Twilight stepped off the train and looked around. The Crystal Kingdom's station was nearly as empty as the one back home, save for a lone couple that was boarding for Canterlot. She thanked the conductor and headed off for the palace. As she walked through the residential area of the kingdom, she couldn't help but notice that the weather made the area look a lot like Ponyville. She could see the glow of windows and some laughter emit from one; it gave her a comforting familiar feeling, and she stood there watching for a few minutes. Finally, a chilly gust of wind prompted her to continue walking.
When she got to the palace, a familiar guard greeted her at the door. "Hello Twilight ."
She smiled, "Hello Flash."
"How are you?"
"Good."
"..."
"Um, could you open the door?"
"Oh, right!"
"Thank you."
They walked side by side through the empty halls, their hoofsteps echoing through the empty air. "So," Twilight finally said, "how is Spinning Loom?"
"She's doing fine."
"That's nice."
They repeatedly looked at each other sideways, as those who were in a previous relationship that didn't end badly would do.
"So I heard what you're here to do," he said as they approached her quarters.
"And?"
"Nothing," he said when they stopped in front of the door. He sighed and put a hoof on her shoulder, "Just... take care of yourself." Twilight nodded before exchanging a smile with him and going inside to her bedroom to get ready for tomorrow.
She opened her bags, checked them again, and found the cookie that the train conductor had shared with her during a conversation they had on the way here. She had learned that the train to his hometown of Canterlot was the last run he would make, as they were closing the railway for the holiday and snow. She smiled at the kind gesture in the form of a baked good, and slowly ate it as she thought about her own journey ahead.
Later, Twilight was reading a book when Shining Armor came in with a cart of food. "Dinner!" he said.
Twilight raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Demoted much?"
Shining laughed and walked over with the cart, "What? I can't deliver foods to my BLSF?" His voice lost just a little of its humor, "but honestly, sometimes it gets boring to be catered to every minute of the day. I mean really, I can't get up to relieve myself without servants asking me if I need anything."
Twilight nodded and took some food, "And how's my niece?"
Shining straightened up a little, "Little Comet Gazer is doing great," he said with no small amount of pride.
"Took you long enough to find her name," Twilight teased. "Her name sounds like a magic or astronomy related one."
"Maybe Auntie Twilight could teach her a thing or two." Shining drifted off a bit, "and babysit a little, and give me and Candace a break..."
Twilight raised an eyebrow, "You only have one child, how much time do you–" she noticed Shining's wry smile and it dawned on her. "You have another on the way, don’t you?"
His face turned a little red, "What can I say? Being married to the princess of love has its benefits..." There was a brief pause, then they both burst into suppressed laughter. After calming down, with now both their faces a bright red, Shining said, “So, has my little sister found herself a nice stallion to settle down with?”
“Well,” Twilight started, “I've been sort of looking… sometimes”
Shining chuckled, “Come on Twilight, you’re bound to find one now that all the guards are returning home. I could introduce you to a couple of them that I know well.”
“I’ll find my own special somepony thank you very much,” she said, “I don’t want a repeat of what happened last time my friends tried playing matchmaker with me.”
“Do tell.”
Applejack stood at the doorway to the house, her fist hovering by the wood. "What are you waiting for?" Rarity whispered, "we need to see what has had our friend avoiding us for so long."
"Ah know, Ah know, but she must have a reason for doing so." Applejack replied.
"But really, avoiding our calls, our letters, us even. I just don't see why– what is it, Applejack?"
Applejack was bending down, intently looking at something sticking out from underneath the door. Her hand hovered for a second, then snatched up a piece of paper. She spread out the paper and held it up to the ambient moonlight. It read:
Dear friends,
I apologize for my absence and avoidance for the past few days. I have been preparing for a trip of very personal nature and could not afford any distractions until then. If you are reading this, I will have already left. I'll tell you all about it when I return. Until then,
–S.S.
She watched from inside her darkened room as Applejack and Rarity read the letter. She saw them exchange a few words, both wearing an expression of resignation. Finally, they left and went their separate ways back to their homes and families. It was a bitter jealousy that she held for that which her friends had. But she did not resent them for it, not at all. They had only been so kind for the past two and a half years: bringing her treats, teaching her how to have friends, expressing the utmost patience with her. While she could never pay them back in full, nor would they want it, there was one else she could pay back, and she would.