After Day

Today has been the best day.

It was supposed to be another boring week of paperwork and whining nobles. The only things to look forward to were the nightly meetings with my sister and Twilight Sparkle's report on Friday. Everything else was going to be a slog.

Then, my little student popped in for a visit. A surprise for sure, but a welcome one. We talked a bit about this and that, but mainly on the nature of certain spells. I tried to steer conversation, yet she was steadfast in getting certain information.

She had done so with such a practiced ease. It wasn't as if she was demanding certain answers, more like she was pushing just the right buttons to get the responses she needed. I didn't even realize how thoroughly I'd been played until hours after I had granted Twilight full permission to the restricted section of the library.

It was rather... exciting if I were being honest with myself. Twilight was sent to Ponyville to improve her social skills and to mature as a young mare. It was all in preparation for her to seize her destiny and any doubts I may have had on her progress flitted away. If she could just about talk me out of a slice of cake then she would be quite the worthy opponent of any diplomacy meeting. Seeing such a mare flourish was going to be the greatest high.

"Once you're ascended and a hundred years have passed, would our relationship still be that of teacher and student? Do you think our bond could deepen and blossom into something new?"

"Agoobaba."

"Yeah, I suppose I should focus on the here and now."

"Abooobooda."

I laughed and cradled the foal closer, nuzzling the little ball of purple fluff with barely restrained joy. "Of course, your food is on route, my little pony. I'm sorry about the wait, but as bountiful as I may appear, I have no milk to give. We must wait for my sister to return from the royal kitchens."

"Ggghhh-ppttthhh."

"Oh, you flatterer." A faux warmth flowing through my cheeks. "Most say that I should lay off the cakes, but I've always kept my treats as strictly a monthly affair. Even if I were to overindulge, it would quickly become apparent how everything goes to my flank and tea-"

"Can you actually understand her?" My eyes widened and I paid attention to Spike sitting beside me.

How long had he been there? The whole time? Darn, I lost myself to the cuteness that was Twilight Sparkle as a baby filly. Oh, right, I should explain that.

The meeting with Twilight yesterday wasn't why today was the best day. It certainly set the mood, I woke up feeling refreshed and looking forward to seeing my student. I merely placed a foot out of my quarters when Spike bumped into me in a scramble through the halls. He was frazzled but otherwise safe, more concerned about the bundle he was holding than anything else.

The adorable ittle, wittle bundle of sunshine and happiness that was Twilight Sparkle as a foal.

"She's practically a yearling, Spike. Nothing she says has much meaning at all." I nuzzle into her stomach and enjoy a chorus of giggles.

"Then, why?"

"It's good for their development." I used a wing to pet him. "Twilight and I did the same for you, my little dragon."

"So, Twilight isn't in there somewhere?" He scrunched his brow. "She's full baby?"

"I suppose." I held Twilight up a bit so she could stare at me with dem big ol' eyes. No thoughts but that of innocent fantasies. "I passed a few spells over her and didn't come up with anything. Her mental state has regressed with her age."

"Oh." He slouched and sank back to the floor. "So, she doesn't remember me? Or, anypony?"

"Do not worry, Spike. I'm certain that her memories are still intact. She was rather calm while you scurried around the Castle. She still trusts her Number 1 Assistant, regardless of age." The dragon perks up a bit. The foal's little hoofies started kicking in my direction. "And, this little one definitely still loves me like I love her. Yes, I do."

I smother the infant in kisses causing her to giggle up a storm. Spike livens up, his tail waggling slightly, as one should when bearing witness to this adorable little cluster.

"Uh, Princess?" A shy voice comes from the door. One of my assistants needed my attention.

"Yes?" What could anypony possibly want?

"The Earl of Trottingham has been awaiting your presence for the last hour. They're getting antsy."

One breath in, one breath out. "Okay. Let's not keep him waiting any longer." I settle Twilight on my back between my wings.

"Are you bringing the child with you, Princess?"

"Why, of course." Stupid question.

"I do believe the Earl would find offense."

To Tartarus with the Earl.

"It's okay, Celestia." Spike speaks up. "I can watch her until Luna gets back. Then, we'll feed her and figure out how to fix things."

I use magic to pull Twilight from my back and look between her and Spike. "That- that makes sense. Thank you, Spike. I'll finish up my business and return posthaste." I gradually hover the little foal away, those little hoofie kicks started up to try and bring her back to me.

"Gagadobado!" Her mouth was quivering.

"It's okay, my little pony. Let Spi-Spi look after you."

"Ptttthhhh-yah!" Her big ol' eyes were starting to tear up.

"I won't be long. Back before you know it." I place Twilight into Spike's care and slip out of the door. I could already feel a pang of despair. It's not as if I'm abandoning the filly, I won't even be leaving the building.

She'll be fine. Spike and Luna are more than capable of handling her for a few long, grueling hours.

"Ma- Mama!"

The world came to a halt the moment the word slips through the closing door. I barely register anything as I make a beeline to the filly in the other room. It didn't matter that there was now a wall in the way, it was naught but a delay against the might of an alicorn.

As soon as Twilight was back within my hooves, I held her closer than ever. "I'm so sorry, Twilight. I'm here. Mama's here. I'll never leave you, again, baby." Was I crying? I was definitely crying. "My baby filly, my sweet baby, my Twiiiiii-"

I stopped caring about the babble spewing from my mouth, it wasn't a priority when I had perfection right before me.

"I should've figured." I barely heard my assistant's voice.

"Has this happened before?" Spike had wisely stepped away from being between a mare and her foal.

"Yeah. Although, last time it was a baby dragon."

[A failure. I successfully cast the spell, but I have no memory of what happened afterward. Even if I could, I doubt that spell would be effective. When stepping outside of time, it doesn't seem to matter how old I am. I'll either rapidly age or regress until death.

I don't need more time. I need eternity.]