Adventures In Match-Making
Adventure #1: The Second Half
The alarm went off but Twilight chose to ignore it. Groaning, she rolled over and slammed the snooze button before rolling back over to fall back asleep. She frowned as there was a knock on her door.
"Mom says get up!" Spike, her now eleven year old little brother yelled.
Ten years later and she still couldn't stand him. Not that she had kept the same mentality she had when she was seven. She was still sarcastic, insensitive, and irrational. Among other things. But there were some things that had changed about her. Sighing, she yelled back, "Yeah, yeah!"
Getting up, she yawned, before scratching her belly. Stretching, she left her room to make her journey into the bathroom. The need for her step stool was long gone. She had a surprising growth spurt at ten, and with that came her current height, her ample breasts, and attractive hips.
Lazily, Twilight applied toothpaste onto her tooth brush. Brushing, she hummed a song she had heard on the radio. When she was satisfied, she spit into the sink, then went about with her daily routine.
Thirty minutes later, she was out the shower and walking into her room. She cursed under her breath when she stepped on a leggo. "Stupid kid with his stupid toys." She mumbled, slamming her door shut.
Her phone began to buzz and she picked it up. "Hello?" She answered.
"Sup, babe."
"Rainbow, I'm already running late, just tell me what you want and I might consider not hanging up on you." She snapped.
Twilight was dating Rainbow Dash. It was a surprise to her as much as everyone else. She'd honestly thought she would end up with Flash Sentry. But as she got older, she knew that she didn't like him more than a friend. What he had done in second grade was cute, but she couldn't bring herself to like him enough to date him. (Even though she kissed him.)
How it happened she wasn't really sure, she just remembered that in seventh grade Rainbow stopped being such an asshole to her, and actually turned out to be a pretty good friend. (And a pretty good kisser, but she didn't want to think about that right now.)
"Applejack's wondering what's taking you so long. You know how she gets when none of us get to class on time." Rainbow told her, her voice on the edge of conveying annoyance.
"I'm surprised you're there before me. What'd she do to get you to come on time?" Twilight asked her, walking over to her closet.
"She said she'd get me tickets to that big wrestling match this weekend. Wanna come?" The prism haired girl offered.
"Yeah, no, I'll pass." Twilight deadpanned. "The last thing I want to spend my weekend doing is watching a bunch of sweaty men try to pin each other." She responded with an eye roll. "And you know my birthday is on Saturday right?"
There was a pause on the other end of the line. "...Right."
"You forgot didn't you."
It wasn't a question.
"You gotta start living a little, Twilight." Rainbow tsked. "This is first year of college and all you want to do is take your AP classes and graduate on time."
Twilight rolled her eyes at the immediate subject change. "Yes, because someone of us actually want to move on in life!" Twilight explained, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Look, my mom is three seconds away from kicking down my door. Can we discuss this when I'm actually in front of you?"
Dash laughed. "Sure thing, babe. See you in a bit."
Twilight hung up the phone and sighed, as she finished getting dressed. Hopefully the rest of her day would go better than her morning had.
It didn’t. Not only did she get lost on the way to orientation, she couldn’t find Dash, or Applejack, Or anyone for that matter. By the time she had made it to the auditorium, it was packed, and she doubted she could find her friends that easily.
Rainbow stood up in her seat and waved her hands. “Over here!” She mouthed, before having Applejack abruptly pull her back down.
Twilight smiled wryly to herself before making her way over to where her friends were. “Hey guys,” She greeted as she plopped down next to Rainbow. “Where’s Rarity and Fluttershy?” She asked, looking around but not seeing the pair.
Dash waved her hand dismissively. “Who knows? You know that they can never get anywhere on time.” She said, putting her arm around Twilight, leaning in for a kiss, but Twilight stopped her with her finger.
“We’re in public and it’s orientation, we need to pay attention.” She told her with a stern look and a raised brow. Twilight wasn’t one for public displays of affection, but Dash was all for it. Which was severely annoying.
Applejack chuckled. “Even after all these years you’re still weaker than Twilight.” She teased, smirking when Dash sent a glare her way. She stuck her tongue out at her as Fluttershy and Rarity sat in front of them.
“Sorry we’re late, darlings.” Rarity apologized. “Fluttershy and I had to stop for some coffee.”
“Had to, or wanted to?” Dash asked with an arched brow.
“The important thing is that we’re here is it not?” Rarity asked back, her expression mirroring Rainbow’s.
Before Rainbow could make a snide comment back, a tall, regal looking woman made her way across the stage and cleared her throat as she began to speak.
“Good morning, new students. My name is Dean Celestia. I hope you all will have a great first year here at Canterlot University. That’s about all I have to say considering you all should be getting to your classes now. Let’s make this a good year shall we?” She asked with a warm smile.
A few students around the five girls clapped and hollered before getting up to shuffle to their first class.
“Ah guess we should be goin’ too.” Applejack mused. “Ah got business so Ah guess you’re rollin’ with me, Rarity.” She said, turning to the older girl.
“I suppose so,” Rarity answered, pulling on her purse. “What are you all majoring in?”
Dash pointed a thumb to herself. “I’m gonna do sports management business.” She said proudly.
Twilight rolled her eyes. “I give it half the semester and you’ll be dropping one.” She teased. “I picked something I’m actually good at.” She bragged, folding her arms.
“Oh yeah? And what’s that? Being a smart ass?” Rainbow bit back.
Twilight pulled at Dash’s cheek with a wry grin. “You shouldn’t call the person you’re dating names.” She smiled.“Besides, its writing and psychology. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for the diary Cadence had given me. That dumb diary actually helped me realize that I liked writing.”
“Speaking of Cadence, have you heard from her lately? It’s been ten years. I’m sure she’s out of college and on her own by now.” Fluttershy said, rocking on her heels.
Twilight shrugged. “Nope. The last thing I got from her was a card with ten bucks in it on my ninth birthday. I’m honestly a little worried. I mean, I haven’t seen her since I was a kid. What if she turned into a stripper? Or a whore?”
Applejack let out a hearty snort. “Okay, yea, Ah highly doubt that.” Then her expression became serious. “How’s....your brother? Is he doin’ alright?”
Twilight heaved a heavy sigh. “Not really. After Cadence left for college he just kinda deflated you know? She was the first girl he ever really loved. Like, you guys saw how they were together. Seven year old me would have hated to say this, but they were inseparable.” She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “He lost his job again, and his depression’s gotten worse. Sometimes when I’m up late writing or something I can hear him crying.”
“Oh dear...that’s not good.” Rarity said with a hand to her mouth.
“I don’t know what to do either. He’s my brother. As we grew up, he became distant from me. He doesn’t even talk to Spike. We just, we don’t know what to do.” Twilight looked like she was on the verge of tears.
Dash grabbed her hand compassionately, rubbing it affectionately. “Why don’t we get to class alright, and we can discuss this later?” She made eye contact with the other girl with soft eyes.
Twilight nodded, blinking away the tears. “Yeah,” She sniffed. “I don’t wanna be late on my first day anyway.”
“Mom, I’m home!” Twilight called as she hung her scarf and jacket on the coat hanger by the door. “Mom!” She called again when she didn’t get an answer. After another beat of silence she stalked into the kitchen to find a note on the counter.
“Went to your brother’s soccer game, there’s money on the counter for pizza.” She read. “Great.” She grumbled sarcastically, reaching for the phone off the wall. After ordering the pizza, she went into the fridge to get a bottle of juice before plopping down on the couch in the living room.
She turned on the TV and smiled faintly when she saw that a re-run of My Pretty Pony from when she was a kid was on. Deciding to not waste the chance at nostalgia (and too lazy to see what was on) Twilight relaxed into the couch.
Twenty minutes later, her peace was disturbed by the doorbell ringing. She got up to answer it and saw that it was the pizza guy. Paying for the pizza, Twilight retook her place on the couch again, put her feet up on the table, and took out a slice for herself.
It was common for Twilight to be left alone by herself, (especially ever since Cadence had left and she refused to have another babysitter.) And she truly didn’t mind it. It gave her time to think, plus she didn’t constantly hear Spike yelling at someone he was playing with online in one of those stupid video games he played.
Most of the time she was home alone, mostly when Shining had a job, and when he didn’t have one he was up in his room sleeping, only leaving to eat and use the bathroom. He rarely sat at the dinner table anymore. In fact, Twilight barely remembered him ever sitting at the table. He’d just take his food upstairs without a word.
Shaking her head, Twilight took another bite of pizza. She seriously wondered what it would take for him to get out of this funk. It’s been ten years now. For all they know Cadence could be married or a single mom or something. She missed Cadence as much as he did, but life was happening without her. Shining needed to see that.
Feet thudded down the stairs, which made her look up. On rare occasions when Twilight was home alone he would come out of his room, but they would never exchange anything more than hellos. This time would be different.
“B.B.B.F.F.?” She asked hesitantly as they made eye contact; she hadn’t called him that in years.
The nickname made Shining stop in his tracks as he went to open the front door. “What uh, what made you call me that?” He asked, turning to her completely.
“I need to talk to you.” She said, giving him a weak smile.
“I’m listening.” He answered, folding his arms. There was something of a hostile edge to his voice, Twilight noticed.
“It’s just....you know my eighteenth birthday is on Saturday, right?” She asked carefully. She bit her lip as there was a moment of silence.
“Yeah, I know, Twilly.” He said, with a nod. “What are you trying to get at? Spit it out.” The hostility was replaced with annoyance, and Twilight had to fight off her own edge of annoyance.
“I’m not even going to beat around the bush anymore. Seven year old me wouldn’t have so I won’t either.” She told him determinedly, standing up. “You’ve been moping around since Cadence left and have done nothing with your life. Bubblegum Princess left ten years ago, Shining! She’s probably moved on to some other guy, had a kid, got married! And you’re still here, living at home, moping about someone who left your life a decade ago!”
Shining looked at her angrily. “Don’t you think I know that Twilight?!” He shouted, making the young woman wince. “I can’t let her go, Twilight. She was the first girl I’ve ever loved. I’ll never love someone as much as I love Cadence.”
“That’s all romantic and all, but you have to understand that you’re twenty six and still living at home with your seventeen year old sister and eleven year old little brother. I miss her too, Shiny. I miss her alot. But I don’t let it stop me from living my life and neither should you!” She pointed to him, just as angry as he was.
Her face softened. “I’m tired of seeing you this way, big bro.”
Shining’s anger only seemed to increase. “Then don’t Twilight. Don’t look at me, don’t talk to me, and stop trying to help me.” He said in a warning tone, before opening the door and slamming it behind him, leaving the younger girl behind in his wake.
Twilight plopped back down on the couch. “Well,” She sighed to herself, rolling her eyes. “That went smoothly.”
Author's Note
Ta-da! Yes so, as you all know there was no ending to the first one, but there will be one to this! So sit tight, this one's getting good!
Adventures In Match-Making
Adventure #2: The Idea And The Flashback
"So, how'd it go with your brother?" Applejack asked as Twilight sat down at their lunch table the next day with Rainbow.
"It....went." She said, popping a fry in her mouth.
"That bad, huh?" The farm girl asked sympathetically.
"He's such a stubborn prick. I can't even bring up Cadence without him throwing a hissy fit." Twilight angrily bit into her burger.
"Well, first loves are kind of hard to get over." Fluttershy reasoned.
"Yeah, months! Not ten years!" Twilight shouted, exasperated. "Sorry." She mumbled, she didn't mean to yell at Fluttershy.
"No harm done." The pink haired woman assured her. "Still, something should be done about this. If he doesn't get out of this, he'll probably be forty and still living with your parents."
"That's what I tried to tell him but he won't listen to me!" Twilight pinched the bridge of her nose. "If I could find her, and get them back together again, I would!"
"So why don't you?" Rarity asked.
"Huh?" Twilight barked in confusion.
"Why don't you do just that?" Rarity clarified. "Find Cadence and see if you can bring them back together. Or at least let them catch up. I'm sure they'll both have much to talk about. Well, Cadence, maybe." She added, remembering what Shining spent the last ten years doing.
"Rarity you're a genius!"
The older girl flipped her hair. "Yes, dear I know." She giggled.
"Uh, not ta be the Debby Downer here, but how do you know Cadence still lives in the same state, let alone town?" Applejack said. "For all we know she could be halfway across the country."
Dash nodded. "Aj's right. Not to discourage you or anything babe, but it seems like sort of a long shot."
Twilight shrugged. "It doesn't hurt to try."
Later, after Twilight came home from her evening classes, she snuck into Shining's room while he was out and nabbed his yearbook before booking it into her own room where Applejack Fluttershy sat.
"Okay..." she mused, flipping through the book. "Aha!" She pointed to Cadence's class photo. "It says she went to an out of state college. Guess you were right about that, AJ."
"You forgot what college she went to?" Fluttershy asked in confusion.
Twilight shrugged. "Hey, in my defense, it has been ten years. Plus the last time I ever got anything from her was when I was like, ten."
"There's an easier way to do this you know. You could go online and see if she has an online profile somewhere." Fluttershy suggested.
"Knowing Bubblegum Princess, she probably does." Twilight responded, rolling her eyes. She pulled her laptop off her desk and placed it into her lap. Searching Cadence's name in a search engine, she found a few results that could possibly help.
After reading through a few, she sighed. "None of these say anything about where she lives," she announced with a sigh. "Maybe this was a dumb idea."
Applejack put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't give up now, sugarcube. We're just getting started. Hey, I'm sure Cadence's mom still lives in her house. Why don't we ask her what she's been up to?"
Twilight's face lit up. "Of course! How could i be so myopic!" She groaned smacking her forehead. She looked at the clock. "It's kind of late to be going over there now, don't you think?"
"Then we can go first thing in the morning. We don't have class until one tomorrow." Fluttershy piped. "I'm sure the girls won't mind if we skipped out on them for a while."
Having not been to Cadence's house in years, finding it was hard, but eventually they were successful. The last time they'd all been there was Cadence's graduation party. Twilight hadn't remembered much about it except for the fact that that was the second to last time she ever saw the older girl.
Her stomach churned once they pulled up to it, one of the last memories of their friendship replaying in her mind.
An eight year old Twilight sat on the porch step as she watched the glow of cars pass by as the party in the house behind her was in full swing. Her friends were in there, having fun playing games and dancing. She was out here in the night staring down the street blankly.
She had been out here for a while. She wasn’t really sure how long, but she was sure it was long enough for someone to start looking for her. Her suspicions were confirmed when she felt someone sit beside her. She didn’t have to turn to look and see who it was to know who it was.
“Why are you out here?”
The question hung in the air as the sound of another car passing the house floated by. Twilight stared straight ahead, not daring to look over at the other girl.
“Twilight?”
Nothing.
In comparison, this was very much like the first time they were alone together. Twilight staring blankly at something, and Cadence trying in vain to grab her attention. The sense of deja vu made Twilight sick.
“Squirt. Look at me.” Cadence said sternly, forcing Twilight to look at her. Her eyebrows shot up when she realized that there were tears in her eyes and that her pale cheeks were puffy and stained with them. She had been crying.
But why?
“Tell me what’s wrong. Now.” The blonde ordered. It was in her big sister voice that had gotten Twilight to tell her many things over the past few months. It was because of this voice that she knew so many things about the younger girl that not even Shining knew.
And it was also because of this voice, that Twilight could not speak. She shook her head, turning away. “I’m fine. It’s whatever.” She mumbled, wiping the tears off her face in the sleeve of her t-shirt. She sniffled a bit and gripped at the bottom of her shirt. Something she only did when she was angry.
“I’m not letting you sit out here crying all night. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s-”
It came out barely above a whisper.
“I don’t want you to leave.”
“What?” Cadence barked.
“I said I don’t want you to leave, okay?! There! Are you happy?! I told you what was wrong, now leave me alone!” Twilight shouted at her, the crying starting up again. She absolutely hated crying. It made her look like the weak, fragile little girl everyone already saw her as.
“I’m so sorry, Twilight. I had no idea you-”
“You had no idea what?! That I looked up to you?! That I saw you as my sister?! That you are the only person who truly understands me?!” Twilight screamed at her, pointing to herself. “What about Shiny? Did you tell him you were leaving?”
Cadence pursed her lips.
Twilight snorted. “Of course not. Because you knew exactly how much it would hurt him to know that you’re leaving to go probably half way across the country! Bubblegum Princess! Always looking out for no one but herself!”
“Hey! I look out for everyone I love okay?!” Cadence shouted back.
“Then how come you didn’t look out for me, huh?! You know how much I need you, Cadence! You knew, and you still did what you wanted to do! So you have to deal with the consequences, not me!” By now Twilight was red in the face.
“My life doesn't revolve around you, Twilight!” Cadence shouted back. “I’m my own person with my own dreams and aspirations! I’m not gonna stick around forever so that you can follow me like a lost puppy! You’re such a selfish little brat!”
Silence.
Cadence’s eyes widened as she realized what she said. Twilight gave her a look of horror, and if she was a puppy, she would have looked like she had just gotten kicked. “Twilight I’m-” She said reaching out for her.
Twilight smacked her hand away. “Don’t touch me! I’m just a selfish little brat, remember?!” She rose to her feet and ran back inside, sobbing.
“You alright, sugarcube, you kind of spaced out there.” Applejack, who was in the passenger side of Twilight’s car said, waving her hand in Twilight’s face.
“Huh?” Twilight asked. Her vision had come back into focus and she had a tight grip on the steering wheel that was concerning both Applejack and Fluttershy.
“Oh, um, yeah. Sorry. I was just...remembering something.” She said, unbuckling her seatbelt and getting out on her side and stepping onto the curb. “Let’s just see if this works.”
Author's Note
Since I couldn't really elaborate in the last story because I got sick, and couldn't finish it, expect more flashback blurbs. Betcha though their relationship was all daises and sunshine, huh?
