Celestia stared at the magically changing stained glass windows, even as the guards strolled by in their green-gold armor. Today was a special day. The first Saint Clover’s day that would be overseen by four Princesses. The very first Saint Clover’s Day had been overseen by Celestia herself, alone. Luna had been too young and their parents had been needed to watch over the Sun and Moon. Each subsequent Saint Clover’s Day had been overseen by Celestia, then Celestia and Luna. Four thousand years ago, every holiday had gone uncelebrated, due to the King and Queen disappearing.

Neither of the Princeses were angry about their parents leaving. The Sun and Moon had been dying, and the King and Queen had merged their very beings with the celestial bodies, stabilizing them and restoring them. Smiling to herself, she looked up at the smiling face of her old friend, the patron saint of Clover’s Day. Always kind, always gentle, a mug of Hard Cider “floated” in the magical grip from her horn. Clover Leaf. The first mare to ever make Hard Cider, as well as prove to everypony that it wasn’t wrong to let go of inhibitions for at least one day.

A smile graced her regal face as she remembered the first Clover’s Day celebration.

Five Thousand Years Ago

Celestia sniffed, her eyes hiding behind her mane as delegates argued and complained. Her mother and father had been gone for only a month and already, the delegates of Canterlot wanted to know who would be in charge of the kingdom until Celestia and Luna were old enough to take the throne. She was sure the Blueblood family would be the ones to win the argument. They had the most money in Canterlot, the most political clout, and the most influence among the other “nobles”.

Her own sister was too busy with her lessons to be much good now. Starswirl had nothing to do with politics. “I’m a mage, Celestia, not a politician.” His words had wrung true. Celestia was alone in a room with a bunch of arguing nobles. It was enough to bring her to tears. Until she heard a hoof smack into the table.

“That’s enough, all o’ ya!” a mare shouted and Celestia looked up. A mare with an evergreen coat and lime green tail was looking around the room, her eyes and mane hidden by a hood. It was bright in the throne room after all. “Can’t you see what yer arguin’ is doin’ t’ th’ Princess? Alla ya should be ‘shamed ‘o yerselves.” She said and Celestia watched her. “Today’s supposed to be a happy day. Look out them windows an’ tell me what ya see.” She said, crossing her forelegs in front of her. When nopony moved, she glared at them and Celestia caught a glimpse of emerald green. “Well?”

One stallion got up and walked to the window, peering out. “I see ponies milling about in the commons for the Spring Sunrise Festival.”

“Do they look happy to ya?” she asked and he shook his head.

“They just appear to be going about their days, but I cannot tell from here miss…”

“Leaf. Clover Leaf.” She said and Celestia blinked. That was the name of one of Starswirl’s star students. She had assisted in the Spring Sunrise Festival the year before and earned her cutiemark by “lucking out”. She’d quickly risen to the top of the societal ladder. “How happy would ya be if all ya had to look forward t’ each year were th’ festivals, with th’ same food, th’ same drink, th’ same everything year round? Th’ Spring Sunrise is meant to be a renewal. New leaves on trees, new grass, new birth for th’ animals an’ birds.” Celestia smiled.

“What would you know? You’re…”

“Starswirl the Bearded’s prized student.” She said and the delegate who had been about to berate her swallowed his words. Starswirl had been known to turn ponies into frogs for mistreating his students. Something Celestia still needed to talk to him about. “Now, as I was sayin’.” She paused and looked around the room. When nopony spoke up, she nodded and walked over to the table. “This festival needs somethin’. One of my colleges at the college suggested we abolish the orgy laws for jus’ this one day, but I assume I am correct in guessing that wouldn’t be on the table for discussion.” She looked to Celestia as she said this, the Princess shaking her head. “I would suggest a feast, a party, and, temporarily, abolishing the drinking age limit. No fillies or colts who are too young t’ know better will be allowed t’ drink still. But fillies and colts who don’ have Cutiemarks yet should be allowed t’ drink. Not till they’re good n’ drunk, mind ya, but so that they can celebrate with their families.”

“Hm… I do hear what you’re saying, Clover. However, there are many a stallion and mare who would be against your proposition.” One delegate said and Clover looked to her. “What would you propose for the younger fillies and colts in the case that their families are not alright with your proposal?”

“Public parades in towns, festivals. Perhaps other things that ponies can think of. As long as they are within the range of legality.” She said and Celestia smiled again. “I suppose it is ultimately up to you, Princess.”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea, Clover. I shall have fliers sent out to the towns, dictating what you suggest.” Celestia said and Clover smiled and bowed.

“Thank you Princess.”

Two Years Later.

Clover relaxed on a seat beside Starswirl, Celestia and Luna. Each of them had a mug of Hard Green Apple Cider. Her hood had been removed after the meeting, revealing her emerald green mane. Her cutiemark was a four leaf clover. A smile graced Celestia’s face looking at the young unicorn. Her festival idea had gone swimmingly. Guards had sent out the word, and shortly after returned with news of celebrations. Mugs of Hard Cider were being passed out in towns. Festivals and parades were being organized, either to be implemented the next year or planned for the years in advance.

“Your student is quite something, Starswirl.” Celestia said and Clover blushed at the praise as Starswirl beamed with pride.

“She is but one of my great successes, Princess.” He said as Clover tried to hide behind her mug of cider. “It shows great merit that she was able to organize the festival in such short time.” Celestia smiled and nodded, sipping at her own cider.

“Were this a great discovery of her true talents purpose, she would be elevated to an Alicorn.” Clover nearly choked on her cider as she looked at the Princess, who laughed. “I am only playing with you Clover. Your accomplishments here are truly great, but they aren’t worthy of becoming an Alicorn.”

“I would think not Celestia.” Starswirl said and she sighed and looked at her mentor.

“Always the stiff, Starswirl. Can’t you have a little fun?” She asked and he huffed.

“That’s alright. I don’t think I’m ready for tha’ kind of authority or power.” She said and Celestia smiled.

“You see Starswirl. She’s quite clever. Ha, I like that. Clover the Clever.” Clover smiled and blushed. “What would you say to becoming one of my court, Clover? You will of course remain as Starswirl’s student, but how would you like to become a part of the Celestial Court?” Clover stared, wide eyed at the Princess before nodding. Celestia smiled and pulled out a scroll. “Let’s make it official then.”

Present Day.

Celestia watched Twilight and her friends set up for the, new-ish, play that Pinkie Pie had set up. Little did they know, the stained glass window behind them depicted the real Clover the Clever. Clover Leaf, her friend and the inspiration for Clover’s Day. Twilight would be representing Clover. The play was a fantastical story about how Clover had ended one of the few wars faught for Equestria simply by inviting both parties to share a drink. It was sort of true. It wasn’t exactly a war, per say, but there was a lot of arguing between two delegates to Canterlot. Clover had solved the issue by inviting them to drink. What Celestia, nor any of the guards, wouldn’t tell anyone was neither delegate had left.

Clover’s pet rat, Rodney, was proof of that. The small rat on the stained glass window, near Clover’s right hoof, had been one of the delegates. The other hadn’t even made it that far. A shiver went through the princess as she remembered the aftermath. Slightly experimental spell, the two delegates had been turned into the objects that were nearest them at the time. A rat. And a cracker. Which the rat promptly ate. It was sheer luck that the cracker had been the Canterlot delegate and he hadn’t had any other meetings for the day. His family had been informed of his demise, by way of Diamond Dog attack on his way home, and his corpse was not recoverable.

Twilight stepped up on stage and Celestia smiled. The play was about to start. And this play was going to be just slightly different. The most this play might possibly get wrong is the events concerning the two delegates. Sitting down, she smiled and lifted her mug of hard cider to her lips. Stopping with it half way up, she peered into the mirror like amber liquid. Spinning around, her eyes wide, she saw no one. No green pony was standing behind her, her emerald eyes crinkled at the corners, her lips curled up in a large, joyful smile. No glow of green magic.

Looking down, Celestia smiled as she lifted the small four leafed clover off of the floor of her booth. Emerald Green. The same color as Clover Leaf’s eyes and cutiemark. Tucking the clover in to her mane, right behind her ear, she smiled. Clover’s Day. A great celebration for many a pony. Twilight would make her proud. She knew her pupil would never let her down, especially on Clover’s Day.