Long before you ever looked at today’s feature, Princess Celestia knew that you would end up reading it.  Don’t worry; it’s all part of the plan.

A Wake Of Mist And Flame
[Slice-of-Life] • 13,730 words

Darrilon has proudly served Princess Celestia for many years, and risen to the rank of Captain of the elite squad known as the Solarian Patrol. But every day is a new challenge when your superior officer (and divine ruler) has no respect for protocol or procedure.

FROM THE CURATORS: We could talk about how this story has — as Vimbert puts it — “a neat OC, a fantastic Celestia interpretation, and a fun writing style that puts characterization at the fore,” but we’re all too aware that that’s exactly what she wants us to do.

Chessmistress Celestia is a common cliché in the fandom, and where this story truly excels is in its vibrant inspection of a trope that many authors use carelessly.  “This story does a remarkable job of making Celestia truly divine, which is to say, she operates on a completely different level from us mortals,” Horizon said.  “The scene with her lunch is a great example of a little thing that really sells that alienness … and engages with that theme on a deeper level.”

Read on for our interview, in which Heliopause discusses astronomical affinities,  Faustian fanworks, and solar social subterfuge.
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