>You are Shimmer Light.
>In your grasp is a Heart Card.
>It was on your doorstep as you were about to leave.
>... Truly, it's a peculiar card.
>It reads "Dear Shimmer, you're the light of my life, will you go to the festival with me? Love, Hexferry." It also has several hearts drawn throughout.
>... You aren't fazed by it.
>The hoof-writing style isn't Hexferry's.
>Even if Hexferry could write like this, she wouldn't put down those words.
>Unfortunately, this card is still affecting you.
>Obviously, this isn't from her, but what if she had written one for you?
>What would it say?
>Would it have the hearts everywhere?
>... You assume this is Caramel's doing.
>You walk back inside and... put it in a drawer.
>In the incredible off-chance it is from Hexferry, you'll keep it out of the trash, so you don't hurt her feelings.
>However, that won't really matter, because you're going out to ask her right now.
>... Ask her to go with you to the festival, that is.
>You used your finest shampoo and conditioner today, so you'll feel a little more confident.
>Now you just have to...
>... You aren't actually sure what to do next.
>Should you get a Heart Card?
>No, that'd be too... implying of your true feelings. You want to be subtle.
>Actually, you shouldn't get her a gift at all; if you did, it'd seem like your trying to buy her decision.
>If she wants to go with you, she wants to go with you, not the gifts.
>... Once again, you're assuming the worst of her.
>You'll get past those thoughts someday, then they'll never plague you again.
 
>Until then, you'll have to deal with your crippling paranoia.
>... So...
>Do you just knock on her door?
>Certainly you won't just knock and ask her to the festival, that'd be... odd.
>She would find that odd.
>You have to ask her when you're already with her.
>If you go out of your way to ask her, it'll be too forward of your feelings.
>... Why is this so difficult?
>Oh, right, it's difficult because you're trying to be overly subtle.
>Sometimes, you really hate yourself.
>It's only as difficult as you are.
>You sigh as you walk back to the door.
>Whatever you end up doing, you need to do it now, lest you lose your confidence.
>The confidence you're trying to trick yourself into having.
>You aren't confident at all.
>You unceremoniously open the door.
>... To reveal Hexferry with an outstretched hoof staring right at you.
>She looks as confused as you feel.
>"Oh! Uh... That's weird timing. I was about to knock."
>That's incredibly weird timing.
>It's also weird in general.
>She brings her hoof to the ground, and you both stand there in silence for a bit.
>... She feels awkward about it.
"What brings you here?"
>With that, she perks up.
>"Right! I'm going to the café, do you want to come too?"
>... You don't even know why you worry about anything; everything you're apprehensive about is solved on a silver platter.
>... Actually, that doesn't make any sense.
>Whatever.
"Sure."
>...
>The walk itself isn't very interesting, but Hexferry tells you of the barrage of Heart Cards.
>Apparently, Hexferry's already gotten fifteen; several from Caramel and Virgo, but also one from... Waspy?
 
>The description she gave of him seems to match the bee moth you see with Virgo often.
>Luckily for you, she described his card as forced.
>She assumes Virgo made him write it for some asinine reason.
>Good. You'll do poorly enough without competition.
>You both get to the café and order your usual meals.
>Now, you're both at the table.
>Talking and waiting.
>"Hearts and Hooves Day is just so... weird."
>... That's the transition you wanted.
"I've... never participated. Is it enjoyable?"
>Hexferry twists her face in a way you assume means the subject is very... subjective.
>"Well, I'm not completely sure. I've gone a few times, but I always went alone because I didn't want to go with Caramel or Virgo."
"...'Go'?"
>"Oh! I mean, to the Festival of Hearts."
>Okay, there's a Festival of Hearts and a Festival of Lights.
>That's stupid.
>"It's a town-wide celebration decorated beautifully. Even though it's mainly about love, it also just feels... calming. I don't really know, but I really enjoyed it. I hear it's even better when you're with someone, though."
>... Your pulse quickens.
>You have to do it now; it's the perfect time.
>Kitty and Birch are the only other ponies in the room and they're on the other half of it.
>Everything will work.
>It'll be fine.
>Everything...
"Well, what if we go together?"
>... You both just stare at each other.
>Hexferry slowly gets redder as time passes.
>That was by far the worst wording you've ever had.
>You swear there was something you had to say in case this happened, but you completely forgot what it was.
>Now you're trapped.
 
>Everything is terrible.
>"W-well, I guess we could, but it's... usually a somewhat formal event. We'd need dresses and..."
>Her eyes slowly look away from you as her voice trails off.
>Congratulations, you've successfully failed.
>She doesn't really sound like she wants to go with you, so she'll probably ju-
>"Wait, Sequin did offer to make my dress, just in case I did end up going. I'm sure Meisa would be glad to make one for you, too. Yeah, that should work perfectly!"
>... You...
>... You just...
>What?
>You aren't sure if you've become delusional or not, because you swore she sounded happy to go with you.
>The blush has definitely died down. Maybe she thinks you don't think that way.
>That... could be incredibly convenient... for now.
>It'll be incredibly difficult to get past later on, but for now, it's your ally.
>"We should probably talk to Meisa about it later today, because the festival is only a week away."
"... Yeah."
>You sound... dazed.
>Though, that's accurate of how you feel.
>...
>Your meals finally come and the two of you talk about your plans and what you have to do.
>You'll talk with Meisa about your dress, and Hexferry will talk to Sequin about hers.
>Apparently things are more expensive during the festival as well, though the quality increases to compensate.
>Also, be wide awake and prepared for a few hours of celebration.
>You haven't gotten any information past that, but you aren't really thinking of the preparations right now anyway.
>All you can think of is her acceptance.
>You feel a great warmth in your heart.
>She said yes!