//------------------------------//
// Schoolfoalish Things 
// Story: The Things Tavi Says 
// by shortskirtsandexplosions 
//------------------------------//

	We're only about ten feet from the front gates of the Palace when Octavia turns back to look at me.  Her left eyebrow nearly rises to the stratosphere.

"What are you giving me that look for?"

I didn't even realize that I was giving her a look.  I shake in place, my shades rattling.

"I know that silence gives you the license to ponder on many a thing, but honestly, Vine."  She flicks a tail, sticking her nose up to the air.  "I'd hope you would give me a great deal more faith than that!"

I bite my lip, squirming slightly.  I try to trot forward, joining her in our mutual stroll past the royal guards' wagons and into Ponyville.

But she can't stop... stopping.  "Okay!"  She exhales in an indigo burst, then speaks in purple amusement through a lazy grin.  "I know what you're thinking."

I scuffle to a stand-still, rolling my shaded eyes.  Whenever Tavi claims to "know what I'm thinking," it only means that I'm about to become audience to a great deal of rambling pretense.  Still, I pivot towards her with a patient smile.

"But, in truth, I am a lady... and a quite mannerly one, too."  She adjusts her bow tie, standing with a stately poise.  "After all, I needn't lecture you on the finer points of etiquette that I've mastered over the years... perfecting into a practical art!"

I nod vigorously.

No.

You needn't.

"And, furthemore, I'm simply not in the place nor the position to afford any sort of relationship with anypony, much less a ridiculously handsome stallion that I just suddenly met."

My muzzle grimaces.

Does she even hear herself?

Thankfully, Tavi does, and she knows it—out loud.  "I mean... true, you and I just landed ourselves positions within the Royal Palace, something I've been anxiously anticipating for several, several restless nights, and it's quite easy to use my ardent enthusiasm as an unnecessary springboard into far less intelligent pursuits... but I'm beyond that!  And you should believe it!"  She punctuates this with an accusatory poke of my chest.

I weather the storm, stifling an honest snicker.

"So... d-don't even pretend to... assume... erm... that I would have completely swooned... if we h-had stayed within the presence of that inexplicably debonair... specimen for a few more minutes just now."  The mare gulps, hard.  "Despite how sweaty—er... polite!  Despite how polite he was."

I stare at her.

She groans, her purple voice buckling.  "Look, Vinyl, I've worked very... very hard for what's transpired today.  I... I should remain focused!  Just because we're over the hump—the neck of the woods, as t'were—doesn't mean I can afford myself any leisure trivialities!  From now on, it's hard work, supreme concentration, and music... lots and lots and lots of music!"  She flexed her forelimbs, fluffing her mane as she stared ahead.  "Hmmmmm... I wonder, when we rehearse for the Princess and her Friendship Cabinet... will the guards be in attendance too?"

I facehoof heavily.

"Eh. No matter."  She trots forward firmly.  "Onward!  To celebration!  Excelsior!  Heehee..."  A dreamy sigh.  "Oh, I do wonder if it would be a trifle bit too pestering to bring the news to Lyra and Bon Bon this evening..."

I shrug, turning to look over my shoulder.

I do a double-take.

Princess Twilight Sparkle stands on the northeast balcony of her Castle, gazing out onto Ponyville.  Suddenly, an orange figure shuffles up, hooves clapping against the balcony's surface as he stands at attention.

Twilight Sparkle turns around, and her face explodes into a joyous grin.  Her wings stretch out, feathers fluttering in the wind.  Even from afar, I can detect no sign of gray or turquoise in her voice anymore.  All is rich orange... and turning oranger as she drifts towards him.

The guard lowers his helmet, revealing a very familiar face and an even more familiar smile.  Then he and the Princess do something I don't expect.  They lean in and nuzzle one another... closely.

"Oh Viiiiine!"  Happy violet tresses tug me away from the Castle.  "Where'd you go?  There's much to be done!  The afternoon is young, after all!  Heehee!"

I bite my lip, eyes locked on the scene atop the balcony.  With a nervous shuffle, I turn and gallop swiftly after Tavi, promising myself not to speak a word of this.

After all, that shouldn't be too hard...