The book unfolded around them and before them as they found themselves standing before a long table where many important looking ponies sat, gazing down upon them. Their clothing marked them as royal ponies, either through formal garb or literal crowns adorning their heads.

Misty forced a big smile and sank into her seat, glancing around for some kind of hint as to the nature of that gathering, but none were easily visible.

Amber waved to Misty. "Princess Misty Bloom has arrived!"

Polite nods and calculating gazes rippled across the occupants of the room. A unicorn stallion stood up. "We're glad you're here. We are voting on a bill today."

Misty extended her hooves for that brief moment before dropping them with a grimace before taking a deep breath and bolstering her confidence again as she smiled at the stallion. "I would be delighted to assist. Please, go on." She lifted her head as she looked over at Amber, a gentle smile on her lips at the proud grin she was getting for her bravery.

The unicorn smiled back. "The bill would allow access to Equestria from a neighboring land." He set his hooves together. "There are some firm supporters, and equally staunch detractors. We've been arguing this matter for what feels like years now." He sat back down, muzzle on hoof as he observed the pair of 'guests'.

Amber grinned as she pointed at Misty before sitting back herself. "Well, it looks like you have some international experts in your midst. I'm just her servant, so hushing up." She mimed zippering her snout.

Misty snapped her hoof onto the table, eyes sparkling as she recalled the details of that book and all it entailed as she saw the royal ponies murmuring about that declaration as she rocked her hooves before stamping down on them to get herself under control. "Gentleponies! I am glad you called to me. I have come far to speak on this matter." She couldn't help a little smile as the memories of why they were there and how it had worked in the book became fresh in her mind. "Equestria is about openness! About friendship! And this world needs more friends, yes? The evil Queen Nightmare Moon will never rest until she gets everything she wants!" She glared at them each in turn as she let out a yelp of surprise as she found herself shoved backwards onto the floor.

Amber darted to Misty's side and helped her up as she whipped her gaze across the ponies for whoever had done it before they found themselves back in the book once more, facing down the furious fairy once more.

The book fairy flitted up to them. "You already read this one. Why are you even here?" She shrugged grandly. "Takes all the fun out of it if you've read the answer guide, don't you think?"

Misty inclined her head. "Amber hasn't, and I still thought it was amazing. Getting to live out the scenes is quite the, uh, experience." She stretched in place as she checked herself over to make sure she was still in one piece after getting tossed like that before tapping a hoof against her chin with a serious expression on her face. "But they need help in there!"

The fairy waved a hoof at Misty. "You know they figure it out eventually. The story's already written. Marvelous part about books, the future is not only set, but you can check it at any time. Now, with that in mind, why are you back exploring a book you already know? Last time, it was a journey of wonder and exploration." She rolled her eyes. "This time, what just for fun? I'm not your jester!"

Amber laid a hoof on Misty's shoulder before standing up to face the fairy with a slight frown. "Look, she just wanted to do it again because it was fun. How often do you get to travel inside a book and help ponies?"

"Not much," admitted the fairy with a little pout of annoyance. "Because I live in them. And 'helping' ponies isn't really what I do for fun. I oversee the rules of this place. That's my job and my purpose."

Amber hummed at that as she folded her hooves in front of her with an impish little smile on her lips as she regarded the fairy with amusement on her face as she tapped a hoof against her chin briefly in thought before exhaling with an audible huff. "If you watch over the rules, then I'd just ask one thing. Is it against the rules if one of us has read the book?"

The book fairy floated back a few inches. "N-No, not technically."

Amber turned back to Misty with a wink and a smile before sweeping her hoof towards the little fairy as she addressed her again. "Well, let's get started on that second go-around then!"

The book fairy huffed, crossing her tiny arms. "Fine! But if you're just going to wander around and enjoy the sights, quizzing you on it feels like a waste of everycreature's time." She coiled on herself as a strange tiny device floated from her. It looked like a thermometer with a knob. "Use this to go backwards and forwards in the book. Turn it to the end when you're ready to leave."

Amber peered at the little object, slightly unnerved by its sudden appearance from nothingness but hiding that reaction behind a smile as she placed it in Misty's hooves and walked with her towards the ballroom once more as the fairy flitted off in annoyance.

Comforting sat on a bench. It was no normal bench, for it was parked beneath a special tree. "Hello there." She bent backwards and looked up into the branches of the Together Tree. "Having a nice day?"

The tree did not respond. Trees didn't talk, as that one had reminded her quite some time ago. "Nice to see you."

A sudden chime came from her phone. She dug it out to find a text had arrived from Together.Tree@Equestria.net: Hello! I'm doing fine today. The weather is nice here! We're not close enough for it to send me your weather reports, yet.

Comforting snorted at that, jamming out a reply: I didn't ask for a weather report, silly tree. Glad to hear you're doing well though. Oh, I'm getting married.

A heartbeat went by. A handful of seconds, actually. She smiled at that response even before she heard it come out of her phone: They will leave eventually. They have to, so quickly. Are you ready for that?

Comforting wrinkled her snout, fingers working over the phone: Of course! This isn't the first time, and I think I let enough time go since the last one, so don't say I'm just bouncing. Also, you know I'd take you as a partner if you were more, you know, mobile. Hugging you as a tree makes me look sillier than usual.

A short pause: Hugging me is fine! That's why I have this function. See?

Another message popped up with an animated image of Comforting hugging a tree while it waved back.

Comforting grinned at that sentiment before texting back: Glad to hear it.

She shoved the phone away and jogged the few steps up to Together. Without ceremony, she wrapped her arms around and hugged the tree, one foot up in the air as she nestled close. "You're one of my best friends, too."

The tree rustled happily and accepted her hug for quite some time. Even if she couldn't physically hear the tree speaking back to her, she could feel its support and care in every branch around her. To anypony watching her, she was just a curious creature hugging a tree. The tree wasn't responding, just continuing to exist, as a tree.

Comforting flushed slightly before answering: You know, if you wanted to marry me, I'd be flattered.

The answer came swiftly: We are already bound. I value our connection deeply, Comforting. It is curious, to me, that the orderly spirit that I am has changed form and name so much more often than the chaotic spirits I know.

Comforting tapped at her chin as she composed her response carefully, remembering their early days when she'd tried to change too fast: A chaotic spirit can do whatever they want. Me? I need structure. I think my dad did too, but don't try to get him to admit it.

She stuck out her tongue, thinking of Discord and his curious ways: He loved every weekly game of O&O, and was very sad when it ended. We chaos sprits like our little gripping points of stability.

Together.Tree@Equestria: That is also true! But remember, sometimes we are together even when we are apart, Comforting. One doesn't have to be right in front of another to be with them.

"True." Comforting said that part out loud, knowing Together was quite close enough to hear her. "I just wanted you to know what was going on. I'd invite you to the wedding, but that'd be hard."

Together rustled some more before stilling once more. Together.Tree@Equestria sent another message: The cost of growing so large is that I must remain here. But you can bring me to the wedding in a way. Why not share your vows beneath my boughs?

Comforting blinked at the words, stunned a moment before she slapped a hand to her forehead. "Duh! I'm so silly sometimes." She twirled back towards the tree. "I'll ask Toots! I don't imagine he'll have a problem having it here. You're a very pretty tree, if you don't mind my saying so. It'd be a fine place for a wedding."

She felt the tree's pleasure at the compliment even as she breathed in deeply as she tried to get her thoughts in order and determine what kind of wedding dress would be appropriate for her age and body type and general mood and attitude at being wed yet again and how to coordinate that with her new friends. A new message interrupted her thoughts: Just be yourself. You are a wonderful creature. I cannot envision this going in any way but perfectly, though your perfection may be interesting, and that remains a fine thing for you and all around you.

Comforting raised an eyebrow at that assertion before laughing at that unique reassurance from her oldest friend even as she took a bow for her tree companion. She stepped back onto the path and away from the Together Tree's soothing shade as she looked up at the sky with a new smile on her lips. "You're not wrong."

She hammered out a new message towards Toots: Hey, remember that big lovely tree? Can we do our vows there? I think it'd be the perfect spot. Let me know, this is our wedding, not mine, so your thoughts are important.

Toots was quick to reply: The Together Tree? Sure! That's a nice spot. What made you think of it? Actually, doesn't even matter, it's a great idea! Oh, meant to ask, did you shop for a dress yet, or are you gonna make one up in the moment?

Comforting tipped back her head with a sigh of relief as she slipped her phone away for a moment as she ambled down the path as she weighed out her options: I've made a few dresses for friends in the past. But if I dream it up, it'll be just as permanent as a dream. I think I want a real one, so I'll go shopping.

Author's Note

Some good feels in this chappy!

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