Follows A Little Spark 39

>By the time Celestia had reluctantly let you go – as reluctantly as you were to be let go – you smelled a bit like her own body’s strangely floral scent.
>Considering a human’s sense of smell isn’t great, relatively speaking, you have no clue how other ponies took it.
>Your face had been ground zero, so maybe you’ve got a much better awareness than usual, but that doesn’t help matters any.
>She wasn’t kidding about the scent-marking.
>Luna was absent from the evening’s council meeting.
>Strange, since these meetings were mostly for her benefit, when the two sovereigns needn’t meet with the ducal representatives from across Equestria.
>Turns out that, according to Raven, she took some time off, now that she was with you.
>Not that she told you that.
>Not that she’d have even had the chance; this was usually your first opportunity to see each other in your daily schedule.
>Quiet though she normally is, she always bore a certain presence, and her absence was noticeable.
>It brought the table down to five; Celestia, you, Raven, Blueblood, and the Royal Guard’s commander.
>It seemed what Celestia had done to you was quite apparent to all present.
>Raven kept shooting the two of you knowing looks.
>The Commander’s normally severe visage was cracked by a faint smile the whole meeting.
>And Blueblood…
>Blueblood looked terrified.
>He was never as composed as Celestia, but even he had a mask he could don.
>That masked was shattered, this evening, from the moment you had walked in the room at Celestia’s side.
>Celestia herself wore the smuggest expression you’d ever seen.
>The meeting was mercifully brief.
>You couldn’t handle being the subject of so many different attentions.
>You have no idea what Celestia’s guards think, and you didn’t really want to think about it yourself.
>The sun was still below the horizon, by the time you and Celestia made your way to your workshop together.
>She usually retires to her chambers or her library, but today she insisted on joining you.
>As soon as you open the door, you’re thankful for it.
>Because you can hear an altercation inside.
>The two of you hustle through the main hallway to the lounging room’s door.
>”And beyond age, we are clearly the more powerful.”
>”I seem to remember taking your butt down, a few years ago.”
>”This is no herd with thy five friends!”
>”This isn’t even your herd!”
>Luna and Twilight are all up in each other’s faces.
>Entirely too close, considering the volume they’re speaking to each other at.
>Not speaking. Shouting, in all honesty.
>They don’t even notice the two of you enter.
>At least you don’t have to explain why you smell like Celestia.
>”We have shared secret and private moments with him inside his own mind.”
>”I’m the only one who had faith in his life’s work, helped him achieve his goals.”
>Celestia, wearing an expression of mock shock, leans towards you and whispers, “You just told Luna she was included, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, what about it?”
>You can already tell those two have been arguing in circles, retreading the same points repeatedly.
>You have no idea how long this has been going on.
>”There’s a procedure to be followed, Anon. You didn’t even have a herd for a single day before you screwed it up.”
“How was I supposed to know, I’m just a human.”
>Luna stamps a hoof, her head held imperiously high. ”We touched the deepest parts of each other’s souls.”
>Twilight’s wings are flared out to make herself look larger. ”And you took too long to do it!”
>Celestia pulls on the back of your shirt with her magic, beckoning you out of the room. “Anon, the lead mare calls the shots. You just have veto power.”
“So what was I supposed to do? Your sister passed out when she thought I rejected her. In my dream! How does a princess of dreams pass out in a dream and not fuck something up? How do you even pass out in a dream anyway?”
>”Because it was in your head, not hers or anyone else’s. Beside the point. You should have given her the go ahead to talk to Twilight, or talked to Twilight about her in the morning. Then they’d meet and discuss it and if Twilight’s satisfied, you have the final say.”
“That’s ridiculous. I’m the stallion, isn’t it my herd?”
>”You’re just the centerpiece, the nexus. It’s Twilight’s herd. Well, it was, but you’ve now called that into question; your unilateral decision made both of them leaders because you undercut Twilight’s authority. Now go out there and fix your mess.”
>She nudges you in the back and pushes you on with one wing.
>They’re apparently in a lull in the argument, because they’re angrily discussing things with their eyes instead of their voices.
“Hey. Uh. You two. Shut up for a sec. Er, continue being shut up. Get over here.”
>Twilight complies immediately.
>Luna follows only after a moment of watching Twilight go, as if being the last to leave her spot was some minor victory.
>Both of them shoot a glance at Celestia after they stop in front of you, but neither says anything.
>Oh, right. Her scent.
>Keep this focused.
“What's your problem?”
>Nailed it.
>The two of them shift uneasily.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. The hell are you two fighting over? Me? Did this start the moment Luna came around and said something about it?”
>They both nod.
>”Heaven and earth, how are you two supposed to live together?”
>Twilight adjusts her wings in a gesture you’ve recognized as discomfort.
>Luna shoots her a glance, then says, “With a hierarchy. A proper one.”
>”I never said I was going to overrule your position! You’re a princess of Equestria, but-”
“We’re not starting round two! You two are acting like children."
>You run a hand through your hair and close your eyes, taking a deep breath and letting it out in a sigh.
“Alright. I know I’m not the one in command, with how you ponies do it, but Celestia told me I have to fix my fuckup here. One of you’s gotta be in charge over the other, for some dumb reason. That sounds an awful lot to me like I have to play favorites, and I really don’t want to do that, but it’s not like I have any idea what’s going on here in the first place. Okay, whatever, when in Rome and all that. Here’s what we’re gonna do.”
>The two look up at you, expectantly.
>You stare back, putting your hands on your hips, alternating your gaze between them.
“Twilight.”
>Her ears perk up, and her wings fidget again.
“You were first. You’re in charge.”
>Their expressions start changing immediately, but you hold up a hand.
“Slow your fucking rolls, I’m not done yet. Twilight, you’re in charge because you don’t have a fucking country to run. Just a little slice of it or whatever. Also, Luna, you know I love you but your sleep schedule’s kinda garbage when it comes to managing this crap. We’re not gonna fuck up Twilight’s just to take her into a dream every night, and that’s where you and I do a lot of our shit. It doesn’t mean I love her more or something. It’s because she doesn’t have as much on her plate, and I don’t want you to suffer with this division of responsibilities. And I mean responsibilities, Twilight. If I hear you lording this status over her, I might rethink my decision, especially if you neglect her or whatever other duties this lead mare thing entails. And Luna, speak to her like she deserves. None of those pronouns of disrespect.”
>The two of them look away from both you and each other.
>”I was planning to anyway,” Luna mutters.
>”She is right about the royalty thing,” Twilight mumbles.
“Cool. Kiss and make up, or however you add ponies to a herd.”
>Celestia walks up to your side as the two face each other.
>At first they don’t look like they’ll move; both wear the remnants of earlier glowers, holding themselves in stiff stances.
>Then Luna glances at you, smiles, and exhales in a cross between a huff and a sigh.
>She holds that smile when she looks back to Twilight, and the smaller alicorn relaxes.
>Twilight fully spreads her wings and draws herself up as best she can to the larger Luna while staying on all four hooves.
>Luna spreads her wings only halfway, and tilts them so their leading edges are angled downward. She dips her head to the floor in a bow, then tilts her head up while keeping it low, to look up at Twilight.
>The two bring their noses close, eyes closed.
>You half-turn to Celestia and whisper.
“I thought the breath thing was supposed to be romantic.”
>”It’s shared between parents and foals too, but here you could consider it a sort of bonding ritual.”
“Wild.”
>Once they finish the gesture, they look at you.
“Oh come on, we’re a family now, aren’t we? All that unpleasantness is behind us. Fresh start. Luna, welcome. Happy to have you here.”
>Before you even finish, Celestia’s walking around you, towards Twilight.
>”Twilight.”
>Twilight looks up at her towering mentor. “Yes?”
>Celestia smiles. “I too would like to join you.”
>Twilight’s demeanor goes to pieces on the spot. Awkward shuffling, fidgeting wings, the works. “Wh-what? I- I can’t do that! Both of you in my herd? Celestia, I was your student for half my life! How can you ask to be my charge now?
>Celestia bows to her once-student, then, a deep formal affair, exceptional wingspan swept out across the floor.
>Luna walks up beside her sister, beaming.
>Twilight looks to you, with an expression crying out for help.
>You just shrug.
>Shaking her head and sighing, Twilight dips her head down to Celestia’s. “Of course you can.  You know I can’t say no. Go ask Anon.”
>Celestia lifts her head and folds her wings again, still smiling, and walks up to you. “Anon, Cadance told me you still might be confused about me, and about how you feel towards me. I hope you will give me the chance to show how serious I am about this. About us.”
>You shift your weight on your feet, and shake your head.
“Princess, I’m pretty sure I smell more like you than whatever I normally smell like right now, and I didn’t exactly object to that process. No, I’m not as confused as I was, about you. I’m honored you would choose me.”
>Celestia gives you a deep nod and reaches her head out to touch her nose to yours for the briefest moment, before returning to Twilight. She copies her sister’s earlier gestures, but her movements are more graceful and refined, with a bit of a theatrical flourish.
>Twilight repeats her half of the ritual, though conversely, she does so more haltingly than before.
>Turning to her sister, then, Celestia repeats the process. Instead of assuming Twilight’s pattern, Luna mirrors that of her sister at precisely the same time and down to every exact detail, including all the grace and flourishes she hadn’t displayed before. Instead of Luna rising again and Celestia tilting her head up, the two of them touch noses while their heads are still low to the ground.
>You’re not sure if this is how the ritual is supposed to go or if Luna’s modifying it out of deference for her sister, but their perfect synchronicity just reminds you that no matter what you mean to them, it’s not a candle to what they mean to each other, in a different respect.
>You’re pretty okay with that.
>It’s not like it hurts your position in the relationship, after all.
>Equestria’s a pretty wonderful place.
>When they straighten again, you join the three, wrapping one arm around Twilight and the other around the sisters, which was a bit of a stretch, but you made it work thanks to some helpful repositioning on Luna’s part.
“Now we’re all settled. All together. Honestly, I have no idea how this herding thing works, but I’m sure you all can teach me right.”
>Celestia seems to just be basking in the moment. Luna’s keeping reserved, but arching her neck back against your hand. Twilight still looks dazed and confused.
>You give her a pat on her side.
“You especially. I’m sure these two have enough experience behind them to know how to get the better of me.”
>”I’ll d-do my best.”
“Atta’girl.”
>”But could you give us a bit? To work stuff out. Mare stuff.”
>You look at the other two. Celestia’s wearing an expression of exaggerated mock innocence, probably in response to your earlier comment. Luna just gives you a nod.
“Yeah, yeah I can do that.”
>You disengage from the group, but turn back to them once you’ve walked to the door.
“But if I hear any of you treating others poorly, there’ll be hell to pay.”
>Twilight and Luna nod, but Celestia just shoos you off with a wing.
>Once you’re outside, you start walking towards the palace.
>Before you enter, you see a pink spot standing out against the palace’s white and purple.
>Cadance stands on the balcony of her suite, looking down at you.
>When you look back up at her, she tosses her head towards the embassy in an unspoken question.
>Wearing a smile you’re sure she can’t see, you give her a salute, and continue inside.
>Unsure of how much time they need, you start wandering the halls by instinct.
>You don’t live in the palace anymore – though you suppose that will shortly change again, soon – but your body still falls into certain patterns, while moving within it.
>It’s not long before you find yourself at Raven’s office.
>Smiling to yourself, you step inside.
>”Ah, Your Excellency!  Your arrival heartens me.”
“You’re giving me the style too?”
>”I hear you have become part of the royal family, now. You deserve more respect than I had been displaying.”
>You take the seat in front of her desk.
>She’s already floating over a cup of that wonderfully strong coffee she keeps for herself.
>Was she expecting you?
“Alright, how’d you know? It just happened.”
>”I know a great many things that go on around here, Anon, from a great many sources.”
“Yeah, that’s you alright. Wait. Don’t tell me you didn’t plan this.”
>She laughs. “Anon, I do not take credit for the accomplishments of others. You made this happen. I simply helped in whatever ways I could, so you could succeed in the tasks you set out on.”
>She gives you a more serious look, then. “Including ones that have not yet completed.”
>You lean back in the chair.
“So you know about my little project.”
>”Oh yes. And I must say, your ambitions have met my expectations. It’s about time Her Majesty had a friend who would not outlive her.”
>Friend.
“Yeah, uh, well, plans have changed since then. But yeah, I hope it works. You know, if Blueblood doesn’t kill her.”
>Raven tilts her head. “Kill who?”
“The, er, friend. Kill, destroy, whatever. So, uh, what’s going to happen to him, you think?”
>”If Celestia has not acted yet, she may be agonizing over her decision. That means she contemplates a severe punishment. But, if you want my opinion on the entire range of possibilities, I can provide.”
“Sure, shoot.”
>”The slightest involves removing him from his position and little more. Fines, mandatory service, or other more mundane penalties might be considered. Increasing in severity, his family’s status stems from links to her family, long ago. As the head of the senior branch, she could alter that status in various ways. Seizing holdings is a possibility, as well as altering his position in the noble hierarchy. Higher still, she could consider relegation, or deportation. At this point we speak of the most severe punishments. She could order the erasure of all records of his existence – that task would fall to me – or even simply turn him to stone.”
>You choke on your drink at that last one.
“Excuse me, what?”
>”Justice fell harsher, in the time of her and her sister, long ago. Heroes dealt with threats in a manner that, if not permanent, at least lasted a long time. Those normally involved much more chronic and severe wrongdoing, however.”
“All these sound more like stuff I’d expect from my world, not yours.”
>”Ah, you mean her clever contrivances of rehabilitation. You asked of punishment, so I answered with such. What you speak of now is healing, of individuals or of a community. These means she seeks to implement out of an understanding of those who wronged and who suffered for it. Do not mistake this for an overabundance of mercy. With sufficient wisdom, one can display both compassion and justice at once, and deliver verdicts that satisfy the injured while helping the wrongdoer walk a new path. This way she may heal two, instead of one.”
>You contemplate this, while sipping your coffee.
>You’re dating or married or whatever to this manipulative mare, now.
>Life might become a little more difficult than you’d thought.
“So, uh, what happens to his job, if he’s removed?”
>”I imagine, Your Excellency, the task will fall to you.”
“I don’t know the first fucking- I don’t even eat half your food, let alone how to cook it.”
>”I can help you.”
“Celestia tells me this coffee is the only consumable thing you can make.”
>If she’s offended by that comment, she doesn’t show it. “Anon, the keeper of the royal household represents a much more administrative position than a domestic one. You must think like an administrator, a leader.”
“I haven’t led much, in my life, Raven.”
>”A leader knows how to do things by knowing who can do them. Fortunately for you – and for Her Majesties – I know a great many talented ponies.”
>You smile.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
>”Neither do I.”