It was somewhere close to midnight, and the whole kingdom was, or should've been, asleep. Princess Celestia was restless, tossing and turning under the comforter on her large bed. She released a loud groan from her mouth, finally laying still as she stared up at the paintings on the ceiling above her. It was something she and her mother were working on, almost like a photo album, they'd paint memorable days or happenings onto the ceiling so that when no one else was around, you could look to the heavens for a story. TAP.
Celestia bolted up, hooves shoving the covers off of her frame as she swung her hind legs over the side of the bed, staring at the window. TAP. Slowly and reluctantly, the Alicorn inched toward the window, poking her nose through the curtain to see what was hitting her window. "Took you long enough!" A voice called from below, and the princess hushed him, throwing a glance over her shoulder to check the coast. All clear.
"What are you doing?" Tia asked, a slight aggravation in her voice. Why was he here so late? He got past the guards, obviously, she'd give him that.. but why? Tossing a pebble into the air, then catching it again, the Draconequus shrugged. "Didn't you want to see the fireworks?" He inquired, as if his reason for being here was so blatantly obvious beforehand. "Well, yeah, but.." "Then come on!" He grinned, and she could see his two fangs gleaming brightly in the moonlight.
"But daddy will find out." She protested further, though really, she yearned to go. "Not if you're quiet." The male countered impatiently. "Come on, Tia, you're getting boring." The pinkette flushed, huffing out, "I am not boring." Celestia said quickly, and in response to the silence, used her shaky magic skills to float down to ground level, where her best friend waited. "About time." The princess gave a small smile, then walked past of him and out of the courtyard, the Draconequus not a step behind.
So there they sat, staring up at a star-scattered night sky, a large bag of cotton candy sitting between them. Celestia had her legs folded under her body, chin resting on the cool grass. Ardor (Discord's name of so long ago) laid on his back, hands behind his head, one occasionally popping out to snatch a puff of the sweet. He tossed a handful to Celestia, and she caught it in her mouth with ease, the cotton candy melting on her tongue, cool liquid chocolate bursting out a moment later. Swallowing, the Alicorn smiled to the Draconequus. "Thanks.." The male across from her only raised a brow.
"What are you on about?" He questioned, looking at her as if she'd gone mad. "I'm having fun. Thanks for going to the trouble." "The cotton candy was only five bits." "I didn't mean that, silly." She giggled, and he grinned, proud of himself for making the usually stiff princess laugh. "It's no problem. I figured you needed to loosen up, anyway." Ardor said casually, returning his crimson gaze to the sky. Smiling to herself, the pinkette laid her head back down, closing her eyes as she inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of mid-summer.
"Tia, I want some!" A young, all-too-familiar voice chimed, causing both of the teens to jump and turn around. "Luna! What are you doing here?" Celestia asked, purple eyes wide as she stood, looking down at the younger filly. "I asked momma if I could come with you guys. She said yes!" The older Alicorn groaned slowly, and Ardor hit a paw against his forehead. "Sure.. you can have some." The Draconequus said reluctantly, nudging the bag of chocolate-filled cotton candy towards the youngest, who took a hoof-full upon contact, shoving the sweet into her mouth. "Just don't tell dad, okay? He'd freak."
Luna nodded in absentminded agreement, stopping when another voice made his presence known. "And I'd hate to freak out." This time, it was all three of the children who jumped, and Celestia felt her heart start beating faster as she lowered her head. She couldn't meet her father's disappointed gaze. Luna, however, seemed almost unaffected after a moment, running to hug her father's leg. "I found them, daddy!" She said brightly, mouth full of pink and brown stains. "Thank you. Run along, now." Nodding, the youngest trotted back towards the palace, escorted by two guards.
"Celestia Genevieve Evianna Soleil." The king said slowly, restraining his anger. His daughter cringed, finally lifting her gaze to meet his stern one. "Yes, father?" "What have I told you about sneaking out at night? It's dangerous! Much less with this," the stallion glared in Ardor's direction, "street urchin." "He is not an urchin!" She persisted, receiving her own glare, which made her inch back. She could tell he had more to say, but instead, merely scoffed and turned away, trotting off. "Say goodbye to your friend, and be back at the palace in five minutes." "Yes father."
"What a prick." Ardor finally retorted, arms crossing over his dark chest. "He's just protective, really.. daddy's not that bad when—" "If he likes you." "Ardor.." Celestia placed a hoof on his shoulder, the unspoken apology in her crystal-colored eyes enough for her friend to soften his own gaze. "I'll see you tomorrow, usual place. Okay? No good getting you in trouble." He said, his boyish grin slowly resurfacing. She could only giggle. "Yeah,"
There was a moment of silence, broken by the Draconequus turning to walk away, waving as he disappeared into the night. "We're exploring tomorrow." Nodding with a genuine smile, Celestia took her leave once she heard her father call, trot picking up pace into a run. "Sorry." "It won't happen again." "No sir." "Cosmos.." The Queen Galaxia laid her nuzzle against her husband's, who forced himself to calm down. "Either way, it's time for bed. Up you go." He said in a quieter tone, nudging his two daughters toward the staircase before leaving to the throne room.
"Sorry, Tia." Luna said quietly, laying down beside her sister. "It's okay. I shouldn't have gone out in the first place." "But Ardor would have been lonely." The younger noted, and Celestia couldn't help but smile. "You're right, he would've been. Now go to sleep." "Night, Tia." "Good night, Lu.