March Goes Out Like a Lamb
It started out innocent enough, really. I looked at her once and thought she was very beautiful. In my defense, who wouldn’t? Her soft, pink mane, emerald eyes, sun-yellow fur. Of course, I didn’t approach her or try to make a move. I haven’t had a partner in decades. I had a country to run, a sadness in my heart; love was the last thing on my mind. Even so, she lingered in the back of my head. A thought, a whisper. A thousand years of being alone, surely I could consider a relationship…?
Or would a thousand years be what keeps me from loving again?
Luna jerked forward, tea threatening to spill from her lips as her eyebrows creased. A loud swallow echoed in the room, followed by an exasperated cough. “You have feelings for Fluttershy!?”
Celestia’s cheeks became kissed pink like a spring rose, her eyes shifting to gaze upon the table.“Y-Yes.”
Luna levitated a napkin, wiping around her muzzle. Composing herself on her seat, she breathed in deeply while closing her eyes. “I could’ve sworn it was Twilight.”
Using her hooves, Celestia set her teacup down, touching a hoof to her forehead and shuddering. “Goodness, no. I’ve known her since she was little. That would be... Awkward, to say the least.”
“Oh.” Her midnight blue hoof tapped against her glass. Luna let her head fall back, hooves fidgeting in her seat while she traced the ceiling with her eyes. “I-It’s not like I was jealous or anything.” She brought more tea to her mouth.
Celestia turned her head forward, looking around the room with her ears pinned back. She could feel her cheeks searing, a hoof instinctively brushing strands of her flowing mane in front of her face. The two mares were alone in Luna’s chambers, sharing tea on a simple glass table Luna had set up in the corner. She was forced to squint to see through her sister’s dim lighting and dark colors, looking around for anything to keep her mind off her current flustered state.
Luna cleared her throat. “Have you two ever conversed? As equals and not in a formal situation?”
A sigh pressed past Celestia’s lips, ears drooping further. “I’m afraid only once or twice. The only times we meet seem to be when Equestria is in peril.”
Luna nodded slowly, lips pursing.
“When did you fall for her?”
Celestia let silence take place for her voice, closing her eyes. The smell of the tea filled her nose.
“March twenty-first of last year. I had a crush on her, but I truly became aware of the fact I felt more for her when Twilight came to Canterlot for a visit with her friends.”
“Gods, you know the precise date?”
Celestia smiled weakly. “How could I not? Twilight and her friends decided to visit over dinner. Fluttershy was… She… Was so sweet. It was not until we had a brief conversation I felt something. How do I explain?” She put her hoof over her chest, a gleam in her eyes. “I was tired that day for reasons I can’t remember. We were idly talking when she inquired if I was okay.” The corners of her lips rose. “For no reason whatsoever. It wasn’t about my work, what life is being a princess, none of the generic statements She was concerned about me, how I was doing as a pony. Not as a monarch or whatever else.”
“That’s… interesting.” Luna chewed the inside of her cheek. “I see.”
The dark alicorn turned her attention to a drawer, her glittery, green aura encasing the handle and wrenching it open. Out levitated a magazine, hovering in front of Luna’s piercing eyes. She bit her bottom lip. The pages flipped open, turning until they opened onto a specific page, landing on the table. She dramatically slapped her hoof against the paper.
“This love advice column speaks not of Equestria in peril, though it does say engaging in something thrilling with mares will cause them to have a romantic interest. Would saving Equestria count as a ‘thrill’?”
Celestia deadpanned. “I told you not to read those-”
A hearty laugh filled the room. “My dear sister, how would I keep up with my rank within the polls then?”
Celestia cocked an eyebrow, leaning back into her chair. “Polls?” The word rolled off her tongue with a venom-laced tone to it.
The sound of pages flipping filled the room. Another hoof slapped against a magazine. “Here! It declares Twilight the most popular princess, followed by me, you, Cadence and Flurryheart. Flurryheart is especially disliked among pegasuses due to her wings making them feel insecure.” Luna simpered. “I plan to increase my rankings, though. Perhaps Fluttershy is not interested due to your inferior popularity?”
“I doubt that’s it, Luna,” Celestia said with a pinched expression.
“Neigh! The polls speak otherwise!” Her dark blue hoof slammed against the magazine once more. “This article specifically states Twilight is the most desirable bachelorette in Equestria due to her involvement in mainstream culture and younger age. She’s followed by me, then you. Perhaps if you increase your poll ranking, your desirability will go up in suit? There’s obviously a connection.”
Celestia took a deep breath, the sweet citrus scent of her tea swirling inside her nostrils and filling her with a pleasant warmth. Brushing stray strands of her mane out of her face, she wrapped her golden spell around the magazine, drawing it to her muzzle. Redness spread across her snout.
“...is there really a connection?”
A loud cackling thundered in the room as two dark blue hooves slammed against the table. Celestia winced at the sound of the glass barely keeping together under her sister’s overenthusiastic force. “So you submit, my dear sister!” Luna watched her cheeks grow red, her grin growing wider. “But before we work on your popularity, I must ask; what are the exact reasons you like Fluttershy?”
Flustered, Celestia set a hoof on the table, closing her eyes. Her wings ruffled at her sides, the feathers sticking out messily in all directions as she failed to gain her composure. She swirled her hoof on the glass. “I… I admit to not knowing her well, but I’ve seen how she is. How she acts. The few times we’ve talked have been nice, to say the least..” She licked her lips, avoiding her sister’s emerald eyes. “She’s beautiful, inside and out. I’ve received much insight on how this beauty shows through letters Twilight sent long ago.” There was a pause, followed by the clicking of Celestia’s hoof against the table. “ I don’t know, she treats me like a living pony. I think that if we dated she would truly like me for who I am as a pony and not for anything else.”
Luna nodded, hanging on to her every word as if it were her last while daintily raising her cup to her lips. She swirled her tongue around her mouth, tilting her cup back and draining it of any more tea. Without warning she used her magic to toss it to the side, porcelain shattering on the floor. Her sister flinched, ears pinned back against her head.
“That was a new tea set, Luna.”
Luna sighed.
“I’ve talked to Fluttershy before. I know first-hoof how timid she can be; courting her will not be easy.” Luna rolled her head around in a circle, an audible crack echoing through the room. “What I do know is that Rarity is the kind of mare to pay attention to magazine,” she tapped said magazine for dramatic effect, “and that if you, say, let a prestigious magazine interview you, we could set up a rather pleasant situation in which Fluttershy will be head over hooves for you.” Luna stretched out her fore hooves, joining them together and raising them over her head. Another crack. “The question is, do you wish for my help? I’m kind of rusty.”
Celestia tapped her chin with her hoof. “My popularity will increase?”
“Most definitely. Maybe not in the way you wish, though.”
Silence.
“Alright. I’ll humor you..”
Luna leaned forward slowly. Celestia followed suit.
“You’ll tell them you’re a homosexual-”
“I regret asking for help, Luna,” Celestia muttered, pushing away from the table. Luna gasped, flapping her wings and springing forward, attempting to block the doorway.
“Nonsense!” Luna chirped back, blowing a raspberry. “All the mares will lust after you. Your popularity will peak. Go neck and neck with Twilight.” The magazine rustled in Luna’s magic showed an image of Twilight with the caption ‘Single, Young, Royal; Most Eligible Bachelorette in Equestria.”
“When you spoke of an interview, I expected I would talk about myself in high praise to paint myself in a better light, romantically speaking,” she grumbled, making her way down a hallway. Luna cocked an eyebrow, walking next to her. “Yes, that’s vain, but it’s what I gathered, okay?”
“Anyways, perhaps Rarity would then read the interview and speak of it to Fluttershy. Perfect for setting me up.” The two rounded a corner. “I didn’t expect to flaunt how single and lesbian I am, or whatever you wanted to do!”
“Then what if you dramatically show up at her house, professing your deep love for her?”
Celestia rolled her eyes, her wings fidgeting on her sides. “I’m refuse to do that either. How would if I don’t know her well enough to love her?”
“Then you’ll have to become more familiar with her,” Luna pushed, leaning forward as they walked down a flight of stairs. “You’ll have to find a way to meet her and talk to her, know if you could love her.” The clicks of their hooves echoed through the silence.
They approached the towering doors of the throne room, two guards saluting, horns igniting in magic and revealing the throne room with a loud creak. Celestia shuddered.
“How could I do that? What if she has no interest in me and will refuse to give me a chance? Or she doesn’t like me, period? I…” Beads of sweat formed on her temple, her hooves wobbly as they carried her up the stairs to her throne.
Luna laughed. “Celestia, are you serious? You’re a monarch of this country and have saved pony-kind numerous times. She will surely at least give you a chance,” Luna beamed, springing around the golden throne like a rabbit. “Fluttershy is the physical representation of the element of kindness.”
Celestia’s wavering smile twisted into a frown, her worried thoughts spiraling inside her head. Her steps grew more wobbly as if she were a newborn fawn. Luna didn’t seem to notice, spinning on her hooves. She raised a white hoof to her mouth. “Yes, but what if it is purely out of kindness and not interest? How could I tell when I’ve been a thousand years out of service? I’ll fail. Yes. I won’t be able to love anyone with all my dedications as a princess.”
Luna paused her mad bouncing, tapping the marble floor. “Then let us attempt to disguise you as an ordinary citizen to socialize with Fluttershy, and once she falls in love with you, you’ll reveal you were a princess all along?”
“I think I’ll pass on that plan.” Celestia paused, eyeing her throne. Her hooves had been moving on their own. “I don’t suppose I have court today, do I?”
“I’m afraid you don’t. We could use this time fine tuning your romance skills via magazines.” A sheepish smile was plastered on Luna’s countenance, the magazine twirling in her magic. Celestia giggled, if only for a few seconds.
“Don’t you have a meeting, LuLu?”
Luna’s ears fell back, a rather lewd slew of curse words flying out of her mouth. In a few seconds, she was gone in a flash of white magic. Her sister’s amused giggles quickly faded into the silence.
Celestia peered around the throne room. It was Brobdingnagian; ridiculously large for two ponies, and empty, the only other ponies being scattered guards around the towering columns and large stained-glass windows. She had been sure to finish all of her paperwork the night before in hopes of spending some quality time with her sister, shifting all her meetings to other days and such. It was foolish, in hindsight, but it was nice to have an extra few minutes with Luna, as they were few and far in between.
She inhaled the crisp, cool air surrounding her, beating her wings a bit. Despite such a gargantuan room, everything felt stale, confined. Descending the stairs that surrounded her throne, she gave a quick word to a guard she would be in the garden, appearing among the flowers after a few minutes of roaming the halls.
She had memorized the place by now, blindly turning around bushes and rows of fancy flowers while fixated on her thoughts. She caught sight of a blue flower in the corner of her eyes, its shade resemblant of an evening sky. Luna was clearly not to be of much help when it came to her romantic pursuits; that much was obvious. Her eyes wandered around the lush greens, stray beams of sunlight scattering across her fur and warming her up. A soft groan escaped her lips. The belated spring was finally here.
March was her favorite month of the year for a lot of reasons, varying from the festivities that took place to the transitioning weather and beautiful sights to behold. Ponyville would soon have their equinox festival; Twilight had invited her this year with Luna.
Her eyes fluttered as she approached a rose bush, gingerly touching the flower with a smile. Perhaps trying to find romance with Fluttershy would not be so disagreeable, especially during March. The weather was letting up, the flowers were in full blossom, festivities were about. Was there truly a better time to try attempt courtship?
Her ears fell back. I've waited so long for love or anything of the like; I lost my hopes after losing Luna Celestia winced slightly. It hurts to think about those years past. All the pitiful dates I took in a vain hope of filling the gap in my heart with some form of love. Will I be a good suitor for anyone after interpreting love as a filler?
“A thousand years,” a voice said behind her, “a thousand years you’ve been single. Mares must really not like you.”
Celestia craned her neck over her shoulder. “Discord?” A touch of shock lingered in her voice.
“Of course!” he announced, hovering with his head held in his mismatched forelimbs. “Anything to do with my Fluttershy directly involves me.”
Celestia’s cheeks crimsoned. She rubbernecked forward. “So you do know,” she mumbled.
“I have my sources. Let’s say a little birdie told me,” he grinned as a finch landed on his shoulder. Spinning in the air, his snake-like body slithered around Celestia, encapsulating her until they were face to face. Celestia shivered, the warm sun blocked away.
“I can’t believe the mighty and godly Celestia likes somebody as humble as my dear Fluttershy,” Discord remarked. Celestia growled. “Surely you can only settle with the finest of nobles?”
“If you do not remove yourself from me this instance I will not hesitate to use force.”
Discord rolled his eyes, snapping his talons. He vanished in a white flash of scattered light, teleporting to her side. “Always so bossy, Celly, dear.” He yawned, stretching his forearms upwards. “I’ll be honest when I say I haven’t the faintest clue why ponies obsess over romance. But what I do know is that behind your princessly getup is a whole bunch of problems that whoever you’ll get with will have to deal with. So desirable, right princess?”
She turned away from him. “I...”
“You probably just want to use your royal influence to get with Fluttershy. How do I know you would care for her or treat her right?”
“What? No-”
“Well, I won’t let Fluttershy be taken away from me!” Discord shouted, shoving an accusatory paw into Celestia’s chest. “What things I do know about stupid pony love are that once a pony falls they ignore everyone else around them! Do you think I want my Fluttershy taken away by somebody who doesn’t even know her? Know how she likes to sing lullabies to her animals or twitches her ear whenever she’s annoyed? Know how she hides weird magazines under her mattress? Because I know her.”
Celestia’s ears drooped slowly, her eyebrows creasing. She turned her head away from the pressing yellow eyes of the draconequus before her, glancing over to the roses. His eyes were like daggers in the back of her neck. “You’re probably right.”
“Huh?” Discord leaned back.
“I said, you’re most likely correct. I don’t know Fluttershy. I do have problems that would arise in a relationship. And I wouldn’t want to take her away from somebody who cares so much about her. Like you do.” Celestia locked eyes with Discord. “If you want me to be honest, I’m deathly nervous about even attempting to meet her! I’ll mess up or say something wrong or… or…” Her voice trailed off. “I have a country to worry about, not love.”
Celestia pushed past Discord, standing in front of a rose bush. Carefully, she plucked one of the delicate flowers off of it, spinning it in her magic. Why was this so hard? What was causing her such destitute? She exhaled, closing her eyes.
“Asters,” Discord said.
Celestia’s ears pricked up. “Hmm?”
“Fluttershy loves asters. She’s been planting them in front of the cottage recently. I prefer flowers with mouths but I can appreciate Fluttershy’s tastes,” he uttered.
Celestia squinted. “What are you getting at?”
“You and Fluttershy both love asters.” A brilliant white flash sparkled in front of Celestia, revealing a bouquet of asters. They fell in front of her, sparkling in the sunlight. “You kind of remind me of her right now.”
The mare slowly extended a hoof. “Why would you give me these? I...”
“Do I have to spell it out? You and she have more in common than I thought!”
There was a moment of silence, a cool breeze weaving its way through the garden. “How do we have things in common?” Celestia inquired, lifting the asters with her hooves.
“Well, you’re nervous over nothing like she can be. Despite my best efforts to assure Fluttershy when she’s nervous, she’ll always get scared about little things. Honestly, piranhas aren’t that bad!” His ears fell down for the faintest second. “She means the world to me. She showed me kindness when everyone else around me rejected me.”
He fidgeted with his forearms. “I think I’ll indulge in this weird love thing. Surely I will be entertained at least. And I… I don’t know, I think you two would be good friends!”
Celestia raised her eyebrows. “Really?”
“Ugh, you’re making this awkward, Celestia. I told you I don’t know anything about romance,” he spat out the last word with a scowl. “But I’ll try it. That’s all you need from me!”
Celestia paused. “Alright, I’ll bite too. Anything you’d like to notify me of for when it comes to being with Fluttershy?”
Discord grinned. “Actually, I do. Since I know Fluttershy as well as I do, I know the perfect way to set you guys up.” Discord sucked in his teeth. “But I’m afraid you can be a very prude pony, my dear Celly, and a bit awkward when it comes to actual social interaction outside of acting like a princess.”
“Huh? That’s not true.”
“But fear not! I have a solution.”
Another white flash. A bottle of brandy fell into Discord’s paw.
“Alcohol.”
“Come on, it’s not that bad,” Discord whined, pleading with puppy dog eyes. “Right, Lulu?”
“I have to agree with my sister on this. Celestia intoxicated can act rather idiotically,” Luna growled, standing at her sister’s side. “She always wants to dance.”
There was a pause, filled with muffled giggles as Luna strained to keep from bursting into laughter.
“Celestia looks like a dying weasel when she tries to dance.”
Celestia huffed, rolling her eyes while her sister snidely cackled. Discord stroked his beard with his talons, swirling the gray hair around each claw. There was a loud squeak, followed by Luna and Discord’s curt nods as they tightened the strings around Celestia’s wait, forcing her to stand as if she were a mannequin in a windowsill.
“I think the red dress looks best on Celestia, though it has fewer tentacles than I’d anticipated.”
The three of them stood in Celestia’s chambers, dolling her up for Ponyville’s upcoming Spring Equinox festival. A lacy carmine dress adorned her, followed with her mane french braided down her shoulder, bangs carefully curled and tail braided in suit. She wore her usual regalia paired with golden earrings of the sun and some lightly applied makeup. Celestia spun in front of the mirror.
“I think it’s too much,” she said slowly, using a hoof to tug at her hair. “Braids? Really?”
“They’re ‘all the rage this season’,” Luna stated matter-of-factly, pulling out a magazine from her satchel. “I have decided to keep these magazines close to my presence from now on. My popularity shall far outrank you soon if I keep up with the tips.” She skimmed through the pages, turning the magazine back to Celestia. “Look! There’s even a section about you attending the festival.”
Discord suddenly snatched the magazine from Luna’s magical grasp. He shoved his muzzle into the pages. “Where’s my article?”
Luna tilted her head. “Discord, you’re neither important nor vital to mainstream Equestrian culture.”
A loud gasp sounded, followed by a dramatic growl. “I saved Equestria!” Discord yelled, folding his arms. “Mainstream culture still exists because of me.”
“But your sense of fashion is terrible, you’re far more aged than Celestia or me, and you don’t even have knowledge of what a video game is!”
“...it's a game where you take videos of ponies?”
Luna slammed her hoof into her face, letting out a loud groan as she fell on her haunches. She flapped her wings. “This is why you aren’t in Pony Magazine.” Discord snorted.
“It’s probably garbage anyway!” He used a paw to flip through the pages before stopping on a certain page.
“Huh. They’re still using Fluttershy’s pictures from her modeling days,” he muttered, turning the magazine to the two alicorn sisters. “Celestia, I won’t blame you if you want to keep this magazine for ‘research’.” His snaggle tooth grin widened, eyebrows waggling intensely. Celestia sighed, shaking her head.
“This is too much.” Her glittering, golden magic swathed her ethereal hair, untwining it strand by strand before reaching her tail and doing the same. Discord and Luna watched as she shook her head, facing them with a forced smile. “I’ll just attend normally and let whatever happens to happen. Okay?”
She went to walk past the two. Luna shoved a hoof in front of her. Her ears fell back as she locked eyes with her sister. “Celestia, you have conquered demons beyond even a foal’s wildest dream. Do you dare to slander that reputation by refusing to attempt courting a mare?”
She shook her head. “I’ve been thinking. I’m an age old monarch who has barely talked to Fluttershy and. We are two vastly different ponies.”
Discord waved a paw dismissively. “Please, there have been worse relationships. Look at Twilight and Flash Sentry!” He smiled. Celestia knit her brows.
“I do a slow burn, Discord. It’s just a one-sided fancy; nothing more and nothing less. Think about my responsibilities as a princess! I have no time for love.”
She cast her glance downward.
“Please, can I have some alone time?”
The two exchanged a wordless stare. “Are you sure? You seem distressed-”
“Please,” Celestia stressed. “I need some time alone before heading to Ponyville. Okay?”
Discord grumbled, ”I was looking forward to seeing you panic about meeting Fluttershy. Oh well. See you at Ponyville!” He waved his paw, disappearing in a flash. Luna stared at her sister.
“Talk to me, Tia.”
Celestia avoided her gaze, slipping out of her dress. “I don’t want to talk.”
“Is it because of the polls? You’re leagues above Cadence!” She put on her best sheepish grin, keeping pace with Celestia as she approached her nightstand. Not bothering with magic, her snow white hoof reached for the drawer, drawing it open. Luna squeaked when a rather large bottle of wine and two glasses hovered out.
“I’m afraid I’m in the mood for alcohol,” Celestia said barely above a whisper, pulling the cork out of her bottle while climbing onto her bed, “and being dressed up like some sort of noble will only worsen my desire. So, I’m going to take Discord’s original plan of intoxication and put it into use.”
“But we’ll be in public-”
“Shhh,” Celestia raised her hoof and pressed it against her sister’s lips, levitating a glass half full of red wine in front of her. “That’s why I need you to watch over me. As a sister.”
Luna eyed the glass. “...for the gods' sakes, Celestia. You know I’m more of a beer mare,” she grumbled, snatching the glass. She took a small sip. “We have to leave in a few hours.” She paused. “Why were we getting you ready so early?”
“Who knows,” Celestia grunted, taking a rather unladylike swig from her glass. “Luna? Can I speak to you?”
Luna’s ears perked up, her glass being set to the side. She came up on the bed next to her sister. “You know you always can, Celestia.”
She breathed in slowly, thinking over her words slowly. “I… I don’t think I’m ready to date somebody.”
“Hmm?” Luna tilted her head, creasing her brows. “What do you mean?”
“It’s just… It’s been so long. Literal decades. What if I make a fool of myself? What if we have nothing in common, or I end up intimidating her? And what if Discord is just leading me on so I embarrass myself and-”
Luna blinked slowly, raising her hoof up ever so slightly. Celestia paused mid-sentence, her muzzle bright red as she swiftly turned her head to the side, rubbing her neck with a sheepish smile. Luna took in a deep breath, shifting her haunches on the mattress.
“Celestia,” Luna began, “ you’re overreacting. If anything, Fluttershy will be more concerned. Just shut your snout and drink,” she grumbled, rubbing her temple. “I thought you wanted to talk about something that was of importance.”
Her cheeks further crimsoned. “Hey, you would be nervous if it was Twilight you had to confront!”
“I-I-what? Psssh... That's just...just, eh…” Luna levitated her wine to her muzzle, shoving the edge of the glass to her lips and throwing her head back, drinking every last drop. Celestia seemed influence by her sister, following in suit, droplets of the red liquid splashing onto the blanket to mark the regret they would both have in the near future. The wine bottle floated over in a swirl of golden sparkles. Luna made a grab for it, only for Celestia to suck her teeth in.
“Tsk, tsk. Someone has to watch over me, and we both know Discord would just give me more wine.”
Luna sighed, resting her head in her outstretched forehooves. “Yes, you’re right. It’ll be more enjoyable to watch you when I’m sober.”
Celestia’s reply never came, muffled when she downed another glass, clumsily setting the bottle on the nearby nightstand alongside with the glass. A hiccup forced its way from her throat.“I think I’m properly drunk.”
Luna retrieved the bottle with a spell. A good portion of the wine was still left. “Gods, you’re a lightweight Celestia. How long has it been since you’ve drunk?”
“Sixteen years, I think. I get k-kind of bad at holding my liquor if I wait a while.”
“Well-” Luna’s words were cut off by a sharp knocking on the door. Luna cleared her throat.
“Enter.” With a creak of the doors, a royal guard slowly walked into the room, dressed in the regular golden armor that marked their command under Celestia. He saluted, speaking sternly.
“Princesses, you’re scheduled to depart for Ponyville in ten minutes.”
Luna and Celestia exchanged a look. “I thought it was a couple of hours?” Celestia muttered, fluttering her eyelids.
“I don’t know, guess we were wrong.”
The guard stood still, waiting for a command. Luna forced a smile and bounded off the bed.
“Get the carriage ready.”
“Let’s tango, Luna!”
Celestia stumbled her way out the carriage, oblivious to the crowd of ponies waiting to greet her as she eyed the area for a bar. Luna followed suit, watching her sister inevitably spell her own doom with eyes speaking of her readiness to pounce on the nearest alcoholic beverage. It was around four o’clock in the evening, festivities only just beginning to start in the plaza. Looking among the crowd while using her magic to keep Celestia from galloping off, Luna spotted a certain purple pony making her way towards them.
She eyeballed the group of ponies currently in front of them. “Greetings, Ponyville! My sister and I have arrived to attend your festival,” she announced, raising her hoof. There was a pause filled with murmuring amongst the crowd. Luna cocked an eyebrow. What else was she supposed to say?
“Yeah, what she said,” Celestia muttered, thankfully low enough to where no other ponies heard it.
Twilight waved as she hobbled forward, flapping her wings before gaining her composure. She raised a hoof to her mouth, clearing her throat.
“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, you’re just in time for the start of the play!” she chirped with a smile, making a gesture to the stage far off behind her where a group of ponies was quickly gathering. “Ms. Cherilee thought it would be a good idea to have the foals put something on. It’s been weird, organizing this whole thing with my friends. Actually, it was Cadence who suggested having more festivities in Ponyville...”
Luna kept her smirk on her countenance despite her eyes traveling past Twilight and to the various food vendors setting up around her. All the while Celestia struggled to so much as keep from swaying side to side, her balance threatening to give out with each staggering step she attempted to make forward. Twilight didn’t seem to notice, approaching her with the same cheery smile she’d given Luna. Her eyebrows creased when Twilight suddenly motioned her sister away. A few seconds passed before the smell of churros wafted into her nose. Luna cleared her throat.
“Twilight, would you mind if I left to one of the food courts?”
Twilight turned away for a moment. “Oh, please, go ahead!”
With a nod, Luna left the two, thinking to herself, I’ll only be gone a few minutes. I’m sure Twilight can handle her.
“Prin- Celestia, I was wondering if after the concert we could discuss a few things about…” Twilight paused, her cheeks slowly reddening. “...about your, um, condition right now?” Her hoof rubbed the back of her neck. “You know, I can smell it on you.”
Naturally, Celestia knew her drunken self would say something stupid, so her eyes looked for her sister. Who was gone? Normal Celestia would stop herself from being irrational. Drunk Celestia didn’t. Her tongue licked her lips, words barely forming in her alcoholic haze.
“W-Well, as a princess of Equestria, I felt like drinking alcohol.”
Twilight’s muzzle scrunched at the smell of wine on her breath. “Yes, but, um, isn’t this something you wouldn't want in public? To be...” She looked around for any other ponies listening. “I don’t mean to sound rude, but…” Her voice trailed off while she watched Celestia closely. “Publically intoxicated? You’re, well, drunk.”
“Just a little bit,” she replied nonchalantly, twirling strands of her mane in her hoof. “It’s so sparkly and flowy. Have I ever told you I have no clue why it does this?” She hiccuped. “Because I actually don’t. I was going to have you study it for me.”
“Well, okay, that’s…” Twilight blinked slowly. “Why can’t you research it? No, that’s not the point. Ergh!” She slapped a hoof to her forehead. “Why are you drunk? This is so weird!” Her wings sprung out from her sides, eyes darting around the plaza. “Where’s Luna? I don’t know what to do about this!” Her eyes met with Celestia. “Um, no offense.”
“None was taken.”
“Prepare for trouble!” The ear-splitting cackles of Discord’s voice pierced the area as he appeared behind the two mares. Twilight yelped, stumbling forward into Celestia whilst Discord cloned himself into two.
“Make it double!” the second Discord yelled.
“To protect Ponyville from devastation!”
“To-”
“Discord!” Twilight growled, rubbing her temple while clambering off her dazed princess. The two Discords eyeballed her her with snaggle-toothed smirks, joining arms and becoming one in a flash of white. The now singular discord used a paw to stroke his beard, leaning in close to Celestia.
“Geez, when did she become such a lightweight?” he mumbled, drawing back. A clipboard and paper appeared in his paw. “This here is a drunk alicorn. Very interesting.” He scribbled some random words onto the paper before snapping his talons, making it disappear. “She did take my idea! Huzzah! Though reflecting on it now, perhaps there were better ways to approach this...”
“Discord, I don’t have time-”
“Twilight! Princess Celestia! Discord!” The three of them swiveled their heads to Rarity and Fluttershy trotting towards them. Rarity cleared her throat. “Why’s Discord here? No, I’ll ask later. I don’t want to impose on your conversation, but the play is going to start in a few minutes.” Rarity brushed her mane to the side, the purple curls bouncing over her shoulder. “I just can’t wait to see the costumes I designed put into action!”
“Oh,” Twilight said, turning to Discord. She looked in the eyes with what she hoped to be her ‘please help me out’ look, turning back to her friends. “We were just talking about a few things. Yes. Let us attend the play because we are going to do that.” Twilight stood up slowly, her eyes unwavering from Celestia. The princess seemed to have her attention elsewhere, staggering to a stance as she cleared her throat. Neither of them noticed the rather heinous grin spread across Discord’s snout.
Celestia stepped forward, a red blush spread across her snout. “H-Hey, Flutter-”
Discord hovered in front of Celestia.“How about we all grab a drink before the play?”
Rarity cocked an eyebrow. “Not to be offensive, but why would you want a drink, Discord?”
“Well, I thought I would something ponies often indulge in for once! That’s not so bad, right?”
“Yes, but…” Rarity stopped for a moment. “Well, this is a festival. Though I don’t see why we would before the play, especially if you plan to drink enough to become intoxicated. Can you become intoxicated?” Rarity shook her head. “Besides that, wouldn’t it make more sense after?”
Twilight shot not-so-subtle daggers at Discord as she stepped forward. “Yes, let’s wait until after, Discord. We should probably take our seats so we don’t miss the beginning of the play.”
“Then it’s settled,” Rarity said with a nod, turning to Fluttershy. “Let’s sit down?”
“Oh, okay,” Fluttershy nodded back, following her. Twilight, Discord, and Celestia guided by Twilight trailed behind. Twilight leaned in towards Discord.
“Just what are you thinking? The last thing Celestia needs is more alcohol!” she hissed under her breath. Discord waved a paw.
“I was just thinking if Fluttershy was drunk, it would balance out and Celestia would be able to hit it off with her!” Discord muttered back, flicking his tail from side to side. “No need to shoot my ideas down so fast.”
“What?” Her exclaim was quickly overshadowed by Celestia pawing at her back. She quickly spun around to see the princess with her bottom lip pouted, ears pinned back and muzzle twisted into a frown.
“Twiiilight~” She said in a sing-song voice, continuing her pawing, “you’ll help me with Fluttershy, r-right?” A hiccup came shortly after she finished her sentence. Twilight turned to Discord.
“Can you please explain what’s going on?”
“I have to say I’m conflicted, Twilight,” Discord murmured, dragging his paw through his short, black mane. “One part of me wonders how Fluttershy would be with Celestia, and another part of me would love to see you struggle to keep drunk Celestia under control. Then I saw how Celestia acted...” His eyes cast down to the ground.
“Ugh! I’ll figure this out on my own, then.”
The trio somehow managed to teeter their way through the mass of ponies, avoiding any interactions or suspicion and finding their designated seats. Twilight was sure to sit close to her mentor, keeping an eye on her. The alicorn didn’t seem to notice much was amiss, instead caressing her crown in her hooves. The stage was in the process of being set up, fillies and colts hauling props to their proper places while others added little touchups.
Discord hovered lightly over his chair, oblivious to the venomous glances occasionally shot from Twilight. She just knew he was the center of this… situation. Probably. Most likely. She looked carefully looking over her mentor, tapping her chair slightly, wondering how to handle the princess once the play ended. Or if she tried to pull anything during the play. Maybe she could convince Discord to help? Or was this the most help he was going to offer?
A voice drew her out of her thoughts.
“Twilight, can I talk to you for a sec?” Rainbow Dash’s voice pierced the flow of her worries, causing her to shake her head as she turned to her friend. A smile came across her face.
“That’s a silly question, Rainbow. Why wouldn't you be able to?” she beamed, keeping her mentor in her peripheral vision.
Rainbow lifted her hoof, coughing slightly, eyes darting to the ground. “Well, uh, you see, we’re a couple inches short of rainfall this week, and if I don’t squeeze it in soon I’m gonna have my boss be pretty angry.”
Twilight furrowed her brows. “What? I’ve had this planned for weeks! How did you forget to set up a storm?”
“Weeell, the Wonderbolts called me in for most of the week to help with some new recruits because Spitfire was sick. I’m really sorry Twi, I gotta squeeze this in. Please?” she puffed out her bottom lip.
“Aren’t there other weather ponies? Why didn’t they handle this?” Twilight inquired, rubbing her temple with a forehoof. “Is our weather team that incompetent?”
“I don’t know what that means, but our weather team is kind of lost at what to do when I’m not here. Pleeease?”
Twilight curled her lip up into a scowl, sighing. “Look, I’m sorry Rainbow Dash, but I can’t let you stop the entire festival because of your mistake. If you want, though, I could help you with the scheduling of rainfall and-”
Rainbow waved a hoof, yawning and flapping her wings. “Aaand you’ve lost me. I’ll find a way out of it. I’ll be at the food court if you need me; heard Luna was gonna chug down on some haydogs!” With that she flashed a grin, pumping her wings and flying into the sky.
“Wait, the haydog contest isn’t supposed to start yet…” Twilight turned to the seat behind her, only to find it filled with a draconequus instead of an alicorn. Discord simpered.
“I was watching Rarity panic when one of the foals tripped and ripped up her costume. I have no idea where Celestia went. Rarity was hilarious, though.”
A few rows away from Twilight and Discord, Princess Celestia stumbled her way around, slowly approaching the yellow blur she’d spotted through her foggy vision. Some suppressed part of her mind called for her to turn around, while the overpowering part of her drunk brain said sitting around wasn’t going to get her the mare. A thousand years of waiting was enough. She was going to get the mare. Yes. She was. Sure, walking was causing her body to slew like a wagon moving too fast in the snow, and her mind couldn’t even think of what to say once she somehow made it to Fluttershy, but she was going to court Fluttershy anyways.
Despite a few confused glances and Twilight’s desperate, hushed calls for her while the play started, Celestia found her way to Fluttershy relatively uninterrupted. The yellow mare was currently sitting in her seat, an empty chair where Rarity was supposed to be to her right. Her eyes were focused on the stage ahead, unwavering. There was a pause in Celestia’s trot; her mane was sleek and luxuriant, flowing down her neck in sunlit, pink lockets. It reminded her of carnations. Fluttershy’s eyes were the shade of the green that pushed through piles of snow to remind her of spring.
Celestia’s legs swayed, threatening to buckle under the immense weight of an unstable alicorn. Her mind was racing; surely pickup lines were in one of Luna’s stupid magazines? She cleared her throat, drawing the attention of the yellow mare onto her.
“Oh, Princess Celestia. I didn’t expect you to come over here-”
“H-Hey, did you fall from heaven, because your mane kind of looks unkempt,” Celestia smoothly purred, closing in on Fluttershy.
Celestia screamed internally; the words in her head spoke of her mane being vibrant, beautiful. Why had that come out instead? Meanwhile, Fluttershy’s cheeks immediately lit up to a soft shade of crimson, her wings fluffing up and pupils dilated.
“U-Um, that’s an odd way of wording I need to brush my mane.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Princess, I don’t mean to sound rude, but why-”
“No,” a hiccup erupted its way out of Celestia’s throat, “it’s messy in a cute way.” Her weight shifted into her forelegs, her muzzle being forced an inch away from Fluttershy’s, wings flapping forward as if to cover Fluttershy from the word. Yes, she had saved herself from the embarrassment of insulting Fluttershy! Now a few more words to reel her in...
“E-Eheh…” Fluttershy’s cheeks turned a dark shade of red, beads of sweat dripping down her temple. Brows creased, she leaned backward. “I-I’m not so sure I’m comfortable being so close…”
“You have green eyes.” The words flew off of Celestia's tongue, rushed and imperfect, forcing the snow-white mare to stand awkwardly in front of Fluttershy’s face as all the life drained from her cheeks. Fluttershy swallowed.
“I-I know?”
Kill me now. The words raced through Celestia’s head.
“Let’s dance!” Celestia then decreed, leaning backward, puffing out her chest. Yes, her knowledge of dance would surely save her feeble attempts at flirting. Her eyebrows waggled. “I am fairly decent when it comes to the tango. Let me demonstrate.”
“No!” the shout of Twilight drew both mares attention to the purple alicorn, who was accompanied with a rather flustered Discord. Twilight swiftly secured a magical grip around her mentor, gently tugging her away from the chairs. Discord came over to Fluttershy, snapping his talons. The two vanished, leaving Twilight and Celestia alone.
“Princess, I think it would be best if we were to leave for tonight,” she said. Her words soft, like a mother comforting a foal. Celestia tilted her head.
“I-I’m fiiine,” she slurred, leaning forward, unbalanced. “I was just pulling some moves. Some rather embarrassing moves.” She tensed up. “Twilight, I messed up, didn’t I?”
“I’ll go find your sister.”
“That’s-” A rather loud yawn cut off her words, her alabaster hoof raising over her lips. “I’m afraid I’m a bit tired.”
“Let’s go.”
When Celestia’s eyes first opened, she was greeted with the gentle flicker of a candle’s light alongside a hushed voice murmuring. Blinking the bleariness away, she leaned up slowly, feeling the gentle touch of a blanket slide down her wings. A quick look at her surroundings revealed her regalia to be on the side of a bed. Who’s bed? The bed’s canopy blocked her view of the view of the ponies before her. Massaging a temple with her forehoof, she pricked her ears to the voices, discerning who they were.
“Starlight, I don’t think that’s a proper friendship lesson.”
“What, learning not to get drunk sounds pretty good to me! Besides, do you have to document all your relationship stuff in this book?”
“Of course I do! Anything involving friendship with the Princess of Friendship must be documented.”
“So what’s making this so hard to write?”
“It’s just, I feel so… awkward about Celestia being causal around me. All my life she’s been this perfect princess figure, regal and beautiful. She’s still all of that, but I feel like something’s changed after seeing her like this.”
“Well, she’s a pony, is she not? It’s probably healthy to have less perfect views of her. She’s a pony before anything else you think about her and will end up feeling and act like any of us, which includes making mistakes. Besides, as we grow, doesn’t our relationships with ponies change?”
“That’s perfect! Repeat that so I can write it?”
“I thought you were the Princess of Friendship?”
“I’m sorry.” The two turned from their conversation to the new voice in the room, shock covering their faces while Celestia’s golden aura pulled back the canopy. She let out a sigh, holding a frown on her lips. “I’ve made a fool of myself, haven’t I?”
Twilight Sparkle’s voice cut in.
“Not at all-”
“Well, kind of,” Starlight said. “I don’t know too much about what happened, but Twilight gave me a gist of it all.”
“Oh,” Celestia replied with a frown, craning her head up to the ceiling. “I hope I didn’t cause to much trouble. My memories are kind of vague right now. My headache is not being kind.”
Twilight put on a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of her neck. “Fluttershy was pretty flustered, though I have to say Luna caused a lot more with the haydogs.”
“I-” Celestia took a deep breath, closing her eyes. “I don’t think I want to know about that. May I ask where Luna is, though?”
“Oh, she took one of the guest bedrooms. You were in no condition to fly, and she was in pretty bad shape herself.” Twilight let out a yawn, blinking slowly as she raised a hoof. “I think it’s about five in the morning right now? Starlight and I came to check up on you, but kind of got into a discussion and now we’re here.” Her cheeks lit up. “I’m sorry for waking you up.”
“No, it's fine. I am usually up around this time anyways,” Celestia said, pulling the blanket off her body with a quick spell. Her mane was disheveled, flowing in all directions in what could be called an amped up version of bedhead. Bags hung under her eyes, a hollow chuckle echoing in the room. “I’m a mess from so little alcohol. My nerves must’ve gotten the best of me, huh?”
“Princess-”
“It’s just Celestia to you, Twilight.” Celestia put on her best benevolent smile. “We’ve been over this.”
Twilight coughed into her hoof, attempting to hide her blush. “Yes. Right,” she mumbled, “If you don’t mind me asking, why were you intoxicated? I never really received a full picture on that.”
There was a long silence. Celestia slowly drew in a breath, lightly stepping off from the bed and running her hooves through her mane. She cleared her throat, levitating her regalia around herself. “I was nervous about meeting Fluttershy.”
Starlight piqued in. “Why? Fluttershy’s, like, the nicest pony I’ve ever met. I don’t understand why anyone would be nervous around… her…” Starlight tapped a hoof on her chin. “Twilight, didn’t you say Celestia was hitting on Fluttershy?”
“Yes, but- oh.”
It was Celestia’s turn to blush. “I… I hit on her?”
Neither Twilight or Starlight seemed to notice her comment, instead turning to each other with the same hushed murmurs they had when they first entered the room. Twilight was the first to break away, looking at her mentor with shiny eyes.
“You like Fluttershy, don’t you?” she squeaked, tail swishing side to side. Celestia’s cheeks turned a dark crimson, her eyes darting across the room.
“It’s clear I’ve made that quite obvious…” she sputtered out, slipping the last of her golden shoes onto her foreleg. “My sister and Discord thought it would be a perfect opportunity for me to talk to her at this festival. My nerves got the best of me, though, and I ended up using some wine to unwind, and I think you know the rest of the story.”
Twilight nodded slowly, tapping her hoof against the marble as she nodded her head up and down. Her gaze fell upon Starlight. Starlight seemed to pick up on it as some sort of cue, clearing her throat with a soft cough into her hoof.
“So, what are you going to do about this?”
Celestia’s ears pricked up, a soft ‘hmm’ noise coming from her throat.
“Well,” Starlight remarked, “surely you’re not just going to let all of this go and return to Canterlot, right?”
“Oh,” Celestia muttered softly, staring at the wall. “I suppose you’re right.” She shifted herself into a sitting position on the floor, stretching her wings up, eliciting a loud yawn from herself. “It would be rude of me not to apologize, so I will have to see her again sometime today.” She stood up once more, folding her wings to her sides, opening the door with her golden aura. “...where is Luna’s room?”
“Two doors down,” Twilight replied. Celestia nodded. “Thank you.” Stepping out into the hallway, the sharp click of her shoes against the marble pierced the quiet of the castle. Her hoof reached to knock on the door, only contacting the air as it swung open on its own, revealing a rather flustered Luna. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of her sister, a loud sniffle sounding in the hallway. Celestia blinked slowly. Luna sniffled again.
“Tia, I-I’m sorry,” she blubbered out, ears pinned against her head. “I know you were counting on me supervising you but the haydogs were really delectable and someone thought they could best the princess of the night in a competition so I had to put them in their place but by then Twilight confronted me about what happened and-” Luna took a deep breath, her countenance flushed from the onslaught of words that had just spewed from her mouth. The corners of Celestia’s lips slowly rose.
“Luna, please, it was foolish of me to drink,” she said softly, extending a hoof. “I should’ve known better, bringing you somewhere where food was present. There’s absolutely no reason to be sorry.”
Luna let out a sigh. “Are you sure?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “It was my idea to have you pursue Fluttershy, and I left you, so this is partially my fault.” A downcast look fell upon her face. “Any chances you might’ve had with Fluttershy are surely ruined.”
Celestia smiled. “If I’m honest, I truly don’t think a romantic relationship would've worked out for us for a number of reasons. I’m inexperienced, I don’t know her well…” Her voice trailed off. “But I’m getting off topic. I believe the moon must be lowered soon?”
Luna straightened up. “O-Oh, yes. I suppose that’s true.”
The two mares nodded at one another, raising their hooves and meeting in a bump. They both wore smiles.
It took relatively little time to find the balcony of the castle, the moon swiftly falling out of the sky in place for the early morning sun to light the world. By the time the two sisters returned indoors they were greeted by a platter for breakfast, engaging in idle chat with Twilight and Starlight. By the time late morning rolled around, the two sisters bid their farewell.
Luna and Celestia made their way down the dirt road, the gentle pitter patter of rain filling their ears with its thrum. Mud clung to their shoes, splashing with each step that carried them closer to their destination; Fluttershy’s house. An umbrella twirled in Celestia’s golden magic, shielding the two sisters from the unyielding elements. The smell of rain wafted up into Celestia’s nose, tickling her muzzle as it surrounded the two of them.
“Do you think we should do something about Ponyville’s weather team?” Luna mumbled, shaking a foreleg of mud. “There was no not in my schedule for rain today. My magazines are growing soaked.” The saddlebags strapped around her abdomen were indeed waterlogged, clinging to Luna’s fur. “How am I supposed to read up on apologies now?”
“I think I’m done plotting,” Celestia replied, flicking her ear as droplets splashed onto it. “I feel what’s appropriate for this situation is a heartfelt apology. Impromptu.”
“I-”
“By myself,” she concluded, casting a glance at her sister, who was currently grumbling to herself under her breath.
“Then what’s the point of me coming?”
“Moral support.”
Luna chuckled. “The great and mighty sun princess needs support for a mere apology?”
“You were going to look at a ‘mere’ magazine for apology support despite being a mighty princess yourself.”
“H-Hey!”
Celestia’s voice caught in her throat before she could respond when her eyes fell upon the small cottage in front of her. It wasn’t anything extraordinary; if anything, it was rather humble, with a roof resembling a tree, and a simple split wooden door. The only thing that truly caught Celestia’s eye was the various bird and other animal houses around the area, practically filling every corner possible. Despite the simple structure, her breath seemed to be taken out of her. Her hoof stretched to set down on the bridge, stopping a few inches above. She closed her eyes. She began to move at a snail’s pace, barely carrying her forward.
“The last time I was here was a few years ago,” Luna lamented, a skip in her step as she moved past her sister in a few seconds, rain quickly soaking her fur. “She was terrified of me. I feel bad in hindsight.” Fully across the bridge, she tilted her head back to her rigid sister. “Are you coming?”
Celestia audibly swallowed, glaring down at her stiff hooves. “Y-Yes, I am,” she muttered through grit teeth, inching each hoof forward despite her tense body. “I’m merely having some issues moving my limbs.”
Luna rolled her eyes before flapping her wings in the rain, spraying droplets all around her. Her mane weighed down by the water, she stepped towards Celestia, extending a hoof. “Do you need some help?”
She examined her shaking hoof before looking up to her sister’s. “Just a little bit,” Celestia concluded, joining forelegs with her sister. The two carefully started their trot over, Luna navigating backward before reaching the end in a few seconds. Luna was quick to dive back under the umbrella, grabbing it with her aura as the two trailed their way up to the cottage. Luna clicked her tongue.
“Remember when ponies thought spirits controlled the weather?” she asked slowly.
“Yes, that’s because they did control the weather. Why?” Celestia murmured, cocking an eyebrow. Luna shrugged.
“There was an old adage about how if march came in like a lion, it would go out like a lamb. Correct?”
The two halted in front of the door. “Where are you going with this?”
“The month of March usually starts with cold, unpleasant weather, but ends mild and pleasant. Perhaps your relationship with Fluttershy can be reflective of this month.” Luna flashed a smile, raising her hoof. “Shall I knock or you?”
Celestia stared down the door, stretching her wings outward and biting her bottom lip. “I-I think I’ll have you do the honors,” she stuttered. “Once I get talking to her, I’ll calm down. I believe. Hope. Yes, hope is more correct.”
Luna chuckled lightly, smiling. “One.”
“Two.” Celestia drew in a sharp breath.
“Three!” Her hoof tapped against the wood exactly three times, before her midnight blue body carried the umbrella with it into a bush. Celestia froze.
“Oh. Oh, maybe I should’ve waited to apologize-”
There was a soft creak. Celestia’s whole body became frozen under the pelting of the rain as stray beams of light scattered from behind the door, bright green eyes paired with a messy pink mane peeking their way out. Fluttershy had her hoof wrapped around the door, peering around the edge. Her pupils dilated when they met Celestia’s.
“P-Princess Celestia!” she barely stammered out, limbs trembling and pink mane hiding a good portion of her face, her ears pinned back against her head. Celestia tried to open her mouth, instead feeling as if her heart was caught in her throat, blocking out any possible words while her hooves grew clammy, tail impatiently flicking in the rain. She cleared her throat. There was no turning back from this point on.
“I’m sorry!” she blubbered out, swiftly bowing her head down towards the rain-slick dirt. “I was nervous and foolish and acted upon impulse, growing intoxicated in order to confront you about my romantic feelings. I forced myself upon you which is both extremely non-princess like and rude in general, and I had no intentions to hurt you in any way! Really, I’m extremely sorry. I… Please, accept my apology.” Her eyes slammed shut, wary of the emotions that would overcome Fluttershy; Anger? Fear? Both? Her legs shivered in the cold rain, fur clinging to her skin, damp and cold.
There was a noise, so subtle Celestia’s ears barely picked up on it. The noise gradually grew, forcing Celestia’s eyes open in order to investigate; Fluttershy’s muzzle was twisted into a mirthful smirk, hearty laughs coming from her mouth as her torso rocked, wings spread out from her sides. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, a foreleg coming to her chest as she chortled uncontrollably. Celestia slowly stretched her head up, narrowing her eyes and creasing her brows. A few more seconds passed before her laughter began to die down, a few snickers still escaping her lips.
“Y-You were nervous about talking to me?” Fluttershy inquired, a big smile spread across her lips. “I’m sorry if I sound rude, but I’m usually the pony who’s nervous. You, a princess of Equestria, nervous about talking to a pony like me…” She paused, her cheeks flushed. “I-I think I’ll accept your apology. Please, come inside! Where’s your umbrella?” Celestia was left no time to reply. “You’ll get a cold. Here, I’ll go fetch a towel.”
With that, Fluttershy dove back inside, leaving Celestia in the rain. The alicorn blinked slowly, processing her words.
“I… I… okay?” she whispered to herself, taking a step forward in the cottage. The first thing that caught her attention as she entered was the smell; cinnamon drifted into her nose, her eyes quickly falling upon a candle in the back of the room, her eyes then wandering around. The room was small, cozy, and had Discord curled up like a cat on the green sofa, one eye cracked open and a snaggle-toothed simper plastered on his maw. There were also some bird houses to one side- wait. Celestia locked eyes with Discord, using her magic to close the door behind her.
“Aren’t you going to invite LuLu in?” he muttered, his tail swaying from side to side as it wrapped around his body. His head was snuggled onto his forelegs. “Though it would be rather funny for her to just awkwardly stand in the rain.”
“Discord, this isn’t time for your jokes,” she hissed under her breath, eyes darting around the room. Discord yawned.
“Oh, but I think it is.” He closed his eyes with a smug smirk, clicking his talons together. A white spark of light formed in front of Celestia, morphing into a bouquet of asters and a few other flowers. It caught in a golden aura, her pupils dilating.
“Isn’t this a little inappropriate?” she said with a puzzled frown, spinning the bouquet in her magic. A lacy purple ribbon tied the flowers together. “I only planned to apologize and be on my way.”
Discord flicked his ear. “Consider it my apology for suggesting a stupid idea to you, then. I talked to Fluttershy when you left, and can honestly say I have no idea what will happen between you two.” There was a pause “I’ll go keep your sister company. Goodluck.” In a split second, he was gone, leaving Celestia alone in the room. A light thumping noise drew her attention, her gaze shifting to a small rabbit sitting aside her foreleg. Its arms were crossed, ears pressed back and hind leg rhythmically whacking against the creaky wooden floor. Celestia smiled; what else was she supposed to do? The rabbit narrowed its eyes, looking her up and down before squeaking. Celestia kept smiling. A light grating noise echoed from the staircase, the yellow form of Fluttershy trotting down with a towel in a hoof.
“I’m sorry it took me so long, Discord loves to rearrange things when he’s bored,” she said, hoofing over the item. Celestia could only nod curtly, her mouth growing dry at the sight of Fluttershy; her hair was tied back in a messy bun, the pink hairs shining in the light and falling down in what she could only describe as perfect. Towel in magic, she patted herself dry, Fluttershy extending a hoof to take it back.
“Do you know where Discord went?” she asked, walking around. Celestia felt her cheeks grow hot; it was odd having the mare act so casual after the events that had transpired.
“I think he went outside,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, hooves shifting awkwardly. Her eyes widened; the bouquet. Right. Where had she put it? Her wings flared out as she spun in a circle, locating the flowers in the windowsill behind her. When had she done that? Her head shook. No time for questions. Retrieving the flowers in hoof, she turned back to Fluttershy, who was just walking back in the kitchen. She extended her hoof forward, trying to hide the quivering of her legs and sweat dripping down her temples.
“Flowers. For you.” She squeaked out, the feathers in her wings fluffing out while her cheeks flushed dark crimson. “I, um, thought they were pretty and they reminded me of you.” Fluttershy gave her a sideways glance. “Um, not in a romantic way or anything! Unless you want that. Do you want that? I’m sorry.” She smacked a hoof to her forehead, her heart pounding at her own stupidity. “I should've learned from before.
Fluttershy smiled softly. “They’re lovely.” She placed them on a nightstand aside her couch. “If you don’t mind, do you think we could talk? About… this.”
Celestia could only hastily nod, the words once most lost somewhere between her throat and mind. Fluttershy took a seat on her chair, motioning to the sofa. Celestia practically stumbled her way onto the couch, fluttering her wings before settling down. She avoided Fluttershy’s gaze, opting for her golden shoes; a dark brown hair clung to it. Her muzzle scrunched; Discord even shed like a cat. Her eyes inadvertently looked upward, looking straight into the emerald eyes of Fluttershy, butterflies swirling in her stomach. Fluttershy wore a kind smile. Her trademark kind smile, the one that practically spoke of her all around kind nature.
“Why?” Celestia murmured. “Why are you acting so casual around me?”
Fluttershy leaned back slightly. “Oh, well, if you don’t want that…”
“No!” Celestia’s wings bust open. “I-I mean, it’s fine, but I thought you would act… differently, to say the least.”
Fluttershy nodded. “Well, I didn’t want to make things awkward for you, so I thought acting casual would help you relax.”
“Oh.”
There was a pause.
“May I ask why you like me?”
Celestia tilted her head up. “Care to elaborate a little?”
“Well, why you… like like me.” Her cheeks began to turn red. “You’re a princess. You could have anyone you wanted.”
Celestia let the silence take place for her words, crossing her hooves together and furrowing her brows. She had already explained herself before; how hard would it be this time around? Celestia let out a soft sigh, closing her eyes.
“I thought you were beautiful when I first saw you. Then I was able to learn about you both through our brief interactions and…” she trailed off. It had almost slipped her mind. “I was also able to learn about you through Twilight’s letters. She also worded you to be so kind, so gentle, and whenever I saw you I found her letters to be perfectly spot on. You also… treated me like a pony, and not as some all mighty god or anything else but a pony. You treat Discord as a pony. You don’t act like we’re different beings that don’t experience normal emotions or issues.”
Fluttershy’s bangs completely enveloped her countenance within a few seconds, a muffled voice coming from behind her hair.
“You think I’m beautiful?” she squeaked.
“Well… yes. I do.”
There was a moment of quiet. Fluttershy’s wings made their way around her face, further muffling her voice.
“I don’t think I’ve ever considered liking mares before,” she mumbled. “Though I haven’t really thought about dating in general.”
Celestia’s ears began to fall back. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been too hasty…”
“I’m not saying I’m not open!” Fluttershy quickly added, her wings folding back to her sides and her mane swept out of her face with a hoof. “I-I think you’re beautiful too.”
Celestia squeaked.
“But if we’re going to… be serious about any of this, we have to get to know each other.”
“O-Of course we do.” She shifted her haunches. “Do… do you like magazines?”
Fluttershy found herself giggling. “We don’t have to do that now, and I’m sure it’ll come more naturally. For now I just… I’d like to see how I feel. When we…” Her cheeks began to turn crimson. “...cuddle.”
“Oh. Alright?” her response came out more as a question as she shifted over to make room for Fluttershy. “Are you sure?”
“I read about cuddling in one of Rarity’s magazines. I know, it’s silly, but I’m not very good with relationship things.” She paused. “So I do like magazines. Kind of,” she muttered, crawling into a space beside Celestia, her cheeks growing warmer by the second. “H-How do you want to do this?”
Celestia shifted slowly, a noticeable gap between the two ponies. “Well… um…” Celestia’s wing slowly extended before wrapping around Fluttershy, pulling her in closer to her. The smaller mare let out a small squeak, her face turning pink as Celestia looked away from her. The first thing to flood Celestia’s mind was how awfully fluffy the pegasus was, her soft fur pressing against hers and filling her with a pleasant warmth.
Fluttershy’s eyes studied Celestia closely. Could she ever think of dating her? Celestia was showing a side of herself that not many ponies had ever seen… something Fluttershy could see in herself. She was nervous to ask her, of all ponies, out. She had been scared. Just like she can be. She’s pretty, kind, caring, and an extremely good cuddler. Fluttershy smiled. They’d talk. They’d get to know one another. Things would progress naturally. She cleared her throat.
“I think I like this.”
Author's Note
Special thanks to Fervidor for help with the story!
