It was supposed to be a day like any other in Canterlot... well, that was the source of the problem. Nothing ever happened anymore, no threats like Discord, no problems in the court, just nothing. The pranks that she and her sister played on each to lighten the dreadful life of routine, had fallen dull. Even her protege's letters hadn't been a source of joy to read as they once were given that Twilight's studies had advanced and now was submitting theory's on the very basis of magic instead of the magic of friendship. What she needed was a vacation.
Walking through the palace was a very simple routine, especially if the caste hadn't exactly changed much through a millennium. The day court had been nothing noteworthy, as usual. Blueblood complaining about his reputation, members of the court trying to get some sort of special treatment, the usual guard report .The smile she wore was a perfected art at this point, with very few being able to see past it. Luna however, knew better.
As the day was nearing a close, Celestia noticed it was time for her evening tea with Luna, something that was almost always the most enjoyable part of her day. Though the banishment of her sister had created a rather large rift in their relationship at the time, it had in time began to close again, and the two could now share a rather lovely cup of tea together and reminisce about earlier times. Lost in her thoughts, she almost failed to realize she had reached her destination until Luna had called out.
"Good Evening Tia," Luna said attempting to hide a rather large smile.
"And to you dear sister" Celestia replied with a smile, quite curious at what Luna was so excited about.
"I have quite a surprise for you, and before you say no don't think i haven't noticed you moping around the castle the last few weeks." Luna paused while taking a sip of her tea. "Your going on vacation!" Luna practically yelled as she threw her hooves into the air.
Celestia sat there for a moment deciding whether she was more concerned or confused at Luna's last statement. "I beg your pardon?"
"You heard me sister," said a rather excited Luna "I have already arranged for you to be gone in 2 weeks time on a much needed vacation, and... as stated as before I will NOT take no as an answer."
Celestia shifted to one side and gave out a small sigh. "Oh, I am quite fine as I am right now, and as you know there are many matters that still need to..."
"You will NOT use that as an excuse this time sister." Stated a slightly annoyed princess as she levitated a rather sizable piece of paper towards them. "I have already talked with several members of the court, including your personal student, whose opinion I know you treasure. They have all agreed that this is a good thing, and what kind of monarch doesn't respect the wishes of her people." Luna finished with a hint victory in her voice.
"Sister, I do appreciate the thought, but I really do not have need of a vacation. I am quite happy here in Canterlot. I also believe that you are still not fully acquainted with all the laws need for the day court?" Celestia remarked hoping to close the matter.
"You may have a point there sister," Sighed Luna seemingly defeated. "but surely you didn't think that I wouldn't have thought of that." A mischievous smile creeping onto her lips. "And so I have asked that during this time Twilight Sparkle would assist me in matters of the court, and she has quite happily agreed to."
"You what?" asked Celestia slightly unbelieving. Luna had pulled her trump card.
"Exactly as I said dear sister. You will be going on that vacation and that is final. The only decision in this matter is where you would like to go." Finishing the last of her tea, Luna left the room, leaving a rather confused Celestia sitting in the garden.
The next week or so happened rather quickly, Luna obviously gloating over her victory was planning all the details over the entire month that Celestia was apparently taking off. Twilight had arrived a few days after her discussion with Luna and was very enthusiastic if not panicking over all the rules and responsibilities she had to learn in such a very short time. The few discussions Celestia had with Twilight seemed to go the same way each time. They would chat for a few minutes about one of her letters of friendship. Talk about her latest theory in magic, the current one being on mass teleportation and whether or not it was possible to setup a system where one pony could act as a relay halfway between the start and end points to maximize the distance. Ultimately though the ending subject would be about the upcoming vacation and Twilight assuring her that they would be fine and that this would help relieve her stress.
Celestia sighed while laying on her bed. Ironically the biggest source of stress in her life right now was this vacation. Luna had given her free reign of her destination, but that didn't make it any easier to choose. Her first choice would have been ponyville if she wouldn’t be recognized by Pinkie pie almost instantly, regardless of whether she was in disguise or not. Manehatten was a rather large city with an excellent array of cultured events.... but at the same time it was also one of the more dangerous cities to be in, and while not concerned for her own safety, she would rather not need to use her power to put some criminal gang in jail because they were gawking at her. No, what she needed was a place like ponyville, nice and quiet, but still a busy enough to not leave her... for lack of a better word, bored. She idly wondered what is was like in the griffon kingdoms.
The next problem would be her disguise. Hiding one's cutie mark is a simple matter, clothing usually does the trick when needed, but illusion spells aren't really that hard to perform. Shrinking is actually quite easy when your an alicorn, another simple spell and voila a normal sized pony. Her name? Well you can't exactly go about using the same name can you... Well that was something for another time.
