//------------------------------// // Family Bonding // Story: Love....SERIOUSLY!? // by Admiral Q Ponyform //------------------------------// It wasn’t until the following afternoon that Cadance awoke. After attending to the necessities, she spent a couple of hours at the guard barracks, before heading to a late dinner. She soon walked into the dinning room, and her smile turned evil as she gazed upon the other occupants. She saw that Luna was struggling not to giggle; while Celestia sat their frowning. In PINK fur. Cadance had switched out her shampoo with a fast acting coat dye. She had to admit her auntie looked pretty in pink. maybe hasbro was on to something since they wanted Celestia pink at first but Faust said no. Tia looked up at Cadance with resignation, and with a voice filled with sorrow asked; “What did I do to deserve this?” “That my dear auntie, is for tricking Twilight and her friends to attend the most BORING party to ever exist. Frankly, I think a wake has more life in it then the Gala.” Cadance saw both sisters wince at her description. “Seriously, why don't you change the gala to something enjoyable? You are the Princess after all.” “The nobles would raise a terrible fuss..” “Then let them.” Cadance declared with a raised hoof. “This is YOUR Gala, you are hosting it so it should be to YOUR tastes. If they don't like it, they can host their own gala elsewhere.” Dropping her head, Celestia gave in. “I'll think on it, niece.” Cadance sighed, and ordered her dinner from the waiting servant, who quickly scuttled off. “So how was your day Cadance?” Celestia was clearly trying to change the subject. Allowing her aunt the respite, she went with the change. “Well so far, all I have done is sleep in. Seeing as I am going to be teaching aunty Luna on the subject modern Equestria, I’ve adjusted my sleeping pattern to give us more time together. After that, I got some practice in at the guard barracks. I do believe Lt Armor is nursing a bruised ego and a bruised rump.” -'Even though it was a fine rum....NO! MUST NOT THINK THAT!'- “Sister, we had thought that our niece was the Alicorn of Love? Yet she knows combat, and relishes beating up our own guards?” Luna asked. "Yes Luna she is. A few years ago, Cadance was the victim of an unfortunate accident, which nearly killed her. Her recovery was remarkable, but the whole experience left a profound change. Since then, she has adopted a new way of thinking, one that she calls…" Celestia put a hoof to her chin, and rubbed as she thought for a moment."Ah yes, ‘Tough Love’ wasn't it?" Cadance nodded at that. "The only time she still matches the description of the ‘love’ we think of, is when she is around Twilight..." “Well Twilight was adorably cute.” Cadance admitted, before pointing a hoof at her aunt. “I dare you to say you were able to be resistant her cuteness.” Celestia shook her head, and Cadance continued. “As she got older she went from adorable to adorkable.” “Adorkable?”Luna asked clearly confused. “She's a big science and magic student aunty. She can and will study anything. Someone like that is called a ‘Dork’. And she is so adorable; hence the new term adorkable.” Cadance looked over an addressed Celestia. “How many times did she fall asleep with her face in a book, or use a couple books as a pillow and bedding?” With a smirk Celestia answered. “More times then I can count.” Cadance joined her in that smirk. “I still remember when I found her asleep next to her telescope, her head on a book, and wrapped up in star charts. I was surprised that none had fallen from the balcony.” “What was she doing with the telescope?” Luna asked. Cadance gave her a knowing smirk. “Twilight is an avid stargazer. If she wasn’t studying through the night, then she was staying up watching the stars.” Luna’s ears stood straight up, and she had this astonished look. Cadance was sure she could see Luna’s eyes starting to moisten. Celestia nudged her out of her zone, and the rest of dinner went on in silence. * * * * * Cadance followed Luna to her quarters after dinner. They past a couple of royal guards, both still in gold armor, as they entered Luna's quarters. As expected it was night themed, with the ceiling representing the night sky; Luna's cutie mark standing for the moon itself. The room was decorated with blues and purples with a black outlines throughout. A lot of the furniture was moon glow white, with blue or purple throw cushions. “Nice digs Luna.” Cadance commented. “Digs? Where are there digs?” Luna asked causing Cadance to giggle. “Oh Luna, it's just a phrase. Digs means, in this case, your room; or anypony's place of living.” “Oh.” Luna then looked downcast. “We still have much to learn of this time.” Cadance took a hoof and lifted Luna's head till they were looking into each others eyes. “Aunty, that's why I'm here. I’m happy to teach you these things, so lessons begin now.” Cadance saw a spark of happiness from her aunt, so she began. “First lesson, updates on modern language. The Royal We is no longer used. My guess is that it became confusing, or it just died out because of your sister. She is probably directly responsible for a lot of the changes, whether she knows it or not. Also, the Royal Canterlot Voice is only used in limited amounts, like when you are addressing a massive crowd of your subjects, or if a noble has requested something completely insane.” “So that still happens.” Luna said in a deadpan voice. “Yup, I even bucked a couple out of window in my first court appearance.” That got a smirk out of Luna. One that Cadance happily returned. “Niece, we-I do believe we will get along well.” They both shared another smile, and Cadance could feel that odd warmth again. “Let's move onto the next lesson shall we?” Luna nodded and Cadance took a seat on a couch, levitating several books she had seen on Luna's desk. * * * * * Celestia walked to her dining room with a better smile then the pleasant and serene one she usually wore. It was the first time she had been able to wear a real one in longer than she could remember. Her sister had finally returned to her after a thousand years. She was settling in nicely, and getting along with her niece. Celestia counted herself lucky. This time she would make sure she paid attention to her sister; so they shall not have a repeat of Nightmare Moon. Luckily things seem to be going well. She found both her sister and Cadance already at the breakfast table, with Cadance looking completely tuckered out. “Cadance, why don't you go to bed. I never expected you to stay up all night with Luna. Don't worry about your duties I will have them taken care of.” Cadance just waved her off. “Oh, I have just a couple things left to do before hitting the hay.” Celestia just shrugged before looking over to her sister. “And how was your first lesson in modern Equestria?” Celestia asked. Her sister beamed back at her. “Oh it twas most enlightening. To be rid of most of the traditions that hampered us, with trivialities now not used, it just brings us- I mean me - joy. I look forward to my next lesson with our niece.” That brought a great smile to Celestia's lips. “I am glad to hear that Lulu. I also want you to recover your magic as fast as possible, so you can take your rightful place at my side.” Cadance got this odd look, but it quickly disappeared. After that, they enjoyed a nice quiet breakfast, before Celestia had to head to the throne room for Day Court. She entered the throne room from the hidden rear entrance, and walked around her throne. She eyed the gate, and saw several of her little ponies waiting for her word to make their lives easier. She manoeuvred in front of her throne and lowered her plot onto the cushion, as she prepared for the coming onslaught. As the cushion took her weight, the most dreadful sound erupted from under her. “BBBRRRRRRRAAAAAAPPPPP!” Celestia blushed, as it had sounded like she just let rip one of the loudest farts she had ever heard. She stood up and raised the cushion, soon to find a flattened whoppie cushion. She then heard the sound of hoof bump, and hushed giggling coming from behind her throne. Celestia instantly recognised the distinct sounds as Cadance and Lulu, before she returned to her seat and facehoofed. 'At least Luna is having fun again. Even if it's at my expense.' Celestia thought, before she signaled to a guard to open the doors, and court began in earnest. Pretending to listen to noble would give her plenty of time to plan her revenge. * * * * * * The deed done, Cadance waved goodnight to Luna, so to speak, as the mare in question closed the door to her quarters. Cadance herself could barely stay awake, but seeing that prank play out was just to good to miss. They had placed the whoppie cushion under the actual cushion a few hours before. It had worked flawlessly, though she would have to be cautious now that she pulled off two pranks in a row. But the smile on Luna's face was so worth it. Cadance trudged into her quarters, walking obliviously past everything till she found her bed, just collapsing on it. Cadance was asleep instantly, and never saw the column of smoke near Ponyville.