//------------------------------// // Resists - Fuzzyfurvert - March 26, 2016 // Story: The Sun and Stars: Lightning Round // by JKinsley //------------------------------// A return of an old and prolific hand, Fuzzy Furvert Twilight slumped in her throne, one leg thrown up on the huge map table and a book floated above her. The cover was a colorful picture of a tan colored pegasus mare flying toward a cat-like creature that stood on top of a ziggurat surrounded by other actual felines. All of them snarling viciously at the oncoming Daring Doo. It was her favorite Daring Doo story in her entire library. One she’d read multiple times over the years and each time was a fun romp through the jungle dodging angry natives, death traps, poisonous bugs and of course, the aforementioned cats. Having met the real life Daring Doo gave her further insight to the adventure, made clear the parts that were real and the parts that were heavily embellished or edited. It made the read even more fun, like a treasure hunt. Right now, however, it wasn’t doing anything more than hovering above her. She wanted to open it. She really did. But she knew if she did that, she’d be allowing herself to be sucked into the story, distracted by the narrative. She’d be hiding. Giving up—or giving into temptation to ignore her problems. Primarily the problem that was sitting across the table from her. The problem that was going on and on—and on and on and on—about the upcoming meeting with Princess Celestia. About how the Princess was personally coming to Ponyville to speak to them both. The problem that was outright gushing about how much of an honor it was, how amazing it was that such an opportunity had arisen. A problem that just had to show the Princess her new mane-cut and tell the Princess how much she’d changed and blah blah blah… A problem named Starlight Glimmer. Twilight turned her Daring Doo book over, her eyes scanning the synopsis without actually reading it. The desire to tune out Starlight’s fangirling completely was strong, but she resisted it. Princess Celestia would be disappointed in her if she arrived to find Twilight ignoring the mare she’d turned into a new friend. It’s not like I don’t tune out Pinkie Pie or the other girls from time to time. There’s precedent. I mean...it’s just so annoying! Twilight tilted the book, peeking over it at Starlight. The mare was still talking to herself, her nose in yet another book about Princess Celestia’s legendary exploits. The more the filly read, the more enamored she became, the more Starlight...hero worshipped. Listen to her. Thinking Princess Celestia is coming here just to talk to her. Pfft. Twilight tilted the book back to hide her eyes rolling. The Princess is really coming here to see me. She’s coming here to discuss Princess stuff with the other Princess here. Namely, me! Talking to you is just convenient...a checkbox to tick off her itinerary. Twilight smirked, her mind running over the other items on Celestia’s to-do list. After the little meet and greet came dinner. Check. Dessert of chocolate dipped strawberries on the western veranda while they watched the sunset together. Check. A quiet gathering of just the two of them in the library with the newest books she’d acquired. Check. Passionate make-out session on top of those stacks of books. Check. Lovemaking that made them both walk funny in the morning. Double check! Twilight sighed, her smirk going soft and mushy at the idea of finishing off that particular item with an all night snuggle session in the Princess’ warm embrace. She could hardly wait until Celestia arrived. Which shouldn’t be too much longer. Surely she could resist opening Daring Doo’s fifth book and silencing Starlight’s inane prattle. Just a little longer. Daring Doo creeped through the wet, steaming jungle. Her hoofsteps as light as a feather as she navigated the underbrush toward the foot of the huge stone ziggurat. She lifted a huge fan leaf up, tipping warm rain water off of it and onto her safari hat. The ancient temple loomed just ahead of her. On the side shaded from the sun’s early morning rays, narrow steps lead up from the base to the summit, and at every dozenth or so step, sat an immense panther or lean jaguar. Daring grit her teeth in frustration. She couldn’t fly in with her damaged wing, and going up the steps was a one way ticket to some hungry predator’s stomach. She knew she was going to have to find a different way in. A way that would likely be filled with traps, spiders, snakes and mummies. Twilight grinned, mouthing Daring’s dialogue. “Why did it have to be mummies?” “Because the tribes of ponies that lived in that jungle valley followed a funeral practice of mummification for generations. Possibly due to the advanced decomposition rate in rain forests like that.” Twilight blinked, her mind skipping a beat at the unexpected insertion, which caused her magic to falter for a moment and she dropped the book onto her face. She sat up, polite giggling coming from the other side of the table. Twilight gaped, her cheeks flushing at the look Princess Celestia was shooting her. “I’m sorry, Twilight.” Celestia grinned behind her hoof. “But I couldn’t resist. I know how engrossed you get in those stories.” “I...but...why…” Twilight rubbed her eyes. “How long have you been here?” “Not very long, actually. I was just finishing up a pleasant conversation with Starlight here. I’m very proud of you for helping her start down the path of friendship and harmony.” The Princess turned and looked down at the pony sitting on the floor in front of her. “And please do forgive her, Starlight. I’m sure Twilight wasn’t ignoring you on purpose. She is just very focused when it comes to books.” Starlight nodded, but she shot Twilight a look that said she was skeptical about that explanation. “If you say so, Princess. I really was enjoying the opportunity to speak to you...alone. It’s such an honor to be in your presence!” She smiled brightly up at Celestia and leaned a little closer. Twilight scowled, squinting at Starlight’s back. Don’t think I missed that little pause, or the inflection, OR that little lift you gave your tail when she said your name, Starlight. She stood up and lifted the book off the floor where it had settled. Twilight dismissed it with a flash of teleportation magic. She didn’t need to use teleportation to put it away, but the flash had the effect she wanted though. She painted a happy smile of her face when Starlight looked her way. “Yes, it is an honor to talk to the Princess directly. She’s a very busy pony, obviously. You know that of course, don’t you, Starlight? Of course you do! Don’t be silly! It’s great! Everything...is...great…” Twilight’s eye twitched. “Wha?” Starlight raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know—” “Sure you do!” Twilight trotted around the table, her smile firmly locked on her muzzle. The Princess is busy busy busy! Busy ponies have things to do. Busy Princess things. To do. She has a Princess to do.” “Wait…” “She has Princess things to do, Starlight!” Twilight’s eye twitched again when the unicorn leaned away from her and closer to Celestia. “Can’t take up her time, now can you? We. Can we. That’s what I meant.” “Perhaps,” Celestia intoned calmly, stepping in between Starlight and Twilight, “it is time Starlight joined with your other friends, Twilight? I seem to recall they were all meeting at Sugarcube Corner for sweets and dinner?” “Yes!” Twilight and Starlight said in unison, the unicorn of the two jumping to her hooves. “Then you had better get a move on.” Celestia smiled and winked at Starlight. “Pinkie Pie has a peculiar talent at making sweets she bakes vanish.” “Ah! You’re right, I should get going.” Starlight bowed to Celestia gracefully, then shot Twilight another look before she turned and galloped out the door. Once they were alone, Twilight sighed exaggeratedly. “Sheesh! I like Starlight, but I thought she’d never leave. She’s been going on and on about meeting you in pony all day. Reading books about you. Talking endlessly about the amazing Princess Celestia. As if I don’t already know how amazing you are? Can you believe...why are you smiling at me like that?” She tilted her head up at Celestia grin and her silent shakes of laughter. “What’s gotten into you?” “Oh, I don’t know. Heheh...Twilight, doesn’t Starlight remind you of somepony?” Twilight frowned, her mind turned that over. “No. Not anypony I can think of.” “Not even yourself?” Celestia chuckled and put her wing on Twilight’s shoulder. “Me?” Twilight scoffed. “That’s silly. I was never like that! I mean...I mean...oh goddess.” Twilight blanched. “Was I really that bad?” Celestia nodded sagely, lowering her head to nip playfully at Twilight’s ears. “Yes. You were that bad. But don’t worry about it, my love. There is still plenty of time for Starlight to start looking at you that way.” “Hey!” “I’m teasing!” Celestia nickered softly. “Now...is that garlic bread I smell?” Twilight blushed, holding her ears back and nodded. She sighed, her own wing reaching up to lay across Celestia’s flank. Oh yeah...the checklist...how can I resist?