Twinkling Sprite, a cream-colored Thestral male, and Princess Luna's primary night-scribe, trots into the throne room.

Sat on her marble throne, gazing wistfully into the distance, is Princess Luna. Night has but started a short time ago, the moon just raised. Now, Luna needed to decide what she would do.

Her primary course of action would be to ensure the Ponies of Equestria were partaking in good dreams; but it was still a smidge too early for such. Most were just settling, dreams yet to stir. In the time between just-risen, for both Moon and Sun, Luna would care for herself. But she had already had... 'Breakfast', and her day was to be light. There was little to do, but wait.

Her ethereal mane slowly ebbing, Luna nods to her scribe as they pause beside her.

Twinkling bows, before presenting several folders of paperwork. This gets an incredulous look from Luna.

"...Twinkling, pray tell, what is all this?" Luna asks. She wasn't averse to such, but paperwork was... she rarely handled more than a parchment or two, in a week. Paperwork was her Sisters, and the Days, deal. Night was, even following her return, a quiet affair. Day had Day Court, Meetings, Ambassadors... rarely did things time themselves that Luna could be the one to take the lead.

She had grown... accepting, of her role, always wary to recoup the jealousy that brought her to Nightmare. But she still had... feelings, regarding the matter.

"Uhm... a mixture of things, Princess. Primarily organized by your Advisor." Twinkling informs, bowing his head.

"Arnon? Hm." She tsks, dismissive. Probably an elaborate joke, a waste of paper, or something misfiled. She didn't dislike the human at all, but she completely disagreed with him being partially her advisor as well. If Celestia wanted to give the human a role so it could stick around, fine. But this was too much, in her eyes. She had no need for such, and his goofball personality aligned with Celestia's childish side far too well. She wished Night to be serious, something to be taken seriously.

Twinkling slowly flips through his clipboard, checking the titles.
"...Proposals, Amendments, and Propositions for future enactment and meetings." He reads aloud. "All organized for your review. He should be joining you shortly; I believe the Royal Advisor is catching one of his... 'Power Naps'."

That twists the emotion sat on Luna's face a little. That seemed... heavier, then what he was capable of. He always presented himself as this... well, goofball, whenever he was around Celestia. Made Advisor as a favor, considering his unique situation. Luna had assumed he actually didn't do any real work. She squints, lifting the first folder off the stack, opening it with her deep-blue magics. Several pages float out, each entirely filled. The first floats towards her, and she clears her throat.

"...Princess Luna, it is my recommendation that there be a light restructuring to your schedule. Amidst peace-times, Pony dreams lean to peaceful thoughts, requiring less of your time. While I understand this duty is deeply important to you, I believe a more... balanced structure of rule is equally important. That is why, this packet contains the outlined recommendations, alterations and steps towards introducing a... Night Court." Luna trails off, eyes widening.

Twinkling seems interested, tilting their head.
"But night is... quiet. Who would need such a thing?"

Luna's eyes glance over the fronts of the other folders, pages and packets. There were several projects here.
Establishment of a Night Court Proposition.

The Thestral Re-Integration Proposition.

Thestral Historical Records Update Proposition.

Vampire-Bat Pony Acknowledgement and Proposed Courses of Action.

Night-Shift Labor Enticement Act.

Luna's deeply blue gaze falls back to the parchment she had been reading, quickly resuming where she left off.

"...It is my intention to introduce several motions at once, breathing a life into the quiet night-side of Canterlot, and balancing the Diarchy. While this is not an outright solution, I have been inspired by your personal approach to Nightmare Night, taking it proudly as your own. This Packet will cover my proposed process to enact a Night Court, which will provide the same acceptable baseline to Ponies who fare better under the moons light, ranging from Thestrals to simple Night-Owls; something I believe to have been lacking for too long. Sincerely, Royal Advisor Arnon." Luna finishes, staring at the pages.

"...Where is Arnon now?" She asks bluntly, the folder snapping shut with her magic.

Vivid Streak, proud Thestral guard to Princess Luna and her rule; currently sat on a beanbag chair (under order of the Royal Advisor), watching said Royal Advisor snore loudly against his desk.

She had been assigned to be his night watch, contrasted by Bulwark in the day. She accepted this duty.

She continually glances at the clock sat on his desk. One of said many, important duties? Waking him from his power naps. It seemed ridiculous at first, until the scale of the effort kicked in. Advisor to both Princesses, that was a full 24 hours he needed to split between both equally, be it in hours or days. It was a trying process.

A creature of the day, he'd been very stout in... trying to actually operate during the night, to get an appreciation for it.

At first, it had her roll her eyes. She shifts her armor, getting comfortable.

Five more minutes until his requested wake-up.

But... he'd recently sent off his finished, finalized propositions. Of which, he sought her council for in regards to several of them.

Thestrals were 'welcome' in Equestria again, but little had been done to promote that. Arnon sought to change that. Immigration programs and incentives, a collaboration with the Canterlot Museum to archive a special section dedicated to Thestrals to engage the public. And, boldly, meetings with the splinter-factions, like those who wanted things to return to how they were pre-banishment, and even the Children Of Night, a splinter group who desired Nightmare Moons return.

It had... altered the view she had on this odd, hairless creature that had been make Advisor. He presented himself 'Dumb of Ass' as he had put it... but seemed to notice things the Ponies did not. She had a smidge of respect for the man.

He snores loudly.

Just a smidge.

Oh, five minutes was up.

Right as Vivid is about to push off her beanbag, the door to his room swings open; Twinkling Sprite trotting in.

"Twinkling. Normally, one would knock before entering the Royal Advisors room." Vivid 'warns', her tone still soft. Often sharing shifts, the two were close, often playing up their roles for amusement.

Twinkling makes a little bow, grinning.
"Sincerest apologies, but Princess Luna demands his presence in the throne room post-haste. She is... agitated."

"Oh. Of course -- I'll have him there right away." Vivid nods, hopping to her hooves. She trots up to the chair Arnon is on, and gives it a sturdy kick.

Arnon snorts loudly, startling and sitting up, rubbing the drool from his mouth.
"Fuggedaboutithah?" He mumbles, blinking heavily.

"Princess Luna requires your presence, sir. Coffee?" Vivid asks, stood at attention.

"Fucking please." Arnon groans, slumping out of the chair to his feet.

Twinkling glances between them. Did... did he request to get kicked awake? He didn't see the advisor himself, much, beyond just picking up these new propositions. Odd fellow, strange form not included.

Luna sits at the head of the dining table. She has the folders and packets open, all spread open so she can read between them; several of them reference the others, clearly designed to be employed together.

The door to the dining room creaks open. She turns, looking -- Arnon, coffee mug in hand, trailed by Twinkling and his night-guard, Vivid.

"Princess." Arnon pauses in his approach to bow, poorly stifling a yawn and nearly spilling his coffee. "Mm-- sorry. Still adjusting."

"Please, sit. We need to discuss what you've sent me." Luna directs firmly, nodding to the table.

Twinkling and Vivid position themselves near the table, while Arnon takes the chair directly beside Luna; normally, one would sit across, but proper procedure had long been forgotten by said Advisor.

"Of course, Princess. Any question, I will do my best to answer." Arnon affirms, sipping quietly from a fresh, steaming cup of Joseph.

Luna looks the human over. She was... incredulous about this, but there was so much to this.
"When did you do this?"

"Last couple of weeks, during downtime and my Night hours."

"Why?"

"It is my duty to Advise the Princesses. After reviewing the Night, and it's processes, I found it... lacking. Not in your favor. Perhaps during more aggressive times, devotion to appeasing dreams is more prudent, or utilizing your skillset as a General or such, but..." Arnon stifles another yawn into a fist. "Ugh, sorry. You deserve to have more shit going on, if I can be blunt."

"...So you seek to turn night into a copy of day, complete with its Courts and bickering?"

"Fuck no." Arnon snorts. This gets a curious noise out of Luna. "All the Nobles are sleeping. Night Court is to be for..." He mumbles, perusing the laid open files, before poking the packet for Thestral Re-Integration.
"A significant portion of Thestrals have yet to comfortably re-integrate with Equestria. Night Court deserves to exist; not because we should take some of Day and shove it into Night, but that Night simply hasn't been handled properly, yet. Jobs and positions are easily made available to those with a preference for evening hours. Including them, embracing their culture and history, speaking with their splinter-factions, and..." He pokes at the Vampire-Bat-Pony folder. "Handling the Vampire problem, should give you your own section of Equestria, truly your own, that has been lacking. Thestrals deserve better; and there are issues going ignored." He summarizes, sipping loudly. "Which, I don't truly blame your Sister for missing; Day has it's own heap of problems."

"...And why do you care for the Thestral plight so much?" Luna prods, now staring at him.

"Well, one, they're fluffy and I enjoy petting them. Two, It's my job, Princess. These are topics that should have been pushed during your initial return, but I understand it wasn't... an entirely smooth process." Arnon retorts, blinking slowly. Still waking up. Too many words. Too much brain think. "These are simple social issues. And if I can be blunt -- which I'm going to be -- Ponies are racist. I already have several Propositions pending with the Day Court regarding Zebra, Yak, Polar, Deer, Dragon, Griffon, Hypogriff, and Kirin relations."

"...Vivid, Twinkling, may we have a moment?" Luna turns, looking to the Thestrals.

The both bow, turning to trot out of the room, shutting the door behind themselves. It clicks loudly and heavily, before coating the room in silence.

After a pause, Luna floats one of the folders she kept tucked underneath the others in front of Arnon.
"Arnon. Why does this folder retain information about a meeting with the Children of the Night?"

"Well, like I said. Inspired by your choice to rehabilitate Nightmare Night instead of abolish it, I've taken that approach to meeting with the Children."

"They are a... for lack of a better term, a terrorist group, Arnon. Who desire Nightmare Moons return. To meet with them is Foolish, and borderline Treason." Luna scolds.

"...You know, they're actually kind of just... overzealous Ponies who enjoy night. I've already talked them down from future violent incursions, and they're awaiting a Political reach-out." Arnon informs. Loud sip.

"You... what?" Luna blinks, dumbfounded.

"Turns out, being your Advisor gives my words to them some swing. I've explained to them the difference between you and Nightmare, and a schism is forming, interested to being a group dedicated to you, rather than Nightmare -- Since, you know, you were Nightmare. And still are on Nightmare Night. It's complex, but everything is in the folder." Arnon hums, sipping loudly again and tapping the folder with a finger. "Good chunk of their members are also just... Night Owls. Like, Ponies who function better in the evening hours, and can't find as much stable work or open stores as they could during the day."

"...Are you serious?" She asks quietly, leaning close.

"Entirely. I plan to work in a comparable Night Court that truly grasps everything Equestria needs, but in the night; for its moon-preferring denizens." Arnon nods.

"...Why are you the one to do this, and not our Sister?" Luna asks suddenly, getting a confused noise from Arnon.

She shifts in her seat, turning and staring at him. A somber look rests on her face, head hung.
"I have tried to talk to her about the... my, Thestrals. She... always assures us that change would come in time. But it never does, Arnon. These... this is sweet, but they will not be permitted, like my prior attempts."

Arnon does his absolute best to not reveal just how much he actually knows about both the Princesses, having read their Diaries -- and not the fake ones in the Forbidden Archives, but the real ones lost to the Castle of the Two Sisters, and elects for an answer that won't oust him as a snoop. Or too knowledgeable. A more measured response would be best here. They care for each other, but there are... sore spots.

Arnon purses his lips. Alright. He sets the cup down, interlacing his fingers, shifting himself to meet the Princess of the Night.
"Well... that's probably because you keep nipping her heels like you're Princess Jr." Arnon states bluntly; hoping a little... blatant shock will help his next point. Luna gives him an offended, confused look.

"You are Princess of the Night. Obviously, work with your sister for your united rule... but does she double-check every action she takes in the Day with you?"

"...No, she does not." Luna echoes simply, realization growing on her face.

"You are Princess. Of the Night. Enact your changes as you see fit, while bearing consideration, but not seeking permission, from your sister. You dig?" He smiles, hoping he wasn't about to get smited. Smote? Smucked?

Consider Arnon pleasantly surprised when Luna wraps her wings around him, pulling him in close for a hug. It's a sincere, tight hug that squeezes the air from his lungs, despite being in an entirely separate chair. Strong wings. But its... nice. It's a Luna-style hug, and she's a little more... well, she kept and maintained an impressive collection of Weapons and Armors in her room, to summarize. Also -- her fur is fucking soft. Damn.

She finally lets him go, smiling.
"Sorry. So, Uh... How exactly do we... enact these?" She asks quietly.

Arnon takes a moment to catch his breath, huffing loudly.
"Follow... the instructions in each folder." He says, once breath finally returns to him. He taps their front with a finger.
"I know that since you haven't gotten much time to lead these changes, I've written out general steps for you to follow. Ponies to speak with, orders to belay, changes to be discussed. Start with the... Re-Integration. Once you're getting comfortable with that, we can shift to enacting Night Court; you've covered Day Court before, you understand it well enough... and yeah. I'm here to answer any questions you have at any time, even if you need to wake me up." Arnon assures, providing a kind smile. A guiding hand for her, while she tackles things with her own hooves.

Luna nods along, looking over the folders. Her magic swoops them together into a pile, held close to her chest. She's... practically vibrating with excitement.
"Thank you, Arnon. Despite what they say, you are a capable Advisor." She smiles, trotting out of the room.

"Oh. Thank you, Princess." Arnon bows, returning to his coffee. Wait, despite what who say? Actually no, probably fair. He's walked out of his room without pants enough times to probably earn that. Not that they cared, but he did. About the pants.

Of course, it wouldn't be so easy.

Thestrals regularly ate meat. Like fish. Ponies were horribly racist; their biggest accomplishment was uniting the three tribes, and that was messy to say the least; it took them nearly being wiped out, and some Alicorns being born to tell them what to do to make it happen.

But, he would power through the issues. Luna was a... fresh ruler, one could say. She didn't have the experience Celestia did, even before her banishment. So he would help where he could, while attempting to assure she felt... fulfilled, in her role. Not just relegated to night.

This would probably shake a few trees... especially with some of the ideas in those packets. But they were worth it.

And also, Arnons blatant ego kept him assured that his plan was the best.

He sips his coffee, rising to go the fuck back to bed. The coffee had been negated by just how fucking soft that blue princess was, and he deemed his tasks for the night done. If she needed him, she could wake him.

Author's Note