<<>>

“Really Rares. You don’t have to do this.” I said, “I don’t even want to go damnit!”

“And yet Princess Celestia asked you to escort her sister.” Rarity retorted as she measured me for a suit, “And while I’m sure you have no problems denying her would you really force Princess Luna to go stag?”

I just grumbled but otherwise remained silent.

Rarity poked my flank with a needle and tutted me. Honestly now she was just making me feel like a big foal right now.

“Don’t be like that darling.” She said with a smile, “Besides… think of it like this. You may get a chance to impress everypony with your singing talents~” She added teasingly.

I just gaped as I’d completely forgotten about that and before I could really do anything Rarity resumed her measuring forcing me to remain still. I could still talk though!

“Oh no. No, no, no! Absolutely not! I am not going to sing!” I said vehemently.

“Oh?” I wasn’t liking how coy she was sounding, “What if Twilight or Princess Luna requested it hmm? I don’t know what happened between you and Twilight when she was hiding but things are different. And well you and Luna seemed to be friendly~ starting a herd are we? I do say you shoot for the stars!~”

Rarity just giggled which honestly just made it worse.

“I am not starting a herd! What happened between me and Twi is between us!!” I retorted.

“So… something did happen then? Well nopony likes a stallion that kisses and tells.” Rarity replied, tittering in amusement.

I just stood there slack jawed. She… she baited me! And I took the bait completely! Goddamnit!!

[:V]

“You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Come back in a few days darling and I’ll have your suit ready for you!~” Rarity called as I trotted as fast as I could away from town.

I think she got off on just how uncomfortable this entire situation was for me. And I’m pretty sure if our positions were switched I’d be exactly the same. But that’s neither here nor there.

Home! I think I’ll just bog my processing speed enough so I can enjoy a nice read. I think I got the latest edition of Playcolt magazine. Not only are the pictures pleasing but the articles can be legitimately interesting!

Though I usually get them late when they do get there. It’s always alongside a small batch of muffins.

Hmm, who ever could be reading my magazines?

Trotting up to my door I frowned slightly when I smelled… what is that? A combination of… nightshade and can’t actually place the second. How curious… but then again other than stopping at Roselucks to pick up some flowers to go along with whatever I make for dinner I never really went out of my way to smell all types of flowers.

I checked and Myself was still in the lower levels doing some experimenting, though he blocked some data from me for some reason.

“That’s not suspicious at all.”

Entering my home and closing the door shut I went about putting things away.

My ear flicked when I heard a snicker.

I just rolled my eyes as I took my saddle bags off.

“So, what brings The Night to my humble home?” I asked, “And would she appreciate something to drink? I’ve got tea, some soda, and I think I have some cider somewhere.”

“Hmm, I think I’ll try some of this soda.” A giggle, “So… you’re gonna ignore the fact that you’ve got a princess sprawled out on your couch?”

“Yes.” I said, “Mostly because she’s technically a little filly. And if I oogle her I’ll have FPS (Foal Protective Services) storming my home screaming “FPS! OPEN UP!!” and arresting me” I quipped.

Luna snorted having been brushing up on local history, and just so happened to read about that particular incident that spawned a meme that was still popular to this day.

I just hummed as I went to the kitchen to get her drink and came back.

“So what can I do for you Lu?” I asked as I hoofed her a Pepperjack cola.

<<>>

Luna didn’t immediately answer, instead focused on sampling her drink and pondered over the circumstances that led to her impromptu visit.

“Perhaps he would understand.” She mused, “Clearly this presence in his mind is a Nightmare of sorts. Curious as Nightmares tend to manifest in the magically powerful or gifted.”

She wondered if Steel ever had to deal with the whispers of his own Nightmare like she and Tia did? Of course ever since the infamous “cockslap” Luna’s Nightmare had been very… sullen if anything. What made it even more amusing is the Nightmare despised Steel and his massive stallionhood with a burning passion but the Nightmare couldn’t hide a smidgen of curiosity as well.

“Perhaps if I knew you wouldn’t attempt to trample him to death I may let you have some fun as well Nightmare.”

The Nightmare just growled and Luna wasn’t going to lie. It kind made her giddy.

Or that could just be a thousand years of frustration and repressed aggression talking.

“I went Dreamwalking last night.” Luna decided to just get it out there, “I’m not strong enough to resume my previous duties. So last night I decided to have a walkabout.”

“Oh? See anything interesting?” Steel asked curiously, “No details though. Though I can imagine how Pinkie’s dreams would go.” He added dryly.

Luna giggled at that, and she made a mental note just to see what that pink pony’s subconscious is like. It promised to be a riot given how she normally acts!

“Very interesting. And rather worrying. However due to my duties I’m much more open minded then most.” Luna said, “And I think I’ll just stop dancing around it, because I think we’d both appreciate it, but are you aware that there's a forigen entity in your mind? I couldn’t comprehend it but it's the single most inequine consciousness I have seen in a very long time. Made of Ones and Zeroes and other bizarre symbols…”

Steel froze midstep, quite literally in fact. It was rather eerie in Luna’s opinion but it only furthered her suspicion that Steel wasn’t a simple Horse. Could he actually be a Nightmare construct? A mask that a hopelessly alien mind hides behind?

She owed Steel enough to give him the benefit of a doubt. She’s been wrong plenty of times in her life after all.

“Ah.” Luna relaxed when he started moving again, “He owes you an apology by the way. I hope you don’t take offense, it’s just that our mindscape is his entire world. And seeing it so suddenly intruded upon made him overreact. I hope you didn’t hurt yourself.”

“Only my pride.” Luna retorted with a faint giggle, “You’re not a normal stallion are you Steel?”

“... No.” Steel said simply, “I trust this doesn’t change things?”

“No, as I said I’m probably the most open minded pony in Equestria.” She said dryly, “Hmm… how about a story for a story? You tell me about your guest and I’ll tell you about my Nightmare.”

Steel tilted his head and for a few moments Luna thought he was lost in thought before she realized he was possibly talking to his passenger. The thought surprised her actually, while not all Nightmares were belligerent (Daybreaker is perfectly polite if arrogant, it's only when she’s provoked did she get mean) they typically rarely ever got along with their “Hosts” for the lack of a better term.

So the idea that Steel and his Nightmare had such a good relationship spoke of promising things!

“Well after talking it over at length.” Luna blinked as it had hardly been a full minute, “I agree. Though before we begin he just wants you to know that he apologizes and if you ever visit again he won’t interfere. Though don’t expect him to be chatty, he’s still unnerved by the whole thing.”

“Understandable and I accept.” Luna said with a smile, “So shall you begin or shall I? Though perhaps get some more of this soda. Tis a wonderful drink! I’ll have to make my own private stock… I mean I like tea fine but I can’t drink it all the bucking time Tia…”

Steel just snorted before he went to the kitchen to get more of the delightful drinks.

Author's Note

This will be my last chapter for awhile.
I'm going to find someone to edit it all before I move on.
I'll be replacing the existing chapters with the editted versions when they're done!