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// Day II 
// Story: Celestia of Equestria's tonic experiment 
// by Acologic 
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Celestia was surprised and slightly perturbed to find Tirek alive and well next evening. Needless to say, there was a lot riding on this gamble. Of course, she was wholly confident that the centaur would succumb to the toxic tonic in the end and she’d be reading Luna’s book. Nevertheless, the sooner he died the better.

‘I really am looking forward to that,’ she had said aloud perhaps three times that day.

‘So,’ said Celestia once she’d plunged into T-Kam. ‘Enjoying your stay in solitary?’

Tirek looked her up and down. ‘You’re early.’

‘Eager to see how things are. Not dying, are you?’

‘Sorry to disappoint,’ said Tirek sullenly.

Luna’s likeness fizzled into being.

‘So!’ she said. ‘He’s still alive! Day one to Luna!’

Cadence’s likeness appeared with a pop. ‘It’s much too early to celebrate, don’t you think?’

Luna waved a hoof dismissively through the air. Tirek laughed – very, very diabolically.

‘That’s enough of that!’ said Celestia, and she cleared her throat. ‘Bring up another bottle!’

The DAGs obeyed, and soon they had filled Tirek’s tankard to the brim. Unfortunately, Tirek was mildly distracted by Luna’s flashing nose, which was twice the size of yesterday’s.

‘Will you stop playing with your avatar, girl?’ said Celestia as Luna sprouted an afro.

‘You’re no fun at all,’ said Luna, but her afro didn’t disappear. Rolling her eyes, Celestia gave the command.

‘Drink!’

‘Gladly.’ Tirek raised his tankard, toasted and downed it in one.

‘You make it look so easy,’ said Cadence.

‘It is easy,’ replied Tirek, smacking his lips. ‘Delicious! I thank you again for making my night. Then again, you did ruin my morning. No walks? No visitors? Solitary confinement indeed . . .’

‘A necessary evil,’ said Celestia. ‘You are now a subject of scientific activity. We must have total control of your environment.’

‘But it’s so lonely!’ complained Tirek. ‘You’re kerbing my rights! You – you have no right!’

‘If you aren’t enjoying yourself, good!’ said Celestia firmly. ‘That is the idea of prison, believe it or not.’

‘Oh!’ Cadence was frowning. ‘I’m being messaged!’

‘What?’ said Luna. ‘By who?’

‘By whom, Luna!’ said Celestia. ‘By whom!’

‘Shut up, Sister.’

‘It’s Shining Armor!’ Cadence bit her lip. ‘Oh dear.’

‘What is it?’ asked Tirek excitedly.

‘Bit of trouble on the western border,’ muttered Cadence. ‘Some bozo feeling let down. Sorry, people, I’ve got to go. Affairs of state and all that.’

She pulled out of T-Kam, and Luna waved her off. ‘What do you think she’ll do?’

‘Oh, I don’t know,’ said Celestia. ‘So long as the dissidents are dealt with, I don’t really care.’

‘So that’s how you govern your kingdom, is it?’ Tirek was shaking his fist. ‘With an iron one! Well, I hope I survive and Luna takes control! She’d do a better job with both eyes closed!’

Luna beamed. ‘Hey, thanks, man!’

‘Enough!’ said Celestia. ‘That’s enough. Tirek, you’ve had your drink. We’ll see you tomorrow. Pray you’ve died by then. It will spare you immeasurable pain and suffering.’

Tirek winked. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, then, Your Highness.’