He wanted lulzy, he wanted feelsy.   >You drape on your jacket, and take a deep breath from your nose. >This was going to be the day. >The day you asked her out. >You know what your mother would say. >’ANON YE DUMBASS WHAT’CHE DOIN’?’ >As yes, mother, a real charmer. >You get to the front door, and slip into your best shoes. >Of course, she made it. >You giggle like an idiot, coming up with plans to do after today. >Maybe a day at the movies? >That could work. >You kick once; to make sure the shoes are on tight. >And it wasn’t your fault the door was right in front of you. >No, you’re not making up reasons to kick doors. >You step out of your tiny home, your abode. >You walk much faster today, to HER house and your place of occupation- >The Carousel Boutique. >You fish your pocket for the key, and open up shop. >Quite literally. >Your boss was cool enough to let you hold a second key with you, just so you can come in early. >Not that you did that a lot. >You hear the shop bells ring, and you step inside. >You turn the small sign on the door, ‘Opening’ the store. >You sigh as you are faced with a mountain of used fabric and other debris. >You grab your trusty broom, and hold it close. >You angle it over some clumps of dust. >OH GOD DID THAT THING JUST MOVE? >You scream and beat the clump a few times, before running upstairs. “BOSSSSSSSSSSS” >You bang on her bedroom door, still screaming. >No response. >Your beatings get weaker after the first ten minutes. >Giving up, you glance around, looking for that unicorn. >”Anon, is that you?” >Aww, you know that voice from anywhere. >Another door creaks open. >A small filly comes out rubbing her eyes. “Sweetie, quick- where’s Rarity?” >”She’s not in her room?” >You shoot her a look of disapproval. >”What?” “Dust Bunnies.” >”AGAIN?” that voice crack there. >You nod, still can’t get over her voice. >That is just cute. >”We need to find Rarity!” “Say, why would we have dust bunnies?” >”Well, Rarity WAS hard at work last night.” “Why?” >She shrugs. >”She just started giggling after a letter came in.” >Now, you can’t stop giggling. >Looks like the reservation came through. >It took almost half of your yearly savings, but it will be well worth it. >The most fancy restaurant in town, just for her. >The name is in French, so you can guess it is fancy. >Just like how mother taught you. >”Anon?” >The white filly jabs your shin. >”You alright?” “Huh? Oh yeah, I’m fine.” >You give her a sheepish smile, before moving on. >The third door in question- Rarity’s workshop. >You give a weak knock. >No answer. >You push the door, and to your surprise, it gives away. >You can see the mess on the floor, on the desk, on the EVERYWHERE >You’re in for a long day, aren’t you, Anonymous? >You light the lamp in the room, to find Rarity slouched over an over-turned mannequin. >You also go over to open the curtains, letting in the blinding sunlight. >You cringe at the sudden change in lighting, and you back away into the darkness. >You also notice a multi-colored shine coming from behind you. >You turn to see Rarity, and the object behind her. >Rubies were running across the bottom of the dress, followed by a line of sapphires, and the list goes on. >It was dazzling, on both literal and figurative meaning. >Looks like Rarity worked on it all night. >You lift the white pony, and hold her in your arms. >She stirs lightly in your arms, but settles in and goes back sleeping. >You open the door to her room, and walk in. >You tuck her in, making sure to put away her red glasses on the bed stand. >You fix her ruffled mane a bit, and sit by her bed. “Worked all night again?” >No response. “Of course you did.” >You leave her to sleep, while you braced yourself. >You find Sweetie Belle waiting for you outside of the door. >”Anon, Rarity can’t help us, right?” >You nod solemnly. >Suddenly, a broom is thrown to your hands. >Sweetie ducks in and comes out with a bowl over her head, like a helmet. >”Let’s do this, Anon.” >You grit your teeth. “Lets.”   “HO GOD THIS WAS A BAD IDEA” >”I’M JUST A FILLY ANON” >A dust bunny jumps at Sweetie, and she lets out a little shriek. >You quickly bat it over. “SWEETIE HOLD THEM BACK” >She fires off some weak magic. >”I CANNAE, CAPTAIN” “CANNAE?” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cannae [Credits to Betty and Brainhorn for that conversation] >This was not good. “FALL BACK SWEETIE.” >The little filly retreats back upstairs, as you hold the evil creatures back. >How much magic did Rarity use last night? >And at last, when hope is almost lost, Sweetie comes upon a white steed.   >Like Gandalf.   >Which was Rarity.   >Rarity surveys the scene, spotting you being over-run by the little demons. >”DUST BUNNIES?” >She immediately discharges a spell, effectively ‘killing’ all of the vile creatures. >As in to collapse them back to a puddle of dust. >Those little shits. >You sigh, as Rarity hands you the duster. >”Can you also drop off Sweetie Belle at school?” “Yeah, you want fries with that?” >”Ew, oily food.” >You ignore her ramble on how those carbs can kill you, and move on to cleaning. >Look at you, disgraced to a simple housepet/cleaner. >If these ponies ever invaded Earth… >It will be the Romans all over again. >Getting all the dust was easy enough, seeing how most of them were intent on clumping together and eating you alive. >Shake the fabric and drop it to a corner- and you’re all set. >Sweetie comes out just in time, having her tiny saddlebags on her tiny sides. >She notices you all done, and comes closer. >”Anon, Rarity says you’re dropping me off today!” “Did she say anything about giving me a raise?” >”Well, no- but she seemed excited for tonight.” >You smile to yourself. >Excellent. “Come on, let’s go.” >She gladly marches ahead of you. >You hold the door open for her, not forgetting to hand her a toast you got ready during work. >Feeling pretty good today, you take Sweetie’s bags, and put it over your shoulders. “Here, let me hold that for you.” >She shoots you a worried glance. >”Anon, you okay?” “Why?” >”You’re being awfully nice today, Anon.” “Well, I feel nice.” >”Will you do this every day?” “Don’t push it, kiddo.” >She grins widely, before running off. >Probably to meet her friends. >There was that little apple hick girl. >And a chicken? >You shrug. >Like you gave two shits. >You drop Sweetie off at the school, not forgetting to pat her on the head, and whispering an insult for Diamond Tiara. >Usual stuff. >You hurry back to the store, and you find yourself being awfully happy. >You find yourself saying hello to everyone. >What has happened to you? >And you know what smiles attract. >It is about waist tall, and it is pink. >Pinkie Pi- >”HEYA ANON!” >The damnable mare. >”You’re awfully happy today!” >You sigh. >That was the fifth time you heard this question. >”Youknowtodayis-“ “Hearts and Hooves day, I know.” >”You’re… GOING OUT THEN?” >You nod. >She pauses for a second, and then she jumps on you. >”WHOWHOWHOWHOWHO” >A brown stallion passes the two of you. >”WHOWHOWHO-OOVES, SUP?” >He smiles and waves at the two of you. “I’m not telling, Pinkie.” >She falters just for a moment- >No wait, this is Pinkie. >”Even if I did a Pinkie Promise?” “No.” >”How about a cupcake?” “You gave me indigestion.” >She frowns at you, and does not lose eye contact. >And then, she whispers into your ear. >”I will find out, I SWEAR it.” >That voice made you shudder. >She then smiles again, before running off. >She’s going to stalk you all day, isn’t she. >You sigh once and many times, and return to the Boutique. >Can’t get sloppy, Pinkie might ruin it all. >Like last year. >Damn, that was a bad episode with Rainbow. >She got mad and left the place in a storm. >She kept on telling you she just wanted to be your friend. >Can’t really blame her, though. >You guys didn’t talk for a month or two, until you decided to give up. >And guess who spilled the beans before you asked? >That bloody pink mare, that’s who. >You still won’t trust her, through. >Your trail of thought is interrupted by the door bell ring. >”Ah, there you are, Anon.” >Rarity calls to you, while you are still surveying behind you for that Pink devil. >And oh look, is that a bush with a pink mane sticking out of it? >Nope, nothing suspicious. >”Can you help me out here?” “Uh yeah, give me a moment.” >And then, it strikes you. >Rarity was in the center of the room, in her dress. >She was- beautiful. >Well, you could say other adjectives like ‘Breath-taking’ or ‘insurmountable beauty’, but then you are an idiot. >You’re just standing there, mouth agape- over this mare. >That special pony in all of Equestria. >She notices your stare. >”Too much?” >You shake yourself back to reality. “Err, yeah- no- you look fine.” >”Just… Fine?” “No! I mean, great- awesome, beautiful.” >She blushes slightly at that. “I heard you were going out tonight?” >She nods happily. >Looks like she’s genuinely interested… >”Well, I’m just trying this on for later.” “Oh?” >”I need to get my mane done. Any tips, Anon?” >You shrug. >This was mare stuff. >Like as hell you knew. >You just give her a thumbs up. ”Hey boss, can I have the rest of the day off?” >”Oh?” “It’s a-“ >”Hearts and Hooves thing?” >You smile, and nod. >”Ohhh, looks like some mare out there is getting lucky…” >She shoots you a dirty smile. >And then she winks. “Oh you.” >”Sure, go ahead Anon, I’ll see you then?” >You nod and leave the store. >Your heart is racing now, you are absolutely pumped. >Just a few hours more… >You visit Snips, to get your hair done. >He may be an annoying little twit, but he sure got his skills. >You then pick up the suit you ordered from Fillydelphia, only one who could’ve pulled this off here was Rarity. >And you didn’t want her to know. >Obviously. >You rush to your home, and get into your new clothes soon. >Tonight. >Tonight was going to be the night. >You glance at your nearly empty wallet, and then to your watch. >You better make it worth it. >The clock starts to ring. >Time to go, Anon. >You take another deep breath, and open the door. >Your home was in a quite far distance from the Ponyville town center, often giving you a nice over-hill view on the town. >You see hearts everywhere. >Just another special day. >The sun is down, and with the heart shaped lanterns, Ponyville looks perfect. >And speaking of perfect… >You spot a little pony emerging from the Carousel Boutique. >She’s in her dress, as far as you can tell. >A carriage is waiting for her outside, and she eagerly jumps inside. >The carriage takes off. >You watch it as it slowly sailed over Ponyville. >Wait. >Something’s off. >The restaurant is right there. >The carriage quickly passes over it, and flies to a speck of light in the horizon. >You stand there for a while, wondering what just happened. >Maybe she got the wrong directions. >You stand there, waiting for the carriage to come back. >The chill is slowly creeping up to you. >Rarity isn’t coming back. >Nonononono >It MUST be the wrong mare. >You laugh nervously, and head into the town. >You walk through the festivities, seeing couples everywhere. >You ignore them, as you near the restaurant. >You show the receptionist the invitation, and she lets you in. >You take your seat, and wait. >”What will you be ordering today, sir?” A waiter comes to you. >You smile weakly and shake your head. “I’ll get it later.” >He nods, and moves to the next couple. >You glance at the clock. >7:29. >You tap your fingers to the table, waiting. >You glance again. >10:50. >Most of the ponies are gone now. >Fuck this. >You stand, and leave the place. >Before you go, however… >You fish for the keys again, and enter the dark house. >You go over her work desk, glancing over the slew of letters. >You start going through them, rummaging through the orders. >You can’t find your invitation anywhere. >You sigh, and leave. >As you exit the Boutique, you hear a rasp under your foot. >You look down to see a crumpled piece of paper. >Out of sheer curiosity, you open it up. >It was a green envelope. >It was still sealed, as far as you can tell. >You carefully open it, to find your invitation. >You glance around the envelope, seeing three words. >You drop the letter, and start the long walk to home. >It was a cold night tonight.   >The letter landed softly on the small puddle, slowly growing heavy. >Water breached its walls, slowly invading the body. >The letter absorbed all it could, turning darker by the second. >The ink on it slowly drifted away, but the scar of the quill was still there. >And upon the inscription, it read;   >’Not a Pony.’   >And it could not have been so precise.