A Cuckoo in the Nest

The reflected candlelight flickered in the highly polished surface of the elaborately adorned dark brown mahogany table. At one end sat a midnight blue alicorn delicately sipping tea, a side plate covered in crumbs by her side, at the other end a white alicorn took a bite from a particularly succulent slice of fruit cake.

“An especially fine tea, would you not agree, Sister?” asked the blue mare “I had the kitchen staff steep it for a further 20 seconds beyond their usual direction as I felt there was more character to gain from the infusion.”

The white pony almost choked on her cake at what she was hearing.

“Since when did you become such a tea expert?”
“I was toying with the idea of 25 seconds, but I felt we were poised on the delicate cusp of starting to make it unnecessarily bitter.”
“Really?” said Celestia “Tell me you’re not a shapeshifting tea expert who has just replaced my Sister.”

“You started me on the whole tea and cakes thing, so I thought I should take the trouble to research it, maybe provide us both with some added enjoyment. But I think what really completes the experience is the cake”
“Now, I can agree with you there” said Celestia.

“Talking of which, please would you pass my slice of triple chocolate and cherry gateau with double cream?”
“There’s only one piece left, and I was rather eyeing it up too.”

“I expressly recall having counted four slices on the way in. I have had one, so therefore you must have had two; it’s mine.”
“I’m sure you must be mistaken, Sister.”

“We have just returned from an epic battle and I believe I have earned my half of the cake” protested Luna.
“That was war. This is cake. It’s an altogether much more important matter.”

“I will trade you for it - a macaroon and an éclair?”
“In your dreams …” said Celestia, suddenly aware of what she had said, and the many little ways her sister could get back at her through the dream realm.

Luna rested her elbows on the table, propped her forehooves together and rested her chin on the top of them, surveying Celestia with a wicked grin spreading across her face.

“In your dreams, you say?” she repeated with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

“On second thoughts, I don’t think I have room for the gateau after all” said Celestia, dreading the revenge her sister could wreak if she so chose. Wearing a clearly pained expression of defeat, she passed the last slice of cake over to Luna who smiled broadly.

“Thank you, Sister. I’ve missed you” she giggled “By the way, that business about the tea – I made it all up!”

Celestia laughed and Luna joined in, both happy to be back in each other’s company.