Chapter 6: Balcony Conversation
Luna stood upon her balcony, over looking Stormane, as she took a deep breathe. ‘You can do this, Luna… You have been doing it every morning…’ She released the breathe as her horn began to glow softly, slowly building up brighter and brighter. She reached into the connection that both she and Celestia had with the celestial bodies they controlled.
As she felt her tie to the moon, she used her magic to ‘lasso’ it, and pull the large orb below the horizon, it was easy and simple, the moon wanted to set as always. As soon as she felt the moon dip below the horizon, she turned her magic to the sun. With her sister gone… She took up responsibility for it, though she never could bring the warmth and loving light Celestia did to the land. She grunted, her eyes squeezed shut as she strained to pull the larger body into its set path in the sky. As soon as it was, she let the magic go, stumbling lightly as her eyes opened. She felt a hoof touch her shoulder to help steady her, she turned to the lavender mare with a smile.
“You never told me you handled both of them now…” A soft voice spoke quietly, carrying a tone of fearfulness of the emotions the topic may cause to both of them.
“I… I had to, Celestia disappeared and I could not let night reign eternal… Ponies would blame me and try to over throw me out of fear.” Luna frowned and scuffed her hoof on the balcony stone, sighing sadly.
“They would have to go through me..” Twilight smiled softly, nuzzling the dark alicorn.
Luan sighed and smiled softly. “That makes me feel better… Thank you, Twilight. Now, I think it is time we both showered and prepared ourselves for court.”
“Both of us?” Twilight raised her eyebrows curiously at her love.
“Yes, I think it is time Stormane knew of our relationship. They need something happy in these times, with darkness closing in from every side.”
“Mmm… I suppose… but, what if they object?” Twilight frowned, looking worried about the reaction of the subjects of Luna and the citizens of Theramare.
Luna turned to Twilight, nuzzling her cheek softly. “They would not dare oppose it, some of the nobles may be upset that there may be no ‘heir’ or that their plans for courtship will not work, but the ones who matter, the average pony, will rejoice or be happy for us.”
“A-are you sure?” She frowned, her anxiety starting to surface again, like that time she was almost… tardy. But, not quite as bad.
“I am, my dear.” Luna kissed Twilight’s cheek gently and turned, walking back into the room. “I’m going to shower now; you can either join me…” Luna gave her a wink, “Or wait your turn.” And with that, she entered the bathroom, leaving the door open only a sliver.
Luna levitated a towel to her hoofs as she moved to dry her lover off, the unicorn was shaking a tiny bit and chewing her lip nervously.
“I-I’m worried, Luna.” Twilight spoke softly, trying to hide any outright fear in her voice.
“Why would thou be worried? ‘Tis just going to be a few noble ponies we have to sil-convince this isn’t a power play by Theramare.” Luna smiled as she slowly dried her lover of.
Twilight was leaning into Luna’s hooves as she was dried off, “W-well... I was t-thinking of giving my position over to... Trixie, she isn’t as arrogant these days. And... I want to spend more time with you and my books again.” She looked at her hooves blushing.
Luna smiled working on Twilight’s tail and mane. “Well... I think that is a good idea, I could offer you the position of my Archmage, and we will not have to worry about that. Plus, it means you get to suffer with me through those nobles.” Luna giggled wickedly, smirking.
Twilight’s eyes went wide. “B-b-but... No pony has ever been offered Archmage since Starswirl the Bearded! Celestia herself told me that only the most powerful non-Alicorns could even be considered for it! I..I’d be over all the study of magic and its practice in the Kingdom!” She turned, giddy with joy and utter astonishment at Luna’s casual offer. “I don’t want that jsut because we share a bed!”
Luna frowned and finished ehr drying of Twilight, levitating the used towel into a linen bin. “You think that is the reason?” She raised an eyebrow with a neutral expression, “You may be the most powerful unicorn in bed magic, but, that is not the reason I am giving you this position. You even surpass me in some areas, love.” She smiled lightly, nuzzling Twi’s neck. “Do not ever think I just give my lover’s power. One does not learn how to use power if they are simply given it.”
Twi smiled lightly at Luna’s word, nuzzling her back. “Okay then... I would take it if you honored.” She looked around and frowned. “Where are my robes?”
Luna giggled. “They... er, got dirty during our... ‘fun.’ “
Twilight blushed sheepishly, kicking her hoof at the stone floor. “Oh... Right.” She looked to Luna, who had walked to her neatly piled regalia and was putting it on. “What will I wear then, Lu-lu?”
Lu-lu tapped her chin with a hoof for a moment before she beamed. “I know!” She walked to her closet after finishing putting her regalia on throwing open the double doors and darting inside. Her magic closed the doors behind so Twi’s view was obstructed.
Twi tilted her head curiously. ‘What could she be doing in there? All I need is a decent outfit..’ As she took a step forward the door suddenly flew open causing her to jump back in surprise. Her jaw dropped to the floor almost in a literal way. “I-is t-that?”
Luna nodded and levitated the robes over to Twilight, blushing and hiding her face partially behind her mane, much like Fluttershy would have. “I.. had it made for you when we started seeing each other secretly, I was hoping to offer you the position earlier, but then... The undead an-” She looked at the floor sadly as memories began to spring forth unbidden, but a pair of lips meeting hers broke the trance.
Twi forced Luna back, almost on the bed before she broke contact. “It looks just like his robes... except purple...” She smiled happily at Luna, wrapping her own magical aura around the floating set of robes. oth ponies shivered excitedly as they felt their magics touch for a few moments before Luna let her horn’s glow die.
“Much better than that silly costume I had your first Nightmare Night back....” She looked off into the distance, almost getting lost in thought, odd for her. She shook herself from it. “I don’t know what to say, Lu-lu!”
Luna smiled, regaining her composure from the surprisingly forceful, yet not unwanted, reward for her gift. “How about you get ready and I will begin to make plans for the announcements tomorrow? I’ll send a letter to my herald and we’ll summon the court earlier than I had planned.”
Twilight nodded, bouncing happily much like Pinkie Pie would, to the bathroom, robes following in a magical glow of lavender behind her.
Luna turned to a small writing desk and sighed. ‘This.. is going to be an interesting few days...’