Solaris waited in a grand ballroom. He couldn't see much but lights, and everywhere were ponies trotting about, usually carrying platters full of food or drinks. He stood facing one end of the ballroom, but hardly cared about the food, or anything else besides waiting for the arrival of the main, er, mane attraction.

Lights dimmed, just for spotlights to center on one door, revealing Celestia as she entered. The room exploded with applause, causing the princess to blush. But she raised her hoof and motioned Solaris to approach. He trotted out of his seat and stood just before her. "Today is a day for celebration. Today." She waved a wing over the crowd. "I would like to request a dance. Can two stars orbit one another? Let's find out."

The gathered masses cheered loudly, their cries reverberating through the chamber.

Solaris gave a small bow to her. "As you wish, my princess." He turned to face the rest. "Today is a joyous occasion indeed. Thank you, each and every one of you."

Celestia drew him close, wrapping one wing around him, drawing cheers from the watching ponies. Celestia allowed him to set the pace, giving him lead position as they spun across the marble floor. Solaris held himself in check, keeping his moves simple, so as not to risk tripping her.

There was also the fact that he was still a new pony, and he didn't want to trip himself up either. He was quite proud that he managed the first song with only a few tiny stumbles, though Celestia's keen gaze sure seemed to notice, even if she said nothing of them. They ended the first number with their heads together, horns going off to either side.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" She drew back, taking the lead from him in directing him along. "These songs, I imagine they're different in your nation. I would love, later, to hear some of yours. For now, shall we give them a show?"

"I may trip, if we start too complex." Solaris stayed within her grasp. "But I will try, and try again, should we stumble."

Celestia smiled at that. "What a good attitude." She guided him through each step, and waited patiently as he proceeded. "You are doing well. An interesting pony, you have much room to grow, but, like an eager vine, you expand into those spaces quickly and without delay."

He considered a reply to that, then leaned in. "It's hard not to enjoy myself." He kissed her forehead lightly, prompting cheers from their audience.

"Bold, yet careful." She held him in return, the two leaning on one another, as they continued through their waltz. The music softly played around them, like a third dancer that cheered and encouraged their motions.

Solaris found himself blushing hotter than before, cheeks almost feeling like they were glowing. The song came to its natural conclusion, with Solaris finding himself wrapped in Celestia's embrace. They lay, muzzle-to-muzzle, and their eyes met, staring deep into one another.

Celestia brushed him away, only for her magic to guide him towards the next song as it began. "It has been so long since I was able to dance with a pony that wasn't looking up at me as if I was the very sun itself, bright, but unapproachable. Something that would burn them quickly if they dared to gaze on me for long." She nuzzled along his neck slowly, showing a gentleness to defy her stature.

"You are warm, to be sure." He pressed himself against her front. "Warm as a radiant star." He moved into the next step, feeling more confident as they went. "And I welcome it. Thank you, again, for the help. Twilight is a delightful teacher. You can tell she's passionate about the whole thing. And you, I have nothing but nice things to say." He gave a lone flap of his wings. "You've taught me how to soar, as a sun should."

Celestia felt him tremble ever so slightly as the dancing became more complicated. They leapt together, spinning as they flew, and landed in near-perfect tandem. He stepped forward with her, letting her lead him into the steps. When he did stumble, she was there, moving with him in such a way that they looked like they were dancing still. His mistakes were gently concealed from the outside world. "I insist." She touched noses with him. "I would see one of your peoples' celebrations next. Talk with them and consider what can be done with them. We can hold it a month from today, and invite all to attend. Perhaps it'll inspire unity."

Solaris inclined his head, pleased by the idea. "I'd love to plan something to share my culture with you." But did his people have any celebrations to do that with? "I'll talk with them, but please don't plan, or announce, until I do. There are so few of them—" At least, compared to Equestria, or even just Canterlot's numbers. "—I don't want to put them on the spot."

Celestia chuckled gently, drawing him into the next part of the dance. "Then plan in secret. Reveal it as a surprise." She swept over the floor, holding his hoof gently. "I eagerly await the news either way." The thought was set aside in favor of their dancing. It was a curious thing, horses dancing. Solaris could see the similarities to the human variety, but their forms required different standards at times.

"You are not nearly as intimidating as everyone says." Solaris bumped his head gently to hers as the music started to die down once again, bringing the current song to its final notes. He didn't push beyond the ending point, staying close with her, though not entwined. "You may be a sun, but you are a warm one, not bright and burning."

Her gaze turned thoughtful. "It is difficult, at times, not to allow others' preconceptions of me taint how I feel about myself. It is refreshing to have you here, with me." She drew back with a gentle smile. "Our dancing was delightful, but I should speak to others. I can see some of yours would like your attention as well."

He gave a bow. "Thank you, for inviting me tonight." He watched her trot away, tail swishing gently. A few ponies approached her, chit chatting with the tall mare easily, but he was too far to catch their words over the chatter of others. He started as a pony approached him as well, one of his mares with a shy smile.

"Mark." She colored, lowering her voice. "I mean Solaris! Sir. I wanted to thank you. We're all so happy, and it's your fault. You gave up everything to bring us here. Our home fell apart and you saved it, our family, everyone that's important. You shouldn't be alone." She glanced at Celestia, then at Solaris. "Thank you, again."

He reached with a wing, gently embracing her and draping it over her. "You're welcome." He lowered his voice, not wanting to make a scene of this. "I miss the ranch too." He rubbed her shoulder gently. "But this place, these ponies... they're our family now, too."

She smiled gently. "They welcomed us, and we couldn't be happier."

He ruffled her mane with a forehoof, a laugh escaping his mouth. "Enjoy yourself tonight, Dawn. Make sure to mingle. Everyone is friendly here."

"Everypony," she corrected with a giggle. "But they are. I just wanted to talk to you. You were our first caretaker, and we haven't forgotten that." She rubbed against his foreleg a moment before bouncing away towards a stallion that was waiting nearby, talking with him about the dancing and the night.

He walked up towards the banquet table, sampling from the fruits offered. There were other, heavier, things on offer, like cakes, drinks that smelled faintly of alcohol, and even some things that looked a little like meat. As far as he had seen, he hadn't observed ponies eating meat, but that didn't mean they didn't have options for carnivores among them.

Solaris chewed absently on a slice of orange as a stallion approached him. They weren't one of his. "Sir." He dipped his head at Solaris. "A pleasure to meet you." He lifted his head, smiling at him.

"A pleasure." Solaris studied the new male, and his gold-colored coat. "How do you do?"

"Lovely." The stallion bobbed his head. "My name is Sterling Silver, and I'm honored to have been invited to tonight's festivities. Your people, I understand, have come quite a distance." He waved to one of his mares, enjoying the dance floor. "We were invited, as a gift, for being such long-time patrons of the local business that's supplying most of the food and drink. We've never let anypony go hungry."

Sterling beamed with obvious pride at that proclamation.

Solaris brightened. "Oh, then you're the perfect pony to ask." He turned and gestured at one of the mystery foods. "What is that?"

The golden pony grinned widely. "Dove." He patted his stomach. "Pegasus delicacies aren't common here. Bird is fine for pegasi, but for other ponies..." He shrugged lightly. "Different tastes for different tribes. Unicorns have many delicacies the others find strange, and earth ponies have their own. It's my job to know them all and make them sit on a table without fighting." His smile turned impish. "What kinds of food does your tribe eat? Any peculiar things?"

Solaris blinked. "Sir, so far as I know, we aren't different tribes than Equestrian ponies."

"No, no. Not different tribes as in not a pony, but different tastes as in foods. Hmmm." He thought carefully, humming under his breath as he considered the matter. "Fruits and plants from your area differ in nutrients from the ones we can get here."

Solaris perked up. "Oh! That makes sense." He lifted the half of an orange he'd been working on. "To be honest, I haven't tried anything here that hasn't been very nice."

"That's lovely." Sterling sighed with pleasure. "The night has barely started, but already I can feel the excitement." He motioned with one hoof at his family, busy at play. "Such delight! Princess Celestia does love her events."

Solaris flicked his ears towards her. "Indeed! Tonight is a delight."

The two shared a nod, gently parting for their own business. The evening was pleasant, filled with mingling and conversation. Solaris couldn't stop smiling, surrounded by his people and almost as eager Equestrians that wanted a moment of his time.

"Thank you all." Celestia nodded to the room. "This has been a wonderful event, but all good things must come to an end. I would wish you all a safe trip back to your homes, and that we may meet again."

Solaris gazed towards her, admiring the way the light played over her features. He strode towards her as ponies filtered out of the room. "Celestia, if you're not too tired?" She turned and he could read her interest in those beautiful purple eyes. "Can we dance? One more time?"

She drew him closer. "There are still musicians here." They moved in perfect synchronicity, music fading as players left, but those who lingered played gentle tunes while the pair. They were left with one cellist, playing on as they moved back and forth. A professional, she provided all the music she could to them both without complaint.

"You really seem to enjoy it." He traced a small circle with a hoof, motioning around them. "All of this."

"I do." Her horn glowed softly, casting additional lighting from high overhead. "Having a special somepony to share it with makes it better." She went in for a proper kiss, the dance stopping as they pressed together.

The cellist coughed into a hoof. "I will take my leave now, ma'am." Octavia packed up her cello without complaint and started for the door. "Good evening."

Celestia was too occupied to wave back. The room emptied quickly after that, leaving them alone. They kept together for a lingering moment, and Celestia drew herself upright, looking over at him. She reached up with her hooves, placing them on his chest. "Solaris, speak truthfully. You are not some strange scheme hatched by some nefarious force, hoping to get me when I drop my guard, are you?"

He stared into her eyes, standing firm and immobile under her grip. "You really have enemies that bad?"

"Equestria has its enemies." She sighed gently. "But, perhaps, that is more me being cautious. You feel too good to be true, too perfectly placed. So..." She shrank back a step. "Sorry."

He nodded in understanding. "I'm not a liar." He winced faintly, realizing he was, in part, exactly that. "Tomorrow. I would like to speak to you tomorrow, and I will explain everything I know, from my point of view."

Her eyes narrowed faintly. "I understand." She leaned down and nipped his ear gently. "Until then." She headed out with a flutter of her wings. "Goodnight." With that, she was gone.

Author's Note

Questions must have answers! They had a nice time of it at least.

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