Balance within Harmony

The six bearers of the elements had a good nights sleep after a tiring day of defeating discord, and they had all planned to meet up at the cafe for lunch the next day. Afterall, with the gala, discord and engagement there was a lot to talk about.

Of course Twilight and Rarity could barely sleep given what was going through their minds. Luckily for Twilight he could stay up with Owlicious for company whilst reading, whilst Rarity was 'lucky' to have Opal, who didn't like to be disturbed at all. But her inspiration room provided a sanctuary had allowed her to stay designing Fluttershy's mare of honours dress.

***

Twilight and Spike, as always, was first to arrive anywhere followed by Fluttershy also arrived early. Conversation was a little awkward as Fluttershy still didn't like to be one-on-one with any of the colts, although she still loved to talk to the baby dragon and Spike would chat to anypony if the conversation was anything but books. Applejack then arrived along with the three Cutie Mark Crusaders, explaining that he had to look after them, and sent them off to their own table for their usual milkshakes.

Pinkie Pie was next to arrive, popping out from underneath the table, holding a pair cupcakes. "These are you're special engagement cupcakes" Pinkie exclaimed before anypony asked.

Twilight looked at the cupcakes, one decorated in each of the his and Rariy's mane and body colours, each with a wafer horn although 'Rarity' had a little golden ring on hers. "Wow Pinkie, they are great!" Twilight gasped "I've never heard of engagement cupcakes before, they must have taken ages to decorate"

"Don't be silly, they never existed before, but if any two ponies deserve a new tradition its you! And engagement cupcakes is easier to say than the-pairing-whos-love-cured-their-friends-and-saved-the-whole-of-Equestria-again cupcakes.

This caused them all to giggle a little as Rainbow walked in followed moments by Rarity. The other five watched as Rarity took up the one empty seat at the opposite side of the round table from Twilight. The all looked at Rarity, turned to Twilight in unison and back to Rarity.

Rarity rolled her eyes at her friends behaviours "Look guys, I know this has come as a bit of a shock...to all seven of us...but nothings really changed. I don't have to be next to Twilight every second of Celestia's day or Luna's night!"

"Except you should as you two are going to cuddle, kiss, snuggle, move in together, get married, have foals and everything!"

They all looked over at surprise towards Fluttershy and her uncharacteristic outburst. She blushed then added "That is...if you want that"

Pinkie was first to laugh "Oh Fluttershy, I didn't know you were such a romantic" and put her hoof over Fluttershy's shoulder as her face grow as pink as Pinkie's.

"It's just, I see that happen to my animal friends move so quickly I guess I got carried away"

"I guess the animals do do all that, especially the apple stealing vermin...except the marriage part of course" Applejack added, the farmer knowing how quickly animals reproduced.

"Oh, I always marry the new couples each Spring, it wouldn't be right not to" Fluttershy blushed

At this all the others burst into laughing, and this completely broke all the tension that everyone at the table had felt. Twilight and Rarity apologised for keeping their relationship a secret, but the others understood that they were trying to work through a difficult time in their lives and relationship. They discussed everything that had gone on in Canterlot and how the Princesses seemed to invite them to the gala just to cause trouble Are we that reckless? Applejack thought, whilst the princesses had just got 20% cooler in Rainbow's eyes.

***

Meanwhile on the CMC table, Sweetie Belle was the happiest filly in all of Equestria.

"I'm going to have a brother-in-hoof" Sweetie beamed to the others

"That's great" Scootaloo added "Twilight is such a wonderful pony and I think they really suit each other"

"Yeah, that ring is so pretty" Applebloom added "Although of course Rarity is always so pretty"

"Perhaps we can get our Cutie Marks in wedding dress making?" Scootaloo added, always the first to be thinking of how to turn any situation into an adventure.

"I think my sis is going to design her own dress!" Sweetie laughed "But somepony needs to help with the rest - Cutie Mark Crusaders Wedding Planners"

"What would a wedding planning cutie-mark even look like...probably a checklist!" Applebloom asked?

"If anypony would have that it should be Twilight" Scootaloo laughed, followed by her two friends.

"I wonder if my brother...either of them...will find that special somepony?" Applebloom mused

"Well, we can give it a go for the next hearts and hooves day!" Sweetie beamed "Everypony needs to get together!"

***

After a delightful lunch, they all had various work to catch up on, so decided to get busy in the afternoon. The meal was comped by the cafe owner, in thanks for saving the Ponyville...again.

The three young filly headed off towards their Treehouse, eager to start work on their cutie marks in Wedding organising, despite not knowing when the wedding would be. Rarity and Twilight, with Spike on his back, starting walking towards the boutique, levitating the special cupcakes in-front of them.

Three of the older ponies had the same thought flash through their minds as they all walked home "I wish I had what they have" whilst the fourth just kept thinking about harvesting apples...