//------------------------------// // 260. Danse Macabre by Kochamara // Story: The Sun and the Stars: A Twilestia Prompt Collab // by Fuzzyfurvert //------------------------------// by Kochamara *** "So, you're waiting for someone here?" The skeletal barkeep chatters in a disbelieving voice. Interactions with dead Princesses are always few and far between, even if said Princesses have always been known to be down to earth. His bar is dingy and smoky, yet known for its brilliant skeleton band and expansive dancefloor. "Yes. We've always danced together when I was alive, and even after I died..." The Princess, unlike the barkeep across from her, appears much like she did in life. The only difference between her now and then is the astral aura that encompasses her body. "So you've visited the Land of the Living after death?" The skelepony's voice oozes annoyance at the thought. Every year, there are days where the boundaries between worlds waver. During those days, the dead would cross worlds (a luxury usually reserved for Reapers and Reapers alone) and interact with their living loved ones. Celestia is clearly one of those ponies. "Every year I dance with her in that other world, but now..." Celestia's eyes mist over, a tiny smile on her face. She rests her chin on her forehooves, her eyes straying towards the door. "She's finally joined me. I just have to wait for her to find me." "How do you know that she'll find you?" The barkeep asks, tilting his head one side. "She will. She's clever." Her voice is blunt and full of faith. She smiles at the barkeep before looking back at the door. A few minutes of slightly awkward near silence follow. The skeleton band continues to play their orchestra, and the barkeep continues to serve patrons, but besides that, the bar feels deathly quiet. Celestia smiles hopefully as the doors open suddenly, and there she is, as unmistakable as she was in life. Twilight Sparkle glides across the dusty dance floor, swathed in a glow similar to Celestia's. The younger alicorn gasps and raises a forehoof to her face. Her composure regains quickly as she saunters towards her lover. "My most faithful student. You've finally arrived." Celestia doesn't hesitate to meet her student, her astral body joining Twilight's in a shower of colors. Though unable to physically feel the soft fur and firm body of her partner, Celestia relishes the contact. A strange sensation washes over Celestia, almost as if she can feel love itself. "I'm sorry I took so long." Twilight's eyelashes flutter as her muzzle meets Celestia's. Her forehooves rise up to settle on the elder alicorn's shoulders. Celestia follows suit, instead setting her hooves further back against Twilight's ribs. As the skeleton band strikes up another song, the two royals start to sway in place. "It's perfectly alright, Twilight. It was my fault for leaving you in the first place." Celestia whispers in Twilight's ear. She clutches the younger alicorn close, as if their separation would end their friendship. "Do you promise never to leave me again?" Twilight swallows a lump in her throat, shooting Celestia a piercing gaze. "Pinkie promise." Satisfied at that answer, Twilight leads Celestia in another dance. She twirls the older alicorn around in an eager, if jaunty way. Celestia responds in turn by planting a light kiss on Twilight's muzzle. "We are in need of so much practice!" Twilight giggles, as she almost trips. "Well now, we have all the time in the world."