//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Then Tomorrow Came // by PonyAmorous //------------------------------// Chapter 2 Twilight quickly clamped down on the feeling of sickness rising in her stomach and forced her slacking lungs to continue drawing breath. She might have been devastated, but this was neither the time nor the place to fall to pieces. That would have to wait until she got home. Right now she was here to support Dash during an important moment in her life and she was not going to ruin it with something as trivial as the apocalyptic destruction of all her hopes and dreams. Being silently thankful that she was still in shock enough to not yet have any tears to fight back, she began damage control. First to deal with was the look of shock no doubt plastered across her face. This was a surprise announcement, so surprise was an acceptable response. She could run with this. She began searching for some words to make some kind of response beyond standing there and gawking like an idiot. They would expect her to say something. Preferably something technically true so she wouldn't have to lie to the mare of her dreams and the element of honesty standing next to her. That eliminated pretty much anything along the line of "I'm happy for you". Fortunately, the others bought her some precious time to compose her thoughts. "This is just fantastic darlings! I must say you do make quite the perfect couple. I've always hoped you two might get together. Oh you simply must let me make you some matching outfits! I'm thinking an earth and sky motif. Oh this is going to be fabulous!" "Oh my, I mean, this is just so wonderful. I'm so happy for you both." "Wow. I can certainly say I wasn't expecting that." Twilight said with more sincerity than she had ever said anything in her life. "Congratulations." There it was. Short, simple, socially appropriate, and without a true or false value. Twilight mentally breathed a sigh of relief. "I know I was surprised when I found out! I was so surprised my coat turned white! Though that was probably because of the bag of flour I dropped. I was all 'EEEUUUUUHHHHHH!' and they were all 'Pinkie don't tell anyone' and I was all 'cross my heart hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye' and then they told everyone and I was all 'WOOHOO!' and now I'm going to go eat cake and be all OM NOM NOM NOM!" And with that, the party resumed. Having survived the first response, Twilight made a check on her mental checklist as she headed back to the refreshment table. If anyone tried to talk to her, the excuse of a full mouth would buy her extra moments to respond while simultaneously working out how and when to leave the party. She needed to leave, but bolting too soon would arouse suspicion. She had just decided that she should stay at least a minimum of twenty minutes when Rainbow Dash glided across the room and landed next to her. "So what was this thing you needed to talk to me about?" Dash asked, sending a fresh wave of adrenaline through Twilight's body. Any other time she would have been overjoyed at Dash's company, but now she needed to get away. "Hmm? Oh, nothing. That problem resolved itself actually. No need to worry about it." Twilight replied in as calm and casual a manner as she could muster. "Are you sure? You don't need any more help?" "No. I had just misplaced my hairbrush and was wondering if you had seen it or could help me find it, but I just remembered where I put it so it's fine now. Everything's fine." Twilight lied as she turned away to grab another piece of cake. She might have been able to keep a believable face, and Dash wasn't the most perceptive of ponies, but she wasn't about to risk giving anything away. "Okay then. If you ever need anything else Twi, just tell me. You can count on me for anything. I'd never leave a friend hanging." Rainbow flashed that cocky smile that set Twilight's heart aflutter. "I will. Thanks Dash. You're the best friend a pony could hope for." Twilight closely scrutinized her slice of cake, barely concealing the pain caused by such kind words that only minutes ago would have filled her with joy, but now felt like icy daggers in her heart. As Rainbow Dash glided back towards Applejack, Twilight felt her eyes start to water slightly and got an idea. Instead of forcing her tears back or trying to covertly wipe them, she simply rubbed them, blinking a few times and making a few irritated noises. Now she could play off any redness or watering as legitimate irritation from some mysterious illness she was suddenly developing. Now she just had to wait. She continued to mingle, inserting herself into group conversations and taking a back seat with occasional monosyllable responses. She continued rubbing at her eyes and using the occasional tissue (she found her nose was starting to run a bit) until somepony took notice. "Twilight darling, are you feeling alright? You're starting to look dreadful!" Seeing her opportunity at last, Twilight seized upon it. "Well actually, I am starting to feel a bit under the weather. Sorry girls, but it looks like I may have to turn in early. I hope you don't mind." After being reassured that they would be fine without her and that looking after her health was far more important, she gave a final congratulations to the happy couple and bid the rest of her friends goodnight. Once she was around the corner and safely out of sight, she teleported herself directly to the library. Enveloping the front door in the purple glow of her magic, she slammed it behind her so hard that she temporarily feared it might split down the middle. She was glad she had sent Spike away for the weekend. She was in no mood to explain herself and probably wouldn't be for a few days. As she sullenly walked toward the stairs to her bedroom, she conjured a bucket of water and submerged the pile of fireworks sitting in the corner before throwing them in the trash without a second glance. After slowly dragging herself up the stairs and collapsing onto her bed, Twilight Sparkle paused a full three seconds before checking off the final box on her mental checklist and getting around to the long task of crying herself to sleep.