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// Manner 
// Story: Fifty Bits of TwiLuna 
// by Space_Kase 
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"And this is your salad fork." Luna aimed her horn at the fork to the left of Twilight's plate.

Twilight gulped and nodded, hoping her nervousness and frustration weren't showing on her face. "All right...So it goes 'salad fork, main course fork, plate, knife, soup spoon,' then?"

Luna shook her head gently. "No, Dearheart; knife, then coffee spoon, then soup spoon." 

Twilight sighed. "Oh, I'm never going to get this right." Reading up on royal etiquette was one thing; actually putting that knowledge to use was another, entirely.

Luna gave her a soft smile. "Of course you will, Twilight. It'll take some time, that's all; it's why we're doing a practice dinner. You very well cannot be good at something unless you practice first, right?"

Twilight smiled, feeling a little better. "You're right, Luna." Twilight counted from left to right, correcting herself as she named each piece of silverware. "Thank you for doing this with me, by the way."

"Of course, My Love. I'm only happy to help." Luna's cool green eyes were filled with what Twilight could only call 'fondness.' "Besides, you know I will never turn down an opportunity to spend time with you." 

Twilight smiled down at the plate, trying to ignore the sudden burning in her cheeks. "I agree. It has been a while since we've had any time together, just the two of us." Twilight had logically known that her new role as royalty was going to be filled with responsibilities, but she was still surprised by the sudden lack of time she had for herself or her loved ones; most of it was now dedicated to her princessly duties.

She supposed this was one such princessly duty, as would any fancy feasts she would be throwing or attending in the future, but at least her marefriend was here. 

"Indeed. It is." Twilight felt a familiar tug of magic. She realized that Luna had just used her magic to push a lock of her purple hair away from her face. "I apologize...I simply hate to see your mane hid that pretty face of yours." 

Twilight was certain that the lavender fur on her face had just given way to bright red. She mentally scolded herself; it was a compliment, and here she was, acting like a lovestruck young yearling! In front of a princess, at that. 

Luna's soft chuckle made her feel a bit better. "You really are too adorable, Twilight." 

Luna had been complimenting her this entire outing, all the while looking like a literal goddess; her deep blue coat shined in the candlelight, her eyes glittering with light mirth. Like her sister, her pure power manifested in her mane; though there was no wind in the small room, it billowed majestically to the side, a cloudy mist that glittered with a reflection of the stars in the sky. 

"And you look beautiful." For once, Twilight hadn't really thought about what she would say. She cleared her throat. "Which...you know, not surprising. You always look beautiful." Right then she couldn't think of another word. 

"Well...thank you." Luna's smile looked oddly bashful. If Twilight didn't know any better, she might have thought the other princess didn't hear this often. "Back to the lesson, though...Repeat the proper placement of silverware, if you please." 

Now prepared, Twilight lowered her head, pointing out each item with her horn. "Salad fork, main course fork, plate, knife, coffee spoon, soup spoon. This exact placement is what makes up the five-piece setting."

"Very good! You see? You've got it!" With her magic, Luna lifted the placement from the table. "Now then...are you ready for something a bit more difficult?"

Twilight nodded, suddenly determined. "Yes. Now I think I'm ready to learn about the six-piece setting."