"It's been quite a day, hasn't it Sister?"

Celestia nodded slowly and bowed her head, a display of weariness few ponies saw from their beloved princess. "I'm just glad it's almost over." She smiled at the dark blue Alicorn next to her. "Do you have any plans for tonight, Luna? Perhaps there's time to finish our little chess game before dinner."

"I'm afraid the conclusion of our match must wait for another time," Princess Luna answered. Like her older sister, her wings were colored the same as her coat and a large horn stuck out of her head. Like Celestia, her mane seemed to wave about, though Luna's had an extra feature of shimmering like a starry sky at night. Her flanks were decorated with white crescent moon on top of a darker patch of fur. Though slightly shorter than Celestia, she carried herself with just as much elegance and authority. "I was asked to make an appearance at the opening of a new night establishment bearing my name."

"Another one?"

"Indeed," the younger mare laughed. "I still find it rather peculiar that so many ponies would prefer to dance at night instead of the day. I can nary find a dancehall that operates during traditional hours in this era."

"Traditions change over time. But some things remain consistent." Celestia smiled. "No matter the year, our little ponies love to dance."

"Perhaps. I will miss the fox trot however. It was the only step I could preform without collapsing. A pity it is no practiced."

"You should ask Twilight for some tips. I'm sure she'd be more than happy to show you how it's done."

The two shared a laugh. "How is she doing?" Luna asked. "I am most ashamed to say that I have not found the time to read her latest report. She is returning from her diplomatic trip to the Griffon's summit, is she not?"

"She arrived this morning actually. I thought of waking you but you've been so busy as of late-"

"No more than you have, dear Sister," the Princess of the Night interjected.

"Yes, but we both know how much more difficult it is to wake you after a long night." She grinned as Luna grumbled in defeat. "She didn't stay for long, just to say hello, have some tea, and off she went to Ponyville. She sends her regards, of course, and looks forward to seeing us at the Grand Galloping Gala tomorrow evening."

"I do not understand how she can say that so honestly. The Gala is always terrible."

"Yes, well, friends do have a way of making even the worst of times something wonderful. And I assure you, Discord will be on his best behavior this year."

"I doubt it would make a difference," Luna said, rolling her eyes.

"If it'll keep the upper crusts off our backs for a few moments, that'll be enough. Can you believe a few tried to petition against allowing Spike into the castle? Never mind him being a national hero or anything. No, you just simply can't housebreak a dragon." The princess slapped her hoof on her forehead, as if swooning.

Luna giggled at Celestia's not-so-exaggerated imitation of Canterlot nobles. "And how is our little dragon? I do hope Twilight is not working him too hard."

"Spike is fine. He's grown a little taller since the last time you two met. Wings are much larger as well." Celestia sighed. "Oh, he's just like Twilight, growing up so fast." She turned to her sister and smirked. "And so handsome too. Don't worry, he'll be at the Gala, in case you were interested."

Luna smirked back. "And what makes you think I would ever be interested?" she wondered aloud innocently. Her face was anything but innocent.

"Just a hunch I suppose. Found a few letters in your waste basket." Celestia's smile grew as her sister's cocky appearance collapsed. "I didn't know you were such a poet. 'You are the flame that brightens my night, the light for my stars'..."

"T-those could be for anyone."

"'Your scales against my chest, pierce me with your true Spike'. I had considered showing them to Twilight until I reached that line." The princess chuckled, draping a wing over her sister who was quickly turning red. "Just be careful. I hear Rarity is quite possessive, fights dirty too."

"As do I," the Alicorn joked, her face returning to its natural color and embarrassment banished. She moved forward and gave Celestia a nuzzle on the cheek. "Celestia, I might not be around tonight but still, try to do something other work tonight. I do believe Discord's getting a little restless. Perhaps he could use some of your...attention."

Luna grinned victorious as a blush now painted Celestia's face pink. With a final knowing wink, she took to the air. Two leather-winged guards wearing her insignia appeared seemingly out of nowhere and followed closely behind. Celestia watched as her sister and her escort grow smaller and smaller.

"I don't think I'll ever say this again but I have a pretty smart sis-in-law."

Celestia nearly leaped out of her golden slippers. She glared at the grinning Draconequus that had snuck up behind her.

"What do you say? How 'bout you ditch that old paperwork and spend a little quality time with moi and the bed?"

"What's in the bucket?" Celestia asked, ignoring Discord's proposition.

"Paint."

"Why?"

"Diddy and Daddy are playing hide and seek. Winner gets to paint the loser green." He shrugged. "I had a hard time convincing him to stop losing deliberately. Can't blame the kid, what with a coat like that."

"What's wrong with white?" Celestia demanded. Her eyes narrowed.

"O-oh, nothing, absolutely nothing. It's that...you look so sexy in white and when I see Diddy I get a little confused and-"

"Please stop right there."

"Let's just ignore everything I said after I called you sexy. You sexy, sexy mare..." Discord tilted his head forward.

"Not in the open," the Alicorn scolded, pushing the Draconequus back.

Discord crossed his arms. "Hmph, figures I'd end up married to a prude."

"A prude am I? Then perhaps I should simply get back to work. There so much that still needs to be done for the Gala after all..."

"And by prude, I meant prune, or as in the wonderful magical fruit juice that really isn't as wrinkly or old as one would expect but-"

"Stop while you're ahead," Celestia interrupted with a kiss. "So I was thinking...tonight, in the sculpture garden..."

"Yes?"

"Just the two of us, right there in the moonlight. No sheets, no coverings."

"In front of your sister's moon?"

"Umm hmm."

"With all the statues watching?

"Yep."

"Right where I was sealed in stone?"

Celestia's smirk grew. "I knew you'd like this idea."

"Like it? I love it!" Discord grinned ravenously. "So, can we go now or-"

The door behind them swung open. "Dad, I'm bored. Can I give up yet?"

A young Alicorn colt stepped out from behind the door. Like his mother, he was white with matching wings, though his were too small for any real use. His mane however acted more like hair, laying limply on his head without any desire to wave or shimmer. It was brown, at least three shades lighter than his father's own fur. His tail on the other hoof was dark red, branching off at the end so that it appeared a bit like a claw. It certainly acted as one, as demonstrated by the way he held his little bucket. His eyes were another gift from his father, yellow and filled with mischief and a touch of possible insanity.

"Of course, should I really be surprised?" Discord mumbled as he and Celestia quickly separated. "Hey, why's your bucket empty?"

Young Prince Solaris shrugged. "I got bored, decided to decorate the hall a bit. Auntie Fluttershy is coming to the party tomorrow, right? She likes flowers, right? I hope she doesn't mind green ones 'cause I kinda ran out of pink."

Celestia bit back a groan as she kneaded her forehead, her exasperation barely tempered by Solaris's habit of calling Fluttershy by that enduring little term. It had been Discord's little way of showing appreciation for his very first friend. "Which hall?" she asked.

"Um, all of them, I think."

A sudden scream echoed throughout the castle as if in answer, likely the discoverer of the young colt's art project. As Discord nodded in approval, the Sun Princess pressed her hoof deeper into her face. "Of course something had to happen the night before the Gala."

"And I didn't have anything to do with it this time!" Discord placed his paw on his son's head and ruffled his already messy mane. "Atta'boy, Diddy," he said proudly as the child tried to escape.

"Come now, Solaris," Celestia said, peeling her husband off the young colt. "It's time for a bath. A real bath," she added, giving Discord a quick look. "With warm water and soap." The Draconequus answered with innocent whistling.

"Mom..."

"You've got paint all over your face. First, a bath, then we can discuss the Gala during supper."

"But Dad said he'd paint me green," the boy whined.

"Well, I did promise him," Discord said, stroking the white tuff of fur hanging from his chin. "And the last thing we want is for him to grow up with trust issues. I really don't trust those psycho-analysts that you pay by the hour."

Celestia's eyes grew narrower. "Discord, you paint him and I'll personally see you banished to the royal couch."

The Draconequus sighed. "Sorry Junior, looks like my hands are tied." He lifted his hands which were tightly wrapped in ribbon. Neither Celestia or Solaris appeared amused.

"I don't get it. What's wrong with the couch?" the boy asked. "It's real comfortable and you can make a fort and everything."

"True, but your mother is far more comfortable."

"DISCORD!"

With a laugh and a snap of his talons, the Draconequus disappeared. "See you at dinner!" his voice echoed.

"Um, Mommy, what did Dad mean when he said you were comfortable?"

"Bath time."

"But-"

"Bath time!" Celestia shrieked as blood rose up into her face. Her horn glowed brightly as she began to drag the reluctant boy off to be cleaned.

"Does it have anything to do with whatever you're planning in the garden? Dad seem excited so must be fun. Can I come too?"

Discord chuckled as Princess Celestia's anguished cries reached his ears. "That's my boy."

"Discord, please stop playing with Solaris's food. Solaris, please don't encourage your father."

The lettuce stopped dancing. The tomatoes stopped racing. The potatoes stopped sculpting themselves into caricatures. The peas continued to roll because, well, they were peas and Discord had no desire to touch those vegetables.

"Thank you," Celestia said, taking a sip of chilled lemon tea. "Now, about the Gala tomorrow..."

"Is it really as bad as Mrs. Pinkie says it is?" asked Solaris with a mouthful of chocolate covered alfalfa.

"...yes."

"Then I don't wanna go. Why can't I just stay home and play with Pinkie Pie or Auntie Fluttershy like last year?"

"Our home hosts the Grand Galloping Gala, remember? Also, this year all of our friends will be at the Gala and won't be able to babysit," Celestia explained. "And, as a prince, you'll be expected to make public appearances at these events." Her voice softened. "I'm sorry but I can't keep using the excuse that you're too young anymore. The nobles demand that we follow tradition, which means having you attend the Grand Galloping Gala."

"It's not that bad," Discord tried to reassure, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Once you get past the dull atmosphere, boring reception, tasteless entrees, dry speeches, endless groveling, boring music, security checks, the occasional Changeling assassin, the occasionally occasional Changeling not-assassin that's just misunderstood, uninteresting conversation topics, uninspired decorations..."

"All you need to do is sit next to your father and I and wave every now and then."

"That doesn't sound too bad."

"You have to sit still," added Discord. "For an hour at least."

"...oh."

"It won't be that long," Celestia quickly interjected. "Like I said, you just need to make an appearance, then you can spend the rest of the night with your friends. You wanted to show Fluttershy the jelly bean sprout you're growing, right? There'll be plenty of time to explore the gardens with her."

"While you'll be frolicking in gardens with all your pony friends, your mother and I will be fending off the hordes of pretentious, self-satisfying snobs, forced to laugh at their witless jokes and talk about the economy and the weather and the weather-economy and how it's all your mother's fault." Discord leaned back and wearily rested his hand on his forehead, much like how Celestia had done earlier. Solaris snickered and Celestia smiled.

"Just be on you best behavior tomorrow and everything will be fine," the Alicorn mare said, gently rubbing off a smear of chocolate sauce from Solaris's lips. "I am, of course, referring to your father. I know you'll stay out of trouble." She nuzzled against the boy's cheek. "You're my sunshine, after all."

"Moooom..." Solaris giggled. "That tickles!"

"Can we not do that at table," Discord pleaded, pretending to ram a finger down his throat in disgust. "Some of us are trying to eat." The Draconequus lifted his glass of cold chocolate-flavored milk to his lips.

Celestia returned to her seat and gave her son a wink. He winked back. "Hey Dad, Mom told me about your plans tonight. Do you think me and Fluttershy could too when we're in the gardens tomorrow?"

He and Celestia quickly ducked under the table, avoiding the brown chocolaty spray.