The fire was roaring in the fireplace, crackling away happily as I walked inside, spreading its warmth through the room. Celestia received me in one of her private rooms today instead of the throneroom.
What more, this entire section of the castle was heated up to summer temperatures and I slipped my cloak off as I walked into the room, folding it up and putting to the side.
This wasn’t one of the rooms I was in usually when visiting Sunshine that usually had large windows to the outside. Instead it was a comfortably warm small personal library with marble floor and artifacts on display among the books. The only windows were very small and very high on one wall.
A large gem. A helmet. A silvery sword mounted on the wall, the hilt carrying Celestia’s mark and wrapped in gold and silver.
Nopony was there as I walked in, allowing the door to close behind me as I put my cloak over the back of a chair on my way over to study the artifacts as I waited.
While I was looking at a clear crystal carved into the shape of a delicate feather in a display case, the door opened and I turned to look.
Celestia entered with a smile, “Page. Welcome back.”
No crown. No fancy necklace. No shoes. Just radiant Celestia, beautiful as a sunrise.
No wonder some consider her a goddess.
“Thank you,” I said and turned to her, “It’s good to be back. You’re looking good.”
Celestia smiled and then glanced down at herself, lifting one hoof off the floor as she spread her wings wide, splaying her feathers, “I was in the bath when I got word you had arrived. My regalia were being cleaned and polished. I didn’t think I would need them for you.”
“You certainly don't,” I agreed and crossed over, hugging her softly. Her warm wings slipped around me. She smelled like summer sun, warm fur and meadow flowers. I could feel the heat radiating from her like a sunwarm rock.
“How was your journey?”
“It went well,” I answered and let go to smile up at her, only to find her frowning down at me as her wing moved along my side.
Hadn’t bothered to make the illusion over the bandages a tactile one.
Sighing softly, I stepped back and dropped the illusion, revealing the bandages around my barrel one the side of my flank.
“That explains why my sister was upset,” Celestia said with a frown, “You were hurt worse than you told me.”
“It’s just some scratches!” I exclaimed and spread my wings in slight frustration as I stomped one hoof, “Seriously! It’s not that bad! It just looks that way with the bandages!”
Celestia looked at me sceptically, “So if I were to remove those, I would not find deep claw marks along your barrel and flank?”
“They’ll heal!” I protested before I sighed and folded my wings again, “...Yes, he hit me, but it’s honestly not that bad, Sunshine. Everypony does that and I’m starting to get annoyed at ponies making a fuss over it,“ I said and stomped one hoof, “I’m not made of bucking glass!”
Celestia's wings dropped for a split second before she sighed, “We know, Page,” and crossed over closer to me, “We just don’t like seeing you hurt. Imagine if it had been Twilight or Luna. Or Sunset.”
I stomped my hoof against the marble, flicking my ears before I nodded with a small sigh, “I guess I get that,” I admitted.
If that had been the case, I would have been absolutely furious and I… I suppose I might not have been as restrained about showing my displeasure to the griffons.
“So don’t blame ponies for caring,” Celestia said gently and bumped her nose between my ears.
“I won’t,” I sighed again before I looked up at her, “Want to know how it went?”
“Did anything new happen since we spoke last night?”
I smiled at her and shook my head, “Not really, no. Sparks will have a full written report ready however, feel free to read or not.”
“I always read all of Twilight's reports, essays and thesis,” Celestia said with a small smile.
“I get that,” I said and then looked at her, giving her a small poke with my hoof as I smiled, “I love Sparks, but you didn’t really teach her brevity, did you? Besides, I only sometimes get what she’s talking about. I love Sparks, but she’s so much smarter than me, she might as well be a different species.”
Celestia shook her head, “Page, you’re plenty intelligent,” she said, her wing brushing my side as she walked up next to me and I raised my wing against her feathers, “It’s nothing but a matter of education. Do keep in mind that Twilight has studied her entire life.”
I nodded, “I suppose. But I suspect some of it may have to do with Sparks just being smarter than I am,” I pointed out, “Because, damn. That mare is smart.”
It’s kind of hot to be honest.
“She is, isn’t she?” Celestia said with a proud smile, “She is the best student I could have wished for.”
“Hey!” I teased, sticking my tongue out at her.
Sunshine smiled playfully, “You’re doing quite well as well,” she said and her wing brushed against mine as she flexed her long feathers, “Would you like some tea?”
“That would be nice, thank you.”
Buck, I could do with a cup of earl grey right now.
Celestia lit her horn and a bell rang somewhere. A moment later a door opened and a pink earth pony maid entered,
“Princess?”
“Could we have some tea, Sweet?” Celestia asked and then smiled, “And do we have some of those chocolate buns?”
Sweet smiled, “But of course, Princess. It will only be a moment. Would you like something stronger too?”
Celestia glanced at me.
I hesitated and then shook my head, “Not today I think.”
Celestia nodded and turned back to her, “That will be all for now, Sweet.”
She curtsied and left, leaving us alone again. Hmm. I really should pick up a new supply while I’m in Canterlot. Ordering is all well and all, but I’d like to visit Silver Leaf again anyway.
“Say, Sunshine,” I said and looked around the room, “Before I get distracted asking about the objects around this room, I had an idea earlier and I was wondering something about tonight. Something for Luna.”
“Oh?”
AHHHH DAMMIT JUST HOOK UP ALREADY
While Page may be married to Luna and has his herd of Sunset & Twilight, I'm sure Luna and the rest wouldn't mind one bit if they shagged for a whole night and get it out of their system...
Though it would be funny as Tartarus if Celestia was in heat at that time.
Dammit Page, why won't you go for dat celestial ass?
Chapter 66... soon... we see 69 👍
Whats so dangerous about claw marks? Even the not poisen ones?
Lower they might prevent little Wona or Sunshines in the future...
Most HiE stories would have made a joke after this. Then again, how many people even remember this was one?
This quote is ideal, cut and without any context
Just like the media likes it
...
I mean she is, they all are.
You are just controlling a different body,but you are still human.
11017523
Bear in mind that Equestria has (historically at least) reversed gender roles due to the scarcity of stallions, and abundance of mares.
No consider that Page is the only, known, male alicorn in a tribe of 7 (6 if you do not want to count Flurry, 5 if you also want to take Cadance out due to her being married).
Now imagine the way people in the victorian times would react to a noble-women, winning a duel, but getting a big ol' scar somewhere noticable as part of that victory.
It pings the part of their brain that goes "Me man, me should no let woman get hurt, she precious and soft." and then they emotionally and rationally justify it.
11017537
I know. Like every 6 mare there is one Stallion. I read and comment on that before
69 Special with Celestia joining the herd perhaps
11017560
Well that's why they're all reacting to the claw wounds.
It's not that they're dangerous, per se, it's that they even had to happen in the first place.
The fact that Celestia and Page are so dense that they rival a black hole is hilarious and frustrating.
11017577
Indeed... We all know it yet being a Glorious breeding stud is fun and all but it comes with its own golden cage...
derpicdn.net/img/view/2021/8/20/2682433.jpg
Now kith.
c.tenor.com/QNiQ5x9BeggAAAAC/unicorn-kiss-kissing.gif
Well Page, you're getting another example of what it was like to be a woman in the nineteen fifties or so.
11017526
Cultural (or in this case, racial) naturalisation is a wonderful thing. He's been there for what? Seven years now? Not sure of the exact timespan (though a reread will fix that sooner or later), but Page has definitely lived there long enough to consider himself that way.
Grammar jackboots:
Tense error: 'sun warmed'
Are you sure he should be stomping again? Feels like that was intended to be a scrape.
*door opens*
Blueblood: Auntie! I heard you were in here and I have the charts from the last mont--AHHHH!! *covering his eyes*
Page: ..Really? I'm disappointed considering I'm not even trying to be scary.
Blueblood: NOT YOU! You must be blind as a bat if you haven't notice the Princess is naked!
Celestia: Nephew...its just me without shoes and a necklace. Ponies usually don't wear clothes!
Blueblood: You're talking about commoners! We are ROYALTY! We have standards!
Page: Oh please! I write smut and your Auntie Celestia reads them!
Blueblood: I DON'T WANT TO KNOW THAT!
11017776
*Tear of laugher rolling down the cheeks* 👍
I get that three is a crowd, but would it really be all that bad for four?
Either way, give it 100 years and she will be yours. Oh yes, she will be yours.
Anyone else get the feeling that Page and Celestia already know exactly where they stand, but are taking their sweet time purely because they can?
11017832
Half the fun is the innuendo game they play
11017832
they are absolutely doing it to mess with Cadence
Then Page would be pissed at the guy who injured them, not at the injured mares he cares for.
I have noticed that Sunset's and the Twilights' concern sounds much more like they are more pissed at Page for getting hurt rather than being pissed at Razorwing, even accounting for the underhanded and dishonorable attempt to throw the fight toward his favor, much less the simple fight itself.
Nice
11018487
ThIs is common theme among most every species: The females are upset at everyone involved, and the males have a focused anger targeted at the primary cause of the fuss. Usually.