Midnight sat back on a chair across from the DJ of the third nightclub. The first two nightclubs were ready to open, but Luna and Vinyl had insisted on waiting. It seemed likely that they would make a decent profit. Midnight listed off songs to the DJ. Songs of his own choice this time, he didn't exactly want a repeat of last time. It was only a couple of days after his first disastrous attempt at pleasing people, but now he knew what he had to do. Slowly, he finished picking the music and looked up at Luna, Octavia and Vinyl.
"Well, we finally have our clubs." he said. "Shall we open them?" He smiled at his friends and they smiled back. For the first time in a week, he truly relaxed. He wasn't worried about what they thought. He looked towards a sofa nearby where Berry, Minuette, Lyra and Bon Bon.
"Yes." said Luna, standing up and walking over to him. Octavia got a weird look on her face and got up as well. Midnight didn't notice the brief change in her usual calm demeanor, but it spelled the end of his brief peace from two fighting mares. It happened again at dinner, Octavia sitting between Midnight and Luna, casting a surreptitious look over to Luna before returning to normal conversation. She considered it payback, but Luna looked at it differently. She had looked at her game board in secret.
It was equal. What could she do now? She could fight for control of Midnight overtly, or maintain the fiction of peace for her lover's sake. Octavia could not view the board, but she knew what was happening. The mysteries of the heart were unknown to stallions, but were instinctual to mares. She stayed at Midnight's side as they travelled from club to club in the evening, hugging him during the opening of the first two clubs. When Midnight stepped forward to open the third club, Octavia stepped up beside him, kissing him soundly after the fact, her eyes burning into Luna's with a hidden malice that only Luna shared.
Luna cast a thought into Octavia's mind. Meet me on the balcony in half an hour. Octavia blinked once in acknowledgement and broke off the kiss. Luna turned and teleported ahead. Octavia wasn't exactly sure about this, but she knew not to bring Midnight. Instead, she turned to Lyra and Bon Bon.
"Would you two mind coming with me?" she asked of them.
"Ok. Where are we going?" said Lyra, following Octavia as she turned to leave the crowd.
"To Luna's balcony." replied Octavia.
"Ok, I have a favour to ask of her." said Lyra, smiling to herself.
"Really? What is it?" asked Octavia, giving Lyra an odd look.
"You will find out later." said Lyra, still smiling.
Octavia shrugged and kept walking. Bon Bon followed her and Lyra lagged behind a little bit. They reached the palace and climbed to Luna's balcony. Octavia opened the door to see Luna standing with a chess set resting on the table in front of her. Octavia understood and walked over to the table. She sat down as Luna sat across from her. Luna threw the white king into the air. It came down pointing towards Octavia. She would take the first move. Amidst the silent seriousness, Lyra stepped forwards.
"Umm, Your Highness? Could I ask a favour please?"
"What is it Lyra? Octavia and I have business to settle."
"Could you turn me into a human again please?"
"What?" Luna said, completely distracted from what she was about to do.
"Can you turn me into a human again?"
"Why?"
"Well..." Lyra began to blush. She began to fiddle with her hoof. Luna looked back to Octavia, a questioning look on her face. Octavia looked back and shrugged. Luna nodded. A flash later, Lyra stood on two legs, wearing exactly the same clothes as she had before. Humans have far less modest bodies than ponies and Lyra quickly noticed just that. She was also a little bit imbalanced. Breasts will do that to you. Bon Bon walked over to her. Lyra caught herself from falling and thanked Luna, walking for the door. Octavia looked at her.
"Are you sure that that was a good idea?" She asked.
"Oh yes, as soon as she get more than 40 yards away from me, the spell will reverse. It should be happening any moment..." A shriek of rage cut through the air. "now," Luna finished. Octavia giggled, joined in mirth by her soon to be opponent. The mood slowly darkened. The board glowed as Luna enchanted it. Midnight could be directly affected by the actions of the pieces, while the moves that were made would be actions in his dreams. No mere corporeal moves could be made, only the mysteries of the mind and soul could shift a piece.
Luna sent him a message telling him that he should rest a little before their shift tonight. She cast a spell granting vision of Midnight. They watched as he made his way to the chambers that he was to be sharing with Octavia. He sat up waiting for a short while, then shrugged and went to sleep. Luna turned to Octavia.
"Well then, let us begin." she said as Octavia started the game.