***
Twilight tapped her hoof on the railing as she looked up at the stars as they began to twinkle to life. She fluffed her wings to warm herself and turned to watch as the moon rose from the horizon and began it's journey across the night sky. A black shadow looped around the sky for a while before it turned and glided towards the balcony Twilight was on.
Twilight moved to the side to give the shadow room and smiled as Luna touched down gently. Luna's brow was furrowed as she looked at Twilight. "To what do I owe this honor?"
Twilight shifted from side to side slightly, trying not make eye contact as she mumbled to Luna. "I need advice." She rubbed her right hoof and her left foreleg. "I...it's about your sister."
"Oh." Luna paused then turned and entered her bedroom. "I see." She tapped on the door of her room and a guard stuck his head in.
"Can we get some tea and some scones." Luna turned to Twilight who still sat on the balcony sheepishly. "Unless you would prefer something else." Twilight shook her head slowly and the guard left, the door clicking closed behind him quietly. "So what is it you wish to know about my sister?" A slight coldness wrapped Luna's words causing Twilight to flinch.
"I'm sorry Luna, I think I should leave." Twilight rose and tiphoofed around Luna's room, trying to keep her distance from Luna. "This was a bad idea."
Luna took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a second. When she spoke her tone was slightly warmer. "No it's alright. I said there would be no hard feelings and while it's harder than I thought I...I can try for you." She smiled slightly but it never reached her eyes.
Twilight paused. "Are you sure? I mean, it's...with everything that happened." Twilight ducked down.
Luna bit her lip rolled her neck causing it to pop. "It's fine, it...hurt but you made your decision and I made mine." Luna motioned to a small table that sat near the balcony. "Please take a seat."
Twilight moved slowly and cautiously across the room, watching Twilight like one might watch a snake coiled to strike on a hiking path. Sliding into her seat the room settled into silence until the door clicked and a maid came in and gently placed some tea on the table between Twilight and Luna. Twilight took the tea and poured it, adding four cubes of sugar to Luna's without think. Realizing what she did she gasped and started mumbling apologies.
Luna shook her head. "It's fine Twilight. We were together for a long time, I still find myself doing some things like I used to. So...what is it you wanted to know about my sister."
Twilight paused and gulped. "Umm, well her favorite marital tradition."
Luna froze and her eye's grew to dinner plates as she spewed tea all over Twilight. Coughing, she thumped her chest to get the tea out of her lungs and turned to look at Twilight like a child caught with his hoof in a cookie jar. "Excuse me, did you say marital."
Twilight nodded sheepishly. "Oh, um. I can see why you came to me and why you felt embarrassed." Luna's face split into a wide grin. "I can't say it pleases me that my sister is the one getting asked but I am glad for you and her. It's been a long time since Tia has had someone care for her so deeply."
Twilight took a shaky sip of her tea, ignoring the fact she was covered in tea out of embarressment. "Yea, I mean, it was almost you but...I'm sorry."
Luna grabbed a napkin with her magic and began to gently clean Twilight's coat. "It's okay, you can stop apologizing. It was my fault and you have no reason to. As for Tia's favorite tradition, she likes a mix. She enjoys the soul bonding of unicorns but the ceremony of earth ponies and the celebration of pegasi. It's rather fitting considering we embody all three."
Twilight tapped her hoof to her chin. "I see, I wish my friends were still here to help me with this. Applejack would have been the perfect mare to ask about the ceremony aspect, she loved her traditions. Rarity probably would have known all about the soul bonding ritual." Twilight trailed off and looked at Luna. "Do you still miss her?"
Luna paused and tapped her chin. "I do, Rainbow Dash was...special in many ways to me. As for the traditions, I believe there's a few books in the archives for the other races, unicorns are easy in Canterlot, it's the most common ceremony."
Twilight nodded slowly. "Thank you Luna. I know it doesn't mean much but I really am sorry how things happened between us. I know I'm with Tia now but if things had been different I think this conversation would be a lot different."
Luna sat back and poured herself a new cup of tea. "I know, I still think about it sometimes. So have you thought about how your going to propose?"
Twilight nodded slowly. "I had two ideas, one of them requires your help if your willing." Luna quirked an eyebrow and motioned for
Twilight to go on. "I need a night with a full moon and the stars exceptionally bright and to borrow your observation tower. Tia might not admit but she considers your night sky one of the most beautiful things on Equs." Luna smiled warmly and Twilight mimicked her. "I was going to have dinner with her there and propose under the moon."
Luna smiled. "It sounds lovely. I would be glad to help."
Twilight stood up and moved around the table and pulled Luna into a tight hug. "Thank you, it means a lot to me. Maybe someday when things are better we can have dinner again. I need to go prepare things for the night. I plan on doing it next week, I will send you a letter with more instructions."
Luna blushed deeply and rested her head on Twilight's head, letting her smell fill her nose. "Your welcome Twilight." She whispered to herself as Twilight separated from her. "I miss you so much." Waving as Twilight left the room she stayed in the seat for a little longer. A little later a guard peaked in to check on her and found her staring at the sky with tears streaming from her eyes.
"Is everything alright Luna?"
Luna turned to the guard, "It's not but Twilight is happy and soon my sister will be as well. Soon the family will grow even bigger." Luna paused and looked to her nightstand were a small purple plush sat. "My mistake has given my sister great happiness and I get to help make it even greater."