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

[letteropener]

"If I can't use my magic, then it's really quite the disaster." To put it mildly. "And if I can't use my magic, or my magic isn't enough, then that is when I will count on those ponies -- and humans, who have talents that exceed mine. It isn't always the answer, after all. When the changeling queen outmatched me in magic, love defeated her."

[light_of_willpower]

"Now this, is a story I have to hear." Setting aside his question about what she'd do if she was alone, and couldn't use her magic. Maybe it was just how he thought--considering and trying to be prepared for the worst. Trunks is happy to settle in with cookies though, and listen. "I do actually like hearing your stories about Equestria, and other types of beings. You and Temeraire have helped make sure I try to keep in mind non-humans when I can."

[letteropener]

She had that answer, though: trust others to do what she could not. She was, after all, far from perfect.

"Well, as I have several accumulated, you needn't worry about running out any time soon. Though I hope you don't find them all ones you must hear, or else we may have time for nothing else."

[light_of_willpower]

"Who said I needed to hear them all today?" Trunks had a good counter for that comment too. "I'd offer to reciprocate, but I lack memories. So, what is a changeling, in Equestria? I mean, I can sort of guess from the name, but that doesn't tell me all that much."

[letteropener]

"Changelings are a species that feed off the emotions of other species, most particularly love. They are shapeshifters, and can assume the forms of other beings with great skill." Skill enough to fool even her, as it happened.

[light_of_willpower]

"Is there no way to detect them via magic? Like they have a counter to it?" Because it was hardly a comforting thought. "They sound a bit like the ayakashi here, what with that feeding on emotion."

[letteropener]

"They are very good at what they do, and very rare -- so that trying to poke and prod everypony all the time for such a rare threat would only cause more harm than good." Indeed, Celestia did not believe they would see the changelings again for quite some time.

[light_of_willpower]

"Hmm" Trunks got her point, and could see what she meant. Part of him would still be turning this over in his brain though, because that was just how he thought. Here is a threat, how do we deal with said threat? How can we prevent said threat too?

"So how did the changeling Queen get to you? What happened?" Because he still wants to hear this story. "I've also seen evidence of your magic, so knowing it can be overpowered isn't exactly comforting, although hearing that Love can is interesting." His brain might also be wondering still about any parallels with ayakashi.

[letteropener]

"She disguised herself as my niece, and fed off Cadence's fiance. Shining Armor loves her fiercely, as befits the Princess of Love. By the time the truth came out, she had grown incredibly strong."

Strong enough to overmatch Celestia, though Celestia has been restrained in other ways. Chrysalis had no qualms about unleashing her full force, while Celestia had her ponies and castle to consider.

[light_of_willpower]

In some ways, the Equestrian names sounded odd---but then Trunks also was very much not one who would judge. Different cultures, and he'd had his own name made fun of enough--without memories for him to know if his was normal or not. A pause (and another cookie gone) before he's venturing a question.

"I'm guessing also, if she's the Princess of Love--and a royal, based on what little I know of Equestria--she was probably getting a boost also from the general populace right? So not just Shining Armor's, but everyone else's as well?"

[letteropener]

"Not quite so much. Rather I think the fact that she intercepted their wedding is in part responsible... but in truth, Cadence and Shining Armor just love each other that much."

Trunks of all people was not allowed to judge on names, yes.

[light_of_willpower]

At least most of the Equestrian names he'd heard so far sounded...better? Less eyebrow-raising from others, anyways. "Sounds like something out of a fairy tale. Not that I mean that in a bad way."

[letteropener]

"It truly was a fairy-tale wedding in the end, I will grant that," Celestia said, the memory making her smile bright. "And then they went off to rule the Crystal Empire!"

[light_of_willpower]

That just brings chuckling and an impish smile. "Y'know, I'm really glad you've told me more about Equestria before. Because honestly? It all still sounds like something from a fairy tale. All of it."

And here is where the impish grin is widening a bit. "Especially Alicorn princesses." But Trunks is teasing her, and it's a clear sign of how fond and close he does view their friendship, that he can do so. Toasting her with the almost empty glass of milk before finishing that too.

[letteropener]

"And yet in Equestria," Celestia replied with a bemused smile, "I am one of the most fundamental things in any pony's life. So it's quite strange to hear such a comment, to be honest."

[light_of_willpower]

"Modest, too." Still teasing her, as Celestia had not bragged as far as he'd seen.

"Thank you for the cookies though, Celestia. I will happily accept any and all test batches."

[letteropener]

"It is simple truth. From the moment a pony is born till their dying day, I am there, unchanging." If he thought that was anywhere close to a brag, well. It had its downsides, believe her.

"And I'll be happy to use you as a taste-tester. Once I'm done doing so myself, of course."

[light_of_willpower]

From her, Trunks was willing to believe it was simple truth. Which was a little more disconcerting a thought, but he's willing to put it aside for now. "If you want help in the kitchen, let me know too. I can follow directions, at least. My nose is also pretty sensitive."

[letteropener]

"I am going to be brutally honest with you," Celestia said, one hoof to the side of her mouth to keep her words from spreading. "I think pony senses are much better than human senses."

She winked playfully as she leaned back, all smiles.

[light_of_willpower]

"You're probably right, for the most part." Trunks agreed, with maybe just a hint of smirk on top of his usual smile. "But I have noticed--and Mai has commented occasionally too--that my senses seem to be pretty sharp."

But no, not at all bothered by the honesty. Moving to get to his feet again, empty glass in hand. "Are you going to try baking other things besides cookies?"

[letteropener]

"Oh, absolutely! Next is cake." Celestia couldn't help but lick her lips at the thought. The pony princess may have a bit of a sweet tooth.

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks does not have as much of a sweet-tooth, but that still makes him grin more widely. "Now I'm sad I have no clue when my birthday is." It's said with a laugh though.

[letteropener]

"Oh, I don't know when mine is either, so the answer is simple: eat cake whenever you want, without waiting for a special occasion."

Why overcomplicate things?

[light_of_willpower]

"I do recall hearing a group of kids we were watching talking about Un-birthdays. Seemed it was from a movie they watched. Sounds like as good an excuse as any." That had been a good day--no ayakashi, although he and Mai had been watching out and looking anyways.

Then they'd stopped to observe the young group of girls trying to have a tea party. With the one boy crowing about un-birthdays, and Change Places. The only trouble there had been for the boy, as his sister and her friends hadn't seemed too pleased.

"I should get back to meditating, let myself digest before I go for more physical stuff. You're welcome to stay and join me, although I imagine it's kind of boring."

[letteropener]

"I should keep about my visits, but thank you very much for the offer."

Unfolding her legs, Celestia rose off the blanket gracefully. She would most certainly need to make Trunks a cake sometime soon, and perhaps get in touch with his goddess to arrange a proper celebration.

So much to do! She delighted in it.