The Bright Equestrian Moon

I slowly wake up in a very comfortable bed and I remember where I am. Damn, beds in this castle are amazing. It’s my second time on one and it still feels so relaxing and perfect. I wonder if the royal ponies and nobles have even better beds. Would it even be possible to have better beds? This has to be the pinnacle of comfy bed technology.

I get out of bed, still only in underwear and I stretch, before checking the ensuite bathroom. It has a tiled floor, as well as a fairly big bath and big shower cubicle. I’m surprised that it isn’t smaller in size to fit the usual pony size which I’ve learnt is pretty small compared to Celestia and Luna. There are also bottles of shampoo on a rack in the shower cubicle, and white towels hung up on another rack outside of the cubicle. On the other side of the room is a sink with taps, as well as soaps, toothpaste and a toothbrush to the side of it, and a mirror on the wall behind it. Finally, in the corner of the room is a toilet; I am both surprised and relieved to see that it is the correct size for a being of my stature.

I decide to have a shower, making do with using just shampoo for my whole body. They probably only need shampoo here in Equestria due to everyone as far as I know being some form of equine. I get the water at my preferred temperature that is hot -but not too hot- and I enjoy my time in the shower.

After deeming myself clean, I turn the taps off and step out from the shower. I grab a towel from the nearby rack and dry myself off, before dressing myself. Now I realise that I only have one set of clothes and plan to live here long term. Perhaps I could see if there are any ponies who could somehow make clothes for me. Also, how will I clean my clothes when I only have one set? Will I have to be naked while they are cleaned?

I decide to put it out from my mind and brush my teeth. I then notice that my pocket still contains my phone from two nights ago. Does it still work? I pull it out and press the home button. The screen comes on and displays a time on it, 9:00 am. In the top left corner, it tells me that there is no service, that’s no surprise. In the top right corner, the battery display shows that there is only fifteen percent battery life remaining, of course. I may as well forget about it; I highly doubt that they have the technology here to charge it.

I then get an idea, it may seem dumb, but perhaps I could take some photos before the battery dies on me. That way, in the situation that I do end up back on Earth, I will have a form of proof that I was here. I walk out from my room and notice a unicorn guard patrolling the corridor. When he turns his head away, I snap a picture of him and check the shot on my phone. Awesome, I still got his horn in the photo when he looked away. Then I put my phone back into my pocket and wander the halls for a bit. Occasionally I pull my phone out to take more pictures on the way.

After my casual wandering, I end up back near the door to my room. I feel kind of awkward, not used to being around this place without Luna. After trying to think of what to do, I knock on the double doors to Luna’s room. The door opens, but instead of Luna, a night guard is behind the door. I notice that rather than a bedroom, there is a dimly lit spiral stair case going up. The guard then acknowledges me. “Who are you and what is your business with Princess Luna?”

I feel a little intimidated, despite his small size compared to me. I’ve always felt intimidated around authorities and such, even though I’m a law abiding and innocent person. I’m always nervous to make sure I follow all of the rules of wherever I am. Other than being somewhat of an outcast, I’m a goody two shoes and stickler for rules. “Um, my name is Travis Blackbourne, and I was just wondering if the princess is awake yet. She told me last night that I could see her if I needed anything.”

The guard nods. “Wait here.” He closes the door and I hear him walking up the staircase. I look around the corridor as I wait for him to return. A day guard walks by as he’s doing his patrols, he’s a unicorn. The sunlight coming through the windows seems to be brightening. I casually try to check my phone to pass the time, even though I know that there won’t be any messages or emails for me due to the lack of service. Damn, there’s only ten percent battery life left so I put it away.

The door opens again, revealing the night guard from earlier. “You have permission to enter Princess Luna’s chambers.” He then steps aside. “Just walk up the stairs.”

“Thank you, uh, sir.” I nod to him and begin to walk up the staircase. The way up has no windows and is dimly lit by candles on the walls. I finally arrive at a tall, narrow set of double doors and I knock.

I hear Luna behind the door. “You may enter.”

I push open one of the doors and step inside, closing the door behind me. Her room looks so different from the rest of the castle. The walls are a light blue with some sort of design painted along the bottom portion of it resembling waves. Luna’s bed is built in the likeness of a crescent moon resting on a white cloud. It has a lamp hanging from the top tip and a starry canopy attached along the underside of the top half. On the opposite side of the room from me there is an ensuite bathroom with black drapes parted to either side of its entrance.

The windows in her room are tall and arched, with burgundy curtains shutting out the sunlight. Her room’s floor is carpeted with a pale burgundy and somewhat navy blue spiral design. A white, round rug is by the side of her bed with four slippers on it. The strangest thing however about her room are the lamps that are set up which look like black, alien trees jutting from the floor, the light bulbs being the fruit of the trees.

Luna is sitting up in her bed, appearing to be quite tired and dishevelled. “Good morning, Travis… Is there something you need?”

“Um, good morning, Luna.” I look around nervously; did I even actually need anything? No, I just felt awkward around the castle without her, I still feel out of place here. Maybe that could count as something? “Both no and yes. I don’t need any material objects, or explanations of anything, but… I feel kind of out of place here and nervous. I just wanted your company to feel more comfortable in the castle… I’m sorry if this is a waste of your time and if I disturbed your sleep…”

Luna gives me a soft smile and pulls over a chair with her magic. “It is all right, Travis. I understand that you do you not yet feel at home here. It is most likely a rather large change in setting from what you are used to. You may sit here if you wish.”

I smile back and sit down in the chair that Luna pulled to the side of the bed. “Thanks.” I glance around the room and back at Luna. “I feel a little childish doing this. Adult humans don’t normally go to their host’s bedroom in the morning to be comforted.”

Luna giggles a little. “I do not mind; it is a welcome change from my usual mornings.”

“So… Did I disturb your sleep?” I sure as hell hope that I didn’t, I would feel so bad.

She slowly shakes her head. “No, I was awake. I was simply trying to relax in bed for a little longer. If I had been asleep, then my guard would have denied you entry.”

Well, at least I didn’t cause her to wake up. “Oh, okay, how was your sleep?”

Luna smiles. “My sleep was lovely, I even aided a young filly with her nightmares.”

I raise an eyebrow. What on earth does she mean by that? “Oh? In your sleep?”

She nods. “Yes, I have the ability to dream walk, which means that I am able to enter the dreams of others while I sleep.”

That’s so cool. It’s like she’s taken lucid dreaming to the next level. “That’s awesome, is it like lucid dreaming?”

“Indeed, in order to dream walk I must be lucid first.” Luna then gives me a look of intrigue. “You know of lucid dreaming?”

I nod enthusiastically, lucid dreaming is so interesting to me. “Yeah, I’ve wanted to be able to do it for a long time now, and nearly succeeded once or twice, but that’s about it.”

Luna’s expression brightens up at my mention of wanting to lucid dream. “I could teach you how to become lucid within a dream if you would like me to. I do not often come across anypony who is interested in lucid dreaming and the dreamscape.”

I give her an excited smile. “I would love to learn the art of lucid dreaming from you. It’s such a fascinating topic.”

She returns the smile. “I will visit your dreams tonight if there are no young fillies or colts who need my help with nightmares.”

That would be pretty epic. Everything I learn about Luna just makes her sound cooler and cooler. “That sounds awesome, Luna, I’ll be looking forward to it. So, is helping the young ones with nightmares another one of your duties as Princess of the Night?”

Luna nods. “That is correct, I watch over their dreams and talk to them about why they may be having nightmares. They are normally brought by worries and issues about the real world, and so I help the fillies and colts to resolve them.”

“You sound like an amazing princess to me. You raise the moon and bring night. You are very just and benevolent towards your subjects. You can also enter the dreams of others to help them.”

She blushes lightly. “Thank you, Travis. You are very kind to compliment me so. I am not used to receiving such praise.”

I can’t believe that she is never complimented on any of this. “You’re welcome, Luna, I’m simply telling you the truth. You do deserve these compliments after all…” I slowly quiet myself as I notice her blushing more. Oh crap, I finally realise that I’m probably laying it on too thick. I mean, she’s just a new friend, perhaps a new best friend, but that’s it. I wouldn’t want her to think otherwise. I look away from her shyly, otherwise I’m going to make things awkward again.

“Travis?” Luna tries to get my attention. Should I look back? Of course, I should, I just need to think more before I talk from now on.

I slowly turn my gaze back to her. “Yes?”

She looks into my eyes. “Is something wrong?”

I shake my head and blush softly. She can’t know what I’m thinking about, things will get weird if I tell her. “N-No, not at all…”

Luna doesn’t look convinced. “That’s not true. You look and sound nervous about something.”

Damn it, I’m a terrible liar, but I need to try. “Look, it’s nothing, please.”

She lets out a sigh. “And I am asking you to please tell me the truth. You have nothing to fear from me. I do not appreciate it when others hide things from me.”

She’s so persistent, why couldn’t she just let it be? I look down nervously and quietly, blushing a little more. And why is this so hard for me? Can’t I just tell her about how I thought I was laying it on too thick? I don’t understand. Sure, things will be a little awkward, but I’ve dealt with that before. I’ve only just met her, and she’s only a friend, I’m sure of it.

I feel a cool pressure tilting me to look up and notice a pale blue glow around my face. “Travis, please trust me…” Luna is looking a little upset.

Come on, is it so important to her that it’s upsetting? I suppose my trust really means that much. “F-Fine, I’ll tell you, but it’ll make things really weird and awkward. You still want to know?”

She nods. “I really do not mind awkwardness; I just want you to trust me.”

I nod and blush. “O-Okay. I was just thinking that I was probably laying it on too thick with the compliments… I meant them completely, but I don’t want you to think I’m trying to impress or hit on you… I decided to be quiet in order to stop being so heavy with the praise.”

Luna blushes as well. “Is that all?”

I nod. “Y-Yeah…”

She laughs a little. “I really did not mind it, Travis. Do not worry, I will not take your compliments out of context. Thank you for trusting me.”

I suppose it’s good to have that out of the way now. I’m glad to hear that she hasn’t taken my compliments too far. “Uh, thanks for being understanding, and you’re welcome for me trusting you. I would hate for you to think that I distrust you.”

She gives me a comforting smile. “It is quite all right. Perhaps I should get out of bed and we can have some breakfast.”

I smile back and move the chair a bit to get out of the way. “That sounds good.”

Luna gets up out of bed, stepping into her slippers. “Just allow me to tidy my appearance first.” She then heads over to her ensuite bathroom and closes the drapes behind her.

I look around her room again as I wait, properly admiring it. Nowhere else in the castle even vaguely resembles the design of this room. I get up and look at one of the lamps. I’ve never seen any lamps like this before, they sure are strange, almost lovecraftian to me. I then walk over to a window and part the curtains to look out. The view is amazing, reminding me that Luna’s room is at the top of a very tall tower, one of the tallest of the castle too from what I can see from the window. I hear Luna’s hoofsteps and I close the curtains, turning back to see her walking from her bathroom.

Luna now appears neat and fresh, no sign of her previous dishevelled appearance. “I am now in a presentable state to be seen by the castle servants and possible visitors. Shall we go have breakfast now?”

I nod happily. “Yeah, that would be great.”

She smiles and steps out of her slippers and into her metal shoes, leading the way back down her tower. The night guard stands straight and salutes her as we pass him by. We then make our way to the dining hall, a unicorn stallion waiter entering not long after us to collect our orders. Luna asks for the same fruit salad she had yesterday morning and a water. I ask for toast with strawberry jam and a hot chocolate. Another silence begins just like yesterday morning.

Luna then breaks it, sooner than last time. “Last night you told me that you would like to go to the library with me today to learn of Equestrian history, correct?”

“That’s right, I did. I haven’t changed my mind about learning the history of Equestria from you either.” I look at her appreciatively. “Equestria seems like a very interesting place to me, I would love to hear all about how it came to be the way it is now.”

Luna gladly responds. “That sounds delightful, we can go to the library after breakfast.”

“Thanks, I’m sure that it’ll be really fascinating to me.”

“You are rather welcome.”

I give her a nod and look around. I tend to do that a lot when I’m trying to pass the time. I then remember my phone and check it, six percent battery left.

“What pray tell, is that device?” Luna asks curiously as she notices me checking my phone.

I chuckle a bit. “Do you have telephones in Equestria?”

She nods in affirmation. “We do indeed have telephones here, but they are not common in the castle.”

I smile. “Well then, this serves the same purpose and is called a smart phone -” I show her the screen. “- it has a screen that is both a touch and display screen.” I swipe it around a bit to demonstrate, before selecting the camera app. “It also has a built in camera so that I can take photos with it.” I look up at Luna.

She looks amazed by my phone. “What a wondrous piece of technology!”

I chuckle a little more. “Yeah, it is pretty cool. May I take a photo of you?”

Luna smiles and nods, sitting straight in a noble pose. “Yes please, I would like to see this ‘smart’ telephone do a camera’s work.”

I smile as well and take a portrait shot, making sure to keep my hand as steady as possible. This is awesome, I now have a photo of an alicorn princess. “There we go.” I then show her the screen so that she can see the picture I took.

She giggles in excitement. “That is remarkable!”

I plan on at least one more photo before the battery dies. “Yeah, it is, although it runs on a battery of electrical energy and it is almost out of power. Can I take one more photo before it runs out, but with both of us in it?”

Luna nods. “Of course, but how can you capture both of us in the photo?”

“I’ll show you.” I get up from my seat and stand beside Luna, leaning close to her and lifting my phone up. I’m not one for selfies, but I can sure as hell make an exception so that I have proof of this whole thing. I press the flip icon so that the phone uses the camera facing us, the display showing us. Luna smiles widely at the sight of the screen and I smile too, taking the picture. Checking it, I decide that it’s a good photo. “Thanks, Luna.”

“You are welcome, Travis. That is a marvellous device you have. Am I correct in assuming that human technology is more advanced than Equestrian technology?”

I lock my phone after checking the battery, which is now at three percent and I put it back in my pocket. “Pretty much. I don’t know what technologies you have in Equestria, but based on what I’ve seen in the castle, you’d be correct in that assumption.”

Luna giggles as I return to my seat. “I should also thank you for showing me such a wonderful thing.”

I chuckle a little at her giggling. “You’re welcome, besides, I really wanted to get some photos before the battery died. Just in case I end up back on Earth, so then I have proof that I was actually here with you.”

She calms down after a bit. “I understand. Will the photos still be on the smart telephone after it runs out of power?”

I nod. “Yeah, if I get back to Earth, then I can recharge the battery to get it working again. The photos will still be there when it’s recharged.”

Luna gives me a curious look. “How does one recharge the battery?”

“Well, on Earth there are cords that have been made specifically for smart phones that connect them to the power grid. The cords then transfer electrical energy from the grid to the phones. Do you know what power grids are?”

She slowly nods. “Yes, they are systems that are connected to and provide power to the houses and buildings of Equestria. However, instead of electrical energy, they run on magical energy.”

I nod back. “Right, so basically that’s how I charge the battery of the phone. Considering smart phones don’t exist in Equestria, there won’t be any cords here that could be used to charge my phone.”

“Very well.”

The double doors to the dining hall open and the waiter from before brings in our breakfasts. He starts by setting up our cutlery and places down Luna’s salad and water first. “Is this to your liking, Princess?”

She gives him a polite smile and nod. “Yes, thank you.”

The waiter then puts my toast, strawberry jam, and hot chocolate down in front of me. “And what do you think… Travis was it?”

I give him a smile as well. “Yes, Travis is my name, and I think that this breakfast looks great.”

He nods and steps back from the table. “Enjoy your breakfasts.” The waiter then leaves us.

Luna and I eat our breakfasts in peace. Just as expected, the hot chocolate and toast were the best I’ve ever had. I must admit that I could definitely get used to this quality of food in this castle. When we finish, the waiter comes back to collect our plates and cutlery. After he leaves, Luna speaks up. “Would you like to accompany me to the library?”

I look over to Luna and stand up, smiling. “I would love to, Luna.”

She stands too. “I am glad to hear that.” She then takes me out to the corridor. It then occurs to me that I really need to learn how to get around here by myself.