The trip to Manehatten by rail was non eventful. Spike was sorry to leave Twilight Sparkle when the train stopped at Ponyville station, but Spike was proud she was leaving him in charge of their new palace while she was away. Spike promised to tell all their friends about Twilight’s trip. Twilight promised to send postcards and bring back a few presents.
Twilight Sparkle and her entourage spent less than a day in Manehatten. This was still enough time for Prince Blueblood to almost come to blows with an orange unicorn sports fan while walking from the train station to the aerodrome.
The conflict was over the chances of the Manehatten Maniacs winning the championship. The orange unicorn boldly declared “Maniacs all the way!” as he walked past Twilight Sparkle and her entourage.
Prince Blueblood stated how unlikely he thought this was. “Their best players are all injured. They will be lucky to even make it to the playoffs this season.” He declared.
The orange unicorn sports fan made, in response, a rude remark comparing Prince Blueblood to a bodily function. He made some gestures with his front hooves that none in the group understood, but they were most likely rude gestures.
Twinkleshine gasped. Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes.
Prince Blueblood was not used to the cantankerous ways of the ponies of Manehatten. He challenged the unicorn to a dual. “I say. I will not allow such an insult to go unanswered. I demand satisfaction. En garde, you ruffian.” He said. He pointed his horn at the unicorn.
“Bring it on, ya snooty white creampuff.” The orange unicorn shouted, at least that’s what Twilight Sparkle said he shouted when she recalled the incident for her friends. She chose to delete his actual words from her mind.
The orange unicorn took a fighting stance. He was prepared to back his words with action.
Twilight Sparkle stepped between the two squared off stallions. She reminded Prince Blueblood they were on a schedule. The Royal Guard remembered their duty at this point. Prince Blueblood was a skilled dualist, and the consensus of the guards was the orange unicorn might need to be taken down a peg. Princess Twilight Sparkle was beloved throughout Equestria. None of them would be able to show their face in public if they allowed her to receive so much as a scratch. They told the orange unicorn to move along. Clearly outnumber, he spat out one last insult and turned to leave.
“Come back here, you coward.” Prince Blueblood cried. He snorted in anger. He moved towards him.
Twilight Sparkle stood in his path. She looked into Blueblood’s eyes. “We’ve got bigger fish to fry. Forget him. We are going to the aerodrome now.” She said.
“Don’t stand in my way, Princess Twilight. This is a question of honour.” Prince Blueblood said. He glared in the direction of the slowly departing orange rump of the rude Manhattan unicorn.
Twinkleshine spoke up. “You’re highness, please, remember your duty. Equestria is counting on the success of our mission. It is there your honour lies. It cannot be tarnished by the hot air of one such as him.” She said.
Prince Blueblood exhaled. His gaze softened. He looked at Twinkleshine. “You’re gentle words have soothed me, fair lady. Let us make haste to the aerodrome and depart this wretched city without delay.” He said.
Twinkleshine blushed.
Their airship was ready to depart as soon as they arrived at the aerodrome. Twilight was amazed. The airship was a zeppelin of large size and clever design. It was propelled and navigated by a combination of wind and magic. If that failed, there were powerful Pegasi on board who could pull the entire vessel. Though the speed would not be great under Pegasus power alone.
All this Twilight Sparkle learned from the postcard she bought for Spike and her friends. She penned a quick note, and mailed it before boarding the zeppelin.
The zeppelin was luxurious to a fault. It was decorated in chic art noveau style. The ship had many rooms in first and second class. There were multiple dining rooms, and a café bar. There was even a small gymnasium. There were six state rooms on the ship. All of them were taken up by the royal delegation. Prince Blueblood and Twinkleshine each had his or her own state room. The royal guard shared two.
Twilight Sparkle was astounded by the size and furnishings of her state room. “This bed is big enough to fit all three of us comfortably. If we shared a room, we could have brought more supplies and people along.” Twilight Sparkle said. Twinkleshine and Prince Blueblood were with her.
Twinkleshine grinned. “I know you only have efficiency in mind, Princess Twilight Sparkle, but ponies would talk if the three of us shared a bed even a large one.” She said.
“Why is that, Twinkleshine?” Prince Blueblood asked.
“Don’t play the innocent, Prince Blueblood. I do hear palace gossip like the next pony. I am going to go check on the guards. See if they settled in their rooms alright.” Twinkleshine said.
“I’ll do that. You should stay and talk to our Princess here about gossip. She has a confused look on her face.” Prince Blueblood said.
“I do?” Princess Twilight Sparkle said.
“Yes, you do, Your Highness. Get out of here, Prince Blueblood. Princess Twilight Sparkle and I are going to do a little girl talk.” Twinkleshine said. She trotted over to Twilight’s bed a lay down. “I don’t care if people talk. I’m exhausted. I do not sleep well on trains. Wanna lay next to me as we converse?”
“Sure.” Twilight said. She lay on the large bed and faced Twinkleshine. There was plenty of room the two ponies fully stretched out without touching. “Why would ponies talk about the two of us resting in the same bed?” Twilight asked.
“They would talk because some would assume we weren’t resting, Your Highness. Some would assume we were being intimate with one another.” Twinkleshine said.
“Oh.” Twilight said. She gave Twinkleshine a concerned look.
Twinkleshine laughed. “I am not planning on being intimate with you, Princess Twilight Sparkle. However, there is something important you need to know. Something that may affect the success of this mission.” Twinkleshine said.
“What’s that?” Twilight asked.
“I am in love with Prince Blueblood. I have been for some time.” Twinkleshine said.
Twilight Sparkle’s face had a big toothy grin. “How wonderful. He seems to be a surprisingly complex pony, and of course he’s easy on the eyes. On the other hoof, he was a bit of a cad towards my friend Rarity during the Grand Galloping Gala, and he might have a bit of a temper.” Twilight said.
“I heard about that. The Gala I mean. She didn’t treat him with proper respect my sources tell me. That Gala was a big one for rumours. Did Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy ever make up?” Twinkleshine asked.
“They’ve always been friends.” Twilight said.
“That’s not what I mean, Your Highness. The story goes that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were supposed to dance together at the gala, but Rainbow Dash blew her off to talk to the Wonderbolts. Fluttershy felt hurt, so she went to the garden. Finally, she couldn’t bare her jealousy any longer, so she burst into the hall and cried out to Rainbow Dash ‘YOU WILL LOVE ME!’” Twinkleshine said.
Twilight nodded. “Interesting theory, but completely inaccurate. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are just friends. Fluttershy was calling out to the animals of the garden. Fluttershy was disappointed none of them wanted to be friends with her.” She said.
“So I suppose there is no truth to the rumours that you and Rarity are dating too.” Twinkle Shine said.
“Sheesh. Rarity is very affectionate. I think people are reading too much into our interactions. She nuzzles and calls everyone darling.” Twilight said.
“So there wasn’t a big fight about you making eyes at a certain stallion by the name of Flash Sentry?” Twinkleshine asked.
“There was no fight, and I barely know Flash Sentry. Let’s get back to you and Prince Blueblood. You said it might affect our mission. How is this the case? I need to know.” Twilight said.
“I have a hard time thinking straight around him. The problem is I can’t express my feelings for him no matter how hard I try. I live in fear that some other pony will come and take him away. He already is closer to you than he is to me.” Twinkleshine said.
“Then let’s use this mission to change that. You need to have a plan of action. You need to win his heart.” Twilight said.
“Great! What’s the plan?” Twinkleshine said.
“You show him what a beautiful and smart pony you are. You make it clear to him how much you care. If Prince Blueblood is meant to love you, he will love you.” Twilight said.
“Beautiful, yes, good. How do I be beautiful on an airship?” Twinkleshine said.
“You look pretty tired. How about you take a nap? Get some beauty sleep. I’ll think of a plan for dinner. I’ll wake you before then, so we’ll have time to get ready.” Twilight said.
Twinkleshine closed her eyes and fell asleep. Twilight began to think, but unfortunately both ponies were more tired than they realized. They both slept through dinner.
The airship was flying high above The Haylantic Ocean when the two mares woke up. “Sorry, I fell asleep.” Twilight said.
“That’s alright.” Twinkleshine said.
“I think we missed dinner, but the café bar may still be open. Would you like to go get something to eat?” Twilight said.
“I would be delighted, Your Highness.” Twinkleshine replied.
The café bar of the airship was in the stern. There was an open air balcony where ponies could eat and view the moon reflecting over the water at night.
Twilight Sparkle and Twinkleshine sat at a table on the balcony and ate and drank there. The café was still serving hot food. They had not slept as late as they feared. During the dinner, Twilight Sparkle told Twinkleshine she didn’t need to call her ‘Your Highness’ when it was just the two of them.
After they ate the two mares walked to the railing and admired the view. Twinkleshine nuzzled Twilight Sparkle’s neck. “Isn’t this romantic, darling?” She said. She put her hoof around Twilight’s shoulder.
“I thought you were interested in Prince Blueblood.” Twilight said.
“I am. I was imitating your friend Rarity. Did I do it right?” She said. She removed her hoof.
“You need to inflect a sophisticated accent to get Rarity down right. I agree with your sentiment. This is very romantic. You should bring, Prince Blueblood out here tomorrow. You should put your hoof around his neck like you just did to me.” Twilight said.
“Isn’t that moving too fast?” Twinkleshine asked.
“You want him to start seeing you as more than just a co-worker. This is how to do it.” Twilight said. She took a deep breath and looked directly at Twinkleshine. “Changing the topic for a moment. I want to say something important, Twinkleshine. I want to say, ‘I am sorry’. Back at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, you and all the others tried hard to make me your friend, and I just ignored you. It wasn’t there was anything wrong about any of you. I didn’t understand the importance and value of friendship. I didn’t understand how my brushing you all off all the time could be hurting your feelings. I hope you can forgive me, and we can be the friends we could have been all along.” Twilight said.
A tear formed in Twinkleshine’s eye. “I understood. We all understood. Celestia’s school taught science and magic well, but it also taught alienation from one’s peers. I don’t think it was intentional. I wasn’t too different from you. I’m still weak in the social skills department. I don’t really have more than a hoof full of friends, and too often I ignore them in the name of furthering my research. I would love to be friends with you, honoured even.” Twinkleshine said.
Twilight Sparkle nuzzled Twinkleshine’s neck.
“Why’d you do that?” Twinkleshine asked.
“I had to return the one you gave me. It’s only fair. It’s what friends do. We share.” Twilight said.
“I hope to be sharing a lot more with Prince Blueblood tomorrow.” Twinkleshine said.
"That’s the spirit.” Twilight Sparkle said.
The two mares laughed. The moonlight was beautiful, and life was good.
Neither pony saw the member of the royal guard who had stepped out for a breath of fresh air and was watching them with some interest. He was a loyal protector of royalty, but he was something of a gossip. He wasted no time telling the other members of the royal guard what he had seen that night on the balcony.