Having heard the clang of the door locks being opened, I shook off my uneasy slumber. All the thoughts, fears and doubts, I had to live through this day, rushed like a hurricane inside my mind. I tossed my head and, having leaped from the sofa, went to the corridor with resolute step.

***

”Oh, hello, Luna. I am glad to see you come to greet me. How are you?” - I looked briefly at the graceful figure of the princess.

She had the safety device removed, hadn’t she? Hmm... - there was no plastic top at the end of the horn, only the part of the tape stuck. I felt tension. It seemed, she spent the day not in the way she should have. The troubles were about to begin. I put the bags with food down and took off my jacket.

”Lairy, you have to be honest with me” - Luna uttered coldly.

”Mr-rph, okay, give me a second” - I responded, taking off my shoes and observing the pony with the corner of my eye. Luna behaved stiffly and distantly, watching my every move. She was flinching nervously and turning over her ears. She tried to hide her emotions, but she was quite bad at that.

I decided not to take off the sweater, warm pants and other outer clothes. There were more pressing matters at hand. Luna stepped back awkwardly, letting me come into the living room. Well, I saw that during my absence my guest learned how to turn on the light. There was a sheet of paper lying on the back of the sofa. And the spotted blanket was crumpled and pushed into the corner. The door to the balcony was open slightly. Luna seemed to prefer the cool fresh air. I sniffed. There was no foreign smells. That was a relief. Feeling the hypnotic stare on my back, I sat on the sofa askew, pressed my legs to the chest, braced on my knees and rested my chin on them. That pose made me smaller than the pony, which jumped upon the sofa beside me. I deliberately gave in to Luna to make her feel more comfortable psychologically. She looked down at me, like a royalty would. Although both of us knew who really was the master here, and who was listening to him.

”I am ready to serve, your majesty. What questions do you have?” - I said calmly.

My eagerness confused the princess a little, and she hesitated, examining me intently, as if I was some exotic and dangerous creature.

”Have you already realized, that We do not trust you, Lairy?”

”Yes”

”We demand direct and honest answers to Our questions”

”Ask away” - I shrugged my shoulders.

”Do you want to kill Us?” - the alicorn met my eyes, trying to discover the slightest sign of me lying.

Some weird questions she had - I cocked my head slightly to one side.

”No”

***

Feeling the sofa spun under my hooves, I staggered, took a step back and sat down. During the day, I had searched the entire house, looking for exits, and became certain that there were just two of them: the door and the balcony. I rejected the free falling from the balcony at once. I felt trapped, because, having grown soft after bathing, I told Lairy too much about myself. He knew now that I was helpless against him. All my power lied in magic after all. Without that, it was piece of cake to rip off my wings or wring my neck. The human said that my horn was dangerous. So I tore off that thing, which he had stuck on it recently. I knew what a grisly fate he consigned me and I was ready to fight for my life to the last gasp. But I was not ready to hear “no”.

Cheetahs were watching me. One was a painting on the wall, the other one was sitting right in front of me. Both of them were predators, murderers. Someone’s flesh inside the frozen box proved that. I could not be wrong about it. Lairy was lying.

”Why not?” - I asked, wishing to delay the bloody outcome and extract the truth.

”According to the deal I made with the princess Celestia, I have to care about you while she is looking for the way to bring you back to Equestria. You are a valuable asset, your death is unfavourable. Celestia will reward me generously. It is in my best interests to keep you alive and well”

So I became a valuable asset and that’s why I have not been pushed under the knife yet? Unbeliev-pony-able! Just wait, Tia, I will pull your tail, when I am back!

”Take this paper” - I point my hoof hastily, vainly trying to hide my confusion.

Lairy took the paper from the back of the sofa, not breaking eye contact, and then looked at it.

”I found this in your room. Who is drawn on this picture?”

”This is your sister Celestia. I had drawn her from memory, several days before you came here”

”She looks very tired...”

”That was how she looked, when I saw her”

”Did you meet each other?”

”Yes” - Lairy glanced at me over the sheet of paper and smiled. His eyes saddened - “She came to me in my dream, looking so strangely phantasmal, tired and hopeless. She asked me to help her sister Luna. I t took my interest and I answered her. I know that there are many spies and energy vampires, constantly waiting to catch on someone, in the delicate worlds. But I always pay much attention to everything, what happens in my dreams. And the crying white alicorn on her knees is quite a memorable sight”

”On her knees?” - at that moment I thought I was hard of hearing.

”Yes. Celestia was on her knees, begging me to save you, Luna”

”And you?” - with all the good will in the world I have not been able to hide my curiosity and tears anymore.

”And I agreed. She told me, how you were treated. I could not stand aside and forget about that dream. It would be against my principals. Besides, I had everything I need to help you. Even if Celestia turned out to be just a beautiful dream, I would not lose anything, but a few liters of gasoline. And one night the princess showed me where I should drive to. I followed that road I saw in my dream. The signs, turns and lanterns - everything matched. Having arrived, I stood for a long time just in front of the house, you were concealed in. I still had some doubts about Celestia’s words and actions, but only until I saw you walking out, chained. You know everything, what happened next”

”And what now?”

”Now the rescued sister is sitting next to me and judges rashly that her savior is going to kill her. Celestia be praised, what else?” - Lairy spread his hands and rolled up his eyes to the ceiling.

***

Having squeezed into the corner of the sofa, dark mare studied me intently. It seemed that she expected a completely different answer and was ready to die. But why? I went to my knees and reached to her muzzle with my hand carefully. Having given a frightened snore, she tried to draw back and pressed her body into the pillow, trembling with fear. I hesitated, showing my empty hand to her, and drew a little nearer. Having laid her ears back, Luna arched her neck and bent her head as low as she could, protecting the throat. Having dodged the horn, I touched her soft velvet fell, ran my fingers down her cheek tenderly, wiping away a tear. Having blinked, the alicorn raised her head. Her gaze was a little surprised. I stroke the tears away from another cheek and asked quietly:

”Luna, what’s the matter?”

”Leave me alone, I have to think” - there was no former pressure and confidence in her voice now. The answer was given to me by a lonely pony, who had lost herself in the boundless cruel world. Having tucked up her legs and tail tightly, she covered her head with a wing.

I put the drawing of Celestia next to Luna, went to bedroom, changed my clothes, took the bags I left in the corridor. A big puddle of water and thawed packaged beef were waiting for me in the kitchen.

”R-r-rm, why did she need to poke in the freezer?” - I grumbled, moving the meat to the table. I cleaned up the floor, and since the meat was already thawed, I cut off several slices of it and shoved the rest back into the fridge. Chewing the meat, I placed new foodstuffs on the shelves and grinned, having noticed a gnawed butter. Of course, the pony had the whole day to explore the flat and to thrust her nose into everything.

I heard the weeping from the living room. Luna was still lying in the corner of the sofa, covering herself with the wing. Her shoulders were shivering. I sighed, threw one more slice of the raw beef into my mouth and took the can of cocoa “MixFix” from the cabinet.

I lied down next to Luna, holding the cup of hot beverage in one hand and having moved her wing to the side with the other hand. The alicorn turned her tear-stained muzzle to me and sniffed the cup with caution.

”This is not a poison” - I took a sip from the cup and gave it to her. Then I laid my palms on her hooves, holding gently while she was drinking.

”Will you not kill me, really?” - the mare whispered

”I will not. Would you care to explain what happened to you?”

”I looked into the food cabinet, found the frozen flesh on the top shelf and it scared me so much”

”Do you mean that package with meat? But I had already told you about the meat yesterday. Humans are omnivores. As for me, I prefer meat to greens”

”I know” - the pony snorted crossly - “But I thought you want to cut-up my meat!”

”And what made you think so?”

”That flesh had the same colour as mine” - Luna raised her bandaged leg - “And you have those nasty pictures hanging on the walls. Especially the ones, which have victims on them”

”In case you do not know, almost every living creature’s flesh and blood are red in colour. And as for them...” - I pointed at the wall without looking back - “They kill to live. It is in their nature. It is their life”

”So you do kill too” - Luna said bluntly, as if her charges against me included some severe crimes.

I took the empty cup from Luna’s hooves, placed it on the floor and took the pony’s head with both hands to keep her from turning away.

”Yes. I can kill” - I answered calmly and emphatically. It was pleasant to see the alicorn’s pupils growing wider with fear with my every word - “But I have no need to do it. And I will not hurt you. Do you understand?”

”Yes” - Luna exhaled ardently.

”And now, Your Majesty, since I gave an answer to this vitally important question of yours, would you mind to comply with one request of mine?”

”N-n... what is the request?” - the mare strained herself.

”Calm down, stop dashing aside from every shadow, seeing imaginary horrors and shattering nerves of both of us. You are safe here”

”Okay, I will try”

”Thanks. And if you still think that I am going to take your life, then how will you explain my attention and caring for you?”

Before the princess could answer, I scratched her nose and went to the bathroom.

***

”Yes... I... can... kill...”

I was horrified to hear those words. The calmness of the voice, telling me that, the strength of the hands holding my head, making me look into grey eyes gently and inevitable, frightened me so much that I came close to fainting and hardly apprehended what was said next. It was hard to believe, that I would be safe. I began to think that even my life in the dark cellar was not so hopeless. Does Lairy take pleasure in my fear?

Or maybe I really was too nervous and I should calm down. Let’s pretend, for instance, that I was saved by a griffon. What do the griffons eat? That’s right, they eat meat. I recalled the half-forgotten moment of my royal life. It was some formal party, meeting of the Equestrian rulers with the ambassadors of Griffonstein. There was warm welcome and gift exchanging, discussing of the important matters, the dinner. The griffons did not decline our food, but brought theirs too. Some noble ponies could not bear that and left the hall with Celestia’s permission. They were followed by condescending glances of the winged predators. After that awkward delay, the senior ambassador raised his goblet for the glory of Her Majesty. The feast was going on. I knew that griffons’ food were different from salad and cider, but managed to stay calm and exchange the civilities, reminding myself that there were many different creatures in the world and not every one of them ate grass.

I was calm at that time. So what the hay I freaked out today?! And what would Tia say, had she known that I, Luna of Equestria, had crawled from the kitchen on my belly, weeping, and then had been lying for an hour under the table, cursing the cellar, Lairy, his house, bathing, nightmare spirit and all phases of the Moon, which made me fall into this. And the rest of the day I spent raging through the house, bumping in every corner with my horn so I had almost broke it two times. When the host came back, I interrogated him instead of welcoming and was scared once more. And, as the matter of fact, I just confirmed that he was a predator. What a sha-a-ame. Having stretched myself on the sofa, I covered my head with front legs, feeling my muzzle become hot and red up to my ears from embarrassment. If Lairy see me like this, I would rather be swallowed up by the floor to find myself somewhere deep, in some cellar.

He saw. And most unfortunately, I did not fall into the cellar. Having come out of the corridor, the human stood half-turned away, examining me attentively and... was there some kind of sympathy in his eyes? Looking at him from under my hoof, I felt myself more deserving of mockery or disdain or both at once.

Lairy went to the kitchen with a strange gait. His weight was on his toes, knees were bent and heels were not touching the carpet. I did not remember my “master” walking in such a manner. Or was that normal for Lairy? While I was thinking, what to consider “normal” in the world I knew nothing about, Lairy came to me with a towel in his hand and went to his knees beside the sofa.

”Luna, let me wipe you dry”

”Ah?” - I guess it was my bewildered look that made the human laugh. I noticed his teeth, which were unnaturally even and yellowish on the upper jaw and dark-brown and crooked on the lower. He snorted, smiling, and reach his hands to me. What the matter with him and my head... having no fear anymore, but only indifference, I let him do what he intended to.

He wiped the tears away from my muzzle with a warm wet towel, then he cleaned every coil of my horn carefully and unstuck the piece of the tape, that I could not grapple with my hoof.

”You are purple. Or is that your usual colour?”

”I am ashamed of my behavior” - I admitted angrily.

”Do not be hard on yourself. Your behavior was normal for any living creature. You had even released your horn to be able to protect yourself”

”How do you know that?” - I demanded harshly. Might he spied at me and saw me rushing around?

”But this is so obvious” - Lairy raised his brow - “You were not exactly friendly, welcoming me. You stated bluntly, that you did not trust me. You asked if I wanted to kill you. I repeat: no, I do not want that. Yesterday, having found out that your horn was sharp, you became nervous and did not object that I had covered it. Now the horn is uncovered and I am sure, that you were going to use its direct function. And what is the function of the straight, long and sharp horn if not attacking or defending oneself?”

With a muffled moan, I fell down, crushed by that monumental logic. Could I possibly have considered repaying that human with evil, after everything he had done and was still doing for me? The drawing of Celestia rustled under my ear. I wanted to use this sheet of paper to distract Lairy, then I would rush and attack with my horn, but his answer confused all my plans.

”W-well... unicorns and alicorns usually use their horns for magical, not physical actions” - I whispered weakly.

”Usually”. But you have no magic here. So there could be only one possible conclusion, you were going to butt. And it would be some deadly, dangerous trick on your part”

Cheetah’s answer dealt the final blow. The best I could think of was to crawl nearer and hug his shoulders. He hugged me too, stroking my back and wings.

”I am sorry. I must have gone out of my mind”

”Did the smell of frozen blood drive you crazy?” - He whispered sarcastically in my ear.

”No, I am serious” - I touched Cheetah’s cheek with my hoof, drawing a little away from him - “I have never feared for my life so much. And I am scared to think what was I ready to do to survive”

”What you were ready to do is absolutely normal for this world. I am not surprised”

”I am not sure, I will ever be able to trust you, Lairy. Even though Celestia trust you, I am afraid of you”

The human pressed his palm to my hoof in silence, and, having looked at that, I wondered at how different we were. We were alien to each other.

”You do not have to trust. But our life together will be much easier and calmer, if you keep your emotions at bay and do not cause me such troubles, like you did today. Let’s m-r-r-make peace?”

I thought about his last words. “Make peace”? I glanced around the dwelling, in which I was going to stay for a several days more. Or was I going to stay here for weeks or even months? The reason pushed the fear away, the situation did not seem so depressing anymore. This was other person’s home, and I did not have the right to order about here. Everything I could do was to accept those unpleasant things, get used to them and do not pay much attention.

”Yes. I agree”

The fingers squeezed my hoof affably. I looked down shyly and found myself in the embrace again.

”This is good, Luna, thank you. Let’s have a dinner, shall we?”

”Wait” - I moved back, extricating myself from his arms, jumped off the sofa and got under the table. Having came back to Lairy, I spat the blue item out on his hand, then laid down, holding my horn up - “Stick it as it should be. I do not want to pose any danger to you”

As soon as my horn have been “made safe” again, I followed Cheetah to the kitchen and we looked into the cold cabinet together.

”I brought many delicious things. Half of that is here, the other half is on the balcony” - Lairy winked - “So you should be nicer to me”

”I will try” - I smiled and received a long, slightly curved fruit. It was dense to the touch and yellow in colour, with black speckles on it. Having made myself comfortable on the floor, I was fumbling with a fruit, examining it. One side was blunt and black, the other side ended with yellow tail.

”Peel it off” - Lairy advised, moving the food out of the pot.

Having clutched the fruit with my front hooves, I pulled the tail with my teeth. Aha, a part of its skin was peeled off like a long ribbon, exposing light pulp. I peeled off other parts in the same way with my teeth, and tasted the fruit with caution.

”It is delicious” - I was amazed - “What is that?”

”It’s a banana”

I settled myself on the stool, holding the banana in my teeth.

”I thought, that it may be more convenient for you to drink through the straw” - Lairy put a long white straw in my cup - “Sip”

Sipping actually turned out to be easier than drinking from the cup. Although, having made the first gulps, I almost choked, because I have sipped the half of the contents at once.

We were eating our helpings in silence. I was done with the fruit and now was enjoying my juice.

”Hr-r-ryrh!” - suddenly Lairy growled angrily, which made me give a start.

”Hm-m?” - I tried to look innocent and frightened, just in case.

”A-a-ah” - He waved a spoon sourly - “It is nothing. I bit my cheek”

”How so?” - I could not help asking what had happened.

”The teeth are twisted” - he explained, having slapped his left cheek with his hand - “So I bite myself from time to time”

”Gee, my condolences” - I answered, feeling surprised. To bite oneself? I was not able to imagine that.

”Thanks”

”I want to ask you...”

”Not at the mealtime, lest I would bite myself again”

Having eaten and cleaned the dishes, Lairy sat down at the table, holding a knife and an orange.

”Wow!” - I came alive, having noticed a familiar orange sphere and reached my leg for it hoof-up - “Give me this”

”Well done!” - he praised me, looking at my agile biting the skin of the orange off.

”I liked to deal with oranges in my childhood, so here it is” - I returned the peeled fruit. Lairy divide it into two parts and gave one half to me.

”Let’s have a rest, Luna. Both of us had a busy day”

Having followed a dark-blue croup of the mare with my eyes, I brushed orange peels off into the garbage bin and opened the casement.

The pony was waiting for me on the sofa. Having unfolded the crumpled blanket, I covered her, then threw the pillow into the corner of the sofa and sat down. I checked my watch. The new episode of “Lucky Luke” was going to start soon. However, I had company now and something more interesting to do, besides watching the series.

”Well-r-r-rm, what else did you want to ask me about?” - I inquired, chewing the orange slice.

”I wanted to ask about your errand. Since Celestia hired you and I became a valuable asset, it would be interesting to know, how much do I cost?”

”If I am successful in my mission, my fee will be ten thousand equestrian bits in gold”

”Ow...” - Luna rubbed her chin with the hoof thoughtfully - “Equestrian economy must have changed, while I was in the Moon. But I think, my sister put too cheap of a price on me. It is so impermissibly cheap, that I am even offended. The rescue of the royalty, and quite a troublesome rescue at that, is worth far more than merely ten thousand. I strongly recommend you to bargain”

”Let’s do it this way. When you return home, you will be able to criticize your sister and to jack up your price yourself. That is to see later. And now let’s agree that I am quite satisfied with Equestrian ten thousand. By the way, Tia came to me last night and inquired for you. I reported that everything had gone according to my plan. You were found, took away, brought here, bathed, fed and sent to bed. The client was pleased, her mood improved considerably and she started to work on her part of the scheme, trying to find the means of physical transportation there from here”

”But Tia did not come to me for some reason...”

”Mfr-r, that reason was that you slept like a log, after your recent experience” - I threw the last orange slice into my mouth - “Not a sigh, not a sound. In the morning, I even had to check out if you were alive at all. I held my palm in front of your nose and felt you wheezing. I decided not to wake you up. So, how was your day here without me?”

During Luna’s story, I had to ask her several times to specify where she had been and what she had been doing to improve my understanding of the situation. Her perception of the world was very different from mine. So I drew a conclusion, that technology in Equestria was on the medieval level. At least, the princess remembered it that way.

”Luna, do you know, that having come back to Equestria you can become a savage without family, relatives and friends, in the utterly alien world. And you will have to start your life the same way, as you do here with me, practically from scratch”

”H-how can it be?” - she asked, sounding alarmed and moving nearer to me.

”Well, you see, according to our chronology, it is the end of the twentieth century in this world. We live in the world of technology and many of the things you see around you were invented and improved over the last two hundred years. Yeah, duh... did I make myself clear or have I lost you in the dark wilderness of my speech?”

”I am trying not to be lost” - the alicorn answered uncertainly.

Eh-h-h... what a lovely prehistoric living creature... - I sighed with a joyless grin and scratched the little pony’s wary ear tenderly.

”Okay. Two hundred years equals two centuries. During that time many things in our world had changed. You have been sitting in the moon for one thousand years. That means ten centuries. The entire Equestria must have changed so much, that you would not be able to recognize it. Everything you know and remember about your motherland is hopelessly out of date. And, even worse, no one remembers you. The life moves on, many generations have passed”

”Are you s-sure?”

”Yes. There is progress in every world”

I growled in dismay, because Luna suddenly rushed to me and, having squeezed my arm tightly, pressed her body to mine.

”So there is no point for me to return, isn’t there?” - she sobbed, having touched my cheek with her nose. I hugged her with my free hand, caressing her head and neck, feeling the quickened pulse. In Luna’s eyes I could see pleading and hope. Maybe that hope was in vain.

”There is a point. Your race and your ponies live there. And you are their ruler. Probably it will be hard at first, but your magic will be working there and you will get a chance to lead a normal life. Even if the people do not accept you as a ruler, you will be able to survive, find home and food. Do you understand me, Lunie?”

”Yes...”

”And here you have nothing, you are powerless, you depend on me totally. On the top of everything, you must hide from humans and it cannot last forever. Sooner or later they will find everything out and I cannot predict how the others will act towards you. But most likely they will treat you badly. Humans tend to destroy everything they do not know and understand”

”Do you want to say...”

”I have just said that. As soon as they find out about you, they will enslave you or kill you. And it does not matter will you beg for mercy or will not”

”This is horrible. How is that possible?”

”Well, somehow that is” - I shrugged my shoulders, still caressing Luna - “This is the world we have. Everyone tries to make the others dependent upon them, weaken or use people. And you have learned about the slavery the hard way. Did you like it?”

”No”

”That is why you cannot stay here. You need to return to Equestria. I hope, Celestia will find a way soon”

”But now I am still here” - Luna’s ears flattened down sadly, while she was still clinging to my hand - “I am weak and dependent. And you...”

”What is about me?” - I raised her muzzle gently, making the princess look into my eyes.

”Will you use me too?” - she asked faintly.

Having released my hand from her embrace, I made myself comfortable, lying on my back, took the front legs of the alicorn and forcefully laid her upon me.

”Eh, why?” - Luna became anxious, trying to crawl back, but her croup set against my raised hips. Holding her tightly with one hand, I pulled the blanket with the other hand, covering both of us.

”Let me go” - the mare asked in a trembling voice. Her shining eyes were sweeping across my face.

”Luna” - having intertwined my fingers with her mane, I twiddled it a little.

”Yes?” - She was breathing fast, her heart was beating as if she was worn-out horse. I felt heavy and hot lying under her. The alicorn’s body temperature was definitely higher than human’s.

”I do not use someone’s weaknesses unless I have to. And I will not make use of your weakness”

”But... what are you doing to me?” - Luna batted her eyelashes in surprise. Obviously, my actions were going beyond her understanding.

”Did I tell you yesterday, that I liked you?” - having moved my hand under her left wing, I scratched the heaving side tenderly.

”Yes”

”And did I tell you why?”

”M-m, no”

”Yesterday you were happy and very beautiful. And I am happy to see you happy. It is the highest honor for me. You are beautiful, Luna, I want you to know that”

I was talking in a quiet, persuasive voice, rubbing Luna’s withers gently. Having craned her neck, the alicorn was staring into my eyes unblinking. It seemed that she was reading my soul like a book. And even if she was, I had nothing to hide. I was sincere with her in everything.

”And I will do nothing, which would upset you. I will not make you do anything against your will”

Having taken a deep breath, the pony closed her eyes and slowly put her head beside mine on the pillow.

”I believe you” - the alicorn whispered. Then she relaxed instantly and went limp, as if she has been hypnotized for a long time. Her heart was beating steadily, the breathing became slower. Her wings spread smoothly and reached forward, having covered us.

I did not know what was going on, but guessed that those metamorphoses were important for a magical creature like an alicorn. So I was lying quietly, having no desire to disturb Luna. Seeing only the night-coloured wing above oneself, I fell asleep insensibly.

I awaken, because the body upon me started moving actively, making howling noises. Luna was scratching her muzzle drowsily and yawning broadly.

”Did you sleep well?” - I yawned too.

”Were we asleep?” - the pony wondered, folding her wings.

I looked over her shoulder at the clock on the wall.

”We have been asleep for three hours, yes”

”I thought I have just lain down to have a rest”

”You did have a rest”

”Thank you” - Luna rubbed her nose against mine. I put the stuck-out lock of her mane behind her ear - “Oh, Lairy, could you comb my hair?”

Having found her tail with my fingers, I stretched it out at full length and weighted a good meter of horsehair in my hand skeptically.

”I do not have a hairbrush in my household. I will try to get it tomorrow. And as for combing - get off me”

”Oh, no” - the mare burst out laughing playfully, hugging my sides and shoulders with all her legs - “You had put me there, you will have to get me off”

Now that Luna was not afraid, it became far more interesting to frolic with her. I was scratching her chin and neck tenderly, trying to move her to the sofa. The pony was wheezing, narrowing her eyes, but did not move. She was lying upon me with an air of a dominant alpha female and clearly intended not to give in. Suddenly I tickled her stomach with my both hands.

”Ah, why you...” - the alicorn jumped. I pushed her up at once with my hands, having set my palms against her chest. Now she was standing on her hind legs.

”Did I get you off?” - I inquired.

”You almost did. Come on, do stop ticking already” - Luna snorted without malice. The drop of saliva fell down on my face.

”You are ready” - I kissed the princess on the cheek.

”I admit, you got out of the tight spot with dignity” - she responded with a wink.

Having sat down, I began to think, fingering with the locks of Luna’s tail. What can be used as a comb? I never combed my hair. Every time they grew too long to be smoothed with a simple motion of the hand, I shaved them with a clipper.

The projections needed to be long and close together, hm-m... there was nothing like this on the balcony or inside of the cabinets, I knew that for sure. But there was something in the kitchen. Having taken the fork out of the drawer, I looked at it against the light. The interval between tines was too large. I found a solution at once, having made a simple multiplication. I set two forks together, slightly change the position of the one fork relative to another, wrapped the insulated tape around them and the interval was covered.

”Do you want to comb my hair with a fork?!” - Luna was amazed, when I showed her this simple assemblage.

”With two forks” - I corrected pedantically, sitting down.

”I would hardly think of it” - she muttered, looking at the makeshift “comb”, which were making steady paths in her thick strands. Sometimes it got stuck in tangled hair, and I had to untwine them with my fingers. With Luna’s permission, I simply cut out several especially tight knots.

”Lairy, do you have any ideas, how should I live in Equestria, if it had changed?” - the pony was lying, pressing her shoulder against my hip. Meanwhile I was combing her mane.

”How? I have never been there”

”But I thought you might know something I did not know” - the princess sighed - “Aw!”

”I am sorry” - having put the “comb” away, I began to twiddle with the next knot of tangled hair.

”It is nothing, little nothings of life. I mean local life”

”I have some general ideas. You should be observant. Do not go to unfamiliar places without thinking. Notice how the others use unfamiliar items. Do not be shy to ask about anything you do not understand. And you can do nothing better than find the library and learn the recent changes in laws of the country and code of social behavior. Also, read about technological innovations”

”What do you mean by technological?”

”This knot has to be cut out of the mane”

”Well, so cut it out” - the alicorn moved her wing uncertainly and, added by the intonation of her voice, this, as I understood, was some analogue of “shrugging one’s shoulders”.

”I will explain everything about technological stuff a bit later. And now, let’s imagine that the entire Equestria is filled up with technology like this, our world. Yes, the Equestrian devices can be different from ours, because their users have hooves instead of fingers, but there will be technology and you will have to learn how to use it. So, I suggest you learn to use some human technological equipment for a start, so you will be more confident later. What do you think?”

”Will you teach me?” - Luna leaned her head back, looking at me - “If that is so, I am ready”

”Good. I think your mane is in a good shape now”

”Yes, and I am grateful for that shape”

”It was m-r-r-my pleasure. Let us start learning. The first lesson is “how to heat up the food”

I mounted the stool. The pony stood in front of me expectantly.

”The technological equipment is the devices we use in everyday life. Here you can see technological equipment for the food storage and cooking. I understand, that you can feel the energy inside the devices in use, can you not?”

”I can”

”This energy is called “electricity”. Almost all human devices require it to function. I suppose, technological equipment of ponies requires magic.

”It is possible”

”So, Luna, find a banana in the fridge”

My loyal student poked into the food cabinet and brought the required thing on her hoof a few seconds later.

”Excellent. Do you remember, where do I get the warm food from?”

”Yes” - she pointed at the microwave oven accurately.

”Well done, you are very observant. Try to find the plate, peel the banana and slice it”

Watching Luna, I was ready to help her, but the pony coped with everything nimbly. Having taken the plate of the shelf, she peeled the banana and began to bite it quickly, spitting every piece out to the plate.

”Why should I slice, when I have teeth?” - she showed two rows of her instruments of labor with a grin.

”That was impressive. Now watch, what to do next”

Following my instructions, the princess managed to set up the warming. Half a minute passed and she was already enjoying the hot result.

”It is so delightful” - she held out the plate to me. The banana had sweet and sticky taste. It was melting in my mouth.

”You did great. Now, switch on the kettle” - I nodded towards spotted yellow electric kettle.

”How?” - Luna sat down on the floor in front of the table.

”The globule on this side shows the water level. Is it high?”

”Yes”

Having pointed to a plug and a plug socket silently, I gave the alicorn a chance to use her head without my prompting.

”You know, runic puzzles are more difficult than this duality” - Luna proclaimed, having combined the items with ease - “I am more curious about the purpose of this rope, which is tying the jag to the fork”

”Do you see the button on the jug-handle? Press it”

”Wow, is this the energy? Is it coming from here through the rope?” - the pony touched the plug socket.

”Yes it is coming through the wire. You are very clever, Luna. You have learned this and now you can make the breakfast and tea” - I hugged the little pony and kissed her on the forehead - “So, the first lesson is completed successfully. Let’s go and have some fun”

”Let’s go. I already know what kind of fun I would like to have!” - the blue-maned pony left the kitchen at a gallop.

”What is she up to?” - I wondered, hearing the noise on the balcony.

”Here” - Luna has wheeled the old skateboard out in the middle of the living room and was standing on it, balancing with her wings open wide - “Could you take me for a ride?”

The princess wants to go out. To hell with the quiet evening, cozy sofa, the series and the beer.

”Hm-mf... move aside a little” - having sat down on the floor next to her, I examined the skateboard, checked the wheels - “It is suitable, you can ride on it. So-o-o, what time is it? It is time to go to bed. That is good”

”Is it time to go to bed? Won’t we go for a ride? It’s a pity” - the alicorn sighed.

I hated to hear the word “pity” from humans. But it sounded like a really beautiful music from the moon pony’s lips. It prompted one to act.

”It is the normal people, who are going to bed. The abnormal people and ponies are going outside”

”Oh, do you mean at night?” - the sadness disappeared from the Luna’s muzzle as if it never was here in the first place. Her ears were moving in impatient expectation.

”We could hardly do it by day. Follow me” - I led pony to the bedroom and made her sit on bed. Luna watched my actions in silent astonishment. At first I straighten one of her front legs and placed my arm against it. Then I touched the stomach, chest and neck several times. And finally I looked into the wardrobe.

”I think, you should be clothed in. It is not summer outside” - I unzipped the pullover and stepped in front of Luna - “Shove your front legs in here”

I put the pullover upon Luna backwards, tightened, zipped it on Luna’s back, and took her mane out.

”Is it right?” - I was looking over this from all sides.

”It is like a bag. And the “pullover-legs” are hanging” - the top-model giggled, scratching her nose.

The “pullover-legs” were indeed hanging. The pony’s legs were a bit shorter than my arms.

”At least this bag is warm” - I pushed up her sleeves higher than hooves. Having found the string on the balcony, I tied it round her chest and stomach to slim the clothes and get rid of the unnecessary folds on the back. Part of the pullover, which hanged down to her knees, covered the croup.

”Stroll, try it. How do you feel now?”

”I feel like I am in the warm bag” - the princess passed the harsh verdict - “Thank you, I appreciate that and I am ready to go for a walk”

”Mr-r-rm, not quite. Sit down again” - I took the razor blade “Sputnik”

Having untied the string round her waist, I pushed my hand between the pullover and pony’s body from behind, feeling her shoulder and wing.

”But you will ruin the clothes” - Luna objected.

”I will not ruin it, I will simply rip the side seams” - I replied, using the blade with caution. Soon the alicorn was able to release both of her wings out of the pullover.

”Gee, you are a magician” - she admired, when I had tied the string round her waist again.

”I could be” - I wrapped the scarf around Luna’s head and neck - “Go to the corridor and wait for me”

***

No, I forgot nothing. And I remembered the horror, which Lairy’s behavior made me feel, when I had been interrogating him, clearly. I knew he was not joking. It seemed that he was not able to joke at all. But now I began to feel in sympathy with him. He was giving me his own free time and it meant a lot to me. After all, he could ignore my request easily, or he could order me to go to sleep. There was no question that I would obey, if only because I had no choice. All the more I did not expect that Lairy would endow me with clothes to make me feel comfortable. I felt tremendous flow of energy and I was almost screaming with happiness, standing on the wheeled board before a mirror, looking at myself, wearing someone else’s scarf and pullover, having been tied round by the string. My eyes were gleaming with excitement, nostrils were quivering, cheeks became darker. I was ready to arch into the sky and move the Moon. Why, by Celectia, I was ready to move the Sun itself! Those dark days I spent in the basement with an abuser seemed like just a horrible dream now. I only wished I would be able to wake up much earlier.

Having heard the footsteps, I looked back. The human had already put on the outer clothes and had some wheeled boots under his arm.

”Lean for-ward” - being overwhelmed with feelings, my voice betrayed me and I faltered.

Lairy dropped to one knee and I held him tight.

”Thank you, I am so grateful and happy” - I sobbed in his ear.

”I know” - he replied warmly - “Let us go”

***

I stopped the mare at the exit from the lobby.

”Listen, the yard area is trampled all over, but I do not want someone to notice your footprints by day. Therefore, you should follow in my tracks. Place all of your feet in my footprints carefully. Do you understand?”

”Yes”

”How is your wound?”

”It is not bothersome”

”That is good. Let us go”

The headlights of “Volkswagen Passat B4” met us with their indifferent glance.

”Did you bring me here in this carriage?” - the alicorn walked around the estate car, touching the frame with her spread wing.

”Yes, in this car. You can lie down in the back seat, but not before I lay something there for you, because your feet are dirty”

I laid the piece of an old carpet and, while Luna was making herself comfortable, I put the skateboard and the roller skates into the trunk. Having got behind the steering wheel, I fastened my seatbelt.

”While I am driving, you can glance around, but do not distract me”

”Okay. But where are we going?”

”You will see. And if everything turns out well, you will be able to ride”

About ten kilometers from my house there was a “recreation site”. Its construction had stopped several years ago and with every passing year the “site” grew more rusty and desolated, turning into picturesque dangerous ruins. Bikers and the other people, fancying extreme entertainment, were hanging out there in summer. But no one risked wandering there in winter because of snowdrifts, ice and sharp pieces of concrete, covered by it. The winter was cold and almost without snow this year. I expected to be able to find a suitable place. At any case I skated there last summer.

”Is this where we were going to?” - Luna’s eyes became round. On the way she was lost in her silent thoughts, looking at the night highway, and I did not ask what she was thinking about.

”E-eup” - I drove the “Passat” to the site - “Can you see in the dark?”

”Yes, because the night is my element. I am the Princess of Night “ - Luna reported proudly.

”And Celestia, then, is the Princess of Day “ - I stopped the car and took the flashlight out of the glove box.

”That is right. Where are you going?”

”Outside. Stay in there for a warm”

The concrete rubble was creaking underfoot. Having passed the parking lot, I found the electricians’ room. The rusty door had to be broken open by the kick. The bright beam of the flashlight burst through the stale air and gloom. Having looked around for a moment, I noticed a big half-decayed skeleton of a dog, lying in the corner.

”I will be amazed, if this junk is still working and is not going to collapse at a touch”

Holding the flashlight in my teeth, I opened the switchboard. One of the toggle switches came down as soon as I turned it. The others gave in reluctantly. Only having turned the last of them, I finally saw the light in the hall.

Having come back to the car, I opened the door for Luna. The pony slipped out of the cabin deftly. I put the skateboard onto the alicorn’s back and she carried it, supporting the board with her wings.

According to the builders’ design, the hall was to accommodate approximately two thousand viewers, serving as a place for demonstration of one’s skills in burning up the wheels and pumping the adrenalin. But everything we had now was relatively flat floor and several homemade ramps, the people had left here in autumn. The lamps, which were hanging from the uncovered roof, made the place bright enough.

”Try it. Have fun” - having sat down on the concrete pedestal, I was changing my shoes.

”Thank you!” - having jumped upon the board, Luna flapped her wings and rode away.

Taking off my boots by feel, looking at the pony, I congratulated myself on my foresight. Luna gathered speed on the skateboard dashingly with the help of her wings. Having adjusted to turning the board with a slight incline of her body, she was tracing out some fancy loops.

”This is so funny! It is like I am flying again!” - she shouted, as she spun by.

”Why don’t you fly?” - I waved at the ramp.

Author - Lusilie

The alicorn stopped at the far end of the hall, hidden by twilight. Her glowing eyes were the only thing I could see. She hesitated, as if she were binging herself to jump over the precipice, and took a powerful spring. With her mane blowing, she bent low, looking determined and confident up to the tip of her horn. The Night Princess was more beautiful than ever.

Author - Lusilie

”Hi-i-ya-a” - shouted the alicorn rapturously, having soared up by several meters. Having turned around, she spread her wings and glided towards me in a wide arc. She managed to stop the flight with a flap of her wings, hovered and landed carefully just at my feet.

”Lairy, I... I do not know what to say” - Luna placed her head upon my knees, laughing.

”There is no need for the words. I see and feel that you are happy. And I am happy myself. That is the reason I am here and not at home, lying on the sofa. Have a rest while I am putting on my shoes, and then we will ride together”

”I cannot rest. I have an excess of energy, I need to spend it!” - having tossed her mane, Luna ran away, looking for the skateboard, she had dropped flying up.

While I was putting on my roller skates, the pony took wing two more times. She managed to do barrel-roll, swept over the floor in a low-level flight and reached the lamps themselves on her wings. Flying, she was not tucking her legs, like a bird, but stretched them forward and backward.

”Well, are you ready?” - the princess rolled to me, panting, but happy.

”I am ready”

”Hold it” - having pulled up the pullover suddenly, she turned her croup to me.

”Do you mean your tail? Why, yes if you want in to stay in my hands”

”It won’t, it is durable. I tell you, hold it” - having moved back Luna put off her tail upon me.

”Whatever you say” - I wrapped the tail round my forearm and grasped it tightly.

”And now hold o-o-o-on!” - the mare neighed wildly, spreading her wings.

”Hey!” - I slapped her croup.

”M-m?” - she looked back reluctantly. Her eyes were sparkling with excitement.

”Be careful not to send me flying. I can’t fly”

”I will take it into consideration” - having snorted indulgently, she stood upon the skateboard.

I was not sent flying, but still I had to try very hard to stay on the wheels during the mad tricks the alicorn was performing. Her wings, which were cleaving the air, blurred with the most beautiful blue and purple iridescence in the light of the lamps. The cool air was blowing upon my face. I was enjoying the whirling enchanting spectacle of motion, light and sound, until I felt great weariness. Having chosen the right moment, I released the tail and rolled to the wall, trying to catch my breath.

”Catch me-e-e-e” - having taken off from the ramp, Luna made a crazy flip and flew right into my hands. I fell down under her weight.

”Oh, I am sorry” - she recollected suddenly, having jumped up at once - “I tired you out completely. Are you okay?”

”Th-tha-a-anks” - the ringing of bells inside my head was quieting down slowly. Everything became amazingly clear before the eyes. I grabbed the head of Luna, who bent over me, with both hands, drew her closer and gave her lips a deep, passionate, hot kiss. The mare’s eyes opened wide in astonishment. Her ears rose and began trembling. She was standing still with bated breath until I let her go.

”What for? Why have you done that?” - she looked away confusedly, having turned her ear towards me furtively.

”I am making you happy because you are giving happiness to me” - I sat down, hugged Luna and pressed her to my chest, feeling her tremble.

”Would you mind letting me go?” - the pony whispered. I released my hold silently. Luna found the skateboard, rode to the far end of the hall and came back holding the shoes in her teeth.

Having changed my shoes, I reached the electricians’ room and turned off the light in the hall. I managed not to break a few more toggle switches this time.

***

We were driving home in silence. We could not form the words and we did not need them. Having taken the outer clothes off, each of us drank a cup of hot tea and crawled to bed. It seemed to me, that Celestia would not be able to visit our dreams that night.

Author's Note

1) This book is being translated from Russian. It is not reccomended to use google translator to read it, because many beautiful moments will be lost that way.

2) The usual request is to feel free to point out any errors in the comments. We are also looking for the regular beta reader.

3) Be patient, the translation is a slow process.