//------------------------------// // Morning Regret // Story: Politics of an Empire // by KnightGale //------------------------------// Celestia internally cursed herself. After last night's rather eye opening meeting she decided to catch up on her understanding of goblins to find that she knew NOTHING. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Every book she read offered more information and the fact that she had all but ignored this race for so long made her uneasy. Apparently many of her ponies were inspired by their skills in crafts like architecture and sculpting. There was even tourism supported by the Goblin Commerce Council. She paused as a small tug on her horn told her she had just pulled a "Twilight" and had spent the entire night researching. Here she thought they had little interaction except for a few ambassadors coming into the castle but apparently they had been seen in all corners of Equestria, used in the building of several monuments, and were a thriving economic partner in trade. Her economic and foreign affairs advisers both said a similar thing when she asked WHY this information was not in their annual reports, "We thought you knew." She strode onto the balcony and raised the sun into the sky sighing. She reasoned that before tonight most of her subjects knew more about "Our Skilled Neighbors Below" as one tourist pamphlet described it than she had. At this point she was certain Twilight probably was an expert on them compared to Celestia's own knowledge. Celestia perked up at that thought. Twilight could instruct her on Goblins. She was still having problems with seeing Celestia as an equal even after she became an Alicorn so this might help her come to terms with it if Celestia became her "student" for awhile to understand Goblins better. Besides, as much as Celestia understood the importance of literature she actually was never a very avid reader. She preferred to listen to someone than read about things. Luna was the reader. At that moment as if summoned by the thought Luna swooped onto the balcony with a yawn. "Sister, dost thou have a copy of the tome "Goblin Craftworks: Inspiration Under Your Feet" by Writ Explorer? The library said many Goblin themed tomes were brought to you last night." Tiredly spoken and drooping her wings by the end of her question she was half leaning on the wall, her eyes fluttering closed. Celestia hid a smirk behind her hoof before prodding her sister. "I do and many others I know you will want to read but first come have a nap in my bed. Once you are not about to pass out on my balcony maybe you cane devour them to a better degree than I have. For my sake I will simply go ask Twilight for an in depth lesson on the subject. I will also be setting up the meeting with the Goblin Queen. I will make sure its between afternoon and evening in a few days to allow you your rest dear sister." Celestia spoke kindly and softly, Luna started to protest but stopped once laid on the soft bed where she snuggled against a large pillow and promptly went to sleep. Celestia was so glad that the girls had helped her sleep more soundly. Another thing Celestia had apparently been oblivious to recently. How could she miss her precious sister's guilt riddled thoughts? She sighed before slowly leaving the room heading to Twilight's bedroom down the hall. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Celestia approached Twilight's room only to hear giggling and excited murmurs. She could tell by the tones about 5-8 ponies were inside. Celestia knocked a bit hestitantly upon this realization. While she did not mind asking her student for help doing so in front of a crowd was a bit more jarring for her. After the knock the voices quieted and the door burst open in a cacophony of explosion and streamers as Pinkie burst through the door and in a flash Celestia found herself in the room sitting with a party hat on and the most delicious cake in front of her. "PRINCESS SO GLAD YOU CAME! Sorry I did not send an invite but this was last minute "Twilight made a big important thing happen!" PARTY!" Celestia went to reply but found that she had a noisemaker in her snout when instead of words a loud blare came from the toy. Removing it gave her enough time to register all of the girls being present. One draconequus as well ,upon seeing Discord, Celestia decided asking Twilight for help was not happening today. The girls were one thing but showing weakness to that one was entirely a different thing. So Celestia said nothing and started eating her cake. Discord spoke over Pinkie who was still yammering off about the preparations she did. "Celestia, I have to say hearing about your run-in with the Queen has made me very happy. It is not everyday I hear about you being at a loss for words or caught off guard. Why if I didn't know better I would surmise you had completely forgotten about the little tinkerers in the mountain." The last sentence was said in a tone that let Celestia know that she was already found out. What made Celestia grind her teeth however, was what he did next, "Now that gives me an idea! Twilight why don't you give our naive Princess a lesson on Goblins?" She was glad to have Discord reformed and he certainly helped with the mind-numbing monotony that was ruling but sometimes all Celestia wanted was to beat him repeatedly with Canter Mountain, the whole damn mountain. He really was one of the only beings able to make Celestia lose her royal mask, her fuming expression and clear sign of this. Twilight spoke up hesitantly. "Discord I am certain the Princess knows more about Goblins than the rest of us combined. She just was not expecting to see the Queen yesterday is all." She admonished Discord who got a smug smile and looked at Celestia raising an eyebrow. Celestia sighed. She realized what he was doing now. He knew all about her ignorance and he was trying to force her to admit it in front of him. By the sun he could be infuriating. Celestia let her demeanor fall for a bit taking a deep breath and pushing her pride out of the way for what she was about to say. "Actually Twilight, I don't. In fact until last night I was unaware of the fact they were such huge trade partners with Equestria. I have investigated the lack of information in my financial and diplomatic reports to find that because they were such a positive influence and because any problems were handled quickly, the Goblins never made it into my reports as everyone thought I already knew all about them. The only thing I knew was occasionally diplomats came to the palace and were handled by my own representatives. Though after the things I heard last night I may have to make sure I see their diplomats personally from now on." As she spoke everyone was quiet, Pinkie was sitting next to Discord eating the popcorn he summoned for the little "show" he forced. He wore the most smug and victorious smile Celestia had ever seen on him. The rest of the girls wore expressions ranging from mild amazement of Applejack to the shocked, stunned, and downright flabbergasted expression of Twilight, well might as well give Discord the victory, "As such I actually came here to have you instruct me in their culture and customs. I need to know more about them." As she finished the girl's expressions went to the same one, awkward tension. Discord however looked like Christmas, his birthday, and Halloween had somehow all happened the same day. Celestia groaned already knowing who was behind her. "That explains many things. How about I teach you. Twilight will be student too. Ponies knowledge of my kind is more limited than I feared and that needs to stop so better friends ponies and goblins can become." The Goblin Queen was grinning ear to ear as she stood in the doorway to the room. Celestia sighed and nodded in defeat feeling that ever since the Queen came all her control and plans just seemed to fail horribly. A small part of Celestia seemed too happy about this for her liking.