>As you had expected, Celestia hadn't let up crying, even hours after the incident.
>There were moments of tense silence where she'd calm down, but the moment you had said or done anything, she started up again with a long whine.
>This made every moment awkward, with Celestia's crying being the only sound in any of the rooms you had been in.
>"A-as long as A-Anonymous doesn't-" she sniffed, "d-doesn't see me like this."
>This had been her creed, and she stuck to it as if her life was on the line.
>Anonymous had returned from his hoofball game about an hour ago, and the moment your sister saw him, she had almost disappeared completely from running so fast.
>And you were dragged by your torc along with her, but that was typically her behavior when she needed your shoulder to cry on, so you were used to it.
>Even if you were short of breath from having your neck crushed.
"Sister-"
>"Euugghh!"
>There was her whine again, and not long after, the tears fell.
>This had to stop.
>As much as you supported your sister, there was a point where it was just too much.
"Please, Tia-"
>"A-Anonymous called me T-T-Tia this morning!"
"My apologies. Celestia, please, we need to do something."
>Her hiccups and sobs were the only thing that met your statement.
"Please. You are a princess of Equestria. It would hurt our subjects to see you so weak. You cannot govern in this state."
>She wiped her eyes with a tissue, then blew her nose.
>Another wadded tissue was added to the mountain of wads in the corner of her room.
"There has to be something we can do. Why not try another offer for a date? Or be subtle again?"
>"I-I've tried for s-so long, Lulu. I think this was...was...th-the last straw!"
>Her weeping grew even louder at this statement.
>Matters of the heart were not your strong suit.
>You had written to your niece, Cadance, for advice on how to calm Celestia down.
>Her response was to let Celestia cry until it was out of her system, then find a way to keep her mind off of Anonymous.
>She ruled that eventually, time would heal Celestia's wounds.
>However, this was looking less and less likely from the display you were viewing.
>If there truly was a "system" Celestia had that dispelled her tears, then it seemed to have a near infinite supply of them.
>Yes, matters of the heart were not your strong suit.
>But matters of confidence and self-esteem were.
>And your sister was in dire need of help.
"Sister!" you shouted with a stomp of your hoof.
>She stopped crying and looked up at you, almost frightened.
>"L-Luna-"
"No! Let me speak, sister!"
>She was quiet, waiting for you to continue.
"Now, Anonymous may have rejected you this morning, but I am beginning to believe that this, and all of your other attempts at winning him over, are because he doesn't understand what you're trying to tell him."
>"You mean I'm being too subtle?"
"Correct! Be more direct!"
>"B-but what about-"
"I know what we spoke of this morning, but what else can you do? Try little hints again? Now, sister, you and I are princesses of a nation. Everypony we know is at our beck and call, and if we want something, we get it, one way or another. If Anonymous is what you desire, then take him!"
>"Y-you mean, force him to-"
"Absolutely not! What I mean is to give him your all! Too long have you hidden your desire for him!"
>You get off the bed and stand on your hind legs for effect.
"Enough is enough, sister! Fight for him! Do not be afraid to hold back!"
>She stares at you in awe for a moment.
>Then, a smile.
>And a nod.
>"You're right!"
>Celestia rises from her bed, wiping her eyes of tears.
>"I'm done being discreet! Tonight, Anonymous will be MINE!"
"That is the spirit, sister! If you want him, put forth the effort and win him!"
>Your sister was standing tall and confidently once again, ready to take on Anonymous.
>Then, as fast as she had been confident and ready, she was unsure once again.
>"Wait...but how do I go about this?"
>And just when you thought she had gotten cured of her insecurities.
"Rationally explain to him your desire?"
>"But again, what if he's still not interested?"
>You think for a moment.
>This was the only real obstacle standing in Celestia's way to Anonymous.
>How could she really entice him?
>...entice...
>ENTICE!
"Sister, I may have an idea."
>"Please, by all means, share it."
"I think what you should do is invite him to your room and wear something a little...exotic."
>"Are you suggesting I seduce him?"
"It seems a viable option, does it not?"
>"Hmm...I suppose there aren't many other options."
>She turns around and looks through her closet.
>"'Exotic', you said?"
"Indeed. Try and find something truly wild. That will be your best chance to win him over."
>She nodded, peering further into her closet.
>"I know what I have to do, then. I'll show him 'wild' and 'exotic'!"
"Then I will leave you to it, sister. Good luck!"
>"Wait."
>You look back to her.
>She had stopped browsing her closet to give you a grateful smile.
>"Thank you, Luna."
"You are welcome, Celestia. Do not let him slip out of your hooves."
>And with that, you were gone.
 
>"A message from Princess Celestia to you, Anonymous."
>The guard gave you the envelope; a shade of pink with a heart shaped seal.
>Upon bringing it closer to your face, you can also smell expensive perfume.
>What was this all about?
>You open the envelope to find a small piece of paper inside.
>"Anonymous, please meet me in my room as soon as you get this. -Princess Celestia."
>As soon as you got this?
>Did she know you had it now?
>Shit, you better get moving.
>You leave your room to get to Celestia's chambers, wondering what exactly she'd want to see you for.
 
>You went over your plan for Anonymous' arrival one more time.
>"Exotic" and "wild" attire?
>Check.
>Casual yet alluring greeting to go along with your attire?
>Check.
>Dark room only brightened with candles?
>Check.
>Anonymous was going down.
>Hopefully on you.
>Or maybe that was thinking too far ahead.
>Regardless, you were ready.
>All that was left to do was wait.
 
>Here it was.
>Celestia's chambers.
>The guards stared ahead, attentive.
"Uh, Celestia was expecting me?"
>"So the message got to you."
>"Proceed, Anonymous."
>Gaining their approval, you slowly reach for the doorknob, turning it with anticipation.
>Gotta make it dramatic somehow.
>The door opened with a creak, and you were met with a darkened room.
>You tread inside carefully, unsure of what exactly you were going to find.
>Getting into the room more, you shut the door behind you, your eyes adjusting to the darkness.
>It's now that you notice the candles next to Celestia's bed.
>"Hello, Anonymous~"
"Uh, hi?"
>"Tell me, have you ever wondered how far a giraffe's neck can really stretch?"
"...what?"
>"You can figure out right now, Anonymous. Just come to me."
"Uh...alright?"
>From afar, the candles didn't do too well of a job illuminating Celestia, but the closer you got, the easier it was to see her form.
>And she...
>Well...
>She was in a giraffe suit.
>She tried her best to strike a sexy pose on her bed, but the stuffed giraffe head at the top of the costume just killed it.
>"What do you think, Anonymous? Ready to explore the jungle with me?"
"What jungle?"
>"My jungle~"
>She rubs a vacant spot on the bed with a lusty grin and half-lidded eyes.
>It was a really awkward silence as you and her stared each other down.
"...Celestia, you're in a giraffe suit."
>She tries to hold her sexy expression, but it quickly gives way when she lets out a disappointed sigh.
>"I knew this wouldn't work."
>She gets up from the bed.
>"Just go, Anonymous. I can't believe I thought something would come of this."
"Now hang on, Celestia. What is this all about?"
>She gives you a tired look, then sighs again.
>"Anonymous, I'm going to be very blunt: I am in love with you."
>Your eyes widen with shock.
"Really?"
>"Yes. For the past few weeks, I have tried being subtle with my affection for you. I thought eventually you'd get the hint and understand, but you never did."
"Why didn't you just come out and say it?"
>"Because I was afraid of rejection. I was so worried about you refusing my love that I wanted to try and be as discreet as I could about it."
"So those heart shaped pancakes were because of you?"
>"Yes. I requested them to be made specifically for you."
>Had to give her credit for trying.
"Well, I liked them. And I've appreciated everything you've sent my way, too."
>Her eyes shine a little.
>"You have?"
"Yeah. I mean, it's not every day you have a princess fall in love with you, y'know."
>She chuckles.
>"Maybe for you."
"True, but how often do you, as a princess, get someone willing to give the relationship a shot?"
>Her expression becomes hopeful.
>Just like it did this morning.
>"Are you saying...?"
"Princess, would you be interested in going to the park with me tomorrow?"
>She gives you an excited grin, then pulls you in to place a big, wet smooch on your cheek.
>When she lets go of you, she blushes.
>"I-I'm sorry, I meant, I'd love to."
"Consider it a date, then."
>She hopped in place with a grin.
"But."
>She stopped, this time with an anxious expression.
>"Yes?"
"All you have to do is tell the chefs to make ladybug shaped pancakes."
>"Done."
"With chocolate chips."
>"Still done."
>Now you had two things to look forward to tomorrow.