While I tried figure out what I'd done to annoy or offend one of Scratch's crew in my Equestria dreamscape elsewhere other ponies were planning to take advantage of an unexpected opportunity.

"And due to the damage sustained to the boilers The Emerald Sea will not be able to sail from Sapphire Bay until Monday at the earliest your Highnesses." True Note looked up from her notes and stared Princess Celestia and Luna. "The delegation from the Kingdom Owshena have sent via telegram expressing their sincerest apologies for this unforeseen setback. Prince An-Takaril is deeply distressed by this series of events and hopes that this will not sour relations between Equestria an Owshena."

Luna finished her iced tea and returned the glass to its coaster on the low table in front of her. "I assume there was not another ship they could secure passage on to allow them to keep to their original schedule?"

Celestia's senior secretary consulted some of her notes again before replying. "That is correct your Highness. Any other ships departing from Sapphire Bay sooner are heading to different ports outside of Equestria, or are so slow the delegation might as well wait for the Emerald Sea to be repaired."

"What about any Royal Equestria naval vessels in the area?" Celestia asked before taking another sip of her lemonade.

True Note shook her head. "We've got the steam sloop the Sea Gallop in the area, but it has inadequate quarters to accommodate the Prince and his entourage. Even if they were to put ashore some of the Sea Gallop's crew in Sapphire Bay."

The Princess of the Sun sighed. "It is unfortunate, but these things happen." She looked at True Note. "I know you're not looking forward to it, but please start reorganizing my itineraries for the next week to account for this. Also please inform the palace staff that the state dinner for the Prince will not be happening this Saturday night as had been original planned. We'll reschedule it when we have a clearer idea of what Owshena Delegation's schedule will be."

Luna suddenly perked up. "Sister will there be any other functions you'll need my presence for this Saturday night?"

"Suddenly have new plans sis?" Celestia had levitated her planner over from her desk to the divan she was lying on. Luna was resting on similar one.

"Yes." Said her younger sister. "I have been wanting to resume my astronomy lessons with Applebloom." The Princess of the Moon was quickly flipping through her own planner. "And the tertiary observatory on the palace grounds is not going to be in use that evening! So I wanted to see if my pupil would be available then. If so it's a simple matter of arranging a sky chariot from here to Sweet Apple Acres and then back."

Celestia smiled. "I think that can be arranged. I know how much you enjoy your time with her. There was no Night Court scheduled that evening so I see no problem with your request."

Applebloom emptied the last of the chicken feed into the bin and was heading back to the farmhouse when a pegasus stallion wearing the livery of the Royal Court swooped down and landed in the barnyard. Spying Applebloom he trotted up to the buttercream yellow filly. When at the appropriate distance he stopped and bowed. With that bit of protocol out of the way he addressed the filly.

"Greetings! You must be Applebloom! I recognize you. You were part of Princess Luna's retinue for the Service to the Crown Ball. Allow me to introduce myself! I am Gusty Breeze of the Royal Court, and I come bearing a message for you from her Highness Princess Luna, Co-Ruler of Equestria!

The filly returned the bow. "Please ta meetcha Gusty Breeze. So what's this message that is a so important that her Highness sent a member of the court here ta talk ta me?"

The stallion fished around in one of his pannier bags and retrieved an envelope with a deep blue wax seal with Luna's cutie mark on it. The stallion passed the envelope to the filly.

"This ma'am. I was asked to deliver this to you or your immediate family, and if possible get your verbal response to the content of this letter before I departed."

"Um, okay." The filly sat down on her haunches and tore one end of the envelope open with her teeth. Inside was a single sheet of folded paper with Luna's seal on it along with seal of her office watermarked on the paper. The filly admired the princess's flowing cursive writing. As she read the letter a smile slowly grew on her face.


To my dear Applebloom.


Today I've discovered that I will have some unexpected free time in my schedule this Saturday night. Therefore, I wanted to see if your own personal schedule would permit you a trip to Canterlot that evening? I've have been delinquent in continuing your astronomy lessons, and wish to begin addressing that. Also one of the observatories will be available that evening. I believe you will find the experience most enjoyable!

_ If you're available that evening I will arrange for transport for you to and from the Royal Palace. Of course drinks and refreshments will be part of the agenda. If this feasible please let the courier presenting this letter know what your answer is. They will relay it back to me immediately. If this scenario is pleasing to you I'll arrange for a sky chariot to transport you up the palace on Saturday afternoon at 3pm. Then return you home upon completion of the evening's activities. I await your reply._


Yours truly.

Princess Luna, Co-Ruler of Equestria, Princess of the Moon; Defender of Dreams.


Applebloom looked at the courier. "Well my schedule is open! Let's check with my sister and granny ta see what they say, but I'd love ta come visit her Highness this Saturday! Let's head up ta the house!"

The filly folded the letter back up in its envelope and then led the Court Courier up toward the farmhouse.

To be continued.