"Good evening, your highness!"

"Good evening, your highness!"

"Your highness! Good evening!"

"Aye, aye, 'tis a fine evening. Pray, canst thou tell me where my father might be?" I was already annoyed with the constant greetings from every last creature I encountered.

Despite having gone through this sing and dance about a hundredth time this night, I still couldn't find father.

"Apologies, Young Lady. I have not had the chance to see the Lord." I sighed wearily as I heard the butler speak.

Just where is he?

He promised to have tea with me today, and he never broke one before.

Ugh. This is stupid. I get him being busy, but he should still be busy with work.

Deciding to look into his office one more time, I hastily made my way there.

Hmm.

Knowledge is knowing that he most likely wouldn't be there. Wisdom is thinking that it's probably worth a try.

And intuition is realizing that something went wrong.

Increasing my pace a bit, I quickly made my way to dad's office and opened his door. I sighed in relief as dad was still busy writing over some documents.

"Dad! Where were you? I've been looking all over the castle for you." I complained and walked over to him. "Uh, dad?"

He wasn't really moving. Just kinda, twitching a bit as writing magically appeared on the papers.

"Dad?" I nervously asked and took a step back as something started to feel wrong.

Not knowing what felt so wrong, I was getting confused and worried. Stuff started to feel out of place.

There was a small pang of pain in my chest, then it grew. Steadily climbing higher and higher, it quickly turned to searing pain. Like I was being blasted with fire as I felt every cell in my body slowly start to burn.

Then I felt it. My body, it was different.

I hadn't realized it, but I was a shadow. A deep shade that could be deadly to the touch. That's what I am, was.

That thought came true as I looked around. Woods, and more woods. My body felt, physical. I was a pony again.

Again?

Looking at dad, he was still writing something on those papers. He lifted one up, and his face couldn't be seen.

"Dad?" I asked one more time and walked over to him.

It was, weird. I couldn't see his face no matter where I stood.

"Why do the tips of your mane look green?"

Just as I asked that question, I felt a presence and quickly turned to them.

"Night?"

Then I woke up.

With my breathing a bit heavier than usual, I allowed myself to lie there and calm down a bit.

"Fuck." I cussed and started to rise.

I can't believe I had a nightmare after all this time.

With a slightly groggy mind, I went ahead and drank some water from the barrel. There was an annoying pain in my head.

"I shouldn't have drank so much." I mindlessly mumbled to myself.

Was that Luna at the end? The fuck was she doing in my dream? She should know it was me, even if she just came because I had a nightmare.

Feeling happy as my thirst was gone, I took a bite of the cake that, uh, the something Pie mare brought. I think it was something like, Punch Pie? Powerfu-no that doesn't sound right at all.

Letting out a few yawns in the process, I stumbled back to my blanket.

We should really ask for mattresses or something.

Taking a glance at Floral, I chuckled as I stared at the rigid way he slept. Fully straight and a completely blank expression on his face.

Even if a meteor crashed on him or the sneakiest bastard alive were to try and kill him, I'm pretty sure he'd have a plan of action laid out the moment he feels it.

After having that bit of fun for myself, I laid back down and draped my blanket over myself.

Shutting my eyes lightly, I slowly calmed down breathing as thoughts slowly disappeared from my mind.

In silent serenity, I slowly went to calm sleep.

.
.
.

Yeah, that's bullshit.

I'm tired as fuck, but I can't go back to sleep.

I took another glance at Floral. Dude seemed so peaceful sleeping like that. He probably is to be honest.

I looked away and stared upwards.

I would say the stars were shining, but the damn trees were blocking the view. The camp was pretty dark, but the shadows didn't feel as comfortable as it should.

I sighed in slight frustration and annoyance.

I took another glance at Floral. He wouldn't mind right? I mean, we've done it before.

"Agh, screw it." I said to nopony in particular and got up.

Dragging my blanket over to Floral, I laid down and used his as my pillow.

He's so soft, yet so firm.

This is nice.

"And now I don't know what to do." Luna said with a freaked out expression.

"Well, you should give her some time." I calmly told her. "You two should have plenty of that."

"I, guess you are right." She accepted, barely. "But what if that never happens? What if she ends up hating me for the rest of time?"

Well, I guess she can drop the royal talk when she's emotional.

"Maybe, but you have to realize that it's her decision. The only thing you can do until she forgives you, is try."

She seemed unsure, but in the end, she regretfully accepted it.

Seeing her tone, I could only give a sigh.

"Look, Luna. I don't know what happened between you two, and as insensitive as it may sound. None of it is my business. This is a personal issue that only involves you two, but I can only say this. If you truly believe you are in the fault, you should keep trying to apologize. If you do it right, time will eventually heal that wound." I calmly explained as a cup of tea manifested into my hooves.

I took a small sip as I looked around. We were in the calm night sky without ends. A gentle breeze sung in my ears. The stars were shining softly, painting a canvas for my eyes.

I let out a satisfied breath at the tea. It was such a gentle taste that left a good feeling behind. I wondered slightly if I could ever brew something as good as this.

"I see." Luna finally spoke after minutes of silence. "I, beg thy pardon for presenting thee with such an unbecoming visage." She said, regaining most of her usual vigor.

"It's fine. I agreed to help you with your problems after all." I spoke softly. "Why don't you try drinking a cup of tea? It can be quite relaxing and help you think things through."

She nodded with confidence as her face took on a look of pondering.

I grew a smile at the display. It matters what she had done in the past, but it matters more what she's doing to amend those mistakes.

"Well, I suppose you should be doing your job by now?" I suggested.

"Verily, my duties are not yet fulfilled, for they endure as long as the night doth linger!" She yelled with renewed vigor and walked through a door that appeared out of thin air.

Though she quickly came back in throught the same door. "My thanks for thy wisdom, it doth aid me greatly."

I gave a single nod and went away, along with the magic door.

"Well, I should be waking up shortly by now." I mumbled to myself as I slowly felt it.

Like my body had been numb this entire time, as it slowly wakes up and gains strength.

Waking up sharply, I almost reacted with a backflip to move, but stopped a moment before as I actually observed what was hugging me.

It was Moon. She had clung herself entirely to me with all four legs.

A few thoughts and decisions went through my mind, but eventually I gave a defeated sigh.

"I guess this is acceptable." I commented.

Well, I should at least get some work done.

I started to focus. Concentrating inside as I slowly started to feel the magic inside. Going deeper into a state of meditation, I finally saw it.

The multicolored sphere, separated perfectly at the middle. I commanded the multicolored magic to come, and gave a light tug at the Nocturnal magic. Both slowly started to spread around my body as I started to feel a bit of heat.

Too much.

Letting both of them go back a bit, I eventually settled on an amount I felt comfortable with.

Then I was quickly shaken away from my concentration.

Opening my eyes lightly, I looked at Moon, who was shivering ever so slightly. Winter is coming soon enough.

Controlling the Nocturnal magic carefully, I gently pulled away my blanket without waking her up.

I guess the magic she used to hold the cake is a lot more simpler than I thought.

I draped my blanket over Moon gently.

Her face turned pleased as she hugged tighter. I gave a soft sigh and pulled her in.

With her soft snores filling the area, I closed my eyes and. My hoof carefully caressed her back as I slowly went back to sleep.

Author's Note

Hey guys. I know this chapter is short compared to the others, but right now I'm on the road.

Yeah, my family just randomly decided to visit my Aunt, who's loving like halfway across the country. And even though I apparently have the status and responsibilities of one of the big boys, I don't have the authority to refuse.

It's still just polite to visit my aunt though.

Anyways, I decided to at least treat you guys to this short, but hopefully, comfortable chapter.

And as always, thanks for reading!