Verve

Celestia, under the permission of the Guards - placed several quick knocks at the sleeping King’s door. After hunting down the head of housekeeping, she was quick to learn that the spare room was seized by a small fawn. For what reason, she was unsure - but it meant she needed guidance on where to rest now. After all, it would be rude to barge into Vee or Tempest’s room to swipe their undoubtedly stained beds. Vee’s with coffee. Tempest’s with… well, other things, between her and her mare. Because she could hear it, walking down the hall. Did they have to be so loud?

Within moments, a green aura seized the elegant knob in a turn. A heavy eyed buck revealing himself from behind the wood, a tad worried to be awoken in his rest. Expecting General Falon, he was a bit shocked to find the Princess standing there instead.

Quietly, he ripped the warm sleeping cap from his head - tossing it to the side before she could hopefully notice. She did, of course - but she’s seen worse.

“Celestia, what brings you rapping upon my chamber door this late in the eve? Is there an issue my staff can not handle?” he asked quietly, and the Princess simply shook her head.

“I’m just… over reacting, as per usual, it seems. I had spoken with the head of housekeeping, and I was surprised to learn that you had no spare beds left. I… well, I need one.”

This staggered the buck for a moment, who closed the door to shed his incredibly comfortable pajamas in peace. It was uncouth to present himself in such a way, after all. In a flash, he opened the door fully once more - inviting her into his chambers to speak quietly.

“If you’re simply in need of a place to rest, I may offer my own bed to you. But, if you need an ear to listen, mine are always open.”

The Princess graciously accepted the invitation, slipping in to speak with the buck in private. She had a lot to discuss, and a mind like Aster’s may be her best bet to find solidarity.

The soft comfort of his chambers once more felt warm against her coat; the burdens of the day seeping away as he offered her a position by the dull hearth. She had only spent a scant hour or three here before, discussing their plans to find the breezies and speak of her past. But now, it offered a new comfort - a fireplace quickly lit with the spark of twin antlers, a soft bow motioning to a nearby pillow for her to rest. He did much the same with his own pillow, blinking away the last of his sleep.

“So. As you may have rightly guessed, over the scant time I’ve had with the former King Arin, I’ve been… attached, per say. I am sure that you’re aware of the… noise we’ve made here - in your halls, of course.”

“An echo I have tried hard to ignore, Celestia. But yes, I am aware.” The King nodded, a bit dimly - but he was still interested. “But please, go on.”

“Our relationship started just after we fled the castle, and… well, it was done so over a spoken agreement. You see, Arin is actually my Sister’s Knight. And though he has love for her, the Nightmare’s influence has corrupted her emotions and made it difficult to return his love, after his time away in Erenorn. So a contract of sorts was struck; we would share each other temporarily, to help quench our combined loneliness - and in return, he would be… non-committal, per say.”

When Celestia hesitated to speak onwards past this point, Aster took this as a notion to continue his questioning.

“Non-committal - as in, an open relationship? Like a harem? In old times, both bucks and stallions would often usher several does together, to help raise the population in times of decline. I would not expect one such as you to be privy to an arrangement of this sort.”

“N-No, not a harem - more like… he wished to speak with Luna still, after we reclaimed the throne. And he would decide who to love then. I was fine to accept this, at first… but…”

She closed her magenta eyes, feeling the light of the flames warm her fur. “I did not expect to be challenged in my love so soon, Aster. You see, Arin - he has a close bond with the gray unicorn we rescued from the far west. Much closer than both my Sister and I combined could ever hope to achieve - he… he basically pulled her from the darkness of the Entity. She’s a former Umbrum, now turned pony. And ever since, she has spent the last three years by his side. And now, there’s this… spark, between them. And it’s pulling him away from me. Which is silly to say; he was never truly mine to begin with, but…”

“But you still feel enraptured by him.” He frowned, green eyes settling on the flames. “I know the exact pain you describe. It… occurred almost exactly the same, between your mother and I. Save the fact she never returned my love to begin with. You are lucky to be given this grace, in my eyes. It’s something I was never offered the chance for. In all of my long years, I may be King - but it is by title alone. I never once sought the comfort of another deer. I could not. I was… and still am, smitten. By the pony who looks just like you, and gave you life.”

At that, Aster’s head fell forward. Keen on inspecting his cloven hooves for the time, a new silence soon followed.

“You never loved another?” the Princess eventually spoke, gazing up from the flames at the lonely buck not more than a couple hooves away.

“I could not. I’ve been smitten since the day I met her.”

And with that, Aster picked up the quiet conversation into the long hours of the night; his long years behind him guided his words, speaking quietly of the mare he once knew. Of course, it was mostly ramblings of her visits to the Autumn Court, or other such tales - but it was a pleasant conversation for the morning mare, one that helped settle the hole in her heart. But, no amount of words could stifle the growing urge to sleep, and as such - she interrupted him with a quiet yawn.

“I do love hearing about my mother, Aster - it’s good for my soul, but I think we both need our rest. Do you mind if I, and please don’t mention this to Vee, but… do you mind if I snoot up some pillows? I believe I’ll stay by the fire tonight. It’s quite cozy, and the flames will help ease my soul.”

“...The use of the word ‘snoot’?” Aster fanned a leg towards her, curious. “But yes, I suppose you may. I intended to be a gentle buck and offer my bed, but if the flames can inspire a calm mind - then I will lavish your request thusly. One moment, I will send a guard to fetch more bedding.”

He stood and stretched his long, regal legs, and feeling quite comfortable - snatched his comfy pajama hat to stuff upon his head once more. Celestia had to restrain a giggle at just how goofy it looked - but none-the-less, the minutes passed and ample sheets and cushions were delivered. Enough to put a pillow fortress to shame, no-less.

“Now! I do have business to attend to tomorrow; I believe my advisors wished to speak with me regarding some recent purchases on behalf of the crown, and I will need a clear mind for the task. May the twilight slumber soundly for you, Princess.”

Aster bowed his head, leaving the Princess to the comfort of her newly assembled pillow-nook.

“Aster?” the morning mare called after him, as he flopped on the bed.

“Yes?”

“Thank you. For everything you’ve done for us. I can’t stress this enough, but-”

“Princess, I do not wish to downplay your thanks, but this is the seventh time today alone you have greeted my kindness pleasantly. Please, slumber beckons”.

Celestia rolled her eyes, but gave in. She really did have a habit of saying thank you much too much for her own good, it seems.

Settling into the warmth of the pillows, her eyes lingered over the fire. She weighed her heart in kind, trailing her mind over the jagged thoughts that rested there. Perhaps today wasn’t a great day, not for love - but for knowledge. She learned many things, both about herself, and those she cherished.

Did she feel anger, or jealousy? Yes. But she can let those both go; it’s time she stood on her own hooves. Arin is young, and in less-than-pleasant terms; by technicality, far beneath her. Perhaps the love she sought wasn’t true at all, but rather a pain she intended to stifle and quell with warm feelings and open hearts. Just as the much less experienced seraph predicted.

Aster’s kind company helped ease her mind tonight. Had she trudged the path before her, she might have done something brash - which was much too much the norm for her, lately. Now, she should think for herself. Relying entirely on others to stand would only weaken her growth. She was a Princess. A ruler. A friend to many, and now - stronger in the face of adversity.

When the morning came, a quick conversation with Arin could help ease the last of her pain, and it would be just what she needed. Besides; not many will live to eternity like her. Pursuing Arin would do nothing but waste his preciously short life, in comparison to her own.

Perhaps there is another she could love, when the time was right. And maybe, he’s closer at hoof than she once thought.

Dash snored fitfully in the dark; after all, she had a couple days of sleep to catch up on. And she was enjoying it, too - until a purple wing slapped her against the face so hard, she nearly rolled off the bed!

Clutching the sheets and rubbing her cheek, she glared up at Vee. “Hey! What was that for!? What did I do to you?!”

Vee took the same wing, preening it in thought. “Hmhm. No, definitely not good for the feathers, Loop-fry.”

“Mhm? I was sure that would work. It’s alright, my extremely well preened friend. Plenty more experiments to run, bleats to be had. Let’s try the other one.”

Dash wheeled around to face the doe who snuck into her room alongside Vee, yellow mane on gold coat with lemon eyes… what the hay! What was going on here?!

“WHO LET YOU TWO IN MY ROOM!” she yelled, the yellow Red Tail withdrawing a hoof full of sand to blow quietly in Dash’s face. The rainbow maned Pegasus coughed, sneezed - then passed out with a happy, content snore. A single hindleg bucking at the air in a wonderfully deep sleep.

“D’ohoho! Dream powder, I see! You’re awfully smart, Loop-fry. I’ll have to add that to the list of ‘things I need to carry at all times’.” Vee smiled, sipping her coffee. With a flick of her wing, she tossed the enchanted necklace around her neck to the floor; she didn’t need worthless magic that didn’t work!

“Mm, why thank you, Purple-fly. You’ve got smarts to go along with the arts, after all.” The doe winked, Vee fitting the next necklace along her neck. Surely this one would work.

SMACK!

“Guh!” Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and fluttered off the sheets, shaking her mane free of the powdery blue streaking her head. “Who! What! Where?!”

“Mhm, no, that didn’t work either. But it did make her forget what happened, at least. Maybe we need to bury our snouts into a book or two, Purple-fly.” Eve slid the brush free of her golden hair, using her magic to pluck a wad of the stuff and dump it on Rainbow Dash’s bed.

Vee preened a wing, losing several more feathers in thought. Dashie, perhaps realizing now would be a good time to run - darted for the door. For the time being, Vee let their overly sleepy test subject flap off - it was volunteer work, after all.

“Oho! Yes, books would be good. When are they releasing the purple friendly version of them here in Silversun, if you don’t mind me asking?” Vee wiggled a feather between her lips as she spoke over the trashed bed, Eve giving her trademark laugh.

“Ehehehe! Don’t worry, Purple-fly! I am an expert at all things literature. Unfortunately, I am banned from most bookstores and libraries as well. Those dumb-bucks and dim-does have a thing against excessively beautiful hair.”

“Hmhm! And purple feathers! Luckily, I have just the mare for the job! And her name is… Hmhm.”

Vee thought quietly for a moment, stroking her chin with her feathers. “Ah! Yes! Pumpkin Two. Or something. Tall, ugly-mane, loves long speeches and being snooty.”

“Mhm. I don’t like her already. Does she have blue hair? I hate blue. Not light blue, just excessively blue. Makes me bleat in disgust.”

“No no, red - such an eyesore! Dark, disgusting, blech! Almost burns the coffee, that color. D’ohoho~ Maybe I was wrong about you, Eve! We make a team!” The Purple led her way to the door, nibbling away a stray feather or two for preening sake.

“Just a team? I guess we’re not a good one yet, ehehehe~” The gypsie tagged along, a trail of loose hairs following in her wake. “Now, where to find this ‘Pumpkin Two’ I wonder?”

“Oho! I have a wonderful idea - let’s find the second tallest ‘Fry I know, if we don’t count Blech-disgusting-red-fry in the polls. He’s got a brain beneath the mane! He’ll know where she went.”

“Mhm? Smarts for the arts, I see! I like it, Purple-fly,” the doe chimed, hovering her cup in golden magic. “Now, let’s make our escape before a buck or doe from beneath the boughs put their snouts in places they shouldn’t. Wouldn’t want another wanted poster with my name on it, after all.”

“Oho? I have three warrants, Loop-fry. How many did the Fuzz snoot under your hoof when you weren’t looking?” Vee asked, emptying her final cuppa of coffee from the barrel. Sadly, she must have drunk it all! Or that cafe ripped her off and gave her nowhere near enough.

“Aha, that’s where we differ, Purple-fly. I’ve got six; three for using a local fountain to wash my mane, and the rest are concerning the massive amount of unpaid wagon tickets I’ve been unfairly assigned. It’s targeted, I tell you - my cart is innocent!”

This brought a rousing array of familiar, witchy and gypsy laughs - Pegasus and Red Tail both chattering away the neighs and bleats until they could knock on Arin’s door. By knock, Vee meant open - swinging into the elegant entrance with a flap of her wings.

“Tall-fry! Wake up! I need your tracking skills to locate the Terrible-yucky-mane-fry!” Vee snooted snootily, her snoot snooting with sniffly snoots up to the sleeping Seraph’s bed. Snoot. Vee, please don’t write your own lines here, this is the copy I’m sending the publishers. Neigh, Small-fry, deal with it. Stop!

Arin’s eyes split open at the call, rolling over into the sheets to greet the Vee as he would a new day. By gently forcing her away with a single hand, grunting. “Please, by the Feathers, just five minutes, Vee.”

“No dice, Jerk-face! Outta the bed! We’ve got a Snooty Princess to annoy!”

With a grunt and a roll of his eyes, the Seraph struggled onto his tired legs. Yawning, Arin flicked and stretched his wings in a tired flap - blinking away the last of the not-so-deep-sleep. How long had it been? Is it morning yet? Better yet - how could he tell? He didn’t feel incredibly well rested. Perhaps a scant few hours short of a proper rest; or, the magic from the day before really took it out of him.

“Why can’t you find her yourselves? She’s probably off… bothering the King, maybe stealing cake from the kitchen or… whatever. And… Vee, who is this?”

“Aha! You look to be a tall mayfly indeed. Purple-fly was right about you. If you’ll just hurry along and hammer your hooves, we can be on our way.” The doe smiled, focused eyes settling onto the standing Knight.

“What time is it?” He scratched errant itches along his arms, wiggling his nose in frustration.

“Time for you to get a watch, Tall-fry. But! It’s morning. Probably. I don’t know, I don’t read deer! Eve, what does my watch say?” The purple raised her hoof, much to the rolling eyes of the Red Tail.

“Well, considering how you woke me up from my beauty sleep not more than a few hours ago, Vee, it’s around… nine fifteen. Mm. I’m late for my morning tea with my daughter. I don’t suppose we can blaze this path a little faster, mm?”

“That’s right, flap to it! Move move move!”

“By the feathers… there’s two of you,” Arin whispered, sullen that he has to handle twice the Vee - but now in deer flavor. With nothing left to say and no explanations given, he lazily trotted - by the feathers, he walked to the door, and into the beautiful halls once more.