“Page, why are you covered in an illusion?” Celestia asked moments after entering the room.
I rolled my eyes. “Discord prank, should be over this afternoon,” I explained before I smiled at her. “But let’s forget about that right now, welcome back!”
“Thank you. It is good to be back,” she answered with a smile of her own as a second pony entered the room. The newcomer had a grape-coloured coat with a darker mane, purple mane and a sun and clouds cutiemark. “Let me introduce Clear Skies.”
Celestia had been right. She was beautiful.
She looked more than a bit nervous and embarrassed as she smiled. “Hello. A pleasure to meet you, Lord Page.”
“Pleasure is mine, Miss Skies,” I said and moved around the table, giving her a small bow. “If you managed to tame the creature know as Celestus Solarflarus.”
Clear Skies blinked at me in slight confusion before she giggled behind her hoof.
Celestia shook her head and moved up next to her. “There were no taming involved.”
“Oh, no reins? That’s not like you, Sunshine,” I teased her before I smiled at the now blushing Clear Skies. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you, Miss Skies.”
Still blushing, she gave me a defiant look. “Oh, I think I can handle anything you can deal out, Lord Page. No big.”
I grinned at that. “Oh, I like her,” I told Celestia and then walked up to hug her. “Welcome back.”
Celestia hugged back for a moment before she frowned down at me. “...Page, you are...”
“Don’t. Seriously,” I sighed. “Discord. It’ll pass this afternoon.”
“There are spells that could help.”
I nodded. “So I've been told a number of times. But unless you can cast it now, digging them out of the archives and learning them would take longer than waiting unless he lied about the time.”
“Very well,” she said and then shifted to rest her wing across Clear Skies's back as she led both of us over to one of the large pillows. “Now, I need you to tell me everything about what’s gone on while I was gone.”
“Nope.”
She blinked at me in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“Nope. You have more important things to do,” I told her. “Like giving Miss Skies a thorough tour of the castle and then finding something to eat. I already have a full written account of everything on your desk. Paperwork can wait a bit and if something bursts into fire, I’ll handle it. Go get settled in again.”
Celestia smiled at that and I got a nuzzle between my ears. “Thank you, Page. Would you and Luna be willing to join us for dinner tonight?”
“Love to,” I said and smiled, getting up and giving Clear Skies a nod. “Enjoy yourselves.”
“We will,” Celestia confirmed with a smile of her own.
“Oh, I bet you will.”
“Out!”
Laughing, I trotted out of the room and letting the door close behind me before I frowned at it. “Amber?”
“Yes, Miss?”
Facehoof. Celestia damn it, Amber.
“Could you be so kind and go see if Skitter have a couple of changelings willing to go on a small mission?”
“Of course, miss. May I ask what for?”
I nodded. “I want them to go to Cloudsdale and quietly find out everything there is to know about a blue pegasus with the name of Clear Skies, sun cutiemark.”
Amber frowned and looked at the door. “Suspecting trouble, miss?”
“No, not really,” I finally answered and shook my head. “But something feels strange about this and I want Celestia to be happy. Just… make sure they are quiet about it, nopony is to know about it. Maybe I’m paranoid about this, but something about seeing her next to Celestia felt wrong.”
Amber rolled her eyes and nodded. “Very well, miss. I’ll pass the message along.”
“Thank you. Now, back to the tower, I think so I can drop this illusion, find a good book and a bottle of cider,” I said with a sigh. “Finally, no more bullshit.”
“Lord Page! I demand to know where my Aunt is right now!” Prince Blueblood demanded as he rounded the corner and spotted me and Amber.
“...Asleep in her bed I would suspect,” I told him. “It’s the middle of the day.”
Son of a fucking bitch, the last pony I wanted to handle right now was Blueblood.
“Aunt Celestia, not Aunt Luna!”
“She hasn’t arrived yet,” I said and shifted my wings. “Perhaps I can help you with your problem?”
“The Canterlot Royal Theatre is refusing to host my mother's birthday party this year! Every year since before I was born, but this year they refused!”
Blueblood might not be quite as useless as he pretended to be, but it was a pretty close thing in all honesty.
This was really, really not something I wanted to be bothered with, but until I did, he just wouldn’t go away.
“What reason did they give?”
“Some outrageous excuse about being booked already! Have you ever heard such a thing!?”
“Oh grow up,” I sighed and walked past him. “Find her some other place, the entire city is full of places suitable for such an event. Hold it in the castle or one of the gardens. You have a problem, fine. Now work that sodding problem and solve it instead of coming whining to somepony else to do it for you.”
Blueblood likely would have looked less surprised if I slapped him with a live fish.
8721394
That’s what I call “bromance”, know each other that good that sexual inuendos and teasing becomes normal between them.
But indeed, you never know.
Where is that bloody fish? Now it needs to happen!
(Deep breath).
I was there when Page fell for Luna .
When Chrysalis was beaten, and Changelings we’re integrated into pony society? I was all for it.
When Sunset returned and EG world was negated. I saw potential and was rewarded.
Alicorn Ascension? Taboo! Impossible! But it was done here and I cited hoo-rah!
Sunset Twi shipping. I was shaken but not broken. I went along with it.
But this?! Celestia and Clear Skies?! ..........change nothing. Not a thing. But I shall be in the corner reading up on my own Celly Ship.
I’m am still with you, though.
(Grumble grumble)
And suddenly I'm reminded of this.
8721473
"something about seeing her next to Celestia felt wrong"
I wouldn't count her out just yet.
Thanks for the update!
I did wonder if Clear Skies was going to be trouble. The way she acted is rare in itself (in my opinon, interested to hear if someone disagrees), my gut was saying she was going to play a significant part later on in the story. The fact Page agrees is concerning, but I'm eager to see as the chapters come.
Thanks for the update Hiver, greatful as usual.
Maybe she’s like page but was put there for Celestia
Nah probably not.
is Page being paranoid or is he trying to protect Celestia?
as to blueblood he is really just a wast of space.
For what it's worth, I think Page is overreacting here. We know Clear Skies has had a few days to get used to Celestia so I don't think it's odd that she's relatively settled with that here, and considering how spontaneous and covert Celestia's vacation was I think it's highly unlikely that anyone was able to take advantage of it to get an agent close to her. I also think it's highly unlikely that Clear Skies could be planning anything ugly as a result of finding out about Celestia because I don't think Celestia is a bad enough judge of character to fall for someone who would do that in the first place. Granted there's always the remote possibility that Celestia ran into a changeling, but even if that was the case I feel like the changeling in question would let her know immediately after Celestia's reveal because she obviously doesn't have a problem with them in this setting and a changeling openly close to Celestia is a lot more valuable than a spy because of all the political opportunities it creates and the impact it will have on the public perception of changelings.
Calling it now: Clear Skies is ponified human. Hope we get to learn more about her later on in the story. Always nice when a new and compelling character enters the picture. Though, I'd KILL for a scene that detailed her reaction to the fact that she'd been going out with PRINCESS CELESTIA. Would have been to priceless.
A point for everyone:
Clear Skies is a fanmade pony name that is used mostly for... Celestia when she's disguised.
So yes, i'm feeling Something fishy like you all.
So let us make some guess: Who is behind lear Skies.
I'm afraid i have no idea as there is too much potential threats to choose from.
...it seems to me that Lord Page has nothing related to administration that he excels at- but that he is capable in most of the necessary tasks of ruling. Save one aspect; spycraft. He seems to be the only member of the ruling nobility with an edge for ferreting out useful information, identifying loopholes and problems, and acting decisively.
Granted, I could be wrong. But in a century or two, I could see him known as "Lord Page the Subtle."
Pretty sure mane wasn't meant to be used twice here.
Also is clear skies blue or purple? When first described in this chapter it was dark purple. Then it was blue when Page asked Amber to do a background check. For my own imagery if nothing else.
8721471
This echoes my thoughts to a T.
8722313
Right? I mean, How could Celly do this to Bean!?
8721890
One way to confirm it:
“So Page, any plans to do more Star Wars Books?”
“No real plans Skies, why?”
“Just do Equestria a favor, No Jar Jar, No Leia Superman flight through space, and we are good.”
“
8722389
Yes! That’d be awesome. A character that can help him write better versions of the prequel and sequel series.
1:46
8721890
This would explain a few things. A human would take the revelation that they were dating Celestia a bit better than a pony. A pony would grow up learning history and legends with Celestia in it so most ponies would freak out and feel unworthy next to her or at least be uneasy next to her. To a human the revelation would be surprising but nothing groundbreaking and so would be more chill about it. Page is probably picking up on the fact that for pony who is dating what most consider a goddess in this world she pretty chill about it.
8722597
THANK you! Someone gets it!!
So i binge read all 4 stories in 2 days. I am ready for more.
8724171
You are among friends.
Welcome, and have a mustache.
8721890
That actually makes sense...
8725003
Yeah. I mean, there could be like, one book that covers the entire prequel series (three would be to many.).
8721909
I've heard Sunny Skies used more often than Clear Skies for Celestia's alias, actually, though both are valid.
There is a canon pony named Clear Skies, though, at least. Don't remember if it was a mare, but they were shown or at least mentioned in the Abbott and Costello gag in Tanks For The Memories.
The Snark is strong with this one, Page-wan. Are you sure she's not Skitter in disguise?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Grapes aren't blue, they are purple. So either Clear Skies is a pegasus with a grape (purple) colored coat and a darker purple mane or she is a pegasus with a blue (not grape colored) coat and a dark purple mane. Which is it Hiver?
8733466
a changeling disguised as a changeling. that's new
8733466
oh, that's why Page facehoofed!
Love this line and find it funny
I only just noticed this, but would that be an African or European grape color?
Blueblood might be better than other versions of him but meh... He still has some growing up to do...
8721859
I think it his talent speaking up . Think about love stories. Life is just one big story that is being written with every choice and since his talent involves stories he senses that it won't work out but since is the first time he dealt with someone else love and hope he doesn't realize that what is going on. He has never been close to 2 possible lovers before so he isn't sure what his instincts are telling him.
I know a story where Blueblood is a badass after a assassination had been performed on him.
Dying can change people...
Especially if the dead body is than possessed by a human...
They were booked already, for a day that has an event that happens every year, requested by a well known and (aparently) liked noble with direct familiar status to Princess Celestia?
Someone fucked up hard there and it was not Blueblood...
I hate those events but even I know to reserve days of annual events like this one...
11641511
Name pls
11659570
I believe he's talking about "The Humble Prince"? If I remember correctly, someone correct me if im wrong.
11703503
Correct. And you can find that in my favorites
8722478
Sorry for replying to an old comment, but I am a massive AC/DC fan, and my mind was blown by the AC/DC-Vanessa Carlton mashup in that video. I searched for nearly an hour, but could only find the non-ponified version.
Sad Blueblood is written as a joke like Sombra. Both will get way better writing in my stories.
In my Cynder story I made Blueblood Celestia's son.
Father and all.
11703503
11659570
Correct