Chapter 8: Pegasus in the Coffee Shop

Looking up at the sign, the dark pegasus shuffled her navy blue wings, her Cutie Mark that of a dream catcher in a white and black color.

"Are ye sure that tis alright for us to do this?" she asked the blue pegasus next to her with concern, blue eyes worried, but Trade gave her a small smile.

"It's fine, your sister has done this ton of times herself without anyone finding out," the darker blue pegasus rolled her eyes,

"Sunny Days is not original," she complained quietly, following the researcher into the shop, one of many that existed throughout Canterlot.

"Samples of all the coffee drinks you have in the smallest cups," that earned a raised eyebrow but nonetheless the unicorn's horn glowed as she prepared the orders.

"Sister said drinking too much coffee would be detrimental to our health and not productive in you teaching me," protested 'Dream Catcher' as they waited for their order,

"That's why I chose this place, they only do ten different coffees, all of them the most common, and it is why I decided to do it in small cups for a sample testing. You said you were interested in the different drinks that are popular among ponies of today and this is the best way to experience them," she took the tray with the twenty small cups (ten for her and ten for 'Dream Catcher') with a smile of thanks and they grabbed a table in the corner.

"And it is bad to drink this concoction at night?" the older 'pegasus' questioned, Trade nodded,

"It contains caffeine which when drunk before sleep can mess with the internal clock, and drinking it directly after waking up isn't really good either, not that its stopped others from doing so. Here, the first is Espresso," she nudged it towards the disguised Princess of the Night who took a sip, holding it in her hooves as using magic would alert others.

As she tasted the coffee, Trade gave a history lesson on the development of coffee, recording Dream's reactions at some of the coffee's flavors.

An hour later they exited the coffee shop, Dream Catcher twitching a bit at all the caffeine, unused to consuming coffee, Trade sympathized.

"There's an obstacle course for runners and flyers on the outskirts of Canterlot, I'm kind of curious to see how good of a flyer you are," the pegasus scoffed.

"You will find that I am no slouch in that department," they approached the stadium that had been built for athletes and signed up for one of the difficult flight courses.

Lasers spread throughout the gym and they each put on a vest that would record how many times they touched one of the lasers and also record how many of the two dozen hoops they flew through without their wings touching the rims.

Dream Catcher seemed to enjoy dodging all of the lasers as she went through the obstacle course, Trade Wind a close second behind her. It took them a solid time of twenty minutes to complete the ten laps to the shock of some of the personnel as it normally took at least an hour to finish for others (though the Wonderbolts hadn't done it yet.)

"That was exhilarating, I wish to do it again!" but Dream Catcher had used up all the energy given to her by the coffee and Trade Wind suggested lunch so they stopped at a taco restaurant (the Moon Princess found she enjoyed the spiciness of the cuisine, funnily enough, Celestia barely had tolerance for spicy food, which Luna had confided amongst giggles during the pizza fest several weeks ago.)

Trade after conferring with her 'student', ordered the ten tacos (rice, beans, cheese and oat filling) platter and the spiciest sauce they had on the menu, and Dream Catcher was shocked to see a Nocturne in the kitchen.

"They are known for their Ghost Peppers, if you keep staring they might mistake it for something else," the black pegasus blushed and settled within her chair.

"So how big is the Nocturne presence within Canterlot?" Dream Catcher questioned as a Nocturne waiter who knew Trade Wind came out with her order,

"Thanks, Spice Rice," the Nocturne saluted with a wing and returned to the kitchens to take out the next order, "Not that large, but over the past 8 years they slowly trickled into Canterlot and some opened up shop, others joined the library or Royal Guard (no doubt waiting for their Moon Princess to return.) the rest after a while returned home or to other towns. This restaurant is only two years old, but its popularity among young ponies looking to test their endurance in spiciness," she nodded to a corner with different sauces, "Those range from mild to realllly spicy, care to test your endurance," the dark pegasus returned the look.

"Thy Challenge has been accepted," she stated darkly, not one to turn down this kind of challenge.

A white pegasus entered the cafe, heading straight towards the table where the two pegasus had their heads on the table, each having a taco left with the spiciest sauce on the menu.

"Is this what you two have been doing all day?" the pegasus asked with dismay,

"Nay! This is merely our lunch break, I have learned a good amount of things about Canterlot and the surrounding areas, but excuse me as I prove my superiority with the strongest tolerance in this challenge," the white pegasus dropped her head as her sister with steam still coming out of her ears, reached for the taco to dip it in the sauce.

She exited and returned with two pegasus guards who picked them up and ignoring their protests, had them taken back to the palace.

Upon reaching the balcony of the room they were placed in, she dropped the illusion of being a pegasus and stared at the now blue Alicorn and the blue pegasus who was reaching for the sauce that one of them had pocketed.

"No, while I admire that you are more outspoken Luna, that spiciness is even above the Ghost Peppers, and if Trade here is feeling the spiciness, you know it is not something to continue eating. You were down after eating nine tacos, and it wasn't due to being full, how about instead you two rest for a bit and watch that video you prepared for the rest of the afternoon." Trade when her face wasn't red from the spiciness, blushed with embarrassment.

"Sorry Princess," she turned to Princess Luna who also looked embarrassed, "We can still go to that club I wanted to take you to tonight," the Alicorn lit up and nodded. Celestia shook her head and closed the door, but she was smiling, it was nice to see her sister and one of her favorite researchers getting along so well, though it made her slightly envious,

'Hm, maybe I can convince Cadance to handle a day's work while I go out with my sister, I really want to try that flying arena' the Alicorn of Love needed more political experience anyways.

Luna watched Trade set up the projector and place a white sheet on the wall,

"This method of storytelling is still new to me, what are we watching?" Trade finished putting the projector in and smiled at Luna,

"Something familiar," she placed the reel in and the Night Princess was shocked when on the screen an entire group of Nocturne appeared on screen with dragons flying in the background.

"Welcome to the first Nightwing Festival," Trade's voice was behind the camera, "Now in two years it is prophesied that the Princess of the Night is returning, what does everyone want to say when she does?" there was a chorus of "Welcome Back Princess Luna!" tears came the Alicorn's eyes as she watched the video of different interviews and the amount of culture the Nocturne had.

"But what if it hadn't been me that returned, but Nightmare Moon?" she whispered, Trade lied down next to her,

"But that did not happen, and they are looking forward to seeing you coming to the Nightwing Festival this year as the VIP," the mare raised her head.

"VIP?"

"Very Important Princess," Luna cried, even more, taking the handkerchief the pegasus handed her with thanks and blowing into it.

"If you knew about the prophecy, why didn't you say anything?" Trade gave her a small smile.

"Everyone knew about it, some paid it mind, others thought that there were those in power that had plans on how to handle the situation. I knew that there were still the Elements of Harmony and the time would come for the new Bearers to come claim them, and none of them were me, so like the Nocturne, I decided to wait instead. So, as the VIP, you'll be one of the judges on the panel for most of the contests, they haven't really declared what they were yet, but one of them that is most popular is the Wing Decorating Contest. Any pony or species without wings can create their own wings, from magic or materials is up to them, and whoever comes up with the most beautiful gets to sit with the Princess and the 'Queen' at the front of the parade," Luna's eyes shrunk.

"Parade?" she asked, Trade grinned,

"Yep, and its up to the Princess on what the float looks like, want to see the Princess Floats from the last two years?" that got Luna's interest as Trade pulled out the album and the two spent the rest of the day giggling over some of the pictures from the last two albums.

"And this is when Lyra decided to create wings made from musical notes and somehow she cast a spell that had everyone dancing and breaking into song for two whole hours! She wasn't even invited, she snuck in and got herself drunk," Trade was giggling, Luna was still laughing at the picture of her sister doing the chicken dance to comment.

"You said this Queen gets chosen from biting into a cake, are Alicorns eligible?" Trade tapped her chin,

"Well, the other two didn't get it in their slices of cakes, the first year I know a Minotaur got it and was 'King' of the Nightwing Parade, the second year was a griffin. Huh, no ponies have one it yet, are you interested?" she asked but Luna shook her head,

"I am already royalty, and Princess of the Night, it would not be fair to ruin the chance for someone to get the privilege," Trade hummed,

"Okay, but if it does happen there is no point in saying no, I don't even know why they decided to go with Queen or King, kind of presumptuous with having a visiting Princess," Luna nodded even as she frowned.

"Isn't there a princess among the dragons? Why hasn't she been chosen as a VIP?" Trade shrugged,

"Probably because dragons and Nocturnes are primarily in charge of it, plus she's been in school the last two years, and this year the Nocturnes really wanted you as the VIP for the reveal of the new discoveries," this caused a blush to rise on the older mare's cheeks.

"Shall we head towards the nightclub you were talking about?" Trade grinned.

"Yeah, hope you are ready to dance till you drop," Princess Luna scoffed,

"I will take that challenge," unfortunately they were only there for a few hours before Sunny Days had to go get them from the flying arena, Dream Catcher obviously drunk as she tried to outfly her sister.

"I thought you guys had high alcohol tolerance," Trade muttered apologetically as she and Sunny flew after Dream Catcher.

"Maybe in full power, but Luna was always a bit of a lightweight, I thought you two would be at the nightclub, why are you two here?" Trade grimaced.

"She found out that a bunch of pegasuses was trying to beat her record and felt she needed to beat her previous one to prevent anyone else from doing it," Sunny groaned.

"Oh, of course, you wait down there, I'll make sure she doesn't do anything," Trade flew down and waited on the floor as Sunny attempted to catch the very drunk 'pegasus' who gave a loud shout whenever she was almost caught and sped up even more. This got to the point that two rings, one orange and the other blue were above her,

'Oh, I hope she doesn't have her version of the Sonic Rainboom' but her fears were unfounded as Dream passed out in one of the loops and she flew up to help Sunny get her out,

"Well, I can say for certain that she'll fit right in with others her 'age'. At least I got to fly with her, you up for some pizza while she sleeps it off?" this got a nod.

In the morning Princess Luna found herself on a very plushy floor with two bodies lying next to her and an annoyed pink Alicorn glaring down at them,

"Did you three have another wild night without me?" she asked with disbelief, the large pizza box in the corner and various half eaten cakes telling the story.

"Lower thy voice down, thee head feels as if a chisel was pierced into it," Princess Celestia woke up as well, blushing at Cadance's look.

"You should not be annoyed, it was Trade Wind's idea," she pointed at the blue pegasus who was still out cold, leaving the Love Princess to shake her head.

"Another one of her unorthodox teaching methods, I don't recall her tutoring others like this," Celestia gave her version of a dry look.

"I wanted her to teach my sister about modern culture and what she missed the past thousand years, that is a bit different from those who grew up in this age. Yes it is rather unorthodox, but Luna is having a lot of fun, which is more than I can ask for," Cadance ears dropped.

"Sorry aunty, I'm still a bit worried she's overdoing it with Luna," Celestia frowned,

"To avoid her own problems you mean?" Luna came over at that point, having used magic for her hangover so that she was more coherent,

"She slipped last night about what was bothering her," she raised a hoof at their interested looks, "I can tell no more than yes it does involve this dragon called Garble, she made me swear a Pinkie Promise not to tell anything beyond that," Princess Celestia sighed,

"Of course that puts a stop to it," Cadance grimaced,

"Yeah, even I know what happens to those who break a Pinkie Promise, I just wish she could open up about it, I'm the Princess of Love and seeing her in this state physically hurts," this earned her looks, "I'm the Princess of Love remember? Its just something I can sense, and if she told you that she's dealing with it, I'm afraid it is not working," Luna bowed her head,

"Last night I tried to get her to turn her current opinion on her situation, but she is convinced that it will just go away," Cadance got a determined look on her face.

"I'm going to go see those who might have a clue, and haven't sworn a Pinkie Promise," she disappeared in a flash of pink.

"I should probably raise the Sun now," Celestia went off, leaving Luna who bit her lip, she was still too weak to handle the moon.

"Thanks for not telling," Trade's voice spoke up and she glanced at the blue Pegasus.

"There is no need for thanks, but are you sure," she stopped at the sad smile.

"Yes, I am, it should have never happened in the first place, I'm just sorry that Cadance is pained by it, I did not realize that part of being the Princess of Love was like that. But she has to know this is something she cannot do, so, remember anything from last night?" the Princess of the Night blushed,

"Did we really fall asleep in a hoop?" she said with embarrassment, darkening at the snicker that came from her tutor.

It took Cadance a while to find where the Mane Six were, but she eventually found them in the Spa, two zebras and an Earth Filly with them,

"Spike, get ready to send the- Cadance!" Twilight called out in surprise, jumping out of the bath and they did the customary greeting before she straightened, "What happened, what's wrong?" she asked, seeing the look on her face.

"Its nice to see you Twilight, but I'm here to see Rarity and Fluttershy, and possibly anyone else who knows about Trade Wind and Garble." her gaze stopped at Pinkie, "I don't suppose there is an out for a Pinkie Promise?" the Earth Pony narrowed her eyes and hissed, slowly disappearing into the bath, "Thought not," then she spoke the question she wanted to ask, "Why are all of you here and why is Applejack in a tiny tub?" Ash rolled her eyes.

"They finally saw that just because a zebra lives in the Everfree does not mean they are up to no good," there were blushes around,

"Uh," Princess Cadance raised an eyebrow at the blushing Twilight,

"Poison Joke," with an 'ah' of realization, Cadance shook her head,

"Sorry lost track, Rarity, Fluttershy, any comments?" she asked in desperation, the unicorn and pegasus shared concerned looks.

"No darling, I'm as lost as you," Fluttershy nodded,

"Me too, all I know is that she refuses to even speak about Garble, and he's her best dragon friend, his wing is even part of her Cutie Mark," she blushed at their wide eyed stares, "Well it is the same color as the inside of his wings," she sunk into the water, hoping for the staring to stop.

"That makes it even worse!" Cadance cried out, Twilight staring at her in alarm.

"Why are you so concerned about this? What's wrong with Trade Wind and Garble? I remember seeing him that day she got her Cutie Mark, but not much else," with a sigh, Cadance explained her 'love' sense, and what she was feeling from the pegasus.

Rainbow listened in with a frown,

"Hold on! Are you saying she fell in love with a dragon? Is that even, you know, legal," Spike dropped his scroll,

"Hey!" he glared at the pegasus who looked abashed,

"Sorry Spike, but you do realize the size difference between a pony and dragon, is like really big right?" an annoyed voice cut in,

"Yes, it is, and while I appreciate you feeling sorry for me, and I am sorry it is causing you pain, my issues are mine, and I will deal with it as I see fit. Alright?" Trade Wind was back and she wasn't very happy that Cadance was going behind her back like this.

"But!" the pink alicorn pouted, "Fine," she bowed her head, "See you at the library Twilight," Trade shook her head once she was gone.

"Look, ignore what she said," she was bowled over by a bawling Pinkie Pie and sighed, this was going to take a while.