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

[purr_ince]

I'm learning too. I've managed a few decent breakfast foods on my own. Marinette is teaching me a bit at a time nothing as complicated as baking by myself just yet.

[letteropener]

That's very kind of her. Marinette seems like a remarkable young mare.

[Celestia might be fishing for his reaction juuuust a little.]

[purr_ince]

[And right no cue there's a happily little grin that tugs on his lips.]

She is. She's fantastic. I think she's amazing and warm. Sounds kind of silly to say it like that but - she's always there when I need her day or night.

[letteropener]

Oh, 'amazing and warm', hmm? You must like her quite a lot.

[Celestia's knowing smile leaves the implication practically impossible to miss.]

[purr_ince]

Well, yeah! I mean she's always helping people and making friends. I've never seen her be unkind to anyone. And when I get upset or when I have trouble sleeping? She's right there to make it better.

[He doesn't expand on it or say how she manages that but she just does. Though he's caught that look and his gaze turns downward to his sneakers.]

I - Of course, I do.

[letteropener]

Have you perhaps mentioned to her that you like her quite a lot?

[Her smile never falters, though so help her if he says, 'well I'm a shinki and she's my god' Celestia may go on a bucking rampage.]

[purr_ince]

Oh! Well she knows I think she's amazing and all that. It's just - [He gives a little shrug idly tapping his ring against the side of the glass for a moment; a nervous habit.]

This other feeling is a recent development I guess. I'm not even entirely sure what it is so I'm just taking things as they go I suppose. [And she's mentioned someone from back home before so - his feels aren't likely to returned - whatever they maybe.]

[letteropener]

Well, if you'll forgive my meddling... I think you would regret not taking some step towards acting on them, while you have the chance. [Even were it to fail, at least he would know he'd tried.]

[purr_ince]

Meddling? Ah...

[He doesn't see this as meddling exactly just helpful advice. But then she's telling him to act on his feelings and some part of him thought he had been - in a fashion. A friendly fashion but she's right. Maybe he should do something else. A grand gesture?

Green eyes shifted peering down at the floor. He can only do so much but there is one thing only he can do. It may take him some time to figure everything out and he might need a bit of help but.. he'll do it. He'll do it.]

No, you're fine. I'll figure something out soon. It'll take a bit of work but I'm sure I can manage.

[letteropener]

[It isn't how much you can do. It's who you are that is doing it. A grand gesture or a gentle talk are both likely to succeed, if Marinette returns his interest. But she doesn't wish to offer too much unsolicited advice.]

I have no doubt you can. I'll be watching eagerly.

[purr_ince]

But it has to be special. She already knows I think she's amazing and everything I don't hide that stuff from her I just don't think she knows I feel .. that way exactly.

[So what's a boy to do? He'll just... he'll write a song for her? That'll work. Something pretty and nice just like her and he'll play it for her then tell her. That's perfect! It'll just take a while and he'll have to work out what to say.. how to say what he wants to say.]

I'll be sure to let you know what she says.

[letteropener]

If she reciprocates, it will be special simply because it is from you.

[Really, who needed fancy gestures or grand displays? Sometimes just a simple, heartfelt statement means everything in the world.]

But whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck.

[purr_ince]

I know that. I mean In my head I do? But she's so amazing so I want it to be something really special? Like one of a kind. I'm going to compose her something. Besides I don't know what to say? I mean not really.

[He shrugs.]

I don't think I've ever really like, liked a girl before. And I already tell her all kinds of things that I like about her so it has to be something not like those other things.

[He smiles though.] Thank you. I get the feeling I'm going to need it.

[letteropener]

I think you'll prevail just fine. [Really, Adrien strikes her as a charming and sincere colt; if Marinette doesn't get hung up on the god-and-shinki thing as it seems many others have, everything should go quite splendidly for him.] I'll look forward to hearing good news!

[purr_ince]

Thank you for your vote of confidence. That actually makes me feel a bit better about it I mean if I'm honest. [Adrien doesn't really see any problem with it at least not really. Marinette might still reject him but even if she did it would be because of this other guy not because he wasn't good enough or because he was a shinki. He knows that much.] You'll be the first person I tell.

[letteropener]

Oh, good! [Celestia is briefly a grinning teenage filly. Time and experience have utterly failed to beat that out of her, even if it rarely gets to come out and play.] I can't wait!

[purr_ince]

Well - [He pauses to consider for a moment.]

I might need a lady's opinion with it when it's all said and done so maybe when I finish I could possibly send you the file on the network or something?

[He's turning hopeful bright green eyes to her.] Pretty please?

[letteropener]

Well, I would be misleading you if I said I knew the first thing about courtship firsthoof, or any human courtship at all, but I will do my very best to give you a useful and helpful opinion.

[purr_ince]

I don't really know anything about it either. I've never had this kind of interest in a girl before. [That he knows of anyway.] Just knowing that you as a girl would like it would be more than enough.

[letteropener]

My standards are pretty low, you know. [Celestia winks playfully at him.]

[purr_ince]

I don't quite believe that. I fully suspect you have some expectations.[An amused and playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.] Like for it to not sound like I just slammed my hand on the keys for one or like kittens running over them.

[letteropener]

Well, if I am being truly honest, my expectation is that my title and age will conspire to ensure I never receive such a heartfelt gesture. So no, I really don't have any expectations! But I will give you my honest opinion, that I promise you.

[purr_ince]

[His head tilts a little.]

You don't want someone to share your life with? Have ki-- um foals one day?

[Adrien can't imagine not wanting a family and a life like that.]

That's all I can ask for.

[letteropener]

[She smiles, gesturing with one hoof.]

It's quite impossible, I'm afraid. It's all right. I came to terms with that about eighteen hundred years ago. Occasionally I regret it, but even my life can't be perfect, can it?

[purr_ince]

Oh. I'm sorry.

[There's a sad little smile settled on his face. He doesn't want to pry or upset her so he's letting it drop.]

I suppose not but that does explain the temple to temple cookies and advice. It's really sweet actually.