Title:           Number 1 In Ponyville - On Hiatus
Author:          Stegtorn
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/HuBgR6ax
First Edit:      Sunday 28th of July 2013 06:08:42 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Sunday 28th of July 2013 06:08:42 PM CDT

Wrote and posted some of this a while ago. It did sort of well.
I touched it up a bit, but still has that sort of "stickiness" my very early work has. I like to think I've improved since then.
 
>It's midnight.
>Cool moonlight leaks in from the window just above the bed you share with Twilight.
>She is curled up next to you, huffing short breaths, asleep and at peace.
>You, on the other hand, are wide awake.
>Tonight is a full moon, and that means another one would be sent over.
>It is your job to take care of these unwanted extras.
>Silently you slip out of bed, planting a kiss on Twilight's cheek before collecting the tools you had hidden across the library.
>You had waited a few more minutes than normal today, you'd have to go double time to reach the hill now.
>It's late, but that doesn't mean all the ponies are indoors tucked in bed.
>A few trotted about, mostly the teens, riotously yelping - they're probably drunk.
>No matter, that just makes them easier to slip by.
>You're out of town now and you can relax a bit, it is only a short walk from here.
>You get off the main road, ducking behind a large rock in the wooded area nearby.
>From your light backpack - essentially a modified saddlebag, you wriggle into your hoodie, pulling the hood up to obscure your face.
>It is old and stained as you don't wash it often, you don't need to either.
>It serves only one purpose.
>To hide your face, and keep any unwanted evidence off your normal clothing.
>Next you pull out your tool, it's long, covered in a dirty rag.
>The tool itself isn't dirty, rather it gleams in the moonlight.
>The blade is sharpened to perfection.
>Looking up at the moon you judge you have about five more minutes to get to the hill.
>It isn't a very tall thing, but had a steep slope overlooking the thin river running from EverFree to Ponyville.
>You arrive there ahead of time, this is always preferred.
>The night is quiet and not a creature is stirring.
>Yet the air crackled with anticipation of the coming event.
>You loosen and tighten your grip on the tool hanging by your side.
>With a dull flash of white and the buzzing sound of an entrance another being is at his knees just a few feet from you.
>He coughs a few times, and struggles to stand.
>"Hey, hey," he looks up and blows out a huff of breath, "whoa. Man, where am I?"
>You stand idly there, your curved blade gleaming.
>"Hey, what are you doing with that?"
>You don't respond, wasting no more time and charging forward, blade cocked back.
>The man has no time to react, only getting a chance to put up his arm in defense.
>The fear on his face is accented by the shadows, the moonlight warping his features.
>You easily force his arm down with your left hand, bringing the blade hard on his skull.
>The wet crack is near silent but nonetheless cringe inducing.
>The man's limp body slumps to the ground before you.
>You pack up your tool and pick up the body.
>Thankfully this one isn't as heavy as the last two.
>It's a short walk to the edge of the EverFree but difficult all the same.
>You lay the body down.
>Then, after fetching your shovel from inside a hollow tree, you move into position to begin digging.
>There could be no others.
>Only you.
 
"Hey, you ready?"
>"Yes, are you?" Twilight calls from her room.
"Uh, yes," you make your lie apparent for comedic effect.
>She lefts out a "hmm" of laughter.
>Tonight is date night, and you have gone all out.
>Or as out as your budget would allow, which is small but comfortable.
>Twilight emerges from her room, meeting you in the upstairs hall.
>She has done a whole lot of nothing to dress up for dinner.
>And she look marvelous.
>You extend a hand, she places her hoof on it with a blush and you lead her down the stairs.
>Reservations at Adorned In Red were expensive, nearly a months pay.
>But it is worth it, if only to see Twilight relax and enjoy herself.
>It is around Seven at night, and the streets were bustling this weekend, mares and stallions trotting about.
>The party goers in their large packs, roving around looking for bars and such.
>You lead Twilight there, chatting the whole way.
>"You sure about this place? It's really expensive," she asks nervously before entering.
"Well, seeing as I already have us a table, yes. I am rather certain, now c'mon don't worry about that tonight. Just relax."
>You give her a gentle nudge toward the door.
>A stallion with slicked back hair, wearing a nice red vest greets you in the lobby.
>He politely asks for your names, checks his book, then leads you to your table.
>The restaurant is crowded, but not with rowdy ponies, it isn't loud at all.
>Only the quiet murmur of polite conversation filled the place.
>"I can't believe you-"
>You place a finger on her mouth before she can finish, replacing your index finger with your lips.
>You pull back your head, smiling.
"Enjoy yourself."
>She looks away with a bashful smile.
"Amazing weather, eh?"
>"Yeah, I've always loved the summer."
"Really? I always thought the winter months were your favorite."
>"Well, I do enjoy the snow," she looks up at you quizzically.
>The waiter, also dressed up in a fancy vest, comes by to take your orders.
>He's polite and seems to like his job.
>The food is brought around quick enough.
>As expected the meal is delicious, well worth the money.
"Well?" you inquire.
>"Great!" she replies with a wide grin, munching on some greens.
"Beautiful smile," admittedly you do swoon when she smiles like that.
>She does a lot of things that drove you nuts, and you love ever second of it.
>She is far too embarrassed to meet your eyes, her cheeks a bright shade of red.
>Dinner goes by all too quick enough, fill with the banter of two lovers.
>You pay the bill, making sure she didn't see the large final sum.
>It is nine at night when you finally left for home.