//------------------------------// // Say It // Story: Say It // by HermitKlam //------------------------------// Twilight drifted lazily in the realm between wakefulness and sleep, her normally overworked mind listlessly swirling in a haze. As a gentle warmth enveloped her body, it seemed to surround her both inside and out as it chased away the day's stress and fear, and then replaced them with thoughts and feelings seeped in safety. An overwhelming feeling of safety and home infused her, causing her to let out a small sigh; the minutes dragged on, but the feeling persisted. Furrowing her brow in confusion, Twilight unconsciously frowned as the silence permeated her fuzzy mind; the now absent sounds of the low melodious voice and the gentle scratching of a quill on scroll slowly pulled her back from the edge of sleep. Not wanting to give up the wonderful floating sensation she was reveling in, Twilight turned her head and nuzzled further into the warmth with another light sigh. Though the light sounds did not start up again, the extra warmth and feeling of softness against her cheek was an acceptable substitute, lulling her once more towards a state of weightless content. Just as she hovered once more on the edge of true sleep, a light sensation infiltrated her sleepy mind, causing her to absently flick her ear. Setting down once more, a few moments passed in peace before the tickle started up again, making her ear twitch uncontrollably in defense. Frowning, she turned and rubbed her head against the soft pillow beside her. Satisfied as the sensation retreated, she tried once again to reach that lovely state of near unconsciousness, only for the tickling sensation to start up again, this time on her other ear. Whining slightly, she pressed both ears back against her head in defiance as her closed eyes scrunched shut even tighter than before. A light, musical stream of quiet laughter swirled around her, and it pierced the fuzzy haze surrounding her mind with its familiarity and warmth. The light tickle found its way down between her eyes and across her face, flitting gently across her muzzle and coming to rest under her chin, before finally playfully retreating. Groaning at the realization that she would most likely be denied the gentle oblivion of sleep she sought thus far, Twilight slowly cracked her eyes open one at a time. Her head tilted slightly to the side, and a sleepy mind twisted in confusion as her half lidded eyes revealed a glowing, fuzzy white blob, a few scant inches from her face. Eyes blinking slowly, Twilight peered blearily up at the white blob that was vibrating slightly, as the tinkling sound of laughter once again registered in her mind. Slowly, Twilight's eyes focused enough to reveal her mentor's smiling face, her white coat seemingly glowing with an ethereal light, as the sun’s rays shone through the open window behind them and danced playfully across it. Confused and disoriented, Twilight mumbled, “Princess?” A teasing glint flashed through magenta eyes far too swiftly for Twilight’s sleep-addled mind to catch. Another tickle, this time much more prominent, made itself known to the purple mare. Ear twitching once again, she was awake enough that she reflexively reached out with her magic. Warmth suffused her, causing her to flush slightly, even as she gave an unconscious shiver as her magic brushed up against another’s. That familiar magic brought with it the warmth and joy of lazy summer days, as it twined playfully around her own. Just as she began to lose herself in the sensation, the golden magic completely relinquished the offending object and retreated, to her slight disappointment. Cheeks slightly pinkened, Twilight brought the object forward and into view, only for her head to tilt once more in confusion. It was a long, shiny feather, its red color fading in some places to allow vibrant orange and yellow hues forth. Its pristine appearance was marred only by the slight smudge of black adorning its root. “What the…?” “Yes,” Celestia hummed happily. “Philomena’s feathers do make magnificent quills, do they not?” “Quills?” Twilight repeated distractedly as golden magic playfully enveloped hers once again, this time requesting the vibrant writing utensil. “I find they make paperwork more bearable,” Celestia admitted lightly, sending the quill to rest on the desk next to an open scroll. “Perhaps that’s just me, though, as it seems not to have helped in your case. Or could it be that you find my company lacking?” she ended her seemingly rhetorical question with a dramatic sigh, holding in a grin with practiced ease. “W-what? No! I-” Her hazy mind cleared in a snap as her mentor’s words finally registered. The smaller alicorn attempted to bolt upright, only to hit a soft yet deceptively strong barrier. Struggling to get to her hooves in a panic, Twilight began babbling frantically, stumbling over her words in her haste, “I-I don’t, that’s not it at all! I-I find your company extremely unlacking- I mean I love your c-company, and I just, I was tired and I haven’t had much sleep lately, a-and your voice is s-so, s-so I just, and I felt safe a-and warm and-” Twilight’s stammered reply cut off abruptly as she yelped, when she felt the soft barrier against her back, which just now registered as one of the white alicorn’s large wings, curled tighter around her, undoing any progress she had made in her endeavor to stand upright. As the wing gently yanked her back to the ground, it cocooned her once more in warmth, and tucked the startled alicorn snuggly into the princess’s side once again. “I apologize, Twilight,” Celestia soothed her, eyes dancing in mirth as she used her magic to move a tuft of purple and pink mane out of the frazzled alicorn’s eyes. “You’re just so adorable when you’re flustered, I couldn’t help myself.” Twilight scowled slightly at the cutesy word; foals were adorable, not fully-grown mares. Not only had she helped save Equestria multiple times, but she had been living on her own for a few years now. Spike didn’t count. She was not adorable. Celestia cooed lightly at the adorable pout that adorned the smaller pony’s face, and couldn’t help but to lean down and nuzzle her after a few seconds. She more felt than heard the smaller mare grumble for a few seconds, before giving in and nuzzling back. As Celestia lifted her head up after few minutes, she couldn’t help but blow a puff of air lightly at a purple ear, giggling as her little alicorn jumped slightly, the ear once more twitching uncontrollably. “Princess,” Twilight whined softly, ears pining back once more, as she rubbed her head against the alicorn’s side to get rid of the tickling sensation. “Now, now, princess,” Celestia’s voice teasingly slipped back into tones she thought were more at home when lecturing in a classroom. Acting quickly, she surprised the young alicorn by loosening the grip her wing had on her captive. Mindful of Twilight's smaller wings, she rolled the purple mare onto her back and continued, “I do believe we’ve been over this.” Twilight’s flailing froze as the princess’s wing tucked itself around her once again, the soft downy plumage brushing against her sensitive underbelly and pressing down lightly against her slightly shaking wing. As she stared straight up, Twilight’s gaze locked with a pair of twinkling eyes inches from her own. As she lost herself in the magenta orbs, she absently noted a white brow rising amusedly. “Well?” Celestia whispered, her breath gently tickling Twilight’s muzzle as she gazed into the slightly dazed amethyst orbs beneath her. “I-I,” Twilight’s breath hitched, her words petering out as the delightful scent of warm cinnamon tickled her senses. Breathing deeply, her mouth began to water as her eyes flickered to the older alicorn’s lips. “Yes, Twilight?” Celestia cooed, putting a slight emphasis on the young mare’s name. “W-what was the, um,” Twilight swallowed thickly, unconsciously licking her lips. She had, at this point, given up even the pretense of paying attention and was staring unflinchingly at the lips hovering above her own, “T-the question?” “Hmm,” Celestia leaned in slightly before seemingly changing her mind and playfully retreating. Twice more she teased her with the promise of a kiss before retreating, much to the restrained mare's frustration. She locked eyes with Twilight once again and answered, “There was no question.” “R-right,” Twilight mumbled unconsciously, straining her neck and darting her head forward suddenly. A tinkling laugh met her ears as Celestia dodged her attempts to connect their lips. Twilight, groaning in frustration, pouted as her hooves twitched against their constraint, her urge to petulantly fold them across her chest rapidly increasing. Just about melting inside at the adorable picture her protégé made, Celestia slowly slid her white cheek against a purple one before stopping with her muzzle beside Twilight’s ear. Her mouth curved into a self-satisfied smile, the large white alicorn relished each quiver that traveled through the smaller mare's body as puff after puff of warm breath caressed Twilight’s ear. “All you have to do is say it,” Celestia breathed into her ear, earning a larger shudder and slight whine from her little captive. Twilight panted lightly, her mind scrambling through a blissful haze for the correct sounds to string together. Despite her best intentions, however, all that escaped Twilight’s lips was another low whine. “Say. It.” Celestia demanded thickly, her restraint weakening as she leaned in to nuzzle the sensitive spot just below Twilight’s ear, garnering another low moan and accompanying shudder from the hypersensitive mare. An answering quiver ran down Celestia’s wings as a pleading tone entered her voice. “Say it.” “T-,” Twilight gasped as she felt a light nip against her sensitive skin, before she found herself once again staring into eyes almost as glazed as her own. Licking her suddenly dry lips, her gaze flickered once more between both eyes and lips before resolutely resting on those sparking magenta orbs. “Ti-” “Celly!” a cry from seemingly nowhere broke into their little world, halting Twilight's latest attempt completely. As Twilight’s voice lodged itself in her throat and refused to move any further, her lidded eyes widened in shock at the sudden intrusion. Celestia, on the other hand, closed her eyes with a long-suffering sigh and bowed her head, gently bumping it against Twilight’s apologetically. “Luna,” she muttered, frowning slightly. “You do realize the guards outside the door are there for a reason, don’t you?” “Ah, yes,” Luna blinked, glancing at the closed door before beaming at her sister. “That is why we came in through the window.” Celestia sent the blue alicorn an exasperated look; a look that, as always, seemed to have no effect against the night's vanguard. After another sigh, she rolled her eyes and shifted slightly so she could more easily see her sister. At Twilight’s insistent prodding, she reluctantly loosened her wing’s grip on the youngest alicorn, allowing Twilight to roll back onto her stomach. “What is it that I can help you with, little sister?” “Thou can stop hogging Twilight Sparkle,” Luna stated bluntly, a slightly more serious look sliding onto her face. “Excuse me?” Celestia asked surprisedly, her ears perking upright and brow raised. “’Tis not fair. We wish to partake in the fun with Twilight Sparkle as well,” Luna grumped, a scowl now firmly in place. “What?” Celestia peered incredulously at her younger sister, her wing involuntarily tightening around her student again. “Luna, what exactly are you saying?” “Celly!” now it was Luna’s turn to sigh exasperatedly at her older sister. “Must we spell it out for you?" “Apparently,” Celestia responded dryly, as Twilight tried to stifle a giggle at the sisterly exchange. The purple mare had returned to a state of calm, her earlier fluster having retreated in the wake of Luna's arrival, much to Celestia’s disappointment. “Very well,” Luna rolled her eyes. “Twilight Sparkle has been in Canterlot for the past few days and has so far spent time with her brother, her parents, Cadence, and yourself. We simply wish to have our turn.” “Luna,” Celestia began, before stopping herself. Thinking over her response, she started again, “Lulu, Twilight isn’t a toy-” “Of course she is not a toy,” Luna huffed in exasperation, cutting her larger sister off. Shaking her head, she began talking in a voice one would use to gently correct a silly foal. “We do not wish to play with her; we wish to experience the fun with her.” “Of course,” Celestia sighed in exasperation, a small smile playing at her lips. “Thank you for clearing that up.” “Yes, well,” Luna cleared her throat, a small, embarrassed smile sheepishly flitting across her face. “We-I realize that… I… am not yet completely knowledgeable with this century’s vernacular. I… It may take me some time yet.” “We understand Lulu,” Celestia smiled warmly at her little sister. “None of us expect you to grasp a millennium’s worth of change overnight,” Feeling a slight nudge against her wing, Celestia snapped back to the matter at hand. “Anyways, as you can see-” “Ah! Yes!” Luna interrupted once more, tapping the floor in remembrance as she sent her sister a sly glance. “We almost forgot. We were to tell you that your nephew has fired the cook as well as half of the kitchen staff.” “He fired the cook,” Celestia deadpanned. “Yes.” “Chef Gateau?” “Yes. We shall miss those little strawberry pastries he made each morning,” Luna sighed despondently, a large grin poorly hidden upon her face. Celestia paused, seemingly arguing with herself. After silently debating for a few moments, she sighed. Looking down, her eyes connected with grinning amethyst orbs. “Go,” Twilight suggested softly, a warm smile dancing across her lips. Exhaling noisily, Celestia nodded, yet couldn’t help but hesitate once more. “We do hope what is left of the kitchen staff knows how to make those delightful cinnamon waffles,” Luna wistfully mused. Rolling her eyes, Celestia stood up and stretched, allowing Twilight to do the same with a slight yawn. Looking down at the shorter alicorn, Celestia smiled and gave her a warm nuzzle, “I’ll see you later tonight.” “I think not!” Luna huffed, scowling up at her older sister as she pointed a wing at her accusingly. “Twilight Sparkle shall be busy this night observing our night sky. We shall return her to you in the morn, and not a moment earlier.” Seeing Twilight perk her ears up in interest at the planned nocturnal activities, Celestia gave in to her sister’s demands with an indulgent smile, “Of course, Lulu. Well then, I better go clean up the mess Blueblood has made. Again.” “Well, he is your nephew.” Celestia shot her grinning sister an annoyed look as she made her way to the door, only to stumble slightly as her student appeared before her in a flash of purple light. Blinking in light surprise, she gazed concernedly down at her. Ruffling her feathers nervously, Twilight held a lip with her teeth for a moment before nodding to herself. As she steeled herself, she waited for her mentor to lower her head curiously before she stretched up. “I’ll see you later, Tia,” Twilight whispered, kissing the larger alicorn. A white hoof rose and rested gently against her back, granting her extra balance as she stood on her hind legs. Pulling back reluctantly, she was graced with a loving smile and a shorter peck before her teacher finally left the room. “Fear not,” Luna stated mischievously, now standing beside Twilight, causing her to jump. “You shall see my sister again in a matter of hours.” “I-of course,” Twilight blushed, before clearing her throat. “So, Princess Luna, what do you want to do until nightfall?” “Well,” Luna started, one brow arched as she regarded her shorter companion. “For starters, we would like to simply be addressed as Luna.” A downright impish smirk slithered its way across her face. “Though, we shall admit, our methods of persuasion aren’t nearly as effective as our sister’s.” Twilight froze. Looking at the dark alicorn out of the corner of her eye, she hesitantly questioned her. “How, uh… how long, exactly, were you at the window?” “Long enough to know that perhaps we should stick with ‘Celly’ and leave the nickname ‘Tia’ to you,” Luna responded slyly, a large teasing grin splitting her face. A slightly strangled whimper escaped Twilight’s throat, while a dark red blush flooded her cheeks despite her valiant effort to keep it down. A little voice in the back of her mind started to second guess whether encouraging Celestia to leave had been a good idea. At least when the two sisters were together, they ended up teasing each other and she got to play the role of amused spectator. Usually. On the other hand, her dislike for Blueblood reached all the way back to her first week living in the castle when she was but a foal. Imagining Celestia scolding him did sort of make up for the interruption, and she really did like those cinnamon waffles. They were one of the few things that made getting up with the sun worthwhile. So, she was going to let Celestia do her job, she was going to have fun with Luna, and she wasn't going to pass out from such an extreme blush. Going through the motions like Cadence had taught her, Twilight took a deep breath and let it out. Her blushing under control, she opened her eyes only to come face to face with Luna's smirk and merrily laughing blue orbs, causing her to blank. It was going to be a long night.