***

Epilogue: A new moon rising

***

After that special day, I never called Lemon “mistress” ever again. Just as I promised.

While both of us might have looked the same on the outside, we were changed beings. As if the events that recently unfolded were the last piece of puzzle to finish our stages of life, so we could move on to the next one, completely different.

I think I finally found my strength to be a grown up man and Lemon finally found her true worth that she couldn’t see the whole time. We were ready to go towards our future that seemed brighter than ever before.

Side by side as two friends, lovers and equals.

No more masters, no more fear, no more pretending.

It was just us, against the world out there…

***

It actually took over a month till all the matters with Lemon’s divorce were finished, so we stayed there for a while longer, very occasionally even seeing Papyrus. He seemed almost like a completely different pony with Ink by his side. A way better version of himself.

Even then though, Lemon was really eager to have a taste of the world out there, so as soon as all her business in Old Loom and Greenwood was finished, we departed for an adventure that was going to be our very own.

Together, there was nothing that could stop us. We had the bits from two concerts Lemon performed at; plus the money she received for her half of the house, so we could just travel from town to town, village to village, city to city and get by easily.

Speaking of two concerts, the second one was where Lemon presented the third and fourth act of her symphony. It was also the last time she performed in Greenwood; which doesn’t mean she stopped playing. We just never returned to that place.

On our way, we were carrying the old keyboard wherever we went so that I could progress and Lemon could play for others on the street. It was a neat travel substitute for the grand piano but my pony girlfriend promised herself to return for her old instrument one day, once when we find a place to settle in. That, and her yellow swing. Both of these things meant a lot to her.

***

Throughout that year and a half of nonstop adventure, I eventually learned to play a bit too. l wasn’t nearly as good as Lemon of course, but she’d always tell me that there’s nowhere to rush, I have the rest of my life to perfect it. ...Yet I always longed for the day when I won’t have to look at the keys as I play, when it’ll come so automatic that won’t even have to think about it and most of all: when we’ll play together and create something that belongs to both of us.

I know that day will come eventually,.. until then I’ll keep practicing.

***

At one of the places we took refuge for a short while, we encountered a rainbow pegasus that stood out from the other ponies. If not through looks, then via something that wasn’t visible to the eye.

Lemon explained to me that the mare’s name is Rainbow Dash, one of the elements of loyalty who are there to keep balance throughout the Equestrian lands. ...I was surprised to see a human man by her side too. He seemed to be in his late 20’, had long hair and wore a rugged looking, yet clean and very nice looking poncho. Just like me, he also didn’t wear a collar.

When we asked her, Rainbow Dash pointed her hoof at the human that was busy drawing some landscape:

”Oh, the guy over there? He’s my husband! Sort of…” she chuckled “Not officially though.”

We were both surprised about her openly saying that, so we asked more and eventually got into a long discussion with both her and the man. It was nice to meet someone/somepony as open minded. Supposedly they were on some kind of “friendship mission”, which sounded strange to me at first but it made a lot more sense after getting elaborated.

At some point, they brought up Ponyville being a nice place to check out one day on our travels. Shortly after we agreed, a flank of the pegasus started glowing.

”...I don’t know what we did but I guess it’s done.” she chuckled.

They both left that day. It wasn’t the last time we saw them though.

After that strange encounter, we travelled to a few more places, spent a few more months on the road but something eventually led us to the mentioned village. Ponyville. It was a small settlement, yet pretty. That wasn’t what made it special though, the local mentality was. Never before have we seen such kind and welcoming ponies, at least the majority.

In the end, both Lemon and I decided that this might actually be the place to settle in and it was exactly what we did. Just like promised, she sent her old piano and the swing all the way from Old Loom to our new home.

We live there till now!

If you ever happen to come by, feel free to visit for a cup of tea and a slice of cake, it’s delicious!

Love, Anon.

...and Lemon.