“Hrmmmm,” grumbled Twilight, pacing the floor of the throne room. Glancing up, she looked between the the direction of Sombra’s room, and Luna’s. Frowning again, she began to pace once more.
“Does anyone have any idea how we can get those two back together? I mean, if they were friends before it means we might be able to get Sombra to warm up to us more.” Twilight bit her lip and looked to Pinkie Pie, who opened her mouth and closed it immediately afterward. Sombra didn’t like parties that much, maybe if she brought them both together?
“A P-picnic might w-work. Y-You c-could move Sombra into my cottage now if-if you want, Discord returned to Canterlot.” Fluttershy bowed her head and looked away. Twilight mused for a moment, nodding quietly as she mused them over.
“Luna’s a night-pony right? Why not a moonlit stroll. Non-awesome mares like that right?” Rainbow Dash saw everypony roll their eyes at her and glared. They didn’t think she liked to do it did they? Nonsense. Applejack looked to Twilight and shook her head. After her track record with Sombra, the chances of her ideas working were pretty slim.
“Maybe going to a restaurant? I can design some clothes that would absolutely compliment them both.” Rarity motioned with a hoof, before all paused and noticed Sombra standing there, watching them. Turning, Sombra headed for the stairs leading to the observatory without another word.
“Of course! Dash you’re right!” Twilight beamed at Rainbow Dash and spun around in place, stopping after one rotation. Turning to the others, she motioned toward the observatory.
“Let’s combine those activities into one big night for the two. Except for the restaurant idea, no offence Rarity but that seems a bit too much.” Twilight winced as she glanced to her friend who nodded, giving a shrug. Rarity would still be able to make the clothes, so she saw no loss.
“As much as I appreciate the effort Twilight, I really must ask you not to interfere.” Luna stepped out of the corridor and stifled a yawn. Luna’s hair was hanging limply, and she shook for a moment, before it once more returned to it’s wavy state, blowing in an ethereal breeze. Taking a seat on the vacant chair where Twilight would normally sit, Luna smiled warmly at them, and motioned toward Sombra’s room.
“Even before he was corrupted he was a bit eccentric. Those kinds of activities would actually anger him, I’m surprised you managed to get him to tolerate you. Please do not take offence.” Luna looked at everypony as she sat their faces droop, before they nodded in response.
“Well what does he like then? Anything crystal themed only get’s us an ‘adequate’ on his scale.” Twilight glanced irritably toward Pinkie Pie, who was currently eating the leftover cupcakes from the party. Luna tilted her head, and leaned forward.
“He must think very highly of you, if he is giving you an ‘adequate’. Any ponies serving him always got insults about their work.” Luna brought a hoof to her chin and pretended to muse as the others blinked, widening their eyes. Twilight watched as Rarity lean forward.
“So you’re saying he was complimenting me when he said my work was ‘adequate’?” Rarity tilted her head as Luna nodded, and glanced once more to Sombra’s room.
“Does the king not deserve the finest garments in the land?” Luna shrugged in response, and Rarity nodded, a smile coming over her face. Now that she thought about it, he hadn’t taken off the scarf she had made him yet. Pinkie Pie leapt off the chair and bounced over to Luna, grinning.
“SohedidlikemypartylasttimewhenI-er.” Pinkie Pie paused, seeing Luna slowly reeling back, and took a steadying breath, and smiled sheepishly.
“I mean, so you’re saying Sombra enjoyed my crystal-themed party?” Pinkie Pie took a step back as she spoke, and Luna smiled gratefully.
“I wouldn’t say ‘enjoyed’, but Sombra, at least before he began to get corrupted, always understood the effort people were going to to make him happy. I remember one time I made a star in the sky for him.” Luna chuckled, remembering how much effort making a single star had been when she was younger, smiling warmly at the memory.
“Well, you know him better than we do, what does he enjoy?” Twilight walked over to join Pinkie Pie near Luna, the others soon standing up and joining them. Luna chuckled, and levitated over a book.
“I do not know how much he hath-has told you. However Sombra has always been a lover of knowledge. I assumed you of all people would have figured that out.” Luna raised an eyebrow and Twilight looked away sheepishly. Thinking back on it, the signs had been there, the need for paper and ink, the alchemy circles, reading in the observatory.
“I was kinda occupied trying to get information out of him.” Twilight bit her lip and turned away, and Luna chuckled, standing up and cracking her joints. Luna held out the book, and Twilight levitated it to her face, reading the title. It was called ‘Tactics, how not to lose’.
“I brought that with me to give to you so you could get used to handling some forces, they should have arrived by now though.” Luna glanced around the room, and frowned. Twilight motioned toward the door.
“The batponies? Yeah, they arrived just as we got attacked by changelings. To be honest if it wasn't for Sombra we would have likely been overrun. I sent them to scout the Changeling hideout.” Twilight narrowed her eyes and glared irritably at the ground. Luna breathed out, and leaned forward.
“I take it Sombra did not understand Equestrian morals.” Luna sighed loudly as Twilight nodded, but didn’t go into more detail. Standing up, she began gently pushing Twilight toward Sombra’s room.
“What are you doing?” Twilight objected after a moment, and turned to face Luna, who pointed to the book.
“Go and ask Sombra about tactics, it is a great chance for you two to possibly connect over something.” Luna sat back down once more as Twilight nodded, biting her lip.
“Sombra went up to the observatory, but I understand. I’ll try Princess.” Twilight bowed, which Luna returned, and left up the stairs. Turning toward Pinkie Pie, Luna motioned her over.
“If I ask you to set up a party as per my instructions, could you do it before tonight?”