Changing Lanes 40

"Hi Moonbutt."
>Luna looks up from her bowl of oatmeal, surprised to see you.
>"Wow, I didn't have to pull you out of bed today."
"Yeah, hell must have froze over."
>You look over at where Celestia normally sits.
"Speaking of which, where is she at? Celestia is always the first one here in the morning."
>Luna rolls her eyes.
>"Trying to convince me she's too sick to preside over the castle today."
"I'm not saying you're lying or she is, but did you actually check on her? I mean, usually when she's faking, she at least shows up with an act."
>Luna rises from the table, having finished breakfast.
"I suppose, let's go see what kind of dramatics she has in store today."
>You follow her up to Celestia's room, still trying to rub the sleep from your eyes.
"So, what are we doing today, Lulu? Anything special?"
>The blue mare smiles at your question.
>"I don't know, did you have anything in mind? Maybe we ought to visit Ponyville today, we haven't been there in a while."
"Sounds like a plan to me."
>Finally reaching her sister's door, Luna pushes it open.
>A form which you can only assume to be Celestia lies on the bed, covered with a blanket.
>"Now sister, show me how you are so sick that you cannot preside today."
>With a groan, the covers roll off from the top of the bed.
"Whoa."
>It's Celestia, all right.
>But rather than her normal, light mane of pastels, her mane glows with a sea of red, orange and yellow, swirling about like a storm of fire.
>"Do you believe me now, Luna?"
>Celestia's voice comes out rather raspy, as it devolves into a coughing fit.
>With every cough and hack, her mane pulses, looking like bursts of flame.
"Uh, what's... what's with the-"
>"Solar flares."
"That's an illness here?"
>Luna's face shows her empathy for Tia as she turns to you.
>"It is for my sister. You see, we are tied so close to the heavenly bodies we control, their afflictions tend to transfer to us."
>Celestia lays her head back down on the bed, her coughing subsided for now.
>"I'm sorry, Luna. I wish I was faking."
>"You have no need to be sorry, sister. I will sit on the throne today. Just try to get some rest."
>Well, Ponyville will have to wait for another day.
>"I suppose I should get ready. Anonymous, I'm sorry we cannot visit with our friends today."
"It's fine. I can stay with Celestia today and help her get anything she needs, if she wants. Keep her company."
>You turn to the white alicorn, flashing her a smile.
>Her tired expression lights up at the idea, as she returns the smile.
>"I would like that very much, Anon. Thank you."
>As you turn around, Luna's lips greet yours.
>"You are too kind, Anonymous. I'll check up on the both of you from time to time."
"Have fun at work, Lulu."
>Her smile turns into a sly grin.
>"Well, you *were* too kind."

>Celestia falls asleep not long after you return from fetching a few books.
>You look up every time you turn the page, just keeping an eye on her.
>Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like she can get into a sound sleep, as the alicorn tosses and turns in bed.
>It's miserable being sick.
>While her mane looks like a massive fireball, it is not any hotter than normal.
>It took some convincing from Celestia for you to check her temperature.
>She doesn't have a high fever, but it's a fever nonetheless.
>As far as you can tell, aside from her change of appearance, this sickness is about the same as the normal flu.
>Her restless sleep continues, as you hear her mumbling something.
>You feel torn, wanting to help her in the apparent dream she's having, but also wishing to respect her privacy.
>Before you can mull it over, Tia snaps awake, jolting upward and panting.
>You toss your book down and hurry over to her bed.
"Whoa, relax. You're fine, it was a dream."
>Still somewhat recovering from the haze of sleep, it takes Celestia a moment before she recognizes where she is, her breathing slowly returning to normal.
>While she regains her senses, you head to her private bathroom, grabbing a small towel and soaking it in cool water.
>As you head back into her bedroom, Celestia has finally calmed herself, resting her head back down on the pillow.
>You can practically feel the heat radiating from her as you place the towel upon her forehead.
>"Thank you, Anon."
"Don't mention it. You were starting to worry the hell out of me."
>"It was not exactly an enjoyable experience for me, either. I suppose the fever may have something to do with that convoluted dream."
"You... want to talk about it?"
>A short coughing fit from Celestia is your immediate response, her mane lighting up the room with each pulse.
>"Sorry. But I'm fine, Anon, it's not a big deal."
"Alright. I don't suppose you feel any better at all after some rest?"
>She gives you a tired laugh.
>"Now that's just wishful thinking."
"Just trying to stay positive."
>"Speaking of staying positive, I wanted to ask you about how you've handled the last few weeks."
"I'm assuming you're talking about my miraculous return."
>"Not just that, I'm also referring to the fact it's quite clear you share the same gift of immortality my sister and I possess. That's a lot for somepony to digest, I would imagine."
"It's not something I have really considered, to be honest with you."
>"You haven't thought about it at all?"
"No, what I mean is, I understand it is a big deal, but I've always tried to live my life one day at a time. Forever is a long time, so why worry about the future? I don't intend on changing that way of thinking."
>She smiles.
>"Nor should you. It is a good way to think about it."
"It also means I have to deal with the two of you forever."
>Tia reaches up with a hoof and pokes you in the ribs.
"Sorry, merely thinking out loud."
>"Why do you do that?"
"What, think out loud?"
>She shakes her head.
>"No. I mean, why do you seem to always avoid compliments?"
>Her question catches you off-guard.
"I don't.... do I?"
>"How is it going in here?"
>Luna waltzes into the room.
>"Sister, good! Luna, doesn't Anonymous try to avoid compliments, or have some sort of smart reply to them?"
"Hey, wait a minute here. I'm supposed to be taking care of you, not listening to you point out my flaws."
>"She is right, Anon. Why is that?"
>You can feel the both of them staring you down as you try to come up with an answer.
"I don't know. I've just always done that."
>Celestia speaks up.
>"Do you not believe ponies are serious when they compliment you?"
"What? No!"
>"Are you afraid of being considered a good pony... er, person?"
"NO! And aren't you supposed to be sitting your rear on the throne?"
>"I am on lunch break."
"Luna, it's 10 am."
>"Brunch break, then."
"Now you're just making up your own rules."
>Luna bats her eyelashes.
>"Have you forgotten I am one of the princesses of Equestria? It's my duty to make rules."
"I haven't forgotten. It's probably why you're such a brat."
>Luna tackles you to your back on Celestia's bed, laying on top of you.
>"I'm not getting off you until you tell us why you don't like compliments."
>You struggle in vain as the two sisters giggle.
"Look, I really don't know. It's not something I'm used to hearing, I guess."
>Both of them suddenly quiet down, exchanging confused glances.
>"Not used to it? Did poni- er, people, not compliment each other in your world?"
>You shrug your shoulders as best you can.
"I mean, from time to time, I suppose. Most people just go about their day as quick as possible, not really paying attention."
>The sisters seem a bit troubled by your response.
"Is it really a big deal?"
>Luna rubs her chin.
>"No, I suppose it isn't. It is something we can work on in the future."
"Ugh, wonderful."
>She smooches your forehead, before crawling off you and the bed.
>"I'm afraid I've been up here longer than I anticipated. Just wanted to check how the two of you were doing."
"We're still here. She's still sick as a dog."
>As if on cue, Celestia goes through another coughing fit, as Luna cringes.
>"So it would seem. I will check back on you two later."
"Bye, Moonbutt."
>Luna teases you by sashaying out of the room.
>"My, do you two need a moment?"
>You turn to Celestia, her face twisted into a mischievous grin.
"You. Less talk, more sleep."
>"Alright, doctor."

>"What are you reading, by the way?"
>As the clock hits three, you and Celestia hunker over bowls of tomato soup in her room.
>She seems to be a bit better, as not only has her fever dropped, but the fire in her mane has simmered down somewhat.
"Not much. Just some stuff on your history."
>She sets her empty bowl down on her nightstand, focusing all her attention on you.
>"Do you enjoy history?"
>You nod.
"Yeah, I've always had an interest in events of the past. I felt the need to explore Equestria's history, so I have at least some idea of the past here."
>"Don't be afraid to ask me any questions you may have. I have seen it all."
"I guess I never thought of asking you because I don't want to make you feel... old."
>The calm quiet is instantly interrupted by a hearty chuckle from the solar princess.
>"Anonymous, if I haven't gotten over how old I am, I never will. I'm only as old as I let myself feel."
>You finish up your own soup, setting the bowl on the desk.
"Okay, point taken. I'm just trying to be mindful."
>Celestia quiets down, her benevolent smile lighting up the room.
>"I must ask, why are you spending the day up here with me? It is a beautiful day out, and I have servants that can attend to me."
>You shrug your shoulders in response.
"I guess I feel like I should do something to repay you."
>Tia tilts her head, sitting up in bed.
>"Repay me? For what, exactly?"
"Keeping me here in the castle, feeding me, making sure I'm not changeling food, all that for free. I really haven't done much to help out, so I figured keeping you company on a day you aren't up to par is at least something."
>"Oh, Anonymous. Do you really think we would have you here if we didn't want you? Obviously Luna is ecstatic you're living with us, but this has been a wonderful experience for me as well."
>Curiosity gets the best of you.
"How so?"
>"I think you underestimate how much of an effect you have on others. I know Luna has mentioned it before, but you make us feel... like everypony else. You don't let our royalty blind you, you see past it. And it gives us a chance to just be who we are around somepony else, without worrying about keeping up a regal visage."
>If it was even possible, her smile grows even wider.
>"No, Anon, you don't owe us anything. If there is one silver lining in this whole mess with the changelings, it's that I've gotten to know you like my sister has."
>She mulls over her words, before smirking.
>"Well, maybe not knowing you as 'intimately' as my sister."
"Way to make this heartfelt conversation awkward."
>"Yes, she has a gift for that."
>You jump a bit as Luna steps through the doorway.
"Could you at least knock? Or wear a bell?"
>"But it's fun startling you."
>The night princess walks up and nuzzles you, before turning to Celestia, who is still sitting upright.
>"You are looking better, sis."
>"Yes, I'm getting there, thanks to the doctor."
>She winks at you.
"Speaking of feeling better, you said what the moon is doing can affect you just like Celestia and solar flares. What can it do to you?"
>Celestia seems eager to speak up.
>"During a harvest moon, Luna's ass gets really big. And during a blood moon, she thirsts for the blood of ponies."
>Luna picks up a pillow and flings it at her sister, who manages to dodge it.
>"Don't listen to her. But a blood moon tend to leave me feeling rather ill, yes."
"So I don't have a vampiric Luna to look forward to the next blood moon? How disappointing."
>"During a blue moon she turns blue."
>Before either of you say anything, Celestia catches herself.
>"Cut me some slack, I'm ill."
"Whatever. And Luna, you're playing hooky again?"
>She snorts.
>From underneath her wing, Luna pulls out a piece of parchment, levitating it over to her sister.
>"I did not just come to see how you were doing. This was requested to be signed by you and ONLY you."
>Tia peruses the paper, rolling her eyes.
>"Fleur-De-Lis, of course. Luna, when are you going to make good with her?"
>Luna stomps a hoof down, making you jump a bit.
>"Me?! Pardon me sister, but from what I remember, it is SHE who holds a grudge against ME!"
>The solar princess leans back, as if Luna's voice is on the verge of carrying her away.
>"Take it easy sister, I was only joking."
>Luna takes a deep breath and sits on her haunches, as Celestia quickly signs the paper and hands it back over to her.
>Taking a quick look at it, she tucks it back under her wing.
>"I should have just told her to come back tomorrow when you would be present."
>"That's if I'm feeling well enough, Luna."
>The night princess shakes her head fervently in defiance.
>"Oh no, there is no 'if.' I am not going to preside over the kingdom five days in a row."
>Celestia starts to answer, before being interrupted by a coughing fit.
>After a moment, she regains her composure.
>"Lulu, what is the difference? Before we went to this schedule, you were presiding every night."
>Sitting upright, the blue mare crosses her forelegs.
>"And since that time, you've been taking a lot of vacations."
>"Well, you got a thousand year vacation, so I don't want to hear it."
>Wow.
>Taken aback, Luna slowly rises to her hooves.
>"Anonymous?"
"Luna?"
>"Leave the room. I don't want any witnesses while I kill my sister."
>Before you respond, Luna leaps onto her sister, batting at her with her outstretched wings.
>Celestia's laughter fills the room, before being interrupted by another hacking fit.
>Her ears drooped and face lined with concern, Luna stops her rough-housing, climbing off the bed.
>"Are you alright, Tia? I'm sorry."
>"It's... it's fine Luna. I guess laughter isn't always the best medicine."
>"Your Highness?"
>You turn your head to see one of the guards at the doorway, attention focused on Luna.
>"Yes, I will be right there."
>The guard nods, disappearing into the hallway.
>"I suppose I've been up here too long. Anon, look after her."
>She leans in, giving you a quick smooch before trotting out of the room at a hurried pace.
>Your attention focuses on the solar princess, who lets out a drawn out yawn as she lays back down.
"I never thought I'd hear either of you make a joke about... that."
>"Well, I suppose it shows we've finally moved on."
"Just like that?"
>You snap your fingers, to emphasize your point.
>Celestia tilts her head, seeming to put her answer together carefully before responding.
>"No, what happened between me and my sister will never just go away, Anon. But, we've acknowledged that, we're willing to accept it happened. We both made mistakes. Luna and I sat down and had a long discussion after we all met and had words with Nightmare Moon in the dreamscape meeting a few months ago. And it just..... I don't think either of us had really been willing to actually look back and truly understand what we did, to each other."
>Sitting down on the side of her bed, you can't help but find her answer odd.
"I don't mean to be obtuse here, but she tried to kill you, and you did what you had to do to save yourself and Equestria. Where exactly did you go wrong?"
>A chuckle erupts from the mare.
>"Well, using the Elements of Harmony without instructions or a clue of what I was doing, for starters. It was never my intention to imprison her for anywhere near as long as I did. But I never realized, how I wasn't ever looking at what Luna wanted, before any of that."
>She stares off into space.
>"Luna never wanted to rule Equestria. I was so busy trying to keep this land from destroying itself back then, I never saw that. I never even asked her. But she being the younger one, she just followed her older sibling, waiting for things to settle down to speak up."
"And they never did?"
>She flashes a weary smile.
>"Has it been quiet while you've been here?"
"Good point."
>"So yes, Anonymous, what she did was wrong. But I was wrong, as well. It's just taken a long time to see that."
>Celly's eyes drift close.
"Get some sleep, sicky. We can talk more later."
>"I'm not going to argue."

>You hear Luna humming down the hallway, giving you a good indication of how her sister is doing.
>Her bright eyes and big grin greet you as you look up at the doorway.
"I'm guessing Tia's well enough for us to visit Ponyville tomorrow."
>"Your guess would be correct. As long as she doesn't relapse during the night, of course."
"Sounds like I did a good job playing doctor today."
>Luna flops down of the bed as you toss away the book your were reading, scratching her ears.
>"Well, a good foalsitter, anyways. Did you just lounge around in her room all day?"
"Yeah. I mean, I accomplished a lot of reading, and we talked a bit too. When she wasn't sleeping, of course."
>The mare shakes her head as she takes off her slippers.
>"I swear Anonymous, with the amount of reading the two of you do, I'd be willing to believe you and Twilight Sparkle are related."
"I'm not that much of a nerd."
>"You don't think you are."
>Raising a finger, you boop her on the nose.
"Sorry, I just like being informed on the past and present of this place."
>"Then why not ask me?"
>You can't help but smile.
"Funny, your sis said the same thing. I guess the two of you can tutor me."
>Her face gets mischievous.
>"Only I am allowed to give you 'private' tutoring sessions."
"Such a dirty mind for a princess."
>She giggles as you cuddle with her.