As always, Silent Majority was in top form. He effortlessly countered every argument thrown against him, even those made by his most bitter and aggressive rivals. It was no secret that Celestia tended to favor him in these debates, but she kept her little mouth shut and let him stand on his own merits. She wasn't supposed to show favoritism after all, even when his opponents were way out of line.

Not that anypony asked for her opinion very often. When it came to things like extending certain holidays or honoring war veterans, she was more than happy to give her two bits. But for the most part she just sat back and let them argue their differences away. It was a marvel, to see how far the legislature had come since its founding. And, if she were being embarrassingly honest, it was almost frightening how self-sustaining it had become.

A shiver ran down Celestia's spine. For as much time it required, she prided herself in her attentiveness to her subjects' various needs. But for hundreds of years, ever since Magna Carta founded the system, it had grown steadily more powerful and all-encompassing, tending to even the most basic needs and wants of the public. It was invading her domain. How much longer before it grew beyond her influence?

Nevertheless, this was her favorite time of the week. So many of these ponies were her friends – Silent Majority, Secret Ballot, Vote Splitter, Rhetoric, Minority Rule, Cloud Nine, Bleeding Heart, Bully Pulpit – she knew them and their goals well. And though they were all different, and all assertive (sometimes aggressive) when it came to their agendas, she knew that in their hearts they wanted what was best for Equestria.

It almost brought a smile to her face.

But she just couldn't let go of the fact that it was still work.

When the session called for break, Celestia barely had time to slip out for a glass of water before her aid was upon her. The package looked harmless, but Celestia knew it contained the letters, all the letters, that had arrived for her while the session was going.

She briefly thanked her assistant and turned her attention to the letters. She opened them quickly, scanning the names and first few lines for anything important. Most of them were the typical “would you honor us with your presence” stuff she was used to, and one or two of them mentioned court cases. There was even one inquiring about a royal pardon; that might be interesting.

She stored these letters for later and then turned to the very last. She recognized her sister's scrawl (even when using magic her sister's hoofwriting was deplorable) and stopped to read the update. According to Luna, the meeting with the Vulpine Merito– Celestia snorted trying to stifle a laugh. Her sister had called the Vulpine Meritocracy the Vulpine Kleptocracy instead. Say what you want about Luna not understanding humor – her political satire was always right on the mark.

Celestia returned to the letter. Negotiations were going fine and they were still hoping to convince the nation to drop most of their most recent tariffs on imported works, and maybe even a few older ones. Celestia smiled at the news. She knew she had been right in sending Luna. Maybe she could send her to the UTA… were donkey's even smart enough to be outwitted by her? Celestia scolded herself for the mean (not racist though; no, that was a fault for other ponies to have) thought and folded the letter back up.

Blank Check was standing alone in a corner with only his drink and a potted plant to keep him company. Ever since his reelection, which he had won in a landslide despite the evidence mounted against him, the other legislators had done their best to shun him. Celestia, of course, had refused to comment on the trial. The public had spoken when they reelected him regardless of the charges. Besides, acquitted meant not guilty.

So she wandered over to him, noting casually, “Nice plant you've got there.”

“Oh? I suppose,” he replied, “Not mine, though.”

“Something on your mind?”

“I'm sorry, Princess,” he said, “It's nothing.” She'd been around the block enough times to know when a pony was holding back tears. But all those years had also taught her when not to push an issue. She stood there silently, shooing away Bully Pulpit and Vote Splitter when they tried to approach. Though she said nothing, Blank Check still deserved her full attention. Simply being there for her friends had worked wonders in the past.

The council returned from break shortly after, and Blank Check made for the door immediately, apparently not wanting to give her another chance to speak. She watched him go with sorrow, angry at herself for not finding a better way for dealing with these situations, and angry at mortals in general for being so fragile. But it was an empty anger, and faded quickly. She caught Silent Majority watching her from afar, but gave him a look to warn him away.

As soon as the word “Manehatten” left the Speaker's mouth, Celestia was out of it. Manehatten was a wonderful place, wasn't it? She'd always particularly enjoyed the theater. A little hard to enjoy a show, granted, when everypony insisted on giving her special treatment every time she went; hard to hear what's going on with someone offering to fluff her pillow or bring her a drink every three seconds. But what else were disguise spells for, anyway? It wasn't technically abuse of power to use it for herself once in a while. Or was it that using the spell that way was abusive only on a technicality? How long ago was that debate? Did she even care anymore? Such a beautiful city. Beautiful sights. Grand historical sights. How many pictures and portraits of her standing before them were there from over the ages? She'd seen some magnificent structures torn down in her time. Not personally, of course, she was too busy to attend the destruction of every place she holds fondly...

It was only then that Celestia realized that every eye in the room was on her.

“Um…” she racked her brain for a moment, “I agree with Bleeding Heart. There's no valid reason to go through with the extra precautions.”

Clearly she had said something wrong, because for a moment the only sound that could be heard in the grand chamber was a stray cough.

“Princess,” the Speaker addressed her, “We've moved on from that topic. We were asking you about the dates for this years Summer Sun Celebration.”

Celestia turned a bright shade of red before stammering out an apology. A few murmurs could be heard at this, probably just little bursts of laughter from the other legislators.

As soon as the meeting ended Celestia was headed for the door. Her heart leaped as she crossed the threshold, for she was free!, only for her joy to be dashed again when a familiar voice called her name.

“Princess Celestia,” Majority Whip addressed her, “I've been meaning to talk to you about state of affairs in Cloudsdale. Those… eccentric sarosians, ever so in the spotlight since your sister's glorious return, have insisted that their accommodations and status are not satisfactory. They continue to overstep their…”

She went on for another five minutes, and was followed by similar legislators asking for her to validate their opinions. She heard about abortion, flight restrictions, drug transport, failsafe spells, and somepony might have even mentioned the issue of Victory Junction. But eventually she was free, and gone before another distraction could arise.

She opened the door to her throne room just a crack to make sure nopony was inside before slipping in. Other than the two guards on duty, there was nothing to suggest anypony else was waiting for her with things to be done. Stifling a sigh, she made her way to the throne. Briefly she closed her eyes and dreamed of another place. There was no point in watching where she walked; the straight route from the door to the throne was so familiar she believed she had, once or twice, made it there in her sleep.

Without peeking, she took the familiar seat and reached over to grab the small hanging rope in her mouth. She tugged it once, causing the little bell to give off a sharp *ding*. A second later when she opened her eyes, a new assistant was already before her.

“Please bring me a parchment and quill,” she asked, and the assistant was gone and back in the blink of an eye. Celestia took the supplies and began writing.

My Dear Spell Nexus,

I was pleased to see the size of this most recent semester's honor roll that you

presented to me. It seems that the new teaching implements you insisted on have

worked to your advantage. You've made a much better headmaster to my school

than I ever could have. And I'll have you know that this is not an idle compliment. I

don't want to hear you calling me a liar in your next letter, understood?

Your report on that special colt I asked you to look into was just what I wanted. Don't

tip him off that I'm looking in on him (the poor boy would be scared out of his wits),

but encourage him. I can't imagine a brain like that, even in a school of gifted

unicorns, would lead to him being very popular. You of all ponies should know what

it's like to shun your own abilities when they make you stand out. If he keeps up this

good work, we may even have to introduce him to miss Sparkle. I believe she had a

similarly disastrous entrance exam. You remember that, I hope?

Forever yours,

Tia

P.S. I wanted to ask if you were going to attend Luna's birthday party next month. I

know you have a busy schedule, but you could use a single night off to enjoy yourself.

It will be a small and intimate gathering, but it won't be the same without you.

With that done, she rolled up the scroll and tied it with a ribbon. Floating it down to her assistant, she said, “Deliver this to Spell Nexus posthaste.”

After shifting the sun briefly to its appropriate position, she decided that she would not have a better chance to get back to work. Not her royal duties, that is, but the work that actually counted.

Though, as Celestia mused while she treaded the stairs to the highest tower, that wasn't to imply that her royal duties were unimportant. No, simply that this is what managed to catch the brunt of her attention. And now that every new amendment to the law seemed to exclude her more and more, she could more freely turn to her private studies without the fear of being negligent weighing down on her mind.

The door locked behind her and Celestia was immediately overwhelmed by the familiar scents of the room. Mold spores and sulfur fumes were a welcome and familiar tint in the air, and the soft, radiating light of different colors a welcome sight for the eyes.

The lab was small and cramped, with tables of strewn-out books, some first editions that had been burned by a spilled concoction as she strained to read the words in the faded light, ultimately losing her grip on her vials and bowls and letting her hard work spill everywhere. There was no need to be cautious. She had until the sun went out to study and enjoy herself. There was no seriousness here, and nothing showed that better than her notebooks where she collected her studies on paper.

Third attempt at making a love potion, still turns you purple…

I didn't think that taking a nap upside down would help my divination skills anyway; can't believe the sarosians are capable of sleeping like that…

As I was turning my latest batch of copper ore to gold for my new experiment, I hiccuped and interrupted the spell. I'm not sure what it turned into now, but I have it in a cage and am attempting to study it. It seems to feed on soot by absorbing it through pores in it's… skin? Membrane? Whatever. I think I'll name it Lucky.

Speaking of this last one… Celestia glanced up into Lucky's cage. It was three times the size it had started as. She was almost worried it would start moving, and then she'd have to show it to somepony else for a second opinion.

Whatever it was, she was dangerously close to calling it a life form, and that worried her.

But now was not the time nor the place for worries! She picked up her latest notebook, having finally found it under an overturned cauldron caked with mustard, and opened to a fresh new page. And then, she finally began her work for the day.

Author's Note

And now, the exciting continuation of: The Superfluous Author's Notes!

I think that "kleptocracy" joke might be a bit high-brow even for me. I almost didn't think that possible.

Spell Nexus was introduced in Past Sins as the headmaster of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.