"Come on, already!" Velvet knocked on Crystal's bedroom door. "We're going to be late!"
Crystal pressed up against the door to ensure it couldn't be opened unexpectedly. "I changed my mind. I don't want to do this."
Velvet huffed. "It's for charity, Crystal. We already signed up! You don't want the guilt of disappointing foals on your conscience, do you?"
"No, but, I mean," she whined, burying her face into her hooves. "I just—Do we really have to wear these outfits?"
"Yup!"
Crystal groaned. Finally, she stepped back and pulled the door open. Velvet stood in front of her, both of them wearing the same white-trimmed outfit, she in green and Crystal in red. Striped socks adorned their legs all the way up to their knees, and pointed but floppy hats sat on their heads to keep their ears warm.
"Aww, see? You look adorable!" Velvet giggled and started to the front door. "Let's get to the meeting place before they start without us!"
Crystal sighed, following along behind her as they descended the stairs into the condominium's main lobby. "These outfits just feel a little wrong. We're going to be in front of little fillies and colts in these scanty dresses?"
"Oh, silly, that's not for the foals! That's for us." Velvet's tail swished from side to side as she pranced out into the snow-laden street. "Don't you feel sexy?"
A breeze chose that moment to drift by, sending cold air up their skirts. Velvet laughed when Crystal squealed in surprise and ran forward as if to outrun the wind.
"No, in fact, I do not feel sexy! I feel cold!" Crystal glared at the still-laughing Velvet. "Why did you sign us up for this, anyway?!"
"I did it last year and it was a lot of fun. Just trust me, all right?" Velvet grinned and bumped her shoulder against Crystal's. "When have I ever led you astray?"
Crystal stared at her suspiciously before relenting with a sigh and a roll of her eyes. "Fine, fine."
By the time they met up with the other mares, all dressed in the same red or green outfits, the brisk jog had warmed both of them up enough that Crystal no longer noticed the cold. The foals had yet to arrive, so the coordinator worked on arranging the mares in a semi-circle according to height and began practicing their harmony.
Slowly, families started to arrive one by one, and the caroling began.
"As with gladness, mares of old
"Did the warming heart behold
"As with joy, they hailed its light
"Leading onward, beaming bright
"So, most glorious Harm'ny
"May we evermore be led to thee…"
It didn't take long for the Hearth's Warming cheer to spread to everypony in attendance, caroler and otherwise. By the end of the afternoon, Crystal was almost disappointed when the coordinator came out to thank everypony and disperse the crowd.
"I know that face," Velvet chimed when she walked over. "I was right, wasn't I?"
Crystal beamed. "I never thought that would be so much fun! We have to do that again next year." She trotted in place. "Or can we do it again now? Is there another caroling?"
Velvet shrugged. "We could go door-to-door caroling, but we kind of have to be somewhere, don't we?"
Crystal stared at her a moment, brow furrowed, before her eyes widened. "Oh, yes! We do!" She hurried forward down the street. "And we're definitely not showing up in these little numbers!"
"Really? Why not?" Velvet grinned and walked alongside her. "I think this'd be a great way to catch a stallion's eye."
"Well, feel free to stay in your outfit, then." Crystal stuck her nose in the air. "I would prefer a gentlestallion, myself!"
There was a pause before Velvet said in a nonchalant manner, "I guess I would prefer a gentlepony, too."
Crystal glanced at her. They walked in silence for a while, then she finally asked, "Gentlepony?"
Velvet simply nodded.
"Oh." Another long pause. "So, does that mean—"
"I don't know, really," Velvet interrupted. "I've only ever been on three dates. I don't feel, like, weak in the knees when I see a handsome stallion or a pretty mare, but I'm not against the idea of either."
"Huh." Crystal blinked and walked quietly to ponder this new information. Finally, she gave Velvet a coy smile. "Are you trying to tell me that all this time, you've been secretly harboring feelings for me? Has there been romantic tension between us this whole time?"
Velvet managed to last through the questions without a sound, though her cheeks were puffed to hold back her laughter that escaped once Crystal was finished. "Definitely not!"
Crystal's ears drooped and her bottom lip stuck out in a pout. "And why not?"
"Because that'd be weird!"
"Oh, thanks." Crystal cantered ahead, her head and tail held indignantly high.
Velvet laughed again. "Not like that! I just mean that it'd be weird because you're basically my sister! I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She bumped against her side. "You're a very pretty pony, okay?"
"Bah humbug!" Crystal shot her a quick smile. "You bet I am! Anyway, let's get changed and head over to Runic's before we end up late."
♡
The closer they got to the Phial and Filly, the more Crystal noticed Velvet started to change. The confident, boisterous mare she knew was growing strangely quiet. When Velvet's head lowered and her ears pinned back, Crystal stopped walking and stared at her.
"What?" Velvet stopped as well. "What's up?"
"I was going to ask you that, actually." Crystal tilted her head. "What's wrong with you?"
Velvet sighed. She turned to face her, took a deep breath, and said rather quickly, "I'm nervous about meeting Princess Luna."
Crystal blinked. "Huh? Why?"
"Why?" Velvet's eyes widened in disbelief. "She's an alicorn! She and Celestia are over a thousand years old with magic beyond my or your comprehension! I mean, I know we just call them our rulers and princesses and whatever, but aren't they basically, like, goddesses?"
"Um?" Crystal slowly shrugged. "I don't know? I've gotten that feeling from Princess Celestia, as though she's some kind of otherworldly being, but, Luna is different. She's much more down to Equestria, which is a little ironic, if you think about it."
Velvet sighed, shook her head, and continued walking. "Well, I'm glad you can be so relaxed about it, but I've got butterflies up to my ears."
Although most of the buildings were decorated with wreaths and tinsel, one stood out among the rest: Runic's shop was completely loaded to the point of nearly being ridiculous with every kind of Hearth's Warming paraphernalia.
A sign was propped up to announce, 'Closed for a Private Function.'
When they opened the door, the decorations outside suddenly seemed tame. It was nothing short of a holiday winter wonderland with fake snow and icicles as well as ornaments, ribbons, streamers, and candy canes. A table was set up against one wall that offered cookies of various types and a bowl of purple punch.
"Good evening!" Crystal called. "I hope nopony minds, but I brought a friend with me."
Runic smiled. "The more the merrier!"
She heard Velvet's breath catch when the mare stepped inside. She looked uncharacteristically nervous, which put Crystal ill at ease.
"Hello, everypony, " Velvet said softly.
Crystal shot her a confused look before explaining, "This is Velvet Step, my best friend since fillyhood." She started to point as she introduced the three ponies standing around, "Velvet, this is Silent Knight, Iridescence, and, as you know, Runic Phial."
Velvet bobbed her head. "Pleased to meet you all. I've heard a lot about both of you."
"Good things, I hope," Iridescence teased.
"Absolutely!" Velvet nodded quickly.
Crystal watched her friend exchange pleasantries with the group. Where Crystal knew her as confident and playful, around these new ponies she was shy and tentative. It was like seeing a completely different mare.
"—and Luna's going to be bringing some new game she just got," Iridescence said to Silent Knight, who simply nodded in response.
Velvet swallowed and asked, "So it's true that she'll be coming? How am I supposed to talk to her?"
"Don't worry, Velvet." Crystal put a hoof on her shoulder. "Iridescence can tell you just as well as I can that Luna's very sweet. And, honestly, there's a chance she might not be able to make it because of her increasing duties." She nodded her head. "Why don't we have some punch to calm your nerves?"
Velvet relented with a small nod. Once they were by themselves, Crystal asked quietly, "Are you okay?"
"I told you, I'm all pins and needles." Velvet allowed a small shudder, then picked up a small cup and filled it. "These are your friends, not mine. Don't you remember when I dragged you to one of my dance meets and how you just stood in the corner?"
Crystal scrunched up her nose. "Yes, but your dance friends were also really…" She trailed off uncertainly, shrugging.
"Uh-huh. Different?" Velvet gestured at the guards a few paces away. "Try being surrounded by ponies that would give their lives to save an alicorn that's going to be here like it's nothing, and one wrong word or move might mean a hoof to the face! What if I do the wrong thing and get arrested, or worse?!"
"Oh my gosh, they're not going to accost you." Crystal laughed and shook her head. "Just try to relax and have fun, all right? That's your mantra for tonight."
"Mmhm." Velvet followed her as they returned to the party. "Relax and have fun," she repeated under her breath. "Easier said than done."
Runic and Silent had stepped off to exchange their gifts, which prompted Crystal to reach into her sweater. "Here you are, Iridescence," she said and offered a small box wrapped with a silver ribbon. "Happy Hearth's Warming."
Iridescence's eyes glittered with delight. Her magic slipped the ribbon off the box and lifted the lid. "Oh, it's gorgeous!" She raised the moonstone pendant that dangled from a silver chain.
"It made me think of you, what with its iridescent appearance," Crystal explained with a small giggle.
Iridescence carefully undid the clasp and put on the necklace. "Thank you, Crystal. In return—" She raised a small green box. "Happy Hearth's Warming."
Inside the box was a little brooch in the shape of a quill. Crystal turned it over in her hoof and giggled. "It's so cute! Thank you!"
They were all startled by the sudden movement of Silent tackling Runic with a big hug. Iridescence rolled her eyes and said playfully, "Oh, stallions."
Velvet quietly cleared her throat. "Um, I'm sorry, I didn't know very much about you, so, well." She held out a little envelope. "Here you go, Iridescence."
Iridescence looked at her guiltily. "Oh, Velvet, I can't accept this. I didn't get you anything."
"You didn't know I was coming, but I knew you were, so." Velvet swallowed and held the envelope closer to Iridescence. "Please?"
Iridescence accepted it with a gracious smile before she opened it. Inside was a gift certificate for the spa that Velvet and Crystal preferred, when their budget allowed for such luxury.
"Platinum Salon & Spa?" Iridescence glanced between them. "I've never been."
"They work wonders, especially if you're stressed." Velvet rubbed her hoof against the opposite leg. "I just figured, given your job, it might be nice to be pampered."
Iridescence gave a short laugh, quickly covering her mouth. "Thank you. I can't wait to drop by."
At that moment, the bell chimed and a gust of wind blew in to alert to the door opening. Two ponies walked in, both clad in the recognizable armor of Princess Luna's House Guard.
Silent cleared his throat to address them. "Miley. Harvest."
They nodded to acknowledge him before they scanned the room. Deeming it safe, both stepped to the sides to allow Princess Luna inside.
"We wish a most glorious Hearth's Warming Eve to everypony!" she exclaimed, smiling brightly. "Art thou ready for the fun to be doubled?" She gestured to her saddlebags, both barely able to contain the board games she had brought. "We have brought games!"
Crystal heard a small sound like a whimper from her left and she glanced at Velvet, who stared at Princess Luna with wide eyes, her mouth hanging open just slightly from shock.
"Not what you expected?" Crystal whispered, grinning.
Velvet shook her head. "Not at all."
"Well, you're in for a whole evening of surprises, then." Crystal looked over at the others, who were setting up a table for gaming. "I think you're going to discover that Luna is very different from what you had in mind." She nudged Velvet forward. "Don't be rude, now. Say hi to the princess."
Velvet squeaked when Luna's ear twitched at her approach and the princess turned to look down at her. "He—Hello," she stammered, then bowed so low that her snout nearly touched the ground. "I'm—"
"Velvet Step," Luna finished, smiling. "Thou art Crystal's dear friend of whom we have heard many a good thing. We are quite happy to meet thee." She gestured with one hoof. "Please, there is no need for such prostration."
Velvet lifted her head and looked up at the princess with a tentative smile. "It is an honor to meet you, too, Princess." Her gaze landed on the hoof held out to gesture her up and, without a moment's hesitation, she leaned forward and kissed it.
All of them stared at Velvet with mixed expressions of either surprise, shock, or flat-out amusement. Iridescence was the latter and tried to smother her laughter as best she could. Luna peered down at Velvet, who froze when she realized all eyes were fixated on her.
Luna smiled and retracted her hoof. "We like thee very much already." She turned to look at the others. "Velvet shall sit by us tonight!"
Everypony began to take their seats. Velvet remained where she was, her eyes still wide in confused terror, and Luna's horn lit up to levitate her off the ground and into a chair.
"Let the night of games begin!" Luna proclaimed as she settled into the last remaining seat and raised up a pair of dice. "Roll for initiative, little ponies!"
Crystal grinned when Velvet looked to her for some kind of explanation. She simply shrugged, which did not quell the look of fear on the mare's face. "Have fun," she mouthed.
Velvet slowly nodded but didn't visibly relax in the slightest.
♡
The air was tense with near silence, interrupted only by the sound of silverware hitting china to cut into the pieces of vegetables. Jet Set sat at the head of the table and Upper Crust was across from Crystal. The conversation had petered out after the usual, obligatory pleasantries.
Crystal swallowed. Her stomach was in knots from the tension that hung in the air. She pressed on despite the feeling, slowly moving her silverware from her plate to her mouth.
"So," Jet Set finally said. "How is Velvet, dear?"
"She's well." Crystal glanced at him. "She's trying out for a new position in the company. Hooves crossed, she will be a part of the corps de ballet and no longer an understudy."
Upper Crust chuckled. "That sounds like quite the improvement." Her tone was laced with poorly disguised sarcasm. "A backup pony into a background pony."
Crystal clenched her teeth into a smile. "It's a step up, yes."
Jet Set pushed his empty plate away and leaned into his seat. "And you two are still… doing well?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't we be?"
He hummed thoughtfully, then shrugged and smiled. "I just want to make sure my little girl is happy."
Following his cue, Upper Crust stood and collected their plates. She paused when she lifted Crystal's. "Are you not hungry, darling?"
"I'm fine, Mother." Crystal did her best not to sigh.
While Upper Crust cleaned the table, Jet Set tapped his hooves together and regarded Crystal with hesitancy. "So, dear, there is a very high profile event we plan to attend."
Crystal returned his hesitancy with caution. "Oh?"
He nodded. "You're aware that Lady Cadence and the Captain of the Canterlot Guard are to be wed?"
"Of course!" She flushed when the excitement raised her voice unexpectedly. "Who hasn't heard of that?"
"Mm." He chuckled and started tapping his hooves again. "If you would like, I am sure your mother and I could secure you a spot on the guest list." He blinked, then quickly added, "And Velvet Step as well."
Crystal's gut told her to snap up the offer faster than she could stop herself, but it was too slow. She held her tongue just long enough to think it over.
By accepting a favor, that put them in a position of power over her. She would owe them, and her mother would certainly use that against her.
With a pang of regret gripping her chest, she shook her head and said, "No, but thank you, Father."
Jet Set looked as though he would argue the matter. Instead, he smiled. "All right, dear. I simply wanted to make the offer. Are you going to be staying the night, or will you go back home?"
"I have some things I need to take care of," she lied. "Actually, I should probably head out now."
"Oh? Well, all right." He stood and walked with her to the door. "Happy Hearth's Warming, dear. Thank you for having dinner with us. Give Velvet our regards."
Upper Crust leaned into the room through a doorway. "Are you leaving already?"
"Yes, Mother." Crystal smiled at her. "Thank you for dinner."
"Mm." Her mother eyed her with one brow raised, then disappeared back into the kitchen.
After giving her father a brief hug, she walked out into the cold night. The moment the door shut, she released a frustrated sigh through her teeth, shook her head, and trotted home.
The lights were off when she entered the condo and everything was silent. Of course, that was to be expected when the place was empty. Velvet was celebrating Hearth's Warming with her parents and spending the night there.
Crystal sighed and didn't bother flipping the switch, instead using the glow of her magic to ensure she made it to her bedroom without bumping into anything in the darkness. Once safely in her room, she flopped onto the bed, buried her face into her pillow, and closed her eyes.
Whenever one wishes for sleep, however, their mind actively works against them, and Crystal's mind was no different that night. All she could think about was the wedding.
Lady Cadence was a unicorn like no other; there were several stories around Canterlot about her unique love magic. And her marriage to the Captain of the Canterlot Guard sounded like something straight out of a romance novel that Crystal would write herself! The wedding was sure to be a grandiose, beautiful event nopony would ever forget.
Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to be trapped under her mother's hooves just one more time for the chance to attend.
Snrk. Wishes’ parents think she’s with Velvet. They’re going to feel pretty sheepish when she finally hooks up with the stallion of her dreams, ’eh?
You have no idea how happy I was when I saw that this had been updated!
I wanna see how long it takes for bug spray to become a fashionable accoutrement after the wedding. To think, all Celestia needed was a can of Off! and she would've been more golden than her shoes.
Here's to hoping the next chapter is as entertaining, and a bit more on schedule.
Haw haw! The Velvet and Crystal mix-up is a great stirrup. I'm glad that her parents aren't trying to rein her in or be obvious neigh-sayers, though I wonder when they herd about all that... I guess they don't want to horse around or pony up on their real thoughts on our mane mare Velvet? They're being really stable about everything! Though I can't imagine this will go on furlong... I just hope that this won't result in something bad, leaving them to to glue things back together...
(I have no regrets about this comment. None whatsoever.)
(Also, the "to to" bit is not a mistake. It's a very intentional post-modern take on the English language. Step off, you haters.)5820451 I imagine it's commonplace enough that it'd be an easy assumption to make, especially with how close they have always been.
5820473 Eei, I'm glad! It's exciting to know that my little stress relief story makes someone happy!
5820741 Just imagine all the new fashion lines! Hats with mosquito nets, fly swatter tail extensions...
5820852 Glad it was entertaining! Yes, I've unfortunately eaten up my buffer and fell a little behind due to work... which, to be fair, is a bit of a priority over this story, considering it pays and y'all are just freeloaders eating up my spare time.
5820923 Hmm, I think you went a bit overboard there, Rossby. Colt you consider next time toning it down? Some might think you're a bit unstable. I'll stop with the puns now, else I make a foal out of myself.
5820964 .... *jazz hands*
RE: Freeloaders: Liberal hoax or government conspiracy? Find out next time!
The fun can always be doubled!
"You're aware that Lady Cadence and the Captain of the Canterlot Guard are to be wed?"
Awwww hell. The insanity about to kick off. Shall I prepare the Riot helms and shields
*reads comments and sees all the puns, groaning in pain* Please... No more puns!...This bat pony cant take all the puns!
5820923 5820964
Both of you can go straight to HFI L. Those puns were bad I have terminal canter now.
...
There!
Do you see what you've made me do?!
Nice chapter. I can't wait to read what happens next. I mean, what is Crystal going to do when the bugs attack?
Well, I guess this is the chapter where the author gets their punishment.
Couldn't Crystal probably get an invite from Luna to attend? (For taking notes obviously!) And the invite be a 'Plus One", so velvet could go too?
Hum interesting. Do you plan to have a scene where Crystal's parent recognize she do well an as author? She get a prize from Princess Luna afterall.
Poor Velvet but she made a nice move en Princess Luna :)
I think Crystal will be glad she ended up skipping the wedding. Everyone knows that something always goes wrong at a wedding. Granted, it's usually not an invasion of shapeshifting insects, but still, the point is valid.
And now I think I'm going to run a contest, one to see who takes longer to pick up the obvious cues from ponies around them. Will Silent figure out that Crystal has a thing for him before she gets annoyed at his obliviousness and just jumps him? And will Crystal figure out what her parents think about her and Velvet before she brings Silent home to meet them? Or will both of them remain oblivious to the truth until it hits them upside the head like a soggy trout?
5821209 5821225 Rossby started it!! *pout*
5821255 What will she do indeed! My money is on teacup throwing stars. She has to put all those tea skills to use somehow!
5821424 *innocent whistle* Yes, that would certainly be an option...
5822015 I shall neither confirm nor deny, but I will say we know her mother greatly disapproves of her writing subject (called it tawdry and whatnot) and that they did attend the award ceremony. Jet Set also, in the recent past, waited until Upper Crust had left before telling Crystal that they (or, at least, he) were proud of her. Just some thoughts for food!
5822036 She is still young and foolish. She hasn't been to enough (or any!) weddings to learn that they are usually boring with their unnecessarily long vows, cheap wine, a subpar meal, and awkward moments of forced toasts and bad dancing. Oops, is my cynical side showing?
As for the obliviousness abounds... I can't speak for Silent, but I can say in Crystal's defense, you just don't expect folks to think you're sleeping with your best friend!
5822098
True facts. If I had known you back when I got married, I would have totally invited you, even if only to break that cynical side of yours. My wife and I have insane friends, so the reception afterwards was a lot of fun.
And I suppose I can give her a bit of leeway on not picking up on her parents' opinions. My parents thought I was gay until they met my girlfriend. Even all these years later, I still have no idea why. I didn't even have a super close friend to blame it on. /shrug.
5808619 And then Silent in turn defeated her with his masterful tactics of the Dark angels! FOR THE LION AND FOR THE EMPEROR!
primarchs.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/warhammer-40k-dark-angels-sword-games.jpg
40.media.tumblr.com/4cb0e7f4e56213c2f20501bc33045d9a/tumblr_mmm245RtDx1s5kn6uo1_400.png
5820964 5821424 5821225
Oh god! It's become a worldwide punomenon! Everypony for themselves before we get taken to the pungeon!
5824311
That's strike two. One more, and you get uninvited from my birthday party.
...
Well, ok, you can still come... but you don't get any cake or ice cream.
Maybe a teensy piece of cake, but definitely no ice cream!
5824338 ...So you're saying I might just be walking myself down a... rocky road?
5824363
What you're walking yourself down is the fast lane to the next dimension.
Coincidentally, that road has no birthday cake anywhere along it.
5824603 5824363
All right, you two, this is gaiting out of hoof. You're beating a dead horse with all these puns.
(Too far?)5824603 5824617
Well... thanks for ruining that with your grossly morbid and dark humour, Crystal. I'm just going to go cry in my cakeless cave now!
Let's interrupt these puns with some legitimate responses!
5824232 img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120402132838/mlp/images/b/be/Sweetie_Belle_giggling_S2E23.png
Admittedly, I wish I were an animator, because I imagine that scene being so amusidorable and would love to see it for realsies.
5824262 You nailed it! Velvet is (was?) of that exact mindset. "Everypony, please just get along..."
5824262 And there are people who don't like to fight.
See I had a lot of repressed anger, I've mellowed out in my adulthood, but in my early and mid teens I'd fight anyone even if I knew I'd lose just for the thrill of it. I lost a lot, but I always gave just as good as I got.
5824617
I reiterate my previous statement: Go to HFI L.
5824643
I now totally ship VelvetMoon.
Shipping Goggles Activate!
I already ship SilentWishes, so no, it is not VelvetWishes.... No one would guess anyway, since the ship is not a pony from this story.
Another great chapter and another set of awesome scenes from Crystal's life. It was awesome and I can't wait for Tuesday.
...and am I a bad person for really wanting to see those outfits?
ANYWAY! I'm gonna sign off before I embarrass myself further.
~Hope Dawn
5824739
All these plays-on-words are making the air a little stale. One might even call it rather...
(Puts on sunglasses)
...pungent.
5825532
Alright, that's it. You're off the cake list, too.
5825534
Don't worry, I'll show myself out.
5825534 5825544
We'll now I know how to wake up to several new comment notifications. Puns. Not clever writing or interesting plot twists. If it were still the 1st, I'd say I were canceling Wishes and starting a whole fic about puns...
5825135 Ooh, I wonder who you're pairing her with! Because there are a few good candidates, and I actually haven't decided which would make the most sense for her!
5824739 The S.S. VelvetMoon is a pretty adorable ship name...
5824643
The scene isn't 'adorable' per se, just funny.
Most people see the Grim Reaper like this
feelgrafix.com/data_images/out/9/824345-grim-reaper.jpg
I see him like this
fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/312/0/8/lord_death_on_corel_by_evilygoodgirl-d4fkpud.png
5825805
I should correct myself: The one I'm pairing her with only exists on an RP website I'm a part of, as of currently. As for the pairing.... I think I'll leave you in suspense. On a side note, have a quote:
Ah Velvet's first meeting with the Lunar one...quite humorous knowing nothing bad would've happened. Sometimes seeing someone stressed out over nothing can be funny as long as it doesn't get out of hand
5825805
All ships are inferior to the SilentWishes! We shall sail all seven and one-eighth seas, sinking any other ship we see in the glorious name of —
of —
uh —
g-gimme a minute, ok?
And then CW writes a fillyfooler romance to throw people off the suspicion that she's with velvet. Because thatl obviously work.
5826838 It's obviously in the name of Luna, you silly pony.
I know that Crystal's parents aren't big fans of her work.
But she got an award, her picture was taken standing next to Princess freaking Luna, and then invited to a private meeting afterwerds. And her parents said nothing of this at the Heart's Warming dinner ?!
No, no, no... I refuse to believe to that they haven't heard that, or anyone in their social circle didn't recognized their only dauther !!
Do they hate her choice that much?
Are they treating it like, "We do not talk about it..."?
Or
Are they just that Fked-up parents?
(which I, kinda, find hard to believe since Upper Crust have shown that she cares).
Otherwise, I love this story, and I kick myself for not reading it sooner.
5830348 Ahh, I'm glad to hear you like the story! It really does make me happy, since writing this is largely a stress relief for me, and hearing positive feedback helps lighten that mood (especially after losing an upvote to a downvote! ).
Your concerns are very valid! They'll slowly be picked away at over upcoming chapters, but I can't give an ETA as to when the questions are answered.
First, quoting something I said before in another comment to someone else with similar questions:
Some other non-spoiler food-thoughts: 1) Upper Crust is still learning to let go; she spent all of Crystal's childhood having a ton of control over her. 2) We don't know what her parents think of Princess Luna. 3) As for the other ponies not recognizing Crystal, she was in her "C.W. Step" attire (hiding the pink in her mane and tail, as well as covering her cutie mark) to specifically avoid that.
I hope that helps some!
Just got caught up. I absolutely loved the everloving fluff out of this chapter! It was actually a real treat to see Velvet out of her element and dealing with anxiousness. Good character building stuff! I wanted to give poor Crystal a big hug by the end though! @_@
It's always interesting to see another side of one of Memoirs chapters.
Crystal's parents are going to feel so silly when they finally find out about their wrong assumption regarding her and Velvet. Well, assuming their assumption is really what I think it is.
5848000 I wonder if they're even capable of feeling silly... Somehow I think Crusty'd just turn it back on her and make it her fault!
"How do you know you ship them?"
When I see them together, a noise comes out of my mouth and it sounds like a dying bear.
5861737 Same.
I'm guessing that Jet Set and Upper Crust are somewhat in the dark as to their daughter's friendly terms with Luna, or they'd be all over that.
They're being really unfair on Velvet, because anyone who knows anything about something knows that ballet is intense. Also... It was either this chapter or the one just previous where Velvet's sexuality was openly discussed, and I'm glad that VS and CW didn't make a big deal of it, but the allusions (and, perhaps, illusions) and assumptions continue. I'm fairly certain that Jet Set and Upper Crust are not only convinced the two are lovers, but that any attempt to ssuade them otherwise would only reinforce that belief.
It's nice to see Luna writ in a manner where she strikes a balance with her desire for fun and casual society and decidedly counter-expectation hobbies with her innate leadership and pretty much unquestionable authority. Snubbing Dawn, the 'handler' was mean, but it highlighted the idea well enough.
I like this story.
oh, are they playing D&D?
Wat.
My stars, that image brought a laugh!
Screw general hospital or what ever kids watch these days, this and anzels stuff is my soap opera
I normally save commenting for either the end or being a grammar Nazi but that had me laughing my head off.
8412299 Heehee, I am particularly fond of Board Gamer Luna!! Glad she amused!
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