Back on Duty

A freshly-shaven Gregory was catching up on some classical Equestrian literature when there came a quiet knock on the door.

"Come in!"

Glory Tail poked his head in, but without his customary helmet. "I'm going off duty," he said by way of explanation, "but the Princess sent me to ask you to join her in the dining room."

"Oh. Thanks. Have a good night."

The pegasus flashed him a smile. "You too, sir," he said before vanishing from the door.

He left it ajar, expecting Greg to leave soon, but it was a few minutes later, after he'd gone in the bathroom and made sure he was still presentable, that Gregory finally emerged out of the suite and set off for the room Glory Tail had mentioned. The few members of staff he met along the way either ignored him, used to his presence by now, or acknowledged him with nods or waves. Pretty soon Greg joined the Princess in the dining room and stopped in the door.

"What is all this?"

The table was laid and there was a rich spread of food on it. A basket of what looked like fresh bread, straight from the oven was still steaming. There were cheese platters, several jars of pickled vegetables, multitudes of dessert, a bunch of varied flowers, and Celestia was busying herself at the stove where she was apparently preparing something complicated.

She glanced back, but turned her attention to the pot she was stirring. "Just dinner. We have not had a hoof-cooked dinner in too long, Gregory."

"This is just for us two?"

The stirring paused for a moment and the Princess glanced over her shoulder at the table again. She gave him a somewhat guilty grin and prompted: "I hope you are very hungry?"

Before Greg could come up with a meaningful response she decided her latest project was done and lifted up the pot in her magic. "Mushroom soup," she explained as she laid it carefully in the middle.

"Celly, what's really going on?" Greg asked as he sat down.

It might have been excessive, but the dinner looked delicious nevertheless. He took a piping hot piece of bread and availed himself of a few selections from the cheese platter.

Celestia paused only to remove her apron before taking her own seat across the table. "Sometimes cooking helps me think. Be glad I was not stress-baking."

Greg glanced at the bounty before him and raised an eyebrow. "Lots on your mind?"

That was an understatement and the mare sighed and lowered her ears. "I keep trying to see the angles we have missed, Gregory. Were it not for the ponies Luna captured we would never have suspected Opulence. I worry there are others."

It was curious how her opinion had shifted from earlier that afternoon, Greg mused. "If there are, you'll root them out. You're playing the long game, remember that."

Aside from a very brief, grateful smile, Celestia didn't acknowledge Greg's words. Instead she leaned her head to one side and raised her voice to her typical 'pleading' tone. "Do you think Miriam Adams would agree to sit in on this trial? I would really value her opinion."

Another unexpected question, but the answer was obvious: "Write her a letter and ask for her help. If anything, it's a sign of trust between our nations. Better yet, ask her during her visit!"

"You are correct, as always. I will write her first thing in the morning. Equestria has not had a slavery-related court case yet and Miriam has first-hoof experience."

The trial meant that the ponies in Canterlot dungeons would have a chance to defend themselves. It wasn't a prospect Gregory really liked, especially considering that they were rich and influential and well-able to afford extremely good attorneys, but it was the proper thing to do.

"So you'll put Silvermane and Opulence on trial?"

Celestia nodded. "Them and some of the higher-ups Luna captured. I will let some underlings go with only community service." At his strange look she explained: "Those were the terms of the bargain of them revealing who their boss was. I will hold to the agreement."

"Okay, good."

"Meanwhile, Luna will cleanse the corruption on Earth and do what she can to help Callahan capture the human ringleaders. Provided they can even be caught with all the warning they have had."

Considering where in the world the other end of the portal was located, Greg had his doubts. He didn't want to bring the Princess down, however. "Luna is resourceful and Callahan is particularly single-minded. I wouldn't doubt in their ability. Who knows, they may even become friends in time."

Celestia laughed softly at whatever image her imagination threw up. "I would pay to hear that story."

They shared a chuckle and then Celestia levitated over two bowls and filled them up. As it landed in front of Gregory she also floated over a spoon, right into his waiting hand.

"Oh, before I forget: Star Bright has a piece of Aura's cake for you. You might send for it before Blossom gets at it. It's only a matter of time."

This made Celestia remember Greg's earlier remark and her eyes widened together with her smile. "I almost forgot! You said something about a wedding! Aura and Snow Cover, was it not?"

"Yeah. Apparently he knocked her up and they've decided to get married."

His blunt way of putting it made the Princess tsk a few times. "You might have said it a bit more romantically, Gregory. Of course a foal on the way is a joy for most mares, even if the circumstances are not... ideal."

"So, you'll attend?"

Celestia screwed up her face in thought. "I would like to, but that would make her wedding a wholly public affair. I am not sure I wish to drop all that on her back."

It was indeed a conundrum. Greg knew Celestia wasn't wrong. As soon as word came out that she was attending a 'common' wedding, pony-paparazzi would descend on the event and very likely ruin the whole day for Aura and Snow Cover. The only to prevent that would be to enlist a bunch of guards to keep the crowds at bay, but that would only heighten the fever and produce accusations of preferential treatment. If only they could keep it a secret.

"Wait!" Greg gasped at the devious idea. "Just go in your Supple Branch disguise, no? That way you're just another pony, no fuss, no outcry."

Celestia's stunned expression gradually morphed into a delighted smile. "That is actually an excellent idea! Oh! I will write to Lake Frond and Rock Lichen. You do not think Aura would mind if I invited them as well?"

"Why those two? I mean, I guess she won't, but why them in particular?"

"You reminded me of them the other day when you came from that meeting on Earth. Miriam said she would like to see them, did she not?"

After Gregory nodded she continued: "I realized I have not seen them in quite a while, and that Miriam Adams will be in Canterlot at the same time, so we can have a bit of a reunion."

It actually sounded kinda nice. There was just one nagging thought in Greg's mind. "So you don't want Aura's cake?"

The Princess paled in shock, a spoonful of soup coming to a halt before her open mouth. "I almost forgot!" she whined. The spoon clattered down into the bowl and Celestia rushed to the door. "I will send somepony to invite them to dinner. Be right back!"

Celestia forgetting about cake was a very rare thing indeed and Greg did his best to commit the look on her face when she had realized it to memory. He really hoped she would never change, Greg thought to himself, that she would remain happy, and vibrant, and so quixotically young. The chances were good, considering her extended lifespan. His thoughts went out to his own friends and ex-colleagues. Perhaps he could follow Celestia's example and invite them for a visit one of these days? Wendy Locker would love it especially. Hopefully she was still the receptionist at his old firm, or if not, someone at the company knew how to get hold of her.

It wasn't long before the Princess was back, but this time she didn't go to her seat. Instead Celestia came to stand behind Greg and brushed her muzzle against his ear.

"I have said how much I appreciate you, did I not?"

"Yeah, just about every day. Same, by the way."

Maybe it was his fancy, but Greg imagined he could feel her smiling there, just out of sight. It was like a ray of warm sunshine on his face. He reached blindly with his hand and gave her nose a careful pat.

"Is the cheese any good? I was not paying too much attention..."

"It's delicious. Here, try it." He grabbed the fork and speared a particularly nice chunk of Brie, or whatever ponies called it here. He lifted it up to the side of his head and felt a gentle tug on the fork as Celestia took it.

"Good," she commented, "but I am in the mood for something even more delicious."

Greg turned to look at what she meant and met her lips. Almost without his volition his hand went around her muzzle to hold her in place. It wasn't a particularly passionate kiss, but it was warm and full of promises.

"We should do something like this more often. I like it when you cook. Maybe you can even teach me a thing or two."

Her laughter was music to his ears. "We should and I will."

"It's going to turn out alright, isn't it? With the trial and Luna and all that?" Greg prompted, his mind going back to those problems despite his best efforts to keep it in the present.

"Yes."

There was quiet certainty in her voice and Greg allowed himself to believe her.

Everything would turn out for the best. After all, it was how Equestria worked.

END