The door to Twilight’s study opened gently, old hinges alerting Twilight to any possible attempt at stealth. Evidently her latest unwanted visitor had also realized that, and gave a polite cough. Twilight looked up.

It was her mother. Her actual mother.

Of course. Who else would it be?

“What do you want?” Luna cringed, and Twilight pulled back a bit. Had the Princess been crying?

“I… merely wished to see how you were doing.”

“I’ve been yelling a lot,” Twilight grumbled. “Using the Royal Canterlot Voice and everything, I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole castle knows about my secret interpersonal drama.”

“Indeed, it seems you are determined to give a particularly epic dressing down to each member of your immediate family.”

“You know what? I think I have a right to.”

“Yet… you are not upset with me? I would have assumed I would be a ready source of emotional pain,” Luna gave her a guilty look. Twilight hoped it wasn’t deliberate.

“I’m trying to… I think you’re going through a lot too. I’m not trying to be a mean pony, I’m not. If anything, I blame Princess Celestia. She’s… got a lot to answer for.”

“She is your aunt.”

“I know.”

“She loves you.”

“Does she?” Twilight flashed her a look. “You at least have an excuse, what’s hers?”

Luna huffed. “Are you going to be curt and standoffish to everypony that attempts to help you, daughter? Did you not just insist that you are not a ‘mean pony’?”

“Sorry. I guess,” Twilight shrugged, expressionless. “I’m lashing out in ways I’ve never done before.”

“It is a difficult adjustment. But that is no excuse for making your beloved cry.”

Twilight gave her a confused whinny. “I beg your pardon?”

“Pinkie Pie? Is she not… oh, what’s the term ponies use nowadays, your ‘girlfriend’? Yes?”

Twilight blushed furiously, embarrassment cutting through all the indifferent anger like a disgruntled automotive repair shop owner in an armored bulldozer plowing through lemon meringue.

“She’s not… We’re not…” She sputtered, but her red face only made Luna all confident.

“Are you that physically affectionate with all your friends?”

“Yes! I mean… not exactly. Pinkie’s just… she’s just like that.”

“And you like that she is ‘like that’, yes?”

“No! I mean yes, I mean, of course I do. That doesn’t mean we’re dating.”

“Has she thrown a pie in your face yet?”

“Why would that make a difference?”

“As I understand it, it is the traditional form of courtship for Fools.”

“You’re basing that off one single data point!”

“And you’re avoiding the question,” Luna gave her a smug smile.

Twilight looked down, shyly.

“Several times. It’s usually cherry pie.”

“A-ha!”

The smaller alicorn huffed, righteously indignant as she slammed her book down. “You know what, I liked it better when you were trying to convince me to give a damn about Celestia! I’m going to the library.”

“Twilight, I didn’t mean—”

“Don’t bother following if you’re just going to act like a nosy mom. At least you’ve got that down pat,” Twilight trotted out, slamming the door shut behind her. Luna’s triumph over having won the argument quickly gave way to motherly shame.

She hadn’t meant to come off as teasing. How was it that a thousand years had passed and she was still terrible at the whole mother thing?

Dejected, Luna inched over to the book her daughter had been reading, glancing at the cover. It made her raise an eyebrow.

“The Physics and Orbital Mechanics of Juggling?”

Author's Note

Short chapter this time. Sometimes things are awkward like that.

Thanks to Trolleytrainer for the proofread.