Moments of Heavenby Slick DashChaptersYou're the bestSunshine, sunshine?The best foal sitter!An epiphany You're the best“But Cadence! If I go to sleep now, I’ll miss Armour!” Twilight whined, wriggling free of her Foal sitter’s expert tucking. Once free, the filly tried to jump away, making for the door to the living room. However her sitter had seen this move a thousand times before! Gently, the cloud of faint blue magic surrounded the magenta filly as she soared through the air. The young princess took the filly back to her pillow, lifted the sheets up, and slid her back into place. Twilight sulked. “That’s not fair!” She moaned to Cadence’s amusement. Laughing sweetly, she tucked the filly back into bed as she spoke. “Twilight, it’s getting late, your brother may be out for a few more hours!” Twilight perked up. “But I’m fine with that! I’m not...” Her sentence was cut short by a large yawn. Her little mouth stretched hard with tiredness, and when it was over it left the little filly looking defeated. “Tired.” She finished moodily. Cadence laughed again. “You’ll understand one day, he needs to stay out late tonight because of how important that exam is, you need to sleep because YOU have a test in two days don’t you?” Twilight shrugged. “It’s only a little one, just to check I learned the spells Princess Celestia gave me to practise.” “Then you need your rest.” Cadence retorted. She knew she had cornered the little filly. She had looked after the little one for a while now; she knew how the magenta unicorn’s mind worked. She had just taken advantage of this! Twilight would never want to sabotage her chances at a test. “Ok...” Twilight said slowly, staring moodily towards the floor. “Hey,” Cadence lifted the little ones face up to look at hers. “If he comes home in the next ten minutes, I’ll tell him to come in.” “EVEN IF I’M ASLEEP?!” Twilight shouted happily. The princess nodded, and the little filly beamed at her joyously. “Now!” Cadence said, growing a very businesslike tone. “Sleep!” She sat there, only for a few minutes. Soon the day had caught up with the little filly, and she was well within the world of her dreams. She looked so adorable, cuddling her little doll as she slept. The little unicorn’s lips slowly pressed over one of the little plush pony’s ears and began to suck gently. Cadence always loved this part of foal sitting for Armour’s little sister, she was so cute! Carefully, the princess stood and slowly made her way to the door. Avoiding the floorboards she had learnt long ago were creaky. She made it to the pine panel in seconds; she then opened the door, and slipped out into the living room. With a sigh of relief when she put her ear to the keyhole and heard Twilight’s soft breathing –still fast asleep- Cadence turned and made her way to the sofa looking over the fireplace. A few hours passed as Cadence lay across a couple of cushions red read her magazines. She glanced through the articles, finding nothing of real interest. She saw the usual advertisements for the summer sun celebration, this year it would be held in Las Pegasus. Cadence laughed, ‘That’s going to be a wild night!’ she thought, remembering that each pony was meant to stay up for the night before the summer sun rising. She was looking forward to the time in the crazy city! She’d have to come, simply to accompany her aunt Celestia. She noticed a small periodical focused on the new filly singing sensation, her name was ‘Sapphire Shores.’ As she glanced over the picture of the pop Diva like filly, Cadence couldn’t help but believe that little foal’s carrier wouldn’t last that long. She was too... flashy! “Why is it I always find you reading magazines, and never actually looking after my sister?” asked a joking voice from behind the bored princess. Cadence jumped, she turned around to see Twilight’s big brother. She was sure she hadn’t heard him enter! Shining Armour was a very attractive stallion, Cadence had always noticed that. Geez, all of her friends at high school had thought the same thing before they graduated. But now, for some unknown reason, Cadence saw the appeal all the more easily. Maybe it was the fact that she didn’t see Armour everyday now they were adults, or maybe he had just grown even more attractive, but either way, she noticed all the more. “I...I-I...” She spluttered, trying to find her voice. The white stallion laughed, moving to the small table nestled in the corner of the room. “It’s ok Cady, I was just pulling your tail.” With a look of relief, he pushed the bulging saddle bags off his back and onto the waiting table, which creaked ominously under the weight of the large amount of books they held. Cadence gave a breath of relief; she had thought that Armour had actually been genuine in his accusation! Slowly she made her way to the stallion, who with much happiness, collapsed into a nearby chair. His drawn eyes and gaunt expression showed how tired he was, worriedly the princess asked “Rough day?” Armour gave a low whistle as he ruffled his mane with a hoof. “You could say that, that entrance exam was a total pain!” Today had been the day Armour took the royal guard entrance exam. It had always been a dream of his to be one of them, even in their days back at school. “Well, they do need THE BEST!” Cadence said slowly, trying to calm the stallion’s apparent nerves. He frowned. “You’re acting like I failed it!” “I thought YOU thought you had.” Cadence said defensively. “Nope! It was difficult, but I aced it!” Cadence’s jaw dropped. “You got it back today?” The stallion nodded, beaming happily. “They took one look at it, and the examiner told me to stay behind. He marked it in front of me, and showed me THIS!” The stallion dove into the bags and pulled out a single sheet of paper, not even bothering with magic in his excitement. Cadence scanned it quickly, discovering it to be a multiple choice exam, and right in the top corner lay a large, red, ‘100%!’ Cadence’s face broke out into a toothy grin; quickly she flung her hooves around the stallion. “That’s wonderful Armour!” The stallion took a second to register what had just happened, and then slowly he let his forelegs fall onto the princess’s back and return the hug. He wasn’t sure, but he felt something. Deep in the pit of his stomach, a yearning. It was almost like hunger, but it was less tangible, almost as though his body craved something unknown. He wasn’t sure, but he could swear it had something to do with the scent of the hundred different perfumes and soaps that radiated from the princess, as she still hugged him. He savoured the moment; Cadence wasn’t exactly, bad looking. After the rough day he’d had, he was grateful to have such wonderful contact with the beautiful princess. Cadence wasn’t sure why she was holding the hug for so long. She tried to order her limbs to break away, but they wouldn’t obey her! All she could do was stand there whilst holding the stallion close to her. After what seemed like an hour, she finally gained control again, pulling herself away and standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, quickly brushing her mane out of her face as it fell across. The feeling was mutual; Armour was still sat on his seat, though slightly unevenly from the contact of the hug. He seemed slightly dazed. Cadence gave a small cough, which brought the stallion out of whatever reverie he was in. “So...” She asked, her voice squeaking slightly as she tried to calm her nerves from that oddly sweet moment. “When do you start training?” Armour frowned for a moment, what was she talking about? Then it hit him. “Oh, tomorrow! They said I’m ‘too valuable to keep waiting.’” He smiled, slightly pompously from his praise. “Did not!” Cadence laughed. “No lie! I mean it, they said I start tomorrow!” The stallion laughed. Cadence joined him, but her laughter began to die as she noticed the stallion stop and then grow slightly uneasy. “Which means... I’m gonna need somepony to watch Twily a lot more.” Cadence’s heart plummeted. “S-somepony?” she asked, unable to believe what she was hearing. Armour nodded. Why not her? What was wrong with Cadence sitting Twilight? She loved it! “Well, you have your own duties to attend to, and over the next few months I’m gonna be away a lot. I can’t ask you to”- He was cut short by a murderous gaze that the young princess sent him. “You dare try to take me away from little Twilight, I’ll have you killed!” Armour sat there stunned for the second time that night. For a moment, the two gazed into each other’s eyes, before bursting out into laughter. “Ok, ok, so you don’t mind watching her?” Armour asked between fits of giggles. Cadence smiled finally pulling her own laughter under control. “Not at all, I love her! I’d love to keep coming and keep her safe.” Armour smiled, got out of his seat and came up close to the stationary princess. Cadence watched as he approached, she didn’t know what he was doing, and felt slightly nervous. Immedietly all the rumours from high school sprang to mind yet again! That he was some debonair ‘Clopablanca’ romantic! Was he about to scenranade her? Seduce her? She wasn’t sure, but she thought she saw a slight glint in his eye. Why was she so curious to his intent? Was it...was it because she wanted it to be true? All these thoughts shot through her mind in a blink of an eye. They confused her, yet thrilled her at the same time. The stallion reached her, lifted a hoof and rested it on her shoulder. He looked gazes with her beautiful faint purple eyes, and smiled “Thanks Cady! You’re the best.” Sunshine, sunshine?“And you see that? That’s the rune for water.” Cadence pointed to a mark scribbled in the top left corner of the page. “It is?” Twilight frowned, “But then what’s that?” She pointed to three consecutive curvy lines. “I thought that was a current of water.” “You almost have it, it’s a current of air. That’s the rune for wind.” Twilight face hoofed herself. “I’m such an idiot! I was trying to get Spike a glass of air, not water!” Cadence couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s ok Twilight, I did the same thing, except when aunt Celestia wanted a gentle breeze... I nearly drowned her!” Twilight stared in disbelief. “Honestly?” “Yes. It’s true.” The two girls fell about laughing, revelling in their silly mistakes. After their three years together as foal sitter and charge, they had grown very close. Almost like sisters. Seeing as Twilight and Armour’s parents lived quite far away, and Twilight needed to live in Canterlot for her studies, and Armour for his duties. Cadence had almost become like a mother figure for Twilight. Now more of a visiting friend than a foal sitter, seeing as Twilight was so much older. Unfortunately, over the years the filly had grown and needed Cadence less and less. As she grew older, she was able to be left to her own devises more. Now she spent most of her time in the library in the city, studying with her assistant Spike. Sometimes it hurt to know that soon she wouldn’t be needed, but also at the same time she was sure that it wasn’t just because she wouldn’t see Twilight anymore. There was something...else. “Guess who’s back!” Armour cried as he came in through the door to find the two lounging around on the floor. “Big brother!” Twilight cried, leaping into his waiting forelegs. Cadence still lay there, but flipped around to face them right side up. She watched as the stallion spun on the spot holding his sister close, bringing a gentle smile to her lips as she watched. Twilight regaled her brother with the stories of the day, laughing at her own silly mistakes and how Cadence had been the same at her age. All to which Armour smiled, and listened patiently. When she had finished, he gave her a gentle ruffle of her mane. “So what now?” He asked. “Well, I was waiting for you to get home, now I think I’m going to go to the library with Spike!” Twilight turned back and approached the princess. “Thanks for looking after me!” She chirruped as she began to trot in place. Cadence smiled, hopped up and imitated the movement. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!” They both sang as they did their own personal hoofshake. Once it was over, the two erupted into little fits of giggles. And with that the young mare trotted away to the front door to find her assistant, leaving Cadence and Armour alone. In the wake of her leaving, the room was deadly silent. “Sunshine, sunshine?” Amour asked, obviously suppressing a laugh. “Don’t joke about it, Twilight came up with that whole thing herself!” Cadence defended. The two smiled. They barely spoke these days, with Armour so busy with his career, and Cadence with her duties as a princess. These sparing moments of convocation had become fewer and fewer. Though recently cadence had realised she relished these now rare times she spoke with Armour, and though he never said it, the way he acted suggested he felt the same way. “So?” the stallion asked, scratching his neck absentmindedly. “She wasn’t any trouble was she?” “No, not at all. An angel as always!” Cadence smiled. “Good...good.” Armour seemed distracted to Cadence, what was wrong? “Look...” The stallion made his way over to where cadence stood. “I’m thinking of applying for the captain’s position.” Cadence smiled, her eyes twinkling deviously. “Captain? You mean you want to be the next ‘FRIGD gold?” Armour sniggered slightly, then quickly pulled himself together. “His name RIGID Gold and you know it Cady!” The two laughed slightly. “So what do you think? Should I go for it?” Cadence’s eyes widened. “You? A captain? Oh I can just see it now! All those rippling muscles under a captain’s uniform!” She pretended to swoon, flinging a hoof to her forehead and falling back into the body of Armour. When she landed gently against him, she gazed up with falsely idolising eyes. “I think if I saw you in that, I’d have to have you! No mare would ever get near you again!” Armour smirked. “So you’re saying not to try then.” Cadence’s mocking face fell into genuine shock. “Armour!” She scolded. At which point, the stallion moved suddenly, causing the princess to actually fall backwards. When he realised she actually had no footing, he swooped in quickly to try and help. but it was already a lost cause. Cadence’s flailing hooves caught armour, and pulled him down with her. Both let out a cry as their bodies plummeted to the ground. Their gaping mouths spread in both worry and amusement as they fell. Then Cadence gently hit the floor. And Armour fell on top of her. The two laughing mouths came close to each other in seconds, without any knowledge from their owners until it was too late. Both cries were cut short as their lips met and sealed the hole making noise. Leaving the two of them laid there, all hints of laughter gone in an instant! Both their eyes grew wide with surprise, as they lay there realising what had happened. Yet still they didn’t move. From only a few inches away, Armour’s deep blue eyes looked back at Cadence’s gentle purple ones. He frowned at her focusing down at where their faces where touching, then back up to Cadence’s who began to do the same. Suddenly, finding strength in his forelegs, Armour pushed himself up bashfully and proceeded to help Cadence up. “You ok?” He asked, concerned he may have hurt her. “Uhh... no I-I mean yes! I’m fine!” the princess spluttered as she got to her hooves. Giving a nervous laugh, she nudged Armour in the ribs. “I said when you’re captain big boy!” Armour blushed, but sighed with relief that nothing too dreadful had happened. “I...think I should get going.” And with that Cadence trotted over to the door. As she passed him, Armour caught a waft of that beautiful scented perfume she always wore. And as she left, Armour was sure he could still smell it. Glancing down at his own body he took a quick breath and realised, some of her smell must have rubbed off on him as they’d fallen. He wasn’t sure, but he though he liked the scent, and he definitely like the sound of being a captain now! Even if she had only been joking! The best foal sitter!“You know, you’ll always be the best foal sitter to me Cadence!” Twilight said happily as the two lay there, admiring the latest book Twilight had bought. Cadence laughed, frowning at her magenta friend. “Where did that come from Twilight?” “Well, I’m obviously too old for a foal sitter, but I want you to know I still think of you as the best one ever!” Cadence blushed. She glanced away quickly, trying not to make her eyes well up with tears. “Come on Twilight, don’t do this to me! You’re going to make me cry!” Twilight’s face fell. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! It’s just that...I...” Cadence put a calming hoof over the younger mare’s shoulders and squeezed gently. “It’s ok Twilight, you just caught me off guard is all. I know you’re older now, and I guess it kind of scares me knowing you don’t need me anymore.” Twilight gave her a huge smile. “I’ll always need you Cadence!” and with that she gave her former sitter a tight embrace. To which Cadence returned in kind. “And I’ll always be here Twilight!” As the two continued to glance through the book, Twilight noticed something in one of the pages she was about to turn over. “Elements of harmony...” She muttered. “Twilight?” Cadence asked, leaning over to glance at what Twilight was reading. “The power of the elements of harmony is without equal...” she recited thoughtfully. She glanced at the studious mare. “Mean anything to you Twilight?” The unicorn sat there scratching her head. “I’m sure I have... somewhere!” After a few minutes of silent thinking. Twilight stood very suddenly. “I can’t think in here! I’m going to go down by the pond, maybe the fresh air will help jog my memory.” And as soon as the idea had sprouted from her lips, Twilight was gone. Cadence glanced around the room; she was now alone in Twilight and Armour’s house! This was strange, though she had barely been able to visit lately; she could still remember every detail from when she had come every week to tend to the little purple foal, now fully grown and gallivanting around Canterlot. She stood, and glanced around the living room, as though being reunited with an old friend. But this was improper! She shouldn’t be in somepony’s house when they aren’t! So getting to her hooves, she made her way to the door. As she reached the mat on the inside of the door however, she saw the doorknob turn of its own accord. Cadense frowned, then realised who it must be. As the door opened, she smiled to the waiting pony. “Forget something?” she laughed. Her chortle died as she realised it wasn’t Twilight. “Uhhh... no, I just got off duty.” Laughed the stallion, who now came in to the house. “What are you doing here Cady?” He asked bemusedly before he began to pull at the strap holding his Captain’s armour to his chest with his teeth. “I was here with Twilight.” “She just left, I bumped into her on the way up.” “Yeah,” The mare blushed. “She kinda left me here.” “Oh...” The stallion realized. Standing straight and looking over to the princess. For a moment they stood there in awkward silence. Then Armour tried to resume taking off his armour, with little to no avail. Cadence watched as the stallion grew frustrated with the defiant little leather strap. Giving a small laugh she came over to the captain. “Here, let me do it.” she said as she began to undo the strap from a less awkward position than Armour. Her tongue stuck out slightly as she worked the stubborn material out of the buckle, and finally gave a little puff of relief as it fell away. “There you go.” she said. Armour gave her a fleeting smile, then quickly glanced away. “Thanks.” He muttered as he began to work on the second one, now far less awkward now the first buckle had been undone. “I don’t know what I’d do without you Cady.” He said happily, then froze. Did he just say that? What on earth possessed him to say THAT?! “You’d probably collapse under the strain of dressing yourself!” Cadence joked leaning down to meet the captain’s eye and winking at him. He gave a nervous laugh in response, and Cadence stood straight. She was a little disappointed; she had hoped he would be a little more open with her, like he used to be. She wanted the stallion who she had joked with and accidently kissed, not this silly quiet wreck of resent months! With a sigh, she turned and headed for the door. “I’ll see myself out.” She grumbled, and reached for the door that hung ajar before her. “Wait!” came a quick and panicked cry from behind her. Before she turned, Cadence risked a small smirk, maybe he was going to be like his old self! It was the first time he had shown interest in her lately! “Yes?” She asked as innocently as she could as she turned to him. He had finally succeeded in removing his armour and placing it on its mannequin in the corner of the living room. Slowly, his horns glow faded as he placed the glinting metal in its place. “Cady... I was wondering...” the captain began, taking a few tentative steps back towards the alicorn mare. “Yes?” She asked again, urging him to continue. She was hoping, more than anything that he would finally act on her promise, though at the time it had been a joke. She now hoped he thought her words to be true. For him to think he could try because he was finally the captain of the guard! Armour laughed slightly at the expression he was observing from Cadence, her eyes were wide and glinting in the light. She looked more beautiful than ever! Which made this all the more difficult! He continued to approach her, and she began to move back towards him too. Within moments they were right ahead of each other. Yet the blushing Shining Armour continued forward slowly. “I don’t really know what I’m doing here...in fact; I haven’t even got the slightest clue! But...” their faces were quite close now. Armour gulped, obviously nervous. “I...We’ve known each other for such a long time Cady, and... I was wondering.” He was beginning to get flustered. Cadence couldn’t believe what she was witnessing, to usually cool and confident Shining Armour was actually stuttering and babbling like a school colt. But most of all, she couldn’t believe that Shining armour was building up to what she thought he was. “And Twilight loves you so much... I wanted to know if you’d... possibly”- He was cut short by a sudden weight pushing him back. It was Cadence. She held him close, and brought her lips to his ear. The pearly white ear twitched as he listened to what she whispered. “I’m free tomorrow night.” With that she let him go and made her way to the door, leaving Armour in an amazed daze. As she opened the door with her faded blue magic, she took a quick glance over her shoulder. “Pick me up at eight.” And with that she was gone. Armour stared at the gaping door that Cadence had stood in moments ago, yet again he gulped, trying to dislodge the lump in his throat. Yet he couldn’t. Why was it still there? He shouldn’t be nervous! He should be happy! The mare he liked had just agreed to go on a date! NOTHING COULD RUIN THIS DAY! An epiphany An epiphany “Ponyville?” Armour asked incredulously. “Uhhh...yeah... Princess Celestia wants me to go and organise the summer sun celebration.” Twilight stood before the golden carriage, with Spike stood just behind her. The little dragon was trying to focus on anything other than the two talking ponies. Armour couldn’t quite understand why this was had come so quickly, but he wasn’t one to argue with the princess. Armour gave his sister a tight hug, burying his muzzle in her mane. “Be careful Twily, will you?” Twilight pulled herself away and gave him a beaming smile. The look didn’t help, in fact it hurt more knowing that she was putting on such a brave face, when he knew she didn’t want to really go! He hated seeing her doing things that went against her own wishes, but she was always so dutiful to the princess. “I’ll be back in a few days big brother!” and with that she left on the golden carriage, leaving Armour to watch her go. He wasn’t stupid, he knew she could handle herself fine, but still it was the first time away from home! So immersed in his thoughts, Armour didn’t notice the soft elegant hoofsteps from behind him. Slowly, Cadence made her way to the stallion’s side and watched as the carriage became a dot in the sky. “Are you ok?” She asked. The stallion nodded bitterly. “I don’t know what it is! But there’s...something, I can’t quite put my hoof on.” The stallion’s mood became sombre and moody as he stared at the little blot on the horizon that was Ponyville. Cadence knew if she didn’t do something, he would only get worse. So without hesitation she flung her hoof around the stallion’s foreleg, holding it tightly, and rested her head on his shoulder. “Come on!” She said, smiling up at him encouragingly, “Let’s go on that date!” Armour frowned. “It’s not eight yet.” Cadence arched an incredulous eyebrow. “You’re joking right?” “A little.” Armour winked, and the two headed off for the nearest restaurant. Armour took a quick glimpse back, still unsure, but even as he did Cadence gave a happy sigh as she nuzzled closer into his thick warm fur. “She’ll be fine.” The former foal sitter said happily, “She’ll have fun, don’t you think it’s time you did too?” and with that she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. The contact of her lips seemed to fill him up with courage, confidence and an entire plethora of happy feelings. And finally, Armour stopped thinking of Twilight as his baby sister in need of a sitter, but as a young mare, ready for anything. Which meant he saw Cady in a completely different light. As he glanced down at her, walking with her foreleg entwined with his, her head so naturally nuzzled into his neck and shoulder, he thought a wild and unbelievable thought! ‘This could be the mare I could spend the rest of my life with!’ And the rest... You already know.
You're the best“But Cadence! If I go to sleep now, I’ll miss Armour!” Twilight whined, wriggling free of her Foal sitter’s expert tucking. Once free, the filly tried to jump away, making for the door to the living room. However her sitter had seen this move a thousand times before! Gently, the cloud of faint blue magic surrounded the magenta filly as she soared through the air. The young princess took the filly back to her pillow, lifted the sheets up, and slid her back into place. Twilight sulked. “That’s not fair!” She moaned to Cadence’s amusement. Laughing sweetly, she tucked the filly back into bed as she spoke. “Twilight, it’s getting late, your brother may be out for a few more hours!” Twilight perked up. “But I’m fine with that! I’m not...” Her sentence was cut short by a large yawn. Her little mouth stretched hard with tiredness, and when it was over it left the little filly looking defeated. “Tired.” She finished moodily. Cadence laughed again. “You’ll understand one day, he needs to stay out late tonight because of how important that exam is, you need to sleep because YOU have a test in two days don’t you?” Twilight shrugged. “It’s only a little one, just to check I learned the spells Princess Celestia gave me to practise.” “Then you need your rest.” Cadence retorted. She knew she had cornered the little filly. She had looked after the little one for a while now; she knew how the magenta unicorn’s mind worked. She had just taken advantage of this! Twilight would never want to sabotage her chances at a test. “Ok...” Twilight said slowly, staring moodily towards the floor. “Hey,” Cadence lifted the little ones face up to look at hers. “If he comes home in the next ten minutes, I’ll tell him to come in.” “EVEN IF I’M ASLEEP?!” Twilight shouted happily. The princess nodded, and the little filly beamed at her joyously. “Now!” Cadence said, growing a very businesslike tone. “Sleep!” She sat there, only for a few minutes. Soon the day had caught up with the little filly, and she was well within the world of her dreams. She looked so adorable, cuddling her little doll as she slept. The little unicorn’s lips slowly pressed over one of the little plush pony’s ears and began to suck gently. Cadence always loved this part of foal sitting for Armour’s little sister, she was so cute! Carefully, the princess stood and slowly made her way to the door. Avoiding the floorboards she had learnt long ago were creaky. She made it to the pine panel in seconds; she then opened the door, and slipped out into the living room. With a sigh of relief when she put her ear to the keyhole and heard Twilight’s soft breathing –still fast asleep- Cadence turned and made her way to the sofa looking over the fireplace. A few hours passed as Cadence lay across a couple of cushions red read her magazines. She glanced through the articles, finding nothing of real interest. She saw the usual advertisements for the summer sun celebration, this year it would be held in Las Pegasus. Cadence laughed, ‘That’s going to be a wild night!’ she thought, remembering that each pony was meant to stay up for the night before the summer sun rising. She was looking forward to the time in the crazy city! She’d have to come, simply to accompany her aunt Celestia. She noticed a small periodical focused on the new filly singing sensation, her name was ‘Sapphire Shores.’ As she glanced over the picture of the pop Diva like filly, Cadence couldn’t help but believe that little foal’s carrier wouldn’t last that long. She was too... flashy! “Why is it I always find you reading magazines, and never actually looking after my sister?” asked a joking voice from behind the bored princess. Cadence jumped, she turned around to see Twilight’s big brother. She was sure she hadn’t heard him enter! Shining Armour was a very attractive stallion, Cadence had always noticed that. Geez, all of her friends at high school had thought the same thing before they graduated. But now, for some unknown reason, Cadence saw the appeal all the more easily. Maybe it was the fact that she didn’t see Armour everyday now they were adults, or maybe he had just grown even more attractive, but either way, she noticed all the more. “I...I-I...” She spluttered, trying to find her voice. The white stallion laughed, moving to the small table nestled in the corner of the room. “It’s ok Cady, I was just pulling your tail.” With a look of relief, he pushed the bulging saddle bags off his back and onto the waiting table, which creaked ominously under the weight of the large amount of books they held. Cadence gave a breath of relief; she had thought that Armour had actually been genuine in his accusation! Slowly she made her way to the stallion, who with much happiness, collapsed into a nearby chair. His drawn eyes and gaunt expression showed how tired he was, worriedly the princess asked “Rough day?” Armour gave a low whistle as he ruffled his mane with a hoof. “You could say that, that entrance exam was a total pain!” Today had been the day Armour took the royal guard entrance exam. It had always been a dream of his to be one of them, even in their days back at school. “Well, they do need THE BEST!” Cadence said slowly, trying to calm the stallion’s apparent nerves. He frowned. “You’re acting like I failed it!” “I thought YOU thought you had.” Cadence said defensively. “Nope! It was difficult, but I aced it!” Cadence’s jaw dropped. “You got it back today?” The stallion nodded, beaming happily. “They took one look at it, and the examiner told me to stay behind. He marked it in front of me, and showed me THIS!” The stallion dove into the bags and pulled out a single sheet of paper, not even bothering with magic in his excitement. Cadence scanned it quickly, discovering it to be a multiple choice exam, and right in the top corner lay a large, red, ‘100%!’ Cadence’s face broke out into a toothy grin; quickly she flung her hooves around the stallion. “That’s wonderful Armour!” The stallion took a second to register what had just happened, and then slowly he let his forelegs fall onto the princess’s back and return the hug. He wasn’t sure, but he felt something. Deep in the pit of his stomach, a yearning. It was almost like hunger, but it was less tangible, almost as though his body craved something unknown. He wasn’t sure, but he could swear it had something to do with the scent of the hundred different perfumes and soaps that radiated from the princess, as she still hugged him. He savoured the moment; Cadence wasn’t exactly, bad looking. After the rough day he’d had, he was grateful to have such wonderful contact with the beautiful princess. Cadence wasn’t sure why she was holding the hug for so long. She tried to order her limbs to break away, but they wouldn’t obey her! All she could do was stand there whilst holding the stallion close to her. After what seemed like an hour, she finally gained control again, pulling herself away and standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, quickly brushing her mane out of her face as it fell across. The feeling was mutual; Armour was still sat on his seat, though slightly unevenly from the contact of the hug. He seemed slightly dazed. Cadence gave a small cough, which brought the stallion out of whatever reverie he was in. “So...” She asked, her voice squeaking slightly as she tried to calm her nerves from that oddly sweet moment. “When do you start training?” Armour frowned for a moment, what was she talking about? Then it hit him. “Oh, tomorrow! They said I’m ‘too valuable to keep waiting.’” He smiled, slightly pompously from his praise. “Did not!” Cadence laughed. “No lie! I mean it, they said I start tomorrow!” The stallion laughed. Cadence joined him, but her laughter began to die as she noticed the stallion stop and then grow slightly uneasy. “Which means... I’m gonna need somepony to watch Twily a lot more.” Cadence’s heart plummeted. “S-somepony?” she asked, unable to believe what she was hearing. Armour nodded. Why not her? What was wrong with Cadence sitting Twilight? She loved it! “Well, you have your own duties to attend to, and over the next few months I’m gonna be away a lot. I can’t ask you to”- He was cut short by a murderous gaze that the young princess sent him. “You dare try to take me away from little Twilight, I’ll have you killed!” Armour sat there stunned for the second time that night. For a moment, the two gazed into each other’s eyes, before bursting out into laughter. “Ok, ok, so you don’t mind watching her?” Armour asked between fits of giggles. Cadence smiled finally pulling her own laughter under control. “Not at all, I love her! I’d love to keep coming and keep her safe.” Armour smiled, got out of his seat and came up close to the stationary princess. Cadence watched as he approached, she didn’t know what he was doing, and felt slightly nervous. Immedietly all the rumours from high school sprang to mind yet again! That he was some debonair ‘Clopablanca’ romantic! Was he about to scenranade her? Seduce her? She wasn’t sure, but she thought she saw a slight glint in his eye. Why was she so curious to his intent? Was it...was it because she wanted it to be true? All these thoughts shot through her mind in a blink of an eye. They confused her, yet thrilled her at the same time. The stallion reached her, lifted a hoof and rested it on her shoulder. He looked gazes with her beautiful faint purple eyes, and smiled “Thanks Cady! You’re the best.”
Sunshine, sunshine?“And you see that? That’s the rune for water.” Cadence pointed to a mark scribbled in the top left corner of the page. “It is?” Twilight frowned, “But then what’s that?” She pointed to three consecutive curvy lines. “I thought that was a current of water.” “You almost have it, it’s a current of air. That’s the rune for wind.” Twilight face hoofed herself. “I’m such an idiot! I was trying to get Spike a glass of air, not water!” Cadence couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s ok Twilight, I did the same thing, except when aunt Celestia wanted a gentle breeze... I nearly drowned her!” Twilight stared in disbelief. “Honestly?” “Yes. It’s true.” The two girls fell about laughing, revelling in their silly mistakes. After their three years together as foal sitter and charge, they had grown very close. Almost like sisters. Seeing as Twilight and Armour’s parents lived quite far away, and Twilight needed to live in Canterlot for her studies, and Armour for his duties. Cadence had almost become like a mother figure for Twilight. Now more of a visiting friend than a foal sitter, seeing as Twilight was so much older. Unfortunately, over the years the filly had grown and needed Cadence less and less. As she grew older, she was able to be left to her own devises more. Now she spent most of her time in the library in the city, studying with her assistant Spike. Sometimes it hurt to know that soon she wouldn’t be needed, but also at the same time she was sure that it wasn’t just because she wouldn’t see Twilight anymore. There was something...else. “Guess who’s back!” Armour cried as he came in through the door to find the two lounging around on the floor. “Big brother!” Twilight cried, leaping into his waiting forelegs. Cadence still lay there, but flipped around to face them right side up. She watched as the stallion spun on the spot holding his sister close, bringing a gentle smile to her lips as she watched. Twilight regaled her brother with the stories of the day, laughing at her own silly mistakes and how Cadence had been the same at her age. All to which Armour smiled, and listened patiently. When she had finished, he gave her a gentle ruffle of her mane. “So what now?” He asked. “Well, I was waiting for you to get home, now I think I’m going to go to the library with Spike!” Twilight turned back and approached the princess. “Thanks for looking after me!” She chirruped as she began to trot in place. Cadence smiled, hopped up and imitated the movement. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!” They both sang as they did their own personal hoofshake. Once it was over, the two erupted into little fits of giggles. And with that the young mare trotted away to the front door to find her assistant, leaving Cadence and Armour alone. In the wake of her leaving, the room was deadly silent. “Sunshine, sunshine?” Amour asked, obviously suppressing a laugh. “Don’t joke about it, Twilight came up with that whole thing herself!” Cadence defended. The two smiled. They barely spoke these days, with Armour so busy with his career, and Cadence with her duties as a princess. These sparing moments of convocation had become fewer and fewer. Though recently cadence had realised she relished these now rare times she spoke with Armour, and though he never said it, the way he acted suggested he felt the same way. “So?” the stallion asked, scratching his neck absentmindedly. “She wasn’t any trouble was she?” “No, not at all. An angel as always!” Cadence smiled. “Good...good.” Armour seemed distracted to Cadence, what was wrong? “Look...” The stallion made his way over to where cadence stood. “I’m thinking of applying for the captain’s position.” Cadence smiled, her eyes twinkling deviously. “Captain? You mean you want to be the next ‘FRIGD gold?” Armour sniggered slightly, then quickly pulled himself together. “His name RIGID Gold and you know it Cady!” The two laughed slightly. “So what do you think? Should I go for it?” Cadence’s eyes widened. “You? A captain? Oh I can just see it now! All those rippling muscles under a captain’s uniform!” She pretended to swoon, flinging a hoof to her forehead and falling back into the body of Armour. When she landed gently against him, she gazed up with falsely idolising eyes. “I think if I saw you in that, I’d have to have you! No mare would ever get near you again!” Armour smirked. “So you’re saying not to try then.” Cadence’s mocking face fell into genuine shock. “Armour!” She scolded. At which point, the stallion moved suddenly, causing the princess to actually fall backwards. When he realised she actually had no footing, he swooped in quickly to try and help. but it was already a lost cause. Cadence’s flailing hooves caught armour, and pulled him down with her. Both let out a cry as their bodies plummeted to the ground. Their gaping mouths spread in both worry and amusement as they fell. Then Cadence gently hit the floor. And Armour fell on top of her. The two laughing mouths came close to each other in seconds, without any knowledge from their owners until it was too late. Both cries were cut short as their lips met and sealed the hole making noise. Leaving the two of them laid there, all hints of laughter gone in an instant! Both their eyes grew wide with surprise, as they lay there realising what had happened. Yet still they didn’t move. From only a few inches away, Armour’s deep blue eyes looked back at Cadence’s gentle purple ones. He frowned at her focusing down at where their faces where touching, then back up to Cadence’s who began to do the same. Suddenly, finding strength in his forelegs, Armour pushed himself up bashfully and proceeded to help Cadence up. “You ok?” He asked, concerned he may have hurt her. “Uhh... no I-I mean yes! I’m fine!” the princess spluttered as she got to her hooves. Giving a nervous laugh, she nudged Armour in the ribs. “I said when you’re captain big boy!” Armour blushed, but sighed with relief that nothing too dreadful had happened. “I...think I should get going.” And with that Cadence trotted over to the door. As she passed him, Armour caught a waft of that beautiful scented perfume she always wore. And as she left, Armour was sure he could still smell it. Glancing down at his own body he took a quick breath and realised, some of her smell must have rubbed off on him as they’d fallen. He wasn’t sure, but he though he liked the scent, and he definitely like the sound of being a captain now! Even if she had only been joking!
The best foal sitter!“You know, you’ll always be the best foal sitter to me Cadence!” Twilight said happily as the two lay there, admiring the latest book Twilight had bought. Cadence laughed, frowning at her magenta friend. “Where did that come from Twilight?” “Well, I’m obviously too old for a foal sitter, but I want you to know I still think of you as the best one ever!” Cadence blushed. She glanced away quickly, trying not to make her eyes well up with tears. “Come on Twilight, don’t do this to me! You’re going to make me cry!” Twilight’s face fell. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! It’s just that...I...” Cadence put a calming hoof over the younger mare’s shoulders and squeezed gently. “It’s ok Twilight, you just caught me off guard is all. I know you’re older now, and I guess it kind of scares me knowing you don’t need me anymore.” Twilight gave her a huge smile. “I’ll always need you Cadence!” and with that she gave her former sitter a tight embrace. To which Cadence returned in kind. “And I’ll always be here Twilight!” As the two continued to glance through the book, Twilight noticed something in one of the pages she was about to turn over. “Elements of harmony...” She muttered. “Twilight?” Cadence asked, leaning over to glance at what Twilight was reading. “The power of the elements of harmony is without equal...” she recited thoughtfully. She glanced at the studious mare. “Mean anything to you Twilight?” The unicorn sat there scratching her head. “I’m sure I have... somewhere!” After a few minutes of silent thinking. Twilight stood very suddenly. “I can’t think in here! I’m going to go down by the pond, maybe the fresh air will help jog my memory.” And as soon as the idea had sprouted from her lips, Twilight was gone. Cadence glanced around the room; she was now alone in Twilight and Armour’s house! This was strange, though she had barely been able to visit lately; she could still remember every detail from when she had come every week to tend to the little purple foal, now fully grown and gallivanting around Canterlot. She stood, and glanced around the living room, as though being reunited with an old friend. But this was improper! She shouldn’t be in somepony’s house when they aren’t! So getting to her hooves, she made her way to the door. As she reached the mat on the inside of the door however, she saw the doorknob turn of its own accord. Cadense frowned, then realised who it must be. As the door opened, she smiled to the waiting pony. “Forget something?” she laughed. Her chortle died as she realised it wasn’t Twilight. “Uhhh... no, I just got off duty.” Laughed the stallion, who now came in to the house. “What are you doing here Cady?” He asked bemusedly before he began to pull at the strap holding his Captain’s armour to his chest with his teeth. “I was here with Twilight.” “She just left, I bumped into her on the way up.” “Yeah,” The mare blushed. “She kinda left me here.” “Oh...” The stallion realized. Standing straight and looking over to the princess. For a moment they stood there in awkward silence. Then Armour tried to resume taking off his armour, with little to no avail. Cadence watched as the stallion grew frustrated with the defiant little leather strap. Giving a small laugh she came over to the captain. “Here, let me do it.” she said as she began to undo the strap from a less awkward position than Armour. Her tongue stuck out slightly as she worked the stubborn material out of the buckle, and finally gave a little puff of relief as it fell away. “There you go.” she said. Armour gave her a fleeting smile, then quickly glanced away. “Thanks.” He muttered as he began to work on the second one, now far less awkward now the first buckle had been undone. “I don’t know what I’d do without you Cady.” He said happily, then froze. Did he just say that? What on earth possessed him to say THAT?! “You’d probably collapse under the strain of dressing yourself!” Cadence joked leaning down to meet the captain’s eye and winking at him. He gave a nervous laugh in response, and Cadence stood straight. She was a little disappointed; she had hoped he would be a little more open with her, like he used to be. She wanted the stallion who she had joked with and accidently kissed, not this silly quiet wreck of resent months! With a sigh, she turned and headed for the door. “I’ll see myself out.” She grumbled, and reached for the door that hung ajar before her. “Wait!” came a quick and panicked cry from behind her. Before she turned, Cadence risked a small smirk, maybe he was going to be like his old self! It was the first time he had shown interest in her lately! “Yes?” She asked as innocently as she could as she turned to him. He had finally succeeded in removing his armour and placing it on its mannequin in the corner of the living room. Slowly, his horns glow faded as he placed the glinting metal in its place. “Cady... I was wondering...” the captain began, taking a few tentative steps back towards the alicorn mare. “Yes?” She asked again, urging him to continue. She was hoping, more than anything that he would finally act on her promise, though at the time it had been a joke. She now hoped he thought her words to be true. For him to think he could try because he was finally the captain of the guard! Armour laughed slightly at the expression he was observing from Cadence, her eyes were wide and glinting in the light. She looked more beautiful than ever! Which made this all the more difficult! He continued to approach her, and she began to move back towards him too. Within moments they were right ahead of each other. Yet the blushing Shining Armour continued forward slowly. “I don’t really know what I’m doing here...in fact; I haven’t even got the slightest clue! But...” their faces were quite close now. Armour gulped, obviously nervous. “I...We’ve known each other for such a long time Cady, and... I was wondering.” He was beginning to get flustered. Cadence couldn’t believe what she was witnessing, to usually cool and confident Shining Armour was actually stuttering and babbling like a school colt. But most of all, she couldn’t believe that Shining armour was building up to what she thought he was. “And Twilight loves you so much... I wanted to know if you’d... possibly”- He was cut short by a sudden weight pushing him back. It was Cadence. She held him close, and brought her lips to his ear. The pearly white ear twitched as he listened to what she whispered. “I’m free tomorrow night.” With that she let him go and made her way to the door, leaving Armour in an amazed daze. As she opened the door with her faded blue magic, she took a quick glance over her shoulder. “Pick me up at eight.” And with that she was gone. Armour stared at the gaping door that Cadence had stood in moments ago, yet again he gulped, trying to dislodge the lump in his throat. Yet he couldn’t. Why was it still there? He shouldn’t be nervous! He should be happy! The mare he liked had just agreed to go on a date! NOTHING COULD RUIN THIS DAY!
An epiphany An epiphany “Ponyville?” Armour asked incredulously. “Uhhh...yeah... Princess Celestia wants me to go and organise the summer sun celebration.” Twilight stood before the golden carriage, with Spike stood just behind her. The little dragon was trying to focus on anything other than the two talking ponies. Armour couldn’t quite understand why this was had come so quickly, but he wasn’t one to argue with the princess. Armour gave his sister a tight hug, burying his muzzle in her mane. “Be careful Twily, will you?” Twilight pulled herself away and gave him a beaming smile. The look didn’t help, in fact it hurt more knowing that she was putting on such a brave face, when he knew she didn’t want to really go! He hated seeing her doing things that went against her own wishes, but she was always so dutiful to the princess. “I’ll be back in a few days big brother!” and with that she left on the golden carriage, leaving Armour to watch her go. He wasn’t stupid, he knew she could handle herself fine, but still it was the first time away from home! So immersed in his thoughts, Armour didn’t notice the soft elegant hoofsteps from behind him. Slowly, Cadence made her way to the stallion’s side and watched as the carriage became a dot in the sky. “Are you ok?” She asked. The stallion nodded bitterly. “I don’t know what it is! But there’s...something, I can’t quite put my hoof on.” The stallion’s mood became sombre and moody as he stared at the little blot on the horizon that was Ponyville. Cadence knew if she didn’t do something, he would only get worse. So without hesitation she flung her hoof around the stallion’s foreleg, holding it tightly, and rested her head on his shoulder. “Come on!” She said, smiling up at him encouragingly, “Let’s go on that date!” Armour frowned. “It’s not eight yet.” Cadence arched an incredulous eyebrow. “You’re joking right?” “A little.” Armour winked, and the two headed off for the nearest restaurant. Armour took a quick glimpse back, still unsure, but even as he did Cadence gave a happy sigh as she nuzzled closer into his thick warm fur. “She’ll be fine.” The former foal sitter said happily, “She’ll have fun, don’t you think it’s time you did too?” and with that she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. The contact of her lips seemed to fill him up with courage, confidence and an entire plethora of happy feelings. And finally, Armour stopped thinking of Twilight as his baby sister in need of a sitter, but as a young mare, ready for anything. Which meant he saw Cady in a completely different light. As he glanced down at her, walking with her foreleg entwined with his, her head so naturally nuzzled into his neck and shoulder, he thought a wild and unbelievable thought! ‘This could be the mare I could spend the rest of my life with!’ And the rest... You already know.
