It would seem that fortune decided to have mercy on Celestia’s sanity. The few and far between appearance of servants and the near silence of the hallways made the chaos that ensued mere hours ago seem like it never happened. It would seem that most of the events from the accidental schedule had been completed, just some rudimentary items here and there that the servants needed to tend to were all that remained.
Celestia did not complain about the peace, thankful that the madness had ended for today. Making great time across the castle’s expanse, Celestia felt her thoughts wander back to the meeting beforehand, the moment where she found Luna’s signature going to the forefront of her memory.
Of all ponies to be interested in such a thing, I never would have pinned Luna to be one of them, let alone remain silent about it all this time
While she was usually the silent type, it was unlike Luna to not inform Celestia about matters involving documents such as this, as she took her royal duties rather seriously, still directing herself with the olden times mannerisms and procedures.
Shrugging her shoulders, Celestia continued her walk. While she could have easily teleported to her sister, Celestia had recently gotten into the habit of enjoying walking through her castle to get where she needed to be. Partially because she enjoyed the sights within the castle, and partially because of her sister’s playfully cruel jeers at her royal decor getting a few sizes smaller over her frame.
Nonsense.
Celestia comforted herself, trying her damnedest to ignore the tightness of her dress around her hips.
As if to prove a point Celestia quickened her pace though the castle, going from a casual stride to a power walk down the many corridors. Her massive size making her speed like a sprint to the guards and maids she briskly passed, almost accidentally trampling a few in her hurry.
Within a few minutes Celestia reached her destination; the door to Luna's chambers stood before her, the dark blue hue with the many artistic imprints scattered throughout the door contrasted almost blaringly to the pure white of the surrounding castle. Its great expanse, while big to normal ponies, was around average to Celestia, having been custom made to be grandiose for the lunar princess rather than herself.
Approaching the door and reaching her hand out Celestia gave a short and polite knock on the door. The sound caused a slight echo to surround Celestia, the old wood making the knock louder then it would normally have been.
Her ears shuffled as she heard the sound of approaching foot steps towards the door, her ancient years of knowledge allowing her to identify the sound of the heels on the floor anywhere.
Smiling as the door took on a familiar blue hue, it swung open to reveal the figure of her sister standing behind it, a similar friendly smile spread across her face, almost a mirror match to the affection she was receiving from Celestia.
Dressed in a similar style, with the only difference being instead of pure white like Celestia’s dress, her's was a dark navy blue with black outlines around it, and her regalia was a similar color as well. Though her's was a little unkempt when compared to her sister’s. Luna was never good at keeping ner clothing tidy.
Celestia would never change that.
“Greetings sister!” Luna enthusiastically exclaims, breaking the silence. “What brings you to my chambers at this time?”
Regaining her train of thought, Celestia made her smile grow a bit more before responding.
“Greetings to you as well Luna, unfortunately it’s business that causes my visit at this time.” Celestia said with a smidge of unfortunate sadness. She wished she could have been visiting for other reasons. Preferring to spend time together with her sister to enjoy themselves and not just political matters.
If Luna felt the same way she didn’t show it, her stance still having a small bounce to it.
“Well as usual sister, your timing is impeccable! I had just finished with the final preparations for a rather unique request!” Luna said brazenly. Celestia didn’t have to think long to figure out what the mystery preparations were.
Luna began to motion for Celestia to come inside, standing to one side of the doorway to make room for her sister to enter her chambers.
“Come in sister, I am earnest as to what this matter you have come to us beholds.” Luna announced, her giddy hopping continuing.
Nodding her head, Celestia entered the room, one of the few places she had not seen as much as the rest of the castle, mainly due to her wanting to give Luna her privacy, and to establish to the masses that there was a difference between matters for her and matters for Luna. It was one of the more subtle attempts at getting the public to re-accept luna back into society and politics.
The room itself was not a pony’s chamber in the traditional sense, as it was actually a small portion of rooms separate from the castle, containing several similar rooms to the rest of the castle, each interconnected through various hallways that were separate from the rest of the castle, though there were several doors connecting the two different “realms” of the castle just for ease of getting from one to the other.
Celestia had chosen the entrance to Luna’s own meeting hall, figuring that Luna would be slightly behind in terms of getting her duties sorted up. Celestia sighed a little, thankful that she picked correctly at where her sister was, but a little disheartened at the thought that her sister too was feeling the brunt of the schedule fail that happened.
Apparently there were still night-based activities that the schedule forgot to add to it. Meaning Luna was working far overtime to compensate for missing almost an entire day’s worth of work.
Her sympathy only grew when Luna turned to face her, having reached the night court’s table already. Even through her dark coat Celestia could spot the dark bags underneath her eyes, as if irony was playing a cruel joke on the princess of the night, as apparently the ruler of sleep was not immune to the effects of skipping it.
Closing the distance, Celestia joined Luna at her table, sitting at an appropriate distance, obeying the rules of political etiquette that had been drilled into her so long ago. A few moments passed of the two getting comfortable. Celestia was the first to speak up.
“So, Luna, as I'm sure you still have many matters to attend to I would like to make this as brief as possible.” Celestia began, trying to show Luna her sympathy for her situation. Seeing Luna nod she continued “It is a matter regarding one of our public appearances.”
Luna smirked a little, her playful smiling starting to fill with friendly yet mischievous intent.
“Celestia, as I've said before, it is not up to me if you want to observe the cake eating contests going on later this week.” Luna chipped in with a smirk.
Ouch
Trying to smile at the small quip about her addiction, Celestia smiled at the humor of it at least, before continuing.
“No sister, it is not a matter of attend-observing of an causeni eating contest.” Celestia quickly corrected herself, not wanting to give in to her sister's taunts. “It is of a matter of an appearance contract that I had just recently signed.”
Hitting the nail on the head was what Celestia was known for, going straight to the point seemed to make Luna almost relieved in a way, though Celestia didn’t seem to know why.
Gauging Luna’s reaction and taking the initiative from Luna’s silence, Celestia continued.
“According to the document, it had requested that we make an appearance to a sporting event known as the E.M.W.L.” pausing to take a breath preparing to ask her question. Noticing Luna’s eyes sparkling slightly once she mentioned the name. “It would seem that due to this document requesting both of our appearances, you neglected to inform me of your signing beforehand. I would think you would have informed me of such a matter?”
The last part was more of a question then a statement, Celestia was genuinely interested as to why Luna neglected to say anything to her. She wasn't mad, just curious.
A somewhat guilty but happy look swept across Luna’s face. Taking a moment to formulate her answer, she shuffled in her seat a little.
“Yes… about that sister, It was something that me and Busy Body had decided, I was more then happy to attend his event, and, upon seeing my interest, he hoped that by seeing my agreement to it you would be interested too, due to you having a slight history of disagreeing with attending things like that.” She answered moreso then responded. A sheepish grin spread across her muzzle, her ears flattening on her head in slight embarrassment.
Thinking back on it, it was Luna’s signature that convinced Celestia to sign it in the first place, and the way Busy was acting at the meeting began to make sense, as he had planned it out. Quite impressively in fact. Luna wasn’t wrong about Celestia being interesting in her selections. Favoring the quiet and calm attendance requests rather than any uproarious ones.
Celestia was going to comment on this, only slightly annoyed at what was said, her mind swaying about whether or not to follow through with the agreement and not cancel the whole thing. Though before she could voice her thoughts, she was interrupted.
“I really hope that this doesn't change your mind, I really want to go~” Luna’s tone took on a childlike plea near the end, her eyes becoming almost like a puppy’s. She knew exactly what Celestia’s weaknesses were when it came to decision making. Luna was extremely excited at the idea of attending this show. Something that was quite rare these days was Luna being this dedicated to anything going on recently.
Celestia couldn't bring herself to deny Luna this, the last of her suspicions having been snuffed out by the eyes of Luna. Sighing, Celestia nodded her head.
“Very well Luna, we shall be attending the event tomorrow. Though next time please inform me about something like this beforehand.” Celestia said with a small smile.
Luna’s ears shot straight up, her tail almost wagging behind her. Her smile made Celestia’s heart melt straight away.
“Oh thank you sister, we are most pleased with your decision, I was always curious about what the most popular nighttime event our subjects enjoy!” Breaking into olden Equestrian out of excitement, Luna proclaimed her appreciation on Celestia agreeing.
Standing up, Celestia offered a slightly bigger, yet tired, smile in return. She nodded towards Luna before beginning to make her way out of the meeting room.
“Glad to see you so happy Luna. Now if you'll excuse me, I am tired and wish to retire for the night.”
Luna was so excited that she didn't offer a reply in response, just a small wave and a nod of her head in return before beginning to exit the room as well, most likely to begin her final duties before beginning her retirement for the day as well.
Exiting the room, Celestia closed the door behind her, a slow creak followed by a muted clunk signified the doors closing. Celestia stood just outside of the door’s expanse, her mind in deep contemplation.
What have i gotten into?
Shrugging her mind, Celestia made her way to her bedroom, a deceptive amount of time had passed throughout the meeting she and Luna had, the threads of night beginning to creep into the windows that hung over the castle walls.
Seeing this, Celestia made her way to her bedroom, thankful for the chance to rest her mind.
Tomorrow will hold some interesting things.