//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: One Small Step 
// by Benman 
//------------------------------//

	That evening, Lodestar was curled up in a ball on her living room sofa. She was resting her face on her hooves, trying to make sense of the emotions running through her head. She had been lying there long enough that the embroidery on the throw pillows was imprinted into her flank, but she was still as confused as ever.
She was extraordinarily tired. Despite her fatigue, she had been unable to fall asleep after the interview with Morning Glory. At first she had been too excited at the thought of seeing her words in print. Then the alcohol faded, and excitement was replaced by worry. She had worried about Princess Luna’s state, worried about her newfound unemployment, worried that the interview had been a bad idea… all in all, she had tossed and turned for hours and, for the second day in a row, managed only a few hours of sleep.
The front door creaked open, and her brother strode through. He levitated a rakish jacket off his torso and cast it across the back of the couch. “Hey, sis. Sorry I didn’t see you this morning, I had a bit of a long night.” He paused when he got a look at her face. “Hey. Is something wrong?”
“Yes. I…” Lodestar tried to think where to begin. So much had happened last night, but when she thought about what was bothering her the most… “Sunspot, what kind of pony am I? I don’t mean what I usually do, or the way I act around one group of ponies or another. I mean who am I really, on the inside?”
Sunspot raised an eyebrow. “Whoa, hey. It is way too late to be getting existential.”
“I’m serious! I’ve been thinking about it and I, I, I don’t know who I am! I’ve always just gone along with other ponies, I’ve never done anything big by myself, I don’t even know what I’d want to do if I had the chance…”
“Look.” Sunspot hopped onto the couch beside Lodestar. “You’re not some puzzle that you need to solve and sum up in a couple of words. I mean, ponies are complicated. Most of us spend our entire lives trying to figure out who we are and what we want. So what if you don’t have an answer right now? You don’t need one to keep being you, and that’s the important part.”
“I suppose. Maybe it shouldn’t bother me, not knowing much about who I really am, but it does.”
“You’ll figure it out. You’re young, you’ve got plenty of time. Figuring out something this big this isn’t something you’ll do in an evening. A journey of a thousand miles–”
“Begins with one small step, I know. But I shouldn’t have to figure this out! I should know who I am already!”
“Hey. You want to know who you are? You’re my sister. I know you like I know myself, so trust me when I say no matter what your inner self turns out to be, you’re a wonderful pony and I’ll always love you because you deserve it.”
Lodestar smiled thinly. “Thanks. I suppose I needed to hear that. I really do feel a bit better.”
“You sure? You still look like you’re about to go write some angst-ridden poetry or something.”
“Yeah, I… well, I had a crazy night. My sesguin wasn’t the only thing bothering me.”
“What’s a sesguin?”
“That’s a long story,” said Lodestar. “Um, do you have time to talk for a while? There’s rather a lot of confusing things going on, and I need somepony to help me sort through it.”
“Of course. I’ve got no other plans tonight, anyway.”
Lodestar smirked. “You’re still a terrible liar, you know.”
“Fine,” said Sunspot. “I was gonna go see Fiddler on the Hoof with some guys, but my sister’s more important. So, what is it?”
“Well.” Lodestar took a breath. “I may have quit my job last night.” Lodestar launched into a summary of the last night’s events.
“Let me see if I understand,” said Sunspot when the story was over. “So Princess Luna keeps making mistakes because she’s still adjusting to being back, and sometimes she really hurts the ponies close to her. You quit because you don’t want to be around the next time it happens. Is that about right?”
“Yes. Well, no. Or rather, that’s part of it, but it’s not the whole reason I left.”
“Hm. So what am I missing?”
“The princess is just… she’s a really scary pony,” said Lodestar. “It’s not her fault, but she’s so alien. I mean, she doesn’t even breathe! She doesn’t eat! I don’t know if she sleeps! I have no idea how to relate to her or predict what she’s going to do. It’s just unnerving. But mostly… it’s Nightmare Moon. That wasn’t an ignorant mistake like the other things. I know she was scared and confused and everything, but she did all that on purpose.”
“Well, from what you said, it sounds like Luna’s changed since the Nightmare Moon thing. Plus, Celestia was able to forgive her for that mess. You might want to think about following her lead.”
“It’s not because I’m not forgiving her! I just can’t forget that she’s capable of doing something like that. If I stayed around, that would always be in the background between us.”
“That sounds exactly like you’re not forgiving her, actually,” said Sunspot. “Forgiveness isn’t about saying polite words, it’s about really letting something go even though somepony absolutely did mess up. I mean, I can’t say that you should forgive her, that’s up to you. It just sounds like you didn’t, so far.”
“I don’t know. I don’t feel angry at her, I feel scared. Is that so unreasonable?”
“It sounds pretty reasonable, yeah. That doesn’t have to be the end of it, though.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, look,” said Sunspot. “You’ve got good reasons for feeling the way you do. Thing is, for such a big decision, you don’t want to go with just your feelings. You’ve also got to think about the situation, figure out what’s going on and what you want out of it, you know? Emotions are important and you never want to ignore them, but you don’t want to let them control you either. It’s important to understand them before you act on them. What exactly is it about Princess Luna that scares you?”
“I suppose it’s how I can’t tell how she thinks or what she’s going to do. I’m worried she’ll decide to turn into Nightmare Moon again, and I wouldn’t see it coming.”
Sunspot’s eyes widened. “You really think she’d do that?”
“I don’t know! I don’t know how I would know! Maybe I’m just being silly, but what if I’m not?”
“Sis, if you’re worried she’ll go that far, you can’t just walk away! At least tell Princess Celestia or something. This is a big deal.”
“I don’t know, that doesn’t seem fair to her,” said Lodestar. “The princess hasn’t actually done anything evil.”
“Looks like you’ve got a bit of a problem, then.”
Lodestar just nodded.
“Alright,” said Sunspot. “You were asking me what kind of pony you are on the inside, yeah? This is your chance to decide. It’s not every day you get a first-class moral dilemma like this one.”
Lodestar thought. “Well, leaving would be easy, but then the princess might turn evil and it would be my fault. I could tell Princess Celestia or somepony, but Princess Luna doesn’t deserve that, plus I’d probably make everypony suspicious and then the princess would be even more alone and then she’d almost certainly turn evil. But what else can I do?”
“Don’t focus on what to do just yet. First, how do you want all this to end up?”
“Hm. I don’t want the princess to turn evil again. I don’t want to keep dealing with a pony I can’t understand. I liked having a glamorous job working directly for the princess, so I’d like to keep doing something like that. Also… well, it would be nice if the princess could be happy.”
“She’s unhappy?”
“Well, not quite. She’s not sad, but she can’t really connect with the world. It’s hard to tell what goes on in her head, but I don’t think she’s happy, exactly. She’s too distant to be more than just… content. She deserves more than that. It sounds like she’s slowly getting better, but I could set that back if I betray her and tell Princess Celestia about the Nightmare Moon thing.”
“Hm. Now the hard part. Is there a way to get all of those things you want? Because I have to admit, I don’t see it.”
“I don’t know. I guess if… oh, horsefeathers. I’m going to have to take my job back and keep her from turning evil myself.”
“What? How?”
“I suppose I’ll have to become her true companion and help her readjust to living on Equestria. I’ll show her patience and kindness, I’ll learn to understand her, and I’ll stick with her when times get tough no matter how inexplicable and terrifying she gets.”
“No, I mean, how are you going to get your job back? You quit pretty dramatically, yeah?”
“Oh.” Lodestar paused. “Yes, that might be a problem.”


“Radiance! Miss Radiance! Can I have a moment, please? I need to talk to you.” Multicolored moonlight streamed through the stained glass windows and rippled over Lodestar’s side as she rushed down the crowded palace hallway, trying to catch up to the steward without crashing into any of the other ponies hurrying this way and that. Thanks to her fatigue, the simple task of navigating a crowded corridor required all the concentration she could muster.
Radiance turned and fixed Lodestar with a withering glare. “You have a lot of nerve, showing your face here.”
Lodestar forced all signs of fatigue from her face. “Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk about. I’ve had some time to reconsider, and I’d prefer not to quit after all. You don’t have to go through the trouble of finding somepony else.”
“You think I care about that? I’ve already lined up several possible replacements. I’m becoming quite good at that, you see, because ponies like you give me so much practice. I was slightly more concerned with the National Equestrian’s headline story, ‘Penumbral Princess Petrifies Palace Ponies’. It seems an anonymous source close to the princess has spilled all sorts of indiscreet details, and this somehow occurred on the very night that the princess’s attendant left in a snit. This does not seem like a coincidence, Lodestar. You have made Princess Luna look bad, and as such you have made every pony in this palace look bad. Believe me when I say that I have no further use for you.”
Lodestar pawed at the ground. “I do apologize for that. It won’t happen again, I swear. I was in over my head and I didn’t know what to do. And, er, I wasn’t precisely myself at the time.”
“Ah, yes. I heard about your little party with the princess last night. I’m not exactly thrilled that you got drunk on the job, Lodestar. You were hired to be her servant, not her friend.”
“But a friend is what she really needs! Not only that, I think a friend would be a lot more likely to last a long time in the position. It can’t possibly be worse than trying yet another pony who she doesn’t know.”
Radiance shrugged. “If you want to be Princess Luna’s friend, do it on your own time. I’m her steward, not her mother, and who she chooses as friends is no business of mine. The palace isn’t about to pay you for that, of course. You’re being replaced, and that’s final.” Radiance turned and trotted away.
Lodestar flushed. “Fine! I’ll find a way to make this work, even without your help!”


It wasn’t long before Lodestar stood before the marble door to the princess’s chambers. She stopped, rubbed her eyes, suppressed a yawn, then tentatively knocked. There was no response. Lodestar knocked again, harder.
From the other side, she heard a muffled gasp, followed by the princess’s voice. “What’s that? Oh, um, of course. Enter.”
Lodestar pushed the door open and stepped inside. “I’m sorry I startled you, Princess.”
Princess Luna was sprawled on the carpet at the base of a bookshelf, one hoof idly toying with a decanter covered in elaborate etchings of flowers.  “Lodestar! This is a surprise. I thought thou wouldst not return.” The princess’s face lit up, although didn’t get up from where she lay.
“Yes, well, I changed my mind about that, Princess. If that’s alright with you, that is.”
“But of course! I am most pleased.” Princess Luna paused, peering at Lodestar’s expression. “It appears thou art worried. Why is this?”
“I’m… technically no longer your attendant. Things aren’t so simple anymore.” Lodestar opened her mouth to tell Princess Luna about the Equestrian article, but couldn’t find the words.
Princess Luna shrugged. “I wish thee to return, thou wishst to return, it appears simple enough. I say thou art my attendant once more. I am curious as to why thou changed thy mind, however. Thou appeared certain last night. Art thou not frightened of me?”
“I suppose I am, a little. But you were asking about my sesguin last night, and it got me thinking. I want to be the sort of pony who wouldn’t run away from something like this.”
“I see. I would that I were more like thee, Lodestar.”
“I… what? More like me?”
Princess Luna rolled onto her side so that she was facing more or less towards Lodestar. “I have never been able to face my fears as thou art. The Nightmare Moon debacle is the worst that has come of it, but it is not all. I have difficulty confronting that which scares me. I always have. That is why I have not spoken to my sister for some days. It is the same, merely less dramatic.”
“Wait. You mean you’re scared of Princess Celestia?”
“Of course! She banished me to the moon for a thousand years! All was well in the end, but she did not know that would happen when she did it. Nor was that the first time she hath imprisoned somepony in such a manner. I cannot look past what she did to me. That is, I am aware that she cares about me a great deal, but I shall always know that she was capable of exiling me regardless.”
Lodestar took a deep breath. “My brother would say you’re talking like you haven’t forgiven her.”
Princess Luna nodded. “’Tis true enough. I love her dearly and I understand why she did it, but… yes, I would say that is right. It is a lot to forgive.”
“Princess, have you told her that?”
“Of course not! She would be crushed! I could never do such a thing.”
“It might be a good idea to deal with those feelings eventually, Princess. That doesn’t sound like something you’d want to hide from her forever.”
“Agreed. Only I am so busy adjusting to my return. I do not wish to complicate things until I feel more comfortable here.”
Lodestar shrugged. “You’re immortal. I’d suggest doing it sooner rather than later, but I suppose there’s no big rush.”
“Precisely!” The princess paused. “Is there aught else before thou resumest thy duties?”
“Actually, I should probably go home and get some sleep. The past couple of days have been tiring. I just wanted to let you know I wasn’t abandoning you, first.”
“Oh, there is no need for that. I can simply transform thy brain such that thou art no longer tired.”
“NO! I mean, no thank you. I mean, I’d prefer if you didn’t transform my brain for any reason.”
Princess Luna shrugged. “As thou wilt. There is still no reason for thee to travel all the way to thy home to sleep, however. My bed is more than adequate, and I am not using it.”
“What? Oh no, Princess, I couldn’t!”
“Nonsense. Thou art tired and in need of sleep. Go on.”
“Really, Princess, I’ll be fine. Radiance would be furious!”
“Is that the problem?” Princess Luna chuckled. “Very well, I shall make it easy for thee. As thy princess, I command thee to get some rest immediately. Nopony can get mad at thee now.”
“But I– yes, Princess.” Lodestar reluctantly made her way to Princess Luna’s bedroom and crawled under the covers. Part of her was terrified at the breach of etiquette, but part of her couldn’t help noticing that this was the softest mattress she had ever–


Lodestar awoke to the sound of a door opening. Groggily, she raised her head and looked around. Lodestar found herself staring into the curious face of Princess Celestia. A jolt of fear shook her fully awake.
“Princess! Your Highness! I was just– it’s not my fault!”
“Lodestar, was it? Don’t worry. What you do is between you and my sister.”
Lodestar quickly stepped out of the bed. “Are you looking for Princess Luna, Your Highness?”
“I am. Do you know where she is?”
Lodestar glanced at the clock. She’d been asleep for nearly seven hours. “If I remember her schedule correctly, she should be learning history with Professor Umbra now.”
“She should, but she isn’t. That’s why I’m looking for her here.”
“I see. I’m afraid I know no more than you do, Your Highness.”
“I wonder. This is the second time she’s done this lately. You’ve spent more time with her than I have, recently. Why do you think she keeps doing this?”
“I couldn’t say, Your Highness. I’m sure I’m not nearly as familiar with her as you are. After all, you’ve known each other for thousands of years.”
“Not as well as you might think, nowadays. A thousand years is a long time. She changed a lot when she was away, and I guess I did too. Anyway, I really don’t know why she’s acting this way now. If you have any ideas, it would be very helpful.”
“I see. I suppose, if I had to guess... she may be doing it for attention, Your Highness.”
Celestia frowned. “How do you mean?”
“In the time that I’ve been the princess’s attendant, she skipped two meetings and you came looking for her exactly twice. Maybe she knows that this will get a reaction out of you, and for whatever reason, she’d rather get a negative reaction than no reaction at all. My brother was like that when he was younger, at least.”
“Hmm. You may be onto something. If she’s acting out for attention again, I guess it’s good that she’s missing appointments instead of casting all Equestria into eternal night.”
Lodestar suppressed a shudder. That hadn’t occurred to her at all.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to handle it better this time,” continued Princess Celestia. “What do you think I should do?”
“Me? Your Highness, I’m not qualified to deal with royal matters! Especially if you’re worried about a… a Nightmare Moon incident!”
“Really? It sounds like you watched your brother grow out of a problem much like this one. On the other hoof, the last time this happened to my family, I banished my sister to the moon for a thousand years. I think I could learn a thing or two from your family.”
Lodestar gulped. “Well… it helped when Dad started paying a lot of attention to the things Sunspot did right. That way, when he wanted attention, he could get it without causing trouble. Also Dad swore he’d take away Sunspot’s rocking horse if the curtains ever caught on fire again, but uh. I’m not certain that applies to this situation.”
“Yes, the first one sounds more relevant. Thank you, Lodestar. You’ve given me a lot to think about. Now, I’d appreciate it if you could find out where my sister is and what she’s up to.”


The search took some time. Lodestar checked the gardens, the library, and the art gallery before she thought of returning to the glass furnace. There, she found Princess Luna levitating an egg-shaped glob of glass that glowed yellow with heat. She was carefully rolling it against a heavy steel table. Princess Luna looked up. “Greetings!” she called. “Thou lookst much livelier now.”
Lodestar navigated her way past workbenches and scattered tools as she approached Princess Luna. “You’re not an easy pony to find, Princess Luna. Your sister is wondering where you are.”
Princess Luna shrugged. “She hath no need to know where I am at every moment. I shall speak with her in due time.” She turned her attention back to the glob of glass. She continued shaping it against the table as Lodestar made her way to Princess Luna’s side.
Princess Luna let out a frustrated hiss. “Discord’s teeth!” She gestured at a hairline crack running the length of the glob. “It hath cooled too fast.” Her horn glowed, and the glass disappeared as though it had never existed. Princess Luna picked up a short blowpipe, then, with another burst of magic, conjured a similar ball of glass on the end of the blowpipe. She glanced up and saw the obvious discomfort on Lodestar’s face. “Is something wrong?”
Lodestar hesitated. “I suppose so. It’s a little frightening to see you create and destroy things like that.”
“It is? Why?”
“Because you’re breaking the laws of nature!”
The princess shook her head. “The laws of nature cannot be broken, by definition. Thou art saying that the laws of nature are not what thou believed them to be.”
“You know what I mean, Princess Luna. Ponies shouldn’t be able to do that. Watching you do things that ought to be impossible is… well, it’s weird.”
“But I can do things like this. Shall I hide who I am merely because some other ponies find it discomfiting?”
“Sometimes, yes. There are thousands of ponies in Canterlot, and we’re all rather different. The only way we can live together in harmony is to act polite and normal in public, even when it’s against our sesguin. You don’t always have to do that with ponies you know well, like me or your sister, but it’s important to be able to fit it when you want to. That’s how–”
The furnace door burst open, letting in a blast of cooler air, followed shortly by Radiance. She gave a curt nod in Princess Luna’s direction. “Ah, there you are. Princess Celestia is concerned about your disappearance, you know.”
Princess Luna frowned thoughtfully. “We have met before, have we not?”
“We have been introduced on four separate occasions. I am Radiance, the steward of this palace. That means it’s my job to make sure everything runs smoothly, which would be a lot easier if I didn’t have to run across the palace every time I needed to speak with you. In any case, I have found you a new attendant. He’s a fine young pegasus by the name of Nova Squall. I’ve told him to meet you in your quarters at sundown.”
“We no longer require a new attendant,” said Princess Luna. “Lodestar will return to her former duties. You have our thanks nonetheless.”
“I’m afraid I can’t allow that, Princess,” said Radiance. “I don’t know if Lodestar told you, but she’s responsible for a rather unflattering article in today’s National Equestrian.”
“And that means… what, exactly?”
“It means she told the whole world about the incident with Dawn Darling.”
“I doubt that. Lodestar is loyal. She knows how fragile our reputation is. She is the last pony who would go spreading such tales.” Princess Luna looked over to Lodestar. “Is that not so?”
“I... no. Radiance is right.” Lodestar hung her head. “I know I shouldn’t have. It’s just, after last night, I didn’t know what to do. Then I ran into this reporter and, well, it seemed like a good idea at the time.”
Princess Luna set down her blowpipe. “I can’t−” She cut herself off, swallowed, and began again. “We do not understand why thou, of all ponies, hast betrayed our trust so.”
“I suppose I wasn’t really thinking clearly. After everything that happened, I was confused and lost and I suppose a little hurt. I needed to talk to somepony about everything, and the reporter was the one who was there.” Lodestar paused briefly and wondered whether to say everything in front of Radiance. She quickly decided that honesty before Princess Luna was more important than impressing a pony who had already written her off entirely. “Also, uh, I’ve always sort of wanted to be in the papers. I’ve just never had anypony think I was important enough to interview before. It was hard to pass up.” She winced. “I know I should’ve been more discreet. I’m so sorry.”
“You see?” said Radiance. “That’s not the kind of pony we need here in the palace.”
If Princess Luna heard Radiance, she gave no sign. She sat back in thought for the better part of a minute. “I understand,” she said finally. “I know what it is like to feel lost and unappreciated. I know why a pony would lash out. If all thou didst in that state was to tell ponies the truth…” Princess Luna let out a sharp sigh. “I am not pleased, but I can forgive thee. I would still have thee as my companion.”
Radiance cleared her throat. “That’s touching, but no. As steward, I need to know that my staff is reliable, and Lodestar has shown that she is nothing of the sort.”
Princess Luna flicked her mane in annoyance. “That was not a suggestion. Thou art speaking to a princess of Equestria, and thou wilt do as we say in this.”
Radiance sniffed. “I believe Princess Celestia is still the one in charge around here. She placed me in charge of the palace staff, and I answer to her authority, not yours. Frankly, I’m not sure what your position is these days, but it certainly doesn’t entitle you to make decisions on my behalf.”
“Thou presumest too much!” Princess Luna’s horn shone faintly with power. The sunlight streaming in through the windows abruptly cut off. At the same time, the light from the forge vanished, leaving the dim glow of the princess’s horn as the only source of light. She drew herself up to her full height– no, Lodestar realized, the princess had actually grown several inches taller. Her coat darkened several shades, as well. Radiance took several quick steps away from Princess Luna. After a moment’s hesitation, Lodestar did the same.
“A pony would be wise to remember that Equestria is ruled by two princesses,” continued Princess Luna. “We are older than mortal ponies such as thee can comprehend, and with age has come wisdom. Yet still we are more powerful than we are wise. Perhaps a demonstration is in order.” She leaned forward, and her horn grew brighter. Radiance flinched back. “Thy words have offended us. Thou shalt not speak again in our presence.”
Radiance opened her mouth to say something, but no sound came out. A look of sheer panic crossed her face. She tried to speak again, to no avail. Lodestar looked on, aghast, as Radiance bolted from the room and slammed the door behind her.
Princess Luna chuckled softly. She released her spells, and light poured into the building once again. “There,” she said. “I expect that pony will trouble us no more.” She glanced down at herself. “I rather like this body. I believe I shall keep it.”
“Princess Luna,” said Lodestar, “I appreciate you sticking up for me, but that was… why did you do that to her?”
“I thought it was quite clear,” said Princess Luna. “That pony was exceedingly rude, and moreover, she tried to take thee away from me. Her actions were intolerable, and I responded as a princess should.”
“Did you? I can’t imagine your sister doing that to anypony. I mean, Radiance was being a jerk and she deserved to get told off, but I think you went too far. Taking away her voice was, well, cruel. That’s not how ponies are supposed to deal with each other.”
Princess Luna shrugged. “It seemed effective. Our problem with the steward is solved, and the spell will fade in a night, or perhaps two. If she is distressed in the meantime, then I cannot feel sympathy for a pony who has acted as she has.”
“Even if you can’t, then think of how other ponies will see this! Radiance will certainly talk about what you did, Princess Luna. When she can, I mean. This won’t win you any friends.”
“I find it difficult to believe that ponies would truly pay heed to one such as her.”
“They will. Radiance is an important pony with a well-respected position. Her words carry a lot of weight.”
“We shall see,” said Princess Luna. “Now, I shall return to my glassblowing. I have neglected it too long.”


“Hey, sis!” Sunspot called as he entered the house. “How’s life with Princess Fancy?”
Lodestar set her copy of Cosmoponytan magazine on the coffee table. “The past few nights have gone smoothly enough. It’s been pretty good since that Radiance thing.” She turned towards her brother and saw Morning Glory alongside him. Both were wearing heavy smocks, saddlebags, and goggles. “What’s with the barding?”
“I’ve been dabbling in glassblowing lately,” said Morning Glory. “Sunny was nice enough to come along.” She reached into her saddlebag and took out a heavy vase. It was tall, narrow, and bright pink. She put it down on the coffee table.
“If that counts as ‘dabbling’, I don’t want to know what mine is.” Sunspot produced a small green object that had probably been meant to become a drinking glass before one side of it collapsed inwards.
Lodestar eyed Morning Glory’s vase. It was simpler than anything Princess Luna made, but it was still a solid piece that any pony would be proud to own. “Is there anything you can’t do?”
Morning Glory shrugged out of her smock. “If it’s worth doing, I’ve probably done it.”
“That reminds me,” said Sunspot, “what do you think of heading out to see Fiddler on the Hoof next week?
“I don’t know. Sitting and watching a show isn’t really my thing.”
“Well, if you wanna get more hooves-on, I know a guy who runs a great acting class.”
“I can’t see myself getting into acting. It’s a lot of work and you don’t end up with something tangible or worthwhile at the end. How about we just have dinner instead?”
“You mean–” Sunspot swallowed. “Okay, sure. Fine.”
Morning Glory turned to Lodestar. “So how did you like your article?”
“Ah,” said Lodestar. “I suppose it caused some problems at the palace.”
“Nothing too serious, I hope,” said Morning Glory.
Lodestar shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have said what I did, but that’s my own doing. There’s not much to do now except move on.”
“I thought you would’ve been pleased. My editors were happy with it, and it made a big splash when we published it. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“I thought so,” said Lodestar, “but I don’t like how I made Princess Luna look. I shouldn’t have done that to her.”
“Well, if you’d like to set the record straight, we could do a follow-up piece.”
“No, thank you. I think I’ve learned that particular lesson.”


Lodestar knocked on the princess’s door and pushed it open. “Hello, Princess Luna. How are you this evening?”
“Not well. I fear thou had the right of it last week.” Princess Luna was curled up on a chaise longue that was now slightly too small for her new, larger body. “That encounter with the steward has left me still less popular than before.”
Lodestar winced. “What happened?”
“For days, every pony I have seen was terrified of me! Many fled my presence, and those who did not acted as though I would strike them down at a moment’s notice. I realize the steward hath spread tales of me, but truly, I do not understand why these ponies believe her. I know I am not the monster they fear me to be.”
“Well, a lot of ponies know Radiance. They may not like her, but they respect her, and they take what she says seriously. Why shouldn’t they believe her? All they know about you is what you’ve shown them.”
“I have shown them little enough, ‘tis true. Now it shall be yet more difficult for me to be welcomed back. My sister will not be pleased to learn of this.”
“Princess Luna, how badly do you want to convince everypony that you’re not scary? Because the only way to do that is to start interacting with ponies. And, uh, not to steal their voices or light them on fire or anything when you do.”
“I understand this, only it is difficult to do so. I am… apprehensive about facing the judgment of other ponies. This is doubly so with unfamiliar ponies, and trebly so when they are in groups. I no longer know how to act in their presence.”
“Oh!” said Lodestar. “Is that the trouble? If it’s just not knowing how to act, there’s an easy answer.”
“That is much of it, even if it is not the entire problem. I would hear thy solution.”
“Well, you’re not the first pony to have this problem. We’ve invented manners exactly so that ponies have something to fall back on in social situations. If you stay polite, it’s basically an automatic way of acting the way ponies expect and showing respect. It can also work as sort of a shield to keep you from showing more of yourself than you want to ponies you don’t know very well, so you don’t have to worry about them judging you as much. It’s the same idea as how you already speak using the royal ‘we’ when you want to make things less personal, or you want to be your position instead of being another pony. I think focusing on formal manners could really help you, Princess Luna. It can give you a way to handle your anxiety by giving you a comfortable routine, and also prevent any more, ah, missteps like the one with Radiance.”
“Hmm.” Princess Luna stroked her chin thoughtfully. “Thy reasoning appears sound. I will research this further, that I might be prepared the next time I must deal with the masses.”
“Great! So when do you think would be a good time to start meeting them?”
“I know little enough of such matters. Dost thou have a suggestion?”
“Well, it’s only a couple of weeks until Nightmare Night. A big event like that could be a good opportunity to meet ponies, and it’s far enough away that you have time to prepare. Plus it’s appropriate because it’s a night about you! Er, more or less.”
“I am not sure that is wise. Nightmare Night is far sooner than I intend to present myself to the populace. I wish to be fully prepared when I act. It is more likely I shall be ready in a year, or perhaps two.”
“That’s an extremely long time. I think you have plenty of time to learn everything you’ll need by this Nightmare Night.”
“It is not my knowledge that concerns me, but rather my own state of mind,” said Princess Luna. “I would be… uncomfortable, interacting with so many ponies so soon.”
“I understand, but the best way to conquer those fears is to just go out and start meeting ponies. Waiting around isn’t going to make you any more ready. Do you feel any more prepared for this than you did for the Gala?”
“I suppose not. Yet still I find it difficult to believe that a single night will be enough for me to overcome these fears.”
“Well, it won’t,” said Lodestar, “or at least not completely. I’m sure you’ll make progress, though. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step, but you can’t go anywhere until you decide to take that step.”
“Hmm. And thou art confident that more formal manners will make it easier for me to do this?”
“Pretty sure, yes. It always works for me.”
“Very well,” said Princess Luna. “I shall study etiquette, as thou believeth best. When the time draws nearer, I shall decide if I am prepared to attend the Nightmare Night festivities here in Canterlot.”