Celestia sighed. She had been doing that a lot lately.
Twilight fell over the proud spires of Canterlot. A prism of hues spread over the capital of Equestria, bathing the city in a breathtaking array of purples and oranges. Visitors to the city often remarked about how the time just after sunset looked more beautiful there than on any other spot in the world. Canterlot ponies, of course, would take great pride in this, saying, well, what would you expect? Being close to the source makes everything better.
This daily occurrence had long since failed to excite Celestia. Luna, having only been back a few scant years, was finding fresh delight in seeing awed reactions to their shared work.
“Hark, sister! Those griffons marvel at our work!” Luna leaned over the marble railings of the balcony they stood on, peering at some awestruck tourists from the east who stood about with their beaks agape.
Celestia said, “Naturally.” She didn’t bother to glance in the general direction of Luna’s giddy stare, but instead opted to look at the sister herself.
Luna’s often severe expression was absent tonight. She grinned, teeth showing and reflecting the glare of the almost-set sun. Her eyes wide open, her ears upturned, she was the perfect picture of a joyous princess. The sort of expression ponies expected on Celestia’s face.
The sight irritated Celestia.
Luna turned, her smile fading, though the sparkle of mirth in her eyes remained. “Does something trouble you? You remind me of a high wizard who’d just been told by one of his apprentices that the Selkie ate his homework!” She roared with laughter and stomped a forehoof with such force, Celestia thought the building might shake.
After some time, Luna quieted. “That joke would always bring gaiety to thine countenance. Pray tell, what cloud darkens the sun’s expression this night?” She walked over and poked Celestia’s withers a few times with a slippered hoof.
Celestia yelped in surprise and jumped. Her wings shot out, and she hovered for a few moments, seething at her younger sister in mid-air. “Luna…”
Luna scrunched up her face like an aging, cranky librarian. “Why, Celestia, everypony knows thou art not to act in this manner!” She leapt in the air and brought herself face-to-face with Celestia, an impish grin alighting on her face. “Why, such behavior would be expected of thine gloomy sister, whom everypony knows does nothing but sob over her guilt over something she did a thousand years ago! Why, she should seek counseling over the screaming faces she still sees in her dreams, if only I could hold her close and comfort her!” Luna shook her head, dropped the scrunch for a moment, and chuckled. “Some of the foalish stallions who come calling to court, I swear…”
Celestia sighed again. “Good as it is to see you in such a fine mood, Luna, I find myself apprehensive.”
Luna cocked her head. “What about? The twilight?”
“No, Twilight. She’s coming to talk to me in a short while.” Celestia folded her wings and landed with grace.
Luna followed, snorting as her hooves touched stone. “You craft a mountain range out of a rabbit hole, sister. Tis not as though you have grave news for her.”
“No, but I worry about how well she’s… adjusting. It’s still only been a short while since her ascendancy, and… well… we don’t know what it’s like.”
“Tis true.” The sisters walked through a set of open double doors to Celestia’s quarters. Luna sat down on a massive pillow, while Celestia draped herself over her white poster bed.
