Princess Cadance - Recurring Supporting Role

Princess Cadance is Twilight Sparkle’s former foalsitter, close family friend, and later Shining Armor’s romantic partner.
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Cadance has known Twilight for years and occupies an unusual place in her life: she is older than Twilight, but young enough that their relationship feels much less formal than Twilight’s relationships with teachers or Princess Celestia.

She is affectionate, playful, emotionally intelligent, patient, and very comfortable teasing Twilight. She knows Twilight’s habits remarkably well, what foods she likes, how long she can safely disappear into a bookstore, when she needs to be pulled away from studying, and how to get through to her when logic alone is not working.

Earlier in Twilight’s life, Cadance was a pegasus. By the time she becomes more prominent in the story, she has only recently ascended into an alicorn and is still adjusting to what that means for her identity, her responsibilities, and other ponies’ expectations.

Cadance therefore should not sound like a second Celestia. She is younger, more casual, more openly affectionate, and easier for Twilight to approach.

At the same time, Cadance has a thoughtful side. Her own ascension gives her a perspective on expectation and approval that Twilight does not yet understand, and some of her conversations quietly foreshadow the emotional problems Twilight will face later.

Cadance should have a warm, youthful adult feminine voice, generally in a comfortable mid-to-higher register.

Her voice should be naturally affectionate and approachable. Unlike Celestia, Cadance does not have centuries of royal polish behind every word. She can laugh openly, tease Twilight, become embarrassed, and sound like an ordinary young mare.

There can still be a graceful or slightly princess-like quality, particularly as she grows into her new position, but it should never overwhelm the warmth.

When discussing serious subjects, Cadance becomes thoughtful rather than grand. She has a strong understanding of emotions but does not speak like a therapist or lecturer.

There should also be a subtle vulnerability around her own ascension. Cadance is grateful for what she has become, but she has not completely figured out what it means.

A canon-inspired Cadance voice is welcome, but an exact impression is not required. Warmth, sincerity, emotional intelligence, and believable chemistry with Twilight and Shining are more important than imitation.

Recording quality is important. Please audition using the microphone and recording environment you would realistically use during production.