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// Chapter VI: Breakfast at Tia's 
// Story: The Changeling Trials 
// by PastCat 
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Luna joined her sister at the breakfast table. As usual, only a fraction of the long dining hall table was in use. To tell the truth, the only time it was ever full was for state dinners and the Grand Galloping Gala. The immense wooden table was polished to a shine, but still felt out of place amid the bright colors and pastel walls of the castle. This table had been a gift from one of the great Thanes of the Kingdom of the Deer to the north and west of Equestria, a place where more than just eating would be done in the great halls. Today, though, this table would play host to more than a meal. 

“Hello, my dearest and favorite sister!” Luna extolled, still feeling some of the energy from the night before. 

Celestia rolled her eyes. “Good morning Luna, my ONLY sister.” 

Luna chuckled. Celestia was not one who enjoyed fanciful wordplay; rather, it annoyed her. It was one of the reasons Luna still allowed herself to lapse into old Equestrian in her sister’s presence. As the younger alicorn sat down near the older, she asked “And I take it you slept well, dear Tia?” 

“I did indeed, Luna. It was one of the most restful nights I have had in a long time. How are you and your assistant doing with those petitions?” 

“We seem to have most of them in hoof, Celestia, but there is at least one for which I could use some of your insight.” Luna passed one of the copies of the petition she and Eclipse had been discussing to her sister. Celestia read the document slowly, blinking behind her reading glasses. By the time she had finished the page, she looked rather disgusted. 

“Ugh, these two again? I have had at least one complaint about them every year since they went into business. Even Twilight and her friends have encountered them. I would rather not have them within ten leagues of the palace.” 

Tia is really vehement about these stallions, Luna thought to herself, they annoyed her enough that she is speaking of archaic units of measurement! Inwardly, the Princess of the Moon grinned. “So in other words, I should attempt to speak to ‘their’ changelings without them present. May I ask of you a favor, then?” 

Celestia looked surprised. “You are my sister, Luna, there is no need to be so formal about it. What do you need?” 

Luna told Celestia about the conversations she had had with Rough Diamond, Gray Wings, and Eclipse about changeling speech. Her sister nearly crossed her eyes attempting to imagine what a sugar-high Pinkie Pie on coffee and helium would sound like. “So would you be willing to send Twilight Sparkle a message asking if she would be willing to do some research for me?” 

“I can send her one this morning when I go through my correspondence.” Celestia replied. “Now let's eat so you can get your own beauty rest.” The two mares shared a glance as they both reached for a slice of that heavenly angel food cake. With strawberries. 

“I swear, sister, one of these days I WILL get you to eat chocolate cake with me again.” Luna chuckled around a mouthful of cake. 

“Promises, promises.” Celestia teased back.