A Jeweler in the Rough, A Legends of Equestria Story (Working Title)

Book 01: Rediscovery and Rebirth

Chapter 04: A Thin Line

In the barest hours of the morning past midnight but before the sun, a unicorn awakens. With a weighty sigh, Pen rests his head on the dresser, the same that upon which rests the younger picture of his sister. A sister who now consumes his thoughts, a blessing from the past, a riddle for the present, and a cloud upon a future that he thought was his own to know and plan. Yet now, as Band encompasses his heart and soul for once, his path forward is dark and unknown, now tinged with the scents of love and intimacy.

“Do I step onto this path, or do I stay upon my path I have set for myself, helping her where I can? Or, do I take part in her life, no like make a new one with both of us? Is it my heart or hormones talking? I know, a date, take her on a date like I promised, treat her as I would any other mare I would have on a date, see how I feel after that. Then I’ll know, one way or another,” Pen ponders, rolling it all over in his mind. Since he is not getting sleep at any time the historian decides to retreat to his basement.

A scent deep from her past wakes Band up, oatmeal with brown sugar and honey. “Wha? Morning already?” she sniffs the air, “Celestia, something smells heavenly.” The Pegasus readies herself for the day and follows the smell into the kitchen.

“Morning sis, thought I’d make us breakfast, and what better one than the one I used to make for you on cold days?” Pen smiles setting out two bowls.

“Are you trying to spoil me, Pen?” she hums.

“Not quite, maybe a little, but not quite. Actually, I was wondering if you wanted that date I offered, a real date, nice place, flowers, the whole nine yards.” He asks, smiling.

“Already!? I mean, yes, sure, of course,” Band answers quickly. “Already? A date already? Why so soon, and why it is making my heart flutter?”

“If you need a good dress I can give you some bits from the overflow account, but don’t let me see it I want it to be a surprise,” Pen says sitting down with his sister for a peaceful breakfast electrified with an undercurrent of anticipation.

“The oatmeal is good, thank you Pen, and I will get me a dress, I even have something in mind,” she smiles.

Pen gives a small chuckle, “Yeah, get used to it. Since it’s one of the few things I can cook I tend to cook it a lot.”

“It is still good,” she says trying to boost his confidence.

“It’s comfort food, it’s usually good,” he smiles as they soon finish their breakfast.

“Take some petty bits and get you a dress, I’m going to run the shop. Have to make the bits somehow,” Pen hums, a whisper of passion in his voice.

“Some old Pen, same old bibliophile,” she chuckles as she makes for the bathroom to get ready for town.

“Sure thing, gem nerd,” He returns playfully. Cleaning the kitchen, he hears Band leave as he takes his turn to prepare for the day, washing and then getting on his trademark white suit and red tie. As Band leaves, he contacts Velvet Meadows through a sending stone for an evening reservation.

After getting about 300 bits Band walked into the Market District, seeking a nice dress hoping to find a good dress shop to suit her needs. Fortunately, she did not have too far to look and after half an hour she has a nice sunflower yellow dress and with a few bits of accenting jewelry she is mentally prepared for her date. With some time on her hooves, she decides to wander the city, coming to the edge of the Noble District. “They’re in there, eight streets in, three streets right, the High Noble House Platinum. Mother, father, and Spear…will any of them accept me, want me?” After some time of pondering her inner and future demons, she wanders off, seeking the peace of the Central Gardens.

Taking a spot off the cobblestone path with the Noble Court to her right and in front of the three-walled courtyard of the Mage’s Counsel she takes a sit, enjoying the soft grass and wonderful smells. Pony-watching she sees couples and families out enjoying the day and a few old clouds darken her soul. Those being between her dedication to her school and her family moving she never really had time for romance and even if she did a visit to the doctor told her she would never carry a foal. Brooding a bit she tries to shake it off as her mind wanders from her past to her future. Will Pen make her happy? Will he want foals? Will he want foals with her? She lays on her back soaking in the warm sun as she pictures her future and wondering does she really love Pen as more than a brother, she’s not known him most her life, all she does know is a few memories of him being the kindest pony she knew and the fact he visited her in the hospital. “This date will be a good idea, it will tell me what this relationship holds in the future, if it goes too bad or if there is no spark, then we can still be family, if something is there……if something is there then what? Can I date my brother? Will he open to it? He suggested the date after all. Tonight, so much rides on tonight.”

Meanwhile, across town in the Merchant District, one historian was half-heartedly running his business, his mind on the coming date, his own thoughts echoing his sister’s. Even one of his friends from his volunteering in the Solar Guard saw something was up.

“Uh, Equus to Pen, anypony home?” Earnest Effort says, his simple brown coat and strikingly different electric blue mane peeking from his helmet as his light greenish eyes look to his friend. “I was trying to give you your duty roster, bookworm.”

“Oh, Earnest, I’m sorry, my mind is elsewhere,” Pen lightly chuckles.

“No doubt, book, ruins, or mare?” the armored pony asks the twinkle of a smile in his eye.

“What makes you think it’s one of those?” the Unicorn asks almost defensively.

“Mare.” The Earth Pony muses.

“What, I mean how, that is,” Pen fumbles.

“Yup, a mare, and a catch from your reaction,” Earnest smiles.

“Okay, yes, a mare, and I don’t know if anything will come of it but here’s to hoping,” the historian grins. “Here’s to hoping? Why’d I say that? Am I really hoping for this?”

“Well here’s the roster and I wish you luck,” Earnest says setting the paper down and leaving.

“Yeah, luck, think I’ll need it,” Pen sighs to himself as he leaves.

As the store closes he moves upstairs to get ready casting a simple spell as he does to talk to Band remotely.

Pen states, trying to hide both his joy and nervousness.

Band notes.

he apologizes. “Great already getting off on a good hoof,” Pen sighs. Getting into a nice black suit with royal purple tie pen puts on a black top hat and makes for the restaurant.

Meanwhile, Band goes back to the dress shop to change, explaining that she needs to dress for a date and wants it to be a surprise. The clerks understand and even offer some perfume and makeup work to truly bring out her beauty.

Two ponies make for the Velvet Meadows, to have a date with each other and mark the path their life goes from here. Many things rest upon this evening’s enjoyment, from hearts to futures.