The war hero's shadow

The train rolled into the Ponyville station with all the sleek and shiny decorations to resemble the Crystal Empire. Cecil was getting mentally prepared to meet his father and possibly pinkie pie. Thankfully in her older age the party pony while energetic her body's age had started to catch up to her so bouncing around the place was a memory of the past. As for his father, Cecil was nervous and felt a pit of regret growing in his stomach. He loved Flurry Heart but this felt wrong. He knew his father was going to judge her and not hold back on what he thought.

His deep thoughts stayed with him as his body went into autopilot. Stepping off the train he and Flurry were met with confetti in their face along with the ball of pink clad in a party hat and balloons in each hoof smiling ear to ear. The party pony of Ponyville no matter where she was she always knew when to be there to turn a frown upside down and it was just what Cecil needed.

"Ohmygosh ohmygosh! It's so good to have you back Cecil we missed you so much and who's this oh you must be Princess flurry heart welcome to Ponyville we're so happy to have you here and congratulations on finding love you two. It's so adorable and cute and wholesome oh I could just hug you till the end of time you two are so cute but welcome to your back to Ponyville party!"

As per normal the party pony could speak without taking a breath at nearly a million miles a minute. Flurry remembered speaking with the Elements of Harmony and Pinkie Pie was always her favorite. Flurry shrugged and embraced the pink pony with a big hug and a small nuzzle.

"It's wonderful to be here again Aunt Pinkie. You know I still have all your cards and even baked Cecil here with your cookie recipe though I think I messed it up. He didn't make any complaints other then they taste good."

Pinkie nuzzled Flurry back giving her a back crushing hug before letting her go. She couldn't bounce but she moved up and down on her hoof tips like she was bouncing.

"Silly goose that's because Cecil has never been one to like sweets. Even as a child, he wasn't much of a sweet eater though I remember when he loved my peanut butter fudge and hard candy. Of that creamy goodness. He helped me one day and I swear he had more on him and me then in the mixing bowl. Took me days to get it out of my mane one lick at a time but I loved every moment seeing his cute little smile and hear his laughs. Oh but let's not forget you when I threw your eleventh birthday or your tenth or your ninth or your eighth or your seventh…"

"Pinkie." Came the commanding baritone voice of Alex.

There he was the man himself with his signature hat like Cecil dressed in a similar coat, black t shirt, jeans, and boots. He looked down at Flurry with a scowl that made her step closer to Cecil. It was worse then she imagined. Under his gaze she felt like she was no bigger then a ant. The man had an air around him that commanded attention and a fear of what would happen if you disobeyed him. This is what Cecil grew up with. She was silently racking her brain wondering where all her bravery went when she had told Cecil she wasn't afraid. That was before this seemingly mountain of pure anger stood before her.

She felt Cecil leave her side and hold up his hand. Alex raised his own and the two hands clasped together before Alex pulled Cecil in for a hug. The two stood there for a second in the embrace and finally Alex let go as Cecil adjusted the duffle bag in his back. There was no emotional change to Alex as he turned.

"Let's get to it."

Cecil nodded and picked Flurry's saddle bags up. He looked back at her giving her an encouraging smile. She looked to Pinkie and the party pony gave the princess a nudge on her flank.

"He's not that bad silly. He's calmed down super dooper. I was scared when I first met him but I still put on a smile and tried my best to make him welcome. It took a couple tries but I realized simple is best just be honest and yourself. He's blunt and doesn't really have a filter so take what he says with a grain of salt. Okie dokie Loki time you kids have some good bonding time! We can have the party later."

Flurry let a small eep out as Pinkie nudged her flank but slowly she took her place next to Cecil who looked down at her with a smug smirk.

"So princess still not afraid of dear old dad."

She was about to respond when Alex turned and somehow narrowed his eyes even more without squinting.

"Hurry up, it's fucking cold."

The tone and profanity took Flurry by surprise. She felt like she was in trouble and at his words walked a little faster to Cecil's home. The long covered porch attached to the almost octagonal first floor with the second story only half as big was a unique sight. The weathered dark wood made her feel like she was walking into a cabin in the woods rather then a bar. Sitting on the porch was a old graying minitour and similarly a female Griffen.

"Well I'll be you two are still kicking."

Cecil said as he walked over. Camille and Rockwell smiled up at him from their rocking chairs. Each one was bundled up in several layers of coats while they had steaming hot cups of coffee in their hands with Rockwell holding a large cigar in his other hand.

"Kicking your spoiled ass. Remember Cecil I was the one who changed your diapers and I am not above spanking you."

Camille said causing Cecil to laugh while Alex went inside. Rockwell couldn't help but get a few chuckles out as well why Flurry looked at the odd pair trying to figure out their relationship to Cecil.

"Well boy are you going to introduce us to your pretty friend there or is she going to have to do that herself?"

Cecil put an arm around Flurry Heart smiling down at her with loving eyes. She happily returned the love with a soft kiss to his cheek and a wing wrapping around his waist.

"This is Flurry Heart, and she is my beautiful mare friend. We had the same class together and one day she walked up to me and we started talking after some adventures I grew attached while she has already made up her mind with me. Then about a month and a half ago we decided to get official and it's been the best decision I've ever made."

Rockwell nodded with a smile while Camille hummed as she thought about Cecil's wording.

"And by adventurers and deciding to be official you mean dates and not bedroom activities?"

Flurry and Cecil both turned as red as Cherry's when the Griffen asked that while Rockwell chuckled and smoked his cigar.

"Dear one that's not very ladylike, and two ain't none of your business."

Camille rolled her eyes as she leaned back in her chair. She gently placed a claw on Rockwell's hand rubbing her thumb across his knuckle.

"One I'm not much of a lady not after what I did to you in prance and two Cecil is basically our grandchild. We raised him even when….she was still around so don't you tell me his business isn't mine. I knew his business from sixteen and younger."

Cecil slowly started walking back while the elderly couple started getting into their adventures in prance and just the start got Flurry taking notes on the hot take. Cecil pulled her into the bar and after shaking her head she smiled fanning her face.

"Remind me to visit her when I need ideas for you big guy. She may be old but she'd make my mother blush and she is the princess of love."

Cecil shivered a little as he looked around the bar. It was empty with all the chairs put up on the tables. Turning to the door he had completely missed the sign where it says closed. Alex was standing at the bar smoking a cigarette, with two glasses and a bottle of his finest scotch. He was glaring at the two and after a gulp, Cecil set his duffle bag down and took the lead with a smile on his face. Flurry nervously followed behind him and they both took a seat at the bar.

Alex arched an eyebrow at Flurry but quickly pulled another glass out, pouring the rare scotch in the three glasses. It was no more than a shot but he took the glass and so did Cecil finally flurry with her magic.

"Yesterday you were crawling on this floor drooling all over yourself and shitting your pants full. Today your back home as a man with a bright future and a beautiful mare friend, tomorrow you'll put me in the grave curse my name, and look back at all the hell you raised. May your future be full of fortune, glory, and love. Here here!"

"Here here!"

"Here here?"

The three glasses clanked and each person downed the drink. Alex and Cecil double tapped the glasses on the bar before spinning the glass upside down and setting it down. Flurry only made it halfway past hers before the bitter flavor hit her palette. She went into a coughing fit and once she was done and saw the men looking at her she inhaled held her nose and tossed the rest back swallowing the bitter brew like it was medicine. She shivered and repeated the double tap finishing by setting her glass upside down. Alex gave her an approving nod before he pulled out a whiskey.

"What do you want Princess?" Alex asked as he stood at the bar.

"A water please and then I would like a margarita."

Alex picked Cecil's glass up put a ball of ice in it and filled it with the whiskey before doing the same with his own drink. He quickly set her water out and got to the drink for Flurry pouring it in a bowl. She hesitantly took a sip and her entire face lit up as she took a bigger one.

"Oh that's dangerous."

Cecil smiled as he took a sip of his whiskey. His father couldn't do all the tricks Cecil could but he could make damn fine drinks.

"So dad, how's the peace and quiet been?"

Alex sat down on a bar stool sipping his own drink.

"As you said, peace and quiet. I'm still mad at all the trouble you've caused especially when you ended up in Manehattan."

Cecil wanted to sink away when his father told him that. He wondered what else has shining told his dad. He could only assume everything.

"I thought you could handle your liquor better then that."

Cecil inwardly sighed. Not even ten minutes home and his father was already mad and from the sounds wanted to chew his ass.

"If I were you son I would get on my knees and kiss her father on his shining hooves. He bailed you out of a lot of shit you had no business being involved in."

Alex shot an angry glare at Cecil causing the young adult to tighten up but before things got out of hoof and Alex could say more flurry added her to bits causing Cecil to flinch even more.

"Mr. Steel I couldn't agree more with you but don't you think your being a little unfair? While I certainly gave him an ear full when he ended up in Manehattan all the other times were in self defense. The school was caused simply because Cecil existed, the bar fight was because a pony lost and wanted petty revenge if not all of Cecil's run ins with the law were caused because of self defense."

Alex slammed his hand on the table and Flurry tightened up as she tried to hold eye contact with the man but she kept looking away feeling smaller and smaller. Alex let out a sigh like a train releasing steam.

"I thought I thought you better then that Cecil. That bar fight should have been over in seconds, and at the school I would have expected you to kick his nuts so hard they were in his goddamn throat instead of standing there getting pelted like a punching bag. You're not a child anymore and Shining nor me can keep bailing you out."

Cecil gritted his teeth and finally started at Alex.

"Then what the fuck do you want me to do? I tried avoiding trouble at school and it found me. I went out drinking with a friend kept it under control and then got jumped."

Alex stood out of his chair leaning across the bar to get inches from Cecil's face and Flurry practically felt her butt suck the seat in when she saw the angry look on Alex.

"I want you to pull your goddamn head out of your ass and man the fuck up. I want you to use that thing sitting above your shoulders. Your my goddamn kid and the world is going to hate you and use every excuse to throw you in jail and lock you up. You can't give them one but you can't simply roll over either." He stopped finishing his drink and pouring another one. "You became your own man when you stepped on that train and the only thing I can do now is have a drink and give you advice." He lightly slapped Cecil in the back of the head "I'm still your father."

Alex took another sip and poured Cecil a drink. Cecil downed the whole thing in one go and Alex refilled it. He knew he was hard on Cecil but seeing his son get in trouble with the law and then having to put his faith in shining to save his son, it bothered Alex more then anything.

"You look like you have a dick in your ass. Relax son I'm not going to yell. I said my peace and we can move on."

Cecil nodded and sat up. When Alex said he was done he meant it. Cecil chuckled a little and looked to Alex raising his drink.

"Goddamn that was pleasant."

Alex let a ghost of a smile show before it quickly vanished back into a frown. He turned to Flurry as he sat down ashing his cigarette and lighting another one.

"How's your old man? I'm sure he was a crying mess when you left."

She was surprised when he knew her father would be emotional at her leaving.

"He will be fine. I'm sure mama is fixing him his favorite food while he looks through baby pictures. What did you do after Cecil left?"

Alex flicked some ash off his cigarette into a ash tray before taking a sip of his whiskey.

"I walked back to the bar, turned the closed sign to open and got to work."

Flurry had to blink a few times at the blunt honesty. This man just made it sound like he had sent off a friend instead of his own son. Even now she was shocked to see the lack of emotion. The two had only hugged once and then nearly gotten into a fight.

"That's…interesting."

Alex finished his drink and the three sat in silence. For Cecil and Alex this was how they bonded. No words ever needed to be said for them to be contempt and while it drove Flurry crazy she slipped her drink constantly worried if Alex was going to blow up again. After Cecil's fourth drink he stepped away from the bar smiling at Flurry then to Alex.

"Alright dad I'll show flurry to her room."

Alex nodded as he stood up downing his own drink. Flurry followed Cecil through a door and then a tight set of stairs. Once they were on the second floor Cecil showed her the room she would be staying in. It was nothing special in fact other then just the bare minimum it had nothing. The bed was made almost like how Flurrys father made her bed while he was still involved with the guard. Folded corners and the sheets tucked neatly under the mattress. A small bedside table with a lamp and finally a small dresser all of which was completely empty. The room itself was only big enough for maybe three ponies to comfortably stand in but it did have an inviting window that overlooked the streets of Ponyville.

Flurry took it all in, she always thought of herself as a princess that could live life without the finer things in life but touching the wool blanket, feeling the itch made her realize she missed her own extra soft blankets and then sitting on the bed was a mix of emotions. It was firm but felt almost like a hotel bed. She held her tongue when Cecil gave her a nervous smile hoping things weren't to uncomfortable for her. Flurry got off the bed walking over to him. She gently cupped his cheek in her hoof and stood up on her hind legs to plant a kiss on his lips.

"It's not perfect but I'm not that much of a priss that I would complain often."

Cecil had a wave of relief wash over him as he relaxed. He wrapped his arms around her and she leaned her head on his shoulder nuzzling into the crook of his neck.

"I'm glad it's not so bad. I was afraid you would hate it."

Flurry giggled as she started swaying back and forth in happiness.

"As long as I'm with you I don't care if I have to sleep on the floor."

Cecil let her go smiling deeply into her eyes. Flurry returned the favor but then her eyes changed to mischievous ones.

"Now can I please see your room. You've seen mine for nearly five months and I've been dying to know what yours looks like."

Cecil rubbed the back of his head but he stepped out of the way and pointed to the room right next to the stairs. Flurry slipped to the door and opened it up. A small giggle escaped her lips as she took in everything. Cecil had a small twin bed with a desk and dresser shoved into the small room. Wall to wall were framed posters or things he had collected. On the ceiling was the equestrian flag and another poster of the Wonderbolts team with all the flier's signatures and a happy birthday from rainbow dash herself. He had statutes of Luna and Celestia signed on the bottom.

While his room initially looked like a typical boys room he had things in there that some would consider priceless. Cecils room was a mix match of items with the final touch being authentic ceremony swords from the guard hung on his wall. Flurry was in amazement as she sat on the bed and flopped down staring up at the ceiling.

"Cecil…your room is officially a hundred times cooler then mine. I had dolls, toys, and a few pop star posters. You have some serious signatures and even cool memorabilia."

Cecil rubbed the back of his head as he looked around the room. It felt a little childish to have all the stuff out. He would have preferred his room look like the one she was staying in but the fact she liked it made it a little easier.

"Well I didn't have a lot of space so when I found something amazing I made sure to get it if I could. The poster was given to me by Rainbow Dash and the statues were another gift from the pre twilight age. The swords were given to me by a general friend of dads and the flag was actually flown in a battle during the changeling war."

Flurry felt her heart open even more to this room as she looked at everything in a new light. These were gifts that he had gotten over the years. Sure Celestia and Luna gave her gifts or anything she asked for but to personally put their name on something and give it to a pony was an honor in itself. She felt a little jealous but her younger self would have wanted a doll or toy to entertain herself with. She jumped from the bed landing on her hooves.

"I could sit in here for hours listening to you talk about it all but right now I'm famished."

Cecil chuckled and realized he could go for some food as well. Going back downstairs they were met with Rockwell and Camille were sitting at the bar refilling their coffee cups. They turned to see the young couple walking down the stairs.

"Did you enjoy the tour of the shack?"

Camille asked with a soft smile as she took her cup back.

Flurry smiled and took a seat next to her.

"I did, I honestly didn't think Cecil had that much stuff, let alone it being personal gifts from such important ponies."

Camille laughed a little as she poured some bourbon in her coffee.

"Well of course. Cecil begged and begged apple jack to let him get a signature from rainbow dash…"

"Yes he sure did bout drove me up a wall."

Interrupted a signature southern accent. Walking in with a gray streak in her main and all smiles was the southern bell of Sweet Apple Acers herself. Next to her clad in her bomber jacket was the princess of the sky's rainbow dash.

"Sup you little troublemaker?"

The two mare's walked over to him giving him hugs and a nuggie from Rainbow Dash.

"I remember it was for his birthday and Aj was complaining constantly about him pestering her but we wanted to keep it a secret and surprise him with the whole team signing it."

Apple Jack let out an exaggerated sigh like she was reliving the memory.

"And who eee, being the element of honesty and trying ta keep that little secret was darn near impossible. Every day he'd ask till one day I finally told'em Rainbow had his poster and was just swamped in paperwork."

"That's still a lie." Came Alex as he fired up a cigarette. Applejack smirked tapping her hoof on the counter

"Ain't a lie if I don't know it ain't true. Fer all I knew rainbow here could have been swamped in paperwork."

Rainbow butted in as well reaching over the counter to pull out her favorite gin.

"Yeah that worked up till I told you I hardly did anything in winter and spring."

"That's when you asked for me my wife and Alex to help distract him."

Rockwell pointed out as he slipped on his coffee. He took a small puff off his cigar before setting it in a ash tray.

Cecil just laughed as he made himself his own drink pulling another glass out for flurry to have a water.

"I was a little shit in those days but damn, between you, AJ, and dad I don't know who worked me harder."

Flurry arched an eyebrow, happily content with sitting there listening to the banter and stories about Cecil. It was almost like a cruel joke in her eyes. She had her own stories about going to parties or visiting Canterlot. She was adventurous but that only happened when she was 16 up till then everything was supervised and planned. While Cecil's life wasn't perfect he learned to live life at a young age, free to do whatever he wanted so long as it was reasonable.

"Your dad just worked you so you would turn out to be a fine stallion. I worked ya ta get ya outta my ear drums asking fer that signature."

AJ said which caused Camille to smile.

"And don't forget about all the wonderful help he gave me and Rockwell in our garden."

Rainbow snickered after a sip of her drink.

"For a time he reminded me of Spike just with a little more fire."

Flurry once again arched an eyebrow. She knew Spike on a personal level but only when he was an adult. She never knew him as a baby dragon. She was aware that Spike was Twilight's special assistant and now hearing Cecil was just as hard working made her think about what life would have been like to grow up as a…commoner.

The talks kept going as everyone poked fun at one another. Alex stayed leaned against his wall smoking his cigarette and like Flurry he stayed quiet for most of it. Either that was because they were all afraid to say something or they didn't have anything funny to say. Eventually Applejack and rainbow dash left nuzzling each other in the doorway. It was getting late and the young adults still hadn't eaten anything. As if he could sense it, Alex went into the kitchen and quickly cooked something up for everyone. He came back out with two veggie foot long subs stacked nearly three inches high and three cheeseburgers.

The meat was something new to Flurry. Of course she knew of it but she had never seen it. Alex placed the meat down In front of Cecil, Camille and one for himself. It smelled good. The look could have been better with it being brown but watching Camille eat it and her humm at the goodness made Flurry think it couldn't be all that bad until she saw Cecil not eating anything. She leaned over to whisper in his ear.

"It's quite alright, I know you need to eat it just don't tell me where it came from."

Cecil gave her a weary smile but he picked the burger up and started eating it. As Flurry thought watching him take a bit out of that burger he melted like ice cream on a summer day. She smiled seeing him happy that he didn't have to worry about that around her. Her parents when she was getting serious about being around Cecil sat her down and explained the concept of meat to her. Thankfully they didn't go into how it was made but they made sure she understood that Cecil still needed it.

After the meal was finished and the plates were taken back. Alex loudly snapped his fingers once and pointed his thumb to the kitchen. Without asking anything Cecil got up kissing Flurry before he went back to the kitchen. It was strange to see Alex putting Cecil to work considering he was only going to have a week with his son.

Alex walked past the bar and simply turned the sign from closed to open and walked back.

"Don't you want to spend the day with Cecil?"

Alex just looked down at her with a scowl.

"I have a business to run. Besides most of his friends come in here now."

Alex spoke the truth in his statement and soon after about an hour when the normal patrons saw the sign was open began walking in and ordering. It was fairly slow with only ten ponies occupying the bar. Cecil had back shortly after Alex changed the sign and told his father he was going to show Flurry around the town. Leaving the bar Flurry took in a long breath of fresh air happy she didn't have to smell smoke anymore. Cecil showed her the castle of friendship which she was all to familiar with and then took her to the cakes business where their own kids were running the place now along with Pinkie still acting as their main baker.

The bundle of pink, clad with cupcakes hanging off her hair and back came out to set their own patrons meals down. She smiled at the two of them pulling out a party kazoo and blowing it signaling the start of the party she had promised. It was a rather enjoyable one for the young couple Cecil getting Flurry to dance with him as the music played and the drinks of fruit punch flowed as freely as the cupcakes. It wasn't a long party but after a lot of laughs and a sugar overload all the patrons calmed down and business returned to normal. The day was already picking back up for Cecil and Flurry considering the traumatic introduction Flurry had with Alex.

One stop after sugar cube corner was the carousel boutique and to meet a certain white and purple sophisticated pony. Flurry was again taken by surprise at how detailed and decorated the shop was. There was so much to look at but yet it wasn't overwhelming. There were a few dresses in display but nothing like it was when the mare was young. Rarity had long since retired from her sewing days choosing to focus on her nationwide business instead. After the bell rang the white mare came out of the kitchen with her mane and tail just as bright and shining when she was in her twenties. Her face even looked young but rarity was always blessed with natural beauty.

"Oh my is that Cecil and Princess Flurry Heart! Oh my goodness had I been informed of your visit I would have cleaned up more and made some tea. Cecil I knew you would be arriving but would it have harmed you to tell me the princess of the crystal empire would be joining you?"

Cecil just laughed as he listened to Rarity complaining.

"Guess it slipped my mind. I forget not everypony has a close relationship to Flurry like I do."

Rarity gasped a little when she didn't hear him use her formal title.

"My you must be close if you have dropped the formalities. So tell me are you two an item?"

Cecil put an arm around Flurry's neck as she nuzzled into his chest with a bright smile. Rarity gave them both a warm smile as she took a seat.

"You both are the pinnacle of adorable. I am so happy to get to witness this. You nabbed yourself a good one with Cecil Princess. He's a little goofy but that's all part of the charm."

Cecil blushed a little as Flurry giggled giving him a small kiss on his cheek.

"He's a dork but I love him."

Rarity again smiled happily at the young couple just taking in all their young love.

"So darlings what can I help you with today?"

Cecil took his hat off holding it out to rarity.

"Well all I'd like is some ear flaps that can be pulled down. It's a lot colder in the empire then I thought. The coat does a heck of a job as well as the hat to but…my ears always feel like their about ta fall off."

Rarity rolled her eyes giggling.

"I tried to tell you when you asked me to make you that hat you would want them but nooo who had to be the right one?"

Flurry couldn't help but burst out in a fit of laughter. The sass of this mare was so beautiful.

"Please forgive me but you are amazing Rarity."

Rarity put a hoof to her chest with a proud smile

"Well I'm certainly no Rainbow Dash but I suppose I am special in my own right. Now then shall we begin on the hat? Oh and Cecil were you planning on attending the winter dance when you return to the crystal empire?"

She asked the question with one arched eyebrow and thin lined lips like she was expecting him to say yes but to her dissatisfaction he rubbed the back of his neck.

"I was but I don't know. Formal dances like that were never my cup of tea. You know me a big bin fire and some music and I'm happy as I could be."

She nodded setting the hat to the side as she walked back over to him. Her magic already grabbing her tape measure. Cecil knew what was about to come next and he tried to slowly back away when he realized his legs were engulfed in Flurry's own magic as she looked up at him with a scrutinizing look. Without being able to fight back Cecil sighed and let the coat drop to the floor much to the mare's delight. Rarity took extra care in gathering all his measurements and even took the liberty to take measurements on his feet.

"You ain't planning to make shoes as well?"

Rarity brushed some of her mane out of her face making sure it stayed in place with a hair clip.

"Why of course. I know I made you a suit years ago and while I'm confident you could still slip in it, it's old and outdated plus with your mare friend here we can look at several options, of course you will have the final say but us ladies like to see our stallion dressed sharp."

Cecil rolled his eyes as he put his coat back on. Rarity set her notes on his measurements down and went to work on his hat. She had to disassemble his hat much to his heartbreak but it was all so she could widen the brim. In seconds she made a flap out of thick wool that would cover his ears and back of his neck. She then sewed a comfortable soft cotton on the inside for comfort and cast a simple temperature spell on the cloth to match the hat. She handed it back to him and he put it on. It felt off but that was because of the new padding. After messing around with it he gave her a thumbs up.

"Thank you so much rarity! This is going to be a lifesaver when I return."

He started pulling out his bits but she used her magic to push them back in his pocket. Holding out one arm for a hug she smiled wary at him.

"A simple hug is all I need Cecil. It was truly no worry at all."

Cecil smiled and got down on a knee to wrap the mare in a tight hug.

"Thank you so much for all the help with clothes over the years rarity. I know me and dad appreciate the hell out of you."

Rarity smiled as her arm squeezed him a little tighter at the compliment.

"Oh darling it's no trouble at all. Making all those adorable clothes for you as a baby was a dream come true and if you and the princess ever have one of your own and I'm still able, you better come back to let me make their clothes."

Cecil blushed heavily as he reeled back. The comment also caught Flurry off guard as she blushed heavily.

"I-i think that's a little bit off in the future Rarity."

The princess of the crystal heart proclaimed causing Rarity to wave a hoof at them.

"Please darling, I was a young mare once myself."

Cecil looked over at Flurry with an arched eyebrow wondering how many times she's already thought about having kids. The mare in question backed up a little nervously looking at the door.

"H-hey Cecil I think I'm getting in the mood for a snack…uh where's a good place to eat?"

Rarity put a hoof over her mouth trying to hide her snicker.

"You two have a delightful rest of the day. And princess if you stop by tomorrow around this time I should have all the sketches drawn and colored for you."