Author's Notes:

Just a bit of FYI: this very first chapter came to fruition a full 3 and a half years ago. Over that time I slowly wrote the story, so if you think the writing is a little poor here; I assure you, it gets better.

"Luna? What are you doing up so late?" Princess Celestia asked as she stepped into a large, dimly lit room.

It was 11:23 AM at Canterlot, a normal time for normal ponies, but seeing the Princess of the Night up past 10:00 was a strange sight.

"Is it not fantastic? The sheer power of a blizzard is incredible." Responded the dark blue Alicorn after taking a bite of a toasted croissant with jelly.

Celestia stepped to her sister's side to join her in looking out the tall window at the powerful winter storm outside the Castle. The brute force of the wind caused the glass panels of the window to chatter, a low howl emanating from the cracks in between the panes.

"It is a spectacular site, I'd hate to be out in it," Celestia said, walking away from her spot beside Luna and coming to the large table in the middle of the dining hall.

"I would love to be in it."

Celestia returned to the side of her sister with a small, white plate floating in her magical embrace. On the plate were four strawberries, a small dish of melted chocolate and a square of Angel Food cake.

"Why would you want to be caught in a snow storm?"

Luna took another bite of her snack.

"It would be fun. I hear most citizens enjoy sunny days, but I find the contrary to be far more enjoyable."

Ever since they were foals Luna had been in love with extreme weather.

"I suppose it would be appropriate for me to enjoy sunny days, I am the Princess of the Day after all."

Luna continued to look out the window and eat her croissant.

"So, I asked why you were still up?"

"Oh, the blizzard; I could not fall asleep whilst this wonderful storm was brewing."

A few moments passed before Luna slid herself closer to Celestia's side, lightly nuzzling her tall sister.

"I never get to talk to you," She said quietly, a sad tone to her voice.

Celestia didn't respond. She was too surprised by the sudden act from Luna. After a moment, she unfurled her large white wing, draping it over Luna. In response, Luna tucked Celestia's wing under her own.

"I wish we could get more time together, Luna. Once this situation between Stalliongrad and the Gryphon Kingdom clears out we'll have all the time we could ever want."

Celestia felt Luna move closer. Memories of when she and Luna were young flashed back into her mind. She remembered when their Mother and Father had passed, and how moments before her Mother's final breath she had told Celestia to never let Luna slip away from her.

"You are a lot like the snow, 'Tia," Luna said, snapping Celestia out of her thoughts.

"How so?"

"You are calm when there is no wind, but when the wind becomes stronger, you become stronger. You can be violent, terrifying and powerful. I like that about you, and the snow. I find myself feeling safe when in your company."

Celestia chuckled, looking down at her young sister.

"Interesting comparison. I don't think I've ever been compared to snow."

"That, and you are white and fluffy... and old," Luna spoke jokingly, poking fun at her sister's age more than comparing her to the snow.

"I am not o-- you are right I am old. I'm going to be 1,793 years old in a while. Wait, how is snow old? It melts away every 5 months." Came the response from Celestia.

There was a knock at the entrance to the Dining hall, stood at the double doors of the hall was a dark grey Pegasus with a white mane. He was not dressed in normal armor, he wore neither a helmet nor the standard issue gold boots. He only wore a chest plate, stomach plate, and back plate, all of which except the stomach plate had been painted in a three-tone green camouflage scheme. His belly plate was nearly the same dark grey as his coat. The first thing most in the castle noticed when meeting this Pegasus, Admiral Cloud Drop, was his eye patch. Along with the eye patch was a scar across the top of his muzzle. He had received the wound in a minor conflict back when he ranked First Lieutenant. An arrow from an unseen archer took out his eye, continuing on and slicing the top of his muzzle. Celestia remembered the first time she saw him after he received his wound, and ever since the incident he had seemed a little different.

"Your Majesty, there's a messenger here to see you," Cloud Drop said, his deep voice echoing through the hall.

"Who in Equestria has come here during a blizzard?" She asked in more of a sarcastic manner.

"He's from Stalliongrad, one of Mikhail's men."

"Oh, that explains a lot, I actually know who is here to see me."

Celestia put her plate back down on the large table, walking towards the door, Luna following behind her.

The dining hall was moderately close to the Central Wing of the castle, where the main entrance and Throne room were located. Only a few minutes after departing, the trio reached the Throne room. The Throne room was one of the largest and most decorative rooms in the entire castle, which was appropriate since it is the first thing one sees when entering the Castle. Standing near the entrance was what seemed to be a pony. The pony had a large, thick coat on, along with a scarf, thick goggles, and fur boots, all of which were covered in a dusting of ice and snow. The large bag on his back had a pan, lantern and a bundle of rope hanging off the side. Celestia knew the pony very well, but at first glance, it was hard to tell if the color of his coat was white because he was born with it that way, or if it was covered in so much icy snow that one could not see under.

"Андрей, мой друг! Что привело вас сюда в холодный день, как это?"
(Andrei, my friend! What brings you here on a cold day like this?) Celestia asked in Prussian, one of the many foreign languages she spoke fluently.

"Ситуация с грифоньей царства ухудшилось, ваше величество"
(The situation with the Gryphon Kingdom has worsened, your Majesty.) Andrei responded.

"Я не понимаю, почему Михаил и король Птичий не обойтись"
(I don't understand why Mikhail and King Avian won't get along.)
Celestia responded as she sat herself down in a large, golden throne. Luna followed suit and sat in a throne of equal size, but (in her opinion) of greater beauty. It was styled with black and silver highlights, complementing the dark blue color of the throne and Princess Luna, who blended in with the large seat.

"I always forget that you speak so many languages, sister," Said Luna.

"I've had a lot of spare time on my hooves," Celestia responded with a smile.

"I speak Equestrian, but not very good," Andrei said, causing Luna to look up.

"I've always spoken Prussian around Andrei, It's more polite."

"I not mind a lot. I should speak more Equestrian so I learn more... oh! Vait a moment, I get something..." Andrei said as he dropped his backpack on the floor, the lantern and pan clanking from the impact.

After a moment of digging in his back, Andrei pulled out a scroll, unrolling it across the floor.

"'I vequest that the Princess Celestia meet at the Kremlin for an emergency meeting, tensions are mounting and I fear that military actions will soon be taken.' The note also say that the meeting is held on the 17th of zis month." He concluded, rolling the scroll back up and placing it inside of his bag.

"Today is the... 13th, right?" Celestia asked, looking over at Cloud Drop, who was standing in between the two Princess's thrones.

"14th, your highness." Cloud Drop whispered.

"17th is too soon, is it?" Andrei asked.

"Well, it is rather close to Hearth's Warming, how long will the meeting last?" Celestia asked with a concerned tone to her voice.

"Meeting should last a day. I do forget mention that Mikhail request Military re-enfo...en..."

"Re-enforcements," Celestia corrected.

"Yes, re-enforcements, thank you."

"Back-up? Why would he need back-up? Your forces aren't strong enough to counter the Gryphons?" Cloud Drop asked, stepping forward from in between the Princess's thrones.

"I think Mikhail say if more troops we have, Gryphons won't attack."

"Fight fire with fire. Mikhail's got good ideas," Cloud Drop said, thinking aloud more than anything.

"You will be home in time for Hearths Warming, right, 'Tia?" Luna asked, looking to her sister.

Luna noticed Cloud Drop sigh momentarily after she spoke.

"Of course, I don't think it could take more than a few days."

"That is all news I bring. Have good day." Andrei stated as he began to gather his things.

"Wait, I can't let you go back out into that storm!" Celestia called, standing up from her throne.

"I can take care of snow. Is no problem." Andrei responded.

"You have been standing there for five minutes, you don't want to take even the smallest break? There are left-overs from breakfast." Celestia said in a cooing tone.

"Okey I will be staying then!"

Celestia smiled, waiting for Andrei to gather his things back off the floor.

"Please, you first. You are the guest," She said as Andrei walked past.

The group was soon back at the Dining hall, Luna had returned to her spot next to the window, Cloud Drop had gotten himself a glass of whiskey and a bunch of grapes, and Celestia and Andrei were seated at the end of the table. A rather large plate of croissant, scrambled eggs, baked potato bits, and pancakes sat in front of Andrei, while Celestia (on a much lighter note) had only a small, chocolate pudding cup levitating in her magical embrace.

"I find it funny that out of all the luxuries you enjoy, your favorite item is store-bought pudding cups," Cloud Drop spoke as he took a sip of the dark, yet crystal clear, alcoholic drink he held in his hoof.

"These little treats are fantastic, and I couldn't begin to explain why I like them. I like them so much I had Twilight Sparkle buy a pack and keep it in her fridge for whenever I visit." Celestia chuckled, using her magic to dip her silver plated spoon in the pudding.

Cloud Drop took the bunch of grapes in his hoof, popping one off. He got Celestia and Andrei's attention, motioning with his hoof that he was going to throw the small green grape and Luna. Celestia smirked, nodding quickly, while Andrei continued stuffing his mouth.

"Act like you didn't see what happen." Cloud Drop whispered quietly enough for the two to hear him, but not Luna.

He adjusted his aim, and flicked the grape through the air, quickly putting the bunch grapes back on the table and returning to his drink. The grape hit Luna in the back of her head, causing her to flip around. Cloud Drop was quietly sipping at his drink, Andrei was eating like it was his last meal, and Celestia was clearly trying to hold in a giggle. Luna levitated the grape into the air, sending it flying towards Celestia, the grape hitting her on the cheek.

"Wha-what was that for?" She retorted.

Cloud Drop laughed loudly, a mist of whiskey becoming airborne from his burst of laughter, Andrei was shaking his head and smiling.

"You threw a grape at me!" Luna whined.

A second later, another grape hit her in the neck, she looked over at Cloud Drop, who was still holding the bunch of grapes that had spawned the green projectile. He had a cheeky grin on his face.

"You owe me an apology, Luna! Blaming me for throwing grapes at you!" Celestia laughed.

"I can never get a break from the shenanigans..." Luna said, shaking her head and smiling as she sat down at the table adjacent from Cloud Drop.

"You are the most unprofessional group of professionals I've ever seen." A male voice said from the other side of the Dining hall.

The four looked at one of the guards standing near the door of the hall, a smile on his face.

"Being unprofessional is my part-time job around here," Celestia said, turning back around and taking another bite of her nearly empty pudding cup.

"I have noticed. It is getting late, so I think it is time for me to "hit the sack" as I have heard ponies say," Luna said as she stood back up from the table.

"I'll come with you, I haven't put you to bed in a while," Celestia called, standing up as she finished the last spoon of pudding.

"Should I come with, your majesty?" Cloud Drop asked.

"No, it's fine, I'll be back in a few minutes. приятного аппетита, Андрей! Я увижу вас завтра."
(Enjoy your meal, Andrei! I will see you in due time.) Celestia called, Andrei gave a small wave goodbye.

The two sisters exited from the dining hall. As they left, Luna heard Cloud Drop ask Andrei, in a sarcastic tone, if he liked pancakes. After around 3 minutes of walking, the two had reached Luna's personal quarters.

"Your quarters are cleaner than the last time I was in here," Celestia said, looking at the area around her younger sister's desk.

"I did a small amount of cleaning yesterday. Clutter is upsetting." Luna responded, walking past her big sister and entering her bathroom, the door shutting behind her.

Celestia continued standing near the door for a moment before walking over to Luna's living room. The room had a large dome ceiling, a crystal chandelier hanging from the center of the dome. At the center of the room was a small, dark wood coffee table, two very large reading chairs surrounding it and the fireplace that was directly in front of the table. Celestia walked over to the fireplace, noticing that the logs inside had been burnt already. She levitated two new logs out of a brass holding rack, placing the logs in the fireplace with a clank as they settled on the metal rack inside the fireplace. The sound of the bathroom door opening caused Celestia to turn around, her younger sister walking into the living room.

"Making a fire?" She asked, walking in and laying down on a small bed near the fireplace.

"It's a bit nippy in here." Celestia responded as her horn lit up, the bottom log catching fire seconds after.

After pulling the glass spark cover over the fire, Celestia sat down in the chair closest to Luna, watching as her sister removed her crown, chest plate, and shoes, setting them down on the floor beside her.

"Are you going to sleep there and not in your normal bed?"

"Since you built a fire, yes."

Luna stretched out her legs, yawning loudly as she got more comfortable.

"You will be home in time for Hearth's Warming, right?" Luna asked.

"Of course, I've got a full week to try and pour some water on this political fire between these two knob-heads."

"Good, I have prepared a very nice gift for you!" Luna exclaimed gleefully.

"Speaking of gifts, I have quite the gift for Cloud Drop." Celestia returned, a bright smile on her face.

"What is it?"

"Well, I've mentioned before that he doesn't have a very nice home, right?"

Luna's face lit up with surprise.

"Are you going to..."

"Build him a new home?" Celestia finished, cutting Luna's sentence short.

Luna's smile widened.

"I can not believe that you are getting him a new home!"

"I can't either. I've already gotten a location picked and blueprints drawn out. He deserves a new home, I've known him for nearly 20 years now, and he's been my Strategic Advisor, Adjutant, and personal Guard for 15."

"Can you imagine how happy he will be?" Luna asked.

"Oh, I know. I can't wait."

There was a loud pop from the fireplace, a small ember ejecting from the small blaze and bouncing off the glass spark-guard, landing on the floor and slowly burning out.

"No, bad fire." Celestia scolded, causing Luna to giggle.

"Do you see, sister? These are the times I wish for us to spend together. All you have to get me for Hearth's Warming is a night... or day, of time with you," Luna said, leaning her head back and looking at the ceiling.

"Well... I guess I'm getting you two presents." Celestia returned, a warm smile on her face.