Chapter Four

Lily, after shifting around listlessly in her bed for quite some time, had finally fallen asleep. As she breathed softly, she instinctively drew her tattered blankie closer to her. It had once been white, with little pictures of bunnies on it. However, time and multiple washings from slightly dirty water had led it to become tinted gray, with some small holes in it from her playing with scissors. Lily found it extremely difficult to sleep without it, and immediately yanked it from the box that Silver had been carrying. There was also a small teddy bear under the covers, and a Daring Do plushie beside her head. Her poster of Neighlor Swift playing the acoustic guitar had been hung above her writing desk, and a small, framed picture of Bluebelle, Gumdrop, and her sat on the desk. Another framed picture of Pipsqueak and his friends from Ponyville had been placed on a nightstand next to her bed.

A soft knocking came at the door. Lily's ear flicked at the noise, but she did not wake up. The knocking continued after a moment's pause, slightly louder this time.

"Princess? Are you up?"

Lily's ear flicked again, and her eyebrows dropped slightly. The knocking returned once more, quite loud.

"Princess!" Apparently the voice had gotten impatient, because the door opened. Lily sat up, startled by the sudden noise. Feather Duster smiled at her. "Ah, you're awake!" Lily grumbled, and rubbed her eyes with her hooves. Feather walked over to the two windows, and opened the curtains, letting the morning sun shine through. Lily hissed like a vampire, which made Feather laugh. "Oh, calm down. Your ladies in waiting will be here soon to-"

There was a sudden burst of bright light in front of the door, which nearly blinded Lily. She yelped and rolled out of her bed. She quickly stood up, and saw a disoriented Foamy, an annoyed Rosebud and Morning, and a sheepish Lav.

"-or I guess not so soon..."

"Lav, could you perhaps tell us when you're teleporting us?" Rosebud bonked Lav's horn with a hoof, who yelped in pain.

"OW, JEEZ, I get it!"

"Per amore di Celestia..." Foamy muttered, regaining her composure. "Ah, good morning, Principessa!"

Morning smiled slightly, and bowed in greeting.

"Forgive our sudden arrival, Princess," Rosebud said, "but SOMEPONY decided to transport the four of us without warning." She glared at Lav.

"For Luna's sake, I said SORRY. Jeez," Lav huffed. "Good morning, by the way."

Feather tutted at their actions, and turned to Lily. "I heard that your new guard will be christened today, Princess."

Lily started. "Guard? As in, my own guards??"

"Yes," Feather replied. "You'll meet your Captain, and decide upon what to call your guards."

"I-I see..."

Feather smiled reassuringly. "I have to go now. Two of the Solar guards will have to escort you to the Dining Hall, but tomorrow, it will be your own." She waved goodbye, and trotted out of the room.

"Well," said Rosebud, "let's get started!"

The four mares decided to put Lily's mane into the same style as last night. As they prettied her up, Lily listened happily to their gossip. She got the feeling that they appreciated her silence, so that they could chatter in peace. Once they were done, the two Solar Guards bowed to her in greeting, and escorted her to the Dining Hall. Lily felt uncomfortable during the whole journey, as nothing she attempted made the guards pay any attention to her.

Once she had arrived, she saw Celestia sitting at the table, already eating. Luna was also present, though half-asleep.

"Ugh... why couldn't have we had breakfast earlier, Celly?" Lily giggled to herself as she noted Luna's obvious change in nickname.

"Shut up, Lulu, I'm trying to eat."

"Good morning," chirped Lily happily. Luna cringed slightly, and took a generous gulp of her black coffee.

"Sorry, Lily, it was a long night."

Celestia smirked over her tea cup. "Did it last forever?"

Luna calmly put her cup of coffee onto the table and glared daggers at Celestia. There was a still silence, before she sighed dejectedly.

"What happened last night?" Lily tilted her head curiously as she sat down next to Luna.

"Let's just say there was a bunch of imbeciles last night, and leave it at that..." Luna took another gulp of her coffee, before turning apologetically to Lily. "I must be a sorry example for a mother, huh?"

Lily shook her head. "Nah, you're just tired."

Luna smiled. "I'm afraid that I'm nocturnal, however, so we shan't be able to spend much time together."

"Then I'll become nocturnal too!"

Luna blinked. "Are you sure? The transition would be quite hard."

"Eh, I'll get over it."

Luna stared at Lily, and her eyes watered slightly. "T-thank you..." She hugged Lily, who gleefully hugged her back. Luna yawned widely, earning some concern from both Lily and Celestia.

"Lulu, you should go to bed if you're so tired."

"No, no, I'll finish my meal first. By the way-" Luna turned to Lily "-when is your birthday, Lily?"

Celestia snorted. "You can't remember the date of birth from the papers?"

"Long night."

"Ah."

"Anyways, when is it?"

Lily paused from her eating to think for a minute. Eventually, she said, "May 15."

Celestia's fork clattered to her plate. "May 15," she cried. "That's in less than a month!"

Lily smiled sheepishly.

"We'll have to send out invitation," Luna stated.

"Invitations?" Lily looked confused. "Invitations for what?"

"Invitations for your birthday party, of course!"