//------------------------------// // Morning News // Story: Being Royalty // by Coronet the lesser //------------------------------// “Uhh we can explain,” said both Twilight and Luna at the same time. The mortified looks that the servants donned as Celestia approached the two, threw everypony into a string of apologies and mindless bubbling. Celestia seemed to ignore this as she continued to feast upon her apple. Eventually Twilight and Luna managed clean themselves off well enough to look some bit respectable enough to speak with Celestia albeit with dirtied coats and dishevelled manes and the odd aroma of steamed cabbage. “Well you see Tia I was...” “We were ah doing-.” “The courtroom and…” “Didn’t turn out like we wanted.” “So we felt quite famished.” “So uhh yeah. We got a bit carried away.” “Clearly,” smirked Celestia as she let out a laugh. It reminded Twilight of the ringing of small ornamental bells. Celestia always had the most peculiar laugh if Twilight’s memory served her right. “I believe we may need to leave the staff clean up your mess, no?” "I suppose that’s agreeable," smiled a sheepish Luna. With a quick flash of her horn the trio disappeared. The group arrived within the private dining room. Celestia quickly settled herself on a cushion on one end of the thankfully more manageable table. She rang a small bell on the table before relaxing and looking over o Twilight. “It’s good to see you up and about my faithful student. I was woken to a most odd discovery this morning.” Eventually a tea pot and subsequent cups were delivered to the table upon which Celestia poured herself a cup and delicately drank from it. She placed two cups near Luna and poured some tea into them. There was also a small tray of biscuits. Twilight was intrigued as she sat next Luna, opposite of Celestia. "What is it princess? It wasn’t something…bad was it?" Twilight questioned as her wings fluttered in anxiety. Celestia merely chuckled in reply. "Hardly, quite the opposite in fact." Suddenly a scroll jumped into existence above the table and was suspended before Twilight. Twilight took it lightly in her magical grasp and unfurled it. Her eyes scanned the page before she sighed loudly. "Another party invitation. How very much like Pinkie Pie. I’ve only been gone for a few days." "That doesn't mean they aren’t entitled to miss you Twilight," chipped in Celestia. "Yes but this is the third invitation now. I love the girls but sometimes I swear they think I'm leaving them forever to live the high life in Canterlot." "Oh would you look at that Twilight," cooed Luna as she took the invitation from Twilight’s grasp. "Your name's in glitter and all, oh you must go now." Luna and Celestia laughed at Twilight’s expense as Luna lifted the letter above Twilight as the small pieces of glitter began to float down onto her. "I’m sure they’ll be okay for another day or two," huffed Twilight attempting to sound composed behind a strong blush. Needless to say it was a failed attempt. She then shook her head clean of the glitter. "Already neglecting your subjects, Princess Twilight," snickered Celestia as she held a grin. "I am most disappointed in you my faithful student." "What!? No! I’d never…oh hah hah go on make fun of the new princess." Celestia giggled in response. "Great, you’re almost as bad as Luna," bemoaned Twilight. Luna appeared smug behind Twilight. Celestia could only fathom the torments Luna subjugated Twilight to. Suddenly Celestia grimaced and decided to rephrase the word 'torment' in her thoughts with regards to Twilight and Luna considering what kind of relationship of the two held. She sipped her tea to hide her momentary discomfort. She fully supported Twilight and Luna’s relationship, though it came as somewhat of a surprise to her. She still hadn’t managed to coax the details out of either pony other than that they began the relationship at some sort of party. ‘Luna could never handle her drink well,’ thought Celestia. It was good to see her sister and her student engage in a healthy and currently amicable relationship with each other despite the fact that one of them was like a daughter to her and the other was her little sister. Twilight had initially feared her reaction but after a long talk around some tea and old friendship reports, had she given her blessing to her student. Celestia thought they made a cute couple. Thankfully Twilight had gotten Celestia to refrain from telling Cadence or Shining Armor. Celestia sipped her tea as she closed her eyes. That would be a most…interesting day. She decided to answer Twilight. “It’s good to see you’re lightening up around royalty Twilight. Over your fears of me sending you back to magic kindergarten, eh?” Celestia beamed down at her student. Twilight avoided her gaze. “No,” Twilight deadpanned. “Well actually that’s a lie. I mean uh…maybe?” “Twilight were of equal rank now I can’t send you anywhere you don’t want to go.” “It still doesn’t make it any less weird,” said Twilight unsure before giving Celestia a puzzling look. “You’ve always kind of been my mentor. It’ll be odd to change my view of you from that.” “It doesn’t have to change Twilight. You’ll always be my most faithful student.” Celestia looked over to Luna who was watching the pair with curiosity while snacking on some biscuits quickly making an ‘mmm’ sound and turning her full attention to the delicious snacks. “I’ll never stop being your mentor Twilight. As I’m sure Luna’s told you I’ll be there if you need me. For anything.” Twilight smiled at Celestia’s words. “You still have much to learn about yet.” Twilight frowned slightly at that. “But it seems you’re adapting quite well. No doubt you have received only the finest political and social etiquette guidance from my dearest sister.” Celestia inclined her head to Luna to which Twilight giggled at as they caught the navy mare stuffing her face with the complementary biscuits on the table. Luna quickly wiped her mouth despite the evidence still present on her coat. She looked up in shock as she pointed a hoof to her chest and looked around innocently. “Who? Me?” Luna said as she put on an innocent act in front of Twilight. For a split second Celestia could have sworn she saw a halo hover above her sister’s head. Twilight simply held her glare as Luna smiled sweetly as she sucked at her tea that she had taken form the pot with a straw that mystically appeared out of seemingly thin air. Twilight looked exasperated by whole thing. “So I’d imagine you will return to Ponyville for this party?” asked Celestia as she interrupted Twilight and Luna’s little act. “Princess I-” “It’s just Celestia, Twilight.” Celestia pulled a devious grin sensing she could tease her student once more. “Plus it is most awkward addressing me as princess considering you’re currently bedding my sister.” “Oh!” blurted out Luna. Twilight fell over like a porcelain doll, her face frozen in a perpetual blank stare. Luna fumbled about for a bit as she tried to wake Twilight from her comatosed state. Celestia had to resist with all of her might not to fall over in laughter. She settled instead on nickering lightly. ‘All too easy’ she thought. Luna had given up on shaking Twilight awake and finally resorted to cooling her tea with her magic before taking the cup above Twilight’s head. Celestia was about to object but Luna shook her head. She then poured the tea over Twilight’s head. Luna then put both her hooves over her ears. Celestia tried to question this action but was cut off by an ungodly shriek. “EEEEEEEEK!!” Celestia’s skull rang violently and the decibel level Twilight produced. While she was happy her student had returned to the world of the living, the headache that was building up within Celestia’s skull was less welcome. It was still quite early in the morning. After the unearthly sound ceased, Luna removed her hooves and quickly wiped Twilight’s face dry with a nearby napkin. The lavender alicorn turned to her. “Did you really need to pour tea on me?” “Well considering there is no other liquid in the vicinity and you were not responding to my physical movements I felt it was the best course of action to use the tea to do so,” said Luna with a shrug. Twilight mumbled incoherently. She disliked when Luna beat her with logic. Twilight sniffed her mane. “Surely you could have found a better way that didn’t leave me smelling like a teabag?” “Well I could have but I don’t think my sister would have appreciated my…other methods,” purred Luna in a sensual tone as she rubbed Twilight’s leg. Twilight appeared to sway as her face filled with blood and much to her eternal embarrassment; her wings began to straighten out into a spread position. “So Twilight about that party we were on about?” spurted out Celestia quickly as she held an odd smile designed to hide her slight blush. Luna gave Celestia a disgruntled look for interrupting. Twilight looked eternally grateful for the change of subject but still shaken from the two sisters teasing. “I think Pinkie will be fine….hopefully,” sighed Twilight rolling her eyes. “I’m only going to be here for another day or two anyway.” Luna’s ears dropped slightly at that, Celestia noticed. “I think I got the answers I was looking for when I came here.” Twilight nuzzled Luna’s neck. Luna happily leaned into it and smiled as the two held the short embrace. “Oh really? questioned Celestia."Pray tell what answers were you exactly seeking Twilight?” “Oh nothing really just some good advice,” chuckled Twilight as Luna could only smile at Twilight’s hinting to the previous night. The serene moment was ruined when Twilight let out quite a loud yawn. Celestia and Luna both had to supress the urge to coo at the adorable little squeak that was Twilight’s yawn. Twilight contemplated banging her head against the table for yet another embarrassment suffered today. It was actually becoming a significantly long list. 'What else could go wrong?' thought Twilight. Despite her mental complaints she had to admit she was not going to last much longer with out some sleep. “But if you excuse me princess, I really feel like hitting the hay. I feel like I haven’t slept in days.” “Twilight,” sighed Celestia. “It just Celestia okay.Titles should not be a barrier between us.” “Okay prin-Cele-cess. Wait let me try that again. Cele-princ. Ugghh. C-Ce-Celestia,” Twilight managed to push out between heavy breathing. Celestia seemed content with her student’s answer. “See that wasn’t so hard? Was it?” “I need a glass of water,” coughed Twilight as she massaged her throat. “We can get one in the room. You’re tired and you need your rest. You get cranky otherwise,” spoke Luna in a motherly tone. “I’m not a foal I can take care of myself Luna.” “Says the mare that smacked into a pillar this morning and can’t cook to save her own life.” Luna grinned triumphantly as Twilight sat in a sulk. “Let’s just go already. My mane is starting to stink.” “Your wish is my command princess.” Luna began to power up her horn before a cough from Celestia interrupted her follow through. “Actually Luna I need to speak to you alone briefly if that’s okay with the both of you,” interjected Celestia. Luna gave her a confused gaze. She turned to Twilight who nodded. “I’ll be fine Luna,” deadpanned Twilight. “You sure I won’t find you in someone’s fireplace in the lower district of Canterlot.” “That was once off occasion! How was I supposed to know alicorn’s require little energy to utilise the teleportation spell? You didn’t tell me about the energy output needed for the spell so I over compensated.” “Well, let us consider ourselves lucky that the stallion in question was so understanding for you nearly setting his house on fire.” Twilight gave a quick nuzzle to Luna and a short wave to Celestia before disappearing in a ball of magenta light. Celestia tried to get her head around the story. “Don’t ask,” said Luna. “The situation was dealt with."Luckily all the stallion wanted for the damages was a few autographs and a picture of us with his new-born filly. Anyway what is you wish to tell us sister?” “Oh it’s nothing really, can I not enjoy the company of my sister for a few moments.” “I don’t get it, what you’re playing at Tia?” ‘That hurt,’ thought Celestia. Luna could be very plain speaking when she wanted to be and the idea that Luna thought of Celestia as always having an ulterior motive stung a little bit if Celestia was to be completely honest. Though in this case Luna was right. There was an ulterior motive to Celestia requesting her time. “I’m not playing at anything Luna. But if you must be so insistent then yes I do have another reason to pry you away from your lover’s grip.” Much to Celestia’s disappointment Luna did not rise to the jab at her love life. “Well then tell me sister,” Luna quipped very curtly. Celestia frowned at Luna’s direct tone. Luna sighed upon noticing this. “I apologise but like Twilight I’m not exactly in the most alert of forms. It has been a long night for me.” “Tell me about it,” snorted Celestia. “You didn’t have to wake up to a stream of letters questioning me about Twilight. Apparently the foreign dignitaries want to organise a meeting in the next few days or so. Don’t get me started on the amount of parties and gala’s that are being held in Twilight’s honour and how they would be oh so gracious if she attended. I swear the nobility’s attempts at false flattery become more transparent with every decades passing.” “What?” snapped Luna. “Why was I not informed of any dignitaries visiting?” “I thought you were,” said Celestia supporting a deep frown. “That’s why I wanted to talk in the first place. I thought the council had passed it onto you.” “No. No they didn’t. Different day same old…,” whispered Luna under her breath. “I…” “It’s fine Tia we can deal with this…error at another time. We should be more concerned about Twilight.” Luna’s thoughts though were less calm than her relaxed tone was. It was another blatant attempt by the council and the nobility to exclude her from state affairs. While Luna had the power to dismiss ministers from the council it was a pointless gesture. The House of Commons was full of their lackeys. They would just reinstate another one of nobility back into a position of power. While Luna knew there was significant opposition in the House to the nobility’s actions it was rarely enough. No matter what representatives were present the nobility of Canterlot would always find to bankroll their way into power. It hadn’t changed much since a thousand years ago except that now the nobility controlled the system through representation rather than blood links. Though it seemed that the colour of your blood still seemed to decide whether you held power or not. Luna had almost forgotten that Celestia was still in the room. There was a look of deep concern etched on her face. “Are you okay Luna?” “I’m fine Tia. Really. I’ll deal with it later. We should get back on topic.” “Look if you’re upset…” “I said I’ll deal with it Tia.” Luna’s tone held a great sense of finality to it. Celestia nodded her head in defeat. She just hoped Luna wouldn’t do anything rash. “Now about this meeting, what should I know?” “Well it just mainly some ministers, some diplomats from the griffin kingdoms and zebra confederations. A buffalo chieftain has also expressed interest. The Minotaur’s have been less receptive but I think they’ll tag along. I also have confirmation that Saddle Arabia is sending a delegation. Their leader was most upset that he was unable to speak to Twilight after her show a couple of months back.” “So in simpler terms all of the big guns of the political scene,” said a distracted Luna. She was currently running simulations on how she would approach Twilight. The results ranged from Canterlot being launched into the sky to Twilight talking to puddles again. “I wouldn’t worry too much Luna. We’ll be there for her.” “No you’ll be there. Apparently I’m not important enough to broach the subject on," Luna sighed. "I’ll talk to Twilight about it. I’m sure she’ll react well.” “She’s more in tune to politics than you think she is.” “I know she told me," said Luna flatly. "I kind of made a fool of myself earlier trying to educate her on a matter she’s already aware of.” “Oh.” “It doesn’t matter. Can we be assured that they all have good intentions? While she may possess knowledge of the political game she’s still as you would say 'raw' ,Tia. The last thing we need is for them to harass her.” “I already assured you Luna, we’ll be there with her.” Celestia put out a hoof and layed it atop Luna’s leg. “And by we, I mean the both of us. I’m hardly going to let Twilight get torn to pieces by a bunch of old windbags.” Luna laughed and went into a short hug with her sister. Celestia cherished the moment. It was a rare respite from the forced political neutrality they often had to upkeep in their meetings. At that moment a guard entered the dining room and bowed respectfully. Celestia separated from the hug and motioned for the guard to speak. “I am here to inform your majesty that court will be starting momentarily and that the court is currently waiting on her majesty.” “Damn it,” Celestia muttered. Time had once again slipped her mind again. It had become a prevalent habit over the past few years. Celestia quickly straightened herself and began to walk towards the door but stopped to look back a Luna. Her eyes asked a silent question to Luna but Luna shook it off. “I’ll be fine Celestia. Besides I do believe my bed is calling for me. We can finish this discussion at a later time. We still have a few more days before they arrive. Trust me when I say I’ll get Twilight in top form. She won’t be slacking off under this teacher,” smirked Luna she held a hoof to raised chest. “Would it be odd if I said I believed you,” Celestia replied with a laugh. “Take care sister.” She then charged up her horn to teleport. Luna nodded and drank some more of her tea. When Celestia finally disappeared the guard inclined his head to Luna. “Is there anything I can do for your highness in the meantime?” “Yes, yes you can,” Luna said in an even tone.” Would you please tell the prime minster to meet me immediately? I believe he and I need to have a little chat.”