Mask of the Rose

Chapters

Chapter One : Addition of a Star
Chapter Two : Keeping Company
Chapter Three : Living Arrangements
Chapter Four : The Start of Something New
Chapter Five : Homecoming
Chapter Six : Down Time

Chapter One : Addition of a Star

"'Good morning' is a contradiction of terms." - Jim Davis

It wasn't every day that Prince Blueblood was awakened by the ear-splitting sound of an explosion. A startled cry escaped him as the blast tore through the air like thunder—shattering all the windows of his suite with the debris that came with it. It was fortunate none of the glass was propelled far enough to cause him harm, but that didn't stop him from flailing his limbs in a panic. Though the panic was brief, his legs quickly became tangled in the silk sheets and, before he could comprehend the already-hectic situation, he tumbled off the side of the bed.

Fortunately, he was able to untangle himself before a squadron of guards burst into his room. "Prince Blueblood!" one of them called. "Are you all right?"

Gritting his teeth, the stallion turned to face them. "What happened?" he demanded. "Was there an attack on the castle?"

One of the guards—who he recognized as Lucky Lance, a pegasus stallion who often patroled the corridor outside his quarters—stepped forward and bowed. "There was no attack, Your Highness," he said. "There was merely an... incident at Princess Celestia's school."

Blueblood arched a brow. Well, that certainly made sense. His aunt's School for Gifted Unicorns, given its student body, was accident-prone. But, he'd never before seen such a large explosion. Cautiously, he stepped closer to one of the windows so he could look outside. One of the perks of living in one of the castle's towers was the view. From his lodging, he could see almost all of Canterlot and he could definitely see that the school's roof was now missing. He also saw that the castle and the school weren't the only buildings to sustain damage; ponies were already scrambling about to fix the ravaged walls of their homes and businesses.

His brow furrowed. Now, what in Equestria caused that?

He again turned to Lucky Lance. "Where is my aunt now?" he inquired.

"She was on her way to the throne room, last we heard."

"Tell her that I'll be down in a minute, if you would." With a sigh, he regarded the blond mess that was his mane in the mirror of the nearby vanity table. It was bad enough that the guards had to see him in his current state; he wasn't going to tolerate not looking his absolute best in his aunt's presence. Before he attended to his appearance, however, he needed to attend to the mess that littered the floor of his suite. He pointed his hoof at another guard. "And you," he added, "inform the maids to clean up this mess. I'll also need a carpenter or two to repair all these windows. Understood?"

The guards exclaimed, "Yes, Your Highness!" in unison, saluting. They then filed out of the apartment to set about their assigned tasks.

Shaking his head, Blueblood walked to the vanity able—using his magic to pull a gilded brush out of the top drawer. The glass and debris scattered across the carpet was distracting, even as he combed his mane. He was a tidy stallion. Since he was a colt every accessory, decoration, and piece of furnature had its proper place; rubbish had no place in his suite. Donning a white collar and a black silk tie, he scowled and turned his back to the mess.

He needed to leave until the problem was mended. He needed to see his aunt, if only to distract himself from it.

Yet, he was perfectly composed as he left his sanctuary. His steps were graceful as he crossed corridors and descended stories to reach the throne room. Along the way, servants and visitors bowed as he passed, while he offered only a few nods in reply. In spite of the earlier chaos, ponies went about their business as though there was nothing amiss. His guess was that whatever happened at the School for Gifted Unicorns had already passed into the dreary realm of old news.

When he finally reached his destination, the guards immediately opened the chamber's doors for him. "Prince Blueblood," one of them uttered. "Princess Celestia awaits you within."

"Thank you," he replied automatically as he entered. Slowly, the doors were closed behind him, and he crossed the crimson carpet to his aunt's golden throne. However, that was not where she was located. He saw her standing near one of the grand stained glass windows and it appeared that she was talking to someone. As to whom she spoke, he couldn't see. "Aunt Celestia?" he gently called, approaching her.

The alicorn smiled at him. "Good morning, Blueblood," she replied. She met him halfway, then gave him a nuzzle. "I'm glad you came. There's something we need to discuss."

He chuckled. "Does it concern the explosion that just so happened to wake me by shattering my windows?" he asked. He looked up in time to catch a glimpse of concern cross the matriarch's features. It was a moment like this that he appreciated his aunt's height advantage. Given his heritage, he was taller than almost everypony he ever encountered. Yet, he wasn't taller than Princess Celestia, and it comforted him.

His aunt quickly inspected him, frowning. "Oh, you weren't hurt, were you?" she asked. "Forgive me, I forgot that your quarters are closer to the school than my own."

Blueblood shook his head. "No, Auntie, I'm fine. I already have maids and carpenters on their way to fix it."

"Ah, good." A smile once again graced Princess Celestia's countenance. "Now, to answer your question, it does concern the school and the explosion. Do you have any explanation as to who or what would cause such damage?"

Raising an eyebrow, he briefly pondered the possibilities. Given the look on his aunt's face, she asked him not because she didn't know the answer, but because it wasn't a serious question. She already knew, she simply wanted to see if he could figure it out. "It was either an experiment gone wrong or somepony was really irresponsible with their magic," he said. "Or perhaps Professor Poetic Flare lost his temper again?"

"You're close. Do you really assume an adult caused it?"

For a second, he was taken aback by the absurdity of her implication, then his momentary surprised devolved into an amused snicker. "Aunt Celestia, surely you're not saying that one of your school's applicants—one of the foals—blasted the roof off the building?"

Princess Celestia's smile grew wider. "That's precisely what I'm saying, dear nephew." Slowly, she lifted her right wing as she lowered her head to look at something. "You may come out, little one, if you so wish," she whispered. "It's all right."

Blueblood followed her gaze, until his eyes came to rest upon a tiny purple bundle partially concealed behind one of his aunt's hind legs. It wasn't until two large, violet-colored eyes and a horn came into view that he realized it was a unicorn filly. She was quite small, with orchid fur and and sapphire-blue hair that was striped with bands of pink and lavender. And she was a shy one, for it took her quite a bit of coaxing from Princess Celestia before she stepped forward and bowed. "H-Hello," she squeaked.

He gave the filly a small smile. "Hello," he replied. "I am Prince Blueblood. What's your name?"

"T-Twilight."

His aunt chuckled. "Her name is Twilight Sparkle. She had a bit of a... complication with her entrance exam, which was what caused that explosion." She glanced down at the little one. "Isn't that right?"

Twilight sheepishly nodded, her ears folding back against her head. "Yes. I'm sorry."

Blueblood inspected the child in curiosity. "I can't believe such a small filly did that," he muttered. "What was her test?"

She sighed. "She was assigned to make an attempt at hatching a dragon egg, but she pushed herself so hard that she triggered a massive magical discharge. But, nopony was hurt and that's all that matters." Unless it counts when ponies are turned into potted plants and back.

"Then, why did you bring her here? Where are her parents?"

"Twilight is going to be staying with us for a while, so her parents left to retrieve some of her belongings. As of recently, she is now my personal student."

The filly's ears perked up and her excitement suddenly showed through her timidness. "Yeah!" she exclaimed, her eyes twinkling. "Princess Celestia is going to teach me all kinds of magic!"

Her words evoked a strange and chilling sense of recognition in the young prince and, in a fragment of a second, he could've sworn that the child's fur color shifted to amber right before his eyes. Yet, he didn't address the illusion, and he cleared his throat. "Are... Are you certain, Auntie?" he asked.

She frowned; no context was needed for further understanding. "I'm certain," she replied. "Twilight here shows incredible arcane potential—far more than anyone I've seen in years."

"Yes, but you also said that about—"

She quickly placed a hoof over his muzzle, earning a look of confusion from her new pupil. "This time will be different, my nephew," she said calmly. Albeit, there was a nuance of sadness and hope to her voice. Then, quietly, she added, "I won't make the same mistakes. Trust me." She withdrew her hoof, returning her attention to Twilight. "Now, how would you like Prince Blueblood to give you a tour of the castle?" she asked.

Twilight's eyes grew wide. "Yes, please!"

The prince blinked. "Excuse me?"

Celestia shot him a pleading look. "I need to oversee her living arrangements and the room I want her to have is in need of a few renovations. I also need to talk to her parents about a few things. Do you think you can watch her for me for a few hours?"

Blueblood sighed, glancing back and forth between Twilight and his aunt. He honestly wanted to decline. He had lead tours of the castle in the past, but he was no foalsitter. He didn't have any experience with children at all! His cousin Cadence, stars bless her big heart, was more skilled in that department. Unfortunately, if memory served him right, she wouldn't return from her vacation in Manehattan until the end of the week.

It was clear that he had no choice; the look on his aunt's face told him that there was nopony else to watch the filly. Why else would she ask him otherwise? So, he relented. "Very well, I will watch Twilight for you."

Whatever tension the alicorn felt melted away as she relaxed. "Oh, thank you so much," she breathed. "You have no idea how much I appreciate your help." Gently, she pushed her student towards the stallion. "I'll see you later, Twilight, when we get you settled into your new quarters. Behave for Prince Blueblood, okay?"

Apprehensively, the filly looked up at Blueblood, then she looked back at the mare. "Okay," she said. "Bye, Princess."

"Goodbye, Twilight." With a smile, she gracefully took her leave from the throne room—leaving an awkward silence in her wake.

Despite the confidence placed in him, the Prince was clueless as to how to proceed. As he wracked his brain for a solution, Twilight was surprisingly patient, which made it easier for him. Alright, Blueblood, he thought to himself, tapping his chin. You've lived in this castle almost all your life. Just show her the same places you'd show any other visitor. If she's really going to be living here, then she'll figure out the rest of the layout on her own. Now, talk to her like Aunt Celestia would.

"So, Twilight," he said, motioning for the filly to follow him, "are you excited to see the castle?"

It put him at ease to see her bounce after him with enthusiasm. "Yes, Prince Blueblood!" she replied.

"Stay close to me then, and I'll get you acquainted with your new home."

Author's Note

Aaand we're off on a new adventure, folks!

This time, we've got filly Twilight and her new friend Blueblood! Yay!

Chapter Two : Keeping Company

"Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what's for lunch." - Orson Welles

The unicorn stallion kept his and Twilight's location in mind as he navigated them to their first destination. Because of its size, it was common sense that Canterlot Castle possessed more than a few dozen rooms—the largest being a tie between the throne room and the ballroom. The had just left the former, so the closest was the latter. To be precise, there were only three left turns and two straight hallways between them and the ballroom.

“Have you ever been within the castle before?” he asked, glancing at Twilight.

The filly shook her head. “No, all I ever saw before was the exterior.”

“You've always lived in Canterlot?”

“Uh-huh.”

As they neared the adorned doors of their destination, the guards wordlessly bowed and opened the way for them. The empty chamber set on the other side; the only decorations giving the place any character were the solar-themed banners hanging from the ceiling and the massive carmine rug that blanketed the marble floor. Not that the lack of decor stopped Twilight from fawning over the room like it was a scene from a Bridleway production. “Wow!” she gasped, spinning in place. “Is this where all the big parties are held?”

Blueblood nodded. “The Grand Galloping Gala and other such celebrations take place in this very room, yes.”

“Wow! Is it really as spectacular as ponies say?” She stopped spinning—looking to her guide. “I heard that it's the biggest party in all Equestria!” she continued, eager for answers but content to keep asking questions. “Are the tickets really made of solid gold? Do only the most important ponies get them? Is there always lots and lots of cake, because my dad said that Princess Celestia...”

He merely stared at her as she came up with a whole list of inquiries. Did every child have this many questions about the Grand Galloping Gala? Then again, it was Canterlot's most esteemed and anticipated festivity of the year. Not only was it was a chance for all the elite classes to mingle in a single grand setting, but it presented the opportunity for them to mingle with him and his aunt.

By “mingle,” of course, he meant that they completely and utterly exploited their sovereign company with their avarice and flank-kissing. It was the main reason he didn't attend the party in recent years. Well, other than the fact that it was also incredibly dull, but the filly didn't need to know such a thing.

“Twilight,” he softly interrupted. Fortunately, she heard him and her string of questions finally ceased. He then asked, “Would you like to stay here for a while longer, or would you rather see something else?”

The child pensively peered around the room. “Uh, I'm good. I'd like to see more, please.”

Blueblood took a second to contemplate the layout of the castle again. He was certain she wouldn't want to see the barracks or the maids' quarters. “Very well. Let's go to the dining hall, then.”

Once more, Twilight's eyes lit up. “Oh, oh, are we getting lunch?”

Since he missed breakfast, the mention of food reminded him that he had an empty stomach to fill. “We can eat lunch, if you so wish. I wouldn't mind a bite to eat myself,” he sighed. He tried not to rush as he lead his temporary charge out of the ballroom. Twilight already had to keep a brisk trot in order to keep up with him. Luckily, their next stop wasn't far, nor was it crowded.

It was the elites' belief that the dining hall was reserved exclusively for the Royal Family and whomever they deemed worthy of dining with them, like foreign diplomats, dignitaries, and world leaders. It was simply part of the truth alone, since his aunt was content to let the castle staff, guards and all, use it as they wished as long as they cleaned up after themselves. The only exception was when he and Princess Celestia ate their individual meals.

The room itself was rectangular in shape, with a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Like many of the castle's rooms, it was designed with wallpaper of intricate patterns and tall windows. The lacquered-cherry dinner table was long enough to nearly stretch from one end to the other, and was adorned with a maroon runner, golden candlesticks, and a grandiose bouquet of fresh flowers that served as the centerpiece.

As beautiful as it was, there was nopony in sight and it came as a relief to the young prince. “Well, Twilight,” he said, “what do you think of the dining hall?”

The filly stared at the chandelier in wonder. “Whoa, it's so pretty!” she exclaimed—seemingly ignoring the rest of the room. “It's bigger than the one we have at home!”

“You have a chandelier?”

“Yeah, in the living room, but it's smaller and made of silver.”

He chuckled. She's most certainly a Canterlot resident, he thought with a smirk. He took a seat at the end of the table closest to the kitchens and, with his magic, he pulled out the chair next to him for Twilight. “There you go, young one.”

“Thank you!”

A few seconds passed, during which Blueblood noticed that Twilight hadn't hopped up on the chair yet. He looked down, seeing that she was trying to hop onto it. But, her attempts kept falling short; the chair was far too tall. Suddenly, he felt foolish for not taking her small stature into consideration. “Here, let me help you,” he said. Carefully, he enveloped the filly in a cloud of sapphire-colored magic and he slowly lifted her onto the cushioned seat. “There you go. Better?”

Twilight smiled brightly at him. “Yes, thank you!”

“No problem, though it's a shame you can blow the top off a building but not levitate yourself,” he retorted teasingly.

Her ears drooped as she pouted irritably at him. “I can levitate stuff!” To prove her point, she looked at one of the candle sticks and, once she took a moment to concentrate, she reached out with violet magic to pick it up. After she successfully levitated it a few inches above the table, she set it back down. “See?” she asked triumphantly.

“I did see. Well done. Is levitation your special talent?”

She frowned. “No. My special talent is—”

The deep voice of a stallion interrupted her. “Hey there, Prince Blueblood!” greeted an approaching unicorn. His coat was tan in color and his hair was brown and cut short. More importantly, he was clad in a chef's outfit. “Been a while since I've seen you down here. How may I serve you?”

Blueblood shot him a smile. “Good afternoon, Joe,” he replied. “She” —he nodded in Twilight's direction— “and I would like some lunch, if you don't mind.”

“Oh, it's no trouble at all, Your Highness.” Grinning, Joe walked around the Prince to look at the filly. “Hey, kiddo, what's your name?”

The filly held out her hoof. “I'm Twilight!”

Chuckling, he gently shook it. “How 'bout that? So, you must be the little filly everypony's talkin' about! I'm Donut Joe, but you can just call me 'Joe.'”

“Nice to meet you, Joe!”

“Likewise, Twilight.” He patted her on the head, then he returned his attention to Blueblood. “So, how'd you end up watchin' her? Shouldn't she be with Princess Celestia or somethin'?”

Prince Blueblood raised a brow. “My aunt is preoccupied at the moment and she asked me to watch Twilight for a few hours. That's all.” Honestly, is it so surprising to see me as a chaperon...?

Joe simply nodded. “Got it. So, what will you have?”

“A bowl of soup au pistou and a glass of water will be fine for me. However...” He glanced at Twilight. “Well, I'm sure you have a more sound judgment as to what to prepare for a child. I haven't the faintest idea, honestly.”

“Oh, yeah, don't worry about it! I got you both covered.” Clearing his throat, he turned in the direction of the kitchens. “Hey, Blaze!” he shouted, much to the diners' surprise. “We've got two hungry mouths to feed! Break out the soup pot and the dough!”

Curious, Blueblood looked past the chef in time to see a rainbow-maned pony poke his head out the double-doors. “Yeah, yeah!” the stallion sneered. “Keep your stupid hat on and quit yellin' at me!” An argument was then ignited between the two as they both vanished into the kitchens.

“Goodness gracious,” the Prince muttered. A tiny smile touched his lips as he looked at Twilight. “This kind of drama is why I usually take meals in my room.”

The filly giggled. “Joe seems nice, but who's the other guy?”

“I don't know. He's probably new.” Or, perhaps he's worked here for months. Could it really have been that long since I last ate in here, though?

“I like his mane.”

“Yes, it was certainly unique.”

“And I like Joe's donut cutie mark!”

“Yes. I heard he has quite the fondness for them as well.” That was pretty much all he knew about the chef. His name was Joe, he was Princess Celestia's favored culinary artist, and he really liked donuts. His aunt, despite her busy schedule, was more sociable with the castle staff. If only he were so dedicated...

Silence fell upon him and Twilight, but it was somewhat tolerable. Thankfully, they didn't have to wait long for their meals. After only a few minutes, the enticing scent of food foretold Joe's reappearance. Their glasses and plates were expertly juggled in his magical grasp as he neared the table. “All right!” he exclaimed. He set a crystal glass and plate in front of Prince Blueblood. “For Your Highness, there's the glass of water and the freshly-made soup au pistou! And for the young mare...” Smiling widely, he set a plate and glass on the table before her. The glass obviously contained a fizzy drink, while the plate held a large sandwich—one that was topped with a small donut skewered on a toothpick. “It's a double-stacked daisy and clover sandwich! Topped with a glazed donut and served with a glass of fizzy apple juice, of course!”

Twilight's eyes widened to the same size of that of her plate. “Whoa!” she gasped. “It looks so good! Thank you so much!”

“No problem, kiddo! Go ahead and eat up!”

As the filly then proceeded to do just that, Blueblood smirked at the chef. “Well done,” he said. “How did you know she would like that particular dish?”

Joe frowned. “Have you ever been around kids?” he asked. His question earned a slow shake of the head from the other stallion. “Well, kids don't really care about the fancy, more complicated stuff. They have simpler tastes. Plus, most of 'em have a preference for sweeter food.”

“I see. That explains the apple juice and the donut.”

The chef chuckled, slowly turning away from the Prince. “Yep! Well, I better leave you two to your meals. I'll send Blaze out to get your dishes when you're done.”

“Thank you, Joe.”

“No problem.”

Once the tan stallion took his leave, Prince Blueblood began to eat. Twilight was already way ahead of him. In spite of the sandwich's size, she took large enough bites to make quick work of it. She was a rather messy eater and she seemed more interested in the actual sandwich than the sugary donut that now set on the edge of the plate. Or perhaps she's simply saving it for last, he thought, raising another spoonful of soup to his lips. He (surprisingly) found himself correct in his assumption a short time later, when his charge finally finished her meal.

As soon as she swallowed the final bite of her sandwich, she then took a large gulp of apple soda before popping the tiny donut into her mouth. “That was so good!” she hummed. While Blueblood consumed the remainder of his meal, she set about guzzling what was left of her drink.

In a matter of minutes, they were done with their lunches. The Prince had to admit, now that his belly was full he was more than confident enough to continue the tour. “Are you done here?” he inquired, smiling at Twilight.

She nodded, jumping down to the floor. “Yep!”

Blueblood stood and he casually stretched one of his hind legs. “All right, let's get this mess squared away, then we'll continue onward.”

Seemingly on cue, somepony dashed out of the kitchen in a speedy blur. When they stopped beside the table, Blueblood and Twilight saw that it was the same rainbow-haired stallion from earlier. “May I take your dishes?” he asked, stretching out his wings.

The Prince rolled his hoof. “We are done here, so you may take them.”

“Awesome!”

Much to Blueblood's bewilderment, the periwinkle pegasus raced back and forth between the kitchens and the table—taking only one piece of dinnerware with him at a time. A hint of amusement graced the Prince's voice as he said, “You're a speedy one, aren't you?”

The winged pony, picking up what was once Twilight's glass, smiled at him. “Sorry, Your Highness,” he said. “I'm trying to finish up my shift as soon as possible.”

“It's all right. What is your name? I don't believe I've seen you around the castle before.”

“Name's Rainbow Blaze, Your Highness. I've been working as a buscolt here for only about a week now.”

Twilight's head slightly tilted. “What's a buscolt?” she asked.

He looked around Blueblood's towering form so he could see the filly. “That means I wash the dishes. I sometimes clean up around the kitchens, too.”

“Oh, that sounds boring.”

While the Prince suppressed the urge to laugh, Blaze let out a hearty one. “It's really boring!” he exclaimed, ruffling Twilight's mane. “But, bits are bits, and I'm lucky enough to have this as a part-time gig only.” He shot a glance at the kitchens' doors. “I'm close to wrapping up my shift anyway. Excuse me.” He bowed before Blueblood, then he flew away at the speed of light. At least, he appeared to come close to it.

Without thinking, Blueblood asked, “Is there someplace else you need to be?”

In spite of his speed, Rainbow Blaze came to a solid stop before he reached the doors. A huge, yet warm, grin appeared on his face as he looked over his shoulder. “Home. My little girl got her cutie mark today,” he replied, his voice soft with pride.

“Oh, congratulations.”

“Thank you, Prince Blueblood.” With that, the pegasus returned to his work—vanishing once more behind the doors.

“Nice fellow,” Blueblood whispered to nopony in particular. Between Joe and the buscolt, perhaps I should interact with the staff on a more daily basis... With a sigh, he turned his attention to Twilight. “Let's go, little one,” he said. “There's more to be seen and little time to see it.”

Author's Note

... I like Joe. I always wanted to write him as the castle's head chef, which is why his donuts are so bitchin'.

Chapter Three : Living Arrangements

"Wrinkles are hereditary. Parents get them from their children." - Doris Day

I hope that Blueblood is faring well with little Twilight.

Princess Celestia looked over her shoulder at the small group of ponies that followed her path down the hallway. There were three large guards, two earth ponies and a unicorn, with multiple pieces of luggage in tow. In front of them walked a dark blue stallion and a petite gray mare. They were a married unicorn couple, Night Light and Twilight Velvet. Twilight Sparkle's parents.

Even though they had spent a short time in each other's company, Celestia knew they were lovely ponies. “It won't be much longer until we reach your daughter's living quarters,” she said. “It's just around the corner here.” Of course, she was true to her word. She had a thousand years of memories invested in Canterlot Castle; she knew exactly where she was and where she was going. The door she sought was immediately within sight when she crossed into the next corridor. “Ah, here it is.” Smiling, she opened the door with her magic—motioning with a slight nod for the other ponies to go in first.

Night Light and Velvet bowed their heads as they, followed by the guards, entered the room. The Sun Princess was the last to enter, gently closing the door behind her. She was pleased to see that the entire room had undergone the makeover she requested. The lackluster guest room was now a warm and vibrant living space worthy of a young filly. Sheer maroon curtains replaced the dull eggshell-white drapes, which complimented the newly-painted walls of peach rather nicely. There were fresh cotton sheets on the large bed—an upgrade from the silk ones that formerly rested there. Lastly, the wooden floor was polished and decorated with a soft oval rug.

“Oh, my,” breathed Velvet. “It's lovely.”

Her husband nodded in an almost languid manner. “Is it really Twilight's?” he asked.

“Yes, every inch of this room belongs to her now,” replied the alicorn. “It's nearly at the heart of the castle, so she won't be far from places like the dining hall and the throne room. Even my own chambers aren't too far off, should she need anything else.”

One of the guards strolled up alongside the pair. “Where would you like these bags?” he inquired.

Night Light stuck out one of his front hooves. “By the bed, if you please.”

“You got it, Sir.”

As the guards unloaded the luggage, Twilight Velvet cautiously approached Princess Celestia. “We can't thank you enough for all of this, Princess. Our little filly is going to love this.”

“It's certainly larger than her room at home,” chuckled Night Light. “At least she can't complain now about not having enough space to store her books.”

“That'll come later, once she manages to fill all that extra space with more books, dear.” Velvet then shared a laugh with her husband, though the matriarch who shared their presence could hear the nuance of sadness held beneath their plastic smiles. When their laughter ceased, and it ceased unnaturally quickly, the gray mare held a hoof to her cheek. “We're sorry, Princess Celestia. It's just that...” Her expression grew taught with melancholy. “It's going to be difficult adjusting to life at home without our Twilight.”

Gently, the taller mare touched her shoulder. “You act as though there will be a continent between you and your child, my little pony. But, you'll never be far from her as long as she's here and you are more than welcomed to come visit her whenever you so desire.”

Velvet managed a smile, albeit one that wasn't completely devoid of sadness. “Thank you.”

Night Light wrapped a foreleg around his wife's shoulders. “Yes, it will get some getting used to, but we'll be all right,” he added. “It's not the first time we've sent a child away from home.”

Celestia's head tilted. “Oh?”

“Our son was recently recruited into the Royal Guard.”

“Well, congratulations! May I ask his name?”

“Shining Armor, Your Highness,” replied Velvet. Briefly, she and Night Light shared a contemplative and apprehensive glance. “We were wondering, if it's not too much to ask, if it were possible to have him assigned to watch over Twilight when she's not under your watchful eye.”

Princess Celestia's gaze rose and fixated on the ceiling. Shining Armor. She recognized the stallion's name from the Captain's last report. The last thing she expected was for one of the new guards to be the brother of her new student. It didn't seem right to keep siblings apart, especially if they were under the same roof. “How long has it been since Twilight last saw her brother?” she asked.

Again, the husband and wife shared a quick look. “It's been about a week,” said Night Light.

“That was only for a few hours, though,” Velvet hastily added. “You see, that was when he got back from his training in Tall Tale. It's all he wanted to talk about, so he and his sister didn't get to spend that much time together.”

“And he was gone for about two months before that. Twilight was so upset when we—”

The alicorn chuckled. “It shall be done, then,” she interrupted. She looked to the trio of guards. “Please locate Shining Armor and escort him here,” she ordered with a soft tone.

In unison, the Royal Guards saluted and exclaimed, “Yes, Princess!” It was then that they trotted out of the renovated room—intent on not making anypony wait, especially their beloved ruler. The only unicorn amongst them, once they were out of earshot, turned to his companions. “The Princess gave her orders, but I have no idea where the new guy is stationed,” he said. “We'll have to ask Captain Bastion.”

Both pegasi nodded.

“Alright, then, let's move out!”

Shining Armor's movements were filled to the brim with confidence as he marched his way down Crowhop Street. The exhilaration fueled by his occupation pulsed freshly in his veins, despite the week of work he already clocked. He had, after all, dreamed of being a Royal Guard since he was a colt. Sure, like many newbies, they placed him on simple patrols, but that didn't mean he wore his set of glistening gold armor lightly. He was one of Equestria's finest and he aimed to uphold the reputation.

The streets of Canterlot, albeit busy, were relatively peaceful. Well, as peaceful as they could ever be, given that they belonged to Equestria's capitol city. No matter what day or time of the year, they were always busy. Amongst the countless shop-lined streets, there were citizens, tourists, and more guards. But, thankfully, the lunch rush passed not too long ago, so there weren't any crowds gathered in front of the restaurants along his patrol route.

As he passed, he was met with more than a few greetings. Every once in a while, there was a cheerful “good morning.” Of course, both of those came mostly from tourists; the ponies of Canterlot's actual population knew better than to bother a Royal Guard whilst he was on duty—not that Shining ever felt “bothered” when such kindness was given. As somepony who was raised within the city's borders, he was aware that it could be a shockingly cold place at times.

He sighed, stopping at the edge of a busy intersection. The civilians there were quick to make room for him—something he had yet to become accustomed. As he watched the carriages roll up and down the street, a commotion on the adjacent sidewalk caught his attention. There were shouts and cries of alarm as a wild-maned stallion pushed and shoved his way through the crowds. Shining wouldn't have thought anything of it, if it weren't for the guard hot on the stranger's fetlocks.

Without thinking, the unicorn ran to his fellow Royal Guard's aid. Unfortunately, that involved throwing himself out into the middle of the bustling traffic. Metal wheels shrieked against the pavement as oncoming carriages skidded to a halt to avoid him. Of course, the disruption also came with the angry words of both pilots and passengers alike. Shining ignored them as he moved in to cut off the running stallion. “Halt!” he yelled.

The fleeing pony, another unicorn stallion, flared his nostrils. “Outta my way!” he growled. He kept running, seemingly intent on forcing his way past the guard in his path.

Shining stood his ground. Then, when the stranger was close enough, he conjured a magical wall in front of him—which the other stallion struck muzzle-first. The impact sent him into a daze, allowing the pursuing guard to swoop in with a set of hoofcuffs. “Oh, praise Celestia,” he sighed. “Thank you so much. I chased this pickpocket down twenty blocks before you came along!”

The unicorn stallion straightened his posture. “No need to thank me,” he replied. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

“Yeah, well, your timing was perfect.” He reached out a hoof. “Name's Flint.”

“Shining Armor.” He shook the pegasus' hoof.

Flint's eyes widened. “Shining Armor? Say, I'm glad we ran into each other! Everypony's lookin' for you!”

“What?”

“Captain Bastion said that Princess Celestia wants to see you. You better get your flank back to the castle, pronto! I can handle this pickpocket from here.”

Despite his confusion, the young guard merely nodded. “Understood.” It was a miracle that he was able to keep his voice from wavering, as deep as his bewilderment ran, and he kept his trot even as he made his way back to the castle. Only a week had passed, and yet Princess Celestia deemed him important enough for her to personally see him? Or, perhaps he'd done so poorly she instead thought it necessary to personally demote him? His heart began to race, as did his hooves.

He'd accomplished little more than simple patrol routes since his recruitment, but what if it wasn't enough? Sun consume him... What if there was some sort of quota he was supposed to fill? Did he not catch his assigned number of miscreants!? Sweat began to dampen his mane and coat. Yet, once the castle finally came into view (and, at his speed, he was almost there), the currently-being-refurbished tower of the School for Gifted Unicorns sent his mind reeling in a different direction.

His little sister took her entrance exam that morning... and she was scheduled to be there around the time the explosion occurred.

Oh, Celestia, no!

As Twilight Velvet placed yet another worn tome on the shelf, she allowed herself to release both a sigh and a groan. “Oh, where is he?” she muttered, looking to her husband. “He should have been here by now, shouldn't he?”

The cobalt stallion, who was in the process of unpacking one of his daughter's suitcases, gave her an amused smile. “Dear, I'm sure he's on his way,” he replied. He magically handed a few stuffed toys to Princess Celestia. As the matriarch was helping them organize Twilight's belongings, she then placed the toys neatly on a nearby shelf. “He's right, Missus Velvet,” she said. “Many guards are out looking for him, including the Captain. It won't be long now, I assure you.”

Now, the Sun Princess had plenty of practice when it came to judging certain situations to determine their outcomes; there were few instances when her predictions were... less than accurate. Needless to say, the last thing she expected was for Shining Armor to plow right past his fellow guards to reach them—nearly knocking the newly-varnished door right off its hinges in the process. “What happened!?” he all but shouted. “Where's Twily!?”

His parents rushed to calm him. Velvet pressed her hooves against his shoulders, while Night Light remained by her side. “Shining, honey!” she soothed. “Settle down! What's wrong?”

The young stallion's eyes darted wildly around the room. “Was Twily hurt? Oh, stars, she was hurt in the explosion, wasn't she?”

“Shining, son,” replied Night Light, “she's okay!”

Velvet nodded, giving her eldest offspring a nuzzle. “She's being entertained elsewhere right now, but she's fine.”

With a kind smile on her face, Princess Celestia approached them. “Nopony was harmed in the event,” she said, hoping to add to Shining Armor's ease. “Twilight Sparkle is being watched over by someone I trust, but they'll be joining us shortly.”

Shining Armor allowed himself the comfort of the following silence at that moment. His panting slowed—the news of his little sister's safety washing over him like a gentle breeze. Whilst the fog of fear cleared from his head, however, the nature of his current location dawned on him. From the vast collection of books to the colorful stuffed toys, he recognized them all. “Hey, why is Twily's stuff here?” he asked, glancing between his parents.

Night Light held a hoof to his chin. “Oh, yes, that.”

“Well, honey, we have wonderful news,” said Velvet. “Not only did you sister get her cutie mark this morning, but she's going to be staying here at the castle as Princess Celestia's personal student!”

The guard turned his head towards Princess Celestia. “What, really?” he gasped.

She nodded. “It was actually Twilight who caused that explosion,” she replied. “It wasn't her intention to do so, but it's clear she possesses a great deal of power. I want to help her control that power. Unfortunately, it will be a full-time commitment, hence her new room here.” She extended a wing—draping it over Shining Armor. “It would put your parents' minds at ease if you would kindly act as her personal guard.”

Of course, his answer was “yes,” but that didn't stop his parents from interrupting him before he could speak. “Oh, please do this for us!” pleaded his mother.

Night Light wrapped one of his forelegs around Shining's neck. “You have no idea how much this would mean to me and your mother, son.”

“I mean, we have absolute faith in Princess Celestia—”

“—but she has all of Equestria to lead and it would be nearly impossible for her to watch Twilight every hour of every day! No offense, Your Highness.”

The Princess of the Sun gave them a curt nod. “None taken.”

Shining Armor couldn't help but roll his eyes, though he was subtle about it. His parents seemed almost desperate for him to take the job. As such, it was far too tempting to mess with them. He held his tongue for a few seconds. Those seconds soon stretched into a full minute, during which his mother and father began to fidget nervously; Princess Celestia watched all three of them with a bemused smile tugging at the corners of her muzzle. At last, before his parents began to sweat, he said, “I'll happily do it, for Twily.”

Chapter Four : The Start of Something New

"It is always wise to look ahead, but difficult to look further than you can see." - Winston Churchhill

It was foolish of Blueblood to think a full belly would calm the filly running haphazardly between his moving limbs. “Where are we going next?” she asked, skidding to a halt in front of him.

He carefully stepped around her. “Well, what would you like to see?”

She plopped down on the carpet, touching a small hoof to her chin. Seconds passed as she remained in that position; the only movement the Prince could see was the gears turning in her head. A nuance of impatience built up within him, until she finally jumped to her feet and exclaimed, “Do you have a library?!”

He blinked, then smiled. “Why, yes, we do,” he replied. “Would you like to see it?”

Twilight's eyes sparkled with the intensity of a thousand stars. “Yes, please.”

“The library it is, then.”

There was a skip in the filly's steps as she followed Prince Blueblood closely. She knew better than to stray from his sight. Princess Celestia wanted her to behave for him, and she didn't want to disappoint either of them. Plus, the Prince was so nice! She couldn't remember the last kind-hearted Canterlot pony—other than the Princess, and her family, of course—she met. Then again, she only times she ever left the knowledge-filled sanctity of her bedroom was when her mother needed help shopping, or when there was a dinner party at their home and her presence was pretty much obligated. During the former she was under strict orders to not talk to strangers. During the latter, party participants usually paid her no mind.

She remembered the words of an elderly mare that came to her brother's celebration for getting into Tall Tail's military training program. “Foals are to be seen, not heard.” Those words came in a harsh voice after Twilight made the “mistake” of complimenting the mare on her completely-obvious wig. Needless to say, she never again spoke to that particular pony... or any other adult who showed up at their house.

Tired of the silence hanging over them like a shroud, Blueblood cleared his throat and asked, “So, do you like reading?”

Twilight smiled. “I love reading! I do it all the time, mostly at home.”

“You wouldn't rather hang out with friends?”

“No. Having friends means less time for reading. The only friends I need are my books!”

A chill crawled its way up Blueblood's spine. Those were all-too-familiar words, spoken by a filly who was hauntingly similar to another prodigal student—albeit one from the distant past. Auntie sure knows how to pick them, he thought with a sigh. “The library is the place to be, it seems,” he added aloud.

As they reached the end of the hallway, however, another pony emerged from the adjacent corridor. He thought nothing of it (for he kept a close eye on the energetic little one trotting alongside him), until he actually looked. He wished he hadn't, as his blood ran cold upon doing so.

The pony was an older mare (and he could tell, without a doubt, despite the makeup she often used in desperately to conceal the wrinkles around her eyes), with a light gray coat. She was clad in an elegant lavender dress of silk, and her mane was done up in a bun secured by a large, gemstone-studded barrette. Her icy blue eyes relentlessly scanned the area, like a hawk searching for prey.

Unfortunately, he knew precisely whom she sought and it filled him with dread. His pulse quickened as he tried to usher his charge back the way they came. “On second thought,” he blurted, “this isn't the right—”

“Oh, Blueblood! There you are!”

He froze mid-step. Horse-apples... He turned, a false smile plastered on his face, and he hid little Twilight behind him as the mare approached. “Mother!” he exclaimed. “What brings you here on this fine day?” And does Auntie know you let yourself in... again?

Sterling Silver appeared concerned, reaching up to place a hoof on her son's shoulder. “What kind of silly question is that?” she inquired. “Shouldn't a mother worry herself sick about her son after an explosion occurs so close to his home?”

The Prince's smile fell. “I take it you're addressing the mishap that happened early this morning?”

“Yes, yes, that one. I would have come sooner, but I had a charity breakfast to attend.” She retracted her hoof, only to then closely inspect it for imperfections. “You know how it is, darling, but I can see you are well, so what exactly happened? There was talk of an enemy siege on the castle.”

Blueblood rolled his eyes. “An overreaction, nothing more.” Albeit, it was an understandable overreaction, like the one he had that very morning upon experiencing the shattering of his chamber windows. “One of the students at Auntie's school simply... lost control of their magic for a moment.” He felt Twilight wrap her forelegs against one of his rear limbs, possibly in embarrassment.

Sterling arched a brow. “... Pardon me? A child caused that explosion? That's hard to believe.”

“I know, but that's what truly happened.”

“Goodness, I hope Princess Celestia properly dealt with the little troublemaker. A foal with that kind of power is far too dangerous to be around others.”

The hug encompassing Blueblood's back leg vanished. Puffing out her cheeks, Twilight emerged from her hiding spot. “I'm not dangerous!” she yelled. “It was an accident!”

The Countess flinched. “Blueblood... Why is there a filly with you?”

The young stallion cleared his throat. “Well, Auntie asked me to watch her for a while. That's all.”

“And why couldn't her parents watch her?” She tilted her nose up. “Plus, with an entire castle full of staff, she could have easily found somepony else to do it.”

His false smile twitched, but didn't waver. “It was a last-minute decision, I'm afraid,” he calmly retorted. “Then again, I'm sure there's nopony more capable of watching over her new personal student than yours truly.”

He couldn't help but find satisfaction in his mother's new look of stupor. “New student? Her?” she gasped. Her surprise quickly turned into a growl. She then grumbled something under her breath as she turned her back to her son—a common tactic she used when she needed to compose herself. Once a few tense, quiet seconds passed, she turned her head to look at him. “What about your lessons?” she asked; her tone dripped with suspicion.

“Auntie gave no indication that she'll put an end to my lessons.” Yet, he predicted they would be temporarily put on hold. Between himself and Cadance, and now the addition of Twilight, time for rescheduling was needed. Not that his mother needed to know; any and all information regarding his personal schedule had to remain out of her hooves. The same could be said about his time, and he'd already given her too much of it. “Now that I've put your concerns to rest, I should really return Twilight to her parents. I'm sure they are somewhere in the castle as we speak.” He quickly moved his attention to the filly. “Let's be off, Twilight.”

“Aww,” she groaned. She pouted. “But I want to see the library!”

“I know, young one, but there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. You'll see it soon enough.” And you may see it frequently, judging by your baffling love of books.

Her ears folded back, and she solemnly nodded. “Okay...”

Sterling scoffed, gazing at the child disapprovingly. “I certainly hope the filly will learn to properly address her superiors during her lessons.”

Blueblood chose to ignore her as he nudged Twilight with his hoof. “Come,” he softly ordered. The sooner they got away from Sterling, the better. “Let's find your parents.”

The Countess said nothing as the pair walked away. There was really no need. Although, while her son was well in body and mind, something was amiss in terms of his prestigious status. It was... off-putting. She needed to have a word with Princess Celestia about the issue, before business tore her away from the castle.

Fortunately, she knew exactly where she could acquire such an audience.

“Mom, would it be possible for you to sit down and relax for a minute?”

Velvet ceased her pacing, momentarily, to look at Shining Armor. “Of course,” she replied. There then came a nervous chuckle. “I'll just feel a lot better once Twilight is here.”

“The guards will have her here soon enough, dear,” said Night Light.

“My statement still stands.”

He sighed. Smiling at his son, he shrugged. “Just let her do her thing, Shining.”

Shining Armor sighed. The name of the game was simply “Waiting,” it seemed. That's what Princess Celestia was doing; she sat silently near the window—her ever-watching eyes transfixed on the outside world. When in doubt, follow the lead of a superior. And patience was a virtue, after all, and so he remained rooted to his spot at the foot of the bed.

Silence reigned over the room for the next few minutes. Every so often, he glanced at the Sun Princess. Though she was still as a garden statue, he saw her ears twitching and swiveling. Listening. He couldn't help but wonder how much of the castle's activity she could hear just from this room. He never before had the honor of staying in the same area as her regal form, especially for so long. It was almost intimidating. Now that his little sister was her personal student, and he her bodyguard, he had to get used to it.

Lost in his thoughts, there was no warning when the Princess suddenly turned her head and said, “They've arrived.”

Velvet stopped pacing. “I beg your pardon, Your Highness?”

The sudden knock on the door spoke for itself. “Auntie?” called the deep voice of a stallion. “Are you in there?”

Gracefully, the alicorn rose and made her way to the door. She opened it with her magic in one fluid motion. “Blueblood,” she greeted with a smile. “It's safe to assume Twilight is still with you?”

Hearing her name, the filly ran out from behind the young Prince. “Here I am!” she exclaimed.

Her mother cautiously stepped around Princess Celestia, holding out a foreleg. “Oh, thank the stars, there you are,” she breathed.

“Mom!” Twilight accepted the hug without hesitation. “What are you doing here?”

“Your father and I brought some of your things—mostly your books, of course—from home.” Her smile widened. “We also have a big surprise for you!”

“Really? What is it?”

“Go inside and see.”

Hesitantly, Twilight walked around her mother to peer into the room. Her eyes were immediately drawn to her father, who was seated near one of the bookshelves. He waved, then pointed to the guard at the foot of the bed. The filly was confused as to why that was, as the pony appeared the same as all the other guards in the castle. She looked to her mother for answers.

Velvet rolled her eyes before shooting a playful glare at the armor-clad stallion. “She doesn't recognize you in your uniform.”

Bewilderment crossed his features, until the realization finally sunk in. “Oh!” he laughed. “Sorry about that!” Grinning, he reached up and slid the gilded helmet off his head. “Guess this armor doesn't take as much getting used to as I first thought.”

Twilight's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. “Shining!” she squealed joyfully—running into her big brother's open forelegs. “You're here! You're here!”

Shining Armor chuckled as he nuzzled her mane. “Of course I'm here! What kind of big brother would I be if I missed my kid sister's special day?”

The filly pulled out of the hug. She proceeded to then bounce around him like a sentient ball. “Yes, yes! You heard!” she exclaimed. “I got my cutie mark! Look!” She pointed to the long-awaited symbol of her special talent. The pink star was very similar to her brother's; although, hers wasn't encased in the navy-blue shield that served as the background for his cutie mark.

Still, the similarities didn't go unnoticed by the stallion. Huh, it must run in the family, he thought. Both of their parents donned celestial-themed cutie marks, so why not them as well? Then again, it didn't really matter. Twilight could have ended up with either a microscope or a beaker as a mark (both of which were equally appropriate, he thought, given her love of science), and she would still be adored. “It's a wonderful cutie mark,” he finally said. “I'm so proud of you!”

“As are your mother and I,” added Night Light as he ruffled his daughter's hair. He placed a kiss atop her head. “It won't be easy leaving you here, sweetheart, but I'm sure we'll manage.”

Velvet nodded. “It's for the best...”

“After all, there's no better teacher than the Princess herself!”

Glancing between her parents, Twilight could sense their hesitation. It wasn't something she particularly enjoyed. “But, you can come visit me right?” she asked.

“They are your parents, young one,” replied the Princess. She took a step towards the filly, lowering her head to look her in the eyes. “I'll never deny them the chance to see you. You have my word.” She smiled. “Plus, your brother will be here to watch over you.”

Twilight's eyes grew to an almost comical size. “What?” she shouted excitedly. “Really?” She looked again and again between everypony in the room, as though she were the center of some unknown joke. “Really?!” she asked once more, her eyes finally settling on Shining Armor.

He nodded, grinning. “Yep!” he replied. “Consider me your own personal big-brother-bodyguard from now on!” A grunt was pushed from his lungs as Twilight threw her tiny forelegs around his neck. Laughing, he happily returned the hug.

Their parents couldn't help but find comfort in the sight, and they shared a hug as well. Then, as they nuzzled, Princess Celestia approached them. “Rest assured,” she said. “Your daughter is in the most capable hooves. Mine, your son's, and my nephew's.”

Blueblood, who was content to remain in the doorway throughout the heartwarming reunion, snapped to attention. “Pardon?” he muttered.

She smiled at him. “You've already bonded with her, have you not?” she replied. “I'm certain now's not the time to say goodbye. Am I wrong, dear nephew?”

Every set of eyes suddenly fell upon the young Prince, as though some mysterious power made them realize he was there. Once Twilight wiggled out of Shining's grasp, however, they quickly shifted to her small form as it bounced up to him. “You mean we'll be able to hang out some more?” she eagerly asked.

Blueblood possessed half a mind to dance clean around the question—a rather useful skill he developed over the years. Yet, it was so innocent and genuine, and the twinkle in the filly’s eyes threw that plan for a loop. “Between your studies, I'm sure we'll find the time,” he said.

She hugged one of the Prince's forelegs, giggling, “Yes, yes, yes!”

Another situation well handled, the stallion thought with a sigh. One minefield down, one to go. Carefully, he maneuvered himself closer to his aunt; Twilight didn't seem to mind one bit as she released him and returned to her brother's side. “Auntie,” he said under his breath.

“Hmm?” Princess Celestia turned her head to look at him. “What is it, Blueblood?”

“My mother is in the castle.”

The alicorn stiffened. “I see.”

“She saw me with Twilight. I... I let it slip that she's going to be taking lessons from you now. I'm sorry.”

She gave him a comforting nuzzle. “It's not your fault, my dear nephew, and do not worry. I'll take care of it.”

You always do. “Thank you, Auntie. Should I accompany you?”

She shook her head. “You already had the misfortune of bumping into her already,” she chuckled. “It's my turn.” With her hoof, she pointed to the Sparkle Family. “I think it best to remain here and introduce yourself!” With a smile, she once again turned to address Velvet and her husband. “Forgive me, but I have business to which I must attend. I will try to return in time to see you out. But, for now, I shall leave you in the company of Prince Blueblood.”

“Oh, Your Highness, don't be sorry!” replied Night Light. “You've given us so much of your time already!”

His wife nodded. “Don't let us keep you from your duties.”

“Thank you for your understanding.” After a quick smile directed at Twilight and her brother, Princess Celestia gracefully took her leave—the guards at her fetlocks.

As soon as she left, Blueblood gathered his nerves, cleared his throat, and approached the family. “Well, I guess that means it's my turn to make introductions,” he chuckled. “I'm Prince Blueblood. It's lovely to make your acquaintances.”

Shining Armor and his parents bowed, to which Blueblood shook his head. “There's no need for that,” he said. “Please, rise.”

The ponies rose. “It's nice to meet you, Prince Blueblood,” retorted Velvet. “Thank you for watching over our little Twilight.”

“It was no trouble at all.”

“Oh, I'm so glad. My name is Twilight Velvet, 'Velvet' for short. This is my husband, Night Light.”

The navy-blue stallion gave another bow. “An honor to meet you, Prince,” he said.

Shining Armor was the next to approach. Albeit, he did so with caution. Though he had never before met Prince Blueblood, his brief time in the Royal Guard granted him access to a plethora of absurd stories. From Blueblood being an outside-fearing hermit, to him being a conniving monster who was secretly planning to rob Princess Celestia of her throne, there was no shortage of rumors and speculations. The most believable and common rumor, however, was that he was the kind of stallion who wanted nothing more than to strut about flaunting his wealth and prestige—acting as though all other ponies were beneath him. It wasn't anything groundbreaking, for the same claim could be put against nearly ninety percent of Canterlot's population.

And yet, now that they were in the same room, Shining saw an entirely different stallion. Prince Blueblood was apparently calm, despite the slight tension in his withers. But, was this merely a front to appease the family of Princess Celestia's student? The young guard wasn't sure, but the Prince was behaving himself appropriately and, more importantly, Twilight seemed comfortable in his presence.

Like his father, Shining presented another bow. “I'm Shining Armor of the Royal Guard, Your Highness,” he said. “I'm also Twilight's big brother.”

The filly puffed out her chest. “He's my B.B.B.F.F.!”

Blueblood blinked. “Pardon me?”

“'Big Brother Best Friend Forever!'”

“Ah, understood.” He smiled at the other stallion. “It's nice to meet you, Shining Armor.”

“Likewise.” By the stars, Shining didn't expect the Prince to be so tall. He hadn't noticed his height as he stood next to Princess Celestia. Granted, Blueblood was nowhere near her height. However, now, as the guard sized him up, it was shockingly clear he was shorter than the other stallion by at least five inches. That wouldn't mean much if Shining weren't already considered a large pony for his age. “It's nice to meet you, too,” he said. “I look forward to working with you.”

“Oh, how so?”

“Princess Celestia assigned me to act as Twily's bodyguard.”

Blueblood, though stoic, couldn't be more relieved. “It seems my dear Aunt has made more than enough necessary precautions to keep your sister safe while she remains with us.” It's a little much, in my opinion, but I won't argue...

Shining chuckled and nodded. “She's very kind for all this.” He looked over his shoulder as his parents continued to unpack Twilight's things. “I beg your pardon, Your Highness, but I'd like to help my parents finish unpacking.”

“Go ahead. It would be wrong of me to keep you away from them.” Slowly, he turned and headed for the door. “I bid you a fine farewell, Sparkle Family.”

Velvet and Night Light waved him goodbye, while Twilight bounced after him. “Bye, Prince Blueblood!” she chirped. “See you later!”

Magic resting on the doorknob, the stallion looked down at her and smiled. “Goodbye, young one,” he replied softly. “I'll see you at a later time.”

Princess Celestia considered herself a patient pony. More than a millennium on the Solar Throne conditioned the way she now, after so very long, dealt with her subjects. Patience was a key virtue, especially when dealing with Equestrians who had a lot on their mind. Unfortunately, most of them were nobles.

Money was an oddly powerful thing, an item associated the most with greed. And for a good reason. She saw far too many lives corrupted by the abundance of their bits. Bits meant wealth. Wealth meant popularity and possessions—mere things that came to mean so much more than anything else in the eyes of a rich individual. Such a selfish lifestyle disturbed the Sun Princess greatly.

Thankfully, there were plenty of wealthy families who didn't flaunt and worship their money. One such family currently graced Canterlot Castle and, in truth, she wished she had remained with them rather than deal with Sterling Silver. Though the Princess didn't have the luxury, it comforted her to think of her upcoming situation like a band-aid. The sooner she tore it off... the sooner the pain would end.

Taking a deep breath, she approached the guards standing at the doors. “Good afternoon, gentlecolts,” she gently greeted. “Am I expecting company, by any chance?”

The stallions shared a glance. “Countess Sterling Silver has been waiting for you, Princess,” one explained.

The other added, “We tried to inform her that you were attending business elsewhere, but she insisted on waiting.”

Celestia nodded. “That's fine. I'll handle it from here, you two.” She sucked in another breath, using her magic to gently open the large doors. As she expected, her single-mare audience could be seen standing at the stained-glass windows. A fraction of her dared to hope her visitor was simply interested in the sublime craftsponyship, but Sterling's eyes looked past the colors—fixated on something unknown lingering on the ground below. “Countess,” the Princess softly called.

Her voice succeeded in attracting the noble's attention and, though she looked in Celestia's direction, she otherwise didn't move. “Princess,” she replied.

“It's good to see you.”

“Likewise, Your Highness.”

Years of these routine visits molded them into minimalistic checkups. Short, but sweet, and there was no time for smalltalk as the Sun Princess lead herself to the raised thrones set at the end of the chamber. The Solar Throne, her seat, was a masterfully-crafted familiarity, with a frame of gold and a crimson cushion. It's counterpart, on the other hoof, was made of platinum framing and a blue cushion.

While the former seat was worn from a millennium of use, the latter had been painfully unoccupied for... far too long. The only evidence anypony touched it was the fresh bouquet of violets laid upon it earlier that morning. With a sigh, Celestia tore her eyes from it before taking a seat upon her own. She took a moment to then make herself comfortable before she returned her attention to Sterling. “So, Countess, to what do I owe this visit?” she inquired.

Sterling turned her back to the window. “It was originally a venture to check on Blueblood,” she retorted. “Then, I learned something interesting.” Even steps guided her to a spot to stand in front of the Princess. “Not only did you take yet another student under your wing, but it seems you took it upon yourself to leave said student with my son.”

Celestia's brow furrowed. “I needed to make living arrangements for the little one, and Blueblood is more than responsible enough to shortly care for a filly.”

“That's not my point, Your Highness.” She turned up her nose. “He is a Prince, not a foalsitter.”

A corner of the Princess's calm smile twitched. “You are correct, on both accounts. However, contact with ponies other than us and the staff would do him a lot of good, I believe.”

The Countess' brow arched. “And why is that, Your Highness? I highly doubt my son's well-being is being stunted due to his lack of associates.”

“Only in a matter of speaking, Countess. Physically, he is a healthy young stallion—one who has countless and wonderful opportunities ahead of him.” Her smile widened and, this time around, it became genuine. “But, he would fare so much better if he took one of those opportunities to make some friends.”

Sterling was taken aback. “Friends?” she gasped. “Surely, you jest!”

“No, Countess, I do not.”

She scoffed, then began to pace, albeit at an even and collected speed. “Why, that's absolutely ridiculous! You speak as though he is just some lonesome little schoolcolt, not the regal stallion into whom he's grown!”

Now, Princess Celestia felt herself frowning. “I'm speaking out of concern for his future. He may be grown, but he is still young. There remains much for him to learn.”

“Is that not your duty? Aren't you his aunt, his teacher?” She glared at the alicorn. “Or is this 'friendship' something even the magnificent Sun Princess cannot teach?”

Said Sun Princess mentally rolled her eyes. Careful, Countess, she thought. Your mask is slipping. And, were Sterling anypony other than the mother of her beloved nephew, she would have had them politely escorted out of the castle right away for such rude behavior. But, as usual, she held her tongue—allowing the fired-up mare to continue her rant.

“And what of Cadance—?”

“Princess Cadance,” Celestia interrupted. Seconds of silence passed as she and Sterling then stared at each other. She could see the gears turning in the other's head. Cadance was a... delicate subject between them. So, the Princess dismissed the topic; it was time to end the discussion altogether. “Blueblood will be encouraged to be more interactive with his fellow ponies,” she said. I will not allow him to live the rest of his life in isolation.

The hair on the back of Sterling's neck bristled. “And Her Majesty cannot be swayed otherwise?” she asked. She spoke softly with caution.

“My decision is final.”

The Countess said nothing more—allowing silence to continue its reign as she promptly turned her back to Celestia and saw herself out of the throne room. As soon as the great doors again closed upon her exit, the Princess released her frustration with a hearty exhale. “Why must she be so difficult?” she inquired to nopony in particular. Gently, she reached over to the neighboring throne and she placed her hoof upon the cold frame. “Our dear Blueblood is almost nothing like her, thank the moon and the stars,” she whispered.

She allowed her hoof to slip away from the platinum. But, I couldn't stop him from manifesting his own mask to bear, she thought sadly. A half-heavyhearted chuckle escaped her, against her wishes. “Like aunt, like nephew...” An icy sensation crawled up her spine. She was blessed to have raised Blueblood since he was a foal. Back then, she gave him as much as her time as she could happily sacrifice. Playtimes were favored over court dates, bedtime stories over paperwork.

Now, he was a young adult, and a whole new set of worries came to mind. The Canterlot Elite, and countless others, expected her nephew to follow in her hoofsteps. Yet, whilst her attention remained fixated upon the Lunar Throne, she was reminded why she struggled on a day-to-day basis to shun those expectations. There were so many things she regretted—far too many mistakes she made that often plagued her mind and poisoned her dreams into waking nightmares.

“He can't walk the same path as I,” she breathed. “Oh, Sister, how I fear for him...” And, in her heart, she dared to hope little Twilight Sparkle and her family were the keys she needed to not only pave a new path for Blueblood, but, for herself, a path of long-awaited redemption.

Author's Note

Oh, hey, look! It lives! IT LIVES!

Enjoy a more substantial chapter to make up for my procrastination!

Chapter Five : Homecoming

"Where thou art, that is home." - Emily Dickinson

Shining Armor spent the next few days with his sister, working out a suitable routine around her lessons with Princess Celestia. His new duty came with his own quarters, right down the hall from Twilight's, allowing him to comfort her through the first few nights—when she struggled through homesickness.

Then after sleep, came breakfast, and after breakfast came Twilight's first lesson. Shining knew little of the Princess's itinerary for her, other than she was being started off with only one hooves-on lesson a day so she could show the Sun Princess what she already knew. That was all he could gather from Twilight's excitedly fast-paced recaps, anyway. She clearly loved the time she spent with her new teacher, and remained eager for their second lesson. It came in the evening, shortly before dinner, and consisted of literary lessons.

Shining made the personal decision to remain on the outside throughout it all. Years of training couldn't, and wouldn't, be so easily forgotten, and the last thing he wanted was to be a distraction. Despite her excitement, his little sister was always nervous she wasn't worthy of Princess Celestia's attention, and the Princess herself didn't want him in the line of fire should her magic get out of hoof again.

Besides, they had plenty of free time to themselves, if Twilight wasn't spending it at the library or in her room with her books. They sometimes made it into the Royal Gardens so she could practice, and it was a rare occurrence for them to run into Prince Blueblood for a passing glance or a brief exchange of pleasantries.

Other than that, it was better for everypony involved for him to stand vigil outside the door, like he was now. It was a lovely Friday morning, which he could admire through the nearby window, and Twilight was due to be freed from her first lesson at any given minute. The antechamber in which she trained was, like those at the School for Gifted Unicorns, enchanted so magic could neither enter nor escape.

It was another precaution on Princess Celestia's part, but Shining wasn't worried about magic. Although, nothing seemed to be happening in the length of corridor that served as his only other view. It was only natural for him to flinch when he was suddenly greeted by an enthusiastic, “Hey, newbie!” as he was approached by a familiar stallion.

“Flint?” he muttered.

His fellow guard saluted with a wing, grinning. “The one and only!”

“What are you doing here?”

“Just checkin' up on you, dude. Heard you earned yourself a nice, shiny promotion.”

Shining sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, it's more of a reassignment than a promotion really.”

“Yeah, but your first week must've really been somethin' special! I mean, the Princess herself made you the bodyguard of her personal student!” He playfully punched the other stallion's shoulder. “Seriously, dude, what's your secret?”

“There's no secret. Princess Celestia's student happens to be my kid sister.”

“Get outta here, really?”

Smiling, he stuck out his chest. “Yep! I'm the luckiest brother in the world.” He wasn't one to normally brag, of course, and he immediately remedied his mistake by clearing his throat and changing the subject. “So, how did you know I'd be here?” he asked.

Flint shrugged. “I didn't, to be honest. I just so happened to see you on the way to my patrol route.”

“Weird. I haven't seen you around before now.”

“Yeah, well, you're not the only one to get a reassignment recently.” He snickered. “The guy before me got a transfer to Trottingham, luckily for m—” Foreign hoofsteps suddenly got his attention; his ears, then his head swiveled to behold a figure down the hallway. “Oh, Tartarus,” he grumbled. Rolling his shoulders, he stood beside Shining—his body becoming rigid. “Heads up,” he whispered. “We got company.”

Shining raised a brow, but said nothing as the unknown pony drew near.

She was a mare, and a pretty pegasus mare at that. Her soft face was framed by curly locks of chocolate-brown and caramel, and her coat was the color of flax. Her eyes, a shadowed shade of pink, were clearly fixated on them as she approached with a smile. “Good morning, gentlecolts,” she said. “I was told Princess Celestia is here. Would it be possible for me to get a quick audience with her?”

Shining spoke before Flint had the chance. “Sorry, miss, but the Princess is currently in a lesson with her personal student and cannot be bothered.”

Flint stared at him in subdued horror.

Ever so slightly, the mare's eyes widened. “Oh, shoot,” she retorted. “Truely? I can't have a second?”

“Afraid not, miss, but you can see Miss Raven in the throne room to make an appointment.”

Flint began to fidget. “Dude...”

The mare sighed, “Well, I guess it can't be helped.” She then chuckled and stretched out her wings. She reached forward with one of the tips and brushed something invisible off the gold, heart-shaped locket dangling around her neck. “I'll come back another time, then.” She turned, glancing back at them. Well, more specifically, one of them. “Bye, Flint. Bye, new guy,” she added, winking, before she went on her way.

Baffled, Shining stared at the other guard. “You know her?”

The pegasus' knees trembled—his gaze locked on the mare until she vanished around the corner. He then looked, bug-eyed, at Shining. “Know her? Dude, everypony knows her!” he exclaimed. “That was Amity. She's the Captain's niece, dude!”

“Oh, yeah?” The unicorn looked down the hallway. “I wonder why she wanted to see Princess Celestia at this time of day.”

Flint shot him a glare. “It was probably important. You should've let her in.”

Shining snorted. Because it was probably important, or because she's Captain Bastion's niece?

Before he could verbally retort those words, the great doors behind them creaked open and Princess Celestia emerged from the room with a happy filly bouncing at her side. Her gentle stare immediately landed on Flint. “Ah, good morning Flint,” she said. “What brings you here? Is everything all right?”

Both guards bowed.

“Everything is fine, Your Highness,” the pegasus replied. “Miss Amity was here to see you, is all. She, unfortunately, didn't say what she wanted.”

She nodded. “Ah, I thought I heard her out here. No matter. She knows where to find me. Don't let such a minor situation keep you from your duty, young guardstallion.”

Flint rose, saluting. “I won't, Princess! I'll head to my post at once!” True to his word, he took advantage of his flight to power himself down the hallway—the drapes fluttering in his wake.

Though impressed by his speed, it wasn't long before Shining Armor's attention was drawn to his sister, who wrapped her tiny forelegs around his right front leg. “Who was that, big brother?” she asked.

He gently patted her on the head. “That was my friend, Flint,” he replied. It was safe to assume he and Flint were friends. He was a friendly fellow, despite their minor disagreement earlier. “He's a guard, like me.”

“I'm sorry I didn't let Amity in to see you,” he added, turning to the Sun Princess. “I wasn't aware she was related to Captain Bastion.”

Celestia hummed a light chuckle. “Amity understands I cannot always see her whenever she visits, and so does the Captain. Do not be sorry.” She turned her head towards the nearest window. “Besides, I have a pretty good idea why she wanted to see me, though I'm sure Princess Cadance will need a few hours of rest before she's willing to be smothered by visitors.”

“I beg your pardon, Princess?”

“Oh, my niece has finally come home from her vacation. If my sense of time is correct, she's being escorted to her room as we speak.” Smiling, she extended a wing over Twilight and her brother. “I would very much like you to meet her, if you don't mind.” She was certain Cadance would like to meet them as well.

Twilight's eyes lit up. “We get to meet another princess?” she gasped, her voice soft with wonder. She then looked to Shining, who simply nodded. The confirmation caused her to literally jump with joy. “Yes, yes, yes!”

Her smile growing warmer, Princess Celestia began a steady stride. “Then follow me, my little ponies. My niece's room isn't too far away.”

“Thank you for helping me with my luggage, Captain Bastion.” Princess Cadance smiled at the large, armored pony walking alongside her. “I really appreciate it.”

The Captain laughed—a deep, hearty sound. “It's no trouble at all!” he laughed. “I wasn't going to let Equestria's newest princess walk home all by herself!” He certainly wasn't going to leave her with three large suitcases, which he now carried on his back, to carry on her own. That was where his earth pony strength came into play. As Princess Celestia said herself, Cadance could fly far better than she could use magic.

Yet, he wasn't bothered in the least. She was good company, and he did his best to be the same.

“Again, I appreciate your thoughtfulness,” she replied. Although, back on the train, she hoped either Blueblood, Aunt Celestia, or even Amity would find the time to welcome her home. Her time spent in Manehattan was an absolute blast, yes, but she longed to see the faces of her friends and family—to take it easy and share her stories within familiar walls.

She didn't have to wait long, joyfully, as she and Bastion passed the time with small-talk. All the stallion wanted to talk about was his position, however. He was kind and well-spoken, of course, but a bit of a braggart, and Cadance was unsure when she stopped listening. She suspected it was once her chamber door came into view, or perhaps it was when the Captain went on to complain about his newest batch of “young, soft-hearted” recruits.

Nevertheless, the former was a sight so beautiful her eyes watered. She resisted the urge to run to it as she exclaimed, “Well, here's my stop!”

Bastion nodded and crouched, allowing her luggage to gently slip off his back. “All-righty, then!” he grunted, rolling a shoulder. “I'll get out of your mane, let you catch up on some relaxation.”

“Thank you again, Captain.”

“It was no trouble. Until next time, Princess Cadance!”

Cadance waved as the stallion left her—waving only as long as he remained in sight. Her luggage, and the unpacking of it, was her next priority. She simply had to make two trips to get them inside or, if she maneuvered her wings in just the right way, she could carry one of them on her back and the others in the grip of her hooves.

No, it was too easy. She had a horn in her possession now and the magic that came with it. So, she tried her hoof at levitation. Aunt Celestia, in her seemingly infinite wisdom, advised her on more than one occasion not to push herself; the time would come when her alicorn body and magic would adapt to one another. It was all a matter of patience and practice. And she had been practicing, even during her vacation.

So, when one of the suitcases, supported by a pink glow, lifted into the air she flared and fluttered her wings in sheer joy. “Yes!” she squealed. One tiny step for magic, one giant leap for Cadance!

Grinning as wide as a manic cat, she physically picked up the other two bags and she hauled them into her room. In her haste, she nearly ran right into Blueblood. The stallion's eyes widened as he stepped out of her stumbling way. “Easy there, cousin!” he blurted. “What's the rush, huh?”

And here Cadance thought it impossible for her smile to grow any wider. “Bluey!” she shouted in glee. She threw her forelegs around his neck in a hug. “Oh, it's so good to see you!”

He leaned into the embrace, giving her a gentle pat on the back. “It's good to see you, too, Cadance.” Then, with a chuckle, he took her remaining suitcase into his own magic. “Been practicing, have you?”

Giddily, she jumped and gave a tiny kick with her hind legs. “Yes! Isn't it great?” She hoisted her luggage onto a cushioned chair. “And Manehattan!” she continued, popping a case open to root around within its contents. “Oh, Blueblood, I had no idea such a city existed!” Having been raised in a small village of earth ponies, the sprawling metropolis of “The Big Apple” was something to behold. The tall buildings, the towering vigil of the Statue of Unity, the sophisticated beauty of the ponies and—last, but not least—the fine selection of stores and fashion boutiques that seemed to line a countless number of the city's streets.

The experience was something she'd never forget, and she was grateful to both her cousin and aunt for encouraging her to go.

She cried out a triumphant, “Ah-hah!” after a moment of searching. She spun around to face Blueblood. “Come here. I picked you up a little something.”

His head tilted as he adhered to her request. Before there was time to question it, a shimmering scarf was wrapped loosely around his neck. “Ta-da!” his cousin exclaimed, extending her forelegs to point at the item. “Oh, look at that! It's perfect!”

He puffed out his chest to get a better look at the fabric. It was soft against his coat: woven silk. The colors, sapphire and golden hues, were brilliantly eye-catching. He smiled. “Thank you, Cadance. It's wonderful.” The fact that his cousin thought of him on her vacation was humbling. Normally, when he was given a gift it was from a member of the Canterlot Elite—a meaningless bribe meant to butter him up, though never to any avail.

“I'm so glad you like it.” Again, she delved into her suitcase. “I got one for Auntie, too!” Plus, there was a lovely maroon shawl she picked up for Amity she had to make time to present.

Though, before she was able to fish them out of the unorganized chaos that was her clothing, there came a gentle rapping at her door. Not wanting to keep anypony waiting, Cadance answered it with a silent wish. To see her Aunt Celestia standing on the other side of the door made her feel as though that wish was granted. “Auntie!”

The two shared a quick embrace. “It's glad to have you home, Cadance,” said Celestia as they parted. “I hope you enjoyed your time in Manehattan.”

“Thank you, Aunt Celestia, it was great.” She stepped aside to let the other alicorn enter unhindered. Only then, as Princess Celestia passed by, was she made aware of the additional company. Even within the walls of Canterlot Castle, she rarely saw her aunt accompanied. Only two Royal Guards remained at her sides whenever she was, and to see only one lone guard was something new. It was baffling to see said lone guard with a small filly. “Oh, Auntie, who are your... guests?” she softly asked.

The Princess of the Sun took a step back. She gave the duo a tender nudge with an outstretched wing, and she shot Prince Blueblood a glance—an urging invitation to introduce them. He nodded, and blushed when she whispered, “Your new scarf suits you well, my nephew,” in his ear.

He then gently shook the emotion from his face as he came to stand beside his aunt's company. “Cousin Cadance,” he said, “meet Twilight Sparkle, and her brother Shining Armor. Twilight is Aunt Celestia's new student.”

Shining Armor bowed. “A pleasure, Princess Cadance,” he said.

Cadance lowered her head in a curt nod. “The pleasure's all mine, Shining Armor.”

Gasping, Twilight's tiny form disappeared behind the bulk of her brother's as Cadance neared.

She crouched so she was eye-level with the little pony. “And it's a pleasure to meet you, too, Twilight Sparkle. I'm Princess Cadance.”

Twilight's gaze dropped to the floor—one of her front hooves drawing an invisible line across the carpet. “Hi,” she squeaked, slowly stepping away from her hiding place.

She then looked up to meet the Princess's gaze, and Cadance bit down on her lip to keep from squealing. The young one was adorable. “You must really be good at magic, huh?” she inquired.

“Y-yes...?” She glanced at Princess Celestia. “A little.”

At that, Prince Blueblood stifled a laugh. Says the filly who almost demolished an entire building.

He watched as his aunt stepped forward to address them again. “Shall we all go to an early lunch, Cadance, or would you like to unpack first?” she asked.

The young alicorn looked to her suitcases. “Oh, they're not going anywhere. Besides, I could use a good meal.” The last time she ate, it was early in the morning, when small portions were given to her on the train. Fancily-named things she was unable to pronounce—delicious, yet far from filling. Not that Cadance was particularly picky when it came to her food, and she didn't want to miss an opportunity to share a meal with her family after being away from them for a week.

Walking alongside Blueblood, she followed her aunt to the dining hall. Along the way, she continuously felt the curious peeks of Twilight Sparkle. Similar glances fell upon her cousin every now and again as well, though she didn't seem as shy around him as she resigned to zigzag around his legs with his every step. A simple game for a small, energetic filly, and one she'd seen plenty of times before amongst many other children.

Chuckling softly, Cadance leaned towards Blueblood. “Looks like somepony made a friend while I was gone.”

A nuance of pink graced the Prince's cheeks, and Cadance allowed herself a good laugh.

Author's Note

Hey, look, I actually updated this story! Yeah, sorry it took so long. I took on too many projects at once.

Once I'm finished with "Of Magic and Masquerades," however (and I have only a few chapters to go with that one), I'll have more time to give "Mask of the Rose" more frequent updates.

Chapter Six : Down Time

"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light." - Theodore Roethke

Princess Cadance closed her eyes as she reclined comfortably on her bed. Her belly was full and her luggage was away. The remainder of the day belonged to her, and she was compelled to spend it in silence. Although, she wished she possessed the energy to spend more time with the castle's new inhabitants. Aunt Celestia's new student was absolutely precious. Her brother, a gentlecolt and textbook guard.

Together, they were quite a pair, she thought, and she looked forward to future interactions with them. She was just so tired at the moment. The combination of Manehattan's bustling streets and the lackluster ride home took more out of her than she first realized. She glanced at a shelf, and she even wondered which of her books was the most engaging in her state of relaxation. Unfortunately, it was unimportant, as the familiar rhythm of knocking came upon her door.

With a huff, she donned her tiara and answered the call. “Yes?” she answered, taking the knob into her magic and slowly pulling the door open. She smiled upon seeing the pegasus who stood outside her chambers. “Amity!” she exclaimed. They engaged in a mutual hug. “Oh, I was hoping you'd stop by to see me!”

The other mare chuckled as she entered the room. “How could I not? It feels like forever since I heard from you last, my friend!” She paused. “Well, other than the postcard you sent, which was lovely.”

Cadance bounced on her hooves as she waited for Amity to make herself comfortable on one of the many lavish cushions that set on the floor. “I'm glad you liked it,” she then said, “but I think you'll like this even more!” She presented the deep-red scarf with a wide smile. She draped it over her friend's shoulders.

It made her heart soar to see the pegasus smile. “Oh, thank you so much Cadance! I love it!”

“I knew you would!”

Amity ran a hoof over the soft fabric. “I really do love it, but enough about me! Tell me about Manehattan, girl!”

As she settled next to Amity, the alicorn pondered where to start. “I don't really know what to say, other than it was an amazing experience. The mayor himself helped me tour the city for the first few days, then I was pretty much left to my own devices afterwards.” She held a hoof to her muzzle as she yawned. “Forgive me, I'm still tired.”

“I can tell, but it sounds like you had a great time. I've never been to Manehattan. We'll have to go together someday.”

“Oh, definitely! I'll start working on convincing Blueblood to come with us.”

“So soon?”

“It'll take a while, trust me.” She sighed. “You know how he is, Amity. He's so... reluctant to let himself have a good time.”

Amity rolled her eyes. “Tell me about it. I tried to see him while you were gone. He excused himself from my visits and my lunch date attempts, Cadance!” Ever so slightly, her feathers ruffled, which she immediately began to smooth down. “I'm beginning to fear I'm wasting my time.”

“Don't say that!” Cadance reached over and touched her shoulder. “Bluey will warm up to you if you hang in there a little bit longer.” Amity was a wonderful mare, she knew, but after the words left her mouth she became startlingly aware of a spark of doubt igniting within her. She had known the pegasus since she first arrived in Canterlot, but would Blueblood accept her as easily? It had taken her over a year of careful moves and countless interactions to finally win her cousin over.

Her thoughts strayed to the new guard and his little sister. As she recalled, Blueblood didn't seem too perturbed by their presence. If she remembered correctly, it was the opposite. The energetic Twilight Sparkle brought the tiniest smile to his face, as much as he tried to focus on his lunch instead. Even Shining Armor managed to get a conversation out of him, albeit it was brief.

Something changed while she was away, that much was certain, and seemed it was for the better.

Prince Blueblood was in no hurry to reach the Canterlot Royal Gardens. He desired some fresh air and solitude, which he always found in the private section of the gardens—the Oasis. It was a safe haven, far from the neighboring grounds offered to tourists on a daily basis. While the main gardens were cared for by hired staff, Princess Celestia cared for the Oasis herself. She claimed it was therapeutic and nopony could deny the results of her watchfulness.

And, while the main gardens payed tribute to local flora, the Oasis was home to more exotic finds. Yucca from the Tenochtitlan Basin, water lilies from Seaward Shoals, a giant flytrap from the Everfree Forest, bittersweet from Griffonstone—to name a few. Obviously, many were strange, but beautiful in their own unique ways.

Blueblood found them fascinating, at least. As such, the sight of Twilight Sparkle there made him a little nervous. The feeling fled once he spotted his aunt nearby, tending to one of her beloved plants. As for the filly, she clutched a notebook and quill in her magic; she was scribbling away as she scrutinized a cluster of tiny, golden blooms.

Her brother stood by, carrying on his duty as her guardian. That didn't stop the young prince from approaching him. “Greetings,” he said, looking out upon the gardens.

Shining passed him a glance. “Good afternoon, Prince Blueblood. What's up?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing.”

“Oh.” The guard nodded his head towards the Princess. “Princess Celestia thought it would do Twilight some good to learn about the more 'offshore' plants she grows here.”

Blueblood chuckled. “Well, there's no better place in all of Canterlot to learn.” He lifted his hoof to gently touch a strand of delicate silver moss, which dangled from the marble archway. “Have you ever encountered such flora during your service?” He might as well hold a conversation, instead of interrupting his aunt and her student.

Shining rubbed the back of his neck. “Nah, I've never seen any of these plants before. Then again, I never made it beyond Tall Tale. It was never my intention to leave Equestria at all, to tell you the truth. I wanted to remain here. There's nothing like home sweet home, you know?”

“I agree. It's nice to see new places, but nothing can ever beat the place from whence you were born.” Smiling, the taller stallion looked out amongst the Oasis. “Though you've only been here for a short time, which flower would you say is your favorite so far?”

“Uh...” Truth be told, he was too busy residing over his post to behold the myriad of surrounding blooms. Quickly, he looked around, and he settled for an eye-catching tower of pink and white flowers that set nearby. “I guess this one is really pretty,” he said.

Blueblood walked up beside him. “Ah, a mountain laurel, an excellent choice. This one was a gift from the King of Prance, when he attended the Summer Sun Celebration a few years back.”

“Do you know the origins of everything here?”

“Naturally. Many of these plants I watched grow from either seed or sproutling. Would you like a tour, by chance?”

Shining shot an uncertain glance at where the Princess and his sister stood. “I really shouldn't leave my post, Your Majesty.”

“Are you certain? I'm sure my aunt wouldn't mind.”

“I'm certain.” He looked down at the ground for a moment. “Rain-check?”

Though Blueblood felt a strange sense of disappointment, he didn't let it show. He didn't know why he was disappointed in the first place. He assumed the guard wouldn't take him up on his offer. He was a guard, after all. “I'll keep you to your rain-check,” he retorted with a smirk. “Good day, Shining Armor.”

Rolling his shoulders, Shining returned to his position. He watched as the Prince took his leave. It wasn't long before he was hit by the realization his eyes were lingering far longer than deemed appropriate. Startled, he tore his gaze away.

Author's Note

No, you're not hallucinating, I actually updated. I can't believe it's almost been a year, but now that I completed my other story, you better believe this will be updated more frequently!