>The next day is probably the longest rotation you ever had
>Your mind is racing as you stand guard
>On one hand, any unicorn who eyes you for more than a moment makes you wonder if they're the mystery mare
>On the other, you have a meeting tonight after work
>And you have no idea what to talk about
>What do you talk to the goddess of the sun about?
>Heck even 'how was your day?' is practically a loaded question
>"Hey, beanstalk, shifts up"
>You snap back to Ea...Equestria, whatever
>Stonehoof is there to relieve you
>"You daydreaming on watch?"
"No, sir, just focused"
>"You must be thinking about that ridiculous letter I had to bring you. Heard she stood you up. Why I married this job instead of a mare."
>He scoffs and you and him exchange positions
>You don't bother to argue with him, it never goes anywhere
>And once he's in position he takes his work very seriously
>You bid him good day and start for the west balcony
>The sunset is more brilliant than yesterday
>Red color leaps from the horizon and overhead the sky is a canvas of orange and gold
>Celestia really out did herself tonight
>Something nice must have happened to her
>Maybe you can get her to talk about that?
>You arrive at the balcony
>The air is just as cool as last night
>The sunset still bathing the world with color, now more blues and purple as the sun slips past the hilltops
>It must have been a really nice day for her
>You smile and make your way to the bench you sat on last time
>Odd
>The balcony is empty
>It's a huge observation area, and even on a slow day there are usually a half dozen ponies out to watch the sunset
>Not today though, you're the only one there
>Maybe there was a speech or a festival you didn't hear about
>You shrug and take a seat
>Its not long after you hear the familiar sound of gold horseshoes on marble
>When they approach you, you stand and turn around
>Like last time, she stops you before you can do more than lower your head
>Princess Celestia is before you, her expression bright as the sun she controls
>Her regalia sparking in the light of her sunset, they look freshly polished
>Her mane blowing calmly, her eyes meeting yours with their usual tenderness
>You can feel event he cool night air warming in her presence
>"Good Evening, Anon."
>She smiles
>You smile back
"Good evening, Princess Celestia. You outdid yourself tonight, the sky looks gorgeous!"
>She laughs gently, looking to the sky
>Even her laughter is a soothing melody
>"I may have placed slightly more effort into it tonight. I'm glad you appreciate it, Anon."
>She says something else, but very quietly
>Far too quiet for you to hear
>Before you have a chance to ask her what she said
>A small basket levitates from behind her and sets down on the bench
>You look tot he basket questioningly
>"I had a light lunch and felt we both could use something to eat. Care to join me, Anon?"
>You nod and follow her to the bench, sitting down after she does
>Her magic is as graceful as she is, the basket unpacks itself slowly, and a small plate is filled with a few pastries before it floats to your lap
>She does the same for herself, taking an identical assortment of goodies from her picnic basket
>Her plate floats to herself
>You and her both seemed fixated on the other's dish
>Neither of you are actually eating anything
>Oh no, you're playing polite chicken...
>"Try the dark chocolate one, it has coconut in the middle"
>She wins
>You smile and nod, taking the chocolate from the plate and having a bite
>Its as good as she says
>Like a mounds bar back home but all the ingredients taste fresh and delicious
>You find yourself chewing slower than normal, just to enjoy every bit of the sweet
>She smiles and takes the same candy, eating it in a similarly slow fashion
"That is very good, do they make them here?"
>She nods, not one to speak with her mouth full
>You're still happy she didn't take the candy with a fork
>Especially after you snatched it up with your hands
>"So, Anon, how was your day?"
>You think for a moment before you reply
>It would be a little awkward if you complained about your job, considering its entire function is to serve her
>And she had been the one to insist you were allowed to join
>But how much can you really talk about standing at attention with a spear in your hand?
"It was....OK. Normal day, nothing big happened"
>You quickly grab another pastry and munch on it before she can ask for more specifics
>"I'm glad to hear that, Anon."
>She gently wipes her mouth with a silk napkin before returning her attention to you
>Her eyes are radiating kindness, with a slight hint of expectation, waiting for you to continue
>You feel bad you gave such a lackluster answer and decide to make up for it
>You tell much more detailed version of the day's events
>From the relief of the night watch when you arrived
>To the conversation you had with Stonehoof before you arrived
>And every little detail in between
>Not once did she have a bad thing to say
>Or anything but a kind word or suggestion sometimes
>But what really struck you was how much she enjoyed listening
>As if you were reciting poetry or telling an amazing tale and she wanted to hear every word
>The pastries went untouched till you finally said
"...and then I came here and met you"
>She chuckled and suggested another one of the treats for you to try
>You nod and take what turns out to be a miniature apple turnover
>It takes every bit of manners you were ever taught not to gobble it it
>She seems to notice your plight and giggles
>Her pastry floats to her mouth and she pops the entire thing in her mouth
>You follow suit, joining in her laughter
>She's just full of surprises tonight
>"So....Anon? Do you agree with Stonehoof?"
>Not all of them good
>You swallow, thinking hard about how to answer that
>She waits patiently, not once giving you the impression she wanted to know right now
>Her eyes were so gentle, her smile so calming
>You feel like the worst thing you could do now is disappoint her
>But the only way you could do that is not to answer her truthfully, you feel
"I don't think so. That's why I came here last night. If I didn't want a special someone in my life, I wouldn't have"
>Her smile brightens so subtlety, had you not been paying such close attention you would have missed it
"I think Stonehoof hasn't had any luck in that department. So he was just annoyed. It was Hearts and Hooves day yesterday, he's probably still a little mad about it"
>And just like that, her smile faded
>"That note might not have helped matters. To have to deliver good news to someone else while you remained alone must have been...difficult"
>She turned to the city, looking away from you
>"I should...send him something. A reward for all his years of service. Something to brighten his spirits a little"
>You set your plate down and lean closer
>Her expression, her tone of voice
>Like last night, it was hard to pick up when her demeanor changed but
>Did she feel...guilty?
>Why would she feel guilty about this?
"Princess...are you ok?"
>She closed her eyes and sighed very gently
>And in an instant, she was back to normal
>Her features returning to the warm, motherly figure you've known since your very first night
>"Yes, I am sorry, I was lost in an old memory. I apologize, Anon. It happens from time to time."
>She turned to you with her usual smile
>But, for the very first time in the months you've known her
>You didn't buy it
>She notices your look of doubt and turns back to the city
>Her own plate levitates back to the basket, the rest of the food following
>"My sister has done a wonderful job tonight, wouldn't you agree, Anon?"
>You don't answer
>In fact you don't even turn to look to the city
>You keep your gaze on her
>She's still smiling, still maintaining her normal composure
>But her eyes give it away
>There is a sadness there
>As if something went wrong but she didn't want to address it
"Princess?"
>She closes her eyes and you hear the basket clasps lock
>She begins to gather herself from the bench, standing with a shaky sigh
>One by one her hooves land on the marble
>"I'm sorry to end this abruptly, Anon, but there is something I need to attend to"
>She's standing, beginning to make her way to the exit
>Moving slightly quicker than usual
>You only had a few more seconds before she left
"Who...sent that note to me?"
>She freezes
>Her wings tighten against her body
>Her head lowers for a second before she makes eye contact again
>Her features tremble slightly
>You feel terrible, worried you might be responsible for her sudden change in mood
>But throughout it all, she keeps that warm, quiet smile
>"I...I...really need to take my leave, Anon."
>Her eyes are pleading with you to let her go
>It was your turn to give a warm, reassuring smile
>Little by little, the events from last night and tonight connect
>And you understand exactly what she was talking about the night before
"Would you like to meet here tomorrow? After my watch has ended?"
>Her smile changes, from the shaky veil of happiness before to one of relief
>"I'd...like that very much, Anon."
>She bows her head to you, and you return the gesture
>Without another word, she takes her leave, returning to the castle, her basket of sweets floating gently behind her
>You watch her go, admiring her grace and beauty as she re-entered the hall
>The guards on the other side of the door see you and you look away, back toward the city
>That explains why the place was deserted, she wanted privacy
>Just the stars, the view, and you
>Clever Princess
>You hear the doors close behind you
>The wind from the west blows a gust of cool night air across your body
>You shiver, suddenly aware of how cold it was outside without Celestia's warmth around you
>You stay for a few more minutes though
>Admiring the view from the balcony
>Watching the ponies go about their nights
>Seeing happy couples go to and from restaurants on the main streets
>Another breeze encourages you to head back inside
>But before you leave
>You whisper quietly to the city below
"It's a date, then..."