//------------------------------//
// Ch.8: The After-Coronation Party 
// Story: Marching Towards Harmony 
// by TrackdNTraild 
//------------------------------//

Unlike the main coronation area, this secluded spot in the Canterlot garden was much quieter. The noise was still somewhat overpowering for Mystic, but she would much rather be here than out there. The group of ponies stepped up the small staircase onto the main platform, and they were quickly noticed by the other guests that were standing around chatting. Not every pony turned to acknowledge their presence, but some did.
An off white mare suddenly leapt forth, leaping over the crowd and tackling Mystic back to the dirt at the base of the staircase. Her cafe royale and light red mane bounced around her as she embraced the alicorn mare in a spine crushing hug. If the fall didn't knock the wind out of her, the hug surely did.
"Carrie god- dammit-!" Mystic cursed as she tried to force the other off and breathe easy. "You're crushing me here- g-get off!"
"Oh- sorry!" The mare laughed as she retracted her hooves, and stood on the ground beside the winded mare.
Carrie extended a hoof down to Mystic. The alicorn hesitantly chose to roll onto her side, placing a hoof on Carrie's, and letting the mare help her into a standing position. Mystic's ears drooped and her chest hurt as she began to catch her breath. She passed Carrie a glare, which the mare quickly turned away from. The earth pony lifted her snout, staring at the sky and whistling innocently, as if she were oblivious to what she'd just done.
"You'll kill me one of these days," Mystic grumbled when she could finally lift her head and ears. "I wish you'd hurry up already."
"Hey, don't you start talking like that!" Carrie glared at Mystic with a childish pout. "You're a princess now, remember? You should lighten up!"
"Yeah yeah…" Mystic grumbled as she dusted her armour with her wings. "Don't lecture me, I've already had ponies doing that all damn day."
"She has a point," Skyla sounded off from a table close by the edge of the platform.
The pink mare nodded her head, and her parents at her side joined her. Mystic rolled her eyes as she arched her back and neck in a stretch. Thankfully, she didn't feel any pops, so Carrie hadn't actually hurt her. She shook her head, facing the earth pony again.
"So let me guess," She began. "Since you're here, everybody else is, right?"
"Mhm!" Carrie nodded excitedly. "Summer, Bud, and Honeycrisp all decided to come over here with Spice and Alice! Oh, I invited Peanut and Cherry to come too, but Cherry and Spice left shortly after the ceremony was over…"
"Wait, Cherry?" Mystic's wings flared in surprise. "As in, you know… Cherry Jelly?"
"Well, yeah!" Carrie smiled, but worry shined in her eyes as she tilted her head. "Why?"
"...Nothing," Mystic said after a few seconds, turning her eyes to the ground.
She forced her wings to close against her sides as she tried to calm down again. She hadn't seen Cherry Jelly in a long time. They used to be close, but they had fallen out when Mystic was still in college. It had been a few years by now, but she still didn't like to think about it. Her discomfort was obvious, as Carrie put a hoof under her chin to lift it, and gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Hey, I know you two didn't end off on the highest note but…" Carrie sighed, lowering her hoof to the ground. "She still wanted to come see you. I don't think she holds it against you."
"Sure doesn't seem like it," Mystic snorted. "You just said she left after the coronation was over. She didn't want to stay to see me. Honestly, I'm happier that she isn't still here."
"Okay, that's enough," Carrie huffed, moving to stand beside the alicorn mare. "Let's not talk about regrets and things like that. This is supposed to be a happy day for you, so maybe we should just… try to enjoy it?"
"As long as it gets her off my mind, I'll do just about anything," Mystic grumbled.
She swished her tail on the ground behind her before she walked back up the stairs onto the platform. Carrie followed silently after her. Mystic was able to get a good look at the area now that she wasn't tumbling down the stairs.
The platform wasn't huge, but it wasn't small by any means. The main area was relatively empty, but the surrounding edges were obscured by tables with white laced cloth and wooden kegs on either side. The tables were littered with various types of food, ranging from hot food to ice cold desserts. On the center table at the back edge was a table that housed a large cake covered in white, light blue, and lavender frosting. I guess that's for me, she thought.
She approached one of the kegs beside the table Skyla stood at, tuning out her conversation with her parents. She stepped to the side of the keg, able to catch the label. This keg held apple cider. She could've guessed as much; Sweet Apple Acres was notable for handling large scale events like these, so they ended up bringing a lot of food and drinks. Mystic wondered if she'd ever get tired of apple products.
She walked away from the keg, and found another leaning up against a table. She pulled the keg down, making it stand on the small wooden legs meant to hold it up. She heard the tap on the front dripping, and used her magic to ensure that it was tight again. When the dripping stopped, she looked at the label on the side. Wine. Ugh, she thought.
"They're really drinking wine here?" She thought out loud. 
"Not everypony!" Carrie said, trotting back to her side. "Well, most of the older adults are… Are you going to try some?"
"Not… really," Mystic laughed nervously, scratching her wing with her hoof. "I don't exactly like drinking very much. I've just never been a fan of the taste. I usually just stick to cider, or drinks with a veeery small alcohol content. As long as it doesn't get me drunk, it works."
"Oh, I know something you might like!" Carrie bounced up and down excitedly.
Carrie didn't wait for a response before she grabbed Mystic's hoof, and dragged her off to the other side of the platform. Another keg leaned up against one of the tables. Like before, Mystic had to go through the effort of setting the keg up correctly, and stopping the dripping tap. She looked at the label on the side. Spiced red wine. Her eyes widened as she looked at the finer print on the label.
"Rose Spice sent this?" She asked.
"Mhm!" Carrie confirmed with a wide smile.
"He's not here is he?" Mystic spun around to face Carrie with her wings flared.
"Unfortunately, no," Carrie snorted. "He sent us a letter saying he couldn't attend the coronation because the distance is too far for him to travel on such a short notice. He was lucky to get this shipped to Canterlot in such a short time."
"Oh thank god…" Mystic sighed, folding her wings back against her sides. She took a few deep breaths to calm down. "You almost had me worried there."
"Why are you so scared of him being here?" Carrie asked.
Then immediately, the earth pony shut herself up with a gasp. A smirk came to her face, and her eyes fell half lidded. Mystic didn't like that look. It made her coat crawl as if she were covered in ants, and it made her face heat up.
"...Why are you looking at me like that?" Mystic hissed, ears bent back.
"Don't tell me," Carrie snickered. "Does my precious Mysty have a crush?"
"Oh, fuck you," Mystic snapped, turning around and slapping the mare with her curled tail. "That's it, I'm leaving."
"Hey wait!" Carrie whined as Mystic began trotting back to the stairs.
"Nope, I'm not gonna stand around while you insult me," Mystic huffed.
Before she reached the stairs, Carrie bolted in front of her, blocking her path. She looked at the alicorn with a pout, her ears drooping and eyes glossy. The sight made Mystic snicker. She fluttered her wings with amusement, while Carrie looked at her with confused eyes.
"What, you didn't think I was actually going to leave, did you?" Mystic hummed teasingly. "You're so gullible."
"I- you!" Carrie groaned as she stood up straight, rolling her eyes. "Mysty you're so mean…"
"You started it," Mystic rolled her eyes with a smile. "Luckily you caught me in a good mood. I'm not feeling like shit anymore so I've at least got the energy to joke around a little."
"Well, aren't I grateful for that," Carrie laughed. "I was about to go into the saddest spiel ever…"
"You do that a lot," Mystic snorted. "I don't think that phrase applies anymore."
"You know what I mean!" Carrie complained, standing at Mystic's side and leaning against her dramatically.
Mystic tapped a hoof, and rolled her eyes. She stepped to the side, causing Carrie to fall over with her cheek pressed against the ground. She whined in complaint before she pulled herself to her hooves, clearly unamused with Mystic's snickering. The two mares turned back to the main venue, and walked through the platform's center to the cake table at the back.
"I guess I should at least enjoy some cake while I'm here," Mystic said. "I haven't eaten since breakfast. Honestly, I'm really craving some sweets right now."
"Well, you're in luck," Carrie giggled. "Luckily for you, Princess, I made the cake myself! It's a triple tiered sponge cake, with grape flavoring since I know it's your favourite! I tried not to go too heavy with the frosting and whipped cream since I know you don't care for a lot of sugar all at once, but I might've still overdone it a little… I can get you a small slice if you're worried!"
"No, it's… fine," Mystic said, using her magic to lift up the knife beside the cake, and a plate of her own. "I can get my own piece."
She lifted the knife to the very top layer of the cake, carefully cutting out a small piece for herself, and laying it on its side on her plate. She placed a napkin on the table, and set the used knife on top of it so she didn't soil the table cloth. She grabbed a fork from the laid out silverware and looked back at Carrie with a brief smile.
Well, it'd be better to try it when the chef is here, Mystic thought. One thing she knew about Carrie better than any other pony was that she valued feedback on her work over anything. Though, with her cutie mark talent, the feedback was usually positive anyways. As Mystic took her first bite, she confirmed that thought for herself.
"Oh, this is really good," She hummed, practically melting from the taste.
"Of course it is!" Carrie giggled, excitedly clapping her hooves and swishing her tail. "Oh I'm so glad you like it!"
"But," Mystic continued. "You did put too much frosting."
"Aww…" Carrie whined, settling her hooves back on the ground. "I knew it!"
"It's not that bad though," Mystic chuckled lightly. "But I'm definitely happy that I got a small piece. I don't think I'd be able to eat a bigger piece in one sitting."
As expected from Carrie's cutie mark talent, Mystic already felt happier after eating the cake. She knew this sudden influx of serotonin wouldn't last for very long, but she would at least enjoy it while she could. She'd be in a better mood as long as she had the cake to enjoy. Truly, that was fine by her. It was a distraction from everything anyway.
She glanced around the venue as she ate her slice. Like Carrie had said, her other friends were gathered around one of the tables chatting away. She looked over just in time to see Li'l Peanut make Short Summer spill cider on her salomie coat after he hugged her. He pulled back in somewhat of a panic, seeming to apologize rapidly as he grabbed napkins and began helping her clean up. She was a giggling mess as she tried to reassure the stallion. 
Mystic couldn't help feeling happy with the sight. They seemed to be having fun. She had a desire to join them. She fluttered her wings as she considered any other options, but she didn't see a reason not to go talk to them. She was sure at least these ponies weren't going to tease her about her coronation dress. She took a deep breath before choosing to approach the group, and she took an especially big bite from her cake just to calm her anxiety as she did so.
"P-peanut, you're being too dramatic about this," Summer said, finally pushing the stallion off and taking the napkins he had grabbed in her malibu coloured magic.
"Am not!" Peanut whined, almost in tears. 
"Yes, you are," Honeycrisp snorted, pushing her blonde and brown locks out of her face. "You already apologized and helped her clean up, and it was just a drink spill. It's not the end of the world. Haven't you ever heard the saying 'don't cry over spilled milk?'"
"Or spilled cider," Summer giggled.
Peanut fell silent, pulling his thick mane over his face to obscure his embarrassment. Well, he finally learned how ridiculous he was being, Mystic thought. She sighed before she finally joined the crowd, making herself feel welcome between Honeycrisp and the pale rose pegasus known as Budding Hedge, who turned to face her when she appeared.
"Ah, Princess Mystic. Greetings," Bud hummed lightly. "Glad that you could finally join us. Did you finally get sick of Carrie bugging you?"
"She wasn't bugging," Mystic chuckled. "We were just catching up a little. And don't call me Princess again."
"Noted," Bud said with a nod. "So, I assume you saw Peanut's little freak out?"
"Yeah," Mystic snorted, covering her muzzle with a hoof. "It was hard not to watch."
"Don't laugh at me!" Peanut whined behind his mane.
"Sorry, can't help myself," Mystic said with a shrug.
"You're so mean," Honeycrisp laughed. "At least attempt to comfort the poor thing. He might just die from embarrassment at any moment."
"It'll be funnier if he passes out," Mystic hummed.
"Mystic Amethyst!" Bud laughed, lightly hitting the mare on the side with her wing.
"I'm kidding!" Mystic laughed, hitting Bud back.
"You two…" Summer snickered quietly., the constant blush on her cheeks brightening.
"Hey are you all having fun over here without me?" Carrie complained as she approached the group.
"You just missed your brother making a fool of himself," Mystic snorted.
"Can we stop talking about it?!" Peanut fell dramatically to the ground, burying his face in his hooves. His face was bright red, that much anyone could tell.
"Okay, let's spare him any further embarrassment and change the topic," Summer giggled. "S-so, um… can we talk about the coronation?"
"Oh god…" Mystic grumbled, pinning her ears back. "Don't remind me. I don't need to be any more embarrassed today than I already am."
"Why would you be embarrassed?" Bud tilted her head. "I thought your dress looked pretty."
"That's the problem," Mystic said, her cheeks tinting red. "You all know how much I hate wearing dresses. If it were up to me, I would've been wearing my guard uniform instead, but I only did it so Rarity didn't feel bad."
"That's sweet," Honeycrisp hummed. "Well, regardless, I still think it looked nice, and your speech was very thought out."
"No it wasn't," Mystic snorted. "I made it all up on the spot. Don't tell me you believed everything I said."
"Well, we know you," Peanut said as he stood back up, finally managing to clear his embarrassment now that the topic wasn't about him. "It's easy to tell when you're making things up and when you're being genuine."
"Plus, you aren't Empress Twilight," Carrie said. "I know if you had the decision yourself, you'd rather be, like, The Queen of Death or something."
"Has a nice ring to it," Mystic said, rolling her 'r.' "The Queen of Death…"
"How fitting…" Summer laughed nervously. "B-but I don't think Twilight would be a huge fan of that."
"She'd never let me hear the end of it if I said that's what I wanted to be," Mystic groaned, forcing herself to take another bite of the cake. "Equestria probably doesn't want to be known as the first nation to have a Queen of anything, outside of the changelings I guess. Even the Princess of Death doesn't exactly sound appealing to ponies that aren't me."
"It sounds like what the Grim Reaper would be called," Peanut said, raising a hoof in thought. "I mean Mystic, you could practically be a reaper anyways. You study necromancy, don't you?"
"At one time I did," Mystic said with a hum. "But it was a very short lived study. Mom forbade me from using my magic on ponies, and learning to resurrect animals was only good for keeping Fluttershy happy. I can't exactly have the undead army that I want when my subjects are rodents and birds."
"I guess that makes sense…" Peanut said with a nervous laugh. "If Twilight was going to let you be the Princess of Death, then I don't think she would've let you be a princess at all if she knew you were going to do that."
"My point exactly," Mystic sighed. "But it's fine now. I'm sure I'll learn to suffer with the idea of being the Princess of Friendship."
She said, you know, like a liar.
"Haven't you spoken out about it to Twilight?" Bud asked. "You've been canceling coronations for years, at least from what the rumors have said."
"Well, the rumors are true," Mystic sighed. "She's been trying to get me crowned since I was 21. But, it might not be for too much longer."
"What?" Peanut blinked in surprise. "Why?"
"Princess Skyla told me if I wanted to, I could join the guard at the Crystal Empire," Mystic said.
"What?!" The group said in unison, making Mystic pin her ears back.
"I… didn't realize you all were so opposed to the idea," Mystic laughed nervously.
"W-we aren't!" Summer said, fanning herself with a hoof. "It's just… a surprise. Princess Skyla is usually pretty strict about how her kingdom functions, so it seems a little, uh, strange to see her be so willing to bend the rules for you."
"Pretty much all of her guards were born and raised in the empire," Bud said. "At least, from what I remember anyway."
"Well, I didn't make the decision right then anyways," Mystic snapped. "I… I told her to give me two months to make up my mind. I'm still unsure of things myself, that's why I wanted time to think. Plus with you guys, me being in the Canterlot Royal Guard has already kept me away from you as is. You'd see even less of me if I was in the Crystal Empire."
"That is true," Summer hummed. "B-But, you shouldn't let us influence your decisions. As your friends, we need to be able to respect your choices. Regardless of whether or not you choose to go to the empire to be a guard, or stay in Canterlot as a Princess, we'll be here to support you every step of the way."
"Thanks," Mystic sighed as she finished the last of her cake, and settled her fork on the plate. 
She knew her friends would always be there for her through anything and everything. The idea of leaving them didn't really sit right with her, but she didn't want to be a princess. It was a hard decision, and it made her feel like she had to choose between her friends or her title. She knew the things she wanted, but she couldn't have both, and that meant she was struggling. The mood was somber and silent with the weight of the decision falling on Mystic's back. After a few moments, she cleared her throat and turned on her hooves.
"I'm gonna go put my plate back," She said gruffly.
She didn't wait for a response before she trotted to the back center table. The influx of joy the cake had given her had faded, leaving her back to her usual attitude. She set her plate and fork beside the cake, and stared up at it. Its intricate patterns of whipped cream and frosting did nothing to distract her from the decision, which once more plagued her mind. She began to remember her conversation with Twilight. The mare's apology rang out clearly in her head, and Skyla's offer was just as loud.
She sighed, turning and looking back at the group of ponies she called her friends. They had picked up their conversation again, but no pony seemed very happy. She couldn't tell, but she could almost sense that they were talking about her. She took a breath, and sighed. She didn't want to be here anymore.
In silence, she moved one hoof after the other, breaking into a trot and heading for the staircase. At the moment, all she wanted to do was go home and be alone.