Afternoon Tea

by Indulgence

Rating: teen
Tags: Princess Luna, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Cadance, Princess Celestia, Slice of Life
Length: 7048

Granted a break in their busy schedules running an empire which seems pre-disposed to ending up in some kind of peril, the royal sisters indulge in afternoon tea. Conversation ensues, in which Luna has something very important to ask.

For Equestria’s sibling sovereigns afternoon tea was long ago a treasured treat, a private weekly ritual in which they could both let their hair down and catch up. With Luna’s banishment however this of course came to an end. Even long after her return though this remained so, with every malevolent force on Equis (as well as quite a few benevolent ones too unintentionally) seeming to conspire against them sharing in cake and conversation. Finally though, following the chaos of Cadence and Shining’s wedding, they’ve managed to steal some time for themselves, and both are determined to make the most of it. For the Princess of the Night in particular there’s something of her sister that she’s been desperate to ask.

Thank you to anyone who reads my stuff.

Notes:
• Sketch quote: Elizabeth Fishel
• I use the word pegasus with both a singular and plural meaning, rather than pegasi, due to personal preference. Apologies if it is an annoyance
• I welcome any and all feedback

Published 2017-02-24 16:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2017-02-24 16:00:01 UTC

Teapots and Tiaras

Ruby red skies watched over the imperial capital of Canterlot, as a near cloudless ceiling dyed in a mixture of warming tones by the slowly sinking sun. This likewise painted a rosy hue throughout the city’s streets, its usually colourless alabaster structures also made to glow. The place was on the dividing line between two states, a lazy late afternoon yet to become an early evening.

The Princess of the Night hummed to herself as she stepped from her en suite through a cloud of steam, a towel held by a corona of silver magic wrapped about her form. Absently she strolled across the room, crossing to one of the many windows which ringed its circumference, with curtains drawn open, through which the lights of a tired day passed.

Her tower had one of the grandest views on Equis, of course taking in the wide promenades and palatial architecture of upper Canterlot, but more than that looking far off over western Equestria. The mountaintop citadel was the epicentre, the nexus of the nation, from which its leaders watched as constant sentinels and in turn could always be seen, aiming to be a reassuring presence in its furthest reaches. Some time had passed since the Lunar Sovereign had been allowed back into this heart, but nonetheless the reality of her return often struck her, if for nothing else for the contrast to the isolation of her banishment. Maybe the fact that her exile still loomed large in her mind was evidence that there was still a long path left to go to fully find her way back.

Luna turned from the pane and back into her room, eyes darting for the ornately styled clock atop the space’s mantelpiece. So many features within the palace walls bore a classical design, crafted from an imperial colour palate of rich golden tones and often set upon dramatic pillars, and this timekeeper was no exception. For the princess however, what was important for once was the time depicted by the hands on its face rather than the clockwork device’s elaborate form.

You’re still much too early; I doubt her court’s even finished yet.

By their very nature alicorns have a sense of timelessness about themselves, granted a position astride infinity so as to be more objective rulers and adamantine foundations for their subjects. In this however it was important to maintain a sense of purpose in order not to get lost in the concept of forever. Such considerations could obviously be numbing, potentially blunting the will to act or be decisive. This though, if an issue for any of the kingdom’s three royals, was not something that plagued the Princess of the Night, herself more wary of time’s passage than anypony, aware of how it could crushingly drag on or instantly disappear into nothing. Even as an immortal she was therefore at ease with being ruled by the demands of the timepiece.

Picking back up the tune she had paused in humming, Luna retraced her steps, taking a seat before her dressing table. Fur effectively dried in her thoughtful interlude, she cast the towel aside, considering her reflection. One of the more obvious benefits to having an ethereal mane was that it was incapable of catching water, maintaining itself at its billowing best with no need to be laboriously cared for. With her magic she gathered up its seamless strands, playing around with its style, whilst at her back her telekinesis similarly levitated out a flock of outfits from the room’s gaping wardrobes.

You’re being kind of silly don’t you think? This isn’t some formal event or anything.

The navy alicorn begrudgingly accepted the point, loosing her hair to blow in its usual shape. For all the rationality of her mind’s words however, she still felt the need to do something. She found it hard to deny the potent excitement which gripped her, even if it was entirely out of proportion with what she looked forward to. In reality the act of having afternoon tea was far from an event of any magnitude, but for the princess it represented another thing treasured for being lost. It had been a regular ritual in times past which she and her sister had shared in, falling at the end of each week between the meetings of the Day and the Night Court. The timing therefore made the meal true to form for the older sibling, whilst being more an indulgent breakfast for the younger and in both cases was supposed to facilitate collaboration on official business. Of far greater importance though it marked a stolen point in both their busy schedules in which they could actually spend some time together and catch up.

Something else you never appreciated and therefore squandered.

So much had got in the way until now, most obvious and embarrassingly of which had been her own need to reacclimatise, followed in turn by a whole series of nationwide cataclysms one after the other. Finally though things were in a lull, granting the chance to stop and take a deep breath.

Searching for the clock again in the back of the mirror, Luna’s eyes fell on a photograph stuck to the edge of the glass’ ornately carved frame. Next to this hung a small brass bell (much like a larger version of those seen attached to cat collars) fixed to a simple silk choker, whilst the image depicted two faces: one navy and the other lavender. In a room wholly lacking in personal embellishments the beaming pair stood out. All the night-time themed trappings in her chamber, although making the place unique in the palace’s myriad of other sunnier styled halls, felt more like a designer’s interpretation of her than anything real.

Within the picture both she and the unicorn close at her side wore flowing dresses, in each case the attire being understated and minimalist. Neither therefore seemed at ease with the show and pomp entailed in the average evening gown, such features being clearly on show on figures in the background, but neither did they seem self-conscious as this observation might have suggested. Instead they both simply smiled, heads inclined slightly together, looking in part to the camera, yet more so at one another. And therein was another great change since her return, unlike so many other something which had brought her no small amount of happiness, and another reason why the day’s little meal was so important.

Assuming that you can come up with some way to actually ask her.

Finally the clock rang out, its chiming sounding an end to her waiting. Immediately she rose, skipping back again across the room, stepping into her gilded silver shoes as she went. At the same time on automatic her magic levitated on her crown and other royal jewellery, lifting them from the pillows to which she had carelessly discarded them. Such accoutrements were base necessity, like any uniform, to its owner signifying little more. There was of course position and command wrapped up in her circlet, but also it was supposed to signify her responsibilities. It was a badge, yet not just one of office, like the great building she stood within made to be a visible reassurance to those that saw it.

‘Atten-tion!’

Salutes abounded as the Princess of the Night stepped out from her quarters, her personal bodyguard as always ready and waiting for her. Although they were largely surplus to requirements, much like her sister’s protectors in that regard (after all did the most powerful beings on Equis actually need protecting?), and their constant presence could become chaffing, there was comfort in the company of her Lunar Guard. This was perhaps most so in the gleaming white rooms and vaulted halls of the palace. Here, where all was bright and airy, it was more than easy to feel herself a stranger, cast as a shadow against the backdrop.

Always in the shade.

They however joined her in this regard, clad as they were in their dark tunics and steely carapace, carrying themselves with an imposing aggressiveness and latent threat absent in their Solar counterparts. They like her were nocturnal others, and with them therefore she felt a little less on her own, becoming at least one at the head of a host of phantoms. It was true that their visages could cause her sadness, there being a fair few descendants in their ranks whose kin she had once held close, but in their number too were an ever growing number of new friends and confidents. Overall she was happy to again stand with them, in her own mind only nominally at their head, but there was another who lifted her more than they did. Whereas they chose to walk in the shadow with her, although obviously not something taken for granted, she brought her into the light and made her belong there a bit better.

Hence another reason why this is so important.

With a smile and a nod to the commanding officer Luna set off, the considerable force of armoured night pegasus coming into marching step behind her. They crossed along an uncovered bridge, the arched structure connecting her annex to the citadel proper, either side granted painting-like views of the city and its surrounding domain. Her eyes however remained strictly in front of her, like her mind looking solely towards what lay ahead.

‘Are you really sure your Majesty?’

‘Quite sure thank you, I believe I’m perfectly capable of setting my own table.’

‘Apologies Highness, I didn’t mean it like that.’

The Princess of the Sun could not contain a sigh, just about managing to keep her features straight in the face of a row of needlessly bowing and apologising servants. It seemed a bit on the self-indulgent side to have room to complain about being waited upon at all times, but nonetheless being treated as something somewhere between a fragile eggshell and an unexploded bomb could be a tad wearing. ‘It’s quite alright, but please’ she gestured towards the doorway, ‘you are dismissed.’

‘At once Princess, and again apologies.’ Everypony in attendance backed their way out of the room, bowing the whole way until the doors closed.

Finally!

Celestia let out a larger and far more relieved sigh. Almost as soon as the room’s double doors had swung shut her golden magic ignited, lifting the gilded crown from her head and the gem-encrusted collar from about her throat. These she cast away to a side table, similarly kicking off the leaden weights of her shoes. It was an understatement, and a severe one at that, to say that she was glad to be rid of these adornments, at least for a little while.

On a very basic level being heavy to wear, such cumbersome jewellery was easily tiresome, not least of all on a warm day like the one which surrounded her, made worse for having been spent entirely in court. More present however was always the pressure such adornments conveyed when worn. Each glinting piece was demanding, requiring an exacting form of conduct at all times, duly enforced by the eyes, bows, and curtsies they drew. It was not as if the princess wished for things to be different. She loved her work as she loved her subjects, relishing its unique challenges, but occasionally just like anypony she appreciated the chance to take a break.

A hummed tune called itself to Celestia’s lips, her newly lightened frame skipping to her melody. That said though, the turret room she was in was hardly blessed with enough space for such careless movement, let alone that from one of an elder alicorn’s stature, but then again it had been selected for this very reason.

Set against all those others in the palace the little space was tiny, clinging to the side of the great alabaster edifice like a bird house to the trunk of an ancient oak. Bordered on its five outer faces by tall windows, it jutted out high up on the corner of the citadel’s keep, from all sides catching the light of her day and therefore glinting as a diamond lighthouse. Within by contrast however the place was more reserved, perhaps not dipping far below total opulence (such a feat seeming an impossible demand within the court), yet nonetheless noticeably different. Beyond a couple of minor exceptions its only really prominent furniture were a pair of high-backed chairs set either side of a squat, hexagonal coffee table. Each of the broad panes meanwhile had a cushioned settle recessed beneath them, their curtains if desired able to enclose these miniature worlds, whilst in between them well stacked bookshelves reached as high as the ceiling. It was personal, for want of a better word it was cosy (perhaps not the most apt or fit term in the present sunshine), and as a secret only two were privy to it was the traditional location for an important ritual.

The similarly warm tones of the Solar Princess’ powers sparked back into life, joining the streams of her sun’s rays flowing throughout the room. Her eyelids fell closed in concentration. Teleportation was hardly the most taxing of challenges for one such as she, but this nonetheless called for her focus as she sent her magical grasp deep down into the depths of the castle. She found what she was searching for, in her mind imagining the corona which went to enwrap the entire spread set waiting in the palace’s kitchen. In a brilliant flash of pure gold everything materialised before her, the dextrous summoner taking care not to spill the fruits of her labours. Most prominent in amongst this now floating swarm was a large brass tea urn, accompanied by a pair of simple mugs, forgoing the more delicate inadequacy of a pot and cups. More in line with tradition then was a three tiered set of serving trays, its layers effectively delineating the courses of the meal.

At its base was a dense foundation of scones, alternating between plain and cheese in their circle, supported by an additional platter of jams, butter, and clotted cream. Atop this a layer of intricate pastries took up central stage, each one generously glazed or filled with custard, sprinkled with candied nuts or powdered sugar. Finally, as the crowning jewel at the peak of this stack of pure deliciousness, there was cake, four thick slices of her greatest weakness. For all of this bar its last element she could proudly claim responsibility (something that had required a separate battle with the overly solicitous kitchen staff to achieve), only bowing in this regard to the skills of her master baker in her want for absolute perfection, despite her personal desire to do far more. Collectively it was rather an indulgent feast, but she was herself famous for her sweet tooth, and the one which would be sharing it was much her match in that, whilst in addition she very much wanted it to be a celebration.

And this must at the very least be that as well as perfect. You owe her far more besides.

These thoughts remained foremost in Celestia’s mind as she went to work, setting out the rich confections on the room’s central table and the great steaming urn to one side. It had been so long, much too long, since they had last done this. She had missed it, in part guiltily, well aware that she had nopony to blame but herself, and in part selfishly. She had always taken much succour in their pauses, given the chance to stop, reflect, and to drop the princess act with company that understood how she felt. She wanted back the smiles and the laughter she remembered in them just as much.

Just as she extinguished her magic, her eyes going to check over the room, there was a knock at the door followed by the gruff tones of a Solar Guard. ‘Excuse me ma’am, her Highness the Princess of the Night is here to see you.’

The Princess of the Sun rolled her eyes at the official announcement, then stifling a building giggle before it could infect her tones. Even if it was foalish one of the best things about these little meetings was the fact that nopony else knew about them, making them their secret in a court which could often feel like a glass house. ‘My sister may come in’ she managed in a more or less imperious tone, just about overcoming her inner thoughts to the contrary.

The portal opened wide, letting through it a dark navy alicorn, the guards who flanked her taking their leave just before the threshold, moving to their position stood sentry alongside their golden-armoured counterparts. Like her taller sibling the younger sister likewise wore a professional expression, maintaining it just long enough for the doors to close at her back. At this it instantly dropped to become a broad beam, lighting up its owner’s face far more than the sunshine she had stepped into. ‘Hi Tia!’

‘Hi Lulu!’ Celestia smiled back.

It was a lazy sun which gazed upon the imperial capital, seeming like it now had to look up from its descent towards the horizon to see inside the palace at its mountainous centre. Its rays had dipped in colour, becoming a deeper burnt orange as they spread their glow to the little turret room, peeking in through the half-veiled windows to fall on a pair of decidedly full alicorns. A long and concerted effort had been made against their feast, leaving only the last few slices of cake to be dispatched. Neither was willing to call a halt just yet though, that which remained being far too tempting, not to mention the much missed company which came with it. For the youngest of the pair meanwhile there was also still something she had as yet failed to say, no appropriate juncture having revealed itself in their far ranging conversations.

‘…So yeah, I of course told him no, but I don’t think he took that to be final’ Celestia continued, recounting one of the Day Court’s more tortuous episodes. ‘I swear unless you’re either giving him your total agreement or some fawning compliment Blueblood’s deaf! We could always strip him of his noble status, but then again that would probably just give him something else to complain about!’ She laughed dryly. ‘Anyway, pre-emptive apologies, you’ll probably have to deal with that again tonight.’

Luna shared knowingly in the laugh. ‘It’s all fine; I reckon I can handle it in the usual way.’ She made her features go blank. ‘First listen’ she brought a hoof to stroke her chin, ‘then smile, and end with “I’ll give it some thought” or “I’ll take it under consideration” to keep everypony happy, whilst of course ignoring all the rubbish he’s just said.’

‘Too right’ the taller sibling nodded her agreement. ‘The oldest tricks remain some of the most effective. So’ she began again mock absently, feigning an innocent carelessness as if she was more focused on the lemon curd filled sponge she levitated to her lips, ‘how’re things between you and my faithful student?’

The navy alicorn choked, spluttering through her tea to the other’s considerable amusement. ‘Oh yes… erm… good… or rather much more than that. Things are perfect.’ Even when she stopped drowning herself in her mug her words failed to find a solid hoofing, tripping clumsily over each other. ‘Things are just perfect…’

‘Except?’

‘Except nothing!’ Luna blurted back with unintentional defensiveness, immediately catching her mouth with a forehoof.

Celestia in contrast remained unperturbed, if anything grinning wider as she skewered a new piece from her cake with a floating fork. ‘Ooh, hit the nail straight on the head then didn’t I? You’ve looked like you’ve been on the cusp of saying something this whole time. So, what’s up?’

‘Nothing!’ the younger princess insisted, although she could feel the pink hue on her cheeks betraying her.

Inevitably this counter was ignored. ‘I hope your acting in court later is more on par, otherwise you’re not going to fool anypony. So, to repeat, what’s up?’

‘Seriously nothing!’

‘Have you fallen out over something? I must say that when you two came swanning into the gala hoof in hoof it caught me as much off guard as everypony else. I mean, the fact that my less than worldly pupil would fall for my adorable little sister wasn’t exactly surprising’ the Solar Princess joked, ‘but that you would feel the same, that I confess I didn’t expect. At first glance you’re not the most similar of ponies.’

‘No, nothing like that…’

‘That’s not to say that I don’t approve, far from it, regardless of what some of the more traditionalist courtiers might think.’

‘Tia…’

‘After you returned it still felt that there was some way to go before you truly came back’ Celestia continued unabated, her brows furrowing slightly, guiltily turning sorrowful. ‘For some time you lacked the light you used to have, and I feared that I’d extinguished it for good. I figured with her ongoing studies Twilight would probably be the best to help you get your bearings in this new Equestria, but I never thought that she would also reignite your spark. I owe her so much, and I’m more than happy for the both of you.’

‘Tia…’ Luna tried once more, recognising her sister increasingly lost in her own thoughts. It was funny that the other sovereign, who in public carried herself so carefully and was always softly spoken, could run off on such tangents in private. This observation aside however she did not get a word in edgeways.

‘But I digress, what’s up? Oh, but on second thoughts if this is something like a “bedroom issue” I’d probably rather not know. Bearing in mind she’s pretty much the epitome of bookish student, there’s probably a whole lot of freakiness hidden beneath the surface which I don’t want…’

‘Tia!’

The pure white alicorn finally decided to properly pause, putting on a show as if the other’s exclamation had woken her up, but then her face turned into a conspiratorial grin. ‘Come on Lulu, I’m just messing with you! Now, are you going to start talking, or are you going to make me continue trying to cringe it out of you?’

Well, here’s your opportunity. Now all you need’s the words to go along with it.

Luna felt weirdly like a filly again, which she knew was probably the other’s exact intention, very much the little sister under interrogation. This sensation, combined with the embarrassment burning her cheeks, did not exactly aid her brain’s attempts to form anything eloquent. ‘Erm…’

Celestia raised an eyebrow, looking over her mug as she sipped the steaming drink, managing to move seamlessly from mocking to encouraging.

Buck it!

Taking a deep breath the navy alicorn gave up, opting to be blunt. ‘I want you to make Twilight an alicorn.’

A fountain of tea flew up to soak the Princess of the Sun’s face as this time she was forced to splutter part way through a draft, much to her counterpart’s satisfaction. ‘W-*cough!*’ She stopped, clearing her throat and dabbing a napkin over her dampened fur. ‘Sorry, could you repeat that please?’

‘I want you to make Twilight an alicorn’ Luna repeated more confidently, now that she was over the initial hurdle of actually saying it.

Recovering as she put her mug down Celestia laughed. ‘Hay no!’

She thinks you’re joking.

‘The original plan was for her to be a diplomatic match, bearing in mind her closeness to the imperial household, probably to cement ties with Zebrica’s royal family, but you’ve managed to single-hoofedly sink that. So, plan B, taking into account her studies into friendship, is that she become the Empire’s principal envoy.’

‘Tia…’

‘I understand if you’re concerned about her future, which in its own way is completely adorable as she asks after you in the same way, but know that I have given it due thought.’

‘No Tia.’ Luna hardened her expression in a concerted attempt to get her point across. ‘I want Twilight to become an alicorn’ she stated for a third time.

‘Oh…’ Both of the pale alicorn’s eyebrows rose sharply upwards, a degree of confusion undercutting her features. ‘Why?’

The Princess of the Sun looked hard at the sister sat across from her. She knew well the adamant expression she received in return. No matter how old the dark alicorn became there were certain things which had never changed, and this particular look was one of them. It was absolute, regardless of whether it came from the filly wanting to stay up later (or more correctly earlier) or the mare now with her present request. In either case its owner’s mind was already made up. ‘Why?’ she found herself simply asking.

‘Why not?’ Luna retorted, a tad curtly. ‘She fulfils all the criteria.’

‘Well yes and no, it’s not like there’s ever been a bunch of rules set in stone around it. Any alicorn can pass on her powers if she so wishes. Other than that, tradition would dictate that we all agree on the choice and that the claimant be eligible to become a princess.’

‘All true’ the Lunar Princess nodded. ‘You’ve said it more than once yourself before: she’s the most powerful unicorn to have appeared for some time.’

‘Also true, but she is not the first, nor will she likely be the last in that regard.’

‘If she’s not special then why did you make her your personal student?’

This observation made Celestia pause, caught by the truth it actually highlighted. ‘She’s likewise neither the first nor the only such pupil I have taken on’ the sovereign recovered. ‘There have been others.’

‘Is that so?’

‘Well, yes. There’s a long story surrounding the last one in fact, if not one of my proudest, involving a parallel dimension styled like a high school, populated by bipedal monstrosities, and…’

‘Ahem’ Luna cleared her throat to interject. ‘Firstly: that sounds worse than Tartarus, and secondly: don’t try and change the subject!’

‘It was worth a shot’ the other alicorn sighed, as consolation finishing the last of her cake.

‘So, remaining on topic, why can’t the Sun Princess’ star student and potentially most talented mage in Equestria become an alicorn?’

‘Well therein is at least one reason, she is after all still a student, not to mention an obsessive one at that, with a paranoid disposition which often boarders on the neurotic.’

‘All of which in reality translates as: “she can’t be an alicorn because she’s incredibly driven in everything she does, whilst always trying to get things right, improve herself, and please her mentor”.’ Luna shook her head. ‘Those are hardly solid reasons for saying no, besides aren’t you forgetting her other qualities? She’s the most caring mare I know, she’s honest, and she’s fair. What about any of that rules her out of alicornhood?’

‘Might you be being a bit of a biased observer there?’ Celestia shot back, dodging having to concede the point.

As it turned out this attempt was wholly ineffective, parried and met with a repost in kind. ‘Really? So what part of my appraisal is wrong?’

‘What would she even be princess of?’

‘Does that really matter?’

‘Yes, of course it does!’

‘Well then we can easily come up with something. Friendship for example’ Luna suggested flippantly, acting as if what she proposed was no big deal at all. ‘Now you’re just making excuses!’

Internally Celestia had to admit that her sister was right, but outwardly she just huffed. ‘Why exactly is this suddenly so important to you?’

The Lunar Princess faltered, dropping her vision to her forehooves. ‘No reason.’

‘Luna!’ Again the older sister raised her eyebrow, being both an inquisition and a tacit warning. ‘If I’m going to even consider this crazy idea I need to know why.’

Well, now you’re pretty much cornered.

Luna had known this particular query would be coming in one form or another, but that did not make her any more prepared to answer it. In of itself, satisfying the why of it was much harder than popping the original weighty question, or rather expressing it was where the difficulty lay. ‘It just seems right’ she ventured without any real faith in that being accepted, more playing for time.

‘Luna.’

The dark navy alicorn looked up, called by the tender voice to meet its owner’s violet irises.

‘Luna, please.’ Celestia’s expression was infinitely encouraging, having dropped its previous humour, wanting only to listen, with the first bit of concern playing underneath. ‘Please, just tell me.’

Taking strength from her sister the Princess of the Night took a deep breath. ‘When I was gone’ she began uncertainly, ‘it was not necessarily like everypony thinks, in that most assume that a lot changed in my absence. That’s no so; more the vast majority of stuff is remarkably similar. There are the small differences, like the language “we” have had to relearn.’ She made a small smile with a shrug. ‘Then there are the bigger differences’ she gestured in the direction of the doorway, ‘like the faces of my Guard. What makes these things stark though, is everything else unchanged, by contrast making them clear, but…’ She stopped considering what she was saying. ‘But it felt like it was my fault. I had changed, I was the alien, I was the other, and the way everypony treated me just reinforced that.’

The older sister made no interruption, only adding the occasional nod whenever she was looked to.

‘It even felt like that between us’ Luna admitted guiltily, ‘it took quite a while for you to stop acting like I was made of glass. She was always different though, from the start acting like I was normal, neither shying away nor putting on some kind of act. It’s like she saw me, looked past everything to really see me, and accepted all of it. Even before everything else that makes her amazing.’

‘That’s Twilight’ the student’s tutor agreed with a nod, pride evident.

‘But I’m rambling; I’ve said all of this before. The point is… How do you cope with it Tia?’

‘How do I cope with what?’

‘How do you deal with the fact that we’ve been made eternal and everypony else hasn’t?’

Celestia’s expression did not shift. ‘I treat every moment as precious, regardless of having been granted an infinity of them. We’ve been blessed, we have the power to do more or less anything, but greater than that we get to see the lights of innumerable others. I don’t know, maybe it’s something which comes with age, but what means the most to me is the fact that I get to watch others flourish, see how far they soar and occasionally play a part in their stories. That’s what I hang on to.’

Luna’s ears drooped. She felt small again, inadequate. ‘You’ve always been stronger than me.’

‘That’s not true.’

‘Actually it kind of is. Previously the biggest thing was family, was you, and you still are, but there’s never been a question of whether or not you’d always be there. I never noticed, I never had cause to face it, but on my return I woke up to find a lot of things were gone and had to come to terms with their collective loss. That I’ve done. I treasure the memories that I have, whilst I recognise the difference between giving up and letting go, but… but I can’t contemplate doing either with her.’ She fell back into focusing on her forehooves. ‘On a basic level I guess I feel I owe her, so much. She’s the first thing which made me feel like I’d truly come home again, not just come back. For more than that though I love her, I love her Tia. She amazes me, she intrigues, she excites, she inspires. I love her, and I can’t lose her like I have others. I can’t…’ Her words petered out, heartfelt and heavy.

‘Okay.’

What?!

The Lunar Princess’ ears stood straight up to attention, startled, not entirely believing the singular word they had heard. Her irises likewise jumped to stare at the pale alicorn opposite. ‘Pardon?’

‘Okay’ Celestia calmly repeated, ‘Twilight will become an alicorn.’

‘Really?’ The question was blurted, disbelief throwing it forth.

A simple nod served as an answer. ‘I’ll set a test of Twilight’s magical abilities to make it legitimate, and when she passes she can ascend.’

‘But what about consulting Cadence?’

‘Now who’s making excuses?’ the Sun grinned. ‘I think she’ll abide by my judgement.’

On impulse Luna’s horn pulsed in a flash of silver, not waiting to get up and circle the table, instead teleporting straight to the other seated alicorn. ‘Thank you!’ She leapt forward, throwing her forehooves around the older sister’s neck, pulling her into a tight embrace. ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you!’ Nothing more was particularly forthcoming, the two simple but loaded words summing up well all she wanted to say, repeating them even as she buried herself in the hug and her voice died down to a whisper. The older alicorn’s wings came to enfold her, huge and protective, not for the first time that afternoon making her feel (and probably look) much like a filly once more, although she really could not care less at that moment. She was drained; as if she had put her all into her outpouring, yet within she was glowing, leaving her to simply enjoy their cuddle. ‘Thank you.’

In a slow series of chimes the room’s clock struck the hour, waking its occupants with the reminder, if not instantly moving them.

‘I should probably go raise up the moon’ Luna observed begrudgingly when she eventually decided to pull away. ‘That and of course prep for tonight’s court session.’

Celestia nodded. ‘It’s alright, I’ll tidy this stuff away and you can get going.’ Her golden magic picked up the other sibling’s regalia, carefully floating it on.

‘Thanks Tia.’ With royal jewellery re-affixed the Princess of the Nigh turned to go, but halfway to the door a last thought stopped her, causing her to look back. ‘Tia?’

Unsurprisingly the older sibling was yet to move, if anything probably considering another mug of tea from the urn as she finished off the remnants of her previous one. ‘What is it Lulu?’

‘Thanks again, and thanks for listening, but also sorry.’ Receiving a questioning frown in reply the navy alicorn added further: ‘sorry for casting a shadow over things. This was really nice and…’

An alabaster forehoof rose to gently quieten the younger sibling. ‘Do you remember what I said earlier about your light? Well it burns at its brightest, at its most dazzling, when you’re aglow.’ She smiled with reassuring warmth. ‘Today was more than nice, so next time you’re on cake duty.’

‘Thanks Tia.’

The sky was clear, and from its jet black canvas an infinity of pure white pinpricks shone. At their centre was the moon, risen and resplendent, blossomed bright in the form of its full face. Beneath the complexity of this myriad lightshow Canterlot was also made to shine, bathed in the gentle night-time glow.

From the cosy recesses of the turret room, perched on the corner of the imperial nexus, the Princess of the Sun looked out over the capital, still resting on the plump cushions of her chair. Absently she indulged, telekinesis pressing her fork across the table’s plates to collect the various decadent crumbs left behind into a single delicious morsel.

Twilight an alicorn.

She popped the scavenged leftovers into her mouth, thoughtful as she savoured them. All in all the afternoon had gone as well as, if not far better than, she had hoped. It was its finale which stood out the most as she considered it though. Her sister’s request had certainly come at her out of the blue, and her own agreement to the idea had also been a surprise, but in truth that was not to say that she had never before considered it. That fact was perhaps what held most sway in amongst her thoughts, along with her identification with much of what the younger alicorn had said.

Twilight a princess.

The concept that the Sun was the mother to her empire had always been a common one, with all of her ‘subjects’ (not a term she particularly liked) being her children, and to an extent she agreed with it. She tried to treat them as such, to be there to listen or to provide support, and she likewise took some pride in all their achievements. There was however a difference, a separation, be it born from her crown, her immortality, or her position. Things were different between her and Luna, closer, but then again they were actually family, with her position as older sibling to the other princess often feeling akin to parental. Then there was the case of her faithful student…

Twilight immortal.

That unofficial title, although well-earned and appropriate, did not seem enough. It felt inadequate, but what more was the lavender unicorn? Foremost Twilight was her pupil yes, but atop of this she was somepony she had known from being a filly, somepony she had taken care of and closely nurtured as she had grown. That little filly had been put under her charge by her real parents, who since then had been largely absent, so was she really just a teacher to her? If she was being honest with herself she had to admit that she sensed far more, cared much more in kind.

Celestia may not have been an actual mother, in her centuries not having taken that plunge, but for Twilight she felt that she could be, felt that she wanted to be. And what kind of mother would not do everything in her power for her child, to protect them, to support them? What kind of mother, if she could, would not make sure that her child was forever safe and happy? Her sister’s suggestion, despite her own interjections to the contrary, was therefore more of an excuse, a justification. The Solar Sovereign’s gaze went out through the room’s tall windows, taking in her sister’s gleaming charge.

Thanks Lulu.

‘…and that Shiny is why Aunty Tia won’t mind me doing this.’

Winter had finally come in earnest to the Crystal Empire, ice and snow having fallen to blanket the territory’s capital after a prolonged summer and non-existent autumn, the Frozen North finally living up to its title. It was strange to think that only a year or two ago this would have been cause for widespread panic, acting as potent inspiration for doomsayers to start ranting about King Sombra returning again and a new end of days. Having been proven wrong twice however, nopony paid them much heed this third time, allowing at last for some of the magic to creep back into the holiday season. That said though, it was still more than cold, particularly at night, pushing most away to the comfort of their beds or if still awake to curl up before roaring fires. This was just as much the case in the jagged spire of the Crystal Palace as anywhere else, its few waking denizens appreciating the glassy structure’s elaborate heating system, whilst most others had retreated into sleep.

‘She’ll understand.’

High in its central sparkling tower, in one of its apartment rooms, the mistress of the citadel was one of the former, enjoying the heat which radiated from beneath the frigid looking floor. The chamber, set against the predominately aqueous rooms elsewhere, was coloured in warm pastel tones, much the match for the pink hue of her coat. Similarly in the private space she looked different to her usual public image, going without her emblems of office and with her usually extravagant mane tied up functionally behind her. The husband she had addressed however was absent, he being ensconced a door away down the hall in their own room, the words she spoke meant in practice for the morning. It was not the case that she was alone though.

‘Isn’t that right Flurry?’ the recent mother cooed, looking down to the shape nestled against her in the crook of her hoof.

Flurry Heart burbled in response, chewing on her tiny forehooves. The pale unicorn filly looked tired, wrapped up in a fleecy cocoon, but still she listened intently, light blue eyes peeking out.

‘I love you.’ The princess leant in, laying a soft kiss on her daughter’s forehead and receiving a delighted giggle in reply. She then turned around, putting her back to the chamber’s window, moving to the crib at its centre. In the most delicate grasp of magic she could manage she levitated her precious parcel down onto the covers.

Immediately Flurry whined, lower lip forming a hard done by pout as she kicked off her blankets, obviously unsatisfied with the substitute for a cuddle.

‘Shhh, Mummy’s still here.’ Cadence reached in to tickle the filly’s tummy, getting further giggles. ‘I love you, so much.’

The daughter looked up into her mother’s eyes, again making a contented series of noises. Despite being unintelligible they still felt like a reply, like the unsure speaker who attempted them understood.

‘She’ll understand’ the Princess of Love repeated more confidently, calling every ounce of her magic into her horn. The room grew increasingly brighter with each pulse of power, a ball of energy forming at its slender point. She winced; face furrowing and eyes going screwed shut with effort as she focused her all into controlling it. Finally a brilliant burst of rays broke outward, consuming all in pure white. Gasping as she greedily caught her breath Cadence looked at the crib.

Flurry remained on her back, but her eyes had grown into saucers, shocked wide open. For a moment there was silence, but then her nose wrinkled. The filly let out a little sneeze, accidentally sending a few stray sparks leaping from her horn, whilst at the same time on impulse two new wings sprung unfurled from her back.