AMORE OBBLIGATO

Chapter 14: Triste

Looking over her checklist for the third time that morning, Twilight took note of each of the things on the list. Zap apple jam for the Princesses? Check. New pictures for Mom and The Princess? Check. Extra spending money for myself and Spike? Check. Three days worth of clothes, plus something formal for both of us just in case? Check. Lost in the minutia of preparedness, Twilight felt her anxiety slipping away again. She became so relaxed, that she even began humming Handle's Water Music to herself, much to Spike's amusement.

For his own part, the dragon was washing their breakfast dishes so he wouldn't have to do so when they returned. Honestly, this had been the happiest he had seen her since they had returned from Shining's wedding. He had noted a slow, but steady decline in her demeanor when they first landed in front of the library and parted ways with their friends. Then, it had been noticeable, but she had managed to at least keep up a mostly cheerful front. A few day later however, she had returned from lunch with the gang in a funk that he hadn't seen from her since Discord broke her confidence a few months prior. It was then, that she had picked up her violin once more, and could be heard playing it, sometimes as often as once a day. While reviving her old music hobby seemed to take the edge off her foul humor, it did nothing to take away her melancholy.

But now, with the prospect of having tea with her mentor, the mare seemed more like her old self than ever. Why, she had even triple-checked her triple checklist like she used to do this morning. Spike was pulled from his silent musing as he noticed a flash of movement from outside the window. Leaning over, he saw two pegasi in royal livery pulling a chariot coming to a stop outside. Pulling the drain, he dried his hands on a dish towel and hopped off the small stool he used to reach the counter. “Twi! Our ride's here!”

“Okay, Spike. Come take your bag, and don't forget to lock up, okay?”

Spike dropped the towel to the floor, missing the counter entirely as he ran out into the lobby, Twilight having already walked out to greet their drivers.

The unicorn bowed to them, giving them a cheerful smile. “Good morning, sirs. Did you want a moment to catch your breath or have some refreshments?”

The two muscular stallions returned her bow, albeit more deeply. “Thank you, Milady, but we are quite well rested. Canterlot to Ponyville is practically a dawdle for a Royal Guard pegasus,” replied the pony bearing a sergeant's insignia.

“But, Reg, weren't you just saying on the way over, that you wished we could stop for a quick pint to lubricate the ol' wings?” the other stallion said, a look of confusion on his face.

Regimental Order's (Reg to his friends) white face turned pink and he glared at his compatriot with an unnaturally wide smile. “What I said was that we should stop for a pint after our shift is over, Clive,” he bit out through gritted teeth.

Clive (or Slow Proclivity as is written on his birth certificate) scratched his head as he loaded Twilight's bags on the back of the chariot. “'Ere, are you sure, Reg? I could 'ave sworn-”

“After. Our shift. CLIVE,” Reg said without moving his teeth, and an almost desperate look in his eyes.

Twilight cleared her throat, two glasses of cider held in her telekinetic grip. “I'm more than happy to oblige, gentlecolts, considering all you do for us. It may not be as strong as you'd find in a pub, and I'm afraid I'm fresh out of... er, 'crisps', but Sweet Apple Acres cider is some of the best you'll find this side of Valhalla.” She levitated the glasses over to them, Clive happily taking one, and the other taken with great reluctance by Reg.

With their charge watching eagerly, Clive saluted her with his glass and a “Ta,” the two clinked glasses, and downed them in one go. “Cor, that's not 'alf bad, that is! Cheers, Milady!” Clive exclaimed before returning to securing the luggage, adding Spike's who had just joined them.

Reg's blush had taken over his face, and was working its way down to his chest as he returned both glasses to Twilight with a bow. “Thank you, Milady. My compliments to the producers. That will definitely see us through the day.”

“Glad to be of service, Sergeant,” Twilight replied, sending the glasses to the kitchen sink with a flash of aportation. “And I'm sure Applejack will be tickled pink to hear such compliments from two down-to-earth ponies like yourselves.”

While the unicorn and dragon were climbing into the covered chariot, Reg walked to the back and smacked Clive on the back of the head. “Embarrass me like that in front of another toff, and I'll kick you right in the twig and berries, got that, yah daft plonker?” he whispered viciously.

Clive rubbed the back of his helmet, trying to assuage the pain in his head underneath. “I-” He got no further as Reg hit again, knocking his helmet over his eyes. Adjusting it, he saw the anger in his friend's eyes and began again, this time quieter. “Sorry, Reg. I was just so thirsty after hearing you suggest we go for a pint, I thought-”

“No, you didn't think, Clive,” Reg whispered back. “Never talk about things like that in front of the toffs; that's lesson one for this duty, remember? Do you want to go back to standing guard in the clouds? Did you like that, standing at attention for ten or twelve hour shifts, too afraid to even sneeze or yawn because you didn't know when the OD would be by to check up on you?” He nodded as Clive shook his head, satisfied that his point was made. “Too right, you don't, and neither do I. So keep your gob shut, and when the toff offers you refreshments, you politely turn them down, 'cause certain ones like Milady here, are just too kind to follow certain protocol, and others are just asking to land you in Her Highness's Pleasure for skiving off. Now, when they asks if you want refreshments, you say what?”

Clive's face became serious as he stared ahead. “No thank you, Ma'am.”

“Too right. Or you can let me answer for the both of us.” Reg tugged on the straps holding the luggage in place and nodded. “Now, keep your gob shut, and let's pull this wagon like we were assigned to do. Light knows we're going to have to hustle in order to make up for the time we lost with this nonsense. If we're lucky, this will all just be a memory we can tell our grand kids in our dotage.”

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Stepping out of the chariot, Twilight nodded once more to the drivers, while an earth pony hoofmare unloaded her luggage. Looking over to the palace entrance on the landing pad, she was disappointed to find not Celestia, but her personal assistant waiting for her. She schooled her discontentment into a bland smile as she approached and nodded to her. “Miss Inkwell, it's good to see you again.”

Inkwell bowed and smiled. “Likewise, Milady. I trust the invitation didn't disrupt your schedule too much?”

Twilight's smile was much more genuine as she replied, “Nonsense. The Princess need but crook a finger, and I will hie to her side with all due alacrity. Incidentally, do you know why it was Princess Luna who issued the invitation, rather than you or herself?”

“Unfortunately, no, Milady. I, myself only received notification of this change to her schedule last night during my dinner. I had intended to ask her myself this morning, but unfortunately, the opportunity failed to crop up. The only thing I know for certain is that she wanted to discuss with you the events of your brother's wedding. As we speak, she is in the middle of holding court, which is why I am here to greet you, rather than she.” Inkwell was uncomfortable telling a half truth to one of the princess' most trusted confidants, but was relatively sure she could manage it without raising too many alarms with this one.

Just then, Spike ran up with the hoofmare carrying all their bags following close behind. “Twi, I'm gonna get our things set up in the tower, okay?”

The polite clearing of a throat caught their attention. “Unfortunately, Master Spike, we were unable to send any maids into the tower to clean on such short notice, so it is... unfit for habitation,” Inkwell said with more than a note of trepidation.

Twilight arched an eyebrow at her. “Do you mean to tell me that nopony has cleaned in there since...”

Inkwell nodded, her eyes downcast. “I am afraid so, Milady. We would have had maids in to clean, but given past experiences with your more delicate experiments, it was felt prudent to wait for either the Princess or yourself to make sure that any explosions or magical mishaps were kept to a minimum, and sadly, the princess has been far too busy to take care of this small matter.”

Twilight's shoulders slumped as she took in this information. “Drat. I was so looking forward to rummaging through my old personal book collection, too. Well, I'll try to make some time to open it up myself sometime before I leave again, so the place can be dusted now and then, at least.” She paused a moment as she checked her chronometer spell before looking down at her assistant, and saying, “Spike, why don't you show the hoofmare to our parents' place and get everything set up there? Mom should be home as this is a Dewsday, unless there was some emergency at the archives.”

With a fist pump, the dragon led the hoofmare through the door at a very brisk pace.

“Don't run, Spike! We're going to be here for a few days, so there's no rush!” Twilight called after him. She sighed and shook her head with a fond smile. “I hope Mom and Dad don't feed him too many gems; I don't want him to spoil his dinner.”

Inkwell led her through the palace to the Princess' tea room, and showed her through the door. “Court is scheduled to last another hour, but as you know, it tends to run a bit late. I'll try to get her here by three, however, so make yourself at home.”

Resting a hand on the back of a chair, Twilight turned to her with a nod. “Thank you, Miss Inkwell, I will.” When the aide had bowed and left, Twilight went to the window, and walked out onto the balcony. She breathed in the familiar scent of the blooming garden below, brought up to her by the constant winds which beset Mt. Canterlot. A smile formed on her face as she thought back to the many conversation she had with the Princess in this very room throughout the years. The peaceful contentment was marred by the thought that her mentor now wanted to talk about the catastrophe of a wedding last week.

I hope she's not too upset over what I said and did. Shaking her head, Twilight dismissed the thoughts, and decided to practice her violin to take her mind off of things. She conjured it, still in its case from her dimensional pocket, and with practiced ease, began to play. As she lost herself to the music, she started swaying and then flitting about the room, as if she were dancing with the music itself. With grace she could never achieve consciously, the unicorn effortlessly avoided every obstacle, even though her eyes were closed. When one piece was finished, she immediately segued into another seamlessly.

When she could take the ache in her fingers no more, she stopped and sank into the couch facing the fireplace. A light, polite clapping startled her from her reverie, and she was surprised to find Celestia sitting next to her, a proud smile directed at her. “Princess!”

“I'm happy to see that those lessons haven't gone to waste, Twilight. I had never heard someone go from Moo Ray's Rondeau to Busy's Les Toreadors before, let alone while dancing” Celestia said. She laid a hand on Twilight's which was still clutching the violin. She actually seemed a little unsure of herself as she asked, “How... how have you been? Since the wedding, I mean.”

For a moment, Twilight seriously considered actually lying to her mentor. She mentally berated herself, and had to fight off the urge to rap herself on the head sharply. “I... I guess you could say it's been a bit of a roller coaster these past few days for me, Princess.”

Celestia's heart ached, and she squeezed the unicorn's hand gently. “I'm sorry, Twilight.”

Of all the responses she could have received, this was not among those Twilight had expected. Confusion in her eyes, Twilight looked up to the alicorn. “Princess?”

Celestia looked out the open window at the clouds and sighed. “I am partly to blame for the fiasco at the wedding. I was too busy with court and becoming reacquainted with my sister to notice the changes in Cadance's behavior, and I brushed aside your concerns as if they were nothing. I should have realized that of all the ponies in the world, you would be the one to recognize something being off about her. I should have connected the threat Chrysalis posed to the fact that she was a shapechanger, to her unusual behavior, and taken the appropriate steps.” She looked down at the unicorn, tears blurring the vision of both mares. “I should never have dismissed your concerns so casually. I shouldn't have treated you like a whiny foal who thought her favorite ponies were being taken away from her. I... I should have trusted you more, and I don't even have the excuse of mind control or emotion manipulation to hide behind.”

Stunned, Twilight could only sit there for a moment in shock before launching herself at the larger alicorn. Her arms went around the mare, and her face buried itself in her ample chest. Celestia was taken aback at the reaction. She had expected condemnation from her favorite student, but this easy forgiveness was just perplexing, and actually made her feel even worse. She hesitantly laid a hand on the young mare's head, softly stroking her mane as tears fell from both their eyes.

“Oh, Twilight. I don't deserve this. Your trust in me is misplaced. I couldn't even fight off the threat once exposed-”

She cut herself off as Twilight began to shake her head, still buried in her bosom. Finally, the unicorn looked up, her eyes still brimming with tears. “You've told me yourself many times, Celestia. You may be many things, but infallible isn't one of them. You can only do the best you can with the information you possess at the time, with the tools you have at hand, and hope you don't make a royal mess of things. You were distracted by many things, and I... I didn't exactly present a lot of evidence that couldn't be dismissed as circumstantial or pure conjecture. I'm also angry with myself for how I acted. I appeared foalish and immature, because I was foalish and immature. I was feeling left out because my BBBFF nor my parents had bothered to inform me of the engagement, let alone the wedding until just a few days beforehand, and I didn't even know who he was marrying until I actually arrived in Canterlot. Worse still, it wasn't from any of them that I learned of it. Add to that, the fact that one of the only ponies not a blood relation that I considered family was treating me like a stranger, and everypony else, including my own friends seemed to be dismissing my concerns out of hand as jealousy, it would be a gross mischaracterization to say that I was a bit out of sorts.”

Twilight leaned her head against Celestia's chest again and closed her eyes, releasing a sigh as she relished in the comforting warmth coming from the diarch. “You're the smartest, wisest, strongest, most wonderful pony I know, so knowing that even you can make mistakes makes me realize that my mistakes aren't as bad as I make them out to be. Everyone makes them. What makes us better for having made those mistakes is owning up to them, accepting the consequences, and moving beyond them. We can't dwell on them, any more than we can just ignore them, but with the help of somepony you care about, the problem becomes half as difficult.” She tightened her hug, trying to will all her love into the mare through osmosis, not really wanting to let go for any reason until she understood that she didn't need to be forgiven, at least, not from her.

A tremulous smile crept onto Celestia's face. Such heartfelt kindness was rarely directed at her. Of course, her ponies adored her, followed her, even fought or died for her, but she always felt a certain amount of disconnect from them. Their feelings for her were always sort of... distant; detached, even. She wasn't sure when it started to happen, she had noticed a few centuries ago that emotionally, she had drifted away from her ponies- nay, her children, until anything she felt from them directly had become... muted. But now, it seemed that a pony had broken through the wall that had been erected without her notice. Twilight didn't just love her as her ruler; she didn't even just love her as her mentor. Twilight loved her. Celestia's heart felt like it was full to bursting. Her arms snaked around the unicorn still hugging her, pulling her into and even tighter embrace.

Twilight sighed in contentment as she snuggled into the larger mare.

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Vinyl looked over her steaming cup of coffee and across the table at her dining partner in the café. The late afternoon light filtered through the window, shining on the melancholic face of Octavia. Despite the gloomy expression, the deejay thought that the way the light shone on her made her appear positively angelic; as if she had just laid down her trumpet after signaling the apocalypse, wishing that she had time for one more scone before the end.

The cellist was looking out the window, chin in hand, completely oblivious to her audience, as she listlessly stirred her own coffee. Everything about her was impeccable, of course. Her mane was neat and tidy, not a hair out of place; as opposed to Vinyl's, which almost always seemed to look as if she had just awakened. Her clothes were high society haute couture, neatly pressed and smelling faintly of spring rain somehow, versus Vinyl's mismatched black pleather skirt, blue and pink striped tank top which just smelled of cheap laundry detergent and old sweat, in addition to her signature shades and ever-present headphones which hung loosely around her neck. Even Octavia's ramrod straight posture was antithetical to the way Vinyl slouched in the bench seat and faintly nervous hoof tapping. All in all, one would be hard pressed to find a more mismatched pair than these two.

“Bit for your thoughts?”

Without turning her head, Octavia glanced over at Vinyl, then back out the window. A moment of silence stretched out between them as the earth pony gathered her thoughts. “Are we doing the right thing?” she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Vinyl just silently raised an eyebrow at the question. Without even looking back at her, Octavia knew what expression was on the unicorn's face. “Oh, do not give me that look. Twi was a busy girl when we knew her back in high school. Now that she has gotten older, she surely has taken on even more responsibility, leaving her less time for... old acquaintances.”

Vinyl sighed in frustration. This again? It's only what, the fifth time she's brought up this point? “Look, how do we know she won't be happy to see us again? The fact is, we won't know until we meet up again. Don't take the choice out of her hands just because you're getting cold hooves, Octy.” She took a sip of her coffee and added, “Besides, I'd hardly call us 'old acquaintances'. The high point of her high school career, sure, but 'old acquaintances'? You make us sound like business partners or coworkers, or something.”

The unicorn was surprised by the noncommittal grunt she got in lieu of an intelligible answer, but decided to not press the issue, as her friend seemed rather put out at the moment, and she had been witness to what happens when Octavia Melody becomes irritated. She took another drink of her coffee, and so she missed Octavia's eyes go wide. However, she could not miss the mare's hand slamming down on the table as her knee met it from underneath as she struggled to get up in a hurry. Vinyl almost choked on her drink, and was unable to react as the other mare finally extricated herself from the table and dashed outside as if her tail were on fire.

It took her almost a full minute to get her choking under control and run out to look for her friend, only to run right into her back, and get knocked on her rump. “The hay are you doing, Octy?” she yelled from her spot on the sidewalk.

Octavia was scanning the streets, using her height to its fullest advantage over the smaller unicorns and totally ignoring the unicorn, who was climbing back to her hooves.

Vinyl laid a hand on her shoulder and quietly said, “Octy?”

The earth pony looked back, frustration plain on her face. “I just saw her, Vinyl.” She looked again to the streets, filled with ponies; a sea of clashing colors. “Twilight's here.”

Author's Note

This is taking a while, isn't it? I do apologize for that, but between life and my muse being the duffer she is, new chappies keep getting pushed back. I haven't even written a sex scene since the early chapters of this story! How sad is that? Still, I refuse to just stick them in unless they make sense within the context of the story, so I'm afraid you'll just have to bear with me... and my muse. I really need to light a fire under her ass. Anywho, I hope you've stuck with me so far, and will continue to do so until the end.