>Before you and Paper Cut part your ways for tonight, you tap her on the shoulder.
"Um... Paper?"
>"Hmm? Yes, Mellow?"
>You adjust your bandanna a little so you could breathe easier.
>Is it really time to ask her out?
>... Hmm.
>Well, it's now or never.
>You take a deep breath, let it out, and look at Paper in the eye.
"Would you... like to go on a date with me?"
>Paper Cut gasps, blushes, and tries to hide the blush with her hooves.
>Oh no.
>Did you say something wrong?
>Is this too fast?
>Is this too sudden for a growing relationship?
>"I... I'd love to..." Paper quietly said.
>You mentally and happily sigh in relief.
>The timing is just right.
"Great! How about tomorrow, seven o'clock tonight at the Serenade?"
>"T-that's great! I... I don't have anything going on at the time anyways!"
>You smile and nod.
"I'll see you there then."
>"O-Okay!" said the bright red-faced Paper and the two of you hug before going home.
>While heading home, you could hear Paper in the distance, cheerfully proclaiming that she is going on a date with you.
>With that voice, she could wake up Ponyville!
>...
 
>You took Rest out for a morning breakfast and told her about you asking out Paper for a date tonight.
>She gasps, but after regaining her composure, she grins widely at you.
"Finally going out with her huh?"
>"Well, I thought it would be nice to take her out to somewhere nice."
>Rest chuckles and drinks the hard cider she ordered.
>A little too strong to be drinking that in the morning.
>"Heh, you may as well call her your girlfriend, Mellow."
>You blush a little.
"Well, I don't think we're there just yet."
>"Oh don't be so modest, you good-lookin' stallion!" Rest said while finishing her hard cider.
>You're good looking?
>You keep your mane clean cut, and your bandannas clean.
>That's about it.
>"But you know what... I can make you even handsomer!"
>'Handsomer' is a word?
>Then again, it's a word for this almost drunk Deep Rest.
 
"Handsome?"
>"Yeah! Ya' gotta look good for your date, Mellow! You gotta make these dates memorable for you and her!"
>Memorable, huh?
"Well... wouldn't I just look good with-"
>"A suit and and tie!" Rest interrupted.
"Are you sure that's necessary?"
>"Necessary? Didn't I just tell you that you have to make it memorable with her?"
"Well yeah, but-"
>"No buts, Mellow Drama! Suit and tie or bust!"
>You sigh.
"Guess I'll be wearing the suit and tie then."
>"Yes!"
"But I'm still wearing a nice bandanna for this. After all... I don't want ponies giving me looks for having the cuts there."
>"Yeah yeah, that's fine. As long as it's nice, then I don't mind it."
>You take a sip of the orange juice and sigh.
"So... where am I getting the suit and tie?"
>"Ya don't have one?" Rest questioned.
>You shake your head at her.
"Never had a real suit or tie for myself. The suits I had to wear for acts were usually borrowed."
>"Ooohhh... well, I can help you get one then."
>You arch your brow at her.
"How?"
>Rest giggles, "The Carousel Boutique of course! I mean, Rarity there has nice clothes for everypony to wear, so why not?"
"Um... aren't they a little expensive though?"
>"What are ya', cheap?"
>You always saved your bits for only necessities, like food.
>You were not into buying anything else really, even more so on luxury goods.
"Sort of?"
>"Well, I'm sure Rarity will hook you up with a deal or somethin'. And before ya' go looking for a dumb suit you might pick up, I'll join with you!"
"Why?"
>"Because I might know the perfect suit and tie combo just for you!" Rest said.
>You never took Rest to be a fashion designer.
>Then again, the cider in her body could be taking its place in her head.
>"So let's get goin' big guy!" Rest scoots out of her seat and out to the front, leaving you to pay the receipt.
>Well, at least the meal was cheap and filling.
>...
 
>At Eri's home, you explain what's happening tonight with Connie Amore and Miss Eri, your two best and trustworthy ponies.
>"Really Paper?!" Connie asked while Eri covers her ears from the boisterous pink pony.
>She is very loud and it almost hurt your ears.
"Um... yeah. He asked me out-"
>Connie gives you a big hug and Eri can finally relax.
>"That's amazing! I knew he would be the right one for you!" Connie rubs your cheek with hers.
>"Um... yeah... congrats," Eri said in a hushed tone.
"Thanks guys..."
>Connie sets you down and smiles at you, "So! It's happening tonight?"
"Yeah... seven o'clock at the Serenade he said..."
>"The Serenade? Then we have to get you all prettied up for your date!"
>You blush a little after hearing the word "date."
>You've never had a date before...
"Um... wouldn't... I just be okay... looking like this?"
>Connie shakes her head, but keeps the smile, "Paper, it's the Serenade, so everypony has to look like their best! And it's a date with Mellow, your best friend!"
"Yeah... but... how do I look nice for him?"
>"That's easy! And not only that, I have the perfect dress for you that fits you!"
"R-Really?"
>"You'll fall in love with it just like you and Mellow fell for each other!" Connie smiles.
>You blink and slowly blush.
>You are not sure if she said that on purpose.
"W-We're only friends, Connie! I-Isn't that right, Eri?"
>"It could change, Paper... just like our everyday lives..." Eri replied.
>"What Eri said! Maybe on this night, it could all change! And who knows... maybe you and Mellow might... you know..."
>You blush extremely hard while Connie and Eri laugh together.
>Might what?
>Kiss?
>Doing the-
>"Maybe not that time just yet!" said Connie.
>Regaining your composure, you sigh and you can feel the redness of your face leaving.
"Anyways... what are we going to do first...?"
>"While Eri here takes you to the spa, I'll go to the boutique and pick out the dress I have in mind for you!"
"O-Okay..."
>...
 
>You adjust your new suit collar, making sure you have enough room for you to breathe.
>"So what do ya' think of this?" Rest said while she shows you the next tie.
"Um, a little too tacky if you ask me."
>"Well... yeah, you're right. Let me look through the rack again."
>Rest goes through the rack of ties that Rarity pulled out.
>It was easy to get the right size and fit for the suit.
>But now, it is hard to find what kind of tie you'd like to wear.
>You are pretty mindful of what you want to wear since it is a special occasion.
>A blue and white diamond tie? A red and gray wavy tie?
>Rarity made a lot of designs and at this rate, you might not even find the right tie.
>You sigh, thinking what bandanna you would wear for tonight.
>"How about this one?" Rest shows you the solid pink tie and grins.
"Looks nice but... I don't think that'll work either."
>Rest groans.
"Yeah but, I'm sure it'll be fine."
>Rest shakes her head and thinks, "Hmm..."
"What is it?"
>Her face lights up and you could imagine a light bulb popping out of her head.
>"Ah ha! I got it!" said the enlightened Rest.
"Yes?"
>"What kind of bandanna are you going to wear?"
"... I'm thinking of something that'll match my eyes and connect to the suit."
>Rest quickly grabs your face and looks closely in your eyes.
>A little too close to you, though.
>Rest smiles and lets you go, "Red eyes, okay!"
>She goes through the tie rack once more, like she's trying to find buried treasure under the sea.
>"Ha, I got it!" Rest said, as she comes out of the rack and holding on a nice looking tie, "This is perfect!"
"Let me see."
>She presents you the neatly designed tie.
>Red diamonds with white outlines and black lines cutting off the each diamond.
>Edgy... but, it does look fitting.
>It matches the black suit, white shirt and white lines of your proposed bandanna, and the red diamonds to your eye color.
"I like it."
>"Yes! Let's get these checked out then!" Rest said.
>...
 
>The spa ponies and Connie are talking to each other while you and Eri are waiting.
"So... you'll be waiting while I get myself... pretty?"
>Eri nods, "Yeah... Connie will be away and getting your dress. She also wants us to come straight to my place when you're done."
>You nod in acknowledgement.
>You hear Connie thanking the spa ponies and giving a hoofful of bits to them.
>She walks back to you and Eri with a big grin on her face, "Okay!"
>"So... now what?" Eri asked Connie.
>"Well, you two will be getting a nice, relaxing massage and spa treatment!"
"Um... a massage?"
>"A-And a spa treatment?" Eri said.
>"Yeah! And when that's done, the spa ponies will get Paper ready for the date. They're professionals when it comes to stuff like this."
"I... see..."
>Connie looks at the clock and gasps, "Oh no, I have to get the dress!"
>She then looks back at you with a hurried look on her face, "Anyways, I have to go get it! You guys just go back to Eri's place, okay?"
>You and Eri nod and Connie gives a quick wave goodbye before sprinting out of the spa and to the Carousel Boutique.
>One of the spa ponies, specifically Aloe, walks up to you and Eri with a gentle smile on her face, "Are you two ready?"
>You and Eri look at each other before looking back at Aloe and nodding.
>Aloe turns around and shows you the way to the inside of the spa, "Right this way please."
>...
>After the spa ponies make the final adjustment to your new hair, they bring a small mirror for you to look over your new hair style.
>... Wow.
>Connie was right about these spa ponies.
>They... certainly know how to make you look pretty for Mellow.
>"What do you think?" Lotus asked.
"It's... it's perfect..."
>They remove the gown from you and you stand up to get a view of your style from behind.
>Once you are done, you and the spa ponies walk out together and see Eri waiting at the lobby area.
>You can see that she is much relaxed than usual, which is always nice.
>...
 
>Red and white broad striped bandanna.
>It covers your scars on your neck and matches your eyes and tie.
>Perfect.
>You look at yourself in the mirror, checking yourself once more.
>A sharp-dressed stallion, wearing a black suit, colored diamond tie, and special bandanna that fits your whole dress.
>You... couldn't help being a little scared about this.
>You never had a date with a mare until now.
>And it would be a date with a very special somepony.
>Somepony like her...
>It is crazy enough how you two met each other in the first place.
>You two crossed each other by chance.
>Was it fate that brought you to her or was it Paper that brought herself to you?
>You smile and chuckle.
>Maybe you can look back to the past later.
>For now, the only thing that should be on your mind is the date with Paper.
>Walking out of the room and downstairs to the living room, you can see Rest waiting.
>"There you are and... wow," Rest looks at you and blinks.
"... How do I look?"
>"Paper... is really, really lucky to have you."
>You chuckle.
"Thanks Rest."
>You look at the clock nearby and see it is almost time to pick her up.
"So, guess I'll picking her up now."
>Rest stands up from the chair and goes up to you, "Let me go with you."
"Huh?"
>"I 'might' know where Paper is right now."
"Shouldn't she be at home?"
>Rest clears her throat, "I spoke to Connie earlier while you were getting changed."
"And what did she say?"
>"She said to come over to Eri's place."
"Oh, is that where she's at now?"
>Rest shrugs, "Maybe? I'm not too sure. Paper might have gone home so you could pick her up, but Connie insisted us to go over to Eri's home."
>You nod in acknowledgement.
"Alright then."
>You walk over to the door and open it for Rest.
>The two of you walk out together and to Eri's home.
>Hopefully Rest is right about Paper being at Eri's place for now.
>...
 
>The door knocks and you snap back to reality.
>Connie gasps, "They're here!"
>She points at Eri, who is writing poetry on her notebook, "Eri, answer them and I'll make the final touches with Paper!"
>"... Right." Eri obliges and walks over to the door.
>Connie adjusts your large green bow once more and gets in front of you, "Not too tight?"
>You shake your head.
"... This is fine."
>"Great! Come on, let's see how Mellow looks!"
>Connie slowly brings you over to the living room, and you can hear Eri talking to Mellow and Rest outside.
>"Come on in... I guess," Eri opens the door for Mellow and Rest and they walk inside.
>You take a deep breath and exhale, hoping Mellow doesn't freak out when he sees you.
>The last thing you want is giving Mellow a heart attack.
>Then again... is that a good or bad thing?
>...
 
>"Come here guys!" Connie shouted, and you and Rest go to the living room, where the shout came from.
>When you turn to the corner, you see Connie smiling at you and...
>...
>Wow.
>You see... your very beautiful date standing there, head down and eyes looking at you.
>She has a puffy, and green dress with an emblem of her cutie mark on the center of her chest.
>She is wearing a necklace with a heart locket.
>Her mane is in a hair bun and tied by her large green bow, and there are small hair strands by the sides of her face.
>You couldn't help but stand there dumbfounded and stare at the beauty that is Paper Cut.
>Paper is also looking at you with a small blush on her face.
>Both of you just stood there, admiring each other.
>Connie looks at you and Paper before coughing loudly to get your attention.
>"Well, you guys look great!" Connie said.
>Rest and Eri nod while they are looking at you and Paper.
>"Yeah... Mellow sure looks... dapper," Eri quietly said.
>"And Paper looks beautiful!" Rest excitingly said.
>You and Paper look away and chuckle.
>Hearing those nice compliments from your friends made you blush a little.
 
>Eri clears her throat and goes up to you and Paper, "Um... you two can look at each other more... when you're at the dinner."
>Rest looks at the clock and widens her eyes in surprise, "She's right! You two should be heading out now!"
"Um... can't we stay here a little-"
>"Do you guys want to be walking out there in the dark with no way of direction?" Rest asked.
>She's not wrong, it does get dark at Ponyville.
>You are afraid of the dark, and Paper is more afraid of it than you are.
>You'd hate to see her scared because of that.
"... No?"
>Connie chuckles, "Then get going, you two lovebirds!"
>... Lovebirds?
>Have you two reached that part in your relationship?
>Then again, you two are dating so... that isn't too bad?
>You mentally shake your head.
>You're thinking about this too hard.
>Connie opens the door for you and Paper and you step out first with Paper following behind you.
>"We'll see you guys later! If you guys get lost, you can always bunk out here!" Connie said, and she, Eri, and Rest wave goodbye.
>You and Paper wave goodbye before the both of you walk away and Connie closing the door.
>...
"So... are you ready?"
>You and Paper stop walking and look at each other.
>Paper is blushing after you asked that question.
>"U-Um... y-yeah..."
"Nervous?"
>"O-Of course! I'm with you and we're going out on this date and it's almost night time and-"
>You chuckle.
"It's alright."
>"And... it's our first date together..."
"I know, so let's make this a nice and special date."
>You gently smile at Paper and she smiles back.
>She stands by your side again, wraps her right foreleg around your left, and happily sighs.
>You and Paper then continue your walk to the Serenade.
>And you'll make this one special night for both of you.
>...