The Conjuration Wizard

The castle gardens were serene, the soft rustle of leaves stirred by a gentle evening breeze. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, its light spilling over the manicured paths and flowerbeds. The air was sweet with the scents of roses and lavender, weaving a tranquil charm into the heart of Canterlot.

Aldin perched above me on a low tree branch, his sharp, watchful eyes scanning the area as though he were guarding his kingdom. Shining Armor stood nearby, leaning casually against a marble statue — a grotesque chimera of mismatched animals, its chaotic form starkly contrasting the elegant pony-themed sculptures surrounding it. He was still in his armor, though his relaxed demeanor made it clear he was off-duty. I sat on a stone bench beneath Aldin’s tree, my eyes closed, letting the evening’s quiet magic wash over me.

“So,” Shining’s voice broke the calm, his tone casual but teasing. “How are things going with the Princess of the Night?” His smirk betrayed the playful intent behind the question as he adjusted his lean on the bizarre statue.

I cracked an eye open, peering at him over the rim of my shades. The question wasn’t entirely unexpected — Shining wasn’t oblivious, and considering who his fiancée was, it wasn’t hard to imagine how he’d found out. Still, I was curious.

“I don’t recall telling you about Luna and I,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “Care to share how you pieced it together?”

Shining’s grin widened. “Cadance, of course. Who else? She’s the Princess of Love. She predicted you two would hit it off the moment she saw you together.”

I groaned, though the thought of Cadance meddling brought a smile to my face. “Should’ve guessed. Let me guess — you two had a bet going?”

“Not this time,” Shining replied with a shrug. “I know better than to bet against her on matters of love. But yeah, she called it. Said it was only a matter of time before you and Luna figured it out. And, surprise, surprise — she was right again.” He flashed a knowing smile, one that spoke of someone familiar with love’s subtle currents. “So, how’s that working out for you?”

I let out a slow breath, my thoughts drifting to Luna and the week since our confessions. “It’s been… good. Different, but in the best way. Feels new, you know? Like every moment with her just… clicks. It’s more real than anything I’ve ever known.”

Shining nodded, his expression softening into something more genuine. “I know exactly what you mean.” His gaze wandered over the garden before returning to me, sincerity in his eyes. “I’m happy for you, really.”

“Thanks,” I said, the words settled nicely into my chest.

We sat in companionable silence for a while, the sounds of the garden filling the space between us. Above me, Aldin hooted softly, content in the calm.

“It’s been too long since we hung out like this,” Shining said eventually. “With the Gala coming up, the barracks have been chaos. I was hoping to take it easy this year, but then Vanhoover came up.”

“Vanhoover?” I asked, frowning. “What’s happening there?”

Shining rubbed the back of his neck, his sheepish expression betraying his discomfort. “Diplomatic stuff. Nothing major, but Cadance and I got the assignment. We’re heading out in a couple of days.”

Aldin tilted his head curiously at the mention, his wings shifting slightly.

“Wait, so you’re not going to the Gala?” I asked, the news taking a moment to land.

“Yeah,” Shining said with an apologetic shrug. “Not this year.I was hoping we could all catch up there, but duty calls. Honestly, you’re not missing much. Galas are way more boring than they sound.”

I tried to hide my disappointment, but Shining caught it anyway. He nudged me with his elbow, his grin returning. “Don’t tell me you’re actually excited for a fancy party.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Not really. Just thought it’d be nice to see you and Cadance there. Having a few friendly faces helps.”

Shining nodded. “Yeah, I get that. For what it’s worth, I’m bummed we are missing it too. Cadance was especially looking forward to watching you and Luna navigate the night together. Guess we’ll have to hear about it later.”

I laughed quietly, shaking my head. “Tell Cadance she’s not getting a play-by-play from me.”

“Don’t worry,” Shining replied, smirking. “She’ll find a way to pry it out of you. She always does.”

I rolled my eyes, though the small smile tugging at my lips betrayed my amusement. “Don’t worry. Between Luna and Aldin, I’ve got more than enough company to keep me from losing my mind.”

The gentle rustling of leaves filled the silence between us, the evening breeze weaving through the gardens. It felt good to talk so openly, even if the idea still felt foreign.

“Speaking of Luna,” Shining broke the silence, leaning a bit more casually against the statue, “you ready for the Gala? You know how these Canterlot noble types can be: all pomp, posturing, and fake charm. You’ll have to put on quite the show to match their energy.”

I smirked with a shake of my head. “Don’t you worry, Shining. I have spent plenty of practice pretending to be something I’m not. I’ll play the part if I have to, but honestly? I’m mostly there for her.”

“You’re braver than me,” Shining said with a chuckle, running a hoof through his mane. “Those things are unbearable. The forced smiles, the endless small talk... It’s enough to make a guy wish for a rogue changeling invasion.”

I laughed, the mental image of Shining running for the hills at the sight of nobles more amusing than it had any right to be. “You’re not wrong. Still, I knew what I was getting into. It’s part of the package deal when you date a princess.”

Shining’s expression softened, his tone turning serious. “Just... don’t let them push you around, alright? You’re not just her apprentice anymore, Seb. That’s a big deal, and you’ve more than earned your place. Don’t let anyone make you think otherwise.”

I caught his gaze and the sincerity there caught me off guard. Shining knew better than most what it meant to stand by royalty. It wasn’t always easy, and his words hit deeper than he probably realized.

“I won’t,” I said firmly, appreciating the support. “Thanks, Shining.”

“Anytime,” he replied, flashing a grin. “It’s my job as your unofficial wingman.”

Aldin, who had been observing from his perch, decided it was his moment to shine. With a practiced flutter, he landed on my shoulder, nudging my cheek with his beak. Through our empathic link, I could feel his amusement. "Wingman? Is that what we’re calling it now? I thought that was my job."

“Hey, you’re more of a co-pilot,” I shot back, smirking.

“Co-pilot?” Aldin let out a hoot of mock offense, ruffling his feathers. “That’s rich coming from someone who’d probably crash without me.”

Shining chuckled, shaking his head at our exchange. “You two are something else.”

“Oh, speaking of stories,” Aldin said slyly, turning his gaze toward me, his tone laced with mischief. “You never did tell me about the leash.”

I grinned as Shining visibly stiffened, his ears perking up in alarm. “Ah, yes,” I began, leaning back against the bench, “the Golden Horseshoe incident. A classic.”

Shining’s hoof shot up like he was ready to block incoming artillery. “Nope. Don’t you dare. That story is forbidden.”

“But Shining,” I said, my voice dripping with feigned innocence, “it’s such a good story. You were stumbling through walls—no, *pointing* at walls—thinking they were doors. And then Cadance—”

“Lalalalala! Can’t hear you!” Shining clamped his hooves over his ears, his cheeks turning a brilliant shade of red as he shouted over me.

I couldn’t hold it anymore and burst into laughter, my shoulders shaking as Aldin joined in with a series of amused hoots. The poor stallion looked like he wanted the earth to swallow him whole.

“Okay, okay,” I said, holding up my hands in surrender. “Never speak of it again?”

“Never,” Shining growled, glaring at me through the remnants of his embarrassment.

“Fair enough.”

As the laughter died down, the warm camaraderie lingered. Shining stretched, his armor clinking faintly as he stood. “Alright, I should get going. Cadance’ll kill me if I’m late for dinner again.”

I gave him a mock salute. “Good luck with that. You’re gonna need it.”

“Same to you at the Gala,” he shot back with a smirk. “Try not to cause too much of a scene without me around to back you up.”

“No promises,” I replied with a grin.

As he walked away, his silhouette faded into the twilight, leaving Aldin and me alone once more. The garden grew quiet. A quiet that was only broken by the rare rustle of leaves or Aldin’s occasional hoot. Basking in the peace of another encroaching evening, I settled into my bench further.

“Do you think he will ever live that down?” Aldin asked, his tone still rich with amusement.

“Not a chance,” I replied, smiling as I looked out at the darkening horizon.