//------------------------------// // Foals by Palaikai // Story: Marshmallows: RariLestia Group Prompt Collab // by Bakmah Genesis //------------------------------// “Oh, Celestia,” Rarity said, before a blush broke out across her alabaster features as she realised who she was addressing the curse to. “Am I late for our appointment?” “No, there's still an hour or so before we were due to meet. I wanted to get here early to surprise you,” the princess replied. Rarity turned from the mannequin she was adorning with a frilly, glittering dress to gaze upon her marefriend. It was ridiculous to think of the Sun Princess guiltily teleporting herself to Carousel Boutique, but the unicorn understood why she did so: while Equestria would no doubt be overjoyed to see their ruler in a happy relationship, the intense scrutiny that would come with it would be unbearable to both. Plus, there was always the danger that certain elements would think that Rarity's increasing presence in Canterlot's snobby fashion hierarchy was somehow due to Celestia's influence and not her own undoubted talents. “Please,” Celestia continued, “don't let me stop you from working. I love watching you.” It was with a half-hearted effort that Rarity tried to finish the dress, but she gave up after just a few minutes. “Now that you're here, I see no reason why we can't start our date early. What would you like to do this evening?” “There's a new Exhibit of Outrageous Creativity that has its grand opening tonight. There'll be lots of hoity-toity upper-crust art critics, but more importantly,” Celestia said with a grin breaking out across her muzzle, “there'll be a free bar.” “That sounds delightful,” Rarity replied, clapping the hooves of her forelegs together, eyes sparkling as brilliantly as the polished gems she so enjoyed working with. “Give me a moment to get ready.” For Rarity, a moment could mean anything up to forever. Celestia was sorely tempted to peek – a simple hyaline spell would allow her to see through walls – but she allowed her lover her secrets. There were two things you never asked a lady: her age, and why she took so long to get ready. The results were always worth it, after all. Celestia decided to examine Rarity's latest creation: it was a small dress, just about the right size for a filly. It was studded with jewels, and the Sun Princess wondered who it could be for. “You like it?” asked Rarity. “It's beautiful,” Celestia replied honestly. “Your abilities never cease to amaze me.” “Then, why do you look so sad?” “What?” The princess looked at the unicorn sharply. Rarity swallowed, wondering if she had perhaps been mistaken, but no, there was no denying that tiny sliver of forlornness that took hold just for a second. “No one else notices it, but whenever you're around something that reminds you of children, you always look upset. I was wondering why that was, but I'd never had the courage to ask before. I figured it was something you'd tell me about when you were ready.” Celestia's wings fluttered agitatedly. “It's not something I like to discuss. Only Luna knows, and that's only because she's privy to my dreaming thoughts, not through choice.” “I see. Shall we forget it, then?” “You know how old I am.” “One-thousand-nine-hundred-and-sixty-eight. Yes, I remember. Is it important?” asked Rarity. “I've, uh, well, you know I've had dalliances in the past?” She didn't know why she was embarrassed about that all of a sudden. Foals by Palaikai “Of course.” Rarity wasn't jealous. Celestia chose her mates with utmost care; they had to be special, unique, brilliant in some manner to capture her attention. Rather, it was an honour to be part of her life in this way. The unicorn suddenly twigged. “I see. Some of those unions have brought foals.” “Yes. Alicorns, as you know, are a mixture of all three pony races, so my children were either earth, unicorn or pegasi. Despite what some ponies have thought, they were neither born with exceptional magical powers or an alicorn's immortality.” Tears began to stream down her muzzle as she recalled the many names, many faces, she'd grown to love and eventually lose over the years. “They live, they find their purpose, and they die, just as a pony should.” Rarity had always heard it said that the worst thing in life was a parent outliving their child. “Did they all have good lives?” “Yes. I had a pegasus daughter who was captain of the early Wonderbolts, a unicorn son who was a talented magician. He was rather like Twilight, in fact, though perhaps not quite so bookish.” Celestia managed a lopsided grin. “All of them were good ponies, in their own ways.” “That's the most important thing to remember, darling,” Rarity said, nuzzling against Celestia's neck gently. “That they lived good lives, and they brought happiness and pride to you.” Celestia returned the nuzzle, wishing she could just remain in this moment forever, but she still had her own life to lead, and at the moment, that meant getting blind-drunk on free booze and a long night of intense snuggling. “Shall we go?” “We shall, indeed.” Rarity suddenly halted at the threshold as a thought belatedly occurred to her. “Do you have any living children?” The Sun Princess hesitated before answering.