Shining’s Log-Entry: Not Quite Smooth Sailing
So things aren’t quite going as smoothly for me as they were before this whole mess with Twily.I miss the old days where all it took to keep her happy was spending time with her. And-
And dear lord, that just made me sound old. I’m only nineteen for Celestia’s sake! I shouldn’t be worrying about prying a workaholic sister away from her studies. Or worrying that my girlfriend might have taken my revelations about myself the wrong way. It’s enough to drive a
manstallion to drink!Well, at the moment, there isn’t much I can do about either situation. Celestia has entrusted Spike into Twily’s care, and now she’s running her hooves off trying her best to take care of him. I’m certain that eventually her frantic pace of dealing with him will subside. And I’m sure that once she actually starts talking with him, they’ll become friends. I also know that I’m not going to be able to talk Twily into making more friends anytime soon. She’s too preoccupied with Spike and her studies to listen to her older brother.
Cadence still insists that the best thing I could do is tell Twily everything, but I still vehemently disagree with her. She’s tried various arguments to convince me, but I’m holding fast. And no matter what she says, I do trust Twily. I just don’t want to burden her with the weight of the world, even if I could convince her I was telling the truth.
At least my job with the Guard is going nicely. Given the way things have been recently, it’s nice to be able to count on the regular regimen of guard duty. Guarding the palace gives me plenty of time to sort my thoughts and to make plans.
I’ve taken to increasing the amount of time I spend training, both physically and magically. This has admittedly cut into the amount of time I have to spend with my friends, but dangerous times approach, and I need to be ready. I’m sure they’ll understand. Besides, I don’t really have that much longer at this posting, I need to get ready for my next assignment, whatever that will be.
But first, Cadence wants me to attend to her in her private rooms.
Shining Armor, Signing Off
Cadence was pacing back and forth in her chambers. “I told Auntie I was interested in meeting the hero of Fort Vanhoover, so she suggested that you head my guard detachment for my next trip to Neighpon. It’ll be great because that means we won’t have to spend months apart, while still fulfilling our duties.” Cadence spoke with audible excitement in her voice, “We’ll just have to be careful to keep any romantic rendezvous under the table. I don’t want Auntie thinking I was abusing my position after all.”
“I’d be honored. But, umm… “ Her coltfriend paused to clear his throat before continuing. “You do know that Princess Celestia knows about our relationship right?”
“Wait, what? But, I thought-“ Cadence spluttered.
Shining raised an eyebrow, “She approached me only a couple of days after our first date. She told me that I had better treat you right.” Shining’s eyes were lidded, “She didn’t need to add an or else.”
To Shining’s surprise, Cadence reared back in agitation, “Why that interfering busybody! I’ve told her time and again that I can take care of myself! Doesn’t she trust me?”
Shining backed away from his angry marefriend. “She’s just worried about you. Isn’t that her job as your aunt?”
Cadence’s eyes narrowed in a glare directed at Shining Armor. “Are you taking her side Sergeant Armor?”
The guardspony backed away from the angry princess, shaking his head frantically. “No, no! Not at all. I’m sure she knows you can take care of yourself, she just wanted to make things easier on you. I’d never dream of commenting on your relationship with Celestia.” His back was to the door. With a deft kick of his backhoof he opened the door. “I have some guard duties to see to. Bye. See you later!” he fled the room.
“Shining Armor, you dolt!” Cadence groaned with a hoof to her forehead.
---
Shining Armor was pacing back and forth in the palace barracks, while his friend Fiery Hammer watched him from his bunk.
“Honestly Shiny,” Fiery commented, “You’d think you were assigned to the Wasteland border with the way you’re pacing. It’s just escorting a noble for a quick jaunt to Neighpon, easy peasy.”
“What?“ Shining stopped pacing, and looked at his friend. “it’s not that, I’m just worried about my sister is all. I’m afraid she’s going to end up in over her head while I’m gone.”
Three more ponies entered the room. “Ok, that’s enough worrying about your sister.” Rough Boulder spoke while crossing the room before putting a hoof on Shining’s back. “You’ve been such a downer these past coupl’a weeks, and I’m getting sick of it. And so are my brothers.”
“Yep,” Rock Boulder added, “You just don’t seem to have time for us anymore.” He walked over to Shining’s other side and also put a hoof on Shining’s back. “That’s why we’ve decided to have ourselves an intervention.”
“Wait a minute,” Shining sputtered between his two large friends, whose grips hardened “An intervention!” He tried backing away from his companions. “I don’t need an intervention!”
Only he bumped into Fiery who spoke next. “We think you do. You’re stressing yourself out, so much that even they noticed!" He gestured to the Boulder triplets with a hoof, "So we’ve arranged for a colts night out.”
Roll Boulder who was walking forward to prevent Shining from moving forward himself, just sniggered and nodded.
Shining Armor just sighed in resignation.