Chapter Eight: A Modest Proposal

The scratching of a quill across paper broke the silence of the library tower, an absent, tuneless humming accompanying it as the quill made its progress across the page. The note to Spike completed, Twilight conjured a blob of hot wax, pressing it to the scroll with almost mechanical precision.

Now, to send this off to... oh.

“Teleport it, dear one. You are a unicorn, are you not?”

You know, I never even considered that would... I mean hypothetically there's no reason the spell must apply to living mass... now if I account for the astral drift from the thaumic uncertainty... okay, we are so doing this.

“That's the spirit.”

Arcs of purple and black energy rent the air as Twilight brought her considerable magic to bear on the scroll. Nearby bookshelves shook, tomes falling to the floor, as the magic coalesced into a deep purple field around the scroll, which winked out of existence with a snap of displaced air. Immediately, the magical field collapsed, leaving Twilight in darkness. She let out a shaky breath.

That was entirely too costly. We'll have to practise more...

She stepped out onto the balcony of the tower, the great gulf of night stretching out overhead. Something shifted sluggishly on a dark roof, catching her attention. Black and blue plumage, blending well with the black roof of the tower opposite hers, but she could just make out the form of a pony in the moonlight.

Princess Luna... why would she...?

The princess stared up at the moon, almost completely still on the black roof, but Twilight caught a few faint strains of a haunting song.

Looking up into the void, she felt vertigo take hold, the sky stretching and warping in her vision. With a pang of sadness, she turned away, squeezing her eyes tightly shut.

Terminus... I remember falling... was any of that real?

“Shh... dear one... I am sorry. I could not... could not protect you as I wished. It was all I could do to bring you back intact.” The soft, feminine voice carried a mournful edge to it, and Twilight felt a sudden guilt pass through her. Her hair exploded outward, the illusion wavering out as the hair expanded past its boundaries. Fierce exaltation clashed with crushing sadness, and Twilight bowed her head. Tears dripped down her cheeks, and she felt a longing for something that she couldn't quite explain.

W-what was that?

“That was... me. I believe the link is intensifying, perhaps due to your recent sojourn through the veil.”

Is... is that bad?

“I wish I knew more, dear one. My kind were not well known for forming pacts with mortal races. The Daemons of the Outer Paths frequently bartered deals with greedy mortals, however they were malevolent Beings who destroyed their pactmate from within, therefore they are not a good measurement.”

Y-you...

“No, I would not!” The voice actually shouted, indignation mixing with hurt, although the feminine tones lapsed further towards the hollow booming she remembered from her dreams. “How... how could you... I brought you back, dear one...” this came out as a hurt whisper, something tugging at her fringe. Twilight twitched, her cheeks growing warm.

I'm... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.. to... you help me so much, and I accuse you of... oh, I'm so, so sorry, Terminus!

“You are forgiven. It was a natural track for one's mind to take, given the information provided..."

A warm weight settled over her shoulders, and a soft something caressed her ears. It felt warm, squishy, yet also firm and unyielding. The contradicting senses confused her, but she snuggled against it as much as she was able. It felt good, even if it felt odd.

The princess felt strange too... mmh... a good kind of strange.

“She likely felt similarly, dear one. You too carry an aura... it was likely the first clue that all was not as it seemed.”

Why didn't you tell me I'd feel strange to her? She... she touched me just after I arrived. Twilight stumbled back inside, hopping back onto the bed.

“I did not realise quite how... physical... a relationship you had with your ruler.”

We don't, at least not really... I guess, now that you mention it, she did seem more willing to touch... Twilight gave a small moue of displeasure. Those eyes... I've never seen her sad. Well, not like that.

Celestia's face, tears dripping off her chin, hovering so close to her own while white hooves ran tenderly through her mane. That desperate grip on her shoulders, the whispered pleading...

“P-p-please, don't leave me... Twilight, n-not you too...”

Twilight frowned, her eyes hardening. Princess. I won't leave you. I never want to hear you plead with me... not like that. Never again. Never again... She sighed, hanging her head. I couldn't bear it.

Slowly, her eyes closed. Soft warmth enveloped her from behind, stroking her ears, and her black hair wrapped snugly around her like a silky blanket.

Mmmh... goodnight, Terminus.

“Sleep well, dear one.”

~~~

Twilight Sparkle dreamed. A soup of tiny creatures surrounded her, the fruits of her labours, while a steady stream of magic moved from them into her, sustaining her existence. The magosphere took form beneath her tentacles, and she buzzed softly to herself.

He will be so proud of me...

A sensory module pinged softly. Far beyond her vision, the first multi-cellular organisms were beginning to surface, possibilities exploding into existence within her mind. She would guide them, mould them to her ends... to His ends.

The Wellspring shone in the sky, a great beacon in the stars, and all was well. She stretched out segmented tendrils, propelling herself high over the surface-

~~~

“L-L-Lady T-Twilight, please p-put me d-d-down!” a terrified squeak woke her instantly. Twilight groaned, her eyes snapping wide open at the feeling of something snagged in her mane. She turned, cricking her neck painfully, and stared. Hoisted maybe a foot off the ground, a maid struggled, almost completely wrapped in black hair. Twilight's mouth worked soundlessly for a moment at the sight.

Terminus... just what in the sun’s name am I looking at?

“She attempted to wake you, and I suppose your mane did not appreciate the intrusion,” the voice sounded quietly amused at the whole situation.

What on Equestria is wrong with you!? Let her down!

An almost audible shrug. “I do not control your mane any more than you, dear one.”

Abo-wha-fine!

Twilight concentrated, picturing the knot unravelling, and miraculously it did as commanded, dumping the green unicorn onto the bed in an ungainly sprawl. She whimpered, scrambling away.

“W-wait, please... I'm sorry, I didn't mean...” She began, but the maid shot her a terrified glance, still backing away.

She called me 'Lady Twilight', right?

“I command you to um... stay, and allow me to explain,” she said a little hesitantly. The mare gulped, but nodded.

“Y-yes ma'am.”

Okay Sparkle, you can do this. Just like Dash... breathe, girl, breathe...

“Now... I, um... I had an accident while casting a spell, and now my mane and, uh, my tail are stuck like this. I don't know how to turn it back... I really, truly didn't mean for it to grab you, but it's a bit temperamental, and if you just got too close...” Twilight took a deep breath and smiled winningly, “I'm Twilight Sparkle, who might you be?”

“I, um... my name's Star Charmer, ma'am,” The maid said, looking away from the writhing black hair that framed Twilight's face, “Her Highness assigned me to be your servant. I-If you need one, that is...”

Oh, yes... the princess did say she would send a servant to attend me.

“I guess that means breakfast is ready, then?” Twilight gave a wry smile and rolled out of the small bed.

“Y-yes ma'am.” Twilight noted with slight guilt how Star Charmer's eyes widened as a personal illusion snapped into place over her, hiding the hair from view. “Um... pardon me for asking, but is it still...”

“It's just an illusion, the hair's still the same,” Twilight muttered. Her stomach rumbled loudly, and she grimaced. “All right, can you see about getting a telescope sent up here? Oh, and I want everything you can find on the subjects of 'Timberwolves' and 'Pony Biology'. I'll see you after breakfast, okay?”

“Yes ma'am” Star Charmer shuffled her hooves, eyeing Twilight sheepishly. Twilight gave one final nod, content that the situation had been resolved to the best of her ability, and exploded into a shower of purple and black sparks.

~~~

A soft, haunting tune filled the air, punctuated by the gentle scraping of a butter knife on toast. A slender white hoof added a generous amount of strawberry preserve, and brought the slice up to cracked lips. Celestia continued to hum to herself, even as she chewed, barely noticing the food turning to ash on her tongue. Her sister's song filled her ears, and she sank down in her seat, abandoning the useless food in front of her. After all, it wasn't necessary, and if it didn't taste good, there was no point at all.

Maybe we should just... start over?

She turned a baleful eye to Rock Steady, who stood stock still, eyes facing forward. To her mind, he exemplified ponykind in many of his mannerisms; gloriously short lived decisions, very little forethought, and a dangerous lack of imagination.

Maybe if we try again, they could become... more?

Her head sank down onto her hooves, resting her chin gently on the varnished wood, as she stared despondently out of the bay windows toward the morning sun. Luna's song continued to echo in the silence, rolling around and around in her head until she feared it might burst.

What must I do, sister? What must I do to make us whole again?

Suffer.

The answer returned to her, clear as day, from the recesses of her mind. Celestia grimaced, pushing the plate away. It fell to the floor with a comforting crash, shards of porcelain tinkling across the flagstones. It was enough to distract her from her gloomy thoughts.

She will help us. She didn't leave... she wouldn't leave me.

The thought of Twilight brought the same strange, floating sensation she had felt the night before, and the feeling of the little unicorn's hoof in hers returned to her. Cool and silky, yet warm and smooth beneath the aura, those glimmering purple eyes so close to hers. Celestia quashed the thought, playing idly with a shard of the plate.

No. It... no. She could not want me. Not like that. And I should not want her...

Celestia glanced at the clock. Morning court would not take place for another hour, but Twilight was late. I suppose life in Ponyville has helped her in other ways, too. Celestia gave a wan half-smile at the thought of the Twilight of old sleeping in.

Such a thing would surely require physical exhaustion, at least.

The air hummed softly to her refined ears, and Celestia sat bolt upright, unwilling to show Twilight her ungainly slump. At a thought, the shards shimmered, the plate returning to the table as if it had never broken. Her horn glowed gently, but that was mainly to keep Rock Steady, and any others who might be watching, secure in the knowledge that only unicorns were capable of powerful magic. And if Celestia sometimes quietly ignored the rules of unicorn magic, well, that would be a darned shame, wouldn't it?

Over the space of what seemed like an age to her, the air disgorged Twilight Sparkle, who managed to land mostly upright on the bench beside her. Celestia smiled widely at the slightly dazed look in Twilight's eyes, her heartbeat quickening and a blush dusting her pale cheeks.

Why? Why should any pony change me so? Twilight... why do you matter?

The little pony looked up at her with eyes like tiny stars, veiled beneath an illusion, and Celestia felt herself quiver gently. Further ruminations would have to wait, it seemed.

“Good morning, Twilight Sparkle. I trust you slept well?”

Twilight gave her a sunny little smile, “Very well indeed, Princess,” she hesitated, the smile turning guilty, “although I think the maid might not like me any more.”

Hundreds of possibilities, from racism to accidents, to a failed seduction whirled through Celestia's mind. Wait a moment! What was that last one!?

The mental image returned, Star Charmer pressed against Twilight while the purple unicorn whispered gently in her ear. Squirming, blushing, making feeble attempts to escape while Twilight's hoof traced further and further down...

Celestia looked away, feeling her face grow hot. Why, Twilight? This was meant to be impossible... I made this body such that it would not do this! And yet that seems to be ash in the wind before you, my little pony. She stole a glance at Twilight, who was poking through a bowl of fruit and seemed oblivious to her general train of thought. I'm so proud of you.

“And why,” She gently wet her lips, pushing down the images her brain seemed insistent to show her, “would poor Star Charmer have cause to dislike you, Twilight?”

Twilight gulped and dropped her apple, laughing nervously and rubbing her ear. “Um... my hair kind of... gave her a hug.”

Oh... oh dear.

“I trust you did not injure her?” Celestia raised an eyebrow.

“I-I don't th-think so-”

“She remains unharmed. Do not worry, Sun Princess,” a silky whisper cut across Twilight, who immediately stopped talking.

“Good morning to you too, honoured visitor,” Celestia forced herself to smile, wishing nothing more than to be able to excise the Being from her faithful student. That would not work, and you know it. Especially now. Even so, it seemed... wrong, for her precocious apprentice to be marred by the presence of another. And my presence is somehow better? I... these thoughts...no, it is worse.

Twilight winced slightly at that, and it took Celestia a moment to realise just how brittle the smile she was affecting would appear. She dropped the expression unceremoniously, slumping slightly in her seat.

“Thank you, Princess. The sunrise was quite beautiful.”

Celestia gave another smile, this one rather tired and completely real. Sleep was not actually necessary, but Luna's song had taken its toll, a constant reminder of her sister's isolation. The guilt... this settlement of differences... it should not have been this way, Luna. My fault, my fault... I can't fix this. Why can't I fix this? Around and around the question rolled in her head. The question she'd asked herself since Luna returned. The question whose answer continued to elude her. For the first time in millennia, her powers had been insufficient. It had hurt, to learn that. To finally find solid evidence that her powers were finite, limited in all the ways that mattered.

An icy presence pressed itself against her from the side, and she let out a sigh.

“You seem awfully distracted, Princess. Can I help?” A small mouth whispered against her neck. “Please, let me help.”

Celestia swallowed, running a hoof through Twilight's wild mane, feeling it coil around her like silken threads under the illusion of normalcy. “It's Celestia when we're in private, Twilight,” she said quietly.

“A-ah, yes, Celestia.” She felt Twilight blush, warmth clashing with the chill aura, and the princess shivered, wrapping her student in a loose hug.

You would like to help, little one? I almost wish you had not asked...

~~~

It still felt intolerably risky, hugging one's ruler. She'd hugged the princess before as a filly, and as a greeting, but somehow this was different.

I've hugged the princess, I guess... I've never cuddled with Celestia.

And yet here she was, pressed gently but firmly against silky white fur, half on top of the Princess of the Sun. Again.

What on Equestria am I doing here? Twilight glanced at Rock Steady, who seemed to be attempting to watch her discreetly, and turned away. Oh sun, I shouldn't be here...

Celestia shivered softly in her grip, before long legs wrapped around her, pulling her close. Half-lidded eyes regarded her, a small smile crossing the princess's face,

“Twilight Sparkle, you are a most remarkable pony.”

Twilight snuggled against the downy plumage of Celestia's wing, revelling in the fiery heat that seemed to surround the princess. At this, the alicorn jumped, letting out a little gasp.

“Oh, I'm sorry Pri— Celestia,” she murmured sheepishly, pulling away. The princess gave a soft snort, turning away from her, letting that long rainbow mane hide her face. The movement reminded Twilight so strongly of Fluttershy that she had to quickly stifle her giggles. After all, it seemed absurd.

“It is... quite all right, Twilight,” Celestia said, refusing to let her go. She sounds out of breath... or is that just her mane getting in the way? The princess shook the hair out of her face, nuzzling Twilight's ears gently. “Now, you wish to help? Are you certain of that?”

How can you ask me that?

“Absolutely, Princ— I m-mean, Celestia,” she corrected herself quickly when the princess shot her a reproachful glance, “I-I wouldn't leave you to do this alone.”

Celestia's face froze, and for a brief instant she looked as if she might be sick, but she hastily managed to recover into a semblance of blank neutrality, “B-be that as it may... what I have to ask of you may seem strange, and I ask you to trust me on this.”

She turned to Rock Steady, who still hovered at attention in the corner of the room. “Please, leave us,” She said, waving a hoof in the direction of the door.

“Aye, highness.”

He shuffled out of the great double doors leading towards the audience hall, leaving the two of them alone in the silence. As alone as we can get, I suppose. Twilight heard a hissing chuckle at that.

Alone, with the princess. On the Princess, even. Oh dear, oh sun...

Twilight twitched as she felt her heart go into overdrive, a hot flush spreading across her nose as the situation caught up with her. It felt so good. The soft fur, the heat, and the sound of the princess's heartbeat filling her ears. A heartbeat, she noticed, that was also getting rather fast. She was suddenly intensely aware of how sensitive certain areas were becoming, and looked nervously at the princess. Celestia was trying to hide an almost painfully obvious blush, and quietly cleared her throat.

“Perhaps we should-” They both began in unison. With a decisive nod from both parties, they separated, sinking back into their respective seats. Twilight's head swam, warm tingles shooting through her, but she managed to meet the princess' eyes steadily. Celestia chuckled uneasily, shuffling around slightly to get more comfortable.

“I would not ask you, Twilight, but I feel as if I have no alternative. I need you to stay with me for the next month, or longer if necessary.”

Twilight blinked, alarmed at the sudden mirth. “What about my friends?”

Celestia snorted at that, “Surely they could survive a month without you?”

A month? Unrestricted access to the Canterlot archives? Unrestricted access to... to Celestia? Maybe I can find what I need in the archive to help them. Help them all.

But something seemed wrong about the entire situation. “What do you need me to do?”

What could she possibly need me for? Is... is it the elements? No, she'd want the others here for that...

Celestia's face crumpled, and she turned to stare forlornly out at the morning cityscape.

Wrong, wrong, wrong... oh sun, why did I have to ask that...

“Twilight, I need you to talk to-” She hesitated, giving a watery laugh, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, “I need you to talk to my sister. Show her... wonder. Show her what you have shown me, my faithful student.”

I... oh my... Princess...

Twilight was vaguely aware that her mouth had fallen open. She worked her jaw for a moment, trying to come up with an intelligible response.

“W-w-why me?”

“Because I don't know who else to turn to, Twilight Sparkle!” Celestia snapped, tears trickling down her cheeks. “Please, Twilight. I... I don't know who else I could trust. I can't fix this alone...” the alicorn trailed off, her slender white neck sinking down until she rested her horn against the table with a dull clack. The sight of her mentor so distressed was a strange one to Twilight, and for an instant she hesitated.

I-I'm not sure I can do this by myself. Terminus, will you help me?

“So you are indeed going to-” The voice whispered urgently from beside her ear.

Of course! How could I not!? I couldn't leave her... I won't leave her to face this alone. I-I couldn't bear to even imagine facing down Nightmare Moon alone, yet my friends... my wonderful friends stood by me.

“If that is your choice, then I stand by you, dear one.”

“I–‒ we'll do it, Celestia.”

The princess sent her a look of such abject gratefulness that Twilight felt it almost denigrated the proud mare she knew. And loved. She looked away, embarrassed to be on the receiving end of such a look from her mentor.

“P-Please, Celestia. It's what any good pony would choose.”

The princess just stared at her with those weary pink eyes. “You know that isn't true, Twilight,” the alicorn said in a low voice, “Most would turn me away, discard me as a broken toy... were I not already princess of our people, at least, and then they would only choose out of hollow respect for my rank.”

“Then they aren't good ponies,” Twilight said simply, reaching forward to nuzzle Celestia's ear while it was still in reach. Celestia sighed quietly, leaning into the contact, closing her eyes.

“Perhaps, Twilight, perhaps.”

And so they lay there, not quite sharing a bench, speaking in whispers over matters varied and esoteric, until Celestia had to leave for morning court.

~~~

The book pile hit the desk with a very solid thump. Twilight mentally tallied up the books related to pony anatomy at a stack of thirty-one. The pile on timberwolves made a significantly less impressive sound, being comprised of two books, and a pamphlet on safe camping. Twilight looked at the piles dourly, attempting to will herself off the topic her mind had refused to let go of for the past hour.

What am I going to do? Princess Luna is going to kill me, and there's nothing I can do...

“I'm sorry, Lady Sparkle, it was all I could find in the register,” Star Charmer said, shooting Twilight an uneasy glance. Twilight returned a falsely sweet smile, sorting through the piles with expert efficiency. The hourglass emitted a puff of black smoke, spinning gently in its cradle while she fiddled with a notepad and several pencils, writing a scruffy list of objectives. It helped take her mind off the evening, so she mentally tallied this activity under 'helpful'.

“That's quite all right. Thank you for saving me the time, Star Charmer.”

And with that, they fell into an almost-comfortable silence as Twilight began to make notes, searching for anything that might be pertinent to her goals.

Hmm... so it might be possible to graft wings from a pegasus onto a unicorn, and keep them functional? No, no... there must be more to it than that. Celestia can walk on clouds like a pegasus, without the cloudhoof spell... would that help Rarity?

“And where would you procure the wings from, dear one?”

Good point. I can't exactly ask pegasi to give me wings... maybe some kind of limb donation service for dying pegasi? No, no... that's a stupid plan. Why did I even think of it?

“Indeed. It could have other applications, could it not? Suppose your good friend Rainbow Dash were to have a nasty collision with a tree?”

Oh, pegasi are much more durable than they look. I mean, if they weren't, Rainbow would probably break her wings every week! She'd spend more time in hospital than she spent flying, the amount of times that mare has flown into my house... which is a tree, by the way.

“An excellent point, dear one. I retract my statement. I do still hold that some form of organ transplantation might be of worth to your society, however, even if it does not pertain to the creation of alicorns.”

Hmmm... maybe you're right.

She hurriedly scribbled down a section on possible organ donation service for hospitals under a header marked 'Interesting'. She settled back down, slowly nibbling on the tip of a pencil, possibilities whirling through her head as she absently perused a chart on wing structure.

Do you suppose it would be possible to... grow new organs outside the body?

“It is definitely possible to do so, however I would likely be unable to help you in such an endeavour in my current state, dear one.”

Twilight twitched, sitting bolt upright on the bench. If she could engineer the growth of a unicorn horn...

Terminus! That's it! Wait... what do you mean, 'your current state'?

“I am operating at a limited capacity at present. I cannot, for example, control your ethereal mane to any particular degree. Nor am I as well equipped to protect you as I believe I should be. I am utterly incapable of manipulating matter that is not connected to you. Dear one... at present, I am barely functional.”

Twilight's pencil snapped in her mouth, and the little unicorn quickly spat out the jagged wood, her bench tilting backward dangerously.

“Ma'am, are you okay!?” A green hoof righted the bench easily.

“Thanks, Star Charmer,” Twilight offered the mare a small smile, settling back into her thankfully stabilised seat.

So, allow me to summarise... we lack the capacity to help my friends at present, you believe yourself to be broken, Celestia- Twilight felt her cheeks grow hot just at the thought.Let's not go there, and Princess Luna is going to kill me!

“We lack the capacity to help your friends using your current plan of action, dear one. There may be other ways and means.”

That won't matter if I'm dead, Terminus!

A slight movement caught her eye, and she turned to meet the orange eyes of Star Charmer, who blushed and immediately glanced away. Twilight smiled, eagerly grabbing the distraction with both hooves. “Are you sure you aren't bored? I mean, I'm sure this place has some novels, if you'd like to read.”

The maid seemed to light up immediately, before catching herself and settling primly in her bench, “Oh, that would be lovely! Um... I mean, if it's not bothering you, Lady Sparkle.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at that. It's so strange to have someone refer to me like that... as if I were some kind of noble. A mental image of herself, hair in a perfect coiffure like Rarity, sipping tea from something out of a glass-blower's wet dream forced her to suppress a snort. She grabbed the register almost carelessly, slumping backwards onto her bench.

“Hm... would Daring Do be acceptable?” Twilight flicked through the register with one hoof, her mind wandering.

Oh, Rainbow Dash. And I'd just got you reading regularly, too... It was an almost physical pain in her chest how much she would miss them all, even if she was only away for a month. Maybe I can-

“Uh, yes, that's fine ma'am.” Star Charmer's reply broke her out of her tangent, and she quickly retrieved the series in question. Twilight felt a brief pang of nostalgia as she hoofed the brightly coloured covers. Pity it took an actual broken wing to get you that far...

“Your friend is most stubborn. Perhaps it is lucky she is so durable.”

Twilight snickered, raising a hoof to her lips. “Here. Careful, they're first edition.” She grinned, passing the books to Star Charmer, who nodded easily. Twilight settled back onto her bench, twiddling a new pencil. After a few minutes, Star Charmer spoke up again.

“Lady Sparkle... why do you talk to yourself? I mean, if you don't mind me asking.”

Twilight shot the maid a look as if she had grown a second head, nearly dropping her pencil in the process. “I talk to myself? Since when?”

“Oh, um, like... when you're staring out the window, you giggle and get this look like you're listening to something... I don't know, I'm probably being silly.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, skimming the introduction of 'Cornus Lupis – A Guidebook For The Suicidally Curious'. “No, go on, I'm curious now.”

“W-well, it just seemed to me you must be talking to someone. Like, talking to yourself or something. I-It's probably just something stupid I came up with, please ignore my ramblings, ma'am.” Star Charmer twitched nervously, returning to her reading, leaving Twilight in a state approximating shell-shock.

Note to self. Keep at least two eyes on the scarily perceptive maid I have somehow acquired. Sun and Moon! The mare puts Pinkie to shame!

“Most interesting. I do believe we have a psychic on our hooves, dear Twilight.”

A what? Twilight blinked, then shut her mouth with a click. “O-oh, all right then. I-I will.”

Terminus' voice came out as a hiss of displeasure, “She is likely capable of seeing a small portion of the Outer Paths. It may enable her to read the actions of others with uncanny accuracy, although she appears to only do so subconsciously. It is likely she is unaware of this talent, or simply thinks herself good at reading emotion and intent.”

Twilight rubbed her jaw, careful to appear as if she were contemplating the text in front of her. Is she dangerous?

“Oh, so long as she remains unaware of her talent, the risks should be minimal. She may be marginally aware of my voice, for example, although unli-” Twilight watched Star Charmer's ear flick, a slight frown crossing her face, “As I was saying, dear one... it is also a probable reason for the violent reaction you witnessed this morning. Also, as an aside, she makes me uneasy, I am ashamed to say.”

Twilight massaged her ears, frustration warring with bemusement as she attempted to apply this new information.

Just great. So my mane hates my maid, my maid dislikes being near me, you apparently dislike being near my maid... Celestia dislikes being near you... argh!

“Please, dear one, do not attempt to think on it too hard.”

Oooh... it is a tiny bit late for that...

The sun climbed in the sky, but for Twilight Sparkle, it seemed to crawl. The book pile on pony biology got steadily smaller, while her frustration grew. Nothing. There was no shortage of other ideas which might be helpful to somepony somewhere down the line, but nothing that she could use to help her friends.

“Perhaps it would be pertinent to think on what we might say to Princess Luna, in the meantime?”

Twilight's horn embedded in the desk with a quiet 'thock'.

Author's Note

Thanks to Professor Plum, Simon_oSullivan and Kaldanor for proofreading this at various points. Go look at their stuff.