Dawn's new day.

I woke up feeling nervous about the day ahead. I would be having my first date with Starlight and Trixie later and the Idea of dating two girls at once who not only accepted but encouraged the idea felt, not wrong but, a bit strange. I just have to remember herding is normal and natural behavior for ponies like myself.

I had known Starlight for a few years as a friend so the idea of dating her actually felt nice. Despite our history I did follow the advice of my mothers about analyzing a potential lead mare. Her possessive attitude is a bit troublesome, yet It’s encouraging that she’s including Trixie. Aside from that she’s smart, driven, and would provide for and protect her future herd.

A two mare herd wouldn’t be the worst idea but my status as an alicorn was eventually going to come out and would make things complicated, nobles would practically throw their daughters at me if they felt my herd wasn’t yet ‘full’.

Thinking about Trixie I knew she would definitely make a good herd member. She was smarter than she gave herself credit for, worked hard when she thought nopony was watching, I found her attractive, and she had been showing interest in Starlight and I ever since we stopped her from being bullied and all became friends so the chemistry was there. Bet my moms will be happy when they get my letter about going on a date with them both.

My immortality was another thing driving my nerves as I laid in bed. There’s only so many other long lived or imortal creatures, I can see why Celestia remained single for so long if that fact is always on her mind. I won’t have to worry about Twilight if she becomes interested but I wouldn’t want to outlive all my partners.

Shaking my head I got myself out of bed and began my morning routine of stretching out my entire body including my wings. I made sure to stretch and work them out a bit daily else they would become useless when I really needed them. I was also going through a bit of a growth spurt like the others my age making things itch randomly. I almost wish I didn’t have to hide my wings but the first major events shouldn’t be changed.

After finishing my morning routine and eating breakfast I worked on my schoolwork back in my room while pondering about the future. Strange to think that if todays date goes well Ill become part of a trial herd. ‘Trial herd’ was such an odd phrase but it was the best ponies had come up with for a herd that wasn’t official in the eyes of the law such as herds courting a stallion or for young ponies like myself. Once courting of a stallion had begun other herds typically knew better than to intervene though sometimes single mares might ask the lead mare and stallion permission to join in on the courting. There were a lot of other nuances when it came to herd dynamics but once one was officially established they became quite stable and any members who joined later always followed the lead mare and stallion.

I guess it makes sense why other fillies in the school haven’t been approaching me, if Starlight was calling herself my lead filly they would have to approach her first. Originally I had thought it strange she had been so serious about keeping others away from me then remembered that colts and stallions were highly valued. We’re scouted as early as possible for future herding and become fair game during and after puberty. Even if ponies live quite long it’s not a good idea for mares to just sit around and wait for a good partner.

I set aside my schoolwork and checked the time. It was just before noon and about time for the date. I smiled and realized that while I was nervous I was also excited about my first date as a pony.

“Dawn! Hi.” Starlight and Trixie both trotted up to me as I waited near the school’s entrance gate and gave me affectionate nuzzles in order. Both of them were well groomed, like myself, yet they didn’t go overboard by wearing makeup or clothing, just the charms I got them braided into their manes. Always preferred natural beauty anyway.

“Hi girls. You both look cute today.” They both blushed and gave me another nuzzle.

“Thanks.” They did the filly thing of talking in sync.

“So what’s the plan today?” I looked between them.

As lead Starlight took over. “Well since we got permission to go off campus I thought we could get lunch and then there’s an exhibit on modern magic at the museum?” She was still nervous though.

“Sounds fun.” I smiled and she looked relieved. Its kinda nice being the one asked out.

The three of us then set off walking in a standard herd formation with me in the middle and Starlight on my dominant right side.

The casual restaurant they had chosen was designed for younger ponies in mind so we didn’t really stick out amongst the guests.

“Nice place.” I commented after we were seated in a round booth.

“Um, thanks.” Starlight tapped her hooves together nervously without saying anything else until Trixie bumped her. “Thanks for going out with us by the way.” Trixie tried not to groan as she let her friend lead our date.

Oh this isn’t good. Maybe I shouldn’t bother acting like a colt my age and just take the lead myself. I took a deep breath.

“Starlight.” I nuzzled her a bit while speaking in a soothing tone. “You and Trixie are some of my best friends we can just talk normally, right?”

“Right. Of course.” She nodded and Trixie smiled.

The three of us then ordered and began talking about class work and stuff as if it was just another normal day between friends.

“These will probably become really popular.” Starlight laughed a bit sarcastically at an exhibit featuring ‘Radio Headphones’ before giving me a playful bump. “I mean what pony would want to cover their ears and block out all sound?” Those look like the ones future Vinyl always wears.

After I took lead the date had been going wonderfully. Following our nice lunch, that the fillies insisted they pay for, we made our way to the Canterlot City Museum of Magic which was currently hosting the ‘Modern Magical Marvel’s’ exhibition. Some of the items on display that we were checking out were already commercially available while others were just concepts.

“Trixie thinks this one might be nice.” Starlight and I joined her at an exhibit of what was essentially a modern Washer and Dryer combination in one device. “It says it will wash and dry your bedding all in one machine with the push of a button.”

Starlight tapped her chin. “This one at least looks practical for non unicorns. I don’t see the point in spending those kinds of bits when magic already has cleaning spells.”

“Yeah you have a point Starlight.” I joined in. “Better to buy something else that can’t easily be replicated.”

“Glad we found a colt who knows how to budget.” Starlight joked with Trixie as we moved on.

As we continued to check out the exhibits we saw plenty of strange ideas that weren’t entirely practical for the everyday pony. One that did stick out was one about ‘City trains’. The concept looked like it’s inventor took small miner’s carts designed to fit two ponies then designed them fancier and to ride on tracks that could be built inside a city. To bad it would never be practical at scale.

“I don’t get how anypony could have designed this when carts are just as practical.” Starlight commented while tilting her head to get a better look.

“Looks like it was made by Dimond Dogs.” Trixie read from the placard. “Supposedly they even have a real one in their main city.”

They actually built it? Cool.

“Really, I haven’t met one of them before I would love to see a working version.” My tail swished a bit. I had seen Griffins and Minotaur in the city but not any other creatures.

“Why would you want to do that they’re all mutts.” I was glad it wasn’t my friends but another random unicorn passing by who spat out her words. I almost growled at the passing mare.

“Shows what she knows, it’s an impressive machine.” I couldn’t have been more proud of Starlight when she said that and gave her a peck on the cheek.

After finishing with the museum I decided to surprise the girls by leading them to the best doughnuts in town.

“Dawn would you please tell Trixie where we’re going.” Trixie whined a bit while she and Starlight were leaning on my sides. I knew their hooves were tired after walking all day so had offered to Cary one of them, both fillies had refused. Really glad for my training and Earth pony strength.

“Don’t worry girls we’re here.” I opened up the door to Joe’s Doughnuts with my magic.

“Well what do we have here? A little herd on a date and is that Dawn I see?” Joe said from behind the counter. The place was empty since it was a Sunday afternoon.

“Good to see you Joe.” We grabbed a booth as he brought us a few menus.

“You too colt. I remember this friend,” he nodded at Starlight. “But who’s your other one?”

“Filly friends actually.” Trixie huffed. “I’m the great and powerful Trixie. Nice to meet you.”

“Woah good job colt. So what can I get the great Trixie and her herd today?” He smiled and Trixie smiled back at his jokes.

We ordered some doughnuts and milk and relaxed while eating. We didn’t have long before we had to get back on campus but we dragged out every moment.

“Thanks again for today Dawn. Sorry I was so weird at the start.” Starlight looked away.

“Trixie was just fine. Wasn’t she?” The two had turned nervous again after we made it back to school and began saying our goodbyes.

“You were both great.” I kissed them both on the cheek and gave an affectionate nip on the ear before trotting back off to the dorms.

Starlight and Trixie sat there for a moment then blushed deeply after getting the unexpected affection.

“Did he just do that?” Trixie asked and Starlight nodded. The two shared a look then rushed back off to their dorm rooms.

Twilight was feeling sick to her stomach. She had been feeling like a snack after the library so was going to get a doughnut when she spotted a few familiar ponies and had watched them from a distance for a bit.

Now she was back home with no doughnuts and feeling upset. He was on a date. He was with Starlight and Trixie and sharing doughnuts on a date.

She buried her head in her pillow until Spike came over and gave her a hug.

“Mom?” Spike smiled at her and Twilight gave a big hug back while immediately feeling much better with a strange thought. Right, Dawn and I are the only students of The Princess Celestia and Spike is our Son, he even says so himself, he wouldn’t leave either of us alone for long.