Night Mare

I paced before my front door as the hours ticked away. While we had never established what time Luna was due to arrive, it was getting late. The tap of my hooves synchronized with the tick of the grandfather clock by the stairs.

Vinyl and Octavia waited with me for a while, but soon grew bored and found other activities to occupy their time. Vinyl made a fire to ward off the chill of the night and lay before it, reading. Octavia sat in one of the ancient wingback chairs, tuning her cello.

And I paced as the clock ticked on.

“Midnight, come here and sit down. You're driving me mad with your constant back-and-forth.” Octavia said.

“I can't. I'm so nervous. Or, am I excited?”

“How about a nice cup of tea, hmmm?”

“Third cabinet by the sink, second shelf.” I replied distractedly, staring at the door.

“Vinyl, would you like some tea?”

“Meh.”

There was a thump as Octavia set her cello aside. “Well, I certainly would like tea.”

As she disappeared into the kitchen, there was a tap on the door. I nearly leaped out of my skin at the unexpected noise.

Taking a moment to compose myself, I opened the door. “Luna, I'm glad you could make it.” I stared at the mint-green unicorn on my threshold. “Oh, it's you.”

Lyra's ears fell back in annoyance. “Well, a fine hello to you too, Midnight.”

“Sorry. I was expecting somepony else. What are you doing out this late?”

“Couldn't sleep. I knew you'd be up. Bit brighter than you usually have it.” She wandered into the living room. “There she is!”

“Hey-a, Harpbutt.”

“When did you get into town? Where's Tavia?”

“We got in yesterday evening. She's in the kitchen making tea.” Vinyl said in a horrible mimic of Octavia's accent.

“Just for that, Vinyl Scratch, I'll spit in your tea.” Octavia called from the kitchen. “Hullo, Lyra. How are you this evening?”

I followed Lyra into the living room, my vigil momentarily forgotten as I saw to my newest guest. Lyra and I had met courtesy of my midnight wanderings and the Guard. As my body wandered, my mind tended to do the same. When my mind wandered, I tended to follow the first thing that moved. Unfortunately, that was Lyra, who was on her way to the park with her lyre.

Lyra's general paranoia kicked in when she noticed the shadowy form behind her. As she quickened her pace, I, mindlessly, did the same until I was practically chasing her through the town.

Suddenly, I was surrounded by light. Lyra had led me straight to the Guard station. Three of the large armored ponies stared down at me while she lingered behind.

“Hi, boys. Corporal Measure, any luck with Rarity? Captain Prod, good to see you. How's the family? ”

The captain nodded. “Fine, fine. Elecktra is getting ready to start school next year.”

“Is that right?” I responded. “Cheerilee's class?”

“The afternoon one.” Lyra's throat clearing brought the good captain back to focus. “Midnight, this mare says you've been stalking her.”

“Was I really?” A nod from the captain confirmed my suspicion and I gave Lyra a friendly wave. “Sorry about that. My mind was miles away. No harm intended.”

Luckily for me, Lyra was fairly good-natured and found me more peculiar than threatening. She invited me to the park and, in between apologizing for scaring her, I told her about myself and why I was out so late. She, in turn, explained what she did and why she was about. In the span of an hour, I had gained a new friend.

Of course, Lyra had fallen in love with my other two friends. Vinyl's bold attitude and Octavia's quiet grace had captivated her. The only thing that was better than them was, according to her, my own incredible personal strength. She confided that, had our positions been reversed, she would have killed herself years ago rather than be denied the sun.

Octavia returned, balancing a tray on her back. Atop it was the tea set that had been in my mother's family for generations. I wished I had a filly or colt to pass it along to and wondered what would happen to it when I finally died.

Gracefully, Octavia transferred the tray from her back to a table, not spilling a drop despite the brimming teacups. Vinyl levitated two as Octavia joined her by the fire. Lyra took one for herself and I took the last.

While my friends chatted, I found my eyes wandering back towards the door. I wondered what was keeping Luna. Had she forgotten? Had she been unable to get away? Had something happened to her? Had she decided I wasn't worth her time?

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. Luna's loneliness had been genuine. She would not have simply given up on me.

But, then, where was she?

“Midnight? Is everything alright?”

Startled, I looked up to find my three friends staring at me. I gave them a brittle smile, “Fine. Just thinking.”

“About what?” Lyra, always the nosey pony, asked.

“I was expecting somepony. She hasn't shown. I was just wondering what might have become of her.”

“It seems, Lyra,” Octavia said, “that dear Midnight has made a new friend.”

Lyra turned her attention to me. “Is that so?”

“Yes. Her name is Luna and she is really wonderful and I really want you all to make a good impression.”

Lyra cocked her head. “Are you afraid we won't?”

So that's what a hoof tastes like.

This was a very delicate situation and I had talked myself right into it. If I said that I wasn't afraid, that was practically giving them permission to act like heathens. If I said I was afraid, I risked alienating them.

I chose the diplomatic route. Which is to say, I didn't really answer the question. “She's not really used to other ponies. I just don't want her to walk through the door and feel overwhelmed.” That should do.

“Why would you feel we would overwhelm her?” Lyra queried.

Ponyfeathers.

“Well, uh...y'see. She's not used to other ponies.”

“For Celestia's sake, Midnight,” Tavi exclaimed. “You're making it sound as if she's lived under a rock her whole life.”

“It's just...y'see, you're all just so...” I spread my hooves wide, gesturing what I couldn't find the words for and hoping they wouldn't take it the wrong way.

Vinyl cocked an eyebrow. “Did Snow just call us fat?”

Oh, hello, Hoof. My name is Face.

Octavia sighed. “I think she means that we all have larger-than-life personalities and fears that we might inadvertently intimidate Luna.” She turned to me. “Correct?”

I smiled. “Tavi, you are a goddess and I will love you forever.”

“That isn't necessary, dear.” She turned and pointed at Vinyl. “Though you could stand to lose a few pounds.”

“Yeah? What about you, little miss stout-frame?” Vi shot back.

Tavi gasped. “I'm an Earth pony. We're of a thicker build than most other ponies. It's genetics.”

“Genetics, my plot. You just don't want to admit you nom too many sweets.”

“I'll 'nom' your 'sweet'.”

“Kinky.” Lyra interjected. “Looks like tonight's going to be interesting after all.”

I laid down and covered my head. This was exactly what I was afraid of. My best friends were squabbling like foals. It happened every so often and it was always amusing to set them off. One well-placed remark would have them yipping like little dogs.

But this was not what I wanted Luna to see. This was what I was afraid would overwhelm her. Their extreme and opposite personalities loudly clashing. Octavia would toss out a comment about something that irked her. She couldn't hold them in forever. Vinyl would take it personally and strike back. Lyra would make some innuendo-laced comment. Somepony would tell her to get bent. Somepony else would rise to her defense and the whole cycle would begin again.

“Enough!” I barked, shocking the trio into silence. It was rare that I raised my voice. In fact, I could count all of the instances on one hoof. “Y'see? This is exactly what I was afraid of: you three at each others throats when she walks through that door. I swear to Celestia, there are times I'm thoroughly ashamed to be associated with you lot.

“You!” I pointed to Tavi. “You need to lighten up. Not everything in the world is designed to please you. Accept that!”

My wrath turned to Vinyl. “You need to stop taking statements like personal insults. Yeah, I know you're a little sensitive about your appearance. I know you had a hard time as a filly, but we all love you and nopony wants to hurt you like that.”

I fixated on Lyra. “Making sex comments isn't funny. It's stupid and juvenile. You are a grown mare and need to act like it.”

I sat down and panted, done with my rant. None of my friends would meet my gaze and the silence was oppressive. I could hear Octavia swallow from across the room. With downcast eyes and lowered ears, they all sat in shame.

I felt a pang of guilt. Technically, I had started that little fiasco with my botched attempts at explaining a statement I should have never made in the first place. I was stressed and I had taken it out on them. They were my friends and supported me, unquestioningly, in everything I did. They deserved better than to be my punching bags.

“I'm sorry. This is all very frustrating for me. I just wanted everything to be perfect for her. I really feel a connection with Luna. It could become something else, something special. This is my one opportunity and I don't want to risk losing it. I don't have much time left, guys, and I'm scared. I don't want to die alone.”

I tried to keep from shaking. I really did, but I couldn't. I was scared. No matter how inevitable it may be. No matter that I had accepted it years before. Death still terrified me. I didn't want the last thing I saw to be an empty ceiling.

The first pony to approach me was Octavia. She gave me a gentle nuzzle and sat with me.

“I'm sorry, Midnight. I can't imagine how this must be for you. I know I'll die one day, but that, hopefully, won't be for a very long time. It's strange how it doesn't seem a threat now, but it is. Especially for you. I know I won't be alone. I'll have Vinyl. As much as she confuses and irritates me, I'll always have her. But, who will be here for you? In the end, when all is quiet, who will hold your hoof?”

She tucked her head against mine. “I will. If it means I have to give up everything I am, I will be here for you.”

Vinyl stood and removed her glasses. This was an extremely symbolic gesture for her. She had always believed that the eyes were the window to the soul. Whenever she had something important to say, she always removed her glasses.

I was completely enraptured by her crimson eyes and nearly missed when she began speaking.

“When we were growing up, I was made fun of for my appearance. I was called 'Ghost', 'Freak, 'Demon'. You were always there for me. Whenever I was broken, you helped me pick up the pieces. You held me while I cried and told me I was beautiful. I've never forgotten that and I never will. Midnight, I owe you everything that I am today. Dad...he tried. He really did, but he never understood what it was like to be...different. If-If you hadn't been there for me...I don't want to think about it. I wouldn't be able to call myself your friend if I wasn't there for you.”

“Wow. Wish I had a cool and touching oath to give.” Lyra said. She trotted to me and rested against a whither. “I just have me. Hope that's alright.”

“That's fine, Lyra. We love you all the same.”

There was a tap at the door. Shaking, I opened it with a smile. Luna stood on the threshold and returned my smile.

“I'm glad you came. I was getting worried.”

“I had some trouble getting away tonight, but I wouldn't miss it for the world.”

I turned to my friends. “This is Lu-.” My voice broke as I saw the identical looks of awe and terror on their faces.

“Sweet Celestia, it's her.” Lyra whispered.