The Inner Demons of Gods

"Gluttony is an emotional escape, a sign something is eating us." ~ Peter de Vries

The rest of the day had gone horribly since the first meeting. Every time something glinted off of a watch, necklace, or anything worth money got Celestia into a barely containable fidgeting all day long. Every single meeting always had that one diplomat or guard with the shiny object that caused Celestia to look at the object longingly. At around the final meeting, Celestia had already taken five watches, eight rings, and about three sets of earrings without anyone or herself noticing. Even when the meeting ended everyone was more uncomfortable around Celestia by now. Her hair had become a bit of a dull pink, her skin was a few shades paler than normal, and she overall looked tired. By the time Celestia had gotten out of her throne, she was the only one left in the room, well except for the worried duelist waiting for her at the door.

"Sister, are you all right?"

"Yes, Luna. I'm fine." Celestia walked down the hallway, with her stolen goods hidden under her disheveled feathers. "I'm just a little tired. It has been a long day for the both us of." She walked over to her door and was about to close it when she felt Luna staring at her. "What is it Luna?" Celestia sighed.

"Tia, you've been a little 'off' for the past couple days. I think you deserve a break from your duties." Luna stated matter-of-factly.

"Luna, for the last time, I'm per-"

"No your not. Tomorrow barely has any meetings anyway, so I think all the diplomats would understand if you took a couple days off."

Celestia was about to argue that she was perfectly fine, but then remembered the two entities she had met so far, constantly regretting the next one she would have to face. Celestia shrugged and gave in to her sister.

"Alright Luna, I'll take the next couple of days off. Only for you." Celestia weakly smiled at Luna before closing her door and collapsing onto her bed. "Lets just get this over with." Is all Celestia muttered before fading into sleep.

Celestia found herself again in the same black void that she had been visiting for the past two nights. Her eyes fell onto the next figure that she would be hating for the rest of the night. His coat had a slight sickly orange mixed in with a dirt brown. His mask had a satisfied grin on it, while his cheeks were slightly plump.

"We meet again, mother."

"Gluttony, I presume? You truly do look disgusting." Celestia said, scrunching up her nose in revulsion.

"You catch on quickly, Celestia." A scene flickered in the background, causing Celestia to shield her eyes before another night in Canterlot played out. "Let's see if you remember this."

A small bar in the middle class district hummed with life, giving off echos of laughter and bets from the inside. Celestia and Gluttony were pulled through the doors and into the bar, which on any other night would be tending to a weary knight or scholar from the troubles medeval Equestria offered. But this night was very different. The tables that were normally lined up in rows were haphazardly pushed to the corners of the building. The only table that wasn't moved was piled with shot glasses, a pink haired woman drunkenly slurring her words on one side, while a black haired knight was practically falling off the table. After downing another drink, the knight looked slyly at his competitor while he put the next shot up-side-down.

"That's twenty-three shots, Sunny Days. Think you can top that?" The knight said, trying not to slur any of his words.

"You wish, Shteady Shwords." She said before face planting onto the table.

"Looks like you lose, girl." He grinned while the entire crowd cheered, but that quickly died down when Sunny Days grabbed a nearby bottle of Vodka and downed thirty shots worth before face planting again. "Crap." Is all he said before falling back in his chair.

"Drinksh on me!" This caused the most cheerful of crowds to rush to the bar, while 'Sunny Days' ordered another bottle of Bourbon before passing out again.

"You were quite the glutton in the days afterwords. I enjoyed the shot contests personally." Gluttony chuckled as the scene changed to the same bar, but it had aged considerably, looking about a few hundred years older. Only one figure was in the bar. "You really let yourself go when you started drinking." The memory before them showed a Celestia that looked like a ton of bricks had hit her. "I did wish that this could've continued, but all good things must end."

One of Canterlots guards walked in and straight towards Celestia. She gave the guard a poisonous glare before returning to her drink, slamming it down like a glass of water.

"Ma'am, I know who you are. I suggest you come back to the castle with me." He got a hold of one of her arms before getting spat on. He rubbed the spit out of his eyes before sighing and sitting down next to her. "You missed three meetings already, Princess. I suggest you come with me."

"Why should I? All the diplomats only care about how they feel, never about how the ones that protect them feel." Celestia sniffled a bit. "They've even demonized 'her'. Making her into a boogeyman for their children."

"You mean Luna?" Celestia looked up at the guard, curiosity asking a question in her eyes. "I know about her,yes. Do I demonize her, no." He took of his helmet, revealing a large burn on his face.

"When I was about ten, a couple bandits raided my village, setting it ablaze. My house was one of the first to burn." HE ran a finger down his left cheek, wincing at the pain that caused it. "My brother got me out after it happened, although the damage had already been done. He carried me into the forest, but he didn't carry me that far into it." He picked up an arrowhead from a necklace that hung on his chest. "Right through the lung, started coughing up blood when the moon was at midnight. It was my only companion before villagers from the next town over found us." He put his helmet back on before standing up again. "I know what it feels like. Please, let me help you." He cautiously stuck out a hand, before being rewarded with a soft smile from Celestia.

"I think it's time to go sober for a while."

The void swallowed the scene again, leaving only Gluttony and Celestia in the blackness. Celestia looked evilly at Gluttony, tears going down her cheeks as she remembered all the years wasted in sorrow and self pity.

"What are you going to do now, shade?"

"What do you mean, mother?"

"I mean the tor-" Celestia fell knee-deep muck that suddenly appeared. It started to slowly swallow her as she tried to get free. It was the color of bile, and it gave off the same smell. The last thing she saw before the blackness again was Gluttony gorging himself on the muck.

Celestia once again woke up with a cold sweat, looking around for Gluttony. Once she calmed down, she walked out of her room and proceeded towards the banquet hall, insatiably hungry. She sat down at her usual spot, asking for some tea before giving her orders to the chef.

"What would you like today, Celestia?" One of the waiters asked.

"Hmmmm......." Celestia thought for a few moments before giving her answer. "Everything."

"Okay then, we'll just....... wait what?!"

"I said everything. Which means everything."

The waiter walked nervously back towards the chef, telling him Celestias order.

"This is going to be a long day." Said the chef before putting on a serious face.