She Really Does
Princess Celestia Really Likes Hair Dyes
“Sister, may I ask you something?”
It had perhaps taken a little over two months since they had settled at Seaward Shoals for Luna to take notice of her dyes, Celestia mused. At least, that was her personal estimate.
Setting down her hoof from her partially recoloured mane, Celestia glanced at Luna. Her sister had just gotten off work, still half-clad head to hoof in her postmare uniform. It certainly hadn’t taken long for Luna to apply for work at the post office, having sought some form of labor to put off her post-retirement boredom outside of gardening and astronomy.
“Yes, Luna?”
“Is all this truly necessary?” Luna said, with a wave of her forehoof. Celestia looked around, taking in the sights of the various hair dyes neatly arranged within the bathroom, of all shades of the rainbow.
“Oh, of course! I do so love my varieties, Luna,” said Celestia, holding back a giggle. “Yellow’s always fun to do.” She flicked her half-yellow mane for emphasis. “And don’t you worry about the budget. My royalty check just came in– Heh, royalty. The new storybook’s a Canterlot Times bestseller already, so they told me, another hit from good old Sunny Skies.”
“Yes, but see,” said Luna, “I think spending all of it on hair dye isn’t the wisest of investments…”
“Come now, Sister,” said Celestia, feeling the corner of her mouth twitch. “I never bother you about all the flowers you send Twilight.”
The sight of Luna’s freckles darkening brought out a guffaw from Celestia. Her former student’s quiet little long-distance relationship with Luna had been such a joy to poke at.
“T-that’s hardly fair!” Luna whined. “She adores them, I– Tia!”
“Okay, okay, I suppose that was a low blow, sorry.”
Luna harrumphed. “I don’t get it. You didn’t like the makeover during that one vacation.”
“It wasn’t my colour, but I do appreciate the sentiment,” Celestia replied, tapping a nearby bottle of purple dye. “See? I’ve got the exact shade right here, just for you.”
“I’m merely curious,” Luna said with a sigh. “You adored that youthful pink mane of yours, and after I came back, I had at first assumed your new rainbow colouration was dye. Fancy that should just be plain alicorn magic… Besides, the stuff doesn’t last, does it?”
That was true, Celestia conceded. Her dyes had never lasted more than a day – unless she chose to wear her disguise as the pegasus author Sunny Skies. Even then, it would all burn away once she’d reverted to her alicorn form.
“I suppose that’s true. Regrettably, though it’s futile, it is what it is. But you know, Luna? You’re not the first one to tell me that.”
Her sister assessed her inquisitively. “Of course I’m not. So, why hair dyes, Tia?”
* * * * *
“… A play?” Twilight had repeated. “You dyed your mane for a play?”
Celestia lifted the cucumber over her left eye and glanced over at her once-student. Wrapped in a warm, fluffy white towel, Twilight was laying on her side, giving her a curious stare. Celestia let out a hearty chuckle. Different as she was now, some things never did change.
“Mhm! Of course I did. What else could it have been?”
“Oh nothing, nothing,” said Twilight. She bit her lips, glancing over at the stylist tending to Celestia’s unadorned mane. A nagging feeling told Celestia that maybe blue wasn’t her colour after all, judging from Twilight’s furrowed brows. Dyes could be so fickle. “It’s just that… hmm…”
“Were you expecting something more fanciful, hm?”
Twilight opened her mouth to retort, yet no words were uttered. She sighed.
“Well. You got me,” she said, shrugging. “I’m just… you know, curious. Do you dye your mane or…?”
“At the moment? Why yes, Twilight, yes I do,” Celestia answered, smirking.
“That’s not what I–” Twilight retorted, before holding a hoof to her forehead. “I mean– I know that storybook showed your mane as pink before Luna’s banishment, and now it isn’t. So I’m wondering if there’s a gap in the historical records or something. Did you change your mane all the time back then?”
“Rest assured, I don’t dye it all the time. Not anymore, at least. Besides, I have got a very simple reason to be dyeing my mane.”
Twilight leaned in closer, her eyes wide. “Yes…?”
Celestia looked left and right with a conspiratorial glance. She leaned closer still to Twilight, a hoof over her mouth, and whispered very carefully; “I like it.”
“Huh,” Twilight said, rubbing her chin. “That’s it?”
“Yep!” Celestia replied, leaning back against her seat with a gleeful smirk. “Sunflower yellow especially. It’s a lovely shade.”
“… I don’t know what I was expecting.”
“It’s best to temper one’s expectations, my friend,” said Celestia, patting Twilight. “Though I am partial to light blue. Hm, care for some dye, by the way? I’ve got a few at Canterlot Palace. Too much for a single mare, you know, I’ll admit that.”
“No thanks, heh, I’m, I’m fine with just the styling,” said Twilight. She cleared her throat. “Well, uh, Princess Celestia–”
“Just Celestia, Twilight, no need to be so formal in a spa,” Celestia replied. “Let alone your favourite.”
“Okay, okay, sorry, force of habit.” Another pause. “Listen, um… I’m, sorry, by the way. For the…”
Celestia moved to pat her shoulder. “It’s quite alright. You were sparing my feelings, and I can understand that. If anything, I’d love to help in writing the plays, get the details just right.”
“You would?” Twilight said, her ears flicking. “Oh, that’s great! See, Ocellus had this idea for a follow-up play, and she’s got Gallus to help, and I got Luna onboard too, but if you could also help, that’d really make their day.”
“Oh, do tell, do tell...”
With little else to do, Celestia leaned back and listened blissfully, long into the evening.
* * * * *
“Hey Mom?”
It was a little too early for anything to be said, Celestia thought. Usually, at this late hour, even when they shared study space in her own bedroom, her adoptive daughter had found simple contentment in the quiet and diligent pursuit of her studies.
Had.
Celestia looked up from the storybook she was currently penning, in the middle of writing a particularly sweet sentence she’d just figured out. She set down her quill. “Yes, Sunset?”
Sunset closed her tome and looked at her, frowning. “Why do you dye your mane? You taught me how to, what’s the word, ‘invest in the right sectors’ when ruling.”
“Of course,” Celestia answered, smiling. “You’re a fast learner.”
“Yeah. So what’s up with all the hair dye?”
Always so direct, her Sunset, even compared to other children her age. Still, no harm in answering.
“I just do, I suppose,” said Celestia. She ran a forehoof through her mane as she said so, the multi-coloured shade having been replaced by a pleasant lime green. “And it’s pretty. Here I thought you, of all ponies, would like green, Sunset.”
“Yeah, I do. But your mane, it’s just fine the way it is,” Sunset persisted. “And nopony else has a mane like yours. The stuff goes away at the end of the day anyway– I saw it all burn away the other day! So what’s the point?”
“That I can then try on another shade. And another the day after. Variety’s always nice.”
“Stars, you’re so weird sometimes.” Sunset sighed. “But don’t make me dye mine. I’m okay with it, and Cadance said it was okay, so there.”
“What, this pretty little fiery mane?”
Before Sunset could object, Celestia had already reached out and ruffled her daughter’s mane, laughing all the while as Sunset pushed her hoof away.
“Mooom,” the filly groaned. “Stop it. I’m not ten anymore, I’m fourteen. What if Cadance sees?”
Celestia let out a melodious laugh. “Oh, Sunset… Have you finished your homework, dear?”
Sunset grumbled and huffed, and returned to her tome, on a page about a rather complicated spell theorem. Without a word exchanged, Celestia scooched over and draped a comforting wing over the filly’s withers.
* * * * *
“… The painting commemorating the Year 517 Treaty with Queen Phantasma of the Changelings, and approximately twenty-five bottles of hair dye from the court of Saddle Mareabia, to conclude the report of Year 970, Anno Solaris.”
Celestia nodded along, as her newest advisor rolled up the scroll. She offered him a kind smile. “Thank you, um, Kibitz, that should be all for today.”
Such an odd name ought to make him easier to recall in the long list of ponies who’d been her advisor, Celestia mused. Although his bushy brown moustache certainly helped distinguish him as well.
Kibitz gave her a firm nod. “Very well, Your Highness. I shall take my leave for the day.”
But something about his stiff gait and a hesitant glint in his eyes caught Celestia’s gaze. “Oh, is something the matter?”
“N-nothing, nothing’s wrong, pardon,” said Kibitz, though his stammer told Celestia otherwise.
“Hmm,” she said. “Tell me, how have these first four months been treating you?”
“Quite well, no doubt! Uncle had spoken very highly of working under you. But…”
“But…?”
“The, uh, shipments. Of dye. They, ah, that is to say, it seems to have taken a chunk out of the budget for the month, ending–”
Celestia raised a forehoof. “That’s quite alright. Where the dyes are concerned, I have my own savings set aside. Rest assured, I’m not using the state treasury on my personal expenditures.”
“Ah. If I may… well, I don’t quite understand. Pardon my forwardness.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for, Kibitz. Ask away.”
“Right. Well, I am curious, you see. Why… why the large amount? Your mane is rather...”
“Yes?”
“Colourful. My apolo–”
Celestia laughed. “Oh, don’t apologise for that now,” she said. She flicked her red-shaded mane aside. “If red isn’t my colour, you should say so!”
“Well, ahem, red is quite alright. It oddly fits you. ” Kibitz said. “But I ought to ask the gentry not to bring it up, if it would help.”
“The gentry are entitled to their opinion. Just as I have my right to keep my mane this way. It always fades away at the end of the day– but until then, I enjoy seeing them struggle to phrase their objection over whichever shade I pick.”
“I see, Your Highness,” said Kibitz, a touch unsure.
Celestia’s eyes drifted towards his moustache, and his youthful look beneath it. He couldn’t have been more than twenty-eight. Or thirty, or even thirty-five. The youth of today can be very ambitious indeed.
“Hmm, Kibitz? Have you been receiving any, shall we say, pressure from the gentry yourself? They tend to be rather tough on the staff…”
A drop of sweat slid down Kibitz’s brow. Celestia let out a mirthful, understanding chuckle.
“Well, take my advice with a grain of salt, Kibitz, but… I could offer you some of my gray dye if it helps.” She winked at him. “You know how gentryfolk are about seniority. It changes their attitude, particularly towards household staff.”
Kibitz raised an eyebrow. “I… Well, I shall give that due consideration, ma’am…”
“Indeed. Now, have a good night. We’ve got a meeting in two days.”
“Aye, I’ll be right on that soon. Good night, Your Highness.”
* * * * *
As far as meetings went, Celestia mused, this one went as smoothly as she could have hoped. Apart from a curious glance or two at her purple mane and some whispers behind her back, it could have been any other ordinary diplomatic meeting were it not for their present guests.
Such a rare sight indeed to see Changelings out of their disguises.
“Queen Phantasma would like to relay her most sincere gratitude Lady Celestia,” said the shrunken Changeling scribe, bowing as deeply as his decrepit old hooves allowed him to, “for your most gracious acceptance of her terms.”
Never mind that said ‘terms’ were hardly even terms, merely a guarantee of no reprisals whatsoever.
He’d spoken it so easily, here in the heart of Equestria itself with the Changelings’ contingent outnumbered five to one. Not a fortnight ago, one of their own had attempted to seize control of her mind using a potent parasite of the Pearl Hive… With naturally grisly results, once the parasite had made contact with her alicorn blood.
The lingering smell in her bedchambers was evidence enough, as was the rather embarrassed spy. Whom now had returned to Phantasma’s side, looking quite ashamed of himself – or perhaps fearful of his Queen’s wrath.
Yet Celestia just about held on to her mask, wearing a smile as placid as she could manage. “You are very much welcome,” she said. “Do tell Phantasma that I thank her for smooth negotiations.”
Her advisors had spoken as one against allowing Phantasma and her retinue into the Palace to answer her summons. But no harm would come to the Changelings, any more than to Celestia. Across from her, Queen Phantasma peered through half-moon spectacles, with an expression kept unreadable. That is, until she cleared her throat to speak.
“My, I do believe that some courtesy is in order for such a generous ruler,” she said. Her retinue buzzed in agreement. “My, uh, informant– he told me of your fondness for hair dyes? I must say, you’ve got quite the lovely taste in colours.”
Celestia raised an eyebrow.
“Princess, if I may speak up,” spoke up Captain Centurio, flanking her, “I do not think we should entertain this Queen further.”
“It’s quite alright, Captain,” said Celestia. The pegasus captain nodded, then returned her gaze to the retinue opposite them.
Still, Celestia could hardly fault the Changelings themselves. Her purple mane drifted in the ethereal breeze, which must have caught the attention of any and all Changelings. She looked evenly at Phantasma.
“Thank you, and yes, I am indeed rather fond of dyes, Queen Phantasma. What of it?”
Phantasma let out a cackle. “Five hundred years on, and you still can’t decide on a shade,” she said, adjusting her glasses. “Perhaps we ought to offer you our brand of shapeshifting magic, hm?”
Before Celestia’s eyes, the Queen’s mane turned into an identical shade of purple as hers, before shifting back to its original green.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” said Celestia, “but I would have appreciated the offer if it came before the plotting or the attempt.”
“Oh, you’re no fun,” Phantasma sneered. “Here I thought you’d want to reduce that excessive spending. You could have used it on training better guards!”
Laughter rose from the Changelings. Lieutenant Steelsong stepped forward, yet Celestia halted him with a raised wing.
“What I do with my personal income, Phantasma,” said Celestia as steadily as she could, “is neither the concern of the Exchequer, nor yours.”
“That’s Oleandrite purple you’re wearing. Feeling a bit vain are we now, Tia?” Phantasma scoffed. “All that dye through the years must’ve rotted your brains out!”
More laughter. Phantasma’s smirk grew into a vicious grin. Before either Centurio or anyone else could speak up, however, Celestia’s mane had already been set alight with a bright yellow flash.
Not a soul dared to move, their brief yelps and shouts quieted as the flames spread through Celestia’s vibrant mane. Her horn was alight, her gaze narrow and withering, as the spell did its work.
When the last embers of the dye burned away, Celestia sat back down, her mane as resplendent and graceful as it ever was in all its myriad colours. Not once from start to finish did she avert her intensifying glare from meeting Phantasma eye-to-eye, piercing through her glasses. The Queen’s eyes were wide as saucers, her prideful smirk wiped clean off her face.
Celestia, gritting her teeth without letting it show, nodded to the advisor nearest to her. “Right, then. Now that’s settled, shall we continue?”
* * * * *
“Your Highness? Is everything alright?”
The withered old voice of her advisor streamed into Celestia’s mind, interrupting her mirror-gazing. Tearing her eyes away from the eye-sore that was her mane, she looked at him with a smile as regally graceful as she could muster.
“I’m sorry, Greyhoof,” she said. “I’ve had much to think about.”
The elderly earthpony, grey as his name, inclined his head. “As you do, Your Highness. It has been an eventful year.” A short pause. “And an eventful week. I apologise. Captain Ironhoof can be… quite enthusiastic, when it comes to singing praises.”
“If grovelling is what you call ‘enthusiastic’,” Celestia deadpanned. The Captain had indeed grovelled as well as he could, paying her compliment after compliment for a job well done in the days gone by. Starting, to her great chagrin, with her mane. Her colourful, awe-inspiring, hideous mane.
He wouldn’t understand. Few ever would. It was a mane many would envy, yet only she would resent.
Celestia’s frown disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared, and she shared a merry laugh with Greyhoof. “Oh, there is nothing to apologise for, my friend. If any, I should apologise. I can’t imagine how busy you must have been as well.”
Greyhoof let out a sigh. “Nothing in comparison to your days, Your Highness. And for that, you have my utmost condolences.”
Her smile faded. “Yes,” she agreed, “I suppose…”
“Ma’am?”
Celestia returned her gaze to the mirror. For as long as she could remember, staring at her reflection had meant staring into the image of her seen by Equestria, Princess Celestia with her glorious flowing pink mane. The Princess of the Sun, with company at her side. Company that was here no longer.
It was the will of Harmony, the court mages had told her. In that fraction of a second, as she wielded all six of the Elements of Harmony, she’d channelled their might through her veins and embodied Harmony itself.
When all was said and done, what the elements had left behind were the shattered remains of gemstones, and a stain on her very person. A stain, in the form of the new colours that shimmered and gleamed within her mane.
With the Mare in the Moon now looming overhead, there’d been nothing left she could do.
“Everytime I see myself reflected in mirror,” Celestia whispered, “I see these– these awful shades. I relive that night over and over again so vividly, as fate’s cruel reminder.“
She let out a bitter laugh, glancing at Greyhoof. “And I deserve it. What good is the nation’s adulation, when she isn’t there by my side, she who needed their love more than I ever did...”
Tears welling up, she tore her gaze away once more. But then she felt a warm touch upon her shoulder.
“If I may, ma’am,” Greyhoof said, his voice soft and tender, “It’s a paltry offer to make, but… perhaps a little bit of dye could help.”
Celestia felt her eyebrow raise. “Dye?”
“Yes, um, my granddaughter, she’s rather fond of it herself,” said Greyhoof, clearing his throat. “Every Hearthswarming she’ll ask for dyes, and the Reindeer always provide. She likes pink, you see.”
“Pink? Why pink?”
“I think you might have an idea of that, Your Highness,” Greyhoof answered, eyes darting towards a hanging strand of Celestia’s own mane.
Celestia let out a chuckle, running her hooves through her flowing mane. “I don’t know. It would seem rather vain of me.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. You have been kind to us all for so long, Princess Celestia. It would only be fair that you show yourself some of that kindness.”
When Celestia looked away from the mirror and into his eyes, she saw the hints of an affection that only Luna could have given to her without reserve.
“Thank you, Greyhoof…” said Celestia. “I’ll… well, I see no harm in your proposal. Especially if it might make your granddaughter’s day.”
“It’s no trouble,” Greyhoof replied crisply, though he could do little to hide his glee. “If you wish, I could help in applying it. I’ve had plenty of experience, as you can imagine.”
Celestia smiled a smile to match his own. “No need for that, my friend. You need your rest. I believe that I shall manage just fine…”
* * * * *
“Well, Sister?”
Celestia turned her gaze to Luna.
They were back here at Seaward Shoals. She softened her smile, and if her eyes were wet, surely that was from the salty air of the seaside.
“Okay, Luna,” said Celestia, “I will tell you.”
Just a silly little thing I wanted to write, after a rather infuriating semester.
I always thought it was curious how Celestia had a multicoloured mane, and Luna did not. And here we are, heh.
Disregards the Season 4 depiction of Celestia's mane in the past, because let's be honest, we all prefer Pinklestia. I also took cues from Lullaby for a Princess's version of events, which is also honestly better than canon;
The characters of Greyhoof and Ironhoof comes from Bad_Seed_72's phenomenal works, The Order and What Hath Joined Together. Though forever unfinished, highly recommended if only because of how utterly frustratingly brilliant and heartbreaking they both are! May Bad_Seed be alright, wherever she is now.
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Glad to see this live! It was such a pleasure to pre-read!
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And thank you for the help as well
This one was a lovely piece. Onwards, for more horse words about tall magical horse god!
I had a distinct image of Fausticorn appear in my mind.
Correct me if I'm wrong. But isn't this from the comics? Sounds familiar. And no comment on your wrong opinions on the old Pinklestia idea and Lullaby For a Princess.
Love the story either way. We need more like it 😁.
A wonderful peek into the characterization of Princess Celestia, and a walk through her memories that could entertain anyone. Splendid job!
We stan hair dye Tia :)
Excellent work, Sledge. The backward structure, the way each section introduces a new color, and the contrast and echoes between the Kibitz and Greyhoof sections as well as the Twilight and Sunset ones were all great. And you really stick the landing in the Greyhoof section, really selling the emotional weight of the reveal while at the same time tying it to a very slice of life, intimate, and casual interaction. This really was a joy to read.
This is a great one.
Prods the feels in all the right ways. :)
10851310
Thank you for the pre-read
and stay tuned! You know what's coming.
10851360
But of course. It runs in the family
10851402
Well, yes and no. While Celestia dyes her mane blonde as a pegasus, matching the comics' look, her pegasus disguise and name here is based off this old fandom classic;
- MLP: FiM
- Slice of Life
Celestia's Day Off10851418
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That we do
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10851743
This was wonderfully sweet!
Interesting piece! I love it! Now I'm imagining Luna in a mailmare outfit. Also love the Momlestia bit with Sunset.
The changeling queen's offer of changeling magic has me thinking of that one comic where Celestia uses an amulet with said magic for her disguise, so either she reconsidered or found her own way
What a pleasant surprise there. I admire your way of executing the reveal. Thank you for the read!
Holy cow! I was expecting a shitpost, but this actually got pretty real towards the end! I especially liked the reverse-chronological structure--helped show us, the longer it went on, how important haor dye really was to her. I also really enjoyed all the little worldbuilding touches, especially the mother-daughter relationship between Celestia and Sunset. Well done!
Lovely story, and in honesty. It would be weird if Celestia didn't pick up a hobby or two over the thousand or so years she's lived.
Funny thing about it, Tia in most merchandise is pink. It's only in show she's done that way.
In Lulaby animation there was just smooth transition from pink to glowing mane was Simbolic transition from past to today, without hinting it being a result of magic use (a magical PTSD?) but I like the idea.
In S4 past Tia and Luna look exactly same as modern counterparts and talk in modern tongue... so It's a simplification, a decision by makers to avoid changes. Could be also argued that it was a vision, not a time travel expirience.
You would think magical ponies would have magical dyes. Why not plaid hair?
This looks a lot like the pegasus version of Celestia from the MLP game....the version of her that uses changeling magic to take on the form of a pegasus so she can walk among the populous without being noticed.
Did Lullaby actually create the pink mane thing? I always just assumed that was canon.
I like Tide Podlestia.
Great slice of life you have here, Sledge. I enjoy how you incorporated various uses of the dye throughout Celestia's life, for better and for worse.
Wow mind blown! Celestia's multi color mane makes so much sense now! This is officaly my head cannon now.
An interesting little story. Have a well earned updoot.
Quick question, how was Celestia's mane depicted in S4? I tried to find an image, but all that came up was the pinklestia stained glass.
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There's also Princess Celestia Gets Mugged, though I think BronyWriter likely lifted the idea of Sunny Skies from PhantomFox's story (which was published a few months earlier. Either way, I love both those stories and my personal headcanon is that Sunny Skies is Celestia's go-to disguise for out-of-castle shenanigans.
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Glad it warmed your heart
10852214
Oh, that's certainly an interesting thought, heh. Who knows. Maybe a couple years down the line, she did accept the offer...
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I aim to please
Glad you enjoyed the story!
10852251
You thought it was a shitpost but it was me, heartfelt storytelling! Jokes aside, I'm glad you liked it
. There's a lot to be written about when it comes to Celestia and Sunset's relationship, alright, and honestly I prefer having them as the adoptive mother-daughter pair, not Twilight.
10852539
Indeed
What else would she be doing if not write children's stories? I've always thought that deep down, all Celestia wants to be is to be normal.
10852679
Oh, it was canon insofar that it was shown in the storybook that she had pink hair. I simply liked Lullaby's take on it far more than the canon version.
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Thanks Gadot! I'm glad it warmed your heart too, from start to the very end
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Aw
Honoured to have given you a piece of headcanon, heh.
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Precisely my headcanon too! I like to think that, again, all Celestia wants to be after all this time is to be normal, and being Sunny Skies gives her that chance.
if there is ever a budget crunch,, celestia would need to go on a dye-it.... See you on the moon.
I feel your pain, dood. I miss What Hath Joined Together. So feverishly.
This was really nice! I didn't expect this to depict slices of Celestia's history, and for hair dyes to intersect with the various ponies she knew. I will say though that there being an actual concrete explanation for why Celestia likes hair dyes was a bit of a let down, even if her aurora hair coming form her sealing away Luna with the Elements is a good origin story.
It was nice seeing references to the comics, and there were some interesting headcanons even outside of the hair dye aspect.
Did not expect Lullaby, but I love it. No wonder I saw this in the Featured box last week. Have yourself a like and follow, and may the Moon’s gentle light ever guide your steps.
This! Lol.
This was a great story! It's kind of hard to comment on (for me) because there were so many little bits and pieces to it. Of course, this isn't a bad thing. It worked quite amazingly and pieced together to form an emotional tale of why Celestia likes to dye her mane. At first, it seems silly but the ending really wraps it together. I had a blast reading this, its very well written, and the concept, if a bit funny, is explored in a very unique way.
Great job!
You know, with a title like this, I was expecting something goofy with a light hearted punchline, but instead it's surprisingly emotional. The moving backwards through time is a cool framing device, setting up events that are yet to have already been depicted (tenses ahoy!). If anything, it's kind of...too emotional? Like, it doesn't fully commit to being sad or depressing or heartfelt, but at the same time it doesn't really have that much pure comedy to it IMO? I find it hard to fit this into a genre. That doesn't make it bad by any means, though, far from it.
I'm bad at ending these, so uh... I give this 27 bottles of hairdye in various rare and expensive colors sitting in a back shelf in Celestia's closet for special occasions out of 30.
I love the slow shift from comedic to heartfelt in this story. Starting after Celestia's retirement was great, because it sets the stage for the dyes being something Celestia does for some spice of life, not showing how far back her colorful endeavor goes. Over time, we go through the ages, and see that Celestia's dyes have accompanied her through thick and thin, until finally the reason behind why Celestia started dyeing her mane is revealed. It flips the whole story on its head, and it's a incredible twist that, giving the comedic note it starts with, could be expected, but might not really be on your mind or something you expect from what might be seen as a comedy.
The bits and pieces of Celestia's years are wonderful. It gives her so much personality, from her harshest rage, to her kindest words, to her present where she can finally relax. Sunset's scene is probably my favourite, and it sounds like Sunset has a crush on Cadance in it which is always a plus. Speaking of, Luna sending Twilight flowers is an adorable addition that builds the light-hearted feel up even further.
Great subversion of expectations, with an unexpectedly emotional ending to what otherwise seemed to be a fun romp about color!
I expected comedy the whole way through, and enjoyed the transition into a more serious tone. It was really well paced.
Good job with Celestia's characterization. You gotta do something to keep things interesting if you live for thousands of years!
I can't think of any criticism to give. This was a truly enjoyable read.
Howdy, hi!
Your Celestia continues to be one of my favourite depictions of the character in fanfiction. The emotion brought forth on such an almost silly thing is nigh awe-inspiring to have read through. I adore Celestia speak through the ages and the wham line at the end of the real reason why she uses the dye. I also love the idea of Celestia just being increasingly outrageous colours over the centuries. Though, I would cry if she ever did Magenta as that is shader error colour and would cause me to shed programmer tears.
Anyways, this was such a delight to read and a perfect mix of comedy and seriousness. Truly a pleasure.
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Huzzah! Glad you enjoyed it very much, oats
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Heh, I was wondering if it was comedic enough to qualify as one, but I confess that I can't help but be entirely heartfelt about things
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Glad to subvert your expectations
Indeed, I went with such a shitposty title for a reason 
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And, awww. Yeah, Sunset's moment with Celestia was my favourite too, though Luna came close!
Although...
Hehe, take another look at what Celestia's dye colour is during this time
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Awww, I feel honoured
Glad she left quite the impression 
I agree, that video was much better than the canon and so heartbreaking.
Wow. This was very unexpected. I came here to read a funny story, but at the end I suddenly felt sad.
pleasant when the story unfolds from an unexpected angle.