The Equestrian Event

“You did what?”

Celestia’s voice echoed through the throne room of Canterlot palace. The Princess had risen from her throne, body rigid. Luna stood at the bottom of a flight of marble steps that led up to the throne. She had spent the last half hour filling Celestia in on the events that had transpired earlier that night. Luna's only response to her sister’s outburst was a blank stare.

“Well?” Celestia asked accusingly. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

Luna glanced at the guards who were positioned at the base of the stairs. The one on the right stood perfectly still, his eyes forward. The guard on the left, however, shuffled his hooves in discomfort at the tension in the room. Luna turned back to Celestia.

“Are you quite finished yet?” The younger alicorn’s tone was calm and commanding.

The guard who was fidgeting before, cringed, half expecting the room to be engulfed in flames from Celestia’s rage at the statement. He was relieved when Celestia simply sighed and slumped back into her seat.

“Leave us,” she ordered the two guards.

Luna waited until she heard the clang of the throne room doors behind her before speaking again.

“I simply said that we would consider accepting Jay’s offer to help us in our investigation. In all honesty, it was Twilight who encouraged me to do so.”

“That’s not the part that bothers me.” Celestia began to raise her voice again. “It’s the fact that you left this stranger alone with my student in the middle of Everfree Forest! What if he were to be dangerous?”

“He very well could be,” Luna replied, her voice steady. “But as you yourself said, Twilight is quite capable. Besides, isn’t she the one who is credited for saving Ponyville from a rampaging Ursa Minor? One would think she could take care of herself.”

Celestia rubbed her eyes with her hoof. It had been a long day for her. Longer than usual at least. On top of dealing with the regular paperwork, she was busy making sure that rumors didn’t spread like a wildfire, along with issuing a public address of the theft. She hoped that it wouldn’t come back to bite her later.

“How are you still even awake, Luna?” Celestia asked her sister. “When was the last time you slept?”

“I’ll sleep well enough when this matter is resolved,” Luna answered flatly. “So, what do you think?”

“I think that you’re right,” Celestia sighed. “I’ll make arrangements for the council to meet tomorrow. We can send word to Twilight in the morning to bring this ‘Jay’ here. If what you say about him is true, I’m sure I won’t hear the end of it when everypony sees him stepping off the train. In fact, we should consider setting up an escort to meet them at the station.” She paused for a moment. “Do you think he’ll actually be able to help us? Do you think we can trust him?”

“Does it really matter?” Luna asked.

“What?” Celestia raised an eyebrow.

“What I think,” Luna said. “Does it really change anything?”

Celestia rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“Of course it matters, Luna,” she huffed.

“I think we don’t have many options.” Luna turned to exit the room. “And I think he knows it.”