//------------------------------//
// Chapter 59 
// Story: Off Duty 
// by awf 
//------------------------------//

Celestia nearly pranced through the hallways toward her room. She had read the other letters from her friends after a hurried meal and very much liked what they had to say. It was mostly good news all around. Belle Hop and Heavy Hoof were seeing each other nearly every day. The mare surreptitiously forgot to mention how the stallion's owners were taking their relationship, but she made it clear that she, at least, was very happy. Peter and Deborah were probably supportive, otherwise they would not have let him see his pony sweetheart. Glowbug still hadn't told her friends the truth, but promised she would do so before long. Celestia wrote her back, offering to prepare a little speech for her to make it easier. After all, she had first-hoof experience in that area. As for Glitter Dust... she was being herself. The poorly-written letter, full of spelling errors and crossed-out words, rambled a little about how Maggie was getting her a new computer as a thank you for doing a good job at the store. The pegasus finished with an excited scribble that Douglas Wilder would be in town for something called 'the spring break' and she was looking forward to seeing him. Without her occasional visits with Heavy Hoof, the mare sounded pent up and eager. Celestia hoped she would take it easy on her human coltfriend.

The one from Miriam said essentially the same thing as Rawsthorne, with an extra question if her offer of a spa day still stood. Celestia wrote her back with a promise and then prepared a second, much colder letter to give Bennett as a formal invitation. The woman's work on pony-related issues was reason enough to justify Celestia wanting to meet with her. Only Silent Brook hadn't replied yet, but Mr. Plain assured her the stallion was alright and she would hear from him soon. With all the replies finished and sealed, Celestia was in very good spirits. She went out to the balcony, ignoring the slight chill which still lingered in the air. The landscape was waking up. Early flowers were blooming and there was a definitive smell of spring in the air. What little snow remained would be melted by magic in the next few days. The few lingering clouds would be broken up and pushed aside by the weather teams.

All was well in her world. Spring would come on schedule. It made Celestia smile. She stepped outside and inhaled, letting the last remnants of ice and snow fill her nose. As she had told Silent Brook, these moments of natural change were to be enjoyed. Chill would give way to warmth. White to green. Overcast skies to boundless blue. Many of her subjects thought that summer was her favourite season, but it was not so. In fact, it was spring, because everything changed in spring. Sluggish blood began flowing faster. Hearts began beating stronger. Plants and creatures woke up and brought forth new life. Everything bloomed.

Rawsthorne was coming!

Celestia spotted a shadow at the railing and approached. Luna didn't greet her as she joined her at the edge. The younger sister glanced at Celestia for a moment, then focused her eyes on the distant horizon again. They stood, side by side, in silence for a minute.

"I saw that Mr. Plain had arrived," Luna commented in a near whisper.

"Yes. It was good news. Soon my friends will be able to come here." There was no reply and Celestia didn't dig for one. She knew her sister well enough to recognize her mood. Shoulders slightly slumped. Head held a little lower. Eyes unfocused and staring into the distance.

"What is on your mind, Sister?"

Luna drew a deep breath, then slowly let it out. She looked at Celestia and her eyes glimmered in the faint moonlight. It almost looked as if...

"Why are you crying?"

The younger sister blinked her eyes and shook her head, as if to dislodge the tears, but she remained silent. Celestia wanted to hug her and tell her it would be alright, but first she had to find out what was wrong. She made her voice as gentle as she could.

"Tell me."

"Sister..." Luna began. "Sister, am I ugly?"

Celestia didn't know how to answer for a second, but she quickly rallied. "Of course not! Whatever gives you that idea?"

Again, the younger alicorn sighed. She lowered her gaze to the floor and muttered: "I have been unsuccessful. The human spurns my advances. I am not as good looking as you, Sister. Nor as cute to humans!"

Memory rushed back and Celestia nearly giggled. It would have been disastrous, however funny Luna's misunderstanding was. "Oh, I can answer that bit, Sister."

Luna looked up, frowning and scrunching her muzzle when she saw Celestia's expression. "Do!" she said with a disdainful, imperious glare.

"The ambassador is married. Shawn Bennett already has a wife and possibly children."

All Luna could do for the moment was blink in confusion. Then she averted her eyes and swished her tail this way and that. Her ears went down and she scowled at the floor. "I see," she said in a low growl.

For a moment Celestia was afraid her sister would grow angry and try to do something stupid. She had spent a lot of time and effort to get into the ambassador's good graces. From her point of view Celestia thought it was working. The man had forgiven her for the whole 'jail' incident and even began speaking with Luna again. He was even polite, but he probably wouldn't give her what she sought.

"Why do you want this so much, Sister?"

She wasn't expecting an answer, but Luna sighed and gave it anyway, as if admitting defeat. "We-" she began, but quickly corrected. "I want what you have. I have looked into Lake Frond's dream of her husband and into Rock Lichen's dream of his mare. I looked into your dreams of Rawsthorne." When she looked back up at her sister, Luna's eyes were brimming with tears. "I wish to taste love again."

Celestia couldn't help herself. She embraced her sister with both her hooves and her wings, and nuzzled her. Luna gave a single sob, then brought herself under control again with a shuddering sigh. She was trembling a little.

"I will help you, Sister. Of course. Do you have your heart set on a human?"

She pulled her face away to inspect her sister's face. It was very hard to tell, but Luna was blushing so strongly when she nodded, that Celestia practically felt the heat on her face. "Your dreams..." Luna whispered. "Are they real? Can humans... go-" she began but had to swallow before she could finish the sentence. "Go so many times in a night? For so long?!"

Celestia had long since given up admonishing her sister to stay out of her dreams at night. Now she merely tolerated it. After all, the siblings shared nearly everything else. Why not dreams? Well, she certainly wouldn't share Rawsthorne, that much Celestia knew, but she couldn't begrudge her sister an occasional peek.

"Yes. It really is... that good." Now Celestia was also blushing, except that on her muzzle it was that much more visible, even in the dim light.

"Then yes," Luna said and hesitated for a second. "A human, please. At least once."

Celestia jabbed her side with a wing and smirked. "A big one?"

Her sister shook her head. "No! I want a good one! A kind one! One who would listen!"

It just made Celestia giggle harder. It was a way to relieve the awkwardness of what they were discussing. She couldn't resist another joke. "Of course. One with a generous..."

"Heart!" Luna finished, trying to get the word out before her sister could complete the thought, but it was too late. She had always been too late.

"... prick."

The night-blue alicorn growled under her breath and rolled her eyes. "You are impossible! I am going to bed!" She stood up and began walking away, placing her hooves down firmly, with finality. It could almost be called 'stomping'.

"Do not worry! I will find you a human to keep you company, soon!" Celestia almost regretted it. Perhaps she had gone a tad too far, but she saw her sister turn her head and stick out her tongue. It left her smiling. Until she began thinking about the request.

She knew a grand total of nine human males and most of them were married or otherwise taken. Oh, and there were two of Sally's friends, but they were mere colts. Entirely unsuitable for a good few years yet. Celestia remembered William White - or 'Will', as his young friends called him - and his comment about how pretty she was. She had met him at young Sally's birthday party. She wonderd if Luna had a picture of him somewhere, together with all the photos Mr. Plain had gotten her. Even now Celestia hadn't been allowed to see them. It boded toward more teasing by her sister. Yes, young William White seemed to like ponies. What would he think if he saw Luna in all her glory? Outlined against a sky full of stars, with her mane floating on the slightest breeze. Her soft, Cyan eyes would be almost glowing with starlight and her muzzle would hold a gentle smile.

Who could resist that?! If young William White met her sister before his heart hardened on Earth, he would make a doting and generous husband. Mr. Bennett had unwittingly confirmed it! Equestria changed humans for the better! Maybe she should pick someone - a temporary human - to keep Luna amused for a few years, until that young one came of age. Now there was a thought. She wondered what his parents might say if they knew what she was scheming. No matter. She would consider it in the morning. Surely Rawsthorne would help her decide on a proper mate for her sister. He probably had many friends, right? Acquaintances, at least. Celestia turned back to the sleeping city and let her body and mind relax. She breathed in the night air of Equestria. She had missed it so. It had been a good day and she was looking forward to her bed. Her thought, that soon it might not be so empty anymore, made it even better!