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// Chapter 27: Crystalling Plans & Dinner with Starlight and Sunburst 
// Story: A Place in Equestria 
// by GoebelTron 
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At the castle, Twilight and her friends, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance sat in the dining hall for breakfast, which were pancakes that were topped with fruits and whipped cream. Some of them were plain, while the other two had either blueberries or chocolate chips. “Bahaaa!” Flurry squirmed excitedly. “Shhh, don’t worry, sweetie. Mommy’s gonna get your breakfast ready. Just hold on,” Cadance said, as she brought a bowl of mashed bananas over and then fed her a spoonful, and continued giving her more spoonfuls while she ate her breakfast.

Fluttershy was feeling a little let down while eating her breakfast. “You alright, sugarcube?” Applejack asked. “I’m just worried about my little Thomas. I know King Sombra’s up to something that involves my baby, but what would he need him for?” Fluttershy explained. “I don’t know, darling. But whatever it is, it won’t be that good,” Rarity said. After Flurry was done with her breakfast, Cadance lifted her up, and gently patted her back until she let out a small burp. “So, how did everypony sleep?” Twilight asked. They all replied with “good”, “pretty nice,” and “wonderfully.”

“Aunt Luna told me about his nightmare about Sombra’s second attempt,” Cadance replied while rocking Flurry gently and holding her against her chest. “Aww... poor thing,” Rarity said with sorrow. “I just hope Starlight and Sunburst are doing alright,” Fluttershy said. “Fluttershy, as long as Starlight promised to keep him safe, he’ll be fine,” Twilight said, and then hugged her friend.





Later on, as the others finished all finished coming up with ideas until the sun was slowly setting, Sunburst and Starlight thought of an idea to do something sweet for Thomas. Starlight went over to him, and saw him and Spike playing Dragon’s Pit. “Thomas? Sweetie, me and Uncle Sunburst have been thinking about something with Spike while you were napping. Do you want to come to dinner with us?” Starlight asked. “Really?” Thomas asked, then Starlight nodded. “Yeah. I guess I’m pretty hungry,” Thomas said. Starlight giggled and kissed his nose, “Alright, honey. You may want to wear something formal, but it doesn’t have to be too formal. Just wear whatever you want.” Thomas nodded and went upstairs to get changed. “Trixie? Do you want to come with?” Starlight asked. “Trixie will be honored, plus I bought myself a dress as well,” she said.

“Starlight? I got you something for you,” Sunburst said. “Could you close your eyes?” Starlight nodded and closed her eyes, until she felt something being placed around her neck. “Okay, open them,” Sunburst said. Starlight then opened her eyes and saw a silver necklace with a blue topaz heart on a silver pendant neck piece. “You got me this... for my dress?!” Starlight asked. “I just thought you might like it,” Sunburst said, until Starlight kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks, Sunburst,” she said. “You’re welcome,” Sunburst said.

After they were ready, they left the house and went to the most famous cafe in the Crystal Empire, where some ponies would go, either for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It was a big building that looked red and orange crystal and a little bit bigger and larger than the other crystal buildings with circular windows that open, and two opening doors to welcome their guests.

When they entered the cafe, Thomas saw a red carpet on a big tiled floor that lead to a colorful matching carpet all over the restaurant. He then saw a grayish tan crystal stallion come over, and as he suddenly felt nervous, Thomas hid himself underneath his Auntie Starlight and used her forelegs for comfort. She looked down with a warm smile, and then used her right hoof to comfort him while he hugged her left foreleg and nuzzled his cheek softly with the fur.

Sunburst was wearing a dark blue tuxedo with a royal blue tie with gold stripes, Trixie was wearing a dress that looked like her magician cape, but it was styled as a Gala dress, and she had glittery pale cornflower blue shoes on her forehooves, Starlight wore her dress and purple shoes from her first Grand Galloping Gala, including the neck collar and necklace Sunburst gave her earlier, and Thomas wore his clothes from his welcome home party at Canterlot. Spike wore nothing except for a nice sweater that was dark purple with a green doodled zigzag line and light sand green rings on the sleeves, bottom edge and crest. He had a white shirt underneath, too.

“Good evening, and how are we today?” the gentlecolt asked. “Oh, we’re doing good,” Sunburst said. “Is there anyway we can get a table for 5? Including my nephew right here?” Starlight asked as she raised her left foreleg with one of her shoes on, and then the stallion looked at Thomas. “Ah! I see! So, it’s a date, but with other friends?” he asked. Starlight and Sunburst both nodded. “Very well. Then follow me and I will lead you to your table.” They followed the kind stallion to their table and took their seats.

When they were seated, Thomas sat closer to his Auntie Starlight and then he received a hug from her. “Don’t worry, honey. It’ll be okay now,” Starlight said. Thomas nodded and then looked at the menu, as the others did. Later on, they took their orders and then they each ordered some water, and then their waiter came back with their meals. Starlight ordered a nice creamy potato and leek soup, Sunburst ordered a baked potato with a caesar salad, Trixie ordered a toasted daisy sandwich, Thomas ordered some sautéed pierogis that were cooked with butter and salt and a side dish of steamed broccoli and little baked potatoes with melted butter as a dipping sauce, and Spike ordered a salad, but with baby blue sapphires.

“This is really, really good food, Auntie Starlight. Just like in my world,” Thomas said, after swallowing. “I’m glad you like it, sweetie. This is a actually something Sunburst was kind to agree on,” Starlight said. “That’s right. And anytime you want to do this place for a date or if I’m in Ponyville, just let me know,” Sunburst said. “Trixie’s meal is simply divine,” she said. “So is mine,” Spike said. “Auntie Starlight? Do you think Momma will be okay? I’m kinda worried about her feeling worried about me,” Thomas said. “Aww... Oh, sweetie. Don’t feel let down right now. Your mom would want you to be strong, wouldn’t she?” Starlight said, hugging her nephew. “Yeah, I guess she would. It’s like I feel her heart breaking,” Thomas said. “Don’t worry, honey. She’ll be just fine. Auntie Twilight and the others will take care of her. But as long as you have me, Uncle Sunburst and your Auntie Trixie, you’ll feel safe and warm like how your mom keeps you,” Starlight said sweetly, and then he kissed him softly on the top of his head, and then they continued with dinner.

A few minutes later, they have finished their meals as they placed their knives and forks down on their plates, and then their waiter came back to take their plates and gave them some dessert menus. “Auntie Starlight? I need to go to the bathroom,” Thomas said. “Waiter?! Do you where the gentlecolt’s restroom is?” Starlight asked. “Gladly! It’s right there on your right,” the waiter pony said pointing at the right where two doors showed two signs with two white ponies, but one had a mare in a red sign and the other had a stallion in a blue sign. “Thanks,” Starlight said, then she stood up to let Thomas climb off the seat and stand on the floor. He then walked over to the gentlecolt’s room, and used the restroom.

After a few minutes of using the restroom and washing his hands afterwards, Thomas came out of the gentlecolt’s restroom as the door closed behind him, and then he walked back to the table as he saw one of his Auntie Starlight’s purple shoes.

Meanwhile, Sunburst, Starlight and Trixie were looking at their dessert menus trying to decide what to have for dessert, but Spike just decided to get a nice sundae with gem chips.

“Ooh, I think I’ll try that vanilla mousse cheesecake with the strawberries and sauce on top,” Starlight said. “I’ll probably have a piece of caramel apple cake,” Sunburst said. “Trixie shall go with a piece of this scrumptious minty chocolate cheesecake,” she said. “Auntie Starlight?” Thomas’s voice came back, and then his auntie levitated him onto her lap instead of next to her, until she thought of an idea for him. “Thomas, do you want a chocolate brownie with a small sundae on top?” Starlight asked. Thomas nodded, and then hugged her, “Thanks for bringing me, Auntie Starlight.”

Starlight kissed him on the forehead and hugged him back, “You’re welcome, sweetheart.” Then they ordered their dessert and waited for it to come. While they were waiting, Thomas cuddled with his aunt for a while, until their waiter came back with their dessert and then they enjoyed them. “How’s your brownie and sundae?” Sunburst asked. “They’re good,” Thomas replied, before he took another bite. His brownie was the size of the ice cream dish and had chunks of chocolate inside, and his sundae consisted fresh vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream and a cherry on top.





After they finished dessert and paid for their meals and desserts, they left the cafe and went back to Sunburst’s house, while Starlight help Thomas in her right foreleg. Thomas wrapped his arms around her hoof, and softly stroked her fur, and he also rubbed his full tummy.

“You okay, sweetheart?” Starlight asked. “Yeah, I’m just a little bit tired, but I’ll be okay,” Thomas said. “How about if I give you a nice, warm bath and then we can cuddle for a little while?” Starlight asked. “Okay,” Thomas said. “Look, I know I’m not your mother, but I’m just trying to make sure she knows that you’re being taken care of,” Starlight said. “You understand, right?” Thomas nodded, and kissed her hoof. “Thanks, Thomas. Oh! Looks like we’re here,” Starlight said, then she went inside after Sunburst went in.

“Sunburst, I’m gonna go give Thomas a bath and come back,” Starlight said. “Okay, that’s fine,” Sunburst said. Starlight then went upstairs to take off her dress and shoes, then took her nephew to Sunburst’s bathroom and then filled up the bathtub with steamed warm water, and then filled it up with some bubbles. After it was warm enough, Starlight helped Thomas get unchanged and placed him into the tub, then helped wash him with the soap and water. After he was clean, Starlight lifted him out of the tub and dried him off with a towel.

After he put on his pajamas, he met with his auntie and sat with her for a nice cuddle. She held him in her hooves and gently rocked him and wore her robe and slippers. “Did you have fun today?” Starlight asked. “Yeah, I did,” Thomas said. “That’s good,” Starlight said, as Thomas started yawning and rubbing his eyes. “Okay, sweetie. Let’s get some sleep.” Starlight then took Thomas to his guest bedroom and put him on the bed. After he was asleep, she kissed him on the cheek, “Goodnight, sweetheart. I’ll see you in the morning.” Starlight then left the room and left it halfway open. Princess Luna did her part and used her magic to protect Thomas as he slept through the night.