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]

"Twilight Sparkle," says Luna, "didst thoug know this?"

"Yes..." Twilight is cringing back from Luna, wishing it were feasible to just teleport back home and avoid this conversation. "He's not from our world, either--did your sister tell you about the place I found called 'Milliways'?"

"No. She did not." The Princess nods to her charioteers, who pull the chariot higher into the sky so that they'll be out of earshot of the town below. "But We would very much like to hear of it."

[basic_powers]

At least Twilight has the option of teleporting. Tyler's not even sure if his little protective medallion would work in hiding him from this long talk.

"...can..uhm..can we talk about this after the festival?"

[always_the_moon]

Luna just gives the two of them a Look.

[basic_powers]

it's super effective, tinyhero is paralyzed!

...forget he even asked.

He's just going to shut up now.

[no_vampires_plz]

Twilight takes a deep breath and begins.

"Well, it all started when I got lost in the Everfree Forest a few months ago..."

[always_the_moon]

* * *

Several minutes of complicated explanation later, Luna frowns in bemusement. It's a lot to take in.

"So... Tyler, is it?... tell me something."

[basic_powers]

"Yes'm. ...what is it?"

...sure, he's not scared at all right now. Just that resigned 'I am in deep trouble' look.

[always_the_moon]

"Why," she says, "didst thou hide thy true nature from thy fellow beings?"

[basic_powers]

"...b...because people don't like me as I am...or or..." He's trying hard not to throw up on the words. "They either already think I'm something else, or they want me to be someone else back home."

[always_the_moon]

This stuns the Princess even more. "But... why would they do such a thing?"

"Human society doesn't work like ours, Princess," Twilight explains. "They don't have cutie marks, so they don't know what they're good at. A lot of them end up forced into a job or a life position they don't like, because it's what other humans expect of them or they feel like they don't have any other choices."

[basic_powers]

"Most people expect me to be just like my parents...and...it..it just gets.." Tyler hangs his head, ears down. "I just don't wanna be something somebody else wants me to be...but I don't know who I am or need to be yet."

[always_the_moon]

"Thy flanks are still blank," says the Princess quietly. "There is yet time."

[basic_powers]

"If you asked my mom and dad...it's been too long already." He sighes. "...I like visiting other worlds. I really do, and if I'm in a shape or a look...no one's expecting me to be...well.."

[always_the_moon]

"...thou wishest to be someone else."

Princess Luna can... sort of relate to that. A bit.

[basic_powers]

"..yeah, kinda."

More to have a chance to be himself. No pressure, nothing trying to kill him.

"...I'm sorry."

[always_the_moon]

"Thou art forgiven, Tyler Marlocke," says the Princess quietly. "It is not always easy, to live up to the world's expectations."

[basic_powers]

"...is it okay with you if I stay for the rest of Lunastice?"

[always_the_moon]

"It is not Our decision to make," says the Princes. "If thou wantest to, thou mayest."

[basic_powers]

"I will...it's a great holiday."

Secret identity slips aside...and the fact that he didn't tell them EVERYTHING about his world or parents.

So ofcourse..he's looking a little happier already.

[no_vampires_plz]

"Speaking of which," Twilight pipes up, "we'd better get back down to earth before the parade is completely over..."

"Oh! Of course." Another nod to the charioteers, and they descend and touch down half a block ahead of the parade.

[basic_powers]

Just before they disembark Tyler perks up with a thought and walks over to the princess.

"Princess Luna, I just had another idea.." With that he's standing carefully on his hind legs to whisper it into Luna's ear with a smile.

"...try it out."

[always_the_moon]

The Princess blinks in surprise, but doesn't comment.

At least, not until the two other ponies have disembarked and the chariot takes to the sky, trailing the aurora's light behind it once more. As the Princess's chariot disappears into the night sky, her voice echoes across the land:

"Merry Lunastice to all, and to all a good night!"