Secrets of the Night

After a warm bath, Moonflower laid upon the bed in the spare bedroom, one wing extended as Fluttershy checked for any other injuries she may have received. There were minor lacerations, and a few of her secondary feathers were missing from her left wing.

"You are lucky it wasn't any worse..." Fluttershy murmured as she wrapped the wing up in a sling, just in case it had been sprained. She had done a thorough check to see if any bones were broken, and they had both sighed in relief when none were found.

"I suppose. I haven't flown in a long time...never really needed to..." She sighed and looked at her hooves, which were cracked from the impact of her landing. "Landing hurt more I suppose...I didn't know how to slow down, so I ended up nearly breaking my hooves. I vaulted over myself and I crashed..."

"What did you crash into?" Fluttershy asked as she settled down on the bed next to her.

"I...I crashed into a tree...the tree had hawks and they weren't too happy to be disturbed with eggs in the nest..." Moonflower sighed, "The mother was the one who ripped my shoulder...The father one just flew at me and raked his claws against me..."

"Oh dear...I do believe I know those hawks. The mama is really fierce..." The timid mare said worriedly. "I didn't know she was that  fierce..."

"She almost went for my eyes, but I turned my head." Moonflower winced as she recalled the vicious attack, "I won't ever underestimate a hawk again..."

"They are fierce and proud creatures." Fluttershy nodded in agreement. She turned her head to slide a feather through her lips, spreading oily saliva across her primaries as she preened herself.

Moonflower watched quietly, examining her own feathers, which were as glossy as a raven's. She sighed and looked at her hooves, which were cracked and scabbing over. She scowled as she hen looked a her shoulder and wing, feeling very ugly and inadequate next to the sweet pegasus mare.

"You know..." Fluttershy began quietly, "I never knew alicorns could have foals. I suppose it doesn't happen very often."

"It doesn't. As far as I know...there are no more male alicorns left..." Moonflower sighed and looked out of the window.

"Oh...well that certainly would put a damper on the population..." Fluttershy  attempted to make a light joke.

Moonflower looked at her, her expression one of confusion, "What?"

"O-oh nothing..." Fluttershy squeaked and busied herself with her preening once more.

Moonflower said nothing more, sighing as she looked around, "You have a very lovely home. Thank you for sharing it with me..."

"Not a problem. I am here to help in anyway I can." She looked up at her and smiled brightly.

Moonflower smiled back, "When I am better, I intend to help you. Cleaning, errands, anything at all. I owe you that much for saving my life."

"That isn't neccessary..." Fluttershy tried to protest.

"It is common courtesy. You saved my life, you are letting me stay in your home, and you fixed my wounds up. I owe you much more, but I do not wish to overdo it." Moonflower said softly.

A silence lapsed between them, and both mares could feel the tension around them. They glanced at each  other then away again, trying to finding some way to start another conversation. Moonflower, being the braver of the two, sighed loudly and turned to Fluttershy.

"So when did Twilight Sparkle become an alicorn Princess?"

"Not that long ago really..." Fluttershy answered quietly, "She was a unicorn before that. Her brother, Shining Armor, is married to Princess Cadance."

"Princess...Cadance?" Moonflower tilted her head.

"Yes. She is the Princess of Love. Twilight is the Princess of Friendship."

"Those are powerful things...." Moonflower observed, "Love and Friendship. I am glad that two very important elements of peace have been found. I can vaguely remember what it was like before I was sent away..."

"What was it like before you were sent away?" Fluttershy asked as she gazed at Moonflower.

"Dark...depressing...Ponies killed, raped, and slaughtered each other over food, land, resources. There were herds once that reached over a thousand members, and they would constantly battle with other tribes and herds for control." Moonflower looked at her hooves in thought, "That is why, deep down, most ponies feel the need to drive away threats. To eliminate the problem before it is too late..."

"I think I understand..." Fluttershy said quietly, "I once faced down a dragon to protect my friends..."

"A feat most impressive if I must say so myself." Moonflower smiled. She turned her gaze to a painting, and she pricked her ears with interest.

The painting was of an elderly couple, a mare and a stallion. The mare looked warm and honest, while the stallion looked cold and devious. Near complete opposites that were attracted to one another. Behind them, Moonflower saw a large farmhouse, surrounded by trees. They sky was a grayish blue, and it added a serene beauty to it. She admired the picture, for it was a beautiful collection of shapes and colors. She was then struck by an odd thought, and she snorted in laughter.

"What's so funny?" Fluttershy asked from where she was knitting. Moonflower looked over and wondered how and when the timid mare had gotten the yarn and needles.

"Just thinking of how this picture is so meaningful..." Moonflower began, "As you can see, it is a perfect blend of shapes and colors, but have you ever stopped and looked at a different perspective? As in, step away from the veiwer, and see it how the painting would see it? To us, it is a painting, but to it, so are we."

"So...are you saying we are all just a part of a bigger painting?" Fluttershy furrowed her brow in concentration as she thought.

"Yes. We are. We are the shapes and colors that have formed a conciousness, and we roam around looking for the right colors to help paint our growing picture. Some 'colors' find each other and 'mix', for say, to make new colors. But what is the point of those new colors when they don't have an artist to use them and make them into something?" Moonflower inquired.

"So, what exactly would that artist do?" Fluttershy asked.

"Honestly, I don't know. No two artists are the same, nor do they envision the same painting. That's why the canvas stays blank." Moonflower sighed. Thinking of this artist's concept was giving her ideas, making her want her own paintbrush to create masterpieces.

There was a loud knocking downstairs, causing Fluttershy to jump in surprise. "O-oh...I wasn't expecting anypony today...I will just go see who it is..." She gave Moonflower an apologetic smile and flew downstairs to answer the door.

Moonflower remained where she was, sighing as she looked out of the window, "This is going to take a long time then...so be it...I have been patient enough..." her eyes narrowed as she gazed out into the woods beyond, knowing that deep within, she would find what she was looking for.