>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."
>You try not to spill too much spaghetti as you reply:
"Well, there is something I'd like to ask of Princess Luna..."
 
>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..."