Rarity smiled as she saw the friendly faces of Shining Armor and Princess Cadance. "Oh, hello Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor," Rarity replied as she bowed.
Cadance giggled as she and Shining took the seat adjacent to Rarity. "No, need to be so formal, you can just call me Cadance," the pink alicorn replied as she sat down.
"And you can just call me Shining Armor," the prince chimed in as the train started chugging down the track.
"So what brings you here?" Cadance asked.
"Oh, just some business with Sapphire Shores, she wanted me to make a dress for her upcoming show," Rarity replied.
"Oh that's interesting, I can't wait to see what you come up with for her, your designs are all lovely," Cadance chimed in.
Rarity blushed at the comment, trying her best to remain humble and modest. "Thank you, but it really ain't nothing, I can just see a good design before I draw it," Rarity said as Cadance smiled.
"It's a talent few possess, but it is remarkable and the trademark of a real artist," Cadance replied, making Rarity blush more.
Rarity cleared her throat to change the subject, "So what brings you two on the train?" Rarity asked as she adjusted herself in her seat.
"Well, Shining and I have some free time after assisting aunt Celestia with some work, so we thought we'd pay Twilight a surprise visit," Cadance said as Shining nodded.
Rarity's eyes lit up as she smiled. "Oh, she'd love that, she always talks so fondly about you two," she said as she looked down. "Speaking of love, can I ask you two a question?" Rarity asked, seeing a perfect opportunity to ask them and get their thoughts on the matter she is concerned with.
"You just did," Shining said while trying to repress his smile. Cadance gently nudged him causing him to laugh.
Rarity snorted a bit, holding back her own laughter at Shining's joke. "You'll make a great father if you tell jokes like that," Rarity said, making Shining Armor blush and Cadance laugh.
"You got that right, Rarity, I guess he's just practicing," Cadance replied making Shining blush even more.
Cadance returned her attention to Rarity. "But regarding your question, of course, you can ask us anything, what's on your mind?" Cadance asked as Rarity looked down.
"Dreadfully sorry if this brings up bad memories, but I was wondering, do you two think the changelings could be befriended?" Rarity asked.
Cadance looked down with a solemn expression. "It does bring back memories, but it's ok, but if I'm being honest, no, I really don't think so, their queen used mind control on my husband and almost took him away from me, not to mention locked me underground by luring me in their disguised as Shining under the pretence of pleasure, almost took over Canterlot, and almost ruined my perfect day," Cadance said as Rarity's ears folded down. "I know some of my reasons may seem petty, but I do have other reasons, like I said, they almost took over Canterlot and the changelings seem unpredictable, I wouldn't want to be blindsided by one if I let my guard down," Cadance said as Shining began to gingerly stroke her back.
"But what if there were good changelings, do you two think you could be friends with them?" Rarity asked.
"Maybe if this was a perfect world Rarity, but there is no such thing as a good changeling," Shining said as Cadance nodded in agreement.
"Oh, I see," Rarity said, defeated by Shining's words.
"Why are you asking this question anyway?" Cadance asked, causing Rarity to freeze up. Nopony had asked her that since Twilight so she let her guard down a bit.
Rarity snapped out of it as she remembered what she told Twilight. "Oh, the whole ordeal scared my sister, Sweetie Belle, she's afraid they'll come back for revenge and I told her I would protect her, and I just thought that maybe there might be a chance to make peace with them" Rarity replied.
Cadance smiled and nodded. "That was sweet of you to try and comfort her, hopefully that hope is enough to bring your wish to fruition, but Shining and I are doubtful, as royals we know we have to have open minds, but the safety and well-being of our subjects must come first," Cadance replied, bringing up Luna's point that she had conveyed to Celestia not too long ago.
"I understand," was all Rarity could say as she took out her notepad and started writing. Under Celestia's and Luna's names and thoughts, she wrote.
Cadance and Shining Armor: Both Cadance and Shining Armor think it's nigh on impossible to make friends with the changelings let alone believe that any good ones exist, their reasons though petty don't seem as racist as Rainbow's, but are still discriminatory, though I still can't fault them too much for they share the same mindset as Luna.
Rarity wrote as the train chugged merrily on the tracks. Rarity put her notepad back in her saddlebag only to be seen by Cadance.
"What do you have there?" Cadance asked as Rarity smiled impishly.
"That's a personal matter, I can't go around divulging all of my secrets now can I?" Rarity replied with Cadance giving a chuckle.
"You're right, I'm sorry for being nosey," Cadance apologizes as the train starts squealing to a stop.
"That's quite alright, darling," Rarity said as they got up from their seats and got off the train at Ponyville station.
"I hope you two have a lovely visit with Twilight," Rarity said as she left Cadance and Shining Armor at the station.
"We will," Cadance replied as her and Shining waved Rarity off.
Rarity wandered the streets of Ponyville until finally coming to a stop at a public bench. She sits down to relax as she wonders what to do now. "I only have two more ponies to ask, Pinkie will most likely be positive, but I should still ask nonetheless," Rarity says to herself as she sits on the bench.