        Celestia seated herself, absently lifting the covers off the serving platters and setting them aside.  Emergency orders or no, the castle staff had outdone itself.  There were thick slices of whole-grain bread, a tureen of oatmeal, trays of éclairs, cinnamon rolls, crepes, fruit salad, garden salad, and a selection of a dozen different teas.  She absently waved a hoof, whereupon the other three sat down.