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Princess Celestia entered her chambers with a sigh, her horn glowing as she lifted the crown off her head, placing it on the stand next to her dresser. Moving towards the window, she saw that the rain was still falling and she pitied her guards that had night patrol duty.

Canterlot hasn't seen a storm like this is a while. Not even the weather ponies can do much against this...

She was about to turn away from the window when she heard a crash and she looked round to see a young blue Pegasus with a multi-coloured mane picking sprawled on her balcony.

Rainbow Dash...?

As she watched, Rainbow Dash picked herself up and Celestia threw open her balcony doors, shouting to make herself heard above the storm.

'Rainbow Dash!'

'Huh? Princess Celestia?'

'Come inside,' Celestia called. 'Quickly...'

Rainbow Dash hesitated for a second before lowering her head and dashing through the doors, Celestia closing them behind her.

'Are you alright?' Celestia asked. 'You must be freezing. Come on, sit down by the fire...'

'I'm fine, uh, Princess,' Rainbow Dash said, rainwater dripping off her mane. 'I just need to get my breath back and I'll be outta here...'

'Nonsense,' Celestia said. 'This storm is only going to get worse. You can stay here tonight...'

'...that okay, really,' Rainbow Dash began, but Celestia called

'Hyacinth?'

'Yes, your highness?' A pink unicorn with a yellow mane said as she stepped into her chambers.

'Please show our guest to her room where she can freshen up and have the steward send up some tea...'

'Yes, your highness. This way, please...'

Rainbow Dash stepped out of the shower, towelling off her mane, just as there was a knock at the door.

'...yes?' Rainbow Dash said and the door opened, admitting Hyacinth.

'Princess Celestia asks if you would take tea with her,' she said and Rainbow Dash swallowed.

'Uh, sure...' she said, following her down the corridor towards Celestia's chambers, where two Royal Guards were waiting outside. Hyacinth knocked on the door and she heard Celestia say

'Come in.'

'Rainbow Dash, your highness,' Hyacinth said, opening the door and ushering Rainbow Dash through.

'Ah, Rainbow Dash,' Celestia said, from where she was sitting at the table, a teapot, two cups and saucers in front of her. 'Thank you, Hyacinth...'

'Your highness,' Hyacinth said, bowing as she left and Celestia turned back to Rainbow Dash.

'Won't you sit down?' she said, her horn glowing as the chair opposite her moved back.

'...yes, your highness,' Rainbow Dash said, moving to sit opposite her, looking down at the table as Celestia poured the tea.

'So... do you enjoy training with the Wonderbolts?'

'...yes, your highness,' Rainbow Dash said, without looking up and Celestia frowned.

'...Twilight tells me that you've always wanted to fly with them...'

'...yes, your highness,' Rainbow Dash repeated and Celestia put down her cup.

'Is everything alright, Rainbow Dash?'

'...yes, your highness...'

'Are you certain. You haven't looked up at me once, since you sat down..,'

'...I'm sorry, your highness,' Rainbow Dash said. 'I'm...not used to this...'

'Used to what...?'

'You're...a princess and I'm just a reservist in the Wonderbolts and we're drinking tea together,' Rainbow Dash said, pushing back her chair. 'I think I should go...'

'Wait, Rainbow Dash,' Celestia said, standing up, too. 'How would you like some cocoa and marshmallows. We can roast them in front of the fire...'

'Okay,' Rainbow Dash said, with a grin...

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any reviews, comments or constructive criticisms are very welcome.