//------------------------------// // 31 - Planning // Story: Ponies on Bronies // by Ravenmane //------------------------------// I meant it when I decided to commit to a polygamous relationship, and after poring over years of polygamous marriage information I realized I may have bit off more than I could chew on the latter. Thankfully, I could count on everyone involved stepping up when something became too stressful. Over the next several weeks Twilight, Rainbow, and I assembled a plan to handle everything. I had counted on Twilight to get it all under control in a week or so, but sometimes the truth is stranger… “If we follow Rainbow’s plan we should have everything organized and under budget,” Twilight said happily as we did our best to distance ourselves from Carousel Boutique. “I don’t know when she managed to come up with it, but this is one very solid plan.” “She has a lot on her mind,” I replied. “So, you think Dashie’s budget factored in the discount Rarity gave us?” Twilight consulted a small book in her saddlebag. “According to this, she hadn’t considered that. I’m sure that we may uncover other miscalculations as time goes by but that doesn’t seem like something she expected.” I chuckled. “I don’t think Rarity expected to find out the whole plan was Dashie’s to begin with.” “If you told me that Rainbow would have a wedding plan the day after you proposed then I would have called you delusional. This is what we get for expecting less from her isn’t it?” “No, this is what we get for underestimating what she does when everyone else thinks she’s napping. So, did you send them in the right order Twi?” “The one we sent last night is something I hope we receive a reply for tonight. The other two are quite interesting, and the instructions, I don’t know if she’ll follow directions this specific. Alex, you are asking a lot of Princes Luna.” As we rounded the corner, I saw Pinkie waiting for us outside her own house. Forget notions of her living in some guest room with the Cakes. Pinkie needs extra space to store all the extra party supplies she needs on a regular basis. “You two are late,” she said sternly as we reached her. “That was my fault Pinkie,” replied Twilight, “Rarity held me back to discuss flower arrangements and bouquet designs.” Pinkie nodded casually as she led us into her home. Not a trace of dust could be found inside the very organized party center that she called her house. Streamers of every color neatly stacked, glitter in large glass jars, sorted and labelled by color and grain size, the front room was far from what you would call Pinkie’s place. She continued to lead us along and there was no real trail of spontaneity to be found until we came upstairs. In severe contrast to the first floor’s organization, the second floor was a valiant effort to keep countless party supplies from destroying any clear path through the hallway. Pinkie eventually stopped at a door that looked like someone completely painted it in blue crayon. “In here is where we can work on things I can manage.” Twilight and I both looked at each other and then nodded. “What we do in here is make the reception the best reception ever.” She opened the door and slipped inside. When Twilight and I went in after her, we were once again in the oddly clean residence. This time, there were sketchpads and notebooks across several tables. I gave a low whistle. “Where should we begin Pinkie?” “I was thinking we should do the cake,” she replied. “I have so many ideas for it and I’d like your feedback on as many of them as you can.” “For once I’m happy you tried to convince me into seeking revenge,” commented Twilight as she flipped through a sketchpad that seemed to have a corner chewed off. “I think it’s only fitting that they find out this way.” All I did was smile as I carefully examined the sketches of cakes in a notebook. “Where’s your codebook for all these notes Pinkie? I can’t read any of this stuff in red crayon.” Pinkie came up beside me and looked it over. “They’re just random thoughts for what kind of cake it should be, models I’ll need to commission, and other little details. After I have everything figured out, I’ll let you know. Wedding cakes are extra super special one-of-a-kind things and I’m more than happy to make one for all of you at a discount. Not a huge discount since Mrs. Cake will yell at me, but I’m sure she’ll understand a reasonable one.” “Why can’t you make it here?” “If I made cakes for parties here then Sugarcube Corner would lose more than half of its revenue and before you could say ‘triple fudge ripple,’ the Cakes would have to sell it. No, I’ll keep the party supplies here and use the bakery when I need it. I don’t mind that they get the money for the cakes I need. Anyways, why did you say that Twilight?” “Well Pinkie,” I said, “it all goes back to…” ***** Canterlot Princess Cadance sighed contentedly and leaned against her husband as they relaxed in the castle courtyard, the remnants of a picnic lunch sprawled before them. “It’s rare that we have a moment to ourselves isn’t it Shining?” The beating of hooves against a nearby pathway stifled Shining Armor’s agreement. “Captain, Princess,” said an exhausted guard as he came to a halt near them. “I…I…I-” “Catch your breath lieutenant,” urged Shining Armor. The guardspony only nodded as he continued to pant heavily for a few more moments. “I have a notice from Princess Luna and it’s addressed to you both.” He quickly fetched it from under his helmet and passed it to them. “Dear Shining Armor and Princess Cadance,” Shining read aloud, “I am sure you are as excited as I am about the upcoming festivities here in Canterlot. Due to the event’s scheduled time, I shall be presiding. As ponies who are as close to the guests of honor as you are, I would very much like you both to help with the preparations…” Shining trailed off as he read a small list of tasks. “What’s going on lieutenant, it doesn’t say.” As if to answer his question, a second guard swooped down alongside the lieutenant. “I told you LT, you needed to wait for me.” “Can you answer my question then?” The new arrival retrieved a letter from a small satchel under his wing. As Shining Armor was about to take it, Princess Cadance stole it from him, satchel and all, with a casual application of her own magic. “Princess Luna cordially invites you to the wedding of – oh dear.” ***** Later that night… “‘I am greatly pleased that my sister has surrendered this event so that I may preside over your wedding,” Spike recited from a surprisingly large roll of parchment in a somewhat dramatic voice. “‘It seems only fitting to do so as you, Alexander, are now one of my ‘Children of the Night.’ The name is not my choice, but theirs and I shall honor their option to call themselves as such. Many request that they attend as this is a special occasion for Nocturne as a whole. Marriage betwi–’ is that even a word Twi?” Twilight peered over his shoulder and nodded. “Do you mind if I finish it Spike?” Spike held the parchment out, letting the majority of it hit the floor and roll between Twilight’s legs, passing her tail by several feet. “Knock yourself out.” “‘Marriage betwixt one of theirs and the average Equestrian is always especially celebrated among Nocturne, but they know as to how you came to stride among them and they wish to extend their collective welcoming hooves for such a wondrous moment–’ let’s see.” I saw her hoof pressed against the parchment as she scanned the oversized letter. “More about how rare this is, some awkward explanations, irrelevant technical jargon, random moments of her unusual choice in words, awkward usage of political jargon, ah! ‘We have made preparations for you the week after the Summer Sun Celebration, please send a reply if you would prefer a date before then with sufficient time for all parties to be capable of reschedule. Sincerely, Princess Luna.’ Everything seems perfect.” She bit her lip. “Why is it so perfect?” “Stop saying that,” I hissed. “I know you consider such things as nonsense, but you don’t use words like that for important events. It invites misfortune.” “You remember what happened at the Gala,” Rainbow added as Twilight began to open her mouth. “Remember how much of an absolute and total disaster it was? Remember that we were slated to never be invited ever again?” I watched Twilight, twitching from the reminder, as she stiffly nodded. “I remember Rainbow and I really wish we could take that whole night back every time we’ve been to the castle to meet with Princess Luna about the wedding preparations.” “What about Shining Armor and Cadance’s wedding,” I asked. “Wasn’t that less fiasco and more disaster?” A barely audible whimper left Twilight’s mouth. “My former home at the school was levelled during that,” she meekly answered before breaking down. She flung her forelegs around my neck as she began to cry. “Princess Celestia made me pay for half of the repairs since I technically still had it as a place of residence.” I tried to rub her back, feeling more like I was disarming a bomb than comforting a fiancée. “Are–” Twilight sniffled. “It’s fully paid off and,” she stared at me with a fierce determination that penetrated her tears, “before you ask, it has been since before we first met you.” I pulled her in tightly. “Just let it out Twi, I’m sorry we just dredged up some nasty memories. Is there any way I can make it up to you?” I barely managed to hear three words escape her mouth: one sleepless night. It was enough to make me feel half-dead already, a quick glance towards Rainbow revealed only her confused expression. It seemed to me as though Twilight had been doing some homework on the Nocturne ponies and managed to hit the right volume so only I would pick up what she said.