With Celestia off on her journey to the Arcturian Order, Luna is invited to the city of Aquila by Queen Vivienne Discret. With the possibility of obtaining support from Aquileia, the princess brings Flurry Heart and Spike to the rapidly modernizing city, where new blends with old. With the help of the queen, Princess Luna hopes to learn the ways of waging war in a modern world, to one day reclaim Equestria from her enemies.
Set in the Equestria at War universe, a mod for the grand strategy game Hearts of Iron IV
Shoutout to Reviewfilly for his help with proofreading! I feel like this story would be lesser without his help.
Luna put down her cup of coffee as she scanned over the newspaper. Papers from all over Griffonia were piled up beside her as she read each one for the biggest news on the continent. Carefully she tucked the paper from Wingbardy away and pulled up the Aquileian one.
FLOWENA BANKS REOPENED
She raised a brow as she read through the article.
In the aftermath of the Queen's retaking of the Peripherie, the great city of Flowena has been the focus of the crown's rebuilding efforts. Pardons had been given to the many patrician families in exchange for oaths of loyalty as well as reopening the banks and allowing them continue to do business across Griffonia. Any damages incurred during the Reclamation Wars will be paid off in installments starting at...
Her eyes continued to scan the articles tirelessly, stopping momentarily only to jot down possible economic changes across the region. After what felt like hours of work, the letters began to flow into each other and she glanced up watching Tiberius rest upside down on the perch, hanging by his tail. She smiled gently as she set her pen down and rubbed an eye with a hoof.
"Tiberius, would you like to come along with me to pick up Spike and Flurry?"
The opossum let out a little squeak as he opened his eyes. He dropped to the floor and scurried over to her leg, then climbed right on up onto her back. She felt his little paws grip onto her neck to keep secure as she went about readying herself for the trip out.
Part of Jet Set's efforts to maintain relations with Equestria prior to its fall meant construction of a new school: The New Mareland School of Friendship. Luna stood in front of the gates, waiting alongside the other families as the school day was ending. As the bell chimed to let the students and staff know it was time to leave, the doors opened and plenty of foals as well as a few griffon cubs came scurrying on out. Flurry Heart followed last, keeping separate from the others. As the children began the walk home with their parents Luna lowered herself down a little to smile at Flurry.
"Did you have a good day at school?"
"I guess," the filly shrugged her wings, "Are we going back to the house?"
Luna shook her head. "We're going to be picking up Spike from the office. Would you like to ride on my back? I brought Tiberius."
Flurry gave a sedate nod as she leaped up onto Luna’s back. Tiberius blinked at the filly and she pulled him up into a hug, careful not to crush him. He squeaked out in some protest but relented and returned the gesture.
The office for the governor of New Mareland was not the most prestigious building in Sunset, but it was enough to accommodate the needs for running the nation. As they approached the guards let them through without any trouble and Luna proceeded directly for Jet Set's office.
She stopped when she saw Spike behind the secretary's desk, on the phone and writing a message down. He waved to them with a smile as he said farewells to the person on the other line and hung up.
"Hey there Luna, Flurry! Oh, Tiberius too! You all came to see Jet Set?"
Luna took a glance around the office before she shook her head. "Nay, I came to pick you up. I did not expect to see you as the new secretary."
"Heh, Gladys needed me to fill in for a bit is all- Oh, hey Gladys!"
An older griffon came waddling on down from another hall, adjusting her glasses. "What a pleasant surprise, Princess Luna. Come to check in on Spike?"
"To take him back to the house, his hours are about done aren't they?"
Gladys clucked her beak in thought as she looked at the clock on her desk. "Oh, it is about that time! Did everything go alright, Spike?"
The dragon hopped out of her chair and gave a little salute. "Sure did! Only one call, I have the message written down right there for you."
As she took her seat the griffon quickly read the note and smiled. "You're such a good helper Spike, it's so nice to have you around the office. Princess Luna, would you like to wait for Jet Set to be available? The governor is in a meeting with the Aquileian ambassador."
"Truly? I suppose it's none of my business but-"
She was cut off when the door to Jet Set's office opened with him and a rather plain looking, but well dressed pegasus walking out.
"I will be sure to let the queen know of New Mareland's interests in connecting with our banking institutions," the pegasus said in a rich accent.
"And I will see about an exchange program for students to come to the School of Friendship, Marché Difficile.”
“Please, Jet Set, call me Hard Bargain! That is the Ponish version of my name after all...” the pegasus trailed off as he saw Luna and he smiled at the princess, then bowed low to her. “Oh goodness, Princess Luna! What an honor it is to meet you!”
Reflexively she held her hoof out to him and he dutifully kissed her fetlock.
“I see that traditional etiquette is still taught in Aquileia. It is good to meet you too, Marché Difficile, and please, I can speak Aquileian just fine if that is a concern.”
As Marché stood back up he inclined his head slightly. “I was hoping to call on you at your estate, Princess, but since you are here I can offer the invitation Queen Vivienne extends to meet with her.”
He tucked a wing inside of his suit jacket and pulled a letter out, then passed it over to Luna.
“There are more details within, I do not know them of course, I just am passing things along.”
“Why thank you Marché, I will be sure to read it post haste. But first, I have to bring these ones home.”
It was then that he noticed Flurry Heart and he carefully brushed his mane back. “Two princesses! Hah, what a blessing it seems. It is good to meet you too, Princess Flurry Heart.”
The young alicorn snuggled onto Tiberius. “Hello Mr. Bargain,” she squeaked out shyly.
With a little chuckle the ambassador gave a bow. “Perhaps in the course of my duties we will all meet again. Au revoir, Princess Luna, Princess Flurry Heart.”
“Au revoir.”
“Goodbye.”
“May I see your homework, Flurry?” Luna requested as she finished putting the silverware away.
Quietly, Flurry left the table to go fetch her work while Spike remained, idly chewing on a gem as he looked at the sealed envelope sitting in front of Luna's seat. After the dishes were put away the princess sat back down to look at the envelope. Her eyes glanced up at the dragon then back down.
“The last time a letter arrived...”
“I will not leave you and Flurry, I swear.”
Spike merely chewed on his gem as Flurry returned and placed her homework on top of the envelope. Luna looked over the papers, ensuring that it was all filled out. She smiled at her niece as she reorganized the papers and gave them back.
“Are you going to read it?”
Luna picked up the envelope and slowly opened it, a pit of dread in her belly. Her eyebrows raised as she unfolded the letter, the paper of such quality that she almost mistook it for the stationary Celestia used back in Canterlot. She squinted a bit, written in Aquileian as it was, until she recalled the script.
To Princess Luna,
I am Queen Vivienne Discret of Aquileia. I hope my letter has found its way to you. To be blunt, I would be honored if we could meet. Keeping track of current events as I must, the loss of Equestria was a terrible thing for everyone, most certainly for your family and subjects. It is quite unfortunate that I could not keep track of the Great War in its entirety for my research, but that is partly why I have written to you.
I wish to teach you modern methods of war.
It sounds ridiculous as I pen this letter. A warrior princess, being taught war! But I look to my north, and the feeling of losing my home, my people, to a hungry invader fills me with dread, and knowing that feeling I could not help but be moved by your plight. With my current successes I also believe it reasonable to help train the New Mareland military with what we have learned in the Peripherie.
Denounce me for my pity, for that is surely what it is, but my want to help is still sincere. Of course, not without some caveats. What I seek is dependent entirely upon your acceptance, what my ambassador has relayed to governor Jet Set is separate from this endeavor. As such, preferences for Aquileian merchant vessels, access to naval bases for our fleets, aluminium, and crystals.
I am asking for quite a lot, no? We can negotiate such trivial details when we meet. Say, Pridea? Or perhaps New Manehattan? The time and place I leave to you.
If you wish to reject or accept my offer, simply tell Marché Difficile and he will let me know.
Sincerely,
Queen Vivienne Discret
“Are you going to leave us too?”
The accusation took her off guard and she looked to Flurry with a shake of her head even as the filly stared at her unhappily.
“By the moon, no, I will not leave you or Spike. Wherever I go I will bring you both, you have my word.”
Spike tapped his claws together, “What're you gonna do, Princess?”
Mulling it over, she put the letter back into the envelope. “Truly? I need to think on it. It is a lot to take in. I will have to speak with Celestia about this.”
She had forsaken the realm of dreams as war approached, the fears and nightmares plaguing ponies far too much for one to bear. The motes for each individual across the continent would have been dizzying for anyone else to try and sift through, but she knew exactly who she was looking for. Like a beacon, Celestia's presence in the dream realm made it easy to discern her location and she slid into the dream effortlessly.
The landscape was barren, covered in ice and snow. Out in the distance was a morass of undead, impossible for her to tell apart from the other as the faceless masses. She walked up slowly to Celestia, her sister dressed for war in shimmering gold.
"So this was the end of the war?" she asked as her hooves stepped on top of the snow.
Celestia turned her head as she approached, then gave a nod before she turned her head back to look to the dream-made undead horde.
"Most of the war was called The Long Night. It happened independently of what happened in Equestria, but I would not be shocked if it was urged by your fall."
That revelation made a pit form in Luna's stomach. "There is something disturbingly familiar about them. Whom did these undead serve?"
"Maar, the griffon god of death. They call him evil, after he had 'cursed' them with self-reflection, to think on what they have done." Her sister turned her head. "What news do you bring?"
Teal eyes met magenta ones and a sudden bout of nervousness ran through Luna.
"Queen Vivienne wishes to meet with me." Celestia's face shifted slightly at the news. "Is something the matter...?"
"I have already spoken with Beakolini, and told him to speak with Jet Set about arranging for trade and military assistance."
Luna's lips curled into a deep frown. "I take it you did not seek him out on your own."
"Not exactly, but I had expected to be found out sooner or later. The bearded vulture, I had seen it in Karthin and for some reason I followed after it until I found the Blackwings assaulting a Maarite cult in broad daylight."
The princess blinked at that. “The bearded vulture... And you witnessed the destruction of a cult?” Luna shook her head. “This is not a coincidence. Someone, something, is tracking your progress.”
Celestia looked out at the teeming mass of the undead and Luna could not help but notice the twitch in her sister's hind leg.
Luna moved in closer and gently nudged her older sister. “Just what did you speak with Beakolini about exactly?” she asked.
Celestia's mane wavered as she shook her head and gave a slight shrug. "As you know, Wingbardy has been testing the border with New Mareland. I just pointed out that Aquileia would not take kindly to him spreading influence so forcefully. And that Wingbardy had lost a lot in the wars its been in these past few years, what with much of its navy needing repairs after fighting Aris as well as Griffonstone holding out against his armies. So, I directed him to open up talks with Jet Set to see if the path of diplomacy would be more profitable for him. Now, tell me what Aquileia wants."
"I understand you are stressed, sister, but please do not be short with me," she scoffed.
Celestia looked to the ground as she pinned her ears back. "I'm sorry Luna."
"Apology accepted. Now, as for what the queen wants, she has been asking to see me personally. Apparently she wishes to learn of my battle strategies of eld. Why, I do not know, as her armies had worked wonders in reasserting dominance of the Peripherie. Besides that, as you had asked of Wingbardy she has also offered training and supplies in exchange for port and resource access. With your revelation about Beakolini, I do not think we will be able to wrangle a deal with both and may have to pick one."
"The Karthinian Pact has the greater land border with New Mareland," Celestia said, though that worry rang hollow in Luna's ears.
"Queen Vivienne is not a fascist and has a robust, modern legal code as well as Aquileia having a history of treating their pony minorities fairly well. Better than New Mareland has treated its griffons," she countered.
Celestia raised a brow. "I cannot deny any of that. And Aquileia is in a better position economically than Wingbardy is as well. But the Empire still threatens their border, and if they decide to strike I imagine Beakolini would march from the south to try and take what he could from them as well."
Luna watched as Celestia looked out at the unmoving masses of undead. The older alicorn's horn lit up and she tested a blast of magic, causing one of the undead to vanish in a puff of smoke.
"I feel like I must do something, Celestia. So, I will meet with the queen. While Jet Set is officially in charge of New Mareland, I wish to do something to help."
"Then go, and hope the meeting is fruitful. Just do not make any promises. And be careful, Queen Vivienne is a clever griffon."
Luna watched as Celestia used her magic to tear through the dream-made facsimiles. The passionless look on her older sister's face as she did the deed would have frightened her if it were the real world, and it still did to a degree.
"Rest well sister, I shall speak with you again after my meeting with the queen."
Celestia didn't respond as Luna shifted out of the dream, leaving her be.
"Do I have to be all dressed up?" Flurry pouted as Luna made sure her niece's dress didn't constrain her too much.
"We are hosting Queen Vivienne, Flurry, so yes. I am dressed up, and Spike is as well."
For his part Spike was constantly checking himself out in the mirror. "Yeah, looking great there Spike! It's been ages since I looked so dashing."
Tiberius was sitting on the floor next to Spike with his own matching red bowtie on. The grandfather clock next to them let out a chime, the hour of the Queen’s arrival. Luna gave one last check to make sure that the other three had nothing out of place before leading them to the foyer of the house.
Fussing gently with her own dress, she waited until the oaken doors were opened, the thestral guard walking inside and holding it open.
"Presenting her royal highness, Queen Vivienne of Aquileia," rasped the bat pony.
The griffon walked in, her own guards following close behind her. The most striking feature Luna saw was the hen's eyes, a bright, teal blue that seemed to be full of amusement even as she kept a more subdued expression. The white feathering around her eyes helped draw attention to her irises, the rest of her a rich brown save for her curious blonde wig. The second striking feature was the queen's royal garb, finely tailored that even Rarity would have felt inferior to the quality of the make, and all without any of the cumbersome accessories of her role like the crown or scepter.
Luna moved to bow and she heard Vivienne's laugh, soft and rich like her accent.
"Oh no no no, I am a guest to your lovely home, Princess Luna! We are peers, and peers do not bow to one another!" the griffon queen chided lightly. "And look, you have the lovely children and..."
Luna stole a glance, Tiberius standing up proudly. "That is Tiberius, he is a dear pet of mine. He is known as an opossum, the only marsupial that exists outside of Cross Island."
"I see. Such an exotic creature, well fitting for a princess no?"
"Opossums are common throughout Equestria, barring the deserts of the southwest. They're not very exotic at all," Flurry Heart peeped up before she idly kicked a hoof against the ground. "Um, your highness."
Another laugh from the queen. "You have such a darling niece, Princess. But please, I am here for a purpose, no? Shall we get to business?"
Luna nodded and motioned for the others. "Spike, is the dining room ready?"
"Everything is all set, Princess Luna!"
"Good, please begin serving dinner."
Vivienne raised a slight brow as she smiled. "I am curious to see what a young dragon cooks for royalty."
At the dinner table Luna sat at the head with Vivienne on her right and Flurry on her left. Spike took it upon himself to serve the meals, putting the plates in front of them. Vivienne could not help but stare at what lay before her on her plate.
"I made it all from scratch! Some good ol' hayburgers and fries, like how they're made at Hay Burger! Twilight loved eating there," the dragon's voice hitched a little.
Vivienne glanced up at Spike and gave him a small, strained smile. "It looks quite interesting. The ponies of Aquileia eat similar things I am told, but I have never experienced such for myself."
Flurry and Luna began to eat their meals while Vivienne picked up hers into her hands. Her beak opened and she bit down, tearing a chunk out and then swallowing.
"So what do you think?" Spike asked with a smile.
"I am grateful for your hospitality and for making dinner," Vivienne replied carefully.
Spike beamed happily, but Luna's ear twitched and she shot a glance at the queen.
"You can tell him you don't like it," Flurry interjected.
"Flurry!" Luna snapped.
Carefully the queen dabbed a napkin across her beak. "It is not to my preference, but he had put in effort and is trusted enough to cook. It would be rude of me to push away my host's generosity after all."
"I do not often discuss business at the dinner table," Luna directed to Vivienne, "but you are here for a reason other than just a friendly visit."
Vivienne smiled at her host. "In Aquileia, business is often done at the dinner table! It is easier to compromise when one's belly is full of food and drink."
"And you have barely touched your food. Trying to out maneuver me?"
"Oh-ho, Princess! No no, I am merely trying to get used to the dish. The taste and texture are different from what I am used to."
Flurry slowly pushed her empty plate forward. "May I be excused?"
"You may," Luna replied and watched as her niece set her seat back and then walked out of the dining room.
Spike soon left the table as well, taking the dirty dishes off to the kitchen.
"I have not seen one servant, other than the guards outside."
"My sister forsook the title of Princess after we fled Manehattan. We also promised to look after Flurry Heart and Spike, and I take my oaths seriously."
"Still, no one to ensure they go to bed on time, are properly dressed, all of that?"
"My sister and I did it, and with her away I do it myself. Jet Set is governor of New Mareland, empowered by the crown, thus giving us time to actually ensure Flurry and Spike get the attention and care they need."
Vivienne raised her glass and took a long drink from it before she set it back down and snapped her fingers. One guard who had been standing just right at the entryway walked in and deposited a series of folders in front of the queen before he went back to his position.
"Let us talk business then," the queen said.
Luna assumed that Vivienne would launch right into the resources she sought and why, to try and convince her of the necessity of supporting the Aquileian military and industry. Instead the queen laid out various maps of battles that Luna was very familiar with, the alicorn shifting uncomfortably in her seat.
"The battle of Tall Tale, of the Alicorn Plateau, the defense of Manehattan..."
"Oui. I wish to go over these battles you led and get a good overview of what I am to be working with."
Luna clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. "I thought you would try to convince me to sell mineral rights and docking space over to you first."
The queen smiled and let out a soft, trilling laugh. "Oh, that will come later, Princess! Now, back to the task at hand?"
She looked back down at the maps that were laid out and she pulled the overview of Tall Tale closer. Her eyes closed as she steadied her breathing.
"Tall Tale was the second major disaster of the war," Luna started, "when the changelings took Vanhoover through infiltration tactics the fleet there was also captured, thus allowing for their navy to continue to assault along the western coast. The retreat to Tall Tale was not well organized, and by the time the soldiers could even begin to entrench the changelings were on them."
"And, looking back, if there was anything you could have done?"
"Set Tall Tale as a proper fallback line in the weeks prior. The terrain was advantageous for artillery support, but we did not produce enough before the war started. We lost the first few lines of defense before we could get enough to truly make them consider their moves, but..." Luna’s voice trailed off.
Vivienne nodded as she took the Tall Tale map and handed over the Alicorn Plateau map.
"My most humiliating defeat. Trimmel outmaneuvered me badly, and we lost too many good soldiers, right under the shadow of Canterlot. He had cut off the Crystal Empire from us, allowing them to be besieged while he continued to push us back. For this battle? More air support would have been vital, but the changelings had been overwhelming us. It is only by the fact that Canterlot was heavily enforced with anti-air emplacements that let us use the air strips there for as long as we could."
"I do not mean to accuse, but after being pushed so far back why were you not replaced?"
Luna gave a strained smile. "Sunset Shimmer was given command of the southern front and she did damn well better than I. As for replacing me? Blueblood was an even worse commander. Bless him, he did his best, but he was purely in position for prestige and not skill."
She slid the map away and took the Manehattan one.
"You changed strategy after the loss of Canterlot. A measured, steady retreat to the eastern cities, with constant artillery and air support. I foresaw your victory with such a pace after another two years, as the changelings were grinding against the south and north both. But, the communists of Stalliongrad began to push."
The princess stared hard and long at the map of Manehattan. "We were there for weeks. Supplies were shipped to us, and our navies had consolidated to try and keep the Celestial Sea open..."
"Tell me about the defense of the city."
Luna shook her head to focus and pointed along marked spots on the map. "Your information on the other battles were accurate, but not here. You see, we had already blown the bridges here, here, and here, to limit changeling advance. It was risky, but I had the artillery moved close to the lines and did a saturation bombardment of the main roads. Trimmel and I both learned some valuable lessons in the defense of the city."
"And what were those, princess?"
"Tanks do not fare well in urban combat, and artillery kills tanks."
The princess looked up to the queen who gave a slight smile, teal eyes twinkling.
"I just want you to answer me this one question, princess. What is king of the battlefield?"
Luna closed her eyes to think for a moment. "The true king of the battlefield? Everyone has their role to play. There is no advancing without infantry to hold positions. Tanks are required to break through enemy lines."
"Non!" Vivienne snapped, "Artillerie! It is the king, for it is the most important piece! Infantry is the queen, for the queen must protect the king. It is like chess, Princess Luna!"
She looked at the queen in shock, as Vivienne poked her firmly in the chest as if admonishing one of her own generals.
"Every piece does have its place, but for a secure border letting the enemy be aware that they are marching to their doom that sounds with the chorus of 105 millimeter shells is vital! Equestria could have stood for longer if you had more precious artillery. I have studied Equestria's standings before and during the war before coming here, and while you could have reversed things the early war could have been easily avoided!"
"I know that!" Luna exploded, smacking Vivienne's hand away. "The moment the Dotted Line Report came out I knew! It is not as easy as having more artillery or planes in the sky! The changelings can shift form and commit all sorts of perfidy! Disguising as civilians, as dead Equestrians, committing acts of sabotage and assassination using such guises! Have you faced such a foe, Vivienne? Have you had to shoot someone you thought was a friend only because you realized they were already dead and a bug was wearing their face!?"
The queen nearly fell backwards from the ferocity the alicorn presented. Her guard had taken half a step forward when Vivienne raised her talons to make him halt. Quickly she regained her composure and ran her talons through the fine strands of her wig.
"No, I have not," she said after a moment of silence. "It beggars belief for an entire race to be so capable. Not all ponies can cast spells, nor can all griffons enchant, and yet when it comes to the bugs they can happily do this and more..." Vivienne's voice trailed off as she shook her head in disbelief. "I admit while I followed the attack on Canterlot, our understanding of it until now was that it was merely a regrettably uninteresting catastrophic miscalculation by the Equestrian command, not something to gather military insight from. Not even the Republicans were so foul a foe. Unlike the Changelings, once we revealed their plot they could not hide anymore. The mistake, I must admit, is mine. It is dangerous to be misinformed in positions such as ours." She paused for a second, fiddling with one of the maps on the table. "If what you say is indeed true, it is a miracle that you lasted as long as you did." She placed the map down and stared the alicorn in the eye. "Please forgive me Princess Luna, I did not mean to be so rude and arrogant."
Silence descended as Vivienne took the maps and put them away.
"We can discuss things another time if you would prefer, Princess."
She looked up and saw Vivienne stand up then shook her head. "Nay, stay, we have other things to discuss. You said it was to be payment for teaching me, and so I must ask; why do you wish to?"
As the queen smiled, Luna could not place the exact emotion behind it. Those teal eyes were alive with delight, but something deeper was in there that flashed for only a moment, even as the griffon kept from making such a sound, her beak curled into a little grin.
"How many can say they taught an alicorn anything?"
"I don't want to go!" Flurry cried behind her door.
Luna sat outside of her niece's room as the younger alicorn threw her tantrum. She heard stomps and crying along with the crashing and banging of things being pulled down and thrown around. A glance at Spike's worried expression finally strengthened her resolve to make a move. "Go get some ice cream," she whispered to him.
He gave a nod then scurried off.
"Flurry, may I come in?"
"No!"
Another crash and Luna winced. The noise had stopped after that save for Flurry's crying, the older alicorn remained at the door until Spike came back with a tub of ice cream and bowls.
"Flurry," Spike started, "I got ice cream!"
Flurry's crying eased off as the door slowly opened, just enough for her magic to envelope the entire tub of ice cream and rapidly pulled it from Spike’s grasp. Luna swiftly encased the ice cream in her own magic and blinked in surprise at the power behind Flurry’s pull. Rather than yank it back she kept the tub of ice cream in place. There was still a hiccup or two from the otherside of the door.
“Flurry, you can have ice cream if you let us in.”
The door opened up a little more, Flurry's face streaked with tears and snot while her eyes were puffy and red. Her wings were disheveled, feathers out of place with desperate need to be preened. She took the bowl Spike offered and shuffled back inside, not closing the door. Luna followed in after her carefully and watched as her niece sat down in the center of the destruction, eating the ice cream and sniffling.
Slowly she approached Flurry and gently nudged a wing. She extended it without a word and Luna began to preen the younger alicorn, making sure the feathers were properly aligned and removing any loose ones. Once she was done with the one wing she moved to the other, Flurry obediently spreading that one as well.
"I'm sorry..." Flurry muttered out as she put the spoon in her bowl.
"It is my fault," Luna said softly as she gently laid a wing over Flurry, "I did not think about how you would feel when I made these plans."
Her niece moved in slightly to cuddle up into her side and they sat in silence. Tiberius came crawling in right up to Flurry and she pulled him up into a hug that caused the little opossum to squeak.
"We do not have to go."
Flurry looked up to Luna and sniffled some more. She rubbed at her face with a hoof and shook her head. "N-no. We should go."
"But-"
"I'm a big filly! I can go!"
Luna smiled gently at her and leaned her head down to kiss Flurry on the forehead. "Let us get you cleaned up, and then we clean up this mess. We can talk more about it in the morning, okay?"
"Okay..."
The sun was just beginning to rise over the waters as the ship pulled into the port of Aquila. Luna fussed with Flurry's mane, making sure it was just right while Spike carried Tiberius on his shoulder. As the ship docked their escorts were waiting for them on the pier, large enough for a motor carriage that waited for the visitors.
"I hate boats," Flurry complained as she walked down the gangway with Spike and Tiberius right behind her.
Luna followed last as the griffon and pony Aquileians brought them over to the motor carriage. As they shuffled in Luna's eyes widened at the sight of who was already inside.
"Bonjour, Princess Luna," Vivienne said. "Princess Flurry Heart, Spike. And hello to you too, Tiberius."
The opossum let out a little squeak in return.
"Queen Vivienne, I am surprised. I thought we were to meet at the palace?"
"It is still early in the day, Princess. If it were lunch time then yes, but with the day just beginning I thought to treat you all to breakfast in the heart of Aquila. Welcome, my guests, to the City of Light."
The motor carriage took off, rumbling along. Flurry and Spike both tried to look out the windows as they passed out of the docks and onto the roads, many of the buildings by the docks were quite modern for an ancient city, with plenty of warehouses marring the aesthetic.
"The docks were the first to be renovated after the First Revolution," Vivienne explained, "though not to the extent as the effort put in elsewhere, but as a port city they must needs be the best for the flow of trade. Many ships from around the world used to come here. Sadly with the Empire on the rise our friends to the north do not come as often as they used to, and our rivalry with Wingbardy has seen trade with them grow more restricted as well."
The car passed along new construction, ponies and griffons working side by side as steel beams were lifted to secure the skeleton of the building.
"Whoa. I remember seeing something like that in Manehattan, before..." Spike blinked. "Apartment buildings?"
"Quite right. We have been long in the process of expanding. Aquileia has always had a sizable population of ponies, even prior to the founding of New Mareland, so we built in respects to our equine friends rather than the traditional methods griffons use across the continent. Unlike Griffenheim or Karthin we have always been on the forefront of modernization."
As they traveled through the city Vivienne would explain whatever Spike or Flurry pointed out. Wide streets, new businesses and homes, all the splendor of Aquila for them to witness. Spike pointed out the window and when Vivienne looked she scowled.
"Trinity Hill. The temples to Boreas, Eyr, and Arcturius stand upon the highest point in the city. Traditionally the new monarch is crowned there, and once a year we honor Princess Giselda's sacrifice."
"Sacrifice?" Flurry asked.
"She was made to marry Grover II after her father's failed rebellion against the tyranny of the Empire.” Vivienne’s beak was gritted as she spoke..
The queen rapped her knuckles on the partition between them and the chauffeur. It lowered and the guard in the front seat passed a cigarette off into her waiting talons. She rolled the window down and then the guard lit it for her.
Luna could not help but watch as the queen took a drag on the cigarette and expertly blew smoke from her nares right out the window. The hen crossed one leg over the other as she looked at the window, glaring at Trinity Hill as if her gaze could cause the temples to collapse. As Vivienne took another long drag she glanced over and Luna quickly averted her gaze but could see the queen raise a brow in her peripheral vision.
Eventually they rumbled to a stop and the door on Luna's side opened. She stepped out first, carrying Tiberius on her back and then followed by Flurry and Spike. They stood in front of a little cafe, one absolutely empty save for some nervous waiters ready to tend to them. They were ushered to a table and menus placed before them. Vivienne joined them soon enough and sat down with a smile.
"I thought to introduce you to a traditional Aquileian breakfast in the early morning at a proper cafe. Do not worry about paying, everything is already taken care of."
With a clap of her hands the waiters returned, carrying small trays of food and placed them down. Four bowls of coffee were laid out, along with small baguettes sliced in half with butter and an array of jellies and jams. Freshly baked croissants were laid down, hints of chocolate inside of them. Finally, glasses of orange juice came last.
Vivienne took a small bit of raspberry jam and spread it on her buttered baguette then dipped it in the coffee before taking a bite.
"Mm, there is nothing like an Aquileian breakfast!" she gushed before she dipped the bread back into the coffee.
Luna swiftly followed their host in doing the same, though she put a jelly of mixed berries on hers to dip. Flurry furrowed her brow in confusion as she sniffed the coffee in the bowl while Spike shoveled a few of the chocolate-filled croissants into his mouth then washed them down with some orange juice. Tiberius nibbled on a little bit of bread and jam that Luna had offered him.
"Am I supposed to be having this? Isn't coffee for adults?"
Vivienne chuckled softly as she dabbed her beak clean. "Cafe au lait is a common breakfast dish in Aquileia, Princess Flurry. Please, use your favorite jam on your baguette and dip it in the bowl, it is fantastic."
Still disbelieving, Flurry did as directed and her eyes widened as she chewed.
"Spike, please mind you manners, and leave some for me too," Luna chided the drake with a little smile.
"Let him eat, Princess Luna, it means he just loves our food so much! I am sure there will be more croissants."
They ate in comfortable silence until Spike let out a belch which caused Flurry to burst into giggles and Luna cracked a grin. Vivienne raised a brow, and then her glass of juice.
“There are many ways to show approval of a meal, sometimes the simplest ones are the best,” the Queen said with a smile.
Eventually their plates were emptied and glasses drained, the sun a little higher than when they sat down. With full bellies they all gave thanks to the servers and shuffled back into the car before it took off to the royal palace.
The Domaine Royal was the center of power in Aquileia, where the palaces and offices for those keeping the great state running were located. As they pulled up to the royal manor an array of Aquileian soldiers stood at the ready along with a number of servants. This time the car had pulled up so that Vivienne could leave first, then followed by the children and finally Luna.
"Welcome, dear guests, to my chateau," Vivienne said with a cheeky smile. "Princess Flurry, Spike, you may have the rest of the day to yourselves around the palace. Your studies will begin tomorrow."
"Studies?" they both asked in unison.
Luna nodded. "Flurry, just because we are no longer in Sunset does not mean you can avoid the books. Spike, you never had a formal education, and so Queen Vivienne is graciously providing the both of you this opportunity."
"Please princess, living with Twilight was like being at school 24/7!"
"Be that as it may, it is good to get a proper education, and there is not much need for loyal assistants when Queen Vivienne has many others to do that."
"As for you, princess," the queen said with a smirk as she motioned for Luna to follow, "your studies begin now."
Free to go about as they pleased, Spike and Flurry took off to wander the halls under the watchful eyes of some servants while Vivienne led Luna deeper in, walking through halls with such luxuries that she had never seen before, not even in the castle of Canterlot.
"Even back home I have never seen such a wondrous array of trophies and baubles lining the halls."
"Is it perhaps Equestrians are more modest, in spite of your usual lack of clothing?" Vivienne said with a glance over her shoulder and a slight smile. “Of course, beauty is to be appreciated.”
Luna raised a brow slightly. "Perhaps."
Vivienne brought Luna into a study, one which already had a large table set up. The princess could see that it had a terrain map on it, along with little models to better represent combat maneuvers. As the griffon walked up she motioned for Luna to stand across from her. Glancing around, she noted very subtle changes in the coloration of the wooden walls and some of the furniture.
"How recently was this room redone?"
"Hm? Keen eye, princess. Some years ago, after my father's murder. I had his office reorganized."
"Of course. My condolences, truly."
Vivienne scoffed as she picked up a metal piece off of the table. "I would fill Rumare Lake with tears for Equestria than shed a one for him."
Luna was taken aback by her words for a moment, but recovered as old memories sparked . "I... understand."
An eyebrow raised. "I find that hard to believe, princess."
"No, no, it's true. My sister and I were raised by Star Swirl the Bearded, and he was not a kindly caretaker. Mainly, he did not seem to understand how to raise two fillies. So when he disappeared... I felt nothing."
Vivienne waved her hand a little as she reached into the pockets lining the inside of her coat to pull out a case of cigarettes.
"Father knew how to raise a griffon cub. Nannies and governesses and all that every noble has in their employ. Care for a smoke?"
"Did you not have to have a guard pass you one in the car?"
The queen smiled broadly. "I did, yes. Now, would you care for one?"
"Ah, no thank you."
Vivienne shrugged and lit hers up then took in a deep drag before she blew out some smoke to the side.
"Now then, first things first is to learn all about logistics! Where to put the supply hubs, how to disperse ammunition depots, ensuring mechanics can repair your vehicles and war machines, all of the most important parts of running a military!"
Luna carefully stepped up to the set up table as she gave a nod to the Queen. She couldn’t remember the last time she was lectured, but if the Queen was anything like Star Swirl, she was about to face a dreadful afternoon after such a wondrous breakfast.
Getting measured for the dress was not as bothersome as putting it on had been. A gift from Vivienne, the dress was drawn in tight along her barrel and withers but allowed her wings freedom, with a free flowing tail that went over her haunches and hovered just above her fetlocks so there was nothing dragging on the ground to make it dirty. The colors matched her coat, shades and tints of blues that drew attention to her wings. Her hair had been done up in a thick braid that draped over her shoulder. Once the annoyance of the process wore off and she finally beheld herself in the mirror, the bittersweet thought of just how jealous Rarity would have been to see such fine work that wasn’t her own crossed Luna's mind. A little trill of delight ran through her as she took the time to admire herself in her new gown.
Flurry was not as happy in her dress, complaining as she was that it was too tight and itchy. The teals and purples drew attention to her mane, left in its natural curls. Spike wanted to be in his usual little suit and top hat and was allowed as such, with Tiberius riding on the dragon's shoulders with his own little bowtie.
Vivienne helped make some last minute adjustments to Luna's dress, the queen's own royal outfit more airy, keeping her modest, with rich reds and purples befitting her station. Instead of a crown she wore a gold tiara inset with sapphires that matched her eyes. A pair of fine velvet gloves with gold stitching sheathed the queen’s hands and talons.
"There, you are all presentable for the nobility! Please, this way."
The queen led and they followed right behind her until she paused for a moment.
"Princess Luna, Princess Flurry, please, we are peers. You may walk beside me."
"Spike's my uncle, shouldn't he walk besides us too?"
Vivienne clicked her beak and nodded. "Yes, that would be acceptable. Together then!"
They walked out into the main hall, full to the brim with griffons and ponies, nobles and industrialists, artists and military officers. A hush descended as their queen and her guests arrived at the top of the stairs, commanding, demanding, all attention be upon them.
Vivienne looked down at the gathered guests and drew herself up. With a smile, she spoke to the crowd.
"Honored guests, welcome to my humble chateau!" She waited for the chuckling to die down before continuing. "As you know, our beautiful kingdom has been visited by very famous persons whom I shall introduce to you all today. Join me in welcoming Princess Luna of Equestria, Princess Flurry Heart of the Crystal Empire, and her uncle Spike!"
There was pleasant applause from the Aquileians and Luna could not help herself but smile at the reception. Flurry tried to shy away from the attention while Spike basked in it. Together the group descended down the stairs.
"Look, Flurry, there are others your age here. Perhaps go and make some friends," Luna suggested to her niece.
Once they reached the bottom of the stairs Tiberius hopped off of Spike to land onto Flurry's back and hugged onto her. With the assurance of her little friend her mood lightened up and she began to head into the direction of the other children.
"I'll go and make sure she keeps out of trouble!" Spike said and followed after.
"Fine suggestions I was going to make myself. Come, Princess Luna, and let us meet with the movers and shakers of Aquileia. There are many keen to meet with you!"
"Truly?"
Vivienne, despite being smaller, draped her wing around the larger alicorn to help guide her along. "But of course! To your ponies you are the younger sister of Celestia, no? Even with your charms she overshadows you. But here? You are foreign royalty, something few other Aquileians will ever get the chance to meet!"
She tried not to scowl and quickly shifted her focus to the party "Your ponies and griffons mingle so effortlessly," Luna commented as the queen brought her up to a mixed group in heated debate.
"Reopening the Flowenan banks and maintaining customer privacy was a necessary measure, the queen knows what she's doing!" A monocled griffon said, wine glass in hand.
"Only because your family are one of the owners!" Another griffon snapped.
"Gentlegriffs, please," Vivienne said as she interrupted the conversation, "Reopening the banks required much thought into it! Keeping the flow of wealth through Flowena is vital to the health of Aquileia's economy. That and helping the good folk of that beautiful city remember their roots."
The monocled griffon bowed. "Of course, your highness. Many Flowenans forgot our loyalties because of Imperial influence but I extend my gratitude to you for bringing us into the fold."
Vivienne smiled. "Of course I am not here to talk about banks and gold. Allow me to introduce Princess Luna, she and her kin will be living in Aquila for sometime and experiencing our wonderful kingdom."
Luna held her hoof out and the griffon took it to kiss. "A pleasure to meet you Princess Luna. I am Gregor Vogel."
"That's Herz. Put into place by the Empire way back, then?" Luna asked as she lowered her hoof.
Gregor nodded. "Quite so, my family may have roots in the Herzland but living in Flowena has made us appreciate proper Aquileian culture! If not for naming our children after close family we would have Aquileian names. Alas, our ancestors need to be as respected as our gracious hosts."
Luna turned her attention to the other griffon. "Do you believe that reopening the banks was wrong, or maintaining client confidentiality?"
"The confidentiality. Shouldn't we be aware if Wingbardians or Herzlanders are keeping assets inside the banks?"
"The banks and the government know what is inside those vaults, my good griffon," Vivienne told him, "It is just that no bank knows what is in another. We need to keep trust in the customers, so that they may continue to use Flowena's services! It all benefits Aquileia in the end."
He bowed. "Of course, your highness. I just worry about funding our enemies."
"Your love of our kingdom is heartening to see, it is good to challenge decisions to protect those we love. Now, excuse us gentlegriffs, there are many more for the princess and I to meet!"
For almost anyone else the evening would have been a blur of faces and names but Luna dutifully kept track of those she met. Flurry, Spike, and Tiberius had gotten their own little group, the sheer exoticness of an alicorn, dragon, and adorable foreign pet kept the other foals and cubs intrigued and entertained until some had to be brought home as the hour grew late.
After gently separating from a group of artists, Vivienne led Luna out onto a balcony and into the cool evening air. The lights of the city shone brightly in the distance, even at the late hour there was life. It wasn't the hustle and bustle of the Manehattan evening, but a more sedate pace for griffon and pony alike to simply enjoy the nightlife.
Vivienne pulled out her cigarette case and lit one up. She took in a deep inhale then blew smoke from her nares with a sigh of relief. Luna gently nudged the queen with a feather.
"May I?"
"Oh, tempted so soon?" the hen asked with a little grin as she passed one over.
As Luna placed the one end in her mouth Vivienne moved in a little closer, using the burning end of hers to help light the other. The princess took in a small puff to let the acrid smoke get pulled down into her lungs. The burning sensation was strangely appealing, and if she had not had long memories of ancient rites it would have been a surprise, but she handled it well and blew the smoke out of her own nose. The pair stood there side by side, letting their cigarettes fill their lungs as they watched the city in the distance.
"You handled those pretentious fools better than I would have alone," Vivienne said as she leaned on the railing. "The nerve, telling me to my face about working on a novel on my father's death!"
"Not as bad as those poets going on about possible ballads of my fall into Nightmare Moon. Their ignorance of what happened would be grating if they did not also ply me with compliments. Did you perhaps rehearse them with those?"
The queen scoffed. "And why would I do that?"
"Your coy act is very cute, your highness," Luna commented as she looked out to the city lights, "but I am not some fresh filly unaware of how things work. You have not taken your wing from me all evening. Perhaps there is a cultural difference between Aquileia and Equestria in some regards, but I have seen that all those in there who have their wings over another are also intimately linked."
Vivienne took a long drag on her cigarette. "Perhaps," she started, "I am merely testing the boundaries. After all, how much are you willing to give for my assistance?"
The princess scowled. "I will not whore myself out."
"Prostitution is not a shameful occupation to be shunned. The hens and mares of Aquileia that do such work are treated with respect and dignity."
"That is not the point and you know it," Luna growled.
"You can refuse at any time, princess. Just remember, I hold the cards."
A fire boiled inside of Luna as she looked at the smug grin gracing Vivienne's face, how the queen's carefully applied makeup drew attention to the subtle curves of her youthful face and how her eyes sparkled. Her horn lit and she pulled the Queen’s cigarette away to take a few puffs on it herself.
“I must say, this one tastes quite different. I rather like it,” Luna said as she gave her own smug grin only to briefly recoil back and snap a hoof to her cheek.
It stung and she could feel trickles of blood forming along the fresh cuts. Vivienne was fuming with indignation, her left talons having pierced through her glove with the slap, slight streaks of dark red on them. The cigarette that Luna had taken fell apart across the balcony, the lingering glow of the lit tobacco quickly fading away.
"Never, never, surprise me like that again," the queen hissed out.
She fumbled to get another cigarette out, smearing the blood haphazardly as she began to take long drags of her smoke. Luna looked on in a daze at the tremble along Vivienne's body while she forced herself to look back out to the city lights. Her first cigarette had remained in her magical grasp and she took it back into her mouth to finish it. The stinging in her cheek ebbed away as she could feel the flesh begin to knit back together.
"Do not expect me to apologize for cutting you."
Luna let smoke waft out of her mouth. "I would not ask such from you. I performed a faux pas. Though, it occurs to me that you do not like having control taken away."
She noticed Vivienne gave her a side eye but the queen remained quiet.
"Tutors and governesses. Your entire childhood, all planned out. No doubt you had to maintain a veneer of respectability until the murder of King Moriset. Then days later you are queen, plotting on centralizing power, centralizing control. Even your battle plans showed how much you value being in control. Artillery lets you dictate to your enemies when and where battles commence."
"You do not know me." Vivienne rapidly tapped her blood-smeared talons against the balcony’s railing.
"You think you know me then, is that it? The lonely princess of the night, abandoned by her sister and ripe to be manipulated? Seeking to swoop in like some huntress on isolated prey?"
Vivienne turned to face Luna and flicked the remnants of her cigarette off the balcony. "You want the truth of it then, Princess Luna? Yes, I am indeed seeking to drain every advantage necessary from New Mareland. With the Empire to our north we have gone in on experimental weapons to shift things into our favor. Magical weapons the likes of which the world has not known. If it means using you then so be it; nothing matters more to me than seeing Aquileia free from the Empire and those republican traitors would not have had the guts to do what was necessary like I have. And what of you, hmm? Why have you agreed to come here, to learn under me? You could have had anyone teach you modern warfare, but you seek to take advantage of what I have to offer too, don't you?"
Luna nodded as she held her head high. "Aquileia has a far greater industrial base than New Mareland. You can churn out weapons like there is no tomorrow, weapons designed for ponies and griffons in mind. What veterans we have cannot match up to the ones you have, you could train our soldiers more effectively. That, and you reached out to me."
Vivienne raised a brow.
"It is true. I could have had any number of generals or officers train me in these new ways of war, but none sought me out. I am their Princess, and thus irreproachable in their eyes."
"Even with your constant military failures?"
"Did anyone tell you what you did wrong at Avian-Les-Bains when the artillery munitions were destroyed and you had to engage in a prolonged siege? Did anyone tell you what you did wrong during the Battle of Skyfall when the Empire encircled your forces and it was only by the grace of your superior navy that they could evacuate every soldier to nearby Griffton?"
The queen took in a sharp breath. "No."
"You could say it is because you won those wars, but we both know that none of the loyalists would be so bold as to tell you what you did wrong, the most fanatical even if the palace was crumbling over their heads."
"Remnants from my father's rule. I try not to harbor sycophants but he had a terrible temper and breaking those habits are difficult."
They both leaned against the railing of the balcony, Vivienne smoothly pulled out another pair of cigarettes and offered one to Luna. The princess and queen both lit theirs up and took in deep drags of tobacco into their lungs. A soft breeze blew on by and Luna felt the queen nestle up against her.
"I am still not going to apologize."
"There is no need to. We both seek to use each other for our own ends after all. I find the arrangement agreeable, if we are honest with one another."
Vivienne let out a little noise as she blew smoke from her nares. "Tomorrow I shall show you what we are using the crystals for then."
Luna let out a little laugh and smiled to the queen. "I did not mean opening state secrets, but if you insist, Huntress."
"Huntress? Going for nicknames so soon, my Lune?" Vivienne gave the alicorn a slight grin as they stood side by side, wings over the other as they enjoyed the evening lights and the taste of tobacco on their tongues.
"Ah ah ah, I offered to show the princess what we were using the crystals New Mareland had been giving us. There is nothing wrong in sharing knowledge, especially with Wingbardy on their borders. Whatever deals Beakolini is making with Jet Set, preparing for the future is as important for them as us. If they get taken, who will we turn to for cheap crystals?"
The unicorn adjusted his glasses as he led the queen and princess deeper into the facility.
"We were experimenting with magical firearms as well," Luna commented as she looked over the papers Vivienne had given her. "We could not figure out how to overcome maintenance issues. There were too many points of failure, and we could not afford to maintain a large stockpile of possibly useless weapons. How long have you been working on this project?"
“Since we acquired some plans from escaping Equestrian researchers,” the unicorn said, which earned a vicious glare from the queen. "S-she's already here and these are Equestrian plans we're using!"
"You are dismissed," Vivienne said sternly, leaving the unicorn to flee with his tail tucked between his legs.
"Rather cruel, was it not Vivienne? As long as our research is being used for something worthwhile I have no objections."
The hen scoffed. "If I volunteered the information then that would be fine, but I cannot be allowing others to offer up such so freely."
Their walk continued until Vivienne brought Luna into a large room with a firing range, the distinct cacophony of spells being released before they even passed through the door. A group of griffon and pony soldiers were busy testing strange firearms that Luna recognized right away.
"Those are Luna Nova rifles. You really did take our designs!" she chided Vivienne with a slight smile.
With a grin of her own the queen led her over as a light gray griffon overlooked the group. The griffon turned around and her eyes widened at their guests. She tried to salute, but with one of the rifles in her grasp she fumbled and dropped it with a clang, causing the others to look at her.
"Soldiers, attention!" she barked out, forcing the other griffons and ponies to line up and salute Vivienne.
Vivienne let out a light giggle and shook her head. "There is no need for that, general. The princess and I are here to check in on the progress. Princess Luna, this is General Sophie Altiert. She is the mastermind behind our experimental weapons program."
Sophie bowed with a nervous smile. "Princess, I must say it is an honor."
"I am curious, general. When did you have this idea?"
Sophie’s demeanor changed, brightening up at the question. "Oh, for years! But the king, he didn't care to support something so pricy despite that military expenditures are always costly. It wasn't until we received information from Equestria's weapons programs that I could convince our generous queen of the possibilities!"
Luna nodded as she walked over to examine the magical rifles that the soldiers were testing. "Did you manage to overcome the sensitivity issues?"
"Ah, no, not yet. We believe that using more flexible materials may help. Either that, or by scaling the spell matrices up to fit on a war machine instead. That we have been working on but construction is slow as we keep testing it at each stage to ensure safety."
"I have said that perhaps it should be artillery," Vivienne said, "but to convert our current stockpiles to something like that is a rather daunting effort."
"A tank, perhaps?" Luna offered, then noticed the look the queen and general shared. "Ah, already working on spell-powered tanks. Seems more risky than artillery."
"If an artillery unit explodes it's often in close proximity to other units, collateral damages are higher. An experimental tank is at least far enough from others if it explodes."
Luna furrowed her brow as she looked at Sophie. "Breaking down I can see but, exploding?"
Sophie nervously tapped her talons together. "By trying to use stiffer, sturdier materials the vibrations of the crystals when in use reverberate through the metal and enter a feedback loop. It's not a problem with the small arms as the crystals for those are small enough that they wind up being knocked out of place. Of course, being inside the rifle the crystal vibrating out of place means- Well, you know from your own experiments with these weapons."
Luna walked over to one such rifle and examined it carefully. Her horn lit up and she deftly stripped it down to uncover the crystal matrix that powered it. She looked at it for a long moment.
"What if we did it like a normal weapon magazine? Insert a block of crystal inside and have it secured, then when firing the inner matrices work on drawing the power out?"
Sophie looked over the princess' shoulder. "That may work for small arms. I'm surprised you didn't think of such back in Equestria, princess."
"As soon as the tests began I had to work on leading the armies. As much good as that helped us... Twilight was in charge of our research division but I fear she may have dictated the weapons developments to others. She would have realized this sooner."
Both griffons examined the rifle with Sophie eyeballing up just how to rework the crystals as suggested.
"This will not help with the tank, but we can try this out per your suggestion, princess," the general said.
"I am glad to be of assistance, general," Luna said with a smile. "I do hope to see the fruits of your labor soon. Working magic weapons would definitely draw New Mareland's interests. Speaking of fruits, it is almost lunch is it not?"
"Indeed, princess. Shall we go to the cafeteria then?"
Despite being at the nerve center of their magic weapons program, and just outside of Aquila, the cafeteria's offerings were basic, mediocre at worse and not much better. The pair sat at one of the tables and were given a wide berth by most of the soldiers and engineers also taking their breaks. Luna idly picked at the slop in front of her while Vivienne had no qualms in eating it.
"Is there something wrong, Luna?" the queen asked after swallowing some of her food.
"Is this meat?" Luna raised her fork with some brown chunk soaked in gravy.
"Yes, of course. You have been here for some time, have you not had any meat since arriving?" There was some genuine shock in Vivienne's voice as she dabbed her beak clean.
"I have not had meat since... a very long time. Back when food was much more scarce for the average pony."
Taking the risk, Luna placed the food into her mouth and chewed. It took a bit to get used to the flavors, reminding her of the rations she had eaten in the Great War. How the meat was bland, soaked in thin gravy. It was at least warm.
"Hmm... There is flavor, but it could use work. Some more pepper, I think. I do not want to know what this is made from."
"Many ponies do not want to know what it is, but eat it happily anyways. Strange, no? Folk can be so squeamish about food at times."
"I am surprised you are so used to this kind of food."
Vivienne smiled. "Do you think I sat in a well furnished room eating the fluffiest of pastries with coffee while directing the Reclamation Wars?"
"Did you?"
"Oh goodness no!" The queen laughed. "It is important for a leader to know what her soldiers are eating. That way we can all be miserable about the food together. That, and getting a good chef to work out there in the field is more difficult than you can imagine!"
Luna took another bite. "I find that hard to believe. For someone who loves the trappings of the nobility, relegating yourself to eating the same food as the enlisted soldier? Especially after how you reacted to the hayburger and fries when we first met. Did we not agree to be honest with one another?"
Vivienne’s face darkened slightly as she put her fork down. "I do not like that you assume I would not suffer the same conditions as my soldiers. Of course in the palaces of the nobility I expect quality and comfort but that is a different reality from war. What sort of commander would I be if I could not pitch a tent or heat up rations the same as those under my command?"
Luna looked down to her meal. "Forgive me. You just often do not have that sort of air about you."
"Well, that is true," Vivienne agreed as she picked her fork back up. "Perhaps if we both were not so busy I could prove it by taking you into the forests of Adelart, Then you could see for yourself that I am not some dainty hen."
"Your talons prove you are not very dainty at all, Vivienne."
The queen idly scooped some food into her beak. It took her a moment as her eyes lingered on Luna’s cheek. "Your cheek looks like I did not cut it at all."
Luna gave a nod as she touched a hoof to her face. "We alicorns have rather potent healing properties. Most injuries that could severely cripple a pony we can recover from after a brief rest. "
Vivienne nodded as she ate, her focus on the princess.
"There were several times in my life where a life-threatening injury healed up after some days. Of course, this does not mean I cannot get sick. Just that any illnesses that could kill me do not as the damage done is repaired."
"How fascinating. Perhaps it is good that only those like you and your sister have such a gift. To think how many absolutely awful creatures there are in the world that could bring devastation had they possessed such power. I am curious, does your blood have special properties too?"
The question didn’t surprise Luna as her eyes went to the queen’s clean talons. “We are very special creatures indeed. I have no doubt you noticed that my blood did not dry, and that it shimmered. More than that, I could not tell you. There are five alicorns in the world, and if my sister allowed any to study her blood I do not know. There was a time when it would be used for special, ancient religious rites… but it was often mixed with many other things.”
Vivienne kept looking at Luna as she gently prodded her food. “You mentioned Twilight Sparkle was head of research earlier. I am curious about that mare, she was your sister’s pupil, no?”
“Ah, I am sure anything I could say you already know from your spies.”
The queen smiled. “I want to know your thoughts. I can read a spy report but those never give the full picture of a person.”
“Put simply, Twilight was a dear friend. Due to her positions as my sister’s student and later as a fellow princess we had gotten to know each other well enough. She helped me to understand new cultural norms and to enjoy myself,” Luna couldn’t help but smile at the memories. “Nightmare Night is an old Equestrian holiday about appeasing my alter ego and we had formally met on such a night.”
Vivienne nodded. “I know of it. Many ponies here celebrate it, though with an Aquileian flair. It is very much still just a pony thing, as most griffons scoff at such notions. Were you and Twilight just friends?”
Luna raised a brow. “She was my sister’s pupil, even after her ascension anything like that would have been rather unwise. Not my type either, nor would I have fit well with her.”
“Of course, sometimes it is better to just be friends. A deep friendship is oftentimes better than a passionate romance.”
“What of your friends? I am curious to hear about them.”
Before Vivienne could reply their attention was drawn by the sound of clicking talons and shoes across the floor. A griffon assistant bowed his head to the pair, his feathers out of place and his breathing heavy. "Ah, Princess Luna, there has been an incident with Flurry Heart."
Before another word Luna’s horn flared and she disappeared in a flash.
Luna gently pressed the cool washcloth against Flurry's forehead and around her eye, even though the swelling was going away on its own well enough.
"Do you want to talk about what happened?" She asked her niece in a gentle tone, "I know Spike could tell me but I want to hear it from you."
The younger alicorn sniffled as she looked away from her aunt. In the other room Vivienne could be heard talking in a low voice with some others before she cleared her throat.
"Luna, please bring Flurry in here."
Sharing a brief look with each other the two alicorns walked into the other room, Flurry staying a bit behind Luna. Three other griffons were in there, a cub and his parents. The mother was a bit on the heavy side, while the father seemed near-sighted yet too proud for glasses with how often he was squinting. Their son wrung his hands together nervously as Spike tended to his black eye. "Now, you will tell the princess what you told me," Vivienne said to the young griffon.
His body tensed as he glanced up at Luna, the alicorn keeping a neutral expression on her face.
"I, I made fun of Flurry," he squeaked out only for his father to smack him on the back of the head.
"Tell her the truth, boy!"
"You shouldn't hit him like that!" Flurry spoke up and caught them all by surprise. "Parents shouldn't hit their children!"
Luna placed a wing over Flurry. "Shh," she tried to soothe her niece, "I would like to hear what he has to say."
Rubbing the back of his head the little griffon peeked back up at Luna. "I made fun of Flurry not having parents..." he finally confessed. "I'm sorry..."
Flurry glared at the griffon for a moment before she turned around and stomped out without a word. Luna glanced at Vivienne before she followed her niece. Spike gave the queen a polite bow before he hurried on out after the princesses.
The younger alicorn took it upon herself to head to the kitchens with Luna trailing right behind her. Upon entering, the kitchen staff made no attempts to shoo them out as lunch had already been served and clean up was almost finished. Without a word Flurry continued on her way to the freezer only for one of the staff members to block the way.
"Chocolate with whipped cream and a cherry, little princess?" the older griffon asked.
Flurry nodded solemnly.
"What of you, Princess Luna?"
"The same as my niece, thank you."
The pair sat at a table to have their ice cream when Spike hurried in, huffing as he carried Tiberius on his head. Flurry looked at them sullenly as she stirred the whipped cream and chocolate around. As Spike climbed up onto a seat to join them Tiberius crawled across the table to settle by Luna.
"I don't forgive him."
"Mm. You have that right, Flurry. I think I would have done the same in your place."
Flurry looked up at Luna. "Really?"
“Um, Luna, shouldn’t there be a lesson about forgiveness or something?” Spike asked with a furrowed brow. “At least Twilight would say something about that.”
Luna took a moment to consider, a slight frown on her face. "I am not Twilight, Spike. Nor am I my sister either. When Celestia and I were under Star Swirl's care when we were just little fillies without our cutie marks. We were made fun of for being orphans. Celestia handled herself with dignity. I bloodied their noses."
"What happened after that?" Flurry asked.
"They stopped making fun of us. Celestia tried to make amends and befriended some of them, but I refused. I suppose that was the start of it, my detachment from others.” Luna took a brief pause to gather her thoughts. “Do not keep vengeance in your heart, Flurry. You are still young, but it is good to learn to forgive others. You do not have to forgive him now, or soon, but in time perhaps."
Luna glanced at Spike and the dragon gave a slight shrug. “Close enough, princess.”
Idly her niece prodded some melting chocolate. "His father shouldn't have hit him like that either."
Luna clicked her tongue against her teeth. "Griffons have their own methods of disciplining children it seems."
"It's not right."
Gently she wrapped a wing around Flurry. "It is good that despite your feelings toward him you know he should be treated better."
They heard a sigh as Vivienne sat down with them with a glass of wine in her grasp. The queen looked to Flurry and then to Luna before she downed half her glass.
"They will not be coming back for sometime, but at least the others are going to hear that little Flurry has a mean right hoof. While violence is not to be a first resort for such disagreements, that you take the honor of your family seriously is good to see, Flurry."
"Thank you, your highness," the little alicorn demurely shied away back into her ice cream.
"Vivienne, please, do not encourage such behavior. It is not-"
"Appropriate? Perhaps not. One must know when to use force and where. But I will not fault the child. Of course, she is your charge and you are to punish her as you see fit, but do remember, both of you, that you are my guests and your actions can reflect poorly on me."
"I'm sorry," Flurry said in a not very convincing manner.
"Good enough I suppose. Perhaps the children have been cooped up in the palace for too long. We can have one of the tutors take them to the parks for a time. In a couple days, after you have thought on things."
Vivienne finished her wine in a single swig and pulled out a cigarette. Without offering one to Luna she lit it and walked off.
Spike tapped his claws against the table. “I wanted to say something, but everyone else already said something similar. I suppose it’s what Twilight would say, ‘Repetition helps with memorization!’”
Flurry frowned at her uncle. “You’re going to lecture me too?”
He crossed his arms and shook his head. “Well, I guess I might, just a little bit. Twilight did raise me for a good portion of my life after all. But, getting to the point, Flurry, there was a time where someone made me upset and angry, and I tried to get back at them in a very hurtful way. Things didn’t turn out very well, and I got really upset and ran away from home for a bit.”
“Perhaps this would be best served with some additional details, Spike,” Luna said.
“Maybe, but the point is that trying to get back at someone can be just as hurtful as whatever they did, and whatever you perceived them to be doing. It’s okay to be upset, but it’s not okay to hurt others when you are upset.”
Flurry kept stirring her melting ice cream around, eyes avoiding looking across the table. Spike hopped out of his seat and walked around to her side and opened his arms. She looked up to him briefly, his smile warm and genuine. The filly slipped down to hug him and sniffled.
“Whatever happens Flurry, we’re in this together. You’re my niece, and I’ll always be there for you, okay?”
Luna stood at the other end of the table from Vivienne, the queen dressed in her military attire. Warm coffee had yet to fully settle in the alicorn’s belly as she and Vivienne were surrounded by their own little groups of officers. On Luna’s side, her support staff were mostly younger ones, freshly graduated second lieutenants from the academy, or just barely at the cusp of graduating with an even mix of griffons and ponies. She looked at the griffon queen and her entourage of older, more experienced colonels, and general Sophie.
“You have me at a disadvantage,” Luna said as she glanced at the well detailed map laid out across the table. Obvious enchantment rolled across the wood that made it difficult for Luna to see past her side of it. “Representing the fog of war? Clever.”
“You are not the only one in need of teaching, princess,” Vivienne replied with a casual shrug. “You have the brightest of the Military Academy of Vanguardigo, but engaging in war games with their peers is one thing, engaging against a more veteran force is another.”
“And there’s no force more veteran than yours, your highness!” one of the young griffons besides Luna chirped out.
“You know the rules already, princess. Talk with your high command, make your decisions, then give your orders,” As she spoke, Vivienne passed folded papers to the officers on her side.
Luna scowled as she quickly took stock of the situation on the map before her. She turned to the arrayed officers who all stood there awaiting orders. “The queen may have a head start but I must remind you all of something. Though this may just be an exercise, I need you to treat it as if it were real.”
They all saluted. “Don’t worry princess, we know the drill! The queen talon-picked us for this assignment and we’ll do our best to ensure your victory!”
Time slowly ticked away as queen and princess went back and forth, discreetly writing orders off to their subordinates to move the representative pieces over the map. The geography was rather hilly and wooded, Luna recognizing it as Aquileia’s interior. Attacks, counter attacks, probing actions and more were undertaken by the combatants to try and push the lines. Rather than go back and forth, both teams operated simultaneously, leaving them to try and react to the other.
A stalemate was steadily developing and so Luna wrote out another set of orders for her officers. They looked at her with surprise, but went to work. Vivienne peered over in brief confusion as Luna’s units were pulled back bit by bit, increasing the distance between the two forces. The queen relayed her orders and Luna suppressed showing the joy as she watched as the officers made the moves.
“I believe this ends the battle in a pyrrhic victory for you,” the alicorn said in an even tone though her eyes were alive with delight.
It took a moment for Vivienne as she began to move from her side of the table over to Luna’s, looking over the setup. A scowl formed before her features softened and she looked up. “I have taken the objective.”
“By walking directly into range of an artillery bombardment, and with my air defenses moved up enough to keep your planes away. Oh, and one more thing.” Luna gave a cheeky smile. “The enchantment is very good, but I’ve been able to see past it since before we started.”
Vivienne’s beak fell open for just a moment before she snapped it shut and let out a low chuckle. “Ah, that is cheating, princess! But, in war one must take any advantage they can, no? One battle is not enough to turn the tide, usually. Still, I should reprimand you for breaking the spirit of the game!” the queen waggled a talon.
Luna turned to the young officers on her side and bowed her head to them. “Thank you all. Continue your hard work and you will no doubt achieve great things.”
The officers bowed to Luna in return. Vivienne called for all the officers to go get some food, leaving her and Luna along. A cigarette was soon in her beak as she continued to examine the battlefield before them. While her attention was on the table she deftly pulled out another with Luna taking the butt end into her lips.
“Do not think too hard about it, Vivienne. You won, at a potentially grave cost.”
“Your officers did not challenge any of your orders.”
A thoughtful hum came from the princess. “Indeed. Did any of yours?”
“No.”
“It is because they trust us to know what we are doing, assuming that we have the intelligence necessary to pull off a battle like this,” Luna swept her wing over the table.
Vivienned frowned. “If you were cheating why did you not press your advantage to victory?”
“Truthfully? I was more focused in learning about those under my command. It is important that a leader knows their subordinates, and being thrown together with them the day of? I will sacrifice one game if it means understanding whom I will be leading in future ones.”
“And yet you still managed to maneuver me into an untenable position,” Vivienne flicked her cigarette into the ash tray as she stalked around to the other side of the table.
“I have an excellent teacher.”
The queen gave a warm smile. “You flatter me, princess.”
“It is easy to, you have many fine qualities to compliment,”
Vivienne made a slight click of her beak as she walked toward the door. “You told them to treat it seriously, yet you did not?”
“The next one I will now that I have a better grasp on how to utilize them,” the alicorn said as she moved alongside the queen. “Given how things turned out, I have a good feeling for the next encounter.”
“As your mentor I underestimated you, though I am pleasantly surprised. I will not be holding back in future encounters.”
Luna let out a gentle laugh. “I would be insulted if you did! Now, let us go and have lunch with the children. We have been awake since before sunrise.”
The four were arranged around a small table with Tiberius nestled up in Luna's mane to relax while lunch was served. Luna and Flurry nibbled on their appetizer salads while Spike and Vivienne spread chicken pate on little bits of bread.
Vivienne took a bite and let out a pleased trill. "I must applaud you, Spike. You have learned to prepare some of our dishes very well. This pate is absolutely delicious!"
"Aww, thanks your highness! I just followed the recipes, I didn't want to do anything that could ruin it. Experimentation comes after mastery!"
The queen smiled at the dragon as she took another bite.
"Flurry, how have your own studies been?" Luna asked after a sip of water.
"Fine," the younger said listlessly as she prodded her salad with a fork before eating a bit of it. She sat her utensil down, feathers trembling. "C-can I be excused?" she choked out.
Before Luna could say anything her niece burst into tears and pressed her face into the tablecloth. Vivienne let out a squawk of surprise at the filly's outburst and sat there, dumbstruck, as Flurry Heart sobbed and wailed. Luna got out of her seat to hug Flurry, wrapping her wings around her bawling niece.
In the midst of her tears, Flurry tried to choke out some words that were muffled by the tablecloth.
"I miss them too," Luna whispered as she nuzzled Flurry, her eyes shut tight with moisture beginning to leak.
Vivienne watched as Spike joined in hugging the alicorns before she quietly wiped her beak clean with a napkin. As she got out of her seat Luna looked up at her. Their eyes met for a moment before Luna looked away and nuzzled Flurry some more as the queen quietly stepped out.
In Vivienne's office some time later, Luna was sitting with the queen's book on modern warfare. The alicorn flipped the pages idly though she wasn't focused on anything inside. Still, the rustling of the paper in front of her, as well as Vivienne dealing with the work on her desk, was soothing enough for her.
"I envy little Flurry," Vivienne admitted quietly as she scanned over yet another legal document. A cigarette hung precariously in her beak, ashtray half full with fresh butts.
Luna quietly closed her book. "She's a refugee far from home with only myself and Spike as her family to help her. What is there for you to envy?"
The queen's pen slowed to a crawl then stopped. "She is close with her family. Enough to mourn them so readily."
"You still have family."
Vivienne scoffed. "Uncle Dennis whom I still have in prison for his rebellion?"
"There is still your uncle Michel. Was he not vital to shaping up the Discret Code?"
The queen looked back down at her papers and shuffled them around. "We have not spoken in many, many years."
"There is still plenty of time. It is never too late to reach out."
Their eyes met and Vivienne leaned back with a frown. Smoke wafted out of her nares as she asked, "How are you good at this? At... being so helpful?"
Luna smiled warmly. "I just try to think what my sister would do to help others. Though I am a little more straightforward than Celestia. Sometimes she likes to be vague or cryptic."
With a click of her tongue, Vivienne shifted forward a bit. She folded her talons together and set her chin on them. "What would you do, Luna? Tell me, what would you do, not what Celestia would do."
Taken aback, Luna tilted her head slightly and shut her eyes to think. The queen watched as moments ticked by before Luna shook her head. "Forgive me, the only other thing I could think of would be to surprise him with a visit."
"Mm,” was the only noise the queen made as she looked down to the work on her desk.
Luna watched Vivienne for a few moments. “Ahem. I believe we should visit your uncle.”
Vivienne looked up, eyes slightly widened and her beak twitching. “I do not think that would be a good idea. There is much work to be done.”
“Then perhaps I shall take Spike and Flurry with me and visit him instead. I am sure Duke Michel would be happy to receive us. While there I can even take a look at the shipyard expansions for you.”
The queen’s expression shifted to a scowl for a moment before she shut her beak. “Perhaps it would be good for the children to have a little break from their work. Give them a little distraction,” Vivienne signed a paper as she spoke. “The shipyard expansions have been going slower than I would like too, but of course it would not do to have a guest oversee such for me.”
The modernization efforts in Aquila were already grandiose, but Spike and Flurry were awestruck at the sights of the buildings of Rila. They kept swapping from seat to seat, pointing out how large and ornate the buildings were. From the ashes of revolution was Rila reborn, many of the new buildings sporting wide balconies made for ease of flight, and lots of greenery with window-mounted gardens and the occasional copse of trees on the flat roof tops. Relief sculptures had been carved all over, even on apartments, scenes primarily of Michel leading troops to victory over the republicans.
The two children pressed their faces up against the window as they stared at the large building off in the distance, with two smaller temples flanking it. Spike’s mouth was agape at the sight of it and he looked over to Luna.
“It looks like the temples on Trinity Hill, only bigger!”
"That, dear children, is the Grand Temple of Arcturius," Luna tried to get a good look at it herself as she spoke. "Traditionally home to the Archon of Arcturius."
"Alas," Vivienne lamented, "Archon Proteus remains in Griffenheim instead."
As the car rumbled on through the fascination with the city never ceased, their jaws dropping as they saw the palace on their approach. Flurry and Spike looked to each other in amazement of the palace as they drew closer.
The palace of Michel Discret was grander even than Vivienne's own home in Aquila. A castle of sheer size and opulence that even Luna could not help but gawk at it. She turned to look at Vivienne in disbelief.
“How could someone who harbors republican sympathies live in such a place?”
Vivienne pulled out a cigarette and offered it to Luna. "I would say that it has been an ancient home, but no, it was recently built. At least uncle Michel is more reasonable than Dennis is, but he has his own eccentricities."
Luna raised a hoof to decline the offering as the car slowed to a stop. The chauffeur stepped out to open the door for them, Vivienne taking the lead. At the top of the steps, waiting for them, was Duke Michel Discret of Rila. In spite of his home he was dressed much more modestly. As modest as a duke would dress when meeting with his royal niece and her guests. Draped on his back was a great, white cloak, embroidered intricately with the Discret coat of arms. As he raised his hand to greet the group, hints of rich, purple velvet flashed from the underside of the garment. Golden jewelry flashed on his talons, multiple rings with all sorts of gems embedded along them.
"Ah, Vivi! How wonderful of you to visit me!" Michel exclaimed with his arms open as he walked down to embrace the queen in a hug, his cloak billowing behind him. "And look, you brought your lovely marefriend and her wards along as well! I know, I know, my palace is grand, don't worry, none of you will get lost! Come, come, let's eat and talk!"
As they walked up the steps Spike moved closer and gently nudged Luna. "Marefriend?"
Luna looked to him to see his brow raised and her lips curled in a playful grin. "Do you not read the papers, Spike? It is all over the news."
"I heard the rumors around, but I didn't really believe them!" Spike looked back up and lowered his voice to a whisper. "Does this mean we'll have her help when we go home?"
Luna draped her wing around him tenderly. "I hope so Spike."
Luna had not expected dinner to be so lavish. Michel did not want for anything in the grandest home anyone on Griffonia, perhaps the entire world, would ever see! Even the meals back in Aquila were more restrained as the duke went above and beyond, giving them all a full sixteen courses to savor. The smells of all the food was absolutely dizzying to experience, even as the portions came out little at a time.
It was through the third course, an assortment of various eggs, when Luna noticed Vivienne had hardly touched any of the food, yet imbibed on wine far more liberally as she listened to her uncle’s endless tirade. For his part, Michel seemed rather adamant to talk about every little thing that had happened in his life that he could recall without letting her get a word in.
"And that's when I had the entire household staff replaced. Goodness, to think the second attempt was as harrowing as it was!" Michel spoke, waving his arms around and barely keeping his wine from spilling.
From across the table Luna could see the muscles under Vivienne's feathers twitch as the queen strained to keep a polite visage even as she fetched a cigarette to light up. Michel's face twisted in slight disgust as his niece took a quick drag on her smoke.
"Ugh, such a filthy habit. It is a wonder you have drawn the eye of the princess here!"
Just as Vivienne was about to roll her eyes she took note of the slight motion Luna made with her head. Cooly the queen took out another cigarette and offered it, which Luna accepted. Then she leaned over the table and Vivienne followed suit, using the burning cherry of hers to light up Luna's and then the pair sat back in their seats.
Michel clicked his beak at that and took a swig of his wine. “The Discret Art Institute in Aquila is having its grand gallery opening, yet I have not heard of your involvement, Vivi.”
The queen gave her uncle a half-lidded gaze, her smile so thin it threatened to break. “I had hoped to leave the honor to you, uncle. You always seemed so much more interested in art. Didn’t you have some new portraits commissioned?”
He clapped and nodded. “I did! They’ve been hard at work for the past week! How sad I could not donate more to the opening, I had to settle for sending some of the older statues from the Grand Temple after replacing them. You see…” Michel prattled on.
Vivienne steadily emptied her fourth glass of wine.
"What a boor!" Vivienne slurred out as she cleaned off her makeup in the bathroom. The vanity top had talon scratches across it as she leaned over it to keep steady. "And the nerve, assuming to have us sleep in the same bedroom!"
"You should have said something to him sooner then, if sharing a bed with me is such an onerous task," came the princess’ dry remark.
Luna watched in amusement as Vivienne stumbled out of the bathroom, not fully cleaned up and half-undressed, the feathers on her head out of place as her blonde wig lay on the floor. With a scowl the hen approached uneasily over to the too-soft bed and crawled onto it.
"Do not tell me what I should have done, it was your idea to come here in the first place! And wipe that smirk off of your face!"
Luna’s ears wilted back and she looked away from Vivienne. The queen groaned as she rolled onto her back and lifted her arms up to the ceiling.
"No, no, it is not your fault, Luna. I had hoped that things would go better than they did. Eh. Perhaps the next few days..."
Luna let out a little sigh as she rubbed at her forehead. "Perhaps. Now, do forgive me, but I must contact my sister. All that information I have been reading on the Herzland I mean to give to her."
The queen blinked owlishly as she looked at Luna upside down and her arms hit the bed with a soft thump. "How?"
"Oh, I never did tell you? I can walk the realm of dreams. I used to do it to help my subjects with their nightmares, but..."
Vivienne made a slight noise as she rolled back over onto her stomach. "Well, go on then. I will likely be asleep when you are finished," she muttered as she closed her eyes, laying right in the middle of the bed.
As she focused her magic, Luna could feel her consciousness slowly slip away from reality as she fell into the fuzzy daze, her body going somewhat numb to the feeling of prickly needles across her skin. She could still hear and see into the real world even as her hooves touched down into the morass of the dreamscape, the dreams of those sleeping across Griffonia twinkling like stars.
As the dreamscape came more and more into focus she felt her body lose sensation as she fully manifested her consciousness into the realm. She took flight into the sky to find the golden light of her sister sleeping soundly and upon finding it exactly where she expected it to be she flew towards it with a smile.
"Celestia!" Luna screamed as she jolted out of the dreamscape.
Vivienne let out a squawk of surprise from being awoken by the alicorn's scream as Luna scrambled off of the bed toward the balcony. As soon as her hooves touched the carpet she yelped as her tail was in the firm grasp of Vivienne.
"Maar's marrow Luna! Calm yourself, now!" she slurred out, face contorted in confused anger.
"It's my sister, she’s in danger!"
Luna briefly teleported out of Vivienne's grasp and continued toward the balcony in her panic.
"Do you even know where she is?"
The question made her stumble a bit before she continued. "Somewhere in the Herzland!"
"Luna!" Vivienne snapped. "Stop and think, you stupid mare!"
The harsh command did have Luna pause in her motions, ears pinned back and front hoof pawing at the floor. Vivienne stumbled over to the princess and firmly wrapped her arms around Luna's barrel. "You have no idea where Celestia is, you would be leaving in the middle of the night and make me have to tell Flurry Heart and Spike where you ran off to!"
She froze at that then sat down, which forced Vivienne to follow. Vivienne proceeded to slur out several expletives until she dropped to mumbling. Luna felt the queen’s face against her side as Vivienne had drifted back to sleep. After waiting to ensure that the hen was sound asleep she gently lifted Vivienne in her magic and tucked her to bed. She sat and watched as Vivienne rolled over, then she turned to the balcony.
Upon opening the door she let the cool night air wash over her, her stars twinkling up above. Luna stood there and kept her focus on the moon and sun, searching for any signs of Celestia's own magic. A faint wisp of it could be felt on that burning orb on the other side of the world and she let out an anxious whinny.
"She must be gravely wounded... Oh sister, please be all right."
She walked around the room, too restless to try and sleep. Instead she hoped to distract herself by inspecting the room more thoroughly. It was much more ornate than the one back at Vivienne's palace, a clear sign that despite his sympathies, Michel was even more decadent and obsessed with wealth. Exotic woods used in all the furniture and walls, a chandelier with what she suspected to be diamonds to diffract the light, a carpet so soft and plush one could use it as a bed.
Her eyes drifted to the wardrobe for a moment, its design nearly exact to the one she had been gifted on her return. With her hooves brushing across the carpet she felt a sting in her eyes, where on that night she was held in white wings as she cried herself to sleep on the floor. Even the bed’s sheer size would have fit her elder sister comfortably.
Stomach twisted in worry she cast herself back into the dreamrealm. The grand golden beacon that was her sister was nowhere to be found in the mist-laden alternate world instead an untold number of nightmares filled her vision. Despite the geography being different, the deluge of nightly terrors struck her to her core; not unlike what she had seen in Equestria as the Great War raged on.
Luna set off to where she had last seen Celestia in this world. Though unfamiliar with this part of the world she still had a vague idea of where to find her sister. As she hovered over the collection of dreams in the tightly cloistered forest she noted the roiling torment of one, greater than the others. Though nothing about it was familiar to her, the anguish roiling off of it drew the moon princess down and into the dream.
Slowly she pulled out of the dream, the waters of it placid now. The other dreams around had shrunk down, some gone completely. In the gentle fog of the dream realm the light of the moon caused flashes like the twinkling of stars. “Sleep well, Diellza,” she whispered as she took off.
Luna took a few moments to scan around but there was no golden shimmer to catch her eye. With an ache in her heart she tearfully turned her focus back to Rila. Returning to where her physical body lay, another nightmare was nearby. A dark sphere of roiling smoke. She racked her mind for who it could be. She took stock of her surroundings in the dream realm and there was but one she could think to have such. Curious at whatever could make the queen frightful, she hovered above the dreamsphere. Gently she lowered her horn down to touch it.
Dreams had their own ‘taste’, unique to the individual as well as the emotions fueling it. The sour taste of fear was prominent, with underlying currents of anger and humiliation. Luna let out a snort, then shook her head. The smell of smoke filled her nostrils. It was the greasy smoke of war, and around her was rubble. The sky was dim as evening came along, the light of the stars being choked out as the city burned. Even the moon, her prison at that time, could scarcely be seen in its ascent.
Aquila, in the year of Grover II's razing.
Grand buildings had been brought down, the Aquileian fleet set to burn in the harbor. Citizens were being forced out of their homes with whatever they could carry. Many of them were indistinct as expected, so far from the center of the dream. Wings spread, Luna took flight to try and find the dreamer. She could see ruins on Trinity Hill and flew over toward the destroyed temples.
Standing among the ruins was a massive griffon wearing a crown and wearing the thickest armor she'd ever seen, a priest, and Vivienne. Luna landed gently nearby as the priest, an overweight looking griffon constantly wiping his brow of sweat, tried to perform the marriage vows. The priest kept stuttering while under the harsh gaze of the larger griffon, gripping his tome like a shield.
As the priest stammered toward the end, Luna's hoof clopped loudly against the stonework underneath. "You are not Giselda."
“My father is dead, who else can I be?” came the meek reply.
Another firm crack of hoof against stone. “You are not Giselda.”
“I am the prettiest young hen in all Aquileia, unmarried and royal. Who else am I?” The hen’s voice still wavered.
“Vivienne, look at me.”
The dream seemed to freeze as the hen looked over her shoulder to Luna. Their eyes met, and the roiling emotions of fear and anger melted away into relief. After a moment she reluctantly broke away to look up at the dream facsimile of Grover II.
"I am not," Vivienne affirmed as she wrenched her talons from his. "I am not Giselda, princess forced to marry the griffon whom ruined Aquila. I am Vivienne, queen of Aquileia!"
The dream Grover snarled as his features twisted. “Who are you, little hen, to deny the Empire what it’s owed? The Reichsarmee will march through the forests and hills of Aquileia once more to burn this city to ash and see you hanging like the traitor you are!”
“I am Queen Vivienne Discret!” she replied, her voice beginning to waver as the phantasm loomed over her.
“He is representative of your fears. I cannot banish him for you, but I am here for you,” Luna said as she came beside Vivienne.
A cloak of midnight feathers draped over the griffon queen and she stood up straight with a glower at Grover II. The giant took in a deep breath and unleashed an ear-splitting screech right into Vivienne’s face. Her own screech met his and her talons pierced through his right eye.
Slowly everything dissolved away, the ruins being replaced brick by brick by an Aquila Luna was far more familiar with, the fires of war replaced by the glowing lights of the city nightlife. Vivienne sat down and rubbed at her face as she let out a weary sigh.
"How often do you have this dream?"
The queen was frazzled, feathers out of place and panting heavily. "Too often, Luna. Too often. It is always the same thing. I am dragged by Imperial soldiers here and forced to go through the wedding."
Luna glanced at the 'rebuilt' temples, then back to Vivienne. "You need not suffer from ghosts of the past, especially ones with little bearing on your future."
Vivienne grew quiet and when she spoke it was in a low whisper. "He had several children with Princess Giselda and placed his son Grant onto the Aquileian throne when he became of age. Then his son took the Discret name to honor his grandmother when he rose to dukedom. It was not until the Empire collapsed in which our family finally proclaimed independence once more. Little Grover has a rightful claim on my throne, it is only a matter of time before it is pressed."
Luna sat next to Vivienne as they looked out onto the dream-Aquila. With her wing still around the queen she moved in a little closer and the hen pressed up to her in kind, tattered fabric against coat.
"Why are you here, princess?"
"I went in search of my sister in the world of dreams and could not find her. On my way back, I noticed your dream was one in turmoil. Was I to let it continue when I could have helped?"
She felt Vivienne shift and give a little nip with her beak. "I did not ask for help... but thank you."
