Part 4
The next morning was clear and a little bit chilly, though not unpleasantly so. The cobblestones of Canterlot were still wet from the previous night's rain storm. Ponies were busy sweeping & readying their store fronts for business. Many of them waved to Cadance but all she had time to do was wave back. She'd have loved to stop and chat but the teenager had a destination, a mission and a strict timetable in which to accomplish it.
She took a deep breath and rang the bell at Twilight Velvet & Night Light's front door. As she waited the butterflies returned to Cadance's stomach...she gulped nervously & second guessed her willingness to face the adults she had failed so miserably the night before. But the pink filly stood her ground and the door opened.
"Good morning, Cadance" said Twilight Velvet, but no smile or cheer accompanied the greeting.
"Good morning, Professor Velvet" the teen answered. She decided not to waste time on forced pleasantries or small talk, getting right to the point; "I've...I've come to apologize about last night. You trusted me & I really let you down. I just want you and Professor Night Light to know how deeply sorry I am."
Still wearing a dour expression the older mare replied "My husband is at the University, he had a morning class to teach. I'll certainly tell him you came by and convey your message."
"Thank you Ma'am" Cadance reached under her wing and pulled out an envelope. "I gave your letter to my parents last night as you instructed...this is from my mother. She would have sent it by post but I asked to deliver it myself and she gave permission...provided I'm back home in a half-hour."
Twilight Velvet accepted the envelope with her magic but did not open it. "I see. Were your parents upset?"
"Well," confessed the blushing filly, "they certainly weren't happy with me." It was then that Cadance noticed a small purple form hiding behind her mother's legs. "I'd also like to apologize to Twilight Sparkle...with your permission, ma'am." The mother nodded and took a half step to the side, allowing her filly to come forward to the door.
"Hi Cadance" she said meekly.
"Twily, I'm so sorry about last night. I allowed you to fall into terrible danger because I wasn't doing my job properly. I..."
The purple unicorn filly cut her off "But Cadance, it wasn't your fault! I did something dangerous & stupid & didn't think and it's all my fault! I feel awful that you got in trouble!"
"You shouldn't feel bad for me, Twilight" the foal sitter assured her "all the trouble I got into I deserve."
Twilight Sparkle was about to object but her mother cut in to put a stop to the two fillies' debate about fault. "You both made mistakes last night...you both share part of the blame...and we're just thankful nothing worse happened. I trust both of you will take the opportunity to learn from this."
"Yes ma'am" both younger ponies answered in unison.
Twilight Sparkle piped up "We're just finishing breakfast...can you stay and have some tea? Can Cadance stay, Mom?"
But Cadance quickly cut her off; "No, I'm sorry, Twily. I have to go. I'm grounded for a very long time...I had to ask my mother for special permission to come deliver her letter and I'm sure she's watching the clock. I'll get in even more trouble if I dilly-dally."
"Awww" muttered Twilight, but then she leaned forward and admitted to Cadance in a not-so-quiet whisper "Mommy gave me a spanking with the hairbrush last night."
"I'm sorry to hear that" Cadance replied sympathetically, and added "I got my bottom whipped last night too."
The little filly's eyes grew wide with surprise, and she flopped backward onto her rump. "But...but...you're a teenager! You're practically a grown up mare!"
"Well, I was beginning to think so too" answered Cadance, her cheeks turning crimson "but my daddy proved me wrong last night." That caused both fillies to giggle.
"After you're done being grounded, you're gonna be my foalsitter again, aren't you?"
Cadance recoiled a bit, and sucked in air through her clenched teeth. "Umm, I really don't know about that, Twily. I made a really big mistake last night and if your parents decide they would rather trust somepony else I don't blame them a bit...and we both have to accept their decision even if it doesn't make us happy, understand?"
Before her foal could answer Twilight Velvet replied "That is something my husband & I will discuss, but I see no reason why you can't regain our trust, Cadance. Perhaps asking you to foal-sit at night was too big a step, but when the time comes we will consider calling on you to watch Twilight during the daytime. As I said, we must discuss it as a family."
Twilight Sparkle clapped her two front hooves together in excitement, but then switched to an expression of alarm. "Don't ask Shining Armor what he thinks...he's being a big meanie and blaming Cadance for everything!"
Looking down at her daughter with a stern visage Twilight Velvet said "Your brother loves you very much and we will absolutely consider his feelings, but he does not get a vote. Your father & I will ultimately make the decision." The purple filly looked a bit crestfallen, but her mother ameliorated her dismay by adding "We will take your feelings into account as well, Twilight."
"Is Shining Armor home right now, ma'am?" asked Cadance, nervously. "I really feel I should apologize to him too."
"My son is visiting his uncle today. He has a meeting with a Lieutenant of the Royal Guard on Monday and his uncle...an ex-soldier himself...is coaching him a bit in advance of his interview."
"Oh that's wonderful!" Cadance exclaimed, "I know how much he wants to go to the Military Academy, I hope this all works out for him!"
Twilight Velvet softened her voice and advised the younger mare "Shining is still rather upset about last night. It's best if you give him some time & space. Young stallions can be hot blooded and he's no exception. Save your apology for when he's ready to hear it...you two are good friends and I'm sure you will be again."
"Yes ma'am. Thank you" Cadance replied. Just then a nearby bell tower rang to announce the 9 o'clock hour. "I really have to get back home. Again, Professor Velvet, I'm so sorry about what..."
Twilight Velvet put her hoof up to stop the younger mare. "Yes, thank you. I appreciate your sentiment but there's only so many times I can hear 'I'm sorry'. Now it's up to you to decide how you handle responsibility in the future." She turned to her daughter and added "Both of you."
Cadance gave Twilight Sparkle a hug before leaving, and the little filly told her "I'll miss you...come back and see me as soon as you're allowed!" Cadance promised to do so.
After saying goodbye the pink alicorn trotted back home by the most direct path. Though she faced a month of confinement...straight to school, straight home after that, no socializing with her friends on weekends...Cadance felt happy and light on her hooves. The previous night's incident had been awful, perhaps the worst night of her life, but she resolved that she would learn from it. She would regain the respect of her parents, she would regain the trust of Twilight's family and she would regain Shining Armor's friendship. Of these things she was certain and the feeling of optimism put a spring in her step that she hadn't felt for a long time. The morning air was crisp and clear and perfumed with the aroma of newly cut flowers. To Princess Cadance it all combined to make up the feeling of a fresh start.
END