Now, when the sun set beyond the horizon, the usual routine for the citizens of Ponyville was to simply bring their respective days to a close and head on home. But today, things were a little different. Instead, many gathered on the outskirts of the town, looking towards the Embassy and seeing, to their surprise, a great deal more movement than they were used to. Guards near the front gates were chatting with one another, laughing and enjoying what appeared to be flagons of cider, and through the windows there could be seen many more such gatherings. Things just seemed so much more relaxed there than was normal for them. Naturally, many of the observing Equestrians didn't really know what to think of it all, and in the midst of this, Twilight stepped out from the crowd. Having gained herself something of a rapport with the Lunars during her time there, she did not hesitate to make her way over to the Embassy, adjusting her spectacles as she did so. And the guards at the gate, though less formal than normal, nevertheless wet to her as she drew nearer.
"Can we help you, Miss Sparkle?"
The young mare nodded.
"Yes, I...I was wondering if I could speak to Ambassador Rarity?"
The two looked to one another, then looked back to her with a smile, stepping aside.
"Of course. I'm sure she'd be happy to see you."
Twilight smiled back, then wasted no time in heading on in. It wasn't long before she was within the Embassy itself, and having been here more than a few times already, she knew where to go. Many of the serving staff and other guards here all gave her welcoming smiles and nods, and with every step she took, there just seemed to be this happy atmosphere around the place, which was, as one would expect, rather unusual for a place that had become so famous for rigid discipline. But, on she went regardless, and before long, she was upon the door that she knew from experience led to the Ambassador's office. The guard there, recognising her, gave her a brief salute, before opening said door for her. Twilight looked to him with appreciation, before heading inside. Sure enough, Rarity was there, sitting at her table and, from the looks of things, enjoying a meal with her daughter, Sweetie. The latter immediately noticed Twilight's arrival, and broke out into a wide smile.
"Miss Twilight!"
Rarity turned now too, and, in a manner that surprised Twilight a great deal, smiled in a friendly way.
"Twilight! Darling! A pleasure to see you this evening!"
The lavender Equestrian chuckled nervously, giving a quick nod before trotting over to them both.
"I...I hope I'm not disturbing anything?"
But Rarity waved her off.
"Nonsense, Twilight. You're more than welcome here tonight."
Twilight considered that.
"Well...thank you, but..."
She paused, looking from the Ambassador to her smiling daughter and then back again.
"...in truth, I was wondering what was going on here. Things here seem a bit...different to normal.
Rarity let out a brief laugh to that, which in itself was a novelty, and when that laughter died down, she gestured to a nearby empty chair. Twilight, getting the silent invitation, accepted it and took a seat, watching as her host began to explain things.
"Well, you see, Twilight, tonight is a very special night for us Lunars."
Taking hold of a glass of wine, she lifted it towards a large painting of Queen Moon that was hanging just above the wide fireplace of her office.
"Tonight marks the one thousand year anniversary of the founding of our kingdom!"
Twilight looked to the painting, and the stern visage of the Queen upon it, before glancing back down to Rarity, then finally breaking out into a smile.
"Well...that would certainly explain everypony enjoying themselves around here."
Sweetie giggled, gaining Twilight's attention.
"It's always good at this time of year! We get to sing, tell stories..."
"And just cut loose for a bit!"
All heads turned to the door, and they saw, entering the place with a confident smile of her own, was Aurora Dash. The Captain chuckled as she walked in, closing the door behind her.
"Come to see what all the fuss is about, Sparkle?"
Raising an eyebrow, Twilight smirked right back.
"Nice to see you too, Aurora."
The Captain matched her smirk, before taking a seat herself. She took a glass of cider that she'd entered with, and raised it to Rarity.
"A thousand years."
Rarity nodded, taking her own wine glass and gently clinking it against the glass of the Captain.
"A thousand years," she concurred.
And with that, the two mares took simultaneous sips of their respective drinks, all while Twilight watched. When they'd finished, they set their glasses down, and while Rarity maintained her lady-like manners and wiped stray drops from her lips, Aurora was far less refined, and simply let out a contented sigh.
"Oh yeah, that’s the good stuff!"
Rarity turned to her, nodding.
"Indeed. Miss Apples provided quite a fine beverage for the staff it would seem. I tried some myself the other day."
Aurora chuckled.
"I'll have to thank her next time I meet her. My troops have been loving her apples too. Oh, remind me to try out that pie the chefs are making out of them, because that’s smelling good right now!"
Sweetie let out a gasp to that.
"Oooh! Can I try some, Mother? Pleeeeaasee?"
Rarity chuckled a little to this, giving a nod of consent.
"Of course, Sweetie. Have as much has you like. It is a special occasion after all."
Clearly delighted, the young filly clapped her hooves together, practically squealing for joy at that. Meanwhile, Twilight, who had been silently watching all of this unfold, put on a warm and genuine smile.
"I'm...glad...that you're all having a good time here."
Aurora raised a glass to that.
"I’ll say! Best time of the year! I mean, heck, we can't always be a bunch of stiffs, right?"
Rarity let out a brief "huff" to that.
"Speak for yourself, Captain! Some of us pride ourselves on how much of a, as you put it, stiff we can be."
Naturally, there was a round of laughs to that, even from Rarity herself, and soon even Twilight was joining in on the action.
"Well...I should be getting home. This is clearly something your people should..."
But Aurora slammed her hoof on the table, stopping her from continuing.
"Oh no you don't! As far as I’m concerned, you're welcome to join us tonight, Twilight!"
Twilight looked to her, clearly surprised by that, but soon saw Sweetie looking to her with a wide and happy smile.
"Yeah! Stay with us for now! Maybe we can play a few games together, like pin-the-tail-on-the-bugbear!"
Rarity looked to her, nodding in agreement with the others.
"They're quite right, Twilight. You've more than made yourself welcome here. Consider this invitation a "thank you" for how much you've done to help us since we arrived."
Hearing that, Twilight couldn't help but feel touched at their warm and welcoming sentiment. Slowly but surely, she smiled, giving a nod. Then, with a cocky smile of her own, Aurora reached forward, offering her glass of cider, and while hesitant, Twilight soon accepted. She looked to the drink within, then took a few sips of it, before promptly letting out a clear and distinct "hmmm" to it.
"Yeah...I really do have to thank AJ for this later."
Aurora chuckled.
"That’s the spirit!"
Then, the Captain looked down to the youngest of their number.
"Say there, kiddo...how about you start us off with the usual story?"
Sweetie seemed pretty excited at that, and doubly so when she saw her Mother giving her a nod of consent. So, Twilight watched as the unicorn filly stood on her chair, cleared her throat, and began to speak what could only be assumed as a traditional Lunar tale for this annual celebration.
"A thousand years ago, there was a time of chaos, when ponies were afraid and helpless. But then, two sisters stepped forward..."
