//------------------------------// // Roles of a Princess // Story: Luna's Apprentice // by NoblePonyLegacy //------------------------------// As Luna and Aysel entered the throne room, Luna caught a glimpse of Celestia looking over at them wearing a smile she hasn’t seen on her sister for a long time. Celestia often has to smile but Luna could tell that this was genuine. She continued to talk with Aysel, who was now asking about the first time Luna held court. “Sister, Aysel, did you both have a pleasant day?” Celestia asked as the two neared the throne. “I would imagine you couldn’t sleep, is that why I smelt soup as the chiefs brought me my dinner?” “We did, and it was,” Luna replied back, “How was your day?” “Long and more bothersome than I would have liked, but it’s over now and I can’t wait to relax.” Celestia then turned her head toward Aysel, who hasn’t made a sound since Celestia started to talk. “How about you, excited for court? I would assume you are feeling quite tired at the moment,” Celestia closely at Aysel mouth, which had a bit of coffee on the side “but I can already see that you have had coffee.” “Yeah, I am a bit tired,” Aysel spoke nervously. Luna suspected this was due to the fact that she hasn’t had the chance to converse with Celestia as much and might still feel the need to speak formally, “but the coffee has helped a bit. But how did you know?” “An alicorn’s senses are much more acute than most ponies.” Aysel started to look around for a mirror and, upon seeing herself in the reflection of the stain glass windows, started to wipe her mouth vigorously. “I wouldn’t worry so much, you look beautiful.” Aysel quickly looked down at the floor, trying to hide her smile. She has been called beautiful before, but never by anyone but her peers. “Anyway, I finished writing the day’s notes and I believe night court will be open soon. I’m in much needed sleep and relaxation. Have a good night, you two.” Celestia proceed to walk down the hallway leading to the royal bedrooms. Aysel waited until she was alone with Luna until she spoke. “I thought alicorns didn’t need to have sleep.” “We don’t need it because we don’t need as much rest as most ponies. But we still need to rest and take a break every now and then if we want to perform our duties to the best of our ability, which is another reason we decided to do our day and night shifts like we do. It keeps us at our peak.” Luna walked over to the steps that lead up to her throne. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Aysel stop part way up stuck between asking Luna were she should sit and wondering if she should just know. Luna purposely didn’t tell her where she would sit just to see what Aysel would do. “Luna, where do I sit?” Aysel finally decided to ask as Luna was getting settled on her throne. “I have made arrangements for this platform to be extended so that you can sit down beside me. It was what Celestia did with Twilight when she was learning about being a princess.” Luna’s horn lit up and with what looked like ease, extended the platform and another seat to emerge from the extension of the platform. Aysel proceeded to sit down on her new ‘throne’. It wasn’t really a throne, but it was larger than a normal chair and was in the presence of two other thrones, but it lacked the glamour that the Royal Sister’s had. Luna looked to her side to face her student. “Aysel, do you remember what I told you on our way to the kitchen, especially the part where I said that we have to look at the big picture and let other ponies take care of the day-to-day needs?” Luna wasn’t really asking if she remembered, but she did want to stress the point one last time. “No matter what I say or how I act, you are not allowed to tell any other pony or say anything during court. You are to listen, take mental notes and voice your thoughts afterwards. Do you understand?” “Yes, of course.” Aysel replied with a confident voice. She now sat up with her back straight and looked so confident that it was almost intimidating. Luna could have blinked and missed the change, it happened so fast and so naturally that Luna suspected that she spent quite a bit of time looking this way. “Court will start in about half an hour; I need to read over the paper my sister wrote for me.” The papers floated toward her with the dark blue light that was coming from her horn. “Can I read it as well? I think it would be beneficial if I knew what was going on.” “You may, though I must warn you, most of it is exceptionally boring.” Luna read over the first page than gave it to Aysel, who read through it. This process continued until Luna has finished reading through all the notes and waited for Aysel. Luna knew when to skip a few words and read through it fast, but she noticed that Aysel was reading it word for word. Slightly amused, Luna waited patiently until her student finished. “So, how was it?” “Some of it was quite interesting, especially when Celestia sorted out the dispute with the Griffins. But as you said, most of it was boring; just numbers, dates and facts. Is it always this detailed? “Yes, it needs to be, as the rulers we can’t afford to not know what’s happening. It takes a little getting used to, but you will soon learn to read quickly and efficiently,” Luna saw Aysel getting ready to say something, but a guard came and spoke first. “Your Highness, court is ready to being.” The guard went into bow and lifted his head to await his instructions. “Thank you, please tell the first pony to come in.” The guard left the two ponies on the platform. “Remember,” Luna whispered to her student, “don’t say anything, and tell me your thoughts later.” A pony walked into the throne room. He was tall, lean and seemed to carry himself with dignity but bowed nevertheless as he approached the platform before he spoke. “Princess Luna, may I make a request to the Royal Sisters?” “You may.” Luna spoke; it was an automatic response instead of actually giving permission. This is how everypony is supposed to ask for a request, no matter what it is. “I would like to request that we raise the brackets for tax percentages. I feel that this would increase the amount of revenue that the richer ponies give in to the Royal Treasury, while giving the ponies of a lower class more chance to earn a better living.” The stallion went into a bow, “The decision rests with the Royal Sisters.” He stated as part of the tradition of making a request during court. “Your request has been heard and will be considered.” Luna spoke with strictness and power, “Thank you” She said, also being part of the tradition. The stallion left though didn’t look satisfied. As soon he was out the door another pony came in, who repeated the process, and another and another. Luna, who was used to it, was able to stay awake and attentive during each of the request but noticed that Aysel was starting to zone in and out. Luna told the guard to tell the remaining ponies that she wished to take a five minuet break. She didn’t’ need it, but asked another guard to get a cup of coffee for Aysel. Her student, noticing what was going on, spoke a word of thanks toward Luna, who merely waved it away. As soon as the five minuet break was over a mare come in. By what she was wearing, Luna knew she lived in the high class area of Canterlot, and wanted to show it. She strutted toward the throne, gave her bow and started to make her request. “I would like to request that we decrease the size of the orphanage. For it to continue running and growing like it is, it will take away a large portion of hard earned money of the humble ponies. I would also like to suggest that we move the orphanage to a small, town nearby so that the space the orphanage is taking up can be used to become a store and create more jobs.” She made a little bow before adding, “The decision rests with the Royal Sisters.” Luna started to feel a change in the air. It wasn’t physical but magical, and looked around for the source. She soon found that the source was coming from her left so she turned. When she finally saw Aysel, she knew something was happening: there was so much hatred and contempt coming from her that Luna was surprised the mare standing below the platform didn’t notice. Knowing that her student probably wouldn’t be able to hold back what she wanted to do, she dismissed the mare. A guard came in after she left the room. “That was all the ponies that came for court tonight.” Luna thanked him quickly and told him that she doesn’t want to be disturbed and that nopony should come into the throne room. “Yes, Princess.” And with a bow, he left. Luna took a deep breath and sighed before she spoke. “Ok, tell me what you think of night court.” She was bracing herself to hear screaming. “What do I think? What did she think? She can’t just walk in here all high-and-mighty and try to get rid of the orphanage. Who does she think she is?” Aysel was taking deep breaths between insults so she could still breathe. Luna knew that this would probably happen, so she allowed her student finish venting before she decided to speak. “Well,” Luna started once Aysel ran out of mean things to say, “she was completely in her rights. Anypony is allowed to request anything during court and as the official ruler during the night, I have to listen to each request. I don’t always like listening, and yes, sometimes ponies can ask for selfish things that would end up hurting others. But it’s not our place to disregard what they have to say. I’m very glad that you didn’t burst out while she was still here, but I have to confess to being a little shocked on how easily you allowed yourself to be angry while she was still here.“ Luna knew what kind of reaction she was going to get in return, but she felt that Aysel needed to hear it. “But she’s wrong for even thinking something like this. You know it, I know it, and the whole entire population of Equestria knows it.” Aysel quickly ran out of breath again, giving Luna the chance to speak. “I understand why would feel this way. But as a ruler, you cannot inforce your own beliefs and preferences. That would make you a tyrant, a dictator.” “Maybe that would be better if that stops ponies from asking for stupid things and keep getting away with it.” Luna sat still, not letting her eyes leave her students. She didn’t want to believe what came out of Aysel’s mouth. Luna’s mind was racing with thoughts, trying to connect what she just heard with all the small things she noticed. The look in her eye when she first met her; Her ability to make a sudden switch between nice and kind to confident and intimidating; her constant strive to have more and more knowledge and power. But before Luna could finish processing her thoughts, Aysel quickly spoke, “No, I didn’t mean that. I just…got carried away. I’m so sorry, it just came out.” The switched happened again, she now seemed so innocent. “I forgive you, but you must learn how to properly vent your frustrations. If you do need to vent, it will be best if you do it to me only, when no other pony is around.” Luna was trying to seem sympathetic, but she was still worried. Luna didn’t know whether it was a slip of the tongue or something she actually had to be concerned about. She decided to make a mental note of talking to her sister about it later, but for now she would continue as if it never happened. “Well, I now have a meeting with the Captain of the Night Guard. Care to join?” “The Captain? Is there some threat that Equestria is facing?” “No, it’s just a routine checkup that I like to do as often as possible. Usually there isn’t much to talk about, but sometimes he would like to advise me on what to do next or ask for my opinion. As I said before: I’m supposed to look at the big picture while other ponies deal with the details." Aysel gestured that she understood and asked where the meeting was going to take place. Luna had the feeling that Aysel would try to agree with everything she said because of the slip. “Not too far away. It’s good to try and set up all the meetings within the castle for safety and convenience. If I had to fly everywhere, so would the guards and that would take too much time and effort.” Luna started to walk out of the throne room and up two flights of stairs. They walked down a corridor and into a large room. In the center of the room there was a detailed map with several flags on it, the walls were full of different banners and other maps mostly of Equestria but of some different countries with marks all over it, all the ponies in the room where wearing amour though of different styles and colors. They all bowed as the Princess walked into the room. “Your Highness, I trust you are having a good night.” “So far so good, Captain.” Luna replied. The other ponies around the map separated, leaving a large space next to the map for Luna and her student. “Is there anything I should be concerned about?” “There is a certain problem that we would like to discuss with you, yes. But it might not be best to talk about it,” his eyes glanced over at Aysel for a brief moment, “in present company.” At this, all the other ponies looked over at Aysel, then quickly looked away. “What is the security risk level?” Luna asked, her voice hard and confident. She didn’t want to exclude Aysel from anything if she doesn’t need to, but she knew there might a good enough reason the Captain didn’t want to say anything. “Level 3, Princess.” “She may stay,” Luna then looked over at Aysel, who she thought was holding up quite well for having so many ponies looking at her as if she was a threat. “You are not to say anything that is spoken in this room to anypony else." “I understand.” Aysel said, making sure she didn’t seem weak or clueless in front of the guards. “That settles it then. Captain, please give your report.” Luna took sternly at the Captain, not giving him the choice of saying anything further. “Yes, Your Highness.” He said, still giving Aysel a hard look. “We have found and captured three griffin spies. They were trying to sneak into Canterlot, but we’re not sure why at the moment. They are being detained in the prison under the castle and we have waited for your command.” “I see,” Luna was thinking about what she had read a few hours ago, about the Celestia solving a dispute with them, she wonder if the Captain knew about it. “Try to get any information out of them as you can. I want a report giving to me two hours before I retire for the night.” “Yes, Your Highness. Apart from that, there is nothing else to talk about.” “Thank you, Captain, and good job.” Luna turned without another word and started to walk back to the throne room, Aysel following just behind her. Luna made no notion to speak until they were back and alone. “So, what do you think?” Luna finally asked her student. Luna wanted to see how well she could make connections and come up with conclusions. They were now alone in the throne room again. “Well, I think it can’t have been a coincidence that this happened the night after Celestia sorted out the dispute. From what I could remember, the dispute was about us not giving them all the information we had about the new army that our neighboring countries were raising, so I think they were trying to steal any documents we had on it.” “Good job. I too was thinking that. My sister and I usually make treaties with the countries we can so that we are less likely to be attacked, but to make a treaty, we usually have to give up something that we don’t want to. Part of our agreement with the griffins was to share the information we have with different countries related to militaries. Do you think that we have information regarding militaries that we haven’t shared with them, which breaks our agreement?” Luna asked casually, curious about the kind of response she will receive. “Yes, but for good reason. Our nation wants to promote peace, but if you’re seen to have knowledge about foreign militaries growing and aren’t seen taking action against it, then it will make our nation seem like we’re ok with it. From what I read from Celestia’s notes, the griffins also are known to use unnecessary military force, so we don’t want them to have any reason to declare a war, which both parties would expect us to join.” Aysel finished her thoughts, and looked toward Luna for confirmation whether or not she was right. “You are correct. Do you think it’s wrong that we do it?” “No, because it is helping ponies.” Luna was satisfied with this answer and continued on with her night plans. “Would you be interested in making consolations? Since we have a bit of time left where we have to be on duty but we don’t really need to do anything.” “Yeah, I could do that. How do you choose your consolations?” The two ponies talked in Luna’s room for the rest of the night until it was nearly their time to retire for the day. While the two were finalizing a certain star pattern, somepony knocked on the door. “Yes, who is it?” Luna asked through the door. As she waited for the reply, she moved a few stars so they were perfectly in place. “I have a note from the Captain relating to what you discussed with him earlier tonight.” “Please bring it in.” Luna’s voice suddenly went from a light and happy to hard and cold. “Leave it on the desk, thank you.” The guard gave a bow and then left the note on the desk and left. Luna walked over toward it. Floating it so that it came to eye level, she read it and passed it to Aysel; who read it and placed it back on the desk. “So they were able to get information from them, that’s a good sign, isn’t it?” Aysel said as she walked towards Luna. “Yeah, it is. But it’s at what cost we got it. If the griffins don’t get their spies back, then there will be big trouble. And now that they are dead, that won’t happen.” Luna sighed, this is not how she envisioned her first night with her student, “I have to write the highlights, then it’ll be a good idea to have a much needed rest." Luna quickly wrote the highlights, as well as writing to her sister some notes she noticed about Aysel that day. “Goodnight, Aysel” Luna said, getting into her bed. “Goodnight, Luna.” Aysel replied, heading towards the door. “And Luna, thank you for today.” And with that she left the Princess’s room.