Us and Them

Chapter 11

Mrs. Moonlight

About ten hours into my sleepless night (okay, so it was probably only like an hour or something, time just doesn’t actually pass when you’re sitting in bed), I decided to get up and get a drink. After grabbing a glass of water, I stepped outside silently, trying to avoid disturbing anypony who might take offense in any audible noises at ungodly hours of the night.

I stared at the night sky thoughtlessly. Number one way to calm myself down: Sit outside and watch the stars. I would sit out in the middle of winter just to watch stars. You don’t know how beautiful the night sky is until you’ve really given it a fighting chance.

I took a sip from my glass and wondered, evidently aloud, if they were the same stars that I saw from Earth every night.

“Most likely yes,” a voice responded from the balcony above. Luna was apparently up as well.

“Luna? What are you doing up at- right, Princess of Night. Duh.” She flew down to the ground to continue the conversation at my level (to be fair, she was still a good hand or two taller than I was).

“You are concerned about our mission. Perhaps too much.”

“It’s... I... Yeah, I probably am. It’s just, for the longest time, I wanted to be a pony, and now that I finally am, suddenly I’m expected to fight off some guy that’s supposed to be stronger than any pony ever. And since I’m still the only human with any memory from before six days ago, I feel like I should be in charge here.”

“And you have done well as a leader thus far, but a good leader knows when to avoid involving themselves too deeply in the mission.”

“Yeah, but I still feel like I’m responsible. A good leader should put the group’s needs before their own.” I sighed, taking a long swig of water.

“But if you do not tend to your own needs, then you will not be able to effectively lead the group.”

“Alright, you win, I’ll think about myself some.” I conceded with a laugh. I sighed again, staring up at the stars. “The sky is beautiful. Did you arrange them yourself?”

“No, the stars are too far away for my magic to reach. Few say that the night is beautiful, why would you say such a thing?”

I sighed again, this time a happy sigh. “Ah, what’s not to love? The darkness has this mysterious comfort to it, the stars always look beautiful, the silence is unbelievably calming, and the cool breeze is strangely invigorating. Daytime is so drab in comparison.” I wasn’t even trying to score any pony points with her, it’s the honest to Cel- actually, the honest to Luna truth.

“It’s nice to hear somepony finally recognize the beauty of my night.”

“I’d love to be better friends with you, you’re actually a lot of fun to spend time with. I don’t find many people who can beat me in a verbal spar, and who share my love of night.”

“Maybe we could get together after this is over. Perhaps have a cup of tea and have a chat.”

“Yeah, that’d be nice.” I sighed deeply. I ran out of water a long time ago, but my throat was suddenly feeling rather dry. “Maybe, someday... When this is over...” My voice trailed off as I finished. All I could think was someday. Someday never comes. I felt something on my back, and looked to see Luna resting a wing on me.

“Didn’t you promise to stop worrying? Live now, not later. There’s no point worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet.”

“Heh. That’s one for the quotes page.” I sighed again. Tonight was a sighing kind of night. “I know you’re right. All this worrying’s just unnecessary stress, but I can’t help myself. I just want what’s best for everypony, and it’s hard to do that and think about myself at the same time. I... I just don’t know what to do. Do I take care of myself, and leave the group without a leader who has a good grasp of the situation? Or do I stay in charge of the group and drive myself crazy...er?”

“Why don’t you do both? The group may need a leader, but they can care for themselves. They’re not fillies, they can make conscious decisions for themselves.”

“A balance in all things. Heh, I wouldn’t have taken you to be a philosopher, Luna.” I yawned, the first sound other than words or sighs I had made the entire conversation. “Thanks for the advice. You really are a great friend. But what were you doing out here anyways?”

“Oh, Twilight snores like a manticore. I couldn’t sleep, so I came out here for some nighttime air.”

I responded with some strange laugh-yawn hybrid, which only made me laugh more. Even Luna got a chuckle out of the strange sound I had made. “So are you going back up then?”

“I came out here for peace and quiet, I don’t think I’d find any if I went back in there. I thought I might lie out under the stars and sleep on the grass.”

“Ah, I remember waking up... a week ago this morning, on grass. It’s actually really comfortable. Those cushions I call a bed just aren’t cutting it. Mind if I join you out here?”

Luna let me sleep out under her night sky with her. I felt closer to her than any other pony I had met in my time in Equestria. As I lay down on the dewy grass and began to get comfortable, Luna moved close.

OH GOD, SHE’S SNUGGLING. THIS IS NOT RIGHT! RED LIGHT! RED LIGHT! WE HAVE A CODE PINK ON THE FRONT LAWN! Was all I could think, but my body refused to move. Apparently ponies weren’t meant to stay up until early morning, because despite my mind’s desperate cries to get some separation with Luna, I felt myself slipping into sleep.

“Good night Historia,” were the last words I heard that night.