There it was, that feeling again, like a shadow cast over her, the feeling of being watched. Flicking her head backward, Twilight found no signs of life, only an empty hallway. "I must be going crazy."
Continuing her stroll through the Canterlot Palace halls, Twilight meditated on the growing problem. She had felt the same sensation the day she arrived at the palace.
It had been in Twilight's quarters, her fillyhood room refurbished to accommodate a princess. She had been late, past midnight, an account of the Discordian wars keeping her mind awake. A queasy feeling in her stomach alerted her, started her fruitless search for the hidden watcher.
Celestia had found her the next morning passed out underneath a bookshelf after Twilight missed their arranged breakfast.
Arriving at her destination, Twilight pushed open an ornate stone door with her purple glow. Her dim quarters waited behind. An architect had questioned Twilight about her favourite things when she first arrived, little did she know her answer would be her room's design.
Her walls were marble shelves, each jam packed with books, her own personal library almost. Above her a magical replica of the night sky, a window to Luna's creation. The remainder of the room was plain, a simple bed, comfortable without being too flashy. Lamps that lit in response to her magic, filling the room with a sleepy purple.
As she wandered across the room, Twilight lit each star-shaped lamp as she passed them before collapsing into the grasp of her mattress. She allowed her eyes to wander the room, idly searching for any sign of the watcher.
"Achoo!" A sneeze exploded from somewhere in the room, feminine.
Suddenly feeling much more awake, Twilight leapt from her bed, prowling the room like a bloodhound, searching with eyes instead of her nose. Detecting the whisper of wings in the air, Twilight quickly barred the door with her magic, stopping the intruder's escape. "I know you're in here!"
★★★
With each night her stalking grew more difficult, the cute purple prey wisening up to her watching. Still Luna continued, the temptation of a new princess too great for her resist.
Cloaked in transparency magic she followed Twilight through the palace halls, keeping her hooves to the carpet as not to make any sound.
Twilight suddenly stopped and swung her head around, eyes meeting Luna's perfectly. Holding her breath, Luna stilled herself completely, a statue, not wanting to reveal herself through the spell's slight imperfection. "I must be going crazy." Twilight whispered before continuing down the hallway.
Waiting till Twilight had a significant lead, Luna stepped silently after her, watching the cute purple rump swing with each movement, a streaked tail swish against the carpet every so often.
When Twilight arrived at her room, Luna sneaked as close as she dared, her shallow breaths almost within Twilight's earshot. Not wanting to be locked outside, Luna followed the young princess inside quickly before pulling away to stand in the shadows.
Stars of purple lit up as Twilight passed between them, almost as if her presence powered them. Arriving at the room's end, Twilight slumped into the plain, purple bed, rolling onto her back.
Staying as close to the shelves as she could, Luna inched closer, wanting to watch her desire drift of to sleep. Purple eyes trace patterns across the ceiling, a supple similarly coloured belly rose and fell with each breath.
One step, another, Luna stood almost within touching distance from the sleepy Twilight, a smile coming to the older princess’s lips as she watched what she believed to be perfection as a pony.
Blue eyelids blinked reactively, a tickle revealing itself in Luna's nose. Backing away, she tried to swallow the sneeze, her efforts as futile as trying to douse the sun.
"Achoo," It exploded from her mouth and snout both, putting her off balance.
Bedclothes rustled and hooves shuffled as Twilight sprang from her bed. "I know you're in here!"
Panicked, Luna gathered air beneath her wings, uncaring if she were heard or not. Turning, she discovered the door slamming before her eyes, its stony frame encased in purple.
"There's no use hiding, just show yourself and I'll let you off easy." Twilight swung her horn around the room, a concentrated ball of magic held on its tip.
Still searching for a way out, Luna's eyes scanned the room, finding nothing but rows upon rows of books. Luna allowed the pent up breath in her lungs to out as a sigh, Twilight's aim swinging in her direction.
Donning a smile, Luna allowed the spell hiding her form to fall away, like a second coat slipping from her skin, she felt naked without it.
Twilight's released her spell at the first sign of the intruder, the shock of seeing Luna throwing her aim off, the bolt of purple disintegrating a book behind Luna. "Princess?" Red tint warmed Twilight's cheeks, her lips forming a questioning 'O'. "Has it been you the whole time?"
"N-" The hint of an excuse escaped Luna's mouth before she realised her compromising position, the knowledge crushing her will to deceive. "Tis true, we cannot resist you Twilight Sparkle," Her eyes followed the curves of Twilight's body, moving from her horn, down the side of her neck, brushing over purple wings. "The splendour of thy body is captivating."
Twilight's blush blossomed, her face more red than purple. "Why didn't you just talk to me then?" Understanding the princess's motives, Twilight couldn't help but smile, having experience Luna’s fear herself.
"W-we feared thou would say no, we thought it would be simpler without thy consent." Luna dropped her gaze, sudden interest in the carpet overcoming her, watching a blue hoof play on the fabric. "Were we incorrect?"
The last three words were barely louder than a whisper, Twilight leaning toward Luna to catch the final murmurs. "Well," Twilight's teeth chewed at her lip, her focus dancing round the room thoughtfully. "Maybe a little incorrect."
Twilight's response lifted Luna's chin, her eyes meeting with Twilight's, a shy smile waiting for her. "What does thou mean, a little incorrect?"
"I mean," Twilight bit at her tongue, trying to decide how to formulate her words. "I wouldn't be totally against going out somewhere if that's what you're after." Twilight's wings twitched as the words poured from her mouth like a stream, not pausing for breath.
Luna's eyes lit up, her neck straightening as her mind fantasised possible places to go, things to do. The want in her mind was a little too strong however, her thoughts rushing for the end goal. "We spied a moonlit clearing during one of our flights a few weeks previous. It is silent, we will be alone, we can-"
Twilight's hoof plugged Luna's mouth, knowing the lust-driven princess's intent. The thought of Luna's desire rekindled the glow on Twilight's cheeks. "I don't think that idea is appropriate, why not something of a tamer variety, like dinner?"
"Dinner it shall be." Wanting to rush to the finale, Luna grasped Twilight's hoof, pulling her like a stubborn puppy, half-leading half-dragging Twilight across the carpet.
Luna's hooves found themselves swimming through the air, the distance between her and the ground growing. Looking back, Luna spotted Twilight standing below, an amused look on her features, horn glowing purple. "There's no need to be so eager princess. It is nearly midnight and I need some sleep, how does tomorrow night sound?"
Realising her defeat, Luna allowed her body to slump in Twilight's grasp. "If that is the period of time thou require us to wait, then we shall." The carpet jumped up to meet Luna, her spine cracking on impact.
"Sorry." Twilight smiled guiltily, aiding Luna with a hoof, leading her towards the door. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow night princess."
Stepping through the door, Luna turned to face Twilight, her head bobbing with a nod. "We shall be counting the hours."
★★★
The sound of a hoof on stone broke through the mists of Twilight's sleep, an insistent knocking at her consciousness. "Wake up Twilight." Twilight ignored the familiar voice, instead choosing to pull her covers tighter, wanting to hide in sleep forever.
The hoof prodded her in the side a few times before resorting to shaking. "I know you're awake Twilight, it's time to get out of bed, your duties await."
Groaning, Twilight gave up the battle of pretending and allowed the yawns trapped inside to escape. Blinking her eyes open, she found Celestia's face directly above her, a warm smile on her lips.
"Good morning sleepy head." Celestia ruffled Twilight's mane softly, her horn ringing with magic as Twilight felt the warmth of bedclothes slipping down her body. "You missed our breakfast again Twilight, you should set an alarm spell."
"Mmmhmm," Twilight murmured, still too tired to speak. Rolling from her mattress, she found the floor shaking beneath, her still asleep legs the cause. "Can't we just reschedule for lunch?"
A chuckle rumbled softly through Celestia's lips, her smile widening as she recalled a similar complaint. "Luna's asked me the same thing for many times before, you two are very much alike."
"How?" Interested, a small spark played in Twilight's eyes, her posture straightening with her question. I wonder what she would think of Luna and I together?
Celestia's chuckle turned to giggles at Twilight's reaction, her brow lifting in question. "I was simply speaking of your shared distaste for the morning, what exactly were you hoping for?"
Mouth opening and closing like a goldfish, Twilight fumbled for an excuse and found nothing. "Why don't we go have breakfast."
"Twilight, it's nearly noon. I think lunch would be more appropriate."
A stroll through the palace helped clear the final remnants of sleep from Twilight’s head. Celestia chatted idly as she led Twilight towards their dining balcony. "It is the most beautiful day Twilight, no a cloud in the sky."
The sight that greeted them at the balcony cleared Twilight’s mind of any cloudy thoughts. Luna waited for them, sipping tea from a pitch black cup. The princess visibly choked at the sight of Twilight. "Good morning Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight stole a glance at Celestia, the princess not appearing to notice Luna's shock. "Um, morning princess. Is the, uh, tea nice?" The words come from Twilight's mouth like blocks of wood, each heavy and awkward.
"Tis truly a wonderful morning." Luna's eyes flicked from Twilight to Celestia and back again before dropping into her cup, watching the little liquid left swirl around the sides.
The hint of a smirk touched Celestia's lips before being swallowed by her soft smile. "Why don't you take a seat Twilight?" There were two empty pillows around the balcony, one within touching distance of Luna, the other across the table. Celestia chose the latter.
Skirting the table's edge, Twilight lowered her body into the soft cushion, avoiding eye contact with Luna.
"Now I have the two of you here together, I want to ask something of you." Celestia's words set off alarm bells in Twilight's mind. Peeking out of the corner of her eyes, she found Luna having a similar, yet more obvious reaction. The night princess drawing a sharp breath, her teeth gritted.
"How is it that thou know sister?" Luna demanded, her voice rising above normal volume.
"Know what Luna?" A smile played across Celestia's muzzle, one Twilight knew well, one that confirmed both Luna and Twilight's suspicions.
"Nothing, continue sister." Luna urged Celestia onward with a hoof, trying to calm her features.
Celestia nodded, smothering a chuckle between her lips. "I have a special assignment for both of you. I want the two of you to find me a certain book, situated within the ruins of the Everfree Castle." Celestia's gaze sat between Luna and Twilight, looking out onto the plains below Canterlot, hovering over the dark forest at the centre.
Twilight's interest piqued at the request, the mention of ancient books drawing her attention. This seems like too much of a coincidence. "Why Luna and I? We've never done anything together before."
Pink eyes narrowed slyly as Celestia captured the nervous pair with her smile. "I thought the two of you would want to grow closer, seeing as you will be spending much time together in the coming centuries."
"We will?" Luna questioned. She can’t possibly know of my obsession with Twilight, can she?
"Of course sister, Twilight is a princess now. I presume you two will be working very closely, just as I do with you." The serious words but playful expression confused both Twilight and Luna, each curious of Celestia's knowledge about their plan.
"So what book are we looking for?" Twilight queried. Maybe she doesn’t know about what Luna and I have planned, maybe this is just a normal mission. "An old tome full of dark spells?" Celestia shook her head, rainbow mane dancing around her ears, eyes encouraging Twilight to guess again. "A lost history book?" Another shake. "A book detailing the procedures of princess-hood?"
With a final shake Celestia chuckled, her eyes flitting around the balcony. "It is called 'The Rites of Love', I wish for you to bring me the fourth volume." The title reddened Luna and Twilight's cheeks both, their eyes meeting in a sideways glance.
"Sister, we only recall you writing three of that particular series."
Celestia allowed a breath to escape her mouth at Luna's words, her eye searching far into the distance. "It has been one thousand years Luna, I have done many things during that time." Looking back down, she found no further questions. "Why don't you two finish breakfast?"
Twilight's stomach begged for food with a grumble, the younger princess smiling guiltily at the sound. "I think that would be the best idea princess." Luna nodded in agreement, refilling her cup with tea.
"Help yourself Twilight, there's plenty on offer at the table." Celestia swung her foreleg in an arc over the scattering of food, her eyes locked on Luna. "Pancakes, tea, toast. Princess." The final word came out as a murmur, Twilight questioning if she had even heard it. "I will be leaving the two of you, meet me in my study when you are prepared."
Cherry humming filled the air as Celestia strolled off, disappearing from sight. "Thou does not think my sister has knowledge of our charade?" Luna whispered as the softening sound of Celestia’s hoofsteps faded altogether. "Her eyes gave us the impression she were toying with us."
"I don't know for sure, but it seemed like she didn't mind. She was almost encouraging." Having finally realised the painful hunger in her stomach, Twilight spoke between bites of a double-decker pancake drizzled in syrup. "Either way, are you still free for tonight?"
"We shall be." Luna swirled her tea nervously, hoping to find courage in the cup. "If thou does not mind us asking, where is the dinner to be held?"
Twilight, with cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk, chewed through her too large bite of pancake, washing the food down with a swig of tea. "I was thinking right here, unless you have another idea. A restaurant would be too, public."
"We think that would be most appropriate Twilight Sparkle," Luna agreed, nodding. "We have one concern however, what to do with our sister?"
"I was thinking of waiting till she went to bed, she usually does so shortly after sunset right?"
"Thou are correct. We cannot wait." The over pronounced sound of hooves moving away echoed from inside the palace, a giggle carried with it. "It seems our sister cannot either."
The remainder of their midday breakfast was uneventful, noisy but uneventful. Twilight's chewing sounding similar to a half-starved pig gorging itself on rubbish. Luna ate nothing else, simply sipping tea and watching her companion devour what food remained on the table.
“Are you ready to go?” Twilight’s voice broke Luna from her thoughtful daze, fantasies of the coming night on her mind.
“We are.”
Twilight led the way, Luna forced to shorten her steps as not to overtake her. Guards stationed in every hallway nodded as they past, princess repeated more times than Luna could bother to count.
The guards waiting outside Celestia’s study greeted Twilight and Luna with the same word again, bringing a line of irritation to Luna’s brow. Stepping inside, they found Celestia with her back to them, softly singing indiscernible words.
“We are ready sister.” Luna’s voice caught Celestia’s attention, the princess shuffling on her pillow to face them.
“Welcome, Luna, Twilight. Please, sit.” A white hoof pointed to a pair of cushions, situated close enough that their occupants would be touching. Twilight took the initiative, shifting the leftmost cushion slighting before sitting, Luna’s shoulder still brushed against Twilight’s when she joined her.
“I’ve packed bags for your journey, everything you need is inside.” Two pairs of saddlebags surrounded in gold flew up from behind Celestia, one purple, the other deep-blue.
Why are the bags so full, we’re only going a short way, Twilight wondered. Flicking open one of the flaps on hers, Twilight revealed an assortment of chocolates and berries packed between a cooling spell within. “Why is there so much food in here princess?”
Celestia smiled, waving the question away with a hoof. “You never know when you might need something to eat Twilight,” She joked. “I expect you to be back before nightfall, but if something happens don’t refrain from staying the night.”
Twilight and Luna instinctively looked to each other, the same conclusion in both pairs of eyes.
Exiting Celestia's study, their sides weighed down by saddlebags, Luna led Twilight back through the gauntlet of guards and halls, finally arriving at the dining balcony.
Casting her eyes around the balcony, Twilight found the table cleared, and a distinct lack of any transport. "Why are we here princess? I thought the carriages usually departed from the palace's front."
"Thou would be foolish to travel by carriage on such a personal task." Luna strolled to the edge of the balcony, relishing in the sickening drop below. "We will fly." Raising her saddlebags momentarily, Luna allowed her wings to escape their confinement, the night-blue beauties filling Twilight's vision.
Joining Luna at the balcony's boundary, Twilight peeked over the rail before retreating, the drop straight to cobble sickening her stomach. "Why don't we just walk?" The question evoked a soft chuckle from Luna.
"Are thou afraid of thy wings Twilight Sparkle?"
Twilight craned her neck backwards, taking a peek at her rarely used wings. "Not exactly, I've used them once or twice." Her eyes swung back to meet Luna's, a hint of fear surrounding her pupils. "I'm simply afraid of what will happen if something goes wrong."
Stepping forward, Luna brought her muzzle within touching distance of Twilight's, the two princesses breathing the same air. "If thou shall fall we will catch you. Now follow." Luna leapt from the balcony, the sound of her wings impacting the wind like sails snapping.
Still nervous, Twilight crept to the edge, hoof resting on the balcony rail. She watched with awe as Luna twirled and looped in the air, shimmering mane trailing behind.
Swallowing the ball of fear in her throat, Twilight climbed over the edge, eyes closed, allowing her instincts to take over. I just have to think of flying, that’s how it works right? Opening her eyes again, Twilight found the ground disappearing below, Luna soaring beside her. A smile spread Twilight’s lips, the warmth of pride in her belly.
"I'm flying Luna!"
The rush of air beneath her wings, streaked mane splayed around her face, legs hanging weightless. Maintaining velocity was a thoughtless action for Twilight, akin to turning the page of a book with an almost equal rush.
Luna flew beside her, giggling at Twilight's excited expressions, it was the most comfortable Twilight had seen the awkward princess. Joy creased the corners of Luna's eyes, the carefree smile on her lips sending a sensation through Twilight similar to that of flight.
They glided lazily towards their destination, Luna exercising her superior skill with twists and spins. One daring dive had Twilight fearing for the princess's safety before she pulled up just above the ground, the wind from her wings flattening the grass below.
The shady forest grew and grew until it was directly underneath them, sights of scuttling shadows through the trees hinting at the creatures inside. In the centre ruins waited for them. Broken pillars spilled in chunks of marble across the grass, holey rooves and walls sharing sights of the destruction within.
"So where do we start searching?" Twilight questioned as they landed, folding her tingling wings back into their resting place. Her gaze traced the ruin's outline, a jagged thing. The only entrance waited directly before them, a door that must have stood as tall as the golden gates of Canterlot reduced to a few metres.
"There are two places where we suspect the book may reside, my sister's old chambers, or the ancient library." Luna took a few steps forward, hooves sounding against the mix of limestone and overgrown vines underneath. "We shall begin with my sister's chambers. They require less travel and are more likely to contain the tome."
Twilight trailed Luna as she strolled towards the gaping darkness, the castle interior hidden by a curtain of vines. Horn glowing with blue, Luna brushed aside the overgrowth first, lighting the darkness inside with her magic.
"We were such a fool."
Pushing past the vines herself, Twilight found Luna stock still, head pivoting as she absorbed the sight of the walls around. Each face of marble was streaked with cracks, the hallway seeming to be made of shattered mirrors. Lighter indents lined the walls also. Hoof-sized impacts, as if someone had bucked against the walls, were dotted here and there.
Luna's lips moved, but no sound escaped, as if she were floating in space with no air to breathe. Her mouth opened and closed slowly, gulping in her surroundings, memories dancing in her eyes. Dropping her gaze, Luna scanned the floor, eyes following a stained pattern of faded crimson ovals along the limestone tiles.
"I think we should keep moving princess." Twilight gently stroked Luna's neck with a hoof, hoping to ease her shock.
"Yes, it would be best." Turning to Twilight, the corners of Luna's lips twitched in an attempted smile, her blue eyes moist. "And Twilight Sparkle, thou are not some common pony, call me Luna." Luna stepped away, the light from her horn dancing along the cracked walls on either side.
Following, Twilight felt a soft warmth inside, Luna's name bouncing around the confines of her mind. Purposely staying a pace or two behind Luna, Twilight allowed her eyes to explore the princess's body. Starting at the tip of her free moving tail, following it up to the small curve of Luna's rear. Brushing over large wings and tracing the outline of her neck before finishing at the tip of Luna's horn.
They travelled up broken stairwells and through corridors open to the late noon sun. Doorways, some blocked, others too dim to see inside, passed them, more numerous than Twilight could be bothered keeping track of.
A dizzying spiral staircase sent them high into the sky, gaps in the surrounding walls hinting at the dwindling ground below. At the top waited a destroyed room, possessions strewn across the floor.
"This is my sister's old study." Luna spoke the words as if she were mentioning the name of a long dead pony, slow and solemn, afraid to wake any ghosts.
The room had remarkably little vegetation despite its age, with only a few vines clawing at the window sills. Shaped like an octagon, sunlight seeped in from the windows carved into each wall. The floor was covered in a layer of paper, broken stone, and books with their pages fused together from rain and sun’s constant wetting and drying.
Luna stepped between the mess, hooves picking holes between it all. She stood beside what must have been the frame for a bed, the marble broken in multiple places. Beside the bed rested two halves of the same desk, split as if a headsman had separated them with his axe.
"It does not seem that what we search for is here," Luna declared, her words slow as she studied the old desk, eyes tracing its ornate decoration. On one half an alicorn inside a sun was engraved, the other depicting another alicorn, this one resting in a crescent moon's embrace.
Understanding Luna's want to leave, Twilight turned back down the stairs, setting a slow pace to allow Luna to catch her. "So it will be in the library then?"
"If it is here at all, yes." Holding her gaze to the wall, Luna peeked through the gaps as they passed, observing the destruction that lay below. "This castle is in a worse state than we remember."
They travelled down flight after flight of stairs, deep enough that the holes in the walls no longer opened to the sky, but the earth. Twilight felt herself drifting closer to Luna as the pair walked, the surrounding darkness making her thankful for Luna's light.
Eventually they came upon a balcony that opened up into darkness, the walls on either side impossible to see, what appeared to be a never ending abyss waiting below.
"We hope the lanterns still remain," Luna commented as she closed her eyes, the light on her horn pulsing with white. The laterns showed themselves slowly, like stars revealing themselves for the first time at night, rows of light stretching into the hundreds.
"Is this the library?"
Luna nodded. “Twas one of our favourite places in this old castle.” Pausing, she allowed herself to be lost in the library’s quaint beauty for a moment. Memories of many hours spent locked away in the room’s half light coming to her mind.
The cavernous array of shelves and desks had somehow avoided the destruction. Rubble scattered here and there showed signs of the ruin above ground, but all the shelves were still standing and lined with books.
Tearing her eyes away from the nostalgic view, Luna led Twilight down the stairwell to their right, multiple sets of stairs flicking back and forth until they reached the bottom. The stairs leveled out into a hallway of books, Twilight’s eyes unknowing of where to look.
Luna’s steps rung on the stone underneath, sharp, defined clicks as she walked between the shelves, eyes trailing the shelf to her left. Twilight followed the princess’s example, strolling beside Luna, watching the right shelf. “What exactly are we looking for?”
“If it is anything similar to the previous volumes, it will be…” Luna’s voice trailed off as her movement ceased. Turning to face Twilight, her face was a twist of confusion. “We think our sister has fooled us Twilight Sparkle.”
Twilight mirrored Luna’s confused features, teeth chewing her lip as she wondered what Luna was talking about. “What do you mean pri-Luna? How has the princess fooled us?” Her words came slow as she thought, the word princess feeling strange in her mouth.
“Thou does recall how we mentioned my sister had only written three volumes?” Twilight responded to Luna’s question with a nod, still trying to deduce where she was going. “Twas because she only wrote three during our lifetime, and this library was only used during our lifetime.”
So that means… Realisation sparked in Twilight’s mind and spilled from her mouth as a gasp. “So why would she send us here then?”
“We think thou knows that reason well Twilight Sparkle.”
"Uh, the princess made a mistake?" Twilight's smile was as flimsy as her faith in the statement, but the voice of her inner filly was strong, the princess would never lie.
Luna forced herself to smile, knowing her sister's intentions. "Tis clear my sister has fooled us, but she did not mean to mock us. Rather prod in the right direction." Realising the truth to her words as she spoke them, Luna nodded to punctuate the sentence, a true smile spreading her lips. Celestia set this up just for Twilight and I, just the two of us together, alone.
Stepping back from Twilight, Luna twirled on the spot, starry mane swirling around her, the excitement in her voice growing with each spin. "We are in a beautiful library, with a meal packed in our saddlebags, and it almost night. It truly is the perfect situation."
Still occupied by thought, Twilight pulled her eyes away from the distraction of the joyful princess. Well even if Celestia did lie, it was a good lie, barely even a lie at all, more like a trick. That’s right, the princess never lies, she was just pranking Luna and I by getting us together, alone with all this food.
"Would you like to have dinner with me, Luna?" A purple hoof extended towards Luna alongside Twilight's question, the words stopping Luna's giddy movement.
"We would love to, Twilight Sparkle," Luna replied cheerily, taking Twilight's hoof in hers, leading her partner between the walls of books. Twilight's joy wanting an outlet, she found herself giggling at Luna's smile. The contagious laughter spreading to Luna resulted in the pair strolling through the library, giggles echoing around them.
Reaching the centre of the room, Luna halted directly before a massive stone table. Circular in shape, the structure almost reached from wall to wall, barely room for three ponies to pass on either side. Bringing what she recalled of stallion etiquette to mind, Luna pulled one of the cobwebbed stone benches from underneath the table.
A blast of blue magic vaporised any sign of its age. "Have a seat my lady."
The food Celestia had packed was superb, an assortment of fruit, two tubs of ice cream, a slab of chocolate, Celestia had thought of everything. The tabled turned out too large for the two of them to face each other comfortably, instead they spread the plain cloth Celestia had packed over the table's surface.
Working together, Luna and Twilight arranged the everything but the ice cream in a semi-circle at one end of the white fabric, leaving the cold treat in a magically insulated bag. "What does thou want to begin with?"
Biting her lip, Twilight's eyes flicked between each container, unable to decide which colour from the rainbow of food was drawing her in the most.
Luna realised Twilight's distress while watching her eyes, purple irises darting this way and that, never stopping for more than a second. "Why don't we start with some melon?" She suggested, pointing to the juicy pink fruit.
"Yeah, melon, that's a good choice," Twilight half chuckled half spoke. Her hooves shook as she levitated a piece that Luna had cut towards her mouth, a nervous smile on her lips.
"Are thou afraid Twilight Sparkle?" Not wanting her company to be uncomfortable, Luna allowed a hoof to rest on Twilight's shoulder, drawing small circles in an attempt to ease her.
Twilight's nerves deflated at their mention, her mind realising the stupidity of it all. "Not scared, I just.... I want everything to be perfect for our first date." She pushed her lips into a smile. "I hope that doesn't sound too crazy."
"We, what is a, date?"
Knowing Luna's lack of modern knowledge, Twilight's fake grin spread into a real one, eager to explain something. "It's a step in the process of courting, the first real time alone of sorts. Usually you spend it getting to know the pony you are with."
"We think we understand, it is a process of introducing oneself. are we correct?" Twilight nodded at Luna's description, unable to speak with a bite of melon in her mouth. "We should do this properly then.”
“Greetings, I am Luna."
"Hello I’m Twilight Sparkle, nice to meet you Luna." Playing along, Twilight extended a hoof for Luna to shake. The princess instead leaned over to kiss it, eliciting giggles from Twilight.
The two shared pointless information they both already knew back and forth, enjoying the simplicity of their conversation. The pitch of Twilight's giggles grew, as did the width of Luna's grin.
"If thou would be so kind, we would like to treat thee to some fruit." Holding a bunch of grapes awkwardly between her hooves, Luna raised them above Twilight's snout, forcing her to lift her mouth to reach them.
As Twilight's lips closed in the grapes darted away. They danced a snout’s length away, daring Twilight to make another attempt. Quieting the smile on her face, Twilight turned away from the grapes briefly before pouncing back, surprising the fruit as she tore into half-a-dozen with her teeth.
Watching juice spill down Twilight's chin, listening to her playful giggles fill the air, Luna couldn't help but join the laughter herself. Enjoying the rush of teasing Twilight, Luna stored the grapes away, this time magically holding a slice of melon just out of Twilight's reach.
A playful puppy, Twilight crouched down on her hind legs, rear waggling as she eyed up her prey. Leaping, she flattened the slice’s point with one bite, the melon disappearing down her throat with a gulp. "Do you want a try?"
Eager, Luna nodded, readying her stance in preparation. Giggling at Luna's over exaggerated crouch, Twilight tossed an already peeled orange into the air.
Focus attached to the fruit, Luna leapt, jaw stretched open to catch it, straight at Twilight. Realising her fault too late, Luna unfolded her wings to slow herself, the blue feathers still tucked away as she impacted Twilight.
Hearing a high pitched muffle underneath, Luna feared the worst, her smile shrinking into tight lips. Pushing herself upward, Luna heard the sound turn to giggles.
"That really was fun Luna." Twilight lay against the stone tabletop, giggles shaking her body, mane splayed in a halo around her head.
"Thou did frighten us for a moment Twilight Sparkle." Luna joined the laughter as she helped Twilight to her hooves.
Sitting back down, Twilight pulled another slice from the melon and waved it in front of Luna's snout. "Do you want to try again?" She teased.
"We think we've had enough leaping around for one night." Luna joined Twilight on the cloth, but instead of sitting she spread her whole body out, curving her length around Twilight. The couple sat for some time, feeding each other in a much tamer way.
Luna’s mind trailed through her foggy memories of millennia old courting, one question sticking out at the next step. "If it is not too rude for us to ask, does thou love us Twilight Sparkle?"
Twilight nearly choked on the question, forcing the grape stuck in her throat down painfully. "I don't know about love Luna, but I like you, and I like spending time with you." Noticing Luna's smile disappearing, Twilight fumbled to correct herself. "It's just everyone makes love out to be some big thing, and I just don't know if I've found it yet."
Watching Twilight's eyes, Luna nodded slowly. "We think we understand Twilight Sparkle, one night of enjoyment is an instant compared to our eternal lives, thou needs more time to decide."
Glad to hear Luna's understanding, Twilight brightened her expression, the corners of her mouth lifting. "Why don't we continue this night of fun then?" She tossed a grape into the air, meaning to catch it in her mouth but finding it bouncing off her snout. How does Dash do that so easily?
Half-heartedly chuckling at Twilight’s misfortune, Luna continued to search her memories. There must be something else I can do to speed up the courting process, Luna thought, fantasies of fulfilling her lustful desires still occupying her mind. “If thou shall not tell us how thou feels, maybe thou shall accept a more, physical, form of courting?”
“What do yo-” Twilight voice transformed into a moan, her mouth blocked by Luna’s lips. First came the cold nip of shock, then a warmth overcoming it, a sensation in the movement of Luna's lips that comforted Twilight, pulled her in for more. By the time Luna tore away, the feeling had overcome Twilight’s body, leaving her wanting.
Noticing the surprise on Twilight's features, Luna smiled apologetically, holding a hoof up in her defence. "We, we apologise for our rashness Twilight Sparkle, we could not help ourself."
"No, don't be sorry." Twilight's words came slowly, her mind still focused on the feeling on Luna's lips against hers, longing for the memory to stay. "That was. I. Thank you Luna."
Surprising both herself and Luna, Twilight found instinct pushing forward, directing her clumsy lips onto Luna's, trying to replicate the princess’s technique. Twilight felt a wet muscle sneak into her mouth, Luna's tongue. It danced with her own, sharing an intimate conversation without words.
When Luna finally pulled away Twilight was panting, short of breath. Her stomach felt hot, cheeks glowing a bright crimson. Luna eyed her with a sultry look, the princess's mood seeming to shift with each kiss. "We never knew thou could be so, direct," Luna purred.
Embarrassed, Twilight pulled her gaze away from the princess, allowing it to roam the room as she thought of something to say. "Uh yeah, neither did I." Twilight felt a presence against her neck, the wet touch of Luna's kisses trailing down her body.
The wetness travelled lower, Luna's lips playing along Twilight's thighs, round to her tail. "Uh, Luna, can you slow down a little," Twilight said as she used a hoof to ease Luna's eager muzzle away as she realised Luna was intending. "I don't think I'm ready for that yet."
"Is this not the next step in the process of courting?" Luna's face was a question, her tone returning to it's normal formality.
"I guess so, but usually there's a lot more dates in between."
☾☾☾
It was a cloudless night, the moon and its children gathered to brighten the black sea above. Underneath the moonlight Luna and Twilight lay next to each other, Twilight's head resting against Luna's neck.
"This evening marks our tenth date." The word still felt strange in Luna's mouth, her adjustment from archaic dialect to the modern Equestrian one ongoing, "We should thank Celestia sometime, she has been a great help."
Twilight nodded in agreement, enjoying the feel of her muzzle against Luna, the intimate contact still exhilarating. Her eyes wandered the tower top they resided upon, everything about it pointed to its owner. The smooth marble floor covered in a pool of cushions, the short wall that circled it, also made of marble, bordered with gold and decorated with solar engravings.
Celestia had been kind enough to lend them the beautiful view, her tower the tallest point in Canterlot.
"Are you ready for the final step?" Luna's question brought old memories to the surface of Twilight's mind. Pictures of the broken Everfree castle and its wondrous library, the unfamiliar warmth she had felt inside.
That feeling had grown with each subsequent outing of theirs. A lakeside picnic, the discovery of their poor badminton skills, watching as Luna sparked a new star to life. Each moment alone with Luna fed the fire in Twilight's heart, once a small passionate flame growing to a burning bonfire over the last few months.
Lifting herself from Luna, Twilight turned to face the princess, Luna’s gaze meeting her own. She studied Luna's face, her comforting eyes, cute snout, and small but meaningful smile. Twilight’s decision was made.
She threw herself forward, suffocating Luna with her lips, intertwining their tongues, moaning into her mouth. The princess reflected Twilight's attack, working her tongue in time with Twilight's, stroking her streaked mane.
Pulling away, Twilight couldn't suppress the cheeky smile on her face. "I'm ready Luna."
Author's Note
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my story, I hope you enjoyed reading it.
Feel free to post anything you liked or hated about it in the comments section.
