Celestia and Twilight sat at the table, eating up the pancakes. While these pancakes were regular, boring pancakes instead of the ones with fruit the Sun Princess so adored, they were still delicious. Twilight picked up a bottle of syrup in her field and poured them on her stack before digging into them. A yawning, sleepy looking dragon waddled inside and sat down at the table.

"Make any for me?" He asked.

Twilight had already prepared a third plate. She scooped the pancakes onto the plate and hoofed it to Spike who gratefully dug in.

"So, what were you thinking about doing first today?" Celestia asked Twilight as she finished off her pancakes, setting the plate aside.

"Well, we could just take a walk. That's what I like doing in the mornings. I know it sounds kind of simple, but..."

"Twilight, when you live as long as I have you learn to appreciate the simple things. Of course, I know you're going to take me by the town bookstore."

Twilight nearly choked as she swallowed the last piece of pancake. "You know me, Princess."

"I should hope so considering how long we've known each other." Celestia stood and stretched. She took the plate in her golden glow and took it to the sink.

"You don't have to clean it, I can do that." Spike said, swallowing a piece of pancake.

"Thank you, Spike." Celestia said, returning to the kitchen. Spike collected Twilight's plate and went off to the kitchen. Celestia stopped him and handed him a letter that explained to Luna the reason for her absence in court today. Spike sent it before heading off to his duties.

"Twilight, may I make a request?"

"Anything, Pr-Celestia."

"No grand gestures. I know you're trying to win my heart." That shade of red on her students cheeks just flat out didn't look healthy. "But today, I just want to spend time with my favorite student. No, my friend Twilight."

"You think of me as a friend?" Twilight asked.

"Of course."

"I had no idea. I thought you just saw me as your student."

"I haven't seen you as just a student in quite some time, Twilight."

A smile spread across Twilight's face. "I...I think of you as a friend too."

Celestia responded to Twilight's smile with a gentle one of her own. "Why don't we take a walk together, friend?"

Twilight practically bounced out the door, Celestia keeping pace beside her as they stepped into town. In order to avoid attention, Celestia cast her disguise spell.

By this time most ponies had had their breakfast. The light of late morning shined down on Ponyville as mares and stallions trotted to work. The birds were singing a chorus from their place among the branches of the trees. Twilight trotted alongside Celestia pointing out several businesses and sights. There was a series of stores outside of the library, including one that sold quills and sofas. For the life of her Celestia couldn't figure out how those things were related, but the shop did good business judging by the constant stream of customers. Twilight explained that they had the best quills in town and it was where she bought her quills from.

The marketplace was in full swing, the enticing scents of fresh fruit filling the air. Merchants called out their wares as customers wandered around the stalls. An orange earth pony, Celestia recognized her as Applejack the bearer of the Element of Honesty, waved to them from her apple stall and they waved back.

"Who's your friend, Twi?"

Twilight and Celestia stopped at the stall and Twilight gave a cautious glance at Celestia. Clearly, Celestia didn't want anypony to recognize her otherwise she wouldn't have disguised herself. She wondered if it would be alright to tell Applejack.

"I'm Aurora. I'm visiting from out of town." Celestia answered.

"Are ya now?" Applejack asked. "I reckon your special talent has somethin' to do with our fair kingdom considering your cutie mark?" This was said with a wry grin.

"Fire magic, actually." Celestia responded, cursing the fact that it was nearly impossible to lie to the bearer of the Element of Honesty. Luna had borne it long ago and it was impossible to keep a secret from her. Many nobles and petitioners had discovered that the hard way as had Celestia.

"Would you like some apples?"

"I'll take a few, I'm running out." Twilight answered. She picked up four of them, and put them in her saddlebag before giving Applejack a few bits.

"You know I don't charge my friends full price, Twi." Applejack said, only accepting half the price of the apples. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "So anything I need to worry about?"

"No. She's just visiting from out of town."

"I see. Well, take care."

Twilight said goodbye to her friend then Twilight and Celestia returned to their walk. While they strolled through town Twilight was making plans in her head. While Celestia had told her not to make any grand gestures, Twilight still wanted her to have a good time. She seemed to be enjoying the walk and kept looking around at the shops and houses. Twilight formed a mental checklist based upon her extensive knowledge of the princess and her habits. After their walk, they could go to a movie or maybe a bookstore would be better. Celestia would surely enjoy that nature documentary.

"This town has grown so much in the past century." Celestia told her, breaking her thoughts. "This all used to be meadows and farmland."

"More earth pony families started moving in around fifty years ago, attracted by the wealth of the Apple family. Then unicorns and pegasii started settling here from Cloudsdale and Canterlot. Still, thirty-five percent of the town's families claim membership in the Apple family-and it's a big family. There was some tension between the old stock families and the newcomers, but that was smoothed out."

"You've studied up on the history?"

"It's what I do."

"Did you know the Apples tried to secede and declare Ponyville an independent nation just to avoid letting in unicorns and pegasii? They wanted to be an independent crown territory like Cloudsdale."

"You managed to convince them otherwise after several rounds of peaceful negotiation."

"Sure did."

They passed a dress shop shaped like a carousel.

"Oh, that's the Carousel Boutique." Twilight pointed out.

"An appropriate name." Celestia noted. "Your friend Rarity works there correct?"

"Yep. She's the best seamstress in town."

The unicorn in question stepped outside of her shop. "Twilight! I've been meaning to speak with you! Come in and bring your friend there."

Twilight stepped inside. The boutique was filled with brightly colored dresses and well-crafted leather saddles set on ponykins. There was a large section of tuxedos and light blue and grey business suits as Rarity had been trying to branch out and expand her clientele to include stallions.

"So, what'd you wanna speak to me about?"

"I heard the most interesting rumor. That last night Celestia came by your house and did not leave and that you two were seen frolicking in the early morning hours. In fact, some suggest it may have been a rendezvous of a romantic nature."

Twilight wondered if it was possible to die from blushing. "We were not frolicking I was showing her how to fight."

"Yes. I'm certain our millenia old princess who's fought more wars than years either of us have been alive needs to learn how to fight." Rarity replied dryly. "Anyway, ponies get ideas in their heads. Ideas supported by you gallivanting off to the Crystal Empire simply to get our dear princess a book of love poems. Did she like the gift, by the way?"

"She loved it."

"Wonderful." Rarity placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Darling, I don't know how much romantic expertise you have, but if you need any advice on courtship just come to me. I'll make you a dress of such stunning beauty to accentuate your already lovely features. It will sweep her right off her hooves and straight into yours." She clapped her own hooves together. "Oh, it'll be lovely I assure you!"

"Thanks, Rarity. I'll keep that in mind."

"What are friends for, Darling. As for you..." She went to Celestia and began whispering in her ear. "If you need any help seducing Twilight, I will make you a dress that will sweep her right off her hooves not that you need the help, your highness."

"You know it's me?" Celestia asked.

Rarity gestured to her cutie mark. "Nopony else has that mark. When we see you in, um, disguise we simply assume you don't wish to be bothered and respect that."

"That's very considerate of you."

"If you ever do want a disguise I can make you a dress for you."

"I might take you up on that."

A green pegasus stallion walked in.

"Apologies, I must get back to work." She pranced back to the cash register. Twilight and Celestia said goodbye to her and walked back out of the store.

"You know we ought to round things out and I could introduce you to the rest of my friends." Twilight suggested.

"Perhaps we could go by Sugarcube Corner and visit your amusing pink friend? They have a lovely chai tea."

"I could go for some coffee myself."

"I've never understood how you and Cadence could drink that stuff." Celestia said, trotting alongside Twilight as they walked in the direction of Sugarcube Corner. It was crowded as many ponies were there for a morning snack. Twilight and Celestia made their way through the crowd.

"Hiya Twilight! Hiya Twilight's new friend who I don't think I know!" Pinkie said, bouncing and enthusiastically greeting the pair.

"Hi, Pinkie. This is Aurora. She's from out-of-town."

"Hiya, Aurora! Twilight, I already have your morning coffee." She jumped into the back and came back with the steaming beverage.

"How did you...no. It's Pinkie Pie, don't question it."

"And what do you want, Aurora from out of town?"

"A cup of chai tea."

"Hay, since you're new here do you wanna party? Everypony that's new in Ponyville gets a Pinkie party."

"While that does sound lovely I want be here that long."

"Gotcha." She poured a cup of chai tea. "I also got your chai tea."

"Thank you."

They took their cups and sat at a table near a window. The wisps of steam coming from their tea and coffee shimmered in the sunlight. Twilight sipped the coffee, the rich and bitter beverage warming her. Celestia sipped her own tea enjoying the spicy flavor of the chai. For a time they sat in companionable silence. A question had been gnawing at the back of Celestia's mind and she decided now was as good a time as any to ask it.

"Twilight?"

"Yes?"

"I've known you for a long time. Ever since you were a little filly.I was and am your teacher. I am so much older than you. Wouldn't it be strange to have such an older lover?"

Twilight was deep in thought for a moment as she drank of her coffee. She laid it down on the table. "Might I ask you a question?"

"Yes."

"How old are you? There's no mentions of you before Unification so I'd assume less than four-thousand years old."

"I am four-thousand and five hundred years old."

"The average pony lives just under one-hundred years. Rarely, particularly magically strong ponies can live a few centuries, but no longer. You are old enough to be my grandmother's mother several times over."

"Exactly my point."

"So, anypony you know..." Twilight trailed off as she realized how many Celestia must have lost throughout the ages. "My gods, that must be horrible."

"It is." Celestia whispered.

"If you chose not to associate with anypony below your age you'd be alone forever, you and Luna. Nopony deserves to be alone." Twilight said, lifting a hoof to Celestia's cheek. Celestia instinctively nuzzled her hoof.

"No. You're right. It's just...it's been so long." Celestia looked away from her. "So long. I've been alone."

Twilight withdrew her hoof and took another sip of her coffee. "You don't have to be."

Celestia sipped her tea and Twilight sipped her coffee.

"So, there's a movie playing." Twilight finally said. "It's about the social behavior of timber wolves."

"Sounds fascinating."

...
The theater wasn't very crowded, only a few elderly ponies and what appeared to be some college students. Twilight and Celestia chose two red, velvety seats in the front of the darkened theater and sat down. They had gotten there just as it was about to start. Twilight had calculated that advertisements took about ten minutes. Since nopony actually liked advertisements and they were a waste of her hard earned bits Twilight had found the perfect calculation to get to the movies just as the movie itself actually started.

The only problem was that with popular movies the seats were filled long before the advertisements began. Fortunately, this movie was not popular. A voice over began as the camera zoomed in on a panoramic view of a forest. A haunting howl echoed through the trees that raised the fur on Twilight's withers. She sunk down in her seat and inched closer to Celestia.

"The timberwolf is a rarely studied creature." The voice over continued. "What are their origins? Are they natural or the product of some dark magic?"

A pack of timberwolves walked into a clearing. One, much larger than the others, was at the head.

"Each pack of timberwolves is led by the alpha male and his mate. We named this alpha Bobby."

At that point Twilight began wondering if the ones filming this were slightly insane.

"Bobby has just spotted dinner."

There were low growls and snarls as the timberwolf pack circled a frightened but strong buck. The buck darted off and the timber wolves ran off in pursuit. They ran so fast they were just a brown blur against the green of the forest. The buck managed to keep a few inches ahead from the snapping jaws of the slobbering beasts just behind it.

Twilight inched even closer to Celestia who wrapped a wing around her. "Frightened, my faithful student?"

"W-what? No of course not!" Twilight confidently replied, wondering why she thought seeing this movie was a good idea. Last month she had gotten fascinated by zoology after some talks with Fluttershy. That's why she'd wanted to see this movie.

The timberwolves finally caught up to the buck. The alpha crushed its middle with its terrible jaws. The buck crashed to the forest floor, its death throes echoing through the trees. Twilight turned away, grateful for Celestia's comforting wing. The deer did not go down easily. It thrashed and bucked. The alpha yelped as the deer's hind legs connected with its jaws. The other timberwolves dug into its flesh.

Twilight watched with a mixture of horror and fascination as the buck continued its hopeless struggle. With a sweep of its great horns it stunned one of the wolves. Until its death throes ceased it continued to struggle.

"Bobby was injured in this hunt." The voiceover said as the camera panned away. Time elapsed and the wolves began to return to their lair. "Will the pack turn against him?"

The next two hours was a tangled up soap opera as the alpha was nearly betrayed and replaced by his eldest son. The alpha was able to reassert its dominance, but only after much bloodshed and the eldest son running away with a female to presumably start his own pack. Timberwolves didn't actually bleed, but they did excrete a sticky substance when injured.

At the end, the alpha and his pack journeyed south, following a herd of bison. The credits rolled by and Twilight stood to stretch.

"That was certainly an interesting movie." Celestia commented.

"It was. I think I'll go for a documentary about butterflies next time."

Celestia laughed, a warm, gentle sound that brightened up the darkened theater. "I would like that. So, what'd you have planned next?"

"Wanna hang out at the bookstore?"

"Sure."

They walked from the theater. Twilight spent a few minutes adjusting to the blinding noon light. Celestia followed her as they strolled towards the bookstore. Suddenly, Twilight stopped. A thought had been worming itself into her brain, that familiar tug of anxiety. Celestia laid a hoof on her shoulder. She had known Twilight long enough to see those familiar signs. Stopping suddenly. A furrowed brow. An ear flick.

"Twilight?"

Twilight turned to her. "It's just, I've been dragging you around all morning, wanting you to have a good time. But, this movie or going to the bookstore are things I wanted to do. Is there anything you'd like to do?"

Celestia raised a hoof to her chin in thought. "Twilight, I like books as much as you do. The movie, however, was much to graphic for my tastes."

Twilight's ears wilted. "You should have said something."

Celestia nuzzled her. "I was having too much fun cuddling you. You know, cuddling in the dark is the reason so many dates happen at scary movies."

Twilight's cheeks turned red. "So, is this a date?"

"Perhaps. In my time, they didn't have dates. Cadence introduced me to the concept. But this would seem to fit the definition of one."

They started walking again, Twilight nearly hopping. In her head she was chanting, 'I'm on a date with Princess Celestia, I'm on a date with Princess Celestia, I'm on a date with Princess Celestia!' Then she stopped again, this time at the doors to the bookstore.

"Hay, you never answered me. Is there anything you'd like to do for this date?" She pulled open the door for Celestia.

Celestia paused. "I told you no grand gestures."

"I'm just opening the door for you."

"Everypony always opens doors for me. For a change, I'll open it for you." She took the door in the glow of her magic.

Twilight's horn lit up and she took the door from Celestia's magic. "Age and beauty before neurosis."

"Nice twist on an old classic. Beauty before age." She took the door in her aura once more.

"Sorry, Princess." Twilight whispered. "I won't let you hold the door open for me."

"And I won't let you open the door for me."

"It's simple courtesy." Twilight insisted.

"That's just it. Everypony is always giving me special privileges and courtesies. I wish somepony would treat me as an equal, a friend."

"I open doors for my friends all the time."

"Since you are my friend, Twilight, then I will open the door for you."

"Why don't we just open the door at the same time?"

"Deal."

Twilight and Celestia's auras mixed as they opened the door together and strode in at the same time. Rows and rows of books greeted the pair. A cart at the front of the store was filled with new books. The rich scent of coffee wafted from the cafe. Twilight looked through the new books along with Celestia.

Twilight levitated a thick tome with her magic. "Oh, Iris Maredoch came out with something new."

"Maredoch? I've never heard of her."

"She's from Haybernia."

"Ah. That island has always produced the most talented writers." Celestia took the book in her own magic and flipped through it. "It does sound interesting. Could you tell me about her work?"

"One of my favorites is 'The Sea, the Sea' about this old stallion that kidnaps a childhood crush..." She trailed off.

A grin tugged at Celestia's lips. "I do hope you don't take your romantic advice from her."

Twilight gave Celestia a flat look. "There would be several strategic problems with kidnapping an alicorn. Your absence would cause some notice for one."

Celestia spent a few seconds trying to decide if she was serious or not before they both burst out laughing.

"To tell you the truth I wouldn't really mind being kidnapped. On some days I just need a break. Oh, look this book has your name on it!"

Celestia picked up a book titled 'Twilight' featuring an anemic looking pale stallion and an apathetic looking mare who appeared to be trying to look sexy and failing.

"Oh. Oh Gods, please put that down." Twilight said covering her face with her hooves.

"Why, it appears to be a romance novel. I enjoy the occasional romance novel." She opened it up and flipped through it. Then she put it down. "When I get back, I'm going to suggest that Parliament do an investigation into bribery in the publishing industry."

"That would explain how it got published. Wait you like romance novels?"

Celestia nodded as they walked from the front and browsed the shelves. "A bit of a vice of mine. There's nothing like a romance novel and a slice of chocolate cake."

The thought of cake reminded her that she hadn't eaten since breakfast. A growl came from Twilight's stomach.

"Would you like to try that cafe?"

Twilight nodded. "You ought to try their apple casserole, it's delicious."

A few minutes later, Twilight and Celestia were seated on a cozy couch in a nook by the window. The brown paneled floors and scents of sweets, coffee and tea all mixing together gave the cafe a homey feeling.

Celestia had ordered the apple casserole as had Twilight. While Celestia had ordered chamomile tea, Twilight had gone with black coffee. It was her own personal vice, something of an addiction she'd developed during her heady graduate student days (which weren't so long ago.) It was almost certain that she was now immune to caffeine.

She raised the paper cup to her lips and sipped it. Her mind, as always, was analyzing everything around her from the other customers milling about to a stack of comic books and graphic novels waiting to be sorted. The main center of her attention was Princess Celestia. Twilight glanced over at her. The Sun Princess's posture was relaxed as she sank into the couch. Her ears were perk, alert. She made occasional sighs of pleasure as she bit into the casserole.

Twilight had thought that the princess had wanted grand deeds and noble gestures in order to win her heart. The brief semi-argument at the door had shaken the foundations of that hypothesis. It seemed to Twilight that what Celestia really wanted was a friend and that was exactly what she considered Twilight. But Twilight wanted something more.

"Bit for you thoughts, Twilight?"

Twilight glanced over at her. At this time of day, the sun shone upon her dazzlingly alabaster fur. She was beautiful. That awe of her was something Twilight had never been able to get over.

"Oh, it's nothing. So, any favorite romance novels?" Twilight asked.

"Hmm, I'm partial to the Heart and Soul series."

"Oh, I love that series! Aren't Prism and Stone just adorable together?"

Celestia took a bite from her casserole and waited to swallow it before answering. "I suppose. But I think Stone and Flame belong together."

"Buh-what?" Twilight sputtered. "I respect your opinion, but I don't think so. Flame might have been her old high school lover, but she's moved on."

"And he still loves her. I admire that kind of faithfulness. Call me old fashioned. Besides, he was there for her when Prism decided his career was more im-"

"You can't blame him for-" She stopped and realized she was shouting at her former mentor and current sovereign. "Oh, excuse me, I mean, with all due respect, Prism's father blackmailed him into taking that job on the Hayman Islands. He wanted to split them apart."

"There would have been nothing to blackmail him with if Prism hadn't hidden his past from Stone."

"Okay, it's true he used to be addicted to drugs, but he's changed. Wait a minute." Twilight laid down her plate and coffee then vanished in a flash of teleportation magic. She reappeared holding, the seventh book in the Heart and Soul series and found the page she was looking for. "Okay. On page two-hundred and seventy he's offered heroin by his former dealer and he walks away. He's changed."

"I'm not denying that." Celestia said. She took the book in her magic and flipped through it finding page one-hundred and thirty. "He blatantly lied to her. Stone asked him if he had ever kept a secret from her and he said no."

"She only asked him that because she found out that Flame had cheated on her when they were first dating."

"True, but he was young and admits he made a mistake. At least he's being honest." Celestia hoofed the book back to her.

They went back and forth, fervently debating which stallion belonged with Stone more. A few times one of them raised their voice and eventually they moved their conversation to the romance books section so they could pull out all the support they needed to bolster their arguments. Twilight forgot that Celestia was Celestia and argued with her as she would any other friend.

Celestia deliberately drew it out. It was fun, debating with her former student even if it was over something so flippant and silly. Besides, Stone and Flame really did belong together. They had gone through so much.

"Furthermore, Prism is more of her type. They both have similar personalities." Twilight finished what had become a dissertation.

"Opposites do attract." Celestia pointed out. "Stone's calm intellectualism is balanced out by Flame's energy and visa versa."

"Alright that's kind of a good point, but...is that clock right?"

"It appears to be."

They were surrounded by a stack of books and had been having their friendly argument for nearly three hours.

"No need to stop now." Celestia said.

Twilight began putting the books back with her magic. "Nah. I think we both have valid ideas. The author will decide. You know you never answered me about whether there's anything special you would like to do today."

"To be honest, I really have been enjoying myself." She stretched out. "I've missed these talks of ours."

"So have I." Twilight admitted.

"However, perhaps a walk in the park would be nice."

"I would like some fresh air."

Walking out, they opened the door together like they had before.

...
The heat of a late afternoon was coming on. Twilight and Celestia slowly trotted, relishing the cool of the grass beneath their hooves and the shade of the maple trees that towered above them. They were walking in a deep, quiet part of the woods. Occasionally, a bird would call out from among the branches.

"Twilight?"

"Yes?"

A cool wind blew past, lifting the strands of their manes. The sun was traveling farther west, waiting for Celestia to lower it. The shadows had grown long, shrouding both Celestia and Twilight.

"I don't think I've enjoyed myself like this in quite some time. I suppose we can count this as one of the noble deeds to win my heart."

Twilight tilted her head in confusion. "It wasn't really noble. I just showed you around town."

"Still, it..."

It felt right. The moment was right and it had been so long. Too long. She leaned down and at the very last second pressed her lips to her student's forehead, just beneath her horn. A hot rush colored her cheeks scarlet.

"Wow." Twilight whispered.

"It's been a long time since I've done anything like this. Can you promise me something?"

"Anything, Princess. Celestia."

"Will we always be friends? Even if I can't return your feelings?" The mask was falling away. This was who she really was underneath, the pony she had been scared to reveal. Lonely and vulnerable.

Twilight leaned into her, nuzzled her chest. "Of course we will."

...
It was night before Celestia returned to the castle. She soared through the night air, the moonlight and starlight making a silhouette of her figure against the darkness. After leaving the park, Celestia had left Ponyville and spent several hours just flying. Flying always helped her think. Luna was standing on the balcony, waiting for her. Celestia landed.

"Enjoy your day?"

"I kissed Twilight. On the forehead, but still. I kissed her."

Luna's eyes widened. "Shalt I be sending out wedding invitations soon?"

Celestia shuffled her hoof. "I don't know. I'm more confused now than I've ever been."

Luna strode close to her sister. "What is confusing you, Sister?"

"I wasn't sure how I felt about her. After spending the day with her I realized a few things. First off, Twilight is not the little filly I remember her being. She's a full grown mare."

"And how do you feel about that mare?"

"She's sweet and adorable. Intelligent. One of the few beings in the world that can match me in a verbal duel."

"That is impressive."

"I might love her. She brings out feelings I thought I had long buried. And there was a reason I buried those feelings. Every time I lost somepony, they carried a part of my heart off into the Shadowlands." She did not tell Luna that losing her had been the loss that had convinced her that love was just too painful.

"So, you have chosen to be alone for one-thousand years?"

Celestia did not mention that Luna hadn't exactly been a social butterfly since her return. "I suppose so. I couldn't imagine losing Twilight. I love her, yes. So, I can't love her. Does that make sense?"

"It makes no sense."

"I'm going to have to distance myself from her. I've led her on long enough as is."

Luna stomped her hoof. "You will do no such thing!"

"It is painful, but my mind is made up." Celestia said, trotting towards her bedchamber. Luna sighed. Now, she knew what she had to do.

Author's Notes:

Her name's Iris Murdoch and she is a very talented writer.