Dancing in the Twilight

Twilight flipped the page of the book she was reading with her magic, smiling softly. She was in the library of her castle and was doing some research on emotion when Spike came through the doors, claws to his stomach and looking as if he was trying very hard not to vomit.

"Spike, are you okay? You don't look so good," asked Twilight.

"Uh, I feel sick," replied Spike.

A few seconds later, Spike burped, spitting out green flames. Out of the flames a letter materialized, which Twilight picked up with her magic.

"Hm, this doesn't look like it's from Princess Celestia," said Twilight, seeing that the ribbon wasn't the type used by Celestia.

"I'm just glad its out of my stomach," groaned spike, patting his belly.

Twilight opened the letter and read for a few seconds. She then looked up and smiled.

"It's a message from Moon Dancer! She wants to meet up. Spike, could you grab me my quill and some parchment?"

When Twilight had the necessary materials, she began to write.

Moon Dancer,
Hey! I'm glad you feel happy. I would love to meet up. I'll come over tomorrow, if that's all right. See you soon!

Your friend, Twilight Sparkle

Twilight looked over the letter, satisfied. It was quick and to the point. She decided to leave out the title "Princess" in her signature, as she so often did when she was writing to a friend.

"Spike, could you come over here?"

A day later, Twilight arrived at the train station in Canterlot. It was tiring to fly from Ponyville to Canterlot, and she had only managed last time because it was important. Usually, she just took the train.

She began to trot slowly in the direction of Moon Dancer's house, by the stadium. When she arrived, she was surprised by the way it looked. Moon Dancer had mentioned that she had cleaned up, but this wasn't just cleaned up, it looked like it had undergone a renovation. The lawn was well kept, the grass a vibrant green. The low stone wall and the cobblestone path were clean of mold. The house was clear of overgrowth, and had a brand new layer of paint on it.

Twilight walked to the door, noting that the hole she had made the first time she was there was gone, and knocked twice.

Moon Dancer opened the door. "Hey, Twilight!"

"Hi Moon Dancer, how are you?" asked Twilight.

"Great! Come in!" replied Moon Dancer

Twilight entered the house, hearing the door shut behind her. Like the outside, the interior was very clean. The wooden floor was varnished. The walls were clean. Even the ceiling was well kept, devoid of cobwebs or dust.

Despite its cleanliness, the house wasn't orderly.

Wherever she looked, books were there. Lying on the ground, balanced in piles, strewn across tables, and sometimes even in there place in the bookshelves. There were also scroll unrolled on the tables. Quills and pieces of parchment could be seen poking from corners. It seemed that Moon Dancer was as dedicated to her studies as always.

"Sorry for the mess, but I never have time to tidy up the entire house."

"It's fine. You're forgetting that I live like this, too. Don't know what I'd do without Spike cleaning up after me," replied Twilight, smiling at the memory of her loyal assistant. He had chosen to let Twilight go on her own, while he cleaned up the castle. "Wish he had decided to come."

Moon Dancer smiled. When she had sent the letter to Twilight, she had sent a message to Spike a little while later, which told him about her plans. From what she had heard about him, Spike sounded trustworthy. After all, he was the assistant of a princess. He wouldn't still be with Twilight if he wasn't dependable. The message had been in the language of dragons, one of the few language Moon Dancer knew Twilight didn't know. Judging by the fact Twilight didn't ask her about it, the precaution had been unnecessary.

Moon Dancer led Twilight to the kitchen, pouring them both cups of tea with her magic. "So, how's it been going with our friends?" asked Twilight?

"Oh, its been great! We go out for donuts a lot, and sometimes we play hoofball. It's not been interfering with my studies as much as I thought it would," replied Moon Dancer.

Twilight took a sip from her tea cup, finishing it. "Speaking of studies, this is a study date! Lets get studying!" she said as she began to walk towards the bookshelves lining the walls.

Moon Dancer set down her own cup. "Oh, I wasn't planning our study date to be here."

Twilight looked at her, confused. "Oh? Where are we going then?"

"Canterlot Library," said Moon Dancer smiling. "Your old home."

Moon Dancer was squeeing with excitement.

Not literally, of course. Outwardly, she seemed normal, face buried in a book as she and Twilight walked to the Canterlot Library. But she wasn't reading the book. In her head she was making plans. She made a mental checklist. She double checked said checklist. Everything had to go according to her plan, else she might fail. She loved Twilight, and wanted Twilight to love her back.

She smiled, then realized what she had said to herself.

No, I can't be sure if this is love, not yet. It wouldn't do well to think this was love but find out that it isn't which was a definite possibility, given that she had never experienced this before.

That's what she kept telling herself, that she was being cautious and logical. That it was the smart thing to do.

But, in the deepest part of her mind, the part that always told the truth, she knew why she was doing this, denying that it was love.

Because, until Twilight returned her feelings, Moon Dancer knew she was at risk of being rejected. And if she admitted to herself that she loved Twilight, and Twilight didn't love her back, she would be crushed, just like when Twilight hadn't attended her party.

Its not love, not yet. I can't risk it.

But oh how she wanted to.