Luna stood in front of the door, one hoof raised as if to knock yet frozen in place. She bit her lip, looking between the raised hoof and the door. Her wings rippled at her side as her nervousness overcame her. She felt herself turn away as a low whimper escaped her throat, then walk with stiff, jerky motions towards the open doorway on the other side of the waiting room.

She made it barely a third of the way across the room before stopping with a shake of her head, a low growl rumbling in her chest as her wings twitched at her sides. She looked over her shoulder at the plain, wooden door behind her. It was adorned only with a small name plate reading: Doctor Starsong Star, M.D., Ph.D.

Turning back to the waiting room exit, she let out another plaintive whimper. She took a few more steps towards it before forcing herself to stop, her legs trembling with the need to move. She closed her eyes, her head hanging low as she whispered to herself, “What are you doing, Luna?”

Being a pathetic little filly. The reply echoed silently in her mind. She grit her teeth, unable to think of a counter to those words. Her hoof raked at the carpet a few times before it and its kin started to carry her towards the empty doorway again. Scared of a simple door, of speaking to a single pony. How could one so craven expect ponies to respect her? Why would ponies listen to a leader who can’t even do something as simple as knock on a door without drowning in her own fears?

Luna opened her eyes, shocked to find herself with one hoof hovering over the exit threshold. She pressed her head to the wall framing the doorway, stamping the raised hoof down as hard she could on the soft carpet. “They would not… Nor should they.” Two soft ‘thunk’s' filled the empty room as Luna’s forehead battered against the door-frame. “Nor should they.” She drew her head back to batter it against the wall again, but froze. “Which is why Sister and Mi Amore arranged this.”

She made herself turn around and take a step towards the office door. So then knock on the door. We have faced down armies, dragons, creatures so far beyond mortal understanding, simply knowing of them would sear the sanity from their fragile minds. Why should We fear this?

Luna felt her hooves drag along the floor as she pushed herself towards the closed door. "Those were easy to face compared to this. Simple, direct, We knew what had to be done. This is…" Her wings flared out, beating fitfully as she opened her eyes to stare at the tiny little nameplate on the door across from her. “... I do not know what this is.”

So then simply leave.

“Neigh, We promised Celestia we would see this through.” She forced herself to take a long, deep breath. “We promised Sister we would do this.” Luna struggled forward, her body tense, her wings half raised as if preparing herself for combat. “We shall do this! For Tia’s sake.”

She marched to the door, her head high, her breathing even, steady. She rapped her bare hoof on the door before she could have second thoughts, a calm, peaceful voice calling out from behind it before Luna had time to lower her hoof again. “Come in, Luna.”

Luna’s confidence shattered, her head dropping, her back and legs sagging down as she seemed to shrink. Her flowing, ethereal tail tucked itself down, close to her rump. This is it, no going back. A final fleeting thought of galloping away was pushed to the back of her mind. “For Sister,” she whispered, before twisting the door handle and slowly pushing it open.

The first thing Luna noticed as she stepped into the office was that it lacked the steady glow of arcane light panels and stark, white walls that seemed ubiquitous with modern medical facilities. Instead the dominant color in the room was a deep midnight blue and it was bathed in the soft, gentle, and familiar glow of moonlight. Looking up, Luna’s jaw dropped. The ceiling of the room was a perfect replica of her night sky as seen above the Clocktower, her Moon tracing its slow path overhead.

Luna had expected a cramped doctor's office. Instead, the room was open and inviting. A sunken, round pit filled with brightly colored cushions and a low table bearing a tea service sat in the center of the otherwise bare room. Were it not for the stiff, white lab coat hanging from the coat rack beside the door and the file cabinet tucked into one corner, Luna would have assumed she’d entered the wrong room.

Finally she focused on the unicorn sitting behind the table. Her silvery coat glowed in the moonlight. Her two-toned platinum mane and tail were done up in simple, heavy braids. A loose, rather feathery looking half-cloak draped across her sides. The absence of any other garments leaving the swollen stomach of a mare seemingly due to foal any day now plain to see.

Starsong watched Luna with clear curiosity and a deep warmth that Luna could only call maternal. Even though Starsong’s eyes never left the princess, Luna found herself not the least bit unnerved or unsettled by the unending stare. There was no hint of judgement, of measuring her up, only a kind, warm invitation and sense of care.

Starsong broke the silence that had settled in the room. "Good evening, Luna. Please, make yourself comfortable," she waved her hoof to the fluffy pillows on the floor. "Would you care for some tea? I think it would help settle you.”

Luna acknowledge the offer with a respectful nod while making her way towards the pillow filled pit. The calm, welcoming tone catching her off guard. “Good evening to you as well Lieutenant Star. Or is Doctor Star the more appropriate title to use here?”

“Neither, please. I would prefer we leave titles and formality at the door. If that is alright with you, Luna?” Starsong replied smiling kindly at the princess.

Luna’s nervousness faded quickly under Starsong’s gentle words and calm, reassuring voice. The faint hint of a smile touched her muzzle as Starsong referred to her simply by her name. One wing slid absently across her bare chest. “That would be acceptable, yes.”

Luna took her seat across from the doctor, sitting with her back straight, her posture stiff, in contrast to Starsong who Luna could only describe as ‘lounging’ on a small pile of pillows of her own. Starsong’s gaze ran over Luna’s body quickly before she spoke again. “I’m very pleased you came, and at such a perfect time for this.”

Starsong’s sapphire eyes swept up to the star filled ceiling. "There is something about discussing things under the night sky that puts the mind at ease. Especially since your return, Luna. It's been a great joy admiring your works of art."

Luna’s eyes followed Starsong’s to the constellations above and she let out a small sigh, her posture becoming a bit less stiff as she leaned forward. “I thank thee for thy kind words. T'is most gratifying to know that so many do indeed find comfort in my night sky.” Her gaze dropped back down to the table in front of her, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “There is one thing I can do correctly at least.”

After a light sigh Luna shook her head and looked back up at the doctor. Now that she was closer she could make out finer details of the other mare’s features, such as the tufts on the tips of her ears, and the slightly slitted shape of her pupils. Details that would be easy to assume were due to having Nocturne ancestry, yet in this case marked her as a Lunar Guard, gifted by Luna herself with these aspects of her beloved ‘Batponies’ as they’d come to be called. “So, how is this ‘therapy’ to work?”

“We are already doing it, Luna.” Starsong gave the alicorn a wink, flashing a grin that showed off her pointed canines. “We talk about anything you feel like sharing. Given this is our first session, I would like to mostly use this for introductions, to let us get to know each other better and so you can get comfortable talking to me. However, if there is anything at all you wish to talk about, by all means feel free to do so. Control of these sessions is entirely up to you in the end.” Her magic lifted up the still steaming teapot.

Luna looked up at the image of her moon tracing its slow path above them as Starsong filled her cup. “And doing this, talking to you, shall in turn make me feel able to truly be part of this Society again? Even after so long, after... after so much has happened.”

She looked back to Starsong just as the mare was adding a generous drip of honey to the tea before levitating it over and sitting it down in front of Luna. The princess looked down at the steaming cup, breathing in the soothing, lavender scented steam. “I doubt thou art unaware of what happened the first, and last, time I tried that.”

“Doing this will help you on the journey to rejoining the society. So yes, on both counts.” Starsong paused for a long moment, pouring her own cup of tea. ” As to what happened… you’ll find there is very little that goes on in the Tower I do not find out about.” Luna’s eyes flicked up to the other mare in time to catch a sympathetic smile crossing her muzzle.

“Including when a brand new member, on her first night alone, has the unfortunate luck of running into some of our, less reputable,” Starsong’s warm smile twisted into a contemptuous sneer for a brief moment, “members while exploring The Borderlands. Though in this case I also happened to be on watch there when it happened, if it were not for Cadance I would have been the one to intervene.

“Now as to you returning to Society life, again yes, that is the goal.” Starsong’s voice shifted as she spoke, losing none of its warmth, but her tone leveling, becoming more serious, professional. “But slowly, one step after another. This will take time if you want to do it right. Now, please don’t take offense to this comparison, but we-that is I, feel it would be best to take much the same approach we would use for aiding a pony with SASS.”

Luna did her best to keep her face expressionless as Starsong spoke. Her words made sense, or at least seemed to. Working to help her overcome her fears, her reluctance, easing her back into the society rather than repeating her headstrong insistence on rushing into the most extreme area available to her.

Yet, it wasn’t so easy. It couldn’t be, could it? She wanted this so much, to be accepted, to be a part of this wonderful place. Starsong made it sound so simple, so natural. But after all she’d done, after so many mistakes, after seeing how other members would react to her, it couldn’t be that easy. Not for her.

Maybe Starsong could help her to overcome her doubts, but it would do nothing for the larger issue. How could simply talking about feelings change the way she was viewed by the other members of the Society? Change how others acted around her? Change what she had done?. There were so many reasons she didn’t deserve to enjoy this place.

Luna’s vision had started to get watery. She blinked away the threatened tears and levitated her teacup to her lips, trying to focus on that rather than the thoughts running through her mind. She took a long sip of her tea and felt her lips curled into a smile at the first taste. It was perfect, the precise blend of her favorite leaves, just the right amount of honey, steeped for just long enough to give it the slightest bit of bite.

Luna held her eyes on Starsong’s warm, maternal expression. Everything about the mare radiated a sense of care and trustworthiness. Her expression was calm, comforting and attentive. It was clear she eager to listen to Luna without any hint of judgement. She had gone out of her way to make Luna feel relaxed and comfortable, even down to getting the tea just right.

Even if rejoining the Society as a whole was beyond her, simply being near Starsong was making her feel better then she had in months. Maybe that would be possible at least, finding those few that might be able to look past her failings...

She let the thought trail off, not sure where to go with it. As she let her mind drift, she finally noticed Starsong’s seeming slip of the tongue. “By ‘we’ I assume you are referring to my niece.” Luna quickly held up a hoof to forestall the other mare’s reply. “I do not begrudge or take offense to that. In truth I find… I find having somepony that clearly cares so much to be rather comforting. Even if it will prove to be pointless. You know what transpired, how we were treated, how we… how we reacted.” Luna closed her eyes, doing her best to fight back the dampness she felt leaking from them. “After something like that, how could we ever expect to show our face within the dungeons and be accepted?”

“It’s true that Cadance did talk to me about this, as well as letting me know what tea you like and how you like it. She talked to me about this because she does care for you Luna, and so do I. So do many other ponies who already love you, Luna.” Luna felt a hoof taking hold of her own, still not yet opening her eyes as Starsong talked. “It may seem impossible now but you are not the first and likely won't be the last pony who goes through something like that, Luna. If I can be honest? I wet myself the first time I went there and had to be dragged out of it by Twilight Velvet."

Luna opened her eyes, Starsong’s cheeks held a small flush of embarrassment to them. The odd, feathered cloak draped across her back seemed to be fluttering in some sort of breeze. “So no my dear, you're not the first mare to end up feeling like a foal after visiting that place.

"As to how you overcome this? One hoof step at a time. Slowly and with the dignity of a mare who knows what she likes and will get it." Starsong nodded gently. "It's why we’re here and why I am going to tell you that my door is always open for you. You are familiar with the Den Mothers, correct?" She lifted her cup, sipping at her own tea while waiting Luna’s response, her eyes never leaving the princess’ face.

Luna nodded, “Aye, the order existed even in my time. Though the exact duties may have changed, I know the core dedication to aiding all members of the Society remains the same.” Luna looked down at the hoof still holding hers. “I… I may not have been entirely truthful earlier. When claiming that Cadance and Sister’s insistence alone brought us here. T'is correct and yet, even then…”

Luna trailed off, she lifted her teacup again, the fine porcelain shaking in her magic’s grasp as it was brought to her lips. Words, emotions, long buried fears, Luna was starting to be overwhelmed by them, by things long locked in the furthest recess of her mind. Clamoring for release now, striving to be spoken, acknowledged. All the while Starsong watched and listened. Supportive, caring, open. Showing nothing but the utmost concern and understanding.

She set the cup down, finishing her thought in a near whisper. “Their efforts might have been for nought but for your position in that order.”

Luna pulled her hoof out of Starsong’s grip, pawing anxiously at the table with it, trying to focus on controlling her breathing, on keeping herself controlled. So many things she wished to say, so many hidden fears begging to be let out, to be spoken, if only to hear that reassuring, motherly voice banish them.

“Thou, thou dost truly wish for us to speak our mind? To tell thee of what troubles us?” Her voice was steady, yet held an almost plaintive quality to it.

Starsong set down her own teacup and sat up straighter, getting her hooves under her. "I do wish for you to speak your mind and be honest about what troubles or concerns you. Anything you wish to say, I am here to listen, to help you through. Nothing said here will ever be repeated to another, this is between the two of us only."

Luna made a sound that was half acknowledgement, half muffled gasp. “Thou claim that others carry similar burdens, similar mistakes. Yet how many of them are responsible for driving all of this, all the wonders, all the joy, all the freedom of this Society into a hiding that has lasted for centuries, simply by having been part of it?"

Luna winced, waiting for Starsong’s reply. The mare took her time composing her thoughts, each second making Luna’s dread grow deeper, ever more certain that there was nothing that could be said against her guilt.

Finally, Starsong spoke, her magic reaching out to gently encourage Luna to look at her. "There is a certain degree of relativism about that, Luna. What happened back then can't be changed. Yet now? Most ponies adore you, especially since last Nightmare Night. I am hard pressed to find anypony who has met you that does not.

“There are ponies here who have done, or have been through, horrible things. Many of them have found ways to cope with and overcome those horrors through what the Society offers. But the key point is that they, and more importantly you, are making an effort to be better, to do better. That is all anypony could ever possibly ask. And quite honestly you're doing a marvelous job of it so far. There is no reason to allow a mistake from your past to define all that you are."

She paused a moment with a small sigh. "On top of that, there are things that would have never been invented if we had not hidden. Things that would have been opposed or blocked. We had to hide, but... from that came many beautiful things as well. I don’t think Clocktower would have grown so large, so prosperous were it not for being able to operate away from prying eyes. Not every effect has been negative... we have magic now that can save lives that back then would have been described as blasphemy. But this is about you, Luna. Not the Society."

Luna shook her head, everything Starsong said made sense, sounded so right, and yet did nothing to truly ease her thoughts. "Is it not? Once those who merely wished to celebrate their devotion to one another were driven into near exile simply because I had associated with them. When first I tried to return... We saw the fear, saw how none would approach us... save for... for.... " Her face twisted into a snarl as she snapped out the next word. "Them!"

She snorted, forcing herself to take slow, deep breaths, to get herself back under control, barely noticing the streaks of dampness trailing down her face. "Even were our past mistakes not an issue, would anypony truly accept a Princess as their equal? Simply treat us as no different than any other and not seek to pursue us merely for who we are outside of the Society?"

"Celestia would have had a very similar response. Ponies would have been scared of approaching her. I can only speak for myself and a select few that I know very well, but there are those would approach you and your sister as any other Society member. But it's going to take time for most ponies to get used to seeing their princesses as mares, not untouchable goddesses." Starsong sighed softly, looking over at Luna with a comforting smile on her muzzle. "This is why we're taking it slow, Luna. To let them get used to seeing you here, like they have with Cadence. It took her awhile to find a comfortable place, but she has. You will too"

Luna nodded absently, taking time to consider Starsong’s words. She wanted so badly for them to be true, for her to be right despite the gnawing certainty deep inside her that refused to accept it fully. That could not accept she might be able to find happiness here.

She leaned over the table, resting her head on her hooves. "And until then? What place is there for me here? I do not know where to even begin. Cadance has suggested adopting a new identity, alter myself to hide who I am, learn to be used to things that way for a time before revealing myself. Yet... I cannot say the idea does not concern me. Needing to put on a mask in a place where ponies are meant to be free to be themselves."

Luna heard Starsong moving, the table shaking a bit as she bumped into it. Looking up she saw the unicorn was no longer on the other side of the table. Before Luna could try to find where she had gone, she felt a wing drape comfortingly over her withers, curling around her barrel and pulling her gently against the doctor. Luna leaned into the embrace, letting out a small, gasping sob. Being held like this, it felt so good, so calming, she felt safe, loved, and yet something felt slightly wrong about it.

Starsong nuzzled Luna’s neck, her voice lowering down to just above a whisper while losing none of it’s calming power. "That is one way to look at it, though maybe another way would be an intricate roleplay? Assume an alternate identity and have fun with it. You would not be the first to do so. In a way I do so myself. "

She hugged the princess close, her other wing reaching around to wipe the dampness from Luna’s cheeks, leaving a gentle tingling sensation behind. "All of us roleplay in some way here, and when you are not? Show yourself in other ways. You need not completely hide away who you are. I can introduce you to ponies that would love to call you a friend, or slave, or pet, or even mistress. Not because of Princess Luna, but because of Luna the rather cute mare."

Luna smiled, it sounded so nice, and the embrace of Starsong’s wings was so comforting. Wait… wings!? Luna drew back from the apparent alicorn, her eyes going wide as she looked over her. What Luna had thought to be merely some form of feathery cloak or blanket had instead been a pair of large, soft, warm… She shook her head, trying to focus on what she was seeing, to make sense of it. We reviewed her guard file, no mention had been made of this. Sister would have known, as would Cadance, why would they not tell us?

Starsong let Luna look her over, her gentle grin gaining a slightly mischievous cast as she watched the princess work through this. It cannot be what it appears, leaving only… She trailed off, one hoof rising up to her cheek, remembering the slight tingling sensation that had accompanied the touch, that she could still feel under the wing wrapped around her. Magic.

~~S~~

This night had been going almost as well as Starsong could have hoped. She had been worried how difficult things might go while she had watched Luna pacing outside her door, with the princess having to fight herself to even knock. Yet once Luna’s initial nerves had been calmed, the Lunar Princess had opened up more in a few minutes than Starsong had thought she would over several sessions.

Even with the small amount of time Starsong had spent with her, she was finding that unlike her sister, Luna was incredibly easy to read. It was clear that the alicorn was not used to concealing her emotions, if she even could. Every thought, every fluctuation of feeling was made clear in ways both subtle and overt. Even those that Luna appeared to not even realize she was feeling.

She watched the emotions playing across her patient's face as Luna tried to process her latest discovery: First the shock of realizing Starsong had limbs she shouldn’t, followed by a quick bit of self recrimination for not having noticed sooner -it seemed not even a princess was immune to falling into that trap, it still amazed Starsong at times how easily ponies could convince themselves they didn’t see what they really saw- now thoughtfulness as her mind worked to puzzle out what was happening, then melting into a look of dawning comprehension as she figured it out.

Starsong let Luna’s mind work, let her puzzle this out on her own. Not only to give Luna a bit of confidence, to give her a victory earned on her own, but also because Starsong had found that at times it was helpful to give a patient who was getting lost in their emotions a logical problem to solve. Give them something that would take their mind off running in circles of self doubt and regret.

Luna closed her eyes, as she reopened them the soft, deep wells overflowed with argent light. The glowing gaze sweept over Starsong briefly before dimming as Luna closed her eyes once more. “Ah, t'is an illusion, and a most robust and skillful one. Impressive.” As Luna made her announcement she reopened her eyes, the silver light gone.

Starsong nodded, snapping her wings out to show them off before wrapping one back around Luna, who much to Starsong’s delight returned to leaning against her. “Yes, as I said, we all have ways of using our time in the Society to enjoy being things we are not.”

Luna twisted away just enough to look over at Starsong, one eyebrow cocked and her head tilted, her eyes darting between Starsong’s horn and wings.

The unicorn shook her head. “Oh no, it has nothing to do with wanting to be a princess, one of my greatest dreams is being able to fly. It’s something I would gladly give up my magic for if I had to.”

Luna nodded, returning to leaning against Starsong. The doctor letting her rest there for a few moments in peace, giving the princess time to relax and think over things. Finally she nudged Luna’s shoulder to get her attention. “I have a question for you Luna. What is your idea of a good night spent in the Society?”

Luna’s hoof traced tiny patterns over the table as she thought of her reply. “I, am not fully certain. Not in detail. There is so much new here, so much different from how things were back in my time. The core of things is the same, yet so many new ways to explore it. So many new ways of pleasuring or being pleasured. Of being controlled or in control. I would hardly know where to start."

Almost unconsciously she leaned back into Starsong's wings. "But, if I had to say, at least in the most general way? I would simply wish to be used, to be taken, treated like naught but a common slave. To know that my station, my past, that nothing but who I was at that moment mattered in how I was being treated. That all that I earn, praise or punishment, was but the result of the actions I took in the present."

“That sounds like a lovely goal Luna. And one that I’m sure you will be able to accomplish.” Starsong loosened her wing, letting it run down Luna’s back. “The important thing is to take it slow. I suggest starting as a silver bell only, and sticking to the easier areas, maybe the Slave Pens.”

She could feel a small shiver run up Luna’s spine at that suggestion. “Normally I’d recommend starting in the Tea House, but in your case… I think you can handle something a bit wilder. Also, I’d agree with Cadance to, at least at first, try this while looking just like any other pony. You can even work it into your role, invent a whole new pony to be. A scared, innocent young mare forced into being a pleasure slave perhaps?”

This got a tiny ‘mmmm’ from the princess, encouraging Starsong to go on. It was clear Luna wanted to take part in the Society, she simply needed a bit of help working out how. “If you want, I can even send a few doms that I knew your way, ones that I’m sure will give you exactly what you want.” Her muzzle slid next to Luna’s ear, her voice dropping to a husky whisper as she spoke. “Or, I could go with you if you wished.”

The resulting fluttering of Luna’s wings made clear to Starsong how Luna felt about that idea. She certainly found the right track to get Luna focusing more on the fun she could have than worrying about what might go wrong.

At least till she felt Luna tense and saw her shake her head. “That does sound lovely. We… we are not sure we are ready though. To return. Not after what happened last time. Not if I might… might…”

She took a deep breath, visibly forcing herself to calm down. She looked at Starsong, fear still clear in her eyes, but also a hopefulness that Starsong couldn’t fail to notice. “Thou said thou would go with us. Was it meant, as in accompany us as another slave, or for thou to be the one who claimed us?”

“Either, whichever you would prefer my dear.” Starsong nuzzled Luna’s cheek, resisting the urge to follow up with a kiss to her nose. There was a sense of vulnerability to the mare that one would hardly suspect of a princess if one did not know better. But there were still things Starsong could tell she was hiding. This has gone smooth enough so far, but what she really needs is to let some of that pain out. Starsong’s eyes darted to the half open door to the office’s second area, a smile creeping further across her muzzle.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Luna let out a long sigh that ended in a soft whimper. Her head hung low and her eyes were closed. "I do not know anymore what it is I wish half the time. It seems every time I interact with ponies, I end up messing something up. It works out in the end... and yet…”

Luna choked back a sob as Starsong wrapped her wing back around the princess. “But perhaps thou art right. Hiding away in my chambers will aid nothing. It is just, anymore... I do not know what I am meant to do save raise the Moon. A task my sister has more than proven herself capable of."

Starsong pulled Luna close, wrapping a foreleg around her as well, cradling the princess to her like a foal. “For starters, you bring joy and beauty to millions of ponies every night with your amazing work getting the night sky just perfect.”

She nudged Luna’s head, directing her gaze up to the stars above them. “Princess Celestia may have been able to raise the moon, but she is just a novice compared to a true artistic master. Don’t think ponies haven’t noticed.”

The small smile that earned her was enough to urge Starsong to try and push for her next idea. "You know Luna, it's normal to feel lost. We all reach a point where we need others to guide us back on the path. There is no shame in it. Maybe what you need is to let go. Of everything. Responsibility, worries, princesshood... adulthood." She grinned playfully "Be a little filly for a while. Just let go."

Of all the reactions Starsong anticipated, a snort of dismissive, even slightly bitter laughter wasn’t one of them. "You do not know what fillyhood was like for us. The world was a much different place, not even fillies long held the illusion of having no responsibilities, of simply playing for the sake of joy. Even those born to families that had homes to call their own and were not nomads wandering the Realms.

“And that is before being made a symbolic leader for an entire new kingdom made up of three factions that till recently had been all but at open war with one another, who were still waging a war against the Wendigo’s, all before you had even found your Cutie Mark.”

“Oh, you poor thing…” She pulled Luna closer, wrapping both wings around the princess. “I think it’s way past time you were allowed to enjoy being a carefree little filly, if only for a few hours.”

~~L~~

Luna nestled back into the Starsong’s embrace. She felt so safe, so at peace in the mare’s illusory wings. Something about the way Starsong held her was so different then the times either Cadance or Celestia did so.

She was finding it hard to believe that she had been so scared of this, of speaking to somepony of her worries. Just the small amount of time she’d already spent here and she was feeling better, more secure, more hopeful of the future then she had since… since… A shudder ran up her body. Since she had thought The Boderlands was a good place to go on her very first night as a full Society member.

Neigh, do not dwell on that Luna. She forced her thoughts back to what Starsong had said. In any other context, she would have likely dismissed the idea as foalish, without a thought to the pun being made by that. One did not simply get the chance to forget their responsibility, their duty. And yet, was that not something she sought out of the Society? A place to go to escape the pressures of her life for a few hours? Why would this be any different?

She pulled away from Starsong enough so she could turn her head back to look the mare in the eye. “What art thou suggesting? Merely play-acting the part, or the use of age regression magic?”

“Either one, whichever you prefer Luna.” The grin on her face made clear that she was enjoying this immensely. “I hope this doesn't feel too weird for you. To bring this up like this.”

“Starsong, I have twice seen the world twisted by Discord’s mad whims, faced beings older then the very concept of reality as we know it, and that is not to mention having encountered Pinkamina Pie. It would take far more than this to ‘weird me out’ I believe the expression is.” She paused, taking a moment to think things over before nodding. “I… must admit to having had reservations about coming here, and yet it has already been…” She shook her head. “Regardless, if this what thou advises I try for mine therapy, who am I to gainsay you?”

“It’s normally something used on other types of patients, however I think you really would benefit from it.” Starsong stood up, making Luna whimper slightly as the comforting wings were pulled away. She urged Luna to her hooves, nudging her towards the half open door.

Luna followed the gentle but insistent guidance, “Now you have me have me curious what sort of patients this is for.”

Starsong softly ‘tch’ed and shook her head as she brushed past Luna. “Sorry, can’t tell you that. But I think you can imagine a few things, you’re a bright mare.” Starsong looked back and winked, brushing her tail playfully across Luna’s neck and face. “The Society attracts all types of people, and some of them have very troubled pasts that we can help them overcome.”

Luna’s steps paused for a moment as she tried to work out what Starsong was hinting at, quickly shaking her head to clear her mind of those thoughts. She had a few ideas, but dwelling on such hardships and struggles simply did not feel right at the moment. It was enough to know how much her Society had grown, and how much good it did for her ponies.

Starsong looked over her shoulder, jerking her head to the door. “Come along little Luna~” Her voice had slipped into an excited, sing-song tone as she nearly pranced through the doorway.

Luna smiled at the playfulness, quickly following. The room was about the same size as the outer office, but far more crowded. The ceiling held the same view of the night sky, but rather than lush carpet the floor was covered in a soft, spongy mat of some kind that her hooves sank into. The walls were covered in posters and drawings of what she could only assume were popular characters for foals; she recognized a few of them from costumes she had seen during Nightmare Night.

Everywhere she looked the room cried out that it was made for little ones. Several cribs were tucked away at the far end, playpens scattered around. Toy chests standing open, revealing the treasures held within, piles of stuffed animals everywhere. The only thing in the room that was not dedicated to foals’ enjoyment was the large cabinet near the door that was filled with vials of liquid that Starsong was searching through.

Luna looked at the assembled toys and games, smiling at the thought of seeing this room filled with joyful foals playing with them. “So thou will simply use Zebra alchemy to turn us into a foal, and we are to then ‘play’? W-I am not sure I know how.”

Starsong turned from the cabinet, two bottle held in her magic. “Den Mother alchemy actually, and just, do whatever feels natural to you. Now, you have two options.” The vials floated over to Luna. “Full regression, both physical and mental.” One vial moved forward. “Or physical only.” The other one moved up to replace the first.

Luna quickly grabbed the second vial. “We shall take this one. This idea is… we shall try it, but there is a limit to what we can allow. Even if yon potion t'is strong enough to overcome our defenses.”

Starsong tucked the unselected potion back into the cabinet before shutting it. “Oh I completely understand and even agree. I much prefer that one myself, but I had to give you the option. Now bottom’s up, take your medicine like a good filly!”

Starsong’s eagerness was impossible for Luna to want to disappoint. Steeling herself she uncorked the vial, downing the sweet potion in a single quick gulp. She closed her eyes, focusing inward. She felt the magic spreading as she suppressed her natural defenses, allowing it to do its work without effort to stop it, though tracing its path and making sure she know how to most easily undo its effects if needed.

When Luna opened her eyes she found herself laying on the soft mat. Everything around her grown large, towering above her. She cautiously got to her hooves, wobbling a bit on her much shorter legs. She fanned her wings, just barely feeling any sense of lift from the fluttering stubs. Reaching a hoof up to inspect her horn revealed it too had been drastically reduced.

She spun in a circle, trying to get a good look at herself. Her coat had turned the same lighter shade of blue it had been as a foal, along with her now plain, dark purple mane and tail. The black splotches across her rump and hips no longer sporting her beloved cutie mark.

A quick test of her horn revealed her magic to not be nearly as diminished as she had feared, though it felt clumsy, difficult to focus right, but she was certain she could break the spell holding her like this is she needed to and she could still feel the ever present connection to her Moon deep inside of her.

She turned to find Starsong now laying on the floor, her legs tucked under her as she watched the foal. On impulse, Luna rushed over to the mare, wrapping her stubby legs around her in a quick hug before galloping off to inspect the nearest toy chest.

Luna wasn’t sure if it was the potion, or simply a result of being a filly, but she already felt lighter, freer. So much baggage, so many fears lifted, no responsibility, no worrying about what might happen, just the ever present ‘now’ and a room full of toys for her to do as she wanted with.

She reared back to look into the nearest chest, her magic shifting things aside, searching, finally pulling out an assortment of wooden blocks. She laid them out on the floor then set to work building a mighty castle out of them. Carefully placing each block by hoof rather than using her magic, enjoying the feel of building, of watching her creation take shape before her. She had to carefully stretch to get the final block on top of the pile without knocking the rest over, but she managed.

Taking a step back she looked over her work. She giggled, shaking her head. It was a mess, a pile of random blocks that only barely resembled any sort of structure, and yet, simply the act of building like that had been so enjoyable, she hardly cared. There was nopony here to judge her work, to call her to task for it failing to be perfect.

She giggled louder as a thought slid through her head. Without thinking twice she reared back on her hind legs, letting out a loud, fearsome, yet very squeaky, roar. The monster slowly stumbled towards the mighty fortress, its high walls no match for the creature's strength as it batted the highest peak side. Its legs kicking down the strong, solid walls. The beast rampaged through the once great citadel, reducing it to rubble before collapsing among the debris, rolling around clutching its belly as it laughed.

Getting back to her hooves, Luna looked for her next target. Spying a nearby pile of stuffed animals she took off, leaping into the air, her wings buzzing rapidly to carry her the whole way before she belly flopped into the middle of the soft pile, plushies scattering everywhere, all while the foal’s laughter filled the room.

She picked up one at random, a shaggy, plump dog, and hugged it. Everything felt so good, so amazing. Setting aside the dog, she grabbed a stuffed bunny, using her magic to make it hop around the scattered animals. As she moved the bunny around the room, she saw something tucked away on the other side of the room. A single, massive stuffed bear easily larger than herself sitting between a toy chest and one of the cribs. All alone.

Luna climbed out of the plushie pile, slowly making her way towards the bear. It looked… rather sad to her, slumped forward as if the weight of the world was on its shoulders. The dark brown, glass orbs of its eyes appeared deep and filled with a sort of endless, stoic persistence. Never blinking or shifting. Always forced to look forward, never behind.

At some point, the stuffing in its muzzle had become distorted, twisting the sown on smile into a thin line, just barely starting to slip into a frown. Standing in front of the bear, Luna looked up at it’s sad, yet determined expression. “Look at you, all alone. It’s because you are different, isn’t it? Too big, too special to fit in with the others.” She looked over her shoulder at the scattered toys. “But always watching, always seeing them play, unable to join in.”

She reached up, trying to use her hooves to shift the fluff inside of its muzzle, to try and restore a smile to the noble creature. Her vision started to blur as she failed to get things right, as the smile she knew the toy deserved failed to take shape. Every time she would step back to look either it had shifted back into its near frown or the smile looked forced, stretched, distorted in some way, never natural, never as if the creature was truly happy. At best she could manage to make it force the appearance for her own sake.

She finally gave up, lowering her trembling hooves and looking back over her shoulder at the other animals. “I see… even if you could join in, you’d still stand out, you’d always be outside of things looking in. Always knowing you were too different to truly belong. Is that why you won’t smile?”

Her tiny voice was starting quiver, “It’s not fair, why should you have to sit on the sidelines, watching others, never being accepted, never a true part of the group.” She wrapped her legs around the bear’s neck, burying her face in it’s fuzzy chest. “It’s not fair!” She sobbed, her small body trembling as she clutched the toy tighter. “It’s not. You didn’t ask to be different, to be special, to stand out. To always feel alone, no matter how many ponies are around you.”

The bear’s arms reached up, hugging the filly back. One of its soft, firm paws gently stroked her mane. It held her tight, leaning down to gently nuzzle her, and the dam within the foal broke. The sobs came one after that other, building on themselves till the little filly was wailing, body trembling in rage, anger, sadness, fear, more emotions than she knew what to do with, pouring them out into the soft, warm, comforting presence holding her tight.

~~S~~

Starsong’s magic moved the bear’s arms, wrapping them tighter around the little filly. She smiled gently as she watched the sight. There was a subtle warmth in her chest at the beautiful scene of Luna hugging the teddy and transposing her feelings onto the bear. She felt comforted by the fact Luna took to it so naturally.

She moved in behind Luna, her hooves making no sound on the padded floor. Starsong laid down, wrapping herself around the weeping filly and the stuffed toy she was clinging to. She held her close, letting the filly cry herself out, simply holding her, comforting her.

As Luna’s sobbing began to die down, Starsong released her hold on the bear, pulling Luna away and cradling the filly in her wings, one hoof stroking down Luna’s mane and neck. “It’s alright little one, it’s alright. I’m here. Shhh, shhhh, it’s alright.”

The filly’s sobs grew softer as she snuggled deeper into Starsong’s embrace, taking a few trembling breaths, getting herself back under control. Luna opened her eyes, blinking away the tears as she wiped a little hoof over her face. “Thank you.” was all she said before wrapping her legs around Starsong’s neck and hugging her tight.

The motherly unicorn held her tight, still running her hoof along Luna’s back, not caring the least about the wetness soaking into her coat as the filly wiped her tear streaked face into it. “It’s alright, it’s going to be alright. Just get it all out, I’m right here for you.”

With a long, shuddering sigh, Luna pushed back, pulling away from Starsong, looking up at her with a tear streaked face, reddened eyes, yet a smile on her muzzle. “Thank you, again.”

Starsong set the filly on the floor, sliding one wing around to rub along her back as she beamed down at her. “Are you feeling better?”

Luna nodded, taking a long, slow breath before answering. “Aye, this was… surprisingly effective. I… I believe you are right. I wish to… to be a part of the Society, to try and fit in here. It is just…” The filly did her best to wrap her wings around herself as she closed her eyes, looking away from Starsong. “Just… I’m scared…”

Starsong leaned down, kissing Luna’s forehead. “I know, but we will work through it, and we will make it happen, together.” She nuzzled Luna’s cheek. “And remember, I’m here for you, as are Cadance and your sister. You are not alone Luna, ever. Even beyond us, there are so many ponies that love you, that want to be your friend, both in the Society in outside of it, simply because of who you are.”

Luna shuddered, a small sob slipping through her lips. “I know, it is just…”

“It's hard to make yourself believe it. I know. But we’ll work on it.” Her magic reached out, grabbing a plush doll that had been inside of one of the cribs, out of sight of Luna, moving it up behind the filly. “And, just so you know, Reginald there is probably the second most popular toy in here.” She nodded to the bear.

“I can see why.” Luna opened her eyes, smiling up at Starsong again. “Though second? Which then is the- AHH!” She gasped as Starsong moved the stuffed Luna doll in front of the filly Luna’s face, dipping it forward to lightly bap Luna on the nose with it.

Luna went cross-eyed for a moment, trying to focus on the large, dark blue shape in front of her. As she realized what it was she shook her head, her tiny body trembling. She looked up at the plushie version of her, then to Starsong, then back, finally letting out a soft ‘heh’. Like a dam breaking, that tiny start unleashed a flood of laughter, Luna falling onto her back, rolling on the ground as she cackled, giggled and shrieked, the sound making Starsong’s smile spread as far across her muzzle as it could.

Starsong lifted the plushie up so Luna could see it, spreading its wings as wide as they’d go and shaking it in time with her voice as she tried to mimic Luna. “What is this!? Is this funny? Art We being laughed at!? Explain thyself young foal! Why art thou finding our image to be so humorous!?”

That only set Luna off more, the giggling laughter becoming high pitch squeals. Setting aside the plushie, Starsong leaned in, accepting the strokes from flailing hooves on her face as she pushed her muzzle against Luna’s belly, blowing a long, wet raspberry; Luna’s squeals reaching a pitch nearly beyond a normal ponies range of hearing. Starsong blew once more, then pulled back to give the now gasping little princess time to recover.

It took nearly a minute for Luna to get herself back under control, but finally she rolled onto her stomach and sat up, still panting lightly. “That was… not fair Starsong!”

“Maybe, but it was fun!” She winked at the filly and ruffled a hoof through her mane. “You have a very adorable laugh Luna, you should let ponies hear it more often.”

The filly blushed and nodded. “Perhaps. Thank you, again, for this. I did not believe anypony could… could help me so much in such a short time. I feel better then I have since at least Nightmare Night. I… I know there is still a… a long road ahead but, thank you, for helping me find the path. We shall rejoin the Society, under guise at first. It… still seems troubling yet, if you truly believe it the best way forward, we shall try it.”

Starsong nodded, her smile brightening as she tried to keep from picking up the little foal and crushing her in a joyous hug. “I do. But I’d suggest you still allow yourself to be seen as yourself as well. Not in the dungeons if you don’t want, or even engage in play as yourself. But at least get ponies used to seeing you around. Even something as simple as sitting at a cafe sharing lunch with me or Cadance on occasion would be good. Help ponies get used to the idea of you being just another sight around here.”

Luna cocked her head and let out a small ‘hmmmm’. “That sounds wise, we shall consider it.” She looked back over her body, then up at Starsong, one hoof pawing anxiously at the ground. “There is… one other thing I wish to ask of thee, but it… it is not something I feel comfortable speaking of like this.” She jerked her muzzle at her body.

“Alright, I take it you want the antidote now?” Starsong reached behind her with her magic, wrapping it around two doses of the restoration potion. Her wide grin curling up into a mischievous smirk as she selected one of the two and brought it over after Luna’s agreeing nod.

The offered bottle earned her a cold, flat stare from the little filly as she noticed what Starsong was offering. “Hehe, oops, wrong one, you’re not that far regressed.” She laughed it off, setting the foal-bottle back in place with a sheepish grin on her muzzle. Dang, oh well, was worth a try. She pulled out the regular vial, passing it wordlessly to Luna.

She sat back as the magical cure took effect, the small filly quickly stretching and growing back into the statuesque alicorn of the night. The majesty only slightly marred by her ending up on her back and having to wiggle and squirm to get herself righted.

Luna stood up, towering over the sitting Starsong as she stretched her limbs, a few loud pops coming from her joints before the Princess sat down facing the psychiatrist. Luna took a deep breath, her gaze locked on the ground at Starsong’s hooves. “As we said, we would like to try and… rejoin the Society. To participate again. Soon. However we… you… wouldst thou still… accompany us while we did so? As thou suggested?”

Starsong slid a wing under Luna’s chin, lifting the princess’ face to meet hers. “I would be honored to Luna.” She winked. “Then they’d get the fun of having two alicorns strutting around.”

Luna chuckled, gently pushing Starsong’s wing away with her own, but keeping her eyes level with Starsong’s. “Neigh, we are not… not ready for that yet. We shall try this under disguise at first. We-I would like to try what thou suggested. Being selected from the Slave Pens by you. If, if you are willing.”

Starsong leaned over, wrapping her hooves around Luna and pulling her into a hug. “Of course I am. Whenever you feel you are ready.”

She felt Luna hesitantly wrap her legs around her, returning the hug. “Not tonight I have… I feel I’ve dealt with enough for now but, in the next few days?”

Starsong pulled back, breaking the hug, but keeping her hoof resting on Luna’s shoulder. “Of course. I’ll have to clear this with Nurse Killjoy…” She blushed, one wing sweeping up to hide her muzzle as she silently cursed herself for letting her personal name for the mare slip out like that. “Sorry, sorry, meant Nurse Redheart. But that shouldn’t be an issue.”

Luna rested her own hoof on Starsong’s, looking down at it with a smile. “Thank you, was there anything else for tonight?”

“Not unless you had anything. If not, I think we can call this a successful first session. I’ll send you a note setting up our little meeting down below soon as I work out a good time. As to our formal sessions, same time next week?” She stood up, helping Luna to her hooves as she led the princess out into the main office.

“That sounds fine Starsong, I shall eagerly await thy missive.” Luna beat Starsong to opening the office door. As it opened, Starsong caught a small, muffled ‘eep’ and the sound of something rustling.

Stepping out into the waiting room with Luna she gave a quick look around and sighed. “I know you are hiding there Cadance, you can come out.”

“No, there is no Cadance here, just us potted plants!” Came from behind a fern that had suddenly grown a pink and purple tail a moment before Cadance's head popped up from behind it. “Not going to buy that I guess?”

Both mares simply gave her blank stares while shaking their heads, making the young princess blush as she tried to remove herself from behind the potted plant with some measure of grace.. “Sorry, sorry. I was just really nervous and then got startled when the door opened… So, how’d it go?”

Starsong turned to Luna, leaning over to lightly bump her shoulder. “Well, it's up to you how much you say. Like I said, my lips are sealed.”

Luna sighed, but a smile stretched across her muzzle. “Very well. Hopefully I shall see you again soon… Friend Starsong.” The last words came out hesitant, and yet hopeful, Starsong giving Luna a reassuring nod.

“Very well. Come then Mi Amore! We have much to discuss!” Wrapping her wing over Cadance’s back, Luna led the two of them out, leaving Starsong to head back into her office and collect her notes for the session.

Author's Note

So yes, the long promised start of Luna and Starsong's relationship. The story should feature alternating non-clop therapy sessions with more intimate sessions between the two.

Chapter editing thanks to Dark Kitty Luna, Scarlet Weather, and Sunspotter.