A Revolution [ In Love ]

--- Act Six Chapter Fourteen - Midnight rendezvous ---

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Dash roamed the castle's west wing in search of the illusive dining room, which was the designated meeting place for the strike of noon.

Though it was well past noon, there was no problem in being fashionably- no... Cool-ly? Yeah, cool-ly late.

She smiled as she entered the golden-tapestry laid room, brilliantly enlightened with multitudes of flickering candles and a small sunroof.

Princess Luna and Applejack sat beside each other at the opposite end of the overly large dining table, apparently chatting.

Dash jumped into the air, and glided into a seat beside Applejack, her chair tipping precariously to one end upon landing before dropping to all fours with a loud *Thud!*

The two looked at her almost in a disdainful way, but took a light-hearted attitude soon there-after.

Nearly immediately a plate bearing about twelve zillion fruits and vegetables was set in front of her. One thing Dash would definitely miss, was the food.

It was like they had an abundance, shoveling out loads of the stuff until you had filled yourself five times over.

Seeing Luna and Applejack had long since finished their meals, Dash had no objections to eating quickly, so they could go and " Hit the town, " as Dash had phrased it.

Before long, Dash had cleared every bite, and belched loudly.

" Rainbow. Yer manners? " Applejack scoulded, as she kicked Dash from under the table.

Suddenly Luna belched equally as loudly, and covered her mouth with her hooves. " Oh, my apologies! " she said, laughing with a blush across her dark face.

Applejack sighed. Even the princess didn't have table manners.

Terrific... So much for colonizing Dash.

And so, after some formalities, and failed attempts at planning their day, Luna resolved to 'Wing it,' a pun Rainbow Dash chuckled at.

After the roughly fifteen minute walk to the town, or rather city, the three saw a sign advertising a festival celebrating some holiday they had never heard of.

" Prin'ces, what's Hearts an' hooves day? I ain't never heard a' it. " Applejack questioned.

Luna smiled fondly at the thought.

" Oh, it is a glorious and fun holiday! Festivities echo the settlements, and hormones are high! " She chuckled as the two stepped away from each other with an uncomfortable blush. It was true enough.

" So, it's like a big lovey-Dovey kinda thing, huh? " Dash asked.

" Oh, it has a history, but as it stands, that is indeed it's purpose at the moment. " Luna responded, seemingly woefully.

" Sumpthin' the matter, prin'ces? " Applejack asked.

Luna shook her head, clearing her thoughts. " No, thank you, I am fine. Let us continue our venture of the city! " She spoke with resolve, leading the way into the bustling roads of packed stone.

The two ponies behind her shrugged and trailed along.

They walked through several shops, holding novelty items and nick-knacks that nopony would ever really do more than put on a shelf to collect dust.

They drew stares as they walked. Not Princess Luna, Canterlot was used to her. It was the two mares walking together behind her. Walking flank to flank, nuzzling, brushing against the other, what were they doing?

They once bumped into a passing mare, whose main was styled in a freakish pink and yellow loop. Her features were literally plastered in make-up, and it looked hideous.

" What are you two doing, precisely? " The mare asked, she didn't attempt to hide her disproval.

" We're walking, and you should probably get back to it. " Dash responded, with an equally acidic tone. For good measure, she gave Applejack a lick on the cheek.

The mare snorted, and continued. As the two passed, she extended her hoof in their path, tripping applejack, and toppling the pair head over hooves.

" Hey, what'd ya' do tha' fer? " Applejack asked, rubbing her neck sensitively.

" Oh, I'm sorry, just walking by. " The mare laughed, walking away.

" Hey! Get back here, you barrel licker! " Dash flapped her wings, propelling herself to tackle the impotent mare. Applejack chomped on her tail as she sped forward, and was pulled right back down.

Painfully.

" She ain't worth th' trouble, sugarcube, just a lil' ol' bag a' im-po-tence. " Applejack said, not bothering to look at the retreating mare.

Luna had now realized she had lost the two, and made her way back through the crowd that seemed to have gathered around the two.

She broke through the last line of by-standers, and spotted the two, already walking toward her.

" Why are thy covered in dirt? " Luna asked, regarding their coats and manes.

" Nuthin'. " Dash replied grudgingly.

" Jus' a lil' mis-hap with one a' the pony-folks. " Applejack continued.

Luna nodded, and led them through the crowd of on-lookers, seemingly oblivious to them whispering amongst themselves.

It was strange, a holiday for love and kindness, yet they were all thinking the same thing. ' What's wrong with them? '

So much for fun.

Luna stayed close to them after that incident, and they didn't seem to have any problems past that.

The day passed quickly, in a blur of festivities, novelty items, and walking. Lots of walking.

Before long, the sun had fallen, and the moon was rising over the opposite horizon, signaling the end of the day. Ponies dispersed, disappearing into their homes, and packing up their stalls from the market, the small fair shut down for the day to restock and reset everything.

The three were escorted back to the castle by two pegasi guards, and after a brief 'hello' with Celestia they went to their room. Luna lingered until they were out of earshot.

" They're certainly protective of each other... " Luna said slowly.

" Did something happen? " Celestia asked.

" I wasn't there, but I was informed there was an issue of misconduct. A mare by the name of Emerald-essence spoke out against the pairing, and tripped one intentionally. Conflict asides that was kept verbal, and she left before I could confront her. " Luna summarized to the best of her memory.

Celestia paused for a moment, mulling it over.

" Do nothing. " She said at last. " We don't want to affect the outlook of this ordeal, so we can attain natural results. "

Suddenly there was a pain in her side, as she got that feeling. She felt like Twilight Sparkle again, only now it was more... Personal.

" Thank you, Luna, I... I am going to go lie down in... My... " Celestia stumbled on her words as well as her hooves, tripping over herself onto her rump.

" Sister, are you allright? " Luna asked with concern.

" Yes, yes, my apologies... This sometimes happens... Give me a moment... " Celestia gave herself a moment to gather herself, and stood again.

" It's this... This... " Celestia paused. " This entire bucking holiday! This was a day for showing our love and mourning for Night and Light! Now it's... I'm sorry... I... "

Celestia was surprised at her own words, and her tone. When was the last time she had risen her voice? Surely a long time.

Luna said nothing, and hung her head lightly. She didn't admit it, but she agreed. The holiday had been made as a gesture of respect for Equestria's first rulers, now it was famous only for Closing and creation relationships.

It was nice, but it sucked the original meaning of the holiday from it's concept.

" I think I shall retire for the night... Thank you for your help, good night sister. " Celestia bid Luna, as she slowly walked away, entranced in thought.

Luna watched her walk around the corner, and lingered her sight on the spot long after she had gone. After long enough, she sighed and shook her head. Sometimes Celestia kept too much bottled up inside.

But as ruler of the land, it has to be done, she supposed. Before long she was lying on her back in her bed, staring at the ceiling. What happens when she was to rule alongside her sister again?

Some things, she guessed, nopony can ever know.

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End chapter 14