Sometimes, no matter how old you are, when you’re having a really bad day, there’s nothing like a warm reassuring hug from your parents. Even though Twilight was now a good bit larger than both of her parents, she still couldn’t help but feel like a filly safe under her Mother’s watch when Velvet wrapped her hooves around her and told her everything was going to be alright. There was something about her Mother’s voice that made her truly believe it… Yes, everything was going to be alright. Things would work out as they always have.
Now, as the supper dishes were beginning to be brought out with a proud flourish by the caterers, Twilight was finally starting to appreciate the party. Why couldn’t she enjoy this one night? Yes, duties and responsibilities were ahead, but “ahead” was not “now”, and she wasn’t going to forget the lesson she had harshly taught herself… It does one no good to waste time worrying about absolutely everything.
The lilac alicorn paused in the middle of the crowd to try and find her friends and family again. Her parents were getting a rather loud introduction of Rarity’s parents, and it looked like the entire Apple family had just joined the celebrations… But where had Spike gone off to?
It took her another minute before she finally spotted the tip of his green scales near the drink table. If she had to guess, he was probably trying to get Rarity a glass of punch. Twilight couldn’t help but give an exasperated smile at the dragon’s endless adoration for her seamstress friend, before releasing an amused sigh and working her way through the crowd towards him.
Twilight reached him just in time to see him lose his drink, as a slightly punch-drunk stallion bumped into him… And judging by the number of lemon slices surrounding him, it appeared to be for at least the fifth time.
“Ah come on…” Spike grumbled.
As he turned back towards the table to get yet another glass, he found two, full and perfectly garnished, drifting in a soft pink aura an inch from his nose. He took them with a hint of confusion, before putting two and two together and turning around to grin at Twilight.
“Heh heh, thanks, Twi-huh?” He got cut off as Twilight took a hurried step forward and pulled him close to her with a wing- In time to avoid him getting knocked over by two rambunctious teens a little too eager to get a drink.
“I think you better get on my back, Spike.”
“Eh~? No way, I couldn’t… It wouldn’t look proper, this being a big formal party and all-woah!” Spike was once again cut off by Twilight, as she scooped him up with her magic to place him on her back.
“I’ll worry about being ‘proper’ when half the ponies here aren’t drunk, and you aren’t under the risk of getting trampled.” Twilight deadpanned.
Spike seemed to think about it for a second, before chuckling. “I guess you have a point.”
“Glad you agree… And anyway, I feel better with you being close.” Twilight said simply, as she tried to spot her friends again… There was no doubt, the crowd was getting bigger.
“I’ll be right here then!” Spike replied cheerfully, before adding with a hint of sheepishness, “But, uh, can we go over to Rarity… You know, just for a minute?”
Twilight chuckled. “Sure, Spike.”
As Twilight rather easily slid through the crowd towards the white alicorn, Spike had to admit that this way was certainly easier, and a good bit kinder on his tail as well… it had gotten stepped on at least ten times at this point, and even with his thick scales, it was starting to get tender.
Rarity was busy discussing various things about fashion and décor that Spike couldn’t follow with Fancy Pants and several noblemares, but she still paused long enough to take the hard-earned glass of punch from Spike and thank him with a peck on the cheek before resuming her discussion. Twilight had to suppress a loud laugh at how Spike practically melted on the spot from the kiss, forcing her to catch him with her new wings simply to prevent him from falling off her back.
Leaving Rarity to her conversation with her friend and fans, Twilight instead headed over to where she was sure she had spotted Shining Armor. Along the way, she noted that Pinkie and her sisters were still inseparable, so anyone who hoped to talk to the new Lunar Queen (Boy, that felt weird to think.) were forced to worm their way through Baralinka’s excited stories and dance demonstrations. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy stood together, the Wonderbolts long having left to prepare for their show in a couple hours.
Fluttershy seems awful nervous… Then again, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised, with all this commotion, she probably just wants to go somewhere quiet and hide at this point. Twilight thought to herself, making a mental note to show Fluttershy the secret lake later, so that the poor girl could have a moment or twenty to collect herself again.
“Twilly!”
“Hello Twilight.”
“Cadence, Shining Armor! It’s so good to see you both again!” Twilight beamed, pulling her brother and sister-in-law into a hug.
“The feeling’s mutual Twilight.” Cadence chuckled lightly. “And I am really glad to see you so happy, or at the very least reasonable.”
“Cadence!” Shining hissed, sounding affectionately reproachful.
“Oh you said it yourself Shining, Twilight can get… Overwhelmed over little things… And this is certainly not, in any way, little.”
“It’s fine BBBFF,” Twilight laughed, “She’s right, and I admit to that, well, I guess it really is a flaw isn’t it?” She asked, half directing her question at Spike, and half at her older brother.
“Well, whether it is or isn’t, we love ya for it anyway.” Spike answered, with Shining quick to agree.
“Which reminds me,” Shining added, looking a little mischievous. “You got a little, ah, testy with me about not updating you about my life personally, and then what do I get but a letter myself?”
“Trust me, I would have loved to have “updated” you personally, but when I sent that letter everything in it had occurred literally moments before.” Twilight explained quickly. “When I said “recent events” I meant it quite literally.”
“Wait wait wait- What? Hang on, you’re telling me that you were suddenly an Alicorn just last night, and now you’re getting plunked on the throne today?!” Shining spluttered, looking incredulously between his younger sister and the dragon perched on her back.
“Uh, yeah, that’s it exactly, actually.” Spike replied simply, causing Shining’s jaw to nearly hit the ground and for him to bring a hoof to his head as if he suddenly had a very bad headache.
“You know, I’m really not that surprised actually. Daddy said things were, what were the words he used? “Escalating quickly?” Yeah, that was it… So it makes sense… This certainly looks like an emergency measure.” Cadence deadpanned, looking over at the other Bearers of The Element’s of Harmony as she spoke.
“Whether it’s an “Emergency Measure” or not, this is ridiculous! Where’s your Aunts? I’m going to have a word or two with them….”
Twilight found herself trying not to laugh at her brother’s obvious irritation and dismay. Cadence just rolled her eyes in a knowing way and patted her husband on the shoulder.
“Oh, leave them be, Shiny. Let them have a day off for once in their lives. Aunt Celestia has been rather ill these past few weeks as well, so… Just leave them be. I have complete faith that they aren’t just going to toss six new rulers on the throne and say “OK, we’re gone, good luck!” and not give them any help! In fact, knowing Aunt Luna, they’ll be wishing they had after she pulls drill sergeant professor for a couple of weeks.”
Shining groaned, but gave in with a half-hearted mutter. “Oh, alright…”
“That reminds me! Hey Twilight, you’ll finally be able to meet my Father properly!” Cadence said cheerfully, and despite the nerves that the idea brought up, Twilight smiled back and nodded.
Even if Cadence didn’t notice the anxiety that her proposal arose, Shining did; And with a gentle whop in Twilight’s front leg, he gave her a reassuring grin. “Don’t worry Twilly, Cadence’s old man may be a bit gruff and rough on the outside, but he’s got a gold heart… Complete Teddy Bear. Well, at least when it comes to Cadence.”
Twilight couldn’t help but laugh a little at the look Shining gave her at the end of his assurances. Cadence had been distracted talking to a couple of ponies who had eagerly come over for autographs (Much to the Princess’s confusion, but she signed them anyway), but now she was turning back to Twilight.
“Oh, one last thing Twilight… You wouldn’t happen to know where my dear cousin is, would you?” It was a rare thing for Cadence to be sarcastic, but the tone was undeniable.
“I think I seen him by the rose gardens, why?”
“Mmm. Well, after Uncle spoiled the git rotten, he sent him to Aunt Celestia in hopes that maybe she could sort him out. But… Ever since she’s gotten sick there’s been talk of the ‘what now’s and I am desperately hoping that it is back with his parents and not with us… Oh heavens, please, not with us… I’ll talk to you later, Twilight, bye!”
“Ok, see you later…”
“I better stick with her, actually.” Shining said, sounding a little embarrassed. “Her and Blueblood really don’t get along, and although I doubt she’d actually get into a fight with him here, I want to be there, juuuust in case… See ya Twilly.”
“See ya, BBBFF.” Twilight grinned, and Shining returned her smile before quickly pushing through the crowd after Cadence.
“Hey Twilight?”
“Yes Spike?”
“Can we get Supper now?”
Twilight suppressed a snicker.
“Yes Spike.”