//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Celestia Sleeps In // by Jenso //------------------------------// Sitting in her designated chair in the Royal Kitchen, Princess Celestia took a bite of her daisy sandwich. This was her lunch break, the only time in her busy day (besides sleeping) that she had any peace and quiet. She took a sip of her tea and let out a deep breath. It had been two weeks since she had overslept and caused a national crisis. Looking back on it now, she could chuckle, but it was admittedly serious at the time. Luna was not exaggerating when she had told her that the crowd she was about to address was nothing short of insane. Thankfully, Celestia cleared up the confusion. Ponies went on with their routines. Crops were saved. Everything was back to normal. She had found it slightly unusual that neither her nor Luna had been contacted by Twilight Sparkle. Celestia was sure her student would want to know the scoop as soon as possible. She was eventually informed by Twilight's friends that the purple unicorn had fainted and was admitted to Ponyville's local hospital. That sounded like the Twilight she knew. The kitchen door creaked open. Princess Luna looked frustrated and frazzled as she walked in and sat at the table. Celestia only raised an eyebrow. "I'm having trouble sleeping, Sister." Luna mumbled. She sighed and plopped her head on the table. "Imagine that," Celestia chirped. "The ruler of dreams can't even help herself." Celestia's face turned a bit more serious. "Really, Sister, you should take it easy every once in a while." Luna wrapped her hooves around her head and mumbled incoherently through her hooves. Celestia continued. "But I do have a sleep remedy I can recommend you." She smiled. Luna looked up at her skeptically. From under the table, Celestia produced a Smithson Vodka 380 glass bottle. Luna snorted. "If I'm anything like you, I should stay away from that stuff." She lowered her head again. "Come on, Luna," Celestia said, "are you still a lightweight after all these hundreds of years? Well, I guess you can't exactly practice on the moon..." Luna whipped her head up, glaring at her sister. "Practice? Pfft. I needed practice when I was a filly, but not now." Her eyes narrowed. "You know I could drink you under the table if I tried." Before she could go on, a shot glass with vodka was in front of her. Celestia was pouring one for herself. Luna looked at her sister incredulously. "Oh, hush," the white alicorn said. "This might even make afternoon court more fun." The two ponies levitated their glasses to their muzzles. "It's certainly been a while, eh?" Luna gleefully said. "I'll just have to remind you again that trying to beat me is helpless." Celestia was now wearing a mischievous, familiar grin. "Bring it on, sister." With that, the night (day, for one of them) began. In neighboring Ponyville, the hospital seemed equipped for another disaster. Outside the royal castle, the ponies lined up for afternoon court were slightly wary. After all, who could forget the Royal Sleep Crisis? End