Twilight stayed with Celestia while Luna went off to find her fiance. Meanwhile, Shining Armor and Cadence went to go explore the festival on their own. There were Ponies and Humans everywhere, with the occasional Changeling interspersed in the massive crowd. Everywhere she looked were booths and counters with brightly painted signs hanging overhead declaring what the booth offered. The lavender Alicorn spotted a booth with the words 'History of Human Medicine' on the sign, while the sign over booth to the right of it proclaimed 'History of Human Agriculture'. A booth to the left of the first one had the words 'Changeling Social History' written above it and was indeed staffed by an undisguised Changeling.

Twilight levitated a pamphlet in front of her eyes and read down the list of demonstrations set up for the day. The theme of this first day seemed to be History. The festival was like a history museum with carnival games and treats. Twilight was in Nirvana. The listed demonstrations ranged from Ancient Human Modes Of Dress to Ancient Human Combat Demonstration. One certain event caught Twilight's attention above the others though: Human Myths And Legends. The demonstration was set to be an all day event where Humans would read or recite the myths and legends from all over the Human world.

Twilight lowered the pamphlet, excited to ask Celestia if she wanted to listen to the ancient tales as well, but to her surprise her teacher was no longer standing beside her. Twilight cast her eyes around looking for her mentor and, thankfully, spotted her walking away from a concession stand with a paper napkin levitated in front of her. Celestia levitated a tiny cube out from the napkin and popped it into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. Half a second later the eldest Princess of Equestria nearly collapsed onto the ground as her knees shook violently and her eyes rolled back into her head.

Twilight all but flew into a panic. Spreading her wings, she sped over to her mentor, "What's wrong!? Are you hurt!? Do you feel sick!?"

Celestia sat down on her royal posterior and shook her head. She swallowed what was in her mouth and levitated another tiny cube to her former student, "Try this." She said softly. Twilight took the tiny cube and examined it, feeling apprehensive about something that could give her mentor such a reaction. The cube appeared to have nearly a dozen layers of flaky wafers with tiny bits of walnuts and liberal amounts of honey interspersed between the layers. Shrugging and willing to trust the elder Alicorn, Twilight levitated the cube into her mouth and began to chew.

Twilight's mouth suddenly exploded with the most rich, intense sweetness she had ever indulged. She had never imagined such a flavor. Her wildest fillyhood dreams of sweets and candy turned to bitter ash when compared to the myriad of sweet flavors assaulting her senses. Without meaning to, Twilight moaned in oral ecstasy. Her eyelids fluttered closed of their own volition and her legs gave out. Twilight lost all concept of time as she swam in the throws of the sugar-gasm. She completely missed noticing the watching eyes of the Ponies in line for the concession stand. She also missed it, as all those watching Ponies began bombarding the Human man running the stand, all asking to, "Have what she's having."

Eventually she regained her senses and opened her eyes, blinking at the sunlight. She raised her head and realized she was lying on a bench sitting in the midst of an orange grove. Leaning against the closest orange tree was Celestia. She was watching Twilight with an expression which spoke of merriment, "I see you also gained an appreciation for that... divine treat?"

Twilight could not help but remember the pure ambrosia she had tasted earlier, "What was that? Even Pinkie Pie never baked anything like that."

Celestia smiled warmly, "I asked about it as well. Apparently it is called 'Baklava'. A desert treat invented more than four hundred years ago on Earth in a country named 'Turkey' or the 'Ottoman Empire' as it was called at the time." Celestia raised her left forehoof and tittered behind it, "It was a very... intense experience, wasn't it?"

Twilight nodded her head, nearly blushing, "It really was, but I don't think I'll be... indulging it very often."

Celestia smiled at her former student, "Especially not in public. Six Bits per piece is expensive, but I would say the experience was well worth it." Celestia managed not to say what she was thinking, 'I am going to get that recipe for the Palace chefs if it's the last thing I do!'

* * *

Shining Armor sighed thankfully as the panel about 'Human Courtship' began to come to a close. Cadence had asked him to accompany her to listen in on the question and answer session and he had dutifully agreed. He had to admit that the intensity of Human jealously toward those they perceived to be their mates had surprised him. The session had been deemed to be inappropriate for any Pony below the legal age of consent and now he understood why.

The panel was held inside the first floor of the Town Hall building with the doors closed so that there was no chance of foals or other youngsters hearing about the sensitive, very adult subject matter. Despite his initial assumption that Ponies would find no interest in the topic, Shining Armor had found that the question and answer panel was filled to capacity with Ponies. Every one of the plethora of cushions on the floor was occupied and quite a number of Ponies even stood against the walls or by the doors.

Though he had some experience interacting with Humans, Shining Armor had never taken any particular notice of their courtship customs or the social expectations that were involved. He was surprised at the intricacies and nuances of the whole thing. The speaker conveyed that monogamous Human courtships, as opposed to those of Kavim, were relationships between only two individuals. The bonded pair would lavish affections on one another and with only one partner to share those affections with, it was no wonder that Humans became so impassioned with their loves. The intensity of loved described by the speaker was actually not difficult for Shining Armor to understand. He, unlike most Kavim, had only one spouse and he lavished his affections on her. In a way, he was able to sympathize with Humans. He was amazed at the similarities and complexities of the courtships the speaker described. It was as if somepony had looked into his own mind and heart and described what he felt, when he had never known it himself. There were some very significant differences though. The levels of anger and jealously involved with what was called 'cheating' was of particular surprise and some of the punishments for it were mind-boggling.

The speaker of the session continued her closing statement, "As a final example of the accepted social responses to marital infidelity, I would like to end this session with a song that effectively details the kinds of responses that are considered socially acceptable when one's spouse cheats on them. To understand the terms and nuances of this song, I need to first explain a few of the words referenced in the lyrics. Words like, 'phone', 'Cadillac', and 'preacher' don't have exact translations in Velensovth so bear with me for just a minute more as I explain..." Shining Armor barely noticed the Human speaker slide a guitar strap over her shoulder as she spoke. The white Unicorn stallion leaned over and nuzzled his wife as the speaker explained the unusual words, 'Humans have some strange devices...'

"... and now that you all can understand the meaning behind the lyrics, I would like to present the song: Two Black Cadillacs." She placed her hands on the guitar and began playing a somber tune.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnrMn-j5NAE

As the song began, Shining Armor felt some measure of sympathy for the situation. He had, on thankfully rare occasions, had the need to inform the families of service stallions of the death of their loved one. 'So one of the two mares is his official mate and the other is his pleasure mate. I bet they could get along well if they were willing to see that they both love him...' As the song continued though, Shining Armor was left puzzled, 'They did not cry at his funeral? Why?'

As the second verse began Shining Armor felt like a veil had been lifted from his mind's eye, 'They... MURDERED him!?'

As the song came to a close, the white Unicorn stallion felt his testicles shrivel in fear as he heard Cadence softly humming the tune.

* * *

Shining Armor had never been so glad to leave a building in his life. He stepped back out into the sunlight before Cadence and felt his shivering slowly ebb away as the afternoon sun warmed his coat. The feeling of somepony nuzzling the left side of his face startled him to the point where he had to clamp his jaw shut to keep from shrieking in fear.

Cadence pulled her face away from her husband and stared at him, puzzled. She had heard the shriek he caught in his throat, "Is something wrong Shiny?" She asked.

Shining Armor shook his head, "Nope, I'm fine," he lied, "Hey, how about we go watch that demonstration I pointed out earlier?" He changed the subject as quickly as he could, hoping to derail his wife.

Cadence nodded with a smile, "It's only fair. We went to the panel I wanted to so I'll join you in watching the weapons demonstrations. Don't think you fooled me by changing the subject though. I know you Shiny. Something is bothering you, I can tell."

Shining Armor forced what he thought was a light-hearted smile, "L-let's discuss that later, huh?"

Cadence shrugged and nuzzled her husband again, "If you want. Come on, let's go see how the Humans used to fight."

Cadence and Shining Armor missed seeing the Sky Carriage that landed on the roof of Town Hall as they trotted away.

* * *

Rose Thorn was the first of the herd to step out onto the roof of Town Hall. She raised her head and took a deep breath, remembering the scents of the town, "Ah, the smells of home..." she sniffed several more times and licked her lips, "Mmm, smells like they were expecting us."

Oriana stepped out of the doorway, her saddle bags jingling from all the golden jewelry her family had given her. She trotted over toward the ten Pegasus team that had pulled them home, "We appreciate all you have done for us. Your hard work and stalwart dedication to us has not gone unnoticed. If you have need of us for any reason, do not hesitate to ask." The nine stallions and one mare all chuffed in appreciation.

Razor Wit emerged from the Sky Carriage with a bright smile, "I have missed this place." A snort and a grunt next to her told her that a certain Great Pig agreed. Razor smiled at Suey in quiet confidence. She had been teaching Suey how to speak when Artex was not around. Suey wanted to surprise her Father figure during the upcoming Human Christmas holiday.

Vaiawa glided down from the Sky Carriage and nearly had to duck her head. She had grown as tall as Chrysalis with a power to match, even if she never mentioned it or used it.

Artex was the last one to disembark from what had been their home-away-from-home for nearly a full year. He planted his fists on his hips and gazed around in what he thought was a heroic manner. He was so happy to be back that he felt like being silly, "He-HA! I have returned victorious from far off lands! Bring forth the fatted calf and slaughter it so that we may engage in a grandiose feast! Break out the mead and prepare the minstrels to recite our epic tale!" He intentionally over-enunciated every word for extra dramatic effect.

Vaiawa quirked her right eyebrow. She gently, playfully slapped Artex on the back of his head with her right wing while the other mares giggled. Artex winced, greatly exaggerating the expression and dramatically pointed to Vaiawa with a stiff arm, "Abuse! I need an adult!"

Rose Thorn turned around and gestured for Artex to bring his head down to her level, "Want me to kiss it and make it all better?" She asked batting her eyelashes. Artex made a pouty face and nodded. Rose suddenly launched herself at him and knocked him over as she pressed her muzzle to his lips in a heated kiss.

The other mares cheered at the scene while Suey merely rolled her eyes. As Rose pulled back from the kiss she asked, "Does it hurt any less now?"

Artex licked his lips and shook his head playfully, "I think I need a bigger dose."

The entire rooftop echoed with joyful laughter. They were home.

Author's Notes:

Enjoy the chapter guys! I have two more almost ready to post.