Love versus Society

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Meeting
Chapter 2: The Date
Chapter 3: The Ponies on the Lawn

Chapter 1: The Meeting

The door opened to the Sun Conference room in the castle of Canterlot. A dark figure stood at the threshold. The whispering from the others in the room ceased and all became still. The vaulted high ceilings , alabaster marble floors, and walls normally made every sound echo. There was no sound to echo. The expressions of the ponies were grave.

The silhouette stepped into the small patch of light from the rising sun. Her normal deep blue leg turned a dark red. It didn’t falter or pause but brought the large pony into the dim twilight for all to see.

“Luna,” Princess Celestia hailed her sister as the shimmering, star-filled mane passed the patch of red sun.

The Princess of the night slowly looked at each party member, giving each their proper due. Celestia sat on her high-backed throne. Not as large as the one in the main hall but still impressive compared to the other chairs available.

Ok her right side sat her society advisors, Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lis. Both were staring at the smaller princess out of either amusement or concern. Luna could never tell with them. She swore that Fancy Pants had no other expression than the one he bore now. Fleur whispered something in his ear and received a nod.

The pony on Celestia’s left was one she did not recognize. It was a brown stallion with a timepiece cutie mark and neck tie. He kept looking at his watch and looking uncomfortable.

“Thank you for ending your duties early so we could have this meeting,” Celetia began in her business voice. “We all made sure to wake early to be here.”

“I can see,” Luna affirmed, watching the uncomfortable stallion yawn. “But why was it necessary? What is this meeting regarding?”

“Please, sit,” the elder sister offered with a shift of a chair at the other side of the table. She gave no hint to her intent and Luna was weary of her motives.

“I prefer to stand, it has been a long night and I don’t wish to fall asleep in the chair.” It seemed as reasonable an excuse as any to remain where she was. The table placed too much distance from her and the other participants. It felt too much like an inquiry.

“I see, and how has your sleep been, Luna?” The sun princess was choosing her words carefully. She was leading somewhere. Luna’s mind was a whirl of possibilities, everything from not enough lavender placed in the halls to choking down those horrendous, carb-filled, sugar bombs Celestia called waffles every morning. Something was amiss.

“Fine,” Luna said offhandedly. “And yours?”

“Well my dreams had been rather strange as of late.” The Princess emphasized this with a pointed stare at her little sister.

“So is that this meeting’s purpose? To discuss your strange dreams? I admit I have not been monitoring yours that closely but it isn’t often I need to.”

“Partially. It’s more about why I think my dreams are strange.” The sun sister was being more coy than usual. Luna was not some delicate flower. She was the Princess of the Night. If her sister had a complaint she should just say so.

“So what is the problem?” With any luck it was a simple solution. Perhaps too much cake. Luna had warned her against eating too much sugar before bed. Food can affect dreams.

“Well my dreams have featured a lot of muffins latey. And mail. And packages. Wouldn’t you say that’s strange?”

“What are you implying?” Luna took a step back and her voice grew cold. She suspected the meeting’s purpose. It was not something that needed to be discussed.

“Luna…you have been treading some questionable waters as of late and the kingdom has noticed.” The tone sounded authoritative and motherly. She was being scolded for something that wasn’t their business.

“I do not care for what the kingdom believes.”

“You should. You are their leader, you should listen-“

“Wrong! You are their leader, I simply protect them from psychological trauma.”

Celestial sighed. Luna fixed her eye on her elder sister. “I’m not having this debate yet again, Luna. You are also their leader. You need the kingdom’s trust as much as I. Especially since your return.”

“I have not done anything to break that trust,” Luna defiantly proclaimed. “This is my business. I have not violated any laws.”

“No, but you have to see how it’s being perceived. A princess allowing a mare like her into your bed every night for over the last three months is bound to be noticed and raise questions.” Celestia shuffled her forehooves. She even had a redness to her cheeks.

“Wait! What do you think we are doing in that bed?” Luna’s hackles raised. It was not her sister's place to judge her anymore. The last judgment landed her on the moon for a thousand years. Furthermore, to judge on an assumption was beyond insulting.

“I don’t know but that doesn’t mean ponies won’t speculate.”

“We were not copulating!”

Celestia put her hoof up in a silencing gesture. “It’s not my place to say, however, think of the ramifications. To date a pony like Derpy at best becomes a point of jest, at worst questions your decision making abilities or suggests you are taking advantage of her.”

“What?!” Luna’s horn and eyes flashed. “This is nonsense! Why would any pony care about my love life? It isn’t any pony’s business! No pony has the right to dictate who I can date or not.”

“I’m not forbidding you, Luna,” the calm princess corrected. “I am telling you what could happen and what others could see. Despite the belief that our love lives are not another's affair, we are still rulers. We are judged by our decisions and whom we choose to date or… sleep with, is a decision. The populace will judge, whether right or wrong of them.”

“Let me make this clear.” Luna’s tone was deadly. “Whom I date shall not change no matter what our populace thinks. And secondly, Derpy and I are not dating.”

“Oh?” The brown pony finally stopped fiddling with his watch and looked at Luna with interest.

“This is Doctor Whooves,” Celestia introduced. “He is Derpy’s closest friend.”

“It is nice to meet you. I have heard of you. You are the Doctor she speaks of?” Luna’s tone softened. Derpy loved to prattle on and on about what her and the Doc had done. It brought her such joy and Luna listened to all their strange adventures with interest.

“I am. And you are the ‘Snuggle Princess’ I presume.”

The high society advisers began to chortle and Celestia placed a hoof over her smile. The ‘snuggle princess’ followed Luna everywhere. She sighed.

It began with a typical morning. Luna prepared to slumber after a long night of dream tending. She had her sleep mask ready and her most comfortable blankets. She was able to lay down when a crash caused her to sit up. She had a brief glance of something grey only to be bombarded with a little pegasus. She knew the little mare but her penchant for destruction annoyed the Princess.

On that occasion Derpy was delivering a letter. She presented it as if she hadn’t crashed through the windows and landed in the Princess’s bed. While Luna read it Derpy made herself comfortable and fell asleep. Luna was too tired to argue and simply joined the pegasus in slumber.

Sometime during the day she must have grabbed the little pegasus like a side pillow and brought her close. Of course Luna had been asleep and had no knowledge of it come that evening.

Derpy had happily told her friends that she slept with a princess and that she was snuggled with. The story circulated and “snuggle princess” was whispered throughout Canterlot followed by snickers. Luna heard the term multiple times. She did not care for it.

“I am not fond of this ‘nickname’” snorted the snuggle princess.

“The way she uses it is more of a term of endearment,” Derpy’s friend said. “Still, I’m sure she’ll stop if you ask. She’s quite smitten with you. She says you two have been dating for the last two months. I was surprised of course, but I had the utmost respect for you because of it.”

“I am sorry to disappoint. We have not entered that sort of relationship.” Luna kept her face completely flat. She didn’t want to give the Doctor false hope.

“Well that’s a relief,” sighed Fleur. “That would be a public relations disaster.”

“Why?” Luna quickly turned on her. “She is a cheerful, determined, cute mare.”

“Please tell me you’re joking,” Fleur said in a low tone.

“I would not joke about her qualities.” Luna looked away from the insulting unicorn. They may not be dating but something inside her felt this was wrong and that they were underestimating her friend.

“Uhh…” Fleur shrank a little. Fancy Pants cleared his throat. The annoyed princess locked her lasers on his monocled eye.

“Ahem, well you see. Because of Ms Hooves' different simple ways, those in our circles would see it as an egregious error.” Fancy polished his monocle. He was unfazed. Luna wondered if he ever blinked at all. “My companions wouldn’t back the castle as readily and it might be harder to secure trade and quell descension.”

“Because of who I choose to date?!” Luna’s nostrils began to flair. “Are your companions truly that shallow?!”

“Shallow?!” Fleur stood up and glared at the princess. “We’re talking about a ruler of a kingdom dating a re-“

“Do not finish that word!” Darkness filled the room except for Luna’s wild eyes. “If I hear any utterance of that word or others like it regarding her you shall regret it.”

“Luna!” Celestia was on her hooves looking down on her battle ready sibling. “That is not the way we discuss things here. And Fleur, she is right. It is a word not fit for my castle or kingdom.”

“I was going to say real liability. She has been known to topple full festivals. She smashes works of art, breaks expensive windows, drops packages that very clearly say fragile on them. And once that happens you can’t ever find all the pieces of it…”

“I can see your point.” The sun monarch returned to her seat. “Think about it Luna. If Derpy was here during a delegation meeting and crashed into the delegates or broke something of theirs it could lead to a scandal or war.”

“Perhaps…” Fancy Pant’s smug voice lilted through the air. “Perhaps she can be trained in the ways of grace. I’m sure Fleur would be happy to work with her on the Princess’s behalf. She could also be instructed on the ways of society as well.”

Doctor Whooves opened his mouth only to be cut off by Luna’s retort. “No! You want me to change her for your benefit?! She is not some clothes or statue to be remolded in the image you want her to be. She is fine the way she is. It is society that must change.”

“Luna, you are getting quite defensive of a mare you said you weren’t dating.” Celestia leaned forward with eyes that judged and eyebrows that folded in disapproval.

“I said we are not dating. She is a close friend. If I wanted to date her I think such a meeting is insulting as it is questioning my judgment. Perhaps I shall take her out on a date.”

“Luna!” Her elder sister’s warning bellow filled the room.

“Princess Celestia, if I may,” countered the Doc. “I am delighted about how much Derpy means to you Princess but I ask that you don’t date my friend out of spite. She is a gentle innocent soul. To use her to get back at them would be a crime. If you really feel love for her then rely on that, not vengeance.”

The Doc looked up at her and gave her a small wink. Luna’s cheeks filled with pigment and she looked away from the assembled comity. She hadn’t really processed her feelings. But this was not the place or time.

“Leave us, please,” Celestia commanded. It was a gentle tone but one that needed to be obeyed. The group slowly filtered out of the room. Fleur glowered at the fuming alicorn but kept silent and strode out of the room with a shake of her head. The door to the chamber closed with a definitive click.

“Surely you don’t agree with this… this… discrimination,” Luna began, looking at the door with disgust.

“I can see their point. Can you?”

“It is not right!”

“Luna…” sighed the exasperated sister. She looked at the ground, losing the air of royalty she normally held.

“I think we should issue an edict about equal treatment of all of our subjects.” The door still remained closed and unaffected by Luna’s snark.

“Do you love her?” It was a quiet question. One that pleaded for an answer.

Luna took a step back from that voice as if attacked. Her foreleg reared up protecting her heart. Her narrowed eyes widened.

“That’s what I thought,” the monarch sighed.

“I said nothing!”

“You don’t have to, Luna. She has been visiting your bed almost every day for the past three months.” Celestia stood and slowly trotted towards her dense sister.

“I sleep better with her there. She is warm and her enthusiasm lightens my dark thoughts.”

The persecution advanced her argument. “I see you when she doesn’t show. You pace your bedroom for hours, constantly looking into the sky and sighing that longing sigh.”

“I worry for her. She is quite accident prone. I don’t know if she can’t come or she has injured herself or-“

“Luna, please. If not for your sake then for hers. Admit your feelings. Or end this odd affair. There will be fallout either way.” Celestia finally cornered her sister and embraced her. “Follow your heart my sister. I just wanted to make you aware of the consequences.”

“It is wrong.” Luna protested from underneath the massive wing.

“Yes. But they are still present. You must be mindful of them. Maybe you can help change them.” She let go of the smaller alicorn before any protest could begin again and left the room.

Luna was left with a gnawing feeling in her stomach and butterflies in her chest. It had been a long time since love had visited her and she wondered if it had now.

The walk to her bed chambers was a long one. The sun had taken on its yellow cast and filled the corridors with golden streams of light. The tired night pony felt further reminded of how exhausted she was.

Would Derpy come today? What should she tell her? Why did the mail mare believe they had been dating for months? Did she really need to ask that when she shared her bed with that same pony for this season? Any pony would begin to think more had developed between them. Why did she not notice it sooner?

These questions hid the largest one of them all and Luna knew it. She had been to many dreams where the deeper issue was obscured by smaller ones. This was no different. She was no different. Was she in love?

It was true her heart leapt at the sight of her bed mate every morning. She told herself it was just the comfort of not sleeping alone. That Derpy’s warmth relaxed her. But were these just signs that she had been lonely and Derpy had unknowingly crashed to her aid? Did the pony that landed matter or was it desperation?

She considered the reaction that other ponies would have taken. Twilight would have given a thousand pardons and apologized ad nauseum. Luna would have spent all day consoling the embarrassed Princess and she would have still left.

Other possible ponies came to mind but the end result would have been the same. She would have been apologized to then left alone. Derpy was the only one that would carefreely lay next to her and simply slept by her side. It was as if she just instinctively knew it was what the princess had wanted.

The door to her bed chamber opened with the guard’s practiced ease. It was unnecessary. Luna could have easily just used her magic but the guard had been waiting to do it for a half an hour. She nodded and entered.

The bed chamber had changed considerably since that time. Her bed was filled with bright colors that Derpy had brought from Ponyville. The four-poster bed still had the moon carvings in the spires but they had become a little battered from misjumps. The top windows were all opened. Luna couldn’t tell which window the little pegasus would sail through so she made a habit of opening them all. The floor was lined with soft pillows for further safety.

Luna shook her mighty head. It must have been obvious to everypony else. Yet here she was, the last to finally see it. She had her whole room Derpy-proofed and still had to wonder about how she truly felt. She wondered if the little pegasus had rubbed off on her.

With her room ready she slowly began to get ready for bed. Her sleeping robe and cap donned her in a dark aura. The bright purple quilt Derpy hoof-stitched pulled back gently. The quilt was sewn in random places and looked more thread than material. But it still had a picture of the moon and some smaller circles.

It was a present one would give their girlfriend. A quilt barring both their cutie marks. She must have been tired when it was presented or just didn’t want to think of the implications.

She climbed underneath the prized possession and floated her sleeping mask onto her head. Then she looked to the skies as they brightened considerably and waited.

The sunrise was picturesque. Her sister had brought their subjects one of the more spectacular views. The tinges of gold on the clouds were just creeping away and were replaced with their gentle white.

This time she was rewarded rather quickly with the small speck of a pegasus flapping in front of the sun. The path was erratic. More like a butterfly than a bird. She looked like she was dancing with the wind rather than riding it. Though the princess was pretty sure she was wrestling with it. Air thermals had a way of pushing a flyer off course if they didn’t anticipate them.

Her heart leapt into her throat as the mailmare got closer. What should she say? Should she just go along with the idea that they were dating all this time? Did she need to know why Derpy assumed? Looking at the way things had happened, most ponies would have assumed as well. Though she would have liked to have been consulted.

The Princess’s thoughts were interrupted as a grey blur sailed through the top of the far window, ricocheting off the wall and landing on a soft cushion, face first. She lifted her head and shook it a bit. Then those large eyes found their target and a huge smile filled her face.

“Morning!” the little mare said cheerfully. “Want a muffin?”

As usual she produced a small basket of muffins from under her wing. How she always managed to keep them safe despite breaking everything else was nothing short of astounding.

Derpy bounced off the landing mat and happily placed the basket on the nightstand. Luna grabbed a muffin. She bit into it as she contemplated how she had never noticed all these details.

“Oh! Hold on, I have to brush my teeth.” Luna stared at the mare in disbelief as she walked into the royal bathroom.

“You have a toothbrush here?” When did she begin to move in? When did they even begin dating? Was Luna that tired every morning that she missed all of this?

“Mmm?” A toothbrush stuck out of Derpy’s mouth at an odd angle as she poked her head out. “Oh I brought it over last week, just in case.”

“In case? In case of?”

Derpy turned beet red. And returned to the bathroom. “In case we.. uh … well in case something good happens.”

Luna felt her mind whirling with possible implications. She might have missed a lot of these signs but Derpy was hoping for something and she could guess what it was.

“Derpy?” She didn’t want to hurt her but she had to know. “I wanted to know when we began to date and how it occurred.”

This time the head that poked out had eyes that were dangerously close to exploding. They pointed in opposite directions and her mouth hung open.

“You-you don’t remember?”

Luna shook her head. She bit her lip and tried not to watch as her innocent face fell. It was quickly shaken off.

“It’s ok. I do that all the time. It took me a while to remember that I had a girlfriend at all. Mmm I don’t remember how long ago it was but I remember you grabbed me in the afternoon. I remember because they were making toasted cheese sandwiches. I love that smell. But you held me so close like I was your favorite pony in the world. It made me want to… well one day. You were behind me so I didn’t get to look into your pretty eyes. But you whispered right into my ear. ‘I like you.’ Then you kissed the back of my ear. So I asked, ‘Are we dating now?’ And you said ‘mmmhmm.’ And kissed my neck a little. It tingled. But in a nice way. Then I asked if you could wait to do that kind of stuff. I wasn’t ready then.”

She quickly shut her mouth and reddened. Luna sighed. She had told Derpy her true feelings in her sleep. The mare wasn’t mistaken. They were a couple. There was no fault in Derpy’s thoughts. There was no way for her to know she was asleep then.

Derpy slowly climbed into bed wearing pajamas that she must have also had in the bathroom. She sat much closer than the princess remembered. Her face was inches away. Those large yellow eyes filled Luna’s vision.

“So..” she said as innocently as possible. “How was your night?”

Luna relaxed. The little mare was the only one that asked how her night was. She listened to all the strange dreams and nightmares with a large smile on her face. Surprisingly she often added suggestions. Crazy suggestions that made no sense in the regular world but in the dream lands they were helpful.

“That sounds like you had an interesting night!” The bedmate responded after Luna had told her all the unnatural doings in Equestria after dark. “I liked the tap dancing gargoyle part. It sounded fun.”

“I also had a meeting concerning our relationship,”Luna admitted. She hadn’t been in a relationship in millennia but she knew honesty was best. “My sister and some of our advisors are concerned. They’re worried that ponies won’t understand us being together.”

“That’s silly,” her bed mate laughed. “We’re dating ‘cause we love each other. What's there to understand?”

Derpy’s eyes grew wide then she clamped her hooves over her mouth. She looked like she was caught dropping a package down the stairs. Again. Her lip quivered and those yellow eyes pleaded.

“I’m sorry. Doc said I was supposed to wait until a special moment to tell you I love you.” She looked down and tears began to form.

“Any moment somepony hears that they are loved is a special moment.” Luna’s hoof gently lifted that innocent face. “Especially when that love is returned.”

“That’s when it’s broken.”

“What?”

“They return the packages when they get broken.”

Luna chuckled. “Yes but when love is returned it means the other feels it too. The love is doubled.”

Derpy looked up with those eyes once again. They darted back and forth. Then opened wide and the little pegasus threw her forehooves around her Princess’s neck. “You love me! You love me! Ha ha ha!”

“Indeed.” Luna couldn’t help but laugh. It was so uplifting to see her and feel her elation. Her soft body had such warmth and strength.

Luna lost herself to the embrace. The world slipped away, all the neigh-sayers, the strange feelings of others' pain. All slipped from Luna’s mind and were lost to the winds of new love.

What she also missed was Derpy’s head moving from her shoulder in one smooth motion. It was in front of her before she could think and those small nimble lips locked with hers.

Luna found a whole new level of peace and exaltation. Her mind raced to places it hadn’t in centuries. No matter who or why the feeling was still the same. The first kiss of love nearly stopped her breath and stilled her heart. The mind shut down. No analysis or further stimulation was necessary. Her being was in that moment. Waking the clouds with Derpy.

Slowly the massive grey eyelids pulled away and became a normal size again. Derpy held her eyes closed placing her hooves to her moist lips. She sat back and just held the sensation.

“Pr-Princess was that real? Just now?” The pegasus could barely be heard from behind her hooves.

“Yes, Derpy. And please if we have moved to that level in our relationship you may call me Luna.” There was giddiness in the Princess. A delight in her voice rather than a tolerance. A small seed of hope that incinerated despair.

“I thought about doing that so much. I wasn’t sure if I thought about it again or if it really happened.” She finally opened her eyes. It took a few blinks for them to refocus. Then they locked on her girlfriend’s. “I’ve never kissed somepony like that. Even the Doc. Is it ok that I did?”

“Yes. You may kiss me as often as you wish. That is the privilege of being my girlfriend.” Luna was almost awed by the sheer elation that spread over the young mare’s face.

“Any time?”

“Well within reason. Not while I’m eating or giving a speech but when it is just us, I don’t see why I couldn’t accommodate. Would you like another?”

“Y-yes. But not now.” Derpy backed away slightly. “I have one. The first one. Any others won’t be the first. And I want to keep the first one a little longer.”

Luna smiled. It was a logic like no other. It was simple, yet profound in the depth she held in seemingly simple things. The smallest details of life still had the same weight as the larger ones. This was no exception. And it was a chance to savor the experience.

“I want to go to sleep now. So I can dream about that kiss and keep it going.” Derpy slid under the covers and pulled up close to the mighty alicorn.

“Derpy?”

“Mm?”

“When we wake, would you like to go out on a true date?” Luna slid into her side of the bed and pulled her girlfriend close. Derpy sighed a satisfied sigh.

“You’re being really nice to me today. You told me you love me. You let me kiss you. You want to go somewhere together and now you’re holding me close when you’re awake. I feel really lucky. I am really lucky. Maybe all the bad stuff that happened before was so
I could have such good things now. Is that how it works?”

“No. But we have the bad things to help us see the good things easier when they happen. So, I take it you will go.” Luna shifted her head gently on top of Derpy’s.

The mare didn’t respond until a few seconds later with a heavy sigh and a soft snore. Luna kissed the top of her head and joined her in sleep.

Chapter 2: The Date

Celestia made her way to the small chamber behind the throne. It was set up in the style of a break room. There were snacks, a couch or two and a water cooler. It had been given the nickname the twilight room long before her protégé had proven worthy of a crown. It was there the royal sisters met each dawn and dusk to exchange pleasantries, update the other or simply acknowledge the official exchange of duties.

Celestia’s hooves dragged on the floor as she inched closer to that door. After the meeting she was assaulted by Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lis for her sister’s hostility towards them. She assured the couple that Luna had taken their concerns seriously. Though she might not follow their advice she would do her best not to cause a scene. At least Celestia hoped she wouldn’t.

Then hours of meetings, meetings, paperwork, meetings and meetings about paperwork. The large alicorn could no longer read words from the eye strain. Her hoof flopped against the door handle because her horn was sore.

The door opened and Celestia froze. The room was filled with confections. They covered the table and along the counter near the sink. She slowly entered expecting Pinkie to pop out of some impossible hiding place. No pink pony appeared.

On closer inspection, the sun princess noticed these were not just a slew of pastries. They were all muffins. Muffins of every kind. Strawberry Muffins. Lemon Muffins. Chocolate Muffins. Celestia didn’t recognize the rest of them.

“Oh no, Luna!” The summons immediately brought a giddy co ruler through the door.

“Yes sister? Oh they’re here!” The princess of dreams cried as she saw the muffin army. “She will be thrilled!”

Luna clapped her hooves together and pranced around the room. Celestia groggily watched the odd display with a slight smirk.

“I assume your endeavor went well. Remember others might not understand and things might get hard for her.”

“They had better be wary.” Luna tried to sound dangerous. But the lightness in her voice betrayed her. Celestia couldn’t help but smile.

“It’s not a problem that should be met with force, Luna. In fact most problems are made worse by threatening them. Like Fleur De Lis this morning. She was concerned and you sounded like you were going to hurt her. She’s our image consultant. She was just doing her job.” Celestia had been moments away from putting Luna in a freeze spell. A very effective time out.

“It is despicable. If they try anything I shall-“

“Do nothing!” emphasized the princess. “Luna, your image is pretty shaky at best. You’re moody, sullen and have a lightning quick temper. Ponies have forgiven you for the past but in the present ponies are nervous because of who you are now.” Celestia was having trouble being delicate in her groggy state. She spent all day tiptoeing around her words.

“Very well. I would argue but I am feeling quite elated.”

As Celestia opened her mouth to give further warning when a small pegasus floated in, eyes closed and barely flapping.

“Mmmm muffins”, cooed the smitten floating mare. She opened her eyes, which looked at the ceiling and ground simultaneously, and her mouth fell open. “Oh my Princess, there’s so many!”

“I did not know what your favorite was so I had all of them made.” Luna was like a foal in a candy store. Celestia started to feel a little out of place with the two of them there.

“Princess Celestia!” cried Derpy when her eyes finally focused on the large alicorn. “You live here too?”

“Yes, good evening Derpy,” the princess said with a dry chuckle.

“That’s amazing! Both Princesses live in the same house! I thought you would be old enough to live on your own.” Derpy exclaimed as she bit into her first muffin.

“It’s a castle, we have always lived in the same castle. It's tradition.” Luna chose a delectable strawberry muffin and began to eat.

“So all our leaders are in the same place? What if something happened? Like a meteor hit or some sort of bug pony attacked? It could leave us with no leaders in one go.” Crumbs fell out of the pegasus’s mouth as she voiced her security concerns.

“We could counter a meteor with our magic. And the bug pony queen did attack but our guards and Princess Twilight vanished them.” Luna was a little less messy than her girlfriend but still managed to dribble a few crumbs.

Celestia turned from the pair. She found a small lemon tart muffin and slowly bit into it. The taste was delectable. The chef was a master of his craft. There were very few things the kitchen could not make. From cakes to yak food.

“So what are you two planning?” The sun monarch asked. She couldn’t help but notice crumbs falling from her own mouth. The muffin was hard to eat cleanly. The flavor of sweet yet sour lemon filled her muzzle causing her to almost miss the response.

“We’re going to a play!” Derpy cried, diving upon another muffin. “Pr- Luna said she would give me a fancy dress and feed me more tasty foods.”

“We’re seeing Phantom of the Opera. Performed by the kirin.” Luna’s expression visibly brightened as Derpy sat next to her. “I figure she would enjoy a classic and might delight at the extravagant costumes.”

“Oooh! I do like plays. And anything we do together will be fun and exciting!” Derpy leaned on Luna’s shoulder. Celestia felt a small glow of pride and happiness. Her sister was finally in love. It really shouldn’t matter with whom. But others wouldn’t think so.

“I hope you have a good time. And please be careful.” Celestia stood and took another muffin for good measure.

“We’ll use protection!” Derpy cried out. Luna choked on her muffin.

Celestia paused halfway out the door. Her long head swiveled back at them with a strange unnatural smile. “Th-thank you, Derpy.”

“That was not what she was referring to, my love,” The gasping princess immediately chided, her face glowing red. Celestia hoped it was just from embarrassment.

“I can pick any of these?!” Derpy hopped up and down looking at rows and rows of dresses. She ran to the first rack but tripped on a wheel that held it.

“Perhaps something with a high hemline that she won’t trip over?” Sassy Saddles asked as the klutzy pegasus got up and dusted herself off. She moved a half a dozen racks away after Luna nodded.

“Ooo! Look! They have pretty hats!” The excited mare rushed off again. She pulled down a striped red and white pillbox hat. She gently placed it on one ear. It matched the swirled look the mane-dresser had chosen. “I look beautiful.”

Derpy spun around to show off the look that everypony could already see. “Do you like it Luna?”

“Of course! You are …adorable in it.” The crimson crept onto her face. She wasn’t used to complimenting another mare like this in public.

“In that case I have a dress that would match it perfectly. The matched filly dress would give her a high class and vintage look. Now the color. Red or white, Princess?” Sassy lifted two similar style dresses off one of the racks and held the colors up to the beaming mare.

“White looked divine on her!” Luna couldn’t help but gasp as her little bed mate started to look more and more adorable.

Derpy eyes sparkled in the rising moonlight as they left the shop. She looked on the verge of tears. Luna quickly grabbed her hoof and directed her around any obstacles.

“Whatever is the matter?” The princess leaned down to hear the soft voice.

“No-nothing.” It was followed by a hasty sniff. “I look so beautiful. And I’m walking down the street holding your hoof. And you look so beautiful. I don’t understand why I’m crying.”

“I think those might be tears of joy.”

“They look the same to me.” The observation was followed by another sniff.

“Yes but they don’t feel the same do they?”

“No, you’re right, they don’t!” Derpy looked up like the Princess had done a spectacular magic trick. It warmed her heart to see the little mare so happy.

As they passed a late night bistro that’s when Luna caught the laughter. The patrons were looking in their direction and laughing. Some lost all decorum and bluntly pointed at the couple and doubled over. Luna lifted her head and stared forward. Her jaw clenched but the light hearted skipping of her date released the death grip on her teeth.

“Look! Look, Luna! It’s the theater! Oh look at that line!” Derpy sounded like a foal. A giddy foal that couldn’t help but smile. It spread to her date as well.

“Don’t worry. They won’t make us stand in line. They have special tickets set aside for me and my sister.” Luna walked past the line still holding her girlfriend’s hoof.

The snickers returned as she got close to the kiosk. The line was staring and some comments were heard. “Luna and her?!” “Is this a charity thing?” “Is that pegasus…’special’?” “I say, this is most amusing.”

Heat rose to Luna’s face. Some of it flowed to her horn. She was warned not to make a scene and that this would happen but to be openly ridiculed was unthinkable. She was about to remind them who they were mocking when the clerk interrupted her angst.

“Princess Luna!” The kiosk clerk shouted in surprise. “I didn’t know you were coming! Umm er. The special tickets. Right. Here it’s the royal balcony. You and your friend enjoy the show.”

“Girlfriend,” corrected the prancing pegasus. She didn’t seem to hear the comments earlier. Luna’s horn began to dim as her blood simmered down. It didn’t stay there long as the clerk began to snicker.

“Oh sorry.” The snickering mare managed to hold the barrage back until they were out of sight but not ear shot.

This sort of behavior was what Luna would expect from a sports event or a highschool not a play on Briddleway. Had society lost its manners? She did notice an increasing trend towards crassness and disparaging speech in the populace. She was told this was enjoying the freedom of speech. She found it hard to enjoy being “free” amongst such criticisms.

At least her secluded balcony seat should put them above such petty comments. The velvet red seats were in pristine condition and the snack cabinet was stocked with all the things two princesses would want.

Luna offered the outermost seat to her date and took the one closest to the aisle. Immediately Derpy leaned over the edge.

“Look how high up we are!” the mare said, looking over the railing. Luna caught her with her magic before she fell off the side. She could hear the laughter underneath as she pulled the curious pegasus back into the booth.

“Don’t want your pegasus to fall, Princess,” chuckled some pony below them.

“Did I do something wrong?” Derpy asked. She looked down at her hooves. “I didn’t ruin my pretty dress did I?”

“No. You still look beautiful,” Luna assured her. She could feel the vein throbbing on her head. This was insufferable. High class her hoof. This was more like no class.

“Awww, thanks.” Her compliment was punctuated with a gentle kiss. “You look beautiful too.”

Some more giggles floated up from the ground. Luna tried to focus on the feeling of the kiss. It was sweet, simple and genuine, just like the pegasus who gave it.

The lights flickered and made the audience aware the play was about to start. The princess settled while Derpy wrapped around her forehoof. It was comfortable. The “esteemed peers”would be quiet now. She gave her attention to snuggling and the kirin on stage.

“Who’s that?” gasped Luna’s date.

“That’s the lead. She’s a singer that wants to be the star but no pony notices her,” Luna calmly explained for the third time. She knew Derpy was forgetful and didn’t mind explaining it to her. It felt like she was helping to tell the story.

The audience, however, was tired of the slew of hushed questions. Luna could sense their unease. She didn’t like catering to them but off handed comments and grumbles were reaching her ears. She didn’t want to be the one to ruin their evening.

“Derpy, dear,” Luna began, still blushing at using a term of endearment. “Perhaps you should ask questions afterward.”

“Ok. Sorry. I want you to have the bestest time.” She smiled an excited smile.

“Thank Celestia,” grumbled a stallion below.

“Hush dear,” his date reminded him.

“I can’t help it if the princess brings some idiot with her to a play.” The whiner was shushed by the surrounding ponies.

Luna’s eye twitched. Her grasp on Derpy increased, though the mare delighted in it. The horn hummed in irritation. That stallion had no right insulting her girlfriend. Despite her simple ways and forgetful habits she was not mentally challenged. She was different to be sure but not in a bad way. She felt her anger rising to dangerous proportions.

But the memory of the meeting that morning put the brakes on her intended actions. This was not the type of display the citizens needed. She couldn’t rule with an iron hoof. She had to keep her decorum. Though it was getting more and more difficult.

“Look out! Crispy Cream! The phantom’s behind you!” Derpy couldn’t help but shout out in fear. Luna internally groaned.

The kirin on stage immediately looked up to the balcony. “He is?”

The actress looked behind her and gasped as the phantom did a flourishing impromptu entrance. “You’re right! He is!” The character ran off stage followed by her attacker and the curtain fell.

“Run!” cried the concerned pegasus. Luna couldn’t help but breath a small sigh of relief as the players catered to her date’s terror.

A brief intermission took place and Luna braced herself for more grumbling insults. She was rewarded hearing words like “doofus”, “dolt” and “mentally challenged” thrown around, unchecked. It was infuriating. She couldn’t fault their irritation but to insult her date took everything she had not to fill the theater with lightning and demand their immediate apology.

“Luna? I messed up again didn’t I?” The question pulled the princess from her violent thoughts. It was a painful tone to hear such a happy mare.

“No. You’re not used to such a venue. I’m sure the player appreciates your help but the audience wants to enjoy the play like you would a movie. Perhaps if you get nervous about the characters you can squeeze my hoof. Ok?” Luna hoped it would deter her from further outbursts.

Derpy nodded and shrunk into the seat further. The lights flickered again and the audience resumed their seats. The crowd was still upset and a few started cat-calling the cast.

“Look out Phantom, you have an idiot behind you.”

“I don’t know who they’re shouting at,” Derpy commented. “I don’t see anypony behind him.”

Luna’s lips were a firm line. Her jaw was made of rock and her muscles ached from flexing them. There was a slight quiver in her wings which threatened to spring open at any moment. Her eyes blazed but she sat firm in her chair.

The phantom was chasing Cream again. This time the audience was much more crass. “Don’t worry Crispy the princess of fools will save you.” A snickering pony shouted then sat back in her seat laughing bitterly.

Time slowed as Luna felt her date disengage from her. She turned in time to see the pegasus flying towards the stage. The audience howled with laughter. Luna was on her hooves ready to save the players or Derpy or both.

A splat echoed through the theater as Derpy landed. She looked at the actors for a few dizzy seconds then spun furiously on the crowd. The actors stopped and the crowd stopped laughing. Her face was full of anger and tears trickled down her cheeks. The makeup that had been carefully applied for the evening was dripping off her chin.

“Stop! Stop it! Why are you so mean?!” screamed the enraged mare. “Princess Luna isn’t the Princess of fools. She’s the kindest, most patient and loving pony I know. I am proud to be her girlfriend! Even though I am like I am, she still loves me. I don’t care if you make fun of me, I'm used to it. But don’t you dare make fun of her!”

The “high” class society crowd froze. No pony corrected Derpy. She misunderstood the jest was meant for her but her anger was genuine. She looked ready to fight them all. The crowd sensed it and backed away.

Guilt gnawed at the princess momentarily frozen in the booth. Her date had heard the comments the entire time. She had tuned them out to have a good date. Luna shouldn’t have. She should have defended her mare from the onset.

Luna took off from her balcony and landed gracefully next to her mate. The anger was more calculated. The rage was vicariously released through Derpy’s rant. She stood on the stage in her terrible beauty looking down on those that should be looked down upon.

“This rudeness will cease! Though you may not see her as I do, it doesn't give you the right to belittle her! She is different! So are we all. Because her differences are readily apparent is not an excuse for mockery. She is a pony like all of us. And she deserves all that you do, probably more. I have no shame in loving her and I suggest you keep any further condescension to yourselves.” The Princess of the night ended her speech with a small clap of thunder. The audience shook.

“Oh Phantom,” Derpy said, turning to the actors behind her. “Crispy Cream loves you. She is just afraid to tell you because no pony else would understand. I understand and the Princess understands. You should tell him how you feel.”

The kirin was snapped back into reality and nodded at Derpy. “You’re right, little Pegasus. I should. Phantom?”

The actor playing the phantom hopped over in a grand spooky fashion. “Yes Crispy? Is what this little mare saying true?”

“Yes, Phantom. I know you think you are too different to be loved but I love you anyway. I don’t care what others think. Brave ponies like the Princess and her girlfriend have proved to me that it can work.”

The players hugged each other in glee. They even kissed which caused Derpy to bring her hooves to her mouth and blush.

“We shall move away from this rotten opera and start a new life in the country together.” The Phantom threw his hoof in the air towards the future and the cast bowed. The audience begrudgingly clapped but many were still looking at Derpy the fierce and Luna the deadly.

They hastily exited the theater, some leaving their concessions in the seats. Luna marched off the stage followed by Derpy. Before they left she thanked the kirin for their ad libs.

“No problem Princess. Tonight’s the last night and it’s nice to do something different with it from time to time. I’m just glad your girlfriend liked it so much.” The kirin waved to Derpy who enthusiastically waved back. “We want you both to come back to our next play.”

“We shall,” Luna said with a bow. “Perhaps you could perform at the castle in the near future.”

They left the theater in silence. Derpy trailed behind her mate like a scolded foal. Luna waited until her anger faded before facing her.

“You did nothing wrong, my love. I am proud you defended me. I should have defended you much earlier.” The Princess tried not to look the little mare in the eye. She looked at the stars instead.

“But I ruined everypony’s night. I lost my temper. I feel awful. I didn’t mean to ruin our first date. I didn’t.” Luna finally looked. Derpy’s face was flowing with painful tears and her mane had become a tangled mess. She wiped the residue of her make up across her white sleeves. Her head and tail both looked like they were inches above the floor.

Luna couldn’t help but pick the pathetic pegasus up in her forehooves. She squeezed her tight and let any further annoyance fade. The world was once again only for them. Nothing existed outside that soft warm bubble. Nothing important anyway.

Derpy through her forehooves around her Princess’s neck. She buried her face in the strong wings, hiding her shame and tears. She openly wept and squeezed back as hard as her delicate little hooves could.

“Come, let us fly amongst the stars. We can leave these narrow minded foals beneath us and dance through the clouds. If the winds batter you I shall carry you. “ Derpy pulled her makeup encrusted face out of Luna’s wing and nodded. The bright smile immediately returned.

“I’d love to dance with you.”

The winged ponies took to the air. They swooped and flew as close to the balls of light and hope as they could. Then danced around the clouds until they tired.

Chapter 3: The Ponies on the Lawn

Luna and Derpy returned to the castle after burning off the ire of the night. They swooped in for a landing. The princess caught the klutzy mare seconds before she collided with the castle topiary.

There was a unicorn waiting for them as they ascended the steps. She stood red faced and tapping her hoof on the cold marble tile. Derpy slowed as soon as she caught a look at that face.

“Good evening Fleur,” Luna said cordially. A guard opened the door for them and the party entered.

“Princess Luna, can I just borrow a moment of your time?” The voice was overly sweet. It did nothing to disguise the frustration and anger just beneath the surface.

“Guard, take Derpy to the library and help her pick a book she likes. I will read it to you to relax.” The guard bowed low to the Princess then helped lead the wayward pegasus down the hall. Luna and Fluer stared at each other with agitation as they listened to the hoofsteps disappear out of range.

Immediately Fleur’s sugary facade fell. She turned red and took long deep breaths. Then finally said, ' Did you two enjoy your evening?”

“Some parts,” Luna admitted. She wasn’t angry. She wasn’t guilt filled. She simply waited, like a cow does a storm it can’t out run.

“Well you two created a PR nightmare!” The torrid began and the rain started to fall. “You scared most of my friends and colleagues! Forget all the work we did to bring your image back from Nightmare Moon! You unraveled everything in ten minutes!”

“You are incorrect. It was they who were unreasonable and slandering my girlfriend!”

“I warned you this would happen!” Fleur stamped her hoof in frustration.

“And I argue that it shouldn’t. It is not right that your friends can belittle somepony that is different.” Luna glared into the unicorn’s eyes. “She did nothing wrong except to stand up for me. I should have done the same for her but I heeded your advice. I was wrong too. This problem is not one to be ignored but championed as the injustice it is.”

“Look, Luna,” Fleur’s expression softened. “You’re right. This is against the friendship we’re trying to help Twilight bring to Equestria. But yelling at them and threatening them isn’t the answer.”

“What is, then?!”

“I don’t know.” Fleur stared at the ground. This was much bigger than her. She was used to dealing with wardrobe issues and asking Luna to smile more. This was out of her depth.

“And I am to let my girlfriend be publicly ridiculed in the meantime while you figure it out?” Luna snorted. She turned and decidedly walked away. She already knew the answer. She wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

The couple spent the rest of that night reading and playing games. Luna decided that Ponyville’s dreams could stand not having their protector for one night. Especially the supposed “upper class.”

Soon the morning twilight began to fill the room with a soft orange glow. Derpy was already yawning. The princess scooped her up and placed her on her back. She walked to the twilight room holding her date in place with her wings.

“Did you have a good date?” Celestia asked, as the exhausted ponies entered.

“I’m afraid you shall hear about it sister.” The night princess found a small cup of milk to drink. “There is a precedent for rudeness that I do not agree with. I am not sure how it can be changed but I am sure you shall be briefed by Fleur de Lis. She was most irate. As am I.”

“Oh dear. Are you two fighting again?” Celestia looked at her steaming cup of morning coffee and wondered if it would be enough.

“So it would seem. Perhaps we could have another meeting to discuss it. But not now. My date and I are exhausted from our ordeal and wish to retire.”

“One of you already did.” Celestia pointed to the dozing Derpy. She sighed. The two of them wouldn’t be able to work on this problem until evening at the earliest. She braced herself for whatever Luna did the night before.

It was late in the afternoon when a knock at Luna’s door woke her. She lifted her head and wondered what had occurred while she slept. Her bed was in disarray and Derpy was draped over her like a wrestling match. The little mare released soft coos as she slept.

“Luna? Derpy? Are you decent?” The voice by the door asked.

Luna snorted. What type of mares did they think they were? Just because they slept in the same bed often didn’t mean they were engaging in that. Then again it was expected of a couple.

“Derpy, we are being sought for. Please wake.” Luna whispered to the pony on top of her.

“Mmmm muffins from the stars are tasty.” The pegasus rolled on her back still draped over her princess. She cooed again and sighed back into the depths of slumber.

“I shall get you muffins.” The voice at the door promised. Whoever it was seemed to know magic. Derpy was up and stretching.

“Muffins?! You mean it?!” She looked at the door as if it was the one that made the offer.

Luna slowly got up. As her hooves hit the floor a sound made it to her ears. It was like a roar of a distant sea. Or a crowd on her lawn. The princess opened the door to her room and nearly ran headlong into Fleur de Lis standing outside with muffins.

“Princess Luna!” the unicorn gasped. She was able to step out of the way and hold a coffee and muffins in her magic. “Are you alright?! I just wanted to make a peace offering to you two.”

“Why is there a crowd on our lawn?” Luna cried. “I know the sound of a mob when I hear one.”

Fleur sighed. “You’ll see. It’s something I put together after sending out a few scrolls. It’s to help with the problem we were talking about last night.”

“Can I have my muffin?!” Derpy burst through the door, tripped, and fell into the Princess’s flanks. Luna pitched forward and landed on her barrel. She felt Derpy wrestling with her tail.

“Uhh,” Fleur backed away from the suggestive pair. “I was offering muffins. You know the food. Not ..”

“Muffins!” The little mare jumped up like nothing had happened. “Can I have one? I’ll be good.”

Luna slowly got up, her face bright red. “Please do not speak of that Fleur.”

“Gladly.” The unicorn was dancing to keep from being barreled over by the excited pegasus. “Calm down, Derpy. I got them for you. Here.”

A muffin floated its way towards its doom but didn’t know it. The world was safe and happy around it, in it’s magical bubble. But the fate of happy muffins is inevitable. Especially around a hungry pegasus. The muffin's only regret was that it never saw Prance. Then a pair of hungry jaws snagged from its telekinetic cocoon and it was pulled into the depths of oblivion. And excitement.

“So what is this solution you have put together?” Luna asked, redirecting the conversation.

“Come outside. They’re waiting for you.” The unicorn didn’t say anything else and walked away.

Luna followed cautiously while her mate ran along after the muffin bearer. She sipped the coffee of peace and groaned internally. Most likely it was some press conference made to make amends. She would have to apologize for her and Derpy’s behavior.

The coffee became acid in her stomach at the thought. She didn’t think she had anything to apologize for. Reporters rarely focused on the facts any more and relished in the thought of bringing special ponies down. Not that she thought she was above them. She just didn’t appreciate their motivations.

“Oh don’t look so glum,” Fleur chided. “You’ll like this I promise.”

“Is it more muffins?” Derpy bit into her second victim of that afternoon and relished the spongy texture.

“Well, we can get more but that’s not what this is about.” Fleur stopped by the door and quickly straightened everyponies’ manes before opening it. “Ok, everypony big smiles.”

Luna hated forced smiles but she grabbed Derpy’s forehoof and held it close. Derpy smiled brightly at her and a matching smile rose on the princess. The door opened and sunlight streamed into the nocturnal Princess’s face.

Luna couldn’t see but the ocean roared as she and Derpy walked out. She looked at the ground to clear her vision and the first thing she saw was a half eaten muffin roll into her view. She forced her eyes to focus and looked at her girlfriend. Derpy stood still gawking at the lawn. It wasn’t a painful expression, just one of pure shock.

The Princess swung her majestic head around to see. And the ocean roared once more. Finally she could make out the forms that made up its wake. Ponies of all shapes and sizes stood out on the field. Some holding banners, others holding signs. They all wore a blue and grey striped shirt with a moon surrounded by bubbles.

“What is this?” Luna asked the empty air. Her legs locked, her beat faster and her lungs didn’t want to keep up with her increased needs.

“This is Duna,” Fleur announced proudly. “This is the vehicle for the change you wanted. I sent a scroll to Pinkie Pie and Rarity. I told them what happened. They organized this in a day. I don’t know how.”

A grey earth pony approached the Princess and looked at her with no expression at all. “Hello,” she said in a flat deadpan. “I’m Maud Pie. Pinkie told me about your situation. I understood. I know what it’s like to be… different. So we worked to put together this movement. The different and unique national association.”

“That’s not set in stone yet,” cried Fleur, cutting off the monotone spokespony.

“We have a lot of ponies that are…different. We plan to bring awareness and stop others from treating us differently. It shouldn’t be that way and we’re going to fight. With words. I don’t like violence.” Maud turned and walked to a podium.

“Hello. I’m Maud and I’m different,” the pony began addressing the crowd. “I don’t want to be treated differently. Thank you for coming.”

The monotonous speech ended and the crowd roared. Especially a bright pink member that whooped and hollered as the pony left the podium.

“That’s the spokespony?” asked Luna in disbelief.

“Yeah! She’s perfect to represent the type of ponies you want to reach for this. And Pinkie said she’s really excited about it.” Fleur looked at the Princess in pride.

“Fluer,” Luna began. “I am grateful for your assistance.”

Derpy was hopping up and down in excitement. “Look Luna! They’re wearing shirts with our cutie marks on it! And they’re saying Duna which sounds like Luna but has a D. Like my name. “

Derpy flew to her mare and gave her a kiss on the lips once more. It was readily returned. The monarch couldn’t help but blush.

“It’s great we have so many new friends!” the little mare shouted excitedly. “I don’t think I could be happier. I have friends and a beautiful girlfriend and a pretty dress and muffins!”

Another muffin floated to the ecstatic pegasus from Fluer. She greedily bit it. Luna smiled at her delighted girlfriend. She picked her up and kissed her muffin crumb covered cheek. The crowd roared once more. Change was coming. The couple was the beginning of it.