“I’m sorry to hear that, sugarpie, but I understand. I really do. That is a very adult decision even if it is a really tough one,” Sunbeam said my way as she swirled frosting on a cookie that was larger than me. I wanted it. I’d wanted a lot of sweets lately. My hips were showing it too.
“Well… Velvet helped. She told me to focus on what I had.”
Velvet nodded. “Soarin is a pretty good catch by any pony’s standards. Plus you two are cute together.”
Sandy peered across the table. “Wait, how do you know that?”
“They came in and bought a whole bunch of cake frosting the other night. And I mean a whole bunch of frosting! And no cakes,” Velvet said pointedly.
My ears got hot and I quickly explained, “Yes! Cake! Cake frosting. For cake. Cake at home. Velvet, you promised not to tell!”
“I did not! My exact words were: I’m going to have fun with this later. And I think yours were me too!”
I squealed and covered my face while Sandy cackled in delight.
Sunbeam came and put her foreleg around me. She then stuck a cookie in my mouth, which helped, and said, “Don’t mind them, dear. What you do with that stud is your business… but seriously, good for you.”
“Noph helfing!” I said with a mouth full of cookie.
Velvet giggled and waved a hoof at me. “Oh come on, Azurite. We know you two do things. He’s a big studly athlete and you blush too much to not.”
I quickly shook my head. “Nope!”
Sandy cut in, “Azurite has never done anything, apparently. Other than play sports.”
“Yes. Sports!”
“Sports are fun. They’re an important part of a healthy relationship,” Sunbeam said as she went back to her decorating.
“Mom, gross! I’m right here.”
Sunbeam peered at Velvet. “And how do you imagine you got there? You’re not adopted and neither is your little brother.”
“And suddenly this isn’t fun anymore,” Velvet replied, her forelegs crossed. “So we’re done sending gifts?”
“I guess so,” I mumbled, suddenly feeling sad.
Sandy wheeled over and looped her forehooves around me. “It’s okay, partner. You’ll be fine. You’re making a well-reasoned decision.”
Velvet nodded.
Sunbeam sniffled and wiped her eyes. We all turned to look at her. “I’m sorry. Azurite just looks so sad. Like somepony stepped on her heart.”
“I’ll be okay. Soarin and I will be okay,” I said, doing my best to keep the tears in. I hoped it would be okay. Then they all embraced me. It was nice; it almost made it easier.
Hiding a sniffle I changed the subject. “So… who wants to see a Wonderbolts’ show? I get tickets and I think Red might like them. He’ll need a few ponies to keep an eye on him though. Since he is such a hooffull.”
“You don’t have to do that, sweetie,” Sunbeam said.
“No, but I’d like to spend some time doing something really fun with you all. Instead of talking about my relationship. Plus you get to watch some of the best athletes around wear tight uniforms. Trust me, it is worth it.”
Velvet cut in, “So when is the show? How tight?”
“How about this Friday? Is that too soon? And very, very tight.”
“Not for me. I happen to know Red is free, too,” Velvet replied.
“Sandy? Sunbeam?” I asked.
“Still beats bingo at the veteran hall,” Sandy said with a smile. She said that a lot but I’d never known for sure if she actually played bingo there.
Sunbeam nodded. “Of course, dear. We’ll all go have a fun little outing together!”
“Yay!” I cheered. This should be fun!
♦♦♦
Soarin was nestled on his back in the Wonderbolts’ lounge. I was settled on his chest peering down at him.
“I win!” I said.
“You win what?”
“I’m on top. I’m big pony. You’re defeated,” I explained.
Soarin looped his hooves around me and held me to his chest. “You didn’t knock me over. I laid on my back and you just hopped up here.”
“I don’t make the rules. You’re still defeated.”
The stallion chuckled. “Okay, I am defeated. What do you want?”
“Wonderbolts tickets!”
“Wonderbolts tickets? I dunno. They’re pretty expensive,” he said teasingly.
“Oh give her the tickets, Soarin. You fly better when she is watching,” Spitfire said from her spot on the couch. I’d kind of forgotten she was there when I jumped on Soarin. She was reading a Mares Monthly magazine.
Soarin chuckled and said, “Fine. One ticket.”
“No… four tickets and a ticket for Red.”
“Four tickets! And for Red! Who is Red?”
Spitfire turned a page. “Probably her new stallionfriend if you don’t cough up the tickets.”
“Not helping, captain. This is kind of a private conversation here.”
The pegasus mare peered at him. “Azurite hopped on you while I was over here. You don’t get private in my lounge!”
“Red is a foal!” I said, putting myself back in my own conversation. “A really super cute foal.”
“Okay, so four tickets for adult ponies and a ticket for a foal. I’m pretty sure foals are free.”
I nodded and then set my forehooves on his shoulders to hold him down. “And a jersey for each pony.”
Soarin snorted. “A jersey! I’m being fleeced here!”
“You’re defeated!” I reminded him.
He laughed and said, “Okay, five Soarin jerseys.”
“Nooooo. Four soarin jerseys and a Spitfire.”
Spitfire’s brow arched.
“For Red?” Soarin asked.
“No, for me!”
The stallion gasped and rolled over. He pinned me to the floor and said, “Little traitor. Who’s defeated now?”
“Mmm… Traitor? Or am I! I may be defeated. Maybe.”
“Maybe?” He asked.
I reached my forehoof out from under him and wiggled it towards Spitfire. “Tag in, tag in!”
Soarin blinked. “Wait, what?”
Spitfire slapped my hoof and jumped on Soarin, wrestling him down while he was too shocked to figure out what was going on.
“We’re on the same team!” he gasped out.
Spitfire shrugged. “Maybe… but she’s adorable. Besides, when somepony says tag in, you tag in! So you’ll get her the tickets and the jerseys and some snack coupons. Understand?”
I nosed his cheek. “Yeah! Snack coupons. So many snack coupons.”
Soarin laughed and nodded. “Fine… fine. I see how it is. You two conspire behind my back. What am I supposed to do?”
Spitfire got up and helped Soarin do the same. “Just remember that mares always come out on top. Azurite, why don’t you bring your friends backstage after the show? I don’t recall you ever inviting anypony so they must be special.”
“Yes, ma’am, they are. I’ll do that.”
“Sounds good. You two have fun. I’m going to cancel afternoon practice. I think everypony needs a break.”
Soarin blinked. “Works for me. I guess we have been working a bit hard. Well, Azurite, we just got a free afternoon. Can you get out of work?”
“Uh… yes! Why not! What do you want to do?”
Soarin waited until Spitfire had left the lounge. “Spend all afternoon indoors?”
“Oh, well… by all means! Let’s go.”
♦♦♦
“So this what being with a Wonderbolt is like?” Velvet asked curiously.
It was already the night of the show and Soarin had gotten us great tickets. Or, as I call them, Azurite-friendly tickets. Seats in one of the cordoned-off boxes high above the crowd.
The Canterlot Arena was packed, too. I tried not to think about that. There was just a ton of excitement around the new tour. The crowd was really getting into it. So was my crowd. My box was full of treats, Sunbeam, Velvet Step, and Sandy Shores. Of course we also had our special guest: Red Velvet.
Soarin had found a jersey to fit him, too. He looked adorable in it! He was also thrilled at the breakneck speeds at which the team was flying around the circuit.
“Not always. He’s pretty normal when he isn’t up there. I don’t come to a lot of the shows because of the crowd,” I finally replied to Velvet without thinking. Only Sandy truly knew how crazy I was when it came to this sort of thing.
The mauve and pink mare put her hoof around me. “I see. And are any of them single?”
“Uh… maybe Spitfire? I only know her, Fleetfoot, and Soarin.”
“I see…” Velvet repeated.
Sunbeam held tight to Red as he marveled at the spectacle above. “Sweetie, don’t be a gold digger. We raised you better than that.”
“I’m not, Mom! I might actually like one of them.”
Sandy chuckled at that and put in, “Might being the optimal word.”
Velvet huffed and then blinked. “Actually, what about you, Sandy. Are you seeing anypony? We’re usually pretty Azurite focused.”
My old partner ruffled my mane. “That’s okay. Azurite deserves a little focus. I go on the occasional date. I’m not sure I’m ready to think about settling down. Wouldn’t want to give an honest stallion the wrong impression. Plus I’m thinking of going into business for myself.”
I blinked. We hadn’t talked about that. Ever. “What kind of business?” I asked.
“Private detective. I’ve been missing it. Nothing dangerous. Missing items, that sort of thing.”
Sunbeam looked back. “I think that would be great. You were a detective before, right?”
“The best around,” I said.
Sandy flushed and waved a hoof. “No… Azurite just has rose-colored glasses there. I was pretty good but not the best.”
I huffed. “She closed more cases than any other detective in our unit and did so with me as her partner.”
Velvet just whistled. “Wow… she must be good, then.”
I glared at her.
“Anyway… yeah,” Sandy said. “I like the market but it isn’t exciting. I get around pretty well so why not help ponies?”
“I think you should. I’ll be your first client!” I chimed.
Sandy’s brow arched. “Alright… what is the case?”
“Find out how Pink Pony is so good at cards.”
“You want me to investigate your doll?”
“She isn’t a doll! And she wins! Too much! You come play her. You’ll see—” My attention was caught as the team flew over. They were getting towards the end. “Sunbeam, there is a big fireworks explosion coming up.”
“Oh, thank you, dear,” she replied before settling her forehooves over Red’s ears.
And then the explosion! As the team dove down from above streamers of fireworks shot past them going the opposite direction. They exploded into a thousand points of light and the crowd went wild! They were all on their hooves, stomping, cheering, and whistling.
It was an impressive finale for sure. Dangerous, too. The team had to trust the pyrotechnic ponies and stick to their routine. Still, the Wonderbolts were all about going big.
The arena lights dimmed and then went to their full brightness. In turn each team member was introduced and then headed off for the lockerroom.
“The crowd will thin out in a little while. Then we can go down and backstage… but uh… remember. Soarin can’t know about our meddling.”
“Agreed,” Sandy and Sunbeam replied before looking at Velvet.
“What?” Velvet asked, frowning.
“You can’t say anything!” I squeaked.
“I’m good at keeping secrets,” Velvet protested.
Sunbeam nodded. “Then you can keep this one.”
♦♦♦
I was wedged under Soarin’s wing and shaking as my friends mingled with the Wonderbolts. The crowd had been too much on the way down. The ponies hadn’t thinned as much as I’d hoped and a few times I’d ended up with several around me. It got really bad when I’d bumped into a pony on the way down but I’d held it together long enough to get to Soarin.
Of course now I didn’t want to freak out in front of the team or the girls. That would be embarrassing and make them think I was weird.
Soarin had understood. He just eased a wing around me and pulled me close. It looked like the sort of thing a stallionfriend would do. I nuzzled his side. “I’ll be fine,” I said for the tenth time or so.
“You’ll be fine. The crowd is gone,” he repeated. “Your friends are nice.”
“Yeah… they are nice. They treat me well.”
He nodded. “How do you know the other two again?”
“We met at the bakery Sandy and I visit all the time.”
“Ah I see. Did you like the show?” he asked, trying to distract me more.
“Yes. It was very impressive. I’m ready to go home though. I want to go home.”
Soarin squeezed me and whispered. “Just a little longer and I’ll fly you out. Why don’t you say goodnight to your friends?”
“Walk me over there?” I asked.
He nodded and we awkwardly made our way to the group.
“And then there was cake everywhere!” Sunbeam exclaimed, yielding chuckles from everypony around.
Velvet smiled a very brittle smile. “Yay… Mom telling my foal stories in front of the Wonderbolts.”
“Come on, dear, it is funny!” Sunbeam said before catching sight of me. Her smile briefly faltered but she kept it up. “Oh… well, look at the time. Red should be in bed. Azurite, thank you so much for this. It was thrilling!”
“You’re welcome, I was glad we could do it,” I replied.
“Yeah, thank you, Azurite!” Velvet said before trying to hug me. That was impossible given my current position. She just patted my forehead. “See you later, okay?”
Sandy gave me a knowing look and said, “Take care, partner. I’ll get these ladies home.”
“Thank you, Sandy. Goodnight everypony,” I said before looking up at Soarin.
“Goodnight everypony. I need to… uh… do a few things. So… nice meeting you!” he said before looping his hooves around me and flying us straight over to our shared dorm room.
When we got through the door I collapsed on the living room floor, the shakes starting to get really bad.
Soarin came over and set a hoof on my back. “What do I do? Sunny was always better at this.”
I closed my eyes and tried to keep my teeth from chattering. “Just hold me. It will stop. The crowd got to me but it will stop.”
He nodded and looped all of his hooves around me, holding tight. I buried my head against his chest and tried to go through the steps Mindful Soul had taught me. Breathe, focus, something… something.
Soarin kept me close. He still smelled from the show. It was kind of stifling but he was trying. He was trying really hard but all I could focus on was Sunny being absent. She had a way of pulling back out of the panic. I missed Sunny. I wanted Sunny.
Where was Sunny?
♦♦♦
No matter how hard I worked the stacks of files never seemed to clear off my desk. The royal guard was really pushing it with all of these new ponies. Of course I wasn’t working my hardest. The weekend had exhausted me more than anything. I’d had fun but the panic was pretty bad.
Mr. Clockerson was feeling low, too. He was actually asleep on the job. Both of his pointers were drooping. I didn’t have the heart to wake him up.
“Azurite?” It was a strong, clear stallion’s voice.
My head bobbed up and my eyes flew open. “Hmm? Oh! Lieutenant! Sir.” I stood up. Silent Knight was standing over me.
“I’m sorry to have surprised you.”
Quickly I shook my head. “No, sir! I know it looked like I might have been sleeping just now but I wasn’t. I was resting my eyes. There are so many files.”
“It’s fine. Thank you for helping us with that sergeant problem.”
“Oh, no problem. It wasn’t a big thing. We got it done.”
He nodded and then eased the door shut. “I’m sorry I tried to force you into helping me before.”
Wait, did he just apologize? “It’s okay. I know you had something important to get done.”
“Yeah, sure. I’m sorry, still.” He offered a hoof. “I won’t do that to you again. Friends?”
This was weird. This was really weird. Tentatively I reached out and took the hoof. We shook. “Of course, sir.”
He nodded and opened the door. “The airship is done. Come up and see it sometime.”
“Yes, sir. Will do!” I replied, not sure what else to say.
“Very good, take care, Azurite. You look frowny,” he said as he walked out of my office.
When I was sure he was gone I looked up at Mr. Clockerson. He peaked back at me.
“What was that about?” I asked.
He simply shrugged.
“That was weird, right?”
“Tiiiiick.”
“I know! Okay, back to work. No more sleep for you.”
“Tick, tock!”
“Resting your eyes. Pff, what pony would believe that nonsense?”
♦♦♦
A few days later I was sitting on the couch reading a new romance novel, Her Silent Love. It wasn’t normally my sort of thing but this one just felt familiar. The characters were totally believable and I couldn’t put it down.
Soarin was in the kitchen making dinner. Usually we went out on Fridays but I’d been feeling very domestic lately. Very domestic after my failure at the show. Plus going out on Friday wasn’t just about eating. It was about Azurite not flipping her mane when being in a packed restaurant. That had been harder without Sunny. Soarin did his best but it wasn’t the same.
There was a knock at the door. I dropped my book and pretended to be asleep. There was another knock.
“Azurite, are you going to get that?” Soarin called.
Snore, snore, snooze. Azurite is asleep and/or too lazy to get up. She also doesn’t want to deal with door ponies.
“Azurite? Oh…” he said before going over to the door and opening it.
“Hello. Hello. Hello!” Came a trio of voices. I peeked out of one eye and saw three ponies wearing vests and straw hats at our door.
“Hello?” Soarin replied.
One pony blew a small pitch pipe. “Da da, da da ta da! We are your singing telegram. We came at the request of your friend. Sunny. Sunny. Sunny! She’s sorr—”
Soarin shut the door on the ponies and shook his head. “I’m going to have to put a stop to this. I’m going to give her a piece of my mind on Monday.”
Who had sent those ponies? We’d agreed to quit. Oh no! Sunny would be blamed for our insanity!
“No!” I squeaked from my spot on the couch.
His brow arched. “Weren’t you sleeping?”
I pointed a hoof at the door. “The singing woke me up. You can’t go give her a piece of your mind!”
The stallion shook his head. “This is silly. She can’t keep acting like this. If she wanted to talk she should just come talk. All of this… I don’t know what this is! It’s a gimmick. It seems disingenuous. I’ll put a stop to it.”
“No! Please don’t. I’ll go see her. I’ll stop it. I promise.”
For a moment I thought he was on to me. His expression was a mix of confusion and annoyance. Soarin took a slow breath and replied, “Alright. You handle it. Set the table, I’m almost done with dinner.”
I got up and hurried into the kitchen. “Yes, sir!” I chimed, counting myself lucky to have gotten away with it. The last thing I wanted was for Soarin to be angry with me or to go storming into Sunny’s office for something she hadn’t done. My plan had backfired and now it was time to do damage control.
I didn’t actually have to talk to Sunny. I could just remind the girls to knock it off and this would be done. Easy. Azurite and Soarin happily ever after. What about Sunny though? Would she get her happily ever after? Probably not. She certainly hadn’t tried. She wouldn’t even talk to me. Why should I care about her?
The thought threatened tears. Why should I care? Because I loved her! You can’t just stop loving somepony because it is convenient. I finished with the table and looked at Soarin’s back. “I love you,” I told him.
He paused and looked back at me. “I love you, too. Are you alright? You look sad.”
“Just a little. I don’t understand how Sunny can’t feel like you and I do. I see your point about the gimmicks. I’ll tell her to leave us be.”
The stallion turned off the burner and lifted the pan from the heat. “Are you sure?”
“No, but I’ll try. The messages and stuff will stop, too.”
He nodded and put food onto our plates. He’d cooked too much again. It was subtle but I’d noticed we always seemed to end up with an extra portion these days. “Okay,” he said softly before sitting down.