//------------------------------//
// Chapter 61 
// Story: Off Duty 
// by awf 
//------------------------------//

"You want what again?" Mr. Bennett asked, staring at Celestia, as if he hadn't only just read it on the paper.

She tried very hard to keep her tone neutral. She needed the ambassador's approval on her latest request. "I need an assistant."

The man gave her a deadpan stare. "Really. It just has to be a human, has it? You don't have ponies in the castle to handle it?"

Celestia smiled and ran with the joke. "My ponies do not have hands, Mr. Bennett." He stared at her for a few seconds, during which she endeavoured to keep her face straight, but then they both chuckled at the same time. Celestia recovered first. "Yes, I could fill the position with a pony, but I would like to extend the offer to a human. Tighten the diplomatic relationships, so to speak."

"Why this, all of a sudden?" Bennett asked with just a touch of a frown. He was inspecting her face closely, suspicious of her motives, but at least he didn't reject the idea outright.

"To foster understanding and goodwill between our two peoples. To reduce the chance of such a misunderstanding as has happened to you. I also wish to learn more about human politics and diplomacy and I do not wish to burden you with silly questions. Perhaps someone just out of school?"

Bennett snapped his fingers. "Like an intern or something?" he suggested.

It would be perfect. A younger human, preferably male, who had dedicated themselves to school, so they would be less likely to be married. "Exactly. As young as possible, so that they do not have preconceptions about ponies. In part, I also wish to see a human's reaction to us."

That seemed to explain away Mr. Bennett's doubts. He shrugged. "Well, if you want, I'm sure something could be arranged. What do you need from me exactly?"

It was decided and Celestia smiled a little. With any luck, Luna would meet a human for her little adventure. Plus, an extra pair of hands would come in... handy. Especially hands trained in diplomacy. "I would appreciate your signature on this proposal and I would like to ask you to take it to your superiors for approval on my behalf."

Now the ambassador shrugged. "Sure, I can do that," he confirmed and took the paper from the air. Her levitation spell winked out so that Bennett could put the request down on his table and sign it.

"As soon as possible, if you could? Today?"

His pen froze just above the paper and the man turned his head to look at her. "Why so impatient?"

Celestia had an excuse ready. It wasn't a lie, because it was, in fact, true. It just wasn't the main reason. "There is so much to do after my sister's... negligence. I have solved the critical problems and I think these remaining, minor details would be an excellent learning opportunity."

"Yeah, I mean, okay," Bennett said and absentmindedly signed the form, "but... today?"

Celestia wanted the new human in the castle as soon as she could get one. That would give her the maximum amount of time to coach her sister through wooing a human, before Rawsthorne came and began asking uncomfortable questions. Luna and her human had to be solved before that! "Please, Mr. Bennett? I have our fastest coach all ready and it will be waiting for you at the border tomorrow. I have also wrapped up some muffins for the journey. Still warm. I was hoping you could take a few to Mrs. Bennett, along with my apologies for your absence."

That was usually a sure-fire way to convince the ambassador of nearly anything. She could see his mouth pucker up at the prospect of warm muffins. He was practically drooling just at the mention! Quite unlike Rawsthorne, and so very easy to manipulate! Sometimes she wished Rawsthorne would be this malleable with sweets. That would probably have made him less fun. No, Celestia decided, she appreciated the man just as he was. Besides, teaching him the joy of pastries would be exciting, especially now that he wouldn't be able escape her anymore! She waited for Mr. Bennett to convince himself into going. After a minute of indecision, she floated up the basket she had been holding out of sight in the hallway, and lifted the napkin from it.

The smell wafted and did its insidious job. "Fine, okay. Yes, I'll do it right away, if you insist!" Bennett said as he picked out one of her special chocolate chip muffins with redcurrant filling. They were especially delightful and Celestia made a mental note to send a thank you to the little fruit shop. The earth mare there knew they were among her favorite delicacies and she made sure to send plenty of samples to the castle each spring, as soon as her greenhouse produced results. The way Mr. Bennett closed his eyes and moaned a little proved that he enjoyed them just as much as the Princess.

"Make sure you save at least one for your wife, Mr. Bennett!"


In a small way, Celestia envied her sister. Luna was sprawled across the comfortable divan, while she herself sat at the large desk in her office. She would rather they switched places, but the mare wanted to get over the paperwork. Luna had been improving, but her attention span still couldn't be entirely relied upon.

"Please, Sister, tell me that is all!" the younger alicorn moaned, leaning so far back over the leg rest that her head was upside down.

Celestia decided not to torture her anymore. "It is. We have seen to the important issues. I will finish up while you go and get ready for the picnic."

This was very welcome news and Luna quickly stood, lest her sister change her mind. "Thank you! I think I shall shower beforehoof," she proclaimed.

"Oh, by the way. That new human arrives today, Luna. You might wish to be fashionably late."

The younger sister didn't quite follow. She leaned her head sideways and narrowed her eyes. "Why?" she asked.

"That way I will introduce him to everypony else beforehoof. Your introduction will therefore stand out as unique. More memorable. You can make a better impression."

Her sister smiled. "Good idea! I shall do so!"

As Luna cleared out of the room, Celestia went back to the letter she had received that morning. The new human would arrive shortly before lunch. The Princess glanced at the clock on the wall. It was nearly eleven. Not much longer now. She bent back down to her paperwork.


There was a quiet knock which Celestia, even with pony hearing, nearly missed. She called out absentmindedly and glanced up to see who it was. Her breath caught as she locked eyes with a stranger. A human stranger! He stepped inside and conscientiously closed the door behind him. Celestia put the document she had been holding to the side and examined the young man before her. She made an educated guess.

"Mr. Eli Grant?"

He hesitated for a while before bowing. He was unaccustomed to the gesture, so it was a little shaky and stiff. "Yes, Your Highness," he mumbled.

"Oh, none of that, please. Celestia will do. Ma'am, if you must."

He straightened up, but didn't quite meet her gaze. "Yes, uh, ma'am. Sorry."

Celestia decided some direct action was required. This boy seemed almost afraid of her. Perhaps it was whatever they had told him before sending him out, or maybe he was overawed by the fact that she was a Princess. The mare stood up and sidestepped the desk. Eli leaned out of the way and shuffled his feet backward, as if to give her room, but Celestia simply walked around the lad to inspect him from all sides. No ring, she noticed. It human terms that usually meant he was not married. That was good.

"Please, relax. Would you like some tea?"

He had to clear his throat before he could make his voice work. It was a little squeaky, but the answer was clear and understandable: "No, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am."

The pony rolled her eyes a little and grinned while she was still behind him, where he couldn't see. Luna might enjoy the reverent servility, but it wasn't what she needed. Passing around his other side, Celestia paused for a moment to inspect Eli Grant's face. She was somewhat familiar with human features after her time on Earth, after all. He certainly wasn't ugly. Maybe he was not exactly 'handsome' with his nose slightly too large for the rest of his features, but he wasn't bad-looking. The eyes, in particular drew her in. Startlingly green, which was quite unusual among humans. He watched her very closely, nervous but interested. He was very intelligent, but lacked confidence. Perhaps Luna could help with that. They might even help each other grow. Other than that, Celestia couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. Clean shaven, well groomed, and a black mane - hair, she corrected herself - with a tidy, short haircut.

Under her scrutiny, Eli swallowed and gripped his clothes with his hands, as if wanting to pull the jacket more tightly around himself. Long fingers, the mare noted. Perfect for belly rubs and ear scratches. She very nearly blushed at the thought. It was too long since she had seen Rawsthorne! She was starting to have improper thoughts!

Putting it out of her mind, Celestia came full circle and stood before Eli Grant. "Do not be afraid, your work here will not be onerous. Not in the slightest!" Celestia wondered what the young man would think if he knew her plans for him. Well, not so much plans as hopes. Of course she would never force him. "The note said you finished a Ph.D. in Politics at a school called Princeton?"

He nodded, but then quickly cleared his throat to confirm: "Yes, ma'am! I majored in International Relations."

"Very good. How did you join the pony embassy? Or, rather, why?"

The response sounded practiced. It had undoubtedly been a part of his briefing, but they hadn't had much time and it showed in his delivery of it. "I, uh, wanna foster improved relations between us and, um, ponies."

Celestia giggled at the formulaic answer. She sat on her haunches and extended a hoof. "I am very pleased to meet you, Mr. Grant. Would you like to know about your duties? It can wait until after the picnic."

That was firmer ground and Eli nodded as he shook. His grip was weak, but it was there. He wasn't too squeamish about touching her, at least. "Yes, please. Uh, picnic, ma'am?"

Celestia levitated a few papers she had prepared as an example. She noted that Eli Grant watched the softly glowing aura with particular interest and awe. Of course he had been told about magic, but had apparently never seen it first-hoof.

"Take a look at these. They are petitions which arrived from my subjects. We get a lot of them on a daily basis and they have somewhat... piled up lately."

He quickly scanned a few lines on each message. The first was a request for funds, the second was a small town's report on the amount of produce in storage and the third was a personal appeal from overeager parents for their pony to be accepted in the Canterlot city guard. When she saw that he had finished, Celestia explained. "I wish for my sister, Luna, to become more familiar with the day-to-day running of the country. Perhaps you heard about my recent absence and the trouble it has caused?"

He undoubtedly had, but the youth was somewhat unwilling to admit it. He was really worried about insulting her. "Uh, yes, there was something, ma'am..."

"So, I would like for you and Luna to work through the backlog of these. You will help her decide how to respond to each one. Consider it as furthering your practical education, hmm?"

"B-but, ma'am, I don't know much about your internal affairs, or, or-"

Celestia stood up again and went to the young man's side. She wrapped a wing around his midriff and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Hush. Relax, Eli Grant. I have already looked through them and taken care of all the urgent and problematic ones. These are run-of-the-mill requests which I normally let my staff resolve on their own."

He froze at her touch, but didn't try to wriggle free. Celestia wasn't looking at his face, but she imagined a slightly puzzled expression and probably a blush. "Then why-" he began to ask, but the mare smoothly took up the answer before he could finish his sentence.

"They are meant to be a learning experience for both Luna and you, Eli Grant."

"O-Oh."

"Furthermore, I specifically asked for someone right out of school. Do you wish to know why?"

He actually began to tremble a little! Celestia worried what kind of stories he has heard. She hadn't meant to frighten him, so she released her wing-hold and pulled back a little, showing the human her disarming, soft smile. "Do not worry, Eli Grant. It is nothing nefarious. My sister and I would just like to pick your brain a little. We are very interested in what is being taught as Political Science on Earth and were hoping you could... take us through it."

That didn't seem to help much. The lad still stood stiffly and watched her with a wide-eyed, confused expression.

Celestia decided to move it along and return to the request at some later date. She went to the door. "Come, let me show you to your room. The castle staff had taken your luggage there, so you can freshen up. The picnic will begin in a few hours and I will introduce you to Luna there."

Eli turned rigidly to follow her, but Celestia stopped purposefully in the door.

"Please, come this way."

Her request got him to squeeze past her and she noted how he endeavoured not to touch her, even after her previous affection, which should have showed him it was alright. Her sister would have her work cut out for her. Luckily, Celestia was there to help. Something in Eli Grant's attitude reminded her strongly of Rawsthorne. She knew she could make the boy loosen up a little and begin to appreciate ponies on an entirely new level.

"Mr. Bennett will be there to answer any questions you might have about protocol, and you can always come to me for help, okay?"

"Uh-huh," the lad said and nodded. He waited for Celestia to take the lead then fell in step beside her.

"Tell me about yourself, Eli Grant. Where do you live? How are your parents? What do you think of Canterlot and the castle?"


The picnic was an instant hit! Celestia's choice of cook went over very well with the humans. Apparently the griffin knew all about meat and had indeed brought a very good selection. To her it all looked the same. Bits of flesh which he charred in heat, much like she had done occasionally for Rawsthorne. The cook was doing something complicated right now, which apparently included red wine and a lot of sizzling. Whatever the procedure was called, the two humans were practically fawning over it. Celestia couldn't help feeling a tiny bit jealous. She decided to ask the griffin for a few pointers, but before she could say anything the mare spotted a late arrival.

Finally, Luna! Celestia had told her sister to be 'fashionably late', but she had begun to worry. Now she hurried to intercept her. "Come, I will introduce you!"

The younger mare examined the scene. Her nose wrinkled in disgust as she caught the cloud of smoke which was now rolling from the grill, but she didn't comment upon it. She took in the new arrival and her mouth quirked up in a little smile. "He will do nicely. Thank you, Sister," she complimented and Celestia barely caught the tremor in her voice. Luna was less sure of herself than she was pretending.

Celestia lead her closer and smoothly stepped to the side, so that Eli Grant would have an unobstructed view of the young, dark, alicorn Princess. "Mr. Grant - I would like you to meet my sister Luna."

The mare in question drew herself up haughtily and her leg shot out with a speed which made the humans flinch. "We are pleased to meet you!" she said, rather too loudly.

Celestia leaned closer to her and murmured: "Less forceful, Sister, and try without the royal voice."

Luna blushed a little, but the humans didn't seem to notice it on the night-blue fuzz around her muzzle. Her ears lowered partway and she managed a small smile. "Uh, forgive Us- I mean me! Forgive me."

Eli looked at Mr. Bennett, who shrugged slightly, then took the proffered hoof in his hand. "Eli Grant," he said, "and the pleasure is mine."

Celestia could see how stiffly her sister was standing and leaned toward her again. She whispered another instruction: "Offer him a beverage!"

Luna's ears went further down as she blindly obeyed her older siling. She pulled her leg away and kept the grin frozen across her muzzle. "Might We-" she began, but her eyes darted to Celestia and she corrected herself: "Uh, may I offer you a drink?"

"Oh, no, thanks, I'm fine..." Eli began and turned around to look at the nearby table with refreshments. It seemed like he would go and fetch it himself, so Celestia jumped in: "One for me as well, if you would be so kind, Sister?"

"Of course. It is no trouble, Mr. G-Grant," Luna insisted. She also looked at the other man. "You, Mr. Bennett?"

The ambassador lifted up his hand, which already had a glass with a fair bit of wine left in it. Luna inclined her head politely and went to the table with the drinks. She busied herself with inexpertly pouring some wine in glasses. The two diplomats watched her and Mr. Bennett leaned to his younger colleague. He probably thought he was being quiet, but he forgot how sensitive pony ears were. He also failed to notice Celestia approaching to stand right beside them.

"Careful of that one," he murmured to Eli, "she's quite sharp when she gets impatient and it doesn't take much. Take it from me."

Celestia rolled her eyes, but didn't comment. Her sister was already coming back with three glasses floating beside her. She held one out to the young human, the other to her sister, then raised her own.

It had taken some tutoring, but Luna recited her toast flawlessly: "To shared future and new experiences!"

All four of them lifted up their drinks and the glasses tinged as they met. The ice was broken. It was up to Luna now to take it from there. Celestia relaxed and wandered over to see what the griffin was doing. She was pleased to see that he had a few slices of bread with tomatoes on the fire for the ponies and he was also frying up several hay-patties. Celestia made a mental note to tip him handsomely afterward.

"Sister, if you would?" Luna said suddenly right behind her and motioned with her head away from the humans a few times.

Celestia followed her until they were out of earshot. "What is wrong?"

Luna looked furtively around to make sure nopony was listening, then gave her sister a wide-eyed, pleading look. "What do I say?!" she whispered urgently, glancing at the two men who seemed to be engaged in deep discussion.

Celestia smiled at her sister and laid a wing around her withers. It seemed Luna would need more coaching. "Ask about him, or about Earth. Are there no things you wish to know, Sister?"

Luna gave this due thought. "I was wondering about that magical picture box you sometimes dream of..."

"It is called a 'TV'. Yes, ask about that. Offer to show him around the castle after the picnic, or invite him to ice cream in Canterlot. No, wait. That last one might be too soon. Give it a few days."

"Oh. Okay. Yes, that's good," Luna confirmed with a relieved grin. "Thank you, Sister!"

"He is not dangerous, Sister. Speak to him as you would speak to me. I will distract Mr. Bennett."

The younger mare nodded. She looked over to the humans again and swallowed. Then she lifted her hoof to go back.

Celestia held a wing in her way. "Oh, and Luna? Please stay out of my dreams."

Luna lowered her ears and nodded. "Of course, Sister," she lied, as she had so many times before.

Celestia just grinned to herself. She had long since given up on that part of their relationship. Her sister worked very hard each night to keep the dreams of Equestria tranquil. She deserved some leniency. Besides, Luna's courtship would be very interesting, and she would probably need quite a bit of help from her older sister. In a way, it was almost like looking into her dreams for a change!


Celestia was running late. She had had to entertain the minotaur negotiator far longer than she had hoped. That... cow would simply not take the hint to go to bed! The mare shook her head angrily as she hurried to the balcony. Perhaps it was time to have her sister and the new human sit in on one of the negotiations. Merely to learn, of course. After all, Eli Grant did say that his specialty at the school had been International Relations. He could explain to Luna what was happening. Yes, Celestia decided. The two had had ample time to get acquainted over the past few days. Now it was time to learn something practical, too!

Celestia met her sister out on the balcony in the chilly spring air. The two mares stood at the railing and looked over the quiet city. That was how late it was, Celestia thought. Everypony had already gone to sleep! Longing for her own bed, Celestia spoke first.

"How did it go?"

Luna heaved a sigh. "It is no use, Sister. We speak for but a moment, then all is silent. I think he fears me."

Her head drooped low and Celestia stepped closer to wrap a wing around her sister's barrel. She thought back on her own exploits with Rawsthorne. "Have you tried offering a dinner together? Someplace out of the castle? A less formal setting?"

Luna paused, then shook her head. "Not yet. Do you think it is time for that?"

"Perhaps. Take him to that place - whatever it is called now..." The shops and restaurants seemed to change so rapidly over the years that Celestia couldn't decide which name was the latest. "You know. The Saddle Arabian one?"

"Yes, I know of it," Luna confirmed, "Hummus Kitchen, I believe."

"That is it."

Her sister stepped closer and gave Celestia a brief nuzzle. She was smiling again. "Thank you for all your advice, Sister."

After a moment of closeness, the two Princesses went back to watching over the sleeping city. Celestia debated her other idea for a while before speaking it out loud. "There is another thing you might try. Take a bath."

Luna stepped away and looked at her older sister with a frown barely visible in the moonlight. "What will that achieve? Do I smell?!" She lifted a wing and sniffed her flank, but didn't detect anything out of the ordinary.

"No no, not that, Sister! I will send him to bring you some documents to read. He will enter the room where you are bathing."

Luna still didn't understand. "What will that achieve?" she asked again.

"Humans are... squeamish about such things. He will see you in a different way. Perhaps more as a mare, and less as a Princess." Well, it had taken a few tries until Rawsthorne got over his embarrassment, but for Eli Grant embarrassment would be an improvement. The lad was too reverential by half!

Like her sister had said: it was impossible to speak with him. Even Celestia didn't have much luck. "When he tries to excuse himself and leave, keep the door closed with your magic. Order him to bring the papers to you. Pretend like you don't notice anything wrong, but make sure he comes right up close."

Luna smiled a little and her eyes were nearly glowing now. Her tail swished around in excitement. "Yes, yes! I will do it!" Her grin faded and she looked into the distance. "Perhaps a few days after our restaurant. If things do not improve."

"Good. If you do, you must tell me how red in the face he gets!"


Celestia was walking toward her room with one of her pony clerks, going over some boring figures from the castle treasury. She was late to bed, yet again, but she wanted to have her urgent work concluded before Rawsthorne arrived. Once the man was there, she wanted to have time for him. Too bad Luna and Eli hadn't made all that much progress, she thought. It would have been enjoyable to see them come together, but Celestia knew she would focus on Rawsthorne first and foremost. She realized her clerk had stopped talking and looked up from the carpet just in time to see Eli Grant walking toward her, as if the thought had summoned him. The young man passed them and kept his rapid pace. It wasn't quite a run, but it didn't seem far from it. Both mares turned to look after him and Celestia even considered calling, but Eli Grant seemed in a hurry, so she let it pass. Instead, she excused herself, sent the clerk away, and went to see what had made the human rush so.

She turned a corner and immediately understood. Luna's door was open. Celestia knocked on the wooden door frame and entered in the same moment, closing the door behind her. Luna was curled up on her bed.

"It did not go well?" She needn't have asked, especially after her sister pierced her with a furious glare. There were papers strewn around the bed.

"We hath done exactly as you suggested, Sister!" Luna exclaimed. "All We achieved was to drive the human away!"

Celestia climbed up on the sheets, completely ignoring the papers she crumpled, and tried to hug her sister. Luna batted her hooves away. "Tell me what happened."

The younger mare growled in frustration, but she obliged. "We asked the human to teach us this 'Political Science', just as you suggested!" Luna spat. Then her shoulders slumped and she averted her muzzle. There was a touch of red on her cheeks. Her voice went quiet and gentle. "I opened my wings - nonchalantly, as you said, so that he could look! It did nothing! As if I was not even here! As if he was not in the royal bedchamber with me!"

Celestia tried the hug again and this time her sister accepted it. The distraught mare heaved a sigh and spoke into the Royal Chest Fluff. "I laid on my side - just like you said - and I gave him the Look!"

"What happened?"

After a brief hesitation, Luna replied: "He asked what was wrong. I pouted - like you said - and asked if he would keep me company."

"And?"

Luna pulled herself away and thumped the bed with a hoof, hard. "Nothing! He went red in the face and ran away with scarcely a goodbye! I think he knows what I want from him, yet he refuses to admit." Her royal accent was back. "We are going about it too fast! You, Sister, are pushing Us too fast!"

Celestia felt guilty. It was true that she had been urging Luna toward the young man. Was she really this impatient to see them both happy? After all, Rawsthorne had taken several months to grow close to her and they had spent many evenings simply sitting on the couch and idly talking. The TV had provided an excellent distraction, something Luna didn't have at her disposal.

Celestia folded her ears down in shame and lowered her head. "Perhaps you are right, Sister. I am sorry."

Luna glared for a moment longer, then her expression softened. She looked helplessly at the ceiling. "It is forgiven. What do We do now?"

Celestia bopped her nose to her sister's and gently admonished her. "Accent."

"Sorry. What do I do now?" Luna corrected.

The older Princess examined the papers they were sitting on. Distraction, that had been the key with Rawsthorne. Give the human something to focus his mind on, then talk idly with him. It had brought a feeling of closeness. It got them to know each other quite well.

"Focus on the work, and on what he is teaching you. Give both your minds something useful, interesting to do. Talking will come naturally, then."

Luna levitated up a few papers, making her sister stand up and shuffle her hooves to free every page. She stacked them neatly on her desk.

There was one more question Celestia had, an important one. "Sister, do you like him?"

Luna turned her face away, but then nodded. "Yes. He is smart and dedicated. He is much better looking than the ambassador. His teaching intrigues me." The next came out as barely a whisper: "I wish to know him more."

It made Celestia smile. "Good. Then it should be easy. Follow that wish and the rest will come in time. I promise. I am sorry for pushing you."

"Patience," Luna said and focused on her hooves. Then she looked up with a slight smile. "Yes, I can do that. I can wait for something beautiful."

Celestia gave her another hug, heart swelling with pride. This game of chasing the man was helping Luna in ways she did not even perceive, yet. A couple of months ago, her sister would have demanded everything, instantly. Now, she was happy to wait. Patience was an important skill in the political game. They sat in silence for a minute, then Celestia jumped from the bed and walked to the door. She paused before opening it.

Game... That gave her an idea. "Patience. Yes, Luna. Try to see it as a game, not a competition."

She was nearly out in the hallway when Luna called after her: "Celestia? When did you become a matchmaker?"

It just made Celestia giggle. "I learned many things on Earth." She closed the door and went to her own room. It was true that Luna hadn't made too much progress with Eli Grant, but they were getting along and spending a lot of time together. Something was bound to blossom forth eventually. Not to mention how much her sister was learning about politics. The young man was a good teacher and Luna a good student, even while she pursued other things than knowledge. Celestia was considering asking the pair to look over the new griffin treaties and give her their opinion, and she would definitely have them sit in on all future negotiations. Not only was Luna able to follow the discussion, she had even began making little comments and suggestions of her own. Her sister was beginning to see how a nation was made!

Now that Celestia thought back, Eli Grant had looked immensely proud at Luna's contributions. Of course he had to know just how far she had come under his tutelage. That was bound to raise his self-esteem! It really was just a matter of patience now. Celestia crawled in her bed and pressed a pillow against her belly. Slightly longer than a week. That was how much longer she would have to sleep alone. It brought a smile to her lips.


The Princesses insisted that Eli Grant joined them for breakfast each day. Of course that meant they had to open the invitation to his mentor, Mr. Bennett as well, but luckily the old diplomat was a late sleeper and rarely came. Celestia decided to break the good news that day. The great, incredible, happy news!

"Mr. Grant. We will be getting a few more hands around the castle shortly. I have invited a certain Mr. Rawsthorne as a legal adviser. I do hope you will help him with any questions he might have about policy and treaties with our neighbors."

Eli gave a nod. "Of course, ma'am."

The title still made Luna giggle and she prodded him in the ribs with a wing. "Ma'am?" she asked with a grin. "Why so formal? Have we not shown you every hospitality?"

The young man looked at her and became still. He had been doing that lately, Celestia had noted. Getting lost in Luna's eyes. She started to wonder if that meant it was working, but then he snapped out of it. "It... just doesn't feel right, ma'am."

Luna pushed him with a wing again, threatening to tip his chair over. The poor guy had to grab the table with his hands to remain upright.

"I told you before! Luna! Understand? Say it with me: Luu- naaah!"

Celestia barely suppressed a laugh at her sister's antics, but it seemed to be working. The lad looked at the dark alicorn and repeated the name: "Luna. Yes, sorry."

She liked the way he blushed and looked away. Yes, it was definitely working! Some more patience and her sister would have her human friend. Whether they would fall in love remained to be seen, but they would surely have a bit of fun if nothing else. That reminded her. Celestia made a mental note to clear this with her sister again. Luna had to know what this was. Some fun, some fooling around, a few crazy nights. Hopefully a lot of crazy nights. It might never become more than that, though. The younger Princess shouldn't get her hopes up. You couldn't force love. Celestia hoped it would happen anyway, once Eli Grant finally overcame his hurdle of seeing them as Princesses and simply saw them as... females. The species thing was probably slowing him down, too.

Bringing the full plates to the table, Celestia laid them before the two and sat down with her own stack. "Enjoy!"

Eli murmured a thank you, but didn't touch his food. He had gone rather thoughtful once more. It was the perfect opportunity. Celestia stared straight at Luna until she caught her eye, then inclined her head to the human in wordless suggestion. Her sister understood and levitated up a fork and knife. She quickly cut a little piece, making sure there was a bit of cream and a slice of pineapple, and floated it to Eli's face.

"Here," she trilled, "you must try this. It is a special recipe."

Of course the lad had eaten it all before, but he still obediently opened his mouth and let Luna feed him. Only then did he realize what he had just done, but it was too late. "Mmm," he mumbled and swallowed quickly. "Yes, very good."

"Thank you, Mr. Grant!" Celestia, as the cook, replied.

Luna didn't miss her opportunity. "Here, try some more!" she said, lifting up another forkful.

Celestia decided to make a tactful retreat. "Please excuse me. I feel like eating in the sun today. Canterlot in springtime is especially beautiful." She took her plate out to the balcony, focusing all her might to suppress a giggle. The two were adorable together. Celestia wondered if she and Rawsthorne also acted that way. What about Lake Frond and Rock Lichen? That reminded her. The mare was arriving with her parents later in the day. The Princess had to make sure their rooms were ready. Separate rooms for the mare and her parents, of course. She was probably missing Rock Lichen as much as Celestia herself was missing Rawsthorne. They would need some privacy that night, Celestia thought as she chewed her pancake. She considered giving the sun a little nudge to make it go up faster, except that would sow confusion among her subjects and achieve little else. It wouldn't make Lake Frond arrive any sooner. Nor Rawsthorne and Rock Lichen.

One more day. She could get through one more day!