Arboreal Grieving

“So, Lulu, what do you think?” Celestia gleefully looked down at Luna, almost touching snouts with her over the breakfast table.

Luna carefully pushed Celestia back. Skeptically, she asked, “I’m a little wary of this idea, Sister. Twilight Sparkle was a good friend to me as well, and I’m not strictly against it…”

Celestia nodded, pushing back into her seat. She motioned for Luna to continue.

Luna uneasily finished, “But it’s not healthy to obsess over your dearest-”

“Obsessed? Is that what you think?” Celestia huffed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Luna rolled her eyes, pointing to a particular piece of legislature. “Celestia, you are planning to fund state-sanctioned biographies, forgetting that there are already multiple in publication, including Twilight’s own autobiography!”

“There’s nothing that says I can’t help add to the list!” Celestia hotly contested. “Maybe they’ll catch a detail the others missed! You don’t know!”

“Really.” Luna answered drolly. “Better than Twilight Sparkle herself, the living library? Celly, that was ridiculous and you should know it better than anypony.”

Celestia blushed a little. “I-”

“And that’s not even the most offensive part of this bill.” Luna interrupted, “Here, you’re pushing for over 100 statues to be placed in Canterlot alone! There are only 67 outdoor statues in this city!”

“And just how do you know that, nerd?” Celestia asked smugly.

Luna stared down her sister. “Sister, I am the chairpony for the Equestrian Arts Foundation. I have added 12 statues myself since my return.”

Celestia looked away, red from shame. “It was easier to tease you into submission a thousand years ago.”

Luna smirked, replying, “And it’s far easier to tease you! Aren’t you historically famous for your uncrackable mask?”

Celestia coughed. “Recent developments changed that.” She sighed, regaining composure. “You know why I’m doing this, Lulu.”

Luna sighed, giving a sympathetic smile. “Celly, of course I do. I’m just trying to prevent this outrageous bill from being passed. You’re usually better at lawmaking than this.” Luna held up yet another bill, grinning. “Really, Celly. Provisions for state-sanctioned pins, plushies, and decorative keychains, featuring Twilight Sparkle?”

Celestia blushed madly yet again, leaping onto the table to snatch the piece of paper out of Luna’s magical grip. “Lulu, I insist, at the very least be constructive!” She rapped the paper with a hoof, continuing, “I still plan on instituting most of the things in this bill, even if I might have to review some of my more...irrational decisions.” She glanced warily at the stack of papers.

Luna smiled reassuringly and pulled the proposals towards herself, saying, “Oh, I was just messing with you, Celly. Most of these aren’t even half bad, if not actually good.” She flipped through the pages, pointing to a particular one under Motion 12. “For example, I fully support designating Twilight’s old library as an Equestrian Heritage landmark. She made quite a lot of contributions to magical theory.” She tapped the table thoughtfully. “Although, you might want to keep it a functioning library. Twilight wouldn’t have wanted a place of learning to be empty.”

Celestia nodded in agreement, smiling. “Thank you for looking over it, Luna. I don’t know what I would do without a rational head around here.”

Luna waved her hoof dismissively, saying, “Celly, I know how important this must be to you. Besides, even if it wasn’t, Twilight was my first and greatest friend. Really, I don’t know how you survived a millenia without me.”

She glanced down, frowning. “Also, you’re standing in my pancakes.”

"Oh."