Additional Listening
Memories are liars.
If someone holds onto an event in their life in their mind, time will slowly strip away the details. Usually little things that don't provide much context such as the day of the week or what had happened surrounding the memory. Then it moves to insignificant imperfections, like a freckle on the face or a mildly irritating paper cut.
Memories will let us look back at moments in our lives and show us a perfect time or place. The reality is that there is no perfect time, place, or moment. If we spend too long trying to create a perfect moment, we could lose out on precious time that we could have spent making memories. Then, memory will do the rest for us, and make a great moment a perfect moment.
But... perhaps you care to disagree?
You sit outside a small coffee shop in Canterlot, your thoughts drifting in the wind as you stare at the sky. Its gentle blue is calming compared to last week's rainy weather. Yet, now was finally time to pick back up where you left off.
Today is the day that you and Cadance are finally able to continue your date.
Not that last time was bad. It was nice to hold her in your arms and feel her soft fur and gentle warmth against your skin. You still find yourself closing your eyes and remembering that moment. An involuntary smile curls on your face as you look back down to your drink.
Cadance suggested it to your several times. Affogato.
It's a fancy name for hot espresso poured over ice cream. The ice cream melts into the coffee like a creamer and cut some of the bitterness of the espresso. You have to admit, you're a sucker for sweets and this hits the spot.
Taking a deep sip, you look into the distance again.
Cadance is a downright godsend. It was hard enough trying to make friends in this new, crazy world, but you manage to befriend a Princess. Then, romance her. Then, hold her.
And now, here you are.
You chuckle to yourself. Things are pretty great. If you could find a way to lose yourself at this point in your life, things would be pretty perfect.
You're waiting for her to finish her lesson with Celestia for the day. Usually they're only a few hours and then she'll meet you here, at the usual place. Your special place.
The sun is high and the air was cool as you look down at a small notebook. A notebook of ideas that you have for today. It isn't an agenda or anything like that; usually the two of you prefer to just let the day go to where it wants to go. But having a few suggestions on the back burner never hurts for when there's a lull in the action. Flipping through the pages, you smile to yourself. Today is going to be a good day.
Then a voice cuts through your senses to grab your full attention.
"Hey! Sorry that took so long."
Your heart leaps and an involuntary smile curls at the edges of your lips as you set your eyes on her. The pink alicorn seems happy and upbeat as she takes the seat beside you. Her mane and tail are done up in delicate light-blue ribbons and she takes a moment to stretch her hooves once she sits down.
"No worries. How was it?"
For a split second, you swear you see an odd expression on Cadance's face before she pushes it away with a smile.
"Oh, you know. Just magic and princess stuff. I just couldn't get this certain waving pattern correctly today."
"Really? How hard could it be?"
You raise your right hand and form a very shallow cup with your fingers, much like you've seen royalty on Earth do.
"Good day, fine citizen. Good day to you," you tease as you wave imaginary ponies passing by.
Except one stallion down the street is unsure if you're waving to him and raises an unsure hoof to wave back. You remove your hand in awkwardness. Cadance watches your scene of meekness, as well as the now thoroughly confused stallion in the distance, and giggles.
"See, this is why I think you're cute."
Knowing this game, you puff your cheeks and put out your bottom lip a little.
"Am not."
"Sure, sure," the Princess replies as she eyes your affogato carefully.
A moment of silence passes as her gaze doesn't lift from the coffee.
"Want so-"
"Yes," she says, snagging the treat.
Using a spoon, she ladles some of the ice cream into her mouth and lets out an involuntary squee of joy.
"You're one to talk about being cute."
Cadance rolls her eyes, but her blush betrays her actions.
"So, what do you want to do today?" you ask. "There are so many things. Movies. Go to a Fair. Bookstore. Thrift store shopping..."
Cadance looks to the sky, pondering some sort of question in her mind. You pause to hear what she has to say, but she looks in a different direction, refusing to look you in the eye.
"Uhm... I have... One idea," she says.
Her voice is filled with all sorts of uncertainty. You straighten your posture. This is a bit unlike her.
"Yeah? I'm all ears," you say.
She looks down to her hooves and chuckles.
"It’s... it’s almost crazy."
"I like crazy. Crazy makes things interesting."
"Well, it's Saturday, right? And we aren't doing anything tomorrow either..."
Woah. Woah. Woah.
Is she talking about... Surely she isn't.
Those sorts of things are probably under very strict rules for a Princess.
"Yeah?"
She takes a deep breath and meets her gaze to yours.
"Let's get outta here. Right now."
A silence falls between the two of you.
"Where?"
"I was thinking about a place near my old town. A place where my parents would take me when I was filly. They're having a festival there and I don't get the chance to visit very often. So I thought it might be nice to... you know, catch up."
Leave Canterlot today? Right now?
That was one of the most spontaneous things you've ever heard from her mouth. To the point that it was... almost out of character. But the chance of being able to go with her to her hometown? Spend a whole weekend with her?
"Yeah, okay."
She looks away, lost in thought.
"Yeah, I figured it would probably be too much to-"
Cadance's head snaps up.
"Wait, did you say-"
"Yeah. Let's pack a bag and go. Now. It's already afternoon. We can't waste any more time if we're going to pack a bag."
Her entire demeanor begins to melt into a relaxed state as she moves to sit directly next to you.
"Are you sure?" she asks.
"Yeah. I'd love to. I mean. I don't even really need anything. Except maybe clothes."
"Don't worry about that. We'll get some there."
She smiles and rests her head on your shoulder.
"If you're ready... I'm ready."
You can't help but laugh at your situation. Wrapping an arm around your love, you rest your head on top of hers.
"Sure thing. Ready when you are. So what train are we-"
Her horn glows a brilliant light blue, then a loud crack rings through the streets of Canterlot.
"Taking."
Your senses are assaulted all at once at the sudden change in scenery. The gentle smell of city flowers, coffee, and pastries has been quickly replaced by the thick, enticing smell of pine. The sun sits just a little lower in the sky, marking the beginning of mid-afternoon. The hustle and bustle of ponies is all but gone as the two of you stand in a forest, surrounded by trees. The only sounds are coming from just off in the distance where a small town is nearly hidden by the thick foliage.
"Well, that's one way to do it," you say, dumbfounded.
"Sorry, should I have given you more warning?"
"No! That was fine. I mean, I've seen you and all sorts of other unicorns in Canterlot do teleportation. I've just never been along for the ride before."
"Oh! " she chuckles. "Well, you didn't think it was that bad, was it?"
You pat up and down your body, checking your belongings.
"Uhm. I think I lost a kidney."
She slaps your shoulder as she trots towards her hometown, with you in-tow. You can't help but glance from tree trunk to tree trunk, then to the foliage above that hides some of the clear sky. Cadance's eyes dart with yours as she takes in her surroundings and lets out a gentle, happy sigh. Her walk still seems graceful, but it's different from how she held herself in Canterlot. Cadance seems more at ease with the environment she was in, even though she scans over the surroundings as if they were new. She catches you watching her actions and blushes.
"I used to play in this forest when I was young," she says. "I can't tell you how many times I flew to the top of these trees. I'd watch the moon rise at night. Just to get away from everything. My parents always told me that I'd fall from the top and die, or lose my memory or something like that."
"Sounds like they've been reading too many stories."
She laughs then shakes her head as the two of you approach the village, but her pace slows.
"I guess... that's why we're here today," she says.
The alicorn stares at the buildings, now beginning to see the outlines of the ponies inside, and stops. You pause beside her and place a hand on her back.
"Is something wrong?" you ask.
She continues to watch, but doesn’t give you an answer at first. Then, she takes a small step forward.
"I just haven't been home in a long time..."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I had to move to Canterlot to be trained. I wanted to visit, but I could never find time."
Something else rests behind the troubled eyes of the Princess, but she says nothing else as the two of you creep up on the town.
"I'm sure they'll welcome you like family," you say, as the two of you reach the opening of the town.
"Oh, that's not what I'm worried about," she says. "I'm worried what they'll think when they see I brought a-"
"WELL I'LL BE. IS THAT CADANCE?!" a voice calls from the townsfolk.
Activity in the town grinds to a halt as the citizens fix their gaze on the two of you. You look from the town, back to your marefriend. She looks up to you in some sort of confusion. You nod towards the town. She nods and looks forward, clearing her throat.
"Hey, everypony. Long time, no see?"
This is when your ear drums broke.
Ponies burst out their homes all cheering and gallop towards the Princess.
"OhMyGosh look at the fancy new horn!" one filly calls out. "Does it hurt?"
"What's it like being a Princess?! I'm sure you don't have to do anything anymore, huh? Do you still babysit?" another mare screams to break through the cacophony.
"Why don't you come home anymore?! Do you hate us? You hate us!"
"Woah! Woah! Everypony please! One at time. I'm just here for a day for the festival. Don't we all have very important work to do? I'm sure we'll all be able to chat at some point today," Cadance calls out.
The crowd slowly begins down as they are reminded of their responsibilities, but not before Cadance takes some time to shake hooves with many of her former friends and neighbors.
"My goodness, you're quite the celebrity," you say.
"Well, it's a very quiet town and almost nothing happens here, so when I was made a Princess, it was a big deal."
You hum in affirmation.
"I could see that. I'm sure you don't get many chances to visit either."
Cadance nervously chuckles to herself.
"Well, it may be the first time...since I became a Princess."
"Ah! I see. So this is quite the event for them."
"I guess so," she mutters. "But we're here! And this is our date. So hopefully they won't be too much of a bother."
You give her a smile and shake your head.
"Hey, it's no big deal. As long as I get to spend today with you, I don't care what we do."
Cadance eases up and smiles again. You can feel a bit of pressure lift from your chest. Her happiness matters just as much as your own.
"Well as romantic as that is," she jokes. "What do you wanna do first?"
You look around at the small town's proud little festival. To be frank, there really isn't even that much here. There are quite a few booths, each with delicious smelling foods, challenging games, and even face painting for the little ones, but there isn’t much in the way of rides. There seems to be a few brand new amusement rides, judging by the tags that are still on them. The carousel is small and features all sorts of exotic creatures for little ones to ride on, plus provides some music for the whole grounds. A part of you isn't quite sure what you'd expect from a carousel in Equestria, but this checks out.
The other ride goes by many names on Earth, the one you're familiar with being "The Sidewinder." This one is meant to go fast and make the riders dizzy by spinning them around in all sorts of disorienting directions. Of course, since all the teens are riding it, all the younger ponies want to ride it as well. Then, off in the very back of the festival, a band is setting up a sound system on a large dance floor for what must be tonight's finale for the hard-working adults. You look to your date and give her a wide smile.
"What do you wanna do?"
Cadance quickly tossed her head from event to event, seeming set to choose one, and then quickly changing her mind to another.
"Ooh! We have to- NO! Rides. We have to go on a ride first. These are brand new since last time."
Her horn glows and her blue magic wraps around your hand as she trots towards a familiar spinning machine. You recognize it from Earth as a disorienting ride. The base of the machine spins clockwise, moving the seats at the end of its long arms in a circle. Then after a short minute, the seats unlock and begin spinning with the centripetal force. Your stomach groans, but you smile as the two of you jump into the short line, filled with other curious ponies of various ages. Cadance wears a bright smile as a few of the fillies and colts look up at her quietly with starry eyes, much in the same way Cadance watches the ride. She makes tiny little leaps of excitement as the line begins to move.
"A little bit excited there?"
"Ohmygosh. I've never been on something like this before."
"Well, you better get ready."
The attendant leads the two of you to a conjoined seat, and you take a deep breath to steel yourself for the ride.
You have one goal in life. Do not throw up on your marefriend. Don't mess this up.
After the safety bar is pulled down, the ride begins its wind up.
"Ooooh! Here we go!" Cadance says, trying to contain her excitement.
The seats lift into the air and the world begins to slowly move. Your eyes dart from the ground that picks up speed under you, to Cadance, to the other ponies in line. She holds the bar with her hooves, lost in the moment. The machine reaches its top speed, which you quickly realize isn’t that fast at all. In fact, it's just fast enough to be the speed of a one-seat scooter. Maybe this was just enough that Ponies need to be happy. You smile, looking to Cadance, the wind ruffling her hair and smile wide.
"Isn't this great, Anon?" she asks.
You smile back.
"Are you ready?" you ask, grabbing the bar yourself.
"Ready for wha-"
Sometimes you can watch something from just a few feet away, but still not be prepared for when that same thing happens to you. You can tell that Cadance isn't ready for the seat to be unlocked. As soon as you hear the click, she lets out a gasp. The seat the two of you are sitting in begins its twirl. It isn't anything like the vicious murder-machines that Earth has to offer, but is still a little disorienting. That said, this is Cadance's first time.
"OH MY GOOOOSSSHH!" she yelps along with the other ponies on the ride.
You can't help at laugh as the compartment spins faster and faster. Cadance clings to your arm. She looks up at you and joins in with her laughing. Soon enough, due to high demand, the ride stops as quickly as it started. The two of you step out of the cart and back out into the fair. Cadance takes disoriented, dizzy steps in an attempt to keep her balance. You pull her in close.
"Doing alright there?"
"Yeah! That was fun!"
"I'm almost surprised! I thought that as a flier, this wouldn't be a big rush for you!"
"Of course it is! I feel just like a little filly again! What next? What next?" she asks eagerly.
"How about we check out the game stalls?" you suggest.
"Sure! I need to regain my balance anyway."
Walking past the carousel, you watch as each of the townsfolk give their Princess their own little bow or polite greeting. With each greeting, she seems to grow a little tenser. Having your date interrupted by passing ponies isn't particularly a peculiar thing. She's a Princess, it's bound to happen. But this nervousness is new. She normally isn't this nervous in public. You place a hand on her back and she eases some. The two ponies that just approached make their way to another part of the festival, when you raise your voice.
"Everything alright?"
"Yeah, it's fine. Just-"
Her words cut off as her gaze moves to the ponies of the village. She takes a collected breath, one that a child would make on Christmas Eve if they only received socks.
"I guessed I thought if we came here, I could get away from being a Princess for awhile."
You pull her close and continue your walk to the nearest booth.
"Hey, it's fine. It's never been that big of a deal to me before..."
She looks up at you and the edges of her lips form a faint smile.
"I guess," she says once you arrive at your destination.
You look down at the booth and see three baseballs, as well as a very expectant young stallion behind the counter wearing thick, black glasses. He also should probably look into some Zap-Zit. Yeesh.
"Knock down the cans, win the giant alligator," he squeaks.
Stuffing your hand into your pocket, you dump two bits on the table and look across the booth to 6 stacked cans.
You grab one of the three baseballs and stand resolute.
"I'm gonna win you the thing," you say with determination.
Cadance smiles and shakes her head.
"Oh, my hero!" she says sarcastically.
Entering your power stance, you lift your arm, and then toss the ball with all of your might. The ball flies through air and makes direct contact with the bottom center and bottom right cans.
"Awwww Yisss."
With a loud tumble, all but one of the cans fall to the ground.
"Nice throw," the stallion says.
You quickly grab another ball, toss it into the air, set your stance, grab the ball out of mid air, and then throw it towards the final can. The ball quickly veers off course, hits the edge of the table, then ricochets directly back at you. As the ball hurtles toward the center of your forehead, you realize that this is how it all ends. Death by ball to the face.
To be fair, there were worse ways to go.
A loud ’FWAP’ rings through the fair grounds, followed by a quiet whimper. The impact knocks you off your feet and you fall onto your back. Cadance immediately looms over you, her expression full of concern.
"Are you okay, Anon?"
You groan and blink your eyes, placing a hand on your forehead.
"Something tells me I shouldn't go for trick shots."
Cadance shakes her head and begins to laugh.
"Get up, you goof," she smiles.
Other than a light headache, you feel pretty alright but you can tell that the stallion is trying not to break into fits of laughter.
"One... last try," he says.
Grabbing the last ball, you take another power stance and prepare yourself. You wind your arm and throw at the can. The ball begins to head on a collision course for the can. Then, veers slightly down to the edge of the table once more. Your eyes open in panic as you hear the same familiar sound of a ricochet. But, before you can say your prayers, the ball veers off and hits the stallion right in the forehead.
He falls to the ground with another loud ‘thunk’. His fall bumps the table and knocks over the last can. You look to Cadance and she looks to you in concern.
"Shit, I killed him. Run."
Cadance lets out a held breath and then breaks into fits of laughter. The guy tries to bring himself to his hooves, but finds himself uneasy. She sits on the ground to try to pull herself together, wiping tears from her eyes.
"Twice in a row, right between the eyes. Oh my gosh."
Then, Cadance broke. Tears form in her eyes as her throat is torn apart with unrestrained laughter. Right in the middle of the stallion's forehead is a massive red welt and his glasses are dangling from his snout, thankfully unharmed.
"So, does this mean we won?"
He casts you a look of slight anger then places a small wooden trinket on the table.
"Consolation prize," he says bitterly.
"Alright. Alright. Sorry man."
Swiping the prize from the table, you grab Cadance by the hoof and try to lead the alicorn Princess away. She takes deep breaths in an attempt to break herself out of the final few chuckles of her laughing attack.
"So, what did you win?" she asks as the two of you walk away from the booth.
You check your hand to find the small trinket. It's a small, carefully carved wooden ring, with a tiny wooden butterfly on top. It's the sort of a trinket that a filly might have in their wardrobe for dress up, at least until they had something nicer as they grew up. For a grown up, the small toy might as well be lost in the back of a junk drawer. But, it's perfect for today.
"Oh, milady, you simply must forgive me!" you cry out in a clear state of overacting.
Cadance turns and stares at you like you've become possessed.
"Forgive me, for I am but a simple pauper in this world of equines and I am surely nothing in comparison to your grandeur."
"Anon," Cadance says flatly.
"I do not have much money to give, nor do I have a big house where we both could live."
"Anon, stop."
"But, I may offer you this ring! Crafted from the finest twigs in my backyard."
You reveal the ring in a grandiose fashion to her, and she looks down at it. Your mind becomes a jumble as a million thoughts run through it. You have trouble staying in your overblown silly attitude out of concern that you could have actually proposed in horse land. Then, her eyes refocus and she smiles, shaking her head.
"Why, yes. Dear pauper. I've watched you toil in the fields for some time. I shall take your offering."
With a gentle glow, she takes the ring, which is too small for her hooves or horn, and wraps it on one of the ends of the ribbon in her hair.
"Thank you, fair Princess. With this, my poor bones may rest in peace."
"Oh, I don't think they'll be resting just yet," she says, shifting her weight to her hind legs and raising in the air.
She presses a soft hoof to your chest and brings her face to your cheek. You feel the gentle kiss and warmth spreads through your soul. An involuntary dorky smile curls on your lips as she places her hooves back on the ground and you bring a hand to where you felt her lips.
"Now then, do you like funnel cake?"
"Me like kisses," you say in a daze.
Cadance giggles then grabs your hand with magic.
"Follow me, lover boy. Let's see if we can get you back to proper sentences."
You follow beside your marefriend as the ring in her ribbon bounces in time with her trot. A part of your insides warm seeing the little trinket, even if in the long run it was simply a toy. Then, the one thing that snaps any person back to reality hits you like a ton of bricks. The smell of fresh baked goods. A light bulb clicks on in your head as Cadance brings you to a small cart where a stallion is frying donut batter into large fried heaps of rippable dough.
"Can we get a funnel cake with powdered sugar, please?" Cadance asks.
The stallion smiles at her and nods.
"For you, Princess, it's on the house."
He grabs a freshly made cake, shakes some sugar on top then offers it to her. Cadance takes the treat with a smile.
"Thank you, sir."
"It's my pleasure."
Tearing off a chunk with her magic, she looks up to you.
"Here," she says softly.
The piece of food levitates to your face and waits patiently.
Oh! Right. Romance.
You open your mouth and she puts the bite inside. A part of you was interested if you'd taste the magic aura, but luckily for you, magic doesn't seem to have a taste or texture.
The rules in the world of Equestria continue to elude you.
But, the warm, doughy cake tastes heavenly, warming your heart with a feeling of home and reminding you of an easier time. The powdered sugar topping gives it an extra hint of sweetness that whets your appetite. But before you take a piece for yourself, you reach out and take some of the cake for your marefriend.
"Your turn."
She smiles then opens her own mouth as you place her bite in.
"Mmmmm," she moans. "It's just like I remember."
She then takes another piece off with her magic, and then stares at it longingly.
"Eat!" you say with a chuckle. "I didn't realize these were so signature to your home."
She greedily stuffs the bite into her mouth, letting out another involuntary moan.
"You have no idea what sort of careful diet I have to maintain at the castle. This is the cheatiest of the cheat food. Cake is Celestia's vice, and for me? Funnel cake."
"Funnel cake from home," you correct.
"Mhm, I won't tell her if you won't."
"Done. And if she finds out, I'll send her a little devil's food to make her look the other way."
The both of you dig deeper into the treat as she smiles.
"She's going to say you're a terrible influence on me, Anon," she says.
You look up and notice her lips covered in powdered sugar. An impulsive thought goes through your head. No regrets. You lean in and press your lips on hers, tasting the sweetness of the sugar, as well as the sweetness of her love. Her eyes go wide for a second, then you pull away, grabbing a piece of cake like it was a completely natural, normal motion to make. A deep blush grows over her face and her gaze moves away a little bit.
"How was that?"
"Nice," she says softly.
"Well, I'd sure hope so."
A new sound grabs your attention as the townsfolk begin to move towards where the band was setting up. Children head home as the rides begin shutting down for the night. You notice the sun is painting half of the sky a deep blood orange-red and the other half the dark purple-blue night. Festival assistants turn on lanterns throughout the festival grounds to provide more light for guests. Cadance looks to you once again with a mischievous smile.
"Looks like they're setting up for the dance."
"You didn't tell me there would be a dance."
"Oh? Is that a problem?" she asks.
"I can't dance. I'm absolutely atrocious."
"Really? How do you know?" Cadance replies.
"I trip and fall on abnormal cracks in the sidewalk. And steps. And air. I don't think I could dance to save my life."
"Have you ever tried?" she asks.
You scratch your head and find yourself at a loss for words.
"Well, uh, not-"
And that seals your fate.
Your hand is instantly wrapped in a light blue aura and she pulls you towards the dance floor. Pony couples line up as you and Cadance duck and weave through the crowd towards the band. You look at their large assortment of instruments on stage, including guitars, horns, a drum set, and even the highly coveted triangle chime.
"Ready?" she asks.
"N-no," you mutter.
"It's going to be fine. Just match my movements the best you can. Watch the other ponies and stay in time. We won't do anything fancy, I promise."
"O-ok."
"Just follow my lead."
"Alright."
A stallion steps up to the microphone.
"Good evening, everypony. We're going to provide you some late night musical entertainment. We're going to start things off with a fun little tune we all love called 'Love for Sale'."
Cadance giggles a little and looks back to you.
"Oh! I like this one. I like this one a lot. Alright. Anon, one last thing," she says with a playful smile.
You look up at her, feeling nerves begin to set in.
"Yeah?"
She lightly purses her lips.
"Dance good."
Additional Listening
The pony on the drums counts the rest of the group in and starts it off with a fast-paced swing number. The rest of the ponies in the crowd move from side to side with each other along to the beat of the music. You count the beat in your head, trying to pay careful attention to the measures. You are suddenly aware of how weird your arms feel. You mirror Cadance's side to side motion to the beat, and watch her smile up at you.
"See, you're doing great."
"Really?"
"Yeah!"
"I had no idea Pony dancing was so easy."
"Well what did you expect?"
You shrug your shoulders and continue your side to side motion.
"Here, on ‘four’ walk past me on the left and change places."
You nod, then count along with the music.
On four, you take a long step past her, as she twirls around on the right side and takes your spot. Then, the side to side continues just as you were.
"See, easy," she says.
"Wow. It is kinda easy," you say with a chuckle.
"Didn't I tell you?"
"Yeah, this isn't even close to what I thought."
"Oh? What were you thinking of?"
The music begins to crescendo as you give her a daring smile.
"Wanna find out?"
Her entire posture eases and she looks deep into your eyes.
"Try me."
You count the beats off in your head.
One-Two-Three-Four. One-Two-Three-Four.
"Just grab my hand and go with the flow."
"You mean, on two legs?" she asks.
"Yeah, think you can handle that?"
She thinks for only a fraction of a second.
"Let's do it."
"On four. Right foot forward first. Follow my lead."
"Got it."
"One-Two-Three-“ you mutter under your breath.
"Four,” the two of you say in unison.
Cadance places a hoof in your hand and you quickly pull her into a twirl. She spins fast, her wings opening gracefully as you pull her to a standard facing position. Taking her other hoof in your opposing hand, you look into her eyes.
"One."
Taking your left foot back, she moves her right hoof forward, and then the dance begins. The two of you move your arms in opposing directions, shuffling backward and forward across the dance floor. She smiles as she begins to perform the motions like she's done them her whole life. Your movements begin to synchronize as the rest of the world falls away. Her eyes are fields of lilac you want to collapse backwards into. Her voice is the song that rings out from the world around you, echoing in your ears and setting you at ease. Her touch burns in a way that's satisfying and addictive, filling you with euphoria.
"Twirl on two?"
"Okay."
You spin her in your arms as you feel her beauty and grace fill the entire town. Ponies on the dance floor begin to stop and stare at the peculiar dance between the human and the Princess. A smile curls on your lips as you can feel the song beginning to near its end. Time for a big finish.
"Want to really turn some heads?" you ask.
She looks up at you with a question in her stare.
"You're going to have to trust me."
"Yeah, let's do it. What do I have to do?"
"Just fall into the center of my left arm, I'll dip you low to the ground."
"Okay."
"Right at the very end of the song, I'll squeeze your hoof."
"Got it."
The two of you continue your twists and turns as the band blares its horns even louder for the big finish.
"We'll start with spins as a transition."
"Okay, it's almost done. Two measures."
"Perfect."
You count out the last two measures in your head as the band drops for a measure. With a quick push, you create a distance between you and her, but still hold one of her hooves. Then, you pull, spinning you under your arm as the band performs its big finish. You listen to the drummer begin to wail on the drums as the horns all hold onto one final note. Once the drummer begins to wind down, you listen patiently for that final hit. Cadance extends her wings and the spin flares all of her delicate feathers. Then with a pop, you hear the drum cue. You squeeze her hoof, and then she pulls herself into your left arm.
Lunging your left foot forward into a power stance, you grip her back as you dip her low into the ground, your eyes focused directly into hers. The move synchronizes perfectly with the final note of the band, and the music dies away.
Music off please.
The village ponies all then begin to clap and cheer, marking the end of the song. The two of you take deep breaths to regain your composure. You look into her eyes and she gazes back at you, both feeling the same sense of unity and closeness. She leans her head towards yours and you close the distance, pressing your lips on hers. The cheering only becomes louder as the crowd reacts to the real big finish. The two of you break the kiss as your eyes reconnect.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Anon."
The crowd's cheers begin to die down as a commotion comes from the back of the festival. You bring Cadance back to her four hooves as you look to the source of the disturbance. At the back of the dance floor, three royal guards scan the ponies at the festival.
"Guards? What are guards doing here?"
"Oh! Oops."
You turn to Cadance.
"Oops? What's Oops?"
"I, uhm, might not have told anypony I was coming out here."
"Oh. Well. That's a predicament."
You look at the guards.
"Well, what does this mean?"
"We probably have to go back to Canterlot."
"Oh, I see."
She looks to the guards, then back to you.
"I don't think I'm ready for tonight to end though," she says sadly.
Another impulsive thought comes to your mind, and you ponder the consequences of pulling such an act. You look to the Princess.
"Well then, sounds like we shouldn't go quietly."
"Anon, surely you don't mean-"
"Wanna dance?" you ask.
Cadance ponders the thought for a moment, and then nods in affirmation.
"Alright. Dance good," you say.
The band rings into another song, as the two of you begin to dance. The group of guards finally spots the two of you and make their way over, pushing their way through dancing couples. One guard steps forward and immediately addresses her.
"Princess Cadance. We've been looking everywhere for you. Princess Celestia requests your presence at the castle at once."
"Just one more dance, please?" she asks.
"Princess, I insist. You must come with us at-"
"Hey, buddy, one more dance won't hurt," you speak up.
The guard glares at you in disgust.
"You aren't the boss of me, buddy. These are direct orders from the Princess."
The guard pushes you aside and grabs the Princess with a firm hoof. Anger wells in the pit of your stomach. At first, you thought about handling this nicely, but now it's time for Plan B. You point in the opposite direction of the guard.
"Hey, Guardy! Look over there!"
The guard looks at you quizzically, and then looks where you pointed. You clench your hand into a fist then lay a solid uppercut into the guard. He loses his balance and bumps back into his guard buddies. Ponies around the dance stop and gawk at the sudden display of violence. The band stops playing. All eyes are on you.
Careful. The next thing you say could change everything.
"EVERYPONY FIGHT!"
The stallions of the crowd all look from one another in shock and confusion. Then, they shrug. The masses leap into a massive dog pile on the guards, kicking up dust as hooves are thrown one way and another. The band members look to each other, shrug, and then break into a new fast paced swing piece that matched the atmosphere of the fight.
"Come on, let's go!"
The two of you laugh and head to the band stage as a guard breaks from the struggle and heads for the Princess.
"Oh no you don't!" he calls after the Princess. "You're coming with me!"
The two of you leap on the stage as the band members keep playing. Cadance looks from you to the guard, then back to you.
"We can't outrun him!"
You look around, and then your eyes come to rest on an acoustic guitar.
"Grab that!"
Cadance spies the instrument and grabs it quickly.
"Now what?" she asks in a panic.
"Hit him!"
She looks down at the guitar, then to the guard. A smile curls on her face.
"I've always wanted to do this," she says to herself.
She lifts the guitar over her head, just as the guard nears the stage, and then brings it down hard. With a mighty crash, the guard's head bursts through the back side of the guitar and pops out of the hole in the front. He groans, and then falls to the ground, little cartoonish stars and birds dancing above his eyes.
"Now he'll be singing a different tune," she says.
"Come on! No time for one-liners!" you respond.
You grab Cadance's hoof then pull her deep into the woods to where the two of you teleported from. The two of you laugh and giggle all along the way, checking behind you to ensure that you aren't being followed.
"Oh my gosh, Anon. What did we just do?!" she pants.
"Was it awesome?" you ask.
"It was SO awesome!" she laughs. "I'm going to be in so much trouble."
"Was it worth it?"
"So worth it!"
She looks back at the scuffle, which seems to be dying down, then back to you.
"I've had such a great time tonight."
"Well, we're not done just yet," you say.
She looks at you curiously.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I had an idea. Last time you were here, you didn't have magic, right?"
Cadance nods her head, not lifting her gaze from you.
"How about we end tonight right? At the top of the trees, looking at the stars and the moon?"
Her eyes light up, the pieces of the puzzle connecting in her head.
"Oh!"
"Yeah, we can-"
"Teleport," you finish.
You sit on a tree branch at the top of the forest that the small town resides in. Instantly, you clutch onto the branch for dear life.
"OH DEAR GOD."
"Its fine, I can catch you," she says gently, wrapping a wing around you. "Just relax."
"Last time didn't I say you should warn me first?"
Cadance ponders that thought for a moment.
"Maybe?"
You shake your head and chuckle under your breath. You look at the moon, rising off in the east, as well as the many stars that adorn the night sky. Green treetops can be seen for miles as the two of you sit side-by-side. Cadance smiles and leans into your shoulder.
"Isn't it beautiful?" she says.
"Yes, you are," you reply gently.
She turns and looks into your eyes.
"I wish we could just stay like this, together."
"Me too."
"I had so much fun today."
"So did I. I just wish that I didn't mess it up so much."
Cadance looks at you in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I mean, I hit that poor young stallion square in the face. Plus I didn't win you that prize. We started that huge fight-"
"Anon, you're being silly."
She pauses for a moment to collect her thoughts.
"I loved everything. Even when things went wrong... we found our own way to roll with it. I laughed so much. I wouldn't have given up a single moment of today for the world. Everything was just... perfect."
"Really?" you ask softly.
"Yeah."
The two of you watch the scenery as a light wind rustles all of the leaves in the distance, causing waves to stir across the calm forest.
"Tomorrow's going to be rough."
"I know. We'll both be in trouble."
She looks to you, a slight blush on her cheeks. You turn to her with a smile of your own.
"I don't really care though,” she says.
"Neither do I."
You lean forward and press your lips against hers. She presses into your kiss, and you feel her hoof caress your cheek. You pull back and she watches you with a gaze of content, as if she were trying to take a mental picture to never forget this moment.
"I love you, Anon."
"I love you too, Cadance."
She pulls herself close to you on the sturdy tree branch, leans her head on your shoulder, and wraps her wings around you. The two of you will lose track of the time, sitting there in silence, watching the scenery and simply enjoying being with each other. But the minutes don't matter to either of you. Tomorrow is so far away and all that matters right now is this very moment. The two of you are content. And happy. Wrapped in what you consider a perfect moment.