2
Twilight had thought her letter out to the best of her abilities and read over the points brought up by her former student and her number one assistant. She absentmindedly scribbled ink on her chin with her quill as she read and re-read what she had written. Her eyes glanced up at the flustered pair sitting across from her at the table. Things were stilted between them, but she was doing her best to repair the relationship – namely making sure all their concerns were addressed in the letter.
“Alright, so I’ve mentioned Spike’s concerns about how non-ponies are to play a part in Equestria in the long-term, and how the various lands will react to possible globalization as a result of Celestia’s teachings on harmony,” Twilight levitated the quill – now dry of ink – down the list, “and I’ve mentioned Starlight’s concerns about equality, and the legitimacy of Cutie Marks. Additionally, I decided I’d tag my own concerns regarding public education and how much power a Princess can exercise within her realm; maybe I can find solutions for these problems in Ponyville, then recommend them to the other Princesses.”
“Sounds good,” Spike released a pent-up breath, allowing himself to relax a little as he realized how much Twilight was sticking her neck out for his concerns.
“This is… really cool of you, Twilight,” Starlight smiled, abashedly, “especially after how things ended last night. Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine,” the Princess returned the smile, “I know how some ponies get with politics and laws… no pony enjoys being told what to do, especially if the laws don’t make sense. I’m sure Celestia will respond with answers that will put all our minds at ease. Before we send this, were there any other concerns?”
Starlight looked to the dragon, questioningly. Spike looked conflicted, and Twilight wondered what he could possibly have confided in Starlight that he wouldn’t confide in her. She had no way of knowing that he was troubled by the fact he had been born into service to her, but he couldn’t bring himself to tell her that. In fact, he suspected she’d allow him to follow his own career whenever he felt comfortable enough to leave. After all, he may have been born to servitude, but he was by no means condemned to it.
“No, that’s everything,” he said, forcing a smile.
Twilight chose to believe him despite the disquiet in her heart, returning his smile and rolling the scroll. She handed it to him. With a quick breath of green flame, he sent the document on ethereal winds to Celestia herself. Not for the first time he wondered if other dragons had this ability, or if it were some enchantment with the parchment. When things eased between the two of them, he’d have to ask Twilight.
“Now all we do is wait for the reply,” Twilight beamed, “What should we do in the meantime?”
“I already promised to help Rarity with another gem hunt today,” Spike admitted, “If you’d rather I hang out with you instead, I’m sure Rarity would understand…”
“Oh, no!” Twilight shook her head quickly, trying to cover her disappointment, “That’s perfectly fine! Starlight and I can have some fun with magical studies, right Starlight?”
“Um…” Starlight chuckled, nervously, “I also have plans… Trixie’s planning a new magic show with Discord, and she needs my help with a few of the acts. We were going to do rehearsals, but I kept putting them off… If I cancel today, I don’t think she’ll speak to me for weeks!”
“Oh,” Twilight looked away, biting her lip, then smiled confidently, “That’s alright, I forgot I had plans, too!”
“Really?” her friends asked together. Since when did Twilight forget plans?
“Y-yeah,” the Princess looked around, desperately, “I’m going to hang out with…”
While searching for an answer, the doors opened and a scowling Applejack entered with an abashed Apple Bloom in tow. The elder cow-pony opened her mouth to speak but Twilight beat her to it.
“I was going to hang out with Applejack and her sister today!” the Princess declared, stunning the two farmers, “And here they are! Well, let’s go!”
Twilight quickly gathered the two and absconded, ignoring their protests. Starlight stared flatly at the escape, knowing well when her mentor was lying, but Spike – ever the naïve assistant – gave the Princess the benefit of the doubt. They nodded to each other before departing for their own respective meetings.
Moments before exiting the castle, Applejack stopped Twilight with her impressive strength, firmly putting her hooves down, immediately arresting their movement. Twilight looked over her shoulder to make sure neither Starlight or Spike were listening in.
“Sorry about that, but I needed an excuse to…” Twilight grimaced, “I’m sorry. Applejack, what did you need help with?”
“Why don’t you ask this little troublemaker?” Applejack gestured in the direction of her younger sister who shrank back in embarrassment.
“Apple Bloom,” Twilight sighed in exasperation, “what did you do this time?”
“I may have tried my hand at potion-brewing again,” the redhead avoided eye contact, grinning nervously.
“What kind of potion?” Twilight noticed Applejack blushing beneath her glaring.
“Just a teensy love potion…” Apple Bloom said, making a space between her hooves to enunciate just how ‘teensy’ it was.
“After what happened with Big Mac and Cheerilee?!” Twilight hoof-palmed.
“It wasn’t that strong!” Apple Bloom grimaced, “I’ve had a lot more schooling in these arts, you know. I did study it before making it…”
“But why?”
“Well, Applejack’s always going on about how little money we have,” Apple Bloom said in her southern drawl, “and Flim and Flam said I could make some easy bits if I made them a love potion – a teensy love potion – for them…”
“Oh boy,” Twilight deadpanned.
“They said it was for a personal problem, and, well… they weren’t lying,” Apple Bloom looked at Applejack, wincing at the withering glare her older sister gave her.
“Oh, Applejack, they didn’t try to use it on you, did they?” the Princess looked aghast.
“Heavens to Betsy, no!” Applejack stood taller, “I would never have fallen for it, anyway. I wouldn’t drink anything from those swindlers, even if I was dying of thirst!”
“Wait, so what was the love potion for?” Twilight looked back at Apple Bloom when she saw Applejack blush and shut her mouth tighter.
“I can’t be certain why,” the younger farmer said, “but they both split the love potion to fall in love with my sis, here.”
“What in the name of Celestia possessed them to do that?!” Twilight gaped, wondering what possible angle those two idiots could be working.
“When I asked them, they said they had crushes on her, but neither of them had the courage to confess, so they needed the potion to give them a push,” Apple Bloom rolled her eyes, “Knowing those two, however, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is all part of some plot.”
“Whatever their motivations,” Applejack finally spoke up, “they haven’t given me a moment’s peace in a week! Everywhere I go, they’re on me like ugly on an ape! I tried ignoring them by going to my happy place, you know – bucking apples. Every time I stop and wipe the sweat from my brow, there they are, mouths hanging an open, tongues lolling out, and drooling like… like… dogs!”
“I thought it was a might bit flattering,” Apple Bloom muttered, brushing her hoof against her chest and trying to suppress a smirk at her older sister’s death glare.
“Have they been scamming anyone?” Twilight asked.
“Nope,” Apple Bloom shook her head, “I’ve been spying on them the few times they’ve been away from sis. All they do is wander around, love-struck, talking about how great she is and fighting with each other about who should marry her. I think they want to share her…”
“Of all the scummy little…” Applejack’s tirade became garbled mutters as she tried to spare her younger sister the worst of her curses.
“Well, I can’t really do anything in this case,” the Princess confessed, “They haven’t done anything illegal. They drugged themselves – not you – and if anything, besides harassing you, their behavior has improved. The potion will wear off eventually, right?”
“Definitely,” Apple Bloom nodded, “Like I said – I did my research.”
“I’m sorry AJ, but you’ll just have to wait them out,” Twilight sighed. Why did every stallion fall for the farm-pony, anyway? Twilight felt a twinge of annoyance that, even as a Princess, she couldn’t seem to attract a partner. She shook the thoughts from her head. “Anyway, I’m awaiting an important reply from Princess Celestia and was hoping we could do something while I wait; preferably something to get my mind off of the subject.”
“Important reply, huh?” Applejack let her anger dissolve, knowing there wasn’t much that could be done, anyway, “Must be pretty bad if you’re wanting to distract yourself.”
“It’s not bad, just…” Twilight double-checked that it was just the three of them, “Spike and Starlight had some concerns about Equestrian politics and Celestia’s teachings, is all.”
“Spike?” Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow, “I didn’t know he cared about politics.”
“What kind of concerns?” Applejack asked.
“He’s worried that there’s not really a place for non-ponies in Equestria; he thinks Celestia wants the whole world to live by pony standards, but she doesn’t want them to actually be part of Equestria.”
“Why would she?” Applejack snorted at the idea, “They have their own lands; why would they want to be part of ours, especially if Celestia’s teachings help them prosper?”
“He said something about how converting them destroys their identity,” Twilight made a conjuring motion with her hoof, struggling to remember her assistant’s exact words, “I couldn’t really understand what he was worried about.”
“Oh, I think I get what he’s worried about,” Apple Bloom nodded, picking up on the idea.
“Really?” Applejack looked at her younger sister with some disbelief.
“Yeah,” Apple Bloom smiled, “Zecora talked a bit about pony influences in her homeland, and how they’ve been changing the culture there. Near as I can tell, though, she’s the only one living here. I can see how Spike would be concerned. I mean, we’ve been telling the whole world to be like us, but how many of them do we really view as ponies? Ponies still look down on Zecora because she doesn’t follow our ways.”
“Who does?” Twilight asked, bewildered.
“Ponies,” Apple Bloom shrugged, “You hear it, sometimes, when ponies think no one’s listening. I’ve heard ponies badmouth all sorts of non-ponies, even Spike. Which is weird; that guy acts more like a pony than we do, sis.”
“Well, every barrel has a few bad apples, sadly,” Applejack scowled at the idea of her neighbors insulting her friends.
“I thought everyone embraced Celestia’s teachings of understanding…” Twilight murmured, wondering if she were as in-tune with her subjects as she should be.
“Didn’t Spike have to throw his reputation and life on the line just to save Thorax from the citizens of the Crystal Empire?” Apple Bloom pointed out, “Near as I can tell, ponies aren’t as enlightened as they claim to be.”
The youngest Apple shook her head.
“Anyway, I’m getting off-track,” she said, “The point I was trying to make is I can see where Spike is coming from, from my time studying with Zecora. Our practices are being adopted by all these other species, but we refuse to adopt any of theirs because we act like they’re bad, or something. Then, even after they’ve traded everything they had to be like Equestria, we don’t even treat them like equals. It’s insulting, really. If I were in Spike’s shoes, I’d be…”
She trailed off as she realized who she was talking to, paled considerably, and sketched a curtsy.
“Er, sorry, Princess…”
“Don’t apologize, Apple Bloom,” Twilight smiled disarmingly, but she felt a tug at her heart. Why were those closest to her acting so afraid to voice their opinions on the matter? “I am curious, though… how do you view Spike’s position? Don’t be afraid.”
Apple Bloom looked at the ground, not wanting to speak. Applejack spoke up, instead.
“Well, Twi, you have to admit,” the older cow-filly shrugged, “Spike ain’t exactly treated like every pony else…”
Twilight only tilted her head, not understanding.
“How do I put this…?” Applejack rubbed the back of her neck with a foreleg, “I’ve known y’all for a few years now, and I’ve only ever seen Spike work for you, or scrounge around in the dirt for Rarity. As far as I know, he hasn’t really known a life outside of being your assistant.”
“Which isn’t a bad thing!” Apple Bloom added, hurriedly, “I mean, we don’t know life outside of the farm, exactly…”
“You… think Spike might view himself as some kind of prisoner?” Twilight looked heartbroken at the suggestion. Spike was her closest and oldest friend, and she held him in her heart as something beyond brother and son; he was practically a piece of her soul, if she were being honest. The idea of her hurting him all these years and not even realizing the insult she had made of his existence… She shuddered at the thought.
“I doubt he thinks that,” Applejack chuckled, easing her mind a little, “The little scamp loves his job – and you. Though, telling him he’s free to live his own life would probably reassure him.”
“Do you think he’d leave if I offered him the chance?” Twilight asked herself more than them.
“If it was only a onetime chance, maybe,” Applejack said, “but if you tell him he’s free to go whenever, and that you wouldn’t hold it against him, then I doubt he’d take it.”
“I don’t think he’d like looking for jobs, anyway,” Apple Bloom said, “A lot of ponies still hate dragons, and I’ve heard some pretty bad things said about Spike around town, from ponies you’d never expect to hear them from, too!”
“Who are these rattlesnakes?” Applejack snorted, baring her teeth, “Make fun of my friend, will they?”
“AJ, violence won’t solve anything,” Twilight couldn’t help but smile at the thought of her friend bucking a few bullies through the air, though, “I’ll double my efforts to educate the citizens of Ponyville about tolerance. Apparently we seem to have been slipping in that department.”
“Besides Zecora – who’s a recluse – and Spike – who never leaves your side – nobody’s really been exposed to non-ponies,” Apple Bloom pointed out, “Well, other than the changeling takeover.”
“Which probably wasn’t the best impression of foreigners, heh…” Applejack shifted her hat, “Shoot, you’re right, Twi. All these ponies need is to be shown that we ain’t so different from dragons, or any pony else. Heck, I remember I was the worst of the lot who persecuted Zecora, and now she’s practically family with how much time she spends with Apple Bloom.”
“I have faith in our subjects,” Twilight giggled, “Now, what should we do? I haven’t been out much this past week, so it’ll be nice to hang out with my friends.”
They headed for the door. Applejack was opening her mouth to suggest they see what Rainbow Dash was up to when the Princess opened the door. Applejack felt her eye twitch with the supreme effort of not killing the two stallions beyond the portal.
“Oh, hello there, my sweet little Apple!” Flim cooed, ignoring the Princess entirely to get closer to the farm-filly. He was shoved aside by his brother.
“You’re looking more ravishing than ever!” Flam wrestled with his brother for her attention, but neither of them could tear their eyes off of her.
“Oh, brother!” Applejack groaned, hoof-palming as her cheeks turned a rosy hue.
“Aren’t you two a little old to be lusting after Applejack?” Twilight asked, bringing herself up in her most regal posture. It was enough to erode a little of whatever was addling the swindlers’ brains, but only a little.
“Er…” Flim exchanged a look with his brother, then looked back at the farmer, “You… you are sixteen, right?”
“The age of consent in my kingdom is eighteen!” Twilight huffed.
“That’s what he said!” Flam lied.
“Oh for pity’s sake,” Applejack rolled her eyes, trying not to let the fact they assumed she was so young flattered her show, “I’m in my twenties!”
“A fine apple blossom, such as yourself?” Flam gaped, “Impossible!”
“Surely one so virtuous and pure must be fresh out of school!” Flim agreed.
“Twilight,” Applejack almost begged, “if you don’t do something, I can’t be held responsible for what happens to these two… two… I don’t even know what countryism would work here!”
“Alright, alright!” Twilight sighed, turning to face Flim and Flam, “You two would probably love to get a gift for Applejack, right?”
“Absolutely!” Flim said as Flam exclaimed “Indubitably!”
“There’s a special kind of apple that only grows in the snowy plains of Yakyakistan,” Twilight told them, “I can send you there immediately, with a commerce license, if you want.”
“Anything for my perfect peach pony!” Flam sighed.
“You mean the apple of my eye!” Flim got in his brother’s face.
“Good enough for me!” Twilight summoned the licenses, shoved one in both brother’s vest pocket, then teleported them to the distant land. She turned, smiling at the stunned Apple sisters. “Well, that’s settled.”
“T-Twi, you didn’t need to send them all the way to Yakyakistan!” Applejack looked a little horrified.
“Relax,” Twilight snorted, “The licenses are actually a request to the yaks to look after them until the potion wears off. I imagine the cold will help clear their heads.”
“Pretty sly, Princess,” Apple Bloom nodded approvingly, giving a devious grin.
“Well, I guess it gets them outta my hair for a while,” Applejack chuckled, “Why don’t we see what Rainbow Dash is up to?”
“The more the merrier!” Twilight giggled, following her friend.
…
Celestia was always pleased to receive a letter from her star pupil, Twilight Sparkle, one of the newest Princesses in all of Equestria. It was always a pleasure to hear about her growth, even after graduating her studies and acquiring her own throne – even more so since she became less formal. If Celestia were completely honest with herself, she viewed her protégé as something like the daughter she never had, or at the very least on the same level as her blood niece, Cadence.
This letter, however, was one she had not foreseen, even with her near-infinite wisdom and magical scrying. The Princess of the Day wasn’t sure which was worse: the fact Twilight had to bring up the subject at all, or the fact her little Spike had felt threatened enough to voice his fears.
Celestia didn’t even notice the approaching hoofsteps until her sister Luna spoke.
“Is there a problem, sister?” the Princess of the Night asked, dark eyes glittering with familial concern, “You seem distracted.”
“My apologies, Lulu,” Celestia smiled, abashedly, “I have just received a strange letter from Princess Twilight, the contents of which give me some concern.”
“Another long-defeated foe has revealed themselves?” Luna asked, arching an eyebrow as Celestia levitated the letter to her.
“I could almost wish it were so…” the older of the two sighed, “No, it seems my former student has discovered the grave concerns of her subjects.”
“I see…” Luna’s eyes flickered over the parchment, “Poor Spike. It seems he feels his treatment is unequal.”
“Not only that, but he has pointed out a flaw in my teachings regarding interaction between the races,” Celestia said, earning a questioning look from her sister, “I have none.”
“For someone who foresaw my redemption one thousand years before it unfolded, I find that a shocking oversight,” Luna mused as she continued to read the points in Twilight’s list.
“Not too shocking if you recall I failed to see what was right in front of me,” Celestia admitted, “If I had noticed your distress earlier, then such foresight would never have occurred. The point is, despite my scrying, I have a tendency to overlook the obvious.”
“Like foreign policy with other races?” Luna asked, “Globalization would be a pressing concern now.”
“Ugh,” Celestia groaned, burying herself in her wings and forelegs in a childish way Luna found amusing, “I didn’t think there’d have to be policies. The Map sent the Elements of Harmony across the lands, and they work to its designs. All I did was guide Twilight to it, as was my part. I never thought I’d have to find ways to deal with immigration and the status of other races within my realm as a result.”
“It seems like the solution is obvious, given your teachings and the principles of harmony,” Luna pointed out, “You have always taught that we should be open and compassionate to those around us. Simply amend your lessons to extend that ideal to all races instead of all ponies.”
“Even if I did that,” Celestia sighed, “I doubt many ponies would listen. I decided to do some research since I discovered my name is used as an expression, and I’ve learned that – even with all Princess Twilight has done – my teachings are largely ignored. Some ponies view me as an omniscient deity – they call us goddesses! – and even they fail to embrace their sisters and brothers. Did you realize we have a caste system? I didn’t!”
“Well, I wouldn’t call it a caste system, since it lacks rigid enforcement…” Luna chuckled, then coughed when she saw her sister was unamused, “There is certainly a disproportionate amount of power to certain breeds, I will admit. Just look at Canterlot: it’s almost entirely unicorn, and you yourself exclusively train unicorns. Royalty is almost exclusively alicorn or unicorn, too.”
“Do not force me to confess that I am blind, dear sister!” Celestia threw her hooves up in frustration, “I am the head of state of Equestria, and viewed as the de facto leader of all ponies, whatever land they belong to. Even zebras and donkeys are so similar to us that they are viewed, from the outside, as belonging to my domain! For some reason, I am viewed as the ruler not only of Equestria, but the Crystal Empire, and Ponyville, and every other pony city-state!”
“They… they do not view me the same way,” Luna stated rather than asked. She had already been aware, of course; after all, while Celestia was stuck dealing with politicians and affairs of state, Luna visited the dreams of their subjects. Dreams taught her a great deal of how their subjects viewed their realm. “I had always assumed you knew about these views.”
“Of course not!” Celestia scoffed, “I didn’t want to be worshipped! I wanted my subjects to prosper under an egalitarian society built on tolerance, kindness, and acceptance. A thousand years alone, struggling with the guilt of banishing my troubled sister… I didn’t want anyone in the world to feel that way.”
“That is sweet of you to say,” Luna admitted softly, before smirking, “Still, you can hardly build an egalitarian world while feudal institutions and aristocracy are still around.”
“I control the heavens themselves,” Celestia snorted, a smile tugging her lips, “and frankly I’m not qualified for any job outside of leading a kingdom. Besides, collapsing our state would only destabilize the world.”
“We could attempt a transition to a more democratic system…” Luna began.
“Not that silly republic idea of yours, again?” her older sister arched an eyebrow.
“Starlight Glimmer’s concerns should not be dismissed simply because they go against tradition,” Luna warned, “The Cutie Marks do unjustly benefit ponies. They are clear and readily-visible symbols that allow others to judge a pony’s worth based on their occupation. It also ties into the race issue; where would the species who don’t have Cutie Marks fit into Equestria?”
“They are magically-acquired symbols of personal talent,” Celestia laughed, “and the tradition is even older than we are. Even the two of us together can’t undo it.”
“I prefer to think we are younger than the tradition,” the younger joked before growing serious again, “Still, it might go a long way to easing the fears of the ponies – and Spike – if we allowed some sort of forum, or agency for them to have a voice in government.”
“Fears?” Celestia narrowed her eyes and Luna winced at her slipup, “Lulu, what fears?”
“I should not have spoken,” the Princess of the Night sighed, “Many of our subjects feel trapped, powerless, or otherwise limited. They are ruled over by elites who have the sanction of – in their eyes – all-powerful goddesses. If they aren’t governed by unicorns with sorcerous powers, then they are governed by pegasi or earth ponies with obscene wealth and influence. They have no voice in choosing their leaders, and the only way to get into positions of authority are either by birth – by the Cutie Marks – or by some pony higher in command elevating them.”
“It has worked for more than a thousand years, and we have prospered and grown as a culture,” Celestia said, calmly, “I know some are frustrated and feel trapped, but they need to see the bigger picture and realize they live in a secure realm where no one starves and every pony has a job.”
“On the matter of our culture growing, this also relates to Spike’s concern about where other races are supposed to fit in,” Luna went on, “Haven’t we continued to send colonists into the heartland of Equestria, where they have displaced or outright conquered native races?”
“If you’re referring to the buffalo tribes,” Celestia sighed, “they were not conquered; they are friends of Appleloosa now.”
“Only after the intervention of ponies,” the Princess of the Night pointed out, “Now they are surrounded by ponies, with ponies building a growing colony in the heart of their ancestral homes, forced to adapt their customs to, and rely on, pony standards. In time they will be integrated into the Equestrian way of life, their lands just another part of Equestria, but as Spike is quick to point out, we have no laws guaranteeing their status as equal citizens.”
“Alright, alright!” Celestia snapped, “I admit I made a gross oversight! We shall remedy it immediately. Guard! Bring me some paper, an inkwell, and a quill!”
“Er…” the guards at the doorway hesitated at the sudden order, “Your Majesty, you have other obligations to attend to…”
“Do I?” Celestia asked, icily, “The matter at hoof, if left unattended, could erupt into an inferno of tension between the races and even the lands of world! What do I have to do at this very moment that is more pressing than that?!”
The Royal Guards looked at each other, surprised.
“Today is when you head to the World Friendship Summit…” the nearest guard noted, calmly.
Celestia blinked. It had been her idea, a meeting between all the friendly lands of the world, an extension of the more-famous Convocation of Creatures that was meant to address the leaders of city-states more than a single hierarch of an entire race. Of course, so far the only lands sending emissaries were pony lands, the dragons, the changelings, the griffons, and the yaks. The Summit hadn’t really had a working title until recently, but Celestia had always made an effort to host or attend any effort at the lands banning together to address harmonic issues. How had this slipped her mind?!
“That starts today?!” she asked, horrified, “That will take all week, at least!”
“Perhaps,” Luna preempted her sister’s panic, “I could draft the amendments to your harmony lessons regarding other races and lands in your absence.”
Celestia felt her ruffled feathers ease at the offer. She studied Luna levelly.
“Are you sure it will not interfere with your regular duties?” she asked, “As I recall, you become rather exhausted each night.”
“I will assign one of my personal guards to take over my decorative duties for the time being,” Luna smiled, “A pity, since it’s one of my favorite tasks, but you are right that this requires our immediate attention.”
“I’m not sure…” Celestia tapped her chin with a hoof, “I would feel more comfortable if I were there to help compose it…”
“Do you not trust me?” Luna seemed hurt.
“No, that’s not it at all!” Celestia assured her sister, “It’s just that… well, this might sound silly, but I was sort of hoping we could work on it together. It would be the first addition to my lessons on harmony since your release that I’d be involved in composing. Twilight’s made a few additions, but I haven’t really helped, and I wanted this to be a joint project between us.”
“Oh,” Luna blushed, visibly flattered by the sentiment, “If that is what you’d like, we could put it off until after the Summit.”
“What if something happens in the meantime because of this oversight?”
“Tia,” Luna smirked, “if no pony has abused the oversight in a thousand years of your rule, then I’m sure one more week won’t hurt.”
“Yes,” Celestia gave a terse laugh, “I suppose you’re right.”
“Of course I am,” Luna snorted, “Now, prepare for the Summit. You don’t want to be late.”
“Ugh…” the Princess of the Sun rolled her eyes, “Okay ‘mom’!”
The two sisters shared a laugh at their rarely-exposed childish sides. The needs of leadership often kept them from enjoying the simpler things. Celestia departed to get ready while Luna watched her leave. Slowly the smile slid from her face and she glanced at the forgotten scroll again.
Surely there would be no harm in establishing a dialogue with the concerned party. To better assess the situation and pull together some information during Celestia’s preoccupation with the Summit, of course. Then they would have a far easier time with it. Luna smiled, pleased with her own degree of foresight.
Celestia would be so proud.