There was a gentle knock on the door.
Coco didn’t know how long she’d been there, but she decided she wasn’t done being miserable yet.
“Go away,” she whimpered.
She pulled her her pillow over her head, hoping to drown out the knocking.
It didn’t work.
“Coco? It’s Sapphire. I just want to talk.”
Coco’s attempts to will away Sapphire were unsuccessful. She wondered if a unicorn could have done it. Maybe there was a do not disturb spell. She could ask…
Someone. Someday.
“Come on, hon. I’m not mad at you. Just let me in. Please?”
The last word was pleaded so pathetically that Coco couldn’t possibly say no. She reached over and unlocked the door before immediately slumping back on her bed.
Sapphire entered, hooves quiet on the carpet. With a slight sigh, she jumped up onto the bed. Coco felt the mattress shift, but stayed hidden under her pillow. The silence was palpable.
"I’m sorry,” Coco finally whispered.
“For what?”
“For everything. Lying about who I am, taking advantage of your kindness, putting you on the spot…”
“You didn’t put me on any spot, Coco. I stood up for you of my own volition.”
Coco peered out from under her pillow. “But… why?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Sapphire grinned. “Because you’re my friend.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“Oh, I’m pretty sure I do. I may not have unlocked your tragic backstory yet, but I’m pretty sure you’re not lying about the important stuff.”
Coco paused, considering this. Then she walked over to her desk, retrieving Rarity’s letter.
“Maybe this will explain things.”
“It’s addressed to Cadance. Are you sure I can read this?”
“Yeah, sure. It’s not like it’s a state secret or anything.”
Sapphire tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter, scanning it before placing it aside.
“So yeah. That’s who I am,” Coco said. “I’m not supposed to be here. I’m just supposed to stay for a few weeks, make some uniforms, and go back home. My neighbour is watering my plants. It should’ve been a good way to advance my career. But I messed it all up because I’m completely useless.”
Sapphire crawled closer to her. “Tell me, do you like cuddling with me?”
“Yes! Absolutely!”
“And how did you like kissing me?”
Coco flushed in spite of the circumstances. “It was wonderful.”
Before she knew it, those soft lips were pressed up against hers yet again. Her heart beat faster, and with a burst of confidence she returned the kiss. Their tongues danced silently in the quiet room.
Sapphire pulled back and smiled. “See, I think you got scared, and dug yourself in deeper and deeper. One omission led to another, and before long you were in over your head. Sound about right?”
Coco nodded, not wanting to break the spell for even moment.
“But you didn’t want to hurt anyone, did you?”
A head shake.
“You found something you didn’t even know you were looking for?”
A nod.
“We all find our way here differently, Coco. What matters is that you’re here now. And there’s not going to be any more secrets, are there?”
“No.” Coco sniffed. “I think you know everything.”
“Oh, I doubt that. But I don’t want to know it all right now. That’s half the fun of dating.”
“Dating? You mean…”
Sapphire grinned. “If you’ll have me, Coco. I would love to take you out to dinner sometime.”
“That sounds really nice.”
The two of them cuddled up on the bed, nuzzling each other. Coco’s eyes were still tearing up, but now she managed to smile through them. At least until she remembered another pony who had once wanted to date her.
“What do you think Cadance will do?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry too much about her. She just needs some time to cool off. Some flowers certainly wouldn’t hurt, she’s a complete sap for stuff like that.”
“Really?”
“Oh yeah. The Princess of Love is a bit of a sentimentalist, who knew?”
“I don’t even know where I’d get flowers.”
“Oh, we have a harem florist. You haven’t met Quartz Bouquet yet?”
“I… guess not. I’ll have to look her up.”
“Him, actually. Really cute guy, usually just goes by Bo.”
“Huh.”
Sapphire elbowed her. “Somepony wasn’t paying attention during roll call.”
“Hey, I was pretty overwhelmed. I accidentally joined a harem, it was a lot to take in!”
The two of them giggled for a bit, then settled back into easy conversation. Coco felt some of the anxiety slip away. It was like releasing a breath she hadn’t known she was holding. Her secret was out and the world hadn’t ended. Sure, she had some difficult conversations ahead, but she could handle those.
There was another knock at the door.
Sapphire and Coco looked at each other, then extricated themselves. Coco ran a hoof through her mane, then got up and opened the door.
A uniformed Crystal Guard stood outside.
“Miss Pommel?” the guard asked.
“Yes?”
“Princess Cadance will see you in her sitting room now.”
All of Coco’s confidence drained in an instant. She looked back at Sapphire, who shrugged helplessly.
Coco gave Sapphire a peck on the cheek.
“Wish me luck,” she whispered.
“You got this,” the other mare replied.
Then she and the guard began the long, confusing, and silent walk towards the Royal Family’s quarters.
Coco had taken this walk a lot in the last couple days, she realised. She really ought to have memorised the path, but every time it seemed like they took an entirely different route. Maybe the castle actually shifted around. That’d explain why she’d gotten lost in the first place. That sounded like a plausible excuse.
Before she could think through the implications of that, they arrived at their destination. Maybe this guard knew a shortcut or something. Or maybe she was just distracted and trying to avoid thinking about what was to come.
Either way, the door open and Coco walked in.
“Hello, Coco. Or should that be Miss Pommel?”
Not a great start.
“Um, Coco is fine. Rarity just calls me that because she’s my boss.”
“Yes. I talked to Rarity at length about you.”
Coco swallowed. “You did?”
“She had nothing but the highest praise. Always show up on time, fantastic work ethic, very creative…”
“She’s very generous,” Coco replied.
“Hah.” Cadance didn’t look amused.
“Coco, I am going to be honest. You hurt me. I put my trust in you, and I think you betrayed that trust.”
“I… I did betray that trust. I never meant to, but I did, and I know that. I want you to know that I am so, so sorry for lying to you.”
“The lying hurt, but I think what hurt more was knowing you felt you needed to.” Candace sighed. “I thought we were connecting.”
“We were!” Coco answered just a little too quickly. “I had a really great time with you. Even if I leave forever, I’m always going to treasure that. I was just so scared, I didn’t know what to say.”
“I thought you’d gotten over being scared of me.”
Coco took a breath, trying her best to collect herself. “I… I’m not scared of Cadi, the pony I hung out with. The pony I’d really like to see again. But Princess Cadance is another story.”
Cadance sighed. “I understand. But I hope you’ll find Princess Cadance to be as friendly as not-Princess Cadance. I don’t want to be an island to my ponies.”
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry… and?”
“I… won’t do it again?”
Cadance frowned. “A wise pony once taught me every good apology has three parts. Apologise, say what you think you did wrong, and explain how it won’t happen again.”
“That… sounds pretty smart.”
“Yeah. Twilight’s a pretty smart pony.”
“She sure is.”
A break in the conversation gave Coco a moment to collect her thoughts. She had to make this right, or she might not get another shot with Cadance. And she very much wanted another shot.
“Cadance?”
“Yes Coco?”
“You invited me into your life and laid yourself out like an open book, and I didn’t pay you the same courtesy. I joined your castle under false pretenses, and didn’t tell you who I was despite being given many opportunities. I was scared and nervous, but that’s no excuse. I beg your forgiveness, and if you give me a second chance, I promise not to squander it. I will always be honest with you, and the other ponies around me. I will work on being just um... a little more assertive so I don’t get trapped in something like this again. You’re a really amazing pony, and I would love the chance to get to know you better.”
Cadance was quiet for a second, then sighed. “That’s quite a speech.”
Coco simply nodded.
“Did you mean it?”
“Every word.”
“Then I think we finally understand each other.”
Cadance leaned over and smooched Coco, right on the nose.
“Just like that?”
Coco was still expecting to be expelled or at least broken up with, and the sudden forgiveness was jarring.
“Just like that,” Cadance replied. “I have a pretty good eye for ponies, Coco. I didn’t think I’d misjudged you that badly. I think I can give you another chance.”
Coco couldn’t help it, she let out a little whinny and wrapped her forelegs around the other mare, no, her marefriend.
“Thank you so much, Cadi. Um, can I call you Cadi again?”
“I’d like that very much, Coco.”
“That’s good, because it’s a really cute name and you’re really cute and…”
“Okay, settle down filly. One step at a time.”
“Right. Sorry.”
“But I’m glad you think I’m cute. As it turns out, I think you’re something pretty special too.”
That dissolved Coco into a blushing mess quite effectively. She had just about recovered when one of the guards burst into the room, panting heavily.
As soon as he looked up, it became apparent that it wasn’t just any guard. Prince-Consort Shining Armor skidded to a halt in front of them.
“Sorry to interrupt, honey. Nice to meet you, Coco.”
“I assume this is important,” Cadance replied.
Her voice was almost even, but there was a hint of a quiver in it.
This immediately put Coco on edge. In any other circumstance she might’ve assumed this was some sort of planned interrogation routine, but Cadance’s expression made it clear this wasn’t planned.
“We’ve got a code black,” Shining said.
That sounded serious.
“He’s back?”
“Seems so. Big cloud of black smoke, crackling lightning, ominous laughter? Pretty sure it’s him.”
“Well, Rarity’s already here.”
“I already sent Twily a message. But it’ll be at least a day before the rest of the dream team gets here...”
Coco’s head was already spinning. She didn’t know a lot about the Crystal Empire, but “ominous laughter” generally wasn’t good.
“Uhm,” she said.
Both ponies looked at her.
“I don’t really know what’s going on. But is there any way I can help?”
Shining looked at Cadance, who smiled back.
“Actually, I’m pretty sure you can. What do you know about the Crystal Heart?”
“It’s… your cutie mark?”
“I’m glad you’ve been checking out my flank,” Cadance teased. “But more importantly, the Crystal Heart is what keeps the Crystal Empire safe. And it’s powered by…”
“Love?” Coco guessed.
“Exactly. That’s the real reason I have the harem. Not that I don’t like the occasional cuddle but...”
Shining laughed. “That’s the understatement of the year.”
Cadance glared at him.
“Anyways. I trust you, Coco. And I think you trust me. Maybe saving the world isn’t the most conventional second date, but… well, they say the best relationships are bred from hardship. So what do you say? Down for saving the day?”
Coco swallowed before flashing her best grin. “Sounds like fun.”