> You Will Be Great
>  by Viatorem
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Night Talk
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Gabby applied to become a “mailmare”, something she needed to do to be legally allowed to deliver mail in Equestria. She heard for the first time the expression: “You’ll need to wake up before Celestia for this job”.

Gabby was perfectly familiarised with the sentiment behind the expression itself. Just like ponies, griffons expected their mail to be delivered as fast as possible, preferably before the late afternoon. Meaning that she was already used to waking up during the last moments of the night when the darkness was at its fullest. However, the expression stuck with her. She didn’t know why, but a part of her found something odd about the expression, resulting in the pony phrase being one of the first things in her mind when waking up.

It wasn’t until the following morning after the first night that Gabby spend with Celestia that the mail griffoness discover what was so odd about the expression. The phrase was incorrect, it should be: “waking up with Celestia”, not before her. As it turned out, Celestia and Gabby woke at the same time, a seamlessly insignificant coincidence that help to strengthen their relationship. After years of starting the day alone in the darkness, company of a loved one was something the two needed more than what they thought.

And so, every morning since that night, the solar princess and the mail griffoness would open their eyes at the same time, great each other with a small kiss before leaving the warm embrace of the bed they shared to jump at the coldness of the last minutes of the night and begging their day. However today things were different.

Gabby open her eyes, rapidly blinking to clear her vision and get them used to the darkness of the room. However, she didn’t need to look at the clock on her night table to know it was too early. She then looked up, a small smile appearing on her peak as an unvoluntary reaction to the sight that greeted her. 

Princess Celestia, Gabby’s wife, was still asleep, smiling, probably enjoying a pleasant dream, or more likely, smiling because she was hugging Gabby. It was one quality of ponies that Gabby discovered when she began to sleep with Celestia, apparently, pony couples are very cuddly, often moving while sleep until they were able to embrace their partner. And Gabby loved it, back in Griffonstone she had gotten used to sleeping alone, but now after so many nights with Celestia hugging her, Gabby was sure she would never be able to sleep alone, or at least, she would struggle a lot to remain sleep.

However, as soon as the smile appeared on Gabby’s face it disappeared. Ever since yesterday something had been bothering Gabby, a sensation in her gut that had distracted her for most of the day and by night it had gotten worse, extending to her throat and keeping her peak dried. Gabby hoped that sleeping would help her feel better, but this was the third time she had woken up during the night, covered in sweat despite being a relatively cold autumn night, with that uncomfortable feeling remaining in her gut and throat. Although the worst part was how difficult she found it to go back to sleep.

Trying to go back to sleep, Gabby moved a little, trying to find a comfortable position while being careful not to wake her partner. It was a little difficult due to Celestia’s tied embrace, it didn’t help that Gabby was disgusted by the wet sensation her sweat had left in the bed.

Finally, after what fell like ages for Gabby, but were probably just a few minutes. Gabby managed to make herself comfortable, resting the side of her head against Celestia’s coat. The griffon then closed her eyes, letting out a loud sight, hoping to get a few more hours of sleep.

“Having problems sleeping?” Celestia asked, her voice having a deep yet somewhat silly tone like she was pushing through a yawn to make that question. However, even when her voice was distorted, Gabby could still detect wariness in Celestia’s voice, one of which was a little deeper than just a concern for Gabby’s inability to sleep.

“Yes,” Gabby answered before letting out another sight. “Sorry for waking you up.” She added, separating herself a little from Celestia, just enough to turn around, remaining in the princess’ embrace but giving her back. Looking around the room covered in darkness the two shared.

“Don’t worry about it.” Celestia said in a low comforting tone as she began to comb the feathers in Gabby’s head with one of her hooves.

The two stay like that for a few minutes. Gabby was enjoying the sensation of Celestia’s surprisingly delicate hooves going through her feathers. The griffoness closed her eyes hoping that this would help her fall asleep. However, despite Celestia’s careful strokes, the heavy feeling in Gabby’s stomach remained, meaning that sooner or later she would wake up again, something Gabby didn’t want to repeat. She wanted, no, she needed a good night's sleep, tomorrow was an important day and she didn’t want to spend it nodding off.

“I know something has been bothering you,” Celestia said, breaking the silence of the room, her voice still caring that comforting tone. “Whatever it is, I’m here for you.” She continued, the combing motion changing to a petting one and her tone shifting to a plea.

Upon hearing Celestia’s words Gabby tensed up, yet at the same time, the feeling in her stomach seemed to become lighter. Gabby remained silent for a few seconds, before taking a deep breath when she noticed that she had been holding her bread the entire time.

“Celly,” Gabby answered in a low tone, she rarely called Celestia by that nickname, unlike Celestia she preferred to refer to her partner by her full name, mostly out of habit. “I-I think I would like to be looking at you for this.”

Celestia didn’t say a thing, she just relaxed her grip on her partner, allowing Gabby to move freely. The griffoness quickly made her way in front of Celestia, the two sitting on the bed in front of the other, with Celestia’s horn emitting a fade and gentle light, allowing the two to see each other’s faces.

Gabby let out another sigh, closing her eyes, trying to gather the courage she needed to get what had been bothering her out of her chest. She then opened her eyes and peak, however the moment she saw Celestia’s concerned face, the words she had in mind didn’t seem appropriate, instead, she preferred to just remain like that, trying to find the right way to express her emotions.

Celestia quickly noticed this, putting one of her hooves on Gabby’s shoulders and giving her an assuring look, as she was saying to her partner that it was ok and that they had all the time in the world.

Gabby smiled in return, having a better idea of how to express herself. “R-remember the night we met?” The griffoness asked, an involuntary smile appearing on her face as memories came rushing back to her mind.

“How could I forget?” Celestia answered, a similar smile mirroring that of Gabby’s. “To this day that’s still my favourite Grand Galloping Gala”.

Gabby then continued, “Remember why I was so excited to meet you?”

Celestia did a quick nod before stopping cold, her brain quickly putting together what her wife was trying to say despite being asleep just a few minutes ago. However, she still wanted to be sure she had the right idea. “So, let me guess, what has been bothering you is the fear that you might not be able to live up to the title of princess?” 

“Yes.” Gabby answered in a cold tone, her eyes looking aside before returning to Celestia. “I don’t know why, but I began to feel that way this afternoon. That’s why I went to bed earlier today.” She explained, still looking at Celestia.

“Oh Gabby,” was the only thing Celestia said as she grabbed her partner and hugged her. 

“Is just that, I don’t feel like a griffon who says toodles to the rulers of other nations is the right choice to be a princess.” Gabby continued with her explanation, a few tears of insecurity rolling down her face.

“No, in fact, that’s what makes you the best choice to be one.” Celestia answered, stroking the back of Gabby’s head with her hooves.

Upon hearing that Gabby separated herself from Celestia to look at her. “What do you mean?” She asked in a confused tone, tilting her head aside like a confused cat, a motion that helped Celestia’s reassuring smile grow bigger.

“Gabby, when Luna and I began to rule Equestria, we were exactly like you, we would play pranks on each other, play games and treat diplomats and other important creatures like friends,” Celestia explained with a nostalgic tone, remembering the days when Equestria began to form. 

“But then, we stopped doing that, I can’t even remember why. I think Luna and I thought it would make our little ponies happier if they saw us taking everything with dignity and seriousness.” Celestia’s tone changed, becoming sewer with every word. “That was one of the many mistakes that drew me and Luna apart, and well, you know how that story ended.” Celestia's hug became tighter as the last words left her mouth, Gabby knew that even after 1000 years the mistake that Nightmare Moon represented was still able to affect Celestia.

After a few seconds of silence, Celestia then cleared her throat. “Anyway, as your friends the crusaders told me, and more importantly, you have shown me over the years. You already have many of the characteristics of a princess. You care for others, you help in whatever way you can, you try to improve Griffonstone even when no one believes in you, you can teach and lead too.” Celestia explained, using her magic to create small projections showing examples of all the qualities she was referring to. From the time they visited Griffonstone to the multiple occasions, Gabby gave a class in Celestia’s school, even some of the things Gabby did while trying to get her cutie mark.

“However,” Celestia said, getting Gabby's attention back, as the griffoness was distracted with the magic projections. “Is your capability to make and treat every creature as your friend the most valuable skill you can have as a princess. That’s what I thought Twilight, and look how far that has taken her.” Celestia then moved closer to Gabby. “So, trust me when I tell you that you are more than qualified to be a princess of Equestria. You will be great my love.” Celestia and Gabby then moved closer, closing their eyes kissing each other like they have done countless times.

“Thank you, Celestia, I needed that”. Gabby said as they broke their kiss.

“It was nothing my dear,” Celestia answered with a warm smile.

Gabby let out a yawn. “I think it is time for us to go back to sleep”.

“Sorry dear, but no.” Celestia exclaimed, adopting a more playful tone. “You are covered in sweat and I’m not going to sleep in wet sheets. Go prepare a hot bath for the two of us, while I make the bed presentable”.

“But Celestia! Is the middle of the night! Can’t we do this in the morning?” Gabby asked, not seeing the point in taking a bath in what her tired brain and misaligned biological rhythm believed was 3 of the morning.

“Gabby,” Celestia answered as she used her magic to show his wife their clock, “Is not even 11 pm dear”.

Seeing the clock mark 10:48 pm got a giggle out of Gabby, she had had so many problems sleeping that she was certain it was much later into the night, instead, it had only been 2 hours since she went to bed.

“Woohoo!” Gabby exclaimed with happiness as she jumped out of the bed and flew towards the room’s bathroom.

Watching Gabby recover her usual happy attitude was enough to make Celestia smile as she quickly left the bed and followed Gabby for a nice and relaxing hot bath.



THE END