Celestia and Sunset continued to embrace a little while more, relishing the intimacy of the long overdue hug; all those missed years overwhelming them both. Neither were in any rush to end their hug.
"I've missed you so much Princess," Sunset cried, tears dampening her fur.
"And I've missed you my little sunshine," tears also falling down her cheeks.
"Are you really not mad anymore?"
"No. As I said, I couldn't be more proud of your accomplishments in the other world, the friends you have made and how much you've grown over the years."
"Thank you Princess," Sunset replied, hugging the Princess a little tighter.
"Speaking of the other world, I believe you have a colt friend."
Sunset let go of Celestia and her face beamed with joy, "Of course! I can't wait to introduce you! Come on!"
Sunset ran over to the door, soon followed by a giggling Celestia, and opened the door; only to see an amusing, if unexpected, sight in front of them. They watched on bemused as Luna gave Forte an enthusiastic noogie, much to his annoyance.
"NARGH! LET! ME! GO!" Forte harshly groaned, trying to force his way out of Luna's grip.
"NAY! THOU WILL ENJOY OUR NOOGIE!"
Celestia and Luna just looked at one another, stifling giggles at the adorable sight of Forte trying to force his way out of Luna's grip. Quickly though, Luna noticed her sister and Sunset.
"Tia, Sunset Shimmer."
"Luna?"
"Yes sister?"
"Please put Forte down."
Luna whined sadly but released her grip on Forte, unintentionally dropping him on the floor. Getting to his unfamiliar hooves, he tried to run back to Sunset but only succeeded in going muzzle first into the marble floor. Nursing his sore nose with a hoof, Celestia walked over to him and helped him up.
"You must be Forte. I've heard many things about you."
"What...kind of things?" he asked nervously, feeling a little overwhelmed by Celestia's larger size and the fact she looked just like his Principal....except she was horse shaped.
"Just a few of your adventures and how you assisted Sunset and Twilight."
"Twilight's been telling you about me?"
"Indeed."
"Nice things?" he asked nervously.
Celestia nodded, "Of course. She told me all about how you made lots of new friends and how you got together with Sunset."
Forte looked over to a smiling Sunset, "Well, how could I not like her. She was even my chaperone on my first day at CHS and introduced me to the rest of her friends as I'd already met Rarity and Pinkie by then. Soon after I took a liking to Sunset and eventually asked her out."
Looking at Sunset and smiling, he spoke his mind once more, "Quite simply the most perfect creature in existence."
Forte went wide eyed and began blushing in embarrassment upon realising what he let slip out. Looking over to Sunset, he saw Celestia looking down at a blushing Sunset and giving her a nuzzle.
"Sounds like somepony really likes you Sunset."
Forte scuffed the floor with his hoof, a little embarrassed. Celestia giggled and walked over to Forte and gave him a kiss on the forehead, before walking on; leaving a profusely blushing Forte standing frozen solid from shock.
Sunset giggled also and gave her boyfriend a kiss on the cheek and whispered into his ear, "I think she likes you."
"Come along my little ponies," Princess Celestia called out, "There is an abundance of cake in the kitchens that require our consumption."
Sunset began trotting along, catching up to Celestia. Forte didn't move, still zoned out from when Princess Celestia kissed his forehead. He was so out of it he didn't even acknowledge when he was enveloped in Celestia's magic and gently placed on her back.
Noting the glazed look on his face, Luna couldn't help but giggle, "We think you broke him, sister."
The Royal Sisters, Sunset and Forte were on their way to the Dining Room to have some of the aforementioned cake. Forte was still riding on Celestia's back, still zoned out from earlier.
My Principal's horsey look-a-like kissed me. And I'm riding on her back.....I'm never going to be able to look Principal Celestia in the same way again.
They entered the dining room and found themselves seats, Forte being levitated into a chair next to Sunset, who took the seat to Celestia's left. Forte was still zoned out a little, so Sunset brought him back to his senses by nudging him with an elbow.
It worked first time as a startled Forte jolted up and landed on his hooves on the chair.
"I'M AWAKE!"
Sunset, Celestia and Luna jumped slightly in surprise at Forte's sudden response, but quickly settled down.
"You just zoned out on us," Sunset said.
"Yeah.....well, your Princess erm....," Forte said, making a circling motion with his hoof, "Well I wasn't expecting it."
Sunset giggled, thinking of fond memories, "I know what you mean. When I first went through the mirror and saw Principal Celestia....I honestly thought Princess Celestia had followed me through."
"Did you ever call the Principal, Princess?" asked Forte, grinning a little and sitting down.
Sunset blushed, "Maybe."
Forte tried to suppress a snicker but failed to do so and burst into laughter, "I bet that surprised her."
"It did," Sunset deadpanned.
Forte continued to snicker a little more until a gentle clonk on the head from Sunset's hoof stopped him.
"Sorry," Forte said, still trying to stifle a laugh.
"No it's OK. I guess it is a little funny."
The room to the dining room opened and in walked one of the castle maids, trotting quickly up to the table.
"Do you wish to order anything Princess?"
"Yes. Could you go to the kitchen and bring the Hearth's Warming chocolate log?"
"Of course. Would you like drinks as well Princess?"
"Of course. Is champagne OK for you all?"
Sunset, Luna and Forte all nodded so Celestia turned her attention back to the maid, "Bring the big bottle, you'll know it when you see it; it's the only one of its size, and four glasses as well."
"Of course Princess."
The maid bowed to her Princesses and left the room to carry out her instructions.
"So Forte," Celestia said, "Tell me a little about yourself."
"Well," Forte began, nervously rubbing the back of his neck with a hoof, "There's not much to say. I recently moved to Canterlot....my Canterlot that is. My father's the Chief Civil Engineer of a major construction company, and who's also overseeing the construction of Wonderbolt's new football stadium. A 90,000 all seater with state of the art technology going onto the construction, world class facilities that will be second to none, a new pitch with under-soil heating and sprinklers, an official club mega-store, the club museum, two restaurants....."
Forte came out of his rambling and realised everyone staring at him. His cheeks went a slight shade of red and he laughed nervously, "Sorry. I guess I veered off there."
"That's quite alright," Celestia replied serenely, "It sounds like a fascinating project."
"I can't wait until it's finished."
"What does your mother do?" asked Luna.
"She's a songwriter and composer. She's written for a pop star known as Countess Coloratura and the scores to four of the seven Daring Do films."
"Sounds impressive," Celestia replied.
"Speaking of my parents," Forte continued, "Would I be able to meet their counterparts?"
Celestia and Luna exchanged nervous glances.
"We'll discuss it later," Celestia said with a smile, deciding it was too early to tell Forte about the fate of his parent's counterparts, "In the meantime, why not tell us a little more about your side of the mirror?"
"Well, it's quite different. For example, my Canterlot is a sprawling metropolis with numerous glass and steel skyscrapers hundreds of feet high, whereas your Canterlot looks like something out of a little girls' fairy tale.....no offence."
Celestia giggled, "None taken. Twilight was fascinated with your world and spoke at great length about it."
"Indeed," added Luna, "She even spoke of these 'computer games'. We would like to hear more about them, they sound most interesting and entertaining."
"Luna. Forte is not here to-"
Celestia was cut off by Luna shoving one of her hooves into Celestia's mouth, "Hush now sister. We would very much like to hear more."
"Well," Forte said, not really knowing what to make of what he was seeing, "Basically, computer games are a form of entertainment that puts you in control. Buuuuuut......it's easier to show you than to tell you."
"We understand. Perhaps one day you could show us?"
"Sure."
"Forte's quite musical as well," Sunset added, "He can play several instruments really well."
Forte waved a hoof dismissively, "I'm not brilliant, only average at best."
Celestia smiled softly, "It seems Twilight was correct."
"Huh?" queried Forte.
"You are too modest."
"I'm only being honest."
"You sell yourself short Forte," Sunset added, "You're better than you think you are."
"Maybe," Forte replied with a shrug of the shoulders, "I just don't like boasting."
"Commendable attitude," Celestia praised, "But you mustn't underestimate yourself."
"That's what I keep telling him," Sunset said, giving her boyfriend a nuzzle.
Forte instinctively returned it, enjoying the new sensation; with Celestia watching on in approval.
A couple of minutes later the dining room doors opened revealing the maid from before pushing a trolley. Wheeling it up to the table, she removed the covers revealing a large chocolate log with frosting dusted on top, and a large bottle of champagne and four glasses. The maid removed the contents and placed them on the table.
"Thank you my dear," Celestia said to the maid.
"You're welcome Princess," the maid replied, bowing and leaving the room, taking the empty trolley with her.
Taking a knife, Celestia cut the log into four equal sizes and placed them onto plates, and levitated them in front on everyone.
"It's a little weird seeing magic," Forte commented.
"You've seen it before," Sunset replied, "During the Battle of the Bands when we all 'Pony Upped'."
"'Pony Up'?" queried Celestia in bafflement before her eyes widened in realisation, "Oh yes! I think I recall Twilight mentioning it. Isn't that where your ears changed and your mane grew longer?"
Sunset nodded, "Yeah. Rainbow and Fluttershy, and later Forte grew wings as well."
"I remember," Forte replied, "A little warning would have been nice though. One moment I was playing and the next I was levitating mid-air being transformed. Why was I chosen?"
"That I do not know," Celestia replied, "But there will be a reason for it. It's not something that will have 'just happened', the same for Sunset. Now, enough talking; our cake needs eating."
As enthusiastic as Forte was, it was only now that a problem showed itself.
But not wanting to risk offending his hosts, he just decided to do the best he could.
He moved his hoof and tried to pick up the spork, but only succeeding in making small clanging noises from his hoof hitting the golden cutlery. He tried several more times with even less success, before finally, on his last attempt, he caused the spork to launch across the table and land on Celestia's plate.
Blushing in embarrassment from the incident and onlooking ponies, he could only apologise meekly.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"That's quite alright Forte," Celestia replied smiling, "I wouldn't expect you to be able to hoof cutlery so easily and so soon. You've only been a pony a few hours."
She picked the spork up in her magic and levitated it back to Forte and set it down on his plate.
"How do you suggest I eat it then?"
"Allow me," Sunset said, picking up the spork in her magic.
She cut away a piece of Forte's cake and moved it towards his mouth, "Open up."
"Is there really no other way?" Forte asked, feeling a little embarrassed at being spoon fed.
"Not unless you want to eat it doggy style."
Deciding that that was too uncouth and demeaning for him, he reluctantly opened his mouth and Sunset promptly shoved the cake inside.
Almost immediately Forte's taste buds came to life. The moment the velvety chocolate goodness frolicked his pony taste buds, he could almost feel himself ascend to a higher state of being.
Moaning in pleasure was enough for Celestia, "It seems you like cake."
"I LOVE cake!"
"So do I!" Celestia replied excitedly, "I must show you my cake kitchen before you go, and you will not leave Equestria without a generous supply of cakes baked by myself."
"You bake your own cakes?" he asked in surprise.
"Indeed I do. Who do you think taught Sunset?"
"I remember," Sunset replied, smiling at the happy memories, "Every Sunday we would bake together. It was by far my favourite time of the week."
"We could do it again before you leave," Celestia suggested.
Sunset looked up in surprise at her mentor, tears forming in her eyes, "Really? You'd really do that?"
Celestia nodded, "Of course. Forte can join us if he wishes."
"No thanks," he replied, "I wouldn't want to get in the way, besides, I'd like to see what this Canterlot looks like, and meet my counterpart."
"I shall write to Twilight and see if she can introduce you," Celestia replied, "She knows where he lives."
"So Twilight does have a crush on him?" Sunset asked gleefully.
"She denies it," Celestia replied, "But I've seen the way she looks at him."
Suddenly, quiet laughing could be heard prompting the three mares in the room look at the only stallion.
"Is something funny Pony Boy?"
"It's just that you have an interest in me and Twilight has an interest in my counterpart."
"What's funny about that?" asked a confused Sunset.
"You and Twilight are both former students of Princess Celestia, dating effectively the same person. Sort of."
Celestia giggled a little, "It is a little amusing."
"Clearly your students have excellent taste," Forte replied, laughing a little.
A swift but gentle elbow from Sunset stifled the giggles out of him.
"We could give Forte a tour of Canterlot," Luna said, "We would very much like to get out more."
"How about that Forte?" asked Sunset, "You and Princess Luna go and drink Canterlot dry, while Princess Celestia and I bake cakes."
"That's fine with me."
"Then it's settled," Celestia said, "How does tomorrow afternoon sound to everypony?"
"That's fine with me," replied Forte, "It'll be interesting to see what pony booze tastes like."
Luna smiled contently.
We like this colt.
"Just try not to get arrested for FUI," Sunset replied.
"FUI?"
"Flying under the influence."
"Indeed," Celestia added, glancing over to Luna; who was now trying to go unnoticed, "The same goes for you, Luna. I don't want to see you being brought into the throne room after getting arrested for flying while drunk."
Sunset looked up to Luna with wide eyed surprise, "You got arrested for FUI?"
"Not us exactly, we were in disguise at the time."
"It was still you, Luna," Celestia pointed out, "Really though, what did that lamppost do to you?"
"What happened?" Forte asked, intrigued.
"Nothing!" Luna bellowed.
Celestia ignored Luna and began to tell the story, "After a night drinking, she flew home back to the castle drunk. On the way, she flew into a lamppost and fell to the floor."
"Sister, they do not need to know!"
"Yes they do," Celestia replied, smirking like only a big sister could, "After giving the lamppost a tirade of verbal abuse, she punched the lamppost causing quite a bit of damage. Some guards who had heard the noise, arrested her and brought her to the castle."
The memory of that prompted a chuckle from Celestia, "You should have seen the look on their face when they realised just who it was they arrested."
"I imagine they were quite fearful, " Sunset said.
"They were, but I assured them that they would not be punished. After all, they carried out their duties as they should have."
Luna scowled and started mumbling something unintelligible, made more so when stuffed a large piece of cake into her mouth.
"Don't pout Luna," Celestia said, "But I'm sure you learned your lesson from your punishment."
Luna scowled fiercely, "Denying us Jammie Dodgers for a day was completely over the top!"
"Your punishment was just and proportionate," Celestia countered, "Now, let's not argue in front of our guests."
Luna continued to sulk.
"So are there any good pubs here in Canterlot?" asked Forte.
"There are many," replied Luna, "But our favourite is The Old Falcon Inn."
A couple of hours and many eaten cakes later, Sunset and Forte were inside their quarters. The lavish interior was decorated in warm colours reflecting Sunset's own mane, tail and fur colours. The room has lush red carpet and the walls were a slightly darker shade, and mahogany furniture throughout. A massive four poster king size bed was set against a wall, and to its left was the door opening onto a balcony overlooking Canterlot and Equestria.
The room also had its own adjoining bathroom and walk in wardrobe.
"Nice room," Forte said, looking around in awe, particularly the chandelier.
"Thanks, I used to spend a lot of time up here just reading and studying. I'm surprised Princess Celestia kept it like this."
"Maybe it was so that if you ever came back.....it would give the impression that there was a home waiting for you."
Sunset smiled sweetly and kissed Forte on the cheek, "Thank you."
"So, what are we doing now?" asked Forte.
"Well it's getting late," Sunset replied, magically closing the curtains, "So I thought we could go to bed and get warmed up."
"Sounds good."
Trotting over to the bed, Sunset magically moved the covers back and the pair got in; Sunset switching off the bedside lamps in the process. Sunset pulled the covers back over them while Forte fidgeted around trying to make himself comfortable, something easily done given how soft the sheets were. As he laid back, he felt Sunset wrap her forelegs around him and pulling him in close.
"Sunset? What are you doing?"
"Snuggling you."
Forte remained still while Sunset snuggled up close to him, nuzzling him a little on his nose in the process. He remained silent as a curious thought crossed his mind.
Is it wrong to enjoy this?
Almost immediately, he came to an answer.
No. Pony cuddles are great.
He smiled contently and wrapped his hooves around Sunset, pulling her in close.
"I love you Sunny," he whispered.
The was a momentary silence before Sunset whispered back.
"I love you too Forte."