//------------------------------// // Light animosity // Story: Celestia Needs Glasses // by Azriel //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Blinded by the light With Celestia's morning rituals taken care of, and her regalia freshly adorned, she donned her signature smile as she departed her chambers for breakfast. She took special care to acknowledge as many of her castle staff as she could along the way, obviously not anything overly excessive; a polite nod here and a word of greeting there. Passing the large double doors into the dining hall, she made her way to her favorite seat at the end of the long marble table. The seat faced away from the east always showcasing her Sun gently rising in the windows behind her while she ate breakfast. It also gave her a perfect view of the double doors leading into the hall, the perfect vantage point for when Luna arrived to see if she carried through with her threat. She could sense that Luna was fast approaching if her magical signature was anything to go off of, so focused was she that she didn’t realize she hadn’t acknowledged the wait staff perched awkwardly off to the side of her seat for five minutes. Till the stallion in question cleared his throat rather loudly for the fourth time in an attempt to politely get her attention. “Oh dear sorry Sweet Roll, my mind was a thousand miles away.” “No worries your majesty, what can I get started for you this morning?” “I’ll take the-” Whatever Celestia was about to say died with the arrival of her sister. In her normal dramatic fashion, Luna’s presence was announced by the loud snap of the doors swinging violently upon their hinges, a constant source of chagrin for Celestia. She had tried to teach her sister the art of subtlety for centuries to no avail, but all of that was a moot point compared to who walked alongside Luna. Bedside Manner in all his rundown looking glory was walking towards Celestia with a twinkle in his eyes. Bedside Manner was a Unicorn stallion in his late sixties, his silver coat which once had a lustrous shimmer had simmered down to an earthy gray. His eyes had deep bags beneath them capable of smuggling contraband through any border customs agency. His once well kept and admirable black mane had receded so far that the few wisps left might as well have called a full retreat to regroup with his ear hairs. Of all Manner’s ancestors, Bedside had taken aging gracefully to an all time low. About the only feature of Bedside’s that hadn’t depreciated with age was his sea blue eyes. And so the final act of this tragedy unfolds in betrayal, my own sister consorting with the enemy. “Et Tu Luna, Et Tu?” If I am to go down, then I go down with copious confectionary cholesterol on my side.  Let's see how long that twinkle in your eyes lasts Bedside.     “Sorry Sweet Roll, but I think I’ve made up my mind, tell me do we have any of the leftover cake still from Princess Cadence’s and Shining Armor’s wedding?”     “I believe there is a slice or two left your highness, if there isn’t we’re sure to have another cake lying around in the kitchen, by your leave Princess.”     “Of course, thank you.”     By this point Luna had taken her spot to the right of Celestia, leaving Bedside to sit uncomfortably close next to the left of her.     “Good morning Celestia, another beautiful day as always. As you can see I invited the good doctor to join us this morning. I hope that isn’t a bother.” Luna said with a bit of a sneer before turning to place her own order with the wait staff, while Bedside simply waved them off.     Celestia made a polite bow to the both of them before eyeing Bedside. “Thank you, and good morning to the both of you. So Bedside to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”     With a loud growl that sounded like Bedside was trying to clear gravel from his throat, he began speaking. “Well, Luna dropped in rather early this morning for an unexpected check-up. You can imagine my surprise, a member of royalty that I don't have to drag into my office kicking and screaming. You would imagine I’m some kind of mad scientist with the amount of respect I get around here...Or that I run a pediatrician's office full of foals scared “of da big bwad nweedle.”     Celestia merely rolled her eyes. “Come now Bedside, you know how busy I can be. Also, I can’t help if the Blueblood’s have to be tended to by you, you know how dramatic of a lot they are.”     “Ah yes, but at least they come see me, however dramatic they may be. But you know better then to dodge the issue Celestia. The only reason I’m here this morning is because Luna informed me of your recent headaches.” However before bedside could continue his rant, he was interrupted by Sweet Roll returning with Celestia’s cake. Celestia merely nodded her head to the side for Sweet before returning her attention to Bedside. Immediately she saw the change in him as the deep scowl on his face entered a new state of depression.     Celestia decided to go with the innocent approach. “What Bedside?”     “Oh nothing, if our Princess of the Sun wishes to share its round disposition far be it from me, a medical expert to advise her on dietary needs. You know this will work perfectly, at this rate when Equestria holds the next diplomatic summit with the Griffons and Minotaurs. They can just use you as a volleyball.” As he gestured his hoof wildly at her. “When they inevitably pop all of Canterlot's supply with their talons.” At this point, Luna was trying rather unsuccessfully to hold in her laughter.     Celestia puffed her cheeks out in a pout, she only wanted him to be riled up not call her fat. “That's quite enough I think, besides it is only one slice of cake.”     “Oh sure that's how it always starts, next thing you know you're eating your feelings and caught in a vicious cycle.”     “I said that was enough, and I meant it.”     Bedside simply laughed. “Fine, fine we got off track anyways. Now,  Celestia, I want you in my office for a check-up by the end of the day.”     Celestia simply raised an eyebrow. “That's simply too short of notice Bedside, I have an entire country to run. Not to mention Kibitz will simply pitch a fit if I have him make such a drastic change this late to the schedule.”     “Ah yes Kibitz, your glorified bouncer, who manages to keep me off your schedule no matter how much notice I give him. Well to bad for him this time, I’m simply not taking no for an answer. You will be in my office by the end of the day or I will file the Royal Physician’s ultimate weapon...Mandatory medical sabbatical.” At this point, Celestia’s temper was starting to flare as her normally pristine white coat was starting to tinge red. “This has gone on quite long enough, I will not be strong-hoofed by you or anypony else Bedside!” “No Princess! It is I who have had enough! I may have wasted my entire life as your medical physician, when I could have been out there making a difference! But I’ll be damned if you don’t learn a lesson that will make you treat my replacement with some respect!” The silence in the dining hall from the two’s temper was palpable, Luna was trying unsuccessfully to look like she was studying the architecture of the ceiling. But the last thing Bedside had said was starting to turn the gears in Celestia’s head. Replacement, why? “A-are you retiring Bedside?” Celestia couldn’t help but let a little hope shine through with that question. For the first time since Celestia had known Bedside the shine in his eyes dulled a little, and the usually strong arrogant air about him seemed to evaporate. Leaving nothing but an old defeated stallion sitting before her. “Yes...the paperwork has already gone through. I’ve chosen the best replacement in the kingdom for you.” Bedside studied the empty spot on the table in front of him, before shooting a desperate look to Celestia. “Please treat him better than me, he’s a brilliant young stallion.” With that, he slumped out of his chair and made his way out of the hall. Celestia felt like she had just been punched in the heart, what was that all about? And why did it make her feel so bad. Luna was busy looking at her sister with concern. “I’m sorry sister..I didn’t realize there was this much animosity between you two.” “It’s okay Luna, apparently I didn’t realize either.”