The knock on the door was polite, swift to deliver its multitude of raps on the frame. Cadance looked up just as her secretary poked her head through the door, thick-rimmed glasses adorning an overly concerned face. “Principal Cadance? Sorry to bother you, ma’am.”

“Ms. Weir! You’re not bothering me at all, what can I do for you?” Cadance set aside her folder of paperwork she had been perusing since that morning, a pen once-full of ink being swiftly drained as she implemented her marks and corrections upon it.

“Your 3:30 appointment is here to see you, ma’am. Principal Celestia from Canterlot High?”

“Goodness, it’s past three already,” Cadance murmured. “Yes, please, let her in. And if you’d be kind to brew a fresh batch of coffee…”

“Right away, ma’am,” Ms. Weir replied, her soft-brown hair disappearing from out of sight just as the door opened all the way and the familiar face of Celestia crept through the door, that familiar smile and graceful gaze that seemed to be more part of her than any of her features could ever hope to be.

“Busy working, Cadance?” she asked.

“Oh, goodness- it’s been miserably busy this year,” Cadance said, holding up the folder and giving it a quick shake for emphasis. “Look at this- teacher evals for the quarter, I’ve been having to correct them all day and I’m still only halfway done.”

“The joys of being the principal for the city’s leading school,” Celestia remarked, taking the seat across the desk and leaning back in the hopes of relaxation. “So long as parents want the standard to continue, you’ll never be rid of it.”

“Don’t remind me. Sometimes I wish I had never taken the job,” Cadance replied. “But enough of my job- how are you, Tia? It’s been a while.”

“Not quite so busy as you, I’m afraid,” Celestia said. “I’ve been spending my free time with Luna and her family whenever I have the chance. Did you know her daughter will be two this year?”

“Two? Already? It felt like she just got married yesterday!”

“Two, and just as willful as her mother,” Celestia said, the happiness etched into every inch of her face. “Luna hates it when I laugh about it, she thinks I’m encouraging Nova’s bad behavior out some sort of weird revenge scheme. Luna used to drive me up the wall when we were little.”

Cadance smirked. “Well… are you doing it on purpose?”

“Perhaps a little.”

As the two women laughed, the door opened yet again and Ms. Weir stepped through with fresh cups of coffee in hand, leaving them on Cadance’s desk before just as swiftly tiptoeing out.

“Tell you what,” Cadance said, taking her cup in hand and relishing the warmth. “Why don’t we go for a walk around the campus? It’s a lovely day out, even if it is a little cool.”

“That sounds fine to me,” Celestia replied. “I’ll follow your lead.”

The fall had come early that year, and with it an unusual surplus of cooler weather. Only October and most nights were in the 30’s, the gray weather of the daytime doing little to prevent the impending frost. The breeze was chilly, the sky filled with clouds, and all of it made Cadance grateful for the boiling hot drink in her hands as she walked alongside her mentor and confidant.

“Your campus looks beautiful,” Celestia remarked as the two women strolled through the coourtyards in the back. “I’ll admit, I’m envious of your funding. If I could make CHS look like this…”

“Public versus Private, I guess,” Cadance said. “Plenty of alumni like to donate funds every now and then. I guess some want to try and buy a place for their family for life or something.”

“It’s only a joke for now, Cadance,” the older woman replied. “Wait till they start donating for their future great-grandchildren.”

“Oh gosh! Please, have mercy, my heart can only take so much,” Cadance cried, shuddering at the thought. “Don’t even suggest it, I swear they’ll somehow hear you.”

Celestia giggled and turned to drain the last of her coffee, a sigh of contentment whistling across her lips. “Have you been alright, Cadance?”

“Hmm? I guess you mean lately.”

“It’s been a while since we’ve talked. You said your sessions were due to end last month.”

Cadance gave a small smile. “We felt confident that I could keep going on my own now. I still have her number just in case I need a professional to talk to, but… I’ve been OK. I really have been.”

“You seem fine. A quieter life hasn’t been too bad for you, has it?” Celestia asked.

“Mmm…” Cadance pondered the thought. “There’s times I’d like to go back. Try and live it up, you know? But I think this is better. It’s just when I’m really sitting there, and really… not solitude, but just- lonely.”

Celestia threw an arm around her younger friend and gave a quick hug. “You don’t have to keep it that way if you don’t want to. It’s alright to start trying again if you think you can manage it.”

“Oh, I know. I promise I do,” Cadance assured her. “I just- I don’t know, I don’t feel bothered to try. It’s strange.”

“I’m willing to listen if you want to talk about it,” Celestia said.

Cadance smiled. “I guess… the times when I really feel alone- they don’t hurt as much as they used to. And maybe spending more time around you and Luna has helped. I guess just having a peer makes it a little more bearable. So when I sit there and I think of all the stupid things I did, I just…” Cadance gave a shake of her head, feeling that heavy sensation of the doldrums trying to sink its claws into her skin. “It’d have to be for the right reason. And maybe I shouldn’t be the one who was taking the lead.”

Celestia nodded and they continued to walk along. Some students were out on the ballfields as they enjoyed their freetime, talking and shouting amongst themselves without a care in the world. It was a far cry from the days when Cinch had been in charge here, Cadance had seen to that.

“So I talked to Velvet not too long ago,” Celestia remarked lightly. “She actually did move out of town like she said she was going to.”

A flicker of memory- pushed aside and best left far behind. “Really, now? Where’d she head off to?”

“Manehatten, she told me. Her family is from up there, so she figured might as well be close again,” the older woman answered. “She’s doing well. Not a drop in three years now.”

“Good. Good for her,” Cadance said, meaning every word. “Not surprised. She always was a determined person.”

The thought lay there, creeping up from the depths of her mind and it took a herculean effort to push it back down, out of all hope of flying across her lips and out into the open world. The thought, the memory, the feel of her was still there- and so impossible to ever truly be forgotten. But to Cadance, the answer was always the same: Another time, another life. Not now, nor is it your volition to resurrect it. Take pleasure in what you have now instead.

“I think I’m going to head home for the day,” Celestia said. “Luna and I were trying to have dinner tonight, maybe you’d like to join us?”

Cadance smiled but shook her head nonetheless. “Not this time, I think. I’ve been slacking in my workout routine, and I’ve got some work at home I’d like to get to. You want to try to meet up over the weekend?”

“Sure. I’ll give you a call when I can?”

“Works for me. It was good to see you, Tia,” Cadance said.

Celestia smiled and gave her old friend a hug, pausing in her departure. “You know, Cadance,” she said slowly, “you should be proud of yourself.”

The words left the younger woman puzzled. “Whatever for?”

“You’re… happier. More yourself,” Celestia continued. “Than you were before. Just in case you didn’t know.”

Cadance wasn’t sure what she had meant by that. Her day continued on peacefully and she returned home, the darkened skies outside making the soft light of her home feel like solace in the deep. As she walked up the stairs and into her bedroom, Cadance slowly undressed in preparation for a much-needed shower. And pausing as her eyes fell on a small picture that sat on the edge of her dresser, the sight of a youthful, teenage version of herself smiling and laughing next to a bright-eyed Twilight who was holding her in a tight embrace, cheek pressed against cheek in the young girl’s display of affection.

Slow hands took the photo closer and the young, but not so young woman smiled as the softness of the memory that still lay untainted in her mind came forward. So much had changed since then, and not all of it had been good. But some of it had been, and maybe that was worth remembering.

Cadance knew the purpose of this meeting was to be the disciplinarian, a hand of judgement against a transgression.

So of course all she wanted to do instead was laugh.

The two students that sat across from her could barely look her in the eye, extremely shame-faced and in uniforms that had been well and truly manhandled. The young man, just like Cadance, look predisposed to laugh at the whole affair while the girl to his side had an expression that suggested there was nothing she’d like better than to sink through the floor.

“So,” Cadance remarked, forcing her voice to remain steady, “Did we allow ourselves to get a little bit too excited? A little too eager?” The boy snorted- and immediately received a swat from his girlfriend, who looked mortified. Cadance was struggling to hold back now. “As much as I understand being affectionate, the school hallways are not the appropriate place for such a… fervent display of emotion. Please let me know if any recordings of the incident find their way online, just in case.”

“You’re not going to tell my parents, are you, ma’am?” the girl asked.

“I will leave that discussion up to you,” Cadance said, watching the girl’s anxious expression turn to one of relief. “You’ll have detention for a few days as punishment, however- separately, just in case.”

The girl likely took the lesson better than her boyfriend did, who still held a self-conscious smile on his face. As they turned to leave, Ms. Weir poked her head through the door. “Principal Cadance? There’s a phone call for you on line one.”

“Thank you, Ms. Weir, who is it?”

Her secretary pulled a face. “I’m not sure, ma’am, but she said it was a timely matter. A young woman.”

“Odd,” Cadance remarked as the door closed, she turning to the phone on her desk. “I don’t get personal calls at work… and who do I know that’s young anymore?” A quick shake that ran from neck to her feet, and a small breath before she picked up the phone and pressed for the line. “Hello, Principal Cadance of Crystal Prep Academy.”

“Hey. Cadance, I hope this is isn’t at a bad time.”

Cadance seized up and somehow found the grand ability to start choking on air, a coughing splutter consuming her lungs as she heard the one voice she had never expected to hear, which now rang so clearly in her ears that she could not possibly begin to hope how it could even begin to make smallest bit of sense.

“Twilight?”

“Yeah, hi- I’m not catching you at a bad time, am I? I thought you might be a little more free with your time around noonish or so.”

“No- no, no, of course not! I just got done with a meeting, actually, your timing was perfect,” Cadance stammered, a heart pounding madly in her chest and she hoped her words wouldn’t be flustered. Oh mygosh, she sounds so different. So much older- “Wh- what can I do for you, is everything- is everything alright?”

“Yeah. I’ve been doing great, actually. School’s been keeping me pretty busy this semester, but you know how I am. I just dive right into it,” Twilight answered. “Hey, so I know it’s been a while… a really long while since we last talked.”

“Yeah, it- it has,” Cadance assented. “You sound good, though.”

“Thanks. So I know it’s really out of nowhere, but I’ve got some extra free time this weekend,” Twilight continued, a small pause coming into her words. “I was wondering if you… would like to come visit for a bit. You know, just hang out, be girls and have a good time. I know it’s in the middle of the school year, but I figured you might like a bit of a break from all your work.”

Unbelievable. This isn’t real. “Twilight, I- sure, I’d be glad to! Just, just are you sure? Like that’s OK, and everything?”

“Yeah, of course!” Twilight assured her. “The weather’s supposed to be really nice, so we’ll be able to walk around and not just have to stay cooped up inside all the time. Come on over sometime that morning, we’ll able to hang out all day and I can show you around- sound good?”

“Yes- yes, it really does! I’m already looking forward to it,” Cadance said, a stupid smile on her face and she felt her stomach all aflutter. “I’ll be there, I promise.”

“Great! Hey, I’ve got to get moving to class, but it was good to talk to you- we’ll have plenty of time to catch up when you get here, alright?”

“I can hardly wait.” A quick goodbye and Cadance set down her phone, staring out into the oblivion with an all-consuming mixture of delight, utter shock, and total paralysis. That actually happened- and I have NO idea what I’m going to do.

It took monumental effort to focus on anything else but her weekend journey. Work became a distraction from something much more exciting and horrifying, and Cadance wasn’t sure whether she wished for it to already be here or avoid it altogether. Time off was spent fretting, a wild mind trying to conjure up a thousand different ways that the whole thing could go wrong. Even the simple effort of picking an outfit became a vicious struggle. Too scandalous? Too conservative? Will it fit the weather, be something she could wear all day? She was considering more factors than could be found in a math equation- and still there was time to go before she would actually depart!

Saturday morning was an uncomfortably early one, Cadance’s stomach a jumbled mess of nerves and giving her grief for her decided time of departure. Is it too early? I should arrive around 11, that isn’t too soon- right? It was a question she continued to consider even as she dressed herself for the day: a simple white shirt with a soft-brown sweater, a thin scarf, and comfortable jeans. Something I can walk around in and hopefully not be too hot or cold.

She paused as she made to step out of the house, and found herself wondering: Why am I so worked up about this? It’s just a friendly visit. The answer she knew full well, and she felt her face flush at the thought. Don’t even try, you silly girl. For heaven’s sake.

The drive went by quickly enough, Cadance finding some semblance of activity helping her relax. When signs for the campus came into sight, she took a moment to send off a message before continuing on. I’m almost there, where should I meet you?

A few minutes later: I’ll meet you at the community center, there’s a parking garage just nearby. First floor, right outside the coffee shop!

“Oh, heaven help me,” Cadance whispered, yet unable to keep a smile off her face.

Her first entry into the community center gave her a sense of discomfort. “So many young faces,” she murmured, feeling older than ever in comparison. Was she a standout here? She noticed a few people glancing in her direction and the sensation added to her unease. She wasn’t exactly the typical college demographic, for sure. “Maybe this… wasn’t-”

“Surprise!” A tap on the shoulder and she gave a start, turning around to see a young woman standing behind her, a bright-eyed smile on her face-

“Twilight?”

“Hi, Cadance!” Eager arms found their way around Cadance and brought her into an enthusiastic embrace. “It’s great to see you again, it’s been forever!”

“And it’s good to see you, too- wow, look at you!” Cadance said, absolutely marveling. “You’ve grown!”

Twilight flashed a grin, allowing the transformation to be fully discovered. No longer was she the demure, worrisome girl Cadance had known, time and maturity helping her blossom. A thin stature had turned into a full form, healthy and vibrant; a gaze that had been hesitant and soft now brimmed with confidence, a sharpness to each glance; no longer did Cadance look down to meet her eyes, Twilight’s height now equal to her own. Fashionable, sporting a dark-blue cardigan and pants that flattered her slim figure, she was a wonderful, beautiful contrast to the young girl that had left those years ago.

“A bit of a difference, isn’t it?” Twilight asked, laughter in her voice where a tremble had once been. “Take you by surprise?”

“Yes- I mean, no, I’m not surprised at all! I’m so happy for you!” Oh my goodness, she’s beautiful…

“Thanks. You feel like some coffee? I’m going to get myself some,” Twilight said, turning to lead the way.

“Sure, lead the way,” Cadance said, stepping to her side and feeling a warm glow within her that set her to smiling.

At first, she didn’t quite know what to say. When they had gone their separate ways, Twilight had been little more than a girl entering the first forays of adulthood. Now, she looked upon this marvel of a woman and saw an equal. So sure of herself, even her walk had changed, each step a stride that made others want to take notice. How could she think of something to say when their worlds had become so vastly different?

“You’re still staring, you know,” Twilight remarked suddenly. Cadance broke from her thoughts and saw the young woman looking at her and struggling to hold back laughter, finally allowing it come forth as Cadance began to blush. “I know it’s a change, but I don’t think you’ve taken your eyes off me.”

“Sorry, I-” Cadance wanted to hide her face, feeling it grow more and more red. “I promise I’m not doing it on purpose.” Liar.

Twilight gave herself a shake, letting her flowing hair shimmer in the fall sunlight that streamed in from the windows above. “I don’t mind the attention,” she remarked airily.

Cadance hoped she didn’t let herself grow more flush, trying not to think of what that just might mean.

“So how have you been?” Twilight asked her when they left the center, walking out into the crispness of a late fall day. “You look great, by the way. Like you’ve been taking care of yourself.”

“Oh, th- thanks,” Cadance replied. “I’ve been… good, actually. Crystal Prep keeps me busy, I’ll spend some of my free time with Tia and Luna, and just… doing what I can to keep myself productive, I guess.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad at all,” Twilight remarked.

“It’s been a bit different. It’s- oh, I guess you could say quieter.” Cadance bit her lip in the midst of the pause. “I just stopped doing some counseling sessions a little while ago, actually. We’d talked, she was comfortable with me starting to work through things on my own. I guess she figured I could keep myself out of trouble now.”

“Oh, you did end up meeting with somebody?”

“After a bit, yeah,” Cadance admitted. “It took a couple of tries, but- it helped, I really think it did. I feel better.”

“You look better,” Twilight added, sending Cadance to smiling. “I’m proud of you, Cadance, I knew you’d keep to your promise, even if it took you a while.”

Cadance smiled deeper still, her eyes continuing to focus upon the beautiful woman who walked alongside her, deeming this newfound confidence and grace to be something nigh irresistible. “Have you been living on campus the entire time?”

“Yeah, I tried moving to an apartment with one of my first roommates, but she wanted to move in with her boyfriend instead,” Twilight said. “So it’s me and two other girls, Lily and Rose. It’s not bad, but you know how it is when a bunch of girls are together.” She pondered a thought before saying, “You want to take a look? My dorm is pretty close by.”

“I’d love to.”

The building itself was a flurry of activity, with movement and sound and presence everywhere that eye and ear could account for. Following the beautiful creature before her, Cadance made her way through the maze of human life and solid wall to an unremarkable door that held a small flower wreath to its front, Twilight pushing it open with a simple swipe of a card and releasing a new stream of sound into their world.

“Come on, babe, I’m not asking you to go across the country or anything, I just want you to visit my family for Thanksgiving this year,” a sweet-faced woman was saying, phone held tightly to her ear. She took notice of the new arrivals and gave a brief smile and wave before returning to her conversation. “Look, I just want you to give it a try, alright? Can you at least think about it for me- I’ve gotta go, I’ll call you back.”

“Brad still not budging, Rose?” Twilight asked of her.

“Ugh, not an inch. He’s such a momma’s boy,” Rose replied. “Oh well… so who’s your friend?”

“This is Cadance, she’s an old friend of mine,” Twilight said as Cadance extended her hand. “I asked her to come visit for the weekend, you remember?”

“Sort of. Good to meet you,” Rose replied. “Hey Twi, I’ve gotta run, Lily is asking for me to pick her up, I’ll be back in a while. If you’re going anywhere tonight, let me know!”

“I will, later!” Twilight gave a sigh and threw herself onto a comfortable-looking loveseat while Cadance took a chair at the nearby table, taking in the surrounding room: small, relatively well-furnished, and clearly lived-in. “One of them’s always coming and going. I swear.”

“She seems nice enough,” Cadance remarked.

“Oh they both are, really. A year younger than me and can get kinda dramatic, is all,” Twilight replied. “I try to help them stay relaxed, if I can.”

Judging by the calm, light-hearted demeanor Cadance had seen in her, she didn’t doubt it for a moment. “So how’s school been? It definitely looks like it’s been treating you well.”

Twilight glowed with pride. “I’ve been really good, actually. It started out a bit awkward- you know how it is, just getting used to a whole new environment and all. But once I got into the rhythm of things, it all just felt natural. I took a Psych major and enjoyed the coursework, I started trying to make friends. I made a lot of mistakes, too, but I think that’s what helped the most.”

“What kind of mistakes?” Cadance asked.

“Oh, just… I’d try new things, and then completely mess it up,” Twilight answered. “But I had fun anyway, so I’d just keep trying new things. And sometimes I’d really enjoy it. I’d branch out, do something different just, just because. And it kept working out.”

“That’s great! Twilight, I’m so happy for you,” Cadance said, delighted to hear a small story of the beautiful creature’s transformation. “I’m just- amazed at how far you’ve come. You’re like a whole different person.”

“Because I am,” Twilight said proudly. “And I’m glad I am. I like what I’ve become.”

You and me both, Cadance thought to herself. The next words that slipped out of her mouth were unintentional, accidental, but came forth nevertheless. “So, how’s- have you been seeing anyone?” You thoroughgoing IDIOT.

“Hmm? Oh, not in a while,” Twilight said airily, though her lips sported a smile. “I started dating a guy, Flash, about a month after I got here, but it didn’t end up being much- we’re still friends, at least. I was with a girl last year, but she was just all into starting drama, I didn’t want to be around it. You know what I mean?”

“I don’t blame you in the slightest. No one since then?”

“No, I just haven’t bothered, really,” Twilight said. She gave a swift look. “What about you? Any love story I need to hear about?”

“Well… no, I haven’t,” Cadance admitted. “I was scared to try for a while, and when I started thinking about it, I just-” Stop talking, stop talking.

“Just what?” Twilight scrutinized the lovely woman across from her for a time, then her eyes began to grow wide and the smile she bore grew mischevious. “Oh my gosh, Cadance, am I your ‘one that got away?’” Cadance couldn’t have found a deeper shade of red to turn and looked away, pushing her beautiful companion to a loud, yet not unkind, bout of laughter. “Cadance, that’s so unlike you! And super sweet, I’m flattered!” Another new glow of pride. “You just couldn’t find anyone better, is that it?”

Cadance regretted ever fielding the question and wanted nothing more than to bury her face in her hands and never resurface, even if the laughter that came from Twilight was nothing gentle and warm-hearted. She was glad when the beautiful woman let the moment fade and brought forth a new subject of interest to them both.

The rest of the sunlight hours passed in friendship and peace, even if Cadance’s heart was hungering for more within her chest. The more time she spent alongside this new Twilight, the more her long-buried infatuation grew. All of Twilight’s old positive aspects had been given maturity and made even lovelier; what growth could do had been done magnificently, turning struggles into a masterclass of brilliance and beauty. Cadance was struggling like she hadn’t in years, and she half-wondered if Twilight knew it. Small glances and hidden smiles, soft brushes of hands or simple gestures seemed to be everywhere between the two of them, pushing Cadance to the brink of agony.

“So you’ve been having fun?” Twilight asked of her. The two had just finished an easygoing meal at one of the many restaurants on campus, the two women strolling across the well-lit paths back to Twilight’s dorm room. “You look like something’s been on your mind.”

Something very well had been, but Cadance knew better than to give it time of day. “Oh, I’m fine,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Just wondering when I should start heading back home.”

“What? Oh come on, no way!” Twilight protested, taking hold of Cadance’s hand and keeping her alongside. “Look, the girls and I were thinking about going out tonight, you should join us! We’ll have fun, I promise! I can throw some blankets on the couch for you and you can stay the night!”

“You don’t think I’d be a bit…” Cadance struggled for the word. “I don’t know.”

“You’ll be fine! Look, let’s go back to my room, you’re about my size- I’ll let you wear something of mine and we’ll both go together, OK? Please? I promise, you’ll turn heads as much as I do.”

Wow! Never would’ve thought she’d say such a thing. Cadance couldn’t resist such an eager face, and squeezed back at Twilight’s hand. “Sure, why not? Just don’t let me drink too much, OK?”

“That’s my girl,” Twilight said, her voice a silken purr and leaving Cadance all the more flustered. She’s going to drive me mad tonight, I know it.

A note had been left on Twilight’s door, nestled into the flower wreath: Going to The Rooftop around nine, see you there? ~Rose

“That gives us a couple of hours,” Twilight said. “Come on, I know just the thing for you.” Twilight’s small closet of outfits was unusually well-cared for, another surprise from the young woman. “Hmm… no, I’ll wear that navy dress, it’ll be fine. Cadance, how about this one?” A soft periwinkle dress that fell to just above the knee, flattering but not revealing.

“It’s lovely,” Cadance said, “Twilight you’re still-”

“Of course I’m sure! Here, there’s some shoes to go with it in there somewhere, take your pick of what feels best,” Twilight said. She hesitated as the saw Cadance’s tense expression. “You sure you’re OK?”

“Yeah.” A small answer, held by a whirlwind of emotions.

Twilight, if only for a moment, held a smile of sympathy on her face, so brief that Cadance wasn’t sure she had seen it at all. “You know,” the young woman drawled, “I hope you’ll forgive me for this- but you’ve been getting spied on for a couple years now.”

Cadance wasn’t sure what to say to that. “What?”

Twilight held that mischievous look yet again. “I may –or may not- have asked Celestia to let me know how you’ve been doing,” she answered. “I wanted to know, so I could make up my mind about it all.”

Cadance felt her insides going completely out of focus. “Make up your mind..? About what?”

Twilight smiled and said nothing, only giving a slow, gentle squeeze of Cadance’s hand before turning to the bathroom. “I shouldn’t be too long,” she called over her shoulder. “If you see anything you feel like you need to use- you know, for a touch-up or anything, I'll leave my makeup kit out for you, alright?” The door to the bathroom closed and Cadance wasn’t sure if she was going to explode or going to cry.

The minutes ticked by slowly, Cadance forcing herself into some semblance of self-control. You can’t do anything. You won’t. Not now, not ever, not in any lifetime, do you hear me? She’s out of your reach, OK? So just accept it.

Her mind was willing, but her heart still gave protest. It couldn’t work out. Besides, she’s got so much of her life ahead of her, you don’t want to slow her down. Where would you fit in with this?

The battle of mind over matter continued within her in a maddened frenzy that only grew more intense, her stomach twisting itself into an unbreakable knot. Please, PLEASE don’t say or do anything stupid, I am begging you. Don’t ruin this, this is supposed to be a fun night out, it’s not your chance to mess everything up!

The door to the bathroom finally opened Twilight, now adorned in a navy-blue minidress that fell to just above the knee, similar to the one she had lent to Cadance but gave an air of sophistication and confidence rather than that of sensuality. Her eyes glowed thanks to well-applied eyeshadow and her hair shimmered like soft starlight, giving the young woman an appearance of ageless beauty.

“Oh my- look at you,” Cadance breathed, her very spirit now aching. “Twilight, you look absolutely amazing!”

The younger woman smiled at the words. “And don’t think I don’t know it,” she said confidently, letting her figure be properly flaunted. “We’ll be more than enough to drive anyone mad.”

“That’s putting it mildly- wait, both of us?” Oh my gosh, I can’t take this.

“Of course! You’ll be right there next to me- no one will be able to look away from us, will they? And they won’t be able to guess who got more lucky and, and… and- oh my gosh, Cadance, relax!” Twilight’s teasing words came to an immediate halt as she watched the older woman’s inner turmoil finally reach boiling point and spill over, Cadance’s face twisting and she beginning to tear up. “Hey, it’s alright, it’s alright, I didn’t mean-”

“Please, I can’t take it,” Cadance choked, trying her best to stem the flow before it really started, and feeling herself fading. “I’m trying, I really am, but just seeing you and who you are now, I- I can’t, I want to just- just- oh this is stupid-”

“No, you’re fine, you’re fine,” Twilight said gently, taking Cadance in her arms and trying to wipe away the tears that had spilled over. “It was too much, wasn’t it? I’ve been teasing you all day and given you no relief. I’m sorry, I’m sorry… It’s OK…”

“I’m sorry, I don’t want- I missed how you felt, and I didn’t want to ruin your life again, and- and-”

“Cadance, easy! Here, take a breath- slowly, in and out,” Twilight instructed, bringing Cadance in close to help slow her lovesick companion back down. “There, now one more. In… and out.” As she felt the older woman finally stop trembling, hands soft and gentle in their touch brushed gently along the contours of her cheeks. “Now, Cadance? Look at me. Right at me.”

Bloodshot, tear-stricken eyes met tranquil pools of light as Cadance looked at the young woman she still loved- and felt her breath leave her lungs as Twilight leaned in and kissed her. It was so shocking a sensation that she couldn’t even react, still left stunned even after the brief moment had ended.

“Cadance?”

“Yeah?”

Twilight smiled again, her lovely face displaying her sympathy. “Relax! Come on, we’re supposed to have fun tonight. Take a moment to breathe, get yourself ready, and how about we talk when you’re done. OK?”

Too surprised to really be able to say much in response, Cadance acquiesced and began to prepare herself. A quick change of clothes that she folded into a small pile before donning Twilight’s dress. She really is my size, Cadance thought as she examined the look in the mirror. Hmm… some of her makeup had been smeared during her outburst, and she glanced down- the small kit that had been intentionally left open for further use called to her. Just before she opened the door, Cadance paused. The feel of Twilight’s lips on hers yet again; that tranquil, smooth, tender sensation that she had missed for years now- had it even really happened at all?

“Wow, and you talked about me looking good,” Twilight remarked as Cadance walked out. “I’m going to drive everyone crazy having you on my arm. I don’t know what they’ll-”

“Twilight, please,” Cadance cut through, her voice sharp. “Please, I- I just can’t. I want it too much.”

“OK. Last time, I promise,” Twilight surrendered. “I mean… the offer is there, if you’d like.”

She liked the offer more than she knew how to put into words, but Cadance still hesitated. “Twilight, you- you don’t have to do this.”

“I know. I don’t have to do anything. So maybe I want to.”

“But- but are you even sure? I mean, after all this time,” Cadance said, looking at Twilight sitting there in such beauty. “You could have anyone you wanted, for heaven’s sake. And- and you know what a mess I am!”

“Maybe you were a mess- but not anymore,” Twilight replied. “Don’t forget you’ve been getting spied on. I wouldn’t even have made the offer for you to come down and visit if I wasn’t sure you’d changed.”

“But I just…” Cadance struggled. “I don’t want to hurt you again…”

Twilight pondered the woman before her carefully. “Do you know I still love you?” she remarked.

“Do you really?” Cadance asked delightedly, leaning forward to take her in an embrace, but immediately backing away lest she break the spell. “I- I mean… Twilight…”

Twilight smiled warmly in reply. “Tell me, Cadance: do you still love me?”

“I love you so, so much, Twilight,” Cadance breathed. “I know I shouldn’t, but I just- I couldn’t help it! I would have given anything to just even hold your hand again...”

“So what do you think of you and I trying again, hmm?” Twilight offered. “Two old lovers back together. We’d both be able to say we have the hottest girlfriend around- and neither one of us could say we were wrong.”

Cadance could have squealed in delight, but one last feeling of unease had to be dealt with. “But, just- Twilight, I want you to be sure.”

“I am. And that’s why I say we take it slow. And this time, I lead. We go at my pace,” Twilight said. “It’ll be a little weird because- well, long-distance most days and all that. But we’ll move slowly, take our time, nothing too fast and we just enjoy ourselves. I think we can manage that, don’t you?”

“I- I think so,” Cadance replied. “And if… I decide to try and play the fool again?”

“Then I’ll be there to stop you. I can say no to you, you know,” Twilight said with a grin. “I’m not that wide-eyed, inexperienced little girl anymore. But- I think you’ll behave yourself this time.”

“I certainly hope so,” Cadance whispered, taking Twilight’s hand in her own and feeling fireworks at how much she had missed the feeling. “I love you, Twilight.”

“I know,” Twilight said, “So how about you seal it with a kiss?”

Cadance’s whole heart burst with delight as she leaned in and found Twilight’s lips coming to meet her own, the delirium of joyous sensations at their soft touch upon her mouth more wonderful than the many dreams she had endured since their parting. So exquisitely soft, wonderfully warm, and now filled with a will of their own as she felt their lips meet again and again, old affections and longings and desires left long buried now came flowing forth into life once more, eager to be renewed and refreshed yet again. Arms wrapped around her waist as the simple, glorious moment continued and Cadance gave a sound of ecstasy as Twilight's caress deepened ever further. It could have been for a thousand lifetimes longer, the symphony of romantic feeling at last fulfilling her deep longing, but at last Twilight relinquished her lips from Cadance’s own and the two women’s loving embrace ended, Cadance giving a cooing sigh of happiness that made Twilight giggle.

“And that’s that,” Twilight said, with all the authority and grace of a monarch in victory. “So… you wanna go out?”

Cadance laughed, her shoulder free of burden and leaving her feeling lighter than air. “Sure,” she replied happily. “Take a girl for ride.”

Author's Note

Well... that's that.

Good or bad, is what it is. You decide.

I'll write more stuff, I guess. Maybe something lighter.