Cuori Intrecciati

Celestia was running, her hooves beating a steady rhythm through the knee-high grass and wildflowers, kicking up clods of dirt and puffs of dandelion seeds with each step. Like a blacksmith bellows, her barrel expanded, taking in great pulls of air through her nose only to blow them back out of her mouth. Flanks and shoulders as powerful as any train’s pistons, she cleared great swaths of land with every staccato beat of her hooves. Wind coursed over her body, raking through her white coat and pulling the long strands of her pink mane and tail to stream and flutter behind her.

“A dream of running?” Luna called out, following her sister’s every movement and enjoying the image more than she would ever admit. “How plebeian.”

Though she kept her eyes forward, the serene joy on Celestia’s face redoubled at the sound of Luna’s voice. “Perhaps,” she replied, a chuckle managing to make itself heard through her heavy breaths, “but when was the last time you ran for the joy of it?”

Luna pretended to consider the question, buying more time to simply observe. The view, perfected by her unbound nature, was calming. With the urges and pressures of her own body safely locked behind the spell, she was able to appreciate the simple beauty of her sister in motion. It was a rare thing to see Celestia move at anything more hurried than a slow trot. In the two years since her return, she’d barely witnessed her wings open for anything more than show. Now, seeing how her muscles bunch and slid beneath that pristine white coat, Luna resolved to fix that.

Before her stalling could stretch too far, she let out a long suffering, but forced, sigh.

Within the space of a single bound, she took shape beside Celestia, their hooves striking in perfect rhythm. Luna glanced left as a mischievous grin took Celestia’s lips. Just like that, she pulled ahead, her longer white legs reaching the outer limits of her stride as the rapid-fire beat of her hooves almost redoubled.

And Luna followed.

All thoughts outside the motion of her legs died as she lost herself in the race lest she be left behind. Stalks of grass whipped at her cannons and knees, stinging slaps that only helped to keep the non-existent blood flowing through her veins. Each breath burned its way down her already parched throat, and her muscles screamed in agony from the unaccustomed abuse they suffered. None of that mattered. All it took was a quick glance out of the corner of her eye to see the white and pink of her sister at her side, right where she always was, for Luna to know that she could, and would, endure whatever lay ahead.

The land began to change, the flat plain bulging into an incline, rising steeper even as their hooves met the dirt. Ten strides ahead, stone erupted from the grass, a flat nail piercing through the ground like some giant clawing its way to the surface. Two strides and it ended, both alicorns reaching the jagged edge in tandem and leaping high into the air.

There they soared, legs stretched as far as they would go. In that precious moment, with no need to move their legs, they met each other’s gaze, and Celestia’s smile powered through Luna’s spell to stir a fluttering in her chest and a blush on her cheeks.

When they came down, the grass, no taller than before, tickled their bellies as they barreled onward.

Ten strides more and a monarch butterfly cut across their path.

Without speaking a word, they both altered their course to chase the unsuspecting insect. Stretching gallops rolled into leaping pounces, pants and gasps of exertion becoming giggles and laughs of exuberance as the pair of young alicorns took turns trying to catch it between filly sized hooves. Neither succeeded, always falling just shy of the wafting butterfly’s course, ensuring that the game would never reach its end.

In a moment of inspiration, while Celestia squirmed in preparation for her next pounce, Luna changed her target. With perfect timing and precision, she caught Celestia mid-leap, wrapping dark hooves around a white barrel.

Caught entirely off guard, Celestia squealed, flailing madly until they crashed back to earth. Her surprise didn’t last long, however, and the wrestle for supremacy took off in earnest. The sister’s rolled across the grass, giggling like the fillies they were as they sought the upper hoof. Hooves and wings were the weapons of choice, seeking out those spots of vulnerability that would surely leave the other squirming in uncontrolled giggling.

Despite her greater size, Celestia soon found herself thoroughly pinned beneath Luna, both panting through laughter and smiles.

“Gotcha,” Luna huffed, tossing back her teal mane, stars twinkling to life as it caught the ethereal winds.

Celestia’s face contorted into an expression of helpless despair that would have made Rarity proud, her own mane remaining unchanged even as her size returned. “Oh! Whatever shall I do? I beg of thee, thou dark and beauteous scoundrel, I am but a fair and frail maiden… be gentle.”

A growl rolled in Luna’s throat. “Fair thou mayest be,” her dark wingtips traced down Celestia’s barrel, “and sensuous as well, but neither frail nor maiden couldest be applied to thine arousing form.” Leaning closer, she whispered, “Fearest thee not mine wondrous Sun, for mine desire is but to steal a single kiss from thine lips.”

As she lowered her head further, Celestia stretching to meet her halfway, Luna brought a single thought to the fore of her mind. It was more a memory really, one she’d reinforced every evening for the past two years. The flavor filled her mouth, coating her tongue just as Celestia’s lips met hers.

The look of surprise and horror on her sister’s face was priceless.

“Oh, blech! Luna!” Celestia heaved Luna off of her, working to banish the taste of coffee from her tongue.

“Oopsy!” Luna sing-songed as she rolled on the grass, letting the long, soft blades work through her coat.

Celestia’s annoyance could not have been so great, for she immediately closed the distance between them, pressing against Luna’s side. Draping a leg over her sister’s stomach, Celestia nipped playfully at her shoulder before resting her cheek against Luna’s chest, listening to the beat of her heart. “Cheater.”

Cradling Celestia’s head with her forelegs, Luna ran a hoof down the length of her sister’s long, elegant neck, smoothing down the soft hairs. When she spoke, her voice was full of exaggerated scandal and affront, “‘Twasn’t I who dreamt of bedding Lord Halcyon two night past.”

“First,” Celestia’s knee jolted Luna’s flank, making her yelp, “that’s for spying on my dreams. Second, you’re not allowed to be jealous of my former husbands.”

“Oh? Why, pray tell, would that be?”

Celestia snuggled that much closer, wrapping Luna up with every limb she could. “Besides them all being long dead?” Luna nodded whether Celestia could see her or not. “Not one of them was ever allowed to call me ‘Tia’.”

Luna’s hoof froze halfway down Celestia’s neck. Old memories surfaced from where they’d been buried long before her own descent into darkness. The intimate whispers of her past consorts replaying in her ears, one in particular standing out amid the rest. When she finally spoke, her voice was hushed from strain, “Truly?”

If Celestia noticed, she gave no sign. Instead, she whined discontentedly at the pause in Luna’s petting, working her cheek deeper into Luna’s barrel, urging her to continue. Only when that produced no results did she glance up, concern colouring her voice as she noticed Luna’s expression. “Lulu?”

Luna remained unmoving, watching as dark clouds began rolling in to coat the sky, casting shadows over them. “Yes, Celestia?”

“What’s wrong?”

Luna shook her head, throwing aside her remembrances and forcing the sky to return to the bright sunny blue it had been minutes before. “‘Tis nothing.”

“You’re a terrible liar,” Celestia stated as a matter of fact. When she continued, her voice twisted into a teasing tone that still managed to convey an air of concern and worry, “You were pouting broodingly, and that means that something is bothering you, and if it’s bothering you, then it’s bothering me. You know how much I despise being bothered.”

Luna snorted in feigned annoyance, much preferring that the topic be dropped. “I was not pouting.”

“Yes, you were. You were pouting adorably, just like you are right now.” Luna forced her lips into a line, cursing how quickly dreams could exploit a lapse of vigilance. “Only I couldn’t enjoy it because you were also being broody, and I can’t enjoy your pouts when you’re being broody.” Celestia poked Luna’s chest with a hoof, her voice turning almost petulant. “You ruined my enjoyment of your adorable pout, and I want to know why.”

Luna turned to look away. If there was one thing she disliked about her sister, and she would have to admit that there was more than one, it was her persistent nosiness. Once Celestia decided she wanted to know something, no matter how private, she would invariably find out. Even if Luna left the dream, she’d have to completely avoid Celestia for days… which would only cause them both heartache. It didn’t help that Celestia’s presence against her side was like an anchor holding her steady against the whims of her emotions.

When white feathers touched her cheek, engulfing half her face, she could no more resist them than she could the mare they were attached to. Her head turned to meet the pink eyes of her sister, her best friend, her life long tormentor, and all too recent lover, and the words began to flow.

The beginning was easily enough, recounting those first few minutes. Celestia hummed thoughtfully along as Luna expressed her initial shock at Twilight’s apparent lapse in knowledge.

It was at the next piece where things fell apart. A ghost of a smile passed over Celestia’s features at her words, memories of frustrating lessons and stubborn arguments playing out at the periphery of their vision, but it remained just that, ephemeral against the sadness even Celestia could already perceive on the horizon.

Luna continued, unable to stop, repeating herself word-for-word as she glossed over Twilight’s. No amount of apology, no matter who from, could heal that old wound, and voicing those damning words a second time could only dig it deeper. Refusing to cry or sob, she could do nothing but close her eyes against the tears.

At some point, their positions had shifted, Luna’s back pressed into Celestia’s barrel as the elder sat on her haunches, wings and forelegs wrapped around the younger in a futile attempt to shield her from the painful memories. While the act itself might have been less-than effective, its message was clear and warmed Luna’s heart.

It did nothing for her doubts, however. Some of them had lingered for a while now, haunting the dark corners of her mind, but others she’d thought left far in her past. Twilight’s words had struck a chord with both. The truth was that she didn’t trust herself, at least not fully. She couldn’t; not after everything she’d done. Checking herself, her thoughts and motivations, had become second nature since her return, a habit she doubted she’d ever let slip. What she hadn’t questioned, hadn’t let herself consider, was Celestia’s love for her.

There was no reason for her to even entertain the idea. Every day, Celestia went out of her way to express her love and affection. Her every word and action only reinforced how she felt… but there it was, wasn’t it? She was perfect, too perfect. Looking back, she could remember only a single fight—over whether or not Twilight Sparkle was ready to face Sombra alone. What if it was all an act? A perfectly executed ruse to keep her from relapsing… would that even be so terrible?

Luna hated herself for thinking it, for questioning Celestia’s sincerity, but she was at a loss for how to banish it. Was it all real, or was Celestia that terrified of being alone again?

She didn’t realize she’d spoken until the last syllable hung in the air like a noose. Her breath caught in her chest as she waited, begging the stars that Celestia had not heard. When Celestia nuzzled the back of her ear, and her warm breath tickled those fine hairs, she knew they had not heeded her prayer. “What, my Love?”

Luna trembled, and Celestia’s legs and wings shifted instinctively, pulling tighter as though she were chilled by the air. “How can you still love me?”

Celestia’s whole body, previously soft and supportive, stiffened around Luna, her voice becoming sharp with a mixture of warning and worry, “Luna—”

“No, do not waste thine breath,” she nearly spat, worry and fear quickly turning to anger, both at herself and her sister, futilely pushing against Celestia’s hold. “The truth is plain. I have proven myself a terrible friend and worse sister.”

To her surprise, Celestia did not get defensive or angry, she even stopped trying to console her. Instead, she quivered, vibrating against Luna’s back as a soft laugh escaped her lips. “Oh, Lulu. You are not a terrible friend, nor sister, by any measure.”

“But I—”

“Made mistakes. I’m going to tell you a secret, Lulu.” Leaning down to whisper directly into Luna’s ear as though there was another who could possibly overhear, Celestia’s hot breath sent an involuntary shiver down Luna’s spine. “I have, too.”

Her tongue slipped out, wrapping around Luna’s ear and drawing it in to be nibbled, making her squeal and squirm. Each soft, twisting grind sent spikes of electricity down to her core, tightening her chest and making it almost impossible to focus. “Tia! S—stop it! You know that it’s more than that!”

“Oh?” Celestia released Luna’s ear, shifting to whisper in the other. “And what sinister and seditious scenarios has my salacious sister slated and set spinning? Hmmm?”

The rounded teeth clamped down on Luna’s other ear, and she could not stop the moan of pleasure even as she continued to struggle against her sister’s hold. Her breaths were already coming in quick pants before Celestia’s primaries flared, massaging across her stomach and slowly working their way down. “Tia! I’m trying to be serious!”

“No,” Celestia said, releasing Luna’s ear and trailing kisses down her neck. “You’re trying to be mopey. But my Lulu in my dream is not allowed to be mopey.”

Luna crossed her forelegs as best she could and pouted in one last earnest attempt to center herself against her sister’s onslaught. Then Celestia’s wing touched her chin, tilting her head back until their eyes met. Craning her neck down, Celestia kissed her, suckling the protruding lower lip between her own and chewing on it, much to Luna’s disgruntled pleasure.

By the time Celestia pulled back, stretching Luna’s lip until it snapped back with a soft ‘pop’, Luna’s train of thought was gone, replaced entirely be the all-encompassing presence of her lover. Her hoof shifted back, running up Celestia’s flank to touch the golden sun and repaying her with a shiver all her own.

“Why don’t you come over and wake me up,” Celestia whispered. Her voice took on a decidedly husky tone when she added, “And bring cake.”

Luna was already rolling off her divan and charging toward the deepest shadows before the last word faded.

—————————————

Celestia’s eyes opened to the pre-dawn gloom, only a few slivers of moonlight streaming in through the windows. Licking her lips, she could still taste the pleasant mix of Luna and chocolate icing that lingered there. Her eyes closed again as more sensations found purchase. A blue leg rested over her barrel along with a spread of feathers covering where the blanket had been knocked aside. The pressure of Luna’s head on her neck edged toward, but never quite reached, uncomfortable. It was not an easy thing for Luna to be the big spoon, but she gave it her best, and for Celestia it was a refreshing change.

Whatever the reason, she always seemed to be on the outside, the shield and armour behind which Luna sought comfort. She would be lying if she said she didn’t enjoy holding Luna tight and secure. But, as always, she worried. Was she coddling her, falling too readily into the role of the protective older sister instead of the supportive lover? Luna never complained. Indeed, she seemed to maneuver them into those roles as much as Celestia. That worried her no less.

For now though, her greatest worries were about their shared dream and what Luna had told her. Tragic though the words between Luna and Twilight had been, they were merely a bump in the road of a budding friendship. Twilight was not one to hold a grudge, especially in the face of potential knowledge, and Luna was just happy to have someone who could keep up. No, what churned in the back of Celestia’s mind was the way Luna had taken Twilight’s outburst to heart.

Sex and teasing could only push things aside for so long. She needed to find a way to excise Luna’s self-doubts before they caused her any more pain. While she had hoped that Twilight would be a springboard… it would appear that alternate routes needed to be investigated.

Luna squirmed at the light from Celestia’s horn as her magic grasped the calendar off her desk and brought it in for a quick study. It would not be entirely accurate to say that her schedule was full, and, of course, she could empty it anytime she wished—as long as she was willing to deal with annoyed and overworked underlings and politicians. Still, it was better to not burn bridges unnecessarily.

The biggest obstacle was their sleep schedules, as it had been for most of their adult lives. Any time spent together outside of the few hours between shifts either cut into their work or sleep. It was frustrating to say the least. Then again, the quality of her own sleep had vastly improved over the last year…

Her eyes lit up. There was an art gallery opening a new exhibit the next week. They’d both been invited as a matter of course, and likewise, neither had responded either way. It would take a little reworking of her schedule, but Kibitz was more than capable. Luna’s schedule would be clear, being in the afternoon, but she would also be tired and not likely thrilled to go. But she would go, Celestia was certain, with a little convincing. Most importantly, it would be a chance to spend quality time together without the constant press of duty and sleep to hurry them along.

Blue wings and forelegs squeezed her chest as she returned the calendar, soft lips brushing the back of her neck. "You are best pillow."

Celestia put on a mischievous grin though Luna could not see it. "Are you calling me fat?"

"You are my warm, fluffy, squishy, sexy pillow, and I love it, and you love that I love it.” Luna shifted some more, murmuring softly before whispering, “Now, be a good pillow and stop talking."

“So,” Celestia began, affecting a pout to help make her voice sound more genuinely affronted, “you do think I’m fat.”

Luna wrapped her teeth around Celestia’s shoulder and groaned. “You are my perfectly plush princess pillow.”

Celestia clucked her tongue. “That was only four.”

Luna whined for want of a return to sleep. “Thou art mine perfectly plush and pleasantly plump, pale princess pillow that persistently pesters for praise… and pastries.”

“Plump?”

Luna’s hindlegs, already wrapped around Celestia’s flank, gave two good squeezes. “Pleasantly so.”

Appeased, but unwilling to simply admit it, Celestia twisted around until they were face-to-face, their noses touching and eyes only a few hooves apart. “Any other mare would be mad at you for that.”

“‘Tis good, then, that I care not what ‘any other mare’ would think.”

The sisters remained in bed for a time, neither having any particular desire to rise and begin, or end, their day. Eventually, however, the time came to end to the night and bring forth the day. Not that that was enough to see them leave the comfort of each other’s embrace.

Nose-to-nose, they stared into each other’s eyes as Luna began, her magic touching Celestia’s horn before reaching out for the stars. It started low and smooth, cleaning the stars from the sky with the gentleness of a mother grooming her foal. The Moon was brought low, tucked in for the day. As the last strain of cyan magic faded, Celestia’s rose up to fill the void, a lullaby replaced by an aria. Warm and strong, Celestia’s magic flowed with the calm power of a mighty river to paint the sky and raise the Sun.

When the final chord ended, golden light streaming in through the windows, Celestia leaned forward, nuzzling Luna until she’d buried her face in Luna’s neck.

“So,” Celestia started, mentally lining up all the points and counterpoints that would be flung about in the next five minutes, “there’s an art show…”

Luna whinnied.

—————————————

“Ten minutes ahead of schedule, Your Highness. I believe that’s a new record,” Kibitz said, slipping his watch back into its pocket.

Celestia wore her usual warm, motherly smile and nodded as she watched the last of the delegates file out of the meeting room. “It’s amazing what can be accomplished with the proper motivation,” she said, almost too soft to hear. “Unless I’m greatly mistaken, that is the last of my obligations until this evening.”

“Quite right, Ma’am. Shall I send for Princess Luna?”

Her smile curved a little more as she stood, making her way toward the exit with Kibitz following at her side. “I do not believe that would be wise. No, I will see to my sister. Have the phaeton brought around. An earth pony team, it has been too long since we toured the city.”

After confirming that his services were no longer required, Kibitz bowed and left to see her final commands carried out. Celestia turned, trotting the opposite direction toward Luna’s room. She made it to the first set of stairs only to pause at the bottom step. A small smile curled her lips, and she turned around, picking up her pace slightly on her way toward the kitchens.

A few minutes later, Celestia rapped her hoof twice against Luna’s door before barging in without waiting for a reply. Luna was, as she’d guessed, still asleep, sprawled across her bed amid the all encompassing darkness that was her private abode. Again, Celestia did not hesitate, trotting as straight a course as she was able to her sister’s side and greeted her lips with her own.

It started slow and soft, gradually building in intensity. Idle ponderings of how the kiss was effecting Luna’s dream began to pull at Celestia’s lips. Was she already dreaming of her, the kiss playing right along, enhancing the sensation? Or was she battling some monster, only to have it pounce and lock lips with her? Her curiosity was answered, more or less, when she began to return the kiss. The moment Luna’s lips parted, Celestia inhaled, stealing the air right out of her lungs.

Luna pulled away as she gasped, eyes popping open in shock. Before she could voice any protest, Celestia levitated a cup of coffee under her nose and let the small shield drop, releasing the distinct aroma. Luna’s eye immediately lit up, her magic overtaking Celestia’s to snatch the mug away.

Inhaling and sighing deeply, she took a generous sip before whispering, “By the stars, you are wonderous.”

“Why, thank you. I do try.”

Luna’s eyes flicked up to Celestia’s for a moment, her smile flipping over. “I was not speaking to you.”

Rolling her eyes, Celestia could not keep the amusement from her features as she watched Luna dive back into her drink, humming and moaning nearly as much as she did during their more intimate moments. Her own love of tea paled in comparison to Luna’s adoration of coffee. If she didn’t know better, she’d guess that it was nearly orgasmic for her.

“What was that?”

Celestia blinked, her eyes refocusing on Luna’s face still half hidden behind her mug. “Hmmm?”

Placing the empty mug on her nightstand, Luna’s gaze remained steady, her eyes narrowing. “You have struck upon an idea. I can see it in your ears and eyes.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, sister,” Celestia lied, tucking the idea in the back of her mind. Straightening to her full height, she gripped Luna’s bedsheets in her magic and tore them away. “No more dawdling, we have to get you ready for the gallery.”

Luna snorted, pulling a pillow over her face as she whined something or other that Celestia didn’t bother deciphering. Instead, she wrapped Luna’s hooves in her magic, carrying the cursing and squirming mare to the adjacent bathroom like a sack of potatoes.

With Celestia’s help, Luna’s coat and mane were brushed and clean in minutes, the latter free to dance behind her head. Celestia was a little wary of Luna’s insistence on Tiberius accompanying them, but gave in quickly. The opossum was generally well behaved in her experience, and Celestia was loath to deny her sister the extra company, especially considering where they were headed.

Mounting the phaeton, Tiberius nestled comfortably on Luna’s head, the team of four earth pony guards grunted with their first steps on the road toward the gallery.

Despite having been together for more than a year, this was one of their first non-official public outings together. The moment they’d taken their seats, Celestia was inundated by uncertainty. Her heart and body nearly screamed at her to sit flank-to-flank with Luna and drape a wing across her withers. Her mind, on the other hoof, picketed the notion, citing the impropriety and potential fallout should anypony begin to suspect the truth. A quick glance to Luna revealed a slight twist of the ears and tight smile that told of a similar unease, though it could have also been from being awake at noon and out in public. Celestia wasn’t sure.

In the hopes of easing both their minds, Celestia asked about Luna’s most recent foray to the wild outskirts of Equestria and was not disappointed.

Even in her more… adventurous days, Celestia had prefered to avoid physical confrontations when possible. The only thing Luna relished more than the fight was the retelling. Personal experience told Celestia the tale was ‘tall’ by an order of magnitude, not that she let something so miniscule ruin her enjoyment. Almost as entertaining as the story itself was Luna’s barely maintained restraint in both volume and movement. There had been a time, not so long ago by Luna’s recollection, when they’d both entertained in Mead Halls where a storyteller who didn’t jump upon the table would be booed into silence. Fortunately, they had Tiberius to play-act the whole thing at their hooves.

Neither noticed the passage of time or distance, nor the ponies bowing as they passed. The tale came to an end with Tiberius, in the role of the chimera, on his knees with paws clasped together in a plea for Luna’s mercy—which was granted after an oath to leave all ponies alone was sworn. Both princesses tapped lightly on the running board in applause as Tiberius bowed.

Celestia was about to congratulate the opossum on a wonderful performance when the phaeton began to slow, drawing her attention to the quickly approaching art gallery. A pair of well dressed mares rushed out of the gallery and up to the carriage, falling into deep bows along with every other pony on the street.

The first of the two was an older unicorn with a soft banana-cream coat and orange mane, the occasional grey hair just visible amid her pinned up locks. She wore a stiff business dress that hid her cutie mark. The second was a pegasus who’d barely reached her majority, with her mane done up in a mess of tight braids with beads and feathers throughout.

While Celestia wore a pleasant, serene mask, hiding the long suffering smile that she truly felt, Luna’s expression was stoic, her eyes tracing over the small crowd with a mixture of approval and disinterest.

Everypony rose half a second after the sisters stood, the pair at the phaeton’s side stepping back to make room for Luna to step down. Tiberius was quick to scamper up her leg and perch on her withers, providing Celestia with a great deal of amusement as she watched everypony struggle to not gawk at the opossum being allowed to treat Luna like a carriage.

Celestia immediately took the conversational lead, speaking for Luna and herself, except where the younger was specifically addressed.

Primrose, the gallery's owner, did a fair job of keeping herself in check, only pushing the complimentary champagne and hors devours three times before they'd set hoof inside the gallery. The artist, Feather Brush, was less composed. Having not one, but two princesses attend her premiere was apparently more than she could properly cope with. Between her desperate attempts to inquire about their thoughts about, and express her intentions regarding, each piece, she filled the air with a nonstop barrage of yammering. Celestia treated her with the same calm patience she would any over excited filly, but by the second painting Luna had heard enough.

“Dost thou intend to elucidate the themes of all thine works?”

Celestia very nearly closed her eyes and sighed, only stopping her eye roll by the width of a hair.

Luna turned from the portrait to meet the poor filly’s eyes. “Or, mayhap they be gifteth the chance for appraisal upon their own merits?”

Feather Brush almost made the mistake of speaking further, but Luna’s cold glare successfully encouraged her to remain silent. With something of a shaky bow, she backed away from the sisters, along with most of the other guests, granting them enough space to speak with a degree of privacy.

All around them, the soft buzz of conversation returned as everypony pretended not to be watching them intently, and the sisters returned the favor by pretending they didn’t notice.

Celestia glanced around just to ensure none would overhear before rebuking Luna. "That could have been more tactfully done."

"We did not come here to be prattled at,” Luna said with a sniff. “It surprises me that you would weather such self-aggrandizement from any artist, much less one barely worthy of such an exhibit."

"I learned long ago that I can neither expect, nor force, my views upon others."

"Ah, then this must be a hallucination on my part."

Celestia could not avoid a quick smirk at the retort. Still, there was damage control to be done. “You will purchase one of her paintings.”

“I will not.”

“You will, and you will display it in your study for no less than three months, and you will compliment her on it.”

“Why, pray tell, would I do such a thing?”

“Because you embarrassed her at her show—”

“She embarrassed herself.”

“—and potentially cost her a number of commissions and sales.”

“Surely your patronage would garner her far more than my own.”

“I was not the one to insult her.”

“And?”

“And she has no place amid my collection. Her line work is mediocre at best.”

“Fine,” Luna said with a triumphant smile.

Celestia allowed herself an eye roll, but said no more as they moved to the next painting.

They continued on in relative silence, only speaking here and there to comment on this or that aspect of the each painting before moving to the next. At some point, Luna had accepted a flute of champagne, switching it out for a second by the time the waiter passed by again.

She hadn’t been lying; miss Brush wasn’t unskilled, but she was far from a master. Given a few more years of practice to refine her style and she might begin to produce works which Celestia would gladly add to her collection. Until then…

Glancing at her sister, Celestia had to fight down a snort at the sight of Tiberius snoring, tail wrapped about Luna’s horn, dangling upsidedown over her eye like a particularly odd ornament.

With gradual tilt of her head, Luna rolled Tiberius out of the way and behind her ear so that he was draped over the crown of her head. Face unobscured, she turned her full attention toward Celestia. “I have been meaning to enquire, why is it that you have left her only half trained?”

Celestia did not react at first. She wasn’t caught off guard by the question. Indeed, she’d been expecting Luna to broach the subject since her first visit with Twilight a week prior, not that it made the coming discussion any easier. “Twilight was taught and trained by the greatest mages and scholars of this age.”

“Twilight Sparkle has already enlightened me on how mages of this age study and practice magic,” Luna began, her tone turning acidic at the title, “but she could offer no insight as to why.”

Celestia led the way toward the next display. “For the same reason the weather ponies no longer hoof-craft every cloud; a thousand years of progress.”

“Progress?” Luna’s head snapped up to stare at her, Tiberius squeaking in fright as he was flung to the side to bounce against Luna’s face. From the corner of her eye, Celestia could see Luna’s concern. “Tia… I… You must elaborate, for I am not able to wrap my mind around this.”

Celestia tried to admire the painting before them but could not. Her head dropped, then rose to look away from her sister. Spotting a velvet rope sectioning off a darker portion of the gallery, she trotted toward it, motioning for Luna to follow. There was a strangled call from the proprietor, and she glanced back, giving the worried mare a comforting nod and smile even as she moved the rope out of the way.

While the open section of the gallery had contained only the paintings of Feather Brush, the rest held a wider assortment of works by the many other artists who’d made deals with Primrose.

Entering this section was as much an insult to the poor artist as Luna’s earlier gaff, so Celestia made a mental note to also purchase one of her paintings.

Following the path, Celestia led Luna deeper into the unlit section until they passed beyond the sight of the other guests. She continued further, only stopping when she spotted a small statue of Starswirl, dust from sapphires and lapis-lazuli gems ground into his horn so that it would sparkle blue in the light.

Staring at the statue, she lowered herself to her haunches. Luna joined her, sitting so their flanks touched and pulling her close with a wing. A voice in the back of her mind began to fret at the intimacy in such an public space. She ignored it as best she could. They were sisters, some small amount of affection would not draw undue suspicions.

Celestia’s eyes fell to her hooves. “I blamed Starswirl for… for a long time.” She kicked at a nonexistent rock. “You remember how he was, examining everything until he could break it down to its most basic structure.” Luna’s mane drifted over her shoulder, tickling her face and bringing a small smile to her lips at the scent of lavender and thyme. “It wasn’t his fault though; it was mine.

“He always appreciated the beauty of the whole and did his best to teach his students the same. They only learned so well, however, and with each new class… If I had paid attention… It was such a gradual thing, and I was so busy. By the time I noticed,” she paused, her ears drooping a little more, “none of them even considered that art could have a place amid their maths and sciences.” Her voice took on an agitated edge. “And their arrogance! I was so mad that I just left them to their self-imposed ignorance. It was centuries before I cooled down enough rejoin their ranks.

“Of course their systematic approach had its benefits. Their progress had become far more stable compared to the fits and starts of our youth. Accidental explosions and dimensional tears had become almost nonexistent. I decided that, maybe, things were better this way.”

Glancing toward Luna, she was met by the expectant looks of both her and the opossum perched atop her head. “‘Tis an interesting tale, but you have failed to answer my question.”

Celestia turned back to the floor, the name scolding her tongue as it fell from her lips. “Sunset Shimmer.”

There was a short pause, and Celestia could imagine her sister’s face scrunch in confusion before she let out a soft, “Oh.”

“She reminded me so much of myself, Luna. I gave her everything…”

Blue feathers spread over Celestia’s neck, cupping her cheek and urging her to turn her head. That voice in the back of her mind screamed at the contact, demanding she pull away lest they be caught unawares… but she couldn’t. She let Luna guide her into a comforting nuzzle, accepting the affection even as it set her heart racing. “I am sorry.”

Her sister’s sweet aroma filled Celestia’s world but did nothing to drown out that voice. Still, she pushed against Luna’s cheek, ignoring her growing panic in favor of her sister’s touch.

Luna turned toward her until they were nose-to-nose, letting her wing comb through Celestia’s mane and hook behind her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. Trying to control her galloping heart, Celestia’s fear finally found her voice, “This… we shouldn’t—”

Luna’s lips brushed hers, adrenaline chilling her veins despite the warmth settling in her loins. She pushed in, only to break the seal with another rebuke of their actions. If Luna heard or cared, she showed no sign, sliding closer to nip at Celestia’s ear.

Celestia strangled a moan before it could find release. “Luna!” she said in a harried whisper as she pushed them apart with a hoof on her sister’s chest. “We can’t… not here.”

“I hate this, Tia.” Luna’s eyes closed as she looked away. “I hate being afraid to touch you, to look you in the eye because somepony might—”

“I know,” Celestia whispered, her wing reaching out only to stop shy of her sister’s cheek, “mother’s mane, I know.” She froze there, unable to make herself finish the motion. Finally withdrawing her wing, Celestia forced herself to stand. “We should get back before somepony comes looking for us.”

Celestia only made it a few steps before she noticed that Luna hadn’t moved. Glancing back, she saw Luna’s head still down, Tiberius standing on her shoulder and patting her head.

“Go,” Luna said without looking up. “I… I need a moment.”

Celestia nodded and continued forward. As she stepped into the light, her placid mask already back in place, she forced her thoughts to focus on the art gallery. She had appearances to keep and a painting to buy. Perhaps she could gift it to somepony… Twilight’s castle could use some sprucing up…

It took all her willpower not to glance back.