Schism
10/19/2011
Sev
sev.jano@gmail.com
“What do you see when you look out there?”
“Hmm?”
Princess Celestia walked softly across the ornate stone floor of the palace. Beautiful filigree inlaid by master unicorn craftsponies centuries earlier glinted in the pale moonlight, catching her crisp white fur in frost-like reflection against the darker stone in which it was placed. It was spotless; the palace never stayed dirty for long. If the small legion of proud Earthponies that kept the grounds in order didn't catch something, subtle enchantments placed in the stones themselves would tidy any errant speck. There were days when Celestia longed for a mud puddle.
“Out there,” Celestia continued, arriving just behind the smaller, darker silhouette of her sister. Her voice was gentle and inquisitive. “You stand here every night and look out across Equestria, but I'm certain you don't see the same land I do.”
“There's been a lot of progress in a thousand years, sister”
“You know thats not what I mean.”
Princess Luna sighed, her wingtips drooping slightly, before looking back out over the moon-soaked landscape. Ponyville glinted in the distance, a tiny speck of light in the night, and she held her gaze on it momentarily. It wasn’t what was on her mind, but it provided a spot of focus, so she took it for what it was worth. Celestia stepped up beside her, following her eyes to the candles in the dark many miles away.
“It seems someone is up and enjoying your scenery.”
Luna nodded after a moment, realizing she hadn’t averted her gaze from the town in the distance. “It'l go out soon,” she said, “I see AppleJack sometimes, wandering in the orchard. Sometimes the dress shop stays lit up until one, two in the morning.”
Celestia smiled, “You can tell that much from here?” Luna chuckled softly, “I see what the Moon sees, thats all. Always have.”
Celestia's smile faded a little, and she draped her wing over the smaller pony. “You never stopped watching, did you.” she said, a hint of sympathy in her voice. It was more of a statement than a question, and Luna shook her head.
“Watching isn't the same as seeing. Nightmare Moon watched Equestria forget her for 1000 years. Now shes gone, and I'm here, and I'm trying to see, instead of watch.”
The pair were silent for a moment, eyes outward toward the night. Celestia spoke again when the wind picked up, tossing the shimmering colors of her mane out to her sides.
“What do you see when you look out there?”
The final lights in Ponyville blinked out, and left the world outside the palace balcony dark and quiet until the morning rays would bring Equestria to life once more. Everypony was in their bed by now, and only the owls graced the skies. “I see a thousand years of progress,” Luna replied, turning back for the palace interior, “and nothing has changed.”