She punched the cloud; it wasn’t soft enough for her liking.  Today was the last day before the week long rainstorm that Ponyville had scheduled.  The water table was almost completely dry and needed a good downpour to refresh it. Alas, this meant overtime for the pegasus.  Actually it meant doing work, something else she didn’t like doing very much.

Before her week long work schedule, Dash wanted to do nothing more than read her latest book away from prying eyes.  What better place than basking on a cloud under the evening sun?  Alas, something was amiss with the mare on the cloud, besides the cloud not being soft.

Two things plagued her mind, when the mare went into the weather control center for her weekly briefing.  She was told of a new acting Cloud Director had finally been chosen.  A position that she had long wanted, was given to a local hero who had recent saved the town from a generic evil town destroying threat.

Why Ponyville was always the target of evil, nopony knew.  What was putting a sour taste in the mare’s mouth through was who the new Cloud Director was.

“Dash are you up there, I need to talk to you about this week’s review.”  Dash could feel the overpowering stare of the alicorn. Now more than anything she want one of Derpy’s famous accidental lightning bolts to strike her down.  Rainbow Dash was never so lucky.

“What is it Mary, it’s almost quitting time.” Dash  said as she hid the book  under her wing.  The last thing she wanted was to let anyone know of her Daring Do obsession, especially Mary.

Mary glided over, dawned in a light blue vestment signifying her new title and rank.  At first she had refused the position, but she heard that she could work with her good friend Rainbow Dash; she jumped at the chance to be by her friends side. She was going to tell her the good new at her birthday party…

Today was her first official day on the job, she had already gone through four years of old paperwork and budgeting for the upcoming season.  Last on the list was going over employee review forms.  All were accounted save for one Rainbow Dash whom had not filled out an evaluation report in seven months.

“You haven’t turned in this week’s review of disbursement records, and air current charts. I would like them tomorrow before the storm.  Also Dash, it’s Ms. Sue while we are working, it’s best if we keep it professional.” Both could feel the tension in the air. Even the birds in the sky gave them space, they weren’t dumb.

Dash wanted to club the mare with a metal beam. “Yes, Ms. Sue. I will get them in before the storm,” Dash said through gritted teeth.

Mary only looked on at her former friend, or what whom she thought was her best friend. She exhaled as she leaped off the cloud that dash had made her own.  “Good, I will see you tomorrow.”  With several fast beats of her wings, she soured off into the distance, she had a filly she had to pick up from school and a birthday party to get too.

The rainbow pegasus watched her boss take off to the sky, her good mood squelched. She rolled over on her cloud and unfolded her wings. She knew two things that would pick up her mood. Friends and….

- - -

She slammed the tankard hard on the table, it was her fourth one that evening.  The dark room was filled with mares of every walk of life. This was a girl’s bar; the presence of a stallion was always welcomed. Tonight however a curtain rainbow maned pegasus wanted nothing more than to drink the night away.

“She is my damn boss now, can you believe it? Damn Mayor gave her the position over me! She never even applied she just GAVE her the job. I earned it; I was the one who wanted it. Fricken Mary strikes again, just when you think you got rid of her. She shows up again.” Dash said to her two companions whom had heard enough about Mary to last a lifetime.

“Darling we get it, but you really have to let it go.  Not everything is Mary’s fault, she is just a little socially awkward is all.” Rarity said as she sipped on her cosmopolitan.  Her eyes drifted from mare to mare in the Silver Fox Inn, “nary a stallion in sight. Why do we come here again?”

A quick jab in the side from the farm mare was all it need to remind the mare why were there.  “Now sugarcube, I know you Mary has been on sorts with you, but it doesn’t sound like she did anything wrong. Let’s forget about all that for right now, look at that mare’s flank, round and big just like you like.”

Dash never looked over, she figured out a long time ago why her friends always wanted to drink here instead of any of the other bars.  Granted the sight of a stallion was welcomed, but since the population of the bar never drifted below ninety percent mares.  This was the biggest bi-bar in all of Ponyville. “I’m not a lesbian Applejack, I could care less what others mare's flanks looks like.”

Both Applejack and Rarity rolled their eyes.  They both had never seen her commit any sexual transgressions, but the rumors where sure enough point to it. “Right Dash, you know we won’t judge you if you are or aren’t. It is just we never seen you with anypony, ever.”

“That’s because I don’t broadcast it like you two do. I’ll have you know I have had plenty of stallions.” Dash bragged.  One perk about being friends with the element of honesty you will always know if somepony is lying. The bad part is you can never lie to her.

“Right sugar, and my favorite color is pink and I eat cake all day.” AJ deadpanned. “Look Dash, I know we tease you about it and all, but I really am starting to worry. Even Twilight has gone on a date before, TWILIGHT and she never even leaves her library. Unless we drag her out by force.”

Dash sigh, “Can we please drop this, I don’t want to talk about my personal life anymore.  Can’t I just sit and enjoy my drink without my friends trying to hook me up with every mare and stallion in the world. There isn’t even a stallion that I like anyway.”

Applejack nearly spit out her cider, “Who is he?”

“What are you talking about Applejack I don’t like anypony.” Dash said defensively.

Rarity just looked back and forth between the two.  Lost in the meaning, she took the silent approach, watching Dash get flustered was one of her favorite activities.

“I can tell when you’re lying Dash, now spill.” Applejack could tell there was something there.  Something she wasn’t saying.  Either she had a special somepony, or she is interested in somepony.

“I’m done, I don’t want to talk about this and you two just won’t stop bothering about me about it.” Dash was only a moment from leaving, but fell like a scared filly when the door opened up.

The room went nearly silent as the stallion walked into the bar.  His glossy black fur glistened in the darkness like a black angel, it complemented well with his draconic wings. Just from the mere glance, three of the mares in the room found a new target for this evening. Dash slumped down low in her chair making her best attempt to hide herself.

In this situation Rarity would have been the one to notice the sudden shift in personality, although she was long gone as she was now measuring up the new stallion for their upcoming wedding. Applejack, however noticed the shift, from hot headed showboat too timid school filly.

Gary trotted up to the bar, trying his best to ignore the overpowering scent of musk that was in the air.  This was a dangerous place for a stallion, it was a good thing he wasn’t staying very long. He sat at the bar, even to his surprise the mare behind the counter was in front of him before he could adjust the seat.

“Welcome to the Silver Fox, where you can get everything your hearts desires,“ she finished with a wink. Several of the patrons snickered, not even in the door fifteen seconds and Berry Punch was already working at bagging another stallion.

“Yes, I was sent here on a errand for my sister’s friend.  She wants to celebrate and she told me that her favorite drink can only be bought here.” Gary said.

Berry now lazily lowered her eyes as she leaned in, “She must be something special if a handsome stallion like yourself is running errands for her, so what does she want to drink?”

Gary sighed as he took out the note, “Double Bubble Muffin Berry Blast Vodka and seven cans of Red-Cow energy drink.”

Berry just blinked, “You're running errands for Derpy?”

Gary nodded, “How did you know?”

“Just a wild guess,” Berry shrugged, “I have to go in the basement to get the bottle so make yourself comfortable it will be a wait.” She leaned in close. “Derpy is a good friend of mine so I’ll give you a piece of advice. You hurt her feelings, i'll end you.”

Gary leaned back, “So do you normally assume I’m trying to sleep with her because I’m buying her favorite drink?”

“You’re not the first stallion that would try that with Derpy, last time I let my guard down she ended up with a foal and no stallion in the picture.  I am just saying, if you do try anything. You’re dead.” Berry warned.

“It’s not like that, trust me. Derpy is a friend and nothing more.” The bartender didn’t say anything more on the subject; she calmly slipped off her apron as she went into the back room.

Gary sat there waiting; he could feel the eyes on him in the room.  This wasn’t the first time he was in this situation. He knew how to get out of it as well. All he had to do was sit and wait and pray that no pony would try to bother him while he ran errands. He looked around the room, almost all the mares in the room looked away.

Then he locked eyes with a friendly face. She didn’t mean to look; her body however forced her too.  The second thing that had been plaguing her mind. The stallion that cheap shotted her and knocked her out cold. She didn’t have long to think, he was already walking over to her.

Why did he have to show up now, and here of all places.

“Hello Rainbow Dash, how has your wing been?” he said showing general concern.  He had wanted to follow up with her at some point, it had been almost five days since the tree incident.

Gaining a small sense of bravado she extended her wing, “Better than ever, completely healed. You still an egghead?”

Now Rarity was picking up on Dashes queues, the way she shifted in her seat, the tone of her voice, even the slightest raise in her wings.  Most of all that gave it away, she was doing something she hadn’t done all day, smile.

Gary nodded, “Yup still a egghead, I was just curious about your wing is all.  You haven’t been to the library since you introduced me to Twilight and Spike,” his eye twitched,”… and Peewee.”

Dash proudly smiled, “Hey, you helped me and I helped you.  Were cool, so you doing anything special tonight, or you normally get booze alone for yourself?”

Gary shook his head, “Just picking up some spirits for a party.  Tomorrow I am tutoring a filly since Twilight has an errand to run in Canterlot.  Who are your lovely friends?”

Dash wrapped a warm hoof around both of her friends, “This is Rarity, she really into frou-frou stuff but she is cool. Also, this is Applejack.  She runs Sweet Apple Aces, or at least runs the books.”

So this is the mare Spike was telling me about.

“Hey! I do a lot more than the books,” Applejack said defectively. Rarity politely nodded, her mind was on Dash however.  She had known her for almost ten years, never in her life had she seen her act this way. It was like watching a rare flower bloom in the moonlight.

Gary side became occupied by a mare, her vision was fuzzy and she reeked of hard cider. Her intent was obvious as she rubbed her head against his neck. “Tell me hot cheeks, why you talking to these three when you could be talking to me?” she slurred.

Gary took a side step, “Because I have no idea who you are. Nor do I want to know.”

“Oh come now, don’t be like that. A stallion like you could have any mare here, maybe two or even three at the same time if you played your cards right.” Rose slurred as she gestured over to her booth that held two more mares, each a flower vender that had set up shop in town.

“Thank you for your kind offer, but I have a mare that I love very much.”

Applejack almost laughed, Dash however felt liked her insides been put into a blender.

Rose clicked her tongue as she turned around and shouted across the bar, “He has a girlfriend!” A unanimous loud 'auuug' sounded throughout the entire bar. The stallion was quickly forgotten as the mares went back to their drinking.

Gary breathed a side of relief as he avoid the maelstrom of heat endured mares.  With the spring frolic coming up, every single mare was eagerly searching or a stallion for the festivities.  Ponyville however only had roughly thirteen percent males that was including the colts… and dragons.  “Well it was nice catching up I guess, If you need me to look at it again just stop by the library and I’ll give you a once over.”

Dash never said anything, she just nodded.  She didn’t know why she felt this way, in her mind he was just another friend. She watched him pay and leave, she just sat in silence as the heavy door shut behind him.

Applejack and Rarity just looked at each other, and nodded.  Applejack didn’t say a word and left out the front door to confirm a suspicion. Rarity was now coddling her friend, who seemed to be in another world at the moment.

The night air was chilly as Applejack followed the dirt path; a moonless night combined with cloud cover made it exceedingly hard to track the stallion.  Him having a night black coat didn’t help either. She didn’t even see him when she hit him straight in the side.

Oomph.

“You should be more decrepit if you’re trying to follow a pony or at least trying to make it less obvious you’re trying to find me.  Did you need something?” Gary said as he folded his wing, he was only seconds away from taking to the air.

Applejack rubbed her snout; even now she could barely make out his silhouette. “I wanted you to tell me how old your mare friend is all, I think yah telling only half of the truth.”

Gary raised a brow, “It has been awhile since someone saw through my wordplay. She is thirteen, her name is Selfie and she is my little sister. Right now I am her primary guardian.  How did you know I was lying, if I may ask, friend of Rainbow Dash?”

The mare beamed with pride, “Let's just say I have a talent when it comes to ponies telling fibs. As for how I could tell you where lying though was a little bit more personal.  I have a brother like you, he is the strong silent type.  Once in awhile when I get a little too drunk he comes and picks me up from the bar.  He gets the same reaction as you just got and always says the same line when he gets hit on. ‘Thank you for your kind offer, but I have a mare that I love very much.’ You sounded exactly like him, it was almost like I was looking right at him.”

Gary suppressed a chuckle. “You sound like you look highly favor your brother, so I will take that as a compliment. I do apologize for lying as well; I am not accustomed to picking up mares as one would expect.  My other sister says I can be rather dense sometimes when it comes to matters of the heart.”

“Tain't nothin to say you’re sorry about.  Ma' brother is the same way. He is just trying to find the right mare.  I have to warn you though, the closer to the frolic, the worse it gets.  I heard of a few cases of extreme cases where stallions would get forced into the act. Although, I doubt most of them mind.” She chuckled.

Gary examined the mare; his vision has long since grown accustomed to darkness. “Thanks for the information, I don’t think I will have that problem.  I mostly stay indoors, so I should be safe during the ‘festivities’.”

A wry smile grew on the mare, the tiny cogs inside her mind slowly started to turn, “Just be careful, you never know who might be trying some funny stuff.”

“Thanks for the warning, but I got to go I have a birthday party I got to attend.” The stallion said through half-lidded eyes. He couldn’t hold it in anymore as he yawned. Thanks to the darkness the mare was none the wiser.  

“Don’t let me keep ya’ waiting, sorry to hold ya’ up.” They exchanged goodbyes, she could barely see him as he took off into the skies. Leaving the mare alone with her thoughts, she couldn’t put her hoof on it, but something about her new acquaintance felt oddly familiar.

Several moments passed before Applejack decided to make her way back to the bar.  The street lights finally turned themselves on as she trotted ahead. When she got back to the gilded doors of bar, she found her white coated companion waiting for her.

“Where is Dash?” Applejack questioned.

Rarity rolled her eyes as she gestured back to the door, “She is inside trying to drink Ginger Snap under the table.  I am getting kind of worried AJ, I never seen her act like this before. She seems completely different, like she not Rainbow Dash anymore.”

“Well I think are Dash is finally coming out, I guess we can’t make fun of her or being lesbian anymore.” Applejack snickered.

Rarity raised a brow, “You think she likes that Gary fellow? Well sure there are a few tell signs, but,” she trailed off in thought. “Well I don’t know, that guy however gave me the creeps for some reason. He just seemed too nice.”

“Sugercube not every stallion is just in it for the rut, he seems a decent sort so I wanted to ask you something.  How would you like ta’ play matchmaker with me?”

The idea sparked a wry smile on the mare's face, so many pleasurable factors played inside her mind.  It’s difficult to describe Rarity’s cognitive processes after she heard the word matchmaker. She being the self-proclaim foremost authority when it came to romance. While having successfully match several couples, she had never match any of her close friends. Least of all Rainbow Dash, the pony who single handedly shown zero interest in the sensual arts.

The proposition was more than tantalizing, and to join forces with Applejack of all ponies for it would only make it sweeter. There was something however that was off, something she could not quiet place. Something was amiss, “I would like nothing more than to tug are little Dashie into a relationship, I think she needs it more than anypony I can think of. That stallion however just… I don’t know…”

“Don’t fret none, how about this. You go contact that background guy you used to date. While he is doing his thing we try to get these two closer together.  Then when he is done, we can see what this Gary guy is like behind the scenes.  If he is isn’t up to snuff for our friend, we will pull the plug.” Rarity looked back at the bar, truthful it left a bitter taste in her mouth. The idea of Dash being lovey-dovey with a stallion was more than worth it to try.

“Deal,” Rarity smirked.

- - -

The flight to Derpy’s house was a lot shorter than Gary thought.  She lived in a quiet suburb of town with that had tons of small cottages.  In his saddle bag now rested the drinks for his sister and Derpy. How he got stuck running Mary’s errands was still beyond him.  She still could use those death beam puppy dog eyes that could melt stone.

Her house was the easy to spot, the metal muffin mailbox was a dead giveaway and the balloons that had been tied to it.  Today was little Dinky’s big day, she turned thirteen. If she was anything like Mary, the trouble was only just beginning.

Gary trotted inside of the lit doorway, the door itself was left open just for him.  This being a quiet and safe neighborhood having a door unlocked was not uncommon. The entryway was littered with filly’s saddle bags. One recognizable bag was Selfie’s, it was slung to the side without a care in the world.

The party room was filled with opened presents, cards, an almost completely consumed cake and the only pieces of cake that were left where the healthy ones that had carrot slices on them.  Gary didn’t want to agree, but it was true, even he didn’t want to eat them.

He shut the door and tread across the abandoned living room, taking great care not to step on any toys that had been partially played with during the party. The kitchen came into view and so did two mares, both looked like they had just run a marathon.

“Well don’t you two look pretty,” Gary half teased. “I got your spirits.”

Mary arched her head forward as she sipped down some of her coffee. “Thanks Gary, you should have been here for the party. There was only six of them, but all of them were everywhere.”

Derpy sighed as she drank down her coffee, “Thanks for going to go get it Gary, this is my favorite drink.”  

Gary nodded as he placed the bottle and the can on the counter, “Where should I put Dinky’s present?”

Derpy looked over at the medium sized candy striped box, “I'll give it to her right now, she and the girls are upstairs playing with the others.” Grudgingly, she bit down on the red ribbon that tied the very top. She loved Dinky for than the world, right now however she wanted a drink. She quickly trotted up the stairs to give the new arrivals gift.

Gary plopped on the fluffy tan couch that was in the living area. Completely avoiding formalities, today was his third day up straight with no sleep.  “So sis how has Selfie been these past few day,” he finished with a yawn.

“Mary half chuckled, “She is great, for the most part. She won’t stop talking about you buying us a house when you get your “big check”.  You better pull through, Or you’re going to have two very anger mares to deal with.”

“Don’t worry about it, I have my royalty checks coming in a few weeks. I just,”hAWWWWpp” want to avoid the spring frolic when Selfie is in heat. I don’t want her getting mixed up on the term, “brotherly love”. Gary chuckled.

Mary’s ears turned a hot red at the impish thought, “Your sick Gary. That’s not even funny.”

“So when you going to buy me that new pair of black socks you promised me, I’m STILL waiting.” Gary shot back.

Mary ignored the comment, she knew he would still bring it up even if she did buy him a new pair. The mention of the frolic though brought a thought to Mary. “So Gary…  I know it’s been a while and all. I know this time of the year is still pretty hard on you. So I was thinking maybe this year, you really should try to find yourself a mare, maybe to just talk too. It’s been almost five years since Glass Heart passed.” She waited for any response, she knew Glass was always a sore subject to bring up.

“I know you don’t want me to talk about it Gary but it has to be said. As your sister, I worry. I really think you should stop beating yourself up for what happened. I know Glass would feel the same.“ A minute passed with no response, she leaned back in her chair to see her brother passed out on the couch. “Seriously?”

Mary didn’t notice the sniffling mare that had drifted down the stairs, her eyes were red and puffy, mouth visibly trembling. “That’s so sad,” Derpy said in a squeak. “How did she die?”

Mary judge whether or not to get tell her about her brother, she knew Gary would be mad if she said anything. Derpy however was a close friend, a true friend.  Both had shared secrets with each other that they wouldn’t want their own family to know about. “Fine, but you have to be quiet about it.”

Derpy now sat close to Mary, her wall eyes focused in.  Derpy would never admit she loved gossip, but she did.  Something about poking into other’s private lives always gave her a weird thrill.  Neither of them noticed the filly at the top of the stairs who was now just as interested the conversation as Derpy was.

“Now this goes back about seven years ago, back when I was in school and Gary was just starting his writing career. As you can see from my brother’s back he has draconic blood running through him.  Me and Selfie have it too, but its inert in us. All Gary’s life he been able to control flames because of it. He was always teased because of his wings from other pegasi.  He never really cared, or at least if he did he never let it show.”

Derpy sank more and more into the story, she ate up every word.

Mary gowned, “Also there is his cutie mark. Another piece of the Gary info structure. He never told me how he got it, he said he was going to take that to his grave.  He did however tell me what it does, and I still wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it for myself.”

Derpy raised a brow more curious on how his cutie mark related to his passed lover. “What is his special talent?”

Mary gowned again, “Its infatuation, females in general flock towards him. Dragons, goats, cows, birds, rabbits, mares you name it. All Gary would need to do it put a little charm on and he could get whatever he wanted. Even then he doesn’t need to try to, females are just drawn to him.”

Derpy looked back at the sleeping stallion, she had felt no romantic interest towards him in the least. “So what happened next?” Still slightly curious on why she didn’t find him appealing.

“Well when Gary hit fourteen and could finally call him—“

“Wait, wait, wait, how old is Gary?”

“Twenty-one”

“Wow, I thought he was older….” Derpy looked back again.

“Yes, well when he hit fourteen and could finally call himself a stallion he went out for a month partying it up.  I can only assume what he did was disgusting and borderline illegal. After he came back home something in him changed, he acted more mature like he is today.”

“Did he?”

“I don’t know and I don’t want to know. What I did do know for the first time in his life he came to me and asked for romantic advice on mares.”

Derpy raised a brow, “Isn’t his talent wooing mares?”

Mary nodded, “It is, but he finally met one he couldn’t just talk to that would fall for him instantly.”

“Oh and that must be—“

Mary nodded again, “Yes. Her name was Glass Heart. She was a pegasus, a wild one at that. She was always pushing herself beyond her own limits. Her dream was to become a Wonderbolt. She trained in and out every day bettering herself.  To this day it is the only mare that told Gary no. Gary however persisted, he hated to lose. So he challenged her to a race. If he won she would give him a chance and go on a date with him.”

Derpy squeed a little on the inside, “What happened next?”

Mary chuckled, “Gary pulled out all the stops. He showed her no quarter and lapped her several times. So she conceded, and went on the date with him. One turned into another which turned into another. She moved in with us and even Selfie started to call her mom, and Gary dad. They truly did fall in love.”

Derpy could feel it coming, she wanted her to stop the story right there.

“In a few months, Glass Heart was carrying Gary’s foal.  Gary never had been happier. He always wanted children.  That’s why he treats me and Selfie with kid gloves.  Inside he raised us as his own, even if he does call us his sisters. Glass Heart though still had her dream, so after Autumn Wind was born they agreed that he support her all the way to becoming a Wonderbolt. That day never came.”

Derpy wanted more than anything for this story to have a happy ending.

“One day while Glass was out shopping, she was mugged, she blew a whistle that Gary had given her and he came to her side in a instant. Ill avoid the gristle details, but Gary won the fight. Although I wouldn’t call it a fight, it was more of a one sided beat down bonanza. Glass however was injured, she received a small gash right below her left wing.  She swore up and down that she was alright.  We were tight on money and Gary hadn’t started the Daring Do series so she didn’t want to go to the hospital.”

Derpy bit her lip she could feel it coming.

“She didn’t tell anyone, she was stubborn like that. Gary always hates when mares get stubborn, but he loved her and didn’t push the issue. In three weeks she lost both her wings to gangrene. By then it was already too late. It had spread to far and she died two weeks later, her and their unborn filly Autumn Wind.”

Derpy started to cry.

“After the funeral Gary had become obsessed with medicine. He blamed himself for their deaths. If he just arrived a moment soon he always tells himself. Now he has a hero complex and always wants help others. The only thing he knew how to do was write, read and burn. Until he read something, something that changed him.”

Derpy sniffed away, hoping there would be a silver lining.

“He read up on an animal, a bird call a phoenix.  A magical bird that could restore life, heal any disease or injury, even come back from the dead. He went to the dragon lands far to the east and sought out the Queen Phoenix.  Using his talent, he wooed her into teaching him how to use flames. When Gary came back, he did something I thought he would never try.”

Derpy raised a brow, “What he do?”

“He tried to bring Glass back from the dead. It failed horribly. He only succeeded in cremating her and Autumn Wind. The flames will bring the dead back, but only the owner will gain its benefit. Now Gary think’s he is cursed himself into an immortal life to be forever punished for trying to bring them back.”

Derpy could barely believe what she was hearing, and Mary said it so casually it was nearly impossible to believe. “Gary can’t die?”

Mary shook her head, “No he can die, but he will be born again. I used to tease him telling him if he did go before me and get reborn I would raise him as my little brother.  Selfie jokes about it as well, neither of us blame him for trying what he did. He was a complete wreck after they died.”

Derpy looked back at the passed out stallion, “How do you know he is still in love with Glass Heart, I mean she has been dead for a while now. Even a stallion has urges that need to be squelched.”

Mary buckled; she might as well know the full story. “He always carried her picture; even now it’s in his saddle bag. It never leaves his side, ever. You will see why I know he still loves her.” Her horn glowed and a small black velvet bit bag fell on the table, Gary’s personal wallet.

Derpy looked at the bag, she had long ago since tought Dinky never to open others wallets. Now she had another’s bag in front of her and she had to open it to see the truth. She gave in and opened the bag. Her mouth nearly dropped as several platinum bits  skittered on the table. “Holy Celestia your brother’s loaded. I thought only royalty used platinum bits, there is enough here to buy five houses.”

Mary clicked her tongue in irritation, “I knew he was lying, waiting for a check my flank. He just wanted to wait until Selfie passed her first heat.” To think he would go this far to protect his socks, one time and I’m marked for life.

Derpy dug deeper past the bits, it was at the bottom on the bag. An old photo, it was covered in a fine magic film that prevented aging, dirt, dust and all manners of wear and tear. What she saw on the photo nearly stopped her heart. “It can’t be…”

Mary nodded, “A mare with a charcoal black mane, red piercing eyes that could make any stallion whimper. A golden soft coat that shined in the night and a never give up attitude that won the hearts of millions. That was Glass Heart.”

Derpy could barely speak, she couldn’t piece it together what she was looking at. “Your brother based Daring Do off his ex-lover.”

Mary sighed, “Yes, shortly after she died, Gary came out with the Daring Do series.  I and Selfie know who it is based off of. We just never bring it up around him. Since then he has been taking care of us. He refuses any interest with mares. Cursed with a cutie mark that could help him get any mare he ever desired, and stuck on a dead one that he can never be with.”

“Why don’t you try to hook him up secretly, Selfie will be a mare after her first heat.  With the frolic coming up along and hearts and hooves day.  Maybe he might be able to find a mare he likes.”

Mary snorted, “I pity the filly who wanted to climb that steep mountain. I do worry about him, but the best I can do is worry and tell him my concern. He won’t budge until he is good and ready.”

The curly red manned filly tried not to cry as she back track up the stairs and into the bathroom. Twist could feel her heart beating faster.  The thoughts of what he had gone through overwhelmed her timid heart. Her plan to woo Gary into a date had now been sunk. She had bride Spike into giving Twilight a fake letter to get her out of the library. That and conjunction with candy cane striped socks and the every appealing lure of a timid filly, who could say no? Or that is what romance novel she read said.

Her planned had been debunked from the get go, she knew what she had to do though. Gary wanted Daring Do, a spunky in your face mare that took no crap from no pony. She could only think of one mare in town like that.  Tomorrow before she had her study date with Gary, she needed to learn everything she could about the local self-proclaimed toughest pegasus in Equestria, Rainbow Dash.

She was a popular pony; of course she could give her some good dating advice, right?

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