Comet's Tale

A Canterlot Wedding part 2

The lavender glow of sunset filtered through the windows of the castle dining hall, casting long shadows across the table where Twilight Sparkle sat with her friends and family. She nursed her drink, watching the ice cubes clink against the glass as she swirled it absently. The day had been long, and her mind was heavy with troubling observations.

Around her sat Comet Tail, his blue eyes occasionally glancing her way with concern; Trixie, Luna's new apprentice who was trying her best to look dignified despite being clearly overwhelmed by the royal surroundings; Fallen Star, Comet's mother, who was chatting quietly with Twilight's parents; and the rest of the Element bearers who had spent the day helping with wedding preparations.

Cheese Sandwich slumped in his chair, uncharacteristically quiet after a day of planning the reception. Braeburn and Applejack, still wearing bits of flour on their coats from the catering preparations, were engaged in quiet conversation with Thunderlane, whose wing draped casually over Applejack's shoulders.

"Twilight, dear, you've barely touched your tea," Night Light, her father, noted with concern.

Twilight's ears flattened slightly. "I'm just... thinking."

"About the wedding?" Twilight Velvet asked, smiling softly at her daughter.

"About Cadence," Twilight replied, her tone suddenly sharp enough to draw everyone's attention. "Has anypony else noticed how she's been acting today?"

"What do you mean, sugarcube?" Applejack looked up from her conversation with Thunderlane.

Twilight leaned forward, her eyes intense. "I've been watching her all day. The Cadence I knew as a foal would never speak to ponies the way she's been speaking to all of you. She was so cold to Cheese when he suggested those party games for the reception."

Cheese Sandwich glanced down at his hooves. "Well, not everypony appreciates my particular brand of fun..."

"And she barely even looked at the food samples that Applejack and Braeburn spent all morning preparing!" Twilight continued.

Braeburn exchanged a glance with Applejack. "The princess did seem a mite distracted," he admitted.

"Distracted? She was downright rude!" Twilight exclaimed. "The Cadence I knew was never like that. Something's wrong, I can feel it."

Comet Tail studied his marefriend carefully. He'd rarely seen her this agitated. A seed of doubt began to sprout in his mind—not doubt about Twilight's judgment, but doubt about dismissing her concerns too quickly. Twilight was observant, methodical. If she noticed something amiss...

"Darling," Twilight Velvet said gently, "planning a royal wedding is incredibly stressful. Ponies don't always behave their best under that kind of pressure."

"Mom, this isn't about stress. This is different." Twilight's voice grew more frustrated. "She didn't even remember our special greeting. The one we've had since I was a filly."

Time Turner cleared his throat. "Memory can be affected by stress as well, especially regarding details from long ago."

"Or maybe," Trixie interjected with a knowing smirk, "The Princess simply outgrew silly foalhood customs."

Twilight shot Trixie a withering look.

Applejack leaned forward, her expression concerned but skeptical.

"Twilight, are you sure this ain't about somethin' else?" Applejack asked carefully. "I remember when Big Mac was sixteen and got sweet on that one mare from Fillydelphia.. I was all kinds of upset about it, felt like he was abandonin' the family somehow."