Dear Mom,
Did Twilight never get the royal etiquette lessons I did? I thought she knew who Princess Mi Amore Cadenza was. Isn’t she that pink alicorn?
Spike
Dearest Spike,
I find myself a little puzzled that Twilight does not know Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. After all, Cadenza was Twilight’s foalsitter for a number of months when she was younger. When Twilight first hatched you and I took her as my pupil, Cadenza helped me significantly in knowing how to work with Twilight. Additionally, I am certain Cadenza is close friends with some of the students that were in Twilight’s year at my School, and even has selected a few of them for her bridesmaids. Has Twilight really not interacted with Cadenza in all this time?
If that is the case, please do not tell Twilight. I believe Captain Shining Armor wanted to travel to Ponyville and tell her about the wedding himself as a surprise gift, but that is currently unfeasible. At the very least, the captain can surprise Twilight with whom the bride is.
While we are on the issue of royal etiquette, please do not refer to Cadenza as ‘that pink alicorn’ in the future, or to any pony as ‘that pony’ either. I know you do not mean anything by it, but it is incredibly rude to many ponies.
Lastly, please do not attempt to send any more letters until you get to Canterlot. We are putting a shield up in response to a credible threat, and dragonfire is part of the block.
Regards,
Mom
Dear Mom,
Do you know that I don’t recall Cadance at all? Shiny made plenty of stops by the tower after I moved in with Twilight as her assistant but he never brought her with. I don’t remember seeing her when I was living with you, either.
I just think it odd. Twilight was complaining that Cadance didn’t remember some skit or something they used to do together. When you haven’t seen one another since I was born how can you expect Cadance to remember?
I talked to Minuette and Twinkleshine today, and they’re two of the bridesmaids. I’m happy to hear that. Maybe Twilight will reconnect with them. Minuette said Moondancer hasn’t come out of her house in weeks except for books though.
Oh, mom, would I be able to see you again today or tomorrow? It’s been a month and I wasn’t able to come to the National Dessert Competition.
Spike
Dearest Spike,
I am sorry, Spike, but I will be busy for the next day or so. Luna and I are keeping watch from one of the towers. I may be able to chat after the rehearsal tomorrow. I promise you I will clear time for you after the wedding, however. Until I lower the sun tonight, however, please do not send any letters unless you deem it urgent.
As for Cadenza, she has been keeping a low background for the last few years. For all the royal etiquette lessons I had you take, she took three times as many. She has also been working on the frontier and in the bureaucracy as one of my right-hoof ponies. Captain Shining Armor had to meet her several times a month as part of his duties. Twilight Sparkle did not, and it seems the two fell out of touch completely over the years.
Again, I apologise, Spike. I would like to send you a longer letter, but I am extremely busy.
Regards,
Mom
Mom,
I don’t think Twilight took the revelateion surprise well at all. I’ve been going around with her today, and she seems to think Cadance is ‘the absolute worst bride to be ever’. Twi ignored Minuette and Twinkleshine and Lyra earlier and just called Cadance a name behind her back because she wanted some revisions to her dress. Rarity was ok with it, even though it bothered her when her friends wanted changes for their Gala dresses. Believe me mom, those dresses were ugly, and Twilight’s changes to hers were big compared to Cadances here.
But just earlier at dinner, Twilight got angry about Cadance’s behayvior. Rarity thinks it’s just stress, and everypony else thinks so as well, but Twilight knocked everypony’s drinks over and stormed off. This is bad. I’ve never seen her this angry before.
Spike
Dearest Spike,
Thank you for the update. I will talk to Twilight after the rehearsal today.
Regards,
Mom
Celestia was stunned. What had happened to her student to set her off like this? Certainly, Cadance had been a little out of sorts the last week, but it was the same for everypony. Between the wedding planning and the threat, Celestia thought the spouses-to-be surprisingly well-adjusted. Now Cadance had run off crying, and Shining Armor had disowned his sister as his best mare.
She thought about what to say. Celestia looked over to Spike, hoping she could gain some input from his expression. Though the dragon was her son in all but blood, he had been working with Twilight Sparkle for the last two years, and knew Twilight at a fundamental level better than any pony.
He was walking away. Yes, he did warn me that Twilight was acting irrationally. It was a tough choice for her to make, but she thought her student needed a time-out to think over what she had done before Celestia went to find her again. If Twilight was wallowing in guilt over her actions, it would be easier for Celestia to walk her through her anxieties and help her come to terms with the wedding. Twilight Sparkle was not the first student of hers to have an older sibling get married and feel like she had been cut adrift.
If only Shining Armor and Cadance hadn’t made the decision to only announce the wedding a week beforehoof, then Twilight could have had some more time to accept that her brother was getting married, Celestia thought, rolling her eyes at the excuse the couple had given her of desiring privacy.
Well, she may as well head out. “You have a lot to think about,” she told Twilight as she left the great hall.