Diplomatic Relations

At last Cadance marched up the winding tower steps to Luna’s bedchamber. Stone worn from generations of royalty treading the exact same path. Each hoof-step echoed throughout the ancient corridors of the castle.

I was hoping a return to Canterlot would be a relief, Cadance complained. But her aunts, well- just Celestia, still treated her like a newborn foal. How does Twilight- and for pony’s sake Luna, put up with it? She lauded.

It wasn't long before her thoughts again turned to Shining. What good was getting married if you couldn’t have your partner there to support you? How soothing it would be to feel his velvet caress… Distracted, Cadance barely noticed another sensation stirring inside her. Not until she had almost reached the door to Luna’s bed chamber did it sink in how preposterously hot she was.

What? When did I get this turned on? She wondered, feeling between her thighs to get an estimate of how bad things were. She could already tell. It was getting very damp. Her marehood was contracting, searching for its mate, as she prodded the folds around it. And as she had neglected to get relief earlier in the day… the primal urge had turned her body into some kind of lusty animal in heat. Putting this off wasn’t doing her any favors. She needed to find a way to release, and fast. How did she even make it through dinner?

“Ah, Cadance, welcome,” Luna announced cheerfully, swinging the door to her bedroom wide as she heard Cadance ascend the last step. The newly coronated mare quickly hid her arousal by neatly tucking her tail. Luna paid no attention, or at least pretended not to, continuing, “What should be our first activity? The playing of truth or dare? The telling of scary stories? Ooh, I know! Perhaps we should talk about stallions?”

Cadance grimaced, sympathizing with Luna although she was an obstacle to the current objective. Here was this pony, excited to have company, even if it was her own family. Cadance could table complaining about Celestia’s expectations for one night. After all Luna put up with them for… a debatably longer time than Cadance had: anypony would have become Nightmare Moon. Okay, it probably wasn’t funny to joke about that, especially not in Canterlot. Cadance decided she could play along with her exuberant aunt for one night. It might even turn out to be fun. But first: to alleviate her problem.

“I think I’ll start with a bath,” the pink princess replied having found a suitable excuse, “if you don’t mind.” Hopefully Luna could wait.

“Are you positive? Do you not wish have a look around first, to familiarize yourself with your new accommodations? I have acquired several cute gifts since we last saw each other. ” Luna pointed to a few plush animals that littered her bed. Indeed cute.

“Luna, don’t you have a night to prepare?” Cadance admonished, searching for a way to keep her aunt otherwise occupied for a while.

“Observant as ever niece,” the mistress of midnight relented, beckoning Cadance into the royal bath, a few steps adjacent to where they were. “Please feel free to wash up while I attend my duties.”

A natural waterfall ran through the middle of the tiled floor, cascading down from a hole in the ceiling. Directly underneath, a dais climbed out of the surrounding wading pool, marble steps incrementing in height before coming to a finish between two chiseled alicorn statues. Encircling the scene were mirrors positioned radially on all sides, accompanied by granite countertops cut into the mountainside. The naturally heated water of the hot spring running off the mountain steamed in the night air. What remained in the room dewed on the two ponies. Taking a deep breath Cadance drew the warmth into her lungs, clearing sinuses and exhaling troubles, a perfect opportunity to relax before bed.

“Ohh, thank you Luna, this is one thing I definitely missed,” she praised.

Luna nodded her head, “The waters of the castle are quite restorative. And the heat of the spring is most relaxing. I may join you as soon as my work is finished.”

“I-I think I’ll take it from here,” Cadance said, trying not to raise suspicion, but garnering some anyway as she pushed her aunt out of the chamber. Hopefully she could release the pressure building inside her soon, barely keeping her hooves at bay. “Besides,” she pointed at the hole in the ceiling, “I’m sure Celestia’s expecting a moon tonight.”

Luna grew slightly flustered, “Oh yes. I was about to take of that. I will return shortly.” At that she hurried from the chamber.

Immediately following the departure Cadance jumped in, soaking her restless body, breaking the surface of the coaxing, warm bath. Her muscles relaxed as water seeped into her mane and tail. Gently, Cadance portioned some soap and conditioner into her hair from an ornate pump, bringing it to a lather. Her favorite way to get started, probing her body with the deception it was being cleaned. Just because she was a mare in heat didn’t mean she had to smell like one. Rinsing the suds by submerging, she resurfaced in the center of the room, intent on the waterfall. Beautiful. Even though she remembered bathing once or twice in the very same room when she visited the castle as a filly, the way the water pounded over the rocks was enchanting. The constant pressure, beating the surface of the pool and raging against the marble: relentless. Closer and closer, till she pushed her head into the frothing stream. Locks of hair pulled over her eyes by the broken torrent, massaging force soothing her neck and head. It felt good. Really, really good. Her ‘problem’ from earlier flared, demanding she marvel her own body rather than the one of water, her fore hoof wandered. Now, confident she was alone, Cadance allowed it to slide underneath her belly, prodding her sex. Hairs from trimmed fetlocks mistakenly caressed the sensitive nub at its entrance and the princess let out a sharp squeal. She had been trained well: simply teasing the sopping slit left her hindquarters dribbling with more than just water. Looking around again to ensure she was alone after loosing such a debaucherous whine, Cadance continued to wash her worries away.

“Ahh Shining,” she breathed, the words fist coming as a thought, but passion in her loins forcing her to emote. On her stomach, Cadance brought her face down to the stone as her rear tilted up. A natural position. Dipping both hooves behind her torso for extra stimulation, she used them to pry apart the sensitive slit. With better access, she began mindlessly pawing away, pretending to be at the mercy of her husband. The tempo of her masturbation set to the imaginary force of his bucking.

Water flung off her tail as it whipped to and fro, a pompom cheering on the mare’s actions. Drawing back one hoof from her sopping rear, she bisected her swollen teats. Nipples scrubbing against the surface of the marble, having erected to a heightened state of awareness, they left sudsy streaks on the ground as bubbles formed from her rapid motion. Before she knew it, she was humping up and down uncontrollably, contorting her body so all of her erogenous zones met with an appropriate amount of resistance. Her imaginary stallion the perfect partner, every nub of her womb tingled. Magic flowing habitually from her horn, heading down his illusory length to satisfy her needs. The sensations multiplied exponentially as juice creamed from her behind, mixing with traces of soap left in her tail. A shlick shlick echoing through the chamber as hoof mashed strings of her essence around her vagina, the vaporal dildo not enough. Very unladylike.

Closing in on climax, she got an idea. One that made her wonder why she never considered it before. The force of the water flowing down around her was surely better than using a hoof or going to the effort of manipulating magic. Intent on getting off, the princess repositioned her posterior: turning over and laying belly-up on the marble, hindquarters just above the full force of the waterfall. It’s thundering enticed her, wiggling her body to and fro until the natural wonder connected with her love tunnel. Immediately, the impact overcame the anxious mare. Instinctively, she bucked back against the pulsating plume. Filling her so completely that it would have made Shining jealous. She was so close now.

“Cady?”

Uh-oh.

Surprised, the Crystal Heart Princess flailed, a desperate attempt to cover for her raunchy behavior. Slipping off the slick steps, she fell to the pool below. A resounding splash echoed through the pantheon of a bathroom. She had to stop getting caught in the middle of these things.

Resurfacing, Cadance met the intruder with a disapproving look, though it was her own fault. How could she have forgotten? Honestly, it was a small miracle Luna had been gone for this long.

Luna blushed, “Pardon, niece, but I could not help but overhear you being-” she paused, visibly concerned with how to phrase her next words, “attacked. I assumed it likely somepony suck in to spy on the bath.” The lunar pony wheeled around to prove her intentions, trying to look everywhere at once. “Show yourself pervert!”

“There’s nopony here, it was a simple mistake Lulu,” Cadance growled. Damn, if only she had a few more minutes. A submerged hoof itched at her backside, now more irritated it had ever been.

“Are you finished bathing then niece? I have prepared a snack for us. Would you partake in the sharing of milk and sweets?” Luna beamed: a bright, crescent grin across her face. Again obvious she was trying really hard.

“I’d be happy to.” Cadance said, resigning herself to the whims of her gracious host. It would be impolite to refuse Luna any longer, and Cadance didn’t want to hurt her aunt’s feelings; at least not this one’s.

The two equines returned to the bedroom. Cadance wrapped in a plethora of warm, fluffy towels, fresh from the laundry. They smelled divine, a heavy lavender aroma, thankfully covering the lustful scent wafting off her backside. At least at a distance.

“So,” Luna started, “Please indulge in this offering of chocolate chips.” She presented a tray of cookies to Cadance, “I have trained practicing their preparation. Hopefully they will prove satisfactory.”

Cadance took one off the platter, levitating it along with a glass of milk. Even though dinner had been less than an hour ago, the desert smelled heavenly. She took a bite with a dairy chaser. Delicious.

“Wow,” Cadance applauded, “they’re very good. Maybe you should get your cutie mark changed.” She laughed but Luna looked puzzled. “It was a joke,” she explained.

“Aha. Ha,” the follow-up laugh came uncomfortably, “then it was indeed funny.” Swallowing another gulp of milk, Luna lowered the glass from her face to reveal a stained mustache across her lip, causing Cadance to laugh this time.

The two mares sat awhile and munched their dessert. Neither having any idea what to do with themselves. For Cadance it was almost unbearable. The whole day and not once had she been able to release the pending deluge of mare-cum mounting inside her. For now she could grin and bear it, but how long? Surely Luna had seen her earlier ‘performance.’ Maybe if Cadance just addressed the issue- brought it out in the open… her aunt would understand. Maddeningly, Cadance decided she had to talk about something. And there was only one other thing on her mind.

“Does Celestia ever get on your nerves?”

“What?” replied Luna misunderstanding, “Get on my nerves…?”

“You know- annoy you. Today she seemed a completely different mare, like she was a changeling or something.” Luna gasped, horrified. Cadance amended her statement, “Sorry, another joke.”

“Right…” said Luna, reflecting for a spell before continuing, “Well I suppose anypony can get on anypony’s nerves.”

“So it doesn’t bother you when she acts all ‘holier than thou’?”

“I-I didn’t say that,” Luna protested, timid about sharing her true feelings.

“So then admit it. She does bother you sometimes.”

The mare of the moon finished the last cookie. It would not do to slander her sister, especially behind her back. However, this was an opportunity to have a secret confidant. Gossip; Luna heard Twilight’s unicorn friend refer to it one time. A pleasant thing two mares could do to enjoy one another’s company. Luna took the gamble, “My sister is old and wise- in some respects. But,” she paused, “certainly immature in others.”

The hesitation intrigued Cadance. It was silly to think an alicorn as ancient as Celestia was immature in any sense of the word, let alone that she might have hidden doubts or fears. “In what way in is that Lulu?”

“General concerns. Fears, love, things her subconscious feeds to her. Her dreams were always polluted with the most grandiose ideas…”

Cadance processed the information, coming up with another wonderful idea, perhaps one better than the waterfall. One bent on getting some payback. “That’s right…” Cadance considered aloud, “You can see into another pony’s dreams.”

“Of course,” replied Luna, “It has always been a natural ability of mine.”

“Do you think I would be able to see another pony’s dreams?” Cadance asked innocently, though wearing a devilish grin.

“What you ask is possible,” Luna admitted, “Though it would require some form of contact with the subject. My magic could then merge your dream and the victim’s.” She caught herself, “Err, I mean, other pony’s.”

“So then what’s stopping us from finding out what Celestia’s dreaming about right now?”

Once more a silence took the room. It was a very tempting proposition. Luna simply had to reach out with her power and delve into Celestia’s mind, bringing back the juiciest secrets of the past thousand years.

“C’mon, let’s do it,” Cadance insisted, “It’ll just be a harmless prank. We can keep a secret, can't we?”

“Tis’ a good idea, but it would not work,” said Luna, disappointed her niece got excited over nothing, “My sister is already aware of my power and has guarded against it. When we were fillies I used to antagonize her with it on occasion. My teasing prompted her to practice cognitive reinforcement. With such a powerful will to resist, I would not be able to invade her dreams.”

“However, she’s not so familiar with my magic…”

Cadance watched the same realization wash over Luna. “What you are suggesting might work. With your power to relax the will…” Luna tapped at her chin, “the spell may have a chance.”

“Well what are we waiting for?” shouted Cadance, clearly motivated at the opportunity to get back at Celestia. It was time for Sun-butt to get off her high horse.

“I cannot guarantee success,” Luna warned, “but let us find out." She raised a glass of milk to toast their plan, "To the tradition of ‘pranking!’”

A common ‘enemy’ found, the two miscreants clanked drinks and took a ceremonial sip, sealing the deal. Luna decided she could indulge this once. Her sister would understand.

The two partners-in-crime snuck out of the room, making sure to shut the door magically behind them. It was late, past midnight, as they tippy-hooved up to Celestia’s chambers. Torches flickered, casting deep equine shadows over the chiseled rock.

“What fun,” Luna said, giddy over the plan, “It has been ages since I have participated in something like this.”

Coming before a heavy wooden door, Luna raised hoof to muzzle, signaling silence: as if it weren’t obvious already. Encased by magic, one of the mounted lion’s head knockers depressed into the grain of the door, which opened to reveal a pitch black room. Luna maneuvered deftly around clutter: decorative tiaras, scrolls of paper, fine horseshoes, and a pruning kit. Cadance, seeing Luna had done this sort of thing before, followed closely.

Eventually, the two figures heard Celestia’s deep breaths as they loomed over her slumbering form, a chalky white scribble against the darkness. Her hair still flowed in watery procession, eerie and beautiful, but Cadance detected something else unusual: a rather luminous aura of light emanated from Celestia’s figure. It made Cadance wonder if that was also a gift from the sun, or if Celly’s power was so great that the excess literally discharged through her coat.

“Ready?” Luna mouthed, implying sound rather than producing it.

Cadance nodded. Slowly, the Crystal Heart princess drew out the dormant power within her, the first step. Her horn flashed, combating the white radiance of Celestia with its own rosy hue. An illusory heart projected from its tip and floated down. Contacting Celestia’s body where disappeared, absorbed by her fur and into her nervous system. The calming effect would soon take hold. And as it did Cadance grew more excited. She wanted to know what Celestia was dreaming about. She looked peaceful lying there, save the occasional twitch. Having a somewhat wider frame than the other two, Celestia also boasted rather generous assets. Cadance traced a line from tip to tail, seeing each inflection in the sun princess’s flesh dive into another curve, her body hairs short and delicate, as soft as the silken fabrics she was covered with. She turned in her sleep, letting out a cute, but somewhat provocative, groan.

A spicy encounter with one of her guards-ponies perhaps? Cadance imagined how hot and wet Celestia must be getting. Crotch moistening, approving of the job one of her dream-guards was doing: lapping every last inch of her body until he ended with a vigorous suck at her cutie mark.

No, wait. Rather, it was her. Imaginary guard replaced by Cadance, she assaulted Celestia’s posterior, the last salty lick weaving dangerously close to the plot-hole. Cadance’s malady rekindled as the humidity between her haunches returned, pulling attention from the task at hand.

Cadance narrowed her concentration, magic glowing more furiously. No distractions. I can do this.

The stirring stopped, Celestia calmed down, a contented smirk stretching across her face as Cadance’s magic took full effect. The subject was ready.

The second step was Luna’s. Eyes glowing in the dark, she placed a wing on Cadance’s shoulder and a hoof at Celestia’s shapely flank. Luna’s magic now contested the mellow pink and white hues, returning the room to the darker side of the spectrum. The whites of Luna’s eyes drew Cadance in hypnotically, like a moth to flame. The pink princess neared the mare of night. Though not in actuality, as some strange force held Cadance’s body in place. She felt lighter, like she was floating, the light becoming brighter and brighter. Then all at once, a flash washed everything out, leaving Cadance in an entirely blank void. The last images she had seen burned in her mind. Celestia’s heaving breasts, a seductively waving tail: all subtle inviting signals.

Keep it together. Don’t think about it, Cadance reminded herself. She scrunched her eyes to block out the warmth smoldering in-between her legs. She could still feel it.

Niece, can you hear me?

Cadance could hear Luna’s voice in her mind, but did not see her.

“Luna, where are you?”

Deep within your subconscious, I will transition us over to Celestia’s momentarily. Please try to clear your mind. This may feel unusual.

Still getting used to hearing Luna’s words without speech, Cadance took what she hoped was a deep breath. Cheeks flushed as Cadance felt the pressure of her magic acting in the real world. Then a spark ignited and she could feel the astral plane around her accelerate. A strange sensation came over her as she hurtled through nothingness, as though her whole body had fallen asleep. Everything frozen in place, numb: except for one single spot still radiating heat. Her mind went blank.

Arousal no longer subdued by logic or reason, the desire for satisfaction amplified beyond measure. For a moment Cadance ceased to exist, in a conscious sense at least, mental faculties replaced by a web of wanton lust and desire. Feelings so powerful her only purpose became to quench an insatiable, and ever growing, sexual appetite.

Depraved thoughts surfaced. Cadance visualized taking advantage of Celestia. Bending that gorgeous white royal flank over the side of the bed and rutting the matriarch’s brains out. Taking her over and over again until cream sloshed between their loins. No sooner than Cadance imagined it, it began to materialize: tugging her aunt’s hair with clenched teeth, a yelp of pain in response. The assault prompted the sun goddess to grind her butt up against her attacker. Meaty flanks bounced enticingly as they flattened with each compression. The depravity continued as the image of Celestia actually began enjoying the fucking, turning to face her partner and slathering their bodies in a hot, sticky mess. The display afforded Cadance a rare opportunity to watch their collective teats bounce in tandem. She enjoyed seeing just what a slut Celestia had become, moaning whorishly at each thrust. This noise of course only redoubled efforts, Cadance humping in desperate succession, searching for release. A cacophony of flesh, drool carelessly piddled out of the horny pink princess’s mouth, dripping across Celestia’s dimpled backside. The grooves above Celestia’s ass cheeks formed natural hoof holds, perfect for mounting, then proceeding to buck as hard as possible. Beasts they had become, Cadance hunkered down and slammed into her partner. Thrust after thrust came until she ejaculated mare cum everywhere, Celestia’s slit constricting to swallow as much as possible, pair moaning in orgasm. Spent, Cadance slid out, still breathing heavily, pulsating member shrinking back to a normal size. As dopamine replaced adrenaline the reality of the moment shocked her, consciousness settling back into place.

A penis? Clear as could be, the appendage jutted out from between her legs, taunting with its perverse possibilities. Clearly her subconscious signaled what it wanted: dominance. Cadance glanced over at her cum-drenched partner, pussy leaking its essence back out into the open air. In that moment Cadance grasped what she had done.

“L-luna?” Cadance cried into the void. The passed out and abused shade of Celestia fading to nothing more than a blur. With pent up sexual tension finally released, Cadance had no idea where she was. Best case scenario: still in her own imagination. Worst: lost in some nightmare-scape of the subconscious.

“Something is wrong.”

Luna’s booming voice rang in her ears, the world around spinning, then going black. Suddenly, Cadance could feel gravity- the force of her hooves on solid ground, and mass. Opening her eyes Cadance revealed the royal bedroom, Luna addressing her in person while she tried to shake off the drowsiness of induced hypnosis.

“Cadence, are you all right?”

“What happened?” Cadance asked, “I felt like I was being drawn forward and then… and then…” she trailed off. The memory of what happened still fresh in her mind. She didn’t really want Luna to know unless it was absolutely necessary.

Luna thought aloud, “I am not sure. Everything occurred as it normally would and then,” how could she put it best? “Things got hot.”

“Hot?” repeated Cadance puzzled by the choice of words. Ones dangerously close to describing her experience in some ways.

“Yes, it felt like…” Luna was having a hard time, “the sun. Perhaps nothing, but it was rather unusual. I definitely sensed Celsestia’s mind open to me, but I was forced out due to a flare of warmth.”

The whole affair withered Cadance’s resolve to continue experimenting. The things she thought about doing. The things she wanted to do. At least her ‘problem’ had subsided, but… She still couldn’t bring herself to look at Celestia, even though she felt like she had a lot more restraint. “C’mon I think that’s enough fooling around for one night.”

“Agreed,” the Luna replied, hustling back out the chamber the way they had come.

Celestia continued to sleep.

“Shining, stop it, that tickles,”Cadance mumbled lazily, cozying up to a searching hoof. Snuggling it, she sighed, “I had the weirdest dream last night.”

The reverberating sound of a cannon firing came ringing into the bedroom. Commotion came from the courtyard outside, announcing the conference of nations soon to be held. Surprised, the Crystal Heart Princess threw off the downy comforter and opened her eyes to see a midnight blue forelimb at her cheek.

“Zzzght,” a loud snort came from her slumbering co-conspirator, drool creeping out Luna’s mouth soaking the pillow. The cannon apparently not enough to wake her.

“Ahhh, Luna, quit it!” Cadance cried, slapping the hoof away. Luna rolled to the other side of the bed, taking the majority of the sheets with her. Saliva seeped in, coming as a cold wake-up call. Shaking off a slimy hoof, Cadance slunk down onto the floor. Not the way she would have preferred to start the day.

Morning did seem to come a lot earlier than normal. And it was wickedly humid. Even the bed was damp with sweat, or at least, what Cadance hoped was sweat. Considering Luna stayed up half the night, passing out only a few hours ago, both options seemed equally likely. Too bad Cadance wasn’t in charge of the night; then she’d have a good excuse to skip the meeting and sleep in as well.

“Good morning my little ponies,” a sweet call came from the far end of the room. Celestia entered the bedchamber looking positively radiant. And for somepony who gets up so early, that shouldn’t be possible. Coat a pristine white lacquer and irises flaring with a vibrant purple gleam. Cadance, on the other-hoof, was decidedly less enthusiastic. Not exactly ready to face the morning she brushed some eye crust from her sockets, blinking a few times to adjust to the light.

“Morning,” Cadance managed to grunt.

Sniffling, then sneezing, the crown atop her head clattered to the floor. Magical capabilities still a good cup of coffee away. Cadance fumbled with it, placing it back into her unkempt bramble of a mane. Frizzing out, the yellow and purple streaked highlights were skewed every which way, completely independent of style. Another time it would have been nice to be aligned with a celestial body. Then her hair could remain an amorphous blob, rather than needing a daily brushing. It was going to take time and effort to get back to ‘princess standards.’

Cadance stretched, heading over to the boudoir to attend the problem. Celestia sauntered over, swaying hindquarters, to join her. Cadance felt strangely compelled to watch as her aunt crossed the room. Eyes never shifting from those bulging hips, same tail as yesterday teasing her; enraptured by sex oozing out every pore. Cadance especially couldn’t ignore the buxom underside of her aunt Celly, breasts swinging pendulously between haunches with each step. Reimagining how they felt rubbing against her own just the other night. Maybe it was a residual effect, but Cadance felt her desire flare for a moment, the bed just a few feet away. After prolonged staring, Cadance reluctantly turned back to hygiene.

“So I guess you two had a pretty good night,” Celestia said coming around back of where Cadance was sitting, “you’re looking particularly refreshed.” Cadance appreciated the sentiment but knew it was a courteous lie. She wondered if her aunt realized hot days made ponies just want to lay around in the shade, not get dolled up to go to a formal gathering. Celestia’s breath humidified the room even more, slightly fogging on the cold glass of the vanity, as she rested her head on her niece’s shoulder. Cadance felt sweat bead at the end of her snout.

Why am I blushing? And why can’t I look at Celestia without… those feelings? Cadance wondered. She thought she had satisfied herself last night. Apparently this was a reoccurring issue. Not abated by the fact that Celestia lived up to the term ‘goddess’ in not only power but appearance.

“You seem very tense this morning,” cooed Celestia, “let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.” The white alicorn adjusted her head, nipping Cadance’s earlobe, and then sliding pursed lips down along the remainder of the seated pony’s neck. The act affection was welcome, as Cadance leaned into it a little, before shaking it off.

It was certainly quite the turnaround from yesterday. She wasn’t sure if she liked it, but a cheerful Celestia was better than a disapproving one, even if things were strangely more physical. Though, a normal amount of touching was often healthy in pony to pony relations. And it could help get one’s point across. Cadance was confident she was making a big deal out of nothing, all because the other night.

Confident until pressure came at the small of her back. Fur rubbing against fur, Cadance felt each breath Celestia took. Friction building as their pelts matted together. Heat mounting, melting inhibitions, prompting thought to turn to more carnal desires.

Celestia crept her hooves up over Cadance’s stiffening shoulders, and then trailed them down the pink pony’s chest, eliciting little pants of joy from her niece who graciously accepted the seductive foreplay. The sun goddess pulled back up, revealing a beautiful sapphire necklace and draped it around her niece’s neck. Unusual, since she could have done so with her magic, but for some reason had not.

“There, now you look beautiful.”

Cadance admired the two of them. Celestia’s tall, regal form surrounding her own diminutive frame, its color the same shade of white as another very special pony in her life.

“Th-thanks…” Cadance managed to get out.

“Don’t worry- everything’s going to be fine,” prompted Celestia, “I’m sure they’ll love you. After all, I do.”

At that Celestia left the room, leaving Cadance, for the most part, dumbfounded. She wasn’t sure what to make of the encounter. There had been subtle signs, but maybe she was reading into it too much? Love: a complicated word with many contexts.

“Did you see that?” Cadance asked the passed-out pony. No response from Luna. Apparently she was going to have to figure out these mixed messages on her own. “Oh, just go back to sleep,” Cadance snidely told Luna. Luna obeyed.

Celestia’s words were unsettling. The whole event stuck in Cadance’s mind, replaying over and over. What had changed Celestia’s demeanor so drastically since last night? However, Cadance knew she couldn’t afford to dwell on those issues now. Bows, gems, pins, lace: an assortment of baubles went into manufacturing Cadance’s appearance. Mascara on each eye, pulling lashes taught, fighting to look the part. She once heard about a formal hairdo Crystal Empire representatives used to wear; something concerning the weaving gems into one’s locks, but that was too much now. Better to prep practically, enough to make the impression she wanted, but not enough to hold her in front of the mirror indefinitely. Lucky, the natural hue of her coat allowed her to skip one step: applying blush.

Eventually, she found herself sweating downstairs in the great hall, all the makeup she applied unable to hide her discomfort. She considered herself lucky she hadn’t also been forced into a stuffy dress, the jabbing irritation of her tiara bad enough. Looking around, she remembered it being the scene for many a Grand Galloping Gala. Though the reality of the current situation made her depreciably less exited than those times.

Celestia could at least do something about this sweltering heat, couldn’t she? There was no way weather ponies of reasonable intelligence could be held responsible for this weather. A sharp line of mascara softened, and Cadance resisted the urge to ease her suffering with a quick, hoof across the forehead, mopping up the sweat.

Celestia perched herself away from the entrance to the hall, underneath a massive alicorn statue aligned with several free standing ionic columns. The structure provided minimal shade as sunlight streamed through the large window panes of the ballroom. Beyond the windows, Cadance could see the withering Canterlot gardens. The other day they had been vibrant and green, but now leaves withered and flowers pruned. Was the sun closer today or something?

The first guests arrived. Fortunately, there didn’t seem to be anypony of major note among them. Celestia looked over to the meandering ruler of the Crystal Empire, weaving through server ponies and conversing members of the social elite. Cadance tried not to pay attention. But in the back of her mind knew what was going on.

Okay, I don’t need to be watched the whole time. I think I can handle myself. If Celestia was really so intent on running the show, why didn’t she just come over and instruct her how to act?

Frustrated, she steeped right between a regal blue pony and another that appeared to be Saddle Arabian. Maybe holding a conversation with the guests would lighten her mood.

“And then I told the Ambassador from Stalliongrad if he didn’t like it, he could go eat hay!” The blue pony finished, the ponies around him bursting into a fit of polite laughter. “Oh Princess Cadenza,” the pony started, just realizing the princess had graced their party, “I didn’t see you there. Excellent timing, we were just about to discuss a little hot topic foreign policy with someone I think you’d be very interested to meet.” He turned to the Arabian diplomat, who offered a hoof.

“Charmed,” the foreign gentle-pony said in a suave voice, “I hear that your kingdom is one of the most beautiful in all Equestria.”

“Ha-ha, yes. It is quite a nice place to live,” the pink princess said distinctively. She hoped she knew what she was getting into.

“Please, the Empire’s been gone for a thousand years” the blue pony asked, “can you tell us what your official stance on the newly established griffon-pegasus no fly zone is?”

“Um, well…” Cadance began. All the ponies gathered close, tentatively waiting for her input. It wasn’t as though Cadance had never heard about such activities, quite the contrary. She studied up a little the days prior. But this time it wasn’t her opinion that anypony wanted. It was the opinion of an entire kingdom. Cadance staggered make up her mind. What could she say? What should she say? A single wrong word could leave her in a terrible diplomatic debacle.

“Um, if you could excuse me gentlecolts,” Cadance said, dodging the trap, “I think Princess Celestia needs me for a moment.”

Thank goodness for that, Cadance sighed. Her aunt still served as a viable excuse.

“Enjoying yourself Cadance?”

“I wasn’t aware this was something that needed to be enjoyed.”

“Oh it’s not,” Celestia admitted, chuckling slightly over Cadance’s quip, “but it helps.” On the last word she brought her face down to Cadance’s level so that the mares could have a more intimate conversation. “Though, if you’d prefer, I know something we could do that might be fun…”

Cadance swallowed hard, the words infecting her mind. Images from last night as well as the altercation this morning re-scrutinized. The subtle innuendoes, it was obvious Celestia was trying to seduce her, right? This wasn’t some sick game designed to make Cadance squirm…

Like a prank, she thought ironically.

“And what would that be?” Cadance decided that the only way out of the situation was to follow along with Celestia’s provocations. Besides she needed to see where this was going.

“Oh,” Celestia teased, “something like this.” taking a very satisfying taste along the jawbone of Cadance’s cheek.

“Y-you just licked me!” Cadance shouted, but quickly realizing she might startle the guests, continued in a hushed tone, “Are you crazy?”

“What’s wrong? I thought you wanted to have a little fun?” Celestia stated coyly. Though, had this been the same Celestia from yesterday, she would have known perfectly well what was wrong with their current situation. Especially after she lectured Cadance for shaking her ass in public and addressing the myriad of other transgressions highlighted yesterday.

“I swear if this is trying to get me back for last night it isn’t funny. Now knock it off.”

“Ooh, that’s good. I love it when you’re angry,” the sun goddess urged. Again she leaned over to fondle her niece, tickling the stray hairs on her belly. Coming dangerously close to where Cadance really wished she could get a hoof: her sweat drenched teats.

This time, Cadance stepped back allowing a stray kiss to whiff in the air, “Okay,” Cadance deduced, “there is definitely something wrong with you.”

There were dozens of ponies everywhere. And not just your run-of-the-mill hayseeds, but ponies of influence: the kind that could destroy a reputation if they happened to glance over at the wrong time. Having a PDA tussle at the end of the room was ill-advisable. Plus, Cadance could smell the same musky scent again that had permeated the bedroom last night. Things were going to get ugly, fast. And Cadance definitely didn’t want to make that kind of a lasting impression.

“Inform everypony that the Princess is feeling a little ill,” Cadance instructed one of the guards. “I’ll attend to here and we should be back.”

“But Princess-“

“That’s an order,” Cadance snapped. She did sort of love being able to do that.

One wing bent around her aunt, Cadance trotted out of the chamber, hoping their combined wingspan would be enough to hide the illicit activities occurring underneath. Celestia continued to molest her.

Luna better know what to do.