Lunastice

[no_vampires_plz]

As Twilight leads the little foal down the path, the character of the woods around them changes. The trees are bigger, the brambles thicker, and the few plants that are still growing look considerably more... exotic than what one generally sees around Milliways. The most noticeable change, though, is in the weather. The thin layer of snow and frost on the ground is replaced by thick snowdrifts that crunch under their hooves, and the leaden sky of a Scottish winter gives way to a clear dark blue. The setting sun makes the snow gleam gold and pink as the trees thin out and give way to rolling hills.

"Alright. If anyone asks, your name is Sharp Tack and you're a friend of the family visiting from Canterlot."

Comments

[always_the_moon]

The aurora is getting closer and closer. Murmurs of astonishment rise from the hill as the other groups of stargazers catch sight of the chariot and its rider. As the chariot approaches, it descends, bathing Ponyville and its surroundings in green and crimson light.

It seems to be heading for the crest of the very hill they're sitting on.

[basic_powers]

Tyler has very few words in his vocabulary that he'd be able to use effectively to describe just how much WOW he is feeling right now looking at the Aurora Borealis. At least until sense and caution start creeping up at the sight of the chariot heading towards their hill specifically.

"...why's she coming this way?"

[no_vampires_plz]

"I don't know..."

With a crunch of hooves on snow, the chariot lands, scarcely ten yards from Twilight and Tyler's position. The Princess is no longer actively creating the aurora but it continues to shimmer in the air above them.

[basic_powers]

...when that happens, it should come as NO surprise that Tyler has somehow, silently managed to put Twilight between himself and the Moon Goddess Princess.

And just peeer out from behind her tail at the larger winged unicorn.

[always_the_moon]

Princess Luna steps out onto the snow and walks almost silently toward them, her silver-shod hooves scarcely leaving an imprint in the snow. Twilight hastily drops into a bow.

"Rise, Twilight Sparkle," says the Princess. "You, of all ponies, need not show obeisance to Us."

Twilight stands up, looking a little sheepish. "It's good to see you, Princess Luna. I wasn't expecting to see you again until next Nightmare Night at least."

"As did We," says the Princess. "But We were made aware of another celebration in Our honor, and wished to see what festivities this night would bring." Luna leans over to one side. "And who is thy young companion?"

"This is--um--" In her nervousness, it takes Twilight a moment to remember Tyler's assumed name. "Sharp Tack. He's a family friend visiting from Canterlot. It's okay, Sharp Tack, she's not gonna bite you..."

[basic_powers]

..Okay, one this princess does NOT know the value of an indoor voice upon greeting new ponies. Two, what the heck is obeisance?

With both of those questions somewhat unanswered, he's slowly easing out from behind Twilight, hooves crunching faintly.

"..h-h...Hello, Princess Luna."

[always_the_moon]

Just be grateful she's not using the Royal Canterlot Voice.

Luna holds out a hoof to the little foal. "Greetings to thee, fair Sharp Tack. Be not afraid; We intend thee no harm."

[basic_powers]

He's just going to..screw up his courage and tell himself that she's just a more formal version of Belar..or..La BeFana. It is with that in mind that he moves forward and lightly bows his head to the hoof putting his forelock and a small bit of that woolen hat to the outstretched hoof before looking up again.

"The Aurora Borealis you left in the sky is amazing...how did you do that?"

[always_the_moon]

"It is one of the powers granted to Us as Princess of the Night." says Luna. She seems quite pleased at the question. "The night sky is Our domain, as are all nocturnal creatures."

[basic_powers]

"Owls and bats too?" Tyler's smiling now, looking quite interested in this all.

[always_the_moon]

"Indeed." She nods, briefly, at Owlowiscious, who flutters over and gives the Princess an affectionate headbutt.

[basic_powers]

Okay, Tyler just is grinning at that...it's too cold for bats and moths to swarm Luna anyways.

He's going quiet again, ears moving to listen to everypony around them. Should he speak up about how..he's starting to like being awake at night, it's quieter then.

[always_the_moon]

Luna notices. "Does something trouble thee, Sharp Tack?" she asks, much more quietly than before.

[basic_powers]

"...I'm just listening...it's..it's easier to hear things at night." Tyler looks up at Luna, a little abashed, thinking he's been rude again. "Sorry..was I being rude?"

[always_the_moon]

"...not at all," says Luna, a little taken aback. "We are... not used to hearing such things."

[basic_powers]

"...oh." Tyler's ears go down a little bit, and it's really hard to tell a foal is blushing when he's got a coat that red. "...you want a gingerbread star? I saved some from the buffet earlier."

[always_the_moon]

"Pray tell, what is a 'gingerbread star'?"

"It's a kind of pastry," Twilight explains. "A star-shaped pastry flavored with ginger root. You should try one, they're really good."

"Very well, then," says Luna. "We accept thine offer."

[basic_powers]

Tyler's already digging out a couple of whole iced stars and hoofing them over to Luna for her to try out. They're dark little cookies, and just a little bit of sweet spice to them.

"Here."

[always_the_moon]

The Princess takes a careful nibble out of one corner of one cookie.

Then takes a considerably less careful nibble, popping the whole cookie in her mouth and quickly following with the second one.

"Mmmm!" she says cheerfully, licking crumbs and icing off her muzzle. "These stars of gingered bread are a fine repast indeed!"

[basic_powers]

"They're great when you dunk them into hot cocoa too, and they don't fall apart as easily as a cake does when you take it out for star gazing." All very important factors for when you make a hike out somewhere, and you're carrying food. "The Sugarcube Corner Bakery made a bunch of desserts for tonight, all moon and star themed."

[always_the_moon]

"I see," Luna muses. "And what other festivities are there in which to partake on this Lunastice night?"

"Well, there's caroling all evening long," says Twilight. "And the lantern parade at midnight... come to think of it, that's like twenty minutes from now."

[basic_powers]

"And the star-gazing, but I don't think ponies are paying attention to the celestial giraffe now."

[always_the_moon]

Luna rolls her eyes. "Ugh. Mention not the celestial giraffe. We were young and stupid when We were putting constellations together."

[basic_powers]

Then it kind of goes to figure that it'd be a young colt's favorite constellation, wouldn't it?


Tyler just smiles, as he's trying not to giggle so very hard.

"I dunno, I kinda like looking for it."

[always_the_moon]

"Really? You... really?"

Mark your calendar, Twilight: this is probably the only time you will ever see one of the Princesses of Equestria blush.