The morning sun slowly rears over the distant hills and mountains that speckle Equestria's far-off border, as the moon departs below the horizon. A wave of orange, crisp glow begins to blanket Equus, with long shadows that stretch across the ground, the summer morning comfortably warm. Canterlot greets the new morning, like it always has, and always will.

Princess Celestia, with her stark-white coat (a little matted) and ethereal mane (that could use a brushing), does little to stifle the yawn that takes her lips as she returns from the balcony, the magic that had swirled about her horn dissipating. With the sun given its daily trajectory, the rest of the day awaited her.

A quiet bout out Day-Court awaited her, with her Little Ponies ever eager to foretell her their issues, seeking her almost motherly insight. Then, something she was quite excited about -- a baker from Manehatten was visiting, imparting a few new recipes on her cooking staff. The products of which, no doubt, would require taste-testing.

It takes a surprising amount of self-control to not start drooling. Goodness, Tia, Celestia muses to herself -- perhaps a diet was in order.

She glances over her own shoulder, squinting past her mane as it does its best to obscure herself. Hm... a little plump in the back. Might need to cut back a smidge.

Then, rounding the day out with a peaceful, doting session of study with her prized student, visiting from Ponyville; Twilight Sparkle. They'd intended to have such a meeting yesterday, but... her 'usual' with her Advisor had gone a little longer than expected.

Speaking of; her morning routine had a small, minor pair of road bumps.

Said pair of road bumps were still in her bed.

Celestia certainly hadn't planned for things to play out this way; goes to show just how dangerous hands, fingers and thumbs can truly be to one's attempts to remain awake. A good note for the future, and probably a lesson in there for Twilight, somewhere. Celestia didn't remember quite when she passed out herself, but it was likely amidst the young Twilight Sparkles own interaction with Arnon.

They hadn't done anything of that caliber, of course -- herself forbid -- that was her student, and her close confidant; and Arnon was... well, that was another whole topic.

Celestia pauses at the edge of her bed, staring down. A smiling, peaceful Twilight, curled up in the illustrious sheets. Silk, of course -- her fur could hardly settle for less at this point.

Aw. Tia can't help but smile -- Twilight has grabbed up one of the pillows, cuddling it in her absence.

The other... actually, where was he? When she rose for her morning duty, he was still sprawled across the bed like a murder victim, body contorted. Now, only an empty indent remained.

The door to her personal bathroom, stationed across from herself, gives her a prompt answer as it opens. A shirtless, shoeless Arnon brushes his teeth, hair wet from a quick shower. Only a towel keeps himself 'decent' as he likes to say.

Equestrian matters of privacy and clothing didn't quite translate to Humans, between their differences in appreciation for clothing, and personal biology. Which meant a certain bipedal someone was quite comfortable in her private abode.

Though truthfully, she didn't mind the additional humanoid set piece that had a habit of winding up in her room. The fact that he always had clothes made for an... interesting feeling any time he went with less of them.

In truth, she found their odd to describe, flirty little relationship... fun. Light. Something she felt like she could partake in without too much trouble for herself or her station. Not to imply that was all her Royal Advisor was, of course -- she appreciated him for far more than that.

Like him getting Sundays to be a weekly holiday for the castle, giving herself and her sister a chance to recoup. Tia was astounded she never thought of that herself.

She simply... enjoyed being able to be a little more of herself, around somepony -- or, someone, who didn't look up to her in the same manner that her little ponies did. Excluding Luna, who herself had only come back recently, it had been far too long since she could simply be a little more... silly.

Celestia playfully huffs, quietly skirting around her still-occupied bed and the snoring Student of hers, towards Arnon.
"That wouldn't happen to be my toothbrush, would it? A little forward, don't you think?"

"Mm?" Arnon hums, pausing mid brush. "Don't sound so hopeful. I've got my own stash under your sink." He mutters out with a mouth full of toothpaste, pointing back towards the bathroom with a thumb.

"Really?" Celestia chirps, surprised. She leans around him to peer through the open bathroom door, the warm fog of a recent steamy shower roiling out of it.
"There is no way that you find yourself staying the night in my room enough to require your own morning stash." Celestia retorts, an incredulous look on her face.

"And yet, here I find myself again, needing a shower; lest every guard, servant and guest finds I smell of their beloved Princess following a night of particularly close proximity." Arnon jests, going back to brushing, grinning at her all the while.

"...You better have at least saved me some hot water." Celestia chuffs, trotting around him -- though ensuring she doesn't go wide enough, playfully bumping him with her side as she enters the bathroom. A golden glow takes the handle, and shuts the door, leaving Arnon and the sleeping purple pony to themselves, in the Princesses' private chambers.

Looks like he'll be stuck brushing his teeth for a while; Arnon isn't quite so sure their relationship is far enough to go following her into bathrooms.

Instead, Arnon stops by the sizable Alicorn mattress, sitting on its edge and poking its lone occupant until she wakes.

To say she's startled by both where she wakes up, and the state of who wakes her up, would be an understatement.

Celestia can't help but giggle as the warm water pours over her snout, her students loud yelp audible over even the muffled sounds of the shower.

Breakfast is quaint, quiet, and casual. For everyone but the Sparkle.

Sweet Celestia Above, Twilight was embarrassed; the red tinge of her cheeks refused to go away, and eye contact was simply not an option.

The previous night, and this morning, continued to rampantly play through her mindscape as she mentally re-examined just how everything played out.

Princess Celestia and Arnon, however, engaged in pleasant small-talk as they dabbled in their own breakfasts. Oddities like this morning were slowly becoming the norm for the Royalty of the castle, and most involved held enough emotional maturity to work through it just fine.

It's not like Celestia hadn't found herself awoken in Arnon's bed before; at this point, as long as there was a credible reason for it, it got little more than light joking at the ensuing breakfast.

Despite the comically large table that made up Canterlot Castle's dining room; nopony ever used nearly half of it, simply congregating to one side consistently. Even now, there was but one or two chairs between each of the trio, mostly just to give room for their plates to be laid out.

Twilight had hardly touched her Soup D' Salad, idly swirling the viscous liquid with a spoon grasped in a rich, violet glow. Part of her just wanted to go home. She hadn't done anything wrong, per se, but she just couldn't get that weird tingle out of her stomach -- and it wasn't the soup.

Celestia was crushing her breakfast, of course. A powerhouse like her needed her daily energy; which she got from a mixture of the works from Canterlots finest Chefs, and Bakers. Every meal, Celestia bequeathed herself a little treat. Almost every time, it was a slice of cake. Today, one of the new recipes she'd been looking forward to; some kind of... coconut flaked, chocolate cake. She sighs, deeply content as she enjoys a hefty spoonful of the baked good.

Arnon, omnivorous as he was, enjoyed a healthy mixed breakfast thanks to careful import of a few choice goods from neighboring, more carnivorous nations. Bacon and Eggs. In the beginning, the smell had been a touch off-putting, and the length of the table had found use in keeping Arnon far, far away from its other occupants while he ate. Over time however, they had... acclimated somewhat, and it was familiar enough to not bother them.

Had Tia tried one of his strips of bacon before? Perhaps. Had she found it surprisingly enjoyable? Also perhaps. Is that a secret she swore him to keep until the day his body returns to the ground, under threat of immolation? Absolutely.

"So, Arnon -- how fare things on my sister's side of the Court?" Celestia asks, finishing off a delectable scoop of her sweet treat.

"I've got a few propositions I'm skimming through before I send them her way. She's agreed I'm to be yours during the week that Twilight is here, but expects a week in turn." Arnon elaborates, splitting an egg with his fork.

"Entirely reasonable." Celestia nods, about to help herself to another scoop -- but she pauses.
"Though... I have a question for you. I've noticed something lately, and require an answer from you in regards to it."

This gets Twilight to perk up from her food, watching the interaction from underneath her bangs.

Arnon simply nods, gesturing for her to continue; his mouth is currently processing a rather drippy, Sunnyside Up egg.

"...Have you been finding a way to shorten Day-Court?" She asks idly, her spoon floating beside herself.

Arnon nods, finished swallowing.
"Mm--yep. Found a lot of... chaff? Trimmed the fat. Stricter rulings, and a new position in the guard that organize the crowds."

She hums, tilting her head.
"It would delight me if you'd grace me with an explanation," says Celestia, before the spoon promptly finds its way to her mouth, for another savory bite. "Mm. As to why you'd subvert my carefully guided rule and institute changes unbeknownst to me."

Twilight purses her lips, shrinking down. Arnon however, seems unperturbed.

"Simple. A good chunk of Ponies were queuing for 'Serious Problems'. This... was not the case, most of the time." Anon begins, setting his own fork down as he starts gesticulating with his hands. "So, we set stricter guidelines, and introduced a new role for one of the guards, where they make a judgement call on how actually vital it is that you hear their plea. A significant portion have been pushed to the second half of Day-Court thanks to it; where the highest population of Ponies simply wish to vent at you. Said Ponies are... not usually very patient, so we've essentially trimmed down how many Ponies need not waste your time." Arnon surmises.

"Hrm." Celestia hums, thinking dramatically as she taps a hoof to her chin. "And how long has this been ongoing?"

"About two weeks now. Notice how we haven't had to push dinner off for a while?" Arnon grins.

Celestia wasn't... ecstatic about it, as her lips purse in consideration. She deeply valued ensuring that her Ponies got the chance to feel heard, to have their problems noticed. She heavily believed in a benevolent hoof that all Ponies could reach for.

But... they did tend to simply complain in her direction a lot.

"...I do enjoy a timely dinner." Celestia muses aloud, more than a little torn, even a little surprised. "It feels selfish to push my Little Ponies away simply to have a meal an hour sooner." She states quickly after, trying to recover.

"You mean the Ponies who have your attention from Noon until Evening, every day, six days a week? And your sisters attention while they sleep?" Arnon mumbles, not very quietly, throwing Celestia a hefty side-eye. "Why not let the Therapy Ponies actually get a chance to open some of their own offices?"

Celestia stares at his face for a long moment, as Twilight glances between the two, hiding behind her bowl.

"I know you're teasing." Celestia tsks. "But. Perhaps a little... enforcement on the exact outlines of Day-Court, so we might all be able to enjoy our evenings, would be... amenable." Celestia slowly pieces out, trying to find a well-worded justification. "Just alert me next time you do such a thing?"

"Actually, I tried to talk to you about it last night. Think you were a little... distracted though." Arnon teases.

"Hoh?" Celestia huffs. Both pause as Twilight's spoon chatters in the bowl; she was at her limit, and her facial hue had changed from purple to near burgundy.

Twilight finally speaks up, right as a lull in the conversation presents itself.
"I, uh... it's delicious, but I should... get, uh..."

"You need not find an excuse to pardon yourself, my student. The Castle is as much yours as it is mine." Celestia nods, reassuring Twilight with a kind smile.

Twilight bows, appreciative, before quickly cantering out of the room; likely to find a book she can shove her face into, and stew over her awkward feelings.

"What did I say about teasing in front of my student?" Celestia softly chastises, now alone in the dining room with Arnon.

"Oh, please Sunbutt -- that was hardly teasing. You asked a question, I answered it." Arnon retorts -- he finds one of his untouched eggs taken by a golden glow, leaving his plate and floating over to Celestia's. "...Hmph. Really?"

Celestia leans to sniff the little cooked oddity, a curious look taking her face as she... oh, she just ate it. Were her teeth always that sharp?

Arnon blows a raspberry, going back to what's left of his breakfast. Fueling the local bio-reactor that kept the sun in the sky was a small price to pay to get away with his teasing. How she kept that figure with that metabolism of hers, he had no idea. Probably the cake.

"...Say, where is Bulwark?" Celestia idly comments.

"Oh, probably posted outside my door thinking I'm asleep inside." Arnon snorts.

Both find this amusing, and return to their breakfast.

A panicked Bulwark can later be seen charging through the halls, trying to find his lost charge -- once his 'It is time to wake up, Sir' was met with an empty bedroom.

Day-Court proceeded rather unnotably. There were few comments of true, actual worry, and cases seemed at an all time low lately. Normally, this would sound delightful; her little ponies were doing well. But things weren't always so simple in the kingdom of Equestria; they were likely in the 'Calm before the storm' phase. Such peacefully quiet times never came without their comeuppance.

Now, Princess Celestia, Goddess of the Sun and Thousand-Year Ruler of Equestria, excitedly sat in the castle's kitchen. A baker from Manehatten, Basted Beats, was visiting to impart some of the new Manehatten recipes to her staff.

Her favorite part? She was sat excitedly at an empty countertop, waiting to be served the byproducts of the Canterlot chefs' efforts to learn such new recipes.

She can't help but knead the floor with her hooves in excitement as her kitchen staff bustle around her, like a little filly in a candy shop.

Twilight Sparkle, Prodigy of the Sun Princess and her Top Student, currently sat buried in the study, alone. Buried in books, mostly.

One of her coping habits had resurfaced; the sturdiest hardbacks had been selected from the numerous wood-carvwd shelves that speckled this cozy castle spot; typically, a quiet room for one of the Princesses to catch up on some reading, now a place for a little purple pony to process her feelings.

And oh, what big feelings those were.

Entombed in literature, the books had been meticulously hoof-placed using her patent-pending book stacking system, that provided both a sturdy shelter to hide away from the perceptive public eye, and still be able to read an astounding 85% of the volumes. Truly, a method that would shake the academic introvert world.

Except for how Arnon was currently squatted outside of it, poking at one of the books to get her attention.
"Know you're in there, purple." He states simply.

The accused purple, who was indeed hiding with the fort of books, shifts the poked book aside so she can peer out with a single one of those violet eyes.

"...Hi Arnon." She mutters.

"How you doing, Twilight?" Arnon asks softly.

"I'm alright." She mumbles.

"...Wanna talk about it?" He prods.

After a long pause, the little purple pony sighs, emerging from her fortification as some of the books tumble around her.

"I... I don't know how to explain how I'm feeling." Twilight offers, watching the floor.

"Mind if I take a stab at it?" Arnon offers.

Twilight tilts her head.

"Human phrasing. Mind if I guess?" Arnon corrects.

She nods.

"You... are having trouble seeing your teacher in a new light?" He offers, watching her expectantly.

"...Maybe? I don't know, Arnon. I just feel... weird, lately. Princess Celestia has been my tutor since I was a filly... but I can't help but feel like I'm intruding?" She tries to formulate, looking to Arnon.

"I get it. Tia is... trying to include you. You're special to her, you know. Not just because you're her top student." Arnon starts to explain. Twilight smiles, glancing away -- right, she was a boastful little thing sometimes and loved being at the top of the academic count. Arnon shakes his head, but continues.
"Might be odd, seeing a part of her you usually haven't seen... but at the end of the day, shifting the sun or not, she's just a big pony."

"How could I ever think of Princess Celestia as just 'another Pony'?" Twilight retorts. "She's the Princess! She's ruled for a thousand years alone, and more with her sister! She controls the Sun, Arnon!"

"And she's also currently sitting in the kitchen, stuffing her face. Just because one has a unique role doesn't deny them their... pony-manity. You know Cadance -- does being the Princess of Love stop her from being that fun-loving Mare she always is?" Arnon 'counter-torts', hefting a pointed finger at Twilight.

That seems to catch her, Twilight's lips pursing in thought.

"Obviously, if you aren't comfortable, you can put your hoof down, you know." Arnon continues.

"...The massage was really nice though." Twilight finally mutters, glancing back up to Arnon.

"Life is... complicated. Complex. Especially for a creature that lives several lifetimes; so non-standard approaches to personal relationships -- like friendship -- tends to be... different, than the social norm." Arnon tries to explain, as Twilight watches him.

"I... understand. It's just... well, a lot, when my teacher, who I've looked up to my entire life, invites me to come get a massage on her bed." Twilight searches for the words for her feelings. "But... I get she was trying to include me. I didn't mind it. Again, it was nice, just... I can't help the feelings I get during that kind of thing, you know?"

"Of course. You know, you can probably tell her that, too." Arnon offers. "Might be a good conversation. But, uh... maybe save it for when she's not stuffing her face." Arnon had a feeling he'd lose a finger to the torrential storm of Tia eating sweets if he tried to interject now.

Twilight nods.
"...Would, you... like to read with me?"

Her answer comes in the form of Arnon slumping onto the book fort beside her, turning it more into a book-pile.
"Sure, Sporkle--what're we reading?"

Arnon finds a particularly thick book, coated in glowing purple, hovering close to his face.

"...Alicorns and their mating habits--" Arnon 'reads' aloud, feigning shock.

Twilight yelps.
"W-what?! No, I--" The book quickly soars back in front of her, as she checks the title. The Cultural Impact of the Yak-Equestrian Pacts. Twilight sighs loudly in relief, throwing Arnon a stink eye.

Arnon just grins, getting a tail-flick sent his way before the pair settle in for some light reading.

Author's Note