Crystal sighed and jabbed the fork at the last spear of asparagus on her plate. Late. Silent was late for dinner again. That seemed to be happening more and more lately. She looked at the plate sitting at the empty chair across the table from her, frowned, and dropped her fork. Her magic flared to jerk his plate off the table and into the kitchen, where she covered it with the skillet's lid.
Well, that was fine. He would only have himself to blame for the short notice news of dinner with her parents. She grumbled to herself as she stalked over to the bathroom to take a shower the same way she'd had dinner—alone.
While the water warmed up, she stared at her reflection. Though she felt irritated, a pair of sad eyes looked back at her. She sniffed and jerked her attention away from the mirror, slipping a hoof past the rose-patterned curtain to test the temperature.
After stepping inside, she dropped her head to get as much of her under the stream as possible. Mad and sad were two emotions that didn't get along very well. One ear kept listening for any knocks on the front door while she contemplated just going straight to bed once she was done with the shower.
Water pelted against her back and neck in a steady rhythm. She wanted to see him. She wanted to teach him a lesson. A sigh escaped her. In reality, she didn't know what she wanted. Her feelings were too muddled to understand clearly.
Just as she had finished drying her mane and tail, three knocks resounded and her heart skipped a beat. That confirmed it; she wanted to see him more than she wanted to sulk.
Crystal quickly wrapped a bathrobe around herself and trotted for the door. "Wow, Silent, I expected you to be later than this," she teased, though the bite in her voice belied her internal struggle with emotions.
"I didn't want to be that late this time," Silent replied. "We don't get a lot of time together lately."
And whose fault was that? She smiled. "The work of a royal guard is never done, I know." Her smile fell as she glanced him over. Sweat matted his coat and his mane was tussled at odd angles. "Well, you are a mess tonight. Should I be concerned that you're cheating on me?"
She giggled when his ears shot up and he quickly assured, "Never! This sweat is all natural. Earned through exercise."
"Oh, in that case, then come on in." She stepped out of the way. "I'll heat up your dinner. You'll need it if you're working out until you're drenched in all-natural sweat."
Silent nodded and walked inside. "I am starving, although I'd love a shower first." He glanced at her. "Do you want to join me?"
Though she giggled, a surge of irritation bloomed in her chest. He didn't get to be rewarded for being late, no matter how tempting the offer was. "Most nights I would hop right in with you, but you're on your own for tonight. I'm in my pajamas."
"That's a bathrobe," he teased, one brow raised.
She huffed. "I've already showered and was ready to go to bed, so they might as well be."
"Fair enough." He started toward the bathroom door. "I'll make it quick, then."
While he started up the shower, Crystal went into the kitchen to reheat the plate of asparagus and red potatoes. She glanced over at the bathroom door and sighed. Perhaps she shouldn't have rebuffed him out of spite, but he had been late because he was exercising? She scrunched up her nose. Work, she understood, but working out?
Just as she finished heating up his dinner, the shower turned off and he trotted back into the living room once he was dry. "Thanks for cooking," he said as he sat down at the table. He paused, glanced around, and asked, "Wait, where is Velvet?"
Crystal blinked. "That's a good question. I'm honestly not sure, she didn't tell me about any late night plans. I'm sure she'll turn up eventually, though."
He shrugged and took a bite of one of the red potato slices. "Speaking of plans, do you have any for this Wednesday?" He looked across the table at her. "The play you said you liked is going to be stopping through here. I thought you might like to go and tickets are still available."
She tilted her head to the right. There were a lot of plays she liked, but which had she talked about recently? "Three Stallions and a Foal?"
"The other one." He bit into an asparagus.
"Swift Times at Manehattan High?"
He frowned. "The other, other one."
Tilting her head to the left, she pursed her lips in thought. "Hmm... Flankspeare in Love?"
"That one!" He chuckled, shaking his head. "You like too many plays. So, would you like me to get tickets?"
The easy answer was yes. Now that she was done puzzling over which play, however, she remembered one very important detail. "You said it was Wednesday?" He nodded, and she asked, "Is that the only day they're performing here?"
"One day only." He looked at her with eyes that almost seemed to plead with her. "We could drop everything and go have a good time."
"I'm sorry." Her ears drooped as she shook her head. "I can't. Fancy Pants's fall line showing is on Wednesday. Only a few select ponies were invited to the sneak peek at what he'll debut next season. I'm sorry, honey, but I can't miss it."
"That's fine," he said in a tone that was distinctly not fine and his gaze fell to his dinner plate. "We'll just do something another day."
Crystal squirmed in her seat. She absolutely couldn't miss the showing, but she hated saying no to him. He understood how important it was, though. He had to. After all, he was a very important pony tasked with guarding an extremely important pony. Protecting her social standing wasn't nearly as vital as him protecting Princess Luna, but that didn't mean it was something she shouldn't take seriously.
"My mother is demanding to meet you," she blurted out into the silence.
Silent looked up and blinked at her. "Pardon?"
"My mother. Well, to be honest, both of my parents." She twiddled her hooves and avoided his gaze. "Since we'll be getting married, my parents want to meet you before the wedding."
"Oh. That makes sense. You've already met my mom, after all." He went back to eating. "When do they want to meet?"
She offered him a meek, sheepish grin. "Tomorrow?"
He didn't say anything. Instead, he lowered his fork to the plate and raised his gaze to hers.
"I'm sorry!" The grin fell. "She sprung it on me rather suddenly, and with how busy you've been lately I didn't want to interrupt you at work. I was hoping to tell you over a nice meal, but then..." She trailed and sighed. "I'm sorry. If we cancel, she'll think I'm hiding you from her."
He shook his head. "No, tomorrow is fine. Is it at least after work hours?"
"Your regular work hours, at least," she tried to tease.
The joke didn't seem to be well-received, as he just looked down at his plate and said, "Yes, dear."
Crystal did her best to conceal her sudden anxiety. Was she making a mistake?
---
They stood outside the door to her parents' house, Silent standing still while Crystal fussed over his armor. If he was going to insist on wearing it—which he had, of course—then it was going to look perfect. Just as she found and wiped off a smudge from the breastplate, the door finally opened.
"Hi, Mom." Crystal stood up straight. "This is Silent Knight. My fiancé. Silent, this is my mother, Upper Crust."
Silent offered a polite bow of his head. "It is a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
Upper Crust tilted her head to look down her snout at him, though with their height difference she was still looking up. After eyeing him from head to hoof, she said, "Charmed, I'm sure. Please, do come in."
They followed her inside, where she stopped and gestured to the couch. "Make yourselves comfortable. I'll get some tea."
While Crystal went straight for the couch, Silent seemed to hesitate. He stared at the couch a moment, seemed to weigh his options, then finally sat down beside her. She tried not to laugh. Served him right for deciding to wear full plate to her parents' house. Being in their presence was uncomfortable enough, but doing so while in armor? He was in for a rough evening.
Upper Crust levitated over a tea set and started to serve when hoofsteps came down the stairs.
"Welcome!" Jet Set called as he rounded the banister to walk over to them. "Pardon my late greeting. You two are earlier than I expected."
"Hi, Dad." Crystal rose to her hooves and smiled. "This is my father, Jet Set."
Silent stood as well, meeting the stallion halfway and offering a hoof. As Jet Set took it, Silent said, "Nice to meet you, sir."
They shook hooves and Jet Set nodded. "Pleasure to finally meet you, my boy." He smiled, then moved to sit by Upper Crust on the loveseat.
After Crystal and Silent settled back onto the couch and Upper Crust had finished serving all of them tea, Jet Set said, "I understand you're a royal guard. Exactly what sort?" He paused before adding, "Forgive me, but the royal guard isn't exactly my field of expertise. I just noticed that your armor isn't like that of the guards around the city."
Silent nodded. "That's right, sir. I'm the commander of Princess Luna's House Guard. Our armor is unique to match her colors. We ensure the safety of the princess above all else. The guards you see on the streets are responsible for keeping the peace."
Jet Set leaned back with his tea cup floating in front of him and smiled. "Capital, my boy. A commander? That makes you an officer, am I right? Do you personally protect the princess, then?"
Crystal did her best to not sigh. Why was he engaging in such obvious small talk? Her father had to know these things already, didn't he? Surely they hadn't cornered her into dinner to ask basic questions! No, her mother would certainly not let an opportunity like this pass by.
Silent, on the other hoof, seemed more than comfortable with the topic. "I am a lieutenant to be specific, sir. I do protect the princess, yes, but not in the way you may be thinking. Before my promotion I stood guard. Now I supervise the ponies that stand guard and such things. Most of my time is spent coordinating with her and her assistant, though I am still responsible for her safety."
"So you're in management, then!" He smiled at Upper Crust, who gave him a half-lidded stare.
"That must mean long hours at the palace," Upper Crust said. "Traveling outside of Canterlot with the princess, too, I'm sure."
Silent nodded. "Both of those things are true."
Upper Crust stared at him. "That sounds like it would make for a difficult home life, then."
Crystal's ears flicked back. There it was—the beginning of a very long evening. "Mother..."
"What?" Upper Crust glanced at her, then looked back at Silent. "I'm merely pointing out that he'll be around at inconsistent and unreliable hours. He has a duty to his job, darling. Isn't that right, Silent Knight?"
Silent nodded again. "You are correct, ma'am."
Crystal frowned and puffed out her cheeks. It sounded so much worse than it was! Of course it was annoying to never know when he'd be home for dinner, but—"It isn't as bad as you're making it out to be, Mother. He doesn't come home late that often."
As soon as she said the words and all eyes turned to her, she froze. That was not the right thing to say by any means.
Upper Crust, unsurprisingly, was the one to break the moment of silence. "Excuse me?"
Words failed her. Her mind was a complete and utter blank slate. Thankfully, Silent explained, "I live with my sister, Winterspear. She and Crystal are good friends. They are often left waiting on me for dinner."
"Oh, I see." Upper Crust folded her hooves in her lap. "Then you do keep late hours often?"
Silent nodded. "That would be a fair statement, ma'am. Princess Luna's schedule is not the opposite of Princess Celestia's, exactly, but they are definitely different. We start later in the day and leave later in the evening. Sometimes I am required to stay even later to handle problems that come up or additional responsibilities that get dropped on me. Most nights, though, I am home after moonrise."
Upper Crust raised one brow. "I see."
The silence lingered a while before Jet Set cleared his throat. "So, Silent Knight. Is it a family business to be a royal guard?"
Crystal fidgeted, earning herself a stern glare from her mother. Couldn't they just cut to the dinner already so they could leave sooner?
"More or less, yes, sir," Silent said. "The Royal Guard or the Equestrian Army. My sister is a guard. My father was both a guard and a soldier. My grandfather, too. From my understanding, the Knight family has been in some form of martial service to the crowns as long as we have been around."
Jet Set nodded and patted Upper Crust on the knee. "You hear that, dear? That is true dedication. Great... fidelity, wouldn't you say?" He looked over at Silent. "And your parents are all right with you marrying a unicorn?"
"Dad!" Crystal gawked, her hooves going numb from surprise. "That isn't an appropriate thing to ask!"
"What?" Jet Set raised his brow. "Honey, it's just a question. He's from an old family like ours. Not everypony from our sort of families are okay with... well, mingling."
"Mingling?!" Crystal nearly shrieked. "Dad, I—"
Silent put a hoof on her shoulder and interrupted, "To be honest, sir, the topic hasn't come up. I didn't give anypony advanced notice that I was going to propose. My mother doesn't know much more than what I put in a letter. As for my father..." He frowned lightly. "He would probably be displeased that I was spending time on love rather than my career and wouldn't even notice she was a unicorn."
"Oh, I, ah, see. How unfortunate." As Jet Set lifted his teacup, he muttered, "That certainly won't make the wedding awkward."
Silent's ears twitched. "I don't think it will, sir. I'm afraid he passed recently."
How had it come to this? Crystal just stared at nothing in particular, her eyes wide and her mind void of a way to salvage the conversation. Dead fathers. 'Mingling' concerns. Her mother's judgmental stare, which shifted from her to Silent.
"You seem too rough for my little girl," Upper Crust stated without an ounce of reservation. "You're so much larger than she is and, frankly, too frank."
Silent shook his head. "Crystal is tougher than you might imagine, ma'am. A trait she no doubt earned from her upbringing. I commend you on that."
Crystal wanted to laugh and cry at the same time while Upper Crust's lips curled into a frown. "Well! I never! I—"
"Dinner!" Jet Set interrupted, jumping to his hooves. "I think it is time for dinner! Shall we move to the dining room?"
Upper Crust held Silent's gaze. He didn't flinch. Finally, she huffed, stood up, and trotted into the kitchen. Once she was out of sight and Jet Set had left the room, Crystal let out a heavy sigh and leaned against Silent.
"This was a mistake," she whispered. "Do you think we could make a run for it?"
Silent smiled down at her. "What do you mean? I think this is fun."
"Fun?" Crystal's ears pinned back. "How?"
"You never met my father," he responded with a soft chuckle. "This is fun. Come on, I'm hungry."
Her mood lifted just long enough for them to enter the dining room. Seeing her father sitting at the head of the table and spotting her mother hovering at the doorway dragged her back down to a state of dread and she took a seat.
"Now, dear," Jet Set said, smiling at Crystal, "how is Velvet Step doing?"
Crystal sighed. "Well enough, I suppose. She is struggling a bit. Some trouble with one of the other mares in the company, but she's working on a plan to resolve that."
"Oh?" Jet Set tilted his head.
"The Royal Ballet of Equestria had their auditions today. Competency exams or some such thing, they're called. I haven't seen her yet so I will either be going home to a very happy mare with a new company or one without any at all."
Upper Crust set down the last serving plate and seated herself across from Crystal. "At least somepony is working to improve their station in life."
Crystal glanced at her mother, then back at her father. "I'm confident it will be the former."
"Well, then, we should throw her a little party," Jet Set offered.
Crystal gave a quick shake of her head. "Oh, no, you know how she is. I'm sure she'd rather not."
Jet Set blinked before he simply shrugged and started to spoon green beans onto his plate.
Once they had all filled their plates, an awkward dinner of silence commenced. Upper Crust periodically cleared her throat whenever Crystal got gravy on her cheek or Silent had grabbed the wrong fork. After several attempts at small talk, Jet Set finally set the ball in motion with the simplest of questions.
"Have you made any big plans for your birthday, dear?"
Crystal shook her head and replied, "No, not at all. I don't want a big show this year. Silent has been busy, and my schedule is full, as you both know."
Upper Crust snorted at that.
"Not to mention, I've been working myself hard to meet my deadlines and whatnot."
Upper Crust set down her fork and looked at Crystal. "Oh, darling, I wish you would consider writing something different. Just how long are these tawdry romance novels of yours going to be popular? You have to think of and prepare for the future, you know."
"They're not tawdry, Mother!" Crystal snapped. "You know that I won an award for my first one. Luna reads all my books!"
"And that makes it okay?" Upper Crust raised her brow.
Crystal shot her a withering stare. "If they're good enough for Princess Luna, they should be good enough for a pony like you!"
"Like me?" Upper Crust put a hoof to her chest. "And what does that mean?"
Jet Set cleared his throat and leaned to look at Silent. "My boy, do you smoke cigars?"
"What do you think it means, Mother?" Crystal's upper lip curled into a snarl.
Silent shook his head. "No, sir, I don't."
"I'm afraid I don't, darling." Upper Crust's eyes narrowed. "Please, spell it out for me."
Jet Set stood and gestured a hoof for Silent to follow suit. "You do now. Come with me."
"Excuse me," Silent said as he walked after Jet Set toward the balcony doors.
He could go wherever he liked. Crystal was going to stay right there. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as a fury coursed through her veins.
"All you care about is what other ponies think, Mother, and Luna is a princess, of all things! If there is anypony that you should fawn over for once in your life, let it be somepony of some actual substance!"
Upper Crust snorted. "Oh, that is rich. Truly, it is. Yes, darling, I'll do my very best to be just like the princess who became Night—"
"Don't you even dare say it!" Crystal shouted. "That wasn't Luna's fault!"
"She's the one who—"
Crystal slammed a hoof on the table. "Don't even start!"
Upper Crust crossed her forelegs over her chest and leaned back into her seat. "Of course you would be quick to jump to her defense. Your career and your stallion depend on her, don't they?"
There was a small hitch in Crystal's voice as she fought through a swarm of responses to simply ask, "Why do you always do this, Mom?"
One of Upper Crust's ears twitched. "What do you mean?"
"Why do you try to ruin everything for me?" Crystal's raging emotions swung wildly between anger and despair. "Why can't you just let me be happy? I love my writing. I love Silent Knight. Why isn't that good enough for you?"
"Because—" Upper Crust paused, then frowned and continued, "You deserve the best, but you don't seem to be motivated to reach for it. Somepony has to look out for your best interests."
Crystal snarked and glared at her. "For my best interests, or yours? Have you ever once asked me what I wanted?! All my life you've told me what I wanted!" She wrapped her forelegs tightly around herself as a shiver ran through her. "I have the best, Mom. I have a job I love to do, and I have a stallion who loves me. That's all I want. So what do you want?"
They stared at one another in near silence, the whimper of Crystal trying to smother her desire to cry the only sound between them for a while. She hated feeling this way. She should have never agreed to this dinner.
Upper Crust's ears fell to the sides until she mumbled, "Are you really happy with the way things are, darling?"
"What?" Crystal sniffed, then nodded. "Yeah. More than I've ever been in my life."
Slowly, almost tentatively, Upper Crust unfurled from her tense position to reach across the table and offer her hoof. "Do you swear to me that you're happy?"
Crystal stared at the hoof, then lifted her gaze to meet her mother's. Tears were in Upper Crust's eyes, which started tears in her own. "I am." She took the offered hoof and squeezed it. "I really, really I am."
"And this stallion, Silent Knight. He loves you?"
Crystal nodded. "Yes, he does. And I love him."
Upper Crust withdrew her hoof and stood, turning her head away. "Good, then. I'm glad you were able to find your own happiness, darling." She cleared her throat and started for the doorway to the living room. "I think I'll retire for the night. Do apologize to your Silent Knight for me, if you would be so kind."
"Yeah..." Crystal watched her leave, stunned silent. Once her mother was out of sight she allowed her gaze to fall to her lap. Her heart pounded all the way to her ears like a steady drumbeat that heralded the arrival of something.
But what?
Intense. Glad to see that something has gotten through to Upper Crust. Whether or not it sticks is now the question.
Glad to see this from Chrystal's perspective. As much as I like Red and Azurite, Upper Crust is at the far end of the spectrum even if she believes she is looking out for Chrystal's best interests.
Her little girl had grown up... but when did that happen? She was in school just yesterday...
Poor Upper Crust. Letting go is always hard.
There have been a lot of showers/baths across the Quill & Bladeverse recently.
It is actually kind of interesting how even though they are together, they are still rather apart. Silent Knight even knocks to enter the condo.
:silent: Now where did Velvet leave those magazines.
Companion Chapter: TBD The Velveteen Mask
It is a good thing Silent Knight is so stoic or this might have required a medical wagon.
I don't blame him for being apprehensive, it seems the 'nicer' furniture is the less robust and durable. Boy oh boy would it have been a bad start to the evening to crush what Upper Crust was sure to claim was her favorite coach.
Bwahahahaha, with the previous chapter I wonder if this is a dig at Upper Crust.
An interesting turn of phase.
All of Upper Crust's skill set is wasted on Silent Knight, the poor dear is as helpless as a new born baby.
Holy moly, this upcoming chapter might be Velvet getting caught celebrating.
Uh Upper Crust, can you hear yourself? That sounds like you are trying to gold dig through your daughter when you are already very well off as is. Geez. It was nice to see Crystal really stand up to her mother and maybe, just maybe make her understand that she is happy.
Gas.
m.memegen.com/47szwh.jpg
Ooooo She got burned sooo bad! i love it.
Now. On to the meat of the chapter. It's interesting to see how it is on Crystal's side of things compared to Silents, while those of us who read silents story too, we know whats going on and can see that crystal is good at hiding her.. anger at him being late all the time, but this chapter really puts it into perspective.
Its actually funny how well Silent stands up to her mother's scrutiny, and seems to have made a "friend" in her father, though I use the term loosly, but then. that last bit, I think That is the best thing that could have happened for Crystal and her mother. Crystal has held all that in all her life, and now she finally put it out on the table for her mother to see, and her mother, actually showing a true face too her, is a good thing. This was a wonderful chapter.
I'm not buying it. If you were truly out for your daughter's happiness, then you'd have invested more time in finding out something that combined success with her interests, and not just focusing on pure, unadulterated 'success.'
And now, Upper Crust waits for all of this to explode in Crystal's face.
Not so that she can say, "I told you so." She'll probably do that, yes, but that's just how she is. Rather, she'll wait for it to explode because it's the only way Crystal is ever going to learn. Everything else she's tried so far has failed because Crystal won't listen. She really, really just wants her daughter to be happy and cared for; the common theme of all her past arguments — let's face facts, we're way beyond spoilers at this point — has generally been, "How are you going to live with that?"
She wants Crystal to give up writing because she doesn't see how she's going to make enough money to live comfortably doing it. It has nothing to do with it being "beneath her," not really. One book with poor sales might actually be enough to sink her financially, after all. Of course, she'll support her daughter however she needs to, but Crystal isn't going to be happy doing that, even if she's well-cared for.
She wants Crystal to consider someone other than Silent Knight not because she believes he'll mistreat her, but because being a guard is time-consuming and dangerous. He's already admitted that he works long and sometimes odd hours, and that he travels frequently, meaning he isn't home for Crystal, especially when she really needs him. And should the unthinkable happen, then what? Of course, she respects the work that Silent Knight does, but Crystal isn't going to be well-cared for, even if she's happy.
The issue here is not that Upper Crust doesn't care, but that she doesn't know how to express that she cares. She's expecting Crystal to figure out the hints that she keeps dropping, but because of their strained relationship, Crystal isn't able to, and Upper Crust isn't able to see that Crystal can't see those hints. I can guarantee, with one hundred percent certainty, that if at any point she sat down with her daughter and said plainly, "These are my exact concerns, and these are the reasons why I have them," Crystal would actually be receptive to her mother's advice, or at least would not feel hostility towards her, even if she were not inclined to follow the aforementioned advice.
Well, here's Crystals side of Silents behaviour just in time for the big talk, I know its Halloween soon but this is getting a little too scary!
I hope Silents therapist can get him the help he needs before he does anything permanently harmful to his relationship, or maybe he can do some sort of couples counselling. Anything so that Crystal knows that he's wrestling with something instead of being negligent.
Ooooh, I've been looking forward to this moment for so long. I like it. I like it a lot.
I almost feel bad for Jet, cause I can see what he was trying to do, but it was a lost cause from the beginning, I'm afraid. At least he's learned when it's time to just walk away.
And everything with Upper Crust and Crystal... I approve. I've been waiting for this moment for so long, and it did not disappoint. The fallout from this, both in terms of her relationship with her mother and how things will go with Silent, will be fantastic.
Now the only loose end is Velvet... I'm kind of worried about the fact that she didn't come home that night. Something obviously happened, but I have no idea whether or not it's something good...
So much drama!
Oh no. We now have entered the doubt era. This doubt and annoyance is going to grow until Crystla and Silent talk or break up.
Crystal, if you are upset tell him. Glossing over it internally will only allow the irritation to build into a bigger issue later.
Also kind of a worrying exchange.
Geeze, the guard really needs a formal dress outfit that isn't full armor. Or possibly they already have one and someone needs to smack Silent upside the head and force him into it.
Hahaha, whoops!
This conversation could be going better, but it could also be going much, much worse. Nobody is screaming and/or kicking people out of the house.
Hah!
Man, I really hope that we get some good news from Velvet next chapter.
Jet Set is the smartest pony in the room, that was a definitely a conversation to flee.
Oh wow, I didn't expect this to go the Nightmare Moon direction. I guess that explains a few things.
That was really interesting seeing Crystal's side of this discussion, just as much as it was to see Silent's out on the balcony. And it did end with her mother offering congratulations and apologies, so kinda sorta success? Assuming that everything doesn't eventually go pear shaped and prove Upper right.
Man, now I want to go back through Silent Knight's perspective and try to see any glimpses of Crystal and Upper Crust's relationship developing.
6557994 It's hard to remain steadfast and cold when your daughter is crying right in front of you, that's for sure. You are definitely right that the question is whether or not she'll keep this conversation firmly in mind.
6557995 Upper Crust is definitely one of my least liked characters for sure!
6558027 It is, especially when you think you're doing the right thing.
6558068 There should be a lot of showers going on! All the time! Cleanliness or bust!
Well, to be fair, it's not his place and Velvet still lives there. Don't want to walk in on her uninvited! (Or maybe you readers do, you filthy minded folk!)
Yes indeedly, there will be a lot of things explained in Velveteen Mask. I almost feel bad that it's so far behind, but we'll be getting into the meat of things soon.
Gas. Definitely gas. That's totally what it is!
6558098 Whoops, good accidental typo catch! Nonetheless, thank you! Yes it was very important for Crystal to finally say what's been on her mind. I don't think Upper Crust was going to get the message any other way. Now if only Crystal would apply that to her relationship with Silent!
6558437 And you'd definitely be right in not buying it. The problem with Upper Crust is that she has a rigid opinion of what "the good life" is, with blinders on regarding Crystal's actual wants and needs.
6558519 I always enjoy your analyses of Upper Crust. You always "get" her and that makes me feel like I'm successfully portraying her. There isn't much for me to respond to because I agree with all your points, personally—and if anyone disagrees that is totally okay, no one perceives people the same! I would actually consider it a problem if everyone felt the same about a character. But, I digress. Yes, it would be interesting to see how Upper Crust reacted if something were to happen to Crystal and Silent's relationship...
6558629 Yes, it would be a big step forward if Crystal had some kind of inkling as to what was going on. Staying late for exercise certainly isn't something Crystal can understand as a justifiable excuse!
6558666 I'm pretty pleased with Jet Set's character mellowing over the in-universe years. He still supports his wife, of course, but he's also trying to balance that with supporting his daughter, too. And, yes. It was about time Crystal and Upper Crust finally exchanged some honest words. As for Velvet... well... she is certainly up to some things at this point in the timeline. If only I'd just quit my job and do two chapters a day every day, then all my stories would be done!
6558860 So words! Much wow!
6558950 They are both definitely feelings that don't just heal by ignoring them, that's for sure. I think doubt and annoyance are the two most "fester"-capable emotions, honestly.
6559030 Anzel could confirm but I think they do have more ceremonial garb, but in this case I think Silent was trying to make a statement. I like Jet Set, honestly. He tries, at least. On the other hand, he doesn't really stop Upper Crust, just tries to mitigate around her, so... ehh! I'm sticking with "he tries"!
All right Crystal!! It takes a lot to face your own family if they are opposed to almost everything you stand for. And Crystal, you did it in spades! It's about time someone stuck it to Upper Crust. I loved it.
6559161
The reason I "get" her is simple: It is because I am her spirit animal.
Just a quick note, tucked in here, to say thank you -
Crystal, ya'll and this universe have sucked me in and kept me reading - literally every chapter in a handful of sittings. It's fantastically well-written, and I'm enjoying every twist and turn.
Thank you for this. It's very appreciated.
6559454 Thank you for taking the time to say so! It means so much to me to hear that. I'm glad you are enjoying our stories and hope to keep up the writing you like!
6559161
If my dreams come true, this is the night she's having angry, passionate sex with Perennial. Velvet failed the audition, ran into Perennial when she went back to the place she works to quit, Perennial made some comments about how it was inevitable that she would fail, Velvet snaps and they start yelling, hate sex ensues right there on the floor of the dance hall. It will be glorious.
But that's probably not what happened.
At least Upper Crust will be amusing from here on out. I'm looking forward to all the subtle ways this will change her interactions with Crystal, since the big ones won't change at all.
6560433 It'll be a while before Velveteen Mask catches up (especially since all the writing yesterday seems to have burnt me out and I may have to delay today's update)... so until then, hold on to your dream, my friend. Hold on to your angry, passionate PerennialStep sex and never let go!
Well gosh, Upper Crust, it's about time you finally figure things out. Nervous for Velvet... Poor Silent Knight stuck in the middle of all that
Agh! This chapter is so much more AAAGH! from this perspective! Also a tad funnier, but the AAAGH! My poor little heartstrings....
Wai u make dem cri so much
In all honesty though, great chapter! That part with the cigars is still great.
Keep it up!
Earlier today, at work, I got to thinking and-
Wait! Where are you going? It's not that bad this time, I swear!
...
So... Anyway. I thought that the coolest thing Upper Crust could do, and the most likely to Help Crystal in her endeavors, would be to name drop C.W. Step at high society functions. I know that a number of things would have to happen first, but if that were on the table, then Upper Crust could be helping in the way she always intended and get the results that Crystal wants! Everypony wins!
And then I realized something...
No, don't go anywhere!
Crystal's next work..? The story about two elderly ponies and how their love flourished and matured isn't a "tawdry romance" at all! Yeah. I'd bet money that Upper Crust can get behind a timeless tale like that! Then come the daughter-helping name drops!
... I am so incredibly glad that neither my parents nor my girlfriend's parents are anything like Crystal's.
At least her mother did see reason in the end ... or so it seems for now.
I'm still waiting for Crystal to cotton on to how much Crust likes the stories but refuses to admit it because she sees it as a guilty pleasure.
We saw her reading the first one. She was riveted harder than airplane siding.
Yay updates, i had to take about a month off to read some other stuff just so when i get back i would have alot of chapters to read
6573022 I said sorry, because you said a couple of times that pointing out typos annoys you or something similar. Or I said it, because you're rubbing off on me Welp, I guess my mind did it's own thing and read it as a sentence with 'as the mess might make you believe'. So 'belie' would be a typo. And my brain unconsciously added the missing 'make you'.
I, uh, I derped
Anyway,
New vocabulary added: belie
6572916 I can see your point but at the Summer Faire they would likely be participating in the Faire especially when Princess Luna is doing that too.
6573209 Likely? Maybe. Possibly? For sure. This particular scene is actually an homage to the IDW MLP Comic books. #9 and #10 are the inspiration and depict Luna showing up in Ponyville for the faire. She interacts with Big Mac but none of the mane six have any prominent part. There are a few a brief cameos of them but they aren't involved in the plot. We're just generally meant to know that they are there.
As such, in an official product, the author chose to focus on Big Mac, Luna, and other side characters. This is no different. Further, it is a Q&B AU story. For all we know they're not even there.
6573209 As a fan of My Little Pony, I can totally see your point. We want to know what's going on with our favorite main cast. Crystal's in Ponyville? That's where they are!
As an author of a story focused on a pony who has little to no reason to seek out, notice, and distinguish the main six from the rest of the Ponyville citizens, I don't see how including them would make any sense at all in the narrative. It is a third person limited perspective, meaning we see what Crystal perceives, understands, and acknowledges. She also didn't notice that Big Mac was there, as was Zecora, the CMC, Octavia, and many, many other background ponies (and, in this story, the main six fall in that category) ponies that, to Crystal, are inconsequential to the fact that she was on a date with her stallion.
If it makes sense that Crystal would specifically notice and/or interact with them, I will include any pony, main six or otherwise. If it doesn't, I won't. It's kind of as simple as that.
6573443 Recently, we finished yet another book of Austraeoh(7th) and SS&E had incorectly estimated how long the story would end up being. He had to put more words into chapters to fit in 200, so he ended up writing ~71k words of it in the last ten days of that book, while still keeping up with daily updating two other stories. Because y'know, he updates daily three stories.
People seemed impressed, but I wanted an 'outside' opinion on that. Thanks for replying
*Lunar-Knight Silent Knight flies through an interdimensional portal and flips the dining table through the nearest wall*
"What was that, you sniveling scum sucking leech! One more word out of you against my Lady and I will spread your entrails over this entire room! I am an Angel of DEATH! And I shall deliver it unto you!"
Thank you for showing everyone that you just want your little filly to be happy, Upper Crust, but you still need to acknowledge that she's a mare now.
6580733 I don't think killing your fiance's mother, especially in front of her and in such a gory and messy manner, is the best way to kick off a marriage. Just saying.
6842588 I think it'd be entertaining. Cleanup 'ould be a bitch, though.
I'll bet Upper Crust is going to go directly up to Silent Knight and either stab him to death, or try to convince him to break up with Crystal. Frankly, I'm not sure which.
This chapter is sprinkled with zingers!
and
in particular gave me pause.
6558519 I regret that I have but one upvote to give this assessment. I believe that many people - within the story and without - have jumped to slate UC as the worst, when really, she's just...herself.
I was waiting for this! The confrontation! It had to happen sooner or later, and it didn't disappoint!
i1.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/facebook/000/011/848/cold.jpg
Intriguing chapter as always, though I am curious as to Upper Crust's development. If memory serves me, the last time I saw her genuinely supportive was during the cupcake incident, and that was around a decade ago.
Uh... it's the nature of the exercise that's in question (well, not really). Though unnatural sweat would certainly be questionable. "Why are you sweating liquid aether?" "Stopped by Runic's on the way here." "Ahh."
With a cameo by his sister, the famous dancer, Shakesrear! ...I'm sorry... but not very.
Insisted on wearing his armor... wat? Okay I know the guy has an officer's dress uniform. It didn't occur to him that that would be more apropos for a formal dinner, let alone what should be a less formal (but probably wouldn't be) dinner? He certainly would need metaphorical armor... buuut he brought that, too:
I laughed at the fantastic racism in the 'unicorn' and 'mingle' lines, but this.... this quote was absolutely magnificent. Officer, gentlestallion, and Master of the waspish, savage backhoof; fillies and gentlecolts, I give you: Silent Knight. ...I don't remember his 'Mares Vs. Me' score exactly, but he's at at least 2, now. Loved Jet Set getting them both out of there a bit later. But don't take up cigars, Silent. Nasty habit for your breath and your breathing... conflicts with Guard work and kissing Crystal. Priorities.
Hey, we can't all marry up and just coast. Sorry, what do you do for a living again? Literally nothing? K, good game, Upper Crumbs.
This was a great chapter, really delivered the subtle (and not so subtle) punches I hoped for from this meeting. Now I wonder how them meeting his mother would go...