They had a late breakfast, further raising Celestia's appreciation of the castle cooking staff. They even made her muffins! Not as good as her own, but the thought was sweet. News of the Princess returned was spreading quickly and exasperation at constant intrusions, Luna had to command the guards to keep the mass of ponies at bay. Petitions, grievances, advice, even some of her own clerk ponies wanted Celestia to make decisions about their daily issues. She promised them all that she would hear them soon before the guards herded them out of the dining room. Then Celestia sighed and cast a weary look at her younger sister.
"See what comes of abolishing court?"
Luna had the decency to look contrite. "I am sorry, Sister."
"Not sorry enough! You will sit with me and help me deal with all of this!"
All the younger alicorn could do was squeak in alarm. She was about to try and extricate herself, but Celestia would have none of it.
"No excuses! You caused this mess, and you said you wanted to learn better!"
"Fine," Luna said, unenthusiastically.
Celestia had another idea. They were finished with the food, so she stood up. "Come with me."
Luna also rose, but looked at her in slight puzzlement. "Where to?"
The Princesses stopped at the door to the hallway and listened. There was silence. Either the ponies had given up and left for the day, or the guards had herded them out of the castle. They would be back in either case. It would be a very tiring couple of weeks.
"Sister?" Luna asked again, "where are we going?"
"I will take you to see Lake Frond. You need to learn first-hoof that your actions have consequences, and the actions of a ruler even more so. Your foolishness does not affect your life only when you sit on that throne, Luna."
Her sister didn't answer that, but she followed through the hallways.
Celestia didn't know where captain Thunder Clap had taken Lake Frond, but it would have to be in the guest wing. She stopped in front of the two guards stationed there. "Which room is Lake Frond's - the mare from Earth?"
The gaurdspony nearly lost grip on his spear and let it fall in his haste to point a hoof. "T-That way, P-Princess!"
Celestia looked at her sister. "Why are there so many new guards, Sister?"
Luna shrugged. "The ponies insisted on seeing me after I have abolished court. More guards have become necessary to keep them out."
The older sister pressed her lips tightly together so she wouldn't yell at Luna in front of the two ponies. Instead, she went down the hall and stopped at the right door. She knocked, but didn't wait for the invitation before entering. As per her orders, Thunder Clap was sitting on a sofa, looking quite gallant and alert, while Lake Frond was curled up on the bed. The mare looked at the door with red-rimmed eyes. She had been crying.
Celestia addressed the guard. "You may go."
He jumped upright, saluted smartly and left. Pure efficiency. If he was in charge of the new recruits, then they would be alright, at least. Right at the moment, though, Lake Frond was more important. Celestia climbed in the bed and gave the mare a hug, which she gratefully accepted. She also spotted a plate of fruit and vegetables, with a half-empty bowl of what smelled like broccoli soup. It didn't look as if Lake Frond had touched any. The poor mare held on to her princess and began sobbing quietly. It was making Luna quite uncomfortable, but Celestia didn't mind that.
The Princess made her voice quiet and soft. "Hey, sweetie. How are you holding up?"
It didn't look like Lake Frond would answer, but she sniffed and tried anyway: "I mi-miss him!"
About what she had expected. Celestia motioned her sister closer. "This is Princess Luna, Lake Frond. She can sometimes see into the dreams of ponies on Earth, and sometimes she can give them a message. She will try her hardest to make sure Rock Lichen is doing well."
The mare turned hopeful eyes on the younger alicorn, who smiled uncertainly. "That is correct, uh, Lake Frond. Thy Princess of Dreams shall do Her very best!"
Lake nodded slightly, but then turned her face back to Celestia. "You said you would get him back!"
"Of course. I will do whatever it takes, I promise, but until then, Luna will make sure he is well."
After another beckon Luna finally got on the bed as well. She almost reached around them to join the hug, but changed her mind and blushed slightly. Instead, she looked at her older sister with a question: "Why are we here?" she asked quietly.
Not as tactful as Celestia would have liked, but she had to start somewhere. "Because I wanted you to meet Lake Frond. She is with child who will need their father. Yet the father had to remain behind on Earth. Do you see what is at stake?"
The smaller alicorn swallowed as she stared at Lake Frond wide-eyed. "W-With child?" she murmured.
"Yes. I want you to help her find her parents. She will need the support of her family for this. You will also help me get her husband back from Earth." She didn't say out loud: 'Maybe that will teach you to treat diplomats a little more tactfully.' She didn't want Lake Frond to know there were any snags. The mare was a great help, even unwittingly. She turned a pleading, hopeful expression on Luna, who squirmed uncomfortably.
"Please," the mare begged and reached her hooves out, "I have to g-get him back! Please, Princess! I'll do anything!"
It nearly broke Luna's heart. She had nearly convinced herself that her mistakes had been minor and easily solved. She was starting to be annoyed with her big sister for making her 'learn her lesson'. Now she was faced with an innocent who was suffering. Not because of her, granted, but if the Ambassador stomped home in anger, Luna would have been responsible for keeping them apart. There were no more reservations, she accepted the embrace and put her wings around the poor Lake Frond.
She murmured something so quietly that Celestia couldn't make it out even as close as she was, but it made Lake Frond nod a few times and then sigh as she buried her face in Luna's chest. It was working, though. The mare seemed a little less upset, and Luna looked thoroughly abashed. She mouthed to her sister without using her voice: 'I'm sorry.'
I was rare for her to apologize in front of others, so Celestia knew it was sincere. "Have you had breakfast, Lake Frond?"
The pony in question looked at Celestia and shook her head. "Was-Wasn't hungry," she explained.
"You should. I have tasted the soup just now and it is delicious. I missed authentic pony food on Earth, you know?" That drew out a small smile, which Celestia took as a very good sign. She levitated the bowl over and heated it with a simple spell. Luna withdrew her wings from around Lake Frond so she could turn to the food. It floated tantalizingly close, right by her muzzle.
The mare sniffed at it carefully, then licked up a tongueful. "It's good," she admitted and her stomach growled in welcome of the nutrients.
"You must make sure to eat properly, Lake Frond. For the child, if not for yourself."
The mare nodded and put her hooves on her belly. She turned another pleading look on Celestia. "Will I s-see Rock before- before I..." she began, but didn't finish the question.
Celestia understood. Before her foal was born. "We will try to make it happen, you have my word, sweetie." At the mention of the birth, she remembered one more thing. "Did the captain take you to the infirmary to see the doctor?"
Lake Frond nodded and a small smile appeared on her lips. "Yes! But-" her ears flopped down in shame, "I didn't remember the doctor's name. She was a unicorn..." The ears came back up as she went on: "She said we are both healthy, but I have to go back in a couple of weeks to make sure."
"Of course. That is good news, Lake Frond. We are both very happy for you and Luna will try to give this news to Rock Lichen." The sisters looked at each other and the younger gave a slight nod. "We will go see the human diplomat right away and begin arranging to have Rock Lichen back. Will you be okay by yourself for a bit?"
The mare put on a brave face and nodded. Knowing that they were working on it seemed to help.
"There will be a guard outside your door at all times. If ever you need anything or simply wish to talk, just knock and ask them to fetch me or Luna, okay? I will check on you again a little later."
She levitated the bowl away just in time, because Lake Frond gave her another tight hug. "Thank you, Princess! For everything..."
"Please, it is 'Celestia' to you, Lake Frond. We have been through too much together."
The mare smiled a little. "Thank you... Celestia." She accepted the bowl back and dunked her muzzle right in as the sisters left the room.
Captain Thunder Clap was waiting for them outside. The guard was an absolute treasure!
"Please see to it that there is a pegasus at this door at all times. If Lake Frond requires anything at all, she is to have it."
"Yes, ma'am!" he said and saluted. Then he looked down and added with a guilty look at Luna: "May I say, ma'am, it's a pleasure to have you back!"
The younger sister looked away and blushed, but didn't comment.
"Thank you, captain. At ease."
He saluted again, before relaxing. "I'll go find a guard. Will there be anything else?"
She was about to dismiss him, but asked one more thing. "Yes, which cell is the human ambassador in?"
Even the guard was uncomfortable answering that, and Luna was determined not to meet either of their gazes. The younger mare inspected a nearby statue in minute detail, as if she had never seen it before.
"Uh, we p-put him in the first cell on the h-higher level," Thunder Clap answered.
"Thank you." Celestia walked away and after a few moments Luna scurried to keep up with her. The fact that she had to ask where the prisoner was made the Princess think. "We have too many dungeons. We have never needed them. I do not even remember why so many were built into the castle in the first place."
Luna was forced to agree: "Yes, Sister." She relaxed a little, hoping that Celestia wouldn't speak of Lake Frond any more.
"We will find a better use for them."
"Yes, Sister."
Celestia stopped someplace they were alone and turned to the other alicorn. "What did you think of Lake Frond?"
Luna looked abashed and averted her gaze again. "I'm sorry. I did not think..."
"She is but one of our ponies on Earth. Many of them are in worse positions. Torn from their homes and families. Some of them are being beaten. Beaten, Luna!"
Luna didn't like hearing it, but she didn't comment. Besides, Celestia had a small admission herself. "My going there nearly jeopardized their situation. It was foolish, as you claimed, but not for the reasons you said." She waited to see if her sister would understand. Luna had spent a long time imprisoned, but she was not stupid. She saw the connection quickly.
"You need the humans to cooperate. What I have done to the ambassador," she began, slowly and carefully, as if exploring a bad tooth, "may damage discussions beyond repair. I have, in truth, hurt not him, but mainly our own ponies."
Celestia smiled proudly and laid a wing around her sibling's withers. "Correct. Ponies like Lake Frond. She may not see her husband. We both made mistakes, so we will fix it together. For the sake of her child and all our subjects who are mistreated on Earth."
"And for the sake of your human," Luna added absentmindedly.
Now the older sister was the one to look away. She didn't answer and the pair simply stood side by side in silence for a minute.
At last, Luna drew a deep breath. "Celestia," she said in a soft voice, quite unlike her normal speaking tone, "I'm sorry. I should not have treated Equestria as a game." When she turned her eyes on the older sister, they were beginning to fill up with tears. "What do we do?"
"We will fix it."
"How?"
Celestia wasn't quite sure herself, but she knew it would start with a sincere apology from Luna, if the ambassador was to believe them at all. Even so, it was chancy. He might simply decide to leave, after which the ponies would have a political incident on their hooves. It all depended on his help and the Princess didn't like that fact too much. The sincere apology, at least, would not be a problem.
"Luna?"
"Yes, Sister?"
"You will give the human your sincere, heartfelt apology and ask - no, beg - for his forgiveness."
"Yes, Sister."
"Show me. Say to me what you will say to him."
Luna almost argued, but one look at Celestia's face was enough to silence her. The mare exhaled, then turned her most pitiful look on her sister. "We art so-"
"No."
Her younger sister tried again. "Thy imprison-"
"No!"
Now Luna rolled her eyes. "Then what, Sister?!"
"Not the Royal Voice, Luna. Apologize like a pony, not like a Princess!" Her lips pursed in annoyance for a moment and Celestia had remind her. "Or will you let your pride get in the way of Lake Frond's foal seeing their father?"
That brought her ears back down. Luna focused for a moment, then tried again: "I am sorry for wrongfully imprisoning you, Mr. Ambassador. Please forgive me."
A good effort, Celestia decided, but it sounded a little rehearsed. She could work with it. "Okay, here is what you will do. This is a trick called 'the Look'. I found it is particularly effective against humans, because they find us cute."
Luna was intrigued. "Cute?" she asked.
Celestia smiled. "Yes, cute. Do not ask why, but it is something we can use. It is rather simple. Look at me. Now, ears down, eyes big and round. A bit more. Pout slightly. Look down, but not too far, just below my face. Good," Celestia praised. "Now the most important part. Tears. Your eyes have to be brimming with tears, like they were a moment ago." She had to remember that feeling and recapture it when faced with the human. "Remember Rock Lichen and the child he might not see."
It helped that Luna was a sensitive soul, however well she hid it. She placed her hoof against her chest and closed her eyes. "I am sorry," she whispered, losing the regal tone.
"Good, assume the look again. It works better if it is sincere."
Celestia examined the attempt. "Good. Slump your wings a little. Now sigh, as deeply as you can." It was perfect. Even after his mistreatment, the diplomat would have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by it! "Here is what we will do..."
At least the ambassador had a window in his cell for something to look at. Also, it was sheer luck that there was glass in it, otherwise he might have frozen in the harsh weather. Yes, she remembered, they had those kinds of cells, too. Celestia was relieved the guards have been more sensible than Luna, even if they hadn't protested like they should have.
She waited for her sister to collect herself, then pushed the door open. "Mr. Bennett?"
The man looked up from his bed and raised his arms in supplication. "Please! Whatever I did, I'm sorry! Just let me out of here, please!"
He sounded desperate. For an instant Celestia considered using it. Accepting his delusion that his stay in the cell was justified and reinforcing that belief. She could easily convince him that she was being merciful and was letting him out early, but the other humans would demand more proof. The truth would come to light, sooner or later.
She stepped aside to let her sister enter the cell. The man pulled away from the smaller alicorn, who sat on the stone floor in the middle of the room. "Mr. Bennett?" she said with all her haughtiness and command gone. Her voice was gentle and broken, as if she had been crying. Her eyes were shiny. "I put you in here by mistake," Luna admitted, and a tear actually escaped and dropped to the floor. Luna closed her eyes and swallowed a lump before she could continue. "It was unjust and foul. I came to seek forgiveness. I throw yourself on your mercy."
Benett didn't know what to make of it. He stared at the Princess incredulously, then shifted his eyes to Celestia. "What's going on?" he asked, legitimately confused. "Are you letting me out?"
Celestia was silent, so the ambassador looked back at the younger alicorn. "You should never have been put here. Of course you are free to go, but I h-hope," Luna explained, then paused for another sigh. It was perhaps slightly too dramatic, but he didn't notice. "I hope I c-can make this right..." The mare ended by keeping her eyes firmly on the floor and her ears completely down. The man just stared for quite some time. Then he looked at Celestia again.
"Is she for real?!" he demanded.
"Of course, Mr. Bennett. Your imprisonment was unlawful. Please, come with us - I have prepared a room in the royal wing. You can shower and I will provide new clothes. There will also be a meal, if you are hungry."
He probably was. The man was noticeably thinner than last Celestia remembered him. She hadn't had time to bake him a cake personally, but she would do that in the afternoon. The ambassador looked at Luna again, who was still staring at the floor. Every now and then her shoulders slumped and she sighed in sincere regret. He didn't say anything, but the man hurried out before they could change their minds. Celestia didn't wait for her sister and led him away.
Mr. Bennett peered at Celestia with narrowed eyes. "What were you playing at, Celestia? Where were you the past months?!"
A version of the truth, that is what she had decided on. "I have taken a vacation, Mr. Bennett. A small, hidden corner, someplace where I would not be disturbed. I have believed my sister capable of keeping things in hoof while I was gone. Evidently, I was wrong."
"A vacation?!" he burst out. "They said you were on Earth!"
Celestia didn't like lies. But she could not falter from her position in this. "I assure you, Mr. Bennett, that was not the case. I have heard the same rumors. Perhaps it was suggested because not even my subjects knew the details about my absence?" The mare held her breath as she waited to see if he would believe her. He was still frowning, but he didn't question further. Then he looked down on himself.
"This is quite unacceptable, I hope you know that! I haven't reported to my bosses in a month! I might not have a job anymore!"
She inclined her head and began slowly walking out of the dungeons. After a while Luna followed, but she didn't seem too comfortable. Celestia felt a touch of pity for her sister. Benett hadn't accepted her apology and didn't seem to want anything to do with her.
"Mr. Ambassador, I have spoken about this with Luna. She will come by once you are refreshed to apologize again. You can take my word that she has been chastised."
At this, the younger alicorn inclined her head. She kept her ears down and her eyes large and shimmering. The mare was a picture of contrition. She even fiddled a little with her hooves as she stepped from leg to leg nervously.
Benett watched her angrily. "Keep her away from me, you hear?! I made a reasonable request and she just had the guards drag me away!"
Luna swallowed and lowered her gaze. "We art very remorseful, Mr. Bennett. 'twas a mistake and We regret any inconvenience." Her royal tone was back, but the ambassador was used to it and didn't comment.
Before he could get any angrier Celestia laid a wing on his shoulder and steered him away from further confrontation. As they left, she glanced back and gave Luna a slight, sad smile. Her sister just nodded, obviously disappointed, even though this had been a very likely outcome which Celestia had warned her about. It would take more work to get into the man's good graces again.
Luna watched them go. She knew Celestia would come tell her how it went. She hoped she hadn't ruined Lake Frond and Rock Lichen's chances, or the chances of all the ponies still on Earth. Mostly, however, Luna was grateful that her older sister was taking care of the mess.
"This way, Mr. Ambassador."
He seemed to put Luna out of his mind as Celestia lead him away. Instead, he was biting his fingernails, obviously worried. "What the fuck am I gonna tell my superiors about this?!" he swore.
Celestia was ready for this, too. She gave the human her own version of the Look. A bit less remorseful, but nearly as effective. "The truth might spark an international incident, Mr. Bennett. You would be entirely justified, but I beg you to consider all the suffering that would inflict on innocent ponies."
He just grunted in acknowledgement.
"I am willing to make any reparations you require and so is Luna. She will bring you your meals and run errands for you, if that is your wish, Mr. Bennett. Or I will. It was my mistake to leave her in charge while I was gone, after all."
The man seemed to like the idea, but Celestia hoped he wouldn't actually demand it. Of course Luna had agreed when they had discussed it, but only as a last resort.
After a few tense moments, Bennett sighed and his shoulders slumped. "Damn you, I still have to come up with some excuse for why I went silent!"
The mare turned her face away and smiled a little. The Look always worked! "I have thought about that."
"And?"
"We will tell your leaders the truth - some of it, at least. That I was away, but we will not mention Luna's blunders. Instead, you will tell them that you have fallen ill over some rare, Equestrian illness and was bed-ridden for the month. Princess Luna was simply overburdened by leading the kingdom, so she failed to report your condition."
Benett looked at her for the longest time. "You are too clever by half, Celestia. I don't like it."
Her ears flopped down.
"But, I don't like the truth too much, either."
She raised one ear in expectation.
"Okay, okay, you can stop looking at me like that!" he said and spread his arms apart, helplessly. "Let's not start a war, but you owe me, big, okay? Next time we negotiate a treaty, I expect no argument against my proposal, understand? Hell, next three times."
He paused for thought. Celestia was pleased he would not step down as ambassador over this. The next one might be less reasonable.
"And - mark my words, Celestia - you or that crazy sister of yours just look at me funny, and I'll make you regret this!"
It wasn't the best outcome, but a sight better than what she had feared. Celestia approached the man and gently hugged him. He stank after a month in that cell, but she ignored it. He was stiff for a moment, but the Royal Chestfluff worked on humans, too. "I am very, very, sorry about this, Mr. Ambassador and so is my sister. I thank you. You are a good man."
Once they parted, Bennett looked genuinely moved. "Well, it better not happen again!"
"You have my personal oath on that, Shawn Bennett."
"Okay. Good. Fine. About that shower?"
Celestia smiled. She might need one, as well, but her elation at getting off the hook helped her ignore the smell. "Of course. These chambers are intended for visiting royalty - Princess Cadence, for example. They are yours whenever you are in Canterlot Castle. I will go to the kitchens and personally bake you an apology cake, to go with your lunch."
He had tasted her skill before and his stomach growled loudly.
"Would you like me to send somepony with an appetizer to your room beforehoof?"
"Yes, please!"
Celestia bowed to her human guest. "Right away. I will await in the kitchen and oversee the meal myself to ensure it meets a proper standard. Then, after you have rested, and my sister has apologized again, we will speak about the letter to your government."
The ambassador just grunted his confirmation, then entered the room she had given him and slammed the door shut in her face. As soon as he was out of sight and earshot, Celestia let out a relieved sigh and closed her eyes. Her rump hit the floor and her wings sagged. That could have turned out so much worse! Truly, her skill at diplomacy was legendary.
She went to the kitchen. The guards in the royal wing stared in admiration as she passed them. One of them whispered: "Bucking well done!"
He probably didn't intend for the Princess to hear, but she smiled at him and inclined her head. "Thank you."
It made him blush and Celestia giggled a little to herself as she went to see about Mr. Bennett's lunch.
The next morning Celestia made breakfast for both herself and Luna. She had missed cooking for her sister, even if Luna didn't say thank you every time. This time she failed to show gratitude her because the younger alicorn had something on her mind.
"Sister?" she said the moment Celestia sat down beside her with two stacks of pancakes and a pitcher of syrup.
"'mm?"
Celestia already had a piece in her mouth, but Luna didn't seem to mind her lack of manners. "Sister?" she repeated, which made the older alicorn swallow hurriedly.
"Yes?"
Luna had to think about what she would say. She didn't look at Celestia. "I went into Lake Frond's dream." Softly spoken, Celestia noticed. She examined her sister's face a little closer. Luna was thoughtful and a little worried, but she finally turned those cyan eyes to meet hers. There was fear and admiration in them. "You were willing to fight the humans. They did not understand what they were seeing and neither did Lake Frond, but you came so close..."
Celestia wasn't exactly proud of that moment, but she stood by her decision. "I could not let myself be captured. You understand that? And I would not leave my subjects behind."
"Yet you left Rock Lichen behind, and all the others," Luna pointed out.
"For now. Starting a war would not help them and neither could I, if I were imprisoned on Earth."
"I see," Luna said quietly and looked down at her plate. Her nose wrinkled a little at the delicious smell, but her eyes were staring through the food and off into the distance. "I nearly started a war, too. With the ambassador." The younger sister sounded shocked, almost stunned, as if it hadn't occurred to her until now.
Celestia laid a gentle wing around Luna's withers. "The important bit is that we did not, Sister. Come now. Eat."
At her command, the Princess levitated a fork and knife and cut herself a small piece. She put it in her mouth without looking at it.
Celestia giggled a little at her absent-minded sister. "Syrup?"
Reminded of it, Luna jerked out of her reverie. Her face scrunched up and she stuck her tongue out to try and examine the morsel. She went cross-eyed for a moment. "Aa!" she exclaimed and quickly swallowed. Then she picked up the pitcher and poured. "You usually put on whipped cream and fruit," she said accusingly. Maybe she blushed a little, but it was hard to tell.
"Just syrup today. We have to see to the human."
Luna looked past her sister to the stove, where a pan was sizzling. She sniffed the air. "Eggs and toast?" she asked.
"Humans love that stuff in the morning." Well... Celestia had a sample size of one, but she didn't let that deter her. She was sure Bennett would appreciate it.
"So much love," Luna went on suddenly.
"Hmm?"
The younger alicorn blinked and smiled a little sheepishly. "Between Lake Frond and Rock Lichen," she explained. "I tried to find him on Earth, but I could not." The pony heaved a forlorn sigh. "I do hope he is well."
Celestia, her own plate nearly forgotten, quickly shoved another syrup-soaked piece into her mouth and went to check on the stove. The eggs were nearly done and the bread was nice and brown. She levitated a couple of plates to her as she asked her question. "Do you wish to take this to the human? I think you should apologize again, now that he has slept on it."
Celestia saw Luna nod out of the corner of her eye. "Yes. I will do it." The plates went on a small tray, along with a glass of juice. She levitated the whole thing up and Luna smoothly picked it out of her grasp.
"With his help we might learn how Rock Lichen and Rawsthorne are doing. We can ensure they aren't hurt," the older sister explained, needlessly. Luna gave her a nod and left, but Celestia followed. She also wanted to see how Shawn Bennett was feeling, now that he had a shower, a comfortable bed and time to think. "Oh, and Luna?"
The mare paused and looked back with a slight frown. "Yes?" Celestia smiled at her.
"I like it when you talk softly like this."
Her grin widened even as Luna looked modestly away. "We," she said pointedly with the Royal Canterlot Voice, "sometimes forget Ourselves!"
It made Celestia roll her eyes in exasperation, but she kept her smile. Luna, it seemed, would always be Luna.
"However," her sister said, gently, "I will try. At least when we are alone."
They soon reached the right corridor and the suite Celestia had given the ambassador. Luna knocked with her hoof, although 'banged' might have been a better word.
"What?! I'm up!" came a shout from inside and the Princess simply pushed the door open and entered. Not entirely tactful, but at least she knocked beforehoof, Celestia thought. She stepped closer but waited just in the doorframe. The ambassador was sitting at the ornate writing desk and scribbling something on a piece of paper. "Just a second!" he said and finished a sentence. He looked back and his face darkened when he saw who it was. "You!" he spat.
Luna him let her ears fold down, but she stood there, determined to try and make it right. "We brought-" she began, but realized it was the wrong tone. Luna cleared her throat and looked back to her sister.
Celestia gave her an encouraging nod and a smile.
Luna spoke again, but this time her voice was gentler: "I brought you thy breakfast, Mr. Bennett," she explained and floated the tray to the table. As soon as the tray touched the surface, her magic went out. "We hope thee-" she began, but almost instantly corrected herself. "I hope you like it..."
The man didn't know what to make of her. "What are you playing at, Luna?" he asked suspiciously.
She gave him a nervous smile. "I just came to..." she said and stepped from one hoof to another. "Came to apologize again. We art-" she caught herself and quickly corrected: "I am sorry."
Benett sighed and put a hand over his eyes. "Fine. Just get out of here."
Luna did so, but her head was held lower and her ears remained flattened. Celestia gave her a very quick, consoling nuzzle, then stepped out of her way. She whispered so the man wouldn't hear. "Go and open the court. I will join you in a bit." She waited for her sister to nod before she stepped fully into the room and approached Bennett.
"You put her up to this?" he asked and gestured to the tray.
"No. Well, the breakfast is from me, but Luna wanted to bring it and apologize."
He shrugged. He obviously didn't want to talk about his imprisonment, so Celestia let it drop. He was speaking with her, so she was hopeful he would warm up to her sister in time, as well.
He watched her for a moment. "So, what do you want, Celestia?"
The mare sat on her haunches and glanced at a small stack of papers on the human's desk. "You said you will go and report today. I wished to tell you that our fastest pegasus-pulled coach is waiting for you, and to see if you needed anything else."
Mr. Bennett closed his eyes and heaved a sigh. "What you mean to say, I think, is how sure I am I'll still have this job by the end of this day."
Celestia didn't answer. She had helped Bennett write his report the previous day. She was sure they had explained his absence sufficiently, but the mare couldn't know for certain.
"And another thing, tell me again about this D.A." the man asked. He shuffled the papers and scanned one of them. "Mrs. Adams?"
"What would you like to know?"
The ambassador searched her face for any clue, but Celestia had had long practice in keeping her expression unreadable.
"First, how do you know about some random lawyer on the other side of the country? And two, what do you want with her?"
Those were easy questions. She had thought long and carefully about what to say. She also hoped that the portal guard, Walter Bass, told the humans the right thing. "A mare came home from earth. She was freed, but separated from her husband. He was supposed to follow soon after. This woman - Miriam Adams - the mare mentioned her, so I am hoping she can tell me more about the stallion."
"Huh. Well informed about Earth, are you?" the man asked suspiciously. Undoubtedly he was thinking about the rumor that Celestia had been there herself.
Celestia couldn't be sure what the man believed, but she knew he would put forward the story she had given him, merely in the interest of self preservation. He wanted to keep his job - which was in itself surprising and very welcome - therefore he would keep from making himself look foolish. In his own words, spending a month in prison and crapping in a bucket looked bad on a resume.
The mare smiled a little guiltily and changed the topic. "I wish I had come home from my vacation a little sooner."
The ambassador grimaced. "You and me both."
That seemed to settle the thing. With luck, the letter she had written would reach Miriam. It was carefully crafted to look like she had never met the woman. Strictly formal and quite distant. Celestia knew that the D.A. would understand and reply in the same way. She would undoubtedly put news about Rock Lichen and Rawsthorne in her reply.
"Here," Bennett said, breaking her train of thought, "look at this and tell me what you think." He held up a couple of pages and Celestia grasped them in a simple levitation spell.
While she read, he began eating his breakfast. Oh, that was another thing, Celestia remembered. He had lost some weight, which would lend credence to his 'illness' explanation.
Despite the circumstance, it was good to see someone enjoy her cooking so. It reminded her of Rawsthorne.