>It's quiet.
>That's the best you can come up with to describe the situation, while staring out the back seat window.
>The dulled sound of wind shield wipers does little to fill the void of awkward silence, as you find yourself unconsciously fiddling with the buttons of your left cuff link.
>"This is ridiculous."
>Your father visibly tightens his grip on the steering wheel.
>"Despite what we may have gone through in the past, don't you think we can forget all of that this one time, and be there for her? This is a traumatic time for them both."
>"Hm."
>Your mother stares at him for a long while, before refocusing her gaze back to the road.
>She shakes her head a few times, going back to the tense silence from before.
>"This is what happens when you stop listening to your parents..."
>You see Dad's eyes flash to you through the rear-view mirror.
>What a fucked up thing to say about your only daughter. Like seriously.
>Hopefully these two will bite their tongues, and stop from making an already volatile situation even worse.
>You feel your momentum shift as the car turns a corner, pulling into a crowded parking lot.
>Police Cruisers are lined up neatly in front of the Church, while the outside is littered with the attendees. The melancholy atmosphere can be felt through the car door, as you get closer to your parking spot reserved for the family members.
>"...Let's get this over with."
>"Please. Just be cordial dear. We're trying to show support here."
>There's no answer this time as you all exit the vehicle. Bringing up the rear, you stick close to your parents who take care to avoid conversation with any of the nearby grievers.
>They really don't want to be here, and part of you wonders why they would even bother in this instance. It's not like they care. It's just that shitty practice of making "morally righteous" appearances so they don't look like complete assholes, that bad people do.
>Ascending the stairs, you can't help but take notice of the wailing, and sniffling nearby, something your parents are having no trouble ignoring.
>"Blubbering crybabies. They should be out protecting the innocent instead of-"
>Your mother roughly elbows your father in his side, reminding him of where he is.
>They stop walking, to silently argue about his comments, while you scan the lobby.
>A hand gently taps you on the shoulder from behind.
>"Hey midget..."
>You wheel around to a baggy-eyed Cadance. Your Older sister, flanked by her Daughter Flurry Heart, who keeps her vision downward.
>She tries to force a smile through the dark rings under moist eyes, as she pulls you in for a hug.
"Hey Candy."
>She squeezes you tightly, holding you for a long while.
>"I'm happy you made it. It means so much to me to see you right now."
"I'm here for you."
>She breaks the hug, holding you at arm's length.
>"Flurry. Aren't you going to say hi to your uncle?"
>The two of you look at the crestfallen girl expectantly, but she gives no response.
>You understand, and won't hold it against her, but you worry if another couple of knuckleheads will let it go.
>"Ahem."
>Your father loudly clears his throat, breaking the semi-moment up.
>Candy's forced smile quickly fades, instead changing into visible disdain, and it is not lost on your Mother and Father.
>A heated staredown takes place between the three, until your mother breaks the stalemate.
>"U-uhm...we're here to support you."
>"I'm sure you are."
>Cadance's tone is cold and flat, as she looks between the two of them.
>"Are you sure it's okay to be here? You walked into a church. You might burst into flames."
>Both of their eyes widen in shock at the remark.
>"What did you just say-?!"
>"Cadenza Mi Amore--~"
"Hey! C'mon! Let's not do this now. Please?"
>Cadance crosses her arms aggressively, matched in return by your father.
"Please. Just for today, can we not fight? For Shining Armor's sake?"
>This strikes a chord with Candy, who winces at your words.
>She slowly unfurls her arms, taking a deep breath.
>"You're right Anon. For Shiny's sake."
>Candy places a hand on the pit of your back, urging you into the seating area with her and Flurry, leaving your parents to watch, clearly offended by Cadance's insult, but that can be addressed later.
>You pass by a large Photo of Shining armor in uniform, and the words "In loving memory of" below it, as Cadance ushers you to the front row, taking a seat first, then you, and Flurry next.
>Her delicate hands locks with yours, as she bumps shoulders with you gently.
>"I wish you came alone."
"There wasn't much I could do. It was either the full package or nothing at all."
>Candy sighs.
>"I never thought this day would ever come...he just went to work with that goofy smile like always, you know?"
>Her grip tightens a little.
>"What are we gonna do now?"
>You wish you could answer that question.
>A small sob escapes her mouth, making you wonder how she can possibly have any tears left if her outward appearance is anything to go off of.
>"SHINING! WHY?! NOT YOU SHINING!"
>All attention moves to the casket where a girl is being held back by a statuesque woman.
>"Oh Twily..."
>Cadance puts a hand to her mouth, lowering her head, and averting her gaze.
>Flurry quietly looks on with a deadpan expression, keeping her hands folded in her lap, as her aunt continues to scream, and shout at the casket, as if the inhabitant is merely sleeping.
>It's hard to watch.
>Twilight eventually gives, allowing the taller lady to embrace her.
"H-hey Candy...who is that lady?"
>Cadance wipes her nose, with a sniffle.
>"That's Shiny, and Twily's mother, Velvet."
"Oh. I see."
>Velvet tries to lead the frantic Twilight away, when she spots the three of you through foggy tear-stained glasses.
>"THIS IS YOUR FAULT! YOU KILLED MY BROTHER! YOU KILLED HIM CADANCE!"
>Cadance hides her face, but the occasional hiccuping is enough to give you an idea of what's going on.
>She hasn't released your hand for one moment, instead gripping tighter and tighter.
"She doesn't mean that Candy. She's upset. We all are."
>You look to Flurry for support, but her expression hasn't changed in the slightest. She still has the same dead look in her eyes from before, this time staring at the Casket.
>It feels horrible. Being so damn helpless when your best friend needs you, and there's not a damn thing you can do.
>Shit. You're still practically a child yourself!
>The Funeral proceedings start as could be expected you guess. You've honestly only met Shining Armor a handful of times, but the guy seemed nice enough, and Candy truly loved him. That was all you really needed to know. As long as she was happy, you were happy.
>Now that happiness is gone, and the both of them are left in a dark,empty void with no one to pull them out.
>The proceedings went as expected, with different Officers taking the stand to deliver their own words of praise, and shared fond memories of Shining Armor, both as a friend, and worker.
>Your parents opted to sit in the back pewters. Nothing unexpected there.
>Why would they put Candy's little comment behind them, and come sit by their grieving daughter and Granddaughter?
>After what seemed like the whole force coming up to the podium and speaking the last speaker was none other than the new widow herself.
>You watched intently as Candy slowly rose to her feet, wobbling on shaky, frightened legs towards the Casket.
>Her trembling could be seen from your seat, as she struggled to keep from looking at the peaceful face of her deceased husband.
>The man looks like he could wake up at any time.
>She takes hold of the sides of the stand, and takes a deep breath, opening her mouth.
>"...."
>She looks around the room with her tired eyes, and gritted teeth, until they fall on you.
"It's okay."