A Kindred Spirit

Sometime between the beginning of my sleep and the end, I was aware that I was in a dream. I was not sure what it was about, or even if I was involved in any of the events; I was suddenly lucid. Looking around, I was aware that I was in a dark, but somehow innately benign forest. I wandered down the path I was on, leaving behind the urge to consider anything. This was a dream, after all; being calculating would be a waste of energy. Slowly, I came upon a small park, where almost everything was made exclusively with white marble. A gazebo stood in the middle, and I started for it, being the stateliest looking thing around. I became aware that this park was centric to everything occurring; other paths ended here as well, I saw. As I set foot over the top step of the gazebo, a basin in the floor caught my eye. Laying there, resting, it seemed, was a tall, starry-maned, midnight blue pony.

Without warning, Luna suddenly sprang up, giving a short, startled cry. "What are you doing here?!" she burst out, just as confused and startled as I.

"...Where is here?" I asked, after taking a moment to recover from the shock of Luna's sudden alertness.

Hesitating a moment, she continued. "This is a sort of a dream-hub, a headquarters I guess. It's a sort of place I reach when asleep to go into others' dreams... But, well, because we're both here, guess where you are..."

Quickly processing what she said, I answered, "Your dream, technically?"

She nodded. "Yeah. So, uh, how did you get here?" She was obviously intrigued with my sudden appearance in this place, as was I. I shrugged, and told here the fact that I had no idea whatsoever.

Her expression turned slowly from inquisitive to determined. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this in the evening," she said, resolute.

"So, does that mean it's already morning back in the real world?" I asked.

"Yes," She answered simply, blushing a bit. I wondered why for an instant, but remembered that if she was asleep, that would mean...

Luna straightened. "Well, while you're here, I thought I might discuss something with you."

My focus turned from my thoughts to the serious night-princess before me. I nodded to show I was ready for her to continue.

She started to stroll around the small gazebo. "I've been doing some thinking, and I have an offer for you."

Intrigued, I kept my eyes on the Princess. "As you know, Twilight Sparkle is my sister's student. She learns in the manner of magic, friendship, the magic of friendship, et cetera. I was wondering if maybe you'd like to become, not so much my student..." She stopped her deliberate pace and turned to face me full on.

"...but rather my protege?" Before my answer, which had not the time to formulate as of yet, she proceeded to outline the deal, continuing her circling pace.

"I will not bind you here at the castle; you will travel as you wish, unless, of course, I summon you. We could converse often as we are doing now; in dreams, while you are sleeping. I do not task you with anything specific as of yet, and doubt I will any time soon." She stopped once more and grabbed my attention with a simple look my way.

"So. What say you?"

I was once more awestruck by the behavior of such royal figures towards me; I was just some common person from a different world, and yet they treated me like I was one of great importance. I felt I deserved none of this; the sense of inferiority was much the same as the first time I had met the princesses. However, I knew that Luna's decision to take me under her wing was final, and would not change.

It took little time to ponder my action, given the fact that I would not be bound to the castle by the chain of this engagement, and so I gave her my answer.

"Of course, Princess. I'm honored that you would take me on as your protege." I bowed, much in the way a squire about to be knighted would. It just felt correct.

"Rise," was the short command given. I did so. Apparently, the night princess decided the moment had passed right then and there, because she spoke this next:

"Alright, now, Celestia is going to breakfast with you again today. Your train leaves at three o' clock, and the ticket has already been bought and is waiting for you down at the station. That should be all. Won't be needing this now..."

Suddenly, with a snap of a spell from Luna's horn, the dream dissolved around us.

I woke up to feel a cool night breeze blowing across my face, and a portion of the night sky hanging in front of me. A little confused, I backed up to see that Luna's mane had apparently been flowing across my face. So that's what it feels like, I noted idly. Turning around, I saw the night princess, awake as well, laying about a yard away from me on the massive bed. I was immediately embarassed, once more with my oversleeping, and now with the fact I had been sharing the bed with a princess... again. This time, I wasn't in a deep multiple-day sleep. Luna apparently picked up on my apprehension towards the situation, for as I clambered out of the bed, she began talking. "I was tired when I got here, but I didn't want to wake you up after what happened last night, with the magic pulse and all. Plus, I didn't really think you'd mind."

As she trailed off, I replied sheepishly, "Uh, thanks for your consideration. I'm gonna go shower now."

"Go ahead," she said. Before I left, though, the dream-conversation manifested itself in my head. I asked Luna, unsure, "Were we talking a minute ago...?"

"Yes. That all happened," was her response.

Enough for me, I took my leave and washed up, pondering all that had just occurred. Doing so helped my find my place in this world of uncertainty I was in. I left the shower very humbled and mostly back to my old self. After making sure I didn't look a wreck, I left the bathroom along with a wall of steam. Trying to be quiet so as not to disturb Luna's sleep, I slipped through the room as quietly as I could manage. Pulling on the handle of the door leading out into the corridor, I wondered what the rest of the day would bring.