Midnight Mirror

It was a slow day at the Canterlot Public Library - even slower than usual, that is. But for the young assistant librarian, that was just fine. Never mind that she was alone on duty, and couldn’t have handled many demands on her own, but the whole ‘dealing with patrons’ thing was easily her least favorite part of the job. Days like today - where it felt like the whole world was empty except for her and the books - were the unicorn’s favorite.

She was, ultimately, a nopony. Some would even call her a failure. A late bloomer magically, she had been denied entry to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. She had gone long enough without a Cutie Mark that her parents had been worried enough to hire specialists, just in case something was wrong. And when she finally did find her special talent, it was for stargazing - a talent with so little real-world application that some would go so far to say she was better off with a blank flank. Though a bit of a cliché, she was very aware that the only thing remarkable about her was how entirely unremarkable she really was.

Even so, she was content. She wasn’t the type of pony who wanted to be in the spotlight, or in the center of major events. She had no desire for the stress and struggles of fame or duty. If she spent her whole life in the background, tending to books and watching the night sky… well, she could think of nothing she’d like more. Except maybe for old First Edition, the head librarian, finally working that encyclopedia out of his plot (pardon the language). But when he left her alone in the library, on slow days like that day, and she could simply lose herself amongst the books - and get paid for it! - well, at those times, the world was perfect.

That, in a nutshell, was Twilight Sparkle.

Sitting at the front desk, the young librarian had completely engrossed herself in a fascinating novel about a pony trapped in a time loop, and as a result had entirely missed the telltale bell, announcing a visitor. She didn’t notice until they were right in front of the desk - none too subtly clearing their throat. Reluctantly, the unicorn glanced up from her book with her standard greeting - “Hi, welcome to the Canterlot Library, how can-” - and stopped cold. The book snapped closed, and Twilight quickly prostrated herself before the unexpected guest.

The pony in front of her was unmistakable - with a dark blue coat that seemed to shimmer in the evening sun flitting through the windows, and a mane that impossibly flowed with a thousand stars, few could ever miss Princess Luna. “P-princess! My - my deepest apologies!” the lavender unicorn gasped out, barely daring to glance up at the alicorn. One of the princesses had deigned to come to her library, and she had - had ignored her! First Edition would have her head for this… if the Princess didn’t take it first.

But to her surprise and confusion, Princess Luna simply rolled her eyes. “Come now, librarian, you will hardly be able to assist me from down there. On your feet - I shall not bite.” Nervously, Twilight complied, though she made sure to keep her head bowed slightly - just in case. “Better,” the princess nodded. “Now, I understand your library holds a copy of ‘Dissertations on Ancient Magics and Artifacts,’ written by the scholar Inky Quill? I find myself in need of reference, and the royal library’s copy seems to have been… misplaced,” she explained with a small scowl.

“Y-yes, your princess - your highness!” Twilight stammered out. “I’ll fetch it right away!” Plenty familiar with the book in question, and eager not to embarrass herself in front of royalty any more, the librarian all but galloped through the shelves, making a beeline for the proper section. Reaching its shelf, she quickly found the book, tugging it lose with a satisfied look. Now, just quickly get it back to the Princess, and -

“Yes, thank you very much,” came Luna’s voice from right beside her. With a startled yelp, Twilight leapt backwards, knocking into the bookshelf behind her. To her horror, several of the books were jostled from their places, hurtling towards the ground. Running on instinct, she lit up her horn, grabbing each of the books out of the air, and deftly returning them to their proper spaces. Still, the damage was done - another embarrassing display in front of Princess Luna. She couldn’t even imagine what the princess was thinking of her now!

“… Impressive.” Surprised for a third time, Twilight momentarily forgot herself and stared directly at the princess in confusion. But Luna did look genuinely impressed, and - was it even possible? - more surprised than Twilight was. “That was over a dozen simultaneous levitations just now, wasn’t it? And each one with perfect control and accuracy. Truly impressive….” She paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Librarian, what is your name?”

Twilight paused, unsure what was happening - but thought better than to make Luna wait. “I-it’s Twilight, your majesty,” she replied. “Twilight Sparkle.”

“Twilight Sparkle,” the princess echoed. “I do not believe I recognize your name as one of the recent alumni from my sister’s school of magic?”

Twilight blushed, shaking her head. “No… no, ma’am. I… failed my entrance exam. I wasn’t allowed to learn there,” she admitted sheepishly.

For a moment, Twilight was certain she saw a smile glide over Luna’s face - but surely not, the Princess wouldn’t smile over something like that. “That is a shame, isn’t it? For what it may be worth, I believe they may have been wrong to deny you.” Luna magically picked up her requested book, and began to walk away. Twilight almost allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief, when Luna suddenly stopped and turned to face her again.

“One last question - and whatever the answer, be honest. Twilight Sparkle, what do you think of my night?”

“Your night?” Twilight repeated. “Well, I - I think the night is amazing. Honestly. Even my special talent -” she glanced towards the cluster of stars on her flank - “it’s stargazing, actually. I… love the night.”

“Is that so,” Luna said softly, a pleased expression on her face. “I thank you, Twilight Sparkle. It is always wonderful to hear from those who appreciate my work, when so few seem to do so.” She turned away again, and Twilight could no longer see her face. However, before departing, she clearly heard the princess quietly say, “Twilight Sparkle, hm….”

And without further comment, the princess, book floating beside her, departed the library, leaving behind a lone confused, flustered unicorn, torn between awe at having met a princess, glee at apparently having pleased that princess… and a nameless worry, clawing at her gut, that felt as though it threatened to tear down the quiet, peaceful world she had built for herself.