//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Flurry In Confidence // Story: Closer To The Heart // by ClandestineWing //------------------------------// Flurry Heart appeared to be a golden filly, whether or not her being an alicorn is the reason why was of no concern to her or her parents. Ever since she was a foal, Flurry had shown to be blessed with a high proficiency with conjuring magic and a razor sharp intellect, as well as shown a fierce determination and perseverance at everything she tried. Even though she was still young, she managed to have a long list of talents under her belt, and it was a list she strived to expand every day. Her only shortcoming crinkled underneath her robe every single second of every single day. It wasn’t until the age of four that Cadance and Shining Armor began to suspect something was wrong with their daughter. While being in diapers at her age sounded like something Cadance wished for herself to experience, this was a situation that called for her to be a mother and not a kinkster. Celestia forbid if Shining Armor ever found out about her foal-at-heart side. A four-year-old still in diapers wasn’t exactly anything to be skeptical about, especially since foals are such late trainers nowadays. While her still being in diapers at her age sounded normal, two straight years of having hit-and-miss experience with potty-training was not, especially not with a daughter so enthusiastic about it. After two years of helping Starlight run the School Of Friendship, Flurry’s crystaller was called upon. When Sunburst’s encyclopedic knowledge of spells failed to find a cure, they sought help from the best healers the Crystal Empire, Canterlot, and even Ponyville had to offer. Doctors prescribed impotent medicinal remedies, Zecora’s natural potions failed, and Twilight Sparkle juggled her duties to Equestria and multiple sleepless nights to turn her entire library upside-down fruitlessly hoping to find something Sunburst couldn’t. Flurry didn’t gather a solid understanding of her situation until she was in pre-kindergarten and most of her classmates were completely potty-trained, if not, at least in training pants. The following summer, she tried really hard to potty-train, being met with many different instances of failure. She didn’t know when she needed to relieve herself until the need arose, and when it did, it arose drastically, or sometimes had already been spilling into her diaper. Running or teleporting to the restroom sometimes put too much strain on her and walking took too long. She was praised whenever she did make it, even told she was making good progress, but to her, her many failures outweighed her few successful attempts, as well as outweighed her success at anything else. The crinkling in tandem with her hoofsteps seemed to grow louder every single day. Flurry Heart was homeschooled for her kindergarten year with Sunburst as her teacher and caregiver. Starlight struggled with him taking a long leave of absence so suddenly, but she said everything would be alright, not that that ever put Sunburst’s mind at ease. One day, Sunburst planned to take her down to the Crystal Palace’s library for magic practice; this was the day Flurry committed herself to keeping her diaper clean and dry. She woke up in a completely soaked diaper that morning, but that didn’t discourage her. “That doesn’t count,” she thought to herself. “Now Flurry,” Sunburst’s lesson started off with him taking out a children’s book about basic pony biology, particularly one about magic, complete with an illustration on every page, “performing magic is fun, but learning how magic works can be fun too.” He turned past the first page of happy unicorns on a fresh green field all demonstrating their magic in various ways, and onto one closed in on a horn alight in a shining magic aura. “When you use magic, your horn vibrates just a little bit. The vibrations make the energy you need so your horn can cast the spell you want.” He turned the page once more, this one with pegasi and earth ponies on the next two pages. “But unicorns aren’t the only ones who can use magic. Pegasi wings use magic to fly, and earth ponies’ magic lies in their incredible strength. Everypony has magic within them, and every one of them uses magic in their own unique way.” So far, Flurry felt fine. She felt that this was going to be an easy day; just learning magic with Sunburst. Perhaps a tiny field trip was all she needed to take her mind off of her problem. However, just as soon as she felt the most relieved, there was a calling just as sudden and unpredictable as all the others. She didn’t want to leave Sunburst so rudely, but she had to take her chance. The other issue was that the restroom in the Crystal Library was so far away; a floor higher and across the room, she had to risk teleporting. Today was the day. Maybe she could make it this time. Her horn flashed a bright gold. In that instant, she was no longer sitting at a table gazing at a book with Sunburst, but staring at a white porcelain toilet that contrasted with the washroom’s sky blue tiles, and her diaper was still untainted. This was the day. Flurry placed her front hooves on the toilet seat and her eyes widened with shrunken pupils when she felt the all too familiar feeling of herself losing her hold; the feeling of herself emptying - her body emptying itself on its own terms - and her crystal-blue diaper was filled up instead. Her fresh mess fully occupied the cavity first, gravity made her diaper tug on her waist, and what didn’t fit in the cavity pressed between her plot and the padding. This was supposed to be the day this didn’t happen. Her discouraging accident was topped off with a warm stream spreading throughout the front of her diaper so fast it took a while to wick from her coat; insult to injury. “Well… I tried...” The young alicorn said to herself, taking her hooves off the toilet seat and lighting her horn once more. She returned to Sunburst in a golden flash with a feigned smile. “Everything alright, dear?” Sunburst asked calmly. He was already used to Flurry taking off so suddenly and didn’t question why. Flurry’s smile waned, she sniffled, and then she collapsed onto the floor, then lay, resting her side on its cold surface. She wondered why she was even trying anymore. She wondered why she was even laying on her side; she didn’t even feel like she deserved the dignity of sitting in her own muck. She then threw her hooves into her watery eyes. Sunburst’s radiant horn acted to pull Flurry upright, holding her gently above the floor, to console her in his warm hooves. “It’s alright, Flurry.” Flurry returned his hug, leaving her tears in his coat. “How about we get you out of this thing, huh?” “I can’t do it. I want to potty-train so bad so I can prove to Mommy and Daddy that I can go back to school. I know I have a thing that makes it hard, but I still just want to be normal.” “Flurry Heart, you are anything but normal, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” Sunburst gently pulled her away and sternly looked into her bloodshot eyes. “There are other ponies who have the same condition you do whose lives are just fine, and you’ve mastered spells that most of them will never be able to even try to perform.” “I heard Mommy and Daddy talk about school one night. They said kids would be jealous of my magic and would make fun of my diapers to make me feel bad.” “Well, I know how to fix that one.” Sunburst replied with no hesitation, and with a smile and a cheery tone, not at all phased by Flurry eavesdropping. “We could pick out a nice wizard’s robe for you. A robe to help cover your diapers and make you look pretty stylish. Nopony asks what’s under my robe.” “Oh, okay…” “And if it makes you feel better, I can teach you how to change yourself.” “Y- Yeah. I’d like that, Sunburst.” Two weeks after that, Sunburst took Flurry to Ponyville to get her fitted for her cloak by one of the best fashion designers in Equestria. Flurry showed vigorous courage in waiting patiently for her to finally get something to cover her diapered self; not squirming or whining to be covered up by practically anything. It was kind of relieving to her to know it was the last day her diapers would be fully exposed in public. Rarity threw forth some ideas for the indecisive alicorn until she worked up the courage to say that she wanted a robe that looked like Sunburst’s. “You want one like that?” The white unicorn said, her words laced with her fancy posh accent. “Blue with teal stars and trims, darling?” “Yeah~ Wait… Actually, could I get hearts? And could they be pink?” “That sounds wonderful, dear.” Flurry stepped out of Carousel Boutique that day with a cloak she really wanted draped around her from her neck to her flanks, and with Rarity’s signature qualities. “It’s totally you, darling~” The white unicorn said to her. Flurry absolutely adored what Rarity cooked up for her. A baby pink velvet robe resting comfortably over Flurry Heart to cover the crinkling diaper taped around her flanks, almost completely concealed by how close to the ground the robe comes to, wrapping around the back of her hind hooves by fetlock length. The robe was adorned with fuschia trims and hearts around it. It was clasped together below her neck by a crystal blue heart-shaped broach that matched her eyes. She preferred to fold the collar down, instead of sporting it wide like Sunburst dd. A visit to the Castle Of Friendship was soon to follow, where Twilight said she’d meet up with them. Flurry always greatly enjoyed the time she spent with her aunt, and Twilight with her favorite (and only) niece. Twilight particularly was always ecstatic to see how Flurry’s magic practicing was going. After a gracious hug, she took Flurry into the library to encourage Flurry to show off her progress. But despite her enthusiasm to see Flurry’s magic in the works, Twilight was eager to get her outing started with Flurry. “I think that’ll do it for today, Flurry. How about we do something else now?” “Actually, aunty Twily, I want to play Hide-And-Seek.” “Oh, okay~ I’ll turn around and count to ten, then?” With a shake of her head, Flurry vanished in a golden flash. Her aunt wore a smirk. “She can’t trick me that easily,” Twilight thought in that instant. She disappeared from the library in her own magenta burst of light shortly after and began her search. Her practice with Starlight Glimmer and during many of her times babysitting Flurry helped her develop a read on where other ponies were going to teleport to. “Ah-ha! Too obvious!” Twilight proudly proclaimed as she burst into the kitchen, but no Flurry Heart. Twilight put a hoof to her chin; she was absolutely certain that was where she teleported to, most likely to raid the cookie jar. With another glance around the kitchen, Twilight discovered the small, white, porcelain jar already pilfered through, but no sign of her niece; she’d gotten much faster since the last time she visited. Twilight was then tasked with turning her castle upside-down looking for Flurry, with no success, and not even any golden flashes to indicate her switching spots like she normally did. Sunburst grabbed Twilight’s attention before she attempted to zap herself out of the library once more. Sunburst’s marigold-glowing horn levitated a book before her; opened to a specific page. Sunburst held a hoof up to his lips to keep Twilight from exclaiming reactionarily. Twilight read the page one more time before lighting up her horn. With her horn alight, she tentatively took steps around the library, stopping at one of the reading tables and looking underneath. She reached her hoof out toward thin air to boop Flurry on the nose, who giggled and materialized right there. “That’s a very advanced spell for somepony your age~” “How did you find me?” “Echolocation spell.” “You mean like a bat?” “Yes~ Such a smart cookie, you are.” Twilight replied ecstatically. “Any other spells you’ve learned since?” “I have one that turns books into ladybugs!” Flurry put on an innocently bright smile to her aunt, who held back a reactionary petrified gaze and veiled it with a smile of her own. “Uhm… Uhm…” Twilight looked as if she was about to break a sweat in that moment (or multiple sweats). “Yeah! Watch!” Flurry’s horn started to glow as she scrunched her face in concentration. “Flurry Heart, no!” Twilight shouted. Flurry didn’t seem to listen, continuing to ignite her spell for a few seconds before stopping abruptly. “Just kidding~” Flurry burst into laughter. Twilight blushed and scowled, turning toward Sunburst, who merely shrugged… Then let out a chuckle as soon as she turned away. “Very funny, guys.” Twilight quickly shook it off and put a cheery tone back in her voice. “Say Flurry, how would you like Aunty Twilight to take you all around Ponyville today?” Flurry took a glance back at her Crystaller, who gave her a confidence-filling nod. She was hesitant at first, but a glance down at the robe slung over her flanks put a smile on her face for her aunt. “That sounds like fun~” On their walk about, Flurry Heart, in her inquisitive nature, expressed her surprise at how Ponyville ponies behave much differently than Crystal ponies; with two alicorn princesses roaming the streets, she was surprised no-one approached them yet. Twilight explained to her that she lived in Ponyville for a couple of years before she earned her alicorn wings, and many years before she moved back to Canterlot. It’s easy to be comfortable with ponies in a position of power if one knew them before they attained it. Flurry sat at a turquoise table with her crystaller and her aunt. Before her, an excited pink pony placed a big bowl filled overtop with a gloriously flamboyant ice cream sundae. Vanilla with strawberry syrup on one half and chocolate on the other, whipped cream, sprinkles, caramel, and a cherry on top. Eyes wide, mouth agape, tongue hanging out, Flurry couldn’t wait to dig in. Sunburst didn’t even need to say anything past “go ahea-” to prompt her to do so. The young alicorn barely got a swallow in before the excited pink pony stood before her again, her face barely inches away from Flurry’s. “Well? How do you like it? How do you like it!?” Pinkie Pie’s mane bounced along with her giddy expressions. Flurry’s response was muffled. “Flurry darling,” Sunburst said, “don’t talk with your mouth full. Hold your hoof up to let other ponies know you’ll answer after you swallow.” Flurry gathered herself quickly in reaction to Sunburst’s words, dignantly wiping her mouth with a napkin bathed in her magic. “It’s very good, Pinkie Pie, thank you. I love it~” The pink bouncy pony gave a squeal before expressing how happy she was that Flurry liked her special concoction. Out of all of her aunt’s friends, Flurry connected with Pinkie Pie always right away; she was a filly in a grown-up’s body. She never really got to interact with other ponies her age, and this was the closest she got. The pink pony didn’t have the luxury of playing with Flurry Heart that day though, inhibited by her obligations at Sugarcube Corner that day. With her bowl stained by the melted remains and sprinkles of the sundae, Flurry was ready to depart. Twilight then suggested that they might have to take care of something, then promptly started to discreetly brush her hoof underneath Flurry’s robe, feeling the freshly warmed crinkling pant underneath. “Uhm, Aunty Twily,” Flurry said upon Sunburst raising his hoof and about to interject, “I can do that myself now.” Flurry kept a straight face about it toward her aunt despite her rosy cheeks. “Oh…” Twilight said, lowering the volume of her voice inconspicuously, “I’m sorry, Flurry. I forgot you’re not so little anymore. The bathroom is just over there, sweetheart.” “Oh, I don’t need to change yet, Twily.” “...But Flurry, sweetheart-” “Really, it’s fine. It’s conversation.” “Conver- Oh, conservation. Well you’re right, Flurry, you’re a big girl and can do this by yourself. But don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it, okay?” “Don’t worry, I won’t need it.” She said with a cocky smile. A tiny bell ringing and a cacophony of clipping hooves captured Flurry’s attention, then Twilight’s, and then Sunburst’s. Three preteen fillies with matching cutie marks stormed in to fulfill a ritual at Sugarcube Corner they’ve had since they started junior high; root beer floats at the end of the school week. “Flurry Heart~” Two of the three fillies said, their prepubescent filly intonations still present in their voices. “Cutie Mark Crusaders~” Flurry said with a bright smile. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo started cooing at her and remarking on how much she’s grown. Applebloom, however, was quiet and seemed to avoid staring at her, maybe even hiding a blush. Even though she was still pretty young, Flurry Heart quickly found admiration for the Cutie Mark Crusaders beyond just a bunch of ponies she played with when she would visit Ponyville. She admired what they did to make their mark on the world, and admired how they’ve been an integral part of many ponies’ lives since before she was even born. As a princess, Flurry knew she’d discover her destiny eventually and wasn’t in a hurry to get her cutie mark. She couldn’t imagine going through life without knowing what she was meant to be, especially when she was more worried about the possibility of not being able to be what - No - Who she was meant to be. She never received their advice directly, but through the stories she was told about them learned that everypony has problems, and that those who face them become stronger. She needed to be stronger, and with their help, she could do it without their help… But still, all the attention was nice. With a spring in her step, Flurry trotted around Ponyville with her aunt and guardian following (annoyingly slowly) behind her. She was on the verge of yelling at them to hoof it, but a cyan pegasus casting a shadow beside her caught her attention. She looked up into the sunlight-drenched sky with a hoof across her forehead to veil her eyes. The very instant she recognized her, she brought herself beside the pegasus in a literal flash. Flurry’s wings spread and flapped against the breeze. “What’s up, Squirt?” For a split second, Flurry tacked on a frown. The last time she called her “Squirt”, she didn’t take it too well; she was still insecure about her condition. But this time, it wasn’t really bad. It was endearing, in fact, funny even, and that was what she loved about Rainbow Dash; she was cocky and not intimidated by anything, especially not by being in the presence of a princess. Flurry wasn’t used to being talked to like that like anypony else. Rainbow Dash was so cool. Flurry thought to herself if she really changed her demeanor that much in such a short amount of time. “Hey Rainbow! No Wonderbolt uniform today? Is it your day off? Is this what you’ve been doing all day?” “Well, I slept in quite a bit. I got up about an hour ago and you’re looking at what I did after that.” “Rainbow Dash, it’s two in the afternoon.” She remarked with a chuckle. “That’s an early rise for a day off for me. What brings you to Ponyville, Squirt?” “Mommy and Daddy had to go to marriage counseling today, so I’m hanging out with aunty Twily~” Flurry replied with an undaunted smile. “Oh- Oh…” “Just kidding~ They’re in Canterlot on ‘royal business’” she said with a snide twinge in her tone, “and they asked if I wanted to hang out with Twily this weekend~” “Oh, well I’m glad your parents are fine, then.” Rainbow said with a nervous chuckle. Flurry giggled in response. “I thought you knew everything while you were in the sky~” Rainbow promptly flew into Flurry, holding her close and roughing up her mane. The young alicorn laughed loudly. “You’re such a stinker~” The alicorn’s laugher calmed as Rainbow pulled away. She was unphased by that comment as well. “That’s a pretty snazzy robe you’re sporting. You got that from Rarity, right?” “Yup~ How’d you know?” “I’ve known that mare for years. I may not be a fashion queen like her, but I know her style well enough. Buuut, you might not want to wear it in the summer.” “I plan to get a summer weighted one too. I got it all covered, Rainbow.” Should she make a joke about it? What would Rainbow Dash do if this was her? What if Rainbow Dash was the incontinent one? “I literally got it covered.” Rainbow Dash exhaled through her nose to suppress a laugh, then cracked a toothy smile. “You’re a tough cookie, Flurry Heart. Reaching as high into the sky as you can and letting nothing drag you down.” “The sky is blue above everyone’s head, Rainbow. Thank you~” “For what?” “For being twenty percent cooler every single day.” Rainbow flew off with a warm smile on her face and a golden flash right behind her. The day after Flurry’s thrilling weekend in Ponyville, she was on a train back to the Crystal Empire. Shining Armor and Cadance had come back from their business trip in Canterlot and awaited Flurry and Sunburst’s return. After settling in, unpacking, and changing herself, Flurry asked Sunburst to sit Shining and Cadance in the living room. “Is everything alright, Sunburst?” The pink alicorn asked him. “Did something happen in Ponyville?” “Oh no, there’s nothing to be concerned about. Your daughter simply would like to talk with you.” “I don’t quite understand-” Flurry entered the living room in her typical fashion. She appeared before her parents from a burst of light. Her chin was held up and she held a stern and serious expression the entire time. She thought it was the most formal and regal look she could muster. Sunburst, gesturing with his hoof and stepping aside, let Flurry have the floor. “Flurry Heart, what’s this about?” Shining Armor asked with a raised brow. With a deep breath and a slow blink, Flurry began her speech. “Mom, Dad, I have something to say, and I need you to listen and wait until I’m finished.” The two looked at each other, then back at their daughter. Shining perched forward and Cadance leaned back within the couch, both of them giving her their complete captivated attention. “I’m a big filly. I’m a princess. I’m not sure what being a princess is all about, but I know I’ll learn with time. But I’ll only learn if I’m treated like everypony else first; being around everypony else. “I know you want me to stay home for school because of my problem, and I know you think it’s probably better that way, but… But I’m a stronger pony than that. I can make it sometimes, and I can - No - I will change my own diapers by myself if I don’t. “I’m growing up. If I want to do something, I will work hard to do it. If I run into a problem, I’ll deal with it. And if I ever need any help, I’ll know who to come to… So I want to go to a normal school like everypony else… And… That’s it…” Her parents gazed at each other, and both of them wore a very proud smile. “Yay, my favorite dragon!” Flurry quickly embraced the little purple dragon opening the door in both her front hooves. She had just arrived in Canterlot that evening, riding a train with Sunburst. While Flurry grew a couple of inches, Spike didn’t seem to grow at all since the two years she walked around Ponyville with Twilight, and since she started going to school. “It’s great to see you too, Flurry Heart.” Spike replied with his claws gently hugging her back, but only briefly so he can show his guests inside. “Twilight’s in the library; she should be finishing up with her guest about now.” “I wasn’t aware she was having other ponies in her castle today.” Sunburst tilted his head in place of putting a hoof to his chin, still following the young dragon. “You know how princesses can be. There’s always something going on, especially since Celestia and Luna retired. I’ve lost count of how many times Equestria needed saving a long time ago.” Faint voices emanated through the stairway as Spike led Sunburst and Flurry down toward Twilight’s library. One of the voices was well-presumed to be Twilight’s, but the other belonged to a stallion. “Oh, I know where she is!” Flurry said with a wide smile. Sunburst urged her to wait, but by then, Flurry was already gone in a golden flash, followed by brief startling echoing through the stairs. Another voice was thrown into the mix, which Sunburst was sure he recognized as Starlight Glimmer’s. With a sigh, the orange stallion continued to follow Spike to the library. The unicorn thought he’d recognize the male voice as it became clearer, but it only grew more unfamiliar to him. “I mean, it takes a lot of practice to really get a feel for neural oscillations, but like I told Twilight before, I can’t teleport to save my life.” “So are you psychic?” An enthusiastic Flurry voice boomed. “Can you read minds? Can you see the future? Can you tell what I’m thinking right now?” The stallion gave a short chuckle to all of Flurry’s questions. “No, technically no, no, and you’re thinking that I can tell what you’re thinking right now.” “Aunty Twily, he’s good~” Sunburst found the ponies congregated at one of the study tables; Flurry, Twilight, Starlight, and a male unicorn he didn’t recognize, his mane red-orange with contrasting red eyes. “Well, I think I’ll take my leave for the day.” The red-maned unicorn said. “No wait, don’t go!” Flurry said. “Try to find me first!” And in another golden flash, Flurry was gone. “Flurry, come on out.” Twilight said. “I don’t think he has enough time for-” “It’s okay, I can find her.” The stallion only took a couple of hoofsteps around the library before crouching down and pressing his hoof against an invisible Flurry’s nose. “Here she is.” Flurry reappeared before him. “How did you know?” “I feel other ponies’ emotions, remember? I just had to follow where yours were coming from.” Mind prepared again to take his leave before Twilight stopped him to whisper in his ear. “I suppose I could, if that’s alright with her.” Twilight turned to her niece with a smile. “Flurry, could you let Mind try another trick?” Flurry enthusiastically nodded, then remained still upon Twilight’s command. Sky blue magic radiated from Mind Fission’s horn. The overwhelming amount of bouncing brimming life within her magic almost distracted him from the task given to him by the princess. After almost a minute of magically examining Flurry, the magic around Mind’s horn faded as he cracked a smile. “Well, you certainly are special. I’ve never felt anypony with magic as vivacious as yours; not even Princess Celestia.” “I get told something like that a lot~” Flurry said, still smiling. Her attention was then drawn toward Spike calling her name and saying he wanted to show her something. She eagerly followed the young dragon. Twilight cleared her throat before she dared to ask the question. “So… What do you think?” “Well, I assume she was diagnosed with stress incontinence, correct?” Sunburst confirmed with Mind’s inquiry. “The fascia in her pelvic floor is incredibly weak. There really isn’t much that can be done about that.” “Not even with your magic?” “Even I can’t create muscle tissue, Twilight. I’m sorry.” “It’s not your fault,” the purple mare replied, “I just figured I’d ask. She’s been taking it well lately, but she did have a hard time with it a couple years ago.” Another burst of gold light flashed before the three ponies. “So is there a cure for me?” Flurry asked enthusiastically. “That was what you were talking about, right?” Mind was hesitant to answer, looking at Twilight and Sunburst in hopes of a response from one of them first. It didn’t take a pony with the red-maned stallion’s abilities to tell their tongues were stayed by rampant nerves. “No cure yet, I’m afraid.” Mind said, nervousness completely masked. Twilight and Sunburst gave him a skeptical gaze. “What? I didn’t say I was done honing my skills. But no, no cure yet, Flurry.” Flurry’s eye-contact broke to the floor and her lips pursed for a very brief moment before she looked back up at the red-eyed pony with a warm smile. “That’s okay~ I’ve gotten over it. I’m not my disability, I’m Flurry Heart~” “Well then, I’d say you already found your best cure; confidence.” “I am very confident~ I’m confident because my life is my own.” Mind gave a chuckle as he turned and started to let himself out. “Well Flurry, I have to be going. Dazzle me if we ever meet again.” “I’ll practice hard~” “And hey, if you’re my patient in ten years, I can recommend some good brands.” “But I like my robe.” Mind halted himself at the stairs up. “I wasn’t talking about the robe, dear.” Flurry blushed, but chuckled at the notion. “Anyway, I better not miss my train back to Ponyville. Mantra has been aching for me to come home this weekend.” “I thought you go home every weekend.” Twilight asked with a raised brow. “I do.” “We should probably be getting ready too.” Sunburst said. “The Canterlot Theater’s quite a walk away from here.” Crinkles were hidden within the congestion of voices throughout the theater as Flurry took her seat, her pink robe concealed the source. The stage below the balcony was well lit and barren underneath a giant banner with a logo for the Ponyville Philharmonic String Quartet. Starlight Glimmer started talking about dinner plans for after the concert, mentioning that her and Sunburst went to a nice steak restaurant the last time they were in Canterlot. Before they could decide, the lights dimmed, and strings started fading in within the sudden darkness of the pitch black theater.