Splitting aMid the Night

That call. That voice. That name. She hadn't heard any of them in longer than she thought her memory lasted, out of simple lack of need. With her nonstandard name, 'Midnight of Canterlot Castle' or something the likes was usually enough for identity, not to mention that she had never had any desire to converse with ponies who did not know her by that. Still, could it be that she had finally been found again by that pony whom she thought it to be? She certainly was about to find out if she would remain frozen and thinking about the situation.

"Well, what do we have here?" the blue mare teasingly asked, circling around Midnight and stopping at her front after the first lap. "I'm still as awestriking as always, it seems."

Instead of answering directly, Midnight resorted to the greeting that she had used the previous times, tossing her arms around the other's shoulders, something that pony had apparently come to expect and thus prepared to return it. After an all too brief time enjoying contact, Midnight let go and said, "Auntie, what are you doing around here? You... look different."

"Not that name please, darling - oh, you know, a good diet, plenty of exercise, and maybe a hint of magic. I don't want to be swarmed by admirers all the time if I can help it. You know the deal," she innocently indicated towards the second colour in Midnight's mane. "Looks really adorable. As to why, I was in the area and, well, it's the tenth anniversary of your cutie mark." She motioned to get moving forward and towards a nearby cafe. Traffic was average, for while many ponies were still scurrying around on various early spring tasks, they seemed to prefer their own homes where drinks didn't cost a gallon's production costs a cup.

"Oh yeah, that thing." They sat down and ordered meaningless drinks, focused only on the conversation. "I've got the day off, should I go to Canterlot?"

"I've talked to Dusk, he sounded really proud when he described where you are and what you are doing. I don't think you have to if you don't want to. He'd understand."

The waiter effortlessly levitated a tablet to their table and excused himself again. Fortunately, Midnight's drink happened to come with a straw. She didn't want to use the Flow's magic any more than necessary. "Honestly, I think I'll pass. I'm doing my best to forget her."

"I understand that fully. Reminds me though, did you know that the tenth is usually regarded with some presents? Either way, you can view this as an early birthday's, I suppose." She pulled out of her bag an old, tattered book with leather binding and laid it onto the table. Its cover was bare save for two runes which glowed gently in a soft light blue, silently radiating power. "Wasn't easy, but I got this for you. Everything a wise mare learns, she writes into a spellbook, and when the pages are black, she takes the white ink and starts anew. Well, this is one like it. Of course, common production, but still really handy. I've used plenty of the spells it contains before, they're great for when you want to draw attention," her eyes shifted through the crowd, "or avoid it."

Resist. Say whatever you must, but simply levitating is already toying with powers beyond your understanding. Trying out anything that you don't know would be suicide, more than that even. The essence of the world's heart, to be unbound... ridiculed... destabilised. You'd be lucky to take only Ponyville with you.

Alright, alright. Didn't mean to anyway.

Quite anticlimatically, Midnight made the book return itself to the table with its seal closed after floating it just above her outstretched hoof, held like a flower and leafing like one. "Awesome! Thanks!" she commented to cover up her seeming disinterest in its contents, given that there were plenty of simple spells for everyday life in the beginning, ones which she could easily cast under standard conditions.

"Would've expected you to try it out right away. Too cold, eh? Or perhaps you've just matured faster than I could look. Speaking of which, I was told you didn't waste any time once out of Canterlot to get yourself a best friend?"

Midnight took her time to answer, first trying to read her aunt's expression. She came to the conclusion that she had to assume worst case. "Perhaps. How do you know that?"

"Oh, I have sources," the older unicorn said with a knowing smile.

Midnight's ears dropped together with her mood, "By which you probably mean, the order? Seriously? They're still on my tail?"

"It's all for your own good, dear. To keep you safe from our enemies. Perhaps we'll be able to find the one who did this to you, you'd be able to avenge her. Wouldn't you want that? We have intelligence saying their Mentor is around these parts. Strike at the head and the beast will be as nothing!"

"Trying to forget all of this and live my own life, remember?" Midnight inquired with as much plea within her voice as she could muster in order to change subjects.

A few months earlier and you would've gladly delivered her to death, probably worse. Perhaps my unending duty is fulfilled.

"Very well. You're sure you don't want to tell me her name? Your somepony's, of course."

The specificity on a female partner had clearly been a wild guess. Nevertheless, Midnight could feel color rushing into her face, delivering her dear aunt with exactly the confirmation she wanted. She could try to push it off onto the accusation of homosexuality rather than it being justified, but doing so was evidently not destined to succeed, as was visible in the blue pony's expression. "Disappointed?" Midnight asked.

The other mare laughed briefly, but not a polite fake like those she expelled far too often, a genuine, hearty laugh. "Well, dear, let me put it that way, have you had the pleasure of meeting your grandfather?" She paused and watched as Midnight discreetly shook her head. "Doesn't surprise me. I don't know if my dear sister told you about it while she... could, but, simply put, you don't have one from our side. In fact, having a male parent seems to be a rare trait in our family. You should be proud of yourself, I guess."

"Hm. What's next, are you gonna tell me that I'm somehow related to Sparkle or something?" Midnight joked.

"Whom?"

"Uh, as in Twilight Sparkle. You know, little pet name between friends," Midnight said, emphasising the very last word to the best of her ability without it sounding suspicious. Unfortunately, her aunt was much too wise to miss the pattern, even if she did not openly display it.

I do NOT like that look of hers, not in any way, shape or form. Take it away! Hey, not like that! I thought we had an agreement on hallucinations!

"Oh, her. Not that I'd know of. You've made friends with her, eh? I don't see why you'd want anything of that pony, but then again, that could just be a bit of a personal grudge I'm holding against her and," more shifting eyes, "the rest of this third world village, for reasons you don't need to know. If it's the desire of your," she hesitated, then said stretched out beyond the borders of believable lack of intention, "heart."

"I hate it when you do that, Trix. I shouldn't even be talking to you."

"Always glad to oblige. Oh, yes, that spellbook? Perhaps your fillyfriend shouldn't see it if you want to hold onto it. She might want to learn it all herself or, worse even, do some rightful owner stuff. Ah, but enough of that, love and everything. I can see when a filly gets tired of talking. Back to what neither of us wants to hear, but what we should talk about anyway. Having a nice time here? Found an acceptable job - You do go to work, right? How old are you again? I feel like I should be able to remember that wonderful day when Daylight came home with your crib on her back, but the when is beyond me."

"Same here. Well, it's all kinda standard, I guess. Normal job, acceptable pay, approximately five friends, everypony's constantly telling me to get a move on with S... omepony. Now that I think about it, maybe it's a bit above normal. Wouldn't it say something to be friends with the Elements of Harmony?"

"Those. I suppose they come in a package, can't have Twilight Sparkle without the rest. Although, if I do remember correctly, then you're actually in good hoves. In case you'd want to come back into the Order." She paused, unmoving but for her eyes which seemed to run down an invisible list. "Well, obviously, there's got to be ponies here too. But surely you've got more?"

"Let's see," Midnight said, beginning to count. "There's the couple of filly fooling musicians, Nurse Redheart, who might even be older than you... I guess I've been hanging out with one of my younger patients a lot. Does that count as coming to appreciate foals as you've told me I would once I was as old as I am now?"

She did not seem to be in any way disrupted. If Midnight wanted to break even, she'd need much more than what she had previously said. "It'll come to you once the first of your own arrives. I think. Not that I'd know, of course. Funny that I mention it, Dusk told me to ask just that. Shall I send him word on my way back that you're quickly moving through the stages with your somepony?"

"Don't you dare," Midnight hissed, overlapping out of play and into seriousness. At least she now knew that there was no challenging her aunt's wit.

"Make me not do it," she responded with a challenging grin.

I know that she won't, but what do I say? Any whispers I'm supposedly receiving?

Did I not teach you to utilise the Flow without relying on it? It has little interest in your puny mortal affairs. Not that you'd need it, the pattern is already within your mind. See past the lines and it will be visible. Now excuse me, I simply have to return to the Flow. Ah, such power which you refuse to use!

This mustn't register on an emotional level. Hmm, what did she say? First, exploit off-course behaviour. Then gesture and bask, finish punchline. Acknowledge compliment. Conclude with killer catchphrase.

"Perhaps I should call out and introduce you to everypony here? That's the kinda fame that you deserve, no?" It was obvious that Midnight wasn't missing her effect, finally gaining back the higher position which she so enjoyed. She whipped her mane out of her face and briefly let the Sun warm it, then continued, "If I'm not allowed to keep a secret, why should you be?"

"Talking to you was easier when you were half that size, I must say." The grin had faded out of the blue pony's expression, but it was clear that she was still in good spirits.

"Always glad to oblige. I'm much more than you think I am, so let's talk about a better topic, would you kindly?"

That's my catchphrase?

I know what I'm doing, okay? Trust me. After all, I'm... your only true friend.

"So what do you want?" Midnight realised that she hadn't been following up on her previous words, instead just staring.

"Uh... I hate myself for asking this, but, actually, you got some good advice for being a good fillyfriend?" Midnight needed only think of blood coming to her face in excess amounts and it instantly complied.

"See, darling, this is one of the perks of homosexuality. The inner machinations of a filly's mind are no enigma to you. If she's giving you trouble," she pointed at Midnight's forehead, "you know where to search the answers. But are you sure you want to talk about this so openly?"

Midnight waved the doubts away, "Oh, you know, in this kinda town, you can be pretty sure that nopony who shouldn't hear is ever listening." She let her mind wander for a second, during which she spotted a white horn peeking out from a clichéd newspaper. "Oh. Or not. Well, now that she knows, where's the point keeping it secret? Except that I promised exactly that to her, I guess. Nothing else?"

"Never forget that you are dealing with a pony, as complicated and delicate as yourself. The moment when you see her as an object, you stop loving."

"That's... deep. Thanks."

The blue mare set to whip her mane to the side as usual, which went somewhat awry since she wasn't wearing her beloved hat for once. "Can't get used to looking slightly less handsome. But, a filly and a job, surely that's not all that you've been doing here? Didn't you use to be an avid artist?"

"Yeah, auntie, you do what you can, right? I may have been doing a bit while I was here, unfortunate that I didn't bring any- wait, it appears that I did." Much to her surprise, Midnight pulled her yet most complete sketch out of her bag.

I've been mindfilling that which you didn't know you'd forgotten. You're welcome.

"That's really good," said the older unicorn as she studied the drawing laying on the table before her.

"And now what you'd say if we weren't related?" Midnight inquired.

"Magic Kindergarten." She looked if Midnight would react shocked, but wasn't given such pleasure, so she instead just laughed. "Just kidding, this actually is fairly well-made. Certainly says something about a love relationship if you can draw down your partner from memory. Almost to the creepy zone, darling. Almost."

Why did I write 'from memory' to the signature?

Well, would you ever lack the kindness to not be honest to your surroundings?

"As my dear brother Doodleroo loved to say," her aunt continued, "you certainly did inherit your grandfather's skill."

Something clicked in Midnight's mind, or rather, it refused to do so. "Wait, what grandfather? How is he even... a he?"

"That is something for the depths of Canterlot, not this cheerful little town of simplicity. My, would you kindly look at the time already."

Midnight looked around, confused. "Uh, there's nothing around which would-" her aunt pointed towards the Sun, which clearly was on its peak. "Huh."

"Exactly. What do you do for food around here?" She beckoned over a waiter and paid for their goods.

They rose and started walking in a random direction again. "Well," Midnight said, "for lunch, I usually go for something simple, stuff that I can pack up at home. Though, if my moneys allow it, I sometimes like to go out too. Which you are going to invite me to now, right?"

She laid a leg around Midnight's shoulders, "Ah, I couldn't keep a secret from you ever since when we first met, you as a footsized filly with bright eyes and such a wonderful crystal pure blue mane. It kind of disturbs me that even between then and now, there's been so few encounters between us. We have to enjoy those which we get!"

"Y'know, I'm wondering, where are you getting all that money to spare? I always thought your kind of pony didn't make much."

"Once you grow out of filliness, things start to get relative. Besides, I've got loads of fans, employers," she did an innocent eye roll, "and maybe a bit of politics."

"As in, manipulating them to your and the Order's interests."

Even though Midnight had just spoken a heavy accusation, the blue pony didn't seem disturbed by it in any way, perhaps even taking it as a compliment. "That's the best kind of politics."