Chaos Theory

I’m not sure what was more foreboding, the gloom and rain or the fact that Rarity and Fluttershy had planned this with input from Pinkie. I was sitting on a chair in the living room of Cadence’s house, wearing a dress that was a little tighter in the shoulders than I preferred. It was forcing me to sit up primly just to avoid the bunching. Rarity was starting to pass out the gifts that had been stacked neatly by the table.

This is the last time I let Rarity set a dress code for anything, I thought grumpily.

Twilight sat next to me, sitting just as proper, wearing an outfit similar to her Crystal Prep uniform with a longer skirt. It was like looking back in time to the Friendship Games when we didn’t know each other. I wonder what I would have said if someone told me back then we’d be getting married in a few short months.

“Now, Twilight,” Rarity said, her hand on Fluttershy’s thigh. “This is from Rainbow Dash and Applejack.” She handed my bride-to-be a wrapped gift about the size of a stepping stone. She lifted the gift, testing its weight and tilting an ear to it.

“Twi, sweetheart,” Cadence said. “Part of the fun of a shower is the surprise of the gifts. Think of it like an extra Christmas.”

“Actually,” I said, clearing my throat. “I’m with her on the caution here. Last time Dash sent us a gift, it triggered her and Pinkie’s magic.” I grimaced. “If it weren’t for AJ, we’d likely never see our security deposit again.”

Cadence sat up, looking over at where the pink-haired girl had just skipped into the kitchen to finish some preparation. “Like I said,” she continued. “Take your time.”

Twilight set the gift in her lap and pulled open the bow, setting it aside and tearing the paper open to see a set of four placemats inside. The borders running with the symbols that held special meaning for all of us - what would have been our cutie marks in Equestria. I saw AJ’s, Pinkie’s, and Fluttershy’s across the top, Rarity, Dash, and Sonata’s across the bottom. Cadence and Shining Armor’s held court on the sides, and ours were in the center, merged overtop each other. Two had mine as the dominant mark, the other half had Twilight’s star as the primary one.

“These are so cute,” Twilight said as she flipped through them. “Where did she get them made?” She adjusted her glasses before handing me the box to look through.

“She didn’t specify,” Fluttershy said. “But apparently her team has a deal with a local print shop.”

I looked at the slim girl. Ever since the cruise, she had become more confident. She still spoke quietly, but she hardly ever mumbled in nervousness anymore. I had to chalk that up to the Fashionista next to her.

Rarity, as the host of the shower, handed the next gift to Cadence. “From Sunburst and Starlight.”

Cadence opened the box to reveal a baby album. She giggled and opened the book to find a folded piece of paper with handwriting on it.

“Cadence,” she read. “While I’m sure this may be premature, we both know how long it took Shining Armor to get the nerve to ask you out. Hopefully, when you decide the time is right for starting a family, this will help him remember to string words into coherent sentences this time. With love, Starlight Glimmer.” She put the note back down, a grin tugging at her mouth.

“Sounds like Shiny, all right,” Twilight said, the bow from the first package draped across her neck as she fiddled with the ends.

Lemon Zest leaned in, headphones down around her neck, a strange hodgepodge against the classy dress she was wearing. She held out a wrapped package about the size of a box of checks.

“We all chipped in on this, Twilight,” she said as my fiancé took the small box. “Figured it would be nice to give you a good sendoff. Ya done good, kid.” She smiled and was about to tilt her chair back until she caught the glare Rarity shot her. She sat up straight.

I never understood Twilight’s want to connect with some of the Crystal Prep classmates that had stayed in town after graduation. Lemon Zest, Sugarcoat, and Sunny Flare were all present and much more likable than the last time this particular group of women were together almost three years ago. It still bothered me hearing about how they treated my love while they were classmates, though.

Twilight opened the package and pulled out two airline vouchers. She frowned and glanced at her former classmates.

“We weren’t sure where you were going for your honeymoon,” Sunny Flare said, sitting almost as proper as Rarity. “So we just bought vouchers. They should be good for practically any destination in the country.”

Lemon grinned. “I would recommend Las Pegasus, myself.”

I rolled my eyes. If they only knew… I thought.

Behave, Sunny, came a thought back through the bond, tinged with laughter. They’re doing their best.

I looked at Twilight and caught her wink at our silent exchange. This was a fairly new development in our magic. We weren’t sure if it was part of the increased strength of our bond, some offshoot of my magic, or a spell we had just spontaneously gained and cast subconsciously.

Whatever it was, it made for some interesting memories and made the last Pictionary night at the Sparkle house a complete landslide victory. I think Cadence was catching on, though. She started giving us the sly grin she had leading up to us trying to tell her folks about me being a Unicorn last year.

The rest of the gifts were something of a blur to me. Some glassware, silverware and a set of cake knives for the big day were sitting next to the plane tickets and placemats while we gave hugs to the gathered guests.

Fluttershy pulled back from me and smiled. “I’m sorry Dash and AJ couldn’t make it,” she said.

I shrugged it off. “Dash is in the finals to get a seat on the number two team for the district. I’d rather hope she makes it then complain that she isn’t here. And AJ is right where she needs to be: the sidelines.”

Twilight slid her arm through mine. “Sonata said the food is almost done,” she said, tilting up on tiptoes to peck me on the cheek.

“Who thought that Sonata and Pinkie would get the funds to open up a catering business of their own?” Rarity said as we all sat down.

“Well, between the two of them, I’m sure it will be a rousing success,” Cadence said, smiling.

Twilight was still messing with the ribbon from earlier, this time tying it up in a bow where her scarf would have been if we had found it. She looked at me and I grinned.

Is that a present I get to unwrap later?

She blushed furiously and looked around to see if anyone noticed. Before I could press on, our hosts came in with several trays bearing meals. It was a full array of foods, including a vegetarian dish for myself. I smiled with thanks at Pinkie who winked back before going to get drink refills.

“Everybody,” Sonata said, her business casual outfit so different from the punkish style she had worn leading up to the Battle of the Bands. “I hope you enjoy your meal. And to the brides,” she continued, lifting her glass. “Best wishes and good luck.”

A round of agreement came from everyone, and Twilight, Cadence, and I raised our glasses as well.

Just as we took a sip, I noticed a flicker of something from the corner of my eye and my skin crawled for a second, but when I looked towards the source, it was gone.

I rubbed my bare arm, a chill washing over me.

“Sunny?” Cadence said, looking at me. “You ok?”

“Yeah,” I said, smiling. No sense ruining the party on something that was likely my imagination. “Just a chill. I’ll be fine.”