It started with a Sneeze

You know I knew this wouldn't be easy but I never imagined how difficult this journey would become. Turns out that dealing with Sunburst was the least of my problems. The problem I was having was finding some time to be with Starlight. Because as it turns out she is a very busy Mare. To be more precise, things seem to always happen,

It started with Her and her friends receiving a medal as a thank-you for saving every pony from the changeling hive. I believe they call it the pink heart or something. It was a lovely time, every pony got to chat with each other I got to see more characters from the show. Although for some reason Discord didn't seem to want to talk with me. As if he was deliberately avoiding me. I didn't think too much of it so I left it be and focused on talking to Starlight,

I wanted to patch things up with each other and start over again. Unfortunately, the number of ponies that wished to talk to Starlight at the time; made it difficult for me to have any long conversations with her. Also, it didn't help that shortly afterward Starlight would be told that she graduated from being Twilight’s student much to my surprise. I knew that Starlight was an exceptional mare, but I never thought that she would graduate from being a student so soon. I was happy for her but sad that I couldn't be part of her life when she made that milestone,

After that, there was time I was going to talk with Trixie about the merchandising box but was told that she was going to spend the day with Starlight, which turned out to be a very odd day. I don’t know the details of what happened, but if something causes a pony to run up a tree hiding from other ponies with red eyes. I didn’t want to get involved. Thankfully no pony got hurt but it did make me wonder what could have happened. I figured they would want some time to rest after such an experience so I left them alone,

But then not long after that, Starlight had her little adventure with Maud of all ponies. As much as I wanted to hang out with them to help them with whatever was going on. But watching Pinkie Pie becoming a third wheel to their already friendship-building activity would put a strain on any attempts I would have at Starlight. So I had no choice but to leave her alone… again. On the bright side, Starlight has made a new friend,

On the bright side, Sunburst was called back to the Crystal Empire because he had duties to fulfill. However, I do not know when he will return. So I must act now,

I entered the kitchen and watched Starlight and Twilight while waiting for breakfast. Spike was hard at work making enough food for everypony, nothing fancy just some pancakes. Now that I think about it I don't think I spend a lot of time getting to know the little dragon. He's always by Twilight's side so I never actually had a chance to have a one-on-one conversation with him. Got to remember to talk to him later on.

He had finished serving the mares breakfast while I waited for my plate as I watched Twilight gorge herself on the pancakes. I forget that Twilight is a messy eater and it's probably one of the things that I wish she would learn to fix. But then again who's going to tell a princess how she can and can't eat?

Twilight was the first to finish before everypony else and left to read a new book she had in the library. Once everypony had their fill of breakfast I took that opportunity to talk to Starlight, “Hay Starlight?”

She looks over her shoulder from the sink while cleaning the dishes, “Yes, Braden?”

“I was wondering if you are free this weekend,”

“Yes, I am. Why do you ask?”

“Well, Sugar Cube Corner is having a sale on pastries and wanted to know if you want to come with me?”

She thinks about it before smiling at the idea before returning to her chore, “Sure,”

“Great, it's a date. See you then,” I say quickly before leaving the room. By the sound of something breaking, I don't think she saw that coming, as I smile all the way back to my room,

“Starlight that was one of my good plates!” Twilight scolds her friend as she cleans up the mess across the floor while Spike is rocking back and forth laughing his butt off and pounding the floor with his fists,

“I am sorry Twilight. I didn’t mean to,” She says her face flushed red,

“I know. You are normally more careful than that,” She pulls a piece of the plate from the ceiling with her magic before smacking Spike lightly on the head, “And what are you laughing at?!”

“Starlight got asked out on a date. And she was so embarrassed that she yeeted the plate into the ceiling,”

“Wait what?! Starlight got a date,” Twilight looks back at the mare in question, “How?!”

“It just kind of happened,” She says looking away shyly before she realizes something, “Wait what do you mean by how? What does that supposed to mean!” She demands from the Princess,

“Nothing,” Twilight says quickly looking away,

Today is the day of the date as I wave to my flying outlook on her cloud. She waves back at me signaling that she's ready. The plan was simple, during the date, if at any time Rainbow Dash would fly over and ask me if I wanted some cupcakes. It would inform of Sunburst's arrival and should avoid heading back to the castle or commonplace that he would look for her. I want this date to be only about me and Starlight. The last thing I need to deal with is competition.

I picked up Starlight at the castle and we headed to SugarCube Corner an hour before lunchtime. She looks nervous the whole time. I tried my best to comfort her but for some reason, she just seemed uneasy around me. I don't know what I have done to cause her such concern. Then again as far as I'm aware this would technically be her first date. Perhaps she simply overthinking this whole thing and it's causing her to get nervous.

We got our desserts and found a corner booth to enjoy our treats. However, Starlight’s mood is starting to get on my nerves,

“Is something wrong Starlight?” I ask her plainly startling her out of her thoughts and sending her cupcake into the air before she catches it with her magic,

“No. No. I am alright,” She smiles at me before taking a bit out of her treat, “Why do you ask?”

“Considering that you look like you are ready to bolt back to the castle at a moment's notice. It makes me wonder if you are being hunted by somepony or you are uncomfortable being with me,”

“What, no-”

“Starlight I am not dumb,” I eat my treat in one bite much to her surprise, “Don’t bother lying to me. It only makes me feel worse about this whole date,”

She sighs before putting down her treat, “Sorry Braden. I have never been on a date before,” She pokes it as she gathers her thoughts, “So I have no idea how or what I am supposed to do,”

“For starters drop all your expectations,”

She looks at me confused, “What?”

“Whatever your expectations for this date are, lose them,”

She tilts her head not understanding what I am saying, “Why,”

“A date is where two ponies get together to hang out and get to know each other,” I straighten up my posture, “Aside from basic manners and being polite there is nothing that is expected for us to achieve aside from learning more about each other,” I smile at her, “Its a way from us to break the ice and see if we enjoy each others company. And if we do we can continue to date and if not we can end it and go on with our lives,”

She looks away in thought before addressing me, “This isn’t the first time you have been on a date before is it?”

I shake my head, “It's the first in a while,”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No,” I reply instantly with a slight bitterness in my voice, “My past is Irrelevant. I would prefer if we focus on the present if you don’t mind Starlight. Why don’t we start over,” I present my hoof to her, “Hello, I am Braden. It is nice to meet you,”

“Hello Braden, I am Starlight Glimmer,” She shakes my hoof before finishing her treat,

Meanwhile, high above them. Rainbow Dash is bord as she watches the two having a date. She knows she only doing this for what she has done to Braden but for some reason, she can’t shake off a feeling of slight anger watching the two ponies on their date. Then for some unknown reason, just for a moment, Rainbow thinks about switching places with Starlight.

She swiftly stomps that idea into dust under her hooves before it could grow. Unfortunately, it also meant the end of her cloud sending her falling a few feet before she started flying again. Flustered she shakes her head confused as to where that idea came from, before finding another cloud and resuming her duties,