What Hath Joined Together

Chapter 11

                                                            Stranger In A Strange Land — Part II

Supper that evening was conducted in a similar manner as breakfast. Seated at the table with Princess Cadence, Prince Shining Armor, and Princess Twilight Sparkle, Flash Sentry felt like a very sore hoof indeed. Although Shining had again motioned for him to sit down with them, he still felt rather odd. Nevertheless, it was not his place to question it.

While the three Royals chatted amongst themselves, the two mares especially engaged in conversation, Flash focused on the downright delicious meal that he had been served. Tantalizing delicacies tickled his nostrils and staked his hunger. Hearty vegetable stew, garlic bread dripping with butter, a crisp salad tossed with exotic greens... All of it was absolutely divine, and he savored every bite. Throughout the meal, Flash kept his muzzle down, only speaking when spoken to.

When his plate was empty, a servant came to his side and offered him more, but Flash declined. Tomorrow morning, he would be assisting Lieutenant Shooting Star with the recruits; overeating would be most unwise, not to mention rude.

As Flash waited to be dismissed, he looked up to see Twilight and Cadence giggling behind their forehooves. Shining rolled his eyes and face-hoofed. Flash tried not to stare, though he let a smile escape him.

"Did you have enough to eat, Twilight? Or are you taking after Auntie Celestia now?" Cadence teased, poking her in the stomach.

Twilight blushed and squirmed away. "C-Cadence! I'm full, thank you!"

"Are you sure? Shining told me you devoured almost three whole plates of pancakes this morning. Sure you don't want dessert? There's cake..."

Twilight gave her a playful nudge, then shot a half-hearted glare at her brother. "Oh, come on, you two! It's not my fault that the Empire has such great cooks!"

Cadence chuckled. "We try, we try. How about you, Flash? Are you full?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Flash said with a bow of his head.

"Good, because you'll be needing that in the morning." Shining laughed. "If I know Shooting Star, he'll be running the recruits ragged tomorrow morning. That goes for you, too."

"Yes, Your Highness," Flash said, "I'm looking forward to it."

While he spoke to Shining, Flash felt Cadence looking at him again from across the table, causing him to shuffle slightly in his seat. He offered her a weak smile and looked down at his hooves again. Why does she keep looking at me that way? Am I doing something wrong?

"Twilight," Cadence asked, "are you feeling up for a little flight together?"

"Flight?" Biting her lip, Twilight asked, "Are you sure? You still look tired. I don't want you to strain yourself."

Indeed, Flash could see that, while Cadence appeared to have perked up from either the meal, Twilight's presence, or both, she still wasn't the same smiling Princess he had seen on her wedding day. Whatever was wrong with her, he couldn't put his hoof on it. She seems to have lost weight, so it can't be—

Cadence shook her head. "I'm fine, and I'm sure. Please?"

Twilight hesitated. "Well... I... I do have—"

"Please, Twilight?" Cadence clasped her forehooves together and leaned closer to Twilight. "C'mon, you know you want to. Didn't you mention in your last letter you needed some more flying practice anyway?"

Flash saw Twilight quickly glance his direction before turning back to Cadence. "I'm not that bad, but..." Twilight sighed. "Alright, alright. Just as long as you're feeling okay."