Cantered Into The Hearth (Closed)

[Bellosh]

 

With an uncharacteristically despondent voice, Princess Cadence barely managed to eek out an answer to her mama’s question; “Oh, uh, we’ll see I guess, if Flurry likes singing that is.....”

“Princess Twilight Sparkle requests an audience with everypony gathered here.” The overly formal voice came from a Twilight Guard stallion standing at the doorway; guess Twily was finally able to drop what she was doing to spend quality family time. “This way please..."

As all the guests got up from their seats to follow their armor-wearing usher, Cadence took a brief moment to put on a smile and leaned in close towards Flurry Heart, whispering; “Mommy hoped you like our moving picture, you cutie pie. Maybe you’ll be in one of them someday.....”

[Blueblood]

Shining Armor nodded as he filed away Barbara's description.  It would likely take a little digging through the records, but he was pretty certain that by Flurry Heart's birthday she would have a new grandpa... that is, if the search didn't ultimately end at a gravestone.  After all, the REA was not a no-risk occupation.  But at the very least, it would provide closure for his wife; this was clearly a painful issue for Cadence, one which he made a note to talk to her about later when they were alone.  She'd never gone into her early, pre-royal life much, before their trip to Itailia.  Seems that there were some old hurts that needed healing...

 

But this was not the season of pain, but of a family and togetherness (however much those might be associated)!  With the announcement of the herald, Shining Armor scrabbled to his feet.  "Oh, Twily's here!  You haven't met her, have you Barbara?  I'm sure you'll get along great."  Such, at any rate, was the hope.

[SteelEagle]

Barbera was just happy to be out of the firing line. She knew her daughter was upset but there was little she could do about it now. Little she could have done about it back then, too. If she had known then what she knew now? Of course she'd make life decisions. But as the saying went, youth was wasted on the young and that damning proverb was rarely more true than when she applied it to herself and the past she had come to regret and defend in equal measure from the dire judgement of the present. "I have not met her, but I would very much like to. I have heard so much!"


                                                                                 
 

Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Equestria, really just wanted some time alone. She couldn't get any time alone, of course. Her position precluded the possibility by its very nature. She was needed everywhere all the time by everycreature for everything. The weight of a nation was on her shoulders and she knew she could handle the tasks laid before her. That did not mean she could not desire some time for her family, of course. She had been able to spend the previous night with her parents when she invited them to her castle and treated them to a banquet held in the season's honor. And tonight she was visiting the Crystal Empire. Technically it was a business trip- diplomatic well wishes and tomorrow she promised to review some Crystal_Equestria affairs in the morning- but the night would belong to her brother, her sister-in-law, her niece, and...well, her aunt she supposed? She had never met the mare. Indeed, she was a recent revelation. Not an unwelcome one, but Twilight would be lying if she said her excitement for the rest of her family this evening did not in a small way trump her measured excitement to meet Barbera Red.

 

So much so that when she turned the corner and saw them approach, crier not included, she took flight and immediately launched herself at her extended family. Itw as quite majestic. Her regal cape had other ideas and conspired against her, getting caught on a statue and tearing ever so slightly, sending her tumbling towards her family, landing at Shining's hooves with her crown covering her eyes. She took a second to let the embarrassment wash over her and then out before pulling herself up. "Uhh, errr...Happy Hearthswarming!" The Princess of all Equestria and commander of the most powerful force on the planet (Friendship!) said awkwardly as she tried to to recover her dignity.

 

Luckily Barbera had started bowing when she first saw the Princess and had continued to do so regardless, not knowing the proper bowing protocol when meeting the ruler of all Equestria.