//------------------------------//
// Something Old 
// Story: Red Strings, White Chains 
// by Undome Tinwe 
//------------------------------//

"Hmm... no, no, most definitely not, no..."

Rarity groaned as she tossed aside the stack of sketches. "Oh, why must art be suffering?"

From across the room, Celestia looked up. "Is something the matter, my love? You've been more vocal than usual today about your displeasure."

"Oh, it's just horrid!" With a dramatic sigh, Rarity turned away from her sketching table to face her fiancée. "My muse has left me, Celestia!" She floated up one of the sketches. "I need a necklace to act as a centrepiece of my reception dress, but I haven't been able to create an acceptable design." She gestured at the pile of crumpled papers in the wastebasket.

"Hmm." Celestia stared at the sketch, her eyebrows furrowing until she stood up. "Oh, I think I might have something for this. You're going for a true Classical style, yes?"

Rarity nodded. "I thought I would go with something traditional, to match the decor of the dining hall."

"A fine idea." Celestia trotted over towards her closet, and Rarity heard the sound of her rummaging in her drawers. "Ah, here we go!" She trotted out with a satisfied grin, holding a diamond necklace in her magic.

Rarity took a moment to study it before her eyes widened. "Oh, this is perfect!" she exclaimed, grinning widely. "Yes, the platinum chain blends well into the neckline, and the sapphire in the center contrasts well with the rest of the dress to draw the eye, The gilding is exactly what I needed to complement the style of the dress." She grabbed the necklace excitedly and turned it over to better see the expert craftsmanship from every angle. "This is very authentic to the Classical Era," she noted approvingly.

"I should hope so, considering it was once Princess Platinum's," Celestia said dryly.

Rarity froze, nearly dropping the necklace in shock. "Princess Platinum gave this to you? The founder herself?"

"No," Celestia replied. "I won it from her, fair and square. Though, it was rather foolish of her to challenge an alicorn to a drinking competition. She put up an admirable fight, but she was no match for my Earth Pony metabolism. Also, she was already drunk when she suggested the contest. I offered to strike our wager from the lists afterwards, but she was quite insistent on honouring it, and gave me that necklace as her forfeit."

The words washed over Rarity as her eyes were locked on the jewelry, the world seeming distant to her as she drowned in her own thoughts. "I see," she heard herself say.

"Is something wrong, Rarity?" A hoof on her shoulder brought her back into reality as she stared up at ancient eyes who had seen so very much.

"It's nothing," Rarity said reflexively, then caught herself as Celestia's eyes narrowed. "I simply... forget, sometimes, that the mare I've fallen in love with is, ah, quite a bit older than myself."

At that, Celestia raised an eyebrow. "Are you calling me old?"

"Not exactly." Rarity paused. "I mean to say that you're ageless, immortal, and have witnessed more centuries and I have years." She smiled. "And sometimes, when I remember this, I marvel at how you chose me over all others."

Celestia smiled back. "I've seen empires rise and fall. I've been in the company of those that history and legends would call the greatest, wisest, most beautiful, and most skilled. But none of them ever captured my heart as you have. Never forget that you are special, Rarity."

"With somepony like you in my life, how could I?" Rarity leaned in for a quick nuzzle. "Though, it's hard for a mere mortal such as myself to wrap her head around just how special I am."

"Well, I'll be here to remind you," Celestia promised. "Always."