//------------------------------//
// 5. Cadence 
// Story: Maremagnum 
// by The6thMaster 
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	The lead up to the banquet she hadn't particularly wanted was unbearably long. To Cadence it seemed like she'd went to one visit, dinner or social get together after another. There had been suitors and the parents of suitors who had all one their best to flatter or woo her. Being somewhat an expert on love she knew it was all fake, a effort to get after her title, fame and natural beauty.

It hadn't taken long for the suitors to switch tactics towards her mother who was far more receptive to being flattered on her daughters behalf. Consequently her banquet and royal induction into Celestia's adoptive family didn't seem very much different at all from all the others she'd been to. The little social circle she'd found herself in at the moment was at least a bit of a change of pace.

On her right was Princess Celestia herself, towering even above Cadence who was use to being a inch or two taller then most ponies. To her left was Prince Blueblood, now nominally her cousin by virtue of them both being the adoptive niece and nephew of Celestia. All Cadence knew was that it was an effort to avoid distinct dynasties of noble families who might become problems if they thought they should be in charge.

“Is it true, Auntie, that Resolute is retiring from being Captain of the Royal Guard?” He asked, as if he didn't already know the answer. His eyes had this habit of flicking over towards Cadence who was pretending to be a lot more interested in her drink at the moment to avoid having to look at him.

“Why yes, Resolute did turn her request for retirement into me just yesterday. How interesting that you already know that Blueblood.” Celestia said, Cadence smiled a little around her glass at that knowing, slightly reproving tone that still lacked any harshness in it. 

Blueblood didn't take the hint, though, drawing a hoof to his chest as he continued to put upon a  haughty accent. “You know Auntie, my grandfather was the Captain of the Guard in his day and his grandfather before that. How fortunate that I'm about to become an officer so that I can keep up a proud family tradition.”

“You never know, sometimes these things skip generations.” Cadence couldn't resist the chance to get a little bit of a snark, her mother certainly didn't look amused as she glared on the opposite side of the circle her way.

Before Blueblood even had a chance to respond, Celestia tipped her head to the side and made a show of looking like she was trying to recall something. “Ah yes, I remember your grandfather very well. I believe Silk Stocking is the only guard captain to specifically ignore my advice. There was a project to reinforce a far wall of Canterlot and I was certain it could wait until after winter. I suppose it takes a certain kind of genius to insist it can be completed despite freezing cold and driving snow. Fortunately I was able to assist in time to avoid any casualties...” 

Cadence couldn't help but giggle, both in part because of the story and the way it managed to deflate Blueblood remarkably fast. “Yes well...Auntie, I suppose...oh if it isn't my great aunt twice removed. I haven't seen her in years, if you'll excuse me.” He was gone very quickly, had barely taken a breath until he had all but bolted from the two Princesses.
“That was very smooth.” Cadence said, smiling up at Celestia who gave a little 'hm?' and looked curiously down at her.
“I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. I was only reminiscing about the past.” Celestia replied, her gaze turning away for a moment and having a look of recognition.

“Princess...I’m sure Prince Blueblood would make an excellent captain.” That was Sonata, finally interjecting and rising to the defense of who Cadence was sure was a favorite for her hoof in marriage. Cadence was fairly certain she'd sooner go off and live in the woods before she'd do that.

“Mmm, yes, I'm sure he would. Ah, Professor Tower, how nice to see you this evening.” Celestia greeted regally, a smile on her lips.

Cadence had been distracted by trading glares with her mother that she didn't even notice the approach of two more ponies until she heard a cultured, educated male voice. “Princess Celestia, it is perhaps a bit cliché but you are looking as radiant as ever.”

“I don't see what math has to do with me at the moment, Professor.” Celestia replied back easily with a chuckle, apparently in a rather good mood. 

Cadence had finally turned to look at the two bowing Stallions when her eyes focused on the unicorn knelt down next to the older looking Professor. He looked...remarkably familiar. “I trust you're familiar with my pupil, Shining Armor, or at least his sister and your personal protege Twilight Sparkle.” 

That did it, a flood of memories came back about a adorable young filly and her wonderful family. Apparently Shining Armor recognized her too now that she was facing him. His eyes widened and a rosy color came to his cheeks which Cadence was pretty sure she was sporting as well.

When did he become so handsome?' Was the first thought in her head as they traded stares that were not lost at the rest of the ponies around them. It'd been enough to cause Ivory Tower to stop speaking, the Professor giving a curious and annoyed look at Shining until he nudged him with his back hoof which startled Shining into a greeting.

“It is nice to meet you Princess Celestia and...Cadence?” He asked, a unspoken question likely having to do with exactly why and how Cadence was even here.

Celestia looked very amused, glancing between the two for a moment before speaking up. “You two know each other?” A quality in her voice immediately made Cadence think that she definitely knew that they did.

“Oh uh, yes...I foalsat for Twilight.” She answered quickly, her mother immediately looking suspicious and giving a very long stare at Shining Armor who hadn't looked over at her.

“Perhaps we should give you two an opportunity to catch up. I'd like to have a private word with both you, Professor Tower and you Sonata if you'd please. Go ahead and enjoy the banquet.” Celestia said, already turning away before any of them could get in a word edgewise.

Ivory Tower began moving almost immediately, only glancing for a moment between Shining and her while Sonata looked far less amused but followed along reluctantly. 

Then they were left alone, apart from the many party goers with many young stallions who looked like they wanted to jump in and begin speaking to her and catch her attention. “Would you like to get some air?” She asked suddenly, hoping to avoid just that while trying to make it sound casual. She felt a lot more nervous though then she might have expected.

“Oh uh, sure Cadence.” Shining replied just as quickly, the way he was looking at her was managing to leave a unfamiliar feeling already in her stomach. It actually wasn't so unfamiliar, once she had a second to think with the two of them making their escape from the ballroom. She'd had that feeling before, with Shining Armor no less, when they'd both been younger. That light feeling akin to butterfly’s dancing around inside her stomach. She'd thought Shining Armor was pretty cute for a colt and apparently that was not a opinion that had changed over the years.

At least the crisp night-time air was a pleasant relief. There were far less Ponies out on the balcony overlooking the garden's and the stars glimmered like gemstones in the black expanse of the sky. The moon was especially large, and to Cadence's eyes it appeared that a pony was in it. The old Mare in the Moon, standing out starkly along the surface of distant celestial body.

Admiring the grounds of the palace and the night was all to avoid having to really look at Shining Armor nor to be the first one to speak. Cadence was already feeling tongue tied and the silence that stretched between them seemed awkward to her. 'I'm not some school-filly with a crush...' Cadence thought, surprised that she was apparently fumbling catching up with the first pony she'd really known since she was last in Canterlot.

“Are you the new princess?” Shining broke the silence first, glancing towards her tucked up wings over top her elegant ball gown she'd been made to wear. Not that Cadence disliked looking pretty, but the 'fakeness' of the evening was what had been bothering her.

She nodded in reply, wondering how else she could answer that. “I was a Princess before...but now I guess I have official claims to back it up, not just wings and a horn.” Cadence wanted to get off the topic of royalty, having spoken about it at length ever since the ceremony. “I'm really happy to hear about your Sister and how great things are going for her.”

Shining grinned at that. “We're all proud of her, she's already learned so much. She could probably take me down no sweat at this point.” He joked, any of the tension between them seemed to dissipate as he started to tell her about how Twilight had earned her cutie mark and became a personal protege of Princess Celestia herself.

It was quite the story and Cadence couldn't help laughing at the idea that Twilight had turned her parents into potted plants. It also answered the question of where that adorable little purple baby dragon who she'd met on her personal visits with Celestia came from. Apparently he was living, and being raised by, Celestia to be some sort of scribe. Though most of his time had been spent playing with blocks and toys and generally being very young.

Both of them had moved down into the grounds towards the gardens instead of up on the balcony where there were still prying eyes and ears on them. On the green she could hear any number of chattering animals and birds coming from the dense looking trees, with neither of them looking particularly interested in wandering inside the foliage to inspect. The grass was comfortable enough and the two had laid down next to one another as they continued to chat.

“So tell me a little about yourself Shining...what have you been doing?” She asked, tilting her head a little as the conversation about Twilight had neglected to include anything about himself.

Shining gave a sheepish chuckle and rubbed at the back of his head, suddenly much more modest now that he was speaking about himself and not his family “There isn't a whole lot. I joined the Guard and should become a full officer not too long from now.”

“I thought so, its sort of what you were meant to do.” She teased, nudging him slightly with a hoof to his shoulder. “Unless you think your destiny was to polish suits of armor.”

Shining gave her a mock offended look, sticking his tongue out in a little raspberry. “I already do that pretty well on my own.: 

“I imagine you would like very handsome in the official armor.” Cadence teased, putting a lot more warm affection in her tone that she'd perhaps intended and was rewarded with a clear light shade of red on Shining's face for it. He'd only been wearing the red dress outfit which also made him look very attractive to Cadence, much better compared to the other young future officers anyway.

Cadence felt a wave of tiredness wash itself over her with a appropriately sized yawn to accompany it. 

“Getting sleepy?” Shining asked

All Cadence could do was yawn again, holding a hoof up to her mouth. “I've had trouble getting any rest with all these parties.” A proper mare and princess didn't start whining about all of her problems and Shining certainly wouldn't want to hear them so she held back from speaking at length on the subject.

“If you'd like a break I’m sure my family would love to have you over for dinner. I know Twilight would and so would I.” Shining Armor offered, a hopeful smile that was completely genuine.

That would have been great, the Sparkle family had always felt like...well, almost like a family for her as well, but she already knew the answer. “I don't think my mother would approve of that. She wasn't very happy even when I foalsat for Twilight."

Not looking put particularly put out, or even upset at the implication that his family wasn't good enough to be seen with her, Shining only gave a little disappointed shrug and nudged himself closer next to her. Now their sides were touching and Cadence had to admit that he was remarkably warm.

Apparently her yawns were contagious because Shining gave a great big one, a degree of drowsiness apparent on his face. Cadence laughed a little at it, but didn't want to get up or spoil the moment. It was the closest she'd come to feeling really truly happy in at least a week and perhaps more. “We should only stay here for a few minutes...too long and they might have to come find us.” She cautioned anyway, knowing that duty and the expectations of high society never ended.
“Uhuh.” Shining gave another yawn, which in turn managed to get her yawning again.

“Quit that, you're making me sleepy.” She nudged him playfully.

“You started it.” Shining shot back, chuckling even as he seemed to settle up against her a little more. 
Cadence shut her eyes for a few moments, finding the gentle silence between them and the chirp of crickets, the sound of various animals settling in for the night and the gentle wafting music of the party all extremely relaxing.