//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Opening Twilight's Heart // by Knight of Cerebus //------------------------------// Twilight noticed the apologetic look of pause on Rarity’s face, and sagged a little bit. The outburst against the idea of asking Celestia to be her date had drained her, but it seemed from Rarity’s expression that it had been even more exhausting for her. Twilight winced. “I...kinda blew up a bit there, didn’t I?” Rarity pursed her lips. “Yes...you rather did…” “Heh, uh, sorry. Really, I am. I get that you’re just trying to help. I...I just want this date night to be perfect for her. She’s so…lonely, Rarity. I want to be there for her. And I want her to have other ponies in her life, too. So...do you have any advice for me? I need to know about the love lives of ponies here in town if I’m going to find a date for her.” At Rarity’s hopeful expression, Twilight tilted her head. “What?” “Celestia’s love life is all fine and well, Twilight, but what about you, dear? Surely you must want somepony in your life to sweep you off your hooves.” Twilight thought on this. “Not...really? I’m pretty happy as is. But, uh, I dunno. I want to try it out, and I certainly don’t want to seem like I don’t think anypony is good enough to date me. It’s just an experiment, to me, at least. Y’know? For fun? But it doesn’t matter either way. The Princess is sorting out who I’m going with. I need to know if there’s a mare in town she could ask after.” “A mare?” Rarity blinked. “You mean her majesty actually is of...that persuasion?” Her head tilted, a purse in her lips indicating her surprise. Twilight hesitated. “It’s...kind of private. She doesn’t really feel comfortable about it. In fact, she only told me just before we left, and she was halfway to not telling me at all. Can you please keep it a secret? For me?” Rarity smiled. “Of course, darling. Merely idle curiosity.” She waved a hoof, then righted herself from the couch she had been holding her tragic breakdown upon and dissipated it with a flick of her horn. With a sweep of her head, she stacked the empty tubs of ice cream and arranged the romance novels into a neat pile. “Now, you say you wish to have fun with this date? Nothing especially serious?“ “Serious?” Rarity moved her handkerchief over to her sink, exchanging it for a cloth with which to clean the floors in a moment. A hair brush and spray joined it from her chest of drawers on the journey towards the pair of ponies at the center of the parlor. “Well, yes, dear. You didn’t really believe that every date had to be a casual affair, did you? Some ponies--myself, for instance--are always on the look out for the one. With respect to 'having fun', as you say, not all dates are simple flirting or in the presence of strangers. You said she was 'lonely', yes? If that is the case, I imagine a date she knows will likely be the beginning and end of any potential relationship will only make her feel lonelier, yes?” Twilight’s eyes widened, a look of horror sweeping over her face. “Oh my gosh...you’re right. I wasn’t thinking...again. But I can’t just let her stay on hoof as a third wheel while I try dating.” Twilight put a hoof to her chin. “I’ll ask her, I guess. It really depends upon what she’s looking for, and since I don’t know that, I can only do my best to find out exactly what she wants. If she even knows.” “Of course, darling. If you’re looking for options, of course, you could always pick me.” Rarity smiled, flipping her freshly-cleaned and newly-brushed mane. Twilight raised an eyebrow. “You? Aren’t you still looking for 'the one'?” Rarity nodded. “Yes, dear. Of course, ever since my...shall we say...“hiccup” at the Grand Galloping Gala, I have realized that perhaps expanding my horizons beyond upper class unicorn males was a prudent choice. Her majesty always struck me as a pony worth getting to know better, especially given your penchant for stories about her, and compliments about her...and lengthy speeches about how she is the greatest pony in known history...and laments about how you wish you could be more like her..” There was an awkward pause in which the two of them blushed. “I did stop that last one once I got these.” Twilight flapped her wings for emphasis, explaining meekly. “Erhem, yes, well, the point being that if nothing else I would like to get to know her majesty, if she’s willing.” “She would be.” Twilight smiled. “You’re absolutely right. If nothing else, she’d be glad to make another friend.” Rarity found herself quickly scooped up in an embrace. “I knew you’d know what to do. Thank you, Rarity. Now come on. Let’s go find her and tell her the good news!” Twilight swung open the door, greeted by the sight of Celestia sitting on the grass in front of the boutique, staring into the distance. She blinked, then called out to her. “Princess! Princess, I found you a somepony!...Sort of. How did your...search...go?” Celestia gave a smile, but the lack of mirth in her eyes or teasing immediately tipped Twilight off to there being something wrong. “It was successful. A young colt volunteered almost instantly, and was quite eager to accompany you by the sounds of it.” “That’s great.” Twilight looked at Celestia with scrutinizing eyes, and noticed her body had gone lax and her smile peaceful and reassuring. She frowned. This was not the Celestia she had seen becoming more and more open throughout the day. Something felt off. She opened her mouth, but was cut off by the sound of somepony clearing her throat from behind her. “Your Majesty.” She spun around to meet an orange pony with a blue mane, who gave a cheesy smile and lowered himself down on one foreleg. Twilight gave an awkward smile in response. “Oh! Hi. You must be the, um, guard! The one I asked for. To date.” He stared up at her with a smile. “That’s me, yeah. Flash Sentry, your majesty.” The stallion’s gaze stared directly into Twilight’s soul. Trembling pupils met her own, and for a moment Twilight was staring into a face she was sure she had given Celestia as a filly at least a thousand times, and one she had received from Sweetie Belle and her Cutie Mark Crusader friends during their phase of obsession with spending time with her. She found herself blushing at the look, and pushed a hoof through her mane, smiling awkwardly. “Um...well, I should probably go introduce the Princess to her date. I’ll, uh, be back in a second.” “Whatever you say, Twilight. I can, uh, call you Twilight, yeah?” He swept his hair back, and all at once the adoring smile was replaced with something far cheesier. His gaze had grown hungrier, and there was something unsettling about it. Twilight decided it was how contracted his pupils looked, and how they never broke contact with her, even for a minute. She fought back a shiver. Her eyes darted between Celestia and Rarity, both of whom were watching the scene unfold with some level of concern, and she smiled an over-wide smile despite herself. “...Yeah. I’ll be back in a minute.” “Rarity, Princess, you’ve obviously met before. But, uh, never like this! Princess, Rarity has said she’s been willing to try a date with you! I’ve been talking to her about getting to know you better, and she’s excited for a chance to try.” Twilight tried to stay as positive as possible, hoping to break through whatever was causing Celestia to withdraw. Celestia gave a genuine smile at this, but there was still that aura of emotionless serenity about the rest of her body. Her wings hung gently at her sides, her legs were spaced perfectly apart, her body was no longer tense. Twilight continued to frown. “Is there...something the matter, Princess?” Celestia gave a toss of her head, but her brow furrowed. She gave a chuckle like a startled frog’s croak. “It’s not important. I was just entertaining some silly thoughts. Selfish, perhaps. But it doesn’t matter.” She looked past Twilight, hoping to avoid further probing. “Hello again, Rarity. It’s always a pleasure to see you, though I suppose this will be a rather different meeting than most.” Rarity smiled, but though her eyes danced she did not blush. “Ehem, yes.” She took a moment to compose herself. “And to that end, I would like to formally submit a chance to court you.” She lowered herself down on one leg, and Celestia’s earnest smile vanished again. A full encyclopedia’s worth of bad memories swam to the surface with the image of a pony on one elbow promising to court her. Twilight bit her lip and furrowed her brow, but before she could intervene she was met up by Flash, who had appeared right beside her. “So, tell me a bit about yourself.” His easy smile was there again, and he was leaning in, trying his best to block out the rest of the world from the pair. Twilight frowned, but relented. “Well, uh, I thought you would already know a bit about me. Y’know, most of my life story’s pretty easy to find. And it’s obvious you’re...enthused to see me?” Twilight scrutinized his face. “Aren’t you that one guard from the Crystal Empire? The one who isn’t a crystal pony?” Flash nodded. “Princess Cadance took me with her after I got between her and a hydra head. It was...it was a close thing.” He gave a chuckle, but his smile grew smaller at the memory. “Uhm...anyway, what about you? I mean, I didn’t read any biographies, since you brought it up. I really don’t think writing’s the same as the experience, so I usually give reading a pass. I’m not really much of a book...po...ny?” Flash realized too late he had made a critical error, as Twilight’s face quickly flickered from horrified to upset to resolute. Celestia had followed Twilight’s expressions as best she could from the start of her reappearance, but the smaller ivory unicorn demanded respect for her earnest efforts. Thus, reluctantly, she turned back to the bowing figure, doing her best to ignore Twilight’s look of discomfort at having been cut off. “Rarity, I--I formally reject your request to court me in the manner set out by the nobility in accordance with their guidelines on how my life shall be led.” Rarity opened her mouth, looking up at Celestia as though she had just tasted vacuum. To her confusion, Celestia leaned down to press a hoof atop hers and stare directly into her amethyst pupils. “Rather, I accept your request to accompany me on a date for a night of fun while off-duty. The nobles don’t know the first thing about me, my dear, so please, don’t try to define me through them. I want to see you, not your masks.” And with that, Celestia rose slowly, bringing Rarity up with her by the hoof she had wrapped overtop the fashionista’s. “Besides. I’m here to make friends more than anything else.” She sent a glance toward Twilight, who seemed to be wearing an expression of discomfort, then flicked her gaze back to Rarity. “I have recently realized that a wider social circle is something I have been sorely missing.” “But your majesty!” Rarity looked aghast, taking Celestia’s meaning by the bashful and regretful look in her eyes. “Surely everypony wants to be your friend! You’re the center of the very world! Who wouldn’t want a chance to meet somepony like that up close and personal?” Celestia blushed. “Truth be told, most of them are afraid of me, and of what I might do to them. Those that aren’t usually want something from me, and hope being my friend would be leverage. Most of my friends I hold today I keep through the School For Gifted Unicorns. Most of the nobles find me dreadfully maverick, after all.” “You? Maverick? But you’re the noblest pony I have ever known, da--” Rarity checked herself. “I can call you darling, right?” Celestia chuckled. “I would be honored.” “Eeeee!” Rarity gave a little squeal, dancing in place. Then, as abruptly as she had started, she stopped, giving a cheesy smile and lowering her ears. “Eh heh, I mean, thank you very much, your Majesty.” The two smiled at each other, and Celestia opened her mouth to suggest the two of them walk towards Sugar Cube Corner, but a volcanic explosion from their immediate right drew the focus of the two pearl-coloured ponies. “Not a ‘book pony’? ‘Not a book pony’?! How can that even be possible?!” Rarity and Celestia were jerked away from their conversation by the explosion of noise, both blinking at the outburst. Flash, for his part, took a few steps backward, a look of surprise on his face. Twilight continued her stammered outburst, words fighting to escape the paralyzing disbelief that had overwhelmed her. “B-books are the foundation of knowledge! They’re...how...knowledge, how knowledge is saved and preserved, and how it is transferred across generations. You can’t just experience the lives and minds of other ponies! You need to hear about them, from them, through their thoughts and feelings! And, and, without knowledge there is no understanding. Without understanding, we can’t figure out who we are. And--” Twilight’s darting eyes searched around, catching the looks of those present. Her two friends had folded their brows in concern, looking at the scene with a mixture of worry and sympathy. Flash, on the other hand, looked horrified and devastated, his mouth opening and shutting as if he were a goldfish being stalked by a housecat. “And...I…” Twilight sighed, blushing. “I guess you could say I’m a book pony.” “You don’t say.” Flash gulped, trying his best not to look as though he had just weathered an air strike. “I...Well, books have been a big part of my life. Not everypony has to spend all their time reading, but I guess I just expected a pony who wanted to date me to like books, even just a little.” Flash nodded a little, shuffling his hooves to better support his weight. “Like I said, I heard a lot, but I didn’t really learn all that much about you. But, uh, if you like books, I guess I’d be willing to give them a try.” The same unsettling smile was back. An odd combination of distant and hungry. “Alright. But if you didn’t know anything about me, what...got you...interested.” Twilight suddenly didn’t like the line of thought she was going down. “Oh!” And suddenly Flash’s eyes lit up again, this time with more genuine excitement. “All of those stories about your magic, of course! I was on the swings in Private Posy Park when you summoned a dragon at the academy! Plus, you were the shy little sister of the best guard in the school! Everypony at the academy wanted to know about you! And, y’know, date you, once we were old enough.” He blushed, but his starry gaze never actually met Twilight. “And all of the stories, too! The Ursa Major, the way you redeemed Discord, that time you fought a thousand timberwolves off to save Sweet Apple Acres from those two flim-flams…” “I never--” “You did so many amazing things! And me, well, I’m just a guard for Princess Cadance. But then Princess Celestia said you were looking for a guard to date for Hearts and Hooves day, and I thought, I dunno, maybe I’d give it a try. I thought maybe you’d want to try a date with me.” He sighed. “I guess I’m already screwing that up, huh?” “Flash…” Twilight put a hoof on his shoulder. “Look. I only just met you, and I’ve never dated anypony before, so I’m a little on edge. And when I’m on edge, I tend to overreact. So…don’t act like it’s the end of the world, alright? I’m not going anywhere. Not yet, anyway.” She gave a nervous smile. Celestia touched Twilight delicately with her wingtip. “Actually, Twilight, we do have to go somewhere in order to meet our reservation.” Celestia looked down at the two ponies with a gentle smile. “A reservation? Are we late?! Quick, we--” “Twilight. Relax. I convinced Pinkie to hold a private affair for us at Sugarcube Corner. She’s happy to accept us at any point this afternoon. But since we are a party now, we might as well make our way over. Wouldn’t you agree, Rarity?” “That sounds perfectly reasonable to me, your highness.” Rarity smiled a dainty smile, turning to face towards their destination. “Shall we?” Celestia nodded. “Let’s.” ---／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼--- The walk towards Sugarcube Corner was brief, but very informative. “So what’s your family life like, Princess Twilight? Is Captain Armor half as much fun as you?” Flash said, happily striding beside her. Twilight replied in kind, a cautious smile on her face. “Oh, well! My dad is an astronomer, and my mum works for the Ministry for Mandated Magical Management in the Telekinesis Technicalities section. Then there’s Shiney, but you probably know all about him, and then there’s old uncle Fuzzy Dice, who teaches probability and math at the School For Gifted Unicorns. Grandma Hard Knocks is a retired manners instructor, but it’s been a while since I’ve talked with her. And Grandpa Half Moon is an astronomer, too. Dad takes after him that way. Anyway, uhm, what about you?” Flash was still smiling and walking, his gaze not leaving the lavender alicorn beside him. “Did you...huh? Oh! My turn? Alright, well, I have a mum and a little sister. Mum was in the guard, once. Little sis is volunteering in environment. The usual, you know?” Twilight tilted her head. “And what about the rest of your family?” “They aren’t really worth talking about.” Twilight raised an eyebrow, but Flash pressed on. “Anyway, do you have any hobbies? Besides reading, I mean.” “Oh, absolutely! I mean, my cutie mark is magic, after all. I...I guess you can’t really know that much about it, can you? But I love to fly, too!” Twilight gave a bashful smile, but changed her expression to one of surprise when she saw Flash staring at her now-outspred wings. She folded them with an “eep!”, then tried to quell her blushing. “...Anyway, what about you?” “I play guitar. But back to you.” Twilight gave a sigh, her wings drooping. She put on a smile, but already there was strain reaching across her lips. “Well, like I said, I love flying. You know, the wind along your body, the way you can see the whole world, the way it lets you just...I dunno...escape, I guess?” Flash was less distant, now. His vacant gaze had turned to a more thoughtful look, and Twilight allowed a brief moment of hope for two-way conversation to resume. “And your other hobbies?” Twilight had to hold back a groan. “I must say, darling, I am quite jealous of your home. Oh, if only I could spend but an evening with those curtains. They have such a flair to them! Such nobility!” Rarity looked over Celestia’s body, which prompted a bashful lower of the head and the hint of a blush from Celestia until she realized what Rarity was looking at her for. “It really is quite a shame you don’t have more to wear for special occasions. Oh, that dress at Twilight’s coronation, I wanted to faint!” “There was something wrong with my dress?” Celestia raised an eyebrow, an amused smile tugging at her lips. Her eyes pointedly never met Twilight’s, and so she never saw the looks of concern and uncertainty Twilight flashed her in between interrogations. “But of course! That pattern, the way it swung around your figure, oh, goodness! It was lumpy, Celestia! Lumpy! Do you know what the word for lumps on ponies is?.” Rarity stared at her with the utmost severity. Celestia awaited the response, making no attempt to guess at what Rarity was saying. “Fat!” A touch of offense and mortification crept into Celestia’s face, but she waited for Rarity’s thoughts on the dress before saying anything. “Such a beautiful figure! Such poise and royalty! Wasted! Oh, I had nightmares about those dresses for weeks!” Celestia gave a bashful smile. “The dresses were Cadance’s idea, though my evidently disastrous choice when I found them. I wanted to have a more modest celebration, given that Twilight and I both prefer that to any pomp or poise. However, Cadance raised a fair argument that we should dress for the occasion, just as she had at her wedding, and wearing nothing but my regalia for Twilight felt wrong, so I was inclined to agree.” Rarity tilted her head. “‘Pomp and poise?’” Celestia smiled, if faintly and with some regret. “Oh, I’m sorry, yes. I’m afraid I don’t share your fascination with the noble code. The truth is, Rarity, that most of the nobles in Canterlot create those rules and codes as a way to distance themselves from other ponies.” “Oh, but of course. How could Canterlot have its culture, its beauty, its je ne sais quoi without trying to create a unique style of its own?” “I meant more horizontally.” Celestia looked troubled. This was always hard to explain to hopefuls looking to join the noble society. “You, for instance, will never be the top of a social ladder because of the circumstances of your birth. This despite how graceful, cultured, charming and most importantly kind you are.” She gave Rarity a smile to match the other pony’s frown. It was a hard truth, though Rarity likely knew it already. She gave a nod towards the other party of ponies, but still did not look her ex student in the eye. “Twilight, by contrast, was treated with reverence wherever she went despite not bothering to give most nobles the time of day, back when she lived in Canterlot. Not because she had any especial charm that a noble would respect, but because she can trace her blood back to some of Canterlot’s founders. “I cannot be seen condoning a culture like that and still claim in good conscience that I represent the people of Equestria. I am not a noble, nor shall I ever be, and to even briefly embrace their culture for me would be for me to be shown endorsing the classism and selfishness that is at the heart of Canterlot high society.” Rarity bit her lip, looking defiant, then opened her mouth to speak. Twilight continued to try to catch Celestia’s eye, but to no avail. Always Celestia was looking at Rarity, or looking past her head, or looking to the side. There was a touch of sadness in her face whenever she looked Twilight’s way, too, which made the smaller princess’s head whir with questions and hypotheses. Any attempts at thinking, however, were drowned out by Flash’s demands to hear more about her. “What did you say your father did, again?” A sigh. “Astronomy.” “Do you like it, too?” “Yes.” She chewed her bottom lip, a glower setting in. Hunched shoulders and a faster pace would suggest that a mare was not having a good time to most ponies, but Flash Sentry was not most ponies. Once the questions had stopped, he decided compliments were of course the next step. If I’m really lucky, the inner cynic in Twilight mused, he’ll be dumping gifts into my hooves by the end of the night “You have really beautiful eyes, you know?” “Yes, Flash.” “They’re like little bits of diamond set in pools of…” He struggled to think of a purple liquid. “Grape...juice?” “Thank you, Flash.” Twilight gave another sigh. Her nose was wrinkled at this point. Flash chose this moment to attempt subtlety. “Was your horn always that long?” He looked over at her with a smile. She stopped in shock, and Rarity and Celestia up ahead followed suit. The three unicorns--partial or otherwise--each tried and failed to keep crimson from their cheeks. Rarity was gaping. Twilight looked at his face, and saw a chaste, if unsettlingly focused, stare. “No.” She sighed, relief and annoyance flooding through her. “Oh. Did you do something to it? Or was that one of the princesses? Because pony’s sake, it’s amazing.” Twilight bit into her lower lip with a set jaw, hoping that the pain and the force of the muscles would be able to keep her from screaming. Then she noticed Celestia was looking directly at them. She looked over towards Celestia, hoping to give her a smile and reassure her that everything was alright. Celestia only turned her head down and let her bangs cover her eyes. Twilight decided at that point that dating was most decidedly not the fun Celestia had said it could be. She only looked at Flash with a disbelieving shake of her head, then walked on. Celestia saw Rarity look over at Twilight forlornly, her gaze uncertain. “Worried about Twilight?” “She does seem to be caught in a rather unfortunate position. But she is putting on a brave face, poor thing, and I think if she needs rescue she will signal to us. However,” Rarity placed a hoof on Celestia’s shoulder, “I must stress myself here in that I must disagree, your maje--umm, Celestia, regarding your assertion that the nobility is entirely of that culture. Rather, that is a specific class of nobility I have found out in Canterlot, and have likewise disdained. I have seen a similar culture of selfishness and vanity in Manehatten, but there, as in Canterlot, I have also found a better kind of pony who loves the open social life and ponies of all varieties. Specifically, in Canterlot I have found that ponies like Hoity Toity and Fancypants have been most gracious, as opposed to those ruffians pretending to be the face of proper society.” Rarity wrinkled her nose at the word “ruffians”, but otherwise her speech had been given with stars in her eyes and firmly set brow. Celestia smiled at the thought of the philosophy, and also a plan formulating within her strategist’s mind. Dating she did not know, but social politics she was a master at. “Perhaps you could start a movement. Lead the foundation of a new type of high society altogether, through your leadership and firm values. I would be happy to support a life like that, though, truth be told, I still would be unlikely to rub elbows with its members.” Celestia smiled. Rarity, however, only frowned in confusion, lashes spreading wide from her eyes. “But why ever not, darling? You could be the star of every social sphere from Appleloosa to the Crystal Empire!” Celestia only gave a shy smile. “The truth is, Rarity, I’m actually rather reclusive. I prefer not to be pried into. It is why I cultivate the “untouchable” image. I don’t want to be intruded upon. I leave the door open, but only those who knock may enter, and they may only stay for so long.” Rarity smiled a teasing smile at that. “Well, most of us. I know one pony who practically lives there.” She cast a pointed glance in the direction of their companion couple. To her surprise, Celestia seemed to lose her warmth at the statement, rather than laughing. “Oh dear. Did I touch a sore point, darling? I’m so terribly sorry--” “No, it is not you. I merely feel I have disappointed Twilight recently, and I cannot tell her how. Nor can I tell you, in truth. I may be happy to see you into my room, but the doors to my closets are still closed.” “But not for Twilight.” Rarity looked at Celestia, who in turn looked back. Rarity’s talents for reading ponies extended far and wide. In any kind of situation of subtle social graces, she had a keen eye for the tics and mannerisms of any pony she had gotten the chance to call friend. But the face she met was a sea wall. A formation of stone, ice, and impenetrable age stood firm against her attempts to pry. And all of it topped with a perfect, angelic smile that had an eerie lack of any genuine emotion. She blinked, then insisted, finding her footing, “But not for Twilight. She told me things that were perhaps not what you would hope to have revealed to others, but I think they are for the best.” Celestia’s poker face did not shift, but she did speak, if briefly. “I am glad your intentions are in the right place. Though I would caution you that intentions and their results are rarely in harmony.” “What she told me was partially what convinced me to come along.” Rarity supplied. The sea wall reached her again. She frowned. “Twilight told me you wanted to make friends. I don’t know what your circle of friends is like, darling, but in Ponyville--and everywhere else I’ve been--it’s a sign of a desire for quite the opposite of friendship when somepony shuts the other out, hmm?” Celestia sighed. “I feel I may have drawn a barrier between my own relationship and Twilight’s.” It was said briefly, but with emphasis in its silence. “I moved too quickly. She offered to let me open up, on my own terms, without judgement. And I...jumped. I jumped too quickly to the offer, and was too strong, and now I feel I will burden her, and ruin what we once had.” “Have you asked Twilight what she thinks of this?” Rarity looked sceptical. “I don’t want to make things worse.” “Of course you don’t, darling. But you will, if you don’t talk to her.” Rarity watched Twilight, who was currently trying to avoid Flash’s piercing stare and simultaneously explain once again where her father worked and that, yes, she did in fact like to fly, and she did in fact enjoy having wings. Rarity bit her lip, noticing that Twilight looked very close to boiling point. “In fact, it seems as though you may have done so already, if only by ignoring her. Perhaps you should let her decide for herself. Though, if I am to be truthful, talking it out with her will be the best way to resolve any problems the two of you might face. Oh, goodness.” Rarity blinked, stopping just short of walking into a large wall held together with plaster made to look like frosting. She realized in an instant where she was, and called over to Twilight. She took the moment of disruption she caused in the purple mare to whisper gingerly to Celestia. “Oh, and please, don’t be afraid to tell me more about any problems you and Twilight might be having. I promise it will begin and end with me.” Celestia raised an eyebrow, to which Rarity gave her bashful reply. “...What?” Flash Sentry’s obsessive pursuit was of secondary importance to Twilight at this point. She was currently hoping that ignoring him might make him go away, or at least he might eventually grow bored and leave of his own accord. The results of this plan had been less than promising, but Twilight resolved to remain optimistic in the absence of more data. This constantly worsening annoyance, however, was second to the fact that she couldn’t help but feel she had somehow hurt Celestia. Glances towards her were more guarded than those directed at Rarity. Celestia avoided direct eye contact, trying to obscure her eye behind her flowing mane when Twilight threw social caution to the wind and outright stared. Twilight racked her brains, searching for something, anything she might have done to hurt her oldest friend, but try as she might she couldn’t think of why Celestia was so withdrawn from her, let alone why neither of her friends had deigned to come to her rescue yet. She paused in this line of thought, and, to her immense vexation, Flash whipped around and sat on his flanks ahead of her as she did so. The words “puppy dog” immediately sprung into her mind. She decided to ignore him. She wondered, perhaps, if the rift opening was caused by her having set Celestia up with a date who was awestruck at her fame, wealth and status, but quickly shot that idea down. The barrier between the two had dropped with a little effort, and Celestia was enjoying her choice in date quite a bit, if the glances she had been able to spare and their tone across the afternoon (minus Rarity’s occasional bout of melodrama) were sufficient evidence. Rarity had even taken to replacing “your majesty” with “darling”. Perhaps it was a feeling of guilt over her choice for Twilight’s date? But that would logically suggest Celestia would find some way to lose him, or at least politely dismiss him at some juncture with her famous diplomacy. No, inevitably Twilight had to conclude the problem was her, but she had no idea what was going on. She was shaken from her thoughts by Rarity’s voice. “Twilight?” The call was quiet, and slightly concerned. She gave a weak smile at that. “Sorry, I was just--thinking.” Rarity gave a dainty chuckle. “Oh goodness. Twilight Sparkle thinking. Now we know something is wrong.” Celestia laughed beside her, and Twilight gave a snorting giggle herself. “It’s fine, Twilight. We were merely going to inform you that we’ve nearly arrived.” Celestia smiled over at her student, nodding towards an entrance not fifty feet from her place of stopping. Twilight, for her part, blushed, getting up from her haunches and trotting after the larger two ponies. She had no idea what was waiting for her in the bakery, but knowing Pinkie Pie, she was certain it could not possibly be worse than the evening she had had thus far.