Standing in the middle of the road, facing the sky, the Nocturne Princess stood, her horn glowing. I looked up and saw the stars come out in brilliance. In the east, the moon once more began rising over the mountains surrounding the land. I waited patiently until her horn started glowing. When she finished, she turned to me. Her eyes looked like they were glowing, but that quickly vanished as she looked me over. "Our apologies for the intrusion," she said. "We wished to speak to thee and to introduce thee to our adopted niece."

The other Alicorn approached, smiling kindly at me. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Jethro Bethridge. I am Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, but please feel free to call me Cadance."

I grew a bit nervous, but bowed as best I could. "Your Highness, it is a pleasure."

She giggled, then turned to Luna. "You're right, he is quite polite."

Luna grinned. "Indeed so." Turning to me, she said, "May she be granted clearance to enter?"

"Of course." I put my hand on the barrier and spoke. "Access is granted for Princess Mi Amore Cadenza of Canterlot," I said. Standing aside, I gestured for them both to enter. Once we were beyond the barrier, I walked over to my house door and unlocked it. "Please, come inside. It might feel a bit cramped, but my house wasn't designed with Ponies of your height in mind."

Luna entered, graceful and regal in her strides. She had to lower her head a bit when she entered, but fortunately for her the slanted ceiling of my living room gave her plenty of room to stand at her full height. Princess Cadance followed. She was a bit less regal in how she walked, but I could still see the gait of a princess within her. Both Ponies looked at everything around them, curiosity clearly visible on their faces. I could tell both would have about a million questions, but old habits die hard. "Your highnesses, could I prepare something for the two of you? Perhaps a light snack and beverage?"

"That same tea you provided us if thou still have it," she replied. "As for a light snack, did you say? We would not ask any more of you as thy food must be growing quite low."

I sighed. "Yeah, but I'll manage."

Cadance smiled and sat on the couch next to Luna. "No need to fuss over me, but if you're offering, I would appreciate some tea as well."

I retreated to the kitchen and began setting up the teapot again. After setting it on the boiler, I looked in my fridge and cabinets, wondering what kind of foods the two princesses might like. My eyes landed on some Jell-O and chocolate pudding cups and I grinned. Grabbing one of each flavor, I brought them out to her, along with two spoons.

Looking down at them, Luna raised an eyebrow. "What are these?"

"I brought out some chocolate pudding and a dessert from my world called Jell-O," I replied. "It's a gelatin product. I have strawberry, apple, orange, raspberry and grape flavored. I don't know how well they go with tea, but I didn't want you to be without any kind of refreshment. Of course, if you prefer something more solid-"

"We graciously accept this," she said, standing tall and proud.

Cadance was smiling widely. "May I have the chocolate pudding?"

"Of course, your Highness," I said, removing the covering and setting it before her along with one of the spoons.

I turned to Luna. "Which flavor would you like?"

She looked them over, then pointed towards the grape Jell-O. "That, if we may."

Pulling off the covering, I placed it before her. Just then the tea kettle began whistling. Rushing back in, I poured two cups of the same tea I'd given to Celestia and Luna more than a week prior, and brought the two princesses their tea. Both Alicorns used their magic to lift the cups to their lips.

Cadance's eyes widened and she smiled. "This is marvelous tea! What kind is it?"

"Honey chamomile," I said. "I bought it when I had a cold once to help with a sore throat, and I've never had a need to use it since then."

"I'll have to consider that next time I ask for tea at Canterlot," she giggled. She took another sip, and her expression started growing somber. "Mr. Bethridge, both of my aunts have informed me of the source of your knowledge of our world. Could I please ask you to explain it in your own words?"

"Well, I can show you, actually," I replied, turning on the television and scrolling over to Netflix. Hitting play on the first episode once more, I showed her the intro to the first episode.

When Cadance saw Twilight, she giggled. "It's nice to see the little filly I once foalsat growing up and making new friends," she said with a loving smile.

"You were Twilight's baby-um, foalsitter?" I asked, surprised by this revelation.

"Of course," she chuckled. "We even had our own secret greeting." She stood and grinned. Beginning to dance, she chanted "Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!"

I couldn't help myself, I chuckled as well. "Oh, I am gonna tease her so hard for that," I grinned, rubbing my hands together. "I'll be right back." Rushing to the kitchen, I grabbed a pen and some scrap paper, writing down the cutesy rhyme before coming back into the living room. "Just had to write that down. I'd have forgotten it otherwise." I stopped the episode and turned off the TV.

"Don't be too hard on her," Cadance laughed. "I'm very fond of that Pony."

"She's Celestia's student, I would never," I chuckled. "I'm too afraid of her teacher as it is."

I'd said it jokingly, but mood in the room instantly dropped. Luna looked down, and Cadance looked at me with a worried expression. I was afraid I'd said something wrong and was about to ask what I'd done when Luna raised her head again. "Jethro Bethridge, it is for that reason we have brought Princess Cadance here. My sister and I wish for her to act as a bridge between you and us. Our niece here is much younger than us, so we hoped she would relate to thee. And she is the princess of love."

"Is…it okay if we talk alone?" Cadance asked.

Luna placed her now empty cup down. "Our duty here is over, so we shall take our leave."

"I'll see you out," I said as I opened the door for her.

I walked her to the barrier where she turned on me, a serious expression on her face. "Jethro Bethridge," she said, "our sister is worried about you. She does not wish for thee to fear us so."

I looked down. "I know…it's just hard. Every Pony in the world has some kind of magic. And you're all much stronger than I am. I wish I could overcome it easily, but if you knew half of what I knew about human nature, I…" I trailed off.

Luna approached me, gently lifting my chin to face her. There was compassion in those dark eyes, compassion that reminded me of her sister. "That is why our sister and I asked for Cadance to visit thee. Talk with her. Let her help ease thy fears."

I took a deep breath, and bowed. "If that is what you two wish, I will do so."

Luna's face fell a bit. "Please don't think of it as an order," she said more softly. "We're both really concerned about you. You've lost something precious, according to our sister and her student. We hate seeing anypony, or anyhuman in your case, feeling so lost. Because we know how it feels. We still feel lost in this new world."

"Anyone," I said just as softly. "The term humans use is anyone. And I understand. If anyone could use some kind of therapist, counselor or anything like that, it's me. And you too," I added, reaching down to take her hoof in my hand. "We both are two peas in a pod."

The smile on her face, despite her magical aspects, brightened my mood. "Could we come and visit thee when the move to Ponyville is finished?" she asked.

I smiled. "We would be honored, milady," I said, bowing as gracefully as I could.

Her giggle brought an even wider smile to my lips as I stood. She had a look of mirth on her face as she spread her wings. "We hope to see you soon, us and our sister," she called out as she flew through the barrier back towards Canterlot.

As I walked back in, I saw Cadance using her magic to read something. I saw by the title it was one of my manga which was lying around. She had a confused look on her face as I shut the door. "Your Highness, is something wrong?"

She turned to me and the book floated towards me. Catching it, I looked it over. Kimi no Todoke, good choice for a princess of love. "The story makes no sense to me," she said. "It's like the tale is written backwards."

I laughed, then opened the first page. "It's a manga. It's written backwards because the Japanese language can sometimes be written backwards. See?"

She scooted closer as I showed her the Japanese way of reading. Once she got it, her eyes brightened. "I see now! What's this story about?"

"Heh, it's funny you should mention that," I replied. "It's a romance story between two high school students and all the challenges they face as the two come to terms with their own feelings and the roadblocks that are placed in the way of their budding romance by themselves and others."

"That sounds like something I'd like," she giggled. "If you're willing, might I borrow it?"

"Another time, I promise," I replied, putting the manga down. "I feel like there are more things to discuss than that."

Her smile turned serious, and she nodded. Placing her teacup down, she turned to face me. "Jethro…the princesses spoke of your fear of them. They're very upset about it. Not upset at you!" she quickly added when my face froze in fear. "They're extremely worried. You're a subject of the crown now, and that means they care for you deeply. But that's not all." Her ears flattened sadly. "Twilight Sparkle told the princess she noticed something, something about your reaction to a certain word."

"Let me guess: friendship," I said dryly. When she nodded, I stood and walked around the room. "If you don't mind, I'd prefer to discuss the former first."

She nodded solemnly. "Very well. As a princess of Equestria, it is my duty to help all its citizens. And I'm in the best position to help you with your fear of us."

"How?" I asked, not sure how she would be able to help.

Cadance stood and walked over to me. Placing one of her sandled feet on my shoulder, she smiled. "The other princesses have been royalty for millennia. I've only been one for a fraction of the time they've been ruling," she replied. "I used to be a Pegasus before I was transformed into an Alicorn by Aunt Celestia. I just want to help you transition to life in our world."

The tone she used wasn't one I'd heard from the other ruling leaders of this country. She knew what it was like to be more common than the others. She also was royalty, so perhaps she was in a good position to help. "I appreciate that, truly," I replied. "But please understand something. I'm in a world I know little about, with no magic except when I sleep. When I'm awake, I'm vulnerable. Besides, the princesses have the power to move the moon and sun. Do you know the amount of energy that requires? Our civilization has no magic and my body is pathetically weak compared even to a Pegasus or even Unicorn. And to top it all off, I'm beyond broken. I've lost my family, my fiancée, and now my world." I put my hand over my mouth. Why I was talking about this so easily I didn't know, and it terrified me more.

Seeming to sense some new fear, she gently led me back to the couch. "Jethro, relax please. You're more tense than Shining Armor whenever he goes out for patrol."

"Shining Armor? Who's that?" I asked curiously.

The moment I asked, I saw a blush appear on Cadance's face. She smiled. "He's the captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard," she said with a tone I was all too familiar with. That was the same tone Trixie used whenever I heard her talking to her friends about me over the phone. "He's strong, handsome, courageous, and noble, to name a few."

"He sounds like the total package," I chuckled. When she looked confused, I amended my statement. "By that I mean he sounds perfect for the princess of love."

She smiled, but it faded. "Sadly, I doubt it will ever be."

"What do you mean?" I asked curiously.

"I'm a princess, he's the captain of the guard," she sighed. "He would never see me in that way."

"Now hold on just a minute," I replied, suddenly going into lecture mode. "Let me show you something, your Highness. Wait here." I stood and rushed to my bedroom. Looking through the books on the bookshelf, I pulled out an old leatherbound book I hadn't touched in years and came back. Opening it, I found the passage I wanted to read. "I want you to listen to this." Clearing my throat, I began. "'If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.'"

I continued reading the entire of 1 Corinthians 13 to her, a chapter that I felt would speak to her, since she was the princess of love. Her eyes widened as she followed along beside me. When I finished, I looked at her. She was dabbing at her eyes with a telekinetically floating handkerchief. Or is it hoofkerchief? "That…is beautiful. It encapsulates love perfectly."

"I chose that because I felt like it also encapsulates your situation," I replied.

"How so?" she asked.

"Love doesn't discriminate by station in life," I said. "You could fall in love with a pauper or a homeless person and it wouldn't matter. Don't let that stop you. If he won't make the first move, then you make it. And don't make it an order."

"Oh, I would never," she giggled. "Thank you for your words of advice, but aren't we getting off track?"

"Damn, you noticed," I chuckled dryly. I sometimes had a tendency to deflect attention away from me whenever I was uncomfortable.

Her smile faded once more. "Jethro, I'm not here to be your therapist. I'm simply here trying to become your friend. Is it hard to accept friendship? Is it hard to accept the love of those around you?"

I clasped my hands and looked down. "Yes…it's extremely hard. After my Trixie died, I made a promise to never let anyone get too close to me. The pain of losing someone broke everything inside me. I lost my parents because of my selfish actions, and I lost Trixie because of my addiction."

She paused for a bit, then spoke again. "So…you blame yourself."

"How could I not!?" I turned to her, anger plastered on my face. To her credit, she didn't flinch. "If I had gone with my parents that night, they would still be alive today! And I wouldn't have taken up smoking and Trixie wouldn't have gotten sick because of it and died! What cause have I to feel glad? I've only caused pain to all my loved ones!" Tears stung the edge of my vision. "And if I hadn't gone into that house a week ago, Scarlet Dusk…she wouldn't…"

"She would still be barely alive in that house," Cadance assured me. "You found her, brought her the medical treatment she sorely needed. You saved her life."

"Right after I caused her a concussion and broken leg," I retorted.

"It wasn't your fault," she said softly. "And even if it was, you've done more than make up for it. I heard about it from Aunt Celestia. You've been visiting her daily, you're paying for her hospital stay, and you plan to provide for her, right?"

I suspected she heard about this from Twilight, since I'd talked to the young Unicorn about it a few times after the party. "Yeah…but why won't the guilt go away?"

She put a wing around me tenderly. "You're punishing yourself. It isn't healthy for you."

"But…how can I get the pain and guilt to stop?" I looked at her pleadingly.

"The pain of loss will always be with you, I'm afraid," she said apologetically. "But as for the guilt? I think if you begin to open up to others around you a bit more, it'll help. Twilight might not say it much in her letters, but I'm sure she's really worried about you."

I smirked. "Can't have a depressed specimen from another world," I snarked.

Cadance frowned. "She's not like that," she said in an admonishing tone. "She might get lost in her studies sometimes, but from what Aunt Celestia has told me, she would never do anything that would make you uncomfortable."

"I…you're right, I'm sorry. One of my defense mechanisms has always been dry humor," I replied.

"I can see the loneliness in your eyes," she said, her face softer now. "You're in so much pain, but you hold it in. You might have let some of it out before the party when you told Twilight and her friends about your past, but you're still holding onto a lot."

Finally, it clicked into place. I'd been trying to deny it for years, but my heart couldn't take it anymore. The loneliness, the friendlessness, everything. Maybe it was some kind of magic in the air that led to the chains I'd locked around my heart shattering, or perhaps it was being in a world where friendship was a power to be reckoned with. Whatever the reason, I felt tears form once more. "Princess…I…"

Wrapping me up in her wings and front hooves, she stroked my back tenderly. "Go ahead."

I threw my arms around her, more tears coming to my eyes. I didn't cry as loudly as I had a week ago, but it felt much more cleansing. I don't remember how much time passed, but when I sat back up, Cadance used her kerchief to dab tenderly at my eyes. "Jethro, do you mind if I come visit you for about an hour or so once a week when you get settled into your new home in Ponyville?"

I smiled and sniffed. "Yeah…I think I'd like that."

She smiled widely. "Thank you. You've made a good first step, tonight. Admitting to yourself that you're lonely is a big step."

I inhaled deeply. "I suppose it is," I said. "But just remember that for me, change takes more time than with you Ponies."

"That's why I'm coming to visit every week," she explained. "Don't worry, I'm here to help, I promise." She stood. "I'm sorry I kept you up so late. I'll take my leave now."

Looking over at the clock on the wall, I saw that it was just past eleven. "It's a bit late to be flying back to Canterlot. You can stay here, if you like."

She giggled. "There's no need for that, but I appreciate your offer. Remember, you reconstructed the Old Palace. It's being maintained by a guard and there are plenty of rooms."

"Right, I can't believe I forgot about that again," I said, smacking my forehead. "It's just a force of habit."

"And one that is most appreciated," she said tenderly. "Just keep in mind what I've said. And try and surround yourself with potential new friends. You have one already. Right, Zecora?"

I heard a shuffling from down my hall. Coming out from the bedroom, I saw the Zebra approach, smiling at me. "Greetings to you, my savior. I'm sorry I hid while you weren't here."

"It's okay," I replied. Turning to Cadance, I bowed. "I'll see you out."

"I think you have more important things to worry about first," she said, indicating Zecora behind me. She opened the door with her magic. "See you soon, Jethro." And with that, she stepped out, spread her wings and flew through the barrier, flying towards the reconstructed palace.

Closing the door, I turned slowly towards Zecora, the guilt once more growing in the pit of my stomach. She stood in the hallway, looking at me. Switching to Farasi, I started with, "Zecora, I…I'm so sorry."

"I knew," she said softly. "I could tell from the beginning that you didn't want to open your heart too much. When you fled from my house that day, I was afraid I'd lost you. That's one reason why I agreed when the Princess asked me to take her to you. You needed this more than you knew."

She approached me and stood on her hind legs, hugging me tightly. I hugged back, smiling. "A stallion couldn't have asked for a better friend than you," I admitted.

"And a mare couldn't have asked for the same," she said softly. She moved back, her hooves still on my shoulders. My arms were still around her. "Thank you for allowing me to call you friend."

"No, thank you," I replied as she hugged me close again. The warm feeling in my heart began to overpower the guilt. I knew it was temporary, but for the moment I didn't care. I'd made my first friend in this world. And that was enough for me.