“Seven cakes per platter along side eight caramelized hay brittle. Make sure the buffet is always full with proper food and love based treats,” Celestia commanded, she gingerly pointed, with her long index finger, to the trays and the treats on it. It was a small issue but a problem never the less.
 
“Of course your highness,” The servant bowed to Celestia then stepped away. Princess Celestia’s violet eyes scanned the room for the tenth time in the past hour, unlike the other nine times, she didn’t feel the urge to correct a problem. Everything appeared well, proper and, at long last, in place. She closed her eyes allowing a stressful sigh to escape her lungs. She began to walk around the royal ball room to do another ‘final’ check. Her golden dress shimmered slightly in the chandeliered light of the impressive ball room, her magical pearls glimmered brightly in the dim dancing lights. Loosely around her throat a pearl necklace rested, magically bound to the upper straps of her sunlight dress. It kept the two fabric halves together and hoisted up allowing the dress to hug Celestia’s body closely. Lower down her body, black straps were tightly fastened around her waist secured her flowing long skirt. The sun, based on her cutie mark, was slightly blurred and its arms shifted minutely like solar flares licking at the space around it. Two side skirts flowed down off her hips which blended into beautiful flowing oranges and reds. Indeed her dress was one part intimidating and two parts beautiful. Her dress had been crafted by the finest hands and enchanted by the sun princess herself. The pearls on her wrists and anklets were a gift from the dragon isles, they teemed and glowed with an unknown archaic power.
 
The main doors opened with barely a creak to announce the guest. The hoof steps got louder to Celestia but she didn’t turn her head as the mare approached.
 
“Did you find what you needed sister?” Celestia asked as Luna stepped beside her dear alicorn sister.
 
“To some degrees,” Luna began. “The Changelings fundamentally dream the same as us but they seem to be linked between each other. Luckily the queen’s was easiest enough to infiltrate and seems separate from the rest of their hive,” She produced a small note pad, Celestia took it and scanned it over.
 
“I know you’ve been busy sister so I’ll give you simple nudges or body motions to tell you if she is lying,” Luna continued. “It’s been some time since we worked together in negotiations but our tactics remain unchanged, I presume,” She smiled gently as memories flooded over her. This was standard practice for them well over one thousand years ago.
 
 
Luna would enter the dreams of those they were to negotiate with days in advance. Once inside, the night princess would be able to locate their desires and wishes in their most raw forms. While one’s body or voice can conceal their aims, goals and intentions, their dreams betray them in an instant. However it does take time for Princess Luna to investigate their dreams, she would settle for only the truth. Once Luna was satisfied with her inquisition she would return to reality, then she would explain her discoveries to her sister. From there Princess Luna would generally wait and quietly watch as Celestia negotiated. Luna provided support and guidance while her sibling did the heavy talking, she was the primary figurehead of Equestria after all.
 
 
“Hmmm… everything seems correct. I assume you remember all our old motions? I had to brush up on them myself… it has been a thousand years after all,” Celestia asked as she studied the note pad. Her violet iris’ jumped from one side of the paper to another like a well oiled typewriter, however she extracted information from the page instead of adding to it.
 
“Of course. It has been some time but I recall most of them,” Luna replied with a causal shrug.
 
“There’s a piece of paper with a reminder on your nightstand Luna, I suggest you get dressed and remind yourself with what little time we have left,” Princess Celestia told her sister with a gentle tone, she finally looked up from the paper and into her sister’s eyes.
 
“Of course. I shall see you soon,” Luna hugged her sister, her large midnight blue breasts pushed against Celestia’s golden fabric. They broke away then went their separate ways for the next hour. Princess Celestia took a deep inhale then scanned the room for the eleventh time in the hour. She spotted a single mistake and went to correct it personally.
 
 
It took less than twenty minutes for Princess Luna to change and refresh her memory of the sisterly subtle signals. She was equipped with a simple loose hanging, deep purple, dress. She had donned a handful of jewellery, a simple golden anklet with sapphire in the middle and moon shaped earring mirrored on both sides. Her dress, like her sister, was also enchanted, the stars upon the purple fabric slowly blinked in and out while the crescent moon would cross the full length of her dress as the night passed. Unlike her sister though, her dress was far more loose. It was simply draped over her body exposing her vast cleavage and a healthy amount of her side boobs. If one looked close enough they could dare see the curve of the bottom of her bosoms. Celestia’s tight dress wouldn’t allow that, as it was taut and hefted her breasts up into a slight squish. Princess Celestia gave a simple nod of approval to her sister before Luna joined her side.
 
“Is everything in place?” Luna asked, she noted that Celestia had hidden away the notepad somewhere unknown.
 
“Indeed. The early guests will be arriving within the next few minutes. It will be quite the standard affair for us, meet, greet and mingle with our distinguished guests. Then comes the guest of honour…” Celestia’s face had a hue of nervousness, a rare sight for one of the most composed mares in the world. Luna smile, draping her arm over her sister’s shoulder. Her purple dress tightened briefly, not enough to strain the fabric in any regard.
 
“You shall do fine. Time has only made your skills sharper, you have mediated and negotiated countless times without me and you have done fine. Now that I have returned you should be at ease, everything is in your favour,” Luna assured her older sister.
 
“True, true…” Celestia nodded but went silent. Her eyes looked out to the window, gazing an unknown distance into the evening sky. “But this is the first time I’ve had to deal with the Queen herself,”
 
“What happened to that playful spirit of yours? You always seem alive around the Queen,”
 
“This is public, official and could dictate the course of our two countries. I have no desire to fight a war against a guerrilla faction… their natural powers would put our nation in a state of constant terror,” Celestia reflected out loud. She turned her head back to her sister, Celestia’s flowing mane moved with the same dignity the princess did herself. Both eyes gazed deep into the caring look Princess Luna offered her sister.
 
“The efforts you put into adjusting the population ahead of time should makes her more receptive to collaboration I’m sure,” Luna gently said. Before Celestia could reply the seal on the door was broken and the first guests had arrived, their thoughts broken by the loud introduction by the guards. Luna’s hand shifted from the white shoulder to Celestia’s hand.
 
“Come, stop worrying and let us enjoy the night,” Luna suggested. She was comfortable in the evening, even if it was a social event. She needed to help her sister as best she could tonight. Celestia’s impassive face morphed into a friendly, political, smile. It was true, justice, and like the sun itself, warm. The alicorn sisters then spent the next hour personally greeting each guest that stepped through the giant blue doors into the hall.
 
 
It had been an hour and a half since the first visitor entered through the broad doors, yet the guest of honour still had not appeared. The alicorn siblings had to bide their time, chatting with other pony nobles, they laughed talked and enjoyed the entertainment Celestia arranged for the full evening. Despite the happy atmosphere, Celestia felt charged with an anxious spirit. It loomed over her like a dreadful spectre yet she showed no visible signs of her haunting. Celestia’s incredible mind had mentally practiced dozens of routines and conversation as though she was preparing for war itself. At last the door crashed open. The room went silent and all eyes turned to the thunderous entrance. A handful of ponies gasped in horror at the uncouth entrance.
 
“Queen Chrysalis,” The Changeling Queen announced herself instead of waiting for an introduction. She was flanked by two fearsome guards who took post beside the golden unicorns stationed on either side of the doors. Their juxtaposition of black and dark grey armour reflected poorly on the golden guards beside them. They were armed with crude, but long, heavy, spears and simple daggers made of some strong but unknown tooth. Queen Chrysalis sauntered towards Celestia with no regard for the other guests.
 
 
According to the notes Luna had created, Changelings based their culture upon Neighpon. The fundamentals of their clothing and most ancient armours were based off the eastern culture. However they adapted it to their own uses, modifying the armour, tools and weapons to better suit themselves leaving only a husk of culture untouched. Queen Chrysalis wore a, presumably, silk kimono made from Changeling based threads. It was a dark blue, nearly black, with green trimmings. From the bottom of each breast was a white lotus that pushed up to the midpoint of the cloth. She wore a simple green sash that was tucked away under her enormous breasts. Her kimono was parted to expose her onyx cleavage, but it was ‘poorly’ done because it exposed the sides of her lime green areola. As she walked towards Celestia she plucked a glass of champagne from one of the waiters without a word of thanks. Queen Chrysalis brushed her dart green mane aside, exposing her golden choker laced with emeralds. Princess Luna guessed that it was plunder from a fallen city and not of Changeling design.
 
 
A waiter came over to the alicorn sisters, they each took a glass of the regal drink and thanked the waiter.
 
“At last we meet in full formal wear,” Queen Chrysalis spoke, her free hand moved in an exaggerated motion. She was just as big as Celestia in height and bust, the room buzzed in whispered and rumours.
 
“I bet you she feeds the hive with those…”
 
“I hear that’s where she stores stolen souls…”
 
“Sweet sunlight she’s huge…”
 
The three rulers ignored the whispers of the crowd. Indeed they were quite use to sexual gossips, they were the height of the land and their bodies had developed to be the best of the best. Or at least that’s what they had convinced their subjects of - the real truth of their amazing bodies would never see the light of day.
 
 
Princess Luna stepped back but listened closely to the two as they began to speak. As if to intimidate Celestia, Queen Chrysalis, got in close, very close. Her huge breasts pressed against Celestia’s and quite quickly, their nipples pushed against one another. Queen Chrysalis grinned, perhaps from feeding off the love the males began to exuberate, or more simply, she was enjoying being able to tease the sun princess in public.
 
“Where do we begin…” Queen Chrysalis spoke after taking a long sip from her glass. They didn’t exchange courteous greetings or formalities, it was simply straight to business.
 
“Peace is a good start I suppose,” Celestia answered without hesitation. “We both want it, other wise you would not have met me this evening,”
 
“You are correct. My people are starving and your kind continue grow fat with hay and love… Thus we are left with a handful of options,”
 
“We have ruled our land justly, we are rewarded as such,” Princess Celestia referred to herself, Luna and Cadance. “We attempt to start with peace as opposed to violence. Perhaps you should rethink how you deal with introductions, talking rather than attacking?” Celestia’s tone was harsh, it was a risky play. Princess Luna watched Queen Chrysalis’ eyes tremble slightly but she remained stalwart.
 
“We are monsters. Monsters in the east and west. Then the north and south, if we are seen as monsters and persecuted as such then we will act as expected. You can blame your own kind for that fear… you promote peace to those who look like you but us?” Queen Chrysalis bared her fangs. Her words were true, she was exotic, frightful and to many - grotesque. It came as no wonder that their kind had evolved the ability appear as less frightful beings.
 
“With time that can be adjusted. As a sign of good will I have established an outpost on our borders that will allow your people to feed without fear. From there we can attempt to establish more friendly relationships as we push your people into our land. Following that we can cultivate your lands so that it is more welcoming to our kind,” Celestia suggested, she moved slowly if at all. Her body language was quiet but was reassuring. Princess Celestia had hardened her eyes, they shifted to look at Luna only briefly when Queen Chrysalis blinked. They had both come to the same conclusion: Queen Chrysalis wanted everything that was offered. Despite that the Changeling didn’t move, her outwards appearance seemed apathetic to the ideas proposed. Princess Luna’s wings ruffled slightly, the signal of ‘playing hard to get’ between them. Celestia agreed. Queen Chrysalis’ double iris eyes gazed into the foamy drink in her glass, she sipped it then sighed.
 
“All this for the sake of peace? It will cost your country a hefty sum, I doubt your people will be happy,” Queen Chrysalis countered. Her gaze reached up and met Celestia’s single exposed eye, the other was hidden behind her flowing mane.
 
“We have the treasury reserves,” Celestia said without hesitation. Queen Chrysalis’ wings buzzed slightly, her huge breasts bounced a touch as she adjusted her poise. The champagne glass shifted into her palm as the liquid sloshed about its glass prisons. She was greedy for more and the royal siblings knew it. Time to play hard. Luna finished her second drink and leaned into the conversation. Without so much as looking she placed the empty glass on the silver tray of a passing waiter.
 
“I doubt we need to remind you of our forces. We have few enemies and many allies whom are inspired by our grace and kindness. They will come to our aid should you attack us and I doubt you can cover the vastness of Equestria with your starving soldiers. The few acts of terror you commit would be met with retribution and vengeance… you have been offered a chan-” Luna was cut off by her sister.
 
“Enough Luna, we don’t want to scare our honoured guest,” Celestia said but clicked her left hoof against the floor. That was a sign of thanks. The ‘good cop, bad cop routine,’ it had been ages since she had a proper foil. Celestia had missed working with her sister dearly.
 
“Apologies, I just desired to make her aware that we certainly not helpless or defenseless,” Luna stepped back with a regal apologetic bow.
 
“I am quite aware of your forces,” Queen Chrysalis spoke, she was calm but Princess Luna could tell other wise. The midnight blue hand plucked another drink from a waiter as he walked by, she threw down half of the drink with a single motion then relaxed herself.
 
 
“I admit… all this for the sole purpose of peace? It’s a rare thought from where I come from…Selflessness is a extraordinary quality in the ‘bad lands’ as you call it,” Queen Chrysalis’ eyes sparkled slightly. “I am interested but I feel there is a catch somewhere. Allow me to enjoy the evening and talk with your guests to see what company my people will find themselves in, I simply need time,” The Changeling ruler said.
 
“Of course. Eat what you desire, talk with whomever and I shall have a room prepared for you at once,” Princess Celestia said. Queen Chrysalis gave a courteously, but brief, bow then went off to mingle. Once she was out of earshot, Celestia finally could breathe easy.
 
“Thank you sister,” She said.
 
“My pleasure. It was fun,” Princess Luna replied, the two of them watching the Changeling Queen speak with the other guests.
 
“Think it will go well?”
 
“I hope so…” Celestia said with longing in her voice, there was something else she wanted but couldn’t speak it.