Interlude II: Regrets
Princess Celestia stood quietly beside the window in her private chambers. Her eyes scanned the dark horizon, and a frown covered her face. She grabbed the crown on her head and gently set it aside. The wind from the night sky blew her hair out behind her, and the princess closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Change is coming…” she whispered to herself.
A soft knock came from the door behind her. Celestia turned quickly to see a timid mare poking her head into the room. The princess smiled and used her magic to gently open the door. “What is it, Gem?”
“Oh!” The green mare jumped. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Princess! Your sister is outside, and she wants to speak to you!”
“This late? Interesting. Let her know that I will be right out to see her.” Celestia picked up her crown and placed it back on her head.
“You don’t want to talk to her in your room, Highness?” Gem asked.
“No, I don’t think so. I feel like stretching my legs for a bit.” Celestia nodded. “Thank you, Miss Petal.”
“Of course, Princess.” The mare bowed herself out, and Celestia frowned again.
After a moment of straightening her mane, Celestia walked toward the door and confidently strode into the corridor. She turned to her right to see her sister standing against the wall. Her face was a stony mask, and Celestia raised an eyebrow.
“Luna! I wasn’t expecting you at this hour. I thought that you would be busy,” Celestia pulled her sister into a hug. Luna returned the embrace robotically, and Celestia pulled away.
“I’m sorry to wake you, Sister.” Luna nodded without making eye contact. “I just needed to talk.”
“Oh, I wasn’t sleeping. You did not wake me,” Celestia replied. “Come, let us walk.”
The two princesses slowly walked down the long hallway. Celestia glanced at her sister out of the corner of her eye. Luna’s mane was frazzled, her crown was crooked, and her eyes were red, as if she’d been crying.
“Luna, what’s wrong?” Celestia asked after a few moments of walking.
“I…” Luna sighed. “I think I have made a mistake, Sister.”
Celestia cocked her head to the side. “What happened?”
Luna pursed her lips. They kept walking, and Celestia bit back her words. She of all ponies knew that Luna had to choose to open up on her own.
The hallway slowly curved rightward as their stroll continued, and the walls changed from being lined with beautiful curtains and tapestries to instead featuring numerous suits of magnificent armor. The soft red carpet ended, making a transition into an ancient hardwood floor. Celestia had always loved the old part of the castle and had never thought it necessary to change the decorations. The floors had been replaced after a fire, but the suits of armor were all original. The ceiling rose high into the air, and the smell of old books filled their nostrils. They were approaching the library.
“I talked to my friend tonight,” Luna finally muttered.
“Oh, that’s good.” Celestia carefully kept her tone neutral.
“He… he told me his name today.”
Celestia bit back a frown. She stayed silent and waited for Luna to continue.
“I thought I was ready, Tia. I really did…”
Glancing over at her sister, Celestia saw the glimmer of tears running down her face.
“But I wasn’t.” The Princess of the Night, co-ruler of the greatest nation of Equus, sobbed in the silent hallway. “I’m a coward, Tia.”
Celestia stopped walking and held out a wing to halt her sister. “Hey, come here.” She pulled the other alicorn into a hug.
Luna clung to her like a lifeline. “T-Tia. He told me his n-name, and I t-tried to t-tell him mine.”
Celestia ran a hoof through her sister’s hair. “It’s okay…”
“No, it isn’t! I lied to him!”
Celestia sighed, and Luna shook from her sobs.
“He trusted me, and I lied to him! I was scared, so scared! I made sure I was ready. I waited, but when the moment came, I just… I…”
“You couldn’t do it?” Celestia whispered.
“Yes,” Luna replied. “I just couldn’t do it.”
“What did you say?”
Luna wiped the tears from her eyes. “I t-told him my name was Starry Skies. He said that it was a pretty name, and we just kept playing. I wanted to throw up. I wanted to run away. So I told him that I had to go early for the night, and I…” Luna sniffed. “I jumped onto my bed and I cried. I just kept crying.”
Celestia felt her sister pull away from her. “Luna…”
“I’m ashamed of myself. I’m supposed to be a princess, and I’m afraid of my own name…”
“Luna…”
“I just wanted to get to know him, to make a real friend.”
“Luna.”
“But now I’ve ruined it! How could he ever—”
“Luna!” Celestia said forcefully. Her sister shook herself and looked at Celestia with wet eyes. “You made a mistake. It’s not the end of the world.”
Sniffing, Luna shook her head. She gazed at the floor. “But it is the end of our friendship…”
“No, it isn’t.”
Luna looked back up. “How? I lied to him, terribly.”
“It’s not too late,” Celestia said. “You can tell him that you were scared and then let him know who you really are.”
“What?”
Celestia smiled. “Luna, I’m sure he knows that everypony makes mistakes. He’s surely made some of his own before. Just tell him who you are, and it’ll be okay.”
“But… But…” Luna stammered.
“But what?”
“But I’m still scared, Tia! I don’t want to ruin our friendship. How could he be friends with a princess? Some ponies think we are goddesses! We’re larger than life. How can you talk to that? How could you be friends with that?”
“So, instead of taking a risk that he might not accept you the way you are, you make him accept you for something that you aren’t. How is that better?” Celestia asked.
Luna thought for a moment before responding. “Because...” she began. “Because this way, he’d at least accept me at all.”
Celestia’s head fell. “I understand, Luna.”
Luna stomped her hoof. “It’s stupid, I know, but I can’t lose him! He’s the only pony besides you whom I can actually talk to! If he rejects me, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“Luna, I understand. I may not agree, but I understand. And I want to help you.”
Her sister wiped away another tear. “Y-you do?”
“Of course.” Celestia smiled. “That’s what sisters are for.”
Luna shakily returned the smile. “Th-thank you, Tia.”
“But first, we need to make a plan. You can’t hide yourself from him forever. You’ll need to tell him eventually.”
Luna’s head fell once more. “I know. I know.”
“So, let’s decide when you’ll tell him.” Celestia pushed her mane out of her eyes. “How well do you really know him?”
“Not well,” Luna replied, “but he’s coming to Canterlot in a few days, and I’m going to be meeting him for dinner.”
Celestia’s eyes widened in shock. “So you are meeting in person?”
“Yes.” Luna sighed. “That’s why I panicked so badly about my name.”
Celestia stroked her chin thoughtfully. “How long will he be in town?”
“I’m not sure. I think he’ll be here for a week or two.”
Celestia nodded slowly. “Okay, how about this? You meet up with him a few times and get to know him better. See what he likes. What does he do? What are his hobbies? Then, take him to visit the castle. I’d like to see him in person.” Celestia smiled. “Then, if you’re becoming friends quickly, you can tell him. He’d be surprised, but he might understand after you explain to him why you were so afraid.”
“Great,” Luna said. “Now I have to lie to him, only to justify it.”
“You could just tell him right away,” Celestia replied. “That would be the best course of action.”
Luna shook her head. “No, I’d just scare him away…”
“Very well then, Sister. Though, you’re only putting off the inevitable.”
“I know…” Luna muttered. “Okay, I can do what you said, but I may need your help.”
“Whatever you need, I’m here for you.” Celestia smiled at her sister.
“Thanks, Tia.” This time, Luna initiated the hug. “You’re the best sister I could have ever asked for.”
“As are you, Luna. As are you.” Celestia nuzzled the side of her head. The two pulled apart, and Celestia cocked her head sideways. “By the way, what day is he coming to town? Is it the same day that the griffon delegates are arriving?”
Luna thought for a moment, and then she nodded her head. “I believe so. Why?”
Celestia chuckled. “Oh, just because fate is amusing.”
Luna shook her head. “Bah. I’m not so sure what I think about fate any more.”
“Fate is what you make of it,” Celestia said, “but I cannot help but think this is no coincidence.”
“Maybe, maybe not.” Luna pursed her lips, and then she shook herself. “But anyways, I shouldn’t take up any more of your time.”
“Time with you is always worth it, Luna. I spent far too long with you taking up none of my time. I love these moments.” Celestia stood up straight. “Although, I would enjoy them more if there was less deception involved.” She winked at Luna.
Luna chuckled. “I love you too, Sis. Good night.”
“Good night, Luna.” The sisters hugged yet again, and then they walked off in opposite directions. Thought after thought ran through Celestia’s mind, and she sighed once more.
She came back to her room and slowly opened the door. The moonlight still filtered through the window, and her bed beckoned her. She gently locked the door, cast a silencing spell upon her hooves, and crept toward the bed. Quietly using her magic to lift up the sheets, she peered underneath the frame of the bed. There, flashing a barely noticeable red light, was the listening device. It was in the same position as always, and Celestia smirked. She magically unlocked her door and released the spell upon her hooves.
“Oh, yes,” she muttered. “This is going to be a very interesting meeting…”
She laid herself upon the bed and closed her eyes. A smile slowly crept over her face, and the Princess of the Day allowed herself a small chuckle.
“Soon.”
End of Act I
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Oh, buildup, me likey. This is going to be interesting indeed.
6280842
No mistakes? I'm slipping! xD
I still need to go through all the chapters and implement the corrections you caught. I've just been working non-stop and have only been writing the fic and read in comments. Fortunately, I have a day off tomorrow, so it'll get done then!
Eh, I actually think coming out and telling Button from the get go would have actually had more chance to backfire. This way, he'll get to know Luna without all the royal trappings muddling the impression and will be quick to forgive her when he realizes who she is.
The national leader 'one-up' in subterfuge (I think thats right... if not blame Google spelling check...) is hilarious! I'm certainly looking forward to seeing how this boils over.
I can't tell who the heck more devious Celestia or the Griffins
So the griffins placed a listening device, and Celestia knows its there, so they've only heard what Tia wanted them to hear? Am I missing anything?
<SPOILER WARNING FOR LATER kinda>
Perviously I posted a comment about switching to the griffons side because of how strategically smart it was that they used the ponies own mentality against them making them think that they are savages and that chaput might delay the oncoming war and be a turncoat
But oh dear readers we were fooled again!
Because celestia is the chess master if what I think happened, happened just now
6281017 No, thats right. I was totally confused as to how Tia didnt know about the devices before, due to her being like a thousand plus year old goddess, but this makes much more sense. I kinda expected this, too.
That's a bit more satisfying, yes. You don't best the best horse at Diplomacy.
I've kind of been putting this one of due to the name (no offense) but finally read the description. And that's pretty much when I was hooked.
6281031
It's much easier to inspect a three sided sword while cross-eyed.
I can't even tell who's rusing who any more.
The amount of deception is insane. What's next, the Griffons KNOW Celestia knows about the recorder, and then dupe her out SOMEHOW by knowing that she knows that they know about her "plan" and are duping them?
6280422 Glad to see!
Aha!
Ha!
Ha!
I have to love Doctor Who the credit for making me suspect plot twists, but hah!
I was unsure, but I suspected she damnwell knew about the bugs. You don't get to the point she's at without experiencing things like this at some point.
Goddamn,so Celestia knows about the bug. I'm really at a loss as to whom is manipulating whom.
Seems they forget that when dealing with a practical immortal, that they have a unique view of politics (when involved), and can actively pursue the long-game. In this instance, Since she is aware of certain things but appears to be keeping everyone else in the dark about it, she is garnering realistic reactions (always the best ones) to keep her opponents from figuring out that she is aware. How she is dealing with the plans otherwise has yet to be shown.
As for ways to deal with their foes? History has the answers there.
WHERE YOU PUT YOUR SPY BUG THING!? SORRY TO DISAPPOINT!
...I'M SORRY FOR YELLING.
And well done to the reader that predicted Celestia already knew of the listening device.
If I may hark back to the previous revelations about the Griffons and their subterfuge, does that also mean that Dmitri didn't really eat the pegasi servants? Also, had those ponies, including the unicorns and earth ponies, actually done anything wrong or was he just using them to make an example?
8D anything like ,Winter is coming? O-HO-HO!
Awww, I just... I really wanna hug Luna right now DX
I can't imagine the fear she must be feeling right now, scared of how Button might react to Luna, oh jeebus.
But somehow, I think it'll all work out in the end.
6281607 Spyception!
And on that note, Author, that is intriguing that she does know about the bug...
oh wow XD I'm so confused. So much deviousness from both the Griffons and Celestia XD hahaha.
Nice job!
So Celestia knows about the bug, circles within circles within circles.
It's nice to see Luna going to her sister for help and Celestia supporting her. I wish Luna would come out and tell Button who she is, but I can understand where she's coming from, plus Celestia is always there to help Luna smooth out any of the rough patches.
I can't wait for Button and Luna to interact with each other.
I KNEW SHE KNEW ABOUT THE BUGS, I mean, it felt like she'd know that or something.
Welp, This chapter reinforces my view of the insane plans upon plans. I know I posted this video before, but i get the feeling i should put it here again after reading this chapter.
Yeah, my previous post of the video was a bit too early.
EDIT: Removed the video from my previous comment and put it here so there wouldn't be two of the same video.
Ok, there's only one way this can go at this point. Are you familiar with the phrase Gambit Pileup?
6281940
You, my friend, win. Let's see what happens...
6281956 Almost forgot:
"Little Toa, you have not yet begun to see even the barest outlines of my plans. I have schemes within schemes that would boggle your feeble mind. You may counter one, but there are a thousand more of which you know nothing. Even my ... setbacks ... are planned for, and so I shall win in the end."
-Teridax to Vakama, Time Trap.
I think this applies to Celestia here.
6281031 Well, Celly is the top dog in espionage and subterfuge, given she is a thousand+ years old.
Next thing we know, the Griffon Leader is actually Celestia's secret cake eating buddy.
6280860
At this point, you probably do count as an editor, haha
Loving the wheels within wheels plotting and subterfuge as well as the quick update schedule, I am definitely looking forward to the next piece of the puzzle.
Celestia's "Just as planned" level: Tzeentchian.
I hope if she tells him right off button gets a bit spooked and asks for a summons from the palace, or Luna sends a guard with a royal summons to the meeting place- I know I wouldn't follow someone who claimed to secretly be the princess, especially after the changeling debacle.
I can see it going something like:
"But I'm supposed to meet somepony here!"
"We already knew that. It's not going to happen here. You want any further information you'll have to answer the summons."
I can't wait until the next chapter
The Ship? : All aboard!!!
The Subplot? : Quite intriguing
The characters? : Fun & Believable
This is looking like a good story so far and I really like the story idea, so I have to like & favorite. Looking forward to more chapters in the future buddy, keep up the good work. Might even start following you if you continue to prove your worth!
~Valvatorez
Ooh, the plot thickens, and I don't mean Celestia's after dessert.
I wanted to see a romantic story bloom but now I'm on the edge of my seat hoping love can bloom before a war exploads and the ponies of equestria are forced to fight for their lives. Oh, Celestia why couldn't you just attack as Luna suggested?
Aaaaah! I'm so emotionally invested now!
Interesting
Tracking for now.
6282205
So is she going to tell or not????
6282982
Maaaaaybe...
Maaaaaybe not...
Mwahaha
~Doc
6282991
It's so creepy with headphones on...
And I just started my own story too.6283049
Mine is an evil laugh.
Cool! Send me a PM when it's up and I'll read it!Wonder if BM's fedora has a special significance other than m'lady. Maybe drawing a parallel to a certain very successful game designer? I bet minecraft doesn't exist in this universe yet
Fascinating first act.
And Celestia being quite aware of the listening device is far too much fun.
*dances a little jig* Celestia's a boss. Both in her dealings with enemy nations and when supporting her sister.
Cannot wait fot the meeting between Button and Luna, Also wana see Tia kick whoevers @ss since she obviously knows something is up
So they knew about Celestia's spies and also planted a listening device in her room. But she knows about the listening device, implying she probably knows more than we're led to believe.
All this deception and counter-deception has me mildly confused and totally hooked.
The deception goes backwards as well as forwards and sideways! Can't wait for more!
The DECEPTION INCEPTION IS REAL!!!