//------------------------------// // 230. Height by Knight of Cerebus // Story: The Sun and the Stars: A Twilestia Prompt Collab // by Fuzzyfurvert //------------------------------// by Knight of Cerebus *** "Is it sure is something, isn't it?" "Absolutely." Canterlot Castle in the height of summer was a blaze of activity. Ponies worked the gold and lavender rooftops with tiling, plaster paste and hammers, while markets began to open shop with a flourish of bright crimson and lavish yellow cloth. From the vantage of a misty mountain, it looked like a gilded crown atop the brow of an ancient god. A swath of mist rested above the stony visage, adding hair to the scalp of the rocky deity. "The nobles are probably wondering where we are, aren't they?" "Absolutely." "Do you think we shou--" "Twilight, we shou--No, that's not fair. I'd prefer to enjoy the view. If you'd rather deal with the noble first, by all means. Your commitment is admirable. But in the early summer days I would rather take some time to admire our hard work." Twilight thought for a moment, then snuggled up against Celestia's side. "We both know I'll just worry about this the whole time. Which is why I will be right back." With a reassuring smile expertly matching Celestia's own, Twilight dove towards the castle's throne room, wings spread wide. "I love you!" Celestia only smiled and chuckled. "I love you too." The disappearance left her time to think on her own. A younger Celestia might have tried to pull Twlight back and reassure her, and a younger Twilight might have lied and said she loved every moment of it. Slightly later, they might have fought over their flaws and the conflict between responsibility and sincerity, then had a make up session on the mountainside then and there. Later still and they may have spent the time awkwardly stumbling over their flaws in an attempt to please each other. But today, she smiled and took a stroll down memory lane amongst the mists and the heights. Not two minutes later, Twilight was back. "There." She said, rolling a schedule in her magic with a satisfied grin. "We now have an open gap for the entire morning, free of any headaches." "The entire morning?" Celestia raised a brow. "How ever did you..." "Reworked some student aides from the library on the promise that doing paperwork would get them som extra credit, then assigned the official aides who normally do it as supervisors and gave the guards the duty of re-routing petitioners to the complaints office." Her actions earned a kiss, and the two returned to their perch, coats mingling together. "This wouldn't bore you, would it?" Twilight blinked. "Just sitting here? If I was bored I'd probably just grab a book. Besides, it's a wonderful view. Did you plan it like this, or did it just sort of come together?" "A bit of both, really. I'm sure you can see where my hoof was involved." "The dessert shops?" This earned a playful swat. "Alright, alright! The reception halls, guest rooms and the living quarters for the castle?" "As well as the barracks living quarters and several of the lounges for myself and my staff alike." Celestia smiled, and the two leaned together again. "I knew it would have something to do with that. Always has to be about the big picture, right?" "I always have some wonderful, talented little pony working on the fine details for me, it seems." Twilight jabbed her with a wingtip and blushed. "Flirt." The two of them fell silent for a while, looking over the view, and Celestia plunged into the recesses of the past. A heartbroken alicorn landing on a lonely mountaintop, stubbornly declaring she would never again return to her tribe in the Everfree, stared back at her. The sobs of the alicorn were broken at last by who else but her clan, surrounding her and supporting her in her darkest hour. Stubborn as she was, she was no match for the tenacity of her earth pony kin. A settlement of wood and bindings meant to keep out Timberwolves and Maticores was hastily assembled. From there a city of sanded wood and mortar arouse as a trade centre, tribes from all over uniting under a ruler who would defend them from dragons and diamond dog raiders without a second thought. A small kingdom was built, with farmers working the countryside of proud stone walls, and then an economic hub found itself growing within the armored citadel. The walls smoothed down and the gates grew wider, and then the walls fell altogether and the spire grew ornate under the times of peace and pr-- "Have we gotten to Luna's return yet?" Twilight gave a chuckle at Celestia's stunned blink. "Twilight?" "You always get that look when you're thinking about the past. Is that why we're up here? To reminisce?" "Why? What were you thinking about?" Instantly, Celestia paved her uncertainty over with her usual calm smile, control returning to the situation. "The same thing, I guess you could say. Time with Cadance and Shiney, our lessons together, meeting Spike again, leaving home for the first time, all the trips back with my friends all the reward ceremonies and marriages and coronations, our dates together." "Does it make you nostalgic?" "No." Twilight gave a private little smile. "No?" "It just reminds me how much I've overcome, and how far I can still go." Twilight wrapped a wing around Celestia, the two of them standing shoulder to shoulder, and enjoyed the sensation of the heights.