[Halley] Enkindling (Anon/Luna)

The crisp clanking of metal on stone rang throughout the cold, dark halls of Canterlot Castle, having long been vacated of its occupants upon the encroaching reign of the night. A lone figure weaved her way from room to room, never faltering even once en-route to her destination, this particular path burned into her memory from years of repetition. Her visage was one of cold indifference, forged in the flames of battle, and sharpened upon the whetstone of her kingdoms birth.

 

Coming upon the final doors hindering her journey, she allowed a slip in her facade in the form a small grin as she breached the threshold of the royal gardens.

 

For time long since passed, the gardens had served as a beloved reprieve from whatever problem that plagued her. Here she allowed herself to bask in the silence of her

 

night, the various fragrances her only company, as they soothed and serenaded her soul throughout her long and arduous life. Recently though, she had come to share such peace with another. Said individual sat before a crescent plot of red roses, moonlight spearing through the evening's clouds and bathing him in pale white light.

 

"'S about time ya showed up Lulu. Was gettin worried you'd gotten sick of spending time with poor old Anon"

 

Quickly squashing any emotion that was previously on display, she held her head just a tad higher as she made her way towards the seated human.

 

"Our sincerest apologizes, fair Anonymous." Coming up on his side, she gently laid herself down before leaning up against him in a lazy embrace. "Unlike some, We cannot afford to spend our days toiling about a flower garden. Unless, perhaps, you wish to relieve us of such dreary duties?

 

He draped an arm over her long neck and pulled her close before responding, "Yeah, no thanks your majesty. I'm a trigger puller, not a leader." He paused for a moment in idle thought. "Well technically, i don't even do that, but the sentiments all the same. 'Sides, being the official eyes and ears of royalty is much more rewarding. Much less work too."

 

The two sat in silence after the brief exchange, simply enjoying each others company. As the time wore on, Luna fidgeted slightly before speaking, have intended to give voice to her concerns earlier.

 

"Anonymous"

 

"Eh?"

 

"We have a query that must be answer tonight, before we proceed any further"

 

Retracting his arm, Anonymous sat up straighter. He had heard the same serious tone before when he was in training. Usually before working with something the would maim and kill those who failed to pay proper respect to tools that had earned their reputations on the battlefield.

 

Opening her mouth to speak, Luna paused to take a breath before continuing.

 

"You are aware of the..."special"...nature of alicorns correct?"

 

"Uh, somewhat. Wings and horns, strong as hell, built like a shit brickhouse and-"

 

"Immortal" She had cut him off. A sad, somber undertone haunting her words.

 

"Yeah. Immortal" He chanced a glance down, her face kept forward and partially illuminated by the moonlight. Though she was the perfect picture of calm and composed, her large eyes were kept closed and at the corners, he could just make note of the telltale glint of tears.

 

Once more Luna spoke, her voice steady, but Anonymous had an idea of her true feelings, even if she chose to hide them behind the persona of the unshakable ruler she had so carefully cultivated.

 

"Tis our curse. To live though the lives of lovers, seeking another's flame to keep us warm throughout eternity, only to know that each will inevitably be snuffed out."

 

Anonymous scooted as close as he could before wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her star splattered mane, planting brief kisses upon her. He pulled tighter when he felt the light sound of tears against his skin.

 

"A daunting task for sure, to set upon a road that most assuredly leads to anguish, but it is one that we have tread before, and hope to again with you." She pulled herself from his embrace and stood and gazed silently ahead, any attempt to belay her tears had eroded, shimmering droplets reflecting long buried sorrow before impacting against the ground below.

 

"We are not so selfish as to believe we could make such a decision for you. As such we present an opportunity: Should you choose to, what we have will be left here, and never again be visited. It will be as though nothing had ever grown between us. Should you choose otherwise however, we continue on, letting our love flourish as vibrant and beautiful as the flowers who first bared witness to it here."

 

Anonymous raised himself up, dusting off his slacks as he went. Standing erect, he stared upward at the moon as it hung from its loft in the sky, outshining any star in the vicinity. He chuckled softly before he spoke, wistfulness thick in his voice.

 

"You know Luna, us humans are a lot like matches."

 

"We burn up quick, but we have so many possibilities. Each and every one of us can do something with the potential stored inside. We can spark a revolution, set aflame the passions of a lover, raze the earth to let new life grow, or simply burn up and wither away. To do so though, we have to destroy our very self, as once its lit, a match can share its flame, but every time it does, it loses some of itself. It starts burning just a *little* faster, till there's nothing but ashes left." He paused to let a yawn escape, before pressing on.

 

"When you think about it , its short lived nature is what gives it such purpose. To see that fire it gave life to live on, and continue to be used. My match my still be lit, fizzling and flickering towards its end, but i can think of no better purpose, no single endeavor, that i would rather dedicate it towards, than lighting up your life for as long as i can."

 

Neither had spoken once he finished. Luna had simply splayed out her wing and drawn him close, and the gesture was returned by way of gentle strokes along her body. Two lives had come together to withstand the cold plight of solitude. He had another reason to live his life, and she had gained another sacred flame to comfort her for the remainder of her days.

 

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[In writing this the first time, i cocked up, and looking back i saw a much better way to say what i wanted to.I could have just put in an alternate version like i said i would, but the juxtaposition between the two parts of Anon's speech clash enough to bother me, but I will keep the original here, as i dont believe in cover ups. I'll keep my mistake public]

 

"Luna, so long as i'm alive, i'll keep my flame burning as hot and as bright as i can if it means keeping you warm just *that* much longer. I cant imagine being anywhere else but with you, and really, i don't think i want to try."

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