Looping Over Feeling

There were many places Celestia could be in the Castle. The throne room was always the first presumed spot. Next was her office. Her bedroom was a close third. However, Sunset knew that Celestia was feeling guilty and when Celestia was feeling guilty—

She went to the gardens.

Every moment was clear in her mind. The crunch of snow underhoof. The howling of the wind as it attempted to consume the small garden tucked away off the main path. The moon as it shone down, lighting her form like a spotlight on a stage.

Celestia looked at peace. So much so that Sunset wondered if she had possibly wanted this. The cause of death was obvious. A hollow where her heart once was. Impossible by normal means, but for him that was more than manageable.

She felt roiling emotions inside of her. She was quick to squash them. It was the end of this loop and that meant that she needed her wits about her to deal with him.

A looming shadow signified his arrival. It covered her in its darkness, quieting the howling of the wind to a mere whisper. It provided temporary shelter from the snow, but was significantly more dangerous than anything mere weather could do.

“Merry Hearth’s Warming, Sunset.”

“Buck you, Krampus.”