Dart Struck - Love in Equestria(Hearts and Hooves themed:Open - See OOC first please)

[Zealot]

Well, there was little the alchemist could say about that. A weatherpony? The unicorn knew little about that profession. Of course, he knew what she did but little about the actual mechanics of what being a weatherpony entailed. Lightout had heard something about kicking clouds, but that was all. Dusty also did stunts? Well, that wasn't good. That meant she was reckless if she was willing to put her life on the line for the mere thrill of it. Lightout would never in his wildest dreams even think of doing some sort of stunt. In fact, he was sure that if he was a pegasus he would remain earthbound. Sure there was that one time he made a potion to give himself wings, but that was purely an experiment. Still, he supposed that there was a certain thrill to be had in the activity.

 

Taking his eyes off the menu and looking up at Dusty he smiled. It was always good to be enthusiastic right? "Well, I'm sure you're a good flier. You certainly have the physique for one. I think if you tried you could be a Wonderbolt." Well, Lightout did think she had a good physique and he thought that was a good enough compliment. Even if it would probably come off as a little strange. Dusty could probably cope with quite an amount of physical activity, especially if she was used to it. That was more than Lightout could say, a lot more. Though he started to wonder, would it be possible to combine the two potion effects through biomechanics? Give a pony wings as well as strength? He made a mental note to try that later.

 

Wait, she had asked a question. Love potions? How do they work? The alchemist chuckled. "Well," he began. "That entirely depends on what kind of potion you want." Maybe that was it. She didn't have a special somepony, yet. Perhaps she had worked out that he was an alchemist because he was working on the fireworks. A possibility, that would explain her awkward behaviour. Lightout shuffled in his seat and smiled. Either way, he loved talking alchemy. "The most mild of love potions come in the form of pheromones. Commonly found in many everyday perfumes. Or even your own sweat. After that, well, that's my area of expertise. I can make potions that will make everypony think you're agreeable, potions that will make everypony think you're attractive. Then there's your pherenone perception adjusters. Those are my favourite, they literally make it seem to everypony around you that you are their heart's desire. Of course, they don't feel anything different before you, it's just an illusion. But still, they're fun to make."

 

The alchemist went back to looking at the menu and continued, "Then there's the actual love potions. These are the ones I usually sell. Basically the pony had to drink it for it to effect them but after consumption, the first pony of the subject's preferred gender that the subject lays eyes on becomes the object of their affections. Essentially they fall in love despite any kind of character flaw for about twelve hours, depending on dosage and subject. I also made a reversed engineered version where the subject becomes best friends with the first pony they lay eyes on." Lightout shrugged and looked about the fair. "I remember I had a few bottles lying around in case I met anypony that wanted them. If you believe in true love, which I certainly don't, then the potion does not create it. It's a temporary effect more akin to infatuation than anything else and comes with a price tag." Lightout turned his attention back to Dusty and tried to gauge her reaction to this information, "I don't suppose you wanted a bottle?" 

[Hawkeye12]

Dusty's blush deepened when Lightout complimented on her physique, saying she would be a good flier...and Wonderbolt. Her heart rate quickened at that. She picked up the menu again, hiding her face. If he thought she could be a Wonderbolt, it just had to be true! But then again...why join the Wonderbolts when she could just smend time with him? There was nothing better, after all!

 

Oh wait, he was talking again. Explaining how love potions worked. Of course, love potions! The mild ones he explained disn't really interest Dusty, as they just seemed to be an illusion. The real potions however, definitely excited her. He could actually fall in love with her! Then they would all be hap-

 

Whoa whoa whoa, slow down. Did Lightout just say he didn't believe in true love? Her face fell. Absurd! And when the unicorn asked if she wanted a bottle, she almost immediately said yes like she had planned just moments ago. But now...she didn't really know. 

 

"Uh, not right now," she blurted out after a moment of awkward silence. "I'll... think about it though." She sighed a litthe. So much for that plan.

 

Dusty looked up from the menu again, trying to avoid Lightout's eyes, as shimmery as they were. "So...you don't believe in true love? Why?"

[moonshineTheleocat]

The coffee colored stallion continued to sob quietly in the prince's shoulder. Conciously, he felt much better now with an actual shoulder to sob on... but mentally he repeatedly kicked his own arse up and down the wall for doing so in a place so... public.

 

Then he heard something peculiar in the air now that his attention wasn't being drawn to courting a mare whom had turned him away for another mare. Something rather strange. Something that sounded like a wizzing buzzing bee.

 

Java looked up in confusion. His pathetic sniffling stopped, but his eyes were still red and glassy. His eyes searched about the area, attempting to decipher where the noise had came from... but he... didn't see anything. Not even a bug.

 

But... he did get a clue that something was very wrong. From the aide of a Griffon whom seemed to be seeing things... and Inkbrand showing off some signs of pain. Though not vocally.

 

Java's eyes carefully watched the irritable stallion go darting off to some-pony else... sugar star. And almost... no actually agreeing with his date! Hadn't he just called Pressy a mare from tartarus? Inkbrand had made it obviously clear that he didn't like her for some reason. And to make matters more curious, Java had learned he wasn't the type who forgives and forgets. So what gives?

 

His mind began to wonder more. Tracing back through each scene, taking away each important detail and presenting the evidence upon the jury. But the most incriminating of it all, and why he had never actually thought about it, was the look that Pressy had given him! Not only was there pity, but a quick flash of... something... light? Yes light, and she was off trying to court Sugar Star!

 

Java now pulled away from the Prince, his gaze locked on the three as he studied their strange interactions a moment longer. He was... actually amused that Sugar Star was not appreciating the attention she was recievi- wait... no... never mind. She's off now trying to creepily come onto his royal friend.

 

Well, at least it's given him a better idea of whats going on now. Some sort of magic is in the air. Probably some mischievous cupid. He heard stories about them. Or... were they not mischievous? And were just getting some bad luck with their arrows? Or... maybe they were in training? Yeah... likely that last one.

 

So... what breaks the spell? The stallion pondered once again, and this time recalled his own experience of blacking out. He woke up on the ground with his jaw sore. A blow to the head? Seemed legit, but kinda dangerously stupid.

 

Java looked back to the three, as he stood next to Prince Blueblood. It... might be a temporary thing... but if it was permanent? Yeah... he couldn't live with himself if he lost Pressy again. Or... more importantly, if he wasn't knocked across the head and had to deal with........ Inkbrand as a love interest. Yeah... both of those would be something he'd be ready to swallow cyanide for.

 

“Oh! Now I think I got an idea of whats going on,” Java hummed. His expression warped into a grimace as he stared at Sugar star. A hoof went over his eyes, to assist in straitening his face before he continued.

“And... I think I know how to fix this... but... you know Prince Blueblood,” He hummed, turning to the prince with a playful smirk. “I think you could use a love life. Why don't you ah....uhm... notice her?” The pony inhaled, with a disturbed shudder. Nothing good could possibly come from that. He's read enough comics to know what comes from a line like that. A river of red. What was this mare? A psychopath in sheep's clothing?  And they called him crazy? Regardless, he gave Blueblood a small nudge.

“Take her some place nice?” He giggled madly.

 

His hooves finally lifted his body off the ground, and carried him to Pressy. Once he was near, he took hold of her head and looked her in the eyes. “Alright! Forgive me for this, as this may hurt... quite a lot! But I'm sure you can take it!”

 

 

He didn't waste a single moment before rocking the mare backwards to throw her balance off. Just before she fell, he snapped her back, and slammed his skull against her forehead. The contact made created a sharp crack that echoed through the festival.

 

And, almost fluidly, the stallion pulled her close before she could fall over, and delivered a gentle kiss on her lips. Hopefully... that would be enough to distract her from the fact that she might have gotten the nastiest headache ever created, and he being the reason for it.

 

And... as for what ever was doing this? Well, he couldn't say. Nor would he unless there was some real gain from it. He figured that mess would sort it's self out. Besides, Inkbrand could go buck himself. After what he said earlier, he can suffer for all Java cares.

[Pretzelparty]

Hayseeds! Looks like Presteza wasn't going to be able to snag the target of her affections with that modeling excuse. Sure, the freckled painter could become a bit... stalker-y when she spotted a pony, griffin, caribou, deer, or any subject that caught her interest, but this time she -had- to be able to paint sugar. In the mare's mind she could just picture it, Sugar star laing on her side, draped in a sheer cloth before a warm and roaring fireplace's light that would illuminate all the golden coated pegasus' features perfectly, but now she was in danger of losing the chance to make that fantasy a reality! 

 

Not only was her beloved Sugarstar succumbing to her love with the admittedly handsome prince... even though her attempts at complimenting him was rather awkward. Inkbrand had seemed to snap out of his strange lust for the love of an Armadillo and finally came around to how adorable Sugar star truly was! this was only getting worse and worse! The freckled artist was ready go right back in and give it the old Trottingham try and make sure Sugar knew just how she fel-- Suddenly the mare was turned around and staring straight into the eyes of that stallion from before... what was his name again? Voronoi Fractal? 

 

"Um Mister Fractal, could you let go of me a sec so I can talk to that... lovely specimen of a pegasu--" She was soon interupted as the stallion spoke quickly and before she had time to even process his words he  gave Presteza a doozy of a headbutt... The world seemed to spin as she tried to comprehend the words he'd just said moments ago.

 

 “Alright! Forgive me for this, as this may hurt... quite a lot! But I'm sure you can take it!”

 

Before she knew it, Pressy was held in the stallion's hooves and pulled in for a kiss. The painter blinked a few times, the pink aura around her irises fading away completely before she grinned brightly and wrapped her forelegs around the stallion and reared back swinging him around while giggling madly, "Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" She cried before eventually setting the pony back down. She then gently bonked the earth pony on the noggin before she spoke up, "Ya know... that hurt but right now I'm so glad ta be myself again I don't even care!"

[Blueblood]

Like most ponies of... less than stellar intelligence, Prince Blueblood had early on reconciled himself to never fully comprehending what was going on around him.  If he just focused on looking good and not making too big a foal of himself, things would generally work out right.  In the past couple of years, though, even that modest goal seemed to be retreating further and further from his grasp.  

 

"Son of a half-brained rot eating - !"

 

*It must be the company I keep these days.  So vulgar.*  Some might have thought it snobbish, but really, was it appropriate to suddenly swear up a blue streak in the middle of a respectable village square?  Of course, whether or not Ponyville was to be considered respectable was a matter of debate, but given that it currently housed Royalty in the form of Princess Twilight, Blueblood would grant the point.  That armadillo-obsessed tattooed vulgarians were not respectable was one of Life's Obvious Facts, but it seemed that any hope of Inkbrand realizing his utter inappropriateness and vanishing was futile.  On the contrary, he was approaching the Royal Presence-

 

"I should think so; In fact, the two of us were on our way to Sugar Cube before we were…stalled."

 

Again, with them making moves upon the Specialist.  Did all the guard have to deal with this while on duty?  And Blueblood thought he had it bad with social climbers and gold diggers.  It was clear, from the tear's in Sugar Star's eyes right now, that she was the sort of mare that had a hard time refusing advances, for fear of hurting other ponies.  Well, Blueblood would be more than happy to take over that little job for her!  He had experience in such matters. 

"Unfortunately, sir," The Prince responded to the tattooed earth pony with exaggerated politeness, all the more to show him up for what he was, "I am afraid that an on-duty guard is not available for... snack runs, either."  He would have gladly continued much further onwards, but right now all he wanted to do was get away from all this madness.  He turned to Sugar Star, to ask her to accompany him (and to clear a path), only to meet wide, wet eyes that transfixed him like a basilisk.

 

“I don’t care what anypony back at the barracks says about you,” she said boldly to the Prince, her expression sheepish and terribly, terribly red, “You came all this way to help a friend! You’re not a ninny or a coward or a dunderhead or an arrogant, pompous idiot at all! You’re more than that.”

 

“P-Prince Blueblood,” she stammered, her cheeks a violent shade of red, “I think you’re really cool! I...I like you a lot...please...please notice me.”

 

Wow.  It had been a long time since anypony had said anything like that to Prince Blueblood, and meant it.  For a split second, he thought that she had lost her mind too, before his better judgment prevailed.  If she was mad for saying that he was smashing good fellow, than he was mad for thinking that he was a smashing good fellow, and obviously he wasn't crazy!

The only thing that puzzled him was the bit at the end.  *Notice her?  Didn't I just do that?*  His bewilderment was not aided by the sudden interjection of his friend:

 

“Oh! Now I think I got an idea of whats going on,” Java hummed. His expression warped into a grimace as he stared at Sugar star. A hoof went over his eyes, to assist in straitening his face before he continued.  “  And... I think I know how to fix this... but... you know Prince Blueblood,”   He hummed, turning to the prince with a playful smirk. “I think you could use a love life. Why don't you ah....uhm... notice her?”

 

So, Java knew what was going on, did he?  Well, that made one of him.  And as for a love life... well, actually, perhaps it might not be a bad idea.  Sugar Star was the first mare to compliment him so sincerely in a long while, and somehow it was just not possible for him to picture her as either a gold-digger or social climber.  And really, he was only going to notice her; surely nothing distressing could come of that?

 

"Alright then, Specialist, I'm certainly noticing you now."  He turned to her with a smile, which froze when he saw yet another unwanted suitor approach his guard!  But, no reason yet to be rude, remember what Auntie Celestia told you.  Deep breath, and he approached the firey-maned young unicorn.  

"I'm no expert in such things," He began, with the same exaggerated sense of manners, "But I believe it is because she has her heart set on another?"  Sounds of commotion momentarily attracted his attention, and the Prince looked back to see Java and Pressy joyfully embracing once again.  Oh, well, seems things had sorted themselves out after.  "Huh, true love prevails."

[Zeig]

 

…What the buck?

No, seriously. What the buck?

"On-duty?" Inkbrand said incredulously, taking a step forward to sneer down at the posh white Unicorn. "You mean you just show up here, without guards or an entourage, and make whatever REA that happens to be enjoying a day off for the festivities hop back onto guard duty, 'cause you suddenly need it?" Sugar Star had been walking around without any purpose - certainly hadn't been escorting anypony whatsoever - and had clearly been ready to wander around the festivities with him and some foal. Nothing about those actions screamed 'on-duty' to the grey stallion.

Until the Unicorn had shown up.

And apparently, this, 'Prince Blueblood', who'd come here without any thought, was now forcing an off-duty guard onto-duty…or buck, whatever it was called. Reverse off-duty? If he felt he needed a guard, why hadn't he come with some, instead of making a mare who'd clearly been enjoying herself suddenly end up back on the clock?

What a tool!

"Maybe you should - " Inkbrand began again, eager to tear this arrogant Unicorn a new one, but was stymied when Sugar Star herself suddenly took a step forward, in a way that he could almost feel the batting of a thousand eyelashes and tiny sparkles rippling through the air. The tattoo-clad stallion could only watch in shock as the Pegasus pretty much confessed her love to the Unicorn, stammering and etching out a desire to be noticed and appreciated by him. It was enough to leave the grey Earth Pony completely baffled, words falling off into stuttered silence and incredibility.

It didn't help when Prince Posh turned to him with a nose so upturned he was surprised the Unicorn could identify who he was speaking to, causing Inkbrand's ears to fall back on his head as his gaze took on an aggressive and burning stare, alternating between the Prince Posh and the apparently enamored Pegasus. Sugar Star was completely disinterested in visiting Sugarcube with him, that much was obvious, and Inkbrand could do nothing but simmer in stunned silence, sneer reflexively crawling onto his face. "Not an expert on mares, huh? Not the least bit surprised, you royal piece of - " the tattoo-clad Earth Pony bit out, before taking a few steps back from the crowd, unable to take anymore of Sugar Star's completely half-brained look. Surrounded by ponies that he hated, or suddenly hated with more fervor that before, the only viable retreat was back towards Flora Bloom.

Who, actually, took some time to locate.

Inkbrand stalked back over to where the green mare had migrated, over towards the griffon Razor. "Can you believe that jackflank?" he hissed under his breath towards Flora, and Razor be extension, golden eyes simmering as they stared back towards the small crowd. "What kind of employer gives somepony the day off, then makes them work anyways, huh?" He wasn't really expecting an answer, too focused on boring a hole into that white Unicorn's bucking backside and contemplating all the ways he could take apart that upturned nose without leaving any evidence.

So far, he had three.
 

 

 

 

[Zealot]

This pony was getting stranger by the minute. One moment she was interested in love potions, Lightout figuring that she wanted to buy one, the next she didn't want one and had audibly sighed. This troubled the alchemist, and he was genuinely confused now. That might have shown on his face. He could have sworn that he'd managed to figure out Dusty Skies' intentions, but now he wasn't so sure. Maybe she did want a love potion but was embarrassed to ask for one. Though he did wonder why a mare like her even needed a love potion. Sure she was a bit of a mess, but he knew some stallions went for that look. Of course, Lightout found it a little intimidating. Tomboys were often trouble makers, and the alcheimst wanted nothing to do with that.

 

Still, he was distracted by two events. Her question, and the waiter coming over to take their order. "Umm, I'll have a hayburger, I need something filling. Extra tomato, extra lettuce, with a glass of water." He gave Dusty a smile from across the table as he waited for her to place her order. 

 

Once the food was out of the way he sighed and leaned forward slightly in his chair once the waiter was gone. Her question was a simple one, though it came with a complicated answer for the alchemist. He wasn't like ordinary ponies who believed in love, being together forever and other such nonsense. Lightout believed in facts and evidence as opposed to feelings. After all, usually the only feeling he got was fear. "Why don't I believe in true love?" he asked himself to refresh his memory. "Well, I've seen plenty of ponies claim to be in love. Take a look around," he gestured to the cafe and numerous happy couples around them. "I'm sure you'd call all this love right? Well I've seen plenty of ponies like this, and most of them hate each other afterwards. Sure, there are ponies who go and get married. Go the long haul if you will, but is that actually love? Plenty of marriages end in divorce, or just become loveless by the end. Then both ponies are too old to do anything about it anyway." It was a depressing sentiment, but one Lightout believed wholeheartedly. "I've had a few marefriends, though that was years ago now. Not one have I felt something for that one would describe as love though." He rested back on his chair and sighed, "No. True love does not exist. I have not ever felt such an emotion, nor have I seen it in others. Only the illusion of something that might be love. I do not know."

 

He shook his head in defeat. Surely the poor mare hadn't come to speak to him for a lecture, "I must apologise." He began, "It is not a popular opinion I know, but it is mine. Did you have any strong feelings on the matter?" After all, he'd hate to just flat out offend her like that. She might not be a bad pony after all, just shy about wanting a love potion.

[ShadowWalking18]

Glimmer looked to her dart case and saw that she only had two darts left. She pouted with a huff, and decided that the best course of action was to dart the two that she hadn't darted yet.

 

The coffee pony looked like he needed some encouragement to meet a nice mare, and her brother.

 

"Right then. Coffee pony first." Glimmer said, taking aim and blowing a dart into Pony Joe's flank.

 

Then she aimed for her brother. She paused, and wondered if she was doing the right thing to all these pony's and her brother.....

 

"Nah. It's cool. They will thank me for it later." She said, nodding with a smile. She was a warrior of love, how could they hate her for it.

 

Launching the last dart, she saw it fly true and strike into her brother's flank.

 

Nodding with satisfaction, Glimmer then noticed that the sun was beginning a low set. She also saw ponies heading to the Town Hall.

 

"Oh, come Lulu! It's the dance time! Maybe we can get some sweets!" Glimmer said, snatching up her pet and left the bushes. She brushed herself off some and giggled cutely, as she ran to get the first dibs of cookies and cake and punch.

 

-------------

 

Razor felt something was very off. And he was a bit taken aback as Inkbrand approached him. He blinked confused at the stallion, then looked to Sugar and Blueblood. He opened his mouth to say something, until he felt something sharp smash into his rear.

 

"Yeouch!" he shouted, jumping slightly as he slapped his wings down to his rear. Did he just get bit by a bug!?

 

"Geez," He said looking at his rear once as he rubbed it gently with his wings, "I think the bugs are out cause-"  He looked back up and stopped as he saw....

 

....saw perhaps the most beautiful mare in the world. Celestia and Luna were but hags in comparison to his figure of pure ethereal beauty. Not even the Princess of Love could even compare! He shook his head, and tried to regain his sense....but found his mind so preoccupied with the image of a mare....

 

...a mare hanging on the word of a no good, low down, impure, slovenly illbred example of a prince!

 

Razor huffed and leaned to Inkbrand, "That sight....is disgusting." He said.

 

Razor wanted nothing more then to steal away the mare, but he could see that she was being led on by this ....prince.... and he could see that Inkbrand and a fire maned stallion also seemed to be head over heels for the mare. So many rivals to take care of...

 

Of course, he could easily beat Inkbrand and that other stallion looked like a real push over....but Blueblood? He might be a fat slob, but he had that princely thing for him and she was a guard in his service....that would be....difficult to deal with.

 

Suddenly, Razor had an idea and he snapped his claws at its genius. He smiled a cunning smile and leaned into Inkbrand to whisper to him.

 

"Say...how about we work to....separate those two. Frankly that mare could do so much better then him. But so long as he is around...." Razor let it trail off as he shrugged.

 

He didn't know if Inkbrand would buy for his idea. Especially if he considered himself a rival for the mare's heart. In fact...they were.

 

But the enemy of my enemy is my friend as the old saying went.

 

And if along the way in the attempt to get Blueblood out of the picture he managed to....accidentally...remove Inkbrand and the other stallion in the process....win-win.

[PyroBlaze]

Flora began watching the scene in slight confusion again. The griffon hadn't responded to her at all, but she didn't really mind much, especially since Inkbrand had come back over, though what he said only made her blink a little in confusion. What? What was he talking about? That pegasus mare and the unicorn stallion she seemed taken with? She opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by the griffon crying out, which startled her as well from the suddenness of it, making her give a small yelp and jumping a bit. She unconsciously tried to cling to Inkbrand for whatever reason, and instead accidentally ended up punching him in the face with her hoof, her whole body weight behind the strike.

 

"Inkbrand!" She cried when she realized what she had just done. She turned towards him and began trying to look at the place where she had hit him, hoping she hadn't hurt him that badly. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"

 

------------------

 

Pyro was ignoring what was happening over near the coffee cart, his focus completely on the mare he loved and the stallion trying to take her from him. He growled at Blueblood's response to his words, at first trying to keep himself under control. What did that stupid unicorn have that he didn't? He couldn't even defend himself! Trying to make Sugar work while she was on break!

 

He growled again before launching himself at the Prince, throwing a punch backed up by his magic at the stallion's face. He would prove to Sugar that she could do better than that stallion!

[Hawkeye12]

Dusty was off in her own little world, imagining the future of her and Lightout. He was so perfect! If only she could win him over. If only...

 

In fact, she was so lost in thought that it took an awkward moment to realize the arrival of the waiter. She hadn't even looked at the menu! "Uh, I'll have whatever he's having," she said, hardly giving a glance to the waiter. Besides, whatever he was having had to be good, right? But she soon forgot that awkwardness as Lightout began talking again, stating why he didn't believe in true  love.

 

Wait...

 

How could anypony even think like that?!

 

As the stallion finished, Dusty sat back in her seat, awestruck. At least he apologized afterward, somewhat anyways, but then he asked for her opinion.

 

"Well, of course I believe in it!"she said, almost snapping it. "If a relationship ends badly, that just means they havent founf the one yet! Same goes for divorces! And being old doesn't mean you can't love anymore! If you find true love, you're never without it, for the rest of your life! True marriages don't become loveless, there will always be the feeling of knowing someone cares for you...like-"

 

Her speech was cut off by a slight whimper as Dusty bit her tongue. She did it on purpose, however, to keep the words 'like you' from coming out. Slow but steady...maybe that was the way to win him?

 

But then it came to the pegasus that she had just, well, ranted at him! Idiot! She suddnly shifted in her seat a little, her eyes casting down. "I'm sorry, I kinda went off on you there. It's just...well, how do you think that? Have you ever fallen in love before?" Her eyes quickly looked back up at that last part, hoping that was the slightest hint of getting something out of him. 

[Blueblood]

It was amazing how much could change in so little time.  Half an hour ago, Blueblood had absolutely no interest in Hearts and Hooves Day, or of involving himself in romance in any way.  But now, with the assured affection of a pretty mare, the Prince was, for the first time in his life, resonating in spirit with the love that was in the air!

 

It was most unfortunate, of course, that this fortuitous circumstance was entirely due to the reckless love-darting of an overeager grifflet.  Not only because it ultimately made a mockery of the genuine love the holiday was inaugurated to celebrate, but because she had also struck pretty much every male within a 20 foot radius, thus plunging the unicorn in the midst of a veritable sea of rivals for Sugar Star's affection!

 

The situation was not helped by the fact that Blueblood didn't truly consider them rivals for the pegasus' affection, as ones capable of wresting it away from him, at any rate.  Hence, he was taken completely by surprise when one of these jilted suitors ran straight up to him and slammed a magically-charged hoof right into the center of his chest as the Prince reared up in shock!

 

That sudden reaction had probably saved his face from permanent damage, but that was about the only good thing he could saw about it.  Taking the hit on two legs caused him to overbalance, and tumble awkwardly behind Pony Joe's donut counter.  The Prince was slow in rising, and when he did, it was not a pretty site.  His face, though unmarked by the punch, was full of shock and rage.  The once-beautiful velvet suit had a hole burned through it at the front, and smashed jelly donut all down the back.

 

That was the end of enough.  It was time for retribution.  An ivory haze soon enveloped the whole of the donut pony's stock as Blueblood fixed a vengeful eye on the perpetrator.  "I believe I distinctly heard," The Prince ground out each word behind clenched teeth, "That the lady was not interested in you."  And with a great heave of emotion-fuelled magic, he propelled the entire shelf of donuts into one huge pastry bomb that exploded in the midst of all three rivals.  Impressively, for one who had rarely applied himself magically before, Blueblood also managed to cast a shield to protect both Sugar and himself from the area-of-effect scattering of dough and filling.  He would feel the effects of the strain in the morning, but for now, love and jealousy were burning bright within him!

[Zealot]

Lightout was a little taken aback by Dusty Skies as she quite forcefully declared that true love did exist. Of course, Lightout didn't believe such things as he'd previously stated. Nonetheless, he read her exclamation as anger and recoiled at her words. They didn't make much sense to him. If a relationship that started with love ended badly, surely that was just an oxymoron. As for true marriages, he didn't think such a thing existed. Love dulled with age, and he couldn't imagine spending his whole life with somepony and not getting irritated at them for something. As for being old, well, the purpose of marriage was to create foals. That could not happen with old age. No, he didn't believe it and he had heard such arguments before. Unfortunately he did not see the evidence that had been presented. 

 

Perhaps a little fearfully, Lightout cleared his throat. After all, he had clearly offended her and he didn't want to get on her bad side. After all, Dusty might still harm him and he certainly didn't want that. Though he didn't think it was her intent anymore to harm him, she seemed far to into the conversation. She may still be prone to rage however, and that certainly wouldn't be good for Lightout's health considering she had already claimed herself to be quite an athlete. "Yes, umm," he began with a slight nervous stutter.

 

Surprisingly though, she apologized. Well, that was new. He'd never had an angry mare apologize to him before. So that was it, she just didn't get it? Well, he supposed he could indulge her. "No, I have never fallen in love," he said, with assurance. "I have known mares who I have admired, though I never professed to be in love with any of them. Even the marefriends I had I didn't truly love and I am sure they did not love me. Though of course they had their admirable qualities, marred by their less desirable ones. Suffice to say I do not believe in it, which is why I am quite insulted by this day." He could see she was looking a little down though and frowned, perhaps he should throw her a bone. "Though if I accept your hypothesis, that love exists. Then I suppose all that is required is to meet the right mare."

[Zeig]

 

Inkbrand had already been aware of any other ponies in the area, sans Sugar Star and the uppity white Unicorn who seemed afraid to get his bow tie dirty never mind his hooves, yet even the grey stallion became conscious of the fretful whispers that issued forth from his side.

And from no other source than a griffon that drew forth rather ambiguous feelings.

"Yeah?" the tattoo-clad stallion breathed, inching closer to Razor even as he kept his golden gaze on the duo. Ambiguous and slightly detrimental feelings for the griffon aside, Razor here was at least competent enough to realize what a bucking stupid situation the golden Pegasus was getting herself into, eyeing up the white stallion like he was the end all of Equestria, and anypony that could realize how much better off Sugar Star was himself, Inkbrand, was a-okay by his books.

That still left the matter of figuring out exactly what to do, however, considering that the mare in question didn't seem liable to come to the obvious conclusion herself. "Yeah," Inkbrand repeated slowly, though more for conformation as he tilt his head to one side, "we need to…split 'em up, somehow. Ai, you can lead that guy away from the fairgrounds - steal his bow tie or summat - and I'll keep Sugar there…occupied." Occupied in a dark corner somewhere, confused and lost and completely at odds at what to do, and he'd be there to hold and comfort her and lead her through the confusing mess of feelings to the open clarity of love for him.

…Yeah. Seemed pretty fool-proof.

But was sadly not to be, as Inkbrand only had a few seconds to mentally congratulate himself on the flawless plan before a hoof came flying straight into his face.

It was a pretty solid punch, too. He was impressed.

Right before he tasted dirt, as Inkbrand staggered backwards and flipped over from the force of the hit, sending him sprawling onto the ground for the second time that day. For what seemed like a long moment, the grey stallion lay there, an aching throb echoing through his head as his mind slowly cleared, enough for an almost unconscious growl to issue forth from his mouth.

"All the buck right," he stated, voice muffled as he couldn't find the willpower to move his snout up from where it was smushed against the ground, "who am I killing."

Which is when a vaguely familiar voice began flitting away somewhere along his right side, causing Inkbrand to groan and roll himself onto his back, eyes narrowed as he looked up to find himself faced with a tree. A very small and slender tree, with its bark just as green as its leave -

…No, wait. No, that was Flora Bloom.

Successful recognition of friends came secondary to the sudden pounding that raced through his skull, as if a headache was just on the verge of breaking through. "The buck just happened," Inkbrand moaned as he sat himself upright, one hoof pressed to his now sore face, "did I just get suckered punched by a tree?" And why in Equestria did he feel so groggy, as if he'd just woken up from a hazy dream?

…What had he even been doing last, anyhow? He'd been talking with Sugar Star and PyroBlaze, about a…a, kissing booth. And then he'd been kissing an armadillo?…and then some white stallion?

Despite the warm, sunny day, Inkbrand couldn't help the shudder that ripped through him. Urgh, he did not need to be having these messed up thoughts on Hearts and Hooves Day. "'Flo, can you - " move, is what he was going to say, wanting her clear in case his sluggish body decided to suddenly pitch a fit while he attempted to stand, but the word got caught in his throat as a commotion suddenly caught his attention, followed by the end of the world.

Well…the end of several dozen donuts, at least.

Inkbrand was vaguely aware that he should be feeling something red-hot, furious, perhaps even scalding as bits and pieces of donut and frosting slowly dripped down his body, ending up in places he really didn't want to think about. Blueblood had gotten it everywhere - on him, Flora, Pony Joe, even an innocent passing bystander to the entire thing. The tattoo-clad stallion was, again, aware that this was the moment he should fly into a rage, beat up the pretentious stallion who thought ponies like Flora were far enough beneath him to include in his donut-inducded temper tantrum. Wipe that smug look off his face, and get some frosting scrubbed into his mane.

Instead, Inkbrand felt…what.

What, he wasn't sure, but it started in his belly, low and unhurried, slowly rising to take precedent over everything else. It took Inkbrand a moment to realize it was laughter, halting and reluctant, as if his own body were trying its hardest to repress it, but it couldn't be repressed as the grey Earth Pony stared at the green mare in front of him - now with plenty of colorful splashes of color to break up the otherwise monotonous color scheme.

"Y-You should see the look on your face," the grey stallion gasped breathlessly, one foreleg holding onto his stomach while the other pointed unabashedly at Flora Bloom's mane, where bits of frosting now dotted its silken sheen, almost creating the illusion of flowers growing out of the figurative grassland of her hair, "you've got a garden growing from your head!" More laughter followed, until Inkbrand couldn't stand it anymore, leaning heavily against the green mare for support, foreleg thrown clear around her shoulders. The action only reinforced the slippery mess coating his own body, and doubled the laughter.

Only in Ponyville. Only, in Ponyville, and only in Ponyville would Inkbrand ever feel inclined to say so.

"C'mon 'Flo, we have to share the wealth!" Inkbrand cried once he had his breath more or less back in control, and quick as thought, the grey Earth Pony whipped off a clump of dough and frosting from his neck and slugged it straight towards pristine as rot Prince Blueblood.

His mother had always said he'd needed to learn how to share, after all.

 

 

 

 

 

[moonshineTheleocat]

Java smiled to the mare. Sure, he might been able to do something else, like throw a bucket of water on her head. But he wasn’t willing to risk watching another second of his special somepony cozing up to another! Maybe just a little… it was another mare. He was still a guy, with some existing base thoughts. Give him credit that he didn’t let it drag on.

 

 “Well… I was sure you could take it! After all, you jumped down a buckin chasm as a foal. I doubt you’ve grown frail after –ALL- this time.” The stallion hummed as he took the mare into a hug, then glanced to his friend to see where his progress was. Surely the handsome young prince can easily woe his way into any mare’s heart without the need of some… strange love spell in the air that was being spread by bug bites. He could see it now, the young white stallion carrying off the mare whom was only a lesser equivalent of Pressy. But still it was a….

No… it was an awkward sight. A terrible, terrible awkward sight. Java grimaced as he just heard the words practically slur out of Bluebloods jaws without even a HINT of thought. How could a stallion whom claimed to be of a high pedigree be such an outright fool when it comes to playing it smooth. It was like the stallion was trying to play a role reversal, and make the mare work for it! Such an evil jerk, but ah… you can pick your friends… but you can’t pick your friend’s nose it seems.

 

And it looks like he was having competition too. Normally, he’d stand in for his friend… but he was sure he was already on the verge of being ejected from the premises from something that was not even his fault. That… and he was sure this was still the effects of some magic. Annnnd… it looks like that for once the cowardly Prince is standing up for himself! What a wonder, if n-

The stallion’s eyes flicked upwards into the air as he saw a column of beautiful delicacies screaming towards his face like an arrow. Each one of these torus shaped crispy creams beaming with a chance of diabetes screamed out a wore cry detailing death and destruction. Then the world went black. Java’s head recoiled back in surprise as the confections made contact. But it was not over yet. No, they exploded out their cream and jelly contents, coating his entire muzzle… and unfortunately splattering into his open eyes.

A voice deep in his head whispered in his ears, Goggles are only useful when you’re wearing them~

The stallion bit back an open retort to the voice… and instead nearly screamed in agony as the sugary crystals flared up an itchy pain like no other. Not even having a griffon, back in his days in the navy, treat his soft belly like a scratching post compared to this sort of agony!

[Zeig]

 

Well, that had escalated quickly.

About as quickly as fathers did when they caught him awkwardly handing from two-story windows…buy hey. Who was going into specifics, here?

The point remained that That SODD's screams had brought down the attention of much more dangerous players, including but in no way limited to: several bystanders who had already slowed to a veritable crawl at the sight and sound of a donut cart imploding upon itself; said donut owner that was probably none too pleased about the destruction of his way of living and eating; and, most importantly, a severe and ornery looking mare with an up-do so tight, it was a wonder she didn't pass out from cranial blood loss.

Probably some Special Ops or REA brought on for festival security, go figure.

The last was what really had Inkbrand's laughter slowly come back under control, the hilarity over the entire situation overtaken by an authoritative figure heading in their direction. And when she reached them, her first question would undoubtedly be seeking out the pony responsible for the whole mess. Which, of course, meant him. Because he had the tattoos, the piercings, the headband - of course he was the pony at fault, wasn't it so obvious?

Buck that!

"Oi, you go around destroying carts and chucking donuts at others for fun, do you?" Inkbrand declared loudly, throwing one hoof up into the air in the white stallion's general direction. "Think throwing frosting and pudding at mares is funny? Grow some manners, 'ya tosser!" Any pony that hadn't been drawn towards the spectacle surely were now, and as disapproving whispers and judging eyes shifted onto the poof, Inkbrand glanced back towards the other end of the crowd, lips curling up as the supposed security mare started pushing her way through the throng of ponies.

Whelp! That was his cue.

"Psst, hey!" the tattoo-clad stallion hissed at Flora Bloom, already beginning to back away from the sad remains of the donut cart, "Flo! C'mon on!" A nudge of his head against the green mare's side was used to, 'encourage' said mare to get the buck outta there, and Inkbrand couldn't help the low and rough snicker that left his muzzle as he broke free of the crowd, only briefly glancing over his shoulder to see if Flora was still following before he broke out into a gallop, leaving pretentious marefriends and arrogant elitists and love-struck tom-foolery well enough behind.

Well hay. He had gotten that donut for free, after all.

 

 

 

[[ Exit ]]