//------------------------------//
// Another Perfect Day 
// Story: Snippets 
// by The Wind King 
//------------------------------//

Celestia sat on her throne, watching calmly as the two ponies bowed before her, before leaving. Their case had been morally simple, but legally complicated, and the noble's eyes had been narrowed at her judgement, even as he lifted his head and trotted from the room.

Celestia knew her nobility, he wouldn't dare go against her judgement, but she made a mental note have several of Green Vale's town guards keep an eye on the farm and its inhabitants, just in case somepony decided to do something rash, that would allow him to purchase one of the countries premier vineyards for a price that would be considered theft.

She very rarely enjoyed court, but it was one of the most subtle methods she had to watch over her little ponies, spot the problems that were threatening their lives, the talents, the little sections of lands that they called their homes, even the pampered nobles who continued to call for a decrease in taxes, embargoes on foreign goods, or the removal of 'barbarous' species such as the Buffalo or the Griffons, let her know which way the winds of society were blowing. She would be a poor tyrant indeed if she could not read these subtle signs and move her pieces accordingly.

Still, dealing with the nobility was tiring and Celestia found herself looking through the windows at her sun, watching it as it made its way down the sky, maybe another half an hour before it set and her sister would begin the ritual to raise her moon, resetting the orbit once more, just enough time that she would be forced to deal with another case before the passing of authority and a brief break for dinner.

Motioning to the door guards to call in the next and then dismiss the line Celestia straightened her tired shoulders and smiled once more, her endlessly practised smile that was warm and caring, without being overly mirthful or capricious, as the last group for the day entered.

A slender unicorn mare led the group, her dark green eyes never leaving Celestia's, even as the others in the group attempted to both huddle behind her, and somehow shield her from the Solar Diarch's inquisitive eyes.

"Good day my little ponies" the sudden flinching of the group was something she was sadly used to by now, even from the largest of earth ponies, like the one who was now trying to hide himself behind the mare's long teal mane, "Please do not be afraid, and let me hear your claim"

"A fine evening Princess" the unicorn's voice was polite and soft as she bowed her head, before meeting Celestia's eyes again  "I doubt I will be the first, but may I congratulate you on you niece's wedding," the mare smirked as though there was a joke only she got "it was a most fufilling ceremony to see love bloom like that."

"Thank you..." Celestia began, but the mare cut her off before she could continue, that smirk widening as she did so.

"And a honeymoon in the Caymare islands as well, it could be considered almost storybook couldn't it"

Celestia felt her eyes narrow as the mare finished. The location of Cadance and Shining Armour's honeymoon has been a closely guarded secret, not just to prevent the press from turning it into another media circus but with the paranoia that had been flying around at the wedding.

"And just how do you know where my niece and nephew are enjoying their well deserved rest?" Celestia didn't have to raise her voice or light her horn, her guards did that for her, with the subtle clinking of armour and shifting of weapons.

"One of my daughters saw them leaving their plane this morning" once again that smirk widened, it was a wonder that the mare even had any mouth left to speak with "and the Papillon really does not deserve their reputation for secrecy."

"I see" Celestia remained calm, the only hint to her current emotions was the steel in her voice "If you think that threatening me in my throne..." before the mare interupted her, again.

"Threatening you?" the mare snorted as though the idea was utterly beneath her, "no Celestia, I am here to make you an offer."

Before the white alicorn could even start to form her reply green fire swept over the unicorn, and her entourage, burning away the ponies before her, and leaving something else entirely in their places.

"I am Queen Chrysalis of the Badlands Changelings, and I am here in order to offer my and my hive's services in exchange for Equestrian citizenship".