Mindful Soul looked up at me over her notebook. “Well?”
“Well, what?” I asked.
She snorted. “You think I’m going to gloss over the part about you resigning just because you dazzled me with wedding plans?”
“I was hoping so, yes.”
“Silent Knight, you’ve been coming to see me twice a week for over a month. I feel like we know each other. Do you really think that was going to work given our time together?”
“I was hoping so, yes,” I repeated.
She set her notebook down and said, “You’re a stubborn pony. Well, then, how is the hunt for a new officer going?”
I shrugged. “They’re not me.”
“Maybe you’re not the pony that should be doing the hunting?”
How could I entrust such an important task to anypony else? I knew Princess Luna. I knew what she needed. I leaned back in my seat and shook my head. “I’m not officially doing it. I’m just going to have a short list of suggestions for Vice Colonel Glamour is all.”
“Yes, but don’t you find it depressing to be looking for your own replacement when you don’t want to be replaced?”
That was an understatement. “Of course, I do, but it doesn’t change the facts. She can’t try to guard me while I guard her. Her safety is more important than my happiness.”
Mindful Soul picked up her notebook and took a few notes. Great, I’d said something relevant or important. “You honestly believe that?”
“Yes,” I replied, trying to keep my voice even with short, clipped sentences. It kept the emotion at bay. “She’s an alicorn princess. She’s important. We need her. Me? I’m a royal guard. We don’t normally stay in the same place for long. I’ve had the opportunity to be with her for years. We’ve gotten too close. I’m compromised.”
“I see. And you think she’s just going to let you go?”
I snorted. “She doesn’t have a choice. She can’t stop me from resigning my position. We’ll still be friends. I’ll just… I don’t know… be somewhere else, wearing gold armor and doing who knows what.”
More notes. “And that bothers you.”
There was no point in lying to her. “Of course it does! I’ll be a palace guard or a city guard. Just one of thousands instead of one of tens...” I clenched my jaw and breathed out. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. It’s going to happen, okay? Shouldn’t you be teaching me to try to accept it?”
The unicorn chuckled. “I’m trying. Your plan is to just bottle it up. Need I remind you how that worked out with your guilt?”
I stared at her, trying not to grind my teeth. “Nopony likes a know-it-all doctor.”
She grinned a bit and raised a hoof. “Sorry. You see my point, though. How about we work on your guilt and stress? Any more anger issues?”
“Yes, but not as often. I’ve kept it all in check, too. No more destruction of property. I just go pummel the heavy bag.”
She paused and then said slowly, “That isn’t what I taught you.”
I shook my head. “No, but counting down from ten doesn’t work for me. Exercising does, and it keeps me fit. We call that compromise.”
“Fair enough. Just make certain you’re not substituting that heavy bag for ponies.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She set her notebook aside and then nodded at me. “That is our time today. I think we should start seeing each other once a week. I’ll let Warrant Orchid know.”
My brow lifted. “Oh? Tired of me already?”
“Not at all, but you seem to be doing better. You’re not planning any other dangerous actions. You’ll need more work, but I think once a week will suffice. If it doesn’t, we can readjust.”
I stood and nodded. “Fair enough. See you next week, then.”
“Yes indeed. Take care.”
I left the office and headed out into the waiting room. There was a blue filly sitting in one of the chairs with her head buried in a copy of Crystal’s Her Silent Love. The book seemed to be everywhere. Why was a filly here and reading a romance novel? Mindful had said she had younger ponies for patients, but that book wasn’t really for ponies that young.
Unless she wasn’t that young. Slowly, I started to tiphoof towards the door. Easy, Silent Knight. Be small, act small. She won’t see you. When I was halfway, to the door the book came down.
“Lieutenant?” Azurite asked in surprise.
I stopped. “Yes?”
“You took my advice!” she exclaimed, hugging the book to her chest.
“Yes. Please don’t tell.”
She shook her head. “You don’t have to be ashamed. Everypony knows I go to therapy.”
That was an understatement. “I understand, but please don’t tell. I don’t want everypony to know my business.”
Her ears wiggled and then dropped slightly. “Well… alright. If that’s how you feel.”
“Don’t tell Sunny.”
Azurite gasped. “I can’t not! She’ll know. She smells it when I have a secret and she always gets it out of me. Nothing can stop her!”
My brow arched. “Try hard?”
The unicorn shook her head and chirped, “I’m sorry! I don’t want to tell you a lie. She’ll get it out of me one way or the other.”
I glared. “I could silence you.”
Mindful Soul cleared her throat. “Please don’t kill Azurite in my waiting room, the paperwork would be immense.”
“Yeah… don’t silence Azurite in her waiting room,” Azurite said, getting up and heading over to the other unicorn.
Mindful Soul lightly patted the blue mare on the mane. “And you’re going to have to tell Sunny that you can’t tell her. Silent Knight has a right to privacy.”
Azurite gasped. “She’ll torture me!”
“You need to learn to say no. Head on inside. I set out the plushes you like.”
I knew it! It was all about the plushes with Azurite. Thank goodness Mindful Soul was a good doctor. Celestia knows I didn’t want a recommendation based on who had the best toys to play with during therapy. Although she did have some pretty good toys.
☾
Construction, like many things in life, never seemed to go to plan. The remodeling and expansion of Princess Luna’s wing of the palace was meant to be completed before she returned from Haven. That date was coming fast if she kept to her schedule, and I suspected she would. She wouldn’t want to miss her own parties, especially not since I’d correctly sent out all the invitations.
The princess would be thrilled I was capable of a simple menial task, but she would be far less pleased with the fact that the construction work was behind schedule. Not a day or so, but weeks. It was impossible it would be completed before Princess Luna’s well-planned and highly publicized Nightmare Night party.
I moved the event to the grand ballroom, and Princess Celestia had been more than happy to provide that space to us. She was the co-host so that only made sense. It was also the fanciest place in the kingdom, so I doubted any pony would feel slighted by the change of venue.
In a way, that had been the easy part. The more difficult duty was the one I was attempting to perform now: ensuring that Princess Celestia’s assistant Raven didn’t kill the project manager or set fire to the construction company.
“You said this would be done by today,” Raven growled in a low voice. “Do you realize how many events and plans we’re going to have to rework to accommodate you?”
The project manager looked nervous. “I’m really sorry, ma’am. This palace is hundreds of years old! There are a lot of things to consider. Code upgrades, new materials, hidden problems, and the fact we’re building on the side of a mountain.”
Raven groused, “Didn’t you factor that into your schedule and bid?”
Sheepishly, the stallion rubbed a forehoof over his chest. “Well… we did. Just not to this extent.”
“How long?” Raven demanded.
“I’m sorry?” he replied.
“How long? How long until you’re done? Give me a real date. I need it now so I can start changing plans and so Lieutenant Knight there can tie up a ton of royal guards protecting the construction site.”
My ears flicked. She was right about that. The Palace Guard was getting a lot of extra hours. My House Guard, too. Although with the princess away in Haven, it wasn’t a big deal. We were mostly guarding empty halls and rooms.
“It is tough to say…” the stallion trailed.
“No. You’re a professional. An engineer or an architect or both. You will have a date for me by the end of today. Am. I. Clear?” Raven enunciated by advancing a step closer to him with each full stop.
“Yes, ma’am!” he replied before slowly backing away from us.
Raven bristled and took two steps after the project manager. She’d probably have taken a third, but I flicked a wing in front of her. “He is no good to us dead, ma’am.”
“I wasn’t going to kill him,” she huffed. “I just wanted to show him how many things were in my schedule by repeatedly rapping it against his face.”
Laughing would probably not have been appropriate and it took effort not to do so. I kept my composure by some small miracle. “Come on, let’s go to the officer’s club. I’ll buy you a fizzy drink.”
The mare sighed. “I’d love to, but I’ve got things to do. I need to start working on all of this. Do I need to go to Glamour, or are you still good to handle all of the Royal Guard issues?”
“I’ll handle it. The Palace Guard lieutenants just nod and comply when I come to visit. No need to involve the brass, just leave this to me.”
“And don’t forget that Princess Luna will be back today. Good luck with that, Lieutenant,” Raven said before heading towards Princess Celestia’s wing.
“Thanks,” I replied as I wandered over to the table that had all of the drawings and plans for Princess Luna’s wing. It was an ambitious project for sure. I flipped through a few before I found the administration area.
After a brief glance to see who was paying attention, I quietly drew a new door on my office and made some notes about the materials for it. One problem solved.
While she was gone, I’d made certain that Princess Luna’s bedroom, personal quarters, and office were completed. There wasn’t much that had to be done there anyway, just some new windows, better security, and some space reconfiguration.
The least I could do was ensure that she would be comfortable during this insanity. She should be comfortable, and my door should be soundproof.
On my way to the courtyard, I grabbed Div to help me carry the princess’s bags. The two of us stood together looking up at the sky, waiting a little awkwardly in silence. There was no sign of the chariot yet.
“Sir?”
I looked over at him. “Yes?”
“Are you excited about getting married soon? The princess has been talking about it a lot when I’ve been on duty.”
Had she now? Loose lips sink pony ships. “More or less. I’m committed to Crystal Wishes and I’m thrilled to have her in my life. I can’t say I’m too much on the ceremony of it.”
Div nodded. “I understand. I don’t regret having a ceremony, but I was pretty worked up about it.”
“Yeah? You got married out west, right?”
A small smile appeared on his face and his voice turned dreamy. “I did. It was this whole crazy thing, but it was nice.”
“I didn’t get an invitation,” I said, keeping my tone even.
Div cleared his throat and looked the other way. “Uh… no, sir. It was small. Close friends and family only.”
I kept my grin on the inside. “And your entire squad. Since they all took the time off and I had to rework coverage.”
The stallion coughed and nodded. “Close friends, sir. Sorry, sir.”
“Of course,” I replied. “I’m kidding, Div. It’s fine.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “You shouldn’t do that, sir. We’re not used to it.”
“Oh yeah? How about I—”
Div pointed. “Oh look, there they are!”
My eyes followed his hoof and sure enough the chariot was in sight. “Saved by the princess.”
Div quickly nodded and started to trot to where the chariot was coming in for a landing. Once it was safely down, the stallion immediately busied himself with getting Princess Luna’s bags. Smart pony. He’d make a great sergeant someday.
Iridescence and the princess disembarked and started to come my way. I could see their eyes shifting to the new wing where there was still scaffolding and the noise of continued construction.
I bowed when they reached me. “Welcome home, Princess.”
“Thank you, Silent Knight.” Princess Luna’s brow rose as she looked down at me. “Forgive me if I am mistaken, but it appears as if the renovations are incomplete.”
I remained in my low bow. If I didn’t look her in the eyes, she couldn’t zap me. “They are not only incomplete, but also very far behind schedule, Princess. Raven is livid. I did, however, see to it that your quarters were completed first so that you’ll be comfortable.”
“Very well,” she said with clear disdain in her voice. “Why don’t we head inside so that you can fill me in? Perhaps we should summon the project manager so that he can explain it to me face-to-face.”
“Of course, Princess,” I replied while I hid a smirk. If that pony was afraid of Raven, he’d be terrified of the princess. Perhaps that would work to our advantage.
☾
It felt weird being in my quarters, but today it was more convenient to meet there before heading to the florist. The gap between when I got off work and our appointment made the timing of things awkward. Going straight there would make us too early, and heading to her place meant we’d just be in Velvet’s way. She was practicing for an upcoming production, and that always made her extra crabby about ponies in her space.
Crystal and I almost never spent time at my place anymore. The funny thing was, neither did Winterspear. She was typically over at Iridescence’s just like I was over at Crystal’s. It made the once-familiar space feel strange and foreign. Not like ‘home’ at all.
“Red,” Crystal said as she laid a card down.
I set a red moon on the stack. She set a green moon over that.
I looked down at the cards in my hoof. “How much longer until our appointment?”
“We’ll have to leave soon.” She looked up at me with a coy smile. “Are you hinting that you’re not enjoying the game?”
She knew the answer. It was a fine game to kill a few minutes, but there wasn’t a lot of strategy. Just hold onto a wild card until that was all you had left in hoof. I was about to point that out when the door opened.
Winterspear walked in. She had bags under her eyes like she hadn’t slept in a week. Iridescence followed along behind her, looking about the same. Their manes were frazzled and both dragged their hooves across the floor.
Dot came last, practically bursting with energy. Her saddlebags were packed full of games, coloring books, crayons, and colored pencils. With a surprised whinny, she galloped over to us. “Hi Miss Crystal! How’re you?”
Crystal smiled. “I’m doing well. How are you, Dot?”
“I’m AMAZING!” she squealed. “I had a sleepover last night with six other fillies. We were up all night and I’m not even tired. Do you believe that?”
I looked over to the couch where Winterspear had collapsed. She had closed her eyes and I grinned. “I believe it.”
“Dot, why don’t you sit down and color,” Iridescence suggested before slouching into the easy chair.
“I can’t! I’m too excited. Also, I’m really, really, super sorry we broke that water line in the bathroom this morning. It was an accident.”
Water line?
“I know, sweetie. I said it’s fine,” Iridescence replied.
Winterspear didn’t open her eyes. “Silent Knight, by the way, Dot and Iridescence are going to be staying here a few days.”
“No problem.” Somepony might as well make use of the space.
Crystal looked up at the clock and then over at me. “We need to get to the florist, sweetie.”
Ah, yes, our wedding appointment where I pretended like I knew the difference between flowers. It wasn’t important to me but Crystal being happy was, so I agreed to come along.
“Florist? As in flowers?” Dot asked as she started to bounce. “Can I go? Please! Please! Since I’m going to be the flower filly I should go! I can help, right?”
Iridescence lifted her head. “Dot, I think Silent Knight and Crystal Wishes will want to pick out their own flowers.”
“But I’m the flower filly! Flowers! This is like my responsibility.”
I looked at Crystal. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to take Dot along, and she gave me a subtle nod in agreement. I cleared my throat. “You know, Dot, why don’t you come with us? Crystal would value your opinion.”
“I would,” Crystal put in with a voice full of sincerity.
“Yay! Let’s go! Let’s go right now,” Dot squealed in delight before grabbing Crystal’s hoof and dragging her towards the door.
Crystal giggled and let the filly lead her out.
Iridescence looked over at me, eyes loving and soft. “You are truly the greatest pony in the world right now.”
With a chuckle, I nodded. “I know. You two take a nap. You both look like you need it.”
I was pretty sure Winterspear was already asleep, so I didn’t wait for her gracious response. She could thank me later.
Crystal, Dot, and I had made it to the florist in record time. Mostly because Dot was more excited than I’d ever seen her. She’d practically dragged Crystal the whole way. Once we’d arrived, the florist had given us a brief introduction and explanation. I didn’t get any of it.
Now we were all standing in front of the counter, surrounded by more flower types than I knew existed, while Crystal and Leafy Roots discussed the bouquet. I’m pretty sure it was the bouquet, anyway. I’d zoned out a little bit. Okay, more like a lot. Stallions and bouquets don’t mix.
“You see, the wedding is going to be in a rose garden. We’re expecting to be surrounded by beautiful red roses. I don’t want the bouquet to be washed out by that,” Crystal explained.
Leafy Roots asked, “So you don’t want red roses in your bouquet, then?”
“Well, I do! Just not those red roses. Plus, white roses as well. Do you have a different kind of red roses?”
Leafy blinked and looked over at me. I just shrugged. Wasn’t it her job to understand mares? It certainly wasn’t mine. “Well, Miss Wishes, I’m not sure what kind of roses are going to be in the garden… but I do have some pink roses and some lighter red ones. Perhaps crimson ones?”
Dot softly groaned. I patted her on the head. I didn’t blame her for being bored, too.
Crystal shifted and then waved a hoof. “Could you show me some of the things you’ve done for past weddings? Maybe a visual would be helpful when it comes to what I’m trying to explain.”
“Oh, that’s an excellent idea.” Leafy pulled out a photobook, set it on the counter, and opened it. “I’ve had the pleasure of doing the flowers for numerous weddings. I just know we’ll find something in here close to what you’re looking for.”
I picked Dot up and set her on my back so that she could see. She nuzzled my cheek and chimed, “Thanks!”
“Yup,” I replied before zoning out again.
Don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t that I didn’t care about the wedding. I just didn’t care about different color roses, bouquets, or things of that nature—literally, in this case. It would have suited me just fine to go before the military officiant and marry Crystal, but she wanted a wedding and I wanted her to have it. She’d earned that much for sure.
“No, no, no!” Dot finally squealed. The little filly hopped off my back and onto the counter. “Don’t you see, ma’am? She wants it like this!” She pointed her hoof at one bouquet. “Then you take out the red ones. Put in three whites here, a crimson there, and maybe mix in something other than a rose to contrast.”
I reached for Dot to pull her off the counter. We didn’t allow tantrums, not even in florist shops… although in this case I couldn’t blame her. I was five minutes from throwing one of my own. My hooves came to a stop immediately, however, when my eyes caught sight of sudden white in a sea of green.
“And then you’ll need to wrap it in a pearl ribbon to offset the green. Maybe throw some foal’s breath in there, too, for extra flare,” Dot prattled on.
Crystal gasped and looked at me. I was frozen, my hooves still reaching out towards the filly.
Dot trailed when she noticed we were all staring. “... What?”
“Dot,” Crystal said softly with a smile. “Look, sweetie.” She pointed a hoof at the filly’s flank.
Dot craned her neck to look back at herself and gasped. “My cutie mark?! I got my cutie mark!”
She had indeed. It was two white-petaled flowers with golden centers, their stems woven together and a tiny heart where they crossed.
Leafy Roots softly laughed. “Well… maybe I should hire her.”
The filly leapt off the counter and into my waiting hooves. She threw hers around my neck in a heartfelt embrace. I’d never seen a pony get their cutie mark before. Other than me, of course. It was truly magical.
“Take me home! I want to show Iridescence. Please, can we go home?” Dot begged as she held onto me tightly.
Crystal waved a hoof at me. “I can finish up here now that Dot better expressed what I wanted. You take her home.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later,” I replied before shifting Dot onto my back and heading for the door. “Hold on, we’re flying home.”
“Yay!” Dot squealed and grabbed my mane.
It took a lot of effort to fly straight as she tugged my head back, but I soldiered on and got us home safely.
“Hurry! Hurry!” Dot chimed as I put my key in the lock and opened the door. Before I could give any kind of warning, the filly zipped inside and into Winterspear’s bedroom.
“Dot, wai—” It was far too late.
Thankfully, there was no surprised yelp or scream of embarrassment. It was more of a grunt and wheeze, like when you throw a sack of potatoes on an unsuspecting pony. Not that I’d ever done that.
“Look! Look! Look!” Dot practically screamed. “Iridescence, Winterspear, look!”
I approached the bedroom door slowly while walking as loudly as possible. I pushed it open and stuck my head in. Dot had her forelegs on Iridescence’s chest while she posed to proudly show off the cutie mark.
Both mares looked extremely out of it and confused. As they got their wits about them and recognition dawned on Iridescence, she gasped and grabbed her little sister. “Dot! Congratulations! What happened?”
Both mares looked my way with surprise on their faces. I merely shrugged while Dot started to explain the story in her own way.
While the three of them started to make plans for a celebration, I just smiled and turned away from the door. Now we’d have to plan a wedding and a party. Not that that was a bad thing, of course; it was just a valid concern.
Dot was a filly of great tastes and, after her party, she’d officially be a young mare. I doubted the world would ever be the same after that.
Oh, Sweet Lady of the Night... I'm slightly terrified.
She tricked him using her .. what?
Oh this is gonna be good.
Also congratulations on your new door Silent, hope it actually gets done. If it doesn't I can only imagine the project manager's terror. First Celestia's assistant, then Luna and finally Silent.
I can't help but think that Silent is going to be stuck with his job no matter what. XD
It's nice to see some more wedding planning from his angle. It'll be interesting to see what Dot does now that she has her cutie mark.
I can't wait to see if Silent is going as Luna. Though, I suppose he would be more Prince Lune than Princess Luna.
6624073
By using her mare-ish wiles.
Hyper energectic fillies are scary! But Yay for Dot \o/
That seems oddly familiar.
Mindful Soul, aka Mind Reader, impressive.
Interesting turn of phrase.
But the way to a stallions heart is his stomach...
Dot earned her cutie mark I really hope that we'll get to see what happened during Nightmare Night and Luna's Nightmare Party, this looks sooo good
such an epic ending... need to see what luna thinks about it
Dot!
SK and Azurite do work well together (well, I suppose anyone works well with Azurite ).
Yep, Azurite is pretty funny/goofy.
Sorry Velvet, but I think SK makes a good point.
SK is going as Luna?
Oh the buildup! This is gonna be good! Oh and I think I know what image goes with the last scene in this chapter.
Ermahgawd, cutie mark. Fantastic! :3
What the-? She's no Belmont!
Where's her whip? A Belmont needs a whip. I'll bet that one store where Crystal won't go into the back room has one. It probably even has some leather armor too, if you catch my drift! Ha!
In before luna goes as silent!
Tsk, tsk Silent, don't you know dressing up as your boss is the best way to get fired (not that you'd care at this point)?
Also, you'd have to spend quite a bit of time figuring out a dress that would work in your size. Believe me, I've done the six foot tall dresses thing. They're stunning if you can find a good one, but it takes a few tweaks and stores absolutely refuse to sell them.
Also, you should be aware that lady clothes almost never have pockets. You're going to have to bring a purse.
6624308 Haha, we'll see ;D
6624307 Oh... oh my. We'll have to talk to Ruby Moon about that.
6624292 Dot is a real mare now!
6624267 Yeah it is slightly spoiled out there but the delivery is going to be fun ^_^
6624241 I just like Azurite getting mouthy with him. I thought it was cute. As far as his costume, we'll know for sure next week!
6624209 Yes indeed!
6624163 I promise you'll see the party! Next week :D
6624150
It isn't really meant to be suggestive. It is mostly based on real life. Crystal and I were committed to each other 100% before our wedding. Neither of us were thrilled about having one but that is what you do. We were bonded and such prior to the official ceremony and just wanted it to be done. Which, humorously, is why the official was told she had 20 minutes total for the whole ceremony and the cameraman was told he had 15 minutes. We kept pretty close to that too!
SK feels the same way (though Crystal Wishes probably doesn't)! He just wants to be with her. He doesn't really care about a wedding.
6624121 Dot could be used to power Manehatten if necessary.
6624119 A lot of good speculation (and it isn't super secret) on the costume for sure ;D
6624089 Sneaky pony is sneaky!
6624073 Crystal made sure he couldn't tell!
6624061 As you should be!
I see where this is going...
6624345 The intelligence department is watching. Will send bouquet order. :P
6624355 Seems like the polite thing for spies to do!
6624349
6624344 LOL well, we'll have to see if he goes the dress route ;D
6624392 lol Can totally imagine the look on Silent's face, followed by Wing's casual reply of, "Just because I'm in the dark, Lieutenant, doesn't mean I don't know I'm in the dark." ;)
Yes, yes, someone to question Silent's plan to resign. Credit to him for telling Mindful about it, though, it would have been easier to keep that unmentioned.
Suddenly I'm wondering what the civil rights structure in Equestria actually looks like. With different cultures and countries (and planets/dimensions), there's no guarantee that their rights and laws look anything like what the US or some other Earth country might have.
I'm becoming increasingly suspicious of the constant delays on this construction project.
Hah!
Hahaha! Might not fix the problem, though. Just because you have a soundproof door it doesn't mean you have soundproof walls.
Poor Div. Silent's been serious and frowny for too long, nobody expects humor.
<insert Zecora "You're doomed" video here>
That had to be fun to chaperone.
The math checks out!
Oh wow, cutie mark time! The math really did check out!
OH GOD! this chapter was so sweet it would give a changeling a stomach ache. That was adorable with Dot, and I think that seeing that may have an effect on Silent in a positive way.
On another note I dont think Silent is gonna get away from luna to be honest. While he is trying to resign, I have a feeling hes gonna regret it if he goes through with it. And now im curious to see how his costume will turn out.... We have a Tia.. now who could he possibly be.... -grins mischievously- Anyway this was a great fluffy chapter. And it was funny to see Azu again.
Poor Silent... Hmm... The only question is if it's Silent in a Celestial Royal Guard outfit or a Princess Luna outfit... On the one hand, the Celestial Royal Guard pokes fun at his loyalties... On the other, there's all sorts of weird and/or taboo implications and embarrassments to the Luna costume...
So have Sunny and Azurite made up? The way SK was talking it sounds like they made up.
6624345 Wait wait wait, you and Crystal are married IRL?
Silent is going to be the best pretty pretty princess.
Amusing, but ultimately a good way to get a rush job that falls off the mountain in the middle of the night.
I work in R&D. Delays happen. Sometimes big delays happen. Never rush it when it does, no matter how much marketing wants you to. Customers get mad, you deal with a flood of tech support for the next three versions, and then your next good one doesn't sell as well.
Friggen love this girl.
Well, that explains Crystal's Halloween avatar. I fully expect Silent to show up as Luna, but in a sideways cap and act like a frat boy.
6624409
A very valid point. Generally though they enjoy the protection of law. Medical privacy is one thing. Although probably not to HIPAA standards ;D
Of course it does!
6624420 I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Silent seems to be recovering and focusing on more fun things!
6624449 What costume! We can't possibly know what it is yet ;D :D
6624497 They did. For full details though it all appears in Three of Diamonds.
6624500 We are, yup :) Been married a few years and together a long time.
6624521 I cannot in anyway disagree with this statement!
6624523 Velvet is a ton of fun for sure! We'll see about the costume ^_^
Then, pray tell Silent, do you know the sound of Potato meeting pony?
Punchline of the day.
That was great. Azu was fun as always, everything with Dot was fantastic, and I am really looking forward to Luna messing with Silent because I am sure he is going to be going as her. It might also have been funny to have him go as Celestia and Crystal go as Sunny, but it just doesn't make sense to do it the other way.
6624392
Ooh, will there be artwork provided?
I can't help reading that in Ben Stein's voice. Or that one burly cartoon character who is really slow (almost exhausted-like), never shows any emotion, has a very deep voice, and who is right on the tip of my tongue but I can't quite place. (Sounds kind of like Schwarzenegger, but not quite.) Oh, that's going to bug me...
But anyway... Classic Silent right there to just say that it was magical without actually making the moment magical.
Silent should totally stop being a stick in the mud and just go along with his fiance's cockamamie scheme. His bosses are pretty cool, so I'm sure they'll get a kick out of it. (Plus, Crystal makes for an adorable Celestia. Silent probably is equally adorable as... ?)
6624308
Yes! She can even carry a mock crossbow!
(I want to see Celestia go as Raven now...)
6624345
"Oh my," indeed.
Relatedly, I have decided that if I must be anything in this reader/writer relationship we have, I may as well be Master Roshi.
Offering guidance, fighting the evil overlord to stall them until you finish preparing to face them, creeping on your best lady friend (but not your wife, because that's dangerous!).
Roshi.
That was fun, may I have another? Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
wig? OH CRAP!
Also Azur can go as a plushie.
It warms my heart for ponies who attain their cutie marks, including young Dot here.
Also, did Crystal just started suggested suggesting a fetish on Princess Celestia with how Silent eyed her? After all, Celestia does have big, sexy flanks.
6624073
Muppets! The ultimate persuasive argument can only be delivered by the emotionless, unblinking and spineless form of a frog.
Silent, you can admit to throwing a sack of potatos on somepony. You were a warrant officer once. Also, Silent Knight as Princess Luna.... suddenly that dA thing makes a lot more sense. And just got so much more funny.... Oh, the thought of Princess Luna's reaction.... although, why do I get the odd feeling she's going to dress up as Silent Knight?
And Velvet a Vampony Hunter? Ain't gonna happen. She'll be running the other way as fast as she can. Maybe call her Daphne?
And that poor Construction Project Manager.... Raven and her schedule/club, and Luna and her anger.... Heh.... So beautiful.
If silent is dressed as Luna, I'll die of laughter. Great chapter. Thanks for the update.
I can't help but imagine Mindful Soul having a session with Space Marine Silent Knight. It would be interesting.
No comment needed.
6625824 It might be. If the Imperium allowed therapy! And agreed ;D
6625758 Find out this coming Monday ^_^
6625715 Indeed it does :D Depending on which one you're talking about. I've got a few future projects going on!
6625525 I second the vote for Muppets.
6625421 Can neither confirm nor deny Azurite's involvement and/or her costume... but we will find out Monday! The chapter is already in the hopper.
6624770 Thank you :D
6624744 My best lady friend hmmm?
6624676 Droopy Dog?
He went along with her scheme!
6624586 Yes :D
6624579 All costumes shall be revealed Monday ^_^
6624567 Royal Guard Boot Camp!
everyone's talking but Silent being dressed as Luna
but
what if he's dressing up as the sun and is just riding around on Crystal's shoulders
because then she'd be raising the sun
6625975
Oooooo... That's a good one, but no. I might have been thinking Eeyore
6625975
Yes. Or really, any ladies that happen to be in your vicinity, and also any ladies that aren't. Except for your wife, because that's dangerous. She's dangerous!
FINALLY CAUGHT UP! I don't have a computer over the summer, so I had to binge read to catch up... but now I'm sad
(because I can't read any more until the update)...
Funnily enough, I was originally going to do a scene in The Silent Fugitive where Phillip would convince Silent to disguise himself in drag, complete with wig, dress and fake cutie mark, much to his embarrassment and anger. I had to scrap it.
Operation "Nap Time" unsuccessful.
It's Discord! He's going as Discord! Because everyone knows that Discord and Celestia are a thing !
6626098 That would be adorable!
6626192 Ah yes, Eeyore would work too.
6626554 Well, most of the ladies in my orbit are married. Except Crystal's little sister!
6628093 Welcome to current! On the plus side I do update every week so you'll be able to have content frequently!
6628231 Silent as a mare is always entertaining ;D
6628256 Ruined by fillies everywhere!
6628421 Oh my!
6638723
I don't see how that would stop a true Roshi.
Have to finish Fallout first, though.
This. Is. Perfect.