I couldn’t help but smile as I looked in on her. I had originally gotten up to use the washroom, but I noticed that her door was cracked as I returned to my room.
Twilight had barely made it to bed again. She was splayed out upon her blankets with her wings hanging limp. Her bangs blocked her closed eyes, ruffling softly with each breath she took. A book laid open on the floor beside her, the page left open and unread.
Tonight had been Hearth’s Warming, a joyous celebration. We had stayed rather late into the night, but Twilight had been so gracious as to offer us rooms in her gorgeous residence.
Applejack and I needed to leave early in the morning due to our obligations. She had her farm chores and I had dresses to finish for another demanding client. But, oh how I could just stand here and watch Twilight sleep like a foal, the juxtaposition of the regal princess against this current look was just too precious.
The image stayed with me as I drifted back to sleep that night.
I’m not sure what prompts us ponies to sing so much. I mean, surely a good day and a sudden flash of inspiration can make one giddy enough to sing, but all of us at once? I’m sure there must be some biological component at play.
Twilight would surely know.
I brought another panel over to the dress form, pinning it in place as I hummed.
Peacefully...
You're sleeping in profile,
to me.
What kind of dream,
are you dreaming?
I see a tear,
sliding down your cheek tonight...
What kind of world,
are you in?
The image of Twilight sleeping rose in my thoughts again. It was slowly complimented by hundreds of memories I had collected over our years of friendship.
Little lip nibbles as she concentrated on her studies.
The little tremor in her wings when she got excited, with the ability to judge the cause based on how pronounced her twitch was.. Small twitches were meant for regular joys, such as a good hayburger, while her larger twitches were for special occasions, such as meetings with the Princess or a visit from family.
Even her minor panic attacks were cute, in their own way. Well, the ones that didn’t prompt her to be a little irresponsible with her magic.
Big Mac still got nervous whenever he saw her horn light up, the poor dear.
But I pushed these thoughts back down before they got out of control. I knew my place, and I knew hers. She was an Alicorn! A princess of Equestria, for Celestia’s sake. It wasn’t meant to be. If she married anything, it would likely be a book, knowing her.
I finished stitching the panel in front of me and pulled the pins free, returning them to a small pincushion without a glance. I leaned back and eyed the drape of the cloth, feeling a small touch of distaste rise in my heart. It was a bit off, but I couldn’t quite put my hoof on why.
I sighed and stood up, meandering to the kitchen for a cup of tea and a small bit of lunch. Something light to keep me going. Anything heavy was likely to make me desire a nap, and I had too much to do today. A cucumber sandwich sounded like a winner.
As I fixed my food, I remembered that Twilight absolutely loved my cucumber sandwiches. As my memories flowed forth once more, I couldn’t help but smile. Goddesses above, was I truly that infatuated?
I walked back to the dress, tea and sandwich hovering in my aura.
I've been nursing this feeling…
That I had for a moment
And you never knew…
I kept singing softly as I shifted the skirt of the dress back and forth. When the hem raised to a little higher on the flank on one side, I paused. Personally, I didn’t care for the whole asymmetric hems, but on some ponies it actually worked.
Quickly finishing my sandwich, I picked my loose seams free. I think that this new hemline looked good, and wanted to see it without the will-o-wisp glow of my magic holding it up.
I kept singing absentmindedly as I sew, needle flashing and pleats pulling into place.
Last night…
Good night…
Last night…
Good night
For the last night we lie
Could I be with you?
Holding your hoof,
I gaze at you
And kiss you good night…
I froze when I heard a voice lift up behind me, my needle tumbled out from my aura. I knew that voice as easily as I knew my own sister’s.
“T-Twilight?” I was ashamed to hear the quaver in my voice.
I wish you would,
and be here with me.
I’m waiting for a miracle to happen
I turned and locked eyes with her. I don't know what drove me but I took a step towards her, moving forward as if to do otherwise would make me perish.
I won’t leave you behind,
There is so much more
That I have yet to say
She smiled, wings started to twitch rapidly as she opened her mouth again.
I wish you could,
watch the sun rise with me.
Like we once did
in my memory
I copied her smile, my vision blurring slightly as I felt my eyes tear up. As we stood a horn’s length away, we nuzzled each other’s cheeks before reuniting in song.
Last night,
A good night…
Last night,
For our life,
For a moment we saw,
Our life as one
Leave trouble behind
And move on
I took a breath to continue when I felt lips press against mine, my train of thought sort of wandered away.
Ok, fine, if you must know. It completely derailed.
And it. Was. Wonderful.
When we broke apart, I stared at Twilight, looking at the deep blush that radiated through her cheeks. It looked just as intense as the heat within my own face.
"Why?" I asked.
“I’ve actually been wanting to talk to you for a while,” she said, rubbing a foreleg. “And when I got here and heard you sing…”
“This is something of a serendipitous chance, then?.” I finished.
“And I know sometimes that you tend to linger when you look at me. Don’t worry!” Her tone got a little frantic as I started to turn away. “I… I really liked it.”
“You did?” I asked. “Why?”
“I spent a lot of time being looked at as a nerd, or a bookworm, or the one with all the answers.” She hung her head but kept her gaze on me. “But never like I was beautiful. I…I liked the way it felt.”
“So…” I looked away. “Now what?”
She shrugged. “I’m sure I have a book on courtship rituals and dating ideas.” She perked up immediately at the thought, her wings twitching almost as much as they did on family visits. “We could compile a list for a week’s worth of —“
I pressed my hoof over her mouth, smiling to soften the effect.
“Why not brunch, darling? Tomorrow, perhaps?”
She nodded, her eyes sparkling.
