Cookies for Heaven

[letteropener]

Who: Princess Celestia
When: October 14-21st
Where: All around the Far Shore
What: Princess Celestia brings cookies and, perhaps more importantly, wellness checks to the temples of the Far Shore.


Two things circled each other in Celestia's mind, forming a taijutu symbol in the way each completed the other: A lot of people in the Far Shore really needed some personal attention, friendship, and care; and she had, thanks to practice and effort, gotten quite good at baking cookies.

So each morning, Celestia cheerfully moved dough into her oven on sheet after sheet, the entire kitchen in Inti's temple animated in golden light like Merlin himself had set it all to baking-- and each afternoon, Celestia took wing above the Far Shore, traveling from temple to temple to seek out the inhabitants therein.

So at some point, an alicorn will come knocking at your door, with a bright smile on her face and a basket of cookies floating by her side.

Comments

[unlucky7]

[Assuming at minimum a dozen cookies per person, multiplied across the temples in the area equals a lot of cookies. Wow.]

Do you need help? Nona says it's okay if I leave the temple.

[She hasn't forgotten about Celestia's offer to teach her how to bake, and if Celestia is going to make more cookies, maybe even her inexperienced hands can help out? Or make a mess of things, either or.]

[letteropener]

[Would any god refuse to let their shinki leave? That would be both infuriating and unconscionable.]

I'd be very happy for some help! [Does she 'need' it? Not exactly, but she would be glad for it, and glad for the opportunity to give Ginia the chance to help.]

[unlucky7]

[There's a small smile at the acceptance of the offer. Even if Celestia is accepting just to be nice, it's nice feeling helpful somewhere.

As Ginia reaches for another cookie, it occurs to her she's been quite rude.]

I'm sorry, did you want to sit down? Or look around? Sorry, I haven't been told what to do if guests arrive.

[letteropener]

I imagine you can use a little discretion there. Thank you. [Taking that as an invitation, she inclines her head slightly in gratitude, then takes a step in. Other temples are always very curious sights, ones she wants to drink in and try to understand.]

[unlucky7]

[In contrast to the lush garden outside, the interior of the temple is a stark white from floor to ceiling with glowing lights around the edges, the few pieces of decor and adding to a very technological sci-fi look.

Ginia taps her boots off in the doorway, careful to not bring any dirt inside. It's easy enough sweeping and mopping, but why cause trouble and more work in the first place.]

There's a sitting room or dining room if you'd like to sit down. I can bring something to drink? There's also a library.

[Now that she actually has to guide, Ginia realizes she's not really sure what people do when they visit other temples or places. It's so much easier following someone than being the one followed.]

[letteropener]

A library? [Celestia can't help but perk up at the thought, bookworm at heart that she is. A fairly noticeable perk at that, considering her ears tend to communicate emotion quite clearly.] Your god has good taste in temples. Though the decor is a little stark for my tastes... not that I am criticizing, if it suits her.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia smiles a little when Celestia's ears perk up. It's cute, but also it provides an easy cue toward where to go next. She'll lead the way toward the library.]

I think it's to her liking. Does every god decide what their temple looks like?

[Truth be told, it's also stark for Ginia's tastes which is why she spends most of her time outdoors. But she's just a shinki so she won't dare complain to her god. As they walk to the library, the minimalist design is broken up by occasional plants or faerie runes carved into the wall.]

[letteropener]

To some extent! I am in a constant war with mine -- it keeps wanting to appear as a mix of its home culture and the Canterlot palace, neither of which delight me too much. I would like it to stay cozy and comfortable and not terribly formal.

[Though perhaps a part of her disagrees with that logic, and causes her all this problem.]

[unlucky7]

I hope you can find a truce.

[It seems like it'd be confusing having a temple in a constant state of flux. Small blessings then that Nona's temple hasn't changed in the few days she's been there.

The library itself is small, the decor the same as the rest of the temple, but the books add a splash of color. Ginia gestures for Celestia to go ahead and look around. There's an assortment of books, but the majority skew toward botany.]

[letteropener]

It does keep me occupied.

[Celestia doesn't quite go all Belle-in-the-Beast's-castle as they enter the library, but she does immediately begin her appraisal with eager curiosity.] Are any of these books your selections yet?

[unlucky7]

[Her selection? Ginia quickly shakes her head, though oops, Celestia is looking at the shelf.]

I've only been here for a few days, I don't think it'd be appropriate for me to add anything to the shelves.

[letteropener]

I can't imagine why not. Everypony should have a good book or three to curl up with! [This is one of Celestia's rare opinions as opposed to wise facts, but she shares it with no more restraint than anything else.]

[unlucky7]

I've borrowed books. I'm currently reading about the history of plants for medical purposes and I have a handbook for identifying plants.

[The latter which has been quite useful in identifying the plants in Nona's garden.]

I'm beginning with the leftmost shelf and working my way through. [It's the most logical way to work through a library, right?]

[letteropener]

That sounds like useful information. You want to read everything that is here, just because you can, then? There is a larger library in the Far Shore, as it happens...

[unlucky7]

[Because she can, because it's here, because it's something to fill the gaps left by her missing memories, because it's something to do as she waits for an order, there are plenty of reasons.

But the news of a larger library comes as a shock.]

There is? Where?

[letteropener]

Here, let me show you a map in your phone. [The handy directions it offers don't work in the Far Shore, so Celestia will just have to draw it out herself. Not a difficult prospect when one is a magical pony.]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia hasn't tried using a maps app in the Far Shore, but she's definitely noticed the way the west district doesn't seem to exist in any consistent state on her runs. She opens up a sketch app and holds her phone still so Celestia can draw.]

[letteropener]

[The actual process of providing a map is far more of a flurry than it appears: Celestia turns on the NFC for Ginia's phone and her own, taps them together to copy over the pictures she'd taken of the Far Shore from up above, then pulls up the relevant one to circle the library on it. But this is all fairly simple magic (once one figure out how to make a touch screen respond to telekinesis, which Celestia had managed some time ago), so it looks perfectly calm on the outside. And Ginia also gets some impressive aerial photography out of the deal.]

There you go.

[unlucky7]

[The wonders of the fusion of technology and magic. It's super impressive and Ginia studies the picture, already plotting out the running path to get there. She looks up with a rare, genuine smile, quickly switching back to text-to-speech and typing rapidly.]

Thank you so much! Do you have any suggestions on books to look for while I'm there?

[letteropener]

Avoid the dull books. The big thick references. Read something fascinating and entertaining.

[That might not be what Ginia meant, but as far as Celestia is concerned she can't offer more important advice.]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia's expression doesn't change as she considers the thick reference book on flowers sitting in her bedroom. It makes for dry reading, but the information is valuable.]

Don't you have to read the book first to know if it's fascinating and entertaining?

[letteropener]

[And there is a time and a place for such things, make no mistake. But as for what to start with, especially from a library? Something that will keep you going back. Something fun.]

Oh, not entirely necessarily, if you can consider what genres and subjects you consider most exciting.

[unlucky7]

What genres and subjects do you consider exciting?

[It's obvious fishing for direction, but any guidance is welcome, especially when the only subject she has any deep familiarity with are all related to fighting and killing.

It's probably not the best subject matter for a book either.]

[letteropener]

[Celestia shoots a glance around, as if checking for eavesdroppers, before leaning in slightly as she drops her voice.]

I'm partial to pulp adventures, personally!

[unlucky7]

[At Celestia's change in behavior, Ginia changes over to text, glancing around uncertainly. One day Ginia will understand jokes. Today is not that day.]

What sets "pulp adventure" apart from just "adventure?"