Chapters “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.
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.
“Ok...” Twilight said slowly, staring moodily towards the floor.
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.
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.
“Well, they do need THE BEST!” Cadence said slowly, trying to calm the stallion’s apparent nerves. He frowned.
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.
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!
“Ok, ok, so you don’t mind watching her?” Armour asked between fits of giggles. Cadence smiled finally pulling her own laughter under control.
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.”
“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’s ok Twilight, I did the same thing, except when aunt Celestia wanted a gentle breeze... I nearly drowned her!” Twilight stared in disbelief.
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.
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.
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.
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?”
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.
Armour smirked. “So you’re saying not to try then.” Cadence’s mocking face fell into genuine shock.
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.
“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!
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Did he just say that? What on earth possessed him to say THAT?!
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!
“Cady... I was wondering...” the captain began, taking a few tentative steps back towards the alicorn mare.
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.
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
“Ponyville?” Armour asked incredulously.
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.
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.
“Come on!” She said, smiling up at him encouragingly, “Let’s go on that date!” Armour frowned.
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.
