Shining Bright: Secrets of the Night

The air was dank within the underground passage leading to the heart of the mountain. The noxious stench of evil energy was offensive on Cassius’ nose and he snorted as he shook his head. “The phylactery is close. I can feel it. Stay on your guard,” the paladin quietly warned his two companions as he led them through the treacherous cavern. With a golden glow from his unicorn horn, Cassius unsheathed his sun blade and gripped the hilt tightly with his magic.

A small Dragonborn wizard skulked closely behind Cassius. His magical staff of twisted wood with a small blue crystal at the tip illuminated their way through the darkness. “I have a terrible chill in my bones,” he whispered.

“Eeyup…” The black knight unicorn agreed, flanking the party from behind and keeping his senses sharp for any possible danger.

Cassius Starlance was a new face to the land of Spiketopia, a righteous unicorn paladin who gave aid to any and everypony he met and swore to defend all from evil. His arrival at the time was a most opportune one when the eastern border of Spiketopia was attacked by the shadowy forces of a lich, an undead wizard with a thirst for power. As the ponies cried for help, Cassius did not falter to act as their shield, yet the lich’s forces were many while Cassius was only one.

Fortunately for him, the renowned heroes of Spiketopia, Garbunkle and Sir McBiggun had arrived to protect their little ponies. With their forces combined, the trio repelled the lich’s army, yet the danger of this evil still looms over the land. Garbunkle and Sir McBiggun forged an ironclad alliance with Cassius and they ventured beyond Spiketopia to vanquish the lich, once and for all.

There was a small rumble that disturbed the stones and rocks in the cave. The trio prepared their weapons in alert as part of the cave walls crumbled, unearthing three undead skeletons that lunged forth from the rubble.

“Watch out!” Garbunkle shouted, raising his wizard’s staff. “Lightning bolt!” Electricity crackled from the jewel at its end and pounced onto the nearest skeleton. The charge was so powerful that the creature shattered into smithereens.

Sir McBiggun galloped to the next skeleton with his longsword drawn. With a flurry of swift strikes, he overpowered it before it could even act and reduced the skeleton to a scattered pile of bones.

Finally, Cassius strode to the last skeleton and, with his sun blade, stabbed through its skull with one critical thrust. The holy light of the sword was too pure for the skeleton to withstand and it disintegrated into ash.

“Whew!” Garbunkle sighed. “That was a close one. Excellent work!”

“That skeleton you destroyed didn’t stand a chance against your strength, McBiggun. Your prowess with a sword is impressive!” Cassius complimented.

Sir McBiggun chuckled. “That ain’t nothin’ compared to your command over light. No monster could ever lay a claw on you, Cass.”

Cassius blushed and both he and black knight looked longingly at each other for a moment before Cassius noticed Garbunkle looking at them both, quizzically. He cleared his throat. “*Ahem* A-Anyway, those skeletons must’ve been guarding the phylactery,” Cassius noted, “which can only mean…” The paladin led them a few steps deeper into the darkness of the cavern until a sickly green glow beckoned them to a chamber. A chilling gloom swept through the three companions as they entered. The green light came from pools of slime that sizzled as it slowly corroded the solid rock it rested on.

“Yuck…” Cassius scowled.

“Nnope!” McBiggun grimaced.

“Ew,” Garbunkle gagged.

The trio took care as they ventured into the chamber, avoiding the slime pools. Up ahead, there was a pillar of bluish white light, coming from a hole in the ceiling. It shined down on what looked like a floating spyglass, suspended over an elevated slab of stone.

“That must be it! We must destroy that spyglass!” Cassius said, readying his sun blade.

“Hold on.” Garbunkle raised his staff to stop Cassius. “It might be best to keep our distance. Who knows what traps could spring if we get close? Allow me.” The wizard summoned his focus and expertly twirled his staff as ribbons of flames flowed from its end. “Fire bolt!” A shard of fire flew directly to the spyglass with expert precision.

Yet, the moment the shard was about to hit its mark, an unseen force deflected it away and an arrow of green energy was flung from nowhere, aimed at Garbunkle.

“Yikes!” In the nick of time, Garbunkle was able to react and retreat backwards as the arrow landed at his feet, bubbling with acid. “What in the world!?” He shouted, dumbfounded.

A haunting laughter echoed from the walls of the chamber. Then, near the spyglass, a hooded figure, face obscured in darkness, appeared from nothingness. He spoke with a sinisterly playful voice, each word seething like a venomous lash. “Oh, Cassius, you offend me. You barge into my new domain to destroy the source of my eternal life and you don’t even have the decency to face me, after all these years?”

Cassius’ ears perked and he took a defensive stance, his sun blade poised for any sudden attack. “Who are you, lich!? How do you know of me!?” He demanded an answer.

A unicorn horn within the hood flared red with dark magic, revealing an undead pony with his flesh almost entirely withered away, leaving only bone. “Now, now. Is that any way to greet your twin brother?”

Cassius’ eyes widened in shock. “No…That can’t be…”

The lich gave a devious grin and cast a darkness spell, causing the environment around the three heroes to fade into black. Deranged cackling and galloping hoofclops echoed from every direction.

“What the hay…?” Sir McBiggun muttered nervously.

“I-I can’t see a thing!” Garbunkle worried. “Is he rushing towards us!?”

Cassius, stunned by the lich’s words, snapped himself back to the present moment. “McBiggun! Garbunkle! Stay close to me! I have an idea,” he assured. The trio grouped together from the sound of their voices and stood back to back from each other, watching all sides. Then, Cassius lifted his sun blade high over his head. “Light!”

The blade shined with sudden intensity that it dispelled the darkness surrounding the party. However, Cassius wasn’t prepared when the lich was revealed, standing right in front of him with a spell prepared. There was a flash of red and Cassius slumped to his knees.

“Cass!” Sir McBiggun shouted as he turned and saw the lich curse his companion. The black knight drew his longsword and charged at the undead monster. Yet, as his strike threatened to tear the lich to pieces, the evil entity smirked.

“Cassius. Defend!” He commanded.

Then, McBiggun’s sword suddenly clashed with Cassius’s sun blade, holding back his attack just short of landing on the lich. The knight was shocked and he stumbled backwards.

“Cassius, what are you doing?!” Garbunkle yelled.

Cassius stood and lifted his head. His expression was darkened, void of emotion, and his eyes glowed the same red as the lich’s magic.

“Attack!” The lich seethed.

Before McBiggun could properly react, the bewitched Cassius swiftly charged toward the black knight in one long stride, his body almost floating unnaturally above the ground. Cassius then thrust his blade clean through Sir McBiggun’s armor and critically wounded him.

“No!” Garbunkle cried.

“C…Cass…” McBiggun choked.

Cassius withdrew his blade and McBiggun fell to the ground, unconscious.

“Excellent, Cassius.” The lich sneered. “Now, finish the wizard.”

Cassius set his sights on Garbunkle, who stood trembling from the horror of the scene.

“Cassius…Don’t do this! Y-You made an oath to protect others!” Though he attempted to retreat, a step on a loose stone cost him his balance and he fell backwards. “W-We made a pact! That we would stop the lich’s siege, together!”

Garbunkle’s pleading fell on deaf ears. The lich’s hold over Cassius was absolute and the brainwashed paladin stood over the dragonborn with his sun blade poised for a deadly thrust.

Garbunkle begged. “No! NO!”

Dice tumbled on the smooth crystalline table, their result spelling out Garbunkle’s fate. When they settled to a stop, Spike yelled at the top of his lungs. “NOOOOO!”

“Aw, horsefeathers, no!!!” Bright shot up from his seat, leaning over the table in disbelief.

“Dagnabbit!” Big Mac’s hoof thudded onto his character sheet.

“A failed Wisdom save and two critical hits! We’re doomed! Why!? Why!?” Spike stood on the table and shook his fists in the air.

Suddenly, the doors to the map room swung open as Starlight Glimmer barged in like a one-horse stampede. “Spike! What’s the matter!? Is something wrong!?” She asked, alarmed.

“It’s horrible, Starlight! Our party was wiped out by the lich! All our progress, lost!” Spike cried, falling to his knees over the gridded map and knocking over some of the character pieces.

Starlight sighed in relief. “Is that all that you’re so worked up about? You almost gave me a heart attack!”

“But we were just in the middle of a big story moment!” Spike hopped up to his feet and took a menacing stance. “Just before the final battle, the evil lich revealed to Cassius—that’s Bright’s character—that they’re twin brothers! I had this whole storyline planned where Cass—”

Bright couldn’t help but snicker a bit as Spike started his melodramatic tangent. The sudden loss was unfortunate, but Spike’s enthusiasm about storytelling through Ogres & Oubliettes quickly lifted his spirits. Just then, Bright felt a nudge on his side and turned to Big Mac sitting next to him.

“Sorry that Sir McBiggun couldn’t protect Cassius from the lich,” Big Mac apologized, his voice soft.

Bright smiled. “It’s alright. This campaign has been the most fun I’ve ever had with friends. I got to play as a powerful paladin and all the encounters we’ve battled have been epic!”

“Still woulda been nice to finish the story.” Big Mac shrugged.

“You did say that Spike can be flexible for a newcomer,” Bright noted. He looked to the baby dragon. “Hey, Spike! Do you think we could find a way to keep the story going?”

Spike trailed off from recounting the tale of the party’s battle against a dire wolf and considered Bright’s suggestion. “Um…Maybe?” He padded to his side of the table and grabbed his notebook. “I’ll need to redesign some parts of the game, but we might be able to retry from the start of today’s session.”

“Unfortunately, boys,” Starlight politely cut in, “it’s getting late, and Twilight wants Spike in bed before she returns from Canterlot, so I’m afraid this Guys’ Night must come to a close.”

“Aww…” Spike groaned. “I’ll work on the game and we can try again, same time next week!”

Bright nodded as he gathered his character sheet, notes, and O&O players handbook, storing them in his saddlebag. “Sure, sounds great! Oh, and Starlight! Did you find me that book that I asked about?”

“Yes, I did! One sec!” Starlight disappeared in a sudden flash of teal light before reappearing a couple seconds later with a thick hardback book that she presented to Bright, levitating it to him. “There you go! Astro Magica by Field deGrasse Byson. It’s a fantastic read on cosmic magic.”

Bright’s eyes shimmered in delight and he grinned as he pulled the book to him with his horn. He eyed the cover for a second and flipped to the first page. “Thank you, thank you, Starlight! I owe you, big time.”

Starlight tossed her hoof, nonchalantly. “Aw, think nothing of it, Bright. I’m glad to lend it. I was barely able to understand this book anyway. I am curious, though. Between this and the time we spent combing through the library for grimoires, what’s with the sudden interest in cosmic magic?” she asked.

“Well, to make a long story short, I want to chase an old foalhood dream of mine and study to be a wizard. I used to practice a lot of magic when I was a student at Celestia’s School, but I really fell off after I graduated. I figured that I can retrain myself with some reading for a start.”

“Oh, wow! That’s quite an undertaking, Bright. If I recall correctly, cosmic magic requires intense mental and spiritual training. Not to mention, incredible control and restraint,” Starlight commented.

Bright nodded. “I’m well aware, especially of the…hazards that come with practicing, but I just have to work at it a day at a time.”

Starlight smiled. “I think you have what it takes. And, if you ever need help, feel free to ask me. I may not be all that well-versed in this particular brand of magic, but I can at least help you get past any mental blocks.”

“Thank you, Starlight! I really appreciate that.” Bright beamed as he strapped his saddlebag onto his back. “Ready to go, Big Mac?”

Big Mac had just packed away his game materials into his own bag before answering, “Eeyup!”

Luna’s waxing crescent was like a silver smile against the dark purple sky, setting just above the distant mountains in the west. Orion was readying his sword behind his shield in the south, though fainter stars were obscured by the streetlamps. Ponyville was mostly quiet at this hour. Almost all the shops had already closed for the day and very few ponies lingered around the square.

Bright ambled alongside Big Mac as they took their usual stroll home. Though it hadn’t snowed the past week, the winter’s cold was still frigid and both stallions wore their sweaters, and Bright, a scarf around his neck to keep warm. The unicorn had Astro Magica floating before him and his eyes were glued to the first page of the foreword as he read aloud.

“‘The divine and elusive art of cosmic magic is one that challenges novices and apprentices to first reflect and consider one’s place in the vastness of the universe. We, as sentient living beings, be it pony, donkey, dragon, hippogriff, etc., are all incredibly small. We are born, we live, and we die, all while the cosmos above whirl in its eternal dance, indifferent to our joys and our sorr’-oh-whoa!”

Bright bumped against Big Mac as the farm stallion was making a turn. Big Mac hardly budged, but Bright stumbled a bit. “S-Sorry, Big Mac!”

Big Mac laughed. “S’alright, Sugarcube. Ya really got yer nose stuck in that book, though.”

Bright blushed, slightly embarrassed as he decided to slip the book into his saddlebag for now. “I couldn’t wait to get home first. I’ve been so antsy about studying and practicing cosmic magic since I talked with my dad over New Years’.”

“Sounds less like magic and more like real deep philosophical stuff, if ya ask me,” Big Mac noted.

“You’re right! Basically, cosmic magic is all about training the mind and the spirit to connect with the energy and flow of the universe,” Bright explained. “Here, watch. It’s something like this.” Bright stopped his gait and Big Mac paused to watch as Bright’s horn glowed purple. Bright shut his eyes, channeling his focus. “First, I find my connection to the cosmos…” Bright made a small grunt of effort and his horn shined with increasing intensity. “…Then…I call upon the stars to share just a s-sliver of power…” Sparkling shimmers of dust rushed to Bright, seemingly from nowhere, and coalesced at the tip of his horn. “…Nngh…I f-focus…that power to a single point…using gravity and…” Bright struggled to hold his spell and a spark popped from his horn. “Ah! Come on!” He took a moment to regain control and the spell stabilized. Finally, Bright released and the glow of his horn faded. In its place was a single shimmering star that floated upwards from the tip, no bigger than an apple seed. Bright stumbled, a bit dizzy. “There…You got a star.”

Big Mac’s eyes widened in awe. “Well, I’ll be…That’s some stunnin’ magic there, Bright.” He reached to touch it with his hoof. The star felt warm for an instant, yet it burst into dust on contact, like a bubble popping.

Bright shrunk a bit. All that effort and it couldn’t last more than ten seconds... He thought. “It’s not that great, to be honest. I’m really out of practice,” he admitted.

“I mean it. I ain’t ever seen a unicorn do magic like that before. Not even Twilight,” Big Mac praised.

“Thanks, Big Mac,” Bright said, sincerely. He continued down the path and Big Mac followed beside him. “My grasp on cosmic magic could be better. I only remember so much from my studies at Celestia’s School, but that’s why I’m starting by reading this book.” He patted on his saddlebag. “I feel ready to put in the work to master it. And I hope that, one day, I’ll reach a level of mastery where I can make my mark on the sky,” Bright finished, looking upwards.

Big Mac raised an eyebrow in interest. “Make your mark?”

“Yeah! The most famous cosmic wizards in history immortalize themselves by marking the night sky with a star, with Celestia’s endorsement.” Bright scanned the sky and pointed his hoof to the North Star. “Polaris was created by Sir Solar Polari in the year 186 to help lost ponies find their way. Oh! And the star at the end of Draco’s tail was a conjuration of Ptrotlemy when he completed Equestria’s first geocentric star map.” Bright breathed in and sighed. “It would be a dream come true if I could be remembered as a powerful wizard.”

Big Mac followed the stars that Bright pointed out, and then turned back to the unicorn. There was a look about him, something that Big Mac could recognize as a deep determination. A glint of light reflected from Bright’s heterochromatic blue and purple eyes and Big Mac felt a nice warmth bloom in his chest as his heart beat a step faster.

“Why’re you smiling at me like that?” Bright asked with a chuckle.

Big Mac blinked. He was so absorbed by Bright that he didn’t notice that he had been staring. His freckles vanished into the red of his coat. “Heh…I jus’ really like seein’ you shine.”

Bright blushed again and the corners of Big Mac’s smile rose higher. Then, as they arrived at the usual crossroad where they would part, Big Mac looked down the pathway leading back to Sweet Apple Acres and his smile faltered. “Bright, can I be real honest with you?”

Bright’s expression turned more earnest. “Of course.”

“I…” Big Mac started, but he hesitated for a second to consider his words. “I think…it’s time for me to tell my family about us. The past couple weeks with you have been…amazin’, but it don’t feel right to me to go on hidin’ from my family. They’re…my whole world, but you’re important to me too. I want there to be room for all y’all in my life.”

Bright listened and gave a nod. “Are you sure you’re ready, Big Mac?”

Big Mac dug his hoof into the dirt as he thought. “…I don’t know for sure, but I’d feel a lot better without this secret weighin’ on my shoulders…I think that Applejack and Applebloom will be open and understandin’. Granny, though…I don’t know what she thinks about colts datin’ colts and that’s what scares me the most…The last thing I wanna do is tear my family apart-” Big Mac’s voice cracked as the possibility of the worst happening suddenly shook him to his core. His eyes started to burn and he pressed the back of his hoof to his mouth.

In an instant, Bright rushed to wrap his hooves around Big Mac. His head rested against Big Mac’s shoulder and he could feel his body trembling. “H-Hey. It’s okay if you don’t want to tell them right now.” Bright looked up to meet Big Mac’s eyes. “Listen…If this is too much…If us being together is putting too much pressure on you, then we can take a step back and just be friends.”

Big Mac cleared his throat, blinked away the moisture from his vision, and shook his head. “…I appreciate it, Bright, but that don’t feel right neither. I like bein’ around you. I like showin’ you things you ain’t seen before. I like sharin’ what I like with you. This whole thing we have…it’s like the seasons changin’. It’s natural. It’s…beautiful. And I wanna believe my family will think so too.”

There was a swell of emotion within Bright’s chest and he tightened his embrace. “You’re incredibly brave, Big Mac,” he said. “Just as brave as Sir McBiggun, I think.”

Big Mac’s smile returned and he reciprocated, holding Bright snug.

“So, how do you want to do this?” Bright asked.

Big Mac contemplated. “I want to tell ‘em together with you. Tomorrow mornin’. Can ya come to the farm?”

Bright didn’t hesitate. “I’m there. And no matter what happens, I’ll have your back.”

“Then, I’ll see you then.” Big Mac gently kissed Bright’s cheek. “Good night, Bright.”

However, Big Mac didn’t make it far before Bright tugged at the collar of his sweater with his magic and pulled the earth pony in for a brief, yet tender kiss on his lips. “Good night, Big Mac.” Bright beamed.

Big Mac’s freckles disappeared again. He couldn’t help but make a bashful little chortle as he and Bright parted. Bright stifled a laugh of his own and Big Mac watched him saunter away. Then, as he turned and looked up the path leading home to Sweet Apple Acres, unease began to creep in until Big Mac took a deep breath. “Mom…Dad…Help me to be brave…”

As soon as he walked inside, Bright let his saddlebag slide off his back by the front door. A long, tired yawn escaped him as he charmed the lamp by his sofa to light up his living room.

“I’m home, Ivory!” He called out.

Ivory’s head popped out of the ceiling. “Welcome back, boo! How was your Guys’ Night?” she asked.

“It was another fun session, but we had a bit of rotten luck. And also, Starlight found me the book I was looking for.” Bright said, digging Astro Magica out of his bag and showing it to Ivory.

Ivory made a small, yet excited squeal. “I can’t wait to see you start making stars like the wizards you’ve told me about. I’m sure you’ll be spectacular!”

Bright chortled as he started up the stairs, book in tow, with Ivory hovering along close behind. “Thanks, boo, but I’m a long way’s away from reaching that level of sorcery. You’ll have to wait awhile.” Then, he entered his bedroom. “Y’know…I missed having you close by. Spike and Big Mac’s Guys’ Nights are great, but it feels weird not to share it with you.”

Ivory swirled around Bright to meet him, eye-to-eye. “Aw, Bright. I’ve been your best, and only, friend for—what—ten years now? You can survive a few hours without me now that you’re finally making new friends that are actually living. And besides, I wouldn’t dream of cutting into your special time with your coltfriend.” She winked.

Bright felt his cheeks grow warm and he eyed the dragon plush that Big Mac won for him on Hearth’s Warming, sitting at the head of his bed. He set his book on the bedside table and climbed onto his sheets, pulling the plush to his chest for a snuggle. “The past few weeks really have been the best time I’ve ever had. Big Mac’s shown me so many new things I’ve never tried. Ogres and Oubliettes, apple jam recipes, and I even got to play in snow for the first time last week!” A fluttering welled up inside of Bright’s chest as he reminisced on building snowponies and a small igloo in Ponyville Park.

Ivory floated over Bright’s head, resting her cheek on a hoof. “You know, Big Mac’s right about how you light up when you’re happy, and I love to see it, Bright.”

“Haha! I really like the way he calls it. My ‘shine’.” Bright squeezed the plush a bit tighter. However, a pit began to grow in Bright’s stomach as he recalled what was coming around the corner. “Y’know…while we were walking home together, Big Mac told me that he wants to come out to his family tomorrow and he wants me there with him.”

Ivory blinked. “Oh, wow. Are you nervous?”

“…Yeah, and Big Mac is, too.” Bright breathed. “We have no idea how it’ll go. I can only hope that things will be alright. I don’t want to drive a wedge between him and his family.”

Ivory ruminated, rubbing the nubs of her hooves in circles. “I’m no expert on love, but from what I’ve seen in the past few weeks, I think you and Big Mac will find a way to keep together, even if the worst comes to worse. And I’m rooting for you both.”

Bright nodded and shot a small grin at Ivory, his fortitude bolstered.

Ivory attempted to nudge Bright’s shoulder. “Besides, there’s no use worrying now about what's happening tomorrow and I’ve got new little bits to share with you!”

“Oh, yeah?” Bright’s ears perked and he sat up. “You remembered some new memories?”

She nodded. “Mhm! It’s not much, but every new fragment that I find makes me feel more whole.”

“Well, don’t keep us in suspense!” Bright snickered as he sat the dragon in front of him, giving Ivory a small audience. “Spill the tea, boo!”

Ivory giggled. “Okay, so I remember being a little filly, sitting on my grandpa’s lap. He had a rocking chair on the front porch of his home…” She tapped her temple with a hoof, thinking hard on her memory. “…I think we were watching somepony—or maybe two or three, it’s still fuzzy—on his front lawn, and Grandpa was talking to me about…something. I don’t know what about, but his voice was deep and strong…” There was a glimmer in her eye and a rise of glee in her voice. “…and I remember he called me his ‘little lily bud’.”

“Aw, Ivory! That sounds like an adorable memory!” Bright chimed.

“Yeah, it’s fantastic!” Ivory twirled in the air with delight. “I just wish I could remember something concrete that could help with finding him.”

Bright dug underneath his comforter and settled into bed, resting cozily with his head propped up by a couple of pillows. “You’re remembering more and more now than in most of the time I’ve known you. I’m sure you’ll find some nugget of information that we can use soon.”

“Hopefully by that time, you won’t be a pruny, dusty old stallion.” She giggled.

Bright levitated Astro Magica to him. “Well, if it does take that long, at least I’ll be a cosmic wizard by then.” He chuckled, waggling the book at Ivory. “Think I’ll have a magnificent beard, like Starswirl the Bearded?” Bright asked, stroking his chin with a hoof.

“Boo, you can pull off any look!” Ivory tossed her hoof and winked.

Bright laughed as he rested the book on his lap. “Would you like to listen while I read a chapter or two?”

Ivory descended to rest right next to Bright on the mattress. She crossed one foreleg over the other and laid her head down. “Go on. I'm all ears!”

Bright sank a bit lower into his pillows with a soft sigh. His horn glowed and he flipped to where he left off on the first page.

“To harness the power of the stars, one must first connect with the boundless sky, feeling the pulsating energies of heavenly bodies resonating through one’s very essence. The practice of cosmic magic is not merely about casting spells; it is about attuning oneself to the ancient rhythms of the cosmos. Beneath a firmament of countless lights, an adept unicorn may whisper incantations that echo the songs of distant galaxies and weave luminous threads of stardust into potent, shimmering enchantments.”

Bright’s heart beat faster as he clung to every word. Now, more than ever, he was determined to study and internalize each chapter as if Luna herself made it law. Cosmic magic would be his to master, and soon, everypony would be dazzled by feats of sorcery that Bright had only ever dreamed of.

“However, one must tread with humility, for the cosmos is as unforgiving as it is beautiful. The stars, while awe-inspiring, also demand respect and wisdom. A careless whisper could awaken a cataclysmic comet. An overzealous wish could spark a supernova, collapsing into a singularity.”

An eerie chill brushed over Bright’s back. An old foalhood fear crossed his mind, but he shook it away from his thoughts. He was aware of the responsibility of wielding such awesome magic and Bright promised himself that he wouldn’t let that fear stop him from going the distance.

“Therefore, the first lesson for any cosmic mage is patience, for in the grand theatre of the universe, there is no rushing the stars.”