The Chronicles of Moonshade part 3

  “So, why’d you two invite me here again?” I ask the widely smiling couple across from me, then  looks at the somewhat strange mare next to me who is already on her fourth drink. With a shake of my head I just watch in shock as a glass is pushed in front of me, clinking against the small empty glass already there.

  “Well we wanted somepony to celebrate with besides Berry Punch.” Lyra begins as she hugs her marefriend happily.

  “But we wanted somepony besides Berry Punch. We love her dearly but when she gets drunk well.....” Bon Bon finishes and gives Berry an exasperated look.

  “Hey..... Y..... You arnsh drinkish yeah. W..... Why arnsh you drinkish?” Berry gives me a wobbly headed stare with her eyes narrowed. As she stares at me she edges the filled drink sloppily closer till I reluctantly down it as slowly as I can.

  “Is she..... Normally like this?” Despite this being only my second drink I'm already starting to feel the affects of the alcohol.

  “Only when she drinks. We've tried to get her help, if not for herself than for her filly.”

  “I hope someday she acc.....”

  “A toashst, a toashst for the ne- new- newy engached co- coulp- coulplesh.” Berry raises her fifth new drink in a sloppy manner, spilling half the contents. With a sigh we join her for the fifth toast she's made. The resulting clinking causes Berry to spill the rest of her drink, the result only makes her fall onto the floor laughing.

  Two hours later Lyra and Bon Bon escort me back to the castle. The flashing of cameras as we pass hurts my eyes and head as I fight to keep from throwing up. It takes a while but luckily nothing serious happens and once I get inside I'm taken immediately to my room. "Darling are you awake yet? We must go over these pictures soon or we'll miss the deadline to have them sent in.” The nagging of the prim voice on the other side causes me to blearily glance at the door, not really wanting to have company at the present time. However I reluctantly get up, immediately regretting last nights venture with Lyra, Bon Bon and their friend Berry Punch.

  “Definately not going to do that again. And if I forget Midnight, please please please stop me.” With a few stumbled steps I finally get to the door. “Please talk quieter Rarity, my head is killing me. Also no sudden or jerky movements please.”

  The fashionista looks at me in abject horror as she gets her first glimpse of me. “Darling whatever happened, you look simply dreadful.”

  “I hung out with Lyra and Bon Bon last night. They had their friend Berry Punch with them. We were celebrating cause Lyra's parents ok’d the wedding. I swear I'm never touching a drop of alcohol again, nor do I want to see Berry Punch much either.” My response causes Rarity to giggle as she lays the picture folder on my bed after navigating through the maze of whatever I have laying about on the floor, clearly disgusted with the current state of my room.

  “Go take a shower dear, I'll get you some juice, water and a light meal before we get started.” With a mumbled agreement I try my best to make it to the shower without stumbling. I stay in the shower for a good hour. When I emerge from the bathroom somewhat refreshed I find the food and drinks waiting for me as Rarity is midway through cleaning my room. “How could you live in such..... Untidiness? Don't the maids clean the room regularly?”

  “No, they rarely come in here, and I don't really mind it to much. I have to be so proper and stuff alot of the time it feels good to be able to have someplace that I can just let it go.” As I speak I can tell Rarity is shuddering, probably cause I'm talking with a semi full mouth.

  “Well darling, like it or not you are royalty. And you must be at your best at all times.” I can tell she's trying to stay calm as she speaks. “I shall help you learn how to act as your title demands, specially with the ball coming up. You need to learn proper etiquette by then.” With a groan I flop on my back, one arm covering my eyes.

  A scream of horror from my bathroom then a loud thunk leads me to find a distressed Rarity on the floor. “How..... What..... Its..... Its a disaster, a true and epic dissaaaasteeerr!”

  “What now Rarity?”

  “You..... How could you have such a lack of personal care items? And how could you use such cheap generic brands? HOW COOOUUULLLDDD YOU!”

  The drama causes me to roll my eyes and snort at the foolishness of it all as I return to the bed. “Rarity, think you could wake up enough so we can go over these pictures please?” After another half hour we finally get started, the ones we don't select I end up keeping with the intent of eventually putting them in something.

  “Tomorrow I will be here nice and early, we haven't got a moment to lose if I am to teach you how to be a proper lady.” With an inward groan I just nod.

  ‘Sure you don't want to give her a nightmare?’

  ‘Yes I am. She only wants to help and I'll admit I'm not exactly at her level of proper etiquette.’

  The next morning starts off a lot better, either due to the lack of alcohol or the twelve hour nap I had after Rarity left does much to get me into a chipper mood. Right on cue the regal unicorn makes her way inside just as I step out of the shower. “You will be pleased that the magazine I submitted your pictures to will have them published by the day after your birthday party. It is a pity its such short notice, but we did the best we could.”

  “Yeah you're right. Also yesterday I never did get the chance to thank you for helping me get up the nerve to go on a ‘date' with Lily. It was fun though short.” The words come out as we start off with my posture, the corrections seem to take forever. “Next time you have a need for a model think Lily could give it a try?”

  With a thoughtful look she steps back as I hold still for her. “Its..... Better, stills needs some work but passable..... Now you were saying something?” With a giggle I repeat what went through her ears. “You are very welcome, and yes I shall inform you when I have need of a model ag..... IDEA! Why not next time we have both of you model at the same time?”

  “We'll see, while I did have fun I just.....I'm not sure about my feelings for her/ I don't want to give her the wrong idea.”

“If that's your wish dear.” For five hours she drills me on how to act, speak, stand and walk for such a formal event. The only resistance I show is exasperated sighs which only give me weird looks from Rarity. “Well I think for as much time as we have the progress is remarkably good. I will see you next week to review and ensure that you are practicing what you learned. Take care Moon.”

  With a final drawn out exhausted sigh I slump against the door. Midnight's amused chittering draws my attention as I mockingly glare at him. “Oh shut it you fuzz ball. As soon as this ball is over all of what I learned is going out the window.” With a dressing down tone he continues while awkwardly walking towards me on his good wing and feet. “Fine, you can join us. But no comments from the peanut gallery, got it.” With a chitter of agreement he snuggles into my mane before I exit my room.

  "Hey Moon, ready to go out?” Lily excitedly asks as she meets me by the door of the castle. Solar and her squad joining us without armor. Once we go through our greeting rituals we trudge through the freshly fallen snow. Almond walking next to Solar, some sort of comment he  made causes her to blush a little. Sunstreak and Rubyshine are deep in a discussion, whatever they are talking about ends in the two of them laughing. In the rear I can barely make out whatever Diamonds and Amber Rays are talking about but it sounds serious.

“I guess. Hey guys, could you..... Go on ahead for a little bit, I want to talk to Lily alone.” My request draws looks of confusion from my seven companions but the six of them leave us for a bit.

  “What..... What's wrong Moon?”

  I take a deep breath at the concerned and partially fearful tone in her voice. “Lily, I've enjoyed our little dates we've had, but I got to tell you now before it hurts you. I'm not..... Sure yet how I feel about you. I enjoy hanging out with you and want to continue to do so. Also I don't mind that you're interested in me in that way. I don't know exactly where this road will lead me, but I do want to continue to be friends. Who knows, I might be able to return your feelings someday.”

  When I finish I can tell that something's wrong. Her posture and face clearly show that what I said has saddened her greatly. Without a word she returns to our group of friends who try to get her to tell them what happened.

  “What did you do Moon?” Almond's question is sharp and on the edge of being shouted. Him and Sun stomp towards me in anger after a few minutes with Lily.

  “What did you tell her?” The planned day is quickly going down hill as the others also surround me, glaring.

  “I just..... I told her I wasn't..... I know she likes me romantically but I'm just..... I don't know if I can return those feelings for her at the present time. I do enjoy hanging out with her.....” My voice gets smaller as I talk. Their tone and posture cause me to shrink till my belly is firmly flat against the ground. “I..... I didn't mean to hurt her feelings.” Without a second thought I return to my balcony, leaving the others on the ground.

  As I enter Midnight gives me a concerned chitter, specially since I'm entering from the balcony. As I lay on my bed I look at him as tears begin to roll down my cheeks while I levitate my hidden stash of double chocolate and mint ice cream. I begin to dig into the new container for a minute. “I bucked up royally Midnight..... I..... I messed it up big time with Lily!” The carton is placed on the bed table with only a quarter of it eaten.

  For the entire week I just stay in my room, lying to everyone who visits that I'm not feeling to well. This charade lasts until the day before the planned birthday party where both Celestia and mom force me to come out of my room and accompany them as they go about their duties.

  The next day I'm awoken early by Solar who eventually gets me started with getting ready for the day. “You've been summoned to Ponyville, princess Twilight has requested your help with something.”

  “Thank you Solar, hopefully we'll be finished quickly. Mom said my party was going to start around four pm.” With a sigh I head to the gate where the royal chariot is waiting. The trip is thankfully smooth and uneventful.

  “Hey Moon, glad you could make it on such short notice. I need help in the Everfree Forest but unfortunately my friends are away in Canterlot right now.” Twilight greets as I exit the chariot. With a slightly amused giggle I take note how well managed the walkway and yard is of her home compared to the rest of what I can see of Ponyville.

  “Well I guess I shouldn't be there when they get started. What is it you need help with?”

  “First I need to go visit Zecora, she has new potions but isn't sure what they do. Also while we're in there we need to find a rare plant. I need it for a new potion I want to try out”

  “Well, shall we go?” I watch her, expecting her to start as soon as I arrive, but she just stands there.

  “Well you need to see what the plant is first. I don't want to take the book with us. It's rare, very rare. Let's go inside and we'll go over what the plant looks like and get some pictures of it.” With a shrug she opens the door, revealing the extremely darkened interior.

  “SUPRISE!” The shouting of eleven voices greets me as I step inside, causing me to jump.

  “Bu..... Wha..... I thought..... You guys tricked me didn't you?”

  “Of coarse we did silly, what kind of suprise would it be if you were expecting it? so we're you surprised huh huh huh?” The hyper pink mare jumps in front of me with a wide smile before a party hat is snapped on my head.

  All I can do is give her a smile and hug. “Thank you Pinkie. Yes I was suprised and needed it. It looks wonderful.” I look at both mom, auntie and my guards. “You guys knew about this didn't you? That's why the ride here seemed to take four times as long as it normally does.” I give the ruling sisters a mock glare. A second suprise greets me as I spot Lily and her friends in the back of the room, clearly uncomfortable about being here. “Hey Lily, Almond, Sun..... What..... I didn't expect you guys to show up.”

  It's obvious that they don't really wanna be here as Almond speaks first, blocking my path to Lily. “We aren't staying, just wanted to give you these. Happy birthday Moonshade.” A single box is placed on my back before they rejoin Lily.

  “Hey, I..... I didn't ever mean to hurt her. Please make her understand that. And I miss hanging out with you three.” Before he could walk away I gently grab his shoulder. His only response is a nod of acknowledgment.

  “Ready for the games Moony?” Pinkie pops up out of nowhere right in front of me, breaking my view of Lily and gang. Either she doesn't notice or is to hyped up but I find myself being blindfolded and dragged to someplace. “OK Moon, now time to make you rreeeaaalll dizzy wizzy. Then you have to try and break open the pinata.” Before she even finishes I'm being spun in place super fast.

  Once I physically get done spinning I can't help the staggering as I'm guided forward. ‘I guess I should be glad I couldn't see during that. Still..... I feel a little sick.’

'Ugh..... I..... I hate that pink annoyance.’ I try to mentally laugh at the remnant's discomfort but all it does is bring me closer to loosing my breakfast.

  “Here's your stick, you get three attempts. Good luck.” The stick is touched to my horn so I know its location. The act of magically grabbing it causes my head to increase the throbbing but I figured it's better than shaking my already suffering head around. Once the stick is firmly held I take a staggering step which almost leads to me tumbling to the ground. With a round of laughs from the others I widen my stance to hopefully give me more balance and the stick is swung experimentally through the air.

  “Up and to your left Moon, not to far though!” I groan in slight pain at Twilight's shout but follow her directions and let loose with another harder swing. And again the rush of air is the only sound greeting me. On my final attempt I give one last final wild attempt? However instead of the sound of the pinata breaking it sounds as if I hit something else that was fragile.

  “Sorry Twilight..... I did.....”

  “It's ok Moon, I should've moved it once Pinkie started setting up the game. Now, who's turn is it?” With a half smile she cleans up the broken mess as I settle down on the stairs and watch.

  “Come on Gloomy, lighten up some. Your friends went through a lot to set this party up for you.” Discord appears on my back and a quarter of his normal size.

  “I just..... I wish I never said what I did to Lily. I want them here to celebrate as well but I don't want to force them.” Both mom and auntie join us as we just sit around watching the others for a little bit.

  “Yes..... Loving somepony can unfortunately hurt when they don't return the same feelings or rip their feeling of love away. It can cause them to do things they never would do normally.” Mom drapes a comforting wing along my back as she speaks. Before Discord can even say anything Pinkie grabs and pulls him to the center of the room.

  “Hey mom, I know I never asked before but..... Who was my father and..... What was he like?” The question comes after I finish laughing as I watch him attempt to work his way out of this with no success.

  “He was.....” I look at Luna as she struggles to answer while Tia watches with concern.

  “You loved him didn't you? But he never did return your feelings truely did he?”

  “Yes I did love him, but that is the price of immortality......”

  “Enough of this saddy waddy talk, its time for some cake!” Pinkie out of nowhere appears from under mom's wing and ushers the three of us to join the others. In front of me is a large triple layer chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and shavings. Three candles in the shapes of one zero and six are firmly planted on top. “Make a wish Moon and blow the candles out.”

'I know what I wish for, but I wasn't asked and frankly I don't care about this whole thing.’

  With a snort I ignore my unwanted guest. ‘I just wish..... I wish I could take back what I said to Lily. Also if I could I wish Nova would open up some.’ I give a sigh as a deep breath fills my lungs before its forced out into a focused stream towards the flickering candles.

  “Happy Birthday!” A round of applause follows as I finish blowing out the tiny flames and then the room breaks out into singing. Once the song ends the cake knife is held out to me.

  “I hope you like the cake, I backed it myself.” Pinkie says as I finish cutting out a piece. The knife is then picked up by Tia and she finishes serving the others as I sit at the table. Once the rest of my gathered friends and family sit down we dig in the cake paired with a large scoop of ice cream. “Oooohh that is sssoooo good.” Pinkie moans out with a pleased look on her face.

  “It is very good Pinkie, thank you.” For the next hour the room breaks down into conversation, making me forget all about Lily and her friends for the moment.

  “OK, time to open presents!” The shrill shout from the party pony causes me to wince. Both auntie and mom bring in my gifts as Twilight and Cadence clean up the tables. The first gift placed in front me happens to be Lily's. Tentatively I pick it up and for a few minutes debate if I should open it first or not. With the others watching me closely I set it aside to save it for last.

The first gift I unwrap is from Rarity which turns out to be a large assortment of personal care products and devices, ninety percent of them I can't even fathom what they do or how to use them. What I can tell however is that everything is top of the line and must have been extremely expensive. “Uh..... Thanks Rarity, you'll have to show me how these work.” The next present I open is from auntie. Her gift is an instruction manual on how to clean a room and keep it clean. As I just stare at her in shock the others laugh while heat colors my cheeks.

Applejack's gift is a large jar of zap apple jam while Rainbow Dash got me an autographed picture of the Wonderbolts. Fluttershy got Midnight a brand new decorative perch which can be attached to my saddlebags. Pinkie gifted me with a large assortment of games and prank kits. Twilight’s gift is a book on how to help deal with depression and keeping my emotions in check. Mom’s gift is a surprise, she had the ceiling facing west removed and replaced with glass. Finally I open up the gift from Lily. Hesitantly I tear off the wrapping paper and open the cardboard box.

  Laying inside it is a jewelry box made out of cherry. Carved on the top is my cutie mark with Lily's cutie mark on top. As the lid is opened my favorite lullaby from my foalhood begins to play. On the inside is a picture of the two of us making silly faces. As the box is set aside carefully I can't help but feel not just hurt but ashamed and depressed about how I acted towards her. “Thanks everypony. The party was fun and food was really good. I also enjoyed the gifts.” With Lily on my mind I make my exit with Midnight and head back towards the castle. Murmurs of concern follow me as I exit the library. Mom, Tia and Twilight follow at a distance, ready to step in incase I need them as I slink into bed and cover myself fully in my blanket despite the fact it isn't even lunch time yet.