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Canterlot was exploding.

Not literally. That would be a welcome change, at least to Luna. It would make things exciting for once at least. No, the mountainside city was exploding in growth, and every week, it seemed like ten new buildings, bridges, statues, parks, and whatever else the locals felt was worth putting up. And of course, she her sister had to be at the opening ceremonies for every one of them. Mother had said it was "to foster harmony among the people". The three tribes had finally been united, and Mother was determined to keep them that way. Besides, she said, these people would be theirs soon. They should get to know them.

The endless parade of ceremonies might not have been so unpleasant had Luna actually been able to present them, but instead, she was almost invariably pushed aside for Celestia. She had to admit it made sense: Celestia was the "peoples' princess". She was charming; she absolutely shone in the spotlight; she radiated power, but was still approachable; she was a natural leader.

It was hard not to be at least a little jealous of all that, and of the attention the ponies lavished upon Celestia. But, for all Luna's envy, Celestia was still her sister. When all was said and done, that's what she was. Her sister.

Her older sister.

And as the younger, Luna had certain obligations, didn't she? If they're going to be examples to these ponies, she should do so as often as she could.

The two alicorns took their places in front of the large red ribbon of the new bridge, Celestia stepping up on the wooden stand set in front of it. She cleared her throat and begin her speech. It was a ramble Luna had heard a hundred times before. Celestia would give glowing thanks to everyone invovled in the contruction, from the noble who funded it to the doughnut shop owner down the block who regularly served the workers. All Luna had to do was stand there and look cute, something she was very good at. She knew that's all that the crowd would see of her. Perfect.

All eyes were on the Sun Princess as she praised the minors who had extracted the marble for the bridge's columns. Not a single pair noticed the faint blue glow around the Moon Princess's horn…

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Posted previously at: 2016-06-24T15:04:13 | Posted previously by: Liggliluff