Luna's New Friend

"I -knew- it," Paper Cut mutters as she reads a musty journal.

"Knew what?" Luna asks as she looks through a telescope.

"You and Princess Celestia were born Alicorns," the filly answers. "It says so right here in your uncensored journal."

"That is accurate," Luna replies. "Is that not common knowledge?"

"I've heard that, soon after Flurry Heart was born, you said that no Alicorn had ever been born in Equestria before," Paper Cut observes.

"That is also accurate," Luna explains. "Celestia and I were born eons ago, back when there was no Equestria -- just three independent feuding tribes. So, technically, Celestia and I weren't born in Equestria."

"Ahhh... and, of course, Princesses Cadance and Twilight Sparkle were made into Alicorns, not born the way," Paper Cut says.

"Precisely." Luna pulls back from her telescope and smiles at the filly. "You're knowledgeable for somepony so young."

Paper Cut looks up from the journal and smirks. "And you're amiable for somepony so old."

If somepony else had said that, Luna would've gotten mad. Instead, she laughs.

"I would like to think that I have aged gracefully," the princess smiles.

"Perhaps spending a millennium on the moon had something to do with that," Paper Cut replies.

Luna's smile disappears.

"What, too soon?" Paper Cut asks. "It's already been about eight years since you returned."

"To an Alicorn, eight years is not much time," Luna replies.

"That's hard to believe, given how impatient and short-tempered you are," Paper Cut remarks.

Luna's smile returns. "Do you always talk so bluntly to royalty?"

"You're the first royal I've ever met," Paper Cut answers.

"I hope for my fellow princesses' sake that I am the last," Luna chuckles.

The filly smirks too, before looking back down at the journal.

After a few moments, Paper Cut says, "The guard outside seemed troubled."

"...How could you tell?"

"His tone of voice sounded weird," the filly replies. "Am I right?"

Luna frowns. "As a matter of fact, yes... His mother died yesterday."

Paper Cut looks up from the book. "Then what's he doing here?"

"...What do you mean?"

"Why's he at work?" the filly asks. "Didn't you offer him some time off?"

"...The thought did not even occur to me," Luna replies.

Paper Cut frowns. "That was inconsiderate of you."

Luna frowns as well. "How can you say that, when you're so nonchalant about your own father's death?"

"I am -now,-" Paper Cut retorts. "I wasn't the day after he died."

Luna blushes.

"This might be hard to believe, but I cry sometimes," the filly continues. "Not as much as more effusive ponies do, but still. Everypony grieves in their own way. You should give that guard the chance to grieve in private."

"...But... this is different," Luna replies. "You are a foal. He is an adult. A royal guard, no less."

"He still has a heart, doesn't he?" Paper Cut asks. "Weren't -you- upset when your parents died?"

"...I... have no memory of my parents. Celestia is the only relative whom I remember."

Paper Cut blushes. "...Sorry."

Luna smiles at the filly. "Do not be... they died over a millennium ago."

Paper Cut rolls her eyes. "That sounded better when I said it."

The princess chuckles. "In all seriousness... I just realized why I was insensitive to the guard's loss. I do not remember ever losing a relative, so I cannot understand that pain.

"When you told me that your father died, I was sympathetic, because you are just a foal... But when the guard told me that his mother died, I thought little of it, because he is an adult.

"But... I suppose that a family member's death hurts at any age, does it not?"

"How would I know?" the filly replies. "I'm just a foal."

Luna smiles. "You are much more than that, Paper Cut. Please excuse me a moment."

The princess opens her bedchamber's door, steps into the hall, and closes the door behind her. Shortly afterward, she returns.

"You should have seen the look on his face." Luna smiles and blushes. "I cannot remember the last time I saw somepony so grateful."

"You want to see gratitude?" Paper Cut asks. "Break out the cake that you mentioned earlier."

Luna raises an eyebrow. "I thought you said that you do not care for sweets?"

"Haven't you learned anything from your sister?" the filly smirks. "When you're a cake addict, you keep it a secret."