“You know what the best thing about Celestia is?”
Prince Gosling’s buttery-smooth voice caused heads to turn, including Sundance’s. The inspections had converged, with various parties now standing in front of Corduroy’s infirmary. Princess Celestia was openly gawking, her head tilted back so she could look upward at the water tank and windmill above the stone infirmary. Meanwhile, Princess Luna, the target of Prince Gosling’s slick words, gave her mate some well-deserved side-eye.
This was Princess Celestia’s Big Day after all, with the restoration of her ancestral home, and Sundance, who had only recently become aware of the fact that Princess Luna might suffer a bit from standing in her sister’s shadow, wondered what Prince Gosling might be up to, because being mean-spirited did not seem to be in his nature.
“What a peculiar collection of junk arranged to make something which I think might be useful,” Princess Celestia remarked, oblivious to her husband’s antics or her sister’s wary reaction.
“The best thing about Celestia is,” Prince Gosling began, “is that she has a great little sister. And that sister, what a gal.” This flattery was delivered with a devious waggle of eyebrows, as well as a sly, slick smile. “Plus, our foals don’t fight one another and other than Aurora, aren’t much trouble at all. Ten out of ten. Would foal with again.”
“Stop.” Princess Luna gasped out the command as her face purplefied. Extending her wing, she covered her face to hide her embarrassment, and her eyes could be seen flashing like provoked thunderheads from between her splayed-out primaries.
As for Sundance, he stood awestruck, left dumb by what he’d just witnessed. He’d just learned something, though he wasn’t sure what. Something profound. This was, indeed, Princess Celestia’s Big Day, and Prince Gosling, with but a few well-said words, had just ensured that Princess Luna also felt special, that she wasn’t left out. It felt sincere, heartfelt, and Sundance now was left with an awkward feeling from having witnessed it.
There was flirting, and then there was this, whatever this was.
“Daddy, you hafta stop.” Hailstone, her feathers fluffed out, interposed herself between her parents. “Mama’s flustered. She looks like a grape.” Perhaps alarmed by her own description, she added, “Don’tchu squeeze her till the juice comes out!”
A weak, wheezy chuckle could be heard, and it took Sundance a moment to realise that Steadfast was laughing. The colt was currently resting on a blanket spread over the grass near Corduroy’s door. Aurora was sitting beside him, yawning, utterly unaware of the flirtatious antics of her parents. Hailstone stood her ground though, a teeny, tiny thing compared to her parents, who were giants among ponies.
“Is this… is this a pony-powered laundry machine?” Princess Celestia lifted one long, delicate leg and pointed at the wooden wheel, which a pony could run inside. Then, leveling her gaze in Prince Gosling’s general direction, she said, “So I have the troublesome foals. Noted.” Then, rolling her eyes, she returned her attention to the collection of pulleys, belts, and gears that somehow made the pony-powered machine function. “This is clever. Laundry is an important step in basic sanitation. Astounding.”
Still hiding behind her wing, Princess Luna asked, “What, pray tell, brought about this flattery?”
“I sensed a bit of sadness,” was Prince Gosling’s honest and forthright answer.
“Well, you’ve done your job. I am happy once more and all is well.” The Princess of the Night pulled her wing away from her face, and looked down at Hailstone, who stood her ground. A wry smile appeared on her face, like the moon peeking though the clouds, and some of the intense purple colouration faded a bit.
“There is a place that I feel that we should inspect together,” said Princess Celestia as she drew her attention away from the pony-powered laundry device. “Sister, I would like it if you would accompany me. There is a cellar that I would like for you to see. Will you join me?”
“I would like that,” replied Princess Luna.
“Goose can be trusted with the foals. Even the troublesome ones he was so eager to create.” The deadpan words from the Princess of the Day caused Prince Gosling’s ears to stand at attention, like two eager soldiers seeking praise. “He’s not the only one who can make you feel better, Luna. There is something that I think you’ll quite like to see. I’m told that it’s been restored and cleaned up a bit.”
At the mention of the cellar, Sundance had an idea. He had a most wonderful, most fantastic idea. His eyes darted to Steadfast, then to Princess Luna, and then back to Steadfast once more. A temperature controlled cellar might just be an ideal place for a mother with a sick son to retreat. It was private, quiet, and by Sundance’s own reckoning, a secure, safe place. Princess Luna could come and go as she pleased, without trouble, fuss, or fanfare.
Not wanting to spoil the moment between the two sisters, Sundance maintained his silence.
Not even a hint of vinegary stench remained. The air was cool, pleasant, and easy on the lungs. Coming down the brand-new stairs, Sundance followed the two sisters, and it was just the three of them. Vivid memories of coming down here to rescue Amber Dawn flitted through his mind, and he could not help but feel that this was now a wholly different place now that it was cleaned up.
The hoist to raise and lower goods stood ready.
At the bottom of the stairs, it was downright chilly, as the frigid air has settled on the floor. It was almost shivery cold, and Sundance was thankful for his wings, which kept his sides warm. Shod in precious metals, the two sisters caused eerie, melodic chimes to go rebounding up and down the hallways with each step they took.
It did not take them long to reach the hallway with the smooth curve that so impressed Sundance, and they crossed the barrier into warmer air. The floors were spotless, free of muck, filth, and sludge. Together, the trio rounded the graceful curve, and Princess Luna was the first to step into the round, domed room with the mosaic of the two sisters overhead.
A soft gasp could be heard as the Princess of the Night stood slack-jawed, her head tilted back so that she might look up. Princess Celestia placed a wing over her sister’s back, and Sundance, watching them both, kept a respectful distance. All of the old, rotten furniture was gone, but the immense stone table remained. A few of the old tapestries had somehow been restored, and Sundance suspected that magic made preserving them possible.
Above him, the mosaic that covered the entirety of the domed ceiling was now a vivid, vibrant thing, scrubbed, cleaned, and restored. No trace of mildew or black rot could be seen in the grout between the tiles, it was a clean, neutral faded grey. With the grime scoured away, Princess Luna was especially beautiful, with many of her blue tiles faintly iridescent and glittery. She looked as though she was full of twinkling stars.
“I made this,” said Princess Celestia as she made a sweeping gesture with her wing at the ceiling above. “Each and every tile was placed with the utmost care. This was my refuge. My retreat. Many hours were spent here, lost in drink. But I was also productive here. Often, this was my war room, the place where I planned Equestria’s defense. I prepared for your return, dear sister, and not as my enemy. You needed a place to come home to, a place to recover. It became one of my many motivations.”
Folding her wing against her side, the Princess of the Day continued, “This was a place of many firsts. It was where I began my studies into animancy, in earnest. In this very room was my very first Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Many treaties were signed here, ushering in whole new eras of peace and prosperity. The very first mutual assistance pact between Equestria and Fancy was signed on that very table.”
The big white mare sighed. “Alas, a nation cannot be run from a cellar, no matter how splendid it might be. This barony was a provincial place, while Canterlot was a city of light and wonder. Sadly, this place fell into disrepair, and was all but forgotten. The curious nature of a filly restored this place to memory. And so, here we are. Look upon my artistic endeavours, dear sister.”
“You made yourself quite thin and slender, dear sister,” Princess Luna said to her sibling. “A little less plump in the rump.”
There was a heavy sigh from Princess Celestia as she slipped her wing around her sister’s neck and squeezed. Sundance backed away, retreating, and his backside bumped into warm stone. He thought about leaving, but feared his departure might cause a disturbance. Why was he even here, he wondered. This was a private moment, and he had no business here. Yet, for whatever reason, Princess Celestia had insisted that he come along.
It was one thing among many that he did not understand.
“As we go forward, we go backward. Equestria’s past shapes its future.” Pulling her wing away from her sister’s neck, Princess Celestia whirled around to face Sundance with a swift, sudden motion. “We return to a system of baronies. Little by little, the nobility is restored, made useful again, and repurposed. The stagnation that plagued us is cleared away little by little. Lulamoon Hollow has been restored with a just, rightful ruler, and now, the Sunfire Barony rises like the glorious dawn.”
Waiting, unsure of what to say, Sundance maintained his silence.
“Much has been given to you, Sundance. But with a price. Great things are expected of you. With this land, much was accomplished. Blessed with the resources from this land, Equestria rose to prominence.” The princess’ gaze took on a piercing intensity. “What will you do with it, I wonder?”
“What would you like for me to do with it?” Sundance responded. “These are your lands. I am a caretaker—”
“You think yourself a steward?” Taking a single step forward, Princess Celestia looked down at Sundance. Shaking her head from side to side, she clucked her tongue. “The land does not come to life for stewards. Do you not feel it? The very ebb and flow of life. It streams from the rocks, the water, the soil; it is magic and so much more. Honestly, I thought the magic I once knew in this place had gone dry, like a spring that no longer gives water. But I was wrong… so very wrong. I merely acted as an agent of destiny. The land chose you. It chose you a long time ago, I suspect. So… what will you do with it?”
Again, he asked, “What would you like for me to do with it?”
With the question repeated, the white alicorn went tight-lipped. For a moment, Sundance wondered if she was perhaps disappointed, but after trying to read her face, he found no such thing. In fact, he couldn’t tell what she was feeling, but his empathy, his senses told him that there was nothing negative, no ill will.
“For some reason, your desire to receive instruction is reassuring,” Princess Celestia said at last. “Though I cannot say why. You… I cannot sense greed in you. Even Twilight, for all of her goodness… she has greed in her heart. She seeks magical power and knowledge, and will go to extremes to have what she desires. This is not a bad thing, as her wants are tempered by her goodness. But you… you have no such motivations, and to be honest, I am not sure what to make of you. I find myself pondering at times, wondering what you might be tempted with, and how you might be led astray, because those are the things I must be aware of and take measures against—but your altruism shines like a beacon.”
Sundance—who wasn’t entirely certain what altruism was—nodded in response. Oh, he had a vague idea; he’d heard the word tossed around on occasion, but the word had never been directed at him, so he’d never paid much attention to it. Altruism was just a word for goodness, as far as he knew, though he could be wrong. He was probably wrong. A part of him wished that he was a bit smarter, or perhaps more learned. But then he reconsidered; if such a desire were true, if it were a motivating desire, would it not be like Twilight’s hunger for knowledge? Maybe his desire to be smarter was just a way to dismiss his insecurities.
The thought gave him pause.
“The fact that you reflect upon your insecurities at inopportune times says a great deal about your nature.” The Princess of the Night drew closer, her eyes narrow, and her expression timelessly wise. “In dreams, I try to test you. As you slumber, I try to find the depth of your character. But then you dream of sunflowers and all of my efforts are for naught.” Then, almost as an afterthought, she added, “Why yes, I do read minds. Simple, untroubled minds are like open books left on coffee tables. Take no offense.”
“My mind is often troubled,” Sundance said to the night princess.
“With the troubles of others, perhaps. Your own? Not so much.”
“Well, I don’t know about that—”
“When my troubles became apparent to you, when you gained awareness of them, it caused a great deal of distress. It pained you. From your reaction, I would say it almost crushed you.” Brows furrowing, eyes narrowing even further, becoming little more than slits, Princess Luna drew closer until she stood almost nose to nose with Sundance. “I know about your attempts at writing, and how it inspired you towards empathy. You are a curious creature, Sundance.”
“I just try to do good—”
“And that is what makes you different, Sundance.” The night princess blinked, and after she did, her eyes were normal once more, held open, wide, and almost luminous. “The common pony doesn’t care about goodness. Or evil for that matter. They are concerned with existing. Paying the rent. Putting food on the table. Goodness exists outside of the realm of comprehension. For the average, common pony, goodness is the occasional act of kindness, like giving bits to a beggar, or even better, a public display of charity so that their ego might be satisfied. Even if they don’t realise it, this is what motivates them. The common, average pony is far too busy with basic survival to worry about ‘goodness.’ I see them in dreams. Their hearts and minds are known to me. I know their motivations.”
“You brought me here to get me alone, away from everypony, so you could talk with me.”
“Sundance, grandson of mine, I brought my sister here to show her this cellar. The fact you are here and we are talking to you just so happens to be a delightful coincidence.” There was almost a smile on Princess Celestia’s face as she spoke. “Though I must confess, I am relieved that you were able to temper your worshipfulness of me with some concern for my sister. I’ve been fretting, wondering how to address that issue.”
Standing up as straight and rigid as possible, he addressed Princess Celestia’s words with the following: “I obey the Crown. It doesn’t matter who’s wearing it. My mother raised a Royalist.” His own words left him feeling sheepish, awkward, and out of sorts. They felt hollow, cheap, and meaningless, now that he’d heard them spoken. Fearing that he might have made a fool out of himself, he was quick to change the subject. “You know, Princess Luna, this cellar would be a good place to stay with Steadfast. With some furniture, this place could easily be a home away from home, and you could be comfortable. It’s quiet, out of the way, and private. Well, private enough.”
Princess Luna, her starry ethereal mane waving to and fro, wafted about by unseen, imperceptible winds, stared at Sundance with a passive, almost blank expression. “As intriguing as that offer is, I find what you said previous to be quite fascinating. Many profess to be Royalists… a great many make that public proclamation… but so few mean it. And you… you feel as though your words cheapen it somehow. That saying it aloud somehow takes away from it. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were more content with action than mere lip service.”
“Saying something don’t make it so,” Sundance remarked as he looked down to examine his front hooves and to shuffle about.
“Indeed,” both sisters said in unison.
“I meant what I said.” He looked up at Princess Luna, but couldn’t bear the way that she seemed to be staring through him, so he looked down at his front hooves once more. “If Steadfast is sick, or weak, or whatever, it might do good to bring him here, so he can recover his strength. There’s something about the land here. I can’t explain it, but it’s been doing all kinds of weird things. You can stay here and be comfortable.”
“While I appreciate that, I think I’ll—”
“She’ll consider it,” Princess Celestia said, cutting her sister off.
Forcing himself to look up, he made himself look at the two sisters. He saw gentleness, benevolence, as well as other things that he could not make out. So much had been given and he had no idea how to return the favour. Aware that she was probably sensing his thoughts, his attention focused more on Princess Luna, though he couldn’t discount that Princess Celestia was a mind-reader as well, considering that she had said that both she and her sister’s magics were merging.
When Princess Luna’s eyebrow arched, Sundance felt his spine stiffen. She was aware; she had to be aware. It didn’t bother him, and he reached this conclusion after a moment or two of quick introspection. He had nothing to hide. No wrong had been done. Fearless, his body went rigid, he went stiff-legged, and he boldly looked the Princess of the Night right in the eye.
“At last you come around,” the blue alicorn of the night said, almost whispering.
“What can I do to serve?” he asked whilst he kept his unwavering gaze upon the sisters.
“You say this without fear. Without reservation.” The shorter of the two sisters nodded, her head bobbing up and down with every syllable spoken.
“Now that the barony is well-prepared,” the taller sister began, “your work will begin soon enough. Twilight Velvet has need of you, as I’m sure you’ve figured out. You’ve already passed one of her tests with flying colours, so more will be asked of you. Others may very well call upon you. Ask favours of you. Make requests of you.”
“That’s all fine and good, but what can I do for you?” asked Sundance.
“We require extraordinary things,” Princess Luna replied with a mysterious twinkle in her eye.
“Exceptional things,” Princess Celestia added. “But I must say, we do appreciate the direct approach. While there is something appealing about a devoted servant who is clever enough to make themselves useful, there is something to be said about asking outright.”
“With just the three of us here, in this place, buried underground, a place where magic might have trouble reaching due to depth—”
“Oh, he’s clever, sister, and he’s been paying attention,” the night princess said to her larger sibling.
“—one might think you have something private to ask me.” Sundance took a moment to consider Princess Luna’s words. One might think them snide, or sarcastic, but he did not feel that way. No, she was being sincere in her own way, which was playful, though somewhat antagonistic. He suspected that she was trying to provoke a reaction, so that she could learn more about his emotions, and what made him tick.
“I told you, sister.”
“So you did, Luna.”
What had been said, he wondered.
“Tell me, Grandson, what do you know of changelings?”
His grandmother’s question caught him off guard, but he was quick to recover. “Almost nothing. Why?”
“Well then,” Princess Celestia replied. “We have more to discuss than I thought.”