Princess Luna awoke, eyes still closed from her previous slumber. She wished to remain in that most pleasant of dreams for a few moments longer, but she sensed now was no longer the time for such fancy. It was time to face the waking world, and she resolved to welcome it with aplomb.

Her eyes cracked open, slightly offended by the rush of light that jaunted through her pupils. She snapped her eyes shut, then carefully opened them again to the inviting glow of Twilight’s Castle—well, the floor of Twilight’s bedroom, to be more precise. She immediately recognized a familiar set of greaves. Luna gazed upwards, and her suspicions were confirmed as she recognized the well-worn creases of worry adorning her sister’s face.

Luna smiled and smacked her lips. “Good morning, sister. How are you this fine day?”

Celestia’s face softened into a grin. “Are you feeling better, Luna?”

Luna took measured movements to orient herself into a standing position. “Much.” Her stomach growled, eliciting a rosy hue from her cheeks. “Although I am feeling a bit peckish.”

“That’s quite alright.” Celestia exited the bedroom, Luna not far behind. “Twilight and Spike are out with their friends right now, so we’ll have to fend for ourselves for breakfast.”

A wry grin danced across Luna’s face. “I hope your cooking has improved since you last attempted to procure a meal.”

“Please.” Celestia playfully shoved Luna as they traversed the hallways leading to the kitchen. “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll focus on the tea and you can make breakfast. That way we won’t end up eating something we might regret.”

Luna’s heart skipped a beat when her sister uttered that final word. “Of… of course, sister.”

The two sisters’ hooffalls echoed across the cavernous expanse of Twilight’s castle. Luna quickly glanced at the architecture, catching her reflection broken across the facets of one of the pillars. She quickly focused her attention forward, trailing Celestia.

They soon reached the kitchen, Luna taking a seat while Celestia produced a teapot from one of the shelves, filled it with water and placed it on the stove. She then turned the stove on and sat across from Luna, a warm smile across her face.

Luna studied Celestia’s features carefully, attempting to pry any minute signs of scorn or disapproval hidden within. She was almost positive Celestia would be most disappointed in what led to the events that had transpired last night. After careful scrutiny, Luna decided that her sister hadn’t a clue and let out a deep sigh.

“Hm.”

“What was that, Celestia?”

“Nothing. You just look so… relaxed.” Celestia glanced at the teapot. “I don’t think I’ve seen you this relaxed in a long time.”

Luna inhaled and ran a hoof through her mane. “A night of sound rest can cure many an ill.”

Celestia looked back at Luna and nodded. “So it seems.”

Luna and Celestia sat across from each other for a good amount of time—Celestia seated serenely, Luna fidgeting with her mane. Luna bit her lip.

“Celestia, about last night—”

“Twilight told me everything.”

Luna’s stomach dropped. “E-everything?”

“Yes, Luna. Everything.”

Luna’s mind bounced across the events of the dreams, from how they grew from taunting Twilight and her friends to all of Ponyville. She looked away. “...I can explain.”

“You don’t have to.” Celestia reached across the table and grabbed Luna’s hooves. “I’ve never been more proud of you.”

Luna blinked. “W-what?”

“Luna,” Celestia said, followed by a drawn-out sigh. “You’re not the only pony to be haunted by the spectres of their past. There are thousands of individuals who torture themselves day in and day out by revisiting their own haunted memories, unable to let go and unable to move on.” She rubbed Luna’s hooves. “It takes an incredible amount of fortitude to live with regret.” Celestia smiled weakly as she looked into Luna’s eyes. “Trust me, I know.

“But what you mustn't forget is that it takes an even greater strength of will to find the courage to forgive oneself for their past sins and put their sordid misdeeds behind them. Many ponies wouldn’t have been able to do what you did last night.”

Luna teared up as she looked into her sister’s eyes. “But I could not do it alone.”

“No pony is an island,“ Celestia said with a chuckle. “Everypony needs someone that will believe in them when they are unable to believe in themselves.”

“So…” Luna said as she blinked the glisten out of her eyes, “you forgive me?”

Celestia threw her arms around Luna. “Oh, Luna, I forgave you a thousand years ago.” Luna hugged her sister tightly as she felt drips of wetness caress her shoulder.

They released their embrace after a few seconds and stared into each others’ eyes, Luna grateful for the sister that she had.

The sharp whistle of the kettle broke Luna out of her trance. “The tea!”

Celestia moved to stand up. “I’ll get—”

“No,” Luna said as she pressed her hoof into Celestia’s. “Let me.” Luna stood up, the pulsing in her gut reminding her that she was still hungry. She went to the stove and turned it off, catching her reflection in the kettle. Warped, but still whole. She smiled at the reflection, her mirror image returning the favor.

“Luna, I love you, but I don’t feel like drinking cold tea.”

Luna grasped the kettle in her magic along with two tea cups and two tea bags. “Nor do I.”

Luna set the tea cups in front of their places, the bags nestled safely inside.

“Thank you,” Celestia said as Luna poured the water into the cup. She poured hot water into her own cup shortly after and sat down.

Luna took to the important task of stirring her tea. “No, Celestia. Thank you."