Despite the late hour, a candle still burned on Celestia’s desk. Flickering fitfully, it cast a warm glow over her as she worked, with only the occasional shifting of papers and Philomena’s whistling snores breaking the placid silence.

Celestia read over the final page of the ‘Disaster Relief Request’ form, ensuring everything was in order. Though she held no doubts as to the veracity of Applejack’s claims, she could not afford to be seen playing favorites. If the lords and ladies had to fight through the bureaucracy, so too did the apple farmers, friend of the crown or not. Besides, from what she knew of her, Applejack would not appreciate anything that even hinted at favoritism.

She signed her name across the bottom as a yawn snuck out, stretching her mouth as wide as it would go. Covering it with a gold sheathed fetlock, Celestia shook her head to cast out the drowsiness hounding her and gathered her bathrobe tighter.

Strictly speaking, the bathrobe served no real purpose, Celestia’s natural body temperature being what it was. It was comfortable, however, the golden fleece meshing with her coat like a full body brush.

Setting aside the ‘Disaster Relief Request’, Celestia stared at the stack of papers occupying her inbox. Though it wasn’t a mountain of paper, or even a heap, it was more than an hour’s worth of work, and her bed looked more and more inviting with every page. It was her own fault that she was so far behind, and putting the rest off for the morrow would solve nothing, nor would it be fair to her little ponies.

That wasn’t to say she regretted letting Luna interrupt her schedule. Not in the slightest. It had been far too long since their last flight together. Just getting up into the open sky had been a nice change of pace. But the exertion, the time lost… there was always a price to pay.

The next packet was thick, filled with mismatched pages of varying size and grade. It was a formal proposal for the expansion of the Duchy of Canterberry.

Celestia closed her eyes, thinking back to the Duchess’ appeal on the subject last week. As she recalled, Duchess Canterberry wished to purchase a large swath of plains to convert into farmland. The gold on offer was fair as far as Celestia was aware, but something about it had seemed off.

Opening the packet, she began to read, examining the proposal itself and all the documentation that it contained.

She needn’t delve too deep. A quick glance at the map, provided by one of the palace scribes, showed all that she needed to see. While most of the expansion was farmable land, the last few miles plunged into the Unicorn Range. Land that was not conducive to either large nor small scale agriculture.

With a long suffering smile, Celestia marked the proposals for review, pending a mineral survey of the concerned mountains. The esteemed Duchess was far from the first pony to attempt a similar ploy, and she wouldn’t be the last. Few nobles were content with their lots and even fewer allowed a chance to increase them slip by untested.

Celestia would never claim to enjoy thwarting their ploys. Once in a generation, however, one would inevitably rise above the others, providing her an antagonist of sorts, a stone against which she could keep her wits sharp. A few generations ago it had been the Bluebloods.

Setting the proposal aside, her smile lightened at what she saw in her inbox. A bright pink envelope poked out of the stack, its corner just visible under the next folder.

She didn’t bother to wonder how the letter had gotten there as she slid it out. There were only so many hours in a day, and she couldn’t afford to waste them pondering the enigma of one Miss Pinkamena Diane Pie.

Cracking the seal, she didn’t flinch at the explosion of confetti and streamers, catching every piece in her field before they could reach her muzzle and sliding them straight to the trashbin.

No matter how many times she declined the invitations, Pinkie never seemed to grow discouraged. Whenever there was a party, without fail, Ms. Pie would send Luna and her another invitation. They never came through the post either, always hidden beneath a tea cup, stuck between the cushion and leg-rest of her throne, stuffed in a drawer, between the pages of a book, or slipped under a pillow—Luna had not found that one to be particularly entertaining. After their first night together, they both requested she keep the invitations to their inboxes.

Despite knowing that she wouldn’t be attending, Celestia still read the details. Pinkie’s invitations tended to digress, usually taking a trip around Equestria until they circled back to announce the date and time. They were a wonderful source of information on Ponyville’s more personal news, certainly more entertaining to read than the reports she got from her official sources.

She’d already retrieved a blank page and started writing her response when she reached the post-script. The four little words written in Pinkie’s unique script caught her eye and…

Celestia’s stomach made a noise, a low rumble that would have caused a sensation if anypony had been around to hear it. Fortunately, there wasn’t anypony to—

An annoyed squawk from across the room made her cringe. Glancing over her shoulder, she spotted Philomena perched on her stand, the glow of her ruffled feathers fading as they settled.

Celestia spared the bird a glare. “Oh hush, you. It wasn’t that loud.”

Philomena chirped something that could have been mistaken a chortle and bobbed her head. To which Celestia responded with a roll of her eyes. She wasn’t half as funny as she thought she was. More importantly, rising to her bait would only serve to waste more of Celestia’s time.

Finishing her reply, she placed it on the outgoing mail bin and turned to the next item. Her stomach had different plans, however, and proceeded to voice them, much to Philomena’s entertainment, rocking back on her perch and ducking her head behind a wing to muffle her chittering.

Celestia continued to ignore the phoenix, looking instead at the real source of her annoyance. It wasn’t going to stop on its own.

—————————————

Luna frowned as she sat in the middle of the ‘Restricted’ wing of the Royal Archives. The room resembled a wagon wheel with spokes made of shelf-lined halls. Layers of curved tables created the axis and provided a place for ponies to peruse their selected works, enough seating for perhaps a hundred scholars… though only enough surface area for twenty.

Crystals in sconces provided the illumination, reacting to her presence, glowing brighter as she neared—open flames being highly discouraged in all the archives. The overall effect, with a singular occupant—a small core of light surrounded on all sides by darkness—would have been oppressive for almost anypony else. Luna found it relaxing, comforting even. She’d almost deactivated the crystals, but that would only guarantee her sister finding her out if she forgot to turn them back on.

Celestia had been devious in her organization of the wing. Or, rather, the apparent lack thereof. To an untrained eye, it was pure chaos. Nothing was labeled or sorted. Almost like she just filled it up as she went along. There was a pattern though. With Celestia there was always a pattern, a plan. Luna just wished she could see it.

After two weeks of searching, she was no closer than when she first began. It didn’t help that she had to do it alone. There was no way she would bring somepony else in on this. They wouldn’t understand, wouldn’t approve. She wasn’t certain Celestia would either and didn’t dare ask… not yet.

She wasn’t even certain what school of spell it was. The terminology seemed to have changed constantly throughout the years, sometimes even within a single book. Then there were the books themselves, divided not by school, but by author. Each was a conglomeration of one pony’s successes and failures, filled with random tangents and inane writings. Even with marking off any written after her abeyance, there were still thousands of books and many, many more scrolls.

She knew it existed, remembered it vaguely, but time and a thousand years of pseudo-consciousness did not promote detailed memory recall, and there were so many that she’d rather forget altogether. Without a guide, it could be years before she found it. Which assumed it had survived.

The idea had stuck, though. It sunk its claws into her, and satiating it was her only option.

If the books and scrolls had ever been labeled, they were no longer. Removed by magical or mundane means, she could not restore what no longer existed. The only option, until she figured out the pattern, was a systematic search that could take decades. Either she would find it, or her curiosity would latch onto something else. Which one she preferred, she wasn’t sure.

She’d considered reconstruction from memory but quickly tossed that idea away. The consequences of failure were unconscionable, and experimentation was right out.

Finishing a rushed skim of ‘Pedantic’s Plethora of Potions, Elixirs, Draughts, and Brews’, she closed it, still not certain why it had been filed into the ‘Restricted’ wing. Her allotted hours to spend on research were over. Other tasks, responsibilities to her little ponies, awaited her attention, and she only had so much time set aside to eat.

Tomorrow was another day, and there would be many tomorrows before she was through.

Grumbling nonetheless, Luna flung her most recent collection of failures back to their appropriate places. She didn’t exit through the door. To do so would risk somepony seeing her and a nosy Celestia undoubtedly finding out what she was up to. Instead, she walked down the northern passage until she found her entry point; a decently sized nook where the light didn’t reach.

For as thorough as Celestia was, she still missed things. Like, for instance, a slight oversight in the security wards. Stepping into the shadow Luna—

The palace kitchens were rarely ever empty. The chef and most of her staff began work in the pre-dawn hours, preparing breakfast for nearly everypony who called the Castle home. They didn’t leave until well past nightfall, cleaning everything to be ready for the next day.

Even after that, there was a small nightshift that came in. Only comprised of a scant few ponies, they operated on a ‘made to order’ basis that kept their messes small and quickly cleaned. The upshot of which was the freshness and customization of every meal.

—stepped into the darkest corner of the palace kitchens.

Large didn’t even begin to describe it. With more stoves and ovens than Luna cared to count, they could serve well over five hundred ponies at any one time. There was hardly enough space between workstations for a pony to pass without bumping into somepony else, or so it would be during the daytime.

At current there were three other ponies in the kitchen, all of whom straightened and bowed as Luna stepped from the shadows. After two years, they were finally starting to get used to her. Luna was almost disappointed about that. She rather enjoyed when the unicorns jumped higher than the pegasi.

“Your Highness,” the most senior cook said as they bowed, “how may we serve you?”

“That will not be necessary today,” Luna replied, walking past them, headed straight for the salad bar in the cafeteria proper. She did not feel like wasting time waiting for food. Throwing together a quick salad from the bar would allow her to head straight to work, eating at her desk.

“Of course, Your Highness. If you have need for us, you have only to call.”

Luna absently nodded, already opening the swinging doors that led out into the cafeteria. A single step through and she froze, eyes locked on the back of Celestia’s head.

Turning back to the cooks and keeping her voice low, Luna said, “I wish to speak with my sister. You may return in two hours time.”

They seemed hesitant at first, but quickly made their exit as Luna turned her attention back to Celestia.

She sat alone at one of the long tables, the only other pony in sight. Her mane was down, bound together with a silk tie and draped lazily over her shoulder. More importantly, she was wearing the bathrobe Luna had gotten her for her most recent birthday.

On silent hooves, she slipped through the door and crept across the cafeteria toward her unsuspecting sister. Each careful step brought her closer to Celestia and further from her troubles. By the time she was within striking distance, her tail was swishing with barely restrained excitement. She crouched back, hindlegs tensed, prepared to pounce.

Something splattered against her muzzle. Crossing her eyes, she could just see the white smear of icing stuck against her nose.

Celestia turned her head to the side, smiling at her with one mischievous eye. “Tsk, tsk, Lulu. When will you learn?”

Luna grumbled incoherently, reaching to wipe her nose off, only for a white feather to intercept her hoof and Celestia to beckon her closer. Uncertain, Luna complied, taking a step forward. Celestia turned to face her completely, glancing around the room as though to ensure they were truly alone. Once satisfied, she leaned forward, her tongue slipping out to lick the icing off, followed by a quick kiss on the top of her muzzle before pulling back.

Luna was frozen, stunned and unsure how to react. She’d been chastised nearly every time she attempted to show any affection outside their rooms. For Celestia to go so far, to do something so blatantly not ‘sisterly’…

“Tia?” she asked, a little concerned that something might be wrong.

Instead of responding, Celestia pulled Luna in close, maneuvering her so they sat side-by-side. Luna was about to speak again when Celestia offered her a forkful of cake, pressing it against her lips. With her choices limited to eating or having cake smashed against her muzzle, she opened her mouth, letting the sweet dessert temporarily distract her from Celestia’s odd behavior. The next thing Luna knew, Celestia leaned into her, resting her head on her shoulder. Without really thinking, she draped her wing over Celestia’s back.

It was the heavy yawn that followed that tipped her off. “You should be in bed.”

“I would be,” Celestia grumbled, stuffing another bite of cake into Luna’s mouth, “if it weren’t for you pulling me away from my duties for hours.”

Luna scoffed once she’d swallowed the bite. “You loved it.”

“I did.” Celestia snuggled deeper into her side. “That doesn’t change the truth.”

Another bite of the cake was shared, this one unrushed and savored in companionable silence. Luna studied what was left on the plate as she chewed. The cake itself was red and spongy with a thick, creamy white icing. “This is excellent. What kind is it?”

“It’s named after its inventor: Ruby Velvet.”

Luna hummed and rested her chin on Celestia’s head. Every breath brought with it the scent of spring, of wildflowers and the crisp aroma that followed a light spring shower. Stretching out her tongue, Luna pulled Celestia’s ear into her mouth, nibbling lightly on its tip.

“This tastes better.” She could feel Celestia tense up and almost try to pull away. Letting the ear go for only a second, she added, “Do not worry. I sent the staff away. We are alone.”

Celestia shivered as Luna’s teeth returned. “I… anypony could walk in.”

“Hypocrite.”

“A quick kiss is…” Celestia hummed as Luna’s tongue traced along the edge, “is hardly the same as you gnawing on my ear.”

Despite her words, Celestia made no attempt to stop her, even turning her head to give easier access. After a few seconds, Luna pulled back again. “I came here for lunch, and I find the menu to my liking.”

Wrapping her magic around both of them, Luna teleported into the kitchen. When Celestia started to say something, Luna silenced her with a wing across her lips. Treating her as though she were made of glass, Luna levitated Celestia onto one of the counters, gently laying her on her back before climbing up to stand over her.

For a few precious seconds, neither moved. Luna stared down at her sister’s prone form, legs half-curled over her barrel as though she was a blushing virgin. Luna let her eyes travel up and down Celestia’s body, still covered by the golden bathrobe. Taking the knotted sash in her field, she untied it in a slow, smooth motion, dropping the ends to dangle on either side. Tenderly, she ran a hoof down the hem, pushing one side off to reveal half of Celestia’s torso.

Luna had to stop. To lick her lips and remind herself to breath. How long had they been together? How many times had she seen Celestia, felt her, tasted her? Yet the sight of her half exposed chest could still shake her to her core.

Her hoof almost shook as she ran it over Celestia’s panting chest, sliding the other half off, framing her in a pool of gold.

Luna swallowed, forcing herself to focus on her original plan. Reaching out to the salad bar, she began covering Celestia in a spread of raw vegetables and fruits.

“Luna?” Celestia said, her eyes following the food settling across her chest and stomach. “What are you doing?”

“Making lunch.”

Finished, Luna looked over her sister once more. She was covered from neck to pelvis in leaves and slices, an entire salad worth of food hiding Celestia’s white coat. Craning her neck, Luna bent down to lick Celestia’s throat, picking up the sliced carrot precariously resting there, nuzzling her as she chewed. Celestia bit her lip, pushing her chin back to expose her neck that much more. Taking the hint, Luna swallowed and lavished her sister’s throat before moving on.

“What if…” Celestia started as Luna plucked a cherry tomato from the hollow of her neck, snapping it between her teeth and spraying her with its juices. Celestia swallowed, her eyes closing while Luna sucked her neck clean once more. “What if somepony sees us?”

Luna’s tail twitched, a warmth settling below it. She did not pause to respond right away, only shifting to graze her way down Celestia’s body, picking off the salad piece-by-piece.

“‘Tis possible, I suppose.” Her teeth crunched through bits of salad, speaking slowly between her feasting. “Verily, anypony could walk in, could they not?” Celestia shifted, spilling some of the salad to the floor. “The doors are unlocked and unguarded. We are exposed, in the open.”

Celestia’s breath quickened, panting as Luna reached her sternum. She could go no farther, rear hooves at the table’s edge and her neck bent as far as it would go. White hooves gripped the sides of her muzzle, pulling her back to Celestia’s lips. The kiss was desperate, ravenous, and unrelenting until Luna tore herself away.

“We should… We should go… back—”

Luna placed a hoof on her lips, giving a slow shake of her head. “Neigh, Sister. I think we should stay right here.”

With careful steps, Luna turned herself around, facing Celestia’s parted hindlegs.

She could smell her sister’s arousal, the almost spicy scent quickening her own breath, making her nostrils flare. Her eyes trailed down Celestia’s form, taking in the remains of her salad, eventually reaching the aroma’s source. A leaf of lettuce rested there, hiding her sister’s sex from view, but Luna had no trouble imagining it, pink and blooming beneath the crispy leaf.

Heat suffused her own marehood, patting her glistening lower lips as they quivered just out of Celestia’s reach. A quick glance between her legs showed those vibrant pink eyes staring straight up, tongue licking at hungry white lips.

“I think it excites you to be here like this,” Luna continued, watching Celestia’s stomach move with quickening breaths, hindlegs parting wider and wider as she spoke. “The thought of somepony catching us.” Luna nuzzled Celestia’s soft stomach. “Shhh, sister. Listen… Can you hear them?” she asked, her breath playing across white fur, a soft croon coming from behind her. Glancing up, she stared at the servant’s entrance straight ahead. “The soft clip clop of our subjects hooves, right outside those doors.”

Celestia writhed and groaned at the teasing. Luna could hear the desperation in her breaths. The need to be touched. To feel Luna’s hooves and tongue. She denied her, continuing her lunch but only granting Celestia the most ephemeral touches.

“Lulu, please,” Celestia whined, her own hooves petting at Luna’s flanks, stroking her cutie marks and slipping around her thighs.

She glanced between her legs, meeting Celestia’s eyes and savouring the helpless pleading behind them. “Please what, my love?”

Celestia’s response came not in words but in a burst of magic. The golden light of her field swept away the last few remnants of Luna’s salad, casting them to the floor to reveal her moist pink folds as her hindlegs strained to spread even further. A small glass jar popped into existence on the counter beside her. Grabbing a spoon, Celestia collected a glob of the thick syrup and dropped a dollop on her stomach.

Curious, Luna lowered her head, sniffing it. The distinct aroma hit her nose, and her eyes widened. She dove in, licking and sucking the sticky, bitter topping out of Celestia’s fur, moaning as the coffee flavor coated her teeth and tongue. The warmth that had settled in her sex redoubled, slick moisture starting to dribble down her leg.

The spoon returned, spreading a trail across Celestia’s stomach, working its way closer and closer to her waiting flower. Luna followed without hesitation, making sure to get every last drop out of her sister’s fur before moving to the next.

When it reached a teat, the spoon painted it thick, leaving behind a large swath of the bittersweet syrup. Luna latched on with vigor, suckling the stiff nub, massaging it with her tongue to rub it clean. Celestia’s magic flickered under the assault, her teeth grinding as she fought to keep focused.

Pulling back, Luna stretched the teat until it slipped out from between her lips.

The spoon wavered, spilling the precious syrup across the counter, leaving a long streak that spanned Celestia’s inner thighs. Luna ignored what had been spilt on the counter, licking her way around Celestia’s marehood, teasing at the edges of her swollen lips with her tongue.

The light scent of smoke didn’t register, overpowered by all the other odors filling her nose, but the flare of green fire was not so easily missed. A sealed scroll flashed into existence in front of her muzzle, hanging there for a second before gravity took hold. Luna’s quick reflexes were all that saved it from landing right on Celestia’s sopping marehood.

Staring at it for a moment, Luna’s initial shock morphed into a devious smirk. With deliberate motions, she broke the seal and began to read.

“Luna, what…?”

Glancing back at Celestia, Luna noted the desperate expression on her sister’s muzzle. She reveled in it, taking as much pleasure from denying her release as she normally did in granting it. Holding the scroll up for Celestia to see, she asked, “Has Twilight Sparkle always had such poor timing?”

“Lulu, please!” Celestia whined, only for her voice to devolve into an almost pained groan.

“She wishes for me to attend an… Astronomy Convention?” she asked, genuinely confused. “I do not think I understand. The stars are what I make of them. There is no ‘convention’ beyond that. Why—”

“Luna! I’ll explain later,” Celestia nearly shouted. “But right now, I need you to focus!” With more force than she probably intended, Celestia slapped a great glob of the coffee flavored syrup just above her entrance.

Grinning, Luna carefully set the scroll out of the way and completely ignored the enticing offering. Instead, she picked up where she’d left off earlier. “Tsk, tsk, Sister. What has happened to your renowned patience?” Luna shook her head. “Should I feel inadequate, that you are more aroused by the prospect of being caught than by my own glorious flanks?

“Honestly, Tia, you have spent far too long in your ivory tower.” Luna ran a hoof along her sister’s stomach, petting the supple flesh between her teats. “You have stood there, so far above our little ponies that even a hint that one of them could see you for the—” she licked her lips, staring Celestia’s glistening pink flower, “—sumptuous mare you are is all it takes to make you wet.”

Lowering her muzzle, Luna’s lips hovered over Celestia’s stiff nipple as she spoke, her hot breath washing over it. “What would they think, I wonder, if they walked in on you like this, your legs splayed wide, begging to be rutted.” Celestia twisted more, whining and thrusting her hips in a futile attempt to find the stimulation that Luna was denying her. Luna moved further down, licking at the mound of coffee syrup. “So desperate to be taken that you can not even return the favor.”

Luna moved further down. Already tasting her sister on the back of her tongue, she blew a stream of cool air over Celestia’s sex, making her squirm and groan and beg. “Would they—”

“Mother’s mane, Luna! Just fuck me already!”

“As you wish.”

—————————————

Rarity flicked at the drawing with her charcoal pencil, adding a final, arcing flourish to the dress. Taking a step back, she eyed her work, tracing along every line and curl with a critical eye, examining every minute detail even as she absorbed the sum of its parts.

Something was amiss. She squinted at it, tapping the charcoal stick against her lip in thought. Was something missing… or had she added too much? Maybe if she changed—

A light knock on her front door broke Rarity’s concentration.

Frowning, she glanced from her sketch to the entrance of her inspiration room and the front door beyond that. The battle between pursuing her art with abandon and paying her bills was not new to her. It was a daily tug of war that had the unfortunate habit of ending the same way almost every time.

Setting her charcoal aside, Rarity sighed. It wasn’t so bad this time. She hadn’t been ‘in the zone’ as such, but it was still frustrating. Life would be so much nicer if she could separate ‘design time’ from ‘sales time’ at her own leisure, rather than the customer’s.

Standing at the front door, Rarity spent a moment to collect herself. Checking that her mane and tail were in order, she closed her eyes, took a breath, put on a pleasant smile, and opened the door.

“Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where—” Rarity opened her eyes. “Oh, Twilight! Why didn’t you say it was you?” Before Twilight could do so much as open her mouth, Rarity stepped aside, ushering her in. “Come in. Come in. Tell me, darling, what can I do for you today?”

Twilight smiled in her shy way as she entered. “It’s nothing much. I…” She trailed off when Rarity turned to face her. Tapping a hoof to her lip, she said, “Rarity, you’ve got something…”

“What?” Crossing her eyes, Rarity pouted in an attempt to see what she was talking about.

“It’s a black mark.”

Rarity blushed, knowing instantly what had happened. “Oh! how embarrassing.” Turning, she trotted straight toward her dressing room. “You’ll excuse me while I touch this up.”

“Actually,” Twilight said as she followed, “that’s why I came over.”

Flipping on the vanity lights, Rarity tsked at her reflection and the spot of charcoal marring her lip. Such a troublesome habit, one she should have broken years ago. With delicate dabs from a moist towelette, she cleaned the mark, careful not to ruin her lipstick.

“Oh? How so?”

“I was hoping you could help me with some makeup.”

Rarity smiled at her reflection, both in response to Twilight and to ensure her lipstick didn’t require reapplication. “You certainly came to the right pony.”

Inviting Twilight inside, Rarity moved so she could sit before the vanity mirror. Once situated, she hovered around Twilight, turning her head this way and that way, getting the wash of light to fall at every conceivable angle.

Satisfied, she turned to her cabinet of makeup supplies. The door opened to reveal a complete collection of every possible shade and type of makeup imaginable. She quickly sorted through everything, picking out the items she was certain to need.

“Soooo, what’s the occasion?”

Twilight’s delay in answering drew a backward glance from Rarity. From her vantage point, she could see Twilight looking around, her eyes never staying put for long. When she did answer, it was hesitant, almost uncertain. “The Canterlot Astronomy Convention.”

Rarity hummed in acknowledgement and just a hint of suspicion. Hiding a coy smile, she pulled out a few items she had been about to leave behind. “Business casual then?”

“I… guess.”

“You will be presenting, I presume?” Rarity prodded as she turned back, holding different items next to Twilight’s muzzle to compare the colors, tutting occasionally as one or another failed to match her expectations. “Speaking in front of an audience filled with other professionals?”

Twilight fidgeted a bit. “Not specifically, no.”

Rarity pulled back a little, making eye contact through the mirror. “If all you want is to look ‘nice’, I can do that for you, of course. But if you tell me the purpose, I can make sure you present the proper image. The makeup you wear to a business meeting, is different from that which you wear to a ball, is different from that which you wear on a date.”

Her eyes falling to the vanity top, Twilight mumbled something.

Rarity’s smile became downright predatory. “You’ll have to speak up, dear.”

Twilight took a deep breath, her lips moving in what could only be a private pep talk. Rarity watched with a patient, knowing smile. She waited until Twilight’s eyes returned to hers, filled with steel resolve, then spoke before she could get a word out.

“Do you want drop-dead-gorgeous or sexy librarian?”

“Rarity!”

“Librarian it is. Not that I’m surprised, mind you, but I thought I’d offer.” While Twilight struggled to recover the initiative, Rarity continued on, unabated, “Oh, you two are going to look so cute together! Now, about your mane. I was thinking…”

—————————————

Twilight had never put much thought into the royal chariot’s built-in enchantments before. Having only ridden in one a few times, and never with a mane more than a few brush strokes from fixing, she’d never had a reason to care. Now, though, seemed the perfect time to start.

The spell protecting her mane from the wind wasn’t perfect. It only deflected most of it, enough to preserve all of Rarity’s work while still letting some through to prevent motion sickness. Not that Twilight suffered from that particular malady, but it was good to know. She also noticed that it was powered by the charioteers rather than an internal source.

On closer inspection, it looked as though the wind-screen was a side benefit, the spell’s primary purpose being to direct wind under the chariot, creating enough lift that it stayed aloft. It was rather ingenious, and she could spend hours picking it apart to its base components, and then some.

Which was really good, because if she didn’t have something else to focus on, she’d inevitably start thinking about the reason she was flying to Canterlot. From there it was a short hop, skip, and/or jump to panicking over the myriad of ways she was certain she’d already ruined everything.

Just as an example: she hadn’t been particularly explicit in her letter. She’d tried to make sure her feelings were present but, at the same time, could not quite bring herself to come out and say it. Every time she tried, a voice would whisper in her ear, telling her how foalish she was for thinking that somepony as amazing as Princess Luna would want to be anything more than friends. So she’d beat around the issue, terrified of what could come from admitting her feelings.

Luna’s reply hadn’t help matters. It was her all over, of course: direct, to the point, and cordial. Which told Twilight nothing at all. She couldn’t imagine Luna’s reply to be any different regardless of how she felt.

Twilight bit her lip. Only to stop immediately, ruining her makeup wouldn’t help anything.

Without knowing Luna’s interpretation, she couldn’t go in assuming that it was a ‘date’ date. She didn’t want to make Luna uncomfortable. Putting her on the spot like that… it… If she didn’t think it was a date things would get awkward fast.

Unless she did think it was a ‘date’ date, then Twilight acting like it was just another get together would send all the wrong signals. She should have just asked. A short simple letter asking if she’d like to go on a date. Or should she have requested permission to court her? That seemed more Luna’s style, now that she thought of it.

Or should she have asked for Celestia’s permission? Or their parents? Did they have parents? Oh, why hadn’t she talked to Rarity first? She would have known exactly what she should have done.

Stomping a hoof, she cut off her derailing thoughts. It was too late to worry about any of that. Her course was set, and all she could do was ride it out.

One of the guards glanced back, his questioning gaze making Twilight blush and shrink back. “Ah ha ha… sorry.”

The chariot circled as it began to descend toward the castle’s northern courtyard. Glancing over the edge, Twilight spotted Princess Celestia waiting for her. The sight of her mentor swept her worries about Luna to the back of her mind, making way for ones with which she was far more familiar and able to deal with.

It was only as the chariot touched down that the situation dawned on her. She was about to take Princess Celestia’s little sister out on a date—or something like a date. That was her hope at least. Through all the excitement, terror, and preparations, she’d managed not to think of it like that before. Twilight Sparkle wanted to date Princess Celestia’s sister, and she hadn’t even considered how the Princess might feel about that!

The chariot rolled to a stop. On suddenly less-than supportive legs, Twilight stepped off and walked toward her lifelong mentor and idol. Princess Celestia watched with her normal, calm countenance, almost putting Twilight at ease… almost. She had no doubt that her appearance had been noted, but Princess Celestia made no comment.

“My dear, Twilight, how wonderful it is to see you again,” the Princess said, craning her neck in an expectant invitation.

Years of practice saved Twilight from hesitating, drawing her in to accept her mentor’s warm embrace and to return it in kind before taking a step back. “I’m sorry it has been so long—”

The Princess cut her off with a click of her tongue. “There is no need to apologize. I, above all ponies, understand how much time a tiara demands.” Turning, she led Twilight inside, opening the doors as they entered the castle. “Luna sends her apologies for not meeting you herself, there are a few matters that require her attention yet. I hope you do not mind keeping me company while you wait,” she said, the last coming with a mischievous lilt.

“No. Of course not, Princess. I would love to,” Twilight said, hoping that the nervousness in her voice was taken in stride as her normal behavior.

“Tsk, Twilight. One of these days I will break you of that habit.”

Blushing, Twilight almost repeated the mistake. Her mouth hovered open for a second as an idea settled into place. It was outright disobedient, but she couldn’t stop herself, nor look at her, as she said, “We’ll see.”

Celestia’s visible eye widened, only to narrow as she studied Twilight’s face. “Is that a challenge, Princess Twilight Sparkle?”

Twilight’s wings ruffled at the title coming from Princess Celestia’s lips. “I… Uhm, yes?”

“Excellent,” the Princess said, her features softening as she picked up her pace.

Twilight almost tripped over her own hooves, hurrying into a trot just to keep up. Had the Princess really just said that? That was not the reaction she’d expected. Then again, she wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but happy wasn’t it.

Shortly, they arrived at their destination, stepping back outside to one of the smaller gardens. A tea set awaited them atop a low stone table in the center of a small yard. Despite the turning of the season, the air was warm with a number of flowering bushes providing swathes of vibrant color.

Princess Celestia settled down on a cushion and motioned for Twilight to sit opposite her as she started brewing the tea.

Five minutes of silence followed as the Princess ‘steeped her thoughts’ right along with the tea leaves. Twilight tried to do the same but, for the first time, couldn’t. Everytime she managed to push one set of worries away, the other would fill the void, leaving her squirming under the Princess’ gaze.

“Twilight,” Princess Celestia said, lifting the pot and pouring their tea, “is something the matter? You seem uncomfortable.”

Afraid to meet the Princess’ eyes, Twilight stared at her tea, idly swirling it in her magic. “I’m a little nervous, I guess.”

“Oh? About what?”

“Luna, mostly. I just want this…” Twilight stumbled over the next word, saying instead, “evening to go well.”

Princess Celestia hummed appreciatively, not showing any sign that she noted Twilight’s slip. “Do not worry over her much. I have been dragging her out more often of late, and she is doing much better among the populous.”

“That’s good,” Twilight said, smiling too wide as she added, “We wouldn’t want a repeat of Nightmare Night. Ah ha ha.”

“Yes,” Celestia said with a much more natural chuckle of her own. “That would be rather unfortunate.” She took a moment to sip her tea before changing the subject. “Luna has kept me abreast of your sessions with her, but I would like to hear your thoughts on what you have learned.”

Finally finding herself on solid, reliable ground, Twilight was able to relax somewhat and talk freely. Their conversation traveled the width and breadth of what she’d learned over the past few months, both magical and mathematical. Princess Celestia listened with the same earnest interest she had since Twilight first entered her tutelage, interrupting here and there to ask questions or point out some detail or perspective Twilight hadn’t considered.

For those few minutes, it was like she had stepped back in time four years, before everything became complicated.

Then the subject drifted, turning toward the more general topics of Ponyville and the state of Twilight’s own court. Though she was on less familiar ground, the conversation still flowed easily, never quite losing the student-teacher dynamic. Questions and worries flew from Twilight’s lips, none of which were treated as anything but important by the Princess. As throughout Twilight’s life, she rarely received a straight answer or solution, rather wise guidance with an occasional prod toward a solution that she already knew but had been uncertain of.

The pot of tea was empty when she noticed the shadows behind Celestia shift. Twilight’s heart skipped a beat as Luna’s teal eyes opened, seeming to hover unsupported in the pitch darkness. Her muzzle came next, shadows sliding like water off her strong features, followed by her mane of dancing stars. Each leg took shape as it stepped out, crouching and tense, sinuous muscles shifting beneath silky, dark-blue fur.

By the time her entire sleek, beautiful form was visible, Twilight’s heart was galloping in her chest, a smile tugging incessantly at her lips.

Luna’s expression, initially a devious grin, fell almost instantly, cutting the energy from Twilight’s own. She didn’t understand, but a quick glance at Princess Celestia revealed a small smirk hidden within her smile. She reached out and gave Twilight’s hoof a supportive pat.

“You did nothing wrong, Twilight. She should know better by now.”

“Neigh, Sister,” Luna said, stepping up to her side. “I shall succeed one of these nights.”

“Perhaps,” Princess Celestia said, giving Twilight a mischievous grin to match Luna’s from before. “We’ll see.”

Turning her attention to Twilight, Luna said, “Twilight Sparkle, I apologize for my tardiness. I had some,” her eyes shifted to her sister, “last minute paperwork to see to before our departure.”

Twilight looked between the two princesses, recognizing the presence of subtext, but lacking any context to frame it. Lost, she said the only thing that came to mind, “That’s alright, Luna. I didn’t mind.”

Luna bowed her head. “My thanks. If I could stretch your patience once more, I would ask a moment with my sister, and then we may be off.”

“Oh! Of course,” Twilight said, standing. “I’ll just wait inside?”

Luna nodded. “That will do.”

Her smile a little awkward, Twilight made her goodbyes to the Princess before trotting back into the castle where she waited for Luna to join her.

Closing the door behind her, Twilight could no longer contain the potent mixture of nerves and excitement at the forthcoming hours. It took a number of deep breaths to calm the horde of butterflies dancing in her stomach. There was nothing she could do to stop from prancing a bit, however.

Luna and she were about to spend the entire evening together without something hanging over their heads. This was going to be the best night ever!

—————————————

The door had closed behind Twilight before Luna spoke up, “I am still uncertain of this venture.”

Celestia allowed herself a smug smile, saying, “Now you know how I feel every Solstice.” Nipping playfully at Luna’s neck, she continued in a more sympathetic tone, “They are gathering to celebrate your work. Please, keep that in mind. It may not be in quite the way you desired, but it is a start.”

Nodding once, Luna said, “I will see you upon my return.”

Before she could start to leave, Celestia pulled her into a long kiss, holding her muzzle between her hooves. They parted slowly, only for Celestia to add a quick peck at the end. “And Luna, do try to have fun.”

“I am certain that Twilight Sparkle will keep me well enough entertained. ‘Twould still be better were you to join us.”

Celestia smiled, but shook her head. “Perhaps next time. For now, however, you should hurry, else Twilight may begin to worry.”

Luna nodded again and turned toward the door. She paused for a moment, resettling her wings before starting forward. Celestia couldn’t help but watch her go, eyes following the natural sway of Luna’s hips until the door closed and cut her off.

Celestia set about collecting the tea set, smiling at the thought of Luna and Twilight. There was something adorable about those two; how differently they reacted to the same worries and fears. It was tempting to spy on them, especially tonight, just to see how well they were progressing. Ignoring the moral ambiguity, seeing Twilight all gussied up had been more than enough to assure Celestia they were on track.

Trotting off toward the kitchens with the tea service in tow, Celestia wondered if there was anymore cake left; the success of a plan was always worthy of a celebration.

Author's Note

The great and indomitable Nalesia has taken it upon herself to recreate the most recent scene between our beloved Princess's Celestia and Luna.
Feast your eyes and enjoy.