Dancing with the moon

Chapters

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three

Chapter One

Now this was heaven, nothing but the scent of books old and new. The only sounds were that of turning pages and the shuffle of hooves on the carpeted floor. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, enough to illuminate, but kept away from the precious books and tomes.

Moondancer couldn’t help but let out the softest of sighs. No matter what happened in her life, the library was a source of comfort and safety. Heck, she’d hidden in here during the Changeling invasion some time back.

Nothing changed around here. It was, in a word…

Perfect~

So the question was, why was she frowning?

The answer was simple.

There was… something in the library. Something… new.

It wasn’t a new book, or some piece of obscure or tasteless artwork.

Nope, this thing was something much different. And because of its presence, the sanctity of the library lost as ponies gasped, murmured… or worse. They spoke out loud!

Moondancer knew what this thing was. Hay, most of Equestria knew what this was. This so called ‘human’ had been in just about every news article and radio show since it arrived some time ago.

And now it was entertaining some foals, reading aloud in various voices as they laughed and clapped their hooves. Even the head librarian wasn’t shushing them. It was complete anarchy!

What was next? Fanfiction being recognised as actual literature?

Was a not-so-silent huff, she closed her book and got up. Slinging her saddlebags over her back, she headed for the door. If she couldn’t get any peace and quiet, she might as well go hang out with Minuette. No-one noticed the mare exit.

Save for one.

“And then, it has the gall to talk. In the library!” Moondancer threw her hooves up, luckily the donut she had was in a magical grip instead of her hooves.

“How rude,” Minuette gasped.

“And it made all the foals laugh! How am I supposed to concentrate of Starswirls Third Theorem with that?”

“What a monster,” Minuette gasped again.

“…You don’t care do you?” Moondancer replied, her tone and expression flat

“Not in the slightest,” Minuette giggled more earnestly as she nibbled her donut like a chipmunk. “Look Moonie. He’s really not that bad you know. And I’m sure he’s very sorry he disturbed your studies.”

That threw Moondancer for a loop. “Wait, how do you know it?”

“Him,” Minuette corrected her friend, rather sternly too. Moondancer did drop her donut this time.

“M-Minuette…”

“No Moonie!” Minuette said and sighed. “I don’t know him all that well. We've passed a few times in the street and we made small talk once while waiting for Joe’s to open. But, even from that I can tell he's nice. Sure his appearance is a little…” She waved a hoof as she searched for the right word.

“Weird?” Moondancer offered.

“Different,” Minuette corrected again. “I just don't think you should say stuff like that about somepony you don't even know.” She frowned and took a massive bite of her donut. “And you shouldn't call him an ‘it’. That’s just… It’s really rude Moonie!”

Ah crap, mad Minuette was mad. So for the sake of clarification, anything besides a happy Minuette was something you did not want.

“Alright, I’m sorry,” Moondancer immediately folded like a house of cards. “If I see it… him again, I’ll be sure to apologise.”

“Good filly,” Minuette giggled, petting her mane and smiling brightly. “Now that that’s out of the way. What else is new?”

“Not much,” Moondancer sighed, tidying her mane with her magic. “My studies are aimless at this point. I just… I don’t know.” She lifted her coffee and sipped at it. She didn’t have a direction at the moment since her last field of studies fell through. Long distance time travel had already been done apparently. Thanks Starswirl!

“Hmm, sounds like you need a break,” Minuette said with a small nod. “Lyra’s coming to visit, along with her new fiance tonight, so we’re gonna go out to Neon’s Nightlife to celebrate. Why don’t you come out with us tonight? Help your big brain relax a bit.”

While Moondancer was spending more time with her friends now, but going out to a club?

“I don’t know…” she protested weakly.

Then she made the mistake of looking up, and right into Minuette’s pouting face. Whelp, good game Futile Resistance. May you rest in peace.

“…Fine,” Moondancer sighed and Minuette clapped her hooves.

“Yay! Minuette clapped her hooves. “You won’t regret it. I promise.”

“I regret absolutely everything about this,” Moondancer deadpanned as she and Minuette waited in line to get into the club. She’d been convinced to comb her mane and tail, and now wore a newer turtleneck sweater, one that wasn’t three sizes too big.

“Oh, you silly filly,” her blue companion giggled. “Regret comes later, after a few shots of Sunrise Surprise.”

Moondancer idly wondered why it was called that, but she decided to look it up later.

“LYRA!!” Minuette suddenly shouted and Moondancer whinnied in surprise before shoot her a glare, but was utterly ignored by all parties involved.

“Hiya!” the minty mare said as she approached and hugged Minuette, then looked at Moondancer and her eyes widened in a look of genuine shock. “Whoa! You… actually came?”

“Could you sound any less surprised?” Moondancer deadpanned again. Lyra was almost as bad as Minuette sometimes. Still, their enthusiasm could be infectious at times. “And yes, Minuette asked me to.”

“She used ‘The Face’ didn’t she?” Lyra smirked and Moondancer sighed. Lyra laughed and patted her withers. “Yep, you got played like a fiddle.” She whirled around and dragged an earth pony mare close. “This is my lovey dove, Bon Bon. Bonnie, these are my pals from school. Minuette and Moondancer.”

“Hello, and my condolences for having known her that long,” Bon Bon smirked. Lyra frowned and pouted as Moondancer snorted in amusement. She was probably going to like this mare.

“Aww, even Moonbutt’s laughing at me?” Lyra mock-whined. “Not cool girls. Not cool at all.”

“Mm, yes, I believe I like these mares,” Bon Bon giggled as the line shuffled forward.

“Is anypony else coming tonight?” Lyra asked as she looked around. “I don’t see Lemony or Twinkle anywhere.”

“Lemony has to foalsit her cousin and Twinkle’s out of town, I asked Twilight, but she’s dealing with Princessey stuff.” Minuette informed her. “Sorry, it’s just us tonight. So we’ll have to have enough fun for all of us!”

“Aw, well I guess it can’t be helped,” Lyra pouted. “Okay! I’m gonna dance my hooves off!”

“Just keep her away from the minty cocktails,” Bon Bon sighed. “Otherwise we’re carrying her home.”

“I’m not that bad,” Lyra pouted as Bon Bon nuzzled her and smiled. The line moved forward until the four mares were at the front.

“Alright, you’re clear,” the massive earth pony bouncer said and opened the door. The vibrating bass of the music nearly knocked Moondancer’s glasses off.

“All my regret,” the mare sighed as she was pushed inside by her friends. Well, at least this night couldn’t get any worse right?

Antino sat at the bar, his foot tapping to the music playing behind him. He was no stranger to this place, stopping by a few times a week once the sun set. They had drinks and Neon Lights knew how to scratch a record.

“Something on your mind tonight Anny?” the barmaid asked. She was a petite little unicorn mare with a speckled brown coat and auburn hair. Her cutie mark was a half-full cocktail glass.

“Sorta,” Antino replied. He ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed. “I was reading to some foals at the library today, but I think I may have been too loud and upset some of the visitors. One mare in particular looked pretty steamed.”

“Ah, don’t beat yourself up over it,” she said as she poured him a drink. “Who cares what a few bookworms think. You’re a swell guy.”

“I dunno, I didn’t mean to be rude or anything.”

“Look Anny,” Shot Glass leaned forward and smiled. “I know your wear your heart on your hoof… or, whatever it is you have. But you gotta stop getting down every time you think you upset somepony.” She looked past him and smiled. “You know, a group of pretty mares just walked in. How about I send a few drinks courtesy of you, paid for by me.”

“You're incorrigible,” Antino sighed with a small half-smile and shook his head as Shot giggled and started mixing some drinks.

“Aww yeah!’ Minuette grinned and bobbed her head. “Is this place the best or what?”

“Or what?” Moondancer asked yelled over the music. “I can’t hear a thing in here!” It was the complete opposite of her library. This place was loud, uncomfortable and full of ponies. She just wanted to go home already.

She was ushered into a booth by the rest of them and blinked in surprise as the music’s volume faded to a more comfortable level. She looked around and saw some silencing runes on the floor, surrounding the booth. Well, that was certainly interesting.

She didn’t get to study them further as a unicorn mare approached the table with a tray of drinks in her magical grasp.

“Huh? We haven’t ordered anything yet,” Minuette said as Shot put the tray down.

“Compliments from the gentleman at the bar,” the barmaid smiled and motioned to the human. Moondancer’s eyes widened further as she recognised him.

“And don’t worry, I mixed these myself,” Shot Glass said.

Okay, why did the barmaid feel the need to add that little tidbit? But before Moondancer could ask, she left the group alone to continue work.

“Psst!” Minuette nudged Moondancer. “That’s him right? The one you were talking about?”

“Well seeing as how he’s one of the few humans in Equestria,” Lyra butted in. “If you were talking about a human in Canterlot, I’d say it was a safe bet. Still, how do you know Tino?”

“You know his name?” Moondancer quirked one of her eyebrows.

“Well duh, I think most of Equestria does,” Lyra giggled and nuzzled Bon Bon. “We used to talk a lot when he was in Ponyville. I was one of the first actually, as most ponies were too scared to even approach him back then.” The minty mare smiled fondly and looked at Moondancer. “You still haven’t answered my question though.”

“She got in a tizzy because he was pretty loud at the library,” Minuette said as Moondancer frowned and looked away. Minuette made it sound so… petty. Too bad Twilight wasn’t here, she could back her up on this.

“Oh no!” Lyra gasped over dramatically and put her forehooves to her mouth. “What will that villain do next? Adopt a filly and give her a loving home?”

“Ha. Ha. You’re hilarious,” Moondancer said dryly as she eyed her drink wearily. “Sure, make me look like the badpony here. Look, I was being petty alright. Can we please drop this?”

“Weeeell…” Minuette sat closer to her and put a leg over her withers. “You did say that you’d apologise the next time you saw him, riiiight~?”

Moondancer paused and stared with an incredulous expression. “Um… no, not now. This is hardly the place to—” She never got to finish as Minuette pushed her out of the booth and towards the human. The unicorn glared at her friend and yelled something, but was utterly ignored over the loud bass of the music.

“Celestia damn it,” Moondancer sighed. Fine, if that’s how she wanted to play. She turned and started moving towards the seated creature. ’This’ll be easy. Walk up, say sorry, leave. Mission accomplished and Minuette would finally drop this whole thing.’

Should be easy.

Juuuust, walk up and say it.

…

’Come on Moondancer, move your flank.’

’Ponies are staring at you.’

They really weren’t, save for her friends anyway.

Behind her, said friends were staring at her and the fact she seemed to be playing ‘Red Light, Green Light’ with the human seated at the bar. Every time his head even turned in Moondancer’s general direction, she froze like a statue. Minuette fought the urge to facehoof as she mentally cheered her friend on regardless.

“I’m not sure if this is funny—” Lyra commented as she sipped her drink. Ooh, minty~ “—Or just plain sad.”

“A little of column A, a little of column B,” Bon Bon replied.

“Moonie’s a little… shy,” Minuette paused to find the right word to use. Or least the kindest one to use. “Give her a bit, then we should hopefully see some progress here.”

Bon Bon and Lyra shared a look, as Minuette smiled to herself. This little development hadn’t been in her plans to get Moonie and Tino together, something she’d been planning on for a while now. But hey, she wasn’t gonna look a gift pony in the mouth.

Now if only Moondancer would stop standing there like a statue.

“Hey Shot,” Antino said as he sipped the light cider in his grasp. “Is it just me? Or has that unicorn staring hole in the back of my head been getting closer when she thinks I’m not looking?”

Shot Glass quirked an eyebrow and peered over the counter. There was indeed a mare slowly inching towards him. She didn’t look dangerous, but…

“What me to call Bouncer?”

“Nah, no need to start something unless she does,” Antino replied and took a sip from his drink again. He was curious about what she wanted though. Something about her was… familiar.

It was a very awkward few minutes as the mare made some painfully slow progress. But eventually she stood close enough so that her voice might be heard over the music. It would seem the bar itself possessed the same muting runes as the private booths, though not quite as potent. Moondancer found her mind wandering.

”is it Hoofenheimer’s work? Or maybe Starswirl? If only I could get a closer look at the runs themselves, or even take a glance at the spell matrix…”

“Hello there.”

The sudden voice broke her out of her daydream and she glanced up, adjusting her glasses as she did. It was that thing, that… human. He was looking right at her and she found her hooves about to start moving backwards.

Arrgh, this was ridiculous. Why was she so scared of it? Okay, so she might not have known as much about it as say, Minuette. So, let’s use this as a… study period. She could work in a few words, like a social experiment.

Yes, that would work. She smiled at her brilliant plan.

Antino stared at the smiling mare, she looked rather pleased about something. A look over her shoulder saw that he recognised two of this odd mare’s friends. Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon. The two gave him a friendly wave.

‘She with you?’ he mouthed and pointed at Moondancer.

‘Give her time,’ Lyra pantomimed. This was a long practised event between the mare and the man. They had all of Ponyville convinced for a month that he spoke a special sign language that only Lyra could understand. It had been hilarious.

During his brief reminiscence of the past, Moondancer had come out of her small trance and moved a bit closer.

“So, you are the human?”

Not the first time somepony had greeted him like that, but he couldn’t help but tease her regardless. She looked a lot like Twilight, and teasing her had brought an endless amount of amusement.

“Well, good evening to you as well Miss—” he glanced over her shoulder as Lyra mimed her name. “—Moondancer. And yes, my name is Antino, thank you for asking.” He flashed her a toothy smile as the slowly dawning look of shock appeared on her face.

Moondancer winced, now realising how impolite that sounded, and even worse that he not only pointed it out, but kept his own manners. The fact he knew her name seemed to glide over her head for now.

“Yes, sorry. My name is Moondancer.” She looked up at the seated human. “It is… interesting to meet you finally.” Well, it was still marginally better than her initial introduction. He seemed to look more amused than offended anyway.

Antino was pleasantly surprised. Well, at least she wasn’t running away, begging not to eat her or barraging him with a thousand and one questions. He fired her another smile and patted the barstool next to him.

“Why don’t you take a seat and we’ll talk,” he said. “I’m sure you have a question or two.”

Moondancer looked hesitant at first, but accepted the offer as she climbed up onto the seat. She attempted to sit upright like Lyra liked to do, but ended up having to place her forehooves on the bar for support. She took a breath and remembered the reason she was here.

“I’d like to know why you were so noisy in the library today,” Moondancer said. Minuette’s accompanying facehoof could almost be heard over the music.

“You cut right to the chase huh?” Antino recognised her now. She was the mare that stormed out in a huff after he’d made a little too much noise. Well… crap. He sighed and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make so much noise, I guess I get a little into it when I’m reading.”

Moondancer watched his expression with a slight frown. Well buck, she hadn’t been expecting that kind of reaction. She’d been hoping he could justify her irritation and be uncaring about.

Now she just felt like an ass. A really petty one.

“It’s, not a big deal,” she replied slowly as she looked away. “I guess I over-reacted. Folas will be foals…”

“Yeah, we usually have the private reading room, but it was closed for repainting,” Antino explained. “I should have been more courteous of the ponies trying to study. I’m sorry Miss Moondancer.”

“I-It’s fine,” Moondancer said. She was feeling quite embarrassed now. “No harm, no foul. I should apologise for over-reacting as I did.”

“Good!” Shot Glass suddenly said from behind the bar, startling Moondancer as she nearly fell out of her seat. “Whoops, easy there,” the pette unicorn chuckled and caught Moon with her magic, sitting her back upright. “You’re not nearly drunk enough to fall out of your seat yet.”

“Hilarious,” Moondancer replied with both a flat tone and expression. Though her heart was still pounding in her chest. She didn’t handle jump scares very well. Celestia, during the Changeling invasion, she’d been holed up in the library inside in what she thought was a very durable bookfort. A warm cup of cocoa and the latest Daring Do, she’d barely known the invasion was even going on. And that book on Ancient Geomancy had been so enthralling...

Antino stared at her, resting his head in his palm as he leaned on the counter. It seemed this Moondancer had a rather high level skill of spacing out. Or getting lost in her own thoughts. Twilight would do the same when she researched and Luna when she was hosting Night Court.

He hadn’t seen Moonbutt in a while, he made a mental note to pay a visit to the castle again soon. He idly wondered if she’d gotten together with that Aegis Shield guy…

“Are… they seriously just spacing out at the same time?” Minuette blinked as she sipped her cider.

“Yeah… Tino tends to do that on occasion,” Lyra giggled as she leaned against Bon Bon. “He’s sweet, but yeah, he tends to get hung up on the little things sometimes.”

“They sound utterly perfect for one another,” Minuette clapped her hooves. Lyra blinked and then gave her longtime friend a scrutinising gaze.

“Minni?” she said slowly. “Now, I’m gonna go out on a limb here, so feel free to correct me. But… are you shipping Tino and Moonie?”

“Shipping?” Bon Bon quirked an eyebrow.

“Maaaaaybee?” Minuette giggled and rubbed her hooves together. “Oh come on Lylie. Lookit those cute nerds and tell me they wouldn’t be adorable together.”

“Lyra, I am starting to see why these mares are your friends,” Bon Bon replied and sipped her drink.

“The power of cute compelled me to do it!” Minuette said and Lyra shook her head. Cuteness aside, there were other reasons she could see this working. Oh the look on Moondancer’s face when she finds out. This ought to be fun~

A loud round of applause from the dancefloor snapped Moondancer out of her reverie, Frogs and Fetlocks! How long had she been spacing out this time. This human was probably laughing his…

Wait a minute.

She looked at him, his glassy gaze seemingly staring off into nothing. It wasn’t until the barmaid cleared her throat that he blinked and looked up.

“Huh? What?” he looked around as Shot Glass laughed and shook her head. “Ah, sorry,” he apologised to Moondancer. “I kinda space out sometimes. Sorry about that.”

“I-It’s no problem,” the unicorn forced a smile. Thank the Stars, he didn’t notice her do it too from the looks of it. “Happens to anypony.”

“So uh…” Tino turned and then raised his glass, sipping from it. “You um, enjoying this place?”

Wait, was this small talk? Was he attempting small talk? Why? She’d apologised. He’d apologised. It’s not like they were friends or anything. Moondancer swore she could see a little Twilight Sparkle sitting on her shoulder, telling her it was a good opportunity to make more friends. But why? She didn’t even like this stallion? Colt? Male human? What was the correct vernacular here? Maybe this could be a new road to study? Hmm, it might even get her out of the rut she was in right now, give her something fresh to focus on. Were there even any books on humans? She’d never recalled seeing any. Perhaps the Royal Archives? She should send a letter to Twilight. On that note, Moondancer wondered how her princess friend was doing…

Tino watched as the mare’s attention drifted away again, a thoughtful look on her face. “Uh… Miss Moondancer?”

He looked over her shoulder to Lyra again, the minty unicorn just shrugging and nuzzling Bon Bon.

’Yeah, thanks for the help Harpbutt. I’ll remind you on how bad you panicked asking Bon Bon out, and who was in the background to help you later.’

Well, it hadn’t been like he was asking Moondancer out on a date. He was just trying to make some casual talk, but had no idea where to start. Given she was Lyra and Minuette’s friend, he’d assumed Moondancer was just as much of a chatterbox as they were.

He was now fairly certain Fluttershy was more outgoing than this mare. And at the very least, Flutters didn’t space out as much.

“Real smooth, like sandpaper,” Shot Glass chuckled as she wiped one of her namesakes. “You’re a natural with the mares Tino.”

“Uhuh, like you’re any better,” he snarked back.

“Better than you,” Shot’s eyes narrowed.

“Saffron Masala,” the human replied, a small smirk on his face as his opponent’s eyes widened in an embarrassed blush crossed her muzzle.

“H-How was i supposed to know she wasn’t into mares until she said so!” the indignant-looking unicorn huffed.

“She did, three times. You were too hammered to listen,” Tino replied and reached over to tussle her mane. “It all worked out anyway. Aren’t you two friends now?”

“Yeah,” Shot sighed. “Sucks… she’s really cute. Maybe I can convert her~”

“You’re incorrigible,” Tino chuckled as Shot shrugged and poked Moondancer.

“Hey hon, I have a question.”

“Hm? What?” Moondancer looked up.

“What’s the weather on the moon like?”

“The…” Moondancer paused and Tino thought the dawning look of realization on her face was kind of cute. The unicorn mare groaned and put her hoof to her forehead. “I spaced again huh?”

“So, what’s got that brain so distracted?” Antino asked.

“Is it his weird face?” Shot asked and waggled her eyebrows. “Or perhaps my irresistible charm?”

“Neither,” Moondancer said in a tone dryer than the designated wagon drivers in the bar. “A lot of things really. But mostly my stagnate magical research.”

“Stagnate?” Tion asked. “How so? I figured that there’d be an endless supply of things to learn about magic here in Equestria alone, let alone the rest of the world.”

“Well I don’t know what to say,” Moondancer sighed and shrugged. “I was researching time travel, well, long distance time travel anyway. Seems that Starswirl and Twilight Sparkle’s new student beat me to it. So… now I don’t know.”

“Time travel is nothing but trouble,” Tino said. He’d been there when Twilight went a little loopy over an impending disaster from her future self. Turns out she was caught in a paradox and followed it, utterly unknowing until she’d actually completed it and become that future version herself. “And Starswirl was a genius, but he loves his vague prophecies and I’m pretty he loved Arcane Calculus more than anything else. Now Clover on the other hand. Direct and to the point. I particularly like her Magical Renforcement spells and her theories on Arcane Summoning and Leyline Geomancy are really interesting. Plus she has the most delicious sense of snark and irony.”

Moondancer’s brain ground to a screeching halt. Did he? Wait. WHAT!? How… How does he know about that stuff? Does he study Magical Theory? She worked her jaw a few times, trying to voice her questions, but all that came out was a few rasped squeaks. Leyline Geomancy? What the heck was that?

Then something beeped and the human sighed, looking at the watch on his wrist. “Damn, I have to get going,” he said.

What? No! She hadn’t gotten an answer yet. Come on Moondancer. Talk. Speak. Make the word sounds with your mouth!

He stood up and bowed his head to her. “It was nice to meet you Miss Moondancer. Perhaps we’ll meet again?” He turned and said a few things to Shot Glass, before walking away. Moondancer just continued her goldfish impersonation for a moment or two then…

“Wait!” she suddenly said, but the human was long gone. And even over the noise of the customers, the deep rhythmic bass and Moondancer’s own racing thoughts, she heard Lyra and Minuette’s hooves meet their respective foreheads.

Her voice was drowned out by the loud music though, and the human hadn’t seemed to have heard her, as he weaved through the crowd of ponies and out the exit. Moondancer let out a frustrated growl and stamped a hoof.

“Hey, I’m home,” Antino called out as he walked through the front door of a cozy apartment. It was close to the castle, and mostly housed guards and castle staff. More like a dormitory than an apartment complex.

“Oh?” a feminine tone called out. From around the corner, a mare poked her head out. She had a snow white coat with a stormcloud grey mane, tipped in silver. Her eyes were a mix of oceanic blues and greens. Once she laid eyes on the human, she stepped into view, her feathery wings twitching. “Hey Tino, you’re home late.”

“Stopped by the club, he explained as he hung his jacket on a hook near the door. “Why’s that, did you miss me Astra?”

“Oh, my heart longed for your return~” she swooned. “My sweet, silly Antino. My every moment is dedicated to you.”

“…Are you done?” the human deadpanned.

“Maybe,” she giggled. Her name was Astral. A Solar Guard that worked in the palace, and Antino’s roommate. She’d been amongst the detachment of guards accompanying Princess Celestia when the human stumbled dazed and confused out of the Palace hedge maze. After he’d moved from Ponyville to Canterlot, she’d offered to help house him until he got on his hooves… er, feet. The two had been pen pals for a long time, in fact, she could be considered one of his first friends. Anyway, it turns out she couldn’t cook worth a damn, and he was quite talented in that area. And whereas he usually kept a mess in his home, Astral was extremely meticulous in keeping a tidy and orderly house.

So a mutual exchange was forged and the two have been good friends ever since.

“So, meet any cute mares?” she asked with a waggle of her eyebrows as he took off his shoes.

Antino didn’t respond verbally, opting with an eyeroll as he got up and walked into the kitchen. He saw the mess on the counter and sighed “Really? Peanut butter sandwiches?”

“What? They’re good!” she huffed. “And you didn’t answer me.”

“Come with me next time,” he said and she frowned. “You know, if you can get over that crippling shyness of yours.”

“Oh shut up,” she poked her tongue out. So what if she couldn’t talk to ponies when outside of her armour. It was perfectly normal.

“I’ll make something better,” he said and looked in the cupboards. “Pasta do? I’m gonna need to do some shopping tomorrow.”

Astral’s stomach gave a gurgle in response.

“I’ll take that as your voice of approval,” he mused as he filled a pot to boil some water. Now this was an upside to Equestria. Forget gas or electric. Magical appliances were amazing! In under a minute, the water was boiling as he grabbed the box of dried pasta and added a pinch of salt before dumping the contents into the pot.

“You still didn’t answer my question,” Astral teased him, leaning against the doorframe. Tino rolled his eyes, she was quite relentless with this sort of thing.

“There… might have been,” he admitted. Like a bandaid, best rip it off now to save pain further down the track. “A unicorn mare.”

“Oooh, so you found a cute hornhead huh?” she teased. “Well, what’s she like?”

“We only talked for a bit,” he said as he stirred the pot. “She’s pretty smart from the looks of it. Doesn’t get out much either I’d wager.”

“Hmm, bookish nerd type then?” Astral chuckled as she looped her hooves around his neck, dangling down his back. “Right up your alley.” She giggled into his ear. “Or maybe we can have a little fun~”

“You’re gay,” he quoted as-a-matter-of-factly.

“Yup, and proud of it!” she messed up his hair and leapt off of his back. “She have any cute friends?”

“Several,” he nodded and she wagged her tail at the thought.

“Ooohh, a harem eh?”

“Lay off the manga,” he sighed as he stirred the pot again, before dicing some tomatoes and herbs to make the sauce. “It’s no good for you brain… oh wait, that’s a lost cause.”

“Oh shut up!” she giggled, whapping his back with a wing. “So, you gonna ask the cute nerd mare out?”

“Barely know her,” he replied with a shrug. “And honestly, it’s not like I’ve had a ton of interest in that area.”

Astral winced. He had a point there. Any mares that had shown interest of that nature, it was mostly due to his… uniqueness. And that being with him would mean quite the limelight socially. So naturally, he’d avoided anything of the sort so far.

“Well, was she some high-faulting noblemare?” Astral asked him, poking his leg. “Want me to arrest her?” He’d had some trouble before, so his trusty Guard friend might have… stretched her authority without him knowing.

“One, that’s an abuse of power. And two, would a noblemare be caught dead in a black turtleneck sweater inside Neon’s place?” he tacked on.

“Point,” Astral nodded and resumed leaning against the doorway. “So, gonna ask her out?”

Tino rolled his eyes. “Canterlot is a big city. And she looked like she’d been dragged along with her friends. I doubt I’ll even see her again.”

“You never know,” Astral sighed wistfully. “Two nerdy souls, bound by fate to meet again and geek out over complicated math.” It was cute mental image and made her giggle

“Huh, What was that?” Tino asked with a raised eyebrow. “You didn’t want any pasta?”

“Ah! I’m sorry! Please feed me!” Astral’s eyes widened as she begged for her dinner. No teasing was worth losing a delicious meal over.

“Yes yes, I know the rules of owning a pretty pony,” Tino chuckled as he strained the past and started stirring the sauce through it. “Make sure they’re properly fed and watered and get plenty of sleep.”

“Urgh, I’m a Guard, sleep is a luxury for everypony else,” Astral sighed and rolled her head until her neck gave a satisfying crack. She watched Tino serve up dinner into two bowls and sprinkle a generous amount of cheese before holding one out. She took the bowl on an outstretched wing and brought in close, taking a deep whiff of the food and humming pleasantly. “Ahh, you’ll make somepony a good wife someday Tino.”

“As long as my dress is pretty,” he replied, getting a snerk from the mare as they headed into their living room. Flopping onto the couch, Tino grabbed the remote for the projector. “So, are you working tomorrow?” If she had the day off, then they could stay up all night and watch movies.

“Yup,” she sighed as she nursed her bowl. “So no all night movie session tonight.”

“Too bad,” he said as he looked through the crystal discs. “Hmm, zombie slash horror? Or cheesy romance chick flick?”

“…Why do we own that?”

“Because you wanted to impress that mare at the general store, and failed most hilariously,” he recited back to her.

“Oh yeah… she was still hot,” Astra sighed wistfully. “Oh well. Let’s go zombies then. We can giggle at stupid ponies getting eaten.”

“They really are dumb,” Tino agreed as he set the disc down and started it. “So, anything new with work?”

“Eh, I stand in a hall and look all serious,” she said with a shrug. “Honestly, Equestria’s pretty peaceful for the most part. You know, invading Changelings and demonic centaurs aside.”

Ahh, Antino remembered those. The Changeling’s hadn’t known what to make of him when they cornered him in a library. He’d managed to shake them off and take refuge in the library with some foals and other ponies. And he’d escaped the Tirek event, hiding out at home after he’d found Astral wandering the street, completely out of it and blank flanked.They hadn’t found out for a while after on what really happened.

“Well, I’d rather not lose my best friend,” he said, pulling the mare into a one armed hug.

“Aww, thanks!” she giggled and booped his nose. They turned to the screen as a cute mare was ripped apart by zombie. “You know… the pony body doesn’t have that much blood.”

“Mhm, and honestly, she was a pegasus. Why didn’t she just fly?”

“Yeah, well she’s dead so whatev’s… oh! Calling it now. This guy’s next.”

“Naah, it’s totally the snooty noble.”

“You hope it’s the snooty noble you mean?”

“I may be a little biased.”

…

“Damn.”

“Caaaaalled it,” Astral giggled as the mare she picked met her grisly end.

“Meh,” Tino shrugged as he ate his pasta.

Turns out the noble survived the whole movie, along with the clearly obvious main character. Tino was less than amused with this.

“Ah well,” Astra giggled as she got up off of the couch, having been leaning against him for most of the trip. “All’s well that end’s well. And on that note, this little pegapony is going to bed.”

“Righto,” Antino said as he gathered up the dinner bowls and various snack wrappers and cider bottles that had accumulated over the course of the movie. He bid her a good night and started to clean up, his thoughts drifting back to the unicorn he met earlier. Miss Moondancer seemed like a mare he might be able to get along with. It was too bad he couldn’t have talked with her longer.

Well, he could always ask Lyra on how to contact her.

“In the meantime, I think I hear the bed calling,” he yawned as he headed for his own room. Tomorrow was a new day after all.

Author's Note

I've noticed a lack of Moondancer/Human stories.

I intend to remedy this.

Chapter Two

A hoof slapped the bedside table, blindly searching for a particular object. First was the current source of her sleepy ire, the blaring alarm clock. A few blind whacks found her target, silencing the buzzing beast. And another, gentler search found the second as she pulled the old spectacles over, placing them on her muzzle.

“Urgh, who even invented mornings?” Moondancer mumbled as she slowly inched towards the side of her bed. Reluctant to leave the warm confines of her bed, but nothing would get done otherwise. She let out an involuntary shiver as her bare hooves hit to cold wooden floor. Autumn was nearly done and Winter was on the horizon. The perfect time to just stay in bed with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate.

Shivering again, she made a slow-paced journey for her bathroom. A nice warm shower was just what she needed to kick the day off.

Mane tied up? Check!

Glasses? Check!

Breakfast?

…

Breakfast?

…

“Horseapples,” Moondancer mumbled as she stared at her empty cupboards. With all that happened yesterday, she completely forgot she was out of food. A few stale graham crackers does not a breakfast make.

Well, not anymore anyway.

She kiiiiinda promised Minuette that she’d start eating better. And if she didn’t, Minuette would know.

Minuette always knows.

“Guess I have to go out then,” she sighed to herself. She reached out with her magic, a light pinkish grey corona igniting around her horn. Her saddlebags rose up out of her pile of books…

*RIIIIIIIIP!*

Aaand that was the bottoms of her bags tearing and the contents scattering across the floor.

“Great…. Just, great,” the mare sighed. She picked up her bitpurse and tucked it into her black sweater. Pulling the neck of her sweater up, she turned and opened her front door, stumbling back a step as she was struck with the blustery, chilly wind that blew. It was to be expected at the altitudes the city was at.

Still didn’t make it any more pleasant. With another shiver, she stepped outside and into the city streets.

Hooves clicked against the crisp cobblestone, her mane and tail flicking in the wind as Moondancer made her way down the busy street. Even this early in the morning, Canterlot was a bustling place. Ponies going to, and even coming from work. Nobles out and about to spend their bits and a few guards patrolling the streets.

All Moondancer really cared about was filling her empty belly and getting to the relative warmth of the library. She knew of a nice cafe not too far from where she lived. The owner was pleasant enough and her food and coffee was some of the best Moondancer had found.

Rounding a corner, the large wooden building came into view. It was long and curved from floor to ceiling, like a log half-buried in the ground. A protrusion on one side showed a large oaken door, set with heavy-looking brass hinges. Two windows on either side, and three on the opposite wall. Atop the structure was a small home, presumably where the owner lived.

As Moondancer got close to the store, her ears wilted when she saw the closed sign on the door. That… well that wasn’t right. The cafe should have been open by now. She cast a glance at the tall clock tower in the distance and sighed.

Her alarm was off, by nearly a whole hour? No wonder she was so tired. But it’d taken thirty minutes to walk here, so returning home was utterly pointless.

She let out a dejected sigh. Maybe there was another place open?

She turned around, just as the cafe door creaked open, a tall unicorn mare poked her head out.

“Moondancer?” she asked, getting the mare’s attention. “Goodness, what are you doing out here so early?”

“Because my alarm clock is a dirty liar,” Moon mumbled. “Sorry… I’ll head elsewhere.”

“Nonsense,” the mare stepped outside, the wind messed her milk-chocolate brown locks a little. She had a tan coat, speckled with various spots of brown. Her reddish brown eyes looked Moondancer over. “Goodness, you seem to have had quite the morning.”

“You have no idea Mocha,” Moon groaned. “I could really use a good coffee and someplace warm.”

“Well, luckily I have one and will have the other soon,” Mocha Latte giggled and held the door open. “Come in. I’ll start whipping up your favourite.”

“I swear, if anypony should ascend to an alicorn next, it should be you,” Moondancer smiled as she stepped inside, sighing in relief as a gentle warmth washed over her. An enchanted fireplace crackling steadily against a wall.

“Wouldn’t that be something,” Mocha chuckled as she closed the door and walked around the counter. “The Alicorn Princess of Coffee huh?” Her telekinesis already multitasking a half dozen things. The sight never failed to impress Moondancer. She knew that Mocha didn’t know many spells, but Mocha’s telekinesis was even more complex than her own.

It wasn’t long before the mare had set down a cup of her namesake, a fresh mocha latte and a serving of banana toast and sweet jam.

“Mmm, just what the doctor ordered,” Moondancer hummed as she sipped from her mug. “Ahh!”

“Well, on the upside,” Mocha smiled. “When your day starts out bad, it can only get better right?”

“It’s too early for positive,” Moondancer replied. “But I’ll take it.” She reached into her sweater to pull out her bit purse.

…

“Oh you have got to be kidding me!” Moondancer exclaimed and thunked her head against the countertop.

“Goodness!” Mocha hurried over to her, looking down at the crestfallen mare. “Whatever’s the matter dear?”

“My purse is missing,” she mumbled. “I put it in my sweater… but it must have fallen out between here and home…” And it’d surely be gone by now. Sure, she didn’t have many bits in it, maybe twenty or so? But…

“Well, not to matter. I don’t mind shouting you breakfast,” Mocha suggested, but Moondancer shook her head.

“No! I… arrgh!” Today just kept upping the ante on how much it would suck. “I can’t—”

Her tangent was interrupted as the front door creaked open, a familiar voice speaking up. “Hey, Mocha? You open yet?”

Moondancer turned to see the human, Antino was it? Standing there in the doorway.

“Not quite, but you come in,” Mocha beckoned him. “We’re just having a small dilemma here at the moment.”

“Oh?” Antino stepped inside, closing the door and locking the chill out. He wore a long black swallowtail trenchcoat. A white t-shirt underneath and long dark blue pants. Moondancer mildly envied him for looking so warm.

“Yes, this poor dear lost her bit purse,” Mocha sighed, tilting her head to one side. “I’m trying to tell her it’s okay but…” She pet Moondancer’s head gently. “She’s awfully stubborn.”

“Ah,” Tino took a stool close to Moondancer. “I see. It’s a shame really. That purse has a really nice embroidery of a star and crescent moon right?”

Moondancer’s head snapped up, a look of befuddlement on her face. “W-What? How do you know that?” There was no way. She didn’t have it with her yesterday. How on Equus did he know?

“Oh, so this isn’t yours?” he asked and reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out her purse. “I found it outsi—” A magical aura snatched the purse from his hand, Moondancer holding it close to her chest. “Well, you’re welcome.”

“Now now, that was a little rude,” Mocha chided her. Moondancer’s eyes widened and her ears fell back. Mocha and Minuette shared a scary bond of ‘don’t make them mad.’

“It’s okay,” Tino started, but Moondancer raised her hoof.

“No, I was rude just now. I’m sorry,” she apologised as she bowed her head to him. “Thank you for finding it.” Moondancer then looked at the cafe hostess. “And to you to Mocha. For your kind offer just now.”

“Think nothing of it,” Mocha smiled kindly and waved a hoof. “And see? Your luck’s looking up already.”

“Is something the matter?” Antino asked with a slight tilt of his head.

“Miss Moondancer has just had a rough morning,” Mocha chuckled, much to the other mare’s chagrin. “When bad luck rains, it often pours.”

“Miss Latte, the fortune cookie,” Tino mused as the mare floated him a cup of coffee, one he took thankfully and sipped at it, sighing happily. “Ahh! There is almost no better way to start the day.”

“Almost?” Mocha raised an eyebrow. “And pray tell Mister Antino. What is a better way than a cup of my coffee hmm?”

Tino just smiled and waggled his eyebrows, making the tall mare gasp and blush slightly. “Oooh, you scoundrel~”

Moondancer watched the back and forth with morbid curiosity. They acted like such good friends. Though what was Antino hinting at? She just didn’t get it. Some inside joke perhaps? She lifted her cup and sipped from it, letting the delightfully bitter taste fill her mouth as she continued to watch them.

“So how do you know one another?” Moondancer found herself asking. Tino and Mocha paused in their conversation and looked at her, the mare shrinking back in her stool a little.

“No need to look so nervous,” Mocha giggled and tilted her head towards Tino. “This one is a better storyteller though.”

“Hardly,” Antino shook his head. “Well, it was around, three months ago?” He looked back at Mocha, her head nodding to confirm it. “Yeah. Just after I moved to Canterlot from Ponyville. Coffee’s something of a vice of mine, so after I got settled, my first personal goal was to find a good haunt to grab a cup of joe.”

“Coincidentally,” Mocha added on. “I’d just reopened after a… small break of sorts.”

“Oh yeah,” Moondancer nodded. “You closed down for about two months.” Come to think of it, nopony really knew why either.

“I was dealing with some… personal issues,” Mocha said with a small sigh. “But yes, I’d just reopened and was having trouble getting my customer base back.”

“I was taking a stroll through the Artisan District,” Antino continued. “The architecture there is really neat. I mean, there’s this one building that--”

“Antino dear,” Mocha said and the human paused and blushed lightly, rubbing his head as the two mares giggled.

“Sorry, got distracted,” he mused. “Anyway. I happened to bump into Mocha on the way. And when she introduced herself…”

“The first thing he asks is if I knew where to get coffee, all because of my name,” Mocha laughed as her magic worked in the background, frying some scrambled eggs and toasting toast. “Such a rude stallion to make such an assumption.”

“Hey, you ponies and your practically literal names,” Tino said. “I mean, sometimes anyway. I doubt Miss Moondancer here actually dances on the moon.”

“Oh? What makes you say that?” Moondancer said in a dead serious tone. Antino slowly turned his head towards her, mouth agape slightly. He knew Luna raised the moon, but for a pony to… wait, why was she laughing… oh.

“Hilarious,” he said flatly as Mocha joined the giggling. “Sure, make fun of the different species.”

“Well if you didn’t make it so easy,” Mocha mused, earning a pout from the human.

“It’s known as ‘Naming Sense’,” Moondancer explained. “Nopony is sure how it works. It’s just something… integrated into ponies. Like a Heart Song and a Cutie Mark. That said, it’s not always correct, sometimes a pony will change their name when their Cutie Mark and special talent appears.” She paused when she realised she’d started the impromptu lecture. It just happened sometimes, and ponies often commented that she was a bit of a ‘know-it-all’ and quietened down… but…

“Huh,” Antino folded his arms, looking thoughtful. “I didn’t know that. That was pretty informative Miss Moondancer. Thank you.”

Waitwhat?

“Y-You’re welcome?” Moondancer blinked, not having expected that kind of result.

“You remind me a lot of one of my friends,” Tino chuckled as he drained his coffee cup. “Twilight often spouted random tidbits of info. I think I learned more from just listening to her than I did from books… once I was able to read them.”

Moondancer’s brow furrowed. So. Many. Questions. Okay, focus! First thing’s first.

“You know Twilight Sparkle?”

“Yup,” Tino nodded. “She was my second friend in this world. And the one that taught me pretty much everything I know about it up til now.”

“She’s one of my oldest friends too,” Moondancer nodded.

“Huh? Small world,” Antino mused, knowing fully well that Equus was actually a slightly smaller planet than Earth.

“You also said ‘able to read them’,” Moondancer said. “What did you mean?”

“Ahh,” Antino hummed as Mocha set their breakfast down in front of them. A plate of scrambled eggs, Prench toast and fried vegetables. “Well, after I… ‘arrived’ here in this world, well…” He took a bite of food and hummed contently. “I couldn’t read, write or even speak the language. Thankfully that’s where Twilight stepped in. She first found a rudimentary translation spell so I could at least speak with you guys.” He pulled a necklace out from under his shirt. It had a small green stone attached to a silver chain. “Over time, she and her student refined it even more and even enhanced this stone with the spell so I no longer needed regular upkeep on it. When I did, it made for a few awkward moments when it wore off mid-conversation.”

“Interesting,” Moondancer looked at the stone closely. The runes inscribed on it were like none she’d ever seen. Okay, she really needed to catch up with Twilight at some point.

“it only translates my speech though,” he slipped the necklace off and set it at arm's length away on the bench.

Moondancer and Mocha tilted their heads, the latter having not seen this before either.

“What did he say?” Moon blinked.

“I have no idea,” Mocha said as Tino slipped the pendant back on.

“I said my native language is something you guys don’t understand, and vice versa,” he explained. “But the spell couldn’t translate written words. So I had to learn the slow way for that. Twilight’s teaching methods are… brutally effective.” He let out a small shudder. The little purple nerd was relentless in her teaching.

Mind you, he got her to wear a sexy librarian outfit, claiming it helped humans study better.

He still hadn’t told her the truth. Longest running prank ever.

“So, you can read Equestrian now?” Moondancer asked him.

“Well, I was reading to those foals in the library yesterday,” he pointed out.

Moondancer’s mouth made an ‘o’ shape and she blushed lightly, rubbing her head. “R-Right. Forgot about that.”

“It’s fine,” he shrugged as the pair put their conversation on hold to eat.

A pleasant silence fell over the restaurant as Mocha went back to preparing it for it’s proper opening hours. Wiping down tables and chairs and doing a bit of dusting. As she finished untangling some cords on her small stage, she head the sound of water running and lifted her head to see Moon and Tino washing the dishes that they’d used.

“Ahh, what are you doing?” she asked as she trotted towards them. “I’ll do that.”

“Nah,” Tino waved a hand. “You let us in early and fed us. Least we can do is clean up.”

“Ohh, you’re such a scoundrel,” Mocha blushed and frowned, but her giggle betrayed her true feelings on the matter. Honestly, what was she going to do with these troublemakers?

“Well, always willing to help a pretty mare,” Antino winked, making Mocha giggle again as Moondancer looked between the pair. She hadn’t minded washing the minuscule amount of dishes, but this was… new.

“Are…” She’d read about this in a book, so she was somewhat certain. “Are you two dating?”

Both individuals froze and looked at one another, before bursting out laughing.

“Did… I say something funny?” Moondancer frowned. She’d just asked a simple question didn’t she?

“O-Oh goodness,” Mocha gasped between giggles. “A-As charming as Antino is. He’s not really my type.”

“Oh?” Moondancer facehooved. “Right, I guess he’s not a pony…”

“No, I’m a male,” he clarified for her. Moondancer tilted her head for a moment, before the pieces fell into place and she looked at Mocha.

“Yes, I prefer a pretty mare,” the tall unicorn smiled sweetly. “I had a coltfriend once… it, did not turn out so well.” Her expression fell briefly and Moondancer felt like she’d put her hoof in it this time.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she apologised again. “I didn’t mean to…”

“Oh it’s fine,” Mocha smiled and then stepped closer, her flanks having a more… hypnotic sway to them. “You know Moonie~ You’re rather cute. Maybe I’ll have you pay back breakfast with a date instead~”

Moondancer’s face lit up with a brilliant crimson as she took a healthy step back from the seductive mare. “I-I-I-I…” Her brain just failed right about there.

“Haha, you’re so cute,” Mocha giggled and pet her head again. “Don’t worry dear. I already have my eye on somepony else. So you’re safe… for now~”

Moondancer let out a sigh of relief. She had no idea how to deal with… those kinds of situations. And Tino laughing was not helping matters either. A quick scowl shut him up though.

An ornate wooden clock on the wall chimed and Moondancer looked at it. Oh horseapples, the library was scheduled to open soon!

“Thank you for breakfast,” the unicorn said as she floated some bits into the counter. “I really appreciate it. But I really need to get going. The library is opening soon…”

“Oh?” Antino spoke up. “Mind if I tag along? I need to return a book before I start work.”

“I… suppose?” Moondancer said. Well, he had returned her wallet. So maybe she could walk with him. Oh, she still had a question to ask him too.

“Cool,” Antino paid for their meals and got to his hooves. “Well shall we get going? I need to get to work soon after.”

“Oh?” Moondancer asked, not noticed he’d paid for her too as the pair left the cafe, Mocha bidding them a farewell and letting out a little giggle.

“Yeah,” Antino nodded as he adjusted his jacket against the abrasive cold winds, the tails of his coat fluttering behind him. “Well not really a ‘job’ persay. Every month, I write a report of my experiences, interactions, that sort of thing. Then present it to Princess Celestia. She’s keeping it as a study of how human's in Equestria handle living in this world. In return, I get a small stipend to live off of. The others do the same as well, but I don't know many of them very well.”

“Huh? How interesting,” Moondancer said and she gasped, pausing in her step. “That reminds me!” She said… well, more like shouted really.

“What?” Antino turned to look at her, surprised by her suddenly raised voice. “Jeeze, don’t scare me like that.”

Moondancer either didn’t hear him or ignored him. “Last night at that club. How do you know so much about magic? Can you actually use magic?”

Ahh, so that’s what this was about. “No,” he eventually replied. “I wish I could cause well, casting magic would be pretty awesome. But the subject still fascinates me. So I figured that since it was such a prominent force in this world, I might as well learn about it.”

“Interesting,” Moondancer replied, not having expected such a… practical answer. A lot of ponies could learn with being taught at least basic magical theory, even if they weren’t a unicorn. It also didn’t help that Celestia’s School was about the only place in Equestria that even taught extensive magic.

“That’s what I think with each new book I read,” Tino nodded as they resumed their trek, more than eager to get out of the freezing cold. When ponies said Winter was coming, they sure as hell meant it. “Twilight taught me a good deal when I was staying with her. And it was just a habit I kept up with when I moved here I guess.”

“You were staying with Twilight?” Moondancer asked him, a little curious now.

“When I first arrived,” he nodded in response. “I stayed here in Canterlot until the Princess gave me the all clear. Has to make sure I wasn’t going to make anypony sick with weird otherworldly illnesses and vice versa, amongst other things.”

“Well yeah, I could see how that would be bad,” Moondancer agreed. Seems this human was much more interesting that she initially gave him credit for. “Well, have you had any problems so far?”

“Not particularly,” he said. “Apparently I had a small immune system deficiency when I first arrived. I caught a cold and was stuck with it for a solid month.” He sniffed and rubbed his nose. “So let’s get out of this cold eh?”

“Agreed,” Moondancer said, tugging up the neck of her sweater as the two started a more hurried pace through the blustery winds…

Miss Page Notetaker sat at her counter, having opened the library a few moments ago, but the building was still empty for the time being. Given the cold outside… and the fact it was a Sunday, she wasn’t expecting a huge amount of visitors today.

She gave a soft sigh as she pushed her glasses up with her magic, idly flipping the page of the book she was reading.

…

Then she let out a loud whinny as the front doors slammed open, two individuals dashing through before slamming the door closed again.

“What the the holy hardbacked horseapples!” Page exclaimed as she ducked behind the counter. Between a Changeling in invasion and a demonic centaur attack, she’d developed something of a phobia of jump scares.

“Gods that’s fresh,” Antino shivered as he shook his coat. “You okay Miss Moondancer?”

“I-I-I’m f-freezing,” the mare stuttered as her ear flicked and she noticed the terrified librarian. “S-S-Sorry Miss P-P-Page.”

“Honestly you two,” Page sighed and put a hoof to her chest to try and slow her rapidfire heartbeat. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

“Sorry Miss Page,” the pair echoed.

The older unicorn sighed and adjusted her glasses again. “Well… I suppose I can’t blame you. Come on. I’ll get the fire started and make some cocoa.” She walked out from behind the desk as the wind-frozen pair followed her, the promise of hot cocoa akin to a Siren’s song.

“So, you two finally got to know one another,” Page mused as she nursed a mug of steaming cocoa. “Given you’re my most constant patrons, I’d figured you two would become fast friends.”

“Friends seems a bit of a stretch,” Moondancer said with a snort. “Maybe acquaintances.” Sure, he’d helped her out this morning and maybe he was somewhat interesting to converse with… but she had friends already.

“Ouch,” Antino winced.

“Shot down,” Page chuckled. “Ah well, you’ll get there.”

“Hopefully,” Antino replied.

“I wasn’t expecting to be sitting by a fire sipping cocoa in the library,” Moondancer commented, attempting to change the topic. “Still, this place has always felt like a second home to me.”

“That much I know,” Page chuckled. “So what’s your plan for today? More studying?”

“Actually,” Moondancer coughed into her hoof. “Mister Antino and I will be discussing magical theory today.”

“Is that so?” Page mused and smiled like a Cheshire cat. “Well, that sounds like a fine way to spend the day as good friends should.”

“We’re not friends!” Moondancer huffed and folded her forelegs. What was it with everypony coming to that conclusion? Did a single conversation now quantify as suitable requirements for friendship?

Page just offered Tino a sympathetic shrug as she sipped her drink.

“Speaking of, we should get going soon,” Antino spoke up. “If I’m to get this report to the Princess before the masses show up for Morning Court.”

“Ah,” Moondancer nodded, loathe to leave the security of the library. It was warm in here, safe. With all the books she could ever want. And yet…

’I wish to know more about him. He’s an enigma wrapped in a mystery and he’s… interesting.’

Her contemplative expression drew a smile from the librarian mare, Page silently chuckling to herself as she got to her hooves, stretching not unlike a cat. “Well, I’ll let you kids out and get my day started.”

“Thank you Miss Page,” Antino nodded. “For the drink as well.”

“You’re most welcome,” Page smiled as they headed towards the front entrance. Once there, Moondancer and her human companion braced themselves to brave the oncoming cold before they doors were opened and the blustery air made them shiver simultaneously.

“Do we have to go out there?” Moondancer whined.

“Unfortunately,” Antino sighed as he zipped up his coat and together with his pony pal, they dashed out and started their journey towards the castle.

“It’s official, I hate winter,” Moondancer grumbled as they entered the main foyer of Canterlot Castle. The main palace never failed to impress Moondancer, no matter how many times she saw it. The tall walls, decorated with ornate staied windows and little sconces filled with the most aromatic lavender flowers. Ponies in the castle must sleep like the dead with that.

There was already a procession of ponies waiting close by the massive double doors that led to the inner throne room. Two guards standing there with gleaming golden armour with stoic expressions on their faces. However, the massive oaken doors remained closed.

“Seems Morning Court hasn’t started yet,” Antino said with a small hum. “Good, we still have time.”

“Uh, do you even see that line?” Moondancer deadpanned. “We’ll be here for hours. Honestly, you have to be here the crack of dawn to get in first.”

“Hmm, is that so?” the human mused as he looked around and his eyes widened. “Ah, there she is!”

Moondancer tilted her head as he walked towards a guard heading down a hall to the right. It was one of Princess Luna’s Night Guard, if the dark blue armour was anything to go by. As she moved to catch up with Antino, she saw it was a thestral, also known as a batpony.

“Hey, Stel,” Antino called out, catching her attention. The mare turned, her golden eyes showing signs of exhaustion.

“Eh,” her voice rasped, a thick Northern accent permeating her voice. “Who th’fuck has the balls to call me out?”

“Calm down,” Antino chuckled as Moondancer visibly recoiled from the mare’s harsh tone. She looked really mad. Was Antion crazy? Getting so close to a pissed off Night Guard?

“Huh?” the mare’s head tilted slowly before she snapped it upright, a bright and fanged smile appearing on her muzzle. “Well hey there Tino. The fuck you doing here at Tia’s sunny arsecrack of mornin’?”

“Stella, it’s like ten in the freaking morning,” Antino didn’t seemed fazed at all by her… less than publicly acceptable lexicon. “I’m surprised you’re even awake.”

“Fuuuuck, don’t remind me,” she groaned, dragging a hoof down her face. “I literally jus’ knocked off after a double shift.”

“Oh?” Antino inquired as Moondancer hesitantly drew closer to them.

“Aye, some cockgoblin thought it’d be a fan-fuckin-tastic idea to show off for some’o th’ maids durin’ practice. Dipshit combined his face with his arse when he crashed. And guess which lucky mare got his shift?”

“Well, double the pay huh?” Antino shrugged with a hopeful tone.

“Aye, silver linin’ and all that shit amirite?” she chuckled and shrugged. “Honestly, I’m lookin’ forward to just makin sweet juicy love to me cot right now. Maybe ‘ave a wank first.”

“As charming as always,” Antino rolled his eyes.

“Oh fuck off, you love me,” she chuckled and reared up to lightly punch his shoulder.

Moondancer’e eyes widened. How was Antino friends with… with such a loudmouthed and crass mare? She swore the sailors at the airship docks would blush if they met her.

“So?” The thestral mare dropped down to all fours and her eyes locked onto Moondancer, that predatory gaze making her fur stand on end and triggering all her flight responses. “Who’s the nerd?”

“Be nice,” Antino chuckled and shook his head. “Stel, this is Moondancer, my new friend.”

“Hmm…” the batpony stalked around her, Moondancer trying to look as small as possible. “Hmmmmm…”

“Y-Yes?” Moondancer managed to squeak out, before hiding her muzzle with the collar of her sweater.

“Aye,” the guard nodded and smiled, before taking Moon’s hoof and shaking it. “Th’ names Stella Sabre. Night Guard and all around sexiest mare alive.” She chuckled and pulled the unicorn closer. “An’ don’t you worry. Ah won’t bite you… Unless yer into that~

“Goddammit Stella,” Antino facepalmed. “Just… tell us where the Princess is.”

Stella let out aloud laugh and ran a hoof through her mane. “Aye, yer wish is me fuckin’ command.” She turned around and… well Moondancer got a nice, close up look of the mare’s shapely rump. A view that heated her cheeks quite nicely.

“Well then, if you’d follow me,” she laughed and started to stride down the halls.

“And congratulations,” Antino whispered to Moondancer. “You just survived your first encounter with Stella unscathed. Not many can claim that lofty title.”

“Oi! I fuckin’ heard that!” Stella said and pointed to her fluffy ears.

“Really, so you haven’t gone deaf in your old age then?” Antino quipped back.

“Oh fuuuuck off,” Stella drawled, the pair of them laughing as Moondancer just stared at them incredulously. Okay, how the the what? Antino’s collection of friends was a varied as a box of mystery chocolates.

“You coming?” Antino called to her. She gave a small pause before nodding and following after him.

Well, of all the ponies Antino had expected to meet today, Stella was not one of them. Not that he was complaining mind you, she was a great friend and never failed to make him laugh. He’d thought ponies were sugary, innocent and as pure as the freshly fallen snow when he’d first met them. And all those months in Ponyville hadn’t helped that generalisation of the species in the slightest.

Then he’d moved to Canterlot.

And one fateful day, literally bumped into Stella F. Sabre.

The sheer… profanity this mare expelled from her muzzle had shattered his worldviews and caused a minor mental shutdown. Mind you, once he got used to her, the two quickly became fast friends and she often dropped by his and Astral’s place to shoot the breeze.

Or show up at three in the morning, smelling like a brewery and promptly crashing on their couch.

Stella is as Stella does.

“So?” the batpony asked as they walked and pointed at Moondancer with a wing. “You bangin’ her or what?”

Antino nearly tripped over his own feet, and thankfully, Moondancer was too busy looking at some stained glass windows, so she missed the comment.

“W-What? No!” Antino blushed as Stella cackled at his reaction. “Geezus Stella. I literally just met her yesterday.”

“What’s taken ye so long then?” she mused. “Stop bein’a pussy and ask her out eh?” She bumped his leg with her flank. “You got me in yer corner eh? How can you lose?”

“I am overflowing with confidence,” Antino deadpanned. He had to admit that Miss Moondancer was pretty. And the thoughts of dating a pony had crossed his mind more than once. Some mares had asked him out in the past. But they were only interested because he was ‘exotic’.

“As well ye fuckin’ should be,” Stella nodded and tapped his shoulder with a wingtip. “Well, here’s ya stop. I need to catch some shuteye aye?”

“Aye,” Antino mimicked and smiled. “Thanks Stel.”

She just waved a wing as she sauntered off and when Moondancer looked at her, she swore the mare had a sensual sway with her rump. Moondancer suppressed her rising blush and turned back to Antino. “You have uh… interesting friends.”

“That I do,” he nodded and turned to the doors that Stella had led them to. Raising a hand, he knocked twice on the door. “Princess? You in?”

“Come in,” a muffled feminine tone called out. Antino opened the door and stepped inside, Moondancer following close behind. And what the young unicorn saw warranted a rather, in her mind, valid response.

“Wut?”

The Princess. The Immortal Alicorn of the Sun. Eternal bringer of the Dawn…

Lay spread on a table, cucumber slices over her closed eyes, a green mudmask covering her white face and her mane, normally blowing on an ethereal breeze, lay limp and a was a deep, chocolate brown colour, tied up in mane curlers. Several ponies tended to her. One carefully preened her large, swan-like wings. Another tended to her long, spiral horn. A file carefully working through the grooves, removing any imperfections while a third and fourth buffed her hooves.

“Wow, so even the perfect princess needs a beauty routine huh?” Antino mused as Moondancer stood there, her mouth agape.

“Well,” Celestia chuckled. “Nopony is perfect, it takes a little effort.”

“So I see,” Antino chuckled. “I brought my report for you.”

“Ah, I’ve been looking forward to that,” Celestia hummed as her wings twitched. “So, how have you been?”

“Not bad, it’s getting a bit chilly outside though,” Antino commented.

“Hmm, well it is that time of year,” the alicorn mused. “Also, who’s your friend? I heard hoofsteps come in with you?”

“Oh,” Moondancer’s eyes widened as Antino answered the question. “Her name is Moondancer, we’re hanging out today. Probably talk some magic stuff.”

Celestia paused and lifted a cucumber from her eye with her magic, flinching as the file rubbed her now sensitive horn. “Ah, hello there Moondancer. Are you doing well?”

“Y-Yes your Highness,” Moon stammered.

“Hm?” Celestia looked at the mare and tilted her head lightly. “Is that so?”

What was that supposed to mean? Did she somehow know about the research slump she was currently in? Nopony knew about that… well, nopony sans Minuette.

You try keeping a secret from her? See how long that lasts.

“Y-yes, no problems at all,” Moondancer finally spoke up.

“Well, that’s good to hear,” Celestia said as her beauticians finished up. Once they were clear and the various treatments removed, Celestia’s hair billowed, colour filling it as she took on her usual, regal appearance. “Ahh, now I feel much better,” she sighed. “So, shall you two walk with me to Court?”

“Sure,” Antino said and pat Moondancer on the withers. “Shall we?”

“Oh uh… yes?” Moondancer shook her head, still trying to process all that. Who knew the Princess did such things? It was… well okay then. She fell into step beside Antino, the human walking in between the two mares.

“So, how did the two of you become friends?” Celestia asked as they walked. A flash of magic saw her usual vestments appear on her form.

“We met at Neon’s last night,” Antino explained. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t planning to stay long, so our conversation was pretty short.”

“And then again this morning,” Moondancer added. “I’ve… had something of a rough morning and on top of it all, I’d lost my purse. Which thankfully, Mister Antino found for me.”

“Well, sounds like your fortune’s looking up then hm?” Celestia chuckled at the mare. “And how is your research coming along? You were researching stable Time Travel were you not?”

Moondancer flinched, but she knew there was no way to hide anything from the Princess. “Yes… until I found out that Starswirl already did that,” she muttered. “And while the spell has been lost now. I just… lost motivation to continue my own research.”

“Ahh, I know what you mean,” Celestia said and nodded her head. “I once tried my hoof at composing a song. I don’t know why, but I had a tune in my head and simply had to put it to paper.”

Moondancer’s eyes widened. She’d never heard of this before. Off the top of her head, she didn’t know of any songs personally composed by the princess.

“Unfortunately,” Celestia continued. “After it was done, I had the marvellous idea to play it for my subjects. While I received some accolade for my performance… one more, down-to-earth noble pulled me aside later and explained that it was a piece from a play that by the time, was a few centuries old. I must have seen it back then, forgotten and suddenly recalled the song.”

Moondancer giggled before clapping a hoof to her mouth. “Oh my gosh, I didn’t mean to laugh…”

“Don’t be,” the alicorn giggled. “While I was rather embarrassed at the time, I now find the memory quite amusing.” Her steps slowed as they neared the throneroom and she exhaled a small sigh. “Well, another day begins I suppose.”

“Good luck,” Antino said and pat her shoulder. “Hey, you could always come and hang out later. I’m pretty sure Stella plans to invite herself over for a movie night.”

Celestia tapped her chin and she smiled. “You know, I’ll mention it to Sunny.”

“Cool,” the human smiled as the alicorn’s horn lit up to teleport into her throne room, and avoid getting mobbed at the door.

“Huh?” Moondancer hadn’t been able to follow the last part of that conversation. “Who’s Sunny? Another friend of yours?”

“You could say that,” Antino nodded and paused. “Hey, there’s an idea.”

“What?” Moondancer replied flatly, she was so over getting confused today.

“Why don’t you come over as well?” he asked. “Movie Night is pretty fun. Not sure what we’ll watch yet. But if Sunny and Stella show up, plus me and my roommate… should make for a fun night.”

“I-I don’t know,” Moondancer replied nervously. Go over a stallion’s house? Along with a bunch of ponies she didn’t know? “I…”

“You could bring a friend if you want,” Antino said, as if sensing her nervousness. “And I’m not pressuring you. You can just say no but…”

“But?” Moondancer asked.

“Well,” Antino rubbed the back of his head. “I’d like us to be friends Miss Moondancer. You’re pretty smart, and I quite enjoy spending time with you.”

“O-Oh,” Moondancer fought down a rising heat in her cheeks. “Well… you’d, actually not be the most unusual friend I have.” Minuette took that trophy with ease. Hmm, speaking of, meeting him was all Minnie’s fault. Time to call in a favour. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

“Really?” Antino said, sounding surprised. “W-Well, great. Awesome.”

Moondancer shook her head and smiled. “Well, you might as well tell me where you live then, else this night’s ended before it began.”

“Oh right,” the human replied as he took out a slip of paper and a pencil, writing out the address of his apartment. “No need to bring anything. We’ll have plenty of snacks and drinks.”

“Alright,” Moondancer nodded, her heart beating hard in her chest. What was this feeling anyway? Must have been nerves.

Yeah… that was all.

Author's Note

So I finally got around to writing this.

Also, Stella belongs to Flammenwerfer So if you haven't, go give the guy some love.

Edit: Also had the change the stories rating from Everyone to Teen because of Stella. Censoring her would have been a disservice, so a sacrifice had to be made.

Goddammit Stella.

Chapter Three

“Okay… I’m a lil confused,” Minuette said as she trotted next to Moondancer. “Can we please go over this again?”

Moondancer sighed, looking up and the darkening sky. The sun had set only just, the moon rising and the world was trapped in the brief moment of twilight. The sky was a gradient blend of oranges and blues, the first star of the night was yet to appear.

“It’s simple,” Moondancer said with a roll of her eyes. “We’re going to Mister Antino’s apartment to watch a movie with him and some of his friends. Simple.”

“Nonono, not ‘simple’,” Minuette said with a wave of her hooves. “HOW did you go from hating his guts, to going around his place? In the span of twenty four hours!”

“We talked,” Moondancer said, relishing the rare moment she had Minuette of all ponies flustered. “That’s what you wanted right?”

“W-Well, yes…” Minuette frowned as she calmed down. This was super weird. Was this some kind of prank… no, couldn’t be. She doubted that Moondancer even knew what a prank was. And Antino and herself didn’t know one another well enough to prank one another, so that ruled him out. “Okay… So why am I here?”

“Because… well,” Moondancer pawed at the ground with a hoof. “I was, kinda, sorta maybe—” Her voice lowered a few decibels. “—Too nervous to go by myself.”

Minuette paused.

Minuette processed CuteMoonie.gif.

Minuette lunged and activated Hug.exe

“Ack!” Moondancer stumbled back under the force of the high velocity embrace, just barely remaining on her hooves. “Minuette! What the hay?”

“I can’t help it when you get so cute,” the blue unicorn giggled and nuzzled her. “You should have told me from the get go. I’ll happily be your wingmare.”

“Wing… but, we’re unicorns, not pegasi,” Moondancer replied to the confusing term.

“It’s…” Minuette sighed and shook her head. “Nevermind. Let’s go to this movie night.”

“About time,” Moondancer sighed as she led the way. Her ears turned back a little as her nerves started to set in. If it was just Antino, this might have been fine. But now that Stella mare was showing up, as well as two other ponies she hadn’t met yet?

Sweet Celestia, what was she getting herself into?

“Okay, Tino?” Astral said, poking her head up from the couch. “Imma say this once. Would you please stop your damned pacing?”

Said human had been pacing up and down their short hallway for about twenty minutes now and it was beginning to wear on the pegasi’s nerves.

“Honestly, she said she was coming over right?”

“Well yeah,” Antino countered. “But… what if she can’t find the place at night? Or if she changed her mind?”

“Geeze, you’re fretting more than a filly waiting for her coltfriend,” Astral sighed. “And as a mare, I find that I take offense to what I just said. Just… I dunno, go cook something in the kitchen or something. We can never have too many snacks.”

“Huh…? Well, I guess I could,” he murmured as he wandered off into the kitchen.

“Honestly,” Astral sighed and gave her wings an idle flick. While his fretting had been getting on her nerves, it was also kind of cute. She’d never seen him act like this, well, not since she’d first met him.

Astral fell into step just behind the alicorn princess ahead her. Apparently during Court, she’d sensed something… odd coming from the massive hedge maze at the rear of the castle. While Discord’s appearances meant that ‘unusual’ occurrences weren’t all that uncommon, the alicorn had said she didn’t feel his magic at play here.

So she’d rounded up some guards that were present, two of the guards in the throne room and two of her Honor Guard. Very powerful ponies that were tasked with guarding the Princess herself. As a rank and file guard, Astral didn’t recognise either of them though. A red-coated pegasus stallion and of all things, a thestral mare. She was stunningly beautiful though, with her milk chocolate coat and platinum blonde mane and tail.

Er, well… incredibly pretty ponies aside. Astral and her current partner, an Earth pony mare named Secure Lines were also roped in to this little venture.

“Any idea what it is?” Secure asked in a quiet tone as she walked next to Astral.

“No idea,” Astral whispered back. “I hope it’s not something like Tirek again.” Secure nodded at that one. Just once, something the Guards could ‘actually’ handle would be nice. But nooo, seems the recent menu only had ancient evils that were well beyond their paygrade.

“Worry not,” Celestia said with a soft smile. “What I sensed may be unusual, it doesn’t feel overly dangerous. That said… I could also be wrong.”

“Real inspiring Sunbutt,” the thestral mare mused. “Well whatever it is, I’m sure we can handle it. We have two rather pretty meatshields back there~”

“What!?” Secure and Astral yelled.

“Kidding~” the mare giggled and winked. “Don’t worry, you two are much too cute for that. If it’s bad, I’ll protect you~”

“Midnight,” Celestia sighed and shook her head. “Alright, we’re here. Now what do you suppose it…” She trailed off as the ponies heard sounds emanating from within the maze. Something was definitely moving around in there. And whatever it was, it was getting closer.

Astral and Secure drew their spears and brought them to bear. The pegasus stallion pulling out a long, black bow as Midnight just stood there with a bemused expression.

There was a terse few moments as nothing happened, just the sound of rustling shrubbery and the clank of the armour of the ponies lying in wait.

“Hold,” Celestia said as she raised a wing. “Do not act unless I say so.”

“Ma’am,” came the murmur of all four guards as they suddenly flinched, a tall creature emerging suddenly from the maze’s entrance. It looked around, seemingly confused as to where it was. It was tall, at least as tall as Celestia herself. It wore clothing, but that seemed tattered and… charred in some places? A short, messy black mane covered it’s head and any visible skin was hairless and tanned. It’s eyes looked far too small, and when it noticed the ponies, they widened distinctly, the pupils growing smaller. It… looked afraid.

Then… it spoke? It was definitely speaking, though the language was completely incomprehensible.

“What… is it saying?” Midnight tilted her head.

“I am afraid I do not know,” Celestia said. She knew a few languages, some old and unspoken by any living creature. But this tongue of his was something new altogether.

“It’s not Equestrian, or Thestrali,” Midnight commented. “Princess, your orders?”

Then they all gasped as Astral started walking towards it.

“Soldier! What are you doing!?” Midnight hissed at her as the pegasus stepped closer, keeping her head down a bit, her ears back as she inched closer to the strange creature. When he saw her spear and took an uneasy step back… she puased herself and looked at the weapon, before gently setting it down on the grass.

“Archer, take aim,” Midnight said as the red stallion nodded and nocked an arrow, only for Celestia to shake her head.

“No, let’s see how this plays out,” she said with a small smile as Astral inched closer and closer. Once she was about a half dozen hooves away, she stopped and they pair just stared at one another for a moment.

“Can… you understand me?” she asked him, keeping her tone even. “My words. Do they make sense?”

The creature stared for a moment, then shook its head, speaking something in it’s odd language again.

“So that would be a no,” Astral sighed. She looked at her hooves and the way it seemed to carry itself. Something about it was… oddly pony-like in it’s facial expressions and tone. Taking a breath, she slowly extended her right forehoof towards it and raised it, holding it in the air.

Midnight’s whole body tensed up, preparing to leap at a moment’s notice as Secure clutched her lance, hoping her fellow guard wasn’t about to be eaten.

And then the creature folded in on itself? As if gravity and physics meant little to it as it’s legs folded under it, bringing its head down to Astral’s height. It was… oddly disconcerting to watch. How did such a creature do something like that and retain balance without a tail?

Nonetheless, it did and looked comfortable as it raised one of it’s arms, and pressed the palm of its hand against her hoof, leaving its fingers extended.

“I… think it’s okay,” Astral said, though not too loudly as so she wouldn’t startle it. “I think it’s friendly.”

“You’re lucky you’re not dead,” Midnight hissed back. “Honestly…”

“Oh, like you don’t do something crazy every other week,” Archer mused. “Who took on Tirek with her bare hooves again?”

“Woulda won if it wasn’t for that cheating prick Discord,” the mare mumbled.

Celestia let them bicker as she stepped forwards, mimicking Astral as she kept her head lowered and her wings tucked in to make herself as small as possible. That said, the creature did seem more wary, possibly due to her much larger frame… wait, where was he looking?

Her horn?

Ohh, her horn ‘was’ much longer. Perhaps it looked like a weapon to it?

So she mimicked him this time, tucking her legs under herself and laying on the soft grass.

“Princess?” Midnight asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Let us sit,” she smiled. “And figure this out hmm?”

Astral shook her head, snapping out of the memory as a series of rapid knocks on the door nabbed her attention. Before she could even hazard a guess as to who it was…

“Oi!” Stella’s raspy accented tone shouted out. “Ya gonna let me in or what cunts?”

“Goddammit Stella,” Astral and Antino echoed as the mare moved to open the door, letting the loud batpony inside.

“Thanks love!” she mused and planted a sloppy kiss on Astral’s cheek. The pegasus rolled her eyes. “So, where’s everypony else?”

“You’re the first one,” Antino said from the kitchen. “Want a drink?”

“I would let you bend me over that table for one,” Stella groaned.

“Pass, and look in the fridge.”

“Aww,” the batpony chuckled as Astral shook her head. She turned away from the door and took a step…

*knock knock*

“Of course,” the pegasus rolled her eyes and turned back, opening it. Standing outside was a unicorn mare. She had a pinkish white coat and a dark brown mane and tail. Her cutie mark was a sun hiding behind a trio of clouds, but Astral recognise those amethyst eyes easily.

“Ah, so you were able to make it Sunny?”

“Indeed, today has been a loooong day and this sounds like a good way to unwind,” the mare agreed. “May I come in?”

“Sure,” Astral stepped to one side as she entered. “Stella just showed up as well.”

“Aye!” the mare in question beamed from the kitchen entrance, sipping from a mug filled with some kind of liquid. “Sup Sunnybuns?”

“Greetings yourself,” Sunny Days chuckled and nodded her head. “I see you’re wasting no time on sprinting towards inebriation.”

“Aye!” Stella raised her mug.”Ya want one ye old prissy princess?”

Sunny snorted and rolled her eyes. “Please, like you could outdrink me you batwinged harlot.”

“Tha’ sounds an awful lot like a challenge,” Stella narrowed her eyes, Sunny returning the challenging stare.

“Just… don’t break anything,” Antino sighed as he glanced at the clock. Maybe Moondancer wasn’t planning to turn up after all…

*knock knock knock*

“Oh? Expecting somepony else?” Sunny asked with a small tilt of her head as Stella passed her a mug of ale. The she giggled as Antino practically bounded to the door, just barely reining himself in as he opened the door and looked down.

Okay, who was this pony? She was a blue unicorn mare with a dark blue and light grey mane and tail. The coat she wore obscured her cutie mark but she seemed to stare at him with equal confusion. Antino swore that he’d seen this mare somewhere before.

“Uhh… hi?” the pony waved her hoof. “Hiya. My name’s Minuette. It’s been a while huh?”

Oh? Oh! Now he remembered. He’d met her outside Joe’s one day and they shared a pretty decent conversation. Still, it didn’t answer the question as to why she was here now. Did one of the others invite her to Movie Night? Maybe Sunny? She didn’t seem like one of Stella’s friends.

“Uh, you okay?” Minuette waved a hoof in front of his face. “Heeeey, Equestria to Tino.”

“Huh?” the human snapped out of his introspection and looked back to her. “Sorry, I… was expecting someone else.”

“Ahhh,” Minuette nodded in understanding. “Maybe… somepony like this?” She reached out to the side and pulled someone else over, hugging a nervous Moondancer close to her. “Maybe somepony of the bookworm variety?”

“M-Minuette!” Moondancer blushed as Antion’s head slowly tilted. While her hooves had gotten cold at the last second, she should have figured that Minuette wouldn’t let her bail so easily. She looked up and noted the human’s confused expression. She put two and two together. “You said I could invite somepony,” she spoke out, though her voice was kind of quiet.

“Ohh,” Antino nodded. And stepped back, opening the door wider. “Please come in. It’s freezing out there.”

“No kidding,” Minuette shivered as she walked past him, Moondancer hesitantly following close behind. This was the first time she’d been in a stallion’s house before… well, apartment. Eh, same difference. Still, this was kind of nerve wracking…

“Oh hey, it’s the cute lil nerd from earlier,” a rather distinctive tone called out and Moondancer’s expression settled into a flat stare.

“Oh hey, it’s the loudmouthed bat from earlier,” she deadpanned without thinking. Everypony just… stopped and stared at her as Stella’s eyes widened ever so slightly. Why were they…

Oooh, she’d just said that to a pony that could probably murder her.

“I… um… I mean…” Moondancer stammered as the imposing thestral stepped closer and bared her fangs.

Before breaking into a wide grin and patting her hard across the withers. “Hahaha, now that’s whut ah’m talkin’ about!” she laughed and threw a leg around the back of the unicorn’s neck, dragging her further into the house. “See slags, this is how you get shit across.”

“No, pretty sure that’s most ponies default reaction to you,” Antino said with a roll of his eyes, and that earned his a swat from her tail as she hauled Moondancer over to where Sunny was sitting.

“It seems you’ve now made friends with Stella,” Sunny said to the unicorn and offered a small smile. “My deepest condolences.”

“Oh fuck off,” Stella snorted as she filled two glasses with some kind of amber liquid. “Oh yeh, this here is Sunnybuns. Come on down from high to grace us mere mortals with her radiant presence. Sunbutt, this here is…” Stella paused and looked at Moon. “Er, sorry bout that. I appear to ‘ave misplaced your name.”

“Moondancer,” the mare replied and held out a hoof.

“Sunny Days,” came the response from the other as they shook hooves. “A pleasure to meet you Miss Moondancer.”

Well, she seemed pleasant and polite, the exact opposite of the batpony next to her. How were they friends?

“Alright, so everyone’s here now?” Antino called out from the kitchen. “Astral? Could you set up the projector?”

“In a sec,” the mare said as she looked at the table where everypony else was.

Moondancer looked back at her, she hadn’t even noticed her until now. Then again, Stella had a way of standing out. “Oh, um… hello?” This new mare looked… kind of underwhelming. And… was she wearing a hoodie that was made to look like a suit of armour? Antino’s friends were more varied than a box of sampler chocolates.

And why were they all mares?

“That’s Astral,” Sunny pointed out. “She’s a bit shy around new ponies, so be nice to her okay?” She paused and then added. “Oh, she’s also Antino’s roommate.”

Wait? Roommate? Moondancer recalled that Antino mentioned a roommate, but she’d expected a stallion or something. Not a… well a rather attractive and demure pegasus mare.

“You seem to have a loooot of competition in this room Moonie,” Minuette whispered into her ear. “Don’t worry. As your bestest friend, I got your back.”

“Competition for what exactly?” Moondancer whispered back.

“Ye know ah kin hear ya right?” Stella wiggled her ears, causing the mares to flinch. “Trust me nerd. We’re not competition. I’m not interested in him… anymore. And Sunny here is so far out of his league that if his league exploded, she wouldn’t hear the sound for three days.”

“Love you too Stel,” Antino deadpanned. “So, no pineapple on your pizza then?”

“Tino, I’d blow you for that and you know it.”

“True.”

“And as fer the Sol here,” Stella moved over and pat the pegasus on the head with a wing. “Well… she’s about as gay as they come. So I’d worry about Antino having competition for you~”

“W-What!?” Moondancer felt her face heat up as she spluttered. What the heck was she even talking about? And what did that pegasi’s sexual orientation have anything to do with it?

“Stella!” Astral blushed as well, pushing the thestral away with a hoof. “Be quiet and go have your drink.”

“Aye aye,” Stella saluted and chuckled as she strode back over to the table. “Well, that’s everypony…” She paused and looked at Minuette. “Eh, almost. Who’re you?”

“I’m Minuette, Moondancer’s friend and moral support,” the blue unicorn replied cheerfully. “It’s super nice to meet all of you.” Her smile was so bright it was almost blinding.

“…I think I just got a bloody cavity,” Stella quipped as she sipped her drink, her comment went mostly ignored.

“Well, now that everypony is introduced,” Sunny said. “Miss Minuette, Miss Moondancer. This is your first Movie Night here yes?”

“Yuppers!” Minuette smiled and waved. “We weren’t expecting so many ponies here.”

“It’s the usual gang,” Sunny explained. “We get together every so often, eat a bunch of snacks that aren’t necessarily healthy and drink things that make the morning a little unbearable.”

“That… doesn’t sound fun,” Moondancer said, earning an eyeroll from the thestral.

“Perhaps,” Sunny said. “But most of us have jobs that… doesn’t offer much of a chance to unwind and be ourselves. So here, there’s no titles, no responsibilities. Just a group of ponies having fun and enjoying good company and often terrible movies.”

“Well it was Stella’s turn to pick,” Antino called out. “So expect either cheesy horror, gratuitous violence or weird foreign porn.”

“Ah have been known for those things,” Stella puffed out her chest with pride. “Somepony’s gotta keep ya on yer hooves.”

Moondancer and Minuette shared a look that ranged somewhere between abject horror and extreme regret. If this was the latter, they probably couldn’t bail out of this home fast enough.

“Ah, don’t ye worry about it,” Stella chuckled when she noticed their concerned expressions. “This one’ll be great, a cheesy B-Grade action flick.”

“Hm? Which one?” Antino called out, before entering the room, arms laden with bowls of popcorn, diced fruits and vegetables, mini pizzas and nachos.

“Steel Sky, ya know, tha’ one about the Unicorns from the dark side’o the moon coming down an’ invadin’ Equestria.” Stella held up the case containing the movie. “This oughta be good fer a laugh.”

“Hooboy, I know that one,” Antino mused as he returned to the kitchen to get the rest of the snacks. Meanwhile, Minuette sized up the shy guardspony mare that hadn’t been saying much until now. She tapped her chin and then smiled and nodded.

Moondancer felt hooves on her flanks, but before she could mount a proper retort, she was pushed across the room until she was nearly nose-to-nose with Astral, both mares squeaking in surprise. “Okay!” the energetic blue unicorn smiled widely, her grin almost blinding. “Let’s get some introductions done and become friends okay!”

“I… um…” Astral took a step back.

“This is Moondancer, adorable nerd pone and scholar,” Minuette ploughed on regardless. “She’s a new friend of Tino’s, but I think they’ll get along fine.”

“Y-You don’t say,” Astral said uneasily, more confused as to how to handle the hyperactive mare instead of being nervous. “N-Nice to meet you?”

“Sure…” Moondancer said, long since used to Minuette’s antics. Seriously, she should have picked Lemon to come along with her instead. “Nice to meet you too.”

“Yay! And with that, we are now friends,” Minuette clapped her hooves. “So tell us Astral. What's it like being a Royal Guard?”

“Ye know ah’m a guard too,” Stella said.

“They mean a real guard,” Antino called out from the kitchen.

“Oh fuck off!” Stella called back. “Least I got a job ya knob!”

“So do I, it's called ‘Professional Procrastinator’,” the human retorted. He soon emerged again and Sunny’s eyes widened as he put bowl after bowl of snacks on the table. Until she couldn't see the surface of said table underneath.

“Don't you think you went a little overboard?” the mare raised an eyebrow.

“You think so?” Antino asked as he looked at the buffet of treats. Candies, chips, cupcakes and an assortment of other delectables. Stella and Minuette were already helping themselves.

“Maybe not…” Sunny deadpanned as she watched the mares wolf down the food like hungry Timberwolves. She almost growled when they reached for the cakes, both mares wisely backing off.

Astral moved to finish setting up the projector and inserted the crystal disc. Bulky cassettes were a thing of the past now. “Is everypony ready?” she asked.

“I'd say so,” Antino nodded as he took a space on the couch. Minuette was quick to grab Moondancer and plonk her down beside him as she squished next to her. Astral on his other side, along with Stella as Sunny stole the beanbag chair.

Moondancer felt her face heat up… odd, it wasn't that warm in here. Was she coming down with something?

‘I should run some tests when I get home. The last thing I need is to get sick. Then again… It has been cold lately. I should look into getting my flu shots…’

She looked up to see that somepony had dimmed the lights and the movie was already playing.

‘What… when did… I really should stop spacing out like that. And…’ She adjusted her position and stole a glance to the person on her right. ‘He's… rather warm. Despite not having fur. Does he have a higher internal body temperature. Maybe I should ask Twilight if she has notes… Stupid question, of course she has notes. Probably a whole tome on him. Hmm, maybe I could switch to Xenobiology for a while.’

Antino glanced down and looked at his newest friend. She was staring at the screen pretty intensely. Was she that interested in what appeared to essentially be little pony Nazis.

Seriously, ponies were just adorable no matter what. Even serious space Nazis from the moon were just so damned cute.

‘I hope she's enjoying herself. I was worried she might not have shown up… but more surprised she actually did.’ He found that the unicorn had been in his thoughts lot since he'd first met her.

Minuette stared at the two spacing out again. There really was no helping them huh. And she couldn't offer verbal advice during a movie… Hmm, what do…

Then she caught Astral’s gaze and the pair gave a silent nod. Inching closer, they pushed the human and unicorn closer together, the mares now comrades in shipping. The fires of friendship forged in the embers of their OTP.

Moondancer and Antino hadn’t even noticed that they were pressed up against each other, each of them lost in their respective introspections. Stella laughing at a particularly cheesy scene of the villainess giving a rather dramatic monologue.

“Who do th’ badguys think monologuing is a good idea?” she asked nopony in particular, taking a sip of her drink.

“I suppose, it’s mostly for exposition,” Sunny replied, earning a shrug from the batmare.

“Tha’s what ah woulda thought,” she replied and took a long sip of her drink. “But remember Queen Bugbutt?”

“You know I do,” Sunny said, idly putting a hoof to her horn as old memories were dredged up.

“Well, she could monologue with th’ best of ‘em,” Stella pointed out. “I seriously didn’t think anypony would do something that…” She rolled her hoof in the air, trying to think of an appropriate word.

“Foalish?” Sunny offered.

“Inane?” Astral chipped in.

“Dunno, wasn’t there,” Moondancer and Antino said with a scary amount of synchronicity. That got them stared at by the others, but they seemed to ignore it fairly effectively.

“Yes well, it certainly cost her in the end,” Sunny said. “And to think, she might have actually won had she played the role a little more lowkey.”

“Mebbe,” Stella shrugged as something in the movie exploded. “At least until Princess Luna woke up. She’d have been pissed.”

“Only if they woke her up early,” Sunny giggled, getting the attention of Moondancer.

“You know Princess Luna?” she asked Sunny.

“Hmm… you might say that~” Sunny said with an enigmatic smile.

After the movie finished, several ponies got up and stretched, limbs giving off satisfying cracks as Antino cleaned up the snack bowls that had been emptied over the course of the evening.

“So um… what happens now?” Moondancer replied. Stella grinned, one of her fangs poking out as she put a wing over the unicorn.

“Now comes the night-long orgy!” she purred in a sultry tone that had Moon blushing up a storm and rapidly backing up. “Haha, just screwing with ya.”

“You know, maybe there’s a reason you have very few friends,” Antino deadpanned.

“I have plenty of friends,” Stella retorted, unfazed by his jab. “At least I’ve gotten laid. You probably can’t even masturbate without getting cold hooves.”

“Hmm, I dunno, I think an orgy might be a bit too much for Moonie,” Minuette nodded seriously. “The first time should be special ya’know.”

Moondancer and Stella stopped and slowly turned to stare at Minuette. The unicorn stood there for a moment, before grinning widely.

“Gotcha!”

Moondancer shook her head and sighed, while the batpony just laughed along with Minuette. Oh great, now they were bonding.

“This does not bode well for the world as a whole,” Antino nodded, his eyes closed in thoughtful seriousness.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Sunny said as she stretched her legs. “That does beg the question, the night still young… But I also have a long day tomorrow.”

“Aye,” Stella sighed. “Same, I have a shift for most of the day…” She looked at Minuette thoughtfully and smiled. “Mind you, maybe I’ll take a snack home with me~”

“Eh?” Minuette blinked as he bat threw a wing around her, leading her to the door. “Oh… um… okay? Bye Moonie! I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“If ya can still walk by the time I’m done,” Stella purred and nipped her ear as she tugged her out of the door.

“Astra!” Minuette called out. “I leave the rest to yoooouuuuu…” her voice fading away in the distance.

“....wat?” Moondancer had no idea what the heck just happened. How was Miss Stella still hungry after all that snacking?

“Hmm, I guess we should retire,” Astral said suddenly. “Antino. Since her friend is now… indisposed. Why don’t you walk Miss Moondancer home. Canterlot at night is no place for a mare alone.”

“Uh, sure?” Antino blinked as Astral chuckled. “Let me know when you’d like to leave okay?”

“I’ll clean up here with Sunny,” Astral said, her cheeks the slightest shade of pink. She got help get these nerds together and spend time with her crush… Win win~

“Well, if you say so,’ Antino said and looked at Moondancer. “Well, are you ready to head out then?”

“If it’s not a bother,” Moondancer replied and looked outside. It was gonna be cold out there… Buck. Astral noticed this and vanished into her room, returning a moment later with a thick jacket.

“Here,” she said. “It’s probably a little big, but it’ll keep you warm until you get home.”

“Oh… thank you,” Moondancer said as the coat was draped over her small frame. Mmm, it really was nice and warm. It looked well made too.

“Winter gear for the guards are the best,” Astral nodded. “Take care Miss Moondancer. And thanks for coming over. I hope everypony wasn’t too crazy for you?”

“Some more than others,” Moon replied with a light giggle. “But… I had fun tonight. Even if I spent half of it confused.”

“Happens,” Antino nodded as he put his own coat on. “Well, let’s head off then.”

Moondancer nodded and after a wave goodbye to Astral and Sunny… the latter stretching her wings and… wait, wasn’t she a unicorn a moment ago!?

Before she could get a better look, Antino closed the door and started leading her down towards the stairs of the apartment complex. Moondancer snapped out of her trance and trotted after him.

“H-Hey, was it just me or did Miss Sunny have wings for a second there?” she asked, wanting to make sure she wasn’t crazy… or that Stella had spiked her drinks.

“Mhm,” Antino nodded and smiled. “Little secret… you just spent the night watching movies and snacking with Princess Celestia.”

Moondancer paused.

Moondancer blinked.

Moondancer exe. has failed to execute and will be shut down.

“So there’s that,” Antino said as he nudged her shoulder. “Don’t worry, she just honestly likes spending time as a normal pony. Sometimes we have Luna over as well. And I’ve been meaning to invite Twilight up for a visit at some point.”

“If she doesn’t forget about you completely for years on end,” Moondancer muttered under her breath. Antino raised an eyebrow at that. Seems there was a story there. Likely one he shouldn’t get involved with just yet.

“Well, let’s get you home,” he offered with a smile. “This cold is no good for anyone.”

“Agreed,” Moondancer said, shivering despite the warm coat she’d been given. Falling into step next to him, she soon moved a little ahead when it became apparent that he didn’t know where she lived.

Canterlot at night was vastly different to Canterlot during the day. While some ponies were out and about, it didn’t have the bustling nightlife of say, Manehattan or Las Pegasus. Lampposts bathed the quiet streets in a gentle glow, Antino and Moondancer offering a greeting to patrolling officers.

Conversation between the pair was… rather quiet though. Given they’d been talking most of the day, they were now utterly lost for words for some reason. Just the gentle taps of shoes and hooves against the cobblestone pathway.

But when they were getting closer to her home, Moondancer’s nose wrinkled as something rather cold touched it. Looking up, beads of moisture hit her glasses.

“It’s snowing?” Antino spoke up, pointing out the obvious. “I didn’t think that was scheduled.”

“I don’t know,” Moondancer replied. “I never checked the forecast.” Still, snowfall would make the journey home more difficult if it got heavier. “We should probably hurry.”

“Yeah,” Antino agreed as his pace quickened. “Is it much further?”

“No, just two blocks from here,” Moondancer replied. “Honestly, thank you. But you should head back before the snow gets worse.” It was still light, barely able to be called a proper snowing just yet. But that could change soon enough.

“It’s fine,” the human shook his head. “I have long legs after all. And my apartment isn’t too far.”

Moondancer did agree he raised some valid points. His apartment was one made for Guards not residing in the barracks. So it was close to the castle. And her home was close to the library… which was also near the castle. So they only lived a few blocks away from eachother. “Still, I wouldn’t want to to catch a cold.” Given he was from another world, she wondered if he even could get sick with pony diseases. Her hooves kept moving as she thought, Antino nudging her out of the way of a lamppost.

She soon snapped out of it as she reached her home. It was an old building, which was why she’d gotten it so cheap. And since she’d not set the heater, it was bound to be freezing inside. Still…

“Thank you for seeing me home,” Moondancer said and turned to face him. The human was rubbing his arms, was he that cold? Admittedly the snow was chilling things quickly, but the wind had died down so it actually felt a little warmer. Oh wait! He didn’t have fur. Oh geeze, he’s probably freezing. And yet he’d walked her home regardless? Her eyes flicked back and forth as she thought and then nodded. “Would you like to come inside for some hot cocoa. I should have some of the instant stuff.”

Antino looked… surprised? But smiled and nodded. “Sure, that’d be great Miss Moondancer.”

“Hmm, alright,” the mare chuckled as she unlocked the door and removed the magical ones too. What? She had rare books. One could not be too careful. “And you can stop calling me ‘Miss’ all the time. Moondancer is perfectly acceptable.”

“Well, feel free to just call me Tino like everyone else,” the human replied as she stepped into the dark home, her horn lighting up as she walked over to her lanterns and turned them on. A light blush crossed her cheeks as she realised her place was an absolute mess. Books, books and more books were strewn everywhere. Not to mention empty instant noodle and takeout boxes as well as some errant clothes. Pretty much just black sweaters.

“Nice place,” the human said, either not noticing… somehow, or politely ignoring the chaotic mess. “It looks pretty cozy.”

“Um, let me just…” Moondancer’s horn glowed as she started picking up books and stacking them, before looking around and sweeping the rubbish under a table, the long tablecloth hiding the offensive clutter. “I’ll get started on that cocoa…”

“If my being here is a bother,” Antino said, as he watched her panicked cleaning. Sure, the place was a mess, but it didn’t really bother him. You should see his apartment when Astral got a weekend off. It was like a tornado hit the place and usually took him all day the next day to clean it up.

“No no no, I just wasn’t expecting a guest,” Moondancer replied as she moved to the kettle, igniting the wood stove with a quick spell before turning and firing a bolt across the room, igniting the fireplace. Antino blinked at the surprisingly good marksmareship and clapped his hands.

“Huh?” Moondancer looked puzzled as to why he was clapping, but turned back to her kettle. “How do you take it?”

“One sugar thank you,” he replied and looked around. She sure owned a lot of books, some were stacked as high as the ceiling itself. What he’d assumed were darkened windows from the outside, were actually blocked off by more bookshelves. A large study desk was pressed against a wall, inbetween the living room and kitchen. At the far end of the living room was a Princess single bed, and a door nearby which he assumed was the bathroom. The fireplace crackled a good dozen feet away from the bed, filling the room with ample light and warmth. The house was essentially one giant room, with only the bathroom seperate. Still, she made it look liveable.

“I… don’t usually have guests period,” Moondancer said as she walked over to him and held up a mug with her magic. He took it and cupped it in both hands to warm them.

“Thank you,” he nodded as he took a sip. Hmm, not bad. Could use a touch more powder though. And probably use boiled milk over boiled water. Still, it was good. “So, you live here all alone then?”

“Yes, I’ve been on my own ever since I left school,” Moondancer said. “It’s fine. I get to focus on my studies in peace and quiet.” She had nopony to ever bother her. Just… just her her books. Still, she never complained about her life. What was in the past remained there and she had no use for things like friendship…

At least until Twilight Sparkle came knocking all those years later. That… that had been an emotional week. Moondancer was still a little sore about it, years of anger didn’t just disappear overnight after all. But… they were getting there.

Then there was Antino. She’d have never had guessed in a million years that she’d make friends with someone like him. She’d come to think that he wasn’t rude, annoying and everything she’d first imagined. He was smart, witty and a little funny. His friends were varied, but she could see that he liked them all and they liked him in turn.

She found herself feeling warmer now and she shrugged off the coat that Astral had lent her. Even then, she wiped her brow as her cheeks heated up. Geeze, maybe she should try a cooling spell later.

“Is everything okay?” she heard a voice ask and looked up to see Antino staring down at her with a concerned expression.

“Y-Yes, everything’s fine,” she stammered back. Why was her heart beating so fast? Ohno, was she actually getting sick? “I guess I’m a little tired.”

“Oh,” Antino looked at his mug before tipping it back and drinking the rest of it. “Alright. I should head home anyway. Else Astral will have eaten herself into a coma on all those snacks.”

“O-Oh, okay…” He was leaving already? She hadn’t had a chance to ask him any of the questions she had. Yet if she was getting sick, she was worried he might catch it. “We should… hang out again soon then.”

Antino’s face brightened and he nodded, smiling widely. “Yeah, I’d like that very much Miss Moondancer.”

“I thought i said to drop the Miss part?” she chided him. “Go on, before the snow comes down.”

“Yes ma’am,” Antino chuckled as he headed for the door. “Take care Moondancer. See you soon.”

“Mhm,” the mare waved as the human ducked through the door and left. Once he had, she grabbed her medical books and flipped through them. Well, a cold certainly had the high temperatures. But she wasn’t feeling sleepy or achy. Nor was she nauseous. She checked others, but she was certain it wasn’t a panic attack or symptoms caused by night terrors or drug abuse.

“What the heck is wrong with me?” she said aloud. She removed the rest of her clothes and climbed into bed, pulling up the ‘Flame Insignia’ novel she’d been reading. “It’s probably nothing. Maybe just nerves…” She opened the book, forgetting what was happening since it’d been a few days.

Oh…

Seems the main character was falling in love with one of her teammates. The paragraph described her feelings. How her heart pounded like a wardrum whenever he looked at her. How her cheeks flushed and her words got twisted. When he saved her by shielding that arrow, she knew it had to be love…

“Love,” Moondancer snorted as she looked up. Her mind wandered to the human that had left a half hour ago and her heart started to beat harder in her chest. Her eyes widened and she rapidly shook her head, trying to purge her mind of his image. The more she tried, the more it stuck. Her heart racing and her face getting hot again.

“Oh no…” she put her book down as she stared at the door, her eyes widening more. “You have GOT to be kidding me!”

Author's Note

Blerg. This took forever. My muse upped and abandoned me halfway through. So I gotta thank Thadius0 for helping me get past it and pen the rest of this.

And oh dear, seems Moonie's hit upon a certain realisation. I wonder what will happen now?

Also, Stella belongs to Flammenwerfer, as he so generously allows me to add her every now and then. And I love her to bits, so how can I not? If you haven't already, go give the guy some love. He writes some pretty amazing stuff.

Until next time. Aus out!