//------------------------------// // (Adjective) 1: attractive in a pretty or endearing way // Story: Twice as Bright // by Cloudy Skies //------------------------------// As the name suggested, the Silver Lounge was part of Luna’s wing, near to her court. While the courts themselves were a relatively minor part of the palace all things considered, the informal meeting chamber would have made most ponies’ living rooms green with envy. The room was set deep in the palace interior, but what it lacked in actual windows, it made up for with paintings and crystal panes with deep green glass designed to offer the illusion of a dark forest. The rest of the walls were lined with bookcases and cabinets of varying woods, and pillows on plush carpets sketched a loose sitting area around a large fireplace. It was the work of minutes to light a cozy fire more for light than for warmth, and soon the four were seated, the cake diplomatically placed in the middle of a small, low table. Seated, and in the middle of a silence that threatened to last. Twilight wore a small smile that hadn’t changed since they entered the room, Rainbow Dash was casually inspecting the tiles of the roof whistling tunelessly, and Pinkie Pie? Pinkie hummed to herself, her head bobbing sideways and her eyes closed. “Ah. I think perhaps we should start by... cutting the cake?” Celestia finally said. “Sure,” Dash said. “Uh. Your highness.” “I think we can dispense with that.” Rainbow Dash tilted her head. “Which means not calling you princess or highness or anything?” “It means to do away with,” Twilight said. “So yes.” “Right.” Dash cleared her throat. “This is going to be so great!” Pinkie said, leaning in over the table while Celestia cut the cake into sixteen equally large pieces. The glow from her horn hadn’t even died down before Pinkie Pie snatched a pair for herself, and Rainbow Dash wasn’t far behind. Predictably, Twilight glanced askance at Celestia before anything else. “Informal setting, Twilight. You don’t have to wait for me,” Celestia said, levitating up a slice of chocolatey goodness for herself while Pinkie seized her third. It was strangely liberating not to have an entire table full of diplomats staring at her, waiting for her approval to begin their meal. “I suppose,” Twilight said, hanging her head. “Sorry. If this is meant to be your time off, I’m not doing a very good job.” Pinkie reached in for another slice. Where the first three had gone, Celestia honestly couldn’t tell. She glanced about the pillow that seated the pink pony while she finished her own cake in an expertly measured set of bites, but found nothing. “So, uh. Do you have any games or anything?” Dash asked. “I mean, I’m all for talking about Twilight being an awkward egghead and everything, but, uh—” “Aw, don’t be mean, Dashie!” Pinkie said, her forelegs darting in for another slice. Twilight merely rolled her eyes. “Truth be told, I was about to ask you what kind of entertainment you would like,” Celestia said. “But I suppose not everything requires me to call the court musicians and a troupe of jugglers.” Dash shrugged, Twilight coughed, and Pinkie worked away at the cake. Stiff as though the silence was, Celestia had to admit that there was something thoroughly refreshing about the pink pony’s shameless abandon. She’d made the delicious cake, and so she finished it off with nary a care in the world. Standard logic applied rather than royal logic that limited manners and such. “Maybe you have Battleclouds or something?” Dash asked, tapping her hooves on the table when nopony spoke. “I’m sorry. I’m not very good company,” Celestia said, shaking her head and shifting on her pillow. “I think there should be something in the cabinets here, but if you’d rather go—” Pinkie Pie swallowed the last of the cake and licked her lips, rising to stand. It was a small movement, all things considered, and Celestia still towered above her, but the way the pink mare carried herself reminded her of a phoenix spreading its wings. Instead of fiery feathers, she had only her smile, but that was plenty enough to give Celestia pause. “Silly, we make our own entertainment! What do you want to do?” Pinkie said. Celestia couldn’t recall the last time she’d felt so uncomfortable—no, so ill-fitting for the spotlight. “Ah. That’s not really important. I’m happy to do anything you like.” Pinkie Pie squinted for a moment, then nodded. “Okie-dokie! We can just talk. I like talking. Talking is one of my favorite things, you know! We can talk about Rainbow Dash’s new trick, or the new spells Twilight has been researching. Oh! Or I can tell you all about the surprise birthday party I’m gonna throw Dashie next month?” Rainbow Dash smacked her forehead. “It’s not a surprise if you tell me. Now you ruined it!” “Silly, the surprise isn’t that it’s a surprise, the surprise is in how it’s a surprise!” Dash blinked. “Okay. Now I’m just worried. I take it back. Can we go back to me not knowing?” Twilight sunk down further on her pillow. “I guess these aren’t very interesting topics for you, though.” Celestia arched a brow. “You would be surprised how much more interesting this is to me than having my attendants discuss the results of my meetings with the dragon kings’ representatives today.” “You’ve been talking to dragons?” Dash said, eyes wide. Twilight perked her ears. “An extra congress?” “Oh wow! I agree with Twilight. Let’s talk about that instead. Topic change!” Pinkie declared, smacking the table with a hoof. Celestia laughed. It came out not a muted royal chuckle, but a full-bodied laugh that surprised even herself. “Alright, I suppose I can stand to tell that tale one more time, but you didn’t hear from me that they are rather boring company. Now, why don’t I call for some real tea and food from the royal kitchens? That is, if you’ll tell me all about what you’ve been up to, afterwards.” “I never really thought about it. Um, I guess I’d have to say... liquorice? Liquorice tastes terrible,” Twilight said, her tongue sticking out and her face scrunched. “Aw, but it goes great with sarsaparilla, or in a cake!” Pinkie said. “Okay, maybe I just really like liquorice. What about you, princess?” Celestia chuckled. “I don’t think the candy that I don’t like has been made yet. You know how mothers always say you’ll like your sprouts if you just try them?” “Sure, and then you dig a hole in the cloud under you and hide them and pretend you ate them!” Dash said. “You did not!” Twilight said. “Yeah-huh! Every day. Sprouts are terrible! Uh, I think.” “My point was,” Celestia said, smiling at Rainbow Dash. “They’re right. Now imagine you’ve been to so many big dinners, events and gatherings, that you’ve been sent so many treats as gifts that you’ve had to try absolutely everything many times over.” “So you like everything?” Pinkie said, her eyes lighting up as she gazed over at the princess. “Oh wow, me too! Everything’s my favorite! Well, okay, except things that don’t have sugar, I guess, but those aren’t really things. They’re, uh, not-things.” “Oh goodness, no, we were talking about candy, weren’t we? I don’t like sprouts either.” Celestia grinned while the three ponies laughed. Even Twilight broke into a giggle despite Dash’s rather uncalled for victory dance and swishing her tail in her face. Celestia sat back and slowly let out her breath. Time was strange, even to one who had seen so very much of it. Fifteen minutes of paperwork could be an era unto itself, and a few hours of whatever it was this was had passed by like nothing. The almost oppressively hot chamber was littered with empty plates and luke-warm teacups. As the evening dragged on, the four had inched closer towards the table until they sat close enough to touch. “It is getting rather late,” she said, working hard to keep the regret from her voice. “It will soon be too dark to fly, so we better get the guard to fly you three home.” “Aw, but slumber party sleepover princess parties are supposed to—” Pinkie’s complaint was interrupted by a great yawn. “—last all night!” “I’m afraid this won’t be much of a sleepover, then. I’m sorry,” Celestia said, rising to stand and stretching her aching wings and legs. Twilight and Rainbow Dash did the same, but Pinkie Pie simply rolled onto her back. “We didn’t even get to the good parts!” Dash nudged Pinkie on the flank. “You’re not gonna get me to do your mane or anything like that.” “Come on Pinkie Pie,” Twilight said. “We grilled marshmallows, didn’t we?” Pinkie sat up and pointed at Twilight, freezing the poor unicorn in place. “Yeah, but we’re supposed to talk about other ponies too! Like about how Pokey Pierce is hitting on you, Twilight! That’s a great topic.” “He most certainly is not! He just comes by to borrow books every now and then, and we talk a little.” Twilight snorted. “Uh, Pokey doesn’t read a whole lot. I’m pretty sure he’s putting the moves on,” Dash said, grinning. “Sorry Twilight.” Twilight groaned and scratched her forehead. “Great. I need to have a talk with him, then. I hope I have that copy of ‘How to Let Someone Down Gently’ somewhere.” “See? Isn’t this fun?” Pinkie asked, apparently resolved to get as much as possible out of the last moments, though she did follow the other ponies as they walked towards the door at a sluggish pace. “What about you?” Celestia looked over to find Pinkie’s eyes trained straight at her, and a noise somewhere between a strangled snort and a laugh welled up. “No, I most definitely have not had the time for anything like that in quite a while.” “Aw, why not? You’re totally cute!” Celestia blinked, not really quite sure what to say to that. Besides, it looked like her faithful student was prepared to take care of that for her; Twilight stared at Pinkie Pie as if she’d suddenly grown antlers and a beard. Nothing much came of it. Dash raised an eyebrow and shrugged, Pinkie bounced merrily along, and Twilight had her aneurysm in private, eyes welded shut for a moment. “Things were different back then. I’ve ruled alone for a long time,” Celestia offered, opening the door and stepping out into the colder hallway. “If there have been suitors, it’s never reached my ears.” “That’s silly,” Pinkie said, trotting past the others to walk alongside her. “Pinkie,” was all Twilight said, her head almost brushing the floor. “It’s quite alright,” Celestia said, though for whom the words were intended, she wasn’t quite sure herself. “Just take the hall to the right here.” “And straight down to the courtyard,” Twilight added, nodding. “Thank you for taking the time to see us.” “When are you coming to visit?” Pinkie’s question wasn’t entirely unexpected. The fact that Celestia didn’t protest the use of “when” rather than any other word, however, that was worthy of contemplation. Equally surprising, and not entirely unwelcome, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle stood shoulder to shoulder with Pinkie, eagerly awaiting an answer. “I bet Fluttershy would love to hang out,” Dash said. “You mean Rarity will have our heads if she heard we had a ‘tête-à-tête’ with royalty without her,” Twilight said. “I bet Applejack and Spike feel left out, too.” “Well, I would hate to cause a rift,” Celestia said. “How about the weekend after next?” Pinkie nodded and hopped. “Sure! Hey, we should move this to Fluttershy’s cottage. I bet she would love to have us over, even if she might have a cute little heart attack or two while she warms up to it!” “That sounds like a wonderful idea. I’m sure we can arrange for the details later.” Celestia smiled and nodded at the three, who all waved back before trotting down the castle halls in high spirits. It was hard to make herself move at all; only when their voices had faded completely did she turn around. It wasn’t even worth feigning surprise at Luna standing behind her. “Looks like you had a good time,” Luna said. Celestia cast a final glance down the now-empty hall, stuck between a grin and a nonplussed frown. “We did. And apparently, I am ‘cute’.” “Now that sounds like a story.” Luna raised an eyebrow as she followed Celestia inside her bedchamber. Where Celestia made for her bed, the moon princess beelined for the balcony, throwing open the doors and stepping outside into the darkening night. “Care to join me?” Celestia paused, halfway to removing her crown and other regalia. In the aftermath of the evening so far, the question of “why” was so much weaker than “why not.” She trotted around her bed and onto the balcony to stand at her sister’s side. “Alright. I may be a little rusty, though.” “It’s hardly the sort of thing you ever forget.” Luna craned her neck to look straight up, guiding both their eyes up the walls and past the castle’s spires to the moon and stars above. The younger sister’s horn glowed with a faint purple light, and as she willed it, more lights blinked into existence, lighting up the sky to counter the sun that had set at Celestia’s command. Luna was right. No words needed to be said, and the only thing traded were a couple of quiet smiles before powerful wings spread in synch. The sisters took off together, and with each set of wingbeats, the noise of the castle, then of Canterlot, slowly died down. Noises Celestia had not taken notice of due to far too many hundreds of years in their presence. Chatter, hoofsteps, whispers, it all faded. Higher and higher they rose, and Celestia wove the spells about her as if she’d done this all last just yesterday. Wards against cold, and spells for breath. By wing and magic they climbed, and soon Luna brought them to a halt. At first a cluster of lights bright as the sun below, Canterlot was soon just another twinkling star. All around them, the stars shone, and Celestia knew that without magic, she might lose track of which star was home. Luna’s wings were spread making slow, graceful movements, and the night princess laughed as she pulled a small loop, twisting around her own axis. She floated towards Celestia upside-down, smiling. Celestia smiled back and gave her sister a brief hug, content to watch for the moment. In a place that barely recognized the concept, she was still weighed down by questions, some of them laughably simple. “How often do you come here?” Luna’s smile waned. “Every night. Every night since my return.” Celestia rolled her jaw. “Why have you not brought me?” “I have asked time and again. You forget, or you pretend to forget.” Celestia sighed. She sensed the truth of it, just like she knew her next words were a lie. “I don’t... forget things.” Luna made no immediate reply. She drifted past her and reached out with a wingtip to drag it along Celestia’s entire length. Celestia tested her own wings, setting herself moving in any direction at all. Luna soon came in from below, floating backwards and upside-down both, matching her speed perfectly. “So. Details, ‘Tia?” Celestia rolled her eyes. It was hard to keep the humor from her voice. “You could get your own slumber party.” “I had a little get-together with some of the staff and a few acquaintances last week. I invited you.” “Ah.” Celestia twisted around to bring herself face to face with Luna as they drifted among the stars. “To answer your question, I had—I mean, I believe they had fun.” “And you?” Celestia sighed and nodded. Her sister didn’t look the least bit smug, nor did she even smile. Luna’s eyes were full of concern and nothing but. Concern that evaporated in the face of a simple admission. “And I did, too, yes.” Luna leaned over to hug Celestia around the neck. Celestia felt more than she heard the chuckle that followed. “Am I going to have to hire a few noisy pink ponies on the palace staff? Was an invasion of privacy all it took for you to enjoy yourself for a few hours?” “No, I think the one pony is quite enough, thank you,” Celestia said, drawing back. “And you forgot callous disrespect and a complete lack of—no, and a different brand of courtesy.” Luna’s brows were knit. “Well. I was making a joke, but now I’m intrigued. Different brand of courtesy? Is this not the end of it, then?” “I’m just thinking aloud. I rather enjoy seeing that some ponies can take me at face value.” “And perhaps you need a kick on the flank to get out more.” Celestia chuckled. “Yes, well. Apparently, I’m expected in Ponyville late next week, so that’s taken care of, too.” Luna smiled wide and stretched her wings to her fullest. “I’m pleased to hear this. Another one of Pinkie Pie’s initiatives?” “Yes. Even though Twilight seems a little uncomfortable with it.” Celestia shook her head at her own words. “Uncomfortable is the wrong word. Surprised.” Luna shrugged. “She has no reason to believe you are anything but what you’ve shown her. Perhaps you should talk to her?” “I guess there’s truth to that, but no. I don’t think there’s a need. At least not yet. She’ll form her own opinion and be stronger for it.” “And Pinkie Pie?” Celestia tilted her head. “I’m not sure I understand the question, if there is one.” Luna gave her a toothy grin. “Is she the one who called you cute?” “Well, yes.” Celestia rolled her eyes and angled herself towards a particular star, giving her wings a single, decisive flap. “I’m not impressed you figured that out. It fits her particular brand of randomness, does it not?” Luna angled herself homewards and gave chase. “I’m sure you are correct.”