“They’re gone?” Luna hissed, reading over the report as Shifting frowned with a nod. The pair were alone in one of the emergency conference rooms, still making the best of the shelter-in-place situation under the mountain.
“Enchanted arrows fired from pre-placed crossbows. Each held a part of a spell, only activating once inside the castle. If not for how troublesome this is, I’d praise them for ingenuity,” Shifting replied, Luna taking a few deep breaths.
“They’re ok, that much we know that much from the signal we picked up on the outskirts of a remote outpost. It’s faint; but we think they’re in the south pole somewhere. I hate to say it, Luna, but they’re on their own. The fact Celestia hasn’t vaporized the continent indicates they’re at least somewhat well.”
“Or trapped, or ensnared, or otherwise harmed,” Luna replied, Shifting then shaking his head.
“The spell was a simple transportation one, as far as I could tell from the arcane residue. Unless they then caught both Celestia and Nacreous off guard, I’d say they’re a formidable force to be reckoned with. The fact it coincides with these multiple release points of the new Fire Lung strain, it’s clear they wanted to delay our response.”
Luna hated to be helpless, but the younger alicorn nodded reluctantly.
“I really hate it when you’re right sometimes. I just hope my sister will be alright. And this new strain? How will we-”
Her increasingly foul mood was interrupted by a pair of lips that met her own, the tension in the Alicorn’s shoulders fleeing as Shifting pulled her into the affectionate gesture. The stallion’s mouth turned up into a grin as Luna eagerly returned the kiss, the Commander finally breaking off with a rather smug smile.
“Feel a bit better?”
“…a bit. Maybe another for the road before I have to draft a few reports for pathogenic response?”
“You’re literally walking down the hallway.”
Despite Shifting’s amused remark, Luna’s carefully-crafted pout was interrupted by another kiss, this one making her wings flare as the stallion pulled her a bit closer.
“I have to go check on my Squad; I’ll let you know how we stand in continuing renovations, since this is dragging on a bit longer than intended,” Shifting remarked as they separated. “Talk to you at lunch; love you.”
Shifting skidded to a halt on hearing Luna draw a surprised breath, the alicorn staring at her coltfriend.
“Shifting?” she asked softly, the stallion’s tan features a lovely shade of pink as his words fully resonated.
“I….” the stallion began, jaw working as words refused to leave his mouth. He promptly trotted back over to Luna, a rather dopey but honest smile on his features.
“Not exactly the way I was planning on saying that. But I’m not about to take it back,” Shifting admitted, his smile wavering slightly as Luna sniffed, her eyes watering slightly. He placed a hoof on the alicorn’s cheek gently, feeling his marefriend push against his touch.
“I do love you, Luna. I do hope that has been rather obvious however, even if I haven’t said it much.”
His words elicited a soft giggle, Luna swiping away some happy dampness that swam in front of her eyes.
“It has been a bit obvious,” she whispered, leaning forward to rest her forehead against her coltfriend’s.
“And if it hasn’t been that obvious on my end, I love you too, Shifting.”
The dopey grin returned to the Commander’s face, the stallion letting out a happy sigh.
“Well, not the place and time I ever would have thought about exchanging those words. But at least now I can tell you that every day before we get some sleep, instead of just ‘have a good rest.”
“Shifting….”
“Are you crying?”
“N-no. That was just so sweet…”
The stallion gave the totally-not-teary Lunar Princess a tender kiss, the pair then reluctantly trotting off to their respective areas of the underground shelter, where less affectionate paperwork and duties dwelt.
“We’ve been here before, haven’t we?” Celestia asked, frowning as she looked at a branching path that led through the icy glacier.
“I don’t think so, actually.”
“Oh?”
Nacreous tentatively walked over to one of the walls, gesturing to the unmarked surface.
“I didn’t scratch this one yet.”
“…smart hippogriff.”
“Well, you don’t like me just because of my looks,” Nacreous proclaimed, still wincing as they walked down the right-hoof path.
“Just? No, but it’s certainly a nice bonus,” the alicorn quipped back. “You sound a bit better; those medications kick in?”
The Paladin nodded, the pair having been walking in relative silence for an hour or so, the hippogriff mainly having been focused on walking as pain occasionally had lanced through his torso.
Painkillers were a glorious invention indeed, partially effective or not.
They hadn’t seen or even heard of any other life underneath the barren glacier, only the ancient remains of a mining attempt occasionally dotting their trek. It was peaceful, in a way, if not for the fact their arrival had been via nefarious means.
The emotion in Celestia’s eyes gave the Paladin pause, and for some reason made his beak turn upwards in a smile.
“….what’s that look for?” he asked, rather adoring the blush that flitted across Celestia’s features.
“Just, nothing,” she mumbled, prompting an unamused snort.
“I thought we’re both working on telling more of the whole truth?”
After a bit of grumbling, the alicorn relented, not able to look at the hippogriff as she spoke.
“It just pains me to see you hurting, and I wish I could help.”
“…why do I get the feeling that involves me forcibly wrapped up in a blanket and being placed in bed?”
Celestia blinked, a blush that was more present often than not returning to her cheeks.
“T-that’s oddly specific.”
Nacreous shrugged his wings, pausing to make a mark on the wall with his claws.
“It’s what my Aunt did when I got sick as a hatchling. Wrapped up in a blanket with hot soup and watch the waves out the lighthouse window.”
“That sounds rather lovely, actually.”
Nodding in reply, the hippogriff paused with a wince, a set of claws pressed against his side.
“It was. I miss the ocean deeply, but I guess this is fairly close in a way. Water everywhere, just as a solid.”
Celestia’s concerned gaze gave a hint as to what was occupying her mind rather than his words, the Paladin then waving a set of claws at her.
“I’m alright, Celestia,” he then paused, a gentle smile dawning on his beak. “But I have to say, it’s really nice to have someone worried about me,” Nacreous’s expression then twisted, a pained grunt replacing words.
“Ugh. S-spoke too soon,” he hissed, flopping against a rock wall as shivers wracked his frame. “Suppose that durability boon the Paw gave me is good for something at least. That said, this is not pleasant.”
Celestia’s horn glowed; but not in a healing spell. A frown plastered onto her face as the tell-tale signs of magical interference reached her awareness.
“That energy you absorbed is behaving like a spell, most likely meant to incapacitate an alicorn,” she mused, trotting over to press against Nacreous’s shoulder. “Lean on me.”
Her words weren’t a suggestion and the large hippogriff complied, his steps now coming a bit easier.
“So, a spell? It feels like the hippogriff version of the feather flu, comes in waves,” he explained softly, the alicorn at his side nodding.
“Yes, but warped and changed. If I had to guess, it’s not meant for a hippogriff and that armor of yours scrambled it. So again, thank you.”
“I’d be a horrible date to not stand up to some big bad arcane energy.”
His reply made Celestia smile, even in their not-so-excellent condition, he managed to turn it positive.
“Not sure how long my answers will be, Celestia, but I wouldn’t mind learning a bit about you, and replying in kind,” Nacreous remarked as they continued to traverse the icy halls. “I do enjoy talking with you, obviously.”
Celestia smiled, nodding as they walked.
“Well, the same goes for me, Nacreous. I think the fact we enjoy each other’s company is proving enough of that fact. Let me see, perhaps some simple, almost childlike questions?”
“Children have an innocence adults lack; I think questions stemming from them are just as valid,”
A soft grumble greeted his ears, the hippogriff looking over to see Celestia not annoyed, but…. blushing?
“I’m still getting used to somecreature having similar views to me. It’s incredibly attractive and surprising at the same time.”
Celestia’s words were rewarded by a bit of fluffing of Nacreous’s feathers, his green ears perking up.
“Really?”
“Yes, really. I know I’ve done a lousy job of showing how much I enjoy your company, but I do hope to change that,” Celestia admitted. “I suppose underneath an ocean of ice is as good a place as any.”
“I’m…not entirely sure how to respond to that, other than just being rather happy to hear it,” Nacreous admitted, Celestia chuckling softly.
“Well, that’s fair enough. As for a question- what did you want to be when you grew up? A loaded question for us both considering being an adult is a bit longer than originally understood. But I mean in general; a warrior? A baker? Someone who fights? Something like that.”
Quite a question…
Nacreous let out a thoughtful hum, the pair then pausing as he rested against a wall. A few snacks were fished out from the packs; the sweet oat survival bars easy enough on one’s stomach.
“You’re going to laugh,” he admitted, claws scratching along the stone in thought.
“I promise I won’t.”
Nacreous sighed, not able to look over at Celestia as he mumbled something.
“…Nacreous, I didn’t hear that.”
“A hero.”
Celestia blinked, Nacreous waving a set of claws with a huff.
“But not like some great warrior or something, not entirely. I just wanted to help others, be admired and liked; I think lots of creatures have that wistful ambition though. It’s such a shallow thing at first, I admit, but that child-like wonder, wanting to be the creature that was there to help and idolized…it’s what pushed me down the path I now trod. It changed and matured from that selfish wish for validation to just wanting others to be safe and happy, regardless of recognition.”
“That’s…rather beautifully put, Nacreous. I think many have a desire to be admired and validated; golden-clad Paladins still included.”
Ok, fair enough.
The hippogriff shrugged with a meek smile, nodding in agreement.
“Well of course, but it’s no longer a primary driving force. For many, being appreciated in any sense is a desire.” His expression then darkened, gaze drifting to the floor. “And perhaps that is also why the Claw chose such a fate for me. I was not to be remembered in any sense; it is an insidious magic indeed. Perhaps that was for the best though; it forced me to gain validation through my own actions rather than others.”
An alabaster hoof pressed under his beak, lifting the hippogriff’s gaze to meet a concerned pair of violet orbs.
“And yet that’s in the past tense. Don’t think you’re so easily forgotten now, Nacreous.”
A lump rose in Nacreous’s throat, the hippogriff feeling tension bleed from his shoulders, the affection behind Celestia’s eyes burning away a weight that seemed to be ever-present.
“I…”
A cacophony of voices suddenly reached their awareness, coupled with a magical sizzling. The shadows of a dozen creatures dotted the wall around a corner, torches no doubt ablaze. Four individuals rounded the angular tunnel; a large reptile clutching a torch and serrated blade
“Stupid magic, I hate teleportation spells. Ok, spread out. The Princess should be unconscious for another few hours somewhere in here. Apparently, there’s that hippogriff too, kill him first. Once he’s taken care of, then use those special spikes…to…...”
The green reptile’s words turned to ash on his tongue as a snarl echoed off the walls, Celestia’s mane surging with arcane power.
In an instant, the gentle-waving pastel mane was replaced by sharper, almost see-through flames of the same color; green, pink, purple, blue; the burst of light refracting off the walls as the fire jumped off Celestia’s alabaster fur. Her previously adoring eyes now were now narrowed in fury towards the reptilian mercenaries, flames dripping off her white fur that skittering across the rocky floor towards the group. Slightly-fanged teeth were barred in a fearsome grimace, her eyes locked onto the leader of the group. A shield of golden magic sparked into existence at her side protecting Nacreous as Celestia took a few steps forward, the temperature of the room soaring.
As a brilliant burning sword was drawn from an invisible scabbard and began to angle towards him, the reptile promptly dropped his own weapon on the ground as though the item was a poisonous snake.
“Nope!” he proclaimed, turning around and shoving his way through a few more individuals that had rounded the corner.
“But boss! If we don’t, we’ll-”
“I am not dealing with that. Not the job, not my problem. You all are free to handle the very awake and ticked-off Princess of the Sun, or maybe you’ve heard of The Bringer of Eternal Fire? Pass, I like living.”
The few other individuals promptly took a look and ran, scampering pell-mell down the hall until (assumingly) vanishing with a magical ‘SNAP.’
As Celestia snorted a few small flames her mane began to calm down, demeanor slowly returning to normal. The fiery sword and magical shield vanished, the ruler shrugging her shoulders as though shedding a heavy backpack.
It was only as a blush colored Celestia’s cheeks that Nacreous realized he was staring, wings slightly flared as he could only blink.
Stars above, she’s beautiful.
“Sorry, I let myself get a bit carried away,” Celestia admitted, shaking the last of the flames from her frame. “My connection to the sun can be affected by emotion, so…erm…” her words trailed off, as though the alicorn began to realize the implication. Her eyes seemed to flicker across the Paladin briefly, then began to find the floor rather interesting.
Of course, Nacreous was no fool.
“I don’t mean to be presumptuous, Celestia,” he said softly, managing to look up at the increasingly flustered Princess. “But would that have anything to do with not letting me know the depth of certain feelings towards me?”
Celestia only paused for a moment before nodding, shoulders slumping in slight defeat.
“You don’t know the half of it, Nacreous.”
“I’d certainly like to know, I think.”
After double checking to make sure the intruders were in fact gone, Celestia trotted forward to sit next to the hippogriff, shifting this way and that before finally speaking. Her tone was soft an unsure, a stark contrast from the regal and imposing stance she took but moments ago.
“Am I moving things too fast, Nacreous?”
The Paladin let out a huff, looking over to the clearly thoughtful alicorn and shook his head.
“What is this ‘I’? Last I checked, a relationship is two creatures.”
“That didn’t answer my question. Between the threats and you being you, I just…”
Celestia’s nose wrinkled as Nacreous gently tapped it with a claw, a sincere smile on his beak.
“You didn’t let me finish. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but we’re both trying to balance the appeal of finding another creature to relate to and the fact such a thing can influence our emotions. That includes finally having someone to hug without squishing them.”
The Alicorn’s demeanor lightened slightly, eyes glancing over to the hippogriff as he continued.
“Perhaps things started off a bit fast, but I have no qualms just being as we are for a time, to let those emotions and such settle. I think taking any further steps wouldn’t be wise though, no matter however appealing.”
Celestia nodded in agreement, her shoulders relaxing slightly. A soft mumble left her mouth- and Nacreous could only pick up the first part.
“I think that puts it perfectly, and I agree. But I-does that mean we can still….”
The hippogriff grinned, spreading a wing over the alicorn.
“It still means I still love hugs, Celestia, even if we have only been on one official date.”
She immediately scooted closer, immediately relaxing under the embrace with an embarrassed pout- yet there was no objection.
“You could have just asked, you know,” Nacreous quipped, prompting another blush and soft whisper. “What was that?”
“It’s nice when I don’t have to.”
The hippogriff blinked, head tilting to the side curiously.
“Oh?”
Celestia nodded, gesturing with a hoof out to the rocky expanse of the room.
“I’ve spent a thousand years asking, directing, ordering; to have another take the initiative on something; I just can’t describe how good that feels.”
“Affection included?”
“Very much so.”
Nacreous shifted with a wince, wrapping his arms around Celestia’s torso as she let out a very un-princess like squeak of surprise.
“Sooooo, I assume this would give me points in the potential special-somegriff department?”
The absolutely blissful hum that left Celestia’s muzzle nearly made Nacreous burst out laughing, the alicorn melting into his embrace as though made of putty.
“I’ll take that as a yes. I’ll certainly keep that in mind for the future; I had no idea that was such a big deal. Glad I found out now.”
“Mmhmm…”
Looking down at the relaxed Princess, Nacreous didn’t say anything for a moment, instead enjoying Celestia’s touch and the fact she snuggled ever so slightly closer.
“I certainly enjoy this. So, I’m glad to hear that’s mutual. And to hear that you do care for me beyond what I know is…well, I don’t know how to phrase that just yet. I hope to learn though,” he whispered, feeling the alicorn press against his chest in response.
“I have to say, that display was gorgeous, and I don’t just mean the flames.” Celestia’s barrel shivered slightly in a soft laugh as Nacreous continued. “Any other big to-do’s or do-not’s I should know about?”
“I’m sure I have a few others, but I’d need to think about that and a few other things,” Celestia admitted, looking up at him slightly. “I’ve said I’d explain a few things, but haven’t just yet. That includes answering a certain question I asked you; I promise to remedy that. However, for the immediate topic…what about you, Nacreous? What is something I could do that would be a plus in our relationship? Since that is what we have, unconventional it may be.”
That made the hippogriff pause, Celestia reluctantly shifting away to sit at his side. The fact she seemed to be fighting a pout was rather endearing though.
“Well, I guess it’s kind of similar to your view,” he mused. “Having the one creature I care about most show affection spontaneously is a big part of what I’d hope for in a relationship, just as taking the initiative is a way of showing care, if that’s correct.”
A nod greeted his words, Celestia letting out a soft laugh.
“Well, I certainly don’t see that being an issue, but thank you for telling me. I will certainly keep that in mind,” she paused with a smile. “We’re quite an odd pair it would seem.”
Nacreous couldn’t help but grin in agreement, gesturing to the ice cave.
“We’ve been on one official date, but are about as close as being on a dozen. Currently we’re underneath a glacier discussing relationship things while dealing with a strangely organized Windigo threat. I’d say that’s an apt description, but…” he glanced over to Celestia briefly. “Can’t say I’d like anything different.”
Celestia’s response was rather quiet but infused with sincerity. Affection radiated from her violet gaze as she looked over to the Hippogriff at her side.
“Likewise.”
After a brief pause and packing up their supplies, the two began to move again down a different side tunnel, Nacreous then letting out a slight huff.
“Before we were rudely interrupted, I think I was going to ask your answer to the question of growing-up goals.”
“Indeed. Let me think I…” Celestia’s words faded, the alicorn physically pausing and stopping in the middle of the icy hallway. Nacreous felt a slight shiver run down her frame, the hippogriff frowning.
“Celestia?”
“I…don’t know if I can answer that.”
When was I last asked that?
When did I let myself think of another path?
They began to walk again a bit slower, Celestia’s tone indicating she was struggling to voice her thoughts.
“I honestly don’t know what to say. It was a different time. I was to be a ruler with Luna. That’s how things were to be, and I didn’t really consider other options. Perhaps in musing? In wistful wonder perhaps? But from when we were foals, that was our destiny.”
Nacreous nodded in understanding, letting out a slow breath from his beak.
“I hadn’t considered that. Perhaps I can rephrase the question? What would you want to do? Those wistful thoughts; what were those, if I may ask?”
Celestia took a few moments to respond, a few very long moments as a matter of fact. When she did finally speak, her voice was barely above a whisper.
“I don’t know. I didn’t let myself think of such things, not for a thousand years. I couldn’t…”
Nacreous paused, wrapping the unsettled alicorn up in another hug. To his surprise, Celestia’s side shivered with barely contained sobs.
“I know the feeling. You can’t focus on something you can’t ever have. Otherwise…”
“You would go insane,” Celestia finished, nodding as she hugged her hippogriff close.
Wait. My hippogriff?
“It’s the same reason I didn’t let myself consider having friends or anything more. To yearn after an impossibility is the path to madness.”
“Yet now we both find ourselves able to go down such a path.”
She felt Nacreous chuckle, the deep sound resonating through her ears and chest as she still relaxed in his arms, her voice still a whisper.
“You know, that was rather poetic,” he remarked, Celestia shrugging her wings.
“I have my moments.”
Nacreous seemed fully content to let Celestia relax in his arms, but she knew he was rather curious of the matter.
If you ask me why I like hugs from you, I’ll gladly explain the other reason. But perhaps not now.
“Were you happy?”
Nacreous’s question caused Celestia’s chest to immediately tighten, the alicorn pulling away slightly. She raised a hoof seeing immediate concern in Nacreous’s surprised gaze.
So quick to fix a wrong; so many attributes I like about you.
“That’s-I just wasn’t expecting that question, Nacreous,” she admitted. “Just give me a moment and I’ll answer.”
“If you don’t want to…”
“I need to,” Celestia stated flatly. “The longer I ignore things, the harder it will be to confront them. And I’d say a thousand years is a long time indeed.”
Nacreous didn’t say anything; but his body language nearly pushed the alicorn to tears. He simply nodded, extending a wing with a slight wince in case Celestia wanted a shoulder to lean on. It was such a simple gesture, but one that added to the increasing maelstrom of feelings in Celestia’s heart.
I might just not be able to help myself and kiss you. I know I’m emotionally fragile with some of these topics, yet he’s just willing to be there…
“To answer your question, I was happy, I am happy. Not being happy for a thousand years wasn’t really an option, so I just…was. I learned to be happy, to find the good and joy in things. I do love ruling, the political dance, bringing a civilization out of the darkness and into an industrial revolution, seeing life improve for hundreds of thousands.”
“I sense a ‘but’.”
“But…” Celestia said with a slight smile. “How can I judge my happiness against a different aspect of my life I’ve never explored outside of that? I’m happy with myself, Nacreous, and ruling was a pleasure. It had ups and downs of course, and there were times I dreamed briefly of a different life…but I never gave it any serious thought,” she paused, chewing her lip slightly. “And now for the first time in a millennium, Luna and I will retire. Perhaps not until this crisis passes and after helping Twilight adjust, but we will eventually be released from our roles. Then, and even after that, I can now have a chance to do…anything.”
To her embarrassment but not surprise, Celestia felt a tear trickle down her cheek.
“There’s a part of me that is absolutely terrified of that, Nacreous. To confront the fact that maybe I haven’t been happy is a beautiful thing, but it’s a change from a thousand years of schedule. It’s a change from what has thus far been all I have been able to identify as. For the first time in my life I can actually pursue what makes me happy, and I’m not entirely sure how to go about that. I suppose the best way I can put it is, it’s a bit overwhelming to be free from a burden I was placed in, and put upon myself. I’ll always be a ruler, Nacreous. But for the first time I’m having to confront the question of ‘what else am I?’ That question, as well as if I’m happy is more unsettling to me than I care to admit.”
The Princess closed her eyes as a few more tears added to the previous ones on her face.
How much was my position as Princess, and me simply accepting those walls? Luna has tried to explain it, but only now do I begin to fully understand it all…
Nacreous shuffled forwards carefully, then taking the initiative to rest a wing on her shoulders.
“Well, to avoid being overwhelmed how about I ask you a simple question for now. Does this make you happy?”
Celestia nodded, not able to resist a smile and a sniffle as she leaned into a familiar feathery embrace and an arm that wrapped around her shoulders.
I could stay like this for so long, Nacreous. I’ll try to think how I can phrase it in the next few hours. But a hug. A simple hug…you have no idea how much it puts my heart at ease.
I didn’t know how much I needed this simple gesture, this option of returning affection.
“Well, then there’s a start. Just like that, we found one happy thing. We can add that to the list and then can keep finding more. How does that sound?”
“I’d like that very much.”
We.
I’d like there very much to be a ‘we’.