Cadance headed back out to the main foyer, and Twilight turned and trotted to her student's room. She took a deep breath, wondering what state Starlight was currently in, and knocked.
"Starlight?" She asked, waiting a few moments before opening the door. She found her student over by her bed, breathing into a paper bag.
Starlight eyed her teacher as she came in and closed the door. She took another deep breath into the paper bag, and then let it drop to the floor.
"S-Sorry, Twilight. This is just... So much to take in. I mean... He... Sweet Celestia... He likes me... Like that?!? After all this time?"
Twilight smiled gently at her student.
"It seems that way. I know this is a shock, because you didn't have feelings like that for anypony growing up, except maybe him, and back then you probably didn't know what they were or what they'd develop into."
The tint on her student's cheeks returned.
"If it's any consolation, he's out in the foyer just as frazzled as you are. Cadance is tending to him." the Princess offered.
This piece of information did seem to help Starlight calm down just a bit.
"Well, he seems to be in good hooves then."
"And I'm here if you need me too. Do you have any questions?"
Starlight hesitated a moment, shifting uncomfortably on her hooves.
"Twilight, I'm sorry, I really am, but... Friendship is your area of expertise. This sounds like it's moving a step beyond that. Do... Do you have any dating experience?" Starlight asked uneasily.
"Well... No. I don't suppose I do." Twilight admitted.
"If the circumstances were different, I'd probably go with you, but, really, the Princess of Love is just down the hall. I think I would prefer her advice, especially when it's somepony like me, who really is just getting used to basic friendships. You... I mean, you can understand that, right?"
Cadance found her crystaller constantly adjusting his glasses, pacing back and forth in the foyer. Shining Armor had taken Flurry Heart and went to show her Owlowiscious.
"Hey Sunburst, holding up?"
"I... I-I really think I could have done that better..." Sunburst mused, not stopping in his pacing. Cadance saw fit to wait a moment, then step into his path. When he turned and headed back, he nearly collided with his princess.
"S-Sorry."
"What would be different?"
"What do you mean?"
"If you could do it again. What would you do differently?"
Sunburst looked thoughtful for a few moments.
"I probably would have done it more... Carefully. Not so sudden. I was just afraid of losing the courage to do it if I thought about it too much, and I wouldn't go through with it. I just never thought she'd react, well, the way she did. I tend to forget what kind of past she's had."
"And I'd say aside from that, you didn't do anything wrong, Sunburst. I've seen ponies do it much more sloppily than you, and still get a date, or two, or a relationship out of it. It doesn't matter if it's perfect as long as it's from the heart, and if I recall correctly, she said yes up there, so congratulations!"
Sunburst smiled with a blush.
"So... What now? I mean, like I said, I didn't think about it much. Where do we go from here?"
"If she understood the question correctly, I'd say you two would go to dinner."
That did it, and with a laugh, the tension around Sunburst had been broken.
"I mean like, where to go... What to wear..."
"It sounds to me like you two have a weekend to plan. And Twilight would be the pony to ask, she's lived here for years." Cadance told her crystaller, and on cue, they heard hoofsteps come down the stairs. They turned to see Twilight and Starlight descend into the foyer.
"Sorry, Cadance, but it seems you're the resident authority here. Starlight would like to talk to you, too." Twilight announced to her sister-in-law.
"Thanks for understanding, Twilight. But first, could I have another word with Sunburst?" Starlight asked.
"Sure thing. We'll wait in the library." Cadance said, ushering Twilight away, unable to suppress another giggle. When she was sure they were out of listening distance, and quickly checking for any monitoring spells, Starlight stepped up to Sunburst, who cleared his throat.
"S-Sorry I asked you like that, Starlight. I sometimes forget that you've lead a somewhat different life."
"I'm sorry for reacting the way I did. Especially up there with Princess Twilight and Princess Cadance standing over me."
Sunburst again adjusted his glasses.
"So it would seem that we'd both like a do-over. So, um... Starlight? Would you like to go out to dinner with me this weekend?"
Starlight smiled embarrassingly, her cheeks once again tinting.
"Yes, I'd love to."