“What’s that?”

The red stallion turns his head to follow the pointing yellow hoof and answers, “That’s a power conduit. It takes power from the engine an’ feeds it to other things on the ship, like the lights, stove, and refrigerator.”

“And what’s that?”

“That’s an access panel, so you can get ta the portion of the engine housing that’s underneath the floor if you have ta.”

“And what’s that?!”

“That’s an allen wrench.” The stallion reaches over and pulls his little sister into his hooves. “Now you’re just bein’ a smart aleck.”

The filly giggles as a giant hoof gently tussles her mane, careful not to disturb the carefully tied bow there.

“Okay! Okay, ya got me!” she manages to gasp out between her laughter. He relents and the filly spins around in his grasp, her smile fading. “Big brother... I’m really, really sorry about skippin’ school and sneakin’ on the ship. I just really thought it was neat an’ wanted ta explore a bit.” Her ears droop and she turns away. “But now I’m stuck here away from my friends an’ Applejack’s so mad with me I saw steam comin’ out her ears. I dunno what ta do...”

Mac chuckles. “Don’t you worry about her none, ah’ll talk ta her later. Do you wanna know a secret?”

Her face lights up. “A secret? Sure!”

“Well, ah’m really not surprised you’re here, and ah ain’t mad with you about it. Ah would’a done the same darn thing at your age, and so would AJ...” He looks around a few times and leans down. “...but if ah don’t pretend ta be upset when she’s around, she yells at me too fer bein’ irresponsible!”

Apple Bloom begins to giggle again. “So ya really ain’t angry with me?”

“‘Course not, sugarcube,” Mac replies with a smile. “You’re an Apple, and Apples don’t fall far from the tree. Nothin’ you do really surprises me, but don’t tell your big sister ah said that.”

“I won’t. But were ya really like me when you were little?”

Now it’s the stallion’s turn to giggle. “Eeyup. When AJ was just a baby, ah was a right little hellion, shirkin’ mah chores ta go off with mah friends on make believe adventures, pretendin’ ta be a sky pirate or a knight on a quest. It lasted ‘till Pa bought me some books on airships one year for Hearth’s Warming. He knew ah was interested in ‘em and wanted ta focus that interest inta somethin’ productive... an’ ah took to it like a fish ta water. Ah stopped goofin’ off an’ started helpin’ around the house more so ah could have more time ta read. Ah figured ah’d found mah special talent, and so did Pa.” He nods proudly. “He even started puttin’ money away ta send me ta school in Manehatten where ah could apprentice under the family’s master shipwrights.”

“But ya didn’t go?” Apple Bloom asks, glancing back at her brother’s cutie mark.

Mac adopts another gentle smile. “Sometimes things change, and sometimes your responsibilties’re more important than what you want ta do. Mah two little sisters needed me at the farm, so that’s where ah stayed.”

With an effortless motion, the red stallion bites the filly by the scruff of her neck and tosses her into the air. She squeals with delight before safely landing on his large back. He closes the engine panel and puts his tools away as she settles in, and together the two begin a leisurely trot down the hallway toward the stairs leading to the living quarters.

“But don’t get me wrong,” he continues. “Ah didn’t regret it for one minute. Havin’ the two of you in mah life is the greatest blessin’ ah can think of, and ah’m thankful for every single day that ah had the opportunity to watch y’all grow and to help you in any way ah could. Even if the two’a you sometimes get under mah coat somethin’ fierce.”

The two ponies share another laugh together as they walk.

“We must’ve been gettin’ under your coat a lot lately, considerin’ how eager ya were ta hop on this ship and chase that old dream of yours this mornin’.”

Applejack stands in the hallway, oddly hatless, with a cooking apron tied to her back and a smirk on her face. Mac’s expression sours and Apple Bloom attempts to hide herself behind her brother’s head.

“It was only supposed ta be a vacation, AJ,” Mac says, the cheer in his voice fading a bit. “Ah would’a given you more warnin’ but this is just how it worked out.”

Applejack folds her ears back and flashes an apologetic smile. “Sorry... ah didn’t mean for it ta come out that harsh. Ah love ya, big brother, and ah want ya ta be able ta follow your dreams. But at the same time... we still need ya. Both of us.”

The stallion smiles and nods. “Eeyup. Ah’d hate ta see what’d become of the Acres if ah were gone for too long. Why, we’d probably be growin’ pears or somethin’.”

“Don’t you even joke about that kinda stuff, Mac! Yer terrible!” Applejack exclaims, rearing back in shock. This incites a giggle from Apple Bloom which quickly spreads to her older siblings.

The stallion stretches his neck. “Truth be told, ah’m glad things worked out like this. Ah’d probably be homesick already without the two’a you here.”

“Of course ya would,” Applejack smirks. “‘Cause no matter where in the wide world ya travel, you’ll never find a pair’a sisters better than us, right Apple Bloom?”

The yellow filly emerges from her hiding place behind her brother’s mane with a hearty “Eeyup!”, but she realizes her error when she sees her sister’s face and moves to hide again. Acting quickly, Applejack closes the distance before she can.

“Now hold on there, sugarcube, there’s no need ta hide. Ah ain’t mad at ya anymore. Bein’ angry at each other for the entire trip doesn’t do anypony any good.”

Apple Bloom peeks out from her hiding place again, eyes sparkling with hope. “D’ya mean it, Sis?”

“Don’t get me wrong. You’re still grounded for a month after we get back.” And with that, the hope vanishes. “But for now we should enjoy our family vacation together. Now go on and get washed up, dinner’s almost ready.”

“Okay, Sis...” She hops from her brother’s back and scurries off down the hall while the two remaining Apple siblings watch on.

“You don’t give her an inch, do you?” Mac sighs.

“Ah gotta be strict ‘cause you always spoil her rotten, just like ya did with me,” Applejack replies as she walks over and nuzzles her brother. “But ah don’t mind bein’ the bad guy. It’s just one of the ways ah can say thanks for everything ya do for us.”

Mac laughs. “You weren’t lyin’ when you said you were the best pair’a sisters.”

Applejack responds by hoofing him in the side. “Ah’m the Element of Honesty, Mac! Don’t y’all forget it! Now c’mon, you go wash up too, an’ be quick about it. Ah have a feelin’ this food’s gonna disappear fast.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Cobbler?”

“An’ fruit salad, with homemade ice cream for dessert. Pinkie helped.”

The stallion vanishes down the hall in a flash, leaving a chuckling orange mare in his wake.

The endless waves of Equestria’s Great Ocean roll ever onward far below as you stand at the pilot’s console, hands on the controls for no real reason other than the fact that it’s still exhilarating. Celestia lounges nearby, curled up behind you on the deck next to the console, and the two of you stare off into the sunset visible just beyond the bridge. While you can’t look at it directly, even with the aid of your tinted flight goggles, her eyes never waver from the burning orb as it sinks below the horizon.

“There’s something you’re forgetting.” The alicorn’s soft voice breaks the silence, though she keeps her gaze on the sun.

“Oh? What’s that?”

“The ship needs a name.”

You tap the console with your fingers, relishing the fact that it even exists. “I knew its name from the moment I saw it. ’Dawn Star’.”

Now she turns back to you, a slight smile gracing her lips.

“There’s a story behind your choice, and I want to hear it.” Even though her mane no longer shines with its own light, the halo around her from the setting sun makes her look absolutely radiant and you’re forced to avert your eyes.

“It’s not much of a story,” you begin. “Sometimes, back on Earth, you could see the planet Venus shining like a star on the horizon just before sunrise, after all the other stars would fade away as the sky started to lighten. When I was little and didn’t know it was really a planet, I called it the Dawn Star because it was always a sign that dawn was just around the corner.”

She turns away from you and back to the sun, now barely visible between the clouds that clutter around it in the distance. “It sounds lovely, but that doesn’t explain why you chose to name the ship after it.”

You chuckle as you reach down and run your fingers between the strands of mane that rest between her ears, and she tenses at the contact before leaning into your palm.

“I know it sounds stupid, but I always kind of saw that ‘star’ as a promise. You know, that the sun would rise again. And it’s how I see this ship, too... as a sort of promise between us.”

Her wings flutter just a bit as she turns to face you. The dancing light and long shadows of dusk mask her expression so it’s tough to tell what’s going through her mind at the moment. She opens her mouth to speak, and then the loud ringing of the dinner bell manages to drown out whatever words happened to slip out.

You turn your head toward the sound and cross your arms. “So, did that bell come standard, or did our little country chef bring it from home?”

“From home,” Celestia giggles. “The tone is quite distinctive. Perhaps it’s something to remind them of Sweet Apple Acres.” She shakes her head and rises to her hooves. “Shall we go?”

“I can lock the ship’s course, but someone needs to stay out here to watch for threats. Who knows what else our favorite Purple Princess has planned...”

Sun Horse playfully smacks you in the side with her tail as she passes. “Such over-cautiousness is a bit unbecoming, Captain. The fleet we left behind should only be able to match our speed at best, and we’re too far out over the ocean for a pegasus to fly unassisted. It’ll be fine.”

You chuckle in response before following her swishing strawberry tail down to the living quarters.

“Famous last words. If we get ambushed by something you can fight it off while we all chow down. I promise I’ll save you a plate of leftovers.”

“How generous.”

“I try.”

The rest of the ponies have already gathered around the dining room table by the time the two of you arrive. Your mouth begins to water uncontrollably as it seems every inch of the table is covered by a variety of delicious looking dishes.

“Wow, this looks amazing!” you exclaim.

Applejack winks. “Between me and Pinkie here ah reckon y’all are gettin’ the best meal Ponyville has ta offer! Don’t be shy, grab a plate and dig in!”

You happily comply, spooning yourself a large helping of apple cobbler and salad, and soon enough the six of you are all seated together, stuffing your faces with good food and merrily talking with one another when time allows.

You note that Celestia in particular is going to town on her cobbler with gusto. “Wow, Celly! You’re sure comfortable eating without your magic!” Pinkie chirps, leaning over and giggling at the sight.

Applejack chuckles. “That’s an understatement if ah ever heard one. Most unicorns’re nothin’ but four left hooves when they can’t do their sparkly levitatin’ thingamajig. Can ya imagine Rarity eatin’ like that?”

Celestia, her cheeks slightly rosy with embarrassment, removes her face from her mostly eaten cobbler and daintily dabs a napkin across her muzzle with a hoof. “Yes, well, unicorn foals have use of their magic from a very early age, so when they temporarily lose it through injury or other means it feels to them as if they’re missing a limb. It’s not surprising that they’re left a bit flustered as a result.”

“But it’s different for alicorns?” you ask.

She nods. “In some cases. Pass the salad, please.”

You do so and turn to Pinkie as she refills her own plate. “What’re the Cakes gonna do without the two of us? Are they okay with running Sugarcube Corner by themselves?”

Pinkie giggles. “They’ll be fine, Non-non.” Her ears fold back and she leans in to whisper to you. “This is a secret, but before we hired you we were losing money every day because I was eating a liiiittle too much of what we were baking...”

“…Why am I not surprised?”

She gestures wildly, her voice returning to its normal volume. “But it’s important, Non-non! We always need to taste test... what if we made a bad batch of cupcakes or muffins?! If we try seven out of each dozen the odds of having a bad one are really, really low!!”

You facepalm. “So you’re telling me that instead of baking, my real job was to...”

“Prevent me from pilfering pastries like a problematic predatory piggy-wiggy-Pinkie!” She grins and you can almost see a halo appear over her head.

You upgrade to a double facepalm. “And when they found out I was leaving...”

She nods again. “Yep, they pretty much kicked me out. So I grabbed Gummy and came to find you!”

Said alligator pops out of her frizzy mane for a minute, hisses at those present and then returns to its cotton candy lair. You attempt to push this new revelation out of your mind by jamming another spoonful of cobbler in your mouth.

“Well, regardless, I’m glad to have you on board,” you say. “You really, REALLY saved us with those cannons you brought.”

Pinkie salutes. “It was no problemo, Cap’n! Weapons Officer Pinkie Pie always finds her mark!” Her blue eyes wander over to the refrigerator. “And right now her sights are set on the most delicious target of all... home~made~ice~cream~~~!”

“Oh no ya don’t, ya little varmint!” Applejack yells, quick to intercept her. “You’re gonna finish what’s on your plate before ya get dessert. There ain’t gonna be any wastin’ of food on this ship while ah run the kitchen. And don’t even think about tryin’ to sneak in for a midnight snack, ‘cause that fridge is padlocked, ya hear?”

“B-but...” The pink mare’s mane half-deflates while the rest of you share some laughter at her expense.

Celestia turns to you, her plate now empty. “Speaking of midnight snacks, have you decided how we’re going to handle the sleeping arrangements?”

You ponder for a bit because it’s a good question. You have three bedrooms: the relatively Spartan crew quarters with four single beds, a queen bed in the guest bedroom, and a king in the master.

“I want Cel in the master bed while she recovers,” you say. “I guess that means we’ll divide the rest by gender. The girls can have the crew quarters, Mac can have the guest bed, and I’ll crash on the couch in the living area.” You nod with satisfaction. Yep, that plan makes the most sense. Surely they’ll...

“Absolutely not!”

“No way, no how!”

…And two mares immediately object. Of course.

“In the interest of avoiding a mutiny, I’m willing to hear your concerns,” you groan.

Applejack speaks up first. “There ain’t no way ah’m sharin’ a room with Pinkie Pie.” She turns to the pink mare and flashes an apologetic smile. “Sorry, hun, but ah’ve had enough sleepovers with you an’ the girls ta know that ya literally bounce off the walls when you’re snoozin’. There ain’t no way ah’ll manage ta get ta sleep with the two’a us in a cramped room like that.”

“Guilty as charged!” Pinkie giggles.

You rub the bridge of your nose and turn your attention to Sun Horse. “Fair enough. What about you?”

“We talked about this yesterday,” she huffs. “It is absolutely ridiculous to give me the master bed. This is your ship. And that couch barely qualifies as a place to sleep; it’s tiny!”

“This again, Cel? I thought I made myself clear: you’re injured and you need your rest, so you should get the comfiest bed. It’s also the only one that’ll hold you if you decide you want to stretch your wings or something.”

She rears back. “Are... are you saying I have fat flanks?!”

“Are you seriously trying to argue that you don’t have the biggest flanks here?!” you counter.

The rest of the assembled ponies try to stifle their laughter. Mac utterly fails and lets out a hearty guffaw while banging a hoof on the table.

Celestia narrows her eyes. “I’m glad you find that so amusing, Mr. Apple, because I’ll be taking the guest bed from you.”

“But wait, what about me?” Pinkie asks, perking up in her seat. “I know, Maccy can keep the guest bed and I’ll share with him! We can be bedtime buddies!” She hops over and pulls him into a big hug.

“EENOPE!” The color drains from the stallion’s face as he tries to pull himself from Pinkie’s vice-like grip.

Applejack stomps a hoof. “There ain’t no way that’s happenin’, so just forget about it right now, Pinkie Pie.”

“That’s right, Ms. Pie, it ain’t proper!” Mac gasps as he tries to free himself.

Great, the situation is rapidly descending into chaos...

“Wait! I don’t get it...” Apple Bloom’s voice rises over the cacophony of shouts and everyone stops to pay attention to her. “I mean, Anon n’ Celestia were sharin’ the big bed just fine this mornin’. They looked really comfy and everything! Why can’t they just keep sharin’ it? Then Pinkie can have the other room ta herself and big brother an’ sis an’ me can share the crew room. That’ll work out for everypony, right?” she innocently asks.

Silence descends upon the room and all eyes move to you and Celestia.

“Well ain’t that somethin’!” Applejack grins and wiggles her eyebrows at you. “Don’t forget me when it’s time ta send out the weddin’ invitations, y’all!”

Mac flashes you a sly smile and holds up one of his hooves. You have a sneaking suspicion that if he had fingers he’d be giving you a thumbs up.

You hold up your hands in defense. “Whoa, it’s not what it sounds like. We were both tired and we—”

Pinkie completely ignores you and hops from her seat over to Celestia to exchange a hoof bump with her. “Woohoo! Way to go, Celly! C’mon, you can share, what was it like?!”

Celestia smiles and answers, “I’m happy to report that he was sufficiently cuddly,” prompting the two to giggle together.

Apple Bloom continues to look totally confused while you rest your head in your hands and massage your temples. “Someone, please, just kill me now...”

“Aw... there, there, sugarcube, it ain’t so bad,” Applejack chuckles. “Ah think Apple Bloom’s idea is the best option we have.” She turns to Celestia. “Gotta say, ah’m kinda jealous. Too bad Mac ain’t nearly as cuddly as he was when we were foals.”

Big Mac snorts. “Says you. Cheer-Cheer thinks ah’m plenty cuddly.”

Silence descends upon the room again. This time, all eyes fall on the red stallion, whose coat somehow gets even redder from the attention.

Apple Bloom looks around. “Who’s Cheer-Cheer? Was that one’a your stuffed animals, big brother?”

“Well ah’ll be... so you’re tellin’ me their crazy little plan actually worked in the end?!” Applejack asks, sporting the most devilish grin you think you’ve ever seen on a pony.

Mac levels a death glare at his sister. “If you breathe one word ta her about this before ah’m ready ta tell her mahself, ah promise ta end you, AJ.”

The orange mare is fighting her laughter as hard as she can. “My-my lips’re sealed, Mac! Pffthahahahaha~!”

You find yourself getting caught up in the raucous laughter that echoes throughout the room, and in a brief moment of respite you catch Celestia’s gaze and lean over to her to tell her, “I’ll agree to this if you promise to behave yourself.”

“I’ll behave myself as long as I’m conscious, but what I do in my sleep I can’t be held accountable for,” she replies.

You simply roll your eyes as Pinkie hops over with a huge bowl of homemade ice cream on her back and a padlock with a lockpick dangling out of its keyhole in her mouth.

“Now this feels like a real party! Who wants ice cream?”

Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Equestria and Herald of the Sun, dines alone in one of the grand banquet halls of Canterlot Castle. The sound of a nearby door opening pulls her attention from the immaculate five star meal prepared by the castle’s master chefs. She spies a unicorn guard approaching, levitating the item she requested. With the utmost care, the guard places the item on the table in front of her, bows, and exits the room.

The Princess’ horn shines, and in a flash the plates of leftovers are cleared from around the spherical object. She begins the process of channeling energy through it, and in time the wavy image of a pristine white unicorn appears in the air before her. The unicorn startles, then primps her perfectly styled purple mane a bit before speaking.

“Ah, Princess Twilight... how delightful of you to call, darling. You’re doing well this fine evening, I take it?”

“Yes, I’m doing fine, Rarity,” Twilight replies with a smile.

The unicorn nods. “Good, good! That’s always wonderful to hear.”

The purple alicorn’s eyes narrow. “But I’d be doing better if I had my future husband by my side where he’s supposed to be.” She shifts her gaze to the empty chair beside her own. “I don’t see a pair of delicious, hairless monkey buttocks that I could knead with my hooves and bury my face in forever and ever currently seated in that chair, do you?”

Rarity begins to sweat. “W-Well, no... I’m afraid I don’t...”

“I also haven’t received word of the Purple Wings returning to port,” Twilight says as she levitates over a wine glass and takes a sip of its contents. “I can’t help but wonder if these two observations are related.”

“You see... there was a bit of a complica—”

“Rarity~~”

The alicorn princess slams a hoof on the table.

“Where.

Is.

My.

Human?”

Rarity cringes at the outburst, then squares her shoulders and adopts a perfect Canterlot pony pose as she mentally regains her composure.

“Well. If you must know, that bipedal fiancée of yours is quite elusive. He evaded the ambush we arranged and is currently en route to Latigo. Not to worry, though, because I have the squadron in full pursuit. We shall overtake them the moment they reach their destination.”

Twilight sighs, then takes a large gulp from her glass. “See that you do. The effects of the Geas will fully dissipate by tomorrow afternoon. If you can’t capture him before then, you need to at least prevent him from reaching the island until I arrive.”

Rarity proudly holds a hoof to her chest. “It shall be as simple as threading a needle, darling. Though, I must admit, I’m still a bit unclear as to why you chose me for this task. Wouldn’t something like this be more your brother’s purview?”

Twilight rolls her eyes. “Apparently Luna thinks that seasoned military commanders like Shining are better positioned near the border to deal with the ongoing Changeling incursions, and the Council agrees with her! Can you believe that?! I mean, REALLY?! What could be higher priority than retrieving the kingdom’s future Prince?!”

The fashionable unicorn solemnly nods. “Truly, they’ve lost sight of what’s most important. As the famous romance novel authoress Mistress Notfluutershai would say, ’True love comes before all’. I, for one, feel you’re doing the right thing, and I’m happy to help in any way I’m able.”

The purple alicorn sighs, then adopts a tired, somewhat goofy smile. “Thanks, Rarity. You’re a good friend. It’s a shame I couldn’t devote more resources to go after Anon, but at least I was able to convince them to deploy the Purple Wings.” She giggles and twirls around once in delight as she paces about the room. “The fifteen fastest vessels in the royal armada should have no difficulty catching that puny little airship Celestia had commissioned!”

“Thirteen, darling,” Rarity coughs.

The Princess turns back, her smile unbroken. “Come again?”

“Thirteen. Your good fiancée... may have ended up sinking two ships as he made his departure.”

Twilight’s eye twitches. “Oh. How interesting.” She downs the rest of her glass, then refills it from a nearby decanter before downing the contents again, her friend’s ears folding back with worry at the sight.

“Princess? Dear? This might be a bit presumptuous of me to say, but... perhaps you should slow down? You were never really good with alcohol, if I recall correctly...”

“Oh, this?” Twilight beams, holding up the empty glass. “This isn’t wine. It’s really Capri Sun®. I get the servants to squeeze it out of the little pouches for me so I can drink it in a glass.”

“My word! How deliciously decadent!” Rarity gasps.

Twilight giggles. “I know, right? I also had my servants retrieve something from Ponyville for me. I think you’ll be interested in it...” She turns away and lifts up an item with her telekinesis. “Remember this?”

The unicorn’s nervous smile immediately fades as a look of horror washes over her face. “No... no, it can’t be... I thought that abomination was destroyed!”

A deep purple robe, covered with perfectly accurate constellations, floats in the air along with its matching starry headpiece.

“Nope~!” Twilight chirps. “It was still in my closet where I left it!” Her smile fades and she adopts a menacing grin. “There’s a banquet for the nobility in a few days. Everypony who’s anypony in Canterlot is going to be there. I might just wear this little number to it... and if I do I’ll be sure to let everypony know that it’s a Rarity original~”

The unicorn gasps and wobbles on her hooves as if on the verge of fainting. “You... you fiend! How could you?!”

Twilight places the disastrous dress aside and smiles cheerfully as a few more giggles escape her mouth. “Though, as long as you don’t fail me, you have nothing to worry about. Bring me my Anon and you have my word that this dress’ll never see the light of day again. Simple, right?”

Rarity dramatically hangs her head in defeat. “Yes... you’ve made yourself very clear, Princess. I, Rarity, shall do as you request.”

“Great! I expect a favorable report upon my arrival tomorrow.” With a flash of her horn, the image fades, leaving Twilight alone in the room once again.

She reclaims her seat at the table and pours herself another glass of Berry Blast™ flavored Capri Sun®. Swirling the liquid in front of her, she stares at her own reflection for a few moments as it dances across the surface.

“Soon, Anon my sweet... soon you’ll be where you belong. With me. We’ll make beautiful, passionate, incredibly kinky love with one another, and you’ll realize your true feelings...” She downs the glass. “…And then you’ll be mine, just like I’ve dreamed about since you first appeared in my life. Mine and mine alone.”

Sighing, she slumps forward and lays her head on the table. “The Princess and her dashing Prince... just like in all those old stories...”

The alicorn yawns and closes her eyes, and before long the only sounds in the large dining hall are the regal snores of a Purple Pony Princess.

It’s hard to pinpoint a single one of the many thoughts that are swirling around your head at this particular moment. At best, you can sort of describe it as a wild west standoff.

You’re on one side.

Cel’s on the other.

The bed’s between you.

And neither one of you dare make a move.

“I’m not going to bite or anything,” she giggles.

“I know.”

“Well, as amusing as this is, I think we need to get our rest for tomorrow.” She slides the covers aside and wiggles between them like before. “A little help?”

You move over and tuck her in without a second thought. She lets out a contented sigh and burrows into the soft sheets and pillows while you move away from the bed, pacing in thought.

“Anon?” Her magenta eyes are open and tracking you when she hears your retreating footsteps. “A fair warning, but if you leave this room and attempt to sleep on the couch, I’ll follow you.”

You chuckle. “Again, I know. I’m not leaving; I just realized this is the only pair of clothes I have left after Twilight nuked the house. I’m wondering if I should sleep in them again or try to wash them now.”

“Have you checked the dresser? Pajamas are in the top left drawer.”

“Very funny.” You walk over and open the drawer to humor her, only to find a pair of silk pajamas waiting there. Surprising to be sure, but what really floors you is the fact that they’re not horse pajamas.

“What the...?”

You immediately begin opening the other drawers only to be greeted by an assortment of clothes, all perfectly sized for you, some of which look like near approximations of the hiking / climbing clothes you used to use back on Earth.

Your heart nearly stops. All those conversations you had about climbing, all those little questions she asked... not only did she listen to every word, she remembered them almost perfectly...

You turn back to Celestia and attempt to speak but no words end up coming out.

She smiles as she explains, “I requested that the kitchen and pantry be fully stocked upon delivery of the ship, and the same was true for the wardrobe. Knowing you, you’d likely want to head out on an adventure immediately without giving these sorts of things any consideration, so I had to be prepared. Why do you think I kept insisting that this room belonged to you?”

You simply sigh and shake your head in wonder as you strip down to your boxers and don the pajamas without a second thought. As you begin to button the shirt your eyes wander to your wrists and again your heart threatens to cease beating.

The Geas bands are nearly gone. With everything that’s happened, you tried to push what Twilight said out of your mind, but now it’s become impossible to ignore. She said it would last two days, and the end of that time is rapidly approaching. It should be around noon tomorrow if you remember right.

You move to the bed and slide under the covers, then extinguish the nearby light. There’s no question... she’ll be after you like a bat out of hell the moment it’s gone. If you’re not at Equus by then...

“You don’t need to be afraid.”

Celestia’s voice pulls you from your thoughts. You’d almost completely forgotten she was there, but now that she’s spoken you can feel her weight on the other side of the bed along with the warmth she provides. An involuntary smile begins to form on your lips. It’s kind of cute how she’s still attempting to calm your fears about sleeping together.

“I trust you. You promised you’d behave yourself, after all,” you whisper.

Her wings twitch a bit and you feel the covers move in response. “Yes, that’s true, but that’s not what I was talking about. I saw your eyes wander a moment ago. Anon, you don’t need to be afraid. The Geas was an extension of myself, and though it will soon be gone, I’m still here, and I will protect you.”

You close your eyes, but your smile doesn’t fade. You’re no magic expert, but it doesn’t take one to see that there’s no way this silly horse, who can’t even muster the magical energy to pull up her own sheets or lift a fork at the dinner table, can stand against Twilight as she is now, or probably even as she was before. Your rational mind tries to tell you those words were merely meant to comfort you, like a parent telling their child everything’s going to be fine as the house burns around them.

But it’s unmistakable. The way she said it... it wasn’t false bravado, or a lie to oneself that you believe, if told, could help you eventually turn it into truth. No, she said it like a simple statement of fact. Like, ’the sky is blue’. Like it was so readily apparent that it almost need not be spoken at all.

Your hand travels past the cold space between you and finds her back, and your fingers begin to dance up and down its length, coaxing a contented sigh from her. For an instant, your mind flashes back to the ride you enjoyed together through the snow just yesterday morning, when everything seemed so perfect…

Yet, despite all that’s happened since... what has she seen and experienced over the thousands of years of her life to give her such unshakable conviction? Whatever it is, it’s convinced you that what she just said is true. You believe her wholeheartedly, and it puts you at ease.

You feel her body shift as she rolls over toward you. Two hooves reach out and pull you to her in a light embrace. Your head finds its space below her muzzle and you lean into the soft coat of her neck.

“Uh, Cel...?”

She breathes out and mumbles, teetering on the edge between consciousness and sleep, “We’re going to end up like this by morning anyway. Might as well get it over with now.”

Your smile widens as you close your eyes. This, too, you believe wholeheartedly.