Lucky Star

You always liked these kinds of nights. Enjoying the summer well past sunset was one of your guilty pleasures.  With not even a wisp of a breeze, it was so quiet and so serene. What made it even better was the fact that each night, Luna would hoofcraft the night sky, creating another beautiful starry scene. They were always beautiful, though: those silent, twinkling sentries of the night. You always felt safer in the knowledge that they were up there watching over you. It was the only time you could think clearly, really.

You worked at an art shop in Ponyville and you were always busy. Foals were always running in and out buying paint and crayons and colored pencils for their creative little projects. Today, however, you actually considered banning your younger patrons all together following a mishap with 3 young fillies and a dozen or so bags of glitter.

Apparently they thought that if they added enough glitter to their collage, they would become renowned artists of the highest caliber, therefore gaining their cutie marks. You thought they had it backwards, but they were so determined that you figured you’d let them try and see what happens. “Hay,” you thought “maybe they might actually pull it off.” Their determination, however, proved to be a detriment to you, your shop, and every pony within a four block radius. After the dust settled and your initial disbelief at how 3 fillies could cause that big of an explosion with just some construction paper, a few bags of glitter, and paste subsided, you told the fillies that you’ll be expecting them to help clean up the mess.

After all was said and done, you couldn’t help but not be mad, after all, they did help you clean up your shop, which was in dire need of cleaning anyway. With most of the glitter cleaned up, your shop actually looked quite nice. Small shimmers of light seemed to come from everywhere and yet, they came from nowhere. When you tried to find the little twinkling speck, it disappeared from view. It added an elegant beauty to the inside of your otherwise unassuming shop. It made everything just a bit…shinier, and you were always sucker for shiny things. Perhaps a little glitter really was better?

So, now here you sit, under the stars, unwinding after a long and stressful day. On nights like this, you could lie in an empty wide-open field, or sit on the balcony of your small one bedroom apartment above your shop, or you could stroll down the empty streets of Ponyville. Any choice would be fine as long as you had a view of the heavens. Honestly, even if you couldn’t see the sky, you still loved the night. Its quiet solitude and peaceful atmosphere always comforted you, and yet, it also made you feel alive and content.  Your preference, however, was always the majesty and splendor of the night sky. It never ceased to hold your attention when you could give it, and tonight was no exception.

The best spot to stargaze, however, was a small knoll near the rear of the towns library. The slight elevation above the town let you see far more of the sky than if you were sit in the town square or even from your own balcony. This certain location also had another benefit: The owner of the library was also something of an astronomer. Not an astronomer, per se. More like a hobbyist. Well, that wouldn't be the right word either. She's a scholar, in every sense of the word. And no scholar would be caught dead without some sort of telescope. Twilight Sparkle happened to own a telescope, and not just any run of the mill telescope. This little number came straight from the University of Canterlot and had to cost at least a thousand bits. It may have even rivaled the observatory in Luna's Tower in Canterlot. Anyway, with her new found regality, you figured she could afford the very best.

That's how you became friends with her. You could always talk to her about the stars and astronomy in general, not to mention you asked to borrow her amazing telescope every now and again. She was also somewhat knowledgeable about art. Not in the art loving sort of way, but more in the art history sort of way. She could tell you exactly when Moneigh painted his Impression, Sunrise as well as the fact that it's in the impressionist style. She could even ramble on about the types of paints he used and the fact that if you made a grey-scale copy of it the sun would almost disappear. Something about neurobiology and the evolution of sight.

Even with all those facts memorized and catalogued, she couldn't tell the emotions that the painting elicited from her. Paintings were just paintings, after all. You had many debates over whether or not some forms of art were indeed art. Modern minimalist art, for example. You made the argument that simple paintings of only a few colors of simple shapes were indeed art and that the artist put in much thought and care to the choice of color and how those colors would best be represented in shape form as well as the aesthetic value. She, on the other hoof, made a striking argument that it still just a simple shape and any foal with some crayons could have made it.

Laying in the cool grass on this cozy summer night with a slight balmy breeze blowing over you, you thoughts start to wander to the upcoming festivities. You favorite time of year is fast approaching. Although you are loath to leave the perfect nights of summer, you console yourself that Nightmare Night would more than make up for it. All the treats, the games, the parties: it would all be worth it. It always is. Especially the treats. You never did lose that sweet tooth when you were a foal. This year, however, you have to remind Pinkie Pie to tell you which treats are baked goods and which ones are baked bads. Last year, half of the candied apples were actually candied turnips. You hate turnips.

“Maybe I’ll keep calling her ‘Pinkamena’ until she tells me which ones are the good ones…” You say to yourself. “That usually gets on her nerves.”

However, before you could come up with any more ways to make Pinkie spill the beans (not literally. That happened two years ago. Ponyville still has the slightly sweet ‘baked beans’ smell to it), you decide to call it a night and head home. You can’t take your eyes off the sky however. Something is tugging at the back of your brain. Something familiar…

“THAT’s why I didn’t mind the glitter so much. Figures.”

Your now slightly shiny store was slightly reminiscent of the night sky, although, it’s definitely not the same. “Luna does a far better job though.”

“Thank you, subject.”

You freeze in place; your mind reeling at who just spoke. You know the voice, but it’s impossible. Your thoughts start to list the reasons she couldn’t be here.

She can’t be here in Ponyville.

Maybe, but Ponyville has become kind of important lately. You know, with whole Elements of Harmony thing.

Right.

And then there's 'Princess' Sparkle.

True

And even before that, she was Celestia’s apprentice…student…lover…thing.

Lover?

We can imagine, right?

Yes we can.

As you contemplate an erotic scene involving a certain radiant white alicorn goddess and a certain genius lavender alicorn, you hear a distinct clearing of a throat somewhere behind you.

“Are you ill, subject? Do you require medical assistance?”

Recalling who was behind you and how this all started, you slowly turn around, remembering to take the stupid grin off your face and getting rid of the image of two gorgeous mares tangled in the sheets of a large four poster bed. “My apologies, Princess. You surprised me is all.”

“Yes, well, I am glad to see that you are well. Again, thank you for your compliment.”

Right, you just complimented Luna’s job on the stars.

“Y-Y-You’re welcome Princess.” You couldn’t help but stammer a bit. She was a princess after all. And a goddess. And, judging by how stunning the night sky is almost every night, quite the artist.  And amazingly, classically beautiful. How did you not realize that until now? And why is it getting hot all of the sudden?

“…Indeed. Good night, subject.”  As Luna turns away to head back towards her carriage and waiting guards, you can’t help but stare.

She is perhaps the most attractive mare you have ever seen.

The view isn’t bad either.

Quiet, you.

Just stating the obvious, man.

As you watch the carriage take off in to the night sky, you regain your senses. Something about her, well, everything about her made you lose track of time and place. Time stood still and yet seemed to reel by you. You notice that you are still standing there with your mouth agape, staring off into the sky where the carriage disappeared into the night. You also hear a familiar lavender unicorn quietly giggling in the distance. Your star gazing had made you completely oblivious to your surroundings, so you were somewhat surprised to see Twilight.

“You are perhaps the most love-struck pony I have ever seen.” Twilight Sparkle couldn't help but have a grin on her face.

“That was Princess Luna, right?”

“...Yes…?”

“In Ponyville.”

“Uh huh.”

“Oh. Right then. What was she doing here, anyway? I would have thought she would be far too busy catching up on Equestrian history or dealing with some politics or some such.” You still can’t believe she was here, but, on the other hoof, she was here last year at Nightmare Night, so it’s nothing new.

“She was here to talk to me about some of the things I should know about my new position as royalty. I'm still not really used to the whole thing and wanted some advice. Besides Princess Celestia and Cadence, err,  Princess Mi Amore, there's no one else to help me out.”

“I can imagine. So, do you two talk often?”

As if twilight was able to read your mind, she said “Yes, and if you want, I can see if you could talk to her again. Try not stuttering this time.” You consider her offer, but as your thoughts drift back to the goddess of the night, you deice to decline.

“No, that’s okay. She’s WAY out of my league. As in she’s a goddess and a princess and drop dead gorgeous and I’m just some art shop owner who likes to take walks at night.” You couldn’t help but feel humbled by her presence. Not to mention you were way too shy to just walk up to a beautiful mare and ask her out.

“I think you’re selling yourself short. Besides, Luna could use some more friends. A lot of ponies are still afraid of her even after all this time of her being back and not Nightmare Moon. And honestly, I think she needs to know that there are ponies out there that have nocturnal activities."

Did twilight just say 'nocturnal activities?' Okay, time to mess with her.

"Why Princess, I don't think Luna wants to know what every pony does with their special somepony behind closed doors."

Twilight, immediately flustered by your comment, tries to retort "WHAT! I didn't...I mean... I don't...get your mind out of the gutter! Anyway, the offer still stands, as long as you don't do anything...untoward."

You got her. Sometimes it's far too easy to make her uncomfortable and embarrassed. After all, you did tend to help Pinkie and Rainbow Dash prank the newly crowned Princess on occasion. Rainbow says it's to make sure Twilight doesn't get a big head and all stuffy, but you just think they do it because it's funny. And they usually are. Except that pudding incident.

Rainbow still won't talk about that one. Something about 'It was just a one time thing!' and 'You would do the same thing in my horseshoes!' Whatever they did, you assumed it involved some very embarrassing events for the both of them. You tried asking Pinkie, but the moment she tried telling you, her mouth turned into a zipper and shut itself. Apparently a Pinkie Promise is a magically binding contract.

"I was just joking, Twilight. I knew what you meant. Anyway, I'm not sure I'll take you up on that offer. Like I said, I'm just a common artist and she's a princess. I doubt she'd even know I existed."

Twilight, always one to try and cheer up a friend, said "But I'm a princess, and I know you exist."

She got you there. You knew your logic was flawed, but you still couldn't bring yourself to admit it. "I know. Thanks Twilight, I mean it. Anyway, it's getting really late and I should get to bed. I have to start changing over my shop for the upcoming Nightmare Night."

"Okay, well, have a good night."

As she waved her hoof and walked back inside the library, you knew she wouldn't leave well enough alone. After all, you're pretty sure she knew, deep down, you wanted to talk to Luna again. Who knows, maybe you'd have some luck. After all, the stars always did somehow make everything better.