First date

Thunderclap stood in the marketplace, waiting anxiously. He was obviously very nervous, and some ponies who walked by gave him strange looks. "I hope I don't mess this up." He said, "I would hate to mess this up. Spring is such a nice mare." He said. He had what little money he owned with him. It wasn't much, but he survived on less. He planned to make this a great evening for Spring Shower.

Thunder quickly checked himself over. His mane and tail were wind swept and somewhat messy. Thunderclap knew he should be wearing formal clothes for something like this, but heck, he barely ownedclothes. "Gee, I'm going to fail miserably at this." He said, bringing a hoof to his forehead.

Spring Shower approached the Marketplace nervously, she hadn't been no a date in a while, and none of them she considered to be a real date, all the others were just friendly hanging out or when she was just a filly.

Spring wore a pretty partial dress, covering her flank and tail. The blue of the dress was about the same color as her mane, with a white cloud like pattern around the bottoms of it. She also wore a yellow ribbon in her mane. She was concerned about how she looked. She was not used to wearing dresses and only had this dress in case she'd ever need one.
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Spring finally came within sight of Thunderclap. She smiled at seeing him there. She took a deep breath and walked up to him nervously, "Hey Thunderclap, glad you made it," she said with a smile.

Thunderclap smiled, but thoughts were racing through his head. "Dang, I knew I should have gotten clothes. Maybe borrowed some from Arpeggio. I look like a complete idiot." He thought. He was shaking slightly." What am I doing? I don't know the first thing when it comes to dates!"

"Hi Spring Shower. You look great." He said. "Sorry about my lack of formal attire, but when you lived your whole life with next to nothing, you don't care much about buying clothes." He said. "But seriously, you look fantastic."

"So, shall we just.... spend time together then go get supper? Or are you hungry now? Either is fine with me. And don't worry about money. Dinner is on me." He said smiling. Although he was really happy that she agreed to do this with him, he was nervous that he would mess something up. Thunderclap did not do well with failing.

Spring Shower blushed a little and looked down at her hooves, "Thanks, I wasn't sure how I'd look in this, never worn it before," she explained, before looking back up at Thunder, "you look fine, just because I got a little dressed up doesn't mean you had to-- its just a mare thing to want to get a little gussied up." she said with a little embarrassment, not usually one to get dressed up either, but wanting to impress tonight.

"I'm not exactly sure how proper dates work..." Spring said anxiously, "I havn't been on one since I was a filly in flight school-- and two foals hanging out hardly counts as a date..." she explained to Thunder, scratching her hoof on the ground a little.

Thunderclap needed to diffuse the tension, and fast. "Well I guess that makes two of us who are clueless. So it doesn't matter if one of us messes up. The other won't realize." He laughed, and smiled. "But ya, you look great, so no use fretting. And thanks for doing this."

"Ya, I've never been on a date, real or otherwise, ever. My foalhood was kinda pathetic. But hey, what can you do?" He shrugged.

"Well, I'm not too hungry right now. Wanna just hang out, talk, and get to know each other better? Or are you absolutely starving?" He asked, laughing a little bit. He hoped he was doing good.

Spring Shower blushed again and rubbed the back of her head with her hoof, "thanks, I'm not really used to looking good," she said with a smile, "usually I've been playing sports or working with the weather and hardly 'pretty' when I'm done," she said.

"Well, I'm always up for a meal," Spring said with a nervous smile, "I know I don't look it, but I kind of eat a lot-- I think its from the regular activity," she explained.

"We can just take a walk and talk if you'd like" She smiled at Thunderclap, "that sounds like a really nice idea," she said with a genuine but nervous smile.

Thunderclap smiled. "I bet you look good all the time, just a little messy is all." He said. Thunderclap had started to stop shaking, becoming more comfortable with the situation. "But look at my mane. It always has this wild, windswept look, no matter what I do! Maybe its natural, or a side effect of flying in lightning storms." He laughed.

Thunderclap winced slightly when Spring Shower said she ate a lot. That may hurt his wallet. "Oh well. I said I would pay for her, and I am true to my word. I may just have to eat less is all." He thought.

"Walking and talking sounds good." He said, looking up and down the various market place stalls. "Do you want to know about me? Or do you want to start? Or just talk about something else?" He asked.

Spring Shower blushed a little as Thunderclap complimented her, it was not something she was used to. After he mentioned his mane, she laughed some, "I know the feeling-- my mane is always messy thanks to all the flying. I don't know how any proper pegasus manages to keep their mane straight" she said.

Spring Shower brushed up against Thunderclap as she began to walk down the market row, giving him the only flirty look she could muster up-- which wasn't that great as it was...

"We could, uh-- go back and fourth with some questions I suppose?" she suggested as she walked closely next to him, "like, um, why did you choose to come to ponyville?" she asked

Thunderclap blushed as Spring Shower brushed up against him. He looked down to see Spring attempt to give him a flirty look. It wasn't a very good attempt, but Thunderclap respected the attempt. He found it kind of adorable. He smiled at her, trying to make her feel good.

"Why I came to Ponyville? Well it wasn't a choice, actually. You see, for about the past year, I've been wandering throughout Equestria. Going from town to town, landmark to landmark, seeing all the sights. I had to live off the land and, on the odd occasion, the generosity of strangers. When I arrived here I saw how amazing and full of life this town was, I couldn't bring myself to leave."

He then asked a similar question. "And how about you? You said you were from Cloudsdale, right? What brought you here?"

"Why did I come here? thats easy," Spring grinned as she looked up, "I love the weather, I love everything about being down here, its just wonderful!" she said happily.

"Don't get my wrong, I love Cloudsdale, its my home, and I'll never lose that," she explained, "but being down here-- under the clouds, with the green grass, the blue water, the earth ponies and the unicorns-- theres just nothing like it," she practically hummed.

"Hmm" Spring Shower said grinning up a little at Thunder, trying to think of her next question, "Why did you leave your home...?" Spring asked, her face losing its smile as she realized the seriousness of her question.

Thunder nodded. "Yes, it is very beautiful. I've never seen a place quite like it. The weather is great, and how all the ponies live together is incredible."

Thunderclap's smile then quickly disappeared. "To understand why I left home, you must have some information. We were poor. My whole village was. We were so small and insignificant that my village doesn't even show up on some maps.We had very little contact with the rest of Equestria. Because of that, anything we needed had to be made or grown ourselves. I worked very hard almost my whole life on my parents farm, growing the food we would need to eat. It was very tough, living like that. I was also put on a makeshift weather team in order to round up clouds to rain on our crops and bust up storms." At this point Thunder had stopped walking. "Eventually, new roads were built. Traders came in, allowing us to sell our goods and have an economy. My parents sold their field to a young couple and opened a small store in town. They didn't need my help on the farm anymore, so I left. I needed a change of pace and scenery." He said, leaving it at that.

"But anyway" he continued, "Enough about me. What do you like to do in your spare time?"

Spring Shower nodded as Thunderclap explained his tail. She felt a little bad about asking it as it really seemed like a sad story.

She looked up at him upon his next question, "what do I do?" she repeated the question befor smiling a little, "we'll, if there's every some kind of game going on like hoofball or kickball I'll join that. I enjoy being with my friends, or just going and flying sometimes." she explained peacefully.

Spring thought for a second for a question that wouldn't be as serious as the last, then smiled up at Thunder, "what do you like most about ponyville so far?" she asked, waiting for him to start walking with her again.

Thunderclap's smile quickly returned. "Those sound like fun. I didn't play many games when I was young. Would you mind if I jump into a game every so often?" He asked. "As for flying, well I love flying. Feeling the wind in your mane, the sun on your back. Its an incredible feeling."

Thunderclap continued to walk again. "What I like about Ponyville most? Well that is obvious. My best friends in the world live here!" He said, and smiled at Spring. "And yes, that includes you."

"So, um, what do you look for in a stallio...." he started but stopped suddenly. Might not be the best question to ask. "I mean, how do you like being on the weather team?"

"Of course you can join!" she said with a smile, "although they're usually spur of the moment, so you've got to keep your eyes out-- although if theres ever an organized game, I'll try to let you know" she explained.

Spring Shower smiled happily as Thunderclap included her amongst his best friends, "Awh, thats sweet!" she said with a little bit of a laugh.

Spring turned her head in surprise at the question Thunder began to ask her. She gave a small sigh of relief when Thunder changed his question, as she was not sure how to answer that question without completely embarrassing herself by just up and saying 'tall, blue, and handsome...'

"Uh-- weather team-- I like it-- its nice to be part of clearing up the sky--" she explained, still a little thrown off from the almost question, "although it stinks having to bring in rain clouds, ruins the good weather-- but at least I'm really good at weather stuff, have been since I was a filly" she said proudly.

Thunderclap was relieved when Spring Shower ignored the original question
It was a stupid question. He had no idea why he started to ask it. "Well actually." He started "I quite enjoy rain. I like the cool feeling of water running down your back. Then again, I'm used to bringing rain so that crops could grow so I could eat, so maybe I'm a little biased." He laughed.

"Well, I will keep my eyes open for any games. The ponies may not want me though. They would have to slow the game down in order to teach me, that's not very fun." He said, and sighed. He shrugged. "I guess I'll get it eventually." He said.

Thunderclap then pointed towards a row of cafes. "Well, this walking built up an appetite. How bout we continuethis conversation over dinner?" He asked

"Oh, thats simple," Spring smiled, "just watch the game for a while until you get the basics of the rules," she explained.

"sure!" Spring said as she glanced at the cafes, "if you don't mind my suggestion, this one over here makes a great daisy sandwich and some great wildflower salad," she said, motioning to one of the cafes.

Thunderclap laughed. "Ya, I guess that is pretty simple. Still might get some odd looks though. Should be used to that by now anyway." He said.

"Well if you say that place is great, then we'll head over. I'm trusting your judgement about this. Never really ate out in Ponyville." He said, and started to walk towards the cafe. "And its my treat, so don't worry about paying." He said with a smile and a wink.

"Oh-- I hope you like it..." Spring said a little nervously, "I'd hate to recommend a place and it turn out you didn't like it" Spring said walking along Thunderclap.

Spring walked close alongside Thunderclap as they proceeded over to the cafe .

Thunderclap looked down at Spring Shower. "Oh don't worry. I'm not picky. I lived an entire year eating wild berries and plants, remember? I'm sure this place will be fine. I trust your judgement, remember?" He walked up closer to Spring Shower, his leg brushing up against her.

Thunderclap walked to the door of the cafe. "Hmmm, seems like a nice place." He said. Thunderclap then opened the door and held it open. "After you." He said politely. His father taught him to always respect mares, and he was going to try his best.

Spring Shower smiled at Thunderclap as she walked into the cafe. "Thanks!" she said happily as she went by, She turned and waited for Thunder to follow her in. A waitress pony took them to a table where Spring sat down on a pillow across the table from Thunder.

"So Thunder," Spring grinned putting her front hooves up on the table, leaning forward a little, "Why did you decide to ask me out on this date," she asked with a curious smirk.

Thunderclap followed behind Spring Shower. "Wow, she really is pretty." He thought. He followed her to the table and sat down at the table. He browsed through the menu. "Ah good, this place isn't too expensive." He said and laughed. He looked at Spring Shower and smiled.

"Why I asked you out?" He said, startled. "Well we had fun together....and you're a really nice pony...and...well I think you're beautiful...." He began to trail off. He blushed and became a little flustered.

"I don't usually eat fancy food," Spring said glancing at the menu, "some of the best places are the cheap and simple ones" she said, deciding on her dish and closing up her menu.

Spring blushed and smiled as Thunder said that-- she was hoping thats what he was going to say that, she just wanted to lead him up to that.

"Sorry if that was awkward," she said with a little giggle, "I think its your turn for the questions, if you want to still do it," she said.

"Considering how I ate over the last year, anything is fancy!" Said Thunderclap.He skimmed through the menu. He quickly decided what he wanted, folded his menu, and put it to the side. He smiled when he saw Spring blush. She was such a kind and sweet mare. He hoped their relationship could go further.

"No, not as much awkward as just unexpected." He said. "But now to turn the tables on you. Why did you agree to go on this date?" He asked, a smug look on his face.

"Because I really enjoyed hanging out with you," Spring answered his question rather quickly, "and after the game, I really wanted to hang out with you some more-- and I'd never really been on a date-date--" she explained.

The waitress came, took their orders, and departed.

Spring thought for a moment for what to make her next question, then tilted her head for a second as she thought of one, before turning her attention back to Thunderclap, "Okay mister traveler," she smirked, "what are your plans for the future? immediate and down the road."

"Well, I like that you enjoy spending time with me." Thunderclap said, "Cause I enjoy spending time with you." He smiled. He then ran a hoof through his mane. "Remember,iI didn't have much leisure time when I was little, so spending time with you is extra special."

"Plans?" He asked, "Well, for now, my plan is stay in Ponyville and work." He then began to drum his hooves on the table. "I don't have much in a long term plan. I'm more of a spur of the moment kind of pony. Never one to plan ahead. Gets me into trouble sometimes." He said, and laughed. "Now what about you little miss? What are your future plans?"