Written by: Jondor
“It’s fine, my little ponies. Nothing to worry about. Continue your rounds.” Celestia addressed the half-dozen guards in the courtyard. She had just stepped down from the ceremonial plinth where she and Luna most often controlled the rising and setting of the sun and moon.
It was not strictly necessary, so she had not suspected anything amiss when Luna was not present to raise the moon in her wake. However, now that the sun had been set for a good ten minutes and the moon had not yet risen, she knew something was keeping Luna occupied.
Celestia trotted quickly down the palace corridors, searching for her sister. She could not rule out foul play, but considered it highly unlikely. The truce with the Griffon Kingdom was holding, Discord had kept true to his word, the changelings were scattered and ruler-less, and Sombra’s remains had been found and laid to rest.
Keeping one eye out for anything suspicious nonetheless, she searched all the usual places Luna tended to lose track of time in. The Royal Observatory was empty. None of the telescopes had been touched for hours. The Royal Library was occupied only by a couple of old scholars poring over ancient texts. The recently added comic section had at least a few days worth of dust buildup.
Running out of places to search, Celestia finally tried the kitchens. If hers and Luna’s roles had been reversed, that would have been the first place to look for her, probably wolfing down a slice of delicious cake, and lamenting the effect it would have on her hips. She shook her head to clear the visions of red velvet and double chocolate encroaching on her consciousness; she had a wayward sister to find.
“Lulu!” Celestia cried out, spotting the ethereal midnight mane and broad, dark back and wings of her younger sister. “I would not have expected you, of all ponies, to be eating cake while neglecting your duties. How often do you chastise me for such behavior?”
The smacking sounds died away at once, and Celestia could see Luna’s back visibly tense. “My apologies, Tia.” Luna’s voice was hoarse and uneven. “Is it time to raise the moon? I fear I lost track of the hour.”
“For nearly a half hour now. Apology accepted, so long as you have not eaten the slice of double chocolate I was saving.” Celestia plodded across the room to the ice chest, noticing that Luna tensed even more. “Are you having some trouble raising the moon, Lulu? Or are you not turning around because you did eat my cake?”
“Nay, neither!” Luna said, abruptly. “But pray, do not step closer, Tia. I..” Luna’s wings twitched. “I am unwell, and do not wish to spread the illness.” She gave a most unconvincing cough.
“Lulu, that didn’t even work on me a thousand years ago.” Celestia trotted toward her sister and turned her around with a hoof. She gasped in shock.
Concealed by Luna’s larger frame was Twilight Sparkle. Her mane was completely dishevelled and her muzzle covered by both a deep crimson blush and several dark lipstick prints. Celestia raised an eyebrow at her sister and her student before she grinned and let out a joyous laugh. “Don’t let me disturb you two. I shall take my cake elsewhere, for I have some friendship reports to reread. I believe I shall discover new meaning in the most recent ones.”
Luna and Twilight blushed harder as Celestia winked and left.