Magic of Love: A Twidance Prompt Collab

by ArguingPizza

Valentine's Day Special

The palace was a buzz with a great deal of activity. Yet, for all the commotion, it was eerily quiet. It was as if the somber mood of the castle’s residents seemed to infect the entire castle. Servants and handmaidens quickly shuttled back and forth between areas tending to their assigned tasks. In the midst of this chaos, Empress Mi Amore Cadenza softly descended the staircase that led from the private areas of the palace. Her crystal shod hooves clicked against each stair in rhythm, but strangely were just as muted as every other sound. Carefully minding the hem of her long trained black dress, Cadance stopped at the foot of the stairs and simply watched the castle’s staff go about their work.

“When was the last time there was this much going on?” she lamented to no pony in particular. Her memory was perfect, so of course she could recall it.

”Quickly everypony! She’ll be here soon! Prism! Take those crystal lilies into the dining room! I just know my Twilight will love how they look!” Cady watched as her staff bustled about preparing the Crystal Castle for the arrival of one Princess Twilight Sparkle. The new marefriend of Princess Cadance was entertaining her new love for the first time in her home. It had to be perfect. As she helped direct traffic amongst her staff, she hummed a little tune to herself.

With a heavy sigh, the memory passed and Cadance sniffled. She felt a hoof gently placed over her withers and a handkerchief gracefully floated in front of her muzzle held in a deep purple magical hold.

“You okay Mom?” asked a clearly concerned Twilight Sunshine. The oldest of their twin children, Sunshine’s coat was just a couple of shades darker than her namesakes. Her own black gown fitted to her form bunching up as she sat down next to her mother. “Was it...Momma?”

Cadance could only nod as she began to cry a little more. With a hoarse croak she spoke, “I was remembering the time when she first came here for dinner. We hadn’t been together very long. It was...one of the happiest moments of my life.” Her tears began to quicken as her resolve failed. “We were supposed to have forever Sunny. Why? Why did she, the youngest of all of us, have to go?”

Embracing her mother tightly, Sunshine whispered gently into Cady’s ear while fighting back her own tears. “I...I don’t know Momma. Even Auntie Luna and Auntie Tia don’t really understand what happened. They said that they’d never seen an illness take hold like this one did. Even Discord said he’d never seen a magical disease like this one. It consumed her life essence as well as her magic.” The two mares comforted each other as a young white unicorn stallion approached them. Sunshine looked up to see her brother, Shining Shield gently moving closer to them.

“It’s...it’s time guys. Auntie Luna says that everyone is in place. Miss Lulamoon will speak right before us Sis. Then, it’s your turn...if you want that is Momma.”

Bleary eyed, Cadance looked towards her son. He’d grown into a fine stallion. Captain of the Crystal Knights, just like his Uncle in so many ways. It was no surprise to both herself and Twilight that as Shining grew, the resemblance to his late uncle was more than just coincidence. Upon obtaining his cutie mark (which was nearly identical to Shining Armor’s) the two princesses began to sense something special about their boy. Their suspicions were confirmed when Shield protected both he and his sister from an eldritch spirit from beyond the veil. Upon the shade’s defeat, the ghost of his Uncle walked to the young colt and told him of his destiny.

”You and I have a lot in common big guy. I need you to pick up where I left off. Keeping not only the Crystal Empire safe, but your mothers and sister as well. You’ll have one heck of a reputation to live up to, but I know you can do it Shield. Now, it is time for you to embrace who you are and become the stallion you were born to be.” In a brilliant flash, the spirit of Shining Armor merged with Shield. When the light faded, Shield’s flank was now adorned with the same cutie mark that his uncle once carried.

“I think I’ll be able to Shield. It’s the least I can do. Well, we should be going,” said Cadance as she and her children embraced one more time before falling in behind their escort. The three entered the grand hall of the castle which was filled to overflowing with all sorts of creatures who’d come to pay final respects to Empress Twilight Sparkle of the Crystal Throne. The five other Element Bearers along with their families were present. Ambassadors and dignitaries from other kingdoms were all huddled near Princess Celestia offering their own sympathies. Looking at her aunt, she could see that behind the mask she was wearing for everypony else was a mare that was grieving almost as much as she was. In fact, had it not been for Discord and his own love for Tia, Cadance was certain that her aunt would be a shattered mess.

Everypony found their seats as Princess Luna crossed to the dais that had been constructed. A small, amethyst crystalline casket sat on a bed of crystal lilies. The whole stage was surrounded by flowers and well wishes from every corner of the world. Clearing her throat gently, Luna’s voice echoed off of the walls of the hall.

“Greetings all. And thank you for coming. That you are all here means so very much not only to myself, but my sister, my niece, and her family as well.” The strength of Luna’s voice began to waiver, “Twilight was...an amazing pony. For not only did she advance the study of friendship, but her skills in magic were unmatched.” As Luna’s eulogy continued, Cadance stole a quick glance at those gathered. Like herself, almost all of those present were dabbing at their eyes. Even two of Luna’s normally stoic Lunar Guards could be seen choking back a tear or two.

“Oh Twilight, I wish you were still here. You affected so many in this world. I know I won’t be the only one to miss you.”

One by one, ponies and other races from all across Equestria shared their memories of Twilight. Even the Lunar Consort, Trixie, couldn’t keep from breaking down in tears when she retold the tale of how Twilight helped her woo Luna. Ever the showmare, Trixie’s magic conjured up images of her attempting to win Luna’s affection, with a ghostly Twilight cheering her on as the two apparitions kissed. With a wry smile, Trixie sniffed away a tear of her own and dispelled the little light show. Next came the twins. They had agreed that Shining should be the one to speak as Sunshine would most likely be unable to. However, as soon as they reached their mother’s casket, Shining could no longer hold back his emotions. Sinking to his haunches, he cried at his mother’s remains all the while Sunshine cooed softly to him and stroked his back. When it was clear that there was no way he’d be able to speak, Fluttershy and Applejack both rose from their seats and helped guide him back to his own chair. Left alone on the stage, Sunshine cleared her throat.

“I...uh...wasn’t really sure I could do this. I’m still not sure I can. But I guess…” Slowly, Sunshine’s own resolve failed and the emotions became too much to bear. “I’m sorry, everypony…” Quickly she fled from the stage and embraced her mother and brother. Her own sobs joining her brothers, she once again felt like a small filly being comforted by her mother.

Luna softly glided to the family’s side, “Do you wish to speak Cadence? No pony is expecting you to if you do not feel like it.”

Cadance thought for a moment about merely letting the moment pass. But the one thing she’d noticed about all the memories of Twilight, is that none of them seemed to catch her Twily as she remembered her. Sure, there were a great many tellings of her feats of magic and adventure. But, it still felt like something was missing.

“I do, Luna. For her.” Cadance slowly rose to her hooves and walked softly to the casket. Hushed whispers cycled through the crowd as she took the stage. Reaching the edge of the open coffin, Cady peered down at her love. A peaceful smile was on Twilight’s face. Her mane had been cleaned and freshly styled. Given how the disease had robbed so much from her, Cadance was amazed at how much better she looked. She gently kissed the base of Twilight’s horn and whispered to her, “I love you my dearest Twily. Wait for me. I’ll join you when I’m done here.”

Turning to face the crowd, Cadance cleared her throat. Her eyes scanned the room as she met the gaze of her friends. All of them were looking at her, lending her all the strength they could. With a deep sigh, she finally spoke. “Thank you all, so much. We are so very lucky to have such wonderful friends. All of you have shared wonderful memories of my Twilight. But, I think there’s one memory that hasn’t been shared that just must be.” With a slight smile, Cadance slowly lit her horn and began to channel some of her latent love magic. Slowly, a small shimmering portal like visage appeared. The portal flickered to life as an image of a younger Twilight and Cadance came into view. The two ponies were walking down one of the many streets of Canterlot. Twilight was obviously a bundle of nervous energy as she walked with a very confident looking Cadance. The two stopped just in front of one of the many cafes the city had to offer. Seeing the scene, a tear fell down Cadance’s muzzle as she finally found her voice once again.

“I’d like to tell you the story of the very adorkable Twilight Sparkle and our very first date…”

Twilight Sparkle spun in place and giggled at how her dress swirled out in deep red-magenta waves, the sequins catching the light to shine like stars peeking through the sky at dusk. Rarity really had outdone herself this time. Of course, the dress was for a special occasion, fitted to her measurements just days in advance so it fit her like a second coat. Her mane was up in a simple bun with crystal chopsticks holding it in place, and she had hint of glitter dust worked into her wings to really make them shine.

She glanced around the bedroom to reassure herself that no pony was watching her, and struck a pose in front of the mirror, batting her eyes the way she’d seen Rarity do, and purred. “Hello, Princess...I want you to paint my like one of your Prance fillies…”

“Really? But I thought you said I wasn’t allowed near you with coat dye after last Nightmare Night?”

Twilight jumped, squeaking like a mouse and fumbled backward out of the vanity until she bumped into the bed. “Cadance?! You surprised me!”

“Sorry!” Cadance, reigning monarch of the Crystal Kingdom and alicorn of Love, smiled sheepishly and ducked her head. “You just looked so picture perfect that I wanted to watch and then you said that...and I couldn’t resist.”

Twilight frowned, brushing a strand of her mane from her face. “When did you get in here? I just checked to see if anypony was in there.”

“Flew in.” Cadance nodded toward the open window. “I got her just a few seconds before you started posing. Honest!” She laughed and stepped around the bed to nuzzle Twilight’s cheek. “You do look absolutely, positively lovely my dear. You sure are going all out for a date.”

“It’s not just any date, Cady.” Twilight returned the nuzzle with one of her own into Cadance’s neck, in the hollow under her chin. “It’s a Hearts and Hooves Day date. On Hearts and Hooves Day!”

Cadance chuckled softly, looking down into Twilight’s eyes. “Take it from the Love Expert, there is nothing special about this day when it comes to love itself. It’s not like the equinoxes where ley lines get stronger, or anything like that.”

Twilight nodded. “As you’ve told me before, it’s a corporate holiday designed to sell merchandise.” The smaller alicorn took a step back, putting her ‘bedroom eyes’ expression back on. “But that’s not the point, is it? It’s a day we have chosen to be the day you show that special somepony that you care. I care about you, Cadance, and this year, you are not going to be a shut-in. You and I are going to the most exclusive restaurant in the entire Empire and we are going to have a romantic dinner. Afterwards, you get to unwrap your present.”

“Present?” Cadance tilted her head.

Twilight turned around, sashaying toward the door with more swish than she usually walked with. She looked back over her shoulder on the way out. “You’re looking at it. Now get ready, we leave in an hour.”

Empress Cadance Sparkle stood with her back straight, head held high and commanding as lights, numbering in the hundreds, flashed on either side of her and her consort as they made their way up the red carpet to the huge open door of La Maison de’Thoumieux and the glamorous tables beyond. She moved with measured poise and grace, leading slightly so that Twilight caught most of the attention. Her date stood out starkly against the simplistic, cloud-white dress she wore, her hair falling straight and free, like Twilight usually had her mane done.

When they entered the building, the paparazzi fell back and it finally felt as if they could have their date in peace. A crystal stallion maitre d lead the royal couple to a small, intimate table in the back of the restaurant where they could have a bit of privacy. Cadance smiled at him when he handed them their menus and wine lists and opened it dutifully to gaze over the contents.

“Oh poo.” Cadance half whispered so that Twilight would hear her. “There are no pictures in this.”

Twilight rolled her eyes, opening her menu and perusing it quickly. She gestured to the hovering stallion and spoke in fluent and almost unaccented Prench. <<Nous commencerons avec des petits pains et un vin rouge léger.>> The maitre d bowed, leaving them alone in the soft candlelight at the table.

Cadance smiled sweetly. “I knew I married you for a good reason.”

“If you practiced more, I wouldn’t have to order everything.” Twilight sighed, and smiled back at Cadance a moment later. “It’s not that hard, really.”

“I believe you!” Cadance leaned forward, whispering quietly. “I just hate practicing Prench. I think it makes me sound snooty and too ‘princess-y’ for my liking.”

“It’s ok, Cady, really it is.” Twilight waved her hoof dismissively. “It’s not like you have to know it before the ambassador shows up in a few months. I mean, we’ve got lots of time for that. I’ll tutor you myself!”

“None of your sass tonight, Sparkle. Hearts and Hooves is stressful enough as it is.”

Twilight smirked and reached across the table to take Cadance’s hoof in her own. “I’m sorry I dragged you out into the night air and to this shabby establishment. But I just wanted to show you I cared.”

“Sarcasm does not become you, my love.” Cadance sighed and pulled Twilight’s hoof up, kissing it gently. “But I concede your point. This is a lovely date, and you look marvelous and I do not deserve you.”

“So...tell me,” Twilight propped her chin in her hoof, letting Cadance hold her other one tight, “why do you shut yourself in on Hearts and Hooves Day? It’s just, your the alicorn of love, shouldn’t this be your de facto holiday?”

Cadance remained quiet. Twilight opened her mouth to say something when a pair of waiters arrived with their starter course. They thanked the staff after the wine was poured and Twilight ordered the next course.

“What did you order for us?” Cadance levitated a crusty bread roll, breaking it apart to spread butter on it before she bit into it.

“Asparagus Escargo.” Twilight lifted her own roll. “Don’t try to change the subject. What’s with the aversion to ponies being lovey dovey once a year?”

“Ponies are lovey dovey all the time, Twilight, but Hearts and Hooves Day adds pressure to it. Sure, we can show our love and appreciation to those we love whenever we want, but today, we’re required to do it. It’s no longer your choice.” Cadance waved her piece of bread around as she spoke. “Oh, of course no pony is forcing you, but society is pressuring you to make a show of it. And, you have to keep escalating year after year. You can’t just do the same thing, you have to make it bigger and louder and more elaborate.”

“So, you’re saying that the shows of affection today are...over inflated, or false?” Twilight took a bite of her bread, chewing thoughtfully. “You don’t like the pressure?”

Cadance nodded vigorously. “Yes! Exactly! And I dislike the lack of spontaneity. Making a holiday gives you a deadline. Deadlines and love don’t mix. Love is supposed to be from the heart and surprise you, make you reassess your life and how this wonderful other pony could care that much for you. It’s not supposed to be a cut-off period for displaying x-amount of passion.”

She sighed, lifting her wine and sipping from it. “Besides the pressure it puts on those with special someponies, what about the ones without? I’ve met too many ponies that become depressed wrecks at this time each year. It hurts them.”

Twilight hung her head. “Yeah...I remember being like that once. Until you walked into my life again during the whole changeling invasion.”

Cadance smiled and kissed Twilight’s hoof again. “Well, to be fair, you did save me from an insane changeling queen that was impersonating me to get close to Celestia. Did I ever tell you how dashing you looked when you burst into the mine and found me? Can you blame a princess for falling for a hero?” She blew Twilight a kiss. “Either way, you can understand how this holiday makes some ponies unduly miserable, right?”

Twilight nodded again, finishing off her roll in a few quick bites. “Yeah, I can see that. So, over emphasized shows of affection and increased misery for those without special someponies.” She turned the thought over in her mind. “I suppose I can tell why that could leave a sour taste in your mouth.”

“Well, there is one more reason.”

“Oh?” Twilight raised her eyebrows.

“Yeah,” Cadance narrowed her brows and looked back and forth conspiratorially. “Every pony thinks I’m going around on a cloud and shooting ponies with my special love arrows. That I’m the reason for the holiday and all the lovey dovey-ness!”

Twilight snickered. “But, Cady, how could that be? You suck at archery!”

“They don’t know that!” Cadance spread her hooves, indicating every pony. “If only my terrible shame of never being able to compete at the sport I am worst at was more plainly painted on my face!”

Twilight laughed and shook her head. “This is why I love you.”

“Oh?” Cadance batted her eyelashes. “I thought it was my stunning good looks and unrivaled intelligence.”

“Well, one of those helps.”

“Which one?” Cadance grinned, kissing Twilight’s hoof again.

“I’ll let you puzzle that one out yourself.” Twilight relaxed in her seat, sighing softly. “I’ll tell you what, next Hearts and Hooves Day, we’ll stay in and do whatever you want, ok?”

Cadance’s eyes brightened. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

“And that,” Cadance pulled Twilight a little closer as the waiters returned with their main course, “is why I love you.”

The Crystal Empire was alight with candle flames beyond measure, each flickering light reflected a hundredfold by the glittering stonework that made up the city. The last few rays of dusk still dusted the horizon as the sun retired, leaving the foals to their rest and the lovers to their privacy.

Atop the Crystal Spire, the Observatory had been cleared of its telescope- one a thousand years out of date and already promised to the Royal Museum in Manehatten. In its place, a simple wooden table adorned with a tablecloth of the purest ivory white. A single candle, highest of its brethren and the star atop the glittering Hearth’s Warming tree that the city had become, illuminated a simple vase of flowers and a collection of empty plates.

A wine glass was enveloped securely in light blue magic, and levitated to meet its twin, which was likewise clasped in a shaky raspberry glow. They came together with a soft, brittle ting.

“Happy Hearts and Hooves Day, Twilight.” Cadence tried to will feelings of warmth and caring towards her companion, but her smile gave way to a grimace when Twilight’s drink was upended and drained in a single gulp. The glass slammed hard into the table, and Cadence spared a glance to inspect it for cracks. It was miraculously intact, which proved fortunate a moment later when Twilight refilled it nearly to the brim.

“H-happy Hear–“ Twilight’s voice dried up, and she quickly drank another half glass to loosen her tongue. “–Hearts and Hooves Day, Cadence.” Twilight’s eyes remained glued to her empty plate, and she busied herself by pushing around a few uneaten peas with her fork.

Cadence suppressed a sigh, for she knew allowing it to escape would have only incensed Twilight’s insecurities further. Despite Cadence’s best efforts, Twilight had shown up for their date barely able to stand through her shaking, and the situation had only deteriorated from there. She had hoped the wine might help, but after half a bottle Twilight remained tense and fidgety.

Both of Cadence’s hooves reached across the table to cover one of Twilight’s, and she offered the younger mare a supportive smile.

“You don’t have to be nervous, Twilight. Not around me.” She waited until Twilight met her eyes, and when Twilight failed to do so, she lifted Twilight’s chin with a hoof. “I’m still me, and you’re still you. Nothing about that has changed.”

Twilight pulled her head away and shook her head. “Everything has changed, Cadence. We’re on a date: a real, honest-to-goodness date, and I know it’s just a matter of time until I do something to mess it up.” Tears gathered in the corner of Twilight’s eye, but she wiped them away before any could escape.

“You’re the Princess of Love, and I’m just some awkward bookworm who found an extra set of wings sitting around.” Twilight waved a hoof at the darkened Observatory, which was lit only by a scattering of small candles. “Even if everything goes right tonight –and that’s a huge ‘if’– it’s only a matter of time before I do something wrong and you realize how much better you can do.”

Cadence was not sure how Twilight expected her to react to her admission. Maybe she expected a protest, or a denial, or –worst of all– an agreement. Whatever Twilight’s expectation, Cadence doubted it was to be roughly lifted and dropped belly-up onto the table by a field of light blue magic.

Eyes wide, Twilight was speechless as Cadence’s hooves dropped around her to from a soft, pink cage. Slowly, inch by inch, Cadence lowered herself until she was resting against Twilight’s chest. She could feel Twilight’s heart pounding, and she flicked her mane to the side to cascade down her neck and across the table.

“Twilight, you’re right.” Cadence knew it was a bit cruel, but she couldn’t help but pause dramatically. Twilight stiffened against her, though whether it was her words or her running her muzzle along the gentle curve of Twilight’s neck, she couldn’t be sure. “I am the Princess of Love, and that means I know a few things.”

Her wings trailed along Twilight’s sides, avoiding her ticklish spots but drawing a shudder all the same. “I know you don’t understand how unbelievably, indescribably gorgeous you truly are.”

Her wings reached Twilight’s Cutie Marks at the same time, and began to lightly trace the pink starburst pattern. “I know you don’t realize how much everypony, including me, looks to you when we need help, because we never have to wonder if you’ll be there for us.”

She nibbled Twilight’s ear, and the captive mare failed to bite back a moan. It stoked the warmth growing deep within Cadence, but she held herself back. “I know you love me, and have loved me for a long time now.” Twilight made an attempt at a protest, but was overruled before she truly began by Cadence warm breath on her neck.

“But there’s one thing you don’t know, that I think I should tell you.” Cadence’s wings paused in their ministrations, and she drew herself back just far enough for Twilight to see her lecherous grin. She licked her lips, and her hoof snaked its way down Twilight’s torso. “Or maybe I should show you—“

“Seriously?”

Twilight Velvet paused in her reading, and she lowered the small stack of papers to peer curiously at her daughter. Twilight– more specifically, Twilight Sparkle– had sat up from the old cushion in front of Velvet’s writing desk.

“What’s wrong with it?” she asked. Twilight Sparkle stared at her as if it should have been obvious, which frankly it wasn’t, before she huffed and stomped a hoof.

“’Maybe I should show you?’ You’re kidding, right?” Twilight’s wings fluttered at her side in what Velvet had learned was a display of irritation. That she’d only had to learn what the gesture meant since her daughter’s ascension was a bit embarrassing, but then again Canterlot didn’t have many pegasus ponies, and she had only ever left the city on a few rare vacations.

“I think it’s a good line,” Cadence said from her half of the cushion, pressed against Twilight’s side. Between her forehooves, a half-eaten bag of popcorn continued to disappear in a steady stream of fluffy salted goodness.

“Thank you, dear.” Cadence beamed smugly, and Twilight glowered at them both. “Oh, don’t make that face, honey. It’s unbecoming of a Princess.”

“And having a mother who writes smut about her own daughter isn’t? Am I the only one who sees how weird this is?” Again, Twilight stomped a hoof, and Velvet was momentarily taken back to when Twilight was only a filly and Velvet would take away her books for the night. If she didn’t, Twilight would spend the night reading and fall asleep in class the next day, but each night inevitably brought with it the plea for just one more chapter.

“It’s what the ponies want, honey. I’m a writer, sue me.”

“I might…” Twilight’s compaints were put to rest by a quick jab from her wife’s pink wing.

“Oh hush, this doesn’t hold a candle to some of the stuff ponies have written about Aunt Celestia over the centuries.” Cadence leaned in close, and whispered in a voice only just short of being too quiet for Velvet to overhear. “Besides, if you’re good, when we get home I’ll let you pick out your favorite scenes for a little ‘re-enactment.’”

Twilight blushed, but quickly settled back onto the cushion, though not without a bit of grumbling. Velvet hid her grin behind her pages. She and Cadence shared a wink before she cleared her throat and resumed reading.

Twilight shivered under Cadence’s delicate touch…

Twilight stared at her reflection, thinking about how utterly ridiculous this whole thing was. Here she was backstage at the Crystal Auction House (a very sarcastic ‘Good job!’ to whomever came up with that name) getting herself all prettied up. And what for? So ponies could bid on her?

The pretty purple pony princess sighed. It was for charity and all they were really bidding on was a date. And Twilight couldn’t really say no to funding for libraries.
She turned so her side faced the mirror. Her dress was reminiscent of the one she had worn for the Grand Galloping Gala all those years ago. Ink blue on the outside while the inner lining was a nicely contrasting icy-blue. Glittering white stars adorned the back and a few were stuck into her mane. And somepony had the bright idea to throw on some extra sparkles for shits and giggles. Twilight could imagine lighting up like a disco ball or a vampony when the spotlight shined on her.

She bet it was fucking Rarity’s idea.

“Hey Twilight,” the familiar voice of her number one assistant called through the dressing room door. “They are ready for you.”

Twilight sighed again and trotted over to the door, opening it to reveal Spike standing there looking sharp in a tuxedo. She noted that he wasn’t sparkling.

Twilight forced a smile on her face. “Okay, Spike, let’s go.”

****

She supposed there was some small mercy in being up first.

“Five thousand!” a green stallion with orange hair called out,

She had been right. She was literally sparkling under the spotlight, a twinkling gem every stallion in the room wanted to have, even for just one evening.

“Ten thousand!” a mare countered.

Startled, Twilight looked to see a banana yellow mare with an off-white mane batting eyelashes at her.

Well, maybe a few mares wouldn’t mind her company either.

“Twenty thousand!” another mare called out.

Okay, maybe every pony in the room wanted her. It might have seemed a lot more flattering if she wasn’t so uncomfortably hot under the spotlight. And their gazes.

“Twenty-five thousand,” said a rather posh voice.

Twilight blinked in surprise. She knew Fancy Pants was here, but wasn’t he with somepony? Or maybe he was trying to save her the trouble of going with one of these rich dullards.

My, she was starting to get a little bitter about this wasn’t she?

“Thirty-five thousand!” countered the yellow mare from before.

“Forty,” came the perpetually uninterested voice of Prince Blueblood.

Twilight balked. She didn’t know Blueblood was here. She supposed it made sense that he would show up, but…

Somepony please make another bid. Twilight pleaded silently.

“Fifty thousand!” cried a very familiar and accented voice.

Managing to suppress a gasp of surprise, Twilight followed the source of the voice to a orange mare that had her blonde mane done up in a posh bun. Applejack winked at her and tilted her head to indicate the mare on her left. Princess Celestia gave Twilight a wink that said: ‘Don’t worry, we’ve got this.’

“Sixty thousand,” Blueblood said, sounding vaguely miffed.

“Seventy!” Applejack happily replied.

“Eighty!” Blueblood shouted.

“Ninety!”

“Ninety five!” called out the green stallion from before.

“One hundred thousand!” a pink maned, Prench accented mare called out.

“One ten!” came Applejack’s voice again.

“One twenty five!” Blueblood sounded offended.

“One fifty!” Applejack countered, sounding flustered.

Twilight shifted her weight nervously. How much could Princess Celestia afford?

Blueblood seemed to have an idea. He was almost smug as he said, “Two hundred thousand.”

The auctioneer pounded on his podium. “Two hundred thousand! The bid is currently two hundred thousand bits!”

Twilight looked to Applejack who shook her head sadly. She glanced to Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lis, both of whom were avoiding eye contact. Several ponies in the crowd were muttering unhappily.

“Going once,” the auctioneer cautioned. “Going twice!”

Twilight was just about to hang her head down when a cry from the back of the room startled everypony.

“One million bits!”

Twilight’s head jumped back up in surprise. Was that…?

“Who said that?” Blueblood demanded. “Show yourself!”

“Please, whoever made the bid, step forward,” the auctioneer said, motioning for a second spotlight to scan the crowd.

“I made the bid!” the voice called out again. The spotlight quickly found and settled on the speaker, who was waving happily at Twilight.

“Cadance?” Twilight said out loud.

“C-can you confirm that, please?” the auctioneer said, stumbling over his words in shock.

“Of course,” Cadance said nodded, cheekily holding a pink hoof to the corner of her mouth. “I bid one million bits.”

The auctioneer didn’t react at first, too stunned to do so. After a moment he seemed to remember himself and cleared his throat before speaking.

“That’s one million bits. The bid is one million bits for Princess Twilight Sparkle. Going once.”

The crowd remained silent.

“Going twice.”

Silence prevailed.

The gravel coming down was like a canon firing, making everypony in the room jump.

“Sold.”

Smiling like a dingo with a new baby, Cadance merrily trotted forward to the stage.

“You’ll take a check, right?” she asked the stallion at the podium.

He nodded silently.

Cadance’s horn lit up as she extracted a check book and a pen from the satchel at her side. The scratching of the pen practically echoed in the stillness of the air. Cadance pulled the sighed check from the book and handed it to the auctioneer.

“Come on, Twilight,” Cadance said with a smile in the purple alicorn’s direction.

Twilight wordlessly nodded, feeling a blush spreading across her cheeks as she stepped down from the stage and fell into step behind Cadance. Every eye in the auction house was on her, making her blush bloom brighter and hotter.

Cadance led her out the doors and into the lobby, the eyes on her being cut off as the doors closed behind her.

She was on Cadance in an instant, lips pressing eagerly to the pink alicorn, tongue slipping out to brush against pearly white teeth before they parted and the oral muscle wrestling began.

Cadance may have been larger than Twilight, but the Princess of Friendship was far more aggressive. She pushed Cadance against the wall, trapping the pretty pink pony princess between a hard crystal surface and a grateful librarian. Hooves stroked and petted and was only a loving but firm push that stopped Twilight from taking Cadance right there.

“Wow, Twilight,” Cadance said breathily. “I think you were misinformed as to what kind of auction this is.”

The purple alicorn chuckled nervously and touched her hooves together. “S-sorry Candy, it just…” she shook her head. “A million bits? Really? I think it’s a little drastic considering all I would have to do is spend one bad evening with Blueblood.”

Cadance raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

Twilight snorted. “Of course not!” She went in for another kiss, but Cadance stopped her with a boop on the nose.

“Ah, ah, Princess Twilight. I do believe you owe me a date, not a quickie in a storeroom.”

Twilight was suddenly scarlet again, but she hid it with a tired sigh and a quick examination of the floor to her right. “Fine, be like that.”

Cadance grinned and began leading her date to the exit.

“Happy Hearts and Hooves day, Twilight.”

“Happy Hearts and Hooves day, Cadance.”

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting.

This was a mistake. Shouldn’t have asked her to come. This is all going to go horribly wrong. Maybe I should just call it o—

No. She’s right there. She’s waving at me now.

Hello

She walks over to me. She’s smiling. Now she’s pulling me in. It’s about to start. Why did I suggest this?

The seats are comfortable at least. It’s too hot in here. She’s talking to me. Mindless chatter. She doesn’t seem to notice that I’m being quiet.

The lights dim. Silence.

And then the drums.

Proud and driving, but not overwhelming. Simple and pulsing. I don’t think I can really explain it. They just feel uplifting.

I glance over at her. She seems almost mesmerised, her eyes locked in front of her. I shake my head and turn back.

An unassuming piano joins the drums, with a single voice. They don’t do much. Nothing complicated. The piano sounds almost child-like. But somehow it just fits. It keeps the beat, lifting it up into something more than just a beat.

And then the voice.

It meanders between lyrics. They sound more like poetry than anything else, really. Does the voice know what it’s singing? Does she like it?

I look back at her. She’s nodding her head to the beat. The music slows down. It seems almost like it’s grinding to a halt.

Until suddenly it bursts into the chorus. Another voice joins the first, along with a guitar. Together, they weave together a beautiful tapestry of sound. It’s almost as though I can see it reflected in her eyes.

I don’t know what they’re singing about. I don’t think it matters. Who says art needs a meaning?

She’s smiling now. She likes it. She’s happy. I guess that’s good enough then, right?

I tear my gaze away. Focus on something else.

It’s back to the first singer. Back to the way it was at the beginning. Lilting. Almost poetic.

The voice is cracking. It sounds... distraught? Rather negative anyway. It sounds like it’s looking for someone. I guess I can relate.

But I found her.

And she’s next to me.

It’s back into the chorus. Driving forward. Trying to forget the dark times in the past. Something else I suppose we have in common.

Do I even want to forget? It feels like it should stay with me. It would be wrong. I can’t just do that. Not for me. But for her?

It’s focusing on the second voice. Slower. No drums. It’s calmer. I don’t really know who it’s talking to. Is it an order? The first voice is back. It sounds lonely. Can’t it hear the other?

And now we’re back to the chorus. Except it’s one voice. It’s alone.

And now they’re singing together again. Singing about accomplishing great things. But what about what they sang about before? Are they ignoring it? Forgetting about it?

Things blurring. Can't see clearly. Getting hotter.

I feel a hoof brush against my leg. I almost jump out of my chair.

It’s her.

She looks worried. I’m confused. Why is she getting my attention? She gestures up to my face.

Oh.

I guess I’m crying.

She gestures to the door. Should I? It looked like she was enjoying herself. I look back at her face. She looks very concerned. I nod. Bow my head to follow her. She leads me out of the door.

We’re in the lobby. She’s asking me questions I don’t know the answer to. Nothing was clear in there. I don’t understand. It was just a song.

She shakes her head and smiles wryly. She gives me a nuzzle. Murmuring something about a carriage.

Yes.

Home.

Sorry.

Hearts and Hooves Day, it was the day to celebrate love and its various incarnations. However today was not that day, it was the day afterwards, an ordinary day. There was nothing to mark it as any more remarkable than the next day or the day after that one.

Today was however the day that Twilight and Cadance had set aside to spend time together, the usual traditions of the previous day had been mutually decided upon that the day itself was not the right time to celebrate being together.

Hearts and Hooves Day, the day of celebrating Eros love was also filled with traditions and festivals held so to celebrating that particular love. Traditions and festivals which left both busy and not conductive to spending it together and yet the loss of that day mattered little.

For Cadance, love was something that should be celebrated and cherished year-round not just on day of the year. For Twilight, she felt that the holiday itself had become a little too laden down in numerous gestures and traditions that one could lose sight for what it was meant to celebrate.

So on this day after the festivals were over and the decorations stowed away for another year, the two would share their special day together in spite of a few others pointing out how both balked at traditions, but it mattered not what others thought about their intentional disregard for the usual traditions especially those who did not know them well. Traditional days to celebrate or not, what mattered for them was that they were together and that was already special.