"This was most certainly a date," Willow said in a low voice, peering through the centerpiece of two tall, vanilla-scented candles. She shifted and glanced around the quiet restaurant. "I don't understand. Why didn't you just wait to invite the lieutenant later? It's not as though you didn't have time between then and now."
Crystal waved her fork as she clucked her tongue. "Perhaps I did, but you know how busy he has been. And how busy you have been." A smile lit up her face. "It gives me an opportunity to apologize for Silent Knight's behavior toward you."
Willow paused, then slowly set down her glass of water. "Behavior toward me?"
"What I mean to say is, I was under the impression that you believed he and Princess Luna kept secrets from you."
"Believed?" The feathers on Willow's wings fluffed and her ears pinned back. "I don't believe they conspire behind my back. They do."
Crystal shook her head. "I'm sure it's not like that, Willow. Silent is just very serious about his job. It's all he's ever trained and worked for, to be a guard." She twirled pasta around her fork, hoping to keep things calm by carrying on with her meal.
It didn't seem to work, however, seeing as Willow's body language remained aggressive. If anything, her irritated aura grew more intense. "And since I didn't want to do this job my whole life, that means I should let him do whatever he wants because my job is less important?"
"That's not what I mean at all." Crystal sighed, lowered her fork, and folded her hooves in her lap. "I'm sorry. Willow, I know you're extremely talented. I've seen it myself many times over! I'm just trying to give you some perspective, that's all."
"Oh, I have perspective." Willow crossed her forelegs over her chest. "I'm aware of the facts. Silent Knight, son of Stratus Knight. Joined the then-new House Guard for Princess Luna straight out of the academy. I've read his file and know just how hard he has worked in the service of Princess Luna."
"Then... ?" Crystal pressed. "Why are you so antagonistic toward him?"
Willow narrowed her eyes. "Because he is not a foal. He is a grown stallion. If he wants my respect, then he should do his job, not run around in secret and have the princess continually cover for him. She has too many other things that require her attention, and the last thing I need her worrying over is her lieutenant. It is his job to manage her House Guard and her safety, not work in secret and shadows."
Crystal sat in silence long enough for Willow to give up waiting on the conversation and resume her meal. Finally, Crystal said, "I'm sorry. I don't know what he's doing, so I won't try to excuse him. But he does take his job very seriously, I know that much."
Willow sighed and shook her head. "I know that. I just... I feel left out, sometimes." Her wings started to droop as she averted her gaze. "He and the princess have such a bond that I feel like an outsider when they're together. Every time I think I'm making progress with gaining Princess Luna's trust and confidence, I look at her and the lieutenant and realize I might as well be a stranger."
"I think—"
"No," Willow interrupted, lifting her head to look Crystal in the eyes. "It doesn't matter what you or I think. I should just be happy to have this job, and on the whole I am. I can't expect the princess to see me as a confidante if she already has one." Her lips curling into a light frown, she added in a bitter mumble, "It has only been a year since I started training to be her aide, after all."
Crystal huffed, crossed her forelegs over her chest, and cocked one eyebrow. "As I was going to say, I think you should have a talk with Luna. She may be a princess, but she's also a pony. If you'd be more comfortable with it, I could talk to her for you."
Willow blinked a few times. "No, actually, I would be much less comfortable with that." She folded her napkin and set it on her plate. "Why don't we skip dessert and head to the theater? I don't care much for sweets, anyway."
"Oh." Crystal idly licked her lips as she contemplated arguing, but smiled and nodded instead. "All right." She inclined her head, raised a hoof to signal a waiter, and said when he approached, "Check, please."
---
Crystal and Willow sat in awkward silence as they waited for the lights to dim and the show to begin. One of Crystal's legs jiggled until the sound of her hoof tapping against the floor annoyed her more than the silence. She looked around for anything interesting of note until she finally whispered into the quiet between them, "My friend is one of the ballerinas."
"I know," Willow whispered back. "You've mentioned so three times now."
Crystal fiddled with the program clutched in her hooves. "She's in the corps de ballet, which—"
"—are essentially the background dancers. You've mentioned that three times now, as well." Willow turned her head to frown at her. "What is wrong with you?"
"It's just that, well." Crystal sighed. "It's been a while since Velvet let me come to one of her shows. She's weird about it. And we're so close to the stage that I'm worried that I'll throw off her performance."
Willow's brow furrowed. "Then I guess just act normal." Slowly, a hoof raised, then moved in a vague gesture of a circle. "Unless this is normal. Then please, don't act normal."
Crystal sputtered into a small laugh and shook her head. "I'll be fine. Once the lights dim, under the spotlights, I'm sure she won't be able to see the crowd at all."
Willow eyed her with suspicion. "Velvet is your foalhood friend, isn't she? And is your best friend?"
"Absolutely," Crystal affirmed, giving one quick nod.
"Then it'll be fine." The lights started to dim and the murmuring of various conversations died down around them. "Now just enjoy the show," Willow finished in a whisper.
It was difficult not to. Though Crystal knew the mare playing Odette was Velvet's rival, Perennial, she'd be lying if she said she wasn't in awe of the mare's fluid movements. Each mare was in perfect form, and though their costumes were designed to mask as much of their uniqueness as possible, it was hard to hide Velvet's mauve tail.
Crystal smiled when she spotted Velvet among the other swanmares. There was a bittersweet twinge at the corners of her joy; Velvet's job was to blend in, which meant she couldn't stand out. How could Velvet ever grow her career if she had to spend all her time matching her fellow corps dancers?
Nonetheless, Crystal was happy for her, and clapped her hooves with as much enthusiasm as was appropriate for an event when the curtains fell on the final act. To her surprise, however, Willow burst into all-out cheering.
"That was amazing!" Willow's wings ruffled and shook. "Can you imagine being able to move the way they do? Absolutely astounding!"
Crystal laughed softly and put a hoof on Willow's shoulder. "If you calm down, I'll take you backstage to congratulate the dancers."
Willow stared at her with wide eyes. "What? Can we really?"
"Of course! Why do you think we brought this?" Her magic lifted a small bouquet of white gardenias.
"I don't know." Willow frowned at the flowers. "I presumed you would just throw them on the stage."
Crystal giggled and stood, motioning for Willow to follow. "Hardly. That would defeat the purpose of the pretty foil wrapping." Once they turned a corner and faced the hall that led to the dressing rooms, Crystal froze.
Velvet stood at the end of the hall, waving good-bye to the retreating form of Upper Crust. Crystal frowned and quickened her pace to reach Velvet sooner.
"Was my mother bothering you?" she asked while she peered down the side hall and watched Upper Crust walk away.
"Huh?" Velvet blinked, then laughed and shook her head. "Nope! She always comes to my performances in Canterlot."
Crystal's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yup." Velvet shrugged. "Guess she likes bragging that she can come and say she knows somepony in the ballet or something. Who knows with her!" She smiled, turning her attention on Willow and asking, "So you're Crystal's date, huh?"
Willow just stared at her until she sputtered, "N-no! Not at all!" She grabbed the bouquet out of Crystal's magic and shoved it toward Velvet. "You and everypony in the ballet were amazing!"
Velvet accepted the bouquet with an exaggerated flourish of a curtsy. "Why, thank you ever so much, darling."
Crystal jabbed a hoof at her. "That, that right there is a sign you need to not talk with my mother so much."
Velvet stuck out her tongue, waved her away, and returned her attention to Willow. "So you enjoyed it, huh?"
Willow bobbed her head up and down in a vigorous nod. "Absolutely! I've attended ballets with Princess Luna before, but I..." Her enthusiasm gave way to a sheepish expression. "I've always been so busy planning what she had to do after the ballet that I never paid attention, I suppose. And now I regret not noticing how beautiful ballet is."
Velvet set the bouquet into her bag and slung it over her back before starting to walk down the hall toward the side exit. "I'm glad to hear my performance could touch you so deeply!"
Willow glanced at Crystal as they followed behind Velvet. "Perhaps," she started, then hesitated a moment. "Perhaps, some time, you could intentionally invite me to an event? I think I need to get out more."
Crystal blinked a few times before she smiled and nodded. "Absolutely."
"That's perfect!" Velvet chimed, stopping just at the door and turning to look at them. "Now that you two are buddy buddy, Crystal, you won't be mad."
"Won't be mad about what?" Crystal asked in a low voice, her smile fading away. "What did you do?"
Velvet shrugged. "I figured you wouldn't need it." She kicked the door open to reveal a familiar sulky, but a piece of paper had been taped over the heart and quill, featuring a drawing of Velvet's cutie mark. "So I borrowed it!" With unsurprising grace, Velvet sprung into the air and landed on the seat, twirled around, and dropped down. "I'll see you later!" she called over her shoulder as the valet trotted forward.
Crystal rubbed her temple but laughed softly. "She's so weird sometimes."
"She is, but you're lucky to have such a close friend." Willow's wings flipped out then tucked back in tight to her sides. "Anyway. I should be going. I had fun, though. Thank you for inviting me out of pity."
Crystal raised her hoof to argue, stopping when she saw the grin on Willow's face. Slowly, she lowered her hoof and nodded. "We will do this again sometime."
"I'd like that." The grin softened into a smile as Willow returned the nod, then turned to walk in the direction of the castle. "Have a nice night, Crystal!"
---
Raven's wedding had finally arrived, and Crystal couldn't be any happier while simultaneously so very nervous. Given that Raven was Princess Celestia's personal aide, the wedding had turned into a bit of a fiasco with the guest list growing in number every week up until the day itself. Raven was nervous about the large crowd, but for Crystal it just made things complicated every time she left the privacy of the bridal dressing room.
"Crystal Wishes, is that you?" Fancy Pants stepped forward to block her path, preventing her from progressing her current mission. "How wonderful to see you!"
Crystal smiled and tried not to imagine Raven pacing frantically and waiting for some ginger ale to settle her stomach. "Good afternoon, Fancy Pants."
It struck her as odd when Fancy Pants lifted a champagne flute and took a sip. The ceremony hadn't even started, much less the reception. She surveyed the room and noted the abundance of ponies drinking champagne. Who had green lighted releasing the bubbly alcohol so soon?
"You look absolutely charming." Fancy Pants winked. "Be careful not to make the bride jealous!"
Crystal offered a polite laugh behind one hoof. "Thank you, Fancy Pants. She picked the dress herself, so I would hope she thought of that."
"She picked the—" His eyes widened briefly before he laughed and straightened his monocle. "Right, right! You're one of her bridesmares, are you not? Yes, indeed, I had almost forgotten for a moment. Your mother must be so proud."
One of Crystal's ears betrayed her composure by flicking in irritation. "I suppose. I have yet to run into her. In fact, I—"
"Is that so? I was just talking to her, actually. She is just over there. Let me get her for you!" Fancy Pants turned and started to walk away.
Crystal swallowed. She glanced at the door that would take her away from the crowd of ponies and to the kitchen, but it was too late. She could feel her mother's gaze on her without even looking. Forcing her smile in place, she turned her head to watch her mother's approach. "Hello, Mother."
Upper Crust glanced her over. "Hello, darling. Are you going to wear your mane like that for the wedding?"
"Yes, Mother."
"I see." Upper Crust stared at her for a moment before she looked out into the crowd. "Do you plan to socialize at the reception?"
Crystal tried not to sigh. "It would be wise, I suppose."
Upper Crust bobbed her head in a small nod. "It would be, dear. Everypony is here and as one of the bridesmares, that gives you quite the advantageous position. You should capitalize on it while you have the opportunity."
"I'll keep that in mind." She took a step to the side. "If you'll excuse me, Mom, I—"
Upper Crust frowned at her. "And that is why you have made so little progress as of late, darling. You're always excusing yourself. Honestly, if you're not going to engage ponies in lengthy conversations, then perhaps you should consider attending events more than once every few weeks."
Crystal took another step. The irritation was crawling up her spine and if she didn't get away soon, she might snap. "I understand, Mother. I'll try to do better."
Just as she turned away completely to head toward the kitchen, she heard whispers starting up on one side of the room. The hushed, murmuring sound spread across the whole crowd until it culminated in loud and unadulterated gossip. Crystal's ears twitched independently, trying to pick up on what was flying around like an audible swarm of frenzied locusts.
"—what is he—"
"—I don't understand—"
"—Prince Blueblood—"
Crystal felt her blood run cold and for a moment, she thought perhaps it had frozen and that her heart stopped until the frigidity became a panicked burn. She jerked her head to the side and saw the source of the murmurs: Prince Blueblood stood in the entryway, surveying the room with a disinterested frown.
"Oh, no, no, no." She backed away, then turned around and ran back toward the dressing room. "No, no, no."
"Did you get the ginger ale?" Raven asked in an exasperated tone, her eyes wide and her mane unkempt. "Oh, Celestia, you didn't." She paused when she saw the look on Crystal's face and asked tentatively, "What's wrong?"
Crystal realized she wasn't breathing and gasped for air. Her heart pounded in her ears and made it difficult to hear herself when she whispered in response, "Prince Blueblood is here."
Raven blinked once. She blinked again. Then her eyelids fluttered and her knees wobbled. "Did—did—did you just say Prince Blueblood?"
Raven's brother, Hawk Eyes, rushed over to put his shoulder against hers and steady the trembling mare. "Prince Blueblood?" He looked over at Crystal, frowning. "What is he doing here?"
Crystal shook her head. "I honestly don't know. He most certainly wasn't on either Raven nor Moore's guest lists, I can guarantee that. I have them memorized from how many times Raven and I went over them." She leaned against the door frame and put a hoof to her forehead. "I know that some influential ponies found their way in, but—"
"Why would he even want to attend?" Raven blurted out, anger rising into her voice. "Is he here to try to ruin things for me?!"
Hawk put a foreleg around her shoulders. "Stay calm, Ravy. I'm sure he's just following the crowd of ponies. Like Crystal said, there are a lot of important ponies attending. It may have nothing to do with you."
"Like Tartarus it doesn't," Raven spat and pushed him away. "He took so many years from me, and now he's going to take away Moore!"
"Moore!" Crystal stiffened upright. "I should go warn him so he's not caught off-guard." When Raven nodded in agreement, Crystal turned and trotted down the halls with a brisk pace.
When she arrived at the groom's suite, she knocked on the door and it opened a moment later to reveal Moore's best stallion, Perfect Pace. He tilted his head and asked, "What can I do for you?"
Crystal leaned to the side to look past him and into the room. "I have to warn Moore!"
Perfect Pace matched her leaning to block her view. "What about?"
"Oh!" Crystal frowned up at him. "It's the bride and groom that shouldn't see one another. Bridesmares don't count."
Perfect Pace finally chuckled and stepped to the side. "All right, all right."
Crystal stepped inside and, when she spotted him, over toward Moore. "Moore, I'm afraid I have some potentially terrible news."
Moore jumped up from his seat, his eyes wide. "Is Raven all right? Did something happen to her?"
"She's fine, other than nerves." Crystal took a deep breath. "Prince Blueblood has seemingly invited himself. He's currently in the ceremony hall."
Moore blinked. "Oh. Is that all?" He waved a hoof to dismiss Crystal's sudden frown, returning it with a smile. "I'm not concerned. After all, Princess Celestia herself is presiding! I'm certain he'll behave in her presence."
"I suppose that is a good argument..." She sighed, righted herself emotionally, and tried to smile as she looked around at the stallions. "Well, there isn't much time left. Are you prepared?"
Moore gave a firm nod. "Certainly. I've been ready since before I proposed." He wagged a hoof at her. "Now, run back to Raven and ensure she doesn't panic." He winked and added, "Tell her if it comes to it, I'll sock him right in the face."
A small laugh escaped Crystal. "Oh, I'll be sure to let her know so we can hold you to that." Her magic lit up to straighten his boutonniere before she turned and walked to the door. "Just make sure he's at that altar before Raven walks down the aisle, boys!"
"Yes, ma'am!" the groomstallions responded in unison, each one offering a slight variation of a playful salute. Socialites weren't exactly trained in a proper salute, of course.
Crystal let out a sigh as she walked down the hall to return to Raven's side. Under her breath, she pleaded in a quiet mumble, "Please, for all that is good in this world, please don't let him ruin this moment for them."
I can't imagine Blueblood would be so... so... dense as to attempt any sort of "ruining" here. This is the wedding of Celestia's personal aide and is being presided over by Celestia herself. If he does anything more insulting than forget to wipe his hooves on the welcome mat then Celestia herself will have multiple reasons to be upset. And if Celestia is upset, then Luna's upset... etc. That alone would be an excellent way for him to alienate himself from Canterlot's high society.
So I expect that at worst he's present to mess with someone other than Raven or Moore.
Edit: ERSTE!
She should set velvet on him
I actually, legitimately gasped out loud.
Sooo, Velvet borrowed Crystals sulky. What. Anyway, we're underway with that Willowy Tempest subplot.
38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6099e9Jzw1rqkpceo1_500.gif
Took you long enough Crystal, I've been looking forward to this ever since you first mentioned it.
And we've got Raven's wedding.
memecrunch.com/meme/2CMLJ/bout-damn-time-too/image.png
Wow, I wish I could go back to my old ways when pics and gifs didn't make for half of my comments content and instead they were filled with some meaningful text. Also, I bet next chapter title will be another union, this time of voices. I dunno why, it just feels right. /edit Wait, I figured out why. Both Raven and Moore are gonna say "I do". Did I mention that I sometimes surprise even myself? /edit2 I bet my ten points on this chapter title, it has to be it. /edit3 I just realised I did actually write something in this comment that's not an attempt at a funny response/a meme.
New vocabulary NOT added: boutonniere
i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/794/698/475.png
I know this one, you've used it before.
6358519 Dritte You're German or just learning german?
Uh, Willow, I know that you may be a bit jealous of how close Luna and SK are, but I don't think being aggressive toward him or trying to tell Luna that SK is a distraction is going to win you any favors.
Hmm, maybe Blueblood and Upper Crust can meet and take each other out...
Oh boy, Crystal is going to have a heck of a time keeping her eye on Blueblood. If he does try something he has struck me as someone who would poison the well instead of make an overt assault. That tactic might be able to sneak by Princess Celestia as far as her being to call him on it.
If just showing up has thrown Raven for such a loop I imagine acting like a real pony and congratulating her and wishing them both well would likely trigger her fight or flight response.
Paging Special Agent Velvet, calling Velvet we have a pony for you to keep an eye on. If it happens, you know what to do...the thing.
Please let blueblood get thrown off a balcony...
AWESOME new cover art by the way!
Another great chapter Crystal! :3
Absolutely loving the the new cover art.
Love the new cover art! -coughs- Ahem. Anyway. Its interesting to see Willows viewpoint on the bond between Silent and luna. the thing i dont think she realizes is that Silent was Luna's first friend to be honest if ya think about it. That in itself is a special bond between the 2 of them, and i think there may be abit if jealousy there from Willow. Im surprised to see Upper Crust leaving from Velvets room, something like that raises alot of flags. I wonder if it has something to do with another story you have planned? -grins-. Now fro Prince Blueblood showing up at the wedding. I sense bad news coming from that. I wonder if Upper Crust had a hand in that. Anyway a wonderful chapter and i fully enjoyed it.
OMYGAWD NEW COVERART!
Why does everyone immediately jump to the conclusion that Blueblood is going to cause a scene? Raven's brother is right, you know; he probably just saw a crowd of well-dressed ponies and assumed it was something he should maybe be at? He didn't even seem all that interested, so he might not even hang around.
Besides, what's he going to do? Object to the union on some bizarre grounds that he still loves Raven?
"That's fantastic, Blueblood. Are there any legal objections?"
Let's face it, if he does stay, it's going to be so he can sit in the back row in order to maximize the time he can spend creeping on dat ass.
A few fun facts about wedding traditions. Bride's Maids initially dressed like the bride, this was to confuse any potential assassins. The Maid of Honor and Best Man were an extra layer of security, acting as a personal bodyguard if the worst should come to happen. The term "tie the knot" comes from an old Celtic tradition where a knot was literally tied around the hands of the bride and groom during after their vows were made as a way of symbolizing their lives were now tied together. A bride's white dress is supposed to be a symbol of her purity, being as it showed that she was untouched by any other in the most intimate ways prior to her husband. The act of sliding rings onto each other was originally a way of symbolizing how the bride and groom were placing their trust in each other. The pinkie promise (of our world, not that of MLP) originates from a Japanese tradition where the bride-to-be would cut off her pinkie and present to her husband as a sign of loyalty. On the subject promise rituals it is stated that if you were to ever break a pinkie promise you had swallow a thousand needles. The western contemporary "Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye" might sound odd today, and given little thought, but the last bit originates from a tradition where you had to stick a hundred needles in your eye if you broke a promise.
I love this chapter! Seeing Crystal and Willow's friendship is so cute.
Watch Blueblood just be there being innocent, and then Crystal is just looking over and over even though nothing is going to happen.
But our dear, dear author wouldn't give us that benefit. No, no, absolutely not.
That new cover art is dangerously adorable.
6358541
DO IT
DO IT FILLY
AH! Velvet is committing GTS!!Hopefully she might enjoy the ride enough. I know Moore won't have any problem clocking Blueball-I mean Blueblood if or when the time arises...
6358519 It would definitely be a mistake for him to make a scene at this wedding.
6358541 Now that is a match I want to see! Velvet vs Prince Blueblood, Round 1, FIGHT!
6358630 It took exactly as long as I intended, on both accounts. Raven and Moore had the traditional "year-long engagement" and Willow, well, I needed specific things to line up in order for that to kick off! And I guess we'll see if you win double or nothing on Thursday's chapter! And, pfft, I didn't call 'em boutonnieres for your benefit. That... that's just what they're called!
6358655 I would certainly hope Willow wouldn't be actively trying to sabotage Silent Knight. I think she's just silently seething and snippy with him at times!
6358664 I think it would send everyone into fight or flight if Blueblood did something genuinely nice in the next chapter.
6358686 It could happen! And thank you!! I'm very happy with it!
6358724 Thank you!
6358806 I'm so glad! goshhh did a perfect job capturing my idea into art!
6358836 Yes, it's hard for her to see that, I think. It's always hard to be the "third wheel" to an established relationship. And what noo I definitely was not leaving an open-ended scene to explain in detail in Velvet's story!
6358844 I know!! I love it!
6358914 You bring up some very valid points, but unfortunately I can neither confirm nor deny them.
6358972 One thing I have been very excited for is to show more of Willow. Readers of both stories will definitely have differing opinions of her, I think, because Silent and Crystal see different sides to her.
6359014 Hey, I've thrown curveballs before... It could happen... This could actually end well...
6359049 I like dangerous levels of adorableness, myself. It's kind of my thing! (Or at least I'd like for it to be my thing. I'm actually not sure what "my thing" is, beyond, uh, obsessive-compulsive word counts? Really? Is that my thing? I don't want that to be my thing.)
6359078 Velvet would definitely commend Axel on his cart craftsmanship. She just thinks he should have made interchangeable swatches for the cutie marks. Ah, well, maybe next time...
6358630
Ich habe Deutsch im Gymnasium und Hochschule gelernt. Ich erinnere ein bisschen.
Oh, I've been looking forward to this scene with Blueblood for SO LONG. I hope it's as wonderful in written form as it is in my head. But since you're the one writing it, I'm sure it will be.
6358559 Aww, thanks!
Hmmmmmm, almost 300k words. Been looking for a sugary slice of life romance to devour in between writing my own stuff. Will read soon.
6359104
You heard it straight from the author, my ponies!
Blueblood is there for the pizza party.
6359169 Commence the self-doubt and anxiety over Thursday's chapter.
6359221 Ah, hello! I hope you enjoy; there are definitely some sugary sweet moments throughout, so it should deliver in that regard! I hope! Don't mind me! Just going to go find a rock and hide behind it. Or under it. Whichever happens faster!
6359314 That is not—you know what, yes, that's exactly what I meant.
6359342
See? I know whats up in here.
Can I get a Sweetie all day every day?
6359427
i.imgur.com/K0yQfI1.jpg
I question your your methods on keeping a specific number of words every chapter without fail.
Just started to read your story today and by GODS, it's good! You know it when you can't stop reading it
for whatsoever circumstances. It's cute, funny and there were a lot of scenes where it elicited a good hearty chuckle from me.Keep up the good job, dear author. I'm loving this piece of literature very much!
6359104
I was also thinking about Union of Hearts(alternatively of Souls), because of "Love is in Bloom" which happens directly after the wedding of Shining Armor and Cadence, y'know:
But, I decided to go with the one of Voices.
6359156
I got the first sentence, but I needed google translate for the second one I'm learning deutch as a second foreign language, but I've never paid it much attention. I much prefer aiming all my brain cells at the first foreign language, english. It's a lot easier.
6360154 Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! I'm glad you've been enjoying it so far! Regarding the word count, you are not the first and certainly not going to be the last.
6359156
I want to say "that's exactly how it is for me!" but I can't quite remember enough German to properly say it
6359342
Try not to stress too much! We enjoy your writing, so we have faith in you! Have faith in yourself, too!
6360375
"Das ist wie es war für mich!"
Well... "That is how it was for me!"
At least as far as I can remember. Though I'm spacing on what the word "exactly" translates into.
Ooooo! Y'know what Crystal's or Anzel's stories need? German ponies! Crystal and Silent live in Canterlot - which is metropolitan (it must be) - so there should be some German ponies around.
6360838
Gute Idee!
Beide sind gut.
Nice German sentence. I think "Gleich" or something like that is exactly? Maybe we need a German/English dictionary or google translate. I could definitely be wrong, so don't quote me on that.
And German ponies would rock xD
What else could go wrong?
6360838
6360904
Who needs a dictionary when you got a german right here
The proper translation for the sentence would be "Das ist genauso wie bei mir."
Or going be the meaning you could say "Mir geht es genauso."
As for "exactly" in german, depending on its meaning in the sentence it can be translated by many different words.
The direct translation for it would be "genau".
Also good job on the translation, just put the "war" at the end of the sentence, word order is sometimes a bit different in german.
...
Now I look like a grammar nazi
Great chapter as always, I'm just starting to think if Silent ever really told Crystal about his missions to the bad ponies ...
6361693 Hello a German! I'll keep you in mind if I decide to sate Shachza's desire for a German pony, so I can make sure the phrases and endearments are correct. Glad you enjoyed the chapter!
6361701
I'd be glad to help ;)
6361693
Ah, yes, that's the kind of thing that'll always trip you up if you don't speak the language fluently; direct translations doesn't always work because technically the speakers would say something a bit different.
In English it's, "That's exactly how it is for me!"
The literal translation of German is, "That is exactly-so how [it is] by myself." (Das ist genauso wie bei mir.)
Or, "Myself goes it exactly-so." (Mir geht es genauso.)
At least I'm very confident that's how it (literally) works out.
Ah, the wonders of translation! Now, if you'll excuse me, I must brush myself the teeth.
6361693
Ah, "genau"! Where did I come up with "gleich" from? Does it mean "same"? I was thinking that when I typed the post... I really do wish I was better at German. I was only ever passable in high school and after so long with little practice I'm not very good at all. On the other hand, whenever I try to remember words in any other language than English that I think I should know, I end up coming up with the German translation, so apparently I haven't lost the language completely. Danke für deine Hilfe.
What a monkey wrench that snobbish Blueblood is.
Interesting, second chapter in a row has Willow mentioning to Crystal how much Silent does in secret and how much Luna is covering for him. That really makes me wonder how much Luna knows about the Nightwatch. Could Luna be the invisible hoof behind Maya, and not Celestia as I've been theorizing? (Spoilers for Secrets, no look-y if no read-y.)
It also makes me wonder just how much Silent isn't doing his actual job if that's one of the major causes for Willow's antagonism.
Huh. Turns out Crystal's mom has been moonlighting as Velvet's second mother just as much as Velvet's mom has been moonlighting as Crystal's. So to speak.
Nice.
Alright, Blueblood, it's definitely time to not screw this wedding up and piss off your aunt at the same time. Good on Moore for being so levelheaded about the situation.
6359221 You should be aware that's it's a parallel story to Memoirs of a Royal Guard/Secrets of a Royal Guard, both of which are also worth reading. There are a few side stories in the series, too.
6362372
Nichts zu danken (You're welcome)
and yes, "gleich" = same / equal
It's totally true, if you don't use a languge regularly you lose it, I learned two languages in school, english and french, english I've been using more or less constantly for the past ten years ... but please don't ask me anything in french
6364407 Hurrah!
And you caught up on an update day, to boot! I'll have today's chapter out... soon... *glances at work-in-progress chapter* ... Soon-ish.
6362539 Personally, for Willow, I think this is more about the relationship between Silent and Luna than his job. ;D
I'm reading this chapter and...
did you just feel the ice beneath you go very thin indeed? I'm sure I did. Suppose we'll see if it's a legitimate spooking, or not.
edit:
WHAT.
edit2: Upper Crust = [(Crystal Wishes - Velvet Step) + Years]. I hope this isn't a jealousy thing - it is an ugly emotion - but it may well be. Acquantices, Acquantices, everywhere, but nary a friend to keep.
Also...
Raven has been everything of sweetness and goodness and Blue Blood how dare you show your face to sully this occasion!
...unless he's here to repent and declare. In that case...honestly I'd have to step back and let it play out, were that the case.
Edit3:
Crystal Wishes the writer - this line is absurdly adorable for reasons I don't understand, and you, without doubt, are a fiend. A FIEND.
That line brought a laugh. I could easily imagine the bemused look on her face, and her dry tone.
This is definitely another adorable chapter. I look forward to reading more.
Willow is slightly more tolerable now that I’ve seen her side of things. Crystal has a better view of her than Silent, I suppose.
I think what captures me so much about this story is how interesting the story continues with various scenarios playing out while Crystal moves on with her life. Also, I can stop reading for days, weeks, even months, and pick up without having to go, “Aww shit! Who was that again?” Yes, I do forget some things, but simple references remind me of who is more important.
And of course, this story inspires me to write. Something about simple slice of life keeps me calm
Please don’t expload, Crystal, because of my compliment D: