Chapters A Teacher and Student's Dialogue
Sitting on her cushions before her fireplace in her violet bedroom, Princess Celestia was busy penning an entry in her diary. It was one of the white, nebula-maned Alicorn's favorite hobbies; it was relaxing, uneventful, and allowed her to contemplate and reflect upon the world and her vast collection of many memories.
Celestia's private bookshelves lining her bedroom walls were filled almost exclusively with her diaries; aside from a handful of her absolute favorite novels and poetry collections, the shelves were stacked with thousands and thousands of beautiful, hand-bound volumes of some of the most breathtaking calligraphy ever written.
Celestia had written, published, and released many other books to her citizens of an impressive diversity of categories and genres; they included essays on magical theory, biographies of historical figures she'd personally known, insightful yet impenetrably cryptic philosophical discourses, novels in several genres, and collections of her own poetry, of which her favorite subjects were nature and the pondering of life's deepest mysteries. Through the books she published, Celestia became regarded by literary scholars the world over as a nigh-unequaled master and sage of creative writing, though it was generally agreed that her works were among the most infamously inaccessible.
Because of the tremendous renown of her books, Celestia's diaries were among the most intensely-desired compositions in the literary world; every great scholar or famed book collector would gladly have given their right hoof for even a single volume to glimpse the secrets of the Princess of the Sun's nuanced and beautiful mind.
However, the diaries were for the eyes of Celestia, and Celestia alone. The Princess was so fiercely protective of these precious tomes that many criminals considered attempting to successfully obtain one to be a surpassingly, laughably foolish idea. Indeed, the first command every new Royal Guard received from her was: "You are to prioritize your duties in this order exactly : first, defending my citizens; second, defending your own lives; third, defending my diaries; fourth, defending me."
Celestia's diaries were her most treasured possessions. They held the deepest desires and secrets of her heart, expressed in heartbreakingly esquisite poetry and prose. What the diaries held varied with the passage of time; sometimes they were bitter meditations on the tragedies of immortality, other times they were stories and sonnets of too deep a personal meaning to share with the world.
For the millennium that her sister was banished to the moon, Celestia's diaries had been largely devoted to the most beautifully sorrowful songs and lamentations of longing ever composed. When her sister returned, the author of pieces that could make the most stoic weep with sadness immediately penned celebratory odes that would cause the most world-weary to weep with joy.
There was a knock on Celestia's door. Celestia turned to it and called, "A moment, please," then closed the diary she had been writing in and levitated it to its empty space on her only partially-filled shelf. After levitating her quill and ink bottle to the top of the shelf, she said, "Come in."
The door opened, and Celestia smiled. It was Luna.
Celestia's sister was a blue Alicorn whose mane seemed to hold the night sky. As the Princess of the Sun had a sun on her flank, the Princess of the Moon likewise had a crescent moon over an inky, splash-like black patch of fur on her flank. Without smiling back, Princess Luna announced, "Sister, I must speak to you."
Celestia nodded and cheerfully replied, "Of course. Come in."
Once Luna had entered Celestia's room and closed the door, she walked to her sister's side and laid on her stomach beside her. "What is it, Luna?" Celestia asked curiously.
"I have several questions about what has transpired in my absence," Luna replied.
Celestia nodded. "Alright. What is your first one?"
"Sister, how have the ways of courtship and romance been transformed?"
"In some ways, it has remained largely the same. Many nobility and a few commoners still marry for political or monetary gain. However, the ideal of romantic love has taken a strong foothold, and over time has largely become the norm; many marry those they fall in love with. Many also no longer consider marriage to be an obligatory prerequisite for more intimate relationships."
"Do some eschew marriage entirely?"
"Yes, but most marry eventually."
Luna hummed to herself thoughtfully. "Very well. What state is polyamory in at this time?"
"Well, it is still largely stigmatized, though not to the extent it once was. It is generally frowned upon to be promiscuous, and infidelity is still considered be many to be nothing short of despicable, though nowhere is it a crime any longer."
"What of homosexuality?"
"The attitudes towards homosexuality vary by the community. In most places there is still ostracism for it, but in a few towns and cities- such as Manehattan, Ponyville, and here in Canterlot- homosexuality is widely accepted and even welcomed."
Luna shuffled her hooves nervously. "How might one go about making queries of homosexuality in modern times?"
Celestia's brow furrowed in thought. "If one's romantic interest hasn't made such information generally known, such lines of query should usually be treaded very carefully."
Luna nodded. "So, how might one go about actually courting someone?"
Celestia smiled. "There is actually a great deal of flexibility regarding that now. You can usually court someone by doing nearly any activity with them. Some of the more popular activities are eating in a restaurant together or attending a play together."
Luna nodded. "Is there anything one should avoid?"
"Almost nothing is absolute, but you should usually avoid discussing previous courtships or other very personal subjects, at least at first. Incest is also still extremely taboo, so you should probably avoid discussing the nature of our relationship until you're certain it's safe to."
Luna smirked. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."
Luna stood up. "Celestia, I would like to take a month of leave from my Royal duties to court your student, Twilight Sparkle. Would you allow me to do so and take up my duties while I'm away?"
Celestia gazed surprisedly at Luna. "Twilight? What has caused you to take an interest in her?"
Luna smiled. "She is beautiful, intelligent, and very talented and powerful. But more than that- she has demonstrated great kindness and sympathy to my plight when I visited Ponyville's Nightmare Night festival last Autumn. She has demonstrated herself to be a true friend, and I would like to pursue a romance with her."
Celestia smiled. "Very well. You may take your leave, and I shall take up your duties ruling Equestria in your absence."
"A thousand thanks, sister." Luna embraced Celestia, they shared a quick kiss, then Luna went to the door. As she opened it, Celestia said, "Good luck, Luna. Farewell."
Luna smiled back at her sister. "Farewell, Celestia," she said, and she exited, closing the door behind her.
There were many lights shining around Luna as she walked. There were street lamps, showing her the way through Canterlot's well-maintained streets. There were the stars, though their glory didn't show quite as greatly as they could against the artificial lights. But Luna's favorite light, of course, was the moon. She greatly preferred its gentle, subdued radiance to the overwhelming power of her sister's sun, and though she was no longer the envious Nightmare Moon she was still baffled as to why other ponies didn't.
Luna was walking to Ponyville. Nearly any other pony would have taken the train or a chariot, as by foot the journey to the small farm town would cost the entire night. However, this didn't deter Luna in the slightest; she had lived so unspeakably long that days passed like seconds to her. A night-long walk was nothing more than a leisurely stroll to her, and if she truly desired to have a long journey she would have taken a leave of several years.
Luna liked solitude, but she was often lonely being one of the only nocturnal ponies in the world. Most of Luna and Celestia's time together was during dawn and twilight, when the both of them were awake. They made it perfectly clear to their guards, staff, and court that they were not to be disturbed during these times. If it was dusk when their meetings ended, Celestia then set the sun as Luna lifted the moon, then Celestia would rest until the time came for the dawn. If it was daybreak, Luna would likewise set the moon while Celestia lifted the sun, and Luna would then slumber until the daylight was fading.
Occasionally, one or the other would take a day off from her Royal duties to sleep so that she might be able to be awake with her sister. When Luna slept through a night to spend a day with Celestia, they often went out and about Canterlot and the rest of Equestria to participate in the activities of their mortal subjects. They would sometimes go to local festivals and play carnival games (Luna had quite taken to them since Nightmare Night), and other times they would fly over a blooming forest to admire its vibrant colors. When Celestia slept through the day to be awake with Luna, they usually sat together and talked or read. Such times were far more peaceful and quiet.
Though Luna was usually content with this, she sometimes longed for the company of another, simply so she wouldn't be alone. After all, her free days with Celestia were rather infrequent, and she had no other companions. This was the greatest reason she had taken such an interest in Twilight; she wanted someone else to keep her company in Celestia's absence, and Twilight seemed by far to be the best candidate.
Luna trotted down the mountain's face, and then through the field that laid between Canterlot and Ponyville. Here it was far easier to admire the beauty of the world around her; the stars and nebulae and galaxies in the sky were now in full view, and Luna was able to unrestrictedly gaze at them as she traveled beneath the blooming spring flowers of the trees.
In a few hours, Luna arrived at Ponyville. She walked to the village's clock tower, where she saw that it was nearly four o'clock. About two hours until dawn.
Luna walked around the town for a while. She traveled past the schoolhouse, Fluttershy's cottage, Sugar Cube Corner, and Sweet Apple Acres before coming back to the clock tower. Four Forty-nine. She then walked to the Golden Oak Library, where she found a nearby bench and sat on it, looking back up at the stars.
* * *
Twilight's alarm clock rang, and she yawned as she silenced it. She sat up, stretched, then climbed out of bed. She approached Spike's bed, which was right next to hers. She gently prodded the curled baby dragon through his blanket. "Get up, Spike," she said.
Spike groggily turned to look at Twilight. The purple Unicorn's mane was quite messy, though she was quite cheerful and well-rested. "Just five more minutes?" Spike asked weakly, his eyes still half-shut.
"It's your fault for reading comics until midnight," Twilight replied. "We need to do our chores. If you get yours done quickly, I'll let you sleep for another hour afterward."
Spike nodded. "Alright..."
As Spike dragged himself out of bed, Twilight trotted to her bathroom. After she had combed her mane down, she took a brush and gently smoothed down her fur. Once she looked presentable, she washed her face and dried herself off.
When she exited, she saw that Spike was already dusting the shelves. Twilight smiled at him and said, "Good work, Spike. I'll make us breakfast, and when you've finished you can eat and then go back to sleep."
Spike nodded, still not entirely awake. Twilight busied herself preparing eggs, though she'd scarcely finished one when there was a knock on the door. "Spike," Twilight said, "get the door, please."
"Got it," Spike said, and the purple, green-spined little dragon jogged to the front door and opened it. It was Luna.
Upon seeing her, Spike gasped and fell to his knees. "Your Highness," he said deferentially.
Twilight turned to them, then gasped and kneeled as well. "Princess Luna!" she cried. "For what occasion are we honored with your presence?"
"Twilight Sparkle," Luna replied formally, "I have a request to make of you. I would prefer to ask you privately."
"Of course," Twilight replied, smiling. She said to Spike, "Can you keep cooking for a second while I talk to Luna?"
"Sure," Spike replied, and he picked up a spatula and went to their fireplace. As Spike was frying more eggs, Twilight said, "Can we speak outside?"
"Indeed," Luna replied, so Twilight walked out to her side and closed the door.
"What do you need, Your Highness?" Twilight asked cheerfully.
"Twilight Sparkle," Luna replied, "I ask that you accompany me to dinner this evening."
Twilight nodded. "Of course. What for?"
"As the potential beginning of a courtship," Luna answered simply.
Twilight's eyes widened. "A... a courtship ?" she asked. She stared at Luna for a moment. "You... you mean like a... a date ?"
"By 'date,' do you mean 'romantic outing'?" Luna asked.
"Well... yes," Twilight replied uncertainly.
"Then yes. I wish to court you so that you might consider me as an intimate companion."
Twilight blinked a few times. She wasn't quite sure if she believed what was happening; she was being asked on a date, by Princess Luna , in perhaps the most bizarrely nonchalant and frank way possible. "You... want to court... me ?" Twilight asked.
"Yes," Luna replied patiently.
"But... why ? I mean... I... I don't understand..."
"I wished to have a companion, and I decided that you were my best choice. Your beauty and intelligence are great, and you were willing to be my friend when few others were. You have won my interest, and so I wish to pursue a romance with you."
Twilight was blushing intensely. Never before had someone so simply called her very beautiful, and never before had she imagined that Princess Luna would desire to go out with her.
Twilight nervously chuckled. "I... I'm very flattered, but... I'm honestly very surprised. I'm a bit... unprepared. I might need to... uh... think about it a little..."
Luna nodded. "As you wish. I will return for your answer late this afternoon. In the meantime, I shall rest. Can you point me in the direction of a suitable inn?"
Twilight nodded, and nervously pointed westward and said, "That way is the Serene Pastures inn."
Luna nodded, and gave her a small smile. "A thousand thanks, fair Twilight," she said, and she turned and walked off.
After Twilight had watched Luna move out of view, she stood in place for a moment before walking back inside the library.
"So," Spike said, "What did she need?"
After a pause, Twilight replied, "I'll tell you later."
Spike shrugged, then said, "Well, breakfast's ready."
Twilight smiled. "Thanks, Spike."
They ate the fried eggs and some strawberries together, then Twilight said to Spike, "You can go back to sleep. I'll be out; I'll tell you when I'm back."
Spike smiled. "Thanks." He climbed back up the stairs to his bed, calling down, "Bye, Twilight."
After Twilight called back, "Bye!" to Spike, she exited the library and trotted to Frappe's Cafe. She'd agreed to see her friends for lunch there; perhaps they could help her decide what to do.
Twilight led Luna to Cherry Blossom's, a rather high-end yet casual establishment near the center of town. It was a charming, ivy-covered little building with an intricately painted sign over its doorframe. The sign bore a bright red cherry and was surrounded by peach rose petals.
"Do you like fruit?" Twilight asked Luna.
Luna allowed herself a small smile. "Of course. I like it very much," she replied.
"Well, then you're going to love this place," Twilight said. "Their food is amazing . It probably helps that they carefully hand-pick everything they use."
As Twilight pulled the door open to let them in, Luna stepped inside. After Twilight had trotted in beside her, they were greeted by a mustached waiter who said, "Good evening, mada-"
But upon seeing Luna he fell to his knees, crying, "Your Highness!"
"Rise," Luna said.
The waiter stood and looked over at Twilight. "Are you with her?"
"Yes," Twilight replied.
"Well then, I suggest you follow me, Your Majesty," he said with another bow. He led the two Mares to a table covered by a fine silk cloth in a private room. "The Very Important Pony room for the Princess and her companion, Miss Twilight Sparkle," he said with a small smile.
Twilight blushed a little, and Luna said, "Thank you."
"I will be back with your menus," the waiter said, and with another bow he left them alone together.
Luna gazed expectantly at Twilight. Twilight took a seat, but still Luna gazed at her. Twilight shrank away a little and chuckled nervously, and after a few moments Luna said, "Have you... never done this before?"
"Um... not really," Twilight said, giggling.
Luna blinked. "I find that a little hard to believe," she said.
Twilight's blush intensified. She'd never expected to receive so many compliments, especially not from Princess Luna .
Luna gazed at Twilight a while longer, then smiled. It seemed she'd have to take the lead; though she wasn't yet accustomed to contemporary courting rituals, she imagined that it was still expected to converse. Luckily, she'd known Twilight long enough and had heard enough about her that she knew exactly what to discuss.
"So," Luna said, "Tell me about the books you've been reading."
Twilight jerked her head up. "Huh?"
"Tell me what you've been reading about," Luna repeated pleasantly.
Twilight nodded shyly. "O-okay. Well, I've been studying a little potion-making lately..."
Luna nodded. "Yes, go on."
As Twilight began to describe the concoction for restoring an antique item's original glory that she had recently learned, Luna responded with understanding and genuine fascination. In a few minutes Twilight had fallen into a comfortable rhythm of conversation with Luna; their conversation soon drifted into books that the both of them had read, and Twilight was delighted to meet someone who had also studied and comprehended the ancient classics she'd read.
"What did you think of The Sapphire Spring ?" Twilight asked.
Luna chuckled. "It was very much a product of its time. Songbird did little more than write down what she grew up believing."
Twilight laughed. "Yeah. I'd always thought it was a little overrated."
"Excuse me," said their waiter, and they turned to him. "May I take your orders?" he asked.
"Of course," Luna replied. "I'll have the apple cobbler, I think."
"I'll have the watermelon yogurt bowl," Twilight said.
The waiter nodded. "Very well. Would you like any drinks?"
"Cider, please," Luna said.
"Same," added Twilight.
The waiter nodded and left them alone. They soon got their orders, and Luna was greatly impressed; though she'd tasted finer dishes in her vast lifetime, the cobbler she was eating wasn't far behind them in quality.
Luna and Twilight talked more, but soon dusk began to fall and Twilight yawned tiredly. "I think I'd better be going home soon," she said.
Luna frowned slightly. "You're tired, then?" she said.
Twilight nodded.
"Well, I'm not tired at all," Luna said.
"Well, you've been sleeping all day," Twilight pointed out.
Luna smiled. "Yes, I suppose I have."
As they stood up, Luna said, "Would you like me to accompany you back to your home?"
Twilight smiled and nodded. "Yes, thank you."
They exited the restaurant and began walking to Twilight's library. Twilight found the quiet journey peaceful and relaxing.
When they arrived at Twilight's home, Luna said, "May I ask that we take another outing together soon?"
Twilight grinned. "Yes, I would love to."
Luna smiled. "May I go out with you at nightfall the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes," Twilight said. "What do you have in mind?"
"I simply wish to travel with you," Luna replied. "You might be surprised how rewarding a simple walk under the stars can be."
"That sounds wonderful," Twilight said.
With a nod, Luna turned and walked back to Sugar Cube Corner.
As Twilight entered her home, she was grinning enormously. She found Spike reading a comic book, and when he heard the door open he turned to her and said, "Oh, hey, Twilight!"
"Hey, Spike," Twilight replied cheerfully.
"How was it?" Spike asked.
"It was wonderful."
"What did you guys do?"
"I went and ate with Luna."
"...That's it? You just ate with her?"
"Just ate and talked, yeah."
"So that was... a date ?"
Twilight blushed and laughed happily. "Yes, I guess it was!"
Spike stuck his tongue out in disgust. "Gross ! I don't wanna hear anymore about it!"
Twilight trotted up to her bead and laid across it, smiling softly. "That's alright. I'm sure Rarity will wanna hear all about it tomorrow..."
Twilight was lying facedown on a cushioned table, receiving a massage at the masterful hooves of Lotus. She was smiling contentedly as the spa's blue co-owner kneaded her shoulder blades, breathing slowly as she gazed at Rarity on the table next to her with half-closed eyes.
"I still can't believe that you had dinner with Princess Luna !" Rarity cried, squealing delightedly. "What I wouldn't give to be in your position!"
"But I thought you only had taste for Stallions," the pink Aloe said, lifting her hooves away from Rarity's back as she raised a brow in confusion.
"The Princesses are different," Rarity replied. "Their grace and beauty is at a level that transcends mere disinclination. If I'd known that either of them were interested in Mares I would've tried courting them years ago."
"Are you going to try for Celestia's hoof, then?" asked Twilight.
Rarity shook her head. "Oh, no, dear. I must be courteous; Celestia has neither shown an inclination to Mares nor availability for courtship. But I assure you, if Princess Celestia ever asks to take me I'll let her have me that very minute!"
Twilight blinked surprisedly. Never before did she imagine that she would hear Rarity so openly express such great physical desire for someone. "They'd really only have to ask?" she said. "They wouldn't even have to treat you to dinner first?"
Rarity gave a sultry smile to Twilight. "Darling, I am but their lowly subject. Who am I to refuse them?" It was clear what she truly meant; she might as well have said, "Why would I ever want to refuse them?"
The door to one of the baths opened, and Rainbow and Fluttershy came through it. Both were still shining with dampness and carried the sweet cherry scent of the water's perfume. Rainbow was grinning enormously, and Fluttershy looked a bit dazed but also very happy.
"How was your bath?" Rarity said to Fluttershy.
"It was lovely," Fluttershy replied softly. "I'm a bit tired, though..."
Rainbow smirked at Fluttershy. "Yeah," she said, almost growling.
"Interesting how you suddenly became interested in coming here when you became Fluttershy's girlfriend," Rarity observed knowingly.
"What can I say?" Rainbow said, shrugging. "The baths do it for me every time."
"It seems as though they... ahem , do it for Fluttershy, as well," Rarity replied.
Rainbow chuckled. "Yeah. So, what're you two talking about?"
"As it turns out," Twilight said, rolling her eyes, "it seems that Rarity is just as dirty as you two are. She was just telling me about how the Princesses could bed her with just a single word."
"Proudly," Rarity added, tossing her hair.
"I hear ya," Rainbow said. "Hay, they'd just have to give a look to me-"
Rainbow flinched, darted her eyes to a blank-expressioned Fluttershy, then nervously laughed and stammered, "T-that is, if I didn't have such a bombshell girlfriend already!" while putting her foreleg around Fluttershy's shoulders. Fluttershy frowned and groaned irritably.
Twilight sighed. "Does Rarity always talk about sex?" she asked Lotus.
"Yes," Lotus replied. "Though usually about Stallions, and not usually when you or her other friends are around."
"Thinking about courting a Princess will bring that side out in me," Rarity said, resting her chin on her hooves and smiling blissfully.
* * *
When Luna knocked on Twilight's door that evening, Twilight was napping curled up on her sofa in preparation to go out with the Princess that night. She yawned, stood up, stretched, then went to the door to answer it.
Luna was smiling as Twilight opened the door, and Twilight smiled back. "Good evening, Your Highness," Twilight said.
"Good evening," Luna said. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yep," Twilight said. She closed the door behind her and began walking with Luna.
It became dusk, and then nightfall as the two of them trotted away from the farm village deep into the great field that laid between Ponyville and Canterlot. The stars began to blink one by one into view, and Twilight found herself beginning to tremble. Luna responded by draping her wing around Twilight, to which the young Unicorn blushed and muttered, "Thanks."
Luna chuckled, then returned her eyes forward.
They said nothing as they walked, which suited both just fine; both were deeply introspective and reflective individuals, and were perfectly content to silently study the heavens together. It always gave Luna deep gratitude when someone was so enamored by her beautiful night; one of the biggest reasons she had taken such a great interest in Twilight was having heard from her sister of how she was one of those rare ponies who would spend hours just gazing up at the moon and stars.
Soon enough they found a rather tall hill, which they climbed and sat at the top of. They continued gazing at the stars. A few comets were falling occasionally, and Twilight thought she could detect the slow turning of the sky above her. Like Luna, she could spend an eternity just staring at the distant, vibrantly colored clouds of nebulae and the beautiful stars within them.
After a few hours of peaceful silence, Luna quietly said to Twilight, "How do you feel?"
After a few moments, Twilight said, "I'm very happy."
"That's wonderful to hear," Luna replied.
As time drew on, Twilight felt her eyes begin to flutter shut. She'd never felt more comfortable; the grass below her felt pleasant, and Luna's large, feathered wing was soft and quite warm. She nuzzled her head into Luna's chest, to which the Princess gently smiled.
"Twilight?" Luna said.
Twilight looked up at her, her eyes half-open. "Mm-hmm?" she said sleepily.
Luna reached her head forward and softly kissed Twilight. "Good night, sweet Lady Twilight," she said.
Twilight softly giggled, then rested her head on Luna's fore hooves. In moments she was asleep. Until dawn came Luna continued to gaze enchantedly at the beautiful filly's peaceful face as she slumbered through the night.
A Unicorn's Trip to the Opera
Twilight was sitting in front of a mirror, telekinetically applying lipstick to herself while Rarity was styling her hair. "This is simply wonderful , darling!" Rarity exclaimed as she ran a comb through Twilight's mane. "To see an opera in Canterlot's finest theatre with Princess Luna herself!" Rarity squealed. "Oh, this night will simply be fantastic !"
Twilight nodded. "Mm-hmm," she said, smiling at the mirror. With the red lipstick and the new dress Rarity had made for her, she was already looking absolutely gorgeous, and she could only imagine how she would look when Rarity had finished doing her mane and makeup.
"You should do this more often," Rarity said. "You are absolutely devastating when you do yourself up this much."
Twilight blushed. "Thanks, Rarity," she said.
Twilight didn't much care for wearing fine gowns or eyeliner or blush, but she wanted to look as amazing as she could for the Princess; tonight was extremely important, and she wanted to pull out all the stops. Though she might have been uncomfortable in the powders and rough fabrics, she absolutely adored theatre and couldn't have been more excited to attend this particular performance with Luna. The opera they were attending was Song of the Spider , which was adapted from one of Twilight's favorite plays, though she'd only ever read the script and never actually seen it performed.
They would go after having dinner at Countess Orange Sherbet's Palace, a restaurant that Rainbow had highly recommended to her. After the opera, they would go to a hotel that Rainbow had also recommended: the Sol Hotel, where they planned to spend the night together.
Twilight blushed intensely thinking about it. She was excited, but a little nervous to sleep with Luna; she was still a virgin, and she was worried that she wouldn't be able to satisfy the surely highly experienced Princess. Nonetheless, after going on many dates over the month with Luna she decided that she wanted to; Luna's stay in Ponyville was almost over, and Twilight might not get another chance.
After debating it with herself for a while, Twilight decided to ask her. It was one of the most frightening things she'd ever done, and she was greatly flushing and trembling when she asked Luna, but Luna had smiled and gladly accepted. Luna had also later assured Twilight that her shyness and nervousness when she asked her were quite attractive and endearing.
As Rarity was standing back to admire her handiwork on Twilight's mane, she saw that Twilight was trembling again. "Sweetie, are you alright?" Rarity said, gently placing a hoof on Twilight's shoulder.
Twilight swallowed and nodded. "Yeah. I'm just... a bit nervous, that's all."
Rarity smiled. "You're going to be fine," she said. "Please hold still; I need to finish your makeup..."
She applied blush and eyeliner to Twilight, and after making a few finishing touches she said, "There." She held up Twilight's chin and turned her face to the mirror. "Look."
Twilight gasped; she didn't recognize the Mare in the mirror. She sniffed as tears welled in her eyes, and Rarity lifted a handkerchief up to her eyes. "We mustn't ruin your mascara..." she muttered, dabbing away Twilight's tears.
"Sorry," Twilight said. "Thank you so much, Rarity."
Rarity embraced Twilight. "Anytime, darling. Have a wonderful night."
* * *
When Twilight met Luna at the train station, her breath was quite taken away. Luna was impossibly beautiful; she was in a dress that Twilight would've sworn was made of woven auroras, and she had a small dusting of glitter over her enchanting eyes making them impossible to ignore.
Though Twilight was speechless, Luna smiled at her and said, "You are breathtaking, fair Twilight."
Twilight blushed and smiled nervously. "Um... thank you," she said.
Luna chuckled. "Let's be off now."
While on the train, everypony around them stared amazedly at them. Ponies still couldn't take their eyes away from Twilight and Luna as they stepped off into Canterlot and made their way to Countess Orange Sherbet's.
Once they had eaten, they went to the Moondance Theatre near the Royal castle to watch Song of the Spider . As the twisted tale of a Stallion's revenge against the father of his murdered lover unfolded, Twilight found herself growing frightened; she had forgotten how chilling this horror piece was. It was even more unnerving seeing the scenes acted out than simply reading them, so Twilight found herself shrinking under the seat in front of her, tightly closing her eyes to hide them from the sight.
When Twilight squeaked in fright as the protagonist pushed a character into a furnace, she felt Luna's fore leg wrap around her. She looked up, and saw Luna smiling down at her. "Don't worry, I'm here," Luna whispered.
Twilight smiled, sighed, and snuggled closer to her. She was able to enjoy the thrill of the rest of the performance with the comfort of Luna holding her.
Once the opera ended, Twilight and Luna went to the Sol Hotel. Once they entered their room, Luna sat before Twilight. "I am yours tonight," she said, smiling. "Only ask, and I shall obey."
Twilight blinked. "Wh-what? You'll..."
Luna nodded. "Yes. Whatever you like."
Twilight blushed and looked away. "Um... I... I don't really know..."
Luna raised a brow. "You don't?"
Twilight shook her head. "To... to be honest, I've... I've never, um..."
"Really?" Luna said surprisedly.
Twilight trembled, swallowed, and nodded.
Luna smiled, and stepped towards her. "Alright. Don't worry," she said softly. "I know how to handle innocent girls."
With a chuckle, Luna kissed Twilight. Twilight stopped trembling and moaned in ecstasy as she kissed Luna back. After a few moments, Luna pulled back and said, "I suggest we share a bath first. You'll want to clean off the makeup."
Twilight laughed. "Yes. It's terribly uncomfortable."
So Luna drew a bath for them, then washed her own face and helped Twilight wash hers. Once they'd dried off, they climbed into bed together. Luna was gentle, and Twilight's worries melted away as she allowed her lover to give her a very long night of euphoric bliss.
Twilight laid with her chin upon Luna's hoof, breathing slowly as she smiled. They were sitting before the fireplace in the Golden Oak Library, quietly enjoying their last night together before Luna had to return to Canterlot. The crackle of the fire was soothing, and Luna took simple pleasure in seeing its light shine on Twilight.
However, Luna was a bit anxious. She knew she had to speak to Twilight, sooner or later. It wasn't good for relationships to have secrets; that much she knew. She could either return to Canterlot with the memory of this month and the vague possibility that she'd be able to do something like it with Twilight again, or she could take the gamble for a more serious relationship with her.
Luna had been thinking it over endlessly for the past few days, and over the last hour she had been settling on her final decision. When she at last settled on her choice, she gently nuzzled Twilight with her nose. "Twilight," she said softly.
Twilight's eyes fluttered open, then she smiled up at Luna. "Yes?" she said.
"I have something I must tell you," Luna said.
Twilight could tell by Luna's frown and her tone that the subject would be heavy, so she said, "What's wrong?"
"Before we continue our romance," Luna said, "there is something you should know. I shall tell you, and after I do so you are free to walk away and never speak to me again if you please."
Twilight grew a little worried. "What is it?"
Luna turned to gaze out of the window. "Twilight, can you imagine what it must be like to be immortal?"
After a moment, Twilight said, "I imagine it's often heartbreaking."
"Yes, very much so," Luna replied. "You mortals are a bit like snowflakes; as much joy as you might bring us, you vanish in moments. You are not the first girl I've loved, Twilight; there have been many before you, and I'm sure many will follow."
Twilight was blushing intensely; she had just heard Luna very nonchalantly tell her that she loved her. However, Luna soon followed it with, "And in fact, you are not now the only one who has my heart."
Twilight stared at Luna, finding herself less surprised than she thought she might be. Luna continued, "During my courtship with you, I have been only with you, however. Nonetheless, I will tell you now: I intend to continue my romance with my lover, and if you take objection to it you are welcome to no longer be mine."
After a few moments, Twilight smiled. "I'm alright with it," she said quietly. "I understand what it's like to love more than once."
"True though that may be," Luna replied, "you may take issue with the identity of my other lover."
"Why's that?" Twilight asked curiously.
After gazing at Twilight for a moment, Luna closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and said, "Because I share my sister's bed."
Twilight stared at Luna for a moment, then burst into laughter. Luna said confusedly, "What's so amusing about it?"
After Twilight's laughter had subsided, she said, "Because I'm in love with her too. And not only that," she said with a sly smile, "I also have a pretty good idea of what it's like."
"How so?" Luna asked surprisedly.
"Because I'm also in love with my brother and my sister-in-law."
Luna blinked. "Prince Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?"
"Yeah," Twilight laughed. "Maybe it's because I always spent all my time with them, but yeah, I've been in love with both of them since I was little. I don't think I'd be alright with either of them marrying anyone else but each other, because I know that both of them are amazing and will be as sweet to each other as they were to me. Besides, what's the point of being jealous of both of them?"
Twilight laughed again, but it was a little sad this time. Luna gazed at her for a moment, then tears began streaming down Twilight's face. "I always want things I can't have," she said softly. "I want my teacher, my foal-sitter, and my brother. I can't have them, though..."
Her voice trembled a little as she whispered, "I thought that I would always be alone..."
Luna gently embraced her. Twilight wept into her chest for a while, then looked up at her to see her smiling. "Dry your eyes, sweet Twilight," Luna said kindly. She kissed her, then said, "Never give up hope. You never know what might happen. Besides, I'm here for you."
Twilight swallowed. "You- you think that-"
Luna quietly shushed. "Do not worry about it for the moment, dear Twilight. In time, you shall know."
Twilight made a small, tearful smile. "Okay..."
Luna kissed her forehead, then said, "Come, let us sleep."
Twilight nodded, then trotted with Luna up to her bed.
As Twilight fell asleep wrapped under Luna's wing, Luna smiled again down at her. "Your destiny is a most happy one," she whispered to her. "You will realize more of your dreams than you realize..."
When Twilight arrived at the cafe, she found that her friends Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were already seated at one of the tables. Upon seeing them, she smiled; the two Pegasi were an adorable couple.
Last autumn, Twilight had had a significant hoof in the two of them getting together. At her gentle prompting, both of them had come out as fillyfoolers and told her of their history together: Fluttershy had been one of multiple "friends with benefits" that Rainbow had while they were living in Cloudsdale. The athletic, sky-blue, prismatic-maned Rainbow had casually bedded many other girls as well, ignorant to the heartache she was causing the gentle, custard, pink-maned Fluttershy.
Though they had been in love with each other nearly since they first met, their great personal inhibitions prevented them from confessing their feelings to each other, and as a result Rainbow had been the center of a very messy battle for her affection between Rainbow's friends Pinkie Pie, Scootaloo, and her former friend Gilda the Griffon. Eventually, however, both Rainbow and Fluttershy confided their longing for one another in Twilight, who in turn brought them together.
Since they became girlfriends, Rainbow and Fluttershy had had a rather stormy relationship; the clash of their very different personalities had led to more than a few very heated arguments. One such conflict that stuck out particularly vividly to Twilight was their fight over whether or not Rainbow should go and watch a "boring" butterfly migration with Fluttershy, which later resurfaced when Fluttershy refused to go to a "scary" dragon migration with Rainbow.
Nonetheless, both of them were very happy, and their bond was so strong that Twilight knew it would take something extremely drastic to tear them apart. However, one couldn't guess that they were a couple just by looking at them; though they were out to Twilight and their other closest friends, they hadn't yet revealed their homosexuality to the world at large, and so confined their physical intimacy to when they were alone. Twilight could hardly blame them; Pegasi society was extremely hierarchical, competitive, and homophobic, as opposed the more progressive Unicorn society Twilight had grown up in which showed no hostility to her bisexuality. Still, Twilight wished her friends weren't so afraid to be themselves.
As Twilight sat across from Fluttershy and Rainbow, Rainbow said, "Hey, Twi!"
"Hey, girls!" Twilight replied. "What's up?"
"Not much," Rainbow replied.
Fluttershy shrugged. "I've been incubating some new hawk chicks, but other than that not much has been happening."
As Twilight nodded, they heard another voice call, "Hello, girls!" and turned to see Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack approaching them.
As all the girls sat, a waiter came over to the table. "Is this everyone?" he asked.
Rarity, a white, purple-maned unicorn, nodded. "Indeed. Unless Spike's coming...?" she said, glancing at Twilight.
Twilight shook her head. "No. He wanted to get a little more sleeping in."
The waiter levitated a notepad before his face. "Very well. What shall I get for you ladies today?"
After they had all made their orders, the waiter jotted them down and entered the cafe. When he had gone, Twilight said to her friends, "Girls, I need some help."
All the other Mares turned to her attentively. "Yes, darling?" Rarity asked concernedly.
Twilight swallowed, then lightly blushed as she continued. "Well, um... somepony just asked me to dinner this evening..."
Rarity smiled. "Really?"
Pinkie, a curly-maned pink Earth pony, leapt into the air and cheered. "Yaaaay! That's great, Twilight! Is it somepony we know? Are they a Mare or a Stallion?"
Twilight chuckled nervously. "Yes, she's somepony you know."
"A Mare ?" Rainbow Dash said. She leered with a smirk at Twilight. "Is she hot ?"
Twilight's blush intensified. "Well, yes..."
Rainbow leaned forward. "So, it's somepony we know? Who is it? Golden Harvest? Rose?"
"Actually, um... it's, uh... Princess Luna," Twilight replied.
All of her friends' jaws dropped. Pinkie Pie screamed, "WHAT ?! Princess Luna asked you out?!"
"Yes," Twilight replied.
As Pinkie dramatically gasped, the other girls stared astonishedly at Twilight. After a few moments, Rainbow said, "You're kidding, right?"
Twilight shook her head. "No. She asked me just before I came."
Applejack's brow furrowed in thought. "The Princess ... Never woulda guessed..."
Rarity squealed and embraced Twilight excitedly. "Oh, Twilight, this is spectacular ! You've gotten the attention of a Princess !"
As Rarity stood back, she continued to squeal as she danced in place. "Oh, this is so exciting! What do you need, Twilight? A dress? Ooh, perhaps you need your mane done up? Or maybe-"
"Wait," Twilight interrupted her, holding up a hoof. "Actually, I don't even know if I'm going to say yes."
"WHAT ?!" her friends shouted.
"Are you kidding ?!" Pinkie shouted. "You're not sure that you're going to go on a date with Princess Luna ?!"
"Yeah, what's wrong with you, Twilight?" Rainbow added.
"Do you not want to?" Rarity asked concernedly.
Twilight looked to the side. "No, it's not that. I think I want to. It's just that... well..."
Listening to the tone of Twilight's voice, Rarity asked, "Does your heart belong to somepony else?"
"Well, um... I... n-... well-"
"Is it because you're in love with Celestia?" Rainbow asked flatly.
Twilight flinched, froze, and began to turn pale. After a few moments Rarity angrily turned to Rainbow and said, "Rainbow Dash! I would've thought of all ponies you would know to not brazenly spill your friends' secrets!"
Rainbow's eyes widened. "It was a- secret ?"
Rainbow covered her mouth, whispering, "Oh my gosh..."
Twilight swallowed and tremblingly said, "Yes, that's why."
After a few moments of stunned silence, Rainbow blurted with anxious remorse, "I'm so, so, so so so sorry, Twilight! I thought everypony else knew..."
"I didn't know. I promise I won't tell anypony," Fluttershy said.
Rarity sighed exasperatedly. "Well, I guessed so as well, but I promise I won't tell anyone either."
After the rest quickly promised not to tell anyone either, Rarity said, "So, you're going to turn Luna down?"
"I don't know," Twilight replied. "I mean... should I? After all, what would I tell her? That I actually want to be with her sister? That's definitely something I'd like to hear," she said bitterly.
"Well," Rarity replied, "were you planning on attempting to pursue Celestia?"
"Um... well, no," Twilight said, her ears drooping sorrowfully. "She's... well, Celestia's my teacher . It just... couldn't work..."
Rarity nodded. "Very well. In that case, why shouldn't you try with Luna? Would you like to try going out with her?"
Twilight thought for a moment, then nodded. "I... I guess, but..."
"But you wish to court Celestia more," Rarity suggested.
Twilight nodded.
Rarity smiled. "Who knows, Twilight? Perhaps you'll grow to like Luna as well. After all, it's perfectly possible to fall in love more than once."
Twilight made a small smile. "I know. I... already have..."
Rarity blinked. "Really? With whom?"
Twilight blushed even more intensely. "I... can't tell you..."
Rarity gazed at Twilight for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Well, the decision is ultimately yours, darling."
Twilight was silent as their waiter returned with their meals and they ate. After she had finished her hay burger and bid her friends farewell, Twilight returned to the library and sat on her sofa, continuing to contemplate her dilemma. In less than an hour, however, she made her final decision.
Twilight attended to her duties as librarian for the rest of the day, and near six o'clock she heard a knock on the door. When she answered it, she saw that it was Luna.
"So," Luna said, "have you come to a decision?"
Twilight took a deep breath, then smiled at Luna. "Yes, I would love to," she said, blushing intensely.
Luna gazed surprisedly at Twilight for a moment, then smiled. "Very well. Do you have any establishment you'd recommend?"
Twilight blinked at her. "You... you don't have anywhere in mind?"
"Oh! Am I supposed to?" Luna asked.
Twilight giggled. "Usually."
"Right. Well, I'll keep that in mind," Luna said, blushing slightly with embarrassment.
Twilight giggled again, then turned and shouted, "Spike! I'll be gone for a few hours!"
"Alright!" Spike shouted back, then Twilight exited the library with Luna.
As they walked, Twilight said, "Follow me. I think I know just the place..."
