Starstruck

James awoke the next morning his bed that Twilight resized.He got up and did his morning push-ups starting to count each one.As he was exercising,a knock on his door got his attention.Twilight's voice was heard on the other end.

"James?Are you awake?"She asked.

"I am!" He replied.

She opened the door and raised a brow at him.

"What are you doing?"

"Just keeping in shape.I can't be going fat on everybody."He answered.

"Oh,ok.Once you've finished how about we run some tests.I might ask some personal questions too if don't mind,of course!"she said excitedly.

He chuckled and shook his head.

"Alright,Twi.I suppose we can."

Twilight clasped her together and looked like someone told her Christmas was coming early.

"YES!I can't wait to learn about your culture,how your laws are,everything!"

She runs out the room and left James who watched her with a smile.If it was one pony he liked knowing,it was Twilight.She was cute when she is excited.

He got dressed and walked to the the study area of the castle where he saw Starlight reading.He greeted her with a warm smile.

"Good morning,Starlight.I see you are up and at them."

"Yep.Just some books Twilight wanted me to read.She gonna quiz me on them later.I hope I don't screw this up."She said as she flipped a page.

"Don't worry,Star.I have faith in you.You are just as smart as Twilight when it comes to magic."

She smiled at his compliment with a blush on her face.

"Thanks,James.That's very sweet of you."

"Just telling the truth."He said."By the way,have you seen Twilight?She said she'll be here."

Starlight looked behind him as he started to notice.

"She's behind me.Isn't she?"

Before he can say something,he was pulled into a chair where the mare in question gave him a barrage of question to which he answered.

'This will be a long morning."thought James as he continued to answer questions.

Later that day.....

James sighed as he stretched his back and decided he would find work so he can afford his own place.Staying with Twilight was okay,but he did like pulling his own weight.So he went towards Sweet Apple Acres and saw Applejack talking with her brother.Once she saw James approaching,she called out to him.

"Well howdy,James.Didn't expect to see you here."

"Well I decided that I needed to find work so I can afford my own place.Staying with Twilight is fine,it's just I don't want to be a freeloader."

Applejack nodded understanding and smiled.

"No worries,partner.I think we can hire you on.After what Pinkie pulled,I suppose we can afford one more helper.Besides we can use all the help we can get."

"Thanks,AJ.I appreciate the opportunity you are giving me."James said.

"Ah shucks!Think nothing of it,sugar.Now we got some baskets that need carrying to the barn.Do you think you can do that?"

"Carrying apples,alright on it."James said with a confident smirk.

They got to work on bucking the apples where they fell into the basket while James carried each one to the barn.This process went on for some time causing James to sweat a little.Once they were on the last tree,James carried the final basket to the barn where he saw Applejack's little sister with cup of some apple juice for him.

"Thanks for the drink,kid."He said as he took the glass and ruffled her hair which caused her to cutely giggle.

He took a sip of the delicious crisp apple juice which was refreshing.He looked over to see Applejack carrying a large sack which he guessed was his payment.

"Here you go,sugar.You did an outstanding job today."She said honestly.

He took the bag and thanked Applejack as he walked off the farm and into town.There he saw a bunch of market stalls until something caught his eye.In one of the stalls,there was an stallion who was selling bunch of random things.One of those things was a strange rapier sword(Imagine the trick rapier weapon from Bloodborne).He walked up to the stall as the stallion greeted him.

"Hello,my friend.See anything you like?"

"How much for the sword?"asked James.

"The rapier?50 bits."

James noticed he had 100 bits but still wanted to save as much as he can.

"How about 30 bits for it." James bargained.

The stallion thought it over and smiled.

"35 bits and it is yours."

"Deal."James said as he handed the stallion the bits.

He hooked the sheath to his side and placed the sword inside it.He then got curious about the low price and decided to ask the owner about it.

"Why sell it cheap?If don't mind me asking."

The stallion gave a tired sigh and told him.

"My wife wants the extra bits so I sold most of my grandfather's valuables.Including that enchanted sword you bought."

"Wait,this thing is enchanted?"James asked.

"Yep.It was enchanted to where it won't break or dull.Plus the sword has an pistol mechanism on it.It served my grandfather well in his service to Princess Celestia a decade ago.Now it just collects dust in my house."

"So you don't mind me taking it?Even if it's a family heirloom?"asked James with a frown.

"No.It needs a new owner and it looks like it chosen you.Good luck,kid.I hope that sword serves you well."

James thanked him and walked back to the castle where Spike greeted him.

"Hey,James.What's up?"

"Nothing much just got a job and a new sword as well."said James as he showed Spike his pistol rapier.

"Woah!That's so cool!Now nobody will mess with you!"

"I hope not.I only wanted to train with it."stated James.

"You never know when the time arises when you need it.Well I best be off to Rarity's.See ya,James!"

He said waved to the dragon and he headed back inside the castle.He went back to his room and put up his sword up.He also took ca shower to get take care of all the sweat.Once he got done,he went towards the library again.There he saw Starlight reading.He admired the way she focused on each word making a cute serious face as she read.He sat across from her as she still read.She looked up and looked surprised to see James sitting in front of her.

"James!How was your trip into town?"

"It was good.I manage to make some money and I even bought this enchanted sword off this one guy.What about you,beautiful?Did you finally pass Twilight's test?"

She blushed when he called her beautiful and giggled.

"Yep,I've passed it with flying colors.Now I got the free time to do what I want."

"What are planning on doing?"he asked.

"I don't know.This is one of the rare times that Twilight gives me a break from studying.Why?Did you have something in mind?"

James then remembered the advice his grandpa told him.

"Starlight?How would you like to go on a date with me?"