A Late Meeting

The library door opened to reveal a small purple and green dragon.

"Hello?" The dragon asked curiously as he looked at the two ponies standing at the door.

"Hey Late, weren't you just here?" He asked with some confusion.

"Yeah Spike, my friend Starlet wanted to see the library," Latenighter answered as he smiled at the young dragon.

"Oh.." Spike said with an awkward laugh. "Well today might not be the best time... Twilight started reshelving today.." he said as he opened the door farther to show the library a mess as books were scattered everywhere. In the center was Twilight, humming a familiar tune while she levitated books with her magic, placing them in their new homes.

"Alright Spike, we'll come back later.." Latenighter said as he and Starlet turned to leave.

"Sorry Late.." Spike said as he closed the door.

"So... what now?" Starlet asked as they began to backtrack through the town.

"Well," Latenighter started, "We could go to Sugarcube Corner, or maybe the astronomy tower?" He said as they walked passed the market, which bustled with ponies going about their daily errands.

"Does your family still own the field behind the pond?" She asked as she looked back towards the library, and the fields beyond.

"Yea, wanna go over there for a while?"

"Yea, let's go!" She squeaked as she ran down the road toward the Ponyville pond.

As they passed the last building of the town, Starlet began to change. Her confident stride turned to a slow sway, letting her body touch Latenighter's with every other step. She then began to flutter her eyes to Latenighter, who began to blush and get a little nervous.

"What are you doing?" He asked as she bumped into him again.

"Oh I dunno Late.. I guess I'm just feeling good right now," she said as she passed another eye flutter towards him. "Maybe it's just being here with you..."

At this, Latenighter blushed harder and began to stammer with his words as he started to shake. "w-well, m-maybe it's the the p-plants... you w-were allergic to blue daisies, w-weren't you?"

"Hehe," Starlet giggled, "you act like you haven't been around a mare before Late," Starlet teased playfully.

"W-well.." he started.

"You haven't, have you?" She asked as she stopped.

"N-no.." he answered quietly.

Starlet made a small smile before leaning in and taking a small peck at his cheek.

"Tell ya what," she said softly as she pulled away, "how about we talk more tomorrow, ok?" She said as the already shaking stallion nodded.

"Alright Late, see you tomorrow.." she said before turning around and starting to walk back to Ponyville.

Latenighter was shaking down to the bone... she, she liked him. He thought she hated him after they had last talked a couple years back, and he had decided to stay on the farm instead of going to college in Canterlot. He turned to the town and began to walk back, but something caught his eye.

At the far edge of the pond sat Princess Luna, who appeared to be looking at her reflection with a sad interest.

When the Pegasus lifted off the ground and flew towards the night bringer, her gaze shifted to the pony approaching.

"Greetings Latenighter my friend, does this day find you well?" She asked with a slight regality.

"Hi princess... I'm.. I'm.. well I don't really know how I'm doing," he answered as he lightly touched down beside her and sat down.

"Ahh, is that how you truly feel my friend, because your eyes tell us a very different story.."

"I-it does? They do?" He asked, a little worried.

"Yes," she answered with a small chuckle, "the look of a lovestruck stallion.."

"Is it that obvious?" Latenighter asked as he began to blush again.

"Yes, but it is good to see.. for a while we had thought you had fallen for the night sky.."

"Luna?" Latenighter asked, changing the subject.

"Yes, Latenighter?"

"Why did they reject her from the castle, all she wanted was to be the royal astronomer?"

Luna made a small sigh before continuing. "Yes my friend, I did reject her, but only for her own good... when she looks to the night sky, she sees beauty and knowledge, and the royal astronomer would only see the pony behind it... she would only learn what she already knows.." she said as she looked back at her reflection. "That is why I rejected her, she needs to be somewhere where she can blossom into greatness.."

"Thank you..." came a voice from behind them.

Latenighter turned around to see Starlet standing behind a tree a few feet behind them.

"Princess," Starlet began, bowing in respect, "I, I thought they rejected me because they had you... but you rejected me so I could get better..."

"Yes Starlet Gaze, we think you will grow to become a great astronomer, if given the right opportunity.." she said with a smile, "which is why we want you to begin your new studies here at the Ponyville tower, and report to us your findings about the night and it's beauty."

Starlet had a look of pure happiness on her face. "Thank you Princess, thank you!" She said with tears in her eyes.

Luna then turned her attention back to Latenighter. "And you.."

"Me?" He asked.

"Yes, you," she chuckled, "we want you to act on your heart and pursue your dreams, both on paper... and in front of you," she said as she gestured to Starlet, who began to blush.

Luna then looked to the sky where the sun had taken its place in the sky. "As the sun rises, we must take our rest... farewell my young friends, until we meet again.." Luna said as she rose into the air and began to fly to the north, where Canterlot awaited.

Latenighter slowly walked over to Starlet and with a deep breath, closed the gap between their lips...

The end