." "Say, how did it turn out that you beat me?" he asked. "Oh well, maybe some kind of secret desire to not be a loser, I don't know." I answered. "So, you think you can defeat me?" "Please don't take it personally." "No no! Really, I'm asking seriously dude." I thought for a while. "I don't know, but I'm more akin to the idea that it won't happen even I put my soul while training." "But you are not sure, are you?" Shining asked again. "Exactly, I'm not sure. I'm not sure if I can, or if I can't." We remained silent for another moment. "Well, you know? If you want to, I'd be more than happy to have a combat with you." he said "You're not serious." "I am serious Flare, you are right that you never fought the way you wanted. So why not? Besides anypony could die the next day." "That brings my mood up way high Shining." I mocked. "Anytime." he joked back. I left the barracks and went home, on the way looking at the castle, seeing the preparatives almost ready for the Gala. When I entered home I found my dad talking on the phone. He hung up and I asked who he was talking to. "Oh I was just renting a carriage to take us to the castle for the Gala." "Can I use the phone?" I asked him. He nodded and hoofed it to me. I dialed Fluttershy's number, and waited. But I had no answer. I tried a few more times but to no avail. So I hung up the phone a bit dissapointed. "You alright Flare?" dad asked. "Yeah, I'm okay." "It's that mare isn't it?" "Yeah it is, but I don't want to talk now, maybe later or when I feel to." He accepted and I went to my room, and laid down on my former bed. "You're going to sleep again?" Plaid asked. "No, I just need to keep calm, so I'm laying down for a while, maybe until dinner." My brother didn't say another word and focused again on his work.
EncounterSome days later, the Gala was officially being celebrated. I went with both my dad and brother in the carriage he rented, it was roofless, so we had the breeze of the night keeping us fresh. Well, maybe only me, because I was the one using a full suit. Dad only had a neckwear like mine, he took off his favorite blue jacket this day; Plaid on the other hoof did come to the Gala with the vest Rarity made for him, adding the bow before mentioned. It was a silent trip, both the way in the carriage and the walking to the castle. When we got there, there was a big row greeting the Princess and entering the gala. "Hey Flare." my brother called me. "Yea what's up?" "Remember when we got here last year, that an assistant greeted us, next to Princess Celestia?" he asked. "Yeah, what about it?" "Well, I was thinking, isn't that assistant actually that librarian friend of yours?" "Who, Twilight?" "Yeah, that one." "Well, I don't know. She COULD be, after all she is the princess' protégé." I theorized. "The princess' what?" "Let's just keep it at 'personal student'." I suggested "Yeah that makes more sense." Plaid agreed. The row moved from time to time, sometimes it took seconds to move again, and in others it barely stopped. When we were reaching the top of the stairs, I tried to look at the assistant next to the Princess, and when we finally were the first in the row I finally saw that purple unicorn. I first bowed to the Princess, and then shook the hoof of Twilight who was wearing a dress filled with stars. "So it was you that I greeted last year." I told her. "Hehe, yeah. It's strange that I didn't recognize you when you arrived to Ponyville, not everypony has scars like yours Flare." she said smiling. "Let's keep talking later once you are finished with greeting the guests." I said. "Sure, absolutely." Then my dad, brother and I entered the castle, into the Grand Galloping Gala. A few changes were made from last year, the orchestra was now much bigger. Its platform was completely filled with new members including those that played last year. There were other changes I can't recall now, so I'll just keep telling the story. I looked around to see if I found anypony that I knew, but none of them was at first sight; I separated from my dad and my brother to "explore", like I always called it. I only found these high-class ponies that were always invited to the gala, some of them were familiar to me, because of renown or because they were friends of my family. Some time passed, and a tall stallion with light blue mane and moustache came to greet me. He adjusted his monocle as he looked me up and down. "Hello Mr. Fancypants." I greeted "Hello there Flare. Boy have you grown quite a bunch." he greeted back. Fancypants is the most important pony in all Canterlot besides the Princesses. He and my dad are old friends, they met during his time as Captain. Fancypants asked my dad for help about something very serious, I don't what it was because he never told me. But after that, Fancy proclaimed that he would be in eternal debt with my father; so I can only assume it had to do with something too important. I never asked again about the subject. I haven't seen the stallion in a few years, he did knew I moved to Ponyville though, because my dad told him. "Well thanks mister." I replied. "What's going on in your life, now that you moved to Ponyville?" he asked. "Well, I have become friends with a group of mares, they are all very friendly back there in Ponyville. One of them is the one that greets the guests upon arrival." I pointed. "Oh yes, Twilight Sparkle, quite a pony she is." "Do you know her?" "Of course, I met her friends too this last year at the Canterlot garden party I was hosting. Well, I only invited one of them to begin with, but I assume that if you know that group of friends, you know who was the one I invited." "I could guess it was miss Rarity?" "Exactly" Fancypants paused looking behind me "Speaking of the queen of Rome, there she is!" I looked back and saw Rarity with a stunning dark pink and yellow stripes on the edges, with a golden tiara. "Hello Mr Fancypants." she greeted the stallion and then looked at me "Well hi Flare, mighty nice to see you here!" "Likewise Rarity." "So tell me, how do you two know each other?" Rarity asked us both. "Well, his father helped me with something very important some years ago." Fancy replied. "Wait, didn't you tell me your father was in the army?" Rarity asked. "He was the Captain of the Royal Guard back then." I explained. "Oh I see, looks like your father was a very thoughtful stallion." she complimented. "It was his duty, then again, he was always happy to help in any way, pretty much like me." I said. "I can see that." Rarity replied. "Do you know where your father is? I'd like to greet him." Fancy asked me. "I really don't know, but if you look around you'll surely find him." I answered. "I will do that, I'll be right back." he said while walking away. I turned to Rarity: "I should have been the one to say 'mighty nice to see you' to you." I joked. "I didn't know you were coming to the gala." "Oh I just started coming last year, Twilight had invitations for all of us." she explained. "Wow great, being the Princess' personal student does have some benefits." "Indeed, I was excited about how the gala could be. But it wasn't much as I expected it." "You're talking about last year right?" "Of course, however, I hope tonight gives a better impression." "You and me both." I pointed. "Wait, 'all of you'?" I remembered. "What about that?" she asked back. "Is Fluttershy here too?!" I asked impatient, grabbing Rarity by the shoulders. "Easy Flare! Please let go first." she said, and I obeyed "Much obliged." "I'm sorry." "Don't worry Flare, I understand your situation with Fluttershy. She told me much about you." My ears perked up. "She did? What did she say?" "I promised to keep that a secret Flare, sorry. Besides it's not right that you ask me what she said, ask her instead." "You think it's worth it? I mean, we haven't dismissed properly the last time we saw each other." "I am aware of that, and I'm sure she is willing to make things up too." Rarity paused thinking "But how did that happen?" "Well I told her that I'd be going to Canterlot, and write to her from there, and she told me I'd waste my time. I am sure I pissed her after insisting too much." "Anything else?" "She was uncomfortable, taking into account how she said it." Rarity thought for a while. "Well, you should know by now her personality; she is shy above belief, so she will feel uncomfortable when pressured too much. But I'm absolutely sure she doesn't hate you." "You think?" "I know Fluttershy, she wouldn't hate nopony." she assured. "Well, thanks, you make me feel better." "Nonetheless, you should still search for her, you two need to talk." "Definitely. Thanks a lot Rarity!" I said while trotting away. She just smiled. On the way, I ran into Fancypants again. "Oh Flare, I was about to come again with you." "I'm deeply sorry Mr. Fancypants, but there is somepony I have to find!" I said behind me while going away. Leaving a confused stallion.
Didn't tell you beforeOnce outside, she walked in front of me for a while, why didn't I fasten my pace to be on her side? Was I still afraid or something? But we had our heads on the shoulder of the other. Those were my thoughts back then. She finally stopped in front of a fence, and she flapped her wings to sit on it, I did the same. We kept silence for a long time, well, at least it was long for me. But when I looked at her she had a smile on her face, looking at the sky. "What are we doing here?" I finally asked. "There are a few things we haven't told each other. I'd like to mention a few of them tonight" she responded without taking her eyes out of the stars. "Yeah? Like what?" "You tell me." "I'm sorry Fluttershy but I don't understand what are you trying to tell me." "You didn't tell me everything about your one-week dream after we got robbed." she said looking at me with aneutral face. "What? I told you eveything about my dream, why do you think I haven't?" "Because I didn't do it either." she responded, looking again at the stars. "What?" I asked again. "Well, I haven't told you everything that happened while you were passed out." she explained. "How is that?" "Do you remember what the board said about you in day one? During night time?" More colour on the cheeks. "Yeah? What about it?" I asked a bit nervous. "Well, I kind of am related to that reaction." "Fluttershy, I... like you" "H-how are you related to that reaction Fluttershy?" "Well..." "It's just that you're too beautiful Fluttershy." Fluttershy's point of view: Fluttershy was in Flare's room, it was late out there, but she promised herself she'd watch over him until he woke up. She only left the hospital to take care of her animals. But she slept every night in his room. "Can you hear me Flare?" Fluttershy asked him. Maybe she was going crazy she thought, to talk to an unconcious pony. "You know? They say that ponies that are unconcious are able to hear what others talk around him or her." He didn't respond. "Maybe I can try now. Well, here we go." "We know each other for just some time now, and despite that, I feel great near you, I can't realize why, but it's true. You don't have to fight two colts at the same time to prove yourself to me, but you still fought those robbers to protect me. I can't believe my life and my well-being means so much to a pony." She sighed, trying to relieve her nervousness. "Now, I'm just afraid we would not be able to share more time together. The doctors still say that you'll wake up in a week or so. But I can't get used to the idea that this is nothing to worry about." She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath before continuing, tears welling up in her eyes. "I don't know what I'd do if something happens to you. We only know each other for just a month but you made such a huge impact in my life, that I can't deny it." "I love you... Flare." And with that, she kissed Flare's inert lips. After a while, Fluttershy saw something different on his face, she saw colour. And quickly ran out to get a nurse. She told the nurse what she saw, but she kept to herself one detail. There was also a small grin on his face. Back to Flare: I couldn't believe what I was hearing, she loves me? "I didn't tell you before because I didn't want to ruin what we had; I mean, and what if the feelings weren't reciprocal? I wouldn't know what to do." Fluttershy explained. I just looked at her agape. I couldn't believe I made such a huge impact on her. "Well, since we are being honest, I'll confess my side of the story now." I said, and explained about what happened in my dream, during the train; but now I didn't skip the kiss, and I also told her that at the "supposed" next day, we woke up next to each other, covered with a blanket we shared. "I also didn't tell you before because I didn't want to ruin our frienship too. But everyday it was harder for me, because I didn't see you as a friend anymore." I explained "And with each day that passed that I've tried to flirt with you, and that you rejected, I was losing hope that maybe we could be coltfriends sometime." "So, do you forgive me for not being honest to you from the beginning?" she asked. "You don't have to apologize for that, sometimes you have to keep those feelings to yourself until the time comes." "You think?" "Absolutely, things have to build up before saying anything, well, that's my theory anyway." I said laughing a little. She giggled too, and we stayed hugging for a while, looking at the sky. When we got off of the fence, Fluttershy said: "I want to thank you for asking me to dance Flare, it was a beautiful time." "If you wanna know, I wanted to dance that song with my special somepony. I'm really happy it was you Fluttershy." I replied while stroking her cheek. "There is something I want to give you." she said, and looked through her dress looking for something. I waited a bit, and she finally grabbed something with her hoof and showed it to me, it was something yellow. "Um, forgive my silly question, but what is that?" "It's pegasi custom that, when they molt their feathers, they keep the first, so they can give it to their special somepony. It's a symbol of love and affection." "This is... your first molted feather?" "Yes, since you were coming here to the gala, I wanted to take this chance, as I wouldn't find any better one than this." "Do you accept it?" I looked the feather for a while, it was smaller than her actual ones. After looking the feather, I finally said: "I do." And with that she handed me the feather; the second she touched my hoof, I grabbed hers to secure it to mine. I drew nearer to her, closing the gap between us a bunch; I could feel her breath as she looked at me with those eyes of hers. And as we closed our eyes, our lips met, for the second time. It was like I felt it in my dream. I heard some flapping and I opened my eyes to see, Fluttershy was unwillingly fluttering her wings during our kiss. She only gave me a sheepish smile, but I just giggled. I put her feather in my chest pocket, and told her: "Wanna stay here for another while?" "Absolutely." Then I approached some bushes with flowers, and picked up a dark red carnation, and put it in her left ear. "Now, carnations don't have as much value as a feather, but I didn't want to be left behind." I joked "Though dark red carnations have the same meaning: Deep love and affection." She approached me for a hug, and whispered: "I love you Flare." Now, fully aware of my feelings, I said: "I love you too Fluttershy."
Prologue - Expectations"So, what do you think we'll find in Ponyville?" asked the older brother. "Pretty much what the booklets and newspapers talk about it." the younger said. "But don't you have a little imagination? Don't you expect something besides that?" "Not really." The rest of their trip to their new home went silent, both started to get busy with their things to pass time, until the night came. "What do YOU think we'll find in Ponyville?" the younger asked finally. "Well, hopefully a group of friends to hang out with." the older replied. "But you aren't looking for just friends, am I right?" The older kept silent for a while. "You are both right and wrong." he said. "How am I both?" "Because I always look for something else than friends, but I'm starting to think I haven't got what it takes to last more than a few months." "Oh come on, mares like you for no reason, well besides being handsome and pretty. Why do they even end a relationship with you?" "Maybe because I give them a reason to like me?" "That doesn't make any sense." "Do you have a better answer?" "Uh, no." "Neither do I, brother. So I'm sticking with that." Half hour later, they both laid back to sleep, until the younger one asked out of curiosity. "Haven't you tried to figure out a better answer?" "Tsk, it's something I do always." the older answered. "And all this time you haven't come up with anything." "The truth is that, whenever I get too close to an answer, it slips away again." Some minutes passed, and the younger kept asking. "You won't give up will ya'?" The older took a deep breath before replying. "Nope." "You know you are only hurting yourself." "I know that, but a warrior never gives up." The younger only turned to face away from his brother. "You and your stupid expressions..." he sighed.
Tiempo de valsI don't remember how much I looked around the castle to find Fluttershy, but I assume it was thirty minutes (more or less). I switched my pace between trotting and running, not very convenient if you have a full suit. When I was starting to run out of breath, I decided to stop looking, "I'll eventually find her" I told myself. I went to the bar to have a little drink, to refreshen me for a bit, but as I directed there a familiar shape was sitting in a stool, with a mane flowing gracefully below it. There she was. I approached her calmly, trying to regain my breath, and finally tapped her shoulder once my breathing was normal again. "Hey there." I greeted. She looked at me and coughed with her drink out of surprise. "Oh here we go again." was the first thing that crossed my mind while throwing my eyes around annoyed. After she regained her breathing, I checked her dress. A long green skirt reaching her hind hooves, decorated with some kind of light blue belt and flowers. She had a green collar, with a cyan butterfly to fasten it. Her ears were the exactly the same as the butterfly of the neckwear. And her front hooves had shoes that seemed to be entangling her legs like a plant. Authors note: Her dress is exactly the same as in "The Best Night Ever". I would have came up with another dress but I don't know anything about fashion, and I'd have to back up its description with an image. "Wow, you look... amazing." I could barely say. "Oh thank you, you really think so?" she asked. "You know me well enough to know the answer, Shy." She smiled at that. "How have you been? We haven't talked in a while." she asked lightly. "Well, to be honest, I haven't been completely fine lately." I told her after some silence. "Oh gosh, why?" she asked again. I looked away, maybe she didn't get my feelings for her. Or she didn't catch them, but I was sure I made them a bit explicit at some point or another. "Well, for starters because we didn't dismiss each other properly the last time we were together, and I want to apologize for that." "Oh no Flare, I am the one to apologize for reacting like that. You didn't know I'd be coming to the gala too, I wanted to keep it a secret but it turned out worse than expected." she apologized. "Really? Well that makes me feel better, honestly." "But... I do want to make it up for you." Suddenly an idea popped into my head, just as the current music was finishing. "I know what you can do. Wait here." I told her. I approached the director of the orchestra, and whispered something to him, while slipping a few bits on his pocket and a piece of paper, he simply agreed nodding. I then asked where the singer was, so he pointed towards him for me to find. I approached him with another paper, and agreed like the director. Then I trotted over to Fluttershy. "Come with me." I said while grabbing her by a hoof and taking her to the dancing area. I felt like my heart was about to jump out of my ribcage again. But did not hesitate. Just as we took a place in the dancing area, a song started, with a medieval-like overture. "Flare, I'm not good at dancing in pairs." she said. "Me neither, but I don't care as long as it is with you, Fluttershy." We stood on our hindlegs, I grabbed her by the waist with my right hoof, and closed my eyes for a while. Just as the real music started, I opened them. We moved calmly, but secure, trying not to get in anypony's way. When the song reached the singing, I sang along: "Time of waltz, it’s time that goes back where the usual thing we do is to start where the world stands and watches you turn around it’s time to love and bond. Time of waltz, it’s time to feel and say without speak, and listen with no hear a silence that breaks in the air a violin it is time to live. Kiss me in this time of waltz one two three one two three do not stop dancing now. Make this time of waltz one two three one two three to never end, now. Time of waltz, time to travel above the sun, beneath the sea not knowing if I lead you or get carried away. Not real time for me. Time of waltz, time to embrace the passion you love and make it twist and rise like a violent hurricane it’s time in twisting wreath. Kiss me in this time of waltz one two three one two three do not stop dancing now. Make this time of waltz one two three one two three to never end, now." I made her spin a few times, and we moved a bit faster as the music went on. I could feel she was having a good time, she looked at me deeply everytime, not out of fear, but because I kept staring at her too. "Kiss me in this time of waltz one two three one two three do not stop dancing now. Make this time of waltz one two three one two three to never end, now. Time of waltz that we use both two drawing on the floor of an old lounge with three dance steps, a love story is formed it’s time and in the end my time for you it is." We moved faster and faster, I was amazed that she was able to keep on the pace. I couldn't help but smile at her joyfully. Twists, lines, there wasn't a pattern, we just did what we felt; and by now our heads were resting on the shoulder of the other. The music finally ended, and the dancing ponies were all clopping their hooves at the orchestra. Fluttershy and I followed suit. And after that I bowed to her. "Flare?" "I'm sorry if this makes you uncomfortable, but I can't thank you with words Fluttershy. I just can't." I said while raising my head. She just looked at me for a while, before saying anything: "Well, but you wouldn't mind to come with me outside?" "Not at all."
