Love Knows no Bounds

Getting into the School for Gifted Unicorns was big enough of a feat for Burnie. He had spent months honing his magic, reading, studying, anything to push past the small expectations every pony had placed on him. Many told him he would make a good assistant to a higher ranked unicorn, or to become something simpler. Like a librarian, his magic would have made moving books easy and fast. But Burnie had dreams beyond that, beyond the small boundaries of his town, beyond what other ponies believed what he could do.

And he did it, got in, devoted himself to his studies. Watched as his peers fought for the highest titles, the highest grades. Watched as Twilight sparkle gained the watchful gaze of Princess Celestia. Burnie couldn't help the bitterness at that, the sting in his simple cutie mark. He wanted their gaze, specifically the gaze of Princess Luna. He remembers when he was a small foal, how he spent hours reading books about her. His only company the small glow from his horn, and the stars above. Burnie had pondered the weight and burden of being destined to control the moon, devoting utter admiration for anyone that tried. Maybe that's when it started, his drive to push forward, to leave his small town for bigger and greater things. To hone his magic farther than anyone in his town could reach.

That's how he ended up here, far from the center of Canterlot, trotting through the walls of the castle. His hoofs echoing on the polished, pristine floors. Princess Luna had sent for him, requesting a personal audience with Burnie. Him, of all ponies, she called for him. He can feel the buzz of anxiety in his legs, in his head, as the halls widen. Closer and closer to the throne room, nothing was disclosed in the letter regarding what this was about, Burnie is walking in blind. With no clue how high, or low, he should hold his horn. Had he made a mistake? Had his magic been deemed too weak for his position and required a Princess to tell him so, to remove any idea of becoming a pony who matters fully from his head. Or perhaps it was the opposite, maybe his magic was something great, maybe the hours of work had finally paid off, maybe this was it. The start of something new, something bigger and better. Is he reaching farther than even he thought possible?

The throne room doors slide open without the assistance of a pony, the guards stationed on either side do not spare Burnie a glance. Eyes forward and heads held high. Burnie almost falls over his hoofs when he sees her, Princess Luna. Seated on her throne, mane flowing in a breeze he can't seem to feel. Her gaze is not unkind as it settles upon him, but it is not soft either. It's not often you see softness in the eyes of Alicorns, fighting to earn the title does not end once it's reached. Fighting to retain that status is just as important, Burnie almost shudders at the idea. His steps slow until he comes to a stop in front of the throne, lowering his head, almost enough for his horn to brush against the carpeted floor.

“Princess Luna.” He greets, remaining bowed for a moment longer before he lifts his head. His cutie mark practically burns below her assessing gaze. And he watches as she shifts in the throne, can feel the air humming with her magic.

“BurnieGav, I am pleased you made it. The ride here was smooth I hope?” She drawls, the velvety sound of her voice fills his ears, and he nods.

“Yes- Yes it was fine.” He says immediately, almost cursing himself for how eager he sounds. He shifts on his hoofs, forcing himself to maintain eye contact.

“I was very surprised when I received your letter, and I’m honored, Princess.” Burnie says, tilting his head to the side slightly as he continues, “May I ask what this summons was about?” Burnie questions, hoping his asking isn't considered out of line. But he can't help it, he’s itching to know what it is she needs, what it is that he did to garner her attention.

“Ah, yes of course.” Luna says, her gaze shifting elsewhere as he pauses to gather her words properly. “I am in need of a personal assistant.” Luna says, and Burnie’s whole world comes to a screeching halt. A personal assistant.

“The castle receives regular updates on any gifted pony, and your name was mentioned enough to make me take notice, Burnie.” Luna says, her gaze shifting back to Burnie. She doesn't miss the way he's practically vibrating with excitement. Her eyes narrow slightly, and Burnie stiffens.

“Do not take this offer lightly, Burnie. My duties run long, require more magic than you may have needed to use before. It's a taxing role, my last assistant quick after a week.” Luna says, standing from her throne, taking slow steps down the set of stairs.

“It will require your full attention, focus, and utter dedication.” She says, circling Burnie, who turns to keep his eyes on her. “I will not stand for mistakes, nor will I make up for what you may lack.” She mutters, coming to a pause directly in front of him. She lowers her high held head, getting on his level. And Burnie swallows.

“Are you willing to accept this?” She asks, her head tilting to the side slightly, and Burnie leans away to keep their horns from touching. And he takes a moment, a very needed moment. This is everything he has ever wanted, everything he could dream of. To be at the side of the pony he has admired for his whole life, to work alongside one of the strongest forces in Equestria. He’ll do it, no matter what it may take from him. He will devote his magic to this role.

“Yes, of course I will, Princess.” Burnie says, steeling himself, straightening his body and holding it a bit higher. He watches as he does the same, a flicker of what he could swear is relief in her gaze. And she turns away, nodding towards one of her guards, they present a small box.

“Good.” She says firmly, her horn glowing slightly as she commands the box to open, necklace floats out of it. Thick, branded with her mark, a moon. And it floats towards Burnie, over his head to settle around his neck.

“This will allow you access to anything you may need in the castle, and mark your status.” Luna explains, returning to her spot on her throne. And Burnie wordlessly nods in acknowledgement, his gaze drifting down to take in the necklace. Luna continues,

“Your personal items will be moved here to the castle, you will take the empty chambers in my wing.” Luna says, and Burnie’s gaze snaps up, he can't help how his eyes widen. He will stay in her wing of the castle? That close to her chambers? He knows that's most likely standard for a personal assistant, to be close when she calls, but he can't help but be nervous. Any pony would be nervous of course, but Burnie most. His admiration had turned into something else, something he had refused to name, when he grew from a small foal into a matured unicorn. Something he finds utterly embarrassing, but you can't control what your heart yearns to reach out to.

Eventually, Burnie remembers to nod once more, to acknowledge his Princesses' words. And with a flick of her horn, Burnie is leaving the throne room. Following a silent guard to where he will be spending the next however long. He takes in the castle as they trot, the stained glass windows that hold more history than he can learn about. The scenes the glass paints, the sun drifting through the glass, casting the halls in an array of colors. Burnie turns his gaze forward once more when they reach a large door. This one is different from the others in the castle, the unique design signifying where they are entering. The painted moon, intricate details of silver across the handles. The doors swing open

Burnie can't ignore the distinct mark of Luna’s magic in these halls, the way it sits heavy in the air. The hallway is long, branching off to other sections, but there are only a few doors. One, he can tell is a library, which he is itching to enter and spend hours in. another is clear to be Luna’s room, at the cusp of the hall, the door large but tightly sealed. He distantly wonders if he will ever enter through those doors. But his attention is shifted when a different set of doors is opened, the guard he had been following steps to the side, not saying a word. Burnie enters, looking around the room that is now his. His items have already been moved, the boxes sitting off to the side.

The room is breathtakingly nice, lavish curtains to frame huge windows. A bed bigger than his previous room, a desk, and many shelves. It is sparsely decorated, leaving the personalization to whoever resides inside this room. Burnie wonders if he’ll last long enough to fill the empty corners and bare surfaces, he hopes so. Burnie spends the rest of his day unpacking, putting away his things, filling the mostly empty shelves with what little he has. A plate appears on his desk, dinner, and a book. Assumingly something Luna wants him to read to start his journey as her assistant. Below that is a letter. Burnie will have two days to settle in, prepare and get used to the layout of the castle before his job fully begins. It's Luna’s handwriting, which makes him tuck that note somewhere safe to keep, even though he should throw it away. But the whispers of her magic that still linger on the parchment soothes a part of him that was off put by the silent halls. So it sits in the drawer of his nightstand.

Distantly, as Burnie lay in bed slowly drifting off to sleep, he felt a presence outside of his door. Hears hooves come to a stop, linger there for a moment. He could have sworn the door creaked open for a brief moment, a pair of eyes on him. But he drifts off before he can think too long on it, the relief of sleep taking him quick. He does not dream of anything in particular that night, just the stars and the distant, soft voice of Luna.