The Canterlot streets and walls shine with the orange of the rising sun. Ponies in the usually busy market are calm-for now-as most focus on setting up their shops. Meanwhile, two figures sit on a bench in the Canterlot Garden, and they converse like best friends, despite only knowing each other for a mere month.

"No, Celestia, that's retarded."

"Oh? How would you do it then?"

"I wouldn't do it at all, Celestia."

"But whyy?" She whines, the last word having a high pitch. The smile that she's been holding the entire time she's been with him turns into a pout, and he has to look away.

"Becaauuusee," he says mockingly.

Celestia huffs, looking at him with a small frown. But in reality, the frown is playful, and it's not too long until it turns into a mischievous smile. Underneath, she is content. Quite happy, actually, just sitting with him here in the Canterlot Garden. Unfortunately-for him, perhaps-she has a plan. "Isaaac," she says impishly.

Isaac sighs, and shakes his head. It's over. She has a plan. I mean, of course she has a plan. She most assuredly had one before we even started our walk. She always has one. Why didn't I expect it? And now, I'm going to be an accessory to… not a crime, at the very least. But it might as well be. Pranking Luna. Is she insane? It's not even the prankee, actually, it's the time of the prank. It's like it's not even a prank, it's just something to piss Luna off. But… maybe Luna deserves it. Celestia did seem pretty upset with her sister's last prank. But then again, you've always had an affinity for blondes. The last thought makes Isaac smile, and for a moment he stares forward, before he is pulled back to reality. How long have I been sitting here, staring, since she last said something? He looks to his right, coming almost face-to-face with an amused looking Celestia.

"What are you looking at?" He asks, staring back at her with an equally amused face.

"Oh, you know… you," Celestia replies, her smile growing wider as she notices her reply's effect on Isaac.

Isaac starts to stammer, whilst fighting his small blush before settling for a totally smooth, "Cool."

Celestia giggles, and says, "Oh, Isaac, it's okay. You don't have to blush and act flustered. It's flattering, but I know I'll never be as good as your… 'women' back home."

Isaac's face contorts, and quickly settles on a worried expression. Before thinking about the implications of his words, he quickly argued, "What?! No, no. You're more than good, actually. You're perfect, in fact..." he stops, realizing what he has just divulged.

Now it's Celestia's turn to act flustered. She hastily searches Isaac's face, searching for even the smallest shred of sarcasm. When she doesn't find any, she goes through a wide range of emotions. Inside, she is relieved, excited, and hopeful. But at the same time, she feels doubtful, scared, and apprehensive.

It takes her a moment to take back her composure, but she is now filled with dread. She looks at Isaac carefully, but alternates between him and the ground to her right.

"Isaac… I… I'm flattered, truly, and perhaps under different circumstances I would let you…" Celestia sighs, then starts once more, "I can't let myself feel the same way for you, Isaac. Or for any other being, in fact. I believe that-"

"Wait. I get it. You're immortal and a princess and everything, and… yeah. Okay. It's… okay. Uh… I should go. See you tom… later."

Celestia watches as Isaac stands up and walks away. Her heart feels heavy, as though somepony were pulling on it, and a few tears fall from her eyes, but she blinks them away, and takes a few deep breaths, taking away the hooves that were pulling on her heart.

For the moment, she maintains her composure, but it quickly falls as she thinks back on what she said to her friend. 'Oh, you know. You,'?! Really, Celestia?! You should have known what would happen after that… and what you said after! You should have been perceptive of his feelings. You… Celestia sighs, and takes a deep breath. Alright. Calm down, Celestia. Your friend will come back. He just has to get over it, I'm sure. Celestia starts to stand, her duties now filling most of her thoughts. She departs, saying a mantra in her head that has kept her sane for years. A mantra she has said at least ten thousand times. It'll be fine…