>You are Octavia Melody
>Personal maid of Empress Nightmare Moon
>…
>You are making your way to the Royal Chambers to deliver the Empress her usual evening cup of coffee.
>A cold sweat finds it’s way onto your forehead as you think about what you are about to  attempt.
>As you arrive the at Empress’ chamber, the doors automatically open; inviting you in.
>Quickly, you make your way to her sitting room, where you find the Empress reading one of her many ancient books.
>Noticing your presence, she looks up from her book, and motions toward the small table beside her.
>”You may place our drink there, and take your leave.”
>You swallow, and do as instructed.
>Placing the cup on the table, you retreat a few steps, and bow.
>Your mind races as you reconsider your question.
>Should you ask?
>Will she punish you?
>…
“E-Empess?”
>She looks at you again.
>”Yes maid? Is there a problem?”
>You shake your head.
“N-No. There’s no problem…”
>”Then you may leave, your duties are done.”
>You swallow.
“We- we would like to ask you a question…”
---------------
>There is a pause in the air, before Nightmare Moon gently closes her book.
>”What troubles you now maid?”
>You notice just how dry your throat feels.
>Her icy, deep eyes offer no trace of comfort.
>Yet, you speak.
“We… we could like to ask if- if we could see our daughter…”
>As the words leave your mouth, you feel a crippling amount of dread come crashing onto your shoulders.
>The last time you asked this question was thirteen months ago.
>The last time you saw your foal was sixteen months months ago.
“Please… it’s her fifth birthday tommorrow… I- I would just like to see her. That’s all. I won’t even talk if you don’t-
>”You know that We’ve told you not to ask this question before…”
>You panic, knowing the mistake you’ve just made.
>Her tone isn’t particularly angry, or even very emotional.
>It’s cold.
>That’s what scares you the most.
“I know Empress… I tried to wait but- but she’s my foal! I- I missing her grow up! I-“
>You force your mouth shut, before you say something you’ll regret.
>Instead, you take a moment to compose yourself.
“I- I’ve been a good, loyal maid Empress. I know my place, and I’ve serve you and Sire Anonymous faithfully… please…”
>”You’ve done your duty; nothing more. Do you think you should be rewarded for doing only what it asked of you?”
“No! That’s not it at all! I-… I…”
>You realize only now that you have nothing true argument.
“I just miss my daughter… she means everything to me… please…”
---------------
>You feel the Empress familiar mane brush your cheek.
>”We suppose that, on the eve of her birth celebration, we shall permit you to see her…”
>You feel an immense weight lift off of your whiters.
“Thank you Empress! Thank you so much! You don’t understand how-“
>Seemingly unconcerned with your excitement, she speaks.
>”She will be returning from schooling soon. You may wait here for her arrival.”
>You feel tears crest your eyes.
>Sixteen months.
>She’ll be five years old tomorrow.
>…
>She’ll be getting her cutie mark soon.
>Your heart races at the idea.
>What will her special talent be?
>You wonder if she will-
>”Auntie Moon!”
>Instantly, you turn toward the voice.
>”Auntie Moon! I’m back!”
>Your daughter.
>Midnight Melancholy.
>…
>She’s just as beautiful as you remember.
>Her mane and coat are similar colors to yours, although slightly darker.
>Her eyes are a beautiful, deep blue.
>…
>Before you can even react, the filly gallops past you, and toward the Empress.
>In turn, Nightmare Moon smiles, and lifts the filly into her mane.
>Melancholy breaks out into a fit of laughter.
>”Put me down auntie! It tickles! haha! Stop!”
>In a bizarrely playful tone, Nightmare Moon replies.
>”We told you not to run little one! We must punish you severely!”
>Melancholy’s giggling only increases, unable to resist Nightmare Moon’s mane.
>”S-stop! haha! Stop I sorry! stop!!! haha!”
>It’s a strange scene before you.
>The all powerful Nightmare Moon, gently playing with a foal.
>Had you not seen it with your own eyes, you wouldn’t have believed it.
>A few moments pass, before Nightmare Moon stops her assault, and places the filly across her front legs.
---------------
>”What did you do today in school little one?”
>She smiles, her tone ever up-beat and cheerful.
>”We did math! Mr. Theory even gave me a blue ribbon!”
>Nightmare Moon smiles, and nuzzles the your foal.
>”That’s my Melancholy. I knew you would pass those exams…”
>Melancholy returns her embrace for a moment, before Nightmare Moon raises her head.
>”Melancholy?”
>Your foal looks up.
>”Yes auntie?”
>Nightmare Moon uses her mane to point toward you.
>”Do you know who that is?”
>Your heart races, and you can’t help but break into a smile.
>Your foal turns to face you, with a confusion on her face.
>Tears are now all too apparent in your eyes, as they escape your cheek.
>Melancholy raises her eyebrow, clearly in thought.
>”She looks familiar…”
>Than, she gets it.
>”It’s Ms. Octavia! Octavia Melody!”
>You nod, and smile wide.
“That’s right…”
>While it hurts not to hear “mom” leave her mouth, you know now rare these encounters are.
>Being able to see her at all is a gift.
>”Why don’t you go say hello Melancholy, don’t be rude to Ms. Octavia.”
>Nodding, the filly jumps from Nightmare Moon’s hooves, and come over toward you.
>You both nuzzle each other for a moment.
>It seems like all of eternity.
---------------
>Then, it ends.
>”Now why don’t you go get washed up for bedtime? We’ll come tuck you in when you’re done.”
>Melancholy breaks the nuzzle.
>”I’m sorry Ms. Octavia, but Auntie says I need to get ready for bed time…”
>You nod, clears in your eyes.
“It’s ok, you’re a- you’re a growing filly. You need your sleep.”
>She nods.
>”Goodnight Ms. Octavia!”
>You open your mouth to reply, but before you can, she turns, and nuzzles Nightmare Moon.
>”Goodnight Auntie!”
>She turns the nuzzle.
>’Goodnight little one, now hurry, and we might even read you a bedtime story…”
>The filly’s ears perk up at the word “story,” and almost instantly, she gallops from the room, toward some other section of the apartments.
>…
>There is a moment of silence.
>A cold, lonely feeling begins to sink in.
>…
>That might be the last time you see your foal for more than a year.
>...
>She… she might have her cutie mark next time you see her.
>…
>”Was that satisfactory Octavia?”
>You nod, and wipe your eyes.
>”Ye-yes Empress… thank you…”
>She nods.
>”In truth Octavia, we know this time is difficult for you.”
>”We trust you understand that we are much more capable of providing for her than you ever could.”
>You nod.
“I… I know Empress… I- thank you… so much for doing this for her…”
---------------
>The words pain you as the leave your mouth.
>In some small part, because they are true.
>Nightmare Moon as the resources of an entire Empire at her disposal.
>The best tutors.
>The best opportunities to explore her talent.
>The best… everything.
>She can provide Melancholy so much more than you ever could…
>”She will be earning her mark soon. You know that, correct?”
>You nod.
”I know…”
>”We suppose that, as the time nears, we should allow the filly to know more about her lineage.”
>Your ears stand up.
“You mean-“
>”Yes Octavia, we feel the time is nearing where she may learn you are her mother…”
>The tears return.
”Thank you Empress… thank you so much… you don’t know what this means to me...”
>She brushes your mane with her own.
>”We are glad to see you are pleased…”
>Just as quickly, her mane retracts.
>”Although you would do well to remember that, if you displease us, we might be forced to reconsider.”
>You nod heavily, her reminder being all to clear.
”I understand- I-I’ll do my best Empress; I promise.”
>She looks at you, before nodding, and re-openig her book.
>”Than you are dismissed. You may return to your chambers for the evening.”
>You stand, and bow slightly, before turning to exist the room.
>...
>As the doors of the Royal Apartments close behind you, for some odd reason, you turn around.
>You never got to say goodnight to her, did you?
>You take a deep breathe, before speaking in an almost inaudible voice.
“Good Night…”
>”My Melancholy…”
>Satisfied, you turn around, and make your way down the hall.