You set your third glass back onto the table and lick your lips. The wine's not having much of an effect just yet. The glasses themselves are a little small for you, but that's not going to stop you from enjoying the drinks.

As you and the girls make some small talk while you wait for your food, Pinkie can't help but become more and more distracted by the music not thirty feet away. Perhaps it was the alcohol. Maybe it was her usual short attention span. Who knows.

"Hey, do either of you have a little bit of money on you? I'll pay you back," Pinkie interrupts.

You pause for a moment before rummaging through the inner pocket of your jacket. You pull out a small wallet with some jingling bits inside and dump a few into your hand, passing them over to her, six in total. "Uh, yeah, I have a few bits here. Why? What's up?"

Before she can answer, Pinkie swipes them up and trots around the outside of the dance floor and up to the band. Rarity starts putting two and two together and curls her lips in horror.

"Oh Celestia, no," she mumbles. As the events unfold, she throws the rest of the drink down her throat and immediately refills the glass, taking another gulp.

You raise a puzzled eyebrow. "What is it?"

Slouching, your date explains, "A few years ago, my friends and I attended a royal ball called the Grand Galloping Gala. We met up afterwards and talked about how all our plans went. They didn't quite turn out as we hoped. Any of them. It's rather funny when you think about it." Rarity glances at her friend, failing to hide a wince. "Anyway, Pinkie decided she was going to have some fun by having the band liven things up a bit."

"Ohhh. I think I see what you're going with this," you reply with a grimace of your own. Mimicking the unicorn, you finish your own glass and refill it.

Only a minute later, the band's symphonic melody came to a conclusion. You both know what was just around the corner if Rarity's suspicions were correct. Shooting a nervous look past the dancers, you see Pinkie drop the money into a tip jar on the piano and talk to the stallion at the keys.

A pink blur carrying a huge grin appears beside the table as soon as the band kicked up an energetic, upbeat tune and just as fast, her wine glass was emptied. "Rarity, can I borrow your man for a couple songs? Pleeeeeeease?"

What was she going to say? Your lady brought Pinkie along to help cheer her up. "Err, of course! Knock yourself out!"

With a squee from Pinkie, you're forcibly removed from your seat, almost at the cost of your shoulder socket. But nearly receiving a serious injury wasn't the only reason you were suddenly a little nervous. There were a couple times where Rarity would take you out dancing. The most you ever did up to that point was at your senior prom for about one song before ditching the dance floor and going back to hanging out with your friends. Though she was instrumental in helping you learn a few moves, they were mostly for slower songs, never anything fast paced.

Pinkie comes to a screeching halt near the middle of the dance floor and is forced to catch you so you don't fall on your face. A quick look around the establishment tells you that you've caught a few eyes, but you're not sure if it's because you're you or the fact that the band is suddenly cranking out something energetic.

It takes a moment for you to get into the groove of the music, but seeing Pinkie twirling and spinning around with her hoof in your hand similarly to how Rarity would also helps. It's surprising to see the pink ball of bounciness not hopping and, well, bouncing like she typically does. As you swing Pinkie around and pull her back into your body, wrapping her in your arm, you briefly worry that Rarity was going to start getting jealous. But you couldn't really help it at the moment; you're having more fun than you originally expected.

Fortunately, the classy unicorn is fine with how you were dancing with her friend. If anything, she's rather impressed that you could move the way you were, and if Pinkie was enjoying herself, then she wasn't about to break things up. She's also relieved that Pinkie was letting the band do their own thing instead of grabbing a mic and acting ridiculous. As she sits on her pillow, swaying her shoulders and thoroughly enjoying the musical selection, she scans over the restaurant, gauging ponies' reactions, and for the most part, they were having a good time too. A welcome surprise indeed.

However, one thing in particular catches her eye. On the far side of the restaurant, close to where you came in, sits the bar, and behind it stands a rather handsome stallion. Lazy dirty blonde mane with a few red highlights, off-white coat, hazel eyes that happen to be spying her dancing pink friend between the occasional customers. He doesn't look familiar to the dressmaker, but she didn't visit the fancier end of Ponyville as much as she wanted to. Perhaps he's new in town, who knows? Smirking, she changes seats to give Pinkie a better view of the goods once she's finished shaking it.

As Pinkie's third and final song request nears its end, Gourmand brings your orders out and sets them on the table. You spot it out of the corner of your eye and point out the food to your dance partner, pulling her off the floor and back to your seats in an instant. She doesn't seem to notice or particularly care that Rarity switched places.

You find yourself staring in awe at the incredible-smelling, delectable-looking dish once you return to the table. You glance up at the girls, who are already a couple bites into their meals. They're as anxious to see if you enjoy your steak as you are to taste it.

"Ah, Miss Rarity, zere you are!" a distinctly accented voice calls out before you can get started. Ugh, come on! "And Pinkie Pie! Eet's been a long time! How are you, my dear?"

"Heya Gustave! What's up?"

"Ah, not much. I was wondering who asked the band to play that little number. Was zat you?" he asks with a friendly nudge.

"Hehe, guilty! I heard the music earlier and just had to get up and dance a bit!"

"Hah, splendid!" Gustave turns to you, not at all surprised by your appearance. Being the only one of your kind in the world, you figured he would be taken aback a bit. He was probably just being hospitable, but that's not unwelcome of course. "And you must be Rarity's special friend! So nice to finally make your acquaintance," he says, offering a claw.

"How're you doing?"

You shake hands and claws across the table. Seeing a griffon at all, let alone one that was talking to you, would have given you pause several months ago. However, after living in Ponyville for so long, a half-eagle, half-lion in a black tuxedo jacket and red tie is no big deal. Though you do find it odd that a beak is capable of growing a mustache.

"Very well, zank you! I heard your party had arrived earlier and I thought I'd stop by and see how everyone was doing tonight. I'm especially curious how your meal is."

"Don't know just yet. Pinkie decided to have me dance with her before and I haven't gotten a chance to try it. Guess we can find out together, right?" you ask with a small grin, cutting into the steak as you chatted. Your dates and host look on as you sink your teeth into the juicy piece of meat without another second's hesitation. You take a few slow bites, savoring the long-missed taste, and a long, content smile crawls across your cheeks. "Now that's good," you mutter blissfully. Glancing at Rarity, you blow her an appreciative kiss, making her blush.

"Ah, fantastic! I'm glad you like it!"

"Mhm! Question, Gustave." you get out between bites. "This is a pony town. As far as I know, they don't eat stuff like this. How would they know how to make it so well?"

"I showed zem how to prepare it personally. I may know your friends from a dessert competition, but I am well versed in ze culinary arts," he proudly boasts.

"It shows too," Rarity speaks up. "My dinner is just spectacular! How's yours, Pinkie?"

"Mhm!" she mumbles through a mouth bursting with food. If you didn't know better, you'd swear a pink chipmunk sat down next to you at some point thanks to those enormous cheeks of hers.

"Zank you all, it really means a lot! Can I get you anyzing else tonight?"

"If you have another bottle of wine, that'd be great," you mention. "We've already gone through this one. Oh, Gourmand's our waiter, in case you need to speak to him about it."

"But of course, I'll take care of zat right away! You all have a wonderful evening!" A quick snap of his claw and a sharp whistle gets the attention of most of the wait staff as the griffon walks away. "Gourmand, anozer bottle of wine for our esteemed guests, s'il vous plait!"

"He seems nice," you comment to your dates once Gustave is out of earshot.

"Quite the refined griffon indeed," Rarity confirms as she glances at her random friend. "I have to say I am curious about something, Pinkie. Where'd you learn to dance like that?"

"The stallion who owns the dance studio just outside Town Square taught me. His name's Corey. Do you know him?"

The unicorn taps her chin, thinking deeply for a moment. "Hm, I don't think so."

"Makes sense that you do though. You know everyone in town. Did you ever ask him if he'd like to go on a date or something with you?" you ask, taking another sip of wine.

"Don't have to. He's not into mares."

"Fair enough."

"But, I see somepony who seems to be interested in you," Rarity interrupts, pouring the last of the bottle into her glass.

"Huh?"

Your girlfriend downs a bit of her drink and turns her attention toward the band, looking from the corner of her eye toward the bar again. "Mhm. He's still watching you."

"Who?"

"The bartender, dearie. I noticed him watching you rather intently while you were dancing and it doesn't look like his eyes have gone anywhere else since then." Before she can respond, Gourmand returns with your second bottle of wine in tow. Wordlessly, he replaces the empty one and nods at your party. "Thank you, garçon. Now, as I was saying, you should go talk to him. He has to be somepony you know, yes?"

Pinkie looks across the room and finds the bartender's eyes meeting hers. She sends him a warm smile and a wave before he's pulled away again due to customers. "I don't know him!" she gasps. "You know what this means, right?!"

"Pinkie, shh, not here," Rarity reemphasizes. "But, um, why not hold off on a welcome party for now and just go over there? I must say he is rather dashing and, being a bartender in a place like this, he must see plenty of important ponies coming and going. I'll bet he has some juicy stories to tell that, well, maybe you could eventually share with me if you two do end up seeing each other," she giggles.

"Heh, yeah, I could do that. He is kinda cute," the pink ball of energy says, finishing her liquid courage and pouring another, only to throw that one down her throat too.

"A word of advice, Pinks," you add, finishing another bite, "I would hold off on acting too wild or silly or anything just yet. And yeah, no parties for him just yet like she said. Don't want to scare him off if he is new in town and you do end up liking the guy."

"That does make sense, yeah. Okay, I suppose I can give that a shot. Wish me luck!"

You and Rarity continue eating as you watch the party girl trot over to the bar, her head held high. "What do you think?" you ask.

"I guess we'll see. Stranger things have happened."

"True, true." You set your fork down and take her by the hoof, squeezing affectionately. "Thanks again for this, hon. You went so out of your way here."

Your lady gazes at you longingly, the same way when she first let you know how she felt about you those months ago. "You're quite welcome, sweetie."

Time seems to stand still as you share the moment. A single drop of sweat trickles down the side of your neck, bringing you back to Equestria. With your free hand, you loosen your tie a bit and pull the collar away from your neck. Certainly was getting warm in there all of a sudden, and a fancy restaurant isn't exactly the place to get so...bothered.

"You okay?" Rarity giggles.

"Uh...heh, must be the wine," you mumble sheepishly, ironically taking another swig and letting the fashionista go. She could probably hear your heart racing right now if they were capable. Desperate for a distraction from your own awkwardness, you throw a glance at the bar, where Pinkie and her new friend were laughing and having a good time. "Well, those two seem to be hitting it off. Good for her."

"Oh my stars, you should have seen the look on that mare's face! I don't think I've ever seen somepony as embarrassed as she was, but she was asking for it! Insinuating that she was having an affair with a stallion in his position was just ridiculous!"

"Bet you wish you could have seen it yourself, eh?"

"You have no idea, darling."

The wild and increasingly loud conversations over the last several minutes – and especially the second half-empty bottle of wine across the table – are indicative to the other ponies nearby of how your dinner has gone since Pinkie Pie left to get to know the stallion serving drinks. It also doesn't help that your eyes are starting to swim around a little.

With your plates clean, save for Pinkie's, you were likely going to be heading out soon. The party planner would probably want to bring the rest of her dinner home, so Gourmand had been asked not only for the check but a doggie bag as well. As good as the desserts looked on their menus earlier, there is a cake waiting for you back at the Boutique. Plus that would have just cost more money.

Rarity's gossip is cut off by the bouncy return of your pink guest. "You guys, you guys! Oh my goddess!"

"Hey Pinkie. I'm guessing that things went okay?"

"Uh huh! His name's Last Call." She plops herself onto her cushy red pillow and continues, "He's only been here a few weeks and hasn't really gotten out too much since he's been working a lot trying to get things started here in Ponyville. He lives on the outskirts of town, so I haven't gotten a chance to see him around. Otherwise, I would have probably done like you said and thrown him a welcome party. Ooo! Maybe I can still throw him one!"

"Pinkie, remember what we said." you interrupt. "Slow down a bit. Did he at least ask you out?"

"He did! He already bought me a couple drinks too, so we're half way there, heehee! His weekends are usually pretty busy here, but he's free this Thursday!"

"That's wonderful!" Rarity says, clapping her hooves. "Any idea what you'll be doing?"

"Probably going to go see a movie, and then we were thinking about going back to Sugarcube Corner and sharing some goodies with him. Something simple."

"After one date? I thought you agreed that you were going to take it slow!" you chastise.

"I am, silly! I just hope he likes this new flavor of cake I put together recently."

"Cake?" It takes an extra moment for everything to sink in despite how obvious Pinkie was making it. Being a little tipsy usually has that effect. "Oh! With the eggs and flour and...stuff."

"Uh, yeah. Sheesh, what'd you think I was talking about?" she giggles, taking her goblet in hoof and finishing what wine was left.

Rarity shares an awkward glance with you. No doubt the same thing was going through her mind. Based on what she told you earlier in the day, Pinkie did seem to have a tendency to be, well, forward with others.

"Err, right." You spot Gourmand at the table next to you and wave him over. "Check, please."

You and your dates arrive at the stargazing hill at the south of end of town just in time to watch the last rays of the sun disappear behind the horizon. The moon had already been raised and was just barely starts its climb across the sky. The first few stars of the evening had also come out, twinkling white and blue as they waited patiently for their brethren to join them. While you admire the moon's gentle glow, Rarity clumsily pulls out the blanket she brought with her, laying it sloppily on the ground. Despite it not being laid out as neatly as she usually likes, she shrugs it off and begins to remove her dress.

"Jeez, Rarity, can't even wait till we get home?" you joke, probably a little too loudly.

"Oh shush. I don't want to accidentally roll over and get any grass stains on this. You should probably do the same, Pinkie Pie. I'd hate to see something like that happen to any of my creations," the fashionista insists, removing her friend's gown before she can make a decision and sloppily folding them into her saddlebags.

You want to say something about it but figure if Rarity wasn't concerned that you shouldn't be either. Though with the way she's wobbling – or maybe it's just your vision, you can't really be sure – she may not even be aware of how messily she put the clothes away. Following her example, you remove your jacket and tie, and your girlfriend takes them with her magic, placing them with her garments. Lastly, the top two buttons are undone and the shirt itself untucked.

Finally loose and comfortable, you lay down on the blanket, arms and legs spread, and take in a relaxing deep breath. The cool night air fills your lungs, bringing you one step closer to taking a nap. If you didn't know you had a cake waiting at home, you probably could have fallen asleep right there. It didn't help that the booze was trying to hurry that along too.

As Rarity's now-full bag hits the ground, her small, warm body curls up against your left side. Her foreleg finds its way across your chest and a hind leg wraps itself around your own. She sighs contently when you arm pulls her in snugly up against you and your hand delicately caresses up and down her soft figure.

"Um, guys," Pinkie speaks up, "I...don't suppose it'd be okay if I curled up with you too, would it?"

You both shrug. "Doesn't bother me if it's okay with her," you say, nodding at your sweetheart.

"Fine with me."

With a happy bounce, Pinkie flips over in mid-air and plops herself onto the blanket perpendicular to you, resting her head against your stomach. Your free hand lays down comfortably on her belly and you can't help but scratch it, making the pink mare giggle and shiver lightly. You make a conscious effort, though, not to move too far down. Wouldn't want to anger Rarity, especially after a night like tonight.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," you comment with a wry grin.

"Never really felt anything all scritchy scratchy like this before. Feels gooooood!"

Fingers, one. Hooves, zero.

"Mmmm, you have no idea," Rarity mumbles.

Correction. Two, zero.

It isn't long before the first shooting stars make their appearance across the midnight blue sky. Rarity insisted you make a wish on the first one, but to be honest, there's nothing you really want; everything's just fine the way it is. Still, you figure it's best to just make her happy and so you tell her that you did. She couldn't say what hers was, otherwise it wouldn't come true according to what she said. No big deal in the end. You never took much solace in fairy tale like things.

While living in a world with talking ponies who can fly and use magic and one in particular that laughs in the face of physics. Details.

You're not really sure how long you were laying there as time passes. Maybe it was a minute, maybe it was a couple hours. Whenever you turned your head even a little, you couldn't keep your vision from going nuts. Yeah, no doubt the wine was kicking in hard right now. It's a good thing you were eating while you were throwing all that alcohol down your gullet, otherwise you might be wearing it right now.

Rarity, for the most part, laid relatively still, holding on to you tightly and just enjoying being in your company. Pinkie, on the other hand, was all over the place: Laying across your legs, your stomach, curled up above your head, against your right side the way your angel was against your left. Honestly, what did you expect?

With a long stretch, the unicorn looks behind her toward the clock tower in the distance. Despite it being dark, it was still visible thanks to the mayor making sure it always had a light while the sun was down. It was just after nine. Still not terribly late, but there was an ice cream cake sitting in the freezer and she did want to get to bed early tonight.

A kiss on your cheek from your girlfriend gets your inebriated attention. "Probably about time we start heading home. We still have that cake waiting for us," she reminds you.

Before you can even think, the party animal bounds onto her hooves despite laying right next to you a second ago. "Oooh oooh! CanIcomecanIcomecanIcome?! I heard you mention cake!"

"Well, I did say you could have some earlier today. So if you want to join us, you're more than welcome, dear."

Grinning from ear to ear, Pinkie bounces circles around you both. "Yay! I can't wait to taste it! It looked so yummerrific earlier that–whoa!" she hollers, falling onto her face and laughing at her clumsiness. "Ho boy, I think I had too much to drink tonight."

"You gonna be okay?" you ask, sitting up yourself.

Even with her eyes rolling, her head swinging and her legs wobbling, she manages to stand back up. "Heh, yeah, I think so. I'll just walk instead. Reeeeeeal slow."

"Alright then." You stumble to your feet and find that you're having just as hard a time staying balanced as Pinkie. "Okay, you might be onto something there. But, yeah, let's...let's head on home, girls."