Author's Note

Princess Luna's POV

An Offer Accepted: 3

When I saw what was coming, I was initially shocked. As I calm down in a regal manner, I make due with the surprise. Not only is it a Changeling, but an emissary and messenger. Apparently, she had a message for me, to deliver in person.

Should the guard have calmed me, or shocked me even further?

“Your highness. Princess Luna Lulamoon. I have a most urgent message to you, an invitation to the annual Cherry Blossom season. If you would choose to attend?” the Changeling pronounced in stately tones, worthy of a regal descent.

“That would indeed be me. An invitation? Like the one my dear sister Celestia accepted a year ago?” I enquired in a curious voice, as stately and regal as I could muster.

“I am most honoured to be in your presence, in order to hand over the special invitation, it is the VIP spot of the year. The very same spot your most esteemed sister was offered for the season, the previous year!” she confirmed.

“Since you came alone and openly, the guard allowed you in. Since my sister enjoyed the event, I would need more than an excuse, not to come. She was speaking very highly of your treatment of her. I will graciously accept the invitation!” I responded.

After I had signed the invitation, thereby confirming consent on attending, she soon flew off with the guard in tow. Although the guard left her, shortly after she had left the palace, in order to return to the guard duties of the day.

As I had seen the guard and Changeling Emissary and Messenger off, I was momentarily pondering. I know I couldn't turn this down. Even if it is not as if I wouldn't have a new offer in a few years. From what I had come to understand, mainly from Celestias tale, there are only so many Alicorn Princesses in Equestria. A single turned down offer would put me right back on cue in a few years. I just did not want to miss what my sister had been so lyrical about.

I could see it as a form of vacation from all the stately business at the court of the castle. Even if I would still be serving Equestria, as different as the service would be. Ponies still need to see me, royalty, every now and then.

Apparently, the quilt Celestia had been on had been something over the top. Both in quality, beauty and comfort. There is the small matter of the heavenly beauty the Cherry blossom would present, for but these three days, that is. I guess the symbolism wasn't lost on me. All the Ponies I had ever cared for, before I had been sent to the moon were since long gone as I returned, even if I had little to no care for them at the return. I have Twilight Sparkle and her friends to thank for that. As much as it pains me to remember all the once I never had the opportunity to take fare-well off.

The one Pony out of memory I still have around is my dear sister. In some ways, it is a stark reminder of the lost years. I still love her as much as before the debacle took place. Even if I managed to forget that, under the influence of emotions I am ashamed of.

Though I had the rare opportunity to see an old friend in proxy, played by Twilight on the one night, Nightmare night. That's an eery moment. I guess I have to confess, at least to myself, just how unexpected and highly appreciated this short moment really was, for the short moment.

The one awkward thing about this, aside from the initial shock, seeing the Changeling, all the memories and thoughts it pulled right out of the vault, where I had hoped to bury them. I guess that effort was futile.

I should have managed to handle this better, even though the memory of the wedding so nearly ruined by Changelings, so much alike the one I had just seen off. Although they clearly are from different hives, obeying different Queens.

The one Emissary had been a friendly hive, intent on spreading beauty, thus earning the highly sought for love from Ponies and others.

Am I particularly susceptible to this kind of reactions, merely due to my past, or is there more to it