//------------------------------// // Chapter Two: Choices // Story: The Light and Dark // by Crystal Night //------------------------------// Three days after the proposal Once more, Sombra stood in his bedroom, sitting on his chair, infront of the large wooden table, not reading instead, taking care of some papers. Well, maybe some wasn't the right word. On right side of his table, there was a small space for the paper work that was ready to be send, which was empty. On the left side, a huge stacks of papers was gathered. The dark stallion sighed, maybe accepting the job was a bad idea. His eyes scanned the page contents, something about land marks and build stuff. Overall, something that made him sighed again. Probably he would take days to finish half of the paper work. On the right side, he could enjoy having more tea. He took another look at the stack of papers. "Somepony is skipping their duties." A knock on the door broke his thoughts, making himself more presentable and clearing his throat, he spoke. "Yes?" "It's me, Celestia." One thing he noticed was the lack of royalty. He always hated when ponies addressing him as Sombra, completely forgetting the King. Now that part was forgotten, but it still surprised him. "Enter please!" The door knob was surrounded by a yellow glow, Celestia emerged from behind the door, closing as she entered. Still using her magic, she grabbed one of the cushions, gently she placed next to Sombra. "How's going my advisor?" - she inquired while sitting down on the pillow. "Not doing well." - he answered with a boring tone on his voice. Celestia took some quick glances at the paper and she smiled. "You don't need to finish today, you know?" The princess looked at Sombra with her usual soft smile. "After all, you agreed on accpeting the job, right?" Sombra let out a huge sighed. "I did, now I'm regretting my choice." Celestia only giggled. Three days before "Could you repeat that again?" After taking another sip from her tea, she continued. "Since you arrived Canterlot, you haven't done much, other then reading and sleeping." The black stallion raised an eyebrow. "Just to make myself clear, I'm not lazy." Now was Celestia's turn to raised her eyebrow with a smile on her nuzzle. "Well, maybe a little." Sombra glared at the tea cup before lifting his eyes, locking into Celestia. "I know there's more to that." "Yes," - she paused to collect her thoughts. "I'm certain by now you know the truth about Nightmare Moon and Discord?" He nodded. "I am know for giving ponies a second chance, even if they don't seem to deserve one." Sombra nodded, fully understanding the princess's words. "Besides, you lived long enough, I'm sure you know a lot about Equestria not only the Crystal Empire." Sombra took a moment to collect his thoughts. Celestia was right, as usual, he did possess a lot of knowledge and she was giving him a second chance to live a normal life. Celestia was a honest pony, she didn't have reasons to lie to him or hide something. Finishing his drink, He put the cup on the table. On the other side of the table, Celestia waited for his answer. "Since you're giving a second chance, I guess I'll accept it." A smile appeared on Celestia's muzzle. "With one condition." Her brief smile fadded. "Which is?" "More tea." Present Day Celestia chuckled at the memory. Of all the conditions she had heard, Sombra's was probably the funniest of all. "Well, you still have a lot tea left." "I'm not complaining about the tea, but this paper work..." - Sombra huffed. Seeing his frustration, gently she wrapped her right wing around him, with a reassuring smile on her muzzle. "I know you can handle this by yourself." "I suppose I can." The Princess of the Sun scratch her chin, remembering the reason why she came to speak with Sombra. "There's something I need to tell you and I need your answer." Upon hearing that, he settled down the papers and glanced at Celestia with a puzzled expression. "Today there's a party at the castle..." Before she could continued, Sombra raised an hoof. "Let me guess, you want my presence in the party?" Celestia nodded her head, not surprised by the sudden question. He was a quick thinker, in some cases. "I'm sorry, but I must refuse such invitation." "Why?" - she inquired. "Me." Sombra saw her confused expression and tried to explain. "I'm sure most ponies know about me by now. Parties are supposed to be...happy, and with my presence there, I doubt about it." In a way he was right, his presence would cause some discomfort, but she didn't want him to be alone in such occasion. However, Sombra made his mind by returning his focus on the papers, not even waiting for her answer. Celestia sighed. He was right. She rose from the cushion and levitated back to the bed. "In case you might change ideas." Her horn glow harder, with bright flash of light, a black tuxedo appeared between them. Sombra's eyes were wide open, he had to admit the tuxego wasn't bad. He picked the tuxedo with his own magic and examined closer. The texture of the tuxedo was soft. He wondered. "Custom made?" The princess nodded. "If you excuse me, I have others matters to attend before the party." Celestia was heading towards the door, when Sombra spoke again. "Celestia," The princess turned her head back, looking at him. "how do you deal with the nobles?" In return, she smiled. "I don't." - she answered him, leaving behind a very confused stallion. The stallion glanced between the door and the tuxedo, with a sigh, he placed the tuxedo on the bed and went back to his work. His work didn't get any easier, but he knew what to do. One hour before the party The Princess of the Sun stood in the middle of the center hall, overlooking the last decorations, next to her was her sister, Luna, also checking some last details. The lunar alicorn glanced at her sister, for the last few minutes she didn't spoke, just watched everypony working. By experience, she knew something was troubling her sister, so she decided to ask about it. "Dear sister, is there something wrong?" Celestia shook her head, got off guard due to her thoughts. "Huh? Sorry, I wasn't listening. What did you ask?" "I asked if is there something wrong." "Don't worry, I'm only sad that Sombra declined the invitation." "At least he said why?" Her sister nodded. "Maybe is for the best. Not everypony thinks like you." The royal sisters continued their conversation, unaware of a new presence in center hall. "Well, I'm here!" Both, Celestia and Luna, turned their heads around, gazing at the well-dressed stallion. Celestia noticed a faint blush on his cheeks that made her smile once more.