Chapter 11

The afternoon passed by with little incident as you took Moon Dancer on your tour of Canterlot. So far, the two of you got along as you had lunch together and then made your way to the next stop: the Science Museum. It was like you were back in school when the two of you were friends and those years of dwelling on the past and being separate from each other never existed. You even heard the previously stoic pony laugh at admittedly was a corny joke. It was then that you realized that you didn’t have to compare what was happening now and what was in the past. The more you spent with her the lines blurred. You met, you parted, and now you’re back to being friends. It was a true testament to Moon Dancer’s character to give you another chance and trust you for this day, although why she didn’t before was a mystery you had yet to solve.

“Moon Dancer?” you said trying not to spook her as she carefully studied some gems in the Geology section of the museum.
“Yes?” she replied turning her full attention towards you.

“We’re back to being friends now, right?”

“Yes,” the mare said as she let out a sigh, not of boredom but relief, ‘I believe we are.”

“I was thinking, you were so easy to forgive me now, but I wondered…”

“Why I was so nasty to you the first times I saw you?” she said, “I have to apologize for that. You see, when I saw you, all I could think about was how you left my life like that. I couldn’t push my thoughts past that time and remember all the good times we had, many, many good times. I’m so used to using my head, but that time my emotions got in the way, not in a good way. But when you came to the library that day, I saw you were willing to forgive me and try starting over.”

“It reminded me of a time when I was upset at another pony from years ago. She too was a friend, not… you know… leading to anything romantic. She also, however, left me, and it upset me to the point that I barely ventured out of the house. I know you mentioned that I don’t do much of that now, but I was worse back then. She came back and tried to reconnect with me, but like you I pushed her away. It wasn’t until she threw a party for me that things just boiled over. I just let out all my anger, but instead of her admitting defeat she apologized. Now she and I are back together as friends after forgiving each other. So when you came to that library that day, you reminded me of her and how I needed to learn to forgive and forget minor past sins if I ever wanted to rebuild my friendships. I hope that explains things.”

“It does actually,” you said with a smile, “I’m glad you forgave yourself and me.”

“So am I,” Moon Dancer said with a smile that tugged at the very core of your heart.

You continued your tour of the museum, pausing frequently at exhibits that interested you or her. To your delight both of you enjoyed the same things. It wasn’t much of a surprise as you knew from the past you had similar interests. Still there was something else on your mind when you watched her stare at the objects behind glass. Being with her reminded you not just of when you were friends, but also that moment when you thought the two of you were truly in love with each other, only to have it cut short too soon. Did Moon Dancer think of that time as well? Did she consider you restarting a romantic relationship even a remote possibility? You dared not ask her what she felt about the matter as doing so had the danger of ending the lovely day and the friendship for good.

There was something else that you noticed though in your travels from one room to the next in the Science Museum. Although it was most likely your mind playing tricks on you, you could have sworn that you saw Minuette. You couldn’t be sure as every moment was out of the corner of your eye. There was a bit of blue and white and then it was gone the moment you saw it. You tried to look around the room for any sign of the unicorn spying on you two, but either this was your mind playing tricks on you or she was that good at watching both of you without being watched herself. If this was truly Minuette, you wondered how long she spent watching where you and Moon Dancer went. Was it this entire day, or even before that?

“Moon, I have to ask you something,” you started only to have Moon Dancer let out a sigh.

“I know what you’re going to say,” she said, “and yes, she’s here in this museum.”

“Really? So I’m not just being paranoid?”

“Nope,” Moon said with a giggle, “You’re seeing here just as I am. I have something to confess to you. I kind of…asked her to follow us.”

“Why?” you asked more confused than upset.

“Honestly, I was afraid, and not because of you. It was me, I was afraid that I would do something stupid like get scared and run away or worse lash out at you like I did before. So, I brought her along to make sure I was fine as well as this excursion you planned was ok. Kind of like bringing a friend on vacation to a place you’ve never been to. She’s always been my best friend and when she saw you and learned that you met me, she was concerned. I talked her down, promising that I’d keep her in the loop. You’re not mad at me, are you?”

“Not really, a little freaked out that she’s been basically stalking us the whole time, but I get it. But, did she know where we were going as we went from place to place, or…”

“Yeah, about that. Twinkle Shine was in on it too. She gave you the places we should be because she spoke to me right after you spoke to me. Then after meeting you in the bookstore, she told Minuette when she was ‘helping’ her find a book. Sorry this all had to be behind your back. Again, I’m still learning how to be social.”

“No problem, just next time invite them rather than have them plot things like a spy operation, ok?”

“Deal,” Moon Dancer said, “Now how about we have a little fun with Minuette, ok? Last I saw her she was making her way to this room.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“You’ll see, or more like hear,” Moon Dancer said with a sly grin, “Oh you may want to cover your ears. This might get loud.”

You did as she said as the two of you hid behind a temporary wall.

“No, stop!” Moon Dancer shouted convincingly, “I’m not going to make out with you!”

“Aha!” Minuette said appearing around the wall, “I knew this was too good to be true, and now I have proof! What do you think you’re doing…not…doing anything…and smiling at me?”

The blue unicorn knew that this was a ploy to pull out of hiding to which she smiled and shook her head.

“Let me guess,” Minuette said to you, “You know that Moon Dancer ask me to spy on you, right?”

“Yep,” you said, “and that Twinkle Shine was in on it, too. So, did I pass the friendship test with Moom Dancer?”

Minuette alternated her gaze between you and her friend as her mind thought about the day.

“Fine, you passed the test. You know that it wasn’t about how I felt about you, right? You are still my friend after all. Sure, I was worried how Moon would react when you met her before, but then she wanted for me to be her support in case she got cold hooves. But you know what? When I saw the two of you together, it was like we were back in school! I guess what I’m trying to say is that if Moon Dancer doesn’t mind being friends with you again, I don’t mind either!”

“Glad to hear that,” Moon said hugging her friend, “Thanks for your help.”

“Anytime!”

“Minuette, do you want to hang out with us, like for real now? After all, you know where we’re going.”

“Nah, I think you two can take it from here. Maybe some other time we can get together. Plus I think you’re going to need the time alone with each other. See you soon!”

You looked at Moon Dancer as she returned the glance, wondering what Minuette meant by you needing time alone. Before you could ask the blue unicorn disappeared from view.

“Well, that was interesting…” you said.

“Yes, well now we’re alone. Now, let’s get dinner. You’re still planning on going to The Basil Leaf, right?”

“Yep, why mess with the plan, right?”

“Right!” Moon said as you made your way through the rest of the museum. Strangely, Moon Dancer looked like she was deep in thought although what you couldn’t tell for now. You hoped that after dinner Moon would tell you how she felt about this friendship.

Author's Note

Just a chapter or two to go before I can say this story has a good ending.

Thanks to all who read this so far!