"Lookin' good!"
Sunset flattered herself as she looked in the large mirror in front of her. She had summoned this mirror with her magic and now she was using it to see the two fire wings she had on her back. Their intense heat did not bother her. The little pain she felt was nothing compared to the potential alicorn she perceived in the mirror.
"Celestia doesn't want me to be an alicorn? That's just fine. I can still dream, baby," she chuckled at nothing.
The Cave was allowing her to get away with this behavior. She dared not make such wings when the guards watched her in her study. So she would spend evenings or nights down there just to make flames like these and admire what she could be. She could not do this all the time as Celestia would take plenty of her day away from her, but tonight, she could relish in the fact that her dream was still rather possible.
"Just wait until I get myself a pair of wings," she continued. "I wouldn't need to steal anymore, that's for sure. Ponies'll give me stuff. I mean seriously, if Cadance became an alicorn, what's holding me back?" she rolled her eyes. "Yeah, the only one who can grant me wings, that's who. The jerk being a jerk as usual. Sunny, babe, ya not gonna force her to do it. Well, perhaps we can appeal to her?"
"Sunset? Are you in here?" Celestia called from the other side of the closed door.
"Yeah!" Sunset answered and her wings instantly disappeared with a slight swooshing noise.
The door to the Cave then promptly opened and the Princess of the Sun walked in with her usual greeting smile. Sunset tried to answer the nice smile with one of her own, but it wasn't entirely convincing. The princess didn't seem to mind it and sat down in front of her, not looking at her but the mirror.
"Why did you bring a mirror down here?" she asked.
"Um, to uhh...make this more homely?" Sunset shrugged.
That's odd. "Well, I'm glad you have been taking a liking to the Cave. Since you've been working hard this past week, I decided we would do something different today."
"Like what?"
"Well, I've noticed you are always thinking about Canterlot. I think it's time you and I take a stroll through the city, visit some shops, and have a nice day in general."
"Um, alright?"
"And since you are with me, you can purchase whatever you want. I'll pay for it."
"Why are ya doing this?"
"Because I've reflected on the past days and I'm not sure if I'm going the right route with you," Celestia rested a hoof on her student's shoulder. "You may not realize this, but my mind is always on you these days. Sometimes I think I'm doing you a favor, other times I think I hurt you. In my constant trying to emulate the style of a mother, I seem to lose what I actually am to you: a teacher, a friend. You are not my daughter. You are not my prisoner. You are my friend. Perhaps as friends, we should do friend stuff?"
"I see. Will I have an anti-magic device on me?" the student asked worriedly.
"No. I will be watching you though. If you decide to break the law, I will bring you back here. As a friend, I will not let my friend think she can get away with everything. But Sunset, you should realize you can have a great time without breaking the law, so I am not too concerned about it."
"Alright then. I'll uh, get ready then."
"Good! Once you are prepared, meet me at the palace entrance."
Canterlot was nothing like the Grand Royal Palace. The architecture was the same, but the ponies who inhabited it were not. As the teacher and her student distanced themselves from the palace, the nobles and the stuck-up ponies became less and less frequent, being replaced by hardworking citizens. These citizens did not hold themselves up as being important, but instead used their humbleness to be a general mass of good and friendly ponies. The fancy cups of imported tea were replaced by cups of home-brewed coffee and the lavish fashion stores were replaced by simple boutiques. It was a change of worlds, but one both the student and the teacher appreciated.
"I can't remember the last time I had coffee," Sunset said when the both of them sat in front of a coffee and pastry shop.
"Well, my servants can prepare it if you like," Celestia told her before taking a sip. "I've never been a prominent coffee consumer, but some nights simply require it."
The owner of the shop, a middle-aged mare with a brown curly mane, came up to their table with a bright smile that the locals knew her for. She bowed to the princess before addressing them both.
"Your Highness, can I get somethin' else for you?" she asked nicely.
"I am good, thank you," Celestia smiled back.
"And how 'bout ya?" the mare asked Sunset.
"I think I'll take another chocolate muffin," she said.
"You're a pretty lucky girl to hang out with the princess," the mare said proudly. "How did you gain such an opportunity?"
Sunset first looked at Celestia who gave her an approving nod. Upon seeing the gesture, she breathed once before replying to the mare in complete confidence. "Got it because of my magic. Ponies tell me that I'm pretty good. She thinks so too," she made a nod at the princess.
"Wow!" the mare gasped. "Then ya take this opportunity, girl. Ya quite talented and boy, would it be bad if ya talent went to waste. Her Highness should know exactly what to do with your magic."
"Hehe, yeah," Sunset said with an ounce of sarcasm that the mare did not pick up.
The mare went to get the muffin, leaving the two at the table. Celestia sipped her coffee once more. Sunset twirled her little mug around on the table with her magic. A disapproving frown was on her face.
"She was partly right, you know," Celestia broke the silence.
"About what? Ya being right?" Sunset huffed.
"No, that your talent should not go to waste. You see, I don't really know what to do with you. Upon capturing you, I had so many dreams about you becoming a wizard that could rival Starswirl the Bearded."
"Guess I'm not good enough for that?"
"No, you are. It's just that your true talent lies elsewhere. I must figure out a place for you."
"How about you leave that to me. I think I know where I belong," Sunset folded her legs.
Celestia let out a sigh. I knew that'd be the answer. "Perhaps. Maybe I've been too controlling as of late and should allow more freedom. However, I will still teach you and help you improve your magic so that when the time comes, you'll be ready."
"Ready for what?"
"I wish I knew."
Sunset ate her muffin along the way. After walking down and up some streets, they came across a dress shop. At first, the student was hesitant to enter such a place, uttering her displeasure in a few muttered and incoherent complaints. The princess tried to listen to the protests, but since Sunset never said "no" she thought it was not a big deal. So, they still entered the boutique.
"Have you ever been into one these?" the princess asked. "Well, have you been in them legally?"
"Yeah, when I was little, didn't get anything though," Sunset answered with a shrug.
Celestia and she were looking at a large white dress. The princess made a intrigued sound before continuing. "So, your parents brought you into one?"
"Yeah."
"Ah, so where are they now?"
"Beats me. Your guess is as good as mine," the student responded without much care.
Don't probe, Sunbutt. Relax and have a good time without giving her reason to be mad. Celestia simply nodded in vague understanding. Her eyes wandered about for something to distance them from speaking about possibly horrible memories. This came in the shape of a fashionable mare who was gaping at her. Celestia took notice and smiled.
"You must be the owner of this boutique," Celestia said as she walked over to the mare.
"Indeed I am!" she returned with pure excitement. "I am so honored that you stumbled into my shop!"
"Oh, it isn't hard to stumble anywhere, madame," Celestia giggled. "Some are much better at it than myself."
"Huh?" she raised a brow before putting on a false smile. "Oh! Yes, yes. Um, is there anything you are looking for today? No offense, Your Highness, but I'm not sure I have any in your size."
"Oh my!" Celestia gasped with a smile. "Did I gain too much weight?"
"Well, uhh...no! Of course not! There is nopony more fit than you," the owner gulped.
"That's a pack of lies," Sunset muttered.
"Well then, I understand. My height is rather rare among Equestrians," Celestia chuckled. "You wouldn't mind measuring me, would you?"
The mare rubbed the back of her neck, slightly ruining her well-kept black mane. "Of course not! I can measure you right away."
"Oh, don't worry about me at the moment, I think you should make a dress for my companion," Celestia pushed Sunset in front of her.
"Huh?" Sunset reacted.
The mare nodded. "But of course!" she then took Sunset's hoof. "Come over this way, I may actually have some dresses in your size already."
The mare led Sunset towards the back of the shop. She looked back at the now giggling princess with utter contempt. It was more than obvious she did not approve of what Celestia was seemingly planning. However, she went along without a verbal complaint until she and the mare were in the back surrounded by fabrics and dresses of every color and every shape.
"Um, I don't really need a dress. I..." Sunset stammered, "um, don't need one."
"Let her do her work, Sunset. I think she can give you a wonderful dress."
Sunset lifted a leg for the mare to measure. "But for what? I mean, I don't do parties."
"Well, the Grand Galloping Gala is coming up in a couple months. It doesn't hurt to prepare early," Celestia told her.
"That sounds way too fancy for me," the student grunted as the mare measured her back.
Celestia shrugged in slight agreement. "Well, you mustn't knock it until you try it, my dear," she then sighed. "You are actually correct. The Grand Galloping Gala is a terribly boring get-together of nobles and ponies blind to their own arrogance. It's not a place for me nor you, so that's why I'm inviting you. I'll finally have a pony that talks to me instead of bowing or groveling to gain my favor."
The mare, who was clearly listening in, looked up at the princess with worried fright. "Oh? Well, Your Highness, I did not know! I would have believed you loved that other ponies loved you."
"It's not love, my good lady, it's something else entirely. The Gala becomes this mess of boring talking and absolutely no dancing or fun. With Sunset and Cadance, you two will suffice in making the night not so dull."
Sunset cocked her head. "You're forcing me to go, aren't you?"
Celestia rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm not forcing you, but I beg you to attend. Whether you use this new dress for it or not, a young mare always needs an outfit to stand out from time to time. I will be grateful if you do attend. We'll have a wonderful night and maybe even get away from the nobles to have a time in the Canterlot nightlife."
The mare finished measuring the student and rolls of fabric flew around the room. Celestia took a step out of the room because of all the new clutter that floated about. The fashionista was now speaking with Sunset, who responded with nods of vague interest. The princess turned and sat in the main room where the dresses lined the walls. She did not need to hear Sunset nor the mare to understand the business they conducted. All that mattered was that her student asked for the perfect dress.
A few more minutes passed and Sunset emerged from the back room. She did not seem overly thrilled about anything, but Celestia knew that was going to be her response to everything. So instead of asking her about the dress, she simply went straight to the point.
"When shall your dress be ready?" she asked.
"Two weeks," Sunset answered.
"Excellent. There is still plenty of day left, let's go. Don't worry about the mare, all the money shall come from me."
"So Sunset, did you enjoy the day?"
They walked up the steps to the Grand Royal Palace. The Princess of the Sun had already moved the sun to a location more fitting to the evening and was ready to complete its solar route and bring upon the moon and her gracious darkness. The student looked away from the princess at first, but then nodded.'
"Yeah, I did. Especially all the places we stopped to eat."
Celestia chuckled. "So did I. We did not get to him today, but a good friend of mine named Donut Joe opened a new shop on the east side of the city. Perhaps we should visit him?"
"Sounds great," Sunset said. "What does he make?"
Celestia blinked. "Donuts maybe, but I'm not fully sure," she said sarcastically.
Sunset covered her face. "Oh yeah. I should have guessed that..."
They entered the palace and the Royal Guards shut the great door behind them, leaving them a much darker world lit by torches and the fading light that barely went through the stained windows. Around them, floated bags and baskets, carrying items that had been purchased. Celestia held most of the bags, as she bought much more than the student.
"So, what was the best item you bought?"
Sunset sat down in the hallway and levitated one bag to her hooves. "Easy, it's the jacket." She took out a small black leather jacket. She had bought it from one of the larger clothes stores in Canterlot. It was just her size and she easily slipped it on right then and there.
"It certainly fits you," Celestia smiled.
"Yeah, I may not wear it much now since it's kinda hot these days, but when it cools, I'll definitely give it a try," Sunset said and then paused. "If I'll still be here by then."
"That depends on how well you develop," Celestia told her and kept walking despite her being still. "I'll grant you more freedom as we go along. You still do not have my full trust, but you can still earn it. Come along, it is time to retire. The moon shall be up soon and you and I both have a tough week ahead of us. We shall need rest."
Good. Today went well. Perhaps I have been going about all this the wrong way? Sunset wishes to be an alicorn, but I cannot give in to such wishes. I solely have such power to grant alicornhood, I must use it with utmost precaution. Not only will she abuse such power, as she still abuses the talent she hosts, but what about those who hear of this? I give a thief wings, then others shall demand for wings or horns or both. No, Sunset must remain a unicorn for anything to go well. I cannot break her, I cannot punish her, but I can become a friend to her. There's troubles behind those eyes of hers and I need to find them, for both her and my sake. For Sunset is not a thief by choice, well, if she speaks the truth in that, so there is a reason she has fallen into this life of distrust and crime. It starts with the family and this Wing Beat fellow. It must. That and her mission of stealing my precious artifact. She wishes to use it, but she clearly does not know how otherwise she would not be a prisoner in my palace...