//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 // Story: Auntie Tia's Matchmaking Service // by Shaslan //------------------------------// Celestia sat in her large, plush armchair, flipping idly through pony profiles and sipping her cup of tea. She was using the unusually hot summer morning to refresh her memory of as many of her clients’ files as she could. Often the best way to match a potential couple was to have one specific pony in mind, and just think about who from her client list might suit. But for that method to work she needed an in-depth and up to date knowledge of everypony on her books. Raven Inkwell sat in the chair opposite, various calendars and diaries sprawling across the coffee table in front of her. She had spent the past few hours catching up on ascertaining that all Celestia’s commitments were itemised and correctly accounted for. They had passed a few easy hours in companionable silence. It came naturally to them now, after so many decades working together. There were no appointments scheduled that day, and though Celestia had told Raven Inkwell they would both use the slow day to catch up on paperwork, in reality she had planned to surprise Raven with a spur of the moment trip to the ice cream stand in the park. Raven Inkwell worked so hard; she deserved a little relaxation. She looked over at Raven again. Her brow was furrowed with concentration, her eyes a little more clouded than they had been once, but the expression still sharp and clear. Perhaps another ten minutes, Celestia mused. Then I’ll propose we go on a little jaunt. She stretched her wings slightly and refolded them more comfortably. A bird sang somewhere in the street outside. All was tranquil and peaceful. Then the door flew open hard enough that it ricocheted into the wall with a bang! It left a dent in the plaster when it bounced away again, ready to slam shut — or almost, until a blue glow of magic caught it and forced it open once more. Raven Inkwell yelped in surprise and dropped her teacup. Celestia hastily ignited her horn, and was able to envelop both the cup and the drops of scalding liquid before they could make contact with poor Raven’s skin. She carefully replaced the tea in the cup and deposited it on the table, before turning to see who was storming into her peaceful little office in such a manner. She was startled to see Rarity, of all ponies, her pupils little black dots of fury, her mane frazzled and straying in every direction. Celestia started up out of her seat involuntarily — what manner of crisis could have bought this on? Her mind raced. Was it Luna? Or Twilight? Had Twilight somehow been incapacitated? She spread her wings and began to reach for the fiery power of her strongest spells. She would burn the fool incautious enough to attack her personal student— “How dare you?” Rarity’s shriek stopped Celestia’s thoughts in their tracks, and she cautiously let her magic dissipate. Not an attack, then. Something she personally had done to offend Rarity. But what could it be? “Rarity, whatever is the matter?” she asked, trying for a soothing tone, and hastily gesturing to Raven Inkwell to evacuate the office. Raven snatched up the files and diaries they had been poring over and hastened out of the room. Rarity advanced on Celestia, her eyes ablaze. “How can you even ask that, Princess?” Celestia spread her hooves. “Truly, I don’t understand.” Then she caught a glimpse of that odious little pink psychopath, lurking behind her mother, and it began to make sense. Rarity’s teeth were exposed in an expression somewhere between a grimace and a snarl. “Exposing Cozy Glow to bigots like this is simply not acceptable.” “Bigots? What do you mean?” Clearly the planned date with Prince Patrician had not gone well. Celestia couldn’t think why — the boy was everything they had asked for. Intelligent, magically gifted, wealthy and ambitious. What had gone wrong? “That — that — imbecile,” Rarity stuttered for a moment over what insult was worthy of scum as low as Patrician was, “That moronic little idiot — he told my beautiful Cozy that she wasn’t good enough because she is a pegasus.” Celestia grasped the situation at once. “Ah.” “Ah!” Rarity’s voice climbed. “Yes, you may well say ‘ah’, Celestia! How dare you expose my Cozy to somepony who would make her feel that way! When you know her history! When you know what she has suffered!” “Rarity, Cozy Glow, please,” Celestia tried to placate them once more. “Why don’t we discuss this calmly? I can call Raven to get us some more tea.” Rarity slammed her front hooves down onto the coffee table. Celestia winced at the impact. What that would do to her priceless eight-hundred-year-old mahogany, she dreaded to think. “I do not want tea! I want what you promised us! The chance for Cozy Glow to meet kind, generous, empathetic ponies who might understand her!” Rarity paused, her flanks heaving with emotion. “It certainly seems as though you do not understand.” “Rarity, please,” Celestia said more firmly. “I had no idea that Blueblood or Patrician held those sort of views. They did ask a few questions about Cozy Glow’s background, and I told them that she was a unicorn-born pegasus, as it seemed harmless enough information to share. I certainly did not intend to expose Cozy Glow to bigotry of any form or fashion.” Rarity’s breath was still coming hard, but she appeared a little mollified. Celestia pressed on. “I can assure you both that it will not happen again. Now, let me ring for tea.” “No,” Rarity snapped. “We’re not staying. Cozy has had a traumatic experience, and we are getting out of Canterlot’s oppressive atmosphere for a few days.” “Of course,” Celestia murmured, letting her hoof fall back from the bell pull. “I hope you both feel better.” She shot a quick glance at Cozy Glow, who still skulked behind Rarity. That little smirk on her face certainly didn’t appear traumatised. Rarity turned to go, ushering Cozy Glow ahead of her, but turned back to shoot one last look at Celestia. “My daughter’s life has been hard, Princess Celestia. I’m not sure anypony understands just how hard. If anyone deserves the best, its Cozy Glow.” Her eyes glinted. “Now, I’m relying on you, Auntie Tia, darling. Don’t let us down.” Celestia could do little more than dip her head in assent, and then Rarity was gone in a flounce of purple tail and a slamming door. Celestia let out her breath. She pulled Cozy Glow’s file back up from the floor where it had fallen and made one more note in the margin. Triple-check any potential matches for anti-pegasus sentiment.