The war hero's shadow

Once the deal was struck and Flurry got her gloating out of her system the two started to make their way to the dining room or rather a hall in Cecil's eyes. The high ceiling was lined with beautiful large chandeliers that illuminated the entire area. On the marble pillars were smaller lights that could be turned on to create a dimmer light for more romantic occasions. Across the large oak table was next to nothing except four plates and glasses on one end. Sitting at the end was Shining Armor and on his left was Cadence. They smiled happily seeing the two young adults walk in.

Cecil took a seat opposite of Candence while Flurry sat next to her mother. Looking at his plate Cecil had what looked like a mix of vegetables and a salad. His glass was filled with water so clear he thought the glass had been empty until he lifted it.
The table was relatively quiet as the ponies and human ate. Cecil kept looking to Shining armor out of the corner of his eye trying to remind himself that their little talk meant no harm. Finally, after the umpteenth time Shining spoke up.

"Is there something on my face?"

He asked with a goofy grin full of unchewed food. Cecil had been taking a sip of water and nearly spat it out. Once Cecil got control of his hacking he spoke.

"There is and it's those dashing eyes of yours."

Shining and the rest of the table succumbed to a fit of giggles at Cecil's obvious teasing. Cadance lifted her glass of wine with a smile.

"I'll happily drink to that statement. He does have the prettiest eyes."

"But you have the prettiest smile."

Shining said back to her as the two locked eyes and Cecil could practically feel the love these two had for each other flooding the table. After the two broke away shining looked to Cecil.

"So how's the apartment life going?"

"It's a trying effort but nothing I can't handle."

"Yeah when I moved to the barracks for the first time sleeping in a different bed was rough for the first few weeks."

Shining said as he reminisced on the guard days.

"Well it's more like keeping up with bills, a job, and school at the same time. It's hard to find time to get out and get what I need."

"What do you mean by need?" Cadance asked with a touch of concern in her voice.

"Well I still need to get a bed frame and box spring on top of a real chair for my desk and some other things like going shopping tomorrow after school."

Shining looked to Cadance with a worried look in his eye. Cadance had the same look as well. They were both thinking the same thing but needed more questions. Before either could ask Flurry said what was on her mind.

"Cecil I'll go shopping with you tomorrow if you'll have me?"

Cecil shrugged in his chair as he took another sip of water.

"Sure I think the company would be good. Besides I hate shopping."

Flurry smiled and so the dinner continued. Shining and Cecil got into a small argument about sports much to the boredom of the girls. The girls got their fun in when Flurry as promised asked for her baby pictures which Cadance left with Glee. Cecil asked some questions about the government and some of the laws of this nation. While he knew most of the laws mirrored what Princess Twilight had changed some things had changed. Regardless they were topic points to keep the interest up. Of course, Cecil was once again asked what it was like growing up with Alex Steel as a father and Shining was asked what it was like working with him. Mostly the conversations stayed upbeat and invigorating.

Like all good things, it came to an end and this time Flurry decided to join her father. The three talked some more mostly about school and what shopping would be done. The flight felt extremely short compared to the last time. When they landed Flurry insisted she come inside but Cecil and with the rescue from her father, was denied. As they flew back shining grinned at her and finally his grin got to her.

"What is with that grin papa?" She asked with a giggle.

"Oh you know, I'm not as blind as you think I am?"

Flurry arched an eyebrow as she leaned back getting comfortable.

"Oh and what do you see that I do not?"

"It's nothing other then it's nice to see things from a different perspective."

He said as he sat next to her wrapping a forehoof around her shoulder in a tight hug. Flurry embraced the hug and nuzzled her head into the crook of his neck.

"Your being extra weird tonight, has mom promised you something?"

He sighed and pulled away "No, but it's been a blessing and a curse seeing you grow up. Your still my little baby filly but I know someday I'll have to let you go?"

She rolled her eyes "Papa don't be silly I'll always be your pretty pink princess filly. You can not get rid of me that easily."

Shining chuckled a little relieved she didn't catch what he was really saying. He played it off and the two cuddled for the rest of the trip. When morning came Flurry was already out of bed getting ready. She left the castle flying from her balcony landing on top of the school over looking the courtyard. With her sharp eyes she spotted Cecil and Baron talking together. She had been doing this for about a week to try and get more information and talk herself into talking to him.

Today was the day. Today was when she would fly down and talk with him in the courtyard. One would think this task was easy since already they seemed to connect well already but what stopped her also ashamed her. She was a princess and popular amongst the other equally popular ponies. They all seemed to talk down on him thinking he was lesser simply because of who his father was. She had anxiety to talk to Cecil because she was afraid of the backlash. She was afraid of what her friends would say.

After one more pep talk she flew from her perch into the courtyard where her other friends waved her down. Biting her lip she groaned and curved her flight path. She landed with her friends with a bright smile.

"Hey shimmer stone! I see nothing gets past your eyes even at this early time."

Shimmer Stone, a noble and one of Flurry's oldest friends smiled. She had a dazzling two tone purple and gold main that swirled from her roots to her shoulders. With her white fur and stunning features she was easily one of the prettiest mares in the School.

"Oh hush you, obviously I am unless all my archery trophies suddenly became redundant. So now tell me why you were flying over to Baron hmm?"

All the other mares seemed to lean a little closer when her question was asked. Flurry kept her poker face up. She gave them a smirk with her head held high.

"Depends on what you want to know?"

The girls all giggled as Shimmer Stone eyed her closer.

"Oh, I think you know exactly what we want to know. He is cute and all but he associates himself with that thing. I think there are other options that don't have friendships with war driven aliens."

Flurry frowned and sighed. There was no winning shimmer stone over.

"He's not a war criminal Shimmer Stone or he would not be here at the University. Obviously, he's trying to create his own path away from his father."

Shimmer Stone rolled her eyes as she waved a good in the air.

"You have your fantasy and I have my facts. If he wants to prove to everypony that he is not a war criminal in the making he should graduate and follow his career or move back to whatever hole he crawled out of."

"Um, girls?" Came a quiet voice trying to interrupt the two dominant mares. They kept bantering back and fourth and the shy voice spoke louder but once again neither seemed to notice but the other mare there did spot what the shy voice was trying to warn them about and it was about to be to late.

"And further more if he is a outstanding citizen that doesn't forgive what he did during the invasion. That mentality doesn't vanish and studies have shown that sons carry their father's mentality. It's only a matter of time till he cracks and we are dealing with a psycho running a muck on the school grounds."

"That's interesting considering my father always told me I better hope the police catch me before he does if I ever broke the law."

Shimmer Stone nearly jumped out of her skin when Cecil spoke to her. Spinning around she looked at him wide eyed. A thousand thoughts went through her mind as she watched him put an arm across his chest and slowly bow.

"Names Cecil Steel, local war criminal of studying hard and insufferable bigot."

He chuckled while Shimmer tried to form a coherent sentence. Cecil pushed harder as he straightened up.

"So is there anything else you would like to call me that other ponies already haven't? If not then please I'd like to formally introduce myself to you and apologize for existing."

Flurry Heart was on the fence emotionally. One Cecil had every right to put her in her place but Shimmer was also one of her best friends and she hated seeing her get treated like that. She looked to Baron who mouthed sorry. He was supposed to keep Cecil at bay until she could properly introduce him to her friends.

"Why...why I neve-"

Shimmer began but Cecil cut her off.

"Never what had some pony speak back to you or skip the drama and nip a problem in the flank early on? I don't appreciate being talked down to while I believe you have a right to your opinion, I just want to tell you while I am caloused enough not to seek petty revenge or hold grudges what you say does hurt to hear. I'm only asking for you to please stop or talk with me to have a better understanding."

Shimmer Stone huffed and poked his chest finally coming back after his hard push nearly made her strong confidence crash like glass.

"I will have you know, I am Shimmer Stone and if that name alone means nothing to you then I suppose I was right that you grew up in a hole. I refuse to have any pony especially you tell me what I have a right to. I know you are only here because of your connection with the princess and I know daddy dearest didn't want you attending such a refined school as this."

Cecil only laughed at her which caused other ponies around to look and Shimmer to arch an eyebrow. When he calmed down Cecil crossed his arms.

"And I thought dad was stubborn. For a mare that prides herself on facts, you couldn't be further from the truth. I got in because of my hard work and dedication in fact you contradict yourself when you say the princess, which you mean princess Twilight, got me in and my father wanted me to stay home. Do you not think if my father wanted me home he would have told Princess Twilight to forge my papers?"

By now a crowd was slowly growing much to the nervousness of Baron and Flurry. Cecil was holding his own though as Shimmer started looking at the growing crowd. She had been caught in her own words which she should have worded more carefully but there was still one thing she could pull.

"You are still the son of Alex Steel! A man with no soul, compassion, or heart."

Cecil stared at her flatly before his cocky smile took over his face.

"If I'm what you say, then why have we just been talking?"

Shimmer Stone had to stand there wondering what he meant as he walked away. She found his hidden threat a second later and her eyes narrowed.

"Do not threaten me or my boyfriend will get involved."

Cecil threw a hand in the air like he could care less and it ticked her off to no end that some pony had the nerve to ignore her. She was Shimmer Stone and no pony turned their back on her. She looked into the crowd where a large stallion nodded and cut Cecil off. That caught his attention real quickly. He tried to walk past him but the stallion shoved him back. Flurry was about to stop this madness but Baron stopped her.

She gave him a quizzical look before he pointed to Cecil's hands. They weren't balled into fists and his body language still remained calm. While a normal pony would have seen the large Stallion as a threat Cecil saw him as a joke.

"Hey come on pal no need for violence. I'm just done talking to her since she's to dense to reason with."

The Stallion poked Cecil in his chest getting in he's from his face as his eyes narrowed. Cecil only smiled as his eyes gave that steely gaze.

"No pony, especially a hairless monkey talks to my Shimmer like that."

Cecil sighed and took his coat off. He looked to Baron and Flurry. Baron nodded and used his magic to take the coat. Cecil turned to the Stallion and walked past him as he did he whispered something and the Stallion bucked Cecil in the side. Cecil dropped to the ground but he slowly got up and walked on smiling at the Stallion. The Stallion ran at Cecil again and this time he kept up his attack while Cecil did nothing. The violence only stopped when a teacher broke the fight up.

The next thing Cecil knew he was sitting in the Dean's office with a pack of ice over his eye. It had been about an hour and he knew the time was coming. Instead of tall dark and scary coming through the door Shining Armor stepped in to the shock and surprise of the dean.

"Your majesty I, I wasn't expecting you."

Shining Armor smiled and sat down next to Cecil who sat there with his mouth agape.

"Alex is an old friend of mine and because of the journey he asked me to step in once he received the letter."

The dean pushed his glasses up and scrambled around his desk at papers. It was clear the presence of the king was going to change the situation dramatically.

"Well, this is a interesting situation we have. Reports from eyewitnesses all confirm a fight and by our policy any fighting results in immediate termination. For Cecil he never fought back but he was involved in the fight some suggesting he started it."

Shining hummed a little before he leveled his gaze at the dean.

"What you are saying is while Cecil didn't fight which would exclude him from your policy normally, he is allegedly the one to start the fight?"

"Yes and the board is looking to terminate him on that basis alone."

Shining smiled as he leaned back in the chair.

"It seems obvious that Cecil should be let go considering he never even defended himself."

He said that last part with a weary eye Cecil's way. He knew something was suspicious. Cecil should have wiped the floor with that stallion but the blood and black eye proved he didn't do a thing.

"Sir if I could ask, please don't expelle him. It wasn't really a fight more like an exhibition."

Both stallions looked at him with curious eyes wanting him to elaborate.

"If you put down it was a mutual practice and use a crazy excuse like it was because I fell then I think we can keep the stallion here at the school."

The logic passed through the minds of both stallions. It hardly made sense but if they worded it better then just maybe they could pass it off as a simple mistake instead of a fight. The blame would be equal as they would both have warnings but as long as they didn't do this again that warning would vanish by the second semester.

It was agreed and Cecil was left to go home. When he made it outside Flurry was pacing back and forth outside the doors. When she saw Cecil walk out she ran to him with worry all over her face.

"Cecil are you okay!? I was so stupid for letting that argument get that heated and then you getting into a fight."

Cecil chuckled as he waved her off.

"Don't worry he looks big but your pillows hit me harder."

"My pillows also didn't give you a black eye and busted lip."

She said in a worried and aggravated tone that he was casually playing this off.

"So do you want a ride home, I can call a carriage here?"

"Nah I'm actually about to go shopping since I have the whole day off. Still want to come with me?"

Flurry deadpanned at him. He looked horrible, his uniform had blood splatter all over it and his face was swelled slightly on the right side with a black eye, busted lip, and cut cheek. She had seen him take body shots so his chest was a mystery but she knew it was damaged as well. She sighed and looked at him.

"Only if you promise to go home first and clean up. You look like you just came back from a war."

Cecil chuckled "okay okay, though I wish I had my coat back. I'm sure Baron is going to cuss me for the weight."

Flurry shrugged "he will be fine. A little work never hurt a pony."

While they walked Baron was flabbergasted by the weight of Cecil's coat.

"When I get out of here, what little energy I have left is being used to throw this coat at him."

Cecil and Flurry walked back to the apartment and it was refreshing for Flurry to walk around and see the buildings from the ground instead of only seeing rooftops. The talking helped to speed the walk up which just being 15 minutes was already short. Soon Cecil was pushing his key into the apartment door when he sheepishly looked back to Flurry.

"So don't judge okay, it's kinda a mess in there."

Flurry smiled and used her magic to turn the key and door handle. She pushed past him and gazed at the rather empty room. As Cecil had mentioned he only had a mattress in the floor. She looked at the fold out table and lawn chair. She walked into the kitchen and hummed in thought at the lack of utensils. She walked around and as expected she found the rooms empty. Walking over to Cecil who had just stood in his living room while she inspected.

"Where are your clothes?"

He pointed to a pile in the floor next to a laundry basket.

"And where are the clean clothes?"

Again he pointed to the laundry basket. Flurry groaned as she dumped his clean clothes on his bed and put the dirty ones in the laundry basket with her magic.

"Where do you wash your clothes?"

She was afraid to ask that in fear he would say the sink but thankfully he answered her with a laundry mat. After some silent milling in her mind she spoke.

"Okay I have the list in my head now please wash up and get changed."

Cecil shrugged and took his school jacket off putting it in the hamper then he took his shirt off. While Flurry didn't know much about the human anatomy she could tell what muscle tone was and Cecil was cut like the crystals in the castle. Her gawking was quickly halted when she noticed the blue bruise on his ribs and a few bruises on his arm.

He only smiled and arched an eyebrow at her.

"See something you like Princess?"

Flurry blushed and laughed nervously as she looked around for something to change the subject.

"Only in your dreams Cecil, uh well while you shower I will make a sandwich."

He shook his head placing his hat on the table.

"Me casa a Sue casa."

She looked at him after he said that and this time she made sure her eyes stayed focused on his instead of drifting down.

"What does that mean? I've never heard that language."

"It means my home is your home."

He said walking to the bathroom with a fresh change of clothes. Flurry thought about the phrase. His home was her home. It should have been taken as a compliment but Flurry seemed to smile brighter at the thought. By the time she had the sandwich assembled she heard the water cut off and a minute later Cecil stepped out fully dressed. She looked at him astonished.

"Did you even use soap, no pony takes a shower that fast."

"When I was young I wanted to be like dad. Follow in his footsteps and make him proud. You know the childhood dream of following your parents. Well I did some research and one of the things was short showers, so I got in a habit of timing myself. Before I knew it it stuck even after I decided to follow a college career."

Flurry couldn't help but giggle as she pushed her sandwich over to him and started making another one for herself. Cecil was going to protest until his stomach growled.

"Why didn't you follow a military career seeing as your father was highly decorated and close I'm sure you could have gotten a easy desk job with great pay."

Cecil swallowed before speaking.

"Dad always told me I could do whatever I wanted except join the military. When I told him at eighteen I could do what I wanted. The very next day top generals from REM, guard, and navy showed up in his bar and I was sat in front of them. Each one looked at me and said you are forbidden from joining."

Cecil took another bite as he leaned against the counter.

" The old man called each one and ordered them to ban me from joining."

Flurry just finished her new sandwich and stood slack jawed. Alex was insane and a bully in this case.

"Your father is intense and cruel. How could you stand for such a harsh punishment? Three grown stallions sitting across from you bluntly telling you that your dreams will not come true. That must have been devastating."

"It was and I cried and dad told me I have to be alive to hate him."

Cecil said casually as he munched on his sandwich.

"If that's the extrem measure he took just for that I can only imagine what it was like when you did something wrong."

"I got yelled at, bent over his knee and spanked, and then lectured to for at least two hours."

Flurry looked at her sandwich then to Cecil and finally back to her sandwich. Hearing the near abusive treatment Cecil had to grow up with made her sick. She couldn't imagine if her own father treated her like that and then expected her not to act like him.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Cecil arched an eyebrow

"About what? Growing up wasn't that traumatic. Im actually happy that he was hard on me because looking back I wasn't afraid of the police or jail. I was afraid of what dad would do if he found out. That kept me from making a lot of stupid decisions."

"Sorry it just seems like, well like you were a prisoner in your own home. I'm sure he loved you but was there any reason why he felt the need to be that strict."

Cecil shrugged as he finished his food.

"My theory was he's used to dealing with adults and military structure. When he had me plus mom vanishing, he had to try and adapt. It's not the best reason but I guess old habits die hard."

Flurry looked away slowly as the sandwich just sat there. Cecil had stopped paying attention to her and focused on the food. When she noticed him staring she giggled and pushed the plate over.

"Did you not eat anything for breakfast?"

He chuckled and tried to push the food back.

"No I got dressed and headed out. I planned to catch something to eat at school but that plan changed."

Flurry pushed the plate back with a smile.

"Well here have mine I was only making it as a snack. I'm sure you feel famished."

Cecil took the sandwich and before Flurry's eyes she watched him devour a sandwich in less than a minute. While unsightly it was impressive.

" Did you even taste your food?"

"Tasting is for ponies who want to enjoy their food, I'm hungry."

Flurry shook her head as she finally got a good look at Cecil. He wore a plaid long sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and of course his signature cowpony boots and black hat. He was the epitome of a cowpony but the look suited him and just like in her imagination she tried to picture him in a suit or tuxedo. With a little TLC to his hair he would look dashing.

"Regardless I think we should be off. We have a rare day off together and it should not be wasted."

Cecil got up and walked to the door. The two made their way into the chilly morning that was slowly heating up with the sun's rays. The first stop was breakfast where Cecil showed Flurry how much he could really eat. I a short version she had to wonder where everything went once it made it past his mouth.

After breakfast, she stole him away to a furniture store much to his own complaint. Before going to the bed section.

"Oh come on Cecil it's not that bad, just have a little fun."

Cecil smiled as he looked at the warehouse of displayed furniture. He knew he didn't have a choice and decided to have fun. Cecil explored the chairs and found a recliner that rocked. When he sat in it Flurry couldn't stop the giggle as she watched him lean back and let out a loud relaxed sigh.

"I would absolutely buy this if I could afford it. I'd carry it home if I had to."

"Is it that good or are you being dramatic?"

He got out of it offering her the seat and she happily took it. The second she leaned back she had the same reaction he did.

"Okay you win this one Cecil because I would steal this from you if you carried it home."

They shared a laugh and he helped her up. Walking around some more they talked about the furniture and what they liked and disliked. Turns out Cecil has a good eye for what would look good but his male logical side would also pick the ugliest piece in the store if it was comfortable.

"Cecil be honest with me. For once please tell me your joking that you would take this couch. The colors look like something an elderly couple would pick out and then wrap in plastic."

Cecil was busy laying down on said couch snuggling a pillow.

"Who cares what it looks like as long as it works. I mean who else is going to be at my place but me?"

"Well I would like to come over sometime, once you actually get furniture. The castle is wonderful but I see it every day. Seeing other places is like a breath I didn't know I needed."

Truth be told Flurry knew once she took over she would be living in that castle permanently and her days to leave without notice would be cut completely out of her life. She was soaking up as much of this freedom as she could.

"Well I guess I never thought about it like that. Dad was strict but as long as he knew where I was he didn't care."

She smiled and sat down on his legs and that small act bewildered Cecil. He never expected a mare to just sit in his lap after a few days of talking let alone the freaking Princess. The look on his face made her give a cute innocent smile in return.

"It's the same for me right now but soon as we all know I'll take over and days like these will be a memory. Besides you already said your home was my home so suck it."

She told him in a proud matter-of-fact voice finishing it of by sticking her tongue out as he struggled to free his legs.

"Hey get off me, I need those to walk and I think you misunderstood the meaning of my phrase."

She giggled and sat up enough for him to get his legs out before she sat down. Once his legs were free he threatened to throw the pillow at her but one daring look from her eyes and several pillows engulfed in her magic was enough for him to remember the last pillow fight they had. She smiled seeing him grumble and tuck his legs as he went back to cuddling the pillow.

“I still don't care what the couch looks like it's really comfortable.”

Flury sighed and much to her disappointment Cecil was once again right. Compared to the better looking couches this was by far the most relaxing to sit in.

“Why can't they take the comfort of this couch and put it in something that looks good? Is it really that hard to accomplish?”

Cecil chuckled a little as he sat up.

“If they did that then one the selection would be significantly less and two they do put the same comfort in other couches but they are usually the really expensive brands.They make couches like this because they know elderly couples are not going to care what the couch looks like so long as it's comfortable at a decent price. Its basic marketing, sell to your target crowd.”

Flurry had to stop and think about that logic. It was a bit lengthy but after a thought, it made perfect sense. Just like a child wants a Wonderbolts bed and a teenager wants a more mature bed. She could have figured it out eventually, but having Cecil out right explain it to her did make things more convenient, and plus the conversation never hurt. They chatted on the couch some more and it was starting to grow on her once she finally relaxed and let the soft cushion take her. After their extended break on the couch, they made it to the furniture. That was a nightmare and a half. Cecil insisted that all he needed was the fold out table and lawn chair claiming he was just going to be moving out of that apartment as soon as he graduated and Flurry shot back that he was going to be there for at least four years. He needed more then things you would take on a camping trip.

Finally, the debate was settled and he randomly pointed to one table. It was a round, mahogany, kitchen table. It was small enough to fit in his apartment but big enough to comfortably seat four. Flurry thought it was cute while Cecil was just ready to move on to the next part. She could tell he was starting to get agitated. Like every male she has met so far shopping was still something of a death sentence in their eyes. Thankfully Cecil was quick to pick out a dresser set. A simple matt black finish with brass knobs. He liked the bed frame but nearly went pale when he saw the price. He quickly moved on to the next and final part of the store. The clearance section.

Flurry saw this as more of digging through trash. She could understand buying something for a discount if it could be fixed with minimal effort, but some of the things she saw him inspect and grab looked like they should have been used as firewood. Finally after careful consideration and inspecting Cecil picked a bed frame out. At one time it would have been a grand eyepiece for a master bedroom with its pearl white finish and fascinating inlays, sadly the paint was chipped and weathered away and some of the slats were missing. One of the posts for decoration had been broken off and the headboard looked like a coffee stain. The bed was in dreadful condition but Cecil once again talked her through how he could fix it with simple tricks. One being he would use the scrap wood at his work to fill in for the missing slats and the bed could be repainted and stained. With a saw and file he could cut the other post off and square off the broken one then with a file he would round the edges down.

Flurry could keep up with most of what he was talking about but some terms or processes went over her head. He bought the bed for nearly a quarter of what it was originally worth and once bought the company agreed to deliver it at around the afternoon. It would still give Flurry and Cecil plenty of time to go shopping for food. After paying Cecil had a big grin on his face as he counted his wallet.

“Made out better than you thought?”

Flurry teased and Cecil grinned a little wider.

“Actually yes, I thought I would be draining what I had saved but that epic discount let me keep a lot of bits. After shopping I’ll need to head to the hardware store to pick up the tools I’ll need and then wait till the bed gets there.”

She rolled her eyes and bumped his side with her flank. He seemed surprised as she giggled up at him with her big innocent playful eyes and sweet smile.

“You need to relax after we get done shopping. Today is Friday and you don't work the weekends. After we get your bed in why don't we do something fun? Like catch a movie or go to the park maybe even go to a nice restaurant?”

Cecil smirked as he put his wallet away. His cheeks had a little blush to them but his eyes were full of confidence as he looked Flurry in the eyes.

“Princess, are you asking me out on a date?”

Flurry felt her cheeks heating up rapidly as she realized what she had implied and of course, Cecil was teasing her about it but she wasn't going to let his smug look win this. Proudly raising her head she cut him off and poked his chest with her hoof. She looked at him with half lidded eyes and a smug smirk.

“And what if I am Cecil? Would that bother you that I asked you or are you too afraid to admit it's a date?”

Cecil was flabbergasted as he started to back away but Flurry pushed as she watched his cheeks turn a brighter red.

“Well... I...I mean I was teasing you...I-if you just want to go out and hang out we can do that?”

Flurry wasn't letting this go even though she should have. She had him cornered and now her curiosity was peaked.

“But would it bother you if it was a date? Just because I am a princess does not mean I see myself above every pony else. So Cecil, is it a date or are you afraid to admit it?”

Cecil was backed into a corner as he stumbled over his words. His mind was like a Wonderbolt race course and all the fliers had just crashed at the same time. He was usually calm in stressful situations and courting mares fell in that category but this was Princess Flurry Heart, she wasn't just another ordinary mare. Yes, he was afraid to admit it was a date, it had everything a date needed but he wasn't ready to go on a date with her. Sure they had been talking for a few days and he had even eaten dinner with her family but that could be chalked up to hospitality. Finally, in a panic his fear took over and he blurted out his answer.

“Yes, yes it's a date.”

Flurry only smiled on the outside as she took her place at his side again.

“Good, then after we get our list done, and you don't mind, id like to freshen up at your place.”

Cecil shrugged as he let out a low hum. This mare was going to be the death of him but he had to admit he was enjoying the bonding time.

“Yeah that's fine but I’ll remind you that I only have a bar of soap.”

She giggled and then smiled ahead as the two made their way down the road.

“I remember, and I will buy my own things while I'm in the store.”

Cecil could only nod as his mind began to think about what mess he had just gotten himself into now because of his mouth. It's like he could never seem to catch a break. First the pompous mare, then her coltfriend, and now he was going on a date with Flurry. His only prayer was neither Shining or his father found out about this or he had just verbally signed his own death warrant.