Starlight and Trixie, eh? Twilight giggled as she trotted through Ponyville's main square. Not the most obvious pairing. The whole notion was one of those things that was so absurd that it was rejected outright without a moment's thought. If one looked deeper, however, it was easy to see that the two had been spending an awful lot of time together.

Aww, I simply must share this! Twilight closed her eyes in an attempt not to squee. She felt proud and gossipy at the same time. Her student had fallen in love and was keeping it a secret—very much like Twilight had kept her first crush hidden from her family. No wonder Starlight had refused Twilight's attempts to replace Trixie with some other friend. There were some things even friendship couldn't affect.

I wonder how far they've gotten, Twilight mused, glancing at the sky. Trixie did mention something about a beach—

"Ugh!" Twilight's muzzle bumped smack into something. The something had the softness of a pony, along with a faint scent of lavender perfume. "I'm so sorry!" She winced. Ouch! That hurt! Serves me right for not looking where I'm going, I guess. "I was busy think—"

Opening her eyes Twilight froze in her tracks. Based on the perfume she had expected to have bumped into a mare. She couldn't be more wrong. Standing before her was a cyan stallion... a very attractive cyan stallion Twilight had happened to notice on a few occasions. Her mouth filled with saliva. For some reason she couldn't take her eyes off him. Glasses, Daring Do limited edition cap, short slightly unkept dark mane... it truly was a match made in heaven. Her wings extended slightly, as a large smile covered her face. Must not freak out! Must not freak out!

"Why, hello." Twilight made an attempt to sound suave. "I guess Celestia's sun isn't the only thing that's blinding today." Best Impromptu Pickup Lines Vol III, chapter 2.

"Err, no problem, Princess." The reply made Twilight swoon. Her legs shook, almost giving in, yet with force of will she managed to remain upright.

Why does this guy have such an effect? He’s worse than a love potion?! "Aren't you the gentlestallion?" Twilight casually brushed his side with her wing. The stallion instantly straightened, freezing like a startled hamster. His ears perked up, only to have Twilight suppress a smile behind her hoof. I can't believe I just did that! "What was your name again?" She leaned closer.

"Shift—" the stallion began, breaking the word with a forced cough. "Star Dial," he added quickly, brows moving together.

"Star Dial. That's a lovely name," Twilight almost purred. "I've noticed you around, Star Dial. I see you've been working out. Nothing but muscle." Well, that's not entirely true. You still have a few fat patches, but hey, stallions are supposed to be curvy where it counts!

"Err, that's hardly true." The stallion took a step back. "You're just too kin—" before he could finish, Twilight moved even closer, landing a kiss on the side of his muzzle.

My stars! I really did it this time! A wave of guilt swept through Twilight, yet not enough to make her stop. Instead, she remained as she was for several more seconds, her kiss only broken by the unfortunate stallion stepping away, then stiffly left the scene. Twilight almost didn't notice. For a full minute she remaining as she was—neck extended, lips in the shape of a kiss, as if Star Dial were there. It took several stares from passers by to bring her back to her senses.

"Oh my stars!" Twilight squeaked, then covered her mouth with a hoof. What just happened? Did I smooch a complete stranger? In public?! And I thought Starlight had issues... Argh! I really need to stop having all nighters! Or at least find better coffee when I do.

"Good morning, Princess Twilight," Mayor Mare greeted. "Wonderful day today." She stopped to adjust her saddlebags. "I guess we must make the best of it before the storm hits."

"Oh, certainly." Twilight nodded, snapping out of her love trance. If there was one thing bureaucracy was good for it was to instantly drag anypony back to reality. "You know, Mayor, I was wondering if it would be possible to place a friendship hotline booth in the school?"

"Oh?" The Mayor froze. "Has something happened? My son never said anything about trouble at school."

"No, everything is fine," Twilight reassured her. "It's more a case of— You have a child in school?!"

"I've been married for twenty years." The mayor pursed her lips. "Just because I keep my private and public life separate is no reason for anypony to make assumptions! We can't all afford to kiss our special somepony in the middle of town square, can we now?"

"Oh, heh, heh, look at the time." Twilight began backing away, her face becoming redder by the second. "I'm so glad we had that talk." She turned around, resisting the urge to teleport away.

Nothing happened, she said to herself, continuing forward as casually as she could muster. This wasn't the first embarrassing situation she'd ended up in. Besides, it was just a little peck on the cheek. The stallion had probably forgotten all about it by now. Was nice though. Twilight allowed herself a slight sigh. She was obviously going to ask Applejack about Star Dial. If the stallion was in ponyville, AJ would know where to find him. Or she could ask Pinkie? Twilight cringed at the mere thought. It was outright scary how gossipy Pinkie was when she hadn't made a Pinkie Pie promise.

Bon Bon's shop had a huge Closed sign on it when Twilight arrived. Nothing new there. Bon Bon tended to work half day. Good thing that her sweets were delectable enough to support her, and Lyra's, lifestyle. Twilight knew from experience that living with a gamer wasn't easy. In fact, she was grateful that Bon Bon had allowed Lyra to keep playing computer games, let alone agree to host all the game parties in her house. Pity that she herself never played.

"Heya, Princess!" A cheerful voice came from above, startling Twilight into extending her wings. "Really huge thanks for helping Dinky. I'd totally forgotten what effect lightning could have on unicorns. Don't know why I didn't think of it sooner."

"Oh, hey, Derpy." Twilight turned around as Derpy landed on the ground with a slight wobble. "It's okay, you're not a unicorn, after all." And thank the stars for that! How you got your lightning cloud license I really don't know. "What's important is that Dinky's fine." There was a slight pause. Do I grumble at her for not inviting me cloud swimming? There was no denying Twilight still felt a bit upset, then again, Derpy had been nothing but nice ever since they had met.

"Oh, almost forgot!" The blonde pegasus leapt into the air. "Have a message for you! Seemed important too."

"But?" Twilight narrowed her eyes. If she knew one thing it was that with Derpy there always was a "but."

"Heh." Derpy smiled sheepishly fluttering backwards. "I sort of left it at home." Twilight rolled her eyes. "It wasn't sent through the proper mail service channels! A scroll just popped up in the middle of the street." Her alarm changed to discontent. "... five feet from the ground. It nearly made me crash into a wall!"

"It's fine, Derpy," Twilight sighed, still smiling. "Just bring it when you can. I'm sure it's nothing." I'd know if my help was needed that urgently.

"Thanks, Princess!" Derpy's smile eclipsed the sun. "Ayyellow!" She shouted cheerfully—her unique goodbye of the month—then dashed off into the sky, crashing through a few clouds as she did.

Twilight shook her head. Her friends really had their peculiarities. At least it wasn't as bad as with Minuette. The thought made both of Twilight ears droop down. She really hoped that things weren't as bad as Amethyst and Lyra had made them out to be. The saddest part was that being gullible was part of Minuette's nature. If there was a pony that would see the positive in anyone and anything, that was Minuette. The poor unicorn had been taken advantage of so many times because of this particular trait of hers, and yet refused to change. Somehow her inner joy had remained unfazed after suffering three heartbreaks, losing a fortune of bits on gifts, and loaning half of her possessions never to see them again.

I'm probably overthinking this. Twilight knocked on the the door. it's probably not that bad. Surely Minnie's learned from her past experie—

"Hey, Twilight!" The door swung open as a unicorn leapt from inside, grabbing her in a firm hug. "How are you? It's been ages! Wow, you certainly have been working out. Burned the fat off all the right places, am I right?" She pulled away, letting Twilight breathe.

"Err, hi, Minnie." Twilight managed a polite smile.

"Guess what!" Minuette beamed. "I'm no longer single!"

Twilight dug her hooves in the ground as she attempted to keep a neutral expression. That's what you said last time! She wanted to scream. Things weren't as bad as Lyra and Amethyst had described, they were ten times worse!

"And he promised to join us today!" The blue unicorn went on, hopping joyfully in place. "Isn't that great? Isn't it?"

"Wow. That's—" Unexpected. "—nice."

"Min, is that the cheater out there?" Lyra's voice bellowed from inside the shop.

Twilight's chest puffed up. Her mouth opened to voice her opinion on the matter. Whatever words came out, however, were quickly drowned in the sea of Minuette's remarks and questions. In that regard she hadn't changed one bit. In half a minute Twilight managed to learn about Minuette’s life the last three months, all the recent events in Canterlot, as well as the latest Blueblood scandal. Naturally, most had to do with Minuette's virtual coltfriend.

Nodding and agreeing, Twilight entered the shop and climbed to the second floor. The room was quite different from her last visit. Apparently, Lyra and Bon Bon had made considerable changes. The old furniture was gone, replaced by floor cushions; all the shelves had been removed, along with Bon Bon's prized cooking trophy collection, opening space for a collage of grand posters that covered two entire walls. Twilight instantly recognized Alicorn II, EverfreeQuest, The Mare Who Said No—a popular, though overly romantic spy movie—as well as several signed metal band posters.

I bet Bon Bon had a hoof in that! Twilight thought. Despite her candy-cute appearance Lyra was quite the slob when it came to anything else.

The visual crystal had also been traded in for a newer model, offering a two by three feet virtual window that dwarfed Twilight's own gaming system. So that's how you want it, eh? Twilight's gamer envy reared its ugly head. Well good luck! I'm getting the new 3D visual crystal prototype next month! Like to see what you think of your system then!

"So you finally made it," Amethyst asked, eyes glued to the game. She was lying on the floor—taking three times as much space as any other pony—bashing the buttons of her MagHoof controller. "Get your rump in here! The new quad-team event has started."

"That's if you can play without cheating," Lyra snarked beside her. "Camping and cornerbucking are banned during the event."

"Girls! Seriously!" Twilight flapped her wings twice, pouting. "It's a perfectly legal and sound strategy. Besides, I can do multiple play styles."

"Like you did against KillerS?" Amethyst laughed. Lyra soon joined in, flustering Twilight in the process.

Of course you'll point that out! Not like any of you have managed to take her down! Grumbling under her breath, she levitated a floor cushion to her and sat heavily on top. Becoming a princess had really ruined her gaming cred. A few years ago she could make top ten with hardly any effort. Now she barely managed to remain in the top hundred. And in the meantime her friends were—

"Is everything okay, Minnie?" Twilight asked concerned. Only now it hit her that ever since they entered, Minuette had been remarkably quiet. She hadn't even joined in the mocking.

"Oh, sorry, yeah." She snapped back to reality offering a wide smile. "I'm just so excited. Today I get to meet my coltfriend and present him to you at the same time!" Everypony in the room stopped whatever they were doing and looked at her with uneasy smiles. "Did I tell you Bon Bon managed to find where he's playing from?"

"That's news to me," Twilight laughed tensely.

"Canterlot!" Minuette levitated herself off the floor. "He lives in Canterlot! Isn't that great?"

"Oh, does he?" Twilight glanced at Amethyst and Lyra. Both stared back, raising their eyebrows almost in perfect synch. Seriously? I have to do this alone? Well, I guess I am the Princess of friendship, but you could have prepared her at least!

"Definitely!" Minuette replied raising towards the ceiling. "Like this is a seriously big step for him! The stories he's told me... all that bullying, just because he's a stallion. I can't believe how lucky I am he didn't take me for yet another crazy."

"Lucky, uh-huh." Twilight swallowed. Her wings folded firmly to her body, very much like Celestia's did when she had an important topic to discuss. "Minnie, I want to be happy for you, I really do, but are you sure it's a stallion?"

"Of course I'm sure!" Minuette's smile remained the same, but the spell surrounding her lost its strength, gradually landing her back on the floor. "And don't tell me 'there are no stallions online!'"

"Okay, because last time—"

"It's nice of you to worry about me, Twilight, but everything is fine." Minuette continued, each word spoken more sharply than the last. "He's almost not asked me for money. I feel this one is different. Trust me."

If some mare breaks your heart again, I'll find her and not even Celestia will stop me from doing what I have in mind! "We trust you, Minnie. It's just..." Just what? That you're as gullible as a newly born foal? "Have you actually seen any pictures of..." Twilight paused.

"StrongHooves443," Minuette said flatly, narrowing her eyes.

"Right." Fakest name ever! The absence of immediate answer indicated that Minuette had not. "Have you spoken to him other then text?" Minuette looked at the game window, avoiding Twilight's gaze. "Have you—"

"Why do you have to be like this?" Minuette snapped. The tips of her ears were down, her lower lip was trembling. "Why can't any of you believe something good could happen to me? Am I cursed? Am I no good for anypony?!"

"Minnie..." This was exactly what I didn't want to happen! Twilight stood up. She approached, attempting to gently put a wing on the unicorn's shoulder. Minuette pushed it briskly away.

"No! Everything will be all right!" Her voice shivered. "You'll see! He'll be here any minute, then I'll—"

"Min." Lyra tapped her on the foreleg with a levitated controller. On the game window, flashing in the upper right corner, was a scroll icon... right next to a thumbnail with the gamer tag StrongHooves443 written in bright orange letters.

Without a word, Minuette snatched the controller with her magic and clicked on the icon.

StrongHooves443 [09:37:12 12-4-1005] Hi, Sweetness. Have a sec?

All eyes focused on Minuette. Twilight bit her lip. Nothing good follows this question. I hope StrongHooves443 at least has the decency to come clean now and stop stringing her along.

MinnieMax [09:37:58 12-4-1005] Hey, bby. All k? U at the station? Minuette wrote back, her left leg tapping on the floor uncontrollably.

StrongHooves443 [09:38:07 12-4-1005] Sorry, bunny. I can't make it :(

MinnieMax [09:38:15 12-4-1005] ?!? You hurt? Were the bits I sent not enough?

StrongHooves443 [09:38:21 12-4-1005] No, that's... I just don't feel like it. Maybe some other time?

MinnieMax [09:38:35 12-4-1005] Bby, u promised.

StrongHooves443 [09:38:21 12-4-1005] I know, I know... Maybe next time, okay?

MinnieMax [09:38:41 12-4-1005] Did I do something wrong?

StrongHooves443 [09:38:55 12-4-1005] No, Minnie, you're fine. It's me. Just dealing with stuff. Please have fun with your friends. Promise to make it up to you! *nuzzles*

MinnieMax [09:39:02 12-4-1005] K. Tell me if anything's wrong, though. K? Miss u already.

Finishing the message, Minuette levitated the controller on the ground. Staring blankly forward, she rubbed her eyes with her forehoof, then sighed deeply. For several seconds, each lasting a lifetime, she sat there silent, motionless, ears flat on her scalp. Then, without warning, she turned around.

"Well, I guess I'll bring him some other time." She smiled. Tears sparkled in the corners of her eyes. "We can still enjoy ourselves, right?" Everypony nodded, adding halfhearted jokes in agreement.

"Absolutely!" Twilight placed a hoof on Minuette's shoulder. This time there was no resistance. I hate it when I'm right! I saw it a mile away! "You know how I've been skipping our sessions lately? Maybe he has a busy life as well?" I hate myself so much right now.

"Yeah, I bet he's an alicorn as well." Minuette's laugh was so deprived of joy it shriveled in the air disappearing in a puff of gloom. Twilight was just about to add a humorous response of her own in an attempt to lighten the mood, when the sound of banging came from the door below.

"Are we expecting anypony else?" Twilight turned to Lyra.

"Not that I know," the aquamarine unicorn shrugged. "Bon Bon left cookies and told me I’ve got the place to myself till evening."

The pounding on the door intensified.

"I'll get it," Twilight volunteered. Of all the possible times, why did it gave to be now?! "Minnie, show those losers how to play. I'll join in a bit," she added, giving Minuette a friendly tap on the back. There was so much more Twilight wanted to say, so much more she wanted to do. One of her childhood friends was on the verge of a breakdown, and yet she couldn't be with her because she had to deal with some idiot stomping on the door.

I must make this quick! Twilight rushed out if the room and down the stairs. All that time the banging continued. Whoever was outside was quite impatient, to put it mildly. Twilight, of course, could use her Princess status and shoo them off. That would hardly be befitting, however.

Maybe I'll just grumble at them? She reached for the door. It’s not like there could be a more pressing concern. Right? Could Twilight be sure, though? What if somepony with a serious problem had called the hotline and no one at the castle could handle it? Starlight had shown she had issues with the complicated stuff, and Spike… was just Spike.

Closing her eyes, Twilight took a deep breath, visualized a calming stream, then exhaled in small intervals. I can deal with anything! she told herself. No matter the problem—large or small—I can deal with it! she opened the door.

"Please, tell me what could be so important that you—" she stopped. Facing her, slumped on the doormat like a sack of apples, was the most depressed pony Twilight had ever seen. Blonde mane, grey coat, wings, bubble cutie mark... there was just one pony in Equestria that had all, and Twilight had never seen her as sad as now.

"Derpy?" She blinked. "What happened?"

The pegasus looked up, sniffed, then brushed her tears off with her wing. Her eyes were red and puffy.

"I… I just..." Derpy began, sobbing at every word. "I just broke up with my coltfriend.” She grabbed Twilight, bursting in tears on her shoulder.

“Derpy…” Twilight patted her gently on the back of the head. There was nothing more left to say.