[==Twilight's eyes darted around the room, scanning the faces of each canterlot elite in the room with cautious timid eyes. Many were familiar, but of course, as is the nature of these reunions, many weren't. It wasn't unusual for her to not recognise most of the guests at her own family reunion, but still, she couldn't help but feel... out of place, and odd.

Of course, everyone would recognise her, and soon nearly every pair of eyes in the room were focused in on her, to her wings, to the feather behind her ear. The usual chatter of the room turned to a low murmur. Her eyes drifted between them, unsure of where to really look.

Rainbow was right, it really was time to stop showing up to these things. She's not sure what compelled her to come back after last years event. She's used to ponies stunned silence and slight gawking in her presence, being a princess and all, but it's worse when it's from ponies pretending to be your own family. And even more bitter when she has to keep up an act as her mother watches.... suddenly all social cues and abilities is thrown out of the window.

Twilight cleared her throat, shuffled her wings and slowly started to turn around. No, she didn't need to do this this year, it's not worth it, she'll just head back to the hotel room and-

"HEY!!! Twilight!!"

Twilight's ears perked as her head swivelled back around. Across the room, a small blue unicorn was frantically waving her hoof at her.

"Hey! Stop gawking and get over here!"

Twilight gave a corteous smile to the ponies that had stopped to stare, and quickly trotted on over to where the mare was. She was glad to finally see a friendly face.

"Hey, Trixie."

"Gosh for a second there I really thought you wouldn't make it this year. Then it'd just be me and all these boring up tight assholes." Trixie handed across a glass of champagne to Twilight while holding her own. Twilight accepted gratefully, clinking it against Trixie's and taking a sip.

"Well, I wasn't, but you really sold it to me I've got to say," Twilight relaxed a little, settling back into her usual polite princess tone, now in a more comfortable setting, "....after all, a night like this is a lot better when you have a good friend to-"

"Yeah yeah whatever," Trixie waved a hoof, "Come with me, you've got to see the spread they've got this year. Your mom really outdid herself with the caterers this time around I've got to say."

Trixie turned abruptly, grabbing the cuff of twilight's shawl with her magic. Twilight followed along, hissing at her not to pull too hard on the fabric.

They darted in and out of party guests, each looking on with confused or disapproving looks. Twilight mouthed apologies at them as Trixie pulled her further and further along. Eventually Trixie let go, leaving Twilight trailing behind struggling to keep up.

As Trixie ran off in search of food, something out of the corner of her eye caught Twilight's attention instead.

Out on the balcony, looking up at the bright Canterlot sky, an older orange mare sat. She was by herself, not saying a word to anyone, and seemed entirely content in just looking up at the stars. To any one else, she'd seem out of place, and they'd wonder why no one was talking to her.

But Twilight knew exactly why.

Cautiously, she approached, placing herself down next to her, and looking up at the same stars she was focused on.
Her words seem to fail her again, as she struggled to think of what to say. Spectacle, however, seemed to not care so much. Her eyes stayed fixed on the sky, the light of the moon glistening in her eyes. It almost seemed like she didn't even know that Twilight was there - until a moment later, when she spoke, not looking away.

"There's quite a great view of the Northern Cross out here. I'm surprised with the light pollution of the city we can even see it."

Twilight searched, identifying quickly the constellation she was looking at. She was right, it was illuminated remarkably clearly.

"Luna must be feeling pretty generous tonight, I suppose," Twilight suggested with a weak smile.

"Hm, yes. I suppose I have you to thank for that, don't I? Bringing her back and all."

"U-Uh, well... I couldn't have done it without my friends, obviously."

"Of course. Them too."

The two fell into silence again, as Spectacle carried on surveying the stars in the sky. Twilight swallowed, trying to push the conversation along further.

"I never knew you were into stargazing."

"It's my special talent, dear," Spectacle finally turned away from the sky, to lock eyes with Twilight, "...But, well, I suppose there's a lot of things you don't know about me."

Twilight looked straight back at her, unsure of what to say.

"If I'd known you existed, I would have definitely asked."

Spectacle chucked, "I know, dearie. It's not your fault. You're not responsible for your mother's decisions.... or, well, my decisions."

"...Was it worth it?"

Spectacle seemed to flinch a little, as if she didn't expect Twilight to ask her that. She took a deep breath, taking in the cold night air and breathing out slowly, breaking her gaze from Twilight's as she looked out over the horizon. Twilight's gaze didn't break. She watched her intensely.

"...There are things I regret. I regret not taking your mother with me. I regret missing your grandmother's funeral, even your grandfather's, as much as I hated him... Sorry, I'm sure he was a wonderful grandfather to you."

Twilight chose not to respond. She kept her eyes focused on Spectacle.

"But.... well, I was happy. I had a daughter who was happy, and that I loved, too. and she didn't have to worry about any of these parties or social standards or what have you. She was just... allowed to be herself, be who she wanted, without worrying about what anyone thought of her. It felt so good to see her live that life, and it felt freeing to know I was living that life now, too."

"Then why did you come back?"

"I'm not back, really. Not fully. I come back to these occasions so that Trixie has a chance to meet her family, now that she's older, and can form her own opinions, and they can't hurt her like that. She's strong and she's stubborn now, I don't think a rude comment from some old upper crust is going to hurt her."

"Weren't you scared, though? That maybe they would? Or that you'd... have to face coming back?"

"Of course I was. As sure as I am of my decision all those years ago, I couldn't pretend I wasn't somewhat afraid of what it'd be like to return, or for Trixie to be introduced to this life... but like I said, Trixie deserved to know where she came from at the very least. What she decides to do with that information is up to her at her age.... Plus, I got to meet my beautiful niece."

Twilight blushed, pulling herself out of her strong gaze and looking out over the Canterlot skyline, satisfied with the answers she'd gotten She mulled over Spectacle's words, tossing them over in her head, thinking about what she meant... what they might mean to herself....

"Twilight!!"

The pair turned their heads to see Trixie. She stood in the doorway, holding up a platter of small hors d'oeuvres on one side and a refilled glass of champagne in the other

"You have GOT to try these!" she called in between mouthfuls, "Like I said, your mom really knows the good Canterlot caterers."

Twilight and Spectacle exchanged an amused grin

"Ok, I'm coming, I'm coming."

Twilight stood herself up, and started heading towards the doorway. She turned back once again to face Spectacle.

"Thank you for the talk, Spectacle. It's really helped me."

"Of course, dear, I'm happy to have helped. Just know that.... Whatever decision you make, in the end, it'll be the right one."

Twilight nodded, before following Trixie back into the fray of the party.

i hate writing it's difficult bye

i thought it'd be pretty important to show twilight getting a moment to really talk about what happened with her aunt. Until she showed up a couple of years ago at one family reunion, she'd had no idea she even existed, or that her and Trixie were related at all. She still doesn't see her much at all, but here she gets a good few minutes of her time with her.... and some ideas brewing in her head==]