Anon and Javelin exited the library alongside Raven as she confidently strode past the exhausted human and stallion. While she levitated several large legal books in her magical grasp with ease, Anon struggled to keep his eyes open. After making their way through several corridors, Raven turned her head to observe the human and huffed.

"It wasn't that bad, stop being so dramatic. We were only studying for eight hours." She said, rolling her eyes.

"Eight hours of monotonous, boring, exhausting legalese that made me want to stab my eyeballs with toothpicks and pull them out." Anon replied with a sidelong glance.

"Well I hate to break it to you, but that was only section one of twelve of the basic Equestrian legal system. You're going to need to learn all eleven of the other sections as well as all your other responsibilities with regards to diplomacy. If you're going to possibly be negotiating for us as a species with our neighbors, then you should know your way around politicians." Raven replied, smartly.

Anon frowned, hard.

"Miss Inkwell, maybe it'd be best not to overwhelm the poor guy before he's even a week into the position." Javelin suggested, placatingly.

"That's exactly what I'm trying not to do. If we get through these sections within the next month, then next month we can tackle etiquette with foreign dignitaries, and then the month after we can go through Military strategy and training, and that leaves us with two more months to focus on training for meetings with the noble class and preparations for the wedding." Raven replied, ignoring the more and more dejected look in Anon's eyes as she talked.

"I know, but what I'm saying is that maybe throwing all that onto the plate at once is just kinda making it seem like too much. Maybe just focus on taking it one section at a time, and then focus on the rest of the big stuff." Javelin offered.

Raven rolled her eyes, "He's a big colt, Sergeant Javelin. I'm sure he can handle knowing what responsibilities he'll be expected to have." She responded.

"Starting to regret reconsidering this." Anon mumbled as he stared at the floor, dejectedly.

"Sir, I promise you that while it may seem like a lot right now, it will be easy by the time you have to actually do any of this. That's the whole point of dedicating months and months to it. We're going to make sure you know the job like the back of your hoo-hand. How do you think we got Luna so up to speed within a matter of months after her return." Raven responded, dismissively waving a hoof in Anon's direction.

After a moment of contemplation, Anon realized Raven had a point. He perked up enough to step forward and continue to follow her, although his expression did not lighten.

"Besides, we're done for the day, and it's only sunset. You have the rest of the night to yourself." Raven said, motioning to the setting sun through the window.

"Oh wow... Well there goes the rest of my day off." Javelin chuckled.

"Shit, I'm sorry you got stuck here for the whole day, dude. If I'd have known it was going to be eight hours, I would've told you to just go home instead of wasting your day sitting around with me." Anon replied, with a sigh.

"If you had asked, I would have told you exactly how long it was going to take." Raven pointedly replied.

"If only I'd have known." Anon shook his head, completely ignoring her.

Raven gave him a deadpan look.

"Oh well. Guess there was simply no way to know." Anon shrugged.

Raven opened her mouth to respond, but Javelin beat her to the punch.

"Heh, it's all good. You might want to stop teasing Miss Inkwell so much, she's starting to turn red." Javelin joked.

Raven sighed heavily, "We'll reconvene tomorrow, sir. Please see to it that you're ready for eight full hours of study and learning Equestrian law." She said, her tone strained slightly.

"Yeah, yeah, I hear you. I'll be ready to sit around and die inside all day. Thanks, miss angry secretary." Anon responded, patting Raven's mane.

For a moment, Raven looked like she was going to bite Anon's hand, but quickly decided against the action and instead pulled away with a low growl.

"Well, if it's all the same to you, I've got to get home and get ready for tomorrow. I'll see you then, Anon," Javelin spoke up with a friendly wave, before looking to Raven, "I'll see you tomorrow, Miss Inkwell."

Raven allowed a small smile to form on her face before replying, "I'll see you tomorrow, Sergeant."

With that, Javelin departed, leaving Anon and Raven alone in one of the castle corridors. An awkward silence quickly fell over them as Anon put his hands in his pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels. Raven looked to the window once more to see the sun as the last of it's brilliance sunk under the horizon, and then looked back to Anon.

"Sir... I know this is hard. Especially after the rocky start to our relationship... I just want you to understand that I only want what's best for my country and you. That means ensuring you understand everything that ponies will try to sneak past you. It's the only way we'll be able to prevent situations like this whole fiasco from happening again." Raven explained, a tired look in her eyes.

Anon rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger, "I get it, Raven. I'm only messing with you. Just... still not sure I'm one hundred percent on board with the whole thing at all."

Raven bit her lip as she looked around for anypony else. After a moment of hesitation, and finding nopony else nearby, she gently patted Anon's thigh.

"You'll be fine, sir. If Prince BlueBlood hasn't messed up and caused a war, I'm sure you'll do just fine." She offered.

Anon chuckled lightly, "Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'll see you tomorrow, Raven."

"Alright, sir. I'm going to go home for the day. I'll be seeing you." She replied before trotting off.

"See you then." Anon called after her as she walked out of view, before hanging his head low, "Jesus Christ." He muttered.

Anon brought one of his hands to his face and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He took a deep breath before letting out a long, drawn out sigh. He walked over to the window and stared out at the fading light for a few moments before his gaze drifted lower to the garden below. The mixing colors of twilight painted a mural of light all over the luscious plants and flowers filling the royal garden, making a gorgeous display of reds, blues, purples, oranges, and magenta.

Anon stared at the sight for a few minutes before sighing quietly and pulling himself away from the window. He made a mental note to return to the garden before heading toward the dining room. He ascended the staircase to the royal bedroom level and quickly found the foyer leading to the dining room. As it was every time before his arrival, there were well over a dozen guards posted outside along the wall, all staring ahead like statues.

Anon walked up to the door and looked down at the lieutenant standing guard.

"Anonymous, sir. The princesses are expecting you." She said before opening the door.

"Thank you." Anon responded before heading inside.

Celestia and Luna looked over at Anon from their respective seats at the table. No words were spoken as Anon walked over to the table and took his seat, sighing quietly to himself. The royal sisters shared a quick look as Anon slouched heavily in his seat.

"So... I take it you had a long day?" Celestia asked, politely.

"You could say that." Anon replied, his voice lacking it's normal strength.

"Are you feeling alright, Anon?" Luna asked, a concerned frown on her face.

"Just tired. Not looking forward to doing this every day for the next four months, but whatever." Anon shrugged.

"Well, I can promise you that it does get easier." Luna offered.

"Yeah, I heard as much from Raven." Anon responded.

"Raven is a very dedicated secretary. She's very good at her job as a result. I know she'll get you up to speed." Celestia smiled.

"I'm sure she will." Anon rolled his eyes.

"Well, regardless, how was your day otherwise?" Celestia asked, pointedly ignoring Anon's mood.

"What do you mean? I literally did nothing else today besides studying with Raven." Anon replied.

"Well, the night is still young. There are many things you could do with the remaining hours of the day." Luna suggested, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

"I don't know. If I'm being honest, I'm kinda tired from today. I think I might just head to my room and get some sleep." Anon shook his head before getting out of his chair.

"Wait, Anon. You haven't even had anything to eat yet." Celestia asserted, her motherly concern bleeding into her voice.

"I'm not really hungry, Celestia. I'll, uh... I'll talk to you guys tomorrow." Anon said as he walked to the doorway.

"Anon, wait!" Luna called.

Anon paused in the doorway, his hand on the door handle. He glanced back at the alicorn sisters with a raised eyebrow.

"What?" He asked.

"Are... are you alright? Was it something we said?" Luna asked, a concerned frown on her face.

"No, not really. I just... need some time alone." Anon responded.

Anon opened the door and stepped outside, leaving the sisters behind in the dining room as he walked back through the corridors of the castle. He passed several large windows before arriving at the staircase he was looking for and descending to the first level of the castle. Once he was there, Anon headed through the main hall of the castle to the side corridor leading to the outside world.

Anon stepped outside and breathed a breath of fresh air. He quickly looked for his goal and found the gardens within a few moments of searching. He walked through the empty side yards of the castle grounds until arriving at the gate to the garden. Once he was inside, Anon found himself surrounded by plants and flowers of all species. Hydrangea, roses, orchids, tulips, lily's, even some cherry-blossom trees lined the walls of the garden and framed the center gazebo with gently reflected white moonlight.

The white structure starkly contrasted the rainbow of colors surrounding it, drawing Anon ever closer as he gently ran his fingers along the soft rose petals lining the singular path in the center of the garden. For a few moments of silence, Anon simply stared at the large pale moon as it hung, ever present over the horizon yet just above the gazebo.

"Wow that moon is big," Anon commented to himself, "Way bigger than Earth's moon."

Eventually, the lone human was compelled enough to walk forward until he arrived at the moonlit gazebo. Anon found a comfortable spot sitting just on the seat to the right, where he could comfortably watch the moon as it slowly rose in the sky. He pressed his thumbs together as he clasped his hands, and rested his elbows on his knees. Leaning forward, Anon pursed his lips as his mind recalled the day's events.

For almost an hour, Anon sat by himself in silence, only ever looking up for a moment or two, before redirecting his attention to the floorboards of the gazebo. He sighed heavily to himself as he held his head low, his hands holding his temples in melancholy.

As he sat in the gazebo, Anon's ears eventually picked up on the sound of hooves clopping against stone. He slowly gazed upwards to see his unexpected guest, only to find that the unicorn mare standing before him was not a mare he knew at all. Her fur, a light shade of cerulean blue, reflected the moonlight stunningly, almost turning her a heavenly white. Her black circle cutie mark starkly contrasted against the white reflecting off her coat. Her long mane and tail were both a deep turquoise that glistened and gently bobbed with every step she took, making them almost appear as waves quickly rising and slowly crashing down as she approached. Lastly, on her perfectly framed face, sat two beautiful teal eyes that contrasted nicely with her coat and mane.

As the mysterious unicorn approached, Anon found himself speechless. His jaw dropped slightly as the absolutely stunning mare walked right up to the gazebo and graced him with a friendly smile.

"Good evening." She greeted, her voice like a gentle zephyr in the night.

"Uh, h-hi." Anon stuttered, his eyes still staring at the mare with surprise and intrigue.

"Hello there, Anonymous, right?" The mare inquired, giving him her full attention.

"Y-yeah... who... who are you?" Anon asked, a puzzled look on his face.

The mare smiled, "My name is Nightshade. It's a pleasure to meet you. My sister has been talking about you all day." She smiled.

"Your... sister?" Anon tilted his head to the side.

"Sunshine. You met her down at the bar yesterday." Nightshade explained.

Faust, this feels so... wrong. Tia, I hope you're right... this just feels like lying... even if it's for a good cause. Nightshade thought to herself.

Anon's eyes lit up in realization, "O-Oh! You're Sunshine's sister!? I guess it's just good family genes." He replied.

"Indeed I am. What was that last part though?" Nightshade asked, an ear flicking toward Anon.

"Nothing, nothing. Just... I didn't even know Sunshine had a sister. Well, it's nice to meet you. I'm Anon." Anon responded, holding his hand out.

Nightshade raised an eyebrow, prompting Anon to slowly close his eyes and sigh heavily.

"Right, you already knew that. Nevermind, sorry." He said, pulling his hand back.

Nightshade giggled into her hoof before looking around the gazebo with interest.

"No need to apologize, Anon. Would you mind if I sat out here with you?" Nightshade asked.

"Uh, sure. Go ahead. I was just thinking anyways." Anon dismissively replied, sitting more upright.

Nightshade hopped onto the seat across from Anon and fixed him with an inquisitive look, "Oh? What were you thinking about?"

"Just... life, and stuff. You know how it is." Anon shrugged.

"Hmm... what kind of 'stuff'?" Nightshade pressed, tapping her hoof against her chin.

"Well... you know. Me being who I am and the job I've basically agreed to do." Anon replied.

"Could you be more specific?" Nightshade asked.

"Well... you're Sunshine's sister, right? So I'm sure she's talked to you about everything going on here." Anon pieced together.

"Sunshine did inform me of your issues with Celestia and Luna. I am deeply sorry that you had to deal with u-that. I believe she did speak with the both of them last night, however. Did they change their attitudes accordingly?" Nightshade questioned.

"Heh, they sure changed alright. I have no idea what the hell Sunshine said to them, but they've been so much more understanding and genuine today. Even though I've only spent a little bit of time with them today... it felt... good, to feel like I wasn't just being used. Like they actually care about my happiness or wellbeing." Anon explained, a rueful smile appearing on his face.

"That's great news! Although... if I can, you don't seem all too happy. In fact, you seem rather distant, and upset." Nightshade responded, a small frown forming on her muzzle.

"Yeah, I know... it's not their fault. It's just that I may have... bitten off more than I can chew, I guess. Heh, I spent the whole day with Raven just learning one section of one part of the job I'm supposed to be taking on, and I felt completely lost the whole time. Reminds me of why I dropped out of college. It's just... kinda got me worrying about what I've gotten myself into." Anon admitted.

"I see... and you worry that you're going to regret your choice even after you'd already told the sister's that you accepted." Nightshade pieced together.

"Yeah... they've been super understanding and genuinely kind today. Even though they've already thoroughly pissed me off the other day... I don't want to accept their offer and then immediately quit. I may still be a bit pissed off, but I have principles." Anon elaborated.

Nightshade silently nodded, "Yes, I can see how that would be troublesome. Would... would you like to talk about it?"

"Honestly... I've already vented everything I have to vent a few times. I just came out here and watch the stars and think." Anon replied, turning his gaze skyward.

"Really?!" Nightshade exclaimed.

"Uh... yeah. Why are you so excited by that?" Anon asked, slightly taken aback.

Nightshade immediately paled before coughing into her hoof and clearing her throat, "Um, I apologize. I'm... particularly fond of the night sky, and I can barely recall the last time somepony has shared an interest."

Anon raised an eyebrow, "Really? I figured everyone around here had a thing for the night sky. I mean... almost everybody back on Earth loved how pretty the stars look." He said, giving her a curious look.

"They... they do?" Nightshade asked.

"Yeah... you must not get out much, huh? I mean, there's like... fifty night clubs in Canterlot alone that stay open until five in the morning. It was the same way back home. I remember this one place called 'Club Rio' that was a lot of fun. Lots of neon lights and electronic music that made your heart beat faster. Good times. Lots of cute girls." Anon reminisced, a longing smile on his face.

Nightshade frowned slightly, "You miss it, don't you?" She asked.

"What? The drugs, drinks, sex with random girls, and staying up until nine in the morning just to sleep through the day and do it all again that night?" Anon chuckled, "Yeah, I guess I miss college, but that's also kinda the other half of the reason I dropped out."

Nightshade tilted her head to the side, "Well, no. I was referring to home. Your home. I know I miss mine." She admitted.

Anon looked over to Nightshade and pursed his lips, "Well... yeah, of course I miss home. I think about my parents and my friends every day. I just... can't afford to get too lost in those memories. I already know I can't go home. I don't want to dwell on the things I can't really change... That shit'll drive you mad crazy."

"Mad and crazy?" Nightshade quirked a brow.

"Eh, human saying. Like, you'll be super crazy... but, didn't you say something about missing your home too? I thought you and Sunshine were from around here." Anon replied, looking down at the moonlit unicorn with a distant look in her eyes.

"Well... I suppose technically this is my home. It just... doesn't quite feel like it. I've been away for too long and now it's not as I remember it. Ponies change so quickly these days." Nightshade confessed, her gaze drifting to the floor.

"Well, you've got Celestia, Luna, and your sister, don't you? I know Celestia said that Sunshine travels a lot, and I assume you must be going with her on those trips, but it must be nice to at least have the princesses around like an anchor you know will always be here," Anon offered with a small shrug, before coming to a realization, "Oh yeah! What about Luna!? She's literally the one that makes the night sky around here. If anybody would like to talk with you about the night sky, it's her."

Nightshade bit her lip and frowned, "My relationship with Luna is... complicated."

"How complicated?" Anon pressed.

"Well, let's just say that after she became Nightmare Moon, my family lost contact with her... once she came back and was reverted back to herself by the elements of harmony, I... she didnt know I existed. She tries to be there for me, on occasion, but... it feels as if she's only just chasing something that isn't there. There simply isn't a connection." Nightshade admitted, a sad look in her eyes.

As the mare sitting across from him stared depressingly down at the floorboards of the gazebo, Anon rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together while leaning forward. He eyed her for a few moments with pursed lips before nodding once and standing up. He swiftly walked over to Nightshade and sat down beside her, breaking her from her stupor.

Nightshade looked up at Anon with curiosity in her eyes before she saw, or rather felt, his arm wrap around her barrel and pull her closer. She felt his fingers gently dig into the fur of her wither as he half embraced her, and her heart rate quickly accelerated.

"Hey, uh... It'll be okay. Luna's... well she's rough around the edges, for sure. She's just... she's trying. I wanted to punch her in her snout the other day, but the more I think about it... I can't imagine spending a thousand years on the moon and then coming back to find everyone you ever loved is dead,and now you've got great great great grand nieces you never knew about, and you gotta talk and act differently because everything else changed. Well, I kinda can, but not the thousand years part... or the nieces part... or the talking differently part either, I guess... A-anyways, my point is that she's not a horrible pony. She just... doesn't really know how to show that with certain people, I feel. I'm sure if you talked to her and explained how you felt, she'd be more than eager to make amends and try to connect with you more." Anon offered, a supportive smile on his face as he looked down at the pony in his one-armed hug.

Nightshade felt her ears burning and a heaviness in her chest as she looked up to Anon as if he was the wisest and kindest being in history. It took all of her effort to keep her eyes from watering as she felt each word in her heart. Only when he tilted his head to the side with a look of concern, did she realize that he wasn't still speaking, and the unicorn mare quickly scrambled for a response.

"T-thank you, Anon... I... I didn't expect to hear that from you."

"Eh, well it's the truth. I can't say that I like Luna, at least... not yet. She treated me like a rabid dog that she wanted to put down, but after your sister talked with them, and Luna apologized, it got me thinking... maybe she's not so bad. Probably just not handling the situation very well. Can't say I blame her, I haven't being sleeping much, myself, lately." Anon confessed with a shake of his head.

"You've been having a hard time sleeping? Nightmares?" Nightshade asked.

"Nah, no nightmares. Just stress. Pretty much only slept like a rock last night because of the alcohol, but the night before... oh man I don't think I got more than a couple hours. I'm pretty used to not sleeping much though, so it's not too bad." Anon replied.

"Why don't you sleep very much? Surely a big, strong stallion like you needs his rest." Nightshade teased, the tiniest ghost of a grin on her face.

Anon chuckled, "Yeah, well... between growing up with four brothers and two sisters, going to a party college, and then ending up a mechanic working sixty hours a week just to get by, sleep's never really been on the menu." He shrugged.

"Faust, six siblings? I didn't realize you were part of such a large family." Nightshade's eyes widened.

"Eh, it was pretty big, yeah, but it's not like we were all that close in age. My oldest brother was twenty when I was born, so he moved out just a few years later. Oldest sister was nineteen, so same thing. Growing up, there were only about five of us, although for a good year our grandparents had to move in because of their house fire, so... yeah, it was a bit crowded sometimes. Not always though." Anon shrugged.

"And that whole family was just from your mother and father? No other mares in your house? Just her to birth seven foals?" Nightshade asked, a perplexed look on her face.

Anon chuckled awkwardly, "Well I guess there was a lot less to do when my parents were growing up, but yeah. My mom gave birth to all seven of us."

"Are such high birth rates common on your world?" Nightshade questioned, leaning into Anon unconsciously.

"Well, no. Not really. We're a pretty unusual family if I'm being honest. Most of the world has about... one to three kids per set of parents. I'm not a hundred percent sure, but I do know we were one of the biggest." Anon explained.

"I see... so.. what was that like? Growing up with so many siblings? I've only ever had my sister my entire life." Nightshade asked.

"You only had your sister? What about your parents?" Anon replied.

Nightshade's eyes darted away for a moment before returning to Anon, "I... don't like to talk about it very much. They died when I was little. That's all I really want to say."

Anon nodded solemnly, "I understand. Sorry to bring it up."

Nightshade almost furiously shook her head, "No, no. You have nothing to be sorry for. You've been nothing but kind and understanding this night."

Anon chuckled lightly, "Well thank you, Nightshade. You've been a pleasure to talk to, yourself. Completely took my mind off my other issues." He said with a genuine smile.

"So... would you mind telling me more about your family?" Nightshade beamed, resting her cheek on Anon's shoulder as she gave him puppy dog eyes.

Anon smiled, "I'd be happy to. Where do I start?"

Author's Note

A wise man once said, "Sometimes the best way to solve your own problems, is to help someone else."