Second Wind

The moment you walk into the Carousel Boutique, you can tell Rarity is up to something. She isn't downstairs, but what is downstairs, is a brand new suit lying across one of her various ponnequins. You collect all of the pieces, and put it on. It looks amazing. Jet black slacks with a dark purple dress shirt, with a jet black tie and blazer. You also noticed at the end of the right sleeve of the blazer was the odd 3 diamond thing she had on her flank. You meant to ask her about it. You walk over to a floor-to-ceiling mirror, and assume several poses.

Damn, Rarity. You really know how to make some nice clothes.

You walk over the staircase, and call out for her.

"Anyone home?"

"Be down in just a second, darling!" You shrug your shoulders, and have a seat on the couch.

She's definitely up to something.

You cross your legs, and wait as patiently as anyone could. Eventually, an hour passes. You get up, and turn around, when you catch her coming down the staircase.

Close your mouth, moron.

Rarity is wearing a slim fitting purple dress, which stops a little above her knees. Her hair flows down to her neck, then bumps off in bouncy curls. She obviously spent a solid hour on her makeup alone. You can't recall any times that a HUMAN woman looked this good, and you're sure this would remain sure even if you weren't an amnesiac.

"Mmm...you like?" Rarity calls as she works her way towards you. She knows you do.

"Rarity. My God. You look amazing. I mean, here I thought I looked good in this new suit, but...jeez..." Rarity takes her dramatic pose again, with her hoof over her forehead.

"I know, all of this work, and no one asks me out on a date for tonight!" She smiles slyly at you.

"But you DID say that you were my new personal escort..."

THANK GOD I SAID THAT!

She holds out her hoof for you.

"Would it trouble you to keep a young mare busy tonight?" You take her hoof, and kiss it.

"Not at all, Ms. Rarity." She blushes, and turns her head away.

"Always the gentleman." You turn out all of the lights in the store. Sweetie Belle is apparently still with her friends, so when you return home, you two will have all of the privacy you could ask for.

It's another amazing night in Ponyville. The stars illuminate the town, the temperature is perfect, the scent of the night sets in. if ever you've had a case of nightfever, it's here in Ponyville. Nightfever is an interesting thing. You and your roommate invented to describe a unique emotion: The one you get when you're out and about in the city, and your every sense is in complete harmony. It makes you smile and laugh as if you were drunk, while keeping your mind completely sober.

With your case of nightfever burning you up, you smart to smile uncontrollably. You have that tickle in your stomach, the kind you get when you find something absolutely hilarious. Rarity notices your smile.

"My, my, darling. Are we in high spirits?" She asks.

"You could say that." You finally let out the laugh you had building up. As you near the party tent they set up, you can hear the low sound of a bass dropping on a consistent beat. After a couple more minutes of walking, you finally make it to the tent, but Rarity holds up a hoof to stop you.

"Wait right here, darling." She opens up a flap, and walks inside. All music and sound immediately stops as she does. You cock your head in confusion. After a few moments pass, you hear Rarity call from inside the tent.

"Come on in, darling!" You grab hold of the tent flap, and swing it open. It's completely dark inside the tent, but it's MASSIVE. You step in, and close the tent flap. You hear a short riff start playing from somewhere in front of you. then, CLAP CLAP, and the lights burst on.

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Lasers and colored spotlights flail wildly around the tent, while ponies mimic Vinyl, who is up on stage, jumping up and down with the beat. You notice a large banner hanging down, reading "WELCOME HOME AADEN!" You feel arms wrap around your waist. You turn around, and sure enough, there's Rarity. She has to shout to make herself audible over the music.

"VINYL SAID SHE LIKED THIS SONG A LOT! I HOPE IT'S OKAY, DARLING!" You smile.

"I SUPPOSE IT WAS ON MY PHONE FOR A REASON!" Rarity nudges her neck, signalling you to follow her. You walk over to the table with large barrels of cider on it, and pour both Rarity and yourself a cup. She leads you to an empty table, and sits next to you. She places her hoof on your thigh, and watches Vinyl perform. It's actually quite amazing, the way she moves with the beat, influencing the crowd. Rarity seems to really be enjoying the music, tapping her hoof.

You just got an idea. A great one. You sit anxiously waiting for the next song to play. Sure enough, the lights all go off. It looks like another song is about to start. The moment you hear the beat start and singing begin, you snatch Rarity by her hoof.

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You take her to the edge of the crowd. You're sure that you aren't a dancer, even with the amnesia, but nightfever has taken over now. You start jumping and throwing your fist forward to the beat, just like Vinyl and other ponies are. Rarity laughs manically at you.

"ARE YOU ALRIGHT DARLING? SHOULD I CALL A DOCTOR?" Your grab both of her hooves, and start jumping, hoping to get her to follow suit. Sure enough, she does. She's still laughing at you, but you don't mind at all. You decide to start lip syncing the words while jumping, while shutting your eyes super tight.

Every whisper,

Every sigh,

Eats away at

This heart of mine

She starts to laugh even harder, she stops jumping, and has to hold a hoof over her mouth. You still jump for the remainder of the song. As the music finally stops, you hear her gasping for air from laughing so hard. You are breathing fast and heavy from the jumping, but still attempt to be coy.

"Was...was my performance...not good enough...Ms. Rarity?" She sighs with a deep breath, collecting herself from her laughter.

"You haven't even touched your cider, and you're this active. I hope you have some energy for later tonight, darling." You wink at her, and she blushes. You both go back to your seats. Vinyl hops over the microphone.

"How's everyone liking the music?!" She yells. The crowd roars with approval. She points back to you.

"This is ALL courtesy of the man of the hour, this music is actually from where ever he comes from!" The crowd universally turns around, and claps. You stand up. You're about to give Rarity the surprise of her life.

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Aaden just stood up, and is walking towards Vinyl.

What's he up to?

He hops on stage next to Vinyl, and looks as though he's about to speak into the microphone.

"Hello, Ponyville!" He says. Once again, the massive crowd cheers.

"Vinyl and I put together the light show for this next song. Rarity, this one is for you!" He smiles at you from behind the massive crowd. You blush as the lights go down. Drums start the song, and strobe lights flash with each beat of the drum.

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Through the light show and the crowd, you see Aaden on stage with Vinyl, bouncing around.

Someday, when my life has passed me by

I'll lay around and wonder why you were always there for me

One way, in the eyes of a passer-by

I'll look around for another try, and fade away

The song itself was amazing, and you were truly surprised that he had planned this out. You could feel yourself tearing up. Nopony had ever done anything like this for you before. Aaden must really, really like you. You look up at him on stage. He sways back and forth with Vinyl, smiling. His white teeth glow blue under the blacklights on the stage. His eyes are illuminated, and shimmer, his hair is obviously contorted from his amount of moving. Although he's a mess right now, it's not unattractive. The way he moves, it's so smooth, so simple, yet so elaborate. He looks at you again, and winks. Something about that wink gave you goosebumps all over. Was it seductive? Or was it because you were already attracted to him especially this night? You weren't sure. But what you did know, is that you couldn't wait for him to come back down. He had a kiss waiting for him. He hops off the stage, right into the crowd. He gently works his way through to you, but about halfway through, a Gryphon stops him. At first, you become concerned. But then you see Aaden and the Gryphon laughing with each other. It's good to see he's already making friends. Now you fight yourself internally. do you just throw yourself at him and give him the kiss, or do you wait?

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It was weird to see Oliver without his armor on. He actually looked really professional in the suit he was wearing.

"Brother, I've got to tell you, the music of your people, it is so varied, so unique. I really enjoy it." You pat him on the back.

"Oliver, I'm not sure how music is distributed around here, but you're welcome to all that I have." You've never seen Oliver look humbled before, but he certainly was right now.

"It means a lot, brother. You've been nothing but a good friend since I've met you. I pray that, in the coming weeks, you consider the offer Celestia makes you. But enough of that. Rarity make that suit for you?"

"Oh yeah, it's nice, isn't it? I tell you, that mare really knows her way around a sewing machine, I mean, mmph-" As you turn around mid-sentence, Rarity hops on you, and kisses you. You feel her tongue slide into your mouth, and you can't help but kiss her back just as deep. After a few seconds, your heads part.

"Wow." You wipe your mouth.

"One would think I did something to deserve that." Rarity gives you a look.

"Oh, yeah, I'm sorry! Rarity, this is Oliver! He's the honor guard I've told you so much about." Oliver smiles.

"Behind every great stallion, is a great mare. I can see this saying holds true." Rarity looks over to you.

"Yes, well, someone has to keep Aaden in line." You decide to seize the moment.

"So, Rarity, whaddya say? Am I your, uh, what do they call it?" You rub your head.

"Oh, yeah! Am I your coltfriend now?" She blushes again, but doesn't look away.

"I thought you would never ask, darling." She jumps up, and kisses you again.

"That look like a yes to you, Oliver?" The gryphon laughs.

"I'd say you're a committed man now, brother." Rarity wraps her forelegs around you. You look up to Vinyl, and give her a thumbs up. Vinyl stops the current song in it's spot, and calls out over the microphone.

"This next song is for couples ONLY! Grab a partner, and get down here!" Rarity giggles.

"I suppose you had nothing to do with this?" You put on your mock Rarity voice.

"I'm appalled that you'd entertain such a notion, darling." You lead her out to the crowd, and she stands up on her hind legs, wrapping her forelegs around your neck. You put your arms around her waist, as the music starts up.

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Far away

This ship is taking me far away

Far away from the memories

Of the people who care if I live or die

Starlight

I will be chasing the starlight

Until the end of my life

I don't know if it's worth it anymore

Hold you in my arms

I just wanted to hold

You in my arms

My life

You electrify my life

Let's conspire to ignite

All the souls that would die just to feel alive

But I'll never let you go

If you promised not to fade away

Never fade away

Our hopes and expectations

Black holes and revelations

Our hopes and expectations

Black holes and revelations

Hold you in my arms

I just wanted to hold

You in my arms

Far away

This ship is taking me far away

Far away from the memories

Of the people who care if I live or die

And I'll never let you go

If you promise not to fade away

Never fade away

Our hopes and expectations

Black holes and revelations

Our hopes and expectations

Black holes and revelations

Hold you in my arms

I just wanted to hold

You in my arms

I just wanted to hold

For the entire song, neither of you said a word. You just gently stepped around with the other couples. There was no need to speak. Clear eyes and full hearts took the place of words, once more. You smiled at Rarity, and let go of her waist with your left arm, giving Vinyl another thumbs up. She nods her head with a smile as you slide your left arm back around Rarity. A single spotlight flicks on, and is centered on you two. Rarity gasps, and looks into your eyes, as if you make sure that this was really happening. She then put her head against your chest. You put your chin on the top of your head, and continue to sway slowly, with her close to you. You hear a series of coos coming from the couples and ponies watching.

Maybe it was the nightfever, but you felt amazing. You looked around. Oliver was by the cider table, watching and smiling. Vinyl was onstage still, controlling the spotlight. There wasn't a single pony there that hadn't accepted you for who you were, silencing your fears. your attention then diverts to the bigger situation at hand: Rarity. Your new marefriend. Or fillyfriend. You weren't sure what you would call her. You'd ask her later. But here you were, with her, in what couldn't have been a more perfect situation. You weren't dancing so much as you were having a walking embrace to music. When the song finally ended, you gave her another kiss. You walked back to your table, near the cider. Oliver walks back over to you.

"You two are made for each other, brother. But I must go now. I will see you in two weeks for sure, but hopefully I will see you two a little sooner than that. Enjoy your night!" Oliver had a knack for appearing out of nowhere, and leaving the same way, but you didn't question it. You bid him a farewell. He opens up the tent, and you hear him fly away. The night continues to pass without much incident. The music was great, even though you didn't remember it ever being on your phone. You eventually found Pinkie Pie, and thanked her for organizing the entire thing. She was with her friends, who also helped. You made sure no one went un-thanked. Vinyl showed no sign of slowing down, but you could see Rarity was getting tired. Neither of you were drunk, so the fact that she was moving slower, and a little more aimlessly, worried you. You hoped she didn't party herself out. You give everyone another thank you, and wish everyone a good night.

It felt amazing outside, as usual. But it felt even better due to how hot it got inside the tent. Feeling the cool air blow against you calmed you to an amazing degree. You noticed Rarity shivering, however. Poor mare must be a little cold. The dress she was wearing certainly wasn't providing much warmth. You took off your blazer, and put it over her back. You give her a kiss on the cheek, and you both continue walking. You remove your tie, and let it drape around your neck, and you also unbutton several buttons on your dress shirt.

You both finally arrive home to the Carousel Boutique.

"Rarity, you go on upstairs. I'll grab you a soda from the cooler, if that's okay." she nods her head with a yawn.

"That'd be delightful, darling." She clops up the staircase as you dig through the cooler, finding the bottle you hid. It was a bottle you had in your backpack. You wanted to share it with her. You walk up the staircase to her bedroom. You walk in with two glasses filled with ice and the bottle of soda in hand. You set down the two glasses, fill them up, and screw the cap back on the bottle. You take one glass in each hand, and bring one to Rarity, who was standing out on the balcony. She was watching the night sky, just as you were.

"Something on your mind, Rarity?" She sips at her soda.

"I'm just in amazement, darling. I never have to sleep alone again. It was only so long ago that loneliness really bothered me, and now, every night, you're right there." You slide your arm around her.

"Rarity, I may have only known you for a week and a few days, but I have spent every single second of those week and a few days right beside you. I KNOW that i like you. In fact, Rarity, I have something I want to tell you." She looks up to you, taking a sip of her soda.

"This is kind of hard for me to say. I don't know how you'll react." You sit down your glass on the balcony. She does the same. You take her forelegs in your hands.

"Rarity..." You start.

There's the adrenaline again.

"I love you." you manage to say. She throws her forelegs around you, and gives you a squeeze. She again starts to tear up.

"Darling. I love you too. I've been waiting to hear you say that. It feels so good to know that you feel the same way. No pony has ever treated me like you do. It's as if Celestia herself crafted you as the physical embodiment of everything I've ever desired." She sniffles in your shirt. You pick her up by her flanks, letting her hind legs wrap around your waist, and her forelegs go around your neck. You wipe her tears away.

"Rarity, I don't know how I got here. I'm still deeply interested to find how I did, find out who I was. But now that I'm here, I am NOT leaving. I love you too much to do so." She looks into your eyes.

"And you really, truly, mean that?"

"With all that i am, Rarity." You two share another passionate kiss, another moan escaping through her mouth, vibrating your tongue. It rivals the one you had at the party. You set her down.

"Well, I should probably take a shower. I don't think you want a sweaty human sleeping next to you." She laughs.

"While I agree, please don't take too long." You smile as you remove your dress shirt.

"I wouldn't dream of it."