Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of the Sun and the Inventor. Enjoy the 1500-word chapter. I don't own MLP, Hasbro and a few others do.
Both Maverick and Luna landed in front of what could only be called a mansion. He was actually surprised to see this place was gigantic, it dwarfed any house in the city, it looked like it was almost another version of the castle of Cantorlot.
"I thought you guys were retired." Maverick said, blinking as he rubbed at his neck, unsure how to really respond. "Uh, has this house always been here? I've never noticed this place before." Maverick said as both ponies slowly walked up the path.
"We are, but it's still slow to shift from being rulers to being citizens." Luna said sheepishly as Maverick hummed, curious as to what she meant.
"Whatever you say, Luna." Maverick said as he cupped his chin with his good hand. "Sorry, I'm still a bit caught off guard by all this. I never expected all this to happen." Maverick stated as Luna nodded.
"Our retirement or our arrival here?" Luna asked to which Maverick raised both wings. "I will admit, I NEVER expected us to resign. It was as much of a surprise to me as it was to you. I suppose some ponies are still not used to the idea or are just plain flabbergasted at the idea, yes?" Luna questioned, getting a nod.
"It's still a surprise, yes." Maverick stated, gesturing as he did so. "How are you settling in? I've asked Celestia about you, I was curious how you two weren't exploring Silver Shoals together, it is rare seeing you both apart." Maverick said as Luna chuckled.
"I've still got a day here or there I sleep in too much." Luna said as her horn glowed softly. "So, onto another topic. I see you've been working with metal. My sister has talked about how you have made much since you worked here?" Luna asked to which Maverick nodded.
"Yes, I've created a lot, it's my talent." Maverick as he watched the door slowly open, both ponies slowly walking inside a moment later. "It isn't easy or such. I do have to wait for more materials, get their custom orders and such. It pays the bills I guess, it's also fun doing what you love." Maverick stated as he slowly walked behind Luna.
The former princess of the night said nothing, but she understood it clearly enough. It was clear that there was a LOT to unpack.
"Sister?" Luna called out, her voice echoing slightly as she did so. "We have returned home, your friend is with me, are you home?" Luna questioned as Maverick blinked at his surroundings.
The house looked far more impressive, a long staircase with brilliant gold, black, and white steps greeted them, the portion they were in had changing black and white patterns upon them. He saw a light fixture above which looked VERY bright compared to the rest of the house. He looked at several portraits hung sparingly along the walls, ALL of them showed Luna and Celestia.
"How do you not get lost in here?" Maverick questioned, trying to joke so as to not show the shock he was carrying currently.
Luna merely chuckled as she took a look around the main room of the hall. She supposed the house was still FAR too elaborate for a duo trying to slowly reach normality. However? It wasn't like either princess wanted to flaunt their wealth or power, NEITHER wanted to act like they were above their former subjects.
"I'll be down in a few minutes, Luna!" Celestia shouted which also echoed slightly.
"The echo seems fun." Maverick said as Luna chuckled to herself. "So, are all these portraits of before now or…?" Maverick started to say at the moment.
"A majority of them, yes." Luna said as she began to look around at them as well. "We were thinking of getting a new one for current times. It would be nice to have one that ISN'T painting us as JUST rulers of Equestria. I can rest knowing Twilight Sparkle is leading friendship forward." Luna said before she brushed off her arms.
Celestia came down the staircase, slowly stepping down it and towards her sister and Maverick. The Pegasus was quite surprised to see her awake at night… Then again? She no longer had to raise and lower the sun. But it was still something that threw him off balance at the end of the day.
"Hello, Luna, Maverick," Celestia stated as she walked down the golden steps. "I will admit, this house is nice… But there's far too many steps for me to be used to it." Celestia stated while she hummed while clicking her heels on the steps.
Celestia watched as Maverick struggled not to bow. It half annoyed her and half amused her. Celestia knew for a fact that there were quite a few people who knew that she was not a princess anymore. They still respected Luna and her, there would always be people who saw her as the princess, not someone who was equal to them.
"Are you ok?" Maverick questioned as he looked around the grand foyer. "I'm glad to see you and Luna are fitting in well, Silver Shoals is a bit of a peaceful town. It takes a lot of time for someone from out of town to stay in." Maverick stated while he clicked his heels once more.
"There was a lot more things on our mind, Maverick." Celestia stated as she shrugged. "Sister, are you ok at the moment? I know you're not used to no longer having to be 'Princess of the Night.'" Celestia said, gesturing around the room as she did so.
Maverick bit back a snicker only for her to hum. He turned to Luna who frowned, looking around the room as she did so.
"Very humorful, dear sister." Luna stated while she nodded to herself. "I could only laugh myself to sleep. I have plenty to do tonight at the moment… Like think about the party I have to attend tonight… Farewell, Maverick. I look forward to our next talk whenever that is." Luna added before turning and walking out.
"Is she mad at me or…?" Maverick questioned before Celestia shook her head.
"No, she's just a bit unamused by her former position being vacated. She took a lot of pride in her abilities." Celestia responded as she rubbed at her temples. "There is a lot going on, we've been busy. I don't think our thoughts have been focused on settling in yet. We haven't had to unpack our own stuff currently." Celestia stated as she walked down the last few steps.
"I could help, I don't have a lot to do when it comes down to it." Maverick stated to which Celestia shook her head and held up a hoof. "Ok then, how have things been? I'm sorry if I seem a bit tired, I was busy completing a job when Luna greeted me. Metal working is a bit time consuming." Maverick added, pausing to rub at the nape of his neck.
"Similar to a black smith?" Celestia questioned as she hummed. "I've met a few, many of whom forged the armor I used to wear in public… Sadly? It seems many of them are now gone to time." Celestia stated as she shook her head.
"Similar, but it involves a bit more work and effort if you wish to know." Maverick said as the duo began to walk around the room. "Why do you ask? There's a lot of work I've had to do. I usually do a handful of orders then sell them at the same time. It takes a lot of time to sell these metals when you think about it. Work has gone a little odd." Maverick stated, leaning on the wall next to him.
He knew there was plenty of work coming up and he was just one pony. It came very hard to properly do work when one imagined It considering how much time and detail he devoted to his craft.
"You must be very proud in doing that." Celestia said to which Maverick nodded. "It is surprising, I never expected to live long enough to retire from my work. It's nice to be able to kick my hooves up, relax and allow things to peacefully exist." Celestia said as Maverick hummed.
"Very weird looking at Equestria from another angle, hmm?" Maverick asked, garnering a nod. "You know, there's going to be a lot of history to record. I'll be interested if a historian writes a new book by the time, I get that old. It's quite an interesting position," Maverick stated.
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that next chapter will be in 2-10 months and such. Next chapter will be 900-3500 words and will show both Celestia and Maverick and such. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!