Redemption

by Mystic_Knightwolf


Chapter 8: The Playdate

Redemption

Chapter 8: The Playdate

"... and after Trixie and Twilight became princesses, things quieted down."

Blueblood fell back in his seat, digesting it all. Discord living in the palace, he couldn't wrap his head around, even after the lengthy explanation. Hearing about the changeling invasion during the wedding, he could honestly say he felt no ill feelings towards the buggers, being that he befriended them some time ago, he very well knows that they're a slowly dying race, and not to mention that nopony was seriously hurt. Parasitism is no easy way of life, especially for a changeling with the world against them. Cadence had already given him a solid summary of the Crystal Empire back when he was there, and other affairs, like Trixie and Twilight's ascension, satisfied his curiosity.

"I feel it'd be appropriate to share what's been happening with me over the last five years, but I'd like to share it when I've gotten our family together. I have a long story, and it's not one to repeat."

Once that registered with Twilight, she perked up. "You can write it! I could help you!" she exclaimed with glee. It seemed like a legitimate suggestion, and Blueblood hung his head to think on it before eventually agreeing.

"I suppose we can begin after the welcoming party, when things have calmed down." Blueblood confirmed, Twilight nodding and writing it down on her schedule in the form of a long scroll. Blueblood then turned his attention back to his aunt. "Aunty, now that we've finished brunch, shall we depart into the gardens?"

The alabaster mare nodded with a resolute smile. "Twilight, before my nephew and I depart to spend the day together, are you sure you can handle my duties for today and tomorrow? I've cleared some of it, but it's still a considerable amount with the welcoming party preparations." Celestia reminded, but Twilight was confident and determined.

"I know how important it is for you to catch up with Blueblood, Princess. And as one myself, I believe I should handle at least some of the royal duties." Twilight reasoned. Her justification was valid, and so Celestia wished her good luck and took her leave.

Blueblood hung back for a second to talk to Twilight. Walking over to her, he spoke. "Thank you, Twilight. This day with Aunty means a lot to me. After today, I would like to get to know my younger sister a little better, if that's okay with you." Twilight fumbled for words again, but was calmly stopped with a hoof on Blueblood's part. "I can meet you anywhere after the party, Twilight. How about the library? Perhaps I could even show you what new things I've learned over my departure." Twilight's only response was a slow nod. "Splendid! I'll see you later." and with that, Blueblood turned tail and trotted off after his Aunty, Twilight's eyes never leaving him until the doors to the dining hall closed behind him.

XXXXX

As they made their way to the gardens, Blueblood and Celestia engaged in idle chit-chat.

"So Aunty, I've been curious as to if there were any other suggestions for princes or princesses over my time away. Other than the obvious choices, of course." Blueblood said as they rounded the corner and made their way down a particularly lengthy hallway.

"Believe it or not, there were a few candidates other than members of our family. After Shining Armor and Cadence left, Luna even suggested Fancy Pants." Celestia replied, making Blueblood look up at her with a curious look.

"Is that so? What stopped him from taking the position?" Blueblood asked.

"Luna pressed and pressed, but Fancy Pants simply wasn't interested. He mentioned that more than being a royal figure, he felt he would also need to be part of our family, and that was a position for somepony who truly needs one." Celestia rehashed.

"So a family role just as much as a public one. I can attest to that." Celestia nodded in agreement. "But come to think of it, it was never clear on Fancy Pants' relationship with Fleur De Lis. I don't suppose you'd know anything about them?" Blueblood asked.

"I cannot say I do, nephew. But I am curious myself. It would have to be something to look into." Celestia concluded as they exited the castle into the Canterlot Gardens.

Seeing the old place in the bright sun felt like a breath of fresh air for Blueblood. Already, he recalls times past when he was a colt, getting chased by his Aunty in a friendly game of tag, enjoying rare tea outside, riding atop Celestia's back as she takes a dip in the pool... it's hard to pick where to start.

"So nephew, what's the first thing on our playdate?" Celestia asked, looking to him with an inviting smile.

Blueblood felt strange. It was always him following her or him asking her for or to do something. But to have Aunty Celestia ask him what they should do felt... nice.

Might as well start small.

"Tag. You're it." that and a tap on the shoulder was all Celestia registered before Blueblood quickened to a trot ahead of her. In times past, they'd spend hours running around the gardens, laughing, chasing, and playing. The rules of no magic or flying were already known amongst them both, and for once, Celestia wasn't sure she'd be able to catch her nephew this time. Even though she was a bonafide deity, she herself had limits. She couldn't even remember the last time she broke into a full gallop, or even flew for that matter, and the apparent lack of threats that called for her in particular chipped away at her motivation to stay in peak physical condition. The Canterlot Wedding made her think about it, sure, but when she finally addressed it and began exercising, she got a lot of strange looks. Regardless, she still had earth pony strength and a long, slender frame, so the outcome of her pursuit of Blueblood remains ambiguous.

On the other hoof, Blueblood was in the best shape of his life. From day one to year five, Blueblood had been traveling lands beyond Equestria. Numerous inter-continental quests and efforts of strenuous nature, combined with a nomadic lifestyle, put him on a whole new level of physique. He was no earth pony, but in terms of strength and stamina, he was overqualified.

"Da-na... da-na... da-na da-na da-na da-na da-na..." Celestia began singing the dangerous tune with her heavenly voice as she quickened to a trot, quickly closing in on her trotting nephew.

"Can you catch a full-grown and fit Blueblood, Aunty?" Blueblood asked provocatively, speeding up.

"That remains to be seen, my little nephew." Celestia rebutted before she broke into a full-on gallop. She was already a few yards behind him, and Blueblood barely had time to speed up himself.

For speed of their caliber, even the Canterlot Gardens proved to be a somewhat small place, and the botanical obstacles proved to intensify the pursuit. They weaved through the trees, sprung and bounded over garden patches and bushes, trekked up and skid down hills, all to keep up the chase. They'd call and taunt one another, trying to gain the advantage, but the chase persisted, even going in and out of the garden maze.

Never in a thousand years had Celestia felt so... alive. Chasing a goal with all the strength and speed her legs could command, heart racing, eyes trained, and the wind in her fur. Blueblood was mere feet ahead of her, yet he managed evading capture time after time. Blueblood never faltered as he kept up his evasion of her, and his long mane and toned flank were all she could see of him. In a way, it motivated her, and catching him was a hard-earned, but rewarding accomplishment.

Aunt and nephew tumbled about in the soft grass as she finally caught him, and when they stopped rolling, Celestia ended up on her back with Blueblood on top of her. For what felt like minutes they stared at one another wide-eyed, panting and blushing. It was a considerable amount of time later when they finally calmed down enough to do something.

Blueblood smiled...

... and then chuckled...

... and then broke out into laughter.

Celestia followed soon after as her nephew rolled off of her, into the soft feathers of her wing. After the laughing died down, Blueblood let out a long, content sigh.

"That was fun." he said, looking up at the late afternoon sky.

"Yes it was, nephew." Celestia agreed, pulling him close with her wing. "Yes it was."

Hearing that, Blueblood let out a long, satisfied sigh. "This is what I've been missing! I feel like a colt again!" he exclaimed, shifting so he rested against his aunty.

"I've missed our time together, Blueblood. I miss making you feel like a little colt." Celestia sighed, rubbing his belly, blushing again at the toned muscle under her hoof.

"You're the only one that can make me feel that way, Aunty." he stated, smiling back at her before looking back up at the afternoon sky. "We still have so much time."

"Well then, nephew. How does a relaxing cup of tea sound?" Celestia suggested.

"That would be lovely, Aunty." Blueblood agreed, getting up to his hooves, waiting for his aunty to do the same before the two made their way back to the castle.

XXXXX

A bucket of water was thrown over the sauna's heater, allowing the room to be engulfed in a thick cloud of steam.

Trixie and Luna relaxed on a pair of adjacent benches, decorative towels over their backs. The unicorn princess let out a long, relaxed sigh, resting her head in her forehooves.

"Getting back to our conversation, Trixie..." Luna spoke, using her magic to solidify her mane, making it lose its ethereal being in a sparkling flash, letting it drape over her back. "... we have today and tomorrow free to us with the day and night court closed, so how do you suppose we spend our time?"

"Hm. Perhaps Trixie could take a break from her studies for the time being. There is no immediate rush." Trixie speculated before nodding. "I have been interested in finally being able to meet Prince Blueblood. He now roams the castle and Trixie still haven't seen him." she reminded.

"True. There is no better time to introduce you to him like the present. I will have them meet us in the Canterlot Library after we are done here." Luna declared before relaxing again.

XXXXX

On the way to the royal dining hall to acquire a fresh brew of tea, Blueblood and Celestia walked through the hallways side by side.

Preparations for the upcoming party called for many hooves, so the hallways often had royal guards or castle staff going to or from the direction of the dining hall. Any mare that passed them would blush and look away. Any stallion would grow a look of envy as they sized him up, walking past. Blueblood remained casual about it while Celestia giggled at any occurrence, making the situation even more embarrassing for passerbyers. It did, however, make Blueblood feel somewhat complacent. He wasn't one to flaunt achievements anymore, but his body wasn't exactly something he could help, and he had to admit it feels pretty good.

"A rather... lecherous moment, wouldn't you say, nephew?" Celestia asked as they made it to the royal dining hall.

Blueblood merely shrugged. "I am not one to put on a display anymore, but this particular subject cannot necessarily be helped." he reasoned as they look about the now busy area, weaving around and between busy mares and stallions as they helped with decorations. "But I see it did not take long for you yourself to grow accustomed."

"It's difficult not to, given the fact that your flank was all I've seen of you for the last few hours." Celestia replied in a hushed tone, leaning her head down to tell him. She blushed vividly at her salaciousness with the matter, though she kept calm for the most part.

"Perhaps a... little more time." Blueblood concluded as aunt and nephew made it across the busy workspace and to the kitchen where the royal tea was stored.

Not far away, Twilight was immersed in making preparations, helping ponies, giving out directions, and checking off her lists. It wasn't difficult for a mind as strong as hers, and she was effectively on top of things. As the alicorn princess of friendship, it was a rather warming sight for her to see mares, stallions, and above all, friends working together to help put everything together.

"Twilight!" the princess of magic heard the unforgettable voice of Luna as she looked to see the princess of the night walking up to her.

"Yes, Luna?" the alicorn replied, facing her fellow princess.

"I look for my sister and nephew. Do you, by any chance, know where they are?" the princess of the night inquired. "I suspected they'd be in the royal kitchen for a routine brew of tea." Twilight was about to answer, but caught Celestia's bright rainbow colored mane out of her peripherals. With Blueblood in tow, she was carrying a steaming kettle and cups all on a platter. Luna caught on not long after. "Ah, sister! Nephew!" Luna greeted, motioning the two over.

"What is it, Aunt Luna?" Blueblood asked as he and Celestia walked up to Luna and Twilight.

"As I am aware, you and Trixie have been wandering the castle, yet you two are still due to meet. I proclaim that we all meet for tea in the Canterlot Library while the royal dining hall is being worked on." Luna suggested before she walked off, taking the platter into her own magical grip. While Blueblood and Twilight shared a glance of surprise, Celestia giggled.

"It seems there has been a change of plans. Come, Blueblood and Twilight." Celestia said, taking Twilight's clipboard and handing it off to a nearby guard, who immediately took the initiative and started reading the list for unchecked preparations.

"Do you think Luna engineered this or Trixie?" Blueblood asked Twilight before following his aunts.

"Both?" Twilight shrugged before following after them. "Princess, are you sure that you don't need me for the decorations?" Twilight asked, trotting up next to Celestia.

"You've done your part in organizing the preparations, and I am confident in our workforce, Twilight. Besides, It would not be a full family without you." Celestia replied, smiling down at her.

"Oh." was all Twilight could say, looking down with a strong, nervous blush.

Seeing this, the alabaster alicorn pulled her fellow princess to her side with her wing. "Remember, you're part of our family, Twilight. And a growing one, at that."

"Princess." Twilight whined embarrassingly as she subtly tried to slip away, but Celestia's wing was firm.

"And a loving one." Blueblood cut in from behind the two as he caught up to them on Celestia's other side. That just caused him to get pulled in by their aunt's other wing. But instead of blushing like mad, Blueblood smiled and nuzzled his aunty.

"A loving family indeed." Luna commented as she draped a wing over her sister, effectively smothering Twilight between them. "Oh, I can feel the heat radiating from you, Twilight. Perhaps we should get Trixie as well so that she can share your torment." Luna said with a mischievous glee as they made it to the Royal Library. On the other side of the large doorway were massive shelves, stories high, filled to the brims with books. With everypony away to work on preparations, they were all alone, save for a certain blue unicorn.

"Trixie." Luna called out, her voice bouncing around in the large, empty room.

"Trixie is in the reading area." came Trixie's return call.

"Shouldn't we be quiet in the libraries, Luna?" Twilight asked somewhat nervously.

"Though I do respect your compliance with basic library conduct, Twilight, you forget that we own the Canterlot Library. The only voice that can tell a royal figure to hush is another." Luna explained as the four of them followed the sound of Trixie's voice, finding her at one of the reading tables, namely one of the short ones short enough for mats.

At the sound of hoofsteps, Trixie closed her tome about ancient combat spells and looked up at her fellow princesses as they took their seats at the table.

"You're still trying to beat me, Trixie?" Twilight asked curiously, noticing the book Trixie was reading.

"Besting you in the art of magic is a feat I am not ready to put to rest, Twilight Sparkle. Even if we are family." Trixie stated resolutely before she caught sight of Blueblood as he took his seat. She looked him over with scrutiny, maintaining a dignified expression all the while she analyzed him. "Hm. You're every bit as impressive as Luna told me, Prince Blueblood. A pleasure." Trixie greeted, holding up one of the freshly filled tea cups from the platter Luna set on the table with her magic.

"The pleasure is all mine." Blueblood replied, joining her in clinking their tea cups together before taking a sip. Celestia, Twilight, and even Luna to an extent were surprised at the fact that Trixie didn't show the slightest sign of fawning over Blueblood, even remaining completely dignified as she greeted him. Celestia and Twilight couldn't even speak clearly as they looked him over, and even Luna went on and on about him. Blueblood himself didn't know what to make of it. He couldn't say he was impressed, since he wasn't trying to prove himself, but at the same time, he wasn't hurt from her lack of reaction.

Trixie, after taking her first sip of tea, caught Twilight's disbelieving look, and let out an exasperated sigh. "Twilight, I would think that by now, even you would know that the Great and Royal Trixie does not fawn over anypony. Stop staring." Trixie said, throwing her snout up, crossing her forehooves.

"I-I-I wasn't staring! I'm just surprised!" Twilight denied defensively.

"Yes you were staring! Trixie saw you!" Trixie insisted, leaning into her glare.

"It's not my fault!"

"Oh, and I suppose it's mine, then?" Trixie and Twilight would've kept going back and forth were it nor for the laughs and giggles coming from the other end of the table. The two rivals looked to see the royal sisters stifling giggles while Blueblood was more open with his amusement. Noticing this, Twilight and Trixie withdrew from their verbal duel, nervously looking around for something to draw their ire.

"Trixie, if I knew you were so quick to challenge Twilight, I'd ask to have set up a magic duel for the both of you." Luna said through her amused giggling before she almost uncharacteristically ceased her amusement. "Oh, and that reminds me. Blueblood, how adept is your magic?" Luna asked, looking over to her nephew.

"I'm... confident in my ability..." Blueblood replied.

"Confident enough to duel with one of us?" Luna pressed with a wide grin of interest.

"I wouldn't know what you, Aunty, Trixie, or Twilight were capable of. Is... there a reason to all this?" Blueblood asked, tilting his head.

Luna nodded. "As you may have seen, Trixie keeps her rivalry with Twilight Sparkle strong and everlasting. However, with her ascension to alicornhood, Twilight now trumps Trixie in every capacity." Luna explained, not minding the blue unicorn's pout or her glare. "This is why I would like you to duel with Trixie; she cannot best an alicorn, and keeping up this unavailing rivalry could prove... detrimental to all of us." the mood in the room just dropped several notches.

"These kind of situations are harmless in their initial state, but this one of the very reasons Nightmare Moon came to be. It was a process we did not see coming with Luna, and we'd all be devastated if we allowed such a thing to happen again with Trixie. We're a much larger family now than a thousand years ago, and so many more hearts would be broken." Celestia explained.

"I feel it's my duty and responsibility to help my family to my fullest, but the choice remains with Trixie." Blueblood reminded as the group looked to her for her opinion.

The former showmare shook away her confusion, but a realization later, she nonetheless nodded. "If you all believe that this is best for Trixie, then so be it. She will not like it, but if this prevents Trixie from falling prey to such corruption, there is no choice." she accepted, but it wasn't something she was about to do readily.

Celestia took the opportunity to remind her. "Trixie, I know how important this is to you. We all know. But you have already made peace with the fact that Twilight is better than you when you both became princesses. You've proven yourself a mature, responsible and beautiful mare on that day, just as much as Twilight had. But if you do not let this go, you can't keep growing into the mare we saw in you." Celestia's voice was that of a mother's as she walked around the table to her: soft, gentle, and compassionate.

"When the princesses came to me regarding who the new royal family member should be, you were the very first one that came to mind. And I wouldn't have picked anypony else for the job. When we became princesses, you did more than fill what Blueblood left behind, Trixie. You became a whole new part of the family. You're like a sister to me." Twilight cut in.

"Indeed, Trixie. But you will not see Twilight as more than competition of you continuously treat her as such. Which is why we are prepared to help you with this." Luna began as she walked over to her fellow princess, draping a wing over her. "Trixie, you have been like a daughter to me; the perfect one. I couldn't live with myself if I sat quietly and allowed you to turn into me. I say this because I love you, Trixie. I do with all my heart."

With each heartfelt explanation, Trixie felt herself break more and more. The mere mention of Nightmare Moon was more enough to get her attention. The fact that Blueblood so readily referred to her as a member of this family already spoke volumes. By this point, her eyes were already hot and teary. Celestia reminding her of what kind of mare she was and the potential she showed made her want to hug her like a daughter would her mother. Twilight stating that she was her one and only choice, and how important she became to the family made her want to break down and cry her eyes out right there. But Luna... it became too much.

In a high-pitched cry of love and anguish, Trixie threw herself at Luna, wrapping her hooves around the princess of the night as tightly as her strength would allow. Luna embraced the unicorn with total abandon, soon joined by Twilight and Celestia in a family hug with Trixie at the center.

Blueblood watched the events unfold before him with a serene smile. To see such a heartwarming family moment bought a few tears to his eyes. When he finished wiping his eyes, he saw the group hug break apart. "I believe this is what Fancy Pants meant by a family role."

"Indeed, nephew." Luna spoke, pulling Trixie close with her wing. "All Trixie needed was a family to tell her they love her."

"In the end, that's all anyone ever needed." Blueblood muttered.

"Quite. So Trixie..." Luna said, looking back down to the blue unicorn. "Are you ready to put your rivalry with Twilight Sparkle to rest once and for all?"

"Now more than ever." Trixie stated with a determined smile.

"Very well. Blueblood, in the case that you have forgotten, royal duels are held at the peek of Canterlot Mountain, in the arena. Tomorrow night should provide you enough time to, as you say, keep the rust off. And it should allow you to sleep soundly for your welcoming party the next day." Luna instructed.

The pale prince nodded in affirmation. "Sounds good. I'll start preparing right away."