//------------------------------// // 1 The Coffee Pot Conundrum // Story: Return Visit // by Bronyxy //------------------------------// A stream of yellow magic reached out to the teapot, elevating it at the correct angle to allow the perfectly steeped elixir to pour into a delicate gold rimmed bone china cup, which was decorated with the Royal crest of a blazing sun. Job done, the white pony sat back and let out a contented sigh to watch the rising patterns made by the sweet vapour, as it rose unhurriedly from the teacup. At the other side of the table, another pony stared at a spherical silver coffee pot, regarding it curiously from slightly dissimilar perspectives, and viewing their midnight blue muzzle at different angles, to see what effect this had on the strangely distorted image. “Honestly, little Brother, I should have got you one of those sooner if I had known the entertainment value you would derive from it!” joked the white alicorn. “I was quite happy with the old one” came the despondent reply, “It had served well for years and it had become part of the very ritual of making coffee. What happened to it anyway, dear Brother?” His enquiry was greeted by a discrete cough as Prince Solaris cast his mind back to the day before. “It was during the visit by a delegation from Yakyakistan. You dodged a bullet there” he recounted with solemnity, “It was on the table, and for all intents and purposes it looked safe, but then the yaks started their celebratory stomping and it was vibrated off the table …” “Let me guess” continued Artemis, “Next thing, it rolled under their hooves?” “To spare you the unpleasant details; yes. I will say no more, other than to report that it is now flatter than it used to be, and takes up a lot less space in the kitchen.” Artemis rolled his eyes and shook his head in resigned disbelief, pouring out a strong black coffee into his badly stained mug bearing the logo ‘This is what an awesome gamer looks like’, before turning his attentions back to his brother. “You know, Solly, I was thinking” he said, caressing his mug absent mindedly, “It has been a long time since those six fillies crossed the divide between our worlds …” “Go on” encouraged his brother, with the hint of a smile forming on his face. “Well, I would really like to cross into their world to visit Luna” he admitted, following this quickly with, “I have not seen her in ages, and there is something I would rather like to do ...” Solaris raised an eyebrow. He said nothing, but his insinuation was clear. “Oh Solly, that is not what I meant!” he retorted when the penny dropped, flushing red under his deep blue fur, “No, you see there is this new multiplayer game that is all the rage, and I would like to team up with Luna so we can tackle it together.” “I pity your opponents if she is half as good as you are” Solaris replied with a chuckle, “Yes, why not.” Artemis nodded his thanks, surprised that he had received approval so easily, and took a deep gulp of coffee. “Somepony will have to assume your night time duties during your absence” his brother continued, “I could cover, but maybe you have somepony else in mind?” “Thank you, dear Brother, that would be most kind, but I was also thinking that perhaps Dusk Shine may be interested in gaining a closer familiarity with my responsibilities.” “A good choice; as my former personal student I cannot recommend him highly enough” agreed Solaris, “I will ask him to stop by for a chat with both of us when he’s next in Canterlot. When is it you plan on travelling?” “In about a week or two, if that suits everypony” said Artemis, “That would give me time to talk with Dusk Shine and also improve my gaming skills.” “Very well then. I shall contact Princess Celestia to confirm that she would be happy for such a visit, and I will let you know tonight.” After this, the conversation had turned to catching up with affairs of State, and once that was over, Artemis downed the last of his coffee to set off for his private suite, where his brother thought he would probably read for a bit, or maybe play an online game before going to bed. As it happened, he was wrong on both counts; Artemis had instead gone to check out coffee pots online. Solaris meanwhile headed for the inevitable routine tedium that masqueraded as Day Court. He recognised it was important not to be viewed as being aloof from the citizens of Equestria; he and his brother did rule by consent after all, so considered it important that anypony who felt it necessary to meet with him should be given the opportunity. But that didn’t mean he had to enjoy it. Occasionally, the monotony of proceedings would be broken by something that required familiarising himself with a new technology, such as the introduction of trains, airships and more recently, even helicopters. However, that was not how today had gone; ‘dull’ had been invented specifically for days such as this. Oddly enough, the lacklustre appeal of proceedings hadn’t mattered to him today, as there was something special he was looking forward to. With his responsibilities discharged and Day Court finally at an end, Solaris dismissed the guards, and once the large double doors had been pulled closed with a reassuringly solid thump, he let out a soft chuckle and stepped from his seat, allowing his legs an overdue stretch. He walked over to the full length mirror and checked his appearance, wanting to look at his best for the forthcoming meeting. His fiery flowing mane of reds, oranges and yellows floated in the ethereal breeze, framing his white muzzle which sported a very fashionable goatee beard. He looked disapprovingly at his chunky chain of office, which although polished to within an inch of its life, had caught on something at the back of his neck that made it hang slightly crooked. In an instant, the chain glowed in his yellow aura and turned back to the way he wanted it to be; orderly and regal. He smiled approvingly at his reflection and then leant forward so his horn touched the surface of the enchanted mirror, tuning in to its frequency. The moment it reached 40.1 kiimeHertz, a series of ripples began to radiate outward in concentric rings until they had covered the entirety of the mirror, at which point he felt a sense of interdimensional connection click into place. He opened his eyes to take in the reflection in front of him, and was confronted with an indistinct image that was no longer of himself, but a much more elegant and decidedly female white alicorn. "Princess Celestia!" the stallion greeted heartily, "How nice to see you again!" "Prince Solaris!" she replied, admiring him with a slightly coquettish smile, which made him feel that his last minute grooming had been worthwhile, “I’ve been expecting your call.” “Ah yes, of course” he acknowledged “Whatever happens on one side of the mirror also happens on the other. You will no doubt be aware of the plans being hatched between our younger siblings?” “Indeed” Celestia chuckled, “Luna is looking forward to causing chaos across the gaming scene with Artemis.” “So, you are happy to host their little get together, Celly?” “Of course. I was also thinking that, provided Equestria survives, then maybe you might want to come over and visit me afterwards?” Celestia offered, turning her head slightly down and raising an eyebrow, a gentle pinkness rising to her cheeks, “It has been rather a long time ...”