Decided to write a little interlude for Celestia, so as to get a feel on her thoughts a reasoning, though without spoiling anything vastly important for the remaining chapters.

Tis only a thousand words, but t'was all that was needed in my opinion.

Begin!

Celestia's Interlude – Why I Must

His chest rises and falls, again and again. So slow, gradual, like a rhythm specifically made for me to enjoy.

The time is a little after one in the morning now, I've been watching my darling Toby sleep for two hours. It's so…addictive, so much so that I place my head against it once more, listening and immensely enjoying the on-going beat of his heart.

I look up at his face and smile at how peaceful his expression is. No pain, no hurt or fear is upon it…a good change from these recent days.

Sometimes I wonder what my sister would say if she knew of my poisoning Tobias. Sometimes I wonder what Chrysalis would do too. Something drastic no doubt, he being her first friend and all.

Thus why I had to lie to them, to convince them that the poison regained strength around magic…all but the magic that halted its progress that is.

My magic.

The excuse felt flimsy at first, and I believe that it was only with an emotional barrier that I stopped Chrysalis from discovering my deception. Luna, bless her soul, simply loves me too much to ever believe that I would lie to her.

She doesn't realize how much I've changed over the years she was gone…and then again when Tobias and I became more, became lovers for life…my life, not his. I will never let him leave me, by any means. Even death will be halted, I know how, I know the magic it would take to share with him my forever.

And I will…I will once this week this done. For he will love me again, I know…no…

He already loves me, I know he does. I can see it in his eyes, feel it in his thoughts and…and our break up does NOTHING to change that.

Bah, what a farce it is. For him to look me in the eye and declare our love done, over to never be what it once was, was…horrible, devastating. Not in the sense that he walked away, but in the sense that he actually believed his own words.

How could we be done just like that, because of a choice I made and would make again with no hesitation. No matter his denials I know…I KNOW he would leave me to be with his family again. And if he were just a friend then maybe…maybe I would have allowed it.

But when he claimed my heart and gave me his, I vowed then and there to NEVER give it back. He is mine forever, my lover, my honey, my sweet, sweet Tobias.

And so when he did leave me, when he believed so strongly that his word was final…I had no choice left but to prove him otherwise. Perhaps it was more than just my choice, perhaps his breaking up with me was something long coming.

Perhaps it was my fault…no, it was my fault, I knew it. But I couldn't let him leave me, I wouldn't, I wouldn't be alone again!

And so I set up a plan, to poison my poor lover into paralysis. Where then I could truly look after him, care for him, love him in such a way that he'd be left no doubt that I was the only one he needed.

Oh I'd still allow him friends; I'd never try to disrupt my beautiful harmony. Of course I'd have to check that they were safe for him, that they wouldn't try to do anything…indecent, like steal him away from me.

Chrysalis will need to be watched discretely, I know how much she adores him from the shadows. I don't need to be an emotional reader to know that.

Luna loves him too; in a sisterly way thank the gods. I know she wishes he spend more time with her, and so once he is better I shall allow them to play together.

Sister does love her pranks after all…

But before all of that, I must enact the third stage of my plan. He has been poisoned and placed within my care and my care alone, that was the first stage. And already his will has begun to weaken, his trust issues being placed aside for moments at a time. He, through my loving ministrations, is already quite on his way to become dependent, to needing my help, my love for him.

He showed little resistance as I pleasured him devotedly.

And most importantly of all…he's calling me Celly again, an affectionate name between the two of us which shows…so much. Oh he might go back to calling me by my proper name again, but he'll slip up and the word will slip out. It'll only take a little persuasion to keep it permanent.

The last stage will conclude my careful planning…and when it does, I can rest easy knowing that he'll be completely devoted to me, completely in love with me, and completely willing to let me guide his life.

Whether he knows it or not.

But for now…I have a spell to consider, an intense spell derived from a book of rituals long forgotten by Pony kind.

I saw no need for them to remember.

The ritual I am considering is designed to further the bond between lovers. It's focused solely on the mare of course, but what it does after is intended for the male, to relieve pain and lessen inhibitions temporarily. But temporarily is all I need, after all I don't plan of using it only once.

Of course the nature of the spell is quite base, and demands that it be drunk straight from the mares fluids. Whether it is blood from a cut or of a more sexual nature…or even something else, something that catches my attention instantly.

Oh…oh yes, oh that is perfect. So innocent a reserve, intended for a mares young…but how to convince him to do so?

Perhaps a mild compulsion…or some choice words?

Hmm, yes…yes the former will work nicely as a secondary choice. I want to know how it feels to convince him naturally…and I believe I know how to do it.

Oh how nurturing this ritual will be, and with the addiction of pain it will lessen…yes, this is the way it is supposed to be.

His face scrunches up in pain as he sleeps, I can see it as I gaze upon him now. But with this ritual, with the way it works, the love and care it shows…

"Hush now sweetheart," I coo quietly, kissing his lips lightly. "When I raise the sun and the morning begins…I will show you how foolish you were to think of abandonment, to think you had any sway in leaving me."

It will be a wonderful day for us both…and as the thought of such runs through my mind, I smile tenderly down at my beloved and begin the spell.

End Of Interlude