A Most Fortuitous Happenstance
Raven looked up from her clipboard and paused mid-sentence. Sprawled out upon the spacious bed, Princess Luna stared back at her. The princess's chin was awkwardly propped-up by her fore-ankles. Her mouth sealed tightly into a pucker as she lazily puffed up one cheek with air, then switched to the other.
"Princess, is everything okay?" asked Raven, as the secretary settled her hovering clipboard into hoof. Her voice was crisp, but hollow.
"Yes, yes, please continue," said Luna, covering her face with one hoof and spinning the other vertically. "Let us get this over with."
"Forgive my observation, Princess, but there isn't much to 'get over'," said Raven. "I need but five minutes of your time to brief on your responsibilities—"
"Five minutes," interrupted Luna, "of empty banter to make it appear as though I have any responsibilities." Her muzzle wrinkled up in frustration. "We repeat this charade every evening. The only deviation is the daily news on what dear Sister has already handled in my absence."
Princess Luna narrowed her eyes and carefully scanned Raven's muzzle. Raven was renowned for the poker face she now wore, a vital skill for assisting Princess Celestia with delicate negotiations or representing her in absentia.
"Permission to speak informally and frankly," requested Raven.
"Granted permanently, until such time as I say otherwise," said Luna. "I am, as you are no doubt aware, presently attempting to be less of a formal horse with our subjects."
Raven closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then opened them again. "Please, Luna, don't share this with your sister," she began. "Princess Celestia is trying to change. I've been working with her ever since your return, slowly dropping hints that a return to more responsibilities would assist you in the healing process. But she's centuries older than you are now..."
"...which means, that which seems like a long span of time to me, seems short to her," said Luna, with a slow shake of her head. "A pony can can change in a thousand years. I fear you may know my own sister better than I, Raven."
Raven smiled. "I doubt that. Celestia's true feelings have been carefully guarded for a very long time. She's a difficult pony to get to know over the space of an earth pony's lifespan, let alone a unicorn like myself," she said. "The only thing I can accurately testify to is that she clearly suffered from depression prior to your return. No amount of grace could hide that fact. Now, she does not."
Luna smiled back, then paused in thought. Finally, she reached a hoof right up to Raven's muzzle. "Raven, are you constantly within the thrall of my sister? Or do you have spare time of your own in which to engage in that which is called 'the fun'?"
"I do have days off now and then. Tomorrow, for example. That's why I'm going clubbing tonight," said Raven.
"Clubbing? Who or what is being clubbed?" asked Luna, with a cautious look in her eye.
"Sorry, I should have translated. 'Clubbing' means going to nightclubs. They're informal indoor places where you drink, and dance, and... well, flirt," said Raven.
Luna's eyes widened, and she clambered off the bed. "Raven," she said, grabbing the mare by the shoulders with both forehooves. "Listen to me very carefully. Do you mean to inform me that there is a form of the fun being celebrated, this very evening? Right here in Canterlot?"
"The venues are very informal, Princess. Mares and stallions alike wear makeup and dress to show off. But if those sorts of things are what you consider fun, then yes," said Raven, flexing her legs in an unsuccessful attempt to prompt Luna to release her. "There is a very active nightlife in Canterlot. Pretty much every night, but mainly on the weekends."
"Night... life?" Princess Luna's eyes lit up like an array of city lights, and she squeezed Raven with all her might. "This is most WELCOME!" she shouted, the volume of her words swelling to full force of the Royal Canterlot Voice.
"Ow ears ow chest," gasped Raven, squirming for dear life.
"Oh!" said Luna, and she set Raven back down, where the poor mare heaved for breath. "My sincerest apologies."
"It's... fine," said Raven, between gasps.
"Excellent! Then it is settled." Luna grinned from ear to ear.
"I, um... settled?" asked a very disoriented secretary, her mane out of place and that famous poker face now missing from her muzzle entirely.
"I shall accompany you to club the fun this evening, Raven," said Luna, smiling brightly. "You shall introduce this new behavior to me. Make preparations at once and meet me in the main hall, forthwith."
"Ooookay..." said Raven, with a slight grimace.
Having an excellent poker face is about hiding emotions, not pretending to have them. Raven knew deep in her bones that she had no hope of faking a convincing smile.
It didn't matter, of course. The giddy princess stopped paying attention several exchanges ago.
