Why She Serves

by Natedogg2006


Parties?

Twilight sighed. "Do I even need to say it?"

"Three times is a pattern Sparky." 

"It was the train station. You run into random ponies at the train station. They were probably leaving town and we'll never see them again."

"And if we do, will you take me seriously then?"

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Yes, if we ever run into those stallions again you can feel free to interrogate them, search them, hold them without bail while you run a background check if you want. Free reign, royal promise."

"I'll hold you to that." Fizzlepop now finally turned to Twilight, making eye contact with her for the first time since they'd left the train station. Her hoof was leveled at her indicating she was being very serious at the moment. 

Twilight rolled her eyes again. "Fine, so does that mean you're going to dial down the intensity and at least try to enjoy the party?"

Fizzlepop was very aware of the attention her glare, rapidly turning ears, and proximity to the princess of friendship was getting her right now. She struggled to focus on Twilight as the attention from around the room made her instinctively watch and listen in every direction. 

Twilight grumbled. "I'll take that as a no. Come on, let's go get some refreshments."

Fizzlepop had been on guard ever since they made it into Canterlot. Well, truthfully she'd been on guard even on the train to Canterlot, but trains were actually horrible places for an ambush. Unless the plan involved an explosion, but Fizzlepop had had no Intel on any potential threats who operated by those methods. 

Checking every angle and opportunity for potential threats throughout preparations for the unity event, as well as the event itself, had left her feeling frustrated. She was sure there was a threat somewhere, but every opportunity there might have been seemed to be covered by a redundancy of royal guards.

As they made it to the refreshments table her eyes widened as Twilight filled a plate very full and lifted an hors d'oeuvre to her lips. With trained precision Tempest snatched it away. 

"What..." Twilight sat dumbstruck as her date for the evening was now deeply sniffing the bite of food she was about to take. She then took a nibble for herself for good measure. "... Really? You realize I've known the castle staff most of my life right? Pierre and Gustav have been cooking for me since I was a filly."

"They might not have been the only ones to touch these." Fizzlepop didn't look up as she now was scrutinizing the rest of Twilight's overstuffed plate. 

"Yes they were. They hoof prepare everything for big events like this. For both quality and security reasons." Twilight used her magic to quickly snag the morsel Fizzlepop was currently examining. She gobbled it quickly, chewing aggressively. Fizzlepop stared wide-eyed. Twilight stuck her food covered tongue out at her. "See, no poison."

Fizzlepop glared as Twilight swallowed the bite. "I'm just being careful."

"You're being paranoid. We've been working on this and you've been doing so good." Noticing her escort for the evening still glancing around the room Twilight reached up with a hoof to force her to look at her. "Fizz, relax." Fizzlepop very noticeably didn't relax. Somehow looking at her that closely only seemed to make the mare more tense. Twilight sighed. "Alright, let's try something a little different."

Fizzlepop followed behind at a proper defensive position as Twilight moved through the crowds of ponies and batponies with her plate of food still hovering in her magic next to her. She ascended some stairs to an overlooking area near the side of the ballroom. A large window with a balcony beyond on one side, a banister looking out over the assembled ponies on the other. Fizzlepop didn't like it. 

Twilight turned her back to the exposed balcony. Fizzlepop made to take up a protective position behind her but was gestured to stand beside her instead. Twilight finally spoke as she looked out over the festivities. 

"From what I've been learning from you about proper defensive strategies and security, we're standing in just about the most exposed and vulnerable place in the room right about now, right?" Fizzlepop was surprised by this observation, but nodded at the accurate assessment. Twilight noticed from the side of her vision and smiled warmly. "So, Commander Shadow, former tyrant of the storm king and expert military strategist. If you were to be sent here to abduct or assassinate either myself or one of the other princesses, how would you do it?"

That caught her off guard even more. Twilight now turned her focus back to her, showing she was very interested in the answer. Seeing this, Fizzlepop gave it serious thought. Twilight's look of interest didn't waver as Fizzlepop thought on the situation. And kept thinking. Finally with a grunt she answered. 

"Assaulting the castle would be very difficult currently. I know that every traditional method of stealthy entrance has been closed.  It's also now become impossible for ponies to fake credentials to get in unseen that way as well. Fail-safes are also in place to prevent bribery or any other method of inside help being employed." She grumbled as Twilight's smile started to become smug. "Therefore the only option would be a dynamic entry. A hard and fast raid with a hoof picked squad of crack soldiers. Very loud, very chaotic, lots of damage. Even then, I know the current defensive measures being implemented on the castle and around the city. Best odds would put success at a fifty-fifty chance, and even if it went as smoothly as I can imagine, I'd still anticipate losing a good half of the squad."

Twilight's smile was even more smug. "And without all the knowledge you have to guide the assault?"

"... Odds of breaching the perimeter would dip into the single digits. But that's still not zero."

"True, but if you could choose the squad you would use, who would it consist of?"

Fizzlepop could only grumble in defeat at that as she glanced to the corners of the room at the few places where she could see armor clad guards. She then glanced to the places where she could not see them but knew they were. "It would probably be made up of most of the ponies guarding this room actually. Maybe Applejack and Rainbow Dash as well if I had a chance to train them first."

"Did I ever tell you that you have been doing a great job as the interim head of the royal guard? Because you really are. So much so that every pony in the kingdom can rest a little easier. And that even includes you."

Fizzlepop finally focused her attention fully on Twilight, then remembered one of the reasons she'd been avoiding that as she felt her cheeks heating up as she did. Over the past week Fizzlepop had actually been making progress on sorting out her feelings for Twilight. She had a deeper connection with her then any other pony in her life, and that could be as scary as it was comforting. It had become something she couldn't imagine losing, but she could now see that no matter what that wouldn't happen. And that clarity had been making it easier for her to separate her feelings of admiration, friendship, and attraction she had for her savior. That was something she wanted to be able to do decisively before they became a burden to her friend and superior. She had been becoming confident that when the time came she'd be able to put aside her crush.

Until Twilight stepped out from Rarity's back room. Clad in a glamorous dress, light touches of makeup bringing out her features, and flowers now woven into the braid that hung down the side of her face. That heat in her face that she'd been getting used to seemed to spread to the rest of her body at that moment, and the intensity of it forced her to look away. Luckily it had seemed like Twilight had been focused on the dress she was wearing, so she hadn't seen Fizzlepop turn away abruptly. Unfortunately, when she had turned away she had found a pair of blue eyes practically sparkling with mischief awaiting her. 

Rarity had known what she was doing and had clearly been reading too much into the situation. The memory of it forced Fizzlepop to keep her gaze locked on the radiant mare before her if only to prove her progress hadn't been lost. She did allow herself a moment to close her eyes and sigh. Twilight was right again, she had to admit. They were probably in one of the safest places in Equestria. To top that off she was with a beautiful mare, and they were guests of honor at what was probably one of the most prestigious events of the year. Even if she knew the truth of the situation she knew this should be a happy memory for her regardless. But that fact was what finally made her speak honestly. 

"What do I do then?" Twilight quirked her head at the question. "I have no idea what I'm doing here Sparky." She felt a strain in her voice like she'd never known before. "I barely know how to handle myself when you drag me along to a party with the girls. And I like them. I don't know any of the ponies here but they all obviously know who I am. Everypony keeps glancing at me out of the corners of their eyes and the only thing I know is that I definitely can't kick them in the face for it like I normally would. And on top of that, this party doesn't really seem to be any fun for anypony. What is even the point of us being here?"

Twilight seemed to understand her frustration. She decided to give her something else to focus her anxiety on. She lit her horn and floated one of the morsels from the plate she'd placed on the banister in front of them. It hovered before Fizzlepop's lips enticingly. She was taken aback by this, glancing around discreetly to see if the action had been noticed by others. She couldn't rule out the possibility.  She very subtly gestured an obvious protest to it. The pout Twilight matched it with made Fizzlepop lightheaded. 

"That is not fair," she grumbled as she reached out and took the offered treat in her mouth. It was surprisingly good, but she still had to grumble as Twilight's magic sparked again. She proceeded to separate a second plate from the bottom of the one she was using and began dividing the bite sized treats between them. 

"Pinkie Pie proved at our first Grand Galloping Gala that unlike her parties, there definitely is a wrong way to enjoy these kinds of parties. Luckily, you have a veteran of these borefests to help guide you." Twilight smiled brightly as she lifted a plate of food before her. "First things first: Food is a good distraction. It occupies both your hooves and mouth, so you have an excuse not to be interacting with other ponies for a while. Just don't go crazy on the desserts, ponies won't start cheering you on like they would in Ponyville for, just as a hypothetical example, forcing a chocolatier to close down early due to lack of inventory."

Fizzlepop felt her cheeks heating, but took the advice and occupied herself with a few of the treats selected for her. She looked out over the room full of ponies, finally concluding she couldn't assess all of them for potential threats. Even if she could, the information she could glean in this situation would be limited. Her posture finally came to a rest, and in doing so she only then came to realize how close Twilight was at the moment as the fabric of their outfits brushed together.  She decided not to move away. 

"So beyond forcing me to make more trips to the gym, what else are we meant to do at these parties."

Twilight looked out over the ponies along with her companion, their shoulders now pressing together. But if Twilight didn't seem to notice Fizzlepop wasn't going to bring it up.  "Personally, if I'm not here with any of the girls, I mostly waste time ponywatching. We're supposed to be mingling, but I long since lost interest in that sort of thing."

Fizzlepop swallowed a bite she was chewing before responding. "Isn't mingling a form of getting to know others? I would think that would be right up your alley, oh great princess of friendship."

Twilight gave a little giggle at that. "It's a lot different then that. Most of those ponies down there are only here because they're trying to meet somepony else important, often a princess. It's a tangled mess of noble back talk and honestly I've never understood the reason for it." She giggled just a little. "And I accidentally made it pretty obvious a few times I didn't have the right disposition for it."

Fizzlepop giggled a little as well. "I'd like to hear those stories."

Twilight snorted a laugh. "I'd sooner tell you how I first messed up my eyes using a new spell to try to get back at my brother for a prank."

They shared a few moments of laughter between them. During that time Fizzlepop came to realize that the party had become fun. Their laughter died down and Fizzlepop couldn't help but to admire the serene smile of the mare beside her. The Princess of Friendship was looking down, but seemed to be looking past the crowd below as she spoke again. 

"All of that is the reason I wouldn't have let you stay here for your community service."

That caught Fizzlepop's attention. She turned to direct a questioning gaze to her princess. "What do you mean?"

Twilight for some reason seemed slightly surprised by that, but recovered quickly as she responded. "Oh right, I never told you about that. It's not a secret exactly, but you were actually going to get a regular parole officer for the duration of your sentence. I guess in all the time we've been working together we never really have talked much about your crimes or your punishment have we?"

"No..." Fizzlepop felt some of the emotion drain from her voice. She sampled something sweet looking to raise her mood some. "And thank you. I don't know how many times I've said it but I guess I need to add a few more. I've known creatures like the ponies down there. They would have made sure I always knew where I stood with them. It's not something I would have been able to stand, not back then. I'd have ended up in a cell after all that you did for me."

"But I've always made sure you know where you stand with me too Fizz. I just know that your place isn't in a cell."

The words made Fizzlepop lower her head, her ears lowering just a little. Her voice was softer then she would normally allow it to be. "Where.. is it then?"

Twilight smiled warmly, pushing into her shoulder a little as she did. The action made Fizzlepop look up, and notice Twilight's face only inches from her own. "Right here, next to me." 

A shot went off in Fizzlepop's brain. It felt like her usual fight or flight reflex was hammering on overdrive, but she found herself unwilling to flee or attack even with the signals bouncing around her skull like crazy. But she did want to advance. And her tendency to analyze a target for points to attack seemed to still be focusing as well. She had some idea of what her brain was telling her it wanted, as she found herself focusing on Twilight's lips. But it was something she couldn't possibly think of doing. Not ever, and certainly not here of all places. 

So why were the muscles in her neck relaxing? 

She felt her eyes slowly closing without a command to. 

She then felt her ear twitch.

Her posture went more rigid as she pulled away from Twilight just a little. Hoofsteps that were heavier then what would belong to most ponies were ascending the stairs they'd come from. From where she was she couldn't see who it might be. Seeming unaware of what Fizzlepop had been doing or what Tempest was doing now, Twilight stole the last bit of food from the other mares plate which she then set on the rail in front of them. 

"But you really should give yourself more credit. You're a survivor, I'm sure you would have managed even without my help. Besides that, not all the ponies in Canterlot are that bad. I'm sure you'd have made some friends eventually even without my help."

"Uh-huh, like who?" It was mostly an automatic response. She was now weighing the options of reaching under the modest dress Rarity had picked out for her just to be ready. The when and the how could wait, right now she just needed to know the who. 

"I know you didn't exactly have the best first,  or second, impressions of them, but the other princesses are really nice."

"Is that so?" A few steps and they'd be in view. Secure Twilight or take the first strike?

"Of course. I mean Cadance is my sister-in-law and one of the nicest ponies I've ever known. Although she lives in the crystal empire so you probably wouldn't see her much. Luna is still learning the modern world, so she's always really inquisitive and genuine. She sleeps during the day, but you pull so many late nights I'm sure the two of you could be friends."

A particularly long, white horn began to crest the stairs in Twilight's blind spot. It made Tempest tense instinctively. "Princess Celestia."

She didn't mean it as a question, but Twilight seemed to take it as one. "Yes of course Princess Celestia too. She taught me nearly everything I know. She's always so calm and understanding, and she knows so much that I always feel like I learn something from her whenever we meet." The genuine look of admiration Twilight seemed to have at the moment made Fizzlepop relax again. 

"Well, I'm glad I can still pass along my wisdom to you my dear former student." Twilight gave a start, having very obviously not seen her coming. Fizzlepop simply turned and gave an automatic salute at her arrival. 

"Princess? Oh I'm sorry, we were just. I know I should be mingling with the emissaries, but we just had to discuss some things..."

Princess Celestia raised a hoof and gave Twilight an understanding smile. "It's fine Twilight. You being here and taking part in the ceremony is more than enough. Even I get a bit of a reprieve with the batponies, they mostly want to talk to Luna. Commander Shadow, you may be at ease."

"Thank you your highness." Twilight only then seemed to realize Fizzlepop's position as she shifted to a more at ease but still not relaxed posture. That broke as she caught an elbow in the side from Twilight. "What was that for?"

"You're off the clock. I just barely got you to relax."

"You just called her princess though."

"Force of habit. Plus I'm technically acting in an official capacity. You are not." They both gave each other a small glare but smiled and rolled their eyes almost in unison. 

Celestia seemed to be enjoying their banter. "It seems Twilight has brought you a long way from the last time I saw you Tempest."

"Of course. Twilight has helped me in a great many ways. She's actually the reason I haven't yet contacted you about the arrangement we made."

Celestia smiled a knowing smile. "I had assumed. Twilight is not one to give up on a pony easily. And by all means, if you feel that you are indeed better off staying by her side then we can pretend those letters were never exchanged. Would that be agreeable Tempest?"

Fizzlepop felt her cheeks warming again and hoped Celestia's eyes were not as sharp as Twilight's. "It would be. But.. since I'm not operating in any official capacity, it has recently become common for ponies to..." Fizzlepop grumbled at her current level of hesitancy. She straightened up and spoke clearly. "I wish for there to be a fresh start between us. Since you are close to Twilight and I trust her judgment above all others, if you wish you may refer to me by my given name."

Celestia seemed taken aback by this. Her expression seemed inquisitive as she responded. "That would be lovely miss Berrytwist. Or perhaps, Fizzlepop?" She received a solemn nod at that. "But I addressed you by your title because I was under the impression you were here on official business. I assumed you convinced Twilight to let you conduct a surprise inspection of castle security. Was that not why you were checking over all the new security measures?"

Fizzlepop willed her face to a normal temperature and addressed the issue. "I am an extremely paranoid individual by nature. A possibly... probably unrelated event made me fearful for Twilight's safety. As such I neglected what I was invited here for in favor of acting as bodyguard to her. It was a mistake I was hoping to make up to her before the night was over.'

This seemed to genuinely catch the princess of the sun off guard. "Invited? Twilight was only given one extra invitation for a.." Her gaze now seemed to track over Fizzlepop with scrutiny. Followed immediately by her eyes darting to Twilight. 

Fizzlepop became immediately aware of the circumstances of the situation and of their preparations for it. While Fizzlepop did care about her appearance, she had never cared about whether or not she was attractive. But she had recently been made very aware of just how attractive Twilight was. A contributing factor to realizing this was the dress she was wearing. Fizzlepop suddenly realized the implications of the fact that Rarity had insisted that if they were going to be attending a formal ball together, then they're outfits should compliment each other.  On top of that, they're manes were styled in mirrored Prench braids, Twilight's braided so that her mane flowed down her right shoulder, Fizzlepop's to her left. And there was the fact that when Celestia had come up the stairs the two had been pressed together. 

Fizzlepop had made sure to keep reminding herself that even if they'd been going out on what could be described as dates for the past week, Twilight and herself were not a couple. And while the other elements all likely knew the story between them due to Rarity's love of gossip, Fizzlepop realized something that had been a miss all week. She usually only paid attention to ponies around her as far as assessing them for threats. She hated the ways they usually stared, or avoided staring at her, so she would force herself to not think about them once she could rule them out as potentially  dangerous.  Thus in all that had happened throughout the week she had never really noticed; how other ponies might have been reacting to them together. 

Celestia's eyes widened, not by an extreme degree but more than Tempest had ever seen them. It also seemed to be slight enough that Twilight didn't notice. She kept smiling even as an intent Tempest couldn't identify seemed to harden in the elder princesses eyes. 

"Twilight. Since I'm done meeting with nobles and dignitaries for the moment, I'd like you to accompany me somewhere. I do believe there is a lesson I've wanted to teach you for a while that I feel you might finally be ready for."

Fizzlepop saw an innocent light of intrigue flash into Twilight's eyes. She already regretted the words coming from her mouth but decided she had to draw whatever was coming to herself as quickly as possible. "Your highness, there is a reasonable explanation and any fault lies with me, I can assure you that.."

"My dear Fizzlepop." The way she cut her off was not forceful, and yet gave Fizzlepop the impression that it invited no contest. "I had thought you wished to be less formal. If you and Twilight have gotten so close then I would like it if you can call me Celestia as well." 

"Certainly, Celestia. I just didn't want you to get the wrong impression." She looked to Twilight for help on how to explain, but apparently she had not realized what Fizzlepop had yet. The pause allowed Celestia to cut in again. 

"No explanation is needed. I simply wish to impart my wisdom to my dear former student as I used to so often. Is that alright Twilight?"

Twilight seemed to have not noticed the change in the atmosphere, the prospect of once again learning from her former mentor apparently being a strong influence on her. With a smile she responded. "That sounds great", she then thought to look over to Fizzlepop. She seemed to notice her distress, but apparently misinterpreted it. "I don't want to leave Fizz alone though. Would it be ok if she joined?"

Celestia smiled so sweetly it made Fizzlepop cringe. "She may accompany us, but I'm afraid the lesson itself is for you alone. Fear not though, it's a lesson you'll be sharing with her very shortly I'm sure. "

Twilight smiled wider, taking up what seemed to be a practiced position next to her former mentor. Fizzlepop naturally took up a position flanking Twilight defensively from slightly behind. She was then enveloped in a by now familiar lavender magical aura. The familiarity of it kept her from instinctively spreading out her body to break the field and instead allowed herself to be gently lifted and placed at Twilight's side. Having watched the display Celestia now gave them both a smile so sweet it made Fizzlepop's teeth hurt. 

"Shall we then?" She cooed pleasantly as she guided them. 

Fizzlepop had a bad feeling, but she dutifully accompanied the pair of alicorns.

***

She could take them. 

Fizzlepop had been allowed to stay by Twilight right up until they made it to Princess Celestia's personal chambers. The chatter along the way had been pleasant, enough so that even Fizzlepop herself had joined in. But the princesses had excused themselves and left Fizzlepop in the company of the royal guards who were posted outside the door. While closing the door Celestia had seen fit to flash Fizzlepop a toothy smile, the meaning behind which she could not decipher. 

Fizzlepop was sure she was overreacting. 

She didn't care that she was overreacting. 

The pony who held more sway over Twilight's thoughts than any other had seen them together and suddenly decided she needed to speak with her in private. Her thinking was irrational, especially after what she'd been planning herself not long ago. She had made peace with the idea of removing herself from Twilight's side if it meant she could serve her better. So why then was the idea of being taken from Twilight's side making her so anxious. 

The guards in front of her were formidable, among the best she'd ever trained. It would be difficult to get past them, but she reasoned that if she suddenly felt like she needed to, she could. The only problem was that she knew if she tried that the two pegasus guards in the ceiling above would be on her in seconds. And the moment they pounced it would alert guards in hidden rooms on both sides of the hall. If she had any delusions of getting through all of them then she'd have to come to terms with ripping a hole in her dress and dealing the kind of damage her former students wouldn't recover from. 

Would she really go that far for Twilight. Considering the fact that Twilight would very much not approve of the tactics, she doubted it. Not to mention it would mean being forcibly removed from Twilight's side anyway. The fact that she would even consider it showed she still wasn't over all the confusion her mind experienced when Twilight was involved. In some ways it might have even gotten worse. 

"Commander Shadow." One of the guards she was glaring at broke rank to address her. Although considering the situation it was probably warranted. 

"What is it, Captain Paragon?"

"If I may speak freely Commander?"  Fizzlepop only nodded her affirmation, but it was enough. "I am not sure what has you so on guard, but I can assure you that the princesses are as safe as they can be in this castle."

Fizzlepop finally broke her glare, closing her eyes with a sigh as she responded. "I know that. I have complete faith in you and the others that I have trained. Things have just become much more, complicated, as it pertains to Spar.. to Princess Twilight, and my service to her."

At this both guards now broke rank. Just for a second, they both suddenly glanced over to one another. Catching themselves they shifted back to watching their surroundings while seeming as though their gazes were fixed ahead of them. 

The other spoke next. "If I may speak free..."

"Yes Resolute, out with it," she cut him off. Sometimes even she hated military procedure. 

"We are all loyal to our princesses. They take care of us more so then we can ever take care of them. There are few guards at your level that wouldn't do literally anything the princesses ask of them."

Fizzlepop grumbled at that, but not loud enough for them to hear. "It's a little more complicated even then that, you probably wouldn't understand. But I do appreciate the sentiment."

They broke rank again, shooting each other shocked looks before returning to their position. "I think we would actually Commander." Fizzlepop tilted her head at that but Paragon continued before she could make comment. "And not to be too familiar, but I think your interaction with Princess Twilight has probably been good for you."

Her head tilted ever so slightly as she asked, "how so?"

"We were your top graduates, and I think that's the first word of praise either of us have ever heard from you." Resolute gave the slightest of nods in confirmation. 

"..... That can't be right." Neither made any move. Fizzlepop internally groaned, relaxing some as she raised a hoof to her head in frustration. "Maybe Twilight was right about my methods. I must have been a terrible pony if I couldn't even acknowledge soldiers of your quality. You have my apologies and my regards, the both of you. "

If they were taken aback by Fizzlepop showing her gratitude then they were already getting better at masking it. "You're a great CO ma'am. But even the best of us shouldn't have to be that intense all the time." 

"I'm pretty sure Princess Celestia isn't going to fault you for taking time to unwind with Princess Twilight every now and then." Resolute now broke rank heavily, looking directly over to Fizzlepop to give her a toothy grin not dissimilar from the one Celestia had given her before disappearing into her chambers.

Fizzlepop was about to ask him what the meaning of it was when the doors finally began to open back up. Both guards now stood at attention perfectly as if the conversation had never happened. 

Celestia stepped out first. She almost pranced down the hall as she left, wearing a smile on her face Fizzlepop could only think to classify as goofy. 

Twilight followed behind much more slowly. Her eyes were wider then they'd normally be as she seemed to stare at nothing as she walked. Fizzlepop would also have to guess some of the color had drained from her face from below her fur. 

Fizzlepop was in front of her in a second. "Sparky, are you alright. You didn't get in any kind of trouble because of me did you?"

Fizzlepop was vaguely aware of the guards closing the doors behind them. In her stupor Twilight had kept walking and now was almost face to face with her companion for the night. As she seemed to snap out of the trance she was in and realize she nearly had her nose pressed into the other mares, the color came back to her features very quickly. So quickly that it was overflowing, turning her face red all the way up to the tips of her ears. She turned away and finally began making her way down the hall Celestia had already made considerable distance down.

Fizzlepop noted that she seemed to be keeping her eyes turned away from her as they walked side by side back in the direction of the ballroom. "Did Celestia get the wrong idea about what was happening between us?"

"Y.. yes. I think that would be a good way of putting it."

"Then you told her it's my fault right? It's only your well meaning nature that would ever allow something like this."

"It, umm, never came up." 

Fizzlepop stopped short, but kept walking as Twilight's stiff and automatic movements seemed to indicate she would not stop of her own accord any time soon. 

"You will not take any more burden for my transgressions. It is I who wasn't thinking clearly and needed your help. I.. if this has to end and I need to be reprimanded for my feelings I'd prefer that than to..."

"Fizz, for the last time you've been punished enough. Now I need a minute to process my mentor and secondary motherly figure opening up to me very suddenly and very descriptively about her sexual exploits."

Both mares now came to a stop. A random maid was walking past the hallway they were coming up to, though she seemed to not take much notice of their presence or outburst. Fizzlepop sat with eyes wide and mouth agape while Twilight's eyes were clenched shut and she looked as though she may go into the fetal position. 

"...., ...., What???"

"I said give me a minute, I need time to process."

"That isn't the type of thing that can be said with no explanation Sparky. What in the hay did you and her discuss?"

Despite her previous protest Twilight now turned to her date with an earnest look in her eyes. "Oh my goodness it was so awkward. She didn't just assume we were a couple, she assumed we were already in a sexual relationship."

Both mares felt their faces heating up but neither broke away their gazes. "So why didn't you tell her that that was impossible. I'm your subordinate, it wouldn't be allowed."

Twilight made a face but pressed on. "I would have, but she dove right into an explanation of how it was a good thing there were never any official rules on relationships between superiors and subordinates."

"Why in creation would there not be any rules about such a thing? Unless she had intentions to..."

"Because apparently up until about three hundred years ago she mostly used the royal guard as a way to bypass not being able to have a harem without causing a public outcry."

The soldier in her jumped to the forefront of her mind and she forgot her embarrassment for a moment as she turned to look back down the hall to where Celestia's personal guards still stood watch. She felt a growl in the back of her throat as she spoke. "No wonder they were all so incompetent before. I swear, every single one of those new recruits is getting grilled on sexual misconduct until they can't look at their own mothers without apologizing."

"Still having a mild freakout over here Fizz."

Fizzlepop turned back with concern. "I'm sorry. Not that I'd be the right pony to talk to about such things but is there anything I can do?"

"No, it just turns out that venting to you was helping." She took a few deep breaths, raising her hoof to her chest while doing so. "It was just a lot to process all at once. Most everypony correctly assumes I'm a romantically challenged nerd who's too busy studying to worry about the fact that I'm a virgin." She gave a cringe as she turned down the hall and kept leading them back towards the party. "So most ponies don't really talk about that sort of thing with me. Then all of a sudden a mare who has always been a symbol of purity to me asked me when I was going to establish my own royal guard so that I can have my own orgies and if I wanted a few choice picks to get a start."

An image flashed in Fizzlepop's mind and words left her mouth at the same moment. "I will not train any guard for the express purpose of violating my princess." She felt a force grip around her muzzle and only then realized how loud the words had come from her mouth. She looked over to see Twilight with her horn lit and face almost glowing red.

"Of course I don't want to have my own royal guard for that. I don't even really know if I want my own royal guard. It's not like I really need them. Having them in Ponyville has done wonders for the town but having ponies around watching me all the time would be weird." Fizzlepop felt herself take in a sudden breath of air. Twilight must have felt it through her magical aura which caused her to realize she was still holding it and decide to release it. "Not you, I don't mind you watching over me. It's never felt creepy, even after... you know, this thing started."

They had come to a stop again just outside where the ball was still going on. Twilight had raised her hoof to Fizzlepop's shoulder in a comforting gesture after releasing her from her magic. It left them face to face with Fizzlepop looking at a familiar gentle smile she'd come to know all too well. A sudden thought caused her to remember part of what Twilight had said about her conversation with Celestia. This thought caused her to turn away, feeling her face burning again. 

"I would not want to make my presence more of a burden on you either. I would never presume that I could enter that sort of relationship with you as it would make my actions suspect."

Realizing that the conversation had come back to the nature of their relationship Twilight's blush deepened again and she looked away as well. "I still trust you Fizz. I know that even if we keep... I mean, even if we were in a... There's no right way to say this is there?"

"There's nothing to say. I've already told you I'm not a foal, I know where we stand. Even if we are friends and you'd never cast me aside, I still am just that. Once I have my feelings for you completely sorted out we can continue as we were, and I only hope you'd never think I was thinking of you in a lecherous way once we do. We'll still have to work together for a long time and I wouldn't want to put that strain on you."

Twilight seemed to cringe slightly at that but managed to refocus on the other mare as she spoke. "I mean, you're not wrong. We aren't in any type of traditional relationship I can think of and I can't imagine what we have now continuing forever. I am happy to hear that you finally realize that you aren't disposable. Even once you've moved past this I'll still be comfortable around you, that much I can promise."

Fizzlepop gave a sigh of relief at that, but didn't quite feel completely at ease by the words. "Thank you my princess." Twilight gave her a look and a little shove at that. "Let me have that one. I'm always going to respect you more than any of the other princesses, so no matter how close we ever become you'll always be my princess."

Fizzlepop had expected some resistance to that, but Twilight seemed to only smile after a brief moment of surprise. "Ok. I'll let it slide every now and then." They slipped into a companionable silence as they still lingered outside the doors to the ballroom. Proper decorum would state that they had been absent too long at this point, but they both knew there was one more thing that had to be addressed. "So I'll handle the elephant in the room. Have you ever thought about me in a sexual way?"

Fizzlepop felt remarkably calm at the direct question. She allowed her gaze to track over Twilight, a gesture the other mare noticed but didn't betray much response to. "You once said I gave up on ponies before I might even know what types of ponies I might be able to have feelings for. Well at this point I think it's safe to assume I prefer mares. And while there might be certain factors that make me bias, you are the most breathtakingly gorgeous mare I've ever seen." That did cause a reaction, some color coming back to Twilight's cheeks. Fizzlepop kept her own in check. She continued before Twilight's embarrassment led her to respond. "That being said, you're not the only pony who's spent their life being far too preoccupied to care about the fact that they are a virgin."

Both took deep breaths before finally looking over to the doors. 

"Better Sparky?"

"Yeah. You too Fizz? Are you ready or is it still awkward?"

"Just a little. I still have to think about Celestia and what she does with her guards when I get back in there."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No. After all that..." She let out a breath that puttered her lips for a moment before lighting her horn. "...I need a drink."

The door glowed and opened. Twilight proceeded forward before turning back to find Fizzlepop still standing where she was. A wave forward prompted her back into the fray of the party. She remained silent as Twilight seemed to immediately spot a waiter some distance away. With a light hum of magic two glasses from on top the tray he carried lifted into the air and made their way over to the pair. She felt her jaw slacken just a little as Twilight immediately upended the glass to her lips and downed the entire thing. 

"Eww, champagne." Fizzlepop couldn't help but smile at seeing the face she made upon finishing the glass. She went back to shock as she instinctively reached out for the other glass only for it to be pulled away and for Twilight to upended and drink down that one as well. Noticing her dates extended hoof Twilight smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."

Fizzlepop had to literally shake herself at that. "No, it's fine. I never even took you for a drinker, much less a heavy drinker."

The smile became even more sheepish. "I usually don't, but on the rare occasion I do... it is kind of to excess. But this won't get me drunk, alicorns can handle a lot of alcohol before it affects them." At this she floated her empty glasses back over to the waiter she had gotten them from. She scanned the room before two more floated right back to them from another waiter. "Hopefully you don't mind wine."

Now being offered the glass Fizzlepop lifted her hoof again. She then decided she didn't care and lit her horn. The crackling of her magic drew attention, but she just gently clinged her glass together with her dates and took a sip.

"So what kind of excess does it take to get an alicorn drunk?"

Twilight smiled like she knew that question was coming. "I've tried to figure that out, but it becomes hard to take careful data once I start getting tipsy."

"And how is it that in the time I've been living with you that I've never seen this? I think seeing you drunk would be very amusing."

"Oh, well you know those get togethers the girls and I do every month?"

"Yes, if I recall you told me you all went to see a play in Manehattan the last time around. I don't recall you mentioning drinking while you were there though."

"Yeah, that's the kind of thing we do when it's Rarity's turn to decide. If it's Fluttershy, we usually go on a hiking or camping weekend. Something out in nature you know. Pinkie will usually find some sort of party or concert. I've taken us to various conventions with varying degrees of success. But if Applejack or Rainbow Dash are picking... it usually ends up as a bar crawl of some type."

Impressed, Fizzlepop held her glass up in gesture. "Let it never be said that the Princess of Friendship isn't up for new experiences."

Twilight rolled her eyes but raised her own glass and joined in taking another sip. "What about you? My brother says you can't be a soldier if you don't know how to hold your liquor."

Fizzlepop gave a huff at that. "I was forced to attend many a war council meeting that was mainly an excuse for a bunch of old wardogs to get drunk and reminisce. Being the only female there meant I was offered many a drink I was obliged to accept. It's part of the reason I was inclined to and able to make myself the storm king's only general over time."

"Sounds like more bad memories I guess," Twilight said with a wince.
 
"It was not entirely unfulfilling to ruin a bunch of rude old males that underestimated me. But I do suppose it's something I could use a slightly more positive outlook on at some point." She punctuated this with another sip of her drink. 

Twilight smiled at that, but then slipped into a face Fizzlepop recognized as her being in deep thought. After a few moments and another sip of her drink she responded. "Why don't you join us then?"

"Join you?"

"Yeah, I think it's a great idea. We're getting together Friday after all. You should totally come along."

Fizzlepop was slightly hesitant at this. "But isn't it meant to be a special time with your friends? I wouldn't want to intrude."

"They're your friends too. Honestly, I would have invited you to Manehattan if I thought for a second you'd enjoy a Broadway musical."

Fizzlepop winced at that. "Good call." She considered for a few moments. "You're certain the others wouldn't object?"

"Actually, Fluttershy was asking if I'd invite you along earlier this week."

Fizzlepop couldn't help but smile at that. "Well if that's the case, I accept the invitation."

They had finished their drinks by this point and looked around to find a waiter. This led them to realize that the crowd around them had become somewhat sparse. They ventured deeper into the room to notice a good number of the crowd had already left and a good many more seemed to be on their way. 

"I guess we missed whatever qualifies as a grand finale for one of these occasions."

"I would guess a speech from Luna. If the free food has all been packed up then the party is definitely over." Twilight gestured to the table at the side of the room where most of the waiters now busied themselves. "Looks like you missed out on dessert," she said while giving her a gentle bump of her flank. 

Fizzlepop rolled her eyes. "I prefer stealing your snacks anyway." She bumped her back. "So how does one end this sort of party then?"

"Proper decorum says we should go thank our hosts and heap piles and piles of praise on them until it becomes uncomfortable."

"And if we aren't trying to move up the social ladder and it looks like our host is ready to commit an act of war?" She gestured to where Luna was standing near the main door to the room. While most would probably not see through the mask of grace she put on, Fizzlepop knew the look of somepony ready to snap. Apparently Twilight noticed it too. 

"Then we wave." Fizzlepop followed suit as Twilight managed to catch Luna's attention while Celestia was now coming up behind her. They both waved back, but Fizzlepop couldn't help but notice Celestia lean over and seem to whisper something to her sister as they did. "Then we sneak out a side door, catch our train home,  and hope Celestia isn't starting too many rumors about us."

They both turned away as a look of shock came over Luna as she looked between the two retreating mares. "What are our odds?"

Twilight winced slightly but still managed to laugh just a little as she responded. "Celestia offered us a private suite in the castle for the night if we wanted some private time."

"If I require sleep before we are home then I think a nap on the train will suffice." 

"Sounds good to me. Let's go home."

Due to her impromptu makeover and inspection of all the procedures of the party earlier in the day, Fizzlepop did find herself succumbing to sleep before the end of their trip back to Ponyville. In doing so the gentle rocking of the train slowly but steadily jostled her until her unconscious form came to rest leaning against the mare who had invited her out in the first place. 

Twilight had some idea that it was probably best to gently move her away, possibly laying her down in a more comfortable position along the empty seat next to them in their cabin. But looking down at the gently sleeping face of her friend she decided instead that she looked like she might be cold. 

With mild hesitation she gently slid her wing from out under herself. She then even more gently wrapped it around the sleeping mare. Despite Fizzlepop not stirring at all from the movement, a look of concern slowly came to Twilight's face. She took a deep breath before deciding she too needed some sleep.