Crystal groaned and adjusted the awkwardly shaped hat atop her head. The tassel slipped to the front, tickling her nose, and she blew a puff of air in an attempt to knock it out of the way. It bounced around before settling right back on her nose again.
"This hat is ridiculous," she grumbled to herself and glanced at the ponies in line with her to mirror the way they wore their hats. They waited just outside the auditorium while the principal gave some nonsensical speech about responsibility and the future.
More than the hat, the whole ceremony of graduation was ridiculous. Most of the ponies around her already had jobs and varying levels of success. They had learned responsibility and grabbed onto their futures without the help of this farce, which only served to lord over ponies without higher education systems.
But, there she was, standing toward the back of the line and waiting for it to start moving. Did that make her a hypocrite, or just a part of the herd?
Crystal sighed and let her gaze wander the line of ponies ahead of her. Not too far ahead, she spied the dark blue form of Midnight Poem and smiled.
"Excuse me," she mumbled as she broke formation to trot around and ahead. "Hello!"
Midnight blinked, then smiled. "Crystal! It's been a while!" He glanced behind him. "Shouldn't you be in line? It's going to start soon."
Crystal gave a small roll of her eyes. "We've supposedly been going to start soon for over half an hour now."
"That—" He paused, thought it over, and chuckled. "That is a good point." His ears perked upright as his tone lifted. "How are things with you, then?"
"They are well." A soft expression took hold and her knees went a little weak as her thoughts drifted to Silent Knight.
Midnight's lips curled into a grin and he pawed at the air. "Well, huh? Did you find yourself the right stallion?"
There was a pause before a flush shot from Crystal's ears down to her neck. "P-perhaps."
"Good for you! I mean, it's not a surprise. A mare like you doesn't simply stay single." He chuckled.
"Speaking of, how are things between you and..." She trailed, her eyes going wide as she drew a complete blank.
"Azure Dance?" Midnight offered. He shrugged while he rubbed the back of his neck. "They would be fine, if I weren't leaving after graduation."
Her eyes went even wider as a gasp escaped her. "What?" She stepped toward him. "Leaving? Why? Where?"
Midnight waved a hoof, laughing softly. "It's fine! Our dreams just don't align, that's all. I'm going to go with a small group of poets and tour Equestria's more remote locations." He smiled. "Hard to call myself a poet when I've never seen anything beyond Canterlot's walls."
"Oh." That was the only word she had, if it could even be considered a word at all. She just stared at him, certain her uncertainty was clear on her face.
He verified her visible uncertainty when his smile softened and he said, "It's all right, really. It was an amicable breakup. She wants to stay in Canterlot and I don't."
Crystal gave her best effort at a smile. "Then I wish you the best of luck and hope your travels give you what you're looking for."
"Thanks." His ear flicked and he glanced ahead, then behind. "You should get back in line, though. I really do think we're going to start moving soon."
"All right." She took a step backward, hesitated, and turned away to walk back to her spot.
The idea ate away at the back of her mind. Their dreams didn't align, so they broke up. Did her dreams align with Silent's? She scoffed under her breath and started to follow the line that shuffled forward. No, she wouldn't let silly doubts wiggle their way in. It was silly. No matter where his dreams took him, she would follow, because she could follow. A pony could write from anywhere, after all.
The whole graduating class strode out into the open with well-practiced precision so that no pony tripped another or missed their mark. They took up formation on one end of the stage and faced the crowd that had gathered in support of their respective graduates.
Crystal's gaze easily spotted Velvet's pink and mauve figure in the crowd and when their eyes met, the mare waved both her forelegs with enthusiasm. Crystal smiled and offered a small wave in return, but her mood deflated when she saw the empty seat next to Velvet.
Of course he hadn't made it. He was an awfully busy pony. That was why she hadn't wanted to invite him in the first place; that way, when he didn't show, it wouldn't hurt as much. She didn't even want to be there herself, so why should she care if he were? Hypocrisy seemed to be her middle name that day.
A sigh escaped her. Seeing an empty chair just reminded her of the life she was getting into. A life of late nights waiting up for a stallion who might, someday, not come home. Her mind had accepted that as reality, but her heart still ached at the idea.
Slowly, names were called and a pony walked out, accepted their diploma, then walked back to their spot while the next moved to take their place. It was almost agonizing. She was so close to being done with it all, and yet it felt like forever still stood between her and that diploma.
"Crystal Wishes," the principal called, pulling her out of her thoughts and back to the moment at hoof.
As with every pony who approached the podium, a light wave of polite stomps and cheers resounded, but one voice called out above the quiet noise, "Whoo! Yeah, you go Crystal! You're mah gal!"
Crystal's cheeks flushed as laughter followed, even more attention on her than there had been before. Her gaze darted about in embarrassment and landed on a sight that brought her an immediate sense of calm: a stallion standing at the very back of the auditorium, the unmistakable dark armor of Princess Luna's House Guard clashing with his white coat.
He had come after all. Her knees went weak as warmth spread from her chest to her face as her flush grew more intense. Though there was a fair amount of distance between them, she could feel his gaze on her, and she relished in it. She smiled and her heart fluttered when he nodded and smiled back at her.
"Crystal?" the principal whispered. "Step down for the next pony, please."
Crystal glanced up at him, then squeaked and hurried back to the line while he called the name after hers. She leaned to the side once she was in place to look at Silent Knight again.
The ever-busy, ever-important lieutenant had found time for her on such an inconsequential yet simultaneously important day. It sent a shiver down her spine while sparking a fire in her chest that wouldn't soon be quelled.
---
Normally, Crystal would be thrilled for game night in Princess Luna's chambers. It was always fun to spend time with her friends and to forget about the stress of daily life. That night, however, her mind was elsewhere. To be precise, it was on the stallion sitting across from her.
He seemed to be back to his normal self. The smile reached his eyes with sincerity, he was able to laugh and joke around, and most of all, he was there. He had been there and currently, he was there, so close that if she ignored the stares she would receive, she could touch him. Oh, and how she wanted to!
She swallowed and glanced down at her cards while Miley stared indecisively at the ones in the center of the table. What was her strategy, again? Her brow furrowed as she tried to puzzle it through until Miley broke the silence.
"Sorry, sir." Miley glanced up at him.
Silent shook his head. "No need to be. There's no rush, Miley. Tonight is more for socializing than playing, anyway."
Crystal frowned behind her spread of cards. He could speak for himself. The last thing she wanted to do right then was socialize.
"Speak for yourself, Silent Knight!" Princess Luna called from her separate table. There were eight ponies in attendance that night, so they had split up into two groups. Luna tossed her mane with a menacing cackle. "Tonight, we are out for blood!"
Crystal turned her gaze to Miley and offered a small smile. "Oh, don't you mind her, sweetie. That's why we sacrificed Velvet to the princess, so she couldn't scare you while you try to learn."
"What?" Velvet squeaked, looking over at them. "Gee, thanks, Crystal! Love you, too!"
"We're not dating anymore, honey." Crystal giggled. She kept her attention on her cards, still trying to sort through what her plan had been. "You'll just have to defeat Luna on your own this time. Keep your focus and, when she isn't looking, peek at her cards."
A hoof flew to Luna's chest as she gave an exaggerated gasp. "Such treachery and deceit! I remember when this evening was civil."
Crystal glanced up from her cards to watch Silent as he surveyed the table. She knew that look. He was planning his attack.
"Miley," he said as he casually reordered his spread of cards, "I noticed that your mane is finally back to normal."
Crystal watched Miley as the mare huffed and shot a glare at Runic. She naively took the bait. "Yes, it is, thank Luna. We had a long talk about labels after that!"
"It could have been worse." Runic shrugged. "The rock I tried the potion on caught fire."
Miley's eyes went wide and while she did her best not to shriek her baffled dismay, Silent reached across the table to buy one of the available estates.
Crystal giggled and whispered, "You're awful. I thought you were an honorable knight?"
"Strategy," he replied with a shrug. "Victory comes before honor."
"Is that so?" She did her best not to laugh while Miley and Runic fought over the semantics of 'near zero' risk. "I'll keep that in mind next time I have to make a choice between the two."
Several hours later, the games finally came to an end with Silent and Luna winning their respective games, to no pony's surprise. Crystal hesitated as the group started to disperse.
"Ask him," Velvet hissed in her ear, causing her to jump a few inches. "You've been giving him the stare all evening. Just ask him already!"
"What?" Crystal gave a hurried shake of her head. "It—it's late, Velvet. We should just go home."
Velvet rolled her eyes. "Lame excuse, but whatever."
With a spread of her mighty wings, Luna stretched out her sore joints, then said as she always did after a late night of gaming, "Silent Knight, please escort Crystal Wishes and Velvet Step home."
Silent nodded. "My pleasure." He looked over at the two of them, either ignoring or oblivious to the way Crystal sucked in a breath and went wide-eyed. Instead, he just motioned to the door. "Ladies?"
When Crystal just stood there frozen, Velvet bumped their flanks together to push her forward.
"Y-yes," Crystal stammered and shot a light glare over her shoulder. "Come on, Velvet."
Velvet grinned wickedly when her back was to Silent and whispered, "Don't you mean 'me'?"
Crystal's brow furrowed. "Yes, I did mean you. That's why I said your name."
"Oh, Crystal, Crystal." Velvet giggled and patted her on the shoulder. She pranced on the tips of her hooves as they made their way down the main corridor of Luna's wing. "Someday, you'll be on my level, but today's just not that day."
Silent followed behind them, so Velvet continued in a conversational tone, "Can you believe it? In less than an hour, you'll start your first full day as a brand new mare." She winked.
Crystal tried not to make eye contact with the devious mare. "I'm just thrilled to be done with going to school," she enunciated clearly. "Think of all the free time I'll have now that it's over!"
"Just think of all the sleeping in you can do," Velvet said. She upped the ante by looking over her shoulder at Silent Knight with a big grin.
Though her face was flushed, Crystal couldn't fight it when Velvet started giggling. The chime of laughter bubbled up from her chest and she swatted at Velvet. "Please, stop, okay? I don't even know if—if—" She swallowed and shook her head. "I just don't know, okay?"
"Crabapples and you know it." Velvet stuck her nose in the air. "I told you, you've been leering at him all evening."
Crystal groaned. "Leering is such a vulgar way of putting it."
Velvet shrugged. They walked the rest of the way in silence while the all-too familiar feeling of uncertainty and doubt churned in her stomach. When they were outside the condo, Velvet announced just a little too loudly, "I'm just going to head inside. Straight to my room. Right to bed!" She winked at Crystal as she opened the door and pranced inside. "See ya, Silent Knight!"
"Goodnight, Velvet," Silent called before his gaze settled on Crystal.
They stared at one another, neither moving. Crystal blinked when she realized she wasn't breathing and took a sharp intake of air. It was cold inside her hot lungs. All of her was hot, almost uncomfortably so. Every time she imagined this moment, it was so easy—Silent would say the perfect thing and she'd answer the perfect way and everything was perfect.
Instead, everything was quiet and awkward. Her pounding heart nearly drowned out the sound of her self-doubting thoughts. She wanted to pass out from all the stress rolling around inside her until, finally, she took another breath and dove right in. One hoof raised toward him in offering as she asked quietly, "Would you like to stay the night?"
Silent nodded and took her hoof. It wasn't the most romantic acceptance, but she also wasn't sure if he understood the romantic implications. A giggle bubbled up and she whispered, "This is a little fun. It feels like we're getting away with something." She tugged his hoof to gently tug him inside, her magic shutting the door behind him. "Come on."
They walked slowly and quietly across the living room, each hoof falling with little to no sound. When Silent nearly tripped over the rug and froze, staring at the ground as though it had attacked him, Crystal had to smother a fit of giggles.
"I feel like I missed out on this experience in secondary school," he whispered as they continued toward her bedroom. A rush of hope surged through her that he actually did understand, but the feeling was quickly smothered when he added, "Sneaking around this late at night, that is."
Her words ran away with her when she replied, "My parents would never approve, especially when you were in school." As soon as she heard her say it, a pang of regret hit her. Did she have to bring up her parents right at that moment? She gave a small but quick shake of her head to dislodge the thought.
"Oh?" Silent stopped just short of crossing the threshold. "Then maybe I should just sleep out here. The pillows just are fine."
Crystal rolled her eyes. She tightened her grip on his hoof and pulled him the rest of the way into her bedroom, shutting the door behind them while he gasped a small "whoa!"
Tonight was the night. She had spent too much time preparing herself for this to let him slip away with the excuse of being oblivious now.
Silent swallowed, the situation seeming to dawn on him the moment the door clicked shut. He looked at her with an uncertain tentativeness that shook her confidence. "Crystal?" he asked quietly.
She didn't move away from him, instead keeping so close that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. "Yes?"
"I don't—" His gaze flickered away from hers. "I don't have a lot of, well, experience in this."
This calmed the agitated butterflies in her stomach and she smiled. She raised a hoof to his cheek, gently forcing him to look back at her. "Neither do I." She pushed herself up to kiss him. "But," she finished in a low mumble against his lips, "there's only one way to learn."
His ears perked straight up and she felt his muscles tense. A shiver shot down her spine and she pulled away, walking toward her dresser with a small sway to her hips.
He remained standing where he was, though his gaze followed her. "What do I do?"
She paused in the middle of rummaging through a drawer and tossed her mane to look over her shoulder at him with half-lidded eyes that scanned his wonderfully masculine frame. "Well, first, you relax."
With a pleased flick of her tail, she retrieved an article of clothing and while he focused on his breathing, she slipped the black and pink lacy undergarment on. She turned to her bed, rested her forelegs on it, and posed in the most coquettish way she could imagine. She just hoped she wasn't overdoing it.
He froze when he took in the sight of her, the black undergarment contrasting with her coat so that his attention was immediately drawn to it—and what it covered. His brain must have overheated because he repeated, albeit with a hint of huskiness to his voice, “What do I do?”
She definitely wasn't overdoing it. A smile lightened her expression and she climbed all the way onto the bed, keeping her alluringly clad rear in his view. “What do you want to do?” she teased as she stretched out with enough space for him to join her.
Finally, the gears seemed to click into place and he strode over and onto the bed. Heated excitement shot from the tips of her ears to the tips of her hooves when she saw the eagerness in his eyes and felt his weight as he lowered himself onto her.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss that felt much like their first while she melted underneath him. This time, however, there was a stronger force behind it. Romance novels had always described it as 'want' and 'need', but the feeling in her chest and in his kiss was something else entirely. It was a deep, shared longing that simply felt right, and when they pulled away to gaze at one another, there was no more hesitancy.
Erhmagawd.. the romance. :3 That was an exceptional chapter. :3
(There's no good "emotional teardrop" emoticon)
Of course, I can't be this happy without also being supremely jealous.
But, anyway, the next chapter should be hilarious. There's "romance happens" and then there's "figuring things out." I hope Crystal is prepared to die of embarrassment when Velvet starts digging for details. I'm sure some of them are going to be absolutely hilarious to her.
Oh my god Velvet teasing, it's good Crystal did not catch on Velvet meaning.
i've only read the memoirs and secret series recently and was looking forward to his, and certainly didn't disappoint.
so adorable and hot at the same time -melts-
All im imagining now is sunny calling silent a player and hi-hoofing him. I think ive been watching too much scrubs
It was a good beginning Ms Step, but your end game was not up to the challenge.
6333351
Mom dropped off a platter of eclairs for breakfast in case you are still in the mood. Velvet may still have a chance to see what Crystal looks like in pink.
But the question wasn't answered. WHAT DO HE DO!? WHAT WOULD ANY OF US DO?!? WHAT DO!?
Oh look, my panic button! *Beep, BOOM!*
"And that's how Equestria was made!"
Ermergerd
The cliffhanger is real!
6333472
They played the soldier game that Crystal bought. Silent Knight unfortunately used his superior grasp of military tactics to crush Crystal before the might of his combined army EUP. Crystal Wishes might be reluctant to talk about it in the morning after such a ravaging.
There's only one correct response to this chapter
pinkie.mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/img/mlfw8260-32640.png
Oh, look finally a new word, finally, Crystal
New vocabulary added: tassel
And so, we finally bear witness to the end of Silent Knight's quest to get a pizza.
A pizza dat ass! Ha ha! Stuffed crust for Silent Knight, extra saucy!
For real, though, our two favorites lovers have finally grown-up, and are ready to do grown-up things like order pizza, and forgiving those who might accidentally-on-purpose creep on them while they are enjoying said pizza.
All that's left to do now is wonder whether the next one will be laid flat, or deep dish.
Peace, my ponies!
6333561 I laughed way to hard at that picture. good one
Oooooo Crystal is a brand new mare in more ways than one -grins- This was a good chapter, and Velvet is a good wingpony. This was a very sweet fluffy chapter and i enjoyed it. cant wait for the next one
Oh yeah! High school graduation! Crystal is now her own woman! Watch out world! Oh yeah Crystal became a woman twice today. Didn't I comment all those chapters ago that that certain article of underclothing would come in handy?
6333353
No Crystal was catching on to what Velvet was doing. It was a good thing that Silent Knight didn't really catch on. Though at this point there really isn't much fear that he would. Not till awhile yet.
Oh, I can't wait for Velvet's reaction when she finds out what happened.
I loved the way Velvet was dropping small hints to Silent about Crystal's desires, while Crystal was nervous to ask Silent "the question". I am happy she found the courage to ask him, since it made for a very interesting ending to this chapter.
Can't wait for the next update!
6333591
Why do I have a feeling now that Velvet may "accidentally" barge in on the two?
Is Velvet trying to get Crystal to motivate herself? I usually say my own name, because 'come on, me'....
Oh! now I get it!
The world's second most oblivious-to-double-entendres has caught up to everyone else!
Well Crystal, his dad didn't give him "the talk" either...
Support Sex Education for all High School Students in Equestria!
6333591
Huh? Why would you put a pizza on sompony's hindquarters?
Not only that, it's grammatically incorrect. The way you said it...
Oh. I get it now. Nevermind!
And this is where Crystal figures out how thick the walls are.
Oh, Velvet... You know she's not up to that level yet. Even after this chapter, she's still got a long way to go before she's getting to things like that.
There's a part of me that's shocked that Crystal actually went for it, but at the same time, it's really not that shocking. It's about time she got back to her old habits, even if now she's directing her leering at only one stallion instead of...well, pretty much all of them.
6334093
You've obviously never eaten pizza the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
6334211
I remember when Pizza was served in parlors.
Pizza on hindquarters was the furthest thing from my mind. That sort of tomfoolery would get you kicked out, or arrested.
And there was no delivery. You picked up your pie to-go.
6334240
Hey, now. No need to go turning this into a Pepperidge Farm commercial.
And who said anything about delivery? It's not delivery, it's DiGiorno.
6334253 DiGigorno that this is a great chapter?
(I'm trying to get back on topic, but you have me thinking about pizza in the same way Crystal has me thinking about cake!)
*edit Is there a 'safe food'?
6334272
No, but there is a safe word. At least, Velvet has one. Crystal's not on that level yet.
Also, +1 upvotes for that pun.
img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20150211190905/walkingdead/images/9/9f/And_Then_They_Fucked.png
I'm not sure when it happened but CW has slowly bumped secrets into second place in which series I most look forward to updates for.
6333551
Yeah. She got smashed. He knocked her up real good, then pounded her for good measure, and finished strong with a banging.
Crystal might be sore for a while, but I'm sure she'll come around.
Mother Nature approved...
It finally happened!
You handled this chapter's content really well, and I really liked how they were both rather awkward yet at the same time very earnest in their love for one another. A fantastic chapter overall, and I look forward to more, as always.
Keep up the great work!
Velvet: Filly, I know that look. You want to be closer to him than his fur ;3
6334390 Lol, I got 7 ups for the pic in my original comment(6333561) and you got only 3 up and 2 down. People are indecisive or what
6335630
It's because his picture used a grown up word that some of these readers can't say without getting their mouths washed with soap.
Goooood morning lovebirds!
6333331 Ahh thank you! I was nervous about it because I didn't know where everyone's sensitivities lie, and I was afraid to go "too far" for folks who are prudes like me.
6333351 You'd think living with Velvet this long, she'd be already used to the trolling, but alas and alack, she still seems sensitive to it.
6333353 I think I know which line you're talking about and yes, if Crystal had caught that one, she'd probably have died. Right there. Right in front of everyone. Just fall over and cease to be. This pony is no more!
6333389 Glad to hear it! I was trying to be very careful to straddle (hee hee) the line between 'sensual' and 'sexual' to keep it from going too far. I do NOT want to have to put a 'Sex' tag on this story since it starts in her fillyhood and that might give the wayyy wrong impression. Also, this scene was as intimate as we'll ever see them get.
6333405 Hah! I could totally see Sunny doing that. Highhoof, or a swat on the flank. Either or. Or both!
6333436 Pfbbt the end game was right where it should be! And SHH! Stahp! I don't know how you know things (not exactly but really close) so STAHP!
6333472 Well, you see, when a pony loves another pony very much...
6333544 Perhaps it is a cliffhanger, but for the record, it won't be picked up in the next chapter! That was the closest to physical intimacy this story is going to get.
6333561 I was wondering when that picture would appear!
6333591 I... can't even.
6333672 Velvet is doing her best... maybe sometimes she tries a little too hard... nahhh, I think she wouldn't be Velvet if she didn't go that extra step.
6333712 Mwuahah! Yes... I've been saving that lingerie for this specific scene and, obviously, so has Crystal.
6333812 Oh, gosh, if Silent Knight caught anything Velvet said, that'd be an embarrassing miracle, the poor stallion. There was one particularly dirty joke Velvet made that went over Crystal's head, however.
6333844 It definitely looked like that without Velvet's embarrassing tactics, Crystal might have chickened out. She is pretty good at talking herself down. Velvet is really good at talking herself up.
6334093 See? Look at you! Over the course of this story, Velvet has corrupted you to her level!
6334187 I should probably draw a diagram of their condo and/or explain the layout better in the story... In my mind, their rooms are connected by a "jack and jill" bathroom and Velvet's closet shares a wall with Crystal's bedroom. So unless Velvet is creeping in the closet or the bathroom, or the walls are really thin...
6334211 To be honest, I asked Anzel if Velvet's dirty joke was too subtle or not. He just stared at me a moment then gave a definite, "No. It was pretty obvious." Of course, then I go down the mental path of... wait, by writing it, I made that joke. That means I'm the dirty one. And... well, anyway, yes, Crystal is definitely not on that level yet. But she did mare up and go for it! All that naughty fanfiction finally came in handy, eh?
6334390 I didn't know that image/meme was around to expect it but I'm not surprised by its existence!
6334433 Aaww, I'm flattered! Thank you!
6334457 I will neither confirm nor deny the statements in this comment, except to say, sounds legit to me.
6334471 Sorry for the awkwardness! I was trying to maintain a careful balance, but I guess it tipped a little too far...
6334484 Ooh, that is a pretty melody! And I'm glad Mother Nature approves.
6335363 Thank you!! I darn near had a panic attack posting this chapter, just because to me it was blush-worthy, but I am also a notorious prude. Given the overall tame content of this story, I was worried this would be too much or too out of place or... ahhh... I'm glad it worked.
6335374 Hahahah...
6335669 I could say it didn't go far enough :rofl: *eyebrow waggle*
6335669
I see. It appears that your words have influenced my brain chemistry in precisely the way intended. Also yes, when put into the correct (and naughty) mindset everything is an innuendo whether intended or not.
6335669
And then you started writing for Velvet, and nothing was ever the same again. I don't know if you're still allowed to keep your Prude Card after that joke Velvet made while they were leaving the castle.
I would look it up, but I don't have a copy of the handbook, and I can't get another since they banned me from walking within forty yards of the building...
I'm still waiting for the moment when she gets caught with that by Velvet. It will be glorious.
6335669
Oh, no, not at all! Regardless of how experienced Velvet actually is (we just don't know!), there's no way Crystal could ever stand up to Velvet trying to figure out what went wrong. Because, y'know, what the two did wrong is just so much more juicy than what that went right...
("He did what? Really?" *Raucous laughter* "So, what did you...? Oh...! Oh, wow! Crystal, you really are hopeless..." *Even more laughter*)
Looks like 6334093 wasn't the only one...
Over: "Come hither, you strapping stallion, you!" End Scene. ?????
Actually, I can sympathize.
6335704 See, when I write, it's like I have multiple personality disorder. The characters essentially write themselves. Therefore, it's totally not me that made Velvet's naughty jokes, but Velvet. She is the corrupt one, not me. I'm still innocent!
Velvet did catch her erotic short in Cosmarepolitan, but has yet to find or admit she found Crystal directly writing about herself and Silent...
6335705 Hahaha! Ahh, but that depends on if Velvet can get Crystal to talk about the details. She is a lady, after all, and a lady never tells... But Velvet is also persistent... Hmm!
And, yes. Over that. I had the tight chest panic feeling just having Anzel proofread the chapter, much less actually post it. Jokes are one thing, but that was pretty intimate for me to write and, egads, share...
Then there was a little bit of anxiety thrown in that it was too not intimate and that it'd be a let down.
My mind works in mysterious, self-defeating ways.
6335732
So Velvet's just biding her time, eh? I approve.
6335732
Y'know, I don't think you're a prude. A prude, in my mind, would actively dissuade "improper" thoughts. I don't think that's you; you're just embarrassed by them.
There's a club for that. I've got a membership card around here somewhere. *starts poking around*
6335669
You for real?
6335907 True... I just don't have a good word for that. If anyone's got a good word or short phrase for what I really am, I'll happily take it!
6335908 img06.deviantart.net/50f2/i/2012/288/c/6/fluttershy_trollface_by_teiptr-d5eahai.png
Wow. Crystal got Silent to break from his stoic stature. Who knew she could reduce him to a shy nervous stallion. Great job. This was fun to read.
6335669 I'd like to see more but can totally understand why you wouldn't in this story.
but keep straddling the line when appropriate, i love it
Excellent. Similar to not inviting Silent, Silent not attending would also have been a regret.
Dang, poor Velvet. Poor Miley too, for that matter.
Good thing for Luna.
Hahaha!
We're on track, we're on track...
Omgsilentpls
The
eaglepegasus has landed! Good job, Crystal.Similarly, good job with the timing of the romantic cutaway. A bit more than we got in Secrets, enough to be titillating, but not enough to require a Tag or Rating change.
6337150 It would have definitely been a shame if he didn't make it to her graduation, considering the impact it had on her emotional state. (And good thing for Luna, indeed!)
Wait... I just now notice something.
The cover art changed.
...I'm a bit slow.
quickmeme.com/img/06/068e51fa694f14a321ffd3bc77c097dad6c0659e94d0986ddcb9504f2ffaf541.jpg
Twilight approves.
img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130112103336/mlpfanart/images/0/0c/Twilight_Sparkle_by_artist-10gun.png