- >Having arrived in Equestria a few weeks ago, it's finally time for your first official audience with the Princesses at the castle.
- >Even though you have spoken with both Luna and Celestia a few times before, you are still nervous.
- >You are about to be formally accepted into Equestrian society after spending some time adjusting to life among the ponies.
- >They both are standing at the head of the throne room as you approach and kneel in front of them.
- >Celestia states: "As Princess, it is my pleasure to name you an official citizen of Equestria! We hope that you will share in our friendship and be happy here."
- >As Celestia speaks, you can't help but keep looking over at Princess Luna.
- >It's because of her that you are so nervous.
- >You've always had an odd sleeping pattern, staying awake until very late at night and sleeping through most of the afternoon.
- >Because of this, you often found yourself wandering the Canterlot gardens at night, and you would sometimes see Luna also enjoying a midnight stroll.
- >The two of you would talk on occasion, and over the few weeks you've been here, your mind has increasingly been occupied by thoughts of Princess Luna.
- >Celestia smiles down at you.
- >This is it, you're about to be given your chance
- >"As a token of that friendship, if there is anything you would ask of us, please ask, and we will gladly fulfill your request."
- >Luna steps forward and looks at you with an inquisitive expression.
- "I know you're a Princess, but..."
- >You pause, wondering how Luna would react to your request.
- >Is it even okay to give such an unorthodox request?
- "I wondered if you'd just, spend an evening with me, I mean, if you want to"
- >Oh god, that sounds so stupid
- >Luna's eyes widen ever so slightly.
- >Yeah, you definitely messed up.
- >But then she smiles, and says, "If that's what you would ask of us, then I'd be happy to!"
- >She actually looks like she's genuinely happy that you asked this of her.
- >You feel a sensation of butterflies in your stomach as you realise that you're going to be spending an entire evening with Luna.
- >Now you're even more nervous.
- >But you're also a little excited, and you work to suppress a grin.
- >Luna asks, "Would tomorrow evening at sundown be suitable?"
- >You stutter,
- "Thank you, yes, that would be perfect"
- >Then Luna says with a smile, "Then please meet me here in the throne room before moonrise."
- >With a final bow to the Princesses, you turn and make your way out of the throne room.
- >Some of the courtiers are looking at you as though you're from another planet. (You forget that you technically are.)
- >You can't believe she accepted. You don't even care what the other ponies in attendance might think, you're glad you're going to get a chance to become a little closer to Luna.
- >The following evening, you stand outside the entrance to the royal throne room.
- >You stayed up all night last night, your mind racing with possibilities, worries, wondering how your evening with Luna would turn out.
- >You're not even sure how you're going to spend your time together.
- >You also wonder what Luna thinks of you for asking this of her.
- >Maybe she only accepted because it was tradition to grant a new citizen's request or something.
- >But then, she did look oddly pleased when she accepted.
- >You try to stop overthinking things.
- >You enter the throne room, and find it very dark compared to how you saw it last.
- >Celestia has just lowered the sun, so there's no light shining through the stained glass to illuminate the room.
- >The moon isn't up yet either, so the throne room is lit only by torches lining the walls.
- >Very dark, and also empty. Luna isn't here.
- >She must be raising the moon before coming to meet you.
- >Suddenly, you hear a voice: "Ah, you're here. I hope you're well?"
- >You turn and see Luna standing in a small doorway just to the side of the empty thrones.
- >You are suddenly aware of your heartbeat, and you manage to reply,
- "Oh, yes, thank you, Princess"
- >Probably should have bowed or nodded or something first
- >Luna is smiling at you again, and she says, "Before we begin, I thought I might show you something."
- >Begin? You don't even have any plans
- "Okay."
- >"Please, follow me!"
- >Luna goes back through the door by which she entered.
- >You're walking down a narrow hallway, with a spiral staircase at the end.
- >As you follow Luna, you begin to panic slightly as you realise she must have been expecting you to have some kind of solid idea of what you wanted to do.
- >That's never been your style, you figured you would just see where things took you as they happened.
- >As you ascend the staircase, you wonder what it is Luna wants to show you.
- >You ask her where you're going, but Luna just says, "You'll see."
- >Then you realise the moon hasn't risen yet.
- >That's where these stairs go, she's leading you up to her personal balcony to let you watch her raise the moon
- >Why is she doing this for you?
- >When you reach the top of the stairs, you are mildly out of breath.
- >You're at the end of a long corridor, with a set of double doors on the opposite side.
- >One of these other doors must be Luna's bedchamber.
- >You stop yourself from continuing that line of thought.
- >You reach the double doors, and Luna opens them with her magic.
- >You step outside, and immediately shiver slightly as you are hit by the chill of the night air.
- >The sky is pitch black, and the stars are glittering pinpricks of light dotted all over.
- >Only one thing is missing.
- >You hear the doors close behind you and Luna comes to stand at your side.
- >In a soft voice she says, "Since you're not from Equestria, I thought I would show you something beautiful that's unique to our world."
- >Luna walks ahead of you to the edge of the balcony.
- >You can see for such a great distance from up here.
- >All the rooftops of Canterlot are below you, and further beyond, rolling fields giving way to a black horizon.
- >Luna unfurls her wings, and her horn begins to glow.
- >Gradually she begins to rise up, and as she does, a faint silvery shimmer appears off in the distance.
- >Gradually, the moon rises up from the dark, and makes its way higher and higher, while Luna hovers above you, wings outstretched, her eyes aglow with magic.
- >Finally, the moon reaches the zenith, and hangs there, a pale silver orb suspended in the night sky.
- >You're completely at a loss for words.
- >Luna lowers herself back down, a serene expression on her face, and comes to stand beside you again.
- >You both stand there together, looking out at what Luna has created.
- >The land is bathed in moonlight, the fields and the city below seem to have come alive in a way that daylight could never achieve.
- >You want to say something.
- >You look up at the moon. You whisper, more to yourself:
- "Luna.."
- >The princess looks at you, but before you can apologise for addressing her without her title, she says, "I knew you would understand."
- >Understand? What does she mean?
- >"There are sadly few who see the night as I do. We have only spoken on a few occasions, but I know that you appreciate its beauty."
- >She smiles at you, "I've seen the way you watch the stars during your midnight walks."
- >You feel the butterflies in your stomach again.
- >She's been watching you?
- >"That's why I was happy when you asked me for this night together. It gave me a chance to show my night to you personally..."
- >Luna trails off.
- >Does she...?
- >No way. She's just grateful to find someone else who loves the night.
- >That's all.
- >You tell her,
- "It's amazing. From up here, it's like I'm seeing it for the first time"
- >You wish you could find the words to really tell her what you thought of her night
- >And of her.
- >You turn and look at her. When your eyes meet, she quickly looks away.
- >Your heart jumps.
- >You suddenly want to just come out and tell Luna why you wanted this time alone with her.
- "Princess?"
- >She looks back at you and you could swear you detect the faintest hint of blushing on her cheeks.
- >"Please, just call me Luna.."
- >You hesitate, before saying,
- "Thank you for showing me this. You - your night, really is beautiful... Luna."
- >Spaghetti again
- >Luna says with an almost shy smile, "No, thank you.."
- >Phew, she didn't catch it
- >Wait..!
- >Luna is leaning towards you.
- >Now your heart is thumping very quickly
- >Luna closes her eyes and gives you the smallest kiss on your cheek.
- >Now you're the one blushing
- >But you're so glad you made yourself ask Luna for this evening together.
- >What now? Oddly, you're not worried about what to do next.
- >It doesn't seem to matter.
- >Under your breath, you say her name again:
- "Luna..."

