Subsolar's Super Short Stories

by Subsolar Drift


Bottle

Celestia blew the dust away from the shelf, closing her eyes as it particles billowed into the air. She blinked to clear her eyes, smiling as the glint of dark glass winked back at her. A warm gold glow picked up the bottle, and white feathers quickly swept away every last trace of dust. Satisfied, Celestia turned from the empty shelf, the bottle safely under her wing.

She could barely contain her excitement as she made her way back to her study through the castle halls. She wanted to teleport, or least gallop wildly there as quickly as she could, but there were wards and appearances to be aware of, so she remained at a furiatingly serene pace through the halls, nodding politely to each pony who passed her.

After what seemed like forever, even for an alicorn, she arrived at her study doors. A quick check of the sun's position and she smiled. She should still have plenty of time to prepare herself before Twilight got there. The door swung wide and her smile fell.

"Celestia!" Twilight practically squealed, running over to the alicorn and throwing her hooves around the taller mare's neck in a hug. "It's so good to see you!"

It was Twilight, of course she was early. Celestia mentally facehoofed. Still, she stuffed the frustration away, enjoying her time with Twilight was much more important. "And you too, Twilight. I would ask how everything is going in Ponyville, but I believe that can wait. After all," Celestia said. "We have much more pressing matters don't we?"

Twilight blushed, but nodded, dropping from the hug and trotting back into the study. Celestia smiled and followed, telling the guards stationed by either side of the door that they were not to be disturbed, and closing the door behind her. A small ward on the door just to be safe, and she joined Twilight by a low table, surrounded by the plushest cushions one could imagine.

With a flourish of magic, Celestia pulled the bottle of whiskey out from under her wing and placed it carefully on the table. Twilight's eyes widened at the sight of the bottle which she quickly whipped up in her magic to examine more closely.

"Is this a 1250 Malt?" Twilight whispered in awe. Celestia just smiled knowingly. "There aren't supposed to be any of these left. The factory burned down just a few months after they brewed them!"

"Well I've shown you mine, Twilight," Celestia giggled. "Now it's time for you to show me yours!"

Twilight's blush returned with a vengeance. "I swear, no matter how many times you say that, I'll never get used to it," she muttered under her breath. Celestia pretended not to hear. Twilight's horn glowed, but before she opened her saddlebags which had lain forgotten beside the door, she spoke. "It's no 1250, but I hope you'll enjoy it," and with a flourish of her own she pulled forth a bottle of wine.

Celestia delicately took the bottle from the younger mare's magic and examined it for herself. "A 1817 Chardonnay, and from Buckgundy no less!" she gasped. "Twilight you don't give your own choice enough credit. This is one of the finest wines there is."

"Enough talk," Twilight said, hoping Celestia wouldn't notice her blush. "Lets drink!"

A small compartment in the table opened up, and Celestia brought out a crystal whisky glass and wine glass. She set them down carefully and turned her attention to the bottle of wine. A quick application of magic and the cork popped off with a satisfying sound. Celestia took a moment to close her eyes and let the aroma take her away for a moment, sighing in satisfaction.

When her eyes opened back up, Twilight had melted the wax seal and had her bottle of whiskey ready to pour.

They poured their respective drinks into their glasses simultaneously. When they were satisfied with their serving, they stopped. Their eyes met and the smiled, happy to be continuing their tradition once more.

"To another fine year," Celestia offered.

"To another fine selection of drinks," Twilight replied with a smirk.

"Cheers," they said together, the bottles held in their magic clinking together before moving to their lips.

They sighed in unison and relaxed back into the cushions, Twilight shimmying over to lay beside the larger pony. Celestia shifted her wing and took another sip of wine from her bottle, wrapping the wing around the smaller pony when she was settled.

"Best tradition ever," Twilight said as she laid back against Celestia and took another swig.

"Without a doubt."