Stars In Moonlight

One month later…

Lily had just finished her day at school and was heading to her new home. “I’m home.” Lily announced.

“Welcome back, but you don’t have to say it like I’m your mom or something.” Moonlight chuckled from her seat in the chair, reading a book with a constellation on the cover.

Lily put down her saddlebag and walked over to where Moonlight was. “What are you reading?” Lily asked.

“Just some history about Ponyville. Did you know the Apple family has lived here for hundreds of moons?” Moonlight explained.

“I didn’t know Professor Applebloom’s family lived here that long!” Lily exclaimed, her eyes wide in shock as she sat down in a nearby chair.

Moonlight looked at the filly over her book, answering with “It’s fascinating. Learn anything today?”

“Just more stuff about cutie marks and friendship,” Lily responded.

“So nothing really different happened?” Moonlight answered, still watching Lily over the top of her book.

“Not really.” the filly responded. “Anything happen to you today?”

“Just some nasty alicorn trying to spread disharmony and divide us again. Probably a revenge plot or something,” Moonlight explained. “I don’t get why some ponies would want disharmony,” she continued, putting away her book, “Want anything while I am out?” She grabbed a sack of bits and put on her saddlebags.

“You say you’re not my mom, but you sure act like one,” Lily chuckled. Noticing Moonlight's unchanging face, she added a quick “If you can find a mane band, I would like that.”

“Ok, I will see if I can find it,” Moonlight’s voice responded as she walked out the door.

After Moonlight was gone, Lily saw some other fillies and colts playing with a ball through the window. “Reminds me of how Professor Berrytwist told us she lost her horn.” Lily said to herself. She wondered what it would be like to be able to fly like Moonlight, or to use magic like Professor Berrytwist.

Just then, Lily glanced over and saw a note on the cabinet, raising her brow as curiosity set in. She grabbed the note and read it aloud. “‘Ask Lily an important question’...well that’s vague” Lily mumbled. “Huh, ‘note: Leave question vague in case Lily finds it’, well that explains it.” she chuckled as she looked through the cabinets for any snacks. “I wonder if we have- there it is, mini pretzels. I’m sure Moonlight wouldn’t mind if I had some,” Lily grinned as she opened the bag..

With Moonlight….

Moonlight walked away from the stands of shops, her saddlebags filled.

“Ok, I’ve got to make sure I have everything. Let’s see: apples, yup; books about the stars, yup; Lily’s mane band…” Moonlight rummaged through the bag, her brow furrowing. “Oh no, I forgot the mane band!” she gasped. She flew back to the stands in a rush. “Mane band, mane band, have to find one..” she mumbled frantically to herself. Her eyes caught sight of her friend Snow and flew towards the white pegasus.

“Snow, do you know where I can find a mane band?” Moonlight asked hurriedly.

“One, hi! Two, ask Nyx. She should have some,” Snow answered cheerily.

“Thanks, catch you later” Moonlight said before she rushed off.

A green pegasus then joined Snow’s side, holding a list. “What happened, Snow?” he questioned with a flip of his blue and yellow mane.

“Moonlight just rushed through asking about a mane band…have you ever seen her wear one, Leaf?” he questioned.

“Nope. Where do we have to go next?” Leaf responded, and the two began to walk in the other direction, resuming their shopping.

“Nyx, where are you, Nyx?” Moonlight thought to herself, in such a rush that she zoomed by the very pony she was looking for.

Nyx waved as Moonlight went by, causing the anxious pegasus to skid to a halt and double back.

“Hey, Nyx.” Moonlight greeted the lavender unicorn. “Do you have a mane band?”

Nyx nodded joyfully, reaching into her saddlebag and pulling out two bands before raising her brow in question.

Moonlight saw her brow raise and tried to think of a response. “I, uh, need it for an experiment I am doing…yeah,” Moonlight said nervously.

Nyx rolled her eyes, clearly not convinced.

“Ok, I need it for my friend,” Moonlight admitted.

Nyx smiled and silently used her magic to float the two bands in front of Moonlight’s face.

Moonlight looked at both of them for a bit, considering the options. “I think she would like the star one more.”

Nyx gave Moonlight the band, putting the other away and walking off with a nod.

“Ok, now I have everything.” Moonlight said as she checked her list one final time. Walking through the stands for any last-minute items, she grabbed some shampoo and set off toward home.

As the sun started to set, Moonlight arrived home to see Lily staring out the window, admiring the sky. “I’m back, Lily, and I found you a mane band. You have Nyx to thank,” Moonlight said as she tiredly plopped down on the couch.

Lily walked over to the couch. “I read a note on the cabinet that said you had an important question for me?” Lily questioned as she struggled to put the mane band on.

“Let me help you with that, and yeah, I do.” Moonlight answered as she helped Lily with the mane band. “I was thinking of asking if you wanted to change your name,” she said, “I know it’s probably a dumb question to ask, since you have a name already, but I thought I would ask.”

“I have one in mind.” Lily responded.

“And what would that name be?” Moonlight asked curiously, waiting to hear what the filly had to say.

Lily turned to meet her quizzical gaze. “If it’s fine with you, I would like the name Stardust Aurora” Lily answered, to which Moonlight nodded in confirmation.