“Are you sure you have to go?” Celestia asks.
Anon has just finished his meal and has gotten up out of his seat. His day is far from over.
“Yeah, I kinda left Lyra and Bonbon at the store alone. It’s been fun but I need to get back to work.”
“Understandable.” Luna comes in. “Thank you for having lunch with us.”
“No thanks needed. It’s nice spending time with you two.”
That gets a smile out of the two sisters. Anon stretches in place some just before he gives them a wave and takes his leave.
“See ya.”
“Bye.” Both Luna and Celestia say.
Anon walks out of the dining hall and closes the door behind him. That was an interesting turn of events but he’s done with all this craziness for today. Time for him to head on back to work then get ready for his meeting with Pinkie. He swears he has no idea what the mare is thinking. He can only hope the evening turns out better than this day has.
Anon walks into the shop and gives a sigh of relief. Finally, a place he understands. The shop is still full and Lyra is working the register as usual. She looks up as she hears the doorbell and her eyes widen when she sees Anon. Anon already has a bad feeling as time starts to slow, he can see how Lyra jumps onto the counter and launches herself towards him. There’s no way he can move away in time, so he accepts his fate as she slams into him.
His back smacks against the door as he wraps his arms around Lyra to keep her from falling. She’s crying with her muzzle buried in his chest. Anon has no idea what could’ve caused this but he’s glad to see Bonbon come running from the backroom to assist him. That’s until he notices she launches herself towards him as well. He quickly moves Lyra to one arm and takes the hit from Bonbon just as he uses his free arm to hold her from falling. His back is definitely hurting now as these two cry over him. All the customers just as confused as he is.
“What’s going on? I haven’t been gone for that long have I?” Anon tries to joke.
“We’re so glad you’re ok!” Bonbon says.
“Why wouldn’t I be ok?”
“There was this griffin in the shop saying how she wanted to hurt you!” Lyra answers.
“Why would she want to hurt me?” Anon asks confused.
“I don’t know! She just seemed really angry with you.” Bonbon comes in.
Anon looks around the room and takes notice that this probably isn’t the best place for a conversation. So he carries the two of them past the customers and into the back kitchen.
“Butterhooves! Man the register!”
Butterhooves drops his mixing spoon on the floor in surprise, quickly giving a salute before running off to the storefront. Anon carries the two mares in his arms to the home kitchen and quickly sits them each in a chair. It takes them a few minutes but Anon waits patiently until they regain their composure. Once they do, he takes a seat and they give him their full attention.
“Now, tell me what happened. From the top.”
“There are so many things I don’t understand.” Twilight mumbles to herself. “So many things I’ve never noticed before. Why is that? Do other ponies notice this stuff?”
“Studying as hard as ever I see.”
Twilight feels her heart skip a beat as that voice hits her ears. She knows who that is instantly as she whips around with a large smile.
“Cadance!”
Twilight leaps off her seat and crouches low to the ground as Cadance does the same.
“Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!”
Twilight can’t believe that Cadance is here. It’s been so long since the two of them have seen each other. Cadance is also happy to see Twilight as well but she instantly notices the ring on her horn and winces a bit at that. Cadance spent some time talking to Shining Armor and heard the story about what happened in Ponyville. Cadance, for the most part, thought it was some kind of joke but he was serious the entire time.
Now that she sees the ring she can’t help but feel conflict inside of her. How can the pony in front of her do such a horrible thing? It almost seems like an alien concept to think Twilight would even be capable of such a thing. Yet here she is, with a ring on her horn and a smile on her face. However, that doesn’t stop her from loving Twilight. They’ve spent years together and if Twilight made a mistake, then perhaps Cadance can help make everything better?
“How have you been?” Cadance asks.
“Great! I’ve been learning about how somepony can get another to forgi-...”
Twilight becomes silent as she feels her heart fall a bit. Does Cadance know about what happened in Ponyville? What does she think about her? Cadance notices Twilight’s pause and decides to step in.
“I heard about what happened, Twilight.” Cadance notices how Twilight freezes up. “I have no idea why you did it and I can’t even begin to understand what happened between you and Anon during that time,” Twilight feels her head lower as she listens to Cadance talk. “But I believe that right here and now, you truly wish to do the right thing.”
“I-I just... I...”
Twilight can’t stop herself as she buries her face into Cadance’s chest, letting go a stream of tears. Cadance can only embrace Twilight as she pats her back gently.
“Shhh... Shhh. It’s alright, Twilight.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Twilight keeps repeating to herself as she continues to cry.
“That’s it, let it all out.”
Cadance holds Twilight for a while as she cries everything out. It must be hard for Twilight. She’s so used to messing up and being forgiven. Yet what she did isn’t something that can be forgiven so easily. She’s faced with a challenge that she may never overcome. Cadance understands how Twilight feels, after all, she took care of her when she was a filly. Some time passes and Twilight finally calms down. Cadance using a wing to clear her tears away.
“Feeling better?”
“A little.”
“Good.” They break from their embrace. “So what have you been learning?”
Twilight clears her face a bit but feels calmer than she did moments before.
“I’ve been learning about body language.”
Cadance nods. “Hmm. That can be a difficult thing to learn from a book.”
“What do you mean?”
“Body language is organic. It’s different from pony to pony, creature to creature. Sure, you can learn basic things but to truly grasp body language you must go out and experience it.”
Twilight’s ears pin back a bit. “I-I don’t know, Cadance.”
Cadance feels a smile on her face. “Come on, let’s go!”
Twilight doesn’t get another word out as Cadance grasps one of her hooves and runs towards the library door. Even though she’s shocked by what is happening, she can’t help but feel a smile growing on her face.
“I find this lack of information disturbing.”
Anon is rubbing his chin in thought after having heard the story Bonbon and Lyra told him. An unknown female griffin came into the shop threatening to punch him in the face. The only logical assumption he can make is that he met this griffin while under the influence of alcohol. So what did he do that was so bad that she would want to physically harm him? Pointless thoughts. It seems he has an immediate threat he needs to worry about.
“There’s no reason to worry.” Anon says trying to calm Lyra and Bonbon.
“How can you say that!” Bonbon shouts in worry.
“What if this griffin catches you alone! We can’t protect you if you’re not with us!” Lyra adds.
Anon raises his hand to silence them. They just sit there in wait for him to speak.
“I’m not alone. Luna has ordered the captain of her guard to protect me. While I’m positive it isn’t her, there is a pony watching me right now. I can only assume it’s one of her subordinates.”
Bonbon and Lyra look around the room confused.
“How do you know that?” Bonbon asks.
“Let’s just say I’ve gotten used to watching my surroundings.”
“So, you have a personal guard?” Lyra asks.
“In a manner of speaking. Yes.”
That calms the both of them down considerably. Knowing that Anon has a trained guard, a guard of Luna’s no less, makes them feel a lot better about what is happening. Anon notices the both of them let out a sigh of relief. Hopefully that’ll calm them down about this situation.
“So no need to worry. Sorry you had to deal with that griffin in the first place.”
“Not at all!” Lyra comes in but quickly settles down with a blush on her face. “I-I wouldn’t let anypony hurt you.”
“Well, it’s one less thing you two need to worry about.”
Anon is taken away from this situation as he hears a crash from within the kitchen.
“Horse feathers!”
Anon lets out a sigh as he recognizes Butterhooves’ voice.
“We better get back to work before things get ruined.” Anon adds.
“That’s probably a good idea.” Bonbon agrees.
The three of them quickly compose themselves and walk into the kitchen ready to get things back on track.
Oh no, I hope this isn't going where I think it's going...
that was too short. I demand another chapter!
Good shit, mate. Keep up the good work.
Somehow, I feel like Cadance is gonna go to Anon's store, with Twi in hoof. Here's to hoping for lowered curiosity, of noticing a new establishment.
Amazing chapter always love your work it never disappoints :)
hmmm could be longer.... but still good
You got featured! Again!
7446871
I get featured with every chapter post.
7446897 youre lucky you know that
Wut?
Man Cadance is going to mess things up if she's going to do what I think she's going to do.
7446824
I know what you mean. I'm used to chapters who have about 10,000 words or more most of the time (at least stories who run that long)
For chapter like this I need only a few minutes to read.
7447023 I here that... Mainly what I was feeling though was that I got to the end of the chapter and was kinda expecting there to be more... But there was not... And I was left wanting...
7447147
just like me. most of the time i read a good chapter and it is so short, i would like to read more.
Short chapter let me sometimes be unsatisfied. just like you, it left me wanting more.
long chapters on the other hand need time to read. you can't rush through them. I then choose a day where I have enough time to read through this chapter in one go and make myself comfortable while reading it.
Magnificent as always Mr. Sarcastic Brony. Thank you for the appraiser chapter.
7447272 I understand... I. At times, Wait for several chapters to be released and read them all at once... lol...
7447375
try that with a story where nearly all chapters are over 10.000 words long, up to 70.000. with 51 chapters, still incomplete and the end is not in sight
Even without Butterhooves in the back, things still end up wrong in the kitchen.
2 updates so soon!? thank you god!
7447422 Yeah... Not so much on stories like that lol
You're a god bro! 2 chapters!
More chapters so soon!
cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/64555929.jpg
That was fun, may I have another? Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
And so Cadance makes her reveal. Will Anon, Celestia and Luna's relationship be put to paper in the next few chapters?
Can't wait to see and find out.
Btw keep up the good work.
Cadance.... is going to bring Twi to Anon's shop without realizing it, isn't she?
7448839 It basically writes itself. Though the TwilightXAnon confrontation may be saved for a near climax event
Must.. upvote.. TWICE! argh!
Really though.. loving this story.. REALLY wish I could upvote more than once :D
So, did Butterhooves got shocked by seeing Princess Cadance in the store? Because if yes Anon is going to shit a brick by seeing who accompanies her.
So is this all the same day? Like were still waiting for a dinner party?
I honestly don't know what to think. Very few authors can get away with making a scrappy likeable. Then there's the portrayal of the Mane 6 in a new light (not the first one I read or heard of). I actually wish the length between updates was shorter. I'm not expecting a commitment (unlike some readers around here), but I've read stories that took a whole year to be updated.
7449296
Yes but unlike what many are theorising, the next chapter will time jump to the evening when Anon meets Pinkie for dinner. I may start looking into intentional time jumps to get the story moving faster, hence why this chapter was shorter than usual because it was made to set up a time jump.
WHY MUST IT BE SO DAMNED GOOD.
I have to wait now? NO!
I understand magic is part of their life, and I remembered what happened already after I got my reaction, however my first reaction was, that they overreact about stuff like that magic ring.
As long as this isn't a version of Equestria where it is extremely unhealthy for her to stop herself from using her magic (which I don' believe since Celestia is letting it happen and stuff like that)....well that long it is only self punishment. (I hope I didn't messed up, that sentence I mean). Oh only to make it clear I was talking about the magic ring that Twilight is using, and Cadance talking like she would scratsch herself or something, because right now I only image her not being able to use her magic, finally getting used to her body/hooves a bit more and....that's it.
I think they maybe should think about getting Twilight a therapist, it doesn't looks like it would be something where she can just get a nice emotional talk, and finally her inner/crazy scientist is not there anymore. For a moment it looked like it was one of those things, which doesn't just go away, nothing which Cadance or Celestia can just make to go away, and no!, I don't believe that Anon (Kevin, Paul, Calvin,...Nobody"?), forgiving her could actually cure it immediately.
I would like some more Celestia X Anon scenes before the story is over. I want to see something about them being together, not just the getting together part, just because that is usually pretty rare in my eyes.
7449873
It's more symbolic than anything. Think about it: This magic ring isn't something that's used often. Imagine taking care of someone you knew for a long time. Now imagine that someone performing a crime that warrants the punishment that's not commonly seen. Not only is Cadance surprised that Twilight did a crime in the first place but also the extent of that crime that warrants such a punishment.
This confuses me. If you understand this then why are you thinking they're overreacting? It's like having your hands removed. Sure, you'll be able to survive but you would be "overreacting" about not being able to use your hands for stuff. Being able to use magic is so natural to a unicorn so why would you subject yourself to not being able to perform magic?
7450168
I understand that much, but I only got the feeling that Cadance was sad because of Twilight using the ring, and not because of the crime exactly, maybe it needs to be reworded?, I don't know.
7450168
I still think she was overreacting, because she can still use her hooves, normal for Unicorns or not, since other Ponys can do pretty much stuff with that alonge too, and the knowledge that she can always take it off if she would want to do it, doesn't makes it look to bad for me.
She didn't lost her hooves and her Magic only doesn't work for a moment, in a few storys (which isn't this one I know), they actually told an Unicorn he/she should use their body a little bit more..
It's more like following a new rule for me, or changing the lifestyle than loosing a part of her body, which she didn't, because even if she can't use her magic (which she doesn't want for the moment, no matter why), because she could still use it after she get's better. (well her current condition I mean, if the sentence was worded wrong.)
7451205 I can see where you're coming from but I think you're underplaying the "unicorn not using magic" schtik. Magic is important and especially so for unicorns. I don't know how else I can stress this enough. Don't compare unicorns to earth ponies but to pegasi. Pegasi having their wings incapacitated also won't kill them but it's a big part of what makes a pegasus...well, a pegasus. That's what shocking, besides the fact that "perfect student" Twilight having the ring in the first place. Regardless if Twilight is being forced to wear it or not, she has the ring on her. Which means she was/is being punished right now. That's what Cadance knows.
7451288 Yes your right on your part, I actually think this is some sort of moral stuff again, which only depens on how you like to think about it.
I admit that if I would have to live as an Unicorn, this would be probably far worse or me, but I think I would only be really devastet, if I never would be allowed to use it anymore, and....forget it, it's Cadance were talking about, I guess she is emotional enough to have that much problems with Twilight doing that.
Another update so soon?!? Damn... We are not worthy of such generosity!!
7451316 I think we should just agree to disagree. We both have our own interpretations of the events and what they mean. I explained what I feel and you explained yours. What matters is that we understood each other. That's the goal of a discussion, at least in my eyes. That's the most I could ask for, really. I bid thee farewell, good sir.
This Fic has garnered my attention.
In your previous fic, you grabbed my attention with a character and a very possible reallity that Anon lives in. The bonds between characters were very fluid and the way those relations played out in the story kept me on the edge of my seat.
And now with this fic you've grabbed my attention again, and you won't let it go. The relationships between characters, the Drunken humor that occured, even the way you've portrayed Blueblood makes me take him as less of a snobbish noble but more of a socially ill child.
I rate this story 10 Gulags out of 10.
-Brosef Ballin
Its a shame to see all these chapters getting shorter and shorter i really love this story and now that im fully caught up i can only hope to see more of it soon
Butter will be the next Gordon Ramsay. Mark my words.
7454879
I've never seen that picture before that is the best character image ever!
7465338 I know.
7465349 Bro, youre here too? Awesome, I REALLY recommend to read the prequell too, and invite all your friend to read it, what do I say - slap it on their faces and make it a mandatory read like a good Big Brother would do
Seriously, it's that magnificent if you hadn't tried.
7467012 I read the Prequel first.
7449399
Could be worse. I've had more than a few epic stories stop updating because the author's gone missing. Kind of sad to see the comment sections with people posting every few months asking where the author went or an update (because they didn't notice the "last logged in" is also the same amount of time since the last update to the story).
7465832 PTSD I think.
I'm not sure I constitute as what would be considered a brony these days, but this is a series I still find myself coming back to. Keep up the great work, mate! I'm in it for the long haul