Chapter 58: Re-Introductions

'At least It couldn't get worse' Was the only thing I could think to try and give myself some kind of solace at the current predicament I found myself in.

Not long after Celestia took off for her 'Preparations' as she called them... Luna took off almost immediately after! Muttering something about setting things straight and for me to handle the guests.

Before I could even formulate a response she disappeared in her trademark flash of moonlight. So here I am, forcing on my best smile and shaking the hoof of every single pompous pretty pony that pranced up the steps.

'Should have just left me with the Verix interrogator' I thought to myself as I "Happily" shaked the next hoof of a pony who, just like the previous, either spoke in a high and mighty pompous voice or smelled so strongly of perfume I almost found my smile falter in place of gagging.

"Having a fun time?" Sounded a familiar voice and broke me from my trance.

Blinking a few times, I laid eyes upon the next pony in line and felt a genuine smile cross my face.

"Well well, hello miss Twilight." I spoke genuinely for the first time since I "volunteered" for this job. "Sorry for not stopping by to see you more often after the first time we met. I guess we never really got a proper introduction." I finished as finished the hoof-handshake.

"Well, we did see each other that time I came to your planet but we didn't really have time to talk I suppose." She replied, before starting again, "Oh! And that one time Pinkie Pie threw you a party but... I remember you weren't very enthusiastic about it, ha... haha..." she finished with an awkward chuckle as I peeked around her to look at the line of ponies.

Almost all of them had varying looks of impatience on their faces.

"Yeah... that's not happening..." I quietly said to myself before clearing my throat and turning to Twilight again, "Twilight, care to take a walk with me?" I asked, much to the annoyance of the ponies behind her.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about a few things... I was wondering-" Twilight began eagerly, but was quickly cut off as I placed my hand on her shoulder and ushered her towards the side of the ball room, away from the glaring ponies.

"Mmm hmm, yup, oh yeah! Yes... very interesting. Right this way please..." I kept interrupting as Twilight quickly hopped along beside me trying to squeeze a word in.

I slowly breathed a sigh of relief as we made it to the opposite side of the room and sat at a table that had been placed for ponies taking a break from dancing. With a moment to finally think to myself, I looked over to Twilight to see her annoyed look.

"...sorry." Was all I could muster to the pouting Alicorn.

Giving a small huff, and flipping some of her mane back into place that had fallen over her face she rolled her eyes. "It's okay, I get it. The gala can be... a lot sometimes." Twilight said back with a smile before turning her head to look at the dance floor.

A few minutes went by as I watched her and noticed something, almost like a longing look in her eyes as she watched the ponies in the ball room dance. Turning my attention to the ballroom floor I scanned the area and watched all of the couples dancing. First thing I noticed was that everypony dancing looked like they wanted to be doing something else. Every movement they made was precise and practiced with no emotion to it.

'Of course. This place is mostly just for status anyway' I thought to myself as I pulled my view away from the room.

But just as I did, one pair of ponies took my focus. I had no idea who they were, but I quickly realized this is exactly what Twilight was watching. At first it was almost exactly like everypony else but... there was a sense of tranquility to their movements. Every move, instead of both being precise and moving exactly as 'practiced', seemed to flow together naturally. Small mistakes become opportunities for the other dancer to change the pace of the dance.

Watching them spin and dance together was almost hypnotic, and for a moment I felt myself feeling-

"Ahem." Twilights voice startled me out of my trance, and I quickly broke eye contact with the group and turned to Twilight.

"O-oh... sorry I kind of zoned out." I said sheepishly as Twilight gave a cute giggle.

"It's okay, they're very good dancers. Wish I could dance like that..." She huffed as she leaned forward on the table and supported her head on her two front hooves.

Looking her over, I finally took notice of the dress Twilight was wearing. The dress was a tone above her own lavender color, but was dotted with hundreds of tiny twinkling starts that seemed to move with her, complete with a blueish white trim.

Before I could look any closer at the details Twilight spoke up. "Gift from a friend of mine named Rarity. I think you met her when you first arrived in Ponyville." She said as she lifted her head off her hooves and used one to brush the fabric clinging to her body. "She always insists on making me a new one every year..."

More silence ensued as I watched her slouch onto the table again and watch the dancing ponies, letting out a small almost in-audible sigh.

"Well miss sunshine I should have you know, no matter how bad your dancing is it can't be any worse than mine." I boasted with a cocky grin, getting her to let out a small snort.

"Haha, well you haven't seen me dance." She retorted, turning to look at me again. "They say it looks like I'm trying to invoke some kind of curse." She finished, laughing at her own joke.

"I could imagine if we both danced at the same time, they'd think we're doing some kind of freaky ritual." I added, getting us both to start laughing even harder. "Well, I wouldn't want to make your date upset by dancing with his mare." I replied, getting her laughing to quickly trickle off as a pang of sadness rang though her features.

"Well... actually no one asked me this year. Or last year." She mumbled to herself as she leaned on the table.

I immediately felt regret for opening my big mouth.

'Great job idiot, you fucked it' I internally swore to myself.

Shaking my head, I looked on at the ballroom again as the current song faded, and a new one started in it's place. Most of the dancing ponies didn't even miss a beat and continued along their scripted movements.

"...sorry. Again." Was all I could think of again as she let out a sigh.

"It's alright. I'm used to being last pick on everything." Twilight replied numbly.

'Okay, ouch. This girl must have had a rough childhood or something' I thought as I scooted over a bit and patted her on the back.

"I might not know what growing up was like for you, but let me tell you this... and don't forget it." I paused as she looked over to me. "It gets better. And I know that's the most bland and overused answer to this kind of thing but it's the truth." I finished as she gave a small smile, but I could see it still hid a lot of doubt.

'Come on... don't look at me like that...' I thought as she continued to stare me in the eyes, like she was waiting for another answer.

Finally, I let out a long drawn out sigh and slouched back into the chair. "Twilight... let me tell you a story." I began, getting her interest as her ears flicked a bit at my words. "A long... long time ago, I lived on a planet called Raylon with my dad. He was the only family I had and I loved him... even though sometimes I didn't really show it." I trailed off as a few memories surfaced themselves but were quickly snuffed out. "Anyway, I was born on this planet and lived their my whole life. Growing up was pretty difficult but we made it work, my dad was almost always working at the nearby mines and every now and then I'd find... ways to make some cash on the side." Letting out a sigh I remember all the people I'd stolen from growing up.

'Not like any of them are alive to care anyway' I thought darkly.

I heard a small gasp from Twilight, getting me to look over to her and see a bit of surprise on her face. "What do you mean like... illegal things?"

I nodded, much to her dismay. "Yep, mostly stealing petty things like watches and things of the like. I didn't feel good about it but I don't regret doing it. Not one bit." I said as Twilight looked to be having trouble processing what I told her. "Twilight, I'm not sure how things are here in Equestria but, back at home things are worse than you can imagine. Humanity are all fighting for scraps on the third world planets and will do what they must in order to protect their family. But enough of that, back to the story..." I thought as I cleared my throat again.

"Like I was saying, growing up on Raylon was rough, but I kept my spirits up because I had something to fight for. Until the day I heard that hellish sound..." I thought to myself as I felt my hair stand up on end just from remembering the cursed noise.

"What sound?" Twilight asked curiously, but with a hint of fear.

"The sound of a Verix Omega warship opening it's launch bays. The most daunting thing you'll ever see or hear in your life." I started as I recalled the sound. "When the ship opens it's bay doors, and the thousands of fighters start pouring out of the side and toward the planet... If I had to describe it I'd say it's like thousands of falling starts whistling towards the planet. Each one makes a little explosion as it enters the atmosphere. Not long after that they start bombarding the planet with plasma until it's fully glassed over. No survivors." I finished as Twilight looked at me with horror.

"I was 10 at the time. Just getting back from school when all hell started breaking loose. I got home as fast as I could, people dying around me as I went but I never stopped. When I finally made it, I rushed inside and looked for my dad..." I trailed off as Twilight hung on my words, and felt myself falter. "He was gone." I lied, "Not sure what happened to him. Shortly after I was found by the planets militia and we evacuated the planet. The rest is history." I fished, getting a slack jawed Twilight to stare at me.

"I... I'm so sorry you had to go though that..." Was all she could muster.

"It's okay, but do you know why I'm telling you this?" I asked as she quickly shook her head. "Despite all that I endured, every horrible thing that happened, here I am with you. With everyone. Like I said, it gets better."

She turned and looked out to the ballroom again. The couple that had been a point of conversation earlier had left at some point, and Twilight turned back to me with a look of sadness.

"But are you better?" She asked me, as she rested her hoof on mine.

I turned to meet her gaze, and just as I was about to answer, I felt myself hesitate.

'Am I really better?' I found myself thinking before shaking my head quick and smiling at her.

"Of course, it's been over 10 years since that day and I've had a lot of time to think about it." I said, punctuating my answer with a small nod.

Twilight scanned my eyes for a few more moments before speaking, "Sometimes we find that the worst thing for one's mind is time to think alone. Trust me, I know." Twilight said sweetly with a genuine smile. "If you ever want to talk, just let me know. You know where to find me."

I didn't know what to say, except nod at the ponies request.

"Anyway..." Twilight began, as she scooted towards me a bit and leveled her gaze at me, suddenly becoming much more serious. "About Luna." She began, as sweat began to gather on my forehead.

"Uh."

Author's Note

Sheesh. Talk about a content drought. Sorry about that. I promise to start updating all my stories soon so keep an eye out for more updates!

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