The train had reached the station for The Crystal Empire, slowing to a stop as it pulled in. As it did, Twilight Sparkle, looked out the window. For a moment, she considered teleporting off the train and as close to the empire proper. After all, she had no luggage with her, and she was traveling alone. She could probably warp directly to the front of the castle if she wanted. She had never actually tried before.

Despite the temptation both for saving time and to try something new, Twilight Sparkle decided against it. As much as she wanted to see Cadance, Shiny, and Flurry Heart, there really was no reason to rush that much. Besides, family or not -- princess or not -- the royal guards would not appreciate somepony suddenly appearing in front of the castle in a flash of magic. In fact, they might think it was an attack and react accordingly before realizing who the arrival was.

As she made her way through the City, Twilight let her gaze wonder, taking in the way it was. What was fascinating was the adaptive resiliency that she was able to notice. The Crystal Empire had disappeared for over a thousand years, and had been back for less than two, but she was already seeing that they were accepting and integrating modern technology. One particularly interesting effort, was a group of ponies who were shining an electric light through one of the large crystals, possibly to use as a prism. Should it work and be reproducible, all of the city could be lit up by rainbows during the night.

Reaching the town center and the castle, Twilight was met by her sister-in-law Princess Mi Amore Cadenza -- better known as Cadance -- brother Shining Armor, and their daughter, Flurry Heart, who was currently cuddled up against Cadance's chest.

"Twily!" Shining Armor called out, moving to pull Twilight into a hug, rubbing a hoof through her mane.

With a smile, Twilight hugged her brother back.

"Glad to see you too, Shiny."

After the hug broke, she made her way over to Cadance and Flurry, giving the baby a nuzzle, who cooed in response.

The four of them made their way into the castle, with Shining Armor talking about what had been going on with them and the empire since the last time they had seen each other. Twilight listened intently, nodding slightly. It was nice to hear it, and to talk to her brother. Ponyville was her home now, and she loved her friends, but she always loved spending time with her family, her brother and sister-in-law especially. Although, in this case, it was not entirely just a simple social visit.

They reached a small room with large... windows? Were they technically windows if they were simply parts of the wall in the shape of a window? Well, regardless, they were large and let in plenty of light. There was a table there, was well as a cart with tea and cookies.

"Well it's time for a certain filly to have her nap," Shining Armor said, moving toward his wife and child. He reached out with a hoof to take a hold of Flurry Heart, horn lighting up for extra support. Flurry let out a small giggle as she rested in her father's arms, getting a belly nuzzle in response.

"I'll catch up with you two in about an hour," he told the pair. "You two have fun chatting."

As Shining Armor left to put Flurry down, Cadance made her way toward the tea cart, horn lighting up.

"Would you care for some tea?"

"Yes, please," Twilight answered as she approached. As she got closer, she could smell the familiar scent: jasmine and roses. Cadances favorite type of tea. A single sugar cube, half a teaspoon of cream, and it was just how Twilight liked it. She took a sip, closing her eyes to savor the scent still in her nose, and taste on her tongue.

Then she grabbed a cookie.

"So," Cadance said as Twilight was busy taking a bite, "what did you want to speak to me about?"

Twilight's mouth suddenly felt dry. The cookie bits were stuck between her tongue and the roof of her mouth. A small knot formed in her stomach. It was strange. Not only because it was happening, but because there was no obvious reason for her to. She was really just here to talk with Cadance and get some perspective, not tell her about some sort of unrequited love or something. She just wanted help to understand, nothing to be nervous about.

Taking another sip of tea, Twilight wet her mouth and gathered her courage.

"You recall how I told you that I met my human world counterpart the last time I went through the mirror?"

Cadance gave a nod.

"Well, not too long ago, the other Twilight got involved in a relationship... with a girl... named Gilda." A slight blush formed on her cheeks.

Cadance set down her tea and looked at Twilight, raising an eyebrow. Her curiosity and interest had been piqued, so she was giving the younger mare her full attention.

"The name sounded familiar," Twilight continued, "so I asked some more questions about it." She looked down at her cup. "From what I've gathered, I've met her counter-part. Gilda -- this world's Gilda -- is a griffon that visited Ponyville shortly after I moved there. She was a friend of Rainbow Dash's that came to visit and things didn't go well. Not too long ago, the two of them patched things up when The Cutie Map sent Dash and Pinkie to Griffonstone."

"And you're here because you're wondering if -- because the other Twilight found a possible romantic partner in her Gilda -- maybe you should get in touch with this world's and see about becoming romantically involved with her?" Cadance asked.

"No," Twilight answered. She took another cookie and finished her tea, refilling her cup. "Although maybe I should have?"

With a sigh, she leaned back. Her wings gave a flicker at her side before settling again.

"That was what I had decided to do. I didn't want to be too obvious about it though, so I arranged it to be sort of a follow-up to the friendship mission. I would travel to Griffonstone, meet Gilda, have her show me around, and see how she and the town are doing when it comes to making friends and improving things. That way, I would be doing my duty as The Princess of Friendship, and spend lots of time with Gilda, getting to know her... and maybe see if there was the possibility of romance between us." She gave a shrug.

"So, how did it go?" Cadance asked.

A sigh escaped Twilight as she placed her head on the table, ears drooping.

"Officially, it went great," she answered. "They still have a long way to go, but they have made a lot of progress since Dash and Pinkie helped. The griffons have actually started helping each other rebuild their homes without it simply being about making some bits, they're working on plans to rebuild the economy, and some are working on a recovery plan for the remains of The Idol of Boreas from where it fell down the cliffs."

"And unofficially?"

"I got to learn a lot about Gilda. I saw her scone wagon, got to make some with her, met her grandfather Gruff, and her henfriend -- which was what they call marefriends there -- Greta."

"Oh?" Cadance asked, leaning in.

"Yeah," Twilight sighed. "It turns out that Greta was the first friend Gilda made under Pinkie and Rainbow's encouragement. The two of them hung out, one thing led to another, and now they're a couple." She rolled her eyes. "So even if there a possibility of romantic feelings developing, it can't be pursued at this time without ruining an already existing relationship."

Cadance's lips pursed as she gave a nod, looking down at her tea cup. Horn lighting up, she refilled it and took a sip.

"So, griffons call females that are in a romantic relationship 'henfriends?'" she asked.

"...yeah?" Twilight replied tentatively, raising an eyebrow and looking up at the older alicorn curiously.

"Does that mean that males are called 'cockfriends?'"

Cadance began to giggle, noticing the look of confusion on Twilight's face.

"That must be fun to talk about," Cadance said. "'Hi, nice to meet you, this is my cockfriend.' 'How's your cockfriend doing?' 'Oh, he's a little stiff.'"

Twilight huffed and rolled her eyes.

"I'm glad my romantic problems can be a source of humor for you," she grumbled.

"I'm just trying to lighten the mood a little," Cadance replied. Reaching out with a hoof, she brushed at Twilight's bangs. "Besides, there's not really a problem. You got an answer to your question, just not in the way you expected."

"Really?"

"Yes," Cadance answered with a nod. "You wondered if it would be possible to pursue a relationship with Gilda, they way your alternate counterpart did, and it turns out you can't. Just... not because of the reason you expected."

"Hm," Twilight said, shifting to sit up. "I suppose that's true."

"Twilight, when you were told about the other you and Gilda, did you find out why they were interested in each other?"

"Some," Twilight answered. "The two of them actually met when Gilda was in some sort of fight club. Twilight was attracted to her because she was big, tough, and had a.... 'bad girl vibe' I think Sunset called it?"

Cadance grinned, being familiar with the appeal of a bad colt... filly... hen... whatever...

Maybe she should pull out the leather jacket and prop cigarettes for Shiny to use tonight...

"And Gilda thought that Twilight was --" with a groan, Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes "-- 'adorkable,' which is supposed to mean that she's cute in an overly nerdy way." She let out another huff. "Pretty sure if my friends learn about that, I'll never hear the end of it."

"Okay," Cadance said. "So, let's start with that. Close your eyes and picture Gilda."

Twilight nodded and did as she was told. Closing her eyes, she pictured Gilda as best she could: gold eyes; purple tips on her head feathers and around her eyes; razor sharp eagle talons and large, soft lion paws; great, powerful wings; and a sleek, lean muscled body that was larger than most ponies.

"Does it appeal to you?" Cadance asked. "Do you want to touch her, or have her hold you close to her? Maybe cuddle close on a cold night?"

Twilight tried to imagine it: touching Gilda's toned flank, or caressing one of her forelegs; being held tight against Gilda, the griffon's chest and stomach against her back and wings; the two of them curled up against each other in front of a fire, using the other's flank as a pillow.

"No," she finally answered. "I mean, she's big and strong, so I imagine that she would be great as a guard if she wanted, but doesn't really make me want to press up against her or anything."

With a hum, Cadance tapped at her chin, considering the answer for a moment.

"Well, between that and Big Macintosh, it's clear you're not attracted to stallions or mares based on them being big and strong," she concluded. "Is searching for a romantic relationship something you want to pursue?"

Twilight considered a moment, before shaking her head.

"Not really. I'm not opposed to a romantic relationship if one develops, but I don't have any interest in actively seeking one out. I mean, it would be nice... but I'm not in a hurry or anything."

Getting up, Cadance walked over to Twilight and gave her a hug.

"Then don't worry about it," Cadance said. "You'll find some pony you like romantically and who likes you sooner or later." She shifted pursing her lips. "Or... maybe a griffon... or zebra... yak... dragon..."

"Okay," Twilight cut in. "I get it. Lots of fish and all that."

"Yes, but my point remains. You're a smart, attractive mare who any intelligent creature would be interested in. I'm sure that sooner or later, you'll meet somepony who interest you, start a relationship, get married, and have many, many kids."

Twilight leaned back to look at Cadance, eyes narrowing.

"Am I correct in assuming that you have my wedding all planned out?"

"No," Cadance said with a wave of her hoof. "Of course not. How could I when I don't know who you're marrying yet. I can't work out a proper color scheme if I don't know their coat and mane colors, or what their interests in. For example, what if I had plan a wedding for you and -- say, purely hypothetically -- Pinkie Pie, but you ended up marrying Applejack instead? I would be set up for pink, party supplies and lots of baked sweets, when I would need autumnal earth tones and apple based treats."

Twilight's eyes narrowed further as her ear gave a flick.

"And have you planned out wedding for the possibility of me marrying all my friends?"

"In both the sense of all five individually, and all together if you decide to go the herd route," Cadance answered, without a trace of shame.

Twilight sighed, rolling her eyes. While she was not exactly happy about what Cadance was doing, she was by no means surprised.

Cadance's eyes narrowed as she smirked.

"Speaking of your friends," she purred, "do any of them have cockfriends?"

Twilight groaned.