Luna's Lament

“So Twilight? Why did you not trust my buddy Taylor so much?” Andrew started his chat with Twilight off with a rather loaded question.

Twilight thought long as they approached the platform and boarded the train.

As she sat down, she answered.

“To be honest, it was fear at first. I had no clue what Taylor was and I didn’t know what he was capable of. So I aired on the side of caution and spied on him. Turns out he wasn’t so bad after all. HE pretty much forgave me after I-well never mind.” Twilight said, blushing slightly at the end.

“Ah. I get it. I would do the same thing if I was in your shoes.” Andrew replied honestly.

“So I’ve been meaning to ask. What’s the deal with you and Luna anyway?” Twilight asked.

“Could you clarify a bit?” Andrew cocked an eyebrow.

“I mean, are you two bucking?” Twilight asked bluntly, putting a hoof to her head.

Andrew had no way around this one.

“Yeah. Once.” Andrew stared at the ground, his cheeks red.

“Must be pretty good at it considering what I heard from next door.” Twilight smirked.

Andrew just groaned and rolled his eyes as Twilight left her seat and hopped into his lap.

“Uh, what are you doing?” Andrew asked the purple alicorn.

“Trying to see what all the hype is about. Luna said that this was an amazing spot to sit. Warm and cushy like a heated mattress she said I think.” Twilight shifted and squirmed.

Andrew coughed, trying to show his discomfort.

“Ah! There it is!” Twilight said, settling down finally.

Andrew relaxed and laid his head back.

Twilight nudged his crossed arms and he looked down.

“Yes?” Andrew sighed.

“Could you please put your arm at my side and curl the other around my front?” Twilight asked.

Remembering the agreement he had with Luna, Andrew did as he was asked. Twilight now nuzzling her head into his elbow as he pulled her closer to his torso.

Twilight sighed and closed her eyes. Andrew did the same as they both took a tiny power nap before reaching their destination.

Waking up to a zebra in traditional tribal garb poking him in the head, Andrew jumped up, forgetting about Twilight wrapped up in his lap. She hit the floor with a dull thud and Andrew had taken a defensive stance in front of her.

“Princess! We’ll save you!” A few more zebra’s chimed in as they boarded the train with spears.

“You stupid fools!” Another heavily accented voice yelled from outside.

Andrew had five spear points at his heart when a Zebra wearing a gold badge like his own entered the train car.

“Goddess damn you all! Weapons down idiots!” He yelled once more.

Andrew exhaled with relief.

“Sergeant Andrew, Princess Twilight, my deepest apologies for my men’s behavior.” The zebra shook his hand with a hoof and bowed to Twilight, who was picking herself off the floor.

“And your name?” Andrew asked.

“Call me Zion.” He said.

“Well Zion, I think I would like to see the true beauty of this country if you don’t mind?” Andrew asked.

“It would be my pleasure.” Zion answered as he lead the two down the platform and to the edge of a small village.

“This is where you will be staying for the next two nights.” Zion ushered to a small platform tent in a nearby clearing. The tent in question was in a circle with several others around a fire pit. Behind it stood two thatched huts.

“What’s with the other tents?” Twilight asked.

“Tourists.” Zion said bluntly, “The buildings in the back are restrooms and showers. Oh, and in case you worry, any animal stays well away from the camp and village due to the magic field around it. ”

“Man, what I could’ve done with magic back home..” Andrew reminisced out loud.

“Your tent already has your things in it for the next few nights. The sun is setting soon so I recommend stopping by my house for dinner and you should get to bed. It must’ve been a long journey for you.” Zion informed them.

They nodded and followed Zion to the quaint little house in the town’s center. Zion was a good cook, Andrew was surprised that he did not have a mare to share his talent with.

“Alas, love has been nothing but cruel and unjust with me. Mares seek only to break my poor heart by making promises they don’t keep.” Zion hung his head.

“Know the feeling buddy. Listen, you’ll find the girl-ahem-mare of your dreams someday. She’s out there probably thinking the same thing. Don’t be shy and linger in the past or obsess over the future, just focus on the present.” Andrew said.

Zion looked up, a faint smile curling the corners of his mouth.

“Wow. You certainly know your wisdom my friend! Many thanks! Now I believe it is time for you to go and rest for your busy day tomorrow!” Zion said as he ushered them out the door.

Twilight had made herself comfortable in the bed (to Andrew’s dismay, there was only one) and ushered Andrew to join her. The heat of the day did not let up much as the sun set and Andrew was beginning to feel the sweat bead on his body. He also got a whiff of his own BO.

“Twi, I’m gonna go take a shower alright?” Andrew asked her.

“Sure but be back quickly.” She purred.

Andrew gulped. He knew this might not end well for him.

As he washed off his body, he felt as if someone was watching him again. Andrew shook off the thought as Luna was not here and Twilight was in the tent. He needed to stop being so paranoid.

As he dried himself off, he thought he heard a faint pop come from the door. He shrugged this off and continued to dry and dress himself. The bugs weren’t too bad so Andrew decided to leave his shirt off due to the heat. As he walked back to the tent he saw the lamp inside go out and noticed the flaps closing of their own accord.

He knew it was Twilight as he opened the recently closed flap.

Andrew put his used clothes in his bag and got into the bed. He felt Twilight’s soft fur ease itself up on his body.

“Hey Andrew. Remember what Luna said?” Twilight’s soft voice purring in his ear.

“Yes.” Andrew closed his eyes.

“Rut me.” Twilight said.

“No.” Andrew said, turning around to face the purple alicorn.

“What? Why?” Twilight asked.

“No matter what Luna said, I can’t do it. I love Luna too much to give myself to another mare.” Andrew stated his feelings openly.

“Fine. Go ahead and deny me. I’m going to tell Luna that you violated your promise.” Twilight threatened.

“Fine. Go right ahead and tell her. See if I care.” Andrew turned over and quickly fell asleep.

His dreams flashed him back to his time at Camp Fogarty back in Rhode Island. He had trained and worked there with the National Guard boys on electronic equipment in the vehicles. He was walking towards a Humvee when a familiar figure emerged.

“Congratulations Andrew. You passed the test.” Luna’s voice came from the open door of the vehicle.

Andrew looked at Luna, totally forgetting that she could travel into dreams.

“What do you mean?” Andrew asked.

“Simple. I put Twilight up to that. You rejected her for me. You really do love me!” Luna ran over and gave Andrew a bone crushing hug.

“Luna....need...breathe” Andrew wheezed.

“Sorry!” She said, releasing him.

“It’s ok. Just warn me next time.” Andrew said.

“Oh! You reminded me! I will be down there with you and Twilight tomorrow.” Luna said with an excited squee.

“Great! Then I won’t have to sleep with Twilight.” Andrew sighed with relief.

“Oh come on! She’s attractive isn’t she?” Luna raised an eyebrow.

“Nothing compared to you” Andrew scoffed.

“You really are sweet. Morning approaches my dear. I shall count the seconds until I see you again!” Luna said as she faded out of the dream and Andrew opened his eyes.