One's Responsibility to Their Family

Celestia slammed her pillow onto her face as the early morning rays came to greet her in a blinding burst of pain. A whole year of this and I’m still not used to not having to control that infernal star. She yawned and stretched out as she came out from underneath her covers, her tan skin shivering for a moment from the cold morning air. Standing up, Celestia tripped over her own slippers. Well, at least it now takes more than just trying to walk for that to happen.

Celestia got up and moved to the closet, admiring just how far they all had come in just a year. Rarity has probably helped the most, seeing as we wouldn’t have this house if not for her ability to find gems and precious metals. She sighed, “Of course, that is also why we are in the predicament we face now.”

Celestia shook her head as she tried to focus on what she might make for breakfast, and what she would wear. Wait, where are they? She started to furiously push her few dresses out of the way as she attempted to find her bras. However, upon spotting the chores list on the wall, she saw Rainbow had done laundry last time. “Every time. Why do I let her do this?”

Celestia slipped on a pair of underwear as she checked out her wide hips in the mirror before scowling. “No matter how many times you tell yourself that a plump ass is a sexy ass, it isn’t true.” She finally left her room hoping Rainbow wasn’t awake yet. Wouldn’t help her breast envy if she saw me just flaunting mine like this. Then again, when does Rainbow Dash ever wake up early? Celestia was still chuckling to herself as she opened Fluttershy’s door.

“I swear Angel didn’t make all these bunnies!” Fluttershy looked at Celestia as the tall woman started to chuckle. Fluttershy then realized that Celestia was only in a pair of panties, her massive chest completely exposed. She hid under her covers as she asked, “Did Rainbow do the laundry again?”

“Yes, just like every other time I have to wake you. I’m sorry I had to wake you up, but at least you also have an early morning meeting with your boss today.” Celestia chuckled as Fluttershy threw off the covers, panicking as she rushed next to Celestia and grabbed for a bra. “Fluttershy, I’m proud of you.”

Fluttershy looked puzzled for a moment before realising she was completely exposing herself to the princess. “Meep!” Fluttershy jumped back into bed, the pink hair hiding part of her face, but not quite all of her quickly reddening cheeks.

“Don’t worry. I have my bras so I’ll leave you to get dressed in peace.” Celestia chuckled as she left the shy girl’s room. Once she was properly dressed in one of her regular white dresses, she brushed out the rat’s nest she now called hair instead of a mane. “I remember when you kept yourself in good condition. I suppose now that you don’t constantly blow in the wind, I’m not really all that lucky to have such long hair.”

Celestia finally came out of the bathroom and headed towards the kitchen where her new morning ritual awaited her. Cooking. Applejack was the first to come down, her blond ponytail as controlled as always. “I bet you’ll be a great hit with the boys at the airport in your jeans and blouse.” Celestia smiled big at Applejack who merely raised an eyebrow.

“It’s been a year Celestia. I want to get home, not impress a few idiots. I only got a job to give Twilight time to undo your fuck up.” Applejack didn’t allow Celestia to answer as she picked up an apple and left.

Celestia took a deep breath as her mind wandered to the day she was now trying to celebrate. The day she had wanted to leave, the day she wanted to expand Equestria and its trade partners. The day when Celestia had trapped her six most loyal citizens in a world far from home, with only a glimmer of hope. Celestia didn’t blame Applejack for her harsh words, because Celestia had taken away that hope when she had told Applejack that they were running out of money, and that she needed to get a job or else home was going continue to be nothing but a dream.

“Are you okay Celestia?”

Celestia flashed Fluttershy a brief smile before pulling out the ingredients for pancakes. “I’m fine, though I would be lying if I told you that reminiscing over today didn’t sadden me.” Celestia hugged Fluttershy, enjoying the shorter girl’s warmth and care. “Now you go sit and wait for breakfast. It should be done soon.”

“Are you making bacon?”

“Not until you’re out of the house. I know you don’t like the idea of eating meat, even though it seems to be a regular part of our new forms diet.” Celestia started cracking eggs as she lamented over that day. Poor little Fluttershy had almost had a heart attack the first time they ate meat, but it did seem to provide some crucial nutrients their bodies needed.

Fluttershy’s voice squeaked out, “Pinkie, where are your clothes?”

Celestia looked out of the kitchen and shook her head at Pinkie who was lazing on the couch while she turned on the tv. Thank goodness she never developed breast envy. Too many people mistake her for a fifteen year old instead of the adult she is. “Pinkie, get dressed or no food for you.”

Pinkie stuck her tongue out at Celestia. “With all of your girl’s racks, I’m pretty sure any peeper would be a little too distracted to notice the b-cup shorty amongst you. Besides, today is the anniversary for when we got here. I know I have work, but I want to celebrate the day we were supposed to go home by. Besides, I’m also celebrating Diamond Tiara’s birthday,“ Pinkie paused before looking down and adding, “at least, I think it’s her birthday.”

Before Celestia could ask what was wrong with her, Pinkie shot up the staircase shouting, “Though I suppose if it’s no shoes, no shirt, no service, I can deal with getting dressed.”

Celestia sighed as she flipped the pancakes onto a plate. “Fluttershy, let me check your bracelet before you go.” Fluttershy ran over extending her arm out as she used the other hand to start putting the waffles into a tupperware container. “Okay, the enchantment looks fine, but do you remember the rules?”

Fluttershy nodded, chuckling as she said, “I don’t think I’m brave enough to take it off anyways. Besides, my fur is a part of home, not here. They don’t need to see it.” Fluttershy bit her lower lip as Celestia’s shoulders slumped and she looked down. “I’m sorry prince-”

Celestia put a finger to Fluttershy’s lips, causing the young woman to blush. “I lost that right the day I left you all stranded here. Besides, I don’t blame any of you for holding a grudge because I caused you to lose your old lives. It was my fault, not your’s.”

Fluttershy wrapped her arms around Celestia. “You’ve been forgiven, at least by me. I know you never meant to cause this. I only hope the others have realized that too. Now I have to go, I have gardens to attend to.” Fluttershy walked away from Celestia, softly humming to herself.

Celestia held back the tears that were quickly trying to form, calming her shaky voice as she took a deep breath. “Thank you Fluttershy. Don’t let them take advantage of you, and I hope you have a good day.”

Fluttershy smiled at Celestia. “Richard was very kind during the interviews, so I don’t see any reason why he would change now.” And with that, Fluttershy left, and Celestia started putting bacon on the frying pan.

“Please tell me that’s done!” Twilight came crashing down the stairs in a white lab coat that flew around her as she ran.

“Twilight, why are you naked under there?” It always was weird to Celestia to see her old student naked, especially since she had grown into such a strong and beautiful woman.

“It was just to protect me from any stray magics. I’ve been up all night trying to get the portal to… to.” Celestia caught Twilight as she started to fall back. A small sleeping spell so you can function today. Celestia bit into her lip as her own bracelets sent a burning pain into her. It was hard, but Celestia could overcome the barriers on magic the bracelets made to hide their wings and horns, but that didn’t mean the effort was easy, or the returning force kind.

Celestia carried Twilight over to the couch before quickly returning to the bacon. “Damn.” Celestia scraped off some blackening bacon and put it on a separate plate for Pinkie. Celestia sighed as she grabbed a few pieces of fruit and started to peel an orange.

“Ugh, what was with all the noise?”

“Morning Rainbow.” Celestia smiled as Rainbow collapsed into a chair. “Excited for your first day of college?”

“Oh yeah, learning and stuff, sounds like fun.” Rainbow groaned as she slammed her head against the table.

“You weren’t willing to get a job or anything else productive so you’re going to college with Rarity and Twilight. We’ve talked about this.” Celestia sighed as she heard a chair crash onto the floor.

“Why do we have to find something to do? I thought we were going to be gone soon. I don’t want to commit to something this stupid if I could just skip for like a week and get out. Like you thought all the way back when this began.” Rainbow was scowling as she turned her back on Celestia.

Celestia glared at the rainbow head for a moment before she calmed herself and brought her tone to it’s normal kind self. “Applejack and Fluttershy are already gone, and the bacon is finally done. You can eat now.” Celestia smiled wide as she turned on the blender the fruit was in and brought out plates of food. However, Rainbow Dash didn’t turn around yet.

“Why is Twilight sleeping on the couch?”

“She spent all of last night trying to find us a way home as she almost always is and needed her sleep. If she keeps this up she’s going to kill herself if we don’t do something to calm her down.” Celestia didn’t like scolding Rainbow like this, but she had to, if not just for herself.

Rainbow looked down and grabbed a pancake as she asked, “Do we have any milk? I don’t feel like a smoothie.”

“I understand, but I suggest you try at least a little bit. I’m making them to try to celebrate today instead of just cursing it.” Celestia hesitated as Rainbow looked up with death in her eyes.

“And what the fuck is there to celebrate?” Rainbow Dash knocked into the table causing the pancakes to topple over as she balled her hands into fists. Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to say more but then lowered her hands and grabbed her jacket. “I’m going for a run.”

Celestia flinched as the door slammed shut. She backed up to the fridge as her legs failed her and she slowly slid down. Celestia curled her knees up to her and started to shudder as tears silently came down her face. Banishing my sister hurt, but at least then I didn’t have to be reminded by her everyday. Celestia looked up as she felt soft hands land on her shoulder.

“I understand what you are trying to do.” Rarity smiled at Celestia as she helped her up. “Breakfast smells fantastic and just like the type of thing to get me ready for business school. Except for the bacon.”

Celestia smiled at the young woman as she started to apply syrup to the pancakes and pour herself some of the smoothie. Celestia then chuckled as Rarity spilled some of the smoothie onto herself. “Augh.”

“Sorry Rarity. Too much reliance on your horn for multi-tasking?”

“I was a dress maker. I used to have multiple projects going at once with all the activity I could tax my horn with. Even after a year, I still have trouble from time to time.” Rarity pursed her lips as Celestia’s smile faded for just a moment. “I don’t mind it though. In fact, I’m looking forward to college. I’ve had so much to draw from for inspiration already and this should prove just as wonderful. I mean it Celestia, I’m happy.”

Celestia had heard the words before, but looking into Rarity’s eyes she knew the woman was being sincere. Celestia wrapped her arms around Rarity, the two’s large breasts making the gesture slightly difficult. “Thank you Rarity. I really needed that today.”

“See, the peepers wouldn’t even notice little ol’ me with this sight.” Pinkie stuck her tongue out at Celestia as the older woman rolled her eyes.

Rarity chuckled as she brought her arms away from Celestia. “I really hope she’s joking instead of referring to something.”

Celestia went back into the kitchen as she said, “Don’t worry Rarity. Pinkie is just using a joke she made earlier. Now Pinkie,” Celestia said as she held up the plate of burnt bacon, “I have a treat for you.”

Pinkie gasped as she ran over and stuffed a few pieces into her mouth, earning her a look of slight disgust from Rarity. “I can’t really stay though. David is expecting me in about twenty minutes, so I need to get going.”

As Pinkie was about to open the door Celestia stopped it with her foot. “I was hoping you could pick up some frosting for this on your way home.” In Celestia’s hands was a double layer chocolate cake. “It’s to celebrate having survived here for a year.”

Pinkie licked her lips as she stared at the cake for a few moments before nodding. “What that needs is some vanilla frosting to balance out the pure chocolate. I’ll grab some from work.”

Celestia sighed contently as she turned around and saw Twilight yawning on the couch. “Hope you’re hungry.”

Twilight’s eyes opened wide as she sat up. “What time is it? Oh no, I can’t be late, especially for the first day.” Twilight grabbed a pancake before shoving the whole thing into her mouth and trying to flee out the door. Celestia grabbed Twilight by the collar of her coat. This accomplished three things. One, stopping Twilight, two, getting her to choke on her pancake, and three, Rarity spitting out her smoothie as the labcoat was ripped off of Twilight.

“Why weren’t you wearing anything underneath that? And to think you were going to go out like that?”

Celestia knelt over her student as she coughed. Finally Twilight took a deep breath of air and started panting, her chest heaving. Celestia cleared her throat before saying, “You have another hour. Now go get dressed and eat like a normal person when you get back. Shoo shoo.” Celestia stood and leaned against the table as Twilight ran up the stairs with the labcoat covering herself.

“I still can’t believe she considers herself unattractive. Thoughts, Celestia?” Rarity smiled as Celestia blushed deeply.

“I will be honest that she is quite attractive and that I have special place in her heart that makes it very hard to ignore her body. However, after the last time I was with a mare, I decided there was less drama with stallions.” Celestia smirked as Rarity dropped her fork and started to choke on her pancakes.

“You’ve been with a mare? But, but I’ve never heard of anything like that, not about you at least. Does Twilight know? Wait, was it with Twilight?” Rarity was leaning towards Celestia who resisted the temptation to roll her eyes.

“It wasn’t with Twilight. I know she is more interested in guys as well, even though I think her panties would leave a hole in the ground if I offered. As for not hearing about my friskier years, well, I suppose all monarchs have lowered their standards at times. However, I left those times far behind me, just as the rest of Equestria should. Including you.” Celestia shook her head as she went into the kitchen to clean dishes.

Despite Celestia’s attempt though, the next hour was mainly filled with Rarity grilling Twilight for information about the infamous mare. However, it also comforted Celestia to hear the speculation. They were happy while remembering Equestria, instead of the mere thought bringing them to silence. It warmed her old heart.

“Alright you two, you need to get going. I packed you lunches and your supplies are next to the door. Now leave so I can enjoy some time alone.” The three woman smiled at each other as they stood at the door. Twilight hugged Celestia as a child would her mother, and Rarity and Celestia hugged each other’s sides so as to avoid the discomfort that had happened earlier this morning. “I wish you two good luck, and I leave you with a very important task.”

Twilight and Rarity looked at each other for a moment. “What task?”

“Make some friends.”

Rarity burst out laughing as Twilight scowled and stormed out the door. Celestia smiled at the closed door for a few moments before returning to her room to check her math. Finishing, Celestia put her head into her hands as tears fell softly onto her skin. I was right. Unless we find a new deposit of gems, we will be homeless by the end of the school year. And without this house, how will we ever get home?