An Unexpected Party

by Gallifrey

Day to Night and Night to Day

Celestia looked from her bedchambers at the Sun as it began to set over Equestria and smiled.
She was in her bed after a long day holding personal audiences with many ponies, including ponies who considered themselves of great importance, but who to Celestia’s eyes were ever so boring. She recalled a pony called Lord Arlbemarch seeing her earlier in the day in the Great Hall of Canterlot Palace. He had walked up to her holding his head high and with a gold rimmed monocle on his right eye.

“Princess Celestia,” he had begun, “I come to you with a proposition, you see my wife and I have--”

Celestia had pretty much zoned out after that, occasionally stifling a yawn.

“--connections in Fillydelphia--”

She found it ironic how she couldn’t stand these mind-numbingly tedious ponies, yet it was part of her job to be surrounded by them.

“--annual profits of--”

She wondered what Twilight was up to… her dearest Twilight…

“Personally I think it would be a capital idea for me to go forth with it. What do you think Your Highness?”

Think fast! She thought to herself. She smiled warmly.

“I agree,” she said, having no idea at all what she was agreeing with, “Do keep me informed with how it goes won’t you?”

“Certainly, Your Highness,” he had said.

Celestia snapped out of her memory, grinning. If he ever did write back, at least she’d have a little extra fuel for her fires. No, she much preferred the humble ponies with humble issues to discuss, such as last week when a couple with a new-born foal asked her for advice on what to name him. He was a blood red colt with a yellow mane and after about twenty minutes’ brainstorming Celestia suggested Fire Dancer, which the parents thought was perfect. Celestia also gave the foal her blessing. They had left overjoyed and leaving Celestia with a warm fuzzy feeling in her heart.

She came back to reality again and realised it was time to set the Sun. She walked out of her glass doors to the balcony that faced to the west, where it waited for her expectantly. She closed her eyes as she connected with the great fiery orb and drew upon her great depths of magic. Her face screwed up as she pushed it below the horizon. She cut off the magic and sighed with relief.

“You’d think this would get easier after five thousand years,” she mused, turning away from the orange and pink sky as she walked back inside.
She left her chambers and walked through several long, elegantly decorated corridors. She was on her way to wake up Luna so she could dictate the night; she also wanted to ask her something.

The main corridor to Luna’s chambers was dark blue in colour, with moons and stars painted onto the ceiling, and little glass instruments on stands that emitted a deep cold light. Celestia never worked out what purpose they served and knew better than to pry about Luna’s mysterious doings. Luna’s doors were made of jet black onyx and emblazoned with a marble crescent Moon slashed across them. Celestia tried to open the door but it was locked. She raised a hoof and knocked on the door, the sound echoed all around her. She called to her sister.

“Lunes, it’s time to get up!”

“I am already awake!” Luna snapped, tumbling out of her bed, having woken up suddenly to the knocking.
Celestia grinned as she heard a muffled “ouch” and saw easily through her sister’s falsehood.

“You may as well come in,” said Luna, and the door glowed blue for a moment as Luna unlocked it. Still grinning, Celestia entered Luna’s room.

It was a large oval shaped room, with several different colours shot across the walls and floor in spiral formations: silvery grey, blue, midnight blue, and deepest of blacks. The ceiling was glass and showed an impressive view of the heavens. Her bed was a large, ornate four poster and Luna was standing next to it; her mane was in the transition stage between her day phase of light blue hair, to her all the more impressive night phase of flowing dark hair that sparkled with stars.

“Good evening,” said Celestia.

“That it is,” said Luna softly, looking broodingly up at the sky, then out of the window. She said almost to herself:

“Why must the flow of time never stop?
Why are we all trapped by the ticking clock?
Heavens dark and oceans deep,
Tears of sadness from those who weep,
Night to day and day to night,
Why do they fear the end of light?”

There was a pause as Luna suddenly seemed to remember that Celestia was in the same room as her.

“How has your day been Celly?”

Celestia smiled at her sister’s eccentricities but then sighed and sat on Luna’s bed, it creaked slightly under her weight.

“It has been… long, to say the least.”

“Are you feeling well?” asked Luna, looking at Celestia with searching eyes. Celestia was always like this in high summer. Luna put it down to being overworked.

“Yes, I’m alright.”

“You seem tired.”

“Well, there is that.”

Luna looked at her sister apprehensively, and then said, “Let us take charge of the Day Court tomorrow - have the day off.”

“I can’t ask you to do that,” protested Celestia, “you have the Night Court to attend to already.”

“Oh please!” said Luna, chuckling, “nopony ever turns up to those things, last week I spent all night playing chess with myself, I won of course.”

Celestia remarked on Luna’s amazing ability to enjoy her own company. It was lucky that she did, the white alicorn thought, she rarely talked to anypony other than herself.

“I also have a favour to ask of you Luna,” said Celestia calmly, although she felt a little nervous at Luna’s reaction.

“What is it?” Luna asked.

“On my birthday, I would like you to raise the Sun.”

Luna looked blankly at her sister.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Raise the Sun?”

“Yes,” said Celestia patiently.

“On your birthday?”

“Yes Lunes.”

“Why?” She said shortly - there was even a subtle hint of suspicion in her voice.

“I thought you would like the opportunity: it is the day that you returned to me, and to Equestria. It also shows how much I love and trust you.”

Luna was mulling it over in her head, and decided her big sister’s intentions were innocent. Then she thought about actually raising it, it was a great responsibility after all. Then she had an idea. A most wonderful idea! She was going to make sure this was one sunrise Celestia would never forget.

“Yes!” she yelled, “Ahem; yes we will.”

“Are you absolutely sure?”

“Yes, I am honoured and touched by your offer.”

“Excellent, would you care to join me in supper? Or in your case, breakfast?”

“We would be delighted.”

They went to a small, cosy room of the Palace with much plush furniture, where they had supper/breakfast brought up to them.
Celestia was lying gracefully on a long sofa, sipping a mug of hot chocolate and nibbling ginger biscuits. Luna in contrast was eagerly eating her second daffodil and daisy sandwich. They discussed trivial issues, such as the recent warm weather, and personal issues. Celestia looked on in amusement as Luna wolfed down her breakfast.

“What time is it Celly?” asked Luna after she finished her sandwiches.

“About half past ten I should think.”

“Oh goodness!” Luna yelped, splaying her wings in alarm, “The Moon needs to be raised in five minutes!”

“Don’t be late!” Celestia called, as Luna’s tail, dark and sparkling, whipped around the corner.

Celestia chuckled to herself and then yawned widely; it was high time for her to go to bed. She got up and leisurely walked back to her chambers, hearing Luna’s frantic hooves clattering in the distance.