The Marionetter

Princess Luna fluttered once more through the window of the Marionetter, him standing from his single seater with a bow in greeting.

Two weeks on after their first meeting she had become oddly interested with this performer, often visiting the theatre to see the latest show. The stories he and Melody told were always sad, but hopeful in the end. Most tales she had seen before, some in person, yet each time it was told with such respect to the characters and their plight she had to admire it.

Talking with him was always a pleasure. The second and third time she visited, he had tried to avoid her again. Luna’s determination wore down that resolve and he had taken to greeting her instead of hiding. This week she had visited him almost every night. Her duties thankfully never interfered. She was happy to have something to do, something to relieve the monotony already she had sunk back into.

Sir Nightlark no longer commented on The Marionetter. Indeed he did not protest or even discuss him with Luna. She did notice that the knight had a more cheerful disposition of late. The same had been said of her.

She wanted to express her feelings over tonight's performance. Such a sad story of a lone father raising his son to take the skills he learns forward in life. Upon his passing the father left the son a single gift; his workshop, all that he had. The son carried on in his father’s memory to create beautiful works in tribute. It was a sad but happy story. Very few were left unaffected by the emotional performance and the sweet song of Melody. The mare’s voice carried passion in every note and the band played with instinctive talent.

Luna tried not to hate herself for thinking it, but performers like these should not have been confined to this time worn venue. After having met the owner though, she could understand the allure.

The employees of The Starlight Lounge were not paid well in the slightest. They lived in veritable poverty. Melody explained though that they lived here rent free, with no obligations to upkeep aside their own rooms and a strong wifi connection that supported all the users, whatever that was. They were paid in groceries and on a percentage of the monthly earnings.

Having had a tour of the rooms, Luna was impressed with how much freedom each pony, and indeed not-a-pony, had. She was even shocked to learn that rehearsal time for a performance was only a few hours. The musicians demonstrated unbound finesse and improvisation. No one performance was like the other.

Of late, with a new addition to the roster, the earnings had improved greatly and the owner nearly wept telling Luna her theatre would be whole again one day. As big a gimmick as The Marionetter was, he was helping these ponies. More importantly, Melody was helping these ponies. She was apparently the one who convinced The Marionetter to join them.

The royal bearing held less and less importance with these ponies. In the two weeks, Luna tried to offer her best wishes on a score of occasions and each time they accepted it with gratitude. In two weeks they were less nervous about her person and more at ease with her jokes.

After every show, she was offered to be escorted to see The Marionetter by the manager, but she usually declined. Her decision was from noticing that over the past week, he had turned his furniture to face the window she normally entered through. Now after a show he would always be there to welcome her in his quarters but never backstage.

It seemed, oddly enough, that the ponies were very weary of him. He was not famous for having a friendly disposition and after each performance retreated to that room until it was time to rehearse the next day. Sir Nightlark had been right about the brooding perhaps.

Luna did not notice this. It was refreshing to speak with The Marionetter, usually about his travels around the different kingdoms. He had covered a remarkable distance for one who preferred to hide.

“I enjoyed your performance today.”

“Princess!” he clumsily stood to attention at her presence, wearing that mask.

“Still you hide from your princess,” she sighed.

“I would if I could, but I-”

“Can’t so I shan’t... I know.”

“Would you care to partake in some savouries? I asked them especially for you.” Luna saw the beautiful platter awaiting her, any other time and she would have gratefully devoured it. She shook her head smiling, her appetite was lacklustre at best today. Without a word he replaced the cover to keep them fresh. He placed his hands together and bowed slightly to her, “To what do I owe today's honour?”

“How could I not want to speak with you and discuss such a sad story today.”

“I hope your Highness enjoyed it.”

“Oh I love a sad story every now and then. I enjoyed your conclusion, very hopeful. Did you dream that one too?”

The way he spoke gripped Luna, “I wish I did.” She dared not pry further.

“I did enjoy it very much, The Marionetter.”

“Princess Luna, I ask you simply call me Marion for short.”

A name at last. “Will you then call me Luna?”

“Of course not! Such disrespect is unforgivable.”

“And what if I...wanted you to?”

He appeared shocked for a moment. “I still could not.” He gestured to the large couch, setting a cup of her favourite tea. Luna was still impressed he had learned in such a short time to prepare it the way she liked. The tea was an expensive brand though and she always felt guilty despite his protests.

“Oh you needn’t.”

“Nonsense, I insist, it even has the Fillyda Lemons...”

“You tease me, Marion, making your… me feel so guilty.”

“You shouldn’t. I am happy to have been introduced to something new and luxurious. More so I am happy to have a connoisseur to sample the stock. Thanks to you the manager wants to introduce it to the beverage list. Pending thine permission.”

Luna chuckled and came to sit before him, she tapped the couch and he joined her with a little coaxing, and a tug to his uniform. He never sat in her presence unless she forced it. It was charmingly annoying.

“Granted. And if I ordered you to call me Luna?”

He sighed, “Then I would have to oblige.”

“Good. Marion I order you to call me Luna from now on.”

“Could I at least say Miss Luna?”

“I am old but I do not wish to feel old. Luna or nothing, Marion.”

“Alright… Luna.” She felt a little shaken hearing it from him, possibly because his own voice trembled as he said it. Such a nervous one.

“Your name is interesting, is it your birth name?”

“No. I do not remember it, I am but Marion now.”

“Marion the Marionetter. That is a strange name to have. Am I mistaken or is that not a word in the modern language.”

“It just came to me. The Marionette Sticks.”

“Yes. Such riveting wands. Would you mind if I see how they work?”

“I would show you but they are drained now. Daily performances take their toll.”

“Tis a shame. Someday then.” There was a question Luna had wanted to ask him. It was the way the vocalist acted when she spoke of him. It was with great reservation. After his initial tolerant greeting to her, Luna could not understand why. “Marion...are you and the singer Melody friends?”

He laughed at her question to her surprise. “Highness, that battle axe would barely speak to me when I first came here! Nowadays, months down the line, I might get a 'good evening'! Still she has a voice that could melt the cold itself. She’s actually a very nice pony to the others, not so much to myself but it is understandable.”

“Why?”

“I am a private person Mi-Luna. I enjoy the peace and solace. This on the other hoof,” he tapped the mask, “does little for my social life, as you might imagine. She takes issue with the effigy and considers it an insult that I will not show myself, says I am not to be trusted.”

“Then why not take it off? You do not seem to like it.”

“You really are trying to take it off, aren’t you.”

“Why not at all my friend.” She sipped from her cup trying to avoid looking mischievous, and failing. A thought occurred to her as she lowered it to rest on the table, “Friend...”

They looked to each other in surprise of saying it in unison. She snickered and they released a laugh at the coincidence. That warm laugh of his was always a pleasure to hear.

“That was weird!”

“Well...?”

“Well what, your Highness-I mean Luna sorry.”

She giggled, “Are we friends?”

He seemed stunned by the question, “I...don’t know. Are we?”

“Well I would like it if we were. I do so love making new friends.”

“Then I guess we are. Huh…”

“What is it?”

“Nothing, Luna.”

“Come now my friend.”

“Oh it’s nothing, a thought about having a new friend.”

“Am I not to your high standards?”

“Luna you are most certainly to my standards, you have a heartbeat and that is enough.”

“Oh stop,” she chuckled while playfully nudging him. He chuckled and yawned, the sound louder within the mask.

“I apologise, you need to sleep I suppose and I have been keeping you.”

“I do not normally sleep until morning.”

“You sleep in the day?”

“Indeed. I find at night I am more creative, it is when I do my best work.”

“You flatter me, Marion.”

“And you honour me, Luna. I am old enough to know when I perform my best work.”

Luna was happy he had said this, the extent of his diverse travels merited this question, “While on the subject...how old are you?”

“There is no need to be inquisitive.”

“Tis a simple question,” she protested.

Marion remained silent. He seemed to do so while mulling a thought over. She watched him reach for another cup, then leave it with an obvious reason.

“I will be two hundred and fourteen next season.” Luna had to hide her exhilaration hearing this, the rush of realisation which explained a great deal about this odd creature. “I promised him, my mentor, that I would never stop counting birthdays. We made sport of the way time moves in a very similar manner here. What is one year for your home is close to one year in my own.”

“How old would you normally grow?”

“If we are lucky the normal age is fifty.”

“So you do not age?!” she excitedly asked, having to reign her enthusiasm back.

“There is no need to hide this from you, my friend. It seems my time is indefinite as a keeper to this artefact,” he gestured to the Sticks. “They do not guarantee longevity however as there has been a score of hosts to them. I am but the next.”

“Immortal keepers to a benevolent master…why have I heard of this?” she asked more herself than Marion.

“Old legends predict a lot of things. That one has been around for a while. Unfortunately ponies tend to forget the important stories.” He adjusted his mask. “Please do not refer to me as immortal. That word is empowering and deceitful. It tells legends of powerful beings that master time and become great good or evil.”

“The opposite is true I fear.”

“Only one of longevity would understand that.” Luna felt a little proud of her decorum. “Not powerful but this insignificant toy time plays with. Fragile and eternally fearing what comes around each corner. Breaking a bone or a life long disease are-”

“Terrifying,” she finished for him. Her eyes watched the table on which the savouries rested. It was a heavy oak not unlike the type which decorated ballistas in the ancient equestrian war fields. “I never feared dying. Even in the most weighted battle I never feared it.” He coughed and made her jump.

“We became friends moments ago and I already am throwing my weight across your shoulders. Please forgive that.”

“I am happy you feel comfortable to speak with me in such a manner.” As Luna pondered the remarkable information, there was something that came to plague her thoughts, “Why have we never heard of you? Why has my sister never heard of you?”

“I ask not fame or glory, I ask to be in peace and spread what little joy I can.”

“Marion...something has vexed me awhile, would you answer honestly? For me?”

“But of course, Luna.”

“I understand there is need to be weary of many things in this age, and I do not presume to disrespect your hosting. Do you hide from me because you are scarred?”

“Oh no, that is not the reason at all.” The response was immediate and unexpectedly at ease.

“Then what is? I want to know the story behind this, The Marionetter.”

“It is depressing to hear, depressing to tell. I dare not speak of it.”

“Then show me.”

“Highness?”

“If a pony concentrates on their memory I can experience it as they do. Tis one of the benefits of being able to see into dreams.” He reflected on this for a few minutes, and Luna wondered if it would be possible to see his memories when his dreams were darkness to her. She had tried but never once did she see a dream.

“Are you sure you want to know? It is very depressing. I mean this mask is not a choice, more a…refuge.”

She sat up and placed her head closer to the mask. He recoiled before she could touch it. “What are you doing? I will tell you this story.”

“I…” Her cheeks began to warm up, she could not force them back. “I thought you were agreeing to…” Insolent cheeks. She nearly threw herself back, staring with feigned regality to the far wall, hoping he could not see her embarrassment. Nuisance cheeks. “Is this the truth or is this another story?”

“The worst kind of stories are the truthful.” He stared out to the back wall, a simple tan curtain replaced the old ragged stained white to blend with the wall around.

“You do not hide the truth then?”

“Why would I? I see no reason to. This truth though...perhaps you would be wiser to avoid it.”

“Should it be as depressing as you say, I will seek comfort in my friend.”

“I cannot show but I can tell.” He took a deep breath as she adjusted her seating to lean back on the tall seater, having to pull him back with a giggle. “The town I was first living in no longer exists. My mentor had groomed me to be ready in total secret. He chose me for my power and the fact that I could leave my old life behind. Apparently I was a natural.

I had only been in Equestria for a few months, that night was my debut. The owner of a tavern we met agreed to allow us to perform. She sung the accompaniment to the piece, she was not unlike Melody actually. Needless to say I did not wear a mask back then...it did not go well. I was forced to leave the stage by the patrons of the tavern, they were offended by my appearance. They said they lost their appetites.”

“That is horrible!”

“We are not done yet, do you wish me to continue?”

Luna reached out and took his hand, “I do.” Luna looked to her hoof in question how it had moved. Contact was something she was averse to, yet here there was a surprising absence of reluctance to touch. The glove was smooth, the structure it covered was too soft for a hoof but too hard to be feathers.

He took a deep breath and squeezed her hoof, looking down to leave those unblinking eyes staring at her. She could see the difficulty he was having. His voice began to tremble. “The owner was upset that I did not get the cheers she had hoped. My mentor shouted on about cretins and philistines but eventually he was silenced by a single young colt who knocked on the back door. He enjoyed what he had seen. He and his few friends wanted to see the conclusion of the knight fighting the dragon. That was a popular story at the time. They were weary of me at first but I performed it for them in the alley, and they loved it. The owner, she saw my crushed spirit that night and provided much comfort. She and my mentor were the only ones who did not fear the way I looked.”

“I have read of those dark days in Equestrian history.”

“That night I was so broken, Luna. I wanted to sleep and never wake up again. Then she came to me, held onto me the entire night and took my pain for her own. Such love in her heart, a kind soul.”

Luna could barely contain herself to do as this mare had done. Having to rub her hind legs together in the urge to gain an outlet. Hugging was…incredibly strange to say the least. Hugging was to be very vulnerable to an attack, or to even be vulnerable to oneself’s inner thoughts. Luna was never fond of hugging, but Marion seemed to draw the need out of her. Such a stranger he was, but to embrace and share that understood sympathy was leaning towards a sense of duty to this creature.

He seemed to sense her turmoil and the shorter of the fingers on the end began to stroke her hoof as the head leaned back. She chanced a peek under the mask, only to be met with disappointment. Even now the neck was artfully covered by a fabric similar to the jacket. It stretched and aligned to the contours, beings gracefully weaved with the darkness inside the mask he wore.

“She let me perform again, speaking out to the crowd to let them see the show before passing judgement. I wanted to wear a mask but she refused to let me hide. She would not let me hide. Little did we know a rival tavern hired a few ponies to provoke the others into protest. It was an ideal moment to eliminate competition. The argument was against letting something like me take the work away from other deserving performers. It ended very…badly.” He fell silent for a while. Luna eventually broke the quiet.

“You need not go into the details Marion if you do not wish it.”

“Do you wish me to continue though? Even Melody does not know the extent of what happened. I wish to speak but only if you wish to listen.” Luna nodded her answer nervously. “The tavern was burned down by ponies that hated me, she lost everything she had. All her families work, all her memories. All because she insisted I step back on that wretched stage.”

“Memories are in are hearts and minds Marion. We can never lose those.”

“From what I understand about mares in Equestria, she was rather beautiful. She lost everything for me Luna.” The free hand tightened into a fist and she could hear him sniff under that mask. “It’s been so long but you never forget. I’m so sorry to rant on as a-”

No longer could she contain herself, pulling close to lean on him and press her forehead to the cheek of the mask. Sometimes her horn was a nuisance as it bumped clumsily against it. To embrace though, it was completely…oddly…soothing.

He did not recoil in shock of a royal’s display of emotion. He did not retreat or hold his breath. For no reason Luna could fathom, her embrace had a calming effect on him. It was quiet to be there, and soon his hand found place on her shoulder.

“You may stop now my friend. I need not hear the rest.”

“Would you… listen to it though? I have never told the true story to another before. It is strange but you know of suffering, Luna. I do not want to upset you but it feels-”

“Of course I will, Marion. Please go on. Your friend is here for you.”

She leaned on his side and took one hand in both fore hooves.

“I have never spoken of it fully. It feels so liberating.” He took a deep breath, Luna gently squeezing. “In the fire I tried to save the crystal glass her father had left her, they were beautiful and a prized heirloom. My efforts were futile and I nearly lost my life. She pulled me from the building, so strong she was. The smoke and glass residue in the air took her singing voice, the fire took her beauty.”

The mask seemed to be full of something; pain came to mind. She remained silent to let him speak on. “I hated it, I wanted to tear them apart but she stopped me before I could start. I don’t know what ponies see in beauty, Luna… but standing between me and the ones responsible for her suffering, protecting them, her face and body laden with those terrible burns that pained her… I have never witnessed such beauty in all my life.”

“She sounds amazing.”

“I could have literally torn them to pieces and made them pay for hurting her. She stopped me though. My mentor had to explain she stopped me to save me, not those cretins. I wanted to hold her that night but her sisters would not let me, they hated me for bringing that on them.”

“You did not insist?”

“I agreed with them.” That response was one she could not imagine how to answer. It was a relief when he continued, “I was made to leave the town the next day by the mayor for quote, civil disturbances, unquote. My mentor never left my side, saying he and I were doomed to share each other's fate.” He sniffed, “I never saw her again. I could only leave that crystal glass and my mentors compensation on those steps. Never saw her again,” he repeated to himself. “I wish I knew what happened, Luna. I want to know she lived a happy life despite my being there. I can never know though.”

“Come here, Marion,” she whispered pulling his large head down to her. He was resistant but she held strong and he crumbled to allow himself to lean on her. “Do you know her name?”

“Amici Multa.”

“Amici Multa,” Luna repeated holding onto that name as tightly as she did him. “You poor thing,” as she said it she felt her tears building, she tried to hold them back and be strong for him.

“Do you wish me to go on?”

“There is more?” she asked horrified. He nodded slightly, Luna did not want him to, but she knew he needed to, “Please go on my friend.”

“A month later my mentor passed.” Luna could not stand it and her resistance fell with her tears on the mask she cradled. “It turns out he was very sick, an ailment of the body they had not yet learned how to treat. The teachings to me was his way of living on through me. No family, no children, never told of his real name.

He just went to sleep one night under the stars with me. Told so many stories that evening, told me so much about his own troubles and how he had to overcome them. The ponies in those days did not take kindly to stallions who preferred the intimate company of other stallions. The last thing he told me before he fell asleep was that true greatness comes from suffering, and that he was honoured to be my mentor.”

Luna shut her eyes tight trying to hold back the sob, this story was too sad to think about. Marion suddenly rose out of her cradling and she felt his arms hold her to his warm body. He was a large creature.

“S… Sorry...”

“I warned you it was depressing. Thank you for listening, for trying to take that from me. It feels so good to talk about it. I had to soften up some of the detail for Melody but you...you are familiar with suffering.”

With a sniff she forced herself to speak, “I am here for my friend.”

“It’s alright, Luna. It is done now. I survived. I found more friends eventually. Remarkably I am here now with the princess of the kingdom, and a truly wonderful friend.”

“It is too sad that ponies lived like that.”

“Some still do. They are the strongest beings I can imagine to carry their head high every day. Such beauty and a testament to the spirit itself. They are never truly gone as long as we remember them. Their actions will always remain. Now I have told an immortal their tale, they shall live forever!” Luna smiled but she could not stop herself from crying. It was unbecoming for a princess to cry, she hated failing to bear his pain. To have him here though, holding her. She was frightened how comforting it felt. “I understand, thank you for helping me, Luna. Please feel free to cry, I will hold your secret… right?” She nodded and pressed into him, closing her eyes to let herself be lost within. It felt good for somepony to hold her like this, firm and tender. This horn was a nuisance sometimes.

She had to laugh to herself thinking how he had to comfort her now. “That was when I chose to remain an enigma to the world. I have visited many Kingdoms, seen much, learned much. The world has changed a great deal in comparison to those days. I am happy I was able to see it and that I was able to spread a little happiness along the way with his Marionette Sticks. Now though I choose to stay here for my friend Miss Melody, I rarely dare leave the room I am so comfortable.”

“Then how do you fetch food, learn of things, explore the world?”

“Right now? Melody.” Luna felt him smile saying her name, the tone seemed to be uplifted with a fondness. “She may dislike me but she respects me. You see there was a much more famous mare who had seen my performance. She wanted to recruit me, it would have meant more money, more fame and more respect. I had to let her down gently though, she respected my decision and left me her card if I ever reconsidered. I never will.”

“Hear it from the words of a mare who knows, never is a long time. Why did you turn her down?”

“Two reasons,” leaning back he raised a single finger from the free hand to point at nothing above them, “Number one, I was always taught an artist must suffer to produce truly great works, even if they are never recognised in their time. They will be great if they have suffered for it.”

“Your mentor sounded very wise.”

“He is.” The second finger raised, “Number two is my battle axe of a Melody.”

“I do not understand.”

“She is the one who liked my talents and asked if I could do it bigger. I told her yes and she fought everypony here to give me the chance to perform. So I did and here we are. We are distant with each other, but I will never leave her service until she no longer has need of me.” He sighed. “She has the sweetest voice and the sharpest tongue.” They laughed. “She looks after me, saves me the trouble of having to sneak around the city.”

Luna looked to the floor, “You sound fond of her. You two are...close?”

“She made it very clear to me her kindness was to better herself. She tries to hide it but she doesn’t hate me, and that’s a start. I cannot be close to anypony, your Highness. It is not kind to subject them to my condition, the scorn they would face, the torment. No. If I care for any of them, I will leave them alone.”

“So a self imposed banishment?”

“Basically...yes.”

“Well, I don’t hate you. I’m grateful we met. I think you should try to take off that mask. It must smell terrible under there.”

“It does not. Nice try.”

“I do not know what you mean,” she giggled winking at him. It was sad she couldn’t see him smile, “So you have been here how long?”

“In this theatre I have lived for a few months. Before that I was happy lurking in abandoned homes. Before that my mentor was able to negotiate lodging without fail. He was very powerful and intelligent. His choice in heir was not a wise one, I think.”

“Why would he be unintelligent to choose you?”

Marion looked at his hand in contemplation of her question. She did not believe it was too complicated or in depth. It had not occurred to Luna that he might have never been told.

“I miss him.” All Luna could think of was to nod slightly. “That old fool rattling about, cursing my existence then lording it over all who defied his vision. How he tried to build my spirit to be unbreakable. He could never understand these things.” Marion held up his hand up as though he was discovering it for the first time. “I miss him…”

Luna eased into her question to pull him from that old memory. “Was he as long lived?”

“Longer. I suspect he might have been present during your reign.”

“Tis a long time…”

He dropped his hand and rested on it, taking a long breath that held weight. “Tis,” he halfheartedly chuckled.

“Your mentor taught you much. I know you honour him.”

Marion did not reply, even the blank stare of the mask watched the ground. Luna did not notice it until now, but the gaze crafted to the pony face was a little sad. “We speak little of you. I find myself growing curious of my favourite visitor.”

Luna sat up but continued to lean on him. He did not protest. “Then we must satisfy thine curiosity.” She poised herself in good humour. “Ask.”

“Are you truly enjoying your visits here?”

“Of course I do,” she calmly answered.

“There are many things to do and I read many events going on about you. Your sister’s student was recently coronated. Is that not a development?”

“It is…” Luna hesitated and looked over this creature as he awaited her reply. Truly he did seem to care for the answer, and she would share the respect he had shown her. It was strange to see this oddity in a new light. Indeed Luna had rarely been in the company of one she considered an equal, an equality without measure for there was no need to measure.

“Was my question too far?”

“Not at all. It is exciting but scary.”

“Scary is an interesting choice.”

“It is so. I cannot explain it, but I fear her ascension is a beginning of something…” Luna could not find the word.

“Something,” Marion finished for her.

“It sits in my gut with constant worry. I worry for her, for what could become of her.” Luna reached to the table and sipped her tea but held the cup up to hide her cheeks. “I worry.”

“Tis very sweet of you to care.”

“Alicorns are not perfect.” Luna looked to her hooves. “They are not what we appear to be.”

“Your worries are unfounded.” She dared to hope he understood. “Whom is more ideal to guide that imperfection than you. I see no other more capable.”

Luna had to sigh with relief. He was right. She could see what could become of her sister’s protege and more importantly she could understand it.

“I thank thee for thine words.”

“As I thank you, Luna. Tell me more of yourself please. Are the savouries satisfactory?”

“I do enjoy them but I must mediate lest the figure fall from grace.”

“You can eat all you like here, I do not.”

“Or you will not in my company.” His answer was to tap the mask with a finger from the palm it rested upon. “I find these encounters very calm. Indeed your visits are a welcomed moment of peace.” She chuckled. “I get so little of this calm at home. There is nary a moment that goes by without the simplest of problems, the temptations of naughtiness, that Discord and his shenanigans.”

“He is settling in after his time away?”

“He is.”

“You two share that past.”

Luna had to laugh. “We do. T’would have driven him mad were he not already so!” She laughed at the humour, but Marion only chuckled politely. He would have needed to have known Discord from those years long past. “He does provide a welcome distraction when I find myself reflecting on this sudden change.”

“It is good to be back though?”

“Indeed it is.”

He stood up and poured another cup for her. Magic was useless in wake of those appendages. So effortless and odd, very nimble unlike the brutal grip of what she had seen before. “I cannot imagine a moment so sad…”

“So sad?”

He hesitated and replaced the pot, holding up two fingers and gesturing to the sugar cube bowl. Luna shook her head with a smile. He held up one finger and she nodded her permission. “Perhaps I should not bring up painful memories.”

“Memories often are.” She accepted the cup as he passed it with a little cream pot over it. She declined with a shake and he retreated to his seat. Luna was impressed he did not turn his back to her, then concerned it may have not been politeness which motivated such action. “I do wish to speak earnestly with you. Please ask your question.”

“I thought…how painful it might have been to become something you fought against.”

She sipped her tea to hide her surprise. “I think you think a great deal too much on this pony.”

“My mind dwells on things when idle. Your company of late has lead it to dwell upon yourself.”

“Then it dwells boldly.” She summoned her courage to explain a thought. “Can you recall a feeling where you have woken from a ni… bad dream?”

“A grip of terror.”

“Tis the way I felt my entire incarceration.” She looked to the window and the calm drifting clouds outside. “Sometimes I…” She did not know him well enough to reveal that.

“I thought it a bad idea to relive these past experiences.” He adjusted his sit. “May I propose we discuss your choice of speaking?”

Luna smiled at that.

“I think boldly on you. It sounds like you have been alone a regrettably long time.”

“I hope you will forgive me for saying this Luna, but I do not choose to regret what I cannot change. Besides, the latest chapter in my adventure is by far one of the best.”

“Oh? What chapter is this then?” Her tears had stopped and she felt him dry her cheeks with a tissue, very gentle and delicate in the motion. She imagined his description of his own strength and could not believe them under such a touch. It was not invasive or uncomfortable, it was closer to gratitude for the simple ear she lent to this tale of woe.

“A princess steals away the night with a coward. She is persistent and after a few meetings she befriends him, breaking through the tough hide and daring to ease the burdens he carries. She now seeks to comfort his pain, and does a wonderful favour. He does not know why he trusts her, but he does trust in her history. She is able to understand what it is to be regarded as a monster.”

“Thank you, Marion...for trusting me enough to share that.”

“Thank you, Luna.” He motioned to rise and seeing the time she was forced to stand herself. He stretched with a crack or two and put his jacket back on. “Time for the next performance.”

Luna trotted to the window and straightened her breastplate. That could not have been comfortable for him.

“You will understand of course that I must attend to my own duties.”

“Why would you see the same show twice? The first time holds the fondest memory after all. I am honoured you choose to see any of them.” he bowed to her.

“Good night to you, The Marionetter.”

“And a good night to you, Princess Luna. I mean Luna. Until the next time.”

She took flight to her night and her duty. She needed to review a treaty and sign it by morning. This meeting had been a special one, she had never expected it to go that far. It was exciting that he may live a long time, that he was a tortured soul in need of her comforting. There were other ponies like him, but they had not suffered so alone as he had. She wanted to stay longer and for the first time, she wished she could impart her duties so she could stay but one night with her friend; The Marionetter.