//------------------------------//
// P.B. and ... Parties 
// Story: P.B. and J. 
// by TheAmazingMe 
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As Luna and Joe went over possible donut cakes, I motioned to get Moondancer's attention. The unicorn mare finally caught on and I did my best to convey that we needed to talk. After a few attempts, she finally got the message and nodded.  

"Thank you for dinner Aunt Luna." I said.  

"You're welcome, Blueblood. Oh, and do me a favor and escort Moondancer back to her suite. I know you wanted to speak with her anyway." Busted. I kept my composure and nodded before gesturing to the door for Moondancer. 

Surprisingly, she seemed quite amicable. Given her attitude against other ponies once rivaled even Celestia's book-fort-building perfect princess, it took me a moment to process. "How long have you been my aunt's advisor?" I knew the answer.  

She knew I knew, of course, but she played along. "Only just a few months, Your Highness."  

"And in that time has my aunt ever struck you as the type of pony to hold a garden party?" I asked critically. 

Moondancer remained unfazed. "Don't tell her I spoiled the surprise for you, but she's quite keen on exhibiting a flower that only blooms during the blue moon." 

"Blue moon? I thought that was just an expression." I remarked. 

She shook her head. "The blue moon is when there's the second full moon in the same month. For some reason, this particular flower responds to the extra dosage of moonlight by opening up. Kind of funny when you think of it. The flower's opening up, Luna's opening up." 

Her sense of humor failed to tickle my funny-bone. "We're talking about a mare who avoids social gatherings whenever possible. When was the last time she made a real appearance at the Grand Galloping Gala?" I protested. 

She adjusted her glasses and sighed. "The type of party is what's important. She doesn't like the kind of ponies that Celestia has around her." 

"Well, at least in that regard our feelings are the same. Luna doesn't normally have very many ponies around her." 

"She'll have plenty of help." Moondancer said. 

I flicked my tail in irritation. "I don't know about you, but I'm not exactly great at putting together the kind of party that would make Princess Luna feel comfortable. Is this some pressure from her sister?"  

"It was Luna's idea. We have the Royal Planner taking care of all the details. Lemon Hearts is an old friend. And a new one. Anyway, she'll know the ins and outs of putting an event like this together. I'll make sure that the princess has some time to meet with all three of us so that we can go over the finer details. Oh, and we'll have the other three princesses there as well." 

"Oh joy." I snarked before I could stop myself. 

She glanced at me with some scrutiny. "Princess Twilight is a friend, if I might remind Your Highness." 

"Forgive me if I don't applaud your choice of friends." I huffed.  

Moondancer got ahead and turned to stop me. "Twilight's not like she used to be. She went out of her way to be a better friend to me. What do you have against her?" 

I wasn't prepared for this line of questioning. I walked around her and picked up my pace, leaving my aunt's schedule-maker to scramble after me. "Let's just say I'm not as wowed by Celestia's students as everypony else is. I remember Sunset Shimmer." 

She scrunched her nose. "From what I understand, Sunset changed her ways too. I know it's not easy, especially if you were hurt..." 

"Nothing she could do would hurt me." I said shortly. 

"Then what is your deal? Are you jealous of her position? That she's become an alicorn and passed right over any connection you might have had to the throne?" 

"Don't be petty. Who wants to rule Equestria? That's entirely too much work. Which also describes this party, by the way. I'm sure I'll have to make up for the short-sightedness of this event." 

She made an offended gasp. "You're no the only pony who knows how the two Courts work, Princeling." 

I waved a hoof dismissively and came to a halt outside her door. "Good night, Ms. Moondancer." 

She stood there, staring at me. "Would you like me to open your door?" I offered. 

She shook her head, apparently not ready to say whatever had just crossed her mind. Her indignation slowly melted and something else replaced it. One could almost see the gears turning in her head and it made me quite uncomfortable. Finally, she spoke. "You're not like you used to be either, Blueblood. The prince I heard about wouldn't extend such a courtesy to a lowly commoner." 

Uh-oh. Somepony was reading entirely too much into the situation. "You're my Head of House's seneschal, not some primped up tart chasing after me for my title and my fame. Besides, you're not my type." 

She snorted. "Take it easy there, Cassaneighva. I'm just pointing out that you've grown a soft spot on your prickly hide. Although, I have a few guesses about your type, if I may be so bold." 

I tensed. "Oh? And where would you get any idea as to my type?" 

"I don't have the time or the energy to keep up with the tangled web of lovers you seem to enjoy leaving in your wake. All I will say is if the rumors are true, I wish you the best." 

"Thank you, Ms. Moondancer." I said mechanically. Her words cut me deep, but I wasn't about to let her see that. "But I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about." 

"So you say. Good night, Your Highness." She said smoothly, walking past me and into her suite. 

When I returned to the dining room, Luna sat alone at the head of the table. 

"Before you ask, I sent him home. You and I need to talk about your plans." She began. 

I took a seat. "I'm not planning anything, Your Royal Highness." 

She looked at me sternly. "Oh, I know that quite well, nephew. You have a rather sweet somepony who's very confused at your choices." 

"He told you?" I asked, ears slowly falling. 

She shook her head. "He didn't have to. I could guess. Have you given any thought to the idea that in trying to hide this new flame, you may just extinguish it?" 

"Aunt Luna, I just need some time to steel myself against the tabloid circus that's sure to follow. Joe's never had to deal with the media like this before." 

She raised a brow. "I think he may be more prepared than you give him credit." 

"Please, Your Royal Highness. Let me handle this as best I can." 

She nodded. "Just remember my original advice to you; don't take his feelings for granted. Are you sure you wouldn't like to speak to Cadence. It could be by letter." 

My muzzle twisted in irritation. "No thank you, Your Royal Highness." I said, my tone not as guarded as I would've liked.  

"Cadence and Twilight were not the ones who wronged you." She remarked, to my frustration. 

I let her have it. "You're just full of advice tonight, aren't you? Well, tell you what, I'll give you my own advice. This Moonlit Garden Party will be closely watched by those ponies who don't approve of our second ruler, whether or not they are there to see it. Any slip up is going to stoke their flames against you." 

"I hope it is not as dire as all that." She motioned me closer, lifting a wing and offering me a place beside her. Reluctantly, I pulled my chair closer and allowed her to drape a wing over me. The contact was odd to me, but I did gain a sense of warmth that had nothing to do with the warmth radiating off of Luna.  

"I must admit, I'm quite touched. Let me allay your fears, nephew. I'm a perfectly capable grown pony. And I can handle myself at a party. I learned a lot in Ponyville on the first Nightmare Night after my return." 

I decided to focus on one part of that reassurance. "I wouldn't call them fears. Concerns, maybe." 

She waved a hoof. "Whatever you call it, it shows that you've grown to care for me. 'Tis most pleasant to have earned such affection, my little prince." 

I lowered my head, remembering how I'd treated her before. "I...won't deny that. You aren't anything like your sister, if I may be so bold." 

"I'll allow it, but only when we're alone." Luna replied. I looked up to see her eyes brightening in a smile. "Although I wish that being like my sister was less of a negative to you. I'm still working on fixing things between you." 

"I can't fix anything with her if she doesn't even know things are broken."  

"It won't happen overnight. There's too much hurt for an easy solution. Although I may have an opportunity, if you're interested. Celestia is hosting a dinner with Trenderhoof, the traveling fashion writer." 

"I've read all his articles!" I said excitedly, before I could catch myself. 

She arched a brow. "Indeed? I suppose I should have guessed you had an interest in fashion, what with your notoriety." 

"You mean infamy? And it's not just the fashion that interests me." My eyes widened as I realized how much I was saying. I was too close! My walls were crumbling under this onslaught and I was letting entirely too much of my inner thoughts loose. 

"Oh?" Luna asked, pausing to take a breath and ask the question that would let her into my more private thoughts that I shared with hardly anypony. 

I pushed away inelegantly, scrambling to my hooves. Luna retracted her wing, alarmed by the sudden movement. "Are you okay?" 

"We're getting off-topic. I may be a bit...sweet on you, but personal feelings aside I'm very concerned about how this event will play out to improve your public image. You may have been very lucky in Ponyville, all things considered. That place is known for a surplus of friendliness and it's only more-so now that the Princess of Friendship lives there. Canterlot is a different place and the nobles of the city are even more removed from such quaintness. I fully expect to be subjected to a night of running about putting out fires, and I'll have you know I resent working above everything else." 

She smiled infuriatingly. "If there is anything I can do to make your job easier, my prince, I'm sure you won't hesitate..." 

I lifted my snout. "Too right! I'll need to see the guest list as soon as possible. I'll also need to be able to disinvite any of the more troublesome characters that wound up with an invitation." 

She shrugged. "You may see the list. Any 'disinvitations' must have my approval, of course." 

"Of course." I agreed. "Good night, aunt." 

"Good night, sweet prince."  

I scowled at her, only succeeding in eliciting a grin from my dear aunt. 



*** 



"Would you go with me?" I asked Joe as he rushed around the kitchen to fill a big order. I'd offered to help, but apparently it was a very important client and he wanted to personally make sure it was perfect. 

Joe paused and turned to me with a bag of frosting in one hoof. "Uh, I'm catering for Luna's moonlit garden party, if you hadn't heard. So, I'll definitely be there." He went back to work on the order. 

I sighed. "No, let me back up. Would you go with me to this dinner Celestia's throwing for Trenderhoof? I could use the support and I'll need somepony to pull me away from the writer before I make a fool of myself."  

Joe snorted. "Wouldn't taking me as your date kind of tip of everypony to us being...us? Like, as in 'a couple?'" He sounded a touch bitter, but it was hard to tell with him facing away from me. 

I buried my head in my hooves. "Ugh! I forgot about that. Can't I have my problems one at a time?" 

"Sorry, sweet bun, life doesn't work that way." Joe said helpfully. 

I turned a blank expression his way, belatedly remembering he couldn't see me. "Thanks for your encouragement." 

"Isn't there any other pony who would go with you?" Joe asked. 

It was my turn to snort. "I don't know if you've heard, but I'm not exactly known for ending relationships on a good note." 

"Well, who haven't you dated or offended in Luna's court?" He asked as he placed a half dozen freshly-frosted donuts in a box. He picked up a can of pickled beets, one of his favorite treats, and looked around.  

"Luna's court is tiny. It's mostly older married mares and widows. Well, and Fancy Pants, but he's married." I explained. Spotting the can-opener beside me, I casually hid it behind my back. 

Joe turned around, surveying the counter-space. "Didn't she get a young new advisor recently?" 

I pointed at myself with my free hoof. "Yeah, me. I'm not keen on going all by my lonesome." 

"No, a mare. Moonprancer? Dunedancer?" He asked as he starting looking through drawers. 

"Moondancer?" I practically shouted in surprise.  

He popped his head up from around the island counter. "What? Why not?" 

I thought it over for a moment. "Actually, that may be a good idea. You're sure you won't mind that I'm not taking you?" 

Joe gently shoved me away from the drawers I'd been leaning on. "Until you feel comfortable with us being public, I guess it'll work. Just don't fall for her feminine charms." 

"I assure you, the one with the most charm is me." I said, sneaking a kiss onto his snout before giving him the can-opener. 

"And so humble, too."