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Scaramouche Fandango Crew
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 Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:37 am
It had been several months since Moth and Valiant had met, and the fairy tale spell had not been broken. Moth-drops was still just as smitten as she was when they met, and was quite willing to believe in love at first sight. Their relationship had continued to bloom and grow and it really seemed like everything was working out. Even doing not much of anything was fun, so long as they were together. Like tonight, for instance. Instead of going out, the two of them had cooked dinner together, which had been a lot of fun- lots of improvising and getting in each others’ way and trying to figure out the difference between baking powder and baking soda, then did the dishes together- again an exercise of improvisation, trying to figure out what could fit where. They’d gone to all kinds of places, but this was also incredibly nice- just relaxing at home and being, well, domestic. She put a few plates back as Valiant poked at the fire; they were in for a night of hardcore relaxing while the wind howled outside. Winter was around the corner, then spring again, then summer, and so on and so forth. The future stretched in front of them like a sun-dappled path in the woods. It was nice to think about walking that path together.
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:38 am
Valiant honestly couldn't remember when he had started thinking of Moth's house as home. He didn't sleep there, and he wasn't there every day, but it slowly became much more of home to him as his little faux-castle he shared with his sisters. Home was relaxing- smelled of Moth and gentle spices and growing things in spring, where he didn't bother with his regalia and wore his hair up in a ridiculous bun to keep it from catching on things. He felt utterly comfortable, from cooking there to prodding at the fire as he was now, making their shelter in the storm that much warmer.
So it was rather odd that someone who was so comfortable normally was oddly... jumpy that night. He had already had to put all of Moth's books back onto a shelf after accidentally knocking into it. Being tall wasn't all elegance and poise, after all- it was much harder to navigate cozy spaces. He was taking longer to stoke the fire than normal, brow knit in concentration as he really, really did not want to burn Moth's home down
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Scaramouche Fandango Crew
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:40 am
The dishes done, Moth pulled a fuzzy blanket and all the decorative pillows on the couch, piling them on the floor as a sort of nest. "Fire looks great, love," she said, music in her voice. From somewhere in the entertainment system, instrumental music played quietly- a little jazzy, nothing too distracting. One more thing to bring down- after dinner drinks. Nothing too fancy, just a nice white wine and a couple of glasses. Despite Valiant's regal upbringing and appearance, she knew her paramour would be just as satisfied with the simplest of things, so long as they were put together with heart. But that was it, wasn't it? He was so good at seeing the best in everybody, and that was truly noble.
Standing next to him, she draped a foreleg around his shoulders and just stared at the fire for a moment, squeezing him gently before carefully lying down in front of the fireplace. She patted the ground next to her as she looked up into those star sapphires he called eyes, beckoning him to lie down next to her.
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:40 am
It was honestly unfair- Moth was. How she could look up at him with her big silver eyes and Valiant could feel his knees give a mighty tremble. She made him want to melt into horribly infatuated putty and to puff up and be the bravest, most benevolent stallion he could be. Which were two very opposing states of being, useless putty and valiant knight, but she brought out both from him with just a simple smile.
Valiant sank down eagerly to be beside her, sighing happily as his legs tucked under him. One white wing stretched out, lazily curling over Moth-s back. She really was wonderful, introducing him to foods that weren't mutton and mead and teaching him how a good garden was tended for- and of wines. Really, he liked anything she set down in front of him, mostly because it was Moth doing the presenting.
"What was it that we had again? I have a horrible mind for names. It was delicious." Valiant had even helped cook it and he still didn't know what it was called. Also, talking about food helped him not think about his capital-p Plans.
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Scaramouche Fandango Crew
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:41 am
Moth snuggled into his wing- heavens but how she loved that, snuggling under his wing, tickled by a blanket of angel-soft feathers, feeling the warmth of him pressed up against her. This was paradise; she never felt happier or safer than when he was with her. She crossed her hooves in front, one of them gently touching Valiant's chest.
"Samfaina- it's a Catalan dish. Kind of a weird name, but I thought it was tasty, too- I'm glad you liked it! I'd been meaning to try that recipe forever. It's one of those lovely European "it's-fall-so-let's-use-root-vegetables" types of dishes, and I'm so glad it turned out nice. You were a great hand cutting those vegetables- they looked so pretty when you were done!" It was really sweet that he'd taken the care- but he was like that with everything. So careful- for such a big guy, he really did know how to use a delicate touch.
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:41 am
Not gifted with natural darker coloring, the faint flushing showed up pretty easily through Valiant's white coat. He puffed his chest out a little more, proud of his effort being appreciated by his kind lady. She was kind to pet his ego like that, even though he had made a mess of the bookshelf earlier. It was much easier to concentrate when he had a definitive task and wasn't all caught up in his own worrying. Unfortunately now he was without a task, and nearly knocked over the wine because of it. Nearly- he had caught it with magic before it could spill.
"My vegetable-cutting skills would be very useless without your handiness with actually cooking them." Valiant glossed over his near-spill, taking a sip after he spoke. That was something else he had to learn, sipping at wine- it wasn't mead to be gulped.
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Scaramouche Fandango Crew
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:42 am
"Nice catch," said Moth as Valiant rescued his wine, taking a sip of her own. It was pretty good- it had almost a peachy scent to it. Sweet, but not too sweet. "And thank you- but it was a pretty effortless dish. Really the preparation's the most difficult part, but I had my knight in shining armor there to rescue me." She leaned her head on his shoulder, suddenly a bit serious. "And that wasn't even a real problem or anything. At this point, I don't know what I'd do without you if I ever did have a real problem; I feel like I can rely on you more than any other phony I've ever met. Do you know how happy I am with you in my life?" she asked, nuzzling his neck. "I mean, you can't really quantify happiness, but there's nothing in my life that's ever made feel quite so wonderful. These past few months have been the happiest I've ever had."
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:42 am
Valiant hadn't even realized how tense he was keeping his face- probably since he had set about putting the books back on the shelf after he had knocked them down- brows drawn in concentration and mouth set as he worked and ate and poked the fire. But then Moth went and was so lovely and Valiant found himself relaxing, a rather wonderful melting feeling as he looked at her lovely face and was unable to resist a sigh of bliss.
"You are the most perfect," it was far from the first time he had said so, "It should seem ridiculous- but I can't remember what I felt like before I met you. I know I must have been happy, but I really can't believe it. I don't really think I knew what happy actually was before you." He knew full well it was, well, rather cheesy- but he meant every word of it. The stallion was practically unblinking as he stared at Moth, trying to figure out what was going on behind those eyes, hoping she wanted The Plan as much as Valiant wished to employ it. The last thing he wanted was to scare her.
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Scaramouche Fandango Crew
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:43 am
"It's a good thing we met, then, because all I want is for you to be happy." She meant it- it was certainly a clichéd thing to say, but it was true. She sighed too- an extremely happy, contented sigh and reached up to the big stallion's face for a kiss. It was a movement committed to muscle memory- the gentle sweep of the neck, the way her hair always fell back, the moment of anticipation, and the sweetness of the kiss itself. "And if you're happy, I'm happy. So really, it works out for both of us."
Her initial statement wasn't entirely true- there was more that she wanted, things she hoped he wanted, too. A family was one of those things. She knew that they could be a really good one, but she was always too timid to take that step. She'd spent her life being cautious and diffident, always taking forever to take action- and besides, what if he wasn't ready? She didn't want to push him. It wasn't that she was afraid of scaring him off or anything, but she didn't want him to feel obligated to settle out of honor or politeness.
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:44 am
Well, this was it. The moment of truth- Valiant could not delay a moment longer. He had already dallied about far too much, dragged his hooves and was far too skittish about what should be easy. His fair lady was right here, telling him how happy she was. He took heart in it, sighing softly and leaning in to gently touch his nose to Moth's. Funny how much a kiss could set him alight and calm him down all in one.
"You have been nothing but wonderful to me- and I hope I have been to you the same. Moth, what I am trying to say is that I would very much like to spend the rest of my life with you. Not just coming over for date night and cooking wonderful things or going out to town, only to bid you good-night at your door- but be with you, because you make me feel week at the knees and mighty in heart all at the same time, and honestly I think I might go mad if you do not marry me." Valiant had written notes. He had wanted to be romantic. Yet as ever he found himself rambling, too taken in by the beautiful eyes to make any sort of sense.
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Scaramouche Fandango Crew
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:44 am
She wanted to tackle him to the ground and cover him in kisses, or explode into fireworks, or do any number of physically impossible and logically improbable things. Here he was, this wonderful, caring, beautiful man- wanting to be with her, just hers forever and ever, nothing coming between them. They'd be more than just a couple in love; they'd be a team, partners facing life's challenges together. He'd always be there to support her, and she'd always be there to support him. The thought of it actually made her eyes water, and she smiled through a mist of tears. "Yes, Valiant, yes! With all my heart, nothing in this world would be better. I would like nothing more than to be your wife." This was the greatest thing that had ever happened to her, and she was amazed she hadn't tripped over her own tongue- it was difficult to string sentences together with all that was going on in her heart and in her head.
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:44 am
Tense? Who was tense? Certainly not Valiant. Nor worried, either. He honestly couldn't believe he had been worried in the first place, felt utterly ridiculous. He was going to wrap himself around Moth as much as he could- a forearm curling around her front and his wing drawn tight around her, his nose pressed to the top of her head as he just held her and was ridiculously happy.
"Oh good- wonderful, I would have been miserable if you said no- not that I would force the issue- I'm rambling. I love you, Moth, so very much." Now he didn't have to worry about anything ever again. Until they had kids. Moth did want chidlren, didn't she- no, no no- that was a worry for another day, Valiant was going to bask in this moment.
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Scaramouche Fandango Crew
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:45 am
"Shh, shh, my silly darling. I would never have said no, so don't you worry about it for even a second. I love you too, more than anything- never forget that, my dear." Moth made soothing noises as she cuddled into her fiancé (Fiancé!!), reveling in his touch and knowing that he was just as happy as she was. It was a powerful, heady feeling quite unlike anything she'd ever known before. It was clear now that the only way forward was to go together, and so together they'd go, hoof in hoof, arm in arm. They'd live together, caring for each other, raising their garden, sitting on the park benches and feeding pigeons and watching their children, and their children's children- maybe even their children's children's children, fates be willing… but that was all the future. Right now there was the present and a very warm, very happy Valiant. Tomorrow they'd have to start the business of telling everybody they knew- but tonight it was just them and the crackling fire and the new life together they were about to start.
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:46 am
Valiant may look very firm and strong, but he was mush- all the way to the bone. Completely rendered useless by the petite pegasus tucked against him. It was rather glorious. He never thought he'd be happy to be made so useless, but the world was funny like that. Like how such a lovely mare even wanted to be with him. Likely had to do with an absurd amount of luck.
"Lets tell everyone-" the thought suddenly struck him- he had been so pensive about Moth accepting his proposal that he hadn't put much thought into what comes after. He even lifted his head from Moth long enough to eye up the window and the storm outside, gauging whether it was really bad enough to prevent him from flying door-to-door to tell absolutely every phony in Phony Land- ones they knew and especially ones they didn't know, because everyone must be made aware that Moth-Drops and himself have laid official claim on each-other.
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Scaramouche Fandango Crew
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:46 am
"I mean, unless you want to keep things quiet for now- but I thought that it might be nice to tell everyone. And besides- if we don't, Lady Faire will the instant she knows! Oh, Val, your family's going to be so happy for you!" A clap of thunder from outside- when had it started raining so hard?- indicated that no, they'd definitely best not do so now- but telling everyone they knew was definitely Moth's plan for tomorrow. How could she not? For some reason, the most wonderful stallion in Phonyland had fallen in love with her, and she was so completely enamored with him that she just had to share it with the world. Her! The shy little moth who'd spent so much of her childhood hiding from the world, and so much of her adulthood quietly behind the scenes. How she'd managed to attract such a radiant sunbeam was beyond her- but something drew them together and held them close. Whether it was destiny or luck or something else entirely, Moth didn't know- and she didn't much care. All that mattered was him.
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