"Maybeoneofyouwouldliketogoonadatewithme?"

My mouth drops, and my eyes widen. Octavia and Soarin stop their conversation and turn to Caramel in surprise, Caramel himself covers his mouth in fear of what he just said, but no one is as surprised as Lyra or Bon Bon.

Silence fills the air before the two girls squeal out loud.

"O," says Bon Bon.

"M," says Lyra.

"GOODNESS!" They shout at the same time. "YES, I'D LOVE TO GO ON A DATE WITH YOU!"

At that moment, they look at each other and realize what everyone else has on their minds.

"Hey, you said one of us," Lyra says suspiciously. "Who specifically are you asking?"

Caramel gulps and scratches the back of his head. "Uh... I didn't think things through," he admits with a nervous chuckle.

"Well, you're gonna have to choose, or no dice, buster," Bon Bon says with her arms crossed.

"But - but really, I don't know," Caramel protests. "Honestly, you two are so much alike that I don't know how you are different from one another. Maybe we could find a middle ground in the matter. Perhaps one date each or two at once or-"

The moment those last few words come out of his mouth, he instantly regrets it. Once again, Lyra and Bon Bon's faces widen, and they squeal in excitement.

"Oh my gosh, Lyra, you thinking what I'm thinking?" Bon Bon asks.

"Oh, I know I am." Lyra answers before they both say at the same time, "Double date with Caramel Bear!"

"Well, we don't have to do anything as silly as that, I mean it was just a random suggestion," Caramel quickly says, but the deed is done.

"Oh my gosh, this is perfect!" Bon Bon says excitedly. "We can go out with him and help him choose whether to be with his Lye Lye or his Bonnie Bon!"

"I still don't want to call you any of those-" Caramel tries to say before he is interrupted.

"I agree!" Lyra says. "All that's left is deciding where to go and when!"

"Agreed. Any ideas, Caramel Bear?" Bon Bon asks?

All eyes are on Caramel as he continues sweating and blushing hard. He gulps before he speaks.

"Well...maybe a...trip to the arcade and then dinner or something?" He asks hesitantly.

Both girls scream in excitement.

"Oh my goodness, that sounds perfect!" Lyra exclaims.

"Yes, we are so on board." Bon Bon adds. "So, what time works for you?"

"Uh...maybe sometime on Saturday? Say...2?"

"Perfect!" They say at the same time.

"Uh...great," Caramel says nervously before he sees a blue car driving to the parking lot. "Well, I think that would be my mom picking up so...I'll see you girls then?"

"I think I speak for both of us when I say we'll be counting down the moments." Bon Bon says excitedly.

"Uh...well okay then. Bye. "He turns to me, Soarin and Octavia as he leaves. "Later, guys."

"Later." Soarin and I say while Octavia says, "Farewell, Caramel."

With that, Caramel quickly hopes into his mom's car, and it drives away.

For a couple of minutes, no one says anything. Then Lyra and Bon Bon giggle in excitement.

"We're going on a date with Caramel Bear. We're going on a date with Caramel Bear!" They sing together.

Soarin and I sigh in relief.

"Well, that could've been a lot worse," I say.

"True that," Soarin says.

"That was a total bloody disaster," Octavia says.

Both of us turn to her curiously.

"What do you mean? He asked them, and they said yes," I say.

"Look at Lyra and Bon Bon." She says, pointing at them. We turn around, and what we see makes us quiver with fear.

Lyra and Bon Bon glare at each other menacingly, with neither of them moving a muscle. The next thing I knew, Lyra walks away, and Bon Bon gets in her car, both of them pointing their fingers at each other as a way of expressing the same message.

He's mine.

Lyra walks away with a "humph" while Bon Bon drives away while Soarin and I watch. Once they are entirely gone, Soarin and I turn to Octavia.

"Dearie, what was that?" I ask.

"That, darling, is arguably the most frightening aspect of Lyra and Bon Bon," Octavia explains. "Even though as BFFs, they love each other to pieces, they like to be dangerously competitive at one another. When the opportunity presents itself, they're determined to prove themselves better than the other. I may only have known this since early this semester, but I've seen enough to know that this is a horrific situation Caramel has put himself in. I've seen them compete against each other in a video game tournament at Vinyl's house once and let's just say after managing to blow up Vinyl's video game console to ashes, they were banned from touching anything video game-related again."

Soarin and I look at each other, worried from her words.

"So...Caramel's kinda screwed?" I ask.

"That's one way of putting it, yes,," Octavia says as she pinches the area between her eyes annoyed. "Ugh, what in heaven's name could have driven himself to do such a thing?"

"Yeah, I know, right?" Soarin adds. "I mean we didn't say anything about actually trying to date them bo-"

I try to cover his mouth in fear, but unfortunately, I'm not quick enough as Octavia looks at us with a raised eyebrow.

"What are you talking about?" She asks suspiciously.

"N-nothing. Nothing at all," I stutter.

Octavia crosses her arms, indicating she knows I'm full of it.

"Rough Draft, what are you not telling me?" She asks sternly.

I play with my fingers nervously until Soarin whispers in my ear, "Dude, it's cool. Just tell her. She'll understand."

I want to protest, explaining how Octavia has a bad temper, but I know I can't with her standing next to me. I sigh, knowing there was no way out of it. I turn my head to face Octavia and clear my throat.

"Well, it's kind of like this..."

***************************************************************************************************************************

Over on the school soccer field, Rainbow Dash is practicing her goal kicks while Fluttershy is sitting in the benches holding her pet rabbit, Angel Bunny.

Rainbow Dash is about to make another perfect kick to the goal post when a booming voice shakes the ground.

"YOU TOLD HIM TO ASK THE GIRLS ON A DATE HOPING IT WILL HELP HIM EVENTUALLY HAVE A POSSIBLE CHANCE WITH APPLEJACK!?!?!"

The voice is so loud that it scares Angel Bunny and Fluttershy and causes Rainbow Dash to completely miss the goal post by a few feet.

Rainbow Dash growls, wanting to pummel whoever is the person responsible for making her miss her shot.

***************************************************************************************************************************

Soarin uses me as a human shield. We both quiver at the enraged Octavia, who is grinding her teeth and has blood veins showing in the edges of her eyes.

"T-told you, she would take it well." Soarin stutters in fear.

I recollect my thoughts and clear my throat before I carefully try to explain myself.

"Actually, we merely suggested the idea of dating just one of them as opposed to saying 'go ask out two girls at once.' We never thought he would have the courage or the mind to actually go through with that."

"Ugh, you...you...idiots," She groans as she pinches her temple again. "In what world is that ever a good idea? First of all, you can't just become un-shy just by asking out the most eccentric beings in the universe next to Pinkie Pie. Secondly, you know how much those two have been flirting with him, so how did you expect them to react when it looks like they both have a chance with the poor guy? And finally, how do you think they would feel if they knew that he's doing this out of hope that this would help him get with another girl who may never give him a chance? Did any of this cross your minds?"

"Well, sorry if it was just a thought. We never thought he would carry it out without telling us," I protest. "Is it really a crime that we just brainstormed ideas to help our friend?"

"It is if he actually carried one out," Octavia says.

"Well, then what are we going to do?" Soarin asks.

"Well, obviously, we're going to try to fix your lunkhead-ed mistake," She says. "We're gonna have to train him to handle himself with Lyra and Bon Bon, and you, Mr. Draft, are going to assist me."

"What?" I ask.

***********************************************************************************************************************

The next day after school, Octavia practically forces me to meet her at her house. We are waiting for Caramel to come in as I look at my "proper attire" for assisting her.

"Octavia, why am I assisting you again?" I ask. "And do I have to wear this housemaid dress? I look ridiculous."

"You got your friend into this mess; thus, you're going to help him survive it, you're wearing the dress as punishment, and because I'm your girlfriend and I said so," Octavia answers firmly.

"But don't you think you're going a bit overboard." I protest.

She gives me a deathly glare. "You really want me to answer that?"

"Uh...no?"

"Good."

There is a knock on the door before Caramel walks in feeling uneasy.

"Uh...hey Octavia." He says. "You said you wanted to-"

At that moment, he notices me standing next to Octavia in my forced attire. He stares at me for a moment before he covers his mouth, trying not to laugh.

"Rough Draft, what in the world are you wearing?" He asks with a snicker.

"This is my punishment for giving you the suggestion to ask out Lyra and Bon Bon," I say plainly. "I'm to wear this every time we meet to train you."

"Oh my word, this makes my day so much better," Caramel says.

With a glare, I threaten him. "If you breathe a word of this to anyone I will personally-"

Octavia places her finger on my lips before I can finish.

"Darling, you will behave, or I will give Caramel permission to take a photo of you in the dress and post it all over MyStable." She says firmly.

I gulp as I respond, "Yes, dearie."

"And don't use that nickname anymore. I grow tired of it." She says firmly

"Okay." I squeak.

I miss the calm and sweet Octavia.

She turns back to Caramel and clears her throat.

"Now then. Let's get down to business." She announces. "Caramel, you have thrown yourself in a lioness den where eventually two lionesses will try to beat the other in mauling you alive first. As such, I must help you pull through unscathed."

Caramel gulps.

"Um...thanks?" He says.

"Do not thank me yet," Octavia says firmly. "Rough Draft as established to me in the past how shy you are and how you acted when you tried to make a move on Applejack. I am sorry how that turned out, but you'll have to face facts. She's not interested, and even if she was, you might as well be implying that you've moved on by asking out other girls."

Ouch.

Caramel's face falls at her words. "Are you saying I've screwed up my chances with Applejack for good?"

"Not necessarily, but this certainly doesn't help your chances," Octavia answers. "But while there isn't much that can be done about it, I will do all I can to help you through this unpleasant situation."

"Okay, so how are we going to do that?" He asks.

"Well, if you had asked just one girl a date, we would simply be helping you how to properly act towards that girl," Octavia says. "However, given that you're going to be on a date with two eccentric girls simultaneously, Rough Draft and I are going to train you how to handle yourself during your date with Lyra and Bon Bon, who are both eager to get together with you. So to figure out how much am I gonna have to teach you, I'm going to quiz you."

"Quiz? Shouldn't you just tell me stuff, then quiz me?"

"Perhaps, but I think this may be more productive." Octavia answers.

Caramel looks at me concerned, and I just shrug in response. He sighs before he turns back to Octavia.

"Alright, go for it."

"Right." Octavia begins, "Question one: you are entering the mall with both of your dates. There is a two-door entrance to the mall. What do you do?"

Caramel thinks nervously before he answers. "Well, I hold the door for them, obviously, right?"

"Yes, but which door and who goes inside first? Lyra or Bon Bon?"

"Uhhh...the left door and ... just whoever walks in first?"

Imminently, Octavia takes a hornblower and blows it right at Caramel's face.

"That was a trick question, Caramel," she says. "The correct answer is secret option number 3: hold both doors open so that they can enter simultaneously, thus indicating that there is no hint of favoritism."

"But isn't that what I'm technically going for? Kind of choosing who I like best?" he protests.

"Perhaps, but you want to make sure that neither of them are hinted to have the upper hand in their competition to win their 'Caramel Bear,'" Octavia says. "They're so determined to win that they will automatically assume that you already have one of them in mind early on, and the other will start to become more determined to win your heart, which will lead to chaos. You want to avoid that for as long as you can."

"Well...that makes sense, I guess," Caramel says. "Alright, give me another one."

"Very well," Octavia says. "Question two: you're eating dinner with the two girls. You're having a good time, but then they decided to settle the matter. Thus they give you the ultimate question that may as well be asking who you choose: who is prettier?"

Caramel's eyes widen at the question and I grow concerned at the challenge Octavia just gave him. After a few minutes, he gulps and answers the best he can.

"I guess I look at both of them respectively and make my desi-"

Octavia blows her air horn again.

"You look, and you may as well have told them none of them are pretty, and thus they both want your head," Octavia says.

"What? How is that possible?" He asks. "I'm just making a fair observation."

I decide to intervene.

"Okay, Octavia, can I take this one?" I ask.

Octavia raises an eyebrow before she gestures me to go ahead.

"Okay, Caramel, I know in the case of Applejack you wouldn't hesitate to compliment her if she asks about anything like her looks," I begin. "But whether you're dating one girl or just two and they ask you about something like their looks, you never actually look at them before you answer. You say the compliment right away like it's a reflex. She asks, 'do I look fat?' You immediately say 'no.' 'Is she prettier than I am?' 'No.' And sometimes it works both ways."

I turn to Octavia.

'Bulk Biceps, is he more manly than me?"

"No," She says immediately.

Caramel ponders at our words. "Okay, that makes sense." He says. "So what do I do with Lyra and Bon Bon? Do I say they are both equally beautiful in their own unique ways or something?"

Octavia and I look at each other for a moment before I shrug.

"I think he can survive with that," I say.

"It does sound doable," Octavia agrees. "Very well, you can go with that."

"Alright, sounds good," Caramel says with more confidence. "Give me the next one."

**************************************************************************************************

The next couple of days contain Octavia, Caramel, and I meeting at her place to "train" Caramel for his so-called "double date." Most of it is the same hypothetical situations where he has to keep both Lyra, and Bon Bon satisfied. By Thursday, Octavia decides there is nothing more she can do to help him, so she lets him go for the rest of the week.

Caramel has just left for the day, so it's just Octavia and me.

"Can I now stop wearing the dress?" I plead.

Octavia pretends to think for a moment before she smirks.

"Well, I suppose I embarrassed you long enough," She says.

I sigh in relief before I quickly race to the bathroom and come out in my regular clothes a few minutes later.

"So, do you think he is ready?" I ask seriously.

Octavia sighs uneasily before she answers me.

"Ready is a strong word in this situation," She says with a sigh. "With two girls like Lyra and Bon Bon, there's no telling what to expect. The way I've seen them act in some of my classes these last couple of days, I can't tell if they actually want to go out with him or they just want to beat the other in their ridiculous game. Frankly, I wish there was something more that we can do for him."

She sits down in the chair next to me, not hiding how concerned she is. I don't like how she was worried, even if it is over something like our friends going on a twisted date.

"Well, there has to be something we can do," I say, trying to sound encouraging. "I mean, we could spy on them or something."

Nothing is said at first until Octavia lifts her head, and a small smirk grows on her face.

"Darling, when was the last time we went on a date?"

*********************************************************************************************************

Finally, Saturday arrives, and Octavia convinces Tempo to drive her, Caramel, and me to the mall.

We arrive at the mall at around 1:45 to make sure Caramel is there before Lyra and Bon Bon. We stand at the front doors while Octavia reviews her advice with Caramel.

"Okay, so what do you say when they ask who is prettier?"

"They both are equally pretty."

"Who do you look at when one of them is talking?"

"I look at the one talking but make occasional glances at the other."

"Good. And when the bill comes?"

"I insist that I pay for both of them."

"Alright, then. I have nothing more to teach you," Octavia says pleased. "Now Rough Draft and I will be watching from a distance. If anything happens, we'll figure out a way to intervene."

"Thanks, Tavi. I appreciate it." Caramel says.

"So, you feel ready enough for what is technically your first two dates?" I ask, half teasingly.

Caramel glares at me before he answers. "I would rather have these said 'dates' with Applejack, but I guess I partly have no one to blame but myself." He says. "Regardless, as far as a date with both Lyra and Bon Bon goes, I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

"Good, because I think they just came a few minutes early," I say.

Instantly Caramel's slightly confident face melts into one of nervousness. He turns away from Octavia and me to find Lyra and Bon Bon walking over to us.

"Hi, Caramel Bear!" They both said excitedly yet flirtatiously.

Caramel's face turns red.

"H-hello girls," he says. "You're here a couple of minutes early."

"So are you." They say at the same time.

"We just wanted to make sure we were on time," Bon Bon says.

"But we didn't think you'd be here before us. How sweet." Lyra adds.

"Uhh...well, it never hurts to make sure you're on time?" Caramel asks nervously.

"Well, it looks like we're both early," Lyra says slyly before she turns to Octavia and me. "Hey Tavi, Rough Draft, what are you guys doing here?"

Octavia said quickly wraps her arms around mine before she answers for us. "Oh, we just happened to be heading to the mall ourselves. There are these adorable shoes and purses that I saw in a couple of ads, so I decided to go get them today and bring my Jedi Knight in shining armor with me."

I blush a little at her calling me her 'Jedi Knight in shining armor.' Part of me wants to point out that Jedi don't wear armor, and I write my stories as a Jedi master specifically, but I played along.

"Awww!" Lyra and Bon Bon say at the same time while Caramel gives me a jealous glare. Guess he wouldn't mind being called something that by Applejack someday.

Caramel then clears his throat and says "Well since we're all here, should we go ahead and get on with the... 'double date?'"

Both Bon Bon and Lyra turn to him and smile enthusiastically.

"Oh Caramel Bear, I didn't think you'd be so eager," Lyra says.

"Me neither, but by all means lead the way," Bon Bon says.

They start walking over the front doors when Caramel decides to press the handicap door buttons from both sides so that both doors would open.

"M-madames." He says nervously with a little bow.

"Oh, what a gentleman," They both say with girly giggles. They both walked inside with Caramel sighing in relief and joining them.

Little does he realize that Lyra and Bon Bon are exchanging secret, deadly glares at each other that can slowly burn through a person's soul. I'm not the person they're on a date yet, and yet I gulped in fear.

When the doors close, Octavia and I stand for a moment before I finally speak.

"So...the thing about the shoes and purses made up or...?"

"We're here to look after Caramel," She says plainly before she shrugs reluctantly. "Although...there are a couple stores with items that fit that description..."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Oh come now, Rough Draft, work with me. I'll only drag us to do something like that if we need to secure our cover." She says before she hugs my arm again and makes a flirty smile. "Besides, I do like the idea of shopping with my Jedi knight in shining armor."

I blush at that name again while her violet eyes pierce through me.

"Okay, Octavia, I was just messing with you. You don't have to smooth talk me." I say shyly.

Her flirty face turns into a sly smile as she quickly steals a kiss and whispers in my ear.

"I know. I just like watching you blush."

At that moment, she quickly lets go and walks inside the mall, leaving me to blush hard as I chase after her.

"You get back here, Ms. Melody!" I shout to which she just laughs off.

*************************************************************************************************

During the next couple of hours, Caramel, Lyra and Bon Bon have tried every single game in the arcade at least two if not three times. Every now and then, the two girls will suddenly be interested in trying out a different arcade machine that looks fun while Octavia and I kept our distance. Octavia keeps her eyes on the three of them while I play some games and half-watch to stay "in cover" much to Octavia annoyance.

"Rough Draft, could you at least try to keep your nerdy side in check while we're doing this?" Octavia asks.

"Aw come on, I gotta stay in character," I protest. "Besides, Caramel seems to be doing alright all things considered. If anything, he's lucky Lyra and Bon Bon haven't disagreed on what to play this whole time."

"It is a good thing that they think so much alike," Octavia admits. "I just hope Caramel can keep himself together, though. He looks exhausted."

"Yeah, he looks like a parent dragged by his children." I agree. "Might need some coffee or something if he's going to make it through dinner."

Octavia nods in agreement.

"Speaking of which, wouldn't they be heading out to do that about now? It's almost 5:30." I add.

"Indeed," She says. "They may not have a reservation or anything, but I would reckon that they should be heading there around this time."

"Eh, I guess they should be feeling hungry sometime. Besides, they're just heading to a burger joint just two blocks from the mall, nothing really fancy."

"True. I guess I'm too used to Manehattan restaurants where you need reservations."

We continue to watch them as Caramel, Bon Bon, and Lyra are playing wack-a-mole on separate machine close together. Caramel is having fun, but Lyra and Bon Bon are occasionally glaring at each other while they practically smashing the machines themselves with their hammers.

Then something clicks in my mind. I let my character die on the arcade game I am playing, stand up so that I am next to Octavia and clear my throat.

"You know speaking of dinner, I've been thinking about how we've never gone on a real date," I say.

Octavia turns to me, confused.

"What do you mean?" She asks.

"Well we may have been going to each other's houses and have movie dates and hang out in the music room, but we haven't really gone on a 'date' date so to speak since we went to Sugarcube Corner, and even then that didn't end as smoothly as we would have liked. Technically we're on a date now, but we're really here to after our friends. I think it's time we have a full date. No Pinkie Pie chasing one of us or spying on a 'double date.' Just dinner, maybe a movie and end it with a walk in the park at night or something?"

Octavia smiles as I explain my proposal to her. "You really do have a romantic side of you, don't you, Rough Draft." She says.

I chuckled at her comment as I respond. "Well, I suppose I do have my notable moments for that, don't I, Love?"

Octavia raises her eyebrow. "Love?"

I realize what I had just said and blushed a little. "Well, you told me to stop calling you dearie, so I tried to think of something else. I wasn't even really considering that one. I mean it's blunt and not very original-"

Octavia interrupts me with her finger on my mouth.

"Go with it," She says with a smile. "It suits you to call me that."

"Heh. As you wish, Love." I say, smiling back.

We stare into each other's eyes until I see in the corner of mine that Caramel, Lyra, and Bon Bon are leaving.

"Looks like they're heading to dinner now," I say.

Octavia turns around and sees them leaving.

"Indeed. Guess we better start following them," She says.

We give it a couple of seconds before we leave so we can keep at a distance from our friends. Octavia hugs my arm again as we walk down the hall. I see Caramel doing well as he is having a few good laughs with Lyra and Bon Bon. It seems like he has become more comfortable around them, which is nice to know.

Of course, the last time I thought things were going well between him and a girl, he ended up humiliating himself, so he still needs to be careful.

**************************************************************************************

Caramel is eating burgers and shakes with Lyra and Bon Bon at the burger joint a couple blocks from the mall. The two energetic girls are talking nonstop while they eat their fries, and Caramel politely listens to both of them while enjoying his burger. Octavia and I are sitting several tables away with our own meals but still keeping our eyes on them.

"I want to say things are going well, but I feel like we're getting closer for something bad to happen," I say.

"Agreed. Lyra and Bon Bon may not be showing it, but even at a distance, I can see it in their eyes that they're becoming more determined to gain the upper hand from each other." Octavia concurs.

"We need to think of something to do in case things go out of hand," I say. "But what?"

"Probably just head over there and stop them. No sense in having a cover if we need to save Caramel."

"True that."

We continue eating while making constant glances at our friends until Octavia speaks up.

"So...do you have a place in mind for dinner for this so-called real date?" She asks, smiling.

I smile back, holding a chuckle.

"I was thinking about someplace nice," I say. "I've heard about a somewhat fancy place closer to the city. It's not especially expensive, and it's not so formal that I have to wear anything more than a nice button shirt. Nothing big but nice enough for a young couple like us."

"Hmmm. Sounds fantastic." She says sweetly.

"Yeah, I can ask my mom to drive us there, and there is a movie theater not far behind and-"

Before I finish, I catch a glance at the front door and frown. The Rainbooms enter the restaurant with - you guessed it, Sunset Shimmer. She is having a quiet discussion with Fluttershy that looks serious. I start to worry about how serious it might be. What could they be talking about that would make Fluttershy so concerned and Sunset Shimmer so worried? Could something be wrong with Fluttershy? Or is Sunset asking something that could lead to her next move to-

"Ahem."

...oops.

I reluctantly turn to Octavia, who has her arms crossed and gives me a displeased glare.

"You talked to her, eh?" She says disapprovingly.

"I really did, I swear," I say quickly.

"And yet you're glaring are her as venomous as ever. Care to explain that?"

"I don't know."

"Yes you do, you just won't admit it."

"Really, I don't know. It's like if it's just her, I can manage, but when I see her with the Rainbooms, I can't help but worry that she's using them just like she used me. I want to do better for you. I really do, but I can't help but be uncomfortable seeing her with them."

"What on earth could be up with her? Are you sure you're aren't acting like this because you still have feelings for her?"

I look at her in surprise and was about to angrily retort when Caramel's voice reaches out ears.

"TAVI, ROUGH DRAFT, HELP!!!"

We turn around to find Bon Bon and Lyra arguing and throwing food at each other while Caramel is panicking and trying to calm them both down but to no avail.

Octavia and I Iook at each other for a moment before we quickly get up and start running over to them.

Little did we know that one of the Rainbows is beating us to it.

***************************************************************************************************************************

3rd person P.O.V. three minutes earlier

"...and then Vinyl was like 'The Harp? Is that thing still around?' and I was like 'Yes it is, Vinyl! Contrary to belief, some people like to listen to less modern music than your wubs,'" Lyra rants.

"Just like Vinyl to think that, isn't it?" Caramel calmly replies.

"Oh, you're telling me," Bon Bon intervenes. "I once had to argue with her for three hours about my name. So what if my name is a term made in Prance? It's still me."

"She's too immature to think things through," Caramel says politely.

"Oh, Caramel Bear, you're so understanding!" They both say at the same time making Caramel blush.

"Aw come on girls, it's nothing," he says bashfully. "Soarin and I may not have been part of the group long, but I think I know Vinyl well enough to say-"

Caramel's face suddenly falls when he suddenly feels something under the table. He isn't sure at first, but after a few nudges, he knows that a foot is touching his own. The more it nudges around his foot, the more it hits him; one of the girls is secretly playing footsie with his foot.

Caramel blushes, and his hands shake. The awkwardness of the whole situation is starting to become too much for him. He desperately wants to tell whoever it is to stop, but he doesn't even know who it is and, worse yet, if it will destroy the balance in keeping both Lyra and Bon Bon satisfied.

Both girls are looking at him curiously.

"What's the matter, Caramel Bear?" Lyra asks.

Caramel sighs and accepts he has no other way out, and he has to find a way to handle this uncomfortable moment carefully.

He clears his throat and says, "Well...um...listen, girls, I'm having a great time with the two of you, really. I'm enjoying our time together, and I'm glad that both of you are having fun." He takes a deep breath before he continues. "But I also appreciate that so far, we have been taking things with both of you very slowly."

"Uh-hu," They say intently while smiling.

"With that said, I appreciate it when neither of you tries to do anything that shouldn't be done on a first date," He continues slowly.

The two girls look at Caramel, confused. They turn to each other, unsure of what he just said.

"What are you talking about?" Bon Bon asks.

Caramel gulps. There is no point beating around the bush anymore. With one deep breath, he bluntly speaks his mind.

"One of you is playing footsie with my foot, and it's uncomfortable!"

He quivers in fear for a moment, afraid of what they are going to say, but for a moment, neither of them says a word. Suddenly both of them start laughing out loud, leaving Caramel confused.

"What's so funny?" He asks.

Bon Bon manages to collect herself before she answers.

"You think one of us is playing footsie with you? Caramel Bear, why would you think that? Of course, that's going too fast," She says in mid-laughter."

"Yeah, what Bon Bon said," Lyra adds. "I mean it's only a couple of playful nudges to your foo-"

Lyra's eyes widen and she puts her hand on her mouth. Bon Bon turns to look at Lyra equally surprised, but then her surprised face melts into one of rage.

"CHEATER!" Bon Bon barks.

Lyra's only response is a nervous chuckle.

"How dare you try to go there when you know only I get to do that!" Bon Bon shouts.

"Wait, what?!" Caramel exclaims.

Lyra's nervous face changes into an angry face of her own.

"Oh, like you had a right to do it when he clearly likes me the best," She shouts.

"Excuse me? I didn't cross the boundaries he just established, so I automatically am the superior date!" Bon Bon yells.

"Oh sure, like he wants to be with a girl that doesn't try anything," Lyra says sarcastically.

"Wait, can't we hold up a moment and let me say-" Caramel tries to say only for both girls to shout out, "Shut up, Caramel Bear!" simultaneously. Caramel reacts with an 'epp' before Lyra, and Bon Bon continues.

"He was closest to me at the arcades. He clearly is more interested in me!" Bon Bon exclaims.

"Oh please, he was only doing that to bring it to you slowly that he was going to choose me," Lyra says.

"Do I detect a hint of desperation in that claim?" Bon Bon taunts.

"Yeah. Desperation to get it through your hard burnt marshmallow drop surprise skull." Lyra says with a smirk.

Bon Bon gasps insulted.

"Leave my failed candy experiments out of this!" She shouts.

"Why? Are you worried that being unable to get with a cutie like Caramel Bear will just be another failure?"

Bon Bon's blood boils at the insult. Suddenly an idea hatches in her mind, and a devious grin grows on her face. She reaches into her backpack and takes out a can of whipped cream and a bottle of chocolate syrup.

"You know 'Lye Lye,' I always keep a couple of flavors just in case I want to try another experiment. Maybe someone as bitter as you needs to be a little sweetened." She says with an evil voice.

Without another word, Bon Bon takes the bottle of chocolate syrup and sprays it all over Lyra's face and makes a big bushy whipped cream beard on her chin. Lyra is enraged as she grabs a bottle of ketchup.

"Say, 'Bonnie Bon,' I don't think you should have two separate colors in your hair. You should just stick with only one. Here, let me pick for you," Lyra says as she sprays ketchup all over the blue side of Bon Bon's hair.

Bon Bon screams a girly scream while Lyra laughs maniacally. Caramel can barely process anything that was happening at this point.

"Lyra, Bon Bon, please!" He protests, but Bon Bon grabs more sugary contents from her backpack, and Lyra takes more food from the table, and they start their own chaotic food fight. Caramel doesn't know what else to do as the worst-case scenario has happened and then some and he is helpless to do anything about it.

"TAVI, ROUGH DRAFT, HELP!!!" He screams as Lyra, and Bon Bon continue throwing food at each other.

"How about some butterscotch in your hair?" Bon Bon says.

"How'd you like some french fries in your ear?" Lyra counters.

"Why not cherries in both of your ears?"

"Or salt and pepper up your nose."

"Or Applejack's hand-"

Suddenly, all three of them stop what they were doing and turn around to see what Caramel thought was an emerald-eyed angel standing behind Bon Bon and holding her arm with a stern look on her face.

*********************************************************************************************************************

Rough Draft's POV

Octavia and I are just seconds away from helping Caramel before we see Applejack come from behind and intervene. Sunset Shimmer and the other Rainbooms are standing behind as Applejack has a stern look on her face that has both Lyra and Bon Bon worried and Caramel looking hopeful.

"What do you think y'all are doing?" Applejack asks.

Lyra and Bon Bon look at each other and turn back to Applejack, chuckling nervously.

"Having dinner with Caramel Bear," they say simultaneously.

For a moment, Applejack's serious face turns into confusion. She mumbles to herself, "Caramel Bear?" before she snaps out of it and goes back to her serious face.

"And how is throwing food at each other part of your...date?"

Lyra and Bon Bon instantly point at each other and start talking at the same time. Neither of us are positive of what they were saying, but it sounds like they are both claiming that they are the "better date" and thus should be going out with Caramel. Applejack seems to have understood as much before she holds up her hand for silence.

"Alright, alright, I get the picture. But did either of you ask how Caramel felt? That this might be making him uncomfortable?" She demands.

Lyra and Bon Bon look at Caramel, who, despite feeling better now that Applejack is there, is still a little scared from their spontaneous display. The two hyper girls bow their heads in shame.

"You two should be ashamed of yourselves," Applejack says in a motherly tone. "I may not be interested in dating like Rarity, but even I know that ain't a way to behave to your date. What do you have to say for yourselves?"

Bon Bon and Lyra look at Caramel apologetically and simultaneously say, "I'm sorry, Caramel Bear."

Octavia and I look at each other surprised. We didn't expect Applejack to come to Caramel's rescue much less shame Lyra and Bon Bon like that.

"Uhh...It's okay," Caramel says politely.

"Well, I'm glad that's settled," Applejack says with a smile. "Now, I think I should take Caramel home. Any objections?"

Lyra and Bon Bon want to protest, but they remained silent, figuring Applejack would counter it. I look at Octavia, giving her a look asking if we should do something, but she shakes her head.

"Good. Come on, darlin'," Applejack says to Caramel.

Caramel gets up and follows her, hiding a bashful grin from her calling him "darlin.'" They both are about to exit when Caramel taps Applejack behind the shoulder and holds his finger, indicating to hold on a minute when she turns. He makes a quick run back to Lyra, and Bon Bon, takes out his wallet, grabs a couple dollars, and puts it in the middle of the table as he says, "Dinner's on me, girls. For what it's worth, I had a nice time with both of you."

With that, he scurries back to Applejack, and together they leave. Lyra and Bon Bon stare at each other in disbelief. Octavia and I look at each other concerned about what they will do next.

Finally, Lyra speaks first.

"He had a nice time with you."

"He had a nice time with you," Bon Bon counters.

They keep looking at each until big smiles form on their faces, and they simultaneously shout. "Best friends forever!" They hug each other, giggling out loud while everyone else in the restaurant is staring at them bewildered.

"Let's get out of here," Bon Bon suggests.

"You read my mind, buddy," Lyra confirms as they grab their stuff and leave the building giggling and complimenting each other on their insults and food attacks as if they are commenting on a tennis match they just played.

For a few minutes, everything is silent until people start to go back to their meals. Octavia and I look at each other and sigh in relief.

"Well, I think that brings the 'double date' to a somewhat satisfying ending," Octavia says

"Yeah, maybe this turned out well for Caramel after all," I add. "We were lucky the Rainbooms were eating out as well."

"Actually, I might have helped with that."

We turn around to see Sunset Shimmer with Rainbow Dash behind her while the rest of their group went back to their meals.

"You did?" Octavia asks.

"Yeah, when they started to fight, Applejack was getting worried, and I told her what Rough Draft told me about his suggestion to Caramel, and after that, she didn't hesitate to intervene," Sunset Shimmer explains.

Rainbow Dash takes the opportunity to add her two cents.

"Seriously, Rough Draft? You and Soarin thought getting Caramel to go on a date with two girls was the answer to helping him maybe get with AJ? You guys come up with the most ridiculous ideas." She says.

"Oh, don't worry. I chewed out both of our boyfriends good over this," Octavia explains. "But I, for one, think at least mine learned his lesson."

She turns to me and glares. "Didn't you, darling?"

I chuckle nervously before I answer. "Uh, yeah, I think I can confirm that I will never try to help Caramel with his love life again."

"Too right, you won't," Octavia says pleased. "Now of you girls will excuse us, we have a date to finish."

"Yeah, yeah. Later fellas," Rainbow Dash says as she goes back to join the Rainbooms.

"Bye, Rough Draft," Sunset Shimmer calls out as she follows Rainbow Dash.

Octavia and I go back to our table and start eating our food again without saying anything to another. We remain quiet until I decide to lighten the mood.

"You know what else I learned?"

"Do tell, darling," Octavia says still focused on her food.

"It's going to take a miracle for Lyra and Bon Bon to ever get boyfriends."

Octavia lets out a snicker that makes me smile. She laughs for a few seconds before she responds.

"Yes, I suppose it's going to be quite difficult," She chuckles. "At least we know it isn't going to be anyone like Caramel."

"Agreed," I say. "But, hey, since we're done with their big date, maybe we can get started with our own."

Octavia smiles, sweetly to my suggestion. "What do you have in mind, darling?"

I smile back before I answer.

"How does next Friday sound?