Red's First Date

I'm not going to laugh," promised Terra. "I don't do that very often, regardless. You know me better than that. Unless you're dressed like some sort of clown, I'm sure you look fine."

"I feel like a clown," Red grumbled from behind the privacy wall. "All this extra clothing, the wacky mane, the shoes... Actually, no, I do like the shoes."

"Yes, it all looks strange," puffed Terra. "You look like some bizarre beastie from the third round of the seventh circle of the fourth hell.

"How do you know?"

"I don't. You haven't showed me yet. How can I possibly know what you look like?"

Taking a deep breath and releasing it, Red tentatively stepped out into Terra's view. "Well? Does it look weird, or what?"

Alongside the herringbone shirt, Red was wearing khaki denim pants, ironed to have a pronounced crease in the front. These were held up by a black braided belt with a silver buckle, with a decorative embossed goat head design. At the top of his shirt, he'd tossed out the idea of wearing a traditional tie, opting for a black suede bolo, instead, the clasp for which was the same one he often used for his cloak; a marbled jade disc. Up a little further, his green mane had been combed back and lightly oiled. He looked downright presentable.

"You clean up nice," nodded Terra. "Very handsome, clean and free of dirt and blemishes; you look good. She'll flip for you." As he looked over the outfit again, his smirk faded. "Combat boots? Really?"

"What? I polished them."

"Think about this for a moment. You're going to go on a date with a mare you only just met a few days ago. You looked rough-and-tumble when you met, and now that you've cleaned up, you're prepared to go directly into battle if she turns her head to look at your feet."

"Yeah, but I can't walk in high heels."

"I'm not asking you to wear high heels. But the rest of your outfit is begging for a standard dress shoe, or even a loafer. Steel-toed combat boots don't match."

"I'll look even goofier with those, and I'd be tripping over my own feet all night, which would make me feel and look like a clown. I'm comfortable in these, I feel like myself a little bit, and most importantly, I'm being honest with her. I think that's more important."

"And what are you going to say to her when she thinks you're there to fight her?"

"'You'll take my life, but I'll take yours, too.'" Red chuckled at his own joke. Terra pursed his lips, unimpressed. "'You'll fire your musket, but I'll run you through.'"

Terra took a deep breath. "Fine. If you want to wear your combat boots, do so. I don't make your decisions, I only deal with the fallout. At least they're not damaged, scuffed or gaudy."

"I said I polished them. You can see your face in the toe."

"I'll take your word for it. Do you have your wallet?"

Red's eyes popped open. "Of course I do." He shuffled over to his nightstand and picked it up discretely. "What kind of fool goes out on a date with a mare without being able to pay for things? Don't be ridiculous!"

Rolling his eyes, Terra tossed a few more bits on the corner of the bed. "Just in case you think things aren't going well, here's a buffer. Good luck tonight, I'll see you when you come back."

Red slipped the coins into his wallet as he walked out of the room. He was nervous, but he wasn't about to back out now. As he stepped out into the crisp evening air of the Everfree forest, he felt a chill run down his spine. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if he just turned around and went back inside. He was about to, but his hand froze on the knob. Something was compelling him to proceed with this date. Perhaps it was confidence, or perhaps he wanted to strike out in some kind of self-defeating ideal. He wasn't sure which, but he decided that he'd at least take the chance.

Turning away from the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters, he strolled through the Everfree forest toward Ponyville. He was feeling a bit more confident with himself, and every step just puffed him up a bit more. So what if he had never been on a date before? She'd liked him enough to accept his invitation to dinner, he had Terra's advice on how to present himself, he had a plan for the night; there was no reason he had to worry.

No reason, that is, except the voice that was compelling him onward. With the deftest of movements, Gelu had slipped up behind him and taken a minor possession of him. She was still upset that he'd not told her about his date, and could not pass on the chance to mess with him, nor could she move on from this without seeing the little tart that had stolen his heart. She wasn't innocent, either, the little wench, so Gelu's revenge would include messing up her night.

As Red turned around the bend at the end of the bridge, he did not notice the little black kitty cat resting on a tree branch above. He was much more focused on reaching the place where he was supposed to meet his date.

Alas, this cat was not your average, run-of-the-mill Maine Coon, as a first look might suggest. Sure, he looked fluffy and playful, but behind those big yellow eyes was the mind of a demon, roiling with thoughts of things that could only benefit himself. Granted, that's how many cats think, but this one was an actual demon, as was often betrayed by his sabre-like fangs. He was Umbra, the black shadow that plods silently in the night. And what he saw now was an opportunity for fun. Red and Gelu were going into town, and that sounded like a fun time. He could totally mess with them.

Leaping down from the tree branch, he strode silently through the shrubbery. He could keep out of their sight easy enough, and muck about with their efforts without their noticing. He was convinced that whatever they were doing, tonight would be one that none of them would forget for a long, long time.