Chapter 68: Making Amends
Luna studied the table with a discerning eye, trying to decide if it was too much, or perhaps too little.
The table itself was neither a banquet table nor a more intimate table for three. It could have easily accommodated six ponies, but the extra space was of course to provide a modicum of distance for her guests. The repast prepared was likewise a calculated effort to be filling, but composed of nothing that would imply intimacy. There were salads, a selection of baked goods, and her own choices for appetizers and main course. None of it was the normal fare for a royal banquet, but surely enough for a mare wishing to converse with close friends.
That was the length and breadth of her ambition for this evening, after all. She needed to repair a badly damaged friendship. She had been on the opposite end of this particular problem once before, and felt that she had learned from it as a result. For instance, this time she wouldn’t have anypony foalnapped.
She nodded at the table approvingly. It looked satisfactorily pleasant without being too much. Her wine selection (a simple but well-aged vintage that had been picked from the royal cellar) waited on ice with glasses at the ready, and she herself was planning to do all of the serving, as having the staff do so would have robbed her of the little bit of intimacy she could provide in such an act.
All was in readiness, and had been for some time. Yet she continued to fuss with little details, hoping to appear nonchalant when her guests did arrive.
“Your majesty—”
Luna jumped up in surprise, clinging to a chandelier and glaring down at the guard whose face was somehow blank and expressionless despite her actions. She let herself fall, fluttering her great wings to ease her descent. Once safely on the ground she nodded at him. “Forgive me, I needed to replace one of the candles.”
He made no move, standing at attention and waiting to be addressed. She frowned at him, then said: “You have word?”
He nodded brusquely. “Your expected guests have arrived. Their belongings are being moved to a suite as you instructed. Lady Rarity asked that you please give them twenty minutes to make themselves presentable, at which time they will join you.”
“Twenty minutes, fine. Good. Thank you.” Luna plopped down in one of the chairs, trying to slow her beating heart. She did not look up at him, merely waving in a direction away from the door. “You are dismissed, with my thanks.”
She spent the time trying to decide what she should say, waffling between some sort of prepared statement and casual conversation carefully steered towards her preferred topic of discussion. Of course, these were friends she was meeting, not diplomats.
Not that it really mattered. Words were her sister’s weapon of choice. Luna herself had preferred action, however ill-thought out it might prove to be. Action could do so much more than mere words. 'Twas easy enough to make an apology, but harder to show remorse, and a willingness to correct one’s actions. She hoped she could prove that much to her friends.
In due time, the door to her dining hall opened, and the guard stepped in to announce that her guests had arrived. Luna nodded to him, motioning that they be sent in. Her chest was tight, her heart beating wildly with nervousness.
Rarity strode in first, and much to Luna’s relief, both of them seemed more relaxed than she’d seen them last. But then, when last she’d seen them they were still getting over the shock of an attempted assault. By comparison, they’d have to be more relaxed after that. It was still encouraging.
Luna quickly glanced at Fluttershy, trying not to focus overlong on her. It seemed in the intervening time that the blood stains had been removed from her coat and hooves, which made Luna glad to see.
“Thank you for coming, my friends.” she said, using as neutral a tone as she could for this occasion. She could not give in to the horrible temptation that addressing them as subjects presented. She was merely a mare, talking to equals.
No, more than equals. My friends.
“Thank you for understanding, Luna. I really needed to clear my head after that horrible ordeal. I think we’re both feeling a little better, now.” Rarity said with a bright smile as she took one of the two seats directly opposite Luna.
The seat placements were likewise calculated. Luna sat to one side of the table, not at the head as she normally would. Fluttershy and Rarity sat on the other side. Celestia would have applauded the decision, Luna felt. It made for closer quarters while dining, and ensured even the quietest voice could be heard without need for the owner to strain. “Dear Fluttershy, please, sit. It is good to see you more relaxed.”
Fluttershy nodded, taking a seat beside Rarity, though she looked a little startled when Luna moved the chair forward after she sat. “Um... yes, thank you.”
Luna poured them a round of wine, then opened the platter with the hor d'oeuvres. They were simple fare, light but filling canapes composed of some mixture of pulverized potato, sour cream, and cheese served in the skins of the selfsame potatoes and topped with some sort of green onion bits. Not much to look at, but excellent for snacking. Such things had served her well during long overnight vigils in the dreamscape. “Please, take as much as you wish, my friends.”
“My, those smell delightful!” Rarity exclaimed, scooping up several of the snacks in her magic and doling them out to herself and Fluttershy’s plate.
Luna nodded to herself as she watched. She had briefly thought of serving the snacks more directly, but allowing Rarity to serve Fluttershy seemed to put the pegasus more at ease.
Fluttershy delicately nibbled at one of the snacks, and upon finding it to her liking took it whole into her mouth, chewing in such a way that indicated her liking very evidently. “These are very good,” she said after having finished chewing.
“I am glad,” Luna replied with real relief. The hor d'oeuvres had been a bit of a risky proposition, as she had wanted to serve something special, but not ‘too showy’. Satisfied that her offerings were acceptable, she at last allowed herself the luxury of eating as well. “These were... comfort food for me, during my convalescence after my return.”
“Ah, I use ice cream, myself.” Rarity said genially. “I can see these being nice, though too many and I fear I shall be thoroughly ruined. I’m going to hate myself when I have to diet and exercise to shed all of this wonderful food I’ve been indulging in...”
“I can help.” Fluttershy offered. “My friends and I worked out this exercise routine that had me feeling much better very quickly.”
“That sounds like a splendid idea!” Rarity replied with a big smile. “I could whip us up a nice set of sweats—”
Luna listened quietly as the two of them chatted back and forth, not wishing to interrupt their casual banter. Her worries of having caused the two of them to have a strain in their relationship were perhaps not unfounded, but it was becoming clear that whatever strain had occurred had been weathered and subsequently defeated.
At least I did them no lasting harm, she thought, letting out a little sigh of relief. Of course, it remained to be seen whether Luna’s friendships with them both could similarly survive all that had occurred of late, but at the least she took solace in their happiness together. If that much persisted, she would be happy to leave things as they were.
After some time, Rarity looked in Luna’s direction, a little frown on her face. “Goodness, I am being a bad guest. You’ll have to forgive me, please. It’s been a stressful day for several reasons.”
Luna shook her head quickly. “Not at all. I would be a very poor host to demand your attention. I’m just happy you came.”
“Yes, well... it wasn’t a question at all.” Rarity said, her eyes briefly flicking to Fluttershy with a conflicted look. “We both very much wanted to talk things through with you and... find a more comfortable place to go forward from. Things got a little complex and feelings were hurt, but we’re all friends, and we can work through this!” She nudged Fluttershy with her elbow, her gaze shifting from Fluttershy to Luna.
Fluttershy jumped a little as Rarity nudged her, then looked at Luna a little guiltily. “I... what she said.”
Luna, while not being a skilled pony-reader as a matter of course, was not blind. “Dear Fluttershy, I understand that you may have had second and third thoughts about coming here. It was very soon after our parting words, which were harsh on both sides. But for my part, I am simply glad you came despite that.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean—” Rarity began before Fluttershy put a single hoof on her foreleg.
Fluttershy looked directly at Luna, despite the look on her face that screamed she’d rather be hiding under the table. “I... I still wanted to see you. Just maybe not this soon,” she admitted. “I mean, I worried about you. We kept hearing about how you’d reacted to ponies who upset you, and I thought for a while maybe you were turning evil again, and that was why you wanted to steal my Rarity—”
“Dear Fluttershy, I would never—”
“Please, let me finish.” Fluttershy said quietly. When Luna stopped, Fluttershy continued. “I... I don’t know how courtship works, or why you would want that with a couple instead of a single pony. I don’t... I don’t understand you. But I understand being mad, and I understand being jealous when other ponies are dating a pony you really like and you have to smile and pretend everything's okay.”
“Fluttershy...” Rarity said quietly.
Luna waited quietly, her gaze not wavering from Fluttershy’s own. She had suspected Fluttershy’s fears, but having them confirmed was no bad thing.
“I don’t know what you want.” Fluttershy said with a little shake of her head. “I don’t understand anything you’ve done. I don’t think you’re a bad pony, but I think you’re doing some bad things, and I worry you might do worse because it feels good to get mad, and to punish ponies. Like... like those stallions. And... and maybe you won’t, but you could. And... I hope that you won’t... but I wanted to ask you to please not.”
Silence hung heavy at the table. When it became apparent that Fluttershy had spent herself, Luna finally spoke. “I am sorry, truly sorry, Dear Fluttershy. It... it’s true that my temper has gotten the better of me of late. When things went so badly between all of us, I was lost, and upset, and in no mood to suffer the presence of cretins.”
“Luna...” Rarity asked, raising a hoof. “Was that why you rose the sun so very late? Were you proving a point?”
Luna looked down at the table, not quite able to meet Rarity’s eyes. “That... was a personal matter. I went to visit some friends, who helped me find myself again. I overslept afterwards.”
“Ah.”
“More of your ‘special’ friends?” Fluttershy asked pointedly.
“Two of the most special, Dear Fluttershy. More than I had ever known.” Luna smiled warmly to herself. “In my impatience to seek out affection, it seems I overlooked what I already had in my grasp.”
“Oh.”
Luna's ears twitched slightly. She wasn’t certain what to make of it, but Fluttershy almost sounded disappointed. “They helped me realize how I had wronged you, Dear Fluttershy,” she said quickly, hoping an explanation would mitigate whatever was bothering her friend. “I had wronged both of you in my foalish advances. I only wish I could turn back the clock, but deeds cannot be undone, only atoned for.”
“Luna, we didn’t come here to accuse you of wrongdoing—” Rarity said before quickly being cut off.
“There is no need to accuse, Rarity. I know what I have done.”
“That’s not what I meant, Luna.” Rarity said testily. “Of course some things went wrong, and some of us were a little flighty and said some things that we perhaps would have said differently if we weren’t essentially drunk on magic, but intentions are very important! And none of this nonsense was caused by bad ones!”
“I only ask that you please forgive my trespasses. I never intended harm, but I caused it nonetheless. Perhaps I don’t deserve such consideration, but I would do my best to be worthy of it.”
“Okay.” Fluttershy said quietly.
Luna blinked in surprise, raising her head to meet Fluttershy’s gaze. “Truly?” she asked in disbelief.
Fluttershy nodded. “I was mad because Rarity might have been hurt very badly, and then because I thought you wanted to steal her away. But she’s okay, and I don’t think you want to steal her anymore.”
“Dear Fluttershy... I was never planning—”
“It’s okay.” Fluttershy said firmly.
Luna’s mouth closed silently, and she nodded her head to Fluttershy. “As you say.” she said after a long moment.
“Well... that is...” Rarity allowed her words to trail off as she looked at the two of them in bewilderment. “I think maybe we shouldn’t let the food get cold. We can talk more over dessert, yes?”
Luna blinked as she heard Rarity’s words, feeling a tension in the room ease as she did so. “Yes! I have iced cream waiting for our enjoyment! But first!” she whipped the cover off of the center plate to reveal her prize.
Underneath was a monstrous concoction. She’d been told it was a pie of sorts, but it was unlike any pie she’d imbibed prior to her banishment. Full of vegetables and cheeses and heavily spiced, it resembled less of a pie and more of a stew in her eyes, though it tasted nothing like one of those either.
“I am told it’s a variant on the ‘pizza’ pie,” she said as she fetched the pie cutter from the side of the dish. “Though quite different from the Manehatten variety, from what I have seen. This type is normally crafted in the little village of Chicacolt in the far north.”
Fluttershy’s eyes lit up as a steaming slice of the pie was served to her, which made Luna immensely pleased with herself.
“Oh, my... It smells wonderful!”
“It’s very interesting!” Luna said with a nod. “The Manehatten variety offers similar flavors, but this... ‘thick dish’ I believe they called it... its flavors meld in ways merely layering cheese and toppings do not.”
“It’s very... saucy, isn’t it?” Rarity asked, eyeing the dish with an air of trepidation.
“That’s only the top. There is a small crust layer below, and inside all of the cheeses and ‘toppings’ bake together, similar to what is known as a ‘casserole’.” Luna held up a slice on the pie server briefly so that the oozing cheese could be seen under the top crust layer. “It’s quite clever! I also rather like the more common Manehatten style because it is easier to eat whilst tending to other matters. This type requires your full attention, lest you make a mess of yourself. However, I think you’ll find it’s attention well spent.”
Conversation halted for a time as the main course was eaten, Luna watching her guests out of the corner of her eye as she consumed her portion with knife and fork.
Fluttershy seemed content to nibble at the slice in little bites, chewing with great enthusiasm.
Rarity briefly tried to address hers as one would a slice of pizza, and Luna had to stifle a little giggle as a great globule of cheese oozed out of Rarity’s magic back onto the plate.
She then tried using her fork as one does with a normal pie, only to be thwarted by the thick crust just below the layer of sauce. After glaring at the mess on her plate for a long moment, she picked up her knife as well, stabbing and slicing at her piece as if it had done her personal injury. Her expression changed for the better once she had gotten the first bit of it into her mouth.
“That’s delightful!” she exclaimed with surprise.
Luna nodded genially, allowing the laughter she’d been stifling to bubble forth for a moment. “It’s quite a treat. I shall convey your compliments to my cook.”
“And I shall convey my own to the host for choosing it.” Rarity said, raising her glass in a salute.
After finishing at least a slice each of the heavy meal (Luna having given into temptation and consuming a second), the three sat at the table, leaning back heavily on their chairs. An unfortunate side effect of such a meal combined with being naturally nocturnal left Luna with a great sense of tiredness. She would normally have been getting up around these hours but instead had whiled away a day looking over documents regarding the embezzlement of the city’s road fund and preparing for this selfsame meal. She let out a yawn before quickly clamping her mouth shut with a blush. “Forgive me, my friends. These hours tax me.”
Rarity looked surprised, but nodded after a moment’s consideration. “Right, you’re a night owl.”
Luna chuckled lightly. “I would accuse you of the same.”
“Hmmm? Oh, no, not at all, normally.” Rarity replied. “I just have a tendency to sacrifice sleep entirely at times.”
“Sometimes I’m nocturnal,” Fluttershy said suddenly. “Some of my friends are most active at night, and I try to spend time with them when I can.”
Luna didn’t quite know what to say about that, or if she was meant to say anything at all.
Rarity seemed to pick up on the awkwardness, saying: “Yes, well, making time for friends is important.”
“It is!” Luna said gratefully, mouthing a silent ‘thank you’ to Rarity. “But well worth it. I’m uncertain how well I would be coping right now if not for the support of mine.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, which friends in particular did you visit?” Rarity asked, leaning in conspiratorially.
“I... I prefer to keep their names to myself. Easier to avoid scandalous rumors.” Luna said with a blush.
“Fair enough, it’s just that you implied you had a little group of them.”
“Well... I’ve shared a bed with a few on a casual basis...” Luna admitted, her blush growing on her face. “Mostly they amounted to... ‘single night affairs’? I would visit them again if invited. Others... I am closer to.”
“I see, and you wanted to add Fluttershy and myself to your little group?”
“No!” Luna said with a violent shake of her head. “I had in mind a more long term and close relationship. Romantic in nature, if all wished it to be so, but...” she stopped, laying both hooves on the table. “Fluttershy, Rarity... I never wished to cause strife when I stated my intentions. I saw the casual affections you shared, and I coveted such a thing for myself. But as much as I would wish for that, I value your friendship more.”
“Darling, I’m not asking for another apology!” Rarity said with an enigmatic little smile. “I really just want a sense of what exactly you were intending.”
“I’m... I’m simply hoping for your friendship, Rarity. I would ask for nothing more.”
“And you have that!” Rarity said with a laugh. “Look, I’m operating at a bit of a disadvantage, here. I’ve only heard of this courtship business secondhoof.”
Luna looked at Rarity quizzically. “What do you mean?”
“Well, bit of a side effect from that magic business. I don’t have a clear recollection of what happened while I was under the influence of...” Rarity paused, her cheeks turning a pleasant rosy hue. “Well, under the influence of your magic, I suppose. I’ve been piecing it together and frankly I’m surprised with myself.”
“You have memory loss?” Luna asked, the blood draining from her face in sudden horror.
“Just of those few days.” Rarity said quickly, which served to both reassure and further confuse Luna. “It’s kind of a haze, rather like being drunk, though I’ve never actually imbibed enough to cause any problems before. In any case, I really wanted to know what exactly you were intending. I’ve heard about courtships before, but they were in the historical fictions I’ve read. Hard to say if they have any degree of accuracy.”
“That depends on the courtship being written about, and whether the author was taking liberties with the history at the time.” Luna said slowly.
“Well, I was mostly concerned with the whole slaying of our enemies or slaying of great beasts.” Rarity said with a little frown. “I think Fluttershy and I were clear on that one.”
“I don’t want you to hurt anypony, and especially not any animals.” Fluttershy said with a firm nod.
“Duly noted...” Luna said quietly after she’d managed to collect her jaw from its previous position of hanging limply from her head. “I’m guessing you’ve read of the exploits of Sir Brawny the Brave and Sir Bastion the Bold.”
Rarity’s eyes lit up in sudden recognition. “Yes! Those were the very ones. They did many great deeds in courtship of a princess whose name was lost to antiquity—”
Luna sighed heavily. “No, like as not Celestia forebore the history recorders from naming names, save for the poor souls who did those great deeds and died in their doing. I was that princess, and I wasn’t very happy with those two idiots slaying dragons in my name. We had enough trouble with their race as it was and Celestia blamed me for not discouraging them. As for the slaying of my enemies bit... a few duels were fought and some troublesome nobles weren’t around to be troublesome anymore.”
“Oh!” Rarity said after a moment. “So, that’s not—”
“Not how a princess courts, no.” Luna said with a shake of her head. “Celestia knows the ways better than I, but I am given to understand it involves more gifts and dinners than slaying. Though I am not against the idea if you wish it. I have a business card for some very reliable—”
“Please, no!” Rarity said quickly.
“You’re certain? They offer excellent rates.”
For a brief moment, Rarity hesitated. “Well, I suppose another business contact is always helpful—” she stopped, her eyes turning into small pinpricks, and smacked herself hard across the muzzle with her forehoof. “No!”
Rarity took a brief moment to compose herself while Luna simply watched, bemused and amused.
“I confess to being entirely unsure what we’re discussing now.” Luna said, finally letting out a little laugh as Rarity pulled out a compact to touch up her makeup.
“We’re discussing what courtship entails, exactly.” Rarity said after putting her compact away. “I apparently had some very misinformed ideas about it, and Fluttershy had in mind that you had no intention of courting both of us and were simply trying to break us up for your own purposes. Neither of those attitudes are very helpful in making such a decision. And it is still a decision to be made.”
“I... I had thought—” Luna stopped, taking a deep breath. “I was certain that any chance of such a thing was impossible.”
“Not impossible, Luna. But when last this was spoken of I wasn’t in any sort of rational mind, and Fluttershy was apparently too confused to express her concerns—”
Fluttershy spoke up suddenly. “Actually, I thought having dinners together with Luna sounded nice. And... I wasn’t sure what to think about everything else. Then I got worried because of Rarity and I felt like Luna was hiding things and it was kind of a mess.”
“All right, so she didn’t have any initial concerns.” Rarity corrected herself smoothly, then added: “And when she started having them she was hesitant to speak up about them. Is that about right?”
“Yes.” Fluttershy said with a little nod.
“So, there you have it.” Rarity said with a triumphant smile.
Luna just looked at them both for a time, uncertain if they were being serious. Neither seemed to be attempting to pull on her leg, however. “My friends... courtship can be whatever we wish it to be. I could write you epic poetry, sing you songs, craft your fondest dreams. I could gift you land, and titles, and wealth. But I would willingly do those things for good friends as well.”
Rarity shook her head. “First and foremost, regardless of any decisions Fluttershy and I might make regarding your proposal, you are our friend, Luna. So please stop thinking you have to buy your way into our good graces.”
“But I nearly—”
“You made some very poor decisions, yes. And you very nearly caused some dire consequences,” Rarity said, raising a hoof to forestall further litany of Luna’s mistakes. “But if I stopped talking to my friends every time they nearly got me killed, I wouldn’t have any left.”
“Oh... I suppose that’s true, isn’t it?” Fluttershy said with wide eyes.
“Well, save for yourself, I think. Though there was that business with leaving me out in the desert with Pinkie Pie, so I’m tempted to count that.” Rarity said, laughing just a little. “When I saw my mane afterwards I wanted to die. Though I did learn a good deal about Pinkie on the way home, so there is that.”
Luna said nothing as Fluttershy gave Rarity a worried look, Rarity in turn just laughing at her own ‘joke’, if it could be called that. She shook her head. She did not understand them, but they were well worth her attempts. She found herself wishing for her own memories with them, that she could mention in times to come and elicit a knowing laugh or smile from them.
“Sorry, Luna.” Rarity said after she’d gotten over her little giggling fit. “My point is, we’ll decide about the other. But absolutely regardless of anything more, count yourself our friend, and come visit. Or invite us to visit!”
A slow smile tugged Luna’s lips upwards. “Thank you! I’ll try to be worthy—”
“Yes, yes, that’s actually getting a bit awkward, Luna. You’re a princess, after all.” Rarity said with an answering grin to match Luna’s own.
Luna shook her head solemnly. “Station does not imply worthiness, Rarity. It can only be earned.”
“All right, fair enough. Your mistakes aside, I think you’ve earned a little faith, at least.”
“I think so, too.” Fluttershy said, a little ghost of a smile gracing her lips. “Besides, I’m no good with holding grudges; it’s really tiring, and hard on my nerves. Just please be more careful.”
“I will endeavor, Dear Fluttershy. Though I would ask that you be more vocal if I cause you worry.”
Rarity coughed uncomfortably. “If you figure out the secret to making her do that, let me know, please.”
After a time, conversation drifted away from headier matters and into the more trivial. Luna was very interested to hear of the long lines waiting to see her, and the clever way in which Middy had tried to allay the worries of the public. She was growing increasingly uncertain as to what lengths she’d have to go to in order to compensate him, and simply added this latest exploit to the pile of things to thank him for.
Hearing that her distant nephew was dating (and whom) was far more interesting. She decided that little bit of news might warrant a letter to her sister when she had a moment. Celestia always worried after the poor colt, and hearing that would make her more relaxed, possibly even shortening her recovery time.
They had dessert, and by the end of it all three of them were yawning. Luna took the opportunity to wish both of them a good night, and neither of them protested. To her surprise, Fluttershy even hugged her goodbye before turning to leave with Rarity.
Kitchen staff came in swiftly after Luna had seen them out, and she nodded to them gratefully. She was beginning to see why Celestia acted so nicely to the help. They were very skilled, and did not bother her while doing their jobs. Much like Middy, in their own ways.
Perhaps a small raise for the castle staff as a whole, and a larger one for Middy. A blanket raise might quell protests that I favor him too much.
She’d need to inquire with Middy to see if the treasury could support such a thing. Better to check before making promises that might bankrupt the country.
She sat at the table, polishing off a bottle of wine by herself. The dinner had gone considerably better than she’d hoped. Better than she’d ever even had a right to hope. There was still the question of future romantic overtures, but Luna felt content to leave that to her friends to decide. She had no wish to press them into things that made them uncomfortable.
She simply relaxed for a time, getting through roughly half the bottle, chasing away the cleaning staff, and putting the sun to rest as she simply contemplated what the future might hold for her and her friends, past and newly made alike.
“There you are.”
Luna looked up at the pony who had walked into her dining hall, seeing with no real surprise that it was Middy. He was the one pony with enough authority to pass by the guard without needing to be announced. She gestured to the table, pulling out a chair for him and pouring him a glass of wine. “Did you sleep well, Middy?”
“I couldn’t tell you. I have no real memory beyond talking to you in my chair then waking up in my bed hours later.” He sat down heavily, lifting his glass in his magic and taking a sip. ”I see the sun resolved itself.”
“It did.” Luna replied with a smile. “I had a couple of other things resolve themselves as well.”
“Well, that’s good then.”
“Middy, what would you say to a very large raise?” Luna asked conversationally, topping off first Midnight’s glass, then her own.
“I’d say: ‘How long are you going to be gone this time?’ ” he replied with a tired little chuckle.
“No, Middy. Not for future efforts, merely as a reward for past ones. My sister and I have burdened you unduly, and you’ve born up so well, but it’s not fair to—”
Midnight cleared his throat loudly, and only when she stopped did he speak. “Princess, are you serious?”
“Errr, yes?” she replied, feeling a little put off by his response. She’d expected something a little more... grateful, perhaps tearful.
“As much as I appreciate the idea behind such an offer, I didn’t get into civil service for the money, nor for your gratitude or for your sister’s. Throwing more bits at me won’t make me more or less inclined to do my duty.” Midnight said, letting out a little snort of derision. “Fairly certain nopony has offered your sister a raise for her centuries of maintaining the sky day in and day out, to say nothing of the day to day drudgery of court.”
“Middy, I didn’t mean to offend—”
He waved away her protests, leveling his gaze at her in such a way that she could not look away from him. “Princess Luna, if you wish to show me gratitude for doing my job, you may do so by taking your own more seriously! These ponies depend on you and your sister, and when something goes wrong they feel lost and confused!”
She was silent for some time, uncertain how to respond. “Are you certain? The crown has seized a very expensive airship and—”
“I am certain, Princess.” Midnight said firmly. “I have very little need for money in any case, and I’m afraid I have a tendency to get airsick.” he allowed his gaze to drop as he let out a huge yawn. “Though I wouldn’t say no to a little vacation after your sister recovers. But that’s only when she recovers.”
“You shall have it!” Luna said, perhaps a bit louder than she intended. “However long you like—”
“A week should suffice,” he said, letting another yawn out. “It’s becoming clear to me that I’m going to be needed in times to come. How Celestia survived as long as she did without somepony in my position is beyond me! Do you have any idea how far behind she is on basic paperwork?”
“I had assumed she tended to the most important matters—”
“Yes, the vital matters are always tended to,” Midnight replied irritably. “But she has proposals and reports that have been waiting months for even a basic response. I found a stack of them in a drawer marked ‘urgent’; the bottommost of which dated to some decades ago!”
“They couldn’t have been very important, Middy!” Luna protested. She tried to wet her suddenly dry mouth with another sip from her glass, only to find she’d apparently emptied it.
“It was a report on increased changeling activities in pony settlements.”
She took that in silently, finally letting out a quiet ‘Oh’ in response.
Midnight shook his head, suddenly looking far older than Luna had ever seen him look. “It likely was unimportant at the time, but she has so much chaff that it must be nearly impossible to find the wheat within. I’d like to talk to you about bringing in a small staff to aid you both and make certain you’re not tied up in nonsense all the time.”
“Oh, Middy, I’m not certain how she would take that—”
“I’d also like you to consider instituting lower courts for less pressing issues. There was a severe bottleneck in trying to tend to so many supplicants. You two should not have to see every case personally.”
“But... Celestia has said she likes being approachable...” Luna said, shrinking in on herself.
“Which is fine, but she shouldn’t have to be approached for every little thing!” Midnight said, popping the cork on another bottle. “I see now why she always seems so very weary during quiet moments. Even with you beginning to share the workload I don’t know that it will be enough.” He poured her another glass, then another for himself. “Somepony has to look after the two of you, Princess. Nopony should have to deal with the sort of things you do day in and day out.”
“It’s not so great a burden—”
“Yes, that’s why you sneak out at night, shirking it,” Midnight said with a cocked eyebrow and a little smirk. “Princess, I might be the one pony alive who has any idea of what you two put upon yourselves, and frankly I think it’s time to find a better way. Even if you don’t think you yourself will have a problem in the future, consider your sister having to manage all alone for so long.”
“That... is true...” Luna said slowly, looking down into her wineglass and thinking of all the times she’d noted such things herself. “What do you propose?”
“Well, as I said, a small staff of clerks to sort through the older documents, to start. It would ensure that the paperwork making it’s way to you and Princess Celestia is important enough to warrant your attention. From there we can look at forming a court system to take care of minor issues.”
“Middy... the clerks are easy enough, but I worry about changing the court system. Celestia—”
“Celestia is currently taking some much-needed rest, Princess. You yourself told me this. In the interim, she saw fit to leave me as her Voice in her stead. I believe that gives me the authority, provided you don’t override me.”
“Yes, but she only intended to be gone for a short time, Middy!” Luna said. “When she returns she may be most displeased!”
“And she’s more than welcome to dress me down for it over tea, which she will have time to have at her leisure.” Midnight said with a grim little smile. “I will relish it, but I doubt she will be upset at all.”
He drained his glass, setting it down on the table with a grimace. “You said you wanted to reward me for doing my duty. I want to continue helping you in the best way I know how. So let me help you both.”
Luna had been staring down into her glass silently as Middy spoke. She wanted to just tell him to make it so. Even in her short time running Night Court (and a longer time listening to Celestia tell her about various petitioners over breakfast) she knew a goodly portion of the court business was nonsense. But she was uncertain if she was willing to change such a fundamental function of the way Canterlot was run.
She looked up at Midnight Oil, her erstwhile and clever Middy, who had stepped into shoes far too large for him to fill, and had somehow thrived where she had floundered in her attempts to make some sense of governing by using force of arms. Who was more fit to make such a decision? Luna did not feel fit. She felt flustered, and frustrated. She wanted to hit something, but there was no martial challenge to be found.
Even seeing the logic of his proposal could not stop her worry, however. His assertions aside, if Celestia was not consulted on such a large matter, it may well lead to another rift between them. And even the thought of such a thing was too much to bear. Celestia had shown great trust in her when she’d asked Luna to return to Canterlot to rule while she recovered, but even knowing she was trusted, she did not feel ready to test her sister so. And she certainly was not willing to let Midnight bear the brunt of her sister’s displeasure to spare herself.
She sighed heavily. In the end, there was no other choice. “Middy, hire your clerks, but I cannot and will not order a change in the courts until I correspond with my sister about it.”
He frowned, but nodded solemnly after a moment. “Very well. In fairness, I think that’s best. I was simply hoping that when she returned we could have the changes in place already.”
“We still can, Middy.” Luna said quickly. “I’d simply rather consult her first. You are right to say that she did trust you to act as her Voice, and I think you’ve more than proven your worthiness in a short time... but even so... it might be hard for her to loosen her grasp on the reins after so long.”
“All right, we’ll await her approval. In the meantime I shall comb the ranks of the castle for my clerks, and help get her majesty’s paperwork in order.” He yawned mightily. “I think I will get some more rest, and you should as well. You do have that announcement to the press corps in the morning.”
“Yes, actually I was hoping for your aid with that... and for your insight on the embezzler. I know how I wish to punish him... but—” For a moment, images of Fluttershy quietly pleading with her to show leniency and compassion to the muggers flashed through her mind. “I’ve been told that I may be... a touch extreme.”
“A touch,” he said judiciously. “Honestly, if he’s managed to hide what he was doing for as long as he did, part of his punishment might be to reveal his methods to make it easier for us to spot such things in the future.”
“For what reason would he reveal such things?” Luna demanded, looking at Midnight with a puzzled little frown.
“Well, I was thinking that you could detail for him the various methods you’ve been thinking of punishing him, and then I could offer an alternative. It might be wise to be as creative as possible.”
Luna looked at Midnight for some time, her frown slowly transforming into a wide grin. “Middy! That’s quite ingenious!”
“I would have said devious, but whatever gets the job done. So, that’s one issue out of the way. Did you need me to write you an apology speech?”
“Yes, please.” Luna replied. “Something to the effect of... I overslept due to these strange hours, and will be more cautious in the future. Will that suffice?”
“I can work with that, yes. We can probably throw in something about you being unused to raising the sun as well.”
“That is true enough. Well, then I think you may take your rest, Middy. I’ll get some myself shortly.”
Midnight let out another yawn, which Luna echoed in kind. He got up, giving a deferential nod to her as he turned to leave.
“Middy?” Luna asked his retreating back.
“Hmmm?” he replied, turning to look at her over his shoulder.
“Where did you wish to go?”
“I’m sorry,” he said after a moment. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
“On your vacation.” Luna replied. “You said you wished to take a holiday. Where did you wish to go?”
“Oh,” he said, his expression clearing. “I hadn’t given it much thought, to be honest.”
“Do so, please.” Luna said in earnest. “Wherever you wish, the crown will see you accommodated in the finest of hotels, escorted by a pair of guards. We can expense any restaurants you wish to visit, and you may take Our personal chariot as your transport as well.”
He nodded after a long moment. “Very well. I will get back to you with an itinerary.”
“Please, Midnight. And thank you for all of your efforts on Our behalf.”
“You’re quite welcome, Princess.”
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>paperwork making it’s way to you
its*
THE MOON!
Somehow we've made our way from Flarity fluff to shaking up the Equestrian political system... this story.
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7913800
Did my eyes deceive me. Is this start of the game of thrones ?
Also changelings! Why I getting feeling that Cadance and Shining Armor will show up after 20-50 chapters. Also are you planing love triangle for all Equestrias Princesses?
And if so when Twilight get M. A. Larson will you added Flash too?
7913800 Now seriously. Greet new chapter for greet old story. And on schedule as always.
D'aww.
Finally, Luna is starting to mend things with with Fluttershy and Rarity. I agree with Midnight Oil, no pony, not even a Princess can do everything on his or her own. Though I imagine Twilight and Pinkie will have their hooves full trying to convince Celestia to delegate some of the menial paperwork to her staff. 
Though they could point out that if Celestia does delegate, she'd have more time for snuggles! 
is this turning from romance to politics ?
What a strange yet fun chapter! I'm so happy that Fluttershy and Luna are getting along!
7914956 No, but there are political elements at play, and have been for some time.
7915323 Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
It finally happened! Ah, Luna is just so delightful...
At this rate, Middy is going to ascend and become the Princess of Bureaucracy.
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well yeah, for a moment i thought Middy is going to start a coup with the guard and force Luna and Celestia to some vacation.
7915866 It's difficult to say which he would be more disturbed by if that happened: the extra appendages or the missing one.
7916438 Pfft
no. If Luna were Batmare Middy would be her Alfred.
7916438
Ah, so I wasn't the only person who thought that.
7916583 Sorry, there will be weddings in this story, but the only thing massacred will be the cake. It will be horrific.
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Well, a coup doesn't necessarily have to end with murder. I find that the most interesting political schemes are the ones without murder of any kind.
I really like Middy's character in this story, I'm not sure how to say it but I enjoy reading about his interactions with Luna and Celly, they're very... calming in a way.
Nicely done.
7918250 He's a guy who keeps his head when everyone else is going insane. He was basically given control of the country and his only concern was making it all run better.
7918564
Really now? Wow... that's a lot of pressure, and I am impressed.
Heck it only makes me like him further, damn fine job Steel.
Hm... Interesting turn you've taken with the politics. While it's possible Celestia might've been shortsighted in micromanaging everything, she might have seen it as an acceptable downside to the alternative possibility of giving even more power to her underlings which are already rife with corruption. Give a little, and they'll take a lot more down the road.
Probably why Celestia's only trusted Alicorns up to this point. Luna's her sister, Cadence is her niece, and Twilight is her personal protege. Those three are probably just the start of her finding those she can actually trust to do the jobs without getting corrupt about it and won't die and be replaced with someone corrupted later.
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Short-sighted is such an interesting phrase. Creating and maintaining a successful system of government without any political coups (not successful ones, at least) takes a lot of forethought and planning. To account for shifts in attitudes and population that occur over the course of one thousand years would take a degree of clairvoyance that not even Celestia possesses. And really, the system continues to work, with the only drawback being how much of a burden it places on her.
7921518 The perfect emperor is merely the one who fails to die.
7921833 She is very very good at that.
7922035
And, as such, she grants unquestionable continuity to the rule of law by giving it a face to masquerade behind. Thus do its individual machinations from scene to scene, age to epoch, blend into a palatable draught for those thirsting after power. Enough to keep them drunk and engaged with the game, and not each other's throats.
7921518
Actually we do know of at least two political coups. Technically seven. No, eight. Nine?... No, make that eleven. No twelve.
In chronological order, or as close to it as possible anyway:
First was Tirek and whatever he did that landed him in Tartarus.
Second was The Sirens which ruled the ponies in fear until they were banished by Starswhirl.
Third was Discord and his first reign until Celestia and Luna knocked him off his throne.
Fourth was Sombra and his attempted takeover of all the provinces of Equestria until he was taken down by Celestia and Luna.
Fifth was Luna becoming Nightmare Moon attempting to overthrow her sister and Celestia banishing her with the elements of Harmony.
Sixth was Nightmare Moon successfully overthrowing her sister and then getting purged of evil by Twilight and the elements of harmony.
Seventh was the return of Discord who successfully deposed both Luna and Celestia until he was stoned again by Twilight and the elements of Harmony.
Eighth was Chrysalis and the Changling invasion, who successfully captured and deposed Celestia from the throne while Luna was MIA getting wedding gifts from somewhere, until she was thrown out of Canterlot with her invasion force by the power of love channeled by Shining Armor and Cadence.
Ninth was Sunset stealing the Element of Magic and mind controlling a teenage zombie army to invade Equestria, which may or may not have worked, but we'll never know because it was stopped by Twilight and the poman elements of harmony.
Tenth was Discord again when he successfully inadvertently kidnapped the ruling sisters, forcing Twilight to step in until she purged the Everfree Forest of his vines and rescued the ruling monarchs.
Eleventh was Tirek successfully lead a one centaur war against all of Equestria, then threw the reigning monarchs of Equestria and the crystal "empire" into Tartarus, and nearly stomped the Princess of Magic too until she and the Elements of Harmony proved once again that the Princess of Friendship is too OP for words.
Twelfth was Chrysalis again, who successfully captured and deposed all four of Equestria's actual royalty (not counting Prince Blueblood here, though he was probably captured too) and had nearly won if not for being dethroned by a coup herself.
And who knows what else is coming next?! Or, what else Celestia had to deal with and/or get saved from during those thousand years alone and before.
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Not successful
That's not a coup, that's a set of monsters being defeated. They would have had to take over Celestia's government to count.
Also, not a coup. Discord falls under the defeated monsters camp. He didn't want to rule, he just wanted to play with the ants under his feet.
Closer, but that's an attempted invasion.
Much, much closer, but since Luna was a part of the government I would call that a disagreement with laser beams.
Well, she declared herself Queen, and captured Celestia. But she never actually went to Canterlot and took over. Probably the closest example, but in the end I would still call it a disagreement amongst sisters over how to rule.
That's not a coup, that was a escaped prisoner who went to reak havoc afterwards. He never tried to take the throne.
Much, much closer, though by their nature, it's less a coup and more identity theft.
That one wasn't even in her own universe. In Equestria all Sunset did was commit petty theft.
That wasn't even Discord, that was some seeds he planted over a thousand years ago. Impressive, but not really a coup attempt. And an unsuccessful one since Twilight was a ruling party by then and just stepped up.
Heh, well that wasn't so much ruling as removing all opponents. He considered ponies beneath him and had no intention of ruling them.
See the aforementioned. Changelings never rule in their own name.
And throughout it all, her government somehow remained intact. Pretty damned impressive when you look at it all.
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True, that is impressive. I'm not disagreeing, just pointing out that there have been attempts to overthrow the throne before, some more successful than others.
I have to disagree with some of your points though on whether or not they could actually be considered coups. Just to make sure we're on the same page:
coup ko͞o/
noun: coup; plural noun: coups; noun: coup d'état; plural noun: coups d'état; plural noun: coup d'états
1. a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.
2. a notable or successful stroke or move.
Note that the first definition doesn't specifically state that you have to replace the government itself, just take the power away from it.
I admit, we don't know what Tirek did in the first place that got him thrown in Tartarus, but if it's anything like what he did the second time, one can assume that he probably tried to suck the magic from the reigning monarchs first and got trumped. So that would be an unsuccessful coup, but a coup attempt nonetheless.
As for the Sirens... There's an interesting line Twilight says when explaining the backstory of them.
"If the Sirens had their way, they would have divided and conquered all of Equestria."
True, bit unconventional than deposing the government, but they were seizing power from them nonetheless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH6rn_Gfp5s
As for Discord's first reign...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8WO1dRzNY4 3:38
While it IS ripe for potential reinterpretation, Celestia still says that Discord 'ruled Equestria in an eternal state of unrest and unhappiness.' I'm not sure where you get this 'defeated monsters' category from. Judging from that perspective in a world where everything sapient looks different from race to race, everything that opposes you is a monster, whether you've defeated it or not. In this case though, I suppose the coup was against Discord rather than Celestia, though that begs the question of why she had regalia at the time. Laziness on the artist's part? *shrug*
As for Sombra's attempted invasion, that still counts as an attempted seizure of power from the current government. While it wasn't entirely successful, and Sombra may have been a bit hasty in naming his province the Crystal Empire in preparation of conquering the rest of Equestria (though we don't know if he actually did or didn't conquer any of the other provinces or not before he was stopped), that is still an attempted coup, an attempted seizure of power.
I could go on, but I really don't want to make this much longer. I say this not to be argumentative or contrary. Honestly, you've not really said anything I actually disagree with, just wished to expound upon a bit, that's all. If this is seen as something argumentative or contrary anyway, then I apologize for it was not my intention.
Heck, all this started from my praising your interesting take on how politics are turning in Equestria for this story. I don't dislike it, just considering Celestia's possible reasons for why she has been micromanaging this whole time rather than trusting underlings to help out when her nobility is canonically rife with corruption and snottiness.
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Don't get me wrong, I relish discourse like this.
7923517
I'm rather more like Fluttershy in that regard...
7923543 Meaning that you have wonderfully relevant points but hesitate to speak them for fear of hurting my feelings.
Don't worry, I enjoy discussing characterization. My opinions on her track record help me shape how I write her, and help provide insight to you of the same.
7923607
That and I tend to prefer avoiding things that feel confrontational to me... but yes.
Discussing character motivations can be interesting and fun, yes...
7923622 Confrontational?
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Yes pretty much... Um, that's not to say that I'm saying 'yes' as in I think we were being confrontational so much as 'yes' that video does pretty much describe how I feel about things like that.
That all went along so swimmingly that I couldn't help but smile like an idiot for the entire chapter. Wonderful
Also, Middy is the real hero. An unsung hero by others, but appreciated by those that matter.
Commence read.
Now all caught up.
Middy still keeping things stable.
Luna finding a way to get Fluttershy to talk, with or without Rarity's help, might be a funny adventure.
7922890 First is more importantly too unclear to be a coup.
Second is sort of vague, also due to timing it might be before Celestia's rule starts.
Third is seemingly a coup for sure, but the one that she did against Discord to start her rule. And he did want to rule even if you can be sure the government wasn't much of one.
Forth yep.
Fifth is a coup for sure, in fact most of the time it's used it's one part of the government taking over the whole thing.
Sixth at the very least is an attempt even if she didn't have time to follow though and make it official.
Seventh yep.
Eighth and while it would make sense for the identity theft thing to be true, putting yourself in a position of power, regardless of how, and then trying to take over from within is very much a coup. The only real trick here is it's sort of an invasion at the same time.
Ninth was Sunset stealing a priceless magical artifact, so that's at least grand theft. Also her plan is to seize control of the government, it just isn't very good and is shut down before she's even in the right area.
Tenth was most certainly Discord, but it's less a coup and more a way to insure Luna and Celestia's coup against him failed, it just took way longer to work than he intended. But since he was the government at the time, not a coup.
Eleventh even the second time arround it wasn't clear if Tirek wanted to rule anyone really, so yea.
Twelfth seems true enough this time, unlike the first time in which the show at least sure suggested ruling in her own name was the plan, even if maybe not the original plan, but the second time it made more sense. However secretly gaining control of the government is still a coup, even if it is identity theft too.
7937243 Afterward vs afterwards are actually interchangeable, so it's best just to use the one that sounds best in the sentence.
English is weird sometimes...
You know what I actually quite enjoy about this story? It's a little thing, but...
I really like that the fact of them being Bearers of the Elements is not dangled around ad nauseam. As in, when they go to report a crime, they're ordinary ponies reporting a crime, and nobody is using their status to push anything through. The closest we've seen, so far, was Rarity dropping Spike's name, and even that felt a little dirty. Hell, the fact that they're personal friends to friggin royalty hasn't been used once, at least not on purpose, and it would've had some delicious applications...
I get the feeling that if that police officer was told "Bearer of an Element of Harmony", she'd likely reply with "Who of what now?" It feels much more to earth like this, very subdued. This is a story about ponies who just happen to be national heroes. Though I suppose it helps that all of this seems to be happening in the S01 timeline (I recall Discord's statue still being intact?). But regardless - it's very nice to see them known for other things, like Fluttershy being that sergeant's daughter and such. It really brings out interesting shades of character.
Though I wouldn't mind seeing those facts drop-kicked into some ponies' faces once or twice, just to buck their teeth in - for dessert, if you will. "This pony you just tried to wrong... is a personal friend to both Princesses, daughter of a very influential sergeant in the Guard, a black belt... and a Bearer of an Element of Harmony. And I tell you this just to let you know exactly how badly you bucked up." As it is, it's easy to forget while reading... which, I suspect, was very much the point.
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post season 2, pre season 3. I've mentioned a few times in storyline that Cady and Shining are on a honeymoon of sorts in the crystal empire, overseeing the investigation thereof.
And yes, I try not to push the agenda of "do you know who I know" with the exception of Spike because in my storyline, the little guy makes connections even more easily than Twilight or Rarity do.
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Pre-season 3❔ I got the impression that it was significantly later than that. Some of the things the characters said in some of the earlier chapters gave the impression that certain things had been a lot further in the past than the few months that it probably should have been. Also, the whole 'Spike was now pony-height' thing that was mentioned in his first appearance. I knew that it was post-season 2, but I had the vague idea that it was a few years after that, and that the rest of canon had been ignored, simply because you started writing this before that.
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That's the fun part. By observing canon only up to a point, I can make changes thereafter more freely. We've already seen Spike's height respond to his emotions. His body changes are emotional maturity from having had to confront that his feelings for Rarity needed to move on from his crush. Canon Spike never had that, because Canon Rarity obviously hasn't made it necessary. We're essentially still in that summer after the wedding, though it's approaching its end.
"Well, Darling... there was that one time you nearly killed me..."
10005204
Heh. Well, that is one thing none of them are likely to forget.
I said it before and I'll say it again - Middy is the True Hero of this story! He's focused, he's bold and daring, he's brave, he's determined, he's tirelessly working for the good of all and he doesn't expect anything in return. It took some initial warming up to his character, but by now, I'm not only sold, I'm rooting for him! Go, Middy, go Middy, go go go! (Imagine mirror pool Pinkie Pie cheer squad here...)
Middy is (second) best princess. There. I said it.
11113085
There's nothing quite so powerful as a dedicated civil servant.
Middy is definitely in my top 5 fanfic OCs haha. What a great pony.
11283996
I really enjoy him. He was made before a Raven even existed, and has proven to be one of the more fun ponies to write about.