Equestrian Diplomacy

After several more long and lengthy meetings with her ponies, Celestia finally finished all her appointments for today. She loathed them for the most part, as they were the least enjoyable thing about being a pony-princess. Still it beat the alternative. About 500 years ago she had tried letting the political matters handle themselves, as an experiment in ruler-ship. Without Luna to help oversee things, the court was just getting just to tedious for one pony to manage on her own. She carefully crafted a counsel, handpicked leaders, groomed her institutional supervisors to her satisfaction. It seamed like it would go so well at the time. All Celestia would have to do was raise the sun for her ponys and then eat cake all day! Wonderful cake! She couldn't have been more wrong. Sadly, her little pony's were just to selfish and short sighted to run the country smoothly on there own. If she hadn't intervened, all of Equestria would have been dived into numerous territory's competing for land and resources. In other words, war and chaos. Discord could barely have done a better job himself.

Royal duties done, Celestia turned her attention to another urgent matter of state. The royal bubble bath. Few pony's knew, but after Celestia had finished all her daily meetings one of her oldest rituals was to wash herself in her luxurious royal bath chambers. It wasn't so much for hygiene. One could hardly argue that Celestia's dutys were dirty. No, infact, had Celestia desired she could cast a spell that would prevent any dirt or odor from sticking to her coat. On some rare and important occasions she even had. However, if she  did that all the time then she would have no excuse to indulge herself in the royal suds. She did so love her suds. She walked in through the large double doors. Inside was a white, pink, and gold themed monument to cleanliness. Celestia was not one for extravagance but her bath chambers and chariots were the exceptions. She reached out with her magic and turned on the hot water. The water poured down her back drenching her coat and ethereal main. She let out a satisfied sigh as she used her magic to reach out for a bottle of extremely expensive shampoo. This particular variety was made from a flower that bloomed in the southern jungles once every thirty years. It was one of her favorites and she kept an ample supply. After some modest application and rinsing Celestia was thoroughly clean and pristine, or atleast slightly more pristine than usual.

Using a spell to quickly dry herself, Celestia opened the doors and exited her bath chambers. As she walked past her guards she saw there nostrils flair, and as soon they thought she wasn't looking they turned to look at each other. Each gave the other a smile and glanced back at Celestia, one looked as though he was about to drool a little with ecstasy at the wonderful fragrance. Celestia smiled, she loved it when they did that. Colts were so silly. I suppose I should go check on dinner. I wonder what kinda of cake were having this evening? She thought bemusingly. With the temptation of cake to great to overcome, Celestia began her trek to the royal kitchens. As she walked by guests and servants scuddled out of her way or tried to keep themselves busy while avoiding her gaze. Some times it was lonely to be a princess. She was almost at the end of the hall leading to the kitchen when she heard the loud crash of pots and pans coming from behind the kitchens two swinging doors. "Hey be carefull! The princess's have guests tonight and we have to get this ready  Dilligence!" Grunted the voice Celestia's most skilled and beloved chef Iron Ladel. Celestia poked her head through. She saw a team of five ponies working dutifully cutting vegetables, preparing kettles of piping hot liquid, and frosting a certain tower of delectable perfection that Celestia would personally lead a great siege upon.

"How are things going Master Chef," Celestia smiled as she complimented Iron Ladel. "Splendidly your majesty, things will be ready soon," he replied giving Celestia and annoyed but respectful look. "Excellent, I'll just let you continue then." Iron ladel nodded and gave a little bow as he turned back to his courses. Celestia knew how grumpy her chef could be while preparing a meal and it was really best not to disturb him when he was cooking. His cakes though, were some of the best in Equestria and she simply couldn't resist taking a gander at his latest creation. Her anticipation of the chocolate tower of delectable-ness made her mouth water slightly.

"I guess I had better go wake up Lulu," Celestia said quietly to herself. As she walked through the halls leading to her sisters tower, she turned her head back and forth to glance and admire all the different pieces of art. Something Celestia and her sister both had in common was there love for art. For the greater part of the past millennium this entire wing of the castle had been empty, but Luna had spared no effort in building up her collection in the short span of her return. Most of Luna's original pieces had been lost centuries ago after there falling out, so Celestia had a significant lead. Luna, however, was determined to catch up and had some unique and very modern looking paintings. One depicted a cubist style pony that Celestia cringed at a little as she walked by. Perhaps Luna is striving just a little too hard to be modern? Oh well.Celestia mused to herself and smiled as she approached the door to her sisters room. The two lunar guards gave a bow and a "Your Majestie," as she aproached. Celestia nodded and half-smiled at them. She knocked on the door. There was a rustling and some sort of murmering. "Lulu?" She said and knocked again gently. She decided she would poke her head in to check on her sister. She saw Luna asleep in her bead tucked in under her covers, a toy sock with two button eyes half falling over the edge of her bed. "No Mr. Long stocking you drank all of the ginger-ale and now its all gone," Luna was sleep talking...to her toy socks. Celestia barely stifled her chortle. She approached her sister. Celestia tapped Luna's shoulder with her hoof. "Luna, Luna wake up," Celestia said gently. At this one of Luna's eyes began to open and as she tried to focus on whatever entity was foolish enough to interrupt her sleep. "Gaauugh-Tia?" She yawned. "Is everything alright?" She muttered in her freshly woken haze. "Fine Sister, just fine. I'm having dinner this evening with some guests and wanted to know if you would care to join us?" Said Celestia to her sloth-like younger sibling. At this Luna's eyes and muzzle twitched a little. "Alright..just give me a few more minutes Tia," said Luna as she turned and re-adjusted her blankets. She also discreetly pulled her sock friend under the covers hiding her treasure from her sisters gaze. "Oh good, dinner will be ready soon. The Chef made choclate cake Lulu." Celestia said, causing her sister to open the other eye slightly wider. Then Celestia turned around and left her sister to get ready, closing the door behind her with her magic.

Celestia decided she would go down to the dinning hall next to see how the place settings looked. She always loved to examine the table just before dinner and watch the servants work to make it perfect. By now this set of servants were quite seasoned in the art of making her table. Each napkin was folded into an elegant blossom. No fork, knife, spoon, or plate was out of place. It was the model of elegance, just like herself. Some times it was good to be a Princess. Lovely my little ponys, just lovelyshe thought to herself. It always made her glad to see the length her subjects would go to please her, not that she was any sort of tyrant mind you but she rarely needed to express herself more than once for her wishes to be carried out. At this point Dinner would be ready soon, and Celestia could taste the aroma of leak-garlic rose petal soup in the air as well as the unusual smell of roasted fish being prepared for her Griffon guests. It was not uncommon for fish to be served in the castle, though few Chefs had the skill or the stomach to prepare meat of any kind. However, diplomacy with the Griffon Dominion being what it was, it was and had been a prerequisite for the palace Chef to be able to prepare and serve fish. Iron Ladle, Celestia's palace Chef, was probably the most skilled fish-cook in the entire nation. Over the years and unknown to any of her subjects Celestia had actually acquired a taste for fish. She rarely had a chance to eat it though, as it never seemed proper to eat it in-front of her subjects. Many ponys cringed at even the sight of fish. Celestia had first tried it on a diplomatic mission 450 years ago, approximately, to the griffon empire. To her supprise and all griffons present she had asked for some of the fish that was being prepared for the rest of the diners. She found the flavor invigorating and sumptuous. Still, the pleasure of fish was something she always had to forgo for the sake of her self image. It was a delightful smell however, and she was glad that her Griffon guests would get to indulge themselves with Iron Ladles fabulous cooking.

"Is dinner finished yet?" Luna snuck up behind her sister. Celestia turned and looked at Luna who now looked no where near as bedraggled as she had when she had peaked inside her room. Luna, being the pragmatic type, usually used spells to enhance her appearance. It helped that she was a master at illusion spells. Just after Luna had spoken three pony's from the kitchen staff all dressed in white approached the large dinning table and began to set the courses. Three separate carts had been wheeled out, one containing a large kettle of leak-garlic rose petle soup for the Princess's. Another contained a large platter with a round lid, underneath which was a generous amount of fish. The third contained a large bowl of bread meant for both party's to indulge. With skill the Chef's set the table, giving to each there allotted dishes. The smell was extravagant, and Celestia saw Lulu stare longingly at the soup out of the corner of her eye. For Luna, dinner was really more or less the equivalence of breakfast and Luna DID love her breakfast. "Your Majesty. Your guests have arrived," spoke a guard as another showed in the three griffons who had been escorted from there rooms earlier. All three bowed modestly in unison. "Good Evening Princess's, you both look lovely as ever." Flattered the eldest griffon. "Good Evening to you too Alden, as well you both Lilliana and Harper. I hope your stay has been pleasant?" She asked the to warmly. "Excellent your Majesty, there so much to see and do here in Canterlot, and everything is lovely!" Said Lilliana with enthusiasm to the Princess. "It is very nice, thank you princess," said Harper after Lilliana finished. "Im glad you both like it. I don't think I have introduced you to my sister yet. Luna these are the guests I mentioned. They're ambassadors from the Griffon Dominion," finished Celestia. "Hello," Luna said and smiled weakly at all three. You didn't mention your guests were ambassadors Tia, Luna thought to Celestia.Would you have come to down if I had told you? Celestia replied. Fair enough. Why are they here anyway? Luna asked her older sister slightly annoyed. Diamond dog raids on our trade routes. Celestia answered. Ah, i see, finnished Luna. In the Centuries before Luna's banishment the ability to quickly communicate between the two sisters had played a vital role in the welfare of Equestria. More than one political crisis had been averted by Luna and Celestia's discreet mental conferences. Upon her return the two had picked it up again as naturally as normal speech  "Is everything alright, your Highness?" Alden asked Luna, concerned about the sudden pause and distant looks both Princess's had been giving his party. "Everything is fine, shall we sit and enjoy some of this delicious smelling meal?" Luna asked, suddenly snapped back to the attention of there guests.

As the three walked to there place settings at the table, all eyed there meals respectively and after a moment of thankful meditation all three dug into there meals. They talked for a bit, and each party asked the other about life and what the other thought of Equestria. The two sisters laughed a little at the naivete of the two young Griffons and at the stuffy old Griffon who was still trying to change to topic to politics. Celestia skillfully evaded all his attempts at political discussion, promising that they would talk more of those matters tomorrow. After a few attempts he gave up, and went back to savoring his meal. The food was excellent after all and it was not everyday one was entertained by the Princess's of Equestria. All ate to satsifaction, and by the end of the meal everyone was stuffed and full of both food and mirth. A few well placed jokes and Luna had broken the ice with the two young griffons. After a while Alden got into the swing of things and all three were laughing and telling jokes along side the Princesses. "Excellent meal your  Majesty, your a most gracious host but I think were all tired from this delicous meal. Can I expect an answer to our request tomorrow Princess?" Asked ambassador FeathersWorth to Celestia. "Most likely Ambassador, were still considering things. I always find it best to make these kind of decisions on a full stomach. Don't you agree?" Celestia asked humorously. At this he smiled. "Indeed your Majesty, well i suppose well retire for the evening," Said the old griffon as he gestured to the younger two to get up and get ready to leave. Both younger Griffons got up and said goodnight to the two Princess's before being escorted out by one of the gaurds.

It was late now and time for Celestia to Lower the Sun. It had always been Luna and Celestia's personal ritual to raise or lower there respective heavenly bodies from there own balconies. Really they could both do it from anywhere but old habbits die hard. This particular habit was very very old and neither princess showed any signs of changing it. Early evenings were typically when Celestia and her sister spent the most time together. This was the case simply by virtue of both's schedules. Luna would not begin her night court until a little after midnight, so that gave both Sisters some time to talk and simply spend time with each other. To both sisters it was one of the most precious parts of there day. Tonight however was a little different, they first had to discuss what to do about the diamond dog problem with General BuckHorn, so they could continue on with the rest of the evening. It was true that there was very little conflict in Equestria, everybody knew this. What was not known, however, was how dedicated Celestia was to the Institution of Schools of war. Even in times of peace, or actually ESPECIALLY in times of peace Celestia kept a full staff of officers who were trained and skilled in war tactics. It was true that Equestria had not needed a large standing army in a very long time. At the moment, there was only about 7,000 active soldiers in the entirety of Equestria. There was, however, a mandatory draft should the need for a larger army ever arrive.

After finishing there tasks of lowering the sun and raising the moon, both Celestia and Luna walked to the Conference room and waited a moment for General BuckHorn to arrive so they could begun to discuss the problem of the raids on the griffon trade routes.