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// Epilogue 
// Story: Being a Princess Has Its Porks 
// by BlndDog 
//------------------------------//

	Spike sat with his back in the fire, munching on mixed gems out of a sizable bag. It was a gift from Diamondia, and after the events earlier that day Twilight had silently agreed that he could enjoy it however he wished.

Feeding the diamond dogs became somewhat feasible when Southpaw revealed the smoked provisions in his carriage. Twilight had to empty Sugarcube Corner, but the fallout was far from catastrophic. On the contrary the Cakes were more than happy for the wheelbarrow of bits.

Despite all the fuss about treaties and policy-making, it was Fluttershy and Gustave did most of the talking that night. King Southpaw was rather intelligent for a diamond dog, but he was not in the mood to discuss details that night. Instead he answered plenty of questions about Diamondia, ranging from proper grooming for long-haired pigs to his favorite recipes for smoked meat. How he managed to balance the two subjects was anyone’s guess.

Truffles, now clean and dry and covered in a warm blanket, lay at his master’s side, happily receiving all the attention Fluttershy gave him. Once in a while he gave Spike a nasty look, which was answered each time with an apathetic wave.

Twilight did not get a chance to talk to Fluttershy again until the diamond dogs returned to their carriages for the night.

“Fluttershy,” she said as Gustave doused the fire. “I want to tell you again how sorry I am for what happened today.”

“Oh Twilight, I forgive you,” Fluttershy said, giving Twilight a hug. “But next time, come to me when you have trouble with big animals, okay?”

“Got it.” Twilight agreed.

Spike had fallen asleep on top of the hot ember. Presently he was awakened by a bucketful of icy creek water. He sat bolt upright with a sharp scream, making Gustave jumped. The silence of the evening thus broken, they exchanged a long exchange of curses while Twilight and Fluttershy stood back and laughed.