//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: Turning In // Story: Proxy // by Thithle Candytufth //------------------------------// The two unicorns sat across from each other at a small square table. The waning moon was clearly visible through the window. The room was lit with a candelabrum in the center of the table. The light was bright enough to allow for visibility, but not enough to neither strain the eyes nor envelop the thin rays of moonlight that entered through the window. “Thanks so much for dinner, Lavender,” Twilight said, placing the knife and fork crossed on the plate. She levitated a napkin over to her mouth. “Oh, it’s no trouble,” Lavender said. Her horn glowed and the two plates were lifted off of the table. She began to walk to the kitchen as she called back to Twilight. “We’ve got all night. What do you want to do?” Twilight shrugged. “I’m up for anything.” Amidst the sounds of a sink running and dishes clanging, Lavender's voice came from the kitchen. “Please, you’re my guest.” Okay, this is getting excessive. How much is she going to give me for nothing in return? “Lavender, I have a question for you.” A muffled “shoot” could be heard from the kitchen. “How long are you going to let me stay here?” Lavender slipped back into the dining room, smiling. “Why, as long as you need!” “Well, I don’t want to impose. I could find my own place—” “Oh, come now. I don’t know why it’s so hard to convince you that this is no trouble at all.” “Well, frankly, I feel kind of like a freeloader.” “A freeloader, huh?” Lavender sat at the table and rested her head on her hoof. She looked around the room pensively. “So, you don’t like how you’re getting the room and board and meals without giving me anything, right?” “Well, yes.” “So, you want to do something to pay me back, even though I’m not asking it of you?” Twilight nodded. “That’s so sweet of you. Tell me, something, Twilight. Are you good with kids?” “I suppose so,” Twilight said, “I don’t really have any experience, though.” “But the idea of being in a room with two dozen foals doesn’t fill you with terror?” Twilight chuckled. “No, not at all.” “And you would say that your magic skill level is…?” “Well,” Twilight said, giving an aside glance, “I’d like to say expert.” “You see where I’m going here, right?” Lavender said, making a rolling motion with her hoof. “Forty bits a night?” Twilight said with a wry smile. Lavender giggled. “Just help me out with my classes and we’ll call it even. Is that okay?” “Of course!” Twilight said, “I’d love to help.” Ugh. I was actually hoping she’d take the money. But that’s okay. I mean, they’re going to be smart, ambitious little kids, anyway. “Great!” Lavender said, “Class starts tomorrow at nine. I hope that’s not too early.” Twilight flipped her mane. “Early? Please. If you really get into your studies, nine in the morning is late.” “I guess so,” Lavender said with a chuckle, “I remember pulling some pretty hardcore all-nighters back in my school days.” “I’d imagine you’d’ve had to,” Twilight said, “since you managed to get a teaching degree so young.” Lavender blushed. “See, your compliments are reward enough for a place to stay.” Twilight smiled. “Thanks, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still want to help.” “You know what would really help, Twilight?” “What?” “If you, uh, took a shower. You really, really stink.” “Oh?” Twilight laughed nervously. “Where’s the—” “Down the hall and to the right,” Lavender said, covering her nose. Twilight slipped out of the room, and followed Lavender’s instructions. She walked into the bathroom, whose tiles were, to no surprise, violet and blue. She pulled the shower curtain open with her magic, then twisted the knob embedded in the tiled wall. Cool water began to cascade from the showerhead above. Twilight stepped in and pulled the curtain closed. The nearly chilling water first made her spine tingle. Icy beads pulled away whatever grime had found its way on her coat. She shivered and stretched, feeling her joints crack and her muscles relax. The water cut through her matted purple mane, letting it run straight against her neck. She stood in the shower perfectly still for over twenty minutes. No thoughts ran through her head. She concentrated on the sound of the water running, the feeling of its icy downpour, and the smell of the shampoo she rubbed into her mane. Thoughts joined the dirt and soap in the drain. She stepped out, grasping a towel and wrapping it around her body. She vigorously rubbed her coat and mane and wringed out her tail. She walkedout of the bathroom, a shroud of cool mist surrounding her. She poked her head into the living room. Lavender was sitting comfortably on the couch, reading. “I think I’m just going to turn in,” Twilight said. “Alrighty then,” Lavender replied, “goodnight!” Twilight cupped her mouth with her hoof as she yawned. She slugged down the hallway, her tired eyes distorting the purple and blue hues of the walls. With the glow of her horn, the door to her new room opened. She stepped in and became enveloped in darkness. She rubbed her hoof against the sides of the door, looking for a switch. She bumped against what she assumed was a picture frame. Oh, how silly of me. She concentrated, holding a stiff stance. Her horn began to form a spark, and, with a swelling twinkling sound, the room was filled with dim violet light. Aha! She spotted the switch on the wall. She flicked it with her hoof and relaxed her stance. The violet glow diffused, allowing for the yellowish tungsten light to illuminate the room. The walls were plain, painted in the dullest of beige. Within the picture frame Twilight had brushed her hoof against was a monochrome photograph of a smiling Lavender with a group of unicorn foals. Twilight noticed that Lavender’s hair was not black-streaked as it is now. The first class she taught, maybe? And she does dye. The mattress was cradled in a detailed maple frame. At the foot of the bed was a neatly folded black comforter. It had a star pattern printed on it. Upon closer inspection, the arrangement appeared to be astronomically accurate. Twilight laughed internally. She must’ve known I was coming. Next to the bed was a nightstand. On its wooden top was an incense holder. It consisted of two alicorn sculptures, one white and one black, with their horns crossed. Beneath it was a bamboo plate. Twilight assumed one was to lay the stick across their horns, holding it in place. Beside it was a small cassette player, presumably intended to be hoof-held. On wall opposite to the bed was a shelf lined with ancient-looking tomes, which overlooked a writing desk. She has a guest bookshelf? A cursory glance at the spines revealed a few old favorites: The Astronomical Astronomer's Almanac to All Things Astronomy, Supernaturals, and even All You Ever Wanted to Know About Slumber Parties (But Were Afraid to Ask). In the bottom corner of the bookshelf, standing out in its advanced age, was the book Elements of Harmony. Twilight gazed at its spine, reading those three words repeatedly. No. You don’t want to read that. It has nothing to do with you. But I could maybe find something out! I could make something clearer. You have no reason to read that book. If anything, it will make adjusting harder for you. Ignore it. No. One day I’m cracking that book open. Twilight crawled into the bed. She pulled the comforter over herself and faced the wall, wrapping it around her tired body. She rested her head on the plush pillow, her wet mane pressing against the back of her head. Something’s still got me bothered, though. Just go to sleep. I know! Shining! Twilight slid out from under the covers. She hobbled over to the writing desk. She took a piece of parchment from the rather impressive stack, and dipped a quill in ink, and began to move the quill over the parchment. “Dearest Shining Armor, I wanted to let you know that I’m fine. I’m staying with a new friend in Ponyville. I don’t know when, or if, I’ll be back, but you’re welcome to visit anytime. I’m staying at Star Swirl Academy. I’ll be working as a teaching assistant. If what I said was confusing or weird to you, please don’t worry. Whatever it was, I’m over it. I’m really happy here. I’ve met lots of new friends. Please relay this to Mom and Dad; I’m sure they’re worried too. Also, I know it’s a little late, but congratulations! I’m so happy for you and Cadance. How’d you manage to get a mare as wonderful as her to marry you of all stallions? Be sure to bring her along if you come to visit! -Twilight Sparkle” --- Shining Armor slunk through the doorway to his suite. He could barely make out the form of Cadance, who lay with her head pressed up against the headboard of their canopied bed. A dying candle stood beside her on the nightstand. She blinked a few times, making out the form of Shining Armor. “Come to bed, sweetie,” she said. Shining Armor lifted his limp body into the bed and slipped under the comforter. Cadance lowered herself beneath the covers. He shifted over to Cadance and wrapped his hooves around her. She curled up within his strong limbs. Cadance gave a contented sigh. “So, how did it go?” Shining Armor squinted. His eyes strained as a tear rolled down his face. He turned his head, preventing it from falling upon his bride. His voice quivered as he spoke, though he tried his hardest to keep it steady. “It was… fine.” “Did she ever say why I couldn’t stick around?” Cadance said, shifting closer to him. “She just didn’t want you to get worried,” he replied, shuttering a bit at the feeling of her body against his. “Worried about what?” “We don’t know where Twilight is right now.” “Oh,” Cadance said, dismayed. “But we are doing something about that, right?” Shining Armor’s breathing was slightly labored. “Celestia is… doing everything within her power to find her. She’s… deeply concerned. As much as we are.” “Oh, honey,” Cadance reached back and rubbed Shining Armor’s flank with her hoof, “I knew she had her best interests at heart. She must’ve been near unapproachable when she heard what happened.” Shining Armor trembled. “I… think she was.” “But you can rest easy now, right?” He swallowed hard, but the massive lump in his throat would not leave him. “…Yeah.” He wiped a few tears off of his face. “I know you’re still worried,” Cadance said sternly, “but we’ll find her. She couldn’t have gone very far.” “You’re right,” he said, “I… shouldn’t worry too much.” “It’s most certainly within Celestia’s power to locate just one unicorn,” she said, “I mean, what isn’t within her power?” “You’re… right about that.” “It’s a good thing she sees the issue as important as we do. Twilight was her student after all.” “Yeah, she seems to be really concerned about all of this.” “What did she say?” “The Princess…” Shining Armor coughed, “she said she didn’t want us to worry, and… apologized that her student’s actions are ruining the first couple days of our wedded life.” “See? I knew she was a sweetheart.” Shining Armor shuttered at this notion. “Yeah, she sure is.” “Honey, are you sure you’re okay? You’re shaking.” He tensed up, curling around Cadance’s body. “Yes, I’m fine.” “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to help you relax?” “I think I’ll be okay,” Shining Armor gave an unsteady sigh, “I mean, you’re here with me, that’s all I need.” “I’m glad I can be of some help,” she said, nuzzling her head against Shining Armor’s upper chest. “You’re all the help I need, Cadance,” Shining Armor pressed his head against the pillow, allowing it to absorb a few tears that ran down his cheek. Cadance outstretched a wing and lightly brushed his mane with a pink feather. She felt that it was damp with tears. She said nothing. She leaned over to the nightstand and blew out the candle. She could hear the movement of Shining Armor’s body, the light rattling of the bed frame. She returned to her husband’s embrace.