Day 7, Part 2
Starswirl mind raced, there had to be a way to clear up this misunderstanding, there just had too! Shooting Celestia a quick glance, he realized it was futile, she looked like she was having way too much fun. Still, Starswirl had to try, for the sake of his reputation if for nothing else.
“I'm not that old!” he blurted out. No you fool! What are you doing, sounding all defensive?
“Hoho,” Celestia’s smile grew even wider, before she turned back to Twilight. “Would you agree with that statement my little pony?” she asked sweetly.
Twilights covered her head with forehooves, her blush deepening, “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? You don’t have to be sorry,” Celestia said, making no effort to hide her amusement, “We feel that this should all be put into verse... wouldn't you agree Starswirl?”
Starswirl felt sweat at the back of his neck, this was rapidly getting out of control, and Twilight wasn’t helping. He needed to derail Celestia and quickly before this got any worse.
“She's actually... my apprentice AND a relative of mine,” he lied.
Celestia lifted an eyebrow, clearly not believing a word of it, “Really?” she said with a chuckle, “Then, what was she doing hiding in the supply cabinet?”
Starswirl had to quell his first impulse to claim that she had been gathering supplies. That wouldn't work and would only serve to make the situation completely unsalvageable. Think Starswirl! There has to be something you can work with… Suddenly he had it, he could use her vanity against her.
“Well the truth is that my apprentice is a huge admirer of yours,” Starswirls said, feeling a bit smug as he noticed Celestia's ears twitch.
“Is she now?” Celestia asked as she turned back to Twilight.
“Yes,” Starswirl replied, “But she's also very shy. So when she heard the trumpets she panicked and ended up hiding in the cabinet. The reason she's blushing like that is because she feels unworthy to be so close to your esteemed presence.”
For a brief moment Celestia seemed unsure what version of events she wanted to believe, the one that would make for excellent gossip or the one that meant she would have another fervent admirer. Her vanity proved stronger than her inner sadist however and she gave Twilight a kindly smile, “Is this true?”
Twilight simple whimpered that she was sorry again.
This seemed to confirm it for Celestia and she scooped Twilight up in a warm hug. “You don’t have to feel unworthy, We love all our subjects equally.”
Twilight, her eyes wide, looked over Celestia's shoulder at Starswirl, who was doing a small victory dance.