Vol1:Tomorrow Never Knows - Blackbird

Oh ain't she sweet,
Well see her walking down that street.
Yes I ask you very confidentially,
Ain't she sweet?

Oh ain't she nice,
Well look her over once or twice.
Yes I ask you very confidentially,
Ain't she nice?

Just cast an eye
In her direction.
Oh me oh my,
Ain't that perfection?
Ager, Yellen, Rebner -The Beatles

The candles in the massive chandelier of the Great Hall of the Castle of the Two Sisters glowed giving the usually austere room a warmth. The storm that raged outside threw millions of raindrops against the windows like tiny pieces of ice had risen in intensity, making the warm light inside that much cozier - a term rarely used to describe the grand open room. The princesses sat in their thrones at the top of the steps in the Great Hall.

Royal courtiers and members of the court stood, observed, and talked. Some milled around discussing the recent appointments to the Cure Research Council, or CRC.

Princess Celestia was well aware that there was talk of political favoritism shrouding the appointment of the new Lord Steward. The position, among the great houses was considered to be somewhat prized. That the appointed position of Grand Chancellor had been given to a unicorn raised cries of bias, however the general consensus was that Juniper Nightshade, former commander of the Unicorn Military Forces, was the correct choice, even among the Pegasi and Earth Ponies.

This most recent appointment, this new Lord Steward, was somewhat different. The position held sway over judgment of funds and resources and how they would be directed toward the different efforts. The position had been granted to Stirling Thunder, Lieutenant Commander of the Scoltish Pegasi. Choosing a Pegasi for the position seemed a somewhat dubious choice by Celestia. That he was a young retired commander from Scoltland raised a number of concerns and objections from several high ranking members of the court. Not the least of whom was Princess Luna.

On this night, she once again quietly voiced her misgivings to her sister. Slowly, leaning to her right, she spoke in curt, hushed tones.

“Dos’t thou really believe this Silver-whatever-may-be can serve with true effectiveness in this role? I'm sorry my sister, but we are forced to question your judgement in this matter. Some soldier from where, exactly? Scoltand? Humph! A savage land with savage ponies we are led to understand. What, pray tell, can one of his breeding know of the necessary skills required for such a key position? The Great Houses will certainly side with you if only to keep the peace, but there is more at stake here than keeping the decks of our ship of state, dry!” Luna huffed.

A clap of thunder sounded as if to underscored her words, and the noise of the wind raised a note in pitch.

She continued, “We cannot believe that thou thinks that the Lesser Houses of Earth and Pegasi command any true power, yet that is just the message thy decision suggests. THEY are who thee chooses to seek favor with, are they not? Pegasi and Earth Ponies, what do they know, I ask thee? Why dos't thou think they have not joined the ranks of the Great Houses of the Unicorns? There is not a one among them. I ask that you look upon Jupiter Nightshade of House Nightshade," Luna said, nodding toward the large black powerful unicorn with daunting blue eyes. Though he was older, he was a striking figure. Distinguished, charming and clearly of high intellect, he clearly fit the title Grand Chancellor. Luna continued, "Thou can be sure that even now he speaks to the representatives of the Great Houses in terms, thou may rest assured, are less than complimentary about thy choice! A Scoltish Commander? Oh Tia.”

Thunder boomed low and gave the castle a slight shake.

Princess Celestia nodded slowly and gave a slight smile. She glanced to her left at a haughty young stallion who was doing his best to look bored. Her smile faded and her face for a moment became grim. Hmmm, Count Thrush Sliphoof, he will certainly will bear close watching... The Count's furtive eyes betrayed his attentiveness to a number of conversations taking place around the room. Celestia watched as some part of an overheard conversation caused his lips to curl up into a cruel smile. The white alicorn princess saw that his dark delight must certainly have come from hearing the two young mares closest to him. It was evident that one was clearly upset but doing her best to hide it. The other, distressed at her friends anguish, was trying to offer comfort. Whatever he found amusing in this poor mare's pain, wasn't enough to keep him there and he strolled around in search of more interesting conversation.

Lavender Nightshade, wife of the Grand Chancellor, was speaking with the wife of the court secretary and their faces and body language suggested the topic involved juicy court intrigue. As Thrush approach them, the image of a snake came to Celestia's mind. Turning back toward Luna, she was not surprised to see her sister's attention fully taken up by the Count, though the expression on her face made it clear that the young princess's opinion of him was far different than Celestia's... Celestia interrupted Luna's dreamy reverie

“And, dear sister, then tell us, what sayest thy friend Thrush Sliphoof hmm? How standest he on this grave matter? 'Tis certain this has been much discussed amongst his company.”

“Oh, uh, well… ‘tis funny that thou should speak of him as relates to this. We do not know first hoof of his thoughts on such things, though with a mind as brilliant as the Count's. I hold no doubts regarding his familiarity with all activities in the court. I have spent some time in his company and that of his cadre, and I assure you, you could certainly do a great deal worse than to consider him for the position.”

“I see, indeed, I have heard tell of hiscunning abilities." Celestia's emphasis suggested at talents beyond conversational diplomacy, especially with the fairer sex, and her chilly tone left no doubt as to her opinion of him. She paused in order to allow her clever little sister time to see the couched message. In a moment, she had the midnight blue alicorn's complete attention, not to mention her anger. "Now tell me, Luna, what other positions has’t thou considered him for?” Celestia asked flatly.

“I should think carefully before thou speakest in jest, lest thy words be taken not in the spirit of clever jocularity, but rather as a poor attempt at a clever insult, dear sister” The young princess hissed.

“And I should think carefully before inviting a scheming tufthunter with royal aspirations into thy bed, my love. Thy must be certain, that despite his pretty eyes and obvious physical... endowments,” Celestia replied, “that they do not hide other, deeper reaching aspirations than just those offered by a lover.” Celestia turned away and smiled at one of the assembled across the room, easily concealing her considerable wrath.

Luna regarded her sister contemptuously “You hide the basest filth behind the cleverest words Tia.” Luna then glared at her sister, seething through a hidden, gritted smile. “Were we not of the fair sex, we would demand satisfaction! How dare you impeach the name and character of Duke Thrush Sliphoof! His reputation as a gentlecolt of the first calibre is known throughout Canterlot!” she growled with a quiet menace.

Celestia turned and regarded Luna with a reassuring smile that soon fell to an expressionless thin line. The snow white princess spoke in a dead flat voice that carried with it unbreachable authority. “Do not worry my sister, I have little doubt that the faint stain I cast upon his reputation will wash off quickly enough,” then her smile fell slowly and she fixed Luna with a deadly stare. “‘Tis the stains from his seed upon thy belly and our name that may prove more difficult to remove.”

Luna felt herself on the verge of striking her older sister, in fact began to raise her hoof, but the look on her sisters face gave her reason to pause.

“Forgive my crudeness Luna, but thou must understand that no matter how circumspect thy actions, there are always eyes that see and tongues that whisper. I know of thy lovers and thy trysts, and I have not spoken of them as you have kept them at bay and barred them from your bedchamber...and left all of them in some discomfort, with your truly unmatched beauty and eyes for which they would die, my naughty pony.” Celestia smiled as did Luna, in spite of her anger. “There was no harm, for they have had no effect on the motives of our monarchy. That is, until now.”

Celestia reached over and tenderly placed her hoof on her sister’s forearm and her face softened.

“Sweetheart, of far greater concern to me than our monarchy is thy heart. Thy face is perhaps the fairest in all of Equestria, and that alone will be as a flame to a moth for young colts and stallions from all over the land. Thy station as a reigning princess certainly is not a discouragement either. But this young Duke, I fear he has no such concern for your heart. I feel his motivation is purely political and driven by self-interest.”

Luna pulled her arm out from under her sister's touch.

“Howdareyou claim concern for my heart when you send spies to peer into my bedchambers and report who I take to my bed?! You violate my innermost privacy in this way and claim that youcare? You repulse me, sister! ‘Tis no business of yours what I do in my bed and with whom I do it!” Luna’s eyes were full of rage but she maintained a control to her voice so as not to draw attention. “Do not refer to me as thy sister again. You have crossed a line Celestia, one that the pony who I knew as my sister would never have crossed. I do not know who you have become, but the sister I grew up with and loved has died.” Tears wet Luna’s eyes as she spoke. “Forgive me, but I must go now. I feel I must mourn my loss.”

Celestia fought the urge to roll her eyes. A few heads turned toward the two sisters, curious as to the nature of their muted conversation. It was known that often while they spoke, Luna would become impassioned on some point or other. It appeared that once again, this was the case.

“Mares and Gentlecolts...” The page at the far end of the great hall called out and silenced all. Those assembled turned to look in his direction. The page, a unicorn, held a scroll which levitated before him in a blue glow. In the center of the carpet stood a large Pegasi, dressed in military formal wear. Though the water from the storm dripped from his coat, mane and tail, his stance did not falter, and he stood with a profound, quiet, dignity.

“...I present Lieutenant Commander Stirling Thunder, Commander of the Scoltish Air Force.”

Without a sound the crowd parted, making a clear path on the red carpet from the Commander to the thrones. As he walked forward, there were hushed murmurings in mixed tones of speculation, curiosity and disapproval. If the commander was aware of them, his countenance gave no hint of it. His gait was neither haughty nor stiff. It was singularly unaffected. His face showed a level of determination. The objective of that determination almost seemed to be to give at leastsomerespect.

At last he stood before the Princesses, at the base of the steps his head bowed, his helmet under his foreleg. His light gray coat, dark now from the rain, was thick and coarse . His large powerful wings, the color of charcoal, were tucked tightly at his sides. His mane and tail, dripping with rain water, were streaked with purple and blue. Outside, the wind howled like a banshee screaming for revenge. A crack of lightning flashed at the large stained glass windows and moments later a deafening explosion of thunder shook the castle to its foundation. The commander did not blink.

Despite his implied deference, his green eyes did little to hide his displeasure at the necessary supplication. A smile and a look of deep admiration filled Celestia's countenance. "Approach, Commander Thunder." Celestia's voice left no doubt as to her regard for this stallion.

Luna had been prepared to walk out, but with the announcement of the commander’s arrival, decided to stay so as to get a look this thick headed pegasus . She watched as he raised his head and approached the stairs at the base of the thrones. Her face was a mask of subtle contempt, as though her purpose were to elicit the same feelings in all those assembled.

Moments after he had stopped and knelt, the midnight blue Princess of the Night stood, bringing everypony in the room to silence as well as bringing them to their feet. As one they bowed to the two monarchs.

Celestia looked at her sister without expression. Then she spoke.

“Please forgive mysister, she has had a long day and with regret must bid a good night.”

There was a hushed murmur that arose and died at Celestia’s referring to Luna as her sister and not as Princess Luna. Luna looked at Celestia with venom and without a word crossed to a point at the center of the top of the stairs. She scanned the room, her face a scowl, though all remained bowing so none saw.

Finally, she spoke.

“Please”

It was the royal signal for all to rise. Luna looked down at the commander who had risen. He did not look at her, but rather looked slightly downward. His stance was not one of a soldier at attention, but rather of somepony in contemplation. His face was expressionless.

The whole room watched in silence as she looked down from atop the stairs at him. Her face carried a very subtle sense of displeasure, as though there were so many things about him that she found objectionable, she found it difficult to decide which was the worst.

He was large for a Pegasi with sad, deep green eyes. He was not particularly broad shouldered and his face somewhat thin but his countenance had an undeniable strength and stoicism, typical of the Scoltish Highlands.

She tried to make it clear that it was a struggle for her to find anything redeemable in his features. She looked with disgust at his sopping wet Clydesdale fetlocks. Then she quickly scanned him up and down, having already made up her mind about his lack of any worthwhile qualities.

Thrush Sliphoof, standing off to one side, near the front, but mixed in with the crowd, watched with a careful eye as this unfolded. He smiled. The commander did not move. Many in the crowd looked to see Celestia’s reaction. It was clear that she regarded the commander with utter respect, but seemed determined to allow her sister to pass judgement.

Luna looked at the dark growing water stain on the carpet as the rainwater slowly dripped from him, and sneered. Then she looked at him, waiting for him to raise his head, to look at her, at which time she would deliver the coup de grace. Luna's exquisite beauty had given her a weapon that she had learned to wield. The young princess could humiliate the strongest stallion with a look and Celestia was truly worried at what, in her rage, she would unleash on this poor pegasus.

Slowly he raised his eyes and looked into hers.

The smirk on her lips slowly fell away, her eyes opened just a bit wider and she felt her lips part as her mouth opened ever so slightly. She stood there feeling utterly naked, utterly exposed to him. She felt her anger rise at his audacity for making her feel this way. Then she saw it. He feigned wonder, mocking her! The slightest smile. It seemed very knowing yet it carried surprise and sincerity. It absolutely made her blood boil.

Of all the impertinence! How - how DARE he look upon me this way! Some supposed commander from Scoltland! Just who does he think he is! If he does not stop smiling in me in that way I shall slap that smile off his face! Damn him for this. I shall not forget it and I shall make him regret that he ever looked upon me. And that sister of mine. She’d think herself victorious if I were to storm from the room. I shall not give her the satisfaction, nor shall I give it to this tiresome colt before me. Damn his face, his eyes, his... I HATE him! Enough! He has brought this upon himself

Luna rolled her shoulders back ever so slightly and raised her chin, bringing herself to her full height. It was magnificent. She radiated regal elegance and the motion elicited a great many gasps. She glanced at her sister who’s expression was one of utter pride in her sibling. Luna felt her anger toward her elder sister melt quickly away, replaced by the radiant love she could never deny.

She once again looked down at this pitiful rogue, eager to watch as he wilted under her regal gaze...

But he did not falter, his expression remained.

DAMN HIM! So help me I shall see that smile gone before I raise- DAMN HIS IMPERTINENCE!! He must be taught his place! He will learn who rules the nation of Equestria and show proper respect! Oh, I would strike that damnable face of his, if just to wipe that smile from his lips!

The great hall remained silent. save the sound of Luna's hooves as she slowly walked down the altar steps. She moved toward him with the grace of a willow, yet the strength and bearing of a lion. She approached him as though to shove him aside. He held his ground. Though he was no longer smiling. the slightest hint of amusement seemed to hover about his countenance. Finally, drawing to within a foot or so away from him, she stopped. The entire room was silent. Thrush Sliphoof coughed but the sound of it died away as though it had never happened.

The two of them stared at each other, both their faces inscrutable. She cocked her head slightly to the right and forward, signaling that she was about to bow. Every pony in the room lowered their heads in supplication.

She looked him in the eye and he looked back at her.

She squinted with anger. He only looked back.

She began to lower her head and he matched her, in unison.

She seethed.

He smiled.

As their heads came to the lowest point and stopped, she glared at him, their faces only a foot apart, then, her nostrils flaring slightly, she gave a short, subdued, but threatening snort.

His face became a mirror of hers and as she had done, he snorted back, after which, his expression, once again, became a smile, albeit a little one.

Luna was furious. She wanted to rear back and rage, to slap him, to scream at him, have him manacled and thrown into the dungeon where he could smile at the damn rats down there to his hearts content! Then we’d see who have the last smile, damn it!

But she closed her eyes. In doing so she became aware of how fast and hard her heart was beating. At how she was aware of every square inch of her body, of how she had broken out in a sweat, of how she felt somewhat dizzy. Her eyes still closed, she raised her head and took a deep breath, then let it out slowly.

If he has DARED to rise from his bow without my say, I shall have that son of a bitch beheaded! If he has that damnable smile on his face I shall have him castrated THEN beheaded!!

Luna slowly opened her eyes, half hoping to see that smiling face, but he had remained with his head bowed, as though nothing our of the ordinary had transpired. For some reason this infuriated her more than anything that had happened that whole evening. He may have been bowing, he may have been still, he may have been anything, but she knew that he was still smiling!

She raised her head fully, exhaled forcefully in a snort and walked briskly toward the rear of the throne room, the sound of her hoof steps echoing in the silent chamber. She did not look at anypony. She knew the expression on her sisters face without even turning around and hated her all over again.

Finally she arrived at the far end of the red carpet. She turned around, took a deep breath and barked the command:

“RISE!”

Then she turned contemptuously and left the room.