A Scholar's Journey: Equestria

When the morning came, Reavin woke up to a surprise. Luna, at some point, had wrapped her arms and legs around him and was snuggling herself close to his back. The moment was short lived though as he pulled away from her to start cleaning up the small camp. He had hopes of reaching Los Pegasus today, and was going to make it happen.

Luna was rubbing her eyes, still sleepy as she got her bearings. "Leaving so soon?"

"I apologize, but we can cover more ground travelling all day than night." Reavin explained as he finished up.

Luna yawned and Talon flew down from a nearby tree and landed on Reavin's shoulder. The mare took notice of the bird for the first time since last night. Talon chirped a bit at his owner and a hand came up to scratch at the bottom of the falcon's beak. Luna was standing now, patting the dirt off her rags.

They were soon traveling, walking away from the woods and into the plains. Luna was staying in close proximity to Reavin. Talon was flying high above them and keeping ahead. Reavin was humming to himself rather happily as they walked. Then Luna nudged him to get Reavin's attention.

"How'd you come across your falcon?" Luna asked, pointing to Talon

"Oh, Talon? The same day we met, I woke up to it near me." Reavin explained. "Named it Talon and it hasn't flew away yet."

"Must have a way with animals then." Luna smiled a bit, remembering her brother's own bird at that moment.

Talcon screeched out in excitement, staying high in the sky. Luna watching the bird as she stuck close to the stallion. Reavin was going through his back, checking what supplies were left and made a mental check list as he checked each item. Then it hit him when he came across a problem.

"We're going to need to get more food soon." Reavin stated.

"What?" Luna asked, confused about what he said.

"I only brought enough food for one. I'll get more when we get to Las Pegasus." Reavin said as he placed his bag to his side.

Luna stopped in her tracks, quickly descending into a panic and muttering to her.

Reavin stopped and looked back at her. "Luna, are you okay?"

"I can't just show up like I am! In these rags!" Luna exclaimed.

"I planned on getting you some decent clothes when we arrived." Reavin explained. "If it helps, you can wait out of sight."

Luna thought over it for a moment then sighed. "Fine"

It had been hours since they last stopped and it was becoming evening and no sign of Las Pegasus was in sight. The sun was getting low on the plains below. Talon squawked as the bird perched on Reavin's shoulder. Luna on the other hand was panting rather heavily from the heat. Reavin reached into his robes and pulled out a canteen and handed it to Luna after screwing the cap off.

The mare took the canteen and thanked Reavin for his kindness, and took a swig from the canteen. Almost as though silent prayers were answered, a city skyline started to emerge over the horizon. the sight filled both the ponies with some hope and Luna was about to rush forward. That was until she remembered the rags on her body. Reavin looked over at Luna's shame filled face.

"Luna, I may have an idea." Reavin said to her with a small smile.

"Are you certain about this, Reavin?" Luna asked, gazing at the bottle held in her hands.

Reavin had concocted a temporary potion out of some of the nearby herbs and flowers. He had explained to her that it would make her unseen to any one. Luna was swirling the contents of the bottle, unsure of it since it took up the last drops of water. Unsure, she looked back to her companion. The only expression she could make out was the small little smile he always seemed to wear.

With the only reassurance she had, Luna downed the bottle quickly. The taste was bitter, but the bottle was left empty. She stared at Reavin, feeling nothing as he just stood there watching her. Luna happened to bring her hand up to look at it. She couldn't see it.

"This is amazing!" Luna shouted in an excited tone. "It really worked!"

Reavin nodded and smiled at her. "Yes it did, now come along so we can get you something decent to wear."

The city Reavin came was known as Applewood, and more of a developed community than Vanhoover. Buidlings would tower over ponies in certain areas while some had single story shops. Most of the sights started to remind him of home, and completely forgot about the invisible Luna that was following him.

"Reavin..." Luna whispered right against the hood. "... I do not believe you are focused on the task at hand."

"Reavin snapped back to the present. "Oh.. right."

Talon perched himself on a nearby light post as Reavin and an unseen Luna entered a nearby dress shop.

The clerk mare looked up as the bell rang from the door hitting it. "Oh Hello! Is there anything i can help you find today?"

Reavin looked at the mare with a smile. "Well, I have a friend who's rather embarrassed to be seen in a dress. So I'm looking for something that isn't too... flashy."

The mare took a moment to think over the request and nodded. "I have just the thing. Right this way."

The dress, or dresses, Reavin were shown seemed alright enough, especially since the whispers of Luna were filling his ear. He settled on a plain black dress and paid for it. Once outside the store, Talon flew down and accompanied Reavin and the invisible Luna on their way to a hotel. A proper room was the answer to Luna's wishes and a nice break from camping for Reavin.

Talon had himself perched outside their window, making himself comfortable. A sigh of relief came out of the scholar as the sound of his magic fizzling out. Luna soon faded back into visibility, staring at her companion. Reavin didn't dare look at her, holding the dress out to her. Luna just took it and started to put it over her body.

"Reavin," Her tone was a bit stale, "That was no potion you gave me."

"No." Reavin replied. "I didn't know if you'd agree to being turned invisible by an experimental spell."

Luna scrunched up her nose and huffed and snatched the dress right from his hand and quickly slipped into it. Reavin listened to the sound as the room soon fell quiet and she sat on the bed. An audible breath left her lips as she closed her eyes. Reavin soon turned to look at her, reaching up and grabbing the hems of his hood an pulled it down.

Luna soon felt his presence plop down onto the bed next to her. She opened her eyes and for the first time since they met, Luna was looking at his face. She took in his features, but his eyes remained closed. Reavin let out a sight and opened them to look at Luna, they were a color that seemed to glow.

"Your eyes." Luna trailed a bit, almost lost in thought now.

"Luna." Reavin started again. "Now that you have some proper clothes, maybe you'd like to get out and about the town?"

Luna gave it some thought and shook her head. "No, I wish not to draw a crowd."

"Well, is there anything I could get you while I'm out?"

"I may need a few things..."

Reavin exited the hotel with his hood up again. His usual look as his snout poked out from the brim. He went about checking out the sights of Applewood and catching glimpses of the next city above. Right now he just wanted to relax, even if his new companion didn't want to come with him. Reavin took note of a festival happeneing tonight and smiled to himself about it. He glanced over her list of the things she had requested. It's short, but to the point. The first thing on that list though? A cloak, some plain clothes, and a single sleeping bag.

After all was done on the for Luna, Reavin was making his way back with a bag full of her things and another bag full of groceries. He entered the room and placed the bags onto his bed. Listening to the shower run had reminded him of how nice it would be to feel clean again. Especially after the several days of travel through woods. Talon cawed a bit from the upon his owner's return and spread his wings in show.

"Well hello, Talon." Reavin smiled and walked over to his bird, scritching the falcon under his chin. "Did Luna let you in? Hopefully you've been some good company to her."

"In fact, he has been quite friendly." Luna chimed in from behind Reavin.

Strange, he didn't hear the shower shut off.

"That's fantastic to hear. Talon usually isn't the best with strangers." Reavin said as he turned to face Luna, who was now wrapped up in a towel.

Luna just sauntered up next to Reavin and started to pet the falcon. "He has not cause me any trouble."

"It's not everyday he likes just anyone." Reavin smiled as he looked at both Luna and Talon now. "You should value that, he's picky about who gets to touch him."

"Well, I appreciate you liking me, Sir Talon." Luna cooed at the falcon

Talon just ruffled up a bit and puffed out his chest in pride.

"I got what you asked, along with some food for us."

"Excellent! We will have no trouble getting around in the open now!"

Reavin just looked at Luna as she walked her way over to the bags. He didn't feel it appropriate to ask her about. Luna on the other hand, had no trouble finding her things and went back into the bathroom to put them on. It wasn't even a minute later when she came back out in her chosen attire and the cloak he had gotten her.

"How do I look?" Luna asked as she spun around once.

"If I didn't know you. I'd suspect you were a regular unicorn."

Luna just smiled at him and flipped her hood up to hide most of her features. Noone would be any the wiser while she travelled with Reavin now. The stallion went over to the other bag and flipped open the flap to reveal it's contents of food. He rummaged around for bit until he found the pack of treats he had bought for Talon. Luna watched with mild interest as he gave a treat over to the falcon.

She started to smile again, watching him show such compassion to his friend. It was also then the moment was ruined when her stomach let loose a loud enough growl to attract the attention of the room. Reavin stood up straight with a chuckle and looked over to Luna.

"Must be time for dinner" He mused. "So I have an idea. I saw that there's a festival later on in the night, would that be fun?"

"Now that I have some appropriate attire, it does."

With that, the two smiled at each other and headed out for a night in town. They stayed relatively close to one another, eating, dancing, and looking at the sights the festival had to offer. Luna went to dance again in the center of the festival while Reavin went to get them some treats. As he was chatting to the vendor, there was a tap at his shoulder.

"Excuse me, sir, but a moment of your time." Reavin heard, he turned to face a pony clad in gold armor with another of the same make. "Have you seen the Princess? Luna has been missing from the castle for quite some time and there is a reward for any tips you have on her whereabouts."

As the one stallion guard was talking, the other held up a missing poster for Luna.

"Hmmm.. no." Reavin replied. "I would remember seeing somepony like that if I did. I wish you the best of luck!"

"Thank you for your time. If you end up finding any clues, please let the Royal Guard know." The stallion spoke.

"Think I could get one of those posters, just in case I do end up finding her?" Reavin asked with his smile.

The guards nodded and gave him a copy of the missing poster. He folded it up and stashed it on his frame, paid for the treats and disappeared into the crowd. Reavin made sure he wasn't being watched by the guards as he took a longer route to reach Luna. He softly tapped her with his hoof and nodded for her to follow, holding up the treats. She just smiled and obliged.

"This is the most fun I have had in ages." Luna said, happily eating at the fare.

The two were now on a bench together, enjoying the night.

"Yeah, I had a couple of guards ask me if I knew where you were." Reavin said in a nonchalant tone.

Luna almost choked. "Wh-What?"

Reavin just nodded. "I see now why you didn't want to be seen a whole lot in public now, you're a missing princess."

"I swear I was going to tell you." Luna looked down now, almost defeated at the truth being found.

"It's okay, I'm sure you were going to say something." Reavin just said and looked to her, his smile ever present for her.

She didn't look at him. "I am not ready to go back yet."

"Luna, I didn't tell them you were here, buuuut there is a reward for you being found I won't claim."

She looked up to him now and saw his smile. He didn't need to say much after that. "Thank you"

He puts his arm around her shoulder and pulls her close to him. "For now, let's just enjoy the rest of our night. Then tomorrow we head for Las Pegasus."

Luna agreed to the sentiment and they went about enjoying their night at the festival. They didn't get back to their room until late and quietly enter even though it was their room. Both took off their cloaks and tossed them on their respective beds. Reavin went to his travel supplies and started to get out some night attire and head to the bathroom to wash up. He started running some warm water for a bath and stripped down.

The door to the bathroom was closed, but not locked. Luna was sitting on her bed now with her cloak in her hands. She ran her thumbs across the fabric with a smile. In the short amount of time that she knew him, Reavin had proven to be a greater friend to her. Saving her hide from some rogues, letting her travel with him, getting her clothes with his own money, and letting her have a night of fun despite her brother looking for her. Things he didn't have to do, little things.

She wasn't ready to go home yet. Luna was set on having this adventure, even if it isn't hers. The water stopped running and she heard him get in the tub. The water shifted around him. Luna let out a sigh and folded up her cloak and set it on the night stand next to the beds and started to settle between the sheets.

Reavin sat in the hot water, relaxed. It was nice to feel the touch of the liquid after a few longs days of travel. He sunk deeper into the bath with a sigh of content. This is a night for him to remember, just having fun with another, a princess no less! He did feel a little bit bad for lying to the guards looking for her, but even worse for knowing he betrayed he trust. He left his thoughts there and started to clean himself up.

The bathroom door opened and there he saw Luna laying in bed, probably asleep. So he quietly strode across the room to his bed, putting his dirty garments away and slipping into the other bed. Reavin turned and reached over to the lamp to turn it out. There was Luna standing before him, a bit more timid than usual.

"I just wanted to thank you. For earlier and tonight." Luna started.

"Oh, it's noth-" Reavin was interrupted by a kiss to the cheek.

Luna didn't say anything more and got back into bed. Her cheeks felt warm after that and she snuggled deeper into the sheets. The light clicked off and Reavin laid there for some time before dozing off himself for the rest of the night. Basking in the memories and thoughts of earlier. Luna turned over, her eyes peeking from blankets and gazed at Reavin's sleeping form.

The morning sun shone through the open hotel window and roused Reavin from his slumber. The city sound mixed with the soft calls from Talon. He sat up in his bed and looked around, no Luna. Reavin let out a sigh and got out of bed at the same time the door opened. In stepped Luna with a platter and two dishes on top. He smiled upon seeing her.

"I was hoping you were still asleep, I brought breakfast." Luna told him with a smile.

"Well, I can get back to bed if you wanted breakfast in bed."

"That would be nice."

Reavin gave her a grin and sat back down on his bed, patting the empty spot beside him. Luna was quick to make her way over to him and sat right down. She made sure the platter shared both their laps. The breakfast she brought up smelled absolutely wonderful. Reavin could get used to this Equestrian cuisine, the aromas were just right and hit the senses in such a way. The two wasted no time in enjoying their shared meals.

After breakfast, the two were busy packing their things up for the next stop on the trip: Las Pegasus. The city didn't seem that far away until someone had to figure that it was a literal city of clouds. Reavin had to find something to help with that problem until Luna showed him how to cast a cloud walking spell.

His vigor was renewed now for his journey must continue. They cleaned up the room together and set out. Their first stop was to find a carriage service that could take them to the cloudy city. Luna stayed close by and kept her head down as they went about on the busy sidewalks. Reavin doing most of the talking so Luna can keep herself from being found out. The missing posters are almost on every street corner now.

They did succeed in finding a carriage that'll take them to their destination. The down side of the carriage is that the trip will take several hours to get there. They accepted since it as the only carriage they could find at the time. The bits were exchanged and they two loaded up their things. Seating was a little tight but neither of them minded as the journey was now on its way.

The few hours they spent in the carriage felt a little longer than it did. Luna slept against Reavin for most of the ride while he wrote in his journal about last night's festival. It was a little hard to manage in the tiny space, but he got by just fine. Luna snuggled herself closer to him, somehow. The carriage took them out of Applewood and down a road towards the next city. It stopped after some time in front of a balloon, Reavin looked out the window and smiled before gently waking Luna.

She gave him a smile and the two got out to grab their bags. The two loaded themselves into the balloon basket and it went up. When they finally reached their destination, the two were met with the sight of bustling metropolis and a long strip of casinos. Reavin and Luna took in the sights before looking at one another.

"We should find a place to stay for the night." Reavin said while checking the money. "Hm, may have to pay for it using a gem or two, bits are low."

"We could always make more somehow." Luna reassured him.

"It'll be fine, when we hit the next town we can see about work." He just smiles at her while casting the cloud walking spell.

"Please stay on the designated paths and you won't fall through the clouds." A greeter said, helping them both on to the platform. "Enjoy your stay here in Las Pegasus."

"Thank you." The two say before heading off into the city.

The duo spend a bit of time looking around at the various shops and attractions Las Pegasus has to offer, but first they needed a place to stay for the night. Reavin ended up finding a hotel some ways away from the main city, but Luna wanted something closer. The two thought about it for a moment until going off to the market district for a place to stay.

"Hello, and welcome!" A mare said with some excitement as the two walk in. "Will you be staying with us today?"

"Yes, how much for a room?" Reavin asked, pulling out one of his pouches.

She told him the price and he pulled out a couple of gems to place on the counter.

"This should cover the cost."

The mare just nods, taking the gems and replacing them with a room key. "Please enjoy your stay!"

"Thank you." Reavin said with a smile and takes the key, leading the way to their room.

The door to their room opens and they both step inside. The room was a little more spacious than the last, but it also had one bed. The mattress was big enough for the both of them. They didn't waste any time unpacking some of their things. Reavin setting his journal on the desk present in the room, then he looked to the bed.

"You can take the bed if you'd like, I can sleep on the floor."

Luna just looked at him, then back to the bed. "I do not mind to share it. You deserve to get some quality rest too."

"I just don't wanna invade on your personal space."

"It is fine, I enjoy your company."

"Well, if that's the case, how about we get settled here and go out for the day?"

Luna gave him a smile. "I would like that."

After the two go some things situated in their room, they left for the streets. The first thing they did was go get a bite to eat at a local restaurant, both enjoyed the meal and the lunch time chat. After lunch, they headed out to see the sights, visit some of the casinos, and get on some of the attractions. Their day was spent by each other's side and well into the evening where they found themselves near the hotel bar.

"Today was quite fun. I thank you, Reavin." Luna told him with a smile.

"You're welcome, we should plan a day out elsewhere." Reavin smiled back at her.

"Well, the fun does not have to end there." This caused the male to raise a brow.

"What do you have in mind?"

Luna smiled and nodded to the barkeep, and put two of her fingers up.

"Oh?"

The bar pony placed two pints of cider on the surface. "How about a little wager."

"I'm listening."

"A little contest, whoever can drink the most cider." Luna paused for a moment. "Can sleep on the bed tonight."

Reavin just smirked a little at her. "Wager taken."

They both walk into the room about an hour later, Luna barely able to keep conscious. She had out drank him at 12 pints, but he also intentionally lost. Alcohol isn't a favorite beverage of his, but he did have to admit that the cider was delicious. Luna was leaning on him as he guided her to the bed.

"All right, here we go." Reavin said as he tucked her in a little. "Safe in our room."

"Huzzah! Our sanctuary!" Luna exclaimed in a not so quiet manner.

"Shhhsh, don't wake the other rooms."

"Huzzah! Our sanctuary!" She repeated in a more hushed tone.

Reavin just smiled at her and goes to his bags, but his hand was grabbed before he got anywhere.

"Stay. Please."

"I'm not going anywhere, Luna. Just over here to get my sleeping bag."

"No, you may sleep in the bed with me. I want the company." Luna looked at him, almost pleading."

Reavin looked right back, she may be under the influence of the cider, but her eyes spoke a truth. He gave her a small nod. She gave him a smile and let his hand go. He went over to the other side of the bed and sat on the edge. He took off some articles of clothing before he slid under the covers and faced her. He couldn't help but stare into her eyes and she stared back. Before he knew it, one of her hands was caressing his cheek. Luna then turned over and pressed her back against his chest and fell right to sleep.