Arriving in my mistress' room was... awkward, to say the least. It was probably a first for me since we'd initially met. As soon as her teleportation spell had ended she'd walked over to her closet and entered it without saying a word. To be honest, I was a little frightened by that. She hadn't acknowledged me when we got inside her quarters at all. Thankfully, she hadn't closed the door to the closet behind herself.

Is she... is she mad at me?

That thought made me feel sick. If need be, I'd apologize to her immediately. I hadn't consulted with her before making my request to her sister, but I knew if I had told her she would have been adamantly against it.

I had to keep it from her.

Secrets and lies.

"Y-your...?" I trotted over to the open doorway, but respected her privacy by staying out of the room, in spite of the inviting open door. "Your Highness?"

"Yes, my dearest?" she replied from within, her voice carrying no malice or irritation. In fact, she sounded quite jovial.

She doesn't sound mad... but I should probably make sure anyway.

"Is... is everything okay? With us, I mean. I apologize for not asking you if I-"

"Everything is wonderful, my dearest," she popped her head out of the door, a devious grin on her face. "I simply wanted to get your surprise for you."

"My... surprise?" I took an uncertain step back.

"TA-DAAAA!" she leapt out of the closet holding a large box with a frilly bow in her telekinesis. She was all smiles as she held the gift up to me. "For you, my dearest!" she said exuberantly as the present bobbed in the air.

"Oh!" I stared, first at the box and then at her. "Th- thank you, Your Highness." I took the box into my own telekinesis before setting it down in front of myself and staring down at it.

"I saw it in the window of a boutique when I was in the Dominion," she was practically gushing at this point. "I knew it would be perfect for you! Oh, but I'm giving the surprise away far too soon. Open it up! Open it!"

What a pity.

As I stared down at the gift I felt tears begin to crawl down my cheeks.

"Twilight..." my mistress sighed, her excitement gone in an instant.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness!" I quickly wiped the tears away with a hoof. "It's just-"

"I already know, Twilight," Her words shook me. I couldn't recall the last time she'd regarded me with such frigidness. I looked up at her in shock, finding an exhausted mare standing before me. "I know you. I simply didn't wish to say anything that might foment even more negativity in you. I still don't, but I fear if I remain silent your inner turmoil will get the better of you."

Then please... help me, Your Highness.

She cannot. None can. You are hopeless.

"Am I..." my head drooped. "How am I supposed to rectify my failures then, Your Highness? What should I do?"

"Do you want my honest opinion?" she asked calmly. Again, her icy demeanor was like the sting of a dagger being plunged deep into my flesh.

"I... do, Your Highness." I kept my head low.

You don't.

"Celestia was, and is, correct, Twilight," she stated firmly this time. I winced. "Your desire for punishment to serve as restitution for your transgressions is an approach only a coward would take."

I-I'm a... coward?

NOW DO YOU SEE!? EVEN YOUR BELOVED MISTRESS THINKS YOU A COWARD!

"TWILIGHT SPARKLE, LOOK AT ME THIS INSTANT!" the blast of her Royal Canterlot Voice shook me to my core, forcing me to raise my head and lock eyes with her. She wasn't angry, she only had a stern look on her face. Thankfully, there was no disappointment to be found in her either. "You are no coward," her voice had returned to normal. "You are merely afraid. There is a great distinction between the two."

"I'm..." I didn't want to admit it. Not to her of all ponies, but she was right. They were both right. "I am, Your Highness. I'm terrified," I placed a shaking hoof on the gift. "What I did to Starlight was... unforgivable. I think... I don't think she'll ever forgive me."

...

"She may not."

Her blunt reply felt like a buck directly to the gut, but I managed to hold it together because I'd expected it.

"I know," I groaned. "That's the whole problem."

"Then you know that there's only one way you'll have any chance of solving that problem," she still hadn't moved, nor had her demeanor softened.

"I know," I sighed, rubbing my hoof on the present.

"You must stop this habit of self-flagellation at once, Twilight. We've all made mistakes. What is of the utmost importance is how we work to remedy those mistakes, not how we can avoid them." She walked up to the gift, her elegant silver horseshoes entering my vision. "Heed my sister's words. Talk to Starlight Glimmer. She might not listen, but you will not know for sure unless you try. Until you do, there is no further point in ruminating on the issue. Okay?"

...

"O-okay," I conceded without a fight. She was not acting her usual self and so, I didn't want to push her. There was a hint of flint in her voice and she hadn't tried to comfort me physically once since we'd arrived in her quarters. It was a bit concerning, but I also welcomed it. I tapped on the box, my curiosity piqued. "Did something happen, Your Highness? While you were in the Dominion?"

"Nothing of note," she replied instantly with no hint of worry or anything of the sort. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason in particular. You're just acting a little... different." I wasn't going to withhold the truth from her. As soon as her head cocked to the side a bit I knew I'd have to explain myself. "I'm not complaining or anything," I smiled. "To be honest, I really like it. It fits. It's about time you start acting as amazing as you actually are."

She was the most powerful mare I knew. There was nothing wrong with finally acting like it. It's not like her aura didn't already give off that impression to those around her anyway.

Unexpectedly, she blushed bright red, nearly her entire body resembling a ripe tomato. She spun around, facing away from me.

"Just open your gift, Twilight." It wasn't an order. There wasn't nearly enough command in her voice. Honestly, she sounded much more happy now.

"As you wish... Mistress," I smiled as I began unwrapping the bow with my magic.

...

She must have had a professional tie it because I was having a rough time.

Are you really having trouble with some ribbon?

Shut it.

...

"This thing's really on there..." I struggled with it, almost deciding to just burn the material clean off.

Must be something pretty extravagant if she had it wrapped this well.

It honestly made me feel a little guilty. I hadn't brought her anything back from the Empire, though I suppose I wasn't exactly out shopping at the time. Besides, she didn't want me to be negative so I tossed those feelings as quickly as they'd came.

...

"I spoke with Tia," she said. "While you were in the Empire, I mean."

"About what, Your Highness?"

"Lots of things," she replied. She still hadn't turned to face me. "I gained... a new perspective I didn't have before."

"That's a good thing, right?"

"I... believe so." She only sounded a little unsure of herself. That was a good sign.

"That's great, Your Highness!"

...

Alright! Got it!

"...You seem to have changed as well," my mistress said as I put the bow down.

"I really hope for the better," I grabbed the lid of the box with my hooves.

"It would seem so. And in more ways than one," she turned to face me. "I trust things went smoothly with your elder brother?"

"After all of the hullabaloo with that bug? Yeah. Honestly, that could be the reason I'm acting a bit different," I smiled, thinking back to just how good it felt to have Shining Armor back in my life and knowing who was responsible for giving me that blessing. "Thank you so much, Your Highness," I bowed my head to her. "For always guiding me in the right direction."

I wanted to gush to her about my new big sister as well, but that was probably something better done with Sunset and Princess Celestia present.

"Always, my dearest," she smiled. "Now open! Open!" she was giddy again, all previous matters seemingly forgotten.

I lifted the lid off of the box to find...

A... dress?

"Yes! A gown to be a bit more precise!" she chortled with glee as she leapt next to me to look inside the box as well. "Isn't it wonderful!?"

I pulled the frilly, lacey thing out of the box with my telekinesis. I was no expert on fashion, but the black formal gown was breathtaking. Examining it more closely, it might have even been able to rival my sister's wedding dress.

But for somepony like me? My face scrunched up.

I'm not-

"Twiiiiliiiight," she glared down at me. "I already told you, I refuse to let you entertain any further negative thoughts."

"Of course, Your Highness," I wasn't about to argue with her. Besides, there was no point in protesting. She was right. "Can I... Can I try it on?"

"I was praying you'd ask!" she was practically hopping from side to side in place. "You can use my closet!"

I looked at the small room.

"Or I could just put it on right here, Your Highness."

"TWILIGHT!?" she covered her mouth with a hoof, the shock -- as well as the maroon complexion -- evident on her face. "Modesty is a righteous quality." She swept a hoof towards the closet, moving me towards it gently with her magic. "Now go on!"

"Okay, Your Highness," I trotted into the closet to try my gift on, a smile on my face."

++++++++++++++++++++++++

You look absolutely ridiculous.

So, what? Now you're just gonna keep running your mouth all the time?

If it bothers you this much, It will never end.

The Nightmare's mental assaults were getting more constant. Since arriving back in the castle it'd made a nice little nest in my head and wouldn't shut up.

"Please don't laugh, Your Highness," I called out from within the closet. After what felt like an eternity, I was finally done. It'd taken me a lot longer to correctly put on than I'd have thought it would. Turns out there were other garments in the box that I hadn't initially noticed. It was an incredibly complex dress complete with stockings and a veil. All in all, it even looked like a dress a bride might wear.

"As if I'd ever do that," she replied. "I'm certain you look divine, Twilight."

I don't know about that.

DIVINE!?

The condescending laughter that echoed in my head made me wince.

Shut up.

"Trust me," my mistress said softly.

With a deep breath and a shaking hoof I pushed the closet door open and stepped out to stand before her.

"Ta... da." I tried to project an air of confidence, tried to carry myself like she might, but I was no Goddess of the Night.

She's the one who should be wearing this.

Truly pathetic.

SHUT. IT.

The look my mistress gave me made me want to jump right back into the closet and slam the door closed.

"H-how do I look?" I lifted a foreleg, not sure what else to do with myself. She continued to stare at me, wide-eyed. I retreated into myself a bit, feeling very self-conscious all of a sudden. "Please don't stare so much, Mistress," I could feel myself beginning to blush. "It's... really embarrassing."

"F-forgive me, Twilight. I just..." She was still staring as she circled around me, much like a predator. Not once did she take her eyes off of me. I couldn't hide from her gaze and it was beginning to arouse a sense of... anticipation inside of me.

Yeah... She's definitely acting different.

"You're even more beautiful than I could have ever imagined."

My mistress' kind words rocked me to the core.

I blushed, focusing on the floor. I was way too flustered to look at her any longer.

"The dress really is-"

"No, Twilight." She was suddenly standing directly in front of me, inches away. "Not the gown. Tis filth in comparison to you."

I felt a distinct jolt run through my veins at her praise. It was a feeling I couldn't quite put my hoof on. I'd never experienced such a thing from something my mistress had said before. It was...

Curious.

No. Flattering.

I wasn't speaking to you! And she's clearly lying.

Why would she do that?

It matters not. You're as bland a mare as can be.

Says you.

And Starlight Glimmer.

...

"Th-thank you," I said through clenched teeth. "Your praise is always appreciated, Your... Highness?"

Something was wrong. Something had changed. She was looking at me like a ravenous wolf might an injured deer.

I took a step back, my heart suddenly pounding. She took a step forward, her eyes -- her entire body -- exuding an aura I'd never felt from her before.

What's...

Another step away.

Come now, Twilight. Did you honestly believe I'd sit idly by and do nothing while you were away?

Another step forward.

W-what did you do!?

I was furious.

I was... excited!?

"T-Twilight..." My mistress lifted a hoof to her head, her eyes still filled with a hunger I was unfamiliar with. "I feel... I need..."

"P... Princess Luna?" I wasn't certain she was in control.

Another step back.

My back pressed against the wall.

Another step forward.

She was right in front of me now and I had nowhere to go. Her breathtaking cyan eyes were filled to the brim with...

D-desire?

She was so close her warm breath tickled my muzzle. My heart was racing, my hooves sweating, along with the rest of my body. I closed my eyes.

"Y-Your H-Highness what are y-" something pressed gently against my lips. I kept my eyes closed, my heart pounding like a jackhammer. I could hear her hoof clop against the wall right next to my head.

Is she...!?

"Twilight..." she whispered, though whatever was pressed against my mouth remained.

Guess not. She'd never do something like that with m-

"May I... may I kiss you?"

Hu- Wha...?

I still couldn't open my eyes. I couldn't do much of anything. I felt like I might faint at any moment, but I... I was...

Curious.

SHUT UP!

...

I nodded my head, her hoof remaining on my lips all the while.

"Thank you..." she whispered as she removed her hoof. I could hear her move in closer, her mouth now millimeters from mine. I couldn't take it, the anticipation driving me crazy.

I'm going to die. I'm really going to die!

And then...

With a groan of pain I heard her stumble backwards. I opened my eyes to find her rubbing her head.

"Your Highness?"

"Forgive me, my dearest... what were we talking about?" It was clear she'd been in pain, but she tried to play it off, the look of innocent confusion on her face expressing just how lost she was.

...WHAT!?

You IDIOT!

Once again, the cackling laughter of the Nightmare blasted through my mind.

Author's Note

What just happened?