“How many changelings would be required to gather the emotional energy from the Crystal Heart to make up for your yearly shortfall?” Princess Cadance asked as soon as the meeting started.
Chrysalis regarded her for a long moment, “Thirty permanently stationed. If you are suggesting we ship the emotion gel back to Canterlot, double the number for handling and transport.”
The Changeling Queen didn't seem overly happy about that suggestion.
“With proper precautions and involvement of the Crystal Guard, that would be acceptable. “ Cadance said, her wings shifting, “On the condition that You personally never cross our borders.”
Queen Chrysalis buzzed her wings and for a moment I thought she was going to be stupid and reject the offer, but then she nodded, “I suppose that have to be acceptable.”
Oh thank, Luna.
Finally.
I'll never be a real diplomat, I find the entire process to tedious to stand. This might be the cider talking, but if Chrysalis had rejected the offer I might have slapped her for being a idiot.
“However, I do not believe that there is need for a guard escort. Are my changelings not citizens of Equestria? Able to travel as they wish?”
Ugh.
Of course it wouldn't be that easy. Even worse, she had a really good point. The suggestion as it was discriminatory against changelings.
This will take a while.
My head hit the table.
XXXXXXXXXX
“Oh lighten up. It was not that bad.” Luna teased as she jumped onto the bed, putting her wing over my back and pulling me close.
“I hate politics.” I sighed and leaned against her side, “There is a reason I try to stay away from them.”
She grinned at that, “As much as you claim to, you are not awful at it. If somewhat overly direct. Remind me to invite you to the next round of negotiations with the Griffins.”
I perked up at that, “Would there be meat?”
I could feel more than see that eyeroll,
“Knowing the Griffins? I'm sure at least fish could be arranged.” she chuckled and nuzzled, “You did well.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Not that I did much since the first day other than poke Chrysalis when she was acting too unlikable.
Eep!
I flicked my ear as she let it go and then shot Luna a look before giving her a quick nuzzle, “Why do I feel you and Celestia could have finished this in a day?”
Luna gave me a quick kiss between the eyes, “Because you are most likely correct. But if Cadance is to rule the Crystal Empire, she require experience with negotiating with beings she dislike for the good of her people, even be willing to lose small battles for the betterment of everyone in the long term. Changelings, ponies or otherwise. It's not something she have done before.”
“...And Chrysalis?”
“Need to learn to compromise.” Luna said and then sighed, draping her neck across the back of mine, “It turned out well.”
“Next time you feel like giving lessons... leave me out of it. I was this close to hitting both of them.” I chuckled before I relaxed, “This played merry hell on my sleeping schedule.”
“Mine too.” she agreed with a yawn and cuddled closer, “Going to be tired tonight.”
During this week, she had been awake during the day so we could attend the negotiations. I needed to change things much less as normally I got up around noon, but it was still a pain in the neck, but Luna had to turn things almost completely around and get up early to settle the moon properly.
Not only that, she didn't sleep well during the night, she kept twisting and turning.
“Luna?” I asked after a moment.
She stirred slightly with a small nuzzle, “Mhmm?”
“...Do Princesses get vacations?”
That caused a bit more of a reaction and she shifted to look at me, “Vacations?”
“Yeah, you know... not work for a while. Spend a couple of weeks just relaxing on a tropical island or something?”
Luna frowned slightly, “Not that I am aware off. It is not unheard of in the past that my sister or myself to retreat and spend a couple of days without meetings or to extend the visit to a foreign nation for a day or two for personal reasons, but a vacation like you describe it... no.”
“...Oh.”
She smiled softly and nuzzled, “Besides, if we did, I imagine my sister have priority for that. While I was barely conscious during my exile, she was working.”
I nodded and then hmmed in thought, “...That's not a bad idea actually. Celestia maybe 'should' take a vacation. She could run this place alone for a thousand years, there shouldn't be a problem doing it for a week or two for you. She could take the form of a normal unicorn or pegasus and head of to some nice warm island and just... relax for a while. Maybe invite Twilight to join her. It would also force those idiot nobles to get used to dealing with you.”
“As much as I like that idea, I'm not sure how practical it would be.”
Damnit.
Page if you can't get Luna on board with Celestia going on a vaca may I suggest bribe... i mean persuading Celestia that it would be a good idea by arranging for an all you can eat MMMM cake buffet?
Luna may bring back beheadings while Celestia's gone, which could cut down on the amount of tedious work of refusing proposals that are useless or harmful to others by a great deal. also may allow others to buy into nobility or awarded it for service, could be a perfect excuse for Luna to give page territory. XD
now I like this idea for several reasons.
this is going to get interesting really fast.
I have a feeling that if Celestia did take a vacation, she would either enjoy it too much, or actually miss ruling.
I love it when she bites his ear!
And Page, you needed to learn how to be a noble. You tried to play in the big leagues, now deal with it.
Is page going to become an alicorn princess ?? :)
The last pony to speak was Celestia, doing that Batman apparition trick, right?
6867393
But you forget. Its a vacation........with Twilight......alone.....
cdn.memegenerator.es/imagenes/memes/full/1/95/1954587.jpg
6867662 ... NOPE!
files.gamebanana.com/img/ss/srends/5180390490816.jpg
im ok with tia taking twilight from me
6867268 Yeah, bribe Celestia with the new reality show: "The Great Cake Wast--er--Race"
6867393
I'd think the ponies would burn down Canterlot in their irrational panic; Nightmare Moon banished Celestia and finally took over! Changelings are running amok in the Empire! The world is ending! Ahhh!
I'm willing to bet even if Princess Celestia herself gave a notice to each noble by hoof, they'd still arrive at the above conclusions in less than a week of her "disappearance". No, to honestly get a vacation, Celestia would have to somehow convince Chrysalis is pretend to be her while she's gone. As for Princess Twilight, well... I doubt anypony in Canterlot would notice her missing. Sorry Twilight.
However, it would not surprise me if Ponyville helped Twilight pack and get out of town for that vacation. Ha!
6868788 pretty sure Twilight is the reason for all the crazy stuff in Ponyville xD
6868788
Going by experience, the fact that the place seems to be entirely made of stone probably wouldn't even slow them down for a minute.
I would still think the vacation for Celly would be doable. Mabee not to a remote location but to Ponyville and a pretty purple pony perhaps? She would still be able to be reached for emergencies by telegram or dragon fire, and if needed be able to teleport back to Canterlot instantly.
6867662
Brain...
Yes, sir?
Commence BREAKDOWN
Yes, sir...
*Big red button in corner gets pressed*
NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6867632
If it happens on Luna birthday then I think she would of just got the best birthday present.
It would also be exceptionally hilarious to us.
......now I want an edit of Starlight face-desking but with Page instead of Starlight.
6869045
nah, the nearby Everfree Forest is the accepted reason behind most of the weirdness before Twilight. the unofficial reason is that Draconequus egg on the Pie family rock farm. the reason most Ponyville citizens truly believe is Pinkie
And learn to let go of her pride
9722459
That's essential part of learning to make compromises.
Pretty sure if Celestia would be human she earn years in vaccation days...
10956298
There is a story where she takes a vacation on Earth... Two, actually (and one is rated... let's say R). It turns out... about as terrible as you'd expect. ;]
"Kill meeeeee"
11023516
Politics in a nutshell
11118115
Unless your Joe Biden.
11307157
I don’t get it…
Vacation surrounded by sexy Mare, Stallion and Changelings for Celestia?
Would be interesting...
10963717
Story name?