A dream of daylight

Chapters

Dawning
Midnight
Morning
Noontide

Dawning

"We'll catch you later, Twi." Came the shout of her cyan-furred friend as the lavender unicorn watched the blur of rainbows taper off. The pegasus mare was already speeding off to Ponyville to catch up with her friends on the train back home.

It'd been an interesting last few days; a changling invasion and a wedding spliced into a combat scene. Twilight had to hold up a hoof to her lips to stifle a laugh. The changling queen had been no joke, neither was her incredible army, but they'd still won. She took a moment to stare up at the slightly discolored sky, night coming quick in the late hours.

"Hmm, where's Luna...?" She idly asked herself, slowly trotting away from the window and not seeing the Princess of the Night where she usually stood to raise the moon. Shrugging she dismissed the odd concern, the Sisters didn't need to be in one specific place to raise or lower their charges, so maybe she was down by the garden.

Briefly, Twilight realized she didn't need to go find Princess Luna, it was just an odd passing thought, swerving to avoid bumping herself into one of the maids of the castle she kept wandering the halls. Celestia had been so inviting and kind to ask her to stay over and see to the organizing and everything. She 'had' gotten named official group organizer of the Winter Wrap up team after all, but it still made a little smile come to her muzzle when she thought of her Princess's words.

"Twilight..." She perked her ears, turning as the voice wasn't in her head. She bowed with a stammer as the Princess had just appeared behind her, she hadn't even heard the hoofsteps. "Now what are you doing so far in the castle, my little pony?" She asked tenderly, a loving mother's smile on her face.

"Far?...uh" Taking a beat to look around the unicorn realized she was right in front of Celestia's chambers. 'how did I trot this far? I need to watch where I'm going, oh what if I had just barged in while lost in thought?!' Her mind racing as she tried to come up with an apology.

Raising a golden shoed white hoof to stop her dearest and most prized student from continuing, the Alicorn just kept up that smile of motherly affection as she began to stroll toward the large double doors, guarded by her Sun Guard stallions and emblazoned with a large Sun symbol that matched her cutie mark. "No apologies, it's quite alright. Follow me, please."

The unicorn blinked, staring after the Princess before her mind kicked her body into gear. She fell into step with the princess, visibly nervous at what she was needed for, or if she'd be punished. She nodded with a nervous smile to the guards who held the doors open and then let them shut behind the two.

As the Alicorn allowed her student to take in her chamber, a study more then a room, books lining the shelves along the walls, most looking ancient and precious, a large bed and white and gold being the dominant colors along with accents that matched the Alicorn ruler's pastel mane. She turned to her student and rested a hoof over her chin, lifting her head up "I'm not displeased with you, Twilight, though you really should watch where you are going."

The unicorn shook, trying to nod as the hoof held her head high, making her stare up at the imposing and motherly white furred Princess. The smile on the Princess's face took away a bit of the nervousness "R-right, I'm sorry, Princess. I'll be much more careful about being lost in thought..." She said, watching the larger pony nod before her chin was let go, or rather as the Alicorn brushed her hoof down the unicorn mare's neck, then proceeded to drop to the floor again.

Giving her own nod and closing her eyes as she trotted towards the back of her room, Celestia softly replied to her student "It's understandable, you've had quite a lot to do in the past few days, Twilight." She gestured and the unicorn had to almost run to catch up to the much longer legged pony's steps. "After your brother's wedding, and even before, you've been dealing with quite a lot lately. It makes me very proud of you, you've handled every challenge, even one I myself...could not." A sad look flickered on the Alicorn's face, which she hid with a smile that didn't match her eyes.

Twilight picked up on this, particularly as she was attentively listening to every word her Princess said. "No not at all Princess, please don't say things like that. You could of beaten that queen if she wasn't stealing my brother's energy." The unicorn tried to say in as comforting a way as she could, she was idly confused by the way the sad look kept up for a moment longer before it was swapped out for a look of appreciation.

"Be that as it may, my subjects count on me, all of my little ponies depend on me for strength..." The Alicorn looked thoughtful as she took a few steps, looking down at her student, the unicorn she'd taught since she was just a filly. "And I suppose...I suppose I can tell you this, since you are my most trusted student...and ....a friend as well."

Twilight Sparkle had to take a moment to soak that in, at first she felt helpless in wanting to be there for her Princess, then, as if struck by a stray lightning bolt, she blinked and stared up at the Alicorn. 'Friend?! I...she...what?!' Taking a moment to make sure she did NOT blurt those words out to her mentor and the ruler of equestria, she coughed and gave a brief nod "Uh y-yes...We are friends, I..I guess, I'll always try to be helpful to you, Princess. I mean...it's the least anypony could do." She said with another nervous smile and a bit of a blush from how very awkward she thought she sounded.

That motherly smile was back again, but it was also sad, or was it pleased? Twilight's eyes played tricks on her with the Alicorn's regal and trained expressions. Celestia nodded slowly as she leaned closer "Yes, you are my friend, Twilight, we've known each other since you were so young, I would like to think we are friends at the least." She shook her head gently.

"Um...you...You wanted to tell me something, Princess?" The unicorn asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

Another nod from the long necked and large alicorn princess. "Indeed...I trust that what I tell you will remain between us?" A very fast few nods from the lavender mare confirmed her request and she continued "With Caddie married, and my dear Sister taking over duties for the night I have found more spare time for myself after this long last thousand years....time that I have found myself.....quite lonely." The Alicorn began to pace towards the bed as she spoke, gently laying herself on it.

The unicorn was suppressing panic like a rising flood against a dam of twigs. She stared up at the regal and wonderful Princess who was also her mentor, staring back at the nervous mare. "I..I see, I can understand that, I guess..."

The Princess leaned forward, reaching out a hoof to caress over her pupil's mane, that same soft smile flickering to a hopeful one as she leaned back "I've been the Princess of Equestria for thousands of years...I can control myself, Twilight...but....even then, how do I deal with how I am feeling...who can a Princess turn to...." She didn't wait for an answer, looking into that unicorn's eyes like she was piercing right to Twilight's soul "I don't suppose it'd be...too much, if your teacher...your friend, asked for a hug?"

Twilight stared right back, almost hypnotized, those eyes were so beautiful, all of the princess was beautiful, but in a regal way, a powerful way that she always admired and was thankful for her presence as Ruler of the land. But now, she was just asking for...a hug? A princess, asking for a hug, a simple sign of affection, something she'd shared with all of her ponyville friends at least a dozen times over. It was so simple, so...why did she have this weird knot in her chest.

"It's alright..." The princess of daylight spoke with a hint of regret, turning her head "Forgive me for asking such a silly thing, you're such a bright pony, Twilight, I shouldn't keep you away from-" Her praise and speech cut abruptly, eyes wide, the Alicorn looked down at the unicorn mare, she'd rather impulsively trotted up and wrapped her hooves around the Princess's body.

Twilight Sparkle stared up at her Princess, seeing that smile grow on her face had made her own smile appear and grow, squeezing a bit tighter around her, having to lift herself up onto her back hooves to reach the right height. "Please, never say such things Princess. I'll always try to help you, even if it's with loneliness." Her voice calm, relaxed in the hooves of the princess as she felt them wrap around her and hug back. A very big dam of nervousness below her calm features, not even mentioning the flood of excitement at such a strange scene as actually hugging a Princess.

Celestia felt that nervous energy, felt the soft shivers over the Unicorn's back and sides as she leaned back "Here, dear." She said softly, pulling the startled mare up and into the bed to squeeze her close in her hooves more easily. "If it isn't too much trouble, Twilight, I would very much enjoy just a few moments with you...here...in my hooves." Her voice lowering with an undercurrent of joy, pure joy that rang in the Unicorn's ears.

The lavender pony practically felt giddiness wash away her nervous thoughts, the Princess sounded so relaxed and...Happy, not just content or poised like she did at the Grand Galloping Gala, a mask for the upper crust of Canterlot ponies, she was actually happy just from being hugged. Twilight did her best not to think about the fact she was in Princess Celestia's bed, in her arms, and how this must of been ten different kinds of new or surprising or any of that. She focused as best she could on staying in the Alicorn's arms.

Celestia chuckled at the feel of the mare nuzzling into her chest, Those vibrant white wings unfurling to curl around the unicorn, shrouding her in white and soft warmth. "You really can't understand, my little pony, it's been so long....so much time has gone by since I last found a pony I could trust...Since my sister...." She trailed off.

Twilight couldn't help but shudder, not from the feelings she had building in her, but from the voice of her teacher. She just knew Celestia...Princess Celestia, was about to cry if she kept speaking. Tilting her head to gaze up at the Sun Goddess, leaning in to offer a nuzzle of affection to her mentor as she saw the sparkling in her eyes "Please don't cry, Princess."

'Please don't cry...' the words rang in Celestia's mind a moment as she stared down, mildly surprised, perhaps even shocked that she was just nuzzled by her student. Then as she smiled, doing her utmost best to not break into tears, here, away from prying eyes of all those ponies who depended on her, including the one in her hooves. She nuzzled back.

The lavender unicorn blushed, her act of affection had been rather impulsive but perfunctory, she had never wanted anything but the best for her mentor, her teacher, the one who helped her learn about her destiny. Getting nuzzled by the Princess was more ...well, just hearing the thought in her head was absurd and romantic and all kinds of crazy at once.

Celestia nearly laughed with a strangled kind of joy as she watched the look of her student. Ranging in expression from shocked, disbelief, contemplation, then some form of acceptance as she smiled and the two began to exchange the soft shows of affection back and forth, heart melting like the summer sunlight was hitting it, a relieved sigh coming from the Alicorn as she held her most precious student...and friend.

Hooves still around the soft white torso of the big Alicorn, gently brushing across feathers as they rubbed at the wingbases of those big vibrant and wonderful wings still surrounding her. Twilight couldn't stop the tear from rolling down her cheek, feeling quite happy, ecstatic, jubilant, her mind worked on the thesaurus of her knowledge for the right word.

Noticing the tear, Celestia laid a soft kiss over the wet cheek and caused Twilight's mind to basically freeze as she stared up at her Princess. "Twilight, dear...Do you suppose it'd be alright if I...asked you to do this for me, often?" She gave another hopeful smile, slightly coercing the unicorn as she tugged her, laying down on the soft bed, hooves still around her smaller lavender body. "I won't pressure you, my little pony, I do not want to come between you and your friends..."

The unicorn again picked up on that sad smile...well, after her mind had started working again, the princess had just KISSED HER, she could practically feel her psyche bouncing off the walls with questions and worries. However, that one mentally stable part of her mind, kept calm for at least the moment. "Princess....You're my friend." She stated matter-of-factly, echoing the Alicorn's own words from earlier.

The look of genuine surprise made the unicorn giggle, Celestia noted, smiling quite wide as she embraced the unicorn tighter, closing her eyes and striving to prevent a most un-regal wingflutter of joy from coming on. "Thank you, Twilight...For everything."

The lavender mare returned the affection, hugging back, nuzzling at her friend before tilting her head in a quizzical look "But..Celestia, I should be the one thanking you." She said it so naturally, blinking as she realized she had called her Princess by name, she couldn't even think of a correction before the Alicorn answered.

And her answer was also quite unexpected, soft and tender lips pressing to the unicorn's as the white princess held her close, eyes closed and an expression that again told Twilight she was on the verge of tears. The kiss wasn't strange or uncomfortable, it was simply their lips touching, still it made the unicorn's mind fray with worry and nervousness and about two thousand other thoughts.

Her own eyes fluttering as they stared into the closed pair, that near blissful yet pained expression on her friend and teacher's face was almost too much to bear. The kiss kept drawing her in, eyes wanting to close, to just let it happen. She held on as Celestia leaned over her, the soft bed at the unicorn's back as those white hooves kept her cuddled close, the Alicorn now ontop of the mare.

A soft pop of air as their lips separated, the princess of sunlight staring down at her friend, a rather loving smile on her face. "You never cease to amaze me, Twilight Sparkle, so many things you’ve accomplished, and so young? I cannot help but ... well, perhaps this is wrong...too sudden, but I want to stay close to you...Twilight..." She leaned in, resting with the unicorn on the bed, a soft pulse of magic dragged the covers over the two.

"Pri..Celestia, it is sudden...I-I don't even know where to start...but if this makes you happy....if I can make you happy...then." She stared at that gentle and loving face the Princess had , her eyes searching for something, doubt or plication or something.

"I have lived for thousands of years, Twilight...I know what my heart wants, but that isn't what is important..."

Such a powerful statement, at least, to the unicorn, it almost made her choke up as she squeezed the large alicorn in a hug again. "Celestia...w-would you be my special somepony?"

Midnight

The moonlight shining like silvery strands of silk through the window was as still as the rest of the room. Princess Luna, dark blue coat and mane of stars and endless sky, billowing in it's own magical tempo, sat on her bed, eyes closed in what one could assume was meditation.

The Night Princess' horn was aglow, the moon was high and where it belonged at this time of Her night. Night Court -where the ponies would take their nocturnal squabbles or requests or petitions- had not begun just yet, and so she had a few moments to stretch her magic, seeking out restless dreams to calm any ponies nearby.

She idly wondered just how many nightmares she had quelled within her own castle walls, maids and guards dreaming of terrors or of frustrations made real in their minds, and only stopped at the hoof of their Princess of the Night. The thought brought a slight giggle to her, she did enjoy feeling 'needed', as did everypony of course.

It was this thought that brought the Moon Goddess and her magic to bear on a very familiar presence, her own sister. Curious and feeling playful, Princess Luna began to peek into her sister's dreams.

At first, the landscape surprised the blue Alicorn, a large field of flowers that resembled tiny six sided stars, lavender rows of it mingling with sunflowers, entwining with them. Her image slowly waded past the garden and spied on a most interesting sight.

The Sun Goddess, in all her splendor of white feathers and coat, regal and poised, was showering a very familiar lavender unicorn in kisses. Vaguely intrigued and highly amused by her Sister's behavior, Luna moved closer to eavesdrop.

"Oh Yes, yes, yes!" The Sun Goddess exclaimed quietly but with so much joy it almost made her voice as bright as the sunlight streaming down from the dreamworld's sky. (did it ever stay dark in a Sun Goddess' dreams?)

"You actually asked me." She coo'd to the blissed out Twilight Sparkle, laying in the bed of flowers, the white alicorn kissing her and fawning over her in a most un-regal way. The scene fading in a mist as the Alicorn of Night opened her eyes back in her room.

Horn aglow she exited her room, Night Guards looking at her curiously before she held a hoof, not requiring their escort. Their concern placated, she cantered down the cold and silent halls.

Past the library, she spotted movement, smiling as she noted the two crescents shrouded in mist that was the cutie mark of the Canterlot Royal librarian. "Mist, attend us."

At the voice of Princess Luna, Misty Haze, or Mist as she liked to be called, quickly stood and then bowed before her Princess of the Night. The unicorn was a very dark shade of blue, dull almost, like the color of a faded sky. "Yes, my Princess. May I do anything for you?"

Smiling at the tone of the pony, she nodded and gestured at the library "Indeed, I wouldst request you find a book that I might find relaxing, I have a suspicion I willst be needing it." She paused a beat to make it seem like an after thought before the regal blue alicorn continued "Also, dost thou know where my Sister is?"

The unicorn nodded, her features almost fading into the gloom of the dark library as she mentally was flipping through her shelves for something to entertain the Princess. At the question, she gave a quizzical look before banishing the expression "Your sister? Princess Celestia is most likely asleep, my Princess, do you need to ...send for her? I can go request that she meet you, if you wish"

The pony's tone was so hard to read, the Princess of the Night shook her head and smiled to the unicorn "No need, I shall go and find her myself. I wish to speaketh with her of something. Thank you for your service." And with that the Princess turned and was off, leaving the unicorn to frown slightly before turning and arranging her shelves, searching for something to entertain her Princess while she attended Night Court or after.

Hoofsteps hurrying, knowing she would do well not to be late to her own Court and throne, the blue alicorn stepped up to the Sun Goddess' double doors. Unlike hers, which were emblazoned with two crescent moons, this was one unified sun, the two halves meeting in the middle of the door. The Sun Guard stallions gave a salute at the sight of the Night Princess.

"Princess, is everything alright?" One guard asked in his gruff voice, to which the princess nodded and gestured to the doors. They nodded and opened them slowly, Luna striding in to her sister's familiar study-esk bedroom. She walked past the columns, shelves of books and stared at exactly what she was expecting to see.

On the bed, sheets emblazoned with the Sun Goddess' cutiemark, lay cuddled a large white allicorn with wings and hooves wrapped around one Twilight Sparkle. Staring with mild suspicion, the alicorn used a brief pulse of magic to nudge the unicorn. Her lavender coat twitching as she blinked.

Eyes focusing, at first on the beautiful and lovely sight of that white furred muzzle and pastel main, billowing like it was it was empowered with the Solar Winds themselves. Then, she turned to notice the blue Princess of the Night.

A Silver shoed hoof held up to her lips to tell the unicorn -who's eyes had gone quite wide- to be quiet for now. Watching the comparatively small pony disentangle from the happily dreaming alicorn, the two slowly left the room.

The guards made it quite a point to stare straight ahead as the door opened and out came the unicorn who had not left for quite some time, not meeting the eyes of their dark Princess or the Protege of Magic's Element itself.

Once the two were far enough from the guards, the unicorn looking nervous as a night owl in a spotlight, the Princess nodded to her "I take it mine sister has offered thou some form of a relationship?" She asked evenly, looking down at the mare who -with help- had freed her from a Nightmare.

Shaking her head, which caused the blue alicorn to raise a brow, the lavender unicorn replied "Actually, Princess, I was kinda..sort of...well I asked the question first..." She blushed and could only stare as the Princess of Moonlight just laughed.

"Hah, oh little Twilight Sparkle, no doubt Tia had done a bit of coercing beforehoof? Do you mean to say thou, after several days of repairs and work, came up to mine sister and, rather spontaneously, admitted that thou hast fallen in love with her?" She asked in a half amused and half stern tone.

The unicorn shook her head "It's not like that Princess Luna, please, believe me. I do love Celestia" The alicorn's face grew slightly more stern at the use of her sister's name without honorific but she said nothing. "I don't know if this will work but...can we at least talk about it? It feels wrong to be discussing this while Cel...er, Princess Celestia is asleep."

Slowly nodding to the point, though she did very much wish to counter it, the Princess of the Night began to turn from the lavender pony "True enough, we shall discuss this together, alongside mine sister, and will make sure to clear up every detail." Wings flared a bit in one of those very regal and stoic poses, the princess began to leave "I must attend to the petitioners for Night Court, such is the Duty of the princess of the night. You will be going...?"

The unicorn blushed and nodded, giving another bow "I...will be going back to sleep." She answered, leaving out exactly where she was going, as not even the unicorn herself knew.

Choosing to let that thought go herself, the blue alicorn trotted off with her graceful regal steps. Entering the throne-like room that she conducted her court sessions in she smiled at the sight of a familiar dark blue unicorn. "Is this acceptable, my Princess?" She asked, her voice a drone.

Again the alicorn couldn't make out if she was bored, tired or something more. Looking down at the book that was floated to her with the dark blue glow, switched to a more night blue once Luna's own horn began to pulse with magic. She read the title of the cover. To Love the Night A poet's contemplation on Luna's Night, and all it's beauty.

Smiling wide at such an adorable and suitable book she nodded to the unicorn "Tis exactly what I had wished to see. You have my thanks, Mist." The alicorn watched her smile, a thankful smile, like somepony had just spared her life, again this confused the alicorn, this pony was the only one the Princess could never understand.

Shrugging and happy for the moment, letting thoughts of her sister and what may come later fall away, the Princess of the Night nodded to her Herald and Night Court would soon begin.

Morning

Twilight thought about entering Celestia's chambers again for quite a while, her thoughts roaming from panicked to depressed. 'Princess Celestia might wonder why I'm not there...or if I decided to leave...but I don't want to make Princess Luna upset either...'

She paced the halls, blushing and muttering to herself, almost not realizing she had come quite close to bumping into the oncoming unicorn. Dark blue coat looking shadowy in the moonlight, Misty Haze smiled softly in what must of been an apologetic way. "Pardon, I'll get out of your way."

Twilight merely blinked, broken from her thoughts as she watched the somewhat happy looking unicorn side-step then kept trotting past her, towards the east end of the castle. "Huh...That pony looks awfully familiar..." She shook her head and got back to pondering.

Not a minute later she was politely asking the guards to admit her back into Celestia's study, they did -not asking a word of course- and she let her eyes adjust to the low light, room illuminated by nothing but moonlight coming in. Slowly Twilight trotted up to the bed of the princess, her regal and large form still laying there, more or less how the unicorn had left her.

Nervousness formed in her mind, not to mention hesitation and anxiety and outright shame at the self indulgent thing she wanted to do. However, her mind countered, she got herself into this mess, regardless of whether or not the princess was coercing and coaxing the right answers from her. 'I want this...' She heard her mind state, it was almost a shock, the loud and clear words coming to her head in the deep quiet of the room.

Slowly, carefully, the unicorn nestled herself back close to Celestia, those white long arms almost instantly reaching out to hug her. She listened to the princess breathing deeply, the sound like music to her heart. Gently arching to press herself into the embrace of the dreaming Sun Goddess, Twilight Sparkle began to drift off too, smiling all the while.

While the duty of Night Court was somewhat tedious, Princess Luna, residing on her regal throne and flanked by her trusty Night Guards, listened to each petitioner with a regal poise that no other could possibly pull off. The mere thought of one of the Canterlot Nobility nodding off from sheer boredom as they listened to the thirtieth pony pleading a case of wrong doing and over dramatized crimes, threatened to make the Night Goddess start laughing.

It was the pause at her smile that made the young business pony stop his speech of why the merchant, opposite him, should pay for doing business across the way. Realizing he'd stopped, the Princess of the Night cleared her throat softly and raised a hoof "Thou hast made quite a tale weaved around thy loss of business. However, Canterlot laws state that so long as the merchant is not encroaching on thy property, and indeed has not made any slanderous or accusatory ploys against thy shop, I must dismiss the request that he be forced to move."

The expected looks of triumph and disappointment from the merchant and business pony, respectively, came and went as they bowed and left. Sighing with a smirk, the Night Guard to her right announced "That was the last of the petitioners for tonight, Princess." To which the blue alicorn left her throne and stretched, beginning to walk off toward her chambers with as much poise as a tired princess with a sore rump could manage. Night guards following at her side, the herald and two scribes having taken all official paperwork and already sending it to the Night Goddess' chambers or office to be filled out so her edicts and proclaiments can be made more 'official'.

Sighing, magic pulsing to keep a book floating before her, given to her by one trusty unicorn, the princess read lines from the old romantic poetry silently. Smiling softly as she mentally reminded herself to thank that unicorn librarian.

At last, at her chamber, she dismissed her escort of guards and entered. Blue flamed candles lit themselves as she picked up a quill in her magical grasp and began to write and answer the papers on her desk. She thought and pondered not only on the poetic works, the misgivings of the night petitioners, but also and mainly, on a particular lavender unicorn.

"Twilight Sparkle...what goes on inside of thy heart..." She idly wondered out loud, not bothering to check if the unicorn had gone to her own room to sleep, it would be addressed later, eventually.

On into the night and morning the Princess of moon and stars worked for her kingdom and gave her sister's marefriend much thought as the moon waxed low and the time would soon come where she would need to dismiss the dark skies for the new day to take it's place.

Eyes lifting slowly, Mane billowing gently without a care for how her head turned, Celestia stared down at the unicorn in her hooves. A small smile blooming on her face like the blossoms that opened to bathe in her sunlight. Leaning in to nuzzle at Twilight's mane and simply take in the warm sensations that made her heart dance.

After a few moments, when her mind began to focus, the nuzzle stopped as she blinked, smelling a familiar scent on her little unicorn. A scent of...Moonflowers. The white alicorn stared down at her little student, realizing slowly that she hadn't been in the same position as when she fell asleep, she must of met with her sister.

A stirring against her chest brought the Sun Goddess out of her thoughts, watching Twilight nuzzle and press to her chest. She could not help but smile more brightly and lovingly as her hooves wrapped around the unicorn a bit tighter, holding her close.

She lost all track of time, too happy with the unicorn in her arms, even as she began to form calculating and decisive thoughts and retorts on why she had chosen Twilight. Her sister was honest and fair, but young...oh, how Celestia dreaded a confrontation with her sister over this matter. 'As if this'd be the first time...' whispered a knowing part of her mind, which promptly quieted itself as she took note of the dimming moonlight, the giant pearl of the sky hung low, the hours late into the morning.

Again the unicorn in her arms stirred and this time, she glanced to see the pony of her affections looking back up at her. "I...I hope it's alright that I...stayed here, in your arms, princess." The pony apologized, despite the fact Celestia herself had requested this.

Smiling and leaning in to softly kiss Twilight's horn -enjoying the shiver and slight gasp it elicited-, Celestia replied softly to the adorable unicorn in her arms. "No need to ask forgiveness, especially when this is something I wanted. Unfortunately, it's growing early...I will need to raise the sun, Twilight..."

Watching her friend and...marefriend? Another discussion for later, sooner then she liked, the pony nodded and began to disentangle herself from the alicorn as she must have done hours ago. Slipping out of the covers and standing, catching a longing gaze from Twilight that made Celestia smile even more, she made her way out onto her balcony window.

A look to her left greeted her with the sight of her sister, also out on her balcony, the Castle shaped in such a splendid show of duality, and it was with twin pulses of magic that moon sank to allow the sun to rise. Morning rays of gold and red slowly soaking the landscape.

Watching Luna give one of those looks before disappearing back into her room, looking tired as usual, the Sun Goddess also entered to find Twilight Sparkle there, waiting with an unsure look on her face. "Is everything alright, Twilight?"

The question must of startled her, she stepped back and before she could make up an excuse, she nodded. "Yes ...Celestia, um, Princess Luna and I...well, she wanted to talk to me, I ..sort of suggested we should all talk, about..."

A brief smile crossed the slightly vexed features Celestia had grown, she knew it, but was quite pleased that her dear Twilight had the courage to admit it. Hoofsteps echoing in the quiet room as golden rays filtered in from the windows, she leaned down to brush affectionately against the unicorn. "Thank you for telling me...now, lets get ready, Luna's likely quite tired from her work."

Watching the lavender unicorn give a perplexed look as she was likely expecting punishment for setting up such a...discussion, without the express permission of her ruler and marefriend, well, Celestia did not wish to hold this up any longer, and it wasn't dear Twilight's fault to begin with. Off they went, down the halls and towards the studies and offices the Sisters enjoyed using when not busied with the chores running a land brought.

Rather then a cramped office however, the Sister of Sunlight greeted her Sister of Moonlight in what amounted to an oversized dining room. Too small to be called a dining hall with only one table sized for eight or so, large, to compensate for the alicorn's height. Alongside this were a sparkling chandelier like many that hung in the more decorative portions of the castle and chefs along with their staff stood nearby with carts for whatever the Princesses may want.

Luna sat, nibbling on what might of been a blackberry muffin, Night Guards nearby, standing stoically for her, they also looked rather tired. Twilight gave a bow to the Princess of the Night after a second's hesitation and deliberating if it'd be rude not to. Luna gave a nod in greeting.

"I believe I will have a simple salad for this morning." Celestia said gently to one of the kitchen staff, he nodded and wheeled up a cart, placing the bowl for the princess after she took her seat, Twilight at her side. "Did you want anything, dear?"

At the question Twilight simply shook her head, satisfied with that, Celestia bid the kitchen staff to leave them to enjoy their meals. Being courteous and polite as she also asked the guards to wait outside. The two Night Guards looked a bit skeptical and maybe concerned but followed orders immediately when Luna gave them a little nod.

"So...Dear sister, shall we commence our conversation now?" Luna asked, giving a small smile as her eyes showed only calculating and stern thoughts.

Closing her eyes to not look at the blue alicorn, a motion that seemed to agitate Luna a bit, Celestia spoke softly and calmly to her sister "Which conversation, specifically, Luna? I would like to be as clear as I can be, and remember that Twilight isn't aware of everything."

The alicorns ignored the confused and helpless look of the silent unicorn as Luna grimaced "Very well, sister, then I shant mention Wisteria or any other such tragedies. Do not think that those events have gone by without wounding mine heart as well." The white alicorn gave her a sad look and with that Luna continued " I asked for a discussion to ascertain what your motives are, and to what ends Twilight agreed. I know she is a most dependable and stalwart pony, even helping me not long ago, tis more personal then that."

Celestia gave her sister another sad but even look, raising a hoof to Twilight's lips to stop the outburst before she got a word off "One moment, dear." She said, the questioning gaze nodded more out of trust for her ruler then understanding. "First of all, Luna, as you might of guessed, yes, I led my dear Twilight in, I asked her to comfort me...however that was the extent, I put my feelings for her out there... I watched her grow to be such a splendid pony, I was as surprised as you when I was asked to be her mare...This brings me to a question, Lu-Lu. How did you find out I had been with her?"

As Luna took a moment to look bashful, perhaps apologetic, Twilight leaned in to the hoof still on her mouth, nuzzling against her wonderful princess, Celestia chuckled. "I admit, twas during a moment of dream diving, I happen to...stumble upon thee..." The sisters shared a knowing little look that promised of playful revenge for Luna's snooping in the larger alicorn's dreams.

"I see...well, I suppose then, you saw quite...a lot." Both the sisters blushed, but it was Luna's curious and perhaps troubled expression that made Celestia chuckle, grabbing her unicorn marefriend and holding her close. The student turned suitor squeaked with joy and panic. "I know you mean well, Luna, but I do care for Twilight, she would not agree to be with me for power or wealth or favors." Her gaze was now locked on the young yet mature Twilight's.

"Never. I will never do anything like that. I never want to hurt you, Princess." She answered, blushing at the scrutinizing gaze Luna gave, the alicorn of night rose and strode closer, eyeing her then staring up into her sister's eyes. On impulse, the unicorn buried her head in the white furred chest.

The two sisters kept their eyes locked on one another, occasionally flicking down to the unicorn who could feel the tension, almost bringing her to tears. "Very well, if thou art sure of this path. I warn you, Twilight Sparkle, thy character is not the only one that matters. Many ponies may vie for thy affections, to acquire tokens and favors or to blackmail or humiliate my sister."

Luna's cold voice cut through Twilight, she lifted her head, a tear running down her cheek "Wha.. what kind of ponies would do that? Why?" The sad and perhaps even pitiful look the sisters gave Twilight left her feeling more like a foal.

"It wouldst not even be the fiftieth time that I knowest of, Ponyville is quite tame in it's happenings, despite the dangers of the world, yet there art many whom secretly harbor feelings of disgust or perhaps envy or greed towards us all across Equestria. Many seek to make political spectacles of us, so that their agendas may be reached." The Sun Goddess nodded while a hoof stroked over Twilight's mane comfortingly.

A soft 'oh' was all that came from the unicorn as Celestia held her and kept comfortingly stroking over her. Looking down, a thought came to Celestia's mind as she looked to her sister again and smiled. The look caught Luna off guard. "Twilight, my dear little pony. My marefriend, will you always be there to comfort me, the way I am doing for you?"

Luna's eyes were serious in their gaze, the unicorn didn't hesitate as she stared up at the alicorn of light. "Yes. Always...as often as I can be, I want to be here for you Celestia." Her tear filled eyes were so heartfelt, it even made Luna blink in contemplation.

A genuinely happy smile on the white alicorn's face met Twilight's gaze before she leaned in, kissing the unicorn deeply as she held her. The reciprocation just filled her heart with more joy. Luna shook her head with a little smile as she slowly stepped away "I worry for thee, sister...Still I am happy for thee." And with that, the tired Night Princess left towards her chamber, Night Guard joining to escort the alicorn to her bed for some well deserved sleep.

Author's Note

[I appreciate every comment, also thank you for letting me know the works felt rushed. I had to agree after reading them again. I do hope this one is better. I'm trying very hard to improve ^^;; more feedback is always appreciated of course]

Noontide

The shock was always there, every time it happened it made her eyes fill with stars resembling her cutiemark. Twilight basked in the kiss, slightly embarrassed at the forwardness of her princess, let alone having it happen in front of Luna. She had to assume the sisters were more adventurous and open then most any pony, likely due to their age.

The unicorn could barely think as her eyes fluttered open and closed as the kiss persisted, sighing or moaning as she pressed into her Sun Goddess. As the meeting of their lips broke and she lifted the lids of her eyes and looked beyond her eyelashes at the smiling and pastel framed face of her monarch, she returned the smile, head foggy and filled with love as bright as the sunlight streaming into the dining room.

"Dear...are you sure you do not wish to have some?" Said the light alicorn, making Twilight blink and briefly become confused in her intoxicated state- drunk on love, some might say. She recalled her stomach had growled as she'd had not a thing to eat, and then saw the gold slippered hoof gesturing to the large bowl of salad.

"Ah...r-right..um, I don't want to impose, princess." She said bashfully, smiling. It was at the playfully stern face of her marefriend that she nodded "I mean..yes, of course...thank you very much for the offer...Celestia." Just as bashfully as her blushing cheeks implied, she offered a thank you nuzzle and ate a few delicious greens.

The dish did not last long, a servant clearing the bowl and offering the chef's thanks, grateful for getting to cook for a monarch, as usual. The two ponies left, Celestia's white flanks swaying, strong wings held close and comfortably against her withers. Twilight looked up at the example of perfection and beauty that she trotted alongside.

Before she could ask her wonderful princess where exactly they were going, the princess led Twilight into a large bath, though Oasis was a better word for the room. The lavender unicorn stared at a dual fountain of pearl and onyx, representing Princess Celestia and Luna, respectively, holding symbols of their astral charges, water pouring from the Sun and Moon carvings into the pool.

"Wow..." was all she could say, then an "Eep!" came from the unicorn as her princess bumped her flank with her own. Nearly stumbling, she steadied herself and followed, flustered, nearly missing the two blonde and white maned earth mares that came in, readying towels and shampoo bottles and such for the princess of daylight to use for her morning bath. "Um, did you..."

A nod answered the unicorn's question alongside that same beaming smile, pastel mane flowing without a care. Golden slippers taken off, one hoof after the other Twilight watched her Goddess step into the pool, submerging into the waters. She blushed and tried not to stare as she slowly followed suit.

The two earth mares presented what must of been the usual scents and washes and such that the princess enjoyed, cut off from attending her as a hoof raised up from the waters "You may take a break, thank you for your services." The alicorn said, smiling. The two ponies looked at each other, then to Twilight before they nodded and bowed, taking their leave.

"Um, can I...w-would it be okay if I...helped?" She asked timidly, the unicorn staring up at that gentle smile as the alicorn unfurled a wing. It came down and brushed over her head and neck, making the unicorn practically purr. Smiling and invigorated at her marefriend's encouragement, she waded over to taking some brushes.

Gently passing them over her coat when not letting some sweet scented shampoos flow over the alabaster coat, Twilight kept stroking the brush in her hoof against the soft yet strong body of her princess. Horn occasionally pulsing when she needed to float the bottles over or such. She listened to the happy sounds coming from her love and each sound was like heavenly music to her perked ears.

Wings lifted up at a nudge from the unicorn, working the brushes along the wingbases, making the alicorn of light coo and gasp softly. Her smile wide as Twilight kept brushing gently, trying like tartarus to keep her eagerness in check as she reached up to start massaging those wings.

A bright laugh and gasps of delight came from the alicorn as she couldn't help but be tickled by the brushes at her wings. Twilight watched as Celestia squirmed a bit under her touch, filled with a kind of joy and fulfillment as she leaned in, kissing at the wings before scrubbing them with soft gentle strokes.

"Ah, T-Twilight, haha..." the alicorn gasped and twitched, wings kept held up in her happy excitement from the intimate cleaning and preening. She gasped again at the sight of two other brushes lifted in a dull pink cloud of magic and then laughed more as they tenderly assaulted her other wing.

"Mmm, did you want me to stop, Princess?" Twilight asked, smiling softly even as the two brushes held in her magical grasp raised up to tease at Celestia's wingtips, making her jump and twitch in a way that made Twilight smile all the more.

"Ah, ah, hehe, n-no..not in the le-least...though I do have royal ahn- duties to attend to..." The princess said, through laughs and gasps at the delightful torture her marefriend was putting her through. A sigh of disappointment and relief came as the brushes relented in their attack.

Twilight smiled, blushing bright at the realization of what exactly she'd been doing, bowing her head for a moment as she moved on, the princess practically sparkling from how well groomed and clean she was. "Sorry about that, Celestia, I don't know what came over me." The unicorn apologized, putting the brushes away on small wooden shelves nearby, along with the shampoos.

She sighed and smiled, following the alicorn as she grabbed a few towels, gently working the princess dry. An idle thought crossing Twilight's mind, something along the lines of twin moons in the middle of the day... the unicorn wrenched her eyes to the side and bowed her head briefly to hide the hot blush. "T-thank you for letting me...for having me with you."

Turning around -thankfully- to look at the slightly damp lavender unicorn, Twilight felt her chin lifted by the soft yet powerful hoof, stare into those lovely eyes and pressed herself up into the kiss she felt at her lips. Another moan coming from her throat as the two stood, Celestia's head bowed to bring herself close enough to the unicorn.

It felt like another hour had passed by when those perfect lips left hers, Twilight's eyes lidded as she stared up at the wonderful, beautiful mare she had the privilege of being with. "Princess...I love you..." She said, voice soft, blissful. The smile on her marefriend's muzzle just grew.

"And I love you, Twilight. Now come along."

Eyes heavy, last book sorted and her azure magic slipping free of it, Misty Haze began to leave the library. Finally done sorting, preparing and assisting those few guards or visitors who requested books or such from the royal Canterlot library.

The shadowy blue unicorn blinked, not even getting a yawn out as she laid eyes on the bright alicorn of light and the unicorn she'd nearly bumped into last night. A low bow was how she greeted the princess of course.

"Is there something I can do for you, princess?" Asked the quiet pony, getting that strange warm smile that the princess of light always seemed to have. The librarian briefly switched focus to the unicorn.

"No, we are merely passing by. Have a nice rest, dear." The princess said, continuing down the hall and towards the throne. With a nod, the blue unicorn began to head to her room, down toward the halls for the staff for some well earned sleep.

Arriving at Celestia's throne was much like arriving at a business meeting for Twilight, guards stood stoically lining the walls while many Canterlot citizens waited in lines and bickered about money, sleights, prices, and so much more.

As soon as those majestic wings and flowing pastel mane were spotted the large group of petitioners silenced themselves and bowed. Seated at her throne, guards and her loving unicorn at her side, the princess started hearing every claim and doing away with them in the same motherly voice, no glare dared stay on a pony's face when met with the more imposing and taller alicorn.

The time flew by, Court closing for the day, as the many ponies attending were much more formal, curt, perhaps even cautious with their disputes. The princess of daylight commanding a hint more respect from the many citizens, mainly out of instinct.

The alicorn stepped down from her throne as the room was cleared of all but the two guards by the door and a scribe. "Please take any of the later notices to my study, Daybreak." she asked of the strapping unicorn, golden locks on white coat and a few clipboards hovering in his bright magical hold.

"As you wish, princess. Just call me if you need anything else" He said crisply and with a smile that was returned by his ruler. Trotting away with the scrolls in tow.

The two left the room, at an easy pace, down hallways with the few guards bowing to their ruler, always taking note of the lavender student who trotted in her wake. "Twilight, I believe there are some other matters we must attend to, I'd love if you accompanied me."

Her voice was so soothing but the bright unicorn caught on to the hint of tenseness. "Of course, Celestia. Where to?"

"Luna will be dealing with the gryphons to the north, I would like you to accompany me to the south, we have dragons to deal with." The white alicorn explained, a small smile on her face at the sight of her love's stunned expression.

Author's Note

Apologies for the long wait, many things got in the way. Will try to post the next this week.
Also be sure to check out Eclipse's To love the Moon, if you have not already ^^