Chasing Stars

Just as Stardust found herself alongside Seyfert, the stallion smiled and brushed against her playfully before looking ahead to the palace. “We’re almost there, Europa should meet us inside the main entrance.” He said, the excitement in him building. It wasn’t a long walk, it seemed everything in the city was so close together, as if they only built up rather than building out.

They finally were making their way up the steps and through the main doors of the palace. Aurora and Stardust slowed their pace a bit, taking in all the splendor.
As they made their way up the stairs Seyfert was too distracted and didn’t hear his sister yelling at him from the landing above them. Frustrated at her brother’s inability to hear her, she shoved her way through a crowd of ponies as Sey, Rory, and Dusty reached the top.

“SEYFERT HEY!” She came cantering over, giving Seyfert a playful punch on the shoulder. Her brother whirled around, completely caught off guard, and wondering who’d punched him. That’s when his face lit up with a huge smile.

“Oh hey Europa!” he said grasping her in a hug, “It’s been too long.”

Once freed from her brother’s bear hug she straightened her dress out, “So are you going to introduce me to your friends?” she asked looking to Aurora and Stardust.

“Oh right, where are my manners today?” He laughed, “This is Aurora, probably the prettiest and most talented artist I know, and this,” He stopped and stood there for a moment as he looked at Stardust, “This is Stardust, a fellow astronomer… and a very very beautiful one at that.” They both blushed at the compliments from Seyfert, Stardust more so than Aurora.

The white unicorn stepped forward, extending a hoof. “Aurora Heartnote, pleased to finally meet you Europa! Seyfert has had nothing but wonderful things to say about you.” She smiled. Stardust also stepped forward. “You can call me Dusty if you’d like pleasure to meet you. So where should we start? Europa, have you been here before?”

“Only once,” Europa replied, “Unfortunately it was something for school so I didn’t get to really see the place.”

Seyfert’s ears perked up. “You were here to give you dissertation weren’t you?” He smiled, obviously proud of his sister’s hard work.

“Yea.” She replied, seeming as if she didn’t want to discuss the subject. “Well today we are here to see the palace and have fun, no school, no work, right?”

“Indeed, this is all leisure, my friends!” Stardust proclaimed as they made their way farther into the castle. She and Seyfert walked ahead, while Europa and Aurora remained in the rear.

“So you must be close to graduating then, if you’ve already given your dissertation. I still have another year or so to go in college, though… it’s just a small technical school, I won’t be giving any dissertations.” Rory felt sort of silly when she compared her college career to Europa’s achievements, especially knowing the gray unicorn was a much younger pony than herself.

“Yep this is my last year, don’t let the dissertation thing fool you though… I’m only going for a four year degree. Sey was the one that went all out when he was in school. It was not really necessary, but he wanted to impress our parents.” she explained “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but do those two have something goin’ on? I’ve never seen Sey act like that around a mare before.” She asked looking at her brother with a puzzled look.

Aurora smirked as they continued, leaning in to whisper. “Yeah, they’ve been ga-ga over each other since he came to pick us up this morning. It’s kind of adorable, actually. Dusty has never really taken a liking to someone like this before. I think they easily relate, being astronomers.” Europa only answered with a nod. -
Seyfert and Stardust were walking side by side as before, almost close enough to bump into each other. “I’ve always wanted to see this place,” He exclaimed, “I mean visiting the archives once or twice is one thing, but a full tour of the palace… pfft, almost nothing compares.” He said with a grin as he looked at Stardust. “I’m sure you must be pretty excited too, huh?” He says giving her a playful nudge. Stardust leaned in. They were touching as they walked now, her face flushed, heart beating faster every second.

“Yes, very excited.” Was all she could think to say.

Seyfert was a little surprised when he noticed that Stardust and himself were leaning on each other as they walked. Normally he would have conducted himself differently, but this time he decided to just go with it. After all, some chances were worth taking.

“There’s so much beauty…” He murmured, looking back to Stardust.

Dusty nodded, “Goodness yes, this place is amazing.”

“Oh yea the palace is beautiful too…” He said looking away and blushing, before returning to his senses. He cleared his throat.

Stardust almost stopped for a moment when she realized he was talking about her. “Oh..” She smiled, face as red as ever. “Yes, it is. I’m a little envious at the ponies who get to live here and see this every day. I hear Princess Luna even has her own private observatory in one of the towers here.” Stardust’s eyes lit up at the thought. “I wonder if they include it in their night tours? Probably not… I’m sure Luna has more important things to do than let common folk into her study.” She looked down for a bit, letting the feel of Seyfert’s movements guide her. “Still, it’d be nice to share an experience like that with you…. I-I mean… as astronomers… it’d be fun.” She winced a little at her awkwardness. What the hay is wrong with you Dusty? she thought to herself. Why are you flubbing this up? You never stutter!

Seyfert creased his brow in thought. “Luna’s private observatory… what I wouldn’t give to just see it once…” He said as his mind wandered. “Astronomers or not I would enjoy the experience too.” On impulse, Seyfert snuck a quick peck on Dusty’s cheek. That made Stardust stop for a moment. “I might be able to work something out, after all I did work for the university for quite some time.” Seyfert said with a slight blush before going back to walking with her along the grand hallways. Dusty cleared her throat before continuing, gently nuzzling under Sey’s chin. “You don’t have to go out of your way for me, you know. But I think it sounds like a great idea.”

Behind the love birds, Aurora and Europa were becoming fast friends. Europa just smiled at the sight of her brother and Stardust, she hadn’t seen him this happy for a very long time. “I must say, it’s kinda of strange seeing him like that; After all those years of being a workaholic I didn’t think he could be that happy.” She remarked, pausing for a moment to gather her thoughts. “Oh! So Seyfert tells me you’re into art, and that your work is amazing, I’d love to see it sometime when I come visit the knucklehead. I’ve aways enjoyed art, I just never was very good at it.”

Aurora laughed. “Oh yes, I’m studying art. I went to a fine arts college in Manehatten for a few years, but money was tight, so I had to come back home. I’m just finishing a two year degree at Maretta Tech now. It’s not much, but at least it’s something. Art has been my passion for as long as I can remember. Music has always fueled it.” Aurora was enjoying her conversation with Europa. She also took note of their friend’s behavior. “It is nice to see them getting on so well. Maybe we should have a girl’s night tonight and let them have their own night on the town?”

Europa gave her new friend a devilish grin, “I think that’s a great idea. Heh, maybe we could find us a couple of decent stallions eh?” She said jokingly. “But seriously though that sounds great. Should we run the idea past them, or let them figure it out?” Her mischievous side was starting to show.

Aurora grinned.”I like the way you think. I’ve been dying to gussy up and go dancing. You game for that?”

Europa jumped in excitement. “I’d love to go dancing!” After a moment, she realized she’d garnered the stare of a few other tourists. “Er I mean that sounds like a lot of fun. We should totally go dancing.” Europa had calmed herself, but she was starting to let her inner filly out. Being in school for so long, she almost forgot how to go out and just have fun.

The group took a few more steps before rounding a corner into the grand hallway with stained glass windows running its entirety. All hues and shades were strewn about like a kaleidoscope. Aurora could only say “So beautiful…”

Seyfert stood there slack-jawed and speechless. “This is…is…”

They had reached the Hall of Legends. All around them heroes from Equestria’s history battled their way to victory in the name of the Celestial Sisters. Aurora was the first to step forward, the colors showering her white coat like a prism. The folds of her dress giving it more of a kaleidoscopic illusion. She let herself twirl around, despite the fact this was the hall leading to the throne room. From across the way, a pale blue stallion was drawn to Aurora’s movements. Moving closer, he tipped his glasses down and gaped at her beauty. Aurora caught the stallion in the corner of her eye, but he’d disappeared once she’d finished her twirl.

Stardust slowly stepped forward, looking at each and every detail on the smaller windows surrounding the grand ones, depicting Luna’s constellations. “My goodness…”

Seyfert was so amazed by the sight he didn’t notice Stardust move from beside him and he stumbled before regaining his composure. “Oh my goodness is right…This is just…amazing.” Then he noticed the windows Stardust was looking at and he couldn’t help but smile, “Oh….wow….” He muttered, “Years of staring into the skies, and the best view is right here on a window…”

———————————————————————————

The tour had gone swimmingly, the group just struck to silence by the splendor of the castle. Aurora had invited Europa to her room to chat for a while, while they both got ready for their night on the town. They had done some shopping earlier for something fun to wear. Aurora was putting her hair up in braids; something other mares were envious she could do because of her magic. She pinned some fancy and sparkly pins in place, and finished it off with some sparkling black, grey, and clear jewelry she’d found on clearance. She had a crimson shirt on with small chain detail and ruching around the neck opening. It gathered at the waist and she wore a thick black belt. She strapped some black boots on her back hooves and wore some bangles at her front. She didn’t fuss too much with makeup, just a bit of eye shadow and mascara. She had a small black clutch at her side, dangling by a tiny silk rope. “Ready to hit the town?” She asked her new friend.

Stardust had gone back to her room earlier, only to find she’d locked herself out. Sey was nice enough to accompany her downstairs for a replacement key. She’d bought a beautiful dress on their shopping trip earlier, but wasn’t sure what Sey was planning when he’d goaded her into getting the nicer dress versus the simpler one. Whatever the case, she didn’t argue. Instead she was up in her room getting ready, waiting for Sey to tell her he was ready for the evening ahead.