When the reception wound down, Silver collected her herd and moved to withdraw to more private areas. She had done her best to smile through the day, but she was an introvert, and it was time to recharge. Twilight seemed to have little objection to the idea, and followed along with Night and Fast and Tumble. As they walked, Tumble moved up beside Fast and whispered something in an ear, gesturing away with his head.
Fast snickered softly. "Hey, guys. I'm going to do some 'private celebration' with Rough." He nudged Tumble. "And you need to learn to stop whispering. We're all family here." Tumble nodded with a flush, but didn't speak up. Soon they had trotted off together.
Night watched them go before looking to Twilight and Silver. "We really should consider that attack."
Silver brought a hoof to her head. "How did I forget that? Today's been a huge rush of things. Did they find anything?"
Twilight held up a hoof. "I don't really want to talk about that right now. Unless they found something we need to deal with right this instant? I'm going to our room and crashing."
Night nodded towards Twilight. "Crashing it is."
They found their room was already occupied by the solar half of the rulers of Equestria. Celestia smiled gently at them as they entered. "I hope I haven't come at a bad time."
Twilight sagged a little, and Silver spoke up, "Twilight's drained from a hectic day."
Celestia's horn lit and she gently picked up Twilight, bringing her over to the bed. "My darling little pony. You did a very brave thing today. I'm uncertain how well it will work, but I'm very proud of you." She tucked Twilight in carefully. "They will be rushing in a panic to be certain your 'circle' doesn't escape their control, but, for a little while, we have peace. Now, you must explain it to me. I agreed to join it out of faith for you, dear Twilight, but what is it I've joined?"
Twilight snuggled into the covers a moment with closed eyes, looking ready to forget the world before she reluctantly opened an eye and looked towards the rest of us. "We're married, in a sense. It's a separate bond than a herd or simple marriage, as it must be. We don't even live in the same place. But we are familiar with one another, with most of the legal rights and obligations that go with it."
Celestia spread her wings. "Then we are wives? I..." She trailed off uncertainly a moment, glancing to Silver and Night, then back to Twilight. "How far does this go?"
Silver trotted up to the bed and hopped onto it. "Princess Celestia, will you join us?"
Celestia smiled radiantly and nodded her head. "I would like that very much." She slid onto the bed carefully as Night approached on the opposite end. Soon all four were snuggled together. Twilight squeaked as Celestia allowed a hoof to wander. "Are you too tired to enjoy our first evening together?"
Twilight went scarlet and gave a stiff shake of her head. "N-No! Of course not. Please... continue."
Night chuckled softly as she embraced Silver and held her close. "She sounds like she's taking an exam."
Celestia perked an ear and drew Twilight closer. "You've already gotten an A, Twilight Sparkle. Be yourself. That's all I ask."
"Myself is terrified," said Twilight with dubious grammar. "But also excited... Do you really want to be together like this?"
Celestia answered with a soft press of lips together, kissing Twilight in a lingering exchange. "One thing." Celestia drew away from the kiss to speak. "We will be together as mares. I have little interest in your magically-fabricated parts at this time. Perhaps later... When I am certain all preparations are complete, we will see about making history."
Twilight's ears went up and alert. "Make history? What do y--" She was silenced with a new kiss, and they began to snuggle with a new energy. Twilight's embarrassment melted into building passion as Celestia showed her affection in the most direct way she knew.
Night softly nibbled along Silver's ear as she whispered into it. "That is more stimulating than I thought it'd be. Unlike Celestia, I do want your 'fabricated parts'. Up for it?"
Silver rolled over on top of Night, and the evening was spent with the entire herd expressing love or at least affection in their various ways. For the time being, the troubles of the day were distant and forgotten.
The next morning found them all curled in bed. Fast had snuck in sometime after they had fallen asleep. As Twilight and Silver slipped from bed, the others began to awaken as well. Celestia spread her wings wide as she stretched. "As lovely as that was, duty calls. Bound or not, I must return to Canterlot. Twilight, Silver, take care of each other." With a flash of golden light, she was gone.
Fast stuck out his tongue. "As if they'd do anything else. I'm starved, anypony else?"
Twilight raised a hoof. "I agree with that sentiment. While we take care of that, Night, catch us up."
They all moved as a herd towards the kitchen as Night began her explanation. "They determined the attacker was killed remotely. His mouth was full of some kind of poison. He either used it on himself as a suicide, or somepony set it up for him to remove a witness. Can't really say." She adjusted her glasses nervously. "At least I didn't kill him. I didn't train for years in take-downs to accidentally crush a pony's spine or something. Whoever arranged that attack didn't want to be tracked."
Silver snorted softly. "It wasn't much of an attack. I think they were sending a message more than actually trying to kill us."
Twilight nodded. "I find myself agreeing. That magic attack was fierce, but not that powerful. If somepony wanted to attack all the alicorns at once and have a chance of success, they'd surely send more than that. Nice reaction time, by the way. You really have that shield spell down pat."
Silver smiled at the compliment. "I've practiced it a lot. A good shield gives you a moment to think."
Twilight fired a sudden blast at Silver, only for it to be absorbed in an abrupt silver bubble. "Hmm, you weren't kidding. It's a shame we have to worry about that kind of thing at all."
Silver leaned over and nuzzled Twilight. "I would be helpless before your overwhelming magic."
Twilight burst into a nervous laughter. "Only you could make an admission of weakness sound like that."
Fast smiled brightly. "That sounded like someone still has a submissive streak."
Silver shrugged. "Maybe I do. There's a time and place. I'll gladly offer my belly to my herd. The rest of the world can suck it."
Night raised a wing. "My turn for breakfast."
"Too late." Spike poked his head out of the kitchen. "Me and Jake are already whipping up a special celebration breakfast for the coronation. Sit down and it'll be ready soon." He gave a thumbs up and vanished from sight.
Silver nodded towards the door. "That was rather nice of him. I really need to spend a moment with Spike. I've been ignoring him and he deserves better."
Twilight nodded, looking a little guilty. "That goes double for me."
Night tilted her head. "There's a comic convention coming to Manehattan soon. You could take him there?"
Twilight's expression brightened. "That's a perfect idea! He loves his comics so much." She clopped her hooves. "Want to come with?"
They nodded, though Fast shook his head. "Pass. I'll hold down the fort here. I was never that into that kind of thing."
Breakfast was plentiful and delicious. With full bellies, Night and Fast moved off for their duty at the road, with Rough Tumble following behind.
Twilight leaned forward towards Spike with a smile. "Spike. You've been a very good assistant lately."
Spike looked a little guarded, but nodded. "Number one assistant, happy to serve."
Twilight pointed to Manehatten. "How would my favorite assistant like to go to Manehattan Comicpalooza?"
Spike's expression turned to excited joy. "Boy would I?! I heard Jeju Romita was going to be there!"
Twilight smiled warmly. "Then we'll just have to go see him, because we're taking you."
Spike pumped a fist. "Yes!" He hopped to his feet. "I have to get ready!" He went dashing for the stairs.
Twilight reminded him in a shout as he went. "It's not today, Spike!" Spike's enthusiasm was not impeded, and he soon vanished into the depths of the castle.
Silver smiled at the dragon's happiness. "Looks like we found the right gift."
Twilight bobbed her head. "I don't see him quite that happy often. Say, this'll be your first time in Manehattan since we first met, isn't it?"
Silver nodded as she adopted a thoughtful expression, thinking back to her adventures in Manehattan. "Those were amazing times. Hectic, but amazing. I was at BipedCon."
Twilight snorted gently. "Of course you were. A perfect place for a human to go, really. Well this time, maybe less adventure, and we can just have a good time?"
Silver held up her hooves. "I'm not looking for adventure, but I feel I should point out it may come looking for us. We don't know who wanted to send that message, but I received it loudly enough." She reached up then and lightly tapped the silver crown on her head. "That reminds me, should I wear this everywhere?"
Twilight shrugged. "You don't see my crown on. Unless we're doing official business, it's not required."
Silver lifted her crown with magic and set it on the table in front of her. "Have you considered replacing the jewel in your tiara?"
Twilight considered a moment before shaking her head. "It doesn't feel right. That spot was for the Element, not some fake jewel."
Silver tilted her head. "Is this out of... respect? The Element won't mind, and you can always pop out whatever jewel you put in. It just looks empty."
Twilight frowned a little. "Maybe I am being silly about it. I'll consider. No promises. Now, about today."
"Yes, let us speak of today." Silver and Twilight jumped and spun to face Luna who wasn't there a moment before. "There is one member of the herd that has not expressed welcome."
Twilight perked an ear, but realization came to her swiftly enough. "Oh! Uh... I'm not going to stop you from spending time with Silver or Night if that's what you're here for, Luna."
Luna leaned forward at Twilight. "You will tolerate my presence?"
Twilight cringed. "I didn't mean it like that."
Silver moved up to Luna and Twilight, squirming her way between them. "One of our first romantic times together, we were gazing at your stars, Luna."
Luna colored faintly under her dark fur. "You jest!"
Twilight nodded quickly. "It's true. I've always had a telescope handy. Your nights are breathtaking and full of mystery."
Luna's cold expression warmed to a smile. "Those are kind words of my creation, but what of me?"
Twilight squirmed. "I'm not used to holding you in that light. I'm not... against it? But I'm not for it yet either? Can we let it develop over time?"
Luna gave a firm nod. "That is a very reasonable request. Time is something I have. Patience, on the other hoof..." She reached out and snagged Silver, pulling her closer. "I desire your company."
Silver squeaked, but it turned into a laugh. "That's not a romantic way of asking for it."
Luna tilted her head a little. "As the stars twinkle, so does my love burn for thee. Come, my wayward lover, we shall make those motes grow green with jealousy for the heat of our passion."
Silver went red quickly. "Oh..."
Twilight had a very similar reaction, then realization hit her. She vanished only to appear again in an instant, holding a book. "You wrote this!"
Luna looked to the book, penned by one 'Mistress de Lune'. "Ah, yes. That was quite some time ago."
Twilight's wings spread. "Some time ago doesn't begin to describe! This book's been in circulation since before your banishment. I didn't know you wrote romantic prose."
Luna reached a hoof and gently ran it through Twilight's mane. "Long have romantic fools gazed to my sky and sung their words of longing. That I was one myself should be of little surprise."
There's no need to capitalize "circle" there.
Change "n.no" to "n-no."
She embraced Silver and "held her close."
She has little interest in her "magically-fabricated" parts.
They were sending a "signal." Signs are something you read, whereas signals are something you send.
Don't capitalize "in" there.
Princess Luna; one of Equestria's most celebrated classical roman authors. Though it seems she wrote under a pseudonym.
5951529 All fixed! Thanks kindly.
It seems the 'circle' is coming into play right away, though not every link in the chain is on the table just yet.
I'm curious how the herd and the circle are supposed to interact? I don't think Twilight's membership in the heard has been made official yet, though it's obvious she's in unofficially. Night/Luna is almost certain to be a thing as well, as will Fast/Luna even though it's unlikely Luna will actually join the herd in any further sense.
Glad to see Silver/Luna finally free to be together again, but Silver/'Tia promises to be a very interesting read.
5951551 They have odd blood between them, for sure.
5951550 Well, I feel a bit chagrined for not considering the more obvious explanation regarding that pony that attacked the alicorns; when your first thought is "undead puppet" and not "suicide attacker," you know you consume way too much fantasy. Still, it seems that someone wants the ponies to know that they're out there, and that they're going to actively work against them. That's...not very smart; why declare your existence, even obliquely, before you're ready to make a move? Unless whomever is behind that attack isn't that smart - which is possible, but is implied to not be likely - then there has to be some secondary objective behind what happened. But what? What's to be gained from causing a commotion during Silver's coronation? If they can figure that out, then they might have their first clue.
That said, it was nice to see the herd spending time amongst themselves. I was a little surprised by Celestia and Twilight both, for several reasons. For one thing, I'd have thought that they'd want some privacy, rather than doing it right in front of Night and Silver - marriage is nice, but it doesn't make Twilight any less shy or awkward. That said, I suspect that she's at least somewhat relieved to be having sex as a mare for a change. While she still strikes me as heterosexual, at least this doesn't require her to transgress her sexual identity, so it's a step in the right direction. On that note, I'm going to simply guess that Celestia is comfortable with loving mares or stallions alike after being alive for so long, since her self-indulgent dream had a handsome stallion in it.
Of course, it's not like things are going to stay that way. Twilight may not have had a chance to focus on the meaning, but Celestia was quite clear about "making history," in that she wants to see if two alicorns can have little alicorns all their own. The only real question is who would act as the stallion...but I suspect that it'd be Twilight, since Celestia was phrasing that with regards to her, rather than herself (e.g. "your magically-fabricated parts"). Oh Twilight, you'll be a father twice over before you've ever had a stallion inside you.
It was a little surprising that Luna wasn't part of that night's festivities. Presumably she was busy with watching over the nighttime hours...that and she didn't want to be anywhere nearby when her sister was having sex. Still, I'm a little surprised how guarded she's being around Twilight; it honestly seems like Luna's trying to figure out what her "territory" is...or perhaps a better way of putting it would be that she's trying to figure out the power dynamics of the new relationship. After all, the last time she was with her herd, she was unquestionably the one in charge (declarations of equality with Night notwithstanding), but now she has Twilight to contend with for Silver's affection, and Twilight is far from being the same kind of pushover.
Of course, Silver isn't a pushover any longer either, and I think that they may need to make some effort to avoid falling back into bad habits. Of course, that probably doesn't hold true for Night, since she admitted that she was still dreaming of Luna holding her down and showing her who's in charge. Which I suspect is what's about to happen...
5951551 You bring up an interesting point. I'd figured that the herd was going to be dissolved in favor of the circle, but that might not necessarily be the case. Could the circle be for alicorns only, whereas the herd is a more "traditional" marriage? Would it be legal to belong to both at the same time? You can bet the nobles will be moving on these sorts of questions immediately.
surprises are every ware.
I guess my numbers ware way off I tack mu defeat humble.
not a true herd but to gather all the same a legal loophole it keeps the nobles happy and everypony that matters can be together.
and Celestia who ever guessed you ware that much in love with Twilight. and then to offer her a chance to allow her to be your stallion and to even go as fare as. well a quote is needed here.
"We will be together as mares. I have little interest in your magically-fabricated parts at this time. Perhaps later... When I am certain all preparations are complete, we will see about making history."
Harts Fire
Another edit:
That opening quotation mark should be a double, not a single.
5951604 And Spike gets to go to a comic convention, score for Spike!
The expanded herd's dynamics are very much in flux. What is Celestia to Silver and vice versa. What is Luna to Twilight. Luna and Celestia are pretty set on 'nope' towards each other, and Celestia clearly desires Twilight's attention. They have declared their unity, and they are likely to stand together on political matters, but matters of the heart have plenty of room for friction, and not always the good kind.
It is set that they will not be any sort of 'traditional' family, what with them not even living together, but the freedom to love is a powerful freedom. Luna is likely to use her dream ability to visit her distant family when her duties allow her.
5951663 Fixed!
5951618
Well at least in terms of actual sex and personal relationships, clearly the herd is still a thing. And Twilight and Silver are still very much a part of it. Legalities are another question, and I agree the nobles are likely to stick their noses in deep.
5951697
Poor spike.. his token inclusion here kind of highlights how much he has been ignored by the story series, something which I understand to be unfortunately super common in fanfics. On the plus side, it looks like he's set up to be a huge part of at least a few chapters coming up soon, so yay! Looking forward to you giving him some real spotlight.
Another good chapter
5951734 Fics? Well, we're just being true to the source material. #wentthere.
It's been so long since I last read this story. Hope ya missed me bitches.
5952085 well actually this is my first time commenting so you wouldn't know me.
Whaaat I see many comments of my own here but I didn't put them.
Fuckin hackers if I ever met them I would want to shove a chainsaw down his throat rip it out his ass and slap him with his stomach
5952104 fuck I must be infected with a rage disease.
5952111 that's extreme even for me
Pœtætœß
5951604
Are undead even a confirmed 'real' thing in MLP?
I can find references to zombies that seem about as real as in our world, but haven't seen any sign they exist in universe.
Twilestia ftw
5965333 futatwilunestiance ftw.
5952226 Now you have French hacking you trying to sell you potatoes "Want fries with that¿"
5952530 They exist in the cursed catacombs under the sisters castle deep in Everfree.
Want nightmares read this https://www.fimfiction.net/story/60514/into-the-depths
And it's sequel https://www.fimfiction.net/story/142356/from-the-depths (this one is a little tamer)
it sounds better with were instead of was but that's just me you can change it if you want
8510846
Rephased!