//------------------------------// // The Morning After // Story: Celestia Wants to Date Twilight Sparkle // by JKinsley //------------------------------// Celestia woke just before dawn. It would nearly impossible for me not to, she mused. With a casual flick of her horn, a golden glow heralded the start of Saturday. She settled back down into the cushions and blankets that still held a certain lavender alicorn, snuggled up tight. Celestia almost got settled in enough to take a little nap when a navy blue alicorn decided to swoop by the tower. Celestia rolled her eyes and prepared for an uncomfortable conversation. Luna flew over to the balcony where Celestia and Twilight lay. She rested her hooves on the railing and hovered in place. Her wicked grin grew wider, seeing Celestia was awake but Twilight wasn’t. “I take it you had a pleasurable evening, dear sister?” she inquired, careful to keep her voice quiet, lest she wake Twilight and ruin her fun. “I did, thanks to you. Sincerely, Luna, I thank you. Last night was wonderful.” “So the advice paid off, then?” “It did.” Celestia gestured to the two roses. “You sly devil. So, when shall we make the announcements? Is it too soon after Shining Armor and Cadance? Would ponies get too tired of royal weddings?” Luna gasped briefly. “What if they then expect me to wed, next? I have not found a suitor myself! The scandal!” “Luna!” Celestia hissed. “We’re not getting married!” Her expression and voice softened. “Not yet. We’re going to take things easy and work this out.” She then mumbled, “And Twilight mentioned Rarity being interested.” “I’m sorry, Celly, what was that?” “Your night was lovely.” “Thank you, but you never were great at lying. What did you say?” “Nope.” Celestia grinned mischievously. “Pay a visit to Ponyville sometime, get to know Twilight’s friends. And Luna?” “Yes?” “Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” “And could you send a servant up here? I think Twilight and I could go for some breakfast and coffee.” Luna nodded and pushed off from the balcony, free falling before flaring her wings. She continued her dive and swept off to the kitchens. With Luna gone and Twilight stirring in the dawn’s early light, Celestia kissed her cheek. “Good morning, Twilight Sparkle. Ready to greet the day?” “Ugh, five more minutes,” grumbled Twilight. “Up you get, breakfast will be here soon. And how can you not treasure a sunrise like this?” “I can make the sun rise, if you know what I mean.” Twilight shot up and clamped her hooves to her mouth. She turned, wide-eyed, to Celestia and shook her head. She dropped her hooves and bowed. “I’m so sorry, Princess! That was inappropriate!” Celestia giggled. “Not at all, my dear. That was quite funny, to be honest. I’ll have to remember that one some time...” Twilight chewed her lip. “You said breakfast was coming?” “Indeed. I send for it not long ago, so we have some time. Did you sleep well?” Twilight nodded, her blush fading. “I did, yes. I could get used to this. Maybe next time, we can stay at my place?” she offered, an eyebrow raised with a cocky half smile. “I look forward to it.” Celestia beamed. She sat on her haunches and opened her wing, beckoning Twilight over. “But first, let’s catch this sunrise.” Twilight scooted over and pressed herself against Celestia, who wrapped her broad wing around her in a tight hug. “It is a beautiful sunrise,” she mumbled. “I had some inspiration,” replied Celestia. She nuzzled Twilight’s cheek and pointed at the two roses. “We may want to keep those around for a while, don’t you think?” “A suspended animation spell is pretty simple and would keep them for, well, hmm.” Twilight scrunched her brow, focused. Her horn glowed lightly, not bright enough to be casting an actual spell. “A good few years, I think. Give me a moment.” Twilight pressed her front hooves down and pointed her horn directly at the roses and concentrated hard on the spell. Her horn now glowed brightly. A flash of purple light blinded the two ponies for a second, and then subsided. Once they could see, both roses hovered a few inches off the ground, spinning slowly. “Impressive.” Celestia nodded. She then grabbed Twilight with her wing and pulled her close again. “Good work, Twilight. They look every bit as lovely as they did yesterday.” “You too.” Celestia giggled. “Well, time has not diminished your beauty, either, my dear.” Celestia wrapped her neck around Twilight, hugging all of her tightly. “What do you say we just enjoy the morning, too, and worry about everything else later?” A gentle nod from Twilight was all the answer she needed. “I could get used to this,” Twilight whispered, her mouth mere inches from Celestia’s ear. “Me too, Twilight. Me too.”