Let's Be Royals

***Chapter 2: Flying High***

The week was nearing its end. As promised, Twilight returns to the Canterlot Palace with a few bags in tow. She is immediately greeted by Celestia.

"Good afternoon, princess." Twilight says with a cheery grin.

"A wonderful afternoon to you as well, princess." Celestia replied with a noticeable 'wink'. "Are you ready to depart?"

Twilight nods as she looks through her toiletry bag.

"I believe I am, but you still haven't mentioned where it is we are going."

"Forgot that little detail, did I?" Celestia asks jokingly. "Where we are going is a very exciting place. There will be many sights to see, many foods to eat, and most importantly, beauty beyond that of the city of Canterlot. Twilight, I have emptied out weekend of all plans for a trip to Manehattan."

Twilight's eyes widen.

"M-Manehattan? Really? Oh, Princess Celestia, that sounds amazing!"

The purple mare throws her hooves around Celestia's neck, pulling her into a friendly embrace. A friendly embrace it is, to Twilight, but to Celestia, it is something more. The princess takes in every feeling from Twilight's warm body pressing against her own, and her mane... Celestia takes in a deep, subtle 'sniff', smelling the sweet aroma coming from Twilight's mane.

"Twilight, is that... a new perfume?" Celestia asks as the purple mare pulls away.

Twilight's cheeks flush dark red as she runs her hoof through her mane.

"I didn't think you would notice... It was a gift from Rarity." Twilight explains. "I thought I might try it out... You know, for the occasion..."

"Well, I think it smells lovely." Celestia says, giving her student a warm smile.

Two servants pass by, and the quickly collect Twilight's bags. Twilight doesn't want the servants to carry her bags for her, but Celestia insisted. Twilight watches as the two unicorns work together to lift her luggage.

"Twilight, this trip is for us. I will not have you lift a hoof for anything." Celestia promises. "Now, we must prepare to board."

"Board?" Twilight asks. "Board what?"

Princess Celestia casually nods her head towards the landing pad. Twilight follows her mentor's gaze until she sees it. Her jaw drops. It was an air ship, a very big air ship.

"What, did you think we were going to walk all the way to Manehattan?" Celestia asks with a hearty chuckle. "We will travel like princesses."

Twilight eagerly follows Celestia inside the air ship. Once she is on board, Twilight is immediately attended to by the staff of servants that ran the air ship.

"This way, to your room, your majesties." The air ship's captain says with a gracious bow.

"Room?" Twilight whispers to the princess.

Celestia nods as she ushers Twilight along, after the captain.

"Yes, Twilight. The trip ahead will be a long one. We will be spending one night on this air ship. That is why I have spared no expense for you."

"P-Princess... I don't know what to say..." Twilight mutters softly.

Celestia chuckles lightly as she brings her hoof up to Twilight's face, caressing her cheek.

"You needn't say anything, Twilight. It is your speechlessness that tells my how appreciative you are. Come, let us hurry along. The captain wants us settled in before we launch."

On the way to the royal chambers, Twilight's head is on a swivel. Everywhere she looks, there are dining rooms, state rooms, and entertainment galleys. A Royal Guard gives Twilight a gracious bow as she passes by him. Twilight simply blushes and quickens her pace.

"Here we are, your majesties." The captain says as he opens the doors.

The room is a large one, and it is breathtakingly beautiful. Two large beds occupy the center of the room with a single night stand separating them. Around the room, there are dressers and cabinets. After a quick inspection, Twilight and Celestia both come to the conclusion that they are meant for snacks. Candles burn everywhere Twilight looks. The scent emanating from them was subtle, but relaxing.

"What do you think, Twilight?" Celestia asks, giving the purple mare a playful 'nudge'. "Will this fit all of your needs?"

Still at a loss for words, Twilight simply nods as she walks over towards the beds.

"Your bags will be delivered shortly, your majesties. Until then, get yourselves settled. If you would like, you could come to the bridge to see the launch."

With those words hanging in the air, the air ship's captain tips his hat and exits the room. After a few moments of silence, Twilight finds her voice.

"I... I would like to see the launch." Twilight says.

"It is quite a spectacular sight, Twilight." Celestia assures her. "I have used this ship for many journeys and voyages, and the launch never gets old."

Twilight chuckles as she follows the princess out of the room.

"Neither do you, Princess Celestia." Twilight says, giggling uncontrollably now. "You look as good as you always have."

"Hmm... With age comes the wisdom of maintaining beauty..." Celestia says as she tries to hide her blushing cheeks.

The compliment makes Celestia's chest flutter. She constantly darts her eyes in Twilight's direction to see if the purple mare was looking back at her, but Twilight was not. Twilight's eyes are fixed ahead as she follows the crew to the bridge. When the princesses arrive on the bridge, every pony gives them a quick salute before returning to their duties.

"Release all primary gas valves." The captain orders. "Prepare the lighters to fire on my mark."

It was interesting to see the crew at work.

"Fire the lighters... now."

A thunderous sound shakes the ceiling of the bridge as the balloon is filled with hot gas.

"Sir, we have achieved lift-off." A crew member says.

"Excellent. Adjust our heading to thirty degrees north-east. We make for Manehattan."

Celestia leans over to Twilight until her snout is just a breath away from Twilight's neck.

"What did I tell you. Is it not spectacular to watch?" She whispers.

Twilight looks out of the port-side windows. The ground below was quickly growing smaller as the air ship climbed higher into the sky. Several pegasus guards flew alongside the hull of the air ship, guiding it out of Canterlot airspace.

"Sir, we are clear." The crew member says. "Adjusting course for Manehattan."

Celestia and Twilight back out of the bridge and leave the professionals to do their jobs.

"Should we go back to the room?" Twilight asks.

"I was actually thinking about stopping by the dining room. It is long past the normal lunch hour, and I am quite famished. Would you like to join me?"

At the word 'lunch', Twilight's own stomach growls violently. It is past her lunch time, too."

"I would love to join you." Twilight says, giving the princess a sweet smile.

Again, Celestia's chest flutters, and she turns her head to hide the red hue in her cheeks. Together, the princesses travel into the belly of the air ship to where a meal fit for royalty awaits them.

***TO BE CONTINUED***