//------------------------------// // Chapter Three: The Dinner and The Talk/ Exploration // Story: Broken Hearts // by Silver Inkwell //------------------------------// Chapter Three: The Dinner and The Talk/ Exploration The distraction was simple enough, smoke bombs. “Where the hell did you get these from?” Flurry asked as the guards were coughing after Shadow had walked up to two of them and started to ask for directions to random places that were not in the castle and other various stuff and things as well. “Oh, I got them from an old friend of a friend of your aunt, her name I believe is Trixie Lulamoon, honestly they’re pretty cheap as they come and go, and you wouldn't believe how helpful they are to get out of any tight spot ever.” “I’m sure that I could,” Flurry said. “Yes, maybe someday, but right now we need to run and be free and explore the world, are you ready for the experience of a lifetime?” “I’ve been ready and waiting for years, so yes, I am.” “That’s exactly what I like to hear from other ponies.” “Well what else do you like to hear from ponies?” “Stuff and things that I will keep private, now then I have a quick errand to run by sending a message to my parents, you can come along if you’d like to.” “It depends, how good are they at keeping secrets from other ponies?” “Very good when they need to be, my family does deal in many matters of business you know, it’s not like they are strangers to keeping one.” “Yeah, I can guess, but yes, I would like to meet your parents,” “Very well then princess, it shall be as you wish,” he said smiling at her. “Please, just call me Flurry, after all, we’re friends now, right?” “Yes, we are, now then, come, it’s time for you to meet my parents.” Flurry grinned and anxiously followed alongside him ready to meet his parents. Shadow took her to his home which was a very large and elaborate mansion which oddly enough was being used by other ponies too and not just for storage space as most other rich ponies did. But whatever the case Flurry was still glad to see someplace that was not her castle. “Come on, I bet you’ll love my parents and the ponies that live here, did you know that everypony here is either low income or poor or homeless? My parents help them out until they can get back on their hooves with a job and a house of their own, in fact on many occasions they have been awarded the most generous and kindest pony of the year awards although they always try  to humbly deny it, but that’s not to say they don't take pride in their work, it’s just that they don't want to be seen as prideful in the eyes of some, even Celestia respects them, and she generally doesn't respect rich ponies with a true and genuine affection, but some nobles are exceptions like my own family and also Fancy Pants too. But come, I must show you to their room.” He smiled at her and took her upstairs to the fifth floor where he knocked on some plain white wooden doors and promptly they opened up to reveal a pair of smiling bright happy ponies. “Look honey, our son has a new guest for us! And by the looks of it she seems to be royalty! Oh my! How did you ever manage that son?” a stallion asked them, presumably the father. He had a black coat and hair like his son, silver eyes, and a tail of two shades of orange too. “Well it is always certainly a pleasure to have a guest, even more so for royalty, but the daughter of the princess? Wow, that is very surprising indeed,” a mare said with almost as much enthusiasm than the father, or maybe more, it was hard to tell, presumably the mother. She had pale blue eyes like ice and white skin like snow with cherry red lips and chocolate brown hair and a black tail. There was a lot of black in this family, one black close enough to the nighttime sky. “My name is August Moon, this is my wife Winter Moon, formerly she was Winter Harvest, I have many good friends including Crystal Dawn, and also Diamond Pond, and many more, but a good friend of Shadow’s I believe is named Tempest Rose if I am not mistaken and I highly suspect that soon enough you will meet her, but enough of the introductions, it is time for us to talk as I take you on my own personal and free tour guide of this house and our history.” “Well thank you very much and I’m so glad to meet you!” “Likewise, and we’re very honored to have you here miss Flurry Heart, but if you don't mind us asking, why is it that nopony ever seems to see you around anywhere?” August asked waving his hoof around in circles. “Because my mom keeps me locked up, she’s afraid of losing me rather than making me happy,” Flurry replied very despondently. “Ah, yes, I see, but come, let us not dwell on matters of the past because I find that always makes for a very sour mood and I do not like to have that, yes, it is important to address such matters, but only as the time need be and only as much as it is healthy, and it is certainly not healthy to keep fearing life rather than living in it and learning to enjoy it, we’ve all had our fair share of trials here, even me, but we must all move on with life, and I trust that no matter how long it takes she will come around, the later she does will only be another regret, but sometimes no matter how hard or how much we try we cannot change a ponies mind or force them to be ready sooner than they will be. But come, I don't wish to discuss matters like this with you unless you wish to, after all, I have a tour to conduct and I will always try to make my guests satisfied,” August said smiling as he straightened out his black bow-tie on his white shirt and black collar suit as he trotted along into another room which looked to be like a library. “This is our library, and in the back here…” he said leading them to a back-room door, “This is our history section filled with all sorts of knowledge, and oh look, here on the wall is a portrait of my younger brother September, and then there is my sister December,” he said pointing to the portraits. September had green eyes and black hair with a nice warm smile but a light in his eyes that made him seem curious and he had a plain brown coat, chocolate brown to be exact with a tail of two shades of orange, black, and a silver streak too, he seemed very odd and strange as he wore glasses and had ruffled hair in the photo too. December was almost exactly like Winter except she had a duller coat and an orange, red, and yellow streak in her tail as well. “Your family seems very interesting, but is there any particular reason for the names?” Flurry asked. “My parents named us after the month we were born in, but we’re a small family, I made my life here in the Crystal Empire after moving here from Canterlot where I was respected and valued, but I felt a change of pace was needed. September went to do his own thing in Ponyville and I believe he’s changed his names so many times by now that he’s not entirely sure who he is anymore, but I heard he is getting better, rather than being called Thorn Wood he is now starting to finally accept who he is after some intense care and help and choice words from other ponies. And December is in Manehattan I believe but she occasionally visits here and Canterlot, I believe she works in the fashion and jewelry industries even dipping her hoof in photography. And as for me, I work in many things, but I primarily make money in whatever my heart decides or whatever the season says is right, times change and like the moon things fade in and out of style and strength, and it is best to adapt or fail and struggle along in the strong currents of life. But that’s it for our family, and if you wanted me to I could probably tell you the names of everypony here and what they do and where they come from.” “Thank you, sir, for this information, but I didn't come here for your life story…” “Yes, indeed, the princess, I mean Cadence wanted me to give you a message,” Shadow said taking lead for Flurry who seemed nervous and off edge. “Oh, really? What is it then?” August asked slightly surprised by this. “She invites you to come at your earliest possible convenience for a meeting that apparently concerns me, that is all that she said,” he said to them. “Ah, yes, I see, well as it so happens the earliest we can come is tonight at seven, just in time for dinner, but I do hope she won't mind our company.” “I don't think it would be a trouble at all, but while you’re there can you please do me a huge favor and NOT tell my mom where I am if she asks if you’ve seen me or anything about me? She would get furious if she knew what I was doing and I probably would never be able to leave the castle again.” August scratched his chin in anger, he did not want to upset the princess, nor did he want to lie to her either, but he also knew that Flurry would one day be the ruler, perhaps; but he could understand where she was coming from in any case and wanted to gain her trust and earn other stuff too, besides, he had a nagging suspicion that she might like his son, for whom his son had a crush on just about every girl, noble and princess there ever was. “Well, I suppose so, but don't expect me to always do this unless you make sure to say please to me, after all, manners are what should make a princess, right?” he asked with a grin. “I guess they’re one thing that should make a princess, but not one that always does,” Flurry said with a nervous grin to the parents of Shadow. “Right you are, anyhow enjoy your time outside free in the world, just try not to get into much trouble and try to safe, Celestia knows what would happen to us if you got hurt, anyhow, away you go little young rascals that you are.” They giggled and grinned and did so running off into the hallways as the two parents let out a small chuckle grinning to themselves, “Children are so adorable, a mess, yes, but they are undeniably cute, that much is a fact.” “Yes, but do you think they could have a thing for each other?” “Only time will tell, and if Flurry was telling the truth she could very well fall for the first stallion she sees outside the castle,” August said plainly. “You wish,” December said now cracking a warm smile at him. “Don't you dare try to tease me otherwise I'll have to punish you,” he said. “Well maybe that’s what a big bad old mamma like me wants from you.” “Perhaps, but not right now, first we must get ready for royalty and maybe even perhaps a dinner too, come, let us away and get prepared for a night of talk.” “Why do you always have to be so old fashioned?” “I’m not always old fashioned, I just like using it when I talk, that’s all.” “Sure thing, right, whatever you say honey,” December replied back to him very sarcastically turning her back on him and trotting back to their room. “Don't you dare take that tone with me or no desserts for a week!” “But whatever shall I do without my desserts?” she asked him. “I don't know, find a way to live on but please stop being such a pest about it!” “The only pest around here is you, after all, you’re the one that ALWAYS BUGS me and if you’re the disease then I’m the cure,” she said with a sultry grin. “Really? Were you even trying on that pun?" August asked groaning to himself and doing a hoof-palm directly to his face in frustration. “Yes, I was, do you have a problem with my puns or jokes?” she asked him. “No, I just have a problem with you trying to make my life miserable.” “I am doing nothing of the sort, I am here to make you happy August my dear.” “Fat load of a good that ever did to me, but can we please agree not to talk or fight for the rest of the night even while we’re getting dressed and ready for this?” “Sure thing, if you can agree not to be an idiot,” she said. “I hate you so much right now,” he said with a low growl. “Same back at you, same back at you…” she said. And with that said their agreement was struck as they slowly started to get dressed and ready for the night not knowing exactly what was to come of it. Meanwhile… Flurry Heart and Shadow decided to go wherever Flurry wanted to by a list of recommended places to go provided by Shadow himself, and Flurry decided to go to the carnival fair first for some strange and odd mysterious reason that Shadow questioned at first but then he quickly decided to roll with whatever came next no matter what it might be. “So, have you ever been to something like this?” Shadow asked with a big smile while Flurry had to use her hooves to aim a water pistol at a row of targets and failed to hit any of them. “Once or twice when I was very little and young it was before my dad died…” “I suppose all your best memories are with him then?” he asked. “Well, yes, after he died mom wasn't the same and things have been getting gradually worse ever since and now as a result I don't even have a cutie mark which I am surprised that you still haven't mentioned that little detail, it seems like you would’ve noticed something like that being such an observant pony.” “Well, I’m not always observant, even the best ponies can be completely oblivious to something right in front of their face, but I try my best,” “Yes, well right now my best can't seem to hit one silly stupid target.” Shadow grinned at her, “Oh come on! Everypony should know that these kinds of games are always rigged! But if you pay enough attention to details then you can easily overcome their little flaws, and if you ask nicely enough I'll tell you how to win, heck I might even show you how to win every single game here.” “Very well then, will you please show me how to do it?” “Yes, of course princess, you see you think you’re aiming straight? Right? Don't answer that, of course you do, but if you look closely enough you can see the stream of water is tilting to the left and downwards so in order to compensate you should go upwards and right just like this,” he said putting a hoof on the noddle gently guiding her hooves into the right position drawing dangerously close to her and for a moment it seemed like they were touching feeling the warm fur pressing against each other as their hearts and breathing seemed to match even if only for a brief moment, but that moment seemed like an eternity to them. Shadow awkwardly coughed and stepped away from her smiling at her as she was handed a small prize which was a nice big fluffy teddy bear, “There, are you happy yet princess or do you wish for some more tips and advice?” “I think that some more advice is due,” Flurry said with a smile back at him. “Very well then, if my lady will follow me I shall show you all the tips and tricks of these silly little games,” he said with a bow to her. “You can act like such a gentlecolt at times and you seem so silly and random and odd and crazy and eccentric, I love it!” she said. “Well, I can act however I want whenever I want in whatever quantities I want, after all, the world doesn't mold or shape who I am, only I decide what to be influenced by and also who I can inspire and influence in return, but come, we don't have all day and I have so many wonderful and amazing things to show you, and as they say, so much to do, and so little time in which to do it.” She smiled and gladly followed alongside him with a huge grin as they went and got some popcorn and cotton candy to add to their cart of ever growing prizes that they would soon collect over the course of their fun little trip. Meanwhile… August and Winter had finished up getting ready for the night and were dressed very well and appropriately as they knocked on the large stone-cold doors which marked the entrance to the elaborate palace, soon enough a guard came to greet them and they told him their names and also their business and he told them to wait while he verified this information and soon enough he came back and told them to follow him, but never once did he ever smile at him. The guard took them to the main throne room where Cadence sat looking completely bored, empty, cold and lifeless as the rest of the room was, even to Winter whom she could stand and even enjoy the cold the room still felt cold and unnatural to her which was very odd and strange, but she couldn't place why she felt that way but she did have many possible reasons as to the why. Cadence sighed and looked up at the two of them with a vacant expression, “You are August and Winter Moon the parents of Shadow Moon, are you not?” she asked them bluntly. “Yes, we are, but may we ask why we are here in your presence?” “Yes, you may, but the reason you are here is very simple, to talk, but I suppose that due to the time you two would like some dinner?” she asked them. “Oh yes, that would be greatly appreciated princess,” they said bowing to her. “Very well then, it shall be as you wish, guards, tell the cooks to prepare a meal for our guests here, and in the meantime, I shall do my best to talk with them.” The guards nodded and bowed and quickly left the room while the two parents nervously glanced around. “Now then, while we wait for the meal to be prepared let us talk about more important and serious matters, shall we?” “Uh, yes, if that is what your majesty so wishes of us to do…” Cadence rolled her eyes at all the formality but she would rather have that then them calling her Cadence or even worse, a friend, “It is, now then, what can you tell me about your son? What is he good at?” “Our son? Well he’s currently the same age as your daughter and enrolled at Canterlot High with a GPA of 4.0 and he is doing very well in every field of study that he puts his heart and mind in, or at the very least his will and effort. His cutie mark is very simple, an ace of hearts and a joker and jack of diamonds card on his flank, we have interpreted it to mean a jack of all trades as he seems to be naturally good at anything he tries even if it is his very first time doing it.” “Yes, very interesting, but what can you tell me about his character?” “His character?” “His attitude, his charm, his appeal,” Cadence said with another roll of her eyes, “Is he trustworthy? What has he done with his life? Does he have a job yet?” “Oh, well that’s easy, he is very trustworthy and has never made a promise that he couldn't keep, that’s a thing with our family, trust runs deep and promises are something you have to know for absolute certain 100% that not only can you do it, but that you will be able to do it and actually do it as you say. And broken promises would never be taken lightly in our family. And no, he does not have a job yet, but if he did I’m sure he would be very good at it.” “Yes, thank you, is there anything else that you can think of to tell me about him? Anything at all, every little detail will help me to paint a picture of him.” “Well no, not really, unless you count the fact he is really smart and good at games and being what he wants to be whenever he wants, even we can't always predict what he’s going to do half of the time,” they said. “I don’t know if I should count that, but if that is all then I suppose I am satisfied, but come, let us go to the dining table, I’m sure that the food will be here soon enough, and if we do have to wait I’m sure that you can entertain me with tales and stories about the rest of your family but in particular about your son.” “Okay, very well then, as you wish your majesty,” they said with a bow following her as she gave yet another sigh and eye roll, something that was becoming very common for her these days. She took them to the dining room and they waited for the food to come as they talked about Shadow and the rest of their family too. Meanwhile… Flurry and Shadow were not in the top of a Ferris wheel enjoying the view as it currently was stuck unloading and reloading passengers. “Wow, this is amazing, this is incredible, I only wish that I had a camera to take pictures of everything,” she said smiling at him giggling eating the last of the popcorn and cotton candy. “I can't believe that you devoured the cotton candy and popcorn without even asking me if I wanted some, shame on you, a princess should know better than that, after all, I was the one to but you it,” he said with a smile at her. “I’m complimenting the view and you’re complaining about me eating food?” “Yes, I am, but I do agree the view is wonderful and spectacular.” “How can you talk about the view when you’re the one complaining?” “Ah, but how can you try to switch the subject?” he asked her. “You’re the only one doing that,” she said. “Maybe, but did you see what I did back there?” he asked her. “Yes, I think so, but can we please just sit back and relax and enjoy the view?” “Sure thing, and next time I’m sure you will have a camera,” “If there is ever a next time for stuff like this,” she said. “Hey, don't think like that, just sit back and relax and enjoy the view, although there is one thing that would make the view at least ten times better.” “And what would that be?” she asked. “Some popcorn and cotton candy,” he said with a smile aimed directly at her. “Shadow! You are such a tease, just stop it already!” she said with a giggle. “Ah, but you seem to be enjoying this almost as much as I am and I would never want to take something like that away from you because your smile is like a thousand suns warming up my day and my body, my very heart, soul and mind scream for the sweet warm relief of that smile to be seen again, I would never want to see you cry, but if you did I would gladly wipe away your tears, and your hair is like cotton candy, sweet and unique, and stylish too, every part of you is undeniably cute and awesome and amazing and I wish nothing more than to make you happy in any way that you wish no matter how hard it is for me, and I will always try my best to be here for you no matter what happens to us.” “Shadow, that is literally the sweetest and nicest thing that anypony has ever said to me, thank you, but I honestly don't know if I even deserve the praise…” “And why not? What have you ever done wrong in your life my dear princess?” “Plenty of embarrassing things when I was just a little foal.” “I’m sure that we all have, but even that would still not diminish your glory nor take away how amazing and truly wonderful and incredible you are, and every praise that anypony speaks of you, mine included you deserve, every little bit of it because all of it would be undeniably true forever and ever even after the stars have long gone away and their glory fade yours shall still remain bright as ever.” “Stop it, you’re making me blush!” she said. “And that still makes you look even more cute, is there any part of you that can ever not be truly wonderful and incredible and amazing and cute and splendid?” “Okay you seriously need to stop repeating yourself,” she said. “Perhaps I will if you ask nicely enough or give me a reason to shut up.” “Well maybe I will, after all, you never know, right?” she asked. “Indeed,” he said gazing deep into her eyes lovingly as she gazed back, and almost at the same time they touched hooves and slowly started to lean in and… “Hey kids, are you going to get off this ride or what?” asked the station guard. They both blushes intensely not even realizing that the ride was not at the bottom and it was their turn to get off, “Sorry sir, we’ll be right off,” “You better be, I don't get paid to watch lovers lollygag over each other.” The stallion said muttering and grumbling to himself angrily as they got off. “Well, that ride certainly was more exciting than I thought it would be.” “Agreed, but hey, if we’re done here do you want to go grab some popcorn and maybe catch a movie tonight if you’re still free that is?” “Well, maybe, I would certainly love to, but if I don't get home soon my mom might think something is up and I would never get to leave the castle again or see you again either and I think that would be terrible for both of us.” “It would, but trust me, I would always find a way to see you again my dear.” “That seems impossible but also reassuring at the same time too.” “Don't ever say anything is impossible unless you see it for yourself.” “Huh, I suppose that’s true, but when can I see you again?” “How about next Friday at the same time? Will that work out for you?” “Yes, of course it will, I’m free all week if you ever need me,” she said. “Well then, that sounds like a plan and a date,” he said. “Well I suppose it is settled then, see you again soon.” “Yes, I suppose that is true, but may I ask one more favor of tonight please?” “And what would that favor be exactly?” she asked him. “Simple, would you please allow me the honor of escorting you home to make sure that you arrive in good and safe condition as you left the place?” She smiled at him warmly, “Yes, of course I would, your wish is granted.” He smiled at her, held out his hoof to her and she smiled and blushed as he gently and slowly guided back to her home which was more like a prison to her, but maybe less so now with the hopes of seeing Shadow again. Meanwhile… “Wow, that dinner was amazing and fantastic and just splendid and wonderful and incredible, I mean just wow, how did you ever manage to get such good cooks your majesty?” August asked after they were done. “Simple, money, I find it solves many problems of life,” Cadence said. “Agreed, but not every single problem, right?” August asked. “Indeed, if that were the case I would hate to imagine what life would be like.” “I would imagine that it would be very bad for poor ponies.” “Most likely, and probably a few other things as well, but tell me, do you think it would be wise or even safe for my daughter to be friends or maybe even something more perhaps to your son?” Cadence asked them. “Yes, of course we do, he’s not the kind of pony to take advantage of another pony, and he would never even dare to try to hurt her much less imagine it.” “Yes, I see, well, I trust you two, and I suppose that I can trust him, I hope the dinner is good, it is too bad that my daughter is not here to join us but I expect that she will probably be joining me sooner or later, but I have not seen her around the castle as of late for today it seems unusually quiet and I have no idea why, it’s almost as if she is gone, but I know that this simply cannot be the case.” “Yeah, totally, I’m sure she’s sulking in her own room like a teenager or doing whatever a princess does at a time of day such like this is,” August said nervously trying not to slip up and accidentally give away Flurry Heart and her trust too. “You seem nervous, is everything alright in your family? Any pressing problems or secrets that you need to get off of your chest?” Cadence asked them. “Nope, not at all, why would you think that?” August asked her again getting more and more nervous and worried by the second as beads of sweat started to form on his head slowly dripping down his face as he nervously wiped them away from his face with one of the plain white table napkins laying around. “Alright then, if you say so, but I think I have all that I need to know and my hunger is satisfied, I think that it is time for me to retire and perhaps check up on my daughter to see how well she is doing,” Cadence said getting up. August internally swore to himself trying to think of an excuse to delay her, “Wait, do you know the names of the cooks that cook this and do you ever bother to personally thank them? And aren't you going to tell us anything about yourself or was this whole entire trip just trying to get to know us and what we are like?” Cadence slowly turned to them with a sigh, “Yes, I do know the names of every cook that made this lovely meal for us, and on occasion as I see fit I do personally thank them, but they already know my thanks by now, and yes, this was for me to know you, after all, I do not think that I have anything important or relevant to say to you that you cannot already read in the newspapers, now then, if there are no further questions I will retire for the night in peace please.”  August struggled for something else, anything else, but could come up with nothing except for one small thing before Cadence could trot away. “Wait! Surely you can take us on a tour of your castle if that is not too much of a favor to ask from your royal majesty?” he asked with a nervous and strained smile. Cadence pondered this request thoughtfully before replying, “I do not give personal tour guides to all guests that come through this castle nor do I have the patience for them either and while I do appreciate the work and effort of your family that does not guarantee you a tour from me, not even nobles are granted everything that they wish for, and I will not make exceptions to my own rules, now then goodnight and please, no more requests or interruptions from you.” August sighed and nodded as Cadence slowly trotted away as a guard escorted them back out to the front doors and slammed the doors roughly in their faces. “Well, that could have gone much better,” Winter said once they were outside. “Being with royalty threw me off my game, okay? Besides I’m sure everything will work out in the end, I just hope that Flurry Heart made it back safe and alright and that if she does get caught that she won't get into too much trouble.” “You ask too much of fate my dear husband,” Winter said. “Better to ask for more and never receive than not ask enough and never receive,” “You have a very strange and odd way of thinking,” she said to him. “Yes, of course I do, I’m always like that,” he said back to her. “Remind me why I married you again,” she said. “Because I believe you called me cute handsome and smart I think.” “And I clearly underestimated your ability to annoy others.” “Yes, you did, but to be fair everypony does, but come, since we can't stay here any longer we might as well go home and read a bit and wait for Shadow to come back, after all, it’s not like we have anything else important to do today,” “Agreed,” she said smiling and gently following his lead back home. Meanwhile… Shadow had somehow successfully managed to sneak the both of them past the guards outside and using his powers of levitation he flew up with her to her window and it was only now that Flurry noted that his entire family seemed to be unicorns (although there might be a few specks of Pegasus ancestry in there somewhere, but Flurry couldn't say for sure). “Well, I’m glad we got home safe, but I still can't believe that you got us past the royal guards again.” “Trust me darling, I doubt I will ever cease to amaze you with wonder,” Shadow said smiling at her as he levitated himself onto the balcony edge and took a quick glance around her room, “Your room seems so empty and clean, but why far there not any pictures of your father on the wall or anywhere for that matter?” “Oh, that actually has a very simple explanation, you see after my father died my mom couldn't stand to see the sight of anything that reminded her of him so we had to throw out a lot of his old stuff into a storage room, and I couldn't even mention him anymore if I wanted to keep her happy, the only thing I managed to keep was a music box he gave me when I was just five, it’s the only thing that I have left to remember him by anymore,” she said looking down at the ground sadly. Shadow looked like he was more serious than his usual self now. “What about your own happiness? Doesn't that matter?” he asked her. “It is irrelevant, I’m trying to make her feel good so she can move on.” “Flurry, I don't think she’ll be ready to move on unless someone slaps her silly.” “I guess that could be true, but I just don't know what to do anymore, and I just wish I knew what was the right way to help her out,” she said. “I don't think anypony knows how to do that, you just have to keep trying.” “Yeah, well I have tried for many years now, but nothing still seems to ever work no matter how hard I try or how many times I do it or anything else either too.” “Well, just keep trying then, and if you can't do it then ask a friend.” “I suppose that could work, but I don't have any friends anymore…” “That’s not true,” Shadow said smiling at her, “You have me.” Flurry blushed intensely and looked at him, “Oh, really? How nice.” “I bet it does feel nice to have a friend after all this time being alone, but I do have a few ideas on how to make it better, I know how to make it even more special and extra wonderful, incredible, and splendid too,” he said. “And what would they be?” she asked him very curiously. “Well, I could tell you, but that would ruin the surprise of me showing you.” “Oh, really? Well then, show me what you will, I’m ready for it.” “Are you sure because I don't think you’ve ever seen anything like this.” “Trust me, I can take it, after all, I’m a princess am I not?” “Fair point,” Shadow said smiling at her as he slowly leaned in as Flurry nervously stood her ground wondering what was coming next as… “Flurry? Are you in there, I wish to talk with you,” Cadence said knocking at the door blocking their special little moment together. Flurry cursed to herself. “Another time maybe?” she asked as Shadow slowly started to levitate himself towards the ground as he waved a hoof goodbye still smiling at her. “Yes, of course, see you soon enough, my dear princess,” he said. Flurry smiled as he touched down on the ground just as the door opened. “Oh, glad to see that you’re still here, for a moment I thought you left the castle,” “No, of course not, I would never,” Flurry said blatantly lying to her. “Indeed, because that would be a very unwise and poor choice, but anyhow if you have time I would like to have a talk with you about a few important things.” “Well I suppose since I have nothing better to do, yes, you can talk with me.” “Well there’s no need to be so cold towards me,” Cadence said trotting closer to her and sitting on the edge of Flurry’s bed still looking at her. “I could say the exact same thing about you, mother,” Flurry said. “Please, don't try to act angry or sarcastic towards me during this talk because I do wish to discuss the terms of your trip which will give you the freedom that you wish, that and a few other various important things too.” “Like what for example?” Flurry asked. “Stuff usually not talked about until the time is right,” Cadence replied bluntly. “Very well then, let’s just get this over without a fight, shall we?” “I couldn't agree more. But here’s the thing, you see a pony as they get older starts to go through changes in their body and mind and other parts too. They start to grow hair in weird and odd strange places and they start to get attracted to other ponies, same sex or not and it’s important to control these urges…” “Oh my gosh, no, please tell me that you’re not serious, you’re seriously not having ‘the talk’ with me right now and here at this time?” Flurry asked. “Please, just here me out and listen, I know that you might want to rush into things or they might, but it’s still important to keep your urges under control so that way you don't make a choice that you will regret for the rest of your life.” “I seriously can't believe you’ve chosen to tell me this now rather than sooner in life or at a different time, seriously what kind of mother are you?” “The one that is always trying to keep you safe,” Cadence said. “A bit too hard because I’m still trapped in my own room!” “Please, I thought we agreed not to fight. Anyhow I don't know if you are attracted to Shadow or not, but if you ever do get attracted to somepony else please don't hesitate to tell me first and I will do my very best to support and help you through it so that way you don't make a mistake that you’ll regret for the rest of your life or an unhealthy one that will poison the both of you and make it toxic.” “Alright, fine I get it, don't rush into things, ask you for help and advice and all that good stuff, yeah friendship lesson learned can you please just leave now?” “Wait, I’m not done yet, I still have one more important thing left to say.” “And what would that be exactly?” Flurry asked furiously. “It’s very simple, it’s that I love you and I will always try my best to make you happy and safe, I just hope that even if you hate me right now that one day soon you will see that all I have tried has only ever been for your best interests to protect you and keep you safe, you might see me as selfish, but sometimes even the best of ponies acts that way during times of stress or intense grief.” “Yeah, well thanks for the talk mom, do you mind leaving me alone now.” “As you wish, just try to remember my words, alright?” she asked. “I will do my best,” Flurry said flopping onto her bed as Cadence got up and slowly left the room leaving Flurry Heart to her own silly devices. No matter what those devices might be or what they could become.