Stopping outside of the door, you go over your character’s backstory in your head once more. Taking a deep breath, you then open the door and stroll into the front parlor.

Twilight lays on a thick plush rug by the fireplace. Her mane is done up intricately in an ornate, feathered chignon, and she looks up as you enter, sending her long, bejeweled earrings swaying to and fro.

“I am so sorry to intrude, Lady Libro,” you begin. “I was hoping you would be able to direct me to wherever Lord Bücher is at this time?”

Twilight quickly straightens out a crease in her complicated, lacy dress, but doesn’t rise to her hooves. “My uncle isn’t here, unfortunately. He was on his way back from a meeting with the Tzarina, but I received a telegram that the train tracks outside of Celestrograd have left him snowed in. He shan’t be here until at least tomorrow; you’ll have to conduct your business with him then, I am afraid.”

You bow slightly. “Thank you for your time, Lady Libro. I shall take my leave until then.”

“Wait!” Twilight calls before you can turn to leave. “Lord Literacy, i-it has been so long since I have seen you, and the cold outside is quite biting. Would you like to sit and speak for just a while?” Gesturing with a spreading motion, she indicates an ottoman on the rug nearby. “I should hate to send you out into a blizzard without at least greeting you properly.”

“If you insist, dear.” You march dutifully over to Twilight, opting to sit on the carpet like Twilight and merely lean back against the Ottoman.

There you sit for a few minutes, basking in the warm glow of the nearby fire. The scent of pine wafts over you in waves every time the wood crackles. Surreptitiously, you cast a few gazes over at Twilight, and it appears she is occasionally doing the same.

You clear your throat. “Forgive me for being blunt, but I feel as if you might not be at your happiest here,” you express, your voice tinged with concern. “Is that so?”

Twilight lets out a little puff of air, as if surprised. “Wh-what do you mean, milord?”

“You are always so happy to see me, and despite being surrounded with all the luxury nobility has to offer, I always see you enjoying the simpler pleasures available to you.”

Twilight dips her head. “I must admit, I grow quite weary of the bickering around the capital, the murmurs of revolution, the far-off war...It all seems false at the best, and destructive at the worst. I try to take refuge in the things I care about.”

“Like your friendship with your cousin?”

Twilight nods emphatically. “Yes, Diary’s studies are proceeding well! Or at least she tells me in her letters. It...It is hard to know that the Gymnasium she attends is so far away.”

Sighing, you lower yourself from a sitting position to one lying on your stomach, mirroring Twilight’s posture. “I know how important friendship is to you. Are you lonely?”

Twilight lets out a mournful groan, fidgeting uncomfortably. “I...I can be. Despite all the contact I have with ponies, and even my close friends, being restrained by noble etiquette, and my responsibilities…”

“I don’t know exactly what that feels like,” you tell her, speaking earnestly. “...Why did you insist that I stay?”

Twilight bites her lip and looks down at the ground, the tips of her ears and her cheeks blushing very faintly. “I asked you to because when you’re with me, I don’t feel lonely, and I don’t worry.” Looking into your eyes, Twilight smiles softly, the curve of her lips filled with vulnerability.

You lean in slightly, leaving the tip of your muzzle a few scant inches from hers. “D-does it make you happy to be around me, T-Twilight?”

“Mmmhmmm,” she hums in affirmation, leaning forward slightly herself.

The charade having fallen off your little play, you and Twilight allow your eyes to slowly flutter shut. The kiss, when it comes, is a quiet thing; one moment you are apart, and then you are together. Letting your mind slowly come to grips with what is happening, you savor the soft, ghost-like feeling of Twilight’s lips upon yours, along with the soft warmth still radiating around you both from the fire.

Breaking the kiss just slightly, you press the top of your muzzle against Twilight’s, looking into her eyes and reflecting her soft, contented smile.

“Hey, Twilight,” Starlight Glimmer calls, walking into the room. “I’ve got some-”

You and Twilight both whip your heads around to face Starlight. Your expression is a mix of shock and embarrassment, but whatever is on Twilight’s face appears to frighten the interloper.

“Neeeevermind, I’ll leave you to it,” Starlight quickly tacks onto her entry, backing out and closing the door without even bothering to turn around.

Twilight lets out an angsty sigh, the same one that she lets loose when she feels overworked. “Great, now I have to explain everything to Starlight.”

You chuckle. “Is that so bad?” you ask, pressing your lips to Twilight’s fuzzy cheek.

“I guess not,” she relents. “Things will be a little less lonely with you around.”

“Won’t you move with me to my country dacha, Lady Libro?” you ask, punctuating the sentence with a series of kisses up her hoof and foreleg. “It will get you away from the dreaded capital for a season.”

“I have a better idea, Lord Literacy.” Leaning in slowly and rotating her neck, Twilight lays a wet kiss on your neck. “I own a castle,” she whispers into your ear.

You can’t see her face, but you can sure feel her smile.

GREAT ENDING 2

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