Adalricus smiled as he got dressed after taking a nice long shower. Feeling rejuvenated, he walked downstairs and happily said good morning to those around him. While Raúl was nowhere to be seen, he knew better than to distract himself when he only had one pony in mind: Fluttershy. “Today, I will tell her,” he decided aloud as he found himself outside, enjoying the sunshine that the pony goddess Celestia brought upon Ponyville. He took a deep breath as he started to walk across town, thinking about on how he should approach this. After all, today was the day that his life would change due to the decision that he decided to make.

I could go to her cottage now and have a long conversation with her…no, it can't be that simple; I may need to do more, he thought, moving his hand through his mane.

“Hiya Adalricus!”

Adalricus stopped as he was about to bump into the farmer known as Applesjack. She held up a hand to gesture a ‘hello’ towards as she showed a grin. “Distracted surg? I can tell you got something on yer mind,” she pointed out.

“H-Hello Applejack,” Adalricus said with a friendly smile. “Y-Yes well, I really want to see Fluttershy right now; I have something quite important that I want to tell her…” Adalricus wasn’t afraid of being outspoken about what he planned to do. Especially if it was the only thing in his mind.

Applejack’s expression became neutral after she heard his response. “And by important…you don’t mean you be wantin’ to tie the knot, are you?”

“I- Wait, ‘tie the knot’?” Adalricus asked, raising an eyebrow. “I am not familiar with that expression,” he then confessed.

“Seriously?” Applejack asked with a surprised expression. “I know you’re foreign’ and all but…”

Adalricus gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry,” the changeling prince said.

Funny enough, Applejack smiled before shaking her head slightly. “You’re quite a special pony, aren’t ya?”

This time, Adalricus frowned. Her term of ‘pony’ once again brought discomfort to his mind. However that didn’t stop him from asking, “So what does that expression mean?”

“Well it’s usually an expression meaning to propose someone into marriage,” Applejack explained.

This time, Adalricus turned red. “M-Marriage?!”

Applejack also frowned. “Oh, so you weren’t going that way after all…well nice to see that you’re taking your time!” she laughed.

Adalricus showed a displeased expression, but forgave Applejack nonetheless as he said, “Well, I just really want to speak with Fluttershy about something. It’s pretty important since I haven’t really told her or anypony in Ponyville for that matter, but I want to be honest with her because I…” Adalricus paused as he wanted to make sure that he knew what he was saying and that this wasn’t a heat of the moment type of statement. “…REALLY like her,” he finished.

Applejack was obviously pleased to hear such a statement, as Adalricus really seemed to be one of a kind. Didn’t seem to shy away from speaking his mind out of pure honesty because of the type of pony that he was. She always believed that she would never meet a pony of her equal, in terms of a specific trait shared between the two. “You mean that you love her, huh buddy~?” she whistled, teasing him.

“Eh-” Adalricus started, as her comment brought confused feelings inside of him; was he getting embarrassed? He started looking to the side as he grew increasingly embarrassed. “A-Anyway, I’ll see you later-!” he said, quickly walking past her while avoiding eye contact. His mind started to buzz, causing his nerves to react sensitively by the slightest of movements. Yes he should have simply stopped and waited until he was able to relax, but his patience was weak at this very moment.

As Applejack was left alone, she couldn’t break into into silent laughter after what had occurred in front of her. “That fella!” she giggled.

“What ‘fella’?”

“Huh?” Applejack blinked as Rainbow Dash was flying above and landed in front of her. “Oh, hey Dash.”

“You seem to be in a good mood…what ‘fella’ were you talking about?” Rainbow Dash asked with a grin. “Got yourself a new coltfriend or something?” she then asked.

Rolling her eyes, Applejack shook her head. “Actually, it’s about Adalricus…”

Rainbow Dash frowned when she heard his name. “Oh…”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”

*********************************************

Mr. Cake sighed as he finally finished the party platter that was due within the next 20 minutes. A big slumber party was happening tonight and the hosts paid in advance, so that Sugarcube Corner could ahead and finish the order early. Yes it was pretty common to get such orders for a good get together for the young fillies. He smiled as he placed the two large boxes on the counter. He yawned as he realized that no coffee in the morning was making him less productive, despite the fact that his wife wanted his teeth to stay whiter.

Maybe if I am careful, she won’t catch me, Mr. Cake considered, as he was still having a difficult time staying awake. Worst-case scenario, she would catch him and not let him have any until AFTER midnight. Smiling at the thought, he causally made his way to the near-end of the counter where he started to pour a cup. The aroma brought a sense of relief to the hard worker as he took in a big whiff of joe. He sighed in pleasure as he took in a few gulps before pausing for a few seconds, licking his lips to properly to then enjoy the taste. He leaned against the counter with his back turned, wanting to savor the moment with the idea of no other pony being around. “Oh yeah, I really needed this…”

“To what, yellow your teeth even more?”

Mr. Cake nearly jumped as he quickly turned while attempting to hide his black drink. However, his fear converted into relief before annoyance, as a grinning Raúl leaned on the counter. “Not funny…”

“It’s kinda funny,” Raúl responded as he pulled away. Smirking, he then asked, “Have you seen Pinkie Pie by any chance? I can’t seem to find her anywhere…”

Mr. Cake’s annoyance vanished as Raúl was being serious. “What, you can’t keep it in your pants for at least 20 minutes?”

Raúl’s smile vanished as he wasn’t expecting that kind of response. “Wait- You know-?” he quickly asked. He was not entirely sure how Mr. Cake felt about intimate relationships between 2 whom he rented rooms to.

“Of course I do! Hell I am sure that everypony in Ponyville knows about your sex-crazed relationship!” Mr. Cake gave a frown as if he were disappointed at Raúl. “You’re quite well-known you know.”

“Wait, even more than you and Mrs. Cake?” Rail asked.

“Hey don’t be a smartass!”

Raúl returned the expression as he responded with, “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.”

Mr. Cake was confused with what Raúl said and with good reason. “What?”

“Eh I don’t know,” Raúl said, as he gave an embarrassed laugh. “Normally I could come up with more clever responses, but I am just a bit lazy today,” he confessed.

Mr. Cake rolled his eyes but felt happy knowing that the subject would change. “Well I am sorry to say but I haven’t seen Pinkie Pie at all today.” With that, he began to drink his coffee again.

The changeling sighed as he leaned his back against the counter and pondered for a bit. No Pinkie Pie meant no fun whatsoever, and by the type of fun that only Pinkie Pie could do with him. Surely he had something that he could do without her, right?

Raúl blinked as another patron walked into the bakery, waving after acknowledging him. “Oh hello Raúl,” said Twilight. She gave a normal smile while walking towards him, giving Raúl the impression that she was in a good mood.

Smiling, Raúl returned the acknowledgement with a nod. “Buenos días Crepúsculo,” said Raúl.

“I am…sorry?”

“Oh my mistake; I meant, ‘Good morning Twilight’!” Raúl laughed slightly, as he felt some embarrassment after forgetting that Twilight did not speak the native language of his kind.

“That’s your native language?” Twilight asked curiously, as she walked up to him in apparent confusion. “I never heard of it before…and you do sound different with the use if your accent…what is it called?” she then asked. Something that Raúl failed to notice, was how Twilight did not blink a single time since the moment she walked into the bakery. Uncharacteristically, Twilight held her hands together while leaning sideways against the counter next to him.

“Oh um…” Rail hesitated after hearing Twilight’s question. If he told her the name of his language, then she would likely have a higher chance of learning his true background. Even if he tried to lean the explanation towards that he took interest in studying said language, there was always the possibility that she would not believe him. Credited by the already secret nature that he and Adalricus practiced around the ponies in Ponyville. And Twilight was sharper than most ponies that he came across, meaning that she would likely notice his abnormal behavior.

“Well?”

Raúl blinked, failing to realized that he took too long in responding to the curious Alicorn. Looking at the impatient mare, Raúl gave a smile before responding with, “You look quite lovely today!” Hopefully she would be distracted by his remark out of embarrassment.

Twilight’s eyes widened slightly as if she were surprised, to the point where she finally began to blink like a normal pony. At first it seemed that Twilight was going to blush and look away, due to her lack of experience with receiving flirts from stallions. However, her expected reaction would not occur, as Twilight simply glared at Raúl with a blush. And this time, she took one step forward as her horn glowed indicating that she meant business. One second later, Twilight and Raúl soon found themselves on top of the Surgarcube Corner’s roof.

The wind blew gracefully across the two ponies, taking the changeling in disguise by surprise. However before he could react, Twilight began to yell at him out of frustration.

“Why do you try so hard to avoid answering my questions?! Every time I TRY to get to know you better, you act like a total ass by flirting just to distract me into forgetting the subject all together!” Twilight shouted, as her face grew redder.

Raúl was speechless at how Twilight reacted; he honesty expected her to, at most, just become annoyed with him and give not another thought to the subject. Was it that time of the month for her?

Twilight’s wings reacted accordingly to how she expressed her frustration towards the changeling. “And you continue to give me the impression that you’re hiding something…” Twilight took a step forward, causing Raúl to take a step backwards. “…something that you seem desperate enough to act stupid in order to prevent others from learning about it!”

“Twilight- I honestly think that you’re over thinking this,” Raúl remarked in return while keeping his cool. Her behavior was not something that he was expecting, causing him to raise his guard up. Twilight's reputation was nothing to laugh at despite the fact that she was quite young as a princess. Her feats were known quite well throughout the lands that caught even a whisper.

Twilight’s hostile reaction settled down only slightly, as she kept the same serious expression while looking at him. “Am I Raúl? You arouse my concern for my friends a lot more than I was expecting...”

This time, Raúl was confused by that last comment. “Excuse me?”

Twilight’s wings slowly returned to their natural position after she took a deep breath. In the process of crossing her arms and closing her eyes, the obviously stressed Alicorn began to move around Raúl. “Raúl…why did you come to Ponyville?”

There was silence on the roof top of Sugarcube Corner, as even the wind seemed to cease it’s usual visit across their location. Raúl’s eyes continued to follow the purple pony without shifting his position, not even as much as to tilt his head to adjust his vision was needed. It eventually got to the point where Twilight stopped right behind him and waited for a response this time, the wind was heard. Perhaps a spell would have struck him by behind and he would have never even realized it.

“Was this question not already asked beforehand?” Raúl asked coolly, as the changeling's head tilted upwards slightly. He looked at the sky with the same expression.

“Forgive me; I seemed to have forgotten,” said the voice behind him.

Raúl gave a soft chuckle when he heard her response. “To escape it all…to…see new things and just have fun…you know, in a stress-free environment?” Raúl answered calmly.

“…I see,” was what Twilight said. She un-crossed her arms and looked at his back. “…” She then looked to the floor and added, “Your wings look nice today…”

Dead silence had returned for only a few more seconds.

“Thank you,” Rail said before his eyes closed. "But not as nice as the day itself..."

“…Where is your horn?”

***********************************************

Adalricus took a deep breath as he found himself crossing the small bridge that would bring him to Fluttershy’s cottage. He held the flowers in both arms tightly as his heart raced faster and faster. The atmosphere at her cottage made Adalricus feel as if he were back home. And by “back home”, it was the comfortable feeling he had when he was in his room. Surrounded by the aroma of flowers, Adalricus ran his hand through his mane slowly. As he came closer and closer to her doorway, he paused and looked at the gift he held in his hands.

“Perhaps flowers are a bit over done…” Adalricus frowned at the bouquet he brought specifically for Fluttershy’s taste. “Eh to hell with it; it’s the thought that counts,” Adalricus decided aloud as he began to knock on her doorway. …Right?

As Adalricus waited for Fluttershy to come to the door, his concern over how he would tell her the truth returned to his thoughts. He would likely need patience until the proper opportunity came to him. While it wasn’t good to be this worried, Adalricus wanted to make sure that this was done right with no mistakes that could cost his relationship with her. The prince also wondered if he needed to reveal his true appearance to Fluttershy, which was something that he hoped to avoid for the time being.

Would she find me intimidating? Adalricus wondered with concern, as he slowly started to knock on her door again. Yes it was pretty obvious that if he was going to tell her the truth, she WOULD possibly need some form of evidence to believe him. And of course, how she decided to react was not 100% clear in his mind.

“…Fluttershy?”

Raúl soon realized that he had been standing there for at least 2 minutes. It wasn’t like Fluttershy to take this long, nor would he think that she would forget about his expected visit. He waited for another minute before calling out her name repeatedly. Was she out? Perhaps she had something urgent to do?

Adalricus looked behind him, hoping that he would see Fluttershy arriving to catch him before he left. However she wasn’t there, thus tempting him to leave and come back a little later. Of course he could stay and simply wait, but there was always the off chance that he could meet with her in town.

“I suppose I am going to have to wait and come back later,” Adalricus sighed, as he took one last glance at the door. However, just as he shifted his body to fly back to Ponyville this time, he noticed something off about the door. His curiosity led him to gently push his hand forward, revealing that the door was partially opened.

“Fluttershy? Your door was opened!” he called out, as he expected her to actually be home if her door was in this state. “Fluttershy?” he called out again, as he opened the doorway fully and stepped forward. “Why would she leave the door-”

“Hello Adalricus.”

Adalricus froze as he realized that somepony was sitting where Fluttershy would normally sit, if they were drinking tea together. Ironically, she was drinking tea while speaking to him.

Adalricus looked at her in confusion as he took another step forward. “Who are you?”

As the stranger took yet another sip of her raspberry-lemon favored tea, she closed her eyes for a few seconds before opening them and answering, “I am Princess Celestia.”

Author's Notes:

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