Lueur de la Lune

Luna did not heed Celestia’s warning about Ivory Crown. Luna was sure that once Ivory realized she took interest in him, he would fall head over hooves for her.

It was high noon. Luna and her classmates had just been released from class and would be given a small break before returning. That was plenty of time to talk to Ivory, she reasoned.

She gulped, apprehension filling her as she approached the bench table he was sitting at. Good thing he’s alone, Luna observed.

He quickly looked up at her, she was only a few feet away from him. He spoke, stuttering a little. “H-Hello Luna! D-Did you need something?”

She smiled at him, “Hello Ivory, I see you are doing well. Just wondering what you were up to?”

He chuckled nervously, “Just doing a bit of light reading.”

She glanced over at the novel he was indulging himself in, Sorceries and Incantations: Volume III.

“Do you have anything planned for later this evening?” Luna inquired.

His eyes widened in response, “I-I don’t think t-that would be a very good idea.”

She pouted at him, “Why not?”

She swore she could see a trickle of sweat run down his head, “I-I’m not available. I’m sorry.”

He quickly sat up and trotted away from her before she was able to protest.

Luna did not see his behavior as disinterested. She thought he was just intimidated by her, though it seemed odd considering he was fairly popular. Especially around other mares, Luna thought as she gritted her teeth.

Throughout the rest of the day, Luna popped out in front of him during random intervals of time, generally asking the same thing. What she hadn’t realized, however, was that his patience grew thinner the more she spoke to him.

By the late afternoon, when all the students were finally being sent home, his patience snapped on her.

“I heard that a new restaurant nearby is opening up, ma-”

“Shut up!”

Her resolve broke, “W-What?”

He was furious at her, “You heard me you little pest! Why do you find the need to annoy the living hell out of me all day?! Seriously, go away. Do you honestly think that you’ll get anywhere with anypony acting as clingy as you?”

She broke down crying as she sped off towards the the old cherry tree that her sister used to take her to when she was younger.

It gave her comfort, seeing them in full bloom like this. Though, despite what others may have thought, her favorite season was winter. The calm serenity that the cold brought her, made her happy. It was an intricate and delicate season, like an ivory sculpture.

Ivory.

She cried. She chose a place where nopony would find her, it was better this way.

“I think I preferred it when you were yelling at me. Hearing you cry is a bit hard to listen to.”

What was he doing here? Why couldn’t she just be left alone?

“What do you want?” Luna asked bitterly, not bothering to face him.

He slowly approached her before sitting down, “Thought you might want somepony to talk to. I don’t know what happened, but being by yourself at a time like this is never a good idea.”

“I don’t need anypony’s help. I certainly don’t need you.” Luna spat.

He waited a few seconds before speaking again, unwavered by her despondency.

“There was a saying that my mother taught me when I was a young colt. A grudge is a lot like an open wound. If it is medicated and treated, it isn’t as bad as it could have been. But if left untreated, it will fester and plague the one who has been inflicted.”

Luna sniffled a little. For the first time, she wasn’t angry at him. “How do you know I wasn’t mourning the loss of somepony I knew?”

He smirked, “You’re an easy tell.”

She laughed a little, “Okay casanova, how does one make amends?”

His expression was serious once more, “You need to apologize for antagonizing him, or get over him at the very least.”

“How did you know I was antagonizing him?!” Luna shrieked, mortified by the statement.

He grinned, “You were fawning over him the entire day during school. I’m surprised he didn’t snap sooner, though he was too harsh in my opinion.”

She blushed furiously, “I’m going to kill you.”

The smile still hadn’t left his face, “You haven’t made an attempt yet.”

She sat there for a few seconds before she realized she was smiling again. He took advantage of the moment, “I know it’s getting late, but maybe you’d be interested in something warm to thaw yourself out?”

She smiled at him before blushing again, “I-I’m sorry, I don’t think I ever got your name?”

He gave her a cocky smile. “My name is Crescent Dusk.”

It was late in the evening. Dusk and Luna sat in the cafe his mother owned. To say they were talking would be inaccurate. It was more of an interrogation if anything.

“So where’s your family?” Luna asked, sipping at her tea.

“My mother is probably out getting supplies and my sister Crystal Clear is probably sitting in the library reading, she is such a bookworm sometimes.”

Luna giggled, “Where’s your father?”

Dusk dropped the spoon he was twirling with his magic, his expression turning morose. “He’s been gone a long time… died, right after mom had me.”

Luna felt horrible, “Oh I’m so sorry! I didn’t mea-”

“Don’t worry about it. It was a long time ago, I can’t even remember him.”

Luna sat there, her expression neutral. She didn’t want to make the situation worse. “I’ve upset him, I should probably just go.”

He stood up as she did, “Please, sit. You didn’t do anything wrong. I just wanted to talk, and apologize for how I treated you yesterday.”

“You’re apologizing?” Luna asked incredulously.

“Sounds funny coming from me, doesn’t it?” Dusk asked, grinning.

She stifled a laugh, “Yes, I suppose it does. Don’t think about going soft on me.”

He looked at her for a few seconds before taking a gamble. The sun was setting, and for some reason, he didn’t want to stop talking to her. “Say, the sun is getting quite low. Do you want to go out and stargaze with me tonight?”

Stupid, he told himself. There’s no way she would agree to something li-

“Sure!” Luna exclaimed.

It was his turn to be shocked, “What?”

“Can you show me your telescope? I didn’t get to see it very well the last time I saw you.”

He smirked, “Of course, princess.”

She slapped him.

“Seriously, you hit harder than you let on.” Dusk said as he rubbed his cheek while setting up his equipment.

“Perhaps you shouldn’t have underestimated me.” Luna said as she flashed him a cocky smile.

He smiled, “Oh come on. In all honesty, Princess Luna does roll off the tongue quite nicely.”

She huffed, “I’ve never been a fan of diplomacy.”

He responded almost autonomously, “I can tell. You don’t seem like a big equine lover.”

She slapped him again, though he braced for impact this time.

The night had finally set, and after a long session of mapping out the stars. The two decided to rest upon the hillside, right next to the cherry tree from earlier. At this point, she couldn’t even remember why she had been sad.

“You know for being a sarcastic, apathetic, cynical jerk; you’re actually quite nice.”

He smirked, “For being an uptight, cold and naive mare; you’re quite nice as well.”

She smiled at him as the two fell asleep under the stars.