There's two types of people who don't fear time — the very young, and the very old. The young because they don't know time well enough to fear it, and the old because they've seen enough to no longer be afraid.

And Celestia was old, older than the kingdom she ruled. It was because of this she was absolutely thrilled to have the newest member of the royal family staying here. Celestia adored children — their zest for life was contagious, and she found herself sharing it with them. Few had been able match the zest Flurry Heart had brought with her. Cadance had always felt the duty the Crystal Throne held for her even at a young age, should she love to see it (and as it happened, she did), while Twilight, bless her heart, could never get away from her studies. There was always a seriousness to both of them, a weight on their shoulders that shouldn't be there.

Flurry however felt none of that. The little princess lived like her title implied, and the Empire seemed happy to let her. She was adored by her people, and was spoiled terribly by them, though Cadance and Shining were able to keep a tight reign on her… Usually.

This evening was no different. Celestia sat in her chambers, pouring over reports from Tartarus. Something was going on there, and she was determined to find out what. Her train of thought came to a crashing halt however as her door slammed open and a pink filly burst in, throwing the door closed behind her. Her lack of pants and the frustrated shouting in the hallway indicated another fierce battle for bedtime was raging on.

Flurry slumped down on the door, a few giggles escaping between her labored breathes. Celestia grinned and cleared her throat.

"Isn't someone looking for you, little one?"

Flurry literally leapt up, a shrill squeak escaping her lungs. Clearly she hadn't seen the sun princess. Celestia chuckled softly and beckoned the filly over. Flurry shuffled over, still bashfully smiling.

"It seems awfully late to still be up, don't you think?"

"I… Um, I wanted to see you!"

"Oh?" Celestia humored her. "Are you sure? I'm fairly certain I heard your mother calling your name. We should let her in, the more the merrier, right?"

Flurry's ears fell, and she slowly backed away to the door.

"N-no no, she's really busy right now. You don't have to do that."

"Oh, I think I should!"

Celestia pushed herself up and took a step towards the filly, only for Flurry to holy to the door. Or she would have, until the warm glow of Celestia's Magic wrapped around her, lifting her off the ground. She flailed her limbs fruitlessly, squeaking her protests against her captor, but her barely suppressed giggles betrayed her. She floated towards Celestia, who held up her hands, her fingers curling up threateningly.

"Goochie goochie goo!"

Flurry's best of laughter alerted Cadance quite quickly to where her wayward daughter had escaped too.