Luna smiled as she stepped into her sister's room. "I had some time to visit with my guard. It was pleasant."

"I heard you did." She turned with a soft smile. "Was she enjoyable?"

Luna looked ready to answer when something hit her. "It wasn't like that!" She gave Celestia a glare. "Really. We just talked."

"About what?" Celestia didn't turn, though she followed Luna with her eyes when that was an option.

"Things." Luna shrugged. "She doesn't know what it means to be courting. I explained it to her." Her wings settled in a quiet sigh. "I think she's warming up to me."

"So you are courting then." Only a moment of silence followed. "Congratulations. I hadn't expected your choice to be so exotic, but I celebrate it all the same."

Luna rolled her eyes. "You're not bothered that I've picked somecreature else from another world? Someone so different?"

Celestia turned to fully face her sister with a smile. "Oh, if I were you? I wouldn't care what a single other pony thought of who I decided to love, provided they loved me in return. But we are in different situations. Enjoy the freedom you have, sister dear." She chuckled softly, though it was more tired than amused. "I must ask. How does she feel about you? What did she have to say about the idea?"

"She said yes?" Luna shrugged slightly, uncertain of how to put it in words. "She gave every hint that she favors me, as I would hope. We are both strange creatures to one another, physically, but she doesn't mind, and neither do I. I—"

"—am eager to learn more?" Celestia reached out a wing to brush her sister's cheek. "I hope you have fun, and have found a true friend."

"I think I may." Luna smiled and leaned into her sister. "Tell me, how was your time with Twilights?"

Celestia chuckled softly at that. "My Twilight is a very tired pony, and I could tell the moment she arrived." She let out a sigh that was almost a laugh. "Our relationship is nothing like yours. I think she would pass out were I to make a move, and it would be improper were ever I were to do so."

Luna patted Celestia's cheek with a hoof. "If you want my help, just ask. I'd enjoy seeing you get as lucky as I am."

Celestia was wearing one of her difficult to read expressions. "It isn't that easy, sister dear. I am her ruler, her mentor, and practically a god in her eyes. The scales of power are skewed far too heavily, and to even ask is to betray it all, and to take advantage of the lofty position I sit upon. No, that is a thing that cannot be, not if I wish to call myself a good pony." She shook her head. "But it is fine. I have many things in my life to keep me busy and sate my idle desires for companionship. You do not need to worry."

Luna's hoof dropped away as her expression fell into a quiet frown. "That isn't fair."

Celestia barked a single laugh. "If I wanted that, I shouldn't have accepted being her mother in acting when she was a foal. To make a move, now? I would be a very, no. It simply cannot be, and because of my own actions. Besides, as I said, I have others that will hear my idle words, whom I can speak to freely."

Luna shook her head slowly. "You work too hard."

Celestia brushed a hoof against Luna's cheek with a smile. "No more than I always have, or you will."

Luna nodded quietly, then stepped closer to embrace Celestia. "I will guard the night as you do the day, sister, but I know your side is more, hm, what's the word? Frantic. You are always in motion. If I am the moon, and you the sun, then there is a reason I am not so close to the day's activities as you."

Celestia let out a long sigh, relaxing into the embrace. "And yet, the presence of the moon allows that day to happen as we know it." She drew Luna closer. "You have taken quite a shine to your dream walking, and the ponies of the nation celebrate your efforts. They always have, but it seems they are more aware of them now than ever before."

Luna nodded against her sister. "Thank you, Celestia. I'll enjoy my time to myself, knowing you are watching over everything else." She drew in a breath and stepped from the embrace. "I want you to know that I'll always love you."

"Even then?" Celestia brushed a curtain aside, revealing the dawning day. "Sleep, I know you need it. Thank you for visiting. It is always nice to get to spend some time with you, Luna."

Luna smiled quietly. "And I you. See you again soon."

***

Loona blinked as the door opened, then dropped on the new visitor. "Hey." She waved casually as Blitzo wandered in. "What sort of trouble are you up to? You make the ponies hate you yet?"

Blitzo let out a groan. "They all fucking love me." He crossed his arms behind his head as he flopped back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. "The food is good, and they've got all kinds of drinks here." He shrugged lightly. "Less strength than usual, but whatever, they're ponies. You drink more, all fucking good."

Loona chuckled softly and rolled onto her back, hands under her head. "So, what've you been up to? Anything good?" She perked an ear when he sat next to her. "This a good or a bad sign? Should I already be worried?"

"What? A dad can't sit next to his damned girl these days?" Despite her glare, he rubbed her belly, and she tolerated it for the moment. "Look, you know we have to go back, right? They're probably losing their little minds wondering where we are, and the office bills ain't getting paid without us around."

Loona snorted. "What? You worried about what they're thinking?" She smirked. "I think you've gone soft on them, haven't you? Come on, admit it."

He trapped her snout in a grab, just to almost get bitten for it. "You're deflecting. Got the hots for the target? Classic. We fucked up the mission, but that means we have to get to the next one even harder."

Loona growled, then rolled her eyes. "Yeah, fine. I've got it for the princess." She waved a hand through the air. "But whatever." She pointed at him. "I'm adult, Dad. You can't make me do a damn thing."

"I'm just trying to get you fucking home, Loona. Don't you miss them? I know they miss you." He shrugged lightly. "Obviously don't miss me, I'm right the fuck here."

Loona snorted. "You say that like you care. It doesn't matter if you were here or there. You just aren't the type they could miss, no matter how much they like you, and you know it."

"Ouch, my bloody heart." He clutched at his chest. "Now that ain't true. Millie and Moxie love the shit out of me."

"Mmhm." Loona rolled her eyes, but chuckled along with him. "So, why are you in here?"

He sighed and shrugged, his expression turning serious for once. "I'm just saying you gotta get your head clear, Loona. We both have to get going, as fun as this place is. If I go back without you, then you got no fucking way to go back later. You're stuck here. Are you ready for that? Do you want to live in a world with no internet, and no pizza, and no one of our kind, ever? Do you want to be alone when you aren't with Princess Ass-for-head?"

She growled at his flattering label for her. "Look, shit, you can't just storm in here and dump that all over my head like it's nothing!" She threw up both hands. "This is just like you, with everything going according to your clock! I'm not ready to go, okay?"

Blitzo stood and bowed his head quietly. "I know I didn't make this decision lightly, but I know we have to leave soon, because the longer we wait, the harder it is to go." He held up a finger. "Go talk to your fling. You don't have to go without telling her if you'd rather or whatever, but figure it out, because we're going. You have two days."

Loona watched Blitzo stalk out, leaving the room empty behind him.

She waited only a few moments before dropping her face onto the bed with a groan. "Damn it all." She curled, tail curling in with her and ears wilted. "There goes my day."

***

"Come along, darling." Rarity motioned for Sweetie Belle to follow her, smiling as she watched the way the filly scampered after her. "Now then, what is it you'd like to ask me about?"

"What's that?" She pointed to a strange creature being tossed out of a store. "I've seen many curious creatures, but never one like that. Do you recognize it?"

"Can't say I do." Rarity shook her head slowly. "Perhaps not. It looks like a very strange creature from an old book, but I'm quite certain those were entirely fictional. One could almost compare them to goblins, though, were the story true, dear."

Sweetie's eyes widened. "Oh! I never saw a real goblin before." She watched Blitzo curiously as she followed along behind Rarity, her attention drifting from her sister and to him.

"And he's far more rude than any goblin I know," Rarity said with an indignant snort. "He was a regular nuisance in the store. Poor Sassy almost lost her nerve dealing with him. Still, at least he did purchase something in the end. I suppose it could have been worse, but if he had spent more time, then..." Rarity gave a shudder at the idea. "What's this?" Rarity came to a halt when she spotted Loona emerging from the hotel, making her way to Blitzo. "A Diamond Dog? This one seems less, hm, chunky than the ones I had to deal with."

Sweetie glanced over. "I heard about those ones from you before. They didn't seem to like any pony, or any gem that wasn't theirs. Do you think this dog is going to try to do anything like that?"

Rarity brought a hoof to her chin. "I would hope not. The ones I ran into were far more skulking. This one's just out and about, darling."

Loona stepped closer towards Blitzo. "Hey."

He rolled his eyes, but gave her his attention anyway.

Rarity waved a hoof. "Silly little Diamond Dogs, they're really quite harmless in the end." She leaned in a little. "But this one's talking with that goblin. Very curious, dear. I was quite certain our old books were clear they don't get on very well." She held up a hoof. "Then again, do keep in mind I'm not an expert in either species, darling, so it's hard to say."

Sweetie made a note in a floating notebook. "Very fascinating! Sister, may I ask them a question?"

Rarity sweet Sweetie closer. "Darling! I don't want you getting hurt."

"Sis! They're not hurting anypony." She pouted at the denial. "Besides, it's not very friendly to not even say hello. I want to talk to them."

Rarity sighed at that. "If you think it's best, but do be cautious."

Sweetie beamed and rushed off to where Loona was. "Hi!"

Loona jumped away, Blitzo grabbing his sword at the ready, but the little filly barely noticed. "I'm Sweetie Belle." She pointed to herself. "Who are you two?"

Loona glanced at the way Blitzo was glancing around for trouble and then back. "You're not scared of us?"

"You don't look scary." Sweetie shrugged. "I'm a unicorn! Are you a diamond dog?" She looked to Blitzo. "And a goblin?"

"Can we fucking help you?" Blitzo sighed, butting Loona aside. "What do you want? You're looking to pick a fight by how it seems."

Loona grabbed Blitzo by the head and shoved him right back. "The little pony just wants to know what we are, Dad." She crouched closer to Sweetie's level. "Hey kiddo. I'm a hell hound, which doesn't mean much around here, but it's what I am." She hiked a thumb at Blitzo. "And that's an imp. From the same place."

Sweetie nodded, writing a few more notes down before looking up again. "Oh! And where did you come from?"

"Hell."

Sweetie giggled into a hand at the answer. "That's silly, of course you didn't! I was asking seriously, though. Is it a faraway place? Are you a royal, like the Princesses?" She danced in place with obvious excitement. "It's nice to meet you."

Loona ruffled Sweetie's well-managed locks. "Yeah, same. Your mom's looking nervous at us."

"That isn't my mom." Sweetie giggled as she pointed to Rarity. "That's my big sister!"

"Oh, so you're not an only?" Loona glanced over to Blitzo. "So, that's what it's like to have a sibling. Cute. I wonder what that'd be like."

Blitzo rolled his eyes at the thought. "I'm not adopting again just for you to find out. You'll live without a little sister." He pointed to the pony. "Good thing for you, you're even cuter than normal." He couldn't resist getting a pet in on the filly, which wasn't resisted. "God damn it all, the ponies around here are so fucking trusting."

Loona smirked. "Yeah, you'd think they'd be more cautious." Her attention returned to Sweetie. "Hey kid, do you know Princess Luna?"

"Everyone knows Princess Luna." Sweetie hugged herself, eyes shining with thoughts of the night ruler. "She visits and protects dreams of everypony! And she's really really nice and beautiful!"

Blitzo let out a groan as he rolled his eyes. "Gross, you got a crush on her."

"No, I don't." Sweetie shook her head, though her cheeks did flush a bit at the implication. "I don't have a special somepony."

Rarity casually swept Sweetie behind one of her legs with a nervous laugh. "So very sorry if she's bothering you two at all. Do you mind if we go on about our way? We were just going to do some shopping today."

"No trouble." Blitzo waved the question off with a scoff. "Your kid ain't doing nothing wrong by asking questions."

Author's Note

Most trips have an ending date, Loona.

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