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Description
The night finally came for the royal kids. Even if the table emitted loud laughing, not everyone was having a good time. Athena, Spirit Star, and Gardenia were preparing something special for the other 5 sat at the table. Daniel and Shining Jem Jr were getting on great, though they'd been good friends since they were childhood friends. Nina just sat quietly in the middle, too old to want to talk with Sunflower and Flurry and feeling too foreign to try and join Daniel and Shining's conversation. Not that Sunflower or Flurry were talking anyways. Sunflower had tried to start talking to her but was met with a hostile glare. Flurry would rather eat in her room but nope. Gardenia forced her to come out and greet the other royals. Ridiculous, she'd met basically all of them before this dinner was pointless. Eventually when the 3 girls came back, with food of course, the table seemed more lively. Sunflower joined in the older's conversation, the only two that were quite were Nina and Flurry. Flurry simply ate her food as quickly as she could and scurried back to her room before Gardenia could protest. Nina was deep in thought, eating her food slowly... Did Jem not recognize her? Surely that was him, she would never forget those pret- bright pink eyes and matching horn. She did miss his greeting so she wasn't sure what his name was exactly but Daniel had been referring to him as Junior the whole time, so she could guess "Shining" or "armor" was probably part of it. Maybe he'd forgotten about her? They did only talk for a few minutes, then she snuck away with Lumin. Oh well, it'll be easier for her to avoid him then. Suppose it's a good thing then.
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No matter how fast the days seemed to be, Nina always found herself running into Shining! What kind of fate is this!? The first day or so, they simply nodded at each other, basically no words spoken to each other. On the 3rd or so day of Nina staying in the palace, Shining finally greeted her verbally.
"Hey Naia." He spoke softly to her, stopping in his tracks.
"Jem.. Hello" She answered, a little flustered as she didn't expect him to want to talk.
"How are you liking your stay so far? I hope better than the last time," He smiled and faced her, "You left in the middle because of that.. scene, I hope your brother was ok"
Nina was more flustered, he did remember, why hadn't he said something before? Oh starfish please tell her he wasn't expecting her to say something first how embarassing- "Oh Lumin.. he was frightened but fine." She finally spoke.
Shining nodded, "Lumin. That's his name, how nice. But that's good, I'm glad. If he's up for it, next year I'll personally show him around so you both can stay for the main event this time around."
He wanted them to come back? Was he not processing that he was offering this to King Sombra's kids? Surely he's not this dumb, or dense.
"Only if you'd both like to of course, I'd understand not wanting to after that whole event."
"I- um- I'll ask him about it" Why did Nina stumble on her words? What is wrong with her. She quickly composed herself, "He hasn't been really keen on visiting the Crystal Empire since then, but I can bring it up to him again for you."
"Splendid, I'd love the chance to apologize, our people aren't always that hostile I promise."
"Right... Well Prince Jem, I should get out of your way-" Shining chuckled, making Nina confused and utter a small "what?"
"Oh nothing, it's just amuses me that you call me Jem, only my parents and grandparents call me that. Then again, I bet I'm one of the only ones who calls you Naia." Nina nodded, her mother used to call her Naia, everyone else usually opted for Nina just like they did with Lumin.
"Would you prefer I call you something else?"
"No no, I like when you call me Jem, of course if it makes you feel uncomfortable, you can call me Shining or Junior like the others. How about you? Would you rather I call you Nina instead?" Shining tilted his head, he looked like a guppy to Nina, so cute with his big eyes.
"How about this, in front of others I'll call you Shining, just so we don't confuse anyone? You can do the same and call me Nina in front of others too." She suggested with a smile.
He smiled brightly, "Sounds good to me, Naia. I'll see you around, I have to go to a class now."
Nina bowed her head slightly, "Bye Jem," She laughed lightly, he replied with a laugh as well and they went their separate ways. Once Nina got to her room, she got a pillow and hit her head with it. What was that?? Was that flirting?? Is he toying with me?? No no no! Nina keep your head in the game, you are here to report back to your father not fall for the prince that should be your blood enemy.
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The next day, Nina was sat in the crystal garden, looking out at the glistening plants they had. Though she thought their coral garden's were more colorful and beautiful, this garden was pretty as well. She could see over the wall and watched as some citizens walked by, she admired their crystal parts, some of them had such pretty markings in their wings or nice vibrant colored horns. Again, nothing like her citizens, with their unique fins or tail feathers but still nice looking for here. She didn't notice the sound of chatter getting closer to her, even if her ears did twitch at the sound. What snapped her out of it was hearing a certain voice.
"Seems someone left a pearl in our crystal flowers, how interesting. Seems the little pearl must have forgotten she was to meet with Gardenia and the others in the throne room." Shining joked and chuckled, Daniel who walked with him laughed as well. Nina's face began to warm up, embarrassed but trying not to show it, she puffed up her wings and head feathers in an annoyed way.
Daniel chuckled once more, "Uh oh, careful Junior, pretty as she might be, seems she'll still kick your ass."
Nina kept her head forward, as she stood up. Shining speaking once more as they walked away, "She wouldn't, not when she still owes me for buying her a necklace at the festival."
He was teasing her. How dare he? Nobody's ever had the gems to do that to her of all ponies. She kinda liked it, made her feel grounded- Nope not at all, she's never been talked to like that because she was respected. Yes that's why, he doesn't respect her. She simply can't like somepony that doesn't respect her of course. Nina shook her head to try and clear it. Good thing the week's almost over, she'll go home and report to father and she won't see him every day for a while. Perfect, distance weakens the heart, at least I think that's how the saying goes.
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On the 2nd to last day, the royals were called for brunch, apparently something the Crystal did often. Nina wasn't fully awake, she had stayed up late writing on scrolls for her dad and brother as well as reading some of the books from the library. Crystal pony culture was sort of interesting, very different from her home. Anyways, because she was tired she wasn't fully aware of her surroundings. She didn't really process the situation until she felt a liquid on her hooves and an angry Flurry in front of her. The crash of the plate caused the other royals to come out and see what happened. What they saw was a fluffed up Flurry, angrily yelling at Nina who was also fluffed up but only as a response to Flurry's raised feathers and wings.
Shining tried to ask gently what had happened, Flurry glancing at him, continued to yell at Nina.
"This is ridiculous! She purposely ran into me! She ruined my dragonroot soup! And now she was the ADUCITY to not apologize!"
"Apologize for what? I didn't do anything on purpose so calm your tight ponytail you little prissy princes-"
"OR what? You'll enslave me and all our kingdom? Just like your daddy dearest huh? Ooh or I know! You'll the rest of our family right?"
"Flurry. Enough." Shining walked forward but Gardenia stepped in quicker.
"Flurry Jasmine Heart. That's too far and you know it." Gardenia turned to Nina, getting a napkin with her magic attempting to wipe up the mess, "Nina, I'm sorry for what she said she-"
"Nina? That's princess Nina to you, got it Empress?" She glared at Flurry heart, "If you weren't so young I'd teach you a lesson myself."
"I appreciate the effort, but we will deal the punishment ourselves, Princess Nina." Gardenia stood between them.
Even if Gardenia was just trying to deescalate the situation, it felt more like she was ganging up against Nina. In a Kingdom where the only one on Nina's side being her single guard.
Nina huffed it off, "Discipline her right, Empress. Imagine if she said this to someone more hot-headed than me, she'll cause another war." Nina walked away, calling that she would be taking her leave early. Shining wanted to talk her out of it but instead stayed and sent Flurry to her room, a punishment will be sent but she'll have to wait. Some of the others quietly praised Gardenia for handling it so well. Nina took it personally, as they were pinning against her as well. So be it, she knew this would happen. It doesn't matter to her. She had all she needed for her dad to be happy. They left an hour or so later.

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Hella long desc this time around, sorry! Just a lot to be said for this set of pics! How rude of Nina to act such a way when she's the guest in their kingdom! She's not well-behaved, she's rude, she'll be evil just like her father! At least that's what the rumors around the empire spread to be. A shame that nobody asks for the other side- nor check the facts in that matter. Oh well we'll have to see what happens next!

~Enjoy the picture and have a good day!~

Description
The night finally came for the royal kids. Even if the table emitted loud laughing, not everyone was having a good time. Athena, Spirit Star, and Gardenia were preparing something special for the other 5 sat at the table. Daniel and Shining Jem Jr were getting on great, though they'd been good friends since they were childhood friends. Nina just sat quietly in the middle, too old to want to talk with Sunflower and Flurry and feeling too foreign to try and join Daniel and Shining's conversation. Not that Sunflower or Flurry were talking anyways. Sunflower had tried to start talking to her but was met with a hostile glare. Flurry would rather eat in her room but nope. Gardenia forced her to come out and greet the other royals. Ridiculous, she'd met basically all of them before this dinner was pointless. Eventually when the 3 girls came back, with food of course, the table seemed more lively. Sunflower joined in the older's conversation, the only two that were quite were Nina and Flurry. Flurry simply ate her food as quickly as she could and scurried back to her room before Gardenia could protest. Nina was deep in thought, eating her food slowly... Did Jem not recognize her? Surely that was him, she would never forget those pret- bright pink eyes and matching horn. She did miss his greeting so she wasn't sure what his name was exactly but Daniel had been referring to him as Junior the whole time, so she could guess "Shining" or "armor" was probably part of it. Maybe he'd forgotten about her? They did only talk for a few minutes, then she snuck away with Lumin. Oh well, it'll be easier for her to avoid him then. Suppose it's a good thing then.
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No matter how fast the days seemed to be, Nina always found herself running into Shining! What kind of fate is this!? The first day or so, they simply nodded at each other, basically no words spoken to each other. On the 3rd or so day of Nina staying in the palace, Shining finally greeted her verbally.
"Hey Naia." He spoke softly to her, stopping in his tracks.
"Jem.. Hello" She answered, a little flustered as she didn't expect him to want to talk.
"How are you liking your stay so far? I hope better than the last time," He smiled and faced her, "You left in the middle because of that.. scene, I hope your brother was ok"
Nina was more flustered, he did remember, why hadn't he said something before? Oh starfish please tell her he wasn't expecting her to say something first how embarassing- "Oh Lumin.. he was frightened but fine." She finally spoke.
Shining nodded, "Lumin. That's his name, how nice. But that's good, I'm glad. If he's up for it, next year I'll personally show him around so you both can stay for the main event this time around."
He wanted them to come back? Was he not processing that he was offering this to King Sombra's kids? Surely he's not this dumb, or dense.
"Only if you'd both like to of course, I'd understand not wanting to after that whole event."
"I- um- I'll ask him about it" Why did Nina stumble on her words? What is wrong with her. She quickly composed herself, "He hasn't been really keen on visiting the Crystal Empire since then, but I can bring it up to him again for you."
"Splendid, I'd love the chance to apologize, our people aren't always that hostile I promise."
"Right... Well Prince Jem, I should get out of your way-" Shining chuckled, making Nina confused and utter a small "what?"
"Oh nothing, it's just amuses me that you call me Jem, only my parents and grandparents call me that. Then again, I bet I'm one of the only ones who calls you Naia." Nina nodded, her mother used to call her Naia, everyone else usually opted for Nina just like they did with Lumin.
"Would you prefer I call you something else?"
"No no, I like when you call me Jem, of course if it makes you feel uncomfortable, you can call me Shining or Junior like the others. How about you? Would you rather I call you Nina instead?" Shining tilted his head, he looked like a guppy to Nina, so cute with his big eyes.
"How about this, in front of others I'll call you Shining, just so we don't confuse anyone? You can do the same and call me Nina in front of others too." She suggested with a smile.
He smiled brightly, "Sounds good to me, Naia. I'll see you around, I have to go to a class now."
Nina bowed her head slightly, "Bye Jem," She laughed lightly, he replied with a laugh as well and they went their separate ways. Once Nina got to her room, she got a pillow and hit her head with it. What was that?? Was that flirting?? Is he toying with me?? No no no! Nina keep your head in the game, you are here to report back to your father not fall for the prince that should be your blood enemy.
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The next day, Nina was sat in the crystal garden, looking out at the glistening plants they had. Though she thought their coral garden's were more colorful and beautiful, this garden was pretty as well. She could see over the wall and watched as some citizens walked by, she admired their crystal parts, some of them had such pretty markings in their wings or nice vibrant colored horns. Again, nothing like her citizens, with their unique fins or tail feathers but still nice looking for here. She didn't notice the sound of chatter getting closer to her, even if her ears did twitch at the sound. What snapped her out of it was hearing a certain voice.
"Seems someone left a pearl in our crystal flowers, how interesting. Seems the little pearl must have forgotten she was to meet with Gardenia and the others in the throne room." Shining joked and chuckled, Daniel who walked with him laughed as well. Nina's face began to warm up, embarrassed but trying not to show it, she puffed up her wings and head feathers in an annoyed way.
Daniel chuckled once more, "Uh oh, careful Junior, pretty as she might be, seems she'll still kick your ass."
Nina kept her head forward, as she stood up. Shining speaking once more as they walked away, "She wouldn't, not when she still owes me for buying her a necklace at the festival."
He was teasing her. How dare he? Nobody's ever had the gems to do that to her of all ponies. She kinda liked it, made her feel grounded- Nope not at all, she's never been talked to like that because she was respected. Yes that's why, he doesn't respect her. She simply can't like somepony that doesn't respect her of course. Nina shook her head to try and clear it. Good thing the week's almost over, she'll go home and report to father and she won't see him every day for a while. Perfect, distance weakens the heart, at least I think that's how the saying goes.
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On the 2nd to last day, the royals were called for brunch, apparently something the Crystal did often. Nina wasn't fully awake, she had stayed up late writing on scrolls for her dad and brother as well as reading some of the books from the library. Crystal pony culture was sort of interesting, very different from her home. Anyways, because she was tired she wasn't fully aware of her surroundings. She didn't really process the situation until she felt a liquid on her hooves and an angry Flurry in front of her. The crash of the plate caused the other royals to come out and see what happened. What they saw was a fluffed up Flurry, angrily yelling at Nina who was also fluffed up but only as a response to Flurry's raised feathers and wings.
Shining tried to ask gently what had happened, Flurry glancing at him, continued to yell at Nina.
"This is ridiculous! She purposely ran into me! She ruined my dragonroot soup! And now she was the ADUCITY to not apologize!"
"Apologize for what? I didn't do anything on purpose so calm your tight ponytail you little prissy princes-"
"OR what? You'll enslave me and all our kingdom? Just like your daddy dearest huh? Ooh or I know! You'll the rest of our family right?"
"Flurry. Enough." Shining walked forward but Gardenia stepped in quicker.
"Flurry Jasmine Heart. That's too far and you know it." Gardenia turned to Nina, getting a napkin with her magic attempting to wipe up the mess, "Nina, I'm sorry for what she said she-"
"Nina? That's princess Nina to you, got it Empress?" She glared at Flurry heart, "If you weren't so young I'd teach you a lesson myself."
"I appreciate the effort, but we will deal the punishment ourselves, Princess Nina." Gardenia stood between them.
Even if Gardenia was just trying to deescalate the situation, it felt more like she was ganging up against Nina. In a Kingdom where the only one on Nina's side being her single guard.
Nina huffed it off, "Discipline her right, Empress. Imagine if she said this to someone more hot-headed than me, she'll cause another war." Nina walked away, calling that she would be taking her leave early. Shining wanted to talk her out of it but instead stayed and sent Flurry to her room, a punishment will be sent but she'll have to wait. Some of the others quietly praised Gardenia for handling it so well. Nina took it personally, as they were pinning against her as well. So be it, she knew this would happen. It doesn't matter to her. She had all she needed for her dad to be happy. They left an hour or so later.

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Hella long desc this time around, sorry! Just a lot to be said for this set of pics! How rude of Nina to act such a way when she's the guest in their kingdom! She's not well-behaved, she's rude, she'll be evil just like her father! At least that's what the rumors around the empire spread to be. A shame that nobody asks for the other side- nor check the facts in that matter. Oh well we'll have to see what happens next!

~Enjoy the picture and have a good day!~