The Chronicles of Moonshade part 3

The next day me and Rarity finalize our plans for my photo shoot next week, to include a sleepover the night before and after. The day before my big shoot brings a rare visit from Lily as she’s in Canterlot for some of the day along with Sunstreak and Almond, though the two decide to spend their time elsewhere. “Sorry about what happened to Midnight, any idea on who did it?”

  “No, though he is hopefully healing fine, gonna have Fluttershy look at him in a few weeks to be sure. How have you been? The time on the road treating you well?” The two of us walk around the city for no real reason except to get out of the castle. Something that is very much needed for me.

  “Eh, its going ok I guess, haven’t had any really problems lately. Though I’m honestly thinking I might need to change my career soon. Speaking of which, I heard you have a photo shoot coming up, I’m soooo jealous.”

  With a laugh I look at her. “You, jealous? I don’t think I've ever heard you talk about wanting to be a model before.” We stop in front of a dress store and I look at her seriously. “If you want I can talk to Rarity the next time she needs another model.”

  “Oh really, you’d do that? Thank you so much Moon!” With a squeal she jumps and gives me a tight hug. “I can’t wait, I ssoooo hope she needs one soon.” With a blush she breaks away and we continue our walk I take another look at her.

  ‘Maybe Rarity is right, maybe I should give this whole dating thing a shot.’ With another look at Lily I give out a sigh, hoping nothing bad'll come of this. “Hey Lily, why don’t we go someplace special, your choice.” As she looks at me I can tell she’s both nervous and excited as we head to the resturant section of town. “And don’t worry about how expensive it'll be, I'll pay for it, all of it.”

  “Re- really Moonshade? You’d do that, why?” She stops in shock at my words, looking directly into my eyes trying to find an answer.

  ‘This is it, here goes nothing.’ “Well, its..... I've been clued in to how you but feeling about me and.....” My pause for a deep breath brings Lily closer, I can tell she’s on edge over something and instead of keeping her there I continue. “As you could guess I've never been on a date before so I don’t know what to expect. But I don’t see any problems giving you a chance.”

  For what feels like hours all Lily does is just stand there, mouth dropped in shock. “Hey..... Lily..... Are you..... Are you ok?”

  “OH MOONSHADE, ARE YOU SERIOUS? YES I’D LOVE TO GO ON A DATE WITH YOU!” Lily finally shouts, drawing the attention of alot of the crowd, alot of them upper socialites who look at us in disgust. A couple rude comments about fillyfoolers reach my ears from a few couples close enough to us. Lily seems to not hear them as she gives me the tightest hug she can manage while I glare at the crowd, which breaks them apart though they're still giving us looks of disgust. “Thank you Moony, you have no idea how long I've been wanting this to happen.”

  “Well, you are my best friend, though you should thank Rarity. She’s the one who encouraged me to do this.” I give her a return hug and then break from her. “So uh..... What do two ponies on a date normally do?”

  The question is met with a giggle as she heads to the most romantic resturant and opens the door for me. “After you Moony.” She bows as I pass her, which earns a giggle from me as I return her bow.

  “Is there two in your party, or are you expecting others?”

  “Nope its just the two of us.”

  “Alright, follow me please.” The hostess leads us to a booth in the corner and lays out the pair of menus. “Is there anything I can start you ladies with? Water, appetizers?”

  “Water for the both of us will do, thank you.” As she leaves we go through the menu, chatting about the Prench cuisines and the ingredients listed. It takes us a couple minutes before we finally make up our minds and order.

  “So Moonshade, what have you found that you've enjoyed so far? Besides watching your mom and aunt work?” Something about her voice is different as she asks, but I can’t figure out what.

  ‘What, you had to find a new way to torment me? It wasn’t bad enough now you gotta get into this bucking sappy lovey dovey situation?’

  All I do is ignore the remnant as I watch Lily. “Well, I've enjoyed my art to the point that I've been doing it outside my journal. I also enjoy spending time with you, mom and auntie without any duties or responsibilities.”

  “Well how about after dinner we head to a club? I heard there is a hot one here with a really good dj. DJ Pon3 I think her name is.” As she talks this idea out I think it over as our food arrives.

  ‘Might not be a bad idea, could be fun.’

  ‘Ugh, stop tormenting me.... Please I'll do anything just stop this torture.’ The remnant’s pleading brings a smile to my lips as I look up at Lily.

  “Sure, sounds like a plan, though you're gonna have to teach me how to dance.”

  “What was that smile for? you know you have a tell whenever the remant talks to you, so what did it say?”

  “Oh really, and what kind of tell do I have?” Her only answer is a shake of her head. Her silence brings a sigh from me as I continue. “It thinks I’m torturing it with this date and is begging for me to stop.” Laughter errupts from Lily’s muzzle which quickly infects me. Thankfully the din of the room camouflages the sound. “What about you Lily, what sort of things do you enjoy?”

  She answers without a second thought, though has a hard time getting her laughter under control. “I like to read, and I know its cliche but I mostly enjoy romance books. I also enjoy camping, swimming and dancing. Unfortunately my line of work doesn’t allow for much room to pursue my likes.” The dinner and atmosphere cause me to relax as I find it very enjoyable. The waitress after stopping by to make sure everything is ok and takes our order of desert. “How about we try your lover’s special, large please.”

  The name of the desert causes me to blush a little while making me feel a little uncomfortable, but I don’t say anything so a scene isn’t caused. However Lily picks up on my dilemma quickly. “What’s wrong Moon, don’t hide anything from me please.”

  “I just..... I don’t feel comfortable with a desert named Lovers Special. I didn’t want to upset you, thats why I didn’t say anything when you ordered it.”

  “I understand, but next time please don’t be afraid to say something.”

  “Alright, I will.” The desert arrives in a very large glass with a pair of straws. The drink is mostly pink with red swirls and chunks of strawberries cut into the shape of hearts. A pair of large strawberries in the shape of hearts are pierced by the straws. “I might have to rethink that thought though, this looks delicious.”

  It doesn’t take us long to finish the drink, suprisingly we finish at the same time with a pleased sigh. “You were right, it was delicious Moon.” Lily smiles as she slides the strawberry on her straw off and enjoys it. Leading me to follow suit. After we finish I pay for the meal as well as the tip and we make our way to the club.

  “So Moon, ready to party?” The beating music and the pulse can be felt out in the street. Already Lily begins to move a little, anxious to get inside.

  “Alright Lily, lets get inside.” I giggle as we get inside, the upbeat sounds surround our ears and make our conversation harder to hear. “SO, WHAT DO WE DO BESIDES DANCE?” I shout in Lily's ear.

  “LETS GO GET SOMETHING TO DRINK, YOU HAVE DRANK BEFORE HAVEN’T YOU?”

  “NO, NEVER!”

  “LETS GO, YOU'RE IN FOR A TREAT. BUT WE'LL START YOU OFF SLOW!” She leads us to the packed bar and orders a pair of drinks for us and pays as I take them in my magical grasp. With a smile we sit down at the nearest empty table and begin to drink. As she drinks hers steadily I take a cautionary sip, finding mine to be very fruity and sweet. “WHAT DO YOU THINK MOON, GOOD RIGHT?”

  “IT IS, BUT I DON’T THINK I'LL BE MUCH OF A DRINKER. HOW ABOUT YOU GO UP TO THE DANCE FLOOR AND SHOW ME HOW TO DANCE!” With a grin she gets up once the next song starts and gets into a good spot where I can watch her.

  “Oh Moony, she does seem to be a happier pony now. I wonder what could have caused it.” With a sigh I feel a slight weight on the edge of my ear, the voice recognizable at the first word.

  ‘Discord, why now out of all time do you have to show up? we didn’t invite you, shoo.’ I mentally scold him so I don’t draw unwanted attention while I keep watching Lily.

  “Oh don’t be like that, I just stopped by to see how you two were doing and to remind you that Sunstreak and Almond are almost ready to leave. Also Tia and Lulu were curious about how you were doing Moody.”

  ‘Alright I'll let her know, I just want to try one dance first. And you BETTER NOT tell them about  this ok, I don’t want to raise expectations and I don’t want to get Lily’s hopes up.” At the next song I get up and stand next to Lily, following her lead as I try to let the music flow around and through me. A large grin on her face brings a matching smile to my muzzle despite my awkwardness and poor attempts to follow her moves. Discord laughs at me in my ear as he watches. The song smoothly transitions to the next and while I wish we can stay I know we can’t. “HEY LILY, OUR CHAOS FRIEND SAYS WE NEED TO GET GOING. SUN AND ALMOND ARE ABOUT READY TO LEAVE!”

  Reluctantly we leave the club somewhat out of breath but smiling and laughing as we end up at the castle doors. “Have fun you two?” Sun asks as we get close enough.

   “Yeah we did actually, how about you two?”

  “Yeah we did. But its time Lily, we need to get going or we'll be late for our next job.” With our good byes said I head inside, whistling happily much to the amusement of Solar and her squad. As I get ready for my trip to Ponyville the four of them try to get me to tell them what I did, but I stay silent on the matter.

  “Darling why did you wait till the last moment to arrive? Sweetie Belle wants to hear a story from you abou your foalhood.” The thought of exposing her to my past causes a shudder to run down my spine.

  “Oh..... Uhm..... I’m not..... I’m no......”

  “MOONSHADE YOU MADE IT!” Three little filly barges in from the stairs and immediately surround me in a group hug.

  “Hey Sweetie Belle, how are you tonight?” I give her a quick hug in return before we break apart.

  “Can you tell me a story of your foalhood please Moonshade?” Sweetie Belle asks hopefully.

  At the request I can feel myself get a little sad as flashes of Sweet and other portions of my foalhood come to mind. After a failed attempt to clear my mind my answer comes out heavily. “Sorry. I just..... I don’t like talking about my past to much. How about I tell you a different story?" My answer only causes Sweetie to whine dejectedly as she heads on up to her room.

As she returns upstairs Rarity steps up next to me. “Are you ok Moonshade?”

  “Yea, lets just..... get some sleep for tomorrow.”

  After some early morning incidents that happened I make the suggestion to have the shoot out in the woods near Fluttershy's cottage. After a couple inquiries as to why I finally explain that I want to spend some time with Nova afterwards. However our second meeting doesn't go to well near the end.

    [spoiler][/spoiler]The day after my photo shoot I meet doctor Sunshine in the garden. I can’t help but give a snicker as he shows up wrapped up in a layer of clothes. “Hey doc, is it really that cold to warrant all that?”

  “Hey Moonshade, how are you? And yes it is. Unlike a certain princess I’m not somewhat resistant to the cold. We'll have to move these meetings inside soon.”

  “I’m doing very good, this past week has been amazing.” All he does is look at me, waiting for me to continue as I replay the events in my head. “I went on a..... Date, an actually date. It was..... Very enjoyable, though I’m..... Not really sure how I feel about the pony I went on the date yet.”

  “Wonderful Moonshade, I’m glad you enjoyed the date. Who did you go on the date with and what did you two do?”

  I can’t help but think back on the shouts of disgust that were thrown at me yesterday and I mumble out the answer. “I went out with Lily, we had dinner and desert at a high class resturant. Then we went to a club. She got me a drink and even was able to get me on the dance floor for one song.” When I finish I inwardly cringe out of reflex, half expecting him to berate me for going out with Lily, even if it was once.

  “Thats good to hear. Atleast you're starting to be willing to go out, have fun and try to find a special somepony, no matter what gender they are.” His words confuse me as I just look at him. “Did you expect me to dress you down Moonshade? There’s a large majority of ponies who would support what you tried. Is there anything else you want to talk about?”

  “Yeah, two other things. First..... Somepony hurt Midnight on purpose. I don’t know who but I have an idea and no proof. Second, I've been trying to find something else I might enjoy doing besides looking to be a psychologist.”

  “What happened to Midnight? And how do you know it was done on purpose?” The news of Midnight’s injury isn’t unknown to him. But the fact I’m claiming it was done by somepony else is, causing him to look at me in concern.

  “Well, it was aunt Tia that pointed it out. When we looked over the image she seen a magical aura that caused the damage.”

  “And who is it that you suspect caused the injury?”

  I debate if I should answer, as much as I don’t like Blueblood I don’t want to accuse him wrongfully. However Sunshine’s questioning gaze finally ends my debate. “I..... I think it was..... Blueblood. But I don’t have any proof. I don’t want to make false accusations just because he’s a bully.”

  “I think its smart that you want to wait till you have proof before making an accusation. Goes to show you're becoming a much bigger pony than Blueblood is. You know he’d point a hoof straight at you at the slightest hint of trouble.” With a pause he jots down a couple notes onto his pad, adding with a hopeful smile. “I believe Midnight'll be up and flying about in no time, trust me. Now what have you tried since you tried applebucking?”

  “Well, I went to Ponyville and with the help of Rarity..... I tried out being a model.” The enjoyment of the experience brings a bright smile to my muzzle, along with some of the other memories of that day. “I..... I did meet a pony there who has alot of trust issues though. I’m..... I’m trying to reach out to her but she seems so..... Isolated and scared.” Thinking back on my last meeting with Nova dampers my mood a lot as I look at him.

  “Well, have you suggested to your friend that she should get help?”

  “No, she..... Its hard to get her to open up. I don’t want to ruin the fragile friendhip I have with her, if she continues to think of me as a friend.”

  “Well all I can say is keep trying and good luck. Now, how did you enjoy being a model, even for one day?”

  “I enjoyed it alot, it was very fun. I don’t know if I could deal with the stress of it for long. I may do it as a side hobby, but not something permanent.” He smiles as I continue to describe the time I've spent, noting the selfconfidence evident as I speak.

  “Well I would suggest that you keep that idea, it seems to be helping you alot. When are you going over the pictures?”

  “Tomorrow with Rarity here at the castle. They might be published in time for Hearth’s Warming Eve.”

  “Well Moonshade, I wish you the best of luck in this new venture. Now is there anything else you want to talk about?”

  “No, not at this time, thank you Sunshine.” As I normally do I begin to escort him to the doorway but before we go inside he stops.

  “Here is something I think that could also help you Moonshade.” As he speaks a large packet of papers are pulled out of his briefcase. “Here are some more papers I've put together based on the progress I've seen you make and what can be used to help you out.” As I sort through them I notice that the top four packets are named The New You. The next four are named Links To Recovery. And the last two are named Managing My Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviors.

  “Thanks doc, I'll look them over once I get the chance. Have a good day and I'll see you two weeks.” As he walks through the door I continue to wave until he’s out of sight. With a smile I walk through the walls and towards the dinning room. After a light lunch with auntie I head back to my room.

  Before I start on my new work I write out a letter in my new book to Nova.

‘Nova, I hope this finds you doing well. I’m doing good here. Just got done talking to my psychologist, gave me alot of work to do. how is your broken leg and wing doing? On a more serious note I should warn you that mom and aunt Tia have gotten some reports on strange fires happening around Ponyville. They aren’t going to investigate yet, they decided to leave that Twilight for now. If they do get involved I'll warn you and try to stall them. Hopefully it won’t come to that. I wish you the best of days ahead and I'll see you in a few days when I bring Midnight to get reevaluated.’

  You're Friend,

     Moonshade.