Gosling tried to strut as he made his way into the dining room, but his body was too heavy and clunky. He had slept for too long, which was just as bad, if not worse, than going without sleep. The best he could muster was a sexy shuffle, or at least what he thought was a sexy shuffle, but what he was really doing was looking like a drunken colt who needed to pee.
Looking around, he saw his family gathered for breakfast. Yes, his family. The only pony missing was his mother. He wondered if his mother would make the return trip home with Cadance and Shining Armor, and the thought crossed his mind that he wanted to see her. He would have to do that at some point today, if he could get the chance.
The long sleep had done him a little good though. His ears felt fine, at least at the moment, and the only pain in his stomach was that of hunger. Seeing Celestia caused him to feel a little flustered, which caused the feathers on his wings to fluff out. His vanity suggested that they needed preening.
“Hey,” Gosling said as he strode through the room. “Funny story… I was just in the princess’ room and these words were said, ‘Hey, think you could rub this until the swelling goes away?’” Beside Gosling, Luna stopped in place and rolled her one visible eye as the ponies gathered around the table began to snigger, snort, and chortle. “Only problem is, it was Luna that said it.”
Still rolling her eye, Luna shook her head and went to be seated as Gosling stood near the table, a broad, coltish grin upon his face as he looked at Celestia. It was obvious to any observer that he was in love, a mad, crazy sort of love, reckless love, the sort of love that caused wars, uprisings, and severed ears delivered with a side of bad poetry.
It was Cadance’s favourite flavour of love.
“You…” Gosling stared at Celestia. “I have something to say to you.” His voice was cultured, refined, but just a bit groggy still. His ears pitched forwards, angling out over his eyes, and the flats of his ears pivoted forwards. He was unaware that doing this elevated Celestia’s heart rate. “I have something very important to say to you.”
“Perhaps you’d like to say it sitting down,” Celestia said as her eyes darted to the empty seat beside her.
“Nope.” Gosling’s wings flapped against his sides a few times as his tail flicked about.
“Fine then, say what’s on your mind,” Celestia said to Gosling in a low voice.
As he stood there, his mouth went dry and he licked his lips. He glanced over at Seville, he was sitting beside little Flurry, who appeared to be sleeping in her high chair with a half filled bowl in front of her. He looked at Cadance for a second, as if hoping for some silent support, and then he looked into Celestia’s eyes.
Those eyes.
It was dangerous looking into those eyes and he got distracted for just a second. After recovering, he cleared his throat and said, “Look, I know that you’re broke and you ain’t got no money”—How Gosling said this with a straight face, nopony knew—“but that’s okay and I’m willing to overlook that. I understand living through hard times. I still love you and want to be with you. There is only one thing I want from you—”
“And that is?” Celestia asked in a voice of eager anticipation as a smile lurked around her muzzle.
“Well,” Gosling replied, his accent shifting, “See, I was thinkin’ ‘bout turning you into a housewife, but yous gonna be a sexy housewife. No curlers in your mane, I don’t think those would work for yous anyway, and I don’t want no ratty housecoats.” He blinked, then added, “And no smoking. That’s bad for the foals and it makes yous face all saggy and wrinkly and I can’t have that.”
Blueblood’s cheeks bulged as he tried to swallow his laughter and he let out a half-strangled snort. Raven whacked him a good one to keep him from choking. Shining Armor bit down upon his lip and Cadance, sitting between him and Flurry Heart, had a serene smile of love upon her face.
“I’m getting the brandy,” Luna grumbled as she got up from the table.
Celestia said nothing as she began snickering and her eyes darted over to her sister, who was off to find a liquor cabinet. The princess’ ears perked and her bright, merry eyes returned to Gosling, who was at his best when he was at his worst. The prancy pegasus shifted on his hooves.
“I love you. I think I understand what is expected of me. At least, I have a better idea of it now. I’ve done a lot of growing up in the past few weeks. I’ve seen some stuff. I have a better idea of what it is I want to do with my life. And more than anything, I want to spend my life with you.” Gosling bowed his head and all of his pride fell away. He stood there, somehow looking humble, and his ears drooped down to the sides of his face.
“I will do my best as a prince. I will serve the ponies of Equestria in whatever capacity that I am capable of.” Gosling drew in a deep breath and then continued, “But that is my secondary duty… my first duty is to you… I want to see you happy. I want to make you happy.”
Celestia’s eyelids appeared heavy as she gave Gosling an affectionate stare. “What am I going to do with you, Gosling?”
“Well, I could think of a few things to do after we are married—”
“Not in front of Flurry!” Shining Armor said in a firm voice.
Reaching out a wing, Cadance shushed her husband. “Gosling, it makes me happy to hear you say this. While you were sleeping, there was a lot of discussion… Seville and I had a very long talk.”
“About what?” Gosling asked.
“About what you said,” Cadance replied, “reminding ponies that they love their princesses. Making them feel love for their princesses.” She looked around the table, eyeing the ponies around her, and then returned her attention to Gosling. “For too many, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are the unreachable alicorn princesses that live at the top of the Canterhorn mountain. I think that most ponies have forgotten that the sisters are also ponies.”
There was a nod from Celestia as Gosling’s eyebrow arched.
“We’re going to show the ponies of Equestria that Celestia and Luna are ponies just like them. We’re going to invite the ponies of Equestria to be guests in Canterlot castle—”
“What?” Gosling asked.
“—and we’re going to give them a glimpse into your personal lives.” Cadance rose from her seat and took a step closer to Gosling. “Seville is going to follow you around. He’s going to take pictures. He’s going to capture you on film, moments when you are at your best and at your worst. We’re going to put your lives on film, starting from your engagement party and your wedding.”
“Cadance… I…”
“I’m also investing in some movie cameras. We’re going to document Celestia’s pregnancy and birth and we’re going to show the ponies of Equestria that she’s just like them… a pony.” Cadance, now near Gosling, reached out and touched him with her wing. “We’re going to show them those special moments that the two of you have, those loving moments. What I am hoping for is that if the ponies of Equestria see your lives in detail, they will feel as though they are a part of them… perhaps even feel as though they are part of the family. And I hope this will change the dynamic.”
“That’s actually a pretty good idea,” Gosling said. “They should see how Celestia frets over them and how much she loves them.”
“Yes.” Cadance nodded. “I think you get it.”
A sly look appeared upon Gosling’s face. “Say… Cadance… if we’re gonna show Celestia’s pregnancy, how about we film the conception?”
“That’s a good idea,” Cadance replied without a moment of hesitation. “Of course, for something like that, I should be there in pony, offering advice and tips. I think you might need a little coaching, Gosling, seeing as how you haven’t had much practice. We wouldn’t want anypony thinking that their prince is a two-pump-chump. The prince would be expected to be a stud in the eyes of his subjects.”
“Uh…” Gosling said as his cheeks blazed with embarrassment, “on second thought, some things should remain private.” He heard Celestia giggling and he could not meet her eyes, nor could he look at Cadance either. His wings fidgeted against his sides and he felt far too warm.
“Auntie has already graciously agreed to all of this. I still need to talk to Luna… she’s a bit more private.” Cadance looked around, but of Luna, there was no sign. She returned her attention to Gosling. “You had the right idea Gosling, but wanted to go about it the wrong way. I think that Celestia and Luna are far too removed from most of their subjects. In the Crystal Empire, I can interact with most of my subjects, as it is a relatively small place. I can walk the streets and my little ponies see me out and about on my daily activities. They know that Shining Armor and I are flesh and blood that walks among them, not just two all-powerful figureheads that live on top of a mountain, out of reach.”
Gosling eyed Celestia. “You really want to do this?”
For a brief second, Celestia stuck out her tongue at Gosling, then replied, “Sure, I’d love to film the conception.”
“Yous a dirty girl.” Gosling’s eyes narrowed and his tail flicked from side to side.
“Yes, I am willing to do this,” Celestia said to Gosling. “I think it is a good idea. Cadance has a point… I can remember when Equestria was small enough that I could walk among my subjects and be a part of their lives. Now, ponies know my name, but they don’t know me. I wish to reconnect to my ponies, Gosling… and I want them to be a part of our lives… a part of our family.”
“So… we take pictures and we make movies and then what?” Gosling asked.
“We release some photos to the newspapers and we distribute the films as documentaries in the theatre,” Cadance replied. “However, for the bulk of the photos, I think we should distribute them in albums that ponies can buy and the funds collected can go to charity, like with the ever-so-popular princess colas.”
“That’s a cause that I can get behind.” Gosling, now serious looking, stood in place, his wings still fidgeting, and his brow was furrowed from concentration. “We have to treat this in the right way… we have to invite them into our home… and this is going to be a major undertaking.”
“Yes it will.” Celestia leaned over in her chair.
“You won my aunt over with charm.” Cadance turned to look at Celestia, then turned back to face Gosling. “That same charm could be used to win over the ponies of Equestria. I know it sounds corny, but ponies really do love storybook romance, trust me, I know, and we can give them that. You can give them that. You can be the storybook prince, come to sweep the princess off of her hooves.”
“And we’ll get the ever after on film,” Gosling replied, cottoning on. “Ponies will be a lot more sympathetic if they see Celestia as a stressed out mom covered in spit up and cryin’ into her bowl of oatmeal.”
“Ah, the joys of motherhood,” Celestia said to herself and her words came out as a sigh.
“And we have to make sure that everything is real.” Gosling’s eyes narrowed and his ears pivoted around. “We have to strive for sincerity. This can’t be canned or done for sensationalism. I think it is important for ponies to see the boring parts of our day, like paperwork or the other drudgery we have to endure.”
“Hmm.” Cadance’s head began to bob up and down.
“I have returned with brandy, the delicious breakfast liquor.” Luna paused in the doorway with a half empty bottle of brandy held in her telekinesis. “Did I miss something?”
“Yeah, Luna, we was all just talking about filming Celestia and me making foals so all of Equestria could watch,” Gosling replied. “Cadance offered to be my coach so I’m not a two-pump-chump.”
Blinking, Luna stared at Gosling for a moment with no expression on her swollen, misshapen, battered face. She then lifted the bottle of brandy to her lips, tipped it back, and drained it all down. She smacked her puffy lips, winced in pain, then shuddered from the brandy burn.
“‘Tis a pity, there is not enough liquor in the world,” Luna said in a soft voice as she turned to leave. “I am going to go and… what is the modern colloquialism? Get hammered?” Shaking her head, muttering, Luna limped away and took her empty bottle of brandy with her as she went off to once again raid the liquor cabinet.
Gosling took a single step to follow Luna, then stopped. In a loud, clear voice he cried, “Luna, wait… we need to talk about what you and I are going to do on film together! As the Princess of the Night, do you want top or bottom billing? You can be on top if you want to!”