Two words lept to the front of Celestia’s unconscious mind. Damage control. First to check, physical. Horn giving an even thrum, a quick diagnostic spell swept Celestia. No peculiarities, excepting the remnants of Twilight’s spell floating in the mind.
Next, emotional. Celestia felt… unwound. Despite the horrific visions, her mind betrayed the tone. A sloughing dread slowly seeped in, yet, felt paralyzed. As if the emotion itself was sluggish. Celestia only frowned.
Finally, memory. Pulling on the room Celestia found herself in, it only came forward as a disorganized fog. Inquisitive, she found herself performing one more sweep. Twilight’s spell was fading, fast, and as she watched the last linger of magic disappear, the shock came piling forward.
What had she seen? Was it a vision to the old castle? Was it a future threat? Was it a dream?
She’d have to ask Luna.
A light rap came from the door before being slowly opened by a stallion. Celestia turned towards the door before putting on a serene, practiced smile.
“Princess… are you feeling quite alright”
“Whatever do you mean, my little pony,” Celestia said, noting the stallion perk up at the final three words.
“Well it’s just… Nevermind. Luna will be seeing you at breakfast in ten”, the stallion curtly said before shutting the door.
While the encounter had left Celestia with an odd impression she had perked up at hearing Luna will be attending breakfast. Maybe then she can pick Luna’s mind about the situation.
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As Celestia continued down the hallway she took a moment to take in her surroundings. It was a small daily ritual but no matter how many times she walked these halls there was always something new. How the sunlight played on the columns. How the intricate patterns engraved in the quartz gave the room both a simple style but a complex structure.
Today, the lavish curtains were closed for the scheduled storm. As of now, it only served to spread muted colors of its vibrant cloth straining to push through with sunlight. Eventually the rain would come in a pleasant drum and bring a stunning calm to the castle.
Arriving at the kitchen a pair of guards opened the door to a banquet already filled with food. While Celestia usually cooked her and Luna’s breakfast today’s morning… events must have let the kitchen staff prepare a meal for her.
Sitting down Celestia only had a moment to spare before noticing Luna enter the room with a single Nightguard before seeing Luna lean in and dismiss the thestral to whatever duties. Luna turned towards Celestia and tapped her chin before continuing.
“Sister… where were you last night?”
The direct confrontation brought relief to Celestia. While it usually irked Celestia, the weight of confusion behind the spell belated any annoyances and brought her the freedom of speech.
“To be honest with you Luna I had cast a spell sent by Twilight to some… unexpected effects. If I may inquire how you came to this question.”
Just then, Celestia felt a strange shift in the light. Looking at the stained glass windows she noticed they had slowly grown considerably dark. ‘The storm is coming sooner than expected’ Celestia mused trying to shake a sense of unease.
Luna trotted the table before moving a seat. While hovering food from the banquet, she turned to Celestia.
“Well dear sister, while patrolling the dreamscape I had noticed you weren’t anywhere in the proverbial sight.” Luna took a moment to hover a knife, slicing into a pancake and taking a slice. “So, as any good sister would, I went to check what had kept you up. Only, I came across the most strange happenstance.” Eating the slice, Luna pointed the fork at Celestia. “The room lacked your presence but… how to put this… the area still felt full of your magic.”
The room seemed to move in, as if intrigued by the conversation.
Luna continued after levitating another slice up. “I’d describe it as… ah! As you are now, sitting in front of me but my mind told me the seat was undeniably empty.”
With that Celestia felt a sudden need to change the subject. It felt instinctual. “Ah well. With all that behind us both may I ask about your court proceeds?”. Luna gave a stern look.
“Celestia, for the sake of us both, we’re going to see that spell. Now.”
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Celestia’s head hung as she and Luna made their way down the hall. She knew that Luna’s concern was well justified but a twinge of guilt had snuck in. Taking a moment to look, Celestia looked at the vividly red curtains. Once more, the sun pressed through fabric which picked at Celestia. Was it not getting darker with the storm? There wasn’t much time to consider, as they already arrived at her door.
Gently wrapping the door in magic, Luna pushed inside and moved in with Celestia tailing soon behind. The room was noticeably cleaned. Mirrors dusted, loose items arranged, and the occasional plant watered.
As Celestia started searching the room she noticed that whatever cleaning staff came through must’ve done twice the normal organizing. Drawers were sorted and many small nooks had been dusted although some small holes have been marked. Celestia could only guess that she had returned to her room before they could finish. She would have to find and thank them later.
Magically sweeping under the bed Celestia finally felt it. The coveted scroll. Luna noticed the moments hesitation so there was no way to hide the discovery. Pulling it out, Celestia floated it over to Luna who slipped her magic across to pick it up.
Celestia knew she couldn’t stop her sister now, all she could do was patiently wait. The air slowly swirled around the room as both sisters stood as silent considerations of each others endeavors. Luna spent a moment to look at Celestia inquisitively before returning to the scroll. The small glance made Celestia tense much more than she really should.
Setting the scroll down Luna sent one more glance at Celestia before lighting her horn with intent to cast. Celestia could feel the starting thrums of magic fill the air as the spell began to be cast.
There was no stopping Luna now, Celestia could only watch and anticipate. Taking a step back, Celestia saw the spell begin to flare up and hoped the best for her sister. That was until she saw Luna reign it back in and… complete it? It didn’t seem right, but truly Luna had followed through.
Giving a sigh of relaxation Luna turned to Celestia.
“Well dear sister… you must be pulling at my hooves. Although the spell could use more refining it seems to do exactly as it says.” Luna stole a small look at the scroll. “You wouldn’t mind I make a copy? This could be in great use for long nights stuck in court!”
Celestia nodded as little as was necessary watching Luna levitate the scroll out the door before shutting it. She knew day court is cancelled for today.