The Heart of Pleasure
By Haunter Rayne
Ch 65 – Theatrical Inspiration

Sitting down beneath the Ponyville Tower six ponies were gathered together in laughter. “Well somepony really seems to be going all out for us today.” Starlight said with a playful smirk on her lips.

“Oh you hush, this was a lovely outing for our Rayne to arrange. While my privacy I usually enjoy, it's still nice to be taken out for a change.” Zecora stated as she leaned in close against the stallion and nuzzled against him.

Sitting there on a spread out blanket Rayne was enjoying the company of having Starlight, Zecora, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Maud all together for their first time. It was Dash who was next to speak as she pointed out, “Yeah, no kidding. I mean first Rayne takes all five of us out to eat and picks up the bill for each of us. Then he surprises us by having bribed the owner of the costume shop into letting all of us play around in his store. Now we all get to chillax together under the clock tower on a nice day?”

Applejack followed right on Dash’s heels saying, “Yup. No matter how many times I think I’ve got him figured out he proves that he is still just full o’ surprises.”

“I’ll admit,” Starlight began, “when he told me about this ‘group date’ idea I had my concerns about it being awkward with all of us together. But I have say, I’ve been having quite the romantic afternoon. And getting to share that with the rest of you has actually made it more fun I think.”

“So Rayne, what made you choose this spot under the clock tower for all of us to sit at?” Maud asked as she looked up to him.

“Oh that’s easy.” He replied. “It was for the view. Look…” He while pointing out away from the town. “There are two hill slopes that run down right at this spot. On this side where the sun faces there’s a flower field that I thought you girls might enjoy the sight of. And on the other hill side there’s a sprinkling of sedimentary stones all over. If you contrast it against the sun shining on the other side then it’s like a starry sky of granite running through the grass.”

The others looked on and shrugged mainly appreciating the flowers while Maud leaned down against Rayne saying, “Swoon. You definitely thought of something for all of us today. Thank you Rayne.” She said before kissing him.

Then Starlight nodded in agreement. “She’s right. This day has been a blast. Thank you Rayne.” Then she leaned over giving the stallion a sucking kiss upon his lips.

“Heh, heh, aww shucks. Well this here’s been the best outing I’ve had in awhile. All thanks to the best boyfriend a mare like me could ask for. Thank you Rayne.” Applejack said before giving the stallion a tender kiss on the lips.

Zecora looked to the others and rolled her eyes at the silliness of this but at the same time she didn’t want to feel left out. “Everypony acts as if everything about a pleasure pony I knew. But of the happiness that one could fill in my heart with I honestly had no clue. Thank you Rayne.” Then she gave him a deep tongue kiss but didn’t linger on it for too long.

“WHOA-Mfffft!” That was when Rayne shouted in surprise as Rainbow Dash darted right over to him half tackling him back onto the blanket while smooching him aggressively.

“Ugh, would ya cut that out and learn some restraint?!” Applejack cried and smacked Dash right on her flank to make her pop back up in surprise.

A few of the girls laughed as Rayne raised his eyebrows and smiled to that which made Dash look over to Applejack and say, “Ooooh, careful there AJ. I think Rayne might have liked seeing you do that. If we don’t watch out then he-”

“NOPE!” Starlight said as she suddenly magicked Dash back to where she had been sitting. “No way, no how! I'm sorry but we aren’t doing that. I’m not comfortable with it. I’m fine with ‘this’ so far but I’d need a lot more time to prepare if anypony is going down the road of mare-on-mare with Rayne.” To this the others nodded respectfully. To save Starlight from the awkwardness Rayne decided to immediately change topics for the group.

“Actually girls, there was another reason why I choose this spot.” He said to them which quickly brought all their attention back to him. “A couple of you said that you needed to be back at the castle by three, am I right? Well, what better place to kick back and relax at then underneath a big clock so that we can make sure none of you are late? So, what’s going on anyhow?”

“Oh, you haven’t heard?” Starlight asked but it was Dash who jumped at the chance to explain.

“Twilight is having us put on a play to celebrate the anniversary of when Celestia first raised the sun. Usually there is a big party that is put on in Canterlot for the annual event. But this year Twilight wants to put on a play for the princess's ‘ones-versary.’ She is there in Canterlot right now asking for the okay and we’re to meet her at the stage outside the School of Friendship to see if the princess said yes.”

“Uh, her ‘ones-versary?” Rayne asked.

To this Dash leaned back down but Starlight seemed happy to explain. “It is the one-thousand, one-hundred, eleventh year anniversary of when Celestia first raised the sun. Believe it or not it was Pinkie Pie who somehow managed to figure out the date. And when Twilight heard this she just ABSOLUTELY had to come up with something special to do for her mentor. It was really cute.”

“Wait, wait, wait...” Rayne said as he lifted his hooves now. “Hold on real quick. So you’re telling me that it’s been one thousand, one hundred, eleven years since Celestia first did that?” The others nodded. “Now I assume she did that when she first got her cutie mark as a filly, am I right?”

“Well, I suppose so.” Applejack answered.

Continuing on Rayne said, “And exactly how old are most fillies when they get their cutie mark anyways?”

“Uuhhhhh….” Rainbow Dash muttered out. “Well it depends, some get them early and some get them later on. But usually I would say at around the age of ten or so.”

“Okay so bare with me here. If Celestia was let’s say ten years old when she got her cutie mark and it is now the ones-versary of that date, wouldn’t that make the princess approximately one thousand, one hundred, twenty one years old?” Now all of the others popped their eyes open wide as they considered this. But now Rayne laughed over the Starlight teasingly while saying, “Heh, I guess since Twilight is your mentor you’ll have to start keeping track of her big accomplishments then.”

Even though it had been a joke Starlight now looked severely worried. “Oh no, oh no! I never even thought of that! What if I miss something important and Twilight thinks I’m a horrible student? What if I’ve already missed a timeline milestone for her and I didn’t realize it but she did?!”

Rolling his eyes a bit Rayne just chucked and turned back towards Applejack. Assuming that she would be doing most of the heavy lifting for the play he asked, “You girls need any help?”

Now there were some smiles but they were all soft expressions. “That’s mighty kind of you to offer there hun but I think we can manage. I’m pretty sure that Twilight is wanting to rely on just the lot of us to put this together. We aren’t hiring any construction ponies or nuthin either. Well, assuming we get the permission to do this in the first place.”

That was when Maud looked up as if she thought of something and said, “Well if you all are going to be busy with Twilight later then I guess that leaves Rayne for Zecora and I today.” Looking over to the zebra she asked, “I was happy to have you over to my cave that one time. But I’ve never actually been to your hut before. Would it be imposing for the three of us to hang out together at your place after the girls leave?”

Zecora smiled and shook her head that she didn’t mind. But it was Rayne who spoke up next saying, “Hey, hey now. You’re getting a bit ahead of yourself. We’ve still got an hour before the others have to go so this date is far from over yet. I promised Dash some chillaxing time and I’m rather looking forward to it.” He said with a laugh and the others giggled along as well.

To his enjoyment Applejack pulled his head to rest into her lap while she was supported by the clock tower behind her. Rainbow Dash and Starlight scooped in to cuddle against his sides while Maud and Zecora seemed perfectly content resting next to one another with their heads in the stallion’s lap. “...Rayne.” Starlight’s voice rang out as they all nestled in together against him. “You do realize that you are the LUCKIEST stallion in this town right now, right?” She stated as four other ‘mmhmm’s’ moaned out in agreement with her.

“Heh, yes. And I don’t take it for granted for a second. I want you all to know that.” Rayne admitted honestly.

But then five different faces cuddled tighter in against him all cozy like as Starlight whispered out, “Don’t worry. We know.”

- Later On Outside the School of Friendship -

“Woo-hoo! Confetti is ready! Woo-hoo!” Pinkie shouted as the everypony was doing their part for putting the stage together.

Feeling more than slightly annoyed to have the back drop she was painting now be showered in paper pieces Applejack looked up and scowled, “Puh! Wormy apple cores, Pinkie! How many times have I told you to keep your special effects away from my sets?!”

“Three hundred twenty-seven. Oh! Unless you just did. Then it's three hundred twenty-eight.” She squee’ed feeling proud of herself for remembering.

“Ugh.” Applejack just sighed clearly not sharing in Pinkie’s humor at the moment.

Meanwhile two other ponies were walking out from behind the set as Starlight Glimmer exclaimed, “I can't believe you've memorized your lines already, Fluttershy.”

“Once you get past terrifying, paralyzing stage fright, the rest is easy.” The pegasus replied. “Now I just hope Princess Celestia says we can do our play.”

Then from side stage Rarity chimed in while pushing over a cart of outfits that she had just recently finished working on. “Oh, as soon as she sees these fabulous costumes, all she'll be able to say is ‘Brava!”

“Heads up! Here comes our answer!” Rainbow Dash shouted as Twilight and Spike came walking up the path.

“Wonderful news, everypony!” The alicorn called out to her friends.

“Yeehaw! We get to put on our show?” Applejack called out with excitement.

Feeling her energy Twilight looked up and replied, “Even better. Princess Celestia is gonna be our star!”

But then Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Starlight Glimmer, and Fluttershy all gasped in mortified surprise.

“Yeah, that's how I felt, too.” Spike mumbled under his breath.

“Celestia? Starring in our play? This is huge!” Dash called out.

Twilight nodded before admitting, “Well, she was a little nervous at first, but I told her not to worry. With us helping, it will all go smooth as-”

“Silk! I must find the silk!” Rarity screamed. “If Celestia's going to be in our play, we have to take everything up to the next level! None of these old ideas will do!” She squeaked out in a nervous rant.

Quickly adapting to the increased excitement Pinkie cheered and said, “Yeah! Forget my regular party cannon! For princess-sized effects, we're gonna need Big Bertha!” Then she began wheeling in a massive cannon sized for professional circus tents.

“Grrrr...! Pinkie!” Applejack yelled, already being able to imagine the confetti getting everywhere it shouldn’t.

“What?” Pinkie giggled.

Then flying right up into Twilight’s face Dash cried out, “Our play is gonna be amazing! I gotta tell everypony I know! And even the ones I don't!” Then she zoomed off so fast that a sonic rainboom blasted through the crowds without Dash even sticking around to celebrate it.

Moving at a calmer speed than the others Applejack looked around asking, “Why in tarnation are y'all gettin' so starstruck? We've met Princess Celestia before. Plenty of times.”

But to this Starlight Glimmer almost began hyperventilating as she said, “Those were formal things- galas, world-saving. This is different! Imagine doing sweaty warm-ups with a princess, blowing your nose in front of a princess, sitting around just... talking with a princess!”

“I'm a princess. You talk to me.” Twilight smiled kindly.

“That's different. You're not a ‘princess’ princess.” Starlight explained with a smirk.

Twilight seemed less amused as she frowned up to the stage. “Uh, thanks. Celestia wants to experience the special friendship that theater ponies have. To give her that, you just need to be yourselves.”

“You... You really think so?” Fluttershy asked nervously.

Applejack was the one to answer as she confidentially said aloud, “Heh. Aw, quit frettin'. It's only a couple o' pals gettin' together to put on a ones-versary play. What could go wrong?”

- Later Day After Rehearsals,
Behind Stage Outside the School of Friendship -

Everyone was gathered together when Rainbow Dash finally zoomed back in full of excitement to share with her friends. “All right! I just finished telling everypony to come to our play!”

“You... did?” Twilight looked up glumly as if she had just been told that she wouldn’t be getting any presents for Hearthswarming Eve this year.

“Yeah! You should've seen how excited they got when they found out Celestia was in it! They said they'd tell their friends, and then their friends would tell ‘their’ friends! Everypony in Equestria's gonna see this thing!” Dash cheered. But then looking around seeing that everypony looked kind of mopey she stopped and asked, “Uh... did I miss something?”

“Just the bright light of hope being snuffed. But that's okay. If we can't cancel the show, I know what I have to do.” Twilight announced as Dash looked on feeling concerned.

That was when Applejack walked up to Twilight to suggest, “Be honest with Celestia and give the lead role to somepony else?”

But the purple alicorn seemed determined. “Not a chance!”

“Twilight, you ‘know’ truth is a huge part of friendship.” Applejack admonished her.

But that was when Twilight’s expression softened and seem now appeared to be pleading with her friends. “And so is making another pony's dreams come true. Look, I promised Celestia that this time, she could be a part of the play instead of just watching it. And I plan to keep that promise.”

- The Night of the Play,
Behind Stage Outside the School of Friendship -

Night had just fallen and now ponies from all over were gathered to see ‘The Play With Celestia in it’ as was the buzz on all of their lips. Earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi alike crowded into the seats with smiles on their faces. “Come on you two. We’ll have to sit in the back at this point.” Rayne pointed out as he stepped out from the Everfree forest with two mares trailing slowly behind him.

“We’re coming Rayne. We can’t walk as fast as you right now.” Maud replied to him as Zecora gave a slight blush and nodded in agreement.

That was when they were all three surprised to see a blur of white as Princess Celestia flew overhead moving away from the stage pavilion. “Uh oh, that probably isn’t a good sign.” Rayne said as the other two caught up with him.

“Celestia! Wait!” Came another voice as Princess Twilight chased after while flapping her wings in a panic.

“Heh, nope. Definitely not a good sign.” Rayne chuckled as he walked slower now to keep in time with his two girls.

The seats were already packed by the time that the three arrived. It had appeared that Dash had gotten around to just about all of Equestria, shy only of making it to the Crystal Empire. However Maud and Zecora were both relieved to look up and see a smug grin on their boyfriend’s face. “You look like you’re up to something Rayne.” Maud said to him as he nodded in return.

“So in my experience, the fanciest of stage halls have private viewing booths that are raised up along the walls where spectators can sit privately with their friends to enjoy the play in comfort. There are no walls but...” Rayne stepped down the rows of seats until he was closer to the stage and then he made his way to a nearby tree that was off to the side. Even though there were many other ponies about they all seemed relatively distracted which allowed Rayne to spread a series of Obisidian-Rhododendron vines up the tree which bent and stretched the branches into a makeshift sitting area. Cushy leaves blanketed the bark and Rayne’s smooth stony vines reached down to lift the girls and him into the tree.

“There we go my ladies. Best seat in the house.” He chuckled and his two partners giggled while cuddling together with him affectionately.

Unfortunately for the play though that was when they saw little Spike suddenly be forced out onto the stage from behind the curtain. The small purple dragon gulped and stood alone as he looked out in front of the massive crowd. “So... Ahem. Uh, who likes juggling?”

Over the next twenty minutes there was an unrehearsed routine of Spike tossing whatever he could get his claws on into the air, an unsteady bit of stand up comedy, and a poorly received attempt to play a game of charades with the crowd. “Oh the poor little guy.” Rayne said as he watched with a sympathetic heart. “It’s not his fault if they’re having trouble back stage. I’d really like to go lend him a hoof but I promised that I would leave this up to the girls."

He, Maud and Zecora alike frowned sadly seeing the little dragon boo’ed right off stage as heads of cabbage and whole tomatoes where thrown in his direction. “What nonesense is this? Who brings fruit to throw at the ready as if expecting the play to be a miss.” Zecora argued while Rayne could only shrug in agreement with her. He was a bit distracted though in noticing that Princess Luna was sitting in the front row along with some of Canterlot’s upper elites.

However that was when everypony in the crowd was surprised to see Twilight Sparkle suddenly teleport to the front of the stage. “Ladies and gentleponies!” She called out and the angry murmuring from the crowd began to die down. “Thank you all for coming to see our play!”

Rarity spoke next as she and Applejack stepped out from behind the curtain. “We have a dazzling performance for you this evening which I’m sure you will all find was worth the wait.”

“We apologize for the delays yall, but we are just about set. So if you could hold onto your britches for just a might bit longer then our show will soon be under way.” Applejack added.

Then Pinkie Pie somehow came out from the opposite side of the stage cheering loudly for the crowd, “And we all know that tension before a prize makes the very best kind of prize!” She yelled while doing a slow bouncy cart wheel across each of her hoofs as well as her head. “It makes a SUR-prise!” Now several of the audience members laughed and the crowd had seemed to calm.

True to their word it wasn’t long at all before a small podium was setup and Spike made his way up behind it. The curtains drew back revealing a styling evening cloud backdrop on stage as Spike spoke aloud to narrate the play. “Once upon a time, before Celestia, Equestria was suffering terrible hardship. Raising the sun every morning was so hard that it took five great sorcerers plus Star Swirl the Bearded to do it.”

However the crowd broke out into a fit a laughter as five young creatures made their way onto the stage in some of the shabbiest costumes most of them had ever seen. “Oh hey! Look! It’s the students from the School of Friendship!” Rayne cheered excitedly having not expected this. “I know-err umm… I mean, I’ve heard of those six before!” He corrected himself, recognizing Gallus the Griffon, Ocellus the changeling, Silverstream the Hippogriff, Smolder the dragon, Yona the yak, and Sandbar the earth pony. Thinking quietly to himself Rayne thought, “Those were the new characters introduced to the show in the last episode I got to see before coming here. I wonder what they’ve been up to since the season eight premiere? I never even thought about meeting the students in Twilight’s school before.”

Meanwhile the other ponies in the crowd were still having a good ol’ time laughing at the damaged costumes. One mare from the crowd called out, “You call ’those’ great sorcerers?”

But after a moments pause Spike didn’t allow the heckler’s to get him down. “Y-Yes. And, uh... raising the sun each day was super draining. But you can see that for yourselves, right? I mean, do these guys look beat-up or what? Star Swirl's so stressed, he's got kinks in his horn!” Now the crowd was almost in tears from laughing so hard while Rayne smirked being glad to see his scaled friend turn things around.

Continuing on the dragon narrated, “But that's okay. 'Cause it turns out Celestia had a special power to raise the sun all by herself!”

That was when Fluttershy was lifted up onto center stage with a well made Celestia outfit. Speaking loudly the usually shy pegasus gave an impressive performance for her one line part shouting, “It's time for a new day in Equestria!”

There was a short delay but then a series of ooh’s and ahh’s came from the crowd as a brilliant light filled the night sky and covered the stage in sunlight. The crowd cheered in amazement as Rayne overheard one stallion down in the stands say, “My goodness! I had no idea this production would have such elaborate special effects!” But Rayne’s own expression seemed to match that of Luna’s who frowned at Celestia’s cheap stunt of raising the real sun for a small town play.

It was shortly after that when the performance concluded but the applause from the crowd continued as the cast members, with Celestia included, stepped out to take a bow. However that was when Maud surprised the other two sitting in the tree when she asked, “Zecora, will you please excuse Rayne? He’ll want to climb down now that the play is over.”

To this both the zebra as well as stallion looked to Maud in confusion. “Oh? Is that so? I did not hear Rayne say that though.”

But when the earth pony looked up to the Rayne and gestured with her head toward the stands he blushed. Turning now to his other girlfriend he nodded before saying, “No actually she’s right. I- I, uh...”

“He wants to have a chance to go see Princess Luna.” Maud pointed out bluntly which made Rayne have to look up into the sky with his cheeks burning. The two mares giggled together at his embarrassment but with a kiss from each of them they all climbed down together and went their separate ways for the night.

Back behind the stage the performers were sharing a good laugh with each other now.

“Phew, Princess. That was some joke. You really had me there.” Twilight said to Celestia but she sounded more nervous than laughing honestly.

That was when someone else invited themselves to the backstage area and marched forward with a serious tone. “I am glad that you are all enjoying yourselves!” Luna shouted which quickly bent the ears of all the others in the room. “Oh I hope you’re happy with your little stunt. Raising the REAL sun in the middle of the night. Ha, ha, very funny!” She ranted angrily. Then to everyone’s surprise her tone did a quick one-eighty to sound kind and gentle while she whispered, “Seriously though girls, it was a lovely play. I greatly enjoyed it.” Then she went back to being angry again as she shouted to Celestia, “You and I need to have a long talk!”

Everypony chuckled softly feeling happy that Luna wasn’t really as upset as she was letting on. They all stood back allowing the sister’s to have their silbing moment as Celesta hastily tried to defend herself. “Ooh- well Luna… You see, well we were in a tight spot and the prop sun was broken and- OWW! OH OWWW, OWW! Please stop it sister!” She shouted as Luna’s horn glowed and one of Celestia’s ears was pulled upon.

“This is hardly the time or the place to discuss it. You and I are returning to Canterlot right now and we will talk it over there!” Celestia didn’t argue and allowed her little sister to have this small victory over her because deep down she knew that she was right. The two alicorns flapped into the air and Luna gasped in surprise at seeing herself fly right over the head of the pleasure pony Rayne as he made his way backstage. “Oooh...” She whined to herself, now feeling eager to stay for awhile longer but she knew that if she stopped then she would loose the momentum which she had with her sister.

Rayne almost pouted as he looked up into the air watching the two rulers of Equestria fly themselves away without him getting a chance to talk to either of them. But now that he was back stage the others looked over in surprise at seeing him appear. “Oh, hello Rayne. Did you catch the show? What can we do for you?” Twilight asked as she approached after Dash, Applejack and Starlight each gave their boyfriend a polite hug.

“I did indeed and it was a marvelous show. I think that you all should be very proud of your performance. And Fluttershy, I think you played a wonderful Celestia. I could hardly tell the difference.”

“Oh stop.” The yellow pegasus blushed and turned away hiding her face with her mane.

After some chuckling Twilight stepped up to face Rayne properly and waited for the stallion to answer her. Clearing his throat he nodded and said, “Actually yes. Now I’m sure that you all are probably tired but I just had a quick question while I have all of you together. Let’s just say that seeing you performance here inspired me for a different kind of celebratory event. It might be something fun for the town to do… maybe even a new holiday if the first annual celebration goes well?”

Now Twilight raised an eyebrow at him curiously. “Well, I’m all for celebrating things that are worth celebrating… maybe throwing a party if it really is something that the town can get behind. But starting a brand new holiday might be a tall order. Even as a request coming from a pleasure pony. What is it that you had in mind?”

Now Rayne’s smirk stretched into a grin. “Oh well you see…” He motioned for all of them to lean in close and struggled to hold his snickering back so that he could whisper clearly. That was when the whole group of them gasped at what he was suggesting.

“Sweet applesauce, you serious Rayne?” Applejack asked him.

Starlight had to fix her mane from how it had fallen out of place in her surprise. “Are you sure that that the town could survive something like that?”

Now Fluttershy spoke out in cheerful determination. “Oh well I think that is an absolutely wonderful idea! I’m definitely for it!”

“Hmm, I dunno...” Twilight said as she was seriously thinking it over. “I get what you’re saying Rayne. It’s not a bad idea I suppose, just… risky maybe?”

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!” Pinkie screamed. “What could possibly be more fun than that?!”

“Uh, how about a nap?” Dash replied as she didn’t seem at all interested.

Now Rayne spoke up again saying, “The only problem is I don’t quite know the date to be able to celebrate it. Ponyville is famous for so many crazy things but the exact dates for when they all happened don’t really get carried along through the grapevine if you know what I mean.”

To that Pinkie somehow pulled a calendar out from her mane with several different marks all through it. “Why it’s right here silly! See? That is the date you are looking for. It is one week after the Grand Galloping Galla and just about one month before we all celebrate Nightmare Night!”

“Ah, well that would give us about two months left to put something together for it. Assuming that this is something that you approve Princess?” Rayne asked.

“Oh, well… you mean me?” Twilight choked out.

“Sure, why not? You are a princess after all. I’m only asking for a local town celebration. Not something across all of Equestria. And with your castle being located where it is along with the school that you manage… that would technically make Ponyville ‘your kingdom’ to govern.”

Now the purple alicorn looked stunned. “Huh… I never thought of it like that before. I still always looked at Mayor Mare as the leader of the town.”

“Soooo? How bout it? Yeah, it’s about as unusual of a thing that I could ask for but… I am a pleasure pony after all. This is sort of what I do.” Rayne said encouragingly and then stood waiting for an answer.

Twilight looked over to Applejack who shrugged. She wasn’t surprise to see Fluttershy nod furiously. Starlight gave a nervous smile and Pinkie positively beamed. Even Rainbow Dash who had turned her back suddenly waved a hoof that it was fine with her. “Well okay. I guess we can give it a shot. We can maybe prepare some things in advance but all the real planning will have to wait until after the Galla. That is going to require a lot of my attention as a princess.

Now the others cheered as Twilight gave her approval. “Oh but let’s try to keep this as quiet as we can until then. Nothing like this has ever been done before and I would like to make it a surprise.” Rayne asked and the others nodding seeming happy to oblige.

Author's Notes:

Okay so it was time for the progression in the show to continue a bit. I will admit that I meant for this chapter to be much longer for "behind the scenes" content that wasn't shown in the show. Like Dash actually traveling to places, Rayne/Maud/Zecora together, the passage of time taking a couple days to put the play together. But ultimately I decided to cut it back to stick to my target chapter length and follow more on the play itself.

Okay so YAY, group date! I thought this went by pretty cutely. What do you think? Rayne filling all their happy tummies, then letting the girls play around in a costume store with him. After that a chillaxing session on a beautiful day that Rayne's magic may or may no have been responsible for, hehe. Who thinks this was a good date? And then of course Rayne being called out on how lucky he is.

And yup, there you have it. Celestia's approximate age. About 1121 years old. Sadly I don't know how many years younger Luna is than Celestia.

So I liked how Rayne gave Maud and Zecora the royal treatment to enjoy the play. Then Maud practically shoved Rayne out of the tree to go talk to Luna. Being the only one who fully understands his cutie mark she will always be a strong supporter for Rayne's destiny. And it's so sad that Rayne lost his chance here.

But what's this? A new holiday? Something right in between the Galla and Nightmare Night? What would Rayne possibly be up to?