I'm back!

I meant to post this chapter yesterday, but I was tired as hell, so I forgot. Sorry.

900 words or so for this chapter, and another big step taken towards Nightmare Moon. Can yo feel it coming?

Stoneweave is an OC. He won't make another appearance.

That said...enjoy!

…It sweetly takes old of the mind of its host…

Staria yawned. It was the middle of the day, but she couldn't sleep. The king from the neighbouring country had arrived yesterday, and she guessed there would be a meeting with them soon, to discuss politics and all.

The thing was, she had no idea when it would be.

Since Luna was absolutely dead after last night, as usual, she figured she'd ask Celestia for the hour and then rouse Luna from her restful sleep once it was time to go. The negotiations had been going on for the past few weeks, but since Tia had handled everything, she didn't exactly know the details. Maybe she could catch up before the mee-

"…gardens. We attach a great value to the Earth ponies' hard work, and these gardens are a testimony to their skilful abilities."

-ting. What?

"As you can see, Equestria is a very resourceful land. We produce more than we need each year, and we are open to a trade, should you be interested."

Staria's jaw dropped.

There, right in front of her, through the open doors of the council rooms –it was the middle of summer, after all- she could see Celestia, with the king she'd mentioned earlier.

In the middle of a meeting.

Without either Luna or her.

What in Equestria's going on?

She approached the room, trying to understand. Maybe she was just answering a few questions? She couldn't hold a meeting without them both, it would have no sense. As the three rulers of Equestria, they had to take such big decisions together –Celestia couldn't take them alone without at least speaking with them about it, right? She heard chairs being pulled back, and she relaxed some. If it was already over, then surely it couldn't have been the meeting about the trade; it would have taken much long-

"I look forward to our first trade then, your majesty."

-ger. Oh, no…

A tall, dark red-maned pony came out, wearing a great crown of polished gold, and found himself nose to nose with her. Staria opened her mouth to greet him –Lord Stoneweave, the King of Western Equestria- but he beat her to it.

"I apologize miss, I hadn't seen you." She started at his words, but politeness came first.

"It's alright, I wasn't looking either." Celestia came out, in all her regal glory. Staria suddenly felt underdressed –well, she wasn't dressed at all, but still- next to Celestia's magnificent red gown.

"My guards will escort you. Have a safe travel."

The royals pony and his escort left the two sisters alone, and Staria finally became aware of her gaping jaw. Miss?! He did not recognise me?! She coughed a bit.

"Celestia," she began warily, "that was Lord Stoneweave, was it not?"

"Didn't you recognise him? Yes, it was."

"Aaaaannnnnd…what were you doing?"

"We were discussing the trades between our countries. Didn't I tell you yesterday?"

"We were supposed to be here, Luna and I!" She exclaimed, glaring at the Sun princess.

"I thought he would feel more comfortable discussing with one ruler instead of three…it can be quite intimidating, you know, Sister?"

"You could have told us before –and asked our opinion! Besides, he did not even recognise me, Tia!"

"The idea of three rulers is quite foreign to them…They must be at ease if we want to trade with them."

"So you just…pretended we did not exist…?"

"It's not a big deal, Sister, it's just trades. But now that you're up, there's something I wanted to discuss with you. You know, the autumn equinox is coming up, and-"

Staria tuned her out. To Celestia it might have been nothing, but to her…If she didn't know her sister, then she'd say she was trying to become Equestria's sole ruler, and cast them both out of the picture. But as it was, Celestia probably just did not think it would hurt them, nor did she thought it important enough to rouse them from their needed sleep. Now that she thought about it, there were many things Celestia did on her own, because Luna and her couldn't be woken. Speaking of which…

"…What just happened?" Staria whirled around, eyes wide.

"Luna?"

"We should have been there, right? As the three rulers? So why did Tia handle it alone?"

Staria did not know what to do. What could she say? The had both seen the evidence of Tia's pride. But was it really pride, or just misplaced concern for the kingdom? Who could answer this?

"It's just trades, so…we weren't needed?" Luna did not look half convinced by her reply, and truthfully, neither did Staria.

The youngest looked mildly irritated.

"It's not the first time it has happened…I'm tired of Tia hugging all attention to herself. I'm going to give her a piece of my mind. Are you coming?"

Luna gazed at her intently, and the eldest felt herself shrink under her piercing gaze.

"Luna…it's just trades…it's nothing…" Luna snorted.

"Who are you trying to convince? Fine. Don't come crying when Celestia no longer remembers you exist."

Staria sweatdropped as her sister caught up with the eldest. That's a bit exaggerating, Luna, she thought nervously. There was not a chance in hell Tia would forget about them, since she couldn't rule alone. Perhaps it is really no big deal, then, and you're just overreacting. After all, what does it matter if Stoneweave doesn't know who we are, since he'll always be dealing with Celestia?

He'll always be dealing with Celestia.

Like every single other king and Queen who had ever signed a treaty with Equestria.

The knowledge made her die a little inside.

XxxX

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