Dating isn't just for mortals...

Celestia didn’t like being flown around. She was an alicorn, she had wings and was more than capable of using them. But both the Royal Guard and her advisors always insisted that for appearances sake, she couldn't be seen flying about like a normal pony...she was a Princess and had to act accordingly.

The goddess of the sun was annoyed that Twilight seemed to be allowed to fly and move around without guards. Twilight even seemed to be able to go to Manehatten and be ignored by ponies queuing up for Taxis, despite clearly being an alicorn princess...Celestia couldn't even begin to believe that could happen to her!

She always felt guilty at the work done by other ponies for her, but it was worse this evening as she was being flown in a full covered carriage rather than the lighter open ones. Given the work her niece had put in taming her mane, she couldn't let the wind ruin it so had no choice, but it created a lot more work for the guards pulling her through her sisters evening.

Despite the extra drag that the carriage produced, it didn't take the four guards too long to cover the distance between Canterlot and Ponyville. As the quaint and familiar town came into view, she looked back in her minds eye to when she left canterlot, and the faces of her two fellow princesses.

Cadence had a blissful look on her face that young ponies have when it comes to love, and Celestia thought she saw a slight hint of jealousy from her younger sister. But they both also had looks of hope and nerves about them.

And truth be told that described how Celestia felt - hopeful yet nervous...

As her carriage landed and came to a steady stop outside Twilight’s Friendship Rainbow Kingdom Castle, she noted Discord was already waiting for her. He was sporting a rather fashionable suit, no doubt made by Rarity, and was calmly stood waiting just by the palace steps.

As the four pegasi guards unhitched themselves from the carriage, Celestia quickly checking her reflection in the mirror, but then caught herself in the act. Come on Celestia, you are the immortal leader of Equestria, you shouldn’t care how your mane looks! she scolded herself.

“But its nice to feel wanted” she half-whispered to herself as the door was opened.

She gracefully stepped out of the carriage and she noted Discords reaction to her. A faint blush threaten to show on her calm face as her date stood like he had just been turned back into stone by the elements. Celestia turned to her guards “Thank you kind sirs, you will not be needed for the rest of the night.” She waved across the town “I am told that Ponyville has a fine selection of drinking establishments and feel free to try them. Just be in a fit enough state to fly home!” she added with a slight nod.

“But Princess, it is our sworn duty to protect you!” the leader guard replied whilst all four bowed to her unison.

Little good that did against Nightmare Moon, Chrysalis or the Plunder Seeds the alicorn mentally facehooved. “This is Ponyville, a safe place. And apart from myself there is also Princess Twilight and Discord to take care of any trouble that may arise. I will be quite safe here I assure you.”

Hearing his name, Discord stepped forwards and spoke with a reserved tone “Kind Stallions, I shall protect the Princess with my life if need be, I give you my word!”

“Your word?” one of the guards scoffed “The words of a traitor!”

Before Discord had a chance to respond, he felt the rush of air as two wings unfurled in anger next to him.

“Yes, his word. Discord is a friend to me, my sister, Princess Twilight and the former element bearers." Celestia continued her rant "And if that isn’t enough for you, he is a citizen of Equestria and deserves the same respect I expect my guards to give anypony!”

The guard mumbled his apologies and slunk off towards the town, one of his three companions giving him a slight whack round the back of the head as they followed him. Celestia turned to face her date, hoping that her actions hadn’t ruined the evening Thousands of years in the waiting, and you ruin it in the first minute!

“I’m, sorry for their words, that was unprofessional of them.” her eyes dipped to the floor as she spoke

Discord wanted to tell the pony that she was cute when she was angry, but deciding to stick with the whole first date process decided against it...it was too soon “Not at all Princess Celestia. they...”

“Please, just call me Celestia?” the pony interrupted a little despondently.

“Of course, Celestia. It is just a sign of how much a wonderful pony you that they want to protect you. Thank you for sticking up for me.”

His kind words lifted her spirits, and her eyes and head soon followed. The two creatures looked at each other for a moment before Discord gestured to a fancy carriage with two earth pony stallions waiting for them. “A taxi to take us to dinner” he confirmed as the two of them walked over to it. Discord extended a claw to help the pony in and the alicorn instinctively per her hoof in the offered support.

It was their first touch and both hearts skipped a beat as the contact was made, and the minds of them both registered this a few seconds later. The two of them had never touched before, and for the first time to be for something so chivalrous was something neither of them would have expected a thousand years ago.

Celestia carefully (in order not to trip over her dress she was not used to wearing and totally not to extend the time her hoof was being held), got in the carriage and Discord sat next to her. “To Ponyville, dear sirs” he ordered the two taxi-ponies who set off on a leisurely pace towards the town hall.

Twilight was watching over the pop-up restaurant that was already well underway. Most of the customers had already arrived, and Spike was playing the piano whilst Octavia and Lyra discussed their music. Berry Punch seemed quiet content behind the bar, and the few ponies that had started with their starters seemed to be enjoying their food.

Whilst everything was going to plan, Twilight was still mentally freaking out. Luckily hairs had yet sprung out from her mane, but there was still time. The evening was no doubt ‘going to be fine’ everypony had been telling her, but fine wasn’t enough. This was Princess Celestia first date ever! And Princess Celestia always deserved the best. She had mentored Twilight all these and put her on the path that led her to be her own Princess with her own kingdom. And for that alone Twilight would be eternally grateful, literally!

Across the room, Rarity was also doing her best to stay calm as Rainbow Dash took the opportunity to ask “Waitress-ity” as many awkward questions about the menu as possible.

The taxi ride into town wasn’t too long, and the carriage stopped a short distance from the town hall as arranged. Discord jumped out and helped Celestia down from the carriage, their hearts skipping the second beat of the night as hoof met claw.

As Celestia got her bearing, she took in the sight of the newly redecorated town hall. “Did you do this Discord?” she gasped.

The draconequus couldn’t help but smile as his dates face lit up as she took in the decorations and jewels lit up by magically enhanced lamps “No, your little ponies organised all of this...shall we go in?”

There were other ponies in the town square, but they seemed to be ignoring the pair, something Celestia found weird...but refreshing. She nodded in agreement with her date and the pair walked the short distance and up the stairs towards the grand doors.

Twilight saw the door open out of the corner of her eye, and then the familiar faces of her mentor and her friendly antagonist walk through. She was a little shocked at seeing Celestia’s mane up and not flowing like it usually did, but she quickly came to her senses as she noted the two esteemed guests waiting to be seated.

Twilight took a calming breath, then trotted up to the lecture where her reservations were. “Good Evening, welcome to the la musette sur la place. Do you have a reservation?” Twilight tried to sound as formal as possible, whilst also being as dispassionate and friendly in equally measures.

“Yes, in the name of Discord Confusio at seven?”

“Ah, but of course! Sir Confusio, a table for two. Let me show you to you table.” Twilight started to turn but then noticed another couple arriving at the door. Knowing that in her role it would be rude to leave the other couple waiting on arrival, Twilight spoke into her headset “Ms Belle, would you come and help at reception, thank you.”

She then turned back to the immortal couple “If you would like to wait over there, one of the waitresses we seat you shortly.” And with that Twilight turned and greeted the next couple.

Celestia and Discord moved over and the mare lent over and whispered “Discord, did you arrange for Twilight to pretend to not know who we were?”

“No, I had no idea” Discord replied in an even tone, trying to stifle a bit of a giggle. It was a nice touch and no doubt all part of trying to get Celestia away from her Princess mindset.

Celestia smiled and Discord noticed a slight hint of mischief flash across his dates face “Should be nice to see how far we can push that with the others!”

Just than Rarity approached the pair “Sir, Madam, let me show you to your table.”

After the pair had been shown to their table, and their first drinks ordered, Celestia slowly looked around and took in the old building. Discord may have seen it before, but seeing the pleasure in Celestia’s eyes as she noticed all the little details that Spike and Rarity had put together filled his heart with a feeling he didn’t quite know how to describe.

She then turned and said something that the draconequus did not expect “Discord, would you say that this was the best table in the house?”

Discord was rather stunned by that and looked around “No, I wouldn’t. I can get Twilight to move us?”

Celestia let out a small giggle, the sound creating even more confusion for Discords feelings “No, not at all. It’s a nice touch for us to be treated as everypony else.”

“Treated by everypony else...for you I guess thats a demotion rather than something you strive for?”

Celestia noted the change in her partners tone “Has fitting in really been that tough?

Discord looked guiltyly towards the alicorn “Sorry, I shouldn't bring up stuff like this!”

“No, it’s fine, do go on!” she smiled with the mothering smile that had got generations of ponies through tough times.

“Well, I can’t blame your little ponies given what I’ve done in the past...and not so distant past. Of course Ponyville is one of the better places thanks to Fluttershy and Princess Twilight, but outside of this town I’m far from greeted with open hooves!”

Celestia continued her warm smile to Discord “Well, perhaps if ponies knew you better they wouldn’t be so scared - ” and slightly softening her eyes a little “ - and I know I would like to get to know you better!”

Just as Discord was about to reply, one of the waitresses came over with their drinks order, the young unicorn mare practically fainting in delight as she served the two immortals their drinks. Celestia thanked the pony and turned to discord "What shall we toast to?"

Discord smiled as he picked up his glass in one claw "New Beginnings?"

Celestia levitated up her glass and clinked it against her dates "To new beginnings!"