When twilight graced the sky, it was a time of change. The broad expanse of even blue gradually shifted, first to yellow, and then to pink and orange. Clouds filtered the light, causing beams and shapes to form in rays. As the sun dipped behind the horizon, the light relaxed. Still as bright as daylight, without the harshness of the sun, scant few minutes ticked by without regard to those still hurrying home. Dark blue took over as the glow of the sunset faded away, soon yielding to a navy so deep that one could scarce tell it from the black. Impermanence gave that half hour its merit in a long day. Timeless moments, soon lost to the world save for memory. It sounded poetic to Twilight Sparkle, that her namesake be such a fleeting thing, even though her lifespan had been increased to an innumerable breadth of days.
As day wore on into night, the moon glancing gently above the horizon, so too did life move on heedless of the toils of the living. She was no stranger to late nights, working long hours on her own studies after the rest of the world had closed their eyes. No change in schedule was needed when the duties of a royal figure had been added to her days. She found the time for them, she always did. Sometimes when there wasn’t enough time for sleep, Twilight found herself bringing a steaming mug of tea to her desk. It was warm enough to keep her comfortable, and strong enough to ensure her mental clarity until the work was done. One more dossier of forms remained to go over, perhaps another hour’s work. Savoring the jasmine hint in the tea, she swallowed the rest quickly.
Flipping the bindings open, the princess was rewarded with the sight of but three papers. Scanning the text with a practiced eye, it was moments before she had approved a new business stall, and forwarded two applications to Celestia’s school. A simple teleportation spell served to send them on their way; no need to wake Spike for something so mundane. Sighing, Twilight sat down, and stared at the now empty mug. Well that was a mistake. Even a little caffeine could keep her awake, and sleep was sure to be elusive for a while yet. More time in her night could be used for anything else, but there was nothing left to finish.
With a sigh, Twilight went to close the folder, and put it on top of the pile on the corner of the desk. An inkling toward a few tales she wished to read stirred in her mind, but was soon placed aside as a draft blew through the window. Cool night air stirred her mane, calling her desire to the outdoors. Summer left no need for a scarf or coat, and with the heat of the tea still settling in her belly she knew she would not have want for warmth. Blowing out the wall-mounted candle by the door, she made her way out into the night.
Time waited for nopony, and the moon was already fully above the horizon, bemusedly looking down on the world below. It continued to follow as the road led out of the town and became a little dirt trail alongside the lake. At its edge, Twilight paused to gaze out upon it. Mirror-still, the water reflected the silver-white glow from the sky above. Together they spoke of the night, one above, one below, an endless plain of stars and darkness.
It wasn’t too long before her mind started to fill the gaps between those stars, linking them together to form shapes. The pictures held in her mind, a belt here, a trident there. It made sense, Princess Luna would not have left her stars out at random. Eager, she began to look deeper, and the shapes grew. Soon a house appeared, and then a well. A stand and a barn, a cart and a fence. Then she blinked, and one of the stars moved. A pony stepped up to the stand, and waved at another behind the fence. One looked down from the window upon the fellow drawing water from the well. It was all she could do to stare in amazement.
“Ah...so you do see them.”
It wasn’t the first time Luna had visited her after the sun had gone down. Every few weeks, the princess of the night had instructed her newer companion in the ways of her crown. Though as to what Luna would have to say now and here was beyond her.
“What are they?”
“Memories. Those who have long since passed from this world, but will never leave it entirely.”
“So is this the after that you have spoken of?”
“Yes and no. It is how I remember. I see them every night. Take care that you never forget when those you care about pass on.”
Twilight hung her head. “I know there are those I won’t ever forget, but in time, how will I be able to remember everything?”
“You must find a way for yourself. The stars are not beautiful because I make them so, it is because they carry with them the echo of things great and terrible, beautiful and wonderful. I give them just a little nudge to hold true to those who deserve to be remembered. So I have done, and so may anyone who cares to gaze upon them long enough see what story they have to tell.”
“And the after?”
“Do not be concerned, that is for another night. Take as much time as you need to look upon them now and from now on. They all have their stories, and will gladly tell it if you but listen. Perhaps they will tell you how to tell it yourself. Goodnight, Twilight.”
A faint pop was all that announced Luna’s departure, leaving Twilight alone with the stars. As she looked on, they shifted again, this time showing a stallion in armor lowering a lance for a charge. Then a mare tending to the sick and dying. And then a colt carrying his brother on his back. One by one the scenes passed, each one stopping to look her in the eye before they moved on.
When the alpenglow began to pour warmer light back into the sky, and the hour of twilight came again, she rose from her seat by the lake and began to walk home. Soon the deep green gave way to a yellow, and bits of sunlight spilled over the horizon. As the light struck her, so too did realization.
I will remember those whose time has passed in the passing of the day, their labors gilded within the golden evening light. And those who shine through as the new days dawns, such that their glory will only be outshone by that of the sun. As my namesake is, so I shall never forget those who had to pass from this life in the fleeting time between the days.
Tears in her eyes, Twilight entered the library again, and found her bed. It wasn’t the first time she’d slept through the day, and likely wouldn’t be the last. After all, neither the night nor the day was her domain.
Author's Note
As with all such things, don't spend too long looking for a deeper meaning. But, do remember to take the time to think of loved ones long passed. This one is for my grandfather.
